Eat – Page 136 – Jellybeans in the 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:

ZZ Blog Revisit — Crispy Pata (Php635 for family size)

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!

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.

We enjoy ourselves here so much that we’ve returned so many times and even celebrated mother-in-law’s birthday here.

Masil branches are both located in Pasig:

The one we often frequent is at Tiendesitas, Frontera Verde, along Ortigas Avenue
The one we have yet to try is at 100 Oranbo Drive, in Brgy Oranbo

Comforting food and surroundings at Plana’s Pantry

Considering my workplace for the last three years is located so near to Plana’s Pantry, it’s a wonder that I’ve only been able to dine here just last month.

The place has a rustic shabby-chic feel to its decor. Walls and ornately carved furniture were mostly in white highlighted respectively by framed pithy sayings, teal cushions and various bric-a-bracs. It’s interiors were designed to look inviting and cozy.

It’s offerings are mostly comfort food: a mixture of Filipino and American dishes with some pastas thrown in.

When I dined here with my co-workers, we ordered the following:

Tapsilog (Php180)
Pasta Carbonara (Php220)
Hickory BBQ Ribs (Php285) – my order – I found its marinade a bit too sweet but the meat is fork tender
Beef Salpicao (Php260)
BBQ Pork Belly (Php230)
Fresh Dalandan Juice (Php75)
Iced Tea (Php60)
Hand-crafted Avocado Ice Cream (Php60 for single scoop – I couldn’t pass this up as I love avocado ice cream, especially artisanal ones

The food were reasonably priced, considering the generous servings. I would probably order the Lengua on my next visit (along with another scoop of Avocado Ice Cream!)

Another plus factor for Plana’s Pantry is the Hi-top Supermarket right next door where my officemates bought some chips and sweets before we went back to the office.

This branch of Plana’s Pantry is located at the Hi-Top Supermarket Building, 1650 Quezon Avenue corner Sgt. Esguerra Street, South Triangle, Quezon City. Another branch is located at the Ground Floor, RC Building, 50 Domingo M. Guevarra Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.

Sumptuous Seafood at Shrimp Bucket

Shrimp Bucket is where my officemates and I go when we feel that we deserve a very happy lunch. For one thing, we eat here fairly often despite the pricy menu or we make our pleasure so evident that the friendly wait staff can recognize us on sight and already know what we will order.

The resto’s interiors have few decor but the most interesting are the bucket chandeliers. There is ample seating for around 30-40 people.

We plan our outings here ahead of time (usually to coincide with payday), so we usually have a lot of time to fantasize about our signature orders:

1 pound of shrimp with Salty Eggsperience sauce
1 pound of Mussels with The Mardi Gras sauce (slightly spicy with yummy chorizo bits thrown in

These sumptuous seafood dishes are best eaten family-style with steaming hot rice. Do take advantage of the bib and plastic gloves provided by the resto so you can eat with your hands to really enjoy the experience without worrying about making a mess or dirtying your clothes.

I have tried some of the resto’s other offerings such as the pan-fried fish fillet in soy ginger sauce and the crispy belachan pork but the combination of the Salty Eggsperience shrimp and the Mardi Gras mussels is still unbeatable for me.

This Shrimp Bucket is located at the 2nd floor of Il Terrazzo, Tomas Morato cor Scout Madrinan Street, South Triangle, Quezon City.

Other branches are located at the following:

2nd floor of Ayala Malls the 30th along Meralco Avenue in Pasig
Along Missouri Street in Greenhills
Ground floor of Grand Hamptons Tower 1 along 31st Street in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Ground Floor of UP Town Center along Katipunan Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City
Circuit Makati in Olympia, Makati

A rare steak experience at Vittorio’s

Some small distance from my workplace is a small (but well-known among steak lovers) restaurant called Vittorio’s Steak House. It took some time for me to visit this place because:

It’s hard to find fellow steak lovers among my coworkers.
Pricing in this joint is a bit steep for the ordinary office worker like me.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way, so together with my fellow carnevores, I hied over to Vittorio’s.

I initially found the place a bit dark and hot at first (the aircon took some time to kick in) but the food made up for it. By splitting an order of ribeye steak with a friend, I was able to sample one of Vittorio’s celebrated offerings. It came with steak rice which complemented the steak very well.

Others in the group also enjoyed their orders of hainanese chicken and rice, buffalo wings, seafood pasta and pork ribs. With my share at over Php700, though, the meal was very very pricey.

I might return to Vittorio’s sometime, but I will recruit fellow steak lovers to share the meal (and split the bill) with.

Vittorio’s Steak House is located at 32 Scout Borromeo Street, South Triangle, Tomas Morato, QC. Parking spaces are limited so you might find it more convenient if you walk or take a cab going here.

Elegant buffet spreads at Marriott Cafe

Thanks to a timely credit card promo, we found ourselves celebrating my mother-in-law’s birthday with a buffet lunch at the Marriott Café in Manila. Nestled on the ground level of the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City, this café takes dining to new heights, both literally and figuratively.

The first thing that strikes you upon entering Marriott Café is its elegance. The place is very well-appointed, with a modern yet inviting ambiance. The buffet spreads, featuring cuisines from various countries, were aesthetically presented, each dish a visual delight. The engaging open-theatre kitchens add an element of excitement, making dining here a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

The staff were courteous and attentive, ensuring that our dining experience was seamless and enjoyable. Their professionalism added to the overall charm of the café, making us feel pampered from the moment we arrived.

Being a card-carrying carnivore, my favorite station was the grill. I helped myself to the “Cuts of the Day,” which were juicy and well-marbled steaks, along with an assortment of smoked meats and sausages. Each bite was a testament to the skill and expertise of Executive Chef Meik Brammer, who has been leading the kitchen operations since 2010. His more than 27 years of culinary experience were evident in every mouthwatering dish.

One of the standout features of the buffet was the variety of stations. The Live Station offered a variety of a la minute dishes, with the Singapore Chili Crabs being a particular highlight. The Sashimi Station transported us to Japan, offering a fresh and delicious selection of Salmon Tuna, handcrafted Japanese Maki Rolls, Cucumber Rolls, and California Rolls, complete with wasabi, soy sauce, calamansi, and assorted pickles.

At the Live Pasta Station, Grandma’s Pomodoro was a daily delight. Choosing from a variety of sumptuous pasta dishes, it felt like comfort food elevated to gourmet levels. And then, of course, there was the dessert section. I gorged myself on their selection of tartlets, cakes, cookies, and pastries. The chocolate fountain was a hit with the kids and, admittedly, with me as well.

Dining at Marriott Café is an experience I wouldn’t mind repeating. The extensive buffet, the elegant setting, and the exceptional service all combine to create a memorable dining experience. Though I might wait for another promo to indulge again, the quality and variety offered at Marriott Café make it worth every peso.

Buffet prices are as follows:

Breakfast (6:30 am to 10:30 am, daily): Php1,450
Lunch (12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, Monday to Saturday): Php1,900
Brunch (11:30 am to 3:00 pm, Sunday): Php2,500
Dinner (6:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday to Thursday, Sunday): Php2,100
Dinner (6:00 pm to 10:30 pm, Friday to Saturday): Php2,500

For inquiries, you can reach them at 02-9889999 or via email at marriottcafemanila@marriott.com. Dining at Marriott Café is truly an inspired experience in Manila, one that I highly recommend. Visit the Resorts World Manila website for more details.

Affordable Chinese feast at Kopi Tiam

This cozy resto in New Manila is actually known for offering affordable versions from the original North Park menu.

We recently welcomed my parents home with a sumptuous dinner in Kopi Tiam. The place is located along C. Benitez Street, past Camp Crame from EDSA. The part of Boni Serrano leading to this place was pretty dark and I had my doubts on whether we were in the right location. Fortunately, Hubby chanced upon the signage and we were soon assisted by a friendly security guard into our parking space.

The resto’s interiors were clean, well-lit and had a modern Asian feel.

To satisfy a hungry party of 9, our orders were:

3 orders of large, fresh and nutty vegetable rolls or lumpiang sariwa (only Php93 per roll!)
2 platters of Yang Chow Fried Rice because no Chinese food meal in my family is complete without it (Php188 per platter)
2 plates of Lechon Macau, another family favorite (Php258 per plate)
Brocolli Garlic, just so we can say that we had another veggie dish (Php168)
Salt and Pepper Spareribs, always a safe bet (Php223)
Garlic and Beef Cubes (Php268)
Chami Noodles (Php288), and
Nestea Tower (Php250)