Thanks to the endorsement of my KTG Dad, Richie, I had another opportunity to guest on a national TV show, meet interesting people, and gain new experiences that I might not have otherwise had. We filmed a “food crawl” episode of Pop Talk last month in three restaurants that are within walking distance of one another along Lilac Street in the second district in Marikina. It will be airing this Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 8:00PM on GMA News TV so please mark your calendar and watch it. 😀
Hosted by Kuya Tonipet Gaba, “Pop Talk” features different trending restaurants, travel destinations, and innovative gadgets to audiences weekly. At the end of program, host and guests in the show decide and conclude whether the restaurant/destination/item reviewed is a “pop” or a “flop.”
Pop Talk GMA News TV Guesting: Lilac Street, Marikina Food Crawl
When food crawling, pacing is an absolute key and walking in between is always good. Adapting the two-bite strategy sounds most ideal, but when faced with food that look so good, it’s tempting to opt in and eat more to make the most out of the dining experience. 💡
Together with Kuya Tonipet (TV Host, GMA Network), Chef Mark E. Bernardino (CEO, Center for Asian Culinary Studies-Subic Bay and Owner of Organico Gourmet), and Ashley Ortega (Artist, GMA Network), I embarked upon the journey of adventurous eating where we sampled a total of 20+ dishes from three of the hottest restaurants now in Lilac Street.
People working behind the scenes were amazing. I saw how a team of program writer, researcher, camera men, make-up artist, host and guests collaborated and worked to make the show happen—rain or shine.
First stop: Miguel & Maria
Freshly modeled and boasting a stylish modern interior, Miguel and Maria has just joined the pioneering old restaurant favorites in Marikina last February 16, 2015 to create a much more vibrant food culture in the neighborhood. Dishing out an inspired mix of ultimate comfort food, this joint served us with hearty European cooking executed with precision and well-sourced ingredients.
with Ash and Miguel
Did their food specialties successfully appeal to our palates? With a price point of PhP 180-PhP 300 per dish, does this restaurant deserve a return visit soon?
Location Address: 89 Lilac Corner Panaroma Street, Concepcion Dos, Marikina City
Contact Numbers: (02) 4232624, +639989722456
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 11AM to 2PM, 5PM to 10PM, Fri-Sat 11AM to 2PM, 5PM to 12MN
Second stop: Brad and Pit’s Ribshack
A sweet addition to the row of restaurants left and right along Lilac Street, this charming rib shack offers a delicious Latin American menu written on the wall behind the counter. Focusing on ribs, wings, sandwiches and inventive drinks, Brad and Pit’s Ribshack is festooned with design elements that preached immense impression of a funky and casual vibe.
Will this restaurant be able to inspire first-timers to become regulars? With food prices ranging from PhP 149 to PhP 335, is dining here deceivingly expensive or reasonable?
with Brad
with Chef Pit
Location Address: 116 Lilac Street, SSS Village, Concepcion Dos, Marikina City
Contact Number: (02) 503 1656
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 10AM-10PM, Fri-Sun 10AM-11PM
Third stop: Burrito Brothers
For four years now, Burrito Brothers has been churning out Mexican fare including tacos, burritos, flauta, quesadilla, nachos and wraps in Lilac Street. While filling food and tasty sides keep customers queuing at this al fresco setting, did we all agree that it’s an impressive place that’s worth checking out?
Burrito Brothers owner
Can Burrito Brothers possibly be at the forefront of the “burrito revolution”?
Location Address: 69 Lilac Street, SSS Village, Concepcion Dos, Marikina City
Contact Number: (02) 5009637
Opening Hours: 11AM-11PM daily
Wrap Up: The Verdict
The dynamics of guesting as food/restaurant reviewers in Pop Talk included not just stuffing ourselves with enticing food and discovering what’s recommended and what’s not but also judging and describing them critically while in the spirit of a day-long binge on camera.
To deliver our verdict in terms of food tastes and quality, restaurant ambiance, and price for value after the Marikina food trip, we moved to Breakfast Brothers to reveal and explain our “POP or FLOP” votes individually. Which of the restaurants are a hit and which of them are a miss? My lips are sealed for now. 😛
UPDATE: Here’s the video uploaded on YouTube. 🙂
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