The stories behind the brands, places, and moments worth noticing.
Category: The Food Edit
Food, restaurants, cafés and Restaurants, cafés, culinary discoveries, and the stories behind memorable dining experiences.
From hidden neighborhood gems to celebrated dining destinations, The Food Edit explores more than what’s on the plate. Here, you’ll find restaurant features, café discoveries, hospitality experiences, and the people, brands, and ideas shaping the way we eat.
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?
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.
I also got myself a glass refreshing Ripe Mango Juice (Php125) to go with my katsu meal.
What a happy return to an old favorite!
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
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 (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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Along with the free nachos and drinks, these were more than enough to fully satisfy or group of four. Yey!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.)
As we enter into the new year, it’s nice to look back on what made it so special.
I was lucky enough to take part in foodie meetups and special events that opened my eyes to new ways of enjoying good food.
Here are ten that are especially memorable:
1. Teavana TEA-volution Seminar at Starbucks, SM East
Starbucks is always associated with coffee but I learned that it also has a lot to offer when it comes to teas.
Last February, I joined the Teavana TEA-volution Tea Tasting Seminar, a Tea 101 if you will, where Starbucks Tea Master Jonas Velgado took my fellow foodies and I on guided tour through the history of teas, the tea-growing regions of the world and three flights of tea tasting which included full-leaf brewed teas and tea lattes.
Starbucks branches may be found all over Metro Manila.
2. Summer Menu Launch at Ombu Kusina, Tomas Morato
Ombu Kusina has a modern take on Filipino cuisine: infusing classic Pinoy dishes with new and exciting cooking styles and influences. These help to make Pinoy cuisine fresher and more relevant to a growing number of foodies, who are looking for their next food adventure.
Last March, it launched its summer menu which included new takes on the Pinoy classic halo-halo, which made use of the use of flavored ice: the flavors are infused into the ice, resulting to a more intense taste and creamier mouthfeel. I’m glad that my favorite among the three halo-halo flavors – the Tres Leches – have been included in the regular menu.
Ombu Kusina is located at the Ground Floor, Sequioa Hotel, Mother Ignacia corner Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 6.30am to 10.30am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 84411789.
3. Sunset Dining at Padi’s Point, Antipolo Sumulong
The original Padi’s Point along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo is known for its magnificent sunset views. It has long been considered a landmark in the area, with families, barkadas or even couples, making the trek up from all over the city to this restaurant to enjoy the chill ambiance, the homegrown food served here and, of course, the amazing scenery.
Padi’s Point offers a wide array of homegrown dishes that are best enjoyed family style.
This Padi’s Point branch is located at Alpha D Compound, Sumulong Highway, Santa Cruz, Lower Antipolo, Rizal, open daily for 24 hours. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 83443028.
4. Breakfast at Sammy’s Restaurant, Cainta
Sammy’s serves a carefully thought-out curation of Asian cuisine influenced, no doubt, by the seventeen years the couple spent in Jakarta where the chef obtained his diploma at the Jakarta Culinary Center in between gigs as singers in the Hotel Mulia Senayan Jakarta.
Sammy the Singing Chef and his wife Dorothy even serenede diners during dessert!
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.
5. First taste of isaw at Mang Ding’s, Marikina
The Filipino street food scene is quite storied and vibrant, a showcase of the Pinoy’s creativity and resourcefulness.
At Mang Ding’s Pinoy BBQ, diners can rediscover Pinoy street food, touted as MASARAP, MALINIS and MURA, in a pleasant al fresco setting.
Here is where I had my first taste of isaw (grilled pork and chicken intestines looped in skewers).
Mang Ding’s Pinoy BBQ is located at Block 3, Lot 13, C. Buenviaje Street, Santo Nino, Marikina City, open Mondays to Wednesdays from 4pm to 11pm and Thursdays to Sundays from 4pm to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 1659872.
6. Brunchin’ at the Beach at Saltitude, Anilao
Anilao in Batangas is home to all sorts of fun beach activities: swimming, diving, snorkeling and windsurfing, just to name a few.
Aside from their proximity to the clear sparkling sea, those activities have another thing in common: they do work up quite an appetite.
Fortunately, Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort recently launched “Brunchin’ at the Beach,” a brunch buffet experience that takes place every Saturday, from 6am to 12.30pm at its Mingle restaurant.
Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort is located along Manini Road in Mabini, Batangas. To book your stay or reserve a table at the restaurant, call +63 43 4101857, +63 927 4220428 or +63 939 9088843, or email info@saltitude-anilao.com.
7. #ZomatoXListerine Foodie Meetup at Kusina Moderne, Poblacion
Kusina Moderne offers classic dishes we grew up with but prepared using French cooking techniques and presented in a deconstructed manner, adding a veneer of sophistication and excitement to familiar viands while still remaining affordable for families and friends to enjoy.
During a foodie meetup hosted by Zomato and Listerine where my fellow foodies, I tasted Kusina Moderne’s unique take on Filipino food and I also learned the importance of mouthwash, especially among foodies.
Kusina Moderne is located along Caceres Street, Poblacion, Makati, open Sundays and Tuesdays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 927 0830688.
8. Foodie Meetup at ICHO Japanese Restaurant, Greenhills
ICHO is named after the gingko trees in Japan. Known to be highly resilient as they can withstand pollution and salt in their native environment, they also beautify their surroundings and as well as provide nourishment and medicinal benefits.
ICHO brings the metro’s diners a piece of the serenity that gingko trees have come to symbolize through its calm and peaceful premises with which to enjoy the restaurant’s flavorful food creations.
ICHO Japanese Restaurant is located at 6 Annapolis Street corner Purdue Street, Greenhills, San Juan City, open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 85350020 or +63 917 1346027.
9. Night out at Tiyo Craft Kitchen & Bar, Tomas Morato
Tiyo serves a thoughtfully curated menu of local fare which takes the best representations of Philippine regional cuisine and painstakingly uses traditional ingredients and cooking methods, and yet has reinvented and served these dishes with a modern flair.
And the craftsmanship does not stop with the food. Tiyo’s bartenders also whip up exciting craft cocktails for the thirsty but exacting diner. These concoctions are designed around local spirits, highlighting their unique flavors while demonstrating their versatility.
Tiyo Craft Kitchen & Bar is located at Second Floor, CKB Centre, Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Rallos Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City, open Sundays to Mondays from 4pm to 1am, Tuesdays to Thursdays from 4pm to 2am and Fridays to Saturdays from 4pm to 3 am. For inquiries or reservations, call +63 932 8642593.
10. Foodie Meetup at Bistro Charlemagne, Ayala Malls Manila Bay
I introduced my immediate and extended fam to the joys of dining at Bistro Charlemagne in Ayala Malls Feliz and the in-laws at its branch in Solenad, Nuvali early last year. Since then, we have enjoyed its Asian fusion cuisine time and time again, making this resto our go-to place for intimate family celebrations or get-togethers.
And now, with the opening of its third branch in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, it just got easier and more enjoyable to meet up with family and friends in the South for great food and great times.
This Bistro Charlemagne branch is located at Lot 2, Third Floor, Cinemas Building, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Entertainment City Paranaque, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 10pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79149082.
Many thanks to all the restaurants that hosted foodie meetups and my fellow foodies who extended their invitations!
Looking forward to more exciting foodie adventures in 2020!
It is rare for my entire family to agree on food. Oftentimes, our tastes differ to such a degree that eating out has become a tedious process of elimination, narrowing down the list of options where everyone’s food preferences and cravings are assuaged.
But there’s one resto name that shortcuts all that because we know we will all agree on it: Bistro Charlemagne.
I introduced my immediate and extended fam to the joys of dining at Bistro Charlemagne in Ayala Malls Feliz and the in-laws at its branch in Solenad, Nuvali early last year. Since then, we have enjoyed its Asian fusion cuisine time and time again, making this resto our go-to place for intimate family celebrations or get-togethers.
And now, with the opening of its third branch in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, it just got easier and more enjoyable to meet up with family and friends in the South for great food and great times.
You might be wondering what constitutes Bistro Charlemagne’s appeal to me and my family. Well, let me break it down for y’all…
1. Its elegant but homey premises.
I’ve noticed that although its branches are inside malls, they are usually situated near the outdoors (near gardens or balconies). Its floor-to-ceiling glass windoes allow a lot of natural light to enter the dining area, further enhanced by decorative light fixtures. The lighting also brings out the colors and textures of the resto’s darkwood tables and snakeskin-and-velvet plush chairs and couches.
The well-appointed surroundings may be posh but not at all off-putting. There is a warm and homey atmosphere to the place that puts its guests at ease.
2. Its Asian fusion cuisine brings together the East and West, the familiar and the new.
Dining at Bistro Charlemagne always feels like an adventure. Its extensive menu is chock-full of exciting dishes to try as well as old favorites that I, personally, do not tire of.
Take, for example, the dishes that my foodie friends and I enjoyed when we visited its newest branch:
Bistro Sisig Fries (Php315). Thrice-cooked pork cheeks sauteed in creamy chicken liver sauce on top of freshly cooked fries.
Ox Sisig (Php355). Tender slow-cooked ox tongue mixed with Bistro Charlemagne’s special toyomansi-mayo sauce topped with chicharon bulaklak.
Shrimp Poppers (Php435). Lightly battered deep-fried shrimps tossed in a sweet chili mayo sauce and chili oil and served with a side salad.
Octopus Ala Pobre (Php395). One of Bistro Charlemagne’s seasonal dishes, this is made of slow-braised octopus in a garlic butter sauce and garlic confit.
Little Asia’s Crispy Chicken (Php355). This is the crispy fried chicken dish developed by the owner’s grandfather and passed down through three generations of restaurateurs.
Beef Tenderloin Rolls (Php415). Tender, thinly sliced beef wrapped around cheese and sauteed in teriyaki sauce.
Lengua in Mushroom White Sauce (Php415). Braised ox tongue with cream sauce and sauteed mushrooms.
Drunken Lengua in Mushroom Brown Sauce (Php415). Tender pan-seared ox tongue with mushrooms and asparagus in white wine sauce.
Cantonese Prawns (Php565). Sauteed prawns covered in melted cheese and cream sauce.
Creamy Seafood Baked Rice (Php415). Shrimp, squid, fish fillet and crabstick tossed in a rich cream sauce slathered over rice and topped with melted cheese.
Smores (Php265). Ghirardelli chocolate ganache topped with a thick layer of roasted marshmallows and served with graham crackers.
Reese’s Smores (Php265). Peanut butter chips ganache topped with a thick layer of roasted marshmallows and served with graham crackers.
3. Its imaginatively designed drinks
Quench your thirst or pair your viands with Bistro Charlemagne’s blended drinks, which include:
Blueberry Banana Shake (Php185).
Four Seasons Shake (Php165).
Choco Peanut Banana Shake (Php165).
Vietnamese Coconut Drink (Php155).
4. Its affordable set meal options
Eating solo? You can dine on single servings of your favorite viands along with rice, soup and iced tea for as low as Php235.
5. Its party trays for your large gatherings
Planning your New Year celebrations with the clan? How about an office party after the holidays?
I’m happy to discover Bistro Charlemagne has party packages that can feed large groups.
My wish list for my dream Bistro Charlemagne party includes:
Tuna Tataki (Php1,575, good for 15 persons). Hubby’s favorite!
Little Asia’s Crispy Chicken (Php1,420, good for 12 persons).
Beef Tenderloin Rolls with Cheese (Php1,660, good for 15 persons).
Drunken Lengua in Mushroom Brown Sauce (Php2,075, good for 15 persons)
Salt and Pepper Squid (Php1,875, good for 15 persons)
Yang Chow Fried Rice (Php1,775, good for 15 persons)
So check out Bistro Charlemagne’s tasty dishes at its newest branch!
Many thanks to Charlemagne Lim and his crew for the warm welcome and wonderful meal, and the Francis G for extending the invitation!
This Bistro Charlemagne branch is located at Lot 2, Third Floor, Cinemas Building, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Entertainment City Paranaque, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 10pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79149082.
Other branches are located at:
Fifth Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz along Marcos Highway, Dela Paz, Pasig City
GFF-6, Building B, Ayala Malls Solenad 3, Nuvali, Don Jose, Santa Rosa, Laguna
Every once in a while, we all get a craving for food that’s hefty and fatty, the kind that will make a cardiologist’s heart skip a beat (ironically so).
And when that craving comes, there’s no better (or tastier) way to assuage it than to indulge in a juicy and succulent piece of lechon.
Well, if you can’t buy the whole roasted pig, why not indulge yourself in some lechon liempo?
Liloan’s Pride Liempo combines the use of traditional culinary methods and ingredients and modern cooking processes to produce a perfectly roasted pork belly. Each serving is meticulously marinated to infuse the meat with flavor and roasted exactingly to give the skin a satisfying crunch to the bite.
I got another taste of this famous lechon together with my fellow foodies when I joined a foodie meetup at the Liloan’s Pride Liempo store at Calfornia Garden Square in Mandaluyong.
There, our feast included:
Cebu Liempo (Php360). A huge slab or pork belly marinated and roasted Cebu lechon style. A spicy version is available for Php380 if you’re craving for additional heat.
Roasted Chicken (Php360). The chicken version of the Cebu liempo which makes for tender and juicy meat and flavorful skin.
Liempo Manok Rice Meal (Php190). The best of both worlds, really: the lechon liempo and the roasted chicken plus a cup of steamed rice in one plate.
Classic Sisig (Php160). Pampanga’s famous dish made with pig cheeks flavored with calamansi, onions and chili peppers. For me, it could use a bit more crunch and saltiness (from crushed Cebu liempo skin maybe?).
Garlic Bangus (Php220). A whole medium-sized bangus (milkfish) butterfly-filleted, marinated in garlic and vinegar then fried to a golden brown and topped with toasted garlic. It’s very fragrant from all the garlic but it could use more of the vinegar taste so keep some of the store’s sawsawan handy when you order this. A rice meal with a quarter of the garlic bangus is also available for Php99.
Pochero Meal (Php149). Pork belly slices stewed together with chickpeas, sliced bananas, potatoes, green beans and cabbage in rich tomato sauce. I find it ok but would prefer the beef version of pochero.
Beef Pares Meal (Php99). The power combo of beef asado, garlic rice and broth.
So the next time that craving comes, you know what to do! Hie yourself over to Liloan’s Pride Liempo.
Many thanks to Ms Ani Conanan and the staff of Liloan’s Pride Liempo for the meal and to Harvard of AlwaysHungryPH for extending the invitation.
This Liloan’s Pride Liempo branch is located at San Juan California Garden Square, Domingo M. Guevarra Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.
Other branches may be found at
SM Hypermarket, Upper Ground Floor, Building B, SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Ground Floor, Connecticut Arcade, Greenhills Shopping Center, Greenhills, San Juan
Lower Ground Floor, SM Cubao, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Third Floor, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village, Makati City
The Block, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
SM Hypermarket, North Wing, SM Mall of Asia, MOA Complex, Pasay City
Food Court, Second Floor, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa
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.
Bid adieu to your diets, Quezon City peeps, because here’s another reason to eat all you can!
Hidden away in one of the streets in Quezon City’s Scout area is a newly opened restaurant offering unli servings of Japanese fusion dishes: Yakikai. Its name is a combination of the Japanese words “yaki” (which means “grilled”) and “kai” (which translates to “meeting or gathering”).
Set in a renovated two-story house along Dr. Lazcano Street, Yakikai offers diners comfortable seating options indoors or al fresco.
Here, families and friends can meet up and enjoy each other’s company while indulging themselves in refillable yakiniku and a buffet of Japanese and Korean dishes.
And thanks to Yakikai’s Opening Promo, you and your gang can gorge yourselves on its set meals at discounted rates this December!
Premium Set (Php339 from Php499). Includes chicken teriyaki, spicy chicken yakiniku, samgyupsal, galbi sauce pork, peppered pork shoulder loin, sliced beef, beef tare yakiniku, spicy beef and fresh shrimp.
Both already sets include unli refills of cheese as well.
Plus, birthday celebrants can eat for free within their birthday month as long as they’re accompanied by seven full-paying adults and can present a valid ID.
With its comfortable surroundings, wide array of dishes and its accommodating wait staff, Yakikai seems poised to be the new destination of choice for buffet hunters.
So go ahead and schedule the next barkada meet up or family celebration at Yakikai! And be sure to wear something loose (wink! wink!).
Yakikai Buffet Restaurant is located at 122 Dr. Lazcano Street, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City, open daily from 4pm to 2am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 927 1383980 or +63 929 8235452.
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
The Jellybeans Edit 