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Category: Food Reviews

  • Review of The Twist Café (Forest Lodge, Camp John Hay, Baguio City)

    Review of The Twist Café (Forest Lodge, Camp John Hay, Baguio City)

    When it comes to modern Asian cuisine, I always have a lingering question mark on top of my head as I wonder how the chef can transform conventional comfort food into yet another palatable creation. So when we learned from the menu that The Twist by Chef Billy King, the only in-house restaurant and café in the Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay, serves a variety of Asian food, I was psyched. 🙂

    The name “Chef Billy King” sounded familiar. Apparently, he’s the famed as “the Anthony Bourdain of the Philippines,” and also the same person who brought Le Soufflé Resto to Manila. With those impressions in mind, I became more interested on how much the dishes at The TWIST would manage to successfully draw approval from our taste buds. Let’s find out! 😀

    Review of The Twist Café by Chef Billy King (Forest Lodge, Camp John Hay, Baguio City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Offering a comfortable casual dining ambiance, The Twist sits almost adjacent to the front desk area of The Forest Lodge. No doors separate the restaurant and the hotel’s airy and spacious lobby, but still the interior was quiet. The Twist had a consistent rustic theme and bold color contrasts, an intelligent balance between traditional and contemporary.

    The handmade and sturdy wooden furniture, tribal decors and Filipino modern paintings illustrating a forest on the side made me feel like being transported to a restaurant in a forest. The chandeliers looking fab and artistically installed on high ceilings made the vibe even cozy and chic. Tables and chairs were neatly arranged and it’s worth mentioning that they can be requested to be moved to fit a certain group of people.

    Service: ★★★☆☆

    Servers were friendly and informative without being overbearing. Securing their attention was easy and their hospitality was good. My only complaint is that waiting time took too long but not longer than promised: 20-30 minutes.

    To be fair, we considered that the restaurant was super packed in the morning, with tables getting filled immediately after customers leave. Many might have availed of The Forest Lodge’s ongoing promotion (reserve for room online from October 8, 2014 to December 19, 2014 and get free breakfast from 6AM to 10AM), thus explaining the overflowing diners.

    In the case of lunch, I’m not sure what went on. There were two active tables and it took them about half an hour to deliver our orders on the table. Maybe the kitchen staff were normally busy with operations and maintenance at that time or the dishes were prepared too intricately to win us over. Luckily, there’s free wi-fi and many good views in the hotel to keep us entertained.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Lunch – Asian Combinations

    We started lunch with Calamari and Prawn Oriental Pasta (PhP 260). To be honest, it wasn’t the best pasta dish I openly recommend. I thought the sauce needed more spices. Just a wee bit of salt and pepper plus a subtle hint of garlic would have made it better. Overall, it can be counted as a nice and light demonstration of simple goodness, with seafood toppings that seemed compatible.

    Coming with a generous helping of succulent prawns, the Thai Green Prawn Curry (PhP 380) with vegetable brown rice risotto was delicious. The Thai curry taste may be a bit rare for some people’s liking, but for me it was great! I expected the Thai flavor to be more pronounced though, because of the bright yellow color.


    The beautiful sear on the surface of the slice of the Grilled Salmon Fillet (PhP 380) made the fish melt-in-your-mouth, almost. The freshness of the protein shone through, and the lightly sweetened tahini yogurt provided a rich, creamy element together with the vegetable fried rice. Yummy!


    The Honey Glazed Crispy Pork Belly (PhP 340) with steamed rice was cooked perfectly, leaving a nice crisp on the skin while the inside remained tender and juicy, locking in all the juices without leaving a greasy aftertaste. The mixture of honey and sauces appealed to us most. No doubt, this is comfort food that you cannot go wrong with. For those who are in the health-conscious zone, this might make you cringe as there’s a rather thick layer of fat in the belly cut. My boyfriend said it’s the fat which made it tasty. 😛


    After enjoying four courses, it was then time to let the sweet tooth sink in! We had this Cheesecake (PhP 100) which did not come across as the most photogenic but surely compensated with its strong taste of cheese. This treat is a must-try for all cheesecake fans, and one should stay prepared for the smooth and overwhelming cheese in each bite. 😛


    Next, we had the Moist Dark Chocolate Cake (PhP 100) that was so rich that one slice was plenty for five of us to share. Without drinking water or any beverage in between, you’ll feel your mouth hurting in the most pleasurable way imaginable. I bet chocoholics will agree that this chocolate cake is an ultimate indulgence. One-fifth of it was enough for me, and it was the perfect sweet end to our meal.


    Stealing the limelight with glistening surface, the Crème Caramel with Fresh Mango (PhP 120) appeared like the classic leche flan. Delicately shaped and sculpted, the caramel custard had a smooth and silky texture, with consistency that was slightly set and very creamy.


    Less tantalizing on the eyes, Banana Bread (PhP 150) wasn’t too sweet and not quite decadent as well. As I was looking for a more “banana” taste and more moisture for the bread, it didn’t pass as a big of a hit as compared to the other desserts we had for lunch. Maybe I’m just so used to Red Ribbon’s Banana Crunch Slice that I found The Twist’s version to be lacking in flavor. No ground nuts and cereals but basic banana bread as it is? Meh. 🙁

    Breakfast

    We were advised that The Forest Lodge does not offer breakfast buffet for its guests but only a la carte meals. That’s fine for us, as long as the food to be served would be equally decent. At least for myself, I thought it’s a positive way of getting the “hidden bonus”: it won’t lead to a significant increase in food intake. 😛 So yeah, we were presented with a menu of Filipino breakfast sets all served with fried egg, grilled tomatoes and garlic fried rice. Hooray for a carbohydrates-loading breakfast!

    Well marinated, the Fried Daing na Bangus (PhP 245) was fried to perfection and it’s obvious from the color. It tasted like it was cooked from home. I particularly liked that the milkfish fish was boneless, otherwise I would have a hard time eating it.

    Not lacking in terms of fragrance, the Pancakes with Syrup and Butter Cream (PhP 195) were really good. While the edges of the pancake was crisp and brittle (in a good sense), the middle portion remained warm, moist and soft.


    I didn’t know that there are numerous versions of longganisa in the Philippines until last two years ago. A friend had me try longganisa from Vigan, Ilocos which is very different from the only longganisa taste and texture from Pampangga that I used to know. The one from Ilocos is tangy with a hint of slightly smokey pungent flavor of “sukang iloco” or sugarcane vinegar. I’d say it’s more favorable.

    This time ’round, we had the chance to try Baguio Longganisa (4 pieces) (PhP 245) for the first time. Compared to Vigan’s, it was less juicy, less on the sweet side and more savory.


    Another breakfast favorite among the Filipinos, The Twist’s Beef Tapa (PhP 285) had the right combination of sweet and salty. The cured beef was not too chewy but tender enough.


    The Tocino (PhP 245) was okay. It’s the tocino (Filipino bacon) you’d usually get, nicely pan-fried to the right texture and relatively without fat. It tasted a tad like “bak kwa” (肉干) but the softer kind.

    Each breakfast set is served with a choice of pineapple juice, coffee or hot chocolate. We preferred coffee and hot choco.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    The Twist at Forest Lodge, Camp John Hay is an attraction on its own—that is, if you’re going to CJH just to dine in as you’re staying in a different hotel overnight. Albeit there were some misses, we enjoyed the food on the whole. If you’re planning to eat here, it will be good to check with the serving staffs for recommendations based on your appetite.

    For the price conscious, you would be most delighted to learn that the prices on the menu are affordable considering that you’re dining in a hotel, and the food is value for money.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/TheForestLodgeCampJohnHay” name=”The Twist Café by Chef Billy King” description=”Upper Ground Floor, Forest Lodge, Camp John Hay, Loakan Road, Baguio City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (074)422-2075 to 76 / (074) 422-2080 to 81″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-11-4″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Mabuhay Restop and Manila Vanilla! (Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila)

    Review of Mabuhay Restop and Manila Vanilla! (Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila)

    This post is a synergy between a food review of Mabuhay Restop in Rizal Park, Ermita (near Manila Ocean Park) and a write-up on a unique musical-comedy travel show called “Manila Vanilla!” . Actually, it took me a much longer time to publish this, since it’s my first time to write on both the food/restaurant plus a live performance. In the end, I decided to go with my normal format for food review and just share with you the highlights of the show. So here it goes… 😉

    A little intro: My mom invited us to Mabuhay Restop as she purchased vouchers from MetroDeal two weeks ago. She wanted to experience what was said to be “the best of Philippine pop culture” while enjoying the dinner buffet served by the restaurant. She deserved to laugh, smile some more and just have fun as she’s going through a lot lately. Well, so did the rest of us.

    Review of Mabuhay Restop and Manila Vanilla! (Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Everything here is screaming hello, Filipino pride! Mabuhay Restop positions itself as both a museum and a travel café. The business is devoted to promote Filipino culture and heritage in creative ways while making a difference. This is seen clearly as there are several displays and merchandise on the first floor from various regions of the country. The products are truly Filipino-made. Pieces of dining furniture looked sturdy and familiar like those in typical Filipino homes.

    The counter serves as a one-stop place for guests to inquire and know more about trips and tours being arranged and community services where they can help. As a Gawad-Kalinga advocate, the owner of this restaurant/social enterprise is inclined to offer volunteerism tours and other avenues to provide visitors with an opportunity to create better lives for communities who need it most. I’m a fan of the idea. *clap clap*

    The second floor was really where we got busy. One side put forth more impressions of Filipino arts and crafts with paintings and decorations positioned everywhere, while the other side didn’t fail to attract hungry folks for food and entertainment.

    The dining area was spacious, with lots of seats for maybe a hundred people, fronting the stage show. The buffet table was strategically arranged at the far end, so diners can get food with convenience without obstructing the view of the other audiences. I thought this place can be an ideal venue for conducting seminars and gatherings for large groups.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Reservation was made and confirmed through email with ease. We were given our table number when we arrived and we were treated well throughout our stay. The staffs were pleasant and always had a smile on their faces. They were accommodating to all requests and came to assistance immediately when we needed them.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    The buffet spread looked pretty neat and delectable with favorite authentic Filipino dishes available. There were the likes of Sotanghon Guisado, Shrimp with Alavar Sauce, Beef Caldereta, Bangus Tamarind, Adobong Kangkong and more.

    Sadly for me, the food tasted decent but overall mediocre. It wasn’t very memorable but fair enough to satisfy hunger or some craving for home-style Filipino food in a warm and casual setting while in Manila.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Considering the price of food only, I would have to give 3/5 stars. However, there’s more to food in Mabuhay Restop, as we knew and expected. I was super amazed by Manila Vanilla! and I had zero negative things to say about it. 🙂

    Manila Vanilla! — A MUST-SEE CULTURAL SHOW WITH A MODERN TWIST

    Learning that Manila Vanilla! was written and directed by one of the most prominent directors in the Philippines, Nestor U. Torre, plus the fact that its music was selected by the very accomplished Filipino composer Ryan Cayabyab, we were much in delight.

    Packed with humor and song-and-dance numbers, the musical tells the story of a Filipino family who’s venturing into a bed-and-breakfast business while showcasing the beauty of the country. While they’re at it, both foreigners and locals can get to know more about quirks and idiosyncrasies of Filipinos in a creative and entertaining way.

    Many of the audiences that night were game to sing along familiar tunes such as “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit” by Leah Navarro, “Mamang Sorbetero” by Celeste Legaspi, “Magellan” by Yoyoy Villame, “Da Coconut Nut” by Smokey Mountain, “Sana’y Wala nang Wakas” by Sharon Cuneta, “Balut” popularized by Katy de la Cruz, etc.

    Filipino folk dances like tinikling, maglalatik, and pandanggo sa ilaw were also brought to light, as the GK Tanghal Performing Arts group performed these in between scenes.

    I enjoyed the show so much that I want to see it again! 😀 Yes, for real, haha! Time seemed to fly and it didn’t feel like we were there for over two hours. When we were back home, I searched for YouTube videos uploaded featuring Manila Vanilla! but I can’t find a good copy. I’d be happy to run across one next time.

    Not to forget, before the show ended, the performers asked for those celebrating their birthday in the month of October. We all sang the Happy Birthday song for them. Later, Sales and Marketing Director at Mabuhay Restop Billy De Jesus, called one representative of each table to come up on stage. It was me for ours.

    The Filipino folk dancers taught us steps which seemed easy to follow and we danced without music.

    I realized and recognized that the steps were of tinikling when one of the male dancers reached out to my hands. Then, the other performers behind us held the bamboo poles which they tapped against the ground in rhythm gracefully. OMG, I was even the first to try it!

    My feet hurt every time they got caught by the bamboo poles. Obviously, this dance isn’t my expertise, but it was A+ for experience. 🙂

    Dining at Mabuhay Restop and getting entertained by all Manilla Vanilla! performers had really gotten our money’s worth!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MabuhayRestop” name=”Mabuhay Restop” description=”South Drive, Area II, Rizal Park (T.M. Kalaw St. & Roxas Blvd.) Ermita, Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 359-7927, 353-8752, 0917-810-8195 or email info@mabuhayrestops.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-10-29″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Il Ponticello (Salcedo Village, Makati City)

    Review of Il Ponticello (Salcedo Village, Makati City)

    Upon entrance, I was welcomed by Steve Magdaraog, the managing partner of Il Ponticello. He offered me drinks and introduced me to his wife, Imy, and the executive chef, Panky Lopez whom I’m very pleased to meet. Then he told me a quick background about the restaurant. Since 1998, Il Ponticello (known to the locals here as “Ponti” for short) has been popularized as a dining and night out spot in Salcedo Village, Makati serving authentic Italian cuisine. Late last year, the restaurant business has been revived with Steve’s group taking over.

    Well, it’s good to know that Ponti has kept its venue at the heart of the Makati business district where employees, yuppies, expats, students and travelers all come along after a busy and tiring day to take their load off and stuff themselves with great food and beverages.

    I’m privileged to be invited here to taste the best of its revamped “modernized Italian” menu and experience its cool ambiance with the country’s most awesome bloggers I know, thanks to Boss Spanky. 🙂

    Review of Il Ponticello (Salcedo Village, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The design of the room was done pretty neatly, with modern touches everywhere. Purple is my favorite color so the theme of the place got me fired up easily. Oh, the vibe can be contagious.

    There’s a long comfy couch with pillows at one side, while the rest of the dining floor is filled with sturdy dining furniture.

    Behind thick curtains, a private dining area (maybe a function hall for special events) is still ongoing construction, but we had a sneak peek and found that it also looked sleek and glamorous. In that regard, Il Ponticello gave the impression of a classy bar and restaurant, a good interpretation of a modern Italian joint.

    Food: ★★★★★

    We had a superb meal which took about four hours, starting from the antipasti, followed by wonderful selections and variations of pasta, pizza, mains and desserts. So yes, it was a blast. 😀

    Antipasti

    We first feasted on the Portobello Alla Griglia (PhP 490) which essentially was a dish that screamed CHEESE and MUSHROOMS. There are appetizers and there are great appetizers. Obviously this one lands as the latter. Seeing how good it is (with grilled portobello, mozzarella di bufala, smoked ricotta, poached cherry tomatoes, and evoo) won’t make you dare skip.

    A plate of mozarella bites pan fried in butter and balsamic reduction, the Mozzarella in Carrozza (PhP 290) (in English, “mozzarella in carriage”) was loaded with gooey cheese delight inside. Lightly fried, it tasted buttery and not too starchy.

    Pasta

    The Lasagna Carbonara (PhP 420) is a combination of two favorites in one. A staple on Il Ponticello’s pasta menu, this creamy delight was made with homemade lasagna, mozzarella cream, pancetta tesa strips and grana padano. For a rather wild and creative change, this pasta was topped with egg yolk that can be popped and mixed. Result was a more flavorful lasagna carbonara that’s almost out-of-the-world delicious.

    Another legendary pasta dish from Il Ponticello was the Crema di Tartufo (PhP 450), which featured a serious love affair of truffle and mushrooms, pappardelle, cream, truffle paste, truffle oil and porcini mushrooms. The powerful aroma of truffle and mushrooms had me licking my lips and the sight of the rich pasta had me drooling. 😯 I’d remember Crema de Tartufo as one of my favorites! It was perfect.

    The tomato-based Gnocchi Amatriciana (PhP 390) tasted simple and straightforward. It consisted of homemade potato and semolina gnocchi, thick cut panceta and grana padano cheese. The cute bite-sized pillows of gnocchi were soft and each had a delicate kick of spice. You also can’t go wrong with this on your table.

    Pizza

    Can you believe that Rotolo (PhP 480) falls under the category of “pizza”? I couldn’t. I’ve always known pizza as an oven-baked flat bread that usually goes into the shape of a circle, rectangle or even square and oval in some pizzerias or pizza restaurants. So I was struck upon learning that there exists a rolled pizza stuffed with mortadella, ricotta cheese, tomato cream sauce topped with dollops of pesto and it’s called Rotolo. 😛 Yeah, you may call me ignorant for that matter! But hey, it’s great to learn something new—and sharing it, right? I’m in love with the pesto on top. ♥

    If you are a fan of ham and cheese, the Pizza Valdostana (PhP 520) is the pizza that must be kept at the table for the entirety of your meal. It’s composed of parma ham, gorgonzola cream, mozarella and baby aragula. This pizza was lovely, with the ham so thick and the cheese not stingy. High fives all around.

    Deliciously delicate misto of tartufo and fresh mushrooms, mushroom cream sauce, mozzarella cheese and truffle oil—mix everything and you get the Pizza Tartufo (PhP 520). The truffle oil in Tartufo smelled divine and played a major role in whetting my appetite. Oh, if I could, I would have unhinged my jaw like a snake to take more slices of this pizza all at once (but we know I can’t do that, haha).

    Main

    The Chilean Seabass in Bottiglia (PhP 1400) was served with pan roasted Chilean seabass, prawn broth, mussels, clams, Napoletana Piccante sausage, finished and served in a mason jar. With crispy skin, the seabass had a little fishy taste but I appreciated that the texture was firm, silky and overall pleasant. The fish’s flesh was moist and as it was swimming in the sauce, the flavor bursts through in each bite.

    in the jar…

    Ponti’s Presto was for me one of the most visually stimulating dish probably because of my love for prawns (with shells already cracked open ready for eating). 😛 Together in one plate, the grilled prawns, cherry tomatoes, fried basil, garlic confit and trofie pesto worked nicely. The grilled prawns were plump, butterflied and cooked to perfection.

    The porchetta appeared to me as “bread” from afar. Funny I only realized it’s not the moment it’s chopped before our eyes. The Signature Porchetta alla Romana (PhP 390 for solo – 2 Thick Slices Porchetta Carving, Pilaf Rice, Pommery Mustard Sauce; PhP 1200 for whole – 1 Kg Whole Roast Carving and Pommery Mustard Sauce) is slow-roasted pork belly seasoned with fennel and garlic served with pommery mustard sauce.

    If you’re planning to dine in at Il Ponticello, it’s absolutely mandatory that you try this traditional Italian dish. The porchetta was so tender and moist, with skin beautifully crispy. It was so yummy that I didn’t mind eating pork this time. 🙂

    Last (but not the least) we sampled on the mains category was the Flat Iron Steak (PhP 590)—USDA choice flat iron steak with garlic mashed potatoes and summer salad. Everyone tried this, and everyone approved! The beef was super tender and packed with flavor. I found myself nodding and smiling. I’m sure my mom would like this at lot, too.

    Desserts

    No matter how full we were, we still we gotta have some room for desserts. First on the lineup was what dreams are made of: Tiramisu (PhP 290)—savoiardi, zabaglione, amaretto, ristretto and cocoa powder. Decadent, fluffy, creamy and chocolate-y, this tiramisu was the best I had in this lifetime. It had just the right amount of sweet, so it’s easy to be tempted to stab a fork and eat the cake down to the last bite. The cake was accompanied by a Nutellino, which basically consisted of nutella and vodka. Talk about power shots. Wow! 😀

    The Caramello di Semolina (PhP 290), made with white bread, semolina, cream, butter, eggs, caramel and ice cream, was also good but it wasn’t to my particular liking.

    One thing that can’t be missed at Il Ponticello is their Cannoli (PhP 290). This mini taco-looking pastry was made with crispy cinnamon pastry shell stuffed with ricotta cream, dark chocolate morsels, nuts, powdered sugar. I liked that it produced a good crunch sound effect and the filling had a gentle flavor.

    Wiggling sexy, the Cheesecake Panna Cotta (PhP 290) offered an elegant tang with cheesecake crumble and caramel sauce. Its crumbly smoothness can’t be beaten. The taste was just clean and simple, one that won’t push you deliriously over the edge of a food coma.

    More jiggly and creamier than the cheesecake panna cotta, the Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta with Salted Caramel served with chocolate soil, caramel cream and sea salt was melt-in-your-mouth heaven. It contained 72% dark chocolate and with the salty sweet combo, this had a life span of not more than a minute on our table. So good!

    We’re already zombies (death by the chocolate goodness) but the Budino Al Cioccolato (PhP 390) was calling out and begging to be eaten, so it was devoured in silence. We’ve just run out for words. A touch warm, the chocolate lava pudding was moist and the richness was intensified. It’s presented with vanilla cream, amarena cherries and caramel sauce and it’s hardly possible to resist.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Sure, Il Ponticello is generally expensive, but food prices are reasonable for the quality and ingenuity. Spending a little more for food that you can thoroughly enjoy is okay once in a while. If you can’t handle paying out alone, having a complete and satisfying meal here will be manageable if you go with a bigger group and order plenty of food to share so you can also share the bill. 🙂

    Note: The grand opening will be on this Friday, October 24, 2014, so watch out!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/ilponticellomakati” name=”Il Ponticello” description=”2/F Antel Corporate Center, 121 Valero Street, Near V.A. Rufino Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 02 5539971, 9949512 or +63 9497608731″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-10-22″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Lunch: Monday – Friday 11:30AM – 2:00PM
    Dinner: Monday – Thursday 6:00pm-12:00AM and Friday and Saturday 6:00pm-2:00AM

    Dress Code:
    Smart Casual (No slippers and shorts)

  • Review of Saboten Japanese Cutlet (Glorietta 5, Makati City)

    Review of Saboten Japanese Cutlet (Glorietta 5, Makati City)

    Saboten by Raintree Restaurants is a Japanese restaurant which started in Shinjuku, Tokyo in 1966, specializing in KATSU—a breaded, deep-fried meat patty. A number of friends had been telling me how incredibly good their katsu is. Last Saturday, I have finally made my way to Saboten Philippines in Glorietta 5 for a meal, with only the best recommendations on its menu. So, do they have the most amazing katsu cut ever? I’ll just say that Yabu and Kimukatsu (two katsu restaurants I’ve tried) have some serious competition over here. 😛

    Review of Saboten Japanese Cutlet (Glorietta 5, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Saboten Japanese Cutlet offered a comfortable and tranquil environment. The ambiance was cozy with bright lighting portrayed in the pictures below. As there are separators in between tables, you can be rest assured with some privacy. That said, this is a good restaurant that’s probably suitable for business meals even. The decorations were decent, neither exaggerated nor luxurious. I recommend booking a table in advance to avoid long queues during peak dining hours.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was generally competent and friendly. The staffs bowed the Japanese way to show respect every time they left our table to go after our requests. Calling for their attention was easy as they were scattered around the L-shaped dining room. They served food quickly (even for the refills of miso soup, rice, etc.) and acted professionally. I certainly have nothing to complain about. 😀

    Food: ★★★★☆

    When presented with several hot items on the menu, the best way to decide what to order is to ask the manager himself. As obedient customers, we gladly followed his recommendations. 😀

    We had the Mille-Feuille Katsu with grated radish and ponzu sauce (PhP 1130), served on a tray with multiple dishes arranged in a highly delectable and aesthetic manner. As typical katsu sets tend to be, it came with unlimited refills of miso soup, rice and shredded cabbage. The “stars” of the plate must be the Mille-Feuille (130g), two Deep-fried Shrimps, Loin Cutlet (65g) and two Rolled Cutlets (Choice of Asparagus, Cheese and Plum).

    The fun challenge was keeping everything balanced. In lieu of the refreshing shredded cabbage as a side bite, the heaviness of the meat could be cut through. Outside, crumbs of the cutlets were golden brown in color, crispy with enough saltiness.

    Looking ZOMG-awesome, the Mille-Feuille (translated to “a thousand leaves” in English) was twice more delicious than the standard loin cutlet variety. It’s Saboten Japanese Cutlet’s original recipe of tender juicy and very thinly sliced layers of pork.

    For the rolled cutlets, we chose the cheese and asparagus flavors and appreciated them more as we dipped the pieces into the DIY sauce (ponzu sauce with toasted sesame seeds mashed via a pestle). The sauce did a neat job in complementing the taste of the cutlets.

    The deep-fried shrimps (or shall I say, tempura) were nothing extraordinary, but it was worth mentioning that the shrimps used were really fresh. Served with an overly rich tartar sauce, it was one Japanese comfort food done well!

    My favorite non-pork item had to be the Tuna Katsu Set (PhP 425)—Saboten’s original cutlet with Sashimi Grade Maguro. It was truly wonderful with a crispy coating and moist center. Deep-frying time has been adjusted to emphasize the taste of maguro. It’s best enjoyed with Saboten’s special wasabi soy sauce.

    As a thickly structured drink, the Ripe Mango and Passion Fruit (PhP 195) was quite energy-boosting. I liked that the flavor wasn’t at all artificial and the sweetness did not go overboard. Rather, it was like exploding with natural tropical flavors of ripe mango plus a hint of passion fruit.

    With a very delicate and subdued flavor, the Matcha Lychee Almond Cake (PhP 210) has been a good way for me to soothe my tongue after a flavorful, heavy meal. This cake was a creamy one but I’m sad to report that I could barely taste the almond and lychee out of it. Good points? It was moist, airy and not overly sweet.

    On the other hand, the Sesame Sansrival (PhP 210) was a bit disappointing. Until my last bite, the sesame taste didn’t come out prominent against the sansrival (buttercream, meringue and chopped cashews). The consistency was okay but I just preferred that it turn down a bit on the nuttiness and bring the sesame aroma more to the next level.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    It takes a great restaurant and a talented team in the kitchen to stay relevant and popular over four decades to date, and that’s exactly what Saboten Japanese Cutlet has done. This is an ideal spot for quenching katsu and comfort Japanese food cravings, for either solo dining or small groups. You won’t realize what you’re missing until you stumble upon it.

    Given that food quality is high and portion of set meals is good to share with 2-3 people, I guess eating in this restaurant is not such a bad deal for the price. I give a different/separate rating for the desserts though. At least based on the cakes we tried, 2/5 stars is justified by the small slice and my unmet expectations.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/raintreesaboten” name=”Saboten Japanese Cutlet” description=”Ground Floor, Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 6250909″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-10-20″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of F All Day Dining (F1 Hotel Manila, Bonifacio Global City)

    Review of F All Day Dining (F1 Hotel Manila, Bonifacio Global City)

    Trouble deciding where to eat in BGC? There are many restaurants and cafés for your selection, and one good option is F All Day Dining (F Café). F All Day Dining serves both ala carte and buffet all-day for breakfast, lunch and dinner expertly prepared by the chefs. I see this place as a hidden gem, since we can’t see it from the street. Neither is it directly accessible and open like restaurants residing in a mall. Rather, it sits at the third floor of F1 Hotel Manila, my new-found place and recommended spot for a nice business lunch or celebratory dinner with the family.

    It’s rare to find a restaurant inside a hotel with PhP 1k+ and not over the range of over PhP 2k+ for a meal, and that’s exactly what we discovered in F1’s “F”. Their food is not made up of overpriced garbage that appeal only to those wearing a suit and fancy four-star diners.

    Review of F All Day Dining (F1 Hotel Manila, Bonifacio Global City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Seating arrangements spot a relaxed setting, and the ambiance was elegant enough to host business and holiday meals. Contributing to the cheery feel of the place were the combination of lively and muted colors and ample lighting.

    The dining tables were appropriately separated from the next, making it comfortable for guests to move around and get another plate of sumptuous food from the buffet tables (which happen to be set up appropriately according to food type: salads and appetizers, mains and desserts).

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service rendered by a bunch of dedicated staffs at F All Day Dining restaurant was great. They took special efforts to speak to diners between service to make sure that they get all requests done without the long wait. The satisfying customer service here (well, aside from the food) is no coincidence that most patrons left contented.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Eating all these food would probably require four extra miles on the treadmill the next day. Let me share the best things we’ve tried here.

    BREAKFAST BUFFET

    The Mini Burger Patties were like Jollibee’s burger steak with mushroom sauce. I liked that the burger steak wasn’t dry and the sauce made it even juicier. I did mix it with mashed potatoes, which was simple yet a really good compliment as it balanced out the saltiness of the burger patties.

    The cheesy Broccoli Gratin had blown me away. The creaminess blended well with the crunchiness of the broccoli. A thing of warming beauty, this is a true comfort food. Yummy!

    I had three short servings of the light and moist Scrambled Eggs. I wanted to get more but had to reserve space in my tummy for other food. Scrambled eggs are, after all, the king of the breakfast table! 🙂 I thought these eggs were cooked using the low and slow cook method, and the healthy knob of butter was key to make them soft and perfect.

    Presented as amazing little bites, the Fresh Cold Ham were some nicely sized pieces best paired with Pan De Sal at the bread counter.

    The Fish Fillet in lemon butter sauce was particularly good with garlic rice. It was tad tangy and inviting. I see sunshine. 🙂 If presentation was not enough to wow, the flavor and texture were spot on.

    Perfectly seasoned, the popular breakfast dish in the Philippines—Chicken Tocino—wasn’t too salty and was just sweet enough. It tasted homemade and all-natural, also good to pair with rice.

    Sorry, man. Bacon wasn’t available every time I visited the buffet table. It was so sold out that I haven’t taken a picture of the ridiculously good-tasting crispy bacon. I didn’t realize it was that serious until I checked the photos in my camera. I know these tiny leftovers aren’t enough to do justice, nevertheless… :mrgreen:

    “CHRISTMAS” LUNCH BUFFET (available on December 24, 25, 30, 31 and January 1)

    Make little bites of the different variants of cheese and be happy. In this coming holiday season, it would seem only fair to give everything a shot. 😉

    The Glazed Ham has always been a yuletide essential. But F All Day Dining took the next level and infused pineapples and cherries in the recipe. You really need to taste this glorious thing. Looking and tasting as fantastic, another festive dish we tried was the Chicken Galantina. It was made with plump by the savory stuffed chicken inside. I’ve learned that it’s a French dish adapted by the Filipinos. The Beef Morcon consisted of marinated ground beef filled with sausages rolled up to form a marvelous slice. Sound good? It is.

    A classic entree during Christmas, turkey is popular and on the radar. The turkey at F All Day Dining tasted good but it could have been a little more moist. In any case, I bet you won’t have second thoughts to give it a try.

    If you dig Tempura, absolutely get their lightly deep fried shrimp and vegetable tempura dish. The tempura had an incredible crispy outside layer and a firm but delicate interior. Season with soy sauce for the ultimate salty and sweet finish. Moving on, the Eggplant Lasagna was truly solid. They’re the best eggplant lasagna we’ve had in a long time. Another winner was the Roasted Salmon With Orange And Rosemary Beurre Blanc. You know, I’m crazy about salmon and this one’s highly tasty! The sauce made it SO much more palatable.

    Lamb Caldereta—I’m not a big meat eater and I have a hard time eating this stuff without feeling like I’ve somehow given up. But the lamb caldereta they made here was commendable for it didn’t have that strong aftertaste that’s typical when eating lamb. The sauce’s flavor was bold and intense. Therefore, I conclude that this is a must-try, even if you’re not a fan of lamb.

    The Spicy Crabs were cooked well and they’re so spicy that I think they’ve been marinated in fire. It’s the spiciest item we had at “F” actually, and you definitely should not mess with this if you can’t handle some heat.

    Lapu-lapu—You want at least two servings on your table. Good lord! The fish was so fresh and there was not one bit of fish bone.

    Sashimi and sushi? Always a crowd-pleaser.

    The Bulalo Soup was the kind of rich and flavorful “authentic Filipino” soup that makes life worth living. It’s a dish that tasted far superior than what it looked.

    Can you ever end a hearty meal without some sweet treats? Not for us as we were pampered with a variety of fruity type desserts and a whole section of cakes, halo-halo, leche flan and other pastries. These calories-laden desserts are surely not for the diabetics and for the faint-hearted.

    The best for my taste was the red velvet cake which was velvety and delicious by virtue of its divine combination with chocolate. Loved it!

    BARBECUE DINNER

    We were supposed to be having the barbecue dinner at the Canary Lounge at the poolside of F1 Hotel Manila, but since it rained in the afternoon, dinner was served at the “F” restaurant and we were lucky to avoid the rain.

    The BBQ dinner consisted of a medley of grilled meat and seafood with corn kernels and buttered vegetables. While I wasn’t pleased biting into the rubbery grilled pork belly and chewy beef, the flavors were definitely there—bold to say the least. On a separate note, the Hungarian sausage was good and shined on its own accord.

    I had mixed feelings with the meaty finds, but the grilled seafood entrees were a blast, a joy to savor. The plate came with the mackerel, shrimps and squid tasting great and flavorsome. It wasn’t hard to sense the natural sweetness in the seafood that’s owed to the freshness of the ingredients.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Nothing was inconspicuous about the honest cooking of the chefs behind the scenes. Lunch/dinner buffet rate (as of date) is at PhP 1399 pax, and the barbecue meal set is about PhP 2200+ (good for 5-7 people to share). Given that, I still don’t suggest dining in at F All Day Dining if you don’t have to mainly because of the price. But for times when you need an up-to-standard option in BGC, Taguig for any celebration or special occasion, this restaurant at F1 Hotel Manila is your jam.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.f1hotelmanila.com” name=”F All Day Dining (F Café)” description=”32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 9289888 and 908.7888 or email inquiry@f1hotelsandresorts.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-10-08″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Mr. Jones (Greenbelt 5, Makati City)

    Review of Mr. Jones (Greenbelt 5, Makati City)

    Mr. Jones by Raintree Restaurants at Greenbelt 5 is moving to Bonifacio High Street in BGC soon. We came by last Saturday to admire its cooking and ambiance—three days before “D-day” or their move-out day. Mr. Jones is an up-market and contemporary restaurant serving a full array of authentic American cuisine. The menu features real blue plates, gourmet diner pies, burgers, old-fashioned milkshakes n’ egg creams, fountain drinks, boutique gourmet beer and all-day breakfast among others.

    Review of Mr. Jones (Greenbelt 5, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Nicely decorated, Mr. Jones in Greenbelt 5 was a lovely rectangular room and not cramped. Theme was pleasing to the eye as it consisted of pastels accented with bold primary colors. Details on furniture were quite adequate and consistent. I liked it how natural bright lighting strikes all over the room, and I hope that this remains the same in their new branch in Bonifacio Global City. There’s also an al-fresco area that had a warm and relaxing ambiance. Being situated outside the mall and nearer the greenery was a big plus. It was absolutely charming! 🙂

    Service: ★★★★☆

    Service was professional, non-intrusive and accommodating majority of the time we were there. Orders came quickly and there was no pressure to leave right away once we had finished the meal.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Mr. Jones’ Crab Carbonara Linguine (PhP 450) tasted fine and fresh but just lacked excitement. Made with crab meat, black caviar, bacon, egg yolk, linguine, fresh lemon and dill, the pasta didn’t look much when it arrived. I was saddened because it did not have that strong, luscious flavor of crab in white sauce I had anticipated. I also wished that the garnish and toppings were more abundant and more vibrant. Overall, this dish deserved a mediocre salute. Next, please.

    We chose Rosemary Grilled Chicken and Turkey Melt (PhP 450) from the list of superstar sandwiches because its description on the menu was long hence it looked interesting: emmental and gruyere cheese, pesto, mixed greens, tomatoes and onions, topped with sweet cranberry compote on toasted rye served with fries, coleslaw and a pickle. After 10 minutes, my curiosity was quelled finally upon my first bite. It was a good-quality sandwich. Everything was put together well and resulted to something satisfying. The sides couldn’t go unnoticed. They were as good as sides complementing a sandwich could get.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    The food was okay but not PhP 900++ okay. I expected a lot more. With the high prices, they should have inspired a deeper pang of hunger or a craving. That said, a reduction in prices would be nice and probably would reflect the taste of food better. At least this was what I thought out of the two items we ordered. I could pass a different judgment when we try more of Mr. Jones’ food next time. 😛

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/raintreemrjones” name=”Mr. Jones ” description=”Greenbelt 5, Makati (moving to Bonifacio High Street)” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-10-01″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of King Chef Dimsum Kitchen (Banawe, Quezon City)

    Review of King Chef Dimsum Kitchen (Banawe, Quezon City)

    It has been a while since I last hit up Banawe Avenue in Quezon City (now dubbed as the “second Chinatown”) for a meal. Why? I live in Binondo, at the heart of the first and original Chinatown in Metro Manila, Philippines. Delicious, authentic and solid Chinese food to us is just within an arm’s reach. In rare occasions though, we also try and venture out to discover snazzy Chinese restaurants outside our perimeter and see if the trip would or won’t be worth the trip.

    Yesterday was one of those times. We recently heard that King Chef has opened a new branch in Banawe called King Chef Dimsum Kitchen following the success of its flagship branch. What else could we have had at this restaurant? Dim sum (点心), of course! 😛

    As a culinary adventure, eating dim sum is a casual affair that’s better enjoyed with a large bunch of people. Especially since King Chef serves over a hundred different kinds of dim sum, you would want to try more—without having to spend more individually and take more than your body can absorb at a time. It also feels fun and rewarding to anticipate and converse about the dim sum with friends/family once the bamboo steamer is lifted and the food is revealed.

    King Chef Dimsum Kitchen offers price discounts on its dim sum during these hours: Morning Tea Time (8AM-10AM), Afternoon Tea Time (2PM-5PM) and Late Night Tea Time (9PM-12MN) daily. If this sounds good to you, take advantage of their promotion and plan for a dining schedule now. 🙂 Here’s a sneak peek and review of the food according to my taste buds.

    Review of King Chef Dimsum Kitchen (Banawe, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Apparently, King Chef Dimsum Kitchen is where community feeding sessions can be held in mass. This is a restaurant meant for big groups, with square tables that can be easily merged together. If you need a venue for birthday parties and any other celebrations, this Chinese banquet hall has got you covered. The interior design is aesthetically pleasing without much frills. I’m contented with the cleanliness of the space, bright lighting and decent furniture. The place can get a little noisy when it’s filled with more customers but that’s fine with me as I’m already used to the certain festive bustle or the 热闹 (re-nao) ambiance in most Chinese restaurants.

    Food: ★★★★★

    King Chef Dimsum Kitchen’s menu is organized into categories: Congee, Steamed Dim Sum, Fried Dim Sum, Noodles and Soups, Rice Toppings, Breakfast Sets, Lunch Sets, Rice Rolls, Drinks and Desserts. Everything is characterized by the food’s distinctive taste and the great care taken in its preparation. If you’re a dim sum novice, the key to ordering properly—a lesson not better learned the hard way—is to order at least one from each category.

    Over 30+ dim sum were served to us, but I have carefully selected only those that appealed to me the most:

    Crispy Duck Wantons (PhP 120 regular/PhP 68 promo) featured the concept of fried pork wanton balls, except that the fillings are changed to duck meat. Pan-fried to a light crisp, this was quite a contentment as the duck meat was perfectly minced inside. Get this as an appetizer or an entrée. However you choose to go about it, make sure it’s on the table. It’s nothing short of amazing!

    The Shanghai-style Xiao Long Bao (PhP 150, 6 pieces) was good but not as delightful as the others that I’ve had. I thought it’s a litlte dry and lacked on the soup, but that’s maybe because we didn’t eat it at once. For that matter, a return visit and reorder would make a justification.

    The Beancurd Roll (PhP 105 regular/PhP 62 promo) was dense and so good that I didn’t bother to know what’s stuffed inside (ground pork? shrimp? mushroom? veggeis?). That rarely happens. I just managed to swallow the half portion entirely and nodded my head in the affirmative: yes, it’s delicious! 🙂

    Looking cute and awesome, the Carrot Rolls (PhP 90 regular/PhP 62 promo) are not actually carrots but rolls which are only made to look like carrots. Don’t get fooled. 😆 Points are definitely added for creativity. These are filled with lin yong (lotus seed paste)—the same primary ingredient in traditional mooncakes. I would have preferred it to have a stronger dose of carrot flavor to match expectation somehow.

    Another aromatic dim sum dish was the Pumpkin Balls (PhP 90 regular/PhP 62 promo) which stood out for me also because I would never have expected that it’s also stuffed with linyong inside. The texture was fine and smooth like butter and the taste was not too sweet, so there isn’t anything bad to say about it. I bet kids would love it. It’s perfect for Halloween!

    When meat meets vegetables to form a dumpling, good things happen. This is exactly the case with the Chiu Chow Style Kuchay Dumplings (PhP 95 regular/PhP 62 promo). I enjoyed a plump piece of it and appreciated the mix of flavors and textures in one bite. Wrapped in soft rice paper wrapper, the dumpling wasn’t far too heavy-handed on the kuchay, so for those who are members of the “anti Chinese chives and coriander community,” please don’t say no to this right away. Give it a try!

    Doused in sweet soy sauce, the Vegetarian Rice Rolls (PhP 95) were thick, chewy, and not too sticky. They’re made with vegetables including my favorite enoki mushrooms (Japanese golden mushrooms)! 😀 I really miss eating enoki mushrooms because they’re hard to find here in local groceries and markets. This is one of my favorites.

    Having that squidgy slightly sweet inner wall, the Ham Soy Kok/ Ham Sui Gok 咸水角 (PhP 95 regular/PhP 62 promo) or fried pork dumplings were wonderful. Some people describe it as tikoy (glutinous rice cake) with gorgeous savory pork filling inside. Everyone of us liked it, thanks to the savory crisp and chewy mochi-like skin.

    The Hakaw (PhP 110 regular/PhP 68 promo) or shrimp dumpling is one of my staple orders at every dimsum restaurant I go to. This version hasn’t disappointed at all. The prawns used inside were clean and fresh with a natural sweetness that’s hard to resist. The dumpling skin was thin enough to keep the fillings wrapped and not fall apart upon the first bite.

    If you want something similar to hakaw but then something more unique, take the Bird’s Eye Dumplings (PhP 110 regular/PhP 68 promo). It’s made with bouncy prawn, asparagus, carrot and fish wrapped in translucent skin resulting to a savory taste. I think of it as the old school hakaw with differing textures and a hidden bonus.

    An explosion of sweet and slightly salty flavors, the taro used in the Taro Puff (PhP 120) was fresh and refined. Drizzling a piece with the sweet sauce enhanced the natural taste of taro. I like adding chili sauce for a complete knockout as spicy food often wake up my senses and increase my appetite. The taro puff is a timeless classic that has been nicely done. Overall, it’s complete and well-balanced with the almost bland-tasting outer crust layer (nest).

    By the look of it, the Beef Wanton Noodles (PhP 190) was just another bowl of standard Chinese noodles, except that this noodle and soup dish dominated in a head-to-head battle against being soggy, over-salty version some of us are used to getting. With a bit of spicy kick on the broth, these are great noodles with solid bites of protein and vegetables along the way.

    The Bola Bola Congee (PhP 130) tasted rich and velvety. It was very fragrant, cooked Cantonese-style that’s boiled until it’s mashy and rather soupy. Coming from a Cantonese family, I have always liked this type of congee since I was younger and shall love it most probably for the rest of my life. It’s warm, soothing and memorable.

    For desserts, the Mango Balls (PhP 85 regular/PhP 62 promo) brought that subtle sweetness that lingers in the mouth. They’re basically a doughy treat of mango mochi filled with a small mango piece inside and sprinkled with coconut flakes. The presentation was mediocre but these mango balls are a great way to end a fulfilling meal.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    With “dum sum” forming part of its name, we’re pretty much guaranteed to have a good meal at King Chef Dimsum Kitchen. Price range is around PhP 80-PhP 150 for most items, and this is actually not bad given the high quality of ingredients used and creative presentations of food. If you’re hunting high and low for the best dim sum restaurant in the metro, note that King Chef must be included in the list.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/kingchefph” name=”King Chef Dimsum Kitchen” description=”238 Banawe corner Pagataan St. Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 361-0571 and 361-1332″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-25″ user_review=”13″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Mon: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
    Tue: 11:00 am – 12:00 am
    Wed – Sat: 7:00 am – 12:00 am
    Sun: 7:00 am – 11:00 pm

    Other branches: King Chef Seafood Restaurant

    • 987-989 Banawe St, Quezon City 3527534 | Call 4136619, 4414177, 6977781 or delivery hotline 4104919
    • 2F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo, Manila | Call 7208594, 466 5765 (read my review here)
  • Review of Clawdaddy’s Osteria Americana (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Clawdaddy’s Osteria Americana (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Last weekend, we joined many shoppers who went shopping at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City and took advantage of the three-day sale. As mentioned in a number of my previous food reviews in MOA, this huge mall is a haven for food lovers because of the wide selection of restaurants. Come dinnertime, we didn’t have a problem choosing one that we’ve never tried before. Clawdaddy’s Osteria Americana was our choice for dinner. Upon inspection, this place has a variety of pasta and pizza options as well as seafood and meat. We gave it a shot and had a memorable experience, but with an asterisk.

    Review of Clawdaddy’s Osteria Americana (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★☆☆☆☆

    There was only one active table at the Clawdaddy Restaurant when we came. It was 7PM and it was pretty quiet still as compared to the busy ones beside it. Finding a restaurant with few customers at the usual peak dining time mean two things to me.

    It’s either that only those few customers know and realize that the restaurant offers quite amazing food, or that the restaurant does not just seem to appeal to more people heading its way. Maybe for the case of Clawdaddy Osteria Americana, it’s a cross between the two implications.

    The atmosphere was dark, with dated decorative pieces related about the sea on the wall. The scene was humble and subdued, in a world of green and red. I felt comfortable sitting on the couch—until I felt and saw a spider crawling up on my arm which totally freaked me out. 😯

    I stood up right away and shooed the spider to the floor. Doing that must have killed it but at that moment, I didn’t care. A spider web must be close by or it’s formed just where exactly I was sitting (by the counter). Oh no! 🙁 After that, I began to be concerned about the upkeep of the place. The management must do something to control pests in the restaurant.

    Service: ★☆☆☆☆

    Service was VERY slow. See, I ordered two kinds of pizza. One arrived after about 30 minutes; and the other, over an hour. Around 7:45PM, more customers came and filled the dining area. Their orders even came and served first than ours. Mom was irate and began to ask for a follow-up, and the servers expressed their apologies as they have a slow pizza oven.

    The lesson learned here is to expect long waiting time when ordering pizza at the Clawdaddy Restaurant; you might end up with an hour to kill. Note though that it wasn’t only the pizza that came later than expected but everything else as well. To compensate for our disappointment, one pizza was not charged to our bill. It was good that they’re kind and considerate to offer that.

    Another reason that caused Mom’s anger was that many food items she ordered from the menu were not available, namely: Buffalo Wings, Grilled Tuna Ribs, and Blackened Tuna Tails. The funny thing was that the server recommended the Blackened Tuna Tails after reporting that the two initial orders were out, and it was the same server who went back to us to say that apparently, her suggestion was also unavailable.

    I saw that the customer sitting next to ours got a Boston Clam Chowder which had clams, bacon, potatoes, herbs and cream served on a bread bowl. I thought that looked nice and ordered the same, with a smile. Alas, the server told me that they ran out of the bread bowl and asked me if I still wanted the clam chowder soup. I said no because I was primarily just looking on the good presentation of the food.

    She might have missed reporting my response back to the kitchen, because the kitchen staff came toward me and served the soup on a soup bowl and some sticks of bread on another plate. I refused to accept and said that I’ve already told the other server to cancel the order. Outrageous!

    Food: ★★★★☆

    We’re hard-pressed to find a pizza with crab meat starring on the course, and Clawdaddy’s Crab Meat Pizza (PhP 245) suited our desire for the night. It was great to eat while piping hot, but the pizza needed more crab meat for a more luscious taste. The whole egg, marinated crab meat, bechamel and mozzarella sat atop a charred, puffy and chewy cloud from heaven. So good.

    The Godfather’s Meatballs (PhP 285)—spaghetti with meatballs—accommodated our love for pasta. The sauce didn’t taste sweet like the Filipino-style spaghetti so this one’s up for my liking. A common addition to spaghetti, the meatballs in this entree were the real superstar that tasted great.

    The Eggplant Parmigiana (PhP 245) was made with baked eggplant in tomato sauce, mozzarella, and cream. With crispy and crunchy outside and a soft, moist and thick inside, the eggplant was a real hit. Its simplicity was underrated.

    Grilled eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, asparagus, pomodoro and mozzarella? My favorites. All on this plate of Grilled Veggie Pizza (PhP 285), working together in sweet harmony. The taste was definitely up there, and the crispiness of the pizza’s crust was sublime. A bite would convince meat-eaters that vegetarian pizzas are also okay. (This was the pizza that took sooo long to be served.)

    Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

    What use is good food when service and ambiance are bad? When dining into a restaurant, we must be considering paying out for the overall dining experience and not only for the quality and taste of food. For the food alone, I could have added two more stars here. However, with all points considered, two stars may be apt for the price for value.

    Clawdaddy Osteria Americana at MOA has brought us a memorable dining experience, as mentioned in the intro. However, as how the things turned out, it’s not one that we’d like to repeat anytime soon—or ever again. It will be really great if they can improve on the shortcomings since food are likeable anyway.

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