Food Heaven

If there is one thing that B and I agree on 100% - it’s food.

We love to wine and dine, check out the latest restaurants and find incredible hole-in-the-wall joints. I even gave her a restaurant bible – “A Guide to Restaurants in Manila.” And we promised to try ALL the ones with very good reviews.

It doesn’t really matter if it’s the isawan right in front of Kalayaan dorm in U.P., Diliman, or Margarita Fores’ Pepato in Greenbelt 2. The bottomline is good food.

We are both self-proclaimed food critics – as she is a frustrated chef, and I – well – I’m just really a glutton (thus, the need for me to regularly sweat it out.)

Last Saturday, I took her to Segundo Piso. “Second Floor” in Spanish. It’s an apt name for the restaurant, owned by Juan Carlos de Terry and his wife, as its first branch is situated on the second floor of Terry Selection – the couple’s gourmet store that rivals Santis Delicatessen.

I discovered this restaurant long before it became one. Four years ago, when I was still employed by OHSI, my officemates and I used to frequent Terry Selection for its deli sandwiches and on-sale El Almendro Yema Tostados. We’d buy the yema tostados at 50% off, refusing to buy them at regular price, because it’s P250-P300 per box. Not that we can’t afford it – but the price is too much – it’s a social sin already.

Favorite deli sandwiches: Happy Turkey, Mess and Don Pepito.

I love the Spanish cold cuts – turkey, peppered salami, Jamon Serrano and chorizo with pisto manchego. Pair with their farmer’s or focaccia bread topped with garlic and tomato.

Maaaaaaan! Just thinking of it makes me drool.

B’s favorite: the lentil soup with black sausages. It’s so full of flavor! And it’s something you’d like to order again since it's not easy this stuff at home – unless you’re a chef.

Customer service is fab! I ordered for a glass of their rose wine, and they gave me extra since the bottle is almost gone. The waiter poured all the content in my glass.

You'd be surprised that food is reasonably priced, considering the quality and taste of food, fine wine and wonderful ambiance.

The original Segundo Piso is located at Building B, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City. For reservations, you can call them at 729-7906 or 729-7907.