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Category: Pasay

  • Review of Wham! Burgers (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Wham! Burgers (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    As burger patties slowly crept into the planetary consciousness, everyone wondered whether the meaty slabs of mystical wonderment could sustain a business for long. Plenty of restaurants in Metro Manila answered that question with a resounding, and fatty, yes. Yet those specializing solely on burgers are a counted few. One of them must be Wham! Burgers.

    To give a short background, Wham! Burgers is a gourmet burger restaurant boasting that their burgers are made with only the freshest 1/3 pound PURE BEEF patties. Recently, Wham! Burgers has updated its menu with an explosion of three new burger varieties called the Slider Trio (Cheese Burger, Wham Burger and Bacon Burger) now available in all its branches. We took a taste test last Saturday and saluted the burger-based eatery for the great reinvention.

    Review of Wham! Burgers (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Should you find yourself entrenched in SM Mall of Asia feeling hungry at any time, take comfort in knowing that a good burger joint is steps away. Wham! Burgers has a casual and laid-back fastfood ambiance that is ideal for hanging out with friends and just enjoying your own company while passing time.

    The interior design is not overwhelming but rather very neat and simple. Illuminated by lights on the ceiling, this place keeps a bright vibe. The white walls bring some tranquility in contrast to the large WHAM! backdrop. A staircase leads up to the second floor where a small dining area like a loft can also be occupied by customers.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Like any typical fastfood restaurant, customers order and pay at the counter. Orders are delivered on the table with efficient and quick service considering their ground beef cylinders are never frozen and the burger patties are only cooked (with no MSG and complicated ingredients) upon customer order.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    The Slider Trio (Cheese Burger, Wham Burger and Bacon Burger) (PHp 250 for all three) consisted of the same wheel of pure beef patty and burger bun but with different key ingredient such as the bacon and cheese that are fused together in individual burgers. Each of the trio had a beefy, gooey core, hugged by the buns that sop up all the juices. I could not decide which was the best, but I can assure you that the experience of eating any of them would bring a hapless, meaty joy! 🙂 It hits home how good beef does not need condiments. You read it right – catsup, mustard and mayo would feel out of place on this pile.

    Next served was the Whammer (PHp 195), which could just be Wham! Burgers’ trademark burger. It’s a top-rated burger as all the components were perfectly executed, and the burger came out cooked as ordered the first time it came to the table. It was made with 1/3-lb pure beef, charcoal-grilled patty topped with deep fried onion strings, cheese and BLT. The Whammer is one of the tastiest and most creative burgers I’ve encountered. I mean, with this large heap of generous elements in one bite, there’s none that I could ask for.


    If you plan on venturing beyond the patties, Wham! Burgers has a decent selection of sidings. We had the Pepper Poppers (PHp 82), Potato Wedges (PHp 66), French Fries (PHp 73), and Spaghetti Fries (a secret recipe that’s not on the menu but you can order from the counter). The Spaghetti Fries has this sweet Filipino-style spaghetti sauce and also chopped red juicy hotdogs that you’d normally find in spaghetti. The notable difference is that instead of pasta, on top of the sauce, cheese and hotdogs are fries.

    Overall, these four items did not have special taste or texture, but the importance of having good sidings to pair with your burger entree should not be underestimated. Kudos to the golden-brown color, crisp exterior and balanced seasoning.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Aside from the food listed above, we’ve also tried the Brekkie (PHp 200), Kapow (PHp 200) and Bronco (PHp 200) among Wham! Burgers’ featured burger variants. If asked which burger would be worth your hard-earned money, your valuable time, and your true burger devotion, I’d say that whichever you pick lands as perfect answer.

    These burgers have a good price for value since one can fill you up quickly and satisfyingly. If you have a rather small stomach like me, I recommend bringing a friend or someone to share a burger with. The burger size is pretty big and you may not finish it wholly alone. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wham-Burgers/50720010585″ name=”Wham! Burgers” description=”Ground Floor, North Parking Bldg. SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 556-93-94″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-03-26″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branches:
    #201 Katipunan Ave. Ext. Brgy. Milagrosa, Quezon City | 912-94-26
    SM City North Edsa The Block Level 4 | 422-00-79
    Level-3, Midtown Mall, Robinsons Place Manila | 567-24-23
    Cluster 2, Molito Alabang, Madrigal Ave. cor. Alabang-Zapote Road | 869-89-09

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

    Review of Lugang Café (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Last Saturday, my family and I planned to have dinner at Hokkaido Ramen Santouka in SM Mall of Asia. However, because the restaurant is situated at the veranda, dining customers have to pay an additional fee (PHp 750-PHp 1500 per person) even if they are not watching the pyromusical competition from 6:30PM onwards. Hence, we resorted to dining in Lugang Café, since we had been wanting to try their food for so long.

    Lugang Café is a restaurant under the Bellagio Management Group of Companies based in Shanghai. Today, it’s considered as the best contemporary Taiwanese restaurant in Manila. Aside from Taiwanese food, this stall has been also drawing rave reviews for its healthy mix of Szechuan and Shanghainese cuisine.

    Review of Lugang Café (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    I told my dad recently that there are more and more restaurants nowadays that have sleek and modern interior designs as compared to before when decors were nothing grand and the emphasis was only on food. One of the most eye-catching units in a restaurant must be the ceiling. And that’s exactly where your eyes would wander the moment you step into Lugang Café. Those elegant lights can’t go unnoticed for sure!

    Just like in its other branches, Lugang Café in MOA has an ambiance that’s very relaxing and upscale. Judging solely from the design, no one might easily recognize it as a Taiwanese restaurant. The tables and chairs, the counter and even the staircase are arranged neatly. Impressive and captivating are two words that are best used to describe the overall feel of the place.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Lugang Café in SM Mall of Asia rarely has a few customers. Despite the busyness of the place, good customer service was maintained throughout our stay. Staffs were knowledgeable on the menu, polite in recommending must-tries and were attentive in requests by guests.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Many people are already familiar with bola-bola siopao, meat dumplings or just plain meatball, but not many have tried xiao long bao yet. If you’re one of those who haven’t, please do yourself a favor and try it now! I bet that once you do, you’d be hard-pressed to go back for another order. 🙂

    Lugang Café is quite known for its xiao long bao as it comes in different flavors:

    • Steamed Crab Roe and Pork Xiao Long Bao (PHp 288),
    • Steamed Angled Loofah with Shrimp  Xiao Long Bao (PHp 228),
    • Steamed Taro Xiao Long Bao (PHp 228),
    • Steamed Chocolate Xiao Long Bao (PHp 288),
    • Steamed Kimchi and Pork Xiao Long Bao (PHp 268) and
    • Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao (PHp 248).

    Sadly, assorted flavors cannot be taken in one order just like what Paradise Dynasty in Singapore offers. With that said, if you want to try them all, you have to get the eight pieces in the same flavor as a set one by one. And that’s exactly what I’m planning to do, since I’m very intrigued on how they taste. :’> On second thought, this plan might ruin my diet. Oh no. Cannot. I’ll just have to take it slow then. Nobody is pressuring me anyway haha.

    Officially, we got one down (five to go in my next visits)! Lugang Café’s Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao (PHp 248, 8 pieces) or “Soup Dumplings” was made with meat filling swimming in flavorful broth, all wrapped up in perilously thin dumpling skin. In the tonging process, you’ll get a burst of innards full of piping hot soup to warm your soul and a pork ball.

    I know it’s difficult to make xiao long bao, seeing the chefs perform live through the transparent glass from outside the restaurant.

    Because each piece is so tiny that it can easily fit into the mouth, I suggest swallowing it as a whole. Lugang Cafe’s version of the soup dumplings was delightful. So nice. Like a dream.

    The next dishes we had are all safe for pescetarians. Since Lent season is coming up, you might as well take note of these dishes for your own liking.

    We especially recommend the Taiwanese Salt and Pepper Squid 台灣椒鹽魷魚 (PHp 290). We love fried calamari of all kinds, so it’s no surprise that this one also became an instant favorite. Seasoned with salt and pepper, the squid chunks were lightly battered. The coating was crispy and the pieces were just tender and not rubbery. The squid, as you can see in the picture below, is not ring type like those typically in Filipino pulutan or pica-pica. Vinegar was served as perfect condiment.

    Second dish was the Spicy Garlic Fish in Claypot (PHp 340). The main ingredients included tofu and fish—skin-on, a little wobbly but plenty rich in flavor. The sauce was spicy but not so much intense that it would fire up your taste buds. A pro tip: request for chili sauce if you sense that the taste becomes monotonous.

    The Kung Pao Tofu (Vegetarian) (PHp 280) consisted of chunks of crispy tofu that stayed crispy even when they’re soaked in sauce. With lots of chili, this dish was really spicy. Want complexity? Adding black vinegar will improve the flavor.

    Finally, we had the House Special: Pineapple and Shrimps Stuffed in Crullers (PHp 290). What is a cruller? A quick search via Google revealed that “a traditional cruller is a fried pastry often made from a rectangle of dough, with a cut made in the middle that allows it to be pulled over and through itself producing twists in the sides of the donut.”

    I didn’t appreciate the presence of the crullers in this dish, and I’m not sure if they were there. What’s guaranteed is that the pineapples and shrimps made a good pairing. I’ve learned that these two are normally threaded on skewers and tossed on the grill for a fun luau-inspired dish. With mayonnaise, Lugang Café’s version almost seemed like a hot prawn salad.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    All in all, Lugang Café is a very solid choice for Taiwanese food! I’ve always had the impression that food prices here are exaggerated. Now I can say that it’s a misconception. Prices of food are decent and reasonable. Food quality is their forte and there’s no issue with anything. Sit in for a meal if you ever get a chance; you won’t regret it. Bring a friend or two since the dishes are good for sharing. 🙂 Have a blast!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lugang-Cafe/195092840524714″ name=”Lugang Café” description=”Ground Floor, South Wing, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 02 5550219, +63 9162140822″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-03-19″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branches:

    • Ground Floor, Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City | +63 9064555879, 02 4033303
    • Second Floor, The Block, SM City North EDSA, Quezon City | 02 3328725, +63 9157469693
    • 115 Connecticut Street, Northeast Greenhills, San Juan City | 02 5420196
    • SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City | +63 9064555873
  • Review of David’s Tea House (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of David’s Tea House (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    When it comes to comfort food, burger, fries, mac and cheese and pizza are bound to come to mind. Now that it’s March, your idea of comfort could use a little update. There’s nothing more comforting than food you’ve been eating while growing up. To me, it’s Chinese food, which half of the world, if not more, also crave for.

    To keep us fueled, last Tuesday, we were treated to a “thanksgiving lunch” by colleagues in one of the most famous Chinese restaurants in the country: David’s Tea House, SM Mall of Asia. Yay! This branch of David’s Tea House in MOA is relatively new, as the restaurant has moved from the front side (near Hypermarket) to the back side facing Seaside Boulevard.

    Review of David’s Tea House (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    With tall seats, high ceiling, huge chandeliers and spacious dining area that could fit about 70-80 people, David’s Tea House in MOA displays modern interior design with a cozy vibe. The place was quiet since we were the only customers there, even at the peak of lunch hour. It was like the room was reserved all for ourselves, yet it didn’t feel wrong but just provided us with an advantage: shorter waits. It might be an exact opposite story come dinnertime.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    Our orders arrived fast. The waiters refilled water and tea and fulfilled requests quickly, too. They were kind and polite, but what could add another star to this rating would be their smile. They all seemed so tense and serious. A pleasant smile would invoke a charming countenance and make customers feel more welcome. As long as they are doing their job well, that’s okay I guess.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    As an appetizer, the Nido with Quail Egg Soup (PHp 245) may be the most basic, almost tasteless soup that will surely cleanse your palette and soothe your stomach for the dishes to come. This soup was not the best version I came across, but still it was okay.

    The kitchen of David’s Tea House produces a very fine plate of Yang Chow Fried Rice (PHp 195). Of all items on the menu, I think this is the one that’s most ordered. The perfectly cooked grain rice was mixed with bits of fried eggs, salty ham, small shrimps and green peas for that much needed dose of herbal brightness.

    We also had Pineapple Fried Rice (PHp 255), which is similar to how the Yang Chow Fried Rice tastes but with added pineapples. This is another Chinese classic with a twist. I liked how the sweetness of pineapple merged with the fried rice’s flavor. The smell could instantly put everyone in a good mood.

    For our vegetarian viand, Buddha’s Delight / Lo Han Chai (PHp 240) was served. Filled with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, carrots and young corn, David’s Tea House’s lo han chai was not enjoyable mainly because it didn’t have many ingredients that are typically present in the oriental dish.

    I was silently hoping for glass noodles, wan yu (dried cloud ear fungus) and dried gluten balls. Like always, when dining out with friends, I notice that anything that seemed like a herbivore’s meal would always be the bridesmaid and never the bride. Truth be told, the vegetables were again overshadowed by the meat. Up next: chicken, beef and pork.

    The Crispy Fried Chicken (PHp 250, half) was a hit on our table. The chicken skin’s crispiness was so addictive that one might want to put a ring on it! The white meat was lean and even without adding extra sauce or condiments, the taste was satisfactory.

    Credits must go to the chef as the natural taste of ampalaya in Beef with Ampalaya (PHp 265) was pronounced without being too bitter. The bittergourd itself would have made the meal, but the soft and tender beef really sealed the deal here. Taking the entire saucy dish to new levels of deliciousness, the thin slices of beef did not give us a hard time to chew.

    I had initial reservations about trying the Fried Spareribs with Salt and Pepper (PHp 240) because it’s pork. The last thing I wanted was to be punished by formations of red patches and acne only to discover later that eating it is not worth the investment. Anyhow, I took the knife and cut a piece of spareribs for a small bite. My say? The spareribs punched way way above its weight in flavor. It was savory, so even if I do have an acne now on my forehead, it’s well compensated.

    Finally, we had the Fish Fillet with Beancurd (PHp 340), my favorite among all these food. Actually it was ordered just as an “insurance policy” (we had too many food already), which paid off. I loved that the skin of the beancurd and fish fillet was fried and still crispy outside despite that they were swimming in sauce.

    In any way it’s cooked, the fish may not have the sex appeal of an oyster, but it’s got romance. And with a sip of David’s Tea House’s light jasmine tea, it’s true love. ♥

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    David’s Tea House is a restaurant that can boost your confidence in spending for authentic Chinese food specializing in the taste of Hong Kong. Portion sizes of food are good for sharing, making food prices here totally reasonable in my sunny corner of the universe. If you’re really on tight budget, simply getting the Yang Chow Fried Rice (their flagship) sans additional viand may be fine as a completely filling meal.

    David’s Tea House in MOA accepts reservations for parties of all occasions. Book a party and avail of their free photo booth. Discover how and why their name became famously synonimous with hotpot table top cooking with their shabu shabu packages: PHp 780 for 2-3 people and PHp 1080 for 4-5 people.

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

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

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

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

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

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

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

    Service: ★★★★★

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

    Food: ★★★☆☆

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

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

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    Other Branches:

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

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

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

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

    Service: ★★★★★

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

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

    Drinks: ★★★★☆

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

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

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

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

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gravity-Modern-Bar/552636781496469″ name=”Gravity Modern Bar” description=”Blue Wave, Macapagal Boulevard, Corner EDSA Extension, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 0927-7921537″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-01-28″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

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

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

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

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

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

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

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

    Service: ★★★★★

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

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

    Food: ★★★★☆

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

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

    Appetizers

    Chinese

    Japanese

    Seafood

    Random

    Desserts

    Drinks

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

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

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

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

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

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Update: The winner is Laila Hermosa Mercado! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/TheFoodClubPH” name=”The Food Club Manila (Just across Blue Wave)” description=”Unit E Bluebaywalk, President Diosdado Macapagal corner Edsa, Pasay City, Metro Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 02-7368001″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-01-27″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

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

  • Review of Vikings Luxury Buffet (Seaside Boulevard, MOA Complex, Pasay City)

    Review of Vikings Luxury Buffet (Seaside Boulevard, MOA Complex, Pasay City)

    Last Thursday, my maternal grandmother (阿婆) has celebrated her 76th birthday at Vikings, one of those restaurants you can always count on, when it comes to buffets. After work, I met with my family at this restaurant by the bay (between Movie Stars Cafe and The Lab Gastropub) for dinner.

    Believe it or not, I have not been to Vikings before—despite how popular it is as a luxury buffet that tops many food and restaurant trending charts almost all-year round and despite that it’s too near from my workplace. Thanks to this occasion and to Uncle Peter for treating us, at last, we’ve filled our tummies with sumptuous food from one of the hottest restaurants in the Philippines right now. 😉

    This high-concept elegant buffet restaurant is perpetually packed for its modern interpretation of European, American, Japanese, Chinese and Filipino food. Basically, Vikings has a bit of each of these cuisines. If you did not book for a reservation (1-2 weeks of lead time), you may have to fight for seats or wait a long while, but once you’re seated, you will be in great hands.

    Review of Vikings Luxury Buffet (Seaside Boulevard, MOA Complex, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    “What is Vikings?” I run a quick search through Google and learned that Vikings refers to any of the Scandinavian seafaring pirates and traders who raided and settled in many parts of northwestern Europe in the 8th–11th centuries. Sure enough, the decors of Vikings Restaurant in MOA Complex show a pirate theme but in a stylish fashion. Food was arranged on a “Viking boat,” and this exhibition is a plus for the design overall.

    The decorative hanging lantern lights were obviously not pirate-y, but they provided good atmosphere.

    The space in the dining area is almost as wide as in Buffet 101. The main difference is that the buffet tables are scattered all over the dining area, unlike in Buffet 101 where they are all clumped together. There’s also a lot more types of chairs and tables for seating. We were at the rounded tables and sofa chairs. Although the furniture and placing looked nice, it was hard to move about on those chairs.

    Service: ★★★★★

    I commend the staffs of Vikings Luxury Restaurants for being quick whenever we requested for extra utensils. Used plates on our tables were immediately taken without us having to repeatedly ask for clean-up. Our pictures were taken with grace. While food was not easily replenished on the respective trays and containers, diners could request for reservation and even have a plate full of the selected entree separated to make sure that they won’t run out once they’re out again for feasting.

    For birthday celebrants, aside from having the perk of eating for free, a serenade by the staff and management of Vikings and a cupcake with the Vikings sign were delivered.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Food was well-executed and everything tasted as delightful as it was a feast for the eyes. Just like in other buffet restaurants, my sister and I walked around first to get a glimpse of everything before deciding which to take. We only took the ones that seemed really appealing and gave up those that we’re already too familiar with. With the best bites, we left satisfied and definitely full.

    Random:

    Chinese food:

    Desserts:

    The ones we liked most were:

    • Appetizers: potato salad, colorful tacos with cheese, Chinese dim sum
    • Mains: all Japanese food
    • Desserts: green tea / macha ice cream, avocado ice cream, red velvet cake, brownies
    • Drinks: four seasons and iced Milo

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Vikings is a must-go restaurant, a place to visit on occasion but certainly not every night. I find the costs justified because there’s plenty of choices for everyone’s delight. It’s like eating buffet in a hotel with the quality of food, warm and friendly service and classy ambiance. Once you enter, buckle your seat belt. It’s time to take your palate for one heck of a ride. Click here to view the rates (vary for lunch and dinner, kids and adult).

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/VIKINGSSMMALLOFASIA” name=”Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant” description=”Building B, By The Bay, Seaside Boulevard, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 02 8463888, 02 8464888″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-01-18″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am to 12:00mn
    Other Branches

  • Review of Sharmila Ihaw-Ihaw Paluto Restaurant (Dampa, Pasay City)

    Review of Sharmila Ihaw-Ihaw Paluto Restaurant (Dampa, Pasay City)

    For most of us in the Philippines, Christmas is not just about any religious holiday. A lot of extravagant meal plans come with it! Wrestle with festive food and you’re set. On Christmas Day, we chowed down with a variety of seafood in Sharmila Ihaw-Ihaw Paluto Restaurant located at Dampa.

    Why not? The Seaside Market in Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City is one of the nicest places in the metro where you can find affordable seafood. It houses a seafood market and many Filipino and Chinese restaurants that cook and serve up dishes according to your preferred style.

    My dad and sister stayed at the restaurant, while my grandfather, mom, boyfriend and I went to the market to get food for “paluto.” Several Asian foreigners were roaming for a food trip that night and it was funny when vendors thought we were among them. Take this lady for instance, who was so willing to have her picture taken holding the crab. 😀 She repeatedly said “Picture picture!” till I finally took a shot.

    Review of Sharmila Ihaw-Ihaw Paluto Restaurant (Dampa, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Sharmila Ihaw-Ihaw Paluto Restaurant’s ambiance recalls that of a cafeteria where wide and bare tables are dominated by families who are prepared to eat like a maharani. This place is often visited by large groups who get a bit of every seafood that’s sold in the Seaside Market. The interior design is pretty simple, suitable for both daylight and evening dining, but not one that could serve as excellent inspiration for a relaxed home.

    We have dined here about three times in a span of five years. I just wondered why the pertinent acoustic band did not play and was not at all present in our most recent visit. On the positive end, it wasn’t noisy so we could hear ourselves talk and converse while dining. Also, I say hooray for there was also not even one toddler in sight racing around! 😛

    The deal-breaker was that air conditioning was not enough to keep the area cool. To compensate, staff put up and turned on standing fans as they were highly requested as necessary.

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    Our food came out almost an hour after we arrived. But that’s quite reasonable since the place was busy with customers and cooking these many food which are not from the menu require much cooking and preparation time. What’s not acceptable was that waiters were not attentive and even rice and tempura sauce were only served after we asked for them in like over five times. The trappings of professionalism was quite missing. 🙁

    Food: ★★★★★

    In a city full of mediocre shrimp-and-grits preparations, Sharmila’s version of Buttered Shrimps is the only one I have tasted that I regard as a must-try. Big word, yeah. These shrimps in orange sauce are the best! There’s no polite way to eat and slurp the sauce. It’s either you take the hard way of removing the shrimps’ shells using spoon and fork or go comfortable by using your hands. And no, there should be no shame in scraping the bits off the plate after you demolish the seafood. But first, make sure you’ve cleaned your hands thoroughly. (Feel free to walk into the faucet just outside the restaurant near the entrance.)

    The Spicy Crab did have a lot of punch in terms of flavor. The crab’s meat ran silkily paired with the spicy red sauce that practically begged to be eaten with plain white rice. By the end of the meal, our dinner table was like a scene of horrific crustacean wreckage, where discarded shells and hollow crab claws litter. Well, it won’t count as a dignified meal if you leave without sauce under your fingernails. 😛

    Filling enough to knock hunger, the Shrimp Tempura was delightful. This is the dish that deserves an obligatory nod to dining customers who don’t know what to order. The fried tempura was well-executed but was not exciting because they tasted like traditional. The crumbs were crisp with enough substance to make their presence known.

    The Steamed Lapu-Lapu (Chinese Style) was equally crave-able. It was seasoned in salt, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce and maybe sugar (because I sensed sweetness in the sauce). It was cooked just right and tasted fresh and gingery without the fishy odor. The leeks enhanced the dish with a complex savory aftertaste in each bite. The sauce was so nice with rice as it sank in and imbued its flavor.

    The Baked Oysters arrived last. The picture-perfect oysters’ exterior gave way to a silky inside. It was a lovely dish where the cheese blended with the butter where we needed a moment to appreciate all of it. And we did; every last drop!

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Sharmila Ihaw-Ihaw Paluto Restaurant is a likeable restaurant in Dampa area. The smell of their food is incredible as it passes through the dining room. This is the kind of eating you want to associate with the holidays — the kind that makes us feel good for years to come. Cooking fee depends on the weight of the seafood and the cooking style. It usually clocks in under PHp 300 for a viand, a true deal for the quality of food you get.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharmila-Ihaw-ihaw-Paluto-Seaside-Macapagal/177423139038892?ref=br_tf” name=”Sharmila Ihaw-Ihaw Paluto Restaurant” description=”Seaside, Macapagal, San Jose, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact +63 9209232340″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-28″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating Hours: 8AM-12MN

    Other branches:
    Seaside, D. Macapagal Avenue, San Dionisio, Paranaque City | +63 9499036931
    Dona Julia Vargas Ave Pasig, Metro Manila | (02) 515-0326