buffalo wings – Page 3 – Jellybeans in the City

Zomato Tagaytay Food Crawl Third Stop: Siglo Modern Filipino

The last and final stop of our Zomato Tagaytay Food Crawl was held at Siglo Modern Filipino. Located along the Tagaytay – Calamba Road beside the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and right across Picnic Grove, Siglo is the restaurant attached to the View Park Hotel Tagaytay.

Siglo (which translates to “century”) is so-named in honor of 100 years of evolution of Philippine food, from the Spanish and Latin influences brought by the colonizers, as well as flavors from China, America and Southeast Asia which found their way here via trade.

Siglo synthesizes a century’s worth of Filipino culture and cuisine from all over the country, and supports the local economy by using ingredients sourced from local farmers.

It also seeks to preserve heirloom recipes – dishes that your great-grandmother might have cooked and using ingredients like adlai and siling labuyo that she might have used – while still innovating on the classic Filipino dishes through modern techniques and added creativity.

The restaurant is quite small (can seat at most 50 diners) but it has a lot of charm. Ethnic-inspired furniture and decor abound, and its advocacy for the appreciation of Filipino cuisine is apparent in the use of traditional materials and design. When you sit down and wait for your order, you can amuse yourself in puzzles and trivia that feature Filipino food courtesy of the placemats used.

My fellow foodies and I were served the Blockbuster Bilaos, hefty servings of themed Pinoy delicacies with dishes representing different locales in the country. These are best shared among a group of 4 to 6 people. Bilaos are flat and round-shaped implement used in separating rice grains from other particles like chaff, dirt and small pebbles. When I was young, the rice that was delivered to us had a lot of impurities so my yaya and I oftentimes had to pick the impurities from the rice (hence the term “nagpipili ng bigas“) that was laid in a bilao.

Siglo Bilao (Php1,800)

This bilao features native Tinola, classic Kare-Kare, Crispy Tawilis, Pancit Pusit and Siglo Salad. These are all heirloom recipes of Filipino dishes collated by Siglo’s team during their travels. For me, the standout among these dishes is the Pancit Pusit; it had the distinctive salty-sour garlicky taste of Adobong Pusit which I absolutely love. I would have eaten more of this were I not afraid of going home with black teeth (it would have been worth it, though!)

https://flic.kr/p/N8f5wW

Barkada Bilao (Php2,200)

This bilao boasts of timeless classics that barkadas (groups of friends) crave for when they’re hanging out such as Regular Bulalo (a staple in Tagaytay), Crispy Sisig, Calamares Frito, Himagsikan Wings (Siglo’s version of spicy buffalo wings in which the chicken pieces are glazed in shrimp paste and honey sriracha sauce) and gising-gising.

Luzviminda Bilao (Php2,400)

Named after the portmanteu of the Philippines’ three major island groups – Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao – this bilao features dishes representing bestsellers from north to south, serving as a quick culinary tour of the country. It includes Bagnet Ilocos, Chicken Binakol, Seafood Kare-Kare, Lumpiang Shanghai and Ubod Salad. The standout in this bilao is the bagnet with its savory tender meat and crispy crackling skin.

All the bilaos come with steamed rice and fresh fruits.

We washed down our food with a refreshing Pomelo Amaranth Juice which is not part of Siglo’s menu but is actually the welcome drink of View Park Hotel.

Siglo Modern Filipino is located at the Ground Floor of View Park Hotel, 3500 Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Sungay East, Tagaytay City. It is open Sundays to Fridays at 7am to 10pm and Saturdays from 7am to 12mn.

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

New and familiar chicken flavors at Wing Zone, SM Megamall

While my daughter and I were waiting for her newly-ordered glasses from Sunnies Specs, we decided to have a late lunch at nearby Wing Zone.

Wing Zone was started in 1991 by then University of Florida students Matt Friedman and Adam Scott who sought to provide their fellow students who are burning the midnight oil or suffering from late night munchies with an alternative to the usual pizza delivery. They made the kitchen of their fraternity house into their test kitchen, trying out sauces and techniques for preparing their chicken wings. They sold out their first two nights of business.

Wing Zone has restaurants in 25 states in the US, and now, a branch right here at SM Megamall.

It has a spacious dining area with casual, sporty vibe further enhanced by the upbeat mainstream pop music is playing in the background.

Thanks to an Eatigo offer, we were able to enjoy 30% off on our orders:

Mozzarella Sticks (Php225 for regular). The sticks have a crunchy bite which contrasts nicely with the melted cheese inside, well-complemented by its accompanying marinara sauce.

Signature Boneless Bites (Php185 for 6 pieces) with Thai Chili sauce. My daughter ordered the boneless bites – lightly breaded chicken breasts coated with our sauce of choice – because she finds biting through wings bothersome. Recommended by our server, the Thai Chili sauce had an interesting fusion of sweet and sour, plus a bit of a spicy kick.

Strips (Php165 for 5 pieces) with Liquid Gold Sauce served on the side. These strips of chicken breast are marinated for 24 hours in a special spice blend, then hand-breaded fresh with every order. I found the Liquid Gold sauce – this resto’s version of honey mustard – a little too smokey for my taste.

Considering both boneless bites and the strips are made of chicken breasts, it is notable that they are tender and juicy.

Some areas that the resto can improve on are:

The serving portions. Our entire order fit into 2 itty-bitty plates. Wingzone should consider adding a few fries or other sides to the chicken servings just to add some visual volume to the dishes, perhaps?

An efficient way to call the wait staff. The wait staff’s station is located at the back of the store, well away and hidden from the counter where we were seated. I had to stand up and walk to the counter three times – once to request for the bill, second to ask a question about it and third to get the pitcher to refill our water – simply because I couldn’t catch the attention of the wait staff.

Wing Zone is located at the 2nd Floor, Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 6374149. Another branch is slated to open in Glorietta Mall in Makati soon.

Register to Eatigo using this link and get up to 50% off your food bill in various restaurants in the metro as well as Php150 worth of rewards.

A feast with a view at The Nautilus Whiskey Bar, QC

I’m not much of a drinker but I understand the appeal of hanging out somewhere scenic or cozy, favorite concoction in hand and just chat with friends.

Last Friday night, together with fellow Zomato foodies, I did just that at The Nautilus Whiskey Bar. Named after the submarine helmed by Captain Nemo in Jules Verne’s classic adventure novels Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island, the bar boasts of an extensive wine list, steampunk-inspired interiors made to look like the inside of the famed submarine designed by artist Ram Mallari, Jr., and a roofdeck that provides a breathtaking view of Quezon City.

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For this gathering, The Nautilus brought out more than just the regular bar chow:

House Buffalo Wings (Php275). Spicy chicken wings drenched in hot sauce and melted butter with a side of blue cheese dressing. Nothing like something hot and spicy have one go looking for drinks!
Wagyu Cubes (Php450). Melt-in-your-mouth cubes of tender wagyu beef served on a hot plate.
Tuna Carbonara (Php275). This dish featured the Mega brand of tuna flakes cooked with mushrooms into a white cream sauce.
Roasted Spiced Chicken Au Poivre (Php445). A spice-infused roasted half-chicken served with crisp steamed vegetables and fries.
Baked Norwegian Salmon (Php495). Cheese-topped salmon fillet served with onion links, shiitake mushrooms and steamed vegetables.
Nautilus Signature Cheeseburger (Php325). Homemade quarter-pounder beef patty drizzled with melted cheese, topped with deep-fried onion rings and served with crisp potato fries.
The Nautilus Sling (Php302.50). A blend of orange juice, lime juice, triple sec, blue curacao and bourbon whiskey.

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The Nautilus Whiskey Bar is located at the roofdeck of Prime Hotel, No 70 Esguerra Street, Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City (across Hi-Top Supermarket). It is open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 5pm to 2am, and Fridays to Saturdays from 6pm to 3am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 998 8680324.

Also, catch performances by singers Paula Bianca, Ana Ramsey and Aileen Udtog on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays respectively from 8pm to 12mn.

Special deals include:

Buy 1 Get 1 on local beers and selected cocktails as well as 10% discount on bottles during Happy Hour, 5pm to 8pm Tuesdays to Thursdays.
10% off on all bottled whiskey with a free Coke or Sprite carafe every Friday and Saturday.

Check out my reviews of another bar in the area – Vitto’s Wine Bar & Restaurant.

Filipino comfort food you grew up with at Limbaga 77, Tomas Morato

Filipino food sometimes get some flak for being unimaginative, too greasy, salty or sweet. Many of us, however, grew up with happy memories of the dishes that our mom lovingly prepared during holidays, our lolas slaved over the kitchen during family get-togethers, or were proudly served by our neighbors during fiestas. Criticism against our beloved dishes either go over out heads or are met with fiery backlash.

The thing with Filipino food is that one dish may have numerous versions, depending on the region, or even the family, that serves it. In fact, these recipes are even more enriched by the stories and histories that go into their preparation. Filipino food is basically an amalgamation of native and foreign influences, and can easily be adapted according to regional, familial or even individual tastes.

This makes the work of Limbaga 77, a Filipino restaurant located along Scout Limbaga Street in the foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area, all the more challenging. According to owner Sonny Fortuna, the restaurant tries to stay true to the traditional and classic Filipino recipes. But with so many regional or individual variations, which versions should the restaurant present?

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Based on my experience during a recent Zomato Foodie Meetup held at Limbaga 77, the versions that showcases the use of traditional and native ingredients take centerstage. The dishes served belie, more than anything, the allegation that Filipino food is unimaginative.

Take for example the Stuffed Bulaklak ng Kalabasa (Php227), an appetizer that made of squash blossoms stuffed with native cheese and minced pork, dipped and batter and deep-friend to achieve that crisp golden brown layer that gives in to a sumptuous bite of melted cheese and pork.

The Green Mango Pomelo Salad (Php377), on the other hand, combines the citrus-y flavors of the fruits with the grilled shrimp. Some shrimp pieces are a bit over-grilled though.

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Most of Limbaga 77’s offerings are reminiscent of the special Sunday lunches that Filipino moms prepare to feed the family after church. The Roasted Chicken (Php577), Bistek Tagalog (Php477), Crispy Bagnet (Php477), and Limbaga 77 Stuffed Laing (Php477) are all on-point as main dishes, showcased by the Danggit Rice (Php77) and Garlic Rice (Php57).

In the Pochero (Php577), in particular, the rich tomato-based broth provides a savory-sweet background for the slow-cooked beef short ribs, the crisp vegetables and saging na saba; in terms of presentation and use of fresh ingredients, I think the dish wouldn’t be out-of-place in a hapag-kainan during the colonial period.

Here’s some trivia for you: Did you know that the Pochero is one of the favorite dishes of Filipino reformist, writer and journalist Marcelo H. del Pilar? (Many thanks to fellow foodie Lawrence Chan for this interesting tidbit!)

The Buffalo Wings (Php277), was developed by the resto to appeal to younger diners who may want some finger foods for their after-office hangouts. Its blue cheese dipping sauce has some bits of cucumber in it, adding some cool freshness to the spicy dish.

However, for me, the star of the show is the Limbaga 77 Paella (Php1,277). Five people can share this hearty Filipino-Spanish masterpiece made with generous helpings of seafood – shrimp, mussels, clams and squid – as well as chicken, Spanish chorizo and hard-boiled eggs. It’s a good thing we foodies took a while in taking pictures of this dish together with the other viands served as the heated shallow pan the paella was served in gave the grains at the bottom a bit of a toasty crunch.

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The desserts served also had interesting stories The Brazo Tableaand the Davao Tablea Cake, for instance, use cacao discs sourced from Davao, the country’s top producer and exporter of cacao, giving these confections a rich chocolate taste. (The cakes can be further improved to have a moist texture, though.)

If you ever wondered what other uses can there be for queso de bola beyond the Christmas season, look no further: Limbaga 77’s Queso de Bola Cheesecake has a sweet-salty flavor that will satisfy those who tire of too-sweet delicacies.

The classic chocolate mousse dessert also gets a local twist with the inclusion of native coffee to the Barako Brownie Mousse: the thick mousse is flavored with coffee and topped with rich powdered cocoa.

Here’s another trivia: Did you know that kapeng barakogot its name from varraco, the Spanish word for wild boar? In Spain, wild boar are very fond of eating the plant’s leaves and berries.

Two classic Filipino desserts were fused together in Bikoron: a mashup between the biko and turon wherein the mild-tasting kakanin is wrapped in lumpia wrapper, deep-fried and drizzled with a slightly sweet peanut sauce.

The last dessert served is the Perlas ng Mangga: the Philippines’ national fruit is given a backdrop of sweet cream and tapioca pearls.

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Don’t think that drinks in this resto fall by the wayside: fresh and fruity blended concoctions were also served such as Lychee Grapes Shake, Minty Mango Watermelon and the Mabuhay Smoothie (coconut milk syrup with pineapple), each at Php177. I opted for the Grass Citrus Iced Tea (Php97), a refreshing brew of pandan and lemongrass with a hint of calamansi, to drink during dinner and a cuppa with baculicha, a sweetener often served with coffee in Vigan, after the meal.

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For diners who want combinations of their favorites, Limbaga 77 now offers Bestseller Tandems at Php397 each. These include:

Limbaga 77 Stuffed Laing + Adobong Tadyang ng Baka + Garlic Rice
Spicy Seafood Adobo + Adobong Tadyang ng Baka + Garlic Rice
Limbaga 77 Stuffed Laing + 1/4 Baby Back Ribs + Garlic Rice
Spicy Seafood Adobo + Grilled Liempo + Garlic Rice
Limbaga 77 Stuffed Laing + Toasted Vigan Longganisa + Garlic Rice
Toasted Vigan Longganisa + Seafood Chopsuey + Garlic Rice
Grilled Liempo + Seafood Chopsuey + Garlic Rice

Limbaga 77 is located at No 77 Scout Limbaga Street, near Tomas Morato Avenue, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City. It is open daily from 11am to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 926 715 6134 or email limbaga77cafe@gmail.com.

Credit: Thanks to fellow foodie and flat lay slayer John Bunag for styling the flat lay of viands served.

Work-related hang-out at UCC Park Cafe, Glorietta Complex

Whenever I’m Ayala Center and I pass by this free standing resto amidst the park greenery, I always thought of it would be a great place to hang out in after a bout of shopping.

So far, I haven’t been able to just chill here as during both instances I’ve been are work-related.

Still, I have been able to try its sandwich offerings:

Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Php280). Three different kinds of cheese (cheddar, gruyere and mozarella) on buttered toast.

Cliffhanger Sandwich (Php250). Chicken, bacon, scrambled eggs, mozarella cheese inside fried custard-coated bread.

I didn’t care much for the side of marinara sauce that came with the sandwiches but I found the sandwiches themselves rich and filling.

The Cafe Americano (Php120) gave me a good pick-me-up. The muscovado sugar gave it a different kind of sweetness.

Thanks to my generous workmates, I was able to sample its other dishes:

Pasta Carbonara (Php260). Spaghetti noodles in a white sauce with sauteed bacon and onions, topped with a poached egg and parmesan cheese. I found this pasta a little too wet for my taste.

Garlic Seafood Pasta (Php450). Spaghetti noodles with shrimp, cuttlefish, mushrooms and scallops sauteed in garlic and olive oil. This seems to be a light and more preferable alternative to heavily sauced pasta dishes.

Crispy Wings (Php320). Fried marinated chicken wings served with garlic dip and fries. A bit forgettable but at least I got some more meat to go with my sandwich at the time.

I wouldn’t mind coming back to try out some of its more unusual food items such as its Cheese and Spinach (Php280) appetizer and Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese (Php320).

This UCC branch is located at Glorietta 3 Park, Ayala Center, Makati.

A rare steak experience at Vittorio’s

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

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

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

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

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

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

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