Foodiestation

Delicious Singapore Food at Ang Mo Kio!

2012-01-19T15:33:00.010+08:00

Last Sunday, we hit the road to visit two prospective principal sponsors for our upcoming wedding. Coming from the house of one of them, we decided to have lunch in one of the restos at the Podium before driving to the other one's residence in Pasig. Upon seeing the inviting aura of Ang Mo Kio with its artsy, Singapore-themed interiors, I just had to drag my two companions inside the restaurant. Soon enough, we were enjoying a light and healthy lunch composed of authentic-tasting Hainanese Chicken, sauteed bokchoy and teh tarik.

cool store concept art

clean, neat dining space

white-washed table (I love vintage-inspired furniture!)

According to the waiter who served our food, Ang Mo Kio means "tomato farm." Primarily, it serves Singaporean dishes at reasonable prices. Our 1/2 Hainanese Chicken that came with two bowls of sauteed bokchoy and two cups of chicken rice, for instance, was priced at just P500. Ideally good for two persons, we made it feed the three of us by getting an additional order of chicken rice. Smart, eh?

1/2 Hainanese Chicken

Hainanese Chicken up close

The Hainanese Chicken was good. It was authentic-tasting as I imagined it to be (which made me miss Singapore and its delicious cuisine in an instant). The deboned chicken meat was tender with just the right amount of fat. It's bland when eaten on its own but once you dip the meat in the three sauces (chili sauce, ginger sauce and sweet soy sauce), you automatically enhance the taste of the chicken a million times. That's what we did!

condiments for the Hainanese Chicken

It helped that the sauteed bokchoy and the chicken rice that went with it had rich taste and texture, too. We had a satisfying meal right then and there.

sauteed bokchoy

chicken rice

Our complimentary soup arrived only when we asked for it. We saw the other tables being served with the same so we thought it was given for free and we're right, haha. Hot as it was, I poured some into my chicken rice to enrich its flavors. It was effective! I finished everything on my plate within minutes. Yum!

complimentary soup

While my two companions had lemon iced tea (P50), I got a glass of teh tarik or milk tea (P70) to complete my Singaporean dining experience in Manila. The milk tea was creamy and had just the right tea flavor. I liked it as it was.

Teh Tarik, P70

We dined at Ang Mo Kio on their third soft opening day. The service was terrible (super slow and the waiters seemed confused and cramming), but we didn't mind. We went there for the food, anyway.

with the fiance

The menu was still very limited, but according to one of the owners Ritchie, more items will be added soon. I guess we have to go back to Podium to see what they are and try them.

open kitchen; chef at work

with Ritchie, one of Ang Mo Kio's owners

Ang Mo Kio restaurant from the outside

If you're craving for delicious Singaporean food at Manila prices, Ang Mo Kio is a good place to visit.

Ang Mo Kio
3/L The Podium
ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center
Mandaluyong City

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Eat-All-You-Can Buffalo Wings at Buffalo Wild Wings

2012-01-12T19:24:00.015+08:00

Armed with two Cash Cash Pinoy vouchers, I took my sister N to Buffalo Wild Wings one Sunday morning. Prior to going there, I made a reservation for a table for two with the restaurant. Originally, it was for the fiancé and me but he backed out last minute due to an errand that no one could finish but him. Commuting from our place all the way to Panay Avenue in Quezon City was no easy task so I made sure to make the most of our time. I had my second IPL session with Power Peel Clinic at 11:30 a.m. (also on Panay Avenue) before having a satisfying brunch at Buffalo Wild Wings with N at past 12:00 p.m.

The buffalo wings at Buffalo Wild Wings are categorized according to heat levels. It's Piccolo for the mildest, followed by Five Star, Super Lolo and the hottest Goodbye Philippines (scary!). We only get to try the first two, though, and they're both good.

choose your wings based on heat levels

At Buffalo Wild Wings, the eat-all-you-can wings are cooked-to-order. Once you're finished with your first basket of wings, you could order again until your tummy is satisfied. I think we had a total of six baskets. Or probably more. Haha.

For our first basket, we settled on the mildest Piccolo. The photos I took using my Nokia E63 are of low quality but I assure you the wings look very appetizing in the flesh. Anyway, the Piccolo was a combination of sweet, sour, salty, butter-y and saucy. It wasn't as crunchy as the other chicken wings I've tried before but the richness in taste and flavor made up for it. We liked it a lot and didn't mind sucking up all the fatty goodness of the wings. It was yummy both as is and with rice. We'd found out later that the unlimited rice was included in their Cash Cash Pinoy promo offer. Cool. We each got a cup of rice to pair with our delicious Piccolo wings!

Afraid that the buffalo wings would be too hot for my sister's liking (she's not a big fan of hot and spicy food), I decided to just order Five Star and skip on the remaining two variants. The Five Star wings were hot but not too hot. It also didn't have so much to offer when it came to flavors. It was just hot and a bit salty and sour, that's all. Between the Piccolo and the Five Star wings, the former is the runaway winner for me.

love 'em wings!

blurry Five Star drumette

N and I didn't bother getting dips for our chicken wings. They were good on their own, anyway. If you prefer to have dips (blue cheese, creamy cheese and spicy mayo), they cost P50 each.

We also ordered their Ultimate Nachos, P169. The serving was generous and we thought we got what we paid for. My only complaint is that it was disgustingly oily, like we found at least five tablespoons of oil from the ground beef lying under the mountain of nachos. Gross.

We wanted to try their other appetizers but most of them were not available because according to the girl that served us, their supplies hadn't arrived yet. Poor restaurant. They're driving away sales just like that.

Buffalo Wild Wings has neat, modern interiors. I like its red and white theme with touches of black here and there. Aside from their specialty buffalo wings, the restaurant has some good starters and rice meals on its menu. The prices are VAT-inclusive and definitely pocket-friendly.

The service at Buffalo Wild Wings during our visit was a bit slow but it's no big deal to us, I heard they've just opened recently so they could still improve.

my sister N and yours truly

more food

When I told the fiancé that Buffalo Wild Wings serves good wings, he immediately asked me to go back. Yes, why not? But maybe on my next IPL treatment na para sulit ang lakad. Plus, I'll bring a better camera already. :)

Buffalo Wild Wings
2/F ITC Building
Timog cor. Panay Avenues
Quezon City

(+632) 565-2812

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Our Joint Birthday Celebration at Lola Maria's Restaurant, Legend Villas

2012-01-04T18:42:00.002+08:00

The lunch buffet at Lola Maria's, the in-house fine dining restaurant of Legend Villas in Mandaluyong City, was my top choice for the joint birthday celebration of my father, my sister N and myself last October 2011. No, I didn't rent the place for a party (but that would've been more fun!), we just reserved a table for nine and availed their lunch buffet on October 30. It was the first time we had a buffet in a restaurant as a family and it has been an enjoyable and memorable experience for all of us.

the sumptuous buffet spread at Lola Maria's

I wanted to make the event a little more special so I asked my family and that of the fiancee's to dress well. No fancy get-ups, though, just casual attire that would make us feel more pleasant-looking and comfy on a hot Sunday noon.

The lunch buffet at Lola Maria's start at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. We arrived tad early and killed time by taking photos at the hotel lobby. A few minutes later, we got seated in our table and started filling up our plates with delicious Filipino food. Yes, Lola Maria's lunch buffet offers Pinoy specialties.

The main buffet station, for instance, featured yummy Pinoy fares such as chicken inasal, kare-kare, and lechon kawali. There are also a few foreign dishes given a Pinoy twist such as fish with aioli, chopsuey and pancit canton. There were also the soup station (that day they had La Paz Batchoy!), the appetizer station with lumpiang prito (vegetable spring rolls) and Pinoy salad (mango strips, tomatoes and bagoong) and the desserts station offering DIY halo-halo, leche flan, fresh fruits, and a chocolate fondue. I hope they add dirty ice cream to their dessert items in the future. This will definitely complete the authentic Pinoy dining experience they currently offers to their guests

yummy kare-kare

I only filled my plate with the dishes I wanted. As far as I can remember, everything tasted good. I especially liked the fish with aoili and the lechon kawali because of their distinctive textures and rich flavors. Try it when you visit Lola Maria's and you'll know what I mean.

my plate

I also liked their La Paz Batchoy and how the restaurant was generous with the toppings. My only complain was that the soup was just lukewarm and not hot as I expected it to be. I was the first to approach the soup station so I knew right then and there that it wasn't really hot.

I ended my delicious Pinoy meal with an equally Pinoy dessert: halo-halo. At Lola Maria's, the halo-halo station is beaming with fresh ingredients. I liked how they are very generous with the milk and the leche flan!

more desserts!

For P450 per head, I think Lola Maria's lunch buffet is a good deal. For our group, we used five Megadeal vouchers (which we bought at Megadeal.com at P250 each a few months ago) and paid for the remaining four at the regular price of P450. It can't be better than that. :)

Lola Maria's Restaurant has a homey yet elegant ambiance. During our visit, it was like we were just eating at a rich aunt's home. I'm guessing the rooms at Legend Villas channel the same look, sophisticated yet very cozy.

The service, on the other hand, was quite slow but generally okay. With under 15 tables to attend to, I think the wait staff can do better next time.

our group

If you like dining out with your family and loved ones and enjoy Filipino food in a cozy setting, you might wanna give Lola Maria's Restaurant a try.

Lola Maria's Restaurant
60 Pioneer corner Madison Sts.
Mandaluyong City 1550

(+632) 633-1501 to 10

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Our Off Beat Cafe Experience

2011-12-21T00:11:00.000+08:00

Armed with some Metrodeal vouchers, the fiancee, his mom, my two sisters and I braved the terrible Makati traffic last Tuesday night and dined at Off Beat Cafe. This restaurant is quite popular because it is home to the Donut Burger. Yes, you read that right. Instead of bread, they use Krispy Kreme glazed donuts for their specialty burger. It's an experience in itself, a unique culinary delight in its own right.

Off Beat Cafe is relatively easy to find as it is housed inside The Collective on Malugay St. in Makati. It's actually just a small cafe with only four tables inside. During our visit, we were the only customers so we had the place all to ourselves. The first few things I noticed when we got inside were the blackboard menu on top of the bar, the poor lighting, the red tables and chairs and the electric fans that provided ventilation to the place. Somehow, it reminded me of school cafeterias.

When we settled in one of the tables, one of the crew approached us to ask what we wanted to eat. I dunno but I found her unfriendly. I didn't see her smile; I looked at her facial expression and thought she was having a bad day then. Anyway, there were only three of them and they worked together as soon as they got our orders.

The ambience at Off Beat Cafe was quite gloomy. The place was a little dark, messy and shabby. I dunno but the lack of lighting, the small space and the non-existence of air-conditioning somehow dampened my mood. My excitement was renewed only upon the arrival of our food and after seeing the famed Donut Burger in the flesh.

The fiancee and his mom ordered their famous Off Beat Burger (a.k.a. Donut Burger, P200) while I tried their Chicken Curry Burger (P185). My two sisters weren't in the mood for burgers at that time and instead, they got rice meals. It was Spammy Delight (P130) for my sister O and Beefy Delight (P130) for my sister N.

Beefy Delight

Spammy Delight

We also got an order of Chili Cheese Logs (P130) as starters which were very tasty.

The fiancee liked his Donut Burger a lot. He said it was bursting with flavors! The glazed donut went well with the juicy and well-seasoned beef patty. For him these were the stars of the ensemble, the cheese, bacon and lettuce were just supporting cast. So I guess the good reviews online weren't lying, after all.

Donut Burger meal

My Chicken Curry Burger was okay. It was a bit spicy and had a very mild curry taste. The chicken patty was juicy and tasty. If I could have it my way, though, I'd ask for a strong curry flavor so that the chicken patty would stand out. Another thing I didn't like about my burger was the cold wheat dough used. I always want my bread to be warm, as in w-a-r-m. I am betting they just reheated it in the oven toaster for a minute. Or maybe less.

Chicken Curry Burger meal

I can't say a lot about the regular fast-food-type fries that went with our burgers except that they put some paprika on it for more flavor. We liked it.

While trying to get a taste of the fiancee's burger, my nose accidentally touched his shirt and it smelled of burgers. Haha. I smelled my top and got the exact same odor. So yeah, it's confirmed you'd really get the smell of whatever you'd be eating here. Not cool.

The rice meals that my two sisters ate were surprisingly decent. At P130, they're not bad.

Aside from their Donut Burger, Off Beat Cafe is famous for their flavored beers. We didn't try any of that and instead, went for the regular soda (P50) and some Sola iced tea (P60).

different beer brands adorn the store's fridge

Our dinner that night was good but nothing special. The food prices at Off Beat Cafe were reasonable considering they're already VAT included. If you'll ask me if I'd go back to Off Beat Cafe, perhaps yes, but not in the near future. :)

our group

Off Beat Cafe entrance

Off Beat Cafe
(inside The Collective)
7274 Malugay St., Makati

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Dinner at Hawaii's North Shore

2011-12-01T13:46:00.009+08:00

Last November 17 which was a Thursday, I was at UP-Ayala Techno Hub for a dinner with the Open Rice Philippines Team. It’s my second time to attend their “Eat’s a Date” activity where they treat Open Ricers and food bloggers to a sumptuous dinner to introduce a particular restaurant and to just have a bonding time with us. This time, we tried the food at Hawaii's North Shore. Our dinner consisted of their signature burgers and steaks which are the stars of the restaurant’s very simple and straightforward menu.

Click Photo to View
iWebPhoto.com

I got caught in the traffic and so I arrived in the restaurant during the latter part of the dinner. I didn’t get to taste the burgers but I did have a great time finishing the various steaks served to us. If I’m not mistaken, I ate three different steaks in one night. How lucky could I get?

My fave among the three would be the Strip Steak because it was succulent and well-seasoned. It also had the right balance of meat and fat I wanted. Simply delicious.

Click Photo to View
iWebPhoto.com

The other two were good as well. They had the right marbling and the meat was fork-tender.

The best thing about the steaks is that their prices were quite affordable considering they were imported beef. Nice.

By the way, I also got a taste of the Caesar salad and it was light and refreshing.

Hawaii's North Shore is one themed restaurant that serves good food at mid-range prices. The ambience is cozy and relaxing. When you're here, it's like you're on a beach, what with all the surfboards and other beach essentials adorning the place. The beach wear-donning wait staff completes the beach vibe and adds a festive mood to the restaurant, too. It helped that they were friendly and attentive, too, during our visit.

Click Photo to View
iWebPhoto.com

If you’re looking for something new and craving for good burgers and steaks, you might wanna check out Hawaiaan North Shore at UP-Ayala Techno Hub!

Hawaii's North Shore
UP-Ayala Technohub
Commonwealth Ave.
Diliman, Quezon City

**Photos courtesy of OpenRice.com

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Food Trip at Midnight Mercato

2011-11-25T19:08:00.001+08:00

If there’s Mercato Centrale weekend market, there’s also Midnight Mercato that opens from 10:00 am to 3:00 am every Friday and Saturday at The Fort. No confusion, though, because they’re from the same organizer and operate at the same venue. While Mercato Centrale boasts mainly of its organic and healthy offerings, Midnight Mercato serves the city dwellers with its plethora of food items that you can eat right there and then. Or to go.

Last Saturday was Midnight Mercato night for us. We found the venue at the corner of 9th Street and 30th Avenue at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

With no unoccupied tables on sight, we had no choice but to take our freshly-bought food home. It turned out to be a blessing because we were able to share our food with more people.

Below are the Midnight Mercato food items we partook of that night (errr, early morning pala):

Manang’s Chicken

The blogs I read about Midnight Mercato prior to our food trip weren’t lying. Manang’s Chicken was really delicious! Basically, it’s double deep-fried chicken coated with Manang’s secret soy sauce (with original, mild spicy or spicy variants) and sprinkled with fresh sesame seed.

The fiancée even commented it tasted better than Bonchon’s. No wonder they had one of the longest customer queues at Midnight Mercato. If you’re visiting Midnight Mercato anytime soon, never leave without trying this chicken!

Sumoyaki Takoyaki

I’m not so sure of the name, but it’s everyone’s favorite takoyaki they’re selling. These takoyaki balls were sold at P70 per four pieces. Unlike the authentic takoyaki in Japan, it had no real octopus inside but crabstick. Still, it was yummy and we liked it.

Bibimbap Rice

We bought this from the stall that sold various Spanish paella rice dishes. The Bibimbap rice looked like it didn’t belong to the group but we tried it anyway because we missed the awesome Bibimbap at Kaya Restaurant. We were disappointed! The Bibimbap rice we got tasted awful. The rice grains were also undercooked and the entire rice mixture was watery (must be due to the cucumber and other veggie bits!). Its only saving grace was the sunny side-up egg on top. But anybody can never go wrong with eggs, right? At P75 per serving, I think it’s a waste of money.

this paella rice tasted way batter than the Bibimbap!

Token Cakes

We got four different cakes: carrot, mango, chocolate and cookies and cream. They were sold for P100 per two cakes. Cheap, isn’t it? I had low expectations with the cakes. Suprisingly, they were good! I particularly liked the carrot cake because it had complete ingredients (walnuts, dried fruits, etc.), the right sweetness and the cream frosting was light but yummy.

Merry Moo Special Ice Cream (Food for the Gods flavor)

I really enjoyed my Food for the Gods ice cream. This butterscotch-flavored ice cream was light, sweet and creamy, just like how ice cream should be. I asked the seller if I could taste their bestsellers (Early Grey Tea and Salt Caramel flavors) but I liked my first choice better so that’s what I bought.

Our food trip at Midnight Mercato was a success. It made me forget I was on a diet, but I’m not complaining. Everything we took home was delicious, save for the terrible Bibimbap rice.

Here are more Midnight Mercato photos:

If you’re bringing a car, parking is P30. While entering the premises, we saw several people eating inside or on the back of their cars. Some were even munching on their snacks while sitting on the sidewalk. Midnight Mercato seems to be a hit. I hope it remains so for a long time.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Lunch at Café Platito (The Cliffhouse, Tagaytay)

2011-11-19T13:17:00.004+08:00

During our recent Tagaytay weekend, I made sure we checked out The Cliffhouse, Tagaytay. It’s one of the best places to visit in the city if you wanna get a good view of the famous Taal Lake. These days, the Cliffhouse serves as a tourist attraction in itself with its beautiful garden landscape and row of restaurants. We went here on a Saturday noon, took a lot of photos and settled for lunch at Café Platito, the first restaurant that caught our attention.

Café Platito sat beside The Inn (the only hotel in the complex) and was right across Café Breton. It was a quaint little dining place with very limited items on its menu. There were a few tables provided for al fresco dining and a few more at the indoor dining area that seemed to double as a souvenir shop.

The fiancee had their Boneless Bonoan Bangus meal (P218) while I settled for their American Beef Burger meal, P198. For drinks, I had a pink lemonade while the fiancée got a regular Coke aside from his complimentary orange juice (for his Bangus meal).

To be honest, I found their food servings quite small. Even the drinks looked kid-size. And to think their prices are on the steep side. Sadly, the taste didn’t make up for these shortcomings.

pink lemonade, P75

orange juice (complimentary)

My burger was nothing special: two small beef patty with cheese, mustard and ketchup on a ciabatta bread. I liked the use of ciabatta bread (for added texture) but didn’t like the fact that the burger was only made tasty by the mustard and the ketchup. The fries that went with it weren’t even crispy to begin with. At P198, I thought it was overpriced and definitely not a good deal.

The fiancee’s Bangus meal had three sunny-side up eggs (for cholesterol overload?), garlic rice and two pieces of daing na bangus. I tried the fish and it was okay, tasty and went well with the rice if I may add. I also ate one of the sunny side-up eggs just so the fiancée won’t have a cholesterol overload. Haha. Again, at P218, I thought it didn’t offer good value to our money.

Sorry, but Café Platito didn’t live up to our expectations. It was a good thing they had polite servers that were easy to deal with. Had it not for them and the nice ambience, our dining experience would’ve been terrible.

I might dine again at Café Platito to find out if they would improve for the better, but not anytime soon.

Cafe Platito
The Cliffhouse Complex
Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway
Tagaytay City

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Foodie Find: FelyMar's Bibingka

2011-11-14T10:31:00.008+08:00

I've heard about FelyMar's Bibingka from the blogs I frequent. It seems people are raving about it because of four things: authenticity, good taste, affordability and all-year round availability (bibingkas or rice flour cakes are normally sold only during the Christmas season). One random Saturday, I finally came across the famous FelyMar's Bibingka when I saw my dentist whose clinic was within walking distance from LRT-Tayuman Station.

a bag-full of yumminess!

It was around 5:00 p.m. and yet it looked like the store had just opened. The place was packed with people, some are already eating bibingka on makeshift tables and chairs while others are patiently waiting for their bibingka to cook. I joined the crowd and bought two FelyMar's special bibingka at P40 each. I left the store with my late afternoon snack in two minutes. I bet the ones waiting were buying the super special bibingka (bigger and pricier at P80 each!) that FelyMar's staff cook only upon order.

When I got to the fiancee's house, I immediately shared the bibingka with him and his sister A. One bite and I knew why FelyMar's Bibingka is considered to be one of the best bibingkas in the metro!

It was really bursting with flavors: sweet, buttery, nutty, cheesy and salty all at the same time! I also liked it that FelyMar's Bibingka was generous with the cheese and salted egg as I could really taste and see big chunks of these two ingredients in their bibingkas. At just P40 each, I thought this was really a good deal!

The bibingkas had soft, fluffy and slightly sticky texture, too. It helped that we ate them while they were still hot. A few minutes had passed and the bibingkas were gone. Straight to our tummies, off they went. Haha.

Now I know where to go whenever I'm craving for the authentic and delicious bibingka of my childhood, even when it's not Christmas season here in Manila. Yay, what a great foodie discovery!

I lilly,lilly, like it...haha

FelyMar's Bibingka
(beside LRT-Tayuman Station)
J.P. Rizal Avenue
Tayuman, Manila

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Tagaytay Food Trip: Mushroomburger

2011-11-05T12:42:00.011+08:00

Our recent Tagaytay weekend spent in a beautiful and serene place called Las Ventanas wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to Mushroomburger Tagaytay. We found this fast food place that serves the blog-famous mushroom burgers filled with diners on a late Sunday morning. Of course, I had to order a mushroom burger! A mushroom sandwich, actually, which I’d found out later, contained no beef patty but 100% mushroom filling.

the signage outside the restaurant

inside scene

personalized tissue holder

You dine at Mushroomburger just like how you dine in most fast food restos. You queue up and wait for your turn at the counter. You tell the girl at the counter what you want and you are given a number right after. You then wait for the food to be served on your table.

Mushroomburger's space in Tagaytay was pretty big. It had a separate room that serves as a dining area, too. The place was a little dusty and humid during our visit but it couldn't be helped since it was fronting a busy national road and relied only on ceiling fans for ventilation.

more dining spaces

While waiting for our order, I saw some framed photos of various species of mushrooms (all edible I supposed!) and the famed mushroom burger in its full glory.

mushrooms everywhere

the star of the restaurant

I just loved my burger as it tasted so fresh and healthy! Basically, it had oyster mushrooms, mayo and some tomato and cucumber slices on a warm bun. Each bite was filled with the earthy and juicy flavors of the mushrooms. At one point, the meaty texture of the mushrooms even made me believe that I was eating real meat patty! The cucumber slices, pickle and mayo provided the needed crunch and sweet-tangy flavor to the sandwich to complete the burger experience. It was so good I'm sure my vegetarian friends would love it.

my mushroom sandwich was yummy!

what's inside

these mushrooms sure look like chicken chunks!

anatomy of a mushroom sandwich

I partnered my burger with a plate of Pinoy-style spaghetti. The pasta was a bit soggy and the sauce quite watery but the overall taste was okay. It reminded me of Tropical Hut’s version.

The fiancée, on the other hand, ordered a rice meal and he got this:

I tasted his beef patty (mixed with mushrooms, I guessed) and it was delish, too.

We were surprised to learn the food items at Mushroomburger Tagaytay were very affordable. Their burgers were priced at less than P100 each. The drinks were under P50 per glass.

glimpse of the menu board

I had a Sago Gulaman drink while the fiancée had regular Coke.

gulaman, anyone?

All in all, our bill amounted only to just P268. A good deal, if you ask me.

what a cheap but delicious lunch it was!

Mushroomburger is a bit far from Tagaytay Junction but if you’d like to taste delicious mushroom burgers from where it originated, then a trip has to be scheduled pronto. Just drive straight the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road and soon you’ll see the big Mushroomburger signage on your left. The place has free parking and lots of parking spaces so feel free to bring your car.

'till my next visit, Mushroomburger!

If you don't feel like driving all the way to Tagaytay for this, Mushroomburger has branches at West Avenue and Katipunan, Quezon City.

Mushroomburger Tagaytay
Brgy. Kaybagal, Tagaytay City

(+6346) 413-1330

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

The New KFC Zinger Double Down

2011-11-03T08:14:00.015+08:00

Those who missed the appetizingly overwhelming KFC Double Down during its limited release this year don't have any reasons to fret. KFC has recently launched the new KFC Zinger Double Down. It's KFC Double Down with a twist! From the original chicken fillets, it now has the hot and crispy zinger chicken fillets!

KFC was thoughtful enough to send me my very own KFC Zinger Double Down Thursday last week (October 28) complete with the drama of a KFC delivery boy donning a fireman's outfit!

I wanted to show some pictures but unfortunately, my sister accidentally deleted them while sorting out photos from our DSLR. Anyway, the delivery coincided the debut of the sandwich at all KFC stores in the Philippines. What a delightful morning it was! The sandwich served as my breakfast before going to work. Yum!

KFC Zinger Double Down up-close

KFC Zinger Double Down is huge. Imagine two hot and crispy chicken fillets with bacon strips, cheese and mayo in between. I closed my eyes and forgot about the calories while enjoying each bite. As expected, the chicken was oh-so-KFC-licious and I could really taste its spicy flavor. With two chicken pieces in one sandwich, it was double the heat, but I managed it well. I was so proud of myself. Haha.

A visit to KFC-Mall of Asia the next day informed me that KFC Zinger Double Down is priced at P120 (ala carte) and P150 (with drinks and fries). Still very affordable, if you ask me.

KFC-MOA menu board

If I could have it my way, I'll ask KFC to toast the bacon strips to bring out its rich, full flavor. And next time I'll consume one, I'll experiment a bit by eating it with rice! I'm pretty sure it's gonna be a complete and satisfying meal for me. :)

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Foodie Find: Empanada Avenue

2011-10-21T17:52:00.002+08:00

My officemate N brought some empanadas for snack this afternoon and we all liked it. Thought I'd share about the pastry on this blog so more people will know about it. The brand is Empanada Avenue and it has several branches all over the metro. Dubbed as "the original empanada of Bulacan," it's one yummy snack that can easily be one's favorite.

Each box has 12 pieces of medium-sized chicken empanadas. Each empanada retails for P10.

The empanada I happened to munch on was still warm to the touch, soft and generously-stuffed. It was slightly greasy (but that's a given with any kind of deep-fried food!) but very tasty. Aside from the chicken chunks and carrot bits, I think I saw some bits of hard-boiled egg inside which gave the empanada added flavor and character, I must say.

Since I'm trying to lose weight, I think I'd love to have this chicken empanada from Empanada Avenue once in a while because it can be quite addicting. :)

Empanada Avenue
Dapitan St. cor. Lacson Avenue (beside Mercury Drug)
Sampaloc, manila

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Empanada-Avenue

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Get a Taste of Asia at Crustasia Asian Bistro

2011-10-12T18:56:00.009+08:00

Friday night last week was spent dining with fellow foodie blogger friends at Crustasia Asian Bistro**. The restaurant is nestled at the ground floor of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati. I've heard of the dining place before but it was my first time to actually dine there to sample their various offerings: Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Chinese specialties plus mouth-watering seafood. If you're a Pinoy like me, forget about your local cuisine for a few hours (because they don't serve any Filipino dishes here) and indulge in the distinctive cuisines of our neighbor countries. Now, lemme tell you about my awesome dining experience.

For starters, we had the Thai Catfish Salad and the Grand Javanese Sampler consisting of Martabak Telor (Indonesian bread stuffed with eggs and meat curry), Sambal Teri Kacang (spicy dried anchovies and peanuts), Kerupuk dan Emping (Indonesian assorted crackers) and Bakwan Jagung Manis (corn fritters).

Thai Catfish Salad, P245

Grand Javanese Sampler, P295

Taste wise, I found the catfish salad okay (tasted better when eaten with the chili-vinegar dip!) though the catfish was a bit oily. As for the sampler, I happened to try some of the spicy dried anchovies and peanuts and I loved them. It makes for a good pulutan, methinks.

To get things more exciting, we had a soup called Sichuan Boiled Catfish. It's one recipe taken from the Sichuan cuisine of China. It had boiled catfish, fresh mung bean sprouts, dry roasted chilies and other spices. The boiled catfish was divine, so soft, fresh and tasty. The soup itself, on the other hand, was tolerably hot and spicy.

Sichuan Boiled Catfish, P395

For the main courses, we had a few dishes to share:

All Meat Sate Sampler,P685 for 16 sticks

This All Meat Sate Sampler came with two sauces: soy-chili dip and peanut sauce. The tender and succulent pork sate tasted a lot like Pinoy pork barbecue (take that as a compliment!) to me while the chicken sate was too spicy for my liking (people who love spicy food will surely enjoy it!). According to Chef Nur (the resident chef who graced our dinner with his presence), it is best paired with rice to neutralize the spicy flavor.

the smiling-faced Chef Nur

Hunan Cumin Ribs, P465

I'm not a big fan of spices with very rich flavors (except curry) but I enjoyed this rib item that had lotsa cumin. The recipe, by the way, is from the Hunan cuisine of China.

I don't have a photo of the Thai Style Grilled Squid (P285) but I love squid and so I liked this dish a lot. The squid was grilled to perfection and the meat came out soft and succulent. It's perfect as is or paired with a chili-vinegar dip.

At Crustasia, the star of the night will always be the giant crabs cooked to the Asian dish of your choice. For our group, we had two orders of Kepiting Masak Sauce Mentega (Indonesian sweet soy and butter crab):

Indonesian Sweet Soy and Butter Crab, P145 per 100g.

Each order had one giant crab (more or less than a kilo heavy!) sitting on a slightly thick sauce with sauteed onions and fresh red chili slices. Oh boy was it good! I've tasted pepper crabs and crabs cooked in coconut milk before. But it was my first time to try this particular crab dish and it left a lasting impression to me. The flavors were so familiar yet so unique. Did I mention the crabs tasted really fresh, too?

True to its origins, our feast was paired with perfectly-cooked steamed rice and beverages like dayap mint cooler, pineapple shake and Thai iced tea.

Crustasia Asian Bistro is one posh dining place where you can bring your family and friends without worry. Some of the things I easily noticed upon entering the restaurant were the lovely 3D wall art, the leather-covered cushioned seats, the artsy light fixtures, and the high ceiling. I heard the place has had a makeover recently and I think they did well. The restaurant turned out to be modern-looking yet very cozy. And quite spacious, too.

That Friday night, the restaurant was half-filled (mostly yuppies and foreigners) and we even had some celebrity sightings (hello celebrity couple Bea Alonzo and Zanjoe Marudo!). All in all, it was a great dining experience for me at Crustasia Asian Bistro. I hope to be back soon! :)

our group

Crustasia entrance door

**Crustasia Asian Bistro is one of the concept restaurants under the Red Crab Group.

Crustasia Asian Bistro
G/F Power Plant Mall
Rockwell, Makati

(+632 728-5463)

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Enjoy the Flavors of Japan at Shiro Shiro Japanese Restaurant

2011-10-03T10:26:00.001+08:00

Finally, the fiancee and I were able to use the Shiro Shiro Japanese Restaurant voucher we got from Metrodeal.com. It was a set lunch for two persons and we thought of no better day to use it than on a Sunday noon right after hearing mass. I made the reservation a few days before so we got seated in no time. The friendly staff at the reception counter informed us that we could choose to seat in one of the traditional tables and eat the Japanese way. We liked the idea and so we followed his advice.

Shiro Shiro Japanese Restaurant is located inside Boulevard Mansion, one of the hotels facing the beautiful Manila Bay on Roxas Boulevard. It is a well-lit dining place with a very relaxing ambience.

The dominating element of dark wood and the big bamboo ornaments on the wall added a zen-like feel to the spacious room. We were the only group that time and we had the entire place to ourselves. Cool.

The fiancée wanted to try their maki and since it was not included in the set lunch, we had to order it additionally along with our drinks. A plate of Shiro Shiro’s California Maki Manila Style (P140) had a total of six fresh and yummy maki rolls. I found out that for it to be called plain California maki, avocado is used instead of mango.

By the way, he had fresh mango shake while I opted for iced coffee.

her drink

his drink

One by one, the four-courses that made up our Tokyo set lunch were served on our table.

We started off our meal with the BLT Salada. This was bacon, lettuce and tomato salad with a Japanese twist. The fiancée wasn’t really into salad but he liked it. It was as light and fresh as a salad should be.

Menchi Katsu. This dish had two breaded and deep-fried ground pork croquettes on a bed of sliced cabbage leaves. The croquettes were perfectly cooked but I found nothing special about them. The sweet dip that came with it was okay, though.

Their Tamago Soup (soft egg soup) was tasty and filling. I liked that they served it really hot in two small individual bowls.

Shiro Shiro’s Kamameshi was a kettle rice dish made with squid ink and seafood. I liked it a lot because I was a squid lover. It was yum in every bite. Poor fiancée, he’s allergic to seafood so he didn’t dare to touch this dish.

For desserts, we were served with Tempura Ice Cream. It was plain Vanilla ice cream deep-fried in tempura batter on a bed of baked apples with chocolate and grenadine sauce. I wonder how they maintained the texture of the ice cream while cooking the tempura batter! Anyhow, the taste was brilliant. The apple slices despite having been baked were still crispy, too. This dessert gave a sweet ending to our meal.

All in all, our lunch at Shiro Shiro Japanese Restaurant was memorable and satisfying. Its location being just a 10-minute car ride from our place is a plus point to me. Next time, I’d love to try their bento meals.

Shiro Shiro Japanese Restaurant
G/F Boulevard Hotel & Residential Suites
1440 Roxas Blvd. cor. Salas St.
Ermita, Manila

(+632) 353-1179

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Lunch Date with Mom at North Park (Convergys Branch)

2011-09-30T09:20:00.003+08:00

I took a leave from work last Friday to go to Makati to finish some very important errands. I was accompanied by my mom who happened to be visiting us from Cavite. We had lunch at North Park, a modern Chinese restaurant on the corner of Ayala Avenue and Salcedo St. It was our first time there and we loved the food a lot we ended up staying at the restaurant for almost two hours. That was a long stay considering we were fast eaters!

North Park’s menu doubles as under liner. Cool concept, methinks. Mom let me choose what to order. After a little browsing, I called the waiter and requested a few dishes.

I was expecting they’d provide us with complimentary warm tea (just like in other Chinese restos) and they did!

But apart from that, we also ordered drinks: Coke Light (P55) for mom and a glass of Cold Chrysanthemum Juice (P55) for me. I was a bit disappointed with my drink. It looked and tasted as if it came straight from a teabag and just served with some ice. They should have named it Chrysanthemum Iced Tea and not Chrysanthemum Juice. Juice and tea are two different things, right?

Our food arrived a couple of minutes later. I am happy to report that the food at North Park were not only delicious but came in big servings.

We started off our meal with the Nanking Beef and Wanton Noodles, P118. Afraid that we’d get full too early, I only ordered the light one (smaller serving). I chose whole wheat for the noodles. The waiter mentioned they offer three kinds: whole wheat, flat and Hong Kong noodles.

The bowl of beef and wanton noodles was delicious. The beef was oh-so tender and the wantons were yummy. My only complaint was that the soup was just lukewarm and not as hot as I wanted it to be.

BBQ Pork Asado, P158. This Chinese favorite is one of the roasted specialties of North Park and we enjoyed it a lot. It came in a small plate but don’t judge just yet as it was packed with meat that could easily feed two to three people. The pork meat was tender and oozing with flavors. Mom liked it as it was. I, on the other hand, added some chili oil and soy sauce to the meat to neutralize its sweetness.

As much as possible, I don’t leave a Chinese resto without trying out the Siomai, P88 for four pieces. For me, it’s one of the factors that could make or break a Chinese resto. The siomai at North Park was wonderful! If my memory serves me right, each piece had two small shrimps, with the remaining portion divided between the ground pork and the pork fat. But how I wish North Park would make the pork fat in their siomai smaller in size. While biting into a piece of siomai, I caught a glimpse of the pork fat and suddenly became uneasy of its size. I’ve eaten siomai as delicious as theirs but with pork fat barely visible to the naked eye. Just saying.

Yang Chow Fried Rice, P158. It may look like a small cup of fried rice on the photo, but it was actually a BIG cup! Mom and I had a hard time finishing it all by ourselves. This is the kind of fried rice that would pass anyone’s discriminating palate. The rice was soft and flavorful. Small shrimps, pork bits and veggies were generously mixed into the rice making it a complete meal in itself. Mom and I happily partnered it with the Asado and the Siomai and each bite never failed to satisfy our tummies.

This particular North Park branch was a busy bee on a Friday noon. As what we have observed, a group would arrive after another group has left. Most of the diners were Chinese families and Makati yuppies. As for the interiors, it looked modern yet cozy and relaxed. We settled in one of the tables with comfortable, cushioned seats. My mom loved the place as much as I did.

The service was slow but friendly. The prices (which are already VAT-inclusive) are very reasonable for the size of the food that’s usually good for sharing. Allot P300 per head for a decent lunch or dinner.

I am definitely going back, but this time will try their branches nearer to my place. And I'll bring a better camera, too (sorry for the lousy photos!).

North Park Convergys
Ayala Ave. corner Salcedo St.
Makati City

(+632)750-1391

http://www.northpark.com.ph

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Foodie Find: Bakersville Hand-Made Bagels

2011-09-25T13:37:00.000+08:00

A few Mondays ago, a friend gave me two packs of Bakersville Hand-Made Bagels to try: one with oats on top made from whole wheat flour and the other with black and white sesame seeds (plus garlic bits) made from high quality flour. Each pack contains three pieces of bread. The next morning, I brought two pieces (one from each pack) to the office for my breakfast.

After reheating the bagels in the oven toaster for five minutes, I took a bite and instantly liked the brown and slightly crisp exterior of the bread. The black and white sesame seeds added crunch and flavor to it. While I was eating it, I noticed the soft but chewy interior with lotsa garlic bits. It made me happy because I love garlic and I like my bread to have a good "crispy-chewy" contrast.

To complete my bagel experience, I spread some butter on it and consumed everything. I did the same thing with the other bagel with oats on top. The two tasted exactly the same.

Next time, I'll try to pair it with some jam or better yet, some greasy peanut butter. Yum.

Bakersville hand-made bagels are sold at P100 per pack at Mercato Centrale, a fast-rising weekend lifestyle organic and food market situated in Bonifacio Global City. I find it a bit pricey, but considering it's healthy and hand-made, perhaps it wouldn't hurt if I'd give it the right value it deserves. :)

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Merienda Fares at Sizzler Grill Cafe (Cash and Carry Mall, Makati)

2011-09-20T14:54:00.002+08:00

Last Sunday, the fiancee, his sister A, his father L and I went to Cash and Carry Mall in Makati to check out some lighting fixtures and appliances at the Anson's branch there. Edwin ended up getting the chandelier ceiling fan that his dad and sister saw during their previous visit to the store. It's gonna be for his Cavite home that's currently being improved. When it was snacking time, I invited them to grab a bite at Sizzler Grill Cafe. It's one of the dining establishments lining the front of the supermarket.

There's only one thing I'm sure of about the cafe we went into: they serve the famous Makati Supermart Spaghetti! I had long wanted to try it and that afternoon was the perfect opportunity to do so. We ordered from their Merienda set meals whose prices ranged from P79 to P115.

Merianda Tandems at Sizzler Grill Cafe

While waiting for our order, one of the waiters served us complimentary Nido soup. It was hot and tasty and we loved it.

free Nido soup for diners

Here's what we had for merienda:

Merienda Tandem 4, P89

Edwin and his father L ordered this. Edwin liked the palabok a lot. He said the noodles was cooked just right and sauce was flavorful. As for the lumpiang prito (fried spring rolls), he found the taste bland and the roll itself was too oily for his liking.

Edwin and his father L

Merienda Tandem 5, P115

This is what Albie and I ordered. It had a serving of the classic Makati Supermart spaghetti, a half chicken sandwich, and some fries. It also came with a glass of iced tea.

Now I know what makes the Makati Supermart spaghetti a real treat. It's Pinoy spaghetti with a twist. Instead of hotdogs, it has Vienna sausage and ham. What a nice variation. It actually gives the spaghetti a distinct flavor.

While the fries tasted good, the chicken sandwich was yummy. For P115, I think our merienda plates were very reasonably-priced. A and I both finished our plates and we even had the guts to eat the lumpiang prito that father L didn't want to touch. Sorry, we were just hungry. Haha.

with A

Aside from their merienda fares, Sizzler Grill Cafe serves complete meals. I think I saw several meat and vegetable dishes, plus their specialty of grilled items. Their prices are quite affordable and the service, very friendly, too. I wouldn't mind eating there again.

Sizzler Grill Cafe
Cash and Carry Mall
Osmeña Highway cor. Emilia St.,
Brgy.Palanan, Makati

(+632) 856-2780

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Binondo Food Trip: Dong Bei Dumpling

2011-09-12T11:14:00.003+08:00

One crisp Sunday morning, the fiancee and I tried the very popular kuchay or steamed dumplings of Dong Bei Dumpling in Binondo (Manila's Chinatown) for the first time. We initially wanted to try just the steamed dumplings, but we ended up ordering other items from their pretty basic menu of Chinese food. Which made our supposed to be "snack" as a sort of "brunch." We didn't regret our decision as we left the place with very happy tummies.

the signage

front view of the place

At Dong Bei Dumpling, the steamed dumplings are made on the spot right after the customers have ordered them.

In a matter of minutes, our steamed dumplings were ready!

Our order of steamed dumplings was served on a plain, white plate. Priced at P100, it had a total of 14 pieces. Each piece had soft and chewy dough with a generous amount of filling. One bite and I immediately tasted the burst of flavors from the ground pork and the leeks. I think I also tasted a hint of ginger and garlic.

I dipped the dumplings into the mixture of soy-vinegar and hot chili oil to complete the experience.

I just loved 'em dumplings. The fiancee felt the same. He was even one with me in agreement that Dong Bei Dumpling serves the best steamed dumplings in the whole of Binondo!

a satisfied dumpling-eater look on yours truly's face

The rest of our steamed dumplings we paired with Dong Bei Dumpling's Fried Rice. The secret to this dish lies in its simplicity. It's basically rice mixed with spring onions, egg and some salt. At P60 per order, it can easily feed two people.

The fiancee, who's a noodle soup lover, also got a bowl of Dong Bei Dumpling's Wanton Noodle Soup (P100). It was served on our table steaming hot I almost burned my tongue. It had a few pieces of wanton and some tenga ng daga (wood ear mushrooms), fresh noodles and soup. While I enjoyed the wantons and the fresh noodles that were chewy to the bite, the soup tasted bland to me. (For me, the taste was akin to boiled water sprinkled with flour.) The fiancee, however, liked the soup a lot. I'd found out later that to make it palatable, you are to add some soy-vinegar to the soup. Errrr, fine.

To wash down all the yummy stuff, we treated ourselves to a can of Wong Lo Kat each. It's a refreshing herbal tea in a can. We highly recommend it after eating a lot of steamed dumplings from Dong Bei Dumpling.

Wong Lo Kat, P35

All in all, we had a pleasant dining experience at Dong Bei Dumpling. Don't let the non-descript appearance fool you. The place may be basic and all, but the offerings are definitely worth the trip to Binondo. I wish I could go back there soon and try their other specialties.

Dong Bei Dumpling
642 Yuchengco St.
Binondo, Manila

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

New Drinks at Figaro: Banana Berry Delight Frost and Raspberry Mint Latte

2011-09-07T08:20:00.001+08:00

Wanna know what's new at Figaro? Their two new drink offerings: the Banana Berry Delight Frost (a cold drink) and Raspberry Mint Latte (a hot beverage)! I taste-tested them the other day at Figaro Shangri-La Mall Branch and they're both good. Did I mention they're reasonably priced, too?

Banana Berry Delight (P145) is a double, fruity and refreshing mix of strawberry and bananas with a scoop of ice cream on top sprinkled with banana chip bits and strawberry syrup drizzle to complete that delectable fruity dream.

Indeed, the Banana Berry Delight Frost was refreshingly cool and fruity. I liked the addition of banana chip bits and strawberry syrup which gave the drink added texture and flavor. And who wouldn't get tempted with the ice cream on top of the drink? I wished I had a spoon then to scoop it out. Yes, ice cream first before the drink itself. Haha.

Raspberry Mint Latte (P110) is a hot cup of espresso-based coffee experience mixed with raspberry flavors and a slight hint of mint to satisfy and entice your senses of sweetness with freshness, just the right whip of flavors to cope with the crazy rain and shine weather these days.

On the other hand, I found the Raspberry Mint Latte quite milky and fruity with hints of mint and coffee. For me, the "barely there" coffee taste is a good thing because I'm not much into coffee.

personalized Latte art on top of the Raspberry Mint Latte

By the way, the new drinks from Figaro are flavored by Monin, the world leader in manufacturing flavored syrups with ultimate taste and creativity. They will be coming out at selected Figaro branches on September 15 and nationwide on October 1, 2011.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Foodie Find: Hungarian Sausage Sandwich from Hero Sausages

2011-09-06T11:22:00.003+08:00

I was at Shangri-La Mall last night with the fiancee for a quick blog event. Before we went home, we chanced upon a Hero Sausages stall at the basement (where the food court was). It was as if the sausage display was calling on me and so I ended up buying a small Hungarian sausage on oatmeal bun (for takeout) for P38. I also availed of the relish and onion toppings just by adding P10 to my bill. I didn't regret my decision as the sandwich was yummy!

My Hungarian sausage sandwich was juicy and oozing with flavors. I particularly loved the spice from the Hungarian sausage (which I asked to be cooked well-done!) and the slightly-cooked onion slices.

my Hungarian sausage sandwich from Hero Sausages

close-up

taking my first bite

For less than P50, I think Hero Sausages sandwiches are a good snack option. You can choose from Hungarian, Schublig or Frankfurter. If you have a big appetite, go for the jumbo size. They even have mixed fried rice to go with your choice of sausage for a complete meal. :)

Hero Sausages
Food Court (Basement area)
Shangri-La Mall
EDSA, Mandaluyong City

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Our First Bites at Asian Bites

2011-09-05T09:24:00.006+08:00

Last week when the fiancee, his sister A and I went to Robinson Place Manila to buy some supplies, we had dinner at Asian Bites. It's a little Asian eatery that's located inside the supermarket, right across the cashier section. Basically, it serves Asian favorites such as sushi, dimsum, ramen, yakisoba, rice toppings and bento meals fast food style.

Unlike other fast food restos though, they don't implement a "pay as you order" system. Instead, they will have you seated in one of their tables (I think I saw only five) and hand you the laminated menu. Then, you are to choose whatever dish you like and settle your bill after finishing your meal.

As soon as I saw their rice toppings offerings, I knew what I wanted to eat.

It was none other than my favorite Katsudon, P105. For my fiancee, it was Tuna Steak (P115) and for his sister A, Spicy Chicken (P109). While waiting for our food, we entertained ourselves with the busyness of the supermarket in front of us.

I wanted to order their Siomai after seeing it on another customer's table. Unfortunately for me though, they already ran out of it. Sad.

When my Katsudon arrived, I found it too cute and had my picture taken holding it.

I'd found out later that my Katsudon wasn't just cute, it was also delicious! The pork was tender and lightly-seasoned and the sauce was tasty with the right amount of leeks and egg. I finished my bowl in five minutes. Haha.

my yummy Katsudon

I didn't taste A's Spicy Chicken but I was able to get a bite of the fiancee's Tuna Steak. I found it too plain. I don't think I'd order it when I get back to Asian Bites. (I sure will because I wanna try their siomai and ramen next time.)

Tuna Steak

Spicy Chicken

If you're craving for some Asian dishes but don't wanna spend much, you might wanna give Asian Bites a try. They offer good-tasting Asian meals at pocket-friendly prices. Plus, the place is neat and clean and the service is quite good.

My Tip: Buy your drinks from the supermarket because they only serve two kinds of drinks there: strawberry iced tea and dalandan juice.

Asian Bites
Robinson Place Manila
Ermita, Manila

(+632) 419-9716

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Dole Cook-Off at MIHCA-Makati

2011-08-31T11:26:00.003+08:00

Last Friday was fun. I got the chance to witness the great Dole Cook-Off held at the Magsaysay Institute for Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA) inside Walter Mart Mall on Chino Roces Avenue, Makati. The event also launched the brand’s new line of tomato sauces.

event scene

cooking demo

the chef of the night

Chef Jeremy Favia, one of the rising young chefs in television today, did a cooking demo featuring several easy-to-make recipes using the new Dole tomato sauce. He also acted as guest judge in the cook-off among the guests (pasta cooking) which was eventually won by fellow food blogger Enzo Luna of JuanManilaExpress.com.

cook-off final moment

the new Dole tomato sauce in 200 g. doy packs

the winning pasta

the winner

Dole is the world’s largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables and packaged foods. For years, Dole has committed itself to furthering health and nutrition as is evident in their wide array of quality products such as canned pineapple solids, canned mixed fruits, canned beverages and packaged fruit snacks.

Have you tried the new Dole tomato sauce that rich in lycopene? I heard it's now available in leading supermarkets and groceries nationwide. Try it now and enjoy the healthy goodness of tomato in your dishes! :)

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

A Yellow Cab Night with Food Bloggers

2011-08-08T16:26:00.003+08:00

If there's one pizza chain that Pinoys should be proud of, it has to be Yellow Cab. Why? Because just like the popular Jollibee, it's a 100% Filipino-owned company that's gradually gaining a strong presence in both local and international food industry. Last Friday night along with fellow food bloggers, I had the opportunity to get to know Yellow Cab as a brand and experience first-hand how to make my own Yellow Cab pizza. It can't be cooler than that!

The blogger's night was held at Yellow Cab-Insular Life at the corner of Ayala Ave. and Paseo de Roxas in Makati. After getting introduced to and munching on several Yellow Cab pizza, pasta and appetizers, we had a quick tour of the kitchen and saw for ourselves how a Yellow Cab pizza is made. The Yellow Cab crew did a short demo, from the kneading of the dough to the time the pizza, complete with all the toppings, hit the oven for baking.

a Yellow Cab pizza is cooked in an electric conveyor double oven for just seven minutes!

Did you know that Yellow Cab uses only freshly-made dough and equally fresh toppings? Yes, it's true. I saw it with my two eyes. And the cheeses they used are naturally-processed, too. Fonterra, the Australian company behind Anchor, Perfect Italiano and Great Blend, has been Yellow Cab's supplier of fresh creams and cheeses since their opening year.

Several Fonterra people led by Chef Pauline Lagdameo joined us that night and did a "cheese" talk. They explained a lot of things about cheese production. Other interesting topics tackled were the difference between margarine and butter and how some cheese had holes in them. Gosh, I learned a lot from the discussion!

Yellow Cab was a gracious host. They stuffed us really well with all these food:

Yellow Cab's Barbecue Chicken Pizza was a revelation to me. It was my first time to try it and it was so good. The balance of sweetness and spiciness was perfect. And when dipped in the garlic ranch, the pizza became heavenly. I think I finished two slices and still wanted more. Haha.

This Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a relatively new product. It's actually spaghetti with chicken chunks in a super creamy white sauce. I loved it.

The secret to the distinctive creaminess of the Chicken Alfredo Pasta are these Anchor products from Fonterra:

Another item I liked was Yellow Cab's Dear Darla Pizza. The arugula and the alfalfa sprouts that go with the pizza and the way you eat the pizza itself make this a truly unique pizza treat.

Charlie Chan Chicken Pasta

New York's Finest

Fleet Starters (crisp hot wings, savory baked potato wedges & crunchy tortilla chips served with tomato salsa & garlic ranch dip)

Four Seasons in its 18" glory

my Minute Maid juice drink

It's amazing how Yellow Cab has survived (and is surviving) tough competition in the market and expanded to 86 branches in a span of 10 years. Speaking of their 10th anniversary this 2011, Yellow Cab has an ongoing promo wherein every 10th of the month, they give out a free 10" pizza for every order of an 18" pizza. This is available at all Yellow Cab branches nationwide.

my personalized Pepperoni pizza

Now I think I fully understood it when they said, "If you want great pizza, call a Cab." The Yellow Cab pizza is great because it's made only from the freshest ingredients and served to your table (or delivered to your doorstep) hot off the oven.

To get updated on Yellow Cab's latest products and promos, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. For Yellow Cab delivery, dial 789-9999.

P.S. Thank you so much to Yellow Cab, Fonterra Philippines and Chin Taguines for the invite. I had fun and I hope to meet with you again in the future. :)

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

P150 Bowl O' Rice at Brothers Burger

2011-07-29T10:59:00.008+08:00

Brothers Burger are not only known for their charcoal-grilled burgers, but also for their affordable and delicious Bowl O' Rice. That's what I found out after treating myself to some of them on three occasions. Priced at P150, each hot meal comes with 12 oz. Iced Tea or Lemonade and a small brownie. It's a complete meal in itself that's cooked only upon order, hence, the 15-minute waiting time.

My favorite among Brothers Burger's line of rice meals would be the Hot Bites (breaded and lightly-seasoned chicken fillet chunks on a bed of of white rice served in a square bowl). Paired with plain gravy, each chicken bite is crunchy, tender and tasty. Use hot sauce for some kick. I liked that they are generous with their chicken and rice. Definitely, this meal is worth every peso!

Did I mention that the brownie was good as well? It can give KFC and Kenny Rogers brownies a run for their money, methinks.

The fiancee is biased on his KFC hot shots and prefers the Brothers Burger instead. The bowl has a regular sized burger patty topped with mushrooms over white rice. A separate gravy is provided. He liked it a lot because the burger was tasty, juicy and grilled to perfection. And the rice that went with it was of good quality, too.

We've also tried the Beef Salpicao at Brothers Burger - Nuvali Branch in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and it was good, too.

If you're tired of the usual rice meals, give Brothers Burger's Bowl O' Rice a try and you might just enjoy it like we did. :)

Brothers Burger Bowl O' Rice is available from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. at all Brothers Burger branches nationwide. Other choices include Fish Fingers, Roast Beef and Breaded Chicken. :)

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

New So Breadlicious Rice Bowls from Angel's Pizza Pasta Combo

2011-07-27T10:16:00.004+08:00

Wanna know the latest in fast food? Angels Pizza Pasta Combo's So Breadilicious Rice Bowls are now out! Chicken Teriyaki, Chicken Parmigiana and Chicken with Creamy Sauce. Each bowl is priced at P95 served with regular iced tea. I tried them all last night and they were all so hard to resist.

If you want something Japanese, you won't go wrong with the Chicken Teriyaki. It's made up of So Breadelicious breaded chicken slices fried to perfection and drizzled with lustrous Teriyaki sauce and roasted sesame seeds on top of hot steamy rice. I loved the crisp texture and the nutty and sweet flavors of the chicken. It went well with my rice.

My personal favorite, though, would be the Chicken Parmigiana that's full of Italian flavors. This time, the So Breadelicious breaded chicken slices are layered with cheese and tomato sauce baked to perfection on top of hot steamy rice. I liked that there were enough cheese and tomato sauce to tickle my taste buds and the chicken has retained its succulent flavor and tenderness even after baking.

It was raining last night and the Chicken with Creamy Sauce proved to be the comfort food among the three with its bowl filled with So Breadelicious breaded chicken slices drizzled with warm and creamy white sauce mixed with steamed corn and carrots on top of hot steamy rice. It sure lifted my mood, what with the bad weather we've been experiencing lately.

It was one delicious dinner for me and my two siblings as we shared these newest additions to Angel Pizza Pasta Combo's already extensive menu. If you want any or all of these So Breadilicious Rice Bowls along with their signature pizza and pasta, just go to the nearest Angel Pizza Pasta Combo store or call 922-2222 for delivery.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

YakiMIX, Greenbelt 3: Korean, Japanese, and Cantonese Buffet for Everyone

2011-07-26T09:39:00.002+08:00

While I enjoy eating at buffets, I'm quite picky when it comes to restaurants that offer them. You can only take me to a buffet lunch or dinner if it's highly-recommended by friends, I love the cuisine on offer, I'm curious about the restaurant or better yet, it's for free. I've always wanted to try the popular YakiMIX buffet (and the all-new Sambokojin buffet that has the same food selection as YakiMIX's) and I finally did last Sunday afternoon at their Greenbelt 3 branch. I was with the fiancee, his sister A and our friend A. We were there for lunch and we intentionally stuffed ourselves with mounds of food before watching the much-anticipated Harry Potter finale in 3D.

Arriving at the restaurant at exactly 12:00 noon, we found ourselves wait listed for a table. You wouldn't believe it but we were the 16th in the list! After enduring the loooooong wait of an hour and 20 minutes, we got seated in one of the spacious tables with comfortable red couches. Eating began as soon as we tossed our bags onto our seats.

Some food items I spotted:

KOREAN
Bulgogi
Broiled beef tripe
Glass noodles in chicken broth
different kinds of Korean side dishes (beansprouts kimchi, chopped radish kimchi, summer green kimchi, white cabbage)

JAPANESE
Yakisoba
Sushi (in various flavors)
Maki (in various flavors)
Tuna and Salmon sashimi
beef- and bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms
wide selection of marinated and fresh meat for smokeless grilling right on your table (prawns, squid, beef barbecue, pork barbecue, chicken barbecue, cocktail hotdogs, pork luncheon meat, bacon, shiitake mushrooms, tuna, salmon, etc.)

CANTONESE
Yang Chow fried rice
Sweet and sour pork
Broccoli with mushrooms
beef strips with teriyaki sauce, seafood roll,
crunchy squid
chicken and corn soup
bird’s nest soup

YakiMIX buffet selection was impressive. There was so much food and I didn't know where to start. You can choose to go for the cooked items first and go back for the uncooked ones. Or do the reverse. As for me, I filled my plate with raw meat for grilling.

Then, I went back for the cooked items that caught my interest. I loved their Yang Chow fried rice that had generous servings of shrimps, ham and vegetables.

I also got some sushi and maki rolls. After that, I went back for some tempura, yakisoba and more of those crunchy squid that tasted real good when dipped in their special vinegar.

Feeling too full already, I got some orange wedges to clean my palate before ending my satisfying YakiMIX meal with some desserts.

Other dessert items I saw were ice cream and sprinkles, egg tarts, mini muffins, etc.

The food at YakiMIX were good but nothing exceptional. I loved their tempura and crunchy squid and I couldn't get enough of their bacon-wrapped sprouts and asparagus. For me, these are the must-try items from the buffet.

I also liked their choices of raw meat and I loved how they provided each table with a smokeless grill. It gives a good alternative for those who want to enjoy grilled food in a cozier place and minus the burnt smell that sticks on the clothes.

Dining at YakiMIX is affordable. With several buffet stations filled with various kinds of food, you actually get more than what you pay for. Take a look at their buffet rates below:

Monday to Friday LUNCH : P499
Monday to Friday DINNER, Weekend ALL DAY: P599
Children below 4ft: P380
Drink all you can: P75

Some tips when dining at YakiMIX:

1. Don't be overwhelmed by the wide selection of food on the buffet. It could make you feel stuffed fast and worse, dizzy. Just relax, enjoy the food and chew everything slowly. You have at most 3 hours to stay, anyway.

2. For the raw meat, get and cook only what you can consume. We made the mistake of getting one plateful of various raw meat each. We had a hard time finishing all that we took because the cooked items on the buffet easily filled us up. YakiMIX implements a "No Leftover Policy" at P699. Better be safe than sorry.

3. Get desserts early, unless it's ice cream that melts easily. Desserts run out fast and when it's near the last call already, they don't refill the dessert station anymore. (Last call to the buffet stations is 2:30 p.m. The restaurant closes at this time and opens again at 5:30 p.m. for dinner.)

4. Drink only when necessary. This is self-explanatory. Don't drink a lot so you don't feel full fast. I dunno but unlike others, I tend to drink only once I finish my meal. When I started eating at buffets, I found out this was an advantage. :)

their blue lemonade was my drink of choice!

One look and one can easily say that YakiMIX's target market are families and friends. The place can be very noisy and crowded but I think it's understandable. It's a busy restaurant and they serve lotsa food which can easily perk up everyone's mood.

YakiMIX (Sushi. Smokeless Grill. Restaurant)
3/F, Greenbelt 3
Ayala, Makati

(+632) 998-8039
(+632) 475-5153

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Patio Carlito and White House on the 84th: Good Food, Clean Fun

2011-07-24T16:39:00.001+08:00

It was my first time to visit Patio Carlito, a restaurant that serves mostly Pinoy dishes and whose cool ambiance and lovely interiors evoke Old Manila. I would learn later that it is indeed, an Old Manila bistro. Not only that, it actually doubles as a bar called White House on 84th at night and they feature live entertainment thrice a week (Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays).

Along with my blogger friends, we trooped to Patio Carlito on a Thursday night to see and taste what they had to offer.

We got seated in the TV Room, one of their function rooms that can seat 25 to 30 persons comfortably. As the name suggest, the room had TV and guests could opt to use it. It also had black, cushioned chairs that seemed to be inviting us to just sit back, relax, eat, drink and be merry. And that's exactly what we did!

There was a lot of food that night. We were lucky to have sampled dishes from Patio Carlito's menu and those of White House's. First off, some White House appetizers:

Malou's Sinuglaw, P265

This was grilled pork and tuna ceviche with vinegar, ginger and fresh tomato salsa. The tuna was fresh and a bit spicy which I loved.

Lumpiang Fish and Chips, P235

This was an ingenious take on the fish of the popular fish and chips combo. Instead of serving it breaded and deep-fried, they turned into fish fillet rolls! One bite and I already tasted the moist, chewy and flavorful dory meat inside. Dip the fish fillet rolls in the sweet-chili sauce for more flavor.

Crunchy Tapa, P279

What looked like some dark, thinly-sliced squid turned out to be marinated beef tapa! Cool. It was crunchy and yummy on its own and more so when you dip it in the vinegar.

Lumpia Pouches, P198

These golden pouches contained ground pork meat, seasonings and spices. Another good appetizer from White House's menu.

Chicken Adobo Wings, P198

The adobo-flavored chicken wings were simply flavorful. I thought this would pass as an entree to me. The sauce alone was perfect with rice.

For our main entrees, we had the following:

Chicken Binakol, P235

This rich chicken stew had coconut milk and coconut meat. The ingredients alone made it very Pinoy. I loved it.

Pato Binondo, P485

I'm not a big fan of duck so I just had a taste of this. Surprisingly, it was tasty. To me it was like some seasoned duck roasted to perfection.

Burong Baboy at Longganisa Candaba Platter, P355

This was a plateful of burong baboy (cured pork). It had a bacon-like appearance and taste. Yum!

Cuchifrito, P345

This was my favorite among the batch! The crispy skin and the oh-so-tender meat reminded me of the Cuchi Frito I had at The Flying Pig, Eastwood.

Lechon Baka ni Mayor, P265

I just had a taste of this (not bad methinks!) as my teeth was aching already due to excessive meat-chewing. I didn't want the situation to worsen. Just look at the photo and imagine the taste for yourself.Haha.

Sinigang na Bangus Tinapa sa Miso, P435

The rich, smokey flavor of the smoked milkfish blended well with the salty-sour combination of the miso broth and the tender vegetables mixed in. Impressive and innovative dish.

Rellenong Sugpo, P265

The stuffed shrimps were tasty and flavorful. I just had a piece, though because I was quite full by this time.

Baby Vegetables Pakbet, P229

I eat vegetables but only in moderation. This local veggie dish got my nod of approval because of the variety of veggies mixed in and the shrimp paste added had just the right saltiness.

Adobong Kangkong with Crispy Cuchinillo Strips, P169

I love anything with kangkong! Each piece of the veggie was juicy, tender and tasty.

Classic Adobo Rice Rice with Crispy Adobo Flakes, P85

As a big Adobo fan, I know what a good Adobo is. This adobo-flavored rice didn't disappoint.

Binagoongan Rice, P85

This shrimp-paste flavored rice was too plain for me. I hope the restaurant adds more shrimp-paste to bring out the real flavor of the dish

What's a meal without desserts? Here are what we had that night:

Fried Suman and Tsokolate Batirol, P145

I enjoyed this suman and hot chocolate combo. I liked that they provided some mango slices to balance the sweetness of the suman and the richness of the native chocolate.

Frozen Brazo de Mercedez, P255

This frozen dessert made from fresh eggs, sugar and milk had a custard filling in the middle and a layer of Graham crackers at the bottom. One word: sinfully decadent!

Our delicious food that night were prepared under the supervision of Chef Jojo Española. He was kind enough to check us out and pose for some photos.

Chef Jojo

We also tried some of their cocktail drinks and I happened to like the one with whole cherries:

Based from my visit, it's easy to say that Patio Carlito is a great go-to place not just when you want to have a full meal but also when you want to unwind with friends after a day's work. This is also the place if you want to enjoy good food and have clean fun without hurting your wallet.

Patio Carlito and White House on 84th is easy to locate. They're just beside the popular Pinoy Big Brother house, right on the corner of Scout Tuason St. and Eugenio Lopez Sr. Avenue in Quezon City.

If you have a thing for buffets, Patio Carlito has a Sunday Brunch Buffet at P499 per head from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Patio Carlito / White House Restobar
84 Scout Tuason St. cor. E. Lopez Sr. Ave.
Brgy South Triangle, Quezon City

(+632) 352-7140
patiocarlito@gmail.com

**Patio Carlito and White House on 84th belong to the Red Crab Group of Restaurants.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Tom Yum Thai at Mall of Asia Food Court

2011-07-11T14:15:00.005+08:00

The fiancée and I went to Mall of Asia (MOA) Friday night to pay some bills and reclaim some USB he asked to be replaced a few weeks ago. We had dinner at one of those food stalls that dotted the MOA Food Court. We chanced upon this stall that serves Thai food. The name was Tom Yum Thai by Jatujak. If I’m not mistaken, Jatujak is a Thai restaurant and it also has a branch at MOA.

The delicious Pad Thai I tasted at Makan Makan Asian Food Village in Manila Ocean Park was what made me decide to eat at Tom Yum Thai. I thought I'd try their version of the dish. I was also craving for some Thai iced tea, so yeah, the fiancée just had to agree, or else…

By the way, he ordered Bagoong Rice (P80) which was a complete meal in itself. He also got a can of Coke (P30) to go with it. I, on the other hand, had my Pad Thai (P70) and a glass of Thai Iced Tea (P35). We also got a free Pandan Rice Cake (normally P20 per piece) after I showed the cashier my SM Advantage Card (I love freebies!).

this Pandan Rice Cake tasted a lot like Maja Blanca, only it had some mashed beans inside

Two words to describe the food at Tom Yum Thai: delicious and affordable. The fiancee’s Bagoong Rice was very tasty. It had some flavored minced pork, fresh green mango strips, fresh onion slices, scrambled egg and chilies arranged beautifully in a plate. He mixed them all together and ate everything with gusto.

My Pad Thai came in huge serving. I loved the simple presentation. I was expecting some seafood in it but I saw none. Instead, it had some chicken slices along with the basic scrambled egg, ground peanuts, fresh cucumber slices and fresh mung bean sprouts. The sweetness of the dish was too much for my liking. I remedied this by mixing in some dried chilies and what do you know, it worked like magic! My Pad Thai tasted a lot better.

Though the Pad Thai at Makan Makan is way better than Tom Yum Thai’s, this will do if you’re having some Pad Thai craving and this is the nearest place to get it from. Just make sure to add some dried chilies (just like what I did) to neutralize the sweetness of the dish.

My Thai Iced Tea looked and tasted like the real thing. And for just P35 for a medium glass, I think this is so sulit (worth the price).

Personally speaking, I think Tom Yum Thai is Jatujak’s way of reaching out to a bigger market. Nice move, I say. Now you don’t have to go far to have a taste of Thailand fast food. It’s all right here at Tom Yum Thai. They have everything from the popular Tom Yum Soup and noodle dishes to chicken curries and Thai desserts.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

A Lovely Dinner at Casa Roces, Malacañang, Manila

2011-07-07T16:40:00.011+08:00

There's this newly-opened restaurant just outside our office building and we were all really tempted to try it out. I had the chance last Tuesday night (July 5) when I had a lovely dinner there with the fiancee's family and some of my co-workers at my part-time job. The name of the restaurant is Casa Roces. It is actually a restaurant and cafe as upon checking out their extensive menu, I found out they serve a lot of things from breakfast and snack fares to entrées and dessert items.

I think the letter G is missing here, it should be Malacañang (if they're referring to the entire complex)

Casa Roces offers valet parking!

the lobby

We were eight in the group and we chose a table overlooking the garden outside where guests could opt to dine al fresco. The garden is made more attractive with the addition of a wooden deck that gives it a modern yet earthy feel.

Casa Roces is a huge house and it's right in front of the Malacañan Palace. The restaurant is very spacious and well-lighted inside. I love their choice of light fixtures here!

The interiors of the restaurant look classy and well-maintained, giving out a cheery vibe and an ambience that is elegant and cozy at the same time. I hope they keep it that way. I also hope I'm not seeing all this only because the restaurant is still new.

While waiting for our orders (mostly heirloom recipes of the Roces family), which were "more than enough" for us as we would find out later, one of the staff offered to show us around the house. Yes, Casa Roces was an ancestral house before some genius converted it to a profitable venture a.k.a. a restaurant. (Casa, by the way, is Spanish for "house.")

The second floor was spacious and had several function rooms for a more private lunch or dinner. I dunno if they charge extra for reserving those rooms but I assure you they're all nice and cozy.

dining area at the second floor

yours truly posing for a souvenir shot

Their restroom was clean and roomy. And air-conditioned, too.

They also had a small accessory shop, a bar and a cake display case in one corner.

Minutes after we went back to our table, plates after plates of warm food started to arrive. One bite and I could easily tell Casa Roces was into Filipino-Spanish cuisine. We started off with three kinds of soup, two kinds of salad and one appetizer.

Sopa Molo Castiliana, P185

Onion Soup Gratin, P125

Truffle Mushroom Puree, P190

The Sopa Molo Castiliana was good. I liked the dumplings in it more than the soup itself, though. The dumplings were tasty and flavorful while the soup tasted bland. I appreciate onion soups in restaurants but Casa Roces's Onion Soup Gratin was a revelation. I couldn't get enough of the raclette cheese they put on top of the Melba toast! Haha. I think the Truffle Mushroom Puree was okay but it didn't have a lasting impression in my head.

Casa Roces currently has three choices of salad on their menu. We ordered two from the list. They tasted okay but nothing special. I hope they offer better-tasting salad dressings in the future.

Marinated Artichoke Salad, P160

Crispy Lengua Caesar Salad, P

Choritos en Balsamico, P295

Their Choritos en Balsamico was yummy! Chorizos are great on their own but I think what makes this appetizer appealing to the palate is the sweet and sour flavors in the balsamic syrup complemented by the rich and salty pork sausage slices.

some drinks to wash down our food

When the entrées came, I made it a point to taste each of them. Presentation wise, all the dishes deserve a good grade. The Casa Roces kitchens really took the effort to plate their food beautifully. Sorry but the pictures here don't give enough justice to how nice they look in the flesh:

I do not want to play favorites but I really liked their Bouillabaisse de la Casa Roces and Oven-baked Salmon Wellington. The bouillabaisse had a generous serving of various seafood in a flavorful stew of fresh tomatoes and spices. I loved the sweet, sour and salty flavors of this French dish. The salmon, on the other hand, was a delight in itself. Wrapped in what seemed like thin pastry crust with a slightly-thick spinach cream sauce, the tender, juicy and fatty goodness of the salmon were bursting in my mouth. The serving was big, too, which left my tummy very satisfied. Now I know what dishes to order on my next visit!

Bouillabaisse de la Casa Roces, P210

Oven-Baked Salmon Wellington, P380

I'm a big fan of lengua but I didn't like Casa Roces' take on this delicacy. I usually like my lengua to have this "melt-in-your-mouth" texture. Their lengua that night was quite far from that.

Lengua in Mushroom-Cognac Sauce, P330

The Pork Stew Binagoongan, Grilled Pork Ribs and Pork Belly Humba, though very tasty and flavorful and best eaten with rice, were just too salty for my liking. I could imagine the amount of sodium from these two dishes going down my throat after taking a spoonful of each. To each his own, I guess.

Pork Stew Binagoongan, P265

Pork Belly Humba, P245

Grilled Pork Ribs, P235

As for the other entrées, I thought they were all okay but my satisfaction with each dish wasn't enough for me to rave about them on this blog. By the way, I heard the Casa Roces kitchens are run by the Cravings group that operates Cravings and C2 Classic Cuisine restaurants.

Ox Tail Kare-Kare, P240

Bulalo Steak Ala Pobre, P285

Callos Ala Bolita, P260

Pan-Fried Sole Ala Beure Noisette, P220

We capped off our heavy dinner with three kinds of desserts: Chocolate Caramel, Laguna Cheesecake and Leche Flan Brulee. Among the three, I was smitten by the brulee. It was creamy, had a very smooth texture and the sweetness was just right. I think I can finish a serving of this on my own!

this Leche Flan Brulee (P95) is made of awesome!

Chocolate Caramel, P150

Laguna Cheesecake, P150

Our dining experience that night was pleasant and tummy-filling. And it looked like we had a mini-buffet right there because we shared everything, from the soup and appetizers to the entrées and desserts.

Dining at Casa Roces made me feel like a VIP. The staff looked like they work in a hotel with their gray and white uniform. The manager was nowhere to be seen, though. There were only us and two more groups that time.

The service was generally good. The staff who attended to us may have gotten a little confused with our orders and wasn't oriented well as to which dishes were available or not that night, but he was very polite and eager to please. The restaurant is still new. I'm sure they'll improve more on their service in the coming days.

Casa Roces serves a la carte items and according to one of the staff, set menus will be on offer soon. FYI, their food prices are already VAT-included! Service charge is added once you get your bill. I suggest allotting P300 to P500 per head for breakfast and snacks and P500 to P1,000 per head for lunch or dinner. A bit pricey, yes, but the good food and the lovely ambience are definitely worth the money you'll spend here.

Casa Roces
1153 J.P. Laurel cor. Aguado Sts.
San Miguel, Manila.

(+632) 735-5896
(+632) 708-4020
reservations@casaroces.com

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Promote Your Food Business with Flyers

2011-07-07T10:05:00.005+08:00

I love eating. I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t love to eat. Unless you are into some diet or suffering from some eating disorder, then you enjoy eating just like everyone else. As science and technology advance, so do the ways by which food companies do their business. They call it marketing strategies.

Do you easily get interested in a restaurant or a particular dish just by reading about it? I do, may it be from flyers given away on the streets to food blogs I read online, my interest in food defies logic, distance and space. While I love looking at mouth-watering food photos from food blogs I visit online, the charm of food photos from flyers given away in public places or in restaurants never fail to leave lasting images in my memory.

flyer sample

Speaking of flyers, I was just browsing through this site that offers flyer printing a while ago. I seriously think flyers are a great way to market a food business, may it be a bakeshop, a restaurant or even just a particular dish sold from a home kitchen.

Anyone can create his own flyer but a professional-looking one is always a better choice. If you’re in need of quality flyers, make sure to do a canvass of various printing companies first. You can do this online or offline. But with the strong online presence of printing companies today, I bet you’ll get as good a deal online as what you’ll get offline. For a more hassle-free transaction, though, you may want to meet face to face with the person or company you’re dealing with to communicate your layout and design ideas properly.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

King Chef Fine Dining: Cantonese Food Fit for Royalty

2011-07-05T09:30:00.009+08:00

King Chef Fine Dining has recently opened in Banawe, Quezon City. They had their grand opening last June 30 and I was one of the lucky ones who got invited to witness it and have a taste of their Imperial feast that was definitely fit for a king!

Basically, the restaurant serves authentic Cantonese cuisine in an elegant yet cozy setting. It sits beside Starbucks-Banawe and is quite easy to locate. I was with Superfriend Nice and Mee-I and we arrived tad early. After registering and having our photos taken at the nearby photo booth, one of the receptionists ushered us into the narrow stairs that led to a spacious dining area on the second floor. It was where the program was held and the Imperial feast consisting of King Chef's prized Cantonese dishes, enjoyed by the guests.

the night's menu

We started off our scrumptious dinner with a warm cup of tea. Minutes later, the waiters served plate after plate of yummy appetizers on our table to our tummy's delight.

Frid Prawn Dumpling and Malaysian Cake

The Fried Prawn Dumpling, which happened to be King Chef's best-selling dimsum, is best dipped in this hot chili-garlic sauce.

For the complete King Chef Imperial feast we enjoyed that night, let the food photos speak for themselves:

Shark Fin's Soup

The presentation of this dish was a winner! They heated it on a stove before serving to each guest in individual woks. It was steaming hot (as in there were bubbles popping out) and I loved it.

Cold Cuts Combination

Suahe Tea Leaves

King Fish Mango Sauce

Golden Fortune Bags

Imperial Spareribs

Crab with Sotanghon Hotpot

Herbal Lemon Grass with Mixed Fruits

There were so much food that night; I hard a time finishing the various dishes on my plate. My top choices were the two appetizers (Fried Prawn Dumplings and Malaysian Cake) served before the program started, the Golden Fortune Bags with its asado-like filling (except that it was chicken and had a slight soupy consistency which I loved!), the Suahe Tea Leaves (well-seasoned, plump shrimps were deep-fried and flavored with tea leaves) and the Imperial Spareribs (I super enjoyed this melt-in-your-mouth, porky goodness that left me wanting for more!).

I daresay King Chef's Yang Chow Fried Rice deserves a paragraph of its own. It's definitely a complete meal in itself! I loved the soft but firm fried rice with scrambled egg slices, small shrimps, pork bits, veggies and spices. A visit to King Chef (or any Chinese restaurant for that matter) is never complete without this rice dish.

King Chef's Yang Chow Fried Rice is made of awesome!

The truth is, you can never go wrong with any of King Chef's dishes. I'm not a big fan of shark's fin and sotanghon (glass noodles), but after looking at the Shark's Fin Soup and the Crab with Sotanghon Hotpot served on our table, I just had to get a taste of them. And what do you know, I liked both!

I can imagine the restaurant would be a great venue for birthdays, anniversaries, baptismals and other special occasions imaginable. The ambience that night was just perfect for an intimate yet fun celebration.

Having pampered by their attentive and friendly staff that night, I can say that aside from their delicious food and lovely ambience, their edge over the other Chinese restaurants in the metro is their impeccable service.

The food prices at King Chef are quite affordable. Their dishes are good for sharing, too. If you're dining as a group, I suggest you allot P300 to P500 per head to enjoy full meals.

** King Chef Fine Dining is owned by Michael and Marites Ang. They are also the tandem behind Cantonese Soup Kitchen and King Chef Dimsum Kitchen.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Late Night Buffet at Corniche, Diamond Hotel

2011-06-13T13:35:00.003+08:00

Thanks to groupon sites, one by one my foodie dreams are coming true. By offering great deals on restaurants, I am able to gain pleasurable dining experiences at half the price. One best example of this is our recent trip to Diamond Hotel to enjoy the Late Night Buffet at Corniche. We were five and I got all our vouchers from Ensogo Philippines for just P344 (originally priced at P688) each.

As usual, we arrived tad early for the late night culinary feast. We were asked by one of the receptionists to sit at the waiting area first and so sit we did. Soon after, we got ushered to our table at the elevated area of the restaurant. Our spot gave us a good view of the buffet and the dining areas.

Housed in a five star hotel, Corniche has a sophisticated ambience with its opulent interiors. During our visit, I couldn't help but stare at this beautiful chandelier:

Our table that night was big and I liked it. I was able to eat comfortably without worrying that I might hit the elbows of my companions.

I don't recall how many times I went to the buffet area; all I know is I had a great time and the P344 I paid for my meal was so sulit. While I didn't like all of the dishes I sampled, the wide food selection simply made up for it. They had everything you'd possibly crave for for midnight snacking: dimsum, pizza, pasta, bread, gourmet sandwiches and quiches, salad, ramen noodles, veggie tempura and desserts. They even had Singaporean fried rice for those who couldn't resist having rice as part of their meal.

I only took photos of my plates. What you'll see below are dishes I consumed that night (I shared the two plates of desserts with my mom and my sister, though):

Round 1

Round 2 (I couldn't get enough of the vinegar-soaked quail eggs at the salad station so I also put some into my ramen bowl. Haha.)

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

I remember liking the potato salad. It's light, refreshing and had just the right creaminess. I also enjoyed their desserts, but only the chocolate-y ones, the Tikoy Tagalog and the Sapin-Sapin. The others, the ones that were more nicely-presented, were just so-so for me. I was looking for the creme brulee and the yema (the Corniche late night buffet posts I've read online were raving about them) but they were very elusive that time. While I saw the yemas already on the table of another group, I didn't see any creme brulee around.

I also loved their gourmet sandwiches and dimsum offerings. I tried hakao, two kinds of dumplings and two more which I didn't know the name. I wanted to get more hakao but the chef at the dimsum station said they had already run out of it.I couldn't believe it as it was just 11:30 p.m. then. I pitied those who came late because they didn't get the chance to taste it.

In general, I think the late night buffet offered by Corniche is tummy-filling and reasonably priced (even for the original price of P688). It's a good answer to your late night food cravings especially if you just came from some exhausting event or just wanna relax in a posh place after your mall trip and just before going home.

It was my sister N's first time to experience buffet in a hotel and I'd like to think she enjoyed it a lot. We were all girls, the five of us. Here is she with my mom and yours truly posing by the lobby:

Corniche
Hotel Lobby, Diamond Hotel
Roxas Boulevard cor. Dr. J. Quintos St.
Ermita, Manila

(+632)528-3000

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Nanos Pizza House: A Piece of Italy in Manila

2011-06-12T21:34:00.003+08:00

Nanos Pizza House or simply Nanos is the “new kid on the block” in the exciting restaurant scene of SM Manila. One random Thursday while strolling around the mall with Edwin, my attention was drawn to this red and green-themed dining place that serves Italian food. Two differently-flavored pizzas were laid out on a table in front of their store for people to see and buy. They were offering pizza to-go to people passing by and it was selling like hotcakes! It must be the sign I was waiting for because before Edwin could say no, I had already dragged him to Nanos to have a quick dinner before going home.

Aside from pizza, Nanos serves pasta, salad and rice meals in a self-service, fast food style. It is sandwiched between Salazar's Bakeshop and Meylin's Noodle House on the Lower Ground Floor of the mall. During our visit, there was a long line at the counter area composed mostly of pizza to-go customers. We didn't waste our time and decided to join the queue to get a piece of Italy in Manila.

Edwin wanted rice and I was not in the mood for some pasta so off we went for their rice meals. He had their Beef Goulash (P99) while I settled for their Meatballs Rice (P79).

Edwin’s Beef Goulash was a plate of rice topped with some tomato-based beef stew. He said it was yummy and the beef was juicy and tender.

I cannot say the same for my Meatballs Rice as the sauce that came with the meatballs was too salty. I had a hard time finishing my rice because the sauce was already mixed with it. As with the two giant meatballs, they were a bit bland for my taste. I could also sense the amount of extender they added to ‘em meatballs was more than what I expected.

We also got a slice of their original Cheese Pizza (P69) just because I was curious of the taste. It was actually big for its price. I thought the taste lacked flavor. While I liked the soft and chewy crust, I found the pizza sauce bland and the mozzarella inadequate.

For drinks, Edwin got a Coke (P35) while I ordered their Banana Shake (P45). I loved my drink. It was lightly sweetened and I could taste the rich and comforting banana flavor in every sip. The serving was big, too. For P45, I thought this was very reasonably priced.

Nanos felt like the more popular Italian restaurant Sbarro to me, except that their food was cheaper, they had more stylish tables and chairs (that looked like world class Cebu furniture!) and their wait staff were more friendly (and most of them spoke Cebuano, too). I wanted to ask the waiter who served my banana shake if the owner was a Cebuano but I got shy. I just asked him if they had other branches. He answered in the negative and explained further that this was their only branch. Nice. I seriously think they have potentials to grow big.

Nanos
LGF SM Manila
Arroceros cor. Cocnepcion Sts.
Ermita, Manila

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Fuss-Free and Flavorful Persian Food at World Class Persian Kebab

2011-06-11T09:44:00.012+08:00

After getting a laser underarm hair removal treatment from White Beauty Face and Body Center (West Avenue branch), I asked my two companions for the night (the fiancee and his sister Albie) to have dinner at World Class Persian Kebab located on the corner of Tomas Morato and E. Rodriguez, Jr., Avenue. I have heard good feedbacks about the restaurant online and thought it was the perfect opportunity to sample their offerings since it's within the vicinity.

World Class Persian Kebab is housed in an old building along with other small establishments. The restaurant has several tables inside and a few more outside. Aside from the orange and yellow color combination of the interiors, two things I easily noticed during our visit were the low ceiling and the not so neat surroundings.

When we got seated, the waitress immediately approached us and handed us their laminated menu. We already knew what to order. Edwin had Beef Shawarma with Jasmine Rice (P95), Albie got Chicken Shawarma with Basmati Rice (P120) and I settled for the popular Chelo Kebab with Basmati Rice (P170). While they got soda for drinks (P30 per can), I opted to try their Green Mango Yogurt Shake (P50). I initially asked for the Lassi but the girl said they didn't have it that night.

I think we had waited for about 10 minutes before our individual orders arrived. I was expecting my food (especially my rice)to be served hot (it was a chilly night, after all) but it was just on the warm side. For me, it felt like they just reheated it or something. The taste, however, was a different story.

My Chelo Kebab, which was a plate of long-grained Basmati rice with a slice of butter on top, two pieces of beef (a kebab and a tenderloin), two grilled tomatoes and one half grilled white onion, was satisfying. The kebab was juicy and flavorful while the tenderloin was well-seasoned but was a bit on the chewy side because of the presence of some ligaments in it. I mixed my Basmati rice with the butter and ate the kebab along with the grilled tomatoes and onion. Each bite was a delight to my taste buds. Yum. Never mind the aftertastes from the onion and the strong flavors of the kebab that went home with me. Haha.

Chelo Kebab

Both Edwin and Albie had shawarma rice, the only difference was the meat used. They each had a plate of rice with shawarma and some sliced tomatoes, white onion, cucumber and Baguio pechay (similar to the Chinese's wom bok). They both liked their meal so I guess they tasted good as well.

Chicken Shawarma Rice

Beef Shawarma Rice

This condiment duo surely did a great job adding flavor and spice to our meals:

chili and garlic sauces

My green mango shake was cool and refreshing. I like that it had just the right sweetness and ice texture. It came in a medium glass which made me think it's worth its P50 price tag.

Green Mango Yogurt Shake

World Class Persian Kebab is open 24/7. I like the fact that it offers no frills dining and serves good Persian food at affordable prices. I just hope they issue a uniform to their waitresses as they are just wearing casual clothes and you could barely distinguish them from the diners except when you take note of the way they speak and look. I also hope they train their staff more about taking orders and dealing with customers. The girl who took our order sounded as if she was in a hurry and was in a serious mode all throughout our conversation. A smile goes a long way and is always appreciated.

with the fiancee

with his sister Albie

Did I mention parking is not a problem here? They have parking spaces in front and on the Tomas Morato side of the restaurant. Plus, there is a parking lot beside the building on the E. Rodriguez, Jr. Ave. side that charges a meager sum of P20 per vehicle (the lowest I've seen in a Metro Manila parking lot).

Things I liked:

the fuss-free and flavorful Persian food
the refreshing Green Mango Yogurt Shake
ample parking spaces

Things I didn't like:

the hurried and not so friendly service
the not so clean restrooms
the poor maintenance of the dining area

Food wise, the restaurant is a must-visit. But if you want better ambience and a more maintained dining area and restrooms, try checking out the other kebab places in the metro.

Photo taken from http://www.wheninmanila.com

World Class Persian Kebab
Tomas Morato cor. E. Rodriguez Ave.
Quezon City

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Max's Restaurant's Chicken All-You-Can is Back!

2011-06-09T08:32:00.001+08:00

When Max's Restaurant announced their Chicken All-You-Can promo last time, we so wanted to avail of it but never got the chance. Now, they're at it again. And this time, we'll make sure to try it!

Priced at just P199, this exciting and salivating promo runs from June 10 to July 10, 2011 only. Time is from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For one whole month, enjoy the goodness of Max's famous fried chicken at all Max's Restaurants nationwide.

Happy eating!

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Dinner at MakanMakan Asian Food Village

2011-06-07T21:33:00.004+08:00

After a sweat-inducing brisk walk at the Quirino Grandstand and Rizal Park grounds, Edwin and I had a good dinner in one of the restaurants housed inside the Manila Ocean Park. The name of the place is Makan Makan Asian Food Village. It serves delightful Asian dishes at reasonable prices. Name it, and they surely have it.

As soon as we got a table and was asked by the waiter what our order would be, Edwin and I settled for two dishes: Seafood Pad Thai (P165) and Nasi Lemak (P165). The pad thai is a personal favorite while the Nasi Lemak is something that I've long wanted to try just because I heard it's the national dish of Malaysia.

Our food and drinks arrived longer than we expected. There were only four tables occupied that night; I wonder what made the service quite slow. Anyway, I was glad to know the food didn't disappoint. The freshly-cooked Pad Thai was very good! There was no umay factor with this one. The flavors were a clean mix of sweet, salty, sour and spicy. It also had a generous load of shrimps and squid which we appreciated. I silently hoped they put a lot of bean sprouts, though. Haha.

Edwin's Nasi Lemak was a complete meal. It had a cup of coconut milk steamed rice, some fried dried anchovies, a slice of hard-boiled egg topped with some red, oily sauce (that looked like chili-garlic sauce to me!), some cucumber slices, and a potato patty. I liked the crispy and lightly-seasoned chicken. All in all, it was okay but nothing exceptional.

While Edwin had a regular Coke (P40) to wash down the food in his tummy, I went for a familiar drink with a twist -- Kalamansi Sour Plum (P50). It was just kalamansi juice with a piece of orange-colored sour plum. This drink was surprisingly good. I thought the sour plum gave the drink a unique flavor. And color, too. Cool.

MakanMakan Asian Food Village has cozy interiors with a cosmopolitan feel to it. After a little inquiry with the waiter, I learned that the place opens from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. for breakfast, closes from 10:01 to 11:00 a.m. and goes back to business from 11:01 a.m. to 9:00 pm.

Did I mention they have an open kitchen where guests can see how their food are cooked? I think that's a plus factor, a great way to attract more diners, especially the foodie ones.

We are definitely going back to Makan Makan Asian Food Village to try more Asian dishes! I'm taking a mental note now of the food I'll order next time. :)

Makan Makan Asian Food Village
2/F Manila Ocean Park Mall
Manila

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Chelsea Market & Cafe: Delicious Gourmet Food in a Cozy Setting

2011-05-25T15:05:00.006+08:00

It was our first time to dine at Serendra Piazza in Taguig City. From the row of restaurants there, our choice was Chelsea Market and Cafe. We indulged ourselves in delicious gourmet food while enjoying the relaxed yet sophisticated vibe of the restaurant. It was a happy and pleasant dining experience that we were able to forget about the bad traffic and the heavy downpour that accompanied it on our way to the place.

Chelsea Market & Cafe was half-filled with diners during our visit. We got seated at the table next to the rack of bottled goodies they sell. (They also double as delicatessen.) The people behind the restaurant are the same group that brought us Museum Cafe, Momo Cafe and Mr. Jones.

view of the rack beside me

We were five and we went there for dinner. While the food items at Chelsea are on the pricey side, I like the fact that they are meant for sharing. Once we got seated, the staff immediately handed us their laminated menu. It took us a while before ordering as it was quite hard to choose from their extensive offerings. Eventually, we settled for four interesting dishes.

While waiting for our food, we took in the modern but cozy interiors of the restaurant. The place looked so neat and cool. At one moment, I even felt like I was in some cafe in New York. Haha.

After a few minutes, we were given a complimentary platter of sliced focaccia with a whole grilled garlic and a dip of what seemed to be a mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Soon after, our food arrived and we partook of them with delight.

Classic Creamy Fetuccine Carbonara, P495

Their version of the Carbonara looked dry at first but when I started mixing it, I found its thick and creamy white sauce emerging from within. This was excellent and we polished it off in no time.

All Meat Pizza, P495 for 10"

Chelsea's All-Meat Pizza was light and good. It had thin and crispy crust. I liked that the toppings and the cheese on it were generous. I ate my share by adding some drops of Tabasco hot sauce and it tasted better.

The New York Diner Pastrami Melt, P495

This New York-inspired sandwich had layers of pastrami and home-made sauerkraut topped with melted emmental cheese and dill pickles. It was big enough for two persons. It came with potato wedges and some salad. The sauerkraut or "sour cabbage" put into the sandwich, though deliciously sour, was overpowering. I think the sandwich would have appealed better to us had they lessened the sour cabbage in it.

On a related note, my sister N and I liked the dressing they put in the salad. It tasted so refreshing with hints of citrus and syrup. Their potato wedges, on the other hand, was well-seasoned and crunchy. Plus points, I say.

Southern Style Cornflake, P550

I don't know with the name but, this was basically chicken in a basket. Our serving had two pieces of chicken fillets and a piece of chicken thigh with leg part. This came with gravy, potato wedges and some salad. If I had read the menu right, the batter used for the chicken was a mix of oat and corn flakes. While the chicken fillets tasted fresh and good, the chicken thigh with leg part fell in the freshness department. It had a fishy aftertaste. It could be the oil they used or the chicken itself. We had a hard time eating it.

To wash down all the food, I got myself a Raspberry Echinacea, P130. After a little googling, I learned that Echinacea is a flowering plant from the daisy family. My drink was served to me in a tall glass in the form of an iced tea. One sip and my mouth was overwhelmed by the sweet, brown sugar-y taste. It tasted like some herbal tea and I could barely taste the raspberry flavor. I was disappointed with it, to say the least. As with my four companions, they got themselves bottomless iced tea and soda. I think their drinks were okay because I didn't hear any of them complain about it.

my drink

Our total bill amounted to P2,700+. Since I had a P1000 worth of voucher from Cash Cash Pinoy (a groupon site) to spend, we only paid the remaining balance of P1,700+. Not bad for a dinner for five persons on a rainy Tuesday night.

While I have not seen (nor asked for) a restroom inside the restaurant, I noticed that they provided a nice area outside for diners waiting to get a table.

Ambience and service wise, I think Chelsea Market & Cafe is a nice restaurant. Their food prices may be steep (possibly due to high rent!) but at least the servings are big and good for sharing. I think it's perfect for dinner dates and special occasions when people are expected to do some lavish spending for their meals and for the happiness of their loved ones.

Chelsea Market & Cafe
Ground Level, Serendra Piazza
Mc Kinley Parkway, Fort Bonifacio
Taguig City

(+632) 909-7011

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Razon's Famous Halo-Halo is Addicting!

2011-05-24T15:05:00.005+08:00

My brother D is one lucky guy. After landing a teaching job last month, he has passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) recently, and is now a licensed teacher. He got his first salary two weeks ago and he gladly shared his blessings to us through a merienda treat at Razon's of Guagua, SM Manila branch. This restaurant that serves Pampanga cuisine is famous for two things: Pancit Luglog and Halo-halo. The extremely hot weather here in Manila prompted us to order the latter and we couldn't be happier with our choice.

The restaurant was filled with diners when we arrived. We had to wait for a while before we got seated. I noticed that there was a perennial item on each table: Razon's famous halo-halo. Thinking about it now, I guess it's enough proof to show they have the best halo-halo in town.

I can only think of one adjective to describe Razon's famous halo-halo: addicting! The moment my spoon touched the fine shaved ice of the halo-halo, I knew I'd have a great time eating it. With only three choices of "halo" (saba banana, macapuno and leche flan with dayap rind), Razon's famous halo-halo was surprisingly good. I noticed that it was not as sweet as the other halo-halos I've tasted before. The sweetness had no "umay" factor, if you know what I mean. Each spoonful of this favorite Pinoy treat was welcomed by my mouth with gusto. The price of P90 per glass may be a bit steep, but believe me, it's so worth it.

I can say that Razon's halo-halo belongs to a class of its own. I think what separates it from the other halo-halos (those that boast of a lot of "halo" or ingredient) in the country are the following points:

1. it has just the right creaminess and sweetness
2. the shaved ice used is finer
3. the three ingredients form a balance of flavors that is very unique, tasty and hard to resist

Here are the other items we ordered:

I had this super yummy Razon's Homemade Burger all by myself. The burger patty, as you can see, was well-done on the outside but the doneness was just right inside. I could sense it was fried but it was not at all greasy. This came with a side of fried fresh potatoes and a small glass of iced tea. Price was P105. I liked it that they provided me with mayo and catsup bottles for us to get as much as I wanted. Cool.

My brother D ate this Tocilog Meal (sweetened cured pork + fried rice + fried egg). He said it was good but nothing special. He thought it was overpriced, too at P105. Haha.

my brother and I

the fiancee with his sister A

I was craving for Razon's halo-halo last Sunday afternoon so I asked the fiancee to go to Razon's SM Manila. We ordered one glass each and finished it in no time. My cravings aside, I also wanted to check if Razon's was consistent with the taste of its halo-halo. Surprise, surprise...they were! Their halo-halo looked, smelled and tasted the same. This means they have already standardized its quality. I wonder if the same can be said of the halo-halos they serve in their other branches, though. I'll tell you when I get the chance to dine in them. :)

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Mr. Jones: Casual Dining, American Style

2011-05-19T15:38:00.007+08:00

The groupon addict (and frugal) in me struck again. This time, the vouchers were for Mr. Jones in Greenbelt 5 Makati. I bought it for P500 and we got a total food value of P1,000 from the restaurant. We went on a Sunday night at around 7:00 p.m. I called the reservation in advance but found out they didn't accept reservations during weekends. You just show up there and if they have table, they give it to you. If in case they don't have, you get waitlisted and seated once a table gets empty. Sounds fair and decent, if you'll ask me.

The restaurant's theme is inspired by the 1960's contemporary American diner. It looked and felt vintage to me during our visit. There were only a few groups dining when we arrived, so we got seated immediately. I think I saw only six tables inside. The al fresco dining area had several tables and if it weren't very humid that night, we would've dined outside to better enjoy the ambience.

After browsing the menu, I settled for the Big Mama's Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf (P395) while Edwin hand-picked the popular US Ribcap "Tapa and Garlic Overload" (P295). For drinks, Edwin had their Bottled "Pop" (P95) which could be any soda: Coke, Sprite, Royal, etc. I, on the other hand, got from their line of "Diner" Milkshake and chose the Blueberry Granola Yogurt Slim Shake (P250) just because I saw the tag line "not as many calories" below it. Haha. Seriously, granola and yogurt were a healthy combination so, why not?

Mr. Jones' menu had a wide variety of American food. I spotted some salads, burgers, breakfast fares and entrees. They also had desserts and of course, wine and cocktail selections.

Our drinks arrived first. I sipped through my milkshake and liked its richness and the fact that it was not too sweet. It came in a tall glass with 1 piece of cherry on top. There was also another glass provided containing what could possibly be left over from the blender. Cool! Edwin's drink was presented in the form of a 355 ml. bottle of Coke with a glass filled with ice and a slice of lemon.

Our meals came a little more than 10 minutes after the drinks did. I was hungry already so I started eating right after taking some food photos for this blog using Edwin's iPhone 4. Our meals came in American size servings. I even felt intimidated by our big plates at first. I remember the same thing happened when we dined at TGI Friday's before, but that's a different story altogether.

I got two 1-inch thick meat loaves with sides of mashed potatoes and buttered baby carrots and French beans. The meat loaves were as real as it could get, very far from the canned meat loaf I was used to eating. The peppery gravy that went with it made the meat loaves more interesting to me, gastronomically speaking.

my Sunday dinner at Mr. Jones

thick and tasty meat loaves!

The taste of the meat loaves actually resembled that of a burger patty minus the full texture and the smokey flavor of the beef. The mashed potatoes were light and tasty and the veggies were crunchy and well-seasoned. It was a good meal but I got full instantly I had to share the rest with Edwin.

Edwin's Pinoy tapa-inspired meal was pretty good, too. It came with a cup of rice, vinegar dip, pickled papaya (atchara), two sunny-side up eggs and two orange wedges. I tried a few spoonfuls of the tapa and it was on the sweet-salty side. It was the kind that needed lotsa rice to balance the flavors. The garlic bits were crunchy and added flavor to the tapa. Edwin found his meal a bit overwhelming also but he managed to finish it off in the end.

One good thing noteworthy about Mr. Jones is the attentiveness of its service staff. They were not really friendly, just attentive to our needs and I appreciated that. I also liked it that the restaurant's menu gives a lot of choices to diners who would like to experience casual dining, American style in the cozy Greenbelt Makati. Watch out for a bigger and better Mr. Jones because they're currently working on expanding their space as evidenced by the banner hanging on the left side of the restaurant.

Food prices at Mr. Jones are a bit steep. Meals range from P295 up and that doesn't even include appetizers or drinks yet. I suggest allotting P500 per head. No worries, though, because you'd get what you'd pay for. And they have nice ambience and attentive staff so you're bound to get a good dining experience. Country music on the background, too. This could take you back to memory lane so be prepared to reminisce about your youth. Haha.

The people behind Mr. Jones are the same group that brought us Museum Cafe, Momo Cafe and Chelsea Market and Cafe.

Mr. Jones
Level 1, Greenbelt 5
Ayala Center, Makati

(+632) 501-3682
(+632) 501-3111

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Our Lunch Buffet Experience at Richmonde Hotel

2011-05-17T11:35:00.004+08:00

Our lunch buffet experience at Richmonde Cafe inside the busy Richmonde Hotel-Ortigas last week, though far from being perfect, was satisfying. I was with my sister J and it somehow served as our bonding moment. Richmonde Cafe is such a cozy dining place and we liked it there. The food was good and the staff were nice, too.

Our reservation was 12:00 n.n. and we got to the hotel 10 minutes before that. The cafe is located at the 2nd floor and we just used the stairs to get there. I walked up to the receptionist and informed her I had a reservation for 12:00 n.n. for a table for two. He got my name and from the expression on his face, I detected a problem. My instincts were right. Apparently, there was no table reserved for me. He asked me as to whom I made a reservation with and I mentioned the name of the person I talked to on the phone. I overheard him whisper to his co-worker that maybe my reservation has been overlooked or something to that effect.

In all fairness to the staff, he resolved the problem on his own and got us a table in no time. I appreciated the response I got but the reservation guy left a not so good impression on me. I have experienced the same during the dinner buffet we had at Barbara's Intramuros. I dunno with restaurant reservation staff but I think they have to be extra careful in handling reservations made by diners who could be potential regulars of their establishments.

Richmonde Hotel lobby

By the way, I used Ensogo vouchers for our buffet lunch. I have purchased several vouchers from the groupon site before (like when we had a Spiral dinner buffet at Sofitel)and so far, this is the first time I had a little problem. And it wasn't even Ensogo's fault but the restaurant's.

On to the food. For a P560 worth of lunch buffet (originally priced at P1,120), I wasn't really expecting a lot. With the food selection at Richmonde Cafe during our lunch buffet, I can say I was quite pleased. I saw fresh seafood and meat items (waiting to be cooked our style!), cooked meat items (mostly Korean dishes), a salad station and a dessert station. I sampled all the dishes I found interesting and skipped the ones I normally eat at home. I brought my DSLR with me for picture-taking but forgot to check the battery. I found out the battery was empty so I asked one of the staff if I could charge it and he was kind enough to let me use one of their power outlets. :)

Here are two food photos I took (these do not include the ones I ate while the camera was still charging, though, haha):

my bread plate with bread, butter, green grapes, and several kinds of cheese

my sister's dessert plate

Among the food items I tried, only one stood out for me -- the steamed squid. It was my first time to see this popular seafood cooked very simply. It tasted so good and the soy-chili dip with calamansi went well with it. The squid was soft, succulent and tasted fresh. Every bite was memorable, the kick from the chilies went from mild to strong and I loved it. I think I ate a total of four pieces.

steamed squid is the one on mini-saucer

If I have voracious appetite, my sister J is the opposite. I think she only finished two plates of food: one for main dishes and the other for desserts. Plus, she tried the halo-halo (I didn't) and it seemed she liked it because she finished her glass. She said she was full already so I just let her relax while I continued eating.

Richmonde Cafe was full house during our lunch. It was the last day the Ensogo vouchers could be used so I wasn't surprised when I saw several groups arrived with Ensogo vouchers at hand. The advantage of being seated near the grand staircase. Haha. I, myself, almost forgot about this deal. Good thing I checked my vouchers and saw this one tagged with a May 11 deadline. I just had to use it so I dragged my sister along. Sayang naman kung hindi magamit.

Richmonde Hotel housed three restaurants in its premises: Richmonde Cafe, The Exchange (which looked like a sushal bar & lounge to me)and the Lobby Cafe (great for coffee or a quick snack). Richmonde Cafe, it seemed to me, shares restrooms with The Exchange because it was where we were pointed to by the staff when we asked for a ladies' room.

inside their well-lighted ladies' room

All in all, I think our lunch buffet at Richmond Cafe was pleasurable and worthy of our trip (we're from Manila). We enjoyed the cozy ambience and the friendly service. The food was good but not the kind that I'd go back for, though.

Have you dined at Richmonde Cafe recently? How has it been?

Richmonde Cafe
2nd Level, Richmonde Hotel
21 San Miguel Ave. Ortigas Center,
Pasig City 1600

(+632) 638-7777 loc. 3409
(+632) 689-8419
http://www.richmondehotel.com

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Blackbeard's Seafood Island: Sumptuous Seafood Feast for the Entire Family

2011-05-16T11:56:00.014+08:00

Back in my high school years, when I would spend my summer vacation over at my uncle's place in Muntinlupa, he and my aunt would occasionally take me to her parent's house in Ayala Alabang and just before going home, we would drop by Alabang Town Center (ATC) to see and get something either for ourselves or for their house. It's been ages since the last time I went to ATC. So when I was given the chance to check the place out, with my blogger friends this time, I didn't hesitate to go. But other than the sights and the shops, our mission was centered solely on food. We were there to sample the offerings of Blackbeard's Seafood Island, another awesome restaurant under the Red Crab Group.

For this food trip, I had quite high expectations as I have tried eating at other Red Crab restaurants before (John Bamboo and The Flying Pig). As it turned out, my expectations were met and our Sunday lunch was a gastronomic success.

The dishes on our table:

Pinoy Nachos, P165

Steamed Lapu-Lapu, starts at P999

Sampler de Grande, P685

Tali Beach, P1150 (5 to 6 persons)

Prawns in Chili and Garlic, P425

Let's do the Liempo, P185

Crispy Sisig con Bagnet, 195

Pakbet de Vigan with Bagnet, P240

Pork BBQ (5 pcs.), P220

Ensalatang Urdaneta, P175

Among the dishes served to us which were mostly Pinoy favorites, the stand-outs for me were the Halaan Soup (the perfect way to warm my body and whet my appetite!), the Garlic and Cheese Overload Oysters (ate more than my share of this seafood that was oozing with cheesy goodness!), the Crispy Diniguan (loved the crispy chicken intestines and the tantalizingly sour sauce!) and the Tuna and Crabmeat Sisig (rich in yummy seafood meat and had just the right kick from the chilies!). I must have liked the food so much because I was already asking for rice even if we we we're still into appetizers! Funny but true. Haha. When the entrees came, I had to limit my rice intake or run the risk of getting bloated with all the food in front of me. Hay, I could only eat so much food.

San Mig Clams, 145

Garlic & Cheese Overload Oysters, P295

Crispy Dinuguan Classic, P290

Tuna and Crabmeat Sisig, P250

Our desserts had a Pinoy touch. It's called 2nd Floor and consisted of suman (glutinous rice cake), ripe mango slices, banana turon and palitao with a glass of vanilla ice cream in the middle. This came in a big platter and was perfect for sharing.

2nd Floor, P320

Blackbeard's Seafood Island is the place to go for families (or group of friends) who would like to celebrate milestones over a seafood feast. Their food come in big servings that partaking of them is a no-brainer. They even offer boodle combos (prices start at P675 for a group of 3-4 persons) that are sure to unleash the "happy eater" in you. If you're fond of seafood and some grilled meats, the restaurant has a lot of dishes to choose from depending on your budget and of course, appetite.

To wash down all the seafood goodness, I suggest getting the perfect drink. Mine was a tall glass of fresh guyabano juice. I love, love, love guyabano! It's not just thirst-quenching but also packed with nutrients (some are known to have cancer-fighting properties). It was too sweet for my liking, though. (I think it'd be great if the staff at the bar would go easy with their sugar/syrup.) They also serve cocktails and other alcoholic beverages because they also double as a bar at night.

While the ambience at Blackbeard's Seafood Island is cozy and laidback with a tropical beach mood, the service was warm, fast and friendly.

The man behind the restaurant's extensive seafood menu, on the other hand, is John Paul Sentero. We met him during our sumptuous lunch and he was kind enough to answer our food-related questions and take his photo with us.

Our group was among the first diners to arrive in the restaurant and I was surprised to see that after we have settled on our table, people started coming in to eat. With the many restaurants that dot the second level of ATC, I think Blackbeard's Seafood Island stands out because of one thing: their delightful seafood feast that's perfect for the entire family. Seriously, I can't wait to go back.

To check out the complete menu of Blackbeard's Seafood Island, click here.

If Alabang is far from your place, you'll be happy to know that Blackbeard's Seafood Island also has branches in TriNoma, Market! Market!, Cubao (Shopwise), Eastwood City and Greenbelt 3.

To know about the other restaurants under the Red Crab group, visit the official Red Crab website.

Blackbeard's Seafood Island
2nd Level, Corte de Palmas
Alabang Town Center
Alabang, Muntinlupa City

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

On Food Trips, Braces and Dentists

2011-05-03T08:48:00.003+08:00

We were in Tayuman last Sunday. I had an appointment with my dentist for the adjustment of my braces. I also had one loose bracket which I wanted to get re-installed. Before going to her clinic filled with dental assistants wearing colorful scrubs uniforms, we headed to SM San Lazaro to grab a quick bite.

Since my fave restaurant has a branch there, we asked for a table for two and started ordering our food. We ordered our fave pasta, Carbonara Pasta with Chicken, and one item that we hadn't ordered from the restaurant until that time, a Hungarian Sausage Hero. When our orders came, we started eating. The food at A Veneto Pizzeria really don't disappoint. Our tummies were very satisfied when we left the restaurant.

By the time I got back to the dentist, I saw several patients inside the clinic waiting for their turn. Good thing I had my name enlisted early, I didn't have to wait for long. In less than five minutes, I was already ushered to the dental chair by one of the dental assistants. She looked cute in her pink scrub suit. I wonder if she bought it from http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/. It's one great site to shop for scrubs, lab coats and other medical uniforms. But I digress.

My dentist is a darling! She always has a smile for every patient and is very accommodating. I asked her a few questions regarding my braces and she answered them as completely and accurately as possible. I promise myself that she's gonna be the dentist my future children, too.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Our First Taste of Brothers Burger

2011-04-27T11:11:00.007+08:00

Whenever Edwin and I pass thru Roxas Blvd. on our way to Mall of Asia (MOA), I always see Brothers Burger (the establishment) beside the container vans turned gimmick place near the corner of Remedios St. I promised myself that I'd check the place out one day but I never got around to do it. Good thing that when we went to Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig last Easter Sunday, I saw the same burger joint at Bonifacio High Street (BHS). When it was time for us to have some snacks, I asked Edwin's sister A and my sister J to try it out. It was our first time to have a taste of their offerings so we were quite excited.

We stepped inside the store and immediately read their menu posted on the wall near the counter. Ordering was fast, but I thought the girl behind the counter looked snobbish and acted as if she was in a hurry. We were given a number and were told to wait for our food to be served on our table. The place was packed with customers that time but we were still lucky to snatch a table outside.

Soon after our order came. Too bad Edwin was already in the car (he was tired and sleepy after our malling and opted not to join us at Brothers Burger anymore) and he had the camera I needed for picture taking. But I had to take photos so I just used my camera phone and snapped away.

testing my camera phone, haha

I had a Baby Brothers Burger at P65, a serving of onion rings at P65 and a glass of lemonade at P50. A and J ordered the same thing: Baby Brothers Burger and Coke. A Baby Brothers Burger is basically one small beef patty with a slice of cheese, some mayo and catsup on a soft, warm bun. We were one in saying that our burgers were grilled to perfection, juicy and packed with rich, smoky flavors. I'd like to believe the burgers were charcoal-grilled and not cooked on a flat-top grill as in most fast food restaurants. You can say we loved 'em burgers but we found the size small for the price. We actually felt bitin.

this burger covers just half my palm

As for my onion rings, I thought it was just right. A serving had around 10 big rings. Each had a crunchy texture and good taste that went well with my burger. I dipped 'em onion rings in the complimentary mayo and catsup and I was very satisfied! (I love onion rings and when I have a lot of time in my hands, I cook them myself at home.)

The lemonade wasn't the fresh kind but it sure was effective in washing down all the food I ate. I found it over-priced, too, at P50 for a medium-sized glass. Haha.

Things I liked at Brothers Burger:

-minimal wait for our food
-tasty burgers and onion rings
-nice take-out bag
-happy vibe of the place

Things I didn't like:

-fast but snobbish service
-overpriced items on the menu

this nice take-out bag and its contents all went to Edwin

Despite of and in spite of, we still plan to go back to Brothers Burger for more of their delicious burgers. I hope they come up with some cool promos soon so we can make the most of our Brothers Burger experience on our next visit. :)

Brothers Burger-BHS
Fort Bonifacio Global City
5th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio Global City
Taguig, Metro Manila

(+632) 856-2405 to 06

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Kenny Rogers Roasters' Hainanese Chicken, Frozen Yoghurt and Phil Younghusband

2011-04-20T10:22:00.004+08:00

Kenny Rogers Roasters (KRR), one of my favorite casual dining restaurants, continues its tradition of providing deliciously healthy options to diners with the launch of its new products and new brand ambassadors. I had the pleasure of tasting 'em new products and meeting 'em new brand ambassadors last night at Kenny's Katipunan Branch. I'm so glad I didn't let this golden opportunity pass.

Superf Nice and I arrived tad early and took advantage of the situation by chatting with fellow bloggers. Soon after, more bloggers came in and the program started. We were introduced to Kenny Roger's new products and before we knew it, dinner was served.

Kenny Roger's Hainanese Chicken

From their classic roasted chicken, Kenny Rogers' added another deliciously healthy chicken item on their menu -- the Hainanese Chicken. Touted as Singapore's national dish, Hainanese Chicken has easily become a popular food worldwide because of its distinct oriental flavors and healthy goodness. Now we don't have to fly to Singapore to enjoy this dish because Kenny Roger's has it! For P185, you get a serving of 1/4 perfectly poached chicken that comes with soup, three sauces (sambal or chili sauce, ginger oil and sweet soy sauce) and flavor-infused chicken rice.

in print

VS.

up close and personal

I personally tried it last night and it was good. The Hainanese chicken was juicy and tender and the three sauces breathed more life into it. I paired it with the flavor-infused Hainanese rice and it was just perfect. As with the soup, it was a bit salty to my taste but I found a way to neutralize the saltiness by adding it to my rice. And it worked! Haha.

Kenny Rogers' Frozen Yoghurt

Another new product from Kenny Roger's that's sure to win your heart is the Frozen Yoghurt. For just P35 (small) and P55 (big), this yummy snack/dessert is very affordable. Combining the unique tangy flavor of yoghurt and the natural creaminess of ice cream, a serving of Kenny Roger's Frozen Yoghurt offers a sweet end to your meal. Add P10 for each topping. Choices include mango, mixed fruits, graham crackers and brownie bits.

my frozen yoghurt

more fro-yo goodness

I love brownies so my Frozen Yoghurt had brownie bits on top. It was sinful, I tell you! I liked that there was a perfect balance of creaminess and tanginess in every spoonful. The brownie bits, on the other hand, added a crunchy-gooey texture and made the fro-yo more interesting.

me enjoying my fro-yo

Kenny Roger's New Brand Ambassadors

For this year, Kenny Roger's has chosen individuals who are at the top of their game to represent the brand. They are Phil and Jame Younghusband of the Azkals' fame (our very own Philippine Football Team), professional surfer Lorraine Lapus and professional triathlete Mica Tantuico.

During the event, we met just two: Phil Younghusband and Mica Tantuico. They were very cool and accommodating. We were given a chance to ask them questions and they gamely answered each one. Topics range from their guilty food pleasures and hobbies to their career and personal life. And then of course, we had the requisite photo-op with them. I have to admit I got starstruck with the famous football guy. Yay!

with Phil Younghusband and Mica Tantuico

Have you seen the new Kenny Roger's 30 seconder TVC featuring their new brand ambassadors?

Thank you to Kenny Rogers Philippines and to Ms. Tina Papera for the invite. It was a fun bloggers' night and I had a great time. More power!

group pic taken from the Kenny Rogers Roasters FB Page

To get updated with Kenny Rogers Roasters promos and happenings, check out the Kenny Roger's Website and like their Kenny Roger's Facebook Page.

Craving for these new products from Kenny Roger's? Just dial (+632) 533-8888 or order online thru their website.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Buffet Dinner with Cultural Presentation at Barbara's Restaurant, Intramuros

2011-04-19T09:54:00.010+08:00

Whenever I dine in a restaurant, my top preference is always the buffet. Aside from the fact that buffets allow me to eat to my heart's content with its eat-all-you-can policy, they never fail to give full value to my money. As a paying customer, that's what I look for at all times. I don't care if I spend more than what I would usually pay for a meal, so long as it's buffet with wide food selection, I'm in.

The emergence of Groupon sites has allowed me to spend more on food through their awesome restaurant deals. Last Friday night, for instance, we have finally used our Metrodeal vouchers at Barbara's Restaurant, a fine dining vintage restaurant in Intramuros.

While the food and the wait staff service at Barbara's during our visit were pretty good, I found their reservation service a bit bad. I booked for a table for three the week before and when we asked for it, my name wasn't on their list for the night. How come it wasn't there?

I even called three times on different days just to get a table. During my first and second calls, the reservation officer said they're already fully booked on the dates I chose (within the week). On my third and final call, I was able to get a table because I chose a date that fell not within the week but on the next week. I was really upset but didn't show it. The guy on the reception table was kind enough to still accommodate us (okay, maybe the disappointment did show on my face).

Initially, we were ushered to the adjacent empty room. The other room was where the buffet spread, cultural presentation and diners were. My two companions (Edwin and his sister Albie) were just looking on and following me. So, we went to the other room to get food and for some reason, I overheard the guy at the reception table explaining about our situation to another guy that looked like restaurant manager to me. I made parinig that how come nobody enlisted my name as part of the diners for the night, blah blah blah. Funny but somehow, it was effective because seconds after we got our share from the buffet, we were led to the nearby table for three within that room. That, or maybe they just transferred us because the supposed diners for the said table for three were not arriving in the next one hour and we didn't look like we'd stay for more than an hour. Whatever the reason was, I was glad we got seated in that room.

a peek into the cultural presentation (behind us)

Personally, I liked the food at Barbara's. There were only a few dishes on the buffet and these were all Filipino food. I particularly enjoyed their lechon kawali. I think I had two servings of it. It was well-seasoned and had just the right oiliness. The pork skin was crispy and the meat was tender. I paired this with the mango, tomato and bagoong (shrimp paste) salad. Yum.

Another dish I liked is the soy sauce-based fish fillet (looked like taningue to me) whose meat was super tender and tasty.

Aside from the two dishes I mentioned, there were also pancit and kare-kare. I skipped on the pancit because it didn't look delicious to me. I tried the kare-kare but I only got some veggies and sauce because I was not a big fan of it.

that's the buffet at the back of Edwin

Drinks are not included in our vouchers. We had to drink or run the risk of choking. So, I got fresh guyabano juice. It's not on the menu but just a suggestion from one of the waiters. P120 for a glass. It was sweet and refreshing but had a bitter aftertaste. I guess some guyabano peel got mixed in while they were scraping off the fruit's flesh. But I still liked it as it was.

For desserts, Barbara's served three kinds. There were the banana fritters with sesame seeds that Edwin liked a lot, the merengue that Albie was raving about and the sago cups which Albie and I both enjoyed.

The entire restaurant complex of Barbara's is huge. They have function rooms for special occasions. The room where we got seated was on the second floor. It was big and looked really vintage with its wooden, Spanish style interiors. Despite the presence of the diners around, I still found the place spooky, though. It didn't help that the minimal lighting was concentrated on the buffet side and the tables were lighted by candles only. Taking good food pictures was next to impossible. We even forgot to bring a camera so pardon the lousy photos taken using an iPhone 4. Haha.

We got our Metrodeal vouchers at P250 each, original value was P500. Not bad for a buffet dinner with one-hour cultural presentation from a certain Folklorica dance group. Had my reservation went thru smoothly and my name been included in the list of diners for the night, our experience would have been more fun and memorable.

Barbara's Restaurant
Gen. Luna St. (just beside San Agustin Church)
Plaza San Luis Complex
Intramuros, Manila

(+632) 527-3893
(+632) 527-4086

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Pizza Hut Promo: Two Family Pan Pizza for P499

2011-04-11T16:01:00.005+08:00

One random night last week, Edwin treated me and his family to two family pan pizza from Pizza Hut. I was the one who placed the order thru their delivery hot line and it was his sister Albie who suggested we avail of that P499 promo. Yes, we got the two family pan pizza for P499 and we thought it was value for money. Our pizza came in two flavors: the Ultimate Cheese and the Super Supreme.

Pizza Hut's Ultimate Cheese Pizza

I would learn later that the Ultimate Cheese ( a new offering from the popular US pizza chain) had not just three but six kinds of cheeses. Wow, that was a lot! These were mozarella, parmesan, cheddar, provolone, romano and monterey jack. One bite and I was blown away. I love cheese and everything that has cheese in it which is why I was very satisfied with the Ultimate Cheese pizza. The rich, delicious flavors of the cheeses were a pleasant treat to my taste buds that night. Yum.

Pizza Hut's Super Supreme Pizza

The Super Supreme is one of my favorite pizza from Pizza Hut so it naturally got my nod of approval. With the tasty, thick crust topped with nine toppings of beef, Italian sausage, ham, pepperoni, pork, bell pepper, onions, mushrooms and pineapple, one slice and I was off to pizza heaven.

Craving for pizza? Dial 911-11-11 for Pizza Hut delivery.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

The New KFC Fish Twister

2011-04-09T23:32:00.006+08:00

KFC has launched a new variant to its famous twister -- the new Fish Twister. It's the fourth in the KFC Twister Series and it came out just in time for the Lenten Season. It's also KFC's first non-chicken food item. You can get it at P80 for ala carte and P95 with drink. I had the KFC Fish Twister for lunch today and I was happy to have chosen it over the usual chicken meal. It was love at first bite.

happiness comes in a box!

The Fish Twister arrived on our table in a red box. A medium-sized breaded cream dory fillet was mixed with some cucumber slices, drizzled with special mayo-mustard sauce, topped with two cheeses (mozarella and cheddar) and wrapped in a soft, warm tortilla. I took a bite and the rich flavors from the mayo-mustard sauce and the two cheeses bursted in my mouth.

Fish Twister in its full glory

The cream dory fillet, on the other hand, was light, tasty and not greasy at all. The cucumber slices were refreshing and gave some crunch to the sandwich. It was fun to eat and tummy-filling, too. Perfect for snack, or even lunch just like how I enjoyed it.

love at first bite!

KFC Fish twister is definitely a delight in its own right. I just love it as it is. I paired my Fish Twister with my fave KFC Krushers in Berry Banana and I went home a happy camper.

Have you tried the new Fish Twister? How did your taste buds react?

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

It's Porky Goodness and More at The Flying Pig Super Swine Diner and Cafe

2011-04-08T15:09:00.000+08:00

Last night, I met up with several blogger friends to enjoy the offerings of The Flying Pig : Super Swine Diner and Cafe at Eastwood Mall, Libis. It is part of the Red Crab Group of Restaurants. The place is pretty easy to locate. It is sandwiched between Blu Fish by Red Crab (its tandem establishment) and John Rockets, on the left side of the mall's veranda when you're facing the fountains. They serve mainly pork dishes (you guessed it right!) with the addition of some chicken and beef items. Knowing this had been scheduled days ahead, I really braced myself for an evening of porky goodness, of which I have been very satisfied. Pinoys love pork and in this restaurant, you can have all the pork dishes you could ever want.

My first impression upon arriving at Flying Pig was quite good. For one, I was greeted with an American diner setting whose interiors had a modern feel to it, making the restaurant look posh and neat along with white tables and red chairs that for me, added a touch of elegance to the place. I found myself smiling in appreciation after noticing that the restaurant was filled with sketches of cute, flying pigs hanging on the wall. Whoever thought of this had a good sense of taste and creativity. The highlight of 'em cute pigs was, of course, the Super Swine which was installed in one corner and was very visible to people coming in.

pay homage to Flying Pig's Super Swine!

I found Flying Pig's space small with only several tables inside. But I was glad the management made up for it by setting up tables outside to accommodate more diners and give them the option to dine al fresco.

After a little chitchat with fellow bloggers, food started to arrive on our table one after another. Instantly, my mouth watered and my stomach grumbled. Who wouldn't if you'd see this much food in front of you?

This basket of bread came warm and free! The focaccia was soft and chewy. Each piece was butter-laden and sprinkled with some herbs. It was a great way to start a hearty dinner that awaited us that night.

Apple Cream Soup, P175. This soup had nice presentation and tasted even nicer. The thick consistency of the soup had enough apple cream, apple bits and bacon bits to make me satisfied. It also reminded me of french onion soup because when I dug my spoon deeper into the bread bowl, I was able to scrape some damp bread along with the soup. Haha.

Bacon and Blue Cheese Salad, P355. This was romaine lettuce with croutons, cherry tomatoes, walnuts, thinly-sliced apple and blue cheese in classic vinaigrette. I enjoyed this salad a lot because the sweetness of the apple and the rich, tangy flavor of blue cheese complemented the sourness of the vinaigrette well.

Kung Fu Spiced Spare Ribs, P385. Fret not people who are not fond of spicy food, this was far from being spicy. It was just the fragrant oil from the chilies that was present in this dish. I also got to taste the well-seasoned spare ribs, tender and best eaten with the julienned green bell pepper and caramelized white onions that added a sweet, juicy flavor to the meat.

The Flying Pig, P295. I was surprised to find out Flying Pig wasn't only the name of the restaurant but the name of one of their best-selling appetizers as well. These were buffalo chicken wings wrapped in bacon and came with some carrot and celery sticks plus a blue cheese dip. The chicken wings had a combination of spicy, sweet and sour flavors in my mouth. The bacon that wrapped the chicken wings, on the other hand, gave them their signature crunch and saltiness which I enjoyed very much. The blue cheese dip was good, too.

Cuchi Frito (Solo-P365,Quarter-P689 and Half-P1,250). This quarter of a roasted suckling pig was a delight in its own right. Don't be deceived, though. The pork skin is crispier than it looks on the photo. I loved how you could easily separate the fat from the thin, crispy pork skin. (This is perfect if you're watching your cholesterol levels but still want to indulge in something as glorious and fatty as this one.) The meat was oh-so tender and had a light, clean taste you could easily tell it was lightly-seasoned and had none of those complex spices. But still, it was tasty up to the last bite. I also heard it was made from a 5-week old pig. No wonder it was sweet, juicy and flavorful all at the same time. For pork lovers out there, this is a must-order when you dine at Flying Pig!

The Pork Treasure Pot, P595. This was Chinese style pot composed of spare ribs with mushrooms, bokchoy, steamed eggplant, brocolli and flavored Jasponica rice. It was delicious and smelled good, too because of the star anise in the rice. I liked the richness in flavors found in this dish. The ribs alone were yummy but when paired with the rice, it was just perfect.

Slowly-Cooked Kurobota Pork Belly, P395. For the uninitiated, kurobota is the most highly prized pork in Japan. It comes from the ancient breed of pig known as Black Berkshire. Not all restaurants serve this because it's expensive. I was happy to find out Flying Pig had this on their menu. Kurobota pork has fine marbling and shorter muscle fibers which contribute to its tenderness once cooked. True enough, this kurobuta dish from Flying Pig delivered! I especially liked the delicate texture and the sweet, rich flavor of the meat. I think I got more than my supposed share of this specialty dish. Sorry, guys. Haha.

Three Little Pigs Cabbage Rolls, P265. One of my fave veggies is cabbage and this dish gave a unique touch to it thru the addition of cheddar cheese. This was baked to perfection and was an instant hit among us.

Pata Tim Pata Tom, P595. This is my least favorite among the batch. I dunno, perhaps it's because this is the last dish I tried and I was already full from all the food I consumed. But don't get me wrong, this is good and you'll surely enjoy the tender, tasty meat.

For desserts, we had a chocolate cake, a cheesecake and a panacotta. The chocolate cake was good and the cheesecake tasted light and not too sweet.

My heart was won by the Italian custard dessert, though. It was sweet and creamy with a smooth and thick consistency. Just how I like my pana cotta to be.

this panacotta is love!

Special mention goes to Flying Pig's house blend iced tea. It was red tea, actually, with shaved ice and syrup in a cocktail glass. This was good but maybe next time, I'll ask them to lessen its sweetness or ask for more ice, whichever is possible.

Prices at Flying Pig are reasonable. A dish can go anywhere from P150 to P1,300 but usually, the food are good for sharing. The service during our visit, on the other hand, was fast and friendly. And I liked the uniform of the staff. It was a 3/4 sleeve shirt printed with the Super Swine character and jeans that looked very casual and comfy. I hope they come up with a mascot of Super Swine soon, to complement the photo standees of Super Swine and his girl that never fail to draw the attention of the crowd outside.

my cute blogger friends Nice and Flow striking a piggy pose, haha

This is one food trip that I won't mind taking again. Good food + good company = one awesome night. Thank you, Ms. Xchosa and Alex for introducing Flying Pig to us. I had a great time, really.

our group

Given this fun and satisfying dining experience I had at Flying Pig, I am definitely going back. And I hope to take my entire family there, too!

Flying Pig
G/F Eastwood Mall
Libis, Quezon City

+632 900-0886

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Magnolia Cools Summer with New Ice Cream Products!

2011-04-06T18:00:00.000+08:00

I had the pleasure of being included in the guest list of Magnolia when it had its 1st Summer Bloggers Party held at the Executive Dining Room of the San Miguel Corporation Bldg. in Ortigas, Pasig City. This was Friday night and coincided with April Fools Day. The efforts that the people behind Magnolia put into the event, though, was no joke. The bloggers party was fun and filled with surprises that left us wanting for more as the night progressed.

Aside from the tasty buffet dinner, the exciting raffle, the witty host and the two awesome production numbers from the Velasco brothers (of Pilipinas Got Talent fame), the best part of the event for me was the welcome remarks of Magnolia's GM in the person of Mr. Mayo Alcon. The guy talked about the humble origins of Magnolia, from the time it opened and closed to the time it got sold to Nestle Philippines and ressurected again as an independent ice cream brand under the corporate conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC). They are currently no. 3 in the market, yes, but with the great promise brought about by a new and bigger plant and a set of bright marketing strategies, Magnolia has so much potential to be able to reclaim it's old glory as the Philippines' no. 1 ice cream brand.

buffet spread

Through this event, the bloggers got introduced to the new ice cream products of Magnolia. These included Popsies, Pinipig Crunch, Sweetie Bites, Fun Bar and Spinner. The first four are already out in the market but the Spinner (their version of the drumstick) is not, yet. That night, they let us sample it for the first time! Cool.

I have tried everything except for the Fun Bar. I liked the Spinner (chocolate flavor) and the Pinipig Crunch (sweet corn flavor) very much. The Spinner had a genuine chocolate-y flavor while the Pinipig Crunch was sweet and had just the right creaminess.

Magnolia was generous enough to give us samples of their new products stored in small ice cream storage bags for us to take home to our families. Thank you SMC and Magnolia Philippines for this fun event for bloggers. 'Till next time!

Check out Magnolia Ice Cream's website here.
Like their Facebook page here.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Healthy Snack Options from The Sandwich Guy

2011-04-04T23:38:00.003+08:00

After watching Catch Me...I'm In Love with my brother last week, I finally used my Cash Cash Pinoy voucher (groupon) at The Sandwich Guy. I paid P199 for it. It was a snack that was good for two, or so the voucher claimed. It had The Sandwich Guy's ultimate Big Time sandwich, a pasta of my choice, a baked potato with my choice of toppings and two drinks.

The Sandwich Guy's branch at One E-Com Center is small. It is located at the ground floor of the building, at the side facing Manila Bay. It has one four-seater table outside and can accommodate around four diners only inside the store. It seems they cater primarily to call center agents working in the building because they are open 24/7. Yes, that's right. I actually learned about this accidentally as I had to return to the store a few hours after my first visit to be able to use my voucher.

On my first visit, I was told by the staff behind the counter that they run out of Big Time sandwich and asked if I could just come back. I asked them when the said item would be available and I was told to return by 9:30 p.m. It was past 6:00 p.m. when we came and so we just went straight to Mall of Asia (MOA) to have dinner and do other things, things that we visited the mall for.

I was glad the staff had 'word of honor' because when we returned, they have replenished their Big Time sandwich ingredients (or whatever) already and they happily attended to my need. I just asked for my order to be wrapped as we were already on our way home.

I can't say much about my order except that they were all delish! The Sandwich Guy's Big Time sandwich was huge. It had three slices of bigger than standard size whole wheat bread with lettuce, cheese, ham and thin slices of beef. It tasted fresh and flavorful. It was so worth the regular price of P125.

My choice of pasta was Spaghetti La Tomato, P75. It was just the normal spaghetti with meat sauce but I loved how the sauce was flavor-packed and there was enough cheese to complement it. The serving was small, though. Like less than 100 g., I guess.

As for the baked potato, I chose the one with bacon and cheese. This was good but not exceptional. The potato slices were a bit soggy, too. A serving of this costs P75 as well.

The drinks I got were bottled gulaman (one pandan and one black gulaman flavor). They are sold at P25 per bottle. I liked both. They're refreshing especially when served ice-cold. They were sweet but not too sweet. My kind of drink.

This is my first time to try the food at The Sandwich Guy and I can say they serve mostly healthy stuff. The fact that they promote healthy eating is something to be admired of them. I hope more dining establishments will adapt this kind of practice. Serving food that are not just delicious but also healthy is always a plus for most diners. And if you pair it with good service and some innovation, then more or less your longevity in the business is guaranteed.

Have you tried the food at The Sandwich Guy? What's your favorite there?

**Sorry for the low quality photos. They were taken at nighttime using my Nokia E63 phone.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Spice Up Your Summer with California Berry's New Products

2011-03-29T16:08:00.007+08:00

During the first bloggers event of California Berry last Sunday held in its Mezza Residences Branch, I got the chance to sample this fast-growing fro-yo shop's new products sure to satisfy your food cravings this summer. They were fresh yogurt fruit blends, ice ice baby (shaved ice with fruit and fro-yo), four kinds of pasta and organic coffee.

the store

colorful toppings for the fro-yo

more fro-yo add-ons (such an eye candy!)

double berry, P120

mango tango, P120

This was my drink. It had mango, banana and fro-yo. Cool and refreshing. I liked that it had just the right sweetness and a nice blend of mango and banana. This would have been perfect if more fro-yo were mixed in, though. Just a thought.

ice ice baby, P65

enjoyed the texture of these creamy ice shavings in my mouth

This ice ice baby was fun to eat! The unique texture of the cool ice shavings was a welcome treat in my mouth. It also made me full, for some reason. Must be the effect of the choco toppings or all the food I consumed prior to this.

strawberry baby

This strawberry treat had a balance of sweetness and tartness. It was simple as it was. My fave!

PASTA SELECTION

Here they are up close:

spaghetti bolognese, P125

seafood alfredo, P145

cheesy lasagna, P145

pasta carbonara, P125

From the list, I was able to try the cheesy lasagna and true to its word, it was cheesy. The ground meat was generous, too. The lower layer was a bit difficult to cut using the pink plastic fork I was provided with, but a little effort could certainly go a long way.

organic coffee, P85

This smelled good! I intentionally didn't ask for some because I was limiting my caffeine intake. Consumed a lot of chocolates the past weeks. Sssshhh.

with fellow bloggers

A bloggers event isn't complete without games. California Berry got us to have two. I won the first one along with my partner blogger Ryan. It was a fun game involving what do you know, a calamansi! It was a race on getting the calamansi from the top to the bottom clothing of the boys. It was both crazy and fun! The second one was balloon bursting (which I wasn't able to watch because I was busy eating, haha).

California Berry owners Kyle You and Kirk Whang

If there's one thing I liked about California Berry (aside from the fact that they serve only non-fat frozen yogurt), it was its fresh and fun vibe. You can feel this just by looking at the store's interiors and tasting its exciting and healthy product line. And yes, they're the only yogurt shop that offers pasta and coffee yet. Talk about creativity at work.

California Berry - Mezza Branch
G/F Mezza Residences
Sta. Mesa, Manila

**Californiaberry is now serving nationwide with over 23 stores, including the newly-opened branches at Mezza Residences in Sta. Mesa, SM Fairview and SM Novaliches. Also located in Banawe (Quezon City), Greenhills (Ortigas), Tomas Morato, SM North Edsa (The Block), SM Southmall (Las Pinas), SM Manila, SM Megamall, SM Novaliches, Robinson’s Galleria, The Fort (Global City) SM Iloilo, Gaisano Mall (Davao City), DLSU (Manila), Sta. Lucia Mall (Cainta), Ateneo (Katipunan), UST (Manila), and Walter Mart (Makati), Festival Mall (Filinvest, Alabang). Watch out as well for the opening of BF Homes Paranaque branch.

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

The Search for the Best Coffee

2011-03-29T08:39:00.003+08:00

I'm not big on caffeine but whenever I get my fix, it has to be in the form of a bar of dark chocolate or better yet, a cup of freshly brewed coffee. They say the Philippines has one of the best coffee in the world with its alamid coffee grown in Batangas. It's something we should all be proud about. I remember Figaro, a Filipino-owned coffee shop, has this advocacy of championing the cause of Filipino coffee growers while promoting locally-grown coffee (in the country and in the world) going for years now.

Along with technological advances and good weather conditions come excellent gourmet flavored coffees. I'm glad that our coffee choices continue to widen through the years. Aside from our fave local brew, we can now have specialty blends like those made of Arabica coffee beans. Indeed, a cup of coffee is truly enjoyed when you know it comes only from the best coffee beans.

What's the best coffee for you?

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Delightful Indonesian Food at John Bamboo Sate House

2011-03-28T15:26:00.009+08:00

Along with my blogger friends, I set foot for the first time in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna to check out an Indonesian sate house. They said it's the first of its kind in Manila. It's called John Bamboo and is owned and operated by the Red Crab Group of Companies. Based on the food alone, I can say it's top-notch. The quality of the food speaks highly of the commitment of the people behind the restaurant to promote Indonesian cuisine in our shores.

by the lovely koi pond of Nuvali

outside view of the restaurant

From this yet another food trip and based on the expertise of Chefs Peter and Nur (the guys running John Bamboo's kitchens), I learned that Indonesian food is simple and prepared simply. But simple doesn't necessarily equate to boring food. The dishes we sampled were tasty and flavorful. They were generous in chilies and onions as well as herbs like lemon grass, pandan, leek, nutmeg and paprika. I never thought Indonesia cuisine was that interesting and fun to eat.

The drinks they offered, on the other hand, were cool and refreshing. They had coconut milk and condensed milk as main ingredients. This was to balance out the inherent spiciness of the Indonesian dishes. Perfect combination, yes?

From soup to desserts, you really can't go wrong with John Bamboo. The food excite the senses and are pleasing to the palate. And they are meant for sharing, too! Expect the restaurant to be filled with families and barkadas on regular days. If I'm not mistaken, they open as early as 7:00 a.m. and closes at midnight. Pretty busy, huh!

What we had:

Soup Buntut, P245. A comforting soup of oxtail with vegetables. This had a light, clean taste which I liked so much.

Balinese Seafood Chowder, P265. I was amazed by this soup. One spoonful and you could already taste the sweet, fresh taste of prawn in the broth. Aside from the prawn, this also had squid and fish fillet slices to complete the chowder ensemble.

Lumpia Semarang, P165. Spring rolls with small shrimps and vegetables. Instead of the usual vinegar, this is best dipped in a sweet and sour sauce. A little oily but very delicious.

Beef Rendang, P279. This was crispy and deep-fried to perfection. I liked that it remained tender, succulent and tasty.

Tumis Kangkong Dengan Tempe, P185. This gives a nice touch to the lowly kangkong and tofu. I loved the texture of the tofu here with those tiny bean sprouts. Once inside the mouth, it was like I was eating granola bars, just tastier and softer.

Nasi Goreng Gila, P195. John Bamboo's signature stir-fried rice had sausage, chicken and egg strips. A bit on the spicy side but very flavorful and pleasing to the palate.

John Bamboo All Meat Sate Sampler, P565. This was big enough for four people! Each stick of either chicken, beef, shrimp or squid sate was juicy, flavorful and had a nice kick. Best served with their signature stir-fried rice!

Mie Goreng, P255. I thought this was their version of our pancit canton. This had small shrimps and vegetables, a perfect accompaniment to the meat sate. I loved the sweet-savory taste of this Indonesian stir-fried noodles.

I also tried several dishes more but my digicam died on me, hence, no photos of them. Sad. From what I remember, I even got to taste Bebek Goreng Dengan Sambal. It was a deep-fried duck dish that was oh-so yummy.

I'm a big fan of spicy food and John Bamboo's offerings gave me a great deal. The sweet soysauce (that looks like chocolate sauce in the photos!) enhances the flavors of the dishes and neutralizes the heat from the chilies. Ask for more of this if you have to. It's good.

The ambience at John Bamboo is casual and homey with Indonesian music filling the air (both the indoor and outdoor dining areas). The restaurant has high ceiling and the interiors have some native feel to it. The red tables and chairs, on the other hand, evoke a romantic charm and add a taste of elegance to the place.

Service is fantastic, too. The wait staff are attentive and knowledgeable. Expect to order more than what you came for after talking with them. Haha.

Thank you to John Bamboo, PR girls Xchosa and Evy, and to my blogger friend Alex for the invite. This is one food trip I will never forget. :)

John Bamboo Sate House
Nuvali, Sta. Rosa City
Laguna

(+632) 861-9563

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Promoting Cavite Tourism Thru a Food Revolution

2011-03-21T13:15:00.007+08:00

Aside from our OFWs, tourism is one of the driving forces that keeps the Philippine economy afloat. Surely, there is so much to see and do in our 7,107 islands but let's face the truth, tourist distribution in our country remains unequal. While some provinces bask in the great volume of tourists that flock their must-see destinations, there are those that are just left behind. Take for instance the province of Cavite. Despite its many offerings and fair share of sights, activities and culinary treats, Cavite remains less attractive to tourists than Cebu, Bohol or even Davao. Good thing the forerunners of Cavite tourism has thought of a strategy to attract tourists to their territories. That is, through a food revolution (pun intended). (We all know how Cavite led the revolution against Spain at one point in our rich Philippine history.) They would like the world to know about the uniqueness and great taste of Cavite food. And what could be a better venue to announce this than a tourism seminar cum food tasting! I'm glad to have been part of this event along with several foodie bloggers.

The event was hosted by Republic of Cavite, a homey, history-rich restaurant situated in Trece Martires City. Below are some of the Cavite dishes we had the pleasure of tasting:

STARTERS

Cavite Kinilaw

MAIN DISHES

Binagoongang Baboy

Grilled Chicken Sinampalukan

Kare-Kare

everyone's favorite Crispy Pata

Adobong Caviteño (my favorite among the main dishes!)

Crispy Dinuguan

the province's very own Cavite Express

DESSERTS

the famous Lihim ni Lola

Piniritong Halo-halo

Onde Onde

Honestly, I liked everything and would have eaten more had my tummy allowed me. But no, I could only eat so much that time. I was particularly blown away by the Adobong Caviteño. The addition of pork liver, quiail eggs and whole peanuts made the dish more interesting and delectable. It was my most fave dish from the buffet.

this Lechon Sinigang Soup was unique and yummy!

my plate

Before we had a delightful, gastronomic adventure, we were first seen participating in a tourism seminar. Talks were given by three respectable Cavite tourism movers namely: Mr. Jaime Tepora (President, Cavite Travel and Tours), Ms. Teresita Leabres (Chairman, Cavite Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council) and Ms. Cathy Lee Cachila Tolentino (General Manager, Caylabne Bay Resort). There were also raffle draws, a cooking demo and a dance number from the Cavite State University to sustain the interest of the participants. After the program, there was a tour of the place (my second time) where we took lots of photos for ~~cam-whoring~~ documentation purposes.All in all, it was a fun and knowledge-filled event.

we won in the raffle!

blogger group picture

For more of Republic of Cavite, you may wanna check out my Republic of Cavite review and some Republic of Cavite photos I have blogged before.

If you have never set foot in any of Cavite's tourist attractions, you better plan a visit now. There's so much to see and do and eat in Cavite, I can assure you that it's gonna be a worthwhile experience. Plus, in doing so, you'll be able to help in Cavite's campaign to promote tourism in the entire province. Or better yet, help spread the word about Cavite to your family, friends and community.

Thank you very much to Republic of Cavite and to my friend Ron Leyba for the invite. :)

Republic of Cavite
City Hall Road, Brgy. San Agustin
Trece Martires City, Cavite

Contact Nos.
(+6346) 686-7271
(+6346) 686-4837
(+6346) 437-6055

Email
info@republicofcavite.com
republicofcavite@rocketmail.com

Website
http://www. republicofcavite.com

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.