Rochkirstin | com

Category: Quezon City

  • Review of A Taste of L.A. (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Review of A Taste of L.A. (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Louie, my boyfriend, and I had dinner last Sunday at A Taste of L.A. (or “L.A. Cafe”) in Don A. Roces Avenue, Tomas Morato, Quezon City. I give all credit to him for always finding unique places where we can spend a romantic night out. The fine quality food served complemented with dedicated service by this restaurant made our overall dining experience especially memorable, as we celebrated our sixth Valentine’s Day together. 🙂

    Review of A Taste of L.A. (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    As the saying goes, we should not judge a book by its cover. A Taste of L. A. has been opened since 1995. While its exterior looked pretty shabby, seemingly reflecting how the building has aged through the years, the interior design still offers an old-world charm that’s all about the details.

    From the historic wood-paneled walls to the pieces of paintings displayed in every room, A Taste of L.A. is filled with quaint and romantic touches.

    Its outdoor space is equally as wonderful, with an unexpected water fountain that works as a good backdrop for picture-taking.

    Since we came at nighttime, the tables were just lit with candles. Match the dim ambiance with understated decors and relaxing instrumental music, and you get the feeling of coziness you deserve on a date.

    What also exuded sophistication and elegance was how the different neighboring tables were set to fit over a hundred customers in two separate levels. We had a tour prior sitting down and found the entire arrangement tasteful, one that gives exclusivity or that desired level of privacy.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Despite the large number of guests (mostly couples) celebrating Valentine’s Day, there was no hiccup with the efficiency of service. The attendants never slowed down or were sub par. They were knowledgeable about the menu and also paid close attention to make sure that meals take place with enjoyment. All in all, they showcased a balanced warmth of friendliness and professionalism.

    Food: ★★★★★

    We shared a bowl of the Fresh Onion Soup (PhP 380) as a starter.  Baked with a crust of Emmental and Gruyère cheese, the soup had a combination of slightly sweet and salty flavors with watery consistency. The bubbling crust of cheese was somewhat like mozzarella—gooey, nutty, and sharp. Its fragrance and savory texture managed to bring the simple onion soup to a next level.

    For the main courses, we went for the house recommendations. A Taste of L.A.’s U.S. Rib Eye Salpicao Rice (PhP 560) was amazing and became our easy favorite. The steak cubes cut size was just great for chewing, and the marinade composed of garlic and chili did not overwhelm the beef. I suddenly remembered The Nest’s version of Beef Salpicao. (I can’t decide which one fared the notch better.) The bed of garlic fried rice was also tasty, and there was nothing to complain about.


    Cooked to perfection, the Grilled Chicken “Hotel de Paris” (PhP 520) with fresh mushrooms, smoky bacon, BĂŠarnaise sauce, and mashed potatoes on the side was another winning dish that’s well prepared by the cafĂŠ. The name sounded a mouthful but a delicious one. A twist to the tandoori chicken, the grilled chicken was tender and juicy. A worthy shout out was the BĂŠarnaise sauce which was made of clarified butter emulsified in egg yolks, white wine vinegar, and flavored with herbs. Thumbs up!


    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Reminiscing the meal, I realized that A Taste of L.A. (L.A. Cafe) in an almost-hidden spot near the popular commercial area of Tomas Morato did a sublime job in injecting Italian and American food selections into the menu while retaining conventional Filipino recipes. They also offer a fine collection of wine and various types of liquor to choose from.

    If you are looking for a decent venue in QC to discuss business ventures, catch up with friends and associates, or impress someone and are willing to spend about PhP 500-1000/pax, A Taste of L.A. is the place to be.

    [schema type=”review” name=”A Taste of L.A. ” description=”171 Don A. Roces Avenue, Tomas Morato, Laging Handa, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries/reservations, call 374-2461, 415-7911″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-02-16″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Milk Cow Philippines (Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City)

    Review of Milk Cow Philippines (Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City)

    Friends in Eastwood, you’re in luck! At the end of a hectic work week (or day), you have a new chill spot where you can wind down, relax and enjoy healthy dessert options just nearby. This spot I’m talking about is a premium organic dessert cafe called Milk Cow located at the ground floor of Eastwood Mall in Libis, Quezon City.

    Milk Cow serves organic soft ice cream, coffee, macarons and other sweet treats. What’s so interesting about it? You may ask. Well, there’s a lot of cafes and restaurants popping up in all corners of the city serving ice cream, but you will be fascinated to try Milk Cow’s version as it’s made from organic cow’s milk. Hence the name, Milk Cow! 😉

    Milk Cow is originally from South Korea and has branches in Japan, Malaysia and now the Philippines. It opened its first store in the country last Saturday, December 20, 2014. As a treat for its grand opening, Milk Cow Philippines offered one free ice cream for the first 200 customers to line up starting at 2PM—right after the ribbon-cutting. I was pleased and honored to be one of the chosen bloggers invited to cover the event. 🙂

    President of Milk Cow Philippines Seann Tan

    Review of Milk Cow Philippines (Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    With a relatively small interior fit for no more than four tables, you can be assured privacy with quiet ambiance. It’s spacious enough to go around without bumping other customers. Color theme is cheerful and pleasant to the eyes.

    There were no displayed frills on walls, but one thing that rendered me to slow down and take a second look was the playing Milk Cow ad at the cashier. Lee Jong Suk and Go Joon Hee looked so cute! 🙂

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was immaculate. You can expect utmost attentiveness to your needs from the friendly staff behind the counter. The team is knowledgeable and is fast to serve orders. Other than that, I see that everything else is self-service.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Milk Cow has taken South Korea by storm since 2013, and I’m quite positive that it will do the same here in the Philippines. The menu looked so concise and neat, starring organic soft ice cream and an assortment of toppings.

    Going by the staff’s recommendation, I got the best-selling variant: Milky Cube “M3” (PhP 170) which is ice cream in cup paired with the natural honeycomb.

    I love the taste and fragrance of cow’s milk, so I instantly fell in love with this one, too. Smooth and creamy, Milk Cow’s ice cream was well-balanced in its sweetness and had fresh dairy flavor, unlike ordinary ice cream that’s made from heavy whipping cream.

    Moreover, what’s amazing was that the honey in the honeycomb was naturally sweet—sugar-free and preservative-free. Since I could not “chop” the honeycomb to smaller, bite-size pieces using the plastic spoon provided, I just chewed the entire cube to drain the honey in my mouth. It felt like eating honey straight from the hive. The Milky Cube was a clear winner and I almost couldn’t get enough of it! 😛

    The sheer indulgence was followed by another great tasting experience. I tried two flavors of Milk Cow’s macarons, namely the Baileys (PhP 60) and the Salted Caramel (PhP 60).

    Packed in individual plastic pouches, both macarons were flawless and were not overly crumbly or messy. The shells were consistent top and bottom.

    With thick creamy layers, the macarons were rich, equally chewy, and sweet without being overpowering. Each tasted distinctly and true to flavor. I liked the Salted Caramel more as it had the perfect balance of caramel and a hint of salt that I craved. ♥

    Update (Posted on January 19, 2015):

    Yesterday, I returned to Milk Cow this time with my family as anticipated. 🙂 Among the 12 varieties, the three that appealed most to my dad and sister’s liking were the Milky Cube (M3), Green Light (M6), and Mango Tree (M9). Green Light was made with mint syrup and almond crumble. After finishing one spoonful, I knew and declared that this addictive flavor is my new favorite. On the other hand, the Mango Tree didn’t taste bad either. Topped with cotton candy, the soft ice cream’s dominating taste was that of apple syrup and tangy/sweet mango slices.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    The idea of soft ice cream and honey together is something new in my book. I will definitely return for a second round. The Milky Honey “M2” (PhP 150) also looked interesting. It’s complemented with natural liquid honey, which is 100% natural honey from honey farms in Tasmania and Sydney. Wow!

    I personally think that prices of items here are quite reasonable since Milk Cow uses organic and quality ingredients. Also, when compared to other ice cream parlors and cafes or stalls selling ice cream, prices are at par.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MilkcowPH/” name=”Milk Cow” description=”Ground Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City (across California Pizza Kitchen and Mr. Kurosawa)” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-12-23″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of K&L Cafe by Blushing Cupcakes (White Plains, Quezon City)

    Review of K&L Cafe by Blushing Cupcakes (White Plains, Quezon City)

    K&L Cafe by Blushing Cupcakes is a sweet respite from the bustling city. Opened by sisters Karen and Loren De Guzman whose hobby in baking and making food grew to a store front, this cafe is a homey and cozy space conveniently located along Katipunan Avenue (beside BPI and across Pan de Amerikana). My initial impression on K&L Cafe was that it only serves cupcakes and pastries. After a careful review on their menu followed by our actual site visit, we learned that there’s more to this cafe than cupcakes. 🙂

    The enthusiastic owners welcomed us and proudly recommended their craft to satisfy our food cravings. What resulted was an uninterrupted four-hours-long engaging conversation over food and drinks. Time really flies when you’re having fun!

    Review of K&L Cafe by Blushing Cupcakes (White Plains, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    After a long drive from Manila, we finally reached K&L Cafe and were totally pleased with its relaxing and charming vibe. It’s the type of cafe that will make you want to look around and just chill, just as you would enjoy a visit at a friend’s home.

    The color theme of the interior makes for a refined and classy look throughout the two-storied cafe. The fixtures perfectly fit the cafe’s personality, while attractive decorations and memorabilia on the walls can easily stimulate discussion.

    A rack of items from Baguio are up for sale, and we found that it’s a clever way on how Karen and Loren share their childhood memories from their hometown. All these sum up to a great visual experience which makes guests feel cool to be in the place.

    There’s no doubt that K&L Cafe’s ambiance is great. However, I do suggest that they play soft music on the background to help create a nicer mood. it’s a good place to have some downtime while digging into some decent sweet treats.

    Service: ★★★★★

    If I had to describe their customer service in a word, it would be genuine. From the people working in the cafe to the food they serve, you can feel the genuineness shining through. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive, so don’t be shy to approach and ask for food and drink recommendations.

    Food: ★★★★★

    As a starter, the Session Salad with Strawberry Wine Vinaigrette (PhP 175) reminded us vaguely of Session Road in Baguio City. Just like Session Road, this salad came out exciting with fresh greens, Sagada orange segments, candied nuts and feta cheese. Given its fanciful name, the salad had an interesting mixture that tasted well when put together. It was my first time to sample Sagada oranges and felt glad that they didn’t overpower the dish but only added a slightly citrus twist to it.

    An innocent-looking pizza, the Pizza Margherita (PhP 315) was grilled in medium crust with portion that’s good enough for more than two or three people to share. The dough was godly, just light with a little bit of chew. Overall, this Pizza Margherita is a classic done exactly right.

    Next, we had Mommy’s Pasta (PhP 197) made with olive, capers, tomatoes, basil and feta cheese. While it didn’t have that zesty sauce I’m used to, the pasta was good as it was neither limp nor tasted microwaved. My dad must have liked this vegetarian-friendly pasta so much that he recalled how delicious it was once again the next day when we were having breakfast at home.

    Far from being vegetarian, my mom was particularly excited about Daddy’s Bourbon American Ribs (PhP 295) which were very tender and rich in bourbon barbecue sauce. Served with mountain red rice and veggies, the ribs are guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. I heard that this dish is the main reason why most people come to K&L Cafe. So you get the point: it is something you should not miss out.

    The last course completing our lunch was Ilocos Bagnet and Tomato Salsa (PhP 265). Bagnet is deep fried pork’s meat known as a “foodie treasure” in the province of Ilocos, Philippines. Crunchy, yummy and excellent when dipped in vinegar, Karen and Loren Cafe’s version was one of the best cooked bagnet we’ve tried so far. If you haven’t craved for bagnet before, you will after you try this.

    Drinks

    K&L’s Hot Peppermint Vanilla Latte (PhP 105) was a more subtle variant to Starbucks’ Peppermint Mocha which is basically coffee with a splash of peppermint. I did enjoy the balance of bitterness, sweetness, and a hint of mint. The more sips I took of this drink, the more I loved it.

    The Iced Cappuccino (PhP 115) had a lingering aftertaste which was mildly bitter. Bits of cappuccino powder on top really hit the spot! This cold drink will be enough to fuel you to survive a sunny day.

    We know that Baguio is known for strawberry food products and strawberries freshly picked from the Strawberry Farm of La Trinidad. Now we’re not sure if the strawberries put in the Famous Strawberry Calamansi (PhP 95) were sourced straight from Baguio. Anyway, it’s worth mentioning that they were really juicy. The calamansi component didn’t taste too tart and not too strongly citrus, just the way we liked it.

    With freshly squeezed lemons and pulps of oranges, the Lemon with Sagada Orange (PhP 95) was a great combo by itself. It was nice enough to merit a “wow” factor for a refreshing drink.

    Desserts

    For desserts, we were served with a platter of cupcakes: S’mores Cupcake (PhP 75), French Vanilla Cupcake (PhP 67), Oreo Loaf with Coffee Kick Cupcake (PhP 67) and Mangoes and Cream with Rum Caramel Cupcake (PhP 75).

    Topped with a generous amount of soft cream and other ingredients distinct to each flavor, these cupcakes were so good and not too sweet. The texture of the cupcakes was just fluffy enough for my liking. Unlike the usual type which tend to be overly dry or the opposite—moist or dense, these felt more like cake and seemed more fitting to be called a dessert. I actually could not decide which one among the four I liked best. Each one was a mouthful of happiness, a great meal-ender. But still if you insist to ask, you may want to trust my sister’s taste. She raved the S’mores Cupcake most. 🙂

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    If there’s one cafe in Katipunan that you must visit, this is it. Indeed, K and L by Blushing Cupcakes didn’t fail our expectations, with exceptional service and comfort food. Students of schools and universities in the area are most fortunate as they can come in anytime during operation hours which start as early as 7AM and end at 9PM. Prices of food are affordable. I hope they remain so in the future or until our next visit. 😛 Check out their menu here.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/KandLCafe” name=”K&L Cafe by Blushing Cupcakes” description=”138 Katipunan Ave cor St Ignatius White Plains, Quezon City (Beside BPI and across Pan de Amerikana)” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 234-5965″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-12-16″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Update:

    K&L Cafe offers a special PRE-VALENTINE’S promotion: Pay only PhP 500 for a super delicious meal and save PhP 300! To avail of the offer, you just have to print this coupon and present it to K&L’s cashier. Note: You may print as many as you like. This is good for dine-in and to-go transactions.

    Promo lasts until February 10, 2015.

  • Review of King Chef Dimsum Kitchen (Banawe, Quezon City)

    Review of King Chef Dimsum Kitchen (Banawe, Quezon City)

    It has been a while since I last hit up Banawe Avenue in Quezon City (now dubbed as the “second Chinatown”) for a meal. Why? I live in Binondo, at the heart of the first and original Chinatown in Metro Manila, Philippines. Delicious, authentic and solid Chinese food to us is just within an arm’s reach. In rare occasions though, we also try and venture out to discover snazzy Chinese restaurants outside our perimeter and see if the trip would or won’t be worth the trip.

    Yesterday was one of those times. We recently heard that King Chef has opened a new branch in Banawe called King Chef Dimsum Kitchen following the success of its flagship branch. What else could we have had at this restaurant? Dim sum (点心), of course! 😛

    As a culinary adventure, eating dim sum is a casual affair that’s better enjoyed with a large bunch of people. Especially since King Chef serves over a hundred different kinds of dim sum, you would want to try more—without having to spend more individually and take more than your body can absorb at a time. It also feels fun and rewarding to anticipate and converse about the dim sum with friends/family once the bamboo steamer is lifted and the food is revealed.

    King Chef Dimsum Kitchen offers price discounts on its dim sum during these hours: Morning Tea Time (8AM-10AM), Afternoon Tea Time (2PM-5PM) and Late Night Tea Time (9PM-12MN) daily. If this sounds good to you, take advantage of their promotion and plan for a dining schedule now. 🙂 Here’s a sneak peek and review of the food according to my taste buds.

    Review of King Chef Dimsum Kitchen (Banawe, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Apparently, King Chef Dimsum Kitchen is where community feeding sessions can be held in mass. This is a restaurant meant for big groups, with square tables that can be easily merged together. If you need a venue for birthday parties and any other celebrations, this Chinese banquet hall has got you covered. The interior design is aesthetically pleasing without much frills. I’m contented with the cleanliness of the space, bright lighting and decent furniture. The place can get a little noisy when it’s filled with more customers but that’s fine with me as I’m already used to the certain festive bustle or the 热闹 (re-nao) ambiance in most Chinese restaurants.

    Food: ★★★★★

    King Chef Dimsum Kitchen’s menu is organized into categories: Congee, Steamed Dim Sum, Fried Dim Sum, Noodles and Soups, Rice Toppings, Breakfast Sets, Lunch Sets, Rice Rolls, Drinks and Desserts. Everything is characterized by the food’s distinctive taste and the great care taken in its preparation. If you’re a dim sum novice, the key to ordering properly—a lesson not better learned the hard way—is to order at least one from each category.

    Over 30+ dim sum were served to us, but I have carefully selected only those that appealed to me the most:

    Crispy Duck Wantons (PhP 120 regular/PhP 68 promo) featured the concept of fried pork wanton balls, except that the fillings are changed to duck meat. Pan-fried to a light crisp, this was quite a contentment as the duck meat was perfectly minced inside. Get this as an appetizer or an entrĂŠe. However you choose to go about it, make sure it’s on the table. It’s nothing short of amazing!

    The Shanghai-style Xiao Long Bao (PhP 150, 6 pieces) was good but not as delightful as the others that I’ve had. I thought it’s a litlte dry and lacked on the soup, but that’s maybe because we didn’t eat it at once. For that matter, a return visit and reorder would make a justification.

    The Beancurd Roll (PhP 105 regular/PhP 62 promo) was dense and so good that I didn’t bother to know what’s stuffed inside (ground pork? shrimp? mushroom? veggeis?). That rarely happens. I just managed to swallow the half portion entirely and nodded my head in the affirmative: yes, it’s delicious! 🙂

    Looking cute and awesome, the Carrot Rolls (PhP 90 regular/PhP 62 promo) are not actually carrots but rolls which are only made to look like carrots. Don’t get fooled. 😆 Points are definitely added for creativity. These are filled with lin yong (lotus seed paste)—the same primary ingredient in traditional mooncakes. I would have preferred it to have a stronger dose of carrot flavor to match expectation somehow.

    Another aromatic dim sum dish was the Pumpkin Balls (PhP 90 regular/PhP 62 promo) which stood out for me also because I would never have expected that it’s also stuffed with linyong inside. The texture was fine and smooth like butter and the taste was not too sweet, so there isn’t anything bad to say about it. I bet kids would love it. It’s perfect for Halloween!

    When meat meets vegetables to form a dumpling, good things happen. This is exactly the case with the Chiu Chow Style Kuchay Dumplings (PhP 95 regular/PhP 62 promo). I enjoyed a plump piece of it and appreciated the mix of flavors and textures in one bite. Wrapped in soft rice paper wrapper, the dumpling wasn’t far too heavy-handed on the kuchay, so for those who are members of the “anti Chinese chives and coriander community,” please don’t say no to this right away. Give it a try!

    Doused in sweet soy sauce, the Vegetarian Rice Rolls (PhP 95) were thick, chewy, and not too sticky. They’re made with vegetables including my favorite enoki mushrooms (Japanese golden mushrooms)! 😀 I really miss eating enoki mushrooms because they’re hard to find here in local groceries and markets. This is one of my favorites.

    Having that squidgy slightly sweet inner wall, the Ham Soy Kok/ Ham Sui Gok 咸水角 (PhP 95 regular/PhP 62 promo) or fried pork dumplings were wonderful. Some people describe it as tikoy (glutinous rice cake) with gorgeous savory pork filling inside. Everyone of us liked it, thanks to the savory crisp and chewy mochi-like skin.

    The Hakaw (PhP 110 regular/PhP 68 promo) or shrimp dumpling is one of my staple orders at every dimsum restaurant I go to. This version hasn’t disappointed at all. The prawns used inside were clean and fresh with a natural sweetness that’s hard to resist. The dumpling skin was thin enough to keep the fillings wrapped and not fall apart upon the first bite.

    If you want something similar to hakaw but then something more unique, take the Bird’s Eye Dumplings (PhP 110 regular/PhP 68 promo). It’s made with bouncy prawn, asparagus, carrot and fish wrapped in translucent skin resulting to a savory taste. I think of it as the old school hakaw with differing textures and a hidden bonus.

    An explosion of sweet and slightly salty flavors, the taro used in the Taro Puff (PhP 120) was fresh and refined. Drizzling a piece with the sweet sauce enhanced the natural taste of taro. I like adding chili sauce for a complete knockout as spicy food often wake up my senses and increase my appetite. The taro puff is a timeless classic that has been nicely done. Overall, it’s complete and well-balanced with the almost bland-tasting outer crust layer (nest).

    By the look of it, the Beef Wanton Noodles (PhP 190) was just another bowl of standard Chinese noodles, except that this noodle and soup dish dominated in a head-to-head battle against being soggy, over-salty version some of us are used to getting. With a bit of spicy kick on the broth, these are great noodles with solid bites of protein and vegetables along the way.

    The Bola Bola Congee (PhP 130) tasted rich and velvety. It was very fragrant, cooked Cantonese-style that’s boiled until it’s mashy and rather soupy. Coming from a Cantonese family, I have always liked this type of congee since I was younger and shall love it most probably for the rest of my life. It’s warm, soothing and memorable.

    For desserts, the Mango Balls (PhP 85 regular/PhP 62 promo) brought that subtle sweetness that lingers in the mouth. They’re basically a doughy treat of mango mochi filled with a small mango piece inside and sprinkled with coconut flakes. The presentation was mediocre but these mango balls are a great way to end a fulfilling meal.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    With “dum sum” forming part of its name, we’re pretty much guaranteed to have a good meal at King Chef Dimsum Kitchen. Price range is around PhP 80-PhP 150 for most items, and this is actually not bad given the high quality of ingredients used and creative presentations of food. If you’re hunting high and low for the best dim sum restaurant in the metro, note that King Chef must be included in the list.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/kingchefph” name=”King Chef Dimsum Kitchen” description=”238 Banawe corner Pagataan St. Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 361-0571 and 361-1332″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-25″ user_review=”13″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Mon: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
    Tue: 11:00 am – 12:00 am
    Wed – Sat: 7:00 am – 12:00 am
    Sun: 7:00 am – 11:00 pm

    Other branches: King Chef Seafood Restaurant

    • 987-989 Banawe St, Quezon City 3527534 | Call 4136619, 4414177, 6977781 or delivery hotline 4104919
    • 2F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo, Manila | Call 7208594, 466 5765 (read my review here)
  • Review of Sango! The Burger Master (Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City)

    Review of Sango! The Burger Master (Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City)

    I have published a review of Sango! The Burger Master before. It was in early 2013 when we last visited its branch in Tomas Morato. There have been many times when I wanted to go for a return visit. Perhaps some divine force in the universe didn’t want me to push through with the plan, because apparently, all branches of Sango! were closed last year. If you’ve been a fan, don’t feel so sad—because there’s  good news: With a change in ownership, Sango! The Burger Master is now revived with its new store on Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. It had just opened its doors this June 2014, across ADMU. Everyone is welcome! 😛

    Review of Sango! The Burger Master (Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    The new owners must have intended that patrons would have a consistent feel from the “old Sango” to the new one. I appreciated that the decorations and overall theme remained the same (except that there’s no more mangas displayed as a stack on shelves). The playful color scheme, a TV playing Japanese television shows and origimami pieces created and left by customers are some of the things inherited from the previous Sango branches. The place is very clean and bright, just the way I like it.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    I felt that there’s a short of staff here especially when there are more customers expected in peak hours. The orders came out quite slower than expected. This is maybe because the staffs in the kitchen need more practice in preparing food faster. Waiting time was tolerable and okay if you’re enjoying a good conversation with friends or are busy with following instructions on how to create origami while reading the books. Another consolation was that the server was friendly, attentive and accommodating throughout our stay.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    We’ve noticed some changes in the menu like cutting down on the variations of burgers available and adding more sides. The signature Master Burgers, Master Fries, and Matcha Azuki Milkshake are still present. For some people, that’s all that matters. As an added note, we were told that they’re now using angus beef for the Yakiniku Rice Burger recipe instead of the regular prime beef.

    Now, let’s do the food rundown.

    If plain burger does not do it for you, go find yourself some freedom. Compliment an order of the Yakiniku Kimchi Rice Burger (PhP 185) and Master Fries (PhP 115). These are my personal favorites. The kimchi didn’t have as much spicy kick as I envisioned but it was very delicious. I’m a big fan of the flavor! The fries, on the side, are a clean, quality choice if you’re into the greasy and cheesy stuff. It’s made with the Master sauce, just the best. Don’t forget to apologize to your diet afterwards. 😉

    The Yakiniku Rice Burger (PhP 160) was also a good try. I’ve tried this before and for the second time around, I found it impressive. The strips of beef were so thin and easy to chew on, nothing fatal. Don’t consider skipping out on this.

    Compared to the rice burgers (which we ate with a complete set of plate, spoon and fork), I liked the Master Double Cheese Burger (PhP 215) less. I have to say the Master sauce was a good touchdown moment.

    Garnished with veggies and onions, the Chili Dog (PhP 120) got A for flavor and it’s exactly what you think it is. The bun is soft and the hotdog tasted decent, but there’s nothing really special.

    A recommended order for lunch would be the Oyakudon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl) (PhP 150). With perfectly simmered boneless chicken thighs and beaten eggs in runny texture, the whole mixture was comforting.

    The little chunks of crunchy fried chicken on Sango’s Teri Karaage Don (PhP 165) were moist on the inside, very crisp on the outside and the flavor had a tantalizing marination in pungent brine.

    The cooling flavor of the melon in the Honeydew Ice Cream Shake (PhP 90) was refreshing. It’s sippable ice cream and it’s easily one of my new go-to drinks/desserts. The shake was sweet, milky and a bit citrusy. 😀

    Another nice thought to end a meal was the sinfully great Macha Azuki (PhP 120) topped with azuki (red beans) and mochi balls (made of sticky rice). The green tea flavor came on strong and the cream was sweet enough to be enjoyable.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    I’m pleased to know that prices are fair and friendly (even for a college student’s budget). At Sango! The Burger Master, you will surely find something that you both love and can afford. 🙂 They’re opening a branch soon in Makati so watch out!

    Thanks, Ahia Richard, for the invite! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/sangoburger” name=”Sango! The Burger Master” description=”299 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 0937 374 3376″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-17″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Zao Vietnamese Bistro (Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center)

    Review of Zao Vietnamese Bistro (Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center)

    The only Vietnamese restaurants I have ever tried before were Pho Bac and Pho Hoa Vietnamese Noodle House, so I’m first going to make a disclaimer here. I won’t pretend to be an expert on Vietnamese food, but when it comes to saying whether food is delicious or not, I may qualify for that. 😛

    Here’s the story: One Sunday, we got the chance to test this Vietnamese restaurant in Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan called Zao Vietnamese Bistro. Their menu has vast items and in one quick reading, I thought there are enough reliable interesting dishes for diners to try and come back for a number of times without having to reorder the same thing.

    Other restaurants in this new wing in Promenade also piqued my interest. But because Zao’s staff offered the most warm welcome in introducing their must-try food in the reception area, we trusted that this Vietnamese restaurant would bring our taste buds immense pleasure for dinner.

    Review of Zao Vietnamese Bistro (Promenade 3, Greenhills)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    This modern Vietnamese restaurant in the mall is built with two floors. Decorated with conservative colors, both areas are well appointed and are large enough to accommodate guests without having people to wait long. Getting a table is not a pain.

    Seats are positioned with ample distance between customers, making a cozy vibe that’s more on the private and formal side—appropriate for a date and also good for a trendy crowd. The classy ambiance is magnified by the beautiful ceiling set with elegant lights.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The wait staff acted chill and totally professional. They were always ready to move on their feet whenever they see customers raise their hands to call attention. This is the type of customer service that deserves respect and will also earn you a reason to go back and have another amazing dining experience at Zao Vietnamese Bistro.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Something every table seemed to order was the Appetizer Sampler (PhP 565). We had it as a solid starter and nothing went wrong. This sampler featured a nice presentation of all sorts of appetizers in one plate: fresh rolls, vegetable salad, spring rolls, pork and chicken satay and sugar cane shrimps.

    They were all rich and pretty tasty. I especially liked the sugar cane shrimps. It’s a new discovery for me and I found it very unique. The satay were hard to chew. The spring rolls were standard fried goodness with dipping sauce.

    But if you prefer not confusing your palate with an assortment of food with differing flavors and textures, feel free to order them individually, as follows:

    • Fresh Rolls (PhP 215) – with shrimps, noodles, pork, bean sprouts, greens and yellow bean-hoisin sauce
    • Crispy Spring Rolls (PhP 245) – with pork, glass noodles and mushrooms served with lettuce wrap
    • Pork/Chicken Satay (PhP 195) – grilled Vietnamese satay with Zao dipping sauce and pickled vegetables
    • Sugar Cane Shrimps (PhP 345) – deep fried shrimp paste wrapped on sugar cane served with lettuce wrap

    Zao’s Vietnamese Beef Stew (PhP 365) consisted of chunks of slow-cooked aromatic beef simmered in star anise and basil, swimming in a bowl of reddish stew. It’s a good rendition, with a delicious mix of sweet and heat. Cooked well and full of flavor, the beef chunks did the heavy lifting, which deserved to be scored an A. Pairing this dish with steamed white rice was great and just proper.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    I’m not a huge fan of Vietnamese food but this restaurant is approved! 🙂 If you’re in search of something new and good to eat, come check out Zao Vietnamese Bistro in Greenhills. Prices of food here are not cheap, but servings are big, the kind that will fill you up without hitting your wallet so hard. One a la carte dish can be shared by two people, take note.

    Side trivia: Zao means “life” in Vietnamese. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/ZaoVietnameseBistro” name=”Zao Vietnamese Bistro” description=”Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Ave., Greenhills, San Juan ” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 705-1066″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-08-29″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branches:

    • Unit 1 C, 16 Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global city, Taguig | Contact number (02) 856 2819
    • 2nd Level, Eastwood Mall, Orchard Road, Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City | Contact number (02) 470-7587
    • 5th Level, Shangri-La Plaza Mall – East Wing, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Shaw Blvd. cor. EDSA, Mandaluyong
  • Review of Mad For Pizza (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Review of Mad For Pizza (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    The name “Mad For Pizza” either means everything to you or absolutely nothing. It’s easy for those who don’t like pizza to ignore this restaurant, as it may just sound like another pizzeria. But hey, don’t be silly. Mad For Pizza speaks volumes already of literal translation. If you take create-your-own pizza (note: toppings all you want!) seriously, then you should probably read carefully down below and prepare your mouth to water in delight. 😉

    Started in June 2014 with this first branch in Tomas Morato, Mad For Pizza caters to customers who want comfort food badly. Cue in DIY pizzas with unlimited toppings beckoning you like mad, and you’ll be surprised that this new resto has captured your attention quickly. It’s the manner on how you have the freedom to put the ingredients together as you like and the care that set Mad For Pizza apart from the rest.

    Review of Mad For Pizza (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Wrapping around Mad For Pizza in Il Terrazzo are the colors red and white, which are great for fast food. Its theme is as inviting as its list of 40 pizza toppings featured on top of the counter as well as their claim, “We give value to your money. We serve our hot foods hot and our cold foods cold.” Tables, chairs and decors on walls were not too flashy. Having the capacity of 80-100 people, the place was clean and spacious. Overall, ambiance was vibrant and chic, busy with an atmosphere of enjoyment.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The owners present and the customer service staff were all friendly, accommodating and attentive to requests. It was last Saturday at 5PM when we visited, so wait time didn’t stretch long. The process of ordering wasn’t rushed, but still it was efficient. In case you plan to eat at near lunch or dinner time (peak hours), plan accordingly and expect to be part of the wait game. It can be annoying to deal with an unpredictable situation, but for the only customizable pizza in Tomas Morato, QC, seal it well. Pray that you get a table fast, and dive into some of the best pizzas this area in Quezon City has to offer.

    Part-owner Cyril Reyes

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Let me reiterate: In Mad For Pizza, you can actually customize pizzas to your preference. First off the bat, the staff walked to our table and gave an order form for us to choose the pizza dough and base sauce. Louie ticked the check boxes next to Garlic Parmesan Dough and House Pizza Sauce respectively.

    What ensued was about 10 minutes of toppings selection. The staff behind the counter identified the names of toppings on each of the container, while Louie pointed out which to include in “The Louie Pizza.” 🙂 Customers can get unlimited toppings per pizza, but it would be unwise to choose everything as the quality of the taste and dough might suffer. We settled with the following: Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil leaves, oregano, onions, green bell peppers,  Pharma ham and another kind of ham.

    Adding the toppings and arranging them neatly on the pizza was easily done. We went back to our table and waited for it to be served.

    And tadah! After 5-10 minutes, we met pretty much heaven on earth. The thin-crusted pizza was served piping hot with just enough of the bottom burned for that coveted smoky crust. The middle was soft while the outside remained crispy. That’s the way I liked it! One thing to note though: the toppings were not evenly distribute to the six pizza slices; therefore, you wouldn’t get the kick of all the flavors together in each bite. Anyway, I’m not one who’ll fight for more toppings. 😛 The aroma was irresistible and the taste was great, so the pizza was gone in a flash!

    If you’re clueless what to add and worried about the outcome, it would be safe to choose one among the ready-to-order presets (PhP 250 each):

    • Justin’s Favorite – Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar pepperoni, bacon, sausage, meatball and crumble
    • Anya’s Creation – Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, Alfredo sauce, cheddar shrimp and roasted garlic
    • Andross’ Choice – Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, feta, ham and pineapple

    Then again, you don’t want to only order pizza in Mad For Pizza. For our appetizer, we had the Fried Calamari (PhP 188), their highly touted and much loved starter. All I needed was a couple of bites to declare that the calamari was good with modest chewiness but not incredibly good. It could have been crispier and better seasoned. If fried calamari is your thing, this is a nice dish to share.

    The Chicken Spinach Egg Rolls (PhP 178) were a yummy treat. This menu offering was a good move so diners would have more options and not get tired of the usual pizza and pasta. The Chicken Spinach Egg Rolls had healthy servings of filling, with savory combinations of chicken bits, spinach and corn kernels. The sauces added another depth of flavor.

    The Beef Stew Pasta (PhP 188) is one of the staples on the pasta section of Mad For Pizza’s menu, with the solid taste of ground beef making for a nice change from the traditional ground pork and sausage. It was straightforward and simple with few elements in one plate. We could be wrong but Louie and I thought that the beef almost tasted like goat. Nonetheless, it was good to try.

    Also, they offer Cappuccino Cake (PhP 88), Panna Cota (PhP 88), Tiramisu (PhP 88) or the Banoffee Cubbler (PhP 88) for desserts. The Banoffee Cubbler (banoffee pie in a cup) came as a lovely creation with the bottom filled with crushed grahams, layered with sliced bananas sauteed in butter, a pour of toffee sauce and plenty of thick, fresh whipped cream on top. It was decadent but a little too tooth-achingly sweet.

    Mad For Pizza is one pizza joint that serves alcoholic drinks on the side. We washed down every morsel with fairly “big” glasses of Mojito and Margarita. The drinks were made up with a a refreshing concoction of tequila, lemon juice, triple sec and the fruity flavor of lime. Bottoms up!

    Earthy and delicious, these are decent drinks your heart will be wanting to get. They went down easy and packed a punch. You need them warming your body even in the summer heat. Just be careful not to get drunk/tipsy if you’re driving. 😀

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    For six slices of a whole pizza to justifiably cost PhP 280, the crust must be perfectly cooked; the toppings, fresh; and the sauce, fully-flavored as it’s going to be the vehicle carrying other flavors. The pizza we had at Mad for Pizza was all those things. However, the rest of food we tried from their menu seemed to be a misstep. Since the restaurant is still very new, there are plenty of room for improvement. Maybe we’ll like them better next time. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/MadForPizzaPh” name=”Mad for Pizza” description=”2/F Il Terrazzo Building – 305 Tomas Morato Ave. corner Scout MadriĂąan Street, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 351-2621″ rev_body=”Operating hours: Mon – Sun: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-08-11″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Munchtown (Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center)

    Review of Munchtown (Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center)

    Let me paint a picture: You’re in the nick of time to catch a movie and you wanted some food to eat while watching. Problem is, queues in restaurant or food stalls are a common sight. On some days, you’d be quite lucky to spend at least 15 minutes getting food prior going into the theater—but then missing out on the first important scenes in the movie. With that, I bet it will be great for you to check out an incredible concept brought by Munchtown in Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center.

    Munchtown delivers inventive gustatory delights right where you’re seated in the cinema anywhere within Greenhills. It offers American comfort food by Chef Robby Goco, your best options for pizzas, hotdogs, fries, burgers, salads and more! It’s my first time to come across a place that combines creative service with quality food like this. Ready to dissect Munchtown’s food with me? Read on.

    Review of Munchtown (Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Apart from delivering food to cinemas, Munchtown in Promenade 3 is also designed with typical dining areas where customers can fully enjoy their dining experience while allowing passersby to also enjoy the aroma of food and become hungry.

    No doors separate or even block your way from seeing through the large menu posted on top of their counter. The kitchen activities are also transparent to customers, so you’ll have like a bird’s eye view on how your food is being prepared. Condiments, plastic utensils and basket plates are readily available via self-service, easy-peasy.

    What we observed though is the lack of air-conditioning in the place, which may be a problem of the mall’s centralized air cooling system. With a few more followups to the management, I believe that should be fixed really soon.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Speaking of service, that’s one of the best parts about Munchtown in Promenade 3. As I mentioned in the intro, you can ask to have your food delivered at no extra cost, just by sending a text message and saying where you’re at. Receive a confirmation of your order, expect some waiting time and eventually you’ll make everyone sitting around you envious on the smell of food passing through aisles in the theater. (Note: You can only pay by cash.)

    Another way is opting to dine in first, any time from 10AM to 10PM, and experience customer service that’s warm, friendly, and attentive right at Munchtown’s seats.

    with Donny Elvina, one of the owners

    The menu can be confusing as there are tons of names of hotdogs (smokees), pizzas and all and there are no descriptions, but the staff makes it a point to offer up an education, which you’ll greatly appreciate.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    In no particular order, here’s the rundown of our obligatory food taste test at Munchtown, all that I’ve tried yesterday. (There are more, however I won’t be posting pictures of every single dish presented and describing them as part of this post. My stomach had surrendered all the space it could offer.) 😛

    First up, Munchtown’s Sliders (PhP 250, 3 pieces). These mini back angus burgers were served with Russian dressing, ketchup, pickles, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese. Definitely get them on your table. This version is a huge win, the soft buns absorbing all the flavor.

    It’s always nice to compliment burgers with fries. Go find yourself freedom and order the Black Truffle Fries (PhP 195). These fries are made with fresh Igorota Idaho potatoes with truffle salt, truffle oil and grilled chicken liver. I was surprised to bite into a small piece of the chicken liver thinking that it was truffle. Whoa, the taste was so evident! I realized it was chicken liver 鸡肝 as I remembered my mom’s home-cooked Chinese dish providing us a healthy dose of iron and zinc.

    If you think you won’t be a fan of the Black Truffle Fries, maybe Fresh Igorota Idaho potatoes with rock salt and ground black pepper (PhP 95) with Bacon as an add-on (PhP 50) would serve you right. After all, who doesn’t like bacon? 😀 Smother the fries in your choice of condiments from the counter, or eat these perfect snack without adding anything more.

    Another one among many good options—Irish Nachos (PhP 185). These are fresh Igorota Idaho potatoes with rock salt, black pepper, spring onions, tomatoes, black olives, jalapeĂąo, sour cream and cheese sauce. I’ll put emphasis on the CHEESE as these fries are too much oozing with cheese flavor. With crispy exterior and fluffy interior, these fries are the ideal food to consume after a night out.

    The Deputy Dog (PhP 280) isn’t called such for nothing. This hotdog in bun is Munchtown’s signature frank, so there’s no denying that I hadn’t been thrilled to try it (yes, even if it’s made with smoked pulled pork). It’s filled with rich cheddar cheese, onion relish and Russian dressing. It’s a solid option that gets its job done: to make you come out satisfied.

    Next, we go to Munchtown’s pizza favorites, which are all 8″ with six square-cut slices.

    The Marinara Pizza (PhP 330) I thought was no ordinary pizza. It’s made with simple ingredients (fresh mozzarella, oregano leaves, bell pepper, olives, capers and cherry tomatoes) sitting atop a charred, puffy, chewy cloud from heaven. So good.

    Another vegetarian-friendly pizza is the Margherita Pizza  (PhP 330), made with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, extra virgin olive oil and salt. Adding heat (chili sauce) will make this pizza tastier.

    Talk about addiction. Pizza topped with just fresh mozzarella and cheddar cheese and I’m sold! I love cheese pizzas and Munchtown’s Cheese Pizza (PhP 330) is a great example of how it’s done right. Don’t let the thin stature fool you, each slice will make up for it in flavor.

    For seafood lovers, the Vongole Pizza (PhP 390) may appeal to you on a higher notch. This one is a hearty pizza with lots of interesting ingredients: clams, garlic, chili flakes, parsley oil, salt and grana padana all over.

    As a Munchtown classic, the Pepperoni Pizza (PhP 390) turned out to have no frills and made only with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and pepperoni. It’s not to be skipped as well! 🙂

    The Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza (PhP 390) may not be better still than the cheese pizza that I declare as winner, but if you’re in the mood for something more substantial, these slices hit the spot. Speaking volumes, this pizza featured fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula and extra virgin olive oil.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Want to impress friends who love American comfort food? Bring them to Munchtown, just before going inside the theater to watch a movie or have your food delivered right when you’re inside the cinema. This unmarked restaurant is a unique and amazing place.

    Munchtown seriously stands out when you’re in upper ground floor in the new wing of Promenade, Greenhills’ movie hall. Their reasonably-priced food are special and freshly prepared, leaving you wanting more. As there are overwhelmingly serveral types of pizzas, fries, burgers, hotdogs to try, no two trips to Munchtown will ever be the same, and that’s exactly why we like it here. 😛

    Promotion: Every Monday, Munchtown celebrates Buy 1 Take 1 Pizza Day! Get one free Margherita Pizza worth PhP 330 for every pizza purchase. 🙂

    I’m also happy to finally meet in person, Richie, the “Pickiest Eater in the World“, who invited me to the event. Such an honor. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/munchtown” name=”Munchtown” description=”Unit 202, Upper Level Promenade 3, Greenhills Shopping Center” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 785-6931 or City Delivery 87878″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-08-10″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]