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Category: Mandaluyong

  • Super Brunch at Heat Restaurant, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel (Mandaluyong City)

    Super Brunch at Heat Restaurant, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel (Mandaluyong City)

    Sundays at Edsa Shangri-La, Manila’s HEAT Restaurant just got a whole lot more exciting for the whole family with a bigger and better brunch extravaganza entitled Super Brunch, bringing together the best buffet selections. The first thing you will notice is the signage by the entrance which displays the highlights of their sumptuous offerings. Fresh lobsters? Baked oysters? Wagyu beef? Mimosa bar? Liquid nitrogen ice cream? All aboard.

    with the Kain Tulog Gang (KTG) 🙂With stellar service and elegant ambiance, Heat Restaurant is packed with delicious items in play. The quality of food here ranges anywhere from good to fantastic. Everything presented on the buffet counters is meant to be appreciated. In the Japanese section, sushi and makis look so good you’ll want to eat them all. Proceed with confidence in any case. Lobster maki? Yes, please.

    The wagyu section on the opposite side showcases an amazing juxtaposition of taste and texture and more. Made up of compelling selections, it makes a once fussy food nice and easy. The Wagyu Marinated Hanging Tenderloin in Puff, Wagyu Prime Rib marinated in oyster sauce gratinated under the foie gras crust, Slow-braised Wagyu Short Blade, Sous Vide Cooked Wagyu Beef Brisket were all excellent, meltingly soft and tender.

    Getting unlimited lobsters is pretty fantastic and a needed breakup in your meat feast. At Heat’s Super Brunch, indulging in a three tower display of overflowing crustacean goodness featuring Boston, Slipper, Rock and other seasonal varieties such as Lobster tails, Pacific, Japanese, Tiger, and Bamboo will make your visit worth it. As a seafood lover, this luxurious section has to be my favorite without hesitation. 🙂

    The lobsters tasted light, sweet, savory, and everything else that helps solve the struggles of the world. You can have them cooked exactly the way you want it. May it be buttered garlic with a hint of lemon, baked with overflowing cheese, hot off the grill, Chinese style stir fried or simply steamed, you’ll be coming back for more. A parades of salads, cheeses, and meaty appetizers add further interest to the table.

    Aside from the lobster and wagyu selections, a wide variety of Heat’s specialties are available. These include Singaporean laksa, shawarma, assorted ala minute pasta creations, roast pork, coffee chicken, prime rib, fresh greens, charcuterie and artisan cheese.

    Heat Super Brunch Map

    Japanese Chef Yusuke Hiro and Executive Sous Chef Ghayedi Borazjan came by at our function room for a simple meet and greet session and explained some of the dishes. A magician who performed magic tricks right in front of us and a balloon man also visited us for some entertainment. They’re quite friendly and I love their energy. 🙂

    Make sure to also save room for dessert! Sweet confectionaries, such as churros with chocolate sauce, crepe, macarons, raspberry molted brownie cheesecake, halo-halo and warm chocolate pie, will add delight. Refresh your palate with beverages options from free-flowing champagne, wine and mimosa to freshly squeezed fruit juices on top of your buffet.

    Heat’s Super Brunch (available on Sundays from 12NN to 3PM) is a combination of Mad for Lobsters (on a Saturday night) and Mad for Wagyu (on a Friday night). The scene is definitely a strong point—the atmosphere buzzes and the food deserves a thumbs up. What’s more, kids can get to enjoy fun under the sun with a complimentary access to the lagoon shaped pool with aqua play or the indoor kiddie corner at the restaurant, while you sip and savor your way through the best varieties that HEAT has to offer.

    Brunch on Sundays definitely doesn’t get better than this! Introductory price for the Super Brunch starts at Php 2,815 net per person. Heat is perfect for celebrating special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, life milestones, and the list goes on.

    For inquiries or reservations, please contact the Restaurant Reservations and Information Center by calling (63 2) 633 8888 ext. 2740 / 2741 or email heat.esl@shangri-la.com. Visit www.shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila or stay connected, like Facebook.com/edsashangrila, follow @edsashangrila on Twitter and @edsashangrila on Instagram.

    Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages more than 80 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 34,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.

    Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

  • Review of Ooma Japanese Rice Bar (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City)

    Review of Ooma Japanese Rice Bar (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City)

    Lately, I’ve been craving a lot for Japanese food. There’s nothing wrong with sticking to the familiar, but trying out a new restaurant is always fun, too. Ooma at SM Megamall Fashion Hall offers bold, new, flavorful and creative interpretation of modern Japanese fare. Louie and I had dinner here for the first time last month. We positively enjoyed how the dishes were presented and more essentially, how they tasted. If you’re already a fan of Japanese food, expect to be smitten anew! 😉 Ooma is a homegrown concept by The Moment Group with menu conceived in collaboration with Chef-Partner Bruce Ricketts.

    Review of Ooma Japanese Rice Bar (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City)

    Ambiance:

    Ooma Japanese Rice Bar has a unique appeal. The interior design was inspired by the largest wholesale fish market and one of the top attractions in Tokyo, Japan: the Tsukiji fish market. This explains why there are boots, weighing scale, and crate seats at the side to mock the look and character of Tsukiji. The decors are truly a modern marvel and I like that they tell a story.

    Service:

    We were delighted with the food and will consider to happily return for it, but we can’t say the same for the customer service here. We ordered gyoza way earlier than four tables beside us who ordered it, but we were the last one to get served. Waiting time was crazy, and service was kind of absent. The staff would have already forgotten about us if only Louie did not remind him. Take note that we were seated right at the center of restaurant in front of the entrance.

    The funny part was that one other waiter even thought that we were already done eating and asked if he could take away the plates. He has not seen any food landing on our table for the longest time. Sigh. To make up for the disappointing treatment, we were given a complimentary dessert.

    Food:

    Filled with gratinated mozzarella and cheddar cheese, scallion, togarashi, O-Gyoza (PhP 235) had a flavor combination you can call refreshing. Each bite was extraordinarily good—and it’s hard to decide if it’s the tug of dough, the burst of steam, the unagi sauce, or that hearty meat inside that stood out most. A good way to demolish the gyoza is to take it as a whole and savor a mouthful. Love it! 🙂


    The Buta Kakuni Katsudon (PhP 289) definitely delivered juicy flavors without being too much. It was composed of breaded slow roasted pork belly, onion, egg, carrot, pickled onion, nori, and house tare. Marinated in sweet sauce, the pork belly was tender and tasty, and it was paired beautifully with the salad on the side.


    Ooma Aburi Maki is a signature dish that includes a full range of the best ingredients. “Aburi” means “to burn something.” It’s a traditional Japanese method of blowtorch, a direct flame to burn which brings out amazing tastes and an enticing aroma that can fill the entire place. Instead of the usual soy sauce container for maki, Ooma gave us a brush so we can “brush paint” the maki with soy sauce as we like.

    We opted for the best-seller: Scallop and Tuna Aburi Maki (PhP 289) with torched scallop, tuna, cucumber, sesame seeds, nori crumbs, scallion, teriyaki sauce, spicy mayo, and kimchi aioli. The combination of tastes and texture was God-sent with an umami-tinged essence. It was superb and it deserved a big round of applause. The different tones of the flavors explodes in your mouth.

    The Green Tea Ice Cream (PhP 105), which was served to us as a complimentary dessert, demonstrated sweetness but not cloyingly so. It’s the perfect treat for summer quaffing. I absolutely adored the creaminess with sweet vanilla undertones and the slight nuttiness of the candied cashew nuts. I thought the green tea flavor was rich enough to satisfy the more hardcore of green tea urges.

    Price for Value:

    There’s no question about it. The quality of food was astounding. Items are a mix of the modern and classic that bring diners a breath of fresh air at each meal. It’s different in a good way—seemingly simple on the surface but more complex on taste, more creative, more challenging, more my style.

    Maybe we got rather off-putting service by chance, but I’d consider being a repeat customer at Ooma Japanese Rice Bar and come back for more. I value food presentation and I can see clearly that there’s real effort put into the preparation. With that, prices are reasonable. Check this out! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/oomaph/” name=”Ooma Japanese Rice Bar” description=”3/F Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, Mandaluyong” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 6564591 or +639175392083″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-06-07″ ]

  • Review of Linguini Fini (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City)

    Review of Linguini Fini (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City)

    Last Sunday, we went to SM Megamall mainly because of the three-day sale. Weekends are the perfect time for retail therapy, and there’s no better time than SALE SEASON! For lunch, we just felt like having pasta and pizza, and one of the most popular restaurants in the mall that has a menu heavy in that department is Linguini Fini. It’s an Italian-American restaurant based in Hong Kong but with a New York attitude. I remember the time when it first opened in the Philippines, diners just went frenzy appreciating fine pasta made from scratch. It’s pretty high up there on the list of places to hang out for a family meal as well. Are the tastes exciting though? Let’s find out! 🙂

    Review of Linguini Fini (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City)

    Ambiance:

    Interior design at Linguini Fini Manila (SM Megamall Fashion Hall) was based on custom-made furniture objects which define a certain local vibe matched with eccentricity. The walls, for instance, looked like a piece of modern art made up of a collage of cultural icons of the Philippines. Illustrations of Manny Pacquiao, carabao, Jeepney, and Jose Rizal were distinctively evident. Highly noticeable also were the quirky “can” stool sets that could serve as good conversation starters. Colors everywhere were stimulating to raise appetite.

    Service:

    The servers looked like they were acting in a fast-forward mode. It was entertaining for us to see their efficient actions as they serve busy tables at the peak of lunch hour. No one was clumsy even those inside the kitchen floor. The open kitchen revealed a frenzied knot of white-coated chefs with red caps working at break-neck speed to keep pace with orders. Service was great overall.

    Food:

    We asked for a vegetarian entree and the Wild Mushroom Pizza (PhP 460) was best recommended. It was really a scrumptious one! The thin-crust pizza featured liberal toppings and sprinklings of shitake, ricotta, and porcini. The flavors meld together so nicely. Portion (eight slices) was ample enough to serve three to four people. Order with supreme confidence.

    For pasta choices, we once again sought advice from the crew. We got the Pappardelle “Nose to Tail Bolo” (Lite, PhP 245) and the Baked Ziti (Lite, PhP 250) which did not score as high as the pizza in our book.

    Pappardelle was described as a single-layered lasagna with pork testa, veal and oxtail ragu as fillings in between. I thought it sounded interesting and good for us to be reveling in the pasta glory. Alas, it wasn’t something for my taste. The rich and heavy tomato sauce sat in pretty much okay; the flavor was sharp, tangy, and salty. The texture of the broad, flat pasta was great as it was firm to crumbly. The meat components, on the other hand, were not as satisfactory. Maybe this was because I’m not passionate about the mix of oxtail, veal, and pork. I have to stay far away next time.

    The Baked Ziti was a safe bet, but nothing off the wall. Their ziti was a sculpture of perfectly aligned tubular smooth noodles. As a familiar dish, it’s a great comfort food. Bolognese plus mozzarella plus focaccia bread crumbs equals joy. The contrast of tangy sauce with creamy elements brought more vitality.

    Price for Value:

    To be clear, we did not have a bad experience at Linguini Fini Manila. It may never be the best pizza and pasta place for my liking, but it can be good. We can’t ignore the other positive factors mentioned above. Solid food preparations and freshly-made pasta make it a must-try spot. Each order does not come exactly cheap but has fari value. Set the right expectations going in, which is half the battle for any meal, and you’ll walk away quite satisfied.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/LinguiniFiniMNL/” name=”Linguini FIni” description=”Level 3, SM Mega Fashion Hall, Edsa cor. Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 531-3302 or email info-manila@linguinifini.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-06-05″ ]

  • Review of B & P (Cyberscape Alpha, Ortigas, Pasig City)

    Review of B & P (Cyberscape Alpha, Ortigas, Pasig City)

    In today’s fast-paced world, a break is always welcome and needed. For those who find rejuvenation in hearty all-day breakfasts, comfort food and great coffee, the B&P Restaurant in Cyberscape Alpha in Ortigas (under The Cravings Group) grants them that delicious respite. Bright and cozy, this friendly restaurant brings a breath of fresh air in the metro neighborhood. It is a new spot that offers guests both indulgent choices and a stylish atmosphere where one can instantly feel at home.

    Review of B & P (Cyberscape Alpha, Ortigas, Pasig City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    What does B&P stand for? It’s Bea and Pia, the founders of the restaurant. Sometimes, it stands for Breakfast & Pancakes or Bonding & Pastimes, but the new B&P can also mean: Bright & Pretty.

    B&P was designed by Francis “Nix” Alañon, interior stylist of FTA Design and currently editor-in-chief of My Home magazine. His design looked both quirky, eye-popping and fun. If you go through the entire space, you will also notice the different interesting patterns, colors, and textural elements which give the entire place its playful, cheerful, and welcoming appeal.

    We walked around a bit and we have realized that the dining sets resemble a bed with the headboard as seat backdrops. B&P embraces the breakfast-in-bed idea. The walls are covered with tiled egg prints that look really cute. 🙂 Overall, ambiance here is laid-back, casual yet classy, remarkably designed for its market.

    I also loved the charming rustic side of the restaurant. Wall sconces were used for moody lighting, floral design accents were added on the dining table for a touch of femininity, and geometric-patterned wood flooring looked quite eccentric. The only thing I found not likable was the low ceiling on the second floor with exposed “tube paneling.” I thought it should have been camouflaged with wood for a more consistent feel.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was exceptional. Everything was well taken care of. Orders arrived fast and waiters were always ready to answer requests. With that kind of treatment, dining at B&P was like visiting a friend’s home.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    B&P Cyberscape Alpha in Ortigas has a steady menu line-up that encompasses breakfast classics, snacks, and lunch-style dishes that are healthy and sinful. We started our heavy lunch with Asian Caesar Salad (PhP 195), which I thought should be aptly renamed to Pinoy Caesar Salad. 😛 The point is: it was tossed in tinapa dressing and topped with salted egg. It’s salty and refreshing with the crispy wanton and organic Romaine lettuce. This is one of those salads that somehow manages to roll lightness and unfettered indulgence into one.

    One of the signature dishes of B&P is their Mang Benedict’s (PhP 285), the unrivaled King of brunch dishes with a Filipino twist. Unlike the usual Eggs Benedict that comes with toasted, buttered English muffin and ham crisped in butter, Mang Benedict’s is the local version of an Eggs’ benedict that came with pillowy soft poached egg and Hollandaise sauce topped with malunggay pan de sal and stuffed also with chicken longganisa.

    In the event, we were served with Mang Benedict’s, Oyster Mushroom Burger (PhP 250), and Pork BBQ Cheese Sandwich (P250) that were all compressed into a bite-sized hors d’oeuvre. Trust me, these comforting and hearty treats are ideal for anytime eating. 🙂

    Served with French toast and homemade gravy, the Beer-battered Buttermilk Chicken (PhP 450) was deep fried to perfection. I appreciated the tenderness and moisture retention in the chicken. Taste of buttermilk was evident and it was divine. The Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top of the breading added a more inviting flavor. Love it!

    The Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich (PhP 225) was hot and creamy, served with perfectly grilled cheese sandwich on the side. The tomato soup had a creamy, thick, and a mouth-coating texture. I wondered if it’s a dairy-free version though (for vegetarians).

    Carbonara (PhP 265), tossed in bacon and topped with egg yolk, had a silky texture that gently blanketed the bacon flavor without making the pasta taste excessively salty or sharp.

    Burrito Omelette (PhP 230) offered a pure taste nostalgia. Bacon and eggs are old pals. 🙂 Served with tomato salsa, the richly studded fried rice with crispy bacon was wrapped in scrambled eggs. Eat it without drama. It’s nothing complicated.

    An adaptation of wonton soup, the Red Molo Soup (PhP 175) turned out to be another classic hearty Filipino favorite. This is soup that’s best taken during the rainy season. Pork dumplings in tasty chicken and achuete broth tasted great.

    Don Malutong (PhP 285) at one glance looked like Korean bibimbap. Look closer and you’ll see a good mix of familiar Filipino bites: crispy pork belly, adobo rice, eggs and pickled relish. In particular, the crispy pork belly was like the strata of some rock—you get a layer of fat, a layer of meat, and then the skin on top. The crispiness and delicious of the pork will stay in your mouth, mind, and soul for the next five minutes.

    Saving the best for last, we enjoyed the Baby Back Ribs (PhP 475) a lot. Smoky, sweet, spicy, and tangy at the same time, these pork tender pork ribs with barbecue sauce were the bomb. This dish is a great option at B&P, especially for barbecue freaks.

    B&P Cyberscape Alpha Ortigas not only gives rise to healthy choices and comfort food indulgences. It is also set to become the coffee hangout of choice among those who know their coffee and those looking for their perfect coffee mate. Besides being a great location to meet and chat, B&P offers guests a unique coffee drinking experience courtesy of its Di Bella premium specialty coffee line.

    George Daag, Guest Barista from Di Bella Coffee Australia, showed us two methods of making coffee.

    We also tried the Lime Lemon Mango Cooler (PhP 125) and Strawberry Lemon Quench (PhP 140) for our drinks. These juices had a well-rounded sweet taste that’s wonderfully bright and refreshing.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Giving a good all-day breakfast indulgence, B&P (Just Like Home) has done a tremendous job in rolling out constant streams of dishes, raising the bar on what comfort food seekers expect from light and luscious treats. In the months to follow, more palate-pleasing items will be added to the menu, courtesy of B&P’s Junior Corporate Chef Angela Villaroman, a young and very promising graduate of CCA, Manila. Prices are okay considering food portions are for sharing.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/BNPhome/” name=”B & P” description=”Cyberscape Alpha, Garnet Road, Ortigas Center, Ortigas, Pasig City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 9973218″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-03-13″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of The Red Crab Alimango House (Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong)

    Review of The Red Crab Alimango House (Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong)

    After our Managing Director’s Report at the Isla Ballroom of EDSA Shangri-La hotel last week, our IT Director treated the team to lunch. It’s not every day that fate brings our team together for a lunch date, so we’re thankful we were given the “license” to venture beyond the confines of our office and into the dining proper. 🙂 Our first choice then was Cyma and the second was Tender Bob’s in Shangri-La Mall.

    Alas, both restaurants were full and could not accommodate 12 of us in a table at the peak of lunch hour. The Red Crab Alimango House was just adjacent and likewise offered large portions of food for group-sharing. We went in fast, hungry and eager to try their food.

    Review of The Red Crab Alimango House (Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Are those traditional Japanese windows? I’m not sure if Japanese is the theme here. As far as the food goes, these Japanese-inspired interior design does not match any of the restaurant’s menu. Although the overall concept was abstruse and quite doubtful, the atmosphere was nice. Dressed with rich chocolate brown furniture, wooden panel accents on the ceiling, and wooden lighting fixtures above each table, The Red Crab Alimango House in Shangri-La Plaza Mall looked refined and sophisticated. Somehow I hoped to see the dining room be punctuated with red and rainbow-bright decors just to emphasize on its “Red Crab” branding.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    When eating crabs, it’s a must to be careful as the legs of the crabs are quite thorny. The server brought us crab scissors and helped us initially with cracking. Otherwise, it would have been a messy affair. Service was quite fast and efficient except for the last part when we requested to pack the leftovers for us to take home.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    The Red Crab’s menu is all about seafood but there’s quite a bit of variety. We had Crispy Chicaron Bulaklak (PhP 245) and Baby Squid Sisig (PhP 195) for starters. The lovely crackle on the fried pork intestines made the crunchy chicharon bulaklak an amicable affair. We could not ask more from that golden brown crispy skin.

    Sautéed with liver, the baby squid sisig was just average and didn’t leave a good impression. The fact that I deserted the dish after the second mouthful was a clear testament. Perhaps removing the liver and putting in more onions and seasonings will make it more pleasant-tasting.

    Crab Adobo (PhP 195/100g) is one of the best signature dishes at The Red Crab. Comprising a blend of various salts and spices, the fresh crab’s meat tasted naturally sweet with fried garlic and aligue. Roe lovers may expect to rejoice as there’s more than enough to share. The sweet sauce that coated the crabs was also particularly addictive as it went well with plain rice, making a filling meal. How did I know it was fresh? The whole pincer was packed with solid meat—not the loose kind that falls apart easily.

    Lapu-Lapu with Sweet and Sour Sauce (PhP 185/100g)  reminded me fondly of my mom’s cooking as this was one of her star dishes that would make me cancel my dinner plans to head home for a homecooked meal. The tasty sauce dressed the fish equally and the fish was deep-fried for a succulent yet crispy bite.

    Lapu-Lapu with Chili Mango Sauce (PhP 185/100g) was as well a stunner. Mango sauce was tad weird for my liking though, so while the subtle sweetness of it did the lapu-lapu recipe justice, I have my preference with the more conventional technique.

    To compensate for our “seafood quota” on that meal, we had two plates of Sigarilyas Express (PhP 245) which was served with thinly sliced winged beans and kangkong stalks. Cooked in coconut milk and chili with crisp-fried pork belly, this vegetable entrée had the right level of spiciness and a slightly sweet tinge to it. It was fine but not really a “wow” kind of dish. I’ve had better.

    Lastly, the Manila Pork Ribs (PhP 325) came with a rich glaze of sweet pineapple-infused barbecue sauce and a texture that’s tender yet meaty. Earning compliments for its “well rendered fat,” the pork ribs tasted robust without being overzealous. It did not have a fall-of-the-bone softness; rather, the meat was released with just a gentle tug of the teeth, not a pain to eat.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    For finger-licking good crabs that are prepared to perfection, The Red Crab Alimango House is the place to be. Devotees give two “claws up” for the magnificent freshness and sweetness of the crabs. The rest of the food we tried were not as delightful but were decent in any case. Prices are expensive so for those who are short in budget, it will be best to save eating in this restaurant for big occasions.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/RedCrabAlimangoHouse/” name=”The Red Crab Alimango House” description=”Level 6, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 9104096″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-01-19″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branches:
    EASTWOOD MALL: G/F Eastwood Mall Brgy Bagumbayan Quezon City
    Tel. (02) 584-7433

    GREENBELT 3: 2/F greenbelt 3 Ayala Center Makati City
    Tel. (02) 757-4129, (02) 757-4716

    LUCKY CHINATOWN: 2/F Lucky Chinatown, Reina Regente St. Cor Dela Reina St. Binondo Manila
    Tel. (02) 708-9578, 0932-2415935, 0916-6532430

    MORATO: 104 JSB Building Cor. Sct Delgado Tomas Morato Quezon City
    Tel. (02) 374-8406

    RESORTS WORLD: 2nd Level F&B Resorts World Newport Mall, Villamor Pasay City
    Tel. (02) 856-0087

  • Review of Mad For Wagyu Buffet at Heat (EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City)

    Review of Mad For Wagyu Buffet at Heat (EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City)

    Roasted Wagyu Beef. Wagyu Xiao Long Bao. Wagyu Tacos. Wagyu Panini. Wagyu Sushi. Wagyu Shawarma. Wagyu everything! Sounds exciting? This is just the beginning. The list goes on and on. 🙂 Bottom line: Heat at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel invites everyone, especially die-hard fans of wagyu, to come try out their special offer that’s available every Saturday for dinner in 2016: MAD FOR WAGYU. This buffet features premium wagyu beef entrees that will make you feel completely and utterly stuffed and satisfied.

    Through the years, by consistently raising its culinary bar on inventive take on all sorts of food, Heat remains the kind of establishment you walk into and immediately feel good about. The KTG went up for it last Saturday and had plenty fun. Each dish was well-executed and clearly prepared and cooked by people who know what they’re doing the kitchen. Ticking both the quality and value boxes is easy, and our foodie group did it with aplomb.

    Review of Mad For Wagyu Buffet at Heat (EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Heat’s interior design looks enchanting for a dinner with friends, family, or for business. Two years have gone by and I still have the same adoration for the ambiance. (Read my short review here on Zomato.) Muted browns paired with other more vibrant colors give the restaurant a cozy and fun feel.

    No doubt, Heat in EDSA Shangri-La Hotel is almost jaw-dropping in the design department with the impressive arrangement of tables that can accommodate large and small groups. The soft lighting sets off an effect that’s formal and not overly stuffy. Such stunning surroundings enhance the phenomenal gustatory experience.

    The function rooms create a mood of hushed intimacy, but the outside “communal” dining area as well exudes a refined, understated glamour. Needless to say, this appealing feature of taste and aesthetics places Heat at the top tier of romantic dining venues, a reputation it has enjoyed for years.

    Service: ★★★★★

    EDSA Shangri-La Hotel is known as a really outstanding hotel with exceptional service. The staff at Heat is armed with professionalism, efficiency, and great attitudes. What I loved the most was the complimentary five-minute massage that the guys at Chi Spa offer to all Mad For Wagyu customers.

    The team behind must have acknowledged the fact that most people feel tired, drowsy, and/or sleepy after eating so much. I had the massage while resting and pacing my meal right before dessert. It was good and I felt so relaxed. The person who went before me even struggled to keep his eyes open. 😛

    Food: ★★★★★

    At Mad For Wagyu, wagyu beef, as the name implies, is the main star. For those who are not familiar, wagyu is the priciest (about USD 190/kg) and the juiciest, richest steak in the world. The flavor mostly resides on the fat, and it consists of a mouth-filling savoriness combined with a palate-coating richness. The texture is as tender as lightly cooked fish. Once cooked, the delicate red marbled slices of wagyu transforms into savory, meaty, umami goodness.

    We demolished the lot…and a whole lot of it!

    Wagyu ShawarmaWagyu Beef Jerky

Wagyu Beef Tartare

Chef Tobias Unger, Executive Chef of EDSA Shangri-La Manila

    Chinese Station: Wagyu Beef Balls, Wagyu Beef Asado, and Wagyu Xiao Long Bao were supremely delectable. Roast duck, roast pork, Hainanese chicken, and seafood dumplings were items that left me almost breathless. Above all though, my favorite has to be the Xiao Long Bao! 🙂 Wrapped with a delicately steamed skin, the juice-filled bun formed a tender, springy ball inside.

    Japanese Station: Fresh sushi and sashimi were presented neatly and colorfully. True wagyu lovers should aim to try the Gyu Maki, which is topped with wagyu beef, for something different than usual.

    Grill Station: While Mad For Wagyu buffet is heavy on meat-centric offerings, the lobsters also end up being truly craveable. Have them grilled with butter and call this king of crustaceans a winner. If you have a big appetite on more meat, wagyu sirloin, wagyu ribeye, and wagyu burgers must strike your fancy no less.

    Soup Station: Adding on to the variety of food at Mad For Wagyu, soups with noodles are also available by request. I dove into a bowl of seafood laksa noodles which gave a warm and gentle comfort with a bit of spice.

    Carving Station: Looking to impress, the Wagyu Roast Leg of Beef and the Wagyu Tomahawk are a serious carnivore’s dream. I especially loved the roast beef for it was riddled with that mouthwatering marbling and succulent, beefy flavor. Fork tender, the texture was smooth and deeply satisfying.

    On the other hand, there’s nothing really more enticing than seeing a gargantuan piece of Wagyu Tomahawk. The slab of meat was so big that it looked like a guitar. 🙂 Caramelized roasted-brown outside, inside was nice and pink, and in the center, a warm cherry red. A closer look revealed the veins of marbling fat that makes it so good.

    Lots of condiments with different flavors are available in the Sauces Station, but I preferred eating the wagyu beef without any additional sauce accompaniment.

    Desserts Station: Don’t leave without treating yourself some desserts. If you’re tired of eating the same old desserts, it will be cool to try the Wagyu Chocolate Crepe! This crepe was shaped into the Wagyu symbol, a signature dessert that’s a perfect ending to the fantastic cuisine. It wasn’t too sweet and tasted just like a regular crepe. Adding strawberries, blueberries, and other fruits and ice cream is optional.

    Don’t miss these items:

    • Red-wine Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek by Chef Tobias
    • Marinated Wagyu Tenderloin Beef by Chef Yusuke Hino
    • Stewed Wagyu Beef Brisket with Radish and Homemade Sauce by Chef Tony
    • Wagyu Beef Ball Pao Bun by Chef Andy Liew
    • Wagyu Beef Cheek Cannelloni by Chef Marco

    Beverage Packages:

    • Wagyu Beertail (PhP 450) – beer mug lychee margarita, Corona beer, tequila, lychee nad lime, comes with a wagyu neck pillow
    • Unlimited Wine Pairing (PhP 750) – Piccini, Rupe Ai Sassi Montepulciano, Italy Chairman’s Selection, Shiraz, Australia Cadet D’OC, Cabernet Savignon, France Felix Solis, Tempranillo, Spain Calterra, Carmenere, Chile
    • Free Flowing Draft Beer (PhP 700) – Stella Artois On Tap

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Positive dining experiences at Heat are frequent—perhaps even the norm. If you’re a foodie in Ortigas, Mandaluyong, or anywhere near this part of the metro, you have found yourself in the perfect locale. For lovers of wagyu, you really can’t go wrong with Heat’s theme. Arrive hungry, and savor everything!

    Mad For Wagyu buffet net price per person is PhP 2415. While this may require saving more than a few hundred of pesos, tasting and indulging in delicious premium wagyu beef in various forms is worth the potential scrimping in the aftermath. 🙂

    Operating hours: 6 pm to 10:30 pm

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  • Review of Planet Grapes (Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong)

    Review of Planet Grapes (Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong)

    Planet Grapes in Shangri-La Plaza is the third branch of PG in the Philippines. Now we don’t need to travel to outer space to actually land on another planet! 😛 Kidding aside, Planet Grapes is where traditional Filipino street food is glorified and earns its own spot together with wine on the menu.

    Whether you want to try a traditional wine pairing, an adventurous meal, or just some great Pinoy dessert, Planet Grapes is sure to delight. The selections here are as different and exciting as you’d want them to be. This is where you can let go your traditional ideas of what a good restaurant is supposed to be and just enjoy some winning combos.

    Review of Planet Grapes (Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Planet Grapes’ interior was full of attractive wine bottles that are displayed on the background and those striking ones that make up the chandelier. The ambiance was splendid, and the overall setting was quiet and intimate.

    I love the coherent and consistent theme on the first and second floors. It gave a cozy, upscale, and warm vibe that’s desirable and presentable—anything but low key. It’s lively without being real loud, so you can come for food and wine but still hear the people next to you.

    Fixtures throughout the space and the enomatic machines look most sleek. Speaking of enomatic machines, these are state-of-the-art Italian machines that allow customers to try different wines by sip, half-glass, and full glass sizes. Cool stuff!

    With all these combined, Planet Grapes must be the next new classic. Sound the alarm. It’s a headliner, an ideal place to take your date on a nice, sit-down dinner and share a magical spark over some comforting Filipino food. It’s also a great go-to restaurant to grab lunch or snacks with business partners and colleagues.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was fantastic. Especially if you’re trying out wine for the first time and can’t decide which would go well to complement your food orders, Planet Grapes is a good place to start to learn about the types of wine and their characteristics. The service attendants are equipped with the knowledge to describe wine and serve it correctly and confidently to customers. They’re incredibly helpful with wine options, food recommendations, and general pleasantries.

    The Open Kitchen

    Food: ★★★★☆

    We had our department planning here and stayed for both lunch and merienda. The food we ordered were delicious, interesting, and slightly overwhelming all at once. Planet Grapes – Shangri-La Mall’s menu is focused around plates rooted in Filipino cuisine, but with some modern twists that kept us engaged and satisfied in our dining experience. To know more about the items on the menu, click here.

    For starters, we had Chicharon with Tinapa Dip (PhP 215), PG Super Sisig (PhP 210) and Grilled Chorizo (PhP 135). All were indulging and maybe the type that you don’t want to eat in front of your boss as you’re sure to end up with a little bit of grease on your lips.

    Chicharon with Tinapa Dip is one of the best-sellers and for good reason. It’s the familiar taste of crispy pork rinds cooked through an air fryer matched in heaven with salty smoked fish. The bold taste of smoked fish made this appetizer really sumptuous. It was nearly impossible to stop the “hand to mouth” action. Nom nom nom.

    On a screaming-hot cast-iron pan, the Super Sisig entree was good but nothing out of the ordinary. I thought it’s tempting to eat it with rice, but it also tasted fine by itself.

    The chunks of chorizo, on another plate, was pleasurable with nice pockets of firm pork fat. They were made just right, neither too sweet nor heavily spiced.

    Our mains consisted of some grilled specialties: Organic BBQ Pork Spare Ribs (PhP 725, 450g), Organic Pork Chop (PhP 450), and Black Cod Steak (PhP 395) with our chosen sides: Grilled Parmesan Corn, Fresh Mixed Salad, Plain Rice.

    BBQ pork ribs come to mind first when I think of “ribs.” Prepared and rubbed with a good mess of seasonings and smoked on the grill as we’ve seen in the kitchen, these organic bbq pork square ribs by Planet Grapes are a hit. The tender ribs stood out to me primarily with the barbecue sauce having a good blast of flavor.

    Dry and chewy pork chops are a thing of the past. PG’s thick-cut organic pork chops were not too tough but also not too fork-tender. I thought eating them with apple sauce or pickled vegetables would be great, but that’s a story for another appetite.

    Among the three, the black cod steak was my favorite. Wonderfully buttery, it was deeply seasoned and the result was completely irresistible. The rich white-flesh fish came with a moist, succulent texture.

    To cap off our meal, we had Turon Trilogy (PhP 165) which reminded me of Napolones from Bacolod and Choco Collision (PhP 225) for desserts. With beautiful flaky crisp layer of skin on the exterior, Turon Trilogy was filled with three classic Filipino dessert delicacies: thinly sliced banana, purple yam (ube) and jackfruit (langka). It definitely scored high.

    As a chocolate lover, I have to give the sexy plate of Choco Collision a round of applause! It’s hard to say no to a rich and creamy chocolaty treat topped with vanilla ice cream like this. 🙂

    The wines available at Planet Grapes represent different wine regions in the world. We tried the “Gunderloch Jean Baptiste Riesling Kabinett 2013, Pradikätswein.” Yes, the name is quite a mouthful. It’s a light-bodied white wine with a cool nose of barely ripe apple, a touch of honey, orange and gentle herbs. It tasted clean, vibrant, and edgy with a scintillating mineral. I like that it has a low level of sweetness and somewhat a silky mouth-feel. Let’s toast!

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    If your goal is treating yourself to familiar Filipino comfort food and be surprised at how wonderful it would taste with wine, then Planet Grapes in EDSA Shangri-La Mall is the spot. It may not serve the best Filipino food ultimately, but it cooks up decent and flavorful meals.

    Hitting good notes on the ambiance and services as well, Planet Grapes is a solid choice, a respectable one. It also has branches in Tuscany, Cebu, and Riverpark. Prices are more on the costly side but they’re expected and acceptable for their given value. Here, you can find yourself wanting to linger, talk, and relax no matter who you are with. Check this place out! 🙂

    “Planet Grapes is a bar and restaurant that offers wine without the drama. This no-nonsense approach to wine enjoyment provides a refreshing twist for budding wine drinkers both young and old. Find the wines you love, one grape at a time with flexible options to different serving sizes of wine.”

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  • Review of TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie 團團小館 (SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City)

    Review of TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie 團團小館 (SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City)

    If Hong Kong comfort food is what you’re after, TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie will treat you right. TuanTuan in SM Megamall is a collaboration between the Lugang Group and the Mui Garden/Deer Garden restaurants of Canada. Extravagant dishes centered in Hong Kong cuisine and Macanese flavors marry a touch of French flair. Your best bet is to head in for its panoply of savory curry, noodle soup, and signature snow buns, or take delight in some of its best-selling items just as we did. 😉

    Review of TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie (SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Filled with thoughtful details, the interior design of TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie has a good command of both modern and retro-style themes. Everything looks classy, with elegant crystal chandeliers and consistent bright lights above the tables. I’m sure it took a lot of effort (and money) to look this effortless.

    Ideal for a more intimate setting, the back dining area is arranged with a long table that can sit 10 guests. It has an eye-catching faux garden wall with realistic artificial plants that make the space feel rather magical as an indoor patio or an extended oasis of the restaurant.

    The wall just beside this area also deserves a good deal of attention, as it’s decorated with like a collage of framed pictures and things that tell different wonderful stories.

    It’s pretty remarkable that TuanTuan has this kitchen countertop in the middle that somehow reflects a laid-back kitchen that charms with its warm but neutral palette. The black and white scheme really never fails to look polished, suitable for contemporary and chic interiors.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was prompt and friendly. In other semi-random information, it was funny how the staff were all camera-ready whenever I would position my camera to take a shot of a section of the restaurant. Even those chefs preparing the pork snow buns in the open kitchen smiled and posed when I was about 20 feet away. It’s been great engaging with them. 🙂

    Food: ★★★★★

    We made sure to snag an order of TuanTuan’s Signature Barbecued Pork Snow Buns (PhP 128, 3 pieces) because I have heard from several friends how these buns taste better than those of Tim Ho Wan. My verdict? They are right! These pork buns have a crisp, sweet, streusel-like top that flakes beautifully. The filling is delectable and almost addicting. It’s made up of tender, sweet-savory pork wrapped in a warm, pillow-soft freshly baked golden bun. Yummy! TuanTuan’s pork snow buns are a compelling reason to eat here in their own right.

    Looking colorful and tasty, the House Special Trio (PhP 398) consisted of creamy baked seafood, pesto wild mushroom, and pork chop rice. This dish struck a number of notes, thanks to the combination of flavors that had successfully addressed every part of our palate, with each boasting a unique taste that just can’t be beat.


    Standing up to strong spices, the Steamed Halibut Belly with Chili and Garlic (PhP 468) was not a boring entree either. Although we found it a hassle to remove the fish bones while eating, the flavor did not turn us off. The fish meat was soft and tender. I especially liked the sauce which gave an alluring aroma that reminded me of home. 🙂 Overall, it’s a messy and glorious dish with salty, sweet, pungent, and fresh flavors, plus multiple textures to boot.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie in SM Megamall’s Fashion Hall is a must-stop for Chinese food lovers. Featuring a fusion cuisine made from a distinctive range of Portuguese-influenced dishes from Macau, TuanTuan serves food that are worth waiting in line for. While tabs are mostly on the high end, this restaurant still left me wanting to come back. 🙂 See its menu here.

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