Breakfast on the Streets

Oh honey!!! THE Honey Garlic Chicken

Nothing quite beats having a good, hearty breakfast after a tiring graveyard duty. That's why I feel super lucky to work in a place neighboring Kanto Freestyle Breakfast. The first time I went here, I was surprised with how 'cowboy' the ambiance is. It is literally set right on the streets with plain seating areas with its order counter reminiscent of a sari-sari store/carinderia. Recently though, it has undergone renovation and is transferred temporarily on the adjacent street.

What surprised me more is the food! The presentation is adorable and the taste is to die for! My all-time favorite is their Honey Garlic Chicken (₱95). Semi-sweet, garlicky fried chicken paired with creamy lemon dipping sauce. So good!

Their new New Zealand Beef Tapa

Another one of their best-sellers is the New Zealand Beef Tapa (₱110). Savory tapsilog with fresh red tomatoes with a lil bit of pesto sauce. They recently changed their tapa supplier (I think) and though the new one is still delicious, we like the previous better.

Their pancakes are also a must-try! I highly recommend these two: Goya Chocnut Ganache and Oreo Cookie Butter (₱95 each). 

Just like the name, their Goya Chocnut Ganache is a mouthful! Huge dollop of chocolate ganache over homemade pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and sprinkled with Pinoy-pride Chocnut bits. I salivate by mere sight of this work of art.

Clockwise: Deep-fried Oreos, Oreo Cookie Butter
Pancakes, & Goya Chocnut Ganache Pancakes

Do not be scared of their Oreo Cookie Butter. Yes, it sort of looks like asphalt placed on top of pancakes but trust me, it's really good! I love the uniqueness of the dish and that despite the ingredients, it's not too sweet! 

Their Deep Fried Oreos (₱60) are also good! However, I like the ones in Flaming Wings (with ice cream and all) more.

It's really hard to resist when a colleague says, "Tara, Kanto!" (*English Translation: "Let's go to Kanto!") because you know you'll get value for your money. They have added 12% VAT to their menu prices which saddens me but hey, all's still good. It's definitely worth coming back to. 

Rating: 4.25/5

-Martha

Location:

Kanto Freestyle Breakfast - 549 San Joaquin Street, Plainview, Mandaluyong City

Chef

As a foodie, I've tried not only interesting places to eat but also enjoy just about anything food-related. TV and films are on that list. My interest ranges from cooking shows like Barefoot Contessa up to animated movies (even fake food is appetizing!) like Ratatouille.

Chef is a 2014 film written, produced, directed by and starring Jon Favreau. The story revolves around Carl Casper, a celebrated chef in a popular gourmet restaurant. But when a notorious food critic gives him one bad review and Casper subsequently learns the power of twitter, all hell breaks loose. He loses his job, gets a viral meltdown video (which is fantastic, by the way), and finds that he has to start over from scratch. 

It's an adorable comedy-drama about taking a journey, rediscovering the passion for work, and valuing the people around you. I like the sincerity of the characters and that modern day techie applications are put to good use here. Plus, I love the smidget up-close scenes when mouth-watering dishes are featured!

Chef is the kind of movie that makes you hungry and satisfied at the same time. :)

-Martha

Mex It Up!

After watching the latest film on Cinderella, we had an uber filling lunch (Burp! Oof... can still feel them beans) at Mexicali. 

Truly a mouthful!

The colorful nook is conveniently near the theaters and can seat around 25 persons. Ate Faye had their Chicken Enchilada for ₱194. Corn tortilla stuffed with pulled chicken meat, drizzled with *mole sauce and served with Mexican rice, salsa, and greens. Aside from the mole, she liked the whole enchilada. Pun intended. ;)

I ordered their Combo 5 (Please don't judge me! I shared. Haha.) which comprises one burrito, an order of garlic quesadillas, and drink for ₱304. I chose the chicken burrito which had all the works in it... Rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and chicken wrapped in a lightly grilled wheat flour tortilla. Every bite was divine. Like the enchilada, it was juicy and flavorful.

An array of quesadilla, tortilla chips, and burrito

The quesadillas were phenomenal. We'd definitely come back for these cheesy goodness. 

We had difficulty finishing everything though since we were easily sated, perhaps with all the carbs going on. I'm pleased to know that we can avail good Mexican food for an affordable price.

Now that's a wrap!

Rating: 3.75/5

-Martha

Location:

Mexicali - 4F, The Block, SM City North Edsa, Quezon City

*mole (Spanish). noun. ancient word for 'mix'; now mostly refers to a variety of sauces (often a dark red/brown color) from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Team Tim Ho Wan?

Tim Ho Wan is one of last year's most reviewed restaurant in the country. Being a person who hates falling in long lines, I've often strolled past the place, wondering about their famous pork buns. Until recently, I tested my patience and finally got inside! Better late than never, right?

My sister and I were one of the first to be seated but it soon got cramped! Our table was small, the place was packed, and servers were being summoned from left and right. Again, we waited quite awhile for our food to be served. I felt excited though when I took my first bite of their Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (₱145). Three pieces of crisp, flaky, soft baked bread with pork filling. I really liked it. It was delicious but the taste, which reminded us of cold-cuts asado, wasn't entirely new to us. 

Clockwise: Wasabi Prawn, BBQ Pork Buns,
Vermicelli BBQ Pork, and Beancurd Skin Roll w/ Shrimp

I was very disappointed with the Beancurd Skin Roll with Shrimp (₱140) since it looked and tasted dry. I couldn't help compare it with its counterpart in Causeway which is way better! In contrast, their Vermicelli Roll with BBQ Pork (₱160) was soggy and gooey. Not a fan of those two. Sorry.

What we loved was the Wasabi Salad Prawn Dumplings (₱140). It had a crunchy wrap with juicy prawn goodness inside. Wasabi sauce was drizzled on top, giving it an extra pow! Their Cold Barley Water (₱50) was also refreshing.

For my verdict, Tim Ho Wan is an upscale version of other dimsum-serving Chinese restaurants. We ordered a few (and some unsatisfactory) items but adding the service charge and 12% VAT, our total bill was too pricey. I understand that it was a busy time but the service was a let-down since we had to follow-up most of our orders, as well as the bill (only to find it wrong!). We were eager to dine here but it didn't live up to the hype.

Rating: 3/5

-Martha

Location:

Tim Ho Wan - Upper Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City North Edsa, Quezon City

Welcome to the Club!

Rice is an essential part of the Filipino meal. I can't imagine my life without it. Seriously. So when I heard of the restaurant Kanin Club, I just. had. to. try. it.

One sunny day, I finally did with my sister and cousin Brian. The place had the traditional Pinoy vibe with their wood and rattan furnitures. However, we opted to have our lunch on the open seating area outside UP Technohub to catch the breeze. 

Clockwise: Aligue Rice, Vegetarian Delight,
Crispy Dinuguan, & Gambas con Kabute

First off, we had their Gambas con Kabute (₱360) which was a slightly spicy dish comprised of button mushrooms, shrimps, and white onions. I liked it but my two companions found it a tad too salty.

I guess we were on a mushroom roll 'cause we also had their Kanin Club's Vegetarian Delight (₱290) which had 3 kinds of mushrooms sauteed with tofu and banana blossoms. The blossoms gave it this overwhelmingly sweet taste which I wasn't a fan of.

What made a big hit on all three of us were the Aligue Rice (₱165), a steaming bowl of rice dolloped with crab fat (hypertensives, beware!) and their famous Crispy Dinuguan (₱274), a must-try! Unlike the usual recipe with bits of soft, chewy *lamang-loob, their version was made of chunks of very crispy, pure pork meat. It had the spicy-sourness I always look for in dinuguan so high marks for that.

The service was tedious because there were many diners that time. But I'm happy to have this as our first Filipino cuisine blog entry. I don't know why it took us so long but I promise to feature more next time! :)

Rating: 3.75/5

-Martha

Location:

Kanin Club - Ground Floor, UP Ayala Technohub, Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

*lamang-loob (Tagalog). noun. animal organs.

Tuan Tuan - Chinese with a French Twist

My girl friends and I were exploring the new building in SM Megamall the other day and were enticed to try a number of new restaurants. But Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie's cozy, sophisticated ambiance lured us instantly inside.

The vintage trinkets on the walls, crystal chandeliers hanging everywhere, and a faux indoor garden at the back made the room a feast for the eyes. It's not your typical Chinese resto with woods and reds.

We ordered their Steamed Halibut with Chili and Garlic (₱468). The fish was tender and flavorful with just a hint of spice. We only wish they'd removed the bones as there were quite a few.

We also had their Special Noodle Soup Combo of Laksa*, Sliced Cuttlefish, Fish Ball, Hofun + Deep Fried Fish Fillet + Choice of Drink (₱518). Thick, slurpy noodles, milky, curry soup, and yummy seafood toppings. It was the best laksa I've had so far!

The deep fried fish fillet (cream dory I believe) was really good also. It went well with the tangy mayo dip. As for the free drink, the options were HK style coffee or HK lemon tea. The lemon tea was quite strong for my taste but I admire that they served it in a metal mug so as to keep it cold. 

Lastly, we had their House Special Trio on Rice (₱398) which had 3 sections: The sweet orange part was pork chop (I highly suspect some honey in there), the green middle was wild mushroom which tasted like pesto, and the white one was baked seafood- my favorite among the three.

The dishes are a bit pricey but considering their serving size, which filled 4 of us, it's justified. The servers were attentive but as diners began to pile in, they got busy that it took awhile to get our bill. Nevertheless, we really enjoyed our stay there. There were things pleasantly introduced to our palates. Props for the Chinese fused with French cuisine concept.

Rating: 4/5

-Martha

Location:

Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie - 3F, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City

*laksa. noun. a popular spicy noodle soup in the Peranakan cuisine.

Hanamaruken's Hadouken

Ramen is one of my comfort foods. A good bowl of noodles and savory soup can warm up anyone's day. So when my sister asked me to try Hanamaruken Ramen, I was totally game. 

I love the look and feel of the place from their wooden seating and blue Japanese accents up to the upbeat ethnic music playing in the background. It's like being transported to Osaka where it was founded in 1983.

We had an order of their Gyoza (₱150) which was more than satisfactory. The chewy, juicy dumplings had a hint of ginger, hence, giving it a fresh aftertaste.

Ate Faye and her evident egg addiction! :)

Next served was their Spare Ribs Ramen (₱390). I had deja vu upon taking my first sip... It reminded me of Narcissus Stewed Pork since the slow-cooked meat tasted similar to the in-can favorite. The tonkotsu broth was very flavorful. My Ate added aji tamago (₱50) since she's crazy about eggs (Me not so much especially when it's soft-boiled).

The Drunk Man Rice Bowl (₱240) was clearly the hadouken (a Street Fighter reference. Y'all 80-90's kids know what I'm talking about ;)) in our lunch. It was the strongest dish by far with its sweet and spicy pork on a bed of rice and fried egg, likely sobering up a drunk man. You need not be drunk to appreciate it though. It's sooo good! Will definitely come back for more and perhaps try their signature Happiness Ramen next time.

Rating: 4/5

-Martha

Location:

Hanamaruken Ramen - 2F TriNoma Mall, North Triangle, Quezon City

Korean Buffet @ Don Day

As a prequel to Ate Faye's birthday, we decided to try one of the many food stops at Maginhawa Street, Q.C. We originally planned to go to Van Gogh is Bipolar but it's closed during Tuesdays so we went to our 2nd choice, Don Day Fresh Restaurant.

First impression: The place was smokin' (literally!) from the grills. We humbly suggest they do any of the following:
a. Place more/better exhaust units, b. Use smokeless grills, or c. Make it open-spaced as I've seen in many Koreanovelas. Personally, I'd choose option C. I'd love to dine in the streets with perhaps just a tent above me, eat authentic Korean barbecue to my heart's content, and drink *soju.

For the meat lovers. :)

Their meat-all-you-can and buffet are priced at ₱299 (pork only) and ₱399 (pork and beef). Drinks are not inclusive so there's additional ₱50 for bottomless iced tea. Frankly, once cooked, you can hardly tell the difference between the beef and pork so I guess the pork package is the smarter way to go.

The buffet items were fewer compared to other eat-all-you-can chains such as Yakimix, Dad's, etc which I attribute to them sticking to the Korean theme. The number of appetizers, condiments, and desserts tasted average. What we did love is the *samgyeopsal itself. I liked pairing the meat with kimchi and veggies. Really good.

Be prepared to go home smelling like grill-smoke so you might want to think twice about wearing anything too dressy. What mattered though is at the end of the day, we were full, and we had fun with many photo-op moments courtesy of their cheerful servers. The concept of the restaurant is nice and there's still plenty of room for improvement.


Rating: 3.25/5

-Martha

*samgyeopsal. noun. Korean dish consisting of thick slices of non-marinated pork traditionally grilled by diners themselves.
*soju. noun. Korean vodka.

Slap-Your-Own Cakes

Ate Faye treated me to brunch recently at Slappy Cakes. The place was bright with their orange and wood scheme. We were seated at a booth with a covered skillet and ordered pretty quickly since we had only one hour to spare. Waiting time gave us a chance to re-think our orders though. The maple and mango syrups plus the array of cooking wares displayed on our table invited us enough.

We decided it was taboo to come to Slappy Cakes and not try what they're famous for: Their make-it-your-own pancakes. So we asked the friendly crew to wrap up Ate's original choice, Mom's Chicken Stew (₱290) which she said later on tasted okay, for takeout instead. Then we readily agreed on having Buttermilk Pancakes with Bacon (₱305). Oooh.

You can choose from their various batters (buttermilk, whole grain, peanut butter, vegan, chocolate) and fixins/toppings (i.e., chocolate chips, fruits, mushrooms, sausages, whipped cream) to personalize your cakes. In retrospect, we should have been more creative and made all kinds of shapes with the easy-squeeze bottled batter. Anyway, we had a blast making and of course, eating them! My only comment is that the buttermilk batter was a bit salty for my taste.

(L-R) Pork Belly Benny and Cranberry Cooler

We also shared a plate of Pork Belly Benedict (₱350) which is two poached eggs over pork belly and a couple of small disk pancakes topped with lovely Hollandaise sauce served with baked potato chunks. We love this version of eggs benny. Though I wish their pork belly had less strip of fat.

Ate had the Cranberry Cooler (₱190). The slight bitterness from the grapefruit and tang from the cranberry cuts through the savory dishes. Very refreshing.

The make-it-your-own slappy cake experience was definitely the highlight of our day. We'd like to go back and play with our food more.

Rating: 4/5

-Martha

Location:

Slappy Cakes - 2F The Block, SM North EDSA, Quezon City

Spice It Up at Chili's

Lately, I've been hooked like a seven-year-old to this online food-serving game called Papa's Taco Mia. So I was living the dream when we decided to go to Chili's for a night out with the girls. 

Chillin' with Erika, Lei, and Ate Faye.

It's easy to spot with its plump red chili sign outside their doors. The place is young and bright with all the yellows and reds. We had a long time choosing from their menu which offered a variety of salads, steaks, desserts, and yup, alcohol. Eventually, we passed up on the enticing margaritas and settled for the ff:

As shown clockwise in the picture, we had the Bottomless Tostada Chips (₱340) which were very addictive paired with their house-made salsa. We only had one refill since we had a lot (and I mean, A LOT. Their servings are huge!) going on our plates.

Ate Faye had the Country-Style Pork Belly ((₱425). It was tender and served with vinegar-and-garlic dipping sauce, giving that homey vibe. Lei ordered the Chicken Enchilada Pasta (₱430) which was an interesting Southwestern take on penne pasta with grilled chicken, chipotle* cheese, pico de gallo*, and crispy tortilla chips. Erika's Grilled Pork Chops ((₱450) were similar to Ate's except for the sauce and meat part.  

Muy delicioso!

I guess it's safe to say that I had the winning dish that night. Their Chicken Club Tacos (₱385) covered my taco-gaming fantasies. Three taco wraps with juicy chicken breast, tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, bacon bits, rice, and black bean chili. Seriously. What more can you ask for?

Chili's may be on the pricey side but it's totally worth it. I love the Mexican flavors and the pleasant servers. By the end of our meal, we were stuffed. Burping. Immobile. We had a lot of take home leftovers. Here's a well-learned tip: SHARE. The portions, as I said, are huge so order a few things, split it, and enjoy!

Rating: 4/5

-Martha

Location:

Chili's Bar and Grill - 199 Sct. Fernandez, cor Tomas Morato Ave., Laging Handa, Quezon City

*chipotle. noun. smoke-dried jalapeno.
*pico de gallo (Spanish). noun. aka "salsa fresca". fresh, uncooked salad made from chopped tomato, white onion, and chili.

Tempurista

After dutifully tagging along while Ate Faye ran some errands one morning, I was rewarded with a scrumptious lunch at Tempura Japanese Grill. In retrospect, it's a bit ironic that we didn't order any tempura but it's fine since we snagged some great choices instead.

Uncle Sam's Maki (₱210) started our dining experience with a bang. Shrimp, mango, cucumber, and cream cheese bordered with rice and topped in bacon bits and mayo. It's like all good things rolled in one maki. So good! Arigatou gozaimasu, Uncle Sam (whoever you are) for creating this masterpiece.

Their Tori Teriyaki (₱215) was nice. Not the best we've ever tasted but it was nice. The chicken was moist and tender with just the right sweetness and smokey flavor from the grill.

Need to take a pic with my
new-found love,
Uncle Sam's Maki.

I was really craving for seafood, squid in particular, so I chose their Kaisen Sizzler (₱365) and was not disappointed. The platter consisted of generous chunks of tuna and salmon, clams, shrimp, and of course, squid with vegetables sauteed in a rich, savory sauce. Our orders didn't have rice yet so Ate had the Gomoku Chahan (₱75) which was fried rice and I had the Gohan (₱45) which was plain rice sprinkled with black sesame seeds on top.

Truth was, we couldn't make up our minds where to eat that day. Ate wanted rice and I wanted my squid so we went to the nearest restaurant that met both descriptions. The ambiance was unassuming and there was just one table occupied aside from us. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it so much. We walked in Tempura without any plans on doing another Japanese food review but walked out with every intention of doing one. We were pretty impressed.

Rating: 4.25/5

-Martha

Location:

Tempura Japanese Grill - GF Robinsons Place Manila, Adriatico St., Ermita, Manila

There's Something About Maria

Ever wonder why February's the shortest month of the year? It's because my zero love life says so. ^____^
Kidding aside, it actually has something to do with being the 12th month in the original Roman calendar. Not to geek you out or...

Anyway, for single peeps out there like me, why not celebrate the month of love through food? I found the perfect place to set the mood. Gayuma ni Maria has old rose walls embellished with quirky quotes, flowers, and fairy lights. There's even a 'naughty nook' where you can buy or have a laugh over aphrodisiac novelty items. For their menu, they have fun, creative names. My friends and I ordered their best-sellers.

We had Kiss Sabay Hug (₱165) as an appetizer which is chicken pork adobo and crisp lettuce to wrap it with. Nice one, I think. The lettuce did the trick, balancing the sweet-salty-sourness of the meat. Mia's Rock Me Baby! (₱285) was good. This hickory bbq pork ribs dish is typically served with macaroni salad but she asked to switch it for rice instead. Grace's beef caldereta called Secret Lovers was very flavorful.

Secret Lovers (P265)

I wasn't delighted with my choice: Afternoon Delight (₱195), an oil-based pasta with fresh tomato and chili pepper flakes. It tasted outright bland. On the other hand, Arianne and Erika said their Please Be Careful with My Heart (₱240), twice-baked garlic chicken, were too salty. I didn't really notice since my pasta left me yearning for any sort of taste.

So there were hits and misses with the food. And it's a bit pricey since their meals do not include rice yet. Concept-wise, Gayuma is spot on. I like that it's very Pinoy. I really wish they'd improve their menu and then it'd be perfect. That said, I enjoyed the experience. We had a lot of laughs and photo-op moments. It doesn't matter if you don't have that special someone. Bring your friends and family as your date and share the love.

Rating: 3.25/5

-Martha

Location:

Gayuma Ni Maria - 123 V. Luna Extension (near Maginhawa St.) Sikutan Village, Quezon City

The House You Want to Live In

Some things are just aptly named. Kudos to the owners of House of Lasagna... Just hearing it makes me crave the layers of goodness it promise. I want to sneak in their kitchen and hide there forever. Haha!

Lately, I've been frequenting the place (legally, mind you) with my best friend Mia. The ambience is simple with neutral palettes and warm lighting. The lovely smell of garlic and herbs as you enter is what lures you in. Just as expected, they specialize in lasagnas. So far, they're offering 10 different kinds. We've tried five and all are really good. Each one is served in sharing portions and served with a complimentary basket of unlimited garlic bread to wipe your plate clean. Yey!

Carbonara Lasagna and Lasagne Frederico

If you want to go classic, try their Beef or Chicken (₱200 each). They do not disappoint. The Lasagne Frederico, their priciest one for ₱400, is larger than the others. Mia and I agree, it somehow reminds us of pizza.

Our top marks go to their Seafood Lasagna and Carbonara Lasagna (₱250 each). Their Seafood has chewy bits of shrimp, clam, and fish in red sauce while their Carbonara is filled with bacon bits, mushrooms, and white sauce. I like that no matter which one you order, their pasta's cooked to perfection and stacked with generous helpings of flavorful sauces.

Their menu also has other pasta and non-pasta dishes like soups and steaks. You can also try their desserts such as cheesecakes and caramel flan. Personally, their lasagnas are enough to keep me coming back... Best ones I've ever tasted.

Rating: 4/5

-Martha

Location:

House of Lasagna - Eton Centris Walk, Quezon Ave., EDSA, Quezon City

Chatting at Jatujak

My Ate and I make it a point to try different cuisines. One afternoon, we chanced upon Jatujak (pronounced as "cha-tu-chak") and got to tick one item off our long list. It's a quiet, modern-meets-oriental place that serves Thai food.

We had the Pork Sate (₱180), an easy favorite. It's basically barbecue with this amazing sauce which was sweet and sour, with a kick of ginger, curry, and nuts. Next was the Shrimp Pad Thai (₱185). Flat, chewy noodles with stir-fried veggies, egg, shrimp, and ground peanuts. I was delightfully surprised by the fusion of flavors and was somehow reminded of our Pinoy lumpiang sariwa. Though we wish there were more shrimps in it.

Their Chicken Pandan (₱240), looks good but tastes like your average seasoned fried chicken. We weren't able to savor the pandan. For dessert, we got even more adventurous and ordered Iced Waterchestnuts with Coconut Milk (₱90). Ate Faye loves waterchestnuts but never had it as dessert. The nuts were covered in red sticky rice coating and the coconut milk was refreshing. You may ask for additional syrup to adjust the sweetness.

We got to catch up with our stories since we haven't seen each other in awhile. I must say, it's really nice trying new food with old company. So what's next on our list, sister dear?

Rating: 3.75/5

-Martha

Location:

Jatujak - 4F The Block, SM North EDSA, Quezon City

Rise and Shine!

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I can't agree more. And who says it's only good in the morning?

After a spur-of-the-moment zumba session (whew!) with friends at work, we went for lunch at this little heaven that serves breakfast all day long. Breakfast in Bed has the cutest interior with fancy headboards and plush chairs to give the diners literally the 'breakfast in bed' vibe. 

Longanisa rice meal. 108Php.

Each of us ordered a silog meal served with garlic rice, 2 eggs cooked however we wanted, atchara, and our chosen meat of tapa, tocino, longanisa, and chicken adobo. The overall taste of it was fine. We wished they gave a more generous serving of the yummy atchara though. We also tried their strawberry pancake with scrambled eggs for ₱108. It's a bit on the dry side and could've used more syrup and perhaps some real berries.

L-R: Me, AJ, Arianne, & Shiela

We all thought the place could improve their food further but ambience-wise, it's superb. It's dreamy, conversation-friendly, and relaxing. My friends and I had a great time dancing a few calories off that morning then re-gaining some a short while later. Haha!

I wouldn't mind waking up, leaving my real bed, and going back there.

Rating: 3.5/5

-Martha

Location:
Breakfast in Bed - California Garden Square, Mandaluyong City

Keeping in Touch

T: Lunch at Luz Kitchenette in Gapan
B: With cousins Ochie and Akie

Anytime we visit our relatives in the province is a happy occassion indeed. Martha and I, my mom, and a few aunts went to Nueva Ecija last week. We were there for only two days so I savored every minute catching up with my cousins, nieces, and aunts. We also enjoyed food we don't usually eat in the city like talangkang bukid, longganisa Cabanatuan, and the local delicacies: puto and suman.

They say that the Filipinos are known for their hospitality and I couldn't agree more. Who else but us would be delighted if a van full of people showed up at their doorstep and declared 'We'll stay here for the night'? Of course, our relatives were informed of our visit but you get my drift. Can't wait to see them again soon. :)

-Faye

Snack Attack (Part 2)

After the items we've mentioned last year, here's our new-found favorite munches:

1. Not the Philosopher

     Plato Wraps (pronounced as 'pla-to' like the Tagalog term for plate) originated from Dagupan City. Good thing their stalls are all over the country. Once we've taken a bite of their bestseller, Chunky Chicken, there's no turning back. Generous chicken spread and cucumber slices wrapped in grilled pita. Yummy, healthy, and affordable. They also offer a variety of palaman and pita breads.

*Price: ₱46.00 (big size)

 2. This Shake is Bananas
     Get a sweet dose of potassium at Saba Republic. Their shakes are made out of plaintains. You can have it paired with another fruit. Combinations I like are Banana Buko and Banana Mango. You can also have it plain. Either way, it's refreshing up to the last slurp!
*Price range: ₱39 to ₱55





3. Mochi Mochi

     Gavino's Japanese donuts are mm-mm good! Their dough made out of glutinous rice is chewier than your average donut. Their mochi balls (which are rice cakes with yummy filling inside) and mochi donuts have various flavors to choose from. Our faves are: Cream ball, Red velvet ball, Glazed donut, and Green-tea glazed donut.
*Price range: ₱15 to ₱25 for pon-de-balls
                        ₱29 to ₱39 for pon-de-rings

Will keep you posted for more snacks to attack!

-Martha

Location:

Plato Wraps - 2F Main Bldg., SM North Edsa, Quezon City

Saba Republic - Lower Ground Floor, Food Court, Bldg. A, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
Gavino's - Lower Ground Floor, Landmark, TriNoma, Quezon City

Going Bananas @ Banapple

I've always wanted to eat at Banapple ever since I drooled over pictures of their decadent pies on the net. It took years to finally realize that dream (I dunno why). And when I did just a week ago, it was everything I expected.

The ambience is very inviting. It is quaint and cozy with mosaic tables and a heavenly cakes display. It set the mood for a perfect dinner with my friends and Ate as we shared childhood memories and laughters.

The food is great from Jen's Bacon Fried Chicken Steaks with Milk'shroom Gravy (₱190) to Erika's Terrific Tuna Sandwich (₱140) which they kindly let me taste. ;) Ate Faye's Hickory Smoked Country Barbecued Ribs (₱200) is tender and moist. Its sweet, smoky bbq sauce marries well with the meat.

Lasagna Roll-ups ♥♥♥

I had the Lasagna Roll-ups (₱195) which, frankly, is good enough for two (which goes for all their entrees, really) but I happen to finish it anyway since it's so darn delicious. The tang of its cream cheese filling fights with the meaty (I suspect a hint of anchovies) tomato sauce and subdued by the delicate pasta wrapping. A mouthful of this is like a happy explosion of flavors. This made my favorite list, a worthy contender to Tender Bob's Baked Ziti.

Team Bacon

For dessert, Erika and I had a slice each of the famous Banoffee Pie (₱105). The layers of cream, toffee-drizzled banana slices, and crust are perfect. I like that it is sweet but not overly. Jen had something quite similar, the Praline Banana Cream Pie (₱110) but the bananas on hers are sweeter ergo the praline. Ate Faye was enticed by the Maple Pecan and Candied Bacon Holiday Cheesecake (₱130). It's both festive to the eyes and the stomach. I was skeptical with the 'bacon' bit but it turns out to be yummy! The nuts and sugared bacon adds crunch to the smooth and yummy cheesecake. A must-try.

We stayed there for hours, savoring our meals and chatting happily. You could say we went bananas. But hey, who could blame us?

Rating: 4.25/5

-Martha

Location:
Banapple - 2F Il Terrazzo Mall, Tomas Morato, South Triangle, Quezon City

Brunch at Fleur de Lys

T-B: Sweet Chorizo Hamonado, Garlic Tapa, Crispy Bacon

Strictly speaking, Fleur de Lys is a patiserrie and we (Erika, Lei, & I) came here to sample their cakes and pastries. But since we haven't had breakfast or lunch yet, we opted to have their 'Rise & Shine' menu first. A choice of breakfast-styled meat served with egg, garlic rice, and tomatoes. I tried the Sweet Chorizo Hamonado (₱178), Erika and Lei, the Crispy Bacon (₱163) and Garlic Tapa (₱168), respectively. All of us agreed that the meals were deliciously prepared but the serving was small and not one would call extraordinary. We shared a bowl of their Clam and Potato Chowder (₱135) as we are trying to make room for dessert.

Frankly, I'm not sure how we end up choosing our sweets because all of them looked mouth-watering. I'll try to do this justice:


Dulce and Gabanana (₱130mini)
Fresh banana tart with chocolate dulce de leche filling on gingersnap crust topped with whipped cream, caramel, and chocolate. Now, that is a mouthful. We all liked this but Erika (this was hers) concluded that the filling was good but Banapple's Banoffee Pie has a better crust. 

The Next Best Thing (₱135)
Warm chocolate cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Lei finally settled for this one. I don't know what it's supposed to be next best to because it's a star on its own. The chocolate cake is this warm, melt in your mouth thing accentuated (if that's even possible) by a creamy French vanilla ice cream. 

Nuts About You (₱125/slice)
Macadamia nut tart topped with pistachio ice cream. I had an easier time deciding than my two companions. I just went with the dessert with the most nuts. Nut lover that I am. One word to describe this: YUMMY! or maybe NUTTY! For me, this dessert alone is worth the trip. Definitely, a must try.

So, if you find yourself on a lazy Saturday with nothing to do, why not drop by at Fleur de Lys and have your taste buds awakened by these heavenly desserts? Happy Eating! :P

Over-all rating: 3.75/5

-Faye

Location:
Fleur de Lys - FLP Bldg., 305 Tomas Morato, South Triangle, Quezon City

Kabab around the Korner

Last weekend a couple of our friends asked Martha and I to have dinner at a restaurant they frequent. Willing to try something new, we agreed. It's called Kabab Korner, a middle-eastern themed place that specializes in kebab dishes. The place was airy and spacious with Arabian styled motif. It can accommodate about sixty people or more. We were easily seated as the place is not too crowded for a Saturday night. Here are some of the dishes we tried:

Baba Ghanouj

Grilled eggplant pureed along with garlic and tahina (a thick paste made from ground sesame seeds) and served with hot pita bread. This appetizer is superb. I love the mild but flavorful dip. Goes well with the simply prepared bread. A must try.

Price: ₱70.00

Special Kabab Plate

Beef chelo, grilled tomato, veggie salad (cucumber, onion, and tomato), over buttered rice. You also get to choose from a selection of kebab (beef, chicken, squid, shrimp, lamb, or fish). I chose their chicken while my companions, their shrimp. The chicken was tasty and well-seasoned. The shrimp was a little bland according to Martha. Because of the salad it doesn't feel too rich even though the rice is buttered. Well balanced dish.

Price: ₱165.00

Yogurt Milk Shake

Plain sour yogurt blended with milk, sweetener (I'm guessing here), and ice. At first I was not so sure about this but as we eat and have the shake wash our meals down, it made sense to have this as the complimentary drink.

Price: ₱60.00



We didn't order much the first time but I look forward to sampling their other exotic sounding dishes next time. :-p


Over-all rating: 3.75/5

-Faye

Location:

Kabab Korner - 33 Matalino St., Brgy. Central, Quezon City