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  • Review of Clawdaddy’s Osteria Americana (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Clawdaddy’s Osteria Americana (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Last weekend, we joined many shoppers who went shopping at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City and took advantage of the three-day sale. As mentioned in a number of my previous food reviews in MOA, this huge mall is a haven for food lovers because of the wide selection of restaurants. Come dinnertime, we didn’t have a problem choosing one that we’ve never tried before. Clawdaddy’s Osteria Americana was our choice for dinner. Upon inspection, this place has a variety of pasta and pizza options as well as seafood and meat. We gave it a shot and had a memorable experience, but with an asterisk.

    Review of Clawdaddy’s Osteria Americana (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★☆☆☆☆

    There was only one active table at the Clawdaddy Restaurant when we came. It was 7PM and it was pretty quiet still as compared to the busy ones beside it. Finding a restaurant with few customers at the usual peak dining time mean two things to me.

    It’s either that only those few customers know and realize that the restaurant offers quite amazing food, or that the restaurant does not just seem to appeal to more people heading its way. Maybe for the case of Clawdaddy Osteria Americana, it’s a cross between the two implications.

    The atmosphere was dark, with dated decorative pieces related about the sea on the wall. The scene was humble and subdued, in a world of green and red. I felt comfortable sitting on the couch—until I felt and saw a spider crawling up on my arm which totally freaked me out. 😯

    I stood up right away and shooed the spider to the floor. Doing that must have killed it but at that moment, I didn’t care. A spider web must be close by or it’s formed just where exactly I was sitting (by the counter). Oh no! 🙁 After that, I began to be concerned about the upkeep of the place. The management must do something to control pests in the restaurant.

    Service: ★☆☆☆☆

    Service was VERY slow. See, I ordered two kinds of pizza. One arrived after about 30 minutes; and the other, over an hour. Around 7:45PM, more customers came and filled the dining area. Their orders even came and served first than ours. Mom was irate and began to ask for a follow-up, and the servers expressed their apologies as they have a slow pizza oven.

    The lesson learned here is to expect long waiting time when ordering pizza at the Clawdaddy Restaurant; you might end up with an hour to kill. Note though that it wasn’t only the pizza that came later than expected but everything else as well. To compensate for our disappointment, one pizza was not charged to our bill. It was good that they’re kind and considerate to offer that.

    Another reason that caused Mom’s anger was that many food items she ordered from the menu were not available, namely: Buffalo Wings, Grilled Tuna Ribs, and Blackened Tuna Tails. The funny thing was that the server recommended the Blackened Tuna Tails after reporting that the two initial orders were out, and it was the same server who went back to us to say that apparently, her suggestion was also unavailable.

    I saw that the customer sitting next to ours got a Boston Clam Chowder which had clams, bacon, potatoes, herbs and cream served on a bread bowl. I thought that looked nice and ordered the same, with a smile. Alas, the server told me that they ran out of the bread bowl and asked me if I still wanted the clam chowder soup. I said no because I was primarily just looking on the good presentation of the food.

    She might have missed reporting my response back to the kitchen, because the kitchen staff came toward me and served the soup on a soup bowl and some sticks of bread on another plate. I refused to accept and said that I’ve already told the other server to cancel the order. Outrageous!

    Food: ★★★★☆

    We’re hard-pressed to find a pizza with crab meat starring on the course, and Clawdaddy’s Crab Meat Pizza (PhP 245) suited our desire for the night. It was great to eat while piping hot, but the pizza needed more crab meat for a more luscious taste. The whole egg, marinated crab meat, bechamel and mozzarella sat atop a charred, puffy and chewy cloud from heaven. So good.

    The Godfather’s Meatballs (PhP 285)—spaghetti with meatballs—accommodated our love for pasta. The sauce didn’t taste sweet like the Filipino-style spaghetti so this one’s up for my liking. A common addition to spaghetti, the meatballs in this entree were the real superstar that tasted great.

    The Eggplant Parmigiana (PhP 245) was made with baked eggplant in tomato sauce, mozzarella, and cream. With crispy and crunchy outside and a soft, moist and thick inside, the eggplant was a real hit. Its simplicity was underrated.

    Grilled eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, asparagus, pomodoro and mozzarella? My favorites. All on this plate of Grilled Veggie Pizza (PhP 285), working together in sweet harmony. The taste was definitely up there, and the crispiness of the pizza’s crust was sublime. A bite would convince meat-eaters that vegetarian pizzas are also okay. (This was the pizza that took sooo long to be served.)

    Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

    What use is good food when service and ambiance are bad? When dining into a restaurant, we must be considering paying out for the overall dining experience and not only for the quality and taste of food. For the food alone, I could have added two more stars here. However, with all points considered, two stars may be apt for the price for value.

    Clawdaddy Osteria Americana at MOA has brought us a memorable dining experience, as mentioned in the intro. However, as how the things turned out, it’s not one that we’d like to repeat anytime soon—or ever again. It will be really great if they can improve on the shortcomings since food are likeable anyway.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/clawdaddyph” name=”Clawdaddy Osteria Americana” description=”2/F SM Mall of Asia, South Veranda, Ocean Dr Manila Bay Reclamation Area, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 550-1440″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-22″ user_review=”8″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Shi Lin 士林 (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Review of Shi Lin 士林 (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    On one lazy Sunday evening, my family and I agreed to dine out together at Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo. We were in the mood for some Chinese/Taiwanese food. Too bad that the branch of Little Asia in LCM had been closed probably because it went without an apostrophe. So we opted for this restaurant serving authentic Taiwanese epicurean delights: Shi Lin. Judging by the crowd, this one is here to stay.

    Review of Shi Lin 士林 (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    We’re no stranger to simply designed Chinese restaurants in the hood. And honestly, we liked the ambiance here. It’s clean and nice, with lanterns, red accents and table style arrangements definitely reflecting an Asian vibe. The L-shaped space is fully utilized in the dining room, as sets of tables and chairs were neatly arranged and placed closely with one another. It has a large view to the outside street in between the main building of Lucky Chinatown Mall and the Annex building.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Food came to our table incredibly fast. Two thumbs up for the cordial and attentive service!

    Food: ★★★★☆

    I had high hopes on the Noodles with Sesame and Peanut Sauce (PhP 155) as Louie kept mentioning prior that it’s delicious. The hand pulled noodles were cooked al dente and the sauce had just the right balance of creamy and nutty. To me though, it was pretty average. Feel free to order it and taste the peanut sauce (quite odd when combined with soft pasta), but temper expectations.

    The saltiness of the Salt and Pepper Squid (PhP 345) was tolerable—not like you just swam a few laps in the ocean with your mouth open. I loved the squid as it was perfectly cooked, with a nice charred outside and buttery smooth inside. Dipping it into a small bowl of vinegar made it more appetizing.

    Served in appropriately sized, tasty chops, the Fried Chicken Chop (PhP 205) is famous here. The crispiness of Shi Lin’s fried chicken was nothing spectacular but nothing to complain about either.

    The fried chicken chop was quickly followed by a glistening bowl of Fried Rice with Shrimp and Egg (PhP 135) which was satisfying. The fried rice didn’t come as flashy as the other entrees, but it was good.

    Until the Xiao Long Bao (PhP 155 for six pieces), there wasn’t a single dish at Shi Lin that I got so much fired up about. Shi Lin’s Xiao Long Bao was juicy, meaty, and not so insanely hot that it will scald the hell out of your mouth. It’s a compelling reason to eat here in your own right.

    How to Enjoy Xiao Long Bao

    As if my mom wasn’t full enough, she additionally ordered the Seafood Omelette (PhP 88). Overall, it tasted fine but this omelette didn’t get the merit to be one of our favorite versions. It lacked in ingredients and also in portion size. While we happily ate every last bite, this was probably our least favorite thing on the menu.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Shi Lin authentic Taiwanese restaurant is named after the largest and most famous night market in the city of Taiwan, the Shih Lin Night Market. Prices are not so expensive but are not a real bargain, too. For the bill, I thought I could eat in better restaurants in the same area, but this one’s worth a try. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/SHI-LIN/170754372968415″ name=”Shi Lin” description=”G/F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Reina Regente St cor Dela Reina St Binondo, Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 516-0321″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-19″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branches:

    • Fort Bonifacio – G/F Commercenter Bldg., 4th Ave cor 31st StFort Bonifacio, Taguig |  0917 740-8567
    • The Podium – 3/F The Podium, 18 ADB AveWack Wack, Mandaluyong | (02) 477-4108
    • Power Plant Mall – 2/F Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive Corner Estrella Street, Rockwell Center, Makati City
  • Review of Simplé Lang (Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City)

    Review of Simplé Lang (Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City)

    Raintree Restaurants’ Simplé Lang is well-respected, and although I admit that I’m not quite as in love with Filipino cuisine as everyone else seems to be, I now understand why people are liking the dishes being served at this restaurant. Simplé Lang has got me excited about trying Filipino food once again, as I saw how beautifully they were presented.

    With hand-picked ingredients and appetizing colors, the featured food on the menu haven’t fully departed from the true tastes of local food fare we’re familiar with; they are just more interesting. Simplé Lang in Ayala Triangle Gardens is a great place to go if you want a quick Pinoy fix.

    Review of Simplé Lang (Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    We came for dinner at 7PM. Ayala Triangle Gardens was very dark at night, but the buzzy atmosphere in Simplé Lang makes this restaurant a joy to come back to. We managed to get a table quickly, and with bright lights, wooden furniture and cozy interior, we felt a bit like we just walked into a another dimension.

    The dining areas are divided into the al fresco setting, the indoor first floor and the second floor. Stimulating colors everywhere tend to raise one’s appetite, promoting a positive attitude and outlook on surroundings. The printed words on the walls are well-chosen and are catchy, not going out of style soon.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The customer service makes the restaurant reflect as family friendly. The staffs were a reflection of Filipino hospitality at best! It didn’t take long for dishes to arrive one after the other. We were seated at the second level, yet it wasn’t also hard to call the attention of servers. There’s one or two stationed on the floor attending to our requests.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Subtly unique, the Tinapa’t Tops Salad (PhP 185.00) was as good as I expected for an appetizer. It had kamote tops, kangkong, alugbati tops, tomatoes, red onions and salted egg dressing. This salad had a variety of layered textures and different tastes with some sort of breadcrumb-y dusting of goodness thanks to the tinapa bits. It’s a neat salad tossed with fresh greens. Eating the leaves alone will make your doctor happy.

    As I took a small portion of the Fresh Lumpia Rolls (PhP 95), I remembered home. The roll was basically stuffed with vegetables and was filled with muscovado sauce, garlic and sesame peanut sprinkle. If you’re into lumpia rolls, consider this a must order.

    The Longaniza Tortang Talong “Pancake” (PhP 260.00) must be a trendsetter. It was made with rounds of fried eggplant, salted egg, tomatoes and onion salad. It’s easily one of the best you should have. Dump half of a slice to ketchup to get more flavor going. It sets the tone for the rest of the meal.

    There was something special about the MBT (Monggo Bagnet Tinapa) (PhP 175). Aha, it was the bagnet (deep fried crispy pork with its skin on)! It worked. The stew has been cooked for hours and topped with sili (chili) leaves. What I liked about this course was its different approach with an authentic Filipino flair.

    The Mixed BBQ Plate (PhP 595.00) consisted of chicken inasal (three pieces), leg quarter, pork barbecue (two pieces), and squid (two pieces). At least for my liking: Pork < Squid < Chicken Insasal. The sauce used for marination was rich, certainly sweet and tangy.

    Rice, when eating tasty barbecues like these, is always necessary. Topped with chicken skin and inasal oil, Inasal Java Rice (PhP 165.00) is the one to go with.

    I’m not even sure why, but it’s a forgone conclusion that a Filipino restaurant like this will serve Crispy Chop Chop Pork Belly Dinakdakan (PhP 195). This one’s fine, but it won’t have me ordering it again. Clue: I’m no big meat-eater. 😛

    The Seafood Bicol Express (PhP 375) for me was the hit sensation of the night. It came as a fiery, delicious bowl with shrimps, squid, clams, fish fillet and sayote (vegetable pear) shreds in coconut milk. I absolutely enjoyed every spoonful of this dish with Sisig Rice (PhP 180).

    Sinigang na Crispy Bagnet sa Watermelon (PhP 395.00)—oh, this is what dreams are made of. Seriously, there’s watermelon in the sinigang soup as well as kangkong (river spinach) and labanos (radish). The fruity and sweet flavor of the watermelon juice exploded and it made sense to be combined with the sour taste of the broth as it wasn’t overpowering. The unconventional ingredients were a plus, even if they sounded ridiculous, making up for a version that’s even better than the regular sinigang. I loved it. So will you. ♥

    On the other hand, the Grilled Stuffed Whole Bangus (PhP 285.00) was pretty standard and had no wow factor as the others, with green mango and tomato stuffing, and fresh calamansi. It’s a solid choice but not better than the grilled bangus in Bangus.

    For desserts, we had the Halo Halo and  Mango Madness Crush (PhP 175.00) with fresh mangoes, ice cream, custard and puree with sago and crushed ice. These were a nice change of pace from all the delectable main courses, a good solution to tropical heat as they’re very icy, refreshing, and easy to eat with enough cream.

    Verging on the not-so-sweet end, the Buko Pandan Pinipig Crush (PhP 150.00) was also nicely executed. It was served with coconut cream. We felt we needed our own, if only we weren’t too full. 😛

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    The irony is that even when I’ve lived in the Philippines for almost all the years of my life, there are just a handful of restaurants serving Filipino food that I’m proud about. Simplé Lang at Ayala Tringle Gardens is the kind that I can recommend to friends who are visiting Metro Manila / Makati and would want to grab a bite of our food.

    The drive, the delicious aroma upon entry, the queue, and then finally confronting the beautiful, massive tray of authentic Filipino food before your face is all part of the experience. Well, it’s time to put your car to good use. You need a ride to Simplé Lang and try the best on their menu. Food are well-priced and would be worth the trip.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.facebook.com/raintreesimplelang” name=”Simple Lang” description=”Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 621-6161 or (02) 621-61-62″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-18″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Sango! The Burger Master (Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City)

    Review of Sango! The Burger Master (Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City)

    I have published a review of Sango! The Burger Master before. It was in early 2013 when we last visited its branch in Tomas Morato. There have been many times when I wanted to go for a return visit. Perhaps some divine force in the universe didn’t want me to push through with the plan, because apparently, all branches of Sango! were closed last year. If you’ve been a fan, don’t feel so sad—because there’s  good news: With a change in ownership, Sango! The Burger Master is now revived with its new store on Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. It had just opened its doors this June 2014, across ADMU. Everyone is welcome! 😛

    Review of Sango! The Burger Master (Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    The new owners must have intended that patrons would have a consistent feel from the “old Sango” to the new one. I appreciated that the decorations and overall theme remained the same (except that there’s no more mangas displayed as a stack on shelves). The playful color scheme, a TV playing Japanese television shows and origimami pieces created and left by customers are some of the things inherited from the previous Sango branches. The place is very clean and bright, just the way I like it.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    I felt that there’s a short of staff here especially when there are more customers expected in peak hours. The orders came out quite slower than expected. This is maybe because the staffs in the kitchen need more practice in preparing food faster. Waiting time was tolerable and okay if you’re enjoying a good conversation with friends or are busy with following instructions on how to create origami while reading the books. Another consolation was that the server was friendly, attentive and accommodating throughout our stay.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    We’ve noticed some changes in the menu like cutting down on the variations of burgers available and adding more sides. The signature Master Burgers, Master Fries, and Matcha Azuki Milkshake are still present. For some people, that’s all that matters. As an added note, we were told that they’re now using angus beef for the Yakiniku Rice Burger recipe instead of the regular prime beef.

    Now, let’s do the food rundown.

    If plain burger does not do it for you, go find yourself some freedom. Compliment an order of the Yakiniku Kimchi Rice Burger (PhP 185) and Master Fries (PhP 115). These are my personal favorites. The kimchi didn’t have as much spicy kick as I envisioned but it was very delicious. I’m a big fan of the flavor! The fries, on the side, are a clean, quality choice if you’re into the greasy and cheesy stuff. It’s made with the Master sauce, just the best. Don’t forget to apologize to your diet afterwards. 😉

    The Yakiniku Rice Burger (PhP 160) was also a good try. I’ve tried this before and for the second time around, I found it impressive. The strips of beef were so thin and easy to chew on, nothing fatal. Don’t consider skipping out on this.

    Compared to the rice burgers (which we ate with a complete set of plate, spoon and fork), I liked the Master Double Cheese Burger (PhP 215) less. I have to say the Master sauce was a good touchdown moment.

    Garnished with veggies and onions, the Chili Dog (PhP 120) got A for flavor and it’s exactly what you think it is. The bun is soft and the hotdog tasted decent, but there’s nothing really special.

    A recommended order for lunch would be the Oyakudon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl) (PhP 150). With perfectly simmered boneless chicken thighs and beaten eggs in runny texture, the whole mixture was comforting.

    The little chunks of crunchy fried chicken on Sango’s Teri Karaage Don (PhP 165) were moist on the inside, very crisp on the outside and the flavor had a tantalizing marination in pungent brine.

    The cooling flavor of the melon in the Honeydew Ice Cream Shake (PhP 90) was refreshing. It’s sippable ice cream and it’s easily one of my new go-to drinks/desserts. The shake was sweet, milky and a bit citrusy. 😀

    Another nice thought to end a meal was the sinfully great Macha Azuki (PhP 120) topped with azuki (red beans) and mochi balls (made of sticky rice). The green tea flavor came on strong and the cream was sweet enough to be enjoyable.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    I’m pleased to know that prices are fair and friendly (even for a college student’s budget). At Sango! The Burger Master, you will surely find something that you both love and can afford. 🙂 They’re opening a branch soon in Makati so watch out!

    Thanks, Ahia Richard, for the invite! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/sangoburger” name=”Sango! The Burger Master” description=”299 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 0937 374 3376″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-17″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Terraz Bistro and Meetings (Zuellig Building, Makati City)

    Review of Terraz Bistro and Meetings (Zuellig Building, Makati City)

    Terraz Bistro and Meetings by Raintree Restaurants is almost like a little secret, as it’s housed at the third floor of the Zuellig Building in Makati and it’s operating actively only during the weekdays (Mondays to Fridays, 11AM to 11PM). Clearly, its target market belongs to the working professionals in the area, the yuppies, and those who want food that has good value for their money without sacrificing quality.

    This restaurant is a beautiful joint that offers a relaxed atmosphere for anyone who either wants to wear a suit or dress it down and feel fine (but please, no wearing of slippers, says the Management). Terraz is a perfect place to hold social events, corporate meetings and even romantic dinners.

    Review of Terraz Bistro and Meetings (Zuellig Building, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The design at Terraz Bistro Meetings is one that can only be described as private, intimate and modern. A seamless blend of bright colors, muted tones and mirrors produce a subtle elegance all throughout. While there are tables you see openly as you walk across the dining area, there’s a separate section further inside the restaurant where six conference rooms for meetings and events are placed.

    These are conducive to organized bookings of small to medium groups of people getting down to business without being interrupted. I absolutely love the concept! The layout of the restaurant is expansive as it also offers accommodation for seating outside where fresh air can be enjoyed.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was fast, efficient and operative. Communication was professional—as it should be. Delivery of food to the table was done well. Our experience was delightful as well because of the staff’s friendliness. It made the visit worthwhile.

    Food: ★★★★★

    The Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna (PhP 275) is not your typical salad as it’s served with all kinds of goodness including the pan-seared ahi tuna, romaine lettuce, sliced Japanese cucumber, and vine cherry tomatoes in sesame dressing. It had that conglomerate of flavors that’s ideal when you’re looking for a great starter. The highlight must be the tuna, which will make tuna fans out of their comfort zone.

    Arguably though, the Terraz Chef Salad (PhP 295) was about three times better than the first. 😛 This is because of the rich ingredients, namely: crispy parma ham, grilled bacon, red wine, roast beef in light salt and pepper vinaigrette and ranch dressing, apart from the romaine lettuce and  hard boiled eggs we’re used to find in salads. I tried every single one and declare the grilled bacon and roast beef as best. Without question, this salad dish is a must-order.

    Let me assure that the tilapia in Buttered Tilapia Saltimbocca (PhP 350) must have been grown in clean waters because it didn’t taste like dirt or something earthy. It was cooked well and served with vegetable pilaf, asparagus, sage tomato sauce and grain creamy mustard sauce.

    The Pan-seared Boneless Chicken Cream Emince (PhP 350) came out with white-sauce pasta, Terraz baked potato, peppered asparagus and creamy mushroom. The creamy factor to the sauce hits the spot. I dislike white pasta but liked the dish as a whole.

    Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to the Simple Saffron Spaghetti (PhP 250). This dish exemplified that theory. It consisted of homemade spaghetti pasta (thin, smooth and tasty), fresh spinach and smoked grilled asparagus.

    Now onto why you’d really want to dine in at Terraz Bistro and Meetings… The Spicy Terraz Corned Beef Adobo (PhP 495) is an obligatory dish to order. Standing out as a house specialty, it’s the best corned beef we’ve ever tasted made with a glorious combo of slow cooked meat and sides such as garlic pumpkin, sweet mashed potatoes, and crispy white cheese (kesong puti). You’ll love these delicious pieces in one plate.

    Whoa. I’ve seen, heard and tasted veal cheeks for the first time here and I’ve been intrigued. We agreed that the Merlot Braised Veal Cheeks was another winner. I know I have just already hinted that the Spicy Terraz Corned Beef Adobo was vying for best dish of our lunch meal, but I can’t help to say that this was on that same level. It was made with crushed garlic potato, olive oil, marinated root vegetables. Now I don’t anymore wonder how it’s like.

    The Grilled Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallion and Foie Gras (PhP 695) would be the second best thing on the menu if it weren’t for so many other second best things present. Served with macaire potato, sauteed vegetables, mushroom ragout and merlot sauce, this creation was completely crafted with a balance of flavors and beautiful presentation.

    Moving on to the desserts, we had Pavlovaz (PhP 150)—a cream-topped light, and airy meringue of Aussie or New Zealand extraction topped with fruit slices and whipped cream. It’s sweet, fruity and refreshing. I want more…but I’ve consider doing more cardio first. 😛

    Last to fill our stomach was the Crepe Samurai (PhP 150), which looked like a volcano crater exploding with the mixed tastes of cinnamon sugar, caramel and fruity notes as there were small chunks of mango and banana swimming in the creamy sauce. Amazing. Those who have a sweet tooth will see this as a show-stealer. For sure, it can’t be skipped.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Terraz Bistro and Meetings exactly knows the market it caters. Food is tremendous and ambiance is great. For all these, prices are right for the value being offered. Add good service and a prime location into the mix and you’ve got yourself a brand new go-to spot for brainstorming sessions, lunch meetings with vendors, partners or clients, and/or special dates. That’s the move!

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.facebook.com/raintreeterraz” name=”Terraz Bistro and Meetings” description=”3/F Zuellig Building, Makati Ave. cor Paseo de Roxas, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact +632-625-4831 or +632-625-4832″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-16″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Museum Café (Greenbelt 4, Makati City)

    Review of Museum Café (Greenbelt 4, Makati City)

    The Museum Café is one of Raintree Restaurants’ good, casual yet elegant restaurants serving Modern Asian Cuisine in an enjoyable environment day in and day out. It’s located right beside the Ayala Museum in Greenbelt along Makati Avenue corner Dela Rosa. If you have to book for an early business meeting or just want to start the day right with delectable breakfast, this place can seal the deal. M Café opens up at 8:00AM daily and closes at 12 midnight. Apart from the food, the pretty ambiance plus free WiFi here can make you forget half of your life problems for a while. 😉

    Review of Museum Café (Greenbelt 4, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The Museum Café is a noteworthy dining-out option in the heart of Makati’s commercial business district. Dining halls are wide and spacious, in both the first and second floors. The lights? Lovely. Decorations? Exquisite. The counter, the floor and the walls are filled with elaborate touches making up for an upscale theme. It’s essentially like eating at a rich aunt’s home. M Café is bright, personable and compelling as a restaurant serving Asian food with a twist. Outside, tables, stools and a bar counter with alcoholic drinks displayed set the mood for the nightlife.

    The Museum Café extends to Kabila, another Raintree Restaurant, on the other side of the room. Kabila is a Filipino bistro which occupies the space formerly known as the Ayala Museum gift shop.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    One star went away because I witnessed how a couple of customers walked out of the restaurant after not being heard or seen when calling the servers’ attention. It was very early in the morning and they were among the first customers who entered after me. Most staff were stationed at the counter area fronting the entrance only adjacent to where the customers were seated. This was probably why notice was not given immediately within supposed waiting time.

    When the space became busier later, the servers were spread around the place. They delivered food and drinks with speed. I hope they show the same attentiveness and grace to heighten any diner’s experience anytime.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    M Café tops its Pancakes (PhP 250) and Waffles (PhP 250) with ripe mangoes, watermelon and granny smith and serves them with maple syrup, butter and peanut butter. These are staple breakfast items that are good for sharing because they’re heavy on the stomach. They’re buttery, crusty on the outside and still soft and hot on the inside. I tried drizzling peanut butter onto the waffles and pancakes for the first time and the result was so good, surprisingly. Peanut butter as a substitute was a little more sophisticated than the usual maple syrup or butter. If you find yourself trying to decide between the two, let me help you make that decision—get the waffles, please. 🙂

    Impeccably presented, the M Benedict came in two variations: Jamon Excellente (PhP 375) and Smoked Salmon (PhP 375). Both were served with poached egg, hollandaise arugula and grilled cherry tomatoes. These were certainly interesting as the combined tastes of the fresh ingredients worked very well together. The Jamon Excellente reminded me of Christmas. The dry cured ham was above average. Still, I thought the smoked salmon was better. One bite did more than getting the job done for me. The taste of salmon stood out and hands down, it was delicious.

    The Anise Scented Beef Congee (PhP 295) arrived hot in a bowl with flavorful and hearty broth that’s almost creamy except there was no cream added. Not too thick, the beef congee was tasty and had the right amount of salt. I felt glad that not a lot of meat was put into it, else it would ruin the simplicity of this good comfort food.

    Topped with spring onions, shiitake mushrooms and shimeji mushrooms, the Hainan Chicken Noodles (PhP 350) was a modest-looking dish but tasted far more vibrant than it looked. The chopped chicken was gloriously moist, swimming in the noodle soup that tasted good even without the chicken meat. This course may not be exactly what you’d expect to crave here at the Museum Café, but the hot soup is a good choice to find warmth on a cold day.

    Accompanying our orders of the congee and noodles, the option to choose among three pieces of siu mai, shrimp dumplings or shark’s fin was given. We had the siu mai and the shrimp dumplings. The siu mai consisted of plenty of pork goodness waiting inside, while the shrimp dumplings (har kow) got points for being especially good as they were very dense and stuffed to the brim with tasty shrimp meat. Yummy! 😀

    Finally, we found ourselves queuing up to the Omelette Station. We watched as the staff cooked and prepared the omelette according to the ingredients we dictated. Mushrooms, bell peppers, leafy greens and onions were available. Cheese can also be added per request. I wondered why it took long before the omelette was done. The scrambled egg came out moist and soft. I liked it but wouldn’t order it more than once. I mean it was nothing different and spectacular.

    Take a look at Museum Café’s breakfast menu here.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    For all our orders, the portions were just right. Food tastes and textures were good but not enough to have me neither eye-rolling nor heart-clutching for being extra pleased. Prices are considerably high so I’d recommend Museum Café if you want a spot for a big group outing (e.g.  birthday dinner or celebration variety). This is also a nice restaurant to bring a date. You’ll be sure to enjoy a special meal with great decor and an innovative menu in a homey/romantic atmosphere.

    ‪#‎willexploremakati‬ ‪#‎makatirestauranttour2014‬ #‎raintreerestaurants‬ bloggers

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.facebook.com/raintreemcafe” name=”Museum Café ” description=”Ayala Museum Complex, Makati Avenue, corner Dela Rosa St., Makati City, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact +632-757-3000, +632-757-6000, +632-391-4197″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-15″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Ensure Acti M2 Mind and Body Challenge 2014 (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)

    Ensure Acti M2 Mind and Body Challenge 2014 (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)

    This was a good and timely break from all the food events I had attended in the same week. Thanks to Franc, my mom, friend and I got the chance to lace up our running shoes once again for the Ensure Acti M² Mind and Body Challenge 2014 last Saturday at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The run was a success, with Ensure in partnership with FOX International Channels and BGC. It was a combination of a fun run and some interesting fun challenges in one great event.

    I knew I should have gone to bed earlier the night before the run to sleep the optimum hours and fuel my body with energy. But I couldn’t do that because I came from the KTG Mooncake Festival + Dice Game and reached home nearly at 10PM. A bit of worry also crept in, since I didn’t prepare intentionally and specifically for the 3k run. I couldn’t just cram physically! Anyway, I just prayed that my daily stretches and workouts would be enough not to shock and stress my body so much during the event.

    My mom and I woke up at 4AM and left home at 5AM. An hour later, we were at the venue and received our race kits from Franc. Immediately, we changed outfits and got ready. Ensure booth attendants welcomed us to engage and try the Word Search, Labyrinth, Guess-timate and the Physical Strength Challenge (with free tasting of the Ensure Acti M² milk.

    The Ensure Acti M² is formulated to supplement the diet. It is free of gluten and is suitable for individuals with lactose sensitivity. It’s great for adult nutrition and I love the taste of vanilla-flavored milk. 🙂

    Ensure Acti M² Mind and Body Challenge 2014 (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)

    To warm up, we joined other participants in a short-minute exercise led by two dance leaders on the stage. And before we realized it, the run had started with no break in between. It was a sterling day, with good temperature and a nice breeze (but more sun than I expected at 6:45AM).

    The 3k Ensure Run Route

    The first 500 meters were a cinch. We stopped by a water station, drank one cup of cold water and continued running without feeling pressured. I ran at my own pace but stopped every so often to wait for my mom behind. While walking briskly to let her catch up, I admired the clean views in BGC. Not long after, we came across inflatables and tried one of them. It was crazy fun! :mrgreen: I was smiling all the way since it was my first time to go through the inflatable obstacle as an adult.

    pic credit: francramon.com

    Also part of the mind challenge was the Spot the Differences Challenge. Runners were to count the differences between two Ensure posters and decide which path to take on. We got the correct answer so we did not need to swing on the monkey bars. The final obstacle was the labyrinth. We worked our way through it easily and were just so darn excited upon seeing the finish line ahead.

    So this was where it ended…and started.

    All finishers received a loot bag from Ensure. Yay! 😀

    Wrap Up

    The Ensure Acti M² Mind and Body Challenge was not hard; it was accessible to people of varying fitness levels. One didn’t necessarily have to be a pro runner or even particularly fit to successfully complete the course. I felt so happy and proud of my mom because she made it! *cheers* The voice inside her head didn’t give up easily. She allowed her mind to be right until her body realized it was wrong.

    In the end, she boasted that she’s stronger than Mommy Osie of The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition Doubles. Huh? Mommy Osie finished 21k and that’s not actually comparable to what we achieved in this run. Here’s me hoping we’ll get to that also next time! 😀

    To those who haven’t tried joining a fun run: Know that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Almost all challengers sprinted until they could run, run until they could only jog, and jogged until they could only walk. The biggest hurdle is most probably overcoming the fear of the unknown and participating in a fresh, unique event where the outcome is uncertain and the challenges are not described in detail prior to the event. Well, participating is the only way to find out. 🙂

  • Review of Namaskar Vegetarian Café (Caloocan City)

    Review of Namaskar Vegetarian Café (Caloocan City)

    One of my dad’s long-time friends had invited us to the opening of Namaskar Vegetarian Café in Caloocan City last September 8, 2014, Monday. Luckily, I was on vacation leave that day so I was able to join them for dinner. Food being served at this new establishment is sentient (sattvik) vegetarian that’s good for the body and mind promoting higher consciousness. For that, Namaskar Vegetarian Café has our undivided attention—and there are more reasons why you should be excited, too.

    Review of Namaskar Vegetarian Café (Caloocan City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Namaskar Vegetarian Café owners Butch Lazaro (Amitavha), Jesus Gayatao (Jayadeva), Iris Amit-Gayatao and Ricardo Bacani Jr. (Ranjan) firmly believe that the right time has come when vegetarians no longer need to be relegated to the side dishes. More and more health-conscious folks are in the search of a hang-out place where they can gather up and engage in nightlife activities minus the drinking, smoking and other social vices. At this café, there’s a total counter-culture which is different from traditional, old-fashioned, static night bar and restaurant.

    Namaskar Vegetarian Café features live bands playing different themes and genres of music (i.e. sentimental, blues, new age, tribal fusion, jazz, etc.) using modern style of instruments to set an upbeat and vibrant mood. The quaint and charming ambiance will delight everyone as pure positive vibration enhances relaxed, peace and serene state of mind.

    The interior design of the dining area is decorated simply with artsy paintings hanged on the wall and elegant lights draping from the ceiling for almost every table. All eyes turn to the band in front or at the kitchen counter where orders come out.

    It’s worthy to mention that Namaskar Vegetarian Café transforms into a yoga classroom during the day. All dining chairs and tables are moved out and are replaced with yoga mats. At max, the venue can accommodate 16 learners in one session.

    Service: ★★★★★

    We experienced fast and efficient service on the first day, and hopefully that can remain consistent when more customers visit the restaurant in the months to come. The staffs here are trained to showcase a positive vibration to guests, so you can rest assure that they will do their best to serve you in the friendliest and most graceful way they know how.

    Aside from food, Namaskar Vegetarian Café also conducts yoga sessions. Their style is “fusion yoga,” which is a combination of yoga postures/poses from different yoga disciplines/styles though mainly influenced by tantra system of yoga (the oldest and the main origin of all branches/school/discipline of yoga system).

    A day at this café starts not with meals but with three hourly yoga sessions: 6AM-7AM, 7AM-8AM, and 8AM-9AM. This is because they believe that exercises (and not only healthy food) should be integrated into our lives’ daily routine to achieve a higher state and sense of existence and attain the optimum level of physico-psycho and psycho-spiritual development. I was like “wow” upon hearing it. It’s the first time we’ve encountered a café offering both food and yoga together.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    It’s time to talk food. Since it was their soft opening, they presented a “soft opening menu” to us, and we ordered almost everything written on it. Everything at Namaskar Vegetarian Café is made to order and delivered directly to your table.

    First on the lineup were the Shanghai Rolls (PhP 50), which were tender and full of flavor. I bet that even non-vegetarians will want to bite into these freshly fried rolls with shell breaking off in crispy, golden-brown shards to a hot center of the veggie meat filling. So, order it with confidence!

    The Seaweeds Fritter (PhP 50) consisted of seaweed blocks which were light, crispy and melt-in-the-mouth good. It’s deep-fried seaweed having a uniquely dry and flaky texture, much like those seasoned seaweed Japanese snacks.

    The Spinach Salad (PhP 69) was basic and refreshing. It was just made with a handful of baby spinach leaves and some olives. Taste was original and excellent even without the soy sauce with honey dressing. I prefer adding pine nuts, corn kernels and walnut halves.

    Next, the pastas. We tried the three available pastas by Namaskar, and I’m sad to report that 3/3 didn’t pass my taste test. The Pasta Arrabiata (PhP 90) lacked in spice and taste when I was expecting that the Arrabiata sauce in the pasta should be wickedly spicy and cooked with savory garlic, tomatoes and red hot chili peppers.

    Similarly, their Ziti (PhP 120) was bland and forgettable. Was this because I’m not a fan of pasta with white sauce? Quite possibly. My mom liked this pasta dish most among all food on our table.

    I’m not going to lie. The Celestial Spaghetti (PhP 90) wasn’t too salty or sweet, and that’s okay but the sauce also lacked in the flavor department and seasoning level. I would want it to be bolder and brighter with some added sweetness in the form of carrots. Advancing my hope further, my ideal vegetarian spaghetti consists of a bevy of vegetables including broccoli and mushrooms simmered in tomato sauce until gently cooked and then napped over al dente spaghetti.

    Moving on, we also sampled their Honeygoose Sandwich (PhP 40) and Banana Blossom Burger (PhP 69). I didn’t get to try the Honeygoose Sandwich, so you may base judgment on the picture below. On the other hand, the Banana Blossom Burger (puso ng saging patty) is a no-meat burger that you will praise for keeps. Whatever the reason, this needs to be on your table.

    Oregano Juice (PhP 65) looked also interesting on the menu so we ordered a glass of it. It was made with highly aromatic extract of oregano, and bits of oregano leaves can be seen on top. The drink was mixed with honey and it was really good.

    Price for Value: ★★★★★

    While the food should most definitely be the reason to keep patrons returning, I think what we liked the most about Namaskar Vegetarian Café is that it’s the antithesis of every other restaurant we typically find ourselves in. It’s not the coolest thing you’ll come across, and there are no culinary trends on display. Nonetheless, it’s great to have a relaxing meal that’s guaranteed to be healthy. For food that are cooked and prepared with mantra and love, prices are reasonable and are very friendly on the wallet.

    Watch out for more updates on their menu very soon! 🙂

    Owners inspired to serve humanity by spreading awareness on health and wellness

    If you’re wondering about the rates of yoga sessions, take a quick look here:

    • Free – first session (trial)
    • PhP 250 – walk in
    • PhP 2500 – 10 sessions for two months
    • PhP 3000 – Unlimited sessions for one month
    • PhP 4000 – Unlimited sessions for two months
    • PhP 5000 – Unlimited sessions for three months

    How to go to Namaskar Vegetarian Café

    1. If you’re coming from EDSA South-bound (Cubao), take a bus ride going to Monumento/MCU, alight at SSS Caloocan (a kilometer away from Balintawak bridge), take the footbridge across the other side and from the left you will see and find Namaskar Vegetarian Café just beside Chinabank.

    2. If you’re coming from LRT 1 South-bound (Baclaran) alight at Monumento terminal and take a jeep ride going to MCU ikot SSS. Get off before the jeep make a u-turn to SSS. Walk a little bit around 100 meters and to the right you’ll find NAMASKAR Vegetarian café just beside Chinabank. Direction same as if you’re coming from Samson road or McArthur highway.

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