The Purple Doll

Daily Quickie: Pizza Hut's Cheese Burger Pizza

2013-05-17T22:30:00.000+08:00

Daily Quickie is a short tag on the title which I use for blog entries about food I'm snacking at home, work or anywhere.

I've always loved Pizza Hut's creative stuffed crusts, so whenever there's a new variant available, I make sure to try it out. And because of my adventurous nature when it comes to stuffed crusts, we dared order the newest Cheese Burger crusted pizza when the friendly phone operator offered it. However, it wasn't exactly what we thought it would be.

We got the family size Super Supreme Cheese Burger (P649) and was shocked when we opened the box. Forgive me if I'm an un-updated soul living under a rock, but I thought the cheese burger crust would look something like their sausage stuffed crust, but just using ground beef. However, it looked nothing like that. Instead, it was this oddly-shaped UFO-looking pizza with a crown crust, topped with mini-burger patties and melted cheese. We can't help but just stare at how weird our pizza order looked like.

Sorry Cheese Burger Pizza, but I think we'll just stick to our favorite Parmesan Cheese Crust.

After some searching, I found out that this "crown-crust" pizza was already selling in the Middle East since last year. And apparently, it has now made its way to the Philippine market. While my whole family doesn't dig this bizarre combo of pizza and cheeseburger by Pizza Hut for aesthetics and technical (problems with properly holding a slice) reasons, I have to give it to them that a slice indeed tastes like legit cheeseburgers, especially with the big tomato slices, lettuce leaves and ketchup thrown in. However, we probably wouldn't be ordering another Cheese Burger Pizza any time soon.

How about you, have you tried Pizza Hut's crown-crust Cheese Burger Pizza? If not, would you be interested to try it? Anyway, have a safe and happy weekend, friends.

Cafe De Seoul: Seoul Searching at Taft Avenue

2013-05-16T20:04:00.000+08:00

Although I love Korean BBQ houses and bulgogi restaurants, there will always be a special spot for Korean cafes in my heart. Unlike the usual Western coffee shops, Korean cafes offer a unique experience not only with its drinks and snacks, but also with a lighter, hipper and more creative atmosphere. And this my friends is exactly what I loved about Cafe De Seoul -- a fairly new Korean cafe along Taft Avenue in Manila.

More Good Eats at Vito Cruz, Taft Avenue:

Cafe De Seoul which opened just this March is located at the 2nd floor of One Archer's Place. It's right next to DLSU's Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall, which is a few blocks away from the Quirino LRT station (towards Vito Cruz). And while I was certainly surprised at the numerous food spots that opened right after I left the building (I used to rent a unit at One Archer's Place), I was sure excited to experience Cafe De Seoul's offerings.

And by offerings, I don't just pertain to Cafe De Seoul's own brew of coffees, teas and other concoctions. Aside from the usual f&b to go along with a nice relaxing stay in a Korean cafe, Cafe De Seoul also offers a creative space -- the perfect place for brainstorming, fun catch-up sessions, an energizing alone time while finishing up a project, or just a spot to draw inspiration from when you have the dreaded creative block.

Don't you just love how fun, modern and invigorating the place looks like? Your eyes can roam endlessly inside Cafe De Seoul, and I'm sure you'll find yourself with the same dilemma I had. "Where do I sit?" It sounds petty, but believe me, Cafe De Seoul is spacious and almost every spot seems perfect. Whether you sit by the windows, at the long table, or by the couches, you'll never fail to feel like you're in an airport cafe in Seoul.

Would you believe, some tables are even equipped with Samsung Galaxy tablets?

There are even more awesome things you'll see when you check out the trinket-filled corners at Cafe De Seoul. They have a shelf full of cute merchandise, magazines you can read, and even a working Dutch coffee drip. But the most eye-catching feat I found were the table tops installed with Samsung Galaxy tablets! Of course, if you brought your own gadgets, fret not as Cafe De Seoul offers free Wi-Fi and even network sockets.

The Food and Drinks

Sorry if I became too giddy sharing the light, creative, modern and techie ambiance of Cafe De Seoul. It's not usual for me to gush over a cafe's interior, but this is an exception since the place is really my cup of tea. But of course, ambiance is not the entire selling point, so let us now move on to the food and drink offerings at the cafe.

Brussel Waffle (P245)

I always get a waffle when I'm in cafes, so it's nice to have tried the Brussel Waffle which is a popular Korean snack that's lighter, crisper and has larger pockets than other European waffle variants. It's served with your choice of gelato, fruit slices and 3 kinds of sauces -- chocolate, white chocolate and strawberry. I know price is a little steep, but this serving is indeed one of the best waffles I've had. Even without the sauces, I can actually enjoy every forkful (and finish the whole thing) with just fruits and a dollop of gelato. Yum!

Chocolate Lava Cake (P130)

Chocoholics shouldn't miss the Chocolate Lava Cake. It's one of the cafe's best-sellers combining elements of a moist chocolate cake, and a creamy soufflé. Flavor-wise, I loved that this serving is rich and super chocolatey. Normally, I can finish chocolate desserts instantly. But since this cake has intense chocolatey goodness, it helps to have a companion to share this with. Personally though, I would've preferred if it has oozing molten chocolate. But this dessert's moist, almost-molten center is a good consolation.

✓ Rice Cake (P50 each; P400 set of 10)
Available flavors include melon, mango, green apple, strawberry, wild strawberry, blueberry,
orange, banana, peach and grape.

The prettiest dessert we had were the Rice Cakes which are called tteok in Korean. Unlike traditional tteok, this modern take is quite similar to Japanese rice cakes called mochi. Outside every bundle is a casing of pounded glutinous rice. The inside on the other hand, is a mix of fruit flavors and sweet bean paste perfect to pair with the cafe's teas. For this trip, I was fortunate to have sampled 9 with the exception of the peach flavor. And for someone who has tried quite a number of Japanese mochi, I can say that these colorful treats far surpass the ones I've had in terms of flavor, texture and appearance. Honestly, I loved every flavor equally, and that has never happened before!

Gangnam Balls (P145)
Available in beef, tuna and kimchi.

For savory rice lovers, you can try the Gangnam Balls which are a variation of Korean rice balls called jumuk bap. Served with 2 kinds of sauces, these savory bundles of rice are perfect for people on the go, or for those who just want an easy-to-eat meal while studying or working in the cafe. I got to try both the beef and tuna variants, and they were quite good. The next time I visit Cafe De Seoul, I'll be sure to order the kimchi flavor.

✓ Seoul Bing-Soo (ECO P210; BIZ P260)
The ECO size is good for about 2-3, while BIZ is good for about 3-4 persons.

My most-awaited dessert for the trip was the Seoul Bing-Soo which is the Korean equivalent of our halo-halo. While our local summer dessert is certainly more colorful, there's no doubt that this bowl looks as enticing. Every serving has finely-shaved ice, red beans, sliced almonds, peanuts, tteok (Korean rice cakes), and a scoop of vanilla gelato drizzled with chocolate syrup. Although our own halo-halo is more elaborate, I can't deny that the medley of all the flavors in this Korean dessert is just addictingly good! Every spoonful is refreshing, with a warm and earthy hint from the nuts and red beans.

✓ Green Tea Bing-Soo (ECO P200; BIZ P250)
The ECO size is good for about 2-3, while BIZ is good for about 3-4 persons.

Another variant of this refreshing summer treat is the Green Tea Bing-Soo. It has almost the same combination of ingredients, except that there's green tea syrup in the mix and is topped with green tea powder. While both bing-soo variants brought me to shaved ice heaven, I'll only recommend this flavor to the exciting folks who love matcha as it might be too much for those who don't really fancy the taste of matcha green tea. Oh, and just a tip, make sure to mix all the ingredients thoroughly so you can enjoy every dimension (flavor and texture) of this refreshing Korean shaved ice dessert.

Ddalgi Sonagi (ECO P155; BIZ P165) and ✓ Honey Citron/Yuja (ECO P130; BIZ P145)

For drinks, we got to enjoy the Ddalgi Sonagi which literally translates to "strawberry rain" in Korean. Like what its name implies, it's a mixture of ice-blended green kiwi and strawberries sure to quench your thirst from the scorching summer heat. It was humid outside when we got to Cafe De Seoul, so we really appreciated this refreshing and not overly-sweet concoction. However, I have to admit that the Honey Citron/Yuja won me over. Its appearance had instantly refreshed my senses, and more so when I took a sip. It had hints of honey and sharp citron, perfect to both invigorate and provide comfort.

✓ White Choco Mocha (ECO P130; BIZ P145) with Blueberry Syrup (P20)
and ✓ Honey Schisandra/Omija (ECO P130; BIZ P145)

On another trip, I got to take a sip from my friend's ice-blended White Choco Mocha with Blueberry Syrup. Although it was my first time to have tasted blueberry-infused coffee, I actually liked it. It was creamy and has fragrant and sharp notes of blueberry, yet the coffee taste is still there. On my next visit, I'll be sure to try its hot coffee counterpart. As for my order, I had a hot Honey Schisandra/Omija Tea which was super comforting and tasted a little similar to the Honey Citron/Yuja, except that the sharpness was more evident here. Every sip was very comforting though, the perfect cup for a rainy day.

You can easily spot Cafe De Seoul if you enter the rear entrance of One Archer's Place.

THE VERDICT

My visits to Cafe De Seoul have left me impressed not just with its food and drink offerings, but more because of its ambiance and great service. While I already have a list of my favorite Cafe De Seoul items, as well as another list of my next-to-try drinks and pastries, it's the unwavering charm of the place that pulls me to come back. It's not often that you come across cafes exuding creative atmosphere capable of invigorating and inspiring its patrons. Even if the price tags are leaning more toward the steeper side, the overall value I got not just from the food and drinks at Cafe De Seoul, but from the whole experience, is definitely worth it. So if you're a cafe lover who's not just after the flavors but also for a holistic experience, then try Seoul-searching at Cafe De Seoul.

Insider Tip: You can actually have your papers photocopied at Cafe De Seoul. Just inquire! *wink*

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Novelty Factor - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Cafe De Seoul, One Archer's Place
2/F One Archer's Place, Taft Ave., Malate
Manila, Philippines
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Post-Mother's Day Giveaway: Goodwill Coffee by Great Kind

2013-05-13T07:26:00.003+08:00

Mother's Day may have passed, but showing mom you love her, definitely doesn't have a deadline. And in partnership with the good folks from Goodwill Coffee, I'll be giving away a box of 10 to 3 winners, so you and mom (or dad) can bond over a good cup of coffee.

If you haven't heard yet of the wonderful benefits this Moringa (malunggay) and Spirulina-infused coffee can provide, then check my previous blog post about Goodwill Coffee. I'm sure you'll be amazed at how a simple cup of coffee can contain natural vitamins and nutrients beneficial for you. Goodwill Coffee tastes great for an instant coffee mix too as it makes use of Arabica and Robusta beans for a smooth and strong flavor, along with non-dairy creamer and minimally processed brown and white sugar for a balanced taste.

Prize: (3) winners of a box each (10 packets) of Goodwill Coffee by Great Kind

PLEASE READ!
Guidelines to enter the giveaway raffle:

This giveaway is open nationwide to Philippine residents.
Winners will receive a box (contains 10 packets) of Goodwill Coffee, free shipping.
Follow the Rafflecopter mechanics below to join.
Make sure you do all the first 7 mandatory steps to be eligible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway raffle will run from today until May 19, 2013. The winner will be drawn the next day and will be contacted on the same week. So join now and experience a great-tasting, healthy coffee that truly cares, Goodwill Coffee.

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by Goodwill Coffee.

MEZZA NORTE by Mercato Centrale Now Open in Trinoma!

2013-05-13T04:52:00.003+08:00

Food markets have been the "in" thing for foodies these past few years, and we have the Mercato Centrale Group to thank for that. However, as you may have noticed, I still haven't blogged about the weekend market or even the Sunday morning market of Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio Global City. I've already visited it twice, but haven't tried as many food and vendors as I would've wanted, hence my inhibition to post about it. But, northies like me can finally get a taste of the premier food market in the comforts of our own area. We now have Mezza Norte in Trinoma's Mindanao open parking!

You may have heard of Mezza Norte opening in UP Ayala-Technohub. But last May 3, 2013, Mezza Norte has made the big move to Ayala Mall's Trinoma. (Yay for this, since Trinoma's actually easier to visit for me!) Every Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 4PM to 3AM, northern Manila foodies can now enjoy a vibrant night food market with over 50 food vendors, a mix of Mercato Centrale and Cucina Andare suki, and budding food entrepreneurs. Of course, I didn't dare miss having my own Mezza Norte experience.

Schmidt's Gourmet Hotdogs

Display of Coney Island Chili Dog (P145)

Our sample of the Wagamama Hotdog (P130)

One of my favorites that night was the Wagamama from Schmidt's Gourmet Hotdogs. It's a Japanese-inspired hotdog with Japanese curry, Japanese mayo, coleslaw and shredded nori. As much as I love Japanese flavors, I can honestly say that even the hotdog alone can already make me one happy kid. But of course, the addition of the west-meets-east combination of ingredients made this hotdog even more awesome.

Joshua Tree Hawker-Style Asian Noodles

Bruneian Kon Loh Mee

Hong Kong Wet Fried Mee

I failed to note the prices of these noodles, but I think they were a few bucks over P100 if I remember it right. I got to try both the Bruneian Kon Loh Mee which was a flavorful egg noodle dish with roasted pork toppings, garlic, mushrooms and scallions in an oyster-based sauce, and the Hong Kong Wet Fried Mee which was milder in taste and seemed like e-fu or yi mein noodles. However, my favorite from this vendor would have to be their Malaysian Char Kway Teow which achie Joan had and gladly shared with us.

The Sultry Chef

The Sultry Chef's Ivory Yat, 2nd runner-up in MasterChef Pinoy Edition

Roast Beef and Chicken (P99 each)

My sampler of Tuyo Aglio Olio, Penne with Basil & Meat Sauce, and Roast Beef

I've been a fan of the international MasterChef series, so it was really nice to have met a finalist from our very own MasterChef Pinoy Edition. And what's more awesome is I get to taste her food! I only got a small portion of the Roast Beef so I couldn't exactly tell how good it was, but I sure had enough fill of the tasty Tuyo Aglio Olio which was my favorite among her offerings that evening. It was slightly spicy,cheesy and tasted just right.

Roasterrific!

My sampler of Herbalicious Lechon and Peking Style Roasted Chicken

Roasterrific! may have already opened a home in Maginhawa, Quezon City, but I'm sure glad they're here at Mezza Norte Trinoma so I can get an easier access to their tasty Peking Style Roasted Chicken and their sinful yet heavenly Herbalicious Lechon, both of which I oh-so-want to top on a hot serving or two of steamed rice. Yum!

Sinangag Trip

Eyeing on the Hungsilog, Special Baconsilog and Hungrarian wrapped with Bacon

If I'd have to choose between a continental breakfast and a Filipino breakfast, there's no doubt that I'll go straight for our own brekkie set! I love my silog so much, that's why I was so happy to have seen Sinangag Trip at Mezza Norte. And although I only got a free taste of their Hungarian Sausage, it's already enough to make me come back and try the full order of their Hungsilog and maybe their Hungarian wrapped with Bacon.

Chef Bab's Sizzling Sisig

I'm a self-confessed sisig lover, so the sight of Chef Bab's Sizzling Sisig offering different kinds of sisig variants was a delight. They had sisig made with chicken, pork, dinakdakan (pork offal), bangus, squid, and even veggie meat and tofu. I only got to try the Veggie Meat Sisig, and while it tasted as meaty as an honest-to-goodness sisig, it was also really spicy which makes it a perfect partner on top of rice and with an egg.

Takoyaki at Mezza Norte

Now, forgive me for this grave food blogging offense, but I failed to note the name of the business making and selling these Takoyaki. I only realized that I don't know which business this belongs to when I was already sorting the photos. *sobs in the corner of shame* Nevertheless though, we enjoyed munching on these plump pieces. Oh, and I'm sure you'll easily spot them at Mezza Norte should you crave for some Takoyaki.

Carlo's Kitchen

Carlo's Kitchen's famous Crunchy Belly

I first encountered Carlo's Kitchen and its famous Crunchy Belly at Rockwell's 2nd Ultimate Taste Test. And while I'm usually the type who doesn't get impressed much the second or third time around, I can say that tasting another round of these savory, salty and sinful Crunchy Belly was even better than the first time. That really says something!

Merry Moo's Artisan Ice Cream

Sea Salt Caramel, Cookie Butter, Earl Grey Tea, Dark Chocolate, Strawberry Shortcake, Cookies & Brownies, Strawberry Basil, French Vanilla, Honeycomb, Coffee Kahlua, Butterscotch Pecan

I've already heard of great things about Merry Moo, but it's the first time I've confirmed the raves. And yes, they're right! Merry Moo's Artisan Ice Cream is one of the best-tasting ice creams I've ever had! For P70/P75 per large scoop, I can say that the taste of this creamy deliciousness is definitely worth it. I got to sample every flavor and my favorites are: Earl Grey Tea, Coffee Kahlua, Sea Salt Caramel and Strawberry Basil.

Mochiko

I tried Mochiko before, but I wasn't too impressed since I still prefer Mochi Creme when it comes to mochi ice cream. However, getting a taste of their new Red Velvet (P70) was a game changer. This mochi ice cream, unlike any other has real red velvet cake encased with a cream cheese ice cream. So yes, this isn't just mochi filled with ice cream. It's mochi filled with CREAM CHEESE ice cream, and a REAL red velvet cake!

Edgy's Food Trip & Drink

Pineapple Juice, Buko Pandan Juice, Melon Juice and Strawberry Iced Tea;
Also available are Dalandan Juice, Mango Juice and Wintermelon Tea.

Food tripping also calls for having something to drink, and the first to have taken my attention was Edgy's Food Trip. Unlike others who prefer their beverages in a cup, I actually like mine to be in a bottle so I can easily store it inside my bag in case I have the need to. As for the taste, I really liked my Buko Pandan Juice (P35) as it was true to the buko-pandan flavor I grew up to love. However, I highly prefer my friend Berylle's Melon Juice (P35) which was more refreshing and more perfect for a very humid evening.

OTHER FOOD SIGHTINGS AT MEZZA NORTE

We were already too full to even attempt trying more food, so I'll just share with you some of the stalls I spotted at Mezza Norte. Maybe I'll try some of them on my next visit.

Chef Anton's U.S. Roast Turkey

I've sampled this from Rockwell's 2nd UTT, and it's really good!

The Cheesesteak Shop

Here's another favorite of food market goers!

Chicken Chop

Mr. Nakamura's Authentic Japanese Food

I love that the kimono-donning Mr. Nakamura freshly cooks every dish!

Gyudon (P95)

Yakitori Don (P80)

Katsu by Uno

Most enticing kebabs (I saw) at Mezza Norte

Again I fail as a food blogger... But these are the most enticing-looking kebabs I saw that night!

Battle of the Grills

Lots and lots of choices for the barbecue lovers: PAJ Grill, Mamay's Ihaw-Ihaw, Aloha Grill, [I-don't-know-but-this-is-a-mercato-staple/street-food-with-a-fab-seller] , Giga Bite

Big Bob's Charcoal Grill Burgers

Happy Chef Baked Ribs

Shawarma Fusion

Little Donkey Burrito Fiesta

Manila Q

Lecheng Lechon

Juana Bowl

One of the most drool-inducing sight of the night

Kitchen Xperience & Zeny's Kitchen

Domz Food House Ilocano's Best

Etcetera Mongolian Bowls

Green Minded Healthy Sandwiches

Cakes by K

Yummiest-looking cakes of the night

Piper's Pan

One of the most popular offers, 3 mini-cakes for P100!

Medchef Homemade Cakes, Pastries and Desserts

Mio Gelati

Will definitely try this next time since their branch in San Juan is quite far!

WRAPPING IT UP

There are a lot of food stalls, so I encourage you to personally visit Mezza Norte to check out for treats you might like. As for me, I sure had fun sampling and roaming around the food market, but I'll definitely be back soon for the interesting items I missed.

Thanks Aldous for the invite, and to Berylle for being my pigging out buddy!

So the next time you're in Trinoma and you, your family, your special someone, barkada, workmates or food buddies want to try a different dining experience, visit Mezza Norte in Trinoma's Mindanao open parking and experience the Mercato Centrale of the north.

For those interested to become food vendors in Mezza Norte or any of Mercato Centrale Group’s food markets, you can send an email to admin@mercatocentrale.ph or text (+63 917) 840-1152.

LEVANTE by Mercato Centrale Opens in Eastwood this Friday!

2013-05-12T06:09:00.000+08:00

After the big move of Mezza Norte to Trinoma, another food market by the Mercato Centrale Group will be serving northern Manila foodies looking for a different dining experience. This time, it's in Eastwood Citywalk 2 with a grand opening this May 17 from 6PM to 3AM. So friends, get ready for Levante -- the Mercato Centrale of Eastwood!

Whether you're a regular food market goer or a first-timer, everyone is bound to enjoy a culinary adventure at Levante with its mix of mouth-watering food items from the kitchens of Eastwood’s budding food entrepreneurs, along with your favorite Pinoy street foods, and of course, gustatory treats from Mercato Centrale's suki vendors.

“Eastwood has always been very supportive of new food concepts, from their new fusion restaurants up to their gourmet food markets in the malls. We are very glad to bring the Mercato Centrale concept to Eastwood to further complement the foodie-friendly lifestyle they have created” said Anton Diaz (Our Awesome Planet), co-organizer of Levante.

“We can’t wait for the residents, office workers and visitors of Eastwood City to enjoy the wide variety of gourmet and artisanal vendors we are bringing to the market!” added RJ Ledesma, co-organizer of Levante.

So save the date and come over to the grand opening of Levante to enjoy great-tasting and affordable food, pastry and dessert choices, as well as live acoustic entertainment. Bring your family, friends, workmates or even your special someone and experience the Mercato Centrale of Eastwood. Levante is open only on Fridays, from 6PM to 3AM.

For vendor inquiries, please contact (+63 917) 840-1152 or (+632) 812-0102, email admin@levanteeastwood.com or visit www.facebook.com/levanteeastwood.

Daily Quickie: Cookie Butter Donuts by Go Nuts Donuts

2013-05-10T00:40:00.000+08:00

Daily Quickie is a short tag on the title which I use for blog entries about food I'm snacking at home, work or anywhere.

Earlier this month, I was lucky to be offered two boxes of Go Nuts Donuts' newest donut flavor, the Cookie Butter Donut. Although I try not to give in to sweet and caloric temptations, I'm not yet crazy to the point of rejecting this gracious offer. So together with the beau, we headed to Go Nuts Donuts' SM Mall of Asia store to pick up these treats.

I still haven't jumped in on the Speculoos Cookie Butter bandwagon, but it just took me one bite from my Cookie Butter Donut before I instantly fell in love. Instead of using nuts, this special spread is made from crushed Speculoos biscuits spiked with cinnamon, nutmeg and other Christmas-y spices. And Go Nuts Donuts, being an ingenious brand that they are, topped their glazed donuts with this cookie butter spread.

Now, if you're like me who prefers your donut not too sweet, a little unconventional, and with a tinge of comforting spices, then this is perfect for you! Although I still won't give up on my other favorite donuts especially on discounted pon de rings which are coincidentally currently available on an online deal site, I think it won't harm to grab a piece or two of the Cookie Butter Donut from Go Nuts Donuts once in a while.

For more info and updates on Go Nuts Donuts, visit their Official Website, Facebook Page or Twitter.

NACI Comfort Food: New Look + Mother's Day Giveaway!

2013-05-09T23:07:00.000+08:00

It was around this time of the year last 2012 when I first encountered NACI Comfort Food in Greenhills. After another year, I again revisited this comfort food and dessert destination. This time though, NACI Comfort Food has already moved to Bonifacio Global City, Taguig and has rebranded itself into a modern, trendier dining destination.

From wearing an earthy, homey and cozy interior, NACI Comfort Food in The Fort now sports a brighter and more colorful facade nicely complemented by its high red ceiling and colorful dining chairs. And while I'm generally more into dimly-lit restaurants with neutral color palette, I actually prefer this more updated, hip and refreshing new look.

Aside from NACI Comfort Food's new do, there's another thing that's new this time around. Joining Ms. Nadine Nocom in running the restaurant is new co-owner and model Ms. Natasha Villaroman. And it doesn't end here as another new thing at NACI Comfort Food is its added touch of techie modernity. Not only does the restaurant have an eye-catching LCD TV showing a slideshow of enticing dishes from NACI, but they also hand out tablets to diners who prefer browsing the menu interactively and with style.

Of course, I love swiping through the tablet. But being an old-timer at heart, I still used the printed menu which doubles as a placemat. The tablet's good though if you're curious at how the dishes and drinks look like as there are photos for every item on the menu.

Now, let me share the dishes we got to try that afternoon.

The Appetizers

NACI Comfort Food has about 8 meal starter items on their menu. And if you're like us who would want to try not just one or two, but a few more appetizers without breaking the budget, then it's best to order Nat's Appetizer Sampler (P520) where you can choose 4 of the best-selling appetizers which will come in smaller-than-regular portion each.

While the meal starters don't come in full size, every variant's still a great appetite whetter fit for up to 4 people. Our sampler platter had the following best-selling goodies:

Beef Taco Springroll (P280)
Crispy springrolls stuffed with beef taco filling and served with tomato salsa and sour cream

Cajun Mozzarella Balls (P280)
Crispy-fried mozzarella croquettes served with pimiento salsa and crispy fries (for full size)

Classic Salpicao (P380)
Sautéed beef tenderloin chunks, chili fingers and garlic in olive oil

Glazed Chicken Wings (P350)
Crispy-fried wings with Naci's secret glaze served with lemon cream dip and crispy fries (for full size)

I loved every item on our Nat's Appetizer Sampler. But if I have to pick favorites, I think my best bet would be the Mexican-Asian Beef Taco Springrolls, and the succulent and savory Classic Salpicao which I think would be perfect over garlic rice.

Soups and Salads

Normally, I'd skip the soup when dining out. Unless of course, I'm feeling a little under the weather or just suffering from the monthly PMS. However, since we didn't get to sample NACI Comfort Food's soup items before, we thought it would be good to try it now.

Tita Em's Chowder (P260)
Creamy and hearty chowder with shrimps, corn kernels and bacon served in a bread bowl

Enoki and Soba Broth (P240)
Seafood dashi broth with enoki, ajitsuke tamago (Japanese soft-boiled egg) and soba noodles

Onion Soup (P180)
Classic caramelized onion soup with French baguette slices and melted mozzarella cheese

These soup items come in personal sizes, but I think it can be shared by 2 even up to 3 light eaters without a problem. Among these comforting bowls of soup, my favorite was the Enoki and Soba Broth which was very light, refreshing and oozing with delicate seafood goodness. Tita Em's Chowder was good too and very hearty, although it was unlucky of us that they ran out of bread bowls for this serving. The Onion Soup would probably be my least favorite as although it tasted good, it was just too rich for my liking.

For salads, NACI Comfort Food offers 4 kinds on their menu, and we were fortunate enough to have sampled all of them.

Classic Caesar Salad (P200)
Crisp lettuce leaves tossed in classic Caesar dressing with croutons, bacon bits and Parmesan tuile

Smoked Salmon Salad (P280)
Mixed greens tossed in honey-lemon dill dressing with smoked salmon, onion rings, cherry tomatoes and Parmesan shavings

✓ Kani Mango Crunch (P260)
Assorted greens layered with kani, ripe mangoes, cucumbers, crispy wonton and vermicelli then drizzled with wasaby mayo

Tofu Green Salad (P220)
Mixed green salad with Chinese black vinegar, crispy tofu croutons and peppered calamari

With the salads, I can't believe that after a year, I'd still love the Kani Mango Crunch. I think it's the combination of refreshing Japanese flavors and a touch of wasabi that really got me hooked. The Classic Caesar Salad is a good contender too. Even if it's a very conventional variant, NACI Comfort Food did good in offering an enjoyable rendition.

Pizza and Pastas

One of the most popular comfort foods is a classic combo of pizza and pasta. And being in a restaurant named NACI Comfort Food, it just follows that its menu has a list of pizza and pasta variants somewhere.

Steak and Cheese Pizza (P540)
Thin-crust pizza with thin slices of beef tenderloin, fresh button mushrooms and cheese sauce

Nadine's Adobo Cannelloni (P360)
Classic adobo flakes rolled in pasta, topped with bechamel and laced with adobo sauce and mozzarella with focaccia bread on the side

Penne Al Fungi with White Shrimps (P360)
Penne tossed in basil mushroom cream with white shrimps and served with focaccia bread on the side

I love pizzas, so I really liked how light, crispy yet delicately savory the Steak and Cheese Pizza is. Nadine's Adobo Cannelloni which I already got to try last year, was still the same savory Filipino-themed pasta dish that garnered praises from our group. And then also comes the Penne Al Fungi with White Shrimps, a tasty cream-based pasta dish with perfectly-cooked shrimps and juicy mushrooms that I can't get enough of.

NACI Specialties and Entrées

We were already having food overload that afternoon, but we were then served with the superstar dishes at NACI. Apparently, our lunch has just officially begun at this point.

Shrimp Jambalaya Rice (P480)
Slow-cooked baked rice with curry, coconut cream and shrimps topped with fried eggplant, tomatoes and raisins

Peruvian Chicken Rice (P420)
Slow-cooked baked rice with chunks of chicken and sautéed capsicums then topped with aioli

✓ Grilled Mahi Mahi (P380)
Grilled mahi mahi fillet topped with dill cream and cherry tomatoes, and served with parsley rice

Oven Baked BBQ Chicken (P320)
Naci's BBQ-marinated chicken fillet served with java rice and buttered vegetables

As a big carb person, I still felt the same love I had for the Peruvian Chicken Rice even after a year. I like how it's a cross between a paella and a risotto. The Shrimp Jambalaya Rice didn't impress as much though as it wasn't as tasty as I expected. However, I found a new favorite among the entrées. It's the Grilled Mahi Mahi which tasted amazing! The fillet was cooked to a perfect tenderness, with a beautiful grilled flavor that went perfectly with the dill cream. On the other hand, the Oven Baked BBQ Chicken was good, but the sauce was a little too sweet for my liking.

Desserts and Drinks

Back in Greenhills, NACI has called itself NACI Comfort Food & Dessert Bar. And while they've dropped the "dessert bar" part from their name, they still carry the sweet treats they were known for.

✓ Chocolate Ganache Cake (P165), Red Velvet Cake (P130), Pistachio Sansrival (P120)

Cakes have been one of my most fave comfort foods, and among NACI's offerings, I have to say the Chocolate Ganache Cake is the one you shouldn't miss, most especially if you're a fellow chocoholic. The Pistachio Sansrival was good too as it wasn't too sweet and had an enjoyable combination of soft, chewy and nutty textures. And although the Red Velvet Cake is what I was excited to try, it was unfortunately my least favorite. It was dry and didn't have as much cream cheese as I would've wanted.

✓ Red Velvet Cupcake (P75), ✓ Caramel Cream Cupcake (P75),
Chocolate Ganache Cupcake (P90), Black and White Cupcake (P90)

It was a different story with the cupcakes though as the Red Velvet Cupcake topped my favorites list. The base cake was just so moist and there was enough cream cheese to make the whole cupcake oh-so-delicious! The Caramel Cream Cupcake was a pleasant surprise too. I didn't expect it to be really good but its chiffon cake is super soft and fluffy, the perfect case for a sweet and salty caramel filling. The Black and White Cupcake which used to be my favorite, is still as good, but it was overshadowed by the previous 2 cupcakes I mentioned. As for the Chocolate Ganache Cupcake, I feel like the cake version is a lot better.

Tamarind Iced Tea (P120), Grape Shake (P165), Mocha Java Chip (P225), Strawberry Kiss (P235)

NACI Comfort Food also offers a wide variety of drinks, from fresh juices, iced teas, milkshakes, coffee blends and more. Our group had fun choosing pretty drinks photogenic enough to be posted on our blogs. Haha! Don't worry, everything tasted great.

THE VERDICT

Visiting the new and freshly-rebranded NACI Comfort Food is truly a nice experience as we got to relive the good food but in a more modern, trendier and hipper ambiance perfect for a comfort food destination. Personally, I like this new change and I'm sure a lot of patrons, especially the younger crowd would love this new feel too. While price is a little bit steep, I think it's worth taking a trip to NACI once in a while as this comfort food destination carries the legacy of the late Chef Ed Quimson who served as executive chef for the restaurant. Diners on a strict diet are also very welcome at NACI Comfort Food as they're even Cohen-friendly.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3/5
Overall Value - 4/5

NACI Comfort Food, Fort Bonifacio
Unit 3 Two Parkade 7th Avenue,
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 847-NACI (6224)
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter

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Since it's almost Mother's Day, NACI Comfort Food will be holding a Mother's Day Dessert Buffet on May 12, 2013 (Sunday) for only P349 per head. This doesn't only include unlimited desserts, but also free-flowing coffee and tea. But the surprise doesn't end here, in partnership with NACI Comfort Food, I'm holding a short, 2-day giveaway in time for Mother's Day! One lucky winner will score 3 passes for NACI's Dessert Buffet.

Prize: (1) winner of 3 passes to NACI's All-Day Dessert Buffet this May 12, 2013

PLEASE READ!
Guidelines to enter the giveaway raffle:

Be a Metro Manila resident or someone (even not within Metro Manila) who can actually use the prize.
Winners will have to visit NACI Comfort Food this May 12, 2013 (Sunday) to enjoy your All-Day Mother's Day Dessert Buffet.
Follow the Rafflecopter mechanics below to join.
Make sure you do all the first 8 mandatory steps to be eligible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway raffle will run from today until 5PM of May 11, 2013. The winner will be drawn, announced and contacted by no later than 6:30PM of May 11 (Saturday). So join now and treat the most special woman in your life to NACI Comfort Food's All-Day Dessert Buffet this Mother's Day! (Non-moms are welcome too.)

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by NACI Comfort Food.

Slappy Cakes: Do-It-Yourself Pancakes Now in Manila!

2013-05-08T23:59:00.000+08:00

While I'm not a big breakfast person, I don't think my view mirrors the general public as there has been a continuously multiplying number of breakfast places sprouting here and there. But while a restaurant serving all-day breakfast may not entice me that much, with Slappy Cakes and its interactive dining setting, I'm undeniably, undoubtedly sold!

Slappy Cakes is a popular breakfast spot in Portland, Oregon, USA brought to Manila, or rather Eastwood to be specific, by the same folks who've brought us Mango Tree. It has already been featured on The Cooking Channel, Rachel Ray, Women's Day Magazine, and was even awarded the title "America's Best" by Food Network for being one of America's top ten dining destinations. But just what makes Slappy Cakes special?

It's Slappy Cakes' interactive setting giving us, the guests, a one-of-a-kind experience creating, designing, and simply having fun with our own do-it-yourself pancakes!

Replacing O'sonho in the New Eastwood Mall's ground floor, Slappy Cakes now takes charge of the inverted L-shaped restaurant, filling the dining area with four-seater tables equipped with big non-stick pancake griddles which I fondly call my pancake playground.

And now, I'll let you in on my Slappy Cakes experience...

Step 1: Choose a Batter

The first step in enjoying your Slappy Cakes experience is to choose one, two or three (or all) from these selection of Slappy Cakes' homemade pancake batters.

Peanut Butter (P260); Vegan (P260); Whole Grain (P225);
Classic Buttermilk (P225); Chocolate (P260)

We got to try all these pancake batters and my favorites are the honest-to-goodness Peanut Butter, the earthy Whole Grain and the bittersweet Chocolate. However, the Classic Buttermilk is great if you want your pancake simple, while the Vegan variant, which is a little runny in consistency, is perfect for vegans and health-conscious diners.

By the way, each bottle of Slappy Cakes' pancake batter is good for 2 to 3 persons and can make up to around 6 regular-sized pancakes. Given the price though, I just wish every batter would come with even the simplest complimentary fixin or topping.

Step 2: Pick Some Fixins and Toppings

Of course, who would want to have their pancakes be a plain Jane? So to add some spunk, you can choose from Slappy Cakes' variety of fixins (which you can combine with your batter when cooking) and even toppings (to top and prettify your DIY pancakes).

For our session, we had some Bacon (P80), Mangoes (P60), Blueberries (P75), Chocolate Chips (P45) and Assorted Mushrooms (P70) for our fixins, and some Maple Syrup (P45), Chocolate Sauce (P60) and Lemon Curd (P80) for toppings.

From the fixins and toppings we had, my favorites would probably be the lemon curd-bluberry combination. The assorted mushrooms were great for a savory pancake too. And if you're a bacon lover, maple syrup and bacon bits is the way to go!

Step 3: It's Cooking-Slash-Playing Time!

My favorite step in the whole Slappy Cakes experience would probably be this one. Choosing which batter and which fixins and toppings to get was just a good introduction to what's yet to come. So let the all-day breakfast, all-day-fun begin!

Chocolate pancake with Bacon, and Classic Buttermilk pancake with Chocolate Chips

I won't be detailing this step anymore since I'm sure you guys will have different kinds of fun on your own Slappy Cakes interactive dining experience.

So let me just share with you my pancake artworks...

Make your name pancake!

Or make a regular pancake and top it with your name pancake!

Make hearts or other-shaped pancakes and garnish them with your favorite fruits!

You can also make a vegan pancake with the Vegan Batter and Assorted Mushrooms!

Draw your heart out using the pancake batters!
(Was missing the beau so forgive my sticky cheesiness.. XD)

Or collaborate with your friends and have fun doodling on the griddle!

I had more pancake doodles, including my over 20 failed attempts at making a perfect heart shape, but I didn't include them since they didn't look too photogenic for this blog. Oh, make sure not to waste the batter and eat the pancakes even if they were mistakes.

Other All-Day-Breakfast Goodies at Slappy Cakes

Aside from pancakes, Slappy Cakes also offers soups and salads, as well as a selection of all-day-breakfast items, both American and even Filipino-themed. This is perfect if you're not big on pancakes, or if you just want to eat and skip all the cooking.

We got to try mini versions of the Country Fried Bacon (P230) which is a sweet, savory and crunchy serving of bacon dipped in batter and fried with caramel sauce, as well as the tender and sweet-savory glazed tocino in Tocino Tociyes (P250) which is served with 2 eggs cooked to your liking, garlic rice and mango salsa. Our version however is tocino skewered with mango, onion, tomato and potato, which while more of a cocktail food, whetted my palate. It was also super addicting that I devoured over 10 sticks!

All-Day-Cocktails and Mocktails at Slappy Cakes

Now, who said cocktails and mocktails should only be available at night? Here at Slappy Cakes, you can drink to your heart's content as early as 7AM!

Since Slappy Cakes also takes pride of its special drinks, we got to try a sample of Slappy Screw (P200) which is a sharp and summer-friendly cocktail made from vodka, ginger syrup and orange juice, as well as their Cranberry Fizz (P200) which is a kicking blend of cranberry syrup over sparkling wine. If you're not fond of alcohol, you can try the Cucumber Lime Aide (P190) which doesn't only look good but also tastes refreshing.

But more importantly, have fun and enjoy a great bonding time at Slappy Cakes whether you're with your special someone, with your family, or in our case, with friends.

By the way, Slappy Cakes will be opening a branch in SM North EDSA soon. So fellow northies, let's all patiently wait for this fun interactive DIY pancakes place at SM North!

THE VERDICT

Slappy Cakes is not just another all-day-breakfast place. Unlike other breakfast dining spots in the Metro, the interactive dining setting they offer is truly one-of-a-kind. Sure, there's really nothing amazingly spectacular with the pancake batters, fixins and toppings (although they're good), but the experience is something to be enjoyed not only by kids, but also by the kids-at-heart. And yes, that alone is enough selling point for me. Price is leaning a little more towards the steeper side, but it won't hurt to have fun at Slappy Cakes with the special people in your life once in a while.

Anyway, the next time I'm at Slappy Cakes (Yes SM North branch, I'm waiting for you!), I'll make sure to try some a la carte items on the menu. Maybe aside from the interactive dining setting, I can find another reason to come back to Slappy Cakes again and again.

Taste - 3.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 3/5
Price - 3.5/5
Novelty Factor - 4.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Slappy Cakes, Eastwood
G/F 1110 New Eastwood Mall, Libis,
Bagumbayan, Quezon City
Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 909-3501
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter

My Top Picks at UP Economics Society's FOODGASM II

2013-05-05T20:37:00.000+08:00

I've always been a fan of food events where anyone can be a food critic for a day. And after experiencing my first session at last year's 10th Ultimate Taste Test, I once again had the chance to sample different treats under one roof last March 9, 2013 in UP Economic Society's Foodgasm II held at Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio Global City.

This year's Foodgasm, formally titled as Foodgasm: Take the Second Bite, has definitely been bigger than its predecessor. There were 19 concessionaires, a mix of both home-based and official businesses, with 22 different food item entries aiming to please the attendees' palates and each vying to get the title of Foodgasm Champion.

Like other events of this nature, attendees had to sample the offerings from each concessionaire and give ratings (from 1 to 5) for every food item they got to try. Frankly, I don't find it very easy to score the treats I got to taste, especially at the beginning when I don't really have a default basis or standard for giving the ratings. However, after sampling 21 items (I missed 1 since they already ran out of food samples), I got the hang of it and found these gems I consider my top picks at Foodgasm II.

1. Ping Gu Mushroom Fries

My most favorite food item among everything I've tried at Foodgasm II is this small serving of Ping Gu's Crispy-Fried Oyster Mushrooms which comes with a choice of sweet chili, gravy, tomato ketchup or garlic mayo as a dip. Although the concept is simple, it tasted amazing and was really foodgasmic. Biting through the mushroom fries was enjoyable for their delicately crispy outer layer, while the inside was juicy and oozing with mushroom goodness. I was also amazed by the meticulous preparation since not only were the mushrooms freshly-picked, the cook was even using a thermometer to make sure the oil reaches the ideal point for frying these bite-sized deliciousness.

Ping Gu Mushroom Fries on Facebook

2. Paire's Class A (Almond Slice and Amaretto Sour)

Paire Cocktails and Pastries had 2 entries for Foodgasm II, literally giving us a second bite off its offerings. One was Ligid which is a crispy pork appetizer, while the other was a dessert pairing called Class A which comprises of their almond pastry and amaretto sour cocktail. While their first entry is really good, it was their Class A which got me raving. The almond slice is already very enjoyable by itself, but following it up with a shot of amaretto sour while still chewing on the pastry is refreshing, delicate and heavenly.

Paire Cocktails and Pastries on Facebook

3. Sophia School Cafe's Veggie Sisig and Veggie Dinuguan

I'm always open (with both arms) to healthier options when it comes to eating out, so I was really glad that there were 2 vegan entries by Sophia School Cafe that night. The first is their Veggie Sisig where they used tofu instead of the usual pork or fish. Sure, this didn't taste exceptionally spectacular, but the use of tofu while still maintaining that familiar sisig taste is worth the good score. Then, there's also the next dish...

Veggie Dinuguan which successfully placed me in a wowed state. Normally, I'd prefer regular sisig than regular dinuguan, but in this case, the Veggie Dinuguan was more unique and mysterious to me. Just how can you manage to make a pig blood stew without using pig's blood? My bet is on black beans, but I'm not really sure. Nevertheless though, this is a really good vegan alternative to dinuguan. Yummy, but not sinful.

Sophia School Cafe 0917 847-1956

4. Frabelle Foodie Chef's Mini Pies and New Zealand Natural Premium Ice Cream

My fourth spot is a tie between these two brands which are good, but have already been around for a while. For Frabelle's Mini Pies, I think they were made by home-cooks who usually join (or have probably won) Frabelle's cooking and recipe competitions. And while these meat pies may not be entirely unique, they were actually really good.

Frabelle Foods on Facebook

I've already encountered New Zealand Natural at last year's Ultimate Taste Test, but this year, I think I've made the right ice cream flavor choice which justifies why this is the leading premium ice cream brand in New Zealand and Australia. I got myself a cup of the White Chocolate Raspberry and fell in love with its delicately rich creamy goodness. The addition of white chocolate chips and raspberries also added flair to this refreshingly sweet treat which made every spoonful addicting. It's perfect for the summer season too!

New Zealand Natural Philippines on Facebook

5. Sweet Confections by Giselle's Triple Chocolate Fudge Cupcake

There were a total of 3 cupcake entries and concessionaires at Foodgasm II, but it was this Triple Chocolate Fudge Cupcake that won me over. The frosting isn't really special as it's just the conventional vanilla butter cream icing in pink and yellow colors. However, its base cake is the best among its kin during the night. It was moist and very chocolatey, spiked with an espresso twist. And even though it looks rather ordinary, both my friend Vernice and I agreed that this is indeed the best cupcake at Foodgasm II.

Sweet Confections by Giselle on Facebook

So there you have my personal favorites and top picks at Foodgasm II. It might not directly coincide with the official results of the event -- Paire Foods Inc. (Expert's Choice), Sophia School Cafe (Most Innovative), Ping Gu Mushroom Fries (People's Choice) and New Zealand Natural Premium Ice Cream (Overall Champion), but I can vouch for the goodness of these winners as they're also part of my list.

Anyway, thank you to UP Economics Society for inviting me to take part at Foodgasm II. It was fun sampling the offerings from different concessionaires and rating them. Props to you guys for a successful event, and till the next Foodgasm!

Mango Tree: Thai Cuisine, Anniversary and Project Brave Kids

2013-05-03T05:21:00.000+08:00

If you've been sticking around for quite a while, you might have noticed that I've been growing a love affair with Thai cuisine. So when I was invited to a first year anniversary thanksgiving lunch at Mango Tree in Bonifacio High Street Central, I can't help but feel ecstatic as it's one of the Thai restaurants around I have always been meaning to visit.

More Bonifacio High Street Central Restaurants:

With a promise of Thai cuisine at its best, and a very posh and comfortable casual fine dining ambiance, I surely brought my high expectations at Mango Tree, which by the way even has popular outlets in Bangkok, Dubai, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Doha.

However, this trip to Mango Tree was even more meaningful than what I expected. Sure, I enjoyed just being inside the restaurant with its high ceilings, modern yet elegant interiors, cozy leatherette chairs and banquet seating, as well as its al fresco and mezzanine dining areas. But beyond the facade, there was another reason why we were at the thanksgiving lunch. Apart from celebrating its successful first year, Mango Tree is giving back by supporting a cause that truly matters.

Project: Brave Kids

From March to May, Mango Tree will be helping the kid beneficiaries of Project: Brave Kids -- a non-profit organization assisting children with cancer (and their families) to improve their quality of life by enhancing their social, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being, celebrate their birthdays. And during that fine lunch, I was very honored to have witnessed how these angels wore happy smiles as they blew their birthday cakes.

I may not know what struggles these children are forced to battle with, but that afternoon was very touching and inspiring for me, especially to see how these brave kids face their affliction with such courage and optimism. So I'm really glad to see Mango Tree's initiative, since aside from bringing happiness to these kids through a birthday celebration, they will also be donating part of their proceeds to Project: Brave Kids, to support their activities and projects lined up for 2013. So to Mango Tree, I salute you for this decision, for choosing to give back to a very important cause.

The Food

Now, while the kids celebrated with good food, sweet treats and happy cheers, we also had our fair share. So, let me take you on a gastronomic tour, through the dishes we had.

We first had the Yum Mamuang (P280) which is a green mango salad with peanuts and grated coconut. Just one forkful and I was sold! The harmony of the sweetness and tang from this appetizer was just beautiful. Unlike other green mango salads which will leave you with a crumpled face, this dish's balanced flavor will definitely do otherwise.

We then had the Tod Mun Goong (P380) which are deep-fried shrimp cakes served with a sweet-chili sauce on the side. Although I'm not a big fan of shrimp (or even crab) cakes, I liked that these babies were fried to a golden-brown crisp without being too oily. Every bite was very flavorful too, so this is good not just for adults, but also for the kids.

Next, we had the Tom Yum Goong (P450) which is a hot and sour prawn soup infused with lemongrass, kaffir lime, galangal, mushrooms and red chilies. Now, I'm a big fan of tom yum goong so I was excited to try Mango Tree's version. While it has the sour, refreshing flavor that I love, and not too mention a surplus of prawns, I found the overall taste a little too salty and lacking in heat. I think this is perfect though for those who are new to Thai cuisine, or perhaps to those who are not big fans of spicy foods.

Then came my most awaited dish, the Pad Thai Jay (P350) -- Thai stir-fried rice noodles with mixed vegetables and tofu. As a huge fan of this Thai favorite, I was very excited to get a taste of Mango Tree's rendition. From the plate, it already looked delicious...

More so when you get a taste of it! The rice noodles from this Pad Thai Jay were moist, chewy and very elastic which makes munching every strand an enjoyable experience. The beansprouts and nuts also added both an addicting crunchy texture and a nice flavor which complements the sweet, savory and sharp notes of the dish. Seriously, this is one of the best pad thai noodles I've had, and I'd definitely order and re-order it again!

For more carbs, we had the Khao Ob Supparod (P380) which is pineapple fried rice with chicken, peas, corn and raisins beautifully served in a halved pineapple boat. Since I grew up eating at Chinese restaurants, I thought this would be something similar. However, it was interesting to find out that this Thai version has a delicate sweetness and more savory flavor. And in all honesty, I so prefer this over the Chinese counterpart!

We also had the Pla Krapong Neung Ma Now (P850) which is steamed sea bass with fresh garlic, chili and lime sauce, and served on a nice fish-shaped platter with a burner at the bottom. I'm not big on steamed fish, but I have to admit that I like the blend of subtle flavors and the very clean taste of this fresh sea bass. However, the texture of the fish itself wasn't that moist and soft anymore. Maybe it's because we left the burner to heat up the fish for long. So friends, learn from our mistake! Eat this up upon serving.

Another viand we had was this Gai Phad Med Ma-Maung (P400) which is stir-fried chicken pieces with cashew nuts, capsicum and onions. This is the first time I've had this kind of chicken dish and I can say it's quite good. It wasn't as strong-flavored as I expected, but the cashew nuts really gave an enjoyable taste to the already-sweet and savory sauce. I think I would've enjoyed this more though if it had more heat.

For seafood lovers, the Talay Ruam Mit (P1,700) is a set you don't want to miss. It's pricey alright, but the grilled crabs, prawns and squids were as fresh as they can be. They were also served with Thai glass noodles, as well as a trio of sauces which perfectly complement the grilled seafood treats. Among these, I enjoyed the crabs the most even though they were the most difficult to eat. The squid were tender too and very tasty. My least favorite would probably be the prawns (despite my love for them). Although they were moist and flavorful, some parts were unevenly cooked (a little raw).

Desserts and Drinks

Above my love for Thai salads, noodles and entrées is my inclination for Thai desserts.

And to start our Thai dessert session was the Tako Khao Phod (P220) -- pieces of pandan leaf-encased coconut custard with sweet corn. Compared to other tako khao phods I've had, this serving is probably the most plain when it comes to appearance. However, this is also my most favorite out of all takos I've tried. The custard itself is very soft, smooth and creamy with a generous filling of corn and coconut bits. It also has a slight saltiness which goes really well with the coconut cream, and which I really love.

Since one dessert isn't enough, we also had the Tub Tim Grob (P250) which is a glass of red ruby chestnuts and jackfruit with Mango Tree's homemade coconut ice cream. Whenever a Thai dessert has red ruby chestnuts, I'm almost instantly sold. However, in this dessert's case, although I love the red ruby chestnuts, it was the coconut ice cream that stole the spotlight. Unlike most coconut ice creams around, this one is slightly salted which makes every spoonful a pleasurable taste of Thai dessert heaven.

For drinks, I had the Fresh Carrot & Orange Juice which was the Drink of the Day. It was very refreshing, energizing and had my preferred sweetness level. I also got a taste of their Thai Iced Tea (P90) which was creamy and had just the right balance of sweetness and that distinct Thai tea taste (from star anise and crushed tamarind seeds).

THE VERDICT

Everything we had from appetizers down to desserts were all of great quality. Whether you're a beginner at Thai cuisine or an experienced one, you'll find something to love from Mango Tree's wide array of offerings. You can even have your dishes adjusted to your liking. Price tag might not look friendly, but with an excellent selection of food, a set of courteous, alert and knowledgeable staff, and a cozy yet posh casual fine dining ambiance, I think spending, dining and returning to Mango Tree is well worth it!

Taste - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Mango Tree, Bonifacio High Street Central
G/F Bonifacio High Street Central, East Superblock,
7th Ave. cor. 29th St., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 217-2367
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter

Mother's Day Giveaway: Surprise Mom with a McDo Breakfast!

2013-05-01T13:11:00.000+08:00

Aside from Labor Day and the elections, the most-awaited occasion this month of May is that special Sunday dedicated to a wonderful woman whom we lovingly call moms. And if you've wanted to surprise her this upcoming May 12, then you're in luck as McDonald's Philippines and The Purple Doll hold a special Mother's Day giveaway to help 3 of you surprise your mom with a McDonald's Breakfast delivered right at your doorstep.

You've read it right. After giving out free coffee and serving free McMuffins during the National Breakfast Day, we can continue to shout a Hooray for Today with this special surprise McDonald's whipped up for Mother's Day. We won't only get to surprise our moms for free, but our dear mother would get a taste of McDonald's early-morning treats perfect to jump-start her day. To join, you only have to follow these simple steps.

Prize: (3) winners will have a special McDonald's Breakfast delivered to their moms on Mother's Day (May 12, 2013).

PLEASE READ!
Guidelines to enter the giveaway raffle:

This giveaway is open to Metro Manila residents only.
Follow the Rafflecopter mechanics below to join.
Make sure you do all the first seven mandatory steps to be eligible.
I'll be choosing 3 winners from different mode of entries: 1) based on the answer to the question, 2) lucky draw via Rafflecopter, 3) lucky draw via Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway raffle will run from today until May 6, 2013. The winner will be drawn and contacted the next day, the 7th. So if you haven't thought yet of a surprise for your mom, or would want an additional surprise for her on Mother's Day, then join this McDonald's Mother's Day Giveaway. Hooray for today!

Disclaimer: This contest is brought to you by McDonald's Philippines.

Wee Nam Kee: Yellow Chicken Festival for Limited-Time Offer

2013-04-30T21:26:00.000+08:00

Who doesn't love chicken? Definitely not me, most especially if it's prepared Hainanese-style by Wee Nam Kee. However, earlier this month, I got to taste something even better. Sure, it's still chicken and it's still from the same Hainanese chicken rice shop from Singapore. But trust me, you wouldn't want to miss the Yellow Chicken Festival!

If you've already dined at Wee Nam Kee, then you already know how good their Hainanese chicken is, as well as their other food offerings. But lucky us, Wee Nam Kee didn't just stop there and wanted Filipino diners to sample more exquisite chicken goodness. That's why from May 1 to June 30, 2013, Wee Name Kee is holding the Yellow Chicken Festival at their Serendra, Bonifacio Global City and Glorietta 2 branches where they'll be offering Yellow Chicken imported all the way from Malaysia.

Wee Nam Kee at Glorietta 2

Wee Nam Kee Glorietta 2 has a function room for meetings, parties, etc.

I had the privilege to get a taste of the Yellow Chicken Hainanese-style, both the roasted and the steamed version, even before the start of this limited-time offer. And I can't stress how much better this tasted than regular chicken! I was told that Yellow Chicken is the equivalent of Wagyu (beef) and Kurobuta (pork) in the chicken world. It's juicier, more tender, more succulent and more flavorful which speaks of its premium quality.

Personal Set (P168); Small (P388); Medium (P768); Large (P1,488)

I was also shown a side-by-side comparison between the regular chicken and the Yellow Chicken. The brown ones are roasted, while the lighter-colored ones are steamed. Notice that the Yellow Chicken is bigger than the regular chicken? The skin is yellower too, and said to be thicker with additional fat content that makes it more succulent, which it owes to its secret high protein diet primarily composed of corn.

Comparison of regular chicken and the Yellow Chicken (roasted and steamed)

Although I still love my regular chicken dishes, I don't think I'll ever miss ordering the Yellow Chicken when I find myself again at Wee Nam Kee. Well, not until the Yellow Chicken Festival is over. Both the roasted and the steamed ones tasted so good. They were so meaty, so succulent and just amazing, especially after being boiled in Wee Nam Kee's flavorful stock. I can seriously eat the meat even without condiments. But of course, I still enjoyed savoring the Yellow Chicken with pounded ginger, chili sauce, dark soya sauce and a spoonful of the chicken rice.

And since we're already at Wee Nam Kee, why skip ordering the other good stuff? So to complete our late lunch, we also had the Honey Crispy Squid (P350). Even though I'm not much of a fan of items infused with honey sauce, I can say that this, I like! The squid pieces were slightly crispy and chewy, coated with a sweet and savory sauce. I enjoyed eating it with rice, but I found it even better to munch it on its own.

We also tried the Cereal Prawns (P395 per 4pcs.) which are seriously so good! While the prawns weren't exactly fried as thorough as I would've wanted (I didn't find the shells edible this time), the aroma and the flavors were just spectacular. The cereals were a little sweet and milky, and went perfectly with the prawns. Every bite felt like cereal prawn heaven, and I wish I won't have to wake up! But of course, it had to come to and end. Good thing though, the cereals were good even on their own. I ate them as is (Papakin daw ba?), and even combined them with rice for that crispy, milky goodness.

We also had a serving of the Seafood Crispy Noodles (P315). For a single order, I was actually surprised of the portion size. It wasn't mostly noodles and sauce too unlike most restaurants offering this dish. It's infused with generous amounts of fish fillet, squid, crab sticks, mushrooms and vegetables sitting atop a bed of crispy noodles. And while the crispy noodles inevitably become more chewy when mixed with the sauce and toppings, I still enjoyed this noodle dish for its subtle savory flavor and hearty seafood goodness.

Wee Nam Kee only has three dessert items on their menu, and as far as I know, they don't offer these sweet treats in the Singaporean mother store. (Only in da Philippines!) And while I wanted to try all of them at once, I didn't want to fill my caloric limit to the brim, so I only had the Mango Sago Pudding (P185). It may seem that this dessert is the lesser evil among the choices, but I certainly loved this treat to bits! It has a mango jello layer with diced mangoes and sago, over a base of a creamy pudding which makes every bite a combination of light and fruity, and sweet and milky. The best I've ever had!

As for my drink, I had the Cucumber Lime Fizz (P120) which is a refreshing cucumber-infused concoction perfect for summer. For this trip, I though the blend was a little too sweet. Nonetheless though, it watered down a bit to the perfect sweetness level for me.

Anyway, if you're planning to visit and dine at Wee Nam Kee soon, I highly encourage you to join and experience their Yellow Chicken Festival. Sure, ordering the Yellow Chicken might be more expensive than the regular Hainanese chicken options. However, it's definitely worth the splurge. I know I'm coming back for it really soon.

THE VERDICT

I like having Hainanese chicken rice, but this tasting at Wee Nam Kee definitely changed my opinion. Now, I don't just like it. I love it! And of course, I have the Yellow Chicken (and Wee Nam Kee) to thank for that, as it really amped up my Hainanese chicken rice experience. I have to admit though, that even without the Yellow Chicken, I'd still be regularly dining at Wee Nam Kee as everything else I've had was of great quality. Even their Mango Sago Pudding is worth visiting back again and again. As for the service, it wasn't exemplary, but the waiting staff were friendly, prompt and very courteous. So to say the least, this trip to Wee Nam Kee Glorietta 2 will definitely not be the last.

Taste - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Wee Nam Kee, The New Glorietta 2
G/F Glorietta 2 (street level; near main entrance)
Hotel Dr., Ayala Center, Makati
Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 478-8477; (0917) 828-5016
Official Website (Singapore)
Facebook Page
Twitter

Daily Quickie: Lucky Me! Special Instant Pancit Palabok

2013-04-29T01:00:00.000+08:00

Daily Quickie is a short tag on the title which I use for blog entries about food I'm snacking at home, work or anywhere.

Earlier this month, I received a special bilao from Lucky Me!. Our helper thought that it's palabok, and she was actually right. What I got was a bilao of Lucky Me! Special Instant Pancit Palabok which is one of the newest dry noodle products from Monde Nissin.

Since my sister and I are fans of both Lucky Me! and palabok, we didn't waste a second and went straight to the kitchen to cook a few packs of the Instant Pancit Palabok. Each packet has a block of dehydrated rice noodles, a sachet of palabok sauce, and a pack of dried toppings. Preparation is super easy too as you only need to follow a few steps.

Lucky Me! Special Instant Pancit Palabok Cooking Instructions

Add boiling water to the dehydrated noodles, and cover for 4 minutes.
Carefully drain the water from the noodles.
Mix the noodles with the palabok sauce, and add the toppings.
You can also add optional ingredients like slices of boiled egg.

For about P12 to P14 a pack, Lucky Me! Special Instant Pancit Palabok is actually quite good for a light afternoon snack. The sauce was quite savory and the toppings added saltiness and texture to the noodles. However, I think the palabok sauce included in a pack of the Instant Pancit Palabok is bitin. Sure, it can coat the rice noodles nicely, but it isn't as flavorful as I would've wanted. I actually ended up using 2 sachets of the palabok sauce to make my Lucky Me! Special Instant Pancit Palabok tastier.

Have you tried the new Lucky Me! Special Instant Pancit Palabok already? As for me, I think I'll give the new Curly Spaghetti Korean Style Spicy BibimMyun a taste too!

SumoSam: 26th Branch Opens at SM Manila

2013-04-28T09:25:00.001+08:00

If you've been a reader for a while, you've probably known of my serious infatuation with Japanese cuisine. Whether it's authentic Japanese, Japanese-Western fusion, or localized Japanese fare, I'll always be game to try it out. So when I was invited for a tasting at one of SumoSam's newest branches, I just had to give in and say yes.

Last March, along with a group of bloggers, as well as one of SumoSam's owners -- celebrity chef and Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 awardee Marvin Agustin, I dined at the 26th branch of SumoSam which is conveniently located in SM Manila's 4th floor, and just a few steps (or rather, tumbling) away from the cinemas.

For some history and background, SumoSam was started by Marvin Agustin along with fellow young entrepreneurs Raymund Magdaluyo and Ricky Laudico way back in 2005. Their first branch was in Shangri-la Plaza, and until now, their brand is still growing.

The first item on our table was this serving of Salmon Sashimi (P229). While I know a lot of people who veer away from eating raw slices of fish, I'm one of those who actually prefers raw fish than cooked ones. And being a salmon sashimi lover, I didn't waste any time and enjoyed my share. Thanks too to my seatmates for giving me the extra slices!

Next, we had the Pinoy-favorite California Roll (P218), a makizushi with kani slices, mangoes and cucumbers rolled in nori and roe-covered sushi rice, then drizzled with Japanese mayo. Although California rolls aren't really my thing, I found it okay especially since it had lettuce which gave it an added texture. Love the extra kani shreds too.

We also had the Las Vegas Roll (P248) which has almost the same fillings as the California ones but comes rolled in nori and aonori-ko and chili powder-covered sushi rice, then topped with dried scallops and semi-melted cheese. Compared to the California rolls, I think I like this better. I wish it came spicier though for that extra kick.

Among the makizushi, I like the Dynamite Roll (P278) best. It's a plate of spicy salmon sashimi roll topped with crispy salmon skin and chili powder, then drenched in a spicy dressing and served with a sweet and savory nikihana sauce (inspired by Chef Nikki Nicolas). This roll successfully whetted my palate and left me craving for more.

We also got to try the Bacon Dory (P279) which is a serving of dory fish fillets wrapped in bacon, then grilled and served with teriyaki sauce. Although I still love my bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms, I have to admit that these babies are quite good. They were cooked nicely and were flavorful as expected from a bacon and teriyaki sauce combo.

To further whet the appetite, we had SumoSam’s Pride Salad (P399) -- an ensemble of lettuce, tomatoes, grilled prawns, mango slices and walnuts in SumoSam's house dressing. As a salad eater, I actually liked this serving. The medley of fresh, sweet and savory flavors is perfect for the hot summer season. I guess my only qualm is the price.

We also had the Spicy Tuna Salad (P268) -- a bowl of 3 kinds of lettuce leaves and fresh tuna slices with spicy dressing, then topped with tenkasu (tempura bits). Although I'm not big on spicy tuna sashimi, I liked this salad a lot. The spicy tuna was very appetizing, and the tenkasu gave off an enjoyable crunch. This is more fairly-priced too.

Since we've already tapped the tenkasu, let's move on to the Ebi Tempura (P398) which is the default crowd-pleaser. As expected, the tempura batter was crispy, while the prawns were cooked nicely. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed dipping their share in the tempura sauce and savoring bite after bite. Again, my only qualm is the price tag.

For some carbs, we had the Japanese Fried Rice (P278) with assorted meat and seafood. I find this serving okay taste-wise, but feel like this is expensive portion-wise.

We had a serving of Chicken Teriyaki (P268) for our entrée which I surprisingly liked. More often than not, I avoid chicken teriyaki dishes as I'm not much of a sweet sauce fan. However, this order had a nice balance of sweet and savory which also went really well with our Japanese fried rice. The chicken fillet itself was very tender and succulent too.

We also had an order of Beef Teppan (P378) which had sautéed beef tenderloin pieces served with mixed vegetables and comes with 3 kinds of sauces (which I forgot to take note of). I liked how savory and tender the beef pieces were despite being lean cuts. And even without any sauce, I enjoyed just eating the beef with some veggies. However, for the price, it would be better if there were more beef tenderloin pieces to savor.

After the hearty meal, we enjoyed some SumoSam Ice Popsicles (P88) which come in 5 different flavors -- Black Sesame, Choco Banana, Green Tea, Pistachio and Red Bean. I wanted to try the red bean flavor, but since it wasn't available that day, I settled for the next unusual variant, the black sesame. I enjoyed this refreshing treat since it wasn't too sweet nor too creamy, and really had the black sesame taste to it.

THE VERDICT

I enjoyed my visit to SumoSam's 26th branch. However, I have mixed feelings for the brand. While I liked a few items among the dishes we got to try, I found some of them pretty expensive for either their portion size or for what they are. Nevertheless though, I think it'll all boil down to value and preference from a customer's viewpoint. But putting that aside, I liked the laid back yet comfortable ambiance at SumoSam's SM Manila branch. The servers were courteous and alert too even before Marvin Agustin came in.

Taste - 3.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 3.5/5

SumoSam, SM City Manila
4/F SM City Manila, Concepcion cor. Arroceros
Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Facebook Page
Twitter

The Creamery: Resto and Ice Cream Bar + Summer Giveaway

2013-04-26T23:50:00.000+08:00

With such a harsh summer weather, I just can't help but crave for something cold and sweet. So one afternoon while we were strolling inside SM Mall of Asia, the beau and I decided to head to The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream Bar for a merienda session.

Unlike most dessert shops you can easily spot in the mall, The Creamery is located inside Selecta Kids Universe on the ground floor of SM Mall of Asia. And being a bright and happy restaurant and dessert haven inside a kingdom for kids, the beau and I just can't help but feel the bagets vibe going on that we had to let out the kids in us.

The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream Bar's interior really interested me. Despite being not-much-of-a-kid anymore, I felt happy to be inside a fun environment. The restaurant counter looks like an ice cream truck. There was also a barn-like banquet seating popular to kids. And of course, how can you miss the colorful toys as centerpiece for the tables?

There's no wonder The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream Bar is a good choice for a children's party. Heck, I'd even consider throwing a feeling-children's party here on one of my birthdays! And aside from offering packages perfect for kiddie birthday parties, The Creamery now caters to events outside their restaurant. So you might want to check them out if you're looking for a caterer, be it for a bridal shower, farewell party, etc.

The Food

Now, while being inside The Creamery is already a treat in itself especially for kids-at-heart like us (okay, more like isip bata), a child's hungry tummy still needs to be satisfied. So even though I was already so stoked to have desserts, we first had a few hot dishes.

For starters, the beau and I ordered Calamari (P165) which are battered and deep-fried rings of squid served with an aioli dip and a lemon wedge. Being fans of calamari, we both liked The Creamery's take despite it being a little different from what we're used to. Instead of the usual batter, we felt like the squid rings were coated in something similar to a fried chicken batter. Oddly though, we loved it and found it even better than the usual calamari as the batter gave it more of a savory, peppery crunch.

I know I said we were here for merienda, but since we're already a little hungry, we ordered items for a light meal. I had the Fish Rollups (P180) which are rolls of fish fillet with ham, cheese and spices topped with a creamy white sauce, then served with a siding of buttered vegetables and rice pilaf. This is quite good for a light meal since it's filling but not so much that you'll be stuffed to the brim. The fish fillet rolls were flavorful, although some parts were quite salty. Good thing the veggies and rice came to rescue.

The beau on the other hand, had Roasted Garlic and Shrimp Pasta (P195) which is spaghetti in cream sauce with roasted garlic, shrimps and Parmesan cheese, then served with toasts on the side. Portion-wise, the beau felt it bitin, although personally, I think this is what normal serving size for pasta should be. Taste-wise, both the beau and I felt that the cream sauce was just okay. It was really the shrimps which became the superstar in this dish. They were cooked perfectly, and tasted garlicky and just delish!

Then came my most awaited moment, the desserts. Although the amount of choices was overwhelming, I decided to have the Berry Cheesecake (Slice P110; Whole P850) among The Creamery's long list of ice cream cakes. As a berry fanatic, let me tell you that this slice is divine! This plate has layers of creamy and luscious strawberry and blueberry cheesecake ice cream covered in a beautiful woven vanilla sponge dome. Now, how often do you see your slice of ice cream cake look as gorgeous as this?

The beau had a Caramel Macadamia (P135) from the list of marble slab concoctions. This tall serving of gloriousness had a melange of creamy vanilla and rich mocha ice cream swirled with caramel sauce and topped with macadamia nuts, waffle bits and baked streusel crunch. If you love your ice cream with lots and lots of textures, then this is definitely a good pick! The beau seemed to have enjoyed this treat, while I was more interested in picking out the chewy and crunchy toppings. Yum!

For drinks, The Creamery offers a few blended concoctions. And as a milkshake fan, the beau got himself a Chocolate Milkshake (P145) which is a rich, smooth and thick blend of chocolate ice cream infused with malt for that refreshing and saccharine fix-satisfying treat perfect this scorching scorching summer day.

THE VERDICT

This might be my first time at The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream Bar, but it definitely won't be the last. After experiencing first hand what kids who frequent Selecta Kids Universe get to enjoy, I'll make sure not to miss out anymore. The cooked dished at The Creamery might not exactly be out-of-this-world delicious, but the desserts can definitely make up for it. And with a fun, bright and youthful ambiance, and a very reasonably-priced menu to boot, I can see a good future between The Creamery and the kid in me.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5

The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream Bar, SM Mall of Asia
G/F Selecta Kids Universe, SM Mall of Asia
Entertainment Mall, South Wing (near south parking)
Ocean Dr. Manila Bay Reclamation Area,
Pasay City, Metro Manila
(02) 556-9195; 901-1424
Official Website
Facebook Page

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Now that I got to try and enjoyed The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream Bar for myself, I'm giving you the chance to get a taste of their treats and goodies especially since their sweet desserts are perfect this summer season!

Prize: (3) winners of P500-worth of gift certificates valid for food and drinks at The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream Bar in Selecta Kids Universe, SM Mall of Asia

PLEASE READ!
Guidelines to enter the giveaway raffle:

Be a Metro Manila resident or someone (even not within Metro Manila) who can actually use the prize, or have a person you'll give the prize to in case you can't personally use them.
Winners will have to visit The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream Bar to claim their gift certificate either for future use or to use it there right away.
Follow the Rafflecopter mechanics below to join.
Make sure you do all the first 10 mandatory steps to be eligible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway raffle will run from today, April 26 until May 13, 2013. The winner will be drawn the next day and will be contacted on the same week. So join now and get to experience The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream Bar this summer!

Disclaimer: Prizes were sponsored by the good folks from The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream Bar.

Outback Steakhouse: The New Lunch Specials Menu

2013-04-25T04:59:00.000+08:00

Although I'm currently not as hardcore as a carnivore as I used to be, I still appreciate all the meaty things in life. So when I got a chance to visit Outback Steakhouse in Glorietta 4 to sample their new lunch menu, I didn't even have to think and just gave a big yes.

To be honest, Outback's lunch menu has already been around since the start of the year. But although I'm a little (okay, a lot) late in bringing in the news, we're all in luck as the lunch menu will be offered until June. Now, before I share the dishes from the lunch menu itself, let me start off first with appetizers you might want to order on your visit.

This isn't actually one from the menu, but I really like the free gluten-free loaf of honey wheat bushman bread they serve. It's a nice filler to munch on when waiting for your orders, or maybe a side to your steak or pasta dish. I think this is quite healthy too.

If you'll be visiting with a group of serious (I mean, really serious) onion ring lovers, then make sure to order a serving of the Typhoon Bloom (P329). I won't deny that I am in love with onion rings, but I don't think I'll ever be ready for a commitment. So when this platter of intricately stacked onion rings was brought to our table, I couldn't exclaim anything but just wows of awe. Taste-wise, they were quite flavorful and even crunchy. Make sure to eat them right away though or you'll risk them being soggy.

We also got to try the Kookaburra Wings (Half P279; Full P469) -- a platter of juicy chicken wings tossed in a savory blend of Outback's secret spices. It's also served with celery and a blue cheese dressing, and can be ordered mild, medium or hot. While I'm more of a savory chicken wings kind of girl, I really liked the spiciness of this dish. It was really tasty and had the right amount of heat I wanted. It was hard to stop munching!

Although the 2 previous appetizers were good, I have to say it's this seemingly-deconstructed serving of Crispy Shrimp Caesar Salad (P499) that captured my heart and my palate. Aside from the unique presentation (which you have to play with and mix, by the way), its beautiful blend of flavors is what easily skyrocketed it on top of my list. The perfectly-cooked baby rock shrimps tossed in Asian chili sauce, the Caesar dressing and balsamic vinegar reduction-drizzled romaine lettuce, the fresh tomato slices, and a squeeze from a lemon wedge -- they may look like simple ingredients, but they sure have made magical harmony in my mouth, and have made me a big fan.

Dishes from the Lunch Specials Menu

Available from Mondays to Fridays, from 11AM to 3PM (Until June 2013); Click photo to enlarge.

After the appetite-whetting meal starters, let's get down to business. Here are some of the dishes included on the lunch menu that we had the pleasure to try.

First is this BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza (P299) which tasted really good. The flatbread itself has a nice crunch to it, while the chicken toppings gave every bite a savory and smoky flavor. I seriously couldn't stop myself from getting one slice after another. Oh, this flatbread pizza comes in Chicken Romaine and Margherita flavors too.

We also had the Chicken Parmesan (P299) which is a serving of breaded and deep-fried chicken breast fillet topped with marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese and melted Swiss cheese sitting atop a side of linguine marinara. Being a big tomato-based pasta lover, I actually liked the acidity of the sauce. But for those who are not big on tomato sauces, don't worry 'cause the cheeses really balanced off the tangy marinara. As for the chicken fillet, it was definitely tender. However, it was a little plain in my book.

Next, we tried the Pan Seared Fish in Pesto Linguini (P199) which is undoubtedly my favorite between the 2 pasta-infused dishes on the lunch menu. Although I'm not so much of a pesto fan, the combination of flavors in this dish was just amazing. The lightly-breaded and pan-seared fish shared the limelight with the garlic-herb linguine, while the drizzling of pesto sauce and lemon butter tied the subtle yet beautiful flavors altogether.

We started the meat fest with the BBQ Pork Ribs (P549) which is my kind of ribs, fall-off-the-bone tender, smothered with a sweet, savory and tangy sauce, and served with a side of Aussie fries. Oh, the actual portion for the lunch menu wouldn't be a whole rack though, but an individual serving portion. They just served us the big thing since we were a big group that evening.

My favorite item from the lunch menu would be the Teriyaki Beef Medallions (P549) -- teriyaki-marinated steak, fire-grilled with onions, red and green peppers, and served atop a bed of rice pilaf. Normally, I don't dig sweet teriyaki sauce-smothered meat, but this is probably the only exception. The teriyaki beef steak was quite sweet, but for some reason, I just loved it! It was perfect with the super tender medium rare to medium-grilled medallions. After a few days, I went back and ordered this. That's how much I loved it!

Good news to steak lovers 'cause Victoria's Filet (P599) is included in the lunch menu too. This tender and succulent 6oz. thick filet cut of meaty goodness served with mashed potatoes and vegetables will surely satisfy the carnivore in you as it did with me.

As redundant as it sounds, the Chicken Fried Chicken (P199) is actually good despite being one of the 2 cheapest items on the lunch menu. Hand-breaded then fried to a golden crisp and served with creamy white gravy and mashed potatoes, this dish is definitely one of the tastiest chicken fillets I've had.

Dessert and Drinks

Desserts and drinks aren't part of the lunch specials, but they're worth ordering especially if you're one with a serious sweet tooth like me.

To end on a sweet note, we had the Dessert Sampler Trio (P475) which had sample portions of the Banana Nut Cake -- a combination of banana, toffee, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, nuts and cinnamon; New York-style Cheesecake with a choice of raspberry or chocolate sauce; and the famous Chocolate Thunder from Down Under.

And since we can't get enough of its chocolatey goodness, we had a separate a la carte serving of the full size Chocolate Thunder from Down Under (P315) -- freshly-baked pecan brownie topped with rich vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce, whipped cream and chocolate shaving. This is definitely a chocoholic pleaser!

Since it was a long night filled with lots of food, it was just normal to have not just one, but 2 beverages. So for this gastronomic affair, I had a Cherry Limeade (P165) -- a refreshing concoction made from sweet cherries and tart limes mixed with lemon lime soda, as well as a Coco-Berry Smoothie (P165) -- a very tropical frosty blend of creamy coconut and strawberries. I liked both drinks, but I'm a little partial to the latter.

THE VERDICT

This visit to Outback Steakhouse really left me full to the brim, but I'm happy to have tried all these dishes. From the lunch specials menu, I can definitely say that everything we got to sample was good. However, I'll be bias and recommend my favorites, the Teriyaki Beef Medallion and the Pan Seared Fish in Pesto Linguini. And whether or not you visit during lunch (although it's advisable since it's more affordable), try the Crispy Shrimp Caesar Salad. It might be pricey, but it sure is one of the highlights of my evening.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Regular Price - 3/5
Promo Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Outback Steakhouse, Glorietta 4
G/F Glorietta 4, Ayala Ave. cor. Pasay Rd.,
Ayala Center, Makati
Metro Manila
(02) 729-8458 to 59
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter

Free Treats for Moms by Precious MOMents!

2013-04-24T01:51:00.000+08:00

Remember the cute restaurant and cafe I visited late last year? Yes, I'm talking about none other than Precious Moments Manila. I've recently visited their lovely space in Makati. But before I blog about my experience, I'm here to share an announcement.

Precious Moments which is a global lifestyle brand of gift wares and collectibles, is celebrating its 35th anniversary this 2013. And to mark this occasion, the Philippine Precious Moments Collectors' Community (PPMCC) which by the way is the fastest growing Precious Moments Collectors Club in the world, has prepared significant activities promoting Precious Moments' corporate values of loving, caring and sharing.

For the upcoming occasion, Precious Moments will be giving tribute to mothers through their special event entitled PRECIOUS MOMents Free Treats for Moms to be held this May 5, 2013 at the PSG Grandstand Malacañang Park, Manila. This will be a whole day event filled with fun, informative and pampering activities especially made for that special woman in our life, our moms. Of course, the whole family are welcome to join in too! But since this is mom's day, mom gets more perks such as free loot bags, massage, dental check-up, bone scan, pap smear and other cool and exciting freebies.

This is event is FREE, but interested participants must PRE-REGISTER ONLINE.

For questions, clarifications or concessionaire inquiry, please call (02) 887-5252 or 387-1092 and look for Ms. Amiel Carmona.

Ka Inato: Palawan's #1 chicken is now in Manila!

2013-04-23T17:19:00.000+08:00

Frankly, I haven't been to Palawan yet. But from friends, reviews and blog posts, I've found out that there's a chicken haven famous in the island. It's Ka Inato which serves their famous charcoal-grilled chicken. And now, it finally hits Metro Manila as it opened its first store at RMR Square just along Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City.

Unlike the Ka Inato in Palawan which is more of a family casual-dining restaurant, the one in Tandang Sora is a fast food type of joint. But unlike most grilled chicken fast food restaurants in the metro, Ka Inato bears a more sophisticated interior with clean white walls and wooden furniture. I also really liked the paintings donning almost all sides of the restaurant. From what I know, these were made by an artist from Palawan.

Now, since this Ka Inato branch is more of a fast food restaurant, most of the offerings come in sets good for one person. (The original Ka Inato offers dishes good for sharing.) However, they also offer some a la carte items for those like me who can't live without the extra viands or for those who'll be eating with a colleague, a friend or a loved one.

And now, let me share what we got to try at Ka Inato.

For this trip, I opted to have the original Ka Inato Chicken (P98) which for me resembles the famous Bacolod-favorite inasal as it's also marinated and basked in atsuete oil, and grilled over charcoal. And of course, the perfect way to enjoy this skewered chicken goodness is by adding in chilimansi-soy sauce, atchara (pickled papaya) and rice.

I've already tried quite a lot of grilled chicken in my life, and I can definitely say this Ka Inato Chicken is one of the tastiest I've had! The skin was just so flavorful with a good harmony of sweet and savory. Even without adding in soy sauce or vinegar, it was highly enjoyable on its own. However, if I had to be nit-picky, I found the meat inside a little dry than I would've wanted. Nevertheless though, the skin undoubtedly made up for it.

My brave friend Stacy had the Ka-Inato Hot and Spicy Chicken (P103), a spicier yet still as savory variation of the original Ka Inato Chicken.

While I believe I have medium to high tolerance when it comes to spicy food, I can't deny that the spiciness level of this piece of grilled chicken exceeded my expectation. I was happy that my friend offered me a few slices to sample, but I was quite hesitant when she asked me to help her finish the chicken off. Like the original Ka Inato Chicken, this serving also has a nice sweet and savory flavor. However, the spiciness then kicks in, lingers and then stays in your mouth for quite a while. Definitely not for the faint-palated.

Aside from the chicken items, we also got to try the Kambak (P115) which my friend and I gladly shared. This dish is a fusion of kambing (mutton) and baka (beef) in a kaldereta-style preparation. While this is my first time to have tried this dish, I instantly fell in love with it. The meat pieces were all so tender and so succulent. The sauce on the other hand, was savory, a little nutty, and just oh-so-good. Seriously, I will kambak for this!

To end our meal on a sweet note, we had a Leche Flan (P28) which is probably one of my most favorite local desserts. For the price, this small plate of Leche Flan is quite good. It's sweet and creamy which makes it the perfect meal ender to tickle the taste buds after savoring the Ka Inato Chicken and my new-found love, Kambak.

Now, I'm not sure if these dinner sets are still available. But when we visited back in February, we saw Ka Inato offering packages perfect for families and even for barkadas.

THE VERDICT

Even if I haven't been to Palawan yet, I'm glad that at least I got a taste of Ka Inato which is one of the island's pride. Although their concept here in Metro Manila isn't exactly like their restaurants in Palawan, I personally think the fast food approach is well-fit for the fast-paced lives of Metro Manileños. As for their food, I found Ka Inato's offerings very satisfactory, especially the notable Kambak. And with budget-friendly prices, Ka Inato is one affordable chicken place I'd gladly visit again soon.

Taste - 3.5/5
Ambiance - 3.5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Ka Inato, Tandang Sora
G/F RMR Square, Tandang Sora Ave., Brgy. Pasong Tamo,
(near Visayas Ave., behind Caltex & Robinson’s Supermarket)
Quezon City, Metro Manila
(02) 401-1990
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Ang Mo Kio: Singaporean Hawker Cuisine at The Podium

2013-04-19T07:21:00.000+08:00

Hawker food has already been synonymous to Singapore, at least for me. However, it would really be troublesome and costly to fly to Singapore just to get a taste of their wide array of gustatory hawker treats. Fortunately, we have our own haven of good hawker cuisine in Metro Manila, located just at The Podium in Ortigas -- it's Ang Mo Kio.

Bearing the namesake of a hawker stall-filled district in Singapore, our own Ang Mo Kio reflects the colorful diversity of Singaporean cuisine and even promises to serve a true authentic Singaporean cuisine experience. In fact, even the interior and layout of the whole restaurant is reminiscent of the atmosphere of hawker centers in Singapore.

And before I jump in to share with you the dishes we got to try at Ang Mo Kio, let me first disclose that this restaurant visit was way back in November of last year. While I'm not one who delays restaurant reviews for this long, shit happens. In my case, my hard drive got busted and it took quite a while to have my files recovered. So expect a few late reviews popping up from time to time. (Now back to regular programming.)

The Food

When it comes to Asian cuisines, I feel like Singaporean fare is one of the ultimate of its genre since it's a product of many culinary influences. So now, let's both take a tour around Malaysia, China, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and even the Philippines through these Singaporean dishes at Ang Mo Kio.

To whet our appetite, let's have the Roti Prata (P50 per piece) -- a light and slightly flaky flour-based pancake served with a curry sauce on the side. Having this dish served on our table, it reminded me of the first time I got to taste roti prata way back in elementary. I sure didn't know what this thin bread was, but eating it after dipping in a curry sauce was a fireworks in the mouth. And once you've started munching, it sure is hard to stop.

Next, let's have a plate of Chicken Satay (P35 per stick; Minimum of 3 sticks). While the skewered pieces may look rather small, they're perfect teasers before a good meal. These marinated then grilled chicken satay was already quite good on their own, but pair them with the sweet peanut sauce and your palate will sure to have a great pre-party.

While I'm not a Cereal Prawn (P628) kind of girl, I can't deny that I enjoyed every piece of this seafood treat. I love my prawns plain, steamed or sautéed, but these prawns with grain oat flakes and stir-fried in butter give every bite a perfect crunch. The coating also adds an enjoyable slight sweetness that goes well with the juicy prawn meat. Yum!

You also shouldn't miss the Chicken Wings (P45 per piece; Minimum of 3 pcs.), especially if you're a big chicken wing lover. For a restaurant specializing in Singaporean cuisine, I didn't expect that these BBQ wings would taste this good! They were so tender and so succulent with every bite unlocking an explosion of sweet and savory flavors.

When it comes to Singaporean fare, ordering the Hainanese Chicken (Whole P998) is a must! This whole white chicken steamed and bathing in light soy sauce just looked so glorious on the tabletop. Served with 4 cups of fragrant rice, some vegetables and its garlic, chili and dark soy sauce accompaniments, every bite was simply oozing with juicy, meaty chicken goodness. And although I personally don't go too gaga over Hainanese chicken, I found myself relentlessly digging in with this one.

Another very Singaporean item is the Laksa (P308) which is a rich and creamy bowl of coconut milk-infused spicy noodle soup with clams, prawns, fish cakes, dried shrimp and hard-boiled egg. And while I may have missed trying laksa when I was in Singapore, I sure feel like this hearty bowl is more than enough to satisfy my laksa craving.

Noodle lovers shouldn't miss the Hokkien Prawn Mee (Single P275; For 2-3 P550). This serving of yellow wheat noodles combined with Vermicelli tossed with beansprouts, prawns, eggs and pork belly slices, and comes with sambal (chili paste) and calamansi on the side, is a hearty noodle dish that will surely deliver. Every forkful was satisfying both for the palate and the stomach with its light-flavored taste and saucy goodness.

If you're more into savory noodle dishes like me, then the Char Kway Teow (Single P220; For 2-3 P480) is perfect for you. Stir-fried over very high heat, this plate of flat rice and thin noodles with light and dark soy sauce, chili, squid, prawns, shrimp paste, beansprouts and greens, is sure to create fireworks in your mouth like it did with mine. Munching through the soft yet firm mix of noodles was also a delight on its own.

For veggies, try the Sambal Eggplant (P168) -- a plate of sliced eggplants sautéed in a sweet and spicy sambal sauce which is somehow similar to our very own bagoong alamang (shrimp paste). This dish might be simple, yet I really enjoyed eating this together with some Hainanese chicken and spoonfuls of rice.

This plate of Sambal Chinese Kang Kong (P168) is another sambal sauce-infused vegetable dish worth ordering. Like the eggplant variant, this is also sautéed with a sweet and spicy sambal sauce. However, if you love your mellow-flavored kangkong (since sambal is a lot spicier than bagoong), then you can order this just sautéed with garlic.

The most comforting item for the night was the Bak Ku Teh (Single P285; For Two P558), a traditional Chinese pork ribs soup simmered in a complex mixture of various herbs and spices including star anise, cinnamon, fennel seeds, garlic and coriander. While I believe there's no actual tea in this bowl, each spoonful somehow gave off a hint of tea flavor. The meaty pork ribs on the other hand, was also very tender and enjoyable.

This Beef Rendang (Single P218; Big P436; With Nasi Lemak Rice P258) dish is definitely one of the tastiest items of the night. Cooked with coconut milk and ground mixture of ginger, galangal, turmeric leaves, garlic, shallot, lemon grass, chilies and other spices, every chunk of beef in the pot is not only tender and so meaty, but also packs a lot of earthy, savory and spicy flavors that you're sure to get your appetite for rice on.

For drinks, Ang Mo Kio offers an interesting line of both the all-time favorites and some unusual beverages. I got myself a Rose Milk Tea (P70) which was creamy and had a nice rose water flavor. The beau on the other hand, got himself a refreshing and vibrant yellow-colored Fresh Mango Juice (P75). And if you're curious, the brown drink in the background was one of our companions' order, a glass of Milo Dinosaur (P75).

By the way, there's currently an ongoing deal for Ang Mo Kio's Hainanese Chicken or Roasted Chicken with vegetables and rice either for 2 or for 4, available at Groupon Beeconomic. So make sure to check this deal out before it's over!

THE VERDICT

Our visit to Ang Mo Kio at The Podium was indeed like a trip to the Ang Mo Kio district in Singapore, just minus the airfare and lodging expenses. Everything we had, from the meal starters to the entrées, and even up to the drinks, were all of great quality rivaling those I've tried when I went to Singapore. True enough, Ang Mo Kio serves authentic Singaporean cuisine as promised. And with reasonable pricing and friendly service, we're sure to return for yet another food tour around Asia.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Ang Mo Kio Singaporean Hawker Cuisine, The Podium
3/F The Podium, 12 ADB Ave., Wack- Wack
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
(02) 696-7025; (0917) 823-4317
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter

Bistro 98: Discovering Gourmet Comfort Food in Quezon City

2013-04-15T23:58:00.000+08:00

There's no denying that I love to dine in my list of trusted restaurants. However, hole in the wall dining spots have a certain charm I just can't get enough of. Earlier this year, my friend and I visited a comfort food destination off the main street of Tomas Morato. Nestled along Scout Lozano, we discovered an unassuming restaurant called Bistro 98.

Unlike most restaurants which are easy to spot, Bistro 98 somehow blended with its residential environment. Good thing though, we saw the round signage carrying the bistro's logo right away or else we would've passed it by. And while the facade may not be too inviting, I actually found the interior very homey and welcoming despite its size.

Bistro 98 is co-owned by 3 friends -- chefs Joseph Sanvictores, Phoebe See and Darwin Cardenas, who thought of opening up their own small bistro after their one-year internship at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado. Since Chef Sanvictores' grandmother has an unused bodega, they converted it to what is now known as Bistro 98.

The restaurant only has 3 tables inside, and more tables are added outside Bistro 98 during nighttime. But aside from the intimacy of the place, we found the service as intimate as well. There are actually no servers or busboys. Everything is run by the 3 owners -- from cooking, serving and even entertaining guests.

The Food

While hole in the wall restaurants like Bistro 98 hold interesting stories, let me stop my blabbering now and share with you the dishes we got to try during our visit.

We first had the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich (P250). Normally, I'm not a big fan of pulled pork sandwiches. But at Bistro 98, I think I became one. The bbq pulled pork filling was super tender and savory with a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy. Serving size is quite big too and can feed 2 light eaters or one hungry foodie. I really appreciated that this comes with a siding of Caesar salad and some chips, making an order a full meal.

Then we had the Shrimp Aligue Pasta (P300), a bowl of al dente-cooked pasta coated with aligue sauce, tossed with shrimps and topped with shredded crab sticks. When this was brought to our table, my eyes were instantly glued at it since it looked really enticing. However, upon my first forkful, I found the aligue sauce a little too light-flavored for my palate as if it was a European-style pasta. It's still enjoyable though since the shrimp pieces, crab stick and lemon juice added more dimension to the dish.

To complete our carb-loaded late lunch was the Creamy Risotto and Asparagus with Roasted Tomatoes. I already forgot the price but I think it's around P320 if I'm right. Anyway, I am a sucker for risotto, and this serving was definitely my favorite dish among everything we had that day. The risotto was just so creamy and so flavorful with an added texture from the asparagus and chopped tomatoes. The roasted tomatoes were also amazing as it oozes with a beautiful charred flavor. I must order this again soon!

Ending our meal on a sweet note was the Cheese Cake (P180) which is a favorite at Bistro 98. Having tried a lot of cheesecakes before, I can definitely say that this slice is worth ordering, most especially if you're more into the denser yet creamier types of cheesecakes. We also enjoyed the restaurant's Home-Brewed Iced Tea (Glass P65; Bottomless P95), the perfect beverage to cleanse and quench after a filling meal.

THE VERDICT

Everything we had that afternoon was pleasurable not only for the palate, but to all our senses. I'm also surprised that prices are very reasonable, especially since the serving sizes were generous for a Mediterranean comfort food destination. And with an intimate setting and personalized service, I can truly say that our trip to Bistro 98 made me feel like an explorer who just discovered a hidden treasure in Quezon City.

PS: Calling for reservation is highly advised. Bistro 98 also offers catering services and set menus.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Bistro 98, Scout Lozano
98 Scout Lozano St., Laging Handa,
Quezon City, Metro Manila
(0917) 518-1187; (0917) 809-3196
Official Website
Facebook Page

Wrong Ramen: How can this wrong be so right?

2013-04-11T23:58:00.000+08:00

While I may not be the biggest fan of ramen, I can't deny that I still have an undying drive to scout both the old and new ramen places sprouting in the metro. My most recent visit was a trip to a really unique ramen house in Bonifacio Global City. What's unique, you ask? Just the name, Wrong Ramen, was so unusual that it seriously piqued my interest.

Tucked within Burgos Circle in the BGC area, Wrong Ramen is probably the quirkiest ramen house I've ever been to. Where can you ever find a ramen joint proclaiming itself as something wrong? That's just crazy, right? And aside from the name, the overall feel that this place gives off is a combination of wits, humor and creativity in large doses.

"Right ramen is made by Japanese cooks.
Wrong ramen is made by idiots who think they're better than Japanese cooks."

Just look at Wrong Ramen's mantra! That sounds so wrong, yet so right and so funny at the same time. My friend Vernice and I just loved it the moment we saw that framed philosophy. And whenever we had our eyes accidentally glance on it, we can't help but smile. While the two-floor restaurant is really small and quite cramped for my personal preference, there are other pieces here and there one can take some interest of.

Digging the scrabble tile statement decor.

Tables have removable dividers for your (un)wanted privacy.

And here's another one I oh-so-love!

Trivial I know, but I really find these salt & pepper shakers cute.

Basically, Wrong Ramen is that ramen joint where you can just laid back, be casual and be amused as you take your fill. And speaking of which, let me share with you (before I go off-topic) what my friend and I had for our weekend lunch session at Wrong Ramen.

To start off our meal, we had these Japanese Oyster Kushikatsu (P290) -- a pair of Japanese breaded and fried kebabs served with arugula and your choice of dipping sauce among soy ginger, chili soy ginger, tartar, and curry mayonnaise. And while I usually prefer my oysters raw or baked with cheese, I can't deny that I loved this one to bits! The outside was crispy while the inside was just creamy and buttery. Yum!

Another starter we had was the Bacon Katsu (P260) which are pieces of crispy bacon stuffed with cheese then served with alfalfa sprouts and sweet wasabi. While I'm a fan of anything bacon, I somehow seemed to prefer the previous appetizer than this plate. Don't get me wrong though, these are tasty. However, I feel like it was the sauce and the alfalfa adding spunk to the ensemble. The breading wasn't as crispy as I expected either.

For ramen, we first had the best-selling Wrong Ramen Rich Tonkotsu (P385) -- a bowl of rich, milky and lip-smacking pork bone and chicken broth served with sliced chashu. This one was really a good fill for a hungry foodie. Since it comes in a big bowl, it can be good for sharing especially for light eaters. The noodles were firm yet chewy too, and the chashu pieces were juicy and oozing with a nice roasted flavor. Comfort food!

My friend and I also shared an order of Wrong Ramen Tantanmen (P395) -- a bowl of bold, nutty sesame broth with a mild spicy kick, served with shredded chashu and ground pork. Now, while the previous bowl is probably good for someone with PMS, this one on the other hand is perfect for those wanting to excite the taste buds. Every slurp was an explosion of flavors, and seriously, I'll order this again the next time around.

We were already full at this point, but we didn't dare miss the Crispy Pata Ssam (P980) -- crispy and juicy pork leg cooked for 5 hours and served with lettuce, cucumbers, onion slices, pineapples and ssam sauce. I know, this is so Korean. I guess this is what makes Wrong Ramen wrong, but in some way right too since they did this dish right. Wrapping the tender meat and crispy crackling in lettuce and eating it Korean style wasn't only interactive and fun, but this method brought out a nice combination of flavors too.

We might have missed the dessert since we were seriously so full to the brim, but on my next visit to Wrong Ramen, I'll make sure to try their F.U. Ramen (P425) -- think breakfast in a bowl with black pepper Spam, bacon, cheese and fried egg, as well as the Sea Men Ramen (P345) which is an infamous bowl not of anything carnal but of seafood. And of course, I won't forget to have the Poop of the Gods (P130) next time!

THE VERDICT

Wrong Ramen might be a ramen playpen which will entertain and make you giggle. But aside from the concept and witty aspect behind this ramen joint, I can say that food is actually good. If you're looking for an authentic Japanese ramen house, then this is definitely not the place for you. But if you're up for a bowl of unconventional flavor combinations with a siding of cool, witty and creative humor, then make sure to give Wrong Ramen a visit soon and experience something wrong made right.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Wrong Ramen, Burgos Circle
Burgos Circle, Forbestown Rd.,
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 823-8249
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Twitter

Primero Casa Filipino: Affordable Filipino Buffet in Quezon City

2013-04-05T19:30:00.000+08:00

After a month of blog post drought, let's get back to regular programming, shall we? Now, although I'm not the biggest fan of Filipino cuisine, I appreciate hearty Pinoy dishes both cooked traditionally and creatively. And this my friends is what I experienced and enjoyed at Primero Casa Filipino, an eat-all-you-can Filipino cuisine destination in Quezon City.

Located at Scout Torillo corner Scout Fernandez Street, Primero Casa Filipino was once known as Chef Laudico's Casa Filipino. But with a new chef and management in the house, this literally house-turned-restaurant serves a new menu of a variety of Filipino dishes with great service, and a homey, classy and sophisticated ambiance to boot.

And while the place definitely looks like an expensive restaurant, the good news is, dining here is actually very affordable. For P398 on weekdays and P498 on weekends, even your average Juan can visit Primero Casa Filipino and indulge once in a while.

The Buffet Spread

We visited Primero Casa Filipino on a Friday night so we were lucky to catch their seafood weekend dinner buffet. But first, let me take you on a tour of their buffet spread.

These treats are Sisig Shooters, a really creative take on our traditional sisig which doesn't only look good, but taste delish as well. The sinful pork meat sits atop a crispy wanton and you have to pour the sauce from the shot glass before savoring every bite.

While I enjoyed the Sisig Shooters, these Egg Salad appetizers won my heart and palate even harder. I've always been a fan of the regular egg salad, but these deconstructed take on my favorite is even better! Infused with a rolled crispy wanton, these babies are such a tease that a piece will never be enough. Check my plates later!

I personally don't like coleslaw nor pineapples that much, but I was amazed that I actually enjoyed these tropical-tasting and refreshing mini Hawaiian Coleslaw. Just who would have thought that putting two things I dislike together would create something I'd love?

For salad lovers, there's also a Pinoy Salad Station where you can create your own colorful ensemble. And while I'm a salad lover myself, I decided to skip this to give way for more of the meal starters. As you know, I try to pace myself when eating in buffets.

If you want some light carbs to gear things up, a piece or two of Stuffed Pandesal can be the answer. Unlike ordinary pandesal, these treats are stuffed with creamy shiitake mushrooms which make every bite more enjoyable even if you eat them on their own.

There's also the Tomato Pizza which can satisfy both the pizza lovers and the vegetarians. However, while I liked the blend of flavors, I think this would be loads better if they make it thin crust. By then, I feel like this can be a sure crowd pleaser.

Another set of interesting appetizers at Primero Casa Filipino are these hors d'oeuvre.

Baked Aubergine and Cumin

Mustasa Wrap

Steamed Tofu Cake

I was so curious when I saw these plates of bite-size meal starters as they weren't your usual appetizers in buffets. I got one of each, but it was the Mustasa Wrap with honey mustard sauce that reigned supreme. The savory meat filling enveloped in a bundle of mustard leaves was just something new yet still as enticing to my taste buds.

Fried Lumpiang Shanghai

Baked Oyster in Bechamel Sauce

I'm not so sure if these Baked Oyster in Bechamel Sauce are only available during the weekends. But if you see them, make sure to get a piece or two. They were said to be baked, but they still tasted quite raw. Good thing I'm used to eating raw oysters.

Now, let's move on to the soups and main dishes of the night.

Beef Nilaga and Seafood Chowder

And since it was seafood night, there were also these seafood-infused goodies.

Since I love both seafood and kare-kare, I liked this Seafood Kare-Kare rendition. The kare-kare itself was flavorful and peanuty, with or without the bagoong. The mussels, clams and vegetables were all cooked perfectly too.

While I am a sucker for crabs, I was quite disappointed with these Chili Crabs. Don't get me wrong, they're very tasty and will definitely make your P498 worthwhile. However, since I'm used to eating the freshest (live) crabs, I'm not that easy to please especially with frozen crabs which meat will tend to easily fall apart.

The Buttered Shrimp was okay, while the Seafood Paella Rice may still need some improvement as it was a little too sticky and mushy for my liking. Props to the chef though for cooking the seafood pieces perfectly. Honestly, I indulged in the seafood pieces from this rice dish more than the other seafood-infused items.

Then there were also the regular offerings at Primero Casa Filipino. Note though that their buffet menu goes on a cycle so some might not be there if you visit on other days.

Vegetable Pritata and Steamed Vegetables

Another memorable dish of the night was the Bicol Express Pasta. I love creative dishes, and this just made use of both creativity and one my favorite Filipino dishes -- bicol express. Now, who would have thought that bicol express and pasta can be combined not just in one sentence, but even in one word? The harmony of that creamy coconuty note, chilies and nicely-cooked pasta will definitely be remembered.

Fish Fillet in Bell Pepper Adobado and Braised Chicken BBQ

There were also entrées for both fish loves and chicken lovers. However, I think the food warming system left the fish dry in the inside. As for the chicken, I wasn't able to try it out since I was on a chicken-eating hiatus. (Blame the home for feeding me chicken daily.)

Here's where you can choose to feast upon the healthiest or the deadliest among them.

Steamed Maya-Maya

Roasted Angus Beef (My default choice!)

Zubuchon

I've actually tried all these three and I rank the Roasted Angus Beef first, the Zubuchon second, and the Steamed Maya-Maya last. They were actually equally good, but in the end, it'll all come down to taste preference. And, I just love my beef. Yum!

As for desserts, here are the items I've spotted at Primero Casa Filipino.

Cherry Cake

Native Palitaw

Suman Panna Cotta

Brownies

Rhum Balls

Chocolate fondue and fruit slices

Tapioca with Langka Sauce

Halo-Halo Shooters

Cappuccino

We've tried almost every dessert item, but the ones which made a huge impression were the Suman Panna Cotta, Rhum Balls, and Halo-Halo Shooter. Oh, and the small cup of Cappuccino deserves a mention too since I enjoyed it as well.

My Plates (What I Got)

I know this post is already very long. But let me just share with you some photos of my plates since I've taken and edited them. It would be a waste not to include them here.

Steamed Tofu Cake, Mustasa Wrap, Baked Aubergine and Cumin, and Fried Lumpiang Shanghai

Pandesal stuffing; Egg Salad, Mustasa Wrap, Tomato Pizza, Stuffed Pandesal, and Hawaiian Coleslaw

Bicol Express Pasta, Egg Salad, Baked Oyster with Bechamel Sauce, and Vegetable Pritata

Seafood Kare-Kare, Seafood Paella Rice, Fish Fillet in Bell Pepper Adobado, Buttered Shrimp and Steamed Vegetables

Egg Salad, Chili Crab, Zubuchon, and Roasted Angus Beef

Brownie, Suman Panna Cotta, Rhum Ball and Cherry Cake

Halo-Halo Shooter, and Chocolate & Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream

Tekali Shot from the bar

THE VERDICT

While I don't usually enjoy dining in Filipino restaurants, let alone Filipino buffets, I was surprised that I found my palate enjoying at Primero Casa Filipino. Although they don't offer a buffet spread as extensive as those of hotels, or those luxury eat-all-you-can destinations, Primero Casa Filipino still carries a good variety of not just ordinary Filipino fare, but also of creative dishes. And with friendly servers, a nice and elegant ambiance, plus a buffet rate that won't leave a hole in your pocket, I definitely recommend Primero Casa Filipino to anyone looking for an affordable yet good quality Filipino buffet.

Taste - 3.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4.5/5
Price - 5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Primero Casa Filipino, Quezon City
26 Scout Torillo cor. Scout Fernandez St.,
Sacred Heart, Quezon City
(02) 921-2448; 921-1850; (0917) 851-2272
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Corner Tree Cafe: Award-Winning Vegetarian Food in Makati

2013-03-17T22:09:00.000+08:00

Before 2012 ended, I was lucky to have won a gift certificate from Corner Tree Cafe by being the 3,000th liker of their Facebook page. Being someone who doesn't really have good luck, I was really surprised yet very grateful at the same time. You see, the reason I looked up Corner Tree Cafe on Facebook was the fact that this vegetarian restaurant won the Best Specialty Cuisine in Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secrets for 2012.

It wasn't until last month though that the beau and I found ourselves inside the dining space of the award-winning Corner Tree Cafe in Jupiter Street, Makati. Prior to visiting, I've already pictured the restaurant to be cozy and laid back. I wasn't expecting that it would literally feel like home though. While the area is small with tables a little too close to each other, I felt that it fits with the whole neighborhood cafe theme. The place felt intimate yet refreshing, and we easily found ourselves at ease at the window-side table.

Although I really dig the ambiance of the place as well as how witty its name is, the beau and I were still more excited to try out their food. Neither of us is a vegan nor a vegetarian, but being recently conscious with what we eat, we were psyched to find out for ourselves if Corner Tree Cafe serves healthy meals without sacrificing flavor.

And to start off our lunch, we had the Vegetable Dumplings (P150), a new offering at Corner Tree Cafe's menu that comes with five bundles of goodness stuffed with shiitake mushrooms, spinach, carrots and singakamas (jicama), and served with a rice vinegar dipping sauce on the side.

While both the beau and I are serious meat lovers, we can't deny that we fell in love with these Vegetable Dumplings. The filling was delicately savory, encased in a soft yet chewy wrapper. Seriously, this is one of the best dumplings I've ever had and I can't believe this is completely vegetarian! Now, I wish I had three orders of this though.

For mains, I got the Spaghettini with Broccoli and Toasted Nuts (P325) (almonds or pine nuts) topped with Parmesan cheese. When this plate was brought to our table, I felt excited yet a little disappointed as well. For the price, the serving was quite small for a heavy eater like me. However, upon tasting it, it was better than I expected. Despite having simple ingredients, the dish was tasty, with varied textures, and healthy at that. Even the beau who isn't a big fan of broccoli enjoyed his few forkfuls from my plate.

The beau had Tofu Teriyaki with Sauteed Asparagus & Shiitake Mushrooms (P280) which is a vegan dish served over organic red rice. Compared to my order, this rice bowl is an explosion of stronger flavors. Even if I'm not crazy for tofu, I can't get enough of the tofu teriyaki. It was just so savory and simply delish! The veggies were cooked perfectly too and came coated with the same flavorful teriyaki sauce. Everything in this bowl was so scrumptious that I think I got spoonfuls from the beau's order more than I should've.

For dessert, we had the Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte (P160), a serving of rich and sinful layers of crust, salted caramel and chocolate mousse. While both the beau and I are fans of this type of dessert, we were unprepared for how rich the salted caramel tastes. Really, it's the most intensely-flavored salted caramel mixture I've had. Good thing the chocolate mousse and crust counteract its richness making every forkful very enjoyable. So surely, this is a dessert even more perfect for salted caramel lovers.

Since it was quite a hot afternoon that day, I got myself a glass of their home-brewed Organic Lemongrass Iced Tea (P90) which I loved. It was refreshing with subtle lemongrass flavor and sweetened with natural muscovado sugar. The very safe-playing beau on the other hand, had Fresh Mango Shake (P120) sweetened with honey.

THE VERDICT

After an afternoon at Corner Tree Cafe, I think I've fallen in love with healthy-eating even more. I may not be capable of fully converting into a vegan or even a vegetarian, but I'll surely try to eat more healthy dishes especially if they're as good as what Corner Tree Cafe offers. And with a refreshing, laid-back ambiance coupled with prompt & courteous service, meat eater or not, I'm very positive that this homey cafe will satisfy. So Corner Tree Cafe, thank you for inspiring me to eat & live healthier. See you again soon!

Taste - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Corner Tree Cafe, Bel-Air
150 Jupiter St. (cor. Saturn St.,)
Bel-Air, Makati
Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 897-0295; (0906) 558-6177
Official Website
Facebook Page

Manang's Chicken: New Garlic Pork Rice Meal and More

2013-03-13T16:04:00.000+08:00

We Filipinos love fried chicken. But although Manang's Chicken dubbed as the bagong fried chicken ng Pinoy specializes in what else but double-fried and glazed poultry, the beau and I discovered a new treat worth going back for again and again in this home-grown food chain. And take note, as good as their chicken is, this one's different.

Last month, we visited the Manang's Chicken branch in SM North EDSA The Annex. Although I've already been to Manang's Chicken before, this was my first time to visit this particular branch. The Annex store is definitely smaller than their Wilcon City Center branch, but it has the same warm and comfy vibe for a fast food restaurant.

This is the new offering at Manang's Chicken I was most excited to try. Being a garlic, a pork and a rice lover, this serving of their Garlic Pork Rice Meal (P109) had me at hello. Not only did the breaded pork came in topped with generous amounts of garlic bits combined with bread crumbs, but it was also served with a really big cup of rice as well as some vinegar dipping sauce and a glass of either lemonade or iced tea. Since the beau and I weren't really starving at that time, this serving left us fuller than usual.

Of course, since we're already at Manang's Chicken, I didn't forget to order my favorite Manang's Chips and Dips (Regular P39; Large P58). I can still remember how I fell in love with these gorgeous potato chips which are so crispy and so addicting, and after reuniting with them again, I fell in love with them all over again. Call me cheesy but they're really that good! We had the usual garlic mayo and creamy cheese dips, but we also decided to try the new spicy ketchup dip which was also a hit to both the beau and I.

The chips were enjoyable enough to eat along with our meaty entrée. However, we decided to have additional sides -- Macaroni Salad (Regular P29; Large P45). Being a big fan of macaroni salads, I can't say that I was entirely pleased with Manang's Chicken's version. It was okay, but I wish I just ordered their buttered corn instead.

I can't stress enough how full we already were at this point. However, since this new treat, the Red Velvet Sundae (P49) is being offered for a limited time only (extended until March 31), I didn't dare miss the chance to try it out. True to its promise, the layer of red velvet cake at the bottom was warm, luscious and just comforting. When eaten with the creamy and smooth vanilla ice cream, a spoonful can simply brighten your day despite how bad your mood was, or even when you're PMS-ing. I guess the only thing I didn't like about this dessert was the candy sprinkles on top since I'm not really a big fan.

THE VERDICT

Our trip to Manang's Chicken in SM North EDSA The Annex really left me a good impression. While I'm not so crazy about double-fried chicken anymore, I'm sure to have the Garlic Pork Rice Meal again since it's definitely a good bang for the buck. Of course, I won't miss the chips and dip, as well as the Red Velvet Sundae while I'm at it. Service-wise, I can't complain about anything since the crew that day were really friendly and accommodating. Unlike in some fast food restaurants where the staff can bring your mood down, we felt the opposite. We went to Manang's feeling a little stressed, but we dined and left the store feeling better than ever. So to Manang's Chicken, thank you!

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Manang's Chicken, SM City North EDSA The Annex
G/F SM City North EDSA Annex, North Ave.,
Sto. Cristo, Quezon City
Metro Manila, Philippines
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Yabu: Revisiting the House of Katsu

2013-03-07T10:14:00.000+08:00

It's been quite a while since I've last paid a trip to Yabu: House of Katsu, so when I received an invitation from Ms. Erika to try out the most recent additions to Yabu's roster of excellent katsus, I just couldn't say no. I mean, after trying it out before and falling in love with Yabu, just who in their right minds would decline to a gracious offer like this?

So with my (elder) sister in tow, we visited Yabu: House of Katsu in SM Megamall. I don't frequent this particular SM mall so it was really nice to be back. It brought back memories of when I first got to try out Yabu, as well as the time I won a free meal from the House of Katsu. Since my last visit, I didn't seem to notice anything different. The place was still inviting and donned with amusing manga (Japanese comics), and there's still my favorite creative wall intricately made up of masu cups (used for drinking sake).

The Yabu sauce ritual -- Grind. Pour. Mix. Dip.

When in Yabu, you first start with making the famous Yabu sauce. The staff will be giving you some sesame seeds which you'll have to grind first to release more of its flavor and aroma. When you're happy with your ground sesame seeds, pour some Bulldog brand tonkatsu sauce and mix. I wasn't able to take a photo of the dipping part, but I assure you, my katsu for that night had plenty of actual experience. *wink*

Menchi Katsu Set (P350)

There are basically 2 new items at Yabu. The first one is the Menchi Katsu which comes as a set in typical Yabu fashion, alongside unlimited steamed Japanese rice, some pickles, a bowl of miso soup, unlimited cabbage salad and a bowl of sliced fruits.

Menchi Katsu which is an authentic Japanese minced meat katsu dish, is made from superior ground beef and pork, mixed with Yabu's special spices and stuffed with creamy cheese. So far, I've read several reviews raving about this new item. And after taking a mouthful, I can say that I couldn't agree more!

Though I'm not typically a fan of ground meat, I can't say the same with Yabu's Menchi Katsu. When cooked with high quality ingredients and done right, a simple ground meat dish can taste so amazing. The meat was just so soft, so flavorful, so succulent, and encased in a crispy katsu breading. And while I'm already satisfied with just the breaded meat, the cheese makes it all the more enjoying. Just imagine the creamy cheese oozing out when you bite through the Menchi Katsu. Now, that's just total food porn!

Menchi Katsu Curry (P370)

The plain Menchi Katsu is already very satisfying and definitely far from being a plain Jane. But for curry lovers, the Menchi Katsu can come in a curry set served with potatoes, carrots and curry sauce atop a serving of steaming Japanese rice.

Like the usual sets at Yabu, this Menchi Katsu Curry comes with some Japanese pickles, a bowl of miso soup, a serving of unlimited cabbage salad and a bowl of sliced fruits on the side. I'm not sure if the rice is also unlimited, but personally, I don't think I'll be needing more rice since what's on the katsu curry bowl is already more than enough.

I can't remember anymore if we were asked this the first time we had curry at Yabu. But this time, I definitely won't forget that the server inquired of our spiciness preference. We had it moderately spicy, by the way. And while I didn't personally get to taste this item since this was my sister's order, I can see that she was really happy with what she got. Of course, how can anyone not be happy with the juicy and cheesy Menchi Katsu?

Soft Shell Crab Set (P480)

Another new addition to Yabu's menu is the Soft Shell Crab Katsu which also comes in a set served with unlimited Japanese rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited cabbage salad with sesame dressing, and some watermelon and pineapple slices.

Ms. Erika apologized that the soft shell crabs this time weren't big enough, but actually, they're already quite big for me since I'm used to eating even smaller soft shell crabs. Anyway, since we're in the House of Katsu, these seafood treats were also coated with fresh panko then fried to a crisp, and served with Yabu's ponzu and layu sauce.

Since I'm a sucker for seafood, I immediately loved the Soft Shell Crab Katsu. It was crunchy, juicy and oozing with crab flavor. And when dipped in the ponzu sauce, it becomes more brightly-flavored and all the more enjoying. However, if I have to choose between the 2 new Yabu items -- the Soft Shell Crab Katsu and the Menchi Katsu, as much as I hate to admit it (sorry seafood) but my heart and palate belongs to the latter.

Again, thank you Ms. Erika for inviting me to try these new Yabu additions. We really enjoyed the food, and thanks to you I discovered another favorite at Yabu.

Yabu at SM Mall of Asia

I'm not the type who go back to the same restaurant right away. But since this is technically not the same restaurant... Nah, it just so happens that the beau and I already planned visiting the new Yabu at SM Mall of Asia, so here's another Yabu adventure.

Hyayakko Tofu and Potato Salad

For this trip, we started off with the Duo of Appetizers (P195) where you can choose any 2 out of their 4 items. We had the Hyayakko Tofu and my favorite Potato Salad this time. And oh, now I've officially tried all 4 appetizers, so hurrah! (This would've been easy if I didn't always get the potato salad and wakame. But I can't help it!)

I told the beau how good the Menchi Katsu was so we ended up ordering it, as well as the Kurobuta Pork Set (90g P515; 120g P575) which I've always wanted to try but can't get myself to order it every time for some reason. This time, I finally did and I was actually really excited to get a taste of what's also known as the Black Berkshire pig, the world's finest pork and the kobe beef equivalent in the pork world.

We had the 120g serving since we were starving that afternoon. Initially, I planned to consume the whole Kurobuta Pork Katsu myself. But since I wanted to have some pieces of Menchi Katsu, I had to share. Haha! Anyway, the Kurobuta Pork Katsu definitely lived up to my expectation. It was super tender, super succulent and just oozes out with flavor compared to the usual rosu or hire serving. However, since I really love the Menchi Katsu, I'm actually torn. I think this is a good sign though.

THE VERDICT

Just like my first and second visit to Yabu: House of Katsu, my recent third and fourth one left me with nothing but good vibes. As expected, the food was excellent, service was courteous and prompt, and the ambiance fun yet very welcoming at the same time. Overall, I enjoyed both trips to Yabu's SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia branches, both with my sister and with the beau, and I can't wait to be back at Yabu's doorstep yet again.

Taste - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Yabu: House of Katsu, SM Megamall
2/F, SM Megamall, Julia Vargas Ave.
Mandaluyong City
(02) 576-3900

Yabu: House of Katsu, SM Mall of Asia
2/F SM Mall of Asia, Main Mall Atrium, South Arcade, Pacific Dr.
Manila Bay Reclamation Area, Pasay City
(02) 511-7202
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