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Love & Lust > Dating

Food Road Rules For Men

A real guy dishes the deal on men’s dining habits and suggests two restos where your boyfriend is bound to have a blast.
Posted on January 20, 2010 12:00 am by James Dalusong
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“The shortest road to men's hearts is down their throats” may seem like an old and unfounded quote, but trust a man to consider it good advice, especially if it involves excellent conversation mixed in with the food. That’s why eating out together is the most common of dates and for appropriate reason—it’s our favorite thing to do. But be wary, the commonness also leads to it being taken for granted the most, and often the small things can ruin an otherwise exceptional thing. The shared endeavor of shoving delectable fare through our mouths should therefore be quite the experience and would only serve to strengthen your bond with your man. More important, though, is the presence of pleasant company, with none of the nitpicking and fussiness that may cripple the evening. A meal is only as good as the person you share it with.

Now most men would make do with a hearty dinner, one that fills the tummy and sometimes clogs an artery or two, as long as the chairs are filled with only the nice and enjoyable. So what’s a fun and take-charge woman to do to make sure navigating the tricky route to a man’s heart is taken care of--so she can focus on the sweet stuff? Read on for a couple of restaurant suggestions.

A Kitchen Tended With Love

They say Latin American food not just fills the stomach but also satisfies the heart, so it’s always good to go with the spice and vivaciousness of the cuisine. In the heart of Maginhawa St. in Teachers Village, Quezon City, is a charming and homey restaurant with the revelation that it is Latin-esque in style, but still Filipino in its allure.

Cocina Juan, which started off as Mexican in theme but later on widened its selection, offers a menu that accommodates food from different regions of Central America, including Guatemalan and Panamanian, with a bit of Argentinean and Spanish, perfect for satiating those gastronomic urges and at the same time keeping the experience interesting with a festive ambiance and bright atmosphere.

Owners Tom, Boogie, and Karlo brought together their talent for culinary arts, know-how in interior design, and appreciation for the Latino culture into creating a restaurant that is unique, colorful, and fun, without the pretense of being too high-brow. The menu genuinely addresses our own culture’s preference for feasts, but without the excess, which makes it all the more appealing to the typically proud but modern Filipino male.

"Inspiration De Centro America, Plato Para La Filipino"

As their tagline goes, the food they serve is revelatory to the uninitiated yet still comfortably familiar, with staples such as the classic burrito, platos con arroz (rice meals), and different takes on the tortilla pizza, like the Bolognese and Pepperoni Pita Pizza (P165) for one. Start with an order of Mexican Fries (P185) or Nacho Supremo (P205) to get that Latino vibe going and the fingers moving. The Central-American inspired Alitas Chicken Wings (P195) is a bit more filling but is also a good choice for openers, as it is no secret that usage of the hands while eating (and the superfluous licking of one’s digits) lends a bit of sexiness to the entire affair.

Amp up the experience by ordering one of the Chimichurri Specials in either pork or chicken, unique in that the Chimichurri sauce originated in Argentina but is now common in almost all of Latin America. It is mostly made from finely chopped parsley, good for keeping the breath fresh in anticipation of what comes after the date. Try the Cerdo Castillo Chimichurri (P225) or the Chicken Chimichurri Cheese (P185) together with a short order of Gallo Pinto bean rice (P30), Guatemalan in origin but obviously very Filipino in appeal.

For the weight-watcher in you, a bunch of other delicious items are available such as the Sofrito Specials (P250), fish tenderized in aluminum foil partnered with the Spanish sofrito sauce made from tomatoes, bell peppers, and other herbs. The Limon Shrimp Tortilla Ensalada (P165) or the Sizzling Camaron Fajitas (P195) should be good choices for sharing (with the cheesy but effective placing of food in each other’s mouth) and keeping the calories down.

Photo of Alitas Chicken Wings courtesy of Cocina Juan
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Tags: dating,relationship,boyfriend,girlfriend,date,couples,dating tips,date advice,relationship advice,Cocina Juan,Cocktales

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