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  • Review of Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong)

    Review of Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong)

    Nestled along the borderlands of Mandaluyong, Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop serves a menu of comforting and familiar fare: coffee and liquor. The concept is creative just like that of Da.U.De. Tea Lounge (where tea is infused in drinks and food). In sheer comparison, Tipsy Beans uses whiskey and white wine to bring out flavors in some of its dishes. Are you ready for a “redefined coffee experience“? Read on for a thirst-quenching review of Tipsy Beans! 😉

    Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop started its course of business in June 2013. While fairly new, it has been attracting many customers which are mostly from Califonia Garden Square, the residences and commercial offices in the vicinity. Last Saturday, G and my sister tagged along with me over lunch for another foodie adventure. Tipsy or sober: Which side are you on?

    Review of Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong)

    Ambiance:  ★★★★☆

    A cozy dining room easily reflected by the transparent glass walls greets customers on their way in. Not long after you sit down to a quick meal at Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop, the venue sends out a message. Don’t get me wrong; no words are spoken, but the overall interior theme says a lot.

    Each wall is designed with different accents, contributing to a cohesive attractive whole. Quotes about coffee, signages, life lessons, lovers’ keys, freedom board and dangling Instapics make up for the playful and casual vibe of the place.

    Instead of candles, vase or flowers as the table’s centerpiece, Tipsy Beans decided to have these two bottles of liquor on top of coffee powder to kick off the meal’s presentation. To me, it’s the coffee shop’s way of saying, “Hey, you came for the coffee and booze in one sip, right?” Might as well start to feel and get at it.


    Service: ★★★★★

    Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop has only a handful of employees, but few does not mean inefficient. Service was fast and staffs were eloquent and friendly. They are the smiling kind but not the overly peppy which is annoying. There’s a rather warm vibe on the attitude. It also didn’t take long before I met the owners, and they made us feel so comfortable with personal service that you don’t get at many coffee houses these days. Yes, we felt  at “home” right there.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    The menu is basically divided into “Sober” and “Tipsy” food and drinks categories. You will find several unexpected dishes such as the Drunken Hungarian Sausage (PHp 128), Gin Margherita Penne (PHp 128) and Beer Buttered Fish Fillet (PHp 80). There are also classy ones such as Good Ol’ Chicken Pesto Sandwich (Php 95) and Creamy Carbonara (PHp 118), which likewise are posted as their suggested viands.

    With all interesting names on the menu, choosing was hard. We ultimately asked for house recommendations and gravitated first toward the Cheese Steak Bomb (PHp 95). The name promises a bomb of cheese steak, and I expected it to be so. The portion did not turn out to be substantial, and it didn’t seem like “the bomb.” Despite that, I thought the sandwich tasted nice. Potato chips on the side somewhat single-handedly transported this dish to a happy place.

    Next, we had the Spicy Tuna Pesto (PHp 128) which was spiked with pesto herbs, tuna and crushed nuts. The spice did not sing the high notes I had hoped for. The pesto flavor dominated and registered loud and clear. Accompanied with garlic bread, this depth of this pasta dish took a turn for the better. The strands of pasta have been handled with care; they were not too starchy but dense and quite toothsome. Each forkful, with a few spins, gathered a winning bite.

    Have you ever tried putting sisig as bread pan’s filling? These Delectable Sisig Triangles (PHp 75) were pleasingly subtle, allowing the real taste of sisig take center stage. I think it’s an exceedingly comforting merienda to have, especially if you’re fond of Filipino food. The crusty bread sopped up the taste just fine as well.

    Tipsy Bean’s Bacon Milkshake (PHp 95) is a stunner that may just be always worth your perusal. Imagine bacon and milk mixed together – so unique. You get to taste a smoky flavor of real bacon bits in a milkshake! According to the owner, the bacon bits are pan-fried on their stone-coated frying pan fresh before adding to the milkshake. How cool is that? 🙂

    We resorted to choosing two coffee-based drinks. One is the sober variant: Oreo Frappuccino (PHp 95). The topping of frappe loses its lusciousness after awhile, as the whipped cream tends to melt down to the table (a bit messy). For that reason, you want to drink it fast. On the other hand, you can still savor the flavor. File this dilemma under “Good Problems to Have.” This drink is beautifully composed with a mini Oreo on top, and the rest of the drink has both coffee and chocolate flavors in tango.


    For the tipsy variant, we chose Irish Cream on Coffee Rocks (PHp 80). It tasted most like Bailey’s Irish Coffee, but this alcoholic concoction was made with whisky. I assure you, this stuff is inherently delightful; it can please everyone. If you have a sweet tooth, waiting for the coffee rocks to be merged with the smooth cream flavor would be a good idea as sweetness becomes more intense. How the mixture of dairy and alcohol happen to be silky remains a puzzle to me.


    When I think of the ultimate sensuous desserts, cupcakes just about tops my list. As a great meal-ender, we had the Maltesers Chocolate Cupcake (PHp 55). Rich and supple, this Maltese chocolate-laden cupcake envelops the mouth in a way similar to a rich chocolate cake. Note: This is not available on the menu as a regular item, and the cupcake flavors are limited each day in the coffee shop.


    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Tipsy Beans has good ambiance, great service and food and drinks that are matched with affordable prices. To top it all off, they offer free wi-fi which is always a bonus for those of us who work on the Internet. So what more could I ask for? The only con is that I don’t live very close, but I’m willing to go out of my way sometimes to get their delicious coffee. 🙂 Try it and you’ll love it.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/tipsybeans” name=”Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop” description=”50 Domingo M. Guevara, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 0917 4188747, 0922 8200082″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-03-04″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

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

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

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

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

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

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

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

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

    Service: ★☆☆☆☆

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Food: ★☆☆☆☆

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Price for Value: ★☆☆☆☆

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

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

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

  • Review of Mamou (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City) – A Valentine’s Day Special

    Review of Mamou (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City) – A Valentine’s Day Special

    Last Friday, I took a vacation leave from work to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Louie. We had a celebratory meal at Mamou, Serendra and walked down memory lane as well in Bonifacio High Street where we spent V-day five years ago. ♡

    As foreign as it may sound, Mamou is totally a 100% Filipino-owned restaurant. Mamou (pronounced as “ma-moo”), we’ve learned from the “Matter of Fact” section on the place mat, is what Malou Fores’ nephew used to call her, and the rest is history! This restaurant specializes in steaks: USDA prime grade beef in different cuts and done-ness. However, we didn’t go to Mamou for their steak because try as I might, even a massive hunk of tender beef in front of me won’t appeal as tempting. 😛

    Review of Mamou Serendra (Bonifacio Global City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Red walls, black and white checkered floor tiles, and wide counter across the dining area—all these remind me of the restaurant I used to design back then in Restaurant City, an app on Facebook. 🙂 The relaxing and modern vibe tends to gear toward welcoming a casual yet elegant crowd and environment. And oh, look at the bright, candle-inspired chandeliers! The color seems to be observing Valentine’s day all-year ’round. The place can get pretty noisy though when more dining customers talk at the same time.

    Service: ★★★★★

    I was surprised when the waiter made a hand gesture to hook my bag under the table. I smiled and said it’s okay for me to do it on my own. I liked the servers’ attitude here: courteous, responsive and friendly. They have the kind of customer service that’s fit for a classy environment.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    After being caught in heavy traffic jam, we came in late for our reservation but still just in time for lunch. For complimentary appetizer, a basket of bread with regular and wheat sourdoughs was given with an ample helping of butter on the side. The bread was soft and tasted fresh but not phenomenally delicious.

    We were glad that our actual order was served quickly. Succulent, juicy and not overly oily, the Tofu and Spring Rolls (PHp 210) with vinegar and sweet chili sauces were a unique take on the traditional Shanghai rolls. The crunchy lumpia skin gave way to mashed tofu, ubod and tinapa. Taken together, few comfort foods can compare.

    The sweet white flesh of the Fish Mamou Katsu (PHp 300) righted all wrongs, with nearly melt-on-your-tongue tenderness. The fish fillet had an impossibly delicate and crispy crust that held its shape just long enough to be briefly dipped into the apple tartar sauce. While Louie liked the condiment, I thought the breaded fish was better without it. The red buttered parsley rice that came with the dish merely delivered a straightforward performance. More glutinous than the white rice, the red rice tasted so healthy and wholesome.

    Mamou is also famous for its Roast Pork and Chicken (PHp 345, half). Many other restaurants we know may have the same name on their menus, but Mamou’s monstrosity made of citrus rubbed pork and chicken, buttered onions, red Cuban rice, cinnamon saba and black beans taste far different for sure. Yes, their version is worth the praise, though perhaps not to such an ecstatic degree that it receives.

    I tried a tiny chunk of the roast pork and thought it was tasty but not sublime. The roast chicken almost tasted the same, so the highlight of the plate for me were the black beans and the banana. 🙂 The contrast of flavors worked wonders. Overall, diners can best enjoy this entree by alternating each piece as their taste buds find fit.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Mamou’s diverse menu piques the curiosity of the insatiably food curious like me. Prices are mid-range and the dishes in terms of portion, quality and presentation were all well worth. We had a great time. I thank Louie for bringing me here and breaking my misconception that Mamou only serves a lot of steak and other meaty food that signal a turn-off.

    Apparently, Mamou’s menu features plenty of vegetarian finds I’m very interested about. To name a few, there’s the Vegetarian Adobado with Pickled Ubod (PHp 295) made with tofu, saging saba, pickled ubod, white or red buttered parsley rice, Mamou’s Shroom Burger (PHp 495) that has a portabello and shiitake patty on buttered bun, with lettuce, tomato and onion, and Truffle Flavored Vegetable Mushroom dip with Whole Wheat Melba Chips (PHp 195). I can’t imagine how these taste right now, but I’m definitely in for some surprise in our next visit. 😀

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/mamouahomekitchen” name=”Mamou – A Home Kitchen at Serendra” description=”Unit 1C – 15 G/F Serendra, Fort Bonifacio Heights” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (+632) 856-3569 / (+632) 909-5741 (+63917) 816-2668 or email eat@mymamou.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-18″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Mon – Fri: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
    Sat: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
    Sun: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm

    Other branch:
    Mamou too! Rockwell
    L R1 148A, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Makati City
    Tels. (+632) 822-6218 / (+63917) 806-2668

  • Review of Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar (Makati City)

    Review of Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar (Makati City)

    Do you know which restaurant has got the best burrito in Manila? Well, according to spot.ph, the champion in this category is no other than Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar in Makati. Beat that? There’s only one way to find out—and it’s when you grab a bite of their “finest Mex-Tex” food yourself!

    Ines Cabarrus (in photo with me below) and Elian Habayeb have ventured in the Philippines to serve authentic flavors of Mexico and American Southwest cuisines combined. The menu is so joyously predictable. To boost their competitive edge against Mexican food establishments that are sprouting over the city, Chihuahua plays with much creativity and innovation.

    With bigger and newer plans still up and coming to improve their menu, Chihuahua teams up with world leader Monin, the French company that has been producing gourmet flavors for over 100 years. This February 2014, they will be releasing three new margarita variations: strawberry, red berry and passion fruit. For the non-alcoholics, there are new flavors of quesadilla, new variations of nachos and smaller size of burritos to intrigue patrons like me. Let’s see how Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar’s food fared in my taste test.

    Review of Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar (Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    This branch of Chihuahua across A-venue Mall has two floors and can accommodate up to over 50 people. This place is screaming RED! Making the ambiance pretty upbeat, this predominant color in the interior stimulates the energetic vibe.

    Acoustic music pumping through the speakers helped to set the mood for the night. Incidentally, we came on a Wednesday night and Chihuahua has a live acoustic singer/guitarist every Wednesday. Tip: Say the password “acoustic” to the cashier and get a free Chihuarita shot to help you sing along.

    Disco lights pulse and dance around the walls and ceiling. Props such as game boards, cowboy hats, balero cups and other toys are placed at the sides. These can be borrowed for picture-taking.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The owners and staff are very accommodating and friendly, so ordering from a wide variety of food on their menu board on the wall behind the counter can be done easily. The ordering process starts upon selection of meats or veggies, then deciding whether you want them in a soft taco, burrito, salad or burrito bowl. Third step is either you witness how preparation of food is done or wait at your table. Mostly everything else once the food is served must be self-service.

    Different types of condiments (pickled Jalapeno peppers, fresh guacamole and Pico de Gallo) are available at a counter, and several types of homemade sauces are accessible from their “hot sauce library.”

    Food: ★★★★☆

    First and foremost, we had the classic favorites: three types of nachos, namely Chips & Queso “Special” (PHp 195), Steak Nachos (PHp 385) and Chicken Nachos (PHp 345) which all had corn, salsa, grilled pepper and onions. The Chips & Queso “Special” was made with queso and some chili con carne; the Steak Nachos, with tender, char-grilled, perfectly marinated American beef; and the Chicken Nachos, with lean marinated breast. All were really tasty and the matching condiments were as well rich and intense.

    After having a bit of everything, it was hard to say which I preferred the most. The nachos were crisp and crunchy. The toppings worked harmoniously with the delicious corn flavor.

    It seemed almost like a rare deal when the dish was served to us warm. I loved that melted cheese was still runny-rich and viscous and not a state where it had already cooled and thickened. What I also liked was the mix of quality ingredients in a bowl.

    Next were two types of burritos, the “pride and joy of Chihuahua.” The Mini-Me Burritos (PHp 225) are lighter, less packed but just-as-good-yet-smaller portion of the original 12-inch sized award-winning burrito.

    The Two-bean Burrito (PHp 135), an entry-level burrito worthy of the coveted Chihuahua brand, can suit vegetarians’ taste best. It is made with smoky refried beans, Mexican rice, black beans, creamy queso, and chipotle salsa, wrapped in the 10-inch soft flour tortilla.

    Thirdly, we had two different viands of brilliant quesadillas: the Veggie Quesadilla (PHp 385) and the Chicken Spinach Quesadilla (PHp 495). These quesadillas look like a large Mexican pizza made with two toasted flour tortillas held together by three kinds of cheese. Both were served with pico de gallo, chipotle salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

    I tried a slice of each but I could not just finish the whole thing. There was a lot going on upon the first bite. I thought the Veggie Quesadilla was more delicious, since the corn kernels, grilled peppers, onions and zucchini had a good contrast.

    On the other hand, the overall taste of Chicken Quesadilla was not as appealing to my taste buds, but I liked it, too! This quesadilla was made with grilled marinated chicken breast and butter-sautéed spinach with garlic, onion and cilantro.

    Coming soon are the Steak Quesadilla (PHp 545) with grilled USDA beef, onions and peppers; the Carnitas Quesadilla (PHp 485) with slow-cooked pork, red onions, and cilantro; and the Picadillo Quesadilla (PHp 465) with spicy ground beef and red onions.

    For a good Mexican dessert, we closed the deal with Chihuahua’s Banana Nutella Quesadilla (small PHp 195, large PHp 345), which had a firm but moist patty. Each bite was nice, juicy and nutella-flavored, thanks to the following ingredients: NutellaÂź, Jiffy’s Peanut ButterÂź and then topped with vanilla ice cream, cinnamon, shaved almonds and cajeta (a Mexican caramel similar to dulce de leche). The fresh bananas were responsible for the hint of sweetness. Yum! 😛

    We washed all the food down with Strawberry Frozen Margarita which was made with real tequila.  It was nicely tart but wasn’t too fruity or too sweet for me. As a “powerful cocktail drink,” this margarita was a little less syrupy than most versions I’ve tried in other bars. The acidity was adequate and the drink didn’t come with an unpleasant aftertaste.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar is a Mexican food lover’s paradise. Their offerings are so much a marriage of Mexican and Texan food and flavors. I was mostly impressed with the quality and presentation of the food but less impressed with the prices which I thought should be tagged a little lower. Of course in Manila, you can get nachos, burritos, quesadillas and drinks for half the cost. However, what you can’t get elsewhere is the FUN!

    In Chihuahua, one can take advantage of the festive ambiance and enjoy the night away with free salsa dancing lessons every Saturday night at 10:30PM. Yup, this place transforms instantly from a rather quiet dining area to a home of the best salsa dancers residing in the metro. The good news? Everyone is invited and the party lasts until 5AM. 😀 So if you feel like chilling and letting loose, schedule a trip to Chihuahua this Saturday right now. I bet you’ll have the most fun, hands down.

    If you’re not okay with Saturday, you can still have an equally fun ride at Chihuahua’s every Friday when they feature music more on the Reggaeton tip. You’d know it’s real when you see Domicans, Cubans, Costa Ricans and Panamanians in the crowd. The Corona-sponsored weekly’s Urban-Latin club music comes courtesy of Jonathan Picayo  and some of the best DJs the city has to offer.

    I’m not exactly running back for another set of Mex-Tex food right away, but if a burrito craving strikes me back again, I’ll know where to go. And by now, I think you also do. 🙂

    Thanks, Aldous, for the invite! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/chihuahuamexicangrill” name=”Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar” description=”7838 Makati Avenue (across A-Venue), Makati” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact +63916 3737308 or email chihuahuamexgrill@gmail.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-14″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating Hours: 11am until 3am (Mon-Thurs), 5am (Fri-Sat), and 12am (Sun)

    Other branch:
    G/F Greenbelt 2 (Esperanza street-side across from The Residences) | 625-0106
    Operating Hours: 11am – 11pm daily

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

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

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


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

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

    Chef Laudico and Me : )

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

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

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

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


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

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

    Service: ★★★★★

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

    Food: ★★★★☆

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

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

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

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

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

  • Review of Da.U.De (Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge (Bonifacio Global City)

    Review of Da.U.De (Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge (Bonifacio Global City)

    Don’t you love being at moments when everything seems to click? Like fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, or peanut butter and jelly, teas and pastries are practically made to be paired with each other. Da.U.De (pronounced as Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge is a definite supporter of this pairing. This cute and fancy establishment at the ground floor of Net Lima Building in BGC is best known as the “premiere full leaf tea company” that brings authentic tea and tea culture with pastries on the side as well as other exciting dishes in the Philippines.

    After lunch with friends last Saturday at Casa Marcos Restobar, we walked into Da.U.De Tea Lounge (near Wildflour Cafe + Bakery) to continue our girl talk and get our tea fix. 😀 There was no way we could resist after it has been highly recommended by bloggers online.

    Review of Da.U.De (Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge (Bonifacio Global City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Staying at this tea lounge is like sitting in someone’s cozy home but with the presence of other people who are also enjoying the nice ambiance. The vibe? Casual, relaxed and flexible. I thought that if squishy sofas were placed instead of these regular chairs, one might actually fall asleep and forget that he or she is in a public tea lounge. 🙂

    I love all the light colors everywhere, as they are pleasing to the eyes. With non-obtrusive background music, customers can use their mobile devices and virtually reach out into the world. Free Wi-Fi was not available and that’s disappointing. Anyway, Da.U.De is very conducive for writing and working both alone and in groups. People-watching by the large windows is also an excellent activity that can be done without leaving the comfort of your seats.

    There’s a section displaying an array of tea boxes and other products with tea as an ingredient. This makes Da.U.De not a typical restaurant where diners order food and drinks but also a store where they can purchase a variety of stuff they won’t find elsewhere. ♄

    Service: ★★★★★

    The service has been attentive and very kind from the time we strolled in to the time we left. The staff clearly explained the best-seller drinks and sweets and their ingredients to help us make up our minds on what to order out of the many great choices on the menu. Good service like this can totally hook a customer.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Da.U.De Tea Lounge is a welcoming gateway to a wide world of food infused with teas, such as the following:

    • Gravaix and Feta Salad (PHp 350) consisting of tea-cured salmon, salad greens, feta cheese, tea-infused vinaigrette and homemade focaccia bread
    • Vongole (PHp 250) consisting of clams, cherry tomatoes, tea-infused aglio e olio and bavette pasta
    • Beef Bolognese (PHp 225) consisting of ground beef, tea-infused tomatoes, cream, vodka, penne pasta
      …and many more.

    Our purpose of visiting this place was to try their signature drinks, so we’ll have to return next time to try these food.

    In addition to teas, Da.U.De also serves beer, wine and cocktails. Then we learned that these beverages are also made of tea. For instance, the Island Beer (PHp 160) is made of lemonade tea and wheat beer; the Bubble Tea Wine (PHp 300) is made of Chardonnay, Fruit Nectar and Tapioca; and the Black or White Eyed Susan (PHp 160) is made of Kape Tea and Dark Rhum. Surprising! 😀

    On the “safe” side, Da.U.De offers smoothies, all-natural soda, tea with infusions of vegetables and fruits, milk teas and special tea mixes aside from the regular teas on pots. Like when we were in TWG Tea Salon, reviewing of the menu took a while.

    Ultimately, we gave up and just asked for recommendations that we followed without batting an eyelash. H got the Lemon Thirst Quencher (PHp 160), which we all agreed to be really a thirst quencher. This drink could have tasted better when served colder. Tiny bits of paper straw-suckable gelatinous pulps or pearls (sorry, could not identify) gave texture to each sip. I’m not a fan of citrus drinks so while it tasted good, it’s not a delightful way for me to end a day.

    G got the Rose Pink White (PHp 180) made with Xaouen tea, guava, green apple and lime. The flavor is unique but it tasted somewhat bland.

    While there’s an extensive list of drinks, I saw no reason to stray away from the most familiar. For myself, I chose the Coffee Almond Tea Macchiato (PHp 190) that’s made of coffee, almond tea, milk and caramel, and I didn’t regret getting it. It had all my favorite ingredients for a drink in one, and the combined flavors turned out to be natural, savory, smooth and not overly sweet.

    We shared a piece of a White and Dark Chocolate Scone served with Uncutted Cream and Lemon Curd (PHp 140). Hearty and simple to the point, the scone was more akin to a biscuit than a traditional scone when it comes to texture. It had a sugary crust which was robust and substantial.

    The scone might had been put out from the oven and displayed on the front counter far too long, so the moisture, gentleness and softness I was expecting were not met. I hope Da.U.De could also offer this homemade sweet to be warmed before serving.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Da.U.De Tea Lounge is a great place to unwind. Everything seemed like a must-try! What turns me a bit off are the pretty high prices. In fact, when I think about it hard, I get those maniacal spinning dollar-sign eyes you see in cartoons. Well, it may be understandable given that the space is small and people usually linger here for hours. Point being: part of the charge may actually include not only the overheads but also the opportunity costs.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/daudetea” name=”Da.U.De (Da-You-Deh) Tea Lounge” description=”4th Ave and 26th St G/F Net Lima Building, 1634″ rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 4783579, (02) 8544187, 09228463268 or email hello@lovedaude.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-15″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating Hours:
    Mon – Thu: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
    Fri – Sat: 10:00 am – 12:00 am
    Sun: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

  • Review of Casa Marcos Restobar (Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City)

    Review of Casa Marcos Restobar (Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City)

    Tucked in Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City (beside Forbeswood Heights Condominium), Casa Marcos spans generations and is no way a newcomer in the food arena. It finds its roots in the 1940s, when a Spanish expatriate named Marcos de Guisasola opened a restaurant in his name.

    Eventually, when Señor Marcos had to go back to Spain, he passed the ownership of his successful business on to Ben del Rosario. Ben was his close friend and one of the customers who frequented the restaurant. A new branch of Casa Marcos was opened by Ben and his family in 1983, and it was in this place where the popular “Casa Marcos pan de sal” was established.

    My friends and I had lunch at Casa Marcos last Saturday and spent more than two hours talking about our life’s recent updates while enjoying the food, especially the unlimited refills of pan de sal. 😉

    Review of Casa Marcos Restobar (Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    At first glance, I could never have guessed that inside Casa Marcos Restobar lies gaudy décor. The first floor features a bar counter, two small dining sets, menu written on a chalkboards, and a fridge for chill drinks. Walking up the stairs to the second floor, I realized that this place is styled like a typical Spanish-style bar with antique-looking tables and chairs. The atmosphere was cozy and the setup, with brick walls, lights resembling tin cans on the ceiling, and colorful posters on the walls, was just simple yet beautiful.

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    The place was quiet with reserved staff to match. I was the first customer to arrive for lunch. This meant the staff wasn’t supposed to be busy; in fact, they were just listening to music on the radio and chatting with one another. Good times, huh. They looked at me as I pushed the glass door, however there was particularly no hi, welcome, how many or anything like that verbally exchanged. In short, the staffs (about four of five of them) were not friendly or inviting.

    They also did not bother to hand me the menu or ask if I need anything but let me observe around and do things in my own pace. It was as if I did not exist! One waiter came when I raised my hand to order, when I asked for the bread refill and when it was time for us to pay for the bill. Attentiveness passed the test and that’s the only good point noted.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    The garlicky scent of Gambas (PHp 320) wafted from our table, and we immediately dug into the plump Spanish garlic shrimps cooked Casa Marcos style sautéed in butter and garlic. The portion was small (almost like a side dish) and might be good for only one person, but we managed to share it, hardly needing all the jazz to appreciate the flavors.

    The strong flavor in gambas simply begged for rice. But instead of ordering rice, we opted for Casa Marcos Restobar’s pan de sal—and what a good move that was. These babies (so tiny, so cute) were served as a complimentary starter with butter to spread, and the bowl was refilled with more fresh pan de sal by request. The bread was soft and chewy. Allowing any of the gambas’ sauce go to waste is a sin, so we had the pan de sal soak up its glorious juices and ate it. Mmmmm…yummy!

    Our single entree, Pollo de Casa Marcos (PHp 320), was ever-so-gently pan-fried in oil and garlic. The chicken breast flesh was perfectly cooked, moist and toothsome.

    Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

    Average price of a course at Casa Marcos is PHp 400. I consider this to be really high as we got very small portions of food albeit in nice plating. Also, while the food tasted fine, the ingredients used, the creativity and the uniqueness of the recipes were not really too exceptional or wow-intensive to be worth such cost. But just maybe, the vivid cooking and utter lack of trendiness have their own charms. Will it bring you to Spain? If only you close your eyes and daydream for a moment, that could be possible.

    In any case, if you’re planning to dine in with a group of friends or your family, Casa Marcos’ selection of paellas can be worth the splurge. They offer four different types of paella (good for 5 to 6 people):

    • Paella Valenciana (PHp 795) – Hearty rice meal with chorizo, seafood, and chicken seasoned with paprika cooked over a slow fire
    • Paella Marinera (PHp 745) – Classic all seafood paella
    • Paella con Saffron (PHp 895) – Classic Valenciana cooked in saffron, giving it a lighter and more distinctive taste
    • Paella Negra (PHp 795) – A variety of seafood, chicken and vegetables cooked in black squid ink

    For those who hanker for long and lingering suppers, feel free to punctuate jovial conversation with glassfuls of bar drinks: beer, gin, vodka, cognac, whiskey, rum, tequila, mixers and fruit juices are all available with prices ranging from PHp 80 to PHp 325.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/casamarcos” name=”Casa Marcos Restobar” description=”F 121, Forbeswood Heights, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 5523781″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-04″ user_review=”11″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating Hours: 11AM-2:30PM, 6PM-11PM

    Other branch:
    Unit 20a/20b, Ortigas Home Depot J. Vargas St. Pasig City | (02) 4703637

  • Review of Greeka Kouzina (SM Aura Premier, McKinley Pkwy, Taguig)

    Review of Greeka Kouzina (SM Aura Premier, McKinley Pkwy, Taguig)

    Whether you’re into Greek or Mediterranean cuisine or just looking to shake things up, Greeka Kouzina makes an excellent restaurant selection for a heavy lunch or dinner. Although its menu has lots of meaty items, vegetarians can also not go wrong with Greeka Kouzina as it serves plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes that won’t weigh you down. Last Saturday, I made the slow drive up at the second floor of SM Aura Premier (beside Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen) to try what’s rolling best among their offerings. 😛

    Review of Greeka Kouzina (SM Aura Premier, McKinley Pkwy, Taguig)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The ambiance of Greeka Kouzina at SM Aura Premier is very open and well decorated but not overdone. In fact, the decors are almost zen-like. The atmosphere is classy, catering to a similar audience. Colorful lamps on the sides serve as accents that bring vibrancy and a festive mood to the dining area. The textured walls gave an ever more appealing appearance, and the structured ceiling gave the space a hint of grandeur, a warm and inviting feel.

    Service: ★★★★★

    We were greeted by one of the friendly hostesses upon entrance. As I’ve reserved a table for the group, we were seated abruptly.

    The servers were friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and helpful in introducing the menu items which are all foreign in my book. Also, I appreciated that the staff refilled our glasses with water several times throughout the evening without us having to ask. Each course of food was served quickly and we were not bothered at any point during dinner.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Greeka Kouzina’s food was truly a feast for both the eyes and mouth. First up, the stars aligned for an incredible explosion of flavors and textures of ingredients making up the Fig Roka Salata (PHp 420). The mixed greens and arugula arrived fresh. Fortified with sweet figs, walnuts, and sun-dried tomatoes, this plate was everything I could’ve hoped for: crunchy, saucy, sweet, salty and savory. The white thing that appeared to me as “lumpia wrapper” was apparently cheese! 😀 This appetizer is good for about three to five people to share. To our health, cheers!

    The second dish served was only five minutes away. Easy to serve and even easier to eat, the Kalamari Tiganito (PHp 290) consisted of freshly caught fried squid sprinkled with alatopiperigano. In case you don’t know, “alatopiperigano” simply is the combination of salt (“alati”), pepper (“piperi”) and dried oregano (“rigani”). The kalamari was cooked well and it poised itself as a comforting, familiar and slightly elevated dish. Dip it to the bright lemon-olive oil Greek dressing and you might say “Ahhh delicious!” after each bite.

    Next, the meat. We had the Paidakia (PHp 595), grilled lamb cutlets marinated in Greek’s signature spices. Call me caveman but I did not bother with the accompanying yoghurt and lemon slices to cut through the strong meat flavor. The lamb cut was tasty, however what I didn’t like was seeing too much fat oozing from it. While some people I know prefer that rich, wondrous and delicious fat of lamb, I was intimidated and distracted. 😛 Anyway, let’s move on.

    Krasates (PHp 480) consisted of two pieces grilled pork chops, served with blue cheese, walnuts and Greek’s signature gravy. I tried a very small chunk of the pork chop and thought it was incredibly juicy and tender. Still, I won’t convert myself as a meat-eater, if that’s what you’ll be asking. 😀 Thoughtfully executed, the krasates took on that roasted flavor that’s far from bland.

    Another irresistible entree was the Beef Souvlaki (PHp 430). This char-grilled skewer of meat can well satisfy your appetite for some sinful indulgence. It almost seemed like a crime to give this a miss. The cubes of beef were nicely marinated. They were moist and flavorful, completely edible and not too chewy.

    I could not believe that the Watercress Pasta (PHp 180) is listed just as a siding on Greeka Kouzina’s menu. With refreshing watercress and tomatoes, the creamy watercress pasta was perfect in earthy flavor. As a light dish, this al dente pasta is one that won’t make you feeling icky after finishing the whole thing.

    The Moussaka (PHp 180), made of grilled eggplant layered with beef, tomato sauce, cherry bechamel and potato topping, was refined and flavorsome. It was my first time to taste moussaka and I thought I could liken it with lasagna, except instead of noodles, you have eggplant. This serving of moussaka is considered as well as a siding that can be an entire meal for those who have a small stomach like mine. 🙂

    Finally, we had Baklava (PHp 180) for desserts. It was layered with phyllo pistachio, walnuts and cashews and topped with a large ball of Greek yogurt. The nuttiness was all over. The baklava looked harmless enough in presentation, but after biting into it, you’d know a sugar party is happening. Without the Greek yogurt to tone down the sweetness, I would not love it as much.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Greeka Kouzina is stuffed to the brim with its namesake. You want authentic Greek food? You got it. Although the menu features food in Greek names, their respective descriptions are simple and straightforward. When in doubt, you can ask the staff to recommend and help you out. So the next time you wonder where to eat in SM Aura, this Greece-inspired restaurant must be one of the top selections! 🙂 The dining experience and the quality of food here are worth to spend reasonable amount of money for.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/GreekaKouzina” name=”Greeka Kouzina” description=”2F, SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner, 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 9643354, 0917 5140157″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-03″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branch:
    285 Pedro Guevarra St, San Juan | (02) 624 5974