November 2017 – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

Ramen break at Rai Rai Ken

While out on an errand with my daughter in SM City Taytay, we came across this branch of Rai Rai Ken. We don’t normally come across Rai Rai Ken branches in our usual haunts and since I’m going through my ramen phase and my daughter is a tempura aficionado, we decided to have our dinner here.

Rai Rai Ken started out as a humble eatery located along Bautista Street, Makati City in the early ’90s, which later started offering authentic Japanese ramen to its clientele. Now, it has 30+ branches nationwide, all serving old-fashioned steamy, heartwarming bowls of ramen. Its expanded menu now includes sashimi, sushi, teriyakis and teppans.

The branch in SM Taytay is clean with Japanese-inspired decor that includes a cherry blossom painting and paper lanterns that add character to the space.

I chose Tonkutsu Ramen (Php375) for myself; it consists of a rich pork tonkutsu broth, Japanese noodles, slices of marinated and slow-roasted pork belly, topped with mushrooms, aji tamago (marinated soft-boiled egg), menma (bamboo shoots) and nori (edible seaweed). The steamy dish does warm the heart with its full-flavored broth and the contrasts in texture of noodles combined with its toppings.

I also ordered Ebi Tempura (Php355 for 5 pieces), Salmon Sashimi (Php350) and Kani Salad (Php179) as requested by my daughter.

This branch is located at the Upper Ground Floor, Building B, SM City Taytay, along Taytay Diversion Road, Bgy Dolores, Taytay Rizal.

More info available at the Rai Rain Ken website.

Steak-time at Artsy Cafe, Maginhawa

It’s been some time since I last visited the famous Maginhawa Street. I like variety in cuisines and dining options available in this strip.

For my Saturdate lunch with my teenage daughter, I took her to Artsy Cafe in Maginhawa. While I’ve never dined there before, I’m familiar with the menu since I’ve eaten at the Artsy Cafe along Panay Avenue which is nearer to my office.

We arrived at 11am as the place was just opening. I’m happy to find that the place is already clean and ready to accommodate early patrons. The place has both indoor and outdoor dining areas and airy interiors. Its decor has a whimsical quality: you can see this from the colorful lamps hanging from the ceiling, the playful chalk writings on its walls and boards, to its multi-hued chairs.

The staff were friendly and quick to take and served our orders.

I treated myself to a succulent T-bone Steak (Php290), served with rice, sautéed vegetables and a rich buttery gravy. My daughter, on the other hand, ordered a Salisbury Steak (Php225), juicy browned ground beef patties, also served with rice veggies and gravy. As evidenced by our lunch preferences, my daughter and I are both carnivores. We found our food well-seasoned and flavorful.

We’re both looking forward to coming back and then, we will end our meal by trying some of the desserts that Artsy Cafe offers.

This branch is located at 36 Maginhawa Street, UP Village, Diliman, QC.

The appeal of Bacolod Chicken Parilla

It is rare for a group of ten coworkers to instantly agree on where to have lunch but mention Bacolod Chicken Parilla and you will find us simultaneously leaving our desks to go to what seems to be our favorite chicken inasal place.

The chicken inasal, a Bacolod specialty dish, is a type of roasted chicken which is marinated in lime juice, pepper, annato (called achuete in the Philippines) and vinegar, grilled over hot coals while being further basted with the marinade. It is often served with garlic fried rice and a dipping sauce called sinamak (which is made of palm vinegar infused with garlic, chili peppers and ginger. The most common serving variations of inasal are the paa (leg and thigh), pecho (breast and wing) and pakpak (three pieces of wings).

My personal preference when it comes to chicken inasal is the paa because, while the pecho is usually meatier, the paa is more flavorful and juicier. I also want lots of chicken oil (usually made from rendered chicken fat infused with garlic and annato seeds) to drizzle over my chicken and garlic rice, making my meal so much more sinful but tastier as well.

The offerings here are also quite affordable, contributing to the almost universal appeal among my officemates. Menu prices for the items we usually order are:

Pecho at Php90
Paa at Php90
Pakpak at Php85
Garlic Rice at Php25

This branch of Bacolod Chicken Parilla is located at the corner of Scout Gandia and Scout Reyes Streets, Bgy. Paligsahan, Quezon City.

Fresh, huge and great burgers at Zark’s

There are days when you just want to forget about greens and calorie counting (which to me is everyday) and sink your teeth into some sinful, hearty and greasy burgers. These are times when a visit to this burger joint comes in.

Zark’s Burgers was named after its owner, Zark Espina Varona, a burger fan himself who put up his first store near De La Salle University along Taft Avenue in 2009 (all the better to cater to those hungry students, I guess), with the mission of offering burgers that are “FRESH. HUGE. GREAT.” The chain has since grown to 29 stores with branches in Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas, Cebu, Iloilo and Bacolod.

When my hubby and I craved for sinful burgers, we visited the branch in SM East Ortigas and treated ourselves to:

Chicken Fingers and Fries (Php159) for sharing
The Zark’s Classic Cheeseburger (Php109 + Php40 for fries and drink) for me.
The Zark’s Ultimate Burger (Php149 + Php40 for fried and drink) for hubby. It’s composed of a quarter-pounder burger with caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, cheese sauce and, of course, bacon
Snickers Ala Mode (Php149) for sharing. It’s a Snickers bar dipped in batter, deep-fried and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup

In a later visit, I even tried out the heart-healthy (not! But YOLO – Uh-oh!) Deep Fried Bacon Wrapped Burger (Php279), a burger completely wrapped in bacon strips, then deep-fried, giving it a crispy crust that gives way to a juicy burger as you bite into it. I didn’t even need the Mamba sauce that came with it.

This Zark’s Burgers branch is located at 2nd Floor, SM City East Ortigas, along Ortigas Avenue Extension in Pasig City.

A feast among friends at Gerry’s Grill

I usually dine at Gerry’s Grill in Tomas Morato for quick, no-frills lunches with my coworkers but in this branch in SM Marikina, I feasted with new friends. After participating in an outreach activity in a nearby charity institution, hubby and his car-clubmates decided to have lunch at SM Marikina. After a considerable time waiting, a table was found for our large group.

Among the hearty fare we enjoyed were classic Filipino favorites:

When dining in large groups, Gerry’s Grill seems like a great choice as practically everyone would have something to like. We ate family-style which also helps in fostering new friendships.

This branch is located at Ground Floor, SM City Marikina, Calumpang, Marikina City.

Beautiful decadence at Cafe Shibuya

Shibuya honey toast is the Japanese version of the French toast. Consisting of thick stacks of buttery bread, syrup and toppings, it is a beautifully constructed and decadent treat.

Aside from this Japanese classic, Cafe Shibuya also offers savory variations of the toasts such as those approximating Eggs Benedict and pizzas, as well as salads, soups, pastas, main dishes and cakes.

During an event at the Glorietta Mall, my officemates and I hung out at the Cafe Shibuya stall for some snacks. It occupies a small area with seating that can accommodate around 20-30 people.

I ordered a San Rival Toast (Php275) which I shared with the group: it consists of thick slices of crispy-on-the-outside but soft-on-the-inside buttery toasts interspersed with buttercream, cashew meringue and pistachio nuts topped with a generous dollop of vanilla ice cream.

The others ordered a Beef Bulgogi Nachos (Php295), a Sardines in Olive Oil pasta (Php245) and a Spaghetti al Tonno (Php235) which we all shared. The beef bulgogi bits and cheese complemented the crunchy nachos quite well. The pastas were cooked al dente and the sauces are infused with flavor but not overpowering.

On my next visit, I’m looking forward to satisfying my sweet tooth with the Ghirardelli salted caramel mocha and the Banofee toast.

This Cafe Shibuya branch is located at 3rd Floor, Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Makati City.

A happier lunch experience at the new Friuli Trattoria

A trattoria is an Italian-style eating establishment, a happy medium between a ristorante and an osteria in terms of formality. Friuli Trattoria, named after a region in Northeastern Italy, serves signature Italian dishes such as pastas and brick-oven pizzas.

I already tried out Friuli Trattoria’s Maginhawa branch but was not terribly impressed with the service nor with the food so when my daughter was hankering for Italian food for our Saturdate lunch at UP Town Center, I had some misgivings before agreeing to eat here. I was won over by the relatively lower prices in this joint compared to the other Italian restaurant in the area (Cheapskate Mommy strikes again!).

We were lucky to find a table for two given the sizeable lunch time crowd. I was also pleasantly surprised by the friendly and relatively fast service of the wait staff. We didn’t have to wait long for our order:

Pesto Spaghetti (Php175)
Mushroom Pizza (Php220)
2 cans of A&W Cream Soda (Php60 each)

The combination of flavors was just right and the meal was satisfying for the both of us (although we did save some room for dessert elsewhere;-)). The total bill amounting to just Php515.

I had a better experience here compared to the Maginhawa branch and I wouldn’t mind bringing my family for a quick Italian lunch of we’re in the area.

Friuli Trattoria branches are located at:

2nd Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, QC
79-A Maginhawa Street, Teacher’s Village, Quezon City

Korean barbecue craving satisfied at Arariyo

Arariyo, named after the endearing lyrics of the popular Korean folk song “Arirang,” has brought a delightful taste of Korea to the Q Plaza in San Isidro, Antipolo. This charming restaurant serves a variety of Korean dishes, including braised meats, noodles, and seafood. However, its true claim to fame is the Unlimited Korean Barbecue offer.

For just Php399, indulge in all the samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) and chadolbagi (grilled beef short plate) you desire. This makes Arariyo the perfect spot when your family is craving a Korean food feast. The grilling is a fun, DIY experience, and you can enjoy a range of delicious side dishes while your meat cooks. To round out our meal, we always order a dolsot bibimbap (rice mixed with vegetables served in a hot stone pot) and treat ourselves to some refreshing Korean ice cream for dessert.

Keep in mind that lunch and dinner times can be quite busy, so you might need to wait for a table. Given the unlimited barbecue offer, guest turnover tends to be slower. To avoid long waits, it’s best to arrive at least 30 minutes early to get your name on the list. You’ll be called as soon as a table is available.

Visit Arariyo at Q Plaza, Felix Avenue, Barangay San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal, and satisfy your Korean barbecue craving!

Where have we seen the members of the Justice League before?

The movie event that the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has been leading towards since 2013 is finally here. The first batch of DC superheroes are coming together in the wake of Superman’s death in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) to face an even graver threat against the world.

While the DCEU had a rocky start with the dour Man of Steel (2013), the uneven Suicide Squad (2016) and the aforementioned Batman v. Superman, inclusion in the superhero franchise is still a feather in the cap for many of the actors involved. For those of you wondering where you’ve seen these actors prior to Justice League, here’s a recap of some of their notable works:

Ben Affleck

Role: Batman/ Bruce Wayne

Prior to his role as the Caped Crusader, Ben Affleck took on the mantle of another superhero in Daredevil (2003). He was also in School Ties (1992) with Brendan Fraser, Armageddon (1998) with Bruce Willis, and, more recently, Gone Girl (2014) with Rosamund Pike and The Accountant (2016) with Anna Kendrick.

Henry Cavill

Role: Superman/ Clark Kent/ Kal El

Before he was The Last Son of Krypton, Henry Cavill was best known for his work in The Tudors (2007). He was also in The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) with Jim Caviezel, Stardust (2007) with Charlie Cox, Immortals (2011) with Luke Evans and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) with Armie Hammer.

Gal Gadot

Role: Wonder Woman/ Diana Prince

Before her career-making role as Diana of Themiscyra, Gal Gadot played femme fatale Gisele in four installments of The Fast and the Furious franchise, starting with Fast & Furious (2009). She also starred in Date Night (2010) with Steve Carell and Knight and Day (2010) with Tom Cruise.

Jason Momoa

Role: Aquaman/ Arthur Curry

Before his role as Aquaman, Jason Momoa was best known for his role as Dothraki chief Khal Drogo is Game of Thrones (2011). He also played the lead role in Conan the Barbarian (2011).

Ezra Miller

Role: The Flash/ Barry Allen

Aside from his cameo appearances as The Flash in Suicide Squad and Batman v. Superman, Ezra Miller also recently starred as the Obscurial Credence Barebone in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016).

Ray Fisher

Role: Cyborg/ Victor Strong

Aside from his came as Cyborn in Batman v. Superman, Ray Fisher was in the short film The Good, the Bad and the Confused (2008) and the TV series The Astronaut Wives Club (2015).

Justice League opened in theaters November 16.

Photo Credit: Justice League Movie Official Website

My Korean Food adventure continues at Masil

My love for Korean food is well-known by my family and friends. In fact, I have dined again and again at various Korean restaurants in various places in Metro Manila.

I was happy to discover that Masil has opened in Tiendesitas, which I find very convenient. Before or after grocery shopping, I can bring my family here to satisfy our Korean food cravings.

Weekend lunch and dinner times do get crowded and we sometimes have to wait for our table, but there is a waiting area inside which serves fragrant tea while you wait.

We usually order the samgyeopsal (grilled pork – Php330), chadolbagi (grilled beef a Php390), along with dolsot bibimbap (rice mixed with veggies served in a clay pot – Php350). The grilled meats are handled by the wait staff (so we can focus on enjoying our food). Our orders are also complemented by generous servings of side dishes which include kimchi, soy peanuts, green salad and steamed egg.