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Category: Food Reviews

  • Review of Shi Lin 士林 (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Review of Shi Lin 士林 (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    On one lazy Sunday evening, my family and I agreed to dine out together at Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo. We were in the mood for some Chinese/Taiwanese food. Too bad that the branch of Little Asia in LCM had been closed probably because it went without an apostrophe. So we opted for this restaurant serving authentic Taiwanese epicurean delights: Shi Lin. Judging by the crowd, this one is here to stay.

    Review of Shi Lin 士林 (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    We’re no stranger to simply designed Chinese restaurants in the hood. And honestly, we liked the ambiance here. It’s clean and nice, with lanterns, red accents and table style arrangements definitely reflecting an Asian vibe. The L-shaped space is fully utilized in the dining room, as sets of tables and chairs were neatly arranged and placed closely with one another. It has a large view to the outside street in between the main building of Lucky Chinatown Mall and the Annex building.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Food came to our table incredibly fast. Two thumbs up for the cordial and attentive service!

    Food: ★★★★☆

    I had high hopes on the Noodles with Sesame and Peanut Sauce (PhP 155) as Louie kept mentioning prior that it’s delicious. The hand pulled noodles were cooked al dente and the sauce had just the right balance of creamy and nutty. To me though, it was pretty average. Feel free to order it and taste the peanut sauce (quite odd when combined with soft pasta), but temper expectations.

    The saltiness of the Salt and Pepper Squid (PhP 345) was tolerable—not like you just swam a few laps in the ocean with your mouth open. I loved the squid as it was perfectly cooked, with a nice charred outside and buttery smooth inside. Dipping it into a small bowl of vinegar made it more appetizing.

    Served in appropriately sized, tasty chops, the Fried Chicken Chop (PhP 205) is famous here. The crispiness of Shi Lin’s fried chicken was nothing spectacular but nothing to complain about either.

    The fried chicken chop was quickly followed by a glistening bowl of Fried Rice with Shrimp and Egg (PhP 135) which was satisfying. The fried rice didn’t come as flashy as the other entrees, but it was good.

    Until the Xiao Long Bao (PhP 155 for six pieces), there wasn’t a single dish at Shi Lin that I got so much fired up about. Shi Lin’s Xiao Long Bao was juicy, meaty, and not so insanely hot that it will scald the hell out of your mouth. It’s a compelling reason to eat here in your own right.

    How to Enjoy Xiao Long Bao

    As if my mom wasn’t full enough, she additionally ordered the Seafood Omelette (PhP 88). Overall, it tasted fine but this omelette didn’t get the merit to be one of our favorite versions. It lacked in ingredients and also in portion size. While we happily ate every last bite, this was probably our least favorite thing on the menu.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Shi Lin authentic Taiwanese restaurant is named after the largest and most famous night market in the city of Taiwan, the Shih Lin Night Market. Prices are not so expensive but are not a real bargain, too. For the bill, I thought I could eat in better restaurants in the same area, but this one’s worth a try. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/SHI-LIN/170754372968415″ name=”Shi Lin” description=”G/F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Reina Regente St cor Dela Reina St Binondo, Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 516-0321″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-19″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branches:

    • Fort Bonifacio – G/F Commercenter Bldg., 4th Ave cor 31st StFort Bonifacio, Taguig |  0917 740-8567
    • The Podium – 3/F The Podium, 18 ADB AveWack Wack, Mandaluyong | (02) 477-4108
    • Power Plant Mall – 2/F Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive Corner Estrella Street, Rockwell Center, Makati City
  • Review of Simplé Lang (Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City)

    Review of Simplé Lang (Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City)

    Raintree Restaurants’ Simplé Lang is well-respected, and although I admit that I’m not quite as in love with Filipino cuisine as everyone else seems to be, I now understand why people are liking the dishes being served at this restaurant. Simplé Lang has got me excited about trying Filipino food once again, as I saw how beautifully they were presented.

    With hand-picked ingredients and appetizing colors, the featured food on the menu haven’t fully departed from the true tastes of local food fare we’re familiar with; they are just more interesting. Simplé Lang in Ayala Triangle Gardens is a great place to go if you want a quick Pinoy fix.

    Review of Simplé Lang (Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    We came for dinner at 7PM. Ayala Triangle Gardens was very dark at night, but the buzzy atmosphere in Simplé Lang makes this restaurant a joy to come back to. We managed to get a table quickly, and with bright lights, wooden furniture and cozy interior, we felt a bit like we just walked into a another dimension.

    The dining areas are divided into the al fresco setting, the indoor first floor and the second floor. Stimulating colors everywhere tend to raise one’s appetite, promoting a positive attitude and outlook on surroundings. The printed words on the walls are well-chosen and are catchy, not going out of style soon.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The customer service makes the restaurant reflect as family friendly. The staffs were a reflection of Filipino hospitality at best! It didn’t take long for dishes to arrive one after the other. We were seated at the second level, yet it wasn’t also hard to call the attention of servers. There’s one or two stationed on the floor attending to our requests.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Subtly unique, the Tinapa’t Tops Salad (PhP 185.00) was as good as I expected for an appetizer. It had kamote tops, kangkong, alugbati tops, tomatoes, red onions and salted egg dressing. This salad had a variety of layered textures and different tastes with some sort of breadcrumb-y dusting of goodness thanks to the tinapa bits. It’s a neat salad tossed with fresh greens. Eating the leaves alone will make your doctor happy.

    As I took a small portion of the Fresh Lumpia Rolls (PhP 95), I remembered home. The roll was basically stuffed with vegetables and was filled with muscovado sauce, garlic and sesame peanut sprinkle. If you’re into lumpia rolls, consider this a must order.

    The Longaniza Tortang Talong “Pancake” (PhP 260.00) must be a trendsetter. It was made with rounds of fried eggplant, salted egg, tomatoes and onion salad. It’s easily one of the best you should have. Dump half of a slice to ketchup to get more flavor going. It sets the tone for the rest of the meal.

    There was something special about the MBT (Monggo Bagnet Tinapa) (PhP 175). Aha, it was the bagnet (deep fried crispy pork with its skin on)! It worked. The stew has been cooked for hours and topped with sili (chili) leaves. What I liked about this course was its different approach with an authentic Filipino flair.

    The Mixed BBQ Plate (PhP 595.00) consisted of chicken inasal (three pieces), leg quarter, pork barbecue (two pieces), and squid (two pieces). At least for my liking: Pork < Squid < Chicken Insasal. The sauce used for marination was rich, certainly sweet and tangy.

    Rice, when eating tasty barbecues like these, is always necessary. Topped with chicken skin and inasal oil, Inasal Java Rice (PhP 165.00) is the one to go with.

    I’m not even sure why, but it’s a forgone conclusion that a Filipino restaurant like this will serve Crispy Chop Chop Pork Belly Dinakdakan (PhP 195). This one’s fine, but it won’t have me ordering it again. Clue: I’m no big meat-eater. 😛

    The Seafood Bicol Express (PhP 375) for me was the hit sensation of the night. It came as a fiery, delicious bowl with shrimps, squid, clams, fish fillet and sayote (vegetable pear) shreds in coconut milk. I absolutely enjoyed every spoonful of this dish with Sisig Rice (PhP 180).

    Sinigang na Crispy Bagnet sa Watermelon (PhP 395.00)—oh, this is what dreams are made of. Seriously, there’s watermelon in the sinigang soup as well as kangkong (river spinach) and labanos (radish). The fruity and sweet flavor of the watermelon juice exploded and it made sense to be combined with the sour taste of the broth as it wasn’t overpowering. The unconventional ingredients were a plus, even if they sounded ridiculous, making up for a version that’s even better than the regular sinigang. I loved it. So will you. ♥

    On the other hand, the Grilled Stuffed Whole Bangus (PhP 285.00) was pretty standard and had no wow factor as the others, with green mango and tomato stuffing, and fresh calamansi. It’s a solid choice but not better than the grilled bangus in Bangus.

    For desserts, we had the Halo Halo and  Mango Madness Crush (PhP 175.00) with fresh mangoes, ice cream, custard and puree with sago and crushed ice. These were a nice change of pace from all the delectable main courses, a good solution to tropical heat as they’re very icy, refreshing, and easy to eat with enough cream.

    Verging on the not-so-sweet end, the Buko Pandan Pinipig Crush (PhP 150.00) was also nicely executed. It was served with coconut cream. We felt we needed our own, if only we weren’t too full. 😛

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    The irony is that even when I’ve lived in the Philippines for almost all the years of my life, there are just a handful of restaurants serving Filipino food that I’m proud about. Simplé Lang at Ayala Tringle Gardens is the kind that I can recommend to friends who are visiting Metro Manila / Makati and would want to grab a bite of our food.

    The drive, the delicious aroma upon entry, the queue, and then finally confronting the beautiful, massive tray of authentic Filipino food before your face is all part of the experience. Well, it’s time to put your car to good use. You need a ride to Simplé Lang and try the best on their menu. Food are well-priced and would be worth the trip.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.facebook.com/raintreesimplelang” name=”Simple Lang” description=”Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 621-6161 or (02) 621-61-62″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-18″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Sango! The Burger Master (Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City)

    Review of Sango! The Burger Master (Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City)

    I have published a review of Sango! The Burger Master before. It was in early 2013 when we last visited its branch in Tomas Morato. There have been many times when I wanted to go for a return visit. Perhaps some divine force in the universe didn’t want me to push through with the plan, because apparently, all branches of Sango! were closed last year. If you’ve been a fan, don’t feel so sad—because there’s  good news: With a change in ownership, Sango! The Burger Master is now revived with its new store on Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. It had just opened its doors this June 2014, across ADMU. Everyone is welcome! 😛

    Review of Sango! The Burger Master (Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    The new owners must have intended that patrons would have a consistent feel from the “old Sango” to the new one. I appreciated that the decorations and overall theme remained the same (except that there’s no more mangas displayed as a stack on shelves). The playful color scheme, a TV playing Japanese television shows and origimami pieces created and left by customers are some of the things inherited from the previous Sango branches. The place is very clean and bright, just the way I like it.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    I felt that there’s a short of staff here especially when there are more customers expected in peak hours. The orders came out quite slower than expected. This is maybe because the staffs in the kitchen need more practice in preparing food faster. Waiting time was tolerable and okay if you’re enjoying a good conversation with friends or are busy with following instructions on how to create origami while reading the books. Another consolation was that the server was friendly, attentive and accommodating throughout our stay.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    We’ve noticed some changes in the menu like cutting down on the variations of burgers available and adding more sides. The signature Master Burgers, Master Fries, and Matcha Azuki Milkshake are still present. For some people, that’s all that matters. As an added note, we were told that they’re now using angus beef for the Yakiniku Rice Burger recipe instead of the regular prime beef.

    Now, let’s do the food rundown.

    If plain burger does not do it for you, go find yourself some freedom. Compliment an order of the Yakiniku Kimchi Rice Burger (PhP 185) and Master Fries (PhP 115). These are my personal favorites. The kimchi didn’t have as much spicy kick as I envisioned but it was very delicious. I’m a big fan of the flavor! The fries, on the side, are a clean, quality choice if you’re into the greasy and cheesy stuff. It’s made with the Master sauce, just the best. Don’t forget to apologize to your diet afterwards. 😉

    The Yakiniku Rice Burger (PhP 160) was also a good try. I’ve tried this before and for the second time around, I found it impressive. The strips of beef were so thin and easy to chew on, nothing fatal. Don’t consider skipping out on this.

    Compared to the rice burgers (which we ate with a complete set of plate, spoon and fork), I liked the Master Double Cheese Burger (PhP 215) less. I have to say the Master sauce was a good touchdown moment.

    Garnished with veggies and onions, the Chili Dog (PhP 120) got A for flavor and it’s exactly what you think it is. The bun is soft and the hotdog tasted decent, but there’s nothing really special.

    A recommended order for lunch would be the Oyakudon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl) (PhP 150). With perfectly simmered boneless chicken thighs and beaten eggs in runny texture, the whole mixture was comforting.

    The little chunks of crunchy fried chicken on Sango’s Teri Karaage Don (PhP 165) were moist on the inside, very crisp on the outside and the flavor had a tantalizing marination in pungent brine.

    The cooling flavor of the melon in the Honeydew Ice Cream Shake (PhP 90) was refreshing. It’s sippable ice cream and it’s easily one of my new go-to drinks/desserts. The shake was sweet, milky and a bit citrusy. 😀

    Another nice thought to end a meal was the sinfully great Macha Azuki (PhP 120) topped with azuki (red beans) and mochi balls (made of sticky rice). The green tea flavor came on strong and the cream was sweet enough to be enjoyable.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    I’m pleased to know that prices are fair and friendly (even for a college student’s budget). At Sango! The Burger Master, you will surely find something that you both love and can afford. 🙂 They’re opening a branch soon in Makati so watch out!

    Thanks, Ahia Richard, for the invite! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/sangoburger” name=”Sango! The Burger Master” description=”299 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 0937 374 3376″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-17″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Terraz Bistro and Meetings (Zuellig Building, Makati City)

    Review of Terraz Bistro and Meetings (Zuellig Building, Makati City)

    Terraz Bistro and Meetings by Raintree Restaurants is almost like a little secret, as it’s housed at the third floor of the Zuellig Building in Makati and it’s operating actively only during the weekdays (Mondays to Fridays, 11AM to 11PM). Clearly, its target market belongs to the working professionals in the area, the yuppies, and those who want food that has good value for their money without sacrificing quality.

    This restaurant is a beautiful joint that offers a relaxed atmosphere for anyone who either wants to wear a suit or dress it down and feel fine (but please, no wearing of slippers, says the Management). Terraz is a perfect place to hold social events, corporate meetings and even romantic dinners.

    Review of Terraz Bistro and Meetings (Zuellig Building, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The design at Terraz Bistro Meetings is one that can only be described as private, intimate and modern. A seamless blend of bright colors, muted tones and mirrors produce a subtle elegance all throughout. While there are tables you see openly as you walk across the dining area, there’s a separate section further inside the restaurant where six conference rooms for meetings and events are placed.

    These are conducive to organized bookings of small to medium groups of people getting down to business without being interrupted. I absolutely love the concept! The layout of the restaurant is expansive as it also offers accommodation for seating outside where fresh air can be enjoyed.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was fast, efficient and operative. Communication was professional—as it should be. Delivery of food to the table was done well. Our experience was delightful as well because of the staff’s friendliness. It made the visit worthwhile.

    Food: ★★★★★

    The Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna (PhP 275) is not your typical salad as it’s served with all kinds of goodness including the pan-seared ahi tuna, romaine lettuce, sliced Japanese cucumber, and vine cherry tomatoes in sesame dressing. It had that conglomerate of flavors that’s ideal when you’re looking for a great starter. The highlight must be the tuna, which will make tuna fans out of their comfort zone.

    Arguably though, the Terraz Chef Salad (PhP 295) was about three times better than the first. 😛 This is because of the rich ingredients, namely: crispy parma ham, grilled bacon, red wine, roast beef in light salt and pepper vinaigrette and ranch dressing, apart from the romaine lettuce and  hard boiled eggs we’re used to find in salads. I tried every single one and declare the grilled bacon and roast beef as best. Without question, this salad dish is a must-order.

    Let me assure that the tilapia in Buttered Tilapia Saltimbocca (PhP 350) must have been grown in clean waters because it didn’t taste like dirt or something earthy. It was cooked well and served with vegetable pilaf, asparagus, sage tomato sauce and grain creamy mustard sauce.

    The Pan-seared Boneless Chicken Cream Emince (PhP 350) came out with white-sauce pasta, Terraz baked potato, peppered asparagus and creamy mushroom. The creamy factor to the sauce hits the spot. I dislike white pasta but liked the dish as a whole.

    Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to the Simple Saffron Spaghetti (PhP 250). This dish exemplified that theory. It consisted of homemade spaghetti pasta (thin, smooth and tasty), fresh spinach and smoked grilled asparagus.

    Now onto why you’d really want to dine in at Terraz Bistro and Meetings… The Spicy Terraz Corned Beef Adobo (PhP 495) is an obligatory dish to order. Standing out as a house specialty, it’s the best corned beef we’ve ever tasted made with a glorious combo of slow cooked meat and sides such as garlic pumpkin, sweet mashed potatoes, and crispy white cheese (kesong puti). You’ll love these delicious pieces in one plate.

    Whoa. I’ve seen, heard and tasted veal cheeks for the first time here and I’ve been intrigued. We agreed that the Merlot Braised Veal Cheeks was another winner. I know I have just already hinted that the Spicy Terraz Corned Beef Adobo was vying for best dish of our lunch meal, but I can’t help to say that this was on that same level. It was made with crushed garlic potato, olive oil, marinated root vegetables. Now I don’t anymore wonder how it’s like.

    The Grilled Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallion and Foie Gras (PhP 695) would be the second best thing on the menu if it weren’t for so many other second best things present. Served with macaire potato, sauteed vegetables, mushroom ragout and merlot sauce, this creation was completely crafted with a balance of flavors and beautiful presentation.

    Moving on to the desserts, we had Pavlovaz (PhP 150)—a cream-topped light, and airy meringue of Aussie or New Zealand extraction topped with fruit slices and whipped cream. It’s sweet, fruity and refreshing. I want more…but I’ve consider doing more cardio first. 😛

    Last to fill our stomach was the Crepe Samurai (PhP 150), which looked like a volcano crater exploding with the mixed tastes of cinnamon sugar, caramel and fruity notes as there were small chunks of mango and banana swimming in the creamy sauce. Amazing. Those who have a sweet tooth will see this as a show-stealer. For sure, it can’t be skipped.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Terraz Bistro and Meetings exactly knows the market it caters. Food is tremendous and ambiance is great. For all these, prices are right for the value being offered. Add good service and a prime location into the mix and you’ve got yourself a brand new go-to spot for brainstorming sessions, lunch meetings with vendors, partners or clients, and/or special dates. That’s the move!

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.facebook.com/raintreeterraz” name=”Terraz Bistro and Meetings” description=”3/F Zuellig Building, Makati Ave. cor Paseo de Roxas, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact +632-625-4831 or +632-625-4832″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-16″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Museum Café (Greenbelt 4, Makati City)

    Review of Museum Café (Greenbelt 4, Makati City)

    The Museum Café is one of Raintree Restaurants’ good, casual yet elegant restaurants serving Modern Asian Cuisine in an enjoyable environment day in and day out. It’s located right beside the Ayala Museum in Greenbelt along Makati Avenue corner Dela Rosa. If you have to book for an early business meeting or just want to start the day right with delectable breakfast, this place can seal the deal. M Café opens up at 8:00AM daily and closes at 12 midnight. Apart from the food, the pretty ambiance plus free WiFi here can make you forget half of your life problems for a while. 😉

    Review of Museum Café (Greenbelt 4, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The Museum Café is a noteworthy dining-out option in the heart of Makati’s commercial business district. Dining halls are wide and spacious, in both the first and second floors. The lights? Lovely. Decorations? Exquisite. The counter, the floor and the walls are filled with elaborate touches making up for an upscale theme. It’s essentially like eating at a rich aunt’s home. M Café is bright, personable and compelling as a restaurant serving Asian food with a twist. Outside, tables, stools and a bar counter with alcoholic drinks displayed set the mood for the nightlife.

    The Museum Café extends to Kabila, another Raintree Restaurant, on the other side of the room. Kabila is a Filipino bistro which occupies the space formerly known as the Ayala Museum gift shop.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    One star went away because I witnessed how a couple of customers walked out of the restaurant after not being heard or seen when calling the servers’ attention. It was very early in the morning and they were among the first customers who entered after me. Most staff were stationed at the counter area fronting the entrance only adjacent to where the customers were seated. This was probably why notice was not given immediately within supposed waiting time.

    When the space became busier later, the servers were spread around the place. They delivered food and drinks with speed. I hope they show the same attentiveness and grace to heighten any diner’s experience anytime.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    M Café tops its Pancakes (PhP 250) and Waffles (PhP 250) with ripe mangoes, watermelon and granny smith and serves them with maple syrup, butter and peanut butter. These are staple breakfast items that are good for sharing because they’re heavy on the stomach. They’re buttery, crusty on the outside and still soft and hot on the inside. I tried drizzling peanut butter onto the waffles and pancakes for the first time and the result was so good, surprisingly. Peanut butter as a substitute was a little more sophisticated than the usual maple syrup or butter. If you find yourself trying to decide between the two, let me help you make that decision—get the waffles, please. 🙂

    Impeccably presented, the M Benedict came in two variations: Jamon Excellente (PhP 375) and Smoked Salmon (PhP 375). Both were served with poached egg, hollandaise arugula and grilled cherry tomatoes. These were certainly interesting as the combined tastes of the fresh ingredients worked very well together. The Jamon Excellente reminded me of Christmas. The dry cured ham was above average. Still, I thought the smoked salmon was better. One bite did more than getting the job done for me. The taste of salmon stood out and hands down, it was delicious.

    The Anise Scented Beef Congee (PhP 295) arrived hot in a bowl with flavorful and hearty broth that’s almost creamy except there was no cream added. Not too thick, the beef congee was tasty and had the right amount of salt. I felt glad that not a lot of meat was put into it, else it would ruin the simplicity of this good comfort food.

    Topped with spring onions, shiitake mushrooms and shimeji mushrooms, the Hainan Chicken Noodles (PhP 350) was a modest-looking dish but tasted far more vibrant than it looked. The chopped chicken was gloriously moist, swimming in the noodle soup that tasted good even without the chicken meat. This course may not be exactly what you’d expect to crave here at the Museum Café, but the hot soup is a good choice to find warmth on a cold day.

    Accompanying our orders of the congee and noodles, the option to choose among three pieces of siu mai, shrimp dumplings or shark’s fin was given. We had the siu mai and the shrimp dumplings. The siu mai consisted of plenty of pork goodness waiting inside, while the shrimp dumplings (har kow) got points for being especially good as they were very dense and stuffed to the brim with tasty shrimp meat. Yummy! 😀

    Finally, we found ourselves queuing up to the Omelette Station. We watched as the staff cooked and prepared the omelette according to the ingredients we dictated. Mushrooms, bell peppers, leafy greens and onions were available. Cheese can also be added per request. I wondered why it took long before the omelette was done. The scrambled egg came out moist and soft. I liked it but wouldn’t order it more than once. I mean it was nothing different and spectacular.

    Take a look at Museum Café’s breakfast menu here.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    For all our orders, the portions were just right. Food tastes and textures were good but not enough to have me neither eye-rolling nor heart-clutching for being extra pleased. Prices are considerably high so I’d recommend Museum Café if you want a spot for a big group outing (e.g.  birthday dinner or celebration variety). This is also a nice restaurant to bring a date. You’ll be sure to enjoy a special meal with great decor and an innovative menu in a homey/romantic atmosphere.

    ‪#‎willexploremakati‬ ‪#‎makatirestauranttour2014‬ #‎raintreerestaurants‬ bloggers

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.facebook.com/raintreemcafe” name=”Museum Café ” description=”Ayala Museum Complex, Makati Avenue, corner Dela Rosa St., Makati City, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact +632-757-3000, +632-757-6000, +632-391-4197″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-15″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Namaskar Vegetarian Café (Caloocan City)

    Review of Namaskar Vegetarian Café (Caloocan City)

    One of my dad’s long-time friends had invited us to the opening of Namaskar Vegetarian Café in Caloocan City last September 8, 2014, Monday. Luckily, I was on vacation leave that day so I was able to join them for dinner. Food being served at this new establishment is sentient (sattvik) vegetarian that’s good for the body and mind promoting higher consciousness. For that, Namaskar Vegetarian Café has our undivided attention—and there are more reasons why you should be excited, too.

    Review of Namaskar Vegetarian Café (Caloocan City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Namaskar Vegetarian Café owners Butch Lazaro (Amitavha), Jesus Gayatao (Jayadeva), Iris Amit-Gayatao and Ricardo Bacani Jr. (Ranjan) firmly believe that the right time has come when vegetarians no longer need to be relegated to the side dishes. More and more health-conscious folks are in the search of a hang-out place where they can gather up and engage in nightlife activities minus the drinking, smoking and other social vices. At this café, there’s a total counter-culture which is different from traditional, old-fashioned, static night bar and restaurant.

    Namaskar Vegetarian Café features live bands playing different themes and genres of music (i.e. sentimental, blues, new age, tribal fusion, jazz, etc.) using modern style of instruments to set an upbeat and vibrant mood. The quaint and charming ambiance will delight everyone as pure positive vibration enhances relaxed, peace and serene state of mind.

    The interior design of the dining area is decorated simply with artsy paintings hanged on the wall and elegant lights draping from the ceiling for almost every table. All eyes turn to the band in front or at the kitchen counter where orders come out.

    It’s worthy to mention that Namaskar Vegetarian Café transforms into a yoga classroom during the day. All dining chairs and tables are moved out and are replaced with yoga mats. At max, the venue can accommodate 16 learners in one session.

    Service: ★★★★★

    We experienced fast and efficient service on the first day, and hopefully that can remain consistent when more customers visit the restaurant in the months to come. The staffs here are trained to showcase a positive vibration to guests, so you can rest assure that they will do their best to serve you in the friendliest and most graceful way they know how.

    Aside from food, Namaskar Vegetarian Café also conducts yoga sessions. Their style is “fusion yoga,” which is a combination of yoga postures/poses from different yoga disciplines/styles though mainly influenced by tantra system of yoga (the oldest and the main origin of all branches/school/discipline of yoga system).

    A day at this café starts not with meals but with three hourly yoga sessions: 6AM-7AM, 7AM-8AM, and 8AM-9AM. This is because they believe that exercises (and not only healthy food) should be integrated into our lives’ daily routine to achieve a higher state and sense of existence and attain the optimum level of physico-psycho and psycho-spiritual development. I was like “wow” upon hearing it. It’s the first time we’ve encountered a café offering both food and yoga together.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    It’s time to talk food. Since it was their soft opening, they presented a “soft opening menu” to us, and we ordered almost everything written on it. Everything at Namaskar Vegetarian Café is made to order and delivered directly to your table.

    First on the lineup were the Shanghai Rolls (PhP 50), which were tender and full of flavor. I bet that even non-vegetarians will want to bite into these freshly fried rolls with shell breaking off in crispy, golden-brown shards to a hot center of the veggie meat filling. So, order it with confidence!

    The Seaweeds Fritter (PhP 50) consisted of seaweed blocks which were light, crispy and melt-in-the-mouth good. It’s deep-fried seaweed having a uniquely dry and flaky texture, much like those seasoned seaweed Japanese snacks.

    The Spinach Salad (PhP 69) was basic and refreshing. It was just made with a handful of baby spinach leaves and some olives. Taste was original and excellent even without the soy sauce with honey dressing. I prefer adding pine nuts, corn kernels and walnut halves.

    Next, the pastas. We tried the three available pastas by Namaskar, and I’m sad to report that 3/3 didn’t pass my taste test. The Pasta Arrabiata (PhP 90) lacked in spice and taste when I was expecting that the Arrabiata sauce in the pasta should be wickedly spicy and cooked with savory garlic, tomatoes and red hot chili peppers.

    Similarly, their Ziti (PhP 120) was bland and forgettable. Was this because I’m not a fan of pasta with white sauce? Quite possibly. My mom liked this pasta dish most among all food on our table.

    I’m not going to lie. The Celestial Spaghetti (PhP 90) wasn’t too salty or sweet, and that’s okay but the sauce also lacked in the flavor department and seasoning level. I would want it to be bolder and brighter with some added sweetness in the form of carrots. Advancing my hope further, my ideal vegetarian spaghetti consists of a bevy of vegetables including broccoli and mushrooms simmered in tomato sauce until gently cooked and then napped over al dente spaghetti.

    Moving on, we also sampled their Honeygoose Sandwich (PhP 40) and Banana Blossom Burger (PhP 69). I didn’t get to try the Honeygoose Sandwich, so you may base judgment on the picture below. On the other hand, the Banana Blossom Burger (puso ng saging patty) is a no-meat burger that you will praise for keeps. Whatever the reason, this needs to be on your table.

    Oregano Juice (PhP 65) looked also interesting on the menu so we ordered a glass of it. It was made with highly aromatic extract of oregano, and bits of oregano leaves can be seen on top. The drink was mixed with honey and it was really good.

    Price for Value: ★★★★★

    While the food should most definitely be the reason to keep patrons returning, I think what we liked the most about Namaskar Vegetarian Café is that it’s the antithesis of every other restaurant we typically find ourselves in. It’s not the coolest thing you’ll come across, and there are no culinary trends on display. Nonetheless, it’s great to have a relaxing meal that’s guaranteed to be healthy. For food that are cooked and prepared with mantra and love, prices are reasonable and are very friendly on the wallet.

    Watch out for more updates on their menu very soon! 🙂

    Owners inspired to serve humanity by spreading awareness on health and wellness

    If you’re wondering about the rates of yoga sessions, take a quick look here:

    • Free – first session (trial)
    • PhP 250 – walk in
    • PhP 2500 – 10 sessions for two months
    • PhP 3000 – Unlimited sessions for one month
    • PhP 4000 – Unlimited sessions for two months
    • PhP 5000 – Unlimited sessions for three months

    How to go to Namaskar Vegetarian Café

    1. If you’re coming from EDSA South-bound (Cubao), take a bus ride going to Monumento/MCU, alight at SSS Caloocan (a kilometer away from Balintawak bridge), take the footbridge across the other side and from the left you will see and find Namaskar Vegetarian Café just beside Chinabank.

    2. If you’re coming from LRT 1 South-bound (Baclaran) alight at Monumento terminal and take a jeep ride going to MCU ikot SSS. Get off before the jeep make a u-turn to SSS. Walk a little bit around 100 meters and to the right you’ll find NAMASKAR Vegetarian café just beside Chinabank. Direction same as if you’re coming from Samson road or McArthur highway.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/namaskarvegetariancafé” name=”Namaskar Vegetarian Café” description=”531 EDSA (beside Chinabank) cor. Biglang-awa Street, Caloocan City 1403 Caloocan” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 4637478, (02) 4637470 or 0918-7840309″ rev_body=”Restaurant operating hours: 10AM-10PM” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-11″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Vikings Luxury Buffet SM Megamall Mooncake Festival Feature #eatlikeaviking

    Vikings Luxury Buffet SM Megamall Mooncake Festival Feature #eatlikeaviking

    Want to know the difference between traditional mooncakes and non-traditional mooncakes? Then head on over to any branch of Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant in every weekend this September 2014. Mission is to determine which among their mooncake variants appeal to your taste buds most. Allow me in this post to take you through another foodie adventure, in the light of the Chinese Mid-autum Festival season. 中秋节快乐！

    Short background about mooncake: The mooncake is the special food of Mid-autumn Festival. It’s on this day/season when people sacrifice mooncakes to the moon as an offering and eat them for celebration. Mooncakes come in various flavors. They are round, symbolizing unison and reunion of families and evoking longing for distant relatives and friends. Nowadays, people present mooncakes to wish a long and happy life.

    Vikings SM Megamall Mooncake Festival Feature

    Trying out the traditional and non-traditional mooncakes is an absolute must when you visit the Philippines’ largest buffet restaurant. Good lord, the mooncakes are delicious! My only warning is that they’re not the most nutritious and you might get hooked and let things get out of control. But whatever. I know you can handle it. 😛

    We started our “afternoon tea meal” with tea and hot dishes. Vikings now includes additional four Twinings tea flavors, namely: Pure Green Tea, Jasmin Green Tea, Earl Grey and Japanese Sencha. Drinking tea is especially good stimulate the digestion and uplift the spirit, so drink up!

    The tea was quickly followed with: the Minched Goat Cheese Mooncake with Mango Coulis and the Beef Bourguignon Mooncake with Choron Sauce. I liked that the sauces well complemented the taste of the mooncakes. The tempting mango coulis was composed with earthy spices together with ripe mango. The choron [show-RAWHN] sauce is a hollandaise or béarnaise sauce that has been tinted pink with tomato purée. The mooncakes were tender with a little chew. Eat them as quick as you can; a little heat takes them to great heights.

    Next came the Asado Mooncake and Crusty Shrimp Cheese Mooncake, which were unbeatable. Gone are the days really when all we can associate with mooncake filling are mongo, red bean paste, lotus seed paste and egg yolk. I commend Vikings chefs’ innovation and creativity when coming up with different exciting flavors like these two. The asado mooncake was full of meaty chunks of asado, and the shrimp cheese mooncake tasted exactly like shrimp with cheese. Make sure you’re prepared for what’s to come. These almost didn’t taste like mooncakes. 😉

    With creamy texture, the Salted Lotus Mooncake tasted the closest to traditional mooncakes. It was dense and sweet—similar to red bean paste, but not too beany. Its freshness made for an easy win! It’s interesting to learn that they were not made by a special mooncake molder but manually by hand. 😛

    Finally, it’s time for some real talk. After trying all the mooncakes for the main course, we pleasantly were served with desserts which were also mooncakes! They’re pretty unique and addicting. The Choco Trifle Mooncake was my dream moooncake. It was impressively filled with real rich chocolate that wowed us all. This sweet filling is a rare sight and worth trying out.

    Also hewing closer to dessert than an afternoon snack, the Wild Berry Cheese Mooncake was good although some of us commented that the outer layer had a hint of artificial flavoring. In any case, I loved them both.

    If traditional mooncakes sound more favorable to you, know that Vikings also has them prepared for diners. The mellow and sweet lotus bean paste brought to mind peanut butter with less stickiness. These ones were wonderful, no less.

    Wrap Up

    Vikings Luxury Buffet do stand above the rest, offering in-season food offerings every time. They got the ideal mooncakes with a perfect harmony between outer casing and inner filling. Generally, the outer skin of the mooncake tasted familiar like that of the crackly shell of “hopia.” Each piece was phenomenal as I haven’t tasted anything like these mooncake variants before. These featured food of the month will no doubt get Vikings more customers coming. Eating them with chopsticks or spoon and fork was hard, so feel free to swallow these bite-size pieces with your hands instead and thank yourself afterwards. If you have any favorites, share in the comments. 🙂

    Now you don’t have to go far to find stellar variants of mooncakes. They are available at Vikings every Saturday and Sunday this September! Don’t miss. 🙂 The menu varies depending on the branches of Vikings. Each branch offers different flavors according to the in-house chefs’ creativity and taste. Sadly, the mooncakes are not sold in boxes for take-out. The whole package could have been a great gift to family and friends for Mid-autum Festival.

    For rates and other information, please refer to the Vikings website. You may also read my published review of Vikings SM Megamall here.

    
wacky group pic with bloggers and marketing manager Raquel

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  • Review of Chelsea Grand Café (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City)

    Review of Chelsea Grand Café (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City)

    Rain poured incessantly from mid-afternoon to about 9PM last Friday. Traffic along Buendia and Ayala Avenue to The Fort was really bad. So the unfortunate thing happened: I did not make it in time for the highlight of food entrees prepared for us by Chelsea Grand Café in Serendra. Instead, I joined the bloggers and moved to desserts quickly as I arrived at the venue. This was better than missing out on Chelsea’s great bites on the whole. 🙂

    Review of Chelsea Grand Café (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Whenever I go to Serendra, I have a habit of checking out the restaurants from the outside to have a “window-shopping” view of those chic hot spots. And boy, there are always things happening in Chelsea Grand Café. This place is hardly empty and it looks like a beehive of glam-up people meeting and dining to enjoy its bright and inviting interiors.

    The name “Chelsea” was inspired by the Chelsea Market in New York. I’m not sure if the ambiance also has a semblance, but I can assure that the ambiance here in Chelsea Grand Café is laid-back, casual and light. Various food items for sale are displayed on the divider in the middle of the dining area.

    This restaurant grants customers privacy and welcomes them with companionship as they need it most. It is where you can complete your dining experience with a homey environment and take your time to relax after a busy day in the center of the city.

    Service: ★★★★★

    I have a few favorite destinations in this upscale “food court” in Serendra, BGC, Taguig, including Mamou, Balducci Ristorante and Deli, and Sentro 1771 not only because of good food but also because of great customer service. Chelsea by Raintree Restaurants is one that I can certainly add into the mix. Service provided has been sincere and friendly, not to mention quick.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Eating desserts first was weird but it was a good try. Why not, right? 😛 My meal started with the Chelsea Peach Melba (250). Looking gorgeous, the treat had the combination of colors which appeared as sunset in a jar. It was made with peaches wrapped with a thick layer of cream, strawberry sauce, mantecado, toasted almonds, and cookie crumble. I liked that their version of the peach melba was not too sweet. Adding hints of cinnamon and pairing it with warm buttermilk biscuits would be nice!

    Over the peach melba, I preferred the Baked S’mores (PhP 275) more, which was soooo good. It had the combination of a warm brownie topped with toasted mallows, mantecado ice cream, nuts, and graham crackers. Dense and fudgy but not thin, the s’mores absolutely did not taste like an average brownie. Very filling.

    I asked the waiter for the best recommended drink and he offered the Strawberry Mint (PhP 195). Every sip was refreshing. The flavors of strawberry and mint together had a delicate sweetness that was not overwhelming or sickly.

    Finally, for my main course, I ordered the Char-Grilled Norwegian Salmon (PhP 595), which had salmon as its star, with salsa verde, toasted pine nuts, glazed country vegetables, olive oil and mashed potatoes on the side.

    The salmon’s freshness was excellent. I loved how it was cooked and seasoned perfectly. On another note, the small squares of vegetables had a faint taste, so I didn’t understand if they were put into the same plate just for decoration.

    Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

    No doubt about it—Chelsea serves food at astronomical prices! This establishment pretty much becomes attractive when feasting on some celebrations or impressing a date. Its menu features items that are all good options for any meal if you’re okay to set back at least PhP 500 per person. I consider returning for another visit to let my family also try their food but will reserve it for a momentous occasion.

    group pic with bloggers

    //I felt quite rushed for coming late but still thank Aldous for the invite. 😛

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/raintreechelsea” name=”Chelsea Grand Café” description=”Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 901-5817, (02) 909-7011 or (02) 909-7012″ rev_body=”Operating hours: 8AM to 11PM” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-01″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Chelsea will be opening Chelsea Kitchen in SM Megamall Fashion Hall soon!