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  • Review of Chopstix Restaurant 筷子荟餐厅 (Canton Tower 广州塔, Guangzhou)

    Review of Chopstix Restaurant 筷子荟餐厅 (Canton Tower 广州塔, Guangzhou)

    To go up the Canton Tower or not was a debate between my boyfriend and me, since ticket prices are by no means cheap. But ask us if it’s a good idea to have dinner before going up the tower and you’ll get an easy answer. It’s a resounding yes! 🙂 Problem was, there’s not a lot of restaurants in the area and the more decent-looking ones are really expensive. Left without much choice, we ended up reserving seats at CHOPSTIX Restaurant (筷子荟餐厅). Prices of a la carte items on the menu were high, so we just hoped that they would be justified by the food quality.

    CHOPSTIX, located at the basement of the Canton Tower, was the first restaurant we spotted from descending at the Canton Tower metro station. It is an Asian specialty restaurant that caters a unique and festive fusion of authentic Cantonese cuisine and Southeast Asian delicacies.

    Review of Chopstix Restaurant 筷子荟餐厅 (Canton Tower 广州塔, Guangzhou)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The restaurant was spacious and well-decorated in earth-color tones. Dominating bright lights, wooden furniture, and brick-imitated walls made the interior ambiance feel cozy in contemporary style and nothing quite oriental. Through the open kitchen and bar counter, dining guests could see the skilled chefs showing their exquisite culinary skills.

    Although varying in shapes (round, square, and rectangular), tables and chairs were of the same finish, providing a visual line of repetitive elements that is both attractive and hypnotically fascinating to the eye.

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    We were third on the waiting list and upon stepping inside, we found that the crowds were not as demanding and not as full. In fact, several tables were unoccupied at the back. Still, the receptionist did not allow people to come in. We guessed that the management was short in staff and more diners could not be accommodated at the peak of dinner hour. Beyond doubt, serving speed was too slow and wait time was long. The staffs were not welcoming, not attentive, and not so friendly.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    When far from home, there is always a familiar nostalgic feeling whenever I encounter places that serve authentic Chinese food in an elegant setting. The thing is, once I smell that beautiful intoxicating aroma of Chinese spices and familiar dishes, I’ll somehow feel like home. This happened while waiting for our orders at CHOPSTIX. 🙂

    Beef chow fun is a classic entree in the Cantonese cuisine repertoire, and it’s one of my favorites. Chopstix’s version of the Wok-fried Rice Noodle with Beef 乾炒牛河 (RMB 58) was done right, very much like Wan Chai’s beef horfun in Chinatown, Philippines. The rice noodles were springy and firm, sticky and tender. What I loved most about it was the charred flavor called wok hei (or in English, “the essence of the wok”).


    Another dish we shared was the Kung Pao Chicken 腰果宫包鸡丁 (RMB 58), complete with slightly gloppy sauce and mild heat. We ordered a bowl of steamed white rice separately to fully enjoy the diced chicken with Sichuan peppers and peanuts in sweet, sour, and zesty sauce.

    All we needed was one singular bite of this glorious, rich concoction to confirm our love for it. The kung pao chicken was juicy and with browning characteristics, it was easy to find that the marinade was designed to optimize its natural meatiness.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Price for value was so-so. Food tastes were good but without that big WOW factor expected from such restaurant associated with the Canton Tower. It’s best to come with an appetite here, since the portions of food are meant for sharing.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.cantontower.com/en/Shopping.aspx?code=0404″ name=”CHOPSTIX Restaurant 广州塔云星筷子荟餐厅” description=”No. 222, Yue Jiang Xi Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, China (广州市海珠区阅江西路222号 广州塔)” rev_name=”For inquiries and reservations, call 预订电话 +86（20）8933 8090 or e-mail 预订邮箱 reservation@cantontower.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-11″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Bonbons Hello Kitty Café 海印都荟城店 (Mall of the World, Guangzhou)

    Review of Bonbons Hello Kitty Café 海印都荟城店 (Mall of the World, Guangzhou)

    Just about a block away from the Guangzhou Library, the Hello Kitty-themed café in Mall of the World 花城汇 (Guangzhou’s Largest Underground Mall) full of cutesy displays, furnishing, and desserts all with Hello Kitty logos greeted our eyes with satisfaction supreme. I have a soft spot for this feminine faline and have always envied those who have visited Hello Kitty Kitchen and Dining in Taipei, Taiwan and Hello Kitty Café in Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, South Korea as I see them in my Instagram feed.

    So you can imagine how happy and animated I was when we saw this “fairytale garden of oddities” in Guangzhou, China. It was a dream come true! Like a kid, I ran around shrieking quietly in wild abandon. Clearly, the appeal is in the presentation, and it’s easy to fall in love with the large models of the cuddly cat in the background. I wanted to take pictures of the Bonbons Hello Kitty Café in every spot and corner. To accomplish that, we had to stay longer and this meant we had to order some treats/desserts even before we had lunch. OK, fine! 🙂

    Review of Bonbons Hello Kitty Café 海印都荟城店 (Mall of the World, Guangzhou)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    In an instant, we were hooked with the fun ambiance. It’s Hello Kitty all the way! 🙂 The dining sets came in varied shapes, and the decors in bright pinks and clean whites were fanciful and chic. If “cute” can be personified, it would appear as Hello Kitty nonetheless. This chill café definitely continues to serve as a hotspot for fans and enthusiasts of Hello Kitty-inspired food and drinks. Both indoor and outdoor seating were comfortable.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was personable and fast. Bonus points go to the waitresses clad in maid costumes who treated us like masters in a private home. They were passionate in greeting everyone that entered.

    Food: ★★★★★

    The items on the menu looked mythically delicious, but thankfully we could have them in real life. 好多好靚既甜品丫!

    We had the Milk Chocolate Mousse 牛奶朱古力慕斯 (RMB 38), a guilty pleasure par excellence. Creamy and smooth with a dense chocolate base, it hit a chord with us also because it wasn’t too sweet. 不太甜，非常好! 🙂

    The proportion between the mousse the base was good, 造型可爱而且份量也不小，必须推荐. The mousse tasted light and airy in the mouth, while the base gave a sense of volume and substance without being overly powering. The strawberry on top gave a hint of acidity and tang, and Hello Kitty’s pink bow gave a nice crisp crust coupled with a soft and moist texture underneath when chewed.

    Strawberry Green Tea 草莓绿茶 (RMB 58)


    Raspberry Mousse 覆盆子慕斯 (RMB 38)

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    价格不便宜。大部份食物價錢介乎30-40人民幣之內，算唔算貴呢？如果第一次为了新鲜和拍照还可以吧，只是食物太贵, for me。However, knowing that we’re paying for the grand ambiance, superb service, and lovely food and we had a great dining experience here, on the whole, price for value is fair. It’s hard to say no to Hello Kitty especially when this kind of cafe is a rare sight where I come from (the Philippines). Bonbons Hello Kitty Café in Guangzhou can be a good once-in-a-while spot when you’re in serious need of something to be happy about. 🙂 再見啦 Bonbons Hello Kitty Café!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bonbons-Hello-Kitty-Cafe/552931504814910″ name=”Bonbons Hello Kitty Cafe 海印都荟城店” description=”Shop D01, No. 3001, B/F, Section 3, Mall of the World, 89 Huacheng Dadao, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (天河区珠江新城花城大道89号花城汇三区负一层3001号D01商铺)” rev_name=”For inquiries, call +86 20 3831 5151″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-08″ user_review=”0″ min_review=”18″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Dadding’s Kitchenette – Special Inihaw (Comembo, Makati City)

    Review of Dadding’s Kitchenette – Special Inihaw (Comembo, Makati City)

    Quality home-cooked style of food exists, and it’s here with Dadding’s Kitchenette. Opened last October 2014, this food establishment in Makati is the obvious move for your Filipino comfort food fix. Dadding’s cooks up delicious meals that pay homage to the owner’s culinary heritage in Pagsanjan province as well as his own craft. It has the formula down: food rich in flavor + authentic Pinoy taste + quick delivery + affordable prices. Via Zomato, Dadding’s Kitchenette sent two of their best-selling “Special Inihaw” dishes for me to try. In this post, we’re going to tackle them head on.

    Review of Dadding’s Kitchenette – Special Inihaw (Comembo, Makati City)

    Service: ★★★★★

    Dadding’s service is straightforward. You either dine in the restaurant or order food for delivery. For delivery requests, the food will be delivered for free on the same day or on a specified date and time with a minimum order of PhP 350. However, for now, deliveries are available only in the areas of Makati and BGC-Taguig business district. Operation schedule is from Mondays to Fridays at 6AM-10PM and Saturdays 8AM-8PM.

    Check out Dadding’s Kitchenette’s menu here:

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Dadding’s Special Inihaw:

    The tender and juicy Chicken BBQ (approx. 300g) (PhP 80) was grilled impeccably, maintaining an even balance of well-distributed barbeque sauce that makes for a clean and enjoyable eating experience. The flavor of the marinated seasoning was full of the BBQ taste. Each bite was neat and precise. Definitely get this specialty and go heavy on rice! 🙂 It’s the perfect food to bring during outings, get-togethers, and in-house events.

    The Inihaw na Tilapia sa Gata (approx. 250g) (PhP 90) is a good option for pescetarians and seafood lovers. The fish was moist and mild in taste, allowing bold flavors of the coconut sauce to shine. With a nice finish of real coconut milk, the coconut sauce was creamy and a little spicy. It was made from scratch (kakang gata)—and not from instant food packs. I just thought adding fresh herbs and mixed vegetables to the dish will form a nice contrast and present a more aromatic combination.

    Price for Value: ★★★★★

    On top of great food, prices of Dadding’s Kitchenette are pretty cheap as far as Filipino viands throughout the city go. They’re enough for everyone to go overboard and indulge in a meal costing less than PhP 100. The portion of each entree can be good for one to two hungry dudes to share. If there must be only two descriptions to remember about Dadding’s food, they are: simple and tasty. With that, price for value gets full stars. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/DaddingsOfficialPage” name=”Dadding’s Kitchenette” description=”Lot 217 Sampaguita Street, Pembo, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries/deliveries, call (02) 2469069 ext:124, 0998-9973117, or e-mail daddings@gmail.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-7″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

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

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

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

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

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

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

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

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

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

    Service: ★★★★★

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

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

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

    Food: ★★★★★

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

    Four Seasons Hotpot City Steamboat Experience

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

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

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

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

    Appetizers

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

    Meat (From the Ranch to Your Table)

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

    Seafood (From the Sea to Your Table)

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

    Vegetables (From the Farm to Your Table)

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

    Cooked

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

    Desserts

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

    The Bar

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

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

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

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

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.fourseasonshotpot.com.ph/” name=”Four Seasons Hotpot City” description=”SM Mall of Asia Bldg E., By the Bay, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries/reservations, call 831-7777 or 835-7777″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-04-16″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

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

  • Review of NEW Hand Stretched Pizza by Pizza Hut Philippines #StretchPA

    Review of NEW Hand Stretched Pizza by Pizza Hut Philippines #StretchPA

    Food experts are always looking for the next big thing that will be the buzz of the industry and the top of culinary trends. That means food establishments are continuously pushing themselves onwards and upwards. And boy did Pizza Hut Philippines take it to the next level with their new hand stretched pizza, which is thinner and lighter than usual and easier to bite.

     

    We are certainly no stranger to Pizza Hut as it’s one of the most trusted food chains here in the Philippines and all over the world with its wide range of delicious pizza menu. This giant pizza store has been pushing the boundaries of pizza with its stuffed crust pies, literally and figuratively. Now, doing things a little differently, it has come up with the hand stretched pizza with a burst of flavors and an abundance of toppings plus a choice of the crust glaze. Does Pizza Hut’s hand stretched pizza justify the hype? Let’s find out. 🙂

    Review of NEW Hand Stretched Pizza by Pizza Hut Philippines #StretchPA

    Service: ★★★★★

    Pizza Hut’s “Hate Late” campaign guarantees on-time delivery service or the pizza ordered will be given for free. This advocacy toward punctuality was launched way back in 2006, and to date, Filipinos take note of the time as stated by the call handler and synchronize it to their watches. As avid customers of Pizza Hut, we are in full support of this campaign. We expected the hand stretched pizzas to be delivered at 7PM, and the delivery guy arrived at 6:52PM. Yay! 😀

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Thanks to Pizza Hut Philippines, we were among the first families to taste the new hand stretched pizzas. Flavors and glaze finishers can be mixed and matched, as follows:

    • Flavors: Supreme, Hawaiian Supreme, 3-Cheese, Cheesy Pepperoni, and Cheeseburger
    • Glaze Finishers: Toasted Cheddar, Honey Crunch, Toasted Parmesan, Garlic Parmesan Butter

    We got the Supreme Pizza with Toasted Cheddar Glaze and the Hawaiian Supreme Pizza with Honey Crunch Glaze.

    Upon opening the box, we were immediately captivated by the smell of pizza that uplifts the spirit even in the dullest of days. It’s that familiar Pizza Hut smell that brings back memories of childhood (since we have grown up with Pizza Hut), the kind that I want to keep in a smell box to be opened and inhaled when I need something to make me smile. 🙂 Oh, I just love that inherent fragrance and I’m sure many people know what I’m talking about.

    Pumped full of the standard gooey mozzarella, the Supreme Pizza was topped with the usual ingredients: pepperoni, mild sausage, beef, green pepper, mushrooms, and onion. The thin pizza crust that was moist enough to have a tad of a chewy texture, yet toasted to a slight crisp. The glaze on the crust had a sharp cheesy taste, definitely a must-try for cheese lovers.

    Even our mouse doll friends, Dodsy and Tabby, hurriedly came forward for the cheese! 😛

    On the other hand, the Hawaiian Pizza consisted of ham, pineapple, and extra mozzarella cheese as toppings. Since my dad does not eat ham, we took it out and still the pizza was flavorsome with pineapple dices that helped to round off the taste. These sweet juicy cubes never fail to make the pizza well complemented. The pizza’s crust was was toasted just right and I liked that it wasn’t too hard that will leave my jaws working too hard. Its honey crunch glaze reminded me of breakfast cereals done quite well.

    Price for Value: ★★★★★

    For only PhP 499, you get two family pizzas with flavors and glaze finishers of your choice. Delivery service is for free. I thought these pizza slices are the real deal. The new hand stretched pizzas are available from April 7, 2015 to May 9, 2015 only so eat up! Make it great by stretching your experience up to the last bite as we did. 😛

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.pizzahut.com.ph/” name=”Pizza Hut New Hand Stretched Pizza” description=”For Pizza Delivery, call 911-11-11 (Metro Manila) or order online via www.pizzahut.com.ph” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-04-14″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

    Pizza Hut social media accounts:
    Facebook: Pizza Hut Philippines
    Twitter: @pizzahutphils
    Instagram: @pizzahutphil

  • Review of Chelsea Kitchen (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong) + Food vs. Lipstick

    Review of Chelsea Kitchen (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong) + Food vs. Lipstick

    In high school or even in college, I was not used to wearing lipstick. The closest thing to a lipstick I applied was a tinted lip balm that’s easy to spread and control. As I entered the corporate world, I learned that one of the ways to look more presentable and put-together in my profession is to keep my lip situation on-point. 🙂 My interest on lipsticks grew, and from then on, I started researching and trying out several brands and formulations to see which ones last the longest—even after a meal.

    Quite relevant to this course of thought was the theme of the event I attended about a week ago at Chelsea Kitchen by Raintree Restaurants, SM Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall. It was entitled Food Versus Lipsticks, basically a combination of a food and a beauty event where we tested several lipsticks in terms of moisture, color richness, and staying power, while eating some greasy dishes that could potentially ruin or rub off the lipstick.

    This is my first time to publish a food/restaurant review with snippets of insights/lessons from the lipstick-testing session at the bottom of the post. Please read on! 😛

    Beauty Materials We Used:

    Lipstick Remover and Cleaning Wipes
    Lip Brush
    Lipsticks

    Review of Chelsea Kitchen (Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong) + Food vs. Lipstick

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Its location (by the entrance of SM Megamall, between Zara and H&M), the tasteful décor, and food props by the counter make the ambiance of Chelsea Kitchen more than inviting. It’s amazing how a well-designed dining area, no matter how simple, can alter the entire vibe of a place.

    Thanks to the illumination provided by the mall, Chelsea Kitchen’s vigor seamlessly blended with its contemporary style. The atmosphere was laid-back, one where you can totally relax as you take the day off. Couches are stools were comfortable, and actions as seen in the open kitchen enhances attraction throughout.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    As an appetizer, the Sesame Seared Tuna and Mango Salad (PhP 350) isn’t much to write home about, but there’s no doubt that this salad tasted fresh and sharp. Packing some lovely nutritious greens in the blend, it consisted of tuna chunks, shallots, cashews, sweet miso cream, and ponzu honey. Sorry, meat-lovers might wish to take their cue to the next dish instead.

    Chelsea Kitchen’s Crispy Hot Wings (6 pieces) (PhP 295) with carrots, cucumbers, and jicama were quite greasy and saucy and these came perfect for the testing session. The wings were succulent and surprisingly clean and crisp. With a hint of sweetness, the orange sauce also left an impressionistic mark. Reminiscing its taste was enough to make me swallow my saliva while writing right now. 😐

    I ordered the Roasted Tomato Cream “Cappuccino” (PhP 140) as its name got me curious. Did it taste like cappuccino? No, I didn’t think so. It was more like tomato puree that’s flawlessly prepared with bold, creamy, and savory flavor and velvety texture.

    It was a no-brainer to get the Squid Ink and Clams Pasta (PhP 320) to check if our lips would be tinted in black after eating the pasta. Distinguished by the aroma of fresh dill and sun-dried tomatoes, the soft angel hair pasta was just coated with black ink and was not originally black. Taste was a little bland for my liking, and what I found missing was that taste of the ocean that’s always a defining moment for seafood entrees. Anyway, the clam shells made a perfect companion, and a squeeze fresh lemon was great to jazz up the dish.

    The 12″ stone-fired pizza, Super Garlic Cream Pizza (PhP 250), was absolutely delicious. It was just mouthwatering visually and a gustatory delight. Evidently, the pizza was freshly baked and well prepared, topped with the cheese and a massive amount of garlic. Oh, I loved the slightly burnt crust!

    Served with roasted tomato cappuccino and fries on the side, the Ultimate Grilled Cheese (PhP 295) was oozing with three kinds of cheese. It had just the right level of cheese to please our palate without any satiation. The bread was fluffy and incredibly stretchy. Every bite tasted as good as the last. Yummy!

    Another must-try we enjoyed was the Triple Decker Club Melt (PhP 320). The large sandwiches were made with grilled pesto chicken, farmer’s ham, egg salad, American cheddar, romaine, and tomatoes. The dish sported a good flavor and it was worth to mention that it didn’t come out soggy.

    The 4-Hour Cola Ribs (PhP 450) were recommended and did not disappoint. The sweet and spicy barbecue sauce developed a nice flavor to the tender ribs. I guess it’s a great meat option to order this summer season to appreciate something sweet with tad tangy kick.

    Swimming in pomodoro sauce, the Roasted Seafood Cioppino Pasta (PhP 425) was made with pesto spaghetti, loaded with fresh seafood, topped with herb croutons, and drizzled with fresh lemon. Nom factor is high. Give it a place of honor on your table. 🙂

    For dessert, we shared a slice of the Birthday Cake (PhP 195) which looked too cute with baby blue and baby pink icing. The cake was sweet but not overwhelmingly sweet. Sadly, the texture was a little too rough and I felt that the cake bits lingered after every mouthful. I would have preferred a softer and smoother icing to go along.

    From a long list of drinks on Chelsea Kitchen’s menu, the Super Food Smoothie (PhP 195) looked most appealing with healthy ingredients, such as honey, yogurt, berry compote, banana, and chia seeds. It combined tastes of sour, sweet, and a punch of nuttiness from the chia seeds. It’s a total winner.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Offering a different menu from Chelsea Grand Café in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Chelsea Kitchen in SM Megamall is a congenial casual restaurant that’s ideal for tired and hungry shoppers in SM and those who just want to try some robust and adventuresome plates. Service is respectful and food in general provided a pretty good value for money. Come hungry for ample servings of delicious European cooking that’s decently priced. 🙂

    5 Insights/Lessons Learned from the Lipstick-testing Session:

    1. When you’re mindful about how your lipstick stays on while dining, food choice is important. More often than not, the lipstick comes off on larger pieces of food you put to mouth—overly greasy or otherwise, so it’s best to cut food to bite-size pieces. Yes, it’s usually the big bites that end up smudging the lipstick. In addition, it’s wise to put the effort of not touching your lips with the food.

    Monika

    2. As much as possible, drink a beverage using a straw. In cases when you really need to drink from the glass (like when drinking wine, champagne, or cocktails), just be more careful and try to avoid touching the glass with your top lip. Drink from the same spot so the mark of your lipstick will only be in one position.

    Joy

    3. Sticking with neutral or nude lipstick color is best. That way, you will be less worried when the lipstick fades. People will not notice as much and rather think that it’s just your natural lip color.

    Em

    4. More than creamy and shimmering lipsticks, matte lipsticks fared better. All the lipsticks I tried had good lasting power (Nichido, Ever Bilena, and M&Co), however all of them dried my lips out and caused some flaking.

    Joy

    5. Covering the lips with a lip primer and then applying a lip liner will extend the life of a lipstick application and keep the color in place. Doing these is worth a try, to help prevent feathering or the migration of lipstick into fine lines around the mouth.

    Me :P

    Feel free to comment both on the food and the lipsticks. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/raintreechelseakitchen” name=”Chelsea Kitchen” description=”Ground Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 909-7012″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-04-07″ user_review=”13″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

  • Review of Tapella by Gaudi (Greenbelt 5, Makati City)

    Review of Tapella by Gaudi (Greenbelt 5, Makati City)

    There’s quite an absence of good Spanish restaurants in my regular rotation lately, so when I received an invite to visit Tapella by Gaudi in Greenbelt 5, Makati to test out dishes by Executive Chef Robert Spakowski, I felt excited about Spanish cuisine again. 🙂 Tapella specializes in tapas and paella.

    It was interesting to learn that while Chef Robert looked totally like a foreigner (Polish-Kapampangan on his father’s side and Spanish-American-Lebanese-Chinese on his mother’s side), he speaks Filipino fluently without a weird accent. He shared that he was born and raised here in the Philippines and has earned his Diploma in Culinary Arts and Technology Management from the Center for Culinary Arts Manila (CCA).

    How did he become the executive chef in Tapella? The former executive chef of Tapella (his family friend) decided to return to Spain and asked if he can take her place. To prepare and equip himself better, Chef Robert took an intensive Grand Diplome in Spanish Culinary Arts course at the International Culinary Center in New York, USA and the rest, as they say, was history.

    Review of Tapella by Gaudi (Greenbelt 5, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Tapella by Gaudi has been established since 2009. The rectangular dining room is well appointed and large enough, so getting a table should not be a huge pain in the ass, especially if you have reservation. Ambiance is pretty cozy, one that’s great for a date night or an amazing hangout with friends.

    At the back is a rack of wine bottles that serves as a good focus point of the interior design, versus muted brown walls bordering neutral beige that accentuates class.

    There’s also an al fresco setting which houses the bar, a change of pace from the inside. Grab a seat here to experience a more informal and chiller vibe magnified by the beautiful landscapes and garden in Greenbelt.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    I have a love-hate relationship with salads, and Tapella’s Mixed House Salad Drizzled With Special Dressing (Ensalada Tapella) (PhP 200) fell somewhere in between. Usually for me, salads are not exactly a can’t-miss-item from the menu, but it’s worth to mention that the ingredients of this house salad formed a good combination not just on the plate but also in the stomach. Mixed up with olives and corn kernels, the lettuce leaves were well seasoned with the dressing, ought to help you survive the meat and heavy rice dishes later.

    The Octopus with Paprika, Sea Salt, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Pulpo a la Gallega) (PhP 525) may look like a large order and intended for sharing between a group, but sometimes you need to overindulge a bit even for a party of two. As the star, the octopus was delicate and tasty, fork tender and not at all chewy.

    Fluffy and generous with filling, the Open Faced Omelette with Chorizo (Tortilla Abierta con Chorizo) (PhP 235) was wicked good, one of the best versions of omelette I’ve ever had.

    As something to whet the appetite, the Garlic Sauteed Shrimps (Gambas al Ajillo) (PhP 325) would be an excellent choice. It’s basically shrimps in garlic. What could go wrong? The shrimps tasted great and simple enough. I also noticed how the dishware was beautiful and meticulously selected for the course.

    Another appetizing dish was the tender and juicy Basque Chorizo Sausage (Chistorra Vasca) (PhP 235). The chorizo sausages in oil were packed in so much flavor that eating a piece will make you reach for some bread for plate cleanup.

    Next, we had Croquettes of Ham, Salami, and Mushroom (Croquettes Variadas) (PhP 175)—crispy turnovers with a variety of fillings. They looked great as finger food so I ditched the utensils to get proper-sized mouthfuls. Tapella’s croquettes were a bit salty and comforting wrapped into one.

    As pitch-black as coal, the Squid with Black Ink Batter (Calamares, el Bulli) (PhP 385) was cooked well, however I didn’t think there’s anything distinctly special to it other than how it looked differently from the regular fried squid in golden brown color. Simply put, there was no hint of complex flavor from the squid ink.

    Beef Salpicado, Chef’s Way (Salpicado a Mi Manera) (PhP 375) was oily but very delicious, so it would be hard to turn it down. I bet the chef used the juiciest morsel and used the choicest cut of beef for this.

    If there’s one item that you can order with confidence at Tapella by Gaudi, it’s their Prime Rib Grilled Villagodio Style (Chuleton de Villagodio) (PhP 300/100g). Arriving on a clay dish heated by a burner on the table, the certified prime angus beef that’s only speckled with sea salt and quickly seared to preferred doneness was a revelation. Yes, it was really good! For steak lovers, it can be impossible to eat it without making faces of satisfaction. This piece of meat hits home, a rightfully celebrated stroke of “steak genius.”

    Now, featuring the different kinds of paella…The Black Paella (Paella Negra) (PhP 595) was not the most outstanding, but it’s a special treat that can be best paired with gambas. I just thought that a variety of seafood to complement the squid ink would make a better contrast rather than chopped squid alone.

    Soft and risotto-like, Rice with Chicken and Vegetables, the Valencia Way (Arroz a la Valenciana) (PhP 450) came as a one-dish meal of poultry and veggies. For the most part, the bell peppers’ taste was responsible for the depth of flavor. Give it a shot if that sounds good to you. 

    Made with elements that create appealing color, Paella de Cocido (Cocido Paella) (PhP 400) was loaded with a good assortment of meat and vegetables as well. It’s a must-try, as it’s one of the national dishes of Spain.

    Out of all the paella we tasted, Chicken, Asparagus, Shrimp, and Manchego Cheese Paella (Arroz Manchego) (PhP 675) was the best! I’m all for seafood and veggies any day, and this rice dish blew my mind a bit—with cheese on top! I’m counting down the days till I can get another. 😛

    After tasting the previous winning paella, the Seafood Paella (Paella de Marisco) (PhP 600) failed in comparison. It was still good but not one I would be thinking about for days to come.

    For desserts, we had Tarta con Lave de Chocolate (PhP 150). It was sinful, with warmed rich chocolate oozing out of the cake. Checking all the criteria of a good chocolate lava cake, this was indeed calories worthy.

    Smooth and luscious, the Leche Flan (PhP 75) was equally enjoyable. It was creamy but still firm.

    Drawing contrast from the traditional leche flan, Bacon from the Sky (Tocino del Cielo) (PhP 75) from South of Spain was thicker and it was made with a whole bunch of egg yolks, sugar, and water (and not whole eggs, milk or cream as in leche flan).

    If you like cheesecake, go get the Tarta De Queso Dulce De Leche (PhP 150). A heavenly marriage flan and cheesecake, this dessert was so yummy that I could hardly resist the indulgence. 🙂

    We washed all the food down with cocktail drinks: Ronin Lychee Sangria (PhP 295) (sake with lychee) and Don Roberto Sangria (PhP 225) (red sangria with red wine and fruits that have been marinated for 24 hours). Both sangrias tasted bright, refreshing, and fruity, but I prefer the red over the white.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    We came in for lunch and after the end of the meal, I can say that all the food we tried were solid and reasonably priced. Items on the improved menu are not a crazy departure from familiar Spanish plates but are just more interesting.

    Chef Robert has done a fantastic job with the restaurant and with his creative menu of culinary excellence. If you’re looking for some good Spanish comfort food in Makati, I suggest you hit Tapella by Gaudi right quick for a hearty pile of food with tons of different flavor going on.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/TapellaByGaudi” name=”Tapella by Gaudi” description=”Level 1, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 757-2711″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-03-31″ user_review=”12″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

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

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

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

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

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

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

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

    Service: ★★★★★

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

    Food: ★★★☆☆

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

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

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/PottsPointCafe” name=”Potts Point Cafe” description=”2F Entertainment Mall Bayside, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-03-27″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]