It’s not surprising to see small restaurants, cafes or bars popping out like zits these days, but only a few of them can really give your money’s worth…and I am talking about real good food, nice ambiance and service quality.

Near Shaw Boulevard, there’s a small place there that would truly give you a treat. Cookbook Kitchen, is actually an old house that was divided into two parts (at least to my naked eyes): the 30 to 50 maximum capacity restaurant and the other half is a small gym.

I was introduced to this restaurant by a colleague of mine who’s one of the past times is to eat in different restaurants. As soon as your car slows down to look for a parking slot, the very friendly “manongs” there will assist you immediately and they will meet you with their bright smile plus their golf umbrella.

Once you enter, you can easily feel the coziness of the area. You don’t even have to wait for so long because the Cookbook Kitchen staff will go to you immediately to get your orders.

Based on my several trips there, their “Pork Steak with Honey Mustard Sauce” is one of my favorites. The pork is tenderly cooked and its serving size can be good for 1 person or for sharing (well, it depends on your sharing mood). Another must-try is their “Parmesan Crusted White Fish”. I’m not really into fish, but this one I cannot pass. For the pasta, I do recommend the “Pasta Al Adobo” and “Frutti de Mare”.

A gentle reminder: Never pass up the dessert! Their best-seller (and to die for!) is the “Kittin’s scarlet cake”. Its icing is not that sweet so we can all relax from thinking the extra pounds to gain and the texture of the cake is just right. It would be a perfect combination if you match the cake with their brewed coffee…yuummmyyyyy!!!

Now, you don’t have to worry about the bill. Definitely, you will not be shortchanged, though you might want to withdraw beforehand as they are on a cash payment basis only.

Cookbook Kitchen is located at 8 Socorro Fernandez Street corner Luna Mencias Street (near Shaw Boulevard), Mandaluyong City. Tel. No. 724 3595. They also have a branch in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City (in front of Excelsior Condominium).