pasta – Page 6 – Jellybeans in the City

A quiet place to work and eat (and even study!): Quarks & Quills, Banawe

Technology has enabled many changes to the way we work: with mobile devices, wireless data access and internet-enabled communications and file-sharing applications, we now have the option to work outside our offices. In fact, doing so might even make us more productive: it takes us away from the stress of commuting and a lot of workplace distractions.

However, when working from home is not an option, remote workers are faced with a conundrum: where to work in comfort and still be productive? And for foodies like me, where to get good food to fuel the day’s work.

Fortunately, Quarks & Quills Study Center and Work Cafe offers both a quiet and comfy space to work, as well as healthy comfort food to keep tummies satisfied.

Located in one of the suburbs of Quezon City, the cafe boasts of quiet and cozy nooks for studying or working, free WiFi access, as well as power outlets for charging laptops and mobile devices (essential for the “always-on, always-connected” peeps like me).

It also has function rooms upstairs for group meetings that can be reserved for a consumable amount (Php800 for up to 6 people and Php1,500 for up to 20 people). Reservations just need to be made a day in advance.

It also offers after-school tutorial services and enrichment programs in Math, Science and English for students. Those who want to learn Chinese can benefit from Mandarin and Fookien held upstairs.

And thanks to a Zomato Foodie Meetup, I was able to sample its homey and hearty food offerings, of which I recommend:

Monte Cristo (Php125). French toasted sandwiched with a hearty filling of cheese and homemade ham.

Tinapa Wontons (Php105). Smoked fish flakes in wonton wrappers fried to a crispy golden brown and accompanied by a Spicy Tamarind Vinaigrette.

Gyoza (Php105). Dumplings filled with minced pork and aromatics which are steamed then seared for a crisp bottom.

Breakfast Bubble Waffle Set (Php195). Unusually styled (bubble!) waffles served with slices of homemade ham and scrambled eggs.

Its versions of Omurice, the fusion of omelettes and fried rice, also pack quite a punch: the Pork Katsu (Php195) with its fork tender pork bites drenched in tonkatsu sauce and the Miso Salmon (Php255) with flavorful salmon pieces drenched in the resto’s signature Miso glaze. These would go a long way towards satiating a hungry worker or student.

Sisig Silog (Php150). The combo of the slightly spicy sisig, egg and fried rice make for an energizing meal.

For those who brought a big appetite, the best bets this resto has to offer are its Executive Meals: the BSS Pork Chop (Php335) – BSS means Big, Soft and Savory, by the way!) – and the Angus Hanger Steak (opening promo price of Php388). Both are quite good bargains considering the portion sizes, althought I would suggest specifying that the steak be cooked medium instead of well done.

If you’re carbo-loading, you have quite a number of options among its pasta dishes: from its Creamy Alfredo (Php180), Fresh Tomato Pomodoro (Php190) and Fusili Pesto (Php205), all of which come with a cheesy twisty sourdough bread stick.

You can also cap off your meal or gift your family for special occasions with the resto’s decadent sweet treats that come in slices and whole cakes. These include the Triple Chocolate Mousse (Php110 for slice | Php880 for whole) and Mango Graham Cake (Php135 for slice | Php1,050 for whole).

You can also opt for a S’mores Bubble Waffle (Php140). Apparently, at Quarks & Quills, the usual grid-style waffle is so basic. 🙂 This comes with some toasted mallows, a big dollop of vanilla ice cream and drizzles of rich chocolate syrup.

Now, how to wash all those goodies down? I chose a light yet creamy Hot Jasmine Milk Tea (Php70), which I messed up during prep, hehehe!

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How I failed at preparing my #jasminemilktea. Thanks for taking the video @rockyrhodz21!. . . . . . #drinkstagram #drinkersofinstagram #drinkpic #drinksmnl #drinksome #drinkstime #drinkspecials #drinksofig

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Sep 14, 2018 at 5:50am PDT

I’m also intrigued by the Hot Chocolate (Php80) which involves pouring the hot chocolate over a grid of solidified chocolate and toasted mallows.

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#HotChocolate makes any day a holiday. Especially if served with flair such as this concoction at @quarksandquills. . . . . . . #drinkstagram #drinkersofinstagram #drinkpic #drinksmnl #drinksome #drinkstime . . . . . . Follow me on IG/FB: @beingjellybeans. And do check out my blogs beingjellybeans.wordpress.com (for #foodiefinds, updates on #TVshows and #movies, and #fictionbook reviews) and thelearneratlarge.wordpress.com (for #businessbook reviews, #motivationalquotes and #trainingtips).

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Sep 15, 2018 at 3:54am PDT

Whether you’re here to study, work or just go on a gastronomic adventure, Quarks and Quills definitely has something for you. My only beef is the resto’s exhaust that didn’t quite accommodate all the smoke from the cooking that’s going on. Still, all the food and drink options will make your visit worth it.

And guess what! You can book a table at Quarks & Quills via Eatigo and enjoy 20% off your food bill. Not yet on Eatigo? Sign up here, book your table and attend your booking before January 31, 2019 for a chance to get Php500 Eatigo cash voucher.

Quarks & Quills is located at 43-H N. Roxas corner Apo Streets, Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City and is open every day from 7am to 11pm. For queries and reservations, call +63 908 3719060, +63 956 0998913 or +63 2 8719502.

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.

Breakfast at BenCab Museum’s Cafe Sabel

Part of the family’s Baguio vacay itinerary is a visit to the BenCab Museum. After hearing rave reviews about the place from friends for so long, and having an art geek for a daughter, I was glad to finally step foot in it.

Well, the 30-minute travel and all the walking around that we did took its toll on me and I got so hungry. The fam then decided to take our breakfast at Cafe Isabel, located at BenCab Museum’s lowest level.

Similar to the museum’s upper levels, Cafe Sabel offers fantastic views of the mountainside. It also leads to an organic farm and garden that, sadly, we weren’t able to explore due to the rain. The farm supplies fresh and organic ingredients for the cafe’s food offerings.

Our food orders were:

Basil Pesto (Php200). The pasta has a fresh flavor and is adequate as a snack. You might want to add to your order if you’re really hungry (like we were!)
Bagnet Rice (Php350). The crispy bagnet with melt-in-your-mouth fat went so well with the mountain red rice and chili eggplant salsa. After seeing me finish off my plate, hubby ordered his own.
Carbonara (Php200). A bit on the saucy side but good, nonetheless.
Strawberry Shake (Php120). It still has a bit of natural tartness from the fresh strawberries but my little boy loved it.
Hot Caramel Coffee (Php150). It was a good pick-me-upper and helped energize me for the rest of the tour.

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Breakfast at Cafe Sabel at @bencab_museum . The travel going here and walking around took their toll and we got sooo hungry. The #BagnetRice is a winner! The #pesto, #carbonara, #strawberryshake and #caramelcoffee are pretty good too. Check out my resto review at beingjellybeans.wordpress.com (Search: Cafe Sabel). #foodie #foodiegram #foodstagram #travelandeat #jellybeansinthecityofpines

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Jun 15, 2018 at 7:55pm PDT

Hopefully, I get to visit the cafe again in the near future to try out its hot choco!

Cafe Sabel follows the same hours as the museum: 9am to 6pm Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays, Christmas and New Year’s Day).

For more info on BenCab Museum, click here.

Carbo-loading at House of Lasagna, SM Megamall

I decided to try a new restaurant reservation app that comes with discounts. After braving the crowds and lugging the books I bought at the National Bookstore #BookBingeBazaar at the Megatrade Hall, I was in the mood for some carbo-loading and chance to rest my feet.

I chose to book a table (all by my lonesome) at House of Lasagna because I love lasagna (it’s among the few popular pasta dishes that my mom has not been able to master so I was deprived of it when I was young), and it offers a 20% bill discount right around lunchtime.

This resto is located at the lower ground floor of SM Megamall Building A, quite near the foodcourt. The place may seem small but it can seat around forty people or so. The mall’s airconditioning is not as strong here so I opted to sit at one of the outer tables, which has a couch that is too low to eat comfortably from the table but this location did afford me some good lighting to take #foodporn pics. (And really, which one is more important, hmm?)

I ordered its best-selling Beef Lasagna (Php295) served piping hot from the oven with some freshly toasted garlic bread on the side, and a plate of Southern Fried Calamari (Php220).

The beef lasagna has a creamy and cheesy bechamel sauce that frames the al dente cooked noodles and savory meat sauce. It does have a strong herby oregano taste which sometimes overpowers the cheese (not always a good thing for a cheese lover like me).

The calamari, on the other hand, is has the right blend of tenderness and firmness that shows it was properly cooked. I liked the blend of spices and the texture of its coating: it’s not too bready and has a peppery taste.

The lasagna is a bit rich and heavy on the stomach so I took half of my order to go.

I had trouble getting the wait staff’s attention for water refill and bill out requests but I don’t mind that too much.

With the discount, my bill came out at Php412, a bit steep for a single person but worth it if the orders were for sharing.

This House of Lasagna branch is located at Basement, Building A SM Mega Mall, EDSA corner Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

Great flavors at Vitto’s Wine Bar & Restaurant

I’m not much of a drinker. Actually, I’m not a drinker. Period.

You would think a non-tippler would have found little to appreciate in Vitto’s Wine Bar & Restaurant, but there I was with my officemates during lunchtime, marveling at the resto’s Instagrammable minimalist organic-themed aesthetic and its unusual and yet comforting food offerings.

This hole-in-the-wall establishment may seem small but its warmly lit and quite cozy. It’s unique style manifested in the old Latin saying prominently displayed in one of its walls – “In vino veritas; in cervesio felisitas” or “In wine there is truth; in beer there is happiness,” definitely a mantra among its patrons who have high regard for their spirits.

Our group of four were the only ones there. Our lone wait staff – RJ – was attentive, prompt in assisting requests and knowledgeable about the resto’s food choices.

I ordered a Salted Egg Pasta (Php250), spaghetti noodles with a creamy salted egg sauce and topped with bacon bits. It was a hit among our group but I would suggest splitting this order with someone; the sauce is quite rich and strongly flavored, and the dish is heavy on the tummy.

I was also able to try out my companions’ orders:

The Grilled Meat Chop (Php290), one of Vitto’s All Day Brunch meals, consisted of two hefty pork chops, well-seasoned to bring out their smoky taste, and well complemented by garlic rice and sautéed veggies. I will order this on my next visit.

The Potato Croquettes with Blue Cheese Mayo (Php190), on the other hand, had the problem of having a bland-tasting mashed potato base, we needed to further season it with salt.

Lastly, the Citrus Fish Fillet (Php220) consisted of two fillets of baked cream dory marinated in lemon. Its light taste and mild texture were well complemented by its rich butter sauce. It went well with the garlic rice my officemate requested as a replacement to its usual side of mashed potato.

While its wine list wouldn’t really appeal to me, Vitto’s food menu is definitely something I wouldn’t mind exploring.

Vitto’s Wine Bar & Restaurant is located at 114 Scout Lozano Street, Laging Handa, QC.

Get-together at Homey Cafe Mary Grace

Cafe Mary Grace is best known for its baked goods, particularly the Ensaymada and Cheese Rolls. Stemming from its owner (guess the name!) Mary Grace’s passion for baking, Cafe Mary Grace aims to provide the homey delights of fun Sunday family lunches to its diners.

When a friend came home from Singapore, we decided on a whim to meet up at Cafe Mary Grace in Greenbelt, Makati for dinner.

True its homey roots, the place has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with trinkets and framed sayings and food shots dotting the walls. There were lots of diners there who -similar to us – are friends getting together to catch up or families out for a good meal.

We ordered a Smoked Salmon and Cream Pasta (Php330), a Pasta Amatriciana with Italian Meatballs (Php320) and capped our meal with cups of rich Mary Grace’s Hot Chocolate (Php157) and decadent slices of Chocolate Cake (Php120) and Mango Bene (Php198).

It was an enjoyable meal among friends enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of home.

This branch of Cafe Mary Grace is located at Ground Floor, Greenbelt 2, Esperanza, Ayala Center, Makati City.

A happier lunch experience at the new Friuli Trattoria

A trattoria is an Italian-style eating establishment, a happy medium between a ristorante and an osteria in terms of formality. Friuli Trattoria, named after a region in Northeastern Italy, serves signature Italian dishes such as pastas and brick-oven pizzas.

I already tried out Friuli Trattoria’s Maginhawa branch but was not terribly impressed with the service nor with the food so when my daughter was hankering for Italian food for our Saturdate lunch at UP Town Center, I had some misgivings before agreeing to eat here. I was won over by the relatively lower prices in this joint compared to the other Italian restaurant in the area (Cheapskate Mommy strikes again!).

We were lucky to find a table for two given the sizeable lunch time crowd. I was also pleasantly surprised by the friendly and relatively fast service of the wait staff. We didn’t have to wait long for our order:

Pesto Spaghetti (Php175)
Mushroom Pizza (Php220)
2 cans of A&W Cream Soda (Php60 each)

The combination of flavors was just right and the meal was satisfying for the both of us (although we did save some room for dessert elsewhere;-)). The total bill amounting to just Php515.

I had a better experience here compared to the Maginhawa branch and I wouldn’t mind bringing my family for a quick Italian lunch of we’re in the area.

Friuli Trattoria branches are located at:

2nd Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, QC
79-A Maginhawa Street, Teacher’s Village, Quezon City

Comforting food and surroundings at Plana’s Pantry

Considering my workplace for the last three years is located so near to Plana’s Pantry, it’s a wonder that I’ve only been able to dine here just last month.

The place has a rustic shabby-chic feel to its decor. Walls and ornately carved furniture were mostly in white highlighted respectively by framed pithy sayings, teal cushions and various bric-a-bracs. It’s interiors were designed to look inviting and cozy.

It’s offerings are mostly comfort food: a mixture of Filipino and American dishes with some pastas thrown in.

When I dined here with my co-workers, we ordered the following:

Tapsilog (Php180)
Pasta Carbonara (Php220)
Hickory BBQ Ribs (Php285) – my order – I found its marinade a bit too sweet but the meat is fork tender
Beef Salpicao (Php260)
BBQ Pork Belly (Php230)
Fresh Dalandan Juice (Php75)
Iced Tea (Php60)
Hand-crafted Avocado Ice Cream (Php60 for single scoop – I couldn’t pass this up as I love avocado ice cream, especially artisanal ones

The food were reasonably priced, considering the generous servings. I would probably order the Lengua on my next visit (along with another scoop of Avocado Ice Cream!)

Another plus factor for Plana’s Pantry is the Hi-top Supermarket right next door where my officemates bought some chips and sweets before we went back to the office.

This branch of Plana’s Pantry is located at the Hi-Top Supermarket Building, 1650 Quezon Avenue corner Sgt. Esguerra Street, South Triangle, Quezon City. Another branch is located at the Ground Floor, RC Building, 50 Domingo M. Guevarra Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.

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.

Italian Food Trip at Friuli Trattoria

My coworkers and I decided to take advantage of the relatively lighter traffic and held one of our (in)famous happy lunches in Maginhawa Street. We opted for Friuli the consensus among the group was in favor of Italian food. We ordered Bacon and Egg Carbonara, Tuna Carbonara, Puttanesca, Mushroom Pizza and Cheesesteak Pizza. IMHO, the pizzas are ok but I’ve tasted homemade pasta better than those served here. Plus, I can’t believe they charge P10 for 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese!