Hole In One

This glorious food moment came about because my mother was a complete ass and refused to monitor her blood sugar and blood pressure. This may have caused the bursting of blood vessels in her eye leading to an urgent need for a vitrectomy. The procedure removes blood from the vitreous (which is the clear, jelly-like substance which fills the middle of the eye), replaces the fluid with saline and hopefully stabilizes vision.

After the check up, with zero vision in one eye, an existing degeneration of the macular in the other eye, and both eyes dilated post visit to the ophthalmologist, we all needed sustenance badly. 

Food is not just about feeding a hunger; it is about the re-establishment of bonds and pack order, the nurturing of community spirit, a way to close ranks. Coming as we were from the International Specialist Eye Centre in The Boulevard, MidValley City, it was only natural we patronized one of MidValley Megamall’s food outlets. Kit was all for the Golden Arches – quick and cheap. I, however, though I gave Kit the choice of venue, did not feel like industrial food, or traversing three levels with a half blind mater in tow. And for the benefit of readers who do not know me: I love my mother deeply, but I am at a loss at how little she realizes the best thing she can do for her kids is to keep herself hale and hearty. 

Anyway. As we were walking towards certain doom and caloric hell, I passed Pancake House International. The last time I was in Megamall, that space was occupied by Saint Cinnamon. 

I love pancakes. They remind me of Sundays growing up and Aunt Jemima pancake mix and honey and oddly shaped pancakes from my dad. They bring to mind Denny’s the American all-day breakfast diner chain and shoveling in flapjacks at 1am after a night’s vocal workout on the Hard Rock Café circuit. 

Glad of something with substance (“We should eat here cause I can’t blog about McDonalds!”), we sat down and I went a bit wild. I did not have to order pancakes (Golden Pancakes, two pieces for RM6.50, three for RM10.90) if I ordered the set meal, and so I did. 

Truly, the best taco in town!

The Best Taco In Town (RM15.90) offered two tacos with macaroni salad, iced lemon tea and pancakes. And truly, they were the best tacos in town. Treacherously assembled to fall to untidy bits when bit into, the taste, texture and style was spot-on Taco Bell (and I say this with the greatest respect to Pepe the Chihuahua). The shell was crisp and made of ground yellow corn, with just the right amount of sauce and cheddar bits and fresh lettuce. It was to die for. 

Nearly RM6 for a glass of powdered iced lemon tea? C'mon!

What was not good however, was the fact that an ala carte iced lemon tea cost RM5.90 for a dinky glass of no more than 200 ccs. For that price and for the fact that they used powdered tea formula, they could at least have made it refillable! Gladly though, that was my only big grouse. 

The not-so-special set.

The House Special set consisted of one taco, house spaghetti with garlic bread, a piece of pan-fried chicken, iced lemon tea and pancakes. After the wow factor of the initial tacos, this one was a letdown. Nothing sang except the taco, and we’d already heard and digested its aria. The spaghetti was a bit mundane, with a sauce that needed a lot more tomato puree if not real tomatoes; and chicken which did not look out of place at quick rice counter. At RM19.90, it was possibly the worst deal of the meal. 

Amazing milkfish!

The Daing Na Bangus was pickled, deboned milkfish which was marinated with a house blend of spices and pan-fried. It was served with garlic rice and mango salsa. It’s a Filipino dish, and it is tasty! The ala carte portion is RM16.90 and definitely enough for a satisfying meal. 

Thick fries with the house burger.

Kit had the House Burger which was very nicely seasoned. He complained of gristle in the patty, but otherwise found it satisfying and saucy enough. At RM17.90 this one could go either way. 

Great salad!

The Fiesta Taco Salad is served in a big taco and features roasted chicken bits, kidney beans, nachos, mixed greens and grated cheddar. I like the Tex-Mex flavor and love that it is still possible to get an interesting salad at RM9.90. 

Fluffy golden pancakes.

The two plates of three small pancakes were shared amongst the four diners, and proved satisfying enough. They were good pancakes – evenly golden, well-shaped and still fluffy despite sitting on the table as we ate our mains. I would have liked to sample more from their dessert menu, which included a Waffle Foldover with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, choco bits and peanut butter at RM11.90, and the famed Halo-Halo shaved ice with milk confection which is Philippines’’ version of the local Ice Kacang. However, time was pressing and I had to save the RM9.90 dessert, with its sweet potatoes, banana, jackfruit and custard for another day.

And trust me, there WILL be another day. I really liked the food, and found the service laudable (especially since the place is designed with a public walkway in the middle!), and can’t wait for another sampling of this Made In Manila franchise.