Gayuma Ni Maria

I was intrigued by the name. I first discovered it on one of my friends' facebook posts. The place seemed nice, so off I went with my ex bf.. ;-)

 We went there at about 7pm, thus the glaring signage. The facade is tastefully designed, with bits and pieces of artwork complementing the playfully mystique feel of the venue.

I particularly love this painting (below), as if prelude to the culinary frenzy we're about to experience.

Inside, the carefully crafted paper designs around the restaurant lights gave the place its unique ambiance. Yes, may be a little too simple, but it worked, so I don't mind.

The fresh roses (and other flowers) seemingly having been freshly picked from the garden added to the ambiance.

Upon entering, we were greeted by the waitress / cashier (yes, she's the sole front-liner when we got there). She gave us the menu and its humor got into me, i softly laughed having a hard time which among the cheesily named dishes should we order...

ATTRACTION                         

Tuliro – a bed of nachos and lettuce topped with slivers of meat and fresh fruits with succulent sour cream and cheese sauce to share, 285

Threesome – some things are meant for sharing. This combination of itsie-bitsie, barako and ukoy is great for barkada, 185

Saginglangang may puso –Pusongsaging (Banana Blossom) spread with garlic pan de sal toasts, 135

                                     

COURTSHIP                           

My Kind of Mushy – Fresh wild mushroom soup Gayumatized, 125

Peek-A-Boo – creamy pumpkin soup nothing like you've ever tasted before, 125

Unrequited Love – there’s nothing quite like the taste left by a long gone sour - our own version of tom yum meets sinigang in this sour spicy healthy soup of mushroom, fish, sampalok, 195

                                     

BETWEEN THE SHEETS                               

Tunaynapag-ibig – chunky tuna with lite mayo and spices on tomato lettuce and mango, comes with macaroni salad, 185

Kiss sabay Hug – chicken and pork adobo lettuce wrap, comes with macaroni salad, 165

Lumpiang Excited – our very own blushing pink lumpia wrapper encases a flavorful ubod filling with sweet garlic sauce, 110

                                     

COMMITMENT                                  

~Beef~                                   

Secret Lovers - gayumatized beef caldereta with grilled vegetables, 265

French Kissing – our very own version of beef stofado, 285

~Pork~                                  

NilasingniEbasi Adan – get tipsy high in this pork loin dish in a marinade of beer and apples. No wonder Adam succombed!, 245

Rock me Baby – Hickory BBQ pork ribs, with macaroni salad, 285

~Seafood~                             

Cuz I care = Bangus Kare-Kare – fried milkfish with peanut sauce and veggies, 235

Mahi-Mahiligsa Sarap – grilled mahi-mahih with lemmon butter sauce on a bed of dirty (black-brown fried rice), 235

~Chicken~                             

Native Love – the Tausog's Piyaggang grilled coconut chicken for you to feast on, 245

I Love You Cross My Heart – breaded yummy chicken breast with quesong puti, mushroom and asparagus that's sure to make you say YES!, 235

Please be Careful with my Heart – twice baked chicken in oilive oil and garlic that's perfect for the breast that needs a little TLC. Best way to eat is to mash the garlic head into the chicken. YUMMY!, 245

                                     

PASTA                         

No Boyfriend Since Birth – shellfish with this perfect blend of pesto and cheese with garlic pan de sal toasts, who needs boys?, 225

Afternoon Delight – tomatoes and fresh basil roasted in garlic olive oil and drowned in cheese. Want the hotsie version? Ask it to be done with chili flakes. Served with pan de sal toasts, 215

Mi Amore – perfect union of meaty Italian tomato sauce & spaghetti, 225

                                     

KABIT                         

Plain Rice, 40

Brown Rice, 60

Garlic Rice, 50

Mashed Potatoes, 55

After a painstakingly 15 minutes, we were able to place our orders. (Highlighted in yellow)

We've had a new discovery: BAYANI BREW

It's a healthy alternative to soda, just a bit pricey at Php 65 but it's worth a try. It's lemongrass fusion with other natural ingredients to suit your taste. We got Purple Leaf and Classic Lemongrass. We were hesitant to try it at first, reminiscent of our first wheatgrass sip but it's not anywhere near that experience. It's like gatorade for iced tea :D, just more natural tasting and more thirst quenching (add ice). Check out their website for more information: www.bayanibrew.com

First to enter the scene was the Peek-A-Boo, the pumpkin soup:

It came with garlic pan de sal and as the menu's promise, I never tasted anything like it before. I am a sucker for pumpkin soup and the starters made my evening :) You should try it for a change! Don't expect the usual soupy pumpkin soup, it's nothing quite like that. Creamy, with thick consistency and just enough garlic gave this dish an oomph factor.

Next to arrive was Rock Me Baby..

ex bf loved it just the same. It was cooked to tender perfection. :)

Next came the Mashed Potatoes and Secret Lovers..

This version of the mashed potato was a bit new to my taste. It's like an overly soft siopao lacking sauce. I mean, they could've served it with gravy perhaps? It would've tasted way better than what was served to us. Hope they can modify this "kabit" a bit. But hey, for Php55 I guess it's okay... I'm just saying it would've been a "wow", right? Maybe they served it sans gravy to give justice to the main course, so the taste wouldn't interfere when you eat it with the main.. but still. Mashed potato's personality is in its gravy and that's what I believe.

The beef on this dish (Secret Lovers) is tender to perfection. I was just bothered by the dish's salty taste (or was it just me??) It's my first time to eat in this restaurant so I'm not sure if they cook it always with the same level of saltiness. A few adjustment on the salt and it's a secret found for lovers indeed. :)

A meal ain't concluded without dessert so we asked the waitress to give us their best seller: Beats Sex Any Day Cake. Yes, you read it right. LOL

Chocolate, caramel sauce and slivers of chocolate on top with creamy chocolate mousse in between chocolate layers is heaven for diners on the sweet side. Luckily, I am on that side. ;-)

Our total bill was a reasonable Php 950 for the experience and pleasure of eating in this ambient resto.

VERDICT:

It's worth a try. We were enticed by the total package: food, ambiance, service. Will surely go back there for more!

HOW TO GET THERE:
coming from Quezon City Circle (drive past East Avenue)
turn right to Kalayaan Avenue
after about 1.5km, turn left to V. Luna Avenue
drive for about 500m, you'll notice SM Save More Supermarket on your left.
drive past SM and your destination will be on the left.