Comfort Tuesdays at Century City Mall

By Sophia Avellana

May 21, 2015 | 11:36am Manila time

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COCONUTS HOT SPOT – While Hole in the Wall may be the automatic destination for all things food at Century City Mall, you may want to keep your eyes peeled for Comfort Tuesdays.

It is located right before Hole in the Wall’s entrance, across Arrozeria and here, you don’t have to wait for the weekend to have a good time. The idea for Comfort Tuesdays comes from the owner’s desire to bring together comfort food with a youthful joie de vivre that is typically enjoyed on weekends.

This new kid on the Century City Mall block has good selection of dishes that are familiar and homey. There are pasta dishes and pizza that they like to call flatbreads; its mains come with rice because what is more comforting to a Filipino than a rice meal?

Comfort Tuesday’s Sizzling Liempo Sisig Surprise (PHP260), is one of several appetizers on the menu. It’s a fiercer version of the much-loved pork dish. Beneath the thin layer of fried egg lie green chili chunks mingling with pork bits — that don’t include pig’s ears and cheeks, mind. This gives the dish an almost Bicol Express-like touch. This dish is so big on flavor that you a) won’t need to add dash of seasoning or calamansi, and b) you’ll need a proper cup of rice to go with it.

Of the flatbreads, we tried the Meaty Matteo (PHP519) and we must say, it reminded us of somebody else’s “Manager’s Choice” — what with bacon, ham, shreadded chicken, pork and salami — except here, it has a lot more polish and a lot less fast food grease. The portions of the meats are well-balanced, too. Splash on their chili oil concoction and you’re good to go.

Comfort Tuesday’s rice meals are steadily gaining a following. The three-piece Crispy Pork Belly with adobo rice (PHP369) is a straight-forward satisfying meal, while the Wagyu Beef & Mushroom Oriental (PHP399) is tender and full-flavored. The hands-down winner, we would say, is the Grilled Milkfish Belly (PHP299). It’s so savory and moist, and topped with garlic and partnered with rice, is of utmost joy.

Pasta lovers will find the Portobello Mushroom Pasta’s (PHP359) is so creamy-good. It’s comforting and indulgent without being overwhelming. Somehow, our tastebuds were also looking for the truffle appeal — perhaps the owners will offer an “upgrade” soon.

And of course, what is comfort food without dessert? Comfort Tuesday’s Homestyle Coconut Cheesecake (PHP229) disappeared from our table in a matter of seconds. Satisfyingly decadent, the cheesecake manages to be light and airy still. Dessicated coconut lie on top of the cake, with caramel sauce drizzled on top and around it, the cake can easily be cloyingly sweet. We love that it isn’t.

A thirst-quenching carafe of the Cucumber Mint Cooler (PHP289) is a must for this season, while the Lychee Mint (PHP159) and the Blue Pineapple Comfortinis (PHP149) are dainty and refreshing drinks to sip on.

4/F Century City Mall, Poblacion, Makati. Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat & Sun 11am-2am. +63 2 9380958