Sourdough Cafe + Deli, Tomas Morato

Sourdough bread is a new food trend that gaining traction in the metro. It is made by fermenting dough using naturally occurring lactobacilli and yeast producing a sour taste compared to breads made with baker’s yeast. It also keeps longer, owing to the lactic acid produced by the lactobacilli.

For the health-conscious, sourdough may be used to improve the quality of gluten-free breads by enhancing their texture, aroma and shelf-life. Its glycemic index is lower than other types of bread which is good news for people watching their sugar intake.

Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato
Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato

It’s a good thing, then, that a cafe specializing in sourdough recently opened near my workplace.

With such an exciting item in its menu (in fact, the central item in it!) as well poshly designed yet comfy interiors ideal for quiet lunches or intimate dinners tucked away in an office building along Tomas Morato, Sourdough held an irresistible appeal to titas like me.

Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato
Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato
Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato
Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato
Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato

This is why during one of our lunchbreaks prior to the Christmas break, my co-titas in the office and I decided to have our meal at Sourdough Cafe + Deli.

This tita meal consisted of:

Complimentary Flatbread Slices. Dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar with some parmesan cheese, these gave our tastebuds a good preview of Sourdough’s offerings.

Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato

Prosciutto Arugula Flatbread (Php345). Sourdough flatbread topped with marinara sauce, mozarella, arugula leaves and bits of prosciutto.

Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato

Pasta Carbonara (Php395). Al dente noodles tossed in a creamy sauce made with eggs, pecorino cheese, parmegianno reggiano, guanciale (Italian cured meat made from pork jowl) and pancetta (Italian salt-cured pork belly).

Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato

Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Php295). Four cheeses – gouda, yellow cheddar, mozzarella and grana padano – sandwiched between sourdough bread slices lightly spread with mayo.

Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato

Basque Burnt Cheesecake (Php195). Also a trending food item, this cheesecake is an offshoot of Spain’s tarta de queso. Its top appears toasted but the center has a soft custard-y texture. Combined the top’s buttery taste to the tanginess of the cheesecake filling, and you have a winning dessert you would want to taste again and again.

Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato
Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato

After lunch, we also treated ourselves to Sourdough Cafe’s handcrafted coffee.

Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato
Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato

Not bad for a bunch of titas out for lunch.

By the way, since wine and titas go together so well, you might want to check out Sourdough Cafe’s unli wine at Php599 per person.

Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato
Sourdough Cafe, Tomas Morato

Sourdough Cafe + Deli is located at Ground Floor, JSB Building, 104 Tomas Morato Avenue corner Scout Delagado Street, Tomas Morato, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 85259463 or +64 917 1889463.

2020 Meet Up Meal Deal at Shakeys, Tomas Morato

Think the treats are done just because the holidays are over?

Well, here’s some good news!

You and the gang can come together to enjoy good eats for just Php2,020 thanks to Shakeys’ 2020 Meet Up Meal Deal.

I discovered this great offer together with my office buddies when we went out to lunch.

Truth be told, we were actually supposed to eat at the a newly opened resto nearby but we were told that serving time would take longer than usual. Having meetings or tasks already lined up in the afternoon, we opted to eat somewhere else.

That “somewhere else” turned out to be Shakeys along Tomas Morato.

Shakeys, Tomas Morato

This branch has transferred from its previous location across the street to this new location which affords it some added floor space and reinvigorated decor for its interiors.

At my coworker’s suggestion, we decided to take advantage of the 2020 Meet Up Meal Deal which allowed us to eat our fill from these Shakeys specialties:

Two Large Thin Crust Pizzas. We opted for Shakeys’ No. 1 flavor, the Manager’s Choice which is loaded with ham, beef, Italian sausage, green bell pepper and onions, and Hawaiian Delight which is topped with ham and – I-don’t-know-why some-people-make-a-big-deal-about-this-and-I-don’t-care – pineapple tidbits.

Shakeys, Tomas Morato

Shakeys, Tomas Morato

Two Pasta Platters. We opted for a platter each of Skiletti (spaghetti which was served in a skillet back when I was a kid and I guess the name stuck), and Carbonara Supreme.

Shakeys, Tomas Morato

Shakeys, Tomas Morato

Shakeys, Tomas Morato

Ten Pieces Chicken ‘N Mojos. Crispy and juicy fried chicken paired with Shakeys’ famous mojos – breaded and deep-fried potato slices.

Shakeys, Tomas Morato

Ten Pieces Mozzarella Sticks. Sticks of mozzarella coated in breading and deep-fried to a a crispy golden brown on the outside and stretchy and melty on the inside.

Shakeys, Tomas Morato

One Family Tuna Ceasar Salad. Tuna flakes, fresh lettuce, cucumber slices and crunchy croutons tossed in creamy Caesar dressing and topped with grated Cheddar cheese.

Shakeys, Tomas Morato

One Pitcher of Iced Tea and One Pitcher of Soda.

Shakeys, Tomas Morato

All these can satisfy the appetite of ten people but since we were only seven in our group, you can imagine how full we were at the end of the meal. We ended up getting the remaining few slices of pizza and a sizeable portion of the carbonara for takeout.

Shakeys, Tomas Morato

Plus, the 2020 Meet Up Meal Deal comes with some bonuses you can enjoy on your next visit: a free Shakeys SuperCard and Php450 worth of gift vouchers.

Shakeys’ 2020 Meet Up Meal Deal is available in all Shakeys outlets until March 31, 2020. The price is for dine in and carry out only. Add Php100 for delivery.

This Shakeys branch is located at Tomas Morato corner Scout Rallos Street, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City, open 24/7. For delivery, visit shakeyspizza.ph, or call +63 2 77777777 (landline) or #77777.

Shakey's Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

A tonkatsu lunch at Fumizen, Tomas Morato

It’s the first working day of the year!

And do you know what I’ve been looking forward to since the day started?

A #happylunch with my office buddies, that’s what!

For today’s foodie adventure, we decided to give the newly opened Japanese restaurant along Sgt. Esguerra Street a try!

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

Located within walking distance from our office is Fumizen which specializes in premium katsu. It is a local franchisee of a long-established Japanese restaurant which was founded over 40 years ago and patronized by Japanese officials and celebrities.

It has a cozy atmosphere and a minimalist aesthetic with polished wood and gray upholsteried furniture set against clean white walls sparsely decorated with silhouettes of bamboo.

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

Katsu refers to “cutlet” in Japanese. It is usually a piece of meat coated in panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried to achieve a bright golden color and a crispy outer layer which gives way to tender. juicy and flavorful meat inside.

At Fumizen, diners can enjoy Katsu Sets which consist of a katsu variant plus unlimited rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage and fruit slices. The katsus may be enjoyed by dipping the pieces in Fumizen’s secret katsu sauce, rock salt or the resto’s signature truffle salt.

Our happy lunch at Fumizen included:

Rosu Loin Tonkatsu Set (Php375). This is the richer cut of pork loin owing to a strip of fat along one side.

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

Hire Tenderloin Tonkatsu Set (Php405). This is the leaner, less fatty cut of pork.

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

Fumizen also has ongoing Lunchtime Deals that some of my companions availed of. These deals give significant discounts on selected katsu sets such as:

Chicken Karaage Set Meal (Php199 from Php255). Japanese-style fried chicken best dipped (as we’ve discovered) in Japanese mayo with a bit of wasabi.

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

Menchi Katsu Set (Php199 from Php350). Patties consisting of two-thirds ground pork and one-third ground beef prepared and cooked katsu-style.

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

The katsus are well-cooked with the panko-breading adhering well and providing a satisfyingly crunchy texture to the meat. I found dipping the katsu in truffle salt winderfully heightens the flavor.

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

What could use a bit of work is the rice which could be a little stickier to serve as a foil to the katsu.

The wait staff is polite and accommodating but could use some more training on product knowledge.

Still, with the quality and afforadability of Fumizen’s katsu sets, it sure looks like my officemates and I found a new favorite Japanese resto in our area!

Fumizen, Tomas Morato

Fumizen is located at 34 Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, Bgy. South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77931894

Lunch Buffet at Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato

The Tomas Morato area is definitely a foodie haven. At practically every corner is an old and familiar or a new and exciting food destination, something that will spark a foodie’s curiosity and appetite.

One such destination is Vanilla Cafe along Mother Ignacia Avenue. Formerly known as Vanilla Cupcake Bakery, it has expanded its repertoire from cupcakes and pastries to pastas and classic Filipino food.

Enter its doors and you will be taken to a place of fun and cuteness with pastel-printed walls, plush floral couches and dainty chandeliers.

Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato
Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato
Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato

Guess what: come around lunchtime and you can eat your fill at Vanilla Cafe’s Lunch Buffet where you can enjoy a delightful curation of Vanilla Cafe’s food offerings served with delicate country style flair.

Have a sampling of these dishes:

Prettily prepared canapes and veggie dips.

Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato

Freshly made pastas.

Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato

Binagoongan and Tinapa Rice.

Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato
Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato

Classic Pinoy Favorites: Sizzling Tofu, Sizzling Sisig, Bagnet, Fish Sarciado, Chop Suey, Chicken Adobo, and of course, Vanilla Cafe’s famous Kare Kare.

Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato
Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato
Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato
Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato
Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato
Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato
Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato

And since there’s always room for dessert, have a cupcake (or two… or more!) because, why not!

Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato
Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato
Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato

This buffet is best enjoyed with pals as a barkada lunch date…

Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato

Or as part of a festive celebration!

Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato

So check it out: the Premium Lunch Buffet is available at Vanilla Cafe Tomas Morato on weekdays from 11am to 2pm for only Php398 per person (+10% service charge).

Vanilla Cafe, Tomas Morato

This branch also has a Boomin’ Breakfast Buffet available everyday from 7am to 10am at Php228 for adults and Php114 for kids ages four to eleven (plus 10% service charge). Kids below four years old eat for free.

This Vanilla Cafe branch is located along Mother Ignacia Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 7.30am to 11pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 7.30pm to 12 midnight.  For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 2 83743783 or +63 918 8264552.

Other branches are located at:

  • Second Floor, Garden Wing, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City
  • Second Floor, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari Road, Almanza, Las Pinas City
  • 20 Villamor Street, Lualhati, Baguio, Benguet

Planning a get-together? Why not order one of Vanilla Cafe’s Party trays? Pastas, entrees, salads and rice trays are available for order at any Metro Manila branch.

Maximize your buffet restaurant visit. Read the tips in my buffet survival guide.

Return to my katsu love at Yabu, Ayala Malls Feliz

It’s been some time since I last had a taste of premium tonkatsu. I’ve been craving those flavorful pork cutlets, breaded with panko, deep-fried to a beautiful golden brown and accompanief by fluffy Japanese rice and its own katsu sauce.

But first, how about some trivia about one of my favorite dishes? For example, did you know that…

  • Katsu is a shortened form of katsuretsu which means “cutlet?”
  • The dish was introduced in Japan in the 19th century during the Meiji period when the country opened its doors to the West?
  • At first, beef was used for katsu bit was later eclipsed by pork as the meat of choice by the 1900s, hence the rise of the term tonkatsu with ton referring to pork

Well, what comprises tonkatsu anyway?

Yabu, Ayala Malls Feliz

Yabu, Ayala Malls Feliz

You will know that you’re enjoying good quality and authentic tonkatsu when these are present:

  • Thick cuts of meat. Expect generous cuts of meat of at least 0.75 inches, giving you a viand that’s flavorful and filling.
  • Premium pork. Only the finest pork from local farmers delivered fresh to the kitchen should be used to ensure meat that’s tender and juicy.
  • Fresh panko. The panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) that coat the katsu should be freshly made, resulting in long, light and crispy flakes that adhere to the meat and gives a satisfying crunch to the bite.
  • Heat. The katsu should be cooked at precisely 165 degrees C and allowed to rest properly to help it retain its juiciness and tenderness.
  • Bright and golden. The resultigg katsu should be served fresh with a bright, golden color and crisp coating.

With these to look forward to, I went to the Yabu House of Katsu branch at Ayala Malls Feliz for lunch for my return to katsu. My solo food adventure was a Hire (Pork Tenderloin) Set (Php375 for 80g) which consisted of a thick and juicy pork cutlet with no fat, plus refillable Yabu staples which include steamed white rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage and fruits.

Yabu, Ayala Malls Feliz

Yabu, Ayala Malls Feliz

I also got myself a glass refreshing Ripe Mango Juice (Php125) to go with my katsu meal.

Yabu, Ayala Malls Feliz

What a happy return to an old favorite!

Yabu, Ayala Malls Feliz

This Yabu branch is located at Ground Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz, Marcos Highway, Dela Paz, Pasig City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 9pm and Fridays to Sundays from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82531746.

Other branches are located at:

  • Pasig: Ayala Malls the 30th
  • Quezon City: Robinsons Galleria, UP Town Center, Robinsons Magnolia, Ayala Vertis North, SM North EDSA The Block
  • Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
  • Taguig: SM Aura Premier
  • Makati: Powerplant Mall, Glorietta 2
  • Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
  • Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
  • Las Pinas: SM Southmall
  • Pasay: MOA Main Mall

Peri Peri Charcoal Chicken, SM East Ortigas

After hibernating at home since New Year’s Eve (and eating yummy leftovers!), the fam and I decided to go out for dinner on the second day of 2020.

So off we went to our neighborhood mall, SM City East Ortigas, where, as luck would have it, a new branch of Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken just opened.

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East

Peri-peri (also spelled as piri-piri or pili-pili), is a type of chili that is grown in Southeastern Africa, taking its name from the Swahili term for “pepper.” Also known as the African bird’s eye chili, its cultivation and culinary use was spread by the Portuguese to their Indian territories.

When combined with salt, garlic, lemon, oil and vinegar into a sauce, called the peri-peri sauce, it provides a distinctive flavor to the chicken dish that also bears its name.

Peri-peri Charcoal Chicken prepares its birds by trimming excess fat and marinating for at least a day prior to grilling to achieve that tender and juicy meat that explodes with every bite.

Every order of chicken comes with your choice of mild or spicy sauce. Feel free to ask your server for their recommendation.

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East

For our first dinner out of the year, we feasted on:

Sebastian Salad (Php210). A manifestation of Hubby’s resolution to eat healthier, this salad is made of lettuce greens topped with shredded crabsticks, wedges of hard-boiled egg and cherry tomatoes served with a roasted sesame dressing.

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East

Chicken Group Meal (Php799, good for four persons). A fully loaded meal that includes a whole peri-peri chicken, four bowls of Java rice and four side dishes – we chose coleslaw, corn and carrots and bacon mac ‘n cheese.

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East
Peri Peri Chicken, SM East

Four Cheese Flatbread (Php315 family size). Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken’s version of pizza which my son immediately demanded, because, as everyone knows, he is a pizza monster.

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East

Carafe of Iced Tea (Php130). Eating these flavorful viands work up quite a thirst so we get ourselves a family-sized pitcher of Peri-Peri’s house-blend iced tea.

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East

As the branch is still fairly new, there were some operational hiccups such as the sudden unavailability of hummus (Hubby’s preferred side dish) and some billing concerns which were easily straightened out. That said, our family dinner here was still a yummy start to 2020!

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East

This Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken branch is located at Ground Floor, SM City East Ortigas, Santa Lucia, Pasig City, open daily from 10am to 9pm.

Other branches in Metro Manila may be found at:

  • Las Pinas: Evia Lifestyle Center
  • Makati: Ayala North Exchange, Greenbelt 3
  • Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
  • Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
  • Marikina: SM City Marikina
  • Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
  • Paranaque: Ayala Malls Manila Bay
  • Pasay: Resorts World Manila
  • Pasig: Ayala Malls Feliz, Capitol Commons, Robinsons Galleria
  • Quezon City: Eastwood Mall, Gateway Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Tomas Morato, Trinoma Mall, Banawe, Brittany Square
  • San Juan: Promenade Greenhills
  • Taguig: Uptown Parade BGC, Market! Market BGC, Venice Grand Mall

J.CO Donuts, SM Megamall

I just love donuts! Those little circles of sweetness and joy never fail to perk up my mood.

That’s why I took advantage of a business meeting in Megamall to drop by one of my favorite donut shops.

JCo Donuts, SM Megamall
JCo Donuts, SM Megamall
JCo Donuts, SM Megamall

J.CO Donuts, a donut brand that hails from Indonesia, continues the trend of offering premium donuts that feature fluffy dough and imaginative toppings.

Take my donuts for example:

J.Club Cheezy Rich (Php45). A donut sandwich that’s made of donut plus cheese, how heavenly can this get?

Alcapone (Php42). I’ve always liked the contrasting textures of the crunchy sliced almonds and the soft airy donut.

And, as if things couldn’t get sweeter, I got a free sugar-glazed donut, thanks to an ongoing promo. Sweet!

JCo Donuts, SM Megamall
JCo Donuts, SM Megamall

Hot Mocha Espresso (Php115). My donuts are best enjoyed with something hot and sweet so I got this mocha espresso for a dose of caffeine with some chocolatey notes.

JCo Donuts, SM Megamall
JCo Donuts, SM Megamall

This J.Co Donuts branch is located at the Upper Ground Floor (outside Building B), SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

Other branches may be found at:

  • Las Pinas: SM Southmall
  • Makati: Paseo Center Salcedo Village, Glorietta 2
  • Manila: HP Village Square Malate, UN Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Lucky Chinatown Mall
  • Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
  • Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, SM City BF Paranaque
  • Pasay: DoubleDragon Plaza MOA, Blue Bay Walk MOA, North Wing MOA
  • Pasig: SM City East Ortigas
  • Quezon City: Eastwood Ave Libis, Robinsons Galleria, SM City Cubao, Shopwise Araneta, Trinoma Mall, UP Town Center, Tomas Morato Avenue, SM City North EDSA, SM City Fairview, Ayala Fairview Terraces
  • San Juan: Promenade Greenhills
  • Taguig: Park Triangle BGC, Market! Market! BGC

Recipe: Cheesy Baked Salmon

I was going through my recipe books, trying to decide on what to prepare for our Noche Buena meal, when I came across the recipe for Cheese Baked Salmon.

I had my first taste of Baked Salmon at Conti’s a few years ago and I developed quite a liking for it.

Wanting to prepare something similar for my family, I scoured the internet for a recipe which I tweaked, considering available ingredients.

It’s quite easy to make but the ingredients are a bit costly so I only make this dish during special occasions like Noche Buena.

Baked Salmon Recipe

Baked Salmon Recipe

Baked Salmon Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 pieces of salmon fillets, at least half a kilo each
  • 9 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (use 2/3 of this for the marinade and 1/3 for the cheese topping)
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 1 box (250 grams) Emborg Cream Cheese
  • 5 tbsp Lady’s Choice Mayonnaise
  • Marca Pina Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 pack of frozen peas, corn and carrots
  • 2 tbsp butter

Procedure:

  • To marinate the salmon, season it with salt, pepper and garlic then sprinkle it with lemon juice. Set aside for at least 30 minutes.
  • Using a hand-held mixer, whip the cream cheese until softened and fluffy then add the mayonnaise, garlic and parmesan cheese to taste
  • Pat the marinated salmon dry and place it in an oven pan. Generously spread the cheese topping over the fish and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
  • Bake at 170 degrees C for 35 to 40 minutes or until the topping turns golden brown.
  • Serve with vegetable sauteed in butter.

This recipe serves 6 persons at 270 calories per serving.

Check out my other recipes:

Birthday lunch treat at TGI Fridays, South Triangle

TGI Fridays holds a lot of memories for me.

It was the first American-style restobar for as long as I can remember, and back when I was in college, its Glorietta branch was where I had my first taste of Long Island Iced Tea (guess who got drunk on that! Hehehe!) and I started my love affair with Chicken Fingers.

TGI Fridays started in 1960s New York when Alan Stillman established a bar at the corner of 63rd and First Streets. There, he served big American burgers and beer always on tap for his guests, making sure that they’re having a great time.

When TGI Fridays came to the Philippines 25 years ago, it sought to bring the same kind of good times to Pinoy diners.

Fast forward to 2019 and TGI Fridays is still bringing fun times with its hearty servings American comfort food and drinks.

I was at its Tomas Morato branch together with my office teammates (who all happen to be December birthday celebrants) for lunch when TGI Fridays celebrated its 25th anniversary in the Philippines last December 11.

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

On that day, diners were treated to a free platter of Chili Ballpark Nachos and Seafoam and Dream Punch Splashers at 1pm and 7pm as the service crew break out into their version of the Happy Birthday song.

TGI Fridays in Tomas Morato is also notable for being the last remaining store to feature music memorabilia in its decor to complement its classic American diner furniture. This branch also made some improvements in its interiors to let in more light, giving it a cheerier atmosphere compared to my last visit.

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

I treated my work buddies to Bucket of Bones Platter (Php2,795). It includes TGI Fridays signature tender, falling-off-the-bones glazed pork ribs, 8 pieces of chicken wings and 2 large pieces of porkchops, along with sides of mac & cheese, garlic rice and fries. Plus, for every order of this platter, a portion goes to supporting Action Against Hunger, the movement that fights hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines.

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

Any visit to TGI Friday’s won’t be complete without an order of Chicken Fingers (Php450). These hand-battered chicken tenders fried to a beautiful golden brown and accompanied with by a side of crispy seasoned fries and honey mustard dip remain among my all-time favorite food.

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

For dessert, we had a Mocha Mud Pie (Php365). This sweet treat is made of chocolate almond and coffee ice cream, hot fudge and toasted almond slices.

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

Along with the free nachos and drinks, these were more than enough to fully satisfy or group of four. Yey!

TGI Fridays, Tomas Morato

And since one in our group has a Bistro Card, we got 20% off the total food bill!

A happy birthday treat for all indeed! Well, except me, because my birthday is still in April, sigh! Oh, well…

This TGI Fridays branch is located at Ground Floor, Hotel Rembrandt, Tomas Morato Avenue corner Scout Bayoran Street, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 11pm.

Other branches are located at:

  • Eastwood Citywalk, Libis, Quezon City
  • Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City
  • Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
  • Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill, Taguig
  • Glorietta 3, Glorietta Complex, Makati
  • Greenbelt 3, San Lorenzo, Makati
  • Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City
  • Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
  • Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay
  • SM Southmall, Almanza, Muntinlupa
  • Evia Lifestyle Center, Almanza, Las Pinas
  • Ayala Malls Circuit, Olympia, Makati

TGI Fridays Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

It’s great to have officemates who love to eat (not as much as I do, but still).

Before we took our holiday break, my boss decided to treat our team to dinner at The Alley by Vikings in UP Town Center.

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

What sets this buffet restaurant apart from the others is that it takes the form of a street-style food hall which incorporates concepts from around the world. Walking around the stations, you get a feel of touring the streets of the countries where the featured food items originate.

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

Instead of filling your plates yourself, you can request for small servings of the dishes from their respective stations, similar to the street food tripping experience. For example, our “food trip” here included the following stations:

  • Hao Chi – for Chinese dimsum and Peking Duck
  • Yatai – for Japanese sushi, sashimi and okonomiyaki
  • O’Sean Eleven – for seafood chowder
  • Just Steak a Minute – for freshly grilled steaks and other meats
  • Ferino’s Bibingka – for freshly made puto bumbong
  • Hunnycomb – for cakes and pastries

Buffet Rates:

  • Weekday Lunch: Php738 for adults, Php188 for kids 3ft for 4ft, Php388 for kids 4ft to 4ft 6in
  • Weekday Dinner/ Weekend or Holiday Lunch and Dinner: Php938 for adults, Php288 for kids 3ft for 4ft, Php588 for kids 4ft to 4ft 6in
  • Kids below 3ft eat for free

There are a lot of food choices, and more food stations than the ones I mentioned, which can be quite overwhelming. Refilling the more popular stations such as the sushi and the muscovado sugar for the bibingka took a long time.

I would also guess that the air-conditioning couldn’t cope with the volume of diners as it was quite warm where we were seated.

All that said, it was still a good time spent with my office buddies.

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

This branch of The Alley by Vikings is located 2nd Level, Phase 2, UP Town Center, Ayala Mall, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and from 5.30pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82771888, +63 2 82772888, +63 917 6735888 or +63 918 9078888.

Other branches are located at:

  • 2nd Level, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, A. Bonifacio Street, Brgy. Balingasa, A. Bonifacio, Quezon City
  • C1, Upper Ground Floor, Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
  • Planning a visit to The Alley by Vikings? Here are some promos you can take advantage of:
    • 20% off Weekday Lunch for every group of 5 pax from January 2 to February 28, 2020
      Birthday celebrants eat for free on the day of their birthday if accompanied by one full paying adult, or within their birth month if accompanied by four full-paying adults
  • (Note: Terms and conditions apply for the above-mentioned promos.)
  • The Alley by Vikings Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

    Maximize your buffet restaurant visit. Read the tips in my buffet survival guide.

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