Cycle 5 – Item 98

 13 (Sun) April 2014

Sydney Special

2.5

at Almon Marina

(Robinsons Place)

-Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines-

solo

Try Every Restaurant in Robinsons Place (41) (see also TERRP)

Almon Marina is Western-style restaurant.  Founded in 1990.  Currently 9 locations throughout Metro Manila, all in shopping malls.  Menu emphasizes sandwiches, mostly American in character, but also includes pastas, soups, salads.

Despite obvious indications to the contrary, I went with the Australian.  It consisted of roast beef, which isn’t really my kind of thing for sandwiches.  It included apples as a topping, and I detest all things sweet, like fruit, especially apples, particularly as an ingredient in a savory dish.  The combination didn’t sound so promising.  But I was desperately hungry and tired, and it was the first item on the menu, and featured in a photo, and I’m a sucker for point-of-sale marketing, and I didn’t have the wherewithal in my condition to look beyond, so I ordered it.

To my pleasant surprise, I ended up liking the Sydney Special.   Soundly constructed, with decent roast beef, fresh tomato and lettuce, appropriate amounts of mayo and mustard.  After awhile, even the apples began to grow on me.  By the last bite, I was thoroughly enjoying the experience.  Maybe I’ll have another crack at it someday.

Yes, I hate fruit, but I’ve decided to start drinking fresh fruit juice/shakes – sans syrup – like this ripe mango shake, in lieu of Coke.

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN PHILIPPINES)