Rochkirstin | com

Category: Food Reviews

Review of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. (Greenbelt 3, Makati City)

Four long years have passed since Louie and I last had dinner in a restaurant in Greenbelt together. We used to meet here during lunch break or after OJT (last term before graduating from college) frequently. So this place must mean a lot to us! 😀

One of the real catches where we had nice memories in Greenbelt is Bubba Gump. Sounds familiar? Of course, that is if you have seen the 1994 blockbuster movie Forrest Gump, one of Tom Hanks’ greatest films. Most customers say that the restaurant’s gimmicky ambiance, engaging staff, and food are the main prizes. That couldn’t be more agreeable, except for the last. Read on the rest of my review of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. to discover why.

Review of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. (Greenbelt 3, Makati City)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

Inside Bubba Gump are so many fun touches related to Forrest Gump, resembling what the restaurant would have looked like had Forrest run the scheme of things here himself. Quotes from the movie and memorabilia filled the walls, ceiling, tables and decorations. Note: If you have not seen the movie, go on and watch it first before dining here to have a greater appreciation of the way the restaurant was designed.

Interesting diversion: Near the entrance, Bubba Gump has a gift shop section where guests can take a good look at Bubba Gump-branded shirts, caps, keychain holders, mugs, tumblers, dolls and other souvenirs that are on sale.

After eating, I roamed around and was surprised to find that the restaurant is so spacious with a lot of different sets of tables and chairs positioned in the smoking and non-smoking areas. There’s the bar, the regular central dining, the balcony and a place I identify as a function room where a gathering for a decent-size crowd of 20-30 can be accommodated. Definitely, this place scores A+ in my books!

Service: ★★★★★

The coolest thing in service was having to call the wait staff’s attention by flipping the table sign from the default “Run Forrest Run” to “Stop Forrest Stop,” instead of the typical gestures like raising one’s hand or shouting “Miss” or “Mister” verbally that may just annoy other dining customers. (The same style is being implemented in Pepper Lunch.) I’d love to add another one: “Pay Forrest Pay” so immediately the waiters would know that customers are all ready to pay for the bill and they’d prepare for the check.

Staff were hospitable, extremely upbeat and entertaining. In one of our visits, the waitress even quizzed us a few trivia questions about Forrest Gump and gave us vanilla ice cream as prize for answering correctly.

Food: ★★★☆☆

Bubba Gump prides itself for using ingredients that are sourced internationally and only from premium local food suppliers. All over the world, they are known for best-tasting SHRIMPS, or as Bubba would call it – the fruit of the sea. So we were just excited to let our taste buds reminisce and remember how their “best ever” shrimps taste like.

The Popcorn Shrimp (PHp 295) may be filed under “Appetizer” on the menu, but this starter can be a meal by itself. However, the fried shrimps with roasted red bell peppers and three great dipping sauce were mediocre at best. They were not as fresh and the flavors were far from bold or exciting.

Going to the positive side of the spectrum, the Chicken Cordon Bleu (PHp 490) was awesome. This course was made with four pieces of breaded chicken breast stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese, deep-fried and served in lobster butter sauce, mashed potatoes and asparagus spears. The quantity was wholesome and the mixed taste of the ingredients was quite unique.

The bread crumbs resulted to an unyielding crispy crust which belied an unbelievably soft chicken meat. The contrast consisted of the right amount of saltiness of the ham, a good choice of smooth cheese in between, with the mashed potatoes making for a mellow touch — genius on a plate!

Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

Bubba Gump is not a bad restaurant but just is one that serves seriously overpriced food served up in the style of the Deep South. Word of advice is to not be blinded by their culinary illusion because you can get more affordable and more delicious food from other seafood restaurants in the Philippines but maybe without the same great setting.

As said in the movie, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” With that, you can order other spectacular dishes from the Bubba Gump menu, but be prepared to pay for the heavy price as well. 🙂

[schema type=”review” name=”Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Greenbelt 3″ description=”2/F Greenbelt 3, Esperanza St. Ayala Center, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 757-5154″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-07-22″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

July 22, 2013
Review of Kangaroo Jack Steak & Grill (Robinsons Place, Manila)

After watching Despicable Me 2 last Sunday, Louie and I had dinner in Kangaroo Jack Steak & Grill. Since 2006, this diner has been busy pleasing patrons who are mostly lovers of delectable tenderloin, T-bone steaks, sizzling meals and grills.

I’ve eaten in their SM North EDSA branch with my mom – four years ago. It was difficult to pass judgment immediately because I haven’t been to a lot of restaurants then and I’ve only “converted” myself into a “foodie” about two years back. 😀 Here I present my honest and humble review of Kangaroo Jack:

Review of Kangaroo Jack Steak & Grill (Robinsons Place, Manila)

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

I don’t know if the ambiance of a typical Australian restaurant is anything similar but clearly, the place was an epitome of a common grill house. The restaurant’s vibe was lively and the decors were all consistent to the theme.

Two things turned me off: (1) We saw a small cockroach on our table that we quickly shoo-ed away. (2) The upholstery of the sofa we were seated on was badly torn and obviously worn out but otherwise still comfortable.

Service: ★★★★★

Efficient staff did their best to mitigate the “worth-it” waits here. Wait staff were responsive and attentive, willing to assist customers anytime.

Food: ★★★★★

Many diners subscribed to the promo buffet (offered from 2PM to 5PM). At the buffet table (most likely consisting of snacks), I saw the following dishes: soup, nachos, rice, adobo, meatballs, pastas, and banana fritters. The buffet came with unlimited iced tea, so one can be truly satisfied with the promotion for only PHp 169 pax.

We arrived at past 6PM and didn’t intend to catch on the buffet time anyway; we were too sure that portions of a la carte dishes would suffice. Kangaroo Jack is most famous for its steak, grills and sizzlers, but our minds tend to gravitate to order entrees for the “health conscious” instead because we’re that kind of couple. 😛 So…

For the appetizer, we had the Nacho Jacko (PHp 145) which was crisp corn tortilla chips topped with Kangaroo Jack’s meat sauce, tomato salsa and grated quickmelt cheese served with marinara sauce. Packed with flavor and flair, the nachos were crispy and the toppings and sauces tasted remarkably. This is the kind of dish that feels like it’s been going steady since eons ago and shows no signs of ever changing. It’s a hit that I couldn’t stop going back to, though I’m not much of a nacho-person.

The main dish was the Bangus ala Kiev (PHp 160) which was stuffed banugs belly with cheese and carrots in bechamel sauce, served with java rice, veggies and corn on a cob. It was a fine selection I’m glad we tried. But the fish caused an allergy attack to Louie. Apparently, he’s allergic to some fish, making his tongue feel thicker and numb for a short time.

Because of that, I had to finish 2/3 of the entree and felt super full. 😯 This Bangus ala Kiev with name so chic was seriously great stuff! Each bite transported my taste buds with the cheesy fillings.

Price for Value: ★★★★★

There’s no shortage of accolades about this restaurant and hey, prices of food here are surprisingly easy on the pocket! Kangaroo Jack caters to the general public as its prices are much lower than that of the big brands currently available in the local fast-causal dining segment.

Service was good and the enticing environment further makes Kangaroo Jack a “bargain for the quality” – translation: book for a reservation when you decide to eat in peak dining hours or wait in the queue.

Kangaroo Jack Steak and Grill
G/F Robinsons Place Manila, Padre Faura Wing, Adriatico Street, Ermita, Manila

July 18, 2013
Review of MARU Korean Restaurant (Robinsons Place, Manila)

Last Sunday was one of those fine days when we just wanted to explore and indulge in Korean cuisine some more while not traveling far. MARU Korean Restaurant happened to be the perfect spot as it’s very accessible from our place — outside through the exit of Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place, Manila.

A treat for your senses awaits at this restaurant specializing in both authentic and inventive lick-the-plate-delicious and mostly spicy food. In Maru, Korean food staples are done expertly. Customers are given the option to sit on the floor and dine the “Korean-way,” essentially just how Maru stands by its name; in Korean, it means “living room floor” and the literal translation pretty much sums up the experience.

Review of Maru Korean Restaurant (Robinsons Place, Manila)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

The Korean ambiance was definitely felt through the theme, with minimal accents and monochromatic design. Half of the restaurant had grills on the tables for BBQ. So if you want to grill meat, be sure to tell the staff that you have to get the BBQ table.

Service: ★★★★★

Staff composed of the guard, waitresses and waiters and the restaurant manager were exceptionally courteous, responsive and helpful. All the names of dishes on the menu were in Korean and we couldn’t understand any of them except for the common ones like bulgogi and japchae. The wait staff gave us ample time to decide which to order according to the pictures, and they gave their recommendations off of the menu when asked.

Maru has this cute button that functions like a “nurse call button” that allows ~~patients~~ customers to alert ~~nurses~~ waiters of their requests. I pressed it three times in our entire stay and the wait staff came quickly each time upon hearing the buzz. Cool! 😀

Food: ★★★★★

Before the arrival of the actual entrees, we were served with banchan that included Korean potato marbles, fried banana balls, slices of eggplant, diced tofu, kimchi, picked vegetables, etc. Since these side dishes can be refilled until our stomachs tell us to stop, Mom joked that we can dine in here one day, order only their premium sticky rice and be satisfied with as much banchans as we can have. 😛

Amidst the laughter, Doinjang Jjige (PHp 250), a hot pot stone of traditional Korean dish—soy bean soup boiled with clams, vegetables and other extraordinary spices came gushing next through our delight. The soup tasted so salty and spicy that I couldn’t take it without galloping water and adding rice to each mouthful.

Next we had the Doenjang Jjigae (PHp 250), regarded as one of the representative dishes of food in Korea. This fermented soybean paste stew was super concentrated, flavorful, and pretty salty (expect to drink lots of water or eat spoonfuls of rice in between). As much as it was salty, the soup was numbing and screaming hot (pain = yum). I’m guessing primary ingredients used were: braised beef, tofu and kimchi. We should not have ordered this because it tasted almost the same as the Doinjang Jjige but less sour.

Chadolbaegi or simply grilled beef brisket helped to tame the spiciness of the previous two. This entree came with thin slices of premium fat beef similar to that of a bacon, a bowl of lettuce, special sauce and sesame oil. Normally I hate to eat meat because of the chewy texture and just because I find it eww. But this one I had to try and I had no regrets! 🙂 We liked it a lot and we even have plans now of going back to Maru just to have our second round of chadolbaegi.

Served hot, Jabchae Bab (Korean glassy noodles) (PHp 200) is a must-try in any Korean restaurant. It consisted of stir fried noodles in sesame oil, various garnished vegetables, cooked with flavored soy sauce and sweetened with sugar. A bed of rice and side dishes accompanied the sweet potato noodles and completed the feast.

Finally, we had the Bulgogi Kimbab (PHp 120) which was fresh and succulent. Of good quality, each slice in the seaweed and rice roll was crave-inducing.

This is not the meal to have if you’re in a rush. Korean meals, I suggest, have to be taken in a leisurely, social affair. There are unlimited refills of side dishes anyway. So you can take your time appreciating the different flavors infused to your taste buds and enjoy.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

We were truly happy with everything in MARU! With generous servings and wonderful standards, the price for value is spot on reasonable. We’ll definitely continue to come to Maru and keep this restaurant in our rotation.

❗ Maru Korean Restaurant is also able to cater to customized private parties and gatherings for more than 30 people. No need to worry about balloon decors and photo booths for your events. For your catering needs, please contact Merchant directly. They now have an ongoing deal (via Ensogo), a treat for 2 or 4 people which you can view here.

[schema type=”review” name=”MARU Korean Restaurant” description=”G/F Adriatico Street, Ermita, Manila” rev_name=” For inquiries, call (02) 385 7192, (02) 353 9854 / 0917 5569854″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-07-17″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

Other branches:

A. Venue, Makati Branch
A Venue Mall, Makati Avenue, Poblacion, Makati
Contact nos. (02) 4039140 / 0917 8064172

HK Sun Plaza, Macapagal, San Jose, Pasay City
Contact nos. (02) 8360404 / 0917 5283034

July 17, 2013
Review of YummySoy (The Fort Strip, BGC, Taguig City)
Soy food and beverages have been gaining popularity here in the metro because of the many health benefits of soy. Nowadays, you can get soy milk at any regular grocery store. However, mass-produced soy milk are mostly made with non-organic and GMO (genetically modified) soybeans, and preservatives are added. With “Simply Refreshing!” as its tagline, YummySoy strives to live up to the promise in delivering FRESH, non-GMO and good quality soy-based desserts and drinks in a contemporary ambiance.

Apparently, the name YummySoy sounds familiar to me as I’ve seen this brand in many locations in Singapore before (most frequently when I pass by Joo Chiat Road). I recall that Mr. Bean is one of its head-to-head competitors as they both serve refreshing soy-based beverages and food products. I’ve tried Mr. Bean a couple of times but haven’t sampled YummySoy’s delights even once. 😛

Brought to the Philippines by a Filipino who’s still working full-time in SG, this branch of YummySoy at The Fort Strip beside K-Pub opened just last June 3, 3013 after its first branch at Robinsons Place, Manila which launched last March 7, 2013. Their beans are imported from Singapore and processed in their commissary in Pasig City, Metro Manila. This is why the taste should really be fresh and consistent with the original recipe’s.

Yesterday’s food-tasting event was a compromise between going out of the house when it was raining and not eating YummySoy’s tastiest treats at all. I chose the latter because I had already said yes to the organizer and luckily it was a good choice. 🙂

Review of YummySoy (The Fort Strip, Taguig City)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

Any restaurant that fills the room with yellow and orange color combination stimulates hunger. I was not hungry when I first came in but after waiting for a few minutes, I must be absorbed by the very charming and pleasing ambiance that made me succumb to order my first drink. 😀

The chilled bean curds (taho) were neatly presented in the refrigerators. Customers can view the menu on the Hyundai LCDs where the products and prices are displayed. I wondered why they opted to put and turn these devices on when they can just have menus posted behind the counter or still on top pasted on the walls via lighted signs to conserve electrical energy. ❓ Anyway, if that’s part of their strategy to entice customers then it must be working effectively.

The number of chairs are limited to 12, so even if this is a nice place to hang out, by the setup, customers would be more encouraged to take their orders out than stay in and wait for tables and chairs to be freed.

On other thought, Operations Manager Mr. Hermoginio (see picture below) said that their target market is composed largely of employees from nearby office buildings who want to chill out from work and have a quick break here and those coming out of other pubs and restaurants in The Fort Strip. I figured most if not all these people are always on the go, so the limited seating capacity might still be adequate for the branch for now. The “egg” chairs were really comfortable to sit in though! 🙂

Service: ★★★★★

Service was outstanding. Drinks and chilled taho were presented in a fashionable manner. Since they are readily made, staff would just have to get them out of the fridge and serve them to the tables well.

Food: ★★★★☆

I’m a regular drinker of soya milk (豆浆 doujiang) — both the home-made and commercial one. Because our house is located near the tofu factory in Divisoria area, my mom would often buy pure soy milk blended from soybeans and water and serve it as a staple breakfast at home. Hence I can differentiate the taste of finely made soy milk without preservatives and of those already added with sweeteners, inorganic flavoring and heavily-processed ingredients.

YummySoy served us with their five of their best variants of flavored and original chilled bean curd, slurpy and drinks with different toppings: Strawberry (PHp 85), Dark Chocolate (PHp 85), Original (PHp 75) and Almond (PHp 85), with add-ons Strawberry Pops (PHp 15), Coffee Jelly (PHp 10) and Pearls (PHp 10).

After taking spoonfuls of all these, I have to say my favorites are the strawberry-flavored chilled bean curd with strawberry pops and the almond-flavored chilled bean curd with coffee jelly! ♥

With these silky, creamy, and refreshing bean curds, you think you’ll stop eating to save some for later but eventually find yourself with an empty container. The texture is smooth and soft and goes well with the soya bean milk, perfect for those who want an excuse to indulge on such a hot day and yet not want to eat something too sinful.

Notes:
- YummySoy also offers hot original soy and almond-flavored soy drinks but the hot version takes a bit longer to prepare.
- Each flavor of bean curd and drink can be paired with any add-on.
- YummySoy – The Fort will soon accept deliveries from nearby establishments.
- To get a discount, you can buy six chilled bean curd (varied flavors) at PHp 400.
- Customers can choose the sugar level of the drinks: from 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% to 100%.
Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

The quality and taste of their offerings make it easy for one to patronize them easily. Prices are about the same as drinks in milk tea and coffee shops. However, I just have this notion that taho or soy bean curd must be cheaper because taho is one that is commonly and traditionally sold by street vendors carrying cylindrical metallic containers placed on each end of a bamboo pole. One cup of this drink costs only PHp 10-20, while YummySoy charges about six times over. 😯

– With Bloggers Carol and Aldous –

[schema type=”review” name=”YummySoy, The Fort Strip” description=”Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (Beside K-Pub)” rev_name=”Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays: 10am-10pm; Weekends: 10am-11pm” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-07-14″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

Other branch:
3F Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place Manila
July 14, 2013
Review of Tony Roma’s (Glorietta 4, Makati City)

American food seems to be the pinnacle of greasy gluttony or a truly perilous trap that causes sharp stomach pains and regret. As far as I know, typical American cuisine is fond of enveloping their menu with too much meaty dishes. I found the same thing consistently with Tony Roma’s, where I had dinner with a friend last week, at least upon going over their menu three times. (Click here to view Tony Roma’s menu.)

Tony Roma’s is a franchise under a holding company, Mas Millennium (Singapore) Private Limited operating in seven cities in the world, namely: Singapore, Jakarta, Shanghai, Bangkok, Manila, Sydney and Perth. In the Philippines, it has three branches spread out in these locations: Glorietta (Makati), Bonifacio Global City (Taguig) and Alabang Town Center (Muntinlupa).

I’ve never known about Tony Roma’s before, as restaurants that tend to lean on meat-centric offerings are not really on my culinary radar. But this does not mean that I would reject a dinner invite at an “upscale” dining place like Tony Roma’s. 🙂

Review of Tony Roma’s (Glorietta 4, Makati City)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

From stepping in from the door and glancing around, I could sense that Tony Roma’s is a “special-occasion” diner that presents creative and complicated food prepared perfectly and complemented by an unparalleled wine list. According to my research, this top-notch restaurant is best known for well-executed steaks, tender baby back ribs, elegant setting and well-informed service that are guaranteed to justify expensive prices.

Perhaps because of our conversation flow, I didn’t notice that we’ve stayed here for about three hours. Gasp! We left when it was almost closing time. For that, I commend the ambiance of the place with great marks, as it helped me feel comfortable. Tony Roma’s is as fancy as a restaurant in a four-star hotel where customers can feel relaxed to wile away an entire afternoon or evening.

Service: ★★★★★

We received fine service. Staff was gracious to suggest a quiet area for us. The first floor seemed pretty busy and cramped with customers eating at peak hours. The second floor had about three different sections for different types of customers: families, small groups and big ones. We were given the menu once we were seated. The waiter repeated our orders as he should. Food didn’t come out fast but waiting time was tolerable.

Food: ★★★★☆

Food choices on the menu consist of all traditional American variety. Must-tries are the well-marinated “fall-off-the-bone” pork ribs and chicken barbecue. While there are tons of variations of pork and chicken dishes differentiated by the sauces, there are also dishes that are suited for pescetarians like me.

I got the Shrimp Marinara (Lunch portion, PHp 395) — linguine with marinara sauce, a dash of herb and Parmesan cheese topped with tender grilled shrimps. The taste of the pasta is almost forgettable, but the texture was great and the shrimps were seasoned wonderfully. I’m not a “pasta person,” but this one, like the limited number pastas that passed my test, is counted as a strong contender in defying my preconceived biases against pasta. This shrimp marinara didn’t make my heart skip a beat but overall taste was good.

On the other side, my friend had the Chicken Alfredo (Lunch portion, PHp 415) — linguine with mixed with creamy mushroom sauce, a dash of herb, Parmesan cheese topped with grilled chicken breast.

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

Carnivores who are willing to pay a hefty price can check out the steaks and baby back ribs at Tony Roma’s. Basing on the quality and presentation of food and accommodation, I recommend this restaurant still even if I’m not a straight-out meat-eater.

Tony Roma’s
Ground Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City, Metro Manila
Contact number: (02) 757-1926

Other branches:
2F Expansion Wing, Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City
5th Avenue Corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Operating Hours:
11.00am to 11.00pm (Sun – Thu)
11.00am to 12.00 midnight (Fri – Sat)

July 9, 2013
Review of Carol’s Texan 5 (San Juan, Quezon City)

Free and/or discounted meals can buy happiness, at least for adventurous foodies. And that’s exactly how we became happy diners at Carol’s Texan 5. Back story: Recently, Zomato rewarded me with a PHp 500 meal voucher at Carol’s Texan 5 for winning their Write for a Bite Contest. I used the GC for an early dinner with my boyfriend last fortnight.

Somehow, we have not been keeping up with scenes in San Juan area. This gives us a valid excuse for not hearing about this restaurant at all. Having the address written on the voucher, we navigated through iPhone Maps application and finally reached Carol’s Texan Five after several U-turns. 😛 The off-the-grid location makes it feel like a real find, and I think the level of food being served would cost double if this spot were located in Greenhills Shopping Center or anywhere nearer.

Review of Carol’s Texan 5 (San Juan, Quezon City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Texas is often associated with the image of the cowboy. Thus Carol’s Texan 5 is decorated aptly with cowboy stuff and colorful Western art. I like the bright ambiance here which makes the place ideal for group celebrations, dates and even client meetings.

I thought there’s supposed to be a band performing at night because of the area that looked like where a drum set is placed. Later we learned that the perimeter is only for taking pictures and looking at your reflection in the mirror as you wear cowboy hats and pretend you can speak Italian.

Service: ★★★☆☆

We were the only customers at that time, yet service was not prompt and a bit below par. There was only one staff behind the counter and it was she who took our orders, served the food, and prepared the bill.

When asked, she said that peak hours are staggering every day, so she couldn’t be sure when more customers would arrive. That’s doubtful. I mean of course she should know! This explains why I gave few stars for service in this establishment. I wondered how many waiters normally work in busier hours and if they are able to handle customers well.

Food: ★★★★☆

It’s an incontrovertible fact that fried foods pair fantastically with other fried foods. 😯 Taking that to proper consideration, we had three dishes which are marked with the “best-seller” sign on the menu: Five Star Fish and Fries (PHp 255), Dynamite Wings (6 pieces for PHp 175) and Calamares (PHp 125) — all fried! 😛

The Five Star Fish and Fries is a dish that is more popularly known as “fish and chips.” So make no mistake about thinking this is one that features “star fish” as the main ingredient. Texan 5’s fish and chips were not as greasy as other restaurants serve. In fairness, this dish was a tasty break from the norm. The garlic mayonnaise was a great dipping sauce for potato chips as well as the fish fillet. It’s one of those splurge-worthy comfort food that never goes out of style.

The dynamite wings didn’t taste hot or spicy as we expected; These were regular breaded fried chicken without the frills of any other noteworthy flavor. Potato wedges (French fries) were okay.

Lastly, the calamares (fried squid rings and coated tentacles) that came with sour cream was appetizing as it was visually appealing. In sum, good food: check!

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Whether you’re six or 60, there’s little denying that comfort food forms a culinary genre that’s near and dear to most of our hearts. Food in this house are, at large, comfort food. While there’s grease and much oil because of the deep fry cooking and thus the 99.5% chance that it could be terrible for your health, it feels so good going down — and don’t you deserve to feel good now and then?

Carol’s Texan 5 serves good food with affordable and reasonable prices and generous portions. It’s where you can eat your meal anytime during operating hours (see below) without feeling guilty of overspending.

[schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/texan5″ name=”Carol’s Texan 5″ description=”(2F) 713 Jose Abad Santos, Little Baguio, San Juan, Quezon City (You’ll find Tea Monkey in the first floor.)” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 727-3843″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-07-08″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

Operating hours:
Sundays to Thursdays: 12nn to 10pm
Fridays and Saturdays: 12nn to 12mn

July 8, 2013
Review of Galli Village Cafe (Maginhawa Street, Quezon City)

If you are not convinced of Maginhawa Street’s credentials as a fully realized foodie village, then this cafe I’m featuring in this article will go some way to changing your opinion. Right in the middle of the street, Galli Village Cafe in Quezon City opened just two months ago (since May 2013), clearly targeting passing traffic of food lovers who want to stay in a quiet place whilst enjoying delicious food. This is actually its second branch, while the first one has been open to the public since last year.

Galli Village Cafe seems to be set up for success as it possesses the crucial combination of Spanish and Filipino-inspired cuisines with the theme of the Mediterranean, ready to pique the taste buds of patrons.

The business started when husband and wife tandem (the Villongcos) thought of establishing a restaurant where they can eat after church service every weekend. This couple goes to National Shrine of Sacred Heart Church, where nearby restaurants serving decent food are almost nowhere to be found. Thus, in God’s stamp of approval, everything came in proper order and timing. The ground floor of YMCA Hotel across the church had an open space. So like an answered prayer, this spot became perfect fit and hence where the first branch of Galli Cafe now stands.

Galli Village Cafe has been featured several times on TV shows and popular blogs, but it was only yesterday when I had the chance to dine in its QC branch.

Review of Galli Village Cafe (Maginhawa Street, Quezon City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Galli Village Cafe posits itself as a “refreshing dining place from the hustle and bustle of Makati and Quezon City.” At least in its QC branch, I totally vouch for that. Galli is a rustic and cozy restaurant where everyone feels relaxed. The area may be small when compared to regular dine-in restaurants, as it can accommodate only about 25 people. The space is tiny, yes, but it can pose as a perfect place for sharing plates and making some new friends in the process. Also, this can be a plus for dining customers who value intimacy and privacy.

I find interior design quite alluring as there’s obvious creativity shown throughout this cafe. Since the owners are fond of traveling, they collect souvenirs and take pictures to form the concept of Galli Village Cafe. Bursting with originality, the walls are filled up with framed collages and keepsakes from European, Asian (including the PH) and American countries. The vibrant colors and the upbeat music playing on the background cater to the younger and modern generation whose personalities are more on the chic, artistic and bohemian type.

Service: ★★★★☆

Despite the limited number of staff, Galli serves customers responsively both in the indoor and al fresco setting. As guests, we were entertained and satisfied not only with the food but also with the knowledge on their dishes. The staffs were friendly and thoughtful to balance being accommodating while allowing us to engage in a wonderful conversation.

Galli Village Cafe is not what you can call a “fast food” restaurant because admittedly, waiting time is quite long. To give consideration, this is understandable as they make food upon order and not just heat them few seconds before serving. For cooking their specialty paella, for example, customers must be willing to wait 40 minutes for the food to arrive.

It’s recommended to call first and order in advance to save time. They also do catering and accept reservations so make sure to find their contact numbers at the end of this post! 😀

Food: ★★★★★

We had a great lineup of food that consisted of their specialties and wholesome dishes: Beef Salpicao (PHp 195), Paella Valenciana (good for 4-5; PHp 495), Angus Beef Tapa (PHp 170) and Shrimp Gambas (PHp 195).

The paella was especially sumptuous, with a very good selection of toppings: chicken, pork, eggs, chorizo and some vegetables. I have the habit of smelling food first before eating every spoonful of it. This one smelled really delicious. 😀 I would raise my two thumbs up also for their shrimp gambas.

Christine was kind to offer tuna salpicao when she learned two of us bloggers are pescetarians. Tuna Salpicao is not even existing on the menu yet, and together with Grilled Tuna Belly, it will probably be released in the next two months. In addition, she asked the cook staff to bring us Chorizo Rice that complemented the taste of the salpicaos.

For the drinks, I had Hot Chocolate (PHp 35) which tasted like pure chocolate with a tinge of sweetness, to wash out the astonishingly strong flavors swimming in my buds. Two other bloggers had the Sparkling Lemonade (PHp 39) and Four Seasons (PHp 39). For our desserts, we had Leche Flan that was creamy but not too sweet.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Food prices are accessible, considering that the quality is high. Budget per person is less than PHp 300 and you can get fulfillment from this restaurant that not only gives customers a taste of what they can get but is as well given enough of a local touch that people in the city can recognize in terms of taste. One promising thing to note is that things will surely get better, as Galli still is in the process of improving and expanding their menu.

Boo, it’s too far from home! 😯 There were no regrets though, because I had fun eating and chatting with Christine Arriola-Villongco and the bloggers. I almost felt like carrying my stomach with two hands after pigging out in this cozy resto. Exaggerated much? Yeah, I know. Nyahaha.

[schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/GalliVillageCafe” name=”Galli Village Cafe” description=”154 Maginhawa St. Sikatuna Village, Quezon City Open daily, 11AM-10PM” rev_name=” Contact number: (02) 434 6716″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-07-07″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

Other branch:
G/F YMCA Hotel, 7 Sacred Heart St San Antonio, Makati
Open daily, 7AM-8:30PM
Contact number: 0927 3914655

July 7, 2013
Review of Makan Makan Asian Food Village (Manila Ocean Park)
Tucked away at the second floor of Manila Ocean Park, Makan Makan Asian Food Village deals with super hungry hordes who insanely crave for mixed Asian cuisine, particularly authentic Singaporean, Chinese, Malay, Thai, Indian and Filipino food.

My family and I found out about this “hawker-style” Singaporean dining place only last weekend coincidentally, when we accompanied my sister for her monthly braces adjustment at Vaxcen Clinic (located at the first floor in the same building). We had just finished with lunch at that time. Still, I was urged to take a bite and grab a quick meal here to know how promising their dishes are.

Review of Makan Makan Asian Food Village (Manila Ocean Park)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Makan Makan has two entrances: front and back. You can enter from either way and you will see cooks in their own stations right through to the depths of open kitchens, as they showcase showmanship and artistry in cooking and preparing food.

The concept combines typical Singaporean hawker fare which basically consists of a good mix of standalone pushcarts put together featuring different food options that can make you quite dizzy, especially if you don’t know exactly what you want. If you’ve been to Food Republic or Food Opera in Singapore or Hong Kong, you will get a clearer idea and picture the ambiance of Makan Makan more vividly. Why? They are likely the same, except that this localized version has less overwhelming crowd and fewer food stalls.

Makan Makan Asian Food Village offers open dining and free seating to guests (not exclusive to stalls where you order your food from). Theme is vintage, invoking a nostalgic kampong atmosphere.

Service: ★★★★★

The staff were polite and courteous from beginning to end. Unlike the mentioned food courts in Singapore, here, dining customers order through the waiters after reviewing the menu and not through the staff inside each food stall. This non-self-service arrangement gives Makan Makan Asian Food Village a fully decent and classy restaurant setting.

Food: ★★★★★

With so many international food choices on the menu, it was hard for us to decide which ones to order. Finally, we went for my two favorite Singaporean dishes: Laksa (PHp 160) and Char Kway Teow (PHp 175). My mom and my sister didn’t get to taste these before when they came to visit me in Singapore because there were a lot more they sampled. Despite that, they had the inkling and feeling that they won’t like them, especially laksa. :O But of course, that had to change!

Let’s start with the Cha Kway Teow. Cooked in sweet and savory soy sauce and oyster sauce, the kway teow was neither too oily nor dry for anyone to dislike. In fact, it was really delicious! Ingredients used were slices of fish cake, squid, lup cheong (chinese sausage), bean sprouts and egg. I think this was a Singapore-style char kway teow, a darker and sweeter version of its Penang rival.

As for the laksa, the soup and the noodles were superb and flavorsome! The taste of curry and coconut milk with the usual herbs and condiments was very evident, making up for the sour, sweet and spicy concoction. Small prawns, bite-size chicken meat, shredded vegetables and tofu were present in the bowl.

End result? My mom and sister gave positive feedback on the food. 😀

It’s confirmed then. Makan Makan’s food flavors are authentic! I’m so glad it’s here in Manila, so I don’t have to travel far to quell my cry to Singapore and Malaysian food once in a while.

Other must-try dishes are:
- Wanton Mee (PHp 160) – egg noodles in special sauce with asado
- Oyster Omelet (PHp 160) – topped with stir fried spring onions and fresh oyster served with chili dip
- Singaporean Carrot Cake (PHp 160) – stir fried radish cake
- Hainanese Chicken Rice (PHp 500 for half chicken and PHp 900 for the whole) – poached chicken served with sauces
- Crispy Cereal Prawns (PHp 550 for 2-3 and PHp 900 for 4-5) – stir fried prawns in butter and cereals
- Chili Crab (PHp 200 per 100 grams) – stir fried crabs in chili sambal sauce
- Pepper Crab (PHp 200 per 100 grams) – stir fried crabs in chili pepper sauce
- Pad Thai Seafood (PHp 190) – stir fried seafood rice noodle with pickled radish, bean curd and special tamarind sauce
Price for Value: ★★★★☆

When compared to prices of hawkers in Singapore, prices of food in Makan Makan Asian Food Village – Manila Ocean Park are quite the same. Eating here will cost 1-2 diners around PHp 150 to PHp 300, or around S$4 to S$9. Given that it’s a gastronomic paradise filled with specialties from various regions constituting to a proper foodie destination, the rate is affordable and reasonable. 🙂

Note: You don’t need to pay for any entrance fees to the Manila Ocean Park shows and theaters to dine inside.

[schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/MakanMakan-Asian-Food-Village-Hotel-H2O-Manila-Ocean-Park/346240985389791″ name=”Makan Makan Asian Food Village Manila Ocean Park” description=”2F Manila Ocean Park (Hotel H2O, Luneta), Sunset Quay, Parade Avenue, Ermita, Manila” rev_name=”Contact number: (02) 567-3512″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-07-02″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm daily
July 2, 2013