Eat – Page 102 – Jellybeans in the City

Four reasons why Sammy’s in Cainta is a hidden gem worth uncovering

The areas east of Manila are home to many noteworthy restaurants that satisfy the discerning foodie’s need for great food and beautiful surroundings.

Sammy’s, the rustic restaurant tucked away in one of the inner subdivisions in Valley Golf, Cainta, has a lot more going for it.

Curious yet? Read on to discover four reasons why this hidden gem should be brought out to the light of day for everyone to enjoy.

One: The warm welcome.

Sammy’s is located in a fairly hidden street in the Valley View Executive Subdivision, one of the residential villages inside Valley Golf in Cainta, Rizal. Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I was able to locate the place thanks to Google Maps and to the cute signboard made of corrugated steel that hangs outside the gate.

When the gate opened, we were greeted by the smiling Chef Sammy Isidro and his lovely wife Dorothy. And boy, do they have a lot of fun stories to tell! (But more on that later.)

Two: The beautiful place.

The restaurant is actually located at the second floor of their house. A high ceiling decorated by hanging Edison lamps and large windows that let in lots of natural light give the room an open and airy feel. While the area is just big enough to seat twenty to twenty-four people, the layout makes it seem much bigger.

Adding character to the place is its decor which is a cross between rustic and industrial. Polished pine wood tables and woven hemp place mats complement the black and white ceramic ware and clear glassware. Clocks made of bike parts adorn one wall, while a light fixture made of pipes accent another.

Even the washroom is visually appealing: check out that kawali sink!

And the lush greenery from the trees outside provide a verdant backdrop for all of these elements, and, of course, the delicious dishes that Chef Sammy whips up in the kitchen.

Three: The delicious Indonesian-inspired food.

Sammy’s serves a carefully thought-out curation of Asian cuisine influenced, no doubt, by the seventeen years the couple spent in Jakarta. (Doing what there? Again, more on that later, I promise!)

We were served these delectable dishes:

Sammy’s Breakfast (Php390). This big-enough-for-two meal consists of Chef Sammy’s favorite breakfast meal items which include Pinoy classics such as beef tapa, tocino, longganisa and danggit, accompanied by garlic fried rice and omelet.

5-Hour Pork Belly in two ways…

With Laing and White Rice (Php290). A lean piece of pork belly is roasted at low temperature for five hours to achieve a tender texture and a smokey flavor. It is placed on a bed of homemade laing, the Bicolano staple made of taro leaves accompanied by steamed rice.

In a Cubano Sandwich with Kamote Fries (Php250). Showcasing the versatility 5-hour pork belly, Chef Sammy uses it in a hearty Cubano sandwich together with pickles, cheese and a tart sauce in a crisp Cubano bread with kamote (sweet potato) fries on the side.

Konro with White Rice (Php530). In this Indonesian version of braised beef, big chunks of flavorful ribs are slow-cooked for hours in its own drippings, thereby concentrating its flavor. By the way, this giant serving is also big enough for two.

Nasi Goreng (Php190). In this Indonesian take on the fried rice, precooked rice is flavored with kecap manis (a sweet kind of soy sauce), shallots, garlic, shrimp paste and tamarind, and made heartier with the addition of juicy pieces of chicken satay on skewers and krupuk crackers.

Mango Crepes with Vanilla Sauce (Php160). Chef Sammy first tasted this dessert when he was a waiter at La Scala years ago and his fond memories of it drove him to include it in the menu of his own restaurant.

Banana Bread French Toast (Php140). Slices of homemade banana loaf are dipped in a rich egg mixture then lightly toasted, making this dessert extra decadent.

Martabak Manis. This thick pancake dish popular in Indonesia is filled chocolate sprinkle, crushed peanuts, cheese and condensed milk. It’s not yet on the menu but given our enthusiastic reaction to it, it definitely should be.

Fresh Fruit Shakes: Ripe Mango Shake (Php140) and Banana Milk Shake (Php130).

Hot Bicolano Tabrilla Chocolate (Php65). This cup of decadently thick hot chocolate made from single-origin tabrilla from Bicol is perfect for lazy Sunday mornings when you just want to luxuriate in its sweet comfort… or any other time, really.

Four: The singing chef… and his wife!

And now for the low-down: Chef Sammy and Dorothy spent seventeen years as singers in the Hotel Mulia Senayan Jakarta, where they exemplified the musical prowess of Pinoys to the hotel’s international clientele.

In between his singing gigs, Sammy achieved his Diploma 1 at the Jakarta Culinary Center.

Now that they have their own establishment back home, Chef Sammy and Dorothy still break out into song from time to time, but mostly as an extra treat for their dinner guests after dessert has been served.

Imagine a Valentine’s Day date, an intimate proposal or an anniversary celebration with these two singing in the background. (Kilig time ahead!) 😍😍😍

So given all these reasons, I think it’s high time that Sammy’s become a prime destination for foodies, and not just for those living east of Manila. Don’t you agree?

Thanks to Chef Sammy and Dorothy for an awesome dining experience for me and my foodie buddies!

Sammy’s is located at 14 Raspberry Bend Street, Valley View Executive Subdivision Phase 3, San Juan, Cainta. The restaurant is open Tuesdays to Saturdays for breakfast from 7am to 11.30am and for dinner from 7pm to 10.30pm, and on Sundays for breakfast from 7am to 11.30am.

Seating is strictly by reservation so call +63 939 1483960 to book your table.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meetup held here wherein food and drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Handcrafted brunch creations at Artesa Deli + Coffee, Kapitolyo

In Kapitolyo, Pasig’s foodie haven, a new mecca for brunch-aholics and more has just opened its doors.

Called Artesa Deli + Coffee (and named after the Catalan word for “handcrafted”), this cafe elevates the casual and leisurely brunch out into an artform.

Founded by three friends – Mikho Villarosa, Edrian Chua and Jef Lim – Artesa elevates seeks to be Kapitolyo’s one-stop shop for high-quality, curated yet reasonably priced coffee and food products.

My friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH and I recently visited Artesa Deli + Coffee for a late brunch experience, where we were treated to:

Chimichurri Burger (Php175). A juicy patty of 100% US beef cooked to medium doneness topped with pickled cucumbers, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and house-made chimichurri sauce with a side of crispy fried wonton chips.

Cubano (Php235). One of the cafe’s best-selling sandwiches, this dish features ham and fork-tender, smokey pulled pork accompanied by pickled cucumbers and cheddar cheese in a lightly buttered and pressed Cuban bread and also with a side of those addictive fried wonton chips.

By the way, Artesa’s sandwiches are all buildable which means that you can customize your sandwich by adding-on items such as extra beef patties, fried chicken fillets, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, bacon strips or fried egg.

Tomato Gravy Rice with Chicken (Php220). A tender fillet of chicken is battered, panko-crusted and shallow-fried to a crispy golden brown before being placed on top of steamed rice drenched in a savory yet slightly tangy gravy of beef drippings, tomato and spices, then garnished with corn kernels.

For dessert, we had a a rich New York-style Cheesecake (Php160/slice), a decadent Chocolate Cake (Php160/slice) and a delightful Black & White Cookie (Php60/piece), all of which feature an artisanal quality. (Artesa also sells whole cakes; you just need to order them three days in advance.)

We were also given our choice of drinks which included:

Espresso Soda (Php165). This is perfect for those who like to taste of coffee with a slight fizz.

Matcha Latte (Php150 for hot). A rich comforting drink made with real matcha powder.

Iced Mocha (Php150). A masterful blend of coffee and chocolate, and, thankfully for me, may even be sweetened some more with the addition of honey syrup.

Homemade Iced Tea (Php75). This drink may be served sweetened or unsweetened.

Orange Julius (Php90). This drink is reminiscent of the beverage popular when I was a kid.

Artesa’s menu is still small but well-crafted such that each item is a masterpiece, it’s taste and quality assured. These are perfect for a leisurely brunch, a quick snack in the afternoon, or any time of the day you want a tasty treat.

Thanks to the Chef Jef and the lovely staff of Artesa for having us!

Artesa also aims to highlight the quality of local micro-entrepreneurs: it sells jars of Spanish sardines, organically grown mushrooms with tinapa or tuyo, as well as spicy and garlicky cuttlefish crunch, among others. The cafe also incorporates these in some of their dishes as an ingredient or as sides. Do check them out when you visit the store.

Artesa Deli + Coffee is located at Unit 2, D Strip, Building 20, United Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City, open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11am to 10pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 945 5979018.

Papa Diddi’s celebrates ice cream day with Scoop-All-You-Can

Here’s a fun scoop (pun intended): National Ice Cream Day is coming up! To celebrate the occasion, Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream will be having a scoop-all-you-can promo on July 15 for only P250.

With a wide selection of unique flavors such as their famed Tres Leches, you can now mix-and-match different flavors and scoop to your heart’s content at a Papa Diddi’s near you. And better yet, these artisanal ice creams are made from all-natural ingredients and have less sugar content, allowing you to have as many scoops as you want, guilt-free!

To avail of the Scoop All You Can Promo, visit Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream in the following:

168 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village Quezon City
Pobstacion, L11 B4 Valdez Street, Poblacion Makati
The Community Kitchen, G/F The Community Bldg., Metropoli Drive, Metropoli Residenza, Bagumbayan, 1110 Quezon City, Philippines

Want more? Papa Diddi’s also offers a pint subscription service. Subscribers can get their ice cream fix for the summer with two handcrafted and hand-packed pints delivered fresh straight to their doorstep. Papa Diddi’s also offers an Ice Cream mobile bar for special events.

Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream is small batch, hand-mixed & hand packed all-natural premium ice cream, using produce sourced directly from farms, markets & gardens all over the Philippines.

Promo details provided by Papa Diddi’s in a recent press release.

Ramen time with Tongara Ramen, Lamp Quarters

My #RamenPhase has been going on for years now and is showing no sign of waning.

And with the metro just entering the season of ramen weather, it’s only fitting that I start looking for new ramen places to try.

Friends who reside in Marikina have been giving me rave reviews about Tongara Ramen for some time now. Located in foodie haven Lamp Quarters, this new ramen spot is lauded for its special broth which is also its namesake: tongara – a mixture of tonkotsu, broth made from pork bones, and torigara, broth made from chicken bones. The resulting broth has an additional layer of sweet-savory flavor to it that differentiates Tongara Ramen’s offerings from those of other ramen places in the metro.

During a recent foray to Lamp Quarters with my daughter #ExhibitA, we decided to have lunch at Tongara Ramen to taste its celebrated ramen for ourselves.

Our meal included:

Tongara Ramen Junior Bowl (Php220). Don’t let its junior size fool you. We each had a Junior Bowl of Tongara’s famed ramen and it was filling enough to sate our hunger. We loved its flavorful broth and firm noodles which are well complemented by the torched tender slice of chashu (seasoned pork belly), ajitama (seasoned soft-boiled egg) and crisp bamboo shoots.

Chicken Karaage (Php200). Tender and flavorful bite-size pieces of marinated chicken covered in seasoned what flour and deep-fried to a beautiful golden brown. These are best sprinkled with a bit of lemon juice upon serving and dipped in Japanese mayo.

Gyoza (Php200). Japan’s famous pot sticker made of minced pork, shredded cabbage and aromatics wrapped in thinly rolled dough skins which are first steamed then lightly fried on one side to achieve a slightly crisp texture that complements the dish’s garlicky flavor. Any meal at a Japanese resto with #ExhibitA will not be complete without this dish.

So, thanks to Tongara Ramen for another mother-daughter foodie adventure unlocked!

Tongara Ramen is located at Lamp Quarters, Gil Fernando Avenue, Santo Nino, Marikina, open Sundays to Fridays from 11am to 11pm and Saturdays from 11am to 8pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 3903773 or +63 917 1794718.

Tea time at Tea Bubble House, Greenhills

Well here’s a piece of good news for you tea lovers out there!

Another tea store from Taiwan has set up shop in out shores and, this time, it’s in one of the metro’s favorite shopping mecca, Greenhills Shopping Center!

The first local outlet of the pearl milk tea pioneer Chawanjia, Tea Bubble House carries over the mother brand’s style of using good ingredients and practices in making its drinks.

Tea bubbles (or what we call boba or pearls) have evolved from just mere add-ons to our drinks to elements that provide essential bite textures that add to the uniqueness of our beverage.

Tea Bubble House produces four kinds of cassava-based pearls in-house: mango, dragon fruit, blue and white pearls. The mango and dragon fruit pearls are made with real locally-soutced fruit so each bite gives you that fresh fruity taste. The blue pearls, on the other hand, incorporate the edible butterfly pea flower, giving them that distinct color.

Recently, my foodie friends and I were able to sample some of its six drink series (which come in 500ml and 700ml sizes). These include:

Rainbow Pearl Milk Tea (prices range from Php100 to Php120).

Milky Shake (Php115 each).

Refreshing Fruit Tea (prices range from Php120 to Php135).

Crystal Iced Tea (Php125 each).

Rainbow Specialty (prices range from Php115 to Php130).

Rainbow Fruit Dirty Tea (Php140 each).

Being a sweet-tooth, I naturally gravitated towards the creamy or milkier dessert-type drinks such as the milky shakes and the rainbow fruit dirty teas. I found the interaction of the fruit and tea flavors with the creamy textures quite appealing.

Still, depending on my mood, I would probably find myself going for the lighter and fruitier versions in later visits.

So, before or after a spate of shopping, why not drop by at Tea Bubble House to quench your thirst or sate your bubble tea craving?

Many thanks to Bunny of Always the Funny Girl for extending the invitation and to the folks Tea Bubble House for all those teas!

Tea Bubble House is located at Second Floor, VMall Bridgeway, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan City. For delivery, call +63 2 2562314 or + 63 917 3007932.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held here wherein in food drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other milk tea joints:

Get ready for unli ramen at Yummy Tokyo, Maginhawa!

The rainy season is upon us. With those rain clouds come a bit of cooler weather, giving us Metro Manila denizens a much-welcome break from the heat.

But with those rainshowers and cool breezes come the craving for something hot and hearty that will warm the stomach and soothe the soul.

What better way to enjoy the rainy season than to sit down and slurp on some tasty ramen?

How about taking on Yummy Tokyo’s Unli Ramen offer?

But first, let’s get to know Yummy Tokyo and its ramen offerings.

After meticulously developed his ramen recipes, self-taught ramen master Jin Chiba left his corporate research job, found a partner who helped him launch his own brand of ramen in the Philippines, and thus, Yummy Tokyo came to be.

My friends from #SaanSaPH recently visited its store along Maginhawa Street and sampled some of its dishes, which include:

Tantanmen (Php189). Did you know that this ramen dish originated from China where it was known as “Dandanmen?” It became popular in Japan’s northern prefectures where its miso, peanut and sesame base was perfected. I like the peanutty taste, its flavorful ground pork topping and its slightly spicy kick.

Miso Ramen (Php149). Initially having gained foothold in the Sapporo and Hokkaido prefectures, it is made by incorporating lots of miso (soybean paste) with meat stock, resulting to a hearty and slightly sweet soup. Topped with a slice of tender chashu, it is quite a filling meal.

Seafood Ramen (Php149). Originating from Nagasaki, this ramen dish with a scallop base and topped with shredded cabbage, kani sticks and narutomaki, it is lighter than the other ramen dishes.

Tonkotsu (Php129). One of my all-time favorites, the soup for this ramen dish originating from the Fukuoka and Kyushu prefectures is made by boiling pork bones, fat and collagen for hours, resulting in a creamy and flavor-filled broth.

Cold Ramen (Php149). The idea behind this ramen dish originating from the Tokyo and Honshu prefectures is to top cold ramen noodles with assorted vegetables and meat then toss them in a vinegary dressing which makes for a refreshing meal.

Now, about that Unli Ramen. For only Php399, you can stuff yourself with all the broth, noodles and toppings your heart and tummy can hold.

Rainy days don’t seem so sad now, do they?

Want to take your ramen experience home with you? Why not bring home some of Yummy Tokyo’s Ramen Kits (prices range from Php149 to Php169) to enjoy the store’s tasty and authentic ramen dishes at home.

Many thanks to the folks of Yummy Tokyo for having us!

This Yummy Tokyo branch is located at 103 Maginhawa Street, Teacher’s Village East, Quezon City (inside Moonleaf Tea Shop Compound), open daily from 4pm to 12 midnight.

Another branch is located at the Fourth Floor, East Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange, Ortigas Center (inside Moonleaf Tea Shop), open weekdays from 11am to 6pm.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers of #SaanSaPH, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held here wherein in food items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Introducing Spookie, the cookie dough you can eat!

Being an amateur home baker during my #BakingPhase, I’ve made my share of chocolate chip cookies. These kinds of cookies have almost universal appeal; I usually make them as gifts over the holiday season or as sweet snack treats for the kids.

(Well, back then, I had a lot more free time.)

When I baked these cookies, I sometimes give in to the urge to lick the baking spoon clean because the cookie dough just seems so yummy. The sticky dough is sweeter than the actual baked cookies (a weakness for a sweet tooth like me).

However, I have taken note of warnings against doing so: Homemade dough contains raw flour and eggs. Flour has not been treated to remove risks against E. coli and other germs. Raw eggs, on the other hand, may cause salmonella poisoning. Both of these leads to severe health problems such as abdominal cramps and other more serious digestive ailments.

So, how can we enjoy the same texture and taste of raw cookie dough without the risk?

Well, entrepreneur Alfred Ricafrente has the solution: Spookie, the cookie you eat with a spoon.

Leveraging his culinary training and his experience in a 1-hat restaurant (an establishment with the highest designation) in Australia, he conceptualized a way to keep all that we love about the cookie dough but render it safe for eating through sous vide.

Sous vide (“under vacuum” in French) is a method of cooking in which food is placed in a pouch or glass jar and cooked in a water bath for longer than usual cooking times. This method ensures that the food is cooked evenly and its moistness retained.

Alfred refined a recipe he found through his research and customized it to his taste, with the finished product retaining its dough-like appearance and texture despite actually being cooked.

A jar was delivered to my office where I enjoyed it during my coffee break and as a dessert with my officemates over lunch. Some of them found it too sweet, but that’s a matter of taste. In fact, some are already considering giving some jars away as gifts.

Spookie is available for home deliveries at only Php120 per jar containing 170g of cookie dough. Orders may be coursed through Spookie’s Facebook or Instagram pages, or via email at spookiemanila@gmail.com or via phone at +63 2 2962387.

Spookie keeps for three to four days at room temperature and up to seven days when refrigerated.

Disclosure: A product sample was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

Check out my blog posts on other small enterprises and startups in the food business:

First Harvest Nut Spreads

Good Shepherd Ube Jam

Migu Migu Finishing Butters

Kitycups Dreamcake Chocolatta

Sweet Kiss Chocolate Dreamcake

Melo Foods Chocolate Dreamcake

Meals.PH

Always changing is a good thing at BOA Kitchen + Socials, Tomas Morato

Tucked away in a quiet corner along Scout Rallos Street in Quezon City is a newly opened restaurant with something new up its sleeve.

Always change.

That’s the mantra of BOA Kitchen + Socials, which aims to be the destination of choice for the titas. Enter its doors and you will enjoy the same ambiance, food quality and hospitality as any top-of-the-line stylish Makati restaurant. The difference is, especially for people up North, you get to avoid the stressful Makati traffic to get there.

Plus, you get to enjoy an ever-changing environment as envisioned by owner Joey Marcelo and menu conceptualized by Chef Julius Necor, which makes your every visit a fresh and exciting experience.

Here’s how:

From 9am to 6pm, enjoy a Bali-inspired Australian brunch service in the light and airy surroundings of BOA Kitchen.

Here, you can sate your mid-day appetite with dishes such as:

Torched Salmon and Avocado Toast (Php245). A large piece of torched smoked salmon placed and mashed avocado on multi-grain bread.

Grilled Cheese with Creamy Marinara (Php245). Cheddar and mozarella in a grilled brioche loaf best enjoyed dipped in a creamy marinara sauce.

Tinapa Aglio E Olio (Php285). Pasta tossed in a mixture of tinapa flakes, olive oil and garlic.

Pasta Vongole (Php285). Spaghetti noodles tossed in a light sauce of clams and lemons.

Alfredo Pesto Pasta (Php285). Pesto farfalle coated with Alfredo sauce, served with ricotta and sun-dried tomato.

Kimchi Fried Rice (Php285). Bibimbap kimchi fried rice topped with carrots, bean sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, ground beef, spinach, zucchini and an egg cooked sous vide.

Pulled Pork Adobo (Php245). Strips of pork adobo, pickled vegetables and a fried egg topping garlic rice.

Tapsilog (Php245). The classic lunch staple of tender beef tapa and crispy fried egg on garlic rice.

Steak and Egg (Php495). A 200g grilled hanger steak served with fried eggs, house-made potato chips and mushroom gravy.

Full English Breakfast (Php325). Toast, links of breakfast sausage, bacon, roast herb tomato and potato hash served with fried egg.

Banana Pie (Php175). Caramelized banana served with buttery streusel crumbs and a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

Bibingka Microwave Cake (Php245). A deconstructed dessert of made-to-order-via-microwave bibingka cake on a bed of salted egg dulce de leche, sugar syrup, melted butter and desiccated coconut.

From 6pm to 12 midnight, when the neon lights are lit up, the place transforms to BOA Socials which serves Asian cuisine.

While you relax and unwind with your amigas, you can feast on:

Sisig Croquettes (Php225). Creamy mashed potato balls filled with sisig and served with toyo-mansi aioli.

Wonton Nachos (Php245). Crispy fried wontons topped with pulled teriyaki sauce, shredded cabbage, onions and parsley drizzled in Sriracha mayo.

Salmon Tartare (Php378). Salmon served with pork rind, wasabi mayo, urchin roe and Oriental dressing.

Pulpo (Php345). Succulent grilled octopus on smoked potato puree served with chorizo crumbs and paprika-thyme oil.

Tinapa Cream Cheese Toast (Php175). Open-faced sandwich of tinapa flavored cream cheese over toast topped with sliced cucumber, onion and halved cherry tomatoes.

Chori Burger (Php295). Chorizo patty topped with a fried egg, coleslaw and pepper sauce in a black brioche bun.

Char Kwaey Teow (Php365). Stir-fried Southeast Asian rice noodle dish with a smokey flavor.

Chicken Pad Thai (Php345). Stir-fried glass noodles with tamarind sauce, eggs, tofu, chicken pieces and bean sprouts.

Thai Fried Chicken (Php345). Crispy fried chicken served on top of curried mashed potato, garnished with grilled corn kernels and pickled vegetables and served with sweet chili sauce.

Beef Rendang with Coconut Lime Rice (Php425). A spicy Indonesian meat dish served on coco lime rice served with pickled vegetable and crispy shallots.

Crispy Pork Sambal (Php445). Crispy pork belly served with Asian slaw.

Deconstructed Anise Cheesecake (Php245). Anise cheesecake served apart from its ginger graham cracker crust.

House Blend Iced Tea (Php80). With choices among classic, mango and lychee.

Purple Potion (Pho320). One of the ever-changing drinks served at BOA, this blue gin changes to a purple hue when tonic water is added.

With these always changing elements, every trip to BOA Kitchen and Socials is something new to look forward to.

Many thanks to Joey, Chef Julius and the wonderful staff of BOA Kitchen + Socials for the amazing time and the great meal in each of my visits.

BOA Kitchen + Socials is located at the Mezzanine Floor, 45 ABDC Building, Scout Rallos corner Scout Tuazon, Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily from 9am to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 2903103 or +63 977 7078472.

Did you know you can get dishes for free when you dine with a friend at BOA Kitchen + Socials through Zomato Gold? Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 deals on food or 2+2 deals on drinks.

You can also book your table at BOA Kitchen + Socials using Eatigo to get up to 50% off your food bill.

Disclosure: Together with my fellow foodies, I was invited to join a foodie meetup held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Great drinks and great times at Good Good, Tomas Morato

So the workday is done and you and your friends are on the lookout for a reason to get together to relax and catch up.

Well, here’s an idea!

Why not hang out at the newly opened maiden store of Taiwanese tea brand Good Good in Tomas Morato?

This shop located along Scout Tobias Street boasts of comfy and Instagrammable interiors, great for chilling out in or getting those great photo opps, as well as a wide selection of beverage options. My friends from #SaanSaPH and I discovered these when it opened its doors to us the day before its Grand Opening.

What treats await you when you enter the shop? Here are some of the Good Good’s extensive selections for your beverage of choice:

Fruit Teas (prices range from Php120 to Php160). Made with fresh and locally sourced fruit, these teas light, refreshing and quite healthy.

Classic Milk Teas (prices range from Php95 to Php140). With options that include the Black Bubble Milk Tea (and its intensified versions called Double B and Triple B), as well as those known milk tea variants such as Hokkaido, Okinawa and Wintermelon, you can be sure your milk tea cravings will be satisfied.

Cream Cheese (prices range from Php120 to Php220). What is it about cream cheese milk teas that make me go crazy? Is it the richness of the cream cheese foam topping the contrasts against the light tea? Is it the slightly salty flavor that makes a great foil for the drink’s sweetness? Whatever it is, my drinks of choice here are the Berry Brilliant with Cream Cheese (Php220) made with fresh strawberries and raspberries and the Chocolate Milk with Cream Cheese (Php150).

Smoothies (prices range from Php180 to Php220). If you want to go the full fruit shake route, Good Good has fruit smoothie selections for you to soothe your craving. Choices incorporate fresh fruits such as banana, papaya, strawberries and mango among others.

If you think that going to a tea place means you’ll be starved for choice, think again, dearies. As Good Good has shown us #SaanSaPH foodies, choices abound and while you can always come back to enjoy your favorites, there’s nothing stopping you from trying out new drink options.

Many thanks to #SaanSaPH for the invite and to the wonderful folks of Good Good Philippines for the great time and the great drinks we had there!

Good Good is located at 49-C Scout Tobias Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers of #SaanSaPH, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held here wherein in drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other milk tea joints:

Amici launches a Taste of Italy in its new resto at One Bonifacio High Street, BGC

Amici has long been the home of great-tasting Italian food, ever since the restaurant got its start as a canteen of Don Bosco’s printing press ran by Salesian Italian missionary Father Gianluigi Colombo.

Today, the chain of restaurants that carry its name is recognized as the premier foodie destinations for authentic Italian dining experiences.

It’s therefore hardly surprising that the opening of Amici’s latest branch at One Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City was met with much excitement. This new outlet boasts of a spacious seating area inside the mall, and soon, a veranda where diners can eat their meal with an awesome view of the buildings surrounding the mall.

Add the introduction of new menu items crafted by Amici’s very own Chef Paolo during the event and you can bet foodies all over the metro will be wanting a taste.

This delightful repast consisted of:

Truffle Mushroom Dip (Php385). A medley of four types of mushrooms (truffle, porcini, shiitake and button) mixed together with caramelized onions in a rich creamy sauce. Served together with crisp pieces of pizza crust, the dip had us reaching for it again and again.

Chef’s Chicken Ceasar Salad (Php295 regular | Php560 grande). Here, Chef Paolo does his own twist on the classic Ceasar Salad by adding parmesan cheese crisps to the chicken, mixed greens and croutons tossed in Amici’s own-recipe Ceasar Salad dressing.

Shrimp Pesto & Pomodoro (Php365). Plump shrimp sauteed in garlic and tomato sauce with linguine and Amici’s house-recipe pesto sauce tossed in.

Salmon & Zucchini Pizza (Php525). Zucchini, flakes of smoked salmon, bacon bits and mozarella top an Alfredo sauce base on this crunchy oven-baked pizza.

Striploin Steak Salpicao (Php625). Tender strips of striploin steak simmered with garlic and mushrooms in Amici’s house salpicao sauce and served with rice pilaf.

Mango Magnifico (Php120/slice). Light chiffon cake in between layers of whipped cream studded with mango bits and cashew brittles, this is one of Amici’s classic desserts which served as a fitting end to our delightful meal.

With this tantalizing taste of Italy, I will definitely come back for more!

Thanks to Jen of SandUnderMyFeet.com for extending the invitation and to the wonderful people of Amici for the warm welcome and the delicious meal!

This Amici branch is located at Level 3, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, 28th Street corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, open daily from 11am to 10pm.

Other branches are located at;

Ground Floor, The Block, SM North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
Bellagio Square, Tomas Morato Avenue, Laging Handa, Quezon City
Ground Floor, UP Ayala Technohub, Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Ground Floor, 101 Missouri Square, Missouri corner Connecticut Street, Greenhills, San Juan City
Third Floor, Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
Ayala Triangle Gardens, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Don Bosco School, A. Arnaiz Avenue, San Lorenzo, Makati City
Second Floor, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City