What's on the Menu for Lent?: Bangus festival at Cabalen

MANILA, Philippines - In observance of the Lenten season, Cabalen launches its Bangus Festival. It features 11 bangus dishes that will let you observe meatless Fridays without sacrificing taste. Feast on sinigang na bangus belly sa miso, mango coleslaw with crispy bangus, kilawin bangus sa gata, tortang bangus, bistig bangus belly, binalot na bangus sa mustasa, bangus salpicao, bangus afritada, bangus sisig, bangus inasal, and binusog na tinapang bangus.

Cabalen also has over 50 signature dishes and serves sizzling and grilled fare. Its TriNoma, Glorietta 3, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Clark offer Japanese, Thai, Chinese, and Korean dishes.

Cabalen’s “Salute to the Graduate” promotion is extended till April 30. Fifty-percent off will be given to graduates who dine in with at least a group of six.

For reservations and all kinds of functions, visit Cabalen restaurants at 67 West Ave., Quezon City; third floor, Bridgeway, SM Megamall; ground floor, Robinsons Place Manila; ground floor, Robinsons Starmills, San Fernando, Pampanga; ground floor, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall; second floor, Chefs Ave., Festival Mall, Alabang; ground floor, Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Laguna; ground floor, SM City Cebu; second floor, TriNoma Mall; ground floor, Glorietta 3; ground floor, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia; and ground floor, SM City, Clark.

For inquiries, call 372-3515, 893-9884, 373-2914 or visit www.cabalen.ph.

* * *

Fish lumpia, sinigang na hipon & laing at Cowboy Grill

Guilt-less indul-gence: Sinigang na hipon at Cowboy Grill

Cowboy Grill thrills with its array of appetizers. Choose from calamares, camaron rebosado, crispy tentacles, and fish lumpia. Those who like sisig can opt for sisig bangus, tuna and pusit. There’s also sizzling mixed seafood, sizzling gambas, and sizzling tentacles. Indulge in sinigang na hipon, bangus or adobong pusit with a cup of steamed rice for lunch or dinner.

Other must-try dishes are inihaw na tuna panga, tuna belly, pusit, bangus, pla-pla, laing, pinakbet, and kangkong with oyster sauce.

Cowboy Grill has branches at Mabini, Malate, UN Avenue, Las Piñas and the newly opened Quezon Avenue branch in QC.

* * *

Healthy option: Cravings’ flavorful grilled tuna steak

Tuna steak at Cravings

Cravings offers its Guiltless Promo, which consists of healthy and delicious meals like grilled tuna steak (P375) with rice pilaf on the side or fisherman’s pot pie (P375), which both come with eat-all-you-can soup and salad.

For those who want lighter fare, the Eat-All-You-Can Soup and Salad promo is only P295, while the Splurge on Salad! promo is offered free with every main course.

For P555 per person, an Easter family brunch is available on April 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at all Cravings outlets (except Fraser).

For information, call its branches at Katipunan, QC, 426-6681/426-6567; Shangri-La Plaza Mall, 635-6087/88; Fraser Place, Makati, 815-4269/71; Tomas Morato, QC, 426-9736; Festival Mall, Alabang , 850-4437; and Eastwood Mall, Libis, 470-3500; or visit www.cravingsgroup.com.

* * *

Wholegrain tuna sandwich from The French Baker

Lenten offering: The French Baker’s wholegrain tuna sandwich

Who says abstaining from meat has to be a sacrifice? The French Baker’s wholegrain tuna sandwich is made with the brand’s famed 100-percent wholegrain bread, tuna spread, a light salad, and crunchy potato chips on the side. Match it with complimentary brewed lemon iced tea. Avail of the wholegrain tuna sandwich at all branches of The French Baker.

* * *

Crab a bite: The Crab Maritess at The Red Crab Alimango House

Crab Maritess at The Red Crab Alimango House

The Red Crab Alimango House tempts diners’ palates with its meatless dishes such as Crab Maritess, Queen and King Seafood Platter, steamed pla-pla, and live shrimps cooked in citrus boil, bangus belly sinigang sa bayabas, jum-bangus ala bistek, and seafood in curries and chilies.

The Red Crab Alimango House has branches at the ground floor, Piazza Venice, Mckinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, 403-8011; 104 JSB Bldg.,cor. Sct. Delgado, Tomas Morato, QC, 412-4323, 374.8406; and at the second floor, Resorts World, Newport Mall, Pasay City, 856-0087.