New England Pot Roast Beef

By: The Moody Critic

The first time I got acquainted with the pot roast was during my childhood days when I used to play the popular old game- Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. After being dropped by the Flail Guard - a monster in this game, my mouth would usually drool over this item because it looked very tempting to eat. In those days, I promised myself that I would someday savor on this dish. Finally, I did; and I was not disappointed!

Seeing the gargantuan serving size of this dish, I was immediately shocked when it was finally served on our table. It can actually be shared by two persons. Surprisingly, it didn't look the same like how it was shown in the menu where it looked more of a typical beef stew. Nevertheless, the arrangement of the meat slices and the sprouts helped in giving that appetizing presentation.

The only way to deal with tough beef cuts like the ones used in this dish is through slow-cooking. So far, they were able to achieve this because the meat was very tender and succulent. However, what they failed to achieve was the Maillard reaction - the browning effect which the meat cuts evidently lacked. Lastly, the seemingly unrelated "ribs" was overcooked because some of its segments were already charred.

Excellent choice of flavors, well-cooked meat, generous amount of sauce, and more-than-enough serving size - sum them all up and you'll get a satisfied mouth and a happy stomach.

Presentation: 7.7
Taste: 8.0
Texture and consistency: 8.0
Complexity: 8.1
Value for money: 9.0

Overall rating: 8.0/10
Mood: SATISFIED

Resto: Uncle Cheffy
Address: 3rd Level Atrium, SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Full food name: New England Pot Roast Beef
Price: P495.00

Read More

Uncle Cheffy Cheesecake

By: The Moody Critic

While waiting for our food, I decided to have a quick tour around the restaurant just to kill the time. The thing that first attracted me was their cake display case. As I look upon the variety of desserts they had on display, one cake stood out among the rest... in a bad way! One look and you'll say that this is one of those forsaken desserts because it seemed to have stood inside the case way past its expiration date to be able to develop such moldy appearance. I left hoping that our paths would never cross again.

I chose the Uncle Cheffy Cheesecake for dessert because it was the most probable flagship dessert of this restaurant as the title suggests. However, as soon as this dessert was served on my table, I was in fierce denial because the cake looked very familiar. It dawned to me that it was that grotesque moldy dessert! Questions came rushing in my mind. Was the concept and presentation of the cake intended? Were they thinking of culturing Aspergillus species on this cake? And how would I find the courage to eat it?

Because this dessert carried the esteemed "Uncle Cheffy" title, it is very much expected that it should be the restaurant's best-seller. I really tried to grasp the idea that there must be something special under that ill-looking masquerade. Unfortunately, there was nothing. It was no different from your average cheesecake in terms of taste. The cheesecake matrix had this marked humidity accompanied by an undercooked mushy consistency. The matrix-to-base ratio was obviously out of proportion. The base was made too thick and it was evidently uneven throughout the length of the cake slice. Lastly, I find the plating really pathetic because it lacked the accentuating contrast needed to give this dessert that appetizing appeal.

Presentation: 4.5
Taste: 5.5
Texture and consistency: 5.2
Serving size: 7.5
Value for money: 5.4

Overall rating: 5.4/10
Mood: DISGUSTED

Resto: Uncle Cheffy
Address: 3rd Level Atrium, SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Full food name: Uncle Cheffy Cheesecake
Price: P150.00

Read More