bar chow – The Jellybeans Edit

Sing and eat your heart out at Trev’s Grill, Mandaluyong

Sometimes you really just have to let loose, ya know?

Ever since my teammates and I returned to the office after the pandemic, we began to feel the pressure and stress mounting. Spending bulk of our work day with our noses stuck to our laptops, attending meetings here and there, and putting together reports can be quite tiring.

This is why every once in a while, we take off as soon as we clock out and hie ourselves to our new favorite hangout: Trev’s Grill.

Trev’s Grill and Restaurant is located in one of the quieter neighborhoods of Mandaluyong quite near San Juan (a mere ten minutes ride from Greenhills), making it an easy destination for those coming from the north like Quezon City or the east like Pasig.

I have only heard about Trev’s Grill when my songstress boss returned to the office with tales of her fun weekend out with friends wherein she sang her favorite tunes straight from Youtube live onstage.

There’s little wonder then, that when the holiday season rolled in, our team decided to hold our Christmas Party there, complete with gift-giving and games, even a Rockeoke Challenge wherein we had to sing songs according (some very wild) categories drawn from a fishbowl. Think Oldies but Goodies, Diva Showdown, Hard Rockin’, Classic OPM, Nicest of the 90s and, of course, Swiftie Eras. We even decked ourselves out as our favorite artists (guess who mine was!).

As we held our Christmas Party on a Monday evening, we basically had the whole place to ourselves. The ample parking space was able to accommodate our vehicles (quite a stress relief for a December event!). The venue was also gaily decorated in line with the Christmas spirit which added to the holiday cheer.

Needless to say, we really took the chance to let loose and sing our hearts out, as well as cutting a rug to the music.

That night, in between bouts of warbling, crooning and rockin’ out, we also feasted on these filling Pinoy classics and bar chows:

We also toasted to the good times we had in the past year and the ones we’ll have ahead of us with these libations:

Bucket of San Mig Light (Php605) for the group.

Bailey’s Irish Cream (Php257/shot), my favorite liqueur, just for me!

Clearly, Trev’s Grill’s chill vibes, song-friendly acoustic, mouthwatering food and refreshing drinks all made for a lively and fun holiday shindig for me and my officemates.

So much so that we came back a few months later; this time, for a joint birthday celebration between me and another team member!

This time, we took advantage of the restaurant’s Todo Sulit Bundles which combine some of its best-sellers into a filling feast for a group. Going for a group meal took out a lot of the hassle in deciding what to order and scored us a few savings as well.

Our first group meal, good for 6 people for just Php3093, consisted of 6 cups of rice, 6 iced teas and:

The other group meal, good for 3 people for just Php1118, consisted of 3 cups of rice, 3 iced teas and:

It sure was a rockin’ birthday celebration, made even more memorable by the good food, great company and great music!

So, to sum up, let me give you a run-down of why I think you and your squad should hold your next shindig at Trev’s Grill:

Accessible location. You won’t have to wander far as it’s smack-dab in the center of the metro. Plus, it has quite a sizeable parking area so you won’t have to stress yourself in trying to find a parking spot.
Tasty and affordable food. Whether you go for the classic Pinoy ulams and rice, or for finger-lickin’ bar chows, Trev’s Grill has something for you. Personally, I love the Buttered Chicken and Mixed Pancit; I can’t seem to stop refilling my plate. Plus, the serving sizes are great for sharing so the group can definitely eat their fill.
Sing ’till you drop! If you ever had aspirations of being a chanteuse, you can live out your fantasies at Trev’s Grill. Just select a minus-one or karaoke version song from Youtube, get up on stage, grab the mic and sing your heart out!

Trev’s Grill is located at 216 Haig Street, Barangay Daang Bakal, Mandaluyong City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 5pm to 2am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 87319964.

Know more about its menu and events by following Trev’s Grill on Facebook and Tiktok.

A Night of Excellent Chows and Laughter Unlocked at Vault, Greenhills

Ever fancied being part of a clandestine rendezvous, sipping exquisite cocktails in a prohibition-era inspired speakeasy? Look no further than Vault, the secret bar attached to Tittos Latin BBQ & Brew in Greenhills.

So why don’t we unravel this hidden gem?

A Well-Kept Secret

Step into the shadows and venture into Vault, a well-guarded secret kept only for the worthy few. Passing through the metal door transports you into a world reminiscent of the prohibition era with its air exclusivity and excitement, enticing you to delve deeper into this covert adventure.

Clearly, Vault isn’t your run-of-the-mill bar; it’s a journey back in time. The ambiance exudes the essence of a bygone era, featuring leather seating and granite tables that transport you to the days of the Roaring Twenties. This carefully curated decor, reminiscent of clandestine watering holes of yesteryears, sets the perfect stage for your exclusive night out.

The Perfect Pairing: Bar Chow and Drinks

No visit to Vault is complete without indulging in their tantalizing bar chow.

Crispy Onions (Php250). Crunch meets flavor in this delightful appetizer. Imagine deep-fried, thinly sliced onions tossed in a secret spice mix, served with a creamy Mexican crema sauce.

Truffle Parmesan Fries (Php275). House-made fries that have been transformed into a gourmet delight. Tossed in a tantalizing spice mix and showered with truffle parmesan snow, these fries are accompanied by a luscious aioli sauce.

Crispy Pork Sisig (P305). Crispy Pork Sisig at Vault is a crispy masterpiece—pork mask, onions, and egg sautéed in a special sisig sauce.

Grilled Angus Skewers (Php150/stick). Juicy Angus cubes marinated in a delectable barbecue sauce and grilled to perfection.

Of course, no clandestine rendezvous is complete without the perfect libations. Vault proudly presents a beverage selection that complements the mystique of its ambiance. Apart from its signature cocktails and a wide array of liquors, you can cross-order beverages from their sister-restaurant, Tittos, ensuring that your glass is never empty.

Laughter in the Vault: Writers Block Comedy Show

Adding to the allure of Vault is its recent collaboration with Comedy Manila, a production house pioneering the comedy revolution in the Philippines.

The Writers Block Stand-Up Showcase held last Thursday was an evening of laughter with the country’s top and up-and-coming stand-up comedians and comedy writers.

Be a Part of the Vault Experience

Want to get in the Vault? Keep an eye out for promos and events that add an extra layer of excitement to your clandestine visit. Don’t be shy—share your Vault experience on social media and let the world know about this hidden treasure. Just remember to tag them using #FindTheVault.

Unlock the Vault. Discover the secret. #FindTheVault.

Vault is located inside Tittos Latin BBQ & Brew at Ground Floor, O Square 2, Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Avenue, San Juan, open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 5pm to 1am. For inquiries and reservations, contact +63 917 8848867.

Know more about its menu, events and offers by visiting its website or following Vault on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held at this establishment. Food and drinks were served at no cost to the attendees in exchange for honest feedback.

Bar chows and chill drinks at After Hours, Tomas Morato

After hours is that precious time when the day’s work is done and we can finally sit back to relax and spend time with friends.

After Hours is also the name of a newly opened bar in foodie haven Tomas Morato. This is where my foodie friends and I, shortly before the Covid-19 and the ECQ came down upon all of us, were able to enjoy a few hours chillin’ in each other’s company while discovering all the fun to be had after hours.

1) The buzzy welcoming vibe

You would think that Tomas Morato would already have its fill of concept bars but there’s definitely room for more, especially this one.

With its ample parking space, trendy decor, comfy furnishings, a playlist made up of 80s and 90s hits (which my friends and I sang along with!), excellent chows and a well-stocked bar, After Hours is a haven for those looking for some well-deserved R ‘n R.

2) Chill drinks

According to co-owner Rey Trillana, the focus of After Hours are on cocktails, whiskey and a bit of wine, drinks to chill with after work. Each cocktail is handcrafted (no pre-mixes). For whiskey connoisseurs, the bar also boasts of a well-curated whisky collection. Guests even have the option of getting the bartender to craft something Out of the Blue, based on their favorite liquor and taste profile.

During our visit, my foodie friends and I were able to sample:

Jack Estate’s Pink Moscato. A fresh and fruity wine from Australia.

Perfect Pear. A fruity non-alcoholic mocktail for lightweights like me.

Smoked Old Fashioned. The classic mix of bourbon, simple syrup and Angostura bitters, served with a bit of smoke and flair.

Red Sangria Spritzer. Handcrafted sangria made with wine, brandy, mixed berries, chamomile honey, calamansi and soda.

After Six. Gin mixed with elderflower liquor, lavender syrup, egg white and lemon juice.

Punch Drunk Love. After Hours’ signature cocktail made with spiced rum, chai pandan syrup, lemon and pineapple juice, Angostura bitters and clarified milk, served with a dehydrated pineapple.

3) Tasty bar chows

Of course, we needed some chows to go with those drinks, and After Hours has a very good kitchen going managed by Chef Miggy. He and his crew whipped up some tasty bar chows to complement our drinks, such as:

Beef Salpicao. Tender USDA beef tenderloin sauteed in a garlic butter sauce, definitely a favorite among tipplers and foodies.

Buffalo Style Chicken Poppers. Spicy, salty and slightly sweet bite-sized chicken breasts.

BBQ Beef Pockets. Crispy wonton pockets stuffed with ground beef doused with bourbon BBQ sauce and cheese.

Four Cheese Pizza. Mozzarella, feta, parmigiano reggiano and gorgonzala, all the good stuff on a thin-crust pizza.

All-Meat Pizzadilla. Gooey mozzarella sandwiched in two flour tortillas and topped with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, BBQ sauce and even more cheese.

Pork Binagoongan Pasta. Spaghetti with crispy-fried pork cubes tossed in shrimp paste.

Bacon Mushroom Truffle Pasta. Creamy truffle spaghetti topped with crunchy bacon.

Oh, such a happy time! There were good food, good drinks and good company.

But then, the community quarantine came and, sadly, After Hours had to close its doors for a while.

It seemed like the entire bar industry had been severely affected by the community quarantine.

However, a few weeks ago, I had the pleasant surprise of finding out that it had resumed operations to enable its loyal customers to get that After Hours experience even while at home through Buy One Take One offers on its wines, its signature cocktails by the bottle, as well as a selection of its bar chows, all available for delivery or pickup!

Thanks to Rey Trillana and the rest of the management and staff of After Hours Bar for having us and congratulations for succeasfully pivoting your business to operate in The New Normal.

So until the next time I can visit After Hours again, I can enjoy my after hours at home.

After Hours is located at 125 Don A. Roces Avenue, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City. To order its bar chows, wines and cocktails for pick up or delivery, fill up this form, send a message over Instagram or call +63 917 1767383.

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.

Drinks, bar chows and songs at 121 Restaurant, BGC Stopover

Celebrations are best done with good food and fun drinks amidst friends and family.

And you know what else marks good Pinoy-style celebrations?

Music!

Any true-blue Juan or Juana can gather up the courage to break into song (in tune or not!) for the sake of a good time.

And with 121 Restaurant’s Canta Rooms, you can enjoy just that!

Canta Rooms are the restaurant chain’s videoke rooms that can cater to groups of up to twenty people. In these rooms, you and your friends can sing and party your hearts out!

Don’t forget to fuel yourselves up for a night of singing and laughter with 121 Restaurant’s tasty bar chow, such as:

Nachos (Php419). Crispy nachos doused in cheese sauce, grated cheese, onions, peppers and ground beef.

French Fries (Php139 solo | Php499 barkada). A mountain of crispy thin fries for mindless munching.

Cheese Sticks (Php199 solo | Php759 barkada). Sticks of cheese in lumpia wrapper.

121 Tofu Sisig (Php179 solo | Php699 barkada). A healthier version of the Pinoy’s favorite appetizer.

Calamares (Php219 solo | Php839 barkada). Succulent and chewy squid rings covered in batter and deep-fried for that satisfying crisp.

Pork Siomai (Php179 solo | Php699). Sate your hunger with these Chinese-style pork dumplings.

4th of July (Php599). A bundle good for four people consisting of Spicy Buffalo Wings, Chili Fries and Beer Battered Onion Rings.

To get the good times rollin’, be sure to check out the restaurant’s drinks, such as 121’s Pink Panty (P199 glass | Php999 scorpion bowl), a top secret concoction!

So the next time you’re in the mood to party and dine with your pals, head straight to 121 Restaurant’s Canta Rooms.

Many thanks to Daryl of 121 Restaurant for having us!

By the way, with Zomato Gold, you get a dish free when you dine at 121 Restaurant with a friend. Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 (Buy 1 Get 1) deals on food or 2+2 (Buy 2 Get 2) deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use the code JELLYB to get 45% off the membership fee.

This 121 Restaurant branch is located at Third Floor, BGC Stopover Pavilion, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, open 24/7. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 79467429.

Other branches are located at:

121 L. P. Adamson building, Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Ground Floor, Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill, Taguig
Second Floor, Allegro Center, Pasong Tamo Extension, Magallanes, Makati City
Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon City

Stuck at home during the ECQ? No need to leave the safety and comfort of your abode to enjoy 121 Restaurant’s famous bar chow. You can simply have your meal delivered through GrabFood, LalaFood or FoodPanda.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a food tasting held in 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.

San Juan’s newest food and nightlife destination – Varra Restobar

The workday is through and you’ve earned yourself a little bit of a respite, wouldn’t you say?

If you’re looking for a place to meet with friends, enjoy good food and perhaps have a drink or two, then this newly opened and somewhat hidden restobar in San Juan would be just the thing.

A namesake of P. Guevarra Street where it is situated, Varra Restobar offers food lovers new reasons to make Little Baguio in San Juan their next foodie destination.

Together with my foodie friends, I ventured to Little Baguio in San Juan to check this resto out.

Getting to the resto is quite easy (it’s already on Waze, peeps!), but finding the entrance may be a challenge. Here’s a tip: go straight to the back of the building (where the car wash is) and climb up the stairs straight to the third floor. And then, you’re there!

Here’s what you can look forward to:

One: A chill place to hang out

The place has a relaxed vibe that is conducive for friendly get-togethers or chillin’ out with your favorite drink and bar chow.

It has a sprawling dining area with an abundance of power outlets. If ever your gadgets are low on battery, you can easily juice up again without having to leave your table.

Want to party in style? Reserve the stately Lounge and hold your celebrations for up to 40 pax for Php35,000 (fully consumable).

Or you can let loose with the gang in privacy and comfort in the VIP Room for just Php20,000 (fully consumable). Aside from the well-appointed interiors, you and your friends can enjoy your own private comfort room and a buzzer to summon the service team for your requests and orders.

Two: Mouthwatering comfort food

Whether you’re after a feast or a snack, Varra offers you a well-curated array of sure-win familiar dishes or fresh twists on the classics.

These include:

Crispy Shrooms (Php130). Deep-fried and crispy oyster and enoki mushrooms that you will want to pop into your mouth again and again.

Spam Chips (Php210). Thin slices of spam deep-fried to crisps accompanied by garlic aioli.

Messy Fries (Php150). Fries served with beef, lots of cheese and garlic aioli. It’s the kind of mess I certainly wouldn’t mind!

Varra’s Nacho Overload (Php350). Crunchy nacho chips doused in cheese sauce and overloaded with beef, tomatoes, onions, peppers and olives. Perfect for munching while chatting with friends.

Soy Garlic Chicken Poppers (Php240). Fried chicken balls served with coleslaw, rice and fried egg.

Beef Tapa (Php240). A classic breakfast staple, this consist of garlicky marinated beef served with salted egg, salsa, rice and fried egg.

Chicken Pesto Marinara (Php380). A tomato-based pasta topped with grilled chicken flavored with pesto sauce.

Classic Carbonara (Php290). A creamy iteration of the carbonara loaded with ham pieces and served with poached egg.

Wings Basket (Php230). Six pieces of juicy and flavorful fried chicken wings flavored with your choice of sauce – Buffalo, Sou Garlic, Garlic Parmesan, Hickory BBQ, Chili Cheese and Honey Sriracha – that go so well with rice. We got two baskets each of Soy Garlic and Garlic Parmesan.

Varra’s Steak Salpicao (Php380). Ooh, this is definitely the star of the show! Tender and flavorful slices of steak sauteed in garlic and oil and served on a sizzling plate.

Three: Refreshing drinks

As you enjoy the tasty viands and bar chow, quench your thirst with Varra’s Signature Cocktails (Php200 each) which include: Blue Cruise (white rum, lemon and triple sec), Rosee el Varra (tequila, sour mix and Hoegaarden Rosee), Varra Mountain (gin, gin de cacao, sour mix and triple sec) and Basil Slush (blended basil leaves, rum, lemonade and sugar).

If you don’t feel like imbibing alcohol ot if you’re the group’s designated driver, you can also opt for non-alcholic drinks such as Varra Iced Tea (Php80), Frozen Peach Iced Tea (Php100) and the cranberry and citrus-y Sunset Spritzer (Php130).

Well, it sure looks like San Juan just got itself a new go-to place for munchies, drinks and chillin’ out!

Many thanks to Ms. Lovely Tan and the crew of Varra Restobar for the invitation!

If you and your gang can’t get enough of wings, take advantage of Varra’s Unli Wings & Rice Promo for only Php359 per person, available from Sundays to Thursdays.

Varra Restobar is located at 333 P. Guevarra Street, Little Baguio, San Juan, open from Sundays to Thursdays from 6pm to 2am, and Fridays to Saturdays from 6pm to 3am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 916 5870345.

Lovin’ the night life at Padi’s Point, Metro East

The sun went down and it’s the end of another work week.

Why not celebrate the start of the weekend by letting your hair down, letting loose and letting the good times roll with your friends at your nearest Padi’s Point?

That’s what my friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and I did last night at the Padi’s Point branch at Robinsons Metro East.

This resto is ideally situated for the residents of Metro Manila’s eastern areas who don’t want to make the trek to Padi’s Point branches further up in Antipolo.

Here, you and your buds can enjoy Padi’s Point’s signature bar chows and drinks along with some live music that you and the gang can groove to.

Check out the goodies that fueled our Friday night party:

Kulot (Php89). Cheesy crisp strings great for mindless eating, hehehe!

Cheese Sticks (Php155). Yummy cheese wraps great for snackin’.

Chicken Lollipops (Php290). Bite-sized crispy fried chicken pieces.

Crunchy Calamares (Php250). Crispy battered squid rings.

Kropek (Php135). Crunchy and savory shrimp crackers.

Shot Decker (Php199). Prettily presented shots of Zombie, GotchaAftershock, Mindoro Sling, Blue Moon and Emperor Tower cocktails.

Rainbow Cocktail Tower (Php199). Refreshing multi-colored and multi-flavored cocktails served in a 3-liter tower.

Baileys (Php80/shot). My favorite drink of all time!

With these yummy munchies and this awesome group of foodies, a great rockin’ time was guaranteed!

This Padi’s Point branch is located at Robinsons Metro East, Marcos Highway, Dela Paz, Pasig City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 4pm to 4am, and Fridays to Saturdays from 4pm to 5am. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 919 5856068 or +63 9195438490.

Other branches are located at:

Alpha D Compound, Sumulong Highway, Santa Cruz, Lower Antipolo, Rizal
Sumulong Memorial Circle, Dalig, Upper Antipolo, Rizal
Second Floor, SKY Garden, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
Ground Floor, Coliseum Center, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Third Floor, Femar Arcade Philcoa, 34 Masaya Street, Diliman, Quezon City
375 Quirino Highway corner Tandang Sora Avenue, Sangandaan, Quezon City
Robinsons Nova Market, Quirono Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City
Exterior Second Floor, Star Mall EDSA-Shaw Boulevard, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong
Gil Puyat Avenue, Libertad, Pasay City
Second Floor, Empire Center EDSA Mall, Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, Libertad, Pasay
463 Remedios Street, Malate, Manila
A.H. Lacson Avenue across SM San Lazaro, Santa Cruz, Manila
Second Floor, The Grandz Commercial Center, MacArthur Highway, South Caloocan, Caloocan City
The Grills, Yellow Building Filinvest, South Station, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa
Alabang-Zapote Road, Pamplona, Las Pinas

Disclosure: Together with other foodies from #WeLoveToEatPH, 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.