Bratwurst and Gluehwein

Sausages of all sizes and colors can be found at the Christmas Market my sister and I went to on my first night in Hamburg. Not sure exactly what kind of sausage I got but it was a dark colored one.

From where they were cooking the sausages, I just had to point to what I wanted. Not sure which is good so I just pointed to one randomly. Lucky enough it was very good. Not the usual sausage I have tasted, this one was even better. As you can see from the photo, it was quite big but I managed to finish it. It was either I was famished or the sausage was really good. Or maybe a bit of both.

Their sausages are best paired with beer or with Gluehwein (German Hot Wine Punch). I tasted the Gluehwein but it was weird for me. I was not used to drinking wine that was hot. Plus I am never a fan of hot drinks. So I didn't enjoy it at all. But it is a staple in Christmas Markets since people stand around the cold with their sausages. I guess you need all the heat you can get.

It was pretty weird eating sausage and drinking in the cold (2 degrees) and rain. But everyone looked as if it were a normal thing to do. I kept telling my sister they were crazy. Why stand in the cold when we can go to a restaurant with proper heating. But apparently that was how they usually do it. So being the tourist, I went along with it until I could no longer feel my fingers.

Even if I as freezing my ass off, I enjoyed my first ever immersion to German culture :)

Mustafa's Gemuse Kebab

Over the past 2 months my tummy has been travelling to places that I have only dreamed of going. I have tasted so many good food that I think I will have entries till the end of the year. But let me start with my most memorable meal.

If you are ever in Berlin, Germany, this has to be on your first agenda. Mustafa's Gemuse Kebab, this has got to be the best kebab I have ever tasted. ever! I am not exaggerating, I promise.

You would be amazed on how long the queue is to get a kebab at this place. On a very cold winter night, people are lining up on the street just to buy their kebabs. Even if the line is quite long, the service is very fast. You can just imagine how many people they serve in an hour.

There are two choices for the kebab itself, you have it in bread or on a wrap. I chose the wrap and my sister had the bread. This way we got to taste both. If you choose either of the two, it is yummy. Man, they have the flavours down to the last T. Even until now I can still recall how good it tasted on my mouth.

The filling is made up of meat, potato, pepper, aubergine, salad(lettuce,tomato,cucumber), feta cheese, yogurt, cream and chili sauce topped with a bit of lemon. There may be more but I could not identify them. It was delicious. Truly worth queueing in the cold. Two-thumbs up! The feta cheese is just heavenly. oohhh lala.

Cost:

Kebab (bread) - 2.90

Durum (pita) - 3.90 ->; this is much much bigger, thus the price.

Their kiosk can be found at:

Mehringdamm 32, 10961 Berlin

You can take the U-bahn to the Mehringdamm station and one of the exits take you smack straight to their kiosk. Not sure exactly what exit was that. But it can easily be found. Just walk around and look for a long line and it will lead you there.

You can view their website here.

Ila Puti: Beef Mediterranean

Of all the salads I have tasted, this tops my list. The Beef Mediterranean of Ila Puti is a must when you dine at the restaurant.

Ila Puti started as a small restaurant in Asia Town IT Park. They are most famous for their Beef Stroganoff. But for me, the best on their menu is the Beef Mediterranean. The beef has the right seasoning that you still taste the natural flavor of the beef. The dressing and all the other elements of the salad(lettuce, tomato, olives, onion and feta cheese) works well together. It can already be a meal all by itself. Often times I can eat it solo or if I am hungry, I add another dish:)

Ila Puti (open 24 hours)
Asia Town IT Park
Apas Lahug Cebu City
+63 32 4158800
info@ilaputi.com.ph

Cafe Georg: Spinach Cheese Dip

I was first introduced to the ooohhh so yummy Spinach Cheese Dip of Cafe Georg by my cousin Aiys, who is by the way a cheese freak. Naturally, I had to try it coz if a cheese freak introduced you to something that has cheese on it, it will surely be good.

And I definitely was not disappointed. Melted cheese on toasted bread is just heaven on your tongue. Don't let the looks of the dip deceive you. It may look like puke but definitely does not taste like one.

I haven't tasted spinach used in other dishes so could not really tell what it tastes like. But in this dish, I taste the cheese mostly so I would think, it just gives the dip color. Or it is one of those veges that doesn't affect the taste of the dish.

If you love cheese, I definitely would recommend you to try this. All in it's cheesy glory. A great appetizer to start your meal.

Cafe Georg
Banilad, Cebu City
032- 2340887

Oh Georg
Ayala Center Cebu
032-2334735

Harbour City: Steamed Fried Rice

When I was in elementary, special occasions were usually celebrated at Ding Haw Restaurant along Colon street. Birthdays, graduations or even bribes to get me to go processions consisted of Steamed Fried Rice, Siomai, Shanghai rolls and Sweet and Sour Pork. After many years, the Ding Haw Restaurant that I knew in Colon has evolved into a group of restaurants called Harbour City / Dimsum Break.

It is still very popular with my family. Although we don't celebrate special occasions there anymore, we still eat as a family there quite often. Our orders hasn't changed over the years. Number one on our list is the Steamed Fried Rice. It is something that you have to experience yourself to know what it is and what it tastes like.

To taste the closest resemblance to their original recipe from their restaurant in Colon, try Tsim Tsa Tsui in Ayala Terraces. The first time we ate there, it was like we were transported back in time. It is pricier than Harbour City by a few pesos but i think it is worth it.

You are a true-blue Cebuano if one of your favorite dishes is the Steamed Fried Rice:)