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Category: Food Reviews

  • Review of Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar (Makati City)

    Review of Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar (Makati City)

    Do you know which restaurant has got the best burrito in Manila? Well, according to spot.ph, the champion in this category is no other than Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar in Makati. Beat that? There’s only one way to find out—and it’s when you grab a bite of their “finest Mex-Tex” food yourself!

    Ines Cabarrus (in photo with me below) and Elian Habayeb have ventured in the Philippines to serve authentic flavors of Mexico and American Southwest cuisines combined. The menu is so joyously predictable. To boost their competitive edge against Mexican food establishments that are sprouting over the city, Chihuahua plays with much creativity and innovation.

    With bigger and newer plans still up and coming to improve their menu, Chihuahua teams up with world leader Monin, the French company that has been producing gourmet flavors for over 100 years. This February 2014, they will be releasing three new margarita variations: strawberry, red berry and passion fruit. For the non-alcoholics, there are new flavors of quesadilla, new variations of nachos and smaller size of burritos to intrigue patrons like me. Let’s see how Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar’s food fared in my taste test.

    Review of Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar (Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    This branch of Chihuahua across A-venue Mall has two floors and can accommodate up to over 50 people. This place is screaming RED! Making the ambiance pretty upbeat, this predominant color in the interior stimulates the energetic vibe.

    Acoustic music pumping through the speakers helped to set the mood for the night. Incidentally, we came on a Wednesday night and Chihuahua has a live acoustic singer/guitarist every Wednesday. Tip: Say the password “acoustic” to the cashier and get a free Chihuarita shot to help you sing along.

    Disco lights pulse and dance around the walls and ceiling. Props such as game boards, cowboy hats, balero cups and other toys are placed at the sides. These can be borrowed for picture-taking.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The owners and staff are very accommodating and friendly, so ordering from a wide variety of food on their menu board on the wall behind the counter can be done easily. The ordering process starts upon selection of meats or veggies, then deciding whether you want them in a soft taco, burrito, salad or burrito bowl. Third step is either you witness how preparation of food is done or wait at your table. Mostly everything else once the food is served must be self-service.

    Different types of condiments (pickled Jalapeno peppers, fresh guacamole and Pico de Gallo) are available at a counter, and several types of homemade sauces are accessible from their “hot sauce library.”

    Food: ★★★★☆

    First and foremost, we had the classic favorites: three types of nachos, namely Chips & Queso “Special” (PHp 195), Steak Nachos (PHp 385) and Chicken Nachos (PHp 345) which all had corn, salsa, grilled pepper and onions. The Chips & Queso “Special” was made with queso and some chili con carne; the Steak Nachos, with tender, char-grilled, perfectly marinated American beef; and the Chicken Nachos, with lean marinated breast. All were really tasty and the matching condiments were as well rich and intense.

    After having a bit of everything, it was hard to say which I preferred the most. The nachos were crisp and crunchy. The toppings worked harmoniously with the delicious corn flavor.

    It seemed almost like a rare deal when the dish was served to us warm. I loved that melted cheese was still runny-rich and viscous and not a state where it had already cooled and thickened. What I also liked was the mix of quality ingredients in a bowl.

    Next were two types of burritos, the “pride and joy of Chihuahua.” The Mini-Me Burritos (PHp 225) are lighter, less packed but just-as-good-yet-smaller portion of the original 12-inch sized award-winning burrito.

    The Two-bean Burrito (PHp 135), an entry-level burrito worthy of the coveted Chihuahua brand, can suit vegetarians’ taste best. It is made with smoky refried beans, Mexican rice, black beans, creamy queso, and chipotle salsa, wrapped in the 10-inch soft flour tortilla.

    Thirdly, we had two different viands of brilliant quesadillas: the Veggie Quesadilla (PHp 385) and the Chicken Spinach Quesadilla (PHp 495). These quesadillas look like a large Mexican pizza made with two toasted flour tortillas held together by three kinds of cheese. Both were served with pico de gallo, chipotle salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

    I tried a slice of each but I could not just finish the whole thing. There was a lot going on upon the first bite. I thought the Veggie Quesadilla was more delicious, since the corn kernels, grilled peppers, onions and zucchini had a good contrast.

    On the other hand, the overall taste of Chicken Quesadilla was not as appealing to my taste buds, but I liked it, too! This quesadilla was made with grilled marinated chicken breast and butter-sautéed spinach with garlic, onion and cilantro.

    Coming soon are the Steak Quesadilla (PHp 545) with grilled USDA beef, onions and peppers; the Carnitas Quesadilla (PHp 485) with slow-cooked pork, red onions, and cilantro; and the Picadillo Quesadilla (PHp 465) with spicy ground beef and red onions.

    For a good Mexican dessert, we closed the deal with Chihuahua’s Banana Nutella Quesadilla (small PHp 195, large PHp 345), which had a firm but moist patty. Each bite was nice, juicy and nutella-flavored, thanks to the following ingredients: Nutella®, Jiffy’s Peanut Butter® and then topped with vanilla ice cream, cinnamon, shaved almonds and cajeta (a Mexican caramel similar to dulce de leche). The fresh bananas were responsible for the hint of sweetness. Yum! 😛

    We washed all the food down with Strawberry Frozen Margarita which was made with real tequila.  It was nicely tart but wasn’t too fruity or too sweet for me. As a “powerful cocktail drink,” this margarita was a little less syrupy than most versions I’ve tried in other bars. The acidity was adequate and the drink didn’t come with an unpleasant aftertaste.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar is a Mexican food lover’s paradise. Their offerings are so much a marriage of Mexican and Texan food and flavors. I was mostly impressed with the quality and presentation of the food but less impressed with the prices which I thought should be tagged a little lower. Of course in Manila, you can get nachos, burritos, quesadillas and drinks for half the cost. However, what you can’t get elsewhere is the FUN!

    In Chihuahua, one can take advantage of the festive ambiance and enjoy the night away with free salsa dancing lessons every Saturday night at 10:30PM. Yup, this place transforms instantly from a rather quiet dining area to a home of the best salsa dancers residing in the metro. The good news? Everyone is invited and the party lasts until 5AM. 😀 So if you feel like chilling and letting loose, schedule a trip to Chihuahua this Saturday right now. I bet you’ll have the most fun, hands down.

    If you’re not okay with Saturday, you can still have an equally fun ride at Chihuahua’s every Friday when they feature music more on the Reggaeton tip. You’d know it’s real when you see Domicans, Cubans, Costa Ricans and Panamanians in the crowd. The Corona-sponsored weekly’s Urban-Latin club music comes courtesy of Jonathan Picayo  and some of the best DJs the city has to offer.

    I’m not exactly running back for another set of Mex-Tex food right away, but if a burrito craving strikes me back again, I’ll know where to go. And by now, I think you also do. 🙂

    Thanks, Aldous, for the invite! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/chihuahuamexicangrill” name=”Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar” description=”7838 Makati Avenue (across A-Venue), Makati” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact +63916 3737308 or email chihuahuamexgrill@gmail.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-14″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating Hours: 11am until 3am (Mon-Thurs), 5am (Fri-Sat), and 12am (Sun)

    Other branch:
    G/F Greenbelt 2 (Esperanza street-side across from The Residences) | 625-0106
    Operating Hours: 11am – 11pm daily

  • Review of Chef Laudico Guevarra’s (San Juan City)

    Review of Chef Laudico Guevarra’s (San Juan City)

    When I got an invite from Joy of Gastronomybyjoy.com to spend an afternoon at Chef Laudico Guevarra’s for the launch of Philip Lifestyle Guy! Season 2, I just felt ecstatic. I would not not only get to meet Philip Abadicio, but I would also have the chance to dine in at one of the most wonderful house-turned-restaurants in the city right now! 😛 Some might call me lucky—and they’re right.


    Chef Laudico Guevarra’s in P. Guerra Street, San Juan is a buffet restaurant showcasing Filipino food with a twist. This place was once a heritage house built in the 1920s and was transformed into an elegant restaurant which opened to the public last July 16, 2013.

    Chefs Roland and Jackie Laudico thought that Guevarra’s would be known as an upscale buffet restaurant where diners can feel like they’re dining in a five-star hotel without the expensive bill afterwards. And yup, they’re successful at that. My foodie experience here has been great enough for me to want to tell the world about it. 😉

    Chef Laudico and Me : )

    Review of Chef Laudico Guevarra’s (San Juan City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Since Valentine’s Day is fast coming, Chef Laudico Guevarra’s was decorated with hearts all around. Inside the restaurant, several private dining areas that serve as function rooms can be found. They are named after famous personalities that made mark in the history of the Philippines, namely: Guevarra (main hall), Recto, Ortega, Mabini, Abad Santos and Pilar.

    Small gatherings, important meetings and celebrations can all be held in these rooms. If you’d notice, the walls are decorated with signed plates by celebrities and known people as well as paintings by local artists.


    The heritage house’s layout was retained as in the original, and the overall design may just leave one feeling oddly nostalgic. The lights? Oh wow, they’re enchanting. Hats off to the Laudicos for the spectacular theme.

    Guevarra’s also offers an outdoor setting suitable for having a nice cocktail in a serene ambiance. This garden in front of the restaurant looked perfectly romantic for a couple’s pictorial. This is the kind of place you can bring a date without worrying about anything.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Staffs were warm, hospitable and responsive, embodying a platonic icon of a neighborhood restaurant’s good customer service team. They took out our used plates and refilled our glasses with water quickly.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    We came at 3PM just in time for “afternoon snacks,” so note that these food below are not those served similarly in lunch and dinner. Nevertheless, they were filling and quite satisfying.

    On the appetizers section were Fresh Ubod, Salad Greens and also [not on the picture] Radish Cucumber Salad, Creamy Salted Egg, Kuya Caesar Dressing, Spicy Sardines and Freshly Baked Pan De Sal. Pile them on your plate without shame, as nobody should come to a buffet restaurant to judge. 😛

    My favorite has to be the Fresh Ubod. Each piece was crafted beautifully with a consistent number of pleats. After dipping one in peanut sauce, the flavors of fresh veggies in the remarkably delicate lumpia skin burst in my mouth. Mmmm!

    The next round is about getting the lay of the land: a little of Pork Sisig Baskets, a taste of Camote Croquettes (I can’t hardly pass up these), and Pork Shanghai with sauces: Vinegar, Toyomansi and Pinakurat. My sister had grown an obsession with the sweet potatoes croquettes (Croquetas de Batata) and it’s easy to understand why. Each ball was like a fancy hash brown with crispy crumbs on the outside and moist in the inside.


    Three pizza flavors were available: Seafood Pizza, Karnievorous Pizza and Vegetarian Pizza. Their pizzas are not the best. With thin and light crust, the pizzas didn’t appeal much to me. The toppings were scarce and the sauce was not flavorful. Presentation was as well mediocre. You can skip these and move on to the mains.

    Satisfy your love of meat and poultry with Liempo, Grilled Chicken and Fried Chicken or “Filipino pasta” with Pancit Canton, Spaghetti and Palabok. While I can’t comment much on the meaty choices, I can attest that the texture and flavors of the three different pancit/noodles were good. They reminded me of my mom’s cooking!

    At this point, my tummy was full and I was not particularly hungry to try the other food. Then again, having a small bite of each won’t hurt. Next on the line for the taste test were: Lechon on the Carvery, Chicken Ham, Squid Law, Ginataang Bilo-bilo and Roasted Chicken. It’s not an unpublished secret in this blog that I’m not a fan of any of these meat in general. All I can say is that their flavors were rich in their own humble way but not exciting as they dared to be. The complementary sauces for the lechon and chicken can make up for the shortcoming.

    For desserts, we had the Vegetable Platter, Banana Cake, Suman Balls, Palitaw, Chocolate Crinkles and Maruya that were all pleasing to the eyes and taste buds. We also tried sticking some of them to the Latik Fountain, a cool “Pinoy” version of the chocolate fondue. Everything in this section was awesome.

    At the two opposite ends of the buffet were the vendo machines for ice cream (vanilla and chocolate flavors with toppings) and different kinds of beverages (sodas and iced tea). I had the red iced tea which was not too sweet for my liking.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    If there’s one thing that’s perpetually true about Filipino restaurants, it’s the one about how hard it is to find a decent buffet restaurant serving Filipino food that you can confidently bring your foreigner friends for them to get a glimpse and appreciate our local cuisine. Chef Laudico Guevarra’s can be an ideal spot to spend happy moments with your loved ones. Considering the selection and quality of food, buffet rates are affordable. Rest assured, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. (We’ll be back for the lunch and dinner proper next time.)

    Buffet Rates:
    Weekday lunch (Monday to Friday) 11AM – 2PM: PHp 399 + 12% VAT
    Weekday dinner (Monday to Thursday) 7:30PM – 10:30PM: PHp 499 + 12% VAT
    Weekends and Holidays (Friday dinner, Satuday and Sunday lunch and dinner): PHp 599 + 12% VAT

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/ChefLaudicoGuevarras” name=”Chef Laudico Guevarra’s” description=”387 P. Guevarra St. cor. Argonne St., Addition Hills, 1500 San Juan” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 705 1811, 705 1874, 502 5006, 0917 311 2222″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-13″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: 11:00am – 2:00pm, 7:30pm – 10:30pm

  • Review of Da.U.De (Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge (Bonifacio Global City)

    Review of Da.U.De (Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge (Bonifacio Global City)

    Don’t you love being at moments when everything seems to click? Like fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, or peanut butter and jelly, teas and pastries are practically made to be paired with each other. Da.U.De (pronounced as Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge is a definite supporter of this pairing. This cute and fancy establishment at the ground floor of Net Lima Building in BGC is best known as the “premiere full leaf tea company” that brings authentic tea and tea culture with pastries on the side as well as other exciting dishes in the Philippines.

    After lunch with friends last Saturday at Casa Marcos Restobar, we walked into Da.U.De Tea Lounge (near Wildflour Cafe + Bakery) to continue our girl talk and get our tea fix. 😀 There was no way we could resist after it has been highly recommended by bloggers online.

    Review of Da.U.De (Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge (Bonifacio Global City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Staying at this tea lounge is like sitting in someone’s cozy home but with the presence of other people who are also enjoying the nice ambiance. The vibe? Casual, relaxed and flexible. I thought that if squishy sofas were placed instead of these regular chairs, one might actually fall asleep and forget that he or she is in a public tea lounge. 🙂

    I love all the light colors everywhere, as they are pleasing to the eyes. With non-obtrusive background music, customers can use their mobile devices and virtually reach out into the world. Free Wi-Fi was not available and that’s disappointing. Anyway, Da.U.De is very conducive for writing and working both alone and in groups. People-watching by the large windows is also an excellent activity that can be done without leaving the comfort of your seats.

    There’s a section displaying an array of tea boxes and other products with tea as an ingredient. This makes Da.U.De not a typical restaurant where diners order food and drinks but also a store where they can purchase a variety of stuff they won’t find elsewhere. ♥

    Service: ★★★★★

    The service has been attentive and very kind from the time we strolled in to the time we left. The staff clearly explained the best-seller drinks and sweets and their ingredients to help us make up our minds on what to order out of the many great choices on the menu. Good service like this can totally hook a customer.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Da.U.De Tea Lounge is a welcoming gateway to a wide world of food infused with teas, such as the following:

    • Gravaix and Feta Salad (PHp 350) consisting of tea-cured salmon, salad greens, feta cheese, tea-infused vinaigrette and homemade focaccia bread
    • Vongole (PHp 250) consisting of clams, cherry tomatoes, tea-infused aglio e olio and bavette pasta
    • Beef Bolognese (PHp 225) consisting of ground beef, tea-infused tomatoes, cream, vodka, penne pasta
      …and many more.

    Our purpose of visiting this place was to try their signature drinks, so we’ll have to return next time to try these food.

    In addition to teas, Da.U.De also serves beer, wine and cocktails. Then we learned that these beverages are also made of tea. For instance, the Island Beer (PHp 160) is made of lemonade tea and wheat beer; the Bubble Tea Wine (PHp 300) is made of Chardonnay, Fruit Nectar and Tapioca; and the Black or White Eyed Susan (PHp 160) is made of Kape Tea and Dark Rhum. Surprising! 😀

    On the “safe” side, Da.U.De offers smoothies, all-natural soda, tea with infusions of vegetables and fruits, milk teas and special tea mixes aside from the regular teas on pots. Like when we were in TWG Tea Salon, reviewing of the menu took a while.

    Ultimately, we gave up and just asked for recommendations that we followed without batting an eyelash. H got the Lemon Thirst Quencher (PHp 160), which we all agreed to be really a thirst quencher. This drink could have tasted better when served colder. Tiny bits of paper straw-suckable gelatinous pulps or pearls (sorry, could not identify) gave texture to each sip. I’m not a fan of citrus drinks so while it tasted good, it’s not a delightful way for me to end a day.

    G got the Rose Pink White (PHp 180) made with Xaouen tea, guava, green apple and lime. The flavor is unique but it tasted somewhat bland.

    While there’s an extensive list of drinks, I saw no reason to stray away from the most familiar. For myself, I chose the Coffee Almond Tea Macchiato (PHp 190) that’s made of coffee, almond tea, milk and caramel, and I didn’t regret getting it. It had all my favorite ingredients for a drink in one, and the combined flavors turned out to be natural, savory, smooth and not overly sweet.

    We shared a piece of a White and Dark Chocolate Scone served with Uncutted Cream and Lemon Curd (PHp 140). Hearty and simple to the point, the scone was more akin to a biscuit than a traditional scone when it comes to texture. It had a sugary crust which was robust and substantial.

    The scone might had been put out from the oven and displayed on the front counter far too long, so the moisture, gentleness and softness I was expecting were not met. I hope Da.U.De could also offer this homemade sweet to be warmed before serving.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Da.U.De Tea Lounge is a great place to unwind. Everything seemed like a must-try! What turns me a bit off are the pretty high prices. In fact, when I think about it hard, I get those maniacal spinning dollar-sign eyes you see in cartoons. Well, it may be understandable given that the space is small and people usually linger here for hours. Point being: part of the charge may actually include not only the overheads but also the opportunity costs.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/daudetea” name=”Da.U.De (Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge” description=”4th Ave and 26th St G/F Net Lima Building, 1634″ rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 4783579, (02) 8544187, 09228463268 or email hello@lovedaude.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-15″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating Hours:
    Mon – Thu: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
    Fri – Sat: 10:00 am – 12:00 am
    Sun: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

  • Review of Casa Marcos Restobar (Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City)

    Review of Casa Marcos Restobar (Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City)

    Tucked in Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City (beside Forbeswood Heights Condominium), Casa Marcos spans generations and is no way a newcomer in the food arena. It finds its roots in the 1940s, when a Spanish expatriate named Marcos de Guisasola opened a restaurant in his name.

    Eventually, when Señor Marcos had to go back to Spain, he passed the ownership of his successful business on to Ben del Rosario. Ben was his close friend and one of the customers who frequented the restaurant. A new branch of Casa Marcos was opened by Ben and his family in 1983, and it was in this place where the popular “Casa Marcos pan de sal” was established.

    My friends and I had lunch at Casa Marcos last Saturday and spent more than two hours talking about our life’s recent updates while enjoying the food, especially the unlimited refills of pan de sal. 😉

    Review of Casa Marcos Restobar (Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    At first glance, I could never have guessed that inside Casa Marcos Restobar lies gaudy décor. The first floor features a bar counter, two small dining sets, menu written on a chalkboards, and a fridge for chill drinks. Walking up the stairs to the second floor, I realized that this place is styled like a typical Spanish-style bar with antique-looking tables and chairs. The atmosphere was cozy and the setup, with brick walls, lights resembling tin cans on the ceiling, and colorful posters on the walls, was just simple yet beautiful.

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    The place was quiet with reserved staff to match. I was the first customer to arrive for lunch. This meant the staff wasn’t supposed to be busy; in fact, they were just listening to music on the radio and chatting with one another. Good times, huh. They looked at me as I pushed the glass door, however there was particularly no hi, welcome, how many or anything like that verbally exchanged. In short, the staffs (about four of five of them) were not friendly or inviting.

    They also did not bother to hand me the menu or ask if I need anything but let me observe around and do things in my own pace. It was as if I did not exist! One waiter came when I raised my hand to order, when I asked for the bread refill and when it was time for us to pay for the bill. Attentiveness passed the test and that’s the only good point noted.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    The garlicky scent of Gambas (PHp 320) wafted from our table, and we immediately dug into the plump Spanish garlic shrimps cooked Casa Marcos style sautéed in butter and garlic. The portion was small (almost like a side dish) and might be good for only one person, but we managed to share it, hardly needing all the jazz to appreciate the flavors.

    The strong flavor in gambas simply begged for rice. But instead of ordering rice, we opted for Casa Marcos Restobar’s pan de sal—and what a good move that was. These babies (so tiny, so cute) were served as a complimentary starter with butter to spread, and the bowl was refilled with more fresh pan de sal by request. The bread was soft and chewy. Allowing any of the gambas’ sauce go to waste is a sin, so we had the pan de sal soak up its glorious juices and ate it. Mmmmm…yummy!

    Our single entree, Pollo de Casa Marcos (PHp 320), was ever-so-gently pan-fried in oil and garlic. The chicken breast flesh was perfectly cooked, moist and toothsome.

    Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

    Average price of a course at Casa Marcos is PHp 400. I consider this to be really high as we got very small portions of food albeit in nice plating. Also, while the food tasted fine, the ingredients used, the creativity and the uniqueness of the recipes were not really too exceptional or wow-intensive to be worth such cost. But just maybe, the vivid cooking and utter lack of trendiness have their own charms. Will it bring you to Spain? If only you close your eyes and daydream for a moment, that could be possible.

    In any case, if you’re planning to dine in with a group of friends or your family, Casa Marcos’ selection of paellas can be worth the splurge. They offer four different types of paella (good for 5 to 6 people):

    • Paella Valenciana (PHp 795) – Hearty rice meal with chorizo, seafood, and chicken seasoned with paprika cooked over a slow fire
    • Paella Marinera (PHp 745) – Classic all seafood paella
    • Paella con Saffron (PHp 895) – Classic Valenciana cooked in saffron, giving it a lighter and more distinctive taste
    • Paella Negra (PHp 795) – A variety of seafood, chicken and vegetables cooked in black squid ink

    For those who hanker for long and lingering suppers, feel free to punctuate jovial conversation with glassfuls of bar drinks: beer, gin, vodka, cognac, whiskey, rum, tequila, mixers and fruit juices are all available with prices ranging from PHp 80 to PHp 325.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/casamarcos” name=”Casa Marcos Restobar” description=”F 121, Forbeswood Heights, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 5523781″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-04″ user_review=”11″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating Hours: 11AM-2:30PM, 6PM-11PM

    Other branch:
    Unit 20a/20b, Ortigas Home Depot J. Vargas St. Pasig City | (02) 4703637

  • Review of Greeka Kouzina (SM Aura Premier, McKinley Pkwy, Taguig)

    Review of Greeka Kouzina (SM Aura Premier, McKinley Pkwy, Taguig)

    Whether you’re into Greek or Mediterranean cuisine or just looking to shake things up, Greeka Kouzina makes an excellent restaurant selection for a heavy lunch or dinner. Although its menu has lots of meaty items, vegetarians can also not go wrong with Greeka Kouzina as it serves plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes that won’t weigh you down. Last Saturday, I made the slow drive up at the second floor of SM Aura Premier (beside Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen) to try what’s rolling best among their offerings. 😛

    Review of Greeka Kouzina (SM Aura Premier, McKinley Pkwy, Taguig)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The ambiance of Greeka Kouzina at SM Aura Premier is very open and well decorated but not overdone. In fact, the decors are almost zen-like. The atmosphere is classy, catering to a similar audience. Colorful lamps on the sides serve as accents that bring vibrancy and a festive mood to the dining area. The textured walls gave an ever more appealing appearance, and the structured ceiling gave the space a hint of grandeur, a warm and inviting feel.

    Service: ★★★★★

    We were greeted by one of the friendly hostesses upon entrance. As I’ve reserved a table for the group, we were seated abruptly.

    The servers were friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and helpful in introducing the menu items which are all foreign in my book. Also, I appreciated that the staff refilled our glasses with water several times throughout the evening without us having to ask. Each course of food was served quickly and we were not bothered at any point during dinner.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Greeka Kouzina’s food was truly a feast for both the eyes and mouth. First up, the stars aligned for an incredible explosion of flavors and textures of ingredients making up the Fig Roka Salata (PHp 420). The mixed greens and arugula arrived fresh. Fortified with sweet figs, walnuts, and sun-dried tomatoes, this plate was everything I could’ve hoped for: crunchy, saucy, sweet, salty and savory. The white thing that appeared to me as “lumpia wrapper” was apparently cheese! 😀 This appetizer is good for about three to five people to share. To our health, cheers!

    The second dish served was only five minutes away. Easy to serve and even easier to eat, the Kalamari Tiganito (PHp 290) consisted of freshly caught fried squid sprinkled with alatopiperigano. In case you don’t know, “alatopiperigano” simply is the combination of salt (“alati”), pepper (“piperi”) and dried oregano (“rigani”). The kalamari was cooked well and it poised itself as a comforting, familiar and slightly elevated dish. Dip it to the bright lemon-olive oil Greek dressing and you might say “Ahhh delicious!” after each bite.

    Next, the meat. We had the Paidakia (PHp 595), grilled lamb cutlets marinated in Greek’s signature spices. Call me caveman but I did not bother with the accompanying yoghurt and lemon slices to cut through the strong meat flavor. The lamb cut was tasty, however what I didn’t like was seeing too much fat oozing from it. While some people I know prefer that rich, wondrous and delicious fat of lamb, I was intimidated and distracted. 😛 Anyway, let’s move on.

    Krasates (PHp 480) consisted of two pieces grilled pork chops, served with blue cheese, walnuts and Greek’s signature gravy. I tried a very small chunk of the pork chop and thought it was incredibly juicy and tender. Still, I won’t convert myself as a meat-eater, if that’s what you’ll be asking. 😀 Thoughtfully executed, the krasates took on that roasted flavor that’s far from bland.

    Another irresistible entree was the Beef Souvlaki (PHp 430). This char-grilled skewer of meat can well satisfy your appetite for some sinful indulgence. It almost seemed like a crime to give this a miss. The cubes of beef were nicely marinated. They were moist and flavorful, completely edible and not too chewy.

    I could not believe that the Watercress Pasta (PHp 180) is listed just as a siding on Greeka Kouzina’s menu. With refreshing watercress and tomatoes, the creamy watercress pasta was perfect in earthy flavor. As a light dish, this al dente pasta is one that won’t make you feeling icky after finishing the whole thing.

    The Moussaka (PHp 180), made of grilled eggplant layered with beef, tomato sauce, cherry bechamel and potato topping, was refined and flavorsome. It was my first time to taste moussaka and I thought I could liken it with lasagna, except instead of noodles, you have eggplant. This serving of moussaka is considered as well as a siding that can be an entire meal for those who have a small stomach like mine. 🙂

    Finally, we had Baklava (PHp 180) for desserts. It was layered with phyllo pistachio, walnuts and cashews and topped with a large ball of Greek yogurt. The nuttiness was all over. The baklava looked harmless enough in presentation, but after biting into it, you’d know a sugar party is happening. Without the Greek yogurt to tone down the sweetness, I would not love it as much.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Greeka Kouzina is stuffed to the brim with its namesake. You want authentic Greek food? You got it. Although the menu features food in Greek names, their respective descriptions are simple and straightforward. When in doubt, you can ask the staff to recommend and help you out. So the next time you wonder where to eat in SM Aura, this Greece-inspired restaurant must be one of the top selections! 🙂 The dining experience and the quality of food here are worth to spend reasonable amount of money for.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/GreekaKouzina” name=”Greeka Kouzina” description=”2F, SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner, 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 9643354, 0917 5140157″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-03″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branch:
    285 Pedro Guevarra St, San Juan | (02) 624 5974

  • Review of Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    It’s Chinese New Year! It’s a special non-working holiday last Friday; nevertheless, we still had to go to work. No worries, I still had after-work hours to celebrate CNY with my family. We had dinner at Burgoo, SM Mall of Asia. This restaurant is not Chinese—and in fact, far from it. We exchanged the traditional Chinese cuisine for CNY with all-American food fare for a difference. And just maybe, we can get to earn US dollars all year round. 😆

    You may have passed by and/or dined in at Burgoo too many times, but did you know that Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant is named after “Burgoo,” a 17th century Kentucky stew that consists of goat meat, squirrel and deer mixed with vegetables, herbs and spices? I bet not. 😛 Anyway, Burgoo does not serve that same stew anymore but rather another version of stew officially called Burgoo Stew (PHp 145) that’s made with chicken, beef and pork with carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and herbs. I wanted to try it but as my mom’s eyes were fixated on the food posted by the entrance, we just ordered what supposedly had caught her fancy: Supreme Sampler and Pizza Sampler!

    Review of Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Featuring an intimate dining experience with a modern and contemporary environment, Burgoo’s dining room in SM Mall of Asia branch is very spacious. The outside looked just as promising as the inside. Seats gave comfort and the dim lights provided a great, fit-for-occasion yet laid-back atmosphere. Background music was soothing to the ears; without it, the place was a bit too quiet as it was not busy. In any case, reservations are still recommended in order to confirm a spot especially for dinner.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Upon our entrance, the staff acknowledged the reservation I made, and she escorted us to our table without a problem. Once inside, kind service was rewarded to us. The smiles of waitresses and the quick delivery of food made us feel like we should leave a tip before even eating. Efficient and commendable, Burgoo’s customer service was well worth the 10% charge on the bill.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    The Supreme Sampler (PHp 425, Regular) consisted of a combination of spicy buffalo wings (three pieces), cheddar cheese fries, mozzarella sticks and onion rings. All the fried stuff here were golden. They had this magical crunch, one that only a true lover of fried food enveloped with bread crumbs understands. This platter, according to the wait staff, is good for two to three people to share. We were four and still we could not finish everything. (Maybe we’re considered part of the minority.)

    Three accompanying dips were provided: tomato basil, ranch and blue cheese. I liked the ranch most and so did my sister. It was made with buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, herbs (chives, parsley, and dill) and spices. The blue cheese came second to our order of preference. It was warm, slightly salty and downright creamy. Hinting basil and tomato paste combined, the tomato basil sauce tasted just odd.

    Burgoo offers stone-baked pizza and allows customers to customize a pizza with these toppings: pepperoni, sausage, tomatoes, anchovy, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, black olives, grilled chicken, mushrooms, onions, extra mozzarella cheese and pineapples. I thought this is very much like that of Project Pie. However, unlike Project Pie, Burgoo charges PHp 75 for every additional topping. Basic ingredients have to be present in all: the pie (of course), sauce and cheese. This personalized pizza costs PHp 325 (Regular) and PHp 375 (Large).

    We ended up going with Pizza Sampler (PHp 475 for Regular and PHp 575 for Large) with four existing flavors on the menu, trusting that these would taste better than our own concoction. The pizza (large size) had eight slices with two slices per flavor.

    We devoured the visually promising Frutte de Mare made with mild barbecue sauce with shrimps, calamaris and mussels. Loaded with seafood, this pie tasted even better than it looked on picture. The cheese melted imperceptibly into the sauce in a 1:2 ratio and the barbecue sauce imparted a slightly sweet-and-sour tang.

    To cater to Dad’s vegetarian palate, Margherita consisting of tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan and fresh basil leaves and Garden Fresh consisting of spinach, green peas, onions, peppers, tomatoes, black olives and mushrooms were served. The fresh tomatoes in Margherita exploded in my mouth with a bright punch. The fresh spinach in Garden Fresh, on the other hand, acted both as a flavor amplifier that further pushed the fruity notes and as a unifying element that tied everything into a pizza heaven. 🙂 Both pizzas were punctuated by a “burst of herbaceousness” and a well-balanced taste.

    Lastly, Taco Mexicano was topped with ground beef, sausages, cheddar, mozzarella and tomatoes. The meaty ingredients used here were most prominent and pronounced. They were combined so well with the other elements, bringing the pie to a higher level of goodness.

    Overall, I sensed the presence of high-gluten flour in the dough. While the crust was not perfectly charred and lacked in crisp, the unity of the flavors making the pie was okay. The pizza flavors, when ordered individually, cost PHp 395 (Regular) and PHp 495 (Large), except for the Margherita which costs PHp 20 less respectively.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant’s pizzas and supreme sampler are not those that would definitely make me come back, but maybe their known specialties and best-sellers such as seafood jambalaya, fajitas and steaks are enough reason for now for us to check this place out next time and track it for years to come. Considering that this restaurant’s prices range from PHp 395 to PHp 995 for a decent order of large portions of food, it offers quite a reasonable value for money.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Burgoo-Restaurant-Official-Fanpage/465786640112010″ name=”Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant” description=”2/L Southwing SM Mall Of Asia, Pasay City, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 556.00.91 or (02) 556.00.92″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-02″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other Branches:

    • 310 Tomas Morato Ext. Q.C Philippines | (02) 927.73.96, (02) 927.73.84, (02)927.74.24
    • 3/L Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center Makati City Philippines | (02) 898.1815 to 17
    • 2/L The Podium, ADB Ave. Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City | (02) 687.55.65, (02) 633.67.62, (02) 687.5254
    • 2/L Promenade, Greenhills San Juan Metro Manila Philippines | (02) 726.46.63, (02) 726.32.43
    • 2/L Gateway Mall Araneta Center, Cubao, Q.C. | (02) 913.61.12, (02) 913.72.34, (02) 912.79.39
    • 4/L Robinsons Galleria, Q.C. | (02) 633.62.56, (02) 633.95.65
    • 3/L The Block SM City North Edsa Q.C. | (02) 442.01.15, (02) 422.01.04
    • Grnd Flr. SM City Marikina, Marikina City | (02) 477.19.34, (02) 477.19.32
  • Review of Gravity Modern Bar (Blue Wave, MOA Complex, Pasay City)

    Review of Gravity Modern Bar (Blue Wave, MOA Complex, Pasay City)

    After dinner at The Food Club last Saturday, we headed to this bar in Blue Wave where you can celebrate a promotion, school graduation, the weekend, or freedom from an ex-lover. 😛 The Gravity Modern Bar had its grand opening last December 6, 2014. While still new, this bar hits all the buzz words necessary to be a hitter in the F&B industry.

    There’s a lot of existing bars in Pasay more than my fingers can count. Is Gravity Modern Bar the best choice in the bunch? Maybe not. What matters anyway is that you’ll surely have a good time, and sometimes you just have to take the sure bet. 😉 They got interesting food on the menu and a ton of beverages.  If you want the classic mixes of alcohol and juices, this is where you go.

    Heavy packs of customers are observed nightly, especially during Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are recommended 1 week before or at least two days.

    Review of The Gravity Bar (Blue Wave, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Contrary to its name, this is a bar where you won’t feel gravity—as you get high. 😛 With minimal decors, the ambiance at the Gravity Modern Bar is masculine enough for a dudes-night-out. Considerably, it’s also a “funky- romantic” venue for a first date. Customers can be a little naughty to be seated by the counter, while the rest can find comfort at the seats next to one another across the dining area.

    Those who don’t feel like eating or drinking booze can party all the way. The back area opens as a mini stage for dancing and jamming with the in-house live band and DJ starting at 8PM. And just like other restaurants and bars in Blue Wave, this bar allows customers to be seated at the al-fresco setting to watch the free concert joining the crowd.

    I’m not sure if their walls are soundproof, but I could hardly hear the noise outside (or music in the room was just too loud). If they are indeed soundproof, then I commend this bar for pushing the envelope in a direction different from the average restaurants in the complex. Here you could probably forget your problems and live a magical time until the wee hours of the morning. They are open until around 2-3AM! 😀

    Service: ★★★★★

    I think friendliness of staff at any bar is important as they have to rub elbows and serve drunk (wasted) people. For about half an hour, we chatted with the staff at the Gravity Modern Bar and asked them about the drinks they “cook up” and the contents. Yup, they were accommodating and friendly.

    Customers can request for any mix regardless of their presence on the menu as long as the needed flavor to craft the cocktail is available. The bartenders spin the ingredients fast, strain the liquid and BOOM, there’s your drink.

    Drinks: ★★★★☆

    Gravity Modern Bar has an extensive list of food. You can sink your teeth into their perennial offerings: sizzling chicken, pork, shrimp and squid; finger food, such as calamares, crispy nachos, crablets, chicharong bulaklak, fries, garlic mushroom, onion rings, etc.; grilled chicken, blue marlin, pork chop, etc.; noodles, such as pancit canton and bihon; soups such as sinangag na panga and hipon; and over 10 flavors of pizza. Mmmm… sounds yummy!

    We could have grabbed a bite or two of these dishes, but since we were pleasantly full from dinner, we just took a few sips of each of their signature drinks.

    Sex on the Beach (PHp 225) is an ideal drink to get on hot summer nights or afternoons at the beach. This concoction was made up of vodka, Archers Peach Schnapps and cranberry juice. It offered a gentle and sweet citrus scent and a fresh, snappy essence, a must-try to ease your state of mind.

    The Frozen Margarita (PHp 225) tasted like a 7-Eleven slurpee with strawberry tequila. Triple sec, lemon and lime cordial were part of the mix. Frozen Margarita is also available in mango and orange flavors.

    With refreshing piña colada and strawberry mix, this ice cold Miami Vice (PHp 225) was garnished with a slice of pineapple tasted wonderfully. The horizontal design and contrasting colors of blue and pink made a visually dramatic effect.

    Traditionally done, the Gravity Mojito consisted of white rum at the top and dark rum at the bottom, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and mint. The minty after-taste was so overwhelming that it shocked my mouth with menthol as well as bitterness.

    A classic blend of vodka, coffee liqueur and Irish cream, the Mudslide Vodka Cocktail can be both drink and dessert. It produced a nice foam on the top of the cocktail. Chocolate really elevates the drink to seductively delicious status. 😀 This had to be my favorite drink so far in this bar, although the alcohol content was much stronger than I would have otherwise expected.

    All the drinks are highly recommended. Note: As always, taste is subjective!

    Fond of something more outrageous? The following might suit your fancy: Extreme Orgasm (PHp 195) – Cointreau, Bailey’s Amarretto and Vodka, Blow Job (PHp 195) – Kahlua, Bailey’s and Vodka, Slippery Nipple (PHp 175) – Sambucca, Bailey’s and Vodka, and Laser Beam (PHp 175) – Tequilla and Galliano.

    I know, all these names warrant attention. If you’re not cool with that, chasing down your food with mixers such as Bacardi (Rhum Cranberry, Tonic and Cola), Jack Daniel’s (Whisky Cola and Dry) and Johnny Walker will be perfectly fine as well.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    With a good playlist of music throughout a chill night, warm service and good food and drinks, Gravity Modern Bar is a pretty cool place to hang out. However, a drink could easily set you back PHp 250 in average. Prices tend to go higher as more ingredients (mostly alcoholic) are added. I’m not a drinker so this is not really value for money to me.

    I’d rather spend for food (price ranging from PHp 300 to PHp 600) and call it a meal. The assumption here is that food comes in large portions for a group of maybe three people, else they are expensive. No prizes for guessing but yeah you can say I’m a cheapskate and I’m very good at make my calories worth every time. 😛

    Ongoing promo: Get six bottles of beer including choice of peanuts, nachos, or crackers for only PHp 300. This is inclusive of the 10% service charge.

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  • Review of The Food Club Manila (Bluebay Walk, Pasay City)

    Review of The Food Club Manila (Bluebay Walk, Pasay City)

    Once upon a time, five-star buffet dining can only be experienced in five-star hotel’s fine dining restaurants and bistros. Nowadays, more and more standalone restaurants in the metro rise to the challenge. One of them now includes The Food Club Manila in Bluebay Walk, Pasay City, as it invites customers to dine with style. It’s located on a stretch of highway along Macapagal. The signboard is big so it’s hard to miss.

    Promo: The The Food Club had its soft opening last January 24, 2014. It has an ongoing promotion until January 30, 2014 (Grand Opening day): 50% off on all prices + 5% service charge! 🙂 A medley of international flavors awaits. Some of the most aromatic and exotic finds are: beef lengua, beef caldereta, beef rainbow, beef curry, jellyfish, pork kingdao,  pork ear, chicken sauteed in chilli, blue marlin in teriyaki sauce, marinated top blade in coriander sauce, lyonnaise potatoes with onions and bacon, palak paneer and aloo gobi.

    Review of The Food Club Manila (Bluebay Walk, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The Food Club Manila can be seen as a pinnacle of greasy glutonny, a truly perilous trap to ruin your diet, or a glorious smorgasbord of international dishes that do nothing else but please. Walk into this lifestyle buffet and what you’ll immediately notice are the impressive lights (bubble chandeliers draping from the high ceiling). Choose where you’d want to be seated: the sofa by the side, the regular chairs in the middle or the purple rounded sofas at the far end of the dining area. I guess the best position would be anywhere close to the buffet tables at the center. 🙂

    Service: ★★★★★

    As more people came into the restaurant for dinner, service did not become slower. That meant two things: (1) the ratio of staff and expected guests to be accommodated (around 120) is proportionate or just right and (2) the team is really quick and efficient. They were friendly and the type that would not leave customers alone until they are delighted. How exactly?

    Of course, there’s the norm—greeting and leading customers to their seats upon arrival, offering drinks, getting utensils, fulfilling requests, and showing them around. But one thing that makes their service extra special is that the waitstaff offers to carry full plates when they see diners about to head back to their seats. It happened to me twice and I thought it was a gentlemanly gesture that makes great service. I have not experienced this in other buffet restaurants before. 😀

    Food: ★★★★☆

    From appetizers to desserts, the carefully composed dishes that The Food Club chefs put together are unfailingly elegant, true works of art. Presentation struck me most. Everything looked fantastic and delicious! I found myself ogling at each course before ravaging my plate with chopsticks. 😛

    While each dish has many components, the flavors are balanced in each section I recognize as: Chinese, Japanese, Seafood and “Random” food which were heated under an induction (and not placed on regular serving trays). I could not tell which ones topped in my “favorite list,” but I’m pretty sure that all those dishes I’ve tried were beautiful, delicate food I enjoyed. Indeed, they were compelling to the palate as they were to the eye.

    Appetizers

    Chinese

    Japanese

    Seafood

    Random

    Desserts

    Drinks

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    From Mondays to Thursdays, cost per adult for lunch is PHp 800 and PHp 1000 for dinner. Kids whose height is 3.5 feet and below are FREE of charge while those whose height are above 3.5 feet are charged PHp 580 each. Rates in the weekends (Fridays to Sundays) are higher: PHp 1188 for lunch and dinner for adults and PHp 600 for kids who are taller than 3.5 feet. Likewise, kids who stand 3.5 feet and below can eat for free!

    All these are exclusive of the 5% service charge. Overall, dinners tend to be more expensive just like in other buffet restaurants, which is why lunch is a better deal. Food selections would not vary that much anyway.

    Next time I expect The Food Club to showcase more irresistible avant-garde offerings and more interesting choices that are not found elsewhere just yet among their competitors. I am positive that the direction is going there, as I was told by one of the chefs that they will be changing the menu according to the feedback and tastes of customers and retaining those that are praised.

    Meanwhile, you can join this giveaway hosted by The Food Club. Prize is FREE dinner buffet for two people. Follow the mechanics in the Rafflecopter below. Duration of the giveaway is two weeks (1/31-2/14). The winner will be contacted by the The Food Club for the prize. Note: All steps are mandatory. Good luck! 🙂

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Update: The winner is Laila Hermosa Mercado! 🙂

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    Operating Hours: 10:30AM-10:30PM