Take a Second Look at Racks

Racks Timog Avenue Branch (photo from Racks literature taken by my phone)

It's been a while since I visited Racks. The last time was with an event we had with a convenience store, and even then the food was awesome. A few days ago, we got word that they opened one of their newest branches over at Timog Avenue in Quezon City. I was thinking of the "all white" interior they had the last time... but it looks Racks has got a new look. Too bad I didn't get the chance to shoot the facade because I was rushing to another event, but I'm so glad we stayed for what seems to be the star of their new restaurant. Oh yes, they've got some of the best American country dishes. After all, RACKS stand for Real American Country Kitchen Style. I bet a lot of you didn't know that... but here's the thing, you'll have to agree with me if I say RACKS has got the Best Ribs in Town!

Onion Brick

This is their Onion Brick. I've seen these in US food shows, but I've never seen one in the Philippines, so for me this is a first. The verdict? Very good. The thing still tastes like onion, and the batter isn't that overwhelming. It's not like you're eating breading on each bite since the batter is nice and thin. They put just enough to keep it crispy. The brick is more like a basket because they probably had it on a fryer just like in the US. Would I order this if I go back there? Definitely.

Salad with Blackened Chicken Strips

The second one's pretty good too. This is Racks Salad with Blackened Chicken Strips. The fresh Caesar Salad is done quite remarkably although I have reservations with the chicken strips. The one that was served to us was coated with cajun spice (a thing that I use in the kitchen quite often because my family has a ton sent from Canada) but I felt that time it was slightly, no overly burnt. I suggested to have it lightly fried until brown because honestly, the burnt taste was overwhelming. Searing is okay but burning is another thing. It was kinda off, still, the salad was good. 

US Ribeye Steak

The presence of a US Ribeye Steak in Racks just made me wonder. How can a piece of meat this good be in Racks? Well my questions got answered. It's fate. However, the meat that was served to us that afternoon was already a bit cold which was probably because they prepared it ahead of time. I must say, you should only have this steak as soon as they take it out of the grill... and into your plate. Having it cold made me realize the necessity of prime meat to be eaten at the right time. It was still tender though, and the seasoned butter on top was delicious. I would order this on a date, or a regular manly meal because for the price, it's still worth it. If you see the price of this grade of steak in other establishments, you'll compare their rates quite fair. I would order this on a good day.

Racks Signature Baby Back Ribs

Piece de resistance? Of course it's the Baby Back Ribs! Racks has truly perfected the art of making this since they opened. They've impressed me of course and I think they're going to be the bar to measure the authenticity or goodness of ribs. It's really that good. They make it the ol American Country way so if you've dreamed of having the best ribs, sweet and savory, plus the thing just falls off the bones.. tender... mouthwatering meat when you see it on your plate. Just hold that thought, and take a good look at these bottles that will take you to heaven!

Racks Original Barbecue Sauce Regular and Extra Hot!

They make a mean barbecue sauce (available in Regular and Extra Hot!) to go with those ribs. I even thought they were holding back with the spicy version, but I'm glad I ate a ton of ribs with that smothered over it... it literally made me cry.. I was so glad, it was like the perfect way to have my taste of Baby Back Ribs. You should never let this experience pass and take your family, your friends and everybody else to a Racks branch near you. The Timog Avenue branch between Scout Tuazon and Scout Tobias was quite lovely though, I suggest you go there to experience the best ribs in town bar none! 

For more information about their restaurant:

Racks

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http://www.racks.ph/

A Filipino Dinner: Chicken Binakol

I've been trying to find something to cook for dinner and I'm rearing to have something very Filipino. I don't like the common ones and miss something in particular. When I was in Negros Oriental in the hacienda of my Uncle, a dish which I haven't been able to taste before was served to us. They called it Chicken Binakol. They cooked it around noon and it only took a few minutes to prepare. Here's the recipe.

1 Whole Chicken cut into 3 pieces per section

2 pcs. Young coconut, separate water and save largely chopped coconut meat for later

1/2 liter Chicken Broth or 1 Chicken Bullion cube dissolved in boiling water

3 tablespoons cooking oil

2 tablespoons fish sauce

1 green papaya (small), cut into wedges

1 bunch Chili leaves

2 stalks lemon grass, cut into two and bruised

1 medium onion and 2 cloves garlic chopped

1 thumbsized ginger root chopped

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

They sauteed the usual onions, garlic, ginger in a clay pot. They put in the chicken to cook it a little then poured in the Young Coconut Water and Chicken Broth and let it simmer until it boiled over. Then they put in the lemon grass, boiled it further, then the green Papaya. When it was already tender, they put in the cleaned Chili leaves and simmer or another two minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Make sure you serve this with hot white rice and Fish Sauce with bruised Thai Bird Chili on the side. It's so good you'll feel like you're back in Negros again. Oh it was so good, I loved the broth so much I had a cup of it solely for my own consumption! Now I wonder, what if I cook this with state of the art appliances from Samsung? Hmmm...

The Chicken Binakol was placed on the top left of this photo, right below the sweet mangoes. I loved it.

It was placed right beside the crispy skinned lechon. It was time with family, and time with them was really priceless! (circa 2011 in San Carlos City, Negros Oriental)

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Samsung PH

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Barbie Forteza and Francis Magundayao Stars in "#Ewankosau Saranghaeyo": Now Showing!

Do you still remember the first time you fell in love? Who was it? Do you know how he/she ended up now? Don't you miss the feeling? Well, this film by Director Roman Perez Jr. might actually make you feel that same way again in this film about young love, a light romantic comedy film called #EwanKoSau Saranghaeyo. Their goal is to give you a little hope about love again. To see how fresh, how hopeful and how happy you can be when you are in that state. It stars a ton of today's young artists from different TV stations, and that alone may have already been an achievement because suffice to say, it would have been near impossible for this to happen.

You'll hear lines, actually a ton of them. You'll sit on the theater and realize that each one might actually apply to your own life... or it might have already been decades for you to realize that falling in love was much like fate. If you had that time of hurt, for sure, you'll also have that time where you cherish the feelings the most. The film also stars Barbie Forteza, who also is part of the successful show Half Sisters on GMA. She's paired with Kapamilya young actor Francis Magundayao, who's parents also partly produced this independent film. Aside from them, they are joined with Jon Lucas and Elisse Joson who's also from different managements. They are known as Kai, Baste, Mandy and River, all of whom came from different upbringings, and ultimately spun together by their feelings, and taste of first love.

During the press conference, they told us how much fun they had in making the film. I was there during their story conference and it involved a few far flung locations, but they were able to accomplish it in a very short time. Their schedules also did fit the filming so they were excited to see how the public would react in this light film. I must say, I was a little off on Twitter because Barbie Forteza wasn't in the press conference that afternoon, but really, I totally understand how busy she is. Jun Lalin who was promoting this was a little upset though, because I can see how he wanted to help them but felt she should have been there. They are also joined by Martin Del Rosario, Alwyn Uytingco, John Matthew Uy, Michelle Vito, Jayvhot Galang, Joshua Rafael Davis and a lot more. They are also introducing Isabel Tuazon in this film.

I saw the full trailer and I must say, the plot isn't corny, actually, I was very impressed. They do have chemistry. Here's the trailer!

It's already out this week and if you haven't watched it yet, I need a date haha. Joke! Let's all watch it!

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Ewankosau Saranghaeyo

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Ewankosau Saranghaeyo

Atty. Mel Sta. Maria, Arnel Ignacio and Gelli De Belen for TV5's "Solved na Solved"

It started this Monday, January 19 and will be shown all weekdays at 11:30AM, Solved na Solved will be your partner before lunch as Arnel Ignacio, Atty. Mel Sta. Maria and Gelli De Belen try to solve your problems from A to Z in a legal, practical way. It's a touch of courtroom drama, comedy show, and a little Jerry Springer show thrown in the mix. Gelli has been known to have made waves moderating in previous shows, Arnel also got us laughing for years and Atty. Mel Sta. Maria has given us no nonsense practical advise when it comes to taking people off the hook. It's either they follow his advice, or he shows how they'd get in trouble. It's all new this January and they're taking the the town by storm. No small problems, no small conflicts, no big ones too. They're all going to show you no frozen wastelands but more of how to keep sanity in this megalomania of a place we call Manila. 

Will you agree with them or not? Will you side with the people or follow the advise of their experts? Who knows, you might end up in their show too! Make sure you watch Solved na Solved on TV5!  

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TV5 Manila

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