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  • Review of Cyma Greek Taverna (Robinsons Place, Manila)

    Review of Cyma Greek Taverna (Robinsons Place, Manila)

    For dinner on the day we watched Maleficent, Louie chose to go for a Greek treat, and Cyma Greek Taverna was the only restaurant that came to mind when in Robinsons Place, Manila. Everyone I know who has eaten at any Cyma branch commented that Cyma’s food taste great however prices are steep. I thought there’s a difference between “expensive” and “value for money” food. Catch my drift? We’re not the biggest fans of Greek food, but we’re interested to check whether or not Cyma’s offerings are worth the price to pay.

    “At CYMA, it’s about bringing people together for a flourishing experience that starts with great food then goes beyond by nurturing the soul and the spirit.”

    Review of Cyma Greek Taverna (Robinsons Place, Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Cyma Greek Taverna is one of the those places that have a high-class and cozy appeal. The interior design screams elegance and sophistication, while the environment was pretty quiet and reserved. The white walls gave a nice contrast to the brown and beige tables and chairs which also matched the color of the floor tiles. Lights were yellow and I thought they contribute to the warm contemporary look and romantic vibe of the room. Behind us was the rich-textured wall with framed mirrors to reflect light and space.

    Service: ★★★★★

    There were only a few customers during our visit so I don’t know if customer service would be as efficient in other days. At least in our case, they were fast and helpful in letting us know immediately that what we ordered was out of stock (they’re changing menus). Clad in white uniforms, the waiters shout “OPA!” out loud whenever they serve a flaming cheese plate.

    I thought it was unnecessary as it’s distracting to people who are having a good conversation while eating. But others may find the act unique in this Greek restaurant and they’d order that plate only to be presented with the unveiling of the dish plus the loud cheer.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    The Spanakopita (PhP 350) makes for a great snack or appetizer. The spinach in the pie was so tender and generously filled. Adding dimensions were the leeks and fresh herbs on top of the oil-slicked feta which were made with honest expressions of butter that brought sweetness to balance the tang. I found the crust most impressive; it was flaky but easy to cut through and not too greasy. Inhale it in five or so bites, and probably you’d wish to get another. Very nice to munch on! 🙂

    If your impulse is to order a gyro when visiting a Greek restaurant, Louie would recommend the Chicken Gyro – Cyma’s Best! (PhP 180). He repeatedly said how wonderful this chicken gyro tasted. There must be really something special with this dish. Made with tomatoes, red onions, tzatziki and wrapped in pita, the gyro sandwich was composed of ingredients that quite build on each other the way they should. I just thought that the chicken slices were a little dry and the taste was not intense as expected. Anyway, the sauce compensated for the miss in flavor as it was pleasantly creamy. I prefer to add an overwhelming dose of basil for overall improvement.

    Similar to the chicken gyro, the skewered chicken in the Chicken Souvlaki (PhP 240) was a bit dry, under-seasoned and not juicy for my liking. Simply, the white meat here rendered almost flavorless, as anonymous as a protein can be. The texture, on the other hand, was just okay. With fresh vegetables, parsley salad and the yogurt garlic sauce, the combination was hearty but it’s not be something that would see my fork again.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    My verdict is that Cyma Greek Taverna in Robinsons Place, Manila has great atmosphere and well-trained staff members. A good consideration is that serving is sizable and definitely for sharing. Other than that, I say I’d have to agree with my friends who have had a meal at Cyma: there’s nothing much to rave about. Generally, taste of food we ordered was average and it’s undeniable that prices are on the high side with not so much value.

    Then again, we may not have ordered what supposedly are the best of the house. I’m willing to could come back for another try. Meanwhile, you can suggest what to order next time. Comments are welcome. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/cymarestaurant” name=”Cyma Greek Taverna” description=”Second Floor, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 3543909″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-06-09″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of David’s Tea House (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City) – Our Return!

    Review of David’s Tea House (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City) – Our Return!

    I hope you’re not on a diet, because you’ll want to check out David’s Tea House right after you see the end of this post. 😛 Why? Well…food porn!

    Following our “thanksgiving lunch” at David’s Tea House MOA Branch last March, we had a chance to try several dishes at this Chinese restaurant yesterday. At lunch time, I brought with me some members of my team and together we were satied once again by great food courses served courtesy of the house. A parade of interesting flavors ensues.

    Review of David’s Tea House (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City) – Our Return!

    Warming our stomachs first was an order of Polonchay (Spinach) with Seafood Soup (PhP 304), which was like fiesta in a bowl. Thinking aloud, I liked to pair it with crusty whole-grain bread and some sliced tomatoes on the side. Oh, but doing that may just transform this Chinese meal to something else? Anyway, the tastes of both the seafood (shrimps) and pureed spinach were obviously great.

    David’s Tea House’s Hot Prawn Salad (PhP 463) is difficult to ignore. As mentioned in my most recent review, it’s my favorite—nothing short of a nest of mayo-based juicy and crunchy hot prawns with fruits salad. The prawns helped make the salad a substantial course, and the fresh lettuce at the bottom cut the heaviness of the dressing. The leaves and the fruits could mercifully trick you to believe that you’re enjoying a light, refreshing dish. When food is this good, I wouldn’t mind taking the calories.

    Packed with vibrant toppings consisting of assorted meat, seafood and eggs, David’s Tea House Sauted Misua Guisado (PhP 185) was cooked just right. It rewards diners with chewy and slippery texture as the noodles had been softened and flavored well with the broth. I’m not a fan of noodles, so I don’t want to lie and say I like it. But my mom and everyone else who’s into eating noodles would surely love this.

    The Shanghai Spring Rolls (PhP 243) were made faultlessly with compact, stuffed ground meat. With crisp wrappers, they appeared almost grease-less—and that’s an indication that these spring rolls are a hit in a lineup of standouts. I mean it’s not often when you see a spring roll that’s more crisp than greasy and actually delicious. So rightfully, celebrate, put on a party hat and enjoy the food. Or that may be an exaggeration of happiness. 😛

    Look at that beautiful slabs of meat! The Fried Crispy Pata (PhP 485) encompasses a world’s worth of ingredients in a very distinctive manner. Topped with very colorful garnish, the fried crispy pata arrived at the table with an intense aroma that only picked up as we started to eat. It was really crispy to the bone and did not at all lack in flavor.

    Another approachable and no less interesting dish we conquered was the Beef Brocolli Flower (PhP 282). This dish is a good grade of meat cooked separately before being blended with the greens. I remember we ordered Beef with Ampalaya last time. The tenderness of the beef was indeed wonderful as it’s consistent throughout. Thank goodness, it didn’t feel like punishing me for chewing the small slices of meat. The sauce was thick and fairly flavored, good to be eaten with steaming plain white rice.

    Similarly, David’s Braised Pata Tim (PhP 463) was protein-focused. I punched a small portion of it and thought it’s good. Soft and savory. Popular as a specialty dish, this braised pork leg recipe may not be a groundbreaking or new idea in contemporary Chinese kitchens, but it’s worth noting that David’s Tea House’s version of it gets appreciated by diners almost all the time.

    At last, the Almond with Lychee (PhP 90) felt clean to the palate. It’s a fascinating combination that always puts a smile on my face. 🙂 Sweet, but not too sweet. Nice and certainly addicting.

    Wrap Up

    Since this was a return visit, my ratings for the ambiance, service and price for value remain the same. For the food, ah… I think the quality is still consistent. I give David’s Tea House another 4/5 stars for overall review rating. One thing is for sure: David’s Tea House, which now has 20 branches all over the Philippines, won’t make you look to stray from the beaten path. This is a recommended place to head for any meal.

    David’s Tea House in MOA has an ongoing promotion right now called “Dimsum Afternoon Weekday Promo.” From Monday to Friday, at 2:30PM to 5:30PM, diners get to enjoy each dimsum variety for PhP 58 only.  Choose from: Shrimp Siomai, Tausi Chicken Feet, Tausi Spareribs, Beef Ball, Fish Tofu, Glutinous Rice with Chicken (Machang), Steamed Chicken Wings with Mushroom, Bean Curd Roll, Shark’s Fin Dumpling, Kuchay Dumpling, Vegetable Meat Pao, Pork Asado Pao, Linyong Pao, Taro Puff, Raddish Cake, Fried Spring Rolls, Fried Cuapao, Steamed Cuapao, Sesame Buchi, Pork Asado Pao, and Bichu-bichu (all originally priced at PhP 95 each).

    [schema type=”review” url=”www.davidsteahouse.com” name=”David’s Tea House (SM Mall of Asia)” description=”1113-1115 Entertainment Mall, Seaside Boulevard, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 556-0204″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-05-29″ user_review=”4″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Hok Kee Food Haus (Binondo, Manila)

    Review of Hok Kee Food Haus (Binondo, Manila)

    Eating is the best way to spend your money in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila. Planning for a food trip here? Then please don’t miss out on Hok Kee (福記) Food Haus in Yuchengco Street (parallel to Quintin Paredes Street). Note I’m not a shareholder or a part-owner of this Chinese restaurant 🙂 ; I’m just a foodie turned new fan of their food specialties. Let’s see how Hok Kee Food Haus delivers its own spin on Chinese cooking.

    Before I go on, however, I should apologize for the poor quality of the photos, which were all taken on my iPhone 4 camera. Because this dinner last Saturday was not at all planned, I did not carry my DSLR for blogging.

    Review of Hok Kee Food Haus (Binondo, Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Hok Kee Food Haus is a hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant that’s minimally designed. Plain white walls, clean tables, green and orange chairs, and a “vertically rectangular” area welcomed us. Bright lights illuminated the colorful photos of food posted on the walls.

    A door at the back further brings more room to diners (yup, we were surprised). At one glance, you would not notice that Hok Kee Food Haus could accommodate up to about 70 people. Add the dining area on the second floor, which is currently under renovation, and this house can end up serving up to 100 diners altogether.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Three staffs worked very efficiently as they greeted, mingled and served customers in quick paces. They were cheerful, the type that deserves to receive some customer service tip at the end of the meal.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    I’ve never read any review of this restaurant before, but we had a clue that the food here are generally delicious and full-flavored, thanks to Chinoy TV’s feature in one of its episodes.

    One of Hok Kee’s most recommended dish happens to also be my favorite: Hok Kee Hot Shrimp Salad (PhP 310). Their version of the hot shrimp salad is very similar to Wan Chai Tea House and Uno Seafood Wharf Restaurant. Essentially, it’s a platter of skinless shrimps with fruit salad and mayonnaise. The shrimps were fried until just-crisp. The subtle flavor of the shrimps held its own against the other elements.

    Next was another seafood dish: Hok Kee Oyster Cake (PhP 175) which did not scrimp on quality and ingredients. The “cake” was bounty with oysters unlike other oyster cakes served in most Chinese restaurants. In fact, this oyster cake wowed us. We were also suitably impressed at how the busy flavors of egg and veggies give one another massive amounts of flavor high-fives!

    Perhaps everyone would love the Hok Kee Fried Chicken (Half, PhP 200). Perfectly cooked, the white meat was tender and moist. Taste was unpretentious and was even improved with the accompanying gravy. The chicken skin brought a satisfying crunch and crisp which was just so good! Oh, we could forget about being allergic for one moment.

    The Kiampong (Chinese Rice Casserole or 鹹飯) was not transcendentally good; it was okay. It’s pretty close to the kiampong prepared in Buddhist temples. It was saddening that this bowl of sticky rice did not contain any shiitake mushroom I was expecting.

    Desserts options on the menu are quite limited, so your meal may seem to finish rather abruptly. Chances are, by the time you are done eating, you’d be full and leave happy anyway.

    Menu (and my sister behind ^_^):

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    If there’s any Chinese restaurant that should draw you into coming to Chinatown and trying out the best of Chinese food, Hok Kee Food Haus must one of them in your list of destinations. Prices are decent and reasonable for the quality of tastes. They are especially fair if you’re more accustomed to prices of food in highly commercialized places. Serving sizes are generous. (One order is enough to feed two to three.)

    Unsure of what to get? Follow ours or follow your nose—you’ll smell delicious food in other tables and before you know it, you’re already sold, craving for their food over and over again. 😛

    [schema type=”review” name=”Hok Kee Food Haus” description=”433 Yuchengco St. near Padilla St. (formerly Nueva St.) Binondo Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 554-5555″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-05-26″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Mother’s Crepe and Cafe (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Mother’s Crepe and Cafe (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Last Monday, after dinner at Royal View Seafood Restaurant, I was craving for some dessert. Unfortunately, my top two selections for desserts on their menu were unavailable. That meant we had to exit and find another one that could be a perfect alternative. The good news is that having such wonderful restaurants in SM Mall of Asia (MOA) guarantees a fantastic meal that’s merely a few steps away.

    One of the cafes I have bookmarked as a priority for “snacks and desserts” way before is Mother’s Crepe and Cafe (マザーズクレープ). I have always wanted to try the Mazazu crepes, but because I know I could not finish one alone without feeling guilty, I had it planned to devour and share a plate with my family. This came in good timing!

    Mother’s Crepe and Cafe serves French-style crepes with fillings that range from fruits, seafood and meat to sweets and dairy. Below is a snapshot of their best offerings. The crepes are presented in either cone-like shape or plated down neatly, according to your preference. In both ways, these Japanese crepes would come out as an indulgent snack or dessert which you would love looking at as much as eating. 😀

    Review of Mother’s Crepe and Cafe (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Mother’s Crepe and Cafe has limited space in SM Mall of Asia. Cramped for a dine-in hang-out spot, it’s a simple cafe where customers order based on what they see on display and the long menu near the cashier and across the “kitchen counter.”  The bottles and boxes of ingredients are arranged in an orderly fashion. Everything just looked dainty and colorful. Since air conditioning is reliant to the mall and dining tables and chairs are placed outside, customers have to endure the heat especially this summer. Anyway, chill food and drinks must be enough to do that part of providing a cool breeze and burst of delight.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Alone serving customers in the cafe, the staff was eloquent and fast in preparing food and drinks. This establishment is a one-woman team. She is in charge of taking orders, taking the bill, making food, serving orders, cleaning tables, fulfilling customer requests, and so on. Wow! I thought that’s very efficient, indeed. As you can see, she’s also friendly, welcoming our questions and smiling to the camera as asked.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    The Pinoy Halo-Halo Crepe (PhP 125) did not taste as sweet as I imagined. Made with bran (a healthy dietary fiber) and top quality ingredients, this crepe was filled with the combination of coconut, banana, leche flan, yam and nuts—all essential flavor elements that are mostly what Philippines is known for. The whipped cream and ube ice cream were soft and rich, bringing great complementary tastes, fruity notes and zero trace of bitterness.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Mother’s Crepe and Cafe is not just another crepe stall. Though similar in flavor and texture to regular crepes, theirs are technically a different beast. It all comes down to the ingredients used and the presentation. Aside from crepes, Mother’s Crepe and Cafe also serves key coffee from Japan, smoothies, float and a number of soda tapioca drinks. With fair prices to beat, I want to try them all only if I’m not too weight-conscious. :mrgreen:

    This dining experience was our extended celebration for Mother’s Day. My mom deserves the treat and all the love from us. Her birthday is coming up next month, and I wonder where we will head to pig out next. One thing I’m sure of is that we gotta buy her new shoes. Maybe it’s time for us to browse for Women’s Shoes Online via ZALORA Philippines. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/motherscrepePH” name=”Mother’s (Mazazu) Crepe and Cafe Philippines” description=”2/F Entertainment Mall Area (near Chatime), SM Mall of Asia” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 804-1910 or email alyns@digicom-ph.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-05-19″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Royal View Seafood Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Royal View Seafood Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    The last time we ate at Royal View Seafood Restaurant was on Valentine’s Day. I came straight from a date with Louie and spent dinner with my family. This time ’round, we had the opportunity to sample a featured set meal for four (bought by Mom from MetroDeal). We are well-acquainted with the food selection, so there was no great discovery. Still, this Chinese restaurant in SM Mall of Asia proved to excel in the authenticity of the delicacy; good tastes tingled in our tongues just the way we like it. 😉

    Review of Royal View Seafood Restaurant (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    It’s hard to comprehend just how many people dine at Royal View Seafood Restaurant in MOA in any given day. The dining areas are massive, spread right across both “public” and “private” functional rooms. Chandeliers give a classy and grandiose touch to the overall modern, “imperial” vibe. Also providing a good visual impact is the wall opposite the entrance. If it were not for the poor air conditioning, this restaurant would be rated with complete five stars for ambiance.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The management must know that the restaurant would often be busy, hence the count of the staff dealing with guests here. At Royal View Seafood Restaurant, I have no complains about the efficient and quick delivery of service. Treatment was amiable and pleasant. Tea was served as I arrived as well with the menu when requested.

    Food: ★★★★★

    From the featured set meal, we got carbs, seafood and veggies in one go. As appetizer, the Combination of Soy Chicken and Tofu came out first. A maintstay of the Chinese table, these classic cold cuts remain to be a “good for the neighborhood” bite at best.

    The Steamed Shrimps were cooked well. Seasoned nicely, the shrimps were plump, not rubbery and just remarkable. We added ginger sauce to enhance the taste further. The result? Pretty good for something so simple.

    You can’t go wrong with the Vietnamese Spring Rolls either. These spring rolls had a hint of sweetness from the sweet-and-sour sauce. Each piece was fitted with savory textures from the tightly packed vermicelli inside and a crispy and slightly crunchy exterior.

    The Steamed Fish with Garlic consisted of soft fish fillet that demonstrated how carefully building subtle flavors can amount to more than the sum of its parts. It’s complemented well with thinly sliced garlic chives, spring onions and cellophane noodles that absorbed much of the light soy sauce taste.

    Royal View Seafood Restaurant’s Yang Chow Fried Rice can be noted as a treasure hunt in every spoonful. With small shrimps and veggies, this food would always be comforting, balanced, true to the ingredients and, perhaps perennially soul-satisfying. That’s why when you don’t know what to order based on the long menu, take Yang Chow Fried Rice. It’s the only one you need.

    Finally, the Mixed Vegetables with Seafood gave us quite a respite from the different flavors of the previous dishes. The giant squids and greens absolutely did not miss that vibrant summer punch. Light and fresh, this can be a good start in your attempt to eat healthier this season. 😛

    Price for Value: ★★★★★

    Chinese restaurants in the Philippines can be a hit or a miss. After all, isn’t hunting down good ones part of a foodie’s adventure? Royal View Seafood Restaurant in MOA is definitely recommendable! It’s is a good introduction for the Chinese food novitiate—clean, bright, and reasonably accommodating.

    For the most part though, eating here may not be for a casual affair because regular prices of food on the menu are expensive. It will take more planning than a typical lunch or dinner out. Preferably, since they have big servings, you should go and dine with a group of at least three to get the most variety of Chinese food.

    Thanks to the MetroDeal voucher, we had 66% discount (PhP 499 instead of PhP 1488) on our meal. Based on that, I give price for value a perfect rating; else, it still deserves at least 4/5.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/RoyalViewSeafoodRestaurant” name=”Royal View Seafood Restaurant” description=”2nd Floor, South Wing, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 5569520″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-05-17″ user_review=”19″ 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.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/TheVegetarianKitchen” name=”The Vegetarian Kitchen” description=”62 B Mother Ignacia Ave., Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 544-7733 or 0915-8300511″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-05-10″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Le Mirand Restaurant and Recreation (Santa Cruz, Antipolo City)

    Review of Le Mirand Restaurant and Recreation (Santa Cruz, Antipolo City)

    Last Sunday, we leaned forward to a venture “beneath the skies” at Le Mirand Restaurant and Recreation in Santa Cruz, Antipolo City, where we were welcomed with a romantic and exciting scene overlooking the countryside.

    Le Mirand is a vantage point to enjoy a panoramic view of the dynamic and vibrant city down below in the midst of refreshing breeze. It has changed owners recently, so it’s also a good time to catch up on their food offerings and services.

    Review of Le Mirand Restaurant and Recreation (Santa Cruz, Antipolo City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    The ambiance and the feel of the restaurant are two of the reasons why dining at Le Mirand Restaurant in Antipolo is such a positive experience. The entire restaurant looks like an old house as it’s designed with plenty of rooms on separate floors.

    The lower ground floor is where billiard tables are located. As this is a recreation spot as much as it’s a restaurant, Le Mirand offers billiards as a recreational activity to guests at PHp 150 per hour. The ground floor is where the reception area is and where the stairs leading up to the dining areas at the upper floors is built.

    Moving on with the tour, we went up to the second to fourth floors. Le Mirand has jamming concept rooms, conference room, and a lover’s deck which are all nicely decorated with simple and practical pieces.

    Guests can have fun singing karaoke songs, watching short videos on TV, playing Xbox or PS4 for PHp 1500 per hour. This price is inclusive of freebies such as a bucket of beer that usually costs PHp 300 and pulutan.

    If you’re not fond of doing any of the activities and your sole purpose is to eat, the wide dining areas are warm and inviting enough for your stay.

    These spaces evoke inspiration that lend a casual air to gastronomic proceedings. Expect the mood to be just relaxed and the atmosphere, quiet.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    Service was nearly impeccable. We were treated like friends of a Filipino family. Le Mirand is house to hospitable staff who display neat and sincere smiles. Kids are offered cotton candies for free. Electric fans are turned on for extra air circulation. One thing I noticed is that orders are a bit slow to arrive. If you’re not in a hurry, then this is not a problem.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    The Stuffed Eggplant (PHp 200) had a combination of ground meat and eggplant, a variation I had never tried before. I was not able to distinctively taste the eggplant though but probably this is mostly because the ingredients came together as a coherent whole. I enjoyed the fluffy concoction, but adding a small portion of condiments on the side would have made this dish bursting more with flavor.

    If you’re craving for wagyu in Antipolo, then this may be the right place to cut that crave. Le Mirand’s Wagyu Beef Porter House (approximately 440 grams) (PHp 1550) is cooked perfectly. With plenty of sweet interest, this wagyu beef had the standard beef flavor and an unbelievably tender texture. It’s accompanied with fries that weren’t soggy and oily at all. This entree is probably the one thing you must order when you’re planning to eat at Le Mirand.

    Most pork parts find their way in the Pork Sisig (PHp 220), made with a traditional Filipino classic recipe. Served on a hot platter, the pork sisig was pretty multi-dimensional as it’s full of chopped pig parts coupled with onions and raw egg at the center. The sauce was creamy which I liked, but still I thought that it lacked murmurs of spice.

    Another meaty specialty was the Baby Back Ribs with House Salad (PHp 790 for full slab and PHp 390 for half slab). Apparently, I felt that I already had ingested too much meat (three spoonfuls) so I didn’t want to grab even a small slice of the back ribs. 😛 I understand that this is also one of Le Mirand’s signature dishes.

    The Bulalo Special (PHp 490) must be the perfect cold-weather soup. Nonetheless, it’s okay to be eaten in summer! It’s one of the Filipino soups that I find super rich in taste. Made from beef shanks and marrow bones, this light-colored soup is filled with fats melted into the broth. Le Mirand’s Bulalo Special has banana (saba), corn on the cob, and bokchoy.

    The Tuna Pasta with Toasted Bread was a triumph as it was the only seafood dish presented. Silky strands of the pasta were uniformly exquisite. However, I found that the pasta sauce’s composition was short of creaminess, spice and taste of the tuna, as only a few tuna chunks littered the dish.

    We could not eat all these tasty viands without rice. The Wagyu Fried Rice (PHp 220) came for rescue. An order could be a meal itself. The apportioned bits of wagyu beef are all that you could hope for. They’re the most compelling thing on the plate.

    For dessert, we had Carmen’s Best Ice Cream Malted Milk (PHp 80 for two scoops). It wasn’t much of a looker but the taste proved otherwise. Carmen’s Best Ice Cream is recommended to be shared with friends, heal a broken heart or scarved up all by yourself (only if you can’t help it). Fair warning: take note of the calories! 😀

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Make no mistake about it. Driving hours to get to Antipolo can be worth it if you’re up for some sing-along while eating and having fun with friends. Your time at Le Mirand Restaurant and Recreation can also be best spent by enjoying sceneries and watching sunset and sunrise with your date.

    As a foodie though, I’m more concentrated on food. Given the limited choices on the menu and the price range, I give three stars for price for value.

    Le Mirand is open from 7AM to 12MN. Large groups with over 100 people can be accommodated.

    Thanks, Aldous, for the invite!

    Bloggers with Le Mirand Operations Manager, Ruby

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Le.Mirand.RR” name=”Le Mirand Restaurant and Recreation (Santa Cruz, Antipolo City)” description=”Lot 8, Block 1, Palos Verdes Garden Heights, Sumulong Highway, Santa Cruz, Antipolo City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact +63 9173488547 or 02 2340891″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-04-28″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Tempura Japanese Grill (Robinsons Place, Manila)

    Review of Tempura Japanese Grill (Robinsons Place, Manila)

    It was Holy Week last week and He is risen. Given the plenty of vacation time in the long weekend, we did not pursue another outing (just got back from Caliraya Resort Club) but stayed at home instead. Malls were closed last Thursday to Friday, so we quickly decided to go to the nearby mall—Robinsons Place, Manila—on Black Saturday, to fend off the “going-out-of-the-house” craving. After hours of window-shopping, we took delight and had dinner at Tempura Japanese Grill.

    Tempura Japanese Grill serves up traditional and exotic Japanese fare in substantial portions. It’s a casual dining restaurant that’s one of the best spots for food aficionados trying out Japanese dishes. Out of all the foodie places in the mall, I chose this as I’ve always wanted to try the ramen burger ever since the craze began last year. Also, I was missing the taste of my favorite bite-size yummies: sushi!

    Review of Tempura Japanese Grill (Robinsons Place, Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Mirrors on the wall permit diners to sample the sight of fellow diners’ faces. A plethora of Japanese hanging lanterns brought a certain feel that suggested some class and traditional elegance in this modern-themed restaurant. The area was quite cramped; the aisle was so narrow that no two average-sized people could pass through at the same time. So this place can get pretty noisy when it’s full of guests. A section at the back offers more privacy for conservative folks.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    You know how it goes—when you’re asked to be seated on the sofa chair or on the regular chair, I bet that most would choose the sofa type for comfort. As part of the majority, we occupied a dining booth with the sofa and the grill at the center of the table. Later, we smelled something strong and awful like poo. Apparently, we were near the toilet. I guess there was something wrong with the flush system. The staffs were kind to move us to a clean table near the entrance. They were fast in taking our orders, serving food and taking the bill.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    My dad had the Agedashi Tofu (PHp 105). I’ve tried this three times before and during all those times, I have always been satisfied with the lovely texture of the deep-fried Japanese bean curd. It melts in your mouth like milk chocolate would! The five agedashi tofu pieces were topped with special sauce and bonito flakes.

    I didn’t know what bonito flakes are. Upon checking for the description now, my mind just exclaimed OMG. “Bonito flakes are a staple in Japanese Cuisine made from dried, fermented, shaved fish.” My dad is a vegetarian for 26 years now and cannot take any bit of non-vegetable food in. Otherwise, he’d feel ill. Maybe he ate just a few serving of these flakes, so nothing bad happened.

    We experienced difficulty in choosing which sushi to order, torn between Uncle Sam’s Maki (PHp 210) and Hawaiian Maki (PHp 190). Finally, we went with the latter, following the restaurant’s best recommendation. Hawaiian Maki is made with pineapple chunks and spicy crunchy salmon bits. These inside-out cooked rice rolls were so delicious that we could not help but fetch a piece right after swallowing another.

    Grease. Whether you love it, hate it, or feel only a mild ambivalence towards it, it’s a key feature on the katsu landscape. And whether it be tonkatsu, chicken katsu, fish katsu or vegetable katsu, with properly balanced and flavorful oil, it can be absolutely magnificent. This time, we had Tempura Japanese Grill’s newest item on the menu: Salmon Katsu (PHp 435). Thanks to its inherent flavor, the deep fried salmon katsu came out tender and tasty. I totally love salmon sashimi, but this cooked salmon is equally fine. Dip it into the special sauce and eat the lettuce on the side to experience a mouthful of harmony.

    The salmon katsu arrived with a bowl of Japanese rice called gohan ideally good for one person. Since it was too filling, my mom, sister and I managed to share without short supply. The sesame seeds on top added a pleasing crunch and kept the rice’s usual bland taste at bay.

    The Ramen Burger (PHp 245) turned out to be not twice as unique-tasting as the standard burger variety, but man, was it good. The beef patty was perfectly fried; you’re able to get a bit of crunchy coating and meat in every bite. In between, the honey-cured bacon stripped to thin slices was juicy and packed with flavor together with roasted onions with sesame seeds and garden fresh lettuce. The sweet-sour signature Japanese barbecue sauce did a good job in cutting through the rich fat, too.

    The most awesome highlight in this burger must be the pan-fried ramen buns, which we originally thought to be hard but were actually soft with great texture. On the side, potato chips were provided as necessary accompaniment. If you haven’t tried the ramen burger yet, then the next time you see it on the menu, you would know that it basically translates to, “The rest of the menu means nothing; I must order that.” 😛 Trust that it would be great!

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    By the time the meal ended, so had my sushi and ramen burger envy. These dishes we ordered at Tempura Japanese Grill were good enough as our attention was not diverted to other tables. Prices are expensive yet dining here in the midst of Holy Week is still cheaper than a vacation.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/tempurajapanesegrill” name=”Tempura Japanese Grill” description=”Ground Floor, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 5672447″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-04-22″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]