10 Best Things We Ate in September

(SPOT.ph) If you didn’t already know, here at SPOT.ph, we love food. You need it to live, but we find that there are some dishes that go well past the virtue of necessity. While others content themselves with a deep-fryer and the usual salt and pepper, there are some who make—or at least try to make—an art out of it, with delicious displays and layers of flavors. We believe those that go above and beyond their duty deserve necessary recognition. So here are our top picks among the dishes we ate throughout September.

IMAGE Vincent Coscolluela

Mitasu Charcoal Yakiniku's Premium Assorted Barbecue Set

Give your favorite K-barbecue a rest and try a different kind of Asian barbecue at Mitasu Charcoal Yakiniku. This new restaurant in Quezon City serves no-frills and traditional Japanese yakiniku. One of their best-selling items is the Premium Assorted Barbecue Set, which is loaded with various cuts of beef including an ultra-juicy Australian Wagyu striploin and a U.S. boneless short rib that's so tender, you can eat it straight from the grill.

Mitasu Charcoal Yakiniku is at 785 Banawe Street, Quezon City.

IMAGE Jericho San Miguel

Pufft's Stuffed Cannoli

This cute little stall at Uptown Mall serves more than just your ordinary kiddie-party staple, hotdog-on-stick and all. Here, they give the classic marshmallow cool new twists. Take, for one, their Stuffed Cannoli. Instead of doing it the Sicilian way by filling the cylindrical shell with thick cream, Pufft uses gooey marshmallow to make every bite sweeter and more exciting!

Pufft is at 3/F Cinema Area, Uptown Mall, Uptown Bonifacio.

IMAGE Vincent Coscolluela

Sagana Epicerie and Bistro's Mille-Feuille

Sagana Epicerie and Bistro is Chef Marc Aubry's latest project. This casual restaurant sticks to its French roots when it comes to cooking techniques and recipes, but adds a Filipino flair by using all-local ingredients. Their Mille-Feuille is pure comfort on a plate, using fresh Philippine mangoes to add a nice zesty contrast against the rich custard and flaky pastry.

Sagana Epicerie and Bistro is at G/F Net One Center, 3rd Avenue corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

GILT Burger's Mi Goreng

We bet you've never thought of using instant noodles with your burger before. Well, think again, because GILT Burger is crazy enough to do it. The best part? It actually works! Their Mi Goreng burger uses Sriracha to spice things up, a perfectly cooked sunny-side up egg to add that flavorful richness, and a fried-chicken fillet coated with crunchy breading made of mi goreng noodles.

GILT Burger is at 7615 Guijo Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Ogetsu Hime's Uni Tempura

Tempura is one of the most in-demand Japanese dishes in the Metro, while uni (at least the high-quality kind) is a rarity. Ogetsu Hime combines both ingredients into one tasty, deep-fried dish. Balancing its crisp outer layer is an umami filling of pure, creamy sea urchin. You won't look at tempura the same way again after this.

Ogetsu Hime has branches at SM Aura Premier, Bonifacio Global City and Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

IMAGE Ian Santos

Vengo's Shittake Mushroom Tostada

This light vegetarian snack is one you'd want to have every day—even if you're a hardcore carnivore. On top of a crunchy deep-fried tortilla is a savory medley of sweet fried shallots, shiitake mushrooms, and bell peppers. A squeeze of lime binds all the flavors together, making this bite-sized snack an absolute meatless must-try.

Vengo is at C. Palanca Jr. Street corner Dela Rosa Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

YDG Coffee's Triple Mushroom Cream

Pasta dishes are a staple at neighborhood brunch places like YDG Coffee. Apart from their excellent espresso beverages, their Triple Mushroom Cream pasta is also worthy of a mention. Made of al dente penne, three types of mushroom (shiitake, Portobello, Swiss), and a light but silky cream base that complements the rustic, earthy flavor of the vegetables, this is one dish that won't give you any umay. Did we mention it has a fried egg on top? 

YDG Coffee is at Mandala Park, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.

IMAGE Hans Fausto

Sushi Nori's Wagyu Poke Bowl (Aburi Blow Torch)

Sushi Nori is stepping up their game by introducing their new poke bowls. This one has charred and tender Wagyu cubes, ebiko, wakame, and bonito flakes for that added depth of flavor. Topping it all off is a sweet and salty aburi sauce that just makes every lip-smacking mouthful one for the books.

See a list of Sushi Nori branches.

IMAGE Jilson Tiu

Famry's Bunplings

It's not often that we see Taiwanese street fare in Metro Manila, so imagine our excitement when Hole in the Wall opened Famry. Their compact menu only adds to their charm, and each item is deliciously packed with bold flavors. The Bunpling is a cross between a soup dumpling (xiao long bao) and siopao, and is filled with a flavorful gingery pork broth. You'll love slurping and chewing on this!

Famry is at Hole in the Wall, 4/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Sarsa's Sinigang Fried Chicken Wings

It may look like your ordinary fried chicken but once you sink your teeth into its crackling skin, a tart sinigang flavor will perk up your taste buds. Surprisingly, all the flavors work beautifully together. And although it may leave you in a temporary state of confusion, each piece is sure to leave you satisfied.

See a list of Sarsa branches.