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Category: Food Reviews

  • Review of Café Travel (Taft Avenue, Manila)

    Review of Café Travel (Taft Avenue, Manila)

    Across DLSU and adjacent CSB along Taft Avenue, Manila, Café Travel is a Korean-inspired coffee shop which attracts many customers, particularly students of nearby schools, as if serving truffle-stuffed unicorn trotters. Its competitive advantage has to be its unique atmosphere and cute appeal. It’s ideal for those seeking a good and quiet place to hang out for hours without the rush. We visited this “pop” venue after having lunch at Café Laya.

    Review of Café Travel (Taft Avenue, Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    At Café Travel, white walls and tables are “decorated” with names, anecdotes, quotes, notes and random messages written by previous customers, making them seem like DIY art. I think the freedom for guests to write anything on the surfaces (even on the ceiling and air conditioner above) is a plus point for the café. The end result, as rowdy as it seems at a glance, brings both style and creativity to the room. Very cool! 😉

    Soon though, there may be a lack of space to write on. I suggest that they put up a corkboard or hang a magnetic chalkboard, blackboard or whiteboard to ground the design instead. In this way, keeping old messages and replacing them with new ones will be easier.

    Overall, the atmosphere has a great homey touch. The bright lighting looks adorable. With plenty of seating, Café Travel is a good place to study and chat with friends. Everyone has to take off his/her shoes and others have to go to the “second floor” using the stairs. Privacy is assured by walls that strategically segregate dining areas to sections per group of customers. Wi-Fi is accessible for free!

    The only saddening thing was that air conditioning was poor and barely kept the room at a reasonable temperature. It was hot especially since we were seated right beside the window on a sunny day. We were sweating as if we were inside a sauna bath.

    (Note: This spot in Archer s Nook was once where Zark’s Burgers stood. Now the branch of Zark’s Burgers in Taft Avenue has expanded and moved to a more accessible and visible location.)

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was kind and thoughtful. The staff handed out the menu to us upon entrance. We took a moment to finalize our order and proceeded to the counter to pay. Waiting time was acceptable and our drinks and cake were served politely to our table.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Café Travel has a simple one-page menu, but there’s plenty of coffee-based drinks and cakes to choose from, making it almost impossible to decide which to get in a minute.

    All drinks were super sweet. I bet that those with a sweet tooth will love every single sip and be instantly hooked! As for myself, I could not even finish one whole glass of the Travel Mocha alone. Fortunately, I have my sister to share it (the calories) with. 😛 We also tried a slice of cake which was moist and soft. The frosting was light but tasted rich and creamy as well as the strawberry that was struck in the middle.

    Travel Chocolate Cookie (PhP 180)

    Fresh Cream Strawberry (PhP 140)

    Travel Green Tea (PhP 180)

    Travel Mocha (PhP 180)

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Buzzed about for its ambiance and friendly vibe, Café Travel is a must-visit cafe where you can get your coffee fix without taking it too seriously. Never mind if there’s a long wait or there’s no seating available at Starbucks nearby. Prices are just about the same. Coffee purists may sniff but sugar hounds have to try their line-up of coffee-based drinks and a handful of pastries as well.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/ph.cafe.travel/” name=”Café Travel” description=”Archer’s Nook Dormitory, Taft Avenue, Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 09052248003 ” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-01-26″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Café Laya (EGI Taft Tower, Taft Avenue, Manila)

    Review of Café Laya (EGI Taft Tower, Taft Avenue, Manila)

    Two weeks ago, my sister and I met with her college friends for lunch at Café Laya near DLSU. Soaking in the glorious sunshine, we walked from South Gate to EGI Taft Tower where the café is at. Seeing Velasco Gate (Gate 3) reminded me of the day I took the entrance exam at our alma mater a decade ago. Seriously, where do the years go? Indeed, it’s at landmark moments in life when the mind throws up a whole host of soul searching questions. That’s another story for another time. 🙂 Back to Café Laya…

    The shop and restaurants at the ground floor of EGI Taft Tower are new to my eyes except for SpeedBytes which even had an expansion. Café Laya at the farthest end looked like a great hangout place for students to appreciate art, become inspired to travel, focus on their reading materials between sips of coffee, and perhaps kill time. Laya means freedom and this place is where you can express freedom through art.

    Review of Café Laya (EGI Taft Tower, Taft Avenue, Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Café Laya’s ambiance struck me as a laid-back and cool, moodily-lit affair where photos of different wonderful places in the Philippines are posted on walls and short profiles of featured Filipino artists are on the tables. Clearly, this place strives to promote art and manages to incorporate it as part of the overall interior design concept. Visually speaking, there’s a lot to love about this chic cafe—or “art gallery,” if you will.

    Its unique factor lies in the fact that food, beverages, and furniture here are local. This is how the owner envisions to give back to the community and show support to fellow Filipino businesses. Across the order station, for instance, we found artisan products and food made with local ingredients from social enterprises.

    Upstairs, dining was quite an experience since we sat on floor cushions and had our meal at low tables (my kind of tables for creating flat-lay postings on IG). The space was a bit cramped though, and if not seated in a proper position, limbs are expected to be numbed and stiff after a while.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    Overall, service could be a hit or miss here, depending on where you’re seated. Since we were on the second floor, it was hard to bet on the possibility of staffs checking on us in case we need something. Luckily in our visit, we had almost always chanced upon one waitstaff either serving food or clearing tables of other customers.

    Note: Food and drinks had to be ordered and paid at the counter, and staffs serve them on the table once ready.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Tuyo Pesto (PhP 200) was creamy and delicious. The saltiness of the fish stood out as the flavor highlight that mostly enlightened our palate. Texture of the pasta was soft, tender, and almost delicate. I just found garlic and some crunch and nutty undertones from pine nuts lacking in the pesto dish. Eating bread in between forkfuls of pasta is necessary to appreciate the interplay of tastes.

    Served with egg and brown rice, Café Laya’s Smoked Bangus (PhP 125) was comforting and nice as it was able to deliver a nice hint of smoke. Sadly though, the fish was not as crisp and warm as expected. Adding more plump and juicy tomatoes could potentially be a good booster as well to complement the salty nature of cured fish.

    * Our Friends’ Picks *

    Flaky Adobo Rice Meal (PhP 125)

    Fried Liempo Rice Meal (PhP 125)

    Coffee

    Menu

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Café Laya in EGI Taft Tower looks like a charming place that plays regular host to students around the area. With the cute and relaxing setting, it must be a survival of the fittest to score a seat at this cafe in regular school days. While food aren’t perfectly exceptional, prices are moderate and reasonable especially for longer stays.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.instagram.com/cafelaya/” name=”Café Laya” description=”Unit 113, Ground Floor, EGI Taft Tower, Taft Avenue, Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 5545534″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-01-26″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-11PM

  • Review of King One Rotary Hotpot (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Review of King One Rotary Hotpot (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Buffet restaurants are a big hit nowadays and they’re almost always a full house in every location. My friends and I are among the many others who especially love celebrating events in such restaurants where we can eat all we can without consciously minding about the supply of food to keep conversations going. 😛 Last Christmas, we were quite late to make reservations for our barkada. We ended up dining in at King One Rotary Hotpot in Tomas Morato.

    Review of King One Rotary Hotpot (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Design and arrangement-wise, King One Rotary Hotpot is not really a stunner but nothing to sneeze at either. Its charm perhaps mostly roots at the lively family atmosphere and endearingly friendly staff. At the center, the rotary belt is pretty much the main attraction in the restaurant.

    Each table features a stove of hot and flavorful broth where vegetable, seafood, and meat options are dropped in and cooked. It only takes a couple of minutes before food is ready to be fished out with tongs or chopsticks.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    King One Rotary Hotpot has a hybrid of self-service and table service. From the moment we sat down, the staff handed out a checklist of items we want to get. Apparently, not all items on the list were placed on the rotary belt, so guests still have to request others from the waiter. Somehow, the ordering part was easy and convenient. Appetizers, drinks, and desserts were available on the buffet table, and we could grab them at our own pace, too.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Food tastes were okay in general, and the variety of items for the buffet hotpot was satisfactory. Few short courses could be ordered as part of the buffet set but in no way they could be considered destination-worthy. Quality did not pack a punch and failed to incite quite the mania fans of Chinese food.

    Moving on, from the conveyor belt, the top two ones we got were the sliced marbled beef and the beef balls. I could not recall just how many plates of sliced marbled beef we shoveled down our greedy little gullets, but it was surely more than six. 🙂 The beef was sooo good!

    Vegetables like enoki mushrooms, tofu, and fresh greens and seafood like crab sticks, scallops, and oysters were also delightful. The real diet-detonator though was the utterly addictive balls oozing with cheese. Texture was soft like your pillow and taste was a cross between yellow sunshine and heaven.

    Desserts were meek (sigh), so we crossed the street to the new J.Co for some donuts and coffee.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Dining at King One Rotary Hotpot in Tomas Morato was fun, interactive, and enjoyable. At PhP 650/person, the price represents a fair value for money.  The vast dining room with burners at the center of each table is great and recommended for family-style dining and for big groups of friends like ours.  🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kingone-Rotary-Hot-Pot-Tomas-Morato/276381379232624″ name=”King One Rotary Hotpot” description=”270, Forum Building, Tomas Morato Ave, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries or reservations, call (02) 332 8073″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-01-22″ user_review=”16″ 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 Seasons Restaurant (Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino, Manila)

    Review of Seasons Restaurant (Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino, Manila)

    In celebrating Christmas last year, we feasted on the dinner buffet prepared by Seasons at the Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino in Manila. This hotel is just 11-minute drive from our home, so it’s very convenient for us to avoid the holiday traffic. I got two vouchers from Ensogo.com.ph and paid only half of the regular price per person. Neat! Spanking and sassy, Seasons is an “interactive lifestyle restaurant” that offers a dining venue where the world’s most celebrated cuisines come together in one grand ensemble.

    Review of Seasons Restaurant (Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino, Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    No doubt, the atmosphere at Seasons speaks of beauty, style, and class. The buffet tables are laid out close to one another and in an organized fashion—according to cuisine and type of food. The interior design and arrangement of dining spaces in the restaurant have not changed since our last visit (two years ago).

    I love the play of wooden finishes and the deliberate use of illumination for aesthetics. Sleek chandeliers on a single row create a soft directional beam, and textured three-dimensional wall panels on one side makes a statement which can instantly draw attention. While everything looks posh in this hotel’s gastronomic arena, it will be great to see nice modern changes to the scene as well.

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    There’s a certain level of expectation that comes along with hotel restaurants from an overall service perspective, and Seasons didn’t come close to it. Service was slow and was not up to normal hotel standards.

    At the onset, the waiter had me follow him walk through almost half of the entire dining area when asked where our reserved seats were located. Apparently, he was finding our table based on the name written on the “reservation name card” on top of each table when he could have noted the table number from the reception and directly pointed out where it was.

    The second disappointing instance was that we were given drinking water that smelled and tasted like ZONROX Bleach (an agent for cleaning, deodorizing, and removing of hard stains on clothes). Good thing that my mom and sister were able to taste it and raise the issue to one of the waitresses, so the glasses of water were replaced with clean and odorless ones.

    Thirdly, since we were seated in a corner that’s barely noticeable, getting the staff’s attention was as hard as finding a stud earring in the car. It was possible but hard. Fulfilling requests like taking out used plates and asking for tissue paper took longer as they should. I thought they’re understaffed because we saw quite only a few walking around and serving the needs of customers. It was not that they were not really paying attention or flirting with one another as if in a high school class without supervision.

    For all it’s worth, I give credit to the restaurant manager who immediately gave my mom a new fork when he passed by and saw it accidentally fell off the table.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Seasons in Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino serves a range of classic Filipino food and some international delicacies. From breads, Chinese dim sum, DIY salads, and soups to main dishes and mouth-watering desserts, Seasons maintains its long-held reputation for elegant hotel restaurant dining in Manila.

    Sadly, when compared against premium buffet restaurants in Metro Manila now emerging and battling to be the forefront in the food industry, Seasons takes a backseat, at least in our humble opinion. The food situation was average and there were no weird flavors that don’t belong, but nothing about the variety and the tastes was memorable and there was not much to get excited about either.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    As it turned out, Seasons at Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino was a letdown in terms of service and the food selection, hence it follows that my rating for the price for value is on the low side of the spectrum. Take one star down when basing it on the original price of PhP 1499 per person.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.waterfronthotels.com.ph/manila/outlets/seasons.html” name=”Seasons” description=”Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel & Casino, U. N. Avenue Corner Maria Orosa Street, Ermita, Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries or reservations, call (02) 5261212″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-1-15″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: 6 AM to 10:30 AM (breakfast), 11:30 AM to 3 PM (lunch), 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM (dinner)

  • Review of Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet (Binondo, Manila)

    Review of Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet (Binondo, Manila)

    Strategically located in the heart of Chinatown, the Philippine’s oldest business district, Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel provides good amenities of an international standard business hotel. When my maternal grandmother found that Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet (來來大酒店) serves all-day buffet, she invited us to go try it out for breakfast. I thought it was definitely a great idea since this hotel in Binondo is just near our place and the cost per person doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Offered with a whopping price of PhP 148 (from 7AM-10AM), how could we say no? Also, restaurants around this area has not really disappointed us—until that day. 🙁

    We might had just expected more Chinese dim sum and more familiar palatable Chinese food to delight our taste buds. In any case, it was a nice try. The good news is that food variety they have on the buffet are on rotation, so it’s best to keep an eye every now and then to see what’s on the table.

    Review of Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet 來來大酒店 (Binondo, Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    On the surface, interior design at Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet looked rather unassuming considering that it’s placed in a “hotel of international standard.” The restaurant’s ambiance was contemporary, cozy, and clean. Red table linens easily created a decent “Chinese restaurant” setting. Buffet tables were arranged at the farthest end of the dining room, and dining furniture were set across with enough space for everyone to move freely about.

    Food: ★☆☆☆☆

    This buffet restaurant in Binondo may be a good place where hotel guests can comfortably dine in to start the day, but foodies must understand that there’s a lot more choices of restaurants in Chinatown where they can go for a leisurely meal.

    Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet’s food selection simply failed to impress. We had plain porridge, white bread and eggs, ampalaya (bitter gourd), fish, salted pickled mustard (kiam chye), Chinese cabbages, hotdogs, pork, garlic rice, noodles, and soup. At one glance, I knew they’re skippable. Tastes were not terrible but nowhere near a worthy representation of what Chinese cuisine has to offer. I was with my family and that was what counted more than the unappetizing food.

    Price for Value: ★☆☆☆☆

    If you’re satisfied with these food selections for morning buffet, then dining at Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet may be the best bang for your buck and you’ll have plenty fun finishing multiple plates. Nothing was wrong with the tastes of the food; these were just not my ideal choices for a all-you-can-eat meal. I’m better off paying the same amount of money to get a bowl of ramen noodles or a short order of my favorite dumplings in Binondo. 很抱歉，我不想回來.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.chinatownlailai.com/” name=”Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet” description=”801 Ongpin St. Cor. Padilla St. Binondo, Manila, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (+632) 25-22-888, (+632) 736-6501, or (+63927) 810-2559 ” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-01-09″ user_review=”5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

  • Review of Ippudo Ramen (Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita)

    Review of Ippudo Ramen (Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita)

    Every time we pass by Ippudo Ramen at SM Megamall Mega Fashion Fall, we always see a long queue. The line alone easily draws in more interest and attention from the hungry foodie souls in the area. Some people have the patience [of saints] to wait for more than half an hour for their turn to be seated. Regrettably, I’m not one of them, yet I still felt positive that Ippudo Ramen is a place that’s worth a trip on its own merit.

    Last week, my boyfriend and I watched Walang Forever in Robinsons Place Manila. After the movie, we went downstairs searching for a restaurant for dinner. My eyes lit up when we found Ipuddo Ramen in the mall—without any queue outside. It was a miracle! 😛 Apparently, this famous hip Japanese restaurant has opened just recently and soon this year it will be branching out to more locations in the Philippines. Happy New Year, btw! 🙂

    Review of Ippudo Ramen (Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Ippudo Ramen’s interior design in Robinsons Place Manila looked edgy and functional. It was nothing too fancy, just a straight up restaurant with traditional Japanese decors such as the lanterns and simple furniture. Although it’s tucked away in a busy mall, I was pleasantly surprised that Ippudo keeps an intimate kind of feeling and peaceful atmosphere inside. Splashes of vivid red, white, and black made up a color palette making the restaurant interior exhale a certain sophistication that resonate with its Asian style. Spotlights spread through the area gave an inviting glow. Soup spoons and bowls displayed on the walls reminded me of Ramen Nagi.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Warm hospitality was provided the moment we came in. There’s no annoying movie-star vibe in the no-frills dining room, and service was reliable and friendly. With engaging personality, the staff asked us about our thoughts on each dish and he made sure we had a good time.

    Food: ★★★★★

    For starters, we had a short order of Hakata Style Gyoza (PhP 195, five pieces), Ippudo’s classic pan-fried dumplings. The meat and vegetable-stuffed gyoza had an extra crispy exterior, while its inner skin remained soft. Size was small so each piece fit right into the mouth. It was great with the vinegar soy sauce.

    Unagi Rice in Stone Pot (PhP 490) is a winning comfort food, I tell you. The chunks of grilled unagi on top of shredded egg and the bed of sweet soy sauce-based unagi flavored rice were phenomenal. Include this in your stomach’s itinerary next time you plan to dine in at Ippudo Ramen. 🙂

    Served on our table with a glimmering sheen of fat on top, the best recommended Akamaru Shinaji Special (PhP 490) was powerful as its taste struck a perfect balance with the rich broth, spices, and the pork belly. With salted soft-boiled egg, the “very hard” delicately bouncy noodles had an al dente bite to them. Topped with “umami dama” miso paste,cabbage, sesame kikurage mushrooms, scallions, and fragrant garlic oil, this ramen bowl of glory is right in my personal wheelhouse.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Ippudo Ramen is where us noodle junkies can get a proper fix. It gives patrons a run for their money with its memorable ramen and exceptional Japanese offerings. This restaurant is a solid standout with top-end food creations in a setting that’s unassuming relative to the hype. I would love to come back for another foodie adventure with my sister. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/ippudoPH” name=”Ippudo Ramen” description=”Midtown Wing, Robinson Place Manila, Pedro Gil St Cor Adriatico St, Ermita Brgy 667 Zone 72, Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 353 0701″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-01-03″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • 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

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila/dining/restaurants/heat/” name=”Heat – Mad For Wagyu” description=”Lobby Level, Tower Wing, Edsa Shangri-La, 1 Garden Way, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City” rev_name=”For inquiries or reservations, call (02) 6338888 ext. 2740″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-12-30″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]