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Category: Mandaluyong

Review of Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong)
Last week, I received a breathless message from The Pickiest Eater in the World, as knowledgeable a food enthusiast as there is here in the metro, and what he said left me in deep excitement: Vikings SM Megamall has opened! I was invited to “conquer” the place and share my experience.

Well, good God Almighty, I didn’t anymore hesitate and said yes right away. I took a one-day vacation leave from work to have dinner at Vikings SM Megmall last Wednesday. 🙂
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With Marketing Manager, Raquel Bartolome
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In the Philippines, Vikings is one of the most prestigious luxury buffet restaurants, which features over 200 varieties of food abound. While many people already know that, what most might not have observed is that each branch of Vikings has a unique theme that differentiates it to the others. For instance, more than anything, Vikings SM Megamall has an approachable feel, a sense that you aren’t so much in a restaurant as you are in a modern art museum.

The idea implied is that every dish created by the chefs is a work of art or a masterpiece and that guests can freely “paint their palate” with different “colors” of cuisine on the buffet table. Hmmm…interesting! Now let’s go down to business.

Review of Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

Vikings SM Megamall has this unpretentious, unassuming atmosphere filled with artworks everywhere (on the ceiling, wall dividers and fixtures). Colors are vibrant, very kid-friendly and adult-friendly.

As one who can’t really seem to appreciate art enough, I was stuck at exploring nothing else but food. Anyway, going back to the topic… Like the other Vikings branches in SM North EDSA, SM City Marikina, SM Lanang Premier and SM Mall of Asia By the Bay, this place is very spacious and is able to fit 500+ guests. Seating is plentiful and everything is arranged with care.

Service: ★★★★★

Thirty minutes before Vikings SM Megamall allows guests to enter the restaurant for dinner, I stood across the entrance and noticed that there was already a long queue of people waiting to be seated despite that it was a weekday and time was still early for the usual peak of dinner hours. The good thing is that reservations are accepted and walk-in customers can get a number and then wait for it to be displayed on the LED counter while sitting on the couch.

Customer service in Vikings goes as far as entertaining the guests thoroughly by singing, dancing and throwing out comedic punch lines that are sure to capture the hidden sense of humor in everyone. There are enough walking staffs who are attentive in getting used plates from the tables and following requests of active customers. Attitude-wise, they’re friendly, accommodating and approachable. Filipino hospitality at its best!

Food: ★★★★★

As a light eater, it’s impossible for me to taste and eat all the dishes as much as I wanted to. So to maximize my grand dining experience in Vikings, I just took those I haven’t tried yet during my first Vikings encounter (in MOA) and those I really love. Here are my top favorites:

Japanese sushi, crabs (for the grill) and ebi tempura for me are the perennial must-eats. Everything on the sushi platter looked artful as showpiece and creditable. The tempura was good—moist, crisp, and not greasy. Its batter was pretty thick, not crackly-thin. The crab meat was tender yet the skin retained a nice crunch. Salads which I got from another counter were also properly executed. The magic happened when I dipped the leaves into a brown sauce.

Next, I had food that were more adventurous than comforting. The freshness of the salmon sashimi cannot be overemphasized; it was not some cheap junk frozen and re-thawed leftover but was the real deal! The baked oysters, which can’t be eaten on a hungry stomach, were a little more down-to-earth and ordinary. The melted cheese on top made the oysters both appetizing and delectable.

I also motioned to the meat section (steak counter) where Vikings chefs are on standby to cut, grill and cook meat. I had a thin slice of well-done angus beef. It’s a winning choice and pretty filling.

Moving on to carbs, I requested for black pasta in pesto sauce with pineapples and hotdogs. What’s unique in this branch of Vikings is that they offer homemade pasta on a pasta machine, and customers can choose the ingredients. How cool is that? So not only Vikings has customized Chinese shabu-shabu, Mongolian rice bowl, Japanese ramen, it also has a section for make-your-own pasta and pizza! 😛

The chocolate fountain and the Filipino native delicacies such as the maja blanca are two desserts I didn’t dare miss. They are pretty conventional but these treats are legitimate; flavors stay bright. The tiny chocolate circles with a cherry on top (pardon me, I didn’t get the name) had a clean, slightly bittersweet chocolate flavor that I’m sure would appeal to all of us who like our chocolate on the 60% cacao and over side. It tasted like high-quality crinkles but softer and tad gooey.

Ice cream must be the perfect simple desserts anyone could have. Avocado, green tea, coffee, rocky road, mango, bubblegum, sugar-free chocolate cashew and strawberry fields flavors—I had a half scoop of each—because when you commit to ice cream, you might as well go all the way! 🙂

Actual Food / Plates I Finished 😛

For the benefit of readers, I’ve created a photo album on Facebook with a “Public” privacy setting so everyone can see the rest of the food pictures in this link.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Across all branches, Vikings is always specific and careful when it comes to its product offerings: fresh quality ingredients, wide choices of international cuisine, high standard of service, food safety and store cleanliness, luxurious ambiance, and security of guests. Places like this remind us that no matter what the concept, it’s the dishes that come out of the kitchen that count. And what comes out of the kitchen at Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant is very good indeed. For that, even if the price places a quite dent in the wallet, I consider Vikings as a great value-for-money eat-all-you-can restaurant.

Weekday Lunch: Kids whose height is below 3 feet may eat for free. Those whose height range from 3-4 feet are charged with PHp 188, while those who stand 4-6 feet are charged with PHp 388. Rate for adults is at PHp 688. Senior citizens (75 years old and above) have 50% discount.

Weekday Dinner: Kids whose height is below 3 feet may eat for free. Those whose height range from 3-4 feet are charged with PHp 288, while those who stand 4-6 feet are charged with PHp 588. Rate for adults is at PHp 888. Senior citizens (75 years old and above) have 50% discount.

Weekend and Holiday Lunch and Dinner: Kids whose height is below 3 feet may eat for free. Those whose height range from 3-4 feet are charged with PHp 388, while those who stand 4-6 feet are charged with PHp 688. Rate for adults is at PHp 1088. Senior citizens (75 years old and above) have 50% discount.

Vikings reserve a special treat for people celebrating their birthday. Celebrants may eat for free at Vikings on their actual day of birthday. The catch is that they must be accompanied by one full paying adult and that they must bring with them an original and valid government issued picture ID with birthdate imprinted on it. Also, this promo can’t be used in conjunction with any other in-house discounts or promos.

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April 6, 2014
Review of Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong)

Nestled along the borderlands of Mandaluyong, Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop serves a menu of comforting and familiar fare: coffee and liquor. The concept is creative just like that of Da.U.De. Tea Lounge (where tea is infused in drinks and food). In sheer comparison, Tipsy Beans uses whiskey and white wine to bring out flavors in some of its dishes. Are you ready for a “redefined coffee experience“? Read on for a thirst-quenching review of Tipsy Beans! 😉

Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop started its course of business in June 2013. While fairly new, it has been attracting many customers which are mostly from Califonia Garden Square, the residences and commercial offices in the vicinity. Last Saturday, G and my sister tagged along with me over lunch for another foodie adventure. Tipsy or sober: Which side are you on?

Review of Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

A cozy dining room easily reflected by the transparent glass walls greets customers on their way in. Not long after you sit down to a quick meal at Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop, the venue sends out a message. Don’t get me wrong; no words are spoken, but the overall interior theme says a lot.

Each wall is designed with different accents, contributing to a cohesive attractive whole. Quotes about coffee, signages, life lessons, lovers’ keys, freedom board and dangling Instapics make up for the playful and casual vibe of the place.

Instead of candles, vase or flowers as the table’s centerpiece, Tipsy Beans decided to have these two bottles of liquor on top of coffee powder to kick off the meal’s presentation. To me, it’s the coffee shop’s way of saying, “Hey, you came for the coffee and booze in one sip, right?” Might as well start to feel and get at it.

Service: ★★★★★

Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop has only a handful of employees, but few does not mean inefficient. Service was fast and staffs were eloquent and friendly. They are the smiling kind but not the overly peppy which is annoying. There’s a rather warm vibe on the attitude. It also didn’t take long before I met the owners, and they made us feel so comfortable with personal service that you don’t get at many coffee houses these days. Yes, we felt at “home” right there.

Food: ★★★★☆

The menu is basically divided into “Sober” and “Tipsy” food and drinks categories. You will find several unexpected dishes such as the Drunken Hungarian Sausage (PHp 128), Gin Margherita Penne (PHp 128) and Beer Buttered Fish Fillet (PHp 80). There are also classy ones such as Good Ol’ Chicken Pesto Sandwich (Php 95) and Creamy Carbonara (PHp 118), which likewise are posted as their suggested viands.

With all interesting names on the menu, choosing was hard. We ultimately asked for house recommendations and gravitated first toward the Cheese Steak Bomb (PHp 95). The name promises a bomb of cheese steak, and I expected it to be so. The portion did not turn out to be substantial, and it didn’t seem like “the bomb.” Despite that, I thought the sandwich tasted nice. Potato chips on the side somewhat single-handedly transported this dish to a happy place.

Next, we had the Spicy Tuna Pesto (PHp 128) which was spiked with pesto herbs, tuna and crushed nuts. The spice did not sing the high notes I had hoped for. The pesto flavor dominated and registered loud and clear. Accompanied with garlic bread, this depth of this pasta dish took a turn for the better. The strands of pasta have been handled with care; they were not too starchy but dense and quite toothsome. Each forkful, with a few spins, gathered a winning bite.

Have you ever tried putting sisig as bread pan’s filling? These Delectable Sisig Triangles (PHp 75) were pleasingly subtle, allowing the real taste of sisig take center stage. I think it’s an exceedingly comforting merienda to have, especially if you’re fond of Filipino food. The crusty bread sopped up the taste just fine as well.

Tipsy Bean’s Bacon Milkshake (PHp 95) is a stunner that may just be always worth your perusal. Imagine bacon and milk mixed together – so unique. You get to taste a smoky flavor of real bacon bits in a milkshake! According to the owner, the bacon bits are pan-fried on their stone-coated frying pan fresh before adding to the milkshake. How cool is that? 🙂

We resorted to choosing two coffee-based drinks. One is the sober variant: Oreo Frappuccino (PHp 95). The topping of frappe loses its lusciousness after awhile, as the whipped cream tends to melt down to the table (a bit messy). For that reason, you want to drink it fast. On the other hand, you can still savor the flavor. File this dilemma under “Good Problems to Have.” This drink is beautifully composed with a mini Oreo on top, and the rest of the drink has both coffee and chocolate flavors in tango.

For the tipsy variant, we chose Irish Cream on Coffee Rocks (PHp 80). It tasted most like Bailey’s Irish Coffee, but this alcoholic concoction was made with whisky. I assure you, this stuff is inherently delightful; it can please everyone. If you have a sweet tooth, waiting for the coffee rocks to be merged with the smooth cream flavor would be a good idea as sweetness becomes more intense. How the mixture of dairy and alcohol happen to be silky remains a puzzle to me.

When I think of the ultimate sensuous desserts, cupcakes just about tops my list. As a great meal-ender, we had the Maltesers Chocolate Cupcake (PHp 55). Rich and supple, this Maltese chocolate-laden cupcake envelops the mouth in a way similar to a rich chocolate cake. Note: This is not available on the menu as a regular item, and the cupcake flavors are limited each day in the coffee shop.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Tipsy Beans has good ambiance, great service and food and drinks that are matched with affordable prices. To top it all off, they offer free wi-fi which is always a bonus for those of us who work on the Internet. So what more could I ask for? The only con is that I don’t live very close, but I’m willing to go out of my way sometimes to get their delicious coffee. 🙂 Try it and you’ll love it.

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March 4, 2014
Review of Kimukatsu Japanese Restaurant (Shangri-la Plaza, Mandaluyong)

Sure, there’s a lot of places that serve tonkatsu, but it takes a special kind of genius to truly innovate and outshine against everybody else. I mean, where can you find tonkatsu made with 25 thin layers of pork with added fillings (seven different flavors) separating one flavor of deep, golden-fried pork cutlet from another? At Kimukatsu, no less.

Can you see the layers? 😛

Kimukatsu (キムカツ) originated from Japan and it now has multiple branches spread out in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Sendai, etc. Outside Japan, Kimukatsu has branches in Los Angeles, Hawaii, Korea and now in the Philippines.

Kimukatsu opened at Shangri-la Plaza last December 20, 2013. It is located at the fifth level of the new wing of the mall just beside Ikkoryu Fukkuoka Ramen. Invited by Marketing Manager Rizza Meriado, I had the pleasure of meeting Kenji Komuro, Public Relations Director, for the second time and dining here together with other bloggers last Saturday. 🙂

Review of Kimukatsu Japanese Restaurant (Shangri-la Plaza, Mandaluyong)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

The place is quite spacious as it can fit around 60 customers. Designed with black chairs, black tables, black walls, black floor tiles and black lanterns hanging down from the ceiling, interior is very modern and minimalist. The booths on the sides are cushy and the overall feel is cozy. Notice that there’s like an embossed illustration of cherry blossoms on one side of the wall. The picture is very captivating and this piece of art was one of the first things that caught my attention upon entrance to the dining area.

Service: ★★★★★

Hot tea was served immediately after I was seated, to give comfort. The waiter handed me their menu with easy grace. Attentive and polite, staffs refill our glasses with water and tea cups with tea when they’re empty or nearly empty. I found this definitely a plus. Overall, their superb service made a big difference to our dining experience.

Food: ★★★★★

First on the taste test lineup was the Negi Shio Tofu (PHp 130 for three pieces). I was bit surprised that it was not served hot but not “bone-chilling cold” neither. The pieces were soft and silky and it was almost hard to grab with chopsticks. Flavor-wise, the tofu was subtle, a good appetizer for any meal.

Next was the Ebi Mayo (PHp 210), a simple but also fantastic appetizer. I thought the shrimps tasted like sweet gambas dipped on light mayonnaise and spruced with lime on the side. The presentation was drool-worthy so it can easily be a conversation piece for your dinner.

The star of the night, 7 Flavor Kimukatsu Set (PHp 2400), consisted of the following flavors:
1. Plain (PHp 380) – The katsu was fried slowly in low temperature and then set vertically to steam, allowing the heat to spread evenly inside. Covered in homemade Panko crumbs, this pork cutlet was light and juicy. The excess oil and fat drip down to the wire rack placed underneath, so each piece of katsu wasn’t greasy at all. The plain tonkatsu would be best ordered by purists who do not prefer the true flavor of the pork to be somewhat lost because of the flavored fillings.
2. Yuzu Kosho (PHp 430) – This exotic flavor is a traditional Japanese taste of yuzu fruits and green chili pepper. It was absolutely spicy! If you’re not eating it with rice, I bid you good luck. 😛 To tone the spice down, feel free to remove some of the green pepper surrounded by the layers of pork.
3. Negi Shio (PHp 380) – This is a refreshing flavor of marinated spring onions in every bite. It was tasty but not amazing compared to others.
4. Ume Shiso (PHp 430) – “Ume” is sour plum. This flavor is popular among females in Japan. The plum was sweet and tad weird to be combined with the tonkatsu.
5. Garlic (PHp 380 if ordered individually) – This comprised of fresh minced garlic, which I thought somewhat hid the true flavor of the pork.
6. Black Pepper (PHp 390) – The crispy exterior was well seasoned with a strong side of high-grade pepper.
7. Cheese (PHp 390) – With savory cheddar cheese oozing from the middle, this flavor hails as the best-selling flavor in Japan. This was also the best for me.

Kimukatsu offers three dips: the thick Kimukatsu sauce which is sweet, the ponzu sauce (vinegar) that has a nice citrus zing, and the Himalayan salt that gives a complementary whirl to the taste of the katsu. Customers can also add on the black sesame seeds to enhance the flavor of each condiment.

As part of the Kimukatsu set, the following items (unlimited, refills upon request) had also been good accompaniments to the katsu:

Fresh and crisp Shredded Cabbage makes a good salad by just adding vinaigrette

Crunchy Radish pickled in a spicy mixture and Assorted Veggies

Miso Soup in two variations (red/akai – stronger miso taste and white/shiro – milder miso taste and less salty)

The rice was not the ordinary Japanese rice served elsewhere but a special type also imported from Japan. Kimukatsu uses a slow-cooking process for the rice, bringing out a great glutenous texture. It’s cooked only at the moment customers order, so you can be rest assured that it tastes new and fresh (note: 15 minutes waiting time). The resulting individual grains were smooth and round.

With all the unli side dishes and rice, we were completely full (almost over-stuffed). But hey, how can we say no to desserts? 😉

We had the Sesame Seed Ice Cream (PHp 110) and Kurogoma Pudding (PHp 110), two sesame seed-inspired desserts that are extremely delicious. The fragrance of black sesame seeds was evident and the taste was divine and wholly addictive. These are the perfect candidates to end a meal and clean your palate.

Finally, we enjoyed the Japanese Panna Cotta (PHp 110) and the Macha Parfait (PHp 230). Different from the regular panna cotta texture, the Japanese Panna Cotta was not firm but soft and very creamy. The green tea parfait served with red bean paste, chestnut and shiratama, on the other hand, was as loaded as macha ice cream gets. The green tea flavor was grassy and robust but with sweet vanilla undertones. It was not inedibly bitter as the infused ingredients hinted on sweetness as well.

Price for Value: ★★★★★

Like many quality Japanese restaurants, Kimukatsu isn’t cheap. But what would you expect from a restaurant seated at Shangri-la Plaza? This place spells everything high class, and the prices are already quite reasonable considering the obvious: a massive amount of time and complexity goes into making the 25-layer pork katsu as delicious as possible.

I asked Kenji-san how much an order of katsu set costs in Japan. He said it’s more than PHp 900 and people there find the price average. I researched for prices offered at branches in the US and they’re a little over PHp 600+ when converted to Philippine pesos. Here, you can get the plain katsu with consistent and the same taste as the original for only PHp 380—and remember, that comes with all-you-can-eat Japanese rice, miso soup, cabbages and condiments. I have nothing to complain.

Confession: 我唔食豬. I don’t really eat pork and my body has allergic reactions to meat. Not long after dinner, I felt the itchiness on my skin, but it was bearable. I have my medications anyway. To encounter Kimukatsu’s signature katsu, an exception can surely be made.

Come try Kimukatsu’s flavored katsu for yourself and you probably won’t be satisfied with pork cutlets from other outlets again. Yup, be warned, this is a katsu crack. (They also have chicken katsu, scallop fry, ebi fry, seafood fry and vegetable fry sets.) If you’re not a fan of katsu, I also recommend you give Kimukatsu a try. It might just change your mind. Tip: Theirs are way better than Yabu’s. 😀

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January 13, 2014
Review of Nozumi Japanese Casual Dining and Red Pastries (Ortigas, Pasig City)
In collaboration with Nozumi Japanese Casual Dining Restaurant, Red Pastries had its sweet launch where it showcased sweet treats plus special surprises for everyone who attended the event last Saturday. That included me, my awesome blogger friends and other guests. 🙂

About Nozumi and Red Pastries

Having its unique spin on what Japanese casual dining can be, Nozumi Japanese Casual Dining owned by Eunice Desiree Choa has started its operations since June 1, 2012. This spot sits on the sixth floor of One Corporate Center at the heart of the Ortigas Business District and it mostly caters to employees working in the offices in the building. Recently, it also has begun welcoming other walk-in diners who fancy eating variations of sukiyaki, ramen, and many more.

Trivia: “Nozumi” or “Nozomi” is a Japanese word which translates to “great expectations” in English. So guests can expect to be satisfied with their dishes!

On the other hand, Red Pastries is a new food venture by Joyce Siy (in black dress) and her partner Erika Ongtauco (in white dress). They started selling baked goodies like cupcakes, muffins and cakes in September 2013. For now, ordered items are available for pick-up from Joyce’s house (address at the bottom of this post), while those reaching at least PHp 2500 may be delivered to the customer’s location. Thanks to Nozumi’s venue, Red Pastries had a successful official launch of its goodies. ♥

Review of Nozumi Japanese Casual Dining and Red Pastries (Ortigas, Pasig City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Nozumi’s entrance leads to a dining room with plenty of space which can accommodate up to about 100 people. This casual dining restaurant is decently organized with comfy white couches paired with white tables and black tables and chairs featuring a modern vibe; counter at a corner; wide window that completely illuminates the area with natural light and gives a view of the streets extending to the sky; and a private room at the back.

Red Pastries assembled two tables to display the cupcakes and sponsors’ items alluringly. Everything was very visually impressive and picture-perfect! 🙂

Service: ★★★★★

Erika welcomed everyone and started the program by introducing Nozumi and Red Pastries individually. Then, she randomly drew out three names from a fish bowl and asked the selected people to go to the front table. They had to decorate cupcakes with frosting and toppings after watching Joyce demonstrate the basic procedure.

The first surprise came when Erika said that it would be a mini cupcake decorating contest, so everyone was thrilled to design the best cupcake given the same set of materials. Secondly, the first two to arrive at the event proper were awarded with a shirt and gift certificates. Aww, if I had known, I would have gone the earliest. 😆 Anyway, the third shocking announcement was that everyone of us would have to try designing one cupcake.

I was apprehensive as I haven’t tried it before. For the sake of fun and experience, I held the piping bag and slowly squeezed the icing out with my shaky hands. I worked my way from the edge of the cupcake inwards in a spiral pattern toward the center, unsure if what I was doing the swirls right. In the end, I did not manage to create a pointed tip so I hid the flaw by sprinkling assorted toppings (multicolored flowers, marshmallows and pink and silvery dots that looked like Swarovski crystals) over.

Because winning was far from my expectation, when the three winning cupcake designs were put out, I did not even bother to take a look. The other winners already got their prizes, and the host and guests were still wondering whose cupcake design was “the unclaimed.” Finally, I decided to capture the three cupcakes in photo for documentation’s sake. I moved to the front, stared at the pieces for a couple of seconds and was so shocked to recognize that one of them was mine! Happily, I received the prize as well and enjoyed the food served.
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美不美？？？ :D
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Customer service was immaculate and it was one of those rare occasions where I felt that the restaurant deserved to be tipped for service charge. The servers were quick on their feet and accommodating to our requests. This approach is crucial to new customers, especially.

Food: ★★★★★

Red Pastries had presented these wonderful cupcakes even before the Japanese food arrived. There were 13 different flavors of cupcakes in each plate, and I sampled the Salted Caramel, Red Velvet and Carrot Cupcake. Other exciting and equally sinfully delicious cupcakes were: Strawberry n Cream, Ultimate Chocolate, Mochalicious, Vanilla Creme, Choco-mint, Cookies n Cream, Calamansi Muffin, Banana Walnut Muffin and Double Chocolate Chip Muffin.

Topped with a generous amount of cream on top with soft sugary icing, Red Pastries’ cupcakes were not too sweet, not overly moist or dense and the texture of the cupcake was just fluffy enough for my liking. Each cupcake and muffin was a mouthful of happiness that kick-started our meal already. (Note that the actual size of these cupcakes when you order is bigger than the one we had.)

Next time, I wish to try the Calamansi Muffin which was reportedly their best-seller! I’m looking forward to tasting that slight citrus twist to it that gives a refreshing change to merely sweetness. 😛 Meanwhile, here’s the list of prices for your reference:

Moving on, we were served with the next four dishes c/o Nozumi:

The Beef Teriyaki (PHp 220) was so flavorful that even if I don’t favor eating beef because of diet and my braces, I liked it. The dish did not disappoint as it was both tender and moistly marinated in the sweet sauce.

The Green Maki (PHp 195) was stuffed with traditional black seaweed wrap, sliced raw tuna and salmon, and the Japanese sticky rice was covered with green-colored tobiko fish eggs. Best eaten as a whole, the Green Maki tasted salty, tad sweet and lightly acidic with a floral aroma of fish that hits the nose. Bite in and your teeth will sink effortlessly through the tenderized flesh of the meaty tuna and salmon.

For the Sweet Crazy Maki (PHp 225), I thought ingredients used were simple but those that make you reflect on the power of simplicity and balance. You’ll feel a bit more zen about life as you reflect back on the bites that preceded the spicy fish and cheesy toppings on Japanese sticky rice and fish roe.

The Tofu Steak (PHp 175) was revelatory. Quivering like a nearly-cooked custard, the silken tofu was so soft that it can almost melt over your tongue as soon as you put it in your mouth. The outer skin of the tofu was nicely done and although there’s ground meat and sauce all over, the taste of soy was still much evident.

Other palate-provoking dishes were: Ebi Tempura (PHp 190, 4 pieces; PHp 280, 6 pieces), Hiyashi Ramen (PHp 220), Gyoza and Ebi Mango Salad (PHp 215).

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

For both Nozumi and Red Pastries, food prices were passable and proportionate to the quality received (transcendentally good). We left with a memorable dining experience and I will certainly return to try the other signatures!

Japanese food for the main course and cupcakes for desserts, or in our case—appetizer, was quite an odd pairing initially as I had a taste of the sweetness then suddenly greeted by the salty and spicy bits of the sushi, tofu and beef strips. But after a few mouthfuls, I realized it was smart to have the contrast of flavors with different levels of sweet and savory combined.

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Operating hours: Mondays to Fridays, 10AM-8PM

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November 11, 2013
Review of Project Pie (Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong)

I’m the first to admit that I haven’t much covered Mandaluyong, the “Tiger City of the Philippines” or “Metro Manila’s Heart,” as much as it deserves. While I have eaten my way through Chinatown and most malls in Manila, my coverage starts to thin out in restaurants in Quezon City, Eastwood, Ortigas, etc. The lack of posts though doesn’t mean there is a lack of options.

It’s frustrating because some of the most quintessential eats (that are not of Chinese cuisine) are far from my place. Reaching for the best vegetarian-friendly burger, ramen, macarons, cupcakes, paella, etc. I’ve ever sampled means sitting in an hour or more of traffic jams. Get the picture?

Recently, I have been absolutely smitten with the idea of Project Pie: EVERYDAY ARTISAN PIZZA CUSTOM BUILT BY YOU. The concept is really cool, whereby customers can choose the kind and amount of pizza toppings they want to have on a 12″ thin pizza for PHp 285. Preparing and making the pizza normally take only seven to 10 minutes.

So I was much allured and the only problem was accessibility to the location. This restaurant is not conveniently accessible by public transport. I thought to bring a car but then again, I don’t want to drive around areas such as Shaw Boulevard, Wack Wack, Highway Hills which I’m not familiar with. Fortunately, Louie agreed to tag along with me and my friends to have lunch here last Sunday. Translation: I can be a “free rider.” Wee. 😛

Review of Project Pie (Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong)

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

The decoration was plain and sparse. “Zigzag” light bulbs encompassing the ceiling brought sheer luminance to the entire area. Also adding to the brightness were the transparent walls and windows covering one side of the restaurant.

The Project Pie logo on the opposite wall was large to encourage interested dining customers to take it as a background for photo opportunities. On the other two sides of the wall were favorite sayings of famous people. They were very catchy and inspiring.

The queue to the counter was insanely long. Project Pie is a quick-server restaurant; however, customers tend to linger and enjoy their stay. Turnover is not as quick as other fast food chains. So there was a large number of people who stood and waited beside the taken tables, staring at the food and hoping for them to be finished immediately.

Of course those were awkward scenes. Somehow, seated customers can feel guilty and the same cycle would go on all day.

The tables and chairs can accommodate up to about 60 people, but according to my count, there were about double the number of customers who were present that day. Because of this, the environment was noisy and air conditioning did not seem to be enough. On a positive note, the place was clean as a whistle.

Service: ★★★☆☆

Initially, you would think that the staff would be responsible for finding and reserving seats for you upon your entrance. But after a few minutes of observation, you would notice that this is mainly a self-service restaurant. As you order and pay the cashier, you would get a tray of pizzas or pies and serve food to your table.

It’s best to come here when you have company or be prepared to stand still alone after getting your order from the counter until you find an available seat for yourself. Napkins, disposable forks and knives and spices/condiments can be taken from a station.

Food: ★★★★☆

Design. Build. Eat. I can describe Project Pie’s food as simple but perfectly executed. The menu is pretty straightforward as well. You can have the preset combination of toppings and/or pick your own toppings (for no extra cost) to add on. The pie is placed in the wood-fired oven at the end of the assembly, and you get the finished product easy-peasy.

We had the pre-set combinations no. 2, 6, and 7 and the banana nutella pie for dessert:

2 (PHp 285): red sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, Italian sausage, garlic, crumbled meatballs

6 (PHp 285): grilled chicken, sliced red onion, cilantro, mozzarella, gorgonzola, barbecue sauce

7 (PHp 285): prosciutoo, caramelized onions, mozzarella, parmesan

Banana Nutella (PHp 145): banana and nutella

The pizzas looked unassuming, no big deal. The bottom didn’t get perfectly brown but they were nicely cooked and tasted great. A minute or so could be used under the broiler to brown up the cheese and toppings a bit more. Requiring slight chew, the base was thin and crispy but it has to be eaten quickly or it would be rubbery when cold.

I especially liked the banana nutella. It had the most unique, drool-worthy presentation. Yum! 😛 You can never go wrong with nutella, I guess.

Consider the following in building or designing your own pizza:
1. White pizza (with Olive Oil only) or Red Pizza (with their signature red sauce)
2. Meat options: Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, Crumbled Meatballs, Grilled chicken, Canadian Bacon, Prosciutto, and Bacon
3. Cheese options: Gorgonzolla, Ricotta, Parmesan, Feta Cheese, and Mozzarella
4. Chili: Jalapeños, Green Bell Peppers and Roasted Red Peppers
5. Pineapples?
6. Vegetables and spices: Red Onions, Caramelized Onions, Cilantro, Tomatoes, Black Olives, Garlic, Pesto, Artichokes, Freshly Chopped basil, Rosemary, Mushrooms, Anchovies

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Project Pie is an awesome find. It’s is like a Subway (niche: sandwiches) or The BRGR Project (niche: burgers) for personal-sized pizzas. PHp 285 for one pizza cut to four slices good for 1-2 people is not bad.

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Operating Hours:
Every day: 10AM-10PM
No reservations available. No phone available. No home delivery.

September 4, 2013
Review of Cajun Red Rock (SM Megamall Megastrip B, Mandaluyong)

For the record, this post has been a back log for a month already! Whoa. What this implies is that I’m totally not excited to report my review on this restaurant — Cajun Red Rock, in particular. The food simply failed to rock my world.

If you’re an avid reader of this blog, you probably know by now that I’m not a fan of pasta and all the more, meaty dishes. So when pasta and meat are combined together, I’m like 95% sure that disaster would be gushing right through my door. But since Louie is fond of eating these food, I thought it was okay to give them a try.

Review of Cajun Red Rock (SM Megamall Megastrip B, Mandaluyong)

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

The first branch of Cajun Red Rock was only a burger joint in Glorietta built in 2000. After receiving positive responses and warm accolade from customers, the owners were inspired to open a restaurant in SM MegaMall from a garage in Retiro.

Cajun Red Rock is a family restaurant with a New Orleans setup. The walls are decorated with pictures and stuff related to New Orleans. The place seemed casual but what I didn’t like was that everyone can see you eating inside or outside and there’s no sense of privacy.

The interior design is kept simple — not anything special or unusual, not breathtaking. It’s a restaurant theme that’s not bold but one that you won’t get tired of. It’s not the kind that takes your breath away but one that makes you breathe.

Service: ★★★☆☆

Because the restaurant’s interior area is shaped like an L with the counter and most of the servers positioned at the “|” side and not both the “|” and “_” sides, calling servers’ attention was hard for diners like us who were seated at the “_” side. Some waiters were also attending and serving requests of those outside. So it was too tempting to just stand up and walk to them instead of raising a hand till the cows come home. Overall, service was mediocre in this branch.

Food: ★★☆☆☆

Louie ordered Cajun Bourbon Ribs (PHp 360) and Creole Chicken Pasta (PHp 250) for us. I can’t remember how he made me say yes to these two.

While waiting for our orders, we were given a small bowl of popcorn to munch on. The popcorn was bland and it needed pinches of salt badly. It was not a fun starter. I also thought it was not fresh as some flattened between my teeth into a stale, impenetrable pancake.

Onto our actual orders, first up was the Cajun Bourbon Ribs. Presentation-wise, this signature dish was noteworthy. We saw other customers having the same on their tables. The food was meticulously prepared and done, even reaching to a point where it assuaged some remorse over getting this “carnivorous” plate. Taste-wise, I felt the remorse back. 🙁

Much force and effort was required to slice through even a small portion of this age-old house tradition grilled back ribs. I didn’t think that it was tender or juicy. The bourbon sauce, on the other hand, was strong and unique. It gave life to the slow simmered ribs that were, to me, not well formed. The saffron rice and the sweet potato mojos tasted fine. They were neither overwhelming nor getting lost in the other flavor.

Next came Cajun’s Creole Chicken Pasta which was full of tomatoes and red and green bell peppers. Served with crisp chicken strips, this other signature dish had a lick of heavy cream on it. The pasta provided a chewy texture against the smooth sauce with a hit of cheese amid it all. It was not better than any pasta I’ve tried but it was okay.

Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

I hate to say this but honestly I didn’t enjoy eating at Cajun’s Red Rock, as mentioned in the intro. The food was not likeable but maybe I’m really not the best to rate this restaurant or their food after all because my taste buds are pretty different from the majority of people who are used to eating meat.

Cajun Red Rock was packed with diners that day, and this showed how their food are much appreciated. We’ll see about that in another time when I get to sample their seafood entrees on the menu. For now at least, I give 2/5 stars for what our cash had been worth.

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Other branches:
Level 4, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City
Contact number: (02) 4709961, +63922 8791315

108, N.S. Amoranto Street, Santo Domingo, Quezon City
Contact number: (02) 4152605

August 29, 2013
Review of Super Duck Modern Tea 超級達可時尚茶飲 (Ortigas, Pasig City)
For days when you need a simultaneous pick-me-up, a cool-me-down or a chill-me-out, Super Duck Modern Tea is a tea shop that would best claim your sanity back.

I actually had to attend two consecutive events last Saturday, but I later chose to stay in Super Duck because I suspect I’d be arriving very late at the second destination. I felt sorry but glad at the same time for I had a pretty good time drinking and learning about teas from owners of Super Duck: Steve, Dennis, Ellen and Olivia.

A totally fabulous modern take on tea…

In 2011, the first and only branch of Super Duck in Metro Manila, Philippines has been brought within reach to Filipinos and most especially to those who are near Robinsons Galleria. The brand is originally from 鹿港 Lukang, Taiwan. Super Duck Modern Tea Shop’s fresh approach to tea appeals more to those who are into drinking healthy tea stuff. Showcasing only the best, this cafe serves more than 50 different flavors of teas brewed with loose tea leaves and key ingredients imported from Taiwan that had soothing aroma.

The response has already been outstanding ever since, and it’s not hard to see why. Not only does Super Duck provide customers with a funky, modern tea lounge experience, but it also delivers on innovation, quality and taste — quite different from the usual milk tea and coffee shops that penetrate the local market.

Review of Super Duck Modern Tea 超級達可時尚茶飲 (Ortigas, Pasig City)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

Super Duck is a casual restaurant where you can put your bags down, sip a specialty tea, have a meal and relax. Customers can stay in the air-conditioned area or the outside area. Seats are limited to about 20.

Serenity is embraced all throughout the space, with a muted green color scheme combined with white. The decor is clean and modern without having pretensions. Attention to detail is evident, from the Super Duck dolls, Chinese figurines that bring luck, and tea bags and leaves inside small containers on the counter.

Service: ★★★★★

What I like most about Super Duck is that customers are not being rushed. Why do I say so? Nice and friendly, staff are more than willing to make sure that customers get the most definite order they want to get.

Here, customers are asked what level of sugar, level of ice, size of the drink, and whether they want large or small straws to sip drinks from and whether they want the drink hot or hold as all these would affect their experience and judgment of the taste of the “mighty beverage,” aside from the sinkers: pearls (big/small), perilla seeds, fig jelly, coco jelly (marinated with pineapple juice), aloe vera, grass jelly, pudding, coffee jelly and beans (red/green).

The menu is posted on the wall, just beside the counter, and a list of sassed-up “best-sellers” is on the counter itself to aid customers in making up their minds and selecting from the long list of drinks available. If you’re still not sure which to buy, Super Duck staffs allow free tastes of the drinks for you to come out truly satisfied!

It’s also worth mentioning that the team of Super Duck is in constant research and development of new items that would click after receiving accolades and suggestions from people. Their menu is still expanding, in adherence to providing the best quality stylish tea that can be enjoyed alone or with companions.

Food/Drinks: ★★★★★

So, what did we slurp? For the taste-testing event, we sampled almost every drink they have on the menu! We kicked off with their five classic Super Duck teas 原味好茶: (1) Ceylon Black Tea, (2) Jasmine Green Tea, (3) White or Clear Tea, (4) Oolong Tea and (5) Tie Guan Yin Tea.

These can be ordered as they are (either hot or cold) or as bases of the other succeeding flavors as follows: (1) Black Fruit Chestnut Tea, (2) Golden Oolong Tea, (3) Standard Pearl Milk Tea (4) Classic Tea with Pearl, (5) Blend of Black and Green Tea, (6) Clear Tea with Coffee Jelly, (7) Te Guan Yin Tea with Coco Jelly, and (9) Longgan Red Dates Fruit Tea.

Drinks that are not tea-based are: (1) Hot Coffee – from 2-in-1 coffee powder from Taiwan, available in mild, regular and strong taste with one tablespoon of sugar, (2) Mango Milk Smoothie – mango concentrate and condensed milk, and (3) Mixed Fruit Juice – refreshing orange, calamansi, grape fruit, passion fruit and lemon with sliced apples.

Moving on, we also gave the following a whirl and we were not disappointed: (1) Mixed Oolong Three Jelly – grass jelly, coco jelly, red bean and nata containing standard sugar, (2) Longgan Honey Green Tea – first Super Duck drink tasted by Steve, (3) Rose Petal with Lemon, (4) Peach Green Tea (5) Orange Grapefruit with perilla – good for digestion, (6) Rossel Fig Jelly with Plum – taste like kiam-moy, good for lowering high blood and cholesterol, (7) Strawberry Yakult – strawberry jam (not syrup flavoring) plus Yakult, (8) Lychee Tea – the newest addition clear tea-based with lychee jelly, (9) Almond milk with pudding,(10) Heineken Green Tea – with real Heineken beer (half can for a large cup), (11) Roasted Macha – homemade brown rice and black beans with grass jelly, (12) Chocolate Nai Kai – chocolate “milk cover” with rock salt and cream cheese, and (13) French Rose – green tea with French rose and non-dairy milk.

Finally, the pièce de résistance: the Quackers, namely: (1) Vegetarian Nuggets, (2) Tofu Bites with Pepper and Basil Seasoning, (3) Tofu Bites – taste like tofu with fish balls, dash of salt and pepper (Dips are plum and catsup but for purposes of tasting, we were not advised to eat with any condiments.), (4) Vegetarian Fish and Fries – vegetarian codfish and Belgian fries and (5) Shrooms – fried bite-size mushrooms.

I could dedicate this whole review to these vegetarian delights but I won’t. 😀 Safe to say, if there was only one reason to visit Super Duck for its uniqueness, these, my friends, would be it. I’ve grown up with these veggie meat so eating them made me feel at home. I’m sure my family would love them, too. ♥

Bits of Trivia:
- Super Duck uses fructose (high quality sweetness) and not refined white sugar.
- Super Duck serves both fresh milk (with roasted and creamy taste) and non-dairy for those who are lactose-intolerant.
- Super Duck has the biggest pearls in the Philippines with the diameter of 2.5mm, while the smallest they have is 1.5mm.
- Big pearls are cooked in an hour, while small ones are cooked in 25 minutes. So staff has to arrive in the store an hour earlier opening time to get prepared. Super Duck cooks pearls about four times in a day.
- Super Duck maintains a strict quality check form storage until handing each drink to their customers. They dispose unused tea every day.
Price for Value: ★★★★★

When what I need peaceful, calming, almost spa-like environment without any chatter or clatter, Super Duck fits the bill. Prices are agreeable. 😀

I would wholeheartedly recommend an afternoon visit to the Super Duck Modern Tea to witness and experience its charming style and ambiance enhanced by the help of friendly staff yet again. For those of you that might prefer to start your day off with more of a swing, try any of their teas with unusual names and don’t just stick with the classic Wintermelon Milk Tea every time. 😛 Peruse the menu for yourselves here and I encourage you to take full advantage:

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Operating Hours:
Mon – Fri: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sat: 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sun: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
July 31, 2013
Review of Eat and Go (SM Megamall Atrium, Mandaluyong)

If there’s anything that we all commonly do in a restaurant, it’s that we “eat and go.” Agree? Basically, customers order food, eat the food, pay for it and leave. This is probably why the owner of Eat and Go named the restaurant literally as such.

Last Monday, we had an onsite visit at SM Megamall for a project. Together with my teammates, I observed the employees for a time-and-motion study to be able to make recommendations in realizing possible improvements with supporting metrics. The procedure took us two to three hours from capturing behavior and verbal report information to drawing our conclusions. Come lunch time, our boss agreed to treat us to any restaurant we choose. Any, huh?

SM Megamall is a super mega big mall and considering that it is home to a big number of restaurants (in every floor) with delectable finds, deciding where to eat took us more than half an hour. Eliminated in our picks were buffet restaurants and those I have been to. 😛 At last, we found Eat and Go standing still with its captivating slogan, “Fast, Fresh & Delicious.” That hit me hard, but their food didn’t closely hit right on my target.

Review of Eat and Go (SM Megamall Atrium, Mandaluyong)

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

Eat and Go’s facade with bright LED lights was pretty neat. Minimalistic was the vibe throughout and quietness surrounded the place. Maybe it’s because we dined in a weekday. Its white walls are filled with colorful pictures of food arranged in an organized fashion. Its limited rectangular floor area echoed to a trendy yet casual atmosphere.

I thought Eat and Go is lucky to be situated in that wing of SM Megamall, the Atrium, because it would have “free” marketing to diners who went to adjacent restos like Amici, C2 Classic Cuisine, Yabu and other more familiar ones to our buds.

Service: ★★★★☆

The staff led us to a table and took our orders quickly upon our entrance. She assisted in taking chairs from the next tables to make us more comfortable in our seating. She took orders fast and served the food in a span of 10-15 minutes as promised.

Food: ★☆☆☆☆

In my first glimpse of Eat and Go’s simple two-pager menu, I felt confused as there was a conflicting fusion of food: European, American, and Mediterranean. The menu contained special highlight to its “Super Exclusive Meals” for one to three people where diners can choose any one, two or three entrees that will be served with salad and bottomless iced tea or lemonade.

Recommended dishes in the main entrees section were the Angus Burger Steak (PHp 245), Pork Tenderloin (PHp 195), Sesame Steak (PHp 295) and Roasted Chicken (PHp 195). None of which was approved or allowed in my diet so I had to go with my instinct in the Pasta section: the Prawn Bacatini (PHp 165).

The menu described it as “prawn in pink sauce tossed and boiled with bucatini.” And true enough, the singular form of “prawn” there arrived as it was: single! You won’t see it even in the picture (fourth quadrant below). Taste was plainly disappointing. It was a middling version of the dish I thought it would be.

My teammates’ orders were equally disheartening. They were composed of the Waldorf salad with lettuce, apple slices, cubed chicken, walnut, homemade dressing (PHp 175), Fish Scallopini (PHp 185) and Steak Salpicao (PHp 295). The pasta alfredo and beans (from the can) as side dishes were cooked with poor quality and they sure deserved a spot in the trash bag. The servings were enough to fill your stomach but not your appetite. All did not merit a return visit.

Price for Value: ★☆☆☆☆

If you have a budget of PHp 150-300 for a cheap culinary adventure, I don’t recommend eating at Eat and Go. Per my standards, I say that it’s not one restaurant you can stay for long because of the glaring flaws of the food. For those wanting to escape from the monotony of high salt and tasteful food though, their dishes may scratch that itch.

Eat and Go
3/F SM Megamall, Atrium, Doña Julia Vargas Ave. Wack Wack, Mandaluyong
For inquiries, call (02) 635- 9559

March 10, 2013