Unlimited Pasta and Pizza at The Old Spaghetti House (TOSH)

When I learned about the eat-all-you-can pasta + unlimited pizza promo at The Old Spaghetti House (TOSH), I immediately suggested it to the Tropang Gala (a group composed of my husband, my superfriend Nice, my friend Carmela and myself) in time for our scheduled dinner date which happened last Tuesday night at TOSH - SM Manila. For P150 per head, the eat-all-you-can pasta sounded like a good deal to us. We also availed of the additional P50 for unlimited pizza and P65 for bottomless iced tea. To be very honest, we got full from the food but we were not quite satisfied with the service.


There were four kinds of pasta on offer: pomodoro, carbonara, pesto and Viatnamese. For the pizza, there were three flavors: pepperoni, five cheese and Hawaaian. There's really not much to expect here. Spaghetti is the type of noodle used for all four sauces while all pizza was served on thin crust. Here are some food photos to give you an idea of what we ate there:


pomodoro pasta with five-cheese pizza


pesto, carbonara and pomodoro pasta with Hawaiian pizza


Vietnamese pasta with Hawaiian pizza


pesto pasta with pepperoni pizza

During our visit, I liked that the spaghetti was cooked "al dente" and some of the pizza slices were still hot when they landed on our table. We got to the restaurant at around 7:30 pm and left when the nearby shops started closing their doors.

Unlike in other restaurants where eat-all-you-can translates to having a buffet style of serving the food, at TOSH it's kind of personalized. The wait staff go around, table by table, serving the pasta and the pizza.

If we wanted what the staff was showing to us, all we had to do was ask for some. If we wanted a different pasta or pizza, we would ask them for it, too. The problem was, the wait staff wasn't that attentive even if only five tables were occupied that night. We had to call their attention twice, sometimes thrice or more, before we could get whatever food we were asking for. It didn't help that they looked exhausted and couldn't even give out a friendly smile. It was a good thing I was in good company then that these setbacks didn't affect my happy mood that much.


our group

But, if ever anyone from TOSH could read this, kindly remind your wait staff about good and proper customer service. It'll be for your own good, not mine. But even so, I'll appreciate it very much.

The Old Spaghetti House
4/F SM City Manila
San Marcelino St.
Ermita, Manila

(+632) 353-8674


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

Read More...

Late Night Snacking at 8 Street Bites Restaurant

Right after watching the 6:30pm screening of Maleficent at SM Manila last Friday, my mom, my two sisters and I had a late snack at 8 Street Bites Restaurant, also on the fourth level. It’s fairly new, serves American-Mexican fast food and we had never eaten there until that night.


the restaurant's facade...


and interior

We were supposed to get only snack items from the menu but mom wanted to try the chicken tenders that happened to be a rice meal. And so she did. She shared that with my sister Nyam who got an order of fries to pair with the chicken tenders. They both thought it was good. An order had five chunky pieces. The chicken was deep-fried, crispy on the outside but the meat retained its juices somehow. The sauce that came with it was honey mustard and tasted yummy, too. I knew because I had a bite of the chicken with it. Haha.


Chicken Tender Bites, P148


Nyam's fries, P28

My sister Jodie and I, on the other hand, shared Freeway Nachos (P98) and a Banoffee Pie (P58). The nacho sauce was delicious but tasted like it came straight from the can. (Not that it was a bad thing, just saying.) It had a few kidney beans and meat. There were fresh tomatoes, onions, sour cream and cheese sauce on top, too.



This banofee pie satisfied my sweeth tooth. It was pretty basic but I liked the thick cream a lot.



with my sister Jodie

For the small food servings, I thought the prices were just right. The service was a bit slow during our visit and I guess the staff felt that, too. We ended up getting a complimentary dessert in the form of a pana cotta which had a good balance of creaminess and sweetness.



I’d love to go back to this resto and try the other items soon. :)

8 Street Bites Restaurant
4/F SM City Manila
Natividad Lopez St.
Ermita, Manila
(+632) 585-4211


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

Indian Lunch at Assad Cafe, UN Avenue

I've long wanted to eat at Assad Cafe, a small Indian resto on UN Avenue, Manila. I finally did last month with the hubby. We were running some errands then and I suggested we go there for lunch. It was one delicious and affordable lunch that I'd like to have all over again.




Assad Cafe has a very straightforward menu. Ordering is easy as the wait staff know the resto's offerings well. The food takes time to arrive (around 30 minutes during our visit) but once it lands on your table, a pleasant gastronomic experience ensues.

Below were our orders:



The Beef Quorma, P170 was delicious. The curry flavor was mild, just like how it should be. There were four small pieces of fork-tender, lean beef in our order and the hubby paired it with rice because he's a rice person. Haha.



Paneer Matar, P145. This vegetarian dish consisting of green peas and Indian cheese was a revelation. It looked so simple when I saw it but when I tasted it, it packed a lot of flavors. The cheese's texture and taste is similar to that of feta. Along with the soft green peas and the rich curry-based sauce, this dish is best-paired with a Nann (P17 per piece) or a Parata(P39 per piece).


Nann

My personal choice is parata because it's sweet, buttery and chewy. It's so good I can even eat it on its own.


Parata



Even their Sweet Lassi (P60) was good. The hubby isn't a fan of yogurt-based drinks, but I am, so this went to me. I loved every sip of this refreshing yogurt drink which complemented the heat and rich flavors of my food well.


with my fave food buddy a.k.a. the hubby

Assad Cafe isn't your posh and dainty resto. The interiors are plain and old-looking and there's minimal ventilation provided. It's the kind of place where you come for the food and nothing else. But if you're looking for some cheap yet authentic Indian food, then this is the right place for you. :)

Assad Cafe
1268-D Midtown Executive Homes
U.N. Ave. Paco, Manila

(+632) 404-0319


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

Read More...

We Love Todd English Food Hall!

Todd English Food Hall was still in soft-opening when we dined there last Valor Day (April 9th). It's like a big food court (albeit very posh, well-lit and well-ventilated) with nine cooking stations that make the atmosphere so festive and alive. The restaurant sits on a 900sqm space. It was really huge, I initially thought people were just exaggerating.



After waiting to be ushered inside (there was a long queue, I tell you), we got seated to the bar area. We didn't mind so long as we got to eat because we were starving already. If I remembered correctly, we waited for almost 45 minutes. Haha.



Just like when dealing with newly-opened restos, we played safe and ordered food based on the crowd favorites. The hubby, my SIL Albie and I shared all the food so we could taste everything.



Todd English Slider, P390. The three sliders were gone in seconds! They were that good. The patties alone were bursting with flavors. And no extenders, whatsoever. The buns were soft, had a nice texture and not crumbly. The other fillings were lightly-seasoned, perhaps the chef didn't want them to overpower the patties which were the star of the show.



Fig and Prosciutto, P530. The flatbread pizza had sticky-sweet fig jam and salty prosciutto as toppings. These two ingredients work so well and the pungent gorgonzola cheese made it all the more appetizing. It's the ultimate sweet-salty treat anyone will love and in my case, crave for on a regular day.




a tiny fire grill was provided to warm the meat or cook it further



U.S. Hanger Steak, P590. I asked the beef to be cooked medium-well. It turned out to be succulent, tasty and tender enough. The sides of potato wedges and veggies I didn't touch but based on my companions, they were okay. The bone marrow was tasty, too, but I found nothing special to it. I loved how Todd English was generous in their food servings. Like this beef, for instance, which had a big slab sliced into three chunky pieces. More food always equates to happier tummy!



The OMG Dessert (P420) was insanely good. The chocolate-y goodness was evident in the photo, isn't it? It had chocolate ice cream, chocolate cereals, chocolate sauce and chocolate bits. I sensed some Milo in it, too. I treasured every bite of it and momentarily wished I had it all for myself. Haha.



Definitely, our first time at Todd English Food Hall won't be our last. We need to go back for the other must-try dishes! :)

Todd English Food Hall
5/F Sky Park
SM Aura Premier
McKinley Parkway, McKinley Hill
Taguig City

(+632) 621-4002


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

Read More...

New Favorite: Hainanese Delights!

After two visits at Hainanese Delights, the hubby and I have started to love it. On both occasions, we ordered the same two food items (Hainanese chicken and kutchay dumplings, only cooked differently each time) and a few more dishes which we all enjoyed. Quality food plus reasonable prices is always a winning formula for us!

During our first visit, it was just the hubby and me. We had Hainanese chicken and kutchay dumplings (both steamed). These were accompanied by their Hainanese rice cooked in rich chicken broth.

The chicken (Hainanese Delights, P139) was lean and flavorful with lesser fat than I imagined it to be.



The three kinds of dip provided (chili oil, garlic-ginger sauce and sweet soy sauce) were quite good, they complimented the chicken's delicate taste very well.



The kutchay dumplings (Kutchay Craze, P110 for 10 pieces), on the other hand, were tasty, meaty, moist and juicy. The dip that came with it made everything more delicious as it had the perfect salty-sweet flavor balance. The dip alone was worth a second visit, methinks. Haha.



On our second visit, the hubby and I were joined by my MIL and my SIL. We settled for their Hainanese chicken again, but this time it was roasted. We also got their kutchay dumplings and went for the fried variety for comparison.

The roasted Hainanese chicken (1/2 chicken was P190), was equally good as the classic steamed one. The skin was a bit crispy, too and the meat was tender and moist and flavorful as well.



As for the kutchay dumplings, the fried variety was crispy and well-seasoned. Dipped in the same awesome sauce, each bite was a delight to our taste buds.



We also ordered their beef and wanton noodles (Beef Bites, P140) and Salt and Pepper Squid (P190). I liked that the noodles were served to us steaming hot with generous servings of tender beef and wanton dumplings. The squid dish was also good with just the right amount of heat from the chili flakes. It was also tender and not rubbery as some squid dishes tend to be.





For drinks, we had their Strawberry Blossom (P75) and Coffee Jelly something (P75), sorry I forgot the complete name. Between the two, we liked the coffee jelly better (in the photo below, it's the one on the left with the darker shade at the base of the glass!) with its moderate coffee flavor and mild sweetness.



And then of course we got the usual red iced tea which was refreshing and not too sweet.



If you want unlimited Hainanese rice, just pay P45 for it. This we all availed to our tummies' desire!



With its delicious food, reasonable prices, the friendly and fast service, the neat interiors and the overall casual vibe of the place, Hainanese Delights is now on top of our list when we want to enjoy Singaporean cuisine in Manila.


with the hubby, my MIL and my SIL

Hainanese Delights
UG/F SM City Manila
Concepcion St. cor. Arroceros St.
cor. San Marcelino St.
Ermita, Manila


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

Read More...

Fantastic Ramen at Ramen Yushoken, Molito

During our wedding anniversary celebration last weekend, the hubby and I dined at Ramen Yushoken - Molito branch. After lining up for about 30 minutes, we got seated on their bar area and that was where our awesome ramen dinner started and ended on a happy note.

the store's logo


a peek through Ramen Yushoken's minimalist menu

A bowl of ramen at Ramen Yushoken starts at P320. Pricey, yes, but if it’s good, we won’t mind paying. If it’s special, then that’s already a bonus.


condiments and chopsticks (they don't provide Western utensils here)

OTHER RAMEN PLACES WE'VE TRIED:
Ramen Kuroda, BF Homes
Erra's Ramen, Malate
Kokoro Ramenya, Roxas Blvd.
Yasuo Japanese Restaurant, Robinsons Place Manila
Izakaya Den Japanese Restaurant, Malate
Rai Rai Ken, Finlandia
Ume-ya Japanese Restaurant, Bacoor
Yoshinoya, SM Manila

So, we ordered two kinds of ramen. Mine was the Miso Ramen (P380) while the hubby’s was the Tantan-men (P380). To complete our ramen experience, we also got a serving of their Gyoza (five pieces for P150) and Aji Tamago (P80).

After tasting the rich broth of his spicy ramen, the hubby couldn’t stop complimenting it. I had to try it to believe him. OMG, he wasn’t lying at all. His ramen had a nutty, milky, creamy, meaty, flavorful broth with mild heat from the chili oil. The ground pork on top were very tasty, too. As for the noodles, they were cooked “al dente” and came in generous serving. Suffice it to say, the hubby finished his ramen in no time.


Tantan-men

My ramen was equally good, too. It also had a rich broth coming from the miso. And then there were some diced pork, fresh mushrooms, fresh bean sprouts and chopped spring onion mixed in to complete the ramen. Oh, I loved the diced pork with its glorious and tasty fat I had to control myself to ingest them all (hello rising cholesterol levels!).


Miso Ramen

The hubby and I shared the AJi Tamago whose runny yolk was just perfect.



As for their gyoza, each piece was packed with flavor. I loved that the meat and veggie filling was generous and the wrapper was crispy and chewy at the same time.




with my husband who's a big ramen fan

Our bill amounted to P1,000+ (total food cost plus 10% service charge). It was wallet-breaking but definitely worth it. Haha.

Now we know why people continue to flock to Ramen Yushoken. Their ramen are fantastic and you really get what you pay for! Plus, the service is fast and the restaurant has a cheery vibe, just like in most ramen restos we’ve been to.



Ramen Yushoken
Molito Lifestyle Mall
Madrigal Ave.
Alabang, Muntinlupa City

(632) 808-7424


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

Read More...