Project Pie : Artisan What?

I admit I'm a reverse snob. Just the word "artisan" automatically causes my eyebrow to rise. However I love my mother who is a pizza fanatic and I wanted her to experience something new. So after she had her medical check-up today, I thought it would be the perfect time to take her to Project Pie, a new restaurant that just opened near Mall of Asia.

The restaurant is part of the newly constructed complex called Bluebay Walk along Edsa-Macapagal which is located just before reaching Mall of Asia. The area is so new that all of the other spaces are still closed.

surprising number of people on a Monday afternoon

sounds like a mantra :p

The concept is simple. You have the option to order 1) one of their 7 basic pizza or 2) create your own. You can add as much toppings as you like without extra charge! Yes, seriously.

plenty to choose from

If you're like me and find it difficult to make a decision, you can choose one of the basic pizzas and just either add/subtract the toppings. I ordered two basic pizza ... #2 (all meat, red sauce) and #5 (cheese).

more toppings please!

For # 2, I requested they add prosciutto because face it, more meat is goooood.

For #5, I requested they add feta cheese, mushroom and caramelized onions.

pretty colors

Tadaaaaa! My cheeezy pizza with mushroom and caramelized onion. Love the super cheezy flavor and the feta cheese adds just the right amount of saltiness. Caramelized onion was just enough that it adds that sweetness to compliment the cheese.

I really liked it even though it was a bit oily.

Mom loved her meaty pizza. The red sauce was just perfect (not too sour), it had plenty of meat toppings and the pizza was just cooked enough to have that bubbling cheese effect without having a burnt pizza bottom.

Normally, I don't eat the edge of the pizza but for this I happily made an exception. Nice, not-too-thin crust that is really flavorful by itself. Each pizza is about 9 (?) inches - not really that sure. All I know is that it's the perfect size for one hungry person :D

happy, happy, happy :D

Final Verdict?

The above caption says it all. I like the fact that I can create my own pizza and add on numerous toppings without additional cost. The pizza tastes good .... nice thin crust, flavorful toppings, different kinds of cheese to choose from. Best of all, the price is very affordable (P350 for a pizza and drink). Mom, who is a pizza snob, gives it an enthusiastic thumbs up!

Just some minor concerns: 

-  Sloppy cut on both our pizzas. Had a bit of difficulty cutting the pizza with a plastic knife. Not take out friendly.

- There is only one size for the pizza (about 9 inches) so each person needs to order their own (which makes the line and waiting time longer). Not sure what you do if you want to order take out for the entire family. Buy 6 pizzas?

- Even though there was a flyer at the entrance telling you what to do, the kinds of pizzas available and toppings, people would still ask the server, ""What is available?" Believe me, I understand since I also asked the same thing. However, if you're already hungry and  if there is a long line being held up by a person who can't make a decision if he/she really likes mushroom with her pizza, it can get a bit annoying. I hope they make a big sign before the start of the line which shows the instruction and basic pizza and toppings available.

PROJECT PIE
Blue Bay Walk
Edsa - Macapagal Ave
Pasay 
https://www.facebook.com/projectpiephilippines
hours: 10am - 10pm
credit card accepted

Direction: Coming from Edsa, go towards Mall of Asia. Once you cross Roxas Boulevard, keep your eyes open on the right and you will see the store from the street. They are located before the first intersection light.

Thai Cooking: Pad Thai

After my cooking lesson last November in Thailand, I resolved to "re-create" the Pad Thai recipe for my family this Christmas.

all important recipe guide

preparing everything - had to use chicken instead of prawn

I know, I know - cheating a little bit with a prepackaged Pad Thai sauce

The original recipe (good for 1):

70 gram thin rice noodle
4-6 prawns
1 egg
1 tbsp hard Tofu
1 tbsp dried shrimp
1/2 tbsp chopped garlic
1/2 tbsp chopped shallot
1/2 cup bean sprout
1/2 cup garlic chives
1 tbsp water
2 tbsp chopped roasted peanut
4 tbsp Pad Thai sauce **

** Pad Thai sauce (for 4 tbsp) - mix all together

1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tbsp white sugar
1/2 tbsp palm sugar
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp tamarind paste or vinegar
1 tbsp oyster sauce

1) Soak noodle in tap water for 20 minutes.

2) Heat wok. Put oil in pan and sautee garlic and shallots. Add prawns , dried shrimp, tofu. Stir fry until prawn is cooked. Set aside on pan.

3. Break egg into pan and stir until cooked. Set aside on pan.

4. Add noodles and water. Stir until noodle is soft.

5. Add Pad Thai sauce in the noodle and stir until noodle is cooked and dried. 

6. Add bean sprouts and chives. Stir everything together until cooked.

7. Put in a bowl, sprinkle roast peanut, add one slice of lime and top with coriander leaves. 

Ta-daaaaa!!!!

Since there were 4 of us, I just tripled the recipe. Overall, the dish was flavorful. Right combination of salty, sweet and sour. However, I think next time I would add some salt while stir frying the chicken. I would also cook the noodles a bit more since mine was a little chewy. All in all, not bad :) Can't wait to cook the curry!