NAV Modern Thai Cuisine

There's a serious shortage of good Thai restaurants in Manila.
I can only count a few ... Thai At Silk (Serendra), People's Palace (Greenbelt), Som's (Rockwell and Mandaluyong), Spices (The Peninsula Manila). These are the ones I go back to whenever I crave for Thai food.
For those who live in the Pasig/Ortigas Center/Mandaluyong area, really good Thai food is now within your reach. NAV Modern Thai Cuisine in Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig is only a few months old but everytime I drive by, I notice that they're always busy. From outside, it looks a bit compact. I was surprised to find that there's actually an upper/mezzanine level.
I got to try the place out for the first time tonight. Unfortunately, I didn't get to take a photo of the restaurant's facade because it was raining a bit hard.

This is the ground floor

And this is where we positioned ourselves, on the upper level

This set of spices can be found on every table


Wine, too


To start us off on this palatable experience, we had these

Thai Iced Tea
Php95.00

Fresh Pandan with Honey

Php85.00

NAV's Pomelo Salad with Spiked Chicken and Coco Lime Dressing

Php300

Son In Law Eggs, deep fried with Tamarind Syrup

Catchy name! This one's a must-try!

Php180.00

Crab Cakes with Homemade Sweet Chili

Php230

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce and Homemade Sweet Chili

Php235.00

Crisped Catfish Salad with Green Mangoes

Php245.00

Our Main Dishes for the evening

Wok Fry Fresh Vegetables with Crispy Noodles

Php230.00

NAV's Bagoong Rice

Approximately Php 280

Wok Fry Squid with Sweet Soy Chili Galangal

I LOVED THIS!!!

Php260.00

Red Curry Pork and Eggplants

Php255.00

Wok Fry Tender Pork with Lemongrass Basil

Php250.00

AND THE GRAND FINALE ...

I honestly have never tasted this in any Thai restaurant before

Bananas, Chocolate Ganache, Roasted Coconut Flakes with Coconut Cream on the side

To say that this was yummy is truly an understatement!

It was so good, I forgot to take note of the price LOL!

But I'm almost sure this doesn't cost more than Php200.00

Some personal notes I made that are worth sharing :

- although some dishes fall in the Appetizer/Starter category, they are actually big enough to be eaten as main course

- the main course servings are very generous, each of them is good for atleast 3 pax if you're not heavy eaters

- if you don't like spicy food at all or if the kids are with you (like mine were), you can request some dishes to not be spicy at all

I made sure to include the prices here to let everyone know that this place is really worth a visit. This is a very classy "hole in the wall", which I'm sure will soon attract nearby residents and corporate people.

NAV Modern Thai Cuisine is at

United St. Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig

Beside Uncle Moe's and Slice 'n Dice

Open from Sundays to Thursdays 11am to 11pm

Fridays and Saturdays 11am to 12 midnight

Call them at 655 8395 if you wish to inquire or reserve a table

Revisited : Som's Noodle House

Yesterday, we were invited to an intimate celebration over lunch. Mom's good friend threw this small party to celebrate her son's graduation from college. I normally like staying home on Sunday mornings/afternoons because this is our usual routine. But I wouldn't miss this, especially since I haven't eaten in Som's for quite sometime.

The place (Rockwell branch) is a far cry from what it looked like years ago when they were just starting out. But please don't expect a 5-star environment. This is a no-frills restaurant. However, it's CLEAN and well-kept. The servers are also very attentive and alert!

I was too busy catching up with old friends, I totally forgot to take note of the exact names of the dishes. You'll figure it out :)

Bagoong Fried Rice

Som Tam (Papaya Salad)

Curried Crabs

Pad Siew (flat rice noodles with beef and vegetables)

Okay this one I totally did not get the name
But we had 2 orders of it and although it was spicier than the other orders, this was really good!

The vegetables look really crispy and fresh in the photo right?
They really were!

Finally, talk about saving the best for last
Sticky Rice with Mango

Suffice it to say, the long wait to eat at Som's again was well worth it. The food quality hasn't changed at all. I'm glad there's a 2nd branch that's a 5-10 minute drive from the house.

Som's Makati : 5921 Alger St. Poblacion, Makati City (near Rockwell)
Som's Mandaluyong : Maysilo Circle (rotonda) near the Mandaluyong City Hall

If you want a bang for your buck and authentic Thai food, go!

Sunday Family Style : Crustasia's Thai Shrimp Resto

Last Sunday's family dinner was held in honor of Anissa, who passed her cheerleader tryouts a few days prior. Our choice was Crustasia's Thai Shrimp House on the 6th level of Shang Mall.

The Menu:
Appetizer - Thai Fish Pancake
Soup - Tom Yum Goong (no photo)
Main Dishes -
Crispy Garoupa with Garlic Pepper Sauce
Live Clams Black Bean Sauce
Seafood Paella in Bamboo
Kangkong Lechon

Will be writing a separate review on the food but everyone was happy with the orders in general. The service was also not bad. Kaya lang we had to sit outside because all the tables inside were occupied and I didn't really like the fact that people kept passing by.

Afterwards, we asked Anissa to choose a prize for her awesome achievement. She immediately said she wanted a jacket, something athletic to go with her new title and cheerleader status hehehe. Check out the solo pic of her wearing the jacket she herself chose.

Sungit DM and happy Sabine

Lovey dovey with Lolo

Anissa --- the night's honoree

DH another sungit face

My happy girls

Sporting her new Adidas track jacket

Food trip : People's Palace

Here's another place I would defnitely visit again. I've been frustrated about the lack of good Thai restaurants in the Metro. Well, there's SOM'S in the Rockwell area and I love the fact that it's a "hole in the wall" type for cowboys like me. But I can't really take the kids there because of the environment.

I've heard a lot of conflicting reviews about PEOPLE'S PALACE in Greenbelt 3. Others have raved about it, some say it's nothing great and they won't go back. THAI @ SILK in Serendra was good but I think PP is better. The price ranges are the same but I was definitely more satisfied with my PP experience.

Thom Yum Goom (didn't know it's spelled with an "h"?)
Kapi Fried Rice
Prawn, Pomelo and Coconut Salad
Green Chicken Curry
Phad Thai
Crispy Lapu Lapu Fillets with Red Curry and Basil (MUST TRY!)
Prawn Spring Rolls
Spicy Beef and Eggplant Salad

I haven't enjoyed Thai food this much in a very, very long time! The entire family was super happy and satisfied with this experience. Price range? Around PHP 1,000 per head --- if you eat as much as we do! =)