Snackin’ with friends on the cheap at Snack Attack, SM North EDSA

If you and your gang ever experienced hunger pangs while hanging out at the mall, you know you all want to sate your hunger asap, no frills or fuss about.

Fortunately, if you happen to be strolling along SM North EDSA’s Sky Garden, relief for your hungry tummy is but a few heartbeats away.

Why? Because Snack Attack is there.

Snack Attack is a chain of stores offering quick bites – food that are fast to prepare and easy to consume. These include the classic snack faves such as nachos, fries, hotdogs and chicken nuggets, combined in all sorts of fun ways.

Thanks to Carlo of EatsCMT.food.blog who generously shared his GCs which allowed me to sample Snack Attack’s Bubble Tea Cheese Foam series (Php95 for medio | Php105 for grande), I was able to treat two of my friends to a fun snacking time at Snack Attack’s branch in SM North EDSA.

Snack Attack, SM North

Snack Attack, SM North

Snack Attack, SM North

The first instance was when a friend and I enjoyed our Wintermelon and Hokkaido Bubble Teas as we munched on our Bacon, Mushroom and Cheese Snack-A-Bun (Php65) and chatted about our work concerns.

Snack Attack, SM North

What made this snacking trip more notable was the fact that we designed a snack we can share. First, we chose our fries – Nacho Chips (Php59 for solo | Php99 for sharing), followed by our choice of dip – Cheese Sauce (Php15 for solo | Php25 for sharing), then capped by our choice of topping – Bacon Bits (Php20 for solo | Php30 for sharing). This way, we were able to design what we want to eat while we enjoyed our free cheesefoam bubble teas.

Snack Attack, SM North

Snack Attack, SM North

Snack Attack, SM North

Snack Attack, SM North

Snack Attack, SM North

The next instance was when I took another friend there to get Classic and Taro Bubble Teas as part of our mini food crawl across SM North EDSA. (Note: the next stops were Hawker Chan and BLK 513.)

Snack Attack, SM North

Snack Attack, SM North

Snack Attack, SM North

What I love about Snack Attack’s cheesefoam bubble teas is the interplay of the slightly salty and decadently rich cheesefoam with the sweet teas. The pearls were also of the right taste and consistency: not too sweet and just slightly chewy. While I found the Hokkaido and Wintermelon to sweet for my taste, the Taro Bubble Tea was just right for me.

Snack Attack is a quick and affordable option for snacking that I wouldn’t mind returning to. For me, its snack treats are best enjoyed while hanging out with friends.

How about you?

This Snack Attack branch is located at Second Floor, Sky Garden, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City.

Other branches are located at:

  • Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue Corner Pag-asa Street, Caniogan, Pasig City
  • Circuit Lane, Ayala Malls Circuit, Olympia, Makati City
  • Food Court, Mall B, SM City Bicutan, Don Bosco, Parañaque City
  • SM City Sucat, San Dionisio, Parañaque City
  • Second Floor, Robinsons Place Las Pinas, Talon Uno, Talon, Las Piñas City

8 Reasons you’ll want to take your familly aboard Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Ahoy there, mumshies!

Feel like you might want to take a break from always running a tight ship and treat the family to some tasty burgers, pizzas and pastas?

Well, then… When you dock at the newly opened eatery along San Rafael Street in Mandaluyong’s Barangay Plainview, you will find plenty for the family to love.

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

One: The resto’s interiors leading to a seaside adventure.

The resto is situated in a converted two-story house festooned with nautical-inspired furniture and artwork, inspired by Chef Junjie Templo’s stint as a seaman chef and further refined by the San Rafael branch co-owner Cathy Donato – Miaque’s design sensibilities.

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

The best thing about the resto’s design is that diners can interact with the decor. Take a pic of yourself as a ship captain in the outdoor deck, make-believe you’re climbing up waterfalls in the hallway, or let your kids have a go in the rocking horse. If you let your inmer child out, there won’t be a dull moment here.

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Plus, check out the washroom with a wall-to-wall painting of a seaside dock! Who would have thought going to a resto’s restroom would be so entertaining!

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Two: Yummy munchies while waiting for your meal.

Start of your meal with some appetizers – platters of fries or nachos with oodles of cheese, peppers, onions, meat and other toppings!

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Three: Its Burger Varieties.

Pinoy families have grown to love burgers and here, there’s enough variety and affordably priced items to have you and your fam coming back for more. Check these out: the crunchy chicken sandwich Captain’s Crave (Php109), fresh veggies and all-beef Anchor Point Burger (Php129), burger-with-bacon Quarterdeck (Php139) and so much more!

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Want to prove your burger mettle? Take the Black Out Challenge (Php450 with fries | Php480 with nachos). Finish this monster of a triple patty burger and its accompanying sides in five minutes and it’s free. You will also have the honor of joining Anchor Point Diner’s Hull of Fame!

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Four: Its Chicken Meals.

There’s nothing like chomping down on a juicy piece of chicken and at Anchor Point Diner, there’s plenty to choose from: from its original recipe Chicken Fritoz (Php99), savory Garlic Parmesan (Php119), spicy Texas Wild Wings (Php109) and my new fave Teriyaki Chicken (Php109).

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Feeling extra hungry? Get a Bucket of Ten for only Php250! That should fill up the fam’s tummies!

Five: Pizzas and Pastas

Hearty and filling, these crunchy-yet-chewy thin-crust pizzas (made with hand-kneaded dough and baked fresh everyday) and yummy pastas will sate the fam’s hunger while making your taste buds happy!

Choose from two pizza sizes – Sailor at 9 inches and Captain at 12 inches – and from four yummy flavors – English Margherita (Php149 | Php199), Hawaiian Sunset (Php169 | Php219), Vegan Garden (Php179 | Php229), and of course, my absolute fave, Triple Cheese (Php189 | Php239).

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Pastas come in two flavors: Shrimp Olio (Php129) and Italian Bolognese (Php99).

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Six: Best value combo meals!

Despite the ala carte dishes being priced quite affordably already, these are further mixed and matched into combo meals with iced tea that not only give you a variety of flavors in one complete meal, but also super savings. Prices for single-person combo meals range from Php129 to Php259.

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael
Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Plus, a family of four can dine on a combo of chicken, pasta, pizza, rice and drinks for only Php550, while a group of six can do the same for only Php859.

There’s so much food variation when I dined here, I nearly went into a food coma! (Special thanks to my fellow foodies who pulled me back from the brink, hehehe!)

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Seven: Cap off your meal with decadent dessert frappes!

There’s a special treat for the family member who has a sweet tooth: dessert drinks in your choice among three yummy flavors at only Php95 – Rock & Load for chocolate lovers, Strawberry Kiss for strawberry fans, and the frappe that truly captured the taste of summer at sea with its zesty sweetness and refreshing cucumber juice, Sweet Innocence.

Anchor Point Diner, San Rafael

Eight: It’s home-grown.

Anchor Point Diner is all-Filipino, originating from Mataas na Kahoy in Batangas. It has since expanded further in the region to include branches in Sto. Tomas, Dagatan and Tanauan.

This first branch in Metro Manila is located in Barangay Plainview, Mandaluyong City. It will also serve as the commisary for all Metro Manila branches.

Interested in taking part of its further growth as a franchisee? You will benefit from the use of trademarks, staff training, procurement program, opening assistance, operations manual and more already developed by the team. The first step to getting on board is to contact Mr. Junjie Templo or Ms. Eds Lamela through the touchpoints below:

  • Tel. Nos: +63 977 8877708, +63 43 4612634, +63 917 8641297 or +63 2 7192691
  • Email: franchise.apd@gmail.com, templrm15@gmail.com, eds.bgmcorp@yahoo.com, Exec.Assistant@bgm-corporation.com

There are just so many reasons to hie on over to Anchor Point Diner and go on a voyage of good food and good company with the family. So what are you waiting for?

Anchor Point Diner is located at 43 San Rafael corner Buenconsejo Streets, Plainview, Mandaluyong, open daily from 11am to 12 midnight.

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

Speakeasy-type bar scene at Don’t Tell, Tomas Morato

Don’t Tell is a bar tucked away in a building along with other dining establishments along Scout Rallos Street in foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area. Taking its cue from Prohibition Era speakeasies in the US, this bar serves as a haven for young professionals, a place where they can unwind after their work day or party it up during the weekend to hip-hop and R&B tunes.

Don’t Tell, Tomas Morato
Don’t Tell, Tomas Morato
Don’t Tell, Tomas Morato

Together with fellow Zomato foodies, I was invited to its exclusive #KeepItHush party where we were treated to free-flowing drinks along with performances from celebrity DJs.

The free-flowing drinks consisted of one’s choice between Jack Daniels whiskey or vodka, with option to add either Coke or Sprite. I then opted to sample a Jack-with-Coke and, the drink I used to have during my college days, Vodka with Sprite. And since I’m in a bar, I thought I might as well order my favorite drink: so I got myself a shot of Bailey’s as well. 🙂

Don’t Tell, Tomas Morato

The bar chow that we ordered were pretty standard and were served immediately:

Chicken Tenders (Php299). Chicken tenders glazed in a spicy sauce.

Don’t Tell, Tomas Morato

Truffle and Parmesan Fries (Php289). Large wedges of fried potatoes seasoned with truffle oil and parmesan crumbs.

Don’t Tell, Tomas Morato

Chili Beef and Cheese Nachos (Php450). Crisp nacho chips topped with jalapenos, chili beef, shredded lettuce and salsa.

Don’t Tell, Tomas Morato

Beef and Mushroom Salpicao (Php389). Beef tenderloin and button mushrooms sauteed with garlic confit in olive oil.

Don’t Tell, Tomas Morato

I had to pull a “ninja move” and disappear before the party really got going as this bar scene, with the constant music and dim lighting, isn’t really my thing. However, those who like to party will surely appreciate the youthful energy of the place.

As for me, I got some good chow and a couple of great photo opps, so I’m not really complaining. 🙂

Don’t Tell, Tomas Morato

Disclosure: Together with other Zomato foodies, I was invited to attend a party held in this bar.  The food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself. The exception to these are the Chicken Tenders and Bailey’s shot which I paid for.

Latin Foodgasm at Tittos, Kapitolyo

Another recent addition to the establishments in the foodie-friendly Kapitolyo neighborhood is Tittos Latin BBQ and Brew. The family and I were treated here by the in-laws for SIL’s birthday.

Tittos’ imposing exteriors lead into bright and airy interiors, complete with festive and colorful artwork and decor that give the place a vibrant South American feel.

Latin American cuisine is an amalgamation of food from South American countries wherein common items include maize-based dishes (such as tortillas, tamales and tacos), various salsas and other condiments such as guacamole, chili and chimichurri.  This cuisine is also heavily influenced by other cultures, particularly Native American (from which Latin cuisine got its predilection for corn), African (from which the use of less desired cuts of meat are perfected into distinct dishes), and European (resulting from colonization of several Latin American countries during the Age of Exploration).

Our food orders certainly embodied Tittos’ myriad of influences.

Our starters:

Churrasco Beef Salpicao (Php345).  Grilled beef cubes sauteed in herb butter with mushrooms and onion crisps.

Salted Egg Shrimp Taco (Php145). The crispy shrimp morsels, curry leaves and salted egg sauce give this dish an Asian flavor.

Verduras Taco (Php125).  Another Asian-inspired dish with steamed cauliflower and tofu flavored with sweet and spicy soy glaze, pico de gallo and melted cheese.

Our main dishes:

Arroz Negra Paella (Php495 for Medio, good for 2-3 people). The squid-ink flavored rice served as the backdrop for the chorizos, oysters, prawns and squid rings.

Titto’s Chicharon (Php650). Our favorite crispy pata served with spiced vinegar and chimichurri.

Pollo Asado (Php695 for Todo or Whole Chicken). Roast chicken served with chimichurri, mango relish and side vegetables.

Our desserts:

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake (Php195). The delectable caramel-based cheesecake with a new twist – a chocolate sauce with oodles of caramelized cornflakes.

Frozen Brazo de Mercedes (Php195). The favorite and familiar brazo de mercedes modified intona cheesecake.

Ube Churros (Php225). Sizeable ube churros served with white chocolate frosting, caramel and drizzled with chocolate syrup.

All in all, it was a happy celebration made even more so by Tittos’ festive food offerings.

Tittos Latin BBQ and Brew is located at 16 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City.  For reservations, call +63 2 5323414 or +63 917 8122243.

Beautiful decadence at Cafe Shibuya

Shibuya honey toast is the Japanese version of the French toast.  Consisting of thick stacks of buttery bread, syrup and toppings, it is a beautifully constructed and decadent treat.

Aside from this Japanese classic, Cafe Shibuya also offers savory variations of the toasts such as those approximating Eggs Benedict and pizzas, as well as salads, soups, pastas, main dishes and cakes.

During an event at the Glorietta Mall, my officemates and I hung out at the Cafe Shibuya stall for some snacks.  It occupies a small area with seating that can accommodate around 20-30 people.

I ordered a San Rival Toast (Php275) which I shared with the group: it consists of thick slices of crispy-on-the-outside but soft-on-the-inside buttery toasts interspersed with buttercream, cashew meringue and pistachio nuts topped with a generous dollop of vanilla ice cream.

ZZ Blog Revisit
ZZ Blog Revisit

The others ordered a Beef Bulgogi Nachos (Php295), a Sardines in Olive Oil pasta (Php245) and a Spaghetti al Tonno (Php235) which we all shared. The beef bulgogi bits and cheese complemented the crunchy nachos quite well. The pastas were cooked al dente and the sauces are infused with flavor but not overpowering.

ZZ Blog Revisit
ZZ Blog Revisit

On my next visit, I’m looking forward to satisfying my sweet tooth with the Ghirardelli salted caramel mocha and the Banofee toast.

This Cafe Shibuya branch is located at 3rd Floor, Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Makati City.