A Not-So-Popular Kid | Personal Blog

I got inspired by a food guide book to try a little different here in my blog, and I'm testing the waters with this post.

I'm used to writing long posts with a lot of stories and personal blabbers, but here in this experiment I'm going to limit the focus on the basics and essentials of the restaurant. Hopefully, you'll drop some feedback on what you prefer more. Anyway, here goes the post on Tasty Dumplings.

The famous fried dumplings of Tasty Dumplings with Rice (P118)

Tasty Dumplings is a well-known casual Chinese restaurant originating in a busy street of Binondo, in Manila. It's really easy to spot this restaurant because it is located just beside the historic and iconic Binondo Church.

Interior of Tasty Dumplings in Binondo, Manila

Pork Chop Rice || P125

The best-selling Pork Chop Rice of Tasty Dumplings (P125)

Blogger Tips and Suggestions:

Lower your expectations on the quality of the service and the friendliness of the staff. I've dined here quite a few times already and the staff do not make you feel very much at home.
Go for the humungous but thinly pounded pork chop. You will most likely enjoy its crunchiness and the special sauce that goes along with this best-selling dish.
Try the sweet homemade Soya Milk of Tasty Dumplings (P38).
Try the dumplings, although I believe that it is just the sauce that makes the dumplings taste fine.
Go for the semi-affordable Hongma (P150) and Silver Roll Bread (P60) because these two are fantastic pairs!

More photos of Tasty Dumplings:

Hongma on top of Silver Roll Bread - Tasty Dumplings

Soya Milk, Winter Melon Juice, Hongma and Silver Roll Bread
Tasty Dumplings in a Sneak Peek

Star Ratings

Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★☆
Taste ★★★
Service ★★
Value for Money ★★★☆

Budget: P150 - P250 per head for a meal with a drink and perhaps a simple dessert

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Tasty Dumplings
Location: Norberto Ty St., Binondo, Manila (the street at the left side of the Church facing the altar)

Grand Launch at 60% off in Vikings Jazz Mall

It's time to prepare your tummy for something gastronomically grand! Vikings will be opening up its latest branch (the 6th) sometime in December 2014. In line with the spirit of Christmas and generosity, Vikings is giving out a huge chunk off the price for the eager beavers!

You can get as much as 60% off the regular buffet price! So, what are you waiting for? Tag your friends and get ready for this huge festivity!

Promo Mechanics are as follows:

As Vikings Luxury Buffet opens it's 6th branch in the Philippines, Vikings will be extending 60% off to the first 100 walk-in guests each during lunch and dinner.
The 101th guest and above will automatically receive 20% off.
Each guest who lines-up on the day will receive a coupon, this coupon will be used to claim the 60% off discount. Those with no coupons will automatically get 20% off.
Lost coupons will not be replaced.
Guests availing the 60% discount must be "physically present" until upon seating.
Discount is applicable on a per pax/individual basis.
This promo can't be used in conjunction with other in-house promotions or discounts.
This promo only available in Vikings Jazz Mall, Makati City.
This promo is available during the first 6 days of Vikings Jazz Mall's opening in December 2014 (to be announced).

Check out this blog post from time to time for the opening date! Of course, you may also like the page of Vikings to get the latest buzz about the buffet restaurant. Have a happy week to come!

The best dish of the night - Gyu Kushi of Izakaya Kikufuji!

A Story to Tell
With the quest of finding a good place to celebrate my mom's birthday, I decided to browse in the net and ask around. Then, my sister made the mission easier by suggesting Little Tokyo. I went to seek advise from my good friend, Keshia, and finally my quest came to an end as Izakaya Kikufuji ended up etched in my notepad-cum-planner.

Antiquated interior of Izakaya Kikufuji Japanese Restaurant

Izakaya Kikufuji
Nestled in a humble place called Little Tokyo, Kikufuji is a restaurant specializing on Japanese cuisine with an already established reputation.

The restaurant features a beautifully ornate ambiance that makes you feel like you are dining during the 80s or 90s which may be unintentional since it was actually built during that time. In fact, many foodies are suggesting a renovation for this restaurant because the equipment, design and interior are getting evidently older and perhaps outdated. Although I agree with a renovation, it might probably be better if the management retains the concept (i.e. ornate and authentic feel) because it adds up to the uniqueness of the dining experience.

Preparing some Japanese dish in Izakaya Kikufuji

A Japanese Feast

Now, of course, Kikufuji will not be as famous as it is today without the authentic Japanese dishes it serves. Shall we proceed with the exploration?

Kani Salad Special || P320

Fresh greens with mangoes, corn cobs, kani and fish eggs drizzled by a light dressing

The overly simplistic Kani Salad of Izakaya Kikufuji

Normally, I enjoy salads that possess a highly refreshing taste matched with supreme freshness. However, although these characteristics were found in this Kani Salad, I found it excessively simplistic (i.e. approaching but asymptotic to being bland) that killed off the spark.

On the other hand, it is important to note that based on the reviews of other foodies, the Kani Salad belongs to the top recommendations.

Spicy Tuna Maki || P240

Heavenly Spicy Tuna Maki of Izakaya Kikufuji

Heavenly Spicy Tuna Maki that Sparks up the taste buds!

This maki reminded me of the Spicy Toro Maki of Nihonbashi Tei, which is perhaps one of my favorite Japanese restos for maki and sashimi. It had this amazing kick and energizing crunch that will definitely spark up your dining experience!

Yaki Soba || P225

Yakisoba - a birthday noodles substitute for my mom's birthday!

Hmmm, this is perhaps the most forgettable dish I had during this dining experience. However, don't get me wrong, it wasn't awful. It just failed to keep at par with other great dishes served here in Kikufuji.

Chawan Mushi || P120

Kikufuji's own Chawan Mushi Creation!

With such a difficult benchmark to hurdle, this Chawan Mushi dulled in comparison with that of I had in Sugi Japanese Restaurant. It was buoyantly salty with lack of diversity in terms of flavors.

Spicy Tuna Sashimi || P280

Spicy Tuna Sashimi/Tartare of Izakaya Kikufuji

Having similarities with the Spicy Toro Sashimi of Nihonbashi Tei and Tempura Tuna Tartare of Teriyaki Boy, this Spicy Tuna Sashimi showed off a tandem of spicy-crunchy flavors that made the dish a must try!

Also, even if I might go for he Tempura Tuna Tartare or Spicy Toro Maki due to their better mix of flavor, the tuna of Kikufuji was evidently the freshest and fullest among the three.

Ebi Tempura (4 pcs) || P205

The affordable but overly bland Ebi Tempura

It was a bit heartbreaking that Kikufuji didn't bring much justice to one of the family favorites in the Japanese cuisine. The Ebi Tempura itself, although noticeably fresh at its peak, was almost tasteless, with the sauce failing to compensate due its overall blandness. Well, I'm not practically sure whether this is the "real Japanese way", but if it is, I think I might go with the way I'm used to.

Ton Katsu || P205

Affordable Tonkatsu of Izakaya Kikufuji in Little Tokyo

Honesty compels me to say that the Tonkatsu pales in comparison with that of the famous Katsu places here such as Yabu (to name one) in terms of tenderness and texture. However, given the price, I have to admit that the Tonkatsu of Kikufuji is more than decent and tasty enough! It was really a sulit dish for me!

Menchi Katsu || P180

The meatball-like Menchi Katsu - good but ordinary

Featuring a rather toasted flavor, this Menchi Katsu tasted a little more like an ordinary meatball. With this, I recommend the Tonkatsu above this.

Gyu Kushi (1 pc) || P125

The breathtakingly flavorful Gyu Kushi of Izakaya Kikufuji

Introducing, the King of Kings -- Gyu Kushi! This is perhaps the best dish of the night due to the bursting of majestic flavors in every bite. With its highly sensational taste, it awakened all my senses!

Enoki Bacon (1pc) || P52 and Tori Kawa || P40

Bacon-wrapped Golden Mushroom and Chicken Yakitori of Kikufuji!

The chicken was really fine but highly predictable. Hence, I suggest that you go for the Enoki Bacon or Bacon-wrapped golden mushroom instead, since it had a ticklish and playful strand-like texture and exciting smokey zest!

Gindara || P370

Gindara in Teriyaki Sauce of Kikufuji Restaurant

The perfect dinner ender - Gindara in Teriyaki Sauce!

To describe it simply, it was really amazingly fresh and tasty with its sweet smokey sauce sauce minus the fishiness (or "lansa")!

A Not-So-Popular Kid in Izakaya Kikufuji

Well, there you go! You've reached almost the end of this blog post, but before that, let me greet my mom again a Happy Birthday to immortalize a wonderful memory!

Izakaya Kikufuji Restaurant - Overall Ratings

Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★☆
Taste ★★★☆
Service ★★★
Value for Money ★★★☆

Budget: P450 and up per head for something similar to the ones above

Dining Tips and Highlights

Have a reservation to secure some seats here in Izakaya Kikufuji. Most of the time, they run a full-house.
Never miss the Gyu Kushi because that's the best I've tried so far!
Avoid the tempura, yakisoba, menchi katsu and chawan mushi, not because they tasted bad, but rather because they were mediocre relative to other dishes they serve here.
Go for the sushi, sashimi, yakitori and other grillables, since it seems like these are the specialties.
Never dine alone. Most of the dishes are for sharing, and of course, it is a way to try out more dishes at lower cost per person.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Izakaya Kikufuji
Location: Norberto Ty St., Binondo, Manila (the street at the left side of the Church facing the altar)

Reservation Number: (02) 893 6131

F1 Hotel Manila's cozy and comfy room interior

This 2014 is indeed one sheer of a roller coaster ride for me. It was this year when a lot of things happened in my life both in terms of challenges and victories. In fact, I hail this year as the ultimate turning point of my life where I began to fully assimilate myself into the viciously wonderful real world.

As I begin to ponder more about this year, I can't help but notice how fast the days seemed to go by, and there were times I felt like I was being swept away by the tide of time. However, this taught me how to really appreciate a temporary halt in our fast-paced lives. This is why when I was invited to check out F1 Hotel Manila, my inner self jumped for joy! At last, I can relax and have a time for myself.

The lobby of F1 Hotel Manila with a good view of the S&R and W Tower

Fiery & Frosty Holidays
The current theme of F1 Hotel Manila is perfectly aligned with the warm spirit of Christmas and the soon-to-be-cold weather of December -- hence "Fiery &Frosty", and I am here to share with you more about this.

F1 Hotel's Christmas Room Rate Promo

InclusionsBuffet Breakfast for two (2)1 hour in-room massage for two (2)Unlimited Broadband and Wi-Fi accessUse of swimming pool and gym facilitiesP1,800 worth of F&B credits
Promo is valid from December 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015
P7,800+Promo Rate

This holiday, F1 Hotel Manila is bringing you a great taste of Christmas for a more affordable rate! If you match the price with the inclusions, you will realize that the deal is a good one. Hence, if you want to celebrate the holidays the staycation-way, this is a fantastic candidate!

Living room and relaxation space of our room in F1 Hotel Manila

The room assigned to us had this warm interior with an amazing wood flooring. The overall ambiance instantly made me feel all cozy and relaxed.

The not-so-spacious but neat bathroom of our suite-like room

I believe that a bathroom should be a place of solitude (hence, the alternative name, "comfort" room), and hence must be in someway elegant and spacious. As a matter of fact, I often assess the "beauty" of a hotel through its bathroom. Now, honesty compels me to say that the bathroom of our hotel room just met the "okay" or "satisfactory" level of my personal standard.

Celebrating Christmas and 2015 in F1 Hotel

Christmas Eve Mass
Celebrate the Holy Eucharist on December 24, 2014, 5:00 pm at the Titanium Function Room

New Year's Eve Mass
Welcome 2015 with the Holy Eucharist on December 31, 2014 5:00 pm at the Titanium Function Room

New Year's Countdown
Witness fire dancing, DJ mixing and flare tending performances with free flowing drinks and pica-pica on December 31, 2014, 6:30 pm to 12:00 am of January 1, 2015 at the Canary Lounge. Ticket price is P1,500

Swimming Pool

A huge chunk of my criteria in evaluating a hotel goes to the swimming pool and spa facilities. I believe that these are the primary sources of relaxation and enjoyment in a hotel.

Wonderfully designed pool area of F1 Hotel Manila

The swimming pools of the hotel compensate for the unspectacular bathroom of the hotel. They may not be as huge as that of the other hotels, but for me they already are sufficient. In fact, I enjoyed swimming in the lapping pool. It was simple yet amazing!

The lapping pool of F1 Hotel Manila, Bonifacio Global City

Child-friendly pools of F1 Hotel Manila with an amazing view of the Bonifacio Global City

Now if you are not friends with the water, you may opt to enjoy the cool breeze as you finish reading a novel (or writing one, if you are that type of a guy/gal) in one of these:

Relaxation spaces in the pool area of F1 Hotel Manila

Dining and Buffet

If the way to your heart is through your stomach, you will also enjoy it here in F1 Hotel Manila. The dining spaces are simply elegant with minimalist yet modern designs.

F All Day Dining Restaurant in F1 Hotel Manila

The hotel packages here in F1 Hotel, just like other hotels, include a breakfast for two (2). There are no particular breakfast highlights, but most of the dishes here are good to fine.

I suggest that you try the lunch or dinner buffet here in F1 Hotel because they offer limited yet well-selected dishes!

Breakfast pastries in F All Day Dining Restaurant

Salad, appetizers and fruits section of the Breakfast Buffet of F1 Hotel Manila

There you go! I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek of F1 Hotel Manila and its Christmas offerings! Share your thoughts by commenting below.

Contact Information

F1 Hotel Manila is located at 32nd street, Bonifacio Global City. For more information about the hotel and reservation inquiries, you may call (02) 928-9888 or (02) 908-7888, or visit the website at www.f1hotelmanila.com.

Lunch Buffet in F All Dining Restaurant of F1 Hotel Manila

As you may have read in my previous post, "Experience Filipino Hospitality in F1 Hotel Manila of Bonifacio Global City", I was given the opportunity to spoil myself with a staycation. I gave an exciting sneak peek of the hotel in the said post, so you may want to check it out. Anyway, here in this blog post, I will focus on the lunch buffet of F1 Hotel's F All Day Dining Restaurant.

However, before we actually delve into the food here, let me share with you first about the Christmas Special F All Dining Restaurant is currently offering.

Christmas Special

Regular Buffet Rate for Lunch and Dinner as of 12/08/2014

P1,399+

Special Christmas Rates

December 24, 25, 30 and January 1 || P1,999 (inclusive of one glass of wine)

December 31, 2014 (Special Lunch) || P1,999 (inclusive of one New Year's Countdown Party Ticket)

December 31, 2014 (Dinner) || P2,999 (inclusive of one New Year's Countdown Party Ticket)

Stuffed Pork Belly with Arroz Valenciana and Christmas Boneless Chicken Galantina

Stuffed Pork Belly with Arroz Valenciana of F1 Hotel

Christmas Boneless Chicken Galantina of F1 Hotel Manila

Both of these dishes are exclusive only for this holiday season, and you may have the chance to try them when you avail the Special Christmas Buffets. However, I asked the Marketing Coordinator regarding the availability of these two dishes, and he said that you may still catch them on a regular lunch or dinner buffet by chance depending on the cycle of the menu.

In case these two become so evasive, and coincidentally you can't dine here during the said dates, you may still indulge on the pork belly and the chicken by ordering them here in the restaurant.

Christmas Boneless Chicken Galantina || P1,980

Let it be a hassle-free feast and dig-in to the Boneless Chicken Galantina. Imagine savory layers to be relished from beginning to end until you reach that satisfaction

Whole Christmas Boneless Chicken Galantina of F1 Hotel Manila

The first thing that hit me like a wave was the immensely rich sauce that had a subtly sweet and fruity essence. Next was the brushing of a ticklish combination of flavors coming from the juiciness of the chicken presumably form the tasty marinate that seeped into the dish.

Stuffed Roast Pork Belly with Arroz Valenciana || P2,200

Prepare for the lavishing ingredients of Arroz Valenciana that instantly linger on your taste buds and let the tasty meat of the perfectly roasted Pork Belly burst more flavors making you experience a piece of sumptuous Holiday

Stuffed Pork Belly with Arroz Valenciana of F1 Hotel Manila

This dish was simply top-notch with its incredibly juicy flavors that literally gave me that guilty pleasures! As a friendly foodie tip, eat this in moderation as it may be deadly tasty!

Salads

Generally, I found the salad fresh and the sauces ordinary to good. It was a nice way to start off my pig out here in the lunch buffet.

The salad station of F All Day Dining Restaurant

Since I was preserving the space of my tummy for other delights, I skipped some of the available salad, but just so you'll have an idea of what you can find here, let me share these photos.

Thai Beef Salad

The Thai Beef Salad in F All Day Dining Restaurant

Macaroni and Ham Salad

The Macaroni and Ham Salad

Seafood Vietnamese Salad

The healthy and presumably fresh Seafood Vietnamese Salad

Maki, Sashimi and Seafood

Philadelphia Maki

The interestingly flavored Philadelphia Maki of F Day All Day Dining

I found this maki incredibly awesome due to the harmony of the fantastic flavors coming from the sesame seed, salmon, kani, cream cheese and nori.

Salmon and Tuna Sashimi

Wonderfully Fresh Salmon and Tuna Sashimi - F1 Hotel Manila

Prepared in thick slices, the salmon was really fresh and fine evidenced by the taste and texture.The same is true for the tuna.

Oysters in the Lunch Buffet of F1 Hotel Manila

Fresh and Tasty Prawns in F1 Hotel Manila

The lovely fresh and tasty prawns!

Fresh Local Lobsters in F All Day Dining Restaurant

Local Lobsters at their finest!

Seafood galore in F All Day Dining Restaurant -- mussels and more!

Generally, all the seafood delights offered here in F All Day Dining Restaurant were fresh and incredibly tasty.

Baked Lobster and Mussels

Buttered mussels and lobster - magically tasty and fresh!

I had my lobster and mussels further cooked by the in-house chef of the restaurant, and they were amazing! Now, my friendly suggestion for you is to go for the lobsters! They were really good!

The awesome Chefs Billy and Martin of F1 Hotel Manila

Main Dishes

Here are the main dishes for the lunch buffet, and I honestly think that they were amazing.

Glazed Ham with Pineapple and Cherries

Sweet Glazed Ham with Pineapple and Cherries!

Christmas wouldn't be complete without the traditional ham, and so I was so happy seeing this on the buffet table! It had this sweet nostalgic flavor that further woke up the Christmas spirit within me.

Lengua with Corn and Mushroom

A Filipino-Spanish dish - Lengua with Corn and Mushroom

Another dish that you shouldn't miss here in the lunch buffet of F1 Hotel Manila is the Lengua with Corn and Mushroom. It was tremendously flavorful, creamy and tender!

Roasted Garlic Crabs

Roasted Garlic Crabs - a seafood delight!

Organic Lechon

Organic Lechon - that uberly tasty and juicy son of pork!

The organic lechon was also highly commendable because it will take you to a gastronomic ride with scrumptious tender meat with frequent spikes of potently salty taste as you chew along.

Roasted Salmon with Orange and Rosemary Beurre Blanc

Roasted Salmon with Orange and Rosemary Beurre Blanc

Roasted Salmon with zesty creamy sauce!

Seafood Marinara Pasta

Seafood Marinara Pasta

Prawn Tempura

A basket of tempura in F All Day Dining Restaurant

Seafood Paella

Satisfy your Filipino-Spanish cuisine cravings with this Seafood Paella

Chocolate Drink and Desserts

To top everything off, let's head on to the desserts! Are you ready?

Preparing the Batirol Chocolate Drink in F1 Hotel Manila

The Batirol Chocolate Drink of F All Day Dining Restaurant

Warm and semi-sweet batirol chocolate drink!

Even if the Batirol was considerably watery, it became an instant favorite the moment I had my first sip. It was simply awed by the subtle bitterness of the chocolate sweetened by maple syrup and made creamy with milk.

Brazo de Mercedes dessert in F All Day Dining Restaurant, BGC

The following cakes are available in the regular buffet from time to time; however, you may want to have one of these for your Christmas celebration at home.

Queso de Bola Cheesecake || P1,750

Classic zest of cheesecake empowered more with the distinguished kick of Queso de Bola, making this goodie a powerhouse dessert

Queso De Bola Cheesecake of F1 Hotel Manila

The overly awesome and epic cake of F1 Hotel Manila - Queso De Bola Cheesecake!

This cheesecake had this immensely bountiful potent flavors that really hit the right spots of your taste buds! The taste of the queso de bola was purely incredible and distinct making every bite sensational.

F1 Red Velvet Savarin || P1,430

Cream cheese frosting and mixed berries sprinkled all over this confectionary!

The upgraded Red Velvet Cake by F All Day Dining Restaurant

This special ring cake featured a controlled level of sweetness enhanced by the subtly creamy, salty and fruity sour frosting that blends well with the cake itself.

Pandan Log Cake with Baguio Strawberries || P1,500

Pandan leaves melted religiously to assure the perfect extraction of its aroma and chocolate frosted strawberries from Baguio are mixed together to produce this delectable masterpiece

Pandan Log Cake with Baguio Strawberries of F1 Hotel Manila

Although it was a little above my tolerable level of sweetness, this Pandan Cake was really something to fall in love with because of the playful pandan zest that simply sweeps you off your feet. The strawberry bits also added more taste to the already delectable cake!

Now, there you go my fellow foodie friends! I hope you enjoyed this feature on the lunch buffet of F1 Hotel's F All Day Dining Restaurant!

How about you - do you recommend this place?

F All Day Dining Restaurant
Location: F1 Hotel Manila, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City

Reservation Number: (02) 928 9888 or 908 7888

Ramen Nagi - Top Choice to satisfy Ramen Cravings in Metro Manila

The Birth of the Ramen Craze
If my memory serves me right, it was the latter part of 2013 when the Ramen Craze started to rock the food scene here in Manila. This, then, resulted to the rise of new ramen places one after another the following year (i.e. 2014). It was really crazy! Most people were really making a buzz out of it, to a point where you somehow become an outcast in every conversation when you haven't tried any of the recent ramen places.

An Outcast Kid
Now, despite being fully aware of this trend, I didn't feel compelled to try out and splurge on those newly opened ramen places. I was simply not that fascinated with the idea of ramen at all. With my preconceptions about how a ramen tastes and looks like, I felt like I had a reasonable basis to believe that this trend was just a subtle extortion scheme coated by glitz and glamor.

However, with the recent turn of events, that perspective took a profound 180° turn. I got hooked. Suddenly, I understood the reason behind the craze, because I, myself, got crazy!

Ramen Nagi in Greenbelt 3, Makati City

Ramen Nagi - A Place of Conversion
As briefly mentioned, I tried a couple of ramen places already and nothing made me believe that the dish deserves a craze, but that was all before I got to try dining here in Ramen Nagi, the Greenbelt 3 branch to be specific.

Ramen Nagi and it's royalty line up - The King Ramen series!

I entered the restaurant knowing that it was hailed as one of the top choices for ramen, but I was still quite hesitant whether it will leave out a fantastic impression. After all, I wasn't the ramen-kind-of-guy. Little did I know that there would be something magical in store for me.

After taking the first sip of the Green King's broth, I immediately felt a strong incomprehensible feeling towards the ramen. It was as if I met my soulmate or better yet a food-soulmate if there is such a thing. Yes, I'm not kidding. That was how I really felt deep inside. In fact, I'm hailing this as the best dish I've tried for this 2014.

The ramen dishes heredefinitely had this ultra rich flavor that brought me into a gastronomic bliss! Plus, the spiciness in each of the ramen added a layer of complex yet exhilarating flavor that made the lunch experience a total adventure!

Ramen Nagi's bustling interior - Greenbelt 3, Makati Branch

This was how I customized my Green King ramen. In case you don't know what to go for, you may want to mimic my choice.

Customize your ramen based on your preference here in Ramen Nagi

Original King (Butao) || P390

Award-winning tonkotsu pork-broth prepared in the traditional method, mouth-wateringly rich, fresh and aromatic; special handcrafted noodles and classic Nagi pork chashu

The classic Butao King Ramen of Ramen Nagi - simply amazing!

A closer look at the Butao King Ramen of Ramen Nagi

Black King (Kuroo) || P410

Fragrant blackened garlic and calamari ink in a silky broth with succulent chashu, finished with a ball of minced pork, black sesame and Nagi spices that are irresistably complex

The famous Black King Ramen of Ramen Nagi

A closer look at the Black King Ramen - prepare to get dirty!

Green King (Midorio) || P410

A marriage of fresh basil and olive oil with delectable tonkotsu borth in a truly unique combination; lavishly garnished with grated parmesan cheese and richly marbled chashu

The Green King Ramen - Basil + Cheese!

I don't want to spoil the surprise, so I'm leaving everything to you. Hence, my only friendly suggestion is for you to actually try the ramen. I'll be really eager to hear your thoughts regarding the place and the ramen!

Ramen Nagi - Overall Ratings

Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★★
Taste ★★★★★
Service ★★★★
Value for Money ★★★★

Budget: P450 per head for a bowl of ramen among the royalty series

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Ramen Nagi
Location: Level 2, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City

Ramen Nagi DOES NOT accept reservations
Service Charge: 10% before VAT

The Kettle Restaurant of SM Aura Premier

SM Aura - A Place for Foodies
SM Aura Premier is becoming more recognized as a food haven due to its drool-worthy line-up of various promising restaurants. These include the following restaurants that made a huge buzz in the Philippine food scene: Niu by Vikings, Yabu, Magnum, Ramen Nagi, Todd English Hall and Kettle (which is the one I'm blogging about right now).

By the way, this blog post is in honor of my good old friend Nat Chan who recently just had his birthday this December! The name may sound familiar because I've used up some of his photos for a couple of posts here in the blog. Thanks Nat for the lunch!

Kettle Restaurant in the Skypark of SM Aura Premier

The classy and bright interior of Kettle Restaurant in SM Aura

Kettle - A Posh-Looking Restaurant
Kettle is a posh-looking place that has a fine dining feel mixed with a subtle air of comfort and casualness making it perfect for family bonding, friendly eat outs or even dates. However, despite the apparent classiness of the restaurant, we managed to be a little bit loud and improper. Yeah, that what usually happens when you don't see your friends for a handful of months. Now, shall we head on to the food offered here in Kettle.

Oven Roasted Squash Soup (P269) and Pork & Potato Strips (P380)

Shrimp Salad, lemon oil and tarragon

Crunchy pork belly and fresh potato strips, fried herbs, red pepper aioli and truffle oil

Oven Roasted Squash Soup of Kettle Restaurant

Famous Pork & Potato Strips of Kettle Restaurant

Presented in a fancy manner, the Squash Soup had this refreshing taste with an unfamiliar zest. The combination of flavors was something new for my palate; however, I consider this just as an "okay" dish.

The Pork and Potato Strip, which is one of the best-selling dishes starters here in Kettle, also featured an uncommon distinct herby fried taste. I enjoyed it for some few munches, but it had a sharply declining marginal utility, an economic term used to measure happiness derived from consumption.

Clam Chowder || P259

Served on a sourdough bread bowl

The highly enticing Clam Chowder

I'd been craving so much for this kind of Clam Clowder (in a bread bowl), and finally it was satisfied here in Kettle! It had that familiar yet interestingly good blend of flavors that was heavenly nostalgic. I suggest this over the Squash Soup.

Mac & Four Cheese || P289

Cheddar, fontina, gruyere, parmesan and bacon

The almost-regular Mac and Four Cheese

By its name, the Mac and Four Cheese would seem to have this enjoyable potent cheesy taste perfect for the cheese lovers, such as myself. However, it just came out as something ordinary and possibly bland. Although this is sad news to me, it might be good news for those who just want a mild touch of cheese.

Truffle Gorgonzola || P299

Spaghetti, truffle cream, fried basil and parmesan

The Not-So-Truffle-Yet-Still-Good Truffle Gorgonzola Pasta

This Truffle Pasta was something I enjoyed due to the slightly balanced flavor of the truffle and cheese. However, I was still expecting something more for the pasta given the price. It could have been given more power in terms of the taste to make it more memorable.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken || P559

Honey glazed cornbread, country gravy and cajun honey

The best-selling Buttermilk Fried Chicken of Kettle Restaurant

I'm giving this dish a recommended sigh because of its shareability (probably good for 2 to 4, or can be stretched to 7 if you are taking only small portions). However, honesty compels me to say that there was nothing much special about the taste of the chicken, but I really loved it when mixed with the cajun honey! In my opinion, the honey is the crowning glory of this dish.

Note: The name of the dish (but not exactly the appearance) reminds me of The Girl and The Bull's own version of the Buttermilk Fried Chicken.

We didn't have any desserts because we were full already, so that's all about it.

A Not-So-Popular Kid with the Tropapeeps in Kettle Restaurant, SM Aura

Happy Birthday again Natty! Cheers for more awesome years to come! Also, it was nice seeing you guys!

Kettle - Overall Ratings and Summary

Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★★
Taste ★★★
Service ★★★★
Value for Money ★★★
Budget: P400 per head for something like the ones listed above

Although I generally feel that the dishes here just met my expectations, it was still a nice place to let my taste buds explore something new. Also, I know that the prices may not be that wallet-friendly, but the ambiance, service and quality of the dishes may compensate for the price here in Kettle. In short, I still recommend this for trying.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Kettle Restaurant
Location: Skypark, Level 5, SM Aura Premier, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Service Charge: 10% before VAT

I've been wanting to post about our experience here in Diamond Hotel several months back, but I lacked the time and drive to do so, but since it's Christmas break, I finally had the opportunity to blog about it. Now, shall we do some short tour?

Executive Suite of Diamond Hotel

Executive Suite of Diamond Hotel
It was on July 11, 2014 when my sister received a surprise birthday gift entitling her to a one-day stay in Diamond Hotel's executive suite, and just like that, we were able to experience a highly pampering and relaxing overnight stay.

The "Living Room" Area of the Executive Suit, Diamond Hotel

The "Living Room" Area of the Executive Suite, Diamond Hotel

Comfy and cozy chairs in the Living Room

Upon opening the door of the suite, I got extremely amazed by the size of the room. Perhaps it was attributable to the fact that it was my first time to actually see an executive suite. Unlike the regular rooms that I'm acquainted with, the suite had a spacious living room with a larger than usual TV and a comfier sofa.

The Queen Size Bed of the Executive Suite in Diamond Hotel

The bedroom, on the other hand, was highly tantalizing with its comfy and seductive appeal. Upon laying sight on it, the bed started calling my name, but I decided to shrug it off since I was still taking photos of the suite. However, the second time it happened, I gave in to its tempting offer of comfort and relaxation.

Bathroom - Executive Suite of Diamond Hotel

The shower area of the spacious bathroom

Bath Tub, Executive Suite of Diamond Hotel

The bad tub in the same spacious bathroom

There are two bath rooms as well. The first one has a toilet and a shower, while the second one, found in the bedroom, has a toilet, a shower, a large breathable space and a bath tub. On top of that, you'll find a bath salt there to suit your relaxation needs.

Hotel Amenities

Oh by the way, I just want to highlight a few of the interesting hotel amenities (these are inclusive to your stay in the hotel):

Swimming Pool - irregularly shaped medium-sized pool
Gym - treadmill, 4-5 gym equipment and dumbbells
Sauna and Steam Room - located in the gym area

The next morning, I was unexpectedly bewildered by the sight of something grandeur. The scene was just so serene and amazing that every time I looked at it, I instantly felt the zen and a huge wave of calming sensation.

The view of Manila Bay from the executive suite of Diamond Hotel

Now, the overnight stay came with a breakfast buffet for two (2), and since they know how big of a foodie I am, they decided to give me the "slot".

Calming Breakfast in Diamond Hotel

Unlike the lunch or dinner buffet of Diamond Hotel, the breakfast offering didn't seem to meet my expectations. Most of what was served was either okay or slight above it. Nothing really caught my attention that could have made the breakfast more memorable and awesome. Nevertheless, I left the table still satisfied and full; after all, I really enjoyed the classy and bright ambiance of the restaurant.

There you go! I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek of the hotel's executive suite, be sure to check back the blog for a post regarding Diamond Hotel's Dinner Buffet.

Featured Dish: Mad Mark's Double Fried Yard Bird

It was on a fine Sunday, after hearing a mass, when my siblings and I decided to have a bonding over dinner. My parents had something to attend that night in Glorietta, so we didn't have much choice but to have our dinner either there or in Greenbelt.

Now, although I was expected to know the top food destinations in the area, I still had a hard time selecting a restaurant for us. That was when I suddenly remembered one suggestion of a friend - Mad Mark's.

Mad Mark's Creamery and Good Eats in 2/F of Glorietta 5, Makati

The busy crew of Mad Mark's in Glorietta Branch

The Long Queue in Mad Mark's
Just like how I found it, Mad Mark's usually runs a full house. Needless to say, expect to wait about 15 minutes or more before you get seated during peak dates and hours. I believe this is a result of two things. Firstly, Mad Mark's has only a small interior (making the place look all cramped with the squeezed arrangement of the tables and chairs). Secondly, the demand is simply high for Mad Mark's.

Mad Mark's not-so-spacious interior in the Glorietta Branch

Although the high customer flow is good for the business, it's not much of a benefit to the customers in terms of the service. Based on my experience, most of the staff were all preoccupied which made them less attentive when we were calling there attention. Now, even if I don't consider this as something entirely negative, I could have been more appreciative of our dining experience here in Mad Mark's if the staff were more attentive, more interactive and friendlier.

The Food in Mad Mark's
Double Fried Yard Bird || P265

2 Buttermilk breasts + Red Rice

Mad Mark's best selling Yard Bird Chicken!

The first one to come up was the Yard Bird which had this excitingly spiced flavor that tickled my taste buds. It also had this sweet and creamy sauce that added more fun complexity to the dish.

Signature Steak || P265

USDA steak + 2 Side Dishes

The Signature Steak of Mad Mark's

This steak had a distinctly and sometimes overly sweet sauce with a taste mimicking Worcestershire sauce. It was on the other hand important to note that the grilling done on the steak was great evidenced by the tenderness.

Yard Bird and Bacon Slab || P290

Buttermilk chicken and smoked bacon

Yard Bird and Bacon Slab of Mad Mark's

Aside from the same Yard Bird Chicken goodness, I also enjoyed the bacon because of its smokey and tender taste!

Note: This dish enables you to try the Yard Bird while still providing you an opportunity to try something else with just one order, so you may want to try this one out.

Yamazaki Steak || P285

Osakan flavored diced Steak tips

The Yamazaki Steak of Mad Mark's in Glorietta

The Yamazaki Steak had this subtly sweet and savory sauce that seeped well into the meat fibers making it indeed tasty. This was further enhanced by the diversity of flavors (both salty and subtly sour) from the creamy sauce on top. Unfortunately, this dish couldn't have it all since there were some pieces of the meat that happened to be chewy.

Honest Ice Cream || P85 (1 scoop) || P165 (2 scoops)

Madagascar Crumble (Cookie and Cream), Strawberries and Cream and Banoreo

Mad Mark's Madagascar Crumble (Cookies and Cream)

Mad Mark's Banoreo (Banana + Oreo) Ice Cream

Javan Hot Chocolate, Choco on Choco and Sumatra Chips

Mad Mark's Javan Hot Chocolate Ice Cream

Mad Mark's Choco on Choco Ice Cream (with Oreos)

Mad Mark's Sumatra Chips (Coffee Ice Cream)

Mad Mark's Honest Ice Cream (HIC) was generally creamy and good, but considerably expensive. To be frank, I really enjoyed HIC; however, I'm not quite sure whether I got the value of what I paid for, since I'm equally happy when I indulge on the ice cream that can be bought in the grocery stores.

Anyway, setting that aside, my favorite among those that I was able to try was the Choco on Choco because of its immense chocolate goodness. However, I also would want to note that the Banoreo was refreshingly good with its natural banana zest and comforting oreos; the Madagascar Crumble really fine with its sweetness, creaminess and oreoness (if there is such a word); and the Strawberries and cream really enjoyable with its tangy and sour strawberry goodness.

I wasn't able to try the Javan Hot Chocolate and the Sumatra Chips because my sister and her boyfriend seemed to be really enjoying their ice cream, and so I just let them have their moments with the HIC.

Mad Mark's Creamery and Good Eats- Overall Ratings and Summary

Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★
Taste ★★★☆
Service ★★★
Value for Money ★★★☆
Budget: P400 per head for a meal and a scoop of ice cream

Overall, I found the dishes here in Mad Mark's interesting with an emphasis on the Yard Bird chicken for being exceptionally great! Initially, I thought the prices here were low, but they turned out to be just reasonable. If only the presentation of the dishes was better and the staff friendlier the value for money could have been pushed higher.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Mad Mark's Creamery and Good Eats
Location: Second Floor, Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City

Service Charge: 5% of Price

Reservations are only accepted during Monday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

I was digging through my files for a couple of days for the sake of organizing them, and I stumbled upon photos of Royal Kitchen where my block mate, Meg Olea, celebrated her birthday this year. I didn't have any plans blogging about it (since I don't know anything about the prices of the dishes we had), but I realized that the experience is still worthy to be shared.

The Royal Kitchen Seafood Restaurant in Hobbies of Asia

A Slightly Hidden Place called Royal Kitchen
We had a hard time searching for this place because it is located deep within the Hobbies of Asia. Initially, we parked in thinking that we found the place. Unfortunately, it was Royal Chef Seafoods Garden Restaurant which is an entirely different restaurant. It took us a few minutes to actually locate the restaurant.

Celebrating Meg's Birthday in Royal Kitchen Seafood Restaurant

Royal Kitchen - A Chinese Seafood Restaurant
Upon entering the restaurant, I immediately caught the regular vibe I sense every time we go to a Chinese restaurant to celebrate a birthday of a relative. This emanated from the table settings, predominantly red color scheme, large aquariums and etc.

After pondering on the interior, we were immediately directed upstairs to the private room where Meg's dinner celebration was held. The room was really neat with a surprisingly huge round table (good for about 25 people), and then spiced up with a karaoke system.

Now, it's time to dig in, but again, I want to apologize for not including the prices.

Fresh steamed shrimps of Royal Kitchen

The shrimps, as I remembered it, were really tasty and superbly fresh! I ate about 20 of these.

Fried Calamares in Royal Kitchen

The calamari or calamares had this lovely crunch that we were able to enjoy. The great thing about this dish is that the chef was able to cook the squid just right as evidenced by the texture.

Sumptuous Baked Scallops with Cheese

Now, this was something I really adored -- scallops and cheese - these are two things I definitely love both individually and combined.

Although some were slightly over-baked resulting to the apparent blackness of some parts of the melted cheese, I still was able to really fall in love with the baked scallops!

Sweet and sour fish with mangoes - Royal Kitchen Seafood Restaurant

Sweet and sour fish with mangoes - Royal Seafood Restaurant

This Sweet and Sour Fish dish was also something that made my tummy happy. It had this fruity sweet sauce that went well with the fresh fish.

For the next dishes, I would just share with you the photos, since they are not as noteworthy as the ones above. However, I still included them here, so you'll have more idea of what they serve here in the restaurant.

The traditional order in Chinese Restaurants- Yang Chow Fried Rice

Fresh chopseuy vegetables in Royal Kitchen

Sinigang Soup with Salmon

To sum all up, I generally found the food delightful here in Royal Kitchen! In fact, I heavily enjoyed all the seafood dishes especially the baked scallops. Having said all these, I believe Royal Kitchen is an interesting place to satisfy your seafood cravings!

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Royal Kitchen
Location: Hobbies of Asia, Macapagal Boulevard, San Jose, Pasay City

Store Hours: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm

Backyard Kitchen + Brew in UP Town Center

If you have been reading my blog for some time now, you will notice that I have not much posted about restaurants found in the north (Quezon City area). Now, thankfully I was invited to try a newly opened restaurant in the UP Town Center, and it goes by the name Backyard.

Before we head onto that, I just want to share with you my amazement about UP Town Center. With such a beautifully designed landscape and building structure, I couldn't help myself but be utterly amazed. Plus, I noticed that you can find several food spots all in one place. iHop, Mad Mark's (soon), Ramen Nagi (soon), Casa Verde (from Cebu), Torch and several others. It surely is a food haven!

A great place to chill and dine - UP Town Center, Quezon

Now, shall we head on to the Backyard? C'mon let's check it out!

Backyard - Witty Design and Interior
Upon entering the restaurant, I immediately caught the air of cozy and warm ambiance (no, I'm not referring to the temperature. In fact it happened to be otherwise.). Then, I took a closer glance of the interior, and I was intrigued by the wittiness of the designs such as the bucket ceiling lamps and more.

Interior of the Backyard and the Bucket Ceiling Lamps

Interesting designs in Backyard Restaurant - plate number for the lights

A Little Something about the Food
Before we dive into some of the dishes we can find here in Backyard, let me just share with you what the executive chef mentioned about the food served here. First off, the restaurant envisions to source all its ingredients locally and organically. As of this writing, a significant but not yet huge chunk of the ingredients (mostly the veggies and the coffees) are bought from the local farmers. Second, the restaurant wants its customers to experience uniqueness with a touch of nostalgic element through the dishes served here. Now, since we are at it already, let's talk about the dishes!

Salted Egg Chicken Skin || P205

Crispy chicken skin, salted egg yolk and chili pineapple vinegar

Salted egg chicken skin appetizer in the Backyard Restaurant

Although this may not be advisable for those who have high cholesterol, this appetizer was surely a killer, no pun intended! It really tickled our taste buds with its exciting tasty flavor!

Salted Egg Chicken Skin Pizza || P255

Salted egg yolk, crispy chicken skin, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, ricotta

Best-selling unique pizza dish of the Backyard Restaurant

This pizza dish (actually it's called Garlic Flat Bread according to the menu) surely is a brilliant creation! It has this subtle saltiness coming from the salted eggs and chicken skin that added magic to the pizza dish. It was indeed a delicious innovation, and a definite must-try!

Sinigang na Batchoy || P195

Egg noodles, pork offal, egg, kamias broth, fish paste

Sinigang na Batchoy for a comforting wave of Filipino specialty

If you are a fan of potently and sharply sour with a mix of sweetness, this dish is definitely for you!

Waffle Breaded Fried Chicken || P305

Waffle breaded fried chicken thighs, maple butter, sauteed kale, sriracha ketchup, whipped bone marrow ciabatta toasts

An interesting innovation of Backyard Kitchen + Brew

This dish will definitely stir your curiosity! It features two interesting offerings. The first one is the bread toasted in whipped bone marrow, which has a strong taste (but definitely malasa). The second one is the fried chicken with maple butter that tasted a bit greasy but definitely overflowing with flavor!

Lobster and Prawn Roll || P325

Buttered brioche bun, lobster and prawn bits, lobster and prawn mayo-butter dressing, cherry tomatoes, fried celery leaves and papaya slaw

Lobster and Prawn Sandwich of the Backyard Restaurant

This dish offered an intriguing seafood goodness with some creaminess coming from the mayo. Unfortunately, this is not exactly my cup of tea (perhaps because I wasn't in the mood for some sandwiches during that time).

Nose to Tail Fettucini (All the Good Stuff) || P275

Pork cheek, beef brisket, ox tripe, chicken liver, tomato sauce, fettucini

The affordable Nose to Tail Pasta in the Backyard, UP Town Center

This pasta was really great as it featured a mild to balanced flavor of tomatoes and meat! Also, this is considerably inexpensive compare to that of the other restaurants offering the similar dish.

Longganisa & Peppers || P255

Homemade longganisa, tomato sauce, roasted bell pepper, mozzarella, ricotta

Backyard Restaurant's Longganisa & Peppers Garlic Flat Breads

This garlic flat bread had a soft and potentially bland flavor which is good for those who want something smooth sailing.

Ciabatta w/ Whipped Bone Marrow & Pulled Pork || P295 - 2 pieces || P495 - 4 pieces

Ciabatta toast, melted whipped bone marrow, bbq pulled pork and sour cream

The interesting creation of Backyard Kitchen + Brew - Ciabatta with Whipped Bone Marrow and Pulled Pork

With my preferences in food, I found the dish weirdly tasting. It was perhaps due to its heavily complex flavors and strong herby taste that made it a little peculiar on my taste buds. However, for those who are very much into taste exploration and adventure, you may want to check this out!

Ciabatta w/ Local Duck Pate & Duck Flakes || P295 - 2 pieces || P495 - 4 pieces

Ciabatta toast, local duck liver pate, shredded duck adobo, jalapeno

Another creative innovation here in Backyard Kitchen + Brew: Foie Gras on Ciabatta

With a savory and sweet taste, this has a friendlier taste than that of the pulled pork.

Slow Roasted Beef Belly || P325

Roasted beef belly, mushroom gravy, steamed barley with herbs

Slow Roasted Beef Belly on Steamed Barley

This is another dish that is not cup of tea especially with its overly distinct herby flavor.

Backyard Burger || P285

Buttered brioche bun, 100% brisket and chuck patty, cheddar, parmesan crisp, arugula, onions, tomatoes, sriracha ketchup

The Backyard Burger - from the makers of the Burger Project

What I love about this burger is the distinctly good taste of the patty from the chargrilling, and not to mention, juicy. However, the overall burger (with the bun and all) seemed to have undermined the potential of the patty, but this is just my opinion of course.

Sierra Madre Wheat Ale (P180), Backyard Brew Dark and Light (Special Draft Beer), Joe's Brew Fish Rider Pale Ale (P180)

Sierra Madre Wheat Ale (P180) - Backyard Restaurant

Pizzookie || P385

Baked to order chewy chocolate chip cookie, matecado ice cream, rock salt

The Pizzookie (Cookie Pizza) of Backyard Restaurant

This cookie in a pan was really interestingly and comfortingly sweet despite the overbaking on the sides of the cookie. There was also a hint of saltiness (from the rock salt) which can be seen as something nice or not depending on your preference.

KTG Blogger Group in Backyard UP Town Center

A Not-So-Popular Kid with fellow food bloggers and the chef behind Backyard

Overall, I enjoyed all the fresh ideas presented and integrated on the dishes. However, I found the experience a little bit overwhelming. Perhaps, I wasn't exactly open when it comes to potently flavored dishes, but I guess this could be overturned by strategically lining up the dishes. The beauty of this is, when you have already mastered this art, you'll definitely enjoy the dishes here in Backyard Kitchen + Brew!

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Backyard Kitchen + Brew
Location: 2/F UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Given that it is the holiday season, I was fully on a vacation mode, and I thought it was the same for everyone. Hence, I was surprised to receive a gift pack from Teaberry Food Essentials containing their Gourmate™ Hot Sauce and Smoke Flavors.

Teaberry Food Essentials - Gourmate's Hot Sauce and Smoke Flavors

Coincidentally, there was still a pizza in the refrigerator, so I hurriedly opened up the pack, and started tasting each of the hot sauces.

Gourmate Hot Sauces
Chipotle Garlic Hot Sauce || A Rich, Smokey Flavor from vine riped red jalapenos over a smoldering fire
Green Jalapeno || A peppery, bell pepper flavor from fresh green jalapeno peppers
Habanero Pepper || A fiery, tangy and intense flame from delicious habanero peppers

Trying out the Gourmate Hot Sauces on my Pizza

The descriptions from the label are indeed accurate; they were able to capture in words what you need to expect for the tastes.

I'm not much of a hot sauce person, but I sure did enjoy these sauces. In fact, I really love them! They bring out exciting flavors out of what you are eating (although it depends on what you are eating)! I tried putting the sauces on my pizza (Yes, I tried them one by one on just one pizza), and I enjoyed the new dimension of flavors the sauces brought.

The following day, I learned that my mom was preparing some barbecue, and I got excited once again. Surely, I would be able to try out the Smoke Flavors! So, I did!

Some barbecue in the house for family salu-salo! Used the Liquid Smoke Hickory #Gourmate marinate by #Teaberry Essentials to spice up our meal! #yum #food
A photo posted by Renz Kristofer Cheng (@renzktof) on Dec 12, 2014 at 10:08pm PST

Now, the next I knew was that my cousins and their kids were loving how the barbecue had this authentic smokey taste from both grilling and the Gourmet sauce. We couldn't get enough of the barbecue, so we replicated it for our media noche!

Note: The Liquid Smoke Flavors are not to be used as sauce but as cooking ingredients or marinate. On its own, the smoke flavors are bittery smokey.

Gourmate Liquid Smoke Hickory on Pork Liempo

Gourmate Liquid Smoke Mesquite and Hickory on Barbecue

Paired with my mom and sister's combined prowess in cooking ,the barbecue we had was really superb! Everyone welcomed 2015 with a happy tummy!

Note: The Gourmate products are made here in our home country. Hence, let's give our support to the local industry by buying products of our own! Oh, and by the way the hot sauces and smoke flavors are available in the grocery stores nationwide.

Diamond Hotel's Corniche Restaurant

I don't know why I'm posting about this just now, when in fact I happened to dine here several months ago. Maybe, I just found it a bit time-consuming to write about it since blogs on buffet are generally long, and given that I already started working, I wasn't able to fit it in my schedule. However, since there was a holiday break, that excuse is no longer valid.

Corniche - Diamond Hotel's In-House Restaurant
Before I had the opportunity to dine here in Corniche, Diamond Hotel's in-house restaurant, I'd been dying to try it out. This was because I came across one episode of Kris TV wherein the desserts of this restaurant was highlighted, but before we actually delve into the desserts, let us first run through the peaceful space.

What I first noticed about Diamond Hotel's Corniche is the classy yet highly cozy ambiance. This instantly made me feel lighter and very much at home. Things became more awesome when my mom and I were given the liberty to choose any spot that we liked. We chose the peaceful area near the glass windows.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take photos of the place. (Don't worry, I'm also wondering why). Hence, because of that, let's head on to some of the food you can find here in Corniche!

Sushi in Corniche, Diamond Hotel's Restaurant

Tuna, Lapu-Lapu and Salmon Sashimi in Corniche Restaurant

Although not as diverse as other hotel buffets, Corniche offers sushi and sashimi both include the tuna, salmon and lapu-lapu varieties.

Diamond Hotel's Roast Beef - Dinner Buffet

Of course, you will find something interesting in the carving station of Diamond Hotel. The type of meat will depend on what day you'll dine there.

Seafood Paella - Bounty of Sea made into a dish!

We have here the seafood paella which featured bountiful seafood goodness such as shrimps, clams and squid.

Freshly made pasta of Corniche Restaurant, Diamond Hotel

Diamond Hotel also offers freshly made pasta in the house, so you may want to "order" some. I may have taken a bad shot of the pasta, but don't let its look deceive you. It was definitely worthwhile!

Now, aside from the dishes mentioned above, I wasn't able to spot anymore interesting dishes here Corniche Restaurant, but I guess that's because they really wanted to specialize on the desserts.

Desserts - Ice Cream, Macarons and More!

Macarons and more here in Corniche Restaurant

All the deficiencies I found with the savory dishes were compensated by the amazing line up of desserts here in Corniche, as I felt like a small kid lost in a huge candy store with glittering eyes from ultimate joy.

The amazing ice cream collection of Diamond Hotel

Never shall you miss giving the ice cream selections a try, especially the baked cheesecake ice cream!

The stunning chocolate collection of Diamond Hotel

Chocolate lovers will also fall in love with the desserts because they have an awesome collection of fine premium chocolates!

The awesome Baked Cheesecake of Corniche Restaurant

With the really creamy and tasty cheesecake, you will surely crave for more! Corniche offers one of the best baked cheesecakes in town!

A better glance at the popular macarons of Diamond Hotel

Assorted macarons of the Diamond Hotel

Of course, the night should never end without tasting the melt-in-your mouth macarons of Diamond Hotel. These are surely treasures here in the hotel! And don't hold yourself back; go try 'em all!

Dessert plate in Corniche (Diamond Hotel)

My dessert plate - full of colors and flavors!

Note: You may want to check out The Cake Club in the Bonifacio Global City. The restaurant also features the same ice cream and macaroons there.

Corniche Restaurant - The Gist
Aside from the limited variety of dishes offered in Corniche, nothing seemed to steal much of my attention with a full exception on the desserts (they were really amazingly good!). However, the beauty here in Diamond Hotel is that they introduce new dishes for a limited time. I was fortunate to have come at a right time because hey were serving Australian delights (or was it New Zealand?). Another interesting thing is, Corniche has a daily theme such as Salmon Nights on Fridays to name just one.

In a nutshell, I found the dining experience here above satisfactory, and I couldn't highlight the desserts more! I can't help but confess my love for the ice cream selection and the macaroons!

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Corniche Restaurant
Location: Diamond Hotel, Roxas Boulevard Corner J. Quintos Street, Ermita, Manila

Marking the end of our Mega Food Wok Food Tourwas this 6th stop to a dessert place called Kool Kidz. At first, I thought this will just be an ordinary ice cream place wherein the staff scoops from a pint or gallon some ice cream and place it on a cone. However, it wasn't, and you'll probably be amazed after learning how differently they make their ice cream here (just like I did)!

Kool Kidz Ice Cream Store in SM Megamall

Pouring nitrogen in making the Ice Cream at Kool Kidz

Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream
All the ice cream here in Kool Kidz are made on the spot as if done by magic! However, the trick used is not kept secret. You’ll be witnessing the entire process of using nitrogen to solidify the liquid mix to an ice cream! Actually, one of the highlights in this store is really the “show” of making the ice cream.

Alright, now that you get the idea, let me share with you the one we had for the food tour.

Liquid Nitrogen Mooncake-Inspired Ice Cream

Liquid nitrogen mooncake-inspired ice cream of Kool Kidz

Since it was the mooncake season when we had the food tour, Kool Kidz offered something related to it. With this, the owner made a special ice cream recipe/flavor that was mooncake-inspired.

Although I found the taste a little bit weird, I appreciated the beauty of the process as well as the uniqueness of the bean-like flavor of the ice cream. Unfortunately, in its overall, this particular variant wasn't my cup of tea.

Also, since I was too full, I failed to try other flavors here in Kool Kidz. However, I was able to note that the prices of the ice cream here in Kool Kidz range from P120 to P150 for regular size and P150 to P230 for large

Kool Kidz - Summary

Give your approval or disapproval to Kool Kidz

I'm not sure whether my satiation with the amount of food I consumed impaired my taste buds, but I wasn't able to find something spectacular with the “special ice cream” of Kool Kidz. However, I need to validate this once more by trying other flavors and trying them out when I’m not full.
Fellow foodie friends, I would really appreciate it if you can drop some insights regarding the ice cream here in Kool Kidz. I’d like to hear from you!

Kool Kidz
Location: Fifth Floor, SM Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City

Contact No.: (02) 5793495 [retrieved from Zomato]

Hattendo Cream Buns Available in the Philippines by February 2015 in Mall of Asia

Great news fellow foodie friends! Hattendo's Cream Buns will be invading the Philippine food scene in February 2015. The first kiosk will be located in the SM Mall of Asia.

By then, you will already have the opportunity to taste the cream buns from Japan! Yes, all the buns will be imported from the land of the rising sun, so you'll get the same taste as if you got them fresh from Japan.

Hattendo - Sweet select cream buns

The cream buns will be available in solos or in packages (i.e. placed in an adorable box with polka dots).

Hattendo's sweet select cream buns from Japan

Each bun is wrapped in a special paper that seals in the freshness of the buns, so when you unwrap it all the goodness shall abound.

Unwrapping the Japanese Cream Buns

They somehow remind me of our "local sorbetes in a pandesal", but their creamy filling is less dense and more foamy. I was able to try the chocolate flavor, and it was nice (although I still have an inclination towards our own Pinoy version).

A closer look at the cream buns of Hattendo

For updates regarding Hattendo Philippines, you may want to check out its Facebook page here: Hattendo Philippines

A few weeks after my batch passed the board exam last July 2014, my good friend Robie Reyes held a party to celebrate the victory. I'm mentioning this because it was during that time when Robie eagerly recommended Balkan for me to check out.

Balkan's signage - a home for Yugoslavian Cuisine

However, even up to now, I'm quite unsure as to why I kept on failing to check it out, despite the fact that the restaurant is just a short walk away from the place where I work. Anyway, since it had been months already since Robie recommended Balkan, I decided to finally give it a try on my birthday. Thankfully, it happened.

Balkan Yugoslavian Home Cooking in Makati

The Balkan Yugoslavian Home Cooking Makati Branch in Perea Street

Located just beside a Metrobank branch and on the street where Banoi (a Vietnamese restaurant) is, Balkan restaurant may be tricky to find especially at night when the signage is hardly visible due to lack of lighting.

Balkan Restaurant's interior in Makati 2

As for its interior, Balkan is remarkably cozy with its wooden furniture and flooring. Couple this with dim lights and the sophisticated ambiance you'll end up with something very classy.

I will no longer keep you waiting and share with you the dishes I had for my birthday!

Goulash || P280

The classic beef stew of the Balkans with bread

A pleasant soup starter for a Yugoslavian feast - Goulash!

With its right and not too overpowering herby taste and aroma, the Goulash surely captivated us!

It also had this thick consistency mixed with an ample foreign zest ideal for those who are just being introduced to the Yugoslavian cuisine. In other words, you won't get "culture-shocked) with the taste. In fact, you'll most likely enjoy it!

Resti Potatoes || P100

The potato, cheese and herb appetizer or side dish

Contrary to the taste of the Goulash, this resti potato had this strong overpowering Yugoslavian spices with a notable hint of flame (i.e. spiciness). If you are not used to a potent herby tang, you may get a little bit shocked with it.

Stuffed Chicken with Tomato Sauce || P380

Breast steak in tomato sauce stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon

The excitingly well-curated Stuffed Chicken with Tomato Sauce of Balkan

Although it may not look as good as what is seen on the photo, this Stuffed Chicken was surely something I greatly enjoyed! The bacon hugging the meat enhanced and brought out the harmonious blend of spices and tomato goodness.

Chicken Batak || P310

Boneless chicken thigh, grilled to perfection, topped with ~~supposedly~~ melted mozzarella served with rice or fries

Balkan's famous Chicken Batak

This Chicken Batak was an evidence of great grilling due to the smokey flavor and tenderness. On top of all, it was juicy and tasty! But then, I would have appreciated it more if the mozzarella on top was indeed melted.

Karadjordjeva || P380

Deep fried chicken breast roll filled with feta cheese or mozzarella

Oozing with mozzarella - Karadjordjeva of Balkan

As opposed to the Stuffed Chicken with Tomato Sauce, this dish looks good on the photo but not much on the actual. It was perhaps due to the highly predictable taste. Nevertheless, it was still okay.

Stuffed Pljeskavica || P330

Ground beef steak stuffed with mozzarella, served with rice or fries

The burger-like stuffed Pljeskavica of Balkan

This burger-liked Pljeskavica had a smokey and peppery tang that is nice, but not overly amazing.

Butkice u Sacu || P700

Oven-baked pork knuckles served with potatoes and carrots

Balkan's Butkice u Sacu - Baked Pork Knuckles

The oven-baked Yugoslavian version of the Filipino crispy pata

Although considerably expensive, this Butkice u Sacu was indeed tender and juicy. The taste may be very simple for some, especially with its unidirectional flavor. Still, I would say it has a simple yet suave taste.

Chicken Kebab || P340

Grilled chicken breast wrapped with smoked bacon served with rice or fries

The highly recommended chicken kebab in Balkan Yugoslavian Home Cooking

Perhaps the best dish of the night is this Chicken Kebab! It was definitely fantastic with its succulent taste coming from the great grilling technique! Plus, all the essence of the onions and tomatoes was able to seep into the meat fibers!

A Not-So-Popular Kid in Balkan Yugoslavian Home Cooking

Cheers for another year added to my age! I am looking forward to a brighter and better year to come, and of course more food explorations!

Balkan Yugoslavian Home Cooking - Overall Ratings and Summary

Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★★☆
Taste ★★★
Service ★★★☆
Value for Money ★★★☆
Budget: P450 per head for a good variety of dishes (for a group consisting of at least 4)

Balkan is generally a nice place to spend either lunch or dinner especially with its sophisticated and classy interior. However, honesty compels me to note that some dishes here in Balkan lack some flare when it comes to the flavor. These dishes are considerably ordinary with highly familiar taste, but of course, there are still exceptionally great dishes such as the Chicken Kebab and the Stuffed Chicken with Tomato Sauce. To wit, I'm still recommending Balkan with light reservations.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Balkan Yugoslavian Home Cooking
Location: 109 Maripola Bldg., Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

Service Charge: 10% of Price
Store hours: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm

The restaurant accepts reservations

This 2015, I started listing and documenting personal goals I need to achieve by the end of the year, and one of them was to check out a certain number of new restaurants (i.e. those that I haven't blogged about). However, I need to watch my expenses because having more savings is also part of my 2015 goals. Now the question is, "How can I let the two meet?".

It took me a few minutes to figure it out, and I came up with these two solutions. First is to pick out affordable but still blog-worthy restaurants. Second is to induce the family or friends to try restaurants mentioned in #1 to break the bill.

The famous ribs of Rub Restaurant in Makati

One example of the restaurants that fits the description in the first solution is Rub in Makati (which I believe is already a second branch or so, the first one being in Quezon City). Also, I'm not sure whether it can be considered a Hole-in-the-Wall, but Rub has that kind of feel.

Rub Ribs & BBQ - Restaurant Signage

Rub Restaurant here in Makati has about 50 seating capacity, which often gets occupied during peak hours; hence, prepare to wait before you get to be seated. Of course, this will not be the case, if you arrive here before the peak hours begin.

Interior of Rub's Makati Branch in Poblacion

The wooden elements of Rub's interior exudes an air of comfort (but this is cancelled by the not-so-comfy chairs of the place).Also, there is nothing grand about the place, but its simplicity has its own appeal.

Chicken Cajun Pasta || P200

Cajun Chicken + White Cream Sauce + Linguine

The not-so-amazing Chicken Cajun Pasta of Rub Restaurant

Now, as for the dishes, the first one to arrive was this Cajun Chicken, which had a noticeable bell pepper tang. Unfortunately, the overall taste was considerably soft and potentially weak.

Rub Beef || P310

Dry rubbed US Hanging Tender + Garlic Sauce + Buttered Vegetable + Toast Bread

Rub Beef with its garlic aroma and taste

Although this is less recommended over the Raki's BBQ Ribs, this Rub Beef featured an interesting salty,garlic, herby taste that it just right for the tender beef.

Raki's BBQ Ribs

Singles || Ribs + 1 Side + Plain Rice (Good for 1) || P220
Super Duo || Ribs + 2 Sides (Good for 2) || P390
Family Brunch || Ribs + 3 Sides (Good for 4) || P720

Raki's BBQ Ribs - the ultimate best-seller of Rub Restaurant

The ribs had this sufficient tenderness (but it can still be more tender), but the savory flavor did not seeped much into the meat fibers. This lack of deep flavor was instantly remedied by the separate sweet-savory sauce provided. Overall, it was nice and really affordable.

Rub's Ribs and Barbecue - Overall Ratings and Summary

Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★☆
Taste ★★★
Service ★★★☆
Value for Money ★★★★
Budget: At least P220 per head for ribs, side dish and rice

In my opinion, Rub Restaurant is where you go to maximize the value of your money (especially for the affordable ribs), but not much for satisfying the insatiable need of the taste buds to try something different or excellent. Still, I am eager to go back here to give my rib-craving an affordable fix.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Rub Ribs and Barbecue
Location: 1703 Nicanor Garcia Corner Baler Street, Poblacion, Makati City

Service Charge: None
Store hours: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm (according to Zomato)

Salt's Top-Selling T-Bone Streak in Makati

I'm happy to share with you that I'm making progress in attaining my personal goals this 2015 (which include visiting a number of new restaurants while not going beyond my budgeted spending). To add more to that progress, my work mates and I decided to have some get-together over dinner. Now, being a foodie, they asked me to be the one to pick out the place. Having heard of the restaurant so many times over the last months, I decided to go for SALT. Sadly, it was not much of a smart choice.

A part of the interior of Salt in Poblacion, Makati

Salt - a Hidden Homey Place
SALT may not be easy to spot on due to it being a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Hence, navigating your way into the deep streets of Poblacion may not be an easy feat (not unless you seek the help of Waze or any navigation apps). However, as soon as you find the place, you'll heave a sigh of relief and comfort with its homey appeal, especially when you enter into the cabin-like indoor area.

(Since Salt is a steakhouse, I can't help but remember RAP Steaks and Cakesnear the university where I studied)

Undeniably, I really liked the interior, but it surely further pushed up my expectation from the place. Well, I'm sure you know where I'm heading, so let us now explore the food here.

Grilled Cajun Chicken || P180

Salt's Grilled Cajun Chicken

Considerably tender despite the appearance, the Cajun Chicken was nice with its noticeable herby taste and smokey zest from the grilling. However, with just a P10 difference from the price of the T-Bone Steak, I might go for that one instead.

Beef Salpicao || P220

The Beef Salpicao of Salt in Makati

Plainly served with small serving size, this Beef Salpicao was tender, savory and garlicky! It may not be something highly noteworthy, but it was more than decent.

Grilled Tuna || P220

The overcooked and dry Grilled Tuna

I got majorly disappointed with this dish because I chose this over the T-Bone Steak. A lot of factors even those not concerning this restaurant may have contributed to me not liking the dish, but one of them was the apparent dryness of the tuna meat.

Baked Salmon || P320

SALT Steakhouse's Baked Salmon for those who are craving for some fish

Even though I wasn't able to try this, my friend Chris mentioned that the fish was rightly baked but a bit salty than what he usually enjoys.

T-Bone Steak || P190

T-Bone Steak cooked well-done with choice of gravy, pepper cream or barbecue for the sauce. Served with potatoes and rice.

SALT's famous yet affordable T-Bone Steak

With the lack of tenderness undermining the potential of the T-Bone Steak, this dish seemed really ordinary with nothing much special except its affordability. Also, there seems to be a consistency issue with how it was cooked. I tried getting a slice of another friend, and the texture and tenderness differed.

Tartufo Balls || P130

Salt's Tartufo Ball for Dessert (Opened)

Although relatively expensive, this dessert was surely a winner with its rich and creamy chocolate ice cream coated by the rightly bitter cocoa. It also had this heavenly candied cherry that made everything worthwhile. I have to admit it - the Tartufo Ball saved the night!

A Not-So-Popular Kid with SGV Friends in Salt, Poblacion, Makati

Now, let me share this photo of my friends from work. This is for me to immortalize a moment of building friendship.

SALT Steakhouse - Overall Ratings and Summary

Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★★
Taste ★★☆
Service ★★☆ (Inaccurate Billing and Unfriendly Vibe)
Value for Money ★★★☆
Budget: At least P180 per head for a single dish

Salt may offer an air of comfort and peace from its isolation from the busy streets of Makati; however, the dishes may not be as noteworthy as we initially thought. I made a quick interview on what my colleagues think of the food, and most of them said that they weren't much impressed as well. Now, there is a possibility that we have come here at a wrong time, but for this particularly dining experience, I didn't find a strong basis to give a positive recommendation.

I'm hoping that we can hear from you, since again, I may not be right with all these observations.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

SALT
Location: 5887 Fermina Street, Corner Enriquez Street, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City

Service Charge: None
Store hours: 11:00 am to 1:00 am daily except Monday

The famous Truffle Panizza or the Roll Up Pizza of Torch

The first time I heard of Torch restaurant, I had an unexplained preconception of it being dull and ordinary. However, thanks to the pizza vouchers I received as a gift, I was able to test the accuracy of that preconception, and surprisingly I had it all wrong and all in reverse.

The Torch in Greenbelt 5 Branch in Makati

The Confused Restaurant
When I heard that Torch specializes on sushi, pizza and steak, I found myself rejecting the thought. "How can a restaurant specialize on dishes of seemingly uncomplimentary cuisines such as Japanese, Italian and American?" In short, it sounded like this restaurant was having an identity crisis, but that was before I had a taste of some of their dishes here.

Interior of Torch in Greenbelt 5, Makati

Torch recently opened up in Greenbelt 5, which explains why I was able to try it. The two branches are in Greenhills and UP Town Center, and both of these are far from where I work.

Although I have no idea how the other branches look like, I can say that this branch presents a neat and classy interior which is very much suitable for a pleasurable dining experience. Now that I've mentioned it, let's check out some of the dishes we tried.

Spicy Tuna Tartare || P330

Fresh raw tuna tossed in spicy tobanjan paste, perched atop a crisp sesame bun

Torch's own version of the Spicy Tuna Tartare

When we ordered this, I had the Spicy Toro Sashimi of Nihonbashi Tei in mind, which left me anticipating for something similar to appear in front of us. However, that didn't actualize.

I was expecting myself to be slightly disappointed because I didn't see what I imagined to be served, but this one was almost as awesome. In fact, I appreciated how different it was from that of Nihon because it placed the spotlight on the fresh taste of tuna which was further heightened by the fiery hotness.

Cream Cheese Salmon Roll || P340 - 8 pieces

Deep-fried crispy sushi roll filled with salmon and cream cheese, topped with bonito flakes and served with unagi sauce and Japanese mayonnaise

Blogger's recommendation - Cream Cheese Salmon Roll!

The Salmon roll was really pleasant with the outer crunch and creamy tasty center. I was really hooked by this dish because the cream cheese, instead of competing with the taste of salmon, enhanced it.

White Truffle Sausage Panizza || P430

Grilled Italian sausages drizzled with white truffle oil on a fresh, oven-baked panizza topped with mozzarella cheese

White Truffle Sausage Panizza of Torch Restaurant

The visually simple yet aromatic White Truffle Sausage Panizza of Torch

The panizza is served with alfalfa sprouts and arugula leaves

Rolled up White Truffle Sausage Pizza of Torch Restaurant

The Truffle Panizza had this simple yet suave taste especially with its right balance of truffle zest. Include the enjoyment from rolling this one up, and you'll come up with an exciting experience! As a matter of fact, this reminded me of the roll-up pizza of My Kitchen by Chef Chris, my personally hailed Best Pizza for 2014, but this one is definitely more affordable. Needless to say, I highly recommend this one!

Philly Cheestesteak Pizza || P370

Classy Philly cheesesteak sandwich filling on a fresh, oven-baked thin crust, topped with mozzarella and cream cheese

The tremendously flavorful Philly Cheesesteak Pizza of Torch

The pizza was really incredible! Upon laying sight on it, it seemed like your ordinary pizza but only bigger. But it had this delicate crunch (producing a toasty flavor), with burst of tomato sweetnes and drizzle of tangy dressing. Surely, this one changed the way I perceive a philly cheesesteak pizza. It's definitely a must-try and a must-share because of its fast diminishing marginal utility.

Torch - Overall Ratings and Summary

Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★★
Taste ★★★★☆
Service ★★★★
Value for Money ★★★★
Budget: At least P500 per head for shared dishes of sushi, pizza and steak (for a group of at least 4 foodies)

Torch definitely caught me off guard with its amazing dishes. Everything I had for this particular dining experience was worthwhile and praise-worthy!I will definitely visit this place again to try the steak, and I suggest that you try this restaurant out as well.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Torch Restaurant
Location: Level 1, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City

Service Charge: 10% before VAT

"If you haven't eaten in Cafe by the Ruins, you have't actually been to Baguio". This is what I kept on hearing from other people, and judging by our experience, it was what everyone else did too. Hence, I'm guessing that this is the reason behind the magnitude of customers flocking in during our visit.

Cafe by the Ruins in Baguio, Benguet

Fighters in a Chaotic Place
It was almost an unpleasant experience. The place was packed, and there was a long queue of customers wanting to be seated. Right there and then, we knew that we will no longer have the chance to dine-in. We didn't expect it, and we were all hungry. Hence, we decided to order something for takeout. Unfortunately, we were informed that the takeout will be pended along with the orders of those dining in. Tired and lazy to go to another restaurant, we still went for it.

As we were ordering, I witnessed an agitation among the waitstaff and the cashier which made things look extremely chaotic. By then, everyone, including us, started to become cranky. Finally, after more than an hour, the orders came out.

So, what happened during the long hour of waiting?
Well, I realized that the taking photos of the dishes in their "takeout form" may not look pleasing in this blog; hence, what I did was to guard the post and shoot whatever comes out. Luckily, I was able to take photos of almost all of what we ordered.

Anyway, I shall now present to you the dishes we ordered, and those that I just randomly took photos of.

Kesong Puti Plate || P150

Kesong Puti in Cafe by the Ruins

Even for an appetizer, the Kesong Puti was really enjoyable with its soft cheese flavor and fineness.

Chicken Galantina || P280

The Chicken Galantina of Cafe by the Ruins

The visually enticing but ordinary-tasting Chicken Galantina

Among all those that we ordered, it's this dish that I liked the least. It was perhaps because I was able to try a really excellent one in F1 Hotel.

Tita Susie's Crispy Tapa || P300

Everyone's favorite: fried shredded and seasoned beef on top of a mountain rice, served with fresh tomato-onion relish and a cup of beef broth.

Tita Susie's Crunchy Tapa in Cafe by the Ruins

Tita Susie's crunchy tapa shreds in Baguio

The tapa was surely an interesting dish with the enjoyable crisp and crunch. However, same as the Baguio Bagnet, the serving size wasn't that impressive.

Beef Ribs Sinigang || P340

The refreshingly tasty Beef Ribs Sinigang

The sinigang had this apt fruity sourness that gave it a genuinely refreshing taste! The meat was tender, as stated, and its serving was ample enough.

Bistek with Herbed Butter || P320

The modernized and steak-like bistek of Cafe by the Ruins

This bistek was notably tender and was characterized by a smokey zest. Really nice!

Baguio Bagnet || P340

A typical Ilocano meal: double fried pork belly - first it is tenderized in lard, then re-fried to a crisp. Condiments are Podas bagoong and tomato relish.

Baguio Bagnet - a best-seller of Cafe by the Ruins

This Baguio Bagnet had this guilt-driven tastiness enhanced by the flavorful fish sauce. The only sad thing about this dish was its small serving. Bitin!

Cafe by the Ruins - Taken out and eaten at home!

Tortang Talong || P220
The torta was really a brilliant creation with its well blended flavor! It was further made interesting with the infusion of the kesong puti. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of the dish.

Here are some of the dishes I randomly took photos of:

Cafe by the Ruins - Overall Ratings and Summary

Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★★
Taste ★★★☆
Service ★★☆
Value for Money ★★★
Budget: At least P400 per head for an enjoyable mini-feast (consisting of about 4 foodies)

Overall, I have to admit that the dishes range from above okay to great, but they are considerably pricey. (What more if we include the opportunity cost from the time spent waiting?)

To wit, Cafe by the Ruins is a must-visit restaurant in Baguio, but make sure that you do during off peak season/days. Otherwise, you may have to deal with waiting and uber busy staff. However, if you don't mind these things, go ahead and check it out!

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Cafe by the Ruins
Location: 25 Shuntug Road, Baguio, Benguet
Service Charge: 10% of the price including take-out orders

Store hours: 7:00 am to 11:00 am - Breakfast
11:00 am to 10:00 pm - Lunch/Dinner

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