The husband and I spent the first Saturday of the birthday month in an ocean adventure where I met and shed some tears over the cute sea lions, Icys and Isabel. For the second Saturday, we decided to do what we love the most, EAT!! Lucky I was able to steal a deal in the bulk buying website CleverBuy (thank the heavens for bulk buying!!!).
We headed to Tomas Morato in Quezon City to have a taste of the Japanese food Ariake Restaurant is offering. It had been a while since our last gastronomic adventure so I was quite giddy but not so expectant. I didn't expect a lot from the resto. Not seeing much reviews led me to the assumption that not a lot of people dine at the place and rave about their experience.
the entrance
We were the first guests who came so I savored the freedom of walking around and taking photos.
waiting...
three tables with cushioned benches...
the table beside ours... pretty arrangement!!
to the restrooms.
to the restrooms.
the jar guards the restroom door...
closer look of the sushi bar... and that's Drew sitting!!
After some waiting, the food came and I had to put the camera down. I totally failed to brace myself for what I called the "Ariake love" at first bite!!! The love came without warning.
The husband, while chewing his first makizushi, made his "oh-this-is-so-yummazing" face with closed eyes. I always know when he finds the food delicious, because he makes that face...and this time, he even yummy-cussed!! After taking some photos I joined him in the feast, and indeed, the food was really namit!!
Let's have a closer look to the dishes that were included in the deal.
ok he's excited to eat!
The husband, while chewing his first makizushi, made his "oh-this-is-so-yummazing" face with closed eyes. I always know when he finds the food delicious, because he makes that face...and this time, he even yummy-cussed!! After taking some photos I joined him in the feast, and indeed, the food was really namit!!
Let's have a closer look to the dishes that were included in the deal.
Special Makizushi Deluxe - 5 kinds!
They have the best maki sauce! I had to ask for some when we took the leftover food out. What we thought was Japanese Mayo was actually their home-made maki sauce according to Drew. He gave us some to take home!
Yakitori
Yakiudon
I'm not a big fan of pancit but I loved their yakiudon...the taste of the pancit alone was flavorful already, and the addition of seafood, mixed veggies and meat makes this yakiudon just worth raving about.
Mixed Seafood Tempura
These tempuras were really more than good, the breading wasn't nakakaumay. Even when we deepfried them again the next day, super yummy still! They included some vegetables though. Squash, sweet potatoes and eggplant wrapped in the breadings.
And behold, our favorite, the most mouth-watering seafood dumplings!! ..very well presented... they look really succulent here ha and they indeed were! The next day, they still looked and tasted as they did that evening.
approved!!
really enjoying!!
coffee jelly with vanilla ice cream for dessert!
The food was good for 4-6 people. Sad that my sis wasn't able to come with us, she would have enjoyed the food too! How much it cost us? Only Php 867 for food worth Php 2,015!! We took home what was left of our food, and they packed them really neatly in styros. The coffee jelly we brought out were also put in nice cups that we were able to hold comfortably while walking towards EDSA.
Aside from the food, there are more reasons for me to go back. I really did wow silently when we entered the place.
Ariake is on the second floor and what will welcome you on the ground floor are these beautiful flowers, arranged attractively at the entrance.
The place is really good for laid-back conversations. It was quiet and had this spa-like smell and ambience. I hardly smelled the food. The experience was very relaxing I would want to stay longer than 3 hours when we have the chance to dine here again.
The place is impressively neat. Even the restroom smelled so good and very clean it made me stay longer than needed to take silly photos of me in the mirror. And the service...exceptional!! The crew were very friendly and smiling, very eager to serve, hi Drew!
Two-thumbs up for Ariake. I loved the experience!
