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Category: Food Reviews

  • Review of Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar (Pasay City)

    Review of Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar (Pasay City)

    Officially, it’s that time of the year again when ever-present Christmas decorations are all over the office and the uptick in events on our calendar includes parties—in addition to lengthy meetings and discussions. And as the “holiday party season” reaches its zenith from the first weekend of December, we all fear the wrath of the gaining extra calories, with more food on the table than usual. If you don’t want to see food, close this window right now. Else, come over to the dark side :mrgreen: , and have fun while it lasts.

    Following corporate tradition, the newbies in the IT division of our company have put together a Christmas feast for everyone. Last year, I was one of them and we gathered in CaiXa Resto and Bar. This time, we had it in Bagaberde 101, another ideal venue for events, functions, special occasions and celebrations.

    The theme, though not necessarily evident, was about Bangon Pilipinas in honor of the victims of supertyphoon Yolanda. We donated a lot of money to contribute to charity but still spared some budget for ourselves to enjoy for the night (date: December 6, 2013). Games, jokes, raffle draws, talent presentations, food and the booze did wonder to our brain cells and kept us all satisfied. 🙂

    Review of Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar (Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    The place can accommodate 200 to 400 people, with over 50 tables around the entire dining area. Two bars are placed at the opposite sides across the main dining hall. Rest rooms are conveniently located beside the stage in front. Interior design and fixtures were without frills; lights extending from the high ceiling provided excellent illumination that was enough to see by.

    The live band played good songs and we were much entertained before the real program hosted by our very own teammates commenced.

    Service: ★★★★★

    There was a good ratio of party attendants and servers, and while requests kept pouring in, staff came as congenial and friendly. Some even volunteered to take us pictures and posed to have their photos taken as well. 😛 I was most glad to consider their “helpful action” when food in the buffet table got replenished and served very quickly after each variant was depleted.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    The party organizers chose the food for us. Filling up our “stomach real estate” were the following dishes:

    Vegetable Spring Roll with Vinegar

    Lemongrass Chicken

    Fish Fillet with Aioli Sauce (garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and egg yolks)

    Grilled Liempo

    The food quality was overall okay—somewhere in between yay and nay—yet not as impressive as that one putting all grills and/or friers to shame. The fish fillet and vegetable spring rolls lacked crisp; and the chicken lacked flavor, herbs and aromatics. I’m sorry I couldn’t report anything for the liempo affair. My eyes lit up because of hunger and not because of having a “feel-good” awe for the batch.

    For drinks, we could order anything from the bars though with an added “pay as you order” fee.

    Included in the buffet package were these options: mango juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, iced tea, soft drinks and San Miguel beer (light). I tasted the iced tea and pineapple juice. Both were too sweet and I regret ordering sugary drinks instead of plain water. 🙁

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Just like last year, the fee per person depends on the position. (Again, I paid PHp 1000.)

    For the purpose of rating the food prices for their value, I thought it’s fair to base judgment on the content on the menu. Pulutan (Fries, Calamares, Buffalo Wings, Gambas) prices average at around PHp 250; Sisig delights, PHp 225; Grilled Meat/Seafood, PHp 195-275; Sandwiches, PHp 150; Pancit and Pastas, PHp 260; Fruit Shakes, PHp 105; and Local Beers, PHp 75. Looking reasonable? Head out to Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar yourself to find out. 😀

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Bagaberde101/” name=”Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar” description=”Boom Na Boom Compound, CCP Complex, San Isidro, Pasay City beside Wensha Spa and The Legend” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 02 5501581 / Globe – 09064750578; Smart – 09993981609″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-07″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: Tue – Sat: 11:00 am – 2:00 am

  • Review of Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant – A La Carte Paluto (Pasay City)

    Review of Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant – A La Carte Paluto (Pasay City)

    We have been to Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant in Seaside Market before. That was when we used our MetroDeal vouchers to unravel a gastronomic native treat with the buffet.

    The review ratings I submitted turned out to be bad. I wrote with honesty as usual and I was not alone; many readers shared their own sentiments and some even sent affirmation. Facebook users tag the restaurant’s fan page to raise their concerns, and we were all together in the hope to see improvement.

    At last, after a month, I received an email from the owner. Ms. Soraya Salamat herself humbly invited us to Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant to sample their regular items on the menu (not buffet). I accepted the offer and gave the restaurant another chance to prove their worth. She personally prepared a full six-course meal plus desserts for us and this time, if you ask me whether or not they were successful at pleasing and tickling our taste buds, the answer would be: yes! Totally. They passed—with flying colors. 😀

    Review of Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant – A La Carte (Pasay City)

    Note: I am not writing the Ambiance review portion since they did not have drastic changes on the placement of fixtures, restaurant theme and all. So allow me to immediately proceed with the other three important items here:

    Service: ★★★★★

    Once we arrived, I called the attention of one of the staff near the kitchen and introduced myself to be the blogger who made reservation for dinner. The staff acknowledged my presence and escorted us to our seats. Shortly, Ms. Soraya appeared, welcomed us and said she’d start preparing the food.

    The dishes arrived fast, one after the other. Waiters were notably much more attentive to our requests this time around as well. After dinner, we talked to Ms. Soraya and enjoyed her company a lot. She’s a nice, understanding and considerate person after all. Very accommodating, down to earth and respectful—someone who deserve continued success.

    Food: ★★★★★

    For a starter, we had the Clam Soup with Tofu (PHp 300). The flavor of the soup base was mild and delicate. There was a hint of sweetness that complemented the faint bitterness of the clam shells accented by the salt. Fading almost with the background, the tastes of aromatic vegetables dissolved into the broth. The soup could have tasted better by adding a good grind of black pepper and a bay leaf or two.

    We told the owner that my dad is a vegan. So a vegan version of the “Clam Soup with Tofu” was also prepared specially for him. It consisted only of tofu but tasted as good.

    First in line on the main courses was the Crispy Hito (Catfish) with Different Sauces (Cooking Charge: PHp 100-140). I’m pretty picky about sauces for the fish because they either only enhance or ruin the crucial original taste. It was a good thing that four sauces were presented on the plate, giving the customer his/her call. Luckily, every option was okay. I could not choose which one though was most agreeable.

    Second was the Sizzling Spareribs in Barbecue Sauce (Cooking Charge: PHp 180-220) which I barely touched (because it was pork and I could not get a nutritional nod out of it). My mom and boyfriend both liked it, and they almost finished the beast. As I’ve heard, there’s nothing like sizzling Filipino-style roasted pork belly to bring all friends and family out of from every crack and crevice. These sizzling spareribs can be one of our country’s most recognizable culinary export.

    Third came the Baked Oysters (Cooking Charge: PHp 140-200), which was much unlike the “baked tahong served at the buffet.” Seeing and comparing the two pictures would definitely make the difference visible. This version was really fine, without the pungent smell. These baked oysters were baked with garlic, butter and cheese. I suggest pairing the shell with a crunchy-on-the-outside-but-soft-on-the-inside piece of bread to sop up all the juices.

    The ever-popular Asian Adobong Pusit “Squid Adobo” (Cooking Charge: PHp 140-200) was stewed in soy sauce, vinegar and spices. This squid viand boasted a dense silken gravy with a purplish-almost-blackish hue. With rice, it was scrumptious! The texture of the finely chopped squids was not so chewy, and that mattered to me a lot because I wear braces.

    The Ginataang Kangkong (Swamp Cabbage in Coconut Milk) (PHp 200) was made for Daddy, but we also took the taste test. Good enough to slurp, the coconut milk lusciously coated the fresh and authentic greens. The chili lend a pleasant spiciness to the affair. My dad absolutely liked it and described it as a comfortable meal he can get used to eating every day.

    Their Pancit Canton (Stir-fried Noodles) (PHp 150) taken from the buffet table as asked by my mom was okay. It consisted of sliced meat, carrots, other veggies, and all it missed were the quail eggs.

    The desserts (mangoes, watermelon, banana fritters and biko) were not made from unicorn tears and not much to look at but were plainly good—the best way to end and complete a Filipino meal, aside from halo-halo and ice cream.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    If you decide to order a la carte / paluto dishes at Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant, then you’re in luck. 😛 Everything we had was delicious. These food, unlike the ones in the buffet, were properly executed. This restaurant is where you should go when craving for conventional Filipino comfort food that’s “universal.” Just make sure to have lots of napkins and a big appetite. You can view more of the cooking charges here and here.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Josefina-Garden-Grill-and-Restaurant/297946256889581?ref=br_tf” name=”Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant” description=”Seaside Market, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd Manila Bay Reclamation Area, Pasay” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 5159130, 0908-1669496″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-03″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

    Operating hours: 10AM-11PM daily

  • Review of Café Marivent in Las Casas (Bagac, Bataan)

    Review of Café Marivent in Las Casas (Bagac, Bataan)

    The only reason we discovered Café Marivent was we were touring inside Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar and we had to take lunch half for nourishment and the other, for bliss. Café Marivent takes a traditional approach to Filipino and Spanish cuisines, offering popular items such as  Gambas Rebosadas, Salpicao con Setas, Paella Valenciana, Paella Negra, Puchero, Crispy Pata, Kalderetang Baka, Pork Binagoongan, and so much more.

    Café Marivent in Casa Unisan is one of the two main restaurants in the heritage resort, so how could we resist? How could anyone? You’ll know the answer when you get there yourself. 😉 This is a review of food we ordered for lunch on Day 1 and breakfast (complimentary) on Day 2.

    Review of Café Marivent in Las Casas (Bagac, Bataan)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Café Marivent is a good-looking place whose walls and ceilings are entirely carved stones. I liked the first-rate pieces of wooden furniture and quaint decorations. The restaurant was not air-conditioned but natural air from open doors and windows and the ceiling fan sufficed.

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    Food was served about 10 minutes late. An additional 10 minutes after the half-hour waiting time can be acceptable during peak overload hours and when customers waiting for food are not as hungry as us. But that was not the case. There were only a few active tables so staff members were not at all outnumbered, and we were extremely hungry for lunch. Another devastation point was that waiters were not attentive to our calls. The water pitcher cannot be placed on our table so we had to request them to refill our glasses with water every time.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    We were particularly smitten by Paella Valenciana (PHp 990) on the menu. One of my friends’ friend had already eaten this specialty at this restaurant and recommended us to try the same dish big time. With a strong recommendation like that, we knew we just have to follow. Café Marivent’s Paella Valenciana is cooked with sauteed rice in Spanish Concasse and tomato puree mixed with assorted seafood and meat for 3-4 people. The description is totally a good selling point. The bad news? The staff said that cooking time is about an hour and we should have called ahead for them to prepare the paella. 🙁

    Anyway, many other exciting dishes on the menu await behind their fanciful names. Let’s take Pollo San Bernardino (PHp 440) as example. It consisted of grilled chicken breast fillet with mango sauce and demi-glazed mango slices. The chicken with sauce was sweet and savory, best accompanied with plain white rice, as it was imbued and bursting with so much flavor.

    Another one that’s hard to eat without rice was the Kare-kareng Lamang Dagat (PHp 550), a seafood version of “the epitome of Philippine comfort food.” The stew was not as thick as I expected, and the usual nuttiness of the so-called “Philippine Peanut Stew” was not found here. It came with almost no taste; without stirring bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) in, this kare-kare won’t be considered as a satisfactory dish.

    Off the vegetable section of the menu, the Pinakbet with Bagnet (PHp 530) looked promising. It was bright, colorful and made with ingredients that remind us all about home. This pinakbet was extraordinarily simple but the bagnet (chicharrón made of fried pork rinds) made it taste unique in a positive way. My friends loved it so much and I bet all you bagnet-lovers would like this as well.

    For breakfast, Louie had Longganisa with rice, scrambled egg, watermelon and orange juice.

    I, on the other end of the table, had Daing na Bangus with rice, scrambled egg, watermelon and coffee. The texture of the egg was perfect! It was fluffy like a custard all the way through. The fish dipped in vinegar with onions was predictably great, too. 🙂

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Our meals at Café Marivent may be closely described as like eating at a home of a well-intentioned Filipino-Spanish family. Perhaps this is not the greatest café in the world or in Bataan, and perhaps the tastes of their food run simple, but the dishes were warm, fresh and friendly stuff. If you’ve got room in the stomach and some extra cash in hand, Café Marivent’s selection of Filipino and Spanish food can be worth the splurge.

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  • Review of La Bella Teodoro Italian Restaurant (Bagac, Bataan)

    Review of La Bella Teodoro Italian Restaurant (Bagac, Bataan)

    Coming from long hours of picture-taking under the scorching heat of the sun around Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, we quickly recognized the value of a fine meal as we enthusiastically embraced this “splurge meal” at La Bella Teodoro. To get the most out of the experience, you should grab a seat in front of the wood-burning oven and watch the experts work. 😉

    Review of La Bella Teodoro Italian Restaurant (Bagac, Bataan)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Upon entrance, I thought La Bella Teodoro is not an ordinary Italian restaurant. More than “sightseeing” with our taste buds, we also had sightseeing to do with our very eyes. The ambiance here was beyond elegant. Stoned walls, high ceilings, gigantic chandeliers, artsy paintings, quirky displays and everything else in between made a cut to a superb rating for this portion of my review.

    La Bella Teodoro has been operating for three years now and it does so with the understanding that good food is only part of that formula for success. While waiting for courses to be served, guests can go around the dining room to look at vintage items on display.

    Wonder what those are in the picture below? Strips of pastas, in rainbow colors. 😛 In La Bella Teodoro, everything that can be made in-house is made in-house. I respect the skill involved in hand-making and cooking pastas whose calorie count is best left unknown. I interpret it as a reflection of a high level of care and attention to detail that come through in their food.

    Service: ★★★★★

    There’s a special charm that La Bella Teodoro exudes and I guess it comes mostly from customer service, which was professional and attentive, warm but not overly familiar. I must say that every staff we met in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar was hospitable and kind. If I lived in the neighborhood and wanted to be treated like a dinner guest, this is where I’d go.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    First up, three types of bread. I liked that big one there in the middle most for its crisp crust enclosing a slightly moist, chewy and aromatic crumb with an amazing hole structure. For me, it achieved the ultimate bread accolade. It’s so good that you don’t need to eat anything with it. But of course, I had to try it when dipped with Balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The taste and aroma were enhanced and pretty much, I was satisfied completely. Good bites for appetizer.

    The Salciccia Pizza (PHp 460) was good. Nicely seasoned, each slice of this thin-crust pizza was generously sprinkled with different types of sausages that well represented the flavor. Amount of cheese and tomato sauce was just enough. Did the fat, meat, cheese and tomato intermingle gloriously? Yes, quite. The highlight of this dish was really the sausages laid on in heavy chunks with a kick of spiciness. This pizza can provide ample assurance that this restaurant curates their food seriously.

    All you need to know about the Penne Arrabiata (PHp 305) is that it’s simply penne flavored with spicy tomato sauce. I was finding the red pepper flakes that made the pasta so hot but couldn’t see them. The ringing heat became tolerable, after I drank a glass of water. This goes to say that if you are anyhow timid with spice, the Penne Arrabiata will make you angry! 😛

    The creaminess, richness and elegance of your ideal risotto can all be found in La Bella Teodoro’s Risotto Di Acuzar (PHp 305). It’s cooked with Arborio rice, white wine and Parmesan cheese. The flavor of the rice was subtle, and I think pairing it with wild mushrooms and buttered broccoli would be best. 😀

    Another risotto we tried was the Risotto Di Mare (PHp 465), which was cooked with Arborio rice, mixed seafood and tomatoes. The tomato sauce overpowered the taste of seafood sharply, and its sourness was so pleasantly toothsome it practically bites back.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    This Italian meal almost cost a fortune; dishes are overpriced, but that’s somehow understandable as we were in a tourist-packed background. If only food were allowed to be brought in, we would have packed food for our meals. However, because of the strict rule of the resort and the limited dining options, we had no other choice but to dine in at Las Casas’ restaurants.

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  • Review of ECHOcafé (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City)

    Review of ECHOcafé (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City)

    Last Sunday, Louie and I went to SM Aura (Skypark) and Serendra to practice taking shots using my new DSLR. He brought his flash kit along and we experimented on ISO, aperture and shutter speed. As a newbie photographer, I set the camera on Manual mode and tried adjusting these settings to achieve the right exposure.

    Basically, as my subject, he posed on different backgrounds under different lighting with the same smile plastered on his face, so it was very difficult for me to see if he was enjoying or just faking a happy countenance. (Thank You, God, for giving me a supportive boyfriend.) 😀

    After our two-hour photography session, we visited the ECHOstore at Serendra, BGC where we amusingly found eco-friendly items on display. 

    Some of the products I’ve been searching for such a long time now are found there: coconut flour, cocoa powder from Malagos Resort, wild honey, vegetable chips, organic detergent, shampoo and conditioner, lotion and everything else made from plants.

    What’s even greater was that there’s a café inside serving delicious and healthy food from pastas and sandwiches to soups and desserts made from fresh and organic ingredients. Wow! This is what I call my ideal place: store, deli and café in one! Dinner, here we go.

    Review of ECHOcafé (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    ECHO stands for “Environment & Community Hope Organization.” As described in their website, “It’s about conscious and caring consumerism that chooses fair trade and green products to help drive livelihood to the marginalized while helping our planet (ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle), eating and drinking healthy (ECHOcafé: Culture, Coffee, Community) supporting locavorism or buying food grown locally (ECHOmarket Sustainable Farms).”

    Organic local delicatessen products, teas and bags from recycled materials are placed on shelves of this store-deli-café. In the limited space, a counter for ordering is placed at the back and dining sets are arranged neatly for customer accommodation. The walls are painted light-celery green, a backdrop which perfectly complemented the theme and concept of the establishment.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was fine. The gentleman who served our table was attentive and dedicated in his efforts to explain and introduce the dishes on the menu. Enough said.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Following the server’s recommendation, we ordered the Pasta a la Trio (PHp 250) which is ECHOcafé’s signature pasta. The pasta was cooked al dente, making it chewy and bouncy. I could taste the beautifully synchronized flavors in one mouthful; it was “party in your mouth” kind of dish — spicy, sweet, salty and sour. This could be one of the most delectable pastas I’ve ever eaten. Even if finishing a plate would mean exceeding my caloric allotment for a week, there’s no way I’d let this Pasta a la Trio pass by uneaten next time. 🙂

    Satisfying and straightforward, the Chicken Longganisa (PHp 225) was agreeably cooked but didn’t score as high as the former in my palate. Small slices of longganisa were overpowered by the taste of the cream sauce that wrapped itself around the fettuccine pasta.

    If you like spinach, then you’ll like the purity of the Spinach and Cheese Tortilla-wich (PHp 175, four pie slices). It consisted of crepe-like outer covering with spinach as stuffing, layered with three kinds of cheese: cheddar, white and cream cheese.

    The delicate balance of sweetness and sourness struck rightly without missing the point of the dish—the spinach leaves themselves. The Spinach and Cheese Tortilla-wiches tasted clean and fresh and would be perfect for ladies and gents alike in need of detoxification. It would have been better though, if there was a more generous serving of walnuts as toppings.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    ECHOcafé’s relaxed setting, gentle prices, gracious service and wholesome, “sustainable” food offerings sound like a recipe for long-lasting success in these recessionary times. Theirs is a menu that’s not about wowing customers with big flavors and over-complicated presentation; it is about providing simple, comforting food. Mission accomplished. 😛

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/echostore” name=”ECHOcafé” description=”Ground Floor, Serendra Piazza Driveway (beside Chuck’s Deli), McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02)5763703 and 901-3485″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-11-20″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: 9AM-9PM

    Other Branch:
    First Floor, Eton Centris Walk, EDSA Corner Quezon Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
    Contact number: 02 7097800
    Operating hours: 10AM-10:45PM

  • Review of Balducci Ristorante and Deli (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City)

    Review of Balducci Ristorante and Deli (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City)

    I felt honored and excited to be in for this very special treat, when I accepted an invitation from Zomato for a “Foodies Meetup” last week. We were supposedly dining at L’Opera Ristorante in The Fort Strip but later the venue has been moved to Balducci Ristorante in Serendra which is also owned and managed by the same group: The L’Opera Group.

    Balducci reflects the passionate, humble and sociable attitude of Italians towards food. Food are cooked and delivered in traditional style through fresh, locally sourced ingredients and bold and simple flavors in a relaxed setting. Thus if you’re craving for authentic Italian (in particular, Tuscan) food right now, Balducci Ristorante makes an excellent bet. It has to be; to survive through the competition of restaurants piling in Bonifacio Global City is no easy task!

    Review of Balducci Ristorante and Deli (Serendra, BGC)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    True to the owners’ description, Balducci Ristorante & Deli is a more laid-back version of L’Opera Ristorante. While interior design in both restaurants have exquisite touches, Balducci is far more catered to casual dining. The first floor is occupied by a small deli counter fitted with a wide refrigerated display of cold cuts, salamis, parma hams and cheeses; a wine section; and the seats which I thought were really good and appropriate for family and friends reunion.

    The second floor area has ample spaces for customers to be seated, and the ambiance here is more apt for privacy.

    The place was packed on a Friday night but not in an overwhelming, can’t-hear-myself-think kind of way. The scene was in controlled chaos, thanks to the staff members who appeared to handle the stress of a full restaurant very well. I could imagine that getting a table on a weekend evening would be hard. So to anyone who’s planning to visit, I suggest calling ahead for a reservation and then booking your next one on your way out. 😛

    Service: ★★★★★

    Composed of staff who are eager to please, Balducci’s service team is first rate. In our experience, service level was excellent as they were very attentive to our needs. They managed to refill glasses of water fast and serve dishes without intruding our personal spaces.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Balducci treated us to a series of earthy Tuscan food seasoned with fresh vegetables and perfumed with herbs and spices. Overall, tastes were elaborate and distinct, and plating was clean and creative.

    Right off the bat, the appetizer won bonus points from the olive oil mix, richness of the tomatoes and lettuce that went so well with the crisp, home made bread.

    It was quickly followed by the Zuppa di Pomodoro con Sformatino de Ricotta, a classic Italian light tomato soup with ricotta cheesecake. The texture was rich and full. I liked it especially when eaten together with the real sliced tomatoes on the sides of the soup bowl.

    For the main courses, we had three types of raviolis. And I dare say ravioli lovers will be in heaven with these freshly made ravioli options on the menu. I was worried that they would all taste the same, but my fears were unfounded. There’s a reason they had different fillings and all were so good. Each served on an understated plate and a piece good for one person, these pastas left us off the charts pleasantly full:

    The Agnellotti al Salmone – Mezzaluna consisted of  half moon raviolis in light cream sauce filled with salmon. I almost did not recognize that it was salmon because it was not fishy at all. These raviolis could not have been better.

    The Cannelloni Della Casa, Ricotta e Spinaci consisted of cannelloni with ricotta cheese in bechamel sauce. Each pocket of spinach and cheese was nothing short of spectacular, nothing like an “average Italian food.”

    The Tortelli d’ Anatra al Profumo di Tartufo consisted of duck-filled raviolis which were light and soft. Balducci did a good job of balancing the creamy base of the truffle sauce that complemented the filling rather than overpower. Same dish can be found in L’Opera Ristorante.

    The main star arrived next, featuring a fit-for-a-king platter with French-cut rack of lamb, roasted pork chop, chicken, sausage and vegetables. Everything looked scrumptious, but I opted only to taste a tiny bit of the sausage and the vegetables. This ensemble of meat cannot be found on the menu as it is; each constitutes to one dish on the list and I’m not sure which one is which because I’m not familiar with Italian name dishes. Tip: It’s best to ask the knowledgeable staff when ordering.

    For dessert, we split the Panettone con gelato, which was gelato on sweet bread loaf topped with walnuts and honey. It was sweet, delicate and gone all too soon! This sort of dessert doesn’t weigh you down. Perfect for the coming holiday season. 😀

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    It was a great night with a price tag to match. Balducci is an upscale restaurant so expect to pay high prices for quality food. Since most of the entrees are good for sharing, it’s best to come with a large group so you can get to try several dishes in one seating and share the bill fairly. Also, you won’t feel so bad and so alone in paying up entirely for the cost.

    I recommend Balducci Ristorante & Deli, especially to people who are entertaining guests who have not been to BGC. To make room for budget, you can skip the movies and give this place your money. For sure, you won’t be disappointed. 😀

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    Operating hours: 11:30am – 11pm daily

  • Review of Nozumi Japanese Casual Dining and Red Pastries (Ortigas, Pasig City)

    Review of Nozumi Japanese Casual Dining and Red Pastries (Ortigas, Pasig City)

    In collaboration with Nozumi Japanese Casual Dining Restaurant, Red Pastries had its sweet launch where it showcased sweet treats plus special surprises for everyone who attended the event last Saturday. That included me, my awesome blogger friends and other guests. 🙂

    About Nozumi and Red Pastries

    Having its unique spin on what Japanese casual dining can be, Nozumi Japanese Casual Dining owned by Eunice Desiree Choa has started its operations since June 1, 2012. This spot sits on the sixth floor of One Corporate Center at the heart of the Ortigas Business District and it mostly caters to employees working in the offices in the building. Recently, it also has begun welcoming other walk-in diners who fancy eating variations of sukiyaki, ramen, and many more.

    Trivia: “Nozumi” or “Nozomi” is a Japanese word which translates to “great expectations” in English. So guests can expect to be satisfied with their dishes!

    On the other hand, Red Pastries is a new food venture by Joyce Siy (in black dress) and her partner Erika Ongtauco (in white dress). They started selling baked goodies like cupcakes, muffins and cakes in September 2013. For now, ordered items are available for pick-up from Joyce’s house (address at the bottom of this post), while those reaching at least PHp 2500 may be delivered to the customer’s location. Thanks to Nozumi’s venue, Red Pastries had a successful official launch of its goodies. ♥

    Review of Nozumi Japanese Casual Dining and Red Pastries (Ortigas, Pasig City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Nozumi’s entrance leads to a dining room with plenty of space which can accommodate up to about 100 people. This casual dining restaurant is decently organized with comfy white couches paired with white tables and black tables and chairs featuring a modern vibe; counter at a corner; wide window that completely illuminates the area with natural light and gives a view of the streets extending to the sky; and a private room at the back.

    Red Pastries assembled two tables to display the cupcakes and sponsors’ items alluringly. Everything was very visually impressive and picture-perfect! 🙂

    Service: ★★★★★

    Erika welcomed everyone and started the program by introducing Nozumi and Red Pastries individually. Then, she randomly drew out three names from a fish bowl and asked the selected people to go to the front table. They had to decorate cupcakes with frosting and toppings after watching Joyce demonstrate the basic procedure.

    The first surprise came when Erika said that it would be a mini cupcake decorating contest, so everyone was thrilled to design the best cupcake given the same set of materials. Secondly, the first two to arrive at the event proper were awarded with a shirt and gift certificates. Aww, if I had known, I would have gone the earliest. 😆 Anyway, the third shocking announcement was that everyone of us would have to try designing one cupcake.

    I was apprehensive as I haven’t tried it before. For the sake of fun and experience, I held the piping bag and slowly squeezed the icing out with my shaky hands. I worked my way from the edge of the cupcake inwards in a spiral pattern toward the center, unsure if what I was doing the swirls right. In the end, I did not manage to create a pointed tip so I hid the flaw by sprinkling assorted toppings (multicolored flowers, marshmallows and pink and silvery dots that looked like Swarovski crystals) over.

    Because winning was far from my expectation, when the three winning cupcake designs were put out, I did not even bother to take a look. The other winners already got their prizes, and the host and guests were still wondering whose cupcake design was “the unclaimed.” Finally, I decided to capture the three cupcakes in photo for documentation’s sake. I moved to the front, stared at the pieces for a couple of seconds and was so shocked to recognize that one of them was mine! Happily, I received the prize as well and enjoyed the food served. :mrgreen:

    美不美？？？ :D

    Customer service was immaculate and it was one of those rare occasions where I felt that the restaurant deserved to be tipped for service charge. The servers were quick on their feet and accommodating to our requests. This approach is crucial to new customers, especially.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Red Pastries had presented these wonderful cupcakes even before the Japanese food arrived. There were 13 different flavors of cupcakes in each plate, and I sampled the Salted Caramel, Red Velvet and Carrot Cupcake. Other exciting and equally sinfully delicious cupcakes were: Strawberry n Cream, Ultimate Chocolate, Mochalicious, Vanilla Creme, Choco-mint, Cookies n Cream, Calamansi Muffin, Banana Walnut Muffin and Double Chocolate Chip Muffin.

    Topped with a generous amount of cream on top with soft sugary icing, Red Pastries’ cupcakes were not too sweet, not overly moist or dense and the texture of the cupcake was just fluffy enough for my liking. Each cupcake and muffin was a mouthful of happiness that kick-started our meal already. (Note that the actual size of these cupcakes when you order is bigger than the one we had.)

    Next time, I wish to try the Calamansi Muffin which was reportedly their best-seller! I’m looking forward to tasting that slight citrus twist to it that gives a refreshing change to merely sweetness. 😛 Meanwhile, here’s the list of prices for your reference:

    Moving on, we were served with the next four dishes c/o Nozumi:

    The Beef Teriyaki (PHp 220) was so flavorful that even if I don’t favor eating beef because of diet and my braces, I liked it. The dish did not disappoint as it was both tender and moistly marinated in the sweet sauce.

    The Green Maki (PHp 195) was stuffed with traditional black seaweed wrap, sliced raw tuna and salmon, and the Japanese sticky rice was covered with green-colored tobiko fish eggs. Best eaten as a whole, the Green Maki tasted salty, tad sweet and lightly acidic with a floral aroma of fish that hits the nose. Bite in and your teeth will sink effortlessly through the tenderized flesh of the meaty tuna and salmon.

    For the Sweet Crazy Maki (PHp 225), I thought ingredients used were simple but those that make you reflect on the power of simplicity and balance. You’ll feel a bit more zen about life as you reflect back on the bites that preceded the spicy fish and cheesy toppings on Japanese sticky rice and fish roe.

    The Tofu Steak (PHp 175) was revelatory. Quivering like a nearly-cooked custard, the silken tofu was so soft that it can almost melt over your tongue as soon as you put it in your mouth. The outer skin of the tofu was nicely done and although there’s ground meat and sauce all over, the taste of soy was still much evident.

    Other palate-provoking dishes were: Ebi Tempura (PHp 190, 4 pieces; PHp 280, 6 pieces), Hiyashi Ramen (PHp 220), Gyoza and Ebi Mango Salad (PHp 215).

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    For both Nozumi and Red Pastries, food prices were passable and proportionate to the quality received (transcendentally good). We left with a memorable dining experience and I will certainly return to try the other signatures!

    Japanese food for the main course and cupcakes for desserts, or in our case—appetizer, was quite an odd pairing initially as I had a taste of the sweetness then suddenly greeted by the salty and spicy bits of the sushi, tofu and beef strips. But after a few mouthfuls, I realized it was smart to have the contrast of flavors with different levels of sweet and savory combined.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/NozumiJapaneseCasualDining” name=”Nozumi Japanese Casual Dining” description=”6/F One Corporate Centre, Julia Vargas cor. Meralco Ave., Ortigas Center, 1640 Pasig (Short walk from SM Megamall)” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 310 5422 / 023105422″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-11-11″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: Mondays to Fridays, 10AM-8PM

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/redpastries” name=”Red Pastries” description=”Palanza Street, Araneta Avenue, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 09276444396 / 09178418919″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-11-11″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of The Old Spaghetti House (SM Manila)

    Review of The Old Spaghetti House (SM Manila)

    SM Manila houses a lot of eateries that look great, and it continues to attract a growing pride of restaurants — both at the high-end and low-end, from mediocre to expensive. One of the restaurants that impress me is The Old Spaghetti House (TOSH), located on the fourth floor of the building.

    The name pretty much is a dead giveaway, so you have the initial impression that TOSH specializes in spaghetti. But the Old Spaghetti House is well known for many sorts of pastas other than spaghetti; this restaurant also has a bunch of other great food on the menu. Dining in is decidedly civilized. Let’s go! 😛

    Review of The Old Spaghetti House (SM Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The Old Spaghetti Shop feels enchanting, rustic and homey. Considering that it’s inside a busy mall, it’s tad surprising how the ambiance can be very quiet and secluded with cozy couches. The space is contained with dark floors, dimly-lit lights setting off a romantic vibe and vintage furniture. The walls are designed with decorations reminiscent of the colonial revival style, all of it something you don’t see in modern interiors anymore.  What I also liked was the background music — all worship songs played by Hillsong United, which happens to be one of the most favorite Christian bands of all times.

    Service: ★★★☆☆

    When everyone was seated, immediately the staff arrived, took all orders and served food on the table after around 10 minutes on the clock. However, she was not attentive enough to see me raise my hand for additional requests. I had to shout out “Miss” and stand up to really get noticeable. I thought that the waitstaff had to be reminded that just because there were only a handful of customers does not mean that she can go easy and relaxed on a chair.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    I would describe TOSH’s menu to be “contemporary post-classic,” as I found that they offer dishes that use classic references as launchpad to create new dishes. One example is the Thai Bagoong Pizza (PHp 260) which I think can only be found in TOSH. It’s a modern version of pizza far from the regular tomato-based pizza with all sorts of usual toppings like pepperoni, ham, cheese, pineapple. In contrast, it’s an innovative dish that has both the foundation of “bagoong” and “pizza,” with slices of semi-ripe sour mango, bacon bits, tomatoes and cheese over a thin crust.

    I was satisfied with the burst of different basic but strong tastes (sweet, sour, salty and spicy) all incorporated in one bite. A familiar flavor that’s skidded into a whole new other realm, the Thai Bagoong Pizza is a gutbomb of the finest order, and it deserves to be heralded as such. 😛

    Another entrée that pleased us last Sunday was the Mushroom Jack Chicken (PHp 180) which consisted of fresh chicken breast with sauteed mushrooms and melted jack cheese. The zesty honey-lemon taste on the lettuce elevated my dining senses with a tang that left me double thumbs up for this simple yet beautifully cooked dish.

    Mom had the Beef Burger Steak in Pepper Gravy Sauce and Vietnamese Garlic Pasta with Rice (PHp 150) from viands offered in the Mix ‘Em Match ‘Em Treasure Deal (available every day from 11AM-6PM) which she happily shared to us as well. The pasta was oddly sweet, a good rendition of Italian pasta but not so much wow-impressive.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    The Old Spaghetti House is a top pasta parlor with dishes worthy of fireworks. It can be your usual hot date spot where you are guaranteed to be fed with reliably tasty comfort food, something to appeal to any diner. Portions are enough for sharing and prices are affordable. My heart sank for two minutes because of slow service but everything else was fine. 😀

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/TheOldSpaghettiHouse?ref=ts” name=”The Old Spaghetti House (TOSH)” description=”4th Floor, SM Manila, Ermita” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 353-TOSH (8674)” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-11-03″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Click here for a listing of their branches’ locations and respective contact numbers.