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Author: Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco

  • Review of Jin Joo Korean Grill (The Podium, Ortigas, Mandaluyong)

    Review of Jin Joo Korean Grill (The Podium, Ortigas, Mandaluyong)

    Jin Joo Korean Grill is a modern Korean barbecue restaurant that serves an interesting mix of classic and innovative dishes. This restaurant is famous for their 8-flavored samgyeopsal including curry, herb, honey garlic, peanut, red pepper, smoky barbecue, soybean, and wine. Many of my friends gave recent positive reviews on their dining experiences at Jin Joo’s branch in Eastwood near our office.

    So when I saw a promotion on Metrodeal, which by the way was immediately sold out a few days after, I quickly grabbed the chance and bought a voucher with the advantage of getting “a sumptuous samgyeopsal grill and unlimited side dishes for P149 per person instead of P470.” The promotion, however, was limited to one person per table only.

    Following the promotion detail instructions, I made a reservation a week prior to coming. A day before, I called once more to confirm our booking and learned that senior citizen and PWD discounts cannot be used in conjunction with the promo. Since we have 5 senior citizens and 1 PWD with us, I didn’t bother anymore to present the voucher since the discounts would have a higher value to be slashed off our bill. Also, instead of availing of their unlimited samgyeopsal, we chose to order a la carte entrees as there’s plenty of interesting and exciting items on the menu to choose from.

    We dined at Jin Joo Korean Grill at The Podium with our family for the joint birthday celebration of my husband and me. 🙂

    Review of Jin Joo Korean Grill (The Podium, Ortigas, Mandaluyong)

    Ambiance:

    The restaurant’s brightly lit interior is mainly comprised of wood elements, contrasted by Instagram-worthy accent walls and pastel-colored chairs that exude a homey vibe. Basically, Jin Joo is for the most part a Korean barbecue spot that offers all-you-can-eat samgyeupsal (as a promotion), grill-your-own meat, along with a few add-on sides, in a welcoming, contemporary dinner locale with cooktop tables.

    At the peak of lunch time, the restaurant looked reliably busy, buzzing with the full-throttle energy of friends and families chowing and imbibing in cheery excess. Good thing I had reserved large tables for our party of 15 people. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have gotten free tables at all.

    Food:

    The menu places emphasis on different flavors and types of samgyeopsal, so it’s a good sign not to miss it. Each of us had a generous slab of Samgyeopsal (PhP 390). An order already includes “banchan” or Korean fixings, such as kimchi, seasoned sweet potatoes, stuffed cucumber kimchi, seaweeds, stir-fried dried anchovies, bean sprouts, etc. and a bottomless basket of leafy green lettuce.

    The staff facilitated the cooking and helped us cut the pork into bite-size pieces. And at just the right juncture, when the pork has been cooked to an irresistible crispiness, we dove right in and began eating. Each piece of meat had a good amount of lingering juiciness. However, when paired with either lettuce or the glistening fluffy rice, the grilled pork belly wasn’t fully impressive, especially when it’s not dipped into the soy bean paste and sesame oil. Perhaps it’s because it was only rubbed with salt and pepper.

    Expecting a bit more than the plain and simple mainstay samgyeopsal, we ordered what’s supposedly their best offering, Jin Joo’s 8 Flavours (PhP 1560), for bolder flavors of marinated meat. It offered the familiar comforts of Korean grilled pork belly but with more exciting flavors and aromas. This is great to share with a group of 3-4 people. Imagine intense porkiness with various spices, with some parts of pork enveloped with fat. Yum!

    Beef Bulgogi (PhP 390) was a winner for the mouth and the eyes. It came as a fusion dish of fried shrimp, vegetables, sweet corn, and Korean spicy bbq sauce. The thinly sliced beef were tender, juicy, and slightly sweet and salty.

    Dolsot Beef Bibimbap (PhP 400) also came with beautifully arranged vegetables, mushrooms, fried tofu, and Korean spicy bbq sauce, all topped with fried egg cooked just right. The flavors were enough to please our palate. Mixed with rice, this dish can be addictive and very filling. On a hot pot, it was hot indeed from the first to our last bite.

    Japchae (PhP 350) was one of our best-loved dishes. It came with a light and refreshing taste, made with sweet potato noodles, beef strips, assorted vegetables, and sesame oil. The stir-fried glass noodles had a bouncy texture, and the sauce was sweet and savory.

    If you’re into spicy food, Jin Joo’s Fire Chicken with Cheese (PhP 890) is a must-try. It was served on a cheese fondue dish in a large cast-iron plate of barbecue-glazed fire chicken with sticky Korean rice cakes (tteokbokki), onions, sweet potatoes, and lots of shredded mozzarella and cheddar.

    The staff helped us cook the dish on our table, and we saw how the cheese melted into a delicious golden lava. How can you say not to a generous amount of melted cheese on top of spicy caramelized chicken chunks? It’s like comfort food taken to a whole new level!

    Jin Joo Korean Grill isn’t vegetarian-friendly. For my dad who’s a vegetarian, we ordered Hameul-Pajeon (PhP 380) but we asked for the assorted seafood ingredients to be removed. It turned out to be a plain pan-fried spring onions pancake with special dipping sauce. We’re glad they accommodated our request even when it wasn’t on the menu specifically.

    Price for Value:

    Order your heart out at Jin Joo Korean Grill at The Podium where a dazzling variety of Korean food awaits. It’s not the cheapest and prices could use some sprucing up, but for decent samgyeupsal and tasty banchan without having to travel to Korea, it’s the place to go. Call ahead to reserve and brace for variable service depending on the crowd.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/JinJooKorean/” name=”Jin Joo Korean Grill” description=”The Podium, Second Floor, ADB Ave, Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 0917 248 1777″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2018-06-23″ user_review=”4″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Vagabonds Artisan Comfort Food (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Review of Vagabonds Artisan Comfort Food (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Vagabonds Artisan Comfort Food hits the mark when it comes to—quite literally, comfort food. The menu here features several of the usual suspects: fish and chips, buttermilk chicken, pork chops, pasta, burgers, steaks, and decadent desserts. But what makes a meal at Vagabonds particularly interesting are the twists to the flavors of their dishes. Their value-for-money chicken wings and steaks are without question one of the best in town. Here’s a review of the restaurant, and see why it’s worth a try. 😉

    Review of Vagabonds Artisan Comfort Food (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    The first couple of things you might notice in this restaurant’s interior are the complementing colors of yellow and blue accents all over the walls, ceilings, and artworks which create a lively and bright atmosphere. The gray curtains gave a pleasing balance and looked beautiful in contrast to the two-tone theme. It’s nice that the furniture was wooden, giving a more subtle look and a cozier feel.

    Food:

    One of the highlights in our meal included the excellent Ultimate Wings with each of the four unique flavors standing out. Everything was tasty and comforting in a homey way—assuming home, for you, is a place with large amounts of wings! Get it to share, or enjoy on your own because why not?

    Here’s a rundown:

    Coated with a blend of chocolate marinade and Spanish paprika, the Belgian Wanderer was a good epitome of “sugar, spice, and everything nice.” Pimiento Aioli Dip on the side gave it a more intense taste. It’s one of the best and most memorable.

    Tagalog’s Best was Bagoong-marinated chicken wings that came with peanut butter dip. I admire the Asian character coming together in this dish and how the peanut butter boosted the zing, but I’m not a big fan. It sounds like an interesting combo but tasted quite weird.

    If there’s one thing among these four that I’d order in full serving, I’ll choose Yao Wings. This crispy goodness slathered in zesty orange marinade was scrumptious and crave-worthy! Juicy, sticky, and awesome, these classic chicken wings partnered with a soy ranch dip will blow your taste buds away.

    Sweet and salty Shogun Wings were hand-tossed in wasabi powder and went well with the White Chocolate Ranch dip. It’s also voted as one of our favorites on the platter.

    1000 Grams Steak (PhP 1800) is another easy sharer for the table, unless you’re meat-averse! 🙂 It’s 1-kg of succulent and premium USDA hanging tenders, with soy ginger, garlic peppercorn, chimichurri, barbecue dips. Without the dips though, the steak on its own lacked an oomph in taste. Texture-wise, the medium rare meat was great. Pairing them one by one with the dips can help savor every bite.

    Pasta and shrimp just seem to go together perfectly. If you enjoy that combo as much as we do, you might want to try Spain’s Shrimp & Chorizo Pasta (PhP 325). It’s made of bacon mac and cheese in red tomato base. With the chorizo, it’s a whole new ball game. This Spanish-style dried sausage imparts a deep and smoky flavor to the dish.

    Aglio e Olio is one of the most basic pasta sauces, and I like it best when cooked light and simple. The Mediterranean Pasta (PhP 300) was cooked al dente with garlic, oil, and seafood. It will take you on a delectable trip to the sea. Whether it’s a hectic family weeknight meal or romantic date night in, this plate of pasta belongs.

    Price for Value:

    Vagabonds Artisan Comfort Food is a good addition to the restaurants in Tomas Morato neighborhood since it opened in March 2016. If you’ve had a tiring day at work, their comfort food classics can take you on a #PalatableJourney and give you a warm embrace. Prices are a bit higher than expected and can end up forming a little wound to the wallet, but it’s okay to indulge once in a while. All bursting with flavor, the dishes we ordered definitely put a smile on our faces and filled our hungry bellies with glorious satisfaction. Vagabonds Artisan Comfort Food is a great place to hang out with friends and family.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pg/vagabondsartisan/” name=”Vagabonds Artisan Comfort Food” description=”RGI Building, Scout Limbaga Corner Scout Torillo Steet, Sacred Heart, Tomas Morato, Quezon City” rev_body=”For inquiries, call (02) 281 7748″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2018-06-19″ user_review=”4.3″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Hogshaven Smokehouse By Dulcelin Gourmet (Quezon Avenue, Quezon City)

    Review of Hogshaven Smokehouse By Dulcelin Gourmet (Quezon Avenue, Quezon City)

    The rainy season came with torrents, with a spike in traffic jams and flood-like situations in low lying areas in Metro Manila. Luckily, there are multitudes of worth-trying restaurants near us, so we didn’t have to drive too far from home. My husband wanted comfort food for dinner, browsed through Zomato, and found tacos on Hogshaven Smokehouse’s menu. I couldn’t find the story of Hogshaven Smokehouse anywhere online, and its website features only Dulcelin Gourmet’s cakes. It had me a little confused, but we gave in and went anyway. And holy smokes, their dishes are classically delicious!

    Apparently, Dulcelin Gourmet (specializes in cakes, famous for its Mango Torte) opened Hogshaven Smokehouse in July 2017 as a dine-in restaurant in West Triangle, Quezon City where people can enjoy gourmet-style savory food. It’s two menus in one setting. We got the best of both worlds and loved it!

    Review of Hogshaven Smokehouse By Dulcelin Gourmet (Quezon Avenue, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    Hogshaven Smokehouse has a bright and modern appeal where people can dine well. Like the best cool places, you’d want to spend time here. The room is comfortably covered in wood panels, wallpaper, and glass. The semi-communal seating makes for a space that always seems to have a reassuring hum of conversation.

    Generally, this is a no-stress, no-brainer kind of place. Dulcelin Gourmet x Hogshaven Smokehouse is a restaurant that you want to talk in without having to whisper or feel intimated. Sure, you could come here on a date, but neither the food nor the atmosphere feel ideal for a one-on-one meal. This is a place where you bring your friends or family members. Three or four of them, preferably. Tables are set up for groups, and the menu is made up of lots of interesting things to try.

    Food:

    Of course, we ordered Nacho-Rizo Supreme (PhP 195), the primary reason why we came. Hogshaven Smokehouse’s nachos aren’t overloaded with heavy ingredients. The melted cheese formed a slightly gooey pull with a silky smooth texture. It complemented well with the homemade chorizo toppings and tomato salsa on freshly cooked tortilla chips.

    Another great appetizer to share was the Seasoned Fries Trio (PhP 229), which consisted of straight-cut sidewinder and sweet potato fries, served with sriracha mayo. Packed with flavor, the fries were crisp on the outside and tad soggy inside. I could imagine munching on these alongside a meal such as a full rack of ribs. 🙂

    So yes, we got Kitayama Wagyu Short Ribs (PhP 349) on the table. But instead of the usual ribs, it’s tender wagyu short ribs with a spin. Cooked Korean-style, kimchi rice and poached egg made all the difference. Overall, it’s a spicy and scrumptious rice meal that took our attention. Feed your eyes!

    Next, we had Buttermilk Fried Chix (PhP 599), an absolutely must-order. Marinated in buttermilk then fried until crisp, the three pieces of juicy and crunchy boneless fried chicken thighs are ready to take you to heaven. Ah, they’re so good—and even better than Kettle’s version of buttermilk fried chicken which we also very much adore. The dish came with sausage gravy and steamed white rice.

    The Roast Beef Belly (PhP 299, single) with mushroom gravy was also a hit. The tender beef slices were moist and tasty enough, cooked with red wine and served with French beans and steamed white rice. It’s comfort food that’s satisfying but not one we’ll feel extremely confident to order next time.

    For desserts, we had one slice each of Dulcelin Gourmet’s award-winning Mango Torte (PhP 140) and the decadent Ube Flan Cake (PhP 145). The Mango Torte was made of crispy-chewy nougatine, golden mangoes and cream, while the Ube Flan Cake was made with chiffon cake covered in Ube cream and a creamy flan center. Both were a fantastic way to end a meal!

    Price for Value:

    Dulcelin Gourmet X HogsHaven Smokehouse’s varied menu makes it easy to have everything from a light meal to a try-everything group extravaganza. Offering many different kinds of food, they do almost all of it well. If you need a bite of something savory, get quite a frenzy over their chicken, beef, and pork dishes. Want something sweet? Make sure to try their specialty desserts. Prices are not exorbitant but are decent, given the generous portions and great food.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.dulcelin.com/” name=”Hogshaven Smokehouse By Dulcelin Gourmet” description=”36 Times Street, Quezon Avenue Corner West 4th Street, West Triangle, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries or reservations, call 9540147 or email dulcelingourmet@msn.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2018-06-16″ user_review=”4.5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Galileo Enoteca (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City)

    Review of Galileo Enoteca (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City)

    In celebration of Louie’s 30th birthday last Wednesday, we had dinner in Galileo Enoteca, the first restaurant that came to his mind after a long day at work. “Galileo Enoteca Deli” literally means Library of Wines. He had been wanting us to try and experience dining in their uniquely decorated wine cellar style dining rooms, where the walls are covered with bottles of high quality wines. We heard that this restaurant in Highway Hills does great food, in a cozy space, and they treat you like you’re a lot more important than you are. If you’re in need of a place to take someone special, set your course here.

    Review of Galileo Enoteca (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City)

    Ambiance:

    Galileo Enoteca Deli and Restaurant looks like a production. One glance and you’ll know for sure that it specializes in wines, cheese, assorted cold cuts and meat, and antipasti boards. It’s a classy hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant with a sophisticated vibe. The lighting is dim, setting the mood up for intimate dining, where events like Valentine’s Day, a first date, an important anniversary, or a proposal would be perfectly spent. There’s quite a number of communal tables for larger groups, too.

    Food:

    For our starter, we warmed up with the hearty and healthy tomato-based Classic Minestrone Soup (PhP 290) made with fresh vegetables, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. This soup was filling and it had robust layers of flavors, making each spoonful enjoyable and comforting at the same time. The complimentary bread was served warm and freshly baked. Yum!

    Vincenzo’s Cotoletta Alla Milanese (PhP 490) looked too foreign on the menu, but it turned out to be a familiar dish that’s remarkably good. It’s chicken cutlet dredged in bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. It’s an easy dish to love! Imagine a flavor and texture festival that blends crispness and juiciness, and you got it. Fries and salad on the side were also tasty.

    A seemingly gourmet dish, the Risotto ai Funghi Porcini (PhP 440) consisted of lush and creamy arborio rice matched in heaven with an earthy flavor of porcini mushrom and an incredible pungent aroma of truffle oil. It was toothsome, exquisite, and almost intoxicating. If you’re a fan of truffle, please do give it a try! Consider sharing it, though. 😉

    Price for Value:

    Galileo Enoteca Deli and Restaurant is your best bet when in the mood for elegant dining, Italian wines and delicacies. Prices are beyond moderate but the delightful food, beautiful setting, and attentive service make the experience well worth it, especially for a special occasion. Galileo Enoteca has Wine Wednesdays, when you can get all wine bottles for half the price with a purchase of their Cheese Buffet or any entree. This deal makes it a great place to get a little tipsy, too!

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://galileoenoteca.ph/” name=”Galileo Enoteca” description=”80 Calbayog Corner Malinao Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City” rev_body=”For inquiries, call 532.04.82 or 534.46.33″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2018-06-10″ user_review=”4.5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Lazat Fil-Asian Restaurant and Bar (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Review of Lazat Fil-Asian Restaurant and Bar (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    With Louie’s continuous hunt for nearby restaurants that serve ketogenic-friendly food, we found Lazat Fil-Asian Restaurant & Bar which specializes in Asian fusion, barbecue, and Filipino cuisine. Formerly, it was called Cercchio, but the owners apparently changed it in 2017. We looked through their menu online and immediately, the list of appetizing dishes got our nod of approval. Lazat is a charming restaurant ideal for families and large groups. They put a little extra love into their food to make you remember it and want to come back. This spot is understated, stylish, and well-groomed. More of this in my review below.

    Review of Lazat Fil-Asian Restaurant and Bar (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    Lazat Fil-Asian Restaurant & Bar creates texture and visual appeal by mixing and matching monochromatic colors with green accents in one room. It further sticks to the theme by combining black and white square and diamond patterns on walls and throw pillows. Providing a modern look, the rich combo works wonders when put together with intent. The dining area is spacious, and large windows illuminate the room and set the tone for a simply bright and airy place.

    Food:

    Served with three sauces, the Oven Baked Crispy Pata (PhP 710) produced tender meat and intensely crispy skin pata with smoked flavor. It’s exactly what you should order when you’re craving for really delicious pork on your plate. And by the way, all three sauces complemented well. 🙂

    Their Sizzling Pork Sisig (PhP 310) is a delectable marriage of chopped lechon kawali cooked sisig with fried egg. It had absolutely bold flavors and was almost creamy to the bite. Notably, the savoriness and porkiness were extreme, so pairing it with rice is top-notch.

    Last up, we had Spicy Kangkong (PhP 185), which was basically kangkong stir-fried in garlic and chilis. I loved how it gave a wonderfully sharp, growing heat that made for a pleasant surprise. The pronounced flavor of garlic was great, enhancing the overall fragrance and taste of the dish.

    Price for Value:

    Among the many food establishments in Scout Limbaga area, this welcoming family-friendly restaurant is probably one of the best known. People came to dine in here after the other group, and the streams seemed endless. Other food on Lazat’s menu looked really interesting as well and worth a try. Prices are fair given the quality of super-flavorful food and portion of serving. It’s best to snag a table earlier than peak meal hours since it’s always a packed spot. Check it out!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pg/LazatRestoBar/” name=”Lazat Fil – Asian Restaurant & Bar” description=”76 Scout Limbaga, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila” rev_body=”For inquiries, call (02) 351 5279 or email lazatqc@gmail.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2018-06-09″ user_review=”4.5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Astoria Plaza Ortigas (J. Escriva Drive, Pasig City)

    Review of Astoria Plaza Ortigas (J. Escriva Drive, Pasig City)

    My parents bought a platinum card last year with almost PhP 9.000 worth of vouchers which we could use to stay and dine in Astoria Plaza Ortigas, Boracay, and Palawan. Since we’re not planning to go out of Metro Manila anytime soon, we booked one overnight stay in a long weekend last April. We had a family staycation in Astoria Plaza in Pasig last April 7-8. We expected two things: the comfort of home and the excellence of service. Which one was dreadful and not up to standard? In this post, I’m sharing all about our experience.

    Review of Astoria Plaza Ortigas (J. Escriva Drive, Pasig City)

    Ambiance:

    The reception area looked cramped and busy. The seats were not sufficient and the counters were only enough to accommodate up to two groups of visitors at a time. Café Astoria on the ground floor was undergoing renovation, so to dine, guests can help themselves to a temporary area transformed from a large function room.

    Upon check-in, we received the complimentary WiFi access for our suite (limited to one device only). As we entered the room, we found welcome fruits, newspaper, and bottle mineral water on the dining room’s table.

    The one-bedroom suite featured all the amenities a family would need to stay relaxed and entertained. The spacious living room was equipped with a 32-inch LCD television, DVD player, and a comfortable sofa bed. The fully functional kitchen was fitted with a microwave oven, induction stove for cooking, refrigerator, coffee and tea making facility, and some plates and glasses.

    The bedroom had one queen-size bed and a shower room with bath tub. It wasn’t particularly tastefully decorated or stylish, but it was clean, with a pretty good view of the city. All in all, the one-bedroom suite had all the expected staples to deliver a personal “home away from home” vibe.

    Since we’re four and there was only one bed, we converted the sofa into a sofa bed. Three of us shared the bed in the bedroom and one person stayed in the living room.

    Service:

    My mom booked on our preferred day weeks before for an overnight accommodation. When we got there, the receptionist said that no room was available at the moment. Even the other two groups of people who were in queue received the same feedback, and they also had confirmed reservations beforehand.

    First impressions last, and they were not good. We felt annoyed and frustrated at the level of their service and professionalism. Why did they accept our booking in the first place? There must be a problem with their system. We were advised to wait like “chance passengers”; we could get a room only when someone else cancels reservation or checks out earlier than usual.

    Luck must be with us that day. In less than one hour, the staff called us in and told us one guest backed out. However, instead of getting a two-bedroom suite (since we’re four people), the offer was a downgrade: one bedroom suite. It was still disappointing but we thought it was better than having none at all.

    Food:

    Café Astoria temporarily set in one of the function rooms serves buffet featuring local and international dishes. À la carte dishes are also available throughout the day. Pasig is a great choice for travelers interested in culturally diverse food, but dining in the hotel cafe can be more convenient if time or transportation is limited. Food selections and tastes were pretty decent, but not above and beyond delicious. A band played music and sang familiar songs during dinnertime, which gave entertainment to the dining crowd at the hall.

    Price for Value:

    A night stay in the one-bedroom suite (60 sqm) in Astoria Plaza in Pasig costs P3500++. Although the bedroom is intended only for two people, the room was quite spacious and well-maintained. Thankfully, the sofa can be turned into a bed. Reception area can be better controlled, especially during peak times, and there’s a lot of room for improvement in service. Given the price, we weren’t dismal with the staycation experience but not blown away. Check out this link for the virtual tour.

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  • Review of Gourmet Gypsy Art Café (Paligsahan, Quezon City)

    Review of Gourmet Gypsy Art Café (Paligsahan, Quezon City)

    I first learned the story behind Gourmet Gypsy Art from a My Puhunan episode in ABS-CBN. There’s not a lot of cafés in the metro with a rich background such as theirs. In the video interview, Open Hand School for Applied Arts president Chef Waya Araos-Wijangco explained why Gourmet Gypsy Art Café offers ketogenic dishes and talked about her advocacy for helping adults with special needs. I think it’s an incredible passion to have this advocacy, run a program and even enrich people’s interaction and experience with them by opening a food business.

    Best of all? All the dishes they served are made from scratch, without preservatives, extenders, and MSG. They care about customers’ health and are advocates of the low-carb lifestyle. This is why extraneous sugars and starches are removed from most recipes so there can be more options for people who are on ketogenic diet, Paleo, LCHF, gluten-free, and vegetarians.

    Review of Gourmet Gypsy Art Café (Paligsahan, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    Gourmet Gypsy Art Cafe features a multi-hued setting where gracious servers leave you feeling pampered. Prepared to be wowed by the eclectic decor at this vibrant space with a bit of a vintage feel. Elegant lights, wooden furniture, and textured backdrops ooze an understated style, from the long table upon entry to the subtly colorful booths at the back. Photo frames against the walls give a unique twist.

    Adorned with “gypsy” accents, the dining area looks ideal for families and big groups. It’s a good place for socializing and enjoying casual meals together. Since we were the first customers to arrive even earlier than the peak of dinner time, we felt the almost zen-like atmosphere.

    Food:

    Quality dining that’s quick and approachable, all while surrounded by natural food. This is how I’d describe dining here at Gourmet Gypsy Art Cafe. Their menu has a focused selection of carefully curated house specialties.

    For starters, we had the Elote Mexicano (PhP 160), which was made up of charred corn croquetas, chipotle mayo, feta cheese, and cilantro. Instead of the usual corn cub, it was served in bite-sized form (like soulful chicken nuggets). Each kernel burst with sweet juice, with a rich, nutty flavor from the toasting and a buttery feel from the cheese.

    Want bulalo? You got it. The Roasted Bone Marrow (PhP 240) is a must-try. It’s split beef bone, with preserved lemon and parsley gremolata and ciabatta on the side. It’s amazing how the bones were cut allowing access to the interior. For joy in life, once you slurp on the roasted barrow, soak up all the rest of the fatty goodness and residual browned bits of marrow with a piece of crusty bread. Note: There’s a choice to upgrade to keto bagel (PhP 100) and keto pita (PhP 60).

    From their three pizza selections, we followed the server’s recommendation and opted for the Bacon and Mushroom Pizza (PhP 320). It was browned and slightly crisp with mushrooms fully softened and flavorful bacon cooked to perfection. The cheese on pizza was nice and melty. Love it! Note: Add PhP 75 for keto pizza crust (less carbs).

    For Korean food and rice fanatics, the Kimchi Rice and Bacon (PhP 380) won’t disappoint. It’s comfort food made with a mix of their homemade slab bacon, kimchi rice, and fried egg. To give it more character, upgrade to brown, red, or black rice (PhP 20) or to cauliflower rice (PhP 100).

    Price for Value:

    At Gourmet Gypsy Art Cafe, every dish looked like a piece of art, with ample portions of serving for two or maybe three. Meticulously prepared, the fusion bites tasted delicious. The distinct, intense flavors of gourmet food and varied options on the menu for people on different diets will leave you satisfied. Prices are reasonable and decent considering value.

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  • Review of Mario’s (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Review of Mario’s (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Last Sunday, we wanted to explore more restaurants along Tomas Morato. Louie searched through Zomato and found Mario’s which we’ve passed by several times but really didn’t take notice. Mario’s is reputable as the place to go for a good-sized tasty steak, and its Caesar Salad is known to be a “gastronomic masterpiece,” both divine and unreplicable. I was craving for paella that time. Since it’s a restaurant specializing in Spanish food, we supposed their paella won’t go amiss. 🙂 We were right!

    Review of Mario’s (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    Mario’s is a fancy restaurant in Tomas Morato that’s elegant and down-to-earth. It’s a good place for family gatherings, intimate dates, and celebrations of any special event. The interior design has the right balance of comfort and creativity, proffering dim lights, muted walls, tables fitted with white and ivory cloths topped with lined patterns that never go out of style, old-time surroundings, and quiet ambiance. It’s not just another casual place to grab a bite.

    Service:

    We arrived at 12:10pm and were immediately seated and handed the menu. When we ordered their best-selling paella, the staff asked if it was okay for us to wait 45 minutes since preparation and cooking will start from scratch. Patience is a virtue and we could stand just a little more patience for something that’s worth the wait. We said yes.

    An hour passed before our paella arrived hot on the table. We did two follow-ups which were both not so reassuring. More customers came and we noticed that it was only then when diners who came before us started to get their food served. Long wait and hold times usually translate to lost sales, and service issues in most cases send many customers off the rails. But here, it’s a different story. People were having nice conversations over the table and they were having a good time.

    So when planning to dine at Mario’s and you’re the type who hates to wait, make sure to order appetizers first as we did. Your growling stomach will thank you. 🙂

    Food:

    We had their Soup of the Day (PhP 120) which was cream of spinach and celery. It’s a thick, rich, and wholesome soup that’s accompanied by the complimentary basket of hearty bread with butter. It was enough to satiate our animated-ogre hunger for about half an hour.

    Paella Valenciana (PhP 735) is a vibrant mix of seafood, chicken, pork and sausage. And indeed, it was worth waiting for. The rice grains were evenly cooked and tender throughout. The sweet, briny flavor of the shellfish and shrimps shone through the dish, and we enjoyed the contrasting meatiness of the pork and sausage. It’s a party dish and a great comfort food, everything in one perfect pot, aromatic and delicious all at once.

    Price for Value:

    If you’re anywhere near Tomas Morato, don’t miss out on Mario’s. This restaurant is a charming landmark epitomizing refined and upscale Filipino-Spanish cuisine. Prices are a bit steep but fair given the quality of food and our overall experience. Chef’s Specials which we’d like to try next time include the Gambas Con Choriza Pasta (PhP 390), Tenderloin Steak (PhP 690), Steak and Prawn Thermidore (PHp 815), and Angus Rib-Eye USDA Prime Grade Steak (PhP 1995).

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.marios.com.ph/” name=”Review of Mario’s (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)” description=”191 Tomas Morato Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 02.372.0360 / 02.415.3887 or email mariosqc@marios.com.ph” author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2018-05-30″ user_review=”4.3″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]