keeping it simple..

I was born in Manila and stayed here until I was in the fourth grade. During my elementary days, I kept waiting for summer to come because it would mean that I could spend vacation in our home in Cavite.

From our home, I can see a fantastic farm setting complete with the carabaos on procession when clock strikes 5 in the afternoon. I also remember that there used to be ‘rolling stores’ sort of caravan, only with carabaos as their means to get around. They sell native products, from brooms to mats to yantok baby walkers.

What I like most about vacationing in Cavite is it’s fresh air (back then) and my grandma’s cooking. I really enjoyed all of her meals.

But I hate it when they ask me to sleep after lunch because of this typical rural folklore that little children need to sleep in the afternoons to grow taller and faster. I would always pretend to be asleep until my grandma wouldn’t see from the kitchen that I sneak out of the bedroom.

But whenever she catches me, she won’t ask me go back to sleep but would prepare some merienda (afternoon snack) which is usually composed of a staple pandesal (reheated from our breakfast) and salty red eggs, or sometimes, my favorite plain, sugared donuts.

Yes, Krispy Kreme’s original glazed doughnut is to die for but this is the real thing.

Nowadays, we have loads of selection of donuts.

Dunkin Donuts is available almost all over the country or the popular Krispy Kreme. But nothing beats the local rubbery and sugar-laden donut that local bakery offers.

I was surprised when I saw some bakery here in Manila still makes this simple yet memorable donut, which brings back a LOT of my childhood memories.

I bought some of the sweet babies and while eating them, I suddenly wished I could also have my grandma’s homemade choco where I dip it, let it soak for a second or two and finally dunk it in my mouth.

Oh, I can only drool at the thought of it.

Chinese Gluttony

I was playing Cafe World in Starbucks Binondo when Punch told me that they are already in our meeting place. “At last”, I thought.

Today, we meet not for work but because we will dine at the famous Sincerity Cafe and Restaurant.

Earlier in the office, Punch ( my Boss and the Birthday Boy) invited me to accompany them in Binondo as he will be celebratinghis twentieth-something birthday there. He also wanted me to try the oyster cake. I got so intrigued about it upon hearing the name, so I said “okay, I’ll give i a try”.

On the way to Sincerity, we meet up with some of or officemates as well as our former colleague Mommy Shiela, who is fresh from India. This is the first time I’ll be checking Sincerity and I really don’t expect as much as one would expect from a restaurant named Presidents that can be found in Binondo too (which by the way I would be visiting sometime soon).

I entered this simple cafe and wondered what’s up for me. Mommy Shiela took charge of ordering food and I was amazed that she ordered a total of ten dishes for all of us:

Duck Noodle Soup Php 100

I don’t really like eating any duck delicacies not because I love Donald Duck so much but because when I was a kid my grandfather asked me to try it and my tummy starts to ache and I was down for a week. This soup is not pleasing to the eye unlike other soups I’ve had in the past, just check its color. There’s nothing special about this soup – tastes like normal chicken soup with misua. Nonetheless, one can note the tenderness of the duck.

Kiampong Special Php 35

I was expecting that we will order my favorite Yangchow rice but my hopes were gone when they ordered Kiampong. Afte4 having spoonful of it, I CAN’T STOP myself from splurging. The brown rice was not at all sticky like the normal Kiampong I have tried. Well then, I think I can forget about my Yangchow whenever I drop by Sincerity.

Ngo Hiong Php 50 per piece

Ngo Hiong is somewhat like then kikiam which we have come to know, only, it is not your ordinary favorite fishbolan’s kikiam. This one is fried to perfection and is served with atchara. That’s one wondeful imx of taste and texture.

Chopsuey Php 180

I am a BIG fan of Chopsuey. This one is my favorite among the batch since it was served with vegetables with superlative freshness and not overcooked. I just hope that they plan on using larger and fresh prawns and not hibi.

Beef Broccoli Php 200

This one is another favorite. The veggies were not overly cooked, plus, a very generous serving of broccoli  would please any fan of leafy greens like yours truly.

Special Ma Chang

This is the famous rice dish that a Chinese restaurant can offer. Though it doesn’t smell that nice, I tried this one and was able to find out that it has some chicken, pork and mushroom which is noticeably bitter.

Fried Oyster Cake Php 180

When Punch told me that we’ll eat Oyster cake I thought ‘gross’ – I was thinking of a normal chiffon cake with icing and all, topped with oyster meat. But as gross as that would get, my imagination fails me. The oyster cake was cooked like an omelet. Expect it to be a bit gooey. It tastes like a normal oyster minus the vinegar that usual comes with it.

Sincerity Chicken Php 300

I think I almost ate 6 out of the 10 pieces of this lightly buttered fried chicken with crispy skin on the outside and tender meat on the inside. It is indeed the best fried chicken in Binondo. So far.

Sate Pork Chami Php 90 & Sate Beef Chami Php 110

These two dishes were the least-favorited among the others on the table as they were almost left untouched. They were pepared the same wa except for the pork and beef toppings. I did not like the Chami because it tastes like a chemically-laden noodles, like you are eating some noodles plus a cough syrup.

With all the dishes we ordered (and got us stuffed), I have been for sure amazed. It took them less than 20 minutes to be able to serve all ten dishes on our table. The staff has also been really friendly and accommodating. And the best part, they offer free house tea to help us digest all that good food.