Gluttony Fest at Gino’s Eats and Beats in Makati

I gave in to Spanky’s prodding for some comfort food at a newly opened foodie spot in Jupiter street in Makati Gino’s Eats and Beats – and pulled along 5 more friends.

Gino’s is conveniently located a stone’s throw away from Fiamma and immediately beside The Distillery. The place is not that big but cozy and has a modern feel. It was no surprise that the interiors of this concept restaurant was designed by Team Manila.

Mushroom & Artichoke Spread

Mushroom & Artichoke Spread

And so we grabbed the green and stylish menu and placed some orders. 15 minutes later, the dishes started to come one by one. I think we ordered a little too much, even for a group of 7. It’s good we were still awaiting for a couple of more friends – Jane and her Bubba. ๐Ÿ™‚

The resto-bar-type restaurant has a TV monitor which showcased the menu food photos. This certainly was a big factor in our ordering pattern. ๐Ÿ™‚

Gino's Dumplings

Gino's Dumplings

But looks can be tricky, the taste buds should decide.

First on the spotlight is the Greatest Cheese Quesadillas (P305 – Top Photo). Beef Quesadillas are one of my favorite pica-picas, adding loads of cheese on top just gives it more umph!

Eggs Benedict

Eggs Benedict

This was followed by more appetizers namely Mushroom and Artichoke Spread (P160), Gino’s Dumplings (P195), a pair of Eggs Benedict (P185), and Grilled Sausage with Cheese Sauce (P220). This one’s on cheese overload, nomnomnom!

Then here comes a fiesta of platters initiated by the Fried Platter (P430) with more cheesy combinations of cheese logs, baby squid poppers, and Risotto mashed potato balls served with roasted bell pepper sauce and aioli.

Grilled Sausage with Cheese Ssauce

Grilled Sausage with Cheese Ssauce

Fried Platter

Fried Platter: Cheese Logs, Baby Squid Poppers, Risotto Mashed Potato Balls served with roasted bell pepper sauce and aioli

Grilled Sticks Platter

Grilled Sticks Platter: 12 sticks of Pork Asian BBQ, Chicken Barbeque in peanut sauce, Pork Pinoy BBQ, and Curry Pork BBQ

The Grilled Sticks Platter (P430) followed consisting of 12 sticks of Pork Asian BBQ, Chicken Barbeque in peanut sauce, Pork Pinoy BBQ, and Curry Pork BBQ

The spicy-lovers dared for a Wings Platter (P405) with 9 pcs of Buffalo wings, Hoisin Honeys and Honey Mustard and carrot sticks.I’m not too sure if it should be spicy…because it’s not. ๐Ÿ™‚

Wings Platter

Wings Platter: 9 pcs of Buffalo wings, Hoisin Honeys and Honey Mustard and Carrot Sticks

By this time, we were feeling loaded but temptation keeps coming in.

A luscious-looking burger comes into the scene called Greatest Longganisa Burger (P185). It’s actually named Greatest Longga Burger. Sans 100% pure beef, a longganisa burger is almost always better because the Filipino longgnisa is juicier in nature than regular beef. It’s as juicy and flavorful as it is oily and sinful; again with cheese on top. Woah!

Greatest Longga Burger

Greatest Longga Burger

Jane and Chris finally arrives to the rescue. They didn’t have to order anything as the Grilled Chicken with Mushroom Sauce (P245), the scrumptious Grilled Shrimp Scampi (P270), Angus Belly Salpicao (P270), and Stir Fried Pork and Tofu (P220) also came after them. ๐Ÿ™‚

Grilled Chicken with Mushroom SauceAngus Belly SalpicaoStir Fried Pork and Tofu

Grilled Chicken with Mushroom Sauce, Angus Belly Salpicao, and Stir Fried Pork and Tofu

Grilled Shrimp Scampi

Grilled Shrimp Scampi

I had to surrender to the last three dishes and passed on Marsala Pork Chop (P210), Greatest Adobo Flakes (P185), and Beef Garlic Tender Tips.

Marsala Pork ChopGreatest Adobo FlakesBeef Garlic Tender Tips

Marsala Pork Chop, Greatest Adobo Flakes, and Beef Garlic Tender Tips

Nonetheless for NomNom, there’s always room for desserts! ๐Ÿ™‚

Gino’s Desserts: Greatest Panna Cotta (P150), Greatest French Toast (P150), Greatest Mango Jubilee(P150), and Gino’s Greatest Vanilla Sundae(P125).

They were all good, creamy, sweet, and sinfully delicious!

Gino's Desserts

Gino's Desserts: Greatests - Panna Cotta, French Toast, & Mango Jubilee

Gino's Greatest Vanilla Sundae

Gino's Greatest Vanilla Sundae

While only Gino’s Dumplings need improvement for my taste, my top three highly recommend ones are the Greatest Cheese Quesadillas, Grilled Sausage with Cheese Sauce, Eggs-Benedict, and Greatest Longganisa Burger. Ok man, they’re four! – so what? ๐Ÿ™‚

Interestingly, dinner service ‘eats‘ time is from 6 to 10pm as Gino’s turn into ‘beats‘ with house and hiphop music 10pm onwards. Moreover, you can cross order wines and liquores from The Distillery vis-a-vis order Gino’s from The Distillery. ๐Ÿ™‚

By the way, Gino’s is also open for lunch with set meals at only P100 for the Makati office crowd. It opens Mondays-Fridays 11am3pm. They open again at 6pm for dinner onwards. And of course, a blogger’s best friend – free Wi-Fi! ๐Ÿ™‚ Take note however, that their menu is still in the adoption phase and some dishes might change from the menu.

They’re located at Unit A, Ground Level, Valdelcon Building, 20 Jupiter Street, Makati. (632) 519 1272 / (63) 917 885 6969 .

Gino's Eats & Beats

Gino's Eats & Beats

I will end this article with something for you to think about: why do you think most of the menu items have the “Greatest” before ’em? ๐Ÿ™‚

Just look at the pictures and tell me you will not try Gino’s Eats and Beats in Jupiter for at least once in your life. Tell me!

Fresh Start, Fresh Pasta with Ravioli.

When I discovered Ravioli early last week, I knew I found my first feature-to-be for my new and yet to be created food blog – Nomnom Club. Similarly, Ravioli is new having just started mid of this year.

Ravioli

Ravioli

It prides itself in serving fresh pasta even with the fast-food serve set-up amidst Robinson’s Galleria foodcourt. And indeed, serving freshly made pasta matters in the taste and the resulting firmer texture (al dente).

This was particularly true for the Chorizo and Tomato Ravioli that I had. It was a chorizo-stuffed square-shaped ravioli in tomato sauce. It’s their best-seller and I knew why. ๐Ÿ™‚

A bite on the first piece of ravioli reveals the juicy spanish chorizo and the subtly soft pasta. The tomato sauce was good as well.

At P130, it certainly was worth it.

Chorizo and Tomato Ravioli

Chorizo and Tomato Ravioli

A trivia about the Chorizo and Tomato Ravioli– the number of pieces is counted as standard for consistency in serving. ๐Ÿ™‚ The non-ravioliร‚ย  pasta are weighed. This includes the spicy Shrimp Diablo (P95) and Bacon Carbonara (78) which I also was able to try.

Raviolis Shrimp Diablo

Ravioli's Shrimp Diablo

Ravioli in the Making

Ravioli in the Making

One would also noticeร‚ย  top of the line cooking equipments in their open kitchen. My friend said that this is so because one of the owners is actually a chef who would settle for no less than quality equipments.

Bacon Carbonara

Bacon Carbonara

With the minimal and humble space, they churn up the freshest of pastas around.

The order is served fast but their food is prepared fresh and only cooked as ordered.

The tasteful experience was just far from foodcourt standards.Surely, I’ll be back to try the other interesting menu items.

The Mushroom & Mozzarella Ravioli on the menu board looks good. ๐Ÿ™‚

Mushroom and Mozzarella Ravioli

Mushroom and Mozzarella Ravioli

Lastly, good news for people from the south where Robinson’s Galleria is just too far, Ravioli is opening a bistro in SM Mall of Asia come December 2009!

They’re even expanding their menu to include Pizza de Pugon. Nomnomnom! ๐Ÿ™‚

Goodness of Fresh Pasta

Goodness of Fresh Pasta

Jeff, Raviolis Pasta Maker

Jeff, Ravioli's Pasta Maker

Business looks good and growing for Ravioli. Hopefully, same bids for Nomnom Club. ๐Ÿ™‚ Woot! for my first feature post! ๐Ÿ™‚