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Author: Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco

  • Review of Yabu: House of Katsu (Robinsons Magnolia)

    Review of Yabu: House of Katsu (Robinsons Magnolia)

    Yabu has been hyper in its advertising efforts in the recent months. Word-of-mouth marketing plus social media, I think, are working at best as this Japanese restaurant also known as “the House of Katsu” is gaining popularity in fast track. Katsu translates to “cutlet” in English, a piece of meat that is deep-fried and breaded. Yabu serves a variety of food in this ordeal, and according to the first page of its menu, the restaurant aims to “elevate beautiful dishes to a high level of culinary art.”

    Last January 12, Louie and I treated four of our friends to Yabu’s branch in Robinsons Magnolia. It was a super delayed birthday treat! (We did not find common free times from our busy schedules since June of last year.) It was also a great time to catch up with these good friends and for the first time try out what Yabu offers.

    Review of Yabu: House of Katsu (Robinsons Magnolia)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Yabu does not exactly give a traditional Japanese vibe but is the stark opposite. This restaurant has a completely modern appeal and a comforting vibe. Look around and you’ll see packs of diners who look like they’re really enjoying their meals. Impression from outside was good as much as the inside. The atmosphere was just chill with warm brown tones. The walls were decorated with huge anime pictures, and everything in the dining floor was organized appropriately.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service attendants were efficient. Food came out relatively fast. While waiting for our orders and amidst our conversations, the waitress guided us on how to smash the black sesame seeds and mix them with the special Yabu sauce (thick black dip) to add more flavor to our food. Pictures were gladly taken. Also, because our friends were hinting that it was Louie’s birthday, one of the waiters took notice and gave him a slice of hot chocolate cake with a small scoop of chocolate ice cream for free!

    Food: ★☆☆☆☆

    I wished I could tell you about the same positive feedback other bloggers are exclaiming on Yabu’s tonkatsu. But from the word “ton” (pork) itself, that plainly would not be possible because I’m just not favorable of eating this dish. Neither did the rest in the group.

    I had the healthy choice (Vegetable Mixed Set, PHp 290) and met the most disagreeable fried vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes and Japanese silken tofu with crispy bread crumbs. Given the pedigree of ingredients, you can probably figure out the one major drawback here. Yup, it’s the grease. The vegetables were so soaked in oil that the strainer became a very useful tool in getting the excess oil out.

    The katsu set came with a salad made up of sliced cabbages we can ask the waitress to refill. We could add either vinaigrette and/or sesame dressing to it. I did add both but they tasted not so fine still. Another disappointment was the hot miso soup, which was even lucky to have been sipped through for three spoonful.

    Opposite me was Jeatte who ordered the soft shell crab set (PHp 480) coated with fresh panko. I thought the food presentation looked nice so I tasted it as well. I swallowed my bite slowly, realizing that it’s not only me whose food has gone wrong. There was also something in the soft shell crab that I didn’t like, and I was left unsure if it was mostly just the texture of the crab’s insides or all ot it.

    Louie ordered the Menchi Katsu Set (PHp 350), served also with unlimited Japanese rice, cabbages, miso soup and a bowl of fruit. The highlight of this dish was the superior ground beef and pork minced together with Yabu’s special spices and stuffed with cream cheese. The picture on the menu may seduce your taste buds, but the actual thing was not at par.

    Price for Value: ★☆☆☆☆

    Compared to other Japanese restaurants, in my experience, everything has been condescending except the food. And if food is what I pay for, then I’m sorry to report that it’s not worth the price. If you have not been to Yabu, I’m not discouraging you to try their entrees. Somehow this elegant place is worth visiting once in your lifetime.

  • Review of California Pizza Kitchen (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Review of California Pizza Kitchen (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    If there’s one thing I noticed on the California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) menu, it’s the creativity. I’m not speaking about design (but yes, that part is also true) but on how the ingredients are packed together and are called as one dish labelled with a relevant-sounding name.

    CPK serves mostly pastas and pizzas that are tweaked from the norm to perfection. After reading its menu from cover to cover, I deem that CPK has no shortage of exceptional entrees. In fact, it’s hard to think of another restaurant as jam packed with these many great food finds. I mean, where else can you find Adobo Pizza, Peking Duck Pizza, Thai Pizza and Jamaican Jerk Chicken among many other interesting food in one store?

    While we were smack dab in the middle of deciding which one to order, I thought that CPK has been in the Philippines for years now. Actually, it has been 15 years since the first branch opened in Glorieta 3, Ayala Center, Makati City. But I have only dined in here and actually called out orders this once. (Better late than never, right?)

    I also must say kudos to Global Restaurant Concepts Inc. for bringing the brand in the Philippines. I read reviews of CPK in other countries and found out that the dishes available to us are different from theirs. Why so? Their website indicates that CPK sells “100-percent Filipino-made and conceptualized” global-inspired dishes with a California twist.

    Review of California Pizza Kitchen (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Who doesn’t love to watch chefs work their magic in the kitchen? In California Pizza Kitchen, diners can catch the action at the open counter which appeared like a fireplace at the back. The lights gave a classy feel and the wall decors contributed as well to the noble setting. Tables can be transformed and assembled to be longer, from squares to rectangles. Seats are of different shapes and sizes: long-seat sofa, regular chairs, high chairs for elevated tables and the individual soft-foam chair.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was flawless, and I can’t say anything more.

    California Pizza is smart in developing enticing marketing gimmicks that make customers coming back again and again. Upon receipt of the bill, the waiter introduced their membership card program: Subscription fee is PHp 100, for a lifetime (no recurring annual renewal fee). Points are earned and derived from 10% of the current bill and may be used in the next dine-in session for payment. 1 point is equivalent to PHp 1 when used. Card is non-transferable. I was sold on the idea so I got myself a card.

    Another thing that can make customers feel good is that for every PHp 1000 spent, CPK gives two pieces of PHp 100 gift certificates that can be used next time in any branch with no expiration.

    Food: ★★★★★

    We ordered the Mushroom Cappuccino Soup (PHp 190), Vegetarian Pizza (PHp 535), Original BBQ Chicken Pizza (PHp 375) and the Fettuccine with garlic cream sauce (PHp 475).

    The mushroom cappuccino soup was made with fresh button mushrooms, abalone, Shiitake cream soup topped with milk froth and nutmeg. It almost felt weightless on the tongue but gradually as I mixed the froth with the mushroom soup, it surrendered to multiple waves of nutty melted mushroom purée. I think this soup can be further improved by adding on cubed sautéed croutons and drizzling it with small white marshmallows on top. This recipe can then pass as on a five-star dish and in years become a classic that truly won’t disappoint.

    Next, the pizzas. The vegetarian pizza’s toppings were composed of broccoli, grilled eggplant, button mushrooms, red onions, pine nuts, roasted kettle corns and goat cheese. On the other hand, the Original BBQ Chicken pizza was in full-effect amazing. I had never thought that pizzas can be made this way—with defined barbecue flavor and not with the regular tomato base or cheese base sauce—with diced chickens. Both had set our palettes for goodness piled over goodness. Crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, the pizza crusts turned out wonderfully fragrant. And the condiments (chilli flakes, salt, pepper and hot sauce) we infused fitted outrageously well.

    You don’t have to resort to blotting the pizzas with paper napkins when you see grease spreading over the top of semi-coagulated cheese like an oil spill, dripping off the edges of a slice, making the whole endeavor treacherous, as there’s none. CPK bakes their pizza with grease just right, unlike most pizza joints do.

    As if we weren’t full enough, Mom ordered the Chicken Tequila Fettuccine but requested it to be cooked and served without the chicken. Although without any other add-on, this white-sauce pasta can’t be said as one with light calories attached. It’s creamy, tasty and just satisfying.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Price didn’t come cheap, but given the quality of their food and the unique tastes, the price fitted the bill reasonably to me. So I don’t have to be drugged, handcuffed and dragged against my will to spend extravagantly to get my next pizza from California Pizza Kitchen.

    Sorry, Pizza Hut, Sbarro, Shakey’s and Greenwich, I found my new favorite pizza place. 🙂

  • Review of Infinitea (Benavidez Branch)

    Review of Infinitea (Benavidez Branch)

    Tea bars and cafes are sprouting more in the number of brands and their branches across the city. So there’s really no excuse for me (and you) not to try one at least—unless you’re following a super strict diet. I don’t have any addiction or obsession with teas but I appreciate the taste of bitter and sweet together.

    Today together with my office colleagues, I visited a friend’s franchise of Infinitea, another tea haven, to discover how good (or bad) their teas taste like. This post intends to showcase my thoughts on its best recommended drink: Wintermelon Milk Tea. To give more justice to this post, let me share what I think of this branch on the whole.

    Review of Infinitea (Benavidez Branch)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    This Infinitea branch is small but a thing of beauty. It had its first anniversary yesterday but the place was newly renovated, so its ambiance is really fresh and invigorating. With the limited floor space it covers, this tea house seems to possess a special charm that inspires intimate get-togethers apart from casual walk-ins.

    Interior theme is a mix of green and brown from the walls, counter, tables and chairs. It’s a place where you can stay without worrying about time. It gives patrons encouragement to huddle over a cup while chatting with friends. Three types of seats are available for customers: regular chairs, sofa seats and the ones outside for those who prefer natural air and those who smoke.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Navigating the menu at Infinitea can be a bit tricky. Why? It’s broken down into sections: milk teas, coffee selections, flavored fruit teas, original teas and add-ons. How much should you order, and which one? The dizzying parade of flavors would make your head spin, with each one looking better than the last.

    Good enough, their staff offered recommendations and helped us choose the customers’ favorites of all time. After shaking the concoction up and down, they’ll signal the drinks that are ready for pickup at the counter with a gadget with a number.

    Drink: ★★★★☆

    Customers may choose the amount of sugar and ice put into the drink, from 100% full sugar, 70% less sugar, half sugar, quarter sugar and no sugar. Mine encompassed the default which was probably half sugar. It did not lean toward the sickeningly side of sweet at all. The pearls were very chewy and they did not give my dental braces a hard time.

    In a fantasy world, I’d probably buy myself one Infinitea drink per week (or a couple more times). But since I’m watching my weight sternly, I prefer to be stuck to my discipline and take these refreshments once a month at most. Health benefits and fitness take precedence over anything else, in my world! An exception maybe is when their drinks would be pinched in with ashitaba—a rare case I pray would materialize in the future. 😛

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    For the price range of PHp 40 to PHp 80, Infinitea drinks can provide you with a good introduction to the world of milk tea. It caters to the Class A-B market. This little tea shop serves a good artisan teas with bounty of flavors that add fuel for the soul.

    Infinitea’s milk tea is not one to be messed with. Aside from milk teas, Infinitea at Benavidez now also serves coffee mixes! Since it’s near the Chinese schools in Manila (just across Hope Christian High School), I guess Infinitea drinks would be perfect to release stress of students from completing assignments and studying hard for exams. They can also serve to please anyone’s afternoon on the dock and satiate people’s craving for desserts after lunch (or dinner, for those who have tutoring sessions at night).

    Another plus of Infinitea is that it offers delivery service for free, with a minimum order of four cups—to nearby areas reachable via bicycle. 😀

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Infinitea-Benavidez-Branch/298615203507009″ name=”Review of Infinitea (Benavidez Branch)” description=”1227 Benavidez Street, 1006 Manila, Philippines” rev_name=”Mobile Phone: 09468411100, 09154842500, Delivery Hotline: 359-5349; 09322936203″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-01-19″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Birthday Celebration at The Legend Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant (Pasay)

    Birthday Celebration at The Legend Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant (Pasay)

    When it comes to birthday parties, there are often just two types of get-together: the casual bash complete with an expansive guest list, and the intimate, elegant event with just one special person or perhaps a small group of friends and relatives.

    My godmother celebrated her 50th birthday following the latter, today at The Legend Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant, located at Boom na Boom Compound, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay, Philippines.

    The event per se was not anything fancy, but the dining table was enchanted with delicious Chinese dishes that didn’t necessitate us to be rugged, handcuffed and dragged just to eat while sabotaging our diet. As it’s just the second week of the 2013, we can still blame our indulgence still on the holidays!

    If you’re thinking of celebrating your birthday or spending another special occasion at The Legend, this writeup might be of help.

    What we had: Assorted Appetizers, Birthday Noodles, Fish Lip Soup (that would taste better with a dash of black vinegar or “o tso” we call in Chinese), Roast Peking Duck 北京烤鸭 Skin in Wraps, Sua He (Steamed Live Shrimps), Minced Meat with Cabbage Wraps, Steamed Lapu-lapu, Tenderloin Beef Steak, Breaded Crabs, and the refreshing Mango-Almond with Frozen Watermelon smoothie.

    Pictures:

        

    The Chinese almost always offer lauriats to their guests. Whether it be a wedding, an engagement party, or a birthday feast, we tend to eat several dishes in small proportions. The idea is to get food about a mouthful equivalent to about three spoonfuls, and then spin the table gently onto the next diner until everyone at the table gets his/her own share. (FYI: Originating in China, lauriat is a type of food service which uses a Lazy Susan to move the food counter-clockwise or clockwise.)

    Usually, there has to be eight to ten dishes served—from appetizers, the main course recipes and the desserts. Eight, when translated in Chinese (“Ba”–>”Fa” in Mandarin and “Faat” in Cantonese; written as 發), means “lucky.”

    Do we become lucky after bolting into these variants? We just can’t tell. 😀 While that’s only a tradition powered by old superstitions, it’s still worthwhile to be able to gorge these food once in a blue moon. 😛

  • Still Happy Without Santa Claus

    Still Happy Without Santa Claus

    My sister and I took Santa very seriously as kids. It was only at the start of my secondary school year when I stopped writing him a letter—you know, to note the things I wanted to receive for Christmas, to check in and say hi. We used to even prepare snacks for him by the window and leave him a cup of orange juice.

    Now we may be too old for Santa; it’s just hilarious to watch the children await for his gift every Christmas Eve. But we are never too old to make Christmas wishes.

    While most teens and adults are fond of filling their Christmas wishlist with material things like the latest fashionable clothes and accessories straight from the runway, makeup that will make one look like a goddess and the coolest technical gadgets, I have always turned the other way. From the time we kissed the Santa Claus thing goodbye, I have only been wishing for this simple thing called happiness that’s best spent with my loved ones.

    Here’s a recall of my top 5 events of happiness that turned up in the last holidays season:

    1. Dinner at Seasons, Manila Pavilion Hotel

    Date of Visit: December 25, 2012
    Location: Lobby Level, Manila Pavilion Hotel, United Nations Avenue corner Ma. Orosa Street, Ermita, Manila

    The traditional Christmas meal varies from family to family. Some gather around the table for variations of spaghetti, while others eat ham coupled with wine and some cheese. But for families like ours who wanted to stray away from the conventional meal, a great choice had to be one of those buffet restaurants where unapologetic food would be served to our utmost satisfaction.

    So my family, boyfriend and I went to Seasons at Manila Pavilion Hotel to enjoy their bold food items.

    I am not sure why many bloggers had rated this four-star hotel-restaurant negatively. Okay, it does not actually live up to its label “Manila’s finest hotel buffet,” but Seasons at Manila Pavilion Hotel was still a great special-occasion venue with an ambiance that made us feel like royalty. Its food variety required us to plan which to go on for a second to nth serving more, particularly in the desserts section. Check out the pictures in my Facebook album.

    2. Tour at Zoobic Safari Park

    Date of Visit: December 30, 2012
    Location: Subic Bay Freeport Zone Group 1, Ilanin Forest, Subic Freeport Zone

    After work last Saturday, Mom and I went aboard Victory Liner to meet with the Santos clan in Olongapo City. After four hours in transit, we finally were fetched by my uncle who drove us to the hotel. Our relatives who traveled earlier in the day greeted us, as they had patiently waited for our arrival. In the next morning, we visited my uncle’s house with newly designed interiors and we took off at around 3PM to Zoobic Safari Park where we roamed around exotic animals until dinnertime.

    Zoobic Safari Park is a large amusement Park in Subic Bay, Zambales. Together with five families (paternal relatives), we observed a diverse array of animals from many regions of the world in a tropical jungle environment. The zoo was clean and staff were accommodating in assisting us to each stop.

    This was the third zoo I have gone to in my entire life. Unlike my visitations in Manila Zoo (back in my kindergarten years) and Haicang Wildlife Zoo in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China (when I was 15), this was not an outbound educational trip with my classmates but one with my family — making the experience more special. 😛

    We got a close-up view of many types of deer, ostriches, camels, albino caribou, boars and bears, monkeys, birds, snakes and serpents, miniature houses, ducks, bear cats, guinea pigs, ferrets, potbelly pigs, guinea fowls, crocodiles, dogs, lizards, iguanas, turtles, tiger, lion, rats, porcupines, chickens and much more. They were not only shown to the public far in cages but also appeared in the animal parade, where these trained animals participated in a show put on to engage us audiences.

    Highlight of the tour was neither the zootrain escapade nor the walking adventure but the feeding of the tiger which happened when we were inside the safari vehicle (jeepney) with double-gate enclosures. After all, it is the tigers that Zoobic is best known for. When the tiger smelled the raw chicken fed by a pro, it ate the meat on its breath. And we saw just how wide it can open its mouth! Wow. 😯

    Certificate of completion and the survivors:

    3. Dinner at Meat Plus Café

    Date of Visit: December 30, 2012
    Location: 6 Sampson Rd., Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, Zambales

    The next big thing after our exquisite family adventure in the zoo was a heavenly dinner at Meat Plus Café.

    On its menu, it says, “CHOOSE YOUR OWN STEAK.” The idea is to choose from the raw meat in their fridge and have it cooked the way you want it.

    Aside from that, it offers combo meals, sandwiches, desserts, salads, pasta, fish and cool beverages. Signature dishes are Barbecue Beef Short Ribs, Grilled Boneless Chicken, Hamburger Steak, New York Steak, Tenderloin Steak, and Topsirloin Steak. I had the seaburger (fish burger) meal that came with fries and coleslaw. Mom had the oven-roasted beef belly with rice and my sister had the burger steak meal.

    Dad ate his vegetarian dinuguan made of black beans and gluten meat which Mom cooked from home and a plate of French fries with cheese and sour cream with garlic dips. Later, our aunt shared a plate of lasagna into our table plus banana fritters with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.


    4. Brunch at Xtremely Xpresso Café (Extremely Espresso)

    Date of Visit: December 31, 2012
    Location: Subic Bay Freeport Zone, 1 Dewey Avenue corner Sta. Rita Street, Subic, Zambales

    Designed for sheer pleasure and sophistication, Xtremely Xpresso Café is a combination of a café, restaurant, bakery, deli, and wine cellar in one. It is home to American and Filipino favorites such as waffles and pancakes, pastries and cookies, pizzas, Italian soups and salads, pastas, sandwiches, char-broiled steaks and grilled meat dishes and unlimited coffee refills included in each meal.


    Everything looked nice, but I grew tired of the waffle’s taste (with jam and butter) after finishing 1/4 of the whole. I gave the rest of the portions to my parents, and the other leftover piece was packed home. This concluded our last meal before leaving Subic.

    5. Lunch at Little Asia (Lucky Chinatown Mall)

    Date of Visit: January 1, 2013
    Location: G/F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Reina Regente Street, corner De La Reina Street, Binondo, Manila

    We spent the first day of 2013 with our maternal relatives dining at Little Asia, Lucky Chinatown Mall which I had reviewed in mid-November 2012 (read my former post here). For the second time, Little Asia charmed us with its food delights that were all conducive to sharing. I still give it 5/5 stars for food taste and presentation. (Eating cheaply here is a totally different prospect.)

    Thanks to my uncle who treated us to this feast, we had: Korean Beef Stew (braised Australian short ribs simmered in their special Korean beef broth), Japanese Tofu Steak (pan-fried tofu with broccoli, mushrooms and kuchay), Salted Fish Fried Rice (salted fish, chicken, leeks, lettuce, carrots, green peas and eggs), Seafood Hot Pot (in clay pot), Fish Fillet Wrapped in Bacon (steamed fish fillets wrapped in bacon coated with teriyaki glaze), Salt and Pepper Fried Squid (fried squid tossed in their salt and pepper spice mix), Combination Chow Mein (stir-fried Lo mein with beef, pork, chicken, squid, shrimps and vegetables) and Little Asia’s Crispy Chicken (house special crispy chicken with their savory gravy).

    For desserts, we had the Caramel Banana Tower made up with baked wontons, piled with caramelized bananas and vanilla ice cream on the side, Crepe Samurai (baked layers of mangoes, crepes and custard sauce), and a platter of chocolate-coated cereals shaped like flower petals.

       

    All are a testament to the mad genius going on that kitchen. 😉

  • Short Reviews of the 10 Restaurants I’ve Tried This 2012

    Short Reviews of the 10 Restaurants I’ve Tried This 2012

    2012 draws to a close, and I’m stuffed. Still hungry? Let me hark back on the food / restaurants I have tried but did not manage to post a review of because of my busy schedule. You might want to stop by them this holiday season or sometime next year. 😛

    In no particular order, here are short reviews of the 10 other highly recommended restaurants I have been to this year:

    1. Buffet 101 International Cuisine

    Date of Visit: November 30, 2012
    Event: Celebratory dinner with wushu and lion dance teams
    Location: Bldg K, Seaside Blvd. (near Microtel) San Miguel by the Bay, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay

    If you’re looking for a place to catch up with your friends for hours and you’re okay to ruin your diet, Buffet 101 International Cuisine is THE ONE!

    Buffet 101 can be put in comparison with Sofitel’s Spiral, with elegant food and top notched service to match. And oh, their ambiance is a delight. They have HUGE glass chandeliers all beautifully set up high above the long tables and comfortable chairs. There’s plenty of cuisines to choose from, from appetizers, main courses, drinks to desserts. Not breaking news, but Buffet 101 at the SM Mall of Asia compound wins over Vikings, if you ask me.

    Budget-wise, prepare around PHp 1000 per head. See snapshot of their buffet rates:

    Another must-have preparation is to have light meals throughout the day before dining here and don’t be guilty to overindulge as this posh experience would only come once in a while. Wear loose clothing as well. Remember, you are warned. 🙂

    Because I took so many pictures (all the food, yes!), I won’t post them here; you can visit my Facebook photo album instead. Feel free to give me your two cents on what you’ll be seeing. And bon appétit!

    2. Uncle Cheffy

    Date of Visit: March 25, 2012
    Event: Coincidentally met Auntie Irene and family inside Lucky Chinatown Mall
    Location: 3/F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Reina Regente St cor Dela Reina Binondo, Manila

    Uncle Cheffy’s brick-oven pizza surely is not just for nephews and nieces. Or, if the restaurant calls itself “uncle,” will you call yourself a relative? *Wink*

    Uncle Cheffy presents tender and juicy roasted chicken maurino, superb steaks, and of course great panizzas which are thin-crust pizzas rolled with arugula leaves and bean sprouts. Staff are courteous and assisting. The price won’t break the bank but is considered more on the costly end. Prepare PHp 300 to PHp 500 for each dish.

    3. Chef d’ Angelo

    Date of Visit: April 9, 2012
    Event: Araw ng Kagitingan
    Location: G/F SM Mall of Asia, Main Mall, Seaside Blvd Manila Bay Reclamation Area, Pasay

    We were just taking a stroll down SM Mall of Asia and it was not even dinnertime yet. Mom saw Chef d’ Angelo’s tarpaulin featuring their eat-all-you-can promotion. Immediately, we took a table and waited for a few minutes before the waiters started preparing the buffet table for dinner. The deal is only available from Mondays to Thursdays. Lunch is from 11AM to 2PM, while dinner starts from 5PM and ends at 8PM.

    What to catch? For only PHp 150 per head, we had pasta (tomato, pesto and white sauces), potato salad, mushroom soup, three types of pizzas, sensationally crispy chicken, rice, beef brisket, salad with dressings, jelly and potatoes. One disappointment though was that while eating, we also had to be busy waving our hands to shoo away the flies. Tsk.

    4. New Bombay

    Date of Visit: April 10, 2012
    Event: Mon’s birthday
    Location: G/F Glorietta 3, North Drive Ayala Center, Makati

    Have you tried something different like Indian cuisine lately? Exactly. We don’t see a lot of Indian restaurants in the Philippines. And great Indian eateries here are even harder to hit. So if you ever come by Glorietta, encourage yourself and your friends to place a reservation at New Bombay as its courses would be worth your every penny.

    New Bombay offers authentic Indian food that can be a cure for a bit of ethnic flavor. We had ajawani tikka (fish fillet marinated in yogurt with ajawani seeds and Indian spices), chicken tandoori, vegetarian tandoori (dip fried mixed and chopped vegetables with Indian spices rolled in sesame seeds), a couple of masalas, rice and rotis. Everything was succulent.

    Expect to spend an average of PHp 150 to PHp 300 for each dish.

    5. Kitchen

    Date of Visit: April 21, 2012
    Event: Hangout with G and H
    Location: G/F Greenbelt 3, Paseo de Roxas Ayala Center, Makati

    Just beside Seattle’s Best Coffee is Kitchen spelled with an inverted “K,” where you get a romantic setup candle-lit meal, food with unique names and overall supreme satisfaction without spending much. Ambiance is astoundingly cozy and classy. My girl friends and I had: hot tomato pasta, tuna alfafa sandwich roll (a. k. a. “Roll Up Your Sleeves”) and “Jack of All Trades” (pandan rice, catfish deep fried to a crisp, jackfruit cooked in coconut milk). With plenty of vegetarian-friendly choices on the menu, this place is a steal! We’ll definitely visit again next time.

    6. Omakase

    Date of Visit: May 1, 2012
    Event: Third-year anniversary with Louie ♥
    Location: Greenhills Shopping Center, Connecticut Arcade, Ortigas Ave Greenhills, San Juan

    As we entered, I thought this was going to be just another Japanese restaurant serving typical Japanese food our taste buds are all familiar with. But no, Omakase’s dishes are extra special. Their menu boasts of a wide range of sushi, sashimi, soups, chicken, seafood and pork dishes, tempura, makimono — freshly prepared so that even the most discerning palates are satisfied.

    As Louie is a frequent diner here, he ordered really the must-try pitch-perfect dishes for us: spicy tuna salad (PHp 215), softshell crab tempura (PHp 325) and salmon teppan (PHp 255). Other great finds are: the California crunch maki, Mt. Fuji roll, Tofu Steak, Oyster Butteryaki, Beef Teppan, SAR platter (Salmon skin roll, American dream, Rock n’ Roll maki), and Sukiyaki. Every nibble was a heavenly experience.

    7. Torch Restaurant

    Date of Visit: June 2, 2012
    Event: Jhoana’s despedida
    Location: Home Studio Bldg, 63 Connecticut St Greenhills, San Juan

    Looking for a place that serves feel-good food? Don’t sweat. You can go to Torch, a fusion restaurant by Peppermill Caterers. Atmosphere feels like a cross between Omakase and Amici. Torch Restaurant has “knowledgeable” service, as waiters know what to recommend best for a delightful gastronomic experience.

    We had: the twice-baked potato (PHp 70), crispy chicken pesto pasta which is a classic pesto pasta in fettuccini topped with small pieces of golden fry crispy chicken (PHp 325), seafood panizza that is anchovy alfredo-based panizza with mozzarella topped with shrimps (PHp 330), delectable steak panizza with U.S. angus beef strips opped with mozzarella and cream cheese (PHp 330), and other pastas I can’t remember now (haha, sorry).

    8. ibayo by Barrio Fiesta

    Date of Visit: June 13, 2012
    Event: My birthday! 🙂
    Location: Bldg G Unit 7-8, Seaside Blvd, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay, Metro Manila

    Ibayo, which literally means “the next town,” is a new bistro style Filipino restaurant housing the famous Crispy Pata, the mouth-watering Sinalab Special, and the crave satisfying Mama Chit’s Special. If you’re not into much of those meat, then you can order the seafood paella, Ibayo crispy catfish, grilled tuna belly, fried chicken, sizzling mushrooms and sizzling corn (just as we did) to satisfy your short cravings for traditional Filipino food.

    Ambiance was relaxing as lights were dim. Ibayo has no problems in delivering the ultimate delight for hungry taste buds and gourmands alike. If you have foreigner friends who want to sample Filipino food, you might want to bring them here to enjoy a remarkable place full of tradition together with a twist of modernity. Then go shopping in the Mall of Asia afterwards!

    9. North Park Noodle House

    Date of Visit: October 28, 2012
    Event: [Advanced] All Saints Day — after visiting Thousand Buddha Temple with family
    Location: 689 Banawe Street, St. Peter, Quezon City

    Sorry, Chowking, but North Park to me is the real “chow king” when it comes to Chinese fast food restaurants. North Park serves Cantonese food concocted to Pinoy tastes with generous servings and at very reasonable prices. Its yellow trademark sign can be your assurance of quality, value and consistent great taste. This is a restaurant for family gatherings or friends without much frills.

    10. Racks

    Date of Visit: April 25, 2012
    Event: Casual; Dinner after watching The Avengers
    Location: 2/F SM City North EDSA, Main Bldg., North Ave. Sto. Cristo, Quezon City

    With several branches within the metro, Racks is one restaurant that will keep you on coming back. They say that “If you love chewing off the bone, then you will at first get disappointed, but once you taste the ribs, you will forget the bones completely.”

    For years now, Racks is praised for having the most tender baby ribs which I have not tried and don’t have any intentions of trying. Attesting to this is Louie, who favors Rack’s menu for all times. I have tried Racks’ seafood specials though: blackened salmon steak, pan-fried dory with lemon garlic butter, fish and chips, clam chowder soup and their house-made pasta, the garlic scampi pasta — and they are all good. Food prices are heavy on the wallet though; expect to spend about PHp 500 to PHp 800 for each dish.

  • Review of Mongolian Rice Bowls (SM Mall of Asia)

    Review of Mongolian Rice Bowls (SM Mall of Asia)

    Much to your liking, you can’t really go on a diet and not eat in the holidays. This is the time when indulging is acceptable. Nobody wants to count the calories, fats and carbohydrates when everybody else’s plates are filled with sumptuous food and hands are holding bottles of wine. Do expect tasty treats that would make you loosen your belt and leave your heart stent.

    Thanks to our senior manager who treated us girls last Friday, we had met another one of those tasty treats for free. 🙂 Lunch was spent at Mongolian Rice Bowls, which is located beside Yakimix, at the Ground Floor Veranda of Entertainment Mall (by the bay), SM Mall of Asia. This branch has celebrated its second year anniversary last December 15. *Way to go!*

    Mongolian Rice Bowls is an eat-all-you-can Asian-focused restaurant where you can make interesting mixtures of taste and texture with a wide range of ingredients to choose from to come up with the best stir-fried combo. Although this concept is nothing new to me, as I’ve had my fair sampling of Mongolian rice bowls in the past, dining here at this restaurant was a first.

    Review of Mongolian Rice Bowls (SM Mall of Asia)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Orange may not be color I like to see people wearing, but it’s definitely one that is perfect for walls as it brightens up a room and the mood of people inside it. Mongolian Rice Bowls’ interior design was rich with this motif. Its walls were painted in different shades of orange, accented with light brown bricks and large mirrors that reflect the skillful craftsmanship of its sourced artisans.

    The ceiling was draped with chandeliers and spotlights, contributing to the modern hype of the seating area. Soundtrack playing in the background was a very nice mix of instrumental Christmas songs, which added more class to the atmosphere. The buffet table was situated near the counter where orders and requests for food cooking were being placed. Deelish!

    Service: ★★★★★

    How it works at Mongolian Rice Bowls: get a bowl, fill it with spoonfuls of whatever food you desire, hand it to the waiter, get a number and wait for 5-10 minutes until the food is cooked. Waiters go on tables to serve the cooked food in a bowl in exchange of your number and pour unlimited iced tea and/or water included in the buffet package. Staff were friendly, fast and responsive, totally commendable for five stars.

    Food: ★★★★★

    In going for this Mongolian eat-all-you-can adventure, we highly anticipated on hitting the right fusion of sauces, spices, and toppings such as beef, pork, chicken, squid, fish, chopped squid balls, vegetables and oils.

    Four ensembles were suggested by the posters to follow: ‘sweet,’ ‘sweet and spicy,’ ‘hot and spicy,’ and ‘sweet and sour.’ While it was tempting to add anything according to the heart’s command, the surprising end result may not turn out well. So both for the two bowls I concocted, I just followed the instructions for ‘sweet and sour’ and ‘sweet and spicy’ with noodles, rice and seafood. Everything was fresh and cooked just right.

    Desserts at the other table were overwhelming as well. Too bad I could not have as plenty as I wanted because I had a sore throat, fever and runny nose at that time.

    Price for Value: ★★★★★

    If you want to satisfy your cravings for delectable and affordable food, this place can be a safe bet. Let your imagination run free and experiment with fabulous choices of your favorite ingredients and indulge in Mongolian food only for PHp 280 (during week days, 10AM-3PM). Regular rate for weekends is also reasonable at PHp 380 per head. Service is free of charge. Tips are welcome.

    Plus, if you are game to pose as a kid for a day, place your knees on your shoes and walk to their door, cross your fingers and say a little prayer that they won’t notice your real age and height, and you might get a 50% discount. Haha! Kidding aside, only children below four feet can have that privilege.

    If you want to know more about Mongolian Rice Bowls, click here to view their website.

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