Saturday, March 28, 2009

Eating out without meat at Big Mao

a Lenten special

Fasting and abstinence are fundamental expressions of penitence for Catholics during Lent. In all Fridays in the entire stretch of 40 days from Ash Wednesday up to the Holy week, the faithful are urged to skip meat (pork, beef, even chicken) in favor of more ascetic fare- fish.

Lo Han Chai noodles
Lo Han Chai noodles- the noodles come in bone dry but rehydrates beautifully in the soy-infused thick sauce; Php 140
Canon EOS 350D, 1/160s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 500, -1/3EV

Giving up meat is easy for me. I abstain not just on Fridays but for the whole duration of Lent. Conveniently for me, during this season, restaurants in the Philippines would typically expand usual their set menus to include more fish and seafood fare.

braised beancurd w squid and 3 kinds of mushroom
braised beancurd with squid and 3 kinds of mushroom- mushrooms and tofu are always my favorite all year round’ Php 250
Canon EOS 350D, 1/300s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 500, -2/3EV

In Cebu, a favorite destination for me for price, taste and service is the Big Mao Chinese restaurant which has branches in Ayala Terraces and the Crossroads Banilad. As you can see here in the photographs, I missed nothing much in terms of variety, flavor and experience.

crabmeat and shrimp fooyong
crabmeat and shrimp fooyong- this is a richer and more savory Chinese version of the omelette; Php 180
Canon EOS 350D, 1/80s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 200


birds nest soup
bird’s nest soup- there could some chicken bits here so this is not for the meat teetotaler but this is one hearty comfort food for many; Php 95 for a bowl for 3-4 persons
Canon EOS 350D, 1/80s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 320, +1/3EV


lightly coated fish fillet with milky sweet corn sauce
lightly coated fish fillet with milky sweet corn sauce- the sweet creaminess is not for everybody but the fish is fried to perfection (brittle crisp outside, succulent soft inside); Php 260
Canon EOS 350D, 1/125s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 500


prawn crackers
crispy prawn crackers- this trademark appetizer comes in free
Canon EOS 350D, 1/160s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 500, -1/3EV

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2 comments:

TechPinas said...

Hi Farl!

Good day!

This is Mark Milan Macanas. I am the EIC of SIP Magazine; the first cafe lifestyle magazine in the Philippines. We are currently distributing SIP in all branches of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf for FREE via a partnership..

You may learn more about our magazine via this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bQHPX1Pokw

I was browsing through some blogs and came across your 3-part post about Philippine Summer Destinations; http://colloidfarl.blogspot.com/2008/05/philippine-summer-destinations-part-1.html
I thought that post is really crisp, fresh and very informative. And I bet a lot of Pinoys would want to read about especially now that it's summer. As such, I'd like to ask for permission to republish parts of this article and the photos via SIP this April - of course, giving you and your blog full credit. I really hope it's ok. :) We'd love to share it with our readers.

However, the thing is, since we are a free publication, we can't really promise to give anything (in cash or kind) to our contributors, except for free copies of issues where their works are published and proper written recognition for their work. I really really hope you are ok with that as I find your article very interesting and worth sharing.

I'm hoping for your kind consideration. Thanks much!

God Bless!

Mark
SIP Magazine & www.techpinas.com

Please get in touch with me at events.nobounds@gmail.com :)

Unknown said...

my relatives on my mom's side of the family tried to make me eat it. i think i had the same problem at the time i heard it was bird spit. but for the sake of health, I am now taking it regularly.

btw, i don't buy the super-expensive kind like old people do. the ready-to-drink kind at the stores are pretty affordable. (e.g. www.geocities.jp/hongkong_bird_nest/index_e.htm)