Monday, August 13, 2007

Salcedo Market







Allan has asked me to accompany him to the Salcedo Market in Makati last Saturday. Without any lined-up early morning commitments, I agreed provided he accompany me to Divisoria so I can start my shopping for my baby stuff.

We planned to take some brunch at Salcedo Market as it is known to have an assortment of shops selling roast pig, spanish paella, cakes and pastries and various organic fruits and vegetables. We were not disappointed to see the whole Salcedo Park crowded with shoppers and diners. The first shop we saw at the entrance was selling french crepes and we agreed to buy a mango crepe and an apple variety. We walked around, saw several stores selling paella and we got an order of the Valenciana type. We were informed by the stall owner that the Paella Negra was quite popular with the kids because of its pecular black color from the squid ink that's used to darken the paella. Roast calf, roast chicken, roast pork and grilled seafood were all over the place, but we settled for pritchon, it's suckling pig, roasted and dip fried to perfection. It is served in bite slices and wrapped in pita bread with hoisin sauce. Allan wanted to try the lasagna, but the stall he chose ran out of the meat variety and we couldn't wait for another 15 minutes. We went to a french shop that offers several quiches, other french cuisine and baguettes. We bought a cheese quiche and some fresh daladan juice from another staff to complete our brunch feast.

We settled in some corner where the dining area was set-up and had a hearty meal. The paella was not as good as what one can sample from Cocina de Tita Monings or from Senor Alba, but it was tasty nonetheless. The pritchon was tender and crunchy at the same time we came short of our order wanting for more. The crepes were as delectable as what one diner had described it to us while we were placing our orders then. You see, the secret was in the crepes sheet, where it was cooked fresh and sprinkled with some sugar-cinnamon combo before adding the fruit chunks and marmalade. The quiche was good and quite filling to eat. I can't be sure why it is supposed to be eaten as an appetizer.

We had a heavy brunch and we browsed through the shops some more. Allan was about to order some wagyu beef, but stopped himself as he cannot be home until late in the afternoon and the fresh beef will naturally spoil by then. He bought some tortilla, italian panini, some fruits like cherry, bangkok lanzones and langka (jackfruit) which we ate some more along the way to Divisoria.

We must have spent close to Php1,000 or (US$22.22) for that morning trip to the Salcedo Market. It is indeed a glamourized flea market of sorts which boast of organic fruits and vegetables, showcase of some philippine handicrafts, plants, flowers and an international array of food and cuisine. It attracts mostly expatriates and the alta sociedad of the Makati's elite considering that the venue of the market is where some upscale condominiums are situated.

Allan was convinced his not gonna visit Salcedo Market for quite some time.

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