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Category: Quezon City

  • Review of Vikings Luxury Buffet (SM City North EDSA, Quezon City)

    Review of Vikings Luxury Buffet (SM City North EDSA, Quezon City)

    Ah, Vikings, we met again! Last week, I received an invite to sample the new dishes of Vikings Luxury Buffet at SM North EDSA, Quezon City for July. Yes! I may have responded too quickly. Heck, who wouldn’t? 😛 I filed a vacation leave from work and got my tummy prepared to be filled by a sumptuous meal on the first day of the month.

    The event brought an array of “4th of July”-inspired food for a massive celebration. We were led to a three-course meal, presented by Vikings chefs, in complete confidence. These featured dishes will be available to everyone in every weekend in July 2014. #LikeTheFourthOfJuly

    This is yet another testament to how competitive and innovative Vikings is when it comes to satisfying customers—including the picky eaters who are often bored at being offered just the same thing every time they come through Vikings’ doors.

    Review of Vikings Luxury Buffet (SM City North EDSA, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Call it feng shui, good architectural measurement or whatever, some rooms just feel right, and this vast dining area is one of those. The interior design might be best described as gorgeous, as the room was elegantly designed with “bonggacious” draping lights, sturdy tables and chairs. The ambiance at this branch is always busy. Tables are more packed together as compared to other Vikings branches, making the place also tad buzzier. Despite this, customers are kept in check by personable staff to have a good time.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Craving light food as the weather warms? Put this Chicago Summer Corn Salad on your list of must-eats.  I usually don’t fancy eating salads as an appetizer at buffet meals because they’re downright simple and easy to do. I think that most of us would rather get those that are more extravagant and sophisticated ones. Anyway, this salad was refreshing with an appealing wholesome bent.

    The Tortilla Club Sandwich offered variety that’s larger than its name would indicate. It had the right mix of temperatures and textures brought by the combination of cheese, chicken and ham, cream cheese sauce and black olives. Crammed with both veggies and some protein, this wrap could be a great antidote to more common sandwiches.

    The three types of sushi presented were defined by respect for the integrity of each flavor. See that sushi with white noodles and black caviar on top? That’s called Niagara Falls. Inside were mango, avocado, and sashimi with vinegar mayonnaise and citrus Japanese soy sauce.

    Maguro Haru Maki was the name given to spring rolls with seaweed wrap fitted with tuna, mango and vegetables. The ingredients in this set were not devised to mask or liven up anything else; each was perfect and related to one another as mere equals.

    The Maryland Maki (on the left) was made with crab sticks, carrots, asparagus and chicken teriyaki with strawberry sauce, all purpose cream and mango purée. Crispy kangkong leaf added a more interesting crunch.

    Last to arrive on the pile of starters was the Boston Clam Chowder Soup. The taste of the clam was so strong and evidently, it was the star among the celery onions, carrots and potatoes in the soup. Taking the soup with a piece of garlic toasted bread was a delight. ♡

    The California Grilled Fish was brilliantly cooked, on top of Agli Olio with Roasted Bell Pepper. Marinated in 24 hours in orange marmalade, red cooking wine, salt and pepper, the fish (gindara / silver cod) tasted fresh, nothing overpowering and great to go with the pasta. The pasta noodles looked dry (because of the Parmesan cheese with garlic), but we were surprised that they’re just right.

    Having a good balance of sweetness, savoriness and acidity, this first main course as a whole was full of tropical notes. Zesty orange = yummy!

    The Lemon Sorbet was suitably sour, as expected from the freshly squeezed lemon, and a wee bit sharp and icy for my taste. This was a nice treat that was served in time to clean our palates from the previous entrees.

    Next, for the second main course, we were served with the Jambalaya Louisiana Rice, Indiana’s Pork Loin with Cranberry Sauce, Mississippi’s Turkey Sweet Potato and Shepherd’s Pie. The tomato-based rice was cooked with eight kinds of spices. I expected it to be really spicy but it wasn’t. The creole rice was not too fluffy and not too sticky. Since its flavor did not come out as outstanding, it can take a back seat as the pork loin shines through the plate.

    The Indiana’s Pork Loin had a soft texture and a small hint of smoky flavor. It was great to be paired with the “caramelized” sauce. On other other hand, Missippi’s Turkey Sweet Potato and Shepherd’s Pie proved Vikings chefs at their most inventive. These two were put together as one and the taste of the duo complemented that of the pork loin’s magnificence. I admire the challenging creativity here!

    Third main course: Accompanied by the Corn on a Cob and the deliciously made Yorkshire Pudding and Marble Potatoes, the Tenderloin (with Red Wine Sauce / Horse Radish Sauce) was served as a pinkish, medium-rare piece of meat. This refined classic could be worth the visit on its own. The roasted beef tasted unique, as thyme and black pepper were added to the recipe. It was not cooked medium-well or well because it would have been chewy and not exultingly tender. Guests may have the option to make it so, as their preference dictate.

    The pastries for desserts were rich, velvety, decadent and sensational. The Boston Cream Pie was gloriously creamy, with layers of white chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, whipped cream, Knox gelatin, sugar, sponge and almond powder. The ring on top made the cake more pleasing to my eyes. Like OMG! It was beautiful like an art piece.

    The New York Cheese Cake was more restrained and tasted somehow just traditional. It was clearly firm and slightly tart. For cheesecakes though, I prefer mine just a fraction less firm as I adore those with mousse-like texture and delicate creaminess.

    Quite light without being gelatinous, the Cherry Cashew Parfait with strawberry was good, smooth and totally enjoyable. If I only could, I would have finished it to the very last creamy spoonful. That sounds dreamy, given the space allocated for food in my stomach. 😆

    Drinking coffee was a nice way to end a heavy lunch! 😀

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    As with my other reviews of Vikings Luxury Buffet (Megamall and Mall of Asia), price for value is rated with four stars since I could not take in all the food as I want because I easily get full. But for others, I think the quality and variety of food at this restaurant is surely worth the price to pay. 🙂

    Having a new set of dishes every month on top of the existing delicious food offerings in Vikings is another reason to go now. Still, if you need more, then check this out: Starting July 1, 2014, Vikings will be having a new birthday promo. If your birthday is coming up, you may feast for FREE for ONE WHOLE MONTH!

    Here are the following mechanics:

    1) Birthday celebrant of all ages can avail the birthday promo on the day itself and on their birthday month.
    2) Celebrants can eat for free ON THE DAY of their birthday on both lunch and dinner, as long as accompanied by ONE FULL PAYING ADULT.
    3) Celebrants can eat for free for ONE MONTH on both lunch and dinner per day, as long as it is within the month of his/her birthday and accompanied by FOUR FULL PAYING ADULT.
    4) One full paying adult are adult guests who will be paying full rate without any discounts.
    5) Requirements for Celebrants: Celebrant must bring an ORIGINAL and VALID government issued picture I.D. with the birthdate imprinted on it, both local and foreign I.D.s are accepted, for proof (such as S.S.S., N.B.I., Driver’s License, Pag-Ibig, P.R.C., Barangay, Unified, Police Clearance I.D. and Passport) In the case that the celebrant doesn’t have a government issued picture I.D., he/she may bring his/her birth certificate supported by any picture I.D. (school I.D., parent’s I.D., company I.D.).
    6) This promo can’t be used in conjunction with our current promotions or discounts.
    7) Gift certificates to avail this promo is not honored.
    8) This promo is available across all branches.
    9) This promo is available until December 31, 2014.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/VIKINGSSMNORTH” name=”Vikings Luxury Buffet (SM City North EDSA, Quezon City)” description=”Fourth Floor, The Block, SM City North EDSA, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 02 3763888, 02 3764888″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-07-02″ user_review=”13″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

     

     

  • Review of The Clubhouse (Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City)

    Review of The Clubhouse (Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City)

    It has been a year since the last time Louie and I watched a movie in Robinsons Magnolia. It could be coincidence or could be fate—we again encountered a brown-out before the movie’s screening time. There seems to be something fishy going on in the mall’s power control system. Were they just testing the switch? Anyway, the movie we watched was Godzilla and it has failed to please me in all accounts. So let’s move on to the food review before this post turns to a screen rant. 😛

    We had dinner in The Clubhouse. Cozied into an almost hidden spot on the ground floor of the mall (on the side of Conti’s), this restaurant is an ideal place to catch a meal or take a refresher from a crazy shopping session in Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City. Diners thus must take better notice on the standing menu placed outside for attraction.

    Review of The Clubhouse (Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    From afar, The Clubhouse did not look as spacious as it is inside. Charming and dainty, this place is a good hangout spot for friends and a small group of family to dine and relax. Designed like an artist’s den, The Clubhouse is built with beige brick walls filled with framed photos of random stuff like nature, food and still objects.

    The ambiance was pretty quiet and comforting like a café, the type that sends the message that your privacy is safe. You won’t find any loud thumping music or testosterone crazed patrons here. Instead, you’d get the impression like you’ve left the city completely.

    Service: ★★★★★

    A pool of youngsters like ourselves, the staffs were attentive and nice. They treated customers fairly and there were no snobs in this dining room.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    We had a bundled platter consisting of The Clubhouse’s best-selling starters (PhP 475): 1/2 pound spicy buffalo wings, cheesy jalapeno poppers and onion rings served with marinara sauce, honey mustard and creamy garlic aioli. The name of the dish says it all: AWESOME THREESOME! 🙂 Presentation though was standard and nothing that would make it as top of my list.

    For a hearty main course, the Cheesy Chicken Parmigiana (PhP 295, lunch set) was served. It’s made with hand-breaded chicken breast fillet topped with The Clubhouse’s homemade fresh tomato sauce and gooey marinara sauce. The set also came with garlic parsley rice and buttered vegetables. Quality was mediocre. The chicken meat and the buttered veggies were hard to chew. But I have to say that the combination of the sauce and the cheese tasted great.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Price for value is considerably average. The courses we had were not overwhelmingly good that’s enough to get me excited to come back for a second visit soon (maybe if only we want to avoid the chains or fast food). The Clubhouse is mostly for a crowd interested in a relatively clean venue with value-oriented breakfast meals.

    Here’s a glimpse of their breakfast menu: “Comfort Goodness All Day, Every Day”:

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/theclubhousemagnolia” name=”The Clubhouse” description=”Upper Ground Level, Robinsons Magnolia, Doña M. Hemady Ave, Lungsod Quezon (Near Nine West and Krispy Kreme)” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 654 1334″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-05-30″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of The Vegetarian Kitchen (Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City)

    Review of The Vegetarian Kitchen (Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City)

    We have been to Quezon City area a number of times for years without paying much attention to Mother Ignacia Avenue. That said, I had little knowledge of what exists along that avenue—until Louie brought us into this “secret” establishment at dinnertime on our fifth-year anniversary as a couple. Where? At The Vegetarian Kitchen, a house-turned-restaurant located on Mother Ignacia Street, right across St. Mary’s Academy.

    Being raised in a vegetarian family, I am always in the lookout for vegetarian restaurants offering completely zero meat, not even seafood and dishes containing dairy products. According to Kiko Soliongco, son of The Vegetarian Kitchen’s owner, their menu has items for both vegetarians and vegans, as a result of suggestions raised by customers. Those with “V” at the side are vegan food, while those without are good for vegetarians. Anyway, we’re okay to try anything as long as they’re delicious and satisfying!

    Review of The Vegetarian Kitchen (Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    The vibe at The Vegetarian Kitchen was laid-back and a bit boring. Lighting was dim; no music was played in the background; and air conditioning was not sufficient. Simple yet clean and sturdy tables and seats occupied the dining area. The lack of tablecloths gave it a feel of a less than special place. Hence, I just kept reminding myself deep inside that we were here for the food, and you should be, too.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The menu is available for viewing on blackboard on the wall, so customers must either stand to read and choose which to order. I guess that staffs are asked for recommendations often, since the meatless (vegetarian) food at The Vegetarian Kitchen aren’t those that most of people in Metro Manila are familiar with.

    Given that the vegetarian segment in the market remains to be small, staffs in this vegetarian restaurant must be more patient in explaining their food repeatedly or as required. On that note, I commend the friendly workers for being hospitable and helpful. Food came to our table relatively fast. Our glasses were also refilled with water whenever they were seen empty. Operations run smooth from 11AM to 3PM and from 5PM to 9PM on Tuesdays to Saturdays.

    Food: ★★★★★

    The Spinach and Cream Cheese Dumplings (PhP 160) is one of the most popular items on the menu, and it’s no surprise. Tasty spinach was layered inside an incredible crisp, fresh dumplings skin that’s baked in-house. We decided to try it with the white sauce provided on the platter and scattered in small blobs here and there. If Dad were here with us for dinner, I’m sure he would be unstoppable and he’d take them all. 🙂

    Next was the Spanish Lengua (PhP 240) with cucumber salad and organic rice. The “lengua” was made from gluten, which arrived swimming in tomato and mushroom sauce sauce. Louie said it bears semblance to the non-vegetarian version. However, for how bright and colorful this dish was, I had initially dismissed it as dull but certainly not bland. (Sorry, I’ve just grown tired of eating this taste as cooked by my mom at home.) The Lengua was like classic Filipino recipe Beef Mechado—but one whose ingredients were mock meat.

    Finally, we took a stab at the Rich Tomato and Malunggay Lasagna (PhP 270), which was a showstopper. Every bite of the square piece of vegetarian lasagna was heavenly. The globs of uncommonly delicious and sweet baked cheese on top was so good that you’d almost forget to notice how tender and perfect the pasta are. For the record, Louie said he would rather want to become vegetarian if food he’d be served every day are cooked like this.

    Price for Value: ★★★★★

    The ingredients used were of high quality, and the presentation of food looked really good. Generally, the dishes at The Vegetarian Kitchen surpass one’s typical preconceptions of vegetarian food. So stop thinking that vegetarian food equates to just salads and greens. 😛 With prices of food ranging from PhP 120 to PhP 250, you can definitely get yourself a decent vegetarian meal here.

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  • Review of Luck Garden Seafood Restaurant (Santo Domingo, Quezon City)

    Review of Luck Garden Seafood Restaurant (Santo Domingo, Quezon City)

    Where to eat in Santo Domingo, Quezon City? There are a lot of restaurants in QC but not in this specific area. The only Chinese restaurant that’s big enough to cover your craving for noodles, dimsum and lauriat must be Luck Garden Seafood Restaurant, which looks like a great lunch and dinner spot, especially for foodies and Chinese food fans. My uncle took us here on a Sunday before visiting their new condo unit nearby.

    Review of Luck Garden Seafood Restaurant (Santo Domingo, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    The space Luck Garden Seafood Restaurant occupies is brightly lit, economically packed with group-sized tables and seats. The ambiance generally feels like a typical Chinese restaurant that is sparse in decor but relatively clean. In short, it’s not exactly the kind of place you want to linger around, even if they do offer a big screen LCD TV. Yet “legit” may be the best word to describe it, if you’re looking for a restaurant with the standard Chinese flair in QC.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    Staffs were fast and attentive, not overly friendly, but not necessarily rude. Expect to receive the no-smile, get-in/get-our service. Our orders came almost simultaneously and we were not left unnoticed. Certain requests needed to be flagged down but it was fine.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    We deserved something hot for starters: a medium-sized bowl of Nido with Quail Egg Soup (PHp 420) made the cut. Known to promote youthfulness and long life, this soup is typically eaten during Chinese New Year. With crab meat and corn, the bird’s nest soup was not at all disgusting. Judging by the price, I think it’s not the real bird’s nest that was used as ingredient here. Nonetheless, the slightly sweet taste and the gelatinous texture were okay.

    I liked that the vegetables in Lohan Vegetables (PHp 198) were crisp and colorful. This is a great dish to order this Lenten season as well as when you feel the need to detox. 😛 Luck Garden Seafood Restaurant’s version is a showstopper, packed with earthy mushrooms, bamboo shoots and hearty peas and carrots. The layers of flavor are well-developed, starting from the sticky and yummy sauce that’s good to be paired with rice.

    The Sweet and Sour Pork (PHp 210) is a simple dish with a lot of tangy flavor thanks to the pineapples and caramelized onions. Entrees with this kind of zesty sauce are good to be eaten as leftover the next day when the fish has sopped the juices more intensively; that is, if you have any.

    The Beef Tenderloin Chinese Style (PHp 250) was lean and supple. It’s not too chewy, so it’s not hard to swallow but a mouthful to get through. The moisture and juiciness of the meat as well as the well-spiced sauce definitely played the wow factor. This beef dish bucks the crowd-pleasing trend of sweet and sticky in favor of distinct and creative flavors.

    Next, we had the Seafood Misua (PHp 208) composed of finely textured salted Chinese noodles made of wheat flour stirred with an ample portion of mixed seafood. Some people say that you can tell a lot about the quality of food a Chinese restaurant serves just by judging their fried rice and noodles as these two are most basic. If I were to judge Luck Garden based on this, then I give them a thumbs up.

    The Fish Fillet with Beancurd Hotpot (PHp 260) was simple enough but the quality of both the fish fillet and beancurd was top-notch. With all other dishes served at the same time, we took our time and let the fish fillet slowly soak more in the broth. The fish became more tender and luscious while the beancurd joining the party only made the entire dish more acceptable to my palate. (Beancurd is one of my favorite food!) 🙂

    The skin and batter of the Buttered Chicken (PHp 210) was crunchy with a light exterior. The crust did not overwhelm everything else. The white meat was tender and had the discernible chicken flavor despite that the chicken pieces were overdressed in butter which dominated its delicacy. Ah, sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    We’ve eaten our fair share and thought that Luck Garden Seafood Restaurant is a Chinese eater’s paradise, with a good array of affordable dishes to choose from. If you know which food to order, it’s possible to taste your way across most of Chinese cuisine.

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  • Review of Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant (Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City)

    Review of Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant (Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City)

    My college friends and I had a mini reunion on March 9, 2014 for the opening of our time capsule. This time capsule was sealed five years ago in our last retreat program (LASARET) held in our final term as students of DLSU. It contained our letters to our future selves and to God and also our creative white paper of commitment as Lasallian achievers for God and country. It wasn’t as exciting for me because I still remembered what I had written. In contrast, my other friends had completely forgotten the messages they wrote. It was funny that some did not recognize their own handwriting!

    The person who kept the time capsule for five years was Johann who’s now permanently residing in General Santos in Mindanao. Can you believe he flew back to Manila just for this activity? Hahaha. Anyway, we had a nice dinner at Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant, Robinsons Magnolia and also a good catch-up.

    Since most of us had not tried dining here before, we all agreed to dining at Conti’s following Louie’s suggestion. I thought this joint only serves cakes and pastries, so I was a bit surprised that their menu as well comes with an array of culinary treasures served as a la carte dishes. To sum up quickly, Conti’s has “satisfied the most important of appetite”…ours! 😛 Read on for the review.

    Review of Conti’s (Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant literally has two sides: a bakeshop and a restaurant. Interior design was clean and consistent both from the outside and inside. On the bakeshop stood refrigerators, which contain their cakes, and shelves where bread, pies and other pastries are displayed. The restaurant side looked like a classy lodge where lights on the ceiling and on the sides did a good job at illuminating the area.

    With blue accents that complemented with beige and wood tones, the ambiance felt like a typical scene from a movie. My only concern is that some tables and chairs were put so closely together that some seated customers need to stand up to make way for others who want to pass between the spaces. (You can’t see that from the picture because I’m referring to the side in far-right near the POS.)

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    It was around 7-7:30PM when we came in. Conti’s was full house and we had to wait outside in queue until our names were called. Waiting time was almost half an hour, so booking a reservation here as early as possible is very much recommended. Once we were seated, the staff took our orders quickly but served food slowly. After almost an hour of waiting, we had to call the waitresses to follow up on food.

    If we were in a game like “Diner Dash,” “Burger Rush,” “Pizza Frenzy” or “Betty’s Beer” which tests the staff’s ability to serve customers very fast, the game would have been over in like five minutes. The place was so busy at the peak of dinnertime, so maybe Conti’s can hire more employees to take care of customers or streamline their processes without compromising the quality of food.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Louie and I shared two dishes. One was Conti’s Baked Salmon (Php 360) which consisted of Norwegian pink salmon baked with a delicious topping and served with buttered vegetables and rice with almonds. (Sorry, I forgot to take an “autopsy shot” – picture of the salmon’s pinkish flesh.)

    This is one of the food I would choose to eat every day for a year, if I was asked for only one choice. Definitely, the baked salmon tasted fresh and succulent, the best baked salmon I’ve had in my life! I may either have to kidnap the cook of Conti’s and make him my kitchen-slave, or go straight to this den for my fix every time I feel like it.

    The other dish we split into half (in terms of portion) was Conti’s Chicken ala Kiev (PHp 240). I love the usual comfort food with an added twist. This Chicken ala Kiev was made with breaded dried fried boneless chicken filled with cheese and herbs topped with creamy sauce and served with buttered vegetables and garlic rice.

    When I first wrapped my lips around the herbs and cheese inside the chicken, I knew I was hooked. Sure, the plating looked plain but the entire dish well deserves a good chance to get the world to take notice. It was lovely!

    I didn’t bother to taste all food the rest of my friends got, as I was relishing ours. But then, Johann and G offered and it was hard not to accept the taste test even for a small smack. 🙂

    Johann ordered Linguine in Pesto Sauce (PHp 215)—rich green basil sauce served on delicious linguine. It didn’t have toppings and those little shrimps and squid which did not much contribute to the flavor, but the pesto alone was appealing and the sauce was evenly distributed. I thought adding pine nuts will add a more interesting texture to each mouthful.

    Gianne had Chicken Pastel (Php 200) which was a lot like chicken ala king. It was made with chicken chunks, carrots and potatoes with mushroom sauce eaten with flaky crust and served with garlic rice. The mushroom sauce was creamy and fragrant. A taste of its crust made me recall the crust of baked chicken pie my aunt used to order from Uno Seafood Wharf in Escolta, Manila. The flakes shattered slightly on the tooth, giving way to fluffy-yet-dense satisfyingly chewy interior of chicken and button mushrooms.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    It’s been some years since Conti’s first opened, and it’s still around. This means that they must be doing something right. The dishes were really good with reasonable prices to match.

    The restaurant was cozy and it provided an authentic experience. The only thing that suffered some hiccups was service. So I repeat, if you’re planning to dine in at Conti’s, Robinsons Magnolia, book a table right away. In another case, if you’re waiting in line for a ready table, it’s good to order food so you’d get it sooner after getting in.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/contispastryshopandrestaurant” name=”Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant” description=”Ground Floor, Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 02 3854375, 02 6245933″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-03-17″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

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  • Review of Bellini’s Italian Restaurant (Cubao Expo, Quezon City)

    Review of Bellini’s Italian Restaurant (Cubao Expo, Quezon City)

    Honestly, I don’t know how to start this post without sounding too negative at once, but I cannot sugarcoat things and pretend that we had a nice experience dining at Bellini’s Italian Restaurant in Cubao Expo (formerly Marikina Shoe Expo). Bellini’s is totally disappointing! There, I said it—out loud, though virtually, to the world.

    Anyway, the reason why we chose Bellini’s for lunch last Thursday was that there’s not many unique and specialty restaurants near SM Cubao, where we had meetings the entire day. My boss checked FourSquare and found Bellini’s. A mix of good and bad reviews were shared by customers through blogs. What’s up with the inconsistency? Ah, maybe timing is an important factor. If it’s so then our timing was definitely the worst. You’ll learn why below.

    Review of Bellini’s Italian Restaurant (Cubao Expo, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    No doubt, the ambiance in Bellini’s was enchanting, warm and fancy. Oozing with personality, the three separated dining areas in Bellini’s were nicely decorated with seemingly embossed European art-inspired murals that looked grand.

    Contributing to the laid-back feel was the brick design and wine bottles arranged on the wall. The lights were dim, setting off a romantic mood for couples. Privacy and intimacy could best be enjoyed, as quietness reigned despite that the place wasn’t eerily empty during the peak of lunch hour.

    Service: ★☆☆☆☆

    I took a five-second moment to make myself comfortable, while still appreciating the interior design of the dining room. The waiter handed each of us a copy of Bellini’s menu. Before turning to the first page of the clear book folder, we were offered appetizers. The waiter suggested foccacia bread and quickly, we said okay (without knowing that it’s not complimentary).

    My boss gestured that the owner of the restaurant, Signor Roberto Bellini, was seated right next to our table. When I turned to his direction to see, he greeted us in indistinct language which could be understood as either “welcome” or “hello” or “enjoy.” I said thanks, smiled and thought that was the end of our conversation. But then Roberto Bellini acted differently (wildly) when he saw that I took a shot of the first page of Bellini’s menu with my iPhone camera. He got mad and explained that taking pictures of the menu is not allowed. My boss said it’s for the blog, but Mr. Bellini shook his head and refused to accept the answer.

    What’s the big deal? Is Bellini’s menu camera-shy? It was as if the ingredients, contents of their recipes and other precious secrets were all listed on the menu and we were taking them away to replicate for our own business. Wah lau! Their menu is far from being comprehensive; it contained only a listing of food names side by side the prices. After receiving the rather rude sermon, I thought… never mind, it’s not my lost. The “unwritten rule” is still a rule made by the owner and the least we do as customers is to abide by it, right? Oh well, moving on…

    Side comment: I think menu pictures are useful to inform potential customers what the restaurant serves and help them make choices if they’re going in or not. Zomato has been doing this as it’s found very beneficial for the food establishments as well, in terms of marketing and publicity. Note that MunchPunch’s captured menu for online reference is outdated.

    I felt pissed and offended when Mr. Bellini continued to talk about the issue with his Italian friend in Italian while we were waiting for food. Maybe he thought we would not understand, but I heard the keywords “blog,” “camera,” “photo,” and “menu” very clearly. Tsk tsk. That was very unethical.

    I mean, everyone has the right to speak in the language they know best, but in this case, he was like stabbing me (a customer) on the back. He knew that we were there and he still went on. How impolite!

    Aside from the ill attitude of the owner of Bellini’s Italian Restaurant, another bad feedback is that servers were not attentive. I had to stand up and go to the counter across the main door or look for service attendants around the dining room to call them.

    Food: ★☆☆☆☆

    For appetizers, we had the Bread Sticks and Foccacia Bread with Olive Oil which we thought were both for free. I learned later that the foccacia bread costs PHp 100. Usually, Italian restaurants serve these pieces as complimentary, right? The long bread sticks were almost tasteless, and I agree with a blog post which suggested that these bread sticks should not be touched unless one is super hungry. The foccacia bread was soft but not as warm as I expected.

    We had to go back to work immediately, so to make sure that we get the best of Bellini’s in the shortest time, we obediently followed the staff’s house recommendations on pizza and pasta.

    For pasta, we had the Pasta Cinghiale (PHp 400), which was not even on the menu. The waiter said this variant is special because it’s topped with a sauce of wild boar stewed in tomatoes. It’s almost a rarity since not many restaurants serve that same dish. Sadly, the wild boar pasta turned out to taste bland and the wild boar bits were hardly noticeable.

    No herbs were present and the tomato-based sauce did not taste of ripe, juice tomatoes. There was no balance of acidity and sweetness as it tasted just bland and unappealing.

    We also shared the Ravioli al Tartufo (PHp 270) which in plain English means Spinach and Ham Ravioli in Truffle Sauce. Out of the six pieces of raviolis on a plate, the fillings in two were cold and the rest was either hot or warm. What does this unevenness imply?

    I’m thinking they were not made fresh from the kitchen but just taken from the refrigerator and then heated. Like the pasta, the tomato sauce used in the ravioli al tartufo did not taste good. It looked dull without the nice chunks of tomatoes. Compared to the quality and taste of raviolis by Bistro Ravioli, El Cangrejo, Balducci Ristorante and Deli and L’Opera Ristorante Italiano, Bellini’s raviolis were a let-down.

    With thin and crisp crust, the Quattriza (PHp 610) consisted of these four flavors: cheese, veggies, sausages and anchovies. Each had its distinct taste but none was praise-worthy. I’d rather go to Pizza Hut, Shakey’s or Greenwich anytime.

    Finally, our plates were taken out and red wine courtesy of Bellini’s was served to wash the food tastes all down. The red wine tasted like the standard red wine in our church during service minus the kick of alcohol. It tasted like sweet grape juice, a nice end to our meal. It might be the only thing that I liked.

    Price for Value: ★☆☆☆☆

    Sigh. I must admit, Bellini’s Italian Restaurant in Cubao Expo got the atmosphere right. However, with poor ratings on food and service, the expensive prices tagged on food are not worth their value. It’s easy to figure that this restaurant failed on multiple infractions. Needless to say, I won’t be going back for another terrible experience.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bellinis-Italian-Restaurant/173168406043533″ name=”Bellini’s Italian Restaurant” description=”Cubao Expo, 68-69, Gen. Romulo St., Cubao, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 9132550″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-28″ user_review=”7″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: 11:30am-11:00pm

  • Review of Chef Laudico Guevarra’s (San Juan City)

    Review of Chef Laudico Guevarra’s (San Juan City)

    When I got an invite from Joy of Gastronomybyjoy.com to spend an afternoon at Chef Laudico Guevarra’s for the launch of Philip Lifestyle Guy! Season 2, I just felt ecstatic. I would not not only get to meet Philip Abadicio, but I would also have the chance to dine in at one of the most wonderful house-turned-restaurants in the city right now! 😛 Some might call me lucky—and they’re right.


    Chef Laudico Guevarra’s in P. Guerra Street, San Juan is a buffet restaurant showcasing Filipino food with a twist. This place was once a heritage house built in the 1920s and was transformed into an elegant restaurant which opened to the public last July 16, 2013.

    Chefs Roland and Jackie Laudico thought that Guevarra’s would be known as an upscale buffet restaurant where diners can feel like they’re dining in a five-star hotel without the expensive bill afterwards. And yup, they’re successful at that. My foodie experience here has been great enough for me to want to tell the world about it. 😉

    Chef Laudico and Me : )

    Review of Chef Laudico Guevarra’s (San Juan City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Since Valentine’s Day is fast coming, Chef Laudico Guevarra’s was decorated with hearts all around. Inside the restaurant, several private dining areas that serve as function rooms can be found. They are named after famous personalities that made mark in the history of the Philippines, namely: Guevarra (main hall), Recto, Ortega, Mabini, Abad Santos and Pilar.

    Small gatherings, important meetings and celebrations can all be held in these rooms. If you’d notice, the walls are decorated with signed plates by celebrities and known people as well as paintings by local artists.


    The heritage house’s layout was retained as in the original, and the overall design may just leave one feeling oddly nostalgic. The lights? Oh wow, they’re enchanting. Hats off to the Laudicos for the spectacular theme.

    Guevarra’s also offers an outdoor setting suitable for having a nice cocktail in a serene ambiance. This garden in front of the restaurant looked perfectly romantic for a couple’s pictorial. This is the kind of place you can bring a date without worrying about anything.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Staffs were warm, hospitable and responsive, embodying a platonic icon of a neighborhood restaurant’s good customer service team. They took out our used plates and refilled our glasses with water quickly.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    We came at 3PM just in time for “afternoon snacks,” so note that these food below are not those served similarly in lunch and dinner. Nevertheless, they were filling and quite satisfying.

    On the appetizers section were Fresh Ubod, Salad Greens and also [not on the picture] Radish Cucumber Salad, Creamy Salted Egg, Kuya Caesar Dressing, Spicy Sardines and Freshly Baked Pan De Sal. Pile them on your plate without shame, as nobody should come to a buffet restaurant to judge. 😛

    My favorite has to be the Fresh Ubod. Each piece was crafted beautifully with a consistent number of pleats. After dipping one in peanut sauce, the flavors of fresh veggies in the remarkably delicate lumpia skin burst in my mouth. Mmmm!

    The next round is about getting the lay of the land: a little of Pork Sisig Baskets, a taste of Camote Croquettes (I can’t hardly pass up these), and Pork Shanghai with sauces: Vinegar, Toyomansi and Pinakurat. My sister had grown an obsession with the sweet potatoes croquettes (Croquetas de Batata) and it’s easy to understand why. Each ball was like a fancy hash brown with crispy crumbs on the outside and moist in the inside.


    Three pizza flavors were available: Seafood Pizza, Karnievorous Pizza and Vegetarian Pizza. Their pizzas are not the best. With thin and light crust, the pizzas didn’t appeal much to me. The toppings were scarce and the sauce was not flavorful. Presentation was as well mediocre. You can skip these and move on to the mains.

    Satisfy your love of meat and poultry with Liempo, Grilled Chicken and Fried Chicken or “Filipino pasta” with Pancit Canton, Spaghetti and Palabok. While I can’t comment much on the meaty choices, I can attest that the texture and flavors of the three different pancit/noodles were good. They reminded me of my mom’s cooking!

    At this point, my tummy was full and I was not particularly hungry to try the other food. Then again, having a small bite of each won’t hurt. Next on the line for the taste test were: Lechon on the Carvery, Chicken Ham, Squid Law, Ginataang Bilo-bilo and Roasted Chicken. It’s not an unpublished secret in this blog that I’m not a fan of any of these meat in general. All I can say is that their flavors were rich in their own humble way but not exciting as they dared to be. The complementary sauces for the lechon and chicken can make up for the shortcoming.

    For desserts, we had the Vegetable Platter, Banana Cake, Suman Balls, Palitaw, Chocolate Crinkles and Maruya that were all pleasing to the eyes and taste buds. We also tried sticking some of them to the Latik Fountain, a cool “Pinoy” version of the chocolate fondue. Everything in this section was awesome.

    At the two opposite ends of the buffet were the vendo machines for ice cream (vanilla and chocolate flavors with toppings) and different kinds of beverages (sodas and iced tea). I had the red iced tea which was not too sweet for my liking.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    If there’s one thing that’s perpetually true about Filipino restaurants, it’s the one about how hard it is to find a decent buffet restaurant serving Filipino food that you can confidently bring your foreigner friends for them to get a glimpse and appreciate our local cuisine. Chef Laudico Guevarra’s can be an ideal spot to spend happy moments with your loved ones. Considering the selection and quality of food, buffet rates are affordable. Rest assured, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. (We’ll be back for the lunch and dinner proper next time.)

    Buffet Rates:
    Weekday lunch (Monday to Friday) 11AM – 2PM: PHp 399 + 12% VAT
    Weekday dinner (Monday to Thursday) 7:30PM – 10:30PM: PHp 499 + 12% VAT
    Weekends and Holidays (Friday dinner, Satuday and Sunday lunch and dinner): PHp 599 + 12% VAT

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/ChefLaudicoGuevarras” name=”Chef Laudico Guevarra’s” description=”387 P. Guevarra St. cor. Argonne St., Addition Hills, 1500 San Juan” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 705 1811, 705 1874, 502 5006, 0917 311 2222″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-13″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: 11:00am – 2:00pm, 7:30pm – 10:30pm

  • Review of El Cangrejo – Crab, Seafood and Steak Bistro (South Triangle, Quezon City)

    Review of El Cangrejo – Crab, Seafood and Steak Bistro (South Triangle, Quezon City)

    Up until last week, if you asked me where to find a seafood restaurant where you can hang out and enjoy quality food and quiet privacy in Timog area, I’d scratch my head. Now I can tell you: it’s at El Cangrejo – Crab, Seafood and Steak Bistro at South Triangle, Quezon City.

    El Cangrejo is one of the dining options located at Jardin de Zenaida, a cozy alternative to the monster malls and spread out venues in its vicinity. This restaurant may be placed in the “hinterlands of Timog” where not a lot of people usually pass by, but making the effort to go there will be worth the trip once you try their food and experience good company throughout your stay. 🙂

    Review of El Cangrejo – Crab, Seafood and Steak Bistro (South Triangle, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    As the heavy glass doors hiss shut behind your back, breathe. You’d smell the fresh aroma of lemon in the air-conditioned dining room. Next, your eyes would wander around the framed photographs, which were taken by the owner of the bistro himself and some by his friends. The interior design was personalized and crafted according to the owner’s preference and instruction. The rusty feel of the brick walls gives a hint of drama, completing the industrial, old look to the otherwise chic atmosphere.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Staffs were pleasant and courteous. Upon the customer’s entrance, they escort you to your seats and ask if you want to be served with drinks. They refill glasses with water quickly and stay available for any request customers might have. They answer questions regarding the food they offer and they’re knowledgeable about the eats. All in all, the good service at El Cangrejo makes it an outstanding place to bring your family and friends as you won’t be discomfited.

    Food: ★★★★★

    We started with Baked Scallops (PHp 395) which were soft and easy to take out from the shells. The butter’s taste was very evident. So good! Add to that a squeeze of lemon and fresh greens as a mild counterpoint and you get a perfect appetizer to a meal. Note that each order typically consists of an average of 15 pieces of scallops. The count varies accordingly to the sizes of the scallop, so you may expect to have more if they come in smaller sizes and less if they come in bigger ones.

    Next up was the Shrimp Cocktail (PHp 295). I posted a picture of this appetizer on my Instagram account and immediately, it gained many likes. Why not? Its presentation was a complete stunner. I have not encountered a similar dish before, so I was surprised that the plump and tender shrimps were eaten cold. It came with ordinary tomato sauce, but what lies beneath making it slightly unconventional were the shredded cabbages that sopped the flavor of the dip and added texture to it.

    The only dish we had that night that’s not categorized under “Seafood” was the Boneless Buffalo Wings (PHp 235). El Cangrejo’s boneless buffalo wings were almost greaselessly fried with the skin remaining intact, so they stayed crispy and crunchy. The chunks of buffalo wings would make as good pica picas (pulutan) as they’re spicy and somewhat nutty. A thin coat of mayo and lemon really helped in toning down the spice.

    Last in the parade of appetizers were the Clam Steamers (PHp 150). I appreciated the ingenuity of using only the natural saltiness of the clams and not adding salt to make the sauce.

    The complementary homemade bread for this dish could be dipped into the balsamic vinegar with olive oil or the orange sauce of the clam steamers. They had two stark opposite tastes, thus it’s better to choose only one at a time to avoid the contrast.

    Just when I thought we were done for dinner, the main entrees began to come out. 😯 Whoa, seeing these gorgeous-looking Crabmeat Raviolis made me wonder what the black coat was made out of. Apparently, the coating was made with squid ink and tasted as a seafaring flavor, a jolt of the unexpected. The crab meat stuffing was also good, although I met a few tiny crab shells still in it.

    The Grilled Ulang tossed in Beurre Noisette (PHp 595) indeed commanded attention. What’s in a name, Ulang, huh? I was too shy to ask. 😛 I consulted Wikipedia instead and learned that Ulang (Tagalog) translates to “Giant Freshwater Shrimp” in English. What sets them apart from prawns are their “antennae” and larger heads. The grilled ulang was wow-perfect as they were dressed with the sweet-smelling hazelnut butter sauce. The mashed potatoes, I thought, lacked moisture, creaminess and robust flavor (maybe salt). Regardless, it was filling.

    The next two entrees, the Grilled Prawns Aglio Olio (PHp 395) and Fish and Chips with Homemade Tartare Sauce (PHp 370) were the dishes I liked the least. You can order them if you want comfort food; these make an instant recall to our list of most familiar food. But other than that, I don’t suggest choosing them out of the many other great food listed on El Cangrejo’s menu.

    Or it could be just me—I’m not a pasta person and also not one who’s fond of eating the same typical food (ahem, fries) in every restaurant every time. Even so, I tasted them. Worth to mention was that the fries were thick and robust (like KFC’s). Yup, they are fries for the true potato lover.

    We were given maroon bibs before eating the Steamed Mud Crabs tossed in Beurre Noisette (PHp 595). These crabs had the same burned butter sauce that appealed to our palate as in the Grilled Ulang. They tasted as great as they appear on the picture. And listen, it can be hard to eat them without rolling up your sleeves. It’s wise to use your hands and go comfortable to dig the crab meat. Smash the shells with the tools given and suck every morsel of the succulent sweet crab. With that said, the mud crab is not a first date kind of a dish.

    This plate consisted of about 500-600 grams of crab (El Cangrejo’s standard range). It’s said to be good for one person, but I totally disagree. (I’m speaking for myself only.) There’s no way I could finish that alone! This course is served with a choice of (1) Caesar salad or farmhouse salad or sauteed vegetables and (2) roasted mashed potatoes or fresh-cut fries or plain rice or garlic rice. So do you think one can manage to finish everything? If yes, I challenge you. Feel free to leave your comment in the Comments section to share your experience. I know I’d be in awe! 😀

    For desserts, we had the Apple Pie Ala Mode (PHp 150). The outer layer had a dense, buttery crumb that beckons you to take bite after bite. My tummy was so full but could not resist it! A shell of crisped pastry cracked off the top like an apple pie turnover. The dollop of white cream easily blended as one integrated yummy cake.

    The El Cangrejo Special Cake (PHp 190) was not to be missed as well. It’s a chocolate cheesecake with blueberry on top—super creamy, tasty and sinfully divine. The cake melts in your mouth and you may feel like the rest of the world is melting away. It’s so savory that you may finish one slice in a flash. I know it’s sometimes hard to help yourself, but watch out on the calories. 😛

    For the drinks, we had a bottle of fine white wine (La Umbra Pinot Grigio 2011) which came from Italy. It was a fresh wine with aromas of green pears and juicy nectarines. I drink wine occasionally so I’m sorry to report that I could not differentiate its taste to all the other white wines I’ve sampled. 😛

    Also, we had El Cangrejo’s Homebrewed Iced Tea (PHp 65) that was too strong for me. It had a lip-smacking aftertaste of lemon, lime and honey (not sure) and so deadly sweet that I had to request for a glass of plain water to neutralize my palate.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    With copious serving and excellent quality of food, prices of food are reasonable here. I’d say that El Cangrejo makes a suitable venue to celebrate the upcoming Valentine’s Day or the nearer special holiday, Chinese New Year. If your significant other starts to drop Olympic-sized mentions about romantic dining places to spend Valentine’s Day, El Cangrejo – Crab, Seafood and Steak Bistro in Timog has got you covered! Hey, they also do catering services so if you’re interested, see their contact numbers below to inquire.

    The only downside I found in El Cangrejo for now is its location. It’s a healthy drive from anywhere who’s within or near Quezon City, especially those who are coming from the nearby hospitals, condominiums, and commercial offices (ABS-CBN and GMA networks), but it does not take one smooth train or bus ride to get there for those who are living and/or working far. Also, the establishment still has not posed a big signage outside to draw people’s attention to come visit the restaurant, so they run the risk of losing a stature.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Cangrejo-Crab-Seafood-and-Steak-Bistro/160296647479640″ name=”El Cangrejo – Crab, Seafood and Steak Bistro” description=”Unit D1 Jardin de Zenaida, 34 Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, South Triangle, 1103 Quezon City, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 351-0700, (02) 917-203-0154, (02) 215 1416″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-01-20″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 am – 12:00 am