Taste the Philippines & help the flood victims
By Melissa
I'm a little late on this one--Good To Grill & Hawaiian Airlines is running a fundraiser to benefit the flood victims in the Philippines, which started yesterday. You & I missed the pork guisantes, but you can still enjoy Filipino food and help the cause!
Good to Grill Chef/Owner Almar Arcano created this event because of his special ties with both the Hawaiian & Filipino communities: He was born and raised in the Philippines and currently works very closely with the Filipino Chamber of Commerce to give back to organizations such as the Catholic Charities in his home country.
I got to try a few of the dishes this weekend as they were experimenting. Here's the pork adobo, which was pretty good--I liked that it wasn't overwhelming, and the pork was tender.
Morcon, a.k.a. Filipino meatloaf. They have meatloaf? The gravy is made by hand, not in a box.
And of course, Pinakbet with Chitcharon (sp?). It's chock full of veggies, especially okra (if you like that; I do). I'm using Jason Kim's photo because he captured most of it better, although I think my photo showed more of the glistening pork, which I know my readers like.
Here are the daily “Filipino Chalkboard Specials” for the week. When you purchase these for lunch or dinner, you'll receive one 10% E-Certificate coupon for your next flight to Manila on Hawaiian Airlines. All plates are $7.99 and the proceeds will benefit the flood victims.
Monday: Pancit Guisado
Tuesday: Chicken Long Rice
Wednesday: Paella
Thursday: Pork Adobo
Friday: Morcon (Filipino Meat Loaf)
Saturday: Pinakbet with Chitcharon
Sunday: Pancit Palabok
While there, you can also enter to win a round trip for two to Manila on Hawaiian Airlines. My friend Lori Joy Watanabe also wanted me to tell you that you are automatically entered to win when you use your Hawaiian Airlines(R) Visa(R) card and will get two miles for every dollar spent.
Here I am eating everything in front of me, as usual; I'm including a gratuitous pic of Jason eating because he wants more face time on Metromix. I don't think he knows that getting into my blog is better. 
Just a quick reminder that this fundraiser is this week ONLY, so I hope you get over there to show your support!
Good to Grill
888 Kapahulu Avenue at Safeway Center
Phone: (808) 734-7345
Monday - Saturday 7am - 10pm
Sunday 7am - 9:30pm
Urban Mix Plate
November 16th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Pirst
Hui Manang Melissa. I neber know de pilipino made Meat Loap. I neber make dat one bepore.
I make de pinakbet last week with de wing beans. I porgot de gingerrrr.
But it taste fretty good.
Salamat Po
Ynaku the FBI (Full Bloodies Ilocano)
November 16th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Aisus, I no can spell de words. Supuse to be Pilifino and Full Bloodied Ilocano. Ai ya. Esqueeze me.
But maiya de Mungo Beans? Awaneen. And de tomato onion with patis salad? You use dat one por your dipping sauce too.
So sorry, Ynaku dunno know how to spell da Pilifino words. Me da Hawaii Born. I tell feofle I was made in the Philippines but Born in Hawaii. I came ober with my muddah my fuddah and 2 sistah on de USS Wilson in dey year 1950sumting
November 16th, 2009 at 8:29 am
WOW FOOD
Oh, Hi Melissa
Deeee puud looks sooo guud, I sappose I be goin to eat at dee "Good To Grill" restarunt dis week
NKHEA..... luv dee pilipino puud
November 16th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Yumm...the food looks delicious. I will definitely try and go on Wednesday for the Paella. The pork adobo on Thursday looks delicious as well. Hmm...soo many choices to choose from. I like Good to Grill's regular menu, so I hope these dishes are equally as good.
Thanks for the pictures...it might be time for a quick snack, heehee.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Hello Melissa!
Yummy yummy! I didn't know this place have Filipino food. I'll try to go this week.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Ynaku, NKHEA: OMG! You're so .... fluent! Pluent?
t-roy, let us know how the dishes are!
M, don't forget! It's only this week. I wonder if they'd continue the Filipino food after this fundraiser is done?
November 16th, 2009 at 11:43 am
@Melissa, yes I know. Thank you anyway for the reminder.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I am normally not a meat loaf fan but the Morcon looks AMAZING!!!!
Awesome! PS- love how your make-up matches your skin 
November 20th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Hi Melissa,
I missed out, by not reading your blog to catch some of their special menu. Being from Waipahu, you know that I love Filipino food. I can also appreciate the time and ingredients it takes to make pinakbet, I made a batch two weeks ago (can you believe it?) and surprisingly it was pretty good.