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Review of Chef Laudico Guevarra’s (San Juan City)
When I got an invite from Joy of Gastronomybyjoy.com to spend an afternoon at Chef Laudico Guevarra’s for the launch of Philip Lifestyle Guy! Season 2, I just felt ecstatic. I would not not only get to meet Philip Abadicio, but I would also have the chance to dine in at one of the most wonderful house-turned-restaurants in the city right now! 😛 Some might call me lucky—and they’re right.

Chef Laudico Guevarra’s in P. Guerra Street, San Juan is a buffet restaurant showcasing Filipino food with a twist. This place was once a heritage house built in the 1920s and was transformed into an elegant restaurant which opened to the public last July 16, 2013.

Chefs Roland and Jackie Laudico thought that Guevarra’s would be known as an upscale buffet restaurant where diners can feel like they’re dining in a five-star hotel without the expensive bill afterwards. And yup, they’re successful at that. My foodie experience here has been great enough for me to want to tell the world about it. 😉
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Chef Laudico and Me : )
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Review of Chef Laudico Guevarra’s (San Juan City)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

Since Valentine’s Day is fast coming, Chef Laudico Guevarra’s was decorated with hearts all around. Inside the restaurant, several private dining areas that serve as function rooms can be found. They are named after famous personalities that made mark in the history of the Philippines, namely: Guevarra (main hall), Recto, Ortega, Mabini, Abad Santos and Pilar.

Small gatherings, important meetings and celebrations can all be held in these rooms. If you’d notice, the walls are decorated with signed plates by celebrities and known people as well as paintings by local artists.

The heritage house’s layout was retained as in the original, and the overall design may just leave one feeling oddly nostalgic. The lights? Oh wow, they’re enchanting. Hats off to the Laudicos for the spectacular theme.

Guevarra’s also offers an outdoor setting suitable for having a nice cocktail in a serene ambiance. This garden in front of the restaurant looked perfectly romantic for a couple’s pictorial. This is the kind of place you can bring a date without worrying about anything.

Service: ★★★★★

Staffs were warm, hospitable and responsive, embodying a platonic icon of a neighborhood restaurant’s good customer service team. They took out our used plates and refilled our glasses with water quickly.

Food: ★★★★☆

We came at 3PM just in time for “afternoon snacks,” so note that these food below are not those served similarly in lunch and dinner. Nevertheless, they were filling and quite satisfying.

On the appetizers section were Fresh Ubod, Salad Greens and also [not on the picture] Radish Cucumber Salad, Creamy Salted Egg, Kuya Caesar Dressing, Spicy Sardines and Freshly Baked Pan De Sal. Pile them on your plate without shame, as nobody should come to a buffet restaurant to judge. 😛

My favorite has to be the Fresh Ubod. Each piece was crafted beautifully with a consistent number of pleats. After dipping one in peanut sauce, the flavors of fresh veggies in the remarkably delicate lumpia skin burst in my mouth. Mmmm!

The next round is about getting the lay of the land: a little of Pork Sisig Baskets, a taste of Camote Croquettes (I can’t hardly pass up these), and Pork Shanghai with sauces: Vinegar, Toyomansi and Pinakurat. My sister had grown an obsession with the sweet potatoes croquettes (Croquetas de Batata) and it’s easy to understand why. Each ball was like a fancy hash brown with crispy crumbs on the outside and moist in the inside.

Three pizza flavors were available: Seafood Pizza, Karnievorous Pizza and Vegetarian Pizza. Their pizzas are not the best. With thin and light crust, the pizzas didn’t appeal much to me. The toppings were scarce and the sauce was not flavorful. Presentation was as well mediocre. You can skip these and move on to the mains.

Satisfy your love of meat and poultry with Liempo, Grilled Chicken and Fried Chicken or “Filipino pasta” with Pancit Canton, Spaghetti and Palabok. While I can’t comment much on the meaty choices, I can attest that the texture and flavors of the three different pancit/noodles were good. They reminded me of my mom’s cooking!

At this point, my tummy was full and I was not particularly hungry to try the other food. Then again, having a small bite of each won’t hurt. Next on the line for the taste test were: Lechon on the Carvery, Chicken Ham, Squid Law, Ginataang Bilo-bilo and Roasted Chicken. It’s not an unpublished secret in this blog that I’m not a fan of any of these meat in general. All I can say is that their flavors were rich in their own humble way but not exciting as they dared to be. The complementary sauces for the lechon and chicken can make up for the shortcoming.

For desserts, we had the Vegetable Platter, Banana Cake, Suman Balls, Palitaw, Chocolate Crinkles and Maruya that were all pleasing to the eyes and taste buds. We also tried sticking some of them to the Latik Fountain, a cool “Pinoy” version of the chocolate fondue. Everything in this section was awesome.

At the two opposite ends of the buffet were the vendo machines for ice cream (vanilla and chocolate flavors with toppings) and different kinds of beverages (sodas and iced tea). I had the red iced tea which was not too sweet for my liking.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

If there’s one thing that’s perpetually true about Filipino restaurants, it’s the one about how hard it is to find a decent buffet restaurant serving Filipino food that you can confidently bring your foreigner friends for them to get a glimpse and appreciate our local cuisine. Chef Laudico Guevarra’s can be an ideal spot to spend happy moments with your loved ones. Considering the selection and quality of food, buffet rates are affordable. Rest assured, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. (We’ll be back for the lunch and dinner proper next time.)

Buffet Rates:
Weekday lunch (Monday to Friday) 11AM – 2PM: PHp 399 + 12% VAT
Weekday dinner (Monday to Thursday) 7:30PM – 10:30PM: PHp 499 + 12% VAT
Weekends and Holidays (Friday dinner, Satuday and Sunday lunch and dinner): PHp 599 + 12% VAT

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Operating hours: 11:00am – 2:00pm, 7:30pm – 10:30pm
February 13, 2014
The Launch of PHILIP Lifestyle Guy! Season 2
Where to eat? What to eat? Where to travel? What to see? All these questions can be answered perfectly and enthusiastically by Philip Abadicio, the jolly and humurous man behind PHILIP Lifestyle Guy! This lifestyle show, airing in TV5 every Sunday from 11AM to 12NN, features episodes with exciting segments about the latest trends, newest restaurants, hangout places and other great finds in the metro.

As a result of the success of PHILIP Lifestyle Guy! Season 1 (13 episodes), it was set that the program would have a whole new season for everyone to catch this February 2014! 😀
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 Philip and me : )
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Who is Philip Abadicio?

Last Saturday, we celebrated the launch of PHILIP Lifestyle Guy! Season 2. I arrived early at the venue, Chef Laudico Guevarra’s, with my sister and familiarized ourselves foremost with the setting. Then suddenly, I was approached by a man.

“Hello, I’m Philip.” was all he said as he introduced himself humbly. Half starstruck and half embarrassed, I nodded slowly to acknowledge his presence and spoke my name in turn with a smile. I gotta mark my calendar: February 8, 2014 — the day I finally got to meet Philip Abadicio in flesh and upclose. Hey, this guy is inspirational, the best at what he does!
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Bloggers at the Event
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For years, Philip Abadicio has been writing about the newest, the most delicious, the best dressed, the ultimately exclusive, and the lives of the rich and raunchy. His bio states that “as a PR man, he established RPA & Communicate where he mastered the ropes of the lifestyle industry.” Philip has hosted a lifestyle news program for the Global News Network, “Style RPA TV,” and a lifestyle magazine talk show called “It’s More Fun with Philip.”

With growing number of viewers Philip calls as “lifestylers,” his contract was renewed and he was given another break. Thus he now continues to provide more inspiring things in his show. The latter quarter of 2013 was when PHILIP Lifestyle Guy! Season 1 came about.

PHILIP Lifestyle Guy! Season 2 – Real, Personal and All-that Style

In this new season, you can expect to learn more about art and style of living with loads of fun. Media Maven Philip Abadicio explains that it’s a program that will educate, entertain and inspire all of us at the confines of our living room. Produced by Style RPA Media, directed by Dave Hukom and Tootoots Leyesa, and written by Rod Divinagracia, PHILIP Lifestyle Guy! Season 2 will show you how to celebrate and live a good life in whatever status, situation or circumstance you have right now.
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 Philip and Miss World Philippines 2012 1st Princess,
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Mary Anne Ross Misa
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If given a chance, I would also want to have a lifestyle show on TV. After auditioning for Chinoy TV and backing out because of a better opportunity, I realized that it’s a dream that comes only for a selected few. I might as well concentrate on my career as an IT professional and attend colorful events during weekends as a blogger on this site. Nyahaha okay enough of me… 😛

Remember to turn your TV on and stay tuned to PHILIP Lifestyle Guy! Season 2 every Sunday from 11AM to 12NN on TV5. Viewers can interact with Philip by commenting through his Facebook page and tweeting or replying to his posts on Twitter. Everyone is invited to join online contests where cool prizes await. Visit his website for more details and updates! 😀
February 10, 2014
Celebrating Chinese New Year 2014 (Wooden Horse)

Gong xi fa cai, everyone! January 31, 2014 marked the first day of the lunar calendar for 2014, the Year of the Wooden Horse. Since it was a Friday, most of our family members had to work and were not available for partying. Hence, we celebrated Chinese New Year on the nearest Sunday (February 2, 2014) instead, with Yan Family Association (中山会馆 Chung Sun Woi Kwon), at Golden Fortune Seafood Restaurant, Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila where we occupied the entire second floor. 🙂

新春會員聯歡大會 + 新屆理事就職典禮

As we gathered with friends and relatives to feast and spread goodwill for 2014, we also witnessed the induction of the 85th batch of officers of our Cantonese multi-clan association. These officers are responsible for organizing charitable projects and social services which benefit the Filipino-Chinese community. They are also responsible in preserving the customs and traditions of the Chinese living in the Philippines.

Although most of the association’s activities are not transparent to me (aside from celebrations like this), I heard that they offer free classes during summer for those who are interested to learn the Chinese language particularly Cantonese. The sad fact is that most people in our generation already don’t know how to speak in Cantonese. Conversed and taught in school usually are the more common ones such as Mandarin and Hokkien. We’re just lucky to have been trained to speak in all those three since childhood.

Celebrating Chinese New Year 2014 (Wooden Horse)

During the CNY celebration, we had games, raffle draws and prizes, song and dance numbers and giveaways for everyone. Still, the best and central part was the food! 🙂

Typical Chinese New Year food carries meanings. For instance, fish is associated with wealth because in Mandarin, fish is 魚 (yu) and the term for abundance is 餘 (yu). Regardless of the type of cooking done to fish, it symbolizes a positive year from start to end. 代表有足夠的東西可分讓出來（年年有餘）.

Another food that’s probably the most popular during Chinese New Year is 年糕 (nian gao) or sweet sticky rice cakes in English. In the Philippines, this is referred to as “tikoy” (actually should be pronounced as “ti kuih”). In Chinese, the term 年年高生 literally translates to “every year higher and higher.” Does it make sense that way? Let me rephrase: raising oneself in each coming year. People believe that eating tikoy will make them advance toward higher positions and prosperity (讓人們逐步晉升到更高的職位與興旺).

– Mommy –

Because we’re not too superstitious, we’re okay to not follow every single one of them strictly. For lunch, we were served with random Chinese food which did not necessarily have to convey any prosperous meanings but nonetheless were festive:

Cold Cuts Platter

Steam Suahe

Wintermelon Soup

Japanese Crabmeat with Corn Roll

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Peking Duck Golden Fortune Style

Buns

Minced Duck with Lettuce

Pata Tim

Steam Yellow Fish

Desserts

After taking small bites of each except the meat, I felt pleasantly full but not bloated, thank goodness. Then like always, we were given hong bao by the eldest members of the family association. 新年快樂! 😛

February 6, 2014
Review of Da.U.De (Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge (Bonifacio Global City)
Don’t you love being at moments when everything seems to click? Like fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, or peanut butter and jelly, teas and pastries are practically made to be paired with each other. Da.U.De (pronounced as Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge is a definite supporter of this pairing. This cute and fancy establishment at the ground floor of Net Lima Building in BGC is best known as the “premiere full leaf tea company” that brings authentic tea and tea culture with pastries on the side as well as other exciting dishes in the Philippines.

After lunch with friends last Saturday at Casa Marcos Restobar, we walked into Da.U.De Tea Lounge (near Wildflour Cafe + Bakery) to continue our girl talk and get our tea fix. 😀 There was no way we could resist after it has been highly recommended by bloggers online.

Review of Da.U.De (Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge (Bonifacio Global City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Staying at this tea lounge is like sitting in someone’s cozy home but with the presence of other people who are also enjoying the nice ambiance. The vibe? Casual, relaxed and flexible. I thought that if squishy sofas were placed instead of these regular chairs, one might actually fall asleep and forget that he or she is in a public tea lounge. 🙂

I love all the light colors everywhere, as they are pleasing to the eyes. With non-obtrusive background music, customers can use their mobile devices and virtually reach out into the world. Free Wi-Fi was not available and that’s disappointing. Anyway, Da.U.De is very conducive for writing and working both alone and in groups. People-watching by the large windows is also an excellent activity that can be done without leaving the comfort of your seats.

There’s a section displaying an array of tea boxes and other products with tea as an ingredient. This makes Da.U.De not a typical restaurant where diners order food and drinks but also a store where they can purchase a variety of stuff they won’t find elsewhere. ♥

Service: ★★★★★

The service has been attentive and very kind from the time we strolled in to the time we left. The staff clearly explained the best-seller drinks and sweets and their ingredients to help us make up our minds on what to order out of the many great choices on the menu. Good service like this can totally hook a customer.

Food: ★★★★☆

Da.U.De Tea Lounge is a welcoming gateway to a wide world of food infused with teas, such as the following:
- Gravaix and Feta Salad (PHp 350) consisting of tea-cured salmon, salad greens, feta cheese, tea-infused vinaigrette and homemade focaccia bread
- Vongole (PHp 250) consisting of clams, cherry tomatoes, tea-infused aglio e olio and bavette pasta
- Beef Bolognese (PHp 225) consisting of ground beef, tea-infused tomatoes, cream, vodka, penne pasta
  …and many more.
Our purpose of visiting this place was to try their signature drinks, so we’ll have to return next time to try these food.

In addition to teas, Da.U.De also serves beer, wine and cocktails. Then we learned that these beverages are also made of tea. For instance, the Island Beer (PHp 160) is made of lemonade tea and wheat beer; the Bubble Tea Wine (PHp 300) is made of Chardonnay, Fruit Nectar and Tapioca; and the Black or White Eyed Susan (PHp 160) is made of Kape Tea and Dark Rhum. Surprising! 😀

On the “safe” side, Da.U.De offers smoothies, all-natural soda, tea with infusions of vegetables and fruits, milk teas and special tea mixes aside from the regular teas on pots. Like when we were in TWG Tea Salon, reviewing of the menu took a while.

Ultimately, we gave up and just asked for recommendations that we followed without batting an eyelash. H got the Lemon Thirst Quencher (PHp 160), which we all agreed to be really a thirst quencher. This drink could have tasted better when served colder. Tiny bits of paper straw-suckable gelatinous pulps or pearls (sorry, could not identify) gave texture to each sip. I’m not a fan of citrus drinks so while it tasted good, it’s not a delightful way for me to end a day.

G got the Rose Pink White (PHp 180) made with Xaouen tea, guava, green apple and lime. The flavor is unique but it tasted somewhat bland.

While there’s an extensive list of drinks, I saw no reason to stray away from the most familiar. For myself, I chose the Coffee Almond Tea Macchiato (PHp 190) that’s made of coffee, almond tea, milk and caramel, and I didn’t regret getting it. It had all my favorite ingredients for a drink in one, and the combined flavors turned out to be natural, savory, smooth and not overly sweet.

We shared a piece of a White and Dark Chocolate Scone served with Uncutted Cream and Lemon Curd (PHp 140). Hearty and simple to the point, the scone was more akin to a biscuit than a traditional scone when it comes to texture. It had a sugary crust which was robust and substantial.

The scone might had been put out from the oven and displayed on the front counter far too long, so the moisture, gentleness and softness I was expecting were not met. I hope Da.U.De could also offer this homemade sweet to be warmed before serving.

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

Da.U.De Tea Lounge is a great place to unwind. Everything seemed like a must-try! What turns me a bit off are the pretty high prices. In fact, when I think about it hard, I get those maniacal spinning dollar-sign eyes you see in cartoons. Well, it may be understandable given that the space is small and people usually linger here for hours. Point being: part of the charge may actually include not only the overheads but also the opportunity costs.

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Operating Hours:
Mon – Thu: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Fri – Sat: 10:00 am – 12:00 am
Sun: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
February 5, 2014
Review of Casa Marcos Restobar (Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City)
Tucked in Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City (beside Forbeswood Heights Condominium), Casa Marcos spans generations and is no way a newcomer in the food arena. It finds its roots in the 1940s, when a Spanish expatriate named Marcos de Guisasola opened a restaurant in his name.

Eventually, when Señor Marcos had to go back to Spain, he passed the ownership of his successful business on to Ben del Rosario. Ben was his close friend and one of the customers who frequented the restaurant. A new branch of Casa Marcos was opened by Ben and his family in 1983, and it was in this place where the popular “Casa Marcos pan de sal” was established.

My friends and I had lunch at Casa Marcos last Saturday and spent more than two hours talking about our life’s recent updates while enjoying the food, especially the unlimited refills of pan de sal. 😉

Review of Casa Marcos Restobar (Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

At first glance, I could never have guessed that inside Casa Marcos Restobar lies gaudy décor. The first floor features a bar counter, two small dining sets, menu written on a chalkboards, and a fridge for chill drinks. Walking up the stairs to the second floor, I realized that this place is styled like a typical Spanish-style bar with antique-looking tables and chairs. The atmosphere was cozy and the setup, with brick walls, lights resembling tin cans on the ceiling, and colorful posters on the walls, was just simple yet beautiful.

Service: ★★☆☆☆

The place was quiet with reserved staff to match. I was the first customer to arrive for lunch. This meant the staff wasn’t supposed to be busy; in fact, they were just listening to music on the radio and chatting with one another. Good times, huh. They looked at me as I pushed the glass door, however there was particularly no hi, welcome, how many or anything like that verbally exchanged. In short, the staffs (about four of five of them) were not friendly or inviting.

They also did not bother to hand me the menu or ask if I need anything but let me observe around and do things in my own pace. It was as if I did not exist! One waiter came when I raised my hand to order, when I asked for the bread refill and when it was time for us to pay for the bill. Attentiveness passed the test and that’s the only good point noted.

Food: ★★★☆☆

The garlicky scent of Gambas (PHp 320) wafted from our table, and we immediately dug into the plump Spanish garlic shrimps cooked Casa Marcos style sautéed in butter and garlic. The portion was small (almost like a side dish) and might be good for only one person, but we managed to share it, hardly needing all the jazz to appreciate the flavors.

The strong flavor in gambas simply begged for rice. But instead of ordering rice, we opted for Casa Marcos Restobar’s pan de sal—and what a good move that was. These babies (so tiny, so cute) were served as a complimentary starter with butter to spread, and the bowl was refilled with more fresh pan de sal by request. The bread was soft and chewy. Allowing any of the gambas’ sauce go to waste is a sin, so we had the pan de sal soak up its glorious juices and ate it. Mmmmm…yummy!

Our single entree, Pollo de Casa Marcos (PHp 320), was ever-so-gently pan-fried in oil and garlic. The chicken breast flesh was perfectly cooked, moist and toothsome.

Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

Average price of a course at Casa Marcos is PHp 400. I consider this to be really high as we got very small portions of food albeit in nice plating. Also, while the food tasted fine, the ingredients used, the creativity and the uniqueness of the recipes were not really too exceptional or wow-intensive to be worth such cost. But just maybe, the vivid cooking and utter lack of trendiness have their own charms. Will it bring you to Spain? If only you close your eyes and daydream for a moment, that could be possible.

In any case, if you’re planning to dine in with a group of friends or your family, Casa Marcos’ selection of paellas can be worth the splurge. They offer four different types of paella (good for 5 to 6 people):
- Paella Valenciana (PHp 795) – Hearty rice meal with chorizo, seafood, and chicken seasoned with paprika cooked over a slow fire
- Paella Marinera (PHp 745) – Classic all seafood paella
- Paella con Saffron (PHp 895) – Classic Valenciana cooked in saffron, giving it a lighter and more distinctive taste
- Paella Negra (PHp 795) – A variety of seafood, chicken and vegetables cooked in black squid ink
For those who hanker for long and lingering suppers, feel free to punctuate jovial conversation with glassfuls of bar drinks: beer, gin, vodka, cognac, whiskey, rum, tequila, mixers and fruit juices are all available with prices ranging from PHp 80 to PHp 325.

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Operating Hours: 11AM-2:30PM, 6PM-11PM

Other branch:
Unit 20a/20b, Ortigas Home Depot J. Vargas St. Pasig City | (02) 4703637
February 4, 2014
Review of Greeka Kouzina (SM Aura Premier, McKinley Pkwy, Taguig)

Whether you’re into Greek or Mediterranean cuisine or just looking to shake things up, Greeka Kouzina makes an excellent restaurant selection for a heavy lunch or dinner. Although its menu has lots of meaty items, vegetarians can also not go wrong with Greeka Kouzina as it serves plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes that won’t weigh you down. Last Saturday, I made the slow drive up at the second floor of SM Aura Premier (beside Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen) to try what’s rolling best among their offerings. 😛

Review of Greeka Kouzina (SM Aura Premier, McKinley Pkwy, Taguig)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

The ambiance of Greeka Kouzina at SM Aura Premier is very open and well decorated but not overdone. In fact, the decors are almost zen-like. The atmosphere is classy, catering to a similar audience. Colorful lamps on the sides serve as accents that bring vibrancy and a festive mood to the dining area. The textured walls gave an ever more appealing appearance, and the structured ceiling gave the space a hint of grandeur, a warm and inviting feel.

Service: ★★★★★

We were greeted by one of the friendly hostesses upon entrance. As I’ve reserved a table for the group, we were seated abruptly.

The servers were friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and helpful in introducing the menu items which are all foreign in my book. Also, I appreciated that the staff refilled our glasses with water several times throughout the evening without us having to ask. Each course of food was served quickly and we were not bothered at any point during dinner.

Food: ★★★★☆

Greeka Kouzina’s food was truly a feast for both the eyes and mouth. First up, the stars aligned for an incredible explosion of flavors and textures of ingredients making up the Fig Roka Salata (PHp 420). The mixed greens and arugula arrived fresh. Fortified with sweet figs, walnuts, and sun-dried tomatoes, this plate was everything I could’ve hoped for: crunchy, saucy, sweet, salty and savory. The white thing that appeared to me as “lumpia wrapper” was apparently cheese! 😀 This appetizer is good for about three to five people to share. To our health, cheers!

The second dish served was only five minutes away. Easy to serve and even easier to eat, the Kalamari Tiganito (PHp 290) consisted of freshly caught fried squid sprinkled with alatopiperigano. In case you don’t know, “alatopiperigano” simply is the combination of salt (“alati”), pepper (“piperi”) and dried oregano (“rigani”). The kalamari was cooked well and it poised itself as a comforting, familiar and slightly elevated dish. Dip it to the bright lemon-olive oil Greek dressing and you might say “Ahhh delicious!” after each bite.

Next, the meat. We had the Paidakia (PHp 595), grilled lamb cutlets marinated in Greek’s signature spices. Call me caveman but I did not bother with the accompanying yoghurt and lemon slices to cut through the strong meat flavor. The lamb cut was tasty, however what I didn’t like was seeing too much fat oozing from it. While some people I know prefer that rich, wondrous and delicious fat of lamb, I was intimidated and distracted. 😛 Anyway, let’s move on.

Krasates (PHp 480) consisted of two pieces grilled pork chops, served with blue cheese, walnuts and Greek’s signature gravy. I tried a very small chunk of the pork chop and thought it was incredibly juicy and tender. Still, I won’t convert myself as a meat-eater, if that’s what you’ll be asking. 😀 Thoughtfully executed, the krasates took on that roasted flavor that’s far from bland.

Another irresistible entree was the Beef Souvlaki (PHp 430). This char-grilled skewer of meat can well satisfy your appetite for some sinful indulgence. It almost seemed like a crime to give this a miss. The cubes of beef were nicely marinated. They were moist and flavorful, completely edible and not too chewy.

I could not believe that the Watercress Pasta (PHp 180) is listed just as a siding on Greeka Kouzina’s menu. With refreshing watercress and tomatoes, the creamy watercress pasta was perfect in earthy flavor. As a light dish, this al dente pasta is one that won’t make you feeling icky after finishing the whole thing.

The Moussaka (PHp 180), made of grilled eggplant layered with beef, tomato sauce, cherry bechamel and potato topping, was refined and flavorsome. It was my first time to taste moussaka and I thought I could liken it with lasagna, except instead of noodles, you have eggplant. This serving of moussaka is considered as well as a siding that can be an entire meal for those who have a small stomach like mine. 🙂

Finally, we had Baklava (PHp 180) for desserts. It was layered with phyllo pistachio, walnuts and cashews and topped with a large ball of Greek yogurt. The nuttiness was all over. The baklava looked harmless enough in presentation, but after biting into it, you’d know a sugar party is happening. Without the Greek yogurt to tone down the sweetness, I would not love it as much.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Greeka Kouzina is stuffed to the brim with its namesake. You want authentic Greek food? You got it. Although the menu features food in Greek names, their respective descriptions are simple and straightforward. When in doubt, you can ask the staff to recommend and help you out. So the next time you wonder where to eat in SM Aura, this Greece-inspired restaurant must be one of the top selections! 🙂 The dining experience and the quality of food here are worth to spend reasonable amount of money for.

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Other branch:
285 Pedro Guevarra St, San Juan | (02) 624 5974

February 3, 2014
Review of Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)
It’s Chinese New Year! It’s a special non-working holiday last Friday; nevertheless, we still had to go to work. No worries, I still had after-work hours to celebrate CNY with my family. We had dinner at Burgoo, SM Mall of Asia. This restaurant is not Chinese—and in fact, far from it. We exchanged the traditional Chinese cuisine for CNY with all-American food fare for a difference. And just maybe, we can get to earn US dollars all year round. 😆

You may have passed by and/or dined in at Burgoo too many times, but did you know that Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant is named after “Burgoo,” a 17th century Kentucky stew that consists of goat meat, squirrel and deer mixed with vegetables, herbs and spices? I bet not. 😛 Anyway, Burgoo does not serve that same stew anymore but rather another version of stew officially called Burgoo Stew (PHp 145) that’s made with chicken, beef and pork with carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and herbs. I wanted to try it but as my mom’s eyes were fixated on the food posted by the entrance, we just ordered what supposedly had caught her fancy: Supreme Sampler and Pizza Sampler!

Review of Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Featuring an intimate dining experience with a modern and contemporary environment, Burgoo’s dining room in SM Mall of Asia branch is very spacious. The outside looked just as promising as the inside. Seats gave comfort and the dim lights provided a great, fit-for-occasion yet laid-back atmosphere. Background music was soothing to the ears; without it, the place was a bit too quiet as it was not busy. In any case, reservations are still recommended in order to confirm a spot especially for dinner.

Service: ★★★★★

Upon our entrance, the staff acknowledged the reservation I made, and she escorted us to our table without a problem. Once inside, kind service was rewarded to us. The smiles of waitresses and the quick delivery of food made us feel like we should leave a tip before even eating. Efficient and commendable, Burgoo’s customer service was well worth the 10% charge on the bill.

Food: ★★★☆☆

The Supreme Sampler (PHp 425, Regular) consisted of a combination of spicy buffalo wings (three pieces), cheddar cheese fries, mozzarella sticks and onion rings. All the fried stuff here were golden. They had this magical crunch, one that only a true lover of fried food enveloped with bread crumbs understands. This platter, according to the wait staff, is good for two to three people to share. We were four and still we could not finish everything. (Maybe we’re considered part of the minority.)

Three accompanying dips were provided: tomato basil, ranch and blue cheese. I liked the ranch most and so did my sister. It was made with buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, herbs (chives, parsley, and dill) and spices. The blue cheese came second to our order of preference. It was warm, slightly salty and downright creamy. Hinting basil and tomato paste combined, the tomato basil sauce tasted just odd.

Burgoo offers stone-baked pizza and allows customers to customize a pizza with these toppings: pepperoni, sausage, tomatoes, anchovy, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, black olives, grilled chicken, mushrooms, onions, extra mozzarella cheese and pineapples. I thought this is very much like that of Project Pie. However, unlike Project Pie, Burgoo charges PHp 75 for every additional topping. Basic ingredients have to be present in all: the pie (of course), sauce and cheese. This personalized pizza costs PHp 325 (Regular) and PHp 375 (Large).

We ended up going with Pizza Sampler (PHp 475 for Regular and PHp 575 for Large) with four existing flavors on the menu, trusting that these would taste better than our own concoction. The pizza (large size) had eight slices with two slices per flavor.

We devoured the visually promising Frutte de Mare made with mild barbecue sauce with shrimps, calamaris and mussels. Loaded with seafood, this pie tasted even better than it looked on picture. The cheese melted imperceptibly into the sauce in a 1:2 ratio and the barbecue sauce imparted a slightly sweet-and-sour tang.

To cater to Dad’s vegetarian palate, Margherita consisting of tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan and fresh basil leaves and Garden Fresh consisting of spinach, green peas, onions, peppers, tomatoes, black olives and mushrooms were served. The fresh tomatoes in Margherita exploded in my mouth with a bright punch. The fresh spinach in Garden Fresh, on the other hand, acted both as a flavor amplifier that further pushed the fruity notes and as a unifying element that tied everything into a pizza heaven. 🙂 Both pizzas were punctuated by a “burst of herbaceousness” and a well-balanced taste.

Lastly, Taco Mexicano was topped with ground beef, sausages, cheddar, mozzarella and tomatoes. The meaty ingredients used here were most prominent and pronounced. They were combined so well with the other elements, bringing the pie to a higher level of goodness.

Overall, I sensed the presence of high-gluten flour in the dough. While the crust was not perfectly charred and lacked in crisp, the unity of the flavors making the pie was okay. The pizza flavors, when ordered individually, cost PHp 395 (Regular) and PHp 495 (Large), except for the Margherita which costs PHp 20 less respectively.

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant’s pizzas and supreme sampler are not those that would definitely make me come back, but maybe their known specialties and best-sellers such as seafood jambalaya, fajitas and steaks are enough reason for now for us to check this place out next time and track it for years to come. Considering that this restaurant’s prices range from PHp 395 to PHp 995 for a decent order of large portions of food, it offers quite a reasonable value for money.

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Other Branches:
- 310 Tomas Morato Ext. Q.C Philippines | (02) 927.73.96, (02) 927.73.84, (02)927.74.24
- 3/L Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center Makati City Philippines | (02) 898.1815 to 17
- 2/L The Podium, ADB Ave. Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City | (02) 687.55.65, (02) 633.67.62, (02) 687.5254
- 2/L Promenade, Greenhills San Juan Metro Manila Philippines | (02) 726.46.63, (02) 726.32.43
- 2/L Gateway Mall Araneta Center, Cubao, Q.C. | (02) 913.61.12, (02) 913.72.34, (02) 912.79.39
- 4/L Robinsons Galleria, Q.C. | (02) 633.62.56, (02) 633.95.65
- 3/L The Block SM City North Edsa Q.C. | (02) 442.01.15, (02) 422.01.04
- Grnd Flr. SM City Marikina, Marikina City | (02) 477.19.34, (02) 477.19.32
February 2, 2014
Review of Gravity Modern Bar (Blue Wave, MOA Complex, Pasay City)

After dinner at The Food Club last Saturday, we headed to this bar in Blue Wave where you can celebrate a promotion, school graduation, the weekend, or freedom from an ex-lover. 😛 The Gravity Modern Bar had its grand opening last December 6, 2014. While still new, this bar hits all the buzz words necessary to be a hitter in the F&B industry.

There’s a lot of existing bars in Pasay more than my fingers can count. Is Gravity Modern Bar the best choice in the bunch? Maybe not. What matters anyway is that you’ll surely have a good time, and sometimes you just have to take the sure bet. 😉 They got interesting food on the menu and a ton of beverages. If you want the classic mixes of alcohol and juices, this is where you go.

Heavy packs of customers are observed nightly, especially during Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are recommended 1 week before or at least two days.

Review of The Gravity Bar (Blue Wave, Pasay City)

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

Contrary to its name, this is a bar where you won’t feel gravity—as you get high. 😛 With minimal decors, the ambiance at the Gravity Modern Bar is masculine enough for a dudes-night-out. Considerably, it’s also a “funky- romantic” venue for a first date. Customers can be a little naughty to be seated by the counter, while the rest can find comfort at the seats next to one another across the dining area.

Those who don’t feel like eating or drinking booze can party all the way. The back area opens as a mini stage for dancing and jamming with the in-house live band and DJ starting at 8PM. And just like other restaurants and bars in Blue Wave, this bar allows customers to be seated at the al-fresco setting to watch the free concert joining the crowd.

I’m not sure if their walls are soundproof, but I could hardly hear the noise outside (or music in the room was just too loud). If they are indeed soundproof, then I commend this bar for pushing the envelope in a direction different from the average restaurants in the complex. Here you could probably forget your problems and live a magical time until the wee hours of the morning. They are open until around 2-3AM! 😀

Service: ★★★★★

I think friendliness of staff at any bar is important as they have to rub elbows and serve drunk (wasted) people. For about half an hour, we chatted with the staff at the Gravity Modern Bar and asked them about the drinks they “cook up” and the contents. Yup, they were accommodating and friendly.

Customers can request for any mix regardless of their presence on the menu as long as the needed flavor to craft the cocktail is available. The bartenders spin the ingredients fast, strain the liquid and BOOM, there’s your drink.

Drinks: ★★★★☆

Gravity Modern Bar has an extensive list of food. You can sink your teeth into their perennial offerings: sizzling chicken, pork, shrimp and squid; finger food, such as calamares, crispy nachos, crablets, chicharong bulaklak, fries, garlic mushroom, onion rings, etc.; grilled chicken, blue marlin, pork chop, etc.; noodles, such as pancit canton and bihon; soups such as sinangag na panga and hipon; and over 10 flavors of pizza. Mmmm… sounds yummy!

We could have grabbed a bite or two of these dishes, but since we were pleasantly full from dinner, we just took a few sips of each of their signature drinks.

Sex on the Beach (PHp 225) is an ideal drink to get on hot summer nights or afternoons at the beach. This concoction was made up of vodka, Archers Peach Schnapps and cranberry juice. It offered a gentle and sweet citrus scent and a fresh, snappy essence, a must-try to ease your state of mind.

The Frozen Margarita (PHp 225) tasted like a 7-Eleven slurpee with strawberry tequila. Triple sec, lemon and lime cordial were part of the mix. Frozen Margarita is also available in mango and orange flavors.

With refreshing piña colada and strawberry mix, this ice cold Miami Vice (PHp 225) was garnished with a slice of pineapple tasted wonderfully. The horizontal design and contrasting colors of blue and pink made a visually dramatic effect.

Traditionally done, the Gravity Mojito consisted of white rum at the top and dark rum at the bottom, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and mint. The minty after-taste was so overwhelming that it shocked my mouth with menthol as well as bitterness.

A classic blend of vodka, coffee liqueur and Irish cream, the Mudslide Vodka Cocktail can be both drink and dessert. It produced a nice foam on the top of the cocktail. Chocolate really elevates the drink to seductively delicious status. 😀 This had to be my favorite drink so far in this bar, although the alcohol content was much stronger than I would have otherwise expected.

All the drinks are highly recommended. Note: As always, taste is subjective!

Fond of something more outrageous? The following might suit your fancy: Extreme Orgasm (PHp 195) – Cointreau, Bailey’s Amarretto and Vodka, Blow Job (PHp 195) – Kahlua, Bailey’s and Vodka, Slippery Nipple (PHp 175) – Sambucca, Bailey’s and Vodka, and Laser Beam (PHp 175) – Tequilla and Galliano.

I know, all these names warrant attention. If you’re not cool with that, chasing down your food with mixers such as Bacardi (Rhum Cranberry, Tonic and Cola), Jack Daniel’s (Whisky Cola and Dry) and Johnny Walker will be perfectly fine as well.

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

With a good playlist of music throughout a chill night, warm service and good food and drinks, Gravity Modern Bar is a pretty cool place to hang out. However, a drink could easily set you back PHp 250 in average. Prices tend to go higher as more ingredients (mostly alcoholic) are added. I’m not a drinker so this is not really value for money to me.

I’d rather spend for food (price ranging from PHp 300 to PHp 600) and call it a meal. The assumption here is that food comes in large portions for a group of maybe three people, else they are expensive. No prizes for guessing but yeah you can say I’m a cheapskate and I’m very good at make my calories worth every time. 😛

Ongoing promo: Get six bottles of beer including choice of peanuts, nachos, or crackers for only PHp 300. This is inclusive of the 10% service charge.

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January 28, 2014