hungry for art

Before we visited Romeo Lee on 12 March 2013, first we had to fortify ourselves with burgers and fries at Charlie's Grind & Grill in Kapitolyo. Three of us ordered meat while Wikireena tried to make us feel guilty with her holier-than-thou veggie burger.

The Wagyu Burger and the Black Angus Burger were definitely worth the trip, but the rich Garlic & Parmesan Fries were a tad too garlicky and cheesy-- thank gad we were sharing. As for the Shrooms Vegetarian Burger, who cares, really? Seriously, a burger = beef.

Black Angus burger with cheddar cheese, butter leaf lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mustard & mayonnaise on a butter bun, PHP200.

Fresh Igorota Idaho potatoes with rock salt and ground black pepper, tossed in garlic mayonnaise & parmesan cheese, PHP125.

Portobello mushroom, butter leaf lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles,  Japanese mayonnaise & mustard on a butter bun, PHP340.

Lee's house is filled with fantastic art pieces made by himself, as well as other people e.g. his brother.

But the most impressive painting by far is the one with the chicken. By the one and only Romeo Lee, of course.

Afterwards, we ate some more. Art appreciation can sure make one build up an appetite.

I had always wanted to try Poco Deli, but the thought of having to look for a parking slot in the Kapitolyo area was too daunting. So when someone volunteered to drive, I decided to take full advantage.

For such a tiny place, Poco Deli has a pretty extensive menu. The sausages on display demanded that we order a sampler. (Note to self: must try the BlackOut Chocolate Cake next time.)

My favorite thing on the plate was the slightly fatty and spicy Frankfurter, with the leaner and crumblier Kielbasa running a close second.

German Sausage Sampler double order, PHP480.

But this! This bacon slab was the stuff of dreams. Thick and juicy, just the right smokiness, not too salty, even the rind was melt-in-the-mouth. I will never be able to eat supermarket bacon ever again.

Bacon Slabs with Eggs & Bacon Rice, PHP280.

We ended our day with some excellent artisanal ice cream at Mad Mark's Man Sandwich & Frozen Desserts. My order was the best-selling Half Baked Madagascar (cookie dough bits folded in vanilla ice cream), but I was blown away by Mr. DJ's innocuous-looking yet intensely chocolatey bittersweet Java Hot Chocolate.

Clockwise: Java Hot Chocolate, Half Baked Madagascar and Roasted Pecan, each scoop PHP68.

That was a nice day.

Charlie's Grind & Grill
Poco Deli
Mad Mark's Man Sandwich & Frozen Desserts