Orange and Spices Chicken Cajun, Buffalo Bites - timeless classic!

February 5, 2021, 2:47 am

≫ Next: Yomie's Refreshingly Creamy and Fresh Yogurt Drink

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Starting out as a college favorite, Orange and Spices remain to be a timeless favorite for chicken tenders, something you should not miss!  You'll also love the story of determination behind Orange and Spices, with which makes me look up to it even more.

Craving for these? Affordable rice meals starts at 95 pesos. Order now!

Posted by Orange and Spices on Monday, January 18, 2021

Orange & Spices: a pandemic story of great determination

The owner of Orange and Spices once opened up that the pandemic has put them in the brink of bankruptcy. With no students coming to the university, their sales have plummeted to almost zero. However, the owner (despite feeling overwhelmingly discouraged) put forth the needs of those who are depending on him for livelihood, such as his crew members as well as his family. Banking on this along with his determination to face the challenges, he decides to press on (yes, present tense, because even to this day, everyday is a battle for him). He didn't want to abandon his responsibilities, creditors, and most especially his employees. 

This story of such struggle yet of great determination moved me deeply, and hence I try to support in the best way I could. Besides, I really love Orange and Spices, and I'd definitely want it to stay. Part of my college memories are anchored to it, and to see it standing also means to me.

Orange & Spices: affordably delicious!

One of my old time favorites here is the cajun chicken which is one of the three variants of chicken tenders offered here in the resto (all of which are amazing, by the way). My mom is a bit sensitive to spicy food, so she wanted the classic one. As a compromise, I ordered the Trio Sampler - all 3 flavors! This also allowed me to try the buffalo bites. 

Classic Chicken Tenders - playfully crunchy with rightly seasoned chicken breast, goes well with the honey mustard dip

Cajun Tenders - enjoyably spicy (the cayenne type of spicy) that boosts your appetite as you munch. Also goes well with the dip!

Buffalo Bites - this one caught me off guard with its savory goodness mixed with a playful kick from the sauce. An instant favorite, and something I'd recommend. 

On a side note, I was also celebrating my birthday when I tried this Trio Sampler, and I discovered that they go well with lasagna. That time, I also had some Premium Beef Lasagna from Bhest (read more).

Other recommended dishes

These are not in the photos above, but I also recommend their grilled liempo, beef salpicao and chicken parimigiano! All are consistently good. 

Order now by dropping a message to their FB page, Orange and Spices. You may also use this order form to get your orders.

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Yomie's Refreshingly Creamy and Fresh Yogurt Drink

February 7, 2021, 4:16 am

≫ Next: Bhest Premium Beef Lasagna - The Meatiest Lasagna in Town!

≪ Previous: Orange and Spices Chicken Cajun, Buffalo Bites - timeless classic!

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I have a gut feel that milk tea days have already passed, as people may now be at the saturation point. Now, I'll make a guess that perhaps the next craze will be yogurt drinks. 

Yogurt has once became a trend back in 2010, and maybe it's bound to make a come back in a form of drink. Well, why not? It's refreshing and relatively healthier (providing good bacteria for better digestion). Hence, here I am about to share the best yogurt drink I tasted to date (although I've only tried 3 brands so far) - Yomie's.  

Why Yomie?

I'll keep it simple, and just a make a list to better illustrate it:

• Rightly sweet
• Ice is well blended giving a smooth and creamy texture
• Fruits are fresh and naturally sweet

There are currently two (2) branches of Yomie, one in Banawe and one in Newport. The Banawe Branch is found in Grab, while the one in Newport can be via pabili (i.e. you personally book a driver to pick your orders).

I was able to try four (4) flavors, which I have my sister to thank for. 

• Pure Jujube Yogurt (P154) - grainy texture but with honey-like sweetness
• Mango Yogurt (P176) - when they say fresh fruits, they are definitely not kidding. And also, check out the photo above, just look at the proportion of that mango 
• Straw To My Berry (P198) - strawberry bits with more of the sweet berry taste (less of the sour fruitiness), smooth and creamy overall, melts in the mouth
• Pure Red Bean Yogurt (P154) - grainy as well with refreshing flavor of the red bean!

Hands down to this drink, and again, this is currently my top favorite among all the yogurt drinks I tasted. If you feel like ordering, you can check it out in Grab Food, or check out their FB page.

“It's a beautiful day, the sun is shining, I feel good, and no one's gonna stop me now” -Freddie Mercury Feel great...

Posted by Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt Philippines 有米酸奶 on Friday, January 29, 2021

Bhest Premium Beef Lasagna - The Meatiest Lasagna in Town!

February 7, 2021, 6:18 am

≫ Next: House of Birria's Premium and Authentic Beef Tacos

≪ Previous: Yomie's Refreshingly Creamy and Fresh Yogurt Drink

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I had Bhest Lasagna for my birthday, and I got fortunate that Bhest was able to accommodate my order despite being fully booked / sold out for the day. It completed my chicken + lasagna theme for my birthday. In this blog post, I'll be sharing about Bhest's Premium Beef Lasagna, and perhaps do some comparison with those that I was able to try.

Before that, let me just take you back a few years when I got to try Bhest Lasagna. We were in Antipolo along with some of my blogger family (the KTG) throwing despedida for Jeng, wherein we had some afternoon to evening feast. One of the dishes we had was Bhest Lasagna, and I remember loving it back then, so I got pretty excited to be reunited to it again. 

Bhest's Lasagna came in strongly tantalizing as we opened it up, and the aroma enveloped the room making our mouth water. Interestingly, there are three variants of Bhest Lasagna, including their best-selling Lasagna Laing. However, for this occasion, I availed the Premium Beef.

True to its description, Bhest's Premium Beef Lasagna was indeed meaty! Every bite has a lot of meat to it, giving you that protein boost. Hence, meat lovers will surely this. On a precautionary note, some may find the generous serving of meat too tasty (which may put the palate off-balance). Hence, you may manage this by taking smaller portions and pair it with, let's say, chicken with which we did. 

Bhest Lasagna is generally cheesy that compliments the meatiness and the subtle sweetness of the tomato sauce. Also, the pasta itself is al dente giving you a good mix of texture in the mouth.

By the way, if you are looking for some chicken to pair with your lasagna, I suggest the chicken tenders of Orange and Spices (read more). It will surely boost the experience further! 

If you are looking for other lasagna, below are some that I also recommend along with their overall taste profile:

• Mum's Lasagna - meaty, creamy and very filling! Also, this is visually amazing!
• The Hungry Sib - creamy, with moderate meat, and more saucy -- very balanced taste that you easily won't get tired off

Now, if you are going for Bhest Lasagna, you can order via their IG page (@bhestlasagna). They are pretty responsive and accommodating, so you won't have any worries.

House of Birria's Premium and Authentic Beef Tacos

February 9, 2021, 6:25 am

≫ Next: Falling in Love with the Mascarpone Cake by Benassi

≪ Previous: Bhest Premium Beef Lasagna - The Meatiest Lasagna in Town!

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Authentic Mexican comfort food sounds like an impossible dream here in the Metro, but fortunately it isn't, especially that we now have House of Birria serving up their explosively delicious tacos, ready to be delivered right on our doorsteps.

It was my younger brother who had this sent to our home on my birthday. He wanted us to try something refreshingly different. He already tried this before, so he was confident that we'll love it, and he was right. So right. 

As soon as we opened the package, my heart leapt (or my stomach growled, I was too distracted). The aroma wafted through the room, and I wanted to dig in right then. However, I held off the urge, so that I can snap a photo and share with you here (though, I won't be able to share the real thing). 

The taco looks so much alive and vibrant with such freshness. Once you take a bite, you'll get to indulge on the meat which was rightfully spiced giving it this juicy savory taste. The shell (which is halfway to being breadish, yet still magically crisp) balances the meatiness along with the salsa and greens. Another good thing about the taco is how it was able to retain its relative crispness despite being in the road for delivery.

It also came with this dipping sauce that served as the "heart" of this dish. It what made it even more special, exponentially raising the experience. 

Now you may ask, how do you suppose to eat it? The answer -- in the most messy way possible, so long as you enjoy the taco in all its glory. Let it drip. Let it all be messy because that is how you can get the best out of it! 

Not yet convinced? Well, I don't know what else will. So, if you feel like tasting this delicious invention, you may check them out via their IG page, which I am putting down below for your reference.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PREMIUM BEEF BIRRIA TACOS 🌮💯 (@houseofbirriaph)

Falling in Love with the Mascarpone Cake by Benassi

February 11, 2021, 7:09 am

≫ Next: Krissell's Homebaked Caramel Cakes + Cupcakes

≪ Previous: House of Birria's Premium and Authentic Beef Tacos

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Who says that birthday cakes need to be round? When in fact, all cakes of all forms, has the potential to provide the same joys as that of a round one. Come to think of it, I even got to taste a couple of round ones that did not spark much joy. My point is, the cake is not the essence of a birthday celebration, so feel free to get any cake for your birthday. And that's what I did. I got Mascarpone Tub Cake by Benassi for mine.

It was my sister who ordered this Mascarpone Cake by Benassi, and it came in this extra neat packaging that was fit for the occasion. It was wrapped with this adorable box all tied up with a paper string, and this made me feel like an eager child opening up a present. 

Seemingly fairy dust filled the air as I pried the lid off. It smelled sweet and luscious. The tub was sort of containing its beauty so I decided to set it free and lay it on a plate. In my eyes, it sparkled. 

As I took a spoonful, my eyes involuntarily closed as my palate was washed with this calming sweet-salty creaminess from the mascarpone, briefly I was then pulled back to reality with the playful kick of the coffee. I took another spoonful, followed by the next, until nothing remained on the plate. It was lovely! It relished some of my childhood memories, and there was peace to that.

If you also want to take home this magic enclosed in a tub, you may check out there IG page below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mascarpone Cake By Benassi 🇮🇹 (@mascarponecake_bybenassi)

Krissell's Homebaked Caramel Cakes + Cupcakes

March 14, 2021, 7:07 am

≫ Next: A Canadian Culinary Experience in The Test Kitchen

≪ Previous: Falling in Love with the Mascarpone Cake by Benassi

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Creamy, luscious, melt-in-your-mouth caramel-custard on top of a moist cake. This is what you'll get from Krissell's Homebaked Caramel Cakes. Plus, everything is very much balanced allowing you to really indulge in this heavenly dessert. 

Another thing that I really adored with Krissell's cakes was how lovely the packaging was. It was as if you're getting a souvenir from an event. When ordering cupcakes, they are neatly packaged in this adorable dividers which works two ways: (1) protecting the cupcakes from possible distortions, (2) improving the visuals. 

...creamy, luscious, melt-in-your-mouth with captivating push-and-pull of salted caramel goodness

The Caramel Cake, on the other hand, comes with this high-quality baby-blue cake box that gives it a sweeter appeal. It also provided me much excitement as I open this box, and unveiling the moist, luscious cake! 

The caramel was captivating, especially with the comforting push-and-pull of salty-sweet goodness. There was a tremendous balance in this push-and-pull which really made me want more (which explains why I just downed 2 cupcakes in just 1 minute). The texture was also velvety tickling the buds as you savor the caramel. 

This is one of the best homebaked caramel cakes I tried, and surely this is something you should try. You may even want to give this as a gift. With a great packaging, this surely won't disappoint the one you'll give to. Check 'em out! 

For orders, you may message them at their FB Page or IG @krissells_caramel_cake . You may also contact them via mobile +639561351788. You may also navigate via the IG post I've shared below for your convenience.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Krissell's Caramel Cake (@krissells_caramel_cake)

A Canadian Culinary Experience in The Test Kitchen

March 21, 2021, 2:40 am

≫ Next: Tong Yang Shabu-Shabu Express - Hotpot Experience!

≪ Previous: Krissell's Homebaked Caramel Cakes + Cupcakes

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Driven by the passion to upgrade/expand Filipino dining experience through introduction of quality Canadian products and raw ingredients, the Embassy of Canada tied up with Chef Josh Boutwood to showcase a range of dishes that will just prove this. 

A few months back, the embassy started holding these roadshows in a form of culinary festivity, and in each of these events, they lay down their vision of redefining our food scene. The first one that I got to participate in was in Ikomai (read more), where they showcased the excellence of their Pacific and Atlantic seafood and Triple A Ribeye among others. 

They wanted to further exhibit the culinary flexibility of these Canadian-sourced ingredients, and hence the Embassy of Canada through a partnership with Chef Boutwood did a popup in The Test Kitchen last March 9-11, 2021. During this limited window, guests were given the opportunity to try out these collab-dishes, and personally experience the vision the embassy is advocating for.

As I've shared in the blog post on Ikomai, Canadian mussels are fresh, tender, plump and bursting in its natural seafood goodness. It's so good on its own that they don't need to rely much on other ingredients just so you can have a remarkable experience.

Canadian mussels, sauteed in whitewine, garlic & parsley

This is what I experienced once again when I had this mussel soup for appetizer. 

Maple & soy cured egg, caraway & fennel lavash

Aside from its seafood, Canada is also famous for its high-quality beef, and what else can put this into a major test, other than serving it up as a beef tartar dish. In order to pull this off perfectly, the beef should be on its top-quality state, and that's what exactly what we got with this. Chef Josh also gave this a nice surprise by having this soy cured yolk at the center. 

Braised short ribs on pineapple scotch bonnet

If the beef tartar did not pique your interest, I'm sure this one will do. Well, who doesn't like beef short ribs? It's just utterly tender, with the meat fibers absorbing the spices giving this juicy-mouthsploding bite.

For dessert, we had this Ice wine custard & blueberries. What is notably different with Canadian blueberries is that they are rightly sweet less the bitter aftertaste from other blueberries. Hence, this gives you a more suave berry taste -- smooth, ticklish and refreshing! 

For more information on Canada products (e.g. beef as well as its collection of Pacific and Atlantic seafood), visit their website at https://canadabeef.ca/. Alternatively, you may also check out their FB Page and Instagram account @loveCDNbeef.

Also, if you happen to be in the food industry, , you may want to work with these brands/companies to source these high-quality products: Hightower, McAsia FoodTrade Corporation, Pilliterri Estates Winery, Growers Ciders, Royal Star Seafood, PEI Mussel King and Wyman's.

Tong Yang Shabu-Shabu Express - Hotpot Experience!

April 11, 2021, 1:47 am

≫ Next: GrabKitchen Mix and Match - Multiple Restaurants, One Delivery Fee!

≪ Previous: A Canadian Culinary Experience in The Test Kitchen

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Tong Yang Shabu-Shabu Express reimagines the hotpot experience by giving you full control of your personal pot, and since this is "express", dishes are in ala carte mode. Hence, if you don't feel like binging over unli-hotpot, express is the way to go! 

Note: I haven't personally tried the unlimited hotpot of a non-express Tong Yang branch, so I don't have a benchmark in this regard. Hopefully this pandemic goes over with, so I can experience that. 

Tong Yang Express in Assembly Grounds, The Rise

This particular branch is conveniently located in the mall area of The Rise condominium in Makati. Lucky for those who live in this condo. They have a quick access to a good lineup of restaurants. You'll also find here Premier the Samgyupsal (read more),  Buffalo Wings N Things, and more. Unfortunately, given the pandemic era, this mall is open only until 8:00 PM (or earlier depending on the quarantine category in place). 

You have the option to create your own shabu-shabu meal here in Tong Yang. You first begin with selecting the soup base and then just point which meat, seafood, etc. you want to go with your hotpot. However, you may also go for pre-selected sets for convenience. 

For the night, I just ordered the Beef Karubi Set which is reasonably priced at P320 (as of March 2021). This comes with a free soup base of your choice, and a hefty serving of veggies, meat and other hotpot balls. Also, I went for the spicy soup base, the name of which I forgot. 

Look at how generous the serving is for the meat! By the way, before I forget, as a personal tip, the best time to visit this branch is pre-closing. This is the time when they are disposing most their inventory = more serving. The only downside is you'll somehow be pressured to finish fast. 

The soup base I selected had this sour-kick, which I had a love-hate relationship with, given that I'm not a fan of sour-savory soup. I've tried developing liking for these kinds of soup (such as Tom Yum), but I'm really still struggling with it. The only sour soup that I'd enjoy is our very own Sinigang. Had this been spicy (without the sour element), I'd definitely love it more! 

Ingredients here in Tong Yang are of great quality, evidenced by the texture of the meat and veggies. I'd definitely want to try the other soup base, since my gut feel tells me that I'd enjoy them more. 

Anyway, great hotpot! Tong Yang definitely refreshed my initially negative impression of the restaurant. As a matter of fact, I'd recommend for you to try dining here! 

Tong Yang Shabu-Shabu Express

Location: Assembly Grounds at The Rise Makati, 1203 Malugay, Makati, 1203 Metro Manila

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GrabKitchen Mix and Match - Multiple Restaurants, One Delivery Fee!

May 12, 2021, 5:07 am

≫ Next: Olympia's House of Roast Beef - A Must Try!

≪ Previous: Tong Yang Shabu-Shabu Express - Hotpot Experience!

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Hey fellow foodies! GrabFood has a fantastic news for all of us. Just recently, they launched this brand new feature called Mix and Match. This gives us the power to order from multiple restaurants within the GrabKitchen and just pay one delivery fee. Hence, if you are in the mood to explore multiple flavors at one go, you now have the ability to do so. 

All you need to do is head on to GrabFood. Select (or search for) GrabKitchen. The list of merchants housed in the said kitchen will show up. However, keep scrolling until you come across "GrabKitchen - Mix and Match". Currently, they operate into two areas: (1) Malate, and (2) Paranaque. Click the one closer to you, and from there you may now begin selecting your favorite dishes from multiple restaurants.

Remember, you can mix and match as many dishes from different restaurants. You have the power of options, so utilize this. At the end of it all, you will just pay one delivery fee. Amazing, huh? 

To aid you in your selection, here's a complete list of restaurants (as of May 2021) which you can mix and match from depending on the area.

MALATE

Omakase, Frankie's, Recovery Food, Paper Moon, Yogorino, Pepi Cubano, Dapo at Tisa, King Chef, La Tita, Selecta, So Mot, Blu Kouzina, Coco Fresh Tea and Juice, Merienda by Pan De Manila, and Go! Salads

PARANAQUE

24 Chicken, Alishan at the Alley, Army Navy, Cara Mia, La Titas MNL, Kyoto Sushi Bake, El Nacho Libre, Sheikh’s Kebab, Breakfast for 2, Black Kimchi!, Pizza Telefono Selecta, Omakase, and Dapo at Tisa

Since I live closer to the GrabKitchen Malate, I was able to personally try out this Mix and Match feature of GrabKitchen, and I ended up ordering from four (4) restaurants namely Frankie's, King Chef, Omakase and Yogorino. 

Alright, so let's break down a bit the choices I picked.

For appetizers, I've always been craving for Omakase's special rolls, and hence, this was actually the first that went into the basket. It was such an easy choice.

Dyanmite Roll from Omakase - Tuna, Unagi, Salmon of different textures and flavor

Next was their best-selling Okonomiyaki, which still held up its reputation as one of the fine ones you can have here in the Metro.  

And just so I can have variety, I also ordered some siomai from King Chef. After all, this is the power of GrabKitchen's newest mix and match feature. 

My mom was craving for some tempura a few days back, hence, I've decided to satisfy that longing, and add Omakase's Tempura in the basket. 

Thankfully Frankie's is in GrabKitchen Malate's list of restaurants, and of course I was compelled to add two variants of their chicken in the basket. 

Frankie's Caribbean Jerk - mildy spicy with intriguing savory sweetness

Frankie's Garlic Parmesan - creamy buttery parmesan and garlic, still one of the best!

A dining experience would feel incomplete without desserts, so I mindlessly yet conveniently ticked off one pint of Yogorino's fresh serve yogurt ice cream. 

See? We almost had a feast at home with a wide collection of dishes that arrived, and that's all thanks to the new mix and match feature of GrabKitchen. Try it out yourself and experience the power of mixing and matching dishes via the Grab app. 

Olympia's House of Roast Beef - A Must Try!

June 6, 2021, 1:16 am

≫ Next: Byrd Tubs - Inasal and Char Siu Chicken, Metro Manila Delivery

≪ Previous: GrabKitchen Mix and Match - Multiple Restaurants, One Delivery Fee!

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A few days ago, my brother was keep on telling us how he missed this certain roast beef that he was able to try when there are bazaars in DLSU. He was remembering how delicious the roast beef was, and we couldn't help but catch that enthusiasm. Soon after, he went downstairs, and returned back with a food package on his hand, which off course turned out to be that roast beef. In this blog post, I'll be sharing more about this dish.

The roast beef my brother was raving about was from Olympia's. While this might not be a very catchy name to remember, the roast beef will then speak for itself and really live out a sticky impression. By the time that I'm writing about this roast beef, we already ordered thrice. That was how much we also loved it. True enough, my brother was not not exaggerating. 

Hmmmm, let me try to break down a bit the dish. First off, if you'll look at the photo above, you'll notice that the beef is relatively lean with ample layer of fat to make it rightly juicy. The spices seeped within the meat fibers causing each bite to have this explosiveness of flavor. This also comes with a special gravy which further accentuate the taste with the hint of tangy-savory goodness potentially from the infusion of red wine. 

The photo above doesn't do much justice as it made it seem a bit dry, but don't be dissuaded by this. When you actually take a bite, you'll be surprised that it is tender. Actually, the photo below should be able to portray the juiciness better. See for yourself. Now, if you don't believe me, then you have to personally try it yourself then. 

If you are ready for this mouth-watering US Angus Roast Beef with Red Wine Gravy, you may reach out to them via this number 0916-414-0826 or 442-0974. Super worth it!

Byrd Tubs - Inasal and Char Siu Chicken, Metro Manila Delivery

June 9, 2021, 1:44 am

≫ Next: Must Visit: % Arabica Cafe in W City Center, BGC

≪ Previous: Olympia's House of Roast Beef - A Must Try!

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If you are thinking of having a feast at home that would be easy and convenient, you may want to check out the chicken-and-rice tub collection of Byrd Tubs. This was what my sister did when she felt like treating the family with some comfort food. All we needed to do was to literally dig into the tub, and voila instead feast! 

In this blog post, I'll be sharing about two (2) of its dishes - Chicken Inasal and Char Siu. 

Four marinated and roasted barbecue chicken thighs with sauteed bokchoy and lap cheong egg fried rice. Good for 3-4 pax.

The Char Siu Chicken (P900) works best for those with sweet tooth, and at the same time to those who appreciate dishes with some kind of char-grilled smokiness to it. The taste is oriental yet very much appealing to our Filipino taste buds. However, what further accentuates this dish are the sauces that come with it giving it bolder sweet-savory goodness.

Chicken breast and boneless leg quarters marinated in a vat of lemongrass and spices, grilled then basted with annatto oil. It is served with java garlic rice and Byrd Tub's signature tanglad chili sauce. An order comes with soy vinegar, calamansi and red birds eye chili. Good for 3-4 pax.

The Chicken Inasal Tub (P900) is an extra savory treat! Both the rice and the chicken themselves have explosive goodness that bursts as soon as you take a bite. The richness of the taste also seeped deep into the fibers of the chicken contributing to that explosiveness.

I'd also like to share to you the beauty of ordering more than one (1) tub. By doing such, it allows you to mix and match. For example, you may pair the Chicken Inasal with the rice from the Char Siu giving you a different experience altogether. You're buds will surely be in a lot of adventure!

Should you feel the cravings right now, you may check out their shop here - Byrd Tubs Order Online. Note that they easily sell-out, so it's best to book in advance. You may also check out their IG page, since they normally announce there when they open up more slots.

Must Visit: % Arabica Cafe in W City Center, BGC

June 13, 2021, 4:21 am

≫ Next: Jonathan's Must-Try Burgers in Abangan Norte, Marilao

≪ Previous: Byrd Tubs - Inasal and Char Siu Chicken, Metro Manila Delivery

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If you are starting to feel the blues of being too stuck working from your home, you may want to change the environment a bit and visit % Arabica in W City Center of Taguig. The café has this captivating openness and minimalist feel that surely provide this calming vibe. This explains why when the quarantine blues were kind of biting, we decided to drop by the place. Surely, it helped somehow in giving me short reset. 

Let's explore it a bit more in this blog post!

As soon as you open the door of % Arabica, a wave of relaxation will immediately greet you, and right there you will be put in glee by the optimistic interior. Everything here just looks so refreshingly modern. 

Given the pandemic restrictions, there is still a good seating capacity here in % Arabica. Also, the glass walls allow the natural sunlight to spread across the room, which also provides more comfort in slightly disinfecting the air with the UV. 

Interestingly, the mezzanine is accessible, and there is a couple of seats available here as well, but it's more for those who need time to really focus. 

Now, as for the coffee, there is a wide range to choose from, and there is a level of customization you can go for. All orders come in this very minimalistic cups wit the percentage symbol representing the brand.

For my personal cup, I had a heart-warming Mocha. I was so giddy when I got my order, and I could feel the warmth of the coffee as I was holding it up and taking a photo. I also opened it up, and I was surprised to see the latte art. 

Both my sister and mom had a Spanish Latte with which they finished with delight. 

I spent my morning working here in Arabica Cafe, and it was indeed energizing sitting near the window, and having the faint sunlight hitting my face. Ahhhhh, just a blissful moment. 

% Arabica is located in Unit 1, Ground Floor, W City Center 7th Avenue, corner 30th St, BGC, Taguig. It's only a short walk from Bonifacio High Street, and it's definitely worth a visit! 

Jonathan's Must-Try Burgers in Abangan Norte, Marilao

November 1, 2021, 1:31 am

≫ Next: Magnolia Gold Label Ice Cream - 7 Must-Try Flavors!

≪ Previous: Must Visit: % Arabica Cafe in W City Center, BGC

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Found in the same place where the famous Lugawan ni Ona (read more) is, Jonathan's Burger is a foodie destination that you should go to and try next. Why? Well, let's just say that I haven't had any love-at-first bite moments for the past months, and finally I found it here. Hands down. The burgers were captivatingly delicious. So, let me tell more of that in this blog post! 

Basking in its simplicity, Jonathan's Burger accommodates max of 8 people in its al fresco spot. The area is partially covered, and the surrounding is filled with natural greens. Those who want to visit with their cars may do so, since you can also park in the area. 

Cheese burger with lettuce, tomato, and signature sauce

The Nothing Beats Classic (P95) is perfectly, well, classic -- it comes with a juicy and tender patty that bursts with flavor as you take a bite. For the price, this is gold. The lettuce, tomatoes and onions were crisp and fresh giving more character to every bite. 

Nashville style fried chicken with coleslaw and special sauce. A must. I'd repeat. A MUST.

The Hot Chicken Burger (P105) is a personal favorite. I literally had this in two consecutive days because that was how I was completely blown away by the taste! The first thing my mouth felt was the crisp from the chicken followed by some playful kick from the sauce. As I munched, the flavors kept on exploding in the mouth. Hands down. I recommend this! 

Cheese burger with bacon, lettuce, tomato and signature sauce

The Bacon and Cheese Burger (P125) is basically the classic burger sharing the same goodness, but embellished with additional texture and flavors from the bacon. The extra fat from the bacon further accents the flavor and seals in the tastiness. 

By the way, for all the burgers, you will just add P40 to upgrade them to a meal which will include an iced tea and fries. Now, that's value for money right there.

Jonathan's Burgers - Overall Ratings and Summary

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Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings reflect my personal experiences on the times I dine here.
Taste  ★★★★★
Value for Money ★★★★★
Budget: at least P95 each for a fantastic burger, and P135 each if you want to have a drink and fries with it
No. of visits for this particular restaurant/branch - 2 || Date of last visit - November 1, 2021

Jonathan's Burger has the potential to further add glory to this growing food destination in Abangan Norte, Marilao Bulacan. The burgers are simply captivating, and you'd want to just indulge in the bold juicy flavors they offer. Go see for yourself! 

Thanks for reading! Feel free to use the Google Maps attached below to navigate to the place.

Jonathan's Burgers Wings Fries

Location: Narra St, Town and Country North, Marilao, Bulacan

Service Charge: NONE

Magnolia Gold Label Ice Cream - 7 Must-Try Flavors!

November 10, 2021, 2:55 am

≫ Next: Kohi Japanese-inspired Cafe in Makati City + Hotdogs

≪ Previous: Jonathan's Must-Try Burgers in Abangan Norte, Marilao

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Your ice cream experience at home is about to be further elevated with the recent launch of Magnolia Gold Label! Who could have thought that ice cream can still get better? Well, Magnolia did, and they were able to make it a reality. With this Gold Label series, we now have a creamier and tastier ice cream selection readily available for us -- all made with fresh carabao milk for optimum satisfaction. On top of it all, there are no artificial flavors infused, just pure natural goodness!

Now, the good news doesn't stop there because Magnolia has just released seven (7) new exciting flavors under this label. Each of them has a distinct character that will certainly tickle different parts of your buds. Let's take a look! 

Now before we head on to the flavors, let's just quickly talk about the packaging, which hands down is probably the best I've seen to date. It comes with this elegant blue overall, embellished with gold giving it royalty feels. Just by looking at it, I knew that I'd be having a good time, and certainly it did not disappoint because that's exactly what happened.

Anyway, I promised that we'd be talking about the 7 must-try flavors of Magnolia Gold Label, so here are they! 

1. Avocado Macchiato
Avocado ice cream blended with ground tablea bits enriched with coffee ripple

Avocado enthusiast meets coffee lover. This flavor first gives you a dreamy creamy avocado goodness followed by some playful textures from the choco-coffee bits, and ending with a zing from the light coffee kick. 

2. S'Mores
Premium vanilla ice cream blended with graham cracker bits and toasted marshmallows swirled with dark chocolate fudge

Bliss of camping memories in a cup. This flavor gives you multiple textures that allow your buds to be tickled with mellowness from the marshmallows while also getting some light jolt from the graham bits. Perfect for teens and teenage at heart!

3. Wintermelon Milk Tea
Wintermelon milk tea ice cream blended with brown sugar jellies swirled with caramelized brown sugar fudge

Milk tea fan? Say no more. This flavor will definitely be your favorite. It has this comforting sweetness from the signature taste of the wintermelon milk tea. It simply gives you the best of both worlds -- milk tea and ice cream. Pure genius. 

4. Taro White Cheese
Dual base of taro and white cheese ice cream blended with creamy white cheese bits

Sorbetes realness. This flavor is the least sweet among the collection, but potentially the loveliest among all due to this immense creaminess and cheesiness. Each bite contains this lightly salty white cheese giving it a very dynamic sweet-salty experience. A personal favorite!

5. Cookies and Cream
Premium vanilla ice cream blended with chocolate cookie bits

A classic reborn. Honestly, I almost snubbed this one out because I was thinking "what can be special about cookies and cream?" However, once I took a spoonful, I regretted what I thought. This is a game-changer, and perhaps it was the fresh carabao milk that made a huge difference -- velvet creaminess with tempting cookie bits and generous cookie chunks. 

It was not 'cookies and cream', it was 'cookies and dream'. Yes, this is what dreams are made of.

6. Choco Peanut Butter
Choco peanut butter made with Skippy!

Chocnut realness. If you are the type of person who'd lick peanut butter on a spoon, you'd instantly fall in love with what this flavor has to offer. Undoubtedly creamy with distinct peanut butter goodness smoothly blended with chocolate. 

7. Classic Vanilla
Premium vanilla ice cream

Legend in a cup. Similar to the cookies and cream incident, I quickly judged this one. I mean, it's just vanilla! But then again, I was wrong. It was cloud in a cup. 

Just look at the texture -- intense creaminess with suave vanilla essence that blends magnificently with the carabao milk. This has the power to turn your other desserts into GOLD. You can mix it to your coffee and make an dreamy affogato. You can make milkshake out it. Classic yet wild.

There you go, all 7 flavors from Magnolia Gold Label. I sure hope that didn't make you hungry. Cross my heart, it was not intentional *grins*. Anyway, which one are you most excited to try? Share it with us. Come on, don't be shy.

Indulge now on Magnolia Gold Label Ice Cream by grabbing one from any supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide. They are also available via San Miguel Frozen & Chilled on both Shopee and Lazada for online shopping enthusiasts. Make your day better with these creamy desserts!

Kohi Japanese-inspired Cafe in Makati City + Hotdogs

November 21, 2021, 1:38 am

≫ Next: Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna in Baguio - Food Review

≪ Previous: Magnolia Gold Label Ice Cream - 7 Must-Try Flavors!

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If there is a thing such as a silver lining during the pandemic, it might have been the awakening of the biking culture. For so long we've been too centered on cars, wherein all development and programs are built with them on mind. However, with the pandemic, a lot of us realized that a more eco-friendly alternative is possible, and that it can also be fun at the same time. Why? Well, this awakening also led to the emergence of boutique coffee shops around town serving as stopovers or destinations themselves.

With the help of a friend, I started my bicycle journey amid the pandemic, and what we do is to visit coffee shops around the city as our destination. As a food enthusiast, it is a bliss being able to incorporate this element in this hobby Now, you can expect more posts from me that features coffee shops. Anyway, this one right here that we just visited is Kohi, a Japanese-inspired cafe tucked in the inner streets of Makati (the residential area). 

Kohi may be classified as a hole in the wall, potentially a literal one, because it's easy to miss the shop. Had there been no fellow cyclists crowding up, we might have been going in circles trying to locate the place. 

It is very important to note that Kohi does not have a dining area. Instead, they have some foldable tables and chairs which you may set up on the curb. While many might find this inconvenient, I found it interesting since it adds a layer of novelty to the experience. While we are at it, bike rack is available for you to park, so that will not be a problem for you.

The beverage selection here in Kohi features some of the classics but mixed with a couple of Japanese-inspired ones. They have pour over coffee (black, white, choco and mocha) with the option of having them hot or iced. Price ranges from P50 - P100. They also have Kori Kohi series which are iced coffee cubes with warm milk and sugar syrup. This one has a range of P130 - P150. As for the Japanese-inspired options, they have Sakura Series featuring matcha-based, cherry blossom-based drinks or a combination of both.

My friend went for the classic Iced Mocha (P100), and I went for the Matcha Sakura Dream (P150), which I found to be very refreshing with its push and pull of flowery and grassy goodness.

Another great thing about this cafe is that they are offering Hottu Doggu (Japanese Hotdogs) that adds a layer of authenticity to the experience. They have 5 different variants for this: Japadoggu, Kamikaze, Harakiri, Heihaci and Yoshimitsu. 

I ordered the Yoshimitsu (P120) which features a delicious combination of german sausage, yakisoba noodles, Japaense mayo, yakisoba sauce, spring onion, aonori and schichimi. If you are finding it hard to imagine the taste, all I can say is that it was a bomb. Explosive savory goodness that very much accentuates the taste of the German sausage. A definite must-try! I can imagine that the other hotdogs must be great as well.

We stayed there for about an hour just basking in the ambiance while enjoying both the drink and the hotdog. It was totally a blissful moment, and I can't wait to go back and try other selections.

Try it out for yourself. I've included a map below to assist you in locating the place.  Thanks for reading! 

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Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna in Baguio - Food Review

March 16, 2022, 9:04 am

≫ Next: LOOK: Horizon Cafe in Jinjiang Inn, Ortigas

≪ Previous: Kohi Japanese-inspired Cafe in Makati City + Hotdogs

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The pandemic was phenomenal. Imagine how it put almost everything to halt and left us stuck in (hopefully) the comfort of our homes. It left us heavily relying on takeouts and delivery apps just to explore something new to eat, but at some point it became too saturated. Now I know I might be leveraging on the pandemic as an excuse, but this somehow explains why I wasn't able to post much in this blog (plus with some occasional cabin fever on the side). However, as borders start to open up even more, I'm picking this as a sign to resurrect from my hiatus, and I realized that this post about Lemon and Olives is a great way to break that off.

Lemon and Olives is perhaps the top restaurant I tried when we went in Baguio a couple of months back (i.e. December 2021). They serve one of the best lamb chops across the country, and they serve other authentic Greek cuisine. In this blog post, I'd be sharing more about the restaurant and the food they serve.

Prior to visiting Baguio, my friends and I were already catching some rave about how good Lemon and Olives is. We were so intrigued by this which is why all of us agreed to put this on our list of must-visit restaurants. In preparation for a potential queue, we decided to go there as early as about 10:30 am. However, since Lemon and Olives serves breakfast, all of the seats that had the best view were all occupied. The good news is, we were first in queue.

I personally suggest that you also do the same, and arrive there as early as possible, just so you can get the best seats. Arriving there at around 11:30 am may still allow you to be seated, but that will be far off from the balcony already leaving you the sight of just the interior. 

Anyway, just before we head on to the area which has a great scenic view, let's check out the interior of Lemon and Olives which is giving us a cabin-like appeal. With its wooden elements, the ambiance is very cozy, making it conducive for a great family or barkada dining.

Lemon and Olives has a huge seating capacity. It has two floors that are operational, and I'm guessing that you can actually rent the place for some function or celebrations. Not a bad idea, actually.

It's important to note however that during our visit (perhaps because it was still during pandemic), only the top floor is open for dining. 

I've stalled long enough to have some element of suspense, but we are now about to see the hottest spot inside the restaurant. The photo below shows you the balcony area of Lemon and Olives which has a great scenic view of Baguio.

As a person who tried dining in this area and also otherwise, I'd say that truly there is a difference. The ambiance pulls exponentially the dining experience, plus you get better lighting for your photos (except of course when you go there for dinner). Clearly, it can only sit a few guests, so imagine all the people clamoring for these precious spots. 

Alright, now that we've acquainted ourselves with the interior, let's move on some of the dishes found here in Lemon and Olives. 

Let's begin with some appetizers first, shall we? Note that those that are enclosed in quotes are descriptions from the menu.

A fresh bed of lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber and onions drizzled with all the Mediterranean trappings of feta cheese, imported olive oil and Greek olives

The Greek Salad (P300) offered some fresh greens which was really superb in quality. However, I'm not sure whether it was just me not being used to this kind of salad, but I found this too basic. 

The Parthenon of Greek appetizers! This is a plate of assorted appetizers such as Greek village sausage, spicy soutzouki sausage, saganaki cheese, tzatziki dip and pita bread

The basic-ness of the Greek Salad was exceedingly compensated with this Poikilia (P330), an assortment of Greek appetizers. The spicy soutzouki was indeed playfully spicy giving us a sense of adventure. What I loved the most from this plate was the saganaki cheese, which was bursting with immense goodness. A must-try! 

Signature charcoal grilled lamb dish infused with selected Greek herbs to bring the fresh taste of the Mediterranean. Served with a bowl of Greek salad

The Lemon & Olive's Lamb Chops (P2,230 good for 4) is the superstar. This for me elevated my dining experience here in the restaurant. Price may look steep, but this is considerably reasonable compared to similar restaurant here in the Metro. The char-grill was perfection, and the meat was rightly spiced with a balance pull and push of flavors. Undoubtedly, this is something you should never miss! 

A pocket of flavor in a pita bread. Juicy slices of meat tucked away in a freshly baked pita bread with onions, tomatoes, and fries doused with tzatziki sauce

The Beef Gyro (P160) sits somehow on the fence. I just love the affordability of the dish, but I'm not wowed by the overall experience. There was something not right with the dish - might be the texture (i.e. pita bread was somehow tough and rough). It was not bad, definitely, but I was just expecting a little more from it. I'd still order it the next time though just to re-validate. 

Structured layers of potato, eggplant and ground beef, topped with a generous amount of bechamel sauce

I just love how well-balanced the experience was. Each time we were tasting something slightly below expectations, we were then wowed by the following dish. Such was the case for this Moussaka (P280). It was just exploding with well-coordinated flavors and textures. It also came in an optimum temperature which made it even more lovable. A must-try! 

A fusion of the classic Greek dessert and the creamy and dense New York Cheesecake

We are done with the main dishes, and we are now heading for some desserts. Unfortunately, during our first visit, they ran out of stock for the Classic Backlava, so we opted for the Baklava Cheesecake (P170) instead. Although sweeter than it should, the cheesecake had this creamy savory goodness from the cheese, and made more exciting with the rough yet flaky texture of the baklava as the base. 

If you want something considerably lighter, you may opt for the Frozen Yogurt Demeter (P150). There were other two choices for the yogurt which has different toppings, but this comes with baklava crumble on top, so it still gives you this classic goodness. However, more than the baklava, it was the yogurt that I fell in love with. It was just velvety smooth and has a perfect blend of sweetness and sourness. It is also an effective palate cleanser, I'd say. 

Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna - Overall Ratings and Summary

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Note: The ratings reflect my collective personal experiences on the times I dine here.

Ambiance:	★★★★★
Taste:	★★★★
Service:	★★★★
Price/Value:	★★★★
Budget:	approx. P600 each (may go as high as P800 if you are ordering lamb chops) for a sharing type of experience with a group of at least four (4)

No. of visits for this particular restaurant/branch - 2 || Date of latest visit - December 12, 2021

Lemon and Olives was truly an exceptional dining experience given the wonderful ambiance along with amazing lamb chops. Service was fine, but has the tendency to be explicably slow during peak hours. Should that happen, the excellence of the dishes will very much compensate for it. Top recommendations include the lamb chops, the moussaka and the poikilia. 

Throughout my stay in Baguio I was able to explore probably about 10 different restaurants, and this stood out to be exceptional. This is clearly a personal favorite, to a point wherein I returned back here just a few days after. Anyway, see it for yourself and do let me know what you think. 

Thanks for reading! Follow our Facebook page and IG (@anotsopopularkid) for fresh dose foodie adventures!

Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna
Location: 26 Outlook Dr S, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Service Charge: 5% before VAT

LOOK: Horizon Cafe in Jinjiang Inn, Ortigas

March 25, 2022, 5:31 am

≫ Next: Seoulgyupsal Unlimited Korean Beef + Tempura in Marilao, Bulacan

≪ Previous: Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna in Baguio - Food Review

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Horizon Cafe opens up its fourth branch in Jinjiang Inn, Ortigas -- nested along San Miguel Avenue corner Lourdes Drive in Pasig City. Foodies within the area now have access to Filipino classics (particularly cusines from Iloilo) such as Kansi, Batchoy and Chicken Inasal. 

Horizon Cafe features contemporary Filipino cuisine, but what sets this particular branch apart (along with that found in Jinjiang Inn, Makati) are the Asian Specials they offer, such as Five Spice Chicken, Yang Chow, Dimsum Selection and Peking Style Pork.

Five Spice Chicken

Peking Style Pork

Radish Cake (Dimsum Selection)

Steamed Siomai (Dimsum Selection)

Steamed Beancurd Roll (Dimsum Selection)

Aside from the wide array of Chinese cuisine, Horizon Cafe here in Jinjiang Inn features the classic favorites, such as the Kare-Kare and the refreshing Pomelo Shrimp Salad (which is a famous best seller across all branches of Horizon Cafe). 

Classic Kare-Kare

Pomelo Shrimp Salad

This may come in as a surprise for you, but Horizon Cafe is also known for its collection of pastries and cakes. Hence, once you find yourself satisfied with the culinary adventure, you can further dig into the desserts. 

There you go! Indulge in a Filipino-Chinese gastronomical dining experience by visiting Horizon Cafe in Jinjiang Inn, Ortigas! 

Other branches of Horizon Cafe can be found in Hotel 101 (Pasay), Injap Tower Hotel (Iloilo) and Jinjiang Inn (Makati). For inquiries, booking and/or reservations, you may reach out to Thessa Quinto at 09694991730.

Seoulgyupsal Unlimited Korean Beef + Tempura in Marilao, Bulacan

April 14, 2022, 8:12 am

≫ Next: Don Pepe's Hot Tablia Chocolate Drink

≪ Previous: LOOK: Horizon Cafe in Jinjiang Inn, Ortigas

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Prior to the pandemic, Bulacan's food scene started showing rapid development evidenced by rise of food parks and restaurants corner to corner. However, like most cities around the country, this growth was stunted down by COVID-19 causing the progress to even take a back seat. Towards the end of 2021, it has been slowly rising back again at a more healthy pace, and just recently (or at the time that I dined there), a new samgyupsal place just opened up about 5 minutes away from our place in Bulacan. 

Seoulgyupsal opened up its provincial branch here in Bulacan last Q3 of 2021, and it is located along MacArthur highway (landmarks are Anytime Fitness and Deca Homes). In this blog post, we'll just quickly look into the offering of the restaurant, and see if it is all worth the hype and price.

We came to the place around 7:00 PM, and even then we needed to be queued up. Thankfully, during that time we were second in the list, and we didn't wait too long to be seated. Upon observation, I am guessing that the place can sit roughly about 50-60 guests at a time. Another thing to note about this particular branch of Seoulgyupsal is that they have a section for a more private dining. However, you will need to have an early reservation to secure this. There is also a minimum number of diners needed to avail this (as far as I know, six). 

I'd be sharing here the menu board just so you will have a better idea of what you can order here in Seolgyupsal. The rate is also P549 if you will be availing the unlimited dining + the Japanese side dishes. 

Based on the selection, there are about 15 types of meat to choose from: samgyupsal, spicy samgyupsal, yangnum samgyupsal, herbed samgyupsal, spicy dak galbi, yangun dak galbi, chicken buttoms, dae pae, herbed dae pae, spicy beef, yangnum beef, woo samgyup beef, herbed woo samgyup beef, beef bulgogi and buttered sirloin steak. 

All of the meat selection seemed very traditional, and may not be distinguishable with other samgyup places. However, what kind of sets them apart is the availability of Japanese side dishes. This is actually what got me excited to try dining here in Seoulgyupsal. 

Although both the california maki (left side of the photo above) and the spicy tuna roll (right side of the photo) are not visually stunning, they taste pretty decent and are satisfying enough. It made me happy that at least I get my fix of spicy tuna roll. 

Since I am very much a fan of sashimi, it made me happy finding some tuna sashimi in here. Similar with the rolls, the quality is not over the top, but it is decent enough to quench the craving. I actually had 3 servings of these. At that point, quantity was enough to compensate it. 

The star of the night for me were the tempura (both the regular and the spicy one). I just loved the crunchiness of the batter, and the freshness of the shrimp used. More than the meat, I actually ate more of these.

The fire tempura was a winner for me because it had this sriracha Japanese mayo that gave the tempura even more character and playful taste. Order these in advance because they are the true best-sellers in here. 

Aside from the Japanese side dishes, common Korean banchan are available as well which includes the kimchi (of course, this is a must) and the steamed egg which was of great quality and taste. 

For the meat, quantity and serving time are within reasonable timeframe, so I can say that the rate you are paying for is worth it here in Seoulgyupsal. Although I was not able to take photos of the different meat, I'd say that the selection is generally good-tasting, enough to really make you chomp all the way.

Seoulgyupsal - Overall Ratings and Summary

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Note: The ratings reflect my collective personal experiences on the times I dine here.

Ambiance:	★★★
Taste:	★★★★
Service:	★★★★
Price/Value:	★★★★
Budget:	P549 each for unlimited Korean samgyupsal, beef, etc. including Japanese side dishes

No. of visits for this particular restaurant/branch - 1 || Date of latest visit - December 29, 2021

Seoulgyupsal easily became classic gold in Marilao, Bulacan given that this is one of the major brands that came into the city. The meat are of satisfactory quality, and the distinguishing feature of this Koream samgyup place among others is the availability of Japanese side dishes (tempura, tuna sashimi and rolls). I particularly loved the tempura because the shrimp used were of great quality and the Fire Tempura was pure love with it being playfully spicy. We might actually go back here when we go back for some vacation here in Bulacan.

Thanks for reading! Follow our Facebook page and IG (@anotsopopularkid) for fresh dose foodie adventures!

Seoulgyupsal
Location: 3019 MacArthur Hwy, Marilao, Bulacan (near Deca Homes)
Service Charge: NONE

Don Pepe's Hot Tablia Chocolate Drink

May 12, 2022, 6:43 am

≫ Next: Ili-Likha Artist Village - A Hidden Food Park in Baguio City

≪ Previous: Seoulgyupsal Unlimited Korean Beef + Tempura in Marilao, Bulacan

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When we speak of tablia (or sometimes spelled as tablea), what normally comes to mind is a place far away from the city. Personally, whenever I hear the word, it is Baguio that immediately comes to my mind. This explains why I developed a notion that tablia drinks are difficult to access. Surprisingly, this is not the case because it is fairly easy to get your hands on some delicious and authentic tablia chocolate drink. All thanks to Don Pepe's Tablia. 

About Don Pepe Tablia

Don Pepe Tablia is one of the leading Tablia distributors in the country, and they are providing delicious tablia drinks for almost 15 years now since 2007. 

Don Pepe envisions to bring delight to everyone with its luscious chocolate tablia products. Hence the primary inspiration behind Don Pepe Tablia is to make its tablia chocolate convenient and accessible to all Filipino families. Through its products, cooking and baking also becomes even simpler yet more extra. Thinking of making a champorado? Well, that is now made easier with Don Pepe's Dark chocolate tablia. 

For those who want to have a very energizing morning (or have an afternoon boost), the Original Tablia 3 in 1 is what I recommend. It takes only about a minute, and you'd instantly get a sip of Don Pepe's crafty tablia.

One sachet of the Original Tablia 3 in 1 weighs 15g, composed of organic cocoa, creamer and sugar. 

For those who want a deep chocolate goodness with a bit of bitterness from the richness of cocoa, you'd love Don Pepe's Dark Chocolate Tablia. This is also the better option if you plan to use it as a baking ingredient. 

What I personally love about this drink is the thickness of the drink that goes along with its milder sweetness. I also mix a few coffee granules to it whenever I feel like having some caffeine in the morning.



Tip: If you prefer a thicker consistency, pour only about 200 ml of water instead of 250 ml. 

Indulge on the chocolate goodness of Don Pepe Tablea Chocolate Drink. You can conveniently order these from Shopee or Lazada, and they will be delivered at the comfort of your home. Imagine sipping a hot (or cold, depending on your preference) chocolate drink as you indulge on the flavors.

Ili-Likha Artist Village - A Hidden Food Park in Baguio City

July 25, 2022, 6:31 am

≫ Next: Chili's Steaks, Buy 1 Take 1 Cocktails and More

≪ Previous: Don Pepe's Hot Tablia Chocolate Drink

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If you are looking for a rare gem in Baguio, Ili-Likha Artist Village is a must-visit for you. Not only will it satisfy your soulful cravings thru appreciation of artistry. It will also quench your palatable thirst for a great yet relatively affordable dishes. Plus, you'll get a bit sense of altruism by supporting less-known businesses here in Ili-Likha.

Hidden Paradise, a retreat from the noise and crowd

Ili-Likha is very much underrated up to this day, despite being established way back in 2014. I'm guessing that this is slightly attributable to its location, as it is several walks away from the crowd-plagued Session Road (where you'll find the clusters of more common restaurants). I see this, however, as a strong advantage as it gives the area more serenity and isolation. With this, Ili-Likha has become a pocket of paradise tucked within the busy streets of Baguio. This in itself, I find beauty in. 

This beauty elaborates further as you draw closer to the venue. The façade gives you this retro-abandoned treehouse vibe that is smothering in a positive way. Walking inside reveals more of its intriguing charm. You will be greeted by woodwork, sculptures, stained glass arts, and other art medium. It is as if you are touring a museum when you walk around here in Ili-Likha Village.

Picturesque structures and corners

It took me roughly 15 minutes to walk around the area. Some parts felt like a labyrinth with stairs spiraling down to a different room, and other passages leading you back to where you've been to. Considering that there are still a large part of the village that is under construction, Ili-Likha already provides a great thrill to explore. 

Below you'd see one of the artists in action as he transform the wood into art. 

Of course, if you are feeling the vibe, you can strike some pose to get your dramatic shots taken. The look and feel add a different layer of emotions into your photos. 

Alright, enough with the visuals of the place, we can now jump onto the variety of cuisines offered by the restaurants housed in this village. Approximately, there is no less than 6 restaurants housed here in Ili-Likha. For this particular visit, we were able to try 4: Yomichee (for cheese and yogurt), Leandro's (for pasta and sandwiches), Cafe Cueva (for pasta and coffee) and Little Milkyway (for vegan and kombucha)

Little Milkyway

This specialty café offers vegan dishes and a range of interesting beverages, including kombucha which we ordered during our visit. Kombucha(P99 for 220 ml, P120 for 330 ml) are effervescent, fermented black tea that is naturally flavored with fruits through second fermentation. They have mango and grape, both have a slightly different appeal. The grape of course has this berry richness and pulpy texture, while the mango has a cleaner sweeter finish. 

Leandro's

Leandoro's menu is very lean, focusing on pasta, sandwiches and a few rice meals. Two of what we ordered were stellar. The Pomodoro Pasta (P180) was simply exploding with zesty tomato goodness that wraps on to the buds. 

The Grilled Cheese (P180) was another scene-stealer. It might have appeared to be ordinary given its look, but when we took a bite, the gooey-yummy cheese gushed out of the bread. Great to be paired with the pasta! 

Cafe Cueva

Cafe Cueva, on the other hand, focuses on crepe, chao fan, and smoothies. They also serve pasta, which my sister ordered. She ordered the Grilled Chicken Pesto (P150), which was another fascinating choice. The basil was freshly chopped giving the dish immaculately tender flavors. Also, given the price, this is truly gold! 

Yomichee

This restaurant offers dairy-centric dishes such as yogurt bowls and steamed/baked cheese. For this visit, we ordered the steamed White Cheese Dumpling (P65 for 3 pcs) and another order of baked. 

Between the two, I prefer the steamed one due to the more delicate wrapping which allows you to focus on the cheese. It comes with this creamy-herby dip which further enchants the white cheese goodness. 

Ili-Likha Artist Village - Overall Ratings and Summary

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Note: The ratings reflect my collective personal experiences on the times I dine here.

Ambiance:	★★★★★
Taste:	★★★★
Service:	N/A since it is self-service
Price/Value:	★★★★★
Budget:	approx. P250 each for a personal dish along with a drink

No. of visits for this particular restaurant/branch - 1 || Date of latest visit - July 10, 2022

Ili-Likha Artist Village is truly a hidden gem that needs to be discovered. It's very frustrating how places like this are not getting the popularity they deserve, but trust me, you will not regret visiting Ili-Likha. You are going to hit two birds with one stone as you get a refreshing sight from its structure and interior, and also have your buds explore with variety of cuisines offered here in the village. Definitely something you should add as part of your list!

Thanks for reading! Follow our Facebook page and IG (@anotsopopularkid) for fresh dose foodie adventures!

Ili-Likha Artist Village
Location: 32 Assumption Road 2600 Baguio City, Philippines
Service Charge: None