dining experience – Page 3 – Jellybeans in the City

Nestled in the heart of Mandaluyong City, Puebla La Cantina is a Latin-American restaurant that promises a delightful fusion of flavors, a lively ambiance, and a unique twist that sets it apart from similar eateries in the metro.

Located atop the popular AutoBites Carwash x Chill, this vibrant culinary gem offers foodies the opportunity to indulge in Mexican-inspired cuisine while pampering their beloved vehicles.

Ambiance and Atmosphere

Puebla La Cantina is an unassuming but charming eatery with a casual and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant boasts an industrial feel, perfectly complemented by colorful and festive Latin American decor. The open kitchen concept allows guests to witness the preparation of mouthwatering dishes from scratch.

For those seeking an al fresco experience, the restaurant offers a charming outdoor dining area, ideal for summer nights or a leisurely gathering with good friends while enjoying good food.

Mexican-Inspired Culinary Delights

Puebla La Cantina’s menu showcases a diverse range of Mexican-inspired dishes tailored to suit the discerning Pinoy palate. Let your taste buds dance with delight with these delectable offerings.

Quesadilla (Php180). Tortilla warmed on a griddle with chedar cheese, chopped onions and roasted red peppers

Pollo Taco (Php170). Shredded grilled chicken served in two warm tortillas, topped with salsa, housemade Puebla sauce and cilantro.

Carnitas Taco (Php190). Shredded roasted pork served in two warm tortillas, topped with salsa, housemade Puebla sauce and cilantro

Nacho Puebla (Php350). Fresh and crispy nacho chips loaded with Carne Asada, shredded grilled chicken, beans, cilantro and onions, topped with housemade smokey cheese sauce with a sie of salsa and garlic sauce.

Birria Quesa Taco (Php300). Beef slow-cooked in Ancho, Guajilla and Arbol Chile served with mozzarella in a soft tortilla topped with mozzarella, onions and cilantro, then partnered with consomme.

Chili con Carne Bowl (Php280). Ground beef slow-cooked in Mexican spices served with Nacho chips and tortilla.

Buffalo Chicken (Php350). Crunchy chicken wings and pieces tossed in classic tangy buffalo sauce.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken (Php350). Crunchy chicken wings and pieces tossed in parmesan cheese, garlic and Italian herbs.

Umbria Pasta (Php250). Thick and creamy linguini tossed with Mexican sausage and herb, topped with grilled chicken.

Shrimp Diablo (Php295). Pasta tossed with spicy and buttery shrimp in tomato cream sauce.

Pork Burrito Platter (Php260). Tortilla-less version of the burrito with smokey grilled pork over Mexican rice topped with tangy salsa.

Easy Chops (Php280). Boneless pork loin marinated in special herbs then pan-grilled to perfection and served on a bed of Mexican rice with a side of gravy.

With an array of flavorsome choices, Puebla La Cantina ensures that there’s something for everyone.

Refreshing Drinks to Complement Your Meal

No dining experience is complete without delightful beverages, and Puebla La Cantina has you covered. Pair your Mexican-inspired feast with their refreshing House Blend Iced Tea, a perfectly balanced and invigorating beverage that complements the bold flavors of the cuisine.

And of course, what’s a visit to a Mexican restaurant without enjoying a classic Margarita? Sip on this, and let the vibrant flavors transport you to the sunny beaches of Mexico.

Affordability and Value

One of the highlights of Puebla La Cantina is its commitment to providing affordable dining options without compromising on quality and taste. With reasonable prices, visitors can savor an authentic Mexican culinary experience without breaking the bank.

Puebla La Cantina also loves to delight its customers with special promotions and events. Currently, they are running an exciting contest where five lucky winners have a chance to win P1,000 worth of gift certificates. By liking their Facebook page, following their Instagram account, and participating in the contest, guests can become a part of the Puebla La Cantina experience and potentially enjoy a free dining adventure. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to explore their flavors!

A Story of Passion and Identity

Puebla La Cantina is the brainchild of husband and wife team RJ and Wel Guanlao. Passionate about delivering an exceptional dining experience, they decided to rebrand their previous establishment, Ole Nacho Bar, and give it a distinct Latin American identity. Through their culinary expertise and unwavering dedication, they have successfully transformed Puebla La Cantina into a vibrant and beloved dining destination.

Convenient Location and Unforgettable Experiences

Strategically situated on top of AutoBites Carwash x Chill, Puebla La Cantina offers a unique advantage to its customers. Guests can treat themselves to mouthwatering dishes while simultaneously pampering their vehicles. As you relish the vibrant flavors of Mexico, take a moment to admire the bustling carwash below, creating a dynamic experience that merges the worlds of gastronomy and automotive care.

Puebla La Cantina is still culinary gem but promises an unforgettable dining adventure. Embrace the flavors and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere, and make memories with your friends and family here.

Puebla La Cantina is located at 732 Sgt. Bumatay Street, Barangay Plainview, Mandaluyong City, open Sundays, Tuesdays to Thursdays from 4pm to 12 midnight and Fridays to Saturdays from 4pm to 2am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 5660619.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant with my fellow foodies. Food items mentioned here were served at no cost to the attendees in exchange for honest reviews.

Every Sunday is Family Day. Part of my family’s Sunday routine is to have lunch together after attending mass. We usually opt for either old favorites or new restaurants we want to try. For this instance, we opted for Yabu House of Katsu since we already know that we love the food there.

Yabu’s Unique Katsu Experience

Yabu House of Katsu stands out among other restaurants for several reasons, making it a unique and beloved destination for katsu enthusiasts. The first thing that struck us was their commitment to authenticity. Yabu prides itself on offering an authentic Japanese katsu experience. They adhere to traditional Japanese cooking techniques and use high-quality ingredients to ensure the utmost authenticity in their dishes. From the breading to the frying method, Yabu pays attention to every detail to create a truly authentic katsu. One ritual that we particularly enjoyed was preparing the katsu sauce by grinding the toasted sesame seeds in a textured bowl before pouring and mixing in the prepared katsu sauce.

Customization and variety are also key features of Yabu’s menu. They offer a wide range of katsu options to cater to various tastes. Whether you prefer pork, chicken, seafood, or even vegetarian katsu, Yabu has got you covered. This level of customization allows diners to enjoy their favorite type of katsu in their preferred style. The attention to detail is evident in the little extras they provide, such as unlimited servings of cabbage salad and various dipping sauces to complement the katsu. The miso soup is carefully crafted, and the rice is perfectly cooked, further enhancing the overall meal.

Delicious Katsu Selections at Yabu

We know that we couldn’t go wrong with the katsu sets, which consist of a special cut of katsu served with refillable soup, rice, cabbage, and fruit. I opted for the Rosu (Pork Loin) Set (P390/80g | P430/120g | P490/180g) since the fat trimming adds a lot of flavor to the meat.

My husband and daughter, both more fitness-conscious, opted for the Hire (Pork Tenderloin) Set (P415/80g | P450/120g), which has no fat.

My son, being a cheese-lover, went for the Menchi Katsu Set (P430) made with a mixture of minced beef and pork mixed together with Yabu’s special spices and stuffed with creamy cheese.

Of course, the kids insisted on an order of Mozzarella Katsu Sticks (P320), sticks of mozzarella coated in golden panko tossed with Yabu’s special furikake blend and served with spicy aioli dip.

Meanwhile, my husband wanted to munch on an order of Agedashi Tofu (P265), panko-crusted Japanese tofu topped with shredded bonito flakes and grated radish, and served on a bed of soy-dashi sauce, while waiting for our katsu sets.

The pricing of these items is just right for a weekend family meal. It feels like something special and tasty that we can look forward to without breaking the bank.

Inviting Ambiance at Yabu SM Megamall

The ambiance at the SM Megamall branch of Yabu is inviting and comfortable, creating a pleasant dining experience for guests. The modern and stylish decor with sleek lines and contemporary furniture adds a touch of sophistication to the restaurant’s overall atmosphere. The warm lighting, with its soft and warm-toned lights, sets a relaxed and intimate mood, making it a perfect place to enjoy a meal with family and loved ones.

The seating arrangements at Yabu SM Megamall are thoughtfully designed to accommodate both small and large groups comfortably. Whether you’re dining as a couple or with a larger party, you’ll find seating arrangements that cater to your needs. The staff at Yabu SM Megamall are very welcoming and attentive, and quite prompt when we needed rice and cabbage refills. From the moment we entered the restaurant, we were greeted with a warm welcome and provided with any assistance or guidance we needed throughout our dining experience.

The vibrant and energetic atmosphere of the SM Megamall branch adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the overall dining experience. The restaurant is often bustling with activity, creating a lively ambiance that makes it a great place for friends and families to gather and enjoy a meal together.

I can say that Yabu House of Katsu does deserve its position as one of the fam’s favorite restaurants

This Yabu branch is located at Bldg B, SM Mega Mall, 202 EDSA corner Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10am to 9pm.

Other Yabu branches are located at:

Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Makati: Glorietta 2, Rockwell Powerplant
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia
Pasig: Ayala Malls the 30th, Ayala Malls Feliz
Quezon City: UP Town Center, SM North EDSA, Robinsons Magnolia, Ayala Vertis North, Robinsons Galleria
Taguig: SM Aura

Yabu House of Katsu also delivers via GrabFood.

Know more about its menu and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Yabu House of Katsu:

Katsu adventure in Yabu, Ayala Vertis North

Katsu Indulgence at Yabu, Robinsons Place Magnolia

Return to my katsu love at Yabu, Ayala Malls Feliz

Katsu family lunch at Yabu, Robinsons Galleria

Tag: dining experience

Discover Puebla La Cantina: Mexican-inspired flavors to be enjoyed atop AutoBites Carwash x Chill