One of the better things about the rainy season is the comfort food we start to crave for when we’re cozied up at home and by our windows watching the rain fall outside –  steaming soups for the stomach and soul, hearty dinners to warm us from the inside out and delectable sweet-savory snacks that, somehow, taste just a little bit better when shared.
Slip on that hoodie, pick your favorite spot on the couch and check out our top rainy day food picks.
Keeping up with Kyochon
The original double-fried chicken, Korea’s favorite Kyochon is in Manila with their flagship branch in SM Megamall. Kyochon’s Red series chicken packs in a lot of heat, while its Original Garlic, Honey and Soonsal series tantalize the taste buds with its flavor. Kyochon boasts of being the first to have perfected the special double fried technique, ensuring that every piece is perfectly tender and incredibly crunchy to the bite. (For inquiries, call (02) 997 3333.Â
Mesa
It’s not only popular among local dwellers but it’s also the place to bring balikbayan relatives and expat friends or colleagues for a dose of Pinoy favorites. Mesa brings in bestsellers like laing two ways, an unusual yet tasty twist to a Bicolano dish that’s served wet and dry, both ways rich in the goodness of creamy coconut milk. The crispchon is also a runaway winner among the gourmands as a bite or two of the crispy pork tenders dipped in Rikki’s choice sauce, oyster sauce or sweet liver sauce, gives a rush of satisfaction to the palates. Perfect breakfast staple tinapa rolls, paired with tinapa rice, is available all day to satiate one’s craving for something salty yet tasty. Also available are crowd-drawers crispy boneless tilapia and tilapia fillet with choices of spicy vinegar, vinegar and soy sauce, honey bagoong and chili sauces to enjoy them with. (Located on the ground floor, Greenbelts, Legaspi Street, Makati  call (02) 728 0886 for inquiries).Â
Ramen Fever
With the full-bodied creamy soup base at the heart and soul of every bowl of ramen, Ramen Nagi offers its soup in four basic flavors: Butao; Red, Green and Black King. The rich base is made from a flavorful broth, created by slow boiling pork bones for a day, and is infused with a secret blend of seasonings imported from Japan. The noodles are the perfect complement to the rich soup base, with special noodle-making machines utilized to produce the millimeter-thin strands that hail from Japan’s Hakata region. Ramen Nagi’s first branch is located at the Sky Park of SM Aura Premier, Taguig City and can be reached at (02) 828 6793.
Truffle Treat
Savor a new hefty indulgent treat as Diamond Hotel Philippines introduces a new blend of refined flavors with its Mushroom Truffle Ensaymada, a perfect balance of the savory earthiness of fresh forest mushrooms infused with truffle oil and the creamy sweetness of soft bread topped with a thick layer of cheddar cheese. Mushroom Truffle Ensaymada is available at Diamond Hotel’s Lobby Lounge and at the Cake Club outlets (in Rockwell, Makati City and Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City. For inquiries, call (02) 528 3000.)
Almon Marina
Healthy yet appetizing selections can be found at Almon Marina. Gourmet sandwiches, freshly made soup, pasta, salad and flavorful grills will tantalize your tastebuds. The great promise of Almon Marina is the availability of tasty and quality gourmet choices for one’s discerning taste.(For more information on branches and contact numbers, visit www.almonmarina.com.)
Common Sense
The best place for modern Filipino cuisine now invites guests to a different dining experience. Sentro 1771 has recently opened in Capitol Commons, Pasig City, offering creative Filipino food, high level of service and a modern restaurant ambience inspired by the Commonwealth period and definitely at par with international restaurants. (For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 941 8277 or log onto www.sentro1771.com.)
Sobremesa
From simple Seafood Ceviches, to plump, juicy Peruvian Roast Chicken seasoned with herbs and spices and Chef Benjo’s signature dish, the delicious, “fall-off-the-bone†tender Bulalo Estofado, Sobremesa will fill you to the brim. We may know the continent for its football players and beauty queens but one exciting element from South American culture to be introduced to Filipinos is its cuisine. Sobremesa by Chef Benjo Tuason dishes do just that! Visit the restaurant located at the Sapphire Bloc Ortigas Center, Ortigas, Pasig City or call + 63 9064452559 for inquiries.
Gusto Trattoria Siciliana
Gusto is meant to be a “trattoria,†the Italian counterpart of a carinderia– no gimmicks, no frills. So here, the food is at front and center of the experience. Gerlando Guilliana, proprietor of the restaurant, explains that Sicily produces some of the best seafood in all of Italy. He decided to move to the Philippines just after a few weeks of vacationing here, bringing all the flavors of Sicily straight to the Metro. Visit the restaurant at  Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Paranaque City or call (02) 6213522 for inquiries.
