Family Dinners at Hap Chan, SM Manila

Whenever I want cheap but delicious Chinese food, I only go to North Park (they currently have two stores along Macapagal Blvd.!). Now, there's also Hap Chan Tea House to satiate my Chinese food cravings. Since they opened a branch at SM Manila last year (I stand corrected), we've had family dinner there a couple of times already and each time, my family and I were satisfied.



Below are our some of our must-orders there:



Yang Chow Fried Rice (P230) and Lumpiang Shanghai (P250). I liked how their fried rice was not oily at all and contained lots of small shrimps, pork asado bits and veggies. Their shanghai rolls, on the other hand, were crispy, meaty (unlike others that had more veggies than pork meat) and seasoned just right. Their lumpiang shanghai actually got my mom's nod of approval at first bite.



Their Quail Egg Siomai (P75) hit the spot! It's now officially my fave siomai in the entire Metro Manila. Haha. I liked how each piece of dimsum was plump, juicy, packed with meat (and not just fat!) and was seasoned just right. No umay factor here.



These two were soya-based smoothies (P60-P65 per glass). The one on the left was strawberry and the one on the right was chocolate. I prefer the latter because it tasted more chocolate-y than tofu-flavored.

One time, we also tried their Buttered Chicken (P250) which was very good. Our order had around six to seven small chicken pieces which were fried to perfection. I could taste the butter in every bite so I could tell they didn't scrimp on ingredients.

Another time, my mom and I had dinner there and availed of their rice meals which were okay, too. Priced at P120-P150, they were quite delicious and filling.


with my mom and my two younger sisters during one of our family dinners at Hap Chan, SM Manila

Hap Chan
4/L SM City Manila
Natividad Almeda-Lopez, Ermita, Manila

(+632) 484-3229


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...

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...

Late Lunch at Casa Verde, UP Town Center

Last Sunday, the hubby and I, along with my SIL Albie, found ourselves driving to UP Town Center after our visit to St. Pio Shrine in Eastwood. We eventually decided to have a late lunch at Casa Verde. This restaurant originated in Cebu (I even blogged about their famous Brian’s Ribs here) and is now in Manila to serve good food to its Manila fans.



I wanted to order their Chicken Raffitas (their deconstructed version of the Mexican favorite Chicken Fajitas) but got sad when I saw the sign “coming soon” beside it in the menu. The hubby and Albie were already decided in ordering the Brian’s Ribs so I chose a different dish for myself which was Tenderloin Tips and Eggs.

As expected, Casa Verde’s Brian’s Ribs (P250) were huge! The hubby’s plate had three slabs of baked pork ribs marinated in a sweet and tangy piquet sauce. They also came with a cup of rice and some corn and carrots. He said the taste and flavor of the ribs hit the spot and the tender meat was moist and juicy, too. Just like how they were when we had them at Casa Verde, The Walk in Cebu in 2009.


the all-time fave Brian's Ribs

My Tenderloin Tips and Eggs (P198), on the other hand, was a delight in its own right. It’s actually their take on the popular Pinoy fare “Tapsilog” except that this had two eggs (done your way) and the rice used wasn’t fried but steamed. The USDA beef used was perfectly seasoned with hints of sweetness, sourness and saltiness (and slight bitterness from the garlic) that worked together to give out a burst of flavor in every mouthful. I loved it!



We availed of their bottomless iced tea (P75) for drinks. They had two flavors: Panama Orange and Raspberry which you could have alternately. Both flavors were sweet and refreshing but I liked the first one better because its citrus-y flavor was just perfect.


Panama Orange Iced Tea

with my two hungry companions

We got full after finishing our meals that we forewent our desire to have cupcakes and ice cream for desserts. The long wait for our table (we were 7th on the list and that was already past 2:00 pm!) was worth it. Casa Verde, we are definitely coming back for more!


some happy diners at Casa Verde

Casa Verde
2L Ayala-UP Town Center Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City


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

Read More...

Merienda at Café Breton

For our post-Valentine’s Day celebration, the hubby and I had a double date with my parents in Tagaytay. After our buffet lunch at Celina’s Café and Restaurant where we feasted on mostly Pinoy food, we strolled around Sky Ranch and when it was time for merienda, we headed over to The Cliffhouse to enjoy French crepe and coffee at Café Breton.



The first Café Breton branch I’ve been to was the one at Paseo de Sta. Rosa in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna. I remembered loving their La Pinay crepe (P180) then so that’s what I immediately ordered for us to share. Actually, it was just my mom and I who ate most of it because our two guy companions were not really fond of crepes. Haha.



My mom said the crepe was yummy and I couldn’t agree more. The combination of the sweet crepe, the fresh mango slices, the chocolate sauce and the vanilla ice cream was really delicious and comforting.

We also got some drinks. My parents had a cup of Cappuccino (P90) each while the hubby settled for Chocolate Milk Shake (P125). I, on the other hand, went for my favorite Banoffee (P130).


freshly-brewed Cappuccino



Among them, it was my drink that stood out. Imagine cold espresso with blended banana and caramel syrup finished off with whipped cream. It was sweet, creamy, fruity, milky, nutty, caramel-y and chocolate-y with a slight hint of bitterness from the coffee. It was pure bliss in a glass!


Banofee on the left, Chocolate Milk Shake on the right

All in all, it was a good merienda for all of us. I liked the fact that Cafe Breton has been able to keep their prices affordable all these years. The cozy ambience of the restaurant, the quiet atmosphere inside, the attention to detail in the design of the interiors and the personalized service of the staff added up to give us a pleasant dining experience there. What a great way to re-energize ourselves before going home!


with my parents at The Cliffhouse stairs

Cafe Breton
G/L The Cliffhouse
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.

Read More...

Eat and Drink All You Can at Celina’s Café and Restaurant, Tagaytay

For our post-Valentine’s Day celebration, the hubby and I had a double date with my parents in Tagaytay last February 15. We arrived there in the morning and when lunchtime came, we had an eat-and-drink-all-you-can at Celina’s Café and Restaurant along Aguinaldo Highway. It was one filling lunch that gave us enough energy to explore the different tourist spots in Tagaytay later in the day.



During our visit, the main buffet spread featured Pinoy dishes such as Kare-Kare, Lechon Kawali, Chicken Inasal, Fried Chicken, Stewed Fish, Stewed Mussels, and a few more viands. There were also Sinigang soup, white rice and Bolognese pasta in the line-up.


my plate


these siopao and siomai were forgettable and you'll be okay without getting them

Right beside the main buffet was the salad station that had just the basic greens, local cherry tomatoes, turnip slices and carrot slices with thousand island as dressing.



Just across the salad station was the dessert station with mini cupcakes, fresh fruits and some desserts placed in small glasses.



The drinks included in the buffet were iced tea and orange juice (the powdered kind).

What stood out in the buffet for us were the Lechon Kawali (tender, crispy, juicy and well-seasoned) and the Fried Chicken (lightly-breaded, crispy, juicy and tasty). The rest were just okay, something you can easily replicate at home. I would have raved about their flavorful Bolognese pasta but I found the spaghetti overcooked.

I was initially hoping we’d get lucky and find some shrimp or crab dishes in the buffet (just like what I read from blog reviews before) but there were none.

The restaurant has an open-air setting and when you walk several steps to the viewing deck, you’ll get a nice view of the famous Taal Lake.



Aside from that, I can’t say anything more because the building where the restaurant is standing looks dilapidated to me and their restrooms are in bad need of maintenance. Like, seriously.




our group

All in all, I think we generally enjoyed our dining experience at Celina’s Cafe. The staff were attentive and friendly and we were able to eat a lot because they keep refilling the food in the buffet stations. Unlike in other buffet restaurants where once the food in the chafing dishes have run out, the refills come few and far between.

P.S. The price of the lunch buffet was P325 per head. Please take note that they only accept cash as form of payment and they add 3% city government tax to your bill.

Celina’s Café and Restaurant
Unit 3 Vista Point Complex
5915 Aguinaldo Highway
Brgy. Kaybagal, Tagaytay City

(+6346) 483-0916


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

Read More...