Tomato Kick!

Seeing as that it's quite a travel from Fort to QC--no to mention the on-going roadworks at both Global city and Lawton ave., I decided Saturday to be my do-everything in QC day--from sourcing suppliers in Ortigas, an alumni meeting in Libis and of course, a party in Cubao. I didn't want to get home during the day--which was sweltering hot by the way--and stay away from the traffic till late and it's just Constructicons I have to battle with without so many cars on the road.

On transit from the meeting to the 5-celebrant birthday all-out drinking party, my friend James and I, decidedly hungry, figured we'd line our stomachs before 'wasakan night' first so we headed to Tomato Kick along Katipunan Ave. Since I missed all the openings events held there by Lui and or Kim--both surfers and owners of the place--because it was simply too far a drive for me, I though I should go and give it a try now while in the area.

Just a little history, this corner lot beside QCMC used to house 540 Surfshop, owned by Lui Tortuya. I miss the place since it used to also serve as a hangout--the place to go see your surfer friends, and purchase a bikini too, plus it was where we left our cars enroute to La Union or Zambales--quick hi to Lui and leave some food for the always-hungry shop owner. I don't know why he decided to partner up, close shop and turn the place into a restaurant--but a year ago, the restaurant Oboda opened. That's adobo spelled backwards, and it served yes you guessed it--different versions of the Filipino favorite default ulam. Wasn't able to try the food there though. Next thing I knew, it became Tomato Kick a short time later.

Wish I was there for the opening with matching introduction to the food--because it took a while to figure out what to order. We finally decided on aligue and squid ink pasta and tinapasta--the latter of the two they ran out of because Kim ordered a bunch for his friends earlier. So we added quesadilla, chicken fajita and a couple of beers--all to share.

Can I just say, the squid ink pasta was to die for. I could not stop eating (almost wish I had ordered a whole plate to myself! haha!). Rich, sexy flavor... With chili flakes added for the extra kick, it was definitely yum-factor 9 and 3 quarters. The quesadilla, James and I wished had more cheese and the fajita was ok. But the squid pasta was memorable. We use the quesadillas to wipe off the excess sauce before spooning it to our mouths when the noodles ran out. Mmmmm...

I don't know when my next QC day comes again but this I know for sure--when I'm in the area again, I will definitely go back to Tomato Kick if only for that pasta, and welcome ink sauce on my teeth tongue belly. ;)