buffalo wings – Jellybeans in the City

Get the best of both worlds with Zark’s Pizza x Burger series

Among us foodies, some would say that their food of choice are burgers while some would make a beeline for the nearest pizza joint when the hunger pangs strike.

For those that can go either way, Zark’s Burger has a special treat for you: its Pizza x Burger series!

Zark’s Burgers made its name by introducing burger innovations: fresh, crazy and sometimes over-the-top takes on the all-time favorite burger, and its newest line of burger creations is no exception.

For just Php229 per burger, your inner glutton can indulge in not one, but two (!) of your food cravings with these creations.

These filling burgers all consist of meaty and juicy char-grilled quarter-pound hunks of pure beef on a bed of seasoned fries sandwiched in fluffy and freshly baked brioche buns which are then topped with a tangy and savory pizza sauce, oodles of mozzarella and your favorite pizza toppings.

Check them out:

Pepperoni Overload.

Four Cheese.

Bacon and Mushroom.

Each pizza x burger would be more than enough to sate your cravings.

Still, for us foodies, we go big or we go home, right? So how about giving in to your super-sized appetite and adding these munchies to your order:

Hall of Fame Nachos (Php179).

Chicken Wings: Classic Buffalo (Php289) and Honey BBQ (Php289).

Those savory and spicy appetizers will sure work up quite a thirst so be sure to add a refreshing cup of Iced Tea (Php49) or Blue Lemonade (Php49) to your order.

So if you want to enjoy both of your food faves – pizzas and burgers – at one go, head to the nearest Zark’s Burgers!

This Zark’s Burger branch is located at Eastwood Citywalk 2, Eastwood City Mall, Libis.

Other branches are located at:

Pasig: SM City East Ortigas
Quezon City: Robinsons Galleria, Shopwise Araneta, SM City Santa Mesa, Fisher Mall, SM City North EDSA, SM City Fairview
Taguig: Food District Signatures on 5th BGC
Makati: Glorietta
Marikina: SM Marikina
Manila: SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro
Pasay: Mall of Asia
Caloocan: South Caloocan
Valenzuela: SM City Valenzuela
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Paranaque: SM City BF Homes

Zark’s Burger delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Check out my reviews of other burger joints in the metro:

Chef Edmond Dannug brings back-to-basics comfort food via Heavenly Spiced

You would think that after honing his craft through stints at upscale hotel restaurant Amber in Hong Kong and as head chef of Enderun Events in Davao, Chef Edmond Dannug will bring his considerable skills to bear in whipping up complex French dishes when he decided to go into business.

But no.

Instead, he opted to offer comfort food – his personal favorites, actually – through the online store that he co-manages with his fiancee Jasmine Guillarte. They named it Heavenly Spiced.

“My cooking mentors always taught me that the best food are the simplest,” he shares.

Still, the dishes on offer at Heavenly Spiced are no run-of-the-mill viands. Their flavors have been enhanced through careful preparation and cooking techniques ingrained into culinary professionals, such as Chef Edmond. They come in large party trays that can serve six to eight people and are perfect for small gatherings or for a special family meal that you don’t want to slave over in the kitchen.

He started out with the Hainanese Chicken and Rice (Php850), widely considered as one of Singapore’s national dishes. Based on the Wenchang Chicken, a well-known dish in South China dating back to Qin Dynasty, this dish is painstakingly made by poaching a whole chicken in sub-boiling temperature, with some of the resulting stock combined with ginger, garlic and other flavorings to cook the flavorful rice that will accompany the dish. Chef Edmond completes this platter with bright green bokchoy and the three traditional dipping sauces for Hainanese Chicken: a red chili sauce, a thick and dark soy sauce, and a paste of freshly ground ginger.

Another of the chef’s comfort food faves is the Bourbon Glazed Barbecue Pork Ribs (Php1,400). Meat lovers would love to get a hold of this dish! Slow-smoked, falling-off-the-bone meat flavored with a sweet-savory bourbon glaze and partnered with umami corn cobs made for a finger-licking dish! It’s messy eating but there’s really no better way to enjoy it.

Chef Edmond recently expanded his menu to include Chicken Wings (Php900). Inspired by his favorite chicken chicken place Frankie’s, this dish is made with large pieces of chicken wings which are deep-fried then coated with a vinegar-based cayenne pepper glaze. They are then served with bleu cheese dipping sauce which made for a well-balanced combination of sweet, spicy and tangy flavors.

The chef’s newest creation which also joins Heavenly Spiced offerings is the Angus Burger (Php1500). Six hefty quarter-pound patties made with ground Angus beef are lightly seasoned and then grilled to medium doneness to bring out their beefy goodness. These are then placed in grilled brioche buns along with lettuce, tomato, battered onion rings and cheddar cheese then coated with the chef’s Bourbon Barbecue Glaze and served with a side of umami fries.

Aside from these party trays, Heavenly Spiced can also cater your Zoom parties via its gift boxes made with solo servings of especially curated dishes from Filipino, Chinese, Japanese and Western cuisines. Prices range from Php450 to Php600 per box.

Now we know where we can get tasty and wholesome comfort food that’s been meticulously prepared by a professional chef!

To order, text or call +63 939 2373383 or Viber +63 929 4514998. To know more about Heavenly Spiced’s latest offerings, follow it on Facebook or Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting of Heavenly Spiced dishes together with fellow foodies. Items mentioned here were served to let us sample the fare and elicit our honest feedback.

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

Raintree’s #ValentineFoodCrawl: Chicken in Love Set at Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Love is in the air, and it’s even more prevalent in Bonifacio High Street where Raintree restaurants have unveiled their Valentine’s Day promo and deals.

Raintree Hospitality Group brings fresh and exciting hospitality concepts, including hotels, food courts and restaurants. The newest among the innovative restaurant concepts it developed is Pak! Pak! Chicken.

At Pak! Pak! Chicken, you can expect crispy fried chicken pieces in strong delicious tastes, you’d feel like you’re being slapped with flavor… Pak! Pak!

Check out some of its fried chicken variants:

Crispy Original + Gravy (Php260/6pcs | Php450/12pcs),

Sweet Soy Garlic (Php260/6pcs | Php450/12pcs),

Garlic Herb Parmesan (Php295/6pcs | Php540/12pcs),

Old Skool Buffalo (Php335/6pcs | Php595/12pcs).

Other variants include: Takoyaki, Smokey Hickory BBQ, Singaporean Style Black Pepper, Po’s Orange Chicken and Korean Fire Pepper.

You can also enjoy these flavors in chicken wings.

Want to make a complete meal? Pair your Pak! Pak! Chicken with sides:

Japanese Chahan Fried Rice (Php140 solo | Php350 family).

Garlic Herb Yakisoba (Php135 solo | Php275 family).

Creamy Kimchi Coleslaw (Php175).

Pak! Pak! Chicken also has a special treat for its customers this month of hearts: it’s Chicken in Love Set! A special set of your choice of two chicken flavors plus Kimchi Coleslaw, Garlic Noodles or Chahan Fried Rice for just Php775, it’s great for sharing for two people.

So go ahead and plan your Valentine date at Pak! Pak! Chicken! This offer is available within February only.

Pak! Pak! Chicken is located inside Motto Motto, Ground Floor, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open for takeout on weekdays and for dine-in on weekends. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8440219 or send a message via Facebook or Instagram. Payments via cash, GCash, credit and debit cards are accepted.

Pak! Pak! Chicken also delivers via FoodPanda.

Check out my blog posts on other Raintree restaurants:

#QuarantitaTreats: Winner wings from Clingy Wingy

Hello, quarantitas!

I know that all the inconveniences and restrictions brought about by the still ongoing quarantine can’t defeat your indomitable spirit.

Your search for tasty treats that sate your appetite and excite your taste buds continues.

And if you happen to chance upon one that from enterprising young ‘uns, then all then all the better, right?

Take Clingy Wingy, for example.

A partnership between twenty-two-year-old Gabrielle Carreon and nineteen-year-old Dana Amores, Cainta-based Clingy Wingy is one of the newest (and most welcome) entrants into the online food selling business.

Best friends Gabrielle and Dana decided to extend the reach of their family’s kitchens and offer their well-loved flavored chicken wings to stuck-at-home foodies at affordable prices. These include:

Classic Buffalo. Crispy chicken wings coated in a vinegar-based cayenne pepper hot sauce for an unbeatable mix of tangy and spicy.

Spiced Honey Garlic. A sweet-savory sauce made with a combination of honey and garlic flavors the chicken pieces.

Garlic Parmesan. Garlic butter sauce topped with parmesan cheese add flavor to chicken wings that kids love.

Hickory Barbecue. Smokey barbecue-flavored wings reminiscent of Southern-style barbecues.

You can munch on these pieces while camped out in front of the TV, while having an e-numan session with your buddies or you can serve them with lots of rice to the fam for dinner.

These chicken wings are available in boxes of four pieces (Php119), eight pieces (Php229) and twelve pieces (Php339).

To order, message Clingy Wingy on Facebook or Instagram. Payments via BDO and GCash are accepted, as well as cash on delivery. These wings can be delivered for free within three kilometers of Midtown Village, Cainta, Rizal, and to anywhere in Metro Manila and Rizal with a delivery fee.

So quarantitas, show some love to these budding entrepreneurs and get yourself of box of Clingy Wingy wings!

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate an honest review.

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

Feasts for the Man of the Hour from The Bistro Group

Dad can’t say no to meaty, fall-off-the-bone ribs and steaks any time of the year, especially on his special day this Sunday, June 21. Treat him to the delicious goodness of juicy, luscious steaks and slow-cooked, tender ribs that are perfectly glazed, they glisten!

At TGIFridays, Italianni’s and Denny’s, place an order of their bestselling ribs and take home another one for FREE at the following select branches:

ITALIANNI’S Bonifacio High Street, Ayala North Exchange, Greenbelt 2, Glorietta 4, Eastwood City, Evia Lifestyle Center, Alabang Town Center, Midtown and Vista Mall Sta. Rosa Dine-in store hours are from 11am to 6pm

TGIFRIDAY’S at Bonifacio High Street, Alabang Town Center, SM Mall of Asia, Glorietta 3 and Evia Lifestyle Center. Dine-in store hours are from 11am to 6:30pm

DENNY’S at Uptown Parade, Midtown, Eastwood City and Vista Mall Sta. Rosa. Dine-in store hours are from 8am to 8pm

Meanwhile, steak-loving Dads will be happy to sink their teeth into Texas Roadhouse’s legeandary Ft. Worth 10 oz Ribeye Steak, an order of which entitles guests to half ribs for FREE to take home.

Dads who are partial to Asian cuisine will love the dishes of Watami and Modern Shanghai. As a Father’s Day treat, order Xiao Long Bao at Modern Shanghai and get one FREE to go. At Watami, an order of Tokyo Beef Rice Bowl entitles guests to another one FREE to go.

At Buffalo Wild Wings, Buy 1 Get 1 Platter 2 (Liempo, Ribs, Traditional Wings and Rice) available for Take-Out/Delivery only at these branches inside Denny’s Vista and Uptown, BGC.

Of course, there are a lot more on the menu, so get ahead and spoil Dad!

Promo details and images provided by The Bistro Group in a recent press release.

Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, Tomas Morato

If you’re eating lunch with a big group and you all want to stay together in one place, what do you do?

Head straight to Buffalo Wings N’ Things, of course! Here, everyone in the fam and barkada will find something to like.

Deep-frying chicken wings is rooted in Southern cooking but cooking them in peppery sauces started in Buffalo, New York in 1964. A bar owner in the area decided to cook leftover wings in hot sauce as a snack for her son and his friends. Served with celery slices and bleu cheese, it was a hit among the guys and the rest, as they say, is history.

Buffalo Wings N’ Things enriches its buffalo wings by having eleven savory flavors and seven spicy ones for its customers to choose from, along with tasty add-ons that chicken lovers can enjoy along with their Buffalo Wings.

While out on my lunch break with my office buddies (ten people in total!), we decided to maximize our budgets while sating our hunger by getting Grand Slam bundles of Buffalo Wings, and, well, things:

Grand Slam 6 (Php688 Good for 4). 8 pcs Champion Buffalo Wings, 8 pcs Signature Chicken Tenders,Bacon & Cheese Fries, steamed rice (we added Php98 for iced tea.

Grand Slam 4 (Php988 Good for 6). 12 pcs Champion Buffalo Wings, 12 pcs Signature Chicken Tenders, Chili n’ Cheese Nachos, steamed rice (we added Php138 for iced tea.

With these bundles, we were able to enjoy these Buffalo Wings flavors:

Honey BBQ. Southern BBQ flavor blended with sweet honey.

Creamy Salted Egg. Rich and creamy version of the regional favorite.

Chipotle Lime. Creamy smoked Chipotle sauce enhanced with the tanginess of freshly squeezed lime juice.

Garlic Parmesan. A blend of garlic butter sauce and real Parmesan cheese.

New York’s Finest. Medium heat Buffalo Wing sauce.

Thanks to the bundles, our meal amounted to just a little Php200 per person!

How’s that for value for money?

The good news for chicken lovers out there is that you can enjoy these with your family at home during the quarantine by ordering from these Buffalo Wings N’ Things branches now open for takeout or delivery via GrabFood, FoodPanda or LalaFood:

Brixton Kapitolyo, Pasig
Banawe, QC
Calle Bistro , Ever Gotesco Commonwealth
BGC Stopover
SM Manila
Grace Mall, Taguig
SM North EDSA
SMDC Jazz Mall
Southwoods Mall
SM Valenzuela

Download the Grab App on the App Store or Google Play. Get a discount on your first food order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Use this link to download the FoodPanda app and get Php100 off your first order.

Download the LalaFood App and get a free delivery coupon when you use my code: BEINGJMR53.

If you can’t find Buffalo Wings N’ Things on your food delivery apps, you can course your order through this order form a day in a advance.

This Buffalo Wings N’ Things branch is located at M Place, Panay Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City.

Check out my posts on other chicken places in the metro:

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.

Download the Grab App on the App Store or Google Play. Get a discount on your first food order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Use this link to download the FoodPanda app and get Php100 off your first order.

Download the LalaFood App and get a free delivery coupon when you use my code: BEINGJMR53.

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.

Check out my reviews of other Filipino restaurants:

Southern fried chicken at Alabama Mamma, California Garden Square

The food of the American South is known for down-home comfort and hearty flavors.

One of the best known dishes that Southern cuisine brought about is the fried chicken: a viand with a rich and somewhat dark history.

Fried chicken is believed to have originated from the tradition of Scottish immigrants of deep-frying chicken in fat (as opposed to the English who baked or boiled chicken).

The dish has also become interwoven into the identity and cuisine of the Southern people, especially among the African Americans. In the 1800s, enslaved and segregated African American women were only allowed to own yard chickens. They would prepare the dish during special occasions (because the ingredients and flavorings were quite costly in those days), and eventually, they became noted sellers of poultry in the South.

Today, fried chicken is acknowledged as “soul food” and has branched out beyond the US to countries such as the Philippines where it became almost a staple dish.

The culinary roots of Southern fried chicken are re-explored and re-invented in a new restaurant in Mandaluyong called Alabama Mamma.

Here you can get a taste of Southern-style fried chicken by the bucket (Php399 for 6 pieces | Php499 for 8 pieces | Php499 for 6 pieces with rice and drinks for 4 people) or by the platter (Php80 for 1 piece with rice | Php 150 for 2 pieces with rice | add Php10 for drinks).

You can also opt for tender and juicy Chicken Wings (Php199 for 6 pieces) doused in your choice of flavored sauce from the Classic Buffalo, the slightly street barbecue-style Manila Wings, the kid friend Butter and Calamansi Butter and the rich Liver Pate.

These iterations aptly demonstrate how versatile fried chicken can be.

Biting into a piece of Alabama Mamma’s fried chicken is a piece of Southern comfort. Try it out for yourself!

Many thanks to Ms. Ani Conanan and the crew of Alabama Mamma for the meal and to Harvard of AlwaysHungryPH for extending the invitation!

Alabama Mamma is located at Ground Floor, Cluster Anaheim, California Garden Square, Domingo M. Guevarra Street, Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City. For inquiries, call +63 917 8384668.

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

Check out my posts on other chicken places in the metro:

Winner winner, chicken dinner at Bad Bird, SM Megamall

Just when you thought fried chicken is already “gasgas” (tired) as a food concept, here comes Bad Bird with its own bold statement: the umami fried chicken.

While many restos would tout the absence of MSG (monosodium glutamate) in their dishes, Bad Bird goes all out with it, using this ingredient in its natural and processed forms: dashi, mushroom powder, furikake, miso, and more!

Through trial and error, it has developed its proprietary fried chicken seasoning, the one that produces that umami taste, the inherent savoriness of fried chicken brought about to tickle and delight our taste buds.

On our way to another food adventure, fellow foodies Jen of SandUnderMyFeet, Nix of IEatAndIWander and I decided to sate our hunger at Bad Bird by pooling our GCs (the currency of the blogger microeconomy, hehehe). Our winning repast included:

Torched Corn & Cheese Chicken Plate (Php375). A huge piece of Bad Bird’s badass umami fried chicken – all crispy and juicy ready for our tummies – with our new favorite side dish, the torched corn kernels in cream cheese.

We added Bad Bird’s refreshing citrusy Homebrew Iced Tea to this meal set for just Php69 and upgraded the set’s original steamed rice to Dirty Rice (fried rice with bits of bacon, kimchi, liver and tamago) for just Php89.

Mango Rice Milk (Php170). A sweet and slightly tart shake made with fresh mango and Korean rice milk.

Garlic and Butter Crispy 2-Fry Wings (Php275). Six pieces of chicken wings tossed in the fragrant and flavorful garlic and butter sauce.

Rich Pork Noodles (Php265). One of Bad Bird’s filling noodle dishes where every noodle is bursting with umami.

By introducing new flavors to the classic fried chicken, Bad Bird has certainly revived the dish and remade it into something new to enjoy.

Did you know that if you and a friend ordered two drinks at Bad Bird, you can get the same two drinks free when you unlock your Zomato Gold privilege?

Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 (Buy 1 Get 1) deals on food and 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 VOLT0979 to get 10% off the membership fee.

This Bad Bird branch is located at Third Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77539729.

Other branches may be found at:

Ground Floor, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Hole in the Wall, Fourth Floor, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City
Ground Floor, Pedro Gil Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila

Check out my posts on other chicken places in the metro:

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.

Check out my reviews of other bars and watering holes in the Metro:

The Tita’s Guide to Brunchin’ at The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery, UP Town Center

If the hassles of city living gets you all stressed and harried, get yourself and your pals some decompressing time with a leisurely brunch at one of my new favorite haunts in Quezon City.

The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery in UP Town Center is a concept cafe that enlightens and inspires its guests to be themselves.

Together with my fellow foodies, I ventured to this resto and discovered a way to let loose my inner tita and fully enjoy a #TitaConvention with the friends at The Fat Seed.

Here’s how:

1. Set the stage.

The resulting photos and Instagram posts will document your outing with the ladies. Choose the spot that will serve as a wonderful backdrop for your photo opps. Fortunately, The Fat Seed has those in abundance from its custom wood tables made by local craftsmen to its grand wall mural.

2. Choose the grub.

The Fat Seed recently updated its menu, giving its clientele new viands to try while still bringing back many of its best-selling dishes.

You titas will be happy to see that these dishes not only combine ingredients in new and exciting ways, they look great, too! Feel free to upload your foodie shots!

Check them out:

French Toast (Php405). Slices of brioche dipped in rhum syrup and flavored with cinnamon and nutella topped with whipped cream and banana slices.

GaBa Chop Chicken (Php160 for single | Php265 for double). Chicken chops flavored with garlic, basil and chili.

Crispy Egg Salad (Php220). Unripe papaya, fried egg, century egg, arugula, cucumber, carrots, red radish, fried shallots and red cherry tomatoes.

Cheetos Rings (Php225). Onion rings covered with crushed Cheetos and accompanied by bleu cheese and cream.

SS Poppers (Php295 for combination| Php325 for shrimp only | Php225 for squid only). Beer-battered shrimp and squid with garlic aoili.

Wings Sampler (Php330 for 4 flavors). Twelve pieces (four pieces each) juicy deep-fried chicken wings in Louisiana Hot, Salsa Verde, Japanese Miso and Garlic Parmesan flavors.

Wagyu Beef and Peppers Pasta (Php405). Slivers of tender and flavorful wagyu beef and pasta noodles in a red wine and garlic sauce with green bell peppers and chili.

Triple Decker Grilled Cheese (Php450). Grilled cheese sandwich with alternating layers of melted cheese and bacon and mango in thick slices of buttered brioche bread and served with a cup of tomato soup for dipping.

Red Pesto Seafood Pasta (Php430). Prawns, squid, sundried tomatoes, white wine, basil, olive oil, chili and garlic.

Bacon Truffle Burger (Php480). Premium beef patty in buttered brioche buns, tomatoes, lettuce and melted cheddar cheese accompanied by truffle mushroom paste with crispy bacon strips.

Portuguese Seafood Casserole (Php350). Squid, shrimp, kani, corn and green peas baked in bechamel sauce over rice.

Seafood Cauliflower Rice Bowl (Php330). Shrimp, squid, red radish, ebiko and mango on top of cauliflower rice.

Breakfast Steak (Php405). Juicy slices of medium-cooked rib eye steak with grilled tomato and fried egg over garlic rice.

3. Have a drink… or two!

Being a roastery, The Fat Seed prides itself on its coffee-based drinks made with single origin beans. So, coffee addicts, grab yourself a glass of Cold Brew (Php165), Coffee Cubes (Php150) or Rootbeer Express (Php175) when you feel the need for a caffeine fix.

Looking for something refreshing? Check out The Fat Seed’s tea infusions and juices such as LGBT (Php135) or Mojito Tea (Php130) to quench your thirst.

Have a sweet tooth? Indulge in some delectable milkshakes such as Chocolate (Php215) or Strawberry.

4. Strike a pose (or several!) and snap away.

With great-looking surroundings, great food and drinks and great company, don’t hesitate to commemorate your brunch with your amigas with a few snaps.

The Fat Seed got its name from the concept that great things can grow from small seed. From my all-too-brief time here with my friends can grow lasting vines of fun and friendship!

Many thanks to The Fat Seed’s management and crew for the warm welcome and the gorgeous and delicious meal, and to Zomato for extending the invitation!

The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery is located at Ground Floor, Phase 2, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 9362113.

Did you know that if you and a friend ordered 2 drinks at The Fat Seed Coffee + Roastery, you can get the same 2 drinks free via Zomato Gold?

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 my code VOLT0979 to get 20% off the membership fee.

Check out my blog posts on breakfast/brunch joints around the metro:

Food trippin’ nearby at Buffalo Swing, Caniogan

Though a proud Pasiguena, I admit that the incessant traffic jams in and around my city do sometimes get to me. These nuisances get in the way of so much: errands, appointments and, of course, foodie adventures. So whenever possible, to lessen the travel time and the frustration that comes with navigating the metro’s streets, I do try to find nearby places to indulge my food cravings.

Fortunately, Pasig City already has a lot to offer in terms of foodie destinations.

One such place is Buffalo Swing Cafe, a small eatery along Sixto Antonio Avenue that specializes in American comfort food: flavored chicken wings, pizzas and pastas. Owned and operated by Ingrid Mediarito, it is co-located with her baking supplies store named Ingrid’s.

Ingrid has long recognized the need to address the Pasiguenos’ need for affordable and easily accessible dining choices which led to her making her cafe’s food available to locals via delivery. A while back, in fact, when I was so busy running errands one Saturday that I didn’t have time to prepare food for my family’s dinner, I just ordered some wings and pizza from Buffalo Swing Cafe via Honestbee.

Honestbee has since stopped its operations in the country (oh, Honestbee, you are sorely missed!) but another delivery option is now available: via Zomato.

However, for this blog post, let me tell you more about my actual experience visiting Buffalo Swing Cafe together with fellow foodies from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH where we enjoyed its freshly made comfort food:

Pizzas

All Cheese (Php300). Made with four kinds of cheese: cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan and cream cheese and flavored with garlic. Wonderfully cheesy!

Meat Overload (Php320). A carnivore’s dream on a pizza crust: pepperoni, Hungarian sausages, breakfast sausage and beef toppings and topped with caramelized onions.

Pastas

Aligue Cream (Php180). A decadent cream-based pasta flavored with aligue (crab fat).

Bacon Tomato (Php160). Flavored with tomatoes and savory bacon, this pasta has the slightly sweet taste that kids love.

Spanish Sardines and Olives (Php160). Slightly spicy pasta dish made with Spanish-style sardines.

Wings

These flavorful chicken wings, cooked to crunchy and juicy goodness, are priced at:

Php155 (5 pieces, one flavor)
Php300 (10 pieces, one flavor)
Php585 (20 pieces, two flavors)
Php1150 (40 pieces, two flavors)

These wings go so well with the resto’s pizzas and pastas, but they’re also great on their own. I’d love to have some delivered the next time there’s a big movie on TV so I can have something yummy to munch on while I’m indulging my inner couch potato.

Buttered Parmesan.

Spicy Salted Egg.

Salt and Pepper.

Sweet and Spicy.

Flamin’ Lemon.

Honey Soy Sesame.

American BBQ.

For dessert, we had Luleepops (Php20), a real treat for me since this is the first time I’ve tasted an avocado-flavored iced candy.

And we chased away the heat from some of the spicy chicken pieces with refreshing Lemonades (Php40 each) and a sweetly decadent Rootbeer Float (Php100) made with A&W Rootbeer.

So whether you’re a local or a dayo (visitor) from another city, check out Buffalo Swing Cafe for tasty, tummy-filling comfort food.

Many thanks to Ingrid and the staff of Buffalo Swing Cafe for the warm welcome and the yummy eats!

Buffalo Swing Cafe is located at 363 Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue, Caniogan, Pasig City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 9pm and Sundays from 5pm to 9pm. For inquiries or reservations, call +63 922 8864381.

No time to drop by Buffalo Swing Cafe? Order your food via Zomato! Just click on the link below.

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 and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other chicken joints in the metro:

A new foodie haven: Shizuka Cafe, Little Baguio

With all the frenetic activity at work and at home, don’t you sometimes for a place where you can just relax and enjoy your time alone or with a few close friends?

Well, look no further than this relatively new cafe located a few minutes’ ride away from Greenhills.

From the outside, Shizuka Cafe may blend in among the many dining establishments in Little Baguio, but inside is a welcoming and cozy haven. Muted lighting and artfully displayed Japanese-themed bric-a-bracs make it a comfy and relaxing place, in line with the meaning of its name – shizuka, which means calm, peaceful, silent and quiet.

Shizuka’s Chef Paul Tan and his partners introduced quite a lot of innovations and advocacies to the local dining scene which include Shitzuka’s drives for artisanship (by carefully crafting its food and beverage offering), sustainability (through minimizing the use of plastic in its operations), local commerce (by sourcing its ingredients for its homey Japanese cuisine and finely craft coffee beverages from local merchants) and diversity (by employing differently abled staff).

Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I was able to sample some of the well-crafted dishes that Shizuka brings to the table. Check them out:

Onion Tempura (Php125). Onions coated in tempura batter then deep-friend and served with wasabi aioli. I love how texture of the onions and the flavor complexity that the wasabi aioli adds to the dish.

Pork Gyoza (Php150). Five pieces of the popular pork and vegetable pot stickers. In contrast to the usual gyoza from other restaurants, these come in pretty square shapes.

Nachos (Pho180). Crispy wonton wrappers doused with a sauce made from three cheeses and topped with soy Bolognese and parmesan cheese. I found myself reaching into this bowl and popping those nachos into my mouth again and again.

Tori Tebasaki (Php155). Tender chicken wings glazed with a sambal sauce, an exotic take on the chicken wings dish.

Tori Salad (Php180). Mixed greens with grilled chicken and miso balsamic vinaigrette.

Katsu Sando (Php190). Breaded ground pork katsu sandwiches coated with house-made tonkatsu sauce.

Tori Pesto (Php165). Sandwich with freshly grilled chicken and shiitake tossed in pesto sauce.

Nori Mac and Cheese (Php190). Shell macaroni in a cream sauce made of mozzarella, cheddar and parmesan served a crispy nori. I tried this hearty pasta dish with both with a touch of seven spices and without and I like it better without the spice.

Gyu Salpicao (Php290). Flavorful tenderloin in garlicky salpicao sauce over rice served with a sous vide egg. Salpicao is oftentimes a hit or miss with me: any excess in salty, sweet or spicy flavors tends to detract from my enjoyment. I’m happy to discover that this version of the dish is very well-balanced with added richness from the sous vide egg.

Tori HBS (Php210). Crispy fried chicken tossed in honey butter glaze over rice, also served with sous vide egg. What makes the Gyu Salpicao a standout also applies in this dish.

Big Breakfast (Php230). Imagine waking up to a hearty breakfast of hefty pancakes smothered in premium butter, generous slices of Italian sausage and fluffy scrambled eggs. Heck, fill yourself up with this meal any time of the day.

The Nursery (Php115). Peanut butter cream cheese with chocolate soil. A real treat for a sweet tooth like me.

Better than Doughnuts (Php100). My first taste of freshly made Southern American-style beignets more than met my expectations. Fluffy and chewy and perfectly complemented by matcha or chocolate ganache, this serves as a wonderful cap to the meal.

Shizuka Cafe also brings imaginatively crafted beverages to the table. These include:

White Genmaicha Cha (Php108 for 16oz | Php128 for 22oz). One of the Flaky Sea Salt and Cheese series, this features a not-too-sweet earthy rice and green tea flavor. I would have loved it sweeter but this would be good for those who are managing their sugar intake.

Strawberry Milk (Php118 for 16oz | Php138 for 22oz). Fresh strawberries blended with milk and also topped with Flaky Sea Salt and Cheese. I wish it could have maintained its consistency (we took a long time taking pictures) but it is sweetly refreshing just the same.

Cold Brew Latte (Php108 for 16oz | Php128 for 22oz). The more caffeinated among the Flaky Sea Salt and Cheese series, this is good for those looking for a pick-me-up.

Strawberry Chamomile (Php145). Refreshing loose-leaf chamomile tea and strawberries.

Sparkling Yuzu Mojito (Php220). This refreshing citrusy drink is made with yuzu and lime fruit juice, tonic water and white rhum.

Strawberry Sakerita (Php230). Loose-leaf chamomile tea blended with fresh strawberries and sake served in a glass with salted rim. A sweeter and milder Japanese version of the margarita, one I can imagine myself enjoying again and again.

So when you’re feeling overwhelmed or just want to unwind in a relaxing and welcoming environment, head off to Shizuka Cafe. Bring your friends with you for an extra good time!

Shizuka Cafe is located at 709 Jose Abad Santos Corner F. Calderon, Little Baguio, San Juan City, open daily from 8am to 10pm. For inquiries, reservations and pick up arrangements, call +63 926 0792964.

No time to drop by Shizuka Cafe? Order what your craving for via Grab Food and have it delivered right to your doorstep.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, 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 and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

My classic faves at Pazzo Rollio, SM Hypermart Pasig

There are lots of Italian food joints all over the metro but every once in a while, there’s one that stands out because its concept stayed fresh despite having been around for years.

I first tasted Pazzo Rollio’s offerings almost four years ago and, to this day, they remain among my favorites because they retain the taste I love while still seeming new and unusual.

Wanna know what I mean? Read on.

Together with my friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I visited Pazzo Rollio’s branch in SM Pasig to reacquaint myself with its signature dishes, which include:

Spinach and Artichoke Dip (Php185). A wonderful start to the meal! A thick mixture of spinach and artichoke with a layer of mozarella on top, and served with bread and fried wonton chips.

Pasta Puttanesca (Php220 solo | Php360 family). Spaghetti noodles with a house/made sauce of anchovies, tomatoes, olives, capers and garlic.

Fellinis (Php195 solo | Php310 family). Angelhair pasta and shrimp in housemade pesto sauce.

Bleu Cheese (Php245 solo | Php385 family). Chicken and sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy and cheesy gorgonzola sauce.

Bistecca (Php320). Flavorful and tender beef tenderloin pieces top pasta with a pommery mustard sauce.

Buffalo Wings (Php119 for 6 pieces | Php219 for 12 pieces). Yummy chicken pieces in Original and Garlic Parmesan flavor.

The name “Pazzo Rollio” translates to “crazy rolls” in Italian. And Pazzo Rollio’s rolled pizzas are definitely crazy good. These are central to the resto’s concept: paper-thin pizza dough slathered with cheese sauce and toppings, it is baked in a hot oven and served with arugula and alfalfa sprouts, ready for rolling. While rolled pizzas are available elsewhere, Pazzo Rollio’s are among the less expensive and more varied in flavor that I know of.

Big Bang Supreme (Php250 solo | Php450 family). Topped with bacon, ham, pepperoni, caramelized onions and mushrooms.

Pazzo Special (Php280 solo | Php480 regular). Topped with bacon, ham, salami, crumbled meatballs, mushrooms and bell pepper.

House Blend Iced Tea (Php50 glass | Php150 pitcher). A refreshing beverage that goes well with Pazzo Rollio’s dishes.

All these just go to show that there’s definitely more to Italian food than meets the eye!

Many thanks to Miss Vinci, Ana and Jem of Pazzo Rollio for having us!

This Pazzo Rollio branch is located at SM Hypermart, Frontera Verde Drive, Ugong, Pasig City, open daily from 10am to 11am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 5707801.

Other branches are located at:

Third Floor, Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, QC
Fourth Floor, SM City Manila, Ermita, Manila

Treat the gang out for a tasty and filling meal of Fellinis and Bleu Cheese pastas with a Big Bang Supreme rolled pizza for Php1,099!

You can also Create Your Own Rolled Pizza (Php280 solo | Php480 family) by choosing your preferred toppings for your pizza which include bacon, ham, salami, prosciutto, chicken, shrimp, sausage, crumbled meatball, anchovies, olives, caramelized onions, red onions, garlic, jalapenos, mushrooms, bell pepper, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, pineapple, chili flakes, basil, parsley, gorgonzola, mozzarella, pesto sauce, barbecue sauce and truffle oil.

Check out my reviews of other restaurants offering Italian food:

Sultry nights of Fil-Mex food and rockin’ music are comin’ at Bodega Casa Villa, Marikina

In one of the quiet roads of Marikina just off the major thoroughfare that is Gil Fernando Avenue is a burst of vibrant colors, tastes and sounds, a perfect venue for chilling out when the sultry summer nights come along.

Bodega Casa Villa is a Fil-Mex restaurant that seeks to bring the fun and spice of Mexican food to the Filipino palate. This results to a mix of contrasts: spicy dishes and refreshing drinks, a rockin’ and colorfully decorated al fresco dining and bar area outside and a homey yet well appointed setting inside, and signature Mexican dishes using Pinoy ingredients.

The Latin vibe is alive and well in this resto, from the murals and sombreros that adorn the warmly colored walls, the ornate mirrors in the washing area and restroom, to the table napkins that mark each place setting.

Together with other local foodies, I was able to try out its Fil-Mex fare, which include:

Mucho Nacho Bodega (Php230). Large piece of crrrrunchy corn nachos topped with salsa fresca, jalapeno peppers, garlic cream, queso sauce, and our very own longganisa and kesong puti!

Sinugbang Maiz “Elote” (Php120). A very fresh twist on the grilled corn-on-the-cob (“sinugba” being the Cebuano term for anything grilled), succulent grilled corn are coated with a mixture of mayo, parmesan and cheese powder, then flavored with spices, cilantro and lime.

Crispy Dinuguan Burrito (Php250). Hefty rolls of burritos stuffed with rice flavored with dinuguan (Filipino version of blood stew), pork meat and lettuce, and served with bits of chicharon (pork skin cracklings) for added crunch and flavor. These are served with salsa verde and chipotle salsa.

Taco Trio (Php295). A triad of soft-shell tacos, each with a different flavorful filling: the Pork Bagnet Sisig, the Chicken Inasal and the Beef Barbacoa. Enjoy these with salsa verde, chipotle salsa and garlic cream sauce.

Aligue Squid Pasta (Php275). Cappelini pasta tossed in a decadent aligue (crab fat) sauce along with rings of grilled squid.

Stacked Chicken Wings (Php765). A mountain of twenty-four (!!!) meaty and juicy pieces of fried chicken wings doused in three different kinds sauces: Parmesan, Quezo and Chipotle. Have a taste for adventure? Reach into a platter of these without looking at what you’re getting and take a bite. Personally, I love the Parmesan-coated wings.

Be sure to check out the bar’s signature cocktails and other drinks while you’re enjoying the food and the live acoustic music.

It sure looks like Fil-Mex foodie adventurers have a new home in Marikina!

Hankering for a chill and enjoyable night out with your friends? Take advantage of the resto’s various promos!

Php200/6 Bote. Get six bottles of San Miguel Beer products for only Php200 every Monday.

Taco Tuesday. Buy one get one on all tacos every Tuesday.

Beer-All-You-Can Wednesdays (Php350). Chug down all the brews you can muster, every Wednesday from 5pm to 10pm.

Bring Your Own Bottle Thursdays. Got your signature drink at home? Bring it here as there is no corkage fee, then enjoy it together with your fave Fil-Mex dishes and chill sounds.

Thanks to Fat Girls Day Out for extending the invitation!

Bodega Casa Villa is located at 48 Dragon Street, San Roque, Marikina, open daily from 5pm to midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 6451952.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup 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.

Check out my reviews of other restaurants serving Mexican food:

Vatos Urban Tacos, BGC

BTW Fil-Mex Kitchen, Tomas Morato

Tittos Latin BBQ and Brew

Lo de Alberto, Ugong

Encima Roofdeck Restaurant, Poblacion