Sticky, Yummy PB

My friend and I went to MOA for the Book Fair event held there two weeks ago. After a tedious walking around the where the Book Fair was held, we went to the Entertainment Bldg. of MOA to get ourselves some snack before we head home. I was intentionally looking for the PB & Co. that I saw when we arrived. It was just near the Supermarket I think, and a few steps away from my another favorite, Chocolat. I was excited to try Pb & Co., because the first time I saw it on a magazine, I thought it is worth trying. The sad thing is, that time, the nearest branch to me is in SM North EDSA which is not near to me at all. Its a long way to go just for a Peanut Butter Sandwich. I have been waiting for a nearer branch to open and I guess for now, I have to settle for the MOA branch. It was a pleasant surprise to me really, when I saw it in MOA, finally I can taste what people are fussing about this Peanut Butter Sandwich that can be made even by the kids.

The PB & Co. MOA is just a small place. And I mean small. You will be greeted by a table beside the see-through glass doors, then a counter top, and four more tables at the far end. The cashier and the glass counter where they put their canned beverage choices, is placed opposite side of the counter top. Beside the beverages, a shelf built-in to the wall is reserved for their Peanut Butters that they sell in plastic bottles. The menu is installed above the counter just like in fast foods. What caught my eye is the spotless, gleaming, white interior that they have. White interior has always given me the impression that the place is clean.

As this is the first time that I will be trying their offerings, I chose the one that I think is the "safest" choice for first timers, which is the Mallow Peanut Butter Sandwich. Then I ordered their Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake to go with the sandwich. Honestly, I find their prices too steep. I mean, I can buy a jar of peanut butter from the Supermarket and make my own PB sandwich right? But the hell, what I can say, I love food. So, here it is: I LOVE the Mallow Peanut Butter Sandwich. The white bread are toasted just enough, although it does not have that biscuit-crunchy texture. The melted marshmallow is not too sweet and it gives me that sweet and salty taste that always tastes good. The sweetness of the melted marshmallow and the saltiness of the peanut butter is perfectly balanced. Nothing is overpowering. Both tastes danced in a perfect melody. Although, when I was already devouring the second half of my sandwich, the sweetness is starting to become obvious. But the toasted bread always manage to contain the excessive sweetness, keeping the perfect fusion consistent.

The peanut butter on the other hand is silky smooth. I don't think I have ever tasted other peanut butter that is that smooth. It is neither too sweet nor too salty on its own, thus a perfect match to the melted marshmallow. I thought of buying a jar of peanut butter but as I still have to buy some more things, I set aside buying a whole jar and promised to come back for a jar some other day instead. The sandwich is pretty big too. Although they are offering it by half or whole, I suggest you buy a whole sandwich and split it with a friend if you cannot eat the whole thing. Or simply eat your share and wrap home the other half.

The Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake though, I cannot say that I liked it. The concoction is too thick. I know Milkshakes are supposed to be thick but this one, I think they can tweak the recipe a little. When they served it to me, I literally cannot sip any drop from it. I have to wait for a good 5 minutes before I can sip anything that I can taste. Sadly, the only thing that my taste buds managed to recognize is the hint if peanut butter and banana. I wonder where the Dark Chocolate is? I think it was lost somewhere, in the middle of the vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, and banana. Although it is a good cold drink if that is what you are after. But as for the taste, my Milkshake standard was not met.

Next time, given a chance, I would love to try their peanut butter-cooked pasta. I saw a lady paired her sandwich with a pasta and she finished everything off. My curiosity was tickled by this scene so I think I am going to try to convince my friend to try to have our lunch there.

A venetto Pizzeria

I went to buy some accessories for my netbook this afternoon and decided to also have my lunch there. Before I take my lunch, I looked around first for accessories as I was not that hungry anyway. By the time I'm done with my window shopping, I was already hungry and decided to look for Burger King. But I remembered that I only have a 500 peso bill in my wallet and I know that some of the stores that I planned on going back to buy accessories from them are not accepting credit cards. So I decided to take my lunch somewhere where they will accept my card. I thought of A venetto. I have always loved their pastas but I know that it is quite big for me since I'm dining alone. I then ordered their hot roast beef and cheese hero sandwich and soda.

They served the hot hero with gravy, fries, and ketchup on the side. By the time the plate hit the table, the very first thing that my nose whiffed up are the fries. The smell of their fries can really lure any hungry person's heart inside. The smell of their french fries is heavenly. Its the smell of heaven that gives you the signal of the best thing to come, which is a pigout session. The fries are crunchy and tasty. It does not have that stale-like taste and cardboard texture you usually get from fries served in fastfoods. Theirs taste the same as when they are hot as when its already cold. It does not dry out in any way.

The sandwich is served open-faced and with gravy on the side. The first layer is the mozzarella cheese, followed by the gravy, the same gravy that they served on the side. Then the thin slices of beef and lastly, the bread. The bread which they claimed to be italian, and which I cannot distinguish if true or not is very soft and fluffy but not soggy. They have toasted it a little yet is so easy to slice and chew. The beef slices are paper-thin but juicy. Beef slices are not tough at all and very tasty. I first tried it with the additional serving of gravy and thought it was perfect. But at the second bite, it became salty too me. So I just disregarded the additional gravy and just put some whenever needed since the gravy is not spread perfectly entirely. Nevertheless, the gravy is also good, although the taste is quite familiar, I just cannot remember where I have tasted that blend of spices. But I attest that the gravy is the perfect pair for the roast beef sandwich as a change from the usual mayonnaise dressing. For me, the side gravy is not a necessity because the gravy on the sandwich is already enough. If you put some more gravy on the sandwich, it will only make your sandwich too salty to consume. All in all, it was a worthy lone lunch dining.