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  • Top 5 Things to Know When Planning Your Mount Pinatubo Day Tour

    Top 5 Things to Know When Planning Your Mount Pinatubo Day Tour

    May 16, 2015—It was a lovely day for some self-imposed suffering. We tackled about 14 kilometers hiking and touring into one of the country’s most beautiful travel destinations: the Mount Pinatubo. This volcano is known as an active stratovolcano in the Cabusilan Mountains on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It erupted on June 15, 1991 and produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century. Whoa!

    With barely three hours of sleep, I heaved a sigh at the thought of the completing the adventure. What have we signed ourselves up for? Why do we put ourselves in situations that call for discomfort? Prior arrival to the site, these were the questions that circled in my mind. I could already imagine blistered feet, aching calf muscles, and the scorching heat of the sun prickling on my skin and dwindling my precious energy. Ultimately, my answer had everything to do with personal growth and the thrill of exploring out of my comfort zone.

    Before our Mount Pinatubo day tour, I’ve read countless of blogs and reviews about it. Everyone seemed to have shared his/her unique set of stories, travel guides, and tips every time. Here’s mine. 🙂

    Top 5 Things to Know When Planning Your Mount Pinatubo Day Tour

    1. If you’re not sure how to organize a DIY Mt. Pinatubo day tour, get a tour package with an accredited Pinatubo organizer.

    In our case, we signed up with Majestic Mount Pinatubo Tour and Homestay (owned by Sonia Bognot) and availed of Package A (Saturday) that costs PhP 2050/person. (We were 15 in the group.) The package was inclusive of everything we would need in the Mt. Pinatubo day tour:

    • round trip shared van transfer service: from our meeting place to Sta. Juliana Capas, Tarlac and back
    • food: breakfast, lunch, and water
    • rental of 4×4 off-road vehicle which took us to the start of the hiking jump-off point and back
    • tour guide who accompanied us from the start to the end of our tour
    • mandatory aeta fee – PhP 150 per person
    • all tourism fees including registration fee, entrance fee, conservation fee, and permit to trek

    Only the first 400 guests with tour reservation with any accredited Pinatubo organizer are allowed to trek per day. This is taken seriously especially during peak season (third week of October to June). Those who have no reservation and did not book for a tour arrangement with accredited organizers can still come BUT will be put on a wait list. Chance passengers can continue their journey only if there will be any 4×4 jeep left for them to use.

    2. Take note of the time and follow the itinerary as planned.

    According to the locals, there used to be a “short trek” (via the Skyway) where the 4×4 jeep reaches a certain area that’s near the base of the Pinatubo so hikers would just have to walk 1km to continue the hike and get to the crater.

    However, ever since the trails were ruined by Typhoon Ondoy, they are no longer passable by the jeep. Hence, everyone would have no other choice but go through the “long trek” whose distance is seven kilometers one-way to the crater (equivalent to about 2-2.5 hours) and another seven kilometers down (another 2-2.5 hours) by foot.

    The reason why it’s important to stick with the itinerary (see below) is that we won’t know when it will rain. Trekking in Mt. Pinatubo is said to be dangerous when it rains.

    For Your Reference: Our Mt. Pinatubo Day Tour Itinerary

    • 2:00AM Meetup with Majestic Mount Pinatubo Tour and Homestay’s Van Driver

    We met with the driver at Eton Centris in Quezon Avenue. Traveling to the meeting place in Tarlac took over two hours.

    • 5:30AM – 6:00AM Registration and Orientation

    All Mount Pinatubo trekkers are required to register at the registration site located at the Local Tourism Office in Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac. We filled out waiver forms, had breakfast provided by the organizer, attended the group orientation, and formed into groups.

    These should be done before the cut-off time, which is unpredictable when Military Exercises are present in the area. During such an event, the cut-off time for registration is STRICTLY at 6:00AM-6:30 AM or even earlier. If you arrived late, you will have to wait for the next day to trek. It is therefore risky to take chances and become a latecomer, as your effort and excitement to see Mt. Pinatubo will all go to waste.

    • 6:00AM – 7:00AM Departure to Drop Point

    After registration and securing the necessary trek permits, we rode a 4×4-wheeler jeep which can seat five people.

    The 1.5-hour bumpy ride took us across a vast expanse of barren lands, formation of rocks and mountains, and different sand formations created by Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption. It was like “the land before time.” Asking the driver to stop or slow down for picture-taking is allowed. Yay!

    The local tour guide was helpful in taking our group pictures and telling us some history about the world’s most violent and destructive volcanic event in the 20th century that led to the evacuation of thousands of people from the surrounding areas, damaging properties, infrastructures, and changing the river systems months to years after the eruption.

    • 8:30AM – 11:30AM Hiking

    We arrived at the drop-off point in Lipit/GMA area at 8:15AM and started hiking immediately while other people had snacks and rested for a moment. If you’ve never tried hiking, it’s just like walking but only further on trails instead of streets.

    Hiking in Mt. Pinatubo was like walking through endless Instagram posts in real life, with the soles of our shoes crunching rhythmically in lahar, ginormous rocks, and shallow streams.

    True as told, the trail may be quite long but it was easy and recommended even for beginners. It’s basically flat land and not much the uphill type except that it’s filled with so many rocks of different sizes and stream beds which are a bit slippery. Using a walking stick is optional and not necessary.

    • 11:30AM-12:30PM Lunch by the Crater

    We had a picnic lunch at the summit in one of the rest stations near the crater, then descended to the breathtaking Lake Pinatubo. The landscape was calm without any animals in sight. The crater looked like paradise as the fresh water was so clean and clear.

    The water looked blue-green and it’s cold. Swimming and boating are no longer allowed since 2003 when there were people who drowned in the lake (max depth of 600 meters or 2,000 feet). Lake Pinatubo is the deepest lake in the Philippines.

    For the most part, it was at the lake when I understood the magic of this place. The paths on the way to the crater were a natural fantasy, and traveling and seeing the views with Louie and friends of course made it even more special.

    • 1:00PM-3:30PM Hiking

    By 1PM, we had to go back. We continued hiking and then rode the 4×4-wheel jeep to where we started.

    3. Pack light.

    Heavy backpacks do not just put burden on your shoulders but also sap your energy; therefore, packing light is a must. Things you need to bring are:

    • large towel to cover your face from dust while in the 4×4-wheel jeep
    • extra clothes you can change into when you’re perspired
    • cap to protect your head and hair
    • sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun, dust and sands
    • sunblock to protect your skin
    • 500mL to 1L water or sports/energy drink (Beverages are sold at the crater but are tagged with hefty prices, e.g. PhP 100 for 250mL of Coke).

    4. For the ideal choice of footwear, hiking shoes or any comfortable rubber shoes with thick socks is way better than a pair of Crocs or sandals with no socks.

    Afraid your socks will get wet? Some people advise to bring both sandals and shoes so you can change and alternate between the two: wear sandals when walking on rivers and wear closed rubber shoes or trainers when walking on the rocky territory. This strategy may sound fine but it’s actually quite a hassle to execute.

    The truth is, water level is shallow and you can step on sacks and rocks to avoid wetting your socks and shoes. I have managed to stay dry the entire time wearing my comfy Skechers exclusive memory sole shoes and Darlington thick socks (for sands not to get into my feet). 🙂

    5. Bring a handy camera.

    I don’t have a great pictographic memory. But even if I do, I would still bring a handy camera to Mt. Pinatubo since mental images truly would not suffice to constitute recollection or create narratives after a long time.

    Since I don’t trust my phone camera or a compact point and shoot camera, I still carried a DSLR, haha. 🙂 A GoPro camera is also great as it can give your photography a whole new dimension, and you can try different angles across lahar plains and the beautiful surroundings. A handy tripod or monopod is advisable for more shooting options and for ensuring that your pictures will not come out blurry.

    Wrap Up

    If you have doubts about hiking at Mt. Pinatubo, these tips may help you decide. Mt. Pinatubo is a busy place in the weekends, with hundreds of people visiting, and the day we visited was no exception.

    I did not intend to find epiphany at Mt. Pinatubo’s crater, or even swim the depth of its water. Rather, I just hoped to have a broadened perspective of “what’s there”—something that could never happen behind a desk or a computer screen. And yes, I was able to meet my personal objective. Visiting what is arguably the greatest disaster turned to a true wonder was worth our time. 🙂 No regrets, indeed!

  • Review of Delicious Diet PH (5-Day Program and Food Delivery)

    Review of Delicious Diet PH (5-Day Program and Food Delivery)

    These days, diet food deliveries aren’t so unique anymore. We’ve got a lot to choose from, even those that started with the intent to only feed a small circle of friends or officemates. Delicious Diet (DD) is one of the most popular diet food programs in the Philippines with quality menus. Jeff of Delicious Diet Support contacted me to try their service and share what I can say about it.

    The verdict? I think they deserve the credit of their name. Although there were some misses in terms of flavor, DD’s food generally tasted fine considering that they’re 1200-calorie diet meals. Their claims, “downright healthy,” “definitely balanced,” and “delightfully convenient,” are quite believable, too. Here’s the menu I got for Delicious Diet’s food plan  last week (May 18-22, 2015):

    Review of Delicious Diet PH (5-Day Program and Food Delivery)

    Service: ★★★★★

    Confirmation of order was done via SMS. I simply provided my name, email address, delivery address, and preference of delivery time (morning or evening). For morning deliveries, the sender is expected to arrive at 5:30AM-9:30AM for same-day consumption; for evening deliveries, expected delivery time is 5:00PM-9:30PM on the day before consumption. “Evening” sounded better for me since I leave the house at around 8AM, and Delicious Diet cannot guarantee a specific time within the given time range in the morning. Thankfully, all diet deliveries were sent on time as promised.

    Delicious Diet menus are posted on their Facebook page a week before so you get to see the list of food you’ll munch for next week’s subscription. As eating right can be tricky, it’s good that they show a meal plan to plant seeds of expectation in your mind.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Delicious Diet’s five-day meal program proves that “diet foods” don’t have to be tasteless. While there were some that I didn’t like (particularly the pasta in salsa rossa sauce, which was more like a punchline to a bad pasta joke, and the minced meat in lettuce cups, which didn’t taste fresh and was meh at best), the rest kept me full and satisfied. Ingredients used did not taste artificial, including snacks, and that’s a good sign that the food was well-made. Genuinely delicious for me were those marked with asterisks (see below). 🙂

    Monday

    • Breakfast: Baked pork, breakfast bun*
    • Lunch: Chicken inasal, native vegetables, organic rice
    • Snack: Banana fritters with coco sugar-cinnamon sprinkle*
    • Dinner: Beef in peanut sauce, garlic kangkong, organic rice

    Tuesday

    • Breakfast: Florentine hash skillet
    • Lunch: Minced meat in lettuce cups, organic rice
    • Snack: Veggie sticks, hummus
    • Dinner: General Tso’s chicken

    Wednesday

    • Breakfast: Open-faced sloppy Joe
    • Lunch: Chicken divan, organic rice
    • Snack: Baked pastry and tea
    • Dinner: Fish in soy-ginger sauce, organic rice*

    Thursday

    • Breakfast: Tuna omelet*
    • Lunch: White adobo, organic rice
    • Snack: Melba toasts, mushroom dip
    • Dinner: Pasta in salsa rossa sauce

    Friday

    • Breakfast: Grilled vegetable sandwich in whole wheat ciabatta*
    • Lunch: Pork tenderloin in spinach pesto sauce, organic rice*
    • Snack: Baked pastry and tea
    • Dinner: Grilled salmon, organic rice*

    To most, 1200 calories is little and may not be enough to sustain energy or keep the stomach full for the day. But what matters more is eating enough of the right kind of food and staying away of those with “empty calories” or food without nutrients. Delicious Diet meals seem to be balanced with vegetables, meat, fish, and some sweets. Ultimately, portion control with careful distribution of calories throughout the day is key.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Delicious Diet must be praised for being one of the top diet meals in the Philippines that design a system to help people change eating habits for good. PhP 1800 for five days (regular set) is not totally cheap, however it’s also not the most expensive either. Provided were real food that’s well thought out and not those goods just straight out of the can. Taste was okay and service was great. With these reasons, I say the price for value is reasonable.

    Without an added delivery cost, Delicious Diet delivers to: Makati, Fort, Mckinley, Otis, Rockwell, Pioneer, Mandaluyong, Eastwood, Libis, Marcos Highway, Cubao, Marikina, Pasig, White Plains, Katipunan, Xavierville, Kamias, Anonas, Teacher’s Village, Tomas Morato, Tandang Sora, Fairview, Commonwealth, Congressional, Banawe, Sampaloc, Paco, Taft, and Pasay. For South Deliveries, delivery fee is PhP 100.

    Delicious Diet is recommended for those who are too busy to cook meals every day and for those who can spare a few expense to drop pounds effectively. Since I am not really up to losing weight, I’m not the best person to ask when it comes to this matter. 🙂 For reviews and testimonials related to weight loss with the help of Delicious Diet, visit their Facebook page. You’ll surely find a lot there!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/DDietph” name=”Delicious Diet PH” rev_name=”For inquiries/orders, contact 09088797915″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-26″ user_review=”12″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

  • Review of Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant (New Manila, Quezon City)

    Review of Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant (New Manila, Quezon City)

    I guess part of the challenge of dating a food blogger is finding restaurants that are a bit more unconventional or off-the-beathen-path, especially when it comes to romantic dining. My top-of-mind criteria are: delicious food (well, that’s a given), majestic ambiance we can fall in love with, and a certain “x-factor” that will make it a place we will remember even in our dreams. Oh yes. 🙂

    During special occasions, my boyfriend loves bringing me to “secret restaurants” where the pleasure is as much in the finding as in the eating. He also makes sure that it’s somewhere I haven’t visited yet, so it can be a new discovery. This time, we celebrated our sixth-year anniversary in Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant. This “hidden gem” in New Manila, Quezon City has impressively satisfied all my requirements! 🙂

    Review of Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant (New Manila, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Horseshoe Village in New Manila is largely a residential compound, so it was easy to assume that Lemuria is one of those restaurants converted from a house. Apparently, we were right. Lemuria used to be part of the owner’s home. A beautiful open garden surrounding the house reeks romance. Potted plants make the whole place feel like something out of a high-class outdoor home decor and styling magazine. The hanging flowers snaking around plants suspended overhead complete a picture-perfect setting.

    At sundown, the lights are turned on, making it feel like more than just a garden. By special request to management, guests can also have lunch or dinner be arranged in this “scenic garden of paradise.”

    As we entered the dining room, we were greeted by a lovely atmosphere framed with soft lighting and European-inspired interior design. Small details go a long way here. Brick paneled walls, white tablecloths, wooden tables and chairs, wooden floor, plates on walls, leaf-patterned curtains, and a full-length mirror add up in creating a contemporary ambiance.

    I thought Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant is an exquisite location for those looking for an elegant dining spot that’s conducive to a quiet, intimate time when dating someone special, celebrating anniversaries, closing business deals, or proposing a marriage. At the back, they have a collection of wines that complement the menu, entice the senses, and suit every personality and occasion.

    Service: ★★★★★

    I salute the service, which was charming and serious. We received flawless VIP treatment from the time we entered the gates to the time we left. The down-to-earth staffs were attentive, polite, and non-intrusive, making us feel like in a relaxed vacation house miles away from the Metro Manila bustle.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Lemuria’s fine-dining menu is concise with limited options, but every item seemed like a signature dish packed full of flavor. We ordered a soup entrée, two mains, and a cake for dessert.

    A complimentary bread basket with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and butter was brought to our table as appetizers. Breads were fresh, light, and tasty, and the olive oil with balsamic vinegar had a nice fruity kick.

    For our soup course, the Mushroom and Gruyere (PhP 395) isn’t exactly something we seek out on menus, but while color was one-dimensional, this one happened to be quite good—thick and creamy. The gratinated swiss cheese on top tasted pretty sharp and pronounced, so much better than cheddar cheese.

    For our seafood main, we chose the Shrimp Tortellini (PhP 625) made with home-made shrimp tortellini in crab fat sauce topped with sautéed chanterelles (a.k.a. queen of mushrooms). Presentation was super fancy and the golden-priced, golden-looking, and golden-tasting chanterelles with crab fat sauce worked wonders. Texture of the pasta was not exactly like that of a traditional pasta. I was actually expecting spaghetti-like strands of pasta, obviously as I had zero familiarity with how tortellini looked like. Haha.

    A mainstay of fancy dinner parties, the Beef Bourguignon (PhP 830) was nothing short of amazing. Served with mashed potatoes on the side (sorry, not on picture), these US short ribs were braised to the core in red wine for eight hours with shallots, carrots, and lardoons (pork fat). Immersed in savory sauce, the fork-tender meat melted in my mouth like butter. Although portion was small, it was filling and definitely a luxurious treat. Yum!

    Nothing beats a slice of decadent chocolate cake. Formed with alternating layers of white chocolate and dark chocolate, the Opera Cake (PhP 320) had an interesting blend of sweetness. It was moist, rich, and a little bit addictive. It’s pure indulgence!

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant is not the most accessible place, but getting here is worth it if you’re looking forward to a dreamy dinner. The prices aren’t cheap, with an average rate per person hovering around the PhP 1000 mark. Food was well prepared and the amount of work spent to make the dishes was undeniable, but it’s truly the ambiance and service that made the experience remarkable. 🙂 I thank my “very very sweet loving boyfriend of the century,” Louie, for making this happen. ♥

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Lemuria.Gourmet” name=”Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant” description=”5 Julieta Circle, Horseshoe Village, New Manila, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries and reservations, call contact numbers (02) 724-5211 and +63927-4284202″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-22″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating Hours: 6pm to 11pm
    Note: To secure a table, reservation is a must. Dress code is smart casual.

  • Review of 7Flavors Philippines (Addition Hills, San Juan)

    Review of 7Flavors Philippines (Addition Hills, San Juan)

    7Flavors Philippines is the newest dining destination nestled within the lush urban confines of Addition Hills, San Juan that’s composed of an artisan bakery, a gourmet café, and a world fusion buffet restaurant in one location. There’s a lot going on here! This kind of place can be tricky, but no doubt, it’s a a pocket of pleasure, where guests indulge in delectable delights and tempting treats.

    Why 7Flavors? The restaurant serves food that are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami, spicy, and astringent. Whoa, wait—what? I couldn’t wrap my head around that last one. I know “astringent” as a face cleaner that removes excess oils and tightens the pores. After a quick definition search, I learned that the term also refers to a sour or bitter taste causing the mouth to pucker. Interesting! 🙂 So if you’re the adventurous type of eater, put your hopes up and rest assured that everything is good. 7Flavors Philippines is a foodie’s paradise, lovingly crafted by a celebrated master of the arts, the renowned Chef Boy Logro.

    Review of 7Flavors Philippines (Addition Hills, San Juan)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    7Flavors Philippines’ ambiance is so charming that makes it a perfect place for family gatherings, hanging out with friends (tambayan), birthday celebrations, and lunch or dinner dates. The real notable feature is that guests have all the freedom to choose where they want to stay to taste different sorts of food: at the bakery, the café (first floor), or the buffet area (second floor).

    The 7Flavors Bakery is where you can have fresh bread, savory pies, and baked goods. With fun, playful, and heavenly items displayed in rows, this part of 7Flavors can make you smile as soon as you walk towards it. Seating is limited though you can always move indoors to the café.

    Just footsteps from the bakery, the 7Flavors Gourmet Café looked classy, resonating with warmth of the servers. I love intimate places like this where you can just stay for hours and enjoy the neutral colors layered with blue and yellow accents. Pay attention to the menu posted on chalkboard-designed wall at the side. The ambiance was quite homely, too, with the sofa set making a statement at the back. Chill!

    The second floor sets the stage for the 7Flavors Fusion Buffet and opens up to a spacious dining area that can accommodate up to 150 people. Three function rooms are available; one of which can hold 30 people, while the other two can each hold 15 people. Interior design looked simple but still festive and elegant. The blue and white theme just reminded me of a traditional Greek restaurant. 🙂 Lighting was ample and the instrumental background music also played a part in making us feel relaxed.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was first class, but not the slightest bit stiff. The staff were friendly in assisting guests and taking requests. It’s easy to get stressed out when attending to so many people at a time, so I hope that they manage to continue serving efficiently and responsively even after the soft opening.

    What’s also noteworthy is that the staffs’ uniform looked stylish as compared to the usual plain polo shirt. Donning a red scarf and a red beret, the receptionist and the rest of the service attendants wear shirts with black and white stripes and black pants. 🙂

    Food: ★★★★☆

    It isn’t often to come across buffet restaurants serving good Asian fusion food in the city. 7Flavors Philippines is an exception. Here you can find unique and inventive dishes that may just blow your mind. They have grilled, baked and stewed meats, seafood, freshly cooked vegetables, and desserts. Yeah, it’s a party. Get involved!

    You can start with the salad and jump right into the carbs. Pork Bagnet With Fermented Shrimp and Bagoong Rice made a nice pair. With a serious jolt of umami, these two have the ability to put your regular fried pork bagnet entrée and steamed white rice to shame. The combined taste is not for the timid. It’s bold, distinctly salty, and just mouth-watering. The Fried Potato With Cheese And Bacon was cooked well, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

    You can hide in your comfort zone or go with an open mind. The following dishes were stunning, presented with bright colors and stimulating tastes.

    Far from bland, the Beef Bourguignon featured a deep, hearty, and beefy flavor similar to pot roast. Tropical Fruits Salsa was a nice accompaniment to the crisply coated fried fish fillet that packs a wow factor for seafood lovers.

    The Buttered Vegetables were too tasty not to try, and the juicy Norwegian Meatballs were tender and moist with a smooth, almost custard-like texture that almost melts in your mouth.

    7Flavors’ Chicken Drumstick with Sticky Lemon Sauce came with a plethora of aromatic and zesty lemon flavor. For the Korean-Style Mafu Tofu, I was expecting a lot more spiciness. While heat was out, it was still satisfying. Much of that help can be credited to the soft tofu which absorbed the pork’s flavor.

    Firmly set, the Pumpkin Frittata seemed like a pancake topped with squash. Bursting with savory, funky flavor but not so spicy, the Chicken Wings with Butter Spicy Sauce was tender and rich and they’re enough to make your eyes water. Other great to be eaten with rice include the Fish Marinated by Sweet Miso, Malaysian Beef Rendang and Shrimp Coconut Tempura.

    Fans of home-style cooking will be eager to try Asian BBQ Pork Ribs and Garlic Green Beans. Dessert options are limited but these pastries carefully made in-house were decent. I just think that bringing more creative sweet courses into the buffet table will further end meals on a more satisfying and wholesome note. Another thing that’s quite limited in number are the drink selections in the buffet. We had unlimited iced tea and water.

    In case you want more sweets and drinks to come back to balance, you can order items from the bakery or the café downstairs. The 7Flavors Ensaymada (PhP 50) with seven distinctive flavors (butter, pandan, cheese, ube, coconut, flan, and bacon) is an absolute must-try. Its interior, while moist, is more dense than fluffy, and begs for a cup of coffee or smoothie.

    7Flavors Cheesecake (PhP 120) is another crowd favorite. It’s a calamansi-infused cheesecake on a coconut and graham crust, topped with an ube and langka mixture, fresh durian, frosted with coffee cream, and dusted with chocnut crumble. Any café can make cheesecakes, but it takes a great one to come up with something as indulging as this. 🙂 The 7Flavors Cheesecake is an artistic treat skillfully combined with unexpected lip-smacking ingredients with the right textures.

    The Elvis (PhP 120) is one of the most recommended drinks offered. The name itself was enticing enough given its uniqueness. This smoothie was made with fried bananas, maple syrup and chocolate, and topped with bacon. While I enjoyed the richness and creaminess, I barely tasted the bacon in it.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    7Flavors Philippines (near Co-op and Chocolat in San Juan) is a must-visit restaurant for casual dining and for special occasions. It’s recommended for those who are willing to hike to “Greenhills area” in QC for some FLAVORSOME EATS. Once you’ve settled in, instead of buckling up your belt, you may loosen it down a bit and grab all exciting flavors of food to make the most out of the ride.

    With a good selection of items on the buffet, price for value is fair and reasonable. Buffet rates are as follows:

    • Monday-Thursday: Lunch – PhP 399.5 / Dinner – PhP 499.95
    • Friday-Sunday: Lunch and Dinner – PhP 599.95

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://7flavors.webs.com/” name=”7Flavors Philippines” description=”196 A. Mabini Street, Addition Hills, San Juan” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 5430325 or 0917-8281700, or email 7flavors.info@gmail.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-20″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Artisan Bakery: 7:00AM to 8:00PM daily
    Gourmet Café: 8:00AM to 11:00PM daily
    World Fusion Buffet 11:00AM to 2:00PM (lunch) and 6:00PM to 10:00PM (dinner) daily

    Soft opening promotion: Enjoy 20% discount on the World Fusion Buffet until June 14, 2015.

  • Review of Seven Monkeys Kitchen (Mall of the World 花城汇, Guangzhou)

    Review of Seven Monkeys Kitchen (Mall of the World 花城汇, Guangzhou)

    Located in an underground mall that houses a large array of Chinese and international food and drink options, Seven Monkeys Kitchen in Mall of the World, Guangzhou is a funky little cafe specializing in omurice, curry, pizza, and pasta. Most of the menu items consist of fusion-style food. We came here not only for the food but for the whole package. It was an opportunity to linger in a cafe-like setting, while in China, with homey Italian dishes to savor. 🙂

    Seven Monkeys Kitchen 并不是单纯的西餐厅，而是将食物与幸福完美融合的西餐厅。首席厨师长根据快速变化的外出就餐趋向和顾客的趣向，并结合自身丰富经验，为顾客提供多种多样的菜单和优质的服务而不断的努力着。
    Seven Monkeys Kitchen 以简练的装修风格营造出高级、利落的室内就餐氛围。

    Review of Seven Monkeys Kitchen (Mall of the World 花城汇, Guangzhou)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Seven Monkeys Kitchen 以简练的装修风格营造出高级、利落的室内就餐氛围。Walking inside felt like stepping into a fastfood restaurant that’s informal and friendly. With wide area but limited seating, this restaurant is best for solo dining or small groups. The straightforward layout and minimalist design were captivating, amplifying the bright ambiance throughout. I also liked the idea of having white walls that could be left blank or decorated with pictures or statements in a gallery style. So neat!

    Service: ★★★★☆

    We had a great time, thanks to the staff who was courteous, humble, and polite. It was she who taught us first how to ride the Guangzhou Metro. Beyond food recommendations on the menu, she gave helpful tips and advice on which metro lines we should take to go to our next destination. 🙂 We were also happy to be served with the food quickly since we were really hungry. The only thing that should improve is attentiveness. It was quite hard to get the staff’s attention especially when more customers started to come in for lunch.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Blanketing a hefty mound of rice tucked into a paper-thin omelet, the Hot Wing Cream Sauce Omurice 秘制烤翅奶油蛋包饭 (RMB 49) was topped with grilled wings that were particularly spicy. Not short on sauce, the warm Japanese-style omelet was so soft and the flavor blended perfectly with all the ingredients as well as the cream and ketchup.

    The Spicy Chicken Pizza 香辣烤鸡比萨 (RMB 55) tasted also amazing, but what fell out of my expectation was that this pizza did not have a bread crust, so I wasn’t even sure if it’s right to be called as “pizza.” Is there such thing as a “no-bread pizza”? Hmmm… In any case, it had a satisfying combination of cheese and mustard sauce, which was a delight. The sweetness of the pumpkin complemented the spiciness of the roasted chicken.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    When in Guangzhou, China, it’s a great experience to learn how Chinese chefs prepare and cook Italian-inspired food. The dishes at Seven Monkeys Kitchen are moderately priced and the range of items on the menu consist of a little bit of something for every palate. This restaurant must be a hot spot for those tourists and locals who are thrilled to try delectable fusion of Italian and Asian food that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

    Cheers :)

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://monkeyskitchen.com.cn/index.html” name=”Seven Monkeys Kitchen” description=”Mall of the World, Zhujiang E Rd, Tianhe, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China” rev_name=”Seven Monkeys Kitchen also has branches in Beijing, China. ” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-18″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Guangzhou’s No. 1 Spicy Hall 广州1号香辣馆 (Near Beijing Road, Guangzhou)

    Review of Guangzhou’s No. 1 Spicy Hall 广州1号香辣馆 (Near Beijing Road, Guangzhou)

    If there must be a headline above the signage of this restaurant, it should read “NO COMPLIMENTARY HERE.” The imaginary headline felt necessary because that phrase kept coming to mind while we were having dinner at Guangzhou’s No. 1 Spicy Hall 广州1号香辣馆 near Beijing Road in Guangzhou, China. It was the first and only restaurant during our vacation where we were hugely disappointed (read Service part below).

    Review of Guangzhou’s No. 1 Spicy Hall 广州1号香辣馆 (Near Beijing Road, Guangzhou)

    Ambiance: ★☆☆☆☆

    Interior design was very plain and not up to the mark. The atmosphere suffered because of darkness and the stressful feel of the staff. Also, with cartons piled up beside the dining tables, the two-story restaurant did not look decent but dingy and far from spotless. 看起来那么老了，多年没重新设计。

    Service: ★☆☆☆☆

    Service was weird, choppy, and frustrating in multiple accounts. It was okay in the beginning as there was no wait time and the waitress quickly responded with food recommendations when we came in. (Note: All text on the menu were in Chinese, and the staffs could only speak and understand Chinese.)

    Later, a complete set of plate, bowl, and cup wrapped in plastic, a glass of cold water, sheets of tissue paper, utensils (wooden chopsticks and spoon), and house tea were provided on the table as we moved to the dining scene. For the record, we assumed, as any regular diner would, that those basic items were complimentary for use. Little did we know that we had to pay for them on top of our orders. Seriously?

    I talked to the staff and the owner, contesting that they should not charge us for things that were not specifically mentioned had usage fees in the first place. I then wondered if this is normal in China. We did not even touch the tea. In the end, only the plate, bowl, cup, utensils, and tissue paper remained on the bill, which summed up to RMB 6 per person, over the food items.

    Lack of attentiveness and lack of support for customer’s needs were also seen as problems. It felt like we were in school again, as we needed to raise our hands to get the server’s attention many times. Without trying to make eye contact, servers continually walked by us. Our table was positioned just beside the main counter, so it was truly impossible for them not to see. Le sigh.

    缺乏注意力和缺乏对客户需求的支持也被视为问题。这感觉就像我们在学校，因为我们很多次需要提高双手来获得服务器的关注。我们的桌子上刚好位于旁边的主计数器，所以他们真正不可能没看到。

    Food: ★★★★☆

    广州1号香辣馆 knows how to do the classics right, and this plate of Pan-fried Dumplings 私房煎饺 (RMB 22) was a great example of that. There were better starters on the menu, but this one held us over just fine. With a hefty portion of flavorful pork filling, the dumplings were perfectly done with slight charred and a nice crispness on the skin. They weren’t at all oily, which was great, but maybe the pastry was a tad thick. Accompanying sauce was hot, giving that needed extra punch. 真心的美味，非常好吃，份量足够。


    Next we had the Basil Chicken and Snail 紫苏田螺鸡 (RMB 48), which clearly took a lot of skill and technique to cook. It was exciting to eat, since the process of eating it was actually a lot like digging around in your back yard for snails and digging them out with a toothpick. The exquisite snail tasted like the bottom of the ocean. Glorious! 🙂

    However, if you’re not a fan of something unusual, getting this may be likened as driving to a wrong turn or speeding off a cliff. Bounce back a bit with the chicken. Juicy and delectable, the basil chicken was slightly salty, sweet and strong. Taste was all-around excellent, but the annoying factor was it had too many bones. 🙁

    Yangzhou fried rice rouses some sort of worldly must-eat-it-all instinct that’s almost impossible to quell. Similarly, the Guangzhou Fried Rice 广州炒饭 (RMB 22) or “Cantonese-style fried rice” was one dish we could not leave without ordering. The fried rice was salty and satisfying, with spiciness also kicking in every mouthful. Scrambled eggs, carrots, and chunks of meat were in the right proportion and size.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    While 广州1号香辣馆 is certainly a place to check out once for a unique dining experience, this restaurant didn’t leave us ever wanting to come back for more. With better ambiance and service, it could have gotten a more positive rating in this review.

    In terms of food tastes though, there was nothing much to complain about. With the dishes we tried, we found ourselves stunned at how Cantonese cuisine can be super rich and decadent in flavor.

    [schema type=”review” name=”Guangzhou’s No. 1 Spicy Hall 广州1号香辣馆” description=”Yuexiu District 21 Road (near Beijing Road Pedestrian Street South Section), Guangzhou, China 越秀区 禺山路21号(近北京路商业步行街南段) ” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 020-83399336″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-15″ user_review=”9″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Japanese Bread and Pastries from Kumori Japanese Bakery (Philippines)

    Review of Japanese Bread and Pastries from Kumori Japanese Bakery (Philippines)

    From the humble Anpan first made in 1875, Japanese baking techniques and product lines have grown by leaps and bounds since.  Although baking was mostly a Western concept, Japanese artisan bakers had to add indigenous ingredients for the breads to appeal to local Japanese tastes.  In the spirit of this same artisanal Japanese tradition of baking craftsmanship, comes Kumori Japanese Bakery.

    Big in Japan and now in the Philippines, Kumori Japanese Bakery commits to offer natural, handmade, fresh and quality breads, cakes, and pastries imbued with true Japanese quality, culture, and tradition. Kumori uses only the finest ingredients from Japan, giving its breads unique flavors and textures. Every ingredient is wholesome and natural, so the fresh tastes and goodness shine through. I received a gift box from Kumori last week, and I’m pleased to share the details of what’s inside. 🙂 お楽しみください！

    What is Kumori?

    Kumori means “cloudy” in Japanese. However, instead of gray and gloom, Kumori represents all the sunshine and positivity that comes after the rain. Likewise, what Kumori Japanese Bakery creates are “comfort treats” with no artificial additives and preservatives.

    Review of Japanese Bread and Pastries from Kumori Japanese Bakery (Philippines)

    If you have ever in your life said, “this bread is good,” this Croissant by Kumori will melt your mind. It’s a flaky layered Danish pastry enriched with pure, premium European butter. After seeing fluffy layers with a stretch within while pulling it apart, I’m positive that the croissant was a good lure and an absolute hit with me. It was on the soft side, but the rich buttery taste still remained intact. I loved it and certainly felt more excited to try the others in the box. 🙂

    Salmon Bonito was the one I took as an afternoon snack in the office. It’s a soft bun filled with savory salmon filling, drizzled with home-made Teriyaki sauce and sprinkled with bonito flakes. While there’s no ridiculously large portion of sushi-grade salmon present, the round buns were great. Like eating a giant version of takoyaki (but stuffed with flaky salmon instead of octopus), this treat is going to sneak up on you. To be honest, it wasn’t love at first bite for me, but as the balance of flavors and textures gradually insinuated, I’ve grown to appreciate it—a lot! The salmon bonito is one-of-a-kind.

    Filled with matcha cream filling, the Soft Matcha Bun was a pleasantly decent mouthful of goodness. The matcha inside wasn’t too sweet and the bun gave a good contrast to the smooth cream. I thought this would go down well with a nice cup of green tea. 🙂

    Another delicate hand-crafted soft bread was the Fuwa-fuwa Cream Bun, filled with creamy egg custard and dusted with snow sugar powder on top. It did not disappoint as it’s not too sweet as well. The bun was super soft and almost impossible to resist!

    We saved the best for last. Kumori’s Signature Hanjuku Cheese was velvety, creamy, light and absolutely moist. It’s a half-baked cheese masterpiece original of Kumori made from premium cream cheese that’s truly best for melt-in-your-mouth moments. This should be in everyone’s must-try list when visiting Kumori Japanese Bakery. It was pure happiness wrapped in a small package.

    An easy winner for those who love Japanese cheesecakes, each piece of the Hanjuku Cheese can be finished in two bites. Aside from cheese, there’s also a chocolate cheesecake variant available. Komuri Japanese Bakery sells these per piece (at PHP48) or in a pretty box of five.

    Kumori has just set foot in the Philippines, and its first stores are located at the lower ground floor of Landmark Makati (just beside Bread Talk) and at the lower ground floor of SM Makati. Soon it will also open at the ground floor of Glorietta 2. If you love Japanese goodies, visit  Kumori Philippines on Facebook and follow its Instagram account for updates. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/kumoriph” name=”Kumori Japanese Bakery” description=”Lower Ground Floor, The Landmark and SM Makati, Glorietta Complex, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 0917-8285012″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-13″ user_review=”5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Chopstix Restaurant 筷子荟餐厅 (Canton Tower 广州塔, Guangzhou)

    Review of Chopstix Restaurant 筷子荟餐厅 (Canton Tower 广州塔, Guangzhou)

    To go up the Canton Tower or not was a debate between my boyfriend and me, since ticket prices are by no means cheap. But ask us if it’s a good idea to have dinner before going up the tower and you’ll get an easy answer. It’s a resounding yes! 🙂 Problem was, there’s not a lot of restaurants in the area and the more decent-looking ones are really expensive. Left without much choice, we ended up reserving seats at CHOPSTIX Restaurant (筷子荟餐厅). Prices of a la carte items on the menu were high, so we just hoped that they would be justified by the food quality.

    CHOPSTIX, located at the basement of the Canton Tower, was the first restaurant we spotted from descending at the Canton Tower metro station. It is an Asian specialty restaurant that caters a unique and festive fusion of authentic Cantonese cuisine and Southeast Asian delicacies.

    Review of Chopstix Restaurant 筷子荟餐厅 (Canton Tower 广州塔, Guangzhou)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The restaurant was spacious and well-decorated in earth-color tones. Dominating bright lights, wooden furniture, and brick-imitated walls made the interior ambiance feel cozy in contemporary style and nothing quite oriental. Through the open kitchen and bar counter, dining guests could see the skilled chefs showing their exquisite culinary skills.

    Although varying in shapes (round, square, and rectangular), tables and chairs were of the same finish, providing a visual line of repetitive elements that is both attractive and hypnotically fascinating to the eye.

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    We were third on the waiting list and upon stepping inside, we found that the crowds were not as demanding and not as full. In fact, several tables were unoccupied at the back. Still, the receptionist did not allow people to come in. We guessed that the management was short in staff and more diners could not be accommodated at the peak of dinner hour. Beyond doubt, serving speed was too slow and wait time was long. The staffs were not welcoming, not attentive, and not so friendly.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    When far from home, there is always a familiar nostalgic feeling whenever I encounter places that serve authentic Chinese food in an elegant setting. The thing is, once I smell that beautiful intoxicating aroma of Chinese spices and familiar dishes, I’ll somehow feel like home. This happened while waiting for our orders at CHOPSTIX. 🙂

    Beef chow fun is a classic entree in the Cantonese cuisine repertoire, and it’s one of my favorites. Chopstix’s version of the Wok-fried Rice Noodle with Beef 乾炒牛河 (RMB 58) was done right, very much like Wan Chai’s beef horfun in Chinatown, Philippines. The rice noodles were springy and firm, sticky and tender. What I loved most about it was the charred flavor called wok hei (or in English, “the essence of the wok”).


    Another dish we shared was the Kung Pao Chicken 腰果宫包鸡丁 (RMB 58), complete with slightly gloppy sauce and mild heat. We ordered a bowl of steamed white rice separately to fully enjoy the diced chicken with Sichuan peppers and peanuts in sweet, sour, and zesty sauce.

    All we needed was one singular bite of this glorious, rich concoction to confirm our love for it. The kung pao chicken was juicy and with browning characteristics, it was easy to find that the marinade was designed to optimize its natural meatiness.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Price for value was so-so. Food tastes were good but without that big WOW factor expected from such restaurant associated with the Canton Tower. It’s best to come with an appetite here, since the portions of food are meant for sharing.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.cantontower.com/en/Shopping.aspx?code=0404″ name=”CHOPSTIX Restaurant 广州塔云星筷子荟餐厅” description=”No. 222, Yue Jiang Xi Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, China (广州市海珠区阅江西路222号 广州塔)” rev_name=”For inquiries and reservations, call 预订电话 +86（20）8933 8090 or e-mail 预订邮箱 reservation@cantontower.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-11″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]