Behind the bustling streets of Katipunan, we have unearthed one of Quezon City's hidden gems. Going inside the gates of Ninyo Fusion Cuisine, you would forget that you're only a few steps away from one of the busiest streets in the metro. The al fresco area was beautiful and very ideal for dates. The tables outside have linen and beaded curtains that separates it from other tables. Also, the dim lighting and the hanging vines from the trees give the place a romantic vibe. We opted to sit in one of the more secluded corners which explains why my pictures are a little dark and shadowy.
Our meal began with a serving of bread and butter. The bread was reheated before it was served to our table but it was already a bit stale. A little disappointing really because the herbed butter was really good. We also opted to stick to the house water instead of getting drinks from the menu because we loved the orange-lemon water that they serve.
U.S. Hanging Tender Steak (615) Since boyfriend and I were dining on a budget, we opted to skip the appetizers and went for two heavy entrees. One of them was this steak that we asked to be cooked medium. It was cooked well and the sauce was also good. The marinade reminded me of the barbecue sauce that my mother makes, so this was an instant winner for me. The pumpkin risoni was cooked al dente and the flavors compliment the steak. We also enjoyed the buttered vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower) and the artfully made string potatoes. 
Pig Trotters Katsudon Style (650) This dish has so many great components, I really don't know how to start describing it. It's crispy fried Shiraz-braised pig trotters drizzled with katsudon sauce set on foie gras fried rice with a serving of watercress and beet salad dressed in raspberry vinaigrette. The pork itself was very tender and the katsudon sauce adds a layer of flavor that is a little overwhelming to the palate. As for the fried rice, Boyfriend and I were pleasantly surprised. It was our first taste of foie gras and we loved it! I've been trying to delay eating foie gras because I hate chicken and pig liver but this was different. It has layers and layers of sophisticated flavors, and the tiniest piece can already send wonderful bursts of flavors in your mouth. We ended up picking the foie gras pieces in the rice and eating them as they are.
Chocolate! Chocolate Cake (295) We ended the meal on a high note with this Valhrona chocolate pudding filled with molten chocolate truffle. The pudding has a great consistency and it goes perfectly with the rich chocolate frosting drizzled all over the plate. It is also served with slices of tropical fruits. What really completes this dish is the shot of milk, which balances the richness of the chocolate cake. Without this, we probably won't be able to finish the cake. Discovering the food at Ninyo Fusion Cuisine made Boyfriend and I really happy, and we highly recommend it to couples looking for a nice break from their busy schedules. The whole place and experience will make you feel as if you're dining in a place away from the city, it's almost as if you're in Tagaytay. Ninyo Fusion Cuisine is located at 66 Esteban Abada St., Loyola Heights, QC.
