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Category: Food Reviews

Review of Zao Vietnamese Bistro (Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center)
The only Vietnamese restaurants I have ever tried before were Pho Bac and Pho Hoa Vietnamese Noodle House, so I’m first going to make a disclaimer here. I won’t pretend to be an expert on Vietnamese food, but when it comes to saying whether food is delicious or not, I may qualify for that. 😛

Here’s the story: One Sunday, we got the chance to test this Vietnamese restaurant in Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan called Zao Vietnamese Bistro. Their menu has vast items and in one quick reading, I thought there are enough reliable interesting dishes for diners to try and come back for a number of times without having to reorder the same thing.

Other restaurants in this new wing in Promenade also piqued my interest. But because Zao’s staff offered the most warm welcome in introducing their must-try food in the reception area, we trusted that this Vietnamese restaurant would bring our taste buds immense pleasure for dinner.

Review of Zao Vietnamese Bistro (Promenade 3, Greenhills)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

This modern Vietnamese restaurant in the mall is built with two floors. Decorated with conservative colors, both areas are well appointed and are large enough to accommodate guests without having people to wait long. Getting a table is not a pain.

Seats are positioned with ample distance between customers, making a cozy vibe that’s more on the private and formal side—appropriate for a date and also good for a trendy crowd. The classy ambiance is magnified by the beautiful ceiling set with elegant lights.

Service: ★★★★★

The wait staff acted chill and totally professional. They were always ready to move on their feet whenever they see customers raise their hands to call attention. This is the type of customer service that deserves respect and will also earn you a reason to go back and have another amazing dining experience at Zao Vietnamese Bistro.

Food: ★★★★★

Something every table seemed to order was the Appetizer Sampler (PhP 565). We had it as a solid starter and nothing went wrong. This sampler featured a nice presentation of all sorts of appetizers in one plate: fresh rolls, vegetable salad, spring rolls, pork and chicken satay and sugar cane shrimps.

They were all rich and pretty tasty. I especially liked the sugar cane shrimps. It’s a new discovery for me and I found it very unique. The satay were hard to chew. The spring rolls were standard fried goodness with dipping sauce.

But if you prefer not confusing your palate with an assortment of food with differing flavors and textures, feel free to order them individually, as follows:
- Fresh Rolls (PhP 215) – with shrimps, noodles, pork, bean sprouts, greens and yellow bean-hoisin sauce
- Crispy Spring Rolls (PhP 245) – with pork, glass noodles and mushrooms served with lettuce wrap
- Pork/Chicken Satay (PhP 195) – grilled Vietnamese satay with Zao dipping sauce and pickled vegetables
- Sugar Cane Shrimps (PhP 345) – deep fried shrimp paste wrapped on sugar cane served with lettuce wrap
Zao’s Vietnamese Beef Stew (PhP 365) consisted of chunks of slow-cooked aromatic beef simmered in star anise and basil, swimming in a bowl of reddish stew. It’s a good rendition, with a delicious mix of sweet and heat. Cooked well and full of flavor, the beef chunks did the heavy lifting, which deserved to be scored an A. Pairing this dish with steamed white rice was great and just proper.

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

I’m not a huge fan of Vietnamese food but this restaurant is approved! 🙂 If you’re in search of something new and good to eat, come check out Zao Vietnamese Bistro in Greenhills. Prices of food here are not cheap, but servings are big, the kind that will fill you up without hitting your wallet so hard. One a la carte dish can be shared by two people, take note.

Side trivia: Zao means “life” in Vietnamese. 🙂

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Other branches:
- Unit 1 C, 16 Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global city, Taguig | Contact number (02) 856 2819
- 2nd Level, Eastwood Mall, Orchard Road, Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City | Contact number (02) 470-7587
- 5th Level, Shangri-La Plaza Mall – East Wing, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Shaw Blvd. cor. EDSA, Mandaluyong
August 29, 2014
Review of Red Spatula Chiffon Cakes (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)
Yesterday, we came across Red Spatula in Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo at the Weekend Gourmet Market after going grocery shopping at Metro Supermarket. The staff offered free tasting in a very friendly manner, and their sweet specialties on the table looked so good that it was hard to refuse. My mom and I took a small portion of their butter mamon (chiffon cake), liked it and so we quickly decided to take home a box of Red Spatula chiffon cakes in all six flavors: Mocha, Butter, Cheese, Rocky Road, Dulce de Leche, and Peanut Butter. 🙂 Yum yum!

As told by the staff, Red Spatula started only last August 1, 2014. Right now, stalls are exhibited only in Lucky Chinatown Mall and in Eastwood Mall every weekends from Friday to Sunday. What’s interesting is that Red Spatula is owned by the Mercado family, the same [previous] owner of Red Ribbon Bakeshop (acquired by fastfood giant Jollibee Food Corporation in 2005). This explains why the Filipno mini cakes taste almost the same. The only prime difference is that Red Spatula’s current version is not too airy and light but more “siksik” and fluffy.

At PhP 25, each piece of Red Spatula’s chiffon cake is hand-made and freshly baked every day and is “Rated “M” for mmmmm.” What’s not to love? I liked that the chiffon cakes are made buttery and not too sweet (probably less sugary than the one in Red Ribbon). However, they lack the moist crumb to stand up to what I expected. Also, if you’d allow me to pour creativity in, I’ll suggest adding a dollop of whipped cream and a smear of cherry or blueberry preserves on your own to add a spark of texture and more flavor. 😛 I’m salivating at the idea!
Every variant of Red Spatula mamons is that kind of smile-worthy mini chiffon cake that will keep you lapping up bite after bite until it’s gone.

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August 25, 2014
Review of Hard Rock Café (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
I’m done complaining about the first set of dishes we tried in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia back on our first day of travel. Thank goodness, our griping ended there. From the second day to the last, we met great-tasting food! Hard Rock Café located in the ground floor of Wisma Concorde (walking distance from Bukit Nanas Monorail Station) was one that got our base covered.

This “rock-and-roll” restaurant was recommended by our local tourist guide/driver and we could not thank him enough. We needed plenty supply of energy for our busy day exploring KL mostly by foot that day, and Hard Rock Café was perfect as it served us excellent Malaysian food without much gimmicks. There was no secret dungeon or basement and no guy wearing a mask inside. What we had were simply the best things about Malaysian food available as part of their regular menu. Yes, there’s authenticity present in all of it. 🙂 Know more below.

Review of Hard Rock Café (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

I’ve read one blogger say that “just like McDonald’s and Burger King, Hard Rock Café is the same wherever you are in the world.” That part is exactly true. It’s good to see a similar relaxed ambiance and rustic theme of Hard Rock Café-Malaysia with those branches in the Philippines. To some degree, this made me feel at home while in a foreign country.

Records, memorabilia, signed CDs and posters of rock stars were displayed on the walls, easy to catch the eyes of customers. The bar setting, as well as the stage for the live band at the front, was especially nicely furnished. Football jerseys for the World Cup Season were hanged everywhere. Everything else spelled retro! They also have a small gift shop where Hard Rock fans can buy souvenirs.

All these make this restaurant a nice place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing in KL. Despite expected large crowds nightly, I bet that Hard Rock Café can play host to the next great time you will hardly forget.

Service: ★★★★★

Service was first class. The staff was very friendly, helpful, efficient and available at all times. He really focused on our every need. Response time of ordering and receiving said orders was quick.

Food: ★★★★★

As a starter, the Tupelo Chicken Tenders (RM 22) may not be the sexiest on the menu, but you can’t go wrong ordering it. The dish consisted of boneless, seasoned and breaded chicken tenders, served with honey-mustard and hickory barbecue sauces on the side. Without adding the condiments though, the chicken would not be worth much of anything. So we went ahead and loaded it up with as many as we pleased. The result is what I call glorious messiness! 😛

The Grilled Chicken Quesadilla (RM 20) was made with grilled chicken and pineapple, tossed in tangy barbecue sauce with melted Jack cheese and stuffed in a chill-dusted tortilla. It was served with fresh guacamole, freshly made salsa and sour cream. This quesadilla was incredible. It was more like a large and soft taco from the griddle with a lot of melted cheese and rich flavor. You’ll be happy to take one, or several.

People often say that when in Malaysia, try the Nasi Goreng—and we did. Good lord, the Nasi Goreng (RM 25) was awesome! It consisted of delicious fried rice with prawn and vegetables topped with fried egg. Eat the chicken satay with prawn crackers, and you are in business. With a good contrast of textures and complementing flavors in one plate, Nasi Goreng is a dish you should not dare miss when in Hard Rock Café in Kuala Lumpur.

Other Asian all-time favorites that looked good on the menu:
- Seafood Char Kway Teow (RM 25) – stir-fried flat noodles tossed with bean sprouts, fish cake, egg, prawn, squid and a sweet and spicy soy sauce
- Curry Laksa (RM 25) – a spicy curry coconut gravy served with yellow noodles, prawns, chicken, fried beancurd puff, bean sprouts, long beans, eggplant and boiled egg
- Teriyaki Salmon (RM 43) – grilled salmon fillet glazed with teriyaki sauce served with rice and vegetables
Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Prices are high compared to other restaurants in KL. However, this is Hard Rock Café we’re talking about, so that’s acceptable. I’m not only rating the price for value solely on the food quality but on the totality of our dining experience. I enjoyed every bit of our time here. If money is not a problem, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Whether you want to get some snacks and drinks or are hungry for a full meal, there’s something for everyone. 🙂

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August 18, 2014
Review of Yuen Kee Restaurant 源記餐廳 (Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong)

The first day of our itinerary in Hong Kong was so jam-packed, but still we found a weeny bit of time to explore Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) and go “panic shopping” even for two hours before calling it a day. From Hong Kong Ocean Park 海洋公园, we asked our tour bus driver to drop us at TST and he gladly did. In TST, we saw high-end brands of clothing, shoes, bags and accessories. Ahead of shopping time, dinner came as priority. It was a must to eat, or else our energy level would be down to zero. The least I aspired for was to be knocked unconscious because of hunger. 😛 So, this brings us to the question: Where to eat in Tsim Sha Tsui?

Finding a decent local Chinese restaurant where we could taste local Hong Kong food ate up much of our time. Apparently, we were down at Kimberley Road, which is like the little Korea town in Tsim Sha Tsui. Lots of Korean restaurants and shops stood, and they even expand to the neighboring roads: Nathan Road, Chatham Road South and Cameron Road. Eating other cuisines than Chinese didn’t sound appealing. We walked and walked and walked (too tiring leh) until we found Yuen Kee Restaurant 源記燒味粉麵茶餐廳. Oh finally, God must have answered our prayers!

Review of Yuen Kee Restaurant 源記餐廳 (Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong)

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

Upon first glance, Yuen Kee Restaurant was as unassuming as it gets. Nothing fancy. No bells and whistles. As we went in further, we appreciated the interior design more as it was simple, much like those fair Chinese restaurants we have back home in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila. Some recipes of their menu were displayed via back-lit LED pictures on the wall. Overall, the place was well lit and spacious. Bright, busy and packed with dining customers, Yuen Kee was glamorous as a Hong Kong-style fast food establishment.

Service: ★★☆☆☆

The staff understood little English; it was better to speak with them in Cantonese for efficient communication. They acted fast and accommodated our requests from entrance to exit. However, they lacked warmth and cordiality with regard to serving and treating guests. How exactly?

I asked for iced cold water. The server gave hot water. We ordered an additional bowl of steamed rice, and it never came. Not wanting to waste and throw away leftover food, we asked for it to be packed. We were given an empty Styrofoam and plastic bag. The waiter told us to wrap the food ourselves and left us hanging. No guidance or help was provided when we asked how to separate the sauce and food in the Styrofoam to prevent spill-over. Thus, they would certainly not realize that mom already had just taken away one of their sauce containers with the sauce.

I guess that was an instance of culture shock for us. We have grown too familiar with Filipino customer service, which I describe as generally polite, full of cheer, and knowledgeable. And I was terribly missing those all the time when we were in Hong Kong.

Food: ★★☆☆☆

Food presentation impressed the camera, but the food tastes fell short on my expectations. We ordered Two Poultry Legs with Rice 雙脾飯 (HKD 68). The chicken meat was hard to chew and didn’t seem fresh. The flavors were not intense enough to polish our plate. This is a dish you would not dare to order on your second trip back. Unfortunately, the portion was hearty. I don’t know if it’s meant for sharing, but good luck in advance if you plan to finish it alone.

We also tried their Noodles in Oyster Sauce with Shrimp Wontons 雲吞撈麵 (HKD 33), which as well didn’t deserve to merit high marks. The egg noodles were springy in texture (that’s okay); the wonton balls, fully stuffed with shrimp popping out in every bite; and the broth of the soup, too light and almost tasteless. It’s not the version of shrimp wonton noodle soup that I crave.

Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

Considering the quality and taste of food and the customer service we have experienced, the price for value is really not that good and not worth for a regular dinner. It wasn’t as good as I wished. So if only I was not too hungry that night, I would have rated Yuen Kee Restaurant’s food lower. 😐 See Yuen Kee Restaurant’s menu here.

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August 16, 2014
Review of Mad For Pizza (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)
The name “Mad For Pizza” either means everything to you or absolutely nothing. It’s easy for those who don’t like pizza to ignore this restaurant, as it may just sound like another pizzeria. But hey, don’t be silly. Mad For Pizza speaks volumes already of literal translation. If you take create-your-own pizza (note: toppings all you want!) seriously, then you should probably read carefully down below and prepare your mouth to water in delight. 😉

Started in June 2014 with this first branch in Tomas Morato, Mad For Pizza caters to customers who want comfort food badly. Cue in DIY pizzas with unlimited toppings beckoning you like mad, and you’ll be surprised that this new resto has captured your attention quickly. It’s the manner on how you have the freedom to put the ingredients together as you like and the care that set Mad For Pizza apart from the rest.

Review of Mad For Pizza (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Wrapping around Mad For Pizza in Il Terrazzo are the colors red and white, which are great for fast food. Its theme is as inviting as its list of 40 pizza toppings featured on top of the counter as well as their claim, “We give value to your money. We serve our hot foods hot and our cold foods cold.” Tables, chairs and decors on walls were not too flashy. Having the capacity of 80-100 people, the place was clean and spacious. Overall, ambiance was vibrant and chic, busy with an atmosphere of enjoyment.

Service: ★★★★★

The owners present and the customer service staff were all friendly, accommodating and attentive to requests. It was last Saturday at 5PM when we visited, so wait time didn’t stretch long. The process of ordering wasn’t rushed, but still it was efficient. In case you plan to eat at near lunch or dinner time (peak hours), plan accordingly and expect to be part of the wait game. It can be annoying to deal with an unpredictable situation, but for the only customizable pizza in Tomas Morato, QC, seal it well. Pray that you get a table fast, and dive into some of the best pizzas this area in Quezon City has to offer.
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Part-owner Cyril Reyes
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Food: ★★★☆☆

Let me reiterate: In Mad For Pizza, you can actually customize pizzas to your preference. First off the bat, the staff walked to our table and gave an order form for us to choose the pizza dough and base sauce. Louie ticked the check boxes next to Garlic Parmesan Dough and House Pizza Sauce respectively.

What ensued was about 10 minutes of toppings selection. The staff behind the counter identified the names of toppings on each of the container, while Louie pointed out which to include in “The Louie Pizza.” 🙂 Customers can get unlimited toppings per pizza, but it would be unwise to choose everything as the quality of the taste and dough might suffer. We settled with the following: Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil leaves, oregano, onions, green bell peppers, Pharma ham and another kind of ham.

Adding the toppings and arranging them neatly on the pizza was easily done. We went back to our table and waited for it to be served.

And tadah! After 5-10 minutes, we met pretty much heaven on earth. The thin-crusted pizza was served piping hot with just enough of the bottom burned for that coveted smoky crust. The middle was soft while the outside remained crispy. That’s the way I liked it! One thing to note though: the toppings were not evenly distribute to the six pizza slices; therefore, you wouldn’t get the kick of all the flavors together in each bite. Anyway, I’m not one who’ll fight for more toppings. 😛 The aroma was irresistible and the taste was great, so the pizza was gone in a flash!

If you’re clueless what to add and worried about the outcome, it would be safe to choose one among the ready-to-order presets (PhP 250 each):
- Justin’s Favorite – Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar pepperoni, bacon, sausage, meatball and crumble
- Anya’s Creation – Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, Alfredo sauce, cheddar shrimp and roasted garlic
- Andross’ Choice – Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, feta, ham and pineapple
Then again, you don’t want to only order pizza in Mad For Pizza. For our appetizer, we had the Fried Calamari (PhP 188), their highly touted and much loved starter. All I needed was a couple of bites to declare that the calamari was good with modest chewiness but not incredibly good. It could have been crispier and better seasoned. If fried calamari is your thing, this is a nice dish to share.

The Chicken Spinach Egg Rolls (PhP 178) were a yummy treat. This menu offering was a good move so diners would have more options and not get tired of the usual pizza and pasta. The Chicken Spinach Egg Rolls had healthy servings of filling, with savory combinations of chicken bits, spinach and corn kernels. The sauces added another depth of flavor.

The Beef Stew Pasta (PhP 188) is one of the staples on the pasta section of Mad For Pizza’s menu, with the solid taste of ground beef making for a nice change from the traditional ground pork and sausage. It was straightforward and simple with few elements in one plate. We could be wrong but Louie and I thought that the beef almost tasted like goat. Nonetheless, it was good to try.

Also, they offer Cappuccino Cake (PhP 88), Panna Cota (PhP 88), Tiramisu (PhP 88) or the Banoffee Cubbler (PhP 88) for desserts. The Banoffee Cubbler (banoffee pie in a cup) came as a lovely creation with the bottom filled with crushed grahams, layered with sliced bananas sauteed in butter, a pour of toffee sauce and plenty of thick, fresh whipped cream on top. It was decadent but a little too tooth-achingly sweet.

Mad For Pizza is one pizza joint that serves alcoholic drinks on the side. We washed down every morsel with fairly “big” glasses of Mojito and Margarita. The drinks were made up with a a refreshing concoction of tequila, lemon juice, triple sec and the fruity flavor of lime. Bottoms up!

Earthy and delicious, these are decent drinks your heart will be wanting to get. They went down easy and packed a punch. You need them warming your body even in the summer heat. Just be careful not to get drunk/tipsy if you’re driving. 😀

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

For six slices of a whole pizza to justifiably cost PhP 280, the crust must be perfectly cooked; the toppings, fresh; and the sauce, fully-flavored as it’s going to be the vehicle carrying other flavors. The pizza we had at Mad for Pizza was all those things. However, the rest of food we tried from their menu seemed to be a misstep. Since the restaurant is still very new, there are plenty of room for improvement. Maybe we’ll like them better next time. 🙂

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August 11, 2014
Review of Munchtown (Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center)
Let me paint a picture: You’re in the nick of time to catch a movie and you wanted some food to eat while watching. Problem is, queues in restaurant or food stalls are a common sight. On some days, you’d be quite lucky to spend at least 15 minutes getting food prior going into the theater—but then missing out on the first important scenes in the movie. With that, I bet it will be great for you to check out an incredible concept brought by Munchtown in Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center.

Munchtown delivers inventive gustatory delights right where you’re seated in the cinema anywhere within Greenhills. It offers American comfort food by Chef Robby Goco, your best options for pizzas, hotdogs, fries, burgers, salads and more! It’s my first time to come across a place that combines creative service with quality food like this. Ready to dissect Munchtown’s food with me? Read on.

Review of Munchtown (Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center)

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

Apart from delivering food to cinemas, Munchtown in Promenade 3 is also designed with typical dining areas where customers can fully enjoy their dining experience while allowing passersby to also enjoy the aroma of food and become hungry.

No doors separate or even block your way from seeing through the large menu posted on top of their counter. The kitchen activities are also transparent to customers, so you’ll have like a bird’s eye view on how your food is being prepared. Condiments, plastic utensils and basket plates are readily available via self-service, easy-peasy.

What we observed though is the lack of air-conditioning in the place, which may be a problem of the mall’s centralized air cooling system. With a few more followups to the management, I believe that should be fixed really soon.

Service: ★★★★★

Speaking of service, that’s one of the best parts about Munchtown in Promenade 3. As I mentioned in the intro, you can ask to have your food delivered at no extra cost, just by sending a text message and saying where you’re at. Receive a confirmation of your order, expect some waiting time and eventually you’ll make everyone sitting around you envious on the smell of food passing through aisles in the theater. (Note: You can only pay by cash.)

Another way is opting to dine in first, any time from 10AM to 10PM, and experience customer service that’s warm, friendly, and attentive right at Munchtown’s seats.
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with Donny Elvina, one of the owners
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The menu can be confusing as there are tons of names of hotdogs (smokees), pizzas and all and there are no descriptions, but the staff makes it a point to offer up an education, which you’ll greatly appreciate.

Food: ★★★★☆

In no particular order, here’s the rundown of our obligatory food taste test at Munchtown, all that I’ve tried yesterday. (There are more, however I won’t be posting pictures of every single dish presented and describing them as part of this post. My stomach had surrendered all the space it could offer.) 😛

First up, Munchtown’s Sliders (PhP 250, 3 pieces). These mini back angus burgers were served with Russian dressing, ketchup, pickles, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese. Definitely get them on your table. This version is a huge win, the soft buns absorbing all the flavor.

It’s always nice to compliment burgers with fries. Go find yourself freedom and order the Black Truffle Fries (PhP 195). These fries are made with fresh Igorota Idaho potatoes with truffle salt, truffle oil and grilled chicken liver. I was surprised to bite into a small piece of the chicken liver thinking that it was truffle. Whoa, the taste was so evident! I realized it was chicken liver 鸡肝 as I remembered my mom’s home-cooked Chinese dish providing us a healthy dose of iron and zinc.

If you think you won’t be a fan of the Black Truffle Fries, maybe Fresh Igorota Idaho potatoes with rock salt and ground black pepper (PhP 95) with Bacon as an add-on (PhP 50) would serve you right. After all, who doesn’t like bacon? 😀 Smother the fries in your choice of condiments from the counter, or eat these perfect snack without adding anything more.

Another one among many good options—Irish Nachos (PhP 185). These are fresh Igorota Idaho potatoes with rock salt, black pepper, spring onions, tomatoes, black olives, jalapeño, sour cream and cheese sauce. I’ll put emphasis on the CHEESE as these fries are too much oozing with cheese flavor. With crispy exterior and fluffy interior, these fries are the ideal food to consume after a night out.

The Deputy Dog (PhP 280) isn’t called such for nothing. This hotdog in bun is Munchtown’s signature frank, so there’s no denying that I hadn’t been thrilled to try it (yes, even if it’s made with smoked pulled pork). It’s filled with rich cheddar cheese, onion relish and Russian dressing. It’s a solid option that gets its job done: to make you come out satisfied.

Next, we go to Munchtown’s pizza favorites, which are all 8″ with six square-cut slices.

The Marinara Pizza (PhP 330) I thought was no ordinary pizza. It’s made with simple ingredients (fresh mozzarella, oregano leaves, bell pepper, olives, capers and cherry tomatoes) sitting atop a charred, puffy, chewy cloud from heaven. So good.

Another vegetarian-friendly pizza is the Margherita Pizza (PhP 330), made with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, extra virgin olive oil and salt. Adding heat (chili sauce) will make this pizza tastier.

Talk about addiction. Pizza topped with just fresh mozzarella and cheddar cheese and I’m sold! I love cheese pizzas and Munchtown’s Cheese Pizza (PhP 330) is a great example of how it’s done right. Don’t let the thin stature fool you, each slice will make up for it in flavor.

For seafood lovers, the Vongole Pizza (PhP 390) may appeal to you on a higher notch. This one is a hearty pizza with lots of interesting ingredients: clams, garlic, chili flakes, parsley oil, salt and grana padana all over.

As a Munchtown classic, the Pepperoni Pizza (PhP 390) turned out to have no frills and made only with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and pepperoni. It’s not to be skipped as well! 🙂

The Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza (PhP 390) may not be better still than the cheese pizza that I declare as winner, but if you’re in the mood for something more substantial, these slices hit the spot. Speaking volumes, this pizza featured fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula and extra virgin olive oil.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Want to impress friends who love American comfort food? Bring them to Munchtown, just before going inside the theater to watch a movie or have your food delivered right when you’re inside the cinema. This unmarked restaurant is a unique and amazing place.

Munchtown seriously stands out when you’re in upper ground floor in the new wing of Promenade, Greenhills’ movie hall. Their reasonably-priced food are special and freshly prepared, leaving you wanting more. As there are overwhelmingly serveral types of pizzas, fries, burgers, hotdogs to try, no two trips to Munchtown will ever be the same, and that’s exactly why we like it here. 😛

Promotion: Every Monday, Munchtown celebrates Buy 1 Take 1 Pizza Day! Get one free Margherita Pizza worth PhP 330 for every pizza purchase. 🙂

I’m also happy to finally meet in person, Richie, the “Pickiest Eater in the World“, who invited me to the event. Such an honor. 🙂

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August 10, 2014
Review of Crystal Lotus Restaurant 晶荷轩 (Disneyland Hotel, Hong Kong)

I wasn’t only excited to go to Hong Kong Disneyland for the theme parks’ attractions and rides. Of course, as a foodie, I was over-the-top thrilled for the highlight…and you guessed it right—food! Seeing cute pictures of Disney Character Dim Sum Lunch Set being served at Crystal Lotus Restaurant (Disneyland Hotel, Hong Kong) 大嶼山香港迪士尼樂園酒店 made me want to pack my bag and travel to Hong Kong right away! (Read the rest of our activities in Hong Kong and two-day trip itinerary here.)

Because the restaurant website states that at least 48 hours of reservation is required to avail of the Disney Character Dim Sum Lunch Set, I took a long-distance call to book for two sets in advance. I knew it was going to be a delightful treat both for our eyes and stomach, and it turned out I wasn’t wrong after all. 😉

Review of Crystal Lotus Restaurant 晶荷轩 (Disneyland Hotel, Hong Kong)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

We rode the Disney Resort Shuttle Bus (free service) from Hong Kong Disneyland Resort to the Disneyland Hotel. 10 minutes passed and we found ourselves lurking our way to Crystal Lotus Restaurant while directing our gaze to everything beautiful and elegant inside the hotel.

“True to its name, the décor of Crystal Lotus takes the theme of the majestic lotus.” The chandeliers were magnificent, pretty close to jaw-dropping.

The wall-to-wall design filled with crystal panels from the outside was stunning. Arranged in Victorian-style but still with Disney touch, the comfy chairs matched with the family-friendly tables well; it was a shame we couldn’t fit them in our suitcases. 😆

Service: ★★★★★

I mentioned my name to the restaurant receptionist and she immediately escorted us to our seats. The table was reserved for six of us, and we successfully contained our excitement seeing the menu for the first time (it’s not available online).

After quick checking, I realized that the Disney Character Dim Sum wasn’t listed on the menu. I had to ask the waiter for it and he reiterated about their policy (that it can only be served to those who have pre-ordered 48 before visiting on Mondays to Fridays). The staff had to validate with the hotel receptionist I talked with about my booking.

Finally, they confirmed and said that waiting time would be three minutes for the appetizers and the rest of the food on the character dim sum set will be released in half an hour’s time. Good grief. Proper timing was observed and our requests were accommodated with no issue.

Food: ★★★★☆

Food items were all so cute that we almost didn’t have the heart to bite into them. If you’re worried that the food is good only in visual presentation but not in taste, fret not. The food quality and standard here are generally at par with any first-rate Chinese restaurant.

For appetizer, we had Mickey’s Seafood Glutinous Pancake (米奇煎薄饼) which were perfectly browned on the sides, with tender, flurry insides. Shaped in Mickey Mouse face design, these pancakes were extra chewier than regular pancakes and less sweeter, so I suspect a combination of only rice and flour was in play. The twist? Tasting light in flavor, carrots and greens were mixed in the pan and fried until crispy.

Another appetizer was the Rice Pasta With Shredded Chicken in Sesame Sauce (麻酱鸡丝分皮) which consisted of cold rice noodles, cucumber and lettuce topped with shredded poached chicken and drizzle of sesame sauce. Motivating and sweet, the rice pasta had a good texture cooked just right not to mushy or slimy.

Next to arrived was my most awaited set: Disney Style Dim Sum! All praise be to the chef who executed the designs; what came out are these bun wonders that are surprisingly good. Even if it took us some time to eat them (because I was taking pictures for like five minutes in different angles), the warmth still permeated until the last bite. We slowly savored the Little Pig Barbecue Pork Bun (蚝汁叉烧猪仔包) and Little Green Men Pork and Vegetable Bun (绿色小人菜肉包).

The Little Pig Barbecue Pork Bun was filled with sweet barbecued pork (asado), and the Green Three Eyes Alien (character from Toy Story) was filled with vegetables. While I was instantly seduced by how they looked, I thought the fillings were lacking in the quantity department.

Moving on, we had the Double-boiled Sea Whelk and Stuffed Whole Dried Scallops in Mickey Winter Melon Soup (米奇元贝炖鸡). The chicken broth-based soup featured Mickey’s head which was actually winter melon cut-out, with stuffed dried scallop at the center and and carrot as the ears. The saltiness of the dried scallops imparted a lot of taste in the soup.

For the Chinese, the winter melon soup is known to increase energy, nourish the heart and tranquilize the mind. It’s definitely tagged as healthy! 🙂

The Wok-fried Shrimp and Disney Root Vegetables (豉汁芥兰度炒虾球) was one of my favorite in the array of dishes in the set, because I love eating vegetables. Joined by wok-fried fresh king prawns, the kale stems and carrots were crunchy and great with no additional seasoning required.

We were warned that the Braised de-boned Short Rib in Spicy Sichuan Sauce (彩椒双菌牛柳粒) would be spicy. Yup, it was a little spicy but not to the point when one should drink a glass of water (or maybe tea) to choke it down. The sauce which resembled almost beef soup had strong flavor, and the beef cubes were really tender and juicy.

Like in traditional Chinese dining, rice came last, just before desserts. The Fried Rice with Crispy Eel and Pickled Vegetables in Golden Nest (金盞脆鱔炒飯) was served with satisfying aroma. I didn’t seem to taste the eel as its taste was disguised as char siew. On the other hand, the pickled vegetables’ crunch and taste were evident and the thin deep-fried crispy wonton skin was so yummy.

Another batch of food we almost went insane for was the Combo of “Duffy” Steamed Red Bean Puree Bun (迪士尼小熊) and Chilled Dual “Mickey’s” Pudding. Duffy (a Disney bear, not chipmunk)’s inside was filled with not-too-sweet red bean (红豆). Screaming fall, the yellow-orange pudding was composed of pumpkin and almond. The green one—er, I forgot. Sorry! 😛 Anyway, it was also deliciously indulgent.

My dad is a strict vegetarian/vegan so he could not have anything on the Disney Character Dim Sum Lunch Set except for the dessert. For his main course, he had Si-Chuan Style Tofu with Mushrooms (HK$ 95) from the à la carte menu. The tofu was marinated before frying in the hot wok, and the result was flavorful, soft and chewy tofu with firm exterior. To anyone who likes tofu, I’m sure this is something you can enjoy.

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

We were not hotel room guests so price of the Disney Character Dim Sum Lunch Set was more expensive (HK$ 378), exclusive of service charge (which I recall to be 10% of the bill). Yes, the price is heavy but we had two sets shared by five people and the meal was enough to call lunch. The unique presentation and decorations of food was my main reason not to deter, aside from the hotel dining experience. Oh well, Crystal Lotus Restaurant is a winning Chinese restaurant inside Disneyland Hotel, so there’s nothing more that I can say.

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August 5, 2014
Review of Claypot Chicken Rice 瓦煲雞飯 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

On the night we reached KL, we were sent straight to Hotel Pudu Plaza. After checking in, we looked for a nearby restaurant that seemed decent for dinner immediately. A lot of hawker restaurants serving local Malay food were available, however the dishes were just not presented in a way that could easily capture my attention. Finally, we set foot in 瓦煲雞飯 (wa bao ji fan) and decided to try their signature Claypot Chicken Rice, which every table had.

Review of Claypot Chicken Rice 瓦煲雞飯 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

I glanced over at the menu posted on the wall and learned that it was only a listing of drinks.

Since they didn’t have a food menu, we had to specifically ask the staff to order. The boss and everyone else were speaking only in Mandarin and Malay. And apparently, they thought I was Japanese so they (including some other customers who heard me) were surprised when I spoke in Chinese. 😛

We had their signature Claypot Chicken Rice (瓦煲雞飯), Wintermelon Soup (冬瓜湯) and Chinese Stir-fried Lettuce (生菜). While waiting, I observed that it was interesting to see how the rice was being cooked using charcoal fire. Serving time was slow, since cooking rice in a claypot is really a slow process, but the result is worth the effort.

The claypot rice itself was done well. The bottom and sides developed an excellent crust that soaked up most flavor. However, I found that the claypot rice was dressed with too much black soy sauce and too much oil. Toppings consisted of savory chunks of skin-on, bone-in chicken, Chinese sausage (lap cheong) and mushroom. The chicken was a bit dry but plenty rich. Studded with fatty meat, the lap cheong was tender, sweet and smoky. The serving size was enough for two to share. The taste of 瓦煲雞飯 could get a little monotonous if you’d finish the entire portion alone.

Bright in color, the Chinese lettuce was good, crispy and fresh. It was a great side dish to the claypot chicken rice.

Any soup would be comforting for us that night, and we got the ever-nourishing and soothing Wintermelon Soup (also Cantonese in origin). It was cooked with pork bones and velvety cubes of wintermelon. The winter melon’s delicate white flesh had no distinct taste of its own, absorbing only the broth’s flavor.

Instead of going over the list of drinks all unfamiliar to us, we got the honeydew drink and sour plum juice. Their pictures were posted on the wall and somehow they looked good.

Light and refreshing, the honeydew juice turned out to taste like a hefty combination of green apple and melon juice. It was way better than the sour plum juice (suan mei, on the right), which was far from heavenly. Ugh, it tasted like salt and plum water (mouth-puckeringly sour) put together. I swear I won’t be salivating over this in a lifetime. It was so bad, but because Louie (the 壞人 that he is) chose the honeydew and inisted that I finish the sour plum one, I had no choice but to drink it. 🙁

This wasn’t the best meal we had in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In fact, it was the worst. 😛 But for one who loves authentic Malaysian-Cantonese food, it’s a damn solid one. The salty and crusty claypot rice would do justice for your hunger. Considering that we paid RM 20 for everything in this meal, it’s was a reasonably good deal.

July 27, 2014