2 New Incredible Yabu Dishes that will Make You Go Crazy

March 26, 2015, 9:35 am

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It has been years already since the Katsu Craze hit the Philippines like a storm, and I can remember how amazed I was with the tender and tasty tonkatsu I had during my first ever Yabu Experience. Now, Yabu is going to capture our hearts again with its newest additions -- the Donburi Sets: (1) Salmon Don and (2) Katsu Curry Don.

Related Post: Katsu Craze in Yabu: The House of Katsu

The All New Donburi Sets

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The Donburi Set comes in a hot stone pot and served with Yabu's unlimited Japanese white or brown rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, cabbage with choice of dressing and bowl of fresh fruits.

Yabu's New Dishes - Katsu Curry Don (left) and Salmon Don (right)

Salmon Don || P490

1 1/2 inch thick salmon steak with crispy salmon skin and salmon roe. Served on a bed of mixed teriyaki rice with sauteed bell pepper and egg plant.

Yabu's Salmon Don Set - perfect for those who look after the goodness of the salmon

There was an exodus of simple yet harmonious flavors coming from this dish, and here are the reasons as to why it is so:

(1) the salmon's freshness was highlighted with the light cooking involved (i.e. parts of it was raw-ish) -- this is how I wanted my salmon to be!

(2) there was a multitude of taste -- saltiness comes from the salmon skin, sweetness from the teriyaki sauce, and umami mixed with saltiness from the salmon roe

A closer look at the Salmon Don of Yabu

(3) the rice was heavily tasty on its own!

(4) aside from the taste, there was also a great mouthful experience coming from the crunchiness of the salmon skin and the partially "tutong" (or slightly burnt) portion of the rice.

Katsu Curry Don || P480 - Rosu || P480 - Hire || P470 - Chicken

Our signature katsu on a bed of beefy Japanese curry, melted mozzarella cheese, with your choice of rosu, hire or chicken katsu. Served in a hot stone pot. Spiciness level may be regular, hot or very hot. 

The Catsu Curry Don Set meal for those who want to satisfy with  their palates

I once told in this blog that I'm not fond of anything with curry because my taste buds can't seem to stand the potent flavor. However, this started to change for the past year, and perhaps marking my official acceptance of curry (well, Japanese curry for this matter), is my liking of the uberly amazing Katsu Curry Don!

Going now to the specifics of the dish, let me list down things I was able to note:

(1) the dish featured a balanced curry taste with only a subtle kick. I find this ideal for those not much acquainted with (or starting to get to) the taste of a Japanese curry.

A closer look at the Katsu Curry Don - a seemingly seem food with diverse flavors!

(2) the rosu that came with my dish was excitingly crunchy on the outside but extremely tender in the inside; this made the taste of the Japanese curry mixed with cheese float

(3) the curry sauce was further enhanced by minced pork and mozzarella cheese resulting to a dreamy taste!

Catch the latest dishes in Yabu as soon as possible because they will only last from March 25, 2015 to May 31, 2015.

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Must Try Steaks and Pasta Dishes in Dillinger's 1903, Greenbelt

March 28, 2015, 9:03 pm

≫ Next: Food Hack - Appetizer, Steak and Pasta in Dillinger's for Only P180

≪ Previous: 2 New Incredible Yabu Dishes that will Make You Go Crazy

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Dillingers 1903 in Greenbelt 3, Makati

Whenever friends ask me what I can recommend in Greenbelt, I often found myself dumbfounded. Fortunately, I got to try Torch Restaurant earlier this year, and right then, I knew I found something I can recommend. However, giving only one recommendation (or let's say 2 if I include Ramen Nagi) seemed to be not enough. People want options; hence, I need to recommend more than one.

Well, guess what? I found another one unexpectedly.

The Story Behind the Discovery
I was not familiar with Dillingers. I just heard about it through one of my colleagues when he was sharing about a deal in Metrodeal that gives 40% discount in this restaurant called Dillinger's. I thought it was a great deal, and so I voted for the idea. Soon after, we were already on our way to the resto.

The interior of Dillinger's 1903 under the natural light

Dillingers - Old-fashioned, Cozy and Sophisticated
One of the reasons why I didn't have any idea of Dillinger's existence, aside it not being located in a more prominent spot, is its dreary and possibly scary entrance door. However, beyond that door is a cozy dimly lit interior exuding a sophisticated feel.

Now, let's head onto the dishes and start with the appetizers, shall we?

Oyster Fritters || P245

Deep fried beer-commeal coated fresh oysters with remoulade sauce

The oyster fritters appetizer of Dillinger's, Greenbelt 3

The oyster appetizer was not bad, but there was something that I found a little off, preventing me to enjoy it. Maybe, it was overcooked, or maybe the oyster wasn't as fresh. I'm not too sure.

Cajun Chicken Fingers || P295

Deep fried battered and cajun seasoned chicken breast served with honey-mustard sauce

The regular-tasting yet still okay Cajun Chicken Fingers

The chicken fingers were nice especially the tangy honey mustard dip, but I feel that given a limited budget, you should forego this one and allocate it in the pasta or the steak (if the budget permits).

Buffalo Wings || P265 - 6 pcs || P655 - 18 pcs || P1,395 - 42 pcs 

Dillinger's award-winning chicken wings fried to perfection tossed in the secret buffalo sauce served with blue cheese dip

An extremely well-prepared Buffalo Wings of Dillingers

The buffalo wings had this mildy tangy and zesty spiciness that both tickles and refreshes the taste buds. The bleu cheese dip that went with it was also heavily complementary. There was a lot of greatness in this dish!

Dillingers 1903 also offers all-day breakfast, but we only had the chance to try one.

Big Breakfast || P295

A full monty breakfast of crispy bacon, sauteed sausages, scrambled eggs, hash brown, grilled tomatoes and fresh fruits

Big Breakfast dish of Dillinger's 1903

The breakfast dish was okay, but not as exciting as the other dishes. I suggest that you allocate your funds to other dishes instead, unless you really like this kind of breakfast.

Now, unexpectedly so, the pasta dishes here in Dillingers 1903 are something to look forward to (except for one that I've tried)!

Seafood Pasta || P295

Spaghetti in pesto sauce topped with the freshest seafood catch of the day

The Seafood Pesto Pasta -- fresh but may be too greasy

Although considerably fresh, this Seafood Pasta had a rather greasy feel that diminished my enjoyment. However, the generosity in the seafood inclusions was notable.

Amatriciana || P275

Dillinger's take on the classic Amatriciana pasta with pancetta and parmesan cheese

Amatriciana Pasta of Dillinger's 1903, Greenbelt

The Amatriciana was also great with its meaty taste and balanced sweetness-and-sourness combination. This is definitely my kind of red-sauce pasta!

Note: The serving for this one is also larger than the truffle pasta.

Truffle Pasta || P295 

Truffled creamy spaghetti with parmesan cheese

The best dish of Dillinger's 1903 under the book of A Not-So-Popular Kid

The truffle pasta was reasonably priced and had this distinct yet balanced truffle essence that I really fell for! It was so balanced that no matter how much you eat of this truffle, you won't get tired of the flavor. Aaaargh, I'm actually craving for it as of this writing.

Anyway, it's now my most loved pasta here in Makati!

Carbonara || P245 

Fettuccini tossed in an egg-cream sauce topped with bacon bits and parmesan cheese

The carbonara, though has no photo here in the blog, was also noteworthy and not to mention very affordably priced! It had this dreamy creamy taste that brushed through the taste buds. It further makes rapport with the palate as you take more of the pasta.  Definitely, it is one of the best carbonara that I've tasted in Greenbelt so far.


Cheeseburger || P330

Premium beef patty served on  a whole wheat bun with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions and cheese served with a side of salad

Dillinger's 1903 Cheeseburger served with fries and coleslaw

The burger was my least favorite among the dishes we had, but nonetheless it was nice and okay. Nothing so special except for the tenderness of the patty.

Alright, now we are down to the main event - the Steaks of Dillingers 1903. Let's get it on!

Ribeye Steak || P750 

USDA Black Angus Ribeye grilled to your preference servedd with a choice of red wine or bearnaise sauce

The tender Ribeye steak of Dillinger's with prominent marbling - excellent!

The photo above shows only a third of the Ribeye Steak, since we had it divided into 3 portions. Quite excellent, I should admit.

Peppersteak || P530 

Black pepper crusted Australian beef tenderloin served with peppercorn sauce

Peppersteak - the relatively affordable steak that provides immensely comforting flavors!

The Peppersteak had this noticeable marbling and comforting tenderness. Go for the medium rare to maximize flavor and softness. It's one of the relatively affordable steak here in Greenbelt as it provided me an immensely comforting flavors!

Filletmignon || P585

Center cut of Australian beef tenderloin seasoned with herbs and wrapped with bacon served with a red wine sauce

Dillinger's 1903 Filetmignon - bacon wrapped steak!

The filet mignon had almost the same goodness as the peppersteak. The main difference lies on the presence of bacon wrapping over the meat. If you would ask me, I would still go for the Peppersteak.

Alright, that's probably all I can blog about Dillinger's, but before I end it I want to share with you how much we loved the place.

A Not-So-Popular Kid in Dillinger's 1903 for the first time with some friends at work

Remember my story earlier? Well, after our great dining experience here in Dillinger's, we couldn't get over it, so we went for a repeat the following day. Yes. We were that obsessed!

A Not-So-Popular Kid with the awesome friends in Dillinger's 1903

The story doesn't end there either because on the Sunday of that week, I invited my family to try the place as well. Hmmm, come to think of it, maybe I don't love Dillinger's that much, do I? *wink wink*

Dillingers 1903 - Overall Ratings and Summary

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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 each (for a group consisting of at least 4) to enjoy an appetizer, two pasta dishes and peppersteak for sharing

Overall, I was dazzled by most of the dishes I tried specifically the Peppersteak, the Amatriciana, the Carbonara and most importantly the Truffle Pasta. I'm urging you try them as well. Also, since I ordered those dishes twice-to-thrice already all at the same week (i.e. Thursday, Friday and Sunday), I can in a way vouch for the quality of these mentioned dishes.

Looks like I found another favorite in the area, and may even bump out Torch in the number one (no. 1) spot of my Most Loved Restaurants in Greenbelt, Makati.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Dillinger's 1903 - Steak & Brew
Location: Level 3, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City (beside Redbox)

Contact No.: (02) 6216790
Service Charge: 10% before VAT

Food Hack - Appetizer, Steak and Pasta in Dillinger's for Only P180

March 29, 2015, 8:50 am

≫ Next: Lucia Ristorante of Hotel Celeste in San Lorenzo, Makati City

≪ Previous: Must Try Steaks and Pasta Dishes in Dillinger's 1903, Greenbelt

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Dillinger's 1903 - Get 4 Dishes for only P180 each!

Think that you can't have anything so good in Greenbelt that are gentle on the wallet? Well, you may have to rethink that one.

Foodie friends, here's a nice trick that will allow you to enjoy an appetizer, steak and pasta of Dilinger's 1903 for only P180, and the things that you need are as simple as follows:

• A group consisting of 5 foodies
• A Metrodeal account
• A credit or debit card acceptable for online transactions
• An internet connection
• A whole bunch of appetite

The Food Hack Explained
There's an ongoing deal in Metrodeal wherein you can purchase a P500 worth of food credits for only P299. Check the deal here. This is equivalent to a 40% discount when you utilize it wisely, and since the prices in Dilinger's 1903 are already reasonable even without the voucher, getting 40% off would simply make the dishes very affordable!

Important thing to note about the deal:

• There is an imposed 1 person: 1 voucher policy
• The voucher can only be used during the following time:

11am-8:00 pm on Sundays to Wednesdays
11am-5.30pm on Thursdays to Saturdays

Okay, so now that you now those deets, how can you now end up paying P180 each for a sumptuous dining experience? Well, simple, buy 3 of those vouchers and spend exactly or no more than P1,500 (taking into consideration the service charge). Now, to help you out on that, I already picked what can order to not exceed the limit, along with the computation afterwards. These choices are my personal favorites, and you may read about my complete food review here: Must Try Steaks and Pasta Dishes in Dillinger's 1903

Buffalo Wings (P265)

Truffle Pasta (P295)

Carbonara (P245) or Amatriciana (P275)

Peppersteak (P530)

Now, you may think that these may not be sufficient for your appetite. Well, I won't argue because you may be right. However, in our case these selections were already sufficient enough to delight us. If you still believe these dishes won't satisfy you, what you can do is to decrease the number of foodies you'll tag along, so you'll end up 4 in the group. This however will pull up the cost per person to P225. Still, not that bad, isn't it?

Let me know what you think of this food hack, and I hope this really does the trick for you!

Lucia Ristorante of Hotel Celeste in San Lorenzo, Makati City

April 2, 2015, 6:36 am

≫ Next: First Secret Dinner Party held at The Beacon of Makati City

≪ Previous: Food Hack - Appetizer, Steak and Pasta in Dillinger's for Only P180

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Lucia Ristorante in Makati

Hey there foodie friends! I'd like to share with you what transpired during the sneak peek of the dishes in Lucia Ristorante where I got invited to. This will be short but hopefully sweet.

Lucia Ristorante in Hotel Celeste
Lucia Ristorante is an Italian restaurant housed inside Makati's premier boutique hotel called Hotel Celeste. It is located near the entrance of the San Lorenzo Village. I admit that it may not be that easy to spot it, so you may want to have your Google Maps or Waze on.

To tell you the truth, I didn't know that such boutique hotel exists in the heart of Makati (i.e. near the Greenbelt malls), much more the restaurant housed inside it. Thankfully, due to this invite, I now have an idea.

Interior of Lucia Ristorante, altered a little for the event

The chef behind Lucia Ristorante is Italian Chef Davide Lombardi who has found a home in the Philippines, where he continues to share his gastronomic heritage.

Also, just to make it clear, Lucia Ristorante is not under the management of Hotel Celeste, but instead under the management of The Cravings Group, via the partnership with the hotel of course. The food served buffet style during this sneak peek event are the following:

Norwegian Smoked Salmon of Lucia Ristorante

Roasted Chicken Salad with Balsamic Caramel

A closer look at the Roasted Chicken Salad

Meatballs Lucia with Crunchy Italian Cheese

Among all of these, the dish that really made a great impression was the Norwegian Smoked Salmon. In fact, I had almost 10 of those. Lucia Ristorante also showcased some of its pasta dishes (though I'm not quite sure if these are available in the regular menu).

Truffle Pesto Pasta of Lucia Ristorante

Related post:Truffle Pasta of Dillinger's 1903 in Greenbelt 3

Meatball Pasta of Lucia Ristorante in Makati

There's nothing much I can say about the dishes especially that I feel that these are just mere samples, but I have to admit that I got curious to try out the dishes found on the regular menu here in Lucia.

A sample pizza dish of Lucia Ristorante, Hotel Celeste, Makati

Lucia Ristorante in a Nutshell
Unfortunately, I can't say much about the restaurant because I only got to try limited dishes, and these are not usually found in the menu but rather in the mini buffet for their promo (I think). With this, I'm just releasing a Disclaimer of Opinion. It's an audit term, but I guess it's applicable in this case.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Lucia Ristorante
Location: Ground floor of Hotel Celeste, 2 San Lorenzo Drive cor. Arnaiz Avenue, San Lorenzo Village, Makati City

Contact No.: (02) 836 0023

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

First Secret Dinner Party held at The Beacon of Makati City

April 3, 2015, 4:32 am

≫ Next: Mendokoro Ramenba in Salcedo Village - Makati's Yushoken Ramen

≪ Previous: Lucia Ristorante of Hotel Celeste in San Lorenzo, Makati City

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Secret Dining Society - The Beacon of Makati City

As you may recall, I earlier blogged about this concept of Secret Dining Society (read more), and guess what? I happened to experience it myself. With this, let me show with you what I was able to document. Here it goes!

A Ride by Easy Taxi
It all began when I was picked up by Easy Taxi in Greenbelt 5 during the night of March 26, 2015.

It was all well coordinated. First off, I was given all the info about the car as well as the driver beforehand. Just for more assurance, I forwarded all those details to my mom.

That night the driver called up telling me that he was already in our pick up point. Hence, I hurried my way towards Greenbelt, and to cut it all short, I got picked up by Easy Taxi on time. By then, I was still clueless as to where the secret dining will be held, so I just relaxed and waited for us to arrive at the venue.

Skyline view of Makati City from the roof deck of The Beacon

The Beacon - Venue Handpicked by Lamudi
Lamudi is an online global property portal, and it was through this company that we had a venue for the night. The chosen property was The Beacon, specifically the roof deck where there is a magnificent view of the skyline.

The place looks posh, and with all the set up done, it looked really dashing perfect for a great dining experience.

Roof deck of The Beacon, Makati City

Dining Experience by Relik Tapas through FoodPanda
I was able to try out dining in Relik Tapas (read more) almost two years ago, and I can still remember how I liked the chorizig as well as the paella. Now, I'm reunited with the resto through this event, and although I liked my first experience better, this one wasn't half as bad. The dishes we had are as follows:

Mini Mushroom Tart and Pesto Cream Cheese Classic Bruschetta

Salad with Chorizo and Lemon Vinaigrette

Grilled Tanigue White Bean and Chorizo Stew and Roasted Vegetable Quinoa

Grilled Tanigue of Relik Tapas

The night ended with some wine and tequila care of Patron. Couldn't it get any better than that?

Overall, I found the entire event sweet and memorable. All thanks to the great people I met, the great view and the nice food. Catch the next Secret Dining Society event because they are planning to do this monthly.

Mendokoro Ramenba in Salcedo Village - Makati's Yushoken Ramen

April 3, 2015, 5:37 pm

≫ Next: Yushoken Ramen Bar in Molito, Alabang - A Usual Top Choice for Ramen

≪ Previous: First Secret Dinner Party held at The Beacon of Makati City

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Mendokoro Ramenba in Salcedo Village, Makati City

I've been hearing about Mendokoro for the past few months, and since then I wanted to give it a try. However, due to its far proximity from where I work, we usually get discouraged from checking it out. One day, I received a comment from a dear reader asking for insights regarding the place, and because of that, I got more motivation to try it out.

The limited seats in the Mendokoro Ramenba in Salcedo Village, Makati

There was nothing fancy about the interior but it was undoubtedly brilliantly designed. It featured a slightly oval shaped table where all the staff are at the core. This makes it easier for them to assist all the customers. Unfortunately, due to the small interior space, Mendokoro can only accommodate 21 customers at a time.

Hence, we still needed to wait for our turn. To burn some time off, we opted to have our photo taken.

SGV goes to Mendokoro Ramenba - Emil, Gian, Myles and Renz

Note: I'm fond of immortalizing great memories with friends, so pardon me, and I hope you don't mind. *wink*

Shio Tonkotsu Ramen || P360

Shio Ramen of Mendokoro with the brilliantly designed soup spoon

Mendokoro Ramenba's Shio Tonkotsu Ramen

Containing a clearer broth than the Shoyu Ramen, the Shio Ramen was flavorful but had a saltier overall taste. Regardless, it was a great take on the "traditional" ramen.

Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen || P390

The cleaner and better ramen - Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen

The Shoyu Ramen had a more suave taste than the Shio. The highlight of this ramen dish was the very richly flavored meat that had this intense deep flavor that awakened my senses.

Tantanmen Tonkotsu Ramen || P440

The Tantanmen Ramen of Mendokoro Ramenba

The Tantanmen Ramen had this strong flavor coming from the combination of peanut, miso and sesame oil. Unfortunately, these components didn't seem to head on to a uniform direction. Despite so, it was still considerably nice.

Miso Tonkatsu Ramen || P440

The Miso Tonktosu Ramen of Mendokoro - Makati's Yushoken

The Miso ramen had this overwhelming intensity of flavors as well that had a peculiar lemongrass-like/herby aftertaste. It admittedly appealed to me at first, but later on, I gradually got tired of the taste.

A Not-So-Popular Kid with the Valuation team and Boss FAL in Mendokoro Ramenba

It was notable that common in all ramen dishes was the goodness of the noodles. They were fresh, firm (yet quite enjoyable) and tummy-filling! Actually, the two things where Mendokoro is pretty good at are (1) the noodles and (2) the smoky tang of the tonkotsu

Mendokoro Ramenba- Overall Ratings and Summary

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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 P360 each  for the cheapest ramen, the Shio Ramen

Overall, I find Mendokoro's lean collection of ramen interesting with the intensely rich flavors. However, I found the taste rather overwhelming leaning more towards the saltly side, and this made me feel less healthy as I slurped Mendokoro's ramen. In view of this, I still go for Ramen Nagi (read more) and perhaps Mitsuyado Sei-Men (read more).

I admit that this is highly arguable, but this is just my two cents. Let me know what you think!

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Mendokoro Ramenba
Location: Ground Floor, V Corporate Center, 125 L. P. Leviste Street, Soliman St, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Contact No.: (02) 215 1751

Store hours: Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays)
Lunch - 80 bowls starting at 11:30 am
Dinner - 100 bowls starting at 6:30 pm

Service Charge: None (included in the prices already)

Reservations are NOT accepted

Yushoken Ramen Bar in Molito, Alabang - A Usual Top Choice for Ramen

April 5, 2015, 5:08 pm

≫ Next: Top 10 Ramen Restaurants in Metro Manila [Incomplete List]

≪ Previous: Mendokoro Ramenba in Salcedo Village - Makati's Yushoken Ramen

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Yushoken Ramen in Molito, Alabang

Continuing on with my quest to satisfy my thirst for ramen exploration, I finally got to try Yushoken Ramen in Molito, Alabang. There were some food blogs or sites claiming that this is the top ramen place in the metro, so I got really eager to put that into test. Currently, my the top ramen in my books is Ramen Nagi. The question now is, with this Yushoken experience, will I have a new number 1? Well, let's get into it!

Ramen Yushoken in Molito, Alabang

The interior of Yushoken is rather simple. Nothing extraordinary. What I meant by this is it doesn't generate a Japanese kind of ambiance, unlike hmmm, shall I sayMitsuyado Sei-Men (read more)? Even such is the case, the ambiance was nicely modern and comfy.

As for the dishes, let's start with the gyoza.

Gyoza || P150 - 5 pieces

Yushoken's famous gyoza for starter

The gyoza was fine belonging to the top tier that I had, but unfortunately, I still haven't found the best yet here. This one featured a semi-crisp external layer with a veggie-meaty core.

Karaage || P210 - 4 pieces

The Karage with its fascinating tenderness and tastiness

The karage was magnificently cooked evidenced by the uber tenderness and crispiness on the outside. On top of all, it had this uncomplicated good taste, making it highly memorable.

Miso Ramen || P380

The miso ramen of Ramen Yushoken

The miso ramen had this balanced goodness that was just right for my palate! In fact, it was more balanced the creation of Mendokoro perhaps attributable to the absence of the peculiar aftertaste present in the latter.

Tokusei Tsukumen of Ramen Yushoken - a best seller!

Unexpectedly capturing our hearts, this Tokusei tsukumen featured a rich fatty broth that is considerably, though not perfectly, well-balanced. The richness in taste lingers in and tickles the taste buds. Also, unlike in Mendokoro, the serving here in Yushoken is apparently larger.

In addition, the small yet powerful portion of meat that went with the broth had this smokey tang. However, it also happened to be not as tender as I would like it to be (same case as that of in Mendokoro). Nevertheless, having this Tokusei Tsukumen was definitely such a wonderful palatable experience!

Karai Tokusei - the amazing tsukumen with an interesting spiciness!

This spicy version of the Tokusei is different and the same altogether. The spice added to it to make it hot didn't just bring flame to the dish but as well as more interesting flavors.

A Not-So-Popular Kid in Yushoken Ramen Place in Molito, Alabang

Is Yushoken my new No.1?
It took me a few minutes of deliberation to come up with a decision, and it was so hard choosing between the two.

I liked Ramen Nagi's specialty ramen because most of them are unique. Also, I find the 3 of the 4 key ramen dishes that I've tried soft and bold at the same time creating a harmonious experience.

On the other hand, I liked Yushoken's take on the ramen and tsukumen when it comes to the more traditional variant of ramen. The dishes also offer bold and distinct flavors with little of the softness. This however creates deep intense taste that really engages the palate. It was extremely enjoyable at first, and to tell you the truth, I thought I had a new no. 1. However, the more I helped myself with the tsukumen I was having, the more I feel the sawa factor. This sealed back Ramen Nagi's place at the top of my list.

Yushoken- Overall Ratings and Summary

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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 P350 each  for the cheapest ramen, the Shio Ramen

Overall, I enjoyed the bold flavors offered here in Yushoken. Yes, it may get a little too bold sometimes, but this may be remedied by sharing with someone (although I'm not sure if the restaurant's policy permits this). Unfortunately, Yushoken failed to steal the title as far as my list is concerned, but it landed perfectly well on no. 2!

Heads up foodie friends! I'm building up my own list of Top Ramen Places soon, so I do hope you tune in to this food blog.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Yushoken Ramen Bar
Location: Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Contact No.: (02) 808 7424

Store hours: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm daily

Service Charge: 10% before VAT

Top 10 Ramen Restaurants in Metro Manila [Incomplete List]

April 7, 2015, 6:35 pm

≫ Next: Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant and Bar, Laoag, Ilocos Norte

≪ Previous: Yushoken Ramen Bar in Molito, Alabang - A Usual Top Choice for Ramen

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List of best ramen according to A Not-So-Popular Kid

This blog post is dedicated to highlight the top ramen places I've been to. I know I may be a little late in coming up with this list, but I wanted to have my own documentation as well of the best ramen places here in the metro.

Note, however, that I don't have a clear criteria or basis for this ranking. As a result, I just banked on my own judgment as well as how great I felt with the bowl of ramen I had in coming up with this list. Also, if you want to see a more detailed review on the ramen place, just tap or click on the name of the restaurant just before the image.

Last update date:April 8, 2015

1. Ramen Nagi

The famous Black King Ramen of Ramen Nagi

Do you approve of this?

Ramen Nagi offers a lot of flavors in its bowl perfected with a playful yet flexible kick depending on your preference. What makes Nagi number for me is the combined greatness of the broth, the noodles and the heavenly tender meat. On top of all, I perceive the ramen here as "balanced".

Location: Multiple branches
What to order? Any of the King Ramen Series (i.e. Butao King, Green King, Black King and Red King) -- the Green King is my personal favorite.

2. Ramen Yushoken

The insanely guilt-full Karai Tokusei of Ramen Yushoken

Do you approve of this?

Ramen Yushoken showcases more of the traditional ramen, but what's different here than in Ramen Nagi is the availability of the tsukumen as well as the cold noodles or soba. The main reason as to why this one placed no. 2 is the overwhelming bold flavors of the dish. Too much intake got me too tired of the taste. Despite such claim, I won't deny the greatness of the ramen and tsukumen here!

Location: Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
What to order? Tokusei Tsukumen, Karai Tsukumen and Miso Ramen

3. Mitsuyado Sei-Men

The highly flavorful Tan Tan Ramen of Mitsuyado Sei-Men Ramen

Do you approve of this?

Making a true comeback, Mitsuyado Sei-Men didn't appeal to me during the first time my first dining experience when I had the Double Cheese Tsukumen. However, I felt like I needed to give it a second chance, and luckily I did! I just love their relatively new Tan Tan Ramen as well as the well-balanced Miso Tsukumen.

Location: Jupiter Street, Makati and Blu Bay Walk, Pasay City
What to order? Tan Tan Ramen and Miso Tsukumen

4. Mendokoro Ramenba

The traditional Shoyu Ramen by Mendokoro Ramenba

Do you approve of this?

I am not quite sure as to why I didn't enjoy Mendokoro the way I imagined it to be. Perhaps it was because of the excessively bold flavors that triggered something within me -- something like an alert button that me pause for a while, and re-think whether the dish is healthy considering the multitude of flavors. Regardless, I enjoyed the ramen here in its traditional form.

Location: Ground Floor, V Corporate Center, 125 L. P. Leviste Street, Soliman St, Salcedo Village, Makati City
What to order? Shoyu Ramen

So far, this is all the ramen places I deem to be worthy to be part of the list. I wanted to include Ramen Cool in here (due to its relative goodness and immense affordability), but I don't think it will be fit for the Top 5 position.
 
Also, here are the list of those that I already tried but unfortunately didn't make the list.

Ukokkei Ramen Ron || Kenji Tei Ramen House || Ajisen Ramen || Kokoro Ramenya

Anyway, I'm still building this list, so I'm definitely open for your suggestions. Hopefully, you'll drop some comments and share your favorite ramen places! 

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Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant and Bar, Laoag, Ilocos Norte

April 8, 2015, 4:30 pm

≫ Next: Pizza Hut's All New Hand-Stretched Crust with Glazed Edges

≪ Previous: Top 10 Ramen Restaurants in Metro Manila [Incomplete List]

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Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant and Bar, Balay da Blas, Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant is the in-house restaurant of Balay da Blas (read more), and would you believe that this place is also a hot go-to destination for foodies?

Well, I think there's nothing much surprising about it. Firstly, the popularity of Balay da Blas drips down to Saramsam; hence, people going to Balay da Blas have the natural tendency to try the restaurant as well. However, I believe that won't be sufficient to sustain its fame.

Now, here are possibly the more fundamental reasons as to why locals as well as tourists flock here in this place, but first let these photos speak for themselves.

The colorful interior of Saramsam with native touches

Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant can be a place for romantic dinner!

Saramsam offers an extreme air of comfort that makes you feel extra homey and at peace, and with the quaint yet colorful interior, you'll surely fall in love with the place.

In fact, it's so beautiful you can bring your date here, and have an awesome serene dining experience.

Additional photo of Saramsam's interior in Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Now, if you want to go a little modern, you may want to check out this semi-private room of Saramsam. It has this posh feel and classy touches.

The semi-private room in Saramsam, Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Of course, the place won't be as popular as it is without the essence -- the dishes. So, let's now get to the bottom of this by taking a look at some of the food served here in Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant.

Poque-poque Salad || P150

The refreshing poque-poque for appetizer

This salad was remarkably refreshing not only to the eyes but to the taste buds as well. Also, I just love how well-spiced yet well-balanced the flavors were.

Canton Guisado || P115

The Canton Guisado of Saramsam in Balay da Blas

Coming in with soft noodles, the Canton Guisado was tasty but arguably salty, as far as my taste buds are concerned.

Saramsam Pasta || P160

Spaghetti with shrimps, cilantro, green and red peppers, fresh tomatoes, onions, green and ripe mango slices, with olive oil and grated parmesan cheese

The confusing pasta dish of Saramsam -- multitude of not highly harmonious flavors

The taste of this dish was way too confusing that I myself got confused whether I appreciate it or not. However, the fact that it made me think about it may suggest that this dish is "something".

It had multi-directional flavors (i.e. sweetness from the mangoes, saltiness from the cheese and herby taste from the veggies and spices) that may not be completely harmonious.

Dinardaraan Pizza || P185 for 8" || P345 for 11"

The unique and tasty Dinardaraan or Dinuguan Pizza - something for a change!

This pizza was definitely unique with the added Pinoy twist of putting dinuguan on top. I know it may be disgusting for you, but it honestly worked for me. I'm giving this a two-thumbs up!

Lauya a Baka || P205

Meaty beef bones, potatoes and cabbage delicately soured with tomatoes

Lauya a Baka of Saramsam Restaurant

Although it may not appear visually enticing, this Lauya a Baka was something that I found refreshing with its balanced flavor and generous meat serving.

Chicken Pork Adobo || P195

Chicken Pork Adobo by Saramsam in Balay da Blas

I did not find this enjoyable for two reasons. First off, the serving appeared to be small. Second, the adobo had this saltiness that I found beyond what I can tolerate. In fact, the saltiness was too strong that it lingered in my taste buds. However, one of my friends saw this dish completely different, and he even said it was just "spiced rightly".

Chicharong Bagnet with KBL (Kamatis, Bagoong and Lasona) || P245

Crispy bagnet of Saramsam - a definite best seller!

This Ilocano specialty was a star with its authentic crispiness and tastiness (leaving a guilt-full but pleasurable palatable experience).

Kalti || P175 (left) and Saniata Ice Cream (Dragon Fruit) || P45 (right)

Although I didn't find the desserts we had superb, I still got to enjoy the Kalti (which had this suave mascovado goodness), but unfortunately not the ice cream.

Now, before I end, let me show this with you which is actually our first group photo in Laoag, if I remembered it right.

A Not-So-Popular Kid with the gang in Saramsam of Balay da Blas

All thanks to my great friends for making our Laoag trip fantastic! 

Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant - Overall Ratings and Summary

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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 each  for a complete meal with friends going in a group of at least 4

With the astounding beauty of its interior, Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant is definitely something you may want to look forward to when you visit Laoag. The food served is generally comforting and delicious. The service is marked with friendliness and warmth, and the prices are relatively cheap and affordable.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant and Bar
Location: Cor P. Gomez & Giron St. Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

Contact No.: (77) 770 4389
Service Charge: None

Pizza Hut's All New Hand-Stretched Crust with Glazed Edges

April 11, 2015, 9:38 pm

≫ Next: Beat the Heat with the Newest Gelato in Town - Manila Creamery Artisanal Gelato!

≪ Previous: Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant and Bar, Laoag, Ilocos Norte

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Hand Stretched Pizza of Pizza Hut

Hey there dear fellow foodies! I'm going to share with you something new about Pizza Hut, and it's something you might be requesting for a long time already.

One fine night, two (2) pizza boxes magically appeared on our doorsteps. The fairies must have heard my plea for pizzas as I was craving for some. Nah, kidding aside, it was sent to our home via Pizza Hut Delivery for me and my family to enjoy. Cool! 

Now, everyone was pretty excited in anticipation of discovering something new in Pizza Hut. After all, it was one of those pizza parlors that we were first exposed to.

Now, before I proceed, let me share with you first the new idea of Pizza Hut.

Pizza Hut Hand Stretched Thinner Crust with Glaze

Hand Stretched Pizza
Pizza Hut brings to you a thinner crust made interesting with a glaze of your choice for the edges. Currently, there are three crust glazes to choose from: (1) Toasted Cheddar; (2) Honey Crunch; (3) Toasted Parmesan and (4) Garlic Parmesan Butter

Yes, I know that this "something new" may seem like a small change to what's already there, but I may have to argue that sometimes the pizza crust may tell the major part of the story, and if you change it, the story may course to a different ending.

Hawaiian Supreme with the Honey Crunch Glaze

Supreme Pizza with Toasted Cheddar Glazed Crust

Going back to our small pizza feast at home, I was able to find this new product interesting especially that I've noticed how less greasy it was. Also, the thiner crust enabled me to focus on the goodness of the toppings as opposed to the regular pan pizza. With this, I can say that it was a definite level up from what Pizza Hut usually offers.

However, even though I liked the fresh and innovative ideas in sparking up the crust, I would still go for my ultimate favorite in Pizza Hut -- stuffed crust! Oh, there's an ongoing promo that you may want to grab. It's nothing but 2 family size pizzas for only P499 with no delivery charge (see the poster above)!

Anyway, do give it a try, and share with me what you think.

Beat the Heat with the Newest Gelato in Town - Manila Creamery Artisanal Gelato!

April 12, 2015, 5:05 pm

≫ Next: Bulgogi Brothers in Mall of Asia - a place for Korean Cuisine Grillables

≪ Previous: Pizza Hut's All New Hand-Stretched Crust with Glazed Edges

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Manila Creamery Artisanal Gelato

Holy Heat! It's summer already foodie friends, and it's the best season to cool down with a cup of gelato (or anything cold for that matter). Just imagine feeling all chilly as the cool temperature transfers from the cup to your hand. (Well, scientifically, it's the warmth of your hand that transfers into the cup, but nah, I bet you don't care about that). How about the thought of the wintry air brushing through your face as you move the spoonful of gelato closer to your mouth? And finally, how about perfectly ending everything with an icy kiss? Aaaah. Perfect-gelato moment.

Anyway, what's my point? Well, I just carried away. All I want to say is that there's this new gelato shop offering awesome flavors! It's called Manila Creamery!

8 Flavors of Manila Creamery Artisinal Gelato

Manila Creamery - what's in the name? 
Manila Creamery is a company brought into existence by gelato specialists who studied in respected gelato schools in Italy. The establishment makes use of their time-tested techniques as well as their creativity in crafting modern Italian gelato for Filipinos to enjoy and experience. It is committed in producing delicious hand-crafted artisanal gelato using only the fresh and high quality ingredients.

There are currently 8 flavors available, and I was lucky to give them all a try.

Mangga't Suman, Apple Crumble, Kinder Bueno 

and Madagascar Vanilla Almond (from left to right)

The Mangga't Suman had this chewy sticky rice bits making the gelato interestingly playful in the mouth. It's a good take on the gelato, and I like how it has its Filipino identity. The mango though extremely tasty adds up more sweetness to the base. It may be excellent but a little too sweet for some (or me for that matter).

The Apple Crumble was generally fine and authentic but a bit regular for my palate despite the touch of cinnamon. Perhaps I'm not fond of the flavor in itself, since I don't enjoy apple pies.

The Kinder Bueno was nothing but awesome as it captures the kinder bueno goodness that we love. It was sweeter than what I can usually tolerate, but my friend Pam liked it the way it was. Still, I find this definitely lovely!

The Madagascar Vanilla Almond is a bolder step-up for those afraid to try something new since the base is vanilla. However, it was more than that as it had this interesting crunch from the almonds that tasted really fresh.

Cereal Milk and Black Sesame

Cereal Milk (Cornflakes and Cornflakes Cookie - left) and Black Sesame Gelato (right)

The Cereal Milk is pretty good and recommended for those who want to try a more familiar flavor, but I must admit that even if it was simple, it tasted really amazing. 

The Black Sesame is something for the adventurous as it offers a interestingly peculiar blend of roasted sesame creating bitterness and eventually matched with sweetness from the chocolate crunch. It was also sensational in the mouth. However, I'm guess that it may not appeal to everyone due to the potent sesame tang.

Double Chocolate and Pistachio 

Double Chocolate (up) and Pistachio (down) gelato of Manila Creamery

Among all those that I tried these two are my top favorites! The Sicilian Pistachio had this nutty and balanced sweetness with really dreamy pistachio accent. It was undeniably naturally refreshing and suave!

The Double Chocolate also hit the right spots, and I love how dreamy it was with a magnificent highlight on the cocoa goodness!

Manila Creamery Artisanal Gelato in a Nutshell
Generally the texture of the gelatos of Manila Creamery is smooth with no hint of tasting anything artificial. Yeah, it's nothing but pure gelato. Surely this gelato shop has a lot of potential, so watch out 'cuz this addition to the gelato world may rock it!

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Manila Creamery
Location: No fixed location yet, but catch their Facebook page for updates on where they will temporary pitch. Also, they might jump from one bazaar to another.

Facebook: Manila Creamery
Instagram: @mnlcreamery

For inquiries or deliveries, you may contact:
+63917 599 7963 (Paolo Reyes)

Manila Creamery Gelato Prices

P120 per scoop

P420 per pint

Bulgogi Brothers in Mall of Asia - a place for Korean Cuisine Grillables

April 14, 2015, 6:28 pm

≫ Next: Step Up Your Food Trip with Listerine by Gargling for a Better Oral Health

≪ Previous: Beat the Heat with the Newest Gelato in Town - Manila Creamery Artisanal Gelato!

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Korean grilling in Bulgogi Brothers, Mall of Asia

I once shared with you in this blog my lack of fondness for Korean cuisine, and even up to now I still have more or less the same insight. However, I do have some exception when it comes to the cuisine, and they are nothing but the grillables such as samgyupsal and bulgogi to name a few.

Anyway, there was this one Sunday after hearing a mass when we went to MoA for our usual family dinner, and just like before, it took us a while to decide on where to eat. Yeah, there's nothing much interesting around MoA anymore, and each time it becomes more and more difficult to pick out something interesting. When we were about to give up on thinking, one of my siblings suggested Bulgogi Brothers. I contested, but later on agreed. Afterall the restaurant offers the dishes I mentioned above.

Bulgogi Brothers
Just like most of the restaurants under the Bistro Group, Bulgogi Brothers has this cozy modern look that seems inviting and comfy. Of course, it would have been more interesting if the place exudes Korean ambiance, but even so, I find the place okay. I wasn't able to snap a good shot of the place, so I'm just going to head onto the dishes.

When you order anything grillable such as those under the "Barbecue" section of the menu, you'll get unlimited refills for these appetizers:

Bulgogi Brothers Appetizers - kimchi, anchovies, spicy salad and more

Corn and sweet potatoes for appetizers - unlimited refills!

Among the appetizers served, my favorites are the sweetened anchovies and the corn.

Spicy Seafood Dumpling || P450 - 6 pieces

Fried pork dumplin with seafood stir fried in sweet and hot sauce

Spicy Seafood Dumpling Appetizer of Bulgogi Brothers

Although heavily pricey, this dumpling dish is something you may enjoy because of its sweet-spicy goodness, crunchiness and of course tastiness. Well, actually, it's the sauce that really drives this dish.

Bulgogi Bibimbap || P395 

Traditional Korean favorite - a bowl of mixed rice topped with vegetables, egg and bulgogi

The interesting and great bibimbap of Bulgogi Brothers

Bibimbap after mixing it all up!

I'm not a big fan of Bibimbap, but I certainly enjoyed this one. What I usually do is to get a spoonful of bibimbap and place it on top of the bulgogi/samgyupsal before I wrap everything up with a lettuce.

Also, if you are not much into Korean cuisine like me, you may want to request to add only have of the spicy sauce here in the Bibimbap. I actually can't describe the taste. All I know is that the vegetables, the bulgogi and the raw egg blended well to create a palatable experience.

Beef Brisket Bulgogi || P495

Thin rolls of US Angus Beef Brisket with crisp bean sprouts

Beef Brisket Bulgogi of Bulgogi Brothers

Grilling the Beef Brisket Bulgogi

Beef Belly BBQ || P495

Thin slices of beef belly seasoned with a twist of our Bulgogi sauce

Beef Belly Barbecue or commonly known as the beef version of the samgyupsal

Smiley face before the actual grilling - Bulgogi Brothers

Grilling the Beef Belly BBQ of the Bulgogi Brothers, Mall of Asia

Pork Bulgogi || P445

The traditional Korean stir-fried spicy pork belly blended with kimchi slices

Pork Bulgogi - an amazing delight for the evening!

Further grilling the Pork Bulgogi for more flavor!

I no longer commented on a per dish basis for the grillables because they seem to taste alike except for the Pork Bulgogi. Hence, I will just comment on them collectively.

Usually when it comes to bulgogi, samgyupsal and other grillables, it is most likely the freshness and quality of the meat that matter. Fortunately, Bulgogi Brothers didn't disappoint in providing such great quality and fresh meat. We already dined here in this restaurant twice, and they were consistent in terms of the quality.

A Not-So-Popular Kid in Bulgogi Brothers, Mall of Asia

Also, I would like to share with you how much I enjoyed our experience. I may not like Korean cuisine, but when it comes to these grillables, it's totally different.

Bulgogi Brothers - Overall Ratings and Summary

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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 P350 each coming in a group of 4 for a sharing-type of dining

Overall, I find Bulgogi Brothers a really nice place for some Korean grilling. Admittedly, you may find the restaurant a bit pricey especially when you don't have a Bistro Card, entitling you to a 20% discount.

Now, to end this blog post, I just want to say that this restaurant now belongs to my currently slim list of restaurants I like in Mall of Asia.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Bulgogi Brothers
Location: Second Floor, South Wing, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City

Contact No.: (02) 511 0639
Service Charge: 10% before VAT

Step Up Your Food Trip with Listerine by Gargling for a Better Oral Health

April 17, 2015, 3:58 pm

≫ Next: Locavore Filipino Restaurant in Kapitolyo, Pasig

≪ Previous: Bulgogi Brothers in Mall of Asia - a place for Korean Cuisine Grillables

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Step Up Your Food Trip with Listerine

Listerine held its Step Up Your Food Trip campaign in Eastwood Open Park, and I was fortunate to be able to participate in it last March 27, 2015.

The primary goal of the campaign is to raise awareness among us foodies to step up our oral health by adding one more step and that is gargling with Listerine.

Brushing May Not be Enough - Step it Up!
It is a common misnomer that mouthwashes are used to just freshen the breath, but it actually does more than that. It removes a coating of bacteria called biofilm covering the teeth that can't be easily removed by brushing alone. Hence, for better oral health, it is highly advisable to add a final step of gargling with Listerine.

A Not-So-Popular Kid stepping up his oral health with Listerine

Biofilm Explained
Biofilm is a sticky layer of bacteria that sticks to the teeth and causes plaque, gum problems, and bad breath. You can actually feel the biofilm. It's basically the slippery layer on your teeth when you roll your tongue over it. Notice that even after brushing, you can still feel this slippery substance. Well, that's where this mouthwash comes in.

Step Up Your Foodtrip
Now, aside from this, Listerine wanted us to step up our general health by showcasing a line up of healthy foodie options.

Among all those that were there, these are the ones that caught my attention.

Freshly blended smoothies in Jamba Juice

The refreshing smoothie of Jamba Juice perfect to combat the extreme heat

V Kitchen's Vegan Mozarella "Cheese" Sticks

V Kitchen's Korean Soy Garlic Cauliflower

Egg Muffin by YummyDiet

Fresh Juices by Goldpress Juicing of Yummy Diet

Sushi Chicken Salad

Refreshing Chicken Panizza Roll

Surprisingly good Vegetarian Siopao by Dr. Tams

A Paradigm Shift towards Better Health
Now that I'm not getting any younger, I'm starting to become health conscious as well. Hence, being in this event, seemed like an encouragement and sign for me to start getting healthier now. To jump start this, I'm now targeting to have a more active lifestyle by ensuring that I get proper exercise and of course having proper diet. This means bye-bye to reckless eating, and more to hitting the gym.

Now, after the event, I went back to the office and share what transpired during the day. They got curious as to what's new with Listerine Total Care; hence, we became all eager to try it out.

Listerine Total Care Antibacterial Mouthwash

Upon our regular toothbrush session at 1:30 pm with my toothbrush buddies, we finally "completed" our oral regime with the Listerine Total Care, and it felt entirely different. Unquestionably, it freshened our breaths and left a comfy feeling in the mouth. However, what's actually more comforting was the assurance that we were able to step up our oral hygiene -- killing all those bacteria 100%. With this, I realized that by only adding one step which takes about 30 seconds, I made a huge difference in terms of my oral care!

It's time to step up my food trip by washing out all the bacteria and biofilm with Listerine

Oh by the way, it's important to note that Listerine Total Care, with 4 essential oils, is the only unique formulation that is scientifically proven to break through and remove the biofilm layer, to cleaning virtually 100% of the mouth. Now, that's what you can call total care!

Foodie friends, it's the perfect time to Step Up with Listerine! Start now for better oral health.

Locavore Filipino Restaurant in Kapitolyo, Pasig

April 18, 2015, 4:14 pm

≫ Next: Madrid Fusion Manila 2015 Set to Happen in SM Supermalls

≪ Previous: Step Up Your Food Trip with Listerine by Gargling for a Better Oral Health

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Locavore Filipino Restaurant in Kapitolyo, Pasig

After meaningfully spending our entire morning by joining the Renovate to Educate program last April 11. We decided to dedicate the remaining of the day in rewarding ourselves not only for what we did in the morning but for the rest of the week. It's good to treat ourselves once in a while in order to further motivate us in doing the best we can everyday.

Anyway, it took us moments of deliberation where to spend our evening. Then, my good friend Pam just blurted out Locavore. We became curious with the name and the place; hence, we decided to give it a go.

Locavore Kitchen and Drinks in Kapitolyo

Outdoor dining area of Locavore

From afar, Locavore already seems very promising. The structure and exterior design make you really itch to give it a try. When you enter the premise, you'll see three sections or areas. The first one is the rocky outdoor; the second is the regular outdoor; and the third is the traditional indoor. You may choose your ambiance, but are subject to availability. Also, reservations are highly recommended.

Locavore outdoor dining area - Filipino cuisine

Locavore - entrance to the indoor dining area #LocavorePH

Now, going to the dishes of Locavore, we had the following, starting with the appetizer.

Tanigue Kinilaw || P200 

Cane vinegar, ginger, shallots, red bell pepper, spring onion and wansoy

Tanigue Kinilaw in Locavore - tender and tasty!

The soft and fresh Tanigue Kinilaw - a definite must-try!

The tanigue kinilaw was really delightful with its notable freshness and texture. It was like eating a sashimi but with a twist. There was also this moderate sourness from the vinegar balanced by a subtle sweet mango taste. It was a playfully well-blended high quality dish!

Lechon Oyster Sisig || P360 

Highly mouthgasmic and taste-bud-electrifying Lechon Oyster Sisig

The oyster sisig though admittedly greasy was unbelievably mouthgasmic! The fatty seafood and meaty flavor gave the dish a full dimensional flavor that was so potent and good!

Ginataang Kalabasa || P350

Kalabasa, gata, French Beans, Locavore Porkchop and shrimp

The innovative Ginataang Kalabasa of Locavore

The light sweetness coming from the kalabasa, the saltiness from the meat and the way the dish was packaged made this Ginataang Kalabasa interesting. However, for me the overall taste was considerably overwhelming, and hence must be blended with rice to tone it down.

Roasted Garlic Organic Brown Rice || P75

The Roasted Garlic Organic Brown Rice that is good for two

A Not-So-Popular Kid in Locavore with some of the block mates

Well, there you go foodie friends, I hope you enjoyed this review of Locavore!

Our reservation guidelines
Posted by Locavore Kitchen & Drinks on Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Locavore - Overall Ratings and Summary

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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 P350 each for about 3 dishes including a rice of your own (for a group of at least 4)

Overall, there was this high intensity of flavors in the dishes we tried that was perfect at first, but steeply fell as I went along. But don't get me wrong. Do give it a try because you'll enjoy the great ride! You just need someone to share the dishes with, so you'll manage the flavor and avoid excessive satiation.

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Locavore Filipino Restaurant
Location: Brixton Technology Center, 10 Brixton Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Contact No.: (02) 246 9069 ext:275

Store hours: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm (lunch)
5:00 pm to 2:00 am (dinner)

Service Charge: 10% before VAT

Madrid Fusion Manila 2015 Set to Happen in SM Supermalls

April 18, 2015, 10:18 pm

≫ Next: Al Freso Dining at The Sunset Lounge of Pan Pacific Hotel Manila

≪ Previous: Locavore Filipino Restaurant in Kapitolyo, Pasig

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One of the grandest global foodie events is set to happen here in Manila for 2015. Ready your buckets as you drool for awesome food creations!

Madrid Fusion Manila 2015 to be held in SM

What is Madrid Fusion Manila all about?  The Philippines and Spain share a deep and colorful history and what better way to celebrate these two cultures than through their vibrant and intertwined culinary traditions. This April, the world’s most anticipated epicurean event will celebrate the two countries ’300 years’ worth of shared connection through food in one global event where the world’s top chefs showcase culinary innovations and cutting-edge techniques, ingredients and recipes taking food and dining to the next level. If one wants to see the “future of food,” this is the place to be in. -- lifted from the press release material

SARSA's special skewers - barbecue and more!

Chef JP Anglo of SARSA

SM, the host of the first-ever Madrid Fusion Manila, held a cuisine demonstration at Sarsa Kitchen + Bar, Mall of Asia last April 16, 2015. Chef Bruce Ricketts, Chef Rob Pengson and Chef Claude Tayag, the Philippines’ finest representatives to the Madrid Fusion Manila Congress showcased their mastery in cooking, with a special participation of Chef JP Anglo. Madrid Fusion Manila is set to happen on April 24-26, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Chef Bruce Ricketts

Celebrity Chef Rob Pengson

Chef Claude Tayag of Bale Dutung

I was able to meet Chef Claude Tayag in his restaurant called Bale Dutung in Pampanga (read more), and I have to admit, he prepared a lot of amazing food back then. The most memorable one was the Paradiso dessert!

There will be a whole lot more on the actual date itself with Michelin-starred chefs! Also, on the last day of the Trade Exhibition (April 26, 2015), gates will be open to foodies, paying an entrance fee of P500 in advance. Participation in tasting seminars and degustation tunnels also require prior registration. Registration may be done here.

For the complete schedule of events at SM malls, visit SM Supermalls on Facebook or @smsupermalls on Instagram.

For more information on how to register for Madrid Fusion Manila 2015, visit www.madridfusionmanila.com.

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Al Freso Dining at The Sunset Lounge of Pan Pacific Hotel Manila

April 20, 2015, 5:03 pm

≫ Next: SARSA Kitchen + Bar in Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

≪ Previous: Madrid Fusion Manila 2015 Set to Happen in SM Supermalls

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The Sunset Lounge of Pan Pacific Hotel Manila

Would you believe that here in the heart of Manila, there's a place where you can chill and just enjoy the summer breeze? Yes, I'm not kidding. It may not be obvious to spot it (since it's inside a hotel), but you'll find it along Adriatico Street of Malate, specifically in the Sunset Lounge of Pan Pacific Hotel.

Now, if you would take a look at these photos, you'll understand why I felt so light and relaxed when I was sampling their dishes. The ambiance is so different that you'll doubt if things are true.

This fountain here in Sunset Lounge adds a lot in the serenity of the ambiance

The Sunset Lounge of Pan Pacific Hotel

Yes, I am exaggerating but it was just magical how Sunset Lounge was able to detach itself from the image of busy and chaotic street of Manila. It's like finding gold in a sea of copper. (I can't think of a better analogy, but you get the point.)

Relax and unwind as you dine here in the Sunset Lounge

Bask under the warm rays of the setting sun here in the Sunset Lounge

Even though the view is already great during pre-sunset, things turn out even better when the sun eventually sets, as the view gets dreamy, the air turns chilly and the ambiance becomes romantic.

Sunset Lounge is pretty awesome during the night!

Perfect for chilling - dine and relax!

As you bask in a glorious moment, you may indulge yourself with the dishes prepared by the hotel. Here are some of those which you may order:

Pacific Chicken Nachos || P380

Tortilla chips with sliced chikcen, jalapeno, salsa and cheese and condiments

The nachos with a kick that marks - Pan Pacific Hotel

The nachos had this wild yet adventurous kick that really tickled and shook up my taste buds.

Baby Back Pianizzas || P480

Topped with smoked baby back ribs, edam cheese, mozzarella and corn kernels

The innovative Baby Back Pianizza of Sunset Lounge

Unique and intriguing, this Baby Back Ribs pizza was innovative with its authentic rib meat bits, which is also where the sweetness was borrowed. More than the intriguing flavors, it was the concept that made me like this dish so much.

Reuben Quesadillas || P350

Lightly toasted tortilla, green lettuce, sour cream and melted cheese

The Reuben Quesadillas for snacking!

These quesadillas were really light yet tasty making it great for snacking!

Buffalo Wings and Chicken Drumlets || P350

Spicy breaded chicken drumlets and wings, blue cheese dip

The hot yet savory Buffalo Wings with blue cheese sauce

The buffalo wings of Sunset Lounge was rightly spicy featuring a more viscous sauce.

Crispy and tasty Chicken Drumlets

On the other hand, the chicken was notably good because of its clean-tasting batter (i.e. does not have a greasy taste and feel). It was crispy on the outside and definitely traditionally tasty in the inside.

Pork Sisig Tacos || P350

Pork mask, tacos, lettuce, tomato and onion and cheese

The creamy sisig topping of the Pork Sisig Tacos

The Pork Sisig Tacos - creative and unique!

Innovative and creative, the Sisig Taco was something I found amusing because it was the first time I saw and tasted something that incorporated sisig in a taco. I enjoyed this dish for its concept as well as the refreshing taste!

The calming view at The Sunset Lounge of Pan Pacific Hotel

Sunset Lounge of Pan Pacific Hotel
Overall, I was able to really appreciate Sunset Lounge. The dishes were interesting especially the two innovative ones. However, more than the food, it was the ambiance that I found highly pleasurable. This was sufficient enough to make this experience worthwhile!

How about you - do you recommend this place?

The Sunset Lounge
Location: Pan Pacific Manila, Adriatico corner Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila

Store Hours: 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Contact No.: (02) 318 0788
Service Charge: 10% before VAT

SARSA Kitchen + Bar in Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

April 23, 2015, 7:22 pm

≫ Next: Gayuma ni Maria Restaurant along Maginhawa Street, Quezon City

≪ Previous: Al Freso Dining at The Sunset Lounge of Pan Pacific Hotel Manila

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SARSA Kitchen + Bar, Mall of Asia Complex

Sarsa is a celebrity-chef-owned restaurant serving contemporary Filipino cuisine, and just last week, I was able to give it a try when Madrid Fusion Manila (read more) had a demonstration held in the said restaurant.

The interior of SARSA in Mall of Asia Complex

The interior of Sarsa here in Mall of Asia is quite remarkable with its modern Filipino touches. You'll find it both homey and comfy. Some of the paintings hanged around the place stirs up curiosity as they represent a piece of Philippine history.

Pritchon Pancake || P270

Pritchon Pancake with the sweet and savory Hoisin Chili Sauce

This Pritchon Pancake had this great meaty bits mixed with some veggies resulting to a refreshing taste that taste more like a fusion of Filipino and Chinese flavor; also the hoisin sauce that went with this dish was really a blessing as it mixed well with the wrap.

Crispy Panara Rolls || P180

Crispy Panara Rolls + Tokwa't Baboy Sauce

Inasal Tofu || P170

Inasal Tofu of SARSA Kitchen in Mall of Asia

Although it's a great concept, this Inasal Tofu tasted a bit regular. What gives it flavor is the coating of the chicken oil.

Liempo-Q || P220 and Baticolon (Chicken gizzard) ||P170

Barbecue grilled sticks of SARSA Kitchen + Bar

The chicken barbecue I had was a little salty and tough diminishing its potential to delight. Good thing it came up with a peanut sauce that I really find highly complementary. If not for the sauce the dish could have been "one of those dishes".

Isaw (Chicken Intestine) || P165

Isaw (Chicken Intestine) at SARSA

The isaw was finely cooked with a prominent smokey goodness. It was in a way "masked", since it didn't feel like I was eating a chicken intestine. There was also an abundance of umami coming from the coating of chicken oil.

SARSA Kitchen + Bar - Summary

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Sarsa offers umami-intensive dishes. However, some were so tasty; they become overwhelming, but I believe, with the right mix and right pacing, you'll enjoy the dishes you'll have here in SARSA. At some point, it also reminds me of Locavore Restaurant (read more) where dishes offer an avalanche of flavors (that needs proper management in order to realize full potential).

How about you - do you recommend this place?

SARSA Kitchen + Bar
Location: Second Floor, Entertainment Mall, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City

Store hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (based on Zomato)

Service Charge: 10% before VAT

Gayuma ni Maria Restaurant along Maginhawa Street, Quezon City

April 25, 2015, 5:49 am

≫ Next: The Plantation Bar & Bistro in Legaspi Village, Makati City

≪ Previous: SARSA Kitchen + Bar in Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

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Entrance to Gayuma ni Maria restaurant along Maginhawa Street of Quezon City

After spending the morning with an abundance of joy and fulfillment by participating in the Renovate to Educate (read more) program, we decided to go for a stop in Maginhawa's Gayuma ni Maria.

I heard that this place serves great food, so I awaited in a gleeful anticipation. When we reached our destination, that excitement even rose up especially seeing how nice the place seem.

A closer look at the entrance of Gayuma ni Maria

Just by its entrance, Gayuma ni Maria seemed to have a nice concept; however, just when I thought things were about to get better, it did not, as we needed to bear the extreme heat in the place. It was sheer rotten luck because the air-conditioning unit was broken. And even if I tried to shrug it off, I can't help but be bothered by the heat. This ultimately affected our perception of the dishes and of course our overall dining experience.

Emil Ong trying to act out what's on the painting

In as much as I wanted to deviate my attention away from the uneasiness brought by the heat, I was barely successful, but anyway, I won't delve into it, so let's proceed with some of the dishes we tried, and the first one to arrive was the chicken.

The home-like interior of Gayuma ni Maria in Maginhawa

'Coz I Care (Seafood Kare-Kare) || P235

Fresh bounty from the sea cooked in O.V.O. peanut sauce served with veggies and GAYUMA-tized bagoong

Gayuma ni Maria's Seafood Kare-Kare

Lacking a visually enticing appeal, the Kare-kare featured a peanut taste with an immense level of sweetness as opposed to the traditional ones. However, it didn't taste that refreshing because I sensed some "unnatural-ness" in it. Overall, it was nice but probably not that sulit.

Please Be Careful with My Heart (Citrus Chicken) || P255

Half a chicken seared then slowly roasted in a concoction of garlic, lemon, herbs, olive oil and garlic that's perfect for the breast. Best way to eat it is to smash the garlic into the chicken

Please be Careful with My Heart Dish of Gayuma ni Maria

The citrus taste of the chicken together with the garlic put emphasis on the goodness of the dish. It was almost ordinary but with right blend of citrus and the touch of garlic, it became interesting. Had the room temperature been nice, I could have appreciated this better.

Nilasing ni Eba si Adan (Roasted Pork Belly) || P275

Pork belly slow roasted by herbs and an apple and local beer sauce on the side(which they forgot to serve)

Nilasing ni Eba si Adan dish of Gayuma ni Maria

Visually appealing, the Ginayuma ni Eba si Adan seemed to have a lot of promising potential. Although it was not as tender as it could be,  I would say it was still a sulit dish. There was nothing too much to anticipate yet, but it was tasty with a touch of sweetness from the apples bits. Perhaps they could pair this dish with a complementary sauce, 'cuz that will be awesome!

Note: Upon re-reading again the description, I learned that there should be a sauce that should have gone with it. However, they seemed to have forgotten it.

A Not-So-Popular Kid (me), Roan, Emil and Shawn in Gayuma ni Maria

Basically, that sums everything up. I hope you found this blog post informative.

Gayuma ni Maria - Overall Ratings and Summary

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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 P235 each for about 3 dishes including a rice of your own (for a group of at least 4)

Overall, Gayuma ni Maria fell short of our initial expectation as the food ranged from normal to a little above normal, but I think the main factor here was the inconduciveness of the room temperature. It was a good thing that the staff were nice and satisfactorily accommodating. In short, medyo walang talab ang gayuma.

For a more exciting modern Filipino cuisine, you may go for Locavore Restaurant (read more).

What's your view on this? Let me hear you out! :)

How about you - do you recommend this place?

Gayuma ni Maria
Location: 123 V Luna Extension Near Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City

Contact No.: (02) 441 4872

Service Charge: None

The Plantation Bar & Bistro in Legaspi Village, Makati City

April 26, 2015, 10:48 pm

≫ Next: The Long-Awaited McRib Debuts Nationwide across all McDonald's Restaurants

≪ Previous: Gayuma ni Maria Restaurant along Maginhawa Street, Quezon City

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The Plantation Bar & Bistro in Makati

When the dreaded April 15, 2015 came, everything seemed to move in a fast blurry manner. However, since we were able to essentially complete our tasks, we had the time to lunch out. The chosen destination was Plantation, since we heard good reviews about it.

It took us only a short while to walk from the office, but when we got there, the place was all filled up. We waited for about 10 minutes before we were seated, so during those moments, I pondered upon the interior which was neat featuring a casual sporty look with modern touches.

Interior of the Plantation Bar & Bistro in Legaspi Village, Makati City

The food came in a bit late perhaps because again they were running a full house, but anyway, let me share with you my insights.

Nacho Libre || P200

A basketful of nachos generously topped with ground beef, nacho cheese, peppers, onions and Plantation's very own salsa

The starter dish to ease up our hunger - Nacho Libre!

The nacho dish was great due to the generous meat serving and the delectable cheese sauce. It also didn't have that Mexican herb that I have low tolerance for.

Spicy Spareribs || P170 

A Plantation Trademark. Fried pork spareribs in secret hot and spicy breading

The best dish of the day - crispy and tasty!

The spareribs had this delicious crunchy and rightly spiced batter. The sauce blends well making this a fantastic dish. You should never miss this here!

Pepper Steak || P270

A serving of local tenderloin, rubbed down with olive oil and pepper. Served with mushroom rice pilaf and roasted mixed vegetables

The affordable yet not-so-incredible Peppersteak of Plantation

The Peppersteak had this excessively peppery sauce that hindered me to appreciate the dish. However, the meat was nicely cooked though not as tender as I would have enjoyed it normally.

Fillet Mignon || P290

Surrounded by bacon, then char-grilled, made even better with the mushroom gravy. Comes with a serving of mashed potatoes and buttered mixed vegetables

The Fillet Mignon of The Plantation Bar & Bistro

The Fillet Mignon had a better overall taste with its light buttery sauce. It was more tender than the Peppersteak but still not tender enough based on what I usually enjoy. If you will ask me, I'll go for this more than the Peppersteak.
Baby Back Ribs || P560 - Full Rack 

Grilled, falls-off-the-bone ribs, smothered in Plantation's own barbecue-hickory sauce, served with coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and corn

Another star of this dining experience - Baby Back Ribs

Although not as visually enticing as it could be, these Plantation ribs were both tender and smokey. It also had this authentic taste that approached that of Racks. The sauce was also savory sweet that went well with the meat. Thumbs up for this!

Grilled Mediterranean Pork Chops || P210

2 pieces of prime cut pork chops, mushroom rice pilaf, white peppercorn sauce, and roasted Mediteranean vegetables

The Grilled Mediterranean Pork Chops of Plantation

The Grilled Pork Chops were nice and satisfactorily tender; however, what diminished my liking in this dish was the same sauce that went with the Peppersteak -- overly peppery! Still, this dish was good.

Here's another snapshot of me with my awesome colleagues! Cheers for more food trips!

A Not-So-Popular Kid in The Plantation Bar & Bistro

The Plantation Bar & Bistro - Overall Ratings and Summary

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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 P250 each for a solo dish or mixed dishes coming in a group of 4

All in all I was able to appreciate the relative affordability of the dishes as well as their scrutinized layout. However, I was only able to fully appreciate two dishes which were the (1) crispy spareribs and (2) baby back ribs. If not for these two great dishes I will not think of giving this place a re-visit. It's not that the food here isn't good. It's just that I didn't find anything much special or worthwhile in the dishes we tried.

Will you be trying this place out?

The Plantation Bar & Bistro
Location: Ground Floor, SCC Building, 106 Carlos Palanca Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City

Contact No.: (02) 501 5727 

The Long-Awaited McRib Debuts Nationwide across all McDonald's Restaurants

April 28, 2015, 1:12 am

≫ Next: Four Seasons Hotpot Buffet in SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

≪ Previous: The Plantation Bar & Bistro in Legaspi Village, Makati City

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The New McRib of McDonald's now in the Philippines

Here's a fantastic news for you my dear foodie friends! Now, you've probably heard late last year about the McRib being available in select McDonald's stores. However, in case, you didn't know, or you did but failed to try it, do not be frustrated because I have great news for you: the legendary McRib has finally found its way in all McDonald's branches! Yes, you read it right, it was already made available nationwide last April 15, the day when auditors rejoice!

The McRib
What's all the rave on the McRib all about? Well, I think the primary reason for this is it being a new product! Foodies, you know this. We are always on a constant quest to discover something new. It just gives us the thrills when we taste something out of the ordinary.

Aside from that of course, McRib is also innovative as it uses pork for its patty cooked in a special way to have that "ribbed" effect. It is also dripping with a hefty amount of mouthwatering BBQ sauce that is sweet, smokey and tangy altogether - just how Pinoys like it!

McRib is perfect with the world-famous French fries of McDonald's

Now, McRib comes in two forms . The first one is the regular McRib (P99 a la carte) which contains pickles and onions while the the second one, the McRib Deluxe (P119 a la carte), comes with a bunch of fresh lettuce with mayo.

The New McRib of McDonald's Philippines

Of course, McRib is best paired with the world-famous fries of McDonald's along with a cold and refreshing drink.

Here's the thing. McRib will be available for a limited time only, and McDonald's didn't announce exactly until when. So, grab a McRib as soon as you can because you'll never know when it will be out. Now, don't you go blaming me if that happened. I already shared the great news with you!