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Category: Pasay

  • Review of Spiral (Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Pasay City)

    Review of Spiral (Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Pasay City)

    Spiral has always belonged to the top 5 answers my friends say when asked about their most favorite buffet restaurants in Philippine hotels. For years, I have been aspiring to come back and re-experience a “gastronomic voyage nonpareil.” My first time at Spiral in Sofitel Philippine Plaza might have been a decade ago, so I thought spending our wedding anniversaries here with my family would be an epic moment.

    Last March 26, we celebrated our second wedding anniversary, and my parents’ had theirs last February. We agreed to have lunch last Saturday in this multi-awarded dining destination. I didn’t plan on eating breakfast on the day to prepare for the sumptuous spread, but since I woke up early, I had to give in and had a light meal. 😉 Thankfully, my appetite hasn’t waned and I still came with a hungry stomach.

    Review of Spiral (Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Pasay City)

    Ambiance:

    A Sofitel flagship, Spiral presents a bewildering array of choices with different cuisines available. The setting is quite modern and cozy, with an intimate and classy vibe and accommodation capacity is huge. This excellent buffet restaurant is divided into 21 dining ateliers. It features lustrous white marbles and glowing glass counters, where guests can watch how chefs masterfully prepare food right in front rather than in the back kitchen. At prime times, lines can go on forever, especially for tempura and ice cream, so remember to get there early.

    Food:

    At first glance, you’ll have a hard time choosing which station to hit first, but the good thing is that you can try all of them like we did. 🙂 While there’s a ton of dishes, I must say none was particularly outstanding and it’s hard to pick one or even a few favorites. I suggest planning ahead to choose your best bets and get your time and money’s worth. 😉

    Here are some suggestions:

    First Round: Appetizers. For starters, make your way to the 1. Salad and Appetizer and grab some fresh locally grown produce and organic colorful vegetables. Next, head out to 2. L’Epicerie, where meat and cheese lovers would discover heaven. Feast on a wide variety of premium aged hams, charcuterie, smoked fish, artisanal cheese from France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. Pair them with olives, herbs, sun dried tomatoes, olive oil, sauces and condiments for an outstanding gourmet experience.

    Second Round: Japanese and Pizza. Love tempura but hate waiting? Get to 2. Hot Japanese quickly so you can be one of the first in the queue for ebi tempura, if you’re into it. 😉 Here, you can also enjoy a selection of traditional grilled seafood, meat and vegetables cooked at the robata or at the teppanyaki. Before returning to your table, take a few pieces of fresh sushi, sashimi, temaki, or nigiri from the 4. Sushi Sashimi Station, or try a slice or two of traditional wood-fired oven pizza at the 5. Wood Fired Oven.

    Third Round: Chinese Food. Travel to the Chinese counters and delight your senses with 6. Asian Noodles drenched in your choice of broth, sauce, soup stock, and condiments. You may wait for noodles to boil and cook, or request delivery to your table. If you choose to wait, just beside is the 7. Peking Duck Oven. Taste the perfection of roasted Peking Duck. Take another few steps and you’ll find the 8. Chinese Wok station and choose from a selection of Wok cooked Chinese dishes reflecting all parts of China whether Cantonese, Hunan, Sichuan or regional. End your Chinese food trip with 9. Steam Baskets and savor authentic steam and fried dim sum such as hakaw, siomai, wonton, and spare ribs.

    Fourth Round: Various Asian. Continue chowing down on Asian food. Visit the 10. Korean food bar for sizzling plates and freshly tossed vegetables. We tried their kimchi, bulgogi, squid chili barbecue, and other banchan. Adjacent to Korean is the 11. Thai food station where you can find fiery flavors of soups and curries. Next up, 12. Filipino food. Satisfy your palates with a delectable array of traditional Filipino dishes like beef tapa, adobo, kare-kare, and crispy pata.

    Fifth Round: Meat and Seafood. When it comes to meaty entrees, you can peruse the 13. Rotisserie station with rich portions of meat and poultry, such as roasted chicken, slow cooked lamb, beef, and pork seasoned with assorted herbs and spices. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try tandoori-spiced meats with Indian and Asian bread and sauces at the 14. North Indian food bar. Get your share of naan and tandoori as well. Love surf and turf? Balance meat with a helping of seafood. 15. Churrasco offers juicy skewered seafood, while 16. French Stove has grilled seafood.

    Fifth and Final Round: Desserts. Sweet endings are the perfect way to conclude a memorable dining experience. Succumb to the temptation of freshly baked French pastries of all shapes, fillings, textures and sizes at 16. La Patisserie. Craving for chocolate? Don’t miss the 17. Chocolaterie and indulge in artisanal chocolate, truffles and pralines. One bite of these will surely make you euphoric with its intense flavors and colors. To top it all, finish your meal with ice cream. 18. Creamery offers different ice cream flavors that are both fruity (mango, strawberry), and citrus (calamansi) along with coffee, chocolate, and ube. You can also request for a crepe topped with a scoop of ice cream.

    Note: I don’t have photos of food per station up close because one of the waiters came up to me when he saw me shooting with my camera. He said only shooting with a phone camera is allowed. I didn’t understand the logic behind so I asked why. He turned his back and walked away. Snotty behavior or he really just didn’t hear me? I asked the second time but he ignored me and didn’t seem to bother. Oh well.

    Price for Value:

    SPIRAL at Sofitel Philippine Plaza isn’t just one of the most buzzed-about hotel buffet restaurants — it also offers one of the best and most lavish food selections. It’s not known as Asia’s grandest buffet for nothing! So while you’re here, make the most out of your visit and eat to your heart’s desire.

    SPIRAL Manila’s rate per person is originally priced at PhP 2,750 for Mondays to Saturdays lunch buffet, but since I purchased through MetroDeal, I got a 27% discount and paid PhP 1,999 per head instead. Price is still expensive but it’s as expected of an indulgent experience. This buffet restaurant can pretty much satisfy any craving. Once you hit the dessert station afterward, you’ll just have to roll home. Food coma!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.spiralmanila.com/” name=”Spiral Manila” description=”Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard Pasay City 1300 Metro Manila, Philippines” rev_name=”For booking and reservation, contact +632 8326988 or email H6308-FB12@sofitel.com” author=”Rochkirstin Sioco” pubdate=”2019-04-02″ user_review=”3.7″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Nobu Restaurant (Nobu Hotel Manila, Parañaque City)

    Review of Nobu Restaurant (Nobu Hotel Manila, Parañaque City)

    Nobu Restaurant is the world’s most recognized Japanese restaurant, known for its innovative new-style cuisine, paired with a hip crowd and celebrity following. We had a Sunday brunch here last month and were wowed by the extravagant buffet spread of sashimi and fusion sushi dishes. Everything was spectacular and a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Like Chef’s Nobu’s other restaurants, the food at Nobu (in City of Dreams Manila) follows in the tradition of Japanese cuisine with Peruvian and local flavors mixed in.

    Review of Nobu Restaurant (Nobu Hotel Manila, Parañaque City)

    Ambiance:

    Elegant and calm surroundings make an incomparable backdrop for the exquisite view at Nobu Restaurant. The setup is buffet, fine dining with counters presenting food and showing how chefs prepare and serve the dishes. Wide open spaces of the lounge area are matched with some intimate booths at the sides.

    Food:

    You think you have to choose among freshly made Japanese sushi, sashimi rolls, yakitori, grilled seafood, but life is never this hard. Of course you get all! The Nobu Sunday Brunch is a well-curated buffet where you get cold dishes, hot dishes, grilled food from the kushiyaki station, crispy pork belly at the carving station, bread and lavish desserts.

    I was super hungry when we came in, and the first things that greeted our gaze were the Nobu Sushi and Sashimi. I filled my plate up with Salmon Karashi Su Miso, Cup Sushi, Tuna Tataki with Matsuhisa Dressing, Shima Aji Jalapeno, House Special Roll, Oshizushi, Salmon Skin Roll, Crispy Spicy Tuna Roll, New Style Sashimi, and Chirashi—basically every starter that pleased my eyes. 😛

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BtaK-5olKMY/

    Next, we turned to the hot items and thoroughly enjoyed a mix of cooked seafood, vegetables, and meat as well. You can’t go wrong with: Shrimp Wasabi Pepper, Umami Chicken, Salmon Honey Soy Glazed, Beef Gyudon,  Kabocha with Quinoa Salad, Seafood Udon, Okonomiyaki, Miso Soup, and a steaming portion of Japanese Rice.

    But the highlight of mains for us had to be the kushiyaki station, where a chef grilled skewers of beef, pork, chicken, salmon, chicken skin, baby octopus, nasu, shiitake mushroom, leeks, squid, wagyu beef, eggplant, and more—to be paired with a choice of wasabi pepper, terriyaki, or anticucho.

    Just beside it was the carving station. We had an ample serving of the porchetta and vegetable fried rice.

    Seafoods like crabs, shrimps, lobsters, oysters, and mussels can be grilled by request. The grilled scallops and oysters tasted exemplary.

    Lastly, at the dessert section, there’s a wide selection of bread, pastries, and cakes, plus a matcha white ganache chocolate fountain, for dipping strawberries and brownies. We were all smitten with the sweet treats, but of all desserts (there’s a lot), the green tea, mango, vanilla, and raspberry sorbet stood out most. Runner-ups were the eclairs (vanilla, coffee, chocolate) and the baked a la minute (oven-based warm chocolate cake with green tea ice cream). #foodcoma

    For drinks, we had lychee and cucumber mocktails. The natural flavors worked together in wonderful harmony.

    Price for Value:

    Offered at PhP 2900, the Nobu Sunday Brunch Buffet is available every Sunday, from 11:30am to 3pm. It’s inclusive of all food, sodas, juices, mocktails, coffee and tea. Alternatively, diners may choose to have the brunch with free flowing Moet & Chandon, a selection of Champagne cocktails, Bloody Marys, Mojitos, wines and beer, at P4,500++. Surely, the steep tab is not for the timid but the consistent level of taste and service makes you feel special.

    No doubt, Nobu Restaurant in Nobu Hotel Manila stays true to its reputation for delivering great food. It is a recommended place to celebrate any special occasion or whenever you want to pig out and make sure all the calories will be worth it. The luxurious ambiance with a “sweep you into another world” feel, exemplary staff, and super delicious Japanese food justify the cost. Each bite provided interesting and unique flavors. It will be an expensive meal, but it is a perfect spot for those who regularly enjoy sushi and seafood.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.noburestaurants.com/manila” name=”Nobu Restaurant” description=”Level 1, Nobu Hotel Manila, City of Dreams Manila, Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Parañaque” rev_body=”For reservations, contact 800-8080 (24 hours), 691-2882, 691-2885 or email noburestaurant@cod-manila.com” author=”Roch Sioco” pubdate=”2019-02-03″ user_review=”4.8″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Dinner in a decent yet affordable Thai restaurant serving Thailand’s culinary treasures, plus an instant discount upon booking? Sign me up. Inspired by the lively and intoxicating ambiance of Jatujak Market in Thailand, Jatujak in SM Mall of Asia presents delicious Thai food, a needed breather among the tastes of Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino dishes we usually have in most times of the week. With a great menu, unpretentious vibes, and a truly beautiful space, this restaurant in SM MOA is the definition of impressive. Check it out.

    We visited Jatujak last Saturday after booking a time slot via the BigDish mobile application. BigDish is a restaurant reservation app that lets users enjoy up to 50% off their bill. Registration is quick and easy. There’s no need for credit card, reservation fee, and coupons to print. Just choose the restaurant and the date and time you’d be visiting where the discount is incorporated. Once reservation is done, confirmation will be sent through e-mail and sms. Show the message to the restaurant staff and voilà, you’ll get your meal at a discount hassle-free. 🙂

    Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance:

    Jatujak in SM Mall of Asia has its wooden and bricked walls artfully decorated with Thai scripts and memorabilia. The muted and subtle colors create a restful, leisurely family atmosphere. Housed in a cozy and modern setting, it captures the street-side appeal of Thai food and brings it home to the Philippines. Lighting is good and seats are comfortable enough for an afternoon’s worth of chilling. Jatujak is well-spaced and not stuffy. It’s your kind of spot to go for a casual lunch, dinner, or a last-minute date night with friends.

    Food:

    Jatujak’s Sampler Appetizer (PhP 215) is hard to turn down. It’s made up of shrimp cakes, fresh vegetarian spring rolls and pork spring rolls. Light yet full of flavor, this sampling dish is the perfect kick-off before the heavy flavors make their entrances.

    Tom Yum Mixed Seafood (Tom Yum Talay) (PhP 290) delivered all of the yes for us. It is the exact combination of sweet, spicy, and creamy we want after a long day of playing adult. The spiciness is bold, brash, and not always for the faint of heart. It’s one of the dishes you can describe as an authentic and fully-realized flavor of Thailand. And that’s exciting. I especially like the natural sweetness of the shrimps as it really did shine through.

    Vegetarian Pad Thai (PhP 200), made up of firm pan-fried flat rice noodles, tofu and carrots is the holy trinity of curing a hangover. It struck a balance between sweet and sour, with a hint of tamarind flavor leading the way. This is a good dish to order during the Lent season.

    Call it Whole Fish Pla Pla with Garlic Chili Sauce or pla kao sam rod or god’s gift of eternal happiness (if you love eating fried fish), it doesn’t matter. The fish is perfectly fried and the sweet, sour and hot sauce on top made it more appetizing. Get this, or you’re going home having missed out on something exceptional.

    I was surprised to see bagoong fried rice on the menu because I thought it’s a Filipino-style recipe. Thai Bagoong Rice though tastes a little different because of the herbs and spices used. Jatujak’s Bagoong Rice (Kao Kluk gapi) (PhP 185) has multiple sweet, salt and sour components which make up the spectrum of Thai flavors altogether on a single plate.

    Crispy Pata in Red Curry Sauce (kaeng ped ka moo) (PhP 580) is an interesting coconut-based curry dish with a milder taste and aroma, a delightful twist to the curry we know. Interestingly, it’s not spicy and the creamy coconut milk masks the pungent smell of the curry paste. If you love crispy pata and a Thai cuisine devotee yourself, consider this a must-try. 🙂

    Lemongrass Tea (Nam takray) (PhP 80) is so refreshing and delightfully healthy. It’s good for digestion, full of antioxidants, regulates high blood pressure, boosts metabolism and burns fat. We had it bottomless and totally loved the citrusy flavor of lemongrass, which is milder and sweeter in taste than lemon.

    We had Sticky Rice with Mango (koo niew mamuang) (PhP 135) for dessert. It’s palatable, comforting, and just enjoyable as it’s something closer to home. The glutinous rice with sweet and sour mangoes can be described as a tasty antidote to calm your still spice-singed mouth.

    Price for Value:

    Thanks to the BigDish app, our pleasant dining experience at Jatujak Thai Restaurant in MOA came with a bonus (10% discount). Yay! Thai dishes here are a good steal for the prices and will not break your wallet. Serving sizes are good for sharing and food portions are generous. We will try another restaurant that’s featured by BigDish Philippines next time. With BigDish Philippines, getting a discount through the app is only a few button presses away.

    To know more about BigDish, check out its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BigDishPH/ or visit its website at https://bigdish.ph/. Click this button to book a table now:

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  • Review of VIKINGS VENUE (SM Mall of Asia By the Bay, Pasay)

    Review of VIKINGS VENUE (SM Mall of Asia By the Bay, Pasay)

    Organizing big parties, weddings, and corporate events can be a daunting task. In these occasions, a large and attractive venue that can accommodate over a hundred guests is usually required. Hotels’ ballroom and banquet halls often come to mind, however booking for the space alone (without the food) already entails paying out a huge sum of money.

    For groups that are between 50 and 500 people, you may want to consider Vikings Venue in SM By the Bay, Pasay City. When dining at Vikings Venue, you only have to pay for the food (see buffet rates per head below). Usage of the venue is FREE! 🙂

    Vikings Venue is located just beside Vikings SM Mall of Asia By the Bay. We visited this newest branch of Vikings last Sunday at lunch time.

    Review of Vikings Venue (SM Mall of Asia By the Bay, Pasay)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Fitted with spacious seating, Vikings Venue goes bold with glamour. Overall ambiance looks as decadent and elegant as can be, with stunning chandeliers formed with layers of fabulous crystal balls adding some royal-like class to each room.

    Color motif is mostly muted and not too vibrant, and this simple directness sits comfortably with the ingenious, modern and minimalist bespoke practical elements. Walls between rooms can be “removed” or opened for greater capacity.

    The buffet tables are all on one side (except for the appetizers and bread sections), and the functions rooms are on the other side. This arrangement eases the flow of traffic of people getting food and those returning to their tables.

    Vikings Venue features five function rooms that can be combined into one big function hall depending on the headcount requirement:

    Function Room 1 120-150
    Function Room 2 50-70
    Function Room 3 50-70
    Function Room 4 50-70
    Function Room 5 120-150

    Reservations come on a first-come-first-served basis and must be made two weeks in advance with 50% down payment. To reserve an entire function room, a minimum number of 50 people is required. This is inclusive of the sound system and projector. Stage and platforms may be requested and this will be arranged with a third-party supplier. Tarps and other party decorations for the event will be shouldered by the customer.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Every service offering turned out as an opportunity to have a very personal dining experience. Confirmation of reservation in the reception area was efficient. Service attendants act proactively and friendly. A waiter handed us a crab cracker as soon as he saw my mom cracking a crab by hand. Requests are quickly and professionally accommodated as well. At Vikings Venue, luxury is hinged on providing great service and convenience in addition to serving opulent and decadent food.

    Food: ★★★★★

    The buffet stations looked very presentable. Good times meet giant portions at Vikings’ spectacular feast of scrumptious comfort food, fresh seafood, and tasty meat. Here you get to enjoy a delicious variety of satisfying dishes with extensive Asian and Western cuisines that provide plenty of territory for satisfaction.

    Trying to please a number of different tastes? You can’t go wrong with Vikings Venue. Per an insider, chefs make it possible to cook up certain dishes to guests according to preferences. For instance, if a large group of people who only eat halal food is reserved for the day, the kitchen will prepare a section of halal food to cater to the guests’ palate as part of the buffet setting.

    If you’re looking for the biggest possible selection of food in a large venue, don’t miss this popular luxury buffet restaurant. While you’re there, be sure to load up not only a plate or two. Go for a third round and more, and always save room for desserts. Too full? The gamble is whether to go back for another and risk being wheeled out of the dining room after slipping into a food coma. 😛

    In no particular order, my best bets were: Chinese dim sum (everything!), chuck eye, beef kimchi, roasted duck, roasted porkloin stuffed with fruit cauli mustard grain sauce, tanigue steak with coco cream and crab fat sauce, Malay lamb curry, chicken pastel royale with sausage and mushroom, and assorted seafood with cream and salted egg. 🙂 The Japanese station is my perennial favorite, of course. I loved the dynamite blend of flavors and textures.

    Appetizers

    Salad

    Bread

    Japanese

    Chinese

    Carving

    Western

    Italian

    Grill

    Desserts

    Drinks

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    At Vikings Venue, the tab is well worth if you’re looking for 5-star food and lovely ambiance for a big group. Expect a great dining experience matched with the elegance of an upscale restaurant coupled with the gluttony of an all-you-can eat buffet. 😉

    Reservation is a must even if you’re only a small group of two or less than 50 as it’s frequently crowded and you might have to stand in line for an hour to get in.

    Prices Weekday lunch Weekday dinner Weekend lunch and dinner
    Kids below 3 ft or 3 years old Free Free Free
    Kids (3ft. to 4ft. or 3 years to 7 years old) PhP 188 PhP 388 PhP 388
    Kids (4ft. to 4 ft 6” or 8 to 10 years old) PhP 388 PhP 588 PhP 688
    Adults PhP 688 PhP 688 PhP 1088
    75 years old and above 50% special discount 50% special discount 50% special discount

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/vikingsvenue/” name=”Vikings Venue” description=”By the Bay, Mall of Asia Complex, Seaside Boulevard, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries / reservations, please call 824-3888, 824-4888, 0917-548-4888 or 0998-988-4888 or email reservations.vikingsvenue@gmail.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-02-04″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay)

    Review of Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay)

    It was my last day in SM Retail. For my despedida, my manager treated our team to lunch at a restaurant of my choice. As I had been to almost every restaurant in SM Mall of Asia considering my tenure in SM, I wanted to go somewhere not too far away from our office but still worth going for. My sister recommended Mitsuyado Sei-Men in Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay City the night before. Seeing its stunning interior design on pictures already made me feel so excited, so you can just imagine how happy I was when everyone in the team voted yes. We mutually decided to take on a feast at Mitsuyado Sei-Men, the House of Tsukemen. 😛

    Sitting beside Yamato Bakery, Mitsuyado Sei-Men is a franchise from Japan and is a sister company of UCC Coffee locally. The Philippine store is the first outside of Japan. It also has a branch in Jupiter Street, Makati.

    Review of Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Mitsuyado Sei-Men in Blue Bay Walk might seem unassuming from the outside, but inside this cozy venue, an amazing interior awaits. The elaborate decors including vintage Japanese posters, lanterns, street food carts, bicycle, and buildings made us feel like we were transported to Japan. The accents were in no way lacking that wow factor. With the stunning layout, this Japanese restaurant fully deserves its reputation as a hot spot, which makes eating here as exciting as ever. So cool! Its flair is unforgettable.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Young and knowledgeable staff contributed further to our good experience. They were trained to explain the dishes well and they showed willingness to help us out with any questions. Quick service matters a lot especially for customers like us who were just out for lunch break.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    The menu offers a good array of well-executed Japanese classics. I tried one of the best recommended items: the Cheese Curry Tsukumen (PhP 340, regular) which was unlike any ramen I’ve had. The al dente noodles were chunkier, thicker and wider than regular noodles in ramen, and they can be served either cold or hot as preferred. First timers are advised to consider going for the cold preparation, following tradition.

    The chewiness of the tsukemen noodles was also something to appreciate and enjoy. The thick and rich curry broth provided a symphony of tasty noodle slurping once mixed. And of course, the cheese on a separate bowl should be poured over to complete an aggressive blast of creaminess.

    For dessert, each of us ordered the Sumiyaki Coffee Jelly with Ice Cream (PhP 100). Soft coffee jelly paired with vanilla ice cream is always a simple but refreshing combination that’s obviously withstood the test of time. Taken together and savored, the flavors turned out great. I liked that the coffee layer wasn’t too strong or bitter to overpower the sweetness of the ice cream. Both were represented in every bite. 😀

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Metro Manila is blessed with a bounty of good ramen restaurants, but when in the search of a little more unique Japanese restaurant specializing in tsukemen, you can’t go wrong with Mitsuyado Sei-men. Tons of ramen varieties can be found in this joint. Prices are okay for generous servings and dishes that guarantee a great kaleidoscope of Japanese flavors. Surely, it’s a convenient and reliable place to get your hands on high quality food. We left in a state of bliss. Super busog! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Mitsuyado.seimen” name=”Mitsuyado Sei-Men” description=”Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal Avenue Corner EDSA, Libertad, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call +632 8434329″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-10-27″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of UCC 3rd Wave Clockwork (Blue Bay Walk, Libertad, Pasay City)

    Review of UCC 3rd Wave Clockwork (Blue Bay Walk, Libertad, Pasay City)

    UCC 3rd Wave Clockwork is a cafe located in Bluebay Walk, Pasay (near Starbucks and McDonald’s) where brunch seems to be a never-ending affair and where people can just be themselves. I saw how relaxed and comfortable guests were as they reclined on sofa seats to the point of removing their shoes and retaining only their socks while reading a book. Needless to say, this place has also been striking a big chord with coffee lovers. As one who’s in love with coffee aroma myself, walking into its ground floor for the first time was like being high at the Apple Store. 🙂

    Review of UCC Clockwork (Blue Bay Walk, Libertad, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Everything was a sight to see. I loved the interior design to bits! With UCC Clockwork displaying clocks set in different times arranged vertically on a wall, the concept worked. It’s stimulating and I’m super into it. 🙂

    Promoting the convenience of diners, the theme was rustic and retro combined with a laid-back feel. At the center, a bar counter modestly sets the mood for visitors to gorge on delectable food displays with their eyes. Items stacked on shelves against the wall served as functional decors that served as excellent blend in the area.

    We went up to the second floor and were quite impressed as well with the neat and organized space. The dining area has that typical look of a casual coffee shop with cushioned bar stools in shade of light beige lending a charm to the atmosphere. I also appreciate the minimum disarray and the soothing natural light from the windows.

    For larger groups, functional rooms are available and they’re fitted with a cute clocks wallpaper and edgy light fixtures.

    For a quality people-watching session, it’s great to grab a seat by the “balcony” overlooking the interaction between guests and baristas downstairs.

    Service: ★★★☆☆

    Service was a bit underwhelming and problematic since calling out to win the staffs’ attention was a bit of a challenge. Maybe the two-floor spacious dining area is to blame? I think not. The management should consider adding more headcount especially when more customers come at the peak of lunch and dinner hours.

    Food: ★★★★★

    UCC 3rd Wave Clockwork has been in my radar since way back, but because I’ve decided to dine out with friends and family instead of alone, I put off tasting their dishes for months. 😛 So you can just imagine how excited I felt upon setting foot here!

    We began brunch with a great appetizer: the Black and White Truffle Fries (PhP 190). Seeing “truffle” on the menu, I was tempted to rush into the first bite. Seasoning was spot-on. These crispy fries were a bit salty, punctuated with glorious black truffle bits, white truffle oil, and Parmesan cheese. Full of fluffy starch, the potatoes were quite thicker than the regular fries from McDonald’s.

    Mom told us to choose dishes that she doesn’t know how to make. The Crabby Fatty Omurice (PhP 350) was one of the perfect choices fitting that criterion. It was thus a golden opportunity for us to sample a unique version of omurice that’s basically rice with shredded crab meat, garlic, onions, kani, ebiko, parsley, aligue cream. All of these were wrapped with a crepe-like thinly fried soft and runny scrambled egg. The sauce formed around the omurice tasted delicate and light yet loaded with the crab flavor. Too good to be true! 🙂

    Also for a change, we ordered the Ouvo y Negra (PhP 280) which consisted of squid con tinta, ebiko, spaghetti, garlic, parsley, pepper, lemon, and garlic bread. With silky black hue, this pasta was neutral in flavor but what really gave a punch of seafood bliss was the bite-size cuts of squid with springy texture.

    When in doubt, you will not go wrong with UCC Clockwork’s Rosemary Chicken Crisp (PhP 320). With a buttery elixir of chicken juices, the grilled herbed chicken was paired with chicken rind rice and balsamic reduction sauce that boosted a soul-satisfying umami taste. The chicken was perfectly moist with slightly crisp skin. I loved that the mixed greens on the side gave not only a luscious garnish but also a refreshing crunch to the main.

    Their best-selling Garlic Tamadobo (PhP 300) also deserved a two-thumbs up from us. Composed of chicken and pork adobo, garlic rice, and ajitama and house salad, this entree relied on good technique in presentation and classic Filipino flavors. The sauce was rich and smooth with a mellow fragrance of Pinoy’s favorite adobo. The soft-boiled “ramen” eggs were awesome as they came with custard-like firm body.

    My sister and I got the Tiramisu Latte (PhP 170), a cake-inspired drink. It was a sweet and appealing treat without anything more complicated than coffee with chocolate, liquor, milk and cream. The velvety richness translated well to the real deal.

    For dessert, we had the Clockwork Cookie Cup Scream (PhP 190) composed of a dark chocolate chip cookie with melted white chocolate topped with pistachio ice cream. I thought it’s similar as the famous cookie shot but instead of milk, ice cream was placed to fill in the cookie cup. 🙂 The ice cream tasted like joy and nothing less than pure pleasure. It was a thrill to finish everything before breaking the cookie to pieces for us to share. Yum!

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    The restaurant and cafe scene in Metro Manila shows no sign of slowing down. UCC 3rd Wave Clockwork in Bluebay Walk, Pasay presents itself as another sleek and roomy cafe with a full range of coffee drinks, liquors, and a full brunch and lunch menu. Prices are reasonable as they serve and welcome you with generous portions of food servings with good quality tastes. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/UCCclockwork” name=”UCC 3rd Wave Clockwork” description=”Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal Avenue Corner EDSA, Libertad, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 8434383″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-07-17″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Four Seasons Hotpot City (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Four Seasons Hotpot City (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    It was my dad’s 60th birthday last April 13, Monday, but we planned to celebrate it one day ahead at Maru Korean Restaurant across A. Venue Mall in Makati at dinnertime. Fortuitously, Ms. Raquel Bartolome, Marketing Manager of the Vikings Group, invited me and my family to come and have lunch together with her and other blogger friends on the same day at their newest restaurant: Four Seasons Hotpot City in SM By the Bay, Mall of Asia Complex, near and adjacent to the Vikings Luxury Buffet and Movie Stars Cafe in MOA. I accepted the invitation with much glee, and so we had like a double birthday celebration we will always remember. 🙂

    Review of Four Seasons Hotpot City (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Four Seasons Hotpot City opened on February 19, 2015. This brand-new addition to the list of buffet restaurants in MOA has it all: suave atmosphere from the clean and artsy interior to the gorgeous food stations, whip-smart service attendants, and a contemporary way of hot pot, steamboat, or “shabu-shabu” dining.

    Four Seasons Hotpot City bursts onto the scene with vigor, pushing the envelope with its posh “supermarket-style” ambiance. Diners get to “shop” from the “marketplace” and enjoy casual dining in a large space that can accommodate over 350+ guests.

    For bigger groups and private events, there are five function rooms available and each can cater to 10-12 people. I was totally pleased to learn that the dining tables were designed in such a way where everyone has an electric stove top (personal cooker) for hotpot meals with safe buttons to press for cooking or keeping food warm. In effect, everyone has the chance to cook according to individual taste and preference without having to share. 😛

    On the other hand, if you are seated in a regular table (outside the function room), expect to find a yin-yang pot where you can have two kinds of soup for two to four people. All in all, the orderliness and coziness of this restaurant earned my vote.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The speed and efficiency with which the chefs make food and drinks behind the counters was mesmerizing. Like in other Vikings restaurants, the friendly service at Four Seasons Hotpot City is one of the many reasons why I can’t recommend it highly enough.

    The personable staff comes at the table and refills soup and water as needed. Knowledgeable service at this elegant special-occasion destination is also a huge plus.

    Those who are celebrating their birthdays are presented with a small birthday cake and a birthday candle. 🙂 ♫ Happy birthday, Daddy! ♫

    Food: ★★★★★

    Ah summer! It’s not the ideal season for gluttony, but here in Four Seasons Hotpot City, indulging in good food that’s clean, fresh, and healthy is quite acceptable without feeling guilty. 😛 While some restaurants do it à la carte, Four Seasons Hotpot City in MOA features an all-you-can-eat steamboat buffet experience where you can feel overwhelmingly thrilled to see and taste a wide spread of food to cook with tongs and eat to your heart’s content.

    Four Seasons Hotpot City Steamboat Experience

    What I loved most about the experience was having full control in taking exactly what I felt like eating and making it personal. First things first, we were asked to choose a soup base for our hotpot and the level of spiciness. Out of chicken, pork, vegetable, si-but (Chinese herbs), and sinigang, we chose the chicken broth for its subtle flavor and added a few condiments like sate, raw minced garlic, spring onions, chili, and black vinegar from the sauce bar to give it an extra zing.

    Not to leave the bowl of stock simmering empty, we visited the Noodles Station where we found different kinds of noodles (squid ink noodles, polonchay noodles, carrot noodles, mushroom noodles, chili noodles, Korean noodles, Hong Kong noodles, sotanghon, etc.) and later, the Balls and Dumplings section. Our eyes were filled with hearts and roses, as we placed almost everything from fish cakes, all sorts of dumplings, and wanton balls into our food tray. 😛

    It’s cooking time! We returned to our seats, fueled up our one-hotpot-wonder of ingredients, and let the flavors be infused into the soup. Using the mini stove’s controller to adjust the heat applied to the pot was a breeze.

    After a few minutes, the soup was ready to be devoured. I can vouch that everything we tried was great and many of them were interesting. On top of these, we also helped ourselves with food from other stations. 🙂

    Appetizers

    Big appetites would not mind having a portion of appetizers served here such as salads with dressings, Japanese sushi and sashimi, and cold cuts.

    Meat (From the Ranch to Your Table)

    The Meat station must be a meat eater’s paradise, as it offers a large variety of nonstop protein with extensive parts and organs of pork, beef, and lamb in an upscale setting. Pig’s kidney, pork tendon, pork lung, pork egg (isaw), and pork large intestine are some of the examples. The items are placed and artfully prepared, so diners can grab them easily. Also making up for a positive dining experience, the different cuts of meat can be asked to be delivered to your table. Hence, there’s no need to stand up a couple of times to get everything you want.

    Seafood (From the Sea to Your Table)

    Individually plated, a range of seafood was in heavy demand. This includes shrimps, squid, clams, mussels, fish, oyster meat, yellow eel, sharksfin skin, fresh alimasag, baby octopus, sea mantis, talakitok fillet, and more. OMG. The seafoods looked so fresh and we could still taste the seafood sweetness. Nothing beats that.

    Vegetables (From the Farm to Your Table)

    For those who love vegetables, the Vegetables station is where you’ll find the fun stuff. My dad who’s been a vegetarian since 1981 was hooked into adding different sorts of vegetables to his soup. It was an absolute delight for him to get heaping plates of his favorite vegetables: lettuce, broccoli, kailan, tauge, tomatoes, potatoes, radish, leeks, spinach, celery, Baguio pechay, fried taro, young corn, mushrooms, tangho, choisum, polonchay, Taiwan pechay, chili fingers, Chinese mustard, pumpkin, kangkong, cabbage, fresh sweet corn, watercress, and okra.

    Cooked

    Aside from shabu-shabu items, cooked dishes were also present in one counter inside Four Seasons Hotpot City. I highly recommend the following: Fried Hongkong Noodle w/ Seafood, Braised Beef Brisket, Steamed Crab w/ Egg White Sauce, Dong Po Pork, Salmon Fillet in Mango Sauce, Egg Foo Yung, and Shrimp Tempura.

    Desserts

    A good place to have some downtime after digging into the heavy courses, the Desserts Stations has always struck me as a friendly go-to hideout that has no need for elaborate explanation yet continues to strive with its regular stream of patrons. Ice cream, halo-halo, Filipino rice cakes (kakanin), chocolate fountain, panna cotta, and yogurt were worthy tries. It was however the crepe with cherry filling eaten with the avocado ice cream that won me over that time. While each component of the dessert tasted “okay” on their own, I insist that the combination was great when pieced together.

    The Bar

    The bar serves pretty much everything you can think of—diverse types of ready-made mixed juices, teas, beers, fruit shakes, sodas, and coffee. I ended up choosing Chang Beer to know how Thailand’s number-one selling beer tastes like and ordered wintermelon milk tea with strawberry jelly sinkers. Just for fun, I tried to mix the two together and the result was rather strange. Haha. :mrgreen:

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Classic steamboat dining with sophistication and substance is how I would describe this newest concept of the Vikings Group. The phenomenal selection of dishes here round out a meal well spent. You get to create your own soup and cook anything you want with all ingredients and bases. So if you’re hankering for an unusual buffet restaurant that serves tasty proponents of food, Four Seasons Hotpot City is right up your alley. While prices are not entirely cheap, the experience is truly worth the splurge. 🙂

    Prices, subject to 5% service charge, are as follows: Weekday lunch Weekday dinner/ weekend and holiday lunch and dinner
    Kids below 3 ft Free Free
    Kids between 3ft and 4ft PhP 188+ PhP 288+
    Kids between 4ft and 6ft PhP 288+ PhP 388+
    Adults PhP 588+ PhP 788+

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    Operating hours:
    Lunch: 11:00AM – 2:30PM
    Dinner: 5:30PM – 10:00PM

  • Review of Potts Point Café (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Potts Point Café (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Potts Point Café opened a new branch in SM Mall of Asia (Entertainment Mall, bayside) last month, following its first one in Eastwood. We were fortunate to have availed of its opening promotion, which was 20% discount on food.

    What fueled our excitement most was the Australian Grass-fed All Beef Burger that appeared impressively humongous on digital posters on social media. The layers of ingredients were particularly tempting and so we visited with highly anticipative spirits. Now the question is: Did the burger live up to our expectation?

    Review of Potts Point Café (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Potts Point Café in MOA is a cozy space that you might miss if you’re not on the lookout. (Tip: It’s located beside Sarsa facing SM By the Bay.) This Australian organic café sports more of a casual dining ambiance, with bright and modern interior that welcomes a homely feel, allowing family crowds and groups of friends gather and share their passion for food comfortably. The minimalist color theme will definitely draw the younger crowd, and pictures of food on the wall can whet your appetite.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was nice and friendly. We stayed in the cafe for about five hours and we were not bothered at all. The courteous staff took our orders quickly and treated us decently. Wait time was acceptable and the food came out hot and ready. 🙂

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Fancy names and long descriptions of food complete Potts Point’s menu, but of course we were sure to get the Australian Grass-fed All Beef Burger (PhP 395) plus a couple more dishes and drinks to share. Made with with Australian cheddar, pickled beets, olive oil aioli, and house-made brioche bun, the burger was no doubt delicious. However, at one glance, my first reaction upon seeing the burger was like “Uhm…is that it?” We were just concerned about the size. It was too small compared to how we imagined it.  🙁

    In any case, whoever created the recipe for this burger deserved to be regarded with utmost respect. 🙂 We requested the beef patty to be medium well, and the result was a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy.

    The baked sweet potato wedges were a simple side that went well along with the main. It packed a good combination of soft and crunchy textures together with a balance of sweet and salty flavors. Yum!

    Next, we had the Squid Ink Spaghetti (PhP 285, Solo) with cherry tomatoes, Parmesan shaves, and arugula topped with fried calamari. The pasta was cooked perfectly to al dente, but what really set this interesting-looking dish apart was the flavorful squid ink, which imparted a dose of sea salt freshness. Caution though, as the black ink can easily turn yours lips black. Wipe it down with soft tissue paper or pretend you’re wearing a vampy dark lipstick! 😛 I liked how the fried calamari gave a nice elastic texture without tasting too rubbery.

    More carbs? The Vietnamese-style Organic Slow Roast Pork Belly with Nuoc Cham (dipping sauce) and Pineapple Fried Rice (PhP 375, Solo) can make a classic entry to the dining table. But I’m sad to report that the flavor lacked depth. While its aroma was alluring, the sauce alone failed to enhance the taste. The slow roast pork belly was a good offering but nothing spectacular to wow.

    When we were done eating, we continued our conversation over drinks. Similar to my reaction to the burger, I also felt “cheated” when the Hot Macchiato (PhP 110) was served. It’s too small, maybe only 1/3 of the size of a regular cup of drinks in fast food chains. The taste of espresso was evidently there, but I would prefer one that’s sweeter with more milk than foam. (This macchiato was strong and bitter for me. )

    On the flip side, Potts Point’s Iced Latte (PhP 130) was good and refreshing. Not too sickly sweet, this drink had the right level of creaminess to please.

    Made with the combination of green tea, peppermint, English breakfast, lemon and ginger, the La Maison Du The – French Handcrafted Tea (PhP 90) was also nice with a subtle kick of ginger to fend off chills and refresh the taste buds.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Potts Point Café in SM Mall of Asia is recommended to those who want to feel like indulging in guilt-free organic food. For a restaurant which takes pride in serving the freshest, sustainable-sourced ingredients, the tastes of food were quite average. Portions were not as well enough to justify the cost, for the most part in our experience. In all fairness, this is a good place to hang out with friends or order grab-and-go options any day.

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