Frannywanny

Opa! There are a number of restaurants in Manila that I love for their consistent quality in taste and service. Cibo of Chef Margarita Fores is one and the other is definitely Chef Robby Goco's Cyma . In fact, I wouldn't limit this to only these two restaurants but will consider all the chain of restaurants under their hats. Somehow, both chefs never fail to come out with impressive restaurants that has been making us go back to over and over again. I think one factor is how hands-on they've been on their businesses. Take Chef Robby Goco for example, I've seen him countless of times in Cyma , Green  Pastures , Charlie's Burger , even his Mexican restaurant a couple of years back called Ristras and just recently, we met again at Souv! -- his newest business venture. While Cyma is clearly a household name here in the Philippines as it is probably the first restaurant to introduce Greek cuisine to the local market, Souv! is it's hip, younger brother that...

It has been a while since I've last visited Cyma , it has been 3 whole years in fact. Still, the memory of the delicious Roka Salata, the salty Lamb Chops and the to-die-for Skolatina still remains clear and vivid in my mind. Remember, I mentioned that I had a heavy lunch prior to visiting Sweet Pea last week ? This was because I joined my colleagues for lunch at Cyma Greek Taverna located at the nearby Shangri-la Plaza Mall and boy, we had a feast! Our lunch started with an order of Saganaki otherwise known as Flaming Cheese . Normally, the entire crew will shout OPA! as this was being served to you but I guess everyone was busy attending to the customers that the dramatic entrance of the flaming cheese somehow disappeared. Still, we enjoyed the crunchy buttery garlic bread and the delicious melted cheese. My only request was an order of Roka Salata . I can't have enough of this mix of fresh arugula and lettuce with candied walnuts, sundried tomatoes and parmesan che...

When I think of Greece... ... I see cute white square concrete houses lined up atop a hill ... I imagine symbols from my ancient history classes and the dream of visiting the Parthenon someday ... I drool over juicy lamp chops marinated in the most flavorful herbs and grilled to perfection ... I look forward to watching men and women shouting OPA! as they fire up a sizzling plate of melted cheese Greece is located in the southeastern part of Europe and consists of a mountainous mainland and numerous islands. Although this is situated at the opposite part of the world from the Philippines, we Filipinos are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy the food, tradition and culture of Greece when dining at CYMA . During the Bloggers' Tour around Trinoma, we were able to meet Robby Goco , the Executive Chef of CYMA. Talk about being starstrucked! I finally had the chance to personally chat with the man who heads the powerful kitchen team who makes just the best Roka Salata , Saganaki (Fl...