happy hour – Jellybeans in the City

Along Quezon City’s Scout Rallos Street, quite some distance from the busy hustle and bustle of Tomas Morato Avenue, is a hidden haven for food and drink lovers.

It’s quite appropriately named, too: HidN Lounge. From the outside, apart from its subtle signage, it looks like any normal house. Step inside, though, and you will find a well-appointed space suited for getting together with friends for dinner or after-work beers, or for enjoying your solitude along with your choice of bar chow and cocktails while being serenaded by the mellow tunes of an acoustic band.

With the help of her parents, owner Kat Kierulf transformed her grandmother’s house into a cozy and comfy watering hole where Quezon City’s denizens can lounge about to relax and have fun, two activities so highly prized given today’s hectic lifestyle. Dim lights, eclectic decor and comfortable furniture form areas where you can have some privacy and stay hidden.

Together with my foodie buddies from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I visited HidN Lounge (and passed it by as I was driving, because it is, you know, hidden) to see and taste what it had to offer.

These included:

Roti Canai with Curry Sauce (Php140). I’m not a fan of curry but I liked dipping the warm, chewy bread in the mildly sweet curry sauce.

Spicy Tofu (Php165). Tofu cubes stir-fried in a sweet and spicy sauce. Another dish that had me reaching for the bowl again and again.

HidN’s Caldereta (Php395). An old family recipe of Kat’s mom, Ina, this features tender beef pieces stewed in a rich tomato sauce with potatoes and bell peppers, topped with cheese.

Kare Kare Bagnet (Php395). Crispy slices of bagnet from Ilocos on a bed of rich and savory kare kare peanut sauce and accompanied by succulent lightly boiled greens.

Sinuglaw (Php395). The marriage of sinugbo and kinilaw led to this ceviche-type dish made with with grilled pork belly and fresh tuna made drenched in spiced vinegar and topped with salted egg. A great palate cleanser to nibble on in between richer dishes.

Gambas (Php425). Succulent whole shrimp in sauteed in garlic and olive oil. Great by itself as an appetizer or paired with rice. Personally, I was half-tempted to ask for more bread so I can scrape every bit of that flavorful garlicky olive oil from the cast-iron pan.

Lengua Salpicao (Php395). Ox tongue cooked to absolute tenderness and marinated in garlic served with olive oil. A definite winner for me.

Classic Pork Sisig (Php235). A staple among practically all Filipino restaurants, the pork sisig makes it appearance here accompanied by a sunny-side-up fried egg and some chopped liver.

Crispy Adobong Kambing (Php390). Goat meat tenderized, marinated adobo-style, deep-fried for crispiness and accompanied by garlic flakes. Not a bad intro to goat-based viands.

HidN Agenda (Php330). Ten different spirits combined together in a large goblet and set aflame right before your eyes. This is definitely not for lightweights: with just a little sip, you can feel the drink warm its way down your throat. I couldn’t finish my itty-bitty shot glass of this drink. If you’re a seasoned drinker and you’re feeling adventurous, give this drink a try.

21st State Cocktail (Php260). A dessert cocktail made with cognac and coffee liqueur and sprinkled with shaved chocolate on top, this drink is sweet and with a mild buzz. Definitely my kind of drink!

Having uncovered this hidden gem just a little distance from my workplace, I’m already thinking of after-work get-togethers and office celebrations that can be held here. It’s such nifty place to hide away in.

Many thanks to Kat and Ina Kierulf, as well as the wonderful staff of Hidn Lounge, for the great food and drinks, and the warm welcome!

HidN Lounge is located at 21 Scout Rallos Street, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 6pm to 2am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 9824422, +63 917 8592355 or +63 917 8850718.

Did you know you can buy two drinks and get the same two drinks for free at HidN Lounge through Zomato Gold? Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 deals on food or 2+2 deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use my code JELLYB to get 20% off the membership fee.

Disclosure: Together with my fellow foodies, 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.

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

Getting lost in the south isn’t such a bad ordeal when wandering leads to the quiet streets of Madrigal Business Park because there stands B Hotel Alabang, a premier 4-star hotel managed by The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts.

“What is there to do?” one may ask. Aside from an undisturbed staycation in the comfort of a cozy room, guests can also enjoy the first-ever outdoor hot tub in the area. With perfectly warm water for the rainy season, and refreshingly cool water during the summer! And while fitness junkies spend time in the hotel gym working out, the foodies can go ahead and start eating their hearts out at the hotel’s dining outlets.

Foodies everywhere will agree that it takes more than just picture-perfect plating or unique food concepts to make a dining experience memorable and worth going back for. With an exquisitely prepared mix of fancy and familiar flavors, coupled with the 4-star hotel’s dedicated 5-star service, one can only expect a dining experience at its prime, every time. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or anything in between, B Hotel Alabang has the perfect plate!

“Our mission is to give our guests the best of Filipino hospitality and that includes proudly representing our heritage in our menu. That’s why we always allow culinary innovation while preserving the integrity of our country’s traditional dishes,” says Chef Ricky Galon, B Hotel Alabang Sous Chef. Prime Café offers a diverse selection of traditional local dishes from across the different regions of the Philippine islands such as the bestselling crispy Sizzling Sisig from Pampanga, perfectly char-grilled Chicken Inasal from Bacolod, and tender Beef Salpicao. The hotel’s main dining outlet also features Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Italian, and Mexican cuisines among others. Craving a classic American favorite? Chef Ricky’s special creation is the answer—a flavorful patty and fresh vegetables in a soft sweet bun. And if you’re craving a different kind of meat, no need to go far! Get your steak fix and enjoy perfectly grilled prime steaks from Johnny’s Steak and Grill at Prime Cafe.

Those who simply cannot do without a sweet ending (or beginning) to a sumptuous meal can head on over to sweet tooth heaven—Pastry Corner. This little nook is where all the freshly baked goodies and barista specials are! Must-try includes moist and indulgent Belgian Chocolate Cake, and German Chocolate Cake, and Leche Flan, Ube, Chocolate, Plain, and other limited edition flavors of the coffee shop’s signature ensaymada.

Prime Café puts the “happy” in happy hour with some San Valley wine for only Php800 nett per bottle, or unlimited beers, mojitos, or sangria for only Php550 nett person, available daily from 6:00PM to 10:00PM. Booze and live entertainment? Enjoy it at Prime Café’s Bistro Nights every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00PM to 11:00PM.

Get a taste of all these exciting dishes and activities at B Hotel Alabang’s Meet and Eat exclusive foodie event, in partnership with Don Revy, Monkey Eagle, Alliance Crafts, Instamug, and Eco Verde.

For more information on B Hotel Alabang’s exciting dining promotions and other offers, visit www.thebellevue.com, or call (+632) 828 8181.

Thanks to Eboy Donato for serving as my correspondent during B Hotel’s Meet & Eat Foodie event.

Details and images provided by B Hotel in A recent press release.