Rochkirstin | com

Category: Search by Type

  • Review of YummySoy (The Fort Strip, BGC, Taguig City)

    Review of YummySoy (The Fort Strip, BGC, Taguig City)

    Soy food and beverages have been gaining popularity here in the metro because of the many health benefits of soy. Nowadays, you can get soy milk at any regular grocery store. However, mass-produced soy milk are mostly made with non-organic and GMO (genetically modified) soybeans, and preservatives are added. With “Simply Refreshing!” as its tagline, YummySoy strives to live up to the promise in delivering FRESH, non-GMO and good quality soy-based desserts and drinks in a contemporary ambiance.

    Apparently, the name YummySoy sounds familiar to me as I’ve seen this brand in many locations in Singapore before (most frequently when I pass by Joo Chiat Road). I recall that Mr. Bean is one of its head-to-head competitors as they both serve refreshing soy-based beverages and food products. I’ve tried Mr. Bean a couple of times but haven’t sampled YummySoy’s delights even once. 😛

    Brought to the Philippines by a Filipino who’s still working full-time in SG, this branch of YummySoy at The Fort Strip beside K-Pub opened just last June 3, 3013 after its first branch at Robinsons Place, Manila which launched last March 7, 2013. Their beans are imported from Singapore and processed in their commissary in Pasig City, Metro Manila. This is why the taste should really be fresh and consistent with the original recipe’s.

    Yesterday’s food-tasting event was a compromise between going out of the house when it was raining and not eating YummySoy’s tastiest treats at all. I chose the latter because I had already said yes to the organizer and luckily it was a good choice. 🙂

    Review of YummySoy (The Fort Strip, Taguig City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Any restaurant that fills the room with yellow and orange color combination stimulates hunger. I was not hungry when I first came in but after waiting for a few minutes, I must be absorbed by the very charming and pleasing ambiance that made me succumb to order my first drink. 😀

    The chilled bean curds (taho) were neatly presented in the refrigerators. Customers can view the menu on the Hyundai LCDs where the products and prices are displayed. I wondered why they opted to put and turn these devices on when they can just have menus posted behind the counter or still on top pasted on the walls via lighted signs to conserve electrical energy. ❓ Anyway, if that’s part of their strategy to entice customers then it must be working effectively.

    The number of chairs are limited to 12, so even if this is a nice place to hang out, by the setup, customers would be more encouraged to take their orders out than stay in and wait for tables and chairs to be freed.

    On other thought, Operations Manager Mr. Hermoginio (see picture below) said that their target market is composed largely of employees from nearby office buildings who want to chill out from work and have a quick break here and those coming out of other pubs and restaurants in The Fort Strip. I figured most if not all these people are always on the go, so the limited seating capacity might still be adequate for the branch for now. The “egg” chairs were really comfortable to sit in though! 🙂

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was outstanding. Drinks and chilled taho were presented in a fashionable manner. Since they are readily made, staff would just have to get them out of the fridge and serve them to the tables well.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    I’m a regular drinker of soya milk (豆浆 doujiang) — both the home-made and commercial one. Because our house is located near the tofu factory in Divisoria area, my mom would often buy pure soy milk blended from soybeans and water and serve it as a staple breakfast at home. Hence I can differentiate the taste of finely made soy milk without preservatives and of those already added with sweeteners, inorganic flavoring and heavily-processed ingredients.

    YummySoy served us with their five of their best variants of flavored and original chilled bean curd, slurpy and drinks with different toppings: Strawberry (PHp 85), Dark Chocolate (PHp 85), Original (PHp 75) and Almond (PHp 85), with add-ons Strawberry Pops (PHp 15), Coffee Jelly (PHp 10) and Pearls (PHp 10).

    After taking spoonfuls of all these, I have to say my favorites are the strawberry-flavored chilled bean curd with strawberry pops and the almond-flavored chilled bean curd with coffee jelly! ♥

    With these silky, creamy, and refreshing bean curds, you think you’ll stop eating to save some for later but eventually find yourself with an empty container. The texture is smooth and soft and goes well with the soya bean milk, perfect for those who want an excuse to indulge on such a hot day and yet not want to eat something too sinful.

    Notes:

    • YummySoy also offers hot original soy and almond-flavored soy drinks but the hot version takes a bit longer to prepare.
    • Each flavor of bean curd and drink can be paired with any add-on.
    • YummySoy – The Fort will soon accept deliveries from nearby establishments.
    • To get a discount, you can buy six chilled bean curd (varied flavors) at PHp 400.
    • Customers can choose the sugar level of the drinks: from 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% to 100%.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    The quality and taste of their offerings make it easy for one to patronize them easily. Prices are about the same as drinks in milk tea and coffee shops. However, I just have this notion that taho or soy bean curd must be cheaper because taho is one that is commonly and traditionally sold by street vendors carrying cylindrical metallic containers placed on each end of a bamboo pole. One cup of this drink costs only PHp 10-20, while YummySoy charges about six times over. 😯

    – With Bloggers Carol and Aldous –

    [schema type=”review” name=”YummySoy, The Fort Strip” description=”Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (Beside K-Pub)” rev_name=”Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays: 10am-10pm; Weekends: 10am-11pm” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-07-14″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branch:
    3F Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place Manila

  • Review of Galli Village Cafe (Maginhawa Street, Quezon City)

    Review of Galli Village Cafe (Maginhawa Street, Quezon City)

    If you are not convinced of Maginhawa Street’s credentials as a fully realized foodie village, then this cafe I’m featuring in this article will go some way to changing your opinion. Right in the middle of the street, Galli Village Cafe in Quezon City opened just two months ago (since May 2013), clearly targeting passing traffic of food lovers who want to stay in a quiet place whilst enjoying delicious food. This is actually its second branch, while the first one has been open to the public since last year.

    Galli Village Cafe seems to be set up for success as it possesses the crucial combination of Spanish and Filipino-inspired cuisines with the theme of the Mediterranean, ready to pique the taste buds of patrons.

    The business started when husband and wife tandem (the Villongcos) thought of establishing a restaurant where they can eat after church service every weekend. This couple goes to National Shrine of Sacred Heart Church, where nearby restaurants serving decent food are almost nowhere to be found. Thus, in God’s stamp of approval, everything came in proper order and timing. The ground floor of YMCA Hotel across the church had an open space. So like an answered prayer, this spot became perfect fit and hence where the first branch of Galli Cafe now stands.

    Galli Village Cafe has been featured several times on TV shows and popular blogs, but it was only yesterday when I had the chance to dine in its QC branch.

    Review of Galli Village Cafe (Maginhawa Street, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Galli Village Cafe posits itself as a “refreshing dining place from the hustle and bustle of Makati and Quezon City.” At least in its QC branch, I totally vouch for that. Galli is a rustic and cozy restaurant where everyone feels relaxed. The area may be small when compared to regular dine-in restaurants, as it can accommodate only about 25 people. The space is tiny, yes, but it can pose as a perfect place for sharing plates and making some new friends in the process. Also, this can be a plus for dining customers who value intimacy and privacy.

    I find interior design quite alluring as there’s obvious creativity shown throughout this cafe. Since the owners are fond of traveling, they collect souvenirs and take pictures to form the concept of Galli Village Cafe. Bursting with originality, the walls are filled up with framed collages and keepsakes from European, Asian (including the PH) and American countries. The vibrant colors and the upbeat music playing on the background cater to the younger and modern generation whose personalities are more on the chic, artistic and bohemian type.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    Despite the limited number of staff, Galli serves customers responsively both in the indoor and al fresco setting. As guests, we were entertained and satisfied not only with the food but also with the knowledge on their dishes. The staffs were friendly and thoughtful to balance being accommodating while allowing us to engage in a wonderful conversation.

    Galli Village Cafe is not what you can call a “fast food” restaurant because admittedly, waiting time is quite long. To give consideration, this is understandable as they make food upon order and not just heat them few seconds before serving. For cooking their specialty paella, for example, customers must be willing to wait 40 minutes for the food to arrive.

    It’s recommended to call first and order in advance to save time. They also do catering and accept reservations so make sure to find their contact numbers at the end of this post! 😀

    Food: ★★★★★

    We had a great lineup of food that consisted of their specialties and wholesome dishes: Beef Salpicao (PHp 195), Paella Valenciana (good for 4-5; PHp 495), Angus Beef Tapa (PHp 170) and Shrimp Gambas (PHp 195).

    The paella was especially sumptuous, with a very good selection of toppings: chicken, pork, eggs, chorizo and some vegetables. I have the habit of smelling food first before eating every spoonful of it. This one smelled really delicious. 😀 I would raise my two thumbs up also for their shrimp gambas.

    Christine was kind to offer tuna salpicao when she learned two of us bloggers are pescetarians. Tuna Salpicao is not even existing on the menu yet, and together with Grilled Tuna Belly, it will probably be released in the next two months. In addition, she asked the cook staff to bring us Chorizo Rice that complemented the taste of the salpicaos.

    For the drinks, I had Hot Chocolate (PHp 35) which tasted like pure chocolate with a tinge of sweetness, to wash out the astonishingly strong flavors swimming in my buds. Two other bloggers had the Sparkling Lemonade (PHp 39) and Four Seasons (PHp 39). For our desserts, we had Leche Flan that was creamy but not too sweet.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Food prices are accessible, considering that the quality is high. Budget per person is less than PHp 300 and you can get fulfillment from this restaurant that not only gives customers a taste of what they can get but is as well given enough of a local touch that people in the city can recognize in terms of taste. One promising thing to note is that things will surely get better, as Galli still is in the process of improving and expanding their menu.

    Boo, it’s too far from home! 😯 There were no regrets though, because I had fun eating and chatting with Christine Arriola-Villongco and the bloggers. I almost felt like carrying my stomach with two hands after pigging out in this cozy resto. Exaggerated much? Yeah, I know. Nyahaha. :mrgreen:

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/GalliVillageCafe” name=”Galli Village Cafe” description=”154 Maginhawa St. Sikatuna Village, Quezon City Open daily, 11AM-10PM” rev_name=” Contact number: (02) 434 6716″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-07-07″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branch:
    G/F YMCA Hotel, 7 Sacred Heart St San Antonio, Makati
    Open daily, 7AM-8:30PM
    Contact number: 0927 3914655

  • Review of Makan Makan Asian Food Village (Manila Ocean Park)

    Review of Makan Makan Asian Food Village (Manila Ocean Park)

    Tucked away at the second floor of Manila Ocean Park, Makan Makan Asian Food Village deals with super hungry hordes who insanely crave for mixed Asian cuisine, particularly authentic Singaporean, Chinese, Malay, Thai, Indian and Filipino food.

    My family and I found out about this “hawker-style” Singaporean dining place only last weekend coincidentally, when we accompanied my sister for her monthly braces adjustment at Vaxcen Clinic (located at the first floor in the same building). We had just finished with lunch at that time. Still, I was urged to take a bite and grab a quick meal here to know how promising their dishes are.

    Review of Makan Makan Asian Food Village (Manila Ocean Park)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Makan Makan has two entrances: front and back. You can enter from either way and you will see cooks in their own stations right through to the depths of open kitchens, as they showcase showmanship and artistry in cooking and preparing food.

    The concept combines typical Singaporean hawker fare which basically consists of a good mix of standalone pushcarts put together featuring different food options that can make you quite dizzy, especially if you don’t know exactly what you want. If you’ve been to Food Republic or Food Opera in Singapore or Hong Kong, you will get a clearer idea and picture the ambiance of Makan Makan more vividly. Why? They are likely the same, except that this localized version has less overwhelming crowd and fewer food stalls.

    Makan Makan Asian Food Village offers open dining and free seating to guests (not exclusive to stalls where you order your food from). Theme is vintage, invoking a nostalgic kampong atmosphere.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The staff were polite and courteous from beginning to end. Unlike the mentioned food courts in Singapore, here, dining customers order through the waiters after reviewing the menu and not through the staff inside each food stall. This non-self-service arrangement gives Makan Makan Asian Food Village a fully decent and classy restaurant setting.

    Food: ★★★★★

    With so many international food choices on the menu, it was hard for us to decide which ones to order. Finally, we went for my two favorite Singaporean dishes: Laksa (PHp 160) and Char Kway Teow (PHp 175). My mom and my sister didn’t get to taste these before when they came to visit me in Singapore because there were a lot more they sampled. Despite that, they had the inkling and feeling that they won’t like them, especially laksa. :O But of course, that had to change! :mrgreen:

    Let’s start with the Cha Kway Teow. Cooked in sweet and savory soy sauce and oyster sauce, the kway teow was neither too oily nor dry for anyone to dislike. In fact, it was really delicious! Ingredients used were slices of fish cake, squid, lup cheong (chinese sausage), bean sprouts and egg. I think this was a Singapore-style char kway teow, a darker and sweeter version of its Penang rival.

    As for the laksa, the soup and the noodles were superb and flavorsome! The taste of curry and coconut milk with the usual herbs and condiments was very evident, making up for the sour, sweet and spicy concoction. Small prawns, bite-size chicken meat, shredded vegetables and tofu were present in the bowl.

    End result? My mom and sister gave positive feedback on the food. 😀

    It’s confirmed then. Makan Makan’s food flavors are authentic! I’m so glad it’s here in Manila, so I don’t have to travel far to quell my cry to Singapore and Malaysian food once in a while.

    Other must-try dishes are:

    • Wanton Mee (PHp 160) – egg noodles in special sauce with asado
    • Oyster Omelet (PHp 160) – topped with stir fried spring onions and fresh oyster served with chili dip
    • Singaporean Carrot Cake (PHp 160) – stir fried radish cake
    • Hainanese Chicken Rice (PHp 500 for half chicken and PHp 900 for the whole) – poached chicken served with sauces
    • Crispy Cereal Prawns (PHp 550 for 2-3 and PHp 900 for 4-5) – stir fried prawns in butter and cereals
    • Chili Crab (PHp 200 per 100 grams) – stir fried crabs in chili sambal sauce
    • Pepper Crab (PHp 200 per 100 grams) – stir fried crabs in chili pepper sauce
    • Pad Thai Seafood (PHp 190) – stir fried seafood rice noodle with pickled radish, bean curd and special tamarind sauce

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    When compared to prices of hawkers in Singapore, prices of food in Makan Makan Asian Food Village – Manila Ocean Park are quite the same. Eating here will cost 1-2 diners around PHp 150 to PHp 300, or around S$4 to S$9. Given that it’s a gastronomic paradise filled with specialties from various regions constituting to a proper foodie destination, the rate is affordable and reasonable. 🙂

    Note: You don’t need to pay for any entrance fees to the Manila Ocean Park shows and theaters to dine inside.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/MakanMakan-Asian-Food-Village-Hotel-H2O-Manila-Ocean-Park/346240985389791″ name=”Makan Makan Asian Food Village Manila Ocean Park” description=”2F Manila Ocean Park (Hotel H2O, Luneta), Sunset Quay, Parade Avenue, Ermita, Manila” rev_name=”Contact number: (02) 567-3512″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-07-02″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm daily

  • Review of Bistro Ravioli Italian Restaurant (Robinsons Place, Manila)

    Review of Bistro Ravioli Italian Restaurant (Robinsons Place, Manila)

    Get an introduction to the vitality of Italian food at this swanky restaurant where creativity and amazing flavors abound. Bistro Ravioli in Robinsons Place, Manila sits at a corner of the Midtown Wing for two years now. But it was only last Sunday night that we took notice of it, while roaming around the mall after watching Man of Steel (a very boring movie, by the way).

    Maintaining their magic at a string of classic pastas, brick oven-baked pizzas and raviolis, Bistro Ravioli is known for their consistency, extremely fresh sauce and cheesy goodness. On the menu, their dishes look impressive but couldn’t be any simpler to make. How about on the taste buds? Read on this review to find out. 🙂

    Review of Bistro Ravioli Italian Restaurant (Robinsons Place, Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Just like their branches in MOA and Makati, their location inside Robinsons Place features minimalism. The combination of brown, white and green all around their walls, fixtures and lights somehow add to the calming and soothing effect in terms of the ambiance.

    When we first entered, music was very loud. I don’t know if my ears just got numbed to the noise level but the volume softened as we were eating.

    I could see that their designers have very well maximized the space capacity of this restaurant. 10+ tables which can accommodate four diners each and a long table for a big group are fitted in neatly.

    Service: ★★★☆☆

    Bistro Ravioli’s staff assigned to us was attentive and welcoming. Our orders were served quickly, and I don’t know how the food are cooked with that minimal amount of cooking time. I remembered that we had to wait 30-40 minutes before our spinach, eggplant and basil lasagna at home is ready for serving. In stark contrast, Bistro Ravioli makes pasta dishes in just about 10-15 minutes. Unbelievable!

    The waitress was also quick on her feet to refill our glasses with water when she saw them nearly empty.

    One thing that turned my boyfriend off though was that he accidentally left his credit card after paying, and the staff didn’t even manage to chase us to report and return the card. Good thing he noticed that something was missing in his wallet and so we went back to the restaurant to claim it back.

    Food: ★★★★★

    It seemed almost obvious and a requisite to order the house specialty: ravioli. There are five types of raviolis offered, each valued at PHp 245: Salmon Ravioli in Saffron Cream Sauce, Sausage Ravioli in Romesco Sauce, Three-cheese Ravioli and Mushroom Mozzarella and Spinach and Feta Cheese Ravioli in Pesto Sauce.

    We had the Spinach and Feta Cheese Ravioli in Pesto Sauce and found it taste-bud-tingling delicious! This ravioli came with a filling of spinach and feta cheese contrasted with pomodoro sauce and topped with roasted tomatoes and pesto. It had generous amount of fillings, so even if it appeared small, it was enough for two people to share. Finishing my share of this pasta plus drinking water made me feel full. One bite and for a moment, your worries are gone, your fever breaks, and why yes, I’d be happy to try out their other vegetarian-friendly raviolis.

    Then this question left me hanging: What is the difference between lasagna and ravioli? From my research, “A lasagna is a layered dish made with tomato sauce, broad-layered long, flat pasta and various cheeses, while a ravioli is a round or square-shaped “pouch” of pasta with fillings inside.” I hope I made this clear to my readers as well. 😀

    Next we had another best-seller in the house: Diablo Wings (PHp 280) which consisted of buffalo-style chicken wings coated with a spicy barbecue sauce and served with a garlic ranch dressing. It wasn’t fiery spicy as I expected but it was spicy…and sweet. This dish is often categorized merely as an appetizer, but I think it well deserves to be a star this time.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Prices are bit high, considering the portion of food (serving size) but I still recommend Bistro Ravioli as a great restaurant choice when you’re in the mood to pig out. They possibly can deliver never-ending rounds of every amazing pasta dish available in their limited but varied menu.

    Bistro Ravioli
    2F Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place, Ermita, Manila
    For inquiries, contact 0922 830-9869
    Email: info@bistroravioli.com
    Facebook

    Other Branches:
    2F Glorietta 3, Makati City | 0922 887 8379
    GF SM Mall of Asia, North Arcade, Pasay City | (02) 804 0577 and 0922 8533377
    GF Greenbelt 1, Makati City
    Alpha Land Makati Place

  • Review of King Chef Seafood Restaurant (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Review of King Chef Seafood Restaurant (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Partially because last Sunday was Father’s Day (父亲节) but mostly because this restaurant is awesome, King Chef in Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo was completely packed with people. Still, the queue outside seemed unending. Why not? King Chef’s exterior and interior designs shine exuberance while its dishes give every flare and flavor that one would expect from an upscale and authentic Chinese restaurant.

    Plenty of à la carte selections are available on the menu, but the fun is in the set or packaged offerings for groups which taste all like the good life…like royalty (including the cost). 😛

    Review of King Chef Seafood Restaurant (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    This branch of King Chef in LCM has just celebrated its first anniversary, after opening last June 8, 2012. After one year, the design and ambiance have been kept quite the same. Everything inside spells “class” and everything in terms of theme is coordinated. Walls, chairs and tablecloths are in gold, as well as the teeth of waiters assigned to your table. Ting!

    Nah, I’m just kidding on that last one. 😛

    Since time immemorial, we have been eating out at Chinese restaurants with likely the same menu and ambiance. I can probably say that King Chef has about similar rate of grandiose and bright setting as Gloria Maris, Tao Yan, Crystal Jade and Lugang Cafe — where “fine-dining” and “festive” can be put as common denominators.

    Aside from occupying the “ballroom” dining area, guests can sit inside function rooms by reservation. We took two tables and were accommodated inside the exclusive Princess Yang Kwei-Fei’s (貴妃) room.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    There was no hovering and no rushing patrons to leave so they can fill the next table. While the rest of their service and treatment were great, there was one quibbling thing to point out: waiters at times failed to deliver food in a timely manner. However, I can be considerate to acknowledge their busyness. Indeed, there were so many customers and so many orders coming into and from the kitchen. Eating a full-blown Chinese lauriat lunch combo helped make wait time for the arrival of the next dish tolerable; there were still loads of food left on the lazy Susan anyway.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Large dishes at King Chef take “large” to its very literal sense. Here are dishes we ordered, which were served in this order:

    Yang Chow Fried Rice (Large, PHp 525)

    Kung Pao Chicken (Large, PHp 875)

    Seafood with Spinach Soup (Large, Php 620)

    King Chef Vegetarian Hot Pot (Small, PHp 300)

    Shellmeat Brocolli (Large, PHp 920)
    Cha Misua (Large, PHp 420)

    Steamed Lapu Lapu (Large, PHp 960)

    Fried King Fish in Mango Sauce (Large, PHp 1160)

    Hong Kong Spare Ribs (Large, PHp 750)

    Mango Sago (Complimentary Dessert)

    With dynamite blend of flavors and textures, everything tasted perfectly — though my favorite was hands-down the staple Yang Chow Fried Rice because it is rice and viand in one.

    A beacon of ingenuity, the standout dish had to be the Fried King Fish in Mango Sauce which I’d be glad to get the recipe of. Its glory lies in the textual contrast between the taste of salt and pepper mix and mango. If you can’t imagine that, just take the “more ordinary” steamed lapu-lapu and add sip into mango sago at the same time. Probably that would do justice.

    Additionally, every platter of food was technically immaculate, clever and beautifully presented. Yes, presentation added huge value on creativity while sticking to the essence of traditional Chinese food. We ended up with happy tummies before leaving the place. 😛

    Next time I’d love to try their dim sum delights. King Chef runs a regular promo wherein prices of their dim sum are discounted at about 50 percent every day from 7AM to 9AM, 2PM to 5PM and 9PM to 12AM. These dim sum (or snacks, in Chinese) go beyond the usual pork siomai and shark’s-fin siomai, mind you, but everything!

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Set in a landmark building, King Chef boasts a fine ambiance and service to match, so high prices aren’t exactly a surprise. A number of my friends are asking me for good restaurant recommendations where they can gather for business meetings and celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions.

    Well, guys, I have shown you the way. The ball, now, is in your court. 😀

    King Chef Seafood Restaurant
    2F Lucky China Town Mall, Binondo, Manila
    For inquiries, contact (02) 720 8594 or (02) 466 5765
    Facebook

    Operating hours:
    Daily – 11AM to 11PM

    Other branch:
    989 Banawe St., Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
    (02) 410 4919

  • Review of Café De Seoul (One Archer’s Place, Taft Avenue, Manila)

    Review of Café De Seoul (One Archer’s Place, Taft Avenue, Manila)

    It seemed like De La Salle University-Manila and College of Saint Benilde students are now lucky to have so many nice hangout places around their campuses and school buildings where they can huddle and conduct group studies, do homeworks and chill to let out stress. Not students but still look like students, we burst into one of the cool cafés in One Archer’s Place (along Castro Street adjacent to DLSU Gokongwei Building) last Saturday.

    Where exactly? Café De Seoul. Purpose? To try drinks and delicious pastries, relax and just have fun even without the booze at this Korean-style café. 😀 Let me share with you my review of this place which started its operations only last March 1, 2013.

    Review of Café De Seoul (One Archer’s Place, Taft Avenue, Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Café de Seoul might have opened in the last three months, but so many diners have already caught word. We went there during lunch time and while the place was not busy, Café de Seoul never ran out of customers. From the entrance, guests walk into a sleek hall whose walls are posted with pictures of happy customers side by side with the café’s Korean owners.

    A number of tables with embedded Samsung Galaxy 10, matched with high chairs, are available so dine-in guests can use the tablet’s full functionality and at the same time utilize free Wi-Fi connection (ask password from the “counter guy”) without bringing in their own device.

    With European fine dining infused with modern Korean popular culture theme, Café de Seoul offers spacious accommodation with different stylish and quirky pieces of furniture for seating. The ceiling is a mirror which reflects everything on the floor.

    Snag a window seat and you can see the busy Agno Street and go people-watching. 😛

    Couches are comfortable and music is not obtrusive, so you can expect to see folks taking a nap inside. While waiting for orders, you can view books, Korean magazines and other items displayed on the shelves along with pretty cute Café de Seoul mugs and tumblers that are on sale.

    (Promotion: Buy a tumbler and get a drink for free! Also, get discounts when you bring your own Café de Seoul tumbler every time you buy a drink.)

    Service: ★★★★★

    Three versatile staffs go around to take orders in the cashier counter, prepare beverages and snacks, and fulfill any request asked by seated customers.

    Because we’re not familiar with the name of the drinks in Korean and not sure which ones to buy, the staff was kind to suggest the best recommendations (for selection of cold, blended and hot drinks) without blinking an eye.

    After ordering, just like in most coffee and tea shops now, customers receive a gadget that buzzes and lights up when order is ready for claiming.

    Waiters were gracious to take our picture and serve us free kiwi yogurt to taste. I commend this team for the warmth of its service.

    Food/Drinks: ★★★★★

    Café De Seoul features its menu on the screens behind the counter, like other fastfood restaurants do (e.g. Jollibee, Red Ribbon, KFC, etc.). I remember it was written on one of the animated projections there that their coffee is made with 100% arabica beans developed by the best brew master from Seoul, South Korea. These coffee beans are nourished, pruned, picked and perfectly roasted from the best selection of coffee beans from five major countries: Brazil Santos No.2, Guatemala SHB, Costa Rica SHB, Tanzania AA, and Kenya AA.

    However, I ordered something else, as I am not a particular fan of coffee. I followed the staff’s best bet for mocktails. Mocktails, by the literal sense of the word, are “mock cocktails” which are actually fruity non-alcoholic mixed beverages. I had the Ddalgi Sonagi (PHp 155 for small, PHp 165 for large) which is a mix of strawberry, kiwi and blue curaçao (liquer-flavored dried peel of the laraha citrus fruit). This drink translates to “Strawberry Rain” in Korean and true enough, the taste was strong in strawberries with a hint of citrus/orange-ish taste.

    I find the three colors intermingling in spiral form awesome. The combination is genius yet uncomplicated. It makes me realize that drinks don’t need to be having only singular focus on ingredient but can be a lot more if you put your thinking hat on.

    H had the Caramel Machiatto (PHp 140 for small, PHp 155 for large) drink, a blend of espresso and steamed milk with vanilla flavored syrup finished with sweet caramel drizzle — perfect to be paired with the Chocolate Lava Cake (PHp 145). This moist chocolate cake with light soufflé that has a spongy texture is one of their best sellers.

    G had another type of mocktail, the Honey Yuja (PHp 145 for small, PHp 155 for large) drink, which consists of thinly sliced Korean citrus fruit and rind infused with sugar and honey stirred in water. I felt somewhat invigorated after a sip!

    Click here to view more items in Café de Seoul’s menu.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    With super nice and dainty ambiance, excellent service and drinks and food to crave for anytime, Café de Seoul is a great venue I admire. I have yet to try their ice cream, sandwiches, Gangnam balls, waffles and other gourmet products next time. 😀

    Prices are competitive with similar high-end coffee and tea joints like Starbucks, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and so on. Bring your bills because they are a little on the pricey side and the joint accepts cash only!

    Café De Seoul
    Unit 12, 2F One Archers Place, Green Podium, Taft Avenue, Manila
    Facebook, Twitter

    Email: cafedeseoulmanila@gmail.com

    Store Operating Hours:
    Mondays to Thursdays 8AM to 1AM
    Fridays to Sundays 9AM to 12:30AM

  • Review of Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen (SM Aura Premier, BGC, Taguig)

    Review of Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen (SM Aura Premier, BGC, Taguig)

    You’re craving Japanese cuisine and the unexpected? Solved. Grab a seat in a cozy spot at Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen and indulge in their exquisite ramen dishes with signature rich and creamy Tonkotsu pork-based broth soup.

    Japanese ramen gurus behind the success of ramen house, Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen at Shangri-la Plaza, just opened their second branch in the Philippines at another premier location: SM Aura Premier, Taguig City. And I was one of the foodies who graced the food tasting event on their first soft opening full day last Saturday. 😛

    Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen at the second floor of SM Aura is still under construction (at least the back part where functional rooms are yet to be built), but this restaurant already guarantees that they can serve food on the menu that will make crowds feel much obliged to persuade. Each bowl of ramen brings a whale of an appetite, coupled with soy sauce, tender Chashu roast pork, premium flour imported from Japan to make the noodles, plus the enhancements: sliced red ginger pickles on the side.

    Hungry? いただきます! (Let’s eat!) 🙂

    Review of Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen (SM Aura Premier, Taguig City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    This restaurant might seem unassuming from the outside, but inside this venue is a busy team which produces fabulous ramen and other Japanese dishes of the highest quality. The overall theme is mainly zen-like, where traditional wooden planks and dividers with hand-drawn Japanese characters appearing as backdrops are the highlights as well as the red stools that infuse modernity into the setup.

    The only thing that’s a bit off to me was the startlingly loud chorus of servers and staff in the kitchen greeting “irrashaimase’s” (meaning “welcome” in Japanese). We learned later that shouting it to every customer is just common to any other ordinary restaurants in Japan that serve ramen. With their means to convey Japanese hospitality, diners can hardly hear the music playing on the background and there may be the need for customers to talk louder to continue smooth conversations while eating.

    As an added info, the writings on the wooden planks are composed of an elegant essay entitled HOJOKI (“An Account of My Hut”) by Kamo no Chomei. It was recognized as a masterpiece in the Japanese essay tradition and is believed to be autobiographical. You can refer to this link to know more.

    Having about twice as large as the floor area at their branch at Shangri-la Plaza, Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen at SM Aura Premier can probably fit 100 people.

    Service: ★★★★★

    All staff provided us service with a smile even when the restaurant got crowded later that night. Their efficient and gracious service was well worth our visit.

    We were also lucky to meet the person who oversees the consistency of flavors: Kenji Komuro, Public Relations Director for Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen Philippines from Japan.. He entertained our interview questions and so we learned a lot of things about the restaurant chain under the Yamagoya Ramen which was established in 1970.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Unlike typical Japanese restaurants you can find in Manila or the rest of the country, Ikkoryu Fukuoka does not offer traditional sushi fares, tempura and meal sets similar to Tokyo Tokyo, Teriyaki Boy, Sakae Sushi, Tempura Japanese Grill and other household-name fast food chains. Rather, they have 12 different ramen that vary in toppings, limited rice dishes, salads, deep-fried chicken and pork dishes and yummy desserts.

    We had the following ramen variants:

    1. Ajitama Tonkotsu (PHp 380) – Ajitama in Japanese is “boiled egg” and indeed, the boiled eggs here are the “cream of the crop.” Kenji revealed that it takes two days to prepare and make these half-boiled eggs fully marinated with special blended soy sauce base to perfection. I rate this the second best among the four in this list. 🙂
    2. Special Vegetable Paste Tonkotsu (PHp 380), enhanced by a seasonal vegetable paste and aromatic oil, tasted ordinarily like the broth used in instant noodle sachets. The soup which took glorious 12 hours to cook and firm noodles may compensate for the goodness in this dish, but because I don’t eat pork, sorry to say, this one is the least favorable of the ramens we tried.
    3. Black Garlic Tonkotsu (PHp 380) was blended with roast garlic oil and “juice” of boiled pork bones which brought the black garlic aroma that was very evident in the ramen’s taste. Personally, I recommend this ramen as the best among all here. 😀
    4. Kimchi Tonkotsu (PHp 380) is a kimchi-inspired ramen which I didn’t quite enjoy simply because I don’t like kimchi. It’s a mix of stimulating sour and spicy flavors, salty and not bitter.

    Next on the lineup was Gyoza (PHp 150). We had six pieces of wonderfully crafted Japanese dumplings. Each one had firm stuffing of minced meat — not greasy, not doughy but fresh and savory. It’s best paired with the paleo-friendly dipping sauce that came immediately after the plate of gyoza landed on our table.

    Almost simultaneously, we had the Karaage (PHp 180) which comprised of boneless fried chicken complemented with light vegetables. The chicken was surprisingly moist and juicy on the inside and golden and crispy on the outside. Adding the squeezed lemon helped liven its flavor more.

    Given the various choices of drinks, I easily picked iced milk tea as it’s my biggest sugar rush. Sadly, it was not available at that time. 🙁 Fresh fruit shakes sounded pretty good as well, so I ordered the banana shake (PHp 120) that was made with real bananas. Though not exactly Japanese, it was a real win—not too sweet to my palate and not too milky either. The fresh buko juice (PHp 80) on the picture was my friend Aldous’ drink.

    For desserts, we devoured Ice Cream Shiratama Zenzai (PHp 180) in two flavors: Macha (Green Tea) and Sea Salt Caramel ice cream with glutinous rice balls and red bean paste. I can’t decide which one is better! 😀 Both were unique and crazy-exotic as they were made not with the usual skim milk, much sugar and butter but with fresh milk and cream.

    These ice creams are so good that by the time you’ve had your final scoop of spoon, you’ll know you’ve been transformed into an insatiable addict when you still can’t help digging in scooping out the tiniest bits of leftovers.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    When you hit up this restaurant, part of what you’re paying for is the experience. Sure, a large bowl of ramen may seem pricey at about PHp 380 but the overall experience makes this one splurge worth it. Also, prices tend to go upscale because of the premium ingredients used and the long preparation done to attain the perfect essence of food.

    Marketing Manager Rizza Meriado sent word that they will be opening four branches this year all in premier locations. I guess they know exactly how to establish their target market and brand position thus follow the price to pitch.

    – Group Picture with Rizza, Kenji and the bloggers –

    [schema type=”review” name=”Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen” description=”2F SM Aura Premier, McKinley Parkway McKinley Hill, Taguig” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 02 4788333″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-06-03″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branch:
    5F Shangri-La Plaza East Wing, Shaw Boulevard corner Edsa, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
    For inquiries, call (02) 477-8333
    Facebook

  • Review of 4 Fingers Crispy Chicken (SM City North EDSA, Quezon City)

    Review of 4 Fingers Crispy Chicken (SM City North EDSA, Quezon City)

    Hello, Friends. 🙂 After more hours spent at work than rest and recreation, you deserve a break. Sit back, pour yourself a glass and enjoy Korean-style fried chicken introduced by Singaporean folks and brought by Alfonso Hortaleza, President of Mindblowing Delicious Food Corporation, to the Philippines in January 2012.

    While you won’t use only four fingers to eat their crispy fried chicken, you should know that the name of the restaurant “4 Fingers” pertain to four friends who established this fast-food “phenomenon” taking inspiration from eateries in the NY, the Big Apple.

    Their first branch was situated in ION Orchard, Singapore lah, but I never have seen it before during my stay there. Now’s the perfect chance to dine in and give their food a review. Mom got us two vouchers from Ensogo (LivingSocial) which saved us 48% off the price. We availed of discounted food from 4 Fingers Crispy Chicken at its first branch in the Philippines: SM City North EDSA.

    What’s in the Deal?

    4 Fingers Crispy Chicken Meal: 6pcs. Wings/Drummettes (Soy Garlic/Hot/Mix), includes a small soda/iced tea and fries/rice originally priced at PHp 229

    Review of 4 Fingers Crispy Chicken (SM City North EDSA, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    This smallish outlet can occupy 50 customers more or less. Giving chic and cozy ambiance, the interior style and decors are consistent with those in SG, featuring hanging bulbs and murals that look like a graffiti wall on the streets of New York. Regular movable chairs are made of white plastic, while stable high chairs near the entrance are made of wood. The placement of the seating, I would say, pretty much maximized the limited space of the restaurant.

    Red is the theme color, which according to psychology, makes people hungry as it attracts attention and excitement to diners. Maybe it’s another way to indicate that diners must go right after satisfying their hunger and finishing their food. Still, it’s a good place to sit down and enjoy a meal for long.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    Service was nothing to shout about since this is fairly a fast food type of restaurant where customers have to order and pay for their food first at the counter before they get served on the table. For drinks, customers have to go self-service — even for plain water. No special awards for friendly service here though food were quickly served by the crew wearing cool uniforms.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    I am not really a fan of fried chicken since it conjures up images of clogged arteries and heart attacks. Also, I tend to shy away from chicken wings because they are often known and paired for having messy and unhealthy affairs. Remember the urban legan saying that eating chicken wings can cause cancer? I have not gotten over it quite yet. Anyway, 算了吧 ! One-time eating may do the tiniest bit of harm in our bodies. 😛

    My office mates have tried 4 Fingers’ crispy chicken last time, and they said the taste and texture are almost the same as Bon Chon’s chicken, another famous Korean fried chicken that’s been a hit since last year. And yup, that’s agreeable. We’re not sure if the latter is just renamed or they are under the same management. We can’t tell the difference of the taste apart, but it’s obvious that their food differ in packaging and presentation. Bon Chon serves meals in regular plates, while 4 Fingers uses funky “tin” boxes as plates.

    4 Fingers offers three variations of special sauces that are hand-painted on the fried chicken: soy, garlic and spicy sauce. We’ve only tried the soy and garlic, but I dare say that the spicy one is worth a try. The chickens are twice fried thus are left with minimum amount of grease and moisture. Kudos to the fry cooks and the secret formula that 4 Fingers came up with. I like the crispiness and the salt-and-sweet taste. However, if you want meaty and juicy chickens, this place is not for you.

    Compared to Jollibee, McDonald’s, KFC, Kenny Rogers Roasters and other similar food chains selling chicken, 4 Fingers’ chickens are smaller, with skin that’s wafer thin and not full with flour. They are not suitable for those with a heavy appetite. This is probably the reason why they don’t sell only one piece or part of chicken in a meal (refer to the menu here).

    Additionally, we had two orders of Shrimp & Calamari combo (PHp 189 each) which were nicely fried as well. One platter is good for two people. Flavor and texture wise, the battered shrimp and calamari are above mediocre. Give a pinch of calamansi and you’ll get a slightly tangy taste. My mom and my boyfriend both feel that mayonnaise and thousand island dressing are more fitted as condiments here.

    For drinks, we had green tea and red tea. Both were too sweet so drinking water after is a must.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Price for individual orders ranges from PHp 150 to PHp 300, and this is okay for fast-food. Even at original price, an order of crispy chicken (wings & drumlets) is not so bad since it’s good for sharing. To sum up, the budget-conscious have nothing to worry. There are budget meals even for vegetarians and pescetarians. 🙂 4 Fingers pleases customers, especially chicken lovers, making them order another bunch and go back once more. This is stark contrast to the notice imprinted on the cup:

    So how? I have just told everyone their secret. 😛 Does that make me a tattletale?

    4 Fingers Crispy Chicken SM City North EDSA (beside National Bookstore)
    G/F SM City North EDSA, Main Building, North Avenue, Sto. Cristo, Quezon City
    For inquiries, call (02) 376-7543
    Facebook

    Other branches:
    SM Mall of Asia (Pasay City)
    Acqua Residences (Mandaluyong City)