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Author: Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco

  • Review of Red Spatula Chiffon Cakes (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Review of Red Spatula Chiffon Cakes (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Yesterday, we came across Red Spatula in Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo at the Weekend Gourmet Market after going grocery shopping at Metro Supermarket. The staff offered free tasting in a very friendly manner, and their sweet specialties on the table looked so good that it was hard to refuse. My mom and I took a small portion of their butter mamon (chiffon cake), liked it and so we quickly decided to take home a box of Red Spatula chiffon cakes in all six flavors: Mocha, Butter, Cheese, Rocky Road, Dulce de Leche, and Peanut Butter. 🙂 Yum yum!

    As told by the staff, Red Spatula started only last August 1, 2014. Right now, stalls are exhibited only in Lucky Chinatown Mall and in Eastwood Mall every weekends from Friday to Sunday. What’s interesting is that Red Spatula is owned by the Mercado family, the same [previous] owner of Red Ribbon Bakeshop (acquired by fastfood giant Jollibee Food Corporation in 2005). This explains why the Filipno mini cakes taste almost the same. The only prime difference is that Red Spatula’s current version is not too airy and light but more “siksik” and fluffy.

    At PhP 25, each piece of Red Spatula’s chiffon cake is hand-made and freshly baked every day and is “Rated “M” for mmmmm.” What’s not to love? I liked that the chiffon cakes are made buttery and not too sweet (probably less sugary than the one in Red Ribbon). However, they lack the moist crumb to stand up to what I expected. Also, if you’d allow me to pour creativity in, I’ll suggest adding a dollop of whipped cream and a smear of cherry or blueberry preserves on your own to add a spark of texture and more flavor. 😛 I’m salivating at the idea!

    Every variant of Red Spatula mamons is that kind of smile-worthy mini chiffon cake that will keep you lapping up bite after bite until it’s gone.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/redspatula88/” name=”Red Spatula – Baking the Sweet Life” description=”For inquiries, call (02) 424-6887 or 0915-1937470″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-08-25″ user_review=”4″ min_review=”4″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Trusted Underwear Brand “Guitar” Introduces New Clothing Ambassadors

    Trusted Underwear Brand “Guitar” Introduces New Clothing Ambassadors

    The secret is out: Celebrities Carlos Agassi, Mark Striegl, Ann Mateo and Gloc-9 are named the official brand ambassadors for trusted underwear brand Guitar Underwear. They just inked a contract with the company, committed to be walking and breathing representatives of a number of its lines, starting from its simple “de hilo” series, innerwear shirts, outerwear shirts and sandos to modern basic briefs, panties and boxer shorts—all made with the highest quality 100% cotton fabrics.

    Introduction of New Clothing Ambassadors of Trusted Underwear Brand Guitar

    Definitely a sense of joy and honor came to me last week when I received an invite to attend the Guitar Underwear Press Conference dated today, August 23, 2014 at The Bar, Tomas Morato, Quezon City (formerly Wil’s Event Place).

    If you’re not aware, Guitar Underwear is a brand that started since 1960 and now is a household name in the Philippines. I’ve blogged about it before and you may feel free to read more about the company and their offerings here. 😛 Moving on, in this article, let me share about the interesting backgrounds of the newest Guitar Underwear endorsers who all have dynamic and fun personalities.

    CARLOS AGASSI – ACTOR/MODEL/TV HOST

    Amir Carlos Damaso Vahidi Agassi, of Iranian and Filipino descent, is not entirely new to the Guitar Underwear family as he has been a model and ambassador of the brand for the last consecutive eight years. Still, his pretty face fitted with a jovial smile has not waned. His fit body and bubbly character are also two of his most charming distinctions. Carlos has made his name in showbiz as an actor, host and rapper and was chosen by Guitar because he strives to be the best in what he does, and this is what exactly the company also strives for.

    MARK STRIEGL – MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTER


    For a change, Guitar was looking for someone who has a sporty appeal to be one of its brands ambassadors, and this next guy has perfectly fitted the description. Mark “Mugen” Martinez Striegl is a half-Filipino, half-American mixed martial arts fighter living in Baguio City, Philippines. He was born and raised in Tokyo, and this was where he embraced the sport which now has become his life. He is still active in MMA competitions, so you gotta watch out for his fights!

    ANN MATEO – MODEL / INTERNET ICON

    Online singing sensation Ann Mateo has also caught the eye of Guitar because of her beautiful face and wonderful talent. She’s been featured recently on Vogue Italia and was the May 2014 cover of MUSE magazine. She’s currently one of the hosts of PTV4’s Upload TV every Tuesday 8-9pm. If you think she’s familiar, then you might have watched one of her videos on YouTube and Flippish.com featuring song covers and her talent with musical instruments.

    Her video hits surge up within short periods of time. This resulted to her becoming an in-demand artist performing on the FaceTime: The SM Cyberzone Mall Tour and various big local events like HIN2 at the World Trade Center. With her exceptional beauty and hundreds of thousands of followers and fans, she is also a sought-after product endorser appearing on several print-ads of high end products.

    GLOC-9 – RAPPER/SONGWRITER

    Among the four of them, Gloc-9 is the most serious “poker-faced” ambassador, or at least that’s what I thought. It was only one time when I caught him smiling and putting on a happy face, so I was glad I was there and took the shot. 🙂 Probably he keeps a serious countenance to retain his outward appeal as a rapper slash hip-hop artist. I don’t hate him for that. This guy rocks!

    Aristotle Pollisco, or better known by his stage name Gloc-9, writes songs for the country and sings for social justice. He was chosen for this endorsement because of his relation to music and patriotism. He is seen to represent Guitar as a genuine Filipino brand, simple yet with international appeal.

    More pictures… 🙂

    Wrap Up

    Now celebrating its golden year, Guitar aims to create a distinct lifestyle with the help of their new star ambassadors. With their new campaign seen around the metro on billboards and advertising channels, Guitar Underwear definitely is a brand to provide Filipinos both comfort and style for the next 50 more years. Do check out its items in department stores nationwide! View more pictures taken in the event here.

    Guitar – Household Brand for Basic Shirts to Comfort Underwear
    WEBSITE: www.guitar1960.com.ph
    E-MAIL: guitarcorp_1960@yahoo.com
    FB: Guitar Underwear since 1960
    INSTAGRAM: @guitarunderwear1960 #guitarunderwear
    YOUTUBE: GuitarUnderwear1960

  • 8 Things About Carmudi You Need to Know

    8 Things About Carmudi You Need to Know

    It’s been about a year and a half since I bought my first car, which I found via Sulit Cars (and now OLX Cars and Automotives). Just this week, my parents bought another one for their own use—also via OLX. Little did we know that there’s another trustworthy site where getting your dream car is just a tap away. It’s called Carmudi.

    It’s not that I want to replace or upgrade my vehicle but my interest just sparked upon hearing about the new Honda Brio. I searched online and found the Carmudi website. I didn’t expect to find quality listings that are like in a uniform format. The site layout is very organized and navigation is user-friendly, too. In this article, let me share some things I have learned about Carmudi.

    8 Things About Carmudi You Need to Know

    1. World’s Fastest Growing Online Car Classified

    Carmudi hosts only vehicle classified ads and nothing else. Having that focus also allows them to put every vehicle through a highly approved quality checking system. To date, it has over 20,000 vehicle ads posted online, and over one million users are visiting the Carmudi website every month.

    2. Special Service on Posting

    Unlike other sites which list cars for sale, Carmudi sends a team of car experts who have been in the industry for five to ten years to go to the sellers personally. They take photos of the cars and take the details down before placing them as online listing. This service emphasizes on trust, as Carmudi as a company values trustworthy listings for the buyers who go to their website.

    3. Managed Content

    Because of the above point, there’s no way that junk data would reside on the Carmudi site. The business platform operates under a high level of transparency through professional photos, updated listings, detailed descriptions, reports and rankings for 100% of its vehicles in each market. Only approved vehicles are posted, so buyers can be sure that buying through the website is safe.

    4. After-sales Service

    Carmudi has an after-sales service team who contacts sellers to give them insights on how to better sell their cars faster. At the same time, this is when Carmudi gets feedback on how to improve their services.

    5. Robust Filtering and Searching Capabilities

    Customers can filter searches by any means that they wish, from brand to model and year to price. If this is not enough, further filters such as age, mileage and even color are also available to make sure that customers are able to find exactly what they want. More features will be added shortly.

    6. Share Listings on Social Media

    Carmudi allows users to share listings on various social platforms to gain opinions from friends and family if they are unsure.

    7. Set Listings as Favorites

    Carmudi allows for setting listings as favorites so that they get instant notifications on their favorite rides.

    8. Global App for Android Devices

    The Carmudi website has an equivalent mobile application which runs on Android. The Carmudi mobile app gives users an excellent experience of buying cars while on the move, thus allowing them the same sense of ease and comfort out and about as they would experience in front of their PCs at home. This mobile app has been released only last month (July 23, 2014), and more and more tech-savvy Filipinos are already using it. Check it out on Google Play Store! 🙂

    Wrap Up

    Powered by Rocket Internet, Carmudi operates in 15 countries and is now ready to set to change the experience of shopping for car enthusiasts in the Philippines. The website, carrmudi.com.ph, was founded in 2013 and is envisioned to be a one-stop shop for vehicles. Everything you need to know about vehicles will be there–from maintenance videos to financing options to repair shops.

    Also, with the new mobile app, Carmudi is changing the way consumers search and shop for cars, as mobile phones account for more than a third of the internet usage in the emerging world. The app is available to Android users in 20 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. To learn more, visit its website and Facebook page.

  • Review of Hard Rock Café (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

    Review of Hard Rock Café (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

    I’m done complaining about the first set of dishes we tried in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia back on our first day of travel. Thank goodness, our griping ended there. From the second day to the last, we met great-tasting food! Hard Rock Café located in the ground floor of Wisma Concorde (walking distance from Bukit Nanas Monorail Station) was one that got our base covered.

    This “rock-and-roll” restaurant was recommended by our local tourist guide/driver and we could not thank him enough. We needed plenty supply of energy for our busy day exploring KL mostly by foot that day, and Hard Rock Café was perfect as it served us excellent Malaysian food without much gimmicks. There was no secret dungeon or basement and no guy wearing a mask inside. What we had were simply the best things about Malaysian food available as part of their regular menu. Yes, there’s authenticity present in all of it. 🙂 Know more below.

    Review of Hard Rock Café (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    I’ve read one blogger say that “just like McDonald’s and Burger King, Hard Rock Café is the same wherever you are in the world.” That part is exactly true. It’s good to see a similar relaxed ambiance and rustic theme of Hard Rock Café-Malaysia with those branches in the Philippines. To some degree, this made me feel at home while in a foreign country.

    Records, memorabilia, signed CDs and posters of rock stars were displayed on the walls, easy to catch the eyes of customers. The bar setting, as well as the stage for the live band at the front, was especially nicely furnished. Football jerseys for the World Cup Season were hanged everywhere. Everything else spelled retro! They also have a small gift shop where Hard Rock fans can buy souvenirs.

    All these make this restaurant a nice place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing in KL. Despite expected large crowds nightly, I bet that Hard Rock Café can play host to the next great time you will hardly forget.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was first class. The staff was very friendly, helpful, efficient and available at all times. He really focused on our every need. Response time of ordering and receiving said orders was quick.

    Food: ★★★★★

    As a starter, the Tupelo Chicken Tenders (RM 22) may not be the sexiest on the menu, but you can’t go wrong ordering it. The dish consisted of boneless, seasoned and breaded chicken tenders, served with honey-mustard and hickory barbecue sauces on the side. Without adding the condiments though, the chicken would not be worth much of anything. So we went ahead and loaded it up with as many as we pleased. The result is what I call glorious messiness! 😛

    The Grilled Chicken Quesadilla (RM 20) was made with grilled chicken and pineapple, tossed in tangy barbecue sauce with melted Jack cheese and stuffed in a chill-dusted tortilla. It was served with fresh guacamole, freshly made salsa and sour cream. This quesadilla was incredible. It was more like a large and soft taco from the griddle with a lot of melted cheese and rich flavor. You’ll be happy to take one, or several.

    People often say that when in Malaysia, try the Nasi Goreng—and we did. Good lord, the Nasi Goreng (RM 25) was awesome! It consisted of delicious fried rice with prawn and vegetables topped with fried egg. Eat the chicken satay with prawn crackers, and you are in business. With a good contrast of textures and complementing flavors in one plate, Nasi Goreng is a dish you should not dare miss when in Hard Rock Café in Kuala Lumpur. 

    Other Asian all-time favorites that looked good on the menu:

    • Seafood Char Kway Teow (RM 25) – stir-fried flat noodles tossed with bean sprouts, fish cake, egg, prawn, squid and a sweet and spicy soy sauce
    • Curry Laksa (RM 25) – a spicy curry coconut gravy served with yellow noodles, prawns, chicken, fried beancurd puff, bean sprouts, long beans, eggplant and boiled egg
    • Teriyaki Salmon (RM 43) – grilled salmon fillet glazed with teriyaki sauce served with rice and vegetables

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Prices are high compared to other restaurants in KL. However, this is Hard Rock Café we’re talking about, so that’s acceptable. I’m not only rating the price for value solely on the food quality but on the totality of our dining experience. I enjoyed every bit of our time here. If money is not a problem, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Whether you want to get some snacks and drinks or are hungry for a full meal, there’s something for everyone. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafekualalumpur” name=”Hard Rock Café” description=”Ground Floor, Wisma Concorde, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia” rev_name=”For inquiries, call +60 3-2715 5555″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-08-18″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Yuen Kee Restaurant 源記餐廳 (Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong)

    Review of Yuen Kee Restaurant 源記餐廳 (Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong)

    The first day of our itinerary in Hong Kong was so jam-packed, but still we found a weeny bit of time to explore Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) and go “panic shopping” even for two hours before calling it a day. From Hong Kong Ocean Park 海洋公园, we asked our tour bus driver to drop us at TST and he gladly did. In TST, we saw high-end brands of clothing, shoes, bags and accessories. Ahead of shopping time, dinner came as priority. It was a must to eat, or else our energy level would be down to zero. The least I aspired for was to be knocked unconscious because of hunger. 😛 So, this brings us to the question: Where to eat in Tsim Sha Tsui?

    Finding a decent local Chinese restaurant where we could taste local Hong Kong food ate up much of our time. Apparently, we were down at Kimberley Road, which is like the little Korea town in Tsim Sha Tsui. Lots of Korean restaurants and shops stood, and they even expand to the neighboring roads: Nathan Road, Chatham Road South and Cameron Road. Eating other cuisines than Chinese didn’t sound appealing. We walked and walked and walked (too tiring leh) until we found Yuen Kee Restaurant 源記燒味粉麵茶餐廳. Oh finally, God must have answered our prayers!

    Review of Yuen Kee Restaurant 源記餐廳 (Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Upon first glance, Yuen Kee Restaurant was as unassuming as it gets. Nothing fancy. No bells and whistles. As we went in further, we appreciated the interior design more as it was simple, much like those fair Chinese restaurants we have back home in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila. Some recipes of their menu were displayed via back-lit LED pictures on the wall. Overall, the place was well lit and spacious. Bright, busy and packed with dining customers, Yuen Kee was glamorous as a Hong Kong-style fast food establishment.

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    The staff understood little English; it was better to speak with them in Cantonese for efficient communication. They acted fast and accommodated our requests from entrance to exit. However, they lacked warmth and cordiality with regard to serving and treating guests. How exactly?

    I asked for iced cold water. The server gave hot water. We ordered an additional bowl of steamed rice, and it never came. Not wanting to waste and throw away leftover food, we asked for it to be packed. We were given an empty Styrofoam and plastic bag. The waiter told us to wrap the food ourselves and left us hanging. No guidance or help was provided when we asked how to separate the sauce and food in the Styrofoam to prevent spill-over. Thus, they would certainly not realize that mom already had just taken away one of their sauce containers with the sauce.

    I guess that was an instance of culture shock for us. We have grown too familiar with Filipino customer service, which I describe as generally polite, full of cheer, and knowledgeable. And I was terribly missing those all the time when we were in Hong Kong.

    Food: ★★☆☆☆

    Food presentation impressed the camera, but the food tastes fell short on my expectations. We ordered Two Poultry Legs with Rice 雙脾飯 (HKD 68). The chicken meat was hard to chew and didn’t seem fresh. The flavors were not intense enough to polish our plate. This is a dish you would not dare to order on your second trip back. Unfortunately, the portion was hearty. I don’t know if it’s meant for sharing, but good luck in advance if you plan to finish it alone.

    We also tried their Noodles in Oyster Sauce with Shrimp Wontons 雲吞撈麵 (HKD 33), which as well didn’t deserve to merit high marks. The egg noodles were springy in texture (that’s okay); the wonton balls, fully stuffed with shrimp popping out in every bite; and the broth of the soup, too light and almost tasteless. It’s not the version of shrimp wonton noodle soup that I crave.

    Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

    Considering the quality and taste of food and the customer service we have experienced, the price for value is really not that good and not worth for a regular dinner. It wasn’t as good as I wished. So if only I was not too hungry that night, I would have rated Yuen Kee Restaurant’s food lower. 😐 See Yuen Kee Restaurant’s menu here.

    [schema type=”review” name=”Yuen Kee Restaurant” description=”27-33 Kimberley Road, Shop 6-10, G/F Wing Lee Building, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong” rev_name=”For inquiries, call +852 21919339 ” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-08-16″ user_review=”9″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Mad For Pizza (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Review of Mad For Pizza (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    The name “Mad For Pizza” either means everything to you or absolutely nothing. It’s easy for those who don’t like pizza to ignore this restaurant, as it may just sound like another pizzeria. But hey, don’t be silly. Mad For Pizza speaks volumes already of literal translation. If you take create-your-own pizza (note: toppings all you want!) seriously, then you should probably read carefully down below and prepare your mouth to water in delight. 😉

    Started in June 2014 with this first branch in Tomas Morato, Mad For Pizza caters to customers who want comfort food badly. Cue in DIY pizzas with unlimited toppings beckoning you like mad, and you’ll be surprised that this new resto has captured your attention quickly. It’s the manner on how you have the freedom to put the ingredients together as you like and the care that set Mad For Pizza apart from the rest.

    Review of Mad For Pizza (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Wrapping around Mad For Pizza in Il Terrazzo are the colors red and white, which are great for fast food. Its theme is as inviting as its list of 40 pizza toppings featured on top of the counter as well as their claim, “We give value to your money. We serve our hot foods hot and our cold foods cold.” Tables, chairs and decors on walls were not too flashy. Having the capacity of 80-100 people, the place was clean and spacious. Overall, ambiance was vibrant and chic, busy with an atmosphere of enjoyment.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The owners present and the customer service staff were all friendly, accommodating and attentive to requests. It was last Saturday at 5PM when we visited, so wait time didn’t stretch long. The process of ordering wasn’t rushed, but still it was efficient. In case you plan to eat at near lunch or dinner time (peak hours), plan accordingly and expect to be part of the wait game. It can be annoying to deal with an unpredictable situation, but for the only customizable pizza in Tomas Morato, QC, seal it well. Pray that you get a table fast, and dive into some of the best pizzas this area in Quezon City has to offer.

    Part-owner Cyril Reyes

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Let me reiterate: In Mad For Pizza, you can actually customize pizzas to your preference. First off the bat, the staff walked to our table and gave an order form for us to choose the pizza dough and base sauce. Louie ticked the check boxes next to Garlic Parmesan Dough and House Pizza Sauce respectively.

    What ensued was about 10 minutes of toppings selection. The staff behind the counter identified the names of toppings on each of the container, while Louie pointed out which to include in “The Louie Pizza.” 🙂 Customers can get unlimited toppings per pizza, but it would be unwise to choose everything as the quality of the taste and dough might suffer. We settled with the following: Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil leaves, oregano, onions, green bell peppers,  Pharma ham and another kind of ham.

    Adding the toppings and arranging them neatly on the pizza was easily done. We went back to our table and waited for it to be served.

    And tadah! After 5-10 minutes, we met pretty much heaven on earth. The thin-crusted pizza was served piping hot with just enough of the bottom burned for that coveted smoky crust. The middle was soft while the outside remained crispy. That’s the way I liked it! One thing to note though: the toppings were not evenly distribute to the six pizza slices; therefore, you wouldn’t get the kick of all the flavors together in each bite. Anyway, I’m not one who’ll fight for more toppings. 😛 The aroma was irresistible and the taste was great, so the pizza was gone in a flash!

    If you’re clueless what to add and worried about the outcome, it would be safe to choose one among the ready-to-order presets (PhP 250 each):

    • Justin’s Favorite – Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar pepperoni, bacon, sausage, meatball and crumble
    • Anya’s Creation – Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, Alfredo sauce, cheddar shrimp and roasted garlic
    • Andross’ Choice – Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, feta, ham and pineapple

    Then again, you don’t want to only order pizza in Mad For Pizza. For our appetizer, we had the Fried Calamari (PhP 188), their highly touted and much loved starter. All I needed was a couple of bites to declare that the calamari was good with modest chewiness but not incredibly good. It could have been crispier and better seasoned. If fried calamari is your thing, this is a nice dish to share.

    The Chicken Spinach Egg Rolls (PhP 178) were a yummy treat. This menu offering was a good move so diners would have more options and not get tired of the usual pizza and pasta. The Chicken Spinach Egg Rolls had healthy servings of filling, with savory combinations of chicken bits, spinach and corn kernels. The sauces added another depth of flavor.

    The Beef Stew Pasta (PhP 188) is one of the staples on the pasta section of Mad For Pizza’s menu, with the solid taste of ground beef making for a nice change from the traditional ground pork and sausage. It was straightforward and simple with few elements in one plate. We could be wrong but Louie and I thought that the beef almost tasted like goat. Nonetheless, it was good to try.

    Also, they offer Cappuccino Cake (PhP 88), Panna Cota (PhP 88), Tiramisu (PhP 88) or the Banoffee Cubbler (PhP 88) for desserts. The Banoffee Cubbler (banoffee pie in a cup) came as a lovely creation with the bottom filled with crushed grahams, layered with sliced bananas sauteed in butter, a pour of toffee sauce and plenty of thick, fresh whipped cream on top. It was decadent but a little too tooth-achingly sweet.

    Mad For Pizza is one pizza joint that serves alcoholic drinks on the side. We washed down every morsel with fairly “big” glasses of Mojito and Margarita. The drinks were made up with a a refreshing concoction of tequila, lemon juice, triple sec and the fruity flavor of lime. Bottoms up!

    Earthy and delicious, these are decent drinks your heart will be wanting to get. They went down easy and packed a punch. You need them warming your body even in the summer heat. Just be careful not to get drunk/tipsy if you’re driving. 😀

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    For six slices of a whole pizza to justifiably cost PhP 280, the crust must be perfectly cooked; the toppings, fresh; and the sauce, fully-flavored as it’s going to be the vehicle carrying other flavors. The pizza we had at Mad for Pizza was all those things. However, the rest of food we tried from their menu seemed to be a misstep. Since the restaurant is still very new, there are plenty of room for improvement. Maybe we’ll like them better next time. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MadForPizzaPh” name=”Mad for Pizza” description=”2/F Il Terrazzo Building – 305 Tomas Morato Ave. corner Scout Madriñan Street, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 351-2621″ rev_body=”Operating hours: Mon – Sun: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-08-11″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Munchtown (Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center)

    Review of Munchtown (Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center)

    Let me paint a picture: You’re in the nick of time to catch a movie and you wanted some food to eat while watching. Problem is, queues in restaurant or food stalls are a common sight. On some days, you’d be quite lucky to spend at least 15 minutes getting food prior going into the theater—but then missing out on the first important scenes in the movie. With that, I bet it will be great for you to check out an incredible concept brought by Munchtown in Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center.

    Munchtown delivers inventive gustatory delights right where you’re seated in the cinema anywhere within Greenhills. It offers American comfort food by Chef Robby Goco, your best options for pizzas, hotdogs, fries, burgers, salads and more! It’s my first time to come across a place that combines creative service with quality food like this. Ready to dissect Munchtown’s food with me? Read on.

    Review of Munchtown (Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Apart from delivering food to cinemas, Munchtown in Promenade 3 is also designed with typical dining areas where customers can fully enjoy their dining experience while allowing passersby to also enjoy the aroma of food and become hungry.

    No doors separate or even block your way from seeing through the large menu posted on top of their counter. The kitchen activities are also transparent to customers, so you’ll have like a bird’s eye view on how your food is being prepared. Condiments, plastic utensils and basket plates are readily available via self-service, easy-peasy.

    What we observed though is the lack of air-conditioning in the place, which may be a problem of the mall’s centralized air cooling system. With a few more followups to the management, I believe that should be fixed really soon.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Speaking of service, that’s one of the best parts about Munchtown in Promenade 3. As I mentioned in the intro, you can ask to have your food delivered at no extra cost, just by sending a text message and saying where you’re at. Receive a confirmation of your order, expect some waiting time and eventually you’ll make everyone sitting around you envious on the smell of food passing through aisles in the theater. (Note: You can only pay by cash.)

    Another way is opting to dine in first, any time from 10AM to 10PM, and experience customer service that’s warm, friendly, and attentive right at Munchtown’s seats.

    with Donny Elvina, one of the owners

    The menu can be confusing as there are tons of names of hotdogs (smokees), pizzas and all and there are no descriptions, but the staff makes it a point to offer up an education, which you’ll greatly appreciate.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    In no particular order, here’s the rundown of our obligatory food taste test at Munchtown, all that I’ve tried yesterday. (There are more, however I won’t be posting pictures of every single dish presented and describing them as part of this post. My stomach had surrendered all the space it could offer.) 😛

    First up, Munchtown’s Sliders (PhP 250, 3 pieces). These mini back angus burgers were served with Russian dressing, ketchup, pickles, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese. Definitely get them on your table. This version is a huge win, the soft buns absorbing all the flavor.

    It’s always nice to compliment burgers with fries. Go find yourself freedom and order the Black Truffle Fries (PhP 195). These fries are made with fresh Igorota Idaho potatoes with truffle salt, truffle oil and grilled chicken liver. I was surprised to bite into a small piece of the chicken liver thinking that it was truffle. Whoa, the taste was so evident! I realized it was chicken liver 鸡肝 as I remembered my mom’s home-cooked Chinese dish providing us a healthy dose of iron and zinc.

    If you think you won’t be a fan of the Black Truffle Fries, maybe Fresh Igorota Idaho potatoes with rock salt and ground black pepper (PhP 95) with Bacon as an add-on (PhP 50) would serve you right. After all, who doesn’t like bacon? 😀 Smother the fries in your choice of condiments from the counter, or eat these perfect snack without adding anything more.

    Another one among many good options—Irish Nachos (PhP 185). These are fresh Igorota Idaho potatoes with rock salt, black pepper, spring onions, tomatoes, black olives, jalapeño, sour cream and cheese sauce. I’ll put emphasis on the CHEESE as these fries are too much oozing with cheese flavor. With crispy exterior and fluffy interior, these fries are the ideal food to consume after a night out.

    The Deputy Dog (PhP 280) isn’t called such for nothing. This hotdog in bun is Munchtown’s signature frank, so there’s no denying that I hadn’t been thrilled to try it (yes, even if it’s made with smoked pulled pork). It’s filled with rich cheddar cheese, onion relish and Russian dressing. It’s a solid option that gets its job done: to make you come out satisfied.

    Next, we go to Munchtown’s pizza favorites, which are all 8″ with six square-cut slices.

    The Marinara Pizza (PhP 330) I thought was no ordinary pizza. It’s made with simple ingredients (fresh mozzarella, oregano leaves, bell pepper, olives, capers and cherry tomatoes) sitting atop a charred, puffy, chewy cloud from heaven. So good.

    Another vegetarian-friendly pizza is the Margherita Pizza  (PhP 330), made with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, extra virgin olive oil and salt. Adding heat (chili sauce) will make this pizza tastier.

    Talk about addiction. Pizza topped with just fresh mozzarella and cheddar cheese and I’m sold! I love cheese pizzas and Munchtown’s Cheese Pizza (PhP 330) is a great example of how it’s done right. Don’t let the thin stature fool you, each slice will make up for it in flavor.

    For seafood lovers, the Vongole Pizza (PhP 390) may appeal to you on a higher notch. This one is a hearty pizza with lots of interesting ingredients: clams, garlic, chili flakes, parsley oil, salt and grana padana all over.

    As a Munchtown classic, the Pepperoni Pizza (PhP 390) turned out to have no frills and made only with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and pepperoni. It’s not to be skipped as well! 🙂

    The Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza (PhP 390) may not be better still than the cheese pizza that I declare as winner, but if you’re in the mood for something more substantial, these slices hit the spot. Speaking volumes, this pizza featured fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula and extra virgin olive oil.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Want to impress friends who love American comfort food? Bring them to Munchtown, just before going inside the theater to watch a movie or have your food delivered right when you’re inside the cinema. This unmarked restaurant is a unique and amazing place.

    Munchtown seriously stands out when you’re in upper ground floor in the new wing of Promenade, Greenhills’ movie hall. Their reasonably-priced food are special and freshly prepared, leaving you wanting more. As there are overwhelmingly serveral types of pizzas, fries, burgers, hotdogs to try, no two trips to Munchtown will ever be the same, and that’s exactly why we like it here. 😛

    Promotion: Every Monday, Munchtown celebrates Buy 1 Take 1 Pizza Day! Get one free Margherita Pizza worth PhP 330 for every pizza purchase. 🙂

    I’m also happy to finally meet in person, Richie, the “Pickiest Eater in the World“, who invited me to the event. Such an honor. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/munchtown” name=”Munchtown” description=”Unit 202, Upper Level Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 785-6931 or City Delivery 87878″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-08-10″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • CalChews Calcium Supplement for Strong and Healthy Bones

    CalChews Calcium Supplement for Strong and Healthy Bones

    Calchews Mounts Campaign On Calcium Awareness Via Fun-Filled Zumba Concert

    In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, one needs to be in the pink of health in order to accomplish goals and do more in life. Women, in particular, are more prone to degenerative ailments as they age due primarily to their genetic make up.

    Studies reveal that at age 40, women’s bones start to get more porous, thus opening the doors for more serious health conditions. The good news is, this can be avoided early on through the foolproof combination of proper diet, physical activity, and regular intake of health supplements. Among these three key factors, getting into a regular physical routine can be quite elusive. There are exercises that target only specific body parts while some are too tedious or boring for some people.

    Weight bearing activities are said to be the best way to strengthen the bones, and one such activity that is becoming more popular by the minute is Zumba. Check out the video here. The younger set are getting into the Zumba craze with its upbeat music and energetic movements inspired by various Latin American dances and even hip-hop.

    Dancing Your Way to Improved Skeletal Health

    Capitalizing on Zumba’s incredible popularity, CalChews, the first and only soft chew calcium supplement in the Philippines, recently supported the invigorating Z Stars Philippines Dance Concert at Market! Market! in Taguig.

    Noted TV personality and certified Zumba instructor Regine Tolentino led the pack of Zumba enthusiasts in a dynamic display of fitness that did not only fostered camaraderie, but also raised consciousness on the importance strengthening the bones. “Zumba is a very engaging activity that practically everyone can get into. It goes hand in hand with the brand’s thrust to get everyone, especially women, to get involved in a physical routine to strengthen the bones together with regular intake of calcium supplement.”

    Calcium You Can Chew

    In addition to weight bearing exercises, a daily dose of calcium supplement is also necessary to strengthen the bones and prevent or delay the onset of skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis, the “silent disease” that has claimed thousands of lives across the world.

    Pascual Laboratories’ CalChews is packed with the recommended calcium level to supplement daily calcium needs. It is fortified with Vitamins D3 and K1, which play a critical role for calcium to be effectively processed in the body. Vitamin D3 is essential for promoting calcium absorption while Vitamin K1 keeps calcium in the bone where it belongs, and helps prevent heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease among others.

    Unlike other calcium supplements that require a lot of effort to be taken, CalChews also sits right at the forefront of ease and convenience, being the only calcium supplement that one can chew like a soft candy. There is no need to prepare complicated mixtures or deal with large capsules that are difficult to swallow.

    CalChews comes is two delicious variants that calcium takers will surely love – the classic taste of Rich Chocolate, and the sweet goodness of Creamy Caramel.

    Straighten Up and Stand Strong

    Having strong and healthy bones is one of the many ways to boost a woman’s confidence and self-esteem, which, ultimately allows here to achieve more and be able to do the things she wants. Regular intake of calcium coupled with regular exercise and proper diet are essential to help women prevent or delay the onset of bone disease. Calcium is important for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth, and also helps the heart, nerves, muscles, and other body systems work properly.

    CalChews has found a way to let women get their daily serving of calcium in an easy and tasty way. It is also packed with several other nutrients that make calcium function correctly. With strong bones, women will be able to make the most out of their active life.

    Fast facts on Calcium and CalChews Calcium Supplement for Strong and Healthy Bones

    • Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body that is essential for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth.
    • Calcium, together with other nutrients including magnesium, phosphorous, and Vitamins A, C, D, and K also helps the heart, nerves, muscles, and other body systems work properly.
    • Bone loss in women starts slowly at age 40. Rapid bone loss begins at age 50.
      1000mg of calcium is the recommended daily intake. Calcium-rich foods include green and leafy vegetable, beans, fish, and dairy products.
    • According to the Department of Science and Technology, calcium is the least-consumed nutrient in the Filipino diet. Fish was shown to be the primary source of calcium in the Filipino diet, followed by rice and cereals, vegetable and milk, and dairy products.
    • CalChews is the first and only soft-chew calcium supplement that strengthens the bones while protecting the heart.
    • CalChews is fortified with Vitamin D for proper calcium absorption, and the only calcium supplement with Vitamin K that prevents heart disease and more.
    • CalChews comes in Rich Chocolate and Creamy Caramel flavors.
    • CalChews contains 2gms of sugar and is safe for people with diabetes (but it is still best to seek professional advice). It is also not fattening in itself.
    • Children 7 years old and above can take one piece of CalChews per day.
    • One to two pieces of CalChews per day is the recommended intake. Taking more than two chews can lead to constipation or upset stomach.
    • Men can also take CalChews. Pregnant women may also do so, as long as it’s allowed by an OB Gyne.
    • Elderly people can also take CalChews. However, those who are taking Aspirin or blood thinning products should consult their doctor first, as the Vitamin K content of CalChews might have a contraindication.