Certified Foodies Ultimate Taste Test 7 Experience and Top Picks

November 17, 2011 – It was that time again for foodies to come together and discover new offerings from various home-based food suppliers at the Ultimate Taste Test 7.0. This time, the venue was in Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The food showcase was scheduled for 3 hours only so we were hoping to be there on time. But, unfortunately, we arrived almost an hour late. Thankfully, we were able to have a taste of all except 3 out of all the purveyors who were there to present their products.

When we got there, a lot of fellow foodies were still coming in and there was a long queue outside the tent area in Mercato Centrale. We were glad to see that there were a lot of tables set up inside and outside the air-conditioned area where people can sit and relax while they enjoy the food.

Since we needed to take photos of the food for our feature here, we had a hard time squeezing in. Of course, we didn’t want to cut the line as that’ll be unfair so we opted to stay in line. It was a long wait and it did test the patience of most people. But, hey, we were excited to taste all the food there ‘cause they were all new to us, except for one dessert purveyor – meaning they weren’t at the Ultimate Taste Test 6 in Rockwell or we haven’t had the chance to taste their products yet. So, we waited for our turn.

We thought UTT 6.0 was better though in the sense that there were more room for people to move around, going from one booth to another. We didn’t get to sit at the tables ‘til the very end when we were rating the food because we wanted to, as much as possible, go through all the 30+ booths.

Now, on to our top picks. We’re not unanimous with our favorites so we’re not going to rank them again, just like in our UTT 6 Top Picks. Here we go! 🙂

Note: Pardon the quality of the photos. We had to take quick shots ‘cause there was a long queue of people behind us. We didn’t want to irritate them. 😉

 

Sweet Favorites

 

MERRY MOO

(Food for the Gods and Queso de Bola with Fiesta Ham)

Between the two, we LOVED the Queso de Bola with Fiesta Ham. The bits of meat made this so delectable, mixing in with the sweet-salty flavors of the cheesy ice cream. We wanted to have seconds! Definitely, we’re coming back for this! 🙂

Merry Moo Ice Creamery
Email: merrymoo@ymail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Merrymoo.icecream
Contact #: 0917-528-9590

 

 

MIO GELATI

(Gelati and Mochilato)

Mio Gelati was the first booth when one enters the tent area. We were planning on starting with savory dishes first, but how can anyone resist going for desserts if you’re presented with this wide array of gelato flavors?! 😀

We got to taste their Red Velvet Cake and Tequila Rose gelato. They were delish! It was creamy, and the texture melted smoothly in our mouths. The latter had the right amount of tequila and the sweetness of gelato to keep you scooping for more. We both loved them. 🙂

We were also offered to try their Mochilato, which is, by the name itself, mochi with gelato ice cream as filling. We got the Salted Caramel and Peppermint Candy flavors.

The mochilato was at the right softness when they were handed to us so we got to enjoy it right away. We especially loved the Peppermint variant because of bits of minty candy in it. Truly a delight – we’re still craving for it ‘til now. 😀

Oh, by the way, we didn’t notice that the cards they were handing out were actually Php 100 worth of gift certificates. 😀

Mio Gelati Italian Ice Cream Shop
Unit 7 Madison Square, Ortigas Avenue, North Greenhills, San Juan City
Contact #: 0917-582-7124 / 964-3023 / 353-6675
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mio-Gelati/220932234588948

 

 

MSiblings

(Inutak)

You probably haven’t heard of what Inutak is. The name might not sound tasty, but it’s a famous delicacy that originated from Taguig. It’s made of ground sticky rice, infused with coconut cream (gata). It’s a kakanin with this ube flavor filling, from what we know. It was very creamy and gooey, one small serving wasn’t enough! We LOVE it! So perfect as Christmas gifts this season! 🙂

MSiblings Inutak Local Delicacy
Contact #: 502-5922 / 0919-991-7989
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003030845274

 

 

Choclery Artisan Chocolates

(Manchego and Almond Cointreau)

Most people might think that since we are chocolate lovers, we love anything chocolatey that’s served to us. Well, you’re wrong as we’ve learned more about chocolates and how high-grade ones feel and taste like. But, with Choclery Artisan Chocolates, they hit the spot right in the center of our chocolate-addicted hearts. 😀

We got to try their Manchego and Almon Cointreau. Each bite revealed rich and complex combinations of chocolate and the saltiness of cheese in the former, and a hint of Cointreau (orange liqueur) in the latter. Oh, truly unforgettable! We can’t wait to try their other flavors such as their Blueberry Cheesecake and 60% Dark chocolates.

Choclery Artisan Chocolates
They’re at Mercato Centrale every Sunday, 6am to 2pm.
Email: choclery@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/choclery
Contact #: 0917-895-8168

 

 

Joan & Jane Cake Bites

(Beef Pot Pie, Cassava Tart with Parmesan, Cassava Tart with Salted Caramel topping and Custard Cake)

Joan & Jane Cake Bites is one of the 2 most generous food purveyors that night. We got to taste three of their products and we instantly fell in love with the wondrous flavors they have to offer.

We love cassava in anything and so their Cassava Tart was something we were excited to sink our teeth into. And they didn’t disappoint. The saltiness of the parmesan cheese on top with the sweet and creamy cassava filling was a completely pleasing flavor pairing.

Their Beef Pot Pie was also very memorable with its mix of different textures, seasoned perfectly to satisfy our appetite for something meaty and savory. 🙂

Joan & Jane Cake Bites
Email: 8spoonsfood@gmail.com
Contact #: 0922-824-6822 (Michelle) / 0922-824-5579 (Cathleen) / 542-2168 / 341-4148
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joan-Jane-cake-bites/289694754376646

 

Central Luzon State University

(Tilapia Ice Cream)

That’s one scoop of Tilapia Ice Cream. Yes, you read it right – tilapia flavored ice cream. It was the most intriguing featured product at the Ultimate Taste Test 7 so, of course, we just had to taste it.

Being raised in Navotas City and living now in Malabon City, there was no surprise that we enjoyed this. But, we wanted to see if it’ll leave a fishy aftertaste in our mouths. It didn’t. Not at all.

Since we are very familiar with the taste of tilapia (it’s one of our favorite fishes to cook here), we distinctly tasted the flavor of the fish in the ice cream. But, it was so subtle, a result of the combination of cheese, cream and nuts (Walnut? Not sure. We forgot to ask.). There were bits of tilapia in there, but it didn’t bother us at all. Definitely something you’ve got to try! 🙂

Ken said it might not be for everyone. I say don’t think too much that it’s got tilapia in there. You would hardly notice it ‘cause it’s still ice cream. 🙂

The Tilapia Ice Cream is a product from the Central Luzon State University. You can have a taste of this at the Chives Café and Patisserie in Munoz, Nueva Ecija. We’re not sure how they’re making it available nationwide. I know, we should’ve asked for more info. 😐

If anyone can give us information on how to order this, please contact us or leave a comment on this post so we can update this.

 

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Savory Picks

 

Happy Tummy

(Spam Musubi in either Wasabi mayo, garlic mayo, chocolate or caramel)

Oh gosh, we love Spam. 😀 That’s why we got all giddy when we saw Happy Tummy‘s menu and what they were offering that night, especially after we found out that we can have them with Wasabi mayo, garlic mayo, chocolate or caramel.

Spam Musubi, as you can see from the photo above, is composed of a slice of marinated Spam, grilled then placed on top of rice, then wrapped with nori and sprinkled with sesame seeds. You then can drizzle it with your choice of sauce.

You might think all the flavors will not work, but they did! Ken chose caramel; mine’s with chocolate. It was SO good, I’ve vowed to do this at home. Now, if only I can figure out what marinade they used for the Spam. Hmmm… 😉

Happy Tummy
Midnight Mercato, 10pm to 3am, Friday and Saturday
Contact #: 0916-574-9461 (Mark Isip)
Email: iluvhappytummy@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Tummy-Midnight-Snacks/185976664803163

 

 

Sassy Sisig

(Squid Sisig on Cups and Pork Sisig on Cups)

Though hands down, the BEST sisig we’ve ever had is from Balsa sa Niugan here in Malabon City (we’re going to feature them here on our blog real soon so stay tuned!), it didn’t hinder in our complete enjoyment of Sassy Sisig’s own version of pork sisig. Though we wished there were more crispy bits, the flavors and seasoning were spot on. We were supposed to have it in these “crowns” or crispy cups, but there were a lot of people waiting for theirs so we just had to move on. Next time then. 🙂

Sassy Sisig
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SassySisig

 

 

Edible Options

(Chicken Galantina, Ham)

I love relleno anything, particularly Bangus / Milkfish. But, now, I’ve got a new favorite – Edible Options Chicken Galantina. I wished I had my cup of beer when we had this ‘cause it would’ve been a perfect pairing. Oh, and their Christmas Ham was definitely noteworthy.

Okay, I’m officially hungry with all this… and I still have a few more to tell you about). 😀

Edible Options
Contact #: 637-8959 / 586-0310 / 0923-703-1730 / 0917-872-9301 (look for Jing Regalado)

 

 

Swiss Gourmet

(Hungarian Sausage)

We are big sausage freaks! We love them for snacks, with rice, with pasta, or just on a stick (or fork… whatever’s available) with a dash of mayo and mustard. This is why we absolutely loved Swiss Gourmet’s Hungarian Sausages. In fact, it served as our pulutan along with our cups of beer that night ‘cause they still had a lot of sausages available. They were juicy, lightly smoked and spicy in flavor. Yum! 🙂

Swiss Gourmet
Website: http://www.swissgourmet.ph/

 

 

The Specialty Kitchen

(Glazed Ginger Chicken mainated in special glaze,  5-hour roasted Japanese Lechon with crispy skin and Marj’s Black Sambo)

The Specialty Kitchen was the second food supplier at the UTT 7 with the most number of food offerings. But that didn’t affect the overall flavors of what we tasted from them.

I particularly loved the succulent Japanese Lechon. It didn’t need any other sauce ‘cause it was very flavorsome. The ginger chicken was also very good that we wished there was rice to accompany these two. 😀 Oh well, we still had one serving of beer by the time we got to them. 😀

The Black Sambo, a two-layer gelatin dessert made of milk and chocolate, was creamy, sweet and luscious. I wanted to take home some of it that I didn’t get to finish ‘cause I was super full, but Ken managed to eat ‘em all without me noticing. 😀 I want to make this at home! 🙂

Specialty Kitchen Catering
Okay, I don’t have their info for some reason and I can’t find them on the web. Please comment if you have their contact details. Thanks!

 

 

Chinque

(Chicken Inasal Fillet and Chicken Bbq Fillet)

Let me just say this – the main reason why I wanted Chinque (pronounced as chink-yu) on our list is because they were all saying “Chinque” after they’ve stamped on everyone’s UTT 7 passport. Y’know, “Chinque” instead of “thank you”. 😀 Lame reason, but it was just so cute. 😀 I was particularly extra jolly that night… no, it wasn’t because of the beer.

Okay, going back to the food and what this post should really be about, their Chicken Barbeque Fillet and the Inasal variant were very good, I wished I was sitting back at home, drinking away with my barkada. Yes, they were the perfect pulutan!

Chinque
Website: http://www.chinque.com.ph
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChinquePhilippines

 

 

Tacoholics

(Pinoy tacos)

The photo doesn’t do these tacos justice, I tell yah. It might look like a very simple taco to you, but it was definitely something we had to feature here.

Tacoholics’ version includes layers of grated cheese, ground beef, salsa (tomatoes, onions cooked in sweet vinegar) and vegetables (cabbage). Their tacos are not sold and served at this size, in case you’re wondering. A very filling snack, if you ask me. 🙂

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That’s it for our list of top picks for Ultimate Taste Test 7 in Mercato Centrale. We capped the night with our third cup of San MIguel Premium All-Malt beer.

A couple of our fellow bloggers were there, too, and we caught up with Myke of Mix of Everything when we were about ready to fill up our passport with our comments and ratings.

Thank you again to Anton and Spanky for the invites and a successful Ultimate Taste Test. We can’t wait for the next one. 🙂

And that’s me with our UTT tickets just before we entered and began our food trip. 😉