Affordable Chinese Rice Toppings at Magic Wok

There used to be a Magic Wok branch at SM Manila Foodcourt that had been a favorite of Edwin and I when we were on our first years together as a couple. We would eat delicious Chinese rice toppings there thrice a week. I remember I would order the same toppings (Mixed Seafood Oriental) just because it had become a sort of comfort food to me. But one day the stall closed down and we never saw a Magic Wok branch again. Until we passed through the foodcourt of Glorietta 4 in Makati Thursday night and noticed a Magic Wok stall there.

We didn't waste time and ordered our favorite rice meals in a jiffy. Edwin had Beef Teriyaki, P78 and I had my favorite Mixed Seafood Oriental, P79. Our dinner that night was pure bliss. The quality of food at Magic Wok didn't change an inch. It still offers the same Chinese goodness as before. Its rice toppings are still as delectable and affordable as ever. A bowl of yummy rice toppings starts at P55.


Magic Wok's Beef Teriyaki


Magic Wok's Mixed Seafood Oriental
Menu wise, nothing has also changed with Magic Wok except that they now have desserts and Bento meals priced at P135. They still give complimentary egg drop soup. The long queue was still there during our visit, a proof that people continue to patronize their offerings.

I just have a little observation with the service at Magic Wok-Glorietta 4 Foodcourt. The order taker during my visit was unfriendly. She was petite and wide-faced. She seemed in a hurry when taking orders from customers. The fact that we dined there a few minutes before closing time was not a valid reason for her to show the customers that she was itching to go home. During my turn, for instance, I was still deciding on what rice toppings to get and she was like asking already what my drinks were! Uno momento, por pabor. It was very insensitive of her. And to think she was frowning all the time. I hope the owner finds out about this unfriendly attitude of one of his employees. It's poor customer service that could drive potential and regular customers away.

It's a different story with the cashier and the server. They were both friendly and easy to deal with. They made my Magic Wok experience still enjoyable.

Eating at Magic Wok guarantees gastronomical pleasure, especially if you're craving for good Chinese food that's cooked fast in high fire. Take it from me.


Magic Wok
Glorietta 4 Foodcourt
Makati City


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Yummy Katsudon at Hot Chicks, SM Supermarket Food Stalls

Whenever I do grocery shopping at an SM Supermarket, I always end up eating at one of the food stalls fronting its counters. There are just too many food choices there that resisting the urge to eat is impossible. One afternoon at the SM Supermarket inside SM Manila, I craved for Japanese food and ordered Katsudon at Hot Chicks which is strategically located near the baggage deposit area of the supermarket. If I'm not mistaken, Hot Chicks is operated by SM Supermarket itself.


Katsudon is a popular Japanese food consisting of plain, white rice topped with breaded pork cutlets, egg and a special sauce with sliced onions, leeks and vegetables. At P55, which was budget-friendly for me, the Katsudon at Hot Chicks was delicious and came in generous serving. I think its the sliced onions and leeks that give this Japanese rice toppings its characteristic aroma and flavor. Compared to other Katsudons I've tried before, Hot Chick's Katsudon had just the right saltiness.


The Katsudon at Hot Chicks is the perfect meal for students and for people on the go. The only thing I didn't like about it was the size of the pork meat used. Apparently, the breading (which I have to admit was tasty!) was bigger than the pork meat.


See what I mean? I hope they do something about this little observation of mine. SM Supermarket denizens like me will surely appreciate seeing the Katsudon at Hot Chicks get meatier and not more breading-ful, if there is such a word.

Aside from Katsudon, Hot Chicks sells whole fried chicken and a couple of rice meals.


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Ben's Authentic Cebu Lechon at Park Mall, Cebu City

Aside from Magellan's Cross, Cebu is also known for its succulent lechon. Lechon or roast pig is actually one of Cebu's best foodie finds. Cebu lechon is different from the lechons found in other parts of the Philippines. For one, it has lemon grass stuffings which enhance the flavor of the lechon and give it a citrus-y smell. Also, it doesn't come with a thick, liver-based sauce and instead, it is only paired with a soy-vinegar dip.


While CNT Lechon is a popular name in Metro Manila when it comes to authentic Cebu lechon, there are also other names that offer Cebu lechon that are as authentic and good-tasting as the ones from CNT. Just like Ben's Authentic Cebu Lechon. My friends and I had a late lunch at their stall inside Save More Market-Park Mall on the day we arrived in Cebu.





We ordered half kilo of Ben's lechon (good for 3-5 persons) for P187.50 and two servings of dinuguan or pork blood stew. We also got a basket of puso, the typical Cebuano rice. It is steamed rice wrapped in coconut leaves shaped like a ball.

What can I say? That lunch was one of the best I've ever had. I loved Ben's lechon at the first bite. The pork skin was crispy and the meat was juicy and tasty. The lechon smelled good, too, just how I envisioned it to be. I really ate a lot. I would have wanted to eat more but I soon realized it was too tasty that eating more would mean eating more puso (Cebuano rice). I was trying to cut my rice intake to lose weight so I behaved myself.




The next time you go to Cebu, try Ben's Authentic Cebu Lechon and get rewarded. It's authentic Cebu lechon at a friendly price. I just love it. :)

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Buffet Alert: Eat-All-You-Can Pasta at Joey Pepperoni

My friends know how much I enjoy eating pasta. May it be red, white or green or whatever color of sauce there is, so long as it's creamy and delectable, bring it on. I'm not also particular with the pasta noodle used, but I have some favorites such as linguini and penne. It's no wonder then that when I learned about Joey Pepperoni's current promo, the Eat-All-You-Can Pasta at P150, my heart leapt in joy.


Get unlimited refill of pasta in three different sauces: meatsauce, pesto and carbonara. Add a glass of ice-cold softdrink or tea and you'll instantly experience pure bliss. You know you can't resist this tempting offer. Oh and, now you know where I'll go straight this weekend...and the next. Share the good news to your pasta-loving friends. :)

Eat All You Can Pasta at Joey Pepperoni is available at the following branches:

RFM
Pioneer
Salcedo
L4, Robinsons Manila
SM Southmall
Mall of Asia
Fairways Tower
The Fort
SM Mezza Residences

For more information, visit www.joeypep.com. Hav'a happy pasta buffet! :)

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Great Pizza at Mamma Maria's Pizzeria & Ristorante, Lapu-lapu City

Right after Edwin and I landed at Mactan International Airport last Friday, our ever-generous friend Chivs took us on a lunch out at Mactan Town Center in Lapu-lapu City. The three of us wolfed down a medium-sized pizza (8 slices, good for 3-4 persons) and shared two large servings of pasta : carbonara and meatball spaghetti at Mamma Maria's Pizzeria & Ristorante, the home of the biggest pizza in the world (52 inches).


I daresay the pizza at Mamma Maria's Pizzeria is one of the best I've ever tasted. The Opera Pizza we ordered which had tomato sauce, mozarella cheese, ham and tuna was a revelation. I didn't know the combination of tuna and ham could be that delectable. The ham was sweet and the tuna provided the needed kick of flavor. The crust was thin and flaky yet fresh and flavorful. The tasty and crunchy crust was a delight inside my mouth. The pizza was light yet filling. Chivs recommendation is indeed a winner!


I learned that the pizza dough at Mamma Maria's Pizzeria is made on the spot. I caught the pizza dough maker at work and asked for some snapshots and he gladly obliged.


The place is spacious as it's a food court and Mamma Maria's Pizzeria share it with other tenants such as Siomai sa Tisa and a specialty store. The interior isn't air-conditioned but is airy enough to provide good ventilation to diners.




I don't have much to say about the two pasta we ate except that I liked the carbonara better than the meatball spaghetti. The meatballs were too bland for my taste. Perhaps the fact that the pasta arrived late (more than 30 minutes and we almost canceled our order) made me lose my appetite for it.






Prices at Mamma Maria's Pizzeria are quite affordable. Pizza starts at P80 and pasta, P49 for the medium size. Allot P200 per head or less and you're bound to get a delightful snack or lunch. And if you happen to visit while their free drinks promo is up (just like when we did), you might just be able to save some bucks.

If only for the pizza, which I think is yummy, I'll go back to Mamma Mia's Pizzeria when I get back to Cebu this year. I plan to try the other pizza varieties that have quirky names such as Fantastico, Romeo and Tropicana.



Mamma Maria's Pizzeria & Ristorante
Mactan Town Center, Lapu-lapu City

Other Branches:
Cebu City (on Gorordo Avenue, fronting Asilo dela Milagrosa Chruch)
Delivery Hotline: (+6332) 417-1177

Bacolod City (on Lacson St.)
Silay City
Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental


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New Fusilli Salad from Delifrance

When was the last time you dined at Delifrance? After the well-loved Roast Beef Sandwich comes yet another exciting dish -- Fusilli Salad! It's spiral pasta with peaches and jello in a special vinaigrette dressing. Jello and pasta in a salad? Hmmm...I've gotta try it one of these days.

Fusilli Salad is available at all Delifrance Cafes nationwide. P59 for half size and P115 for the whole.


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Siomai sa Tisa, Cebu City

Whenever I visit Cebu, there's always something I get to discover. It could be a new place or restaurant, sometimes it's a foodie find worth sharing. Just this morning, after we arrived in Mactan airport, our friend Chivs brought us to Mactan Town Center for snacks. There's a small food court there that can accommodate around fifty people. This was where I got introduced to the Siomai of Tisa or in local dialect, Siomai sa Tisa.

Tisa is a small village in Labangon, the second largest barangay in Cebu City. (EDIT: Tisa is actually a barangay in Cebu City.) It seems the siomai took the name of the place to distinguish itself from the other siomais in the city. So, what makes this siomai different and why do Cebuanos rave about them?


The answer lies in the taste. When I took a bite of the Siomai sa Tisa, I instantly liked it. The pork and the pork fat blended well, creating a fusion of flavors not usually present in other siomais. The good taste was complemented by the chili sauce which had a characteristic spice. Unlike other siomais, the Siomai sa Tisa I ate with gusto was not dipped in soy-calamansi sauce.


When you visit Cebu, try this siomai and see for yourself. I bet you'll like it, too. :)

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The New Jollibee Breakfast Joys: More Breakfast Meal Choices and Extended Until 11:00 A.M.!

Your favorite Jollibee breakfast is made more filling and enjoyable. Now there's more Jollibee breakfast meals to choose from and you can avail them daily until 11:00 a.m.! It's an hour longer than before which means you can wake up late and still experience Jollibee breakfast joys at the Jollibee store nearest you.

I was one of the bloggers who braved the crazy weather this morning and partook of the Breakfast Feast for Bloggers prepared by Jollibee and Stratworks, Inc. at Jollibee-Harbor Square, CCP Complex. Before delighting ourselves with the new Jollibee Breakfast Joys, we started off with a short taichi and yoga sessions led by a certain Carl and the two Slimmers World fitness trainers. Jollibee (the mascot) joined us in the warm ups which perked up our senses in no time. The event was fun and I went home stuffed.


PRESS RELEASE

Enjoy Stress-Free Mornings with Jollibee Breakfast Joys!

As most health experts will agree, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, in today’s fast-paced world many young working professionals find it too troublesome to wake up early to prepare their own food. As such, they often opt to simply skip this significant morning ritual.

Fortunately, Jollibee lets you wake-up to stress-free mornings with Jollibee Breakfast Joys. With a variety of delicious and filling choices, Jollibee Breakfast Joys are available to make sure you have the energy you need to face a busy day ahead. Served hot and fresh by Jollibee, it also provides you with the convenience of staying in bed a little longer or attending to your other morning duties, such as gearing up for work or preparing your kids for school.

“It’s really all about having stress-free mornings,” says Jollibee’s PR manager Arline Adeva. “Early in the day, Jollibee already takes care of preparing hearty breakfast fare with a wide variety of choices so you can do much more in the morning. You don’t have to worry about rushing to prepare and cook a good breakfast that you can actually enjoy.”

With a wide array of choices ranging from rice meals to pancakes, Jollibee Breakfast Joys offers something to suit every taste. Those who want a traditional Pinoy rice meal can choose among any of the following: Longganisa, Crispy Bangus, Chicken Tocino, Beef Tapa, Hotdog, Corned Beef and Breakfast Steak which all come with garlic rice, fried egg and your choice of coffee, hot chocolate or any regular cold drink. Meanwhile, those who are looking for an alternative yet equally filling breakfast treat may go for either 2-pc Pancakes with butter and maple syrup or the signature Pancake Sandwich, a delightful treat of savory sausage patty and scrambled egg in between two pancakes. Enjoy them either solo or value meal complete with a regular drink of your choice.

So for stress-free mornings, get your fill of the Jollibee Breakfast Joys at your nearest Jollibee store. The Jollibee Breakfast Joys is available daily until 11 am for dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru, or through the 8-7000 Jollibee Express Delivery service.

Now you know where to get breakfast when you wake up late. It happens regularly to most people. Breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day as it gives us the energy we need to go about our daily activities. I'm a breakfast person, are you?

Here's the latest Jollibee TVC that will surely inspire you to wake up late and still get something special for breakfast:


The song lyrics are catchy, aren't they? I swear I can sing some of the lines now.

More photos to follow...

P. S. Many thanks to Jollibee and Stratworks, Inc. for this awesome bloggers event. :)

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Pizza Hut's Viva Lasagna Pizza Just Got Meatier!

Who can resist a slice of hot-off-the-grill pizza? No one, especially if it's from Pizza Hut! Wait, did you know that Pizza Hut's Viva Lasagna Pizza just got meatier? I loved it before, I'll surely love it more in the coming days.


Go to your nearest Pizza Hut restaurant now to taste this new improvement to the famous Viva Lasagna Pizza or call 911-11-11 for delivery.


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