Sensei Sushi, BF Homes

I remember it was the start of 2014 when we said that we would start a blog on our rocking adventures and new discoveries.  During that time, our target was to write at least once every 2 weeks, a total of 24 blogs.  Today, the last day of 2014, Wandertwins has a total of 7 blogs—1 blog for every 1.7 months.  Haha!  This actually doesn’t mean that we stopped exploring new places or activities and food to try, but what I realized is that you really, really need to find time to blog, and I guess my work and personal schedules are not really cooperating.  Haha!  Even so, I will still write when I can and will still share with you our awesome finds in the Philippines and in the world.

It was one October evening (that’s how piled up my stories are) when we craved for Japanese food.  I heard good reviews about Sensei Sushi so we thought of giving it a try.  Together with Jeremy and my mom, we drove the street of Aguirre and looked for this restaurant to have a nice Jap dinner.  This was actually my 2^nd attempt to eat here.  We couldn’t find the restaurant the first time (I was with my friends Mich & Hen) as it was quite small and hard to find amidst the row of establishments in the area.  This time, eureka!  We found it!

Sensei Sushi is beside Nuat Thai, near A Veneto Napoli Pizzeria

Photo taken from the blog of Cheryl Tiu

Sensei Sushi is owned by Chef Bruce Ricketts.  It’s a small and quaint 20-seater restaurant, which serves Japanese fusion.  They have a set menu, but what’s nice is that they also have additional dishes to serve posted in their menu blackboard, which they change every 2 to 3 days depending on what is freshly available in the local market and what food they can create with these.

Sensei Sushi Menu Board

The night we went there, the tables were all reserved despite us coming in early at 6:30 pm so the only available seats were at the bar.  Apparently, these are the best seats at Sensei as you get to see how the great food is created and plated by their very own chef!

Now, time for dinner!

Crispy Philly

With Salmon, cream cheese, asparagus, aioli and unagi sauce
P185

Cali Roll with Prawn Popcorn

with kani, cream cheese, kyuri, green goddess and aligue aioli
P235

Tuna and Crispy Scallop Dynamite

with kyuri, cream cheese and dynamite sauce
P285

Soft Shell Crab Tempura

with kimchi garlic and aioli sauce
P400

Beef Teppanyaki

with market vegetables and teppanyaki sauce
P480 

We loved everything that we ordered!  Our tummies were filled with lots of good food that we didn’t have any room for dessert anymore.  On our next Sensei trip, I’ll make sure that I’ll save room for their Grilled Banana—a frozen tofu cheesecake with miso butterscotch, chocolate ganache and togarashi.  Sounds yummy, and the chef said it was a contender for good-tasting desserts in BF Homes.  Haha!

I really loved the food here!  Even the service was great!  They had nice staff who would actually explain your dish (even the chef!).  Given that we were seated in the bar area, we got to see dishes/orders of their other customers, which gave us ideas on what to order the next time we’re here.  (Just you wait ‘til I get you in my tummy, Torched Salmon Belly!  Haha!).  I will definitely, definitely go back!

Thank you, Sensei Sushi, for the wonderful dinner!

- Jessamine

Average price per person: P400-P500

https://www.facebook.com/senseiph

Operating Hours:

Monday to Sunday – 10:30 am to 11 pm

268 Aguirre Avenue BF Homes, Paranaque City

(02) 358-1387

Pavilion Japanese Cuisine, Madrigal Business Park, Alabang

We were craving for Japanese food one night and wanted to try something new for a change.  This craving of ours led us to Pavilion located at the Madrigal Business Park. 

Thanks to Waze, she (Yes, Waze is a she. J) helped us locate this discovery as we really never heard about this place until this time.  Surprisingly, Pavilion has been operational for 2 years now and is owned by the very nice couple, Christian and Marianne Polistico.

Pavilion is located in a gazebo in Venture Street (behind B Hotel) and provides al fresco dining to their customers.  When we arrived, we were their only customers and learned that most of their customers come during lunch since most are employees from the offices around the area.  The place was pleasant and could accommodate around 30 people.

  

We really didn’t know what to expect since it was a new place for us with no available reviews, and I am happy to say that it did not disappoint us. J

For starters, it was a choice between their Tofu Steak and Pavilion Maki as these, they say, are their best-selling appetizers, and for this trip, we tried their Tofu Steak.  When our order came, we were impressed with the presentation and was so eager to try it.  It was delicious!  The sauce was good, and the tofu was cooked just right.

Tofu Steak, P140

For their main course, they had typical Japanese selections for ala carte, donburi (rice toppings) and ramen, and we ordered their Tonkatsu, Shrimp Tempura and Pork Chahan.  Again, to our delight, we liked it!  Their dishes had a generous serving, and we can say that this is really value for money! 

Tonkatsu (P140) and Pork Chahan (P130)

Shrimp Tempura, P220

If you just had one choice though, we’d say you go for their Tonkatsu.  We haven’t really tried all their offerings yet, but this was one of our favorites during the trip (Again, don’t forget to couple it with their Chahan Rice!).

Since we were really happy with the food, we decided to get something for dessert.  It was unfortunate that their Green Tea Ice Cream wasn’t available so we tried their Chocolate Cake instead.  It reminded us of the cake from Polly’s, and it was delighting to know that it came from their own kitchen (and you can actually order one whole cake as well!). 

Chocolate Cake, P50

It's really nice to stumble upon places like this, and I am happy to share this good find with you.  This is really value for money. J

What we think doesn’t work for them is the name of their restaurant as it is nowhere related to Japanese food (except for their structure of course).  Also, they should strengthen marketing their restaurant so that other people get to know about them, and they get to extend their customer base to outside those in Madrigal Business Park.  Hopefully, in one way or another, this blog helps them. J

With the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Polistico

Thank you, Pavilion, for a surprisingly great dinner!  We will definitely go back!

- Jessamine

Average price per person: P250-P350

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pavilion-Japanese-Cuisine/499794220107862

Operating Hours:

Monday to Sunday – 8 am to 7 pm

Note: We called them earlier to inquire if they extended until 9 pm, and they were very nice to accommodate us even after their standard operating hours.  If you would like to eat in Pavilion for dinner, suggest you call them for reservation and extension requests.  The owners are very nice. J

Venture Street, Madrigal Business Park, Muntinlupa City

(0917) 629-3103

(02) 514-7554