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Category: Food Reviews

  • Review of The Round Table – An All-You-Can-Eat Tasting Session (Kapitolyo, Pasig City)

    Review of The Round Table – An All-You-Can-Eat Tasting Session (Kapitolyo, Pasig City)

    The Round Table started its humble beginnings as Q Bistro, which opened at the Malayan Plaza, Ortigas in June of 2006. Early this year, it took another step to reach greater heights as it relaunched Q Bistro as The Round Table, along with catering company, Q Provisions. The Round Table (located in front of Zen Nutrients) was born to showcase an all-you-can-eat tasting session along with the goal of offering something fresh to the busy streets of Kapitolyo.

    There are a lot of factors that make The Round Table in Kapitolyo, Pasig a special restaurant. The food, handled by Q Provisions Catering’s Executive Chef Mia K. Capay, goes beyond the norm and what’s predictable. How so? The items on the “round buffet table” consist of various themes with several superstar dishes that change EVERY DAY. 🙂

    On Mondays, get ready to relish outstanding flavors of South American cuisine. Come Tuesday, a grand tasting tour of Italy with a pasta bar filled with exciting options of spaghetti, fettuccine or penne complete with red and white sauce awaits. On Wednesdays, it’s heavenly Mongolian dishes. Thursdays will have you filled up with the Filipino Twist theme, while Fridays are all about Roast Carving featuring Roast Beef, Roast Pork loin and Herbed Roasted Chicken.

    What happens on weekends? Saturdays and Sundays offer smartened-up menu version from Chef Mia with the luxurious flavors of French, Asian, and Spanish menu. WOW, right? This “all-you-can-eat tasting session” concept makes The Round Table an ideal and unique spot to enjoy different food specialties (available in the catering services) that will please pretty much anyone.

    Guess what’s most surprising! Regular rate per person is only PhP 295. But if you “Like” their Facebook page, the buffet rate further goes down to PhP 199/pax. Yes, it’s a steal!

    matchy outfits with Chef Mia and the event host :)

    Review of The Round Table – An All-You-Can-Eat Tasting Session (Kapitolyo, Pasig City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    The Round Table can be a great venue for private parties, corporate lunches, and other exclusive events. Its interior design looked simple but functional, fully personifying the name of the establishment. The overall ambiance wasn’t stuffy but just casual so guests won’t feel pressured or pretentious to hang out and wind down anytime of the day.

    With a capacity of seating 25 to 30 people, the tables in the dining room are comfortable and quiet enough that you can actually carry on a conversation. There’s also a small bar setup for a quick drink and some comfort food. Neat!

    Service: ★★★★★

    The Round Table offers a personalized service that completes a much deserved dining experience. I guess they have the good advantage of having limited space so service could really be personable, concentrated, and on point. Food on the buffet table were served fresh out of the kitchen and staffs made sure that we were all well pampered with the feel of great hospitality.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    We came on a Sunday morning for breakfast. Food options on The Round Table may be limited and nothing too fancy, but good lord, they were all delicious. For appetizers, the potato croquettes, Q Salad, and bread antipasti were excellent on the lighter side. Also kicking off the meal just right were typical Filipino breakfast items with a twist: the homemade chicken tocino and pork hamonado. Both were mildly sweet and not with an overdose of sugar. You’re going to need to eat them with steamed white rice to balance the taste.

    The highlight of our meal must be the roast beef as it was so tender, hearty, and flavorful that you’d want to unhinge your jaw and get the entire piece down your throat. The meat was roasted for seven hours and I bet this is one of the dishes that’s worth a trip for. Chef Mia’s version of adobo is another must-try, as it was cooked with green mango puree and bagoong (shrimp paste) instead of the usual soy sauce and vinegar.

    For dessert, we had a slice of carrot cake—not to be missed! It was moist, perfectly dense, and unbelievably fudgy with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting slathered over the top. Other food items were good as well but not particularly as memorable.

    Potato Croquettes

    Antipasti

    Q Salad

    Chicken Tocino

    Pork Hamonado

    Arroz Caldo

    Tender Roast Beef

    Spiced Aglio Olio Pasta

    Rustic Fish Fillet with Olives and Capers

    Adobo sa Mangga

    Pork Ragout

    Carrot Cake

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Ladies and gentlemen, you don’t have to be stuck with Locavore, Silantro Fil-Mex, RUB, Mad Mark’s Creamery & Good Eats when choosing restaurants in Kapitolyo, Pasig. The Round Table (Tasting Session) is the “new kid in the block” that has officially arrived. Presenting an exciting array and different themes of food every day with an affordable buffet rate of less than PhP 300 per person, this restaurant really has a good price for value.

    Note: Menu is uploaded on their Facebook page a day before so you would have an idea of what’s to be served on the day you’d visit. You may also contact The Round Table for inquiries about food.

    Birthday Promo Mechanics:
    1. 1 birthday celebrant is entitled for a free All-You-Can-Eat-Session for every group of 3 paying customers.
    2. The promo is only valid within the duration of the celebrant’s birthday month.
    3. Celebrant must bring a valid ID or proof of birth date.
    4. This promo cannot be used in conjunction with our current promotions and discounts including senior citizens discount.
    5. Gift certificates cannot be used to avail the promo.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/RoundTablePH” name=”The Round Table” description=”56 C&D East Capitol Drive, Pasig” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 7061668 or 0922-8948509″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-06-05″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Breakfast: 7:00am-10:00am
    Lunch: 11:00am-2:30pm
    Dinner: 6:00pm-10:00pm

  • Review of Cake Shots PH: Booze in Your Cupcakes

    Review of Cake Shots PH: Booze in Your Cupcakes

    Alcohol-laced cupcakes for every occasion. What’s not to like? Just last March 2015, Cake Shots PH launched its presence online featuring absolutely drool-inducing cupcakes infused with different kinds of alcohol. I’m delighted to receive a box of varied flavors of these sweetly sophisticated cupcakes from Patricia, its owner. Cupcakes with booze are a rare sight with most dessert shops in Manila.

    Review of Cake Shots PH: Booze in Your Cupcakes

    Service: ★★★★★

    If you have a spontaneous craving for cupcakes infused with alcohol, you may contact Cake Shots PH directly through the contact details provided below. Either pick up the order with well thought-out packaging at 3D Avalon Condominium, 95 Xavier St. Greenhills, San Juan, or opt to get it delivered. For pick-up orders, minimum is half dozen; for delivery orders, two dozens.

    Another option is to buy these treats via the Food Panda website, app, or call (02) 87878. Use the voucher entry code 30LOVEPANDA and get a 30% discount on your order (expires on July 1, 2015). Delivery time is 45 minutes (from shop opening time). Fee is 10% and there’s no minimum amount required to make a purchase.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    I’m a fan of red velvet cupcakes, and the Irish Creme Velvet Cupcake (Box of 6 – PhP 450; Box of 12 – PhP 850) spiked with Irish Creme Liquor from frosting to cake was a huge hit. The punch of liquor though was subtle and I’d appreciate if it’s more pronounced.

    Similarly, the alcoholic taste in the Vita’s Pudding (Box of 6 – PhP 450; Box of 12 – PhP 850) was not overwhelming but noticeable. The highlight must be the cinnamon-like smell of raisins bathed in Brandy Caramel Sauce that gave way for its fruity notes. The bread pudding tasted great. 🙂

    Spiked Chocolate (Box of 6 – PhP 450; Box of 12 – PhP 850) was one of the most compelling of all “Shots” cupcakes. The taste of chocolate was balanced by vibrant acidity of the Irish Cream Coffee. The moistness of the cupcake stood out, and the marshmallow frosting on top delivered just the right amount of sinful sweetness. Bomb!


    Coconut and lemon made an interesting combination for the Coconut Daiquiri (Box of 6 – PhP 450; Box of 12 – PhP 850). This cupcake had a light and fluffy texture and a pleasing hint of lemon Bacardi. While I barely tasted the alcohol that came into play, it was a nice attempt mixing these tropical flavors together.

    Spotting a chic and modern look with classic candy cane colors, the Cosmopolitan Cupcake (Box of 6 – PhP 480; Box of 12 – PhP 900) gave an affable and cordial touch with a smooth, rich, and buttery frosting. It’s made up of cranberries, vodka, orange, lime, and triple sec. Again, with this one, alcohol notes were a little dull, but I still enjoyed sharing the cupcake with my family regardless.

    Newest among the bunch, the Black Label Chocoholic may look demure and simple on the outside, but the taste of this cupcake is giant! It’s a double chocolate cupcake infused with Johnny Walker Black Label. This creation had a long finish, as the complexity of the flavors lingered in my palate the longest.

    When the initial alcoholic kick of the cupcake ebbed away, it was replaced by the earthy flowery undertone of the chocolate. With the cupcake soaking up the alcoholic taste like a sponge, the contrasting duet resulted to a satisfactory level of deliciousness. 🙂 Now if there is only one item you would order, I highly recommend the Black Label Chocoholic.

    The only “Virgin Shot” in the box, Carrots Delight (Box of 6 – PhP 450; Box of 12 – PhP 850) is a non-alcoholic cupcake for a tame yet pleasurable experience, good for kids! Its texture was pretty dense with alluring carrot-y flavor, and the cream cheese frosting and walnut topping were divine. 🙂

    All in all, Cake Shots’ cupcakes were great and nothing of the dry sort. However, one thing I hope they can offer is the option for customers to choose the level of alcohol content on the cupcakes (e.g. none, light, medium, heavy, etc.). I wasn’t expecting to be drunk after eating the “Shots” cupcakes or somewhere close, but I think that adding more alcohol will brighten up the taste and set the “Shots” farther apart from the “Virgin Shots.”

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    The pairing of cake and alcohol is pure heavenly. Every flavor of Cake Shots’ boozy bakes surprises out of the jack box, filled with ingredients that reveal distinct tastes plus a shot of booze that adds a zing to the seemingly innocent cupcakes. Prices are fair and reasonable, crediting the high quality of ingredients used and freshness of the pastries as delivered. Quite honestly, I wouldn’t mind taking one of these cupcakes on a weekly rotation to go along with my 4PM-afternoon snack at work. 🙂

    Cake Shots PH Menu

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.instagram.com/cakeshotsph/” name=”Cake Shots PH” description=”For orders and inquiries, Text/Viber/Whatsapp/WeChat +639063269209 or email cakeshotsph@gmail.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-06-03″ user_review=”12″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

  • Review of Cebu’s Best – Rico’s Lechon Restaurant (Mabolo, Cebu City)

    Review of Cebu’s Best – Rico’s Lechon Restaurant (Mabolo, Cebu City)

    When in Cebu, it’s almost mandatory to try Cebu’s best lechon (unless you are a committed vegetarian). We asked several locals for recommendations, and the most popular answer was Rico’s Lechon. Intrigued, we made sure to have a meal in one of its branches before leaving Cebu City. So what’s with Rico’s lechon that everyone is craving for it? It must be their original discovery: the best-selling SPICY lechon, the first in the Philippines.

    Rico’s Lechon serves lechon with ingredients that penetrate the deepest part of your taste buds. Cooked with precision and served with perfection, the lechon is dished up with only garlic and leeks. Is it really that good? We’re keen to find out.

    Review of Cebu’s Best – Rico’s Lechon Restaurant (Mabolo, Cebu City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    This branch of Rico’s Lechon in The Ridges Commercial Building emphasizes a casual and easy spirit rather than sophistication and formality. Interior design was very simple and clean, with palettes mainly yellow and white. Setting a welcoming vibe, the arrangement of the tables and chairs was orderly, straightforward, and functional. The dining room was quite spacious and the ambiance looked ideal for accommodating large groups (stacked chairs at the back).

    Service: ★★★☆☆

    Any meal at Rico’s Lechon centers in—you guess it right—lechon, as almost every item on their menu consists of it. We ordered their specialty, the Spicy Lechon but were saddened to know that they had ran out of it. What? It was only 7PM and everyone must have reserved an order of lechon ahead of time for delivery. It was just disappointing that the main purpose of our visit was defeated.

    Instead, we ordered baked scallops, however it was also unavailable. Frustrated this time, we asked the staff to just point on the menu which items we can have to be sure that we won’t hear the same comment. Later, good news came: one customer called and cancelled an order of lechon. The staff asked if we want it. Yes, please.

    Notwithstanding, service was kind and quick, and staffs were courteous. Inventory planning just needs a little improvement.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Crispy Lechon (PhP 180) when served did not have a nice crispy and crunchy skin, but there’s no denying that the meat was savory even without sauce. What’s good is that it hardly had any fat. The deal breaker for me though ended up with the texture. This one broke my heart because it’s chewy, dry, and tough like it was way overcooked.

    Next, we had Lechon Sisig (PhP 160)—fatty, juicy, and a bit salty. Served on a sizzling hot plate, it was an exciting dish with loads of flavor. We enjoyed it with white rice, honest and plain.

    Finally, a plate of Rico’s Lechon’s special Spicy Lechon (PhP 550/kilo) arrived on our table. The pork skin was far from crispy, but the meat was indeed tender and well-seasoned. Its spicy flavor was nothing we’ve had before and definitely close to addictive. For those who love lechon and spicy food, this is the perfect dish for you to try and cozy up to.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Rico’s Lechon is a typical mid-tier Filipino restaurant serving unpretentious food that comes with affordable pricing. The lechon dishes we tried were packed with aromatic flavor cooked up differently. Theirs were some pretty good versions of lechon, but for the title of being “Cebu’s best,” I thought I want better than pretty good.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ricos-Lechon/196720380397974″ name=”Rico’s Lechon (Cebu’s Best)” description=”Unit 4-5, The Ridges Commercial Building, F. Cabahug, Mabolo, Cebu City” rev_name=”For inquiries/orders/reservation, call (032) 260- 2443″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-06-01″ user_review=”12″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branches:

    Rico’s Lechon – Corporate Office
    Address: One Paseo, Maria Luisa Road, Banilad, Mandaue City
    Telephone: (032) 344-0119 | (032) 239-2830
    Fax: (032) 344-1343
    Mobile: +63915-703-3964
    Email: info@ricoslechon.com
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/RicosLechonOfficial/
    INS: https://www.instagram.com/RicosLechonOfficial/
    TWITTER: https://twitter.com/dabestgyud/

    Rico’s Lechon – Commissary
    Address: Highway 77, Talamban Cebu City, 6000 Cebu City, Philippines
    Telephone: (032) 344-0119 | (032) 239-2830
    Fax: (032) 344-0119
    Mobile: +63915-703-3964
    Email: commissary@ricoslechon.com

    Rico’s Lechon – Mabolo Branch
    Address: F. Cabahug St, Cebu City, Cebu
    Phone: (032) 344 0119
    E-mail: mabolo@ricoslechon.com
    Rico’s Lechon – Mactan Promenade
    Address: Mactan Promenade, Airport road, Lapu-lapu City
    Phone: (032) 239-2830
    E-mail: promenade@ricoslechon.com

  • Review of Delicious Diet PH (5-Day Program and Food Delivery)

    Review of Delicious Diet PH (5-Day Program and Food Delivery)

    These days, diet food deliveries aren’t so unique anymore. We’ve got a lot to choose from, even those that started with the intent to only feed a small circle of friends or officemates. Delicious Diet (DD) is one of the most popular diet food programs in the Philippines with quality menus. Jeff of Delicious Diet Support contacted me to try their service and share what I can say about it.

    The verdict? I think they deserve the credit of their name. Although there were some misses in terms of flavor, DD’s food generally tasted fine considering that they’re 1200-calorie diet meals. Their claims, “downright healthy,” “definitely balanced,” and “delightfully convenient,” are quite believable, too. Here’s the menu I got for Delicious Diet’s food plan  last week (May 18-22, 2015):

    Review of Delicious Diet PH (5-Day Program and Food Delivery)

    Service: ★★★★★

    Confirmation of order was done via SMS. I simply provided my name, email address, delivery address, and preference of delivery time (morning or evening). For morning deliveries, the sender is expected to arrive at 5:30AM-9:30AM for same-day consumption; for evening deliveries, expected delivery time is 5:00PM-9:30PM on the day before consumption. “Evening” sounded better for me since I leave the house at around 8AM, and Delicious Diet cannot guarantee a specific time within the given time range in the morning. Thankfully, all diet deliveries were sent on time as promised.

    Delicious Diet menus are posted on their Facebook page a week before so you get to see the list of food you’ll munch for next week’s subscription. As eating right can be tricky, it’s good that they show a meal plan to plant seeds of expectation in your mind.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Delicious Diet’s five-day meal program proves that “diet foods” don’t have to be tasteless. While there were some that I didn’t like (particularly the pasta in salsa rossa sauce, which was more like a punchline to a bad pasta joke, and the minced meat in lettuce cups, which didn’t taste fresh and was meh at best), the rest kept me full and satisfied. Ingredients used did not taste artificial, including snacks, and that’s a good sign that the food was well-made. Genuinely delicious for me were those marked with asterisks (see below). 🙂

    Monday

    • Breakfast: Baked pork, breakfast bun*
    • Lunch: Chicken inasal, native vegetables, organic rice
    • Snack: Banana fritters with coco sugar-cinnamon sprinkle*
    • Dinner: Beef in peanut sauce, garlic kangkong, organic rice

    Tuesday

    • Breakfast: Florentine hash skillet
    • Lunch: Minced meat in lettuce cups, organic rice
    • Snack: Veggie sticks, hummus
    • Dinner: General Tso’s chicken

    Wednesday

    • Breakfast: Open-faced sloppy Joe
    • Lunch: Chicken divan, organic rice
    • Snack: Baked pastry and tea
    • Dinner: Fish in soy-ginger sauce, organic rice*

    Thursday

    • Breakfast: Tuna omelet*
    • Lunch: White adobo, organic rice
    • Snack: Melba toasts, mushroom dip
    • Dinner: Pasta in salsa rossa sauce

    Friday

    • Breakfast: Grilled vegetable sandwich in whole wheat ciabatta*
    • Lunch: Pork tenderloin in spinach pesto sauce, organic rice*
    • Snack: Baked pastry and tea
    • Dinner: Grilled salmon, organic rice*

    To most, 1200 calories is little and may not be enough to sustain energy or keep the stomach full for the day. But what matters more is eating enough of the right kind of food and staying away of those with “empty calories” or food without nutrients. Delicious Diet meals seem to be balanced with vegetables, meat, fish, and some sweets. Ultimately, portion control with careful distribution of calories throughout the day is key.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Delicious Diet must be praised for being one of the top diet meals in the Philippines that design a system to help people change eating habits for good. PhP 1800 for five days (regular set) is not totally cheap, however it’s also not the most expensive either. Provided were real food that’s well thought out and not those goods just straight out of the can. Taste was okay and service was great. With these reasons, I say the price for value is reasonable.

    Without an added delivery cost, Delicious Diet delivers to: Makati, Fort, Mckinley, Otis, Rockwell, Pioneer, Mandaluyong, Eastwood, Libis, Marcos Highway, Cubao, Marikina, Pasig, White Plains, Katipunan, Xavierville, Kamias, Anonas, Teacher’s Village, Tomas Morato, Tandang Sora, Fairview, Commonwealth, Congressional, Banawe, Sampaloc, Paco, Taft, and Pasay. For South Deliveries, delivery fee is PhP 100.

    Delicious Diet is recommended for those who are too busy to cook meals every day and for those who can spare a few expense to drop pounds effectively. Since I am not really up to losing weight, I’m not the best person to ask when it comes to this matter. 🙂 For reviews and testimonials related to weight loss with the help of Delicious Diet, visit their Facebook page. You’ll surely find a lot there!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/DDietph” name=”Delicious Diet PH” rev_name=”For inquiries/orders, contact 09088797915″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-26″ user_review=”12″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

  • Review of Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant (New Manila, Quezon City)

    Review of Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant (New Manila, Quezon City)

    I guess part of the challenge of dating a food blogger is finding restaurants that are a bit more unconventional or off-the-beathen-path, especially when it comes to romantic dining. My top-of-mind criteria are: delicious food (well, that’s a given), majestic ambiance we can fall in love with, and a certain “x-factor” that will make it a place we will remember even in our dreams. Oh yes. 🙂

    During special occasions, my boyfriend loves bringing me to “secret restaurants” where the pleasure is as much in the finding as in the eating. He also makes sure that it’s somewhere I haven’t visited yet, so it can be a new discovery. This time, we celebrated our sixth-year anniversary in Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant. This “hidden gem” in New Manila, Quezon City has impressively satisfied all my requirements! 🙂

    Review of Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant (New Manila, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Horseshoe Village in New Manila is largely a residential compound, so it was easy to assume that Lemuria is one of those restaurants converted from a house. Apparently, we were right. Lemuria used to be part of the owner’s home. A beautiful open garden surrounding the house reeks romance. Potted plants make the whole place feel like something out of a high-class outdoor home decor and styling magazine. The hanging flowers snaking around plants suspended overhead complete a picture-perfect setting.

    At sundown, the lights are turned on, making it feel like more than just a garden. By special request to management, guests can also have lunch or dinner be arranged in this “scenic garden of paradise.”

    As we entered the dining room, we were greeted by a lovely atmosphere framed with soft lighting and European-inspired interior design. Small details go a long way here. Brick paneled walls, white tablecloths, wooden tables and chairs, wooden floor, plates on walls, leaf-patterned curtains, and a full-length mirror add up in creating a contemporary ambiance.

    I thought Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant is an exquisite location for those looking for an elegant dining spot that’s conducive to a quiet, intimate time when dating someone special, celebrating anniversaries, closing business deals, or proposing a marriage. At the back, they have a collection of wines that complement the menu, entice the senses, and suit every personality and occasion.

    Service: ★★★★★

    I salute the service, which was charming and serious. We received flawless VIP treatment from the time we entered the gates to the time we left. The down-to-earth staffs were attentive, polite, and non-intrusive, making us feel like in a relaxed vacation house miles away from the Metro Manila bustle.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Lemuria’s fine-dining menu is concise with limited options, but every item seemed like a signature dish packed full of flavor. We ordered a soup entrée, two mains, and a cake for dessert.

    A complimentary bread basket with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and butter was brought to our table as appetizers. Breads were fresh, light, and tasty, and the olive oil with balsamic vinegar had a nice fruity kick.

    For our soup course, the Mushroom and Gruyere (PhP 395) isn’t exactly something we seek out on menus, but while color was one-dimensional, this one happened to be quite good—thick and creamy. The gratinated swiss cheese on top tasted pretty sharp and pronounced, so much better than cheddar cheese.

    For our seafood main, we chose the Shrimp Tortellini (PhP 625) made with home-made shrimp tortellini in crab fat sauce topped with sautéed chanterelles (a.k.a. queen of mushrooms). Presentation was super fancy and the golden-priced, golden-looking, and golden-tasting chanterelles with crab fat sauce worked wonders. Texture of the pasta was not exactly like that of a traditional pasta. I was actually expecting spaghetti-like strands of pasta, obviously as I had zero familiarity with how tortellini looked like. Haha.

    A mainstay of fancy dinner parties, the Beef Bourguignon (PhP 830) was nothing short of amazing. Served with mashed potatoes on the side (sorry, not on picture), these US short ribs were braised to the core in red wine for eight hours with shallots, carrots, and lardoons (pork fat). Immersed in savory sauce, the fork-tender meat melted in my mouth like butter. Although portion was small, it was filling and definitely a luxurious treat. Yum!

    Nothing beats a slice of decadent chocolate cake. Formed with alternating layers of white chocolate and dark chocolate, the Opera Cake (PhP 320) had an interesting blend of sweetness. It was moist, rich, and a little bit addictive. It’s pure indulgence!

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant is not the most accessible place, but getting here is worth it if you’re looking forward to a dreamy dinner. The prices aren’t cheap, with an average rate per person hovering around the PhP 1000 mark. Food was well prepared and the amount of work spent to make the dishes was undeniable, but it’s truly the ambiance and service that made the experience remarkable. 🙂 I thank my “very very sweet loving boyfriend of the century,” Louie, for making this happen. ♥

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Lemuria.Gourmet” name=”Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant” description=”5 Julieta Circle, Horseshoe Village, New Manila, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries and reservations, call contact numbers (02) 724-5211 and +63927-4284202″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-22″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating Hours: 6pm to 11pm
    Note: To secure a table, reservation is a must. Dress code is smart casual.

  • Review of 7Flavors Philippines (Addition Hills, San Juan)

    Review of 7Flavors Philippines (Addition Hills, San Juan)

    7Flavors Philippines is the newest dining destination nestled within the lush urban confines of Addition Hills, San Juan that’s composed of an artisan bakery, a gourmet café, and a world fusion buffet restaurant in one location. There’s a lot going on here! This kind of place can be tricky, but no doubt, it’s a a pocket of pleasure, where guests indulge in delectable delights and tempting treats.

    Why 7Flavors? The restaurant serves food that are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami, spicy, and astringent. Whoa, wait—what? I couldn’t wrap my head around that last one. I know “astringent” as a face cleaner that removes excess oils and tightens the pores. After a quick definition search, I learned that the term also refers to a sour or bitter taste causing the mouth to pucker. Interesting! 🙂 So if you’re the adventurous type of eater, put your hopes up and rest assured that everything is good. 7Flavors Philippines is a foodie’s paradise, lovingly crafted by a celebrated master of the arts, the renowned Chef Boy Logro.

    Review of 7Flavors Philippines (Addition Hills, San Juan)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    7Flavors Philippines’ ambiance is so charming that makes it a perfect place for family gatherings, hanging out with friends (tambayan), birthday celebrations, and lunch or dinner dates. The real notable feature is that guests have all the freedom to choose where they want to stay to taste different sorts of food: at the bakery, the café (first floor), or the buffet area (second floor).

    The 7Flavors Bakery is where you can have fresh bread, savory pies, and baked goods. With fun, playful, and heavenly items displayed in rows, this part of 7Flavors can make you smile as soon as you walk towards it. Seating is limited though you can always move indoors to the café.

    Just footsteps from the bakery, the 7Flavors Gourmet Café looked classy, resonating with warmth of the servers. I love intimate places like this where you can just stay for hours and enjoy the neutral colors layered with blue and yellow accents. Pay attention to the menu posted on chalkboard-designed wall at the side. The ambiance was quite homely, too, with the sofa set making a statement at the back. Chill!

    The second floor sets the stage for the 7Flavors Fusion Buffet and opens up to a spacious dining area that can accommodate up to 150 people. Three function rooms are available; one of which can hold 30 people, while the other two can each hold 15 people. Interior design looked simple but still festive and elegant. The blue and white theme just reminded me of a traditional Greek restaurant. 🙂 Lighting was ample and the instrumental background music also played a part in making us feel relaxed.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was first class, but not the slightest bit stiff. The staff were friendly in assisting guests and taking requests. It’s easy to get stressed out when attending to so many people at a time, so I hope that they manage to continue serving efficiently and responsively even after the soft opening.

    What’s also noteworthy is that the staffs’ uniform looked stylish as compared to the usual plain polo shirt. Donning a red scarf and a red beret, the receptionist and the rest of the service attendants wear shirts with black and white stripes and black pants. 🙂

    Food: ★★★★☆

    It isn’t often to come across buffet restaurants serving good Asian fusion food in the city. 7Flavors Philippines is an exception. Here you can find unique and inventive dishes that may just blow your mind. They have grilled, baked and stewed meats, seafood, freshly cooked vegetables, and desserts. Yeah, it’s a party. Get involved!

    You can start with the salad and jump right into the carbs. Pork Bagnet With Fermented Shrimp and Bagoong Rice made a nice pair. With a serious jolt of umami, these two have the ability to put your regular fried pork bagnet entrée and steamed white rice to shame. The combined taste is not for the timid. It’s bold, distinctly salty, and just mouth-watering. The Fried Potato With Cheese And Bacon was cooked well, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

    You can hide in your comfort zone or go with an open mind. The following dishes were stunning, presented with bright colors and stimulating tastes.

    Far from bland, the Beef Bourguignon featured a deep, hearty, and beefy flavor similar to pot roast. Tropical Fruits Salsa was a nice accompaniment to the crisply coated fried fish fillet that packs a wow factor for seafood lovers.

    The Buttered Vegetables were too tasty not to try, and the juicy Norwegian Meatballs were tender and moist with a smooth, almost custard-like texture that almost melts in your mouth.

    7Flavors’ Chicken Drumstick with Sticky Lemon Sauce came with a plethora of aromatic and zesty lemon flavor. For the Korean-Style Mafu Tofu, I was expecting a lot more spiciness. While heat was out, it was still satisfying. Much of that help can be credited to the soft tofu which absorbed the pork’s flavor.

    Firmly set, the Pumpkin Frittata seemed like a pancake topped with squash. Bursting with savory, funky flavor but not so spicy, the Chicken Wings with Butter Spicy Sauce was tender and rich and they’re enough to make your eyes water. Other great to be eaten with rice include the Fish Marinated by Sweet Miso, Malaysian Beef Rendang and Shrimp Coconut Tempura.

    Fans of home-style cooking will be eager to try Asian BBQ Pork Ribs and Garlic Green Beans. Dessert options are limited but these pastries carefully made in-house were decent. I just think that bringing more creative sweet courses into the buffet table will further end meals on a more satisfying and wholesome note. Another thing that’s quite limited in number are the drink selections in the buffet. We had unlimited iced tea and water.

    In case you want more sweets and drinks to come back to balance, you can order items from the bakery or the café downstairs. The 7Flavors Ensaymada (PhP 50) with seven distinctive flavors (butter, pandan, cheese, ube, coconut, flan, and bacon) is an absolute must-try. Its interior, while moist, is more dense than fluffy, and begs for a cup of coffee or smoothie.

    7Flavors Cheesecake (PhP 120) is another crowd favorite. It’s a calamansi-infused cheesecake on a coconut and graham crust, topped with an ube and langka mixture, fresh durian, frosted with coffee cream, and dusted with chocnut crumble. Any café can make cheesecakes, but it takes a great one to come up with something as indulging as this. 🙂 The 7Flavors Cheesecake is an artistic treat skillfully combined with unexpected lip-smacking ingredients with the right textures.

    The Elvis (PhP 120) is one of the most recommended drinks offered. The name itself was enticing enough given its uniqueness. This smoothie was made with fried bananas, maple syrup and chocolate, and topped with bacon. While I enjoyed the richness and creaminess, I barely tasted the bacon in it.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    7Flavors Philippines (near Co-op and Chocolat in San Juan) is a must-visit restaurant for casual dining and for special occasions. It’s recommended for those who are willing to hike to “Greenhills area” in QC for some FLAVORSOME EATS. Once you’ve settled in, instead of buckling up your belt, you may loosen it down a bit and grab all exciting flavors of food to make the most out of the ride.

    With a good selection of items on the buffet, price for value is fair and reasonable. Buffet rates are as follows:

    • Monday-Thursday: Lunch – PhP 399.5 / Dinner – PhP 499.95
    • Friday-Sunday: Lunch and Dinner – PhP 599.95

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://7flavors.webs.com/” name=”7Flavors Philippines” description=”196 A. Mabini Street, Addition Hills, San Juan” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 5430325 or 0917-8281700, or email 7flavors.info@gmail.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-20″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Artisan Bakery: 7:00AM to 8:00PM daily
    Gourmet Café: 8:00AM to 11:00PM daily
    World Fusion Buffet 11:00AM to 2:00PM (lunch) and 6:00PM to 10:00PM (dinner) daily

    Soft opening promotion: Enjoy 20% discount on the World Fusion Buffet until June 14, 2015.

  • Review of Seven Monkeys Kitchen (Mall of the World 花城汇, Guangzhou)

    Review of Seven Monkeys Kitchen (Mall of the World 花城汇, Guangzhou)

    Located in an underground mall that houses a large array of Chinese and international food and drink options, Seven Monkeys Kitchen in Mall of the World, Guangzhou is a funky little cafe specializing in omurice, curry, pizza, and pasta. Most of the menu items consist of fusion-style food. We came here not only for the food but for the whole package. It was an opportunity to linger in a cafe-like setting, while in China, with homey Italian dishes to savor. 🙂

    Seven Monkeys Kitchen 并不是单纯的西餐厅，而是将食物与幸福完美融合的西餐厅。首席厨师长根据快速变化的外出就餐趋向和顾客的趣向，并结合自身丰富经验，为顾客提供多种多样的菜单和优质的服务而不断的努力着。
    Seven Monkeys Kitchen 以简练的装修风格营造出高级、利落的室内就餐氛围。

    Review of Seven Monkeys Kitchen (Mall of the World 花城汇, Guangzhou)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Seven Monkeys Kitchen 以简练的装修风格营造出高级、利落的室内就餐氛围。Walking inside felt like stepping into a fastfood restaurant that’s informal and friendly. With wide area but limited seating, this restaurant is best for solo dining or small groups. The straightforward layout and minimalist design were captivating, amplifying the bright ambiance throughout. I also liked the idea of having white walls that could be left blank or decorated with pictures or statements in a gallery style. So neat!

    Service: ★★★★☆

    We had a great time, thanks to the staff who was courteous, humble, and polite. It was she who taught us first how to ride the Guangzhou Metro. Beyond food recommendations on the menu, she gave helpful tips and advice on which metro lines we should take to go to our next destination. 🙂 We were also happy to be served with the food quickly since we were really hungry. The only thing that should improve is attentiveness. It was quite hard to get the staff’s attention especially when more customers started to come in for lunch.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Blanketing a hefty mound of rice tucked into a paper-thin omelet, the Hot Wing Cream Sauce Omurice 秘制烤翅奶油蛋包饭 (RMB 49) was topped with grilled wings that were particularly spicy. Not short on sauce, the warm Japanese-style omelet was so soft and the flavor blended perfectly with all the ingredients as well as the cream and ketchup.

    The Spicy Chicken Pizza 香辣烤鸡比萨 (RMB 55) tasted also amazing, but what fell out of my expectation was that this pizza did not have a bread crust, so I wasn’t even sure if it’s right to be called as “pizza.” Is there such thing as a “no-bread pizza”? Hmmm… In any case, it had a satisfying combination of cheese and mustard sauce, which was a delight. The sweetness of the pumpkin complemented the spiciness of the roasted chicken.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    When in Guangzhou, China, it’s a great experience to learn how Chinese chefs prepare and cook Italian-inspired food. The dishes at Seven Monkeys Kitchen are moderately priced and the range of items on the menu consist of a little bit of something for every palate. This restaurant must be a hot spot for those tourists and locals who are thrilled to try delectable fusion of Italian and Asian food that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

    Cheers :)

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://monkeyskitchen.com.cn/index.html” name=”Seven Monkeys Kitchen” description=”Mall of the World, Zhujiang E Rd, Tianhe, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China” rev_name=”Seven Monkeys Kitchen also has branches in Beijing, China. ” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-18″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Guangzhou’s No. 1 Spicy Hall 广州1号香辣馆 (Near Beijing Road, Guangzhou)

    Review of Guangzhou’s No. 1 Spicy Hall 广州1号香辣馆 (Near Beijing Road, Guangzhou)

    If there must be a headline above the signage of this restaurant, it should read “NO COMPLIMENTARY HERE.” The imaginary headline felt necessary because that phrase kept coming to mind while we were having dinner at Guangzhou’s No. 1 Spicy Hall 广州1号香辣馆 near Beijing Road in Guangzhou, China. It was the first and only restaurant during our vacation where we were hugely disappointed (read Service part below).

    Review of Guangzhou’s No. 1 Spicy Hall 广州1号香辣馆 (Near Beijing Road, Guangzhou)

    Ambiance: ★☆☆☆☆

    Interior design was very plain and not up to the mark. The atmosphere suffered because of darkness and the stressful feel of the staff. Also, with cartons piled up beside the dining tables, the two-story restaurant did not look decent but dingy and far from spotless. 看起来那么老了，多年没重新设计。

    Service: ★☆☆☆☆

    Service was weird, choppy, and frustrating in multiple accounts. It was okay in the beginning as there was no wait time and the waitress quickly responded with food recommendations when we came in. (Note: All text on the menu were in Chinese, and the staffs could only speak and understand Chinese.)

    Later, a complete set of plate, bowl, and cup wrapped in plastic, a glass of cold water, sheets of tissue paper, utensils (wooden chopsticks and spoon), and house tea were provided on the table as we moved to the dining scene. For the record, we assumed, as any regular diner would, that those basic items were complimentary for use. Little did we know that we had to pay for them on top of our orders. Seriously?

    I talked to the staff and the owner, contesting that they should not charge us for things that were not specifically mentioned had usage fees in the first place. I then wondered if this is normal in China. We did not even touch the tea. In the end, only the plate, bowl, cup, utensils, and tissue paper remained on the bill, which summed up to RMB 6 per person, over the food items.

    Lack of attentiveness and lack of support for customer’s needs were also seen as problems. It felt like we were in school again, as we needed to raise our hands to get the server’s attention many times. Without trying to make eye contact, servers continually walked by us. Our table was positioned just beside the main counter, so it was truly impossible for them not to see. Le sigh.

    缺乏注意力和缺乏对客户需求的支持也被视为问题。这感觉就像我们在学校，因为我们很多次需要提高双手来获得服务器的关注。我们的桌子上刚好位于旁边的主计数器，所以他们真正不可能没看到。

    Food: ★★★★☆

    广州1号香辣馆 knows how to do the classics right, and this plate of Pan-fried Dumplings 私房煎饺 (RMB 22) was a great example of that. There were better starters on the menu, but this one held us over just fine. With a hefty portion of flavorful pork filling, the dumplings were perfectly done with slight charred and a nice crispness on the skin. They weren’t at all oily, which was great, but maybe the pastry was a tad thick. Accompanying sauce was hot, giving that needed extra punch. 真心的美味，非常好吃，份量足够。


    Next we had the Basil Chicken and Snail 紫苏田螺鸡 (RMB 48), which clearly took a lot of skill and technique to cook. It was exciting to eat, since the process of eating it was actually a lot like digging around in your back yard for snails and digging them out with a toothpick. The exquisite snail tasted like the bottom of the ocean. Glorious! 🙂

    However, if you’re not a fan of something unusual, getting this may be likened as driving to a wrong turn or speeding off a cliff. Bounce back a bit with the chicken. Juicy and delectable, the basil chicken was slightly salty, sweet and strong. Taste was all-around excellent, but the annoying factor was it had too many bones. 🙁

    Yangzhou fried rice rouses some sort of worldly must-eat-it-all instinct that’s almost impossible to quell. Similarly, the Guangzhou Fried Rice 广州炒饭 (RMB 22) or “Cantonese-style fried rice” was one dish we could not leave without ordering. The fried rice was salty and satisfying, with spiciness also kicking in every mouthful. Scrambled eggs, carrots, and chunks of meat were in the right proportion and size.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    While 广州1号香辣馆 is certainly a place to check out once for a unique dining experience, this restaurant didn’t leave us ever wanting to come back for more. With better ambiance and service, it could have gotten a more positive rating in this review.

    In terms of food tastes though, there was nothing much to complain about. With the dishes we tried, we found ourselves stunned at how Cantonese cuisine can be super rich and decadent in flavor.

    [schema type=”review” name=”Guangzhou’s No. 1 Spicy Hall 广州1号香辣馆” description=”Yuexiu District 21 Road (near Beijing Road Pedestrian Street South Section), Guangzhou, China 越秀区 禺山路21号(近北京路商业步行街南段) ” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 020-83399336″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-15″ user_review=”9″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]