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Review of GoNuts Donuts Choco Cookie Butter and Choco Hazelnut Spreads

Last Tuesday (before Glenda arrived in Metro Manila), I was happy to receive a set of goodies from GoNuts Donuts. To my surprise, instead of donuts, jars of GoNuts Donuts spreads consisted the package. In this review, let me tell you how good (or bad) the Choco Cookie Butter Crunchy Spread and the Choco Hazelnut Spread taste like.

These spreads aren’t entirely new in GoNuts Donuts stores. They were released in the latter quarter of 2013, if I’m not mistaken. However, for some reason, the spreads haven’t caught my eyes despite the several number of times I pass by their store in SM Mall of Asia.

Review of GoNuts Choco Butter and Hazelnut Spreads

Choco Cookie Butter Crunchy Spread (PhP 239 – big; PhP 109 – small)

The packaging of the spread seem to insist that GoNuts Donuts’ Choco Cookie Butter Crunchy Spread is a delicious alternative to peanut butter. One of the similarities between the two is that you can spread them on toast or cookie. Yup, cookie butter spread on toasted bread (or cookie) would be meta-amazing to resist!

The GND Choco Cookie Butter Crunchy has this deep, rich, Oreo-like flavor with crisp edges and a chewy center. I felt that there’s an irregular crumb structure with a craggy top, and probably a mix of hidden or miniscule chocolate bits dispersed through in fine threads, all with a nice sweet-and-salty balance. Also, the spread is firm with uniform thickness.

Choco Hazelnut Creamy Spread (PhP 239 – big; PhP 109 – small)

Like a cross between chocolate and Nutella, the Choco Hazelnut Creamy Spread is quite loose, almost verging on liquid at the center. The label says it’s not recommend to be refrierated so we kept the jar in room temperature. The texture of the spread was softer and gloppier than the Cookie Butter Crunchy Spread, and I prefer this one more.

We took the sugar twists and dip one stalk to the jar. Real chocolate flavor smoothly lingered on the tongue. The level of sweetness was just enough for my liking. It’s what I can count on when craving for some comfort food to pacify sugar rush! Oh, it was divine, definitely recommended for chocolate lovers. 😀

Wrap Up

To sum up this review, GoNuts Donuts has produced creamy and crunchy spreads that hit all the right notes (at least found by my taste buds). 😀 The question you might ask is: Are they the best choco hazelnut and choco cookie butter spreads in the world? No way. But are they worth your time and budget to try? I certainly think so.

With these GoNuts Donuts spreads, you can create your own donut recipe or incorporate it in any meal at home so you can tailor it with your taste. Simple, fast and easy. To put it lightly, either one or both can be added to your list of newest addiction. 🙂

GoNuts Donuts is a donut shop chain based in the Philippines. It is also referred to as “The Manny Pacquiao of the Donut World.” Click here for the list of its stores in Metro Manila.

July 17, 2014
Review of Pino Resto Bar (Bel-Air, Makati City)

Nowadays, grabbing a healthy lunch is not always easy. That’s unless of course you live in an area where all the freshest ingredients and colorful vegetables can be found. One afternoon, as I was searching the web for “healthy eating restaurants,” I found Pino Resto Bar in Jupiter Street, Makati. I heartily bookmarked it on Zomato and decided to treat my family to lunch on a Sunday. Their menu turned out to be a riot of plates whose ingredients tumbled across vegetarian and non-vegetarian modern Filipino dishes. These are food which I describe as those that aren’t ashamed of their nutritional stats. 🙂

For those of you who don’t frequent the North and are not familiar with Pino Resto Bar + Pipino Vegetarian, Pino serves creative comfort Filipino food, while Pipino presents vegetables in more playful light. The person behind both is Chef Ed Bugia who wanted to redefine the concept of Filipino comfort food and serve something special.

Review of Pino Resto Bar (Bel-Air, Makati City)

Service: ★★★★★

The entire place was reserved to a christening of a baby that day. I didn’t call ahead and make a reservation, so that was my bad. Pino Resto Bar was nicely setup with pink balloons and white curtain-like table cloths. I’m sure the place is not designed like that normally, so I won’t anymore give a rating for the ambiance.

Leaving Pino without tasting its food would be a letdown. On that note, I asked the staff if they could allow us to be seated at The Burger Project instead, since it’s operated by the same management as Pino Resto Bar anyway. Fortunately, he agreed and assisted us to the adjacent restaurant. We ordered food from there, and the dishes quickly arrived from a shared kitchen of BRGR and Pino.

Food: ★★★★☆

Sufficiently buttery, Pino’s version of the Vegetable Kare-kare (PhP 185) was not the best I have tasted so far but it could be unfailingly pleasing for most vegetarians and vegans alike. I found the nuttiness a little bland if not eaten with the Bagoong Rice (below) made of black beans. To improve, I think the taste will be enhanced if there’s some level of heat we can live with.

The Calamares Negra (PhP 275) was comforting and slightly elevated. Because they’re black, you might have the impression that the pieces were dipped in squid ink. I don’t know if that’s right, but I’m sure that these hit the spot as they’re quite exotic and yummy. It’s a new spin from a simply fried calamari with a golden crust we often are served in most restaurants.

The quality of layered pasta in Pino Resto Bar’s Vegan Lasagna (PhP 175) was great. Balanced in flavor, this lasagna had a great mix of sweet and tart elements—the kind of bright, popping flavors that Southeast Asian cuisine is known for. The tomato sauce dominated the top part and it was assertive but not so much as to overwhelm the vegetarian fillings.

As the name Watermelon Steak (PhP 245) appeared on the menu, it got me curious on how it would look and taste like. It sounded suspicious and ended up nothing particularly good. Watermelon juice oozing out in every forkbite was just weird. The mushrooms, asparagus and mashed potatoes were memorably delicious.

We destroyed the mystery of kale and malunggay in one when we had two orders of the Kale Malunggay Pesto Pasta (PhP 195). Hearty and heavy went hand-in-hand. With a substantial amount of pesto flavor, this pasta dish could be better with toasted pine nuts scattered on top and a bit of grated Parmesan.

Having started our day at Pino with kare-kare, it was perfectly acceptable to end it with one, too. This time though, we had the Seafood Kare-kare (PhP 625) which featured various seafood such as shrimps, mussels and squids. It was totally likable. The peanut gravy and the coconut milk blended well together. Adding an extra luscious dimension was the richness of the texture of the sauce. This can be your Achilles heel!

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

The meal was certainly not cheap considering the small serving size of the dishes, but overall it was not preposterously expensive either. Most of the dishes are around the PhP 200 mark, and the mains similarly push you to spend from about PhP 250 to PhP300. To get lucky with good choices, the trick is to realize before you place your order what you are going to get. Vegetarian or non-vegetarian, or probably a mix of both.

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July 12, 2014
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.

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July 2, 2014
Review of Buddha-Bar Manila (Poblacion, Makati City)

A week before my birthday, I was looking for cool restaurants to try where I’d treat my family and boyfriend. After seeing pictures and snippets of reviews online, it was not long when I have decided to go for Buddha-Bar Manila. I booked for a reservation immediately and mentally prepared to be transported in a world of luxury and sophistication even for a day. 😀 Obviously, excitement filled me in!

I have first heard about Buddha-Bar Manila when it opened in 2012. And perhaps like me, you would ask, “Why is this bar called Buddha-Bar?” Whoa. I mean there are so many names you can attach to a bar, so why use Buddha? In any case, I think the owner has done a great job with the branding since it foremost captures quick attention and piques the curiosity of people.

For the record, Buddha-Bar is not a house of prayers or a place for spiritual congregation like a church but a bar-restaurant located at Picar Place on Kalayaan Avenue in Makati (just beside Century City Mall). Buddha-Bar is now found in 25 countries and key cities around world, including London, Moscow, Budapest, Paris, Kiev, Prague, St. Peterburg and Cairo. Offering a fully original dining experience, Buddha-Bar Manila’s food courses are made with an artful blend of unique taste and choicest ingredients.

Review of Buddha-Bar Manila (Poblacion, Makati City)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

Wearing sandos, slippers and shorts is prohibited, and Buddha-Bar reserves its right to refuse customers going in when they are not in proper attire. This place deserves the credit to have well-dressed and presentable guests because the interior design screams elegance and sophistication.

Upon entering, you will be welcomed with the sight of a giant Buddha monument sitting on a throne. Right beside is the bar mezzanine, fitted with 18th century style wrought-iron balustrades, and this I guess is where you’ll have the chance to rub elbows with college students, cops, and perhaps a local celebrity over strong drinks.

Flights of stairs and an elevator are available and accessible for customers to move about on the four floors of the building. The dining areas are set with rich mahogany furniture, sofa sets with luxurious fabrics, amber-colored lighting, Chinese and Japanese art objects, Khmer statues, decorated wood panels, and Portuguese mosaics all come together to create an opulent and refined décor. There’s funk, improvisation, and lush colors of red and gold on every corner.

Generally, the venue takes on a party atmosphere. However, since we visited Buddha-Bar Manila during lunch time on a Saturday, there were lots of empty tables. Music was out and the atmosphere was pretty quiet. For a moment, I felt like we were stepping into another time and place for a relaxing get…away. Air-conditioning was a bit off, but I’m sure it would be different once the sun is out.

Service: ★★★★★

The staffs were eloquent and friendly without obstructing privacy. The food we ordered came fast considering that they were prepared intricately. Customer service here was great in a way that it made me feel like we were treated with care, like we were invited to visit the home of a very rich friend.

Food: ★★★★★

For Buddha-Bar’s food, I have set my expectations up high. Since food prices here are known to be expensive, the quality and taste of food must match the rate. I knew I chose this restaurant not only for its lovely ambiance but also (mostly) for its food. Its website indicates that “The Buddha-Bar menu offers a selection of Pacific Rim cuisine dishes, a masterful blend of fine ingredients and spices where Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other East Asian flavors combine subtly with a zest of the West.”

Tuna shone in Crazy Spicy Tuna Maki (PhP 190, 4 pieces) and it was shamelessly delicious! My taste buds were happy to meet a flavor bomb of piping hot tuna tucked in Japanese sushi rice. From the top down, the soy sauce with wasabi soaked in.

Another maki we tried was the gentle-tasting Pink Lady Maki (PhP 230, 4 pieces), which became our instant favorite. This monster roll was made with crispy tempura inside, seaweed salad and fresh salmon on top. If it were present at a tailgating bash or cocktail party, I will gladly devour it at either one.

Delivering a substantial mouthful of cajun spice and oils, the Cajun Style Tuna Sashimi (PhP 470, 6 pieces) was the priciest among the bunch of Japanese food we had that day. It is one of the new dishes on the Buddha-Bar Manila’s menu, and it appeared as a healthy but no less yummy invention designed to showcase the restaurant’s fusion fare.

Crisp and fragrant spring rolls may be considered as one of the best appetizers to an Asian meal. Comparing the tastes of the makis and sashimi, we thought these fried rolls were more muted but in a good way. The freshness of the vegetable fillings in the Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sweet and Sour Sauce (PhP 320) was delightful.

We could not have only one vegetarian dish so we added Steamed Tofu with Mapo Shiitake Sauce (PhP 380) to our list of orders. It seemed simple but I just love how the slabs of tofu were soft and silky. Spooned alongside Steamed Jasmine Rice (PhP 60), this vegan-friendly entree will disappear rapidly from the dining table to your stomach.

The next four dishes were served almost simultaneously, crowding for space and competing for attention. Determining which to get first posed to be hard, yet we figured it out. The Black Pepper Beef with Thai Basil (PhP 720) had a juicy and beefy oomph to every bite. The pieces of meat were so tender and the sauce’s flavor danced on the palette. The beef tasted absolutely rich with the Thai basil and was beyond-belief good.

If you’re a fan of spicy food, then you must order the Spicy Angry Chicken (PhP 590). Staying true to its label, the spicy chicken ended up how it was supposed to taste: fiery. You may tear up and start to sweat, but pleasure should always win out over pain.

To move on, we paired it with Chahan Fried Rice (PhP 320) to strike a balance of intense heat and somehow bland. Eating this fried rice alone will make you think that you’re eating just plain rice because of the lack of flavor. There are a few tiny bits of meat and scrambled eggs that can be seen but they were not enough to stand out. Chinese restaurants’ Yang Chow Fried Rice is still a winner.

Finally, we were not crazy to punish our tongue by having another spicy dish. The Chef’s Special: Duo of Salmon and Prawns (PhP 860) tamed it down. It consisted of black vinegar shallot compote, green beans, lime cream, edamame. I adore salmon for its versatility and robust flavor. It’s one type of fish I can consider eating one whole year round. 😛

Who wouldn’t agree that this Liquid Center Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream (PhP 290) is so fantastariffic?! Once you break into the cake, there’s molten chocolate inside complimented perfectly by the ice cream. I love the chocolate oozing out. Oh dear God, forgive me for I have sinned. 😛

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

One of my real joys is spending time with my loved ones eating. Thankfully, I made the right choice in celebrating my 25th birthday at Buddha-Bar Manila. There’s no doubt that prices are steep. But altogether, we enjoyed the food and had a wonderful time, indeed. I confidently recommend this place for those who look out for a perfect setting to celebrate anything. 😀

Buddha-Bar Manila has a promotion ongoing: spend at least PhP 3000 and get a raffle ticket to win a brand new Maserati (luxury sports car). I’m glad that our bill made me qualify for an entry and I hope to have the best of luck come September 6, 2014, the draw. Please pray for me! 😛

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June 25, 2014
Review of Pan De Amerikana (Concepcion Dos, Marikina City)

Pan De Amerikana Bakery and Restaurant is one of the target restaurants foodies wandering in Marikina would want to dine in. This place has a truly incredible, one-of-a-kind setting where you can find and enjoy pan de sal, ensaymada and other breakfast items all day. If you are a sucker for great bread or one who’s fond of incorporating it into meals any chance you get, this fine restaurant in Marikina must be in for your liking. 🙂

Review of Pan De Amerikana (Concepcion Dos, Marikina City)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

The layout and design is absolutely gorgeous. No doubt, Pan De Amerikana is built as a charming place. The luxury of is interior is breath-taking as it almost looked like Wonderland. There’s a lot of quirky stuff that should pique your interest, so keep your eyes open and don’t forget to bring a camera. 🙂

The décors are effortlessly classy, bringing a sense of nostalgia without the tackiness. I was especially fascinated by the giant chessboard with 3.5-feet high plastic chess pieces imported all the way from New York City, life-sized wind-driven Netherland windmill, rope bridge (on the second floor, sorry it’s not in the pictures), koi pond, traviesa benches, calesa, Italian colonnade European ruins, frames on a wall and the indoor tropical rainforest plants that serve a purpose—to give a nice feel-good factor as they lift your spirits while blending well in the background.

Service: ★★★★★

The wait staff took good care of us. The kind management makes customers feel at home and grant them their own privacy. Everyone is allowed to pose and take pictures. For photography enthusiasts and bloggers, I know that this alone would make visiting Pan De Amerikana in Marikina be worth a shot!

Food: ★★★☆☆

Our wholesome meal started with Mega-sized Wheat Pan De Sal (PhP 6 per piece) which tasted better than the regular pan de sal you find in most bakery shops. It was soft and the dough of the bread was very well done.

Next, we had the Mega-sized Wheat Ensaymada (PhP 12 per piece), which appeared to be the regular ensaymada with sugar and butter we know. There was no additional oomph of creaminess or softness I was looking for to describe the item as exceptional. Nevertheless, this should not be missed!

Filled with bean sprouts (toge), the vegetable spring rolls or Lumpiang Gulay (PhP 55) was standard. I’m happy to report anyway that these rolls had a perfect crisp without being greasy. Slather them to the vinegar-based sauce or ask for chili to make the flavor intense.

The Bangus Sisig (PhP 140) was salty, fishy (not very fresh) and quite dry. It lacked onions and probably to improve this dish, mango salsa should be added to the concoction because a squeeze of calamansi was not successful in giving enough tartness and dimension to the sizzling course.

I ordered a variant of everyone’s favorite egg dish: the omelet. Pan De Amerikana’s Mushroom and Cheese Omelet (PhP 70) came stuffed with mushrooms, which were not the most visually inspiring element on the plate. It was sad that I had neither seen nor tasted the cheese at all when I initially had hoped that the cheese would be an equalizer. Their runny, half-moon omelet can be said as your average solid brunch comfort food, but I think I prefer sticking to more unique offerings for now.

Lastly, the Beef Tapa (PhP 70) was a hearty treat served with a mound of rice and egg. Though dried, the beef jerky was still somehow tender, with only minimal tug-back. I feel it could also go nicely when eaten together with the wheat pan de sal. Unfortunately, I have yet to test this idea.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

If you’re in the quest to try dining at a restaurant in Marikina with unique ambiance, your adventure should bring you to Pan De Amerikana Bakery and Restaurant. However, don’t expect the food to be exemplary. These are comfort food that will make your mood neutral and just satisfy your hunger while enjoying the relaxing vibe.

Apart from this main branch in Marikina, Pan De Amerikana has other branches that are also guaranteed to give every customer the best experience of their lives with every visit. Worth to mention is the branch in Katipunan Ave., Quezon City which is actually the first and only upside down restaurant in Southeast Asia. Just wow, right! 😆 It is open from 6am to 9pm every day except Sundays (6am to 3pm).

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Marikina Branch Operating Hours:
Monday to Saturday 6:00AM to 7:00PM
Sunday 7:00AM to 3:00PM

Other Branches:
Pandesal Since 1950’s – 118 Katipunan Avenue, White Plains, Quezon City
Telephone: +632 421-1966, +63 917 881-1884

Unit 4, Madison Building, Wilson Street, Greenhills, San Juan
Telephone: +632 384-6741, +63 917-5664424

Constellation Drive corner Makati Avenue, Belair, Makati Avenue
Telephone: +632 387-9413, +63917 571-2224

June 24, 2014
Review of Café Lidia (Calumpang, Marikina City)

We love trying different cuisines and socializing with friends. Dining out is hence an indulgence and an essential part of our weekend getaway. In Marikina, I’ve observed that there’s no shortage of good restaurants that promise both great ambiance and food. Café Lidia is noted as one of the spotlights for impressive style whether the occasion calls for casual or fine dining.

In this feature, we handpicked Café Lidia in Calumpang for dinner last June 7, 2014. Read through this post to decide if this restaurant is one that you would want to add to your wish list. 🙂

Review of Café Lidia (Calumpang, Marikina City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

A steward in the local dining scene in Marikina, Café Lidia is like a spacious house affixed with calming vibes of old and wooden furniture. The interior is mixed with modern and traditional touches. Its walls are accented with bricks and horizontal lines, and the color gave a good complement to the patterned floor tiles. There are separate dining areas for those who want to have a family-style or big-group meals and also for those who come in smaller groups or a couple date.

Service: ★★★★☆

Service was prompt and we didn’t have to wait long for our dishes to arrive. The waiter was knowledgeable about food offerings and was friendly to talk with. Food was nicely presented and landed on the table. The staff here didn’t disappoint.

Food: ★★★☆☆

We had gone for almost all Café Lidia’s signatures. As an appetizer, the Buffalo Wings (PhP 180/six pieces) were a classic done well. We enjoyed the savoriness of this simple comfort food. I’d recommend it with some reservations. It’s a nice palatable appetizer that could be better with some spice.

Sufficiently warmed up, we proceeded to the Pasta ala Lidia (PhP 160) with anchovies, salty and distinct olives, capers, tuna and tomatoes in olive oil. I don’t always applaud pasta, but this platter was pretty solid and tasty. The pasta noodles were light and springy and the ingredients delivered brightness

The House Special Pizza (PhP 230/8 slices) made with pepperoni, ham, bacon, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and pineapples was not something I’d try again. The cheese didn’t taste high quality. 🙁 I consider a pizza really good if it exceeds the sum of its parts, but this one was wee bit tired. Nothing fresh and new about it.

The Seafood Rice (PhP 205) was quite like a typical bowl of paella rice. The green peas and bell peppers brought a tasty, balancing sweetness to the equation, and the egg exhibited a pleasant change to the overwhelming flavor of mixed seafood (shells, shrimps and squid rings).

The Beef Salpicao (PhP 225), served with garlic rice and salad, was not too tender and easy to chew. It’s not to die for, but I can bet that this version of beef salpicao is a dish that will always hit home for Filipinos.

With crackling skin, the Porchetta (PhP 230) is pork covered and wrapped in fatty pork. How awesome is that? 🙂 My friends say you can’t go wrong with this treat. The fatty belly had a portion rich in juices and its connective tissues ostensibly helped to keep the meat moist. It looked good but not enough to tempt me successfully.

The pounded chicken breast pan-fried and then smothered in a rich marsala mushroom pan sauce was wonderful. The dish is called Chicken Marsala (PhP 265), featured with mushroom sun-dried tomato and marsala wine served with mixed vegetables that you would be oohing and ahhing over.

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

Prices are friendly on the wallet and overall food tastes are fair, so I see clearly why dining at this restaurant often requires a wait for a table. Still, I hope Café Lidia’s food entrees (at least these ones we’ve tried) would improve more. Having good ambiance and customer service, it has the potential to grow into another great foodie/culinary destination in Marikina.

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June 21, 2014
Review of Apag Marangle Kapampangan Restaurant (MarQuee Mall, Pampanga)

Last Sunday was Father’s Day. Since we planned to celebrate the occasion on the following Friday, I was free to traverse MarQuee Mall in the city of Pampanga with blogger friends. 🙂 Our venture kicked off with an adventuresome foray into the world of exotic dining at Apag Marangle Kapampangan Restaurant.

Serving authentic Kapampangan cuisine, Apag Marangle would be the most ideal restaurant to dine in when you’re in MarQuee Mall. Especially when you have not tried Pampanga’s local food, it’s a good time to taste great farm food and at the same time get a glimpse of the rich Filipino culture. If you think you’re brave enough to try something new, eating here must be included in your bucket list! 😉

Review of Apag Marangle Kapampangan Restaurant (MarQuee Mall, Pampanga)

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

Apag Marangle in Filipino means “hain sa bukid” or in English “farm dining.” And true enough to its name, with cool pieces of native furniture and handicrafts, it was like eating in a farm—but indoors! The design features a bahay-kubo-like dining area as shown on the wallpaper. Tables are merged together and arranged for groups, making the restaurant ambiance appeal more to families and big barkadas.

One side is air-conditioned, while the other side allows natural air to flow by. This, I think, is the reason why there were several flies buzzing in the restaurants and around the food—certainly not good for business. The management should really do something about the flies because they were seriously disturbing. Perhaps installing lamps or a special device to get rid of flies, mixing a natural fly repellent in a spray bottle, or setting a trap with dish soap can do the trick.

As some of the food were being grilled and cooked in the air-conditioned room, a lot of smoke was generated. The exhaust hood on top of the grilling station did not have enough power to get rid of the smoke, so the smoke tend to get in our eyes and nose. I suggest them to install a new range hood vented outside or transfer the grilling station to the non air-conditioned area.

Service: ★★★★☆

Apag Marangle was packed with so many customers at the peak of lunch hour. We were seated outside and were handed the banana-leaf-shaped menu, and the friendly staff took charge in helping us find a table indoors. While waiting, the staff served plates of Nilagang Mani and Kamote (Boiled Peanuts and Sweet Potato), a kind gesture indeed.

Items on the menu were mostly in Kapampangan but there are Filipino translations below or beside each. Despite that, we could not easily decide which to order.

The waiter also gave us set of menu which listed their house specialties. He enumerated some of the best options first-time diners usually get, and we gladly approved his suggestions.

Expected waiting time for the food, he said, was 20-30 minutes. I thought it’s long. If you plan to eat here, do so when you’re not extremely hungry.

Food: ★★★☆☆

We were greeted by the appetizers: Camaru Pritu (PhP 185) and Betute (PhP 80, small; PhP 90, medium). These looked thrilling for the adventurous eater, no doubt, but I was not so excited to eat such exotic foods. Nevertheless, we had to sample them to know how they taste like.

With a deep inhale, I took the Mole Cricket into my mouth and chewed the crunchy bits of its tiny body parts. 😳 The Camaru was like chips for pulutan. It had a lightly fried crust that balanced the soft, briny texture. I dipped one into the sweet vinegar sauce for something sweet and pungent. I also tried eating the mole cricket without the sauce and I regretted it badly. This delicacy may be a soul-satisfying winner for some, but I’m sure that it’s not for me. 😐

Next in line for the “Fear Factor” taste test was the Betute, deep-fried frog farm/tadpole stuffed with buttery sauce and chili. The thought of the amphibians hopping and jumping makes me feel queasy. Stir-frying or deep-frying them will solve the case. I was told that frogs’ meat tastes like chicken.

Maybe the texture of the meat is quite similar, but the taste of the frog legs were stronger. These frog parts didn’t have much to chew. Because it’s unfortunately tough, it seemed like they had an extended stay in the deep fryer. Or maybe, it’s cooked just right. 😯 I’m only guessing as this was my first encounter with the dish. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that in general and at least from what I know, fried foods are very temperamental; crossing the delicate line from toothsome buoyancy to dense rubber is critical.

Our eyes were next set on the Ninghang Hito (Catfish) (PhP 50/100g). It was fresh and not muddy. Grilling was well executed, and the accompanying shrimp paste (bagoong) further improved the taste.

Neither too starchy nor sticky, the Aligue (Crab Roe) was melt-in-your-mouth good and perfect to be paired with rice. It was creamy, bittersweet and rather strong. Scoop one spoonful of it and you’d feel like in seafood heaven. 😛

We also had Suam Mais (PhP 195) or corn soup in clay pot, which was really nice once you get past the viscosity. Amplifying the flavor and aroma was the chicharon cooked with the warm soup. A couple of corn tortilla chips could have added more interesting texture to the frothy soup.

The Rice in Kaldero (PhP 95) can’t be ignored in the dining table. Equivalent to four cups of rice, the nasi (rice) came with a nice presentation. We enjoyed the moment since getting white rice using the wooden ladle from the cauldron is something we don’t experience every day.

Another specialty of Apag Marangle is their Crispy Pata (Pork Trotter). Pretty much every table had one—and with good reason. The pork was roasted and then deep fried until really crisp. The staff was proud to claim that it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Sorry, I can’t attest to that because I didn’t try. If you like pork, crispy pata in the Philippines is hard to beat.

When it comes to saving the best for last, Apag Marangle met my expectation with a dessert that’s suave and rich: Leche Flan (PhP 60, small; PhP 160, big). It was smooth and silky, not too eggy or too sweet. Leche flan remains as one of my favorite Pinoy treats. Lots of love! ♥

The Coconut or Buko Juice (PhP 150, 1 pitcher) turned out to be a refreshing juice with strips of soft coconut meat. This is a recommended drink to order when in a Kapampangan Restaurant instead of flushing down your meal with plain water, synthetic juices or soft drinks.

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

If you’re a Filipino, nothing might beat your mom’s home-cooking for Pinoy food, but when you’re away from home and need a quick fix for some traditional Filipino (specifically, Kapampangan) favorites, Apag Marangle in MarQuee Mall is right up your alley. Their unique food entrees will fill you up without costing an arm and a leg. Average price range of dishes is PhP 150-PhP 350. For an ultimate authentic Filipino dining experience, you can’t go wrong with this place.

Thanks, Aldous, for the invite! 😀

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June 18, 2014
Review of Rustic Mornings by Isabelo (San Roque, Marikina City)

Last weekend, we stayed at a friend’s family rest house in Marikina overnight. For the most part, our bonding activities included playing fun board games such as Jenga, Guesstures, Pictogram, Taboo and Suspend Family Game and food tripping. We had dinner at Café Lidia, breakfast at Pan de Amerikana and lunch at Rustic Mornings by Isabelo.

Of the three, it was Rustic Mornings by Isabelo which I’ve always wanted to visit. In fact, it’s in my bookmarked list in Zomato. 🙂 I’ve heard lots of great comments on Rustic Mornings’ surroundings and less on its food. Despite the rumored downside, I felt ecstatic when I learned that we’ll be dining in this “hidden gem” in Marikina the next day! Visiting this quaint and beautiful restaurant can be a lifetime’s worth of good memory. You can pretend otherwise, but I’m not going to. 😛

Review of Rustic Mornings by Isabelo (San Roque, Marikina City)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

As expected through pictures posted online, the ambiance in Rustic Mornings by Isabelo is just perfect! It’s the perfect setting for a first date, romantic proposals, and any celebratory milestone or event that requires you to leave a nice impression on someone or something. The background music consisted of a playlist of evergreen songs from 70s to 80s. I reckon thus that anyone who’s born in those years would love to linger at Rustic Mornings to enjoy the music and reminisce their good past.

The theme of the restaurant explodes mostly with white and blue, which looked very serene and pleasing to the eyes. The pieces of furniture are unique with a consistent rustic feel.

The dining areas are separated into the outdoor garden and the air-conditioned room that’s best described as homey. Both areas are massively decorated with cute trinkets and interesting displays (china dishes, pretty silverware, vases, jars, etc.).

With chandeliers and lamps that illuminate and make the space more enchanting, you can trick your mind for a moment and feel like you’ve been warped through a downright fairyland-princess-rainbows-and-unicorn inspired extravaganza.

Note: Reservations are a must in Rustic Mornings by Isabelo.

Service: ★★★★☆

The service was fine but an improvement I can suggest is to make the staff look and present themselves in a more cheerful and welcoming way, to match the ambiance at least. When we first came in, I thought the indoor dining room would be an almost blind spot since most waiters were outside, but there remained one staff who accommodated requests so we did not have to go out or wait long.

Food: ★★★☆☆

We ordered Rustic Mornings’ best-selling Waffles, Buffalo Chicken Strips and Salad Served with Marinara Chipotle (PhP 250). The buffalo chicken strips were disappointing. The pieces tasted almost bland and not at all noteworthy. The greens were fine, but the best was really the waffles which came with the helping of creamy butter. The waffles were plush, soft with a texture closer to pancakes than our traditional crunchy breakfast waffles. They were steamy and served still warm.

Rustic Mornings offers three types of burritos: beef, chicken and fish. I preferred to order the fish of course but Louie wanted the Crunchy Beef Burrito (PhP 185). He won—and so two large cuts of beef burritos made into our loop for lunch. He said the burritos were delicious, and I respectfully disagreed. The burrito had rice and crispy beef bits jammed into a fried flour tortilla. I had imagined the flavor to be strong but it was not. The meat was not grilled to the point where you could taste the char; it was rather dry and that’s unacceptable.

As well, the flavor of Cheesy Chicken Fricasee (PhP 300) didn’t quite hit the note for me. With heavy cream, it came out to be literally too cheesy—the type that you’d get easily grow tired of eating. In Filipino, this is what we call nakakaumay. So definitely, the bowl of “nakakaumay na dish” must be eaten with rice and shared by at least three people.

The next dish is a brunch staple: 3-Egg Cheese Omelet (PhP 240). It was made with three kinds of mushrooms (fresh button, portobello, shiitake) served with two slices of crunchy ciabatta bread, herbed butter and fruit jam. The taste wasn’t inventive but was good. I liked that the egg was set on the outside but still fluffy and pillowy on the inside.

Our friends had the following drinks, the sugar bombs which I deprive myself of: Vanilla Speculoos, Chocolate Milkshake and Super Sunrise (Pineapple, Orange, Strawberries, Red Grapes).

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

In the end, based on the food alone, having a meal in Rustic Mornings can be a hit or a miss depending on what you order. Food prices were not wallet-busting but were okay considering the taste, presentation and the size of serving. When dining at Rustic Mornings by Isabelo in Marikina, it’s best not to let tight budgets mean tight belts. Think of it as buying the entire experience and you’ll love every mouthful. 😀

This was Louie’s birthday treat!

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June 12, 2014