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Category: Food Reviews

  • Lola Café Launches New Menu (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Lola Café Launches New Menu (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    In 2013, Louie and I celebrated Valentine’s Day in Lola Café. Seeing our old photos together gave me a chuckle. It’s been over two and a half years. So many things have changed since that day, and Lola Cafe’s menu recently did too. 😉 With Chef Jon Mangibin now taking lead in the kitchen, this restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City goes through a “culinary fixture.” The placement of furniture and fixtures also moved around a bit, making the place more versatile for both groups of friends or family and romantic dates.

    Chef Jon

    With its fresh menu, Lola Café+Bar decided to focus in serving Filipino Food 2.0 which basically consists of creative riffs on Filipino food classics like chicken tinola, bagoong rice, beef salpicao, sisig, and the like. We had lunch here with the KTG last Saturday to taste its mouth-watering delights and experience gastronomic euphoria, thanks to Richie‘s invitation. 🙂 Target launch date of the new items is on November 23, 2015.

    Lola Café Launches New Menu (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Small Plates

    There may be many excellent dishes for you to dive into on the menu. Quite frankly, there are no wrong answers, but the Wagyu Salpicao (PhP 320) might be more right than the rest. With roasted garlic in olive oil, the Kitayama wagyu beef (raised locally in Bukidnon, Philippines) was boldly flavored and actually portioned to share. The softness of the wagyu beef is exactly like you would hope it is. Get into the fiesta spirit and match it with a great glass of wine.

    The Bone Marrow Sisig (PhP 275) was a complete stunner. There’s something about the fatty and buttery bone marrow with kamias jam and garlic crumble flat bread on the side that got it done for us. Each component was strong on its own and equally good smashed together on the plate.

    Soup and Salad

    Caesar Salad is one of the trendiest salad choices these days, especially for those who are on a diet. If you think salads are boring though, know that serving it in a more exciting and palatable way is possible. How? Grilled. Smoky and with a touch of crunch, hearty Romaine lettuce and bread crisps with bagoong dressing were delightful. Bacon strips mixed in made the Grilled Caesar Salad (PhP 290) a killer dish you would want to nestle alongside your mains.

    The Alugbati and Kesong Puti Salad (PhP 310) had a good combination of flavors and textures, featuring charred alugbati, lettuce hearts, roasted carrots, beets and balsamic vinaigrette. As salads go, it sounds pretty decadent—and delicious. I think kesong puti was what brought in new life to the salad; it added a little bit of both saltiness and creaminess to every bite.

    Lola Café took no shortcut to deliver a comforting and tasty bowl of Bacon Belly Batchoy (PhP 320). Topped with soft boiled egg, this noodle soup was not just a vehicle for braised bacon slabs and ox tripe, but it was also a celebration of the role of sweet garlic, which for a garlic fan is pretty much heaven.

    Pasta and Rice Bowl

    The Spicy Tinapa Pasta (PhP 215) had a subtle, oceany richness that’s captivating. It was salty from the smoked fish flakes, luscious and sweet from the fresh heirloom tomatoes, spicy from the dried chili, and quite intoxicating from the scent of the olive oil.

    Among the items we tried so far, the Sweet Pork and Bagoong Rice (PhP 295) could be one that’s most recommendable to foreigners who would want to appreciate Filipino food in their first visit here. Made with salted dried shrimp “hibe,” roasted pork belly, and “burong” mangga, the entire dish was slightly overwhelming all at once. It was so wonderfully complex that you just have to surrender to its demands.

    Quarter Chicken Confit and Tinola Rice (PhP 280) was another crowd-pleaser. With ginger confit chicken, lemongrass rice pilaf, charred green papaya, and scallion-anchovy vinaigrette, Lola Cafe has constructed a hearty, full-flavored Filipino main dish whose ingredients both harmonize and perform as soloists. The chicken was really tender and I loved that the taste of the ginger and onion-based tinola was evident.

    Mains

    Swimming in porcin broth, garlic cream and wild mushrooms, the thinly sliced and slow-braised Truffled Lengua (PhP 495) came out soft, rich, and almost pâté-like. Until now though, lengua (beef tongue) is one of the internal meat organs that I like eating the least because I think it’s formidable. It’s not for the faint of foodie heart but best for the adventurous palate.

    Somewhat like Bicol Express, the Gising Express (PhP 140) or “Gising-Gising” was cooked with coconut milk broth, homemade bagoong, sigarilyas (winged beans), French beans, and finger chili. It’s great to be paired with steamed white rice to temper the heat situation.

    The Roasted Belly “Tocino” (PhP 490) gave off an oriental taste (think Chinese char siu, as in the regular siopao filling), most probably because of the SSAM-anise glaze. Adding more depth, the salty burong mangga or “pickled mangoes” on the side complemented the savory aspect of the slow-cooked pork liempo nicely.

    Desserts

    For desserts, we had Baguio Strawberries and Cream Pavlova. It was amazing how the nest remained crisp, light, and crumbly right before we dug in. The billows of whipped cream and juicy fresh strawberries on top were truly delectable. This item is definitely my kind of dessert.

    Set in a landmark location in Tomas Morato, Lola Café+Bar boasts a fine ambiance and gracious service to match. There’s more à la carte selections available on the menu than these ones featured in this blog post, so if you want creative, zesty Filipino food or just local comfort food with a flair, go to Lola Café+Bar and make no doubt about it. It’s now open for lunch and dinner! 🙂

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  • Review of Go-En, The Japanese Ramen Shoppe (Jardin de Zenaida, Quezon City)

    Review of Go-En, The Japanese Ramen Shoppe (Jardin de Zenaida, Quezon City)

    Out of fun and creativity come excellence, and the food at Go-En, The Japanese Ramen Shoppe is a case in point. The venue may be “hidden” somewhere near Livestock, ABS-CBN, and El Cangrejo in Jardin de Zenaida, but when it comes to craving for real Japanese food and playing kendama, this is the restaurant to hunt down. Go-En does not tweak their menu for Filipino tastes but serves the best Japanese flavors to match the Filipino palate.

    Now offering a lighter version of the full ramen bowl, Go-En ramen’s wow factor is down to high-class ingredients making up to a portion that’s only enough to keep you satisfied. This is following their realization that the regular-size bowl of ramen seems to be too large for one to finish. With the light version, there’s less noodles but with the same amount of soup as the regular, so one can finish a bowl without being so full that it’s hard to breathe.

    The name “Go-En” takes its roots from the five yen coin in Japan. This coin is believed to bring good luck to any business and relationships. In the same manner, Go-En the restaurant looks forward to create and maintain closer ties with patrons through their cuisine and experience.

    John Geron, Go-En Owner

    We had lunch here right before our flight to Vietnam and we had a great time. 🙂

    Review of Go-En, The Japanese Ramen Shoppe (Jardin de Zenaida, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Forming an artistic assembly near the entrance, manga, kendama, masks, and other toy displays are available for customers to get entertained. The most striking thing among all has to be the kendama, and it was interesting to learn that Go-En sells Japanese kendama and US kendama of all sorts and also distributes this unique traditional Japanese toy all over the Philippines.

    Staffs can assist and teach you if you want to know some kendama tricks, but there’s also a looped video playing on the LCD TV that makes most passersby be drawn in by curiosity. This part of the dining room makes the ambiance feel more casual and animated. It’s also nice to try something a little different than just dining in a restaurant.

    Go-En can seat 40 people at a time. Everything looked clean and neat, and the Japanese-themed paintings on the walls were a sight to behold. Polished floors and wooden fixtures complete a relaxing and intimate classical setting overall. The open kitchen at the back was also set up to attract an admiring crowd. Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant, but guests are encouraged to enjoy their stay while eating, playing with the toys, or reading manga.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The people here make you feel welcome. John, the owner, and the rest of the staff was very accommodating and friendly. He shared so many stories of his life experiences together with his partner for twenty years, the co-owner of Go-En, Marilyn. His love for his craft obviously showed and made us more intrigued about the things he’s passionate about. Orders came out fast as they should.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    First things first: the ramen noodles (imported from Japan) were awesome. But that’s no big surprise. Go-En cooks the ramen upon order and serves them with no delay so they come out perfectly springy with just the right amount of chew. We had a consistent type of thick and curly noodles on all four bases, and it’s worthy to note that they’re markedly better than any dehydrated ramen on the market.

    Kogashi Shoyu Ramen Delight is a soy-sauce based ramen with dark smoky flavor, thanks to the black peppercorn that gave it a more comforting roasted taste. The pepper gave it mostly a nice kick and compote for a delicate, warm spiciness. The aroma was remarkable as well, but there’s no substitute for the fragrance of freshly ground pepper.

    Wonton Tomato Ramen Delight was not as exciting but edible nonetheless. Its broth was tasty and not too “nakakaumay,” but I’m just not a fan of tomato taste when it comes to ramen. It felt less OMG and more just merely like OK.

    Cheese on ramen? Yes, please. The great thing about the Cheese Ramen is that the cheese strings were not stretchy and once melted as part of the broth, they assemble the flavors in your mouth. Bam! 😛 With corn and a mound of minced pork, and moyashi, the miso-based soup is soul-warming, definitely a hit for first-timers in Go-En.

    The Tantanmen Ramen was made with local pork and organic eggs. It had an exquisite richness of sesame I expected from a really good bowl of tantanmen. With a little bit of spiciness, this ramen will knock your socks off.

    If you’re a fan of plenty of heat, Mabo Ramen must be right up your alley. This is the flavor to grab when the weather takes a dip. When red pepper on mabo dried up, the soup got redder and looked scarier. I could never slurp it fast enough because it was extremely hot for me. For a few minutes, I thought my mouth was on fire! :O

    At Go-En, you have the liberty to adjust or increase the heat as needed with these condiments on the table.

    Japanese-style Karaage (boneless chicken), the perfect snack to eat with sake or beer, was super crispy, juicy, and just crazy delicious even without the dip. Eat it with or without rice, and you can’t go wrong.

    For the meat-shy, Go-En Ramen also offers a number of pleasing alternatives. One of which we tried was the Sakana Donburi, which is simply fried fish fillet and rice. It’s a decent choice but not something that I could have more than a couple bites.


    For the desserts, we had the Matcha Mochi whose center was made up of vanilla ice cream and the homemade Matcha ice cream (by the scoop). Both were sweet, dense, and creamy, with a subtle green tea taste. These were very refreshing and ideal treats to complete an awesome meal at Go-En. Thumbs up! 🙂


    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Go-En is not your ordinary Japanese restaurant. The setting is done up with an old charm and there’s a sense of gameplay in the air. Go-En can be heaven for ramen lovers, as it presents really good bowls of ramen that can almost make you cry tears of joy. This is one of those notable Japanese restaurants in Quezon City where you’ll have a memorable experience from the moment you sit down and not faint when the bill arrives. It’s not upscale and price aren’t too expensive but just fair. 😉 Budget is PhP 200-300 per head.

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  • Review of Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay)

    Review of Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay)

    It was my last day in SM Retail. For my despedida, my manager treated our team to lunch at a restaurant of my choice. As I had been to almost every restaurant in SM Mall of Asia considering my tenure in SM, I wanted to go somewhere not too far away from our office but still worth going for. My sister recommended Mitsuyado Sei-Men in Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay City the night before. Seeing its stunning interior design on pictures already made me feel so excited, so you can just imagine how happy I was when everyone in the team voted yes. We mutually decided to take on a feast at Mitsuyado Sei-Men, the House of Tsukemen. 😛

    Sitting beside Yamato Bakery, Mitsuyado Sei-Men is a franchise from Japan and is a sister company of UCC Coffee locally. The Philippine store is the first outside of Japan. It also has a branch in Jupiter Street, Makati.

    Review of Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Mitsuyado Sei-Men in Blue Bay Walk might seem unassuming from the outside, but inside this cozy venue, an amazing interior awaits. The elaborate decors including vintage Japanese posters, lanterns, street food carts, bicycle, and buildings made us feel like we were transported to Japan. The accents were in no way lacking that wow factor. With the stunning layout, this Japanese restaurant fully deserves its reputation as a hot spot, which makes eating here as exciting as ever. So cool! Its flair is unforgettable.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Young and knowledgeable staff contributed further to our good experience. They were trained to explain the dishes well and they showed willingness to help us out with any questions. Quick service matters a lot especially for customers like us who were just out for lunch break.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    The menu offers a good array of well-executed Japanese classics. I tried one of the best recommended items: the Cheese Curry Tsukumen (PhP 340, regular) which was unlike any ramen I’ve had. The al dente noodles were chunkier, thicker and wider than regular noodles in ramen, and they can be served either cold or hot as preferred. First timers are advised to consider going for the cold preparation, following tradition.

    The chewiness of the tsukemen noodles was also something to appreciate and enjoy. The thick and rich curry broth provided a symphony of tasty noodle slurping once mixed. And of course, the cheese on a separate bowl should be poured over to complete an aggressive blast of creaminess.

    For dessert, each of us ordered the Sumiyaki Coffee Jelly with Ice Cream (PhP 100). Soft coffee jelly paired with vanilla ice cream is always a simple but refreshing combination that’s obviously withstood the test of time. Taken together and savored, the flavors turned out great. I liked that the coffee layer wasn’t too strong or bitter to overpower the sweetness of the ice cream. Both were represented in every bite. 😀

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Metro Manila is blessed with a bounty of good ramen restaurants, but when in the search of a little more unique Japanese restaurant specializing in tsukemen, you can’t go wrong with Mitsuyado Sei-men. Tons of ramen varieties can be found in this joint. Prices are okay for generous servings and dishes that guarantee a great kaleidoscope of Japanese flavors. Surely, it’s a convenient and reliable place to get your hands on high quality food. We left in a state of bliss. Super busog! 🙂

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  • Review of Sultan Mediterranean Grill (Salcedo Village, Makati City)

    Review of Sultan Mediterranean Grill (Salcedo Village, Makati City)

    On the “keeper” list in Makati, Sultan Mediterranean Grill features delightful Mediterranean plates that are set down in tasty digs accompanied with drinks. This restaurant was established back in January 2010 but closed down after a while. With its reopening last January 2015, renovation and redesign were done, making its interior pass the eye test with flying colors. Bustling crowds are expected especially during weekdays when people from corporate offices nearby come for lunch.

    Sultan Grill will be opening a new branch in Wilson Street on November 15, 2015. So far, its well-conceived menu full of scrumptious specialties and the growing number of patrons in the neighborhood are enough to justify expansions.

    Review of Sultan Mediterranean Grill (Salcedo Village, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    With clean and crisp interior, Sultan Grill fits into a rectangular space with many large tables across the dining room. Black sofas beautifully offset the colorful accents and decors which likewise provide a stately elegance to the blue and white adjacent walls. Lights give in ample brightness over the tables and help make a lighthearted atmosphere, but chandeliers with distinctive industrial appearance can further create a modern and interesting appeal.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Engaging staffers served us with glorious cuisine and explained the ingredients of each dish when asked. A restuarant’s service team is one of the crucial elements in its operations, and I’m happy to report that Sultan Grill’s staffs well-trained, well-versed on the menu, and friendly. I mostly appreciate their warm welcome and modesty.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Falafel is one of the signature starters of Mediterranean cuisine—and with good reason. Sultan Grill’s version of Falafel on top of Hummus (PhP 250) did not disappoint. It’s an obvious choice for vegetarians. Made and processed with very finely chopped chickpeas, falafel is a great substitute for meatballs or sausage. Texture was coherent, and the crust was pleasantly crisp and not a bit greasy. Hummus added another dimension to the taste and it’s definitely worth a try.

    The Vitamin Boost Salad (PhP 250) had a citrus kick, thanks to the orange-cranberry dressing. This plus the heartiness of nuts and greens, this baby can give enough sustenance to get you through a whole day. If you’re on a detox or diet plan, this is good dish you can even share with a buddy over any meal.

    If you’re not a fan of starters, feel free to go directly to the main course. Braised Lamb Shanks (PhP 550) is something you don’t screw around with. Sure, it’s easily one of the most expensive items on the menu, but with the juiciness of the lamb shanks and the multitude of flavors from the Mediterannean, it’s a must order for domestic bliss. Served with rice, the lamb shanks were braised for three hours and what resulted were deeply substantive and savory taste and texture.

    Consisting of well-seasoned hunks of lamb, beef, chicken, and seafood, the Kebab Platter (PhP 580) is a good pick if you want to try just about every kebab available in Sultan Grill. This platter can comfortable feed four or more people. While variety is a plus, I did not think that the beef and lamb were tender enough. Rather, the meats veered toward dry without the spicy richness it could have offered for extra satisfaction.


    The Lobia Rice (PhP 95) was made with rice, string beans, and chicken with a twist of Mediterranean taste. It’s one of those food where you can let your eyes be your best guide. The orange color alone hinted that it’s appetizing. 🙂 This bowl of rice went truly well with the Kebab Platter.

    Moussaka (PhP 250) – A uniquely Greek traditional dish of layered minced beef, eggplant and cheeses, baked like Italian Lasagna. Each bite was completed with rich taste of the ground beef and the sauce. Texture was far from being too chewy, mushy, and crappy.

    The Chicken Curry (PhP 210) was another one that good amount of depth and character. It reminded me most of the Indian curry because of the smell. The curry was cooked with a combination of herbs and spices and coconut milk that provided a nice thick sauce. What slightly turned me off though was that the potatoes were still too hard to cut through.

    Banana Yogurt Shake (PhP 100) was the perfect drink to sip in between bites. I love that the banana flavor was evident, and the yogurt shake was  thick, rich, and yummy.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Mediterranean food can still be intimidating since there are not a lot of restaurants in the metro that widely serves this cuisine unlike Japanese, Chinese, Italian, American, and of course, Filipino local bites. I like that Sultan Mediterranean Grill in Makati keeps the mood light and casual and their staffs recommend the best dishes to try. Prices are average and has good value considering the portions served and the quality of food served.

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    Operating hours: 11:00AM – 10:00PM Daily

  • Review of Four Seasons Hotpot City (Manhattan Parkview, Araneta Center, Cubao)

    Review of Four Seasons Hotpot City (Manhattan Parkview, Araneta Center, Cubao)

    Vikings Luxury Buffet has established itself as a solid dining destination for special occasions, birthday celebrations, anniversary celebrations, and even casual meals among many families in the Philippines. From the same group that brought Vikings and NIU, Four Seasons Hotpot City is the latest addition to the Vikings family. After its successful venture in SM By the Bay, it has just opened a new branch in Manhattan Parkview, Cubao (near Gateway Mall) on October 3, 2015 with a space that can accommodate over 400 guests.

    This buffet restaurant serves not only items for shabu-shabu dining but also various dishes from appetizers and mains to desserts that are all worth traveling for. We were very fortunate to be one of the firsts to try them, thanks to Ms. Raquel’s invite. 🙂 Come and let’s eat like a Viking!

    Review of Four Seasons Hotpot City (Manhattan Parkview, Araneta Center, Cubao)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    “Uy! Ang ganda!”, while referring to the interior design, was the initial reaction I heard from people that surrounded our table. And guess what? Those are my thoughts exactly! 🙂

    The stunning dining room combines both form and function perfectly. The decadent white and gray color scheme throughout the light-filled, plushly appointed dining area keeps the vibe calm, refined, and quite sophisticated. Plant decors, words such as “HOME” and “FAMILY,” and wines displayed on the background are enough to capture your gaze for a while. For shabu shabu meals, every table is fitted with an electric stove top with divider.

    Properly labeled buffet counters and food sections are all positioned at one side, so flow of traffic goes smoothly and the different types of food are easy to wander into. Just like in any Vikings restaurant, diners get front-row access to chefs and the rest of culinary team at work.

    The five function rooms (for 12-14 people each) will take you to a more intimate and private dining experience. Huge chandeliers provide an interesting contrast to the dark and muted atmosphere, while the eye-popping bird painting on the wall completes the room’s enticing visual charm. Lovely!

    ♥ Washroom ♥

    Service: ★★★★★

    The number of guests seemed endless but the service crew has still done a great job in handling requests. They were attentive, kind, and fast to their feet. Our used plates, bowls, and clutter on the table were quickly taken out with permission. It’s always a humbling experience to be treated nicely. Food on the buffet spread were replenished in a timely manner. However, there were also times when diners had to queue up for it. In this case, staff asks for the table number and then delivers a platter of the food once it becomes available.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Sometimes a meal really does taste better in stylish surroundings. But even without minding the grand ambiance and decors, in Four Seasons Hotpot City, food tastes and quality are utterly excellent. Three elements are key to its magic: freshness of seafood and vegetables, tenderness of the meat, and the variety of items to try. It’s definitely right to put this restaurant in your list of favorites. 🙂

    Salads and appetizers are beautifully presented and these are not your average starters. I love the different flavors and textures of ingredients in each as I have personally tasted everything in these two sections. 😛 Home run!

    Divided into meat organs, seafood, balls, dim sum, noodles, vegetables, and vegetarian, the items for hotpot meals are whoa whoa whoa absurdly varied. Four Seasons Hotpot City must be the vanguard of the shabu shabu buffet revolution in the Philippines. 🙂 For the soup base, we chose chicken and sinigang which evoked both happy emotions.

    It’s good to learn that the premium meat from the Carving Station doesn’t require additional charge. The Roast Beef and Binusog na Lechon were particularly damn delicious.

    To end a stellar meal, desserts are a must. We had an assortment of ice cream, Filipino rice cakes, taho, yogurt, cookies, crepe, chocolate, etc. Eating only one won’t weigh you down like you think it might, so maybe order two—or more, as you can. 😛

    If you’re into all sorts of drinks, you’re surely welcome to use smile and prayer hands emojis. Four Seasons Hotpot City is the kind of establishment you walk into and immediately feel good about. Beverage options are impressively serious, complete with water, juices, shakes, teas, coffee, soft drinks, and beer.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    As with any Vikings brainchild, Four Seasons Hotpot City in Cubao is where you can have an unpretentious great time, but nowhere is it near as intense or intimidating as dining in a classy hotel restaurant. This is the kind of place where you can linger for hours and thoroughly sample every single dish you want. Prices are reasonable, especially now with the ongoing promotions. 🙂 Just note that waits can push well esp. during the prime of lunch and dinner time, so booking for a table way in advance will really help.

    Month-long promotions:
    October 3 – 6*: 50% OFF for the first 100 Pax!
    October 7 – 13: 25% OFF Facebook “Fans” Promo
    October 14 – 20: 25% OFF Instagram “Followers” Promo
    October 21 – 27: 20% OFF Quezon City Promo
    October 28 – 30: 15% OFF Vikings Loyalty Cardholders Discount

    Prices, subject to 5% service charge, are as follows: Weekday lunch Weekday dinner/ weekend and holiday lunch and dinner
    Kids below 3 ft Free Free
    Kids between 3ft and 4ft PhP 188+ PhP 288+
    Kids between 4ft and 6ft PhP 288+ PhP 388+
    Adults PhP 688+ PhP 888+
    75 years old and above 50% special discount 50% special discount

    For more information on promo mechanics, please visit fourseasonshotpot.com.ph

    Coming Soon:  SM Sta. Mesa!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/fourseasonshotpotcubao” name=”Four Seasons Hotpot City” description=”Ground Floor, Manhattan Parkview, Gen. Roxas Ave., Araneta Center, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries and reservations, call +(63) 932-7777, +(63)939-7777, or 0998-988-5888″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-10-07″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operation hours:

    Lunch: 11:00AM – 2:30PM
    Diner: 5:30PM – 10:00PM

  • Review of Mooon Cafe Mexican-inspired Restaurant (SM City Cebu)

    Review of Mooon Cafe Mexican-inspired Restaurant (SM City Cebu)

    SM Cebu was only about 10 minutes of walking distance away from the hotel we stayed in Cebu City, so visiting SM’s “first shopping mall outside of Metro Manila” was truly a must. For lunch, we went for the “mooon” that keeps on rising. 😛 Mooon Café was awarded as the “Most Promising Retailer of the Year” at the 2010 Outstanding Filipino Retailers-Cebu Search Awards. Owned and managed by Pages Holdings Inc., this Mexican-inspired restaurant which originated in Cebu is quickly expanding its branches nationwide.

    Serving luscious authentic Mexican dishes, Mooon Café offers house specialties that are well-prepared and well-cooked to ensure customers’ satisfaction. What enticed us most were their “Family Fiesta” packaged meals (for 4-6 people and for 6-10 people). We chose Set B at that time of their promotion and had a good meal before our flight back to Manila.

    Review of Mooon Café Mexican-inspired Restaurant (SM City Cebu)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Mooon Café looked like a colorful Pinterest fantasy-land with wooden pieces of furniture, plenty of seating for large groups, and notable jars displayed in walls. In contrast to the lively and vibrant interior design, the atmosphere was really quiet even at the peak of lunch time. Hence, this can be a great spot for a casual get-together with family and friends where funny stories can be exchanged. Here you can expect to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere that allows you to take your time and savor the taste of Mexico while in Cebu.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Set B (PhP 1599) consisted of Nacho Supreme, Pochero, 22 pieces of fried chicken, Moonsteak, rice, and a pitcher of iced tea. In a sea of mediocrity, it was just about the best reliable lunch option we have come across in the area.

    The Nachos Supreme was a monster mashup of crispy nachos bathed in cheese and flavorful dressings. The melted gooey, smooth, and silky cheese was deeply satisfying! While you can practically guarantee getting full ingredients on each tortilla chip, there can still be the pleasure of hunting for particularly well-topped chips.

    With its crust having a completely irresistible shade of golden brown, Mooon Cafe’s version of the fried chicken came out light, crispy, and delicious. I distinctly remember that it had quite a salty grease, deep chicken flavor, and tender meat.

    The Moonsteak, presented on a sizzling iron plate, did not win me over. Drowned in gravy, the steak was not as amazing as I had hoped for. Out of all the dishes we tried, this one was generally unimpressive and totally skippable.

    The comforting bowl of Pochero had a good balance of meat and vegetables. If you’re in the mood for something simple but belly-warming, this Filipino Stew must be on your table. It was a far cry from the salty, one-dimensional soup.

    Additionally, we ordered the Gardenia Pizza, a perfect vegetarian treat topped with tomatoes, onions, eggplant, green bell pepper, olives, pineapple tidbits, button mushroom, lettuce, and mozzarella cheese.  It was okay but I thought it was definitely an acquired taste of Pinoy’s general preference and unlike a nod to Mexican cuisine’s authenticity.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    At Mooon Café, nothing was over the top. Everything was simple, decent, and reasonably priced. Escaping with a bill under PhP 2000 even if you’re a group of 10 is possible. This restaurant can build a bigger loyal following among the Mexican food enthusiasts in town.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/moooncafe.resto” name=”Mooon Cafe” description=”Mooon Cafe, SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (032) 416 1122 (Main Office) or email pagesholdings@yahoo.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-10-02″ user_review=”11″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

  • My Top 5 Picks at the Ultimate Taste Test 2015 (Glorietta Activity Center, Ayala Center Makati)

    My Top 5 Picks at the Ultimate Taste Test 2015 (Glorietta Activity Center, Ayala Center Makati)

    Last September 12, 2015, Saturday, a thousand of foodies participated in the Ultimate Taste Test 2015 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati. Organized by Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet and San Miguel Lifestyle Brews, this food tasting event gave food lovers a chance to become food critics for a day. Over 40 food suppliers consisting of home-based food businesses and new ventures joined and served mouth-watering new flavors to guests.

    Ultimate Taste Test 2015

    It was my first time to attend such an event, and I was floored with the many different selections of food available.

    The mechanics are pretty simple. Each of us was given one plate and a spoon to be used for the entire food sampling duration, so part of the challenge was to keep the plate neat and clean after getting and tasting food from the first booth to the last.

    We were also handed out the map of the activity area and the rating sheet where we had to rate the food supplier accordingly on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest):

    1 – Thanks, but it could be better.
    2 – It is OK.
    3 – We had a good time.
    4 – I love it!
    5 – Awesome! I would recommend it!

    The Ultimate Taste Test 2015’s official results are not out yet, and everyone is excited to find out who got the highest ratings. Meanwhile, here are my personal top picks that scored a perfect “5” and won my heart completely. 🙂

    My Top 5 Picks at the Ultimate Taste Test 2015 (Glorietta Activity Center, Makati City)

    1. Chocoliquor – Cakes by Maricar

    “Imagine biting into a high quality chocolate bonbon then taking the smallest sip of excellent red wine, just enough to enhance the flavor. That was our inspiration.” – Maricar Reyes-Poon

    The chocoliquor cake turned out moist and rich with a great chocolate flavor. It was delicately sweet with just a small hint of bitterness. The liquor’s taste was not too intense and overly done to overwhelm one’s tastes, so the cake can be quite friendly for both adults and children.

    This cake has been featured before on Kris TV, and it rightfully deserved so. Presented in a gold tin/box, this alcohol-based cake is an awesome treat to the family or a gift for a friend. I’m surprised that prices are more on the affordable end:

    3.5″ round gold tin – PhP 290 (required pre-order, minimum of 12 pieces)
    6.5″ round gold tin – PhP 550
    9″ × 8″ rectangle in gold box – PhP 850

    To learn more about Chocoliquor – Cakes by Maricar, visit/like its Facebook page or contact 09178648282 to order/inquire.

    2. Fisher Farms, Inc.

    I knew I would love the Smoked Milkfish – Pure Belly Cut by Fisher Farms, Inc. just by the smell of it. 🙂 It was mouth-watering, especially with rice. What made it special are the facts that they use the most premium part of the bangus and virgin beechwood chips imported from Germany to create not only a juicy texture and robust smokey flavor of the fish but also make it chemical-free and safe.

    This is also best recommended for those who don’t have the time to cook and prepare food, since the item is microwaveable and can be easily served in minutes. The Smoked Milkfish – Pure Belly Cut by Fisher Farms, Inc. doesn’t contain artificial ingredients and chemical preservatives. It’s healthy since it’s a good source of protein and Omega-3, has zero trans fat, and is free from gluten, casein, nitrites, and MSG.

    Fisher Farms, Inc. also sells meaty fishy sausages without the strong fishy taste. Products are available in Rustan’s and S&R. For more info, visit their website.

    3. Gelato Lab

    The softness and smoothness of the gelato served by Gelato Lab definitely stood out. My favorite flavor was the Matcha Choco Chip. 🙂 Mixed with chocolate bits that added a contrast, the Matcha Choco Chip gelato was made from high grade Japanese green tea powder thus produced an authentic full-bodied flavor.

    Others were also enjoyable and satisfactory. To achieve the Coffee Stracciatella gelato, Gelato Lab used premium Colombian beans to produce an intense, creamy taste of coffee without any acidity or bitterness. The beans were blended with thin bittersweet chocolate flecks, which perfectly complemented the richness of the coffee. To make the Mango Pudding gelato, real mangoes were used in the recipe and small mango bits were mixed in to add more juice to the bite. The Bailey’s Irish Cream had a unique taste of boozy flavor with just the right subtle touch of alcohol. Glorious!

    Aside from these presented in the Ultimate Taste Test booth, Gelato Lab also offers a good range of flavors from classic favorites (like dark chocolate and strawberry) and interesting combinations (like almond mascarpone) to the unusual (like thai milk tea, or pumpkin spice) and liquor-based (like pina colada).

    For more info, visit or like their Facebook Page.

    4. The Beef Barn

    My mom somewhat got addicted to going back a couple of times to The Beef Barn’s booth to relish their house specialty: the Roast Angus Beef with Wild Mushroom Sauce. Nothing could be more sinful and comforting than a huge chunk of fatty Angus beef smothered with a creamy wild mushroom gravy.

    The beef was crusted on all four sides and it had that melt-in-your-mouth wow factor that’s worth a minor heart attack. 😛 Indeed, the roast angus beef by The Beef Barn is a winner in our book.

    For more info, visit its website.

    5. Chivy & Co.

    If you want to get the famous Tian Tian hainanese chicken rice without having to fly to Singapore, Chivy & Co. can get you covered. Chivy & Co. created a recipe that’s inspired from the original and thought that they could make it even better.

    I can tell that they got it right. 🙂 How? They were able to retain the moisture and tenderness of the Sous Vide Hainanese Chicken and cook it in its natural juices perfectly. Three different types of sauces (ginger sauce, sweet soy sauce and chili sauce) were served together with the fragrant Hainanese rice. Absolutely delicious!

    Wrap Up

    The Ultimate Taste Test has been a fun event with something for everybody—appetizers, mains, drinks, desserts—you name it. As stated by Anton Diaz of OAP, “it is impossible to taste all the food in one session.” My mom and I went back three times to the Ultimate Taste Test (UTT15) activity area to give rest to our stomachs and set a good pace. 🙂 In between, we walked from Glorietta to SM, SM to Greenbelt, Greenbelt to Landmark and then back to Glorietta.

    We spent almost seven hours in the area and were happy to also spot some of our KTG friends. At the end of the day, we were able to taste and rate dishes from 40/49 food purveyors. Hooray! We can’t wait for the actual results. 🙂

  • PlateCulture – A New Social Dining Experience for Chefs and Foodies

    PlateCulture – A New Social Dining Experience for Chefs and Foodies

    What’s with PlateCulture? I find the idea really fresh and exciting, and I bet foodies will all agree. It’s simple: You request for a dinner on your chosen date. Chef approves your request. You confirm with a secure payment, and you visit the chef’s home and enjoy your meal together with friends and family. 🙂 In short, PlateCulture is like the “AirBnb for food.” It’s a platform offering to experience an authentic dining right at the chef’s home.

    How PlateCulture Started

    Founded in 2013 by a couple of Lithuanians, PlateCulture keeps expanding one country at the time. It’s currently present in 24 countries, with each one offering to choose from various chefs and cuisines. It has already proven its popularity in Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

    Co­founders Reda Stare and Edvinas Bartkus are avid travelers and foodies who have strong passion discovering the world through the kitchen. The idea of starting PlateCulture has sparked during Reda’s trip in 2010 when she has spent a year traveling through Southeast Asia and India.

    The PlateCulture concept has changed a lot since the start. With users increasing every day, PlateCulture has recently released a new mobile app for Android phones thus the guests and chefs are able to communicate anywhere anytime. “What started out as a tourist attraction is now a community of foodies, which attracts locals and tourists alike,” Stare says.

    Be the guest or be the chef!

    What’s also great about it is that anyone who is passionate about cooking can become a PlateCulture home chef. Keen? All you need to do is to set up your profile and wait for PlateCulture’s ambassadors to pay you a visit to verify your profile.

    Chefs also get reviews and they are rated in terms of food, communication, cleanliness, and value for money. Chef Shamini from Kuala Lumpur shares his testimony: “It got me a step closer to my dream ­ opening my own restaurant.” He has already hosted more than 100 dinners and cooking class events. This gives a lot of aspiring chefs a chance to share and present their cooking skills without having to invest a big sum of money right away in a business.

    PlateCulture: New Social Dining Experience

    Now in the Philippines, PlateCulture has attracted crowds of both travelers and locals who are keen to get together for homemade meals. For tourists, it is a great way to get to know local culture through food and meeting locals since chefs often join the dining table. For locals, it’s an excellent opportunity to taste exotic meals prepared by expats, and unlike in restaurants, there is real interaction with chefs. It’s also a great way to impress a date. 😉

    Thousands of people have already enjoyed PlateCulture social dining experience, and yet everyone has been pleased with the result. They describe PlateCulture as: “Get to know foodies who love having a great company around the table to share their stories with. Over dinner you can meet art critic, singer, entrepreneur or doctor and make new friends from different cultures.”

    PlateCulture is available on web, in your Android and iOS (coming soon) phone.

    For more information, visit their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter. 🙂