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Category: Pasay

  • Review of Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters (Newport Mall, Pasay City)

    Review of Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters (Newport Mall, Pasay City)

    Last Saturday, I went out with friends to watch The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug at Resorts World Manila’s Ultra Cinema. For the first time, I experienced watching a movie with fully reclining seats, enclosed private cubicles for couples, unlimited popcorn and drinks and a butler who arrives to refill food and drinks as requested through a three-second press of a button. The movie lasted for 161 minutes, and it was not boring at all, to my surprise—considering that I did not watch the first of the trilogy. Right after enjoying the epic fantasy adventure film, we had dinner at Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters. 😀

    Review of Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters (Newport Mall, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters is a casual spot for drinking out with friends. It’s a jazz venue for a quick meal and a glass of wine. The atmosphere was chic and dim, an ideal place to bring your date. The walls popped with wooden brick designs, door and windows that mimic a home. In this essence, dining guests would feel like they are just guests to a friend’s house. Christmas lights were already on, to promote the spirit of the season.

    It has a bar area where a wonderful wine selection is highlighted and absolutely not missed upon entrance. The piano keys on top were eclectic as decor. Modern and at the same time intricate. ♥

    There were also tables and chairs outside. We were seated there and the best part was having a clear view of the performances of local musicians and actors onstage in Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila. It was fun watching them! 🙂

    Service: ★★★★★

    I have nothing against their service. Staff were eloquent and food didn’t take long to come out. Water was refilled and all requests were granted quickly. Customer service at this establishment had that ounce of decent quality we’re all looking forward to meet.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    As an appetizer, the Mardi Gras Nachos (PHp 265) was exquisite. Pardon my ignorance but I just got excited to try out these tricolor corn tortilla with sour cream, sharp cheddar and mango jalapeño salsa. Oh, and there were also bits of grilled chicken barbeque. The nachos tasted ordinarily but it’s good to note they were crispy and I loved the different ingredients used here, especially the mangoes. 😀

    Onions, celery, bell pepper, okra, Andouille sausages (spicy smoked pork), calamari, white shrimps, fish fillet and jambalaya spices — all in one superhero dinner wonder, in less than fifteen minutes. That’s the Seafood Jambalaya (PHp 435) we had, made with the base of most savory Cajun dishes. There was no ingredient that really stood out, but the entire dish was great. The creole rice casserole soaked up all the flavor and it was totally a filling meal.

    The Baked and Blackened Chicken (PHp 399) was quite an intrigue. It’s roasted chicken with blackened seasoning, grilled vegetables and roasted garlic mashed potatoes. This blackened chicken had an awesome spicy exterior and just enough moisture inside. Though eating chicken had slowly faded out of my life, I still get to taste versions of it done in different cuisines once in a while. This time I wasn’t disappointed. The mound of smashed potatoes tasted fine to complement the taste, and It thought grilled red peppers and spicy mayo would as well make good condiments.

    Fans of pastas with truffle cream sauce would be swooned by the quality choice of ingredients of the Black and Gold Pasta (PHp 449). This dish consisted of home-made squid ink languini pasta served with roasted garlic and sauteed oysters as toppings. The oysters were surprisingly fresh with no fishy smell to appall.

    Are these authentic Cajun food? I’m not sure as I’m not familiar with Cajun food and the only previous encounter I had with this cuisine was with Cajun Red Rock which I gave a poor rating, by the way. In contrast, I liked the entrees we sampled at Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    With Christmas and New Year’s approaching, I know that many people are finding interesting places to bring their friends and family to. I’d say this restaurant is a nice choice. Although prices may tend to go over your budget, dishes are unique and you can just take spending as a regular holiday thing.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Orleans-Bourbon-Street-Steaks-Oysters/121400124544705″ name=”Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks and Oysters (Resorts World Manila)” description=”2/F Resorts World Manila, Newport Mall, Newport Blvd Domestic Airport, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 403-8926″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-21″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: 11AM – 12MN

    Other branches in Metro Manila:
    Upper Ground Floor, Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City | 02 9615711, 02 9615712
    Bonifacio Street, Building 5, Bonifacio Global City | 02 8564326
    Ground Floor, South Wing, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City | (02) 5501440

  • Review of Bangus Specialty Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Bangus Specialty Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Bangus has been in the food industry for 31 years, yet we have not dined in this restaurant in those three decades even once—until now. Bangus Restaurant’s first branch is located at Crossroad Arcade in Greenhills, San Juan. It was opened in September 22, 1982 by owners Erlinda de Mesa Yap and Diana de Mesa Santamaria. Since its anniversary, the restaurant has been innovating their dishes to delight food lovers everywhere with mouthwatering milkfish-infused specialty recipes.


    Their house specialties are not limited to bangus; rather, they include Crispy Tadyang ng Baka, Rellenong Manok, Kare-kare Buntot (Ox Tail) and Lechon Kawali as well. I was awed upon seeing many pescetarian-friendly items on the menu:  Sizzling Kangkong, Puso ng Saging, Pinakbet, Tinumok and Lumpiang Capampangan. Other guilt-free dishes are: Ensalada Mangga, Fried Milk Fish Belly with Sampalok Candy Sauce and Crispy Kangkong, Bangus Prime Cut Bistek, and Binusog na Tinapang Bangus.

    Review of Bangus (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    I liked that the ambiance of the room was majestically lit and the walls were painted and designed with bright, mood-boosting colors. The fish on the background was cute, too! 😀 What I didn’t like? The area was cramped, with tables and chairs almost positioned next to each other. There were a lot of dining customers that day and this may be also one reason why air was not that cool.


    Service: ★★★★★

    Staff were attentive and friendly. They aim to please. As we warmed up to our seats, they came instantly to hand us the menu. Food was served after 10-15 minutes as promised, so they’re considerably efficient given that they’re busy.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Few restaurants seem to get everything right; you’d do best to pick your favorite by their specialty. At Bangus, it’s bangus! So we have to order at least one of their best-selling bangus dishes. It took us a while to decide; finally, we got the Sizzling Bangus (PHp 295) and Kare-kareng Bangus (PHp 395).

    Once landed on our table, the accompanying sauce was poured onto the hot plate of Sizzling Bangus, making the entire entree look far more appealing. But in my view, it still lacked the spectacle associated with a similar display of sizzling plates served in other restaurants, since the milkfish did not appear to be juicy but thin and dry. Flavor-wise, the soy sauce used was apparent and the taste of the onions was compelling.

    For the second dish, bangus cooked in the kare-kare was fried, so it missed the tenderness I was expecting. I would want the fish to be just boiled without the crispy exterior and rubbery feel on the inner flesh. Nevertheless, the vegetables soaked up the nutty kare-kare mix — delicious! The broth was so creamy and toothsome. Grab a bowl of hot steamed rice (PHp 50) and enter paradise. We added bagoong (shrimp paste) which made the dish more appetizing.


    The Adobong Sugpo sa Aligi (PHp 390) left such an indelible impression. The tiger shrimps in crab eggs were filled with sweet and briny juices that pool in the curve of the shell. They somewhat tasted like the buttered shrimps at Dampa marinated in orange soda. Such are too rich for everyday eating, but as an occasional treat, they’re well worth the effort and the calories. I thought it’s also good to mention here that the shell was easily removed, implying that the shrimps were not overcooked and they were fresh.

    Staff said that their Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa (PHp 185) recipe includes tiny bits of meat. So we asked to have them removed and make this dish completely vegetarian. Our wish was their command. The sautéed vegetables were crunchy and stayed true to their supposed unique tastes — sweet and savory. I’d prefer coconut milk with thicker cream though.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    As the name suggests, Bangus Specialty Restaurant is predominantly a seafood (bangus) joint. I found their food quite good. The only knock against the dishes is the portion size, which is stingy (see the Sizzling Bangus and Adobong Sugpo sa Aligi as examples) and not tantamount to the prices. Food prices are generally bad news for the wallet.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Bangus.Restaurant” name=”Bangus Specialty Restaurant (Bangus Republic)” description=”Ground Floor, North Wing, Mall of Asia Complex, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 02 5560386, 02 2121212″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-20″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branch:
    Ground Floor, Connecticut Carpark Building 1, Greenhills Shopping Centre, Greenhills, San Juan City | 02 7253038, 02 2121212

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

    Review of Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar (Pasay City)

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

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

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

    Review of Bagaberde 101 Grill and Bar (Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

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

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

    Service: ★★★★★

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

    Food: ★★★☆☆

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

    Vegetable Spring Roll with Vinegar

    Lemongrass Chicken

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

    Grilled Liempo

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

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

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

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Service: ★★★★★

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

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

    Food: ★★★★★

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

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

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

    Operating hours: 10AM-11PM daily

  • Review of Boon Tong Kee 文东记 (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay)

    Review of Boon Tong Kee 文东记 (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay)

    After the unmissable BDJ Power Planner Fair and Scavenger Hunt last Sunday, I had lunch with my family and met Louie in the afternoon. We watched Gravity, a super BORING movie about “a medical engineer and an astronaut working together to survive after an accident that left them adrift in space” starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock.

    Although the special effects were okay, we were totally disappointed at the storyline and the predictable plots, since imdb and Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a high rating. Anyhow, the night didn’t end as tragically as it could have, for a wonderful dinner at Boon Tong Kee, SM Mall of Asia was able to redeem our satisfaction.

    Boon Tong Kee is one of the popular restaurant chains in Singapore which has garnered rave reviews and accolades from both industry luminaries and customers alike. The first branch was built at Balestier Road in 1983. Outlets at MacPherson Road, Whampoa West, River Valley Road, Cheong Chin Nam Road and East Coast Road followed suit. The first country to have its overseas branch is none other than the Philippines.

    Review of Boon Tong Kee 文东记 (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    It was a cozy and quiet place for about 40 people. There was a glass window, making way for connection between the kitchen staff and the customers. The color motif which looked like brownish orange brought out an oriental vibe. The design of the lighting enhanced the effect which suggested “artistry and sophistication through simplicity.” The walls were decorated with framed pictures of food, blending tastefully to provide more accent to the room. Oozing with practicality, overall this restaurant was neat and convenient.

    Diners can choose to either enjoy Manila Bay’s breeze outside in the al fresco setting or stay indoors (albeit air conditioning did not happen to encompass the entire area). The round table by the door is great for people-watching and/or chilling moments. It’s a homely corner that looks just right for a small family.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Our server greeted us with a smile and maintained his graciousness till we left. The food was served in 15 minutes as promised and at perfect temperature. Service was quite remarkable here.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Although this Boon Tong Kee branch is designed with minimal embellishments and isn’t much of a looker, it takes its food dead seriously — presentation-wise and taste-wise. The menu is patterned after the River Valley Road branch in Singapore.

    The Crispy Cereal Prawn (PHp 375, Regular) was the star of the night, leaving me struggling to find suitable adjectives to describe its merit. I thought it was perfect, with lovely fragrant morsels of cereals mixed with pork floss or mahu (肉鬆) that burst into flavorful bites complementing the taste of the freshly cooked big prawns.

    On the other hand, the Sambal Rice (PHp 225) was outstanding as it had just the right balance of heat and spice. It was topped with shrimps, peanuts, vegetables and sambal sauce. Warm and very authentic, it’s one diners should not overlook on the menu when dining at Boon Tong Kee.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    It was an awesome evening of deliciousness that made us feel sated for the night. The portion of the dishes was enough for two or three people to share. I thought the prices were passable and proportionate to the quality received in the food served. So I’m excited to dine in here again; and next time, I gotta try the Baked Prawn with Cheese (PHp 395) and Yam Donut with Typical Seafood (PHp 345). 😀

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/BoonTongKeePH” name=”Boon Tong Kee SM Mall of Asia” description=”2/F, Entertainment Mall, North Wing (by Seaside Blvd), SM Mall of Asia, Jose Diokno Blvd Manila Bay Reclamation Area, Pasay” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 804-2862″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-10-17″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 10am to 10pm; Fri-Sat 10am to 11pm

    Other branches:

    3/F, Power Plant Mall (near cinemas), Makati City
    Operating hours: Mon-Thu 11am to 9pm; Fri 11am to 10pm; Sat 10am to 10pm; Sun 10am to 9pm
    Contact number: (02) 890-0160

    310 Tomas Morato Avenue (near ABS-CBN), Quezon City
    Operating hours:  Mon-Thu 11am to 9pm; Fri 11am to 10pm; Sat 10am to 10pm; Sun 10am to 9pm

  • Review of Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant – MetroDeal Buffet (Pasay City)

    Review of Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant – MetroDeal Buffet (Pasay City)

    The Seaside Market in Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Manila is a seafood lovers’ destination. It houses a vast array of “paluto” restaurants and a market selling various types of fresh seafood. The concept is that customers would buy whatever food from the market and choose any dampa restaurant that would cook and serve the food for a reasonable price. Because of its uniqueness, both tourists and locals alike treasure this place a lot.

    Last Wednesday night, we had an eat-all-you-can buffet dinner at Josefina Garden Grill & Restaurant (via online deal: PHp 299 pax instead of PHp 500).

    This food establishment is owned by Josefina “Ka Josie” Salamat who started her first food business back in 1978. Who knew that, without garnering any formal education and training in culinary, her business would blossom to a number of other ventures such as  Cocina Pampanguena, Cocina Oriental, Café Josefina, and Josefina Garden Grill & Restaurant?

    Interestingly, Josefina Garden Grill & Restaurant serves Filipino and international cuisines—dishes that other dampa restaurants usually do not serve. Filipino “carinderia” fare in gourmet style, anyone?

    Review of Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant – MetroDeal Buffet (Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Upon entrance, dining guests would walk into a straight narrow path with their kitchen on the side. Diners may choose to be seated indoor (air-conditioned) or outdoor in the “garden area.”

    The walls were painted in yellow and there were nice decors hanged on the wall and from the ceiling, belying a sort of industrial Jungle Book vibe. While ample lighting was provided inside, the buffet area which was located outside was dim.

    The number of tables and chairs could accommodate more than a hundred people, so I thought Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant could easily be a good venue for parties and events which require hosting of at least 60 attendees. The place could get pretty noisy though; when we were there, the “soundtrack” was like a steady roar of celebration-driven chatter and jubilation.

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    Since this is a self-service buffet setting, almost everything relied on the diner’s hands. Plates and cutlery were placed on the buffet table. People loaded up their own plates. Other than that, service was a little scattered. There was no effort in keeping the food warm and from the looks of it, the staffs were not concerned about waiting time since they did not take immediate action in refilling emptied or nearly empty food trays. Also, it took so long for them to get us house water. 😥

    Food: ★★☆☆☆

    Included in the buffet were steamed white rice, fried rice, kare-kare, mussels baked with melted cheese and herbs, vegetables cooked with coconut milk (gata), fried lumpiang toge (spring rolls), chicken, canton guisado, grilled fish, pork barbeque, pork sisig, shabu-shabu soup with noodles, ampalaya-eggplant-cucumber salad with Thai vinaigrette, and desserts (mixed fruits and kakanin: biko, maja blanca, turon and baked cassava). They all stick to the taste of classic Filipino food we recognize closely.

    I don’t know about the meats and I did not touch the salads, but the baked tahong was a let-down. My heart sank. There’s no specific dish you should really trek here for. The vegetable dishes tasted average but because most of them were already cold and unheated, I thought overall Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant’s offerings including presentation for buffet were below satisfactory.

    Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

    I found little in Josefina Garden Grill and Restaurant’s plethora of buffet food to merit a supposedly PHp 500 price tag. With some fancied-up and re-interpreted versions of local cuisines in Manila, price hikes must come with not just higher quality ingredients and nicer service but a chef’s individual take on the food as well. Charge per person with the 40% discount will just be fair to be set as the regular price. Then again, it’s still expensive and I suggest you enjoy Tramway Bayview Buffet instead if you’re eyeing for a cheap buffet restaurant in Pasay.

    Update: CLICK HERE to read my review of their a la carte dishes.

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    Operating hours: 10AM-11PM daily

  • Review of Tramway Bayview Buffet (Pasay City)

    Review of Tramway Bayview Buffet (Pasay City)

    Looking for a cheap but good buffet restaurant in Manila? There’s no doubt about it – Tramway Bayview Buffet just might end your long search. Tramway reigns king when it comes to presentable, super affordable buffet-style Chinese, Japanese and Filipino food choices in the city.

    Last Thursday, my mom who’s a sucker for all-you-can-eat buffets was craving to dine in at Tramway’s branch along Roxas Boulevard since she was too tired (and dramatically “lonely”) to cook. So we slipped into the venue at about 8:30PM just in time.

    Review of Tramway Bayview Buffet (Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    With so many great restaurants in Pasay City saturating the foodie market, this buffet restaurant may be easy to overlook – unless of course, you’re one of those working or residing in one of the establishments and office buildings nearby.

    Tramway’s interior design is quite simple. All the chairs and red linen-topped tables are placed on the rectangular area without divisions. So this place is not a pretty good one to chair and hold private meetings. Also, because of the loud/noisy RnB music playing on the background, you could hardly hear anyone unless you opt to go to their function rooms, or wait until one song is finally over.

    Rates of function rooms are as follows:
    Restaurant Exclusive (good for 950-1050pax)
    4 Open Dining Exclusive (good for 350-850 pax)
    4 Big Function Rooms (good for 100-150 pax each)
    4 Medium Function Rooms (good for 50 pax each)
    4 Small Function Rooms (good for 12 pax each)

    Service: ★★★☆☆

    This is a self-service restaurant. Upon entering through their glass doors, we were not accompanied or helped by any of their staff to find clean and empty tables. We walked through the aisles, found one by ourselves and started to get food. The only things the server did were leaving a pitcher of water when we were seated and giving the bill out as it was called for.

    Food: ★★☆☆☆

    What do Steamed Fish, Sweet & Sour Pork, Vegetable w/ garlic, Fried Chicken and Tofu have in common? Not much, except they were all served in Tramway for both lunch and dinner. Other staple dishes are Yang Chow Fried Rice, Pancit Canton Guisado, Pasta (Spaghetti and Linguini with White and Red Sauces), Dices of Raddish Cake, Clams and Chicken Feet.

    We ate to our heart’s content but still spared some space in our stomachs for the side dishes: California Maki, Century Egg, Chinese Dimsum, Vegetable Salad, Tossed Lettuce, Carrots, Cucumbers and Onions (with Salad Dressing: Thousand Island Sauce) and Macaroni Salad.

    For desserts, we had Fresh Fruits (Watermelon, Papaya and Pineapple), Assorted Gelatin (coffee and pandan) and Assorted Puto.

    Food quality and taste were on the lower scale of average. Sigh. I don’t count myself any satisfied. The taste test here failed pathetically.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    All the food above were for PHp 248 (no drinks included) per head. Senior citizens even have 20% discount, and rate for children who stand below four feet is at PHp 181 per head.

    True, the price is considerably cheap for buffet; judging based on the food though, value is low. Exerting her utmost disappointment, my mom said the price should be only at PHp 150 pax. 😀

    [schema type=”review” name=”Tramway Bayview Buffet” description=” 1600 Roxas Boulevard, Corlayug Street, San Jose, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines” rev_name=” Contact number: (02) 5360402″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-07-27″ user_review=”11″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Lunch Time:
    1st Batch – 11:00am to 1:00pm
    2nd Batch – 1:00pm to 3:00pm
    Dinner Time:
    1st Batch – 6:00pm to 8:00pm
    2nd Batch – 8:00pm to 10:00pm

    Other Branches:
    1. Tramway Buffet Plaza
    Lower Ground Floor, Worldwide Corporate Center, Shaw Boulevard, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City
    Contact numbers: (02) 8617129, (02) 7066351
    2. Tramway Garden Buffet
    65 Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City
    Contact number: (02) 4152005
    3. Tramway Tea House
    Alcaraz Street, Santo Domingo, Quezon City
    Contact number: (02) 4111565

  • Review of Movie Stars Cafe and Restaurant: Dino Buffet (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Movie Stars Cafe and Restaurant: Dino Buffet (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Whoever came up with that saying “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” is mostly right. (But I’d like to insert “or woman” and “or her” there as it fits rightfully as well for women.) Add fancy entertainment into the mix and you’ve really got it made. This is especially true when you’re with the best people of your life. 😛

    Mom bought vouchers from MetroDeal when Movie Stars Cafe and Restaurant first opened its doors early this year. As for us, we just trusted her smart pick and like always, she’s right. We had a great time having dinner at Movie Stars Cafe last Friday night, when in a moment of weakness, we “acted like kids again,” in awe of characters which starred in different movies.

    There were the likes of Supergirl, Star Wars, Spiderman, Peter Pan, Optimus Prime, BumbleBee, Atom, Super Mario, Snow White, Cinderella, etc. They all came in costume, performed on stage and even served food to the customers’ tables. It’s hard to believe that they dance, sing and act every day from 12NN to past 12AM. (See business hours at the end of the post.) Amazing, I know.

    Review of Movie Stars Cafe and Restaurant: Dino Buffet (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    As you can see in the picture, Movie Stars Cafe is surrounded with props inspired from blockbuster movies literally everywhere. From the walls, the statues displayed, outside facade and even the restaurant staff, the entire area is surrounded with your favorite movie stars. Customers can even interact with some characters on the flesh. Giant spotlights are positioned to shine on the statues and the sets of performers on the center of the stage. While watching their acts and taking pictures with them, you can also view movies on their four big screens and hundreds of monitors.

    All these imply a strong and unique ambiance for customers to enjoy everything in sight, discouraging them from leaving the place early.

    Service: ★★★★★

    From afar, I could already feel the warm hospitality of waiters and waitresses dressed like actors and actresses around Movie Stars Cafe. They gave me an impression that they were ready to serve and ready to make customers happy while bringing them back to childhood years for hours.

    And yes, service was excellent. Staff in costumes were enthusiastic in serenading and approaching guests to make sure everyone has got a good laugh with them making funny faces and posing gestures of their character. They were proactive in asking if it’s okay to get our used plates and utensils and refill our glasses with water whenever they pass by.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Maybe for the “more carnivorous type” of people, the dishes would be rated as “great.” But for me, they were okay. There were lots of choices in Dino Buffet though, most or all of which were of American; namely, Hungarian sausages, grilled burger patties and burger buns, hotdogs and hotdog buns, DIY salad, beef steak, chopped Teriyaki chicken, pasta, fish fillet, potato wedges, veggies, onion rings and bacon. For the desserts, we had pastries, cake and fruits such as pineapple and watermelon.

    The buffet table was U-shaped, with the big dinosaur’s (T-Rex) head draping in the middle section. Behind it stood the kitchen where customers can see chefs and the staff preparing and cooking food.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    The discount we got from the MetroDeal voucher cut 43% off the original price (from PHp 699, to PHp 399 per head). Basing on the food alone, the cost of the bill wasn’t worth it, for me. However, adding in the one-of-a-kind movie-themed performances, live bands and overall dining-experience-turned-dining-adventure to consideration, the value was very worth the promotional price. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MovieStarsCafe” name=”Movie Stars Cafe and Restaurant (Near Vikings)” description=”Seaside Blvd, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay, Luzon, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 0905-277-9999″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-03-25″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Mondays to Thursdays – 12PM to 2AM
    Fridays to Saturdays – 12PM to 4AM
    Days before holiday – 12PM to 4AM
    Sundays and holidays – 12PM to 12AM