Eat – Page 122 – Jellybeans in the City

Delectable Degustation at Ilustrado, Intramuros

Degustation is the careful and deliberate tasting of various food with an eye towards appreciation of the science and artistry that goes into their preparation as well as their effect to the senses.

To mark its 29th anniversary, Ilustrado Restaurant introduces an 8-course degustation menu which will be available to its patrons throughout the month of October.

The menu was conceptualized by Ilustrado Restaurant’s Chef de Patron Bernice Pimentel, inspired by, of all things, a classic Pinoy song.

“My almost three year old nephew is in a “bahay kubo” sing-song stage and I can say that the vegetables in the song followed me everywhere making its way into our degustation menu.” shares Chef Bernice.

The influence of “bahay kubo” is apparent in the menu’s deliberate use of homegrown ingredients and incorporating them into continental dishes.

In fact, Chef Bernice’s plan for the restaurant’s own farm to table concept is already in the works. Among these initiatives are a partnership with Luntian Farms and growing the edible flowers that serve as garnishes for her dishes right at home.

Together with fellow foodies and food bloggers, I was able to sample this innovative degustation menu, which is priced at Php1,250 (plus 10% service charge). The menu included items that may also be availed of ala carte, such as:

Kangkong Pesto Brioche served with Boursin Cheese. The freshly baked brioche is amazingly light and fluffy, wonderfully accented by the herby cream cheese.

Kesong Puti Croquettes at Lato (Php175+). These are croquettes made with local white cheese, sea grapes (or locally called lato, which gives a burst of flavor from the sea with each bite), baby mesclun and Salsa Verde Aoili.

Oyster Laing Rockefeller (Php195+). Seafood dish made of Aklan oyster topped by the classic Bicolano laing made of coconut, chili and dried taro, with added parmigiano reggiano, lemon juice and panko. These add a rich creaminess and a spicy kick to the oyster.

Sayote Egg Drop Soup (Php125+). Chayote soup with a quail egg dropped in for added richness that warms the tummy, served with crunchy crostini.

Burong Mangga Sorbet. Pureed green mango churned and cooled into a sorbet to cleanse the palate in preparation for the main dishes.

BBQ Pulled Pork Tostadas (Php215+). Tender slow-cooked pork marinated in Pinoy-style barbecue sauce, served with refried mungo beans, papaya slaw on top of fried tortillas.

Sea Bass Sinantol (Php350+). Buttery Chilean sea bass fillet pan-seared then oven-broiled and served with fried rice sauteed in the Bicolano dish sinantol, as well as arugula.

Egg Pie Brulee (Php175+). Bruleed egg tart with dots of rose creme chantilly, slices of fresh strawberry, green grapes, and ripe mango. Accompanied by edible flowers, this dessert provides a sweet ending to the meal.

The degustation menu modernizes and localizes the continental viands it includes. It brings somewhat-forgotten local produce such as lato, sayote and santol back to the forefront of modern Philippine cuisine. The portions are well-calculated such that diners are able to appreciate each dish in its entirety but are not overwhelmed by flavor or quantity.

In keeping with a degustation’s aim to satisfy as many of the senses as possible, the menu features visually appealing and colorful food presentation, appetizing herby, fruity and earthy smells, and interesting interplays of various textures and flavors with each dish served.

This wonderful menu is best enjoyed inside Ilustrado Restaurant’s well-appointed premises. The converted Spanish era seminary, its aged wood furniture and antique bric-a-bracs all give the resto an old world appeal.

But do hurry: this delectable degustation menu will only be available within October.

Ilustrado is located at 5440 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila, open daily from 11.30am to 2.30pm and from 6pm to 9pm. For queries and reservations, call +63 2 5273674 or +63 939 9206822, or email catering@ilustradorestaurant.com.ph. For more details and updates, check out Ilustrado Restaurant on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Budget-friendly Rice Toppings at Hong Kong Roasting, Tomas Morato

My officemate and I were looking for somewhere to have a quick lunch so we could get on with the rest of our tasks for the day.

After scouring the lunch options at nearby M Place, we decided upon Hong Kong Roasting, attracted by the budget-friendly rice topping options and the assurance of the restaurant manager that the food will be served immediately.

We ordered:

Soy Chicken Rice Topping (Php155).

Cantonese Chicken Rice Topping (Php155).

Both are versions of the Chinese steamed chicken dish, one just features darker skin than the other due to addition of soy sauce. They were accompanied by chili and ginger sauces which we found a bit too mild.

Still, it was a quick, affordable and fuss-free lunch, and another item was added to our group’s lunch options.

This Hong Kong Roasting branch is located at M Place, Panay Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 10pm.

Other branches are located at:

Tower C, Sea Residences, Sunrise Corner Pearl Drive, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City (open daily from 8am to 12:30am)
SM Mezza Residences, Aurora Boulevard Corner Araneta Avenue, Santa Mesa, Quezon City (open daily from 10am to 9pm)

Samgyeopsal Promo Offer in Jin Joo Korean Grill, Ortigas

I’ve been hearing a lot about Jin Joo Korean Grill and I’ve been hankering to try it out. When I saw a Metrodeal offer that would allow me to enjoy its Samgyeopsal Grill with unlimited side dishes, normally priced at Php470, at the discounted price of only Php149, I just grabbed it and scheduled my Korean food adventure.

This also gave me a reason to visit the newly renovated The Podium mall in Ortigas Center, wherein Jin Joo is one of the welcome additions to the mall’s gustatory offerings.

Located at the mall’s second floor, its facade first appeared cramped. However, I changed this opinion upon entering: it has a sprawling and well-appointed dining area, comprised mostly of wood elements. Here and there are spots of interest like colorful Asian-themed paintings on the wall, tasteful lighted signages and linesmof soju bottles along another wall.

Each table is equipped with a state-of-the-art grilling stove, allowing diners to cook their meats according to their preference.

Upon assisting me to my window seat, my server Macq immediately laid out side dishes for me to munch on while I wait. These include kimchi (of course!), strips of flat scrambled egg, soy potatoes, crushed dilis, banana slices and assorted veggies.

The pork belly was grilled in the kitchen since grilling at the table requires at least two meat orders. I didn’t mind since I didn’t have to worry about cooking the meat right. 🙂

When Macq finished serving and slicing the grilled pork belly, I dipped tender and juicy slices in the ssamjang and sesame oil provided, then wrapped them in lettuce leaves together with thin slices of garlic and some of the crushed dilis. This resulted to a very tasty mouthful of samgyeopsal.

I took advantage of the unlimited side dishes by asking for refills of the potatoes, egg, and banana slices.

The Metrodeal offer gave a me a fine preview of what to expect at Jin Joo. Some reminders if you’re also availing of the same promo:

Call the branch first to reserve. Walk-ins are usually not accommodated.
Arrive on time as your reservation will only be held for 20 minutes.
You can only use one Metrodeal voucher per visit.

On my next visit, I’m looking forward to trying Jin Joo’s 10 Flavors Unli K-BBQ set priced at Php499/person (add Php50 for dinner).

This Jin Joo Korean Grill branch is located at the Second Floor, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 10pm. For queries and reservations, call +63 917 2555508.

Other branches may be found at:

Fifth Floor, SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City (open daily from 11am to 10pm | Tel No: + 63 917 2481777)
Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon CIty (open daily from 11am to 12mn | Tel No: + 63 915 2091888)
Ground Floor, South Wing, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City (open daily from 11am to 10pm | Tel No: + 63 917 2555509)
Ground Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City (opening soon)

Upscale dinner at St. Marc Cafe, UP Town Center

St. Marc Cafe is a Japanese brand of cafe with presence in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, aside from here in the Philippines. The resto’s concept is centered on the promise of providing diners with friendly service and a vibrant environment with which to enjoy their delicious food.

When my daughter #ExhibitA spent a day with her UP friends, we met up for dinner at St. Marc Cafe’s UP Town Center branch.

The cafe has a hip vibe, with a cozy and upscale dining area accented by its avant-garde ceiling lights. The counter also serves as a showcase for the desserts and sweets available, so I found myself considering dessert while I was still looking at my options for our main viands.

To feed a group of four (myself and three young ‘uns), I ordered:

Carbonara (Php300). Pork stock flavored carbonara topped with bacon, parmesan and fresh egg yolk.

Sepia Nero (Php320). Squid ink infused pasta with fresh squid, cream and cherry tomatoes.

Menchi Katsu Burger (Php245). Deep-fried patty of ground beef and pork, with sliced cheddar cheese, fresh shredded cabbage and the resto’s secret sauce, and served with crispy fries.

Original Crotoast (Php180). Homemade French croissant toast served with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with maple syrup.

Who would have thought that these would be enough for me and the kids to dine on?

It was great meal spent getting to know and hanging out with my baby girl’s pals.

What’s even better is that the whole meal actually cost Php1,045 but I had a Php400 discount because of a Metrodeal offer gives Php500 worth of food in this cafe for only Php299 (I bought two vouchers).

This St. Marc Cafe outlet is located at Ground Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 11am. For queries and reservations, call +63 2 6254065.

Other branches are located at:

Ground Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City (open daily from 10am to 10pm | Tel No: +63 2 5318062)
Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City (open daily from 10am to 10pm | Tel No: +63 2 7518456)
Ground Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City (open daily from 10am to 10pm | Tel No: +63 2 6254065)
Upper Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City (open daily from 10am to 10pm | Tel No: +63 2 3721026)
Ground Floor, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila (open Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 9pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 10pm | Tel No: +63 2 2421483)
Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari Road, Alabang, Muntinlupa City (open Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 10pm, Saturdays from 10am to 11pm and Sundays from 10am to 11.30pm | Tel No: +63 2 7768548)
One Parkade Building, 7th Avenue Corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City (open daily from 10am to 10pm | Tel No: +63 2 5050245)
Ground Floor, Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City (open daily from 10am to 10pm)

A big Italian Family Lunch at New York Slice by Motorino, SM Pasig

Lately, I’ve had little time to spend with my extended family. My parents just moved in to their newly renovated house over the weekend and with all the general hustle and bustle, my mom was not up to cooking the usual Sunday lunch.

I ended up recommending New York Slice by Motorino in SM Hypermarket Pasig as it was very accessible to us and has a sweet Metrodeal offer (more on that later).

It is located along the row of restaurants near the SM Hypermarket’s main entrance facing Tiendesitas. The seating inside the store proper is quite limited but there are extra seats outside the store that can seat larger groups, particularly our party of seven.

I took advantage of a Metro deal offer that entitles me to Php500 worth of food orders at only Php299, with the option to buy and use more than one Metrodeal voucher. With this awesome deal, I admit we went a little crazy with the sheer volume of our orders, which included:

Pizzas

Motorino Special (Php135/slice). Pepperoni, Italian sausage, olives, bell pepper, onions and mushrooms. This was the preferred pizza of Hubby and my brother who wanted their pizzas to have meat and lots of toppings.

Honey & 3-Cheese (Php135/slice). Honey, cream cheese, mozzarella and parmesan. This pizza was for me and my little boy to satisfy our cravings for cheese and something sweet, all in one go.

Veggie Special (Php135/slice). Mushroom, onions, bell pepper, olives, oregano and olive oil. This was the preferred pizza for the older folks, a healthier option than the others.

Pasta

Spaghetti Bolognese (Php169). A classic choice for the party members who are not as adventurous, food-wise.

Alfredo with Bacon (Php169). A meatier take on carbonara but a little to sauce-y for me.

Alfredo with Shrimp (Php189). The preference of my dad who likes seafood.

Creamy Mushroom (Php159). A lighter and more vegetarian option than the other pastas we ordered.

Krunchy Krispy Wings

Garlic Parmesan (Php269/6pcs).

BBQ Glaze (Php439/10pcs).

Both wings are quite tasty and went well with our pizzas and pastas.

Thanks to the Metrodeal vouchers I availed of, I ended up paying only Php2,200+ for Php3,600+ worth of orders.

This New York Slice by Motorino branch is located inside SM Hypermarket, Frontera Verde Drive, Ugong, Pasig City, open daily from 10am to 9pm. Other branches are located at:

Ground Floor, South Parking Building, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City (open daily from 10am to 10pm)
Rockwell Business Center, Ground Floor, Sheridan Corner United, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City (open daily from 10am to 8pm)
Eton Towers Makati, 128 Dela Rosa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City (open Mondays to Fridays 11am to 10pm and Saturdays to Sundays 11am to 9pm)
Ground Floor, Market! Market!, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City (open daily from 10am to 10pm)
2A-2 Ground Floor, ATC Corporate Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City (open daily from 11am to 10pm)

Happiness in a Cup at Elait, Tomas Morato

Sweet treats do have the power to lift my spirits. It may come from the sugar rush or the feeling of satisfaction from giving in to my sweet tooth.

Elait, having opened a branch near my workplace, is turning out to be one of my sources of happiness. After trying out its rolled ice cream offerings for the first time during a visit to the Ayala Museum, I’ve been obsessed about trying it again. Thankfully, all I have to do to get my artisanal rolled ice cream fix is hop over to M Place along Panay Avenue near Tomas Morato in Quezon City where its kiosk recently opened.

During one of my lunch breaks, immediately after dining in a nearby Chinese restaurant, I went over to the Elait kiosk to make my selection.

One thing you will note about Elait is that it employs servers who are deaf or hearing-impaired. Aside from providing employment to persons with disability, the company also helps us in reaching out and communicating to differently abled folks by encouraging patrons to make their orders through sign language or with the help of easy-to-use order forms.

Plus, Elait also gives back to the community by sourcing many of its ingredients from local farms.

For my dessert on this particular day, I decided to go for a solo cup of Chocolate Overload (Php140). My yoghurt ice cream base is poured onto a sub-zero metal sheet along with chocolate shards and flavorings. The mixture is then mixed, crushed and spread into a thin sheet across the plate. Afterwards, it is carefully scraped off to form firm rolls of ice cream which are then placed in a cup then topped with brownie bits, pocky sticks and chocolate sprinkles.

And just like that, my yummy, cool, chocolatey dessert is ready for me: my happiness in a cup. I absolutely love its smooth creamy texture and the contrast of flavors from the slight tanginess from the yoghurt and the sweetness of the chocolate.

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I am uncontrollably happy with the opening of @elaitph’s kiosk nearby. I lost no time in dropping by and getting a #ChocolateOverload #RolledIceCream (Php140 for solo serving) for dessert. . . . . . . #sweetdreamsaremadeofthis #alwaysroomfordessert #sweetstothesweet #justdesserts #sweetsph #dessertph #dessertsofinstagram #sugarcoma #sugaraddict #sweetcraving #sugarrush #sweetfix #IGersManila . . . . . . Follow me on IG/FB: @beingjellybeans. And do check out my blogs beingjellybeans.wordpress.com (for #foodiefinds, updates on #TVshows and #movies, and #fictionbook reviews) and thelearneratlarge.wordpress.com (for #businessbook reviews, #motivationalquotes and #trainingtips).

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Sep 19, 2018 at 9:55pm PDT

This Elait kiosk is located at M Place, Panay Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City. Other Elait locations include:

The Caf Food Hall, Second Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Upper Ground Floor, SM City San Lazaro, Santa Cruz, Manila
Third Floor, Santolan Town Plaza, Col Bonny Serrano Avenue, Little Baguio, San Juan City
Second Floor, North Wing, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City
Third Floor, Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City
Second Floor, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City

Dimsum Treats at Yeah! Yeah! Chinese Cuisine, New Manila

Together with a bunch of officemates, I ventured farther than our usual haunts for our #HappyLunch. I actually recommended Yeah! Yeah! Chinese Cuisine after seeing pic after pic of scrumptious dimsum and rice toppings posted by fellow foodies on Instagram. Also, I wanted to take advantage of the promo by which diners can get the resto’s dimsum offerings, normally priced at Php120 or higher, for only Php95.

So off we went to Hemady Square along E. Rodriguez Avenue. (There is ample parking in the building’s basement but for a minute there I was worried that my officemate’s Ford Everest won’t fit the entrance nor the parking slot.) The building is fairly new but is already home to several business establishments.

Upon entering Yeah! Yeah! Chinese Cuisine’s premises, you will notice the spacious, well-lit and well-appointed dining area which contrasts with other run-off-the-mill Chinese eateries which might seem a bit dingy to almost everyone except their most loyal patrons. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows let in a lot of natural light. The furniture and design elements have muted colors that contribute to a relaxed dining atmosphere.

Taking advantage of the Php95/order for their dimsum, our group ordered:

Xiao Long Bao (normally priced at Php130)

Crab Roe Siomai (normally priced at Php120)

Shrimp Rice Roll (normally priced at Php160)

Taro Puffs (normally priced at Php130)

The famous Piggy Salted Egg Yolk Bao (normally priced at Php130)

Steamed Chicken Feet with Taosi (normally priced at Php130)

And since we brought our considerably big appetites with us, we also ordered:

Pork Giblets Congee (Php180)

Lechon Macau Rice Topping (Php280)

BBQ Pork Rice Topping (Php280)

Beef Brisket Noodle Soup (Php260)

The Lechon Macau was quite good: the flavorful skin has a nice crackle when you bite into it and the meat was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The serving was quite small, though.

The Xiao Long Bao is quite tasty as well; it was served steaming hot so I can slurp the soup from the bao and savor its meaty and herby flavor.

The Piggy Salted Egg Yolk Bao, on the other hand, was a bit of a let-down. Yes, it’s cute and Instagrammable, but I would have preferred a more pronounced taste of the salted egg yolk.

The dishes were served relatively promptly considering the size of our group and the number of orders. The servers were also attentive and accommodating, although there was some delay with a few of our requests.

I was thankful for the dimsum promo as it helped in convincing my officemates to accompany me in this foodie adventure.

By the way, if you have yet to try out Yeah! Yeah! Chinese Cuisine’s dimsum offerings, you will be glad to know that the dimsum promo has been extended to October 31, 2018. With this promo, you can get all dimsum at only Php95/order, Mondays to Fridays, from 11am to 5pm and 9pm to 11pm.

Yeah! Yeah! Chinese Cuisine is located at the Third Floor, Hemady Square, Dona Hemady Street corner E. Rodriguez Sr Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City. For reservations, call +63 2 9750070.

Dessert stopover at Gelato Lab, Tomas Morato

Gelato is ice cream made in the Italian style.

Some trace its origins to Bernardo Buontalenti, an inventor in the service of the Medicis in Florence during the Renaissance era, as a by-product of his innovations in ice conservation.

Today, gelato has spread to the most parts of the world. In the Philippines, for example, it offers people some cool respite from the heat and humidity. It also has a slightly warmer serving temperature than regular ice cream which enables it to hold well in the country’s tropical weather and allows it to have a softer yet denser texture.

Tucked inside the Picnic Grounds of Elements Hall along Scout Rallos Street in the foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area is Gelato Lab. It offers all-natural hand-crafted gelato made with high quality ingredients. To maintain the freshness of its gelato, each flavor is churned in small batches.

My daughter #ExhibitA and I decided to stopover this dessert station on our way home from a nearby bar. The call of the sweet gelato treats was just too strong!

I got myself a cup of the Dark Chocolate gelato (a regular flavor hence priced at Php100/cup | Php360/pint | Php740/tub). #ExhibitA, on the other hand got a cup of Cookie Dough gelato (a premium flavor hence priced at Php120/cup | Php400/pint | Php840/tub).

Both flavors are sinfully yummy and well worth the short side trip. 🙂

Gelato Lab is located at the Picnic Grounds, 2nd Floor Elements Hall, 27 Scout Rallos Street, Bgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City. For queries, call +63 2 4138008 or email gelatolabph@gmail.com.

Did you know you can serve Gelato Lab’s treats in your next party? For Php9,000, you can have a Gelato Lab scooping station that will give out 120 cups of gelato. This package already includes the freezer, cups, spoons and paper napkins, and one server. Your guests will be able to choose from 3 regular flavors (or you can upgrade to premium flavors for an additional Php400/flavor). For additional 20 cups of regular flavor gelato, pay Php1,300 while for additional 20 cups premium flavor gelato, pay Php1,500.

Gelato Lab’s regular flavors include: Banoffee, Black Sesame, Caramel Popcorn, Cashew, Coffee Straciatella, Custaroon, Dark Chocolate, Earl Grey, Latter Macchiato, Leche Flan, Mango Pudding, Milo Dinosaur, Oreo Cheesecake, Sea Salt Caramel, Snickers, Thai Milk Tea, Ube and Vanilla Bean.

Its premium flavors, on the other hand, include: Baileys Irish Cream, Cookie Dough, Jack Daniels Whiskey, Maltesers, Macha Choco Chip, Mochacchino, Pina Colada Sorbet, Pistachio, Rum Raisin, Strawberry and Tiramisu.

Spanish-style Callos from Mr. Cochinillo

Filipino cuisine is full of Spanish influences, no doubt owing to the more than 300 years of Spanish colonization of the Philippines.

One of its legacies is Callos, a hearty stew made with ox tripe, ox feet, Spanish sausage chorizo de bilbao, chick peas and peppers, slow-cooked in an herb- and spice-infused tomato sauce.

Callos’ roots go all the way back to Callos ala Madrilena, which, similar to many stews of this style, actually had humble origins. In fifteenth century Europe, tripe was quite inexpensive, making it quite accessible to the more common folk. It does require intensive cleaning and a long cooking time, making it quite impractical for today’s home cooks and working moms to make.

Fortunately, Mr. Cochinillo, the man and the establishment behind the succulent roasted baby pigs known as cochinillos del cielo, offers Callos among other items in his for-pick-up menu. The callos is vacuum-packed prior to freezing: by removing air from its storage bag preserves the color, texture and flavor of the dish.

Mr. Cochinillo does have strict instructions on reheating his callos so you can enjoy it at home:

Defrost the package but don’t use the microwave to thaw it.
In a pot, put one or two tablespoons of pure olive oil.
Saute the defrosted content of the package over low heat until it boils.

This small package of Callos priced at Php700 is good for two people. A larger pack good for six to eight people is priced at Php2,500.

Other frozen, vaccum-packed items available from Mr. Cochinillo include:

Mr. Cochinillo’s Fabada (infused with cochinillo): Php600 for regular (good for 2 people) | Php2,000 for large (good for 6 to 8 people)
Rabo del Toro: 2,500 (good for 6 to 8 people)
Cochinillo del Cielo: Php800 (good or 2 people)

To order your Callos from Mr. Cochinillo:

Step 1: Fill out the online order form or call +63 2 6330043, +63 2 9524102 or +63 917 545 4888.

Step 2: After receiving a confirmation message via email or phone, deposit payment to Carlos V De Guzman | BPI | Account Number # 2900-0063-84. Afterwards, email a copy of your deposit slip to orders@mrcochinillo.com.

Step 3: Go to the pick-up location – No 5 Parakeet Street corner Swallow Drive, Green Meadows Subdivision, Quezon City – at the specified time to ensure the crispiness of the skin and tenderness of the meat of your cochinillo. Be sure to bring the deposit slip when you claim your order.

Disclosure: I received the package of frozen Callos as a giveaway when I attended the Bloggers’ Night hosted by Mr. Cochinillo.

Ground Zero Esports Lounge in Antipolo is now open!

Gamers in the East of Manila now have a new haven to come together and enjoy their favorite e-games in comfort. Even better, they also have a place where they and their families can enjoy great food, with gaming-themed dishes and drinks at that.

The opening of Ground Zero Esports Lounge in Xentro Mall, Antipolo raises the game for the local cybercafe industry by responding to evolving needs of the gaming community. With gaming and e-sports gaining ground in the mainstream, with some players having grown up and starting families of their own, having a place where they can hang out and dine while enjoying their passion becomes paramount.

At Ground Zero, patrons can take advantage of the impressive hardware with cutting-edge specs, fast internet connectivity (up to 300mbps) and upscale interiors to play to their heart’s content, hold a LAN party or do their office work remotely.

Families can also enjoy the spacious and well-appointed dining area, expansive food choices and an breath-taking view of the Antipolo skyline.

Together with fellow foodies, I attended the Grand Opening and was able to sample some of the resto’s gaming-themed dishes served buffet-style to guests. (Note: Serving sizes and presentation from the party buffet will differ from the actual ala carte menu.)

Chicken Hex (Php320 for Hex Duo | Php550 for Hex Squad). Crispy and spicy buffalo chicken wings served with ranch dressing.

Mirana Pasta (Php320). Pasta in marinara sauce served with fresh seafood.

4 Cheese Pizza (Php435). A homemade pizza dough topped with bechamel sauce made with parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella and bleu cheese.

Sisig Pizza (Php435). A Pinoy take on the pizza with pork sisig, peppercorn sauce, quail eggs and green chilis topped with mozzarella and cheddar cheese.

Rum BBQ Pudge Ribs (Php490). Grilled ribs marinated in rum barbecue sauce. (Note: In the ala carte menu, this is served with diner’s choice of Java rice, plain rice, mashed potatoes or House Special Fries).

Beef Salpicao.

For dessert (the highlight of my meal), we had Pistachio Sans Rival (Php160), Blueberry Cheesecake (Php130) and Red Velvet Crinkles (Php80).

Ground Zero is a promising restaurant and gaming cafe concept as it brings together a spectrum of gamers, foodies, families and everything in between.

Ground Zero Esports Lounge is located at the 2nd Floor of Xentro Mall, Mambugan, Lower Antipolo, Rizal.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended the grand opening of this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.