sowoo-nderful

Mario and I had a very Jewel-In-The-Palace experience last night.

We decided to go meet up and have dinner someplace. We decided to scout around Macapagal Avenue for a nice place to dine-in instead of going to Makati. We ended up at Harbour Square, across CCP along the Manila Yacht Club.

Harbour Square now has a nice parking space, P30 for the first 3 hours and P10 succeeding hours, gravelled and with parking boys that actually help you park.

Ther are two main buildings within the Square, Block 2 is already filled-up with restos - Dencios, Grappas, Coffee Bean, Pancake House, Rai-Rai Ken, a ShabuShabu house and a bar upstairs called Retro.

Block 1 has still some unoccupied spaces and some under construction. Block 1 houses Starbucks, Tapa King and soon to be opend Icebergs at the ground floor.

At the second floor, is this newly opened establishment that piqued our interest. The logo is undistinguishable below but it looked like a head of a cow in red and black with some oriental markings. So I thought, great a Japanese restaurant! Mario was hesitant at first because the place looked more like a bistro than an ordinary restaurant, a little bit "shala". When we reached the entrance we discovered that the logo was indeed a head of a cow with the words "Little Cow" at the bottom. We assumed that the name of the place was "Little Cow."

Upon entering we were cheerfully greeted by the waitresses "Welcome to Sowoo." I was confused at the beginning but upon closer inspection of the space I found the words Sowoo printed on the walls of the bar. The place looked comfortable, black imitation leather covered the steel chairs, all the tables had an indoor grilling unit in the middle. The tables were nicely set, steel chopsticks and a rather big spoon with white china were laid before you.

We were seated and presented with the menu. I was surprised to again discover that Sowoo is a Korean restaurant not Japanese. The head waiter was very gracious and helped us order, the resto just opened last Jan. 1 and they had a few offers and freebies. We settled on one Fresh Meat, one Flavored Meat and Kimchi Rice. My Jewel-In-The-Palace experience was about to start.

Quickly upon placing our orders, our tea cups were filled with cold water, our drinks came next. Mario ordered Iced Green Tea, he was expecting the generic tea being served in japanese fast food restos. However the Iced Green Tea that was served to him had the very distinct aroma of sampaguita and the taste of it too. I told him that I was having the urge to dip my fingers in it and make the sign of the cross. And too it he added, "Parang ang linis-linis ko everytime I take a sip." for it really reminds you of the holy water found in churches where you dip your hands upon entering.

Shortly, a waitress started delivering platefulls of condiments: quail eggs, kimchi, tofu, spinach, an assortment of green leaves (lettuce and sesame leaves), a spicy salad, shredded squid and a spicy paste. Mario and I started tasting each morsel and they tasted great! Before the waitress came back with the meats, the condiments were half gone, to our surprise, again, the condiments were being replenished.

Our attendant placed a metal bowl with burning stones in it inside the recess found in the middle of our table and covered it with the metal grill. One by one the slices fresh meat was placed on it along with several vegetables - mushrooms, onions, garlic, camote and something that I have never quite seen before. When the meat was cooked, the attendant asked us to choose a leaf and put in on our plate. I chose a sesame leaf and Mario a lettuce, the attendant placed a slife of beef on our leaves and proceeded to put the condiments on it too. Once done she asked us to roll the leaf and have a taste. Let me tell you, the first bite was quite an experience. The sesame leaf was surprisingly sweet, the meat was tender and all the condiments when put together just tasted so good and blended well. Our dinner went on with that ritual, the attendant patiently grilling the meats and cutting-up bite size pieces and creating our little rolls.

Sometime during the middle of the meal, the manager of the store, a Korean woman, approached our table and engaged us in small talk. She graciously asked how we are liking the food and if we will recommend the place to our friends.

I recommend that you guys try it, a respite from the other restaurants that you've been to. I did not only leave the place with a full stomach, I also had a happy feeling with me when I left.

Sowoo-nderful!