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Author: Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco

  • Review of Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters (Newport Mall, Pasay City)

    Review of Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters (Newport Mall, Pasay City)

    Last Saturday, I went out with friends to watch The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug at Resorts World Manila’s Ultra Cinema. For the first time, I experienced watching a movie with fully reclining seats, enclosed private cubicles for couples, unlimited popcorn and drinks and a butler who arrives to refill food and drinks as requested through a three-second press of a button. The movie lasted for 161 minutes, and it was not boring at all, to my surprise—considering that I did not watch the first of the trilogy. Right after enjoying the epic fantasy adventure film, we had dinner at Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters. 😀

    Review of Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters (Newport Mall, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters is a casual spot for drinking out with friends. It’s a jazz venue for a quick meal and a glass of wine. The atmosphere was chic and dim, an ideal place to bring your date. The walls popped with wooden brick designs, door and windows that mimic a home. In this essence, dining guests would feel like they are just guests to a friend’s house. Christmas lights were already on, to promote the spirit of the season.

    It has a bar area where a wonderful wine selection is highlighted and absolutely not missed upon entrance. The piano keys on top were eclectic as decor. Modern and at the same time intricate. ♥

    There were also tables and chairs outside. We were seated there and the best part was having a clear view of the performances of local musicians and actors onstage in Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila. It was fun watching them! 🙂

    Service: ★★★★★

    I have nothing against their service. Staff were eloquent and food didn’t take long to come out. Water was refilled and all requests were granted quickly. Customer service at this establishment had that ounce of decent quality we’re all looking forward to meet.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    As an appetizer, the Mardi Gras Nachos (PHp 265) was exquisite. Pardon my ignorance but I just got excited to try out these tricolor corn tortilla with sour cream, sharp cheddar and mango jalapeño salsa. Oh, and there were also bits of grilled chicken barbeque. The nachos tasted ordinarily but it’s good to note they were crispy and I loved the different ingredients used here, especially the mangoes. 😀

    Onions, celery, bell pepper, okra, Andouille sausages (spicy smoked pork), calamari, white shrimps, fish fillet and jambalaya spices — all in one superhero dinner wonder, in less than fifteen minutes. That’s the Seafood Jambalaya (PHp 435) we had, made with the base of most savory Cajun dishes. There was no ingredient that really stood out, but the entire dish was great. The creole rice casserole soaked up all the flavor and it was totally a filling meal.

    The Baked and Blackened Chicken (PHp 399) was quite an intrigue. It’s roasted chicken with blackened seasoning, grilled vegetables and roasted garlic mashed potatoes. This blackened chicken had an awesome spicy exterior and just enough moisture inside. Though eating chicken had slowly faded out of my life, I still get to taste versions of it done in different cuisines once in a while. This time I wasn’t disappointed. The mound of smashed potatoes tasted fine to complement the taste, and It thought grilled red peppers and spicy mayo would as well make good condiments.

    Fans of pastas with truffle cream sauce would be swooned by the quality choice of ingredients of the Black and Gold Pasta (PHp 449). This dish consisted of home-made squid ink languini pasta served with roasted garlic and sauteed oysters as toppings. The oysters were surprisingly fresh with no fishy smell to appall.

    Are these authentic Cajun food? I’m not sure as I’m not familiar with Cajun food and the only previous encounter I had with this cuisine was with Cajun Red Rock which I gave a poor rating, by the way. In contrast, I liked the entrees we sampled at Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    With Christmas and New Year’s approaching, I know that many people are finding interesting places to bring their friends and family to. I’d say this restaurant is a nice choice. Although prices may tend to go over your budget, dishes are unique and you can just take spending as a regular holiday thing.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Orleans-Bourbon-Street-Steaks-Oysters/121400124544705″ name=”Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters (Resorts World Manila)” description=”2/F Resorts World Manila, Newport Mall, Newport Blvd Domestic Airport, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 403-8926″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-21″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: 11AM – 12MN

    Other branches in Metro Manila:
    Upper Ground Floor, Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City | 02 9615711, 02 9615712
    Bonifacio Street, Building 5, Bonifacio Global City | 02 8564326
    Ground Floor, South Wing, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City | (02) 5501440

  • Review of Bangus Specialty Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Bangus Specialty Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Bangus has been in the food industry for 31 years, yet we have not dined in this restaurant in those three decades even once—until now. Bangus Restaurant’s first branch is located at Crossroad Arcade in Greenhills, San Juan. It was opened in September 22, 1982 by owners Erlinda de Mesa Yap and Diana de Mesa Santamaria. Since its anniversary, the restaurant has been innovating their dishes to delight food lovers everywhere with mouthwatering milkfish-infused specialty recipes.


    Their house specialties are not limited to bangus; rather, they include Crispy Tadyang ng Baka, Rellenong Manok, Kare-kare Buntot (Ox Tail) and Lechon Kawali as well. I was awed upon seeing many pescetarian-friendly items on the menu:  Sizzling Kangkong, Puso ng Saging, Pinakbet, Tinumok and Lumpiang Capampangan. Other guilt-free dishes are: Ensalada Mangga, Fried Milk Fish Belly with Sampalok Candy Sauce and Crispy Kangkong, Bangus Prime Cut Bistek, and Binusog na Tinapang Bangus.

    Review of Bangus (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    I liked that the ambiance of the room was majestically lit and the walls were painted and designed with bright, mood-boosting colors. The fish on the background was cute, too! 😀 What I didn’t like? The area was cramped, with tables and chairs almost positioned next to each other. There were a lot of dining customers that day and this may be also one reason why air was not that cool.


    Service: ★★★★★

    Staff were attentive and friendly. They aim to please. As we warmed up to our seats, they came instantly to hand us the menu. Food was served after 10-15 minutes as promised, so they’re considerably efficient given that they’re busy.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Few restaurants seem to get everything right; you’d do best to pick your favorite by their specialty. At Bangus, it’s bangus! So we have to order at least one of their best-selling bangus dishes. It took us a while to decide; finally, we got the Sizzling Bangus (PHp 295) and Kare-kareng Bangus (PHp 395).

    Once landed on our table, the accompanying sauce was poured onto the hot plate of Sizzling Bangus, making the entire entree look far more appealing. But in my view, it still lacked the spectacle associated with a similar display of sizzling plates served in other restaurants, since the milkfish did not appear to be juicy but thin and dry. Flavor-wise, the soy sauce used was apparent and the taste of the onions was compelling.

    For the second dish, bangus cooked in the kare-kare was fried, so it missed the tenderness I was expecting. I would want the fish to be just boiled without the crispy exterior and rubbery feel on the inner flesh. Nevertheless, the vegetables soaked up the nutty kare-kare mix — delicious! The broth was so creamy and toothsome. Grab a bowl of hot steamed rice (PHp 50) and enter paradise. We added bagoong (shrimp paste) which made the dish more appetizing.


    The Adobong Sugpo sa Aligi (PHp 390) left such an indelible impression. The tiger shrimps in crab eggs were filled with sweet and briny juices that pool in the curve of the shell. They somewhat tasted like the buttered shrimps at Dampa marinated in orange soda. Such are too rich for everyday eating, but as an occasional treat, they’re well worth the effort and the calories. I thought it’s also good to mention here that the shell was easily removed, implying that the shrimps were not overcooked and they were fresh.

    Staff said that their Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa (PHp 185) recipe includes tiny bits of meat. So we asked to have them removed and make this dish completely vegetarian. Our wish was their command. The sautéed vegetables were crunchy and stayed true to their supposed unique tastes — sweet and savory. I’d prefer coconut milk with thicker cream though.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    As the name suggests, Bangus Specialty Restaurant is predominantly a seafood (bangus) joint. I found their food quite good. The only knock against the dishes is the portion size, which is stingy (see the Sizzling Bangus and Adobong Sugpo sa Aligi as examples) and not tantamount to the prices. Food prices are generally bad news for the wallet.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Bangus.Restaurant” name=”Bangus Specialty Restaurant (Bangus Republic)” description=”Ground Floor, North Wing, Mall of Asia Complex, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 02 5560386, 02 2121212″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-20″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branch:
    Ground Floor, Connecticut Carpark Building 1, Greenhills Shopping Centre, Greenhills, San Juan City | 02 7253038, 02 2121212

  • Review of Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar (Pasay City)

    Review of Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar (Pasay City)

    Officially, it’s that time of the year again when ever-present Christmas decorations are all over the office and the uptick in events on our calendar includes parties—in addition to lengthy meetings and discussions. And as the “holiday party season” reaches its zenith from the first weekend of December, we all fear the wrath of the gaining extra calories, with more food on the table than usual. If you don’t want to see food, close this window right now. Else, come over to the dark side :mrgreen: , and have fun while it lasts.

    Following corporate tradition, the newbies in the IT division of our company have put together a Christmas feast for everyone. Last year, I was one of them and we gathered in CaiXa Resto and Bar. This time, we had it in Bagaberde 101, another ideal venue for events, functions, special occasions and celebrations.

    The theme, though not necessarily evident, was about Bangon Pilipinas in honor of the victims of supertyphoon Yolanda. We donated a lot of money to contribute to charity but still spared some budget for ourselves to enjoy for the night (date: December 6, 2013). Games, jokes, raffle draws, talent presentations, food and the booze did wonder to our brain cells and kept us all satisfied. 🙂

    Review of Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar (Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    The place can accommodate 200 to 400 people, with over 50 tables around the entire dining area. Two bars are placed at the opposite sides across the main dining hall. Rest rooms are conveniently located beside the stage in front. Interior design and fixtures were without frills; lights extending from the high ceiling provided excellent illumination that was enough to see by.

    The live band played good songs and we were much entertained before the real program hosted by our very own teammates commenced.

    Service: ★★★★★

    There was a good ratio of party attendants and servers, and while requests kept pouring in, staff came as congenial and friendly. Some even volunteered to take us pictures and posed to have their photos taken as well. 😛 I was most glad to consider their “helpful action” when food in the buffet table got replenished and served very quickly after each variant was depleted.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    The party organizers chose the food for us. Filling up our “stomach real estate” were the following dishes:

    Vegetable Spring Roll with Vinegar

    Lemongrass Chicken

    Fish Fillet with Aioli Sauce (garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and egg yolks)

    Grilled Liempo

    The food quality was overall okay—somewhere in between yay and nay—yet not as impressive as that one putting all grills and/or friers to shame. The fish fillet and vegetable spring rolls lacked crisp; and the chicken lacked flavor, herbs and aromatics. I’m sorry I couldn’t report anything for the liempo affair. My eyes lit up because of hunger and not because of having a “feel-good” awe for the batch.

    For drinks, we could order anything from the bars though with an added “pay as you order” fee.

    Included in the buffet package were these options: mango juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, iced tea, soft drinks and San Miguel beer (light). I tasted the iced tea and pineapple juice. Both were too sweet and I regret ordering sugary drinks instead of plain water. 🙁

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Just like last year, the fee per person depends on the position. (Again, I paid PHp 1000.)

    For the purpose of rating the food prices for their value, I thought it’s fair to base judgment on the content on the menu. Pulutan (Fries, Calamares, Buffalo Wings, Gambas) prices average at around PHp 250; Sisig delights, PHp 225; Grilled Meat/Seafood, PHp 195-275; Sandwiches, PHp 150; Pancit and Pastas, PHp 260; Fruit Shakes, PHp 105; and Local Beers, PHp 75. Looking reasonable? Head out to Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar yourself to find out. 😀

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Bagaberde101/” name=”Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar” description=”Boom Na Boom Compound, CCP Complex, San Isidro, Pasay City beside Wensha Spa and The Legend” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 02 5501581 / Globe – 09064750578; Smart – 09993981609″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-07″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: Tue – Sat: 11:00 am – 2:00 am

  • Gifts to My Sister’s 21st Birthday – Dinner at Silk Road Thai Bistro and Shoes!

    Gifts to My Sister’s 21st Birthday – Dinner at Silk Road Thai Bistro and Shoes!

    Last two weekends ago, I took my family to SM Aura. After window-shopping, we headed out to Silk Road Thai Bistro (Bonifacio Global City) for dinner in advanced celebration of my sister’s 21st birthday.

    At her age and with her limited interests, I wasn’t sure what to give as a gift. The safest present must be FOOD and bonding time, so I treated them to dinner in a place I consider one of the best now in the metro. For the material thing that shouldn’t be missed, I got her a pair of shoes and you’ll know more about the story below. 😉

    Treat to My Sister’s 21st Birthday – Dinner at Silk Road Thai Bistro

    Gosh, I didn’t want to turn this post into another food review, but the thought of sharing my descriptions of the taste and presentation of the food just can’t stop the food blogger in me. So this is to share how we found Silk Road’s offering for the night, briefly:

    I didn’t make any reservation but we were lucky to find free seats at once. The restaurant staff still recognized me as one of the bloggers who dined in there last time. The manager was extra helpful still in giving us recommendations of food from the menu. We occupied a smaller table and later transferred to a more spacious set as the previous customers left.

    While waiting for our orders, we watched the crowd ebb and flow in the room and took pictures with the enchanting backdrop. I’m glad my family liked the place as much as I do. Silk Road Thai Bistro is where beautiful people spend money to nibble and drink. 😛

    We started with Tom Khai Gai (PHp 300) which consisted of chicken, coco milk and galangal soup. The taste was something that resembled laksa—sour, a little spicy but really good. As an appetizer, it deserved a gold star.

    The next dish—Black Pepper Soft Shell Crab (PHp 395)—was something I wanted to try for the longest time. The caramelized soft shelled crabs were cooked with tomatoes, onions and spring onions. Every part of the crab was edible so you don’t have to worry about chewing and swallowing everything into your mouth. Layer upon layer of delicate seafood it’s a winner, even though a teeny tiny bit of extra chili in the mixture might have made it even better. Maybe a sip of wine will make all ails go away—and have you coming back for more! 😀

    To complement the strong taste of the crabs, the Silk Road Signature Rice (PHp 330) made with mixed vegetables, lemongrass, egg, pork crispies and Thai chorizo came fittingly through the table. The ingredients did not stand out though, so it was like eating plain white rice. Anyway, the rice was fragrant and I have no other complains.

    For Daddy, we skimmed through the Vegetarian section of the menu tons of times until the restaurant manager told us those viands still contained a bit of meat and eggs. He suggested the Tofu Wrap Vegetarian (PHp 320) which originally was “Siam Chicken Wrap” on the menu. The kitchen staff amended the star of the recipe from “chicken” to “tofu.” And the result? A reasonably tasty, reasonably healthy, and reasonably priced alternative.

    Lastly, we had the Chiang Mai Khao Soi (PHp 305), a pride of North Thailand. We didn’t realize that it was another soup. Although made with different ingredients (chicken curry with two types of egg noodles) as compared with the Tom Kha Gai above, we thought they were very much alike so we should not have ordered it. Oh well, at least now we know.

    It can be overwhelming walking into Silk Road Thai Bistro again, staring at the bevy of yummy options on a spread of their menu, and finally ordering. Any self-contained dish seemed palatable and okay in my book. 😛 Everything was well worth the money for the effort of this restaurant and it’s virtually impossible not to leave full and happy.

    Other Gift: Celine Shoes

    When we were back at home, my sister opened her presents—shoes (from me), shoes (from my mom) and shoes (from my dad)! And they’re all of the same brand: CLN. 😀 (The shoes are meant to be shared as my mom, sister and me happen to have the same size.)

    A Sole-ful Birthday: Why Shoes for Someone Who Turned 21?

    Obviously I’m not following our Cantonese feng shui when I bought the shoes from Celine. FYI, shoes in Cantonese is “hai” which sounds like a sigh. Some people depict giving of shoes for a birthday as giving sorrow in life and expecting the recipient to have a great deal of bad luck or “sha chi.” In other Chinese belief, giving shoes means breaking up or ending friendship. 😯 Aiyoo, I don’t care about these and I had to stop thinking about the meanings because my intention was way different.

    Since she’ll be working as a corporate trainee next term (hopefully after passing her thesis at the end of December 2013), I figured one of the best things is to introduce items from the corporate wardrobe. We got her platform heeled shoes to make her feel comfortable; the colors (black and brown) are versatile enough to be paired with any clothing.

    The good thing about these shoes is that they’re not classified as “designer shoes” that probably won’t last longer than a season. At the same time, they’re not made from cheap materials that could leave our feet blistery and sweaty. CLN shoes are the perfect compromise.

    Best of all, the price is just right. At PHp 800-1500 per pair, we know we got solid, well-made kicks that will last well for the next two to three years or until we get tired of wearing the same design. Our shoes at home do not have a “shelf life,” but if we do decide to ditch them, we won’t feel like wasting a fortune.

    Wrap Up

    For most people, turning 21 is an ultimate birthday, a commitment that is taken seriously. Why? It’s a coming-of-age milestone that marks that a person is now “all grown up.” But no, it’s not going to be the best and biggest birthday of one’s life—because every birthday could be celebrated in whatever grand way you choose.

    We celebrated my sister’s birthday with a rather simple but happy family dinner and loaded her with shoes that fit appropriately to the career life that optimistically would be meaningful and productive. 🙂

  • Review of Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant – A La Carte Paluto (Pasay City)

    Review of Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant – A La Carte Paluto (Pasay City)

    We have been to Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant in Seaside Market before. That was when we used our MetroDeal vouchers to unravel a gastronomic native treat with the buffet.

    The review ratings I submitted turned out to be bad. I wrote with honesty as usual and I was not alone; many readers shared their own sentiments and some even sent affirmation. Facebook users tag the restaurant’s fan page to raise their concerns, and we were all together in the hope to see improvement.

    At last, after a month, I received an email from the owner. Ms. Soraya Salamat herself humbly invited us to Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant to sample their regular items on the menu (not buffet). I accepted the offer and gave the restaurant another chance to prove their worth. She personally prepared a full six-course meal plus desserts for us and this time, if you ask me whether or not they were successful at pleasing and tickling our taste buds, the answer would be: yes! Totally. They passed—with flying colors. 😀

    Review of Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant – A La Carte (Pasay City)

    Note: I am not writing the Ambiance review portion since they did not have drastic changes on the placement of fixtures, restaurant theme and all. So allow me to immediately proceed with the other three important items here:

    Service: ★★★★★

    Once we arrived, I called the attention of one of the staff near the kitchen and introduced myself to be the blogger who made reservation for dinner. The staff acknowledged my presence and escorted us to our seats. Shortly, Ms. Soraya appeared, welcomed us and said she’d start preparing the food.

    The dishes arrived fast, one after the other. Waiters were notably much more attentive to our requests this time around as well. After dinner, we talked to Ms. Soraya and enjoyed her company a lot. She’s a nice, understanding and considerate person after all. Very accommodating, down to earth and respectful—someone who deserve continued success.

    Food: ★★★★★

    For a starter, we had the Clam Soup with Tofu (PHp 300). The flavor of the soup base was mild and delicate. There was a hint of sweetness that complemented the faint bitterness of the clam shells accented by the salt. Fading almost with the background, the tastes of aromatic vegetables dissolved into the broth. The soup could have tasted better by adding a good grind of black pepper and a bay leaf or two.

    We told the owner that my dad is a vegan. So a vegan version of the “Clam Soup with Tofu” was also prepared specially for him. It consisted only of tofu but tasted as good.

    First in line on the main courses was the Crispy Hito (Catfish) with Different Sauces (Cooking Charge: PHp 100-140). I’m pretty picky about sauces for the fish because they either only enhance or ruin the crucial original taste. It was a good thing that four sauces were presented on the plate, giving the customer his/her call. Luckily, every option was okay. I could not choose which one though was most agreeable.

    Second was the Sizzling Spareribs in Barbecue Sauce (Cooking Charge: PHp 180-220) which I barely touched (because it was pork and I could not get a nutritional nod out of it). My mom and boyfriend both liked it, and they almost finished the beast. As I’ve heard, there’s nothing like sizzling Filipino-style roasted pork belly to bring all friends and family out of from every crack and crevice. These sizzling spareribs can be one of our country’s most recognizable culinary export.

    Third came the Baked Oysters (Cooking Charge: PHp 140-200), which was much unlike the “baked tahong served at the buffet.” Seeing and comparing the two pictures would definitely make the difference visible. This version was really fine, without the pungent smell. These baked oysters were baked with garlic, butter and cheese. I suggest pairing the shell with a crunchy-on-the-outside-but-soft-on-the-inside piece of bread to sop up all the juices.

    The ever-popular Asian Adobong Pusit “Squid Adobo” (Cooking Charge: PHp 140-200) was stewed in soy sauce, vinegar and spices. This squid viand boasted a dense silken gravy with a purplish-almost-blackish hue. With rice, it was scrumptious! The texture of the finely chopped squids was not so chewy, and that mattered to me a lot because I wear braces.

    The Ginataang Kangkong (Swamp Cabbage in Coconut Milk) (PHp 200) was made for Daddy, but we also took the taste test. Good enough to slurp, the coconut milk lusciously coated the fresh and authentic greens. The chili lend a pleasant spiciness to the affair. My dad absolutely liked it and described it as a comfortable meal he can get used to eating every day.

    Their Pancit Canton (Stir-fried Noodles) (PHp 150) taken from the buffet table as asked by my mom was okay. It consisted of sliced meat, carrots, other veggies, and all it missed were the quail eggs.

    The desserts (mangoes, watermelon, banana fritters and biko) were not made from unicorn tears and not much to look at but were plainly good—the best way to end and complete a Filipino meal, aside from halo-halo and ice cream.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    If you decide to order a la carte / paluto dishes at Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant, then you’re in luck. 😛 Everything we had was delicious. These food, unlike the ones in the buffet, were properly executed. This restaurant is where you should go when craving for conventional Filipino comfort food that’s “universal.” Just make sure to have lots of napkins and a big appetite. You can view more of the cooking charges here and here.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Josefina-Garden-Grill-and-Restaurant/297946256889581?ref=br_tf” name=”Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant” description=”Seaside Market, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd Manila Bay Reclamation Area, Pasay” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 5159130, 0908-1669496″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-03″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

    Operating hours: 10AM-11PM daily

  • Review of Café Marivent in Las Casas (Bagac, Bataan)

    Review of Café Marivent in Las Casas (Bagac, Bataan)

    The only reason we discovered Café Marivent was we were touring inside Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar and we had to take lunch half for nourishment and the other, for bliss. Café Marivent takes a traditional approach to Filipino and Spanish cuisines, offering popular items such as  Gambas Rebosadas, Salpicao con Setas, Paella Valenciana, Paella Negra, Puchero, Crispy Pata, Kalderetang Baka, Pork Binagoongan, and so much more.

    Café Marivent in Casa Unisan is one of the two main restaurants in the heritage resort, so how could we resist? How could anyone? You’ll know the answer when you get there yourself. 😉 This is a review of food we ordered for lunch on Day 1 and breakfast (complimentary) on Day 2.

    Review of Café Marivent in Las Casas (Bagac, Bataan)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Café Marivent is a good-looking place whose walls and ceilings are entirely carved stones. I liked the first-rate pieces of wooden furniture and quaint decorations. The restaurant was not air-conditioned but natural air from open doors and windows and the ceiling fan sufficed.

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    Food was served about 10 minutes late. An additional 10 minutes after the half-hour waiting time can be acceptable during peak overload hours and when customers waiting for food are not as hungry as us. But that was not the case. There were only a few active tables so staff members were not at all outnumbered, and we were extremely hungry for lunch. Another devastation point was that waiters were not attentive to our calls. The water pitcher cannot be placed on our table so we had to request them to refill our glasses with water every time.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    We were particularly smitten by Paella Valenciana (PHp 990) on the menu. One of my friends’ friend had already eaten this specialty at this restaurant and recommended us to try the same dish big time. With a strong recommendation like that, we knew we just have to follow. Café Marivent’s Paella Valenciana is cooked with sauteed rice in Spanish Concasse and tomato puree mixed with assorted seafood and meat for 3-4 people. The description is totally a good selling point. The bad news? The staff said that cooking time is about an hour and we should have called ahead for them to prepare the paella. 🙁

    Anyway, many other exciting dishes on the menu await behind their fanciful names. Let’s take Pollo San Bernardino (PHp 440) as example. It consisted of grilled chicken breast fillet with mango sauce and demi-glazed mango slices. The chicken with sauce was sweet and savory, best accompanied with plain white rice, as it was imbued and bursting with so much flavor.

    Another one that’s hard to eat without rice was the Kare-kareng Lamang Dagat (PHp 550), a seafood version of “the epitome of Philippine comfort food.” The stew was not as thick as I expected, and the usual nuttiness of the so-called “Philippine Peanut Stew” was not found here. It came with almost no taste; without stirring bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) in, this kare-kare won’t be considered as a satisfactory dish.

    Off the vegetable section of the menu, the Pinakbet with Bagnet (PHp 530) looked promising. It was bright, colorful and made with ingredients that remind us all about home. This pinakbet was extraordinarily simple but the bagnet (chicharrón made of fried pork rinds) made it taste unique in a positive way. My friends loved it so much and I bet all you bagnet-lovers would like this as well.

    For breakfast, Louie had Longganisa with rice, scrambled egg, watermelon and orange juice.

    I, on the other end of the table, had Daing na Bangus with rice, scrambled egg, watermelon and coffee. The texture of the egg was perfect! It was fluffy like a custard all the way through. The fish dipped in vinegar with onions was predictably great, too. 🙂

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Our meals at Café Marivent may be closely described as like eating at a home of a well-intentioned Filipino-Spanish family. Perhaps this is not the greatest café in the world or in Bataan, and perhaps the tastes of their food run simple, but the dishes were warm, fresh and friendly stuff. If you’ve got room in the stomach and some extra cash in hand, Café Marivent’s selection of Filipino and Spanish food can be worth the splurge.

    [schema type=”review” name=”Café Marivent in Casa Unisan” description=”Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Barangay Pag-Asa, Bagac, Bataan” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-02″ user_review=”13″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of La Bella Teodoro Italian Restaurant (Bagac, Bataan)

    Review of La Bella Teodoro Italian Restaurant (Bagac, Bataan)

    Coming from long hours of picture-taking under the scorching heat of the sun around Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, we quickly recognized the value of a fine meal as we enthusiastically embraced this “splurge meal” at La Bella Teodoro. To get the most out of the experience, you should grab a seat in front of the wood-burning oven and watch the experts work. 😉

    Review of La Bella Teodoro Italian Restaurant (Bagac, Bataan)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Upon entrance, I thought La Bella Teodoro is not an ordinary Italian restaurant. More than “sightseeing” with our taste buds, we also had sightseeing to do with our very eyes. The ambiance here was beyond elegant. Stoned walls, high ceilings, gigantic chandeliers, artsy paintings, quirky displays and everything else in between made a cut to a superb rating for this portion of my review.

    La Bella Teodoro has been operating for three years now and it does so with the understanding that good food is only part of that formula for success. While waiting for courses to be served, guests can go around the dining room to look at vintage items on display.

    Wonder what those are in the picture below? Strips of pastas, in rainbow colors. 😛 In La Bella Teodoro, everything that can be made in-house is made in-house. I respect the skill involved in hand-making and cooking pastas whose calorie count is best left unknown. I interpret it as a reflection of a high level of care and attention to detail that come through in their food.

    Service: ★★★★★

    There’s a special charm that La Bella Teodoro exudes and I guess it comes mostly from customer service, which was professional and attentive, warm but not overly familiar. I must say that every staff we met in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar was hospitable and kind. If I lived in the neighborhood and wanted to be treated like a dinner guest, this is where I’d go.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    First up, three types of bread. I liked that big one there in the middle most for its crisp crust enclosing a slightly moist, chewy and aromatic crumb with an amazing hole structure. For me, it achieved the ultimate bread accolade. It’s so good that you don’t need to eat anything with it. But of course, I had to try it when dipped with Balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The taste and aroma were enhanced and pretty much, I was satisfied completely. Good bites for appetizer.

    The Salciccia Pizza (PHp 460) was good. Nicely seasoned, each slice of this thin-crust pizza was generously sprinkled with different types of sausages that well represented the flavor. Amount of cheese and tomato sauce was just enough. Did the fat, meat, cheese and tomato intermingle gloriously? Yes, quite. The highlight of this dish was really the sausages laid on in heavy chunks with a kick of spiciness. This pizza can provide ample assurance that this restaurant curates their food seriously.

    All you need to know about the Penne Arrabiata (PHp 305) is that it’s simply penne flavored with spicy tomato sauce. I was finding the red pepper flakes that made the pasta so hot but couldn’t see them. The ringing heat became tolerable, after I drank a glass of water. This goes to say that if you are anyhow timid with spice, the Penne Arrabiata will make you angry! 😛

    The creaminess, richness and elegance of your ideal risotto can all be found in La Bella Teodoro’s Risotto Di Acuzar (PHp 305). It’s cooked with Arborio rice, white wine and Parmesan cheese. The flavor of the rice was subtle, and I think pairing it with wild mushrooms and buttered broccoli would be best. 😀

    Another risotto we tried was the Risotto Di Mare (PHp 465), which was cooked with Arborio rice, mixed seafood and tomatoes. The tomato sauce overpowered the taste of seafood sharply, and its sourness was so pleasantly toothsome it practically bites back.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    This Italian meal almost cost a fortune; dishes are overpriced, but that’s somehow understandable as we were in a tourist-packed background. If only food were allowed to be brought in, we would have packed food for our meals. However, because of the strict rule of the resort and the limited dining options, we had no other choice but to dine in at Las Casas’ restaurants.

    [schema type=”review” name=”La Bella Teodoro in Casa Binan” description=”Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Barangay Pag-Asa, Bagac, Bataan” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-01″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Top 10 Activities We Did in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (Bagac, Bataan)

    Top 10 Activities We Did in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (Bagac, Bataan)

    Imagine a place that is so beautiful you will feel awestruck from sunup to sundown. Add to that some activities and attractions that make it so special and you have Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan — about 2.5 hours of drive away from Manila.

    My friends and I planned to go to this place a few months back. In exchange of PHp 1000 per person c/o Deal Grocer, we had earned a meritorious experience exploring this heritage resort and staying at its executive suite for 2D1N (November 22-23, 2013). The deal included breakfast, usage of the swimming pool and the beach area, and the one-hour heritage walking tour.

    Top 10 Things We Did in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (Bagac, Bataan)

    1. Heritage Historical Tour

    Once we arrived at 9:30AM, the front-desk receptionist dressed in colonial garb gave us a map and a quick overview of the places we can visit and facilities we can use inside Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. We were given welcome drinks and vouchers for breakfast the next morning.

    The one-hour walking historical tour by Dexter Manansala started right after the briefing. We learned many untold histories from this guy beaming with character. For those who plan to visit this place for a day tour, I advise you to wear slippers or slip-ons (with socks for hygienic purposes), as you will be required to remove your footwear when entering the house.

    Owned by Jerry Acuzar and managed by Genesis Hotels and Resorts (the same group who manages Bella Roca, Misibi sBay, Astoria and Midas Hotel), Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar has 27 heritage architectures full with memories of the past. It is described as “a living museum of Philippine customs and traditions that are reborn in a community typical of the 18th to early 20th century Philippines.” The houses here were reconstructed from different parts of the country, “brick by brick” and  “plank by plank.” Every part in the house from exterior to interior is like a piece of puzzle, assembled from pieces inspired by paintings and pictures in old houses.

    2. Biking

    Biking along village cobblestone streets commands a feeling of nostalgia, wonder, romance and appreciation of simple living at its best. However, for people like me who don’t know how to ride a bike and keep balance, seeing friends enjoy is enough. I’m not eager to learn and I just don’t want to be injured during the trip. 😛 Bike rental is PHp 150 per hour and the bicycle usage is transferable among the group so everyone may have a turn.

    3. Kite-flying

    One of the houses in Las Casas allowed us to borrow kites made out of newspaper. We got two of them and my friends held the kites with the wind and ran on the wide, open field. When it was my turn, “technical difficulties” caused by the lousy and unstable wind came in the way. Who knew it was so hard to fly a kite! I guess sending a kite to soar takes practice and skill I’m not lucky to have.

    4. Throwing Darts

    Like kite-flying, throwing darts is something I have not tried before (not counting balloon-shooting in carnivals). Its mechanics and scoring system are out of my world. As I watched how the dart moved to the target and traveled along a parabolic curve, I thought that the aiming position and the throwing technique are critical. Being a newbie in this game, I held the dart like a pencil and didn’t worry about scoring points. In the end, the dart landed right on the target and our team won! 😀

    5. Billiards

    In the same entertainment facility, we played a different form of billiards. The balls were not sphere-shaped; they were flat rounds made of wood, so hitting them to the holes was extra hard. Yet again, our team won! Chamba. :mrgreen:

    6. Picture Taking

    Las Casas is a great destination for those of us who love taking pictures. It is a visual feast of stunning architecture, from colonial houses with ornate wood carvings, to beautiful bridges patterned after the famous Jones bridge. If you’re in to photographing structures, be ready to endure painful heat of the sun as every backdrop shot makes the trip all worth it.

    7. Eating

    It can be easy to get caught up in the seeing of sights, but taking a break to eat and enjoy Spanish, Filipino and Italian cuisines offered at two restaurants inside Las Casas can be just as rewarding. We dined in at both restaurants and you can read the review here: Café Marivent in Casa Unisan and La Bella Teodoro in Casa Binan. I hope you’re hungry. 😉

    8. Staying In

    We stayed at a super spacious Executive Suite: loft-type room for six in Paseo de Escolta. Although the exterior design looked outdated, the interior felt like a home away from home, with a luxury twist and modern conveniences. Room rate per night is PHp 8,075 during Fridays, Saturdays, Long Weekend and Holidays; PHp 9,500 during Christmas, New Year and Holy Week; and PHp 7225 during weekdays (Sundays to Thursdays). See blue house below:

    The first floor consisted of a sofa set, dining set, a television, electric fan and bathroom; the second floor, a queen-sized bed, study area, telephone, toilet, air conditioner and dining set; and the third floor, two queen-sized beds, air conditioner and a cabinet. The toilet was spacious and with hot running water, sink and toiletries.

    You can view more room rates here.

    9. Enjoying Scenery

    Before setting foot on Bagac, Bataan soil, I had certain preconceptions about what to do and see. Our original itinerary was to tour around even outside Las Casas: Death March Marker: Historical Landmarks – Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shine of Valor), Filipino-Japanese Friendship Marker, St. Catherine of Alexandria Church (one of the oldest churches in Bataan), Surrender Site Marker, the 18th century St. Joseph Cathedral, the Fall of Bataan Marker or La Puerta al Paraiso (Yasa beach) “Gateway to Paradise”. However because of lack of time (and energy), we just enjoyed each other’s company and the scenery inside the village. The views looked splendid especially at night when lights were on.

    10. Playing at the Beach Area

    At the beach area, we stopped by momentarily to feel sands between our feet and run through tires like in an obstacle course.

    Wrap Up

    This trip was no adventure travel; extreme activities like skydiving, mountain hikes and bungee jumping were nowhere in the it. Nonetheless, we cherished every bit of our stay at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar with these activities putting us in the middle of an unforgettable experience.

    To conclude, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar delivered all of this in spades. At the end of the day, I see it as a real, tangible fairy tale heritage resort having an appeal that conveys something hard to resist — simple living at its best. Do yourself a favor and explore this incredible place!

    How to Go to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (Bagac, Bataan)

    1. Drive through North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and exit through San Fernando.
    2. Drive to Dinalupihan Road or take the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) but still exit to Dinalupihan Road.
    3. Continue driving until you see the Philippine-Japan friendship tower. There are many road signs that will lead to the location so stay vigilant.

    Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
    Barangay Pag-Asa, Bagac, Bataan, Philippines
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    For reservations/inquiries, contact Manila Reservation Office: call (02) 546-9123, (02) 332-5338, (02) 335-3032 and (02) 332-5286 or email reserve@lascasasfilipinas.com
    Mezzanine Floor Victoria Towers, Timog Avenue, Quezon City