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Category: Food Reviews

  • Culinaria Filipina Filipino Food Festival at Corniche (Diamond Hotel, Ermita, Manila)

    Culinaria Filipina Filipino Food Festival at Corniche (Diamond Hotel, Ermita, Manila)

    Looking for fine and diverse Filipino food? You might not know it, but the answer is yes. 😉 From May 19 to 29, 2016, the Diamond Hotel’s Corniche restaurant commemorates the festivals of May by serving Filipino cuisine for both lunch and dinner buffet-style. With renowned Filipina chefs and advocates of Philippine cuisine, Chef Myrna Segismundo and Chef Jill Sandique, there’s no doubt that this one will be exceptional. The KTG (Kain Tulog Gang) had dinner here last week to sample flavors from different regions of the Philippines. Truly, Corniche is one of the places where you can feel thrilled and satisfied with a meal that can bring joy, warmth, and comfort.

    Culinaria Filipina Filipino Food Festival at Corniche (Diamond Hotel, Ermita, Manila)

    Corniche at Diamond Hotel showcases international cuisine in a refined dining room where you can enjoy a great upscale meal composed of familiar recipes and dishes close to your heart. The vibe in the restaurant is comfortable and quiet so consider it for any date night or family affair. In normal occasions, both a la carte and buffet are available (Chinese, Filipino, Western, Indian, Japanese and more).

    Since we are celebrating the Culinaria Filipina Filipino Food Festival, it would be best to take the chance to go buffet-dining and go heavy on fancy and delicious Filipino regional specialties that are a breath of fresh, exotic air and away from ordinary.

    Chef Myrna Segismundo leads the presentation of well-prepared dishes with a contemporary twist and enhanced by select ingredients. Must-tries include Kinilaw na Salmon, Oysters on a Half Shell and Shrimps, Prime Roast Beef Tagalog, Caramelized Onions, and Basi Wine Sauce; Kesong Puti, Cherry Tomato and Pako Lato Salad; U.S. Beef Tenderloin Morcon a la Emilia, and more. Everything looked stunning with different colors and textures plated artistically.

    Chef Jill Sandique makes desserts that can melt your heart. Most people don’t save room for dessert…but you should! Don’t miss luscious sweets such as the Dulce de Leche Cake, Tableya Cake, Peanut Chocolate and Muscovado Coconut Masi, and Suspiros de Macapuno con Natilla. The selections are wide enough that will let you hide in cake and ice cream if you want, but go in with an open mind and expect to try something outside of your comfort zone. 😛

    It’s hard work keeping a buffet style constantly fresh and stocked. Diamond Hotel does as good a job you can expect. At Corniche’s Culinaria Filipina Filipino Food Festival, be enchanted by the flavors of the Philippines yet again with the unequaled creations of skilled chefs for only PhP 2,288 net per person.

    To add excitement to the food fiesta, there will be a lucky draw where two diners will each win a two-night stay in Baguio for two when they spend a minimum of PhP 5,000 at the buffet!

    If you’re in Metro Manila, you don’t have to drive too far. Diamond Hotel Philippines is located at Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Manila. Buckle up, settle in, and grab yourself some fond memories of Filipino food. For reservations, please call (02) 528-3000 ext. 1121 or email restaurant_rsvn@diamondhotel.com.

  • Review of Sky Lounge Music Bar (Diamond Hotel, Ermita, Manila)

    Review of Sky Lounge Music Bar (Diamond Hotel, Ermita, Manila)

    We spent Mother’s Day this year at the chic Sky Lounge Music Bar located at the 27th floor of Diamond Hotel, Manila. I know that my mom loves watching live bands perform while she’s enjoying every aspect of the food and drinks on the table. Hence, there’s no other place in Manila I could think of that will be better than the Sky Lounge Music Bar to celebrate her special day. The Music Network serenaded us with songs from the 60’s to the recent years that night. We had high hopes, and are happy to report that the band exceeded all expectations. 🙂

    Review of Sky Lounge Music Bar (Diamond Hotel, Ermita, Manila)

    Ambiance:

    Diamond Hotel’s Sky Lounge Music Bar is a recommended spot for those who want a classy space to enjoy drinks with a date, catch up with friends or even make new ones. It has a laid-back, lounge-like atmosphere where you can just be cool and have fun. Without checking in the hotel, guests can dine in here and unwind. Different bands play music and hit songs nightly starting from 8PM. As the night wears on, the crowd gets thicker and the audience cheers louder, appreciating the music and approaching it in the right spirit.

    Social and energetic, the Sky Lounge Music Bar is a remarkable venue that’s featured with dimly lit corners that exude a late-night vibe even at 5:30PM (opening time). Guests can either be seated at the non-smoking area or at the smoking area. Air-conditioning is powerful so be sure to carry a jacket.

    Service:

    The staff was accompanying and friendly without question. We were made comfortable at the sofa and cushioned chairs and our requests were well taken care of. With regard to the entertainment, song requests were taken from the audience and various melodies were performed to set the mood throughout the evening. Our meal wasn’t rushed and the entire experience was great.

    Food:

    On the menu, Sky Lounge Music Bar offers a simple list of comfort food that are not a fancier version of modern bar delights but delicious nonetheless. Drinks have a mix of juices, soda, and liquor. We ordered Beef Salpicao (PhP 730)—sautéed beef tenderloin, garlic, onion, mushroom, finger chili served with garlic bread, with rice, of course. It’s a Filipino dish that never fails to please whatever the occasion. The beef was tender and juicy with a savory garlic flavor. The sauce had just enough kick. You’ll want to be soaking that stuff up with the bread.

    Breaded fresh squid with garlic mayo dip, the Calamares (PhP 495) was perfectly done. It was easy to bite, not rubbery and not too crispy. I love that it was paired with French fries that were equally lip-smacking.

    Far from bland, the Vegetarian Pizza (PhP 480) was loaded with toppings (white onion, red and green bell pepper, sauteed garlic, asparagus, black olive, tomato, and cream cheese). Taste was superb! The crust was nice, light, and bready, soft and moist inside.

    Price for Value:

    Prices of food are notably expensive but costs were easily justified with the entertaining experience we had at the Sky Lounge Music Bar. With snazzy bar bites, this place is a must-visit. Guests would not need to worry about checking the schedule, as there’s always something going on that keeps music very much alive every night of the week.

    Sadly though, I just heard from Marketing last night that this area will be renovated and be transformed to something else. We’ll definitely watch out for that. 🙂 In any case, we have the rest of May to catch the remaining days of the Sky Lounge Music Bar. Note: Official closing will be on June 1, 2016.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.diamondhotel.com/dining-and-leisure-sub.php?id=138″ name=”Sky Lounge Music Bar ” description=”27th Floor, Diamond Hotel, Roxas Boulevard Corner J. Quintos Street, Ermita, Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 5283000″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-05-20″ ]

  • Review of Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge (Katipunan, Quezon City)

    Review of Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge (Katipunan, Quezon City)

    There’s over a hundred restaurants in Metro Manila that serve fusion cuisine. About half or more may have similar things on the menu, and at least a dozen of them are being run by chefs who have trained at prestigious dining establishments. Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge in Katipunan, Quezon City is all of these things, but it’s also pretty different. And more importantly, it’s really, really good.

    Starting out as one of “Manila’s Best Kep Restaurant Secrets,” Ninyo has now become a gem of a dining haven for people looking to escape into a cozy, intimate, and relaxing setting. It’s popular as a venue where momentous occasions (such as marriage proposals and birthdays) are being held. Louie and I celebrated our seventh-year anniversary here last May 1 (Labor Day). He made a reservation a week before and got us seats in the al fresco setting, which is absolutely perfect for a romantic date. 🙂

    Review of Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge (Katipunan, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    If you’re expecting ornamental embroidery, wooden chandeliers, minimalist-looking table lamps and rose petals scattered beautifully everywhere, there’s definitely something for you in Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge. The environment looks very homey, and this is mainly because Ninyo was the Laus’ family’s 50-year-old house that was transformed into a restaurant in 2006 in fulfillment of Chef Nino’s lifelong dream of having a restaurant he can call his own.

    At Ninyo, you can enjoy the garden view at the al fresco area or stay cozy indoors in the first or second floor. This reminded me most of The Sugar Palm in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Both give an impression of a secret garden with an inviting appeal.

    My eyes feasted on the charming setup of candlelight dinner served in the private gazebos, with rocks, plants, and wooden accents on the side. Waterfalls, the fountain, and the koi fish pond are creative additions that make a tranquil space. Light music was played in the background to enhance the mood. It’s summer now in the Philippines but it’s nice that weather that night wasn’t too sweltering hot.

    Also part of the scenery are the love locks displayed at the front part of the garden. Several couples have immortalized their love with their names written on the padlocks. It’s cheesy and adorable. Love it! 🙂

    Service:

    The wait staff was warm, attentive, and receptive. He offered wonderful yet simple service and took care of requests with ease. I liked that the dishes were served in a relaxed pace but not frustratingly slow, just so we could have enough time to talk and enjoy the night while eating. Complimentary warm bread with butter was served at the start of the meal and in between, we were also surprised with a free spoonful of calamansi sorbet to cleanse our palate.

    Food:

    Chef Laus’ dishes are often described as inventive, adventurous, and unpredictable. He never ceases to surprise and amaze his guests with something new or unusual all the time. Food here is essentially fusion, with a heavy emphasis on Japanese and European influences. Marrying the culinary traditions of two countries that are thousands of miles apart and then offering a fresh twist to the dishes make Ninyo truly remarkable.

    We started dinner with a delicious appetizer: Salmon Belly Wasabi Tempura Roll (PhP 395). It takes a lot to impress with us with salmon, but this did the trick. It was filled with pleasant surprises with textures of all kinds! Stuffed with braised gobo and carrots, the bite-size tempura rolls were a flavor bomb of soft salmon with crispy Japanese Burdock roots. I thought wasabi on the wrap of the roll was supposed to make it spicy, but the spiciness was not felt apparent at all. In any case, I’m a fan.

    For our main course, the Grilled Chicken Balsamic Teriyaki (PhP 450) served with grilled Japanese rice, grilled leeks with miso, tomatoes and onion was spot on. The balsamic vinegar gave the tender chicken a great depth of tang and sweetness without being too sweet, while the shiny teriyaki glaze brought a good balance of barbecue sauce and soy sauce with sweet and salty flavors. You can’t go wrong.

    Pasta Alle Vongole (PhP 420) was sublimely simple. It consisted of linguine pasta with Manila clams sautéed in garlic and chorizo deglazed with sake. The silky noodles were coated in briny, garlicky flavor from the sauce and studded with tender morsels of the clam itself. The portion is good for sharing.

    When asked what’s the most recommended dessert, the waiter suggested Chocolate! Chocolate! Cake (PhP 295) and Mango Pavlova (PhP 245). We got the latter. It was a meringue dessert, crispy on the outside but light and fluffy inside, topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh mango slices. I went to the restroom before the plate landed on the table, so I was surprised that it had a greeting on it. Thank you very much, Louie! 🙂

    Price for Value:

    Looking for a fancy date spot in Quezon City? Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge won’t disappoint. This is the place to be, if you want to try a mix of Asian and European cuisine. Prices may be quite a splurge, but food came out awesome, and ambiance and service were exemplary. I promise it will be worth it. Double or group dating with a bunch of friends is not a bad idea either. 😉

    [schema type=”review” name=”Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge” description=”66 Esteban Abada St., Loyola Heights, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call +6324260301/+639175385813″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-05-05″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Monday 6:00pm – 1:30am
    Tuesday-Saturday 11:00am – 2:pm, 6:00pm – 1:30am
    Sunday 11:00 am – 2:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00 pm

  • Review of The Morning After (Solenad 3, Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna)

    Review of The Morning After (Solenad 3, Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna)

    Last Sunday, I participated at the opening of Bow and Wow Nuvali (sixth store). After we set up the IT components, we spent our break time exploring the mall. My dad was too kind to drive us to the venue, so he surely deserved a good lunch treat. 🙂 The Morning After was one of the most interesting restaurants we encountered. It had this welcoming façade that aptly encourages people to walk in and try out the best on their menu.

    At The Morning After, you’re here for pancakes, waffles, Filipino rice meals, pasta, pizza, and all comfort food. You’ll like it, it’s familiar, and it delivers. This all-day breakfast place will be celebrating its first anniversary next month (it opened last May 29, 2015) and soon it will be opening new branches in Metro Manila (UP Town Center and BGC, if I remember correctly).

    Review of The Morning After (Solenad 3, Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna)

    Ambiance:

    The Morning After is as sparkling and immaculate as it gets. It features an outdoor space with a cozy, easy, and carefree vibe. This spot immediately “transplants” you from the busy cit to the countryside. It can be a romantic – bring your date here to turn on the charm. Staying outside is ideal to catch sunshine, but in this hot weather, it will be hard to bask in the glory of outdoor dining sans humidity. The garden theme continuous inside the restaurant with pretty grassy backdrop on one side of the wall. Everything looks clean and vibrant. In fairness, the air conditioning has done its job when we needed it most! 🙂

    Service:

    Service was spot on and friendly. The wait staff described the food and how they were cooked. He approached us with smile and made us feel really comfortable every time.

    Food:

    The Quattro Formaggio Pizza (Four Cheese Pizza) (PhP 245) was made with the most wonderful combination of bread and cheese imaginable. The blending of blue cheese, Italian mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh Laguna cheese came out to be smooth and creamy. On top of that, cheesy bechamel sauce was added, to achieve phenomenal layered flavors. Cheese-a-holics will be mesmerized with the magic. While it’s true that the crust did not bring much to the party, it’s worth to note that the thin crust was both crispy and chewy as we liked.

    Fries, Fries, Fries served with three kinds of dip (honey mustard, aioili, and wasabi mayo) was decent. The fries were cooked three times—not oily, not too salty, and not bad at all. The potatoes were tender and delicious. Sigh, we were deeply contented. If deep-fried food weren’t so calorific, we would definitely indulge in them daily! 😛

    Price for Value:

    If you’re not a breakfast person, trying new things at The Morning After can be good. This restaurant in Solenad 3, Nuvali ably executes the basics of a trendy setting. It’s an establishment solely dedicated to serving well-cooked breakfast and brunch meals at all times of the day. Service runs smoothly and food tastes satisfactory. Prices are fair, with enough portions for sharing. Love it! 🙂

  • Review of Nadai Fujisoba (The Block, SM North EDSA, Quezon City)

    Review of Nadai Fujisoba (The Block, SM North EDSA, Quezon City)

    Louie, his thesis group mates back in college, and I were invited to be defense panelists for an IT course in De La Salle University-Manila last month and we were so happy to have seen one another after a long time. After giving out comments and ratings to students, we drove to SM North EDSA to have a nice catch-up over a light dinner. In our visit, we found that there’s quite a number of newly opened restaurants to try.

    Our first choice was Dohtonbori but the super long queue outside was a big turn-off. We could not wait any longer, so we went to The Block in search of another Japanese restaurant. Shortly, we found Nadai Fujisoba near the supermarket area. Nadai Fujisoba specializes in soba and udon, Japan’s traditional noodles. Table for five? Yes, please.

    Nadai Fujisoba was first established in Japan in 1966. Apart from the Philippines, it also has branches in Taiwan. In Metro Manila, it is present in Bonifacio High Street, Lucky Chinatown Mall, SM Aura Premier, SM Mall of Asia, and SM North EDSA.

    Review of Nadai Fujisoba (The Block, SM North EDSA, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    Nadai Fujisoba at The Block, SM North EDSA isn’t spacious but lines are clean and tables are not too cramped. Fitted with wooden furniture in lighter color and Japanese writings on the walls, the place looked like a page torn from a manga. Overall ambiance felt creatively composed. This is the kind of restaurant that once you enter, you will know: you’ll have an easygoing yet cool dining experience.

    Service:

    The staff was accommodating at the start but we had a few bumps in the road toward the end. We felt pushed out of the door since we had stayed for almost two hours. Is there such thing as overstaying here? Not quite sure about that. One of the waiters got us the bill even when we were not done with the food yet.

    Food:

    Over the years, ramen has become a source of foodie fiending in Metro Manila. Nadai Fujisoba suddenly enters the party and introduces udon and soba to Filipino taste buds. To differentiate the three, here are short descriptions:

    • Ramen: thin, wheat served in hot broth; typically yellow in color
    • Udon: thick, wheat, served in hot broth; generally quite pale white
    • Soba: thin, buckwheat (50-100%) + wheat (its gluten makes the buckwheat more manageable) served hot in broth

    We ordered the most recommended dish at Nadai Fujisoba: Aka Fujisoba (PhP 260). It turned out as a light and easy meal that’s perfect for a lazy weeknight. Sitting on hot broth, the Japanese buckwheat noodles (soba) had a nice firmness and a nutty flavor. Texture was smooth and resilient. With simmered beef, a poached egg, and a generous sprinkling of chili powder, the broth was on the light side and not too rich.

    Louie and I also shared Nadai Fujisoba’s Oyakodon (PhP 180). The dish consisted of just tender bites of chicken and sweet, jammy onions in a deeply savory mirin and soy sauce broth, simmered in a silky, eggy custard and ladled, soft and loosey-goosey, over fluffy white rice. It’s definitely comforting and nourishing. A must-try! Get a big smile on your face as you take the first luscious bite. 🙂

    Price for Value:

    It’s a pleasure to have dined in a restaurant that’s already 50 years old. Its age is testament to the fact that tastes and portion of their food do not disappoint. Nadai Fujisoba’s prices that don’t hurt the budget and the good casual vibe (minus the latter part of customer service) seal the deal here. I’m positive my sister will be enthusiastic to try this Japanese restaurant. We’ll check out their branch at Lucky Chinatown Mall next time. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nadai-Fujisoba/773541339456329″ name=”Nadai Fujisoba” description=”Ground Floor, The Block, SM City North EDSA, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 929-6686″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-04-26″ ]

  • Review of Coco Ichibanya (Eastwood Mall, Quezon City)

    Review of Coco Ichibanya (Eastwood Mall, Quezon City)

    Delicious “fire-hot” Japanese curry dishes are what Coco Ichibanya is all about, at least that’s the way I see it. There’s no need to go to Japan, thanks to this curry-savvy chain purveying “real-deal” set meals with heat levels ranging from low, mild, to crazy hot. Be ready to have extra napkins or better yet ask for wet tissue to wipe away the sweat and tears. We have tried dining at their first branch in the Philippines located at the basement of Estancia Mall and loved their curry so much.

    Recently, it opened a new store in Eastwood Mall, just a short walk from our office. I invited my office mates to check it out and I’m so glad they liked the food, too! 🙂

    Review of Coco Ichibanya (Eastwood Mall, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    Coco Ichibanya offers a number of opportunities for decent dining. The atmosphere is bustling but not hurried. Yellow and nudes as its main color palette attracts a fun and casual crowd.  I like the bright, contemporary and welcoming feel which sum up to a place where you can immediately be at ease in a dining room that is cheery without being kitsch or formal. Seats both inside and outside are plentiful. Wherever you sit, you will be treated with excellent food imbued with rich flavors.

    Service:

    In addition to the pleasant surroundings, Coco Ichibanya in Eastwood Mall offers friendly and attentive service. Waiters take the order promptly with the use of an app installed in their mobile tablet. Talk about being innovative. Food are served within the 15-20 minutes promised time frame, so for those who plan to dine here on their lunch break, either come out of your office early or eat faster. 😛

    Food:

    At Coco Ichibanya, it’s a common practice to customize your curry meal by selecting your favorite topping, amount of rice, and preferred level of spiciness for the curry sauce. On the menu, options for toppings include sausage with eggplant, fried squid and stewed shrimp, hamburger, clam, beef, pork cutlet, and chicken.

    1st visit: I had one of the most recommended dishes of the house: Pork Cutlet and Vegetables Curry (PhP 440). The deep-fried pork cutlet was a splendid and savory combination of crispy bread crumbs and juicy pork. I felt courageous that time and opted for the crazy hot (max level), but the spiciness was too intense for me to handle. I learned the lesson and remembered to choose mild the next time.

    2nd visit: With mild-hot curry sauce, Pari Pari Chicken Curry (PhP 310) was generally a crowd-pleaser. It immediately offered an island escape, sans flight, with its fragrance. The chicken was perfectly cooked. It was tender and juicy while the skin was still crispy outside. The spices were balanced so I did not get overwhelmed by the taste.

    3rd visit: For something a little different, I got the Shrimp Curry Rice Gratin (PhP 330) which appealed somewhere between saucy and soupy. This Japanese curry rice gratin was a bit sweet, lending itself particularly well to shrimp. Unlike the other two though, heat level cannot be adjusted upon cooking. For “chili heads,” adding curry powder (available on the table) may do justice.

    Other Must-tries

    Pork Cutlet Omelet (PhP 360)

    Pork Cutlet Curry (PhP 340)

    Soup/Salad/Drink/Dessert

    The menu offers adding one to three pairings to go with the main course. The only reason not to order the set meal would be that you weren’t very hungry. But that could easily change once your friends start ordering the soup, salad, drink, and/or dessert altogether.

    Price for Value:

    Solid food, good vibes, reasonable prices. If you have these criteria in mind, you can be confident that Coco Ichibanya can deliver those needs. This Japanese curry restaurant meets the expectations in all areas, and for some fans of spicy curry, it even exceeds expectations.

    Coco Ichibanya holds the Guinness World Record for being the “largest curry restaurant chain in the world.” Take that as an invitation to sample their curry dishes and learn why a lot of people in many countries give a nod to this specialty cuisine. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/CoCoIchibanyaPH/” name=”Coco Ichibanya” description=”Third Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 3724687″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos”]

  • Review of Cafe Enye (Eastwood Avenue, Libis, Quezon City)

    Review of Cafe Enye (Eastwood Avenue, Libis, Quezon City)

    I had always thought of it as a coffee shop. Obviously, I wasn’t looking enough. Turns out, Cafe Enye is a Spanish restaurant located just beside Healthy Options in Eastwood. It’s the kind of place where you can just roll into anytime, as it’s open from 7 in the morning to 12 midnight. Test your luck on a table indoors or ultimately sit at the large dining table in the al fresco setting. Either way, you’ll be perfectly fine.

    We had dinner here last Tuesday after work and wondered where Cafe Enye got its name. Luckily, we found Sous Chef Chris Chris Dytuco and had the chance to talk to him before we left. We learned that Enye or “Ñ” (pronounced as enye) was derived from the letter of the Spanish alphabet that’s also collated in the Filipino alphabet (written as “ny” where appropriate). Cafe Enye positions itself as a Spanish bistro that will both be familiar and different for diners who appreciate “colonial Spanish cuisine.”

    Items on the menu range from straightforward Spanish plates to dishes inspired by colonies in Northern Morroco, Mexico, Argentina and the Philippines. Aside from the specialty food, a variety of drinks such as coffee, tea, wines, cocktails, craft beers, and other blended drinks are thrown in the mix.

    Review of Cafe Enye (Libis, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Cafe Enye is one that’s suited for a date or a night out with friends. Ambiance wise, the restaurant looked quite presentable. In different parts of the room, accent lighting worked to emphasize the beautiful textured walls and improve a customer’s sense of well-being and orientation. Warm and inviting, the fiery hues of the décor made for a warm summer’s evening whatever the weather. Wooden and rustic finishes of tables seemed reminiscent of the classic country look. I like the different types of chairs arranged across the room as they showcase flexibility for guests to choose where they’d want to be seated to maximize comfort and sociability.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Staffs were friendly and informative. Hospitality went above and beyond. I’m not very familiar with the names of Spanish food so I really appreciated it when the waiter guided us through the menu. Aside from the bare minimum (clearing plates, refilling drinks, etc.), he anticipated our needs, made us feel welcome and ensured our satisfaction throughout our stay.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Having Spanish food for a meal is a solid move to get to know someone, with the inherent shareability of small plates (tapas, as they call it).  For appetizer, we shared the Enye Callos Buns (PhP 135). Soft and savory, the buns were filled with slow-cooked callos (beef tripe). Sitting neatly on crispy shoestring potatoes, the Enye Callos Buns tasted sweet and savory, almost like those of Tim Ho Wan’s famous pork buns but with a Spanish twist. Once bitten, an explosion of delicious flavor enters your mouth. It’s quite the party!


    Gambas Enye Style (PhP 350) is just about the ideal tapas bar snack. Topped with garlic chips and garlic chives, the succulent shrimps were cooked in garlic infused olive oil and roasted garlic. If you love garlic, expect this to be a great treat. The oil swimming in the earthenware dish sings high notes of layered garlic flavors, it can be transcendent. This appetizer was one of our favorites.

    Cafe Enye’s Calamares Salad (PhP 250) was surprisingly awesome, far more than just pescetarian patronization. Lots of thought went into their crunchy leafy greens and bits of calamari. The best of the bunch was the “secret” green onion dressing which was rich and full of flavor. This dish delivered it in spades.


    Bacalao Mantecato (PhP 245) is new in my book and it gets a big thumbs up. Thickened in cream and mashed potatoes, the bacalao (salt cod fish) was topped with salted egg and crispy garlic. Trust me, it’s a must-order. If you have any inclination toward fish, this could be your best dish of the night. Eat it with the crisp slices of bread to balance the flavor.


    Looking for a little carb action? Get the Fish Mojo Skewers (PhP 380). It’s comprised of two sticks of citrus marinated fish skewers served with Enye rice, cilantro yogurt, Harissa and Latin salsa. Combined with many flavorful spices in one plate, this was like a “choose your own adventure” kind of entree in delicious rice. With a touch of slight hotness and a not-too-thick texture and consistency, Fish Mojo Skewers is a tough combo to hate on.


    Our last main course was the Enye Cocido (PhP 395). It’s a classic Spanish stew of chicken and pork with carrots, cabbage, and plantains served with eggplant relish and Enye rice. I suspect it took some time to cook the chicken and pork because meat is so tender. These had the type of luscious texture that makes it tough to put your fork down. Well executed, it’s a welcome addition to any group of two or three people.

    For desserts, we had the house signature Churros with Dulce de Leche Cream (PhP 170)—homemade light pate a choux pastry with dulce de leche red egg and chocolate-peanut butter dips. We liked that the churros were crispy and golden on the outside and chewy and dense and creamy on the inside. Dulce de leche dip was twice better than the other.

    Lastly, we tried the Creme Catalan (PhP 185). classic vanilla and orange zest infused custard topped with fresh fruits and served with a shot of artisan espresso. The waiter suggested that the best way to eat it is to take a spoonful of Creme Catalan and then a shot of the espresso right after. All in all, this entrée tasted sweet and bitter both in extreme levels, a lot like life.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    At closer inspection, Cafe Enye in Libis to me is a sophisticated yet approachable Spanish cafe/bar/restaurants where patrons can grab cool drinks and enjoy a wide array of delicious Spanish food. Here you will encounter a chic setting replete with cozy atmosphere. Considering that food portions are good for sharing, prices are decent.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/2015enye/” name=”Cafe Enye” description=”Ground Floor, Excelsior Building, Eastwood Avenue, Libis, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 6713230″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-03-27″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Chaplin (Century City Mall, Poblacion, Makati City)

    Review of Chaplin (Century City Mall, Poblacion, Makati City)

    When Chaplin fully launches soon this April, Century City Mall in Makati will get yet another surge of limelight—as it should. Reflective of upscale Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, this mash-up leads to a celebration of clean, vibrant, wholesome flavors.

    Vegetarians, vegans, and the growing health-conscious masses will go weak in the knees for Chaplin’s vividly hued, delicious vegetable-centric dishes, I bet. We came here for lunch yesterday and totally enjoyed the food and also conversations with Chef Myke Del Rosario and F&B Manager, JM. 🙂

    Review of Chaplin (Century City Mall, Poblacion, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    For a perfect meal with friends and family, a pleasing dining area is obviously where the journey starts. Chaplin is decorated with a style that oozes sophistication and elegance with crisp, well-defined straight lines. The connection between modernity and contemporary almost looked natural and seamless. I can imagine staying here all day just appreciating its cool ambiance. 🙂

    Chaplin’s theme combines form with function with comfort in an effortless manner. Quotes posted on the walls evoke some humor which take inspiration from Charlie Chaplin. I love the exquisite chairs with round coffee tables and sofa seats at the sides for a more relaxing vibe. Lights enclosed with a cage hanging from the ceiling also looked quite unique and classy.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was friendly and professional. Staffs were attentive and quick to take requests from customers. They were also accommodating and helpful. I just hope this service level would stay consistent this way in the coming months.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Chaplin’s owners are from Israel, and this mostly explains why their dishes take inspiration largely from Israel. Bourekas (PhP 240), for instance, are the quick breakfast or brunch of choice in Israel. Also regarded as “Israeli hand pies,” these crispy pockets of dough stuffed with cheese and filled with boiled eggs, tomatoes, and pesto sauce had a good mix of texture. Taste packed a punch for summer and it was awesome, no doubt.

    Served in its cast-iron pan, shakshouka (PhP 195) came with one egg perfectly poached in a liquidy sauce of spiced tomatoes, plenty of olives, spices, and feta cheese. It’s paired with ciabatta (house bread) to wipe up all that tasty and glorious shakshouka swamp. Good stuff!

    Juicy and smooth all the way through, the Eggplant Melanzane (PhP 265) was a bomb of tomato flavors with a hint of truffle. It got a savory boost and meaty texture from the button mushrooms inside (something unexpected). Made without cheese (dairy food), this vegan dish is good enough that we will happily return. I’m sure my dad will love it.

    For our main course, we had the Chicken Steak (PhP 345)—grilled marinated chicken thigh served with side salad. It’s one of those food that you can’t help but love. The skinless and boneless chicken was moist, plump and tender without any greasiness or sogginess. Mashed potatoes on the side had a good dose of salt. Each spoonful was a delight as it’s decadently buttery but not the kind that’s heavy-tasting. Yum!

    Chaplin’s Strawberry Fruit Shake (PhP 185) was rich and thick with a prominent strawberry flavor. We liked that it was not too sweet and tasted rather real. Expect nothing of the fruit-flavored powder drink here.

    The Chaplin Tea (PhP 160) is another must-try. Made with honey, ginger, cinnamon, orange slice, and mint, this is a calming drink that brings a feeling of contentment. Tip: Use the cinnamon stick not only as the stirrer of the warm beverage but also as the straw and sip directly from it for a more aromatic taste. 😉

    The Apple Jimmy (PhP 195) was a refreshingly fruity cocktail. Made with whiskey, the liquor wasn’t too strong and wasn’t too sweet to drink alongside food. Cheers!

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Food prices at Chaplin, Century City Mall doesn’t hurt the pocket. This place works like a cafe, restaurant, and a bar altogether, or so it seemed, to us. The variety of food offered in its menu looked adventurous enough to be fun but not so adventurous that it’s intimidating. One option is to settle into a table and get familiar with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. Another is to grab seats outside and breathe into the fresh air with cold alcohol drinks on hand. Either way, I hope you’d have a great experience. 🙂

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