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Review of GIGI Coffee & Cupcakes (Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City)
Gigi Gaerlan’s The Custaroonery is already well known for excellent custaroons, matcha cookies and green tea. Building on that success, she started a new confectionery business, a patisserie named after herself, GIGI Coffee & Cupcakes, with partners Patrick Gaerlan, her husband; Joey Luna, Dondi Gaite; and Cynthia and Ivy Almario in July 2012.

GIGI Coffee & Cupcakes takes pride in the moistness and taste of their specialty cupcakes. They also offer a variety of chill coffee concoctions and sweet-tooth-satisfying goodies — all contributing to a touch of viral hype now in Eastwood City.

An invitation to bloggers came up last week, and I’m glad to be one of the selected few to taste as many GIGI cupcakes as we wanted with delight. 😛

Review of GIGI Coffee & Cupcakes (Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

I’m impressed with the cutesie-wootsie style of the shop. The Almarios gave the interior design an outdoor feel (see the fake grass) but without the heat and the pollution. Once inside, I felt like just being in a park and at the same time a candy store with less candies and more colorful cupcakes displayed beautifully on the forefront. The list of drinks are listed at the backdrop, also taking attention.

GIGI is located in the lobby area of an establishment where employees and other people go in and out. I’m surprised that the place is quite cozy, peaceful and welcoming in spite of this. All around, you can see the colors green, brown and white as motifs, soothing to the eyes. With simple but stylish avant-garde furnishings, the French-inspired modern setting gives the perfect ambiance where guests can unwind, relax and chat for over an hour.

Service: ★★★★★

The staff members were fantastic and friendly. They served coffee and cupcakes and allocated space for us very quickly. WiFi connection can be accessed for free by dine-in customers. Password was given immediately after we asked for it, thank goodness. I appreciate the kind gesture.

Food: ★★★★★

Patrick Gaerlan mentioned that they serve different flavors of cupcakes in a day. They are not yet ready with their printed menu so diners have to choose from what’s available in the counter.

In our visit, we had the following listed below, while we missed Bacon Chocolate, Chili Chocolate, Cinnamon, Blueberry, Apple Crumble, Key Lime, Orange, White Mocha and Peanut Butter. (The latter two arrived later as part of the afternoon batch.)
- Sea Salt Chocolate – Sweet and salty frosting plus the moist texture of the cake equate to a perfect cupcake. Yummy! Warning: The chocolate is so rich that it will make you feel heavy afterwards.
- Chocolate Chip Overload – This chocolate-studded cupcake can be your ultimate indulgence. OMG, they are just delicious! You will be very satisfied with only one.
- Raspberry – The cake was out of this world, but that frosting was even better….super good and heavy to the stomach. If you’re hungry and you don’t have time to eat a full meal, this one can quench your hunger in no time. And as you take it, may the Gods of Sugar bless you.
- Red Velvet – I saw how customers just walk in, order the Red Velvet, pay to the cashier and move out. No doubt, this is the best-seller of all time. Trust me, it can really be one of the best cupcakes you will ever taste.
- Peppermint – Among all those cupcakes I’ve sampled, this is by far my personal favorite. I love mint with chocolate, and this cupcake flavor hit me right on target.
- Green Tea – Divine and unique, the green tea is another variant which I liked most. It tastes bitter and sweet, ridiculously flavorful, buttery and moist as well.
I was super full after taking bits of these six cupcakes! All of them are worth to be hoarded into your belly, but make sure to follow through with physical exercises to shed off the fats and calories especially if you’re conscious of your weight and fitness like me. 😀

As for the drinks, I had the white mocha frappe which is sweeter by about 50% than the mocha frappe. I was the only one who didn’t get to finish her drink. I probably had drank more plain water than the frappe to cleanse the sweetness in my mouth. 😀 Don’t fret as it might only be me; I’m not really a “frappe person” and I’m not much into drinks that can “damage” my waistline. I prefer subtle ones like milk teas which are concocted with little amount of sugar (if possible, 0-20%).

In fairness though, GIGI’s Coffee and Cupcakes has done an excellent job with the coffee base and whipped cream. Their drinks can be your next alternatives to Starbucks’ ice blended coffee drink fixes.

The third picture on the right is the lemongrass tea, which I look forward to order in my next visit.

Price for Value: ★★★★★

With joints selling donuts, cakes, sandwiches, yogurt, ice cream, milk tea, macarons, other desserts and snacks almost everywhere now, apparently the market has become saturated. But GIGI Coffee & Cupcakes should not worry. The shop is strategically located in Eastwood City (between Citibank and IBM Plaza), where streams of potential customers from offices and malls continually pass by from morning till midnight.

Each cupcake flavor is every bit as impressive as another. Gigi’s cupcakes are aesthetically pleasing enough that you can serve to guests at a party or at a client meeting. To sum up, their coffee and cupcakes are absolutely worth the price! There’s no shortening-based icing on the cakes but quality frosting which in Filipino terms can be put this way: “Walang daya.”

Cupcakes are sold at PHp 40 individually yet you can save some when you buy them in bulk. (Note that other cupcake stores sell cupcakes at PHp 80-120 each.) Prices of drinks, on the other hand, range from PHp 50-95. 还好吧 ! 😀

So, listen up, Folks! For the upcoming celebration in your home or office, instead of baking your own goodies, treat your families and friends to affordable but elegantly prepared cupcakes by GIGI. Avoid the hectic queues and call their contact number below to reserve boxes for convenience. When you’re just walking around Eastwood, casually drop by their shop and find yourself craving for more cupcakes one after the other. 😀

“A great cupcake starts with a great cake.”

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Operating hours:
Monday to Thursday – 7AM to 11PM
Friday and Saturday – 7AM to 12MN
Sunday – 11AM to 8PM

– Gigi and Patrick Gaerlan with their cute daughter who was making faces 🙂 –

– The Bloggers (Me, Hana, Ann, Florence and Ross)
minus Mac, who took the shot, and Sef who came later 🙂 –
May 13, 2013
Review of Lombardi’s Authentic Italian Pugliese Pizza (Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila)

Louie and I watched Iron Man 3 with friends last Saturday night. It was the first time we experienced total electrical disruption (brownout) for almost an hour in the mall. Even the electrical generator was not able to push electricity back in immediately. People shouted “Aaaahh!” like they were riding a roller coaster, every time lights turn on and go off like disco in a split second. 😯

We knew the schedules and timing of the movies in cinemas would be delayed. Anyhow, we were still able to catch the movie and have dinner comfortably.

We hit up Lombardi’s Authentic Italian Pizza Pasta Resto, as a result of easy round of approvals and agreement among us nine. Like the LAB Gastropub OCEANA, Lombardi’s is also a product of center for Culinary Arts (CCA) Manila. The name of the restaurant originates from Chef Davide Lombardi’s last name. This guy came to the Philippines to share Italian cooking secrets to aspiring chefs. Talk about passion.

To date, there’s only one branch of Lombardi’s in the country and it’s located right here at Robinsons Magnolia’s Al Fresco area.

Review of Lombardi’s Authentic Italian Pugliese Pizza (Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Lombardi’s provides seating to customers inside and outside the restaurant. Seats are apt in number and the entire combined areas can accommodate about 80-100 people. There was a live band playing loud music outside, so this place is best recommended for those guys who just want to chill out, eat and not say a word (else hurt their voice box in trying to overcome the noise and make themselves be heard).

Theme is consistent throughout the space, featuring light wood furniture, elegant light bulbs hanging from the ceiling, brick walls and attractive ornaments everywhere. At the far end of the air-conditioned interior room stands a wall where names of dishes are listed in multicolored chalk. Beside it is Lombardi’s kitchen that’s enclosed with glass — making the process of preparing and cooking pizzas through their large wood-burning oven attractive to guests.

Service: ★★★☆☆

The pleasing vibe of the ambiance was enhanced with the nice appeal of Lombardi’s staff. We were offered to be seated first outside as guests were full inside. Orders were taken and starters were placed on our tables fast. The deal-breaker had to be the waiting time. Our pizza came really later than expected, so we began eating when our friends were almost done with their meal.

Every restaurant has slow service at one time or another, so I can let this one pass.

Food: ★★★☆☆

We received focaccia bread with balsamic vinegar olive oil dip as complimentary appetizer. The aroma of the bread plus the herbs were fresh. One bite and you can sense the crispiness on the edges and take delight on the fluffiness of the bread inside.

There’s a ton of dishes on the menu but we decided to go for pizza, since an authentic Italian experience is said to be incomplete without it. To be exact, we had the Pugliese pizza, a thin-crusted pizza topped with tuna, onions, mozzarella cheese and green olives.

The pizza was acceptable across the board, but it was no major star. The pizza surface with nicely melted cheese was nearly mercifully grease-less, but it was under-spiced. The stray bits of onion did not successfully help to add snap and flavor. Without the chili oil, salt and pepper we had to put on, the light taste was almost assertively void of the unassuming tuna flavor. The crust was dry and thin like reinforced cardboard, not chewy.

Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

If you’re on a diet but strongly crave for a slice of pizza right now, the closest thing you can probably grab is this Pugliese pizza from Lombardi’s. It’s not addictive and it won’t make you feel guilty with its healthy toppings and super light taste. The price, on the other hand, is not for the faint of heart. The Pugliese pizza costs PHp 320 with PHp 28++ service charge.

Here’s the menu of Lombardi’s, for folks who aren’t afraid of racking up a tab. ❤

Lombardi’s Authentic Italian Restaurant
2/F Robinsons Magnolia, Doña Hemady Avenue, Valencia, Quezon City

May 2, 2013
Review of Sincerity Restaurant (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

Another week has come and gone, and summer is totally here! Ugh, the heat. Swimsuit season is looming but before then, we have to indulge in one final feast. It was my dad’s birthday last April 13, a memorable day as it was also when *I bought my first car! 😛 I won’t spill the beans further on the latter as details might interrupt this review.

I hear bloggers and friends say all good things about Sincerity’s chicken. In fact, Sincerity’s chicken has been dubbed as one of the best fried chicken there is even before my mom was born. So we beg the question: How true is it that Sincerity’s chicken is the best tasting fried chicken recipe ever?

Review of Sincerity Restaurant (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

Since Sincerity was featured many times on TV and magazines, people from all over the country covet a table at any of their branches. This restaurant has been blown up from its humble beginnings into one of the Philippines’ best.

Its ambiance in the Lucky Chinatown Mall branch is better compared to the oldest one in Nueva Street (also in Binondo). From the entrance, you could see the large collage of descriptions, pictures and testimonies about the restaurant. The dining area is L-shaped, while the rest completing a square is covered by the kitchen.

With the small space, it still can squeeze in about 10 groups of people; I would assume that it can fit about 60 headcounts. Not quite so glamorous, but no less worthy of entry in the “modern” category, the vibe here is best suited for casual family dining.

Service: ★★★☆☆

Service was okay. Since it was exactly dinnertime, there were many people in queue to eat in the restaurant. The waiter handed us copies of the menu and he took our orders before we were seated. Chairs were provided to the waiting guests. They merged the tables and brought more chairs to fit our group. Food came in fast and our water in glasses were quickly refilled when requested. I notice one thing that’s missing though: their smile. Their wait staff should establish eye contact more, smile and offer a friendly greeting.

Food: ★★☆☆☆

My first taste of Sincerity’s chicken (PHp 150 for half and PHp 300 for a whole) was with my office mates. This happened early this year when I toured them around the best places to chow in my hometown, a culinary destination they didn’t mind visiting. And Sincerity Restaurant happened to be one of my recommendations.

I don’t know why but I think that my initial sampling was better than this recent one :?:. The difference has probably got to do with the cook. While I had a good taste of its chicken in the former branch, this one was in Lucky Chinatown Mall turned me down. It was not only me but my family didn’t like the chicken served as well. It had flavorful, crispy and crunchy-coated skin and tender meat, yet it lacked something undetermined for now.

Treated as equally main dishes rather than uninspiring accompaniments to the other entrees, vegetables we ordered were Spinach with Garlic (PHp 160) and Polonchay Garlic (PHp 160). Both were tasty however portion of the servings were super small.

To add longevity of life, noodles cannot be missed when celebrating someone’s birthday. In Chinese, long noodles represent a long, unbroken life. We had fried rice noodles or Chamisua (PHp 140) and Sate Beef Chami (PHp 120), which failed the taste test. Sorry!

Following them were two pieces of sliced stuffed shrimp or Rellenong Hipon (PHp 50 per piece) and Fried Oyster Cake (PHp 140). Good thing these warm fuzzy sensations didn’t disappoint. The relyenong hipon is best devoured hot, else I don’t think it would be as delicious. The oyster cake (o-chien in Fooken) was done with a perfect golden brown color and sticky texture, filled with oysters, bean sprouts, onions then fried with eggs.

Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

While all food here don’t cost an arm and a leg, their prices are considered a little steep to me because of the little amount of serving. Also, I can’t help but think that my mom’s cooking of the fried chicken is by far still the best, no joke. Her version of the vegetables, noodles and the seafood dishes also won against all of Sincerity Restaurant’s offering. So why pay a restaurant this much when their specialty has lost against what we have, right?

Everyone has an opinion when it comes to the best, so eat here at your own risk! 😛

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Main branch: 497 Nueva St. Binondo, Manila
For inquiries, contact (02) 241-9990

*Thanks to Uncle Peter for all the help and of course, the dinner treat. 😀

April 22, 2013
Review of Lau Chan Kitchenette & Shabu Shabu Restaurant (Malate, Manila)

“Shabu” is a slang term for the drug methamphetamine used in Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Double the word and you get a different meaning altogether. Funny how definitions vary just by adding a few repeating syllables, sometimes. Here is one example.

Specifically, “shabu-shabu,” a term also introduced by the Japanese, is a dish which traces its roots back to the Chinese’ hot pots. Like sukiyaki in style, this dish is soup-based with all ingredients (meat and vegetables) put and boiled together to form a unique and savory taste.

It has been quite a while since we’ve last dined in a shabu-shabu restaurant. Last Sunday, my uncle treated us to one of the restaurants he mostly frequents when he’s in Manila: Lau Chan Kitchenette & Shabu Shabu Restaurant.

Review of Lau Chan Kitchenette & Shabu Shabu Restaurant (Malate, Manila)

Ambiance: ★★☆☆☆

At Lau Chan Kitchenette & Shabu-Shabu Restaurant, you can expect to see typical Chinese restaurant styling. What are those? Bright fluorescent lights, paintings and Chinese ornaments hang on the walls, simple chairs and white tables (no tablecloth) that are ready to catch the oils and sauces that inevitably fly as noodles are slurped and slippery slivers of meat and veggies splash into the boiling broth.

To be exact, the place isn’t visually appealing compared to the elegant digs in restaurants in malls in the city. This is not the perfect venue for a chatty group because sizzles of shabu shabu and conversations from everywhere in the room can be heard.

The poor ambiance may be a sign that Lau Chan serves to reinforce that diners are there for the FOOD, which gives it all the credit in that section (see below).

Service: ★★★★☆

The wait staff was outgoing and very attentive to our needs. Orders came quickly maybe because they were served as raw. We didn’t have designated cooks at the table so everyone just joined forces to make a good meal.

If it’s your first time attempting to eat shabu shabu and are unfamiliar with the whole shabu-shabu experience, it would be best for the waiter or waitress to explain the process to you. In addition, if you do not know which soup base to choose, staff would have to recommend the safest one for your preference.

Food: ★★★★☆

You can order several different ingredients and flavor of the broth for the soup in hot pot to create a hearty combination. If you’re fond of eating meat, then meatballs, slices of beef and pork insides can be your best bets.

For us seafood lovers and vegetarians, we had two plates of Chinese spinach (polonchay) (PHp 75), watercress (PHp 50) and vermicelli (sotanghon) and a platter of each of the following: lobster balls (PHp 140), Japanese sweet corn (PHp 40), golden enoki mushrooms (PHp 70) and tofu (PHp 35). Additionally, we ordered fresh wanton (PHp 100), sliced chicken meat (PHp 80) and fried rice. For the soup, choices were plain, sate, yuan suey, Chinese medicine and zhi chuan malat teng. What could those other soups taste like? We didn’t want to venture out of our comfort zone so we settled for the one most familiar aside from the plain soup, which was “sate” (PHp 60).

The vegetables were fresh and crisp, and everything was delicious especially when dipped to sauces that help to balance the taste. The sate was not too salty and not too spicy. We waited only for a few seconds to cook the food through the boiling water on electric stove. It was a pretty standard shabu shabu, but it was good! We left very full and satisfied. 🙂

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

There’s no pomp and only modest circumstances at this small, nondescript restaurant, but foodies on a budget can still get a culinary thrill at Lau Chan. Overall, ingredients for the shabu shabu were tasty and wallet-friendly. They also offer other Chinese dishes (not for shabu shabu) with price ranging from PHp 200 to PHp 400 on the average, for lunch and dinner.

Note: it’s cash only here, so be sure to bring your billfold.

Lau Chan Kitchenette & Shabu Shabu
1204 A. Mabini Street, Malate, Metro Manila, Philippines
For inquiries, contact +63 (02) 5224699 or +63 (02) 5218800

April 17, 2013
Review of Movie Stars Cafe and Restaurant: Dino Buffet (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

Whoever came up with that saying “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” is mostly right. (But I’d like to insert “or woman” and “or her” there as it fits rightfully as well for women.) Add fancy entertainment into the mix and you’ve really got it made. This is especially true when you’re with the best people of your life. 😛

Mom bought vouchers from MetroDeal when Movie Stars Cafe and Restaurant first opened its doors early this year. As for us, we just trusted her smart pick and like always, she’s right. We had a great time having dinner at Movie Stars Cafe last Friday night, when in a moment of weakness, we “acted like kids again,” in awe of characters which starred in different movies.

There were the likes of Supergirl, Star Wars, Spiderman, Peter Pan, Optimus Prime, BumbleBee, Atom, Super Mario, Snow White, Cinderella, etc. They all came in costume, performed on stage and even served food to the customers’ tables. It’s hard to believe that they dance, sing and act every day from 12NN to past 12AM. (See business hours at the end of the post.) Amazing, I know.

Review of Movie Stars Cafe and Restaurant: Dino Buffet (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

As you can see in the picture, Movie Stars Cafe is surrounded with props inspired from blockbuster movies literally everywhere. From the walls, the statues displayed, outside facade and even the restaurant staff, the entire area is surrounded with your favorite movie stars. Customers can even interact with some characters on the flesh. Giant spotlights are positioned to shine on the statues and the sets of performers on the center of the stage. While watching their acts and taking pictures with them, you can also view movies on their four big screens and hundreds of monitors.

All these imply a strong and unique ambiance for customers to enjoy everything in sight, discouraging them from leaving the place early.

Service: ★★★★★

From afar, I could already feel the warm hospitality of waiters and waitresses dressed like actors and actresses around Movie Stars Cafe. They gave me an impression that they were ready to serve and ready to make customers happy while bringing them back to childhood years for hours.

And yes, service was excellent. Staff in costumes were enthusiastic in serenading and approaching guests to make sure everyone has got a good laugh with them making funny faces and posing gestures of their character. They were proactive in asking if it’s okay to get our used plates and utensils and refill our glasses with water whenever they pass by.

Food: ★★★☆☆

Maybe for the “more carnivorous type” of people, the dishes would be rated as “great.” But for me, they were okay. There were lots of choices in Dino Buffet though, most or all of which were of American; namely, Hungarian sausages, grilled burger patties and burger buns, hotdogs and hotdog buns, DIY salad, beef steak, chopped Teriyaki chicken, pasta, fish fillet, potato wedges, veggies, onion rings and bacon. For the desserts, we had pastries, cake and fruits such as pineapple and watermelon.

The buffet table was U-shaped, with the big dinosaur’s (T-Rex) head draping in the middle section. Behind it stood the kitchen where customers can see chefs and the staff preparing and cooking food.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

The discount we got from the MetroDeal voucher cut 43% off the original price (from PHp 699, to PHp 399 per head). Basing on the food alone, the cost of the bill wasn’t worth it, for me. However, adding in the one-of-a-kind movie-themed performances, live bands and overall dining-experience-turned-dining-adventure to consideration, the value was very worth the promotional price. 🙂

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Operating hours:
Mondays to Thursdays – 12PM to 2AM
Fridays to Saturdays – 12PM to 4AM
Days before holiday – 12PM to 4AM
Sundays and holidays – 12PM to 12AM

March 25, 2013
Review of Sango! The Burger Master (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

While we are already quite familiar with sushi, bento meals, tempura and other Japanese food, most of us haven’t tried Japanese burgers—admit it! 😀

Sango! The Burger Master is Japanese restaurant that specializes in Japanese-style burgers. Louie brought me here last week for dinner, and I thought the venue is ideal and fantastic for a first date! Read on to know why.

Review of Sango! The Burger Master (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Sango’s location in Quezon City is easy to find as it’s just along Timog Avenue where many restaurants are lined up. The construction is like a duplex, with two floors filled with tables and chairs and the first one occupied by the kitchen behind the counter. The colors of the interior theme, light green and white, contributed to the pleasing and playful ambiance. The place was considerably quiet though Japanese songs were being played in the background in low volume.

Customers can read Sango’s collections of mangas arranged against the mirror beside the seats during their stay.

The little old-school in feel brought a charming effect. Displays of cute origami characters around added more “Japanese vibe” into the restaurant.

Service: ★★★★★

There was only one chef who cooks and prepares food and one waitress who attends to orders and serves the food to customers. Despite having a small workforce size, Sango offered good service with efficiency and productivity of their staff. I think that the space being perfectly serviceable helped a lot.

Food: ★★★★☆

Sango has a rather organized menu. Here are pictures of its pages for your reference:

First off, we had the fries (PHP 85) which featured a nicely crispy exterior with cheese and minced beef that were full of flavor. The fries were in regular cut; they were not greasy so can stay worry-free about having a sudden heart attack. 😛

Casually served in a basket, the Fish Burger (PHp 150) was packed with a heaping portion of fish fillet with mayonnaise and soft burger bun. I took my first bite felt the warm, comforting relief that took away my hunger but didn’t give me greed. It was a nice moment.

The Master Chili Burger (PHp 175), on the other hand, was accompanied with luscious special meat sauce, a big slice of red tomato, lots of onions with mustard and Japanese mayo plus a slice of jalapeño. Thick seasoned ground beef dominated the sandwich, as the juicy meat goodness soaked the bun. “The Master” is plenty for a girl with a healthy appetite but not enough for a guy like Louie. Haha.

He didn’t feel satisfied with one burger and his share of the fries. So he had another one: Yakiniku Rice Burger (PHp 150), the house specialty that Sango can boast about. Instead of the typical burger bread bun, this one had rice supporting the opposite sides of the patty. Tender juiciness was apparent on the inside and the whole shebang can be tasted right when your buds meet the spicy and tangy curry sauce.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

As far as Japanese comfort food goes, Sango! The Burger Master is one of the standbys. People can eat there all the time: for breakfast, for lunch, for snacks, for dinner and for when guests come over anytime before 10PM, you name it. For less than PHp 200 per burger, their food is affordable. So are you swayed to visit soon? Come on, the decision is a no-brainer. 🙂 Sango’s burgers will definitely make you take that once a year risk to escape burger mediocrity.

Sango! The Burger Master
186 Tomas Morato Ave cor Sct De Guia Laging Handa, Quezon City
For inquiries, call (02) 990-2484

Other Branch:
Rm. 5 GF, Makati Creekside Mall, Amorsolo Street, corner Herrera Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Phone numbers: (02) 830-0391, (02) 889-4445 and (02) 819-3740

March 18, 2013
Review of Bulgogi Brothers Korean BBQ Restaurant (Greenbelt 5, Makati)

Many of people I know say that I look more Korean than Chinese, because of my eyes and complexion perhaps. Add my large-framed glasses and I’d look Korean even more. So when Bulgogi Brother’s staff welcomed me in their door and greeted me another “anyong-haseyo” (meaning hello or how do you do?) then asked if I already have company inside, I should have replied back in straight Korean!

네. 잘 지냈어요. 내 친구를 찾고 있어요. 실례합니다.
Ne. Chal ji-nae-sso-yo. Nae chinguleul chajgo iss-eoyo. Shilyeh hamnida.
I’m fine, thanks. I’m looking for my friend. Excuse me.

Nyahaha. Yup, I could have totally nailed it. Kidding lah! 😛 Moving on, let’s go down to business…

My friends and I doved into Bulgogi Brothers at Greenbelt 5 because we have not been there before and we have not heard of other amazing restaurant reviews in the area apart from the usual. (So if you’re reading this, you can help us by posting a comment of your suggestion below. I’d appreciate to learn about unique and fairly new places to dine in at GB, Makati.) Also, we are fans of restaurants by the Bistro Group as all of them serve really great food.

Operated by Creative Restaurant Concept (CRCI) and opened on September 10, 2011, this branch of Bulgogi Brothers is the first ever Bulgogi Brothers franchise outside Korea!

Review of Bulgogi Brothers Korean BBQ Restaurant (Greenbelt 5, Makati)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

The interior was sleek, classy and modern. It was extremely clean, with everything you could think of provided. What I liked most here was the coziness of the room; what I didn’t like was the dim lighting. Whenever I’m eating out, I prefer lights shining bright like diamonds (♫) to vividly see the food and maximize satisfaction through vision.

Like Kogi Bulgogi, Bulgogi Brothers has an induction cooker to cook raw meat installed on the dining tables. So if you are worrying that you might smell like food afterwards, don’t. This restaurant has a good ventilation system that won’t let the smell of food stick onto your shirt or hair.

Service: ★★★★★

Members of the staff were responsive and very accommodating. The waitress assigned to our table handed the menu and served banchan (appetizers) composed of corn, boil sweet potatoes and quail eggs, kimchi (spiced preserved cabbage) and some sliced vegetables before the main meal like in true Korean-style eating arrangement.

Later, another waiter made a show at our table when he cooked the Bulgogi Brothers Special for us, and he was quite helpful to seek our other requests. ^_^

Food: ★★★☆☆

We started with the Dubu Steak (PHp 295), an ala carte which featured six pieces of triangular fried tofu steak with Teriyaki sauce, bean sprouts and minced beef. I was not happy with the taste and texture of the tofu. It was not anything special and I rate it inferior to the one we normally purchase from the tofu factory in Divisoria. Korean tofu should not taste this way; Bulgogi Brothers can do better than that, considering that tofu as a canvas where culinary art is made can be mixed with a lot more exotic Korean ingredients and absorb different flavors like a sponge.

Next in queue for our palates was the Haemul Bibimbap (PHp 430)—rice topped with assorted vegetables. seafood (shrimp and squid) and an egg. This one lacked flavor and I’m not sure if it’s because we only asked the waitress to pour only half of the hot sauce in and mix it all up for the rice dish. Frankly, this bibimbap wasn’t that enjoyable to eat.

The last food we ordered was delivered smartly as it commanded all our attention. Bulgogi Brothers’ signature dish, Un-yang Style Bulgogi (PHp 595), came with six pieces of heart-shaped marinated marbled beef, sweet potatoes and onions. It was as much adventure as an ordinary plated dish, which prompted us about a solid 10 minutes of excitement without guaranteed conversation. (We were so mesmerized by the presentation and we were so busy eating that we forgot to talk.) It came with a bowl of white rice, by the way.

Who can miss Korean ice creams for desserts? Not us. We had the espresso Cledor bar (PHp 95) with hard chocolate shell cut into three. It tasted like the classic Pinoy Pinipig Crunch, double the crunch and the frozen deliciousness. And for the sake of sharing and documenting, the drink on the left (see picture below) was the Raspberry Tea Mint (PHp 150)—raspberry tea concentrated and garnished with mint leaves—ordered by my friend.

Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

The food got minor credit from me. Prices are expensive for the little serving. Assume a budget of PHp 500-800 for a single dish if you want to dine in at Bulgogi Brothers. If that doesn’t sound affordable, go to Kogi Bulgogi instead for a much reasonable spending and sink your teeth into a more advanced level of “pretty good.”

Bulgogi Brothers
3/F Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St Legazpi Village, Makati
For inquiries, call (02) 621-6216

March 17, 2013
Review of TWG Tea Salon and Boutique (Greenbelt 5, Makati)

The last time I went to Greenbelt with my friends was on December 14, 2012 when we had dinner at Fish and Co. While walking to the car parking area and saying our goodbyes, we saw several newly opened restaurants that offer superlative plates and exclusive culinary experiences. One of my targets then was TWG Tea.

I knew TWG Tea (The Wellness Group) two years ago way back in Singapore but never had the chance to dine in because no one would take pictures of me and I didn’t have anyone to go with. The fine epicurean products seemed too good to be true, and the most I wanted was to have a piece of TWG’s macaron. 😀 拜托了, 我觉得我很可怜。

With my visit to TWG Tea Salon & Boutique’s branches in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and ION Orchard, my thirst to take a sip of this luxury tea grew. Fortunately, I don’t have to buy an airplane ticket to Singapore, Australia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Fiji, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turks & Caicos, Ukraine, UK, US or Vietnam where TWG has retail outlets and exquisite tea rooms for it now has two branches in the Philippines. One is in Greenbelt and the other is in Resorts World Manila.

TWG Tea is known to harvest and sell only the finest teas in the world. Time is ripe and it’s with my greatest pleasure to finally enter this tea shop of elegance and beauty as a diner.

Review of TWG Tea Salon and Boutique (Greenbelt 5, Makati)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

TWG Tea is nothing short of a wonderland of unique tea pots in different sizes, shapes and colors and over 450 types of tea blends spiced with a touch of sensuality packed in elegant tins. These can be seen through the glass-mirror exterior, but there was more we discovered when we got inside.

TWG in Greenbelt is both a tea store, where you can buy over-the-counter pastries, tea leaves in colorful boxes and souvenirs, and a dining place where limited tables and chairs are placed. There’s another special counter where customers can inquire about the teas on the long menu, with a large collection of shelved teas again positioned like aged wine bottles in the background.

Every section was graced with grandeur, with dashes of gold throughout the salon. Designs on the walls were hand-crafted. It was like a small palace with bronze fittings, Italian marble floors, crystal lamps and antique mirrors.

To me, the TWG salon was also in part a mini museum where we viewed accessory collections from a myriad of hand-blown glass, porcelain, stoneware, cast iron teapots, fine bone china teacups, saucers, creamers and sugar bowls, to smaller things such as tea filters and tea scoops.

Service: ★★★★★

TWG Tea gives customers a hands-down priceless experience from start to end. The receptionist assigned for crowd control listed our name and number for reservation and told us that she’ll send an SMS when there are free seats set for us.

Tough luck! An hour had passed before we received her message confirming for the accommodation, but that’s okay – we thought we definitely had to make the most out of her stay.

Indeed, we received a royalty treatment from their hospitable and approachable staff. No one felt hurried or pushed out of the store and like a regular coffee shop for hang out, TWG Tea is one exquisite place to enjoy tea and intimate chats with desirable meals and desserts.

Food: ★★★★★

We spared about 15 minutes to decide for our order, browsing through their extensive menu. Ultimately, we just asked the eloquent waiter for his best recommendation.

Food offered in TWG Tea hit the spot perfectly between breakfast and lunch, and lunch and dinner. Wow was the first word that came to mind when the three-tiered Fortune Tea Set (PHp 650) arrived at our table. I mean, yes, we’ve seen variations of macarons, muffin and sandwiches from places such as the UCC Café, the French Baker, Delifrance, etc. But TWG Tea’s presentation tops them all!

For the tea included in the set, we can opt to be served with iced tea and hot tea. Iced tea was an inferior choice over hot tea, as the amount of serving and the variants for iced tea are fewer. For the hot tea, we could only choose those valued at PHp 195 on the menu. Despite the limitation, featured tea blends and names were still so many in number that we found it difficult to order.

Silver Moon Tea is their bestseller of all times, as it’s the world’s favorite. We had the last order of the said tea for the day. It’s a combo of vanilla and green tea accented with grand berries. The fragrance was eminent but the taste was similar only to typical teas you can sample at Chinese and Japanese restaurants. We finished about six cups of tea (three refills per person) over almost two hours of conversation.

The first delicate savory we had were the chocolate and blueberry muffins. They were the best muffins I ever had, perfectly baked with moisture and served with TWG Tea jelly and whipped cream.

Next were three of TWG Tea’s signature tea-infused macarons which were meticulously handcrafted in a delicious manner. We liked the Earl Grey Fortune and Chocolate macaron the most, followed by the Napoleon Tea and Caramel then the Camelot Tea and Praline. Each had a distinct taste and I rate it as 3-4 times better than those I bought from Tous Les Jours before. (TWG Tea’s macarons are individually priced at PHp 50, 56% pricier than the TLJ’s. Gasp!)

Thirdly, we had shared three plush smoked salmon sandwiches with gruyere cheese on one side of the bread, delicate green salad and house vinaigrette – the perfect vehicle to happiness.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

I credit the efforts of TWG Tea tasters who travel thousands of miles to various countries every year to sample and search teas and come up with exclusive blends from source gardens. The price was worth braving the inevitable customers that line up through the doorman, waiting that long, and paying for those elite guilty pleasures.

If you believe that tea time should be the most awaited and cherist moment of the day, TWG Tea Salon and Boutique has you covered.

TWG Tea Salon & Boutique
Level 1, Greenbelt 5
Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines

March 13, 2013