C. I. C. great culinary treats

Dining out with my three boys has become something of an event, something to look forward to whenever we’re together. And while we’re constantly on the search for “new” favorites, there’s also nothing like mixing this quest with forays into the “comfort zone” of trusted establishments. The C. I. C. is a pun (“see, I see...”), but it also gives us the first letters of the three restaurants we hit over the period of Father’s Day to last week: C for Cirkulo on Arnaiz Road, I for Inagiku at Shangri-La Makati, and a second C for Chelsea at the Fort’s Serendra, the “new kid on the block.”

El Cirkulo is a long-standing favorite of the boys. In fact, when Matteo graduated from grade school earlier this year, it was at Cirkulo that we had a celebratory dinner with his friends and cousins. Ordering the “tapas” dishes of angulas, the spinach and manchego in phyllo, the gambas, and the croquetas is like “automatic,” spilling out of their mouths even before their bottoms hit their seats. New dishes were unveiled recently, and the ones we’ve tried and heartily recommend would be the French Duck Breast, delicately sliced while still pink, and served with a peach puree and sea salt — it’s so pretty in presentation you almost want to hang it on the wall. Ditto the dessert dish of Baked Brie in Puff Pastry, with figs, apricots, cranberries, caramel and walnuts. The Brie serves four people and it’s a sharing pleasure. There’s a 30-minute wait for this, so order when about to start on your main course! The real killer of a dish (that’s also to be shared) is the Angus T-Bone; seared to perfection and served with thyme salt, this is 1,200 grams of carnivore ecstasy. Luca had played safe and ordered the Salpicao, and regretted it when he took his first bite of the T-Bone. Really highly recommended! J and Malu Gamboa should be very proud of this menu inclusion. Order it rare or medium rare to really enjoy this repast.

Inagiku has brought back its weekend lunch buffet; and it had my boys scrambling back and forth from our table to the buffet spread with sheer joy. Joy Wassmer (Yup, love that double-joy segue) clued me in to this outstanding lunch option, and it serves both as an eye (and taste bud) opener for a plethora of new Japanese dishes, while allowing us to pig out on those standards we seek whenever we have a yen for “turning Japanese.” There’s a chessboard-inspired sushi, made with maguro and tamago, that’s a real visual delight; and a variety of Japanese-inspired salads that I got to taste... finally. This buffet is the perfect opportunity to nibble and unearth new pleasures. There’s real value for money here, and quality that can’t be beat, so come really famished and with a very open mind for trying out new dishes. The teppan chef cooks your choices right as you order. So, you are getting freshly cooked main courses. Sarap! Being at Inagiku and seeing those salads reminded me of the time we were convincing Matteo, then five years of age, to eat his greens and we were extolling the virtues of things edible that are green. With Quintin in on the practical joke, we gave him a teaspoon of wasabi... and waited for the inevitable.

Chelsea is a slice of Noo Yawk right here in Serendra. There’s a Dean & Deluca or Williams & Sonoma feel to the establishment, and the bookshelves are a real nice touch to the interiors. Brainchild of the Wisniewskis and chef Sau del Rosario of M Cafe fame, the eatery also is a delicatessen, with vitrines of cheese, desserts and pastries; and shelves of condiments, gourmet coffee, and sauces. There’s a Truffled Creamy Green Pea and Mushroom Ravioli soup that you just have to try. The Australian Lamb Chops that I ordered with sidings of Kilfer potatoes and Braised Asparagus really hit the spot, and had my boys attacking my plate. For sharing across the table, order the Jalapeno Cheddar and Emmenthal Cheese Fondue - if you’re disappointed, you should have your “palate” checked. The Chelsea Refreshers and Libations are wonderfully fresh in concept, and I particularly liked the ChocNut Banana Bliss and the Lemon Lime Mint Soda. Leave room for dessert, there’s a Big Nutella Dome Cake, a four Layer Toblerone Torte, and more varieties of cheese than even Mighty Mouse can consume in one sitting.

Matteo, smart cookie that he is, insists he eats well only when we eat out. At home, he can be listless or distracted over dinner. Whether I like it or not, it’s treats like eating at Cirkulo, Inagiku, and now, Chelsea, that really bring out the smiles and have them pre-ordering in their minds. Hey Teo, as long as you eat your greens?