pizza – Jellybeans in the City

Yellow Cab introduces Half Moon Pizzas in “Best Ever Pizza Party”

One balmy Saturday afternoon, I joined fellow foodies and pizza enthusiasts from all corners of Manila in Bonifacio Global City for pizza and fun. There, Yellow Cab Pizza Co. hosted the “Best Ever Pizza Party,” a vibrant celebration that unveiled their latest offering: Half Moon Pizzas.

Check out the fun goings-on at this happy shindig!

Here’s a Slice of History

Did you know that pizza came from Naples, Italy, and centuries later became a global favorite? Originating as a simple meal for working-class Neapolitans, pizza has evolved into a symbol of communal dining and culinary diversity.

This phenomenon was celebrated at the “Best Ever Pizza Party.” Yellow Cab recognizes pizza’s power to bring people together while acknowledging individual preferences, leading to the creation of Half Moon Pizzas.

Half Moon Pizzas: Solo Serving big on freshness and flavor

The absolute star of the evening was the Half Moon Pizzas, a novel concept offering the perfect solution for solo diners. Available in Pepperoni and Hawaiian flavors, each box contains three slices, giving the pizza lover a convenient, single-serving option without compromising on flavor. Priced at just P159, these pizzas are prepared individually to guarantee freshness and feature a unique crust at the edges. Customers can personalize their meal with add-ons like soda, pasta, or chicken for a complete dining experience.

Elevating the Pizza Experience

Yellow Cab also introduced improved recipes for their classic pizzas, now cheesier, meatier, and tastier than ever. Made with freshly made dough, premium ingredients, and real mozzarella cheese, these pizzas set a new standard for quality.

We were treated to an array of side activities, including a photobooth station and the “Half Moon Serve” and “Topping Throw,” with the chance to win boxes of Yellow Cab’s Best Ever Pizzas in a raffle.

I was not about to pass up the chance to treat my gang to a pizza party now, right?

A Feast for the Senses

The “Best Ever Pizza Party” wasn’t just about food—it was a feast for the senses. Renowned artists Clara Benin, Lola Amour, and DJ Margachi provided the soundtrack for the evening, captivating the audience with their soulful melodies and dance-inducing beats. Multimedia artist Raco Ruiz and lifestyle brand Syndrome Supply added visual flair to the event with their collaborations.

Setting the Stage for Future Celebrations

Yellow Cab’s “Best Ever Pizza Party” was made possible in partnership with Mountain Dew and Pepsi, ensuring guests had refreshing drinks to accompany their pizza feast. The success of the event has set the stage for future celebrations, with more “Best Ever Pizza Parties.” So watch out for these happenin’ get-togethers to be announced on Yellow Cab Pizza Co.’s social media pages:

As the event drew to a close, the spirit of camaraderie and shared gastronomic delight lingered in the air, reminding us that pizza truly knows no bounds when it comes to bringing people together. With Half Moon Pizzas leading the way, Yellow Cab Pizza Co. continues to innovate and delight pizza lovers across Manila and beyond.

Delicious delights and family fun at Shakey’s newest store in SM Cherry Antipolo

Foodies and families east of Manila have something delicious to look forward to!

Shakey’s, the beloved American pizza restaurant chain, has just opened its newest branch in SM Cherry Antipolo so get ready to indulge in mouthwatering dishes and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones.

Shakey’s – A Beloved Pizza Chain

The name Shakey’s calls to mind memories of delectable pizzas, crispy fried chicken, and those oh-so-addictive Mojos. Did you know that Shakey’s was founded in Sacramento, California, way back in 1954? Over the years, it has become a global sensation, and luckily, we Pinoys have over 300 Shakey’s locations across the country.

Shakey’s stands out because of its focus on creating a warm and inviting environment for families and groups. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or simply having a casual get-together, Shakey’s has got you covered.

A Convenient Location for Families

Located at SM Cherry Antipolo, along Marcos Highway, the new Shakey’s branch couldn’t be easier to find, making it a perfect destination for families in the area. Whether you’re driving or taking public transportation, you’ll have no trouble reaching this food haven.

The ambiance at here is nothing short of delightful. The restaurant is adorned with colorful murals that add a cheerful touch to the dining experience. Nostalgic posters take us back to Shakey’s rich history, where family traditions and great food are celebrated.

The space is designed to make families feel right at home. With comfortable tables and booths, you can relax and enjoy your meal without a worry. But that’s not all – the open kitchen concept adds a dash of excitement. Watch as the staff prepare your favorite dishes right before your eyes. It’s a culinary spectacle that’ll leave you eager to dig in!

It is also located just across the street from St. John Mary Vianney Parish Church, giving Sunday mass attendees a perfect venue to carry on the spirit of togetherness and celebration.

You can also hold large parties and events at this branch where the restaurant’s versatility shines through its catering options. Be sure to include Shakey’s iconic 32″ Giant Pizza in your party package to give your shindig that show-stopping centerpiece.

Exciting Promotions and Meal Deals

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: Shakey’s Flavorful Family Feast Classic Meal Deal! For just P2,299, five to six people can indulge in a filling and flavorful feast.

It includes your choice of any of Shakey’s 12″ Large Thin Crust Pizza, such as its newest pizza variant, the Texas Chicken BBQ. Sweet, smoky, and sensational, it’s topped with cheese, onions, and drizzled with Shakey’s very own BBQ sauce – a flavor explosion in every bite!

The meal deal also includes a family-sized Skilletti, such as this Carbonara Supreme. Imagine creamy white sauce pasta with bacon, ham, and button mushrooms, sprinkled generously with premium parmesan cheese, and served with garlic bread.

Of course, a visit to Shakey’s wouldn’t be complete without its famous Chicken ‘N’ Mojos. The meal deal includes six pieces of these delightful chicken pieces and a serving of flavorfully crisp battered potato slices.

And to wash it all down, you’ll get a pitcher of iced tea to keep the whole family refreshed.

Flash your Supercard, and you’ll receive a FREE Welcome Pizza – such as the Manager’s Choice! Packed with ham, beef, Italian sausage, green bell pepper, and onions, it’s a surefire crowd-pleaser.

And as if that’s not enough, you’ll also get a Basket of Flavored Mojos, thanks to the restaurant’s partnership with Potato Corner. It’s a flavor extravaganza that’s too good to miss!

Irresistible Additions

When it comes to family dining, variety is the spice of life, so why not elevate your meal with delectable additions?

Take the classic Caesar Salad (Php279), for example. Its fresh lettuce, premium bacon bits, Parmesan cheese, and crunchy croutons tossed in Caesar dressing is the perfect accompaniment to your meal.

On the other hand, the Tender Crrrunch Chicken Fingers (Php249 | 6pcs), made from tender chicken breast meat, coated in flavorful breading, and fried to a golden crunch, adds a new exciting texture to your repast.

Solo diners can relish the best deal with the Bunch Of Lunch (Php229), offering a slice of Hawaiian Delight Hand Tossed Pizza, Chicken ‘n’ Mojos, Skilletti, and Garlic Bread, all of their Shakey’s faves in one plate.

So if you’re looking for a place to enjoy a delicious family meal (or a solo foodie trip!), head over to Shakey’s SM Cherry Antipolo!

This Shakey’s branch is located at Ground Floor, SM Cherry Antipolo, Marcos Highway, Barangay Mayamot, Antipolo City, open daily from 10am to 10pm for dine-in and takeout.

Enjoy your Shakey’s meal at home by calling its delivery hotline +63 2 77777777, or ordering online through its website or the Shakey’s Super App (available on the App Store and Google Play) .

Keep updated on Shakey’s promos and offers by following it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Check out my previous post on Shakey’s at:

2020 Meet Up Meal Deal at Shakeys, Tomas Morato

Top 5 best Papa Pairings

When searching for pizza delivery near me, you may think that pizza is the only option you have. However, you may be surprised that with Papa Pairings, you can enjoy pizza and more. You also save money, as each item is only $6.99 when you purchase more than one option. And the options are almost unlimited, although there are some favorite pairings.

1. Garlic Knots and Chicken Wings

One of the best pairings is the tasty garlic knots and wings. The yummy knots are brushed with a garlic herb butter and baked. They are a great accompaniment to the various wing options. Stick with buffalo wings, or spread your own wings and try a unique tasty combination such as hot lemon pepper, honey chipotle, BBQ, or garlic parmesan. Each wing order also comes with your choice of a dipping sauce.

2. Pizza and Breadsticks

It is hard to beat the mix and match pizza deals. On the Papa Pairing menu, you can choose any medium one-topping pizza. Perhaps you are a meat lover and want pepperoni, Canadian bacon, salami, sausage, or Philly steak. Or you can choose from one of the many veggie toppings available.

Pizza and breadsticks are the perfect combination. After picking your pizza, choose between the original breadsticks and the garlic breadsticks, both which come with the sauce of your choice.

3. Papadia and Cheesesticks

Maybe you are looking for a change from pizza. If so, a Papadia is the perfect option. These sandwiches are loaded with delicious combinations and served with a sauce to dip them into. Some of the yummy options include:

BBQ chicken bacon
Grilled buffalo chicken
Philly cheesesteak
Meatball pepperoni
Italian
Create your own

In select locations, you may even be able to try the Cool Ranch Doritos Papadia, which is available for a limited time.

Pair this Papadia with cheesesticks. Made with Papa John’s traditional dough and topped with gooey cheese, these come with a side of pizza sauce.

4. Pizza and Double Chocolate Chip Brownie

Pizza makes an appearance again, and this time with a sweet treat. You may also be interested to know that, along with choosing your topping, you can also choose the pizza sauce. Stick with the traditional red sauce or try something different, such as buffalo, alfredo, ranch, or BBQ.

The brownie is a chocolate lover’s dream as it is rich, gooey, and served warm. There is also enough to share, as it comes with nine squares.

5. Poppers and Cinnamon Pull Aparts

Another sweet treat is the cinnamon pull aparts, and this time it pairs well with the chicken poppers. These are boneless and available in the same flavors as the chicken wings.

The cinnamon roll is topped with sugar, cinnamon, and cinnamon crumbles. After baking, it is drizzled with an icing made with sweet cream cheese. You can them pull them apart into bite-sized pieces.

Although these are five popular pairings, you can choose your own. You also do not have to limit it to two options, as the $6.99 price is available for two or more items.

Header photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash

A great reason to dine out: House of Lasagna’s Pizza and Wings Happy Hour

After almost two years of lockdown and community quarantine restrictions, it sometimes seems as if we are just now emerging from our cocoons, relatively free to go out into the world once more.

That’s surely something worth celebrating, right?

Lucky us, House of Lasagna’s got just the thing that will make our celebrations complete: a Pizza and Wings Happy Hour!

From April 18 to May 7, 2022, from 2pm to 5pm, we can give our appetites for tasty and hearty food free rein for 90 minutes with unlimited refills of these irresistible selections:

Pergola Pizzeria

Composed of three best-selling variants of House of Lasagna’s line of stone-baked Neapolitan-style pizzas, these feature that irresistible combination of crunchy-chewy crust and flavorful toppings.

Pergola Special. Topped with bacon, ham, tomatoes, bell peppers, black olives, onions and mozzarella.

Pepperoni. Topped with pepperoni, mozzarella and aged cheddar.

All Meat. Topped with premium ground beef, bacon, ham and mozzarella.

Southern Fried Chicken Wings

These consist of three variants of chicken wings coated in batter, deep-fried to achieve that golden-brown skin and juicy meat, then shaken with flavorings to add new dimensions in taste to the dish.

Original.

Classic Buffalo.

Garlic Parmesan.

House Iced Tea

House of Lasagna’s Pergola Pizzas and Southern Fried Chicken Wings are best paired with the restaurant’s refreshing house iced tea, served bottomless and available only through this Happy Hour offer.

Treat yourself and your #TeamDineIn buddies to House of Lasagna’s Happy Hour Unli Pizza and Wings offer for just Php499/head.

So go ahead and celebrate our collective re-emergence from being cooped up for the past two years by dining in at these House of Lasagna branches and taking advantage of its Happy Hour treats:

240 Aguirre Ave. BF Homes Paranaque, Paranaque City
218 Katipunan Ave, Project 4, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Quezon City
3/F Dela Rosa Carpark 2 Bldg., Dela Rosa St. , Brgy. San Lorenzo Legaspi Village Makati, Makati
Unit 2 l, Ground Floor, Quad 2, Plaridel, Sto. Rosario, Angeles City, Pampanga (starting Wednesday, April 20, 2022)

To keep updated of its latest promos and offers, follow House of Lasagna on Facebook and Instagram.

You may also order House of Lasagna’s ala carte offers online through its website, which covers delivery in Metro Manila, Batangas (Lipa, Tanauan, Padre Garcia, Rosario,Cuenca, San Jose, Mataas na Kahoy, Malvar, Sto. Tomas), Cavite (Kawit, Imus, Bacoor), Laguna ( Biñan and San Pedro) and Rizal (Cainta, Taytay, Antipolo, Angono and Binangonan). It accepts payments via GCash, Visa and Mastercard.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting held by this restaurant wherein food items were served at no cost to the attendees.

Check out my previous posts on House of Lasagna:

House of Lasagna Megamall — Carbo-loading at House of Lasagna, SM Megamall

Whip up a Valentine feast in a jiffy with ready-to-cook dishes from the Max’s Group restos

Want to treat the people you love to something special for Valentine’s Day but don’t want to join the mad rush during this busy holiday?

Not to worry because the Max’s Group’s got your back with its new product line – MGI Kitchen – which consists of well-loved offerings from the Max’s Group restaurants, now ready to cook in your very own kitchen!

That’s right: no tedious preparations necessary and very minimal effort required for you to produce a show-stopping meal for the people you love most during this season of hearts.

These include:

Yellow Cab’s Oven Toaster Pizza Box.

My little boy’s favorite Pepperoni Pizza, already pre-made and placed in a box. All we needed to do is pop it into the oven for three to five minutes and it’s ready in all its cheesy and pepperoni goodness for my little pizza monster to enjoy!

Max’s Fried Chicken Box.

Who would have thought that my fam and I can feast on my well-loved Max’s classic sarap to the bones fried chicken just by heating these pieces up in the oven for ten minutes? Paired with steamed rice and a bit of banana ketchup on the side, it’s absolutely delish!

Pancake House’ Spaghetti Sauce.

That party fave just got a whole lot easier to make with Pancake House’ signature spaghetti sauce already prepared and packed. All we needed to do is to heat it up in the microwave for three minutes, ladle on to our noodles, add lots of cheese, and then serve!

Teriyaki Boy’s Teriyaki Chicken

Chicken teriyaki is the fusion of so many flavors: the savory, the sweet and the bit of gingery spice all come together to create a dish that appeals to so many people, especially to my fam! The best thing is, I can easily whip up this dish by pan-grilling Teriyaki Boy’s packed Chicken Teriyaki for ten minutes while basting it with its teriyaki sauce, then serving it garnished with chopped green onions.

Dencio’s Krispy Sisig

The sisig has long been a mainstay in many a Pinoy’s hapagkainan and my family’s is no exception. We prefer ours with ultra-crispy finely chopped bits of pork jowl liberally flavored with minced onions but with a hint of creaminess that makes it perfect when paired with lots and lots of rice, just like how Dencio’s does its Krispy Sisig. To bring this homegrown favorite to my family’s table, all I had to do was saute the contents of the pack on a pan together with its sauce until it attains the crispiness we prefer, then serve it topped with a sunny side up egg.

With these ready-to-cook packs from MGI Kitchen, serving up my love to the fam in the form of good food is super easy!

You can buy these at selected outlets of SM Supermarket/Hypermarket/Savemore, Robinsons Supermarkets, Waltermart, Shopwise, The Marketplace, Puregold, AllDay, Gaisano Market and at Max’s Restaurants, with prices starting at Php350.

Stock up on these ready-to-cook products so you too can just as easily whip up a feast for your fam to enjoy this Valentine’s Day, or any occasion!

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature story.

Get the best of both worlds with Zark’s Pizza x Burger series

Among us foodies, some would say that their food of choice are burgers while some would make a beeline for the nearest pizza joint when the hunger pangs strike.

For those that can go either way, Zark’s Burger has a special treat for you: its Pizza x Burger series!

Zark’s Burgers made its name by introducing burger innovations: fresh, crazy and sometimes over-the-top takes on the all-time favorite burger, and its newest line of burger creations is no exception.

For just Php229 per burger, your inner glutton can indulge in not one, but two (!) of your food cravings with these creations.

These filling burgers all consist of meaty and juicy char-grilled quarter-pound hunks of pure beef on a bed of seasoned fries sandwiched in fluffy and freshly baked brioche buns which are then topped with a tangy and savory pizza sauce, oodles of mozzarella and your favorite pizza toppings.

Check them out:

Pepperoni Overload.

Four Cheese.

Bacon and Mushroom.

Each pizza x burger would be more than enough to sate your cravings.

Still, for us foodies, we go big or we go home, right? So how about giving in to your super-sized appetite and adding these munchies to your order:

Hall of Fame Nachos (Php179).

Chicken Wings: Classic Buffalo (Php289) and Honey BBQ (Php289).

Those savory and spicy appetizers will sure work up quite a thirst so be sure to add a refreshing cup of Iced Tea (Php49) or Blue Lemonade (Php49) to your order.

So if you want to enjoy both of your food faves – pizzas and burgers – at one go, head to the nearest Zark’s Burgers!

This Zark’s Burger branch is located at Eastwood Citywalk 2, Eastwood City Mall, Libis.

Other branches are located at:

Pasig: SM City East Ortigas
Quezon City: Robinsons Galleria, Shopwise Araneta, SM City Santa Mesa, Fisher Mall, SM City North EDSA, SM City Fairview
Taguig: Food District Signatures on 5th BGC
Makati: Glorietta
Marikina: SM Marikina
Manila: SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro
Pasay: Mall of Asia
Caloocan: South Caloocan
Valenzuela: SM City Valenzuela
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Paranaque: SM City BF Homes

Zark’s Burger delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Check out my reviews of other burger joints in the metro:

GrabFood Signatures family dinner from Cafe Mary Grace

I admit: having been “stuck at home” for more than a year has got me a bit tired of the usual home-cooked ulam.

Every once in a while, I want to treat the fam to something special: mouthwatering viands that go beyond the usual gisa–sigang–prito that comprise my business-as-usual cooking repertoire.

If you have the same problem, then we’re both in luck, because Grab recently launched its newest program, GrabFood Signatures. It partnered with popular restaurants to offer amazing deals on best-selling food and drink, exclusively for GrabFood users.

One such restaurant is Cafe Mary Grace.

While this restaurant is best known for its baked goods, particularly its ensaimada and cheese rolls, it also offers hearty comfort food good for sharing and perfect for family meals.

Together with my daughter #ExhibitA, I selected some dishes that were off-the-beaten-path for the fam:

Fried Kesong Puti & Calamansi Vinaigrette (Php393). Nuggets of kesong puti which are breaded, fried and tossed in with lettuce and grilled tomatoes, then drizzled with calamansi vinaigrette.

Smoked Salmon & Cream (Php438). Smoked salmon sauteed with garlic cream, tossed with pasta and garnished with caviar.

Dory & Saffron Cream (Php414). Linguini noodles topped with cream dory fillets and covered with a light cream sauce, subtly flavored with leeks and saffron.

Grilled Chicken Couscous (Php483). Chicken fillets marinated in rosemary and grilled before topping spicy steamed couscous, with a homemade tomato concasse and blance asparagus. This dish also has a 20% off deal, coming out at just Php368!

Parma Ham & Arugula (Php624). Freshly made pizza dough, generously topped with premium mozarella, homemade tomato sauce, slices of parma ham and arugula.

This meal was a welcome break from our run-of-the-mill ulam. And thanks to GrabFood Signature Deals, the total food bill for this meal amounted to just a little over Php2,000!

This Cafe Mary Grace branch is located at Ground Floor, SM City Marikina, Marcos Highway, Calumpang, Marikina City. Other Metro Manila outlets are located at:

Antipolo: SM Masinag
Marikina: SM Marikina
Mandaluyong: Shangri-La Plaza, SM Megamall
Pasig: Rockwell Business Center, Estancia Mall, Ayala Malls Feliz, SM East Ortigas, SM Hypermart Pasig, Ayala Malls the 30th
San Juan: Unimart
Quezon City: Trinoma, SM Fairview, Gateway Mall, Eastwood Mall, SM North EDSA, Ayala Fairview Terraces, Robinsons Galleria, UP Town Center, Robinsons Magnolia, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Fisher Mall
Makati: Greenbelt 2, Century City Mall, Power Plant Mall, Steps Dance Studio, Enterprise Center, Makati Medical Center, Glorietta 4, Cash and Carry, SM Makati, Ayala Circuit, Waltermart
Taguig: Serendra, SM Aura, Venetian Mall, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Uptown Mall, One Bonifacio High Street, Rustans Central Square
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, SM Manila, SM San Lazaro
Pasay: NAIA Terminal 3, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Arena Annex, SM Mall of Asia Hypermarket, Resorts World Manila, Double Dragon Plaza
Paranaque: SM BF Paranaque, Okada, SM Sucat, SM Bicutan
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center, Fiesta Supermall

As a GrabFood Signatures restaurant, Cafe Mary Grace delivers via GrabFood and provides exclusive deals for GrabFood orders such as a Php100 discount for every minimum order of Php550.

Disclosure: A GrabFood voucher was provided to facilitate the ordering and delivery experience.

Check out my posts on other Cafe Mary Grace branches:

Perfect Pair: Pizza and Pasta at Tomas Bistro, SM Megamall

Some things just go well together: burger and fries; peanut butter and jelly; bacon and eggs; and, of course, pizza and pasta.

For me, pizza and pasta comprise a winning combination. Over the years, my fellow foodies and I have learned to appreciate the way these two Italian classic faves complement each other.

This awesome twosome is showcased in the recently opened Tomas Bistro branch at Eatogether Food Hall in SM Megamall.

Tomas Bistro is a home-grown restaurant founded by balikbayan chef James Basalo who leveraged his extensive experience in gourmet cuisine and fine dining to whip up comfort food for local folks to enjoy.

Among these is the perfect pairing of two of its signature dishes which I was able to sample together with my foodie friends:

Harry’s Special (Php165 Junior | Php295 solo | Php595 grupo). Al dente linguini tossed in a creamy jalapeno sauce along with chicken bits and mushrooms and topped with spring onions, garlic and parmesan cheese. Tasty and quite filling!

Tomas Supreme (Php240 solo | Php460 grupo). Artisanal flatbread pizza covered with homemade marinara sauce and topped with bacon, sausage, pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, peppers and olives then accented with a chunky salsa.

This kind of pairing will make you believe in forever, right?

So pair up with someone you love and experience this perfect pair and more at Tomas Bistro!

Plus, here are more reasons to head to Tomas Bistro with your gang in tow: Grupo Deal Offers! Save as much as 10% ans get a free 1.5 lifer of Coke when you get combos of pizza, pasta and wings.

Grupo Deal 1 (Php995 | good for 3-4 people) – 8 pcs wings + 1 choice of regular grupo pasta + 1 choice any flatbread pizza
Grupo Deal 2 (Php1,225 | good for 4-5 people) – 12 pcs wings + 1 choice of regular grupo pasta + 1 choice any flatbread pizza
Grupo Deal 3 (Php1,850 | good for 5-6 people) – 18 pcs wings + 2 choices of regular grupo pasta + 1 choice any flatbread pizza

This Tomas Bistro branch is located at Eatogether Food Hall, Second Floor, SM Megamall Building A, Ortigas Center Mandaluyong. It also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Its original branch is located near Alfamart, Pacita Main Road, Augusto Commercial Bld. 71-80, San Pedro, Laguna.

For more updates on its latest promos and offers, follow Tomas Bistro on Facebook or Instagram, or visit its website.

Check out my posts on other pizza joints in the metro:

EATS A CELEBRATION at Italianni’s with 50% off on all pizzas on February 23!

Buon giorno, Italian food lovers!

Your go-to Italian-American restaurant has cooked up something special for you to enjoy on its silver anniversary.

Italianni’s prides itself on giving you good food, conviviality and good service through the years from the opening of its first branch in Greenbelt 1 in 1996 to the present. Despite the restrictions brought about by the pandemic, it still strives to bring its signature blend of tasty Italian-American dishes in servings big enough for sharing, welcoming atmosphere that encourages conversation and bonding, as well as the cheery attention of its crew to its new and loyal clientele.

Even after twenty-five years, discriminating foodies still can’t get enough of its signature dishes such as Spaghetti and Meatballs, Spinach Artichoke Formaggio, Seafood Cioppino, Sicilian Salad, Quattro Staggioni Pizza, Margherita Pizza, Tartuffo Cake and NY Cheesecake.

Italianni’s lives by one of its credos: GRAND to imply “Guest Requests are Never Denied”. The staff go the extra mile to please guests with simple gestures such as providing an extra salad dressing or parmesan cheese, cooking items off the menu, to indulging kids to assemble their own pizza. It is a passion founded on Bistro’s genuine and authentic customer service.

This is why Italianni’s is giving back to everyone who has patronized it for the last quarter century. On February 23, 2021, all pizzas are available at 50% off for dine-in and take-out orders. That means, you can enjoy their Classico, Margherita, Quattro Carne, Truffle Mushroom, Quattro Staggioni, Pepperoni, Tropicale, Shrimp and Mushroom Anchovy, Garlic and Cheese, and Quattro Formaggi pizzas…all at half the price!

This is the restaurant’s way of saying “Grazie!” for sharing twenty five years of wonderful and fulfilling journey and Italianni’s expects many more years of bringing people together. The future is promising and Italianni’s is in this for the long haul.

So celebrate Italianni’s silver anniversary with your loved ones by dropping by one of its branches and sharing a pizza or two, along with your favorite Italian-American food!

Italianni’s branches are located at:

4th Floor, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City
Second Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City
Level 6, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
Third Floor, Uptown Place Mall, 36th Street Corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
B5, Bonifacio High Street, 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Ground Floor, Phase 2, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Ground Floor, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill, Taguig City
Second Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City
Level 1, Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City
Ayala North Exchange, Ayala Avenue Corner Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Second Floor, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, Newport City, Pasay City
Ground Floor, Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
Level 1, S Maison, Conrad Manila, Seaside Boulevard Corner Coral Way, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City
Corte de Las Palmas, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Ground Floor, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari Road, Almanza, Las Piñas City

Promo details provided in a recent press release.

Raintree #ValentineFoodCrawl: Pizza and Pasta Rendezvous at Stella Wood-fired Pizza, BGC

With Valentine’s Day just a scant few days away, the metro’s gallants and ladies fair are anticipating the time when they can meet, share a meal and have a lovely time together: their romantic rendezvous.

Bonifacio Global City is abuzz with romance as Raintree Restaurants welcomes lovers of all ages to celebrate love with special promos during the month of love.

Stella Wood-fired Pizza in Boni High Street is no exception.

The last time I was here with friends was in early 2015, when it was more of a bistro which shared a space with Rocket Room.

Back then, it served an array of pastas and pizzas, as well as other dishes of the West Coast, Mediterranean and South American variety, which incorporated natural wood in the cooking of its dishes, giving them that unique wood-fire oven cooked flavor and quality.

It closed for a while in 2017 but has recently re-emerged inside Friends & Family, the Filipino restaurant that took its previous space in BHS Central Square.

It still offers its memorable wood-fired dishes, some of which take center-stage in its Pizza & Pasta Rendezvous promo. This Valentine deals allows lovers to enjoy a delicious yet affordable meal.

For example, they can enjoy an intimate meal for two with a Spaghetti and Meat Sauce Pasta and an Aloha Pizza (with Double-Smoked Bacon and Grilled Pineapple) for just Php699.

They may also opt for a decadent Melted Garlic Cream Pasta with an Everything on It Pizza (everything includes Double-Smoked Bacon, Pepperoni, Sausage, Bell Peppers, Onions, Roasted Tomatoes, Olives and Mushrooms) for just Php799.

With these tasty and hearty offerings, sweethearts will flutter and make their way to Stella.

If you’re planning a romantic meal for you and your special someone, you better book your table soon as these Pizza & Pasta Rendezvous offers are only available within February.

Stella Wood-Fired Pizza is located inside Friends & Family, Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open daily from 12nn to 9pm for dine-in, takeout and delivery via GrabFood and FoodPanda. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8917053.

Check out my blog posts on other Raintree restaurants:

#TheBistroGroup Trinoma Food Crawl: Italianni’s

Don’t you sometimes miss the experience of dining out with the fam or your pals? I know I do.

It seems that the pandemic has seriously affected many of the things we so enjoyed from our life before it.

Still, while dining out may now be different, given all the restrictions and regulations, it can still be very enjoyable.

Take dining at Italianni’s at Trinoma Mall, for example.

Italianni’s espouses amore di merrier, which denotes the Italian philosophy of having more food to be shared by more people, resulting to more merriment. This is why its signature dishes, all made with the finest ingredients, come to the table in servings large enough to share with family and friends, starting with its signature Tuscan and Focaccia bread served with olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar.

In the Philippines, Italianni’s is part of The Bistro Group, a collection of imported and homegrown hospitality brands.

In response to the need of the times, The Bistro Group has instituted safety protocols for safe dining-in at its restaurants. These include: regular health checks for all its personnel, compliance of all outdoor and indoor seating to physical distancing guidelines, hand sanitizers available at the entrance and on every table, as well as contactless menu ordering and payment.

These protocols require diners to submit to temperature checks, provide contact tracing details and using the hand sanitizers and sanitation mats prior to entering the restaurant premises, as well as wearing their personal protective equipment (PPEs) while inside. Would-be diners who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to people who do, have underlying health conditions or have concerns about contracting the disease when dining out are advised to stay home and avail of the restaurant’s contactless delivery options.

During an epic #TrinomaFoodCrawl with my foodie friends, I saw these protocols in action in Italianni’s, but still enjoyed our time as we feasted on a hearty spread of sumptuous Italian dishes:

Sicilian Salad (Php595/Php795). A fresh fusion of flavors and textures made with romaine lettuce, mangoes, red grapes, walnuts, creamy anchovy dressing.

Quattro Staggioni (Php795). Four-flavored pizza consisting of Pepperoni, Mushroom & Artichokes, Shrimp & Black Olives and All Cheese

Seafood Cioppino (Php595/Php795). Spaghetti pasta tossed with mussels, shrimps, clams and calamari in white wine, marinara sauce and chili flakes.

New York Cheesecake (Php485). New York-style cheesecake on a bed of strawberry amaretto sauce.

Fruity Drinks (Php175 each): Orange Lemonade, Four Seasons, Peach Mango

Mojitos (Php220 each): Apple and Classic

As I’ve said many times before, good food plus good company equals a great time for everyone!

You can savor more of the tastes of Italy together with your friends, thanks to these awesome deals from Italianni’s:

BFF Bundle (Php1,195): Pepperoni Pizza + Spaghetti Pomodoro + Chicken Italianni’s
BOGO Everyday: Truffle Chicken & Mushroom + Eggplant Parmigiana (Php950), Chicken Italianni’s + Spaghetti Bolognese (Php795), Porkchop Au Poivre + Margherita Pizza (Php895), Burrata + Spinach and Gorgonzola Pasta (Php795)

You can also get great savings with the BFF Card, The Bistro Group’s loyalty program that gives members exclusive perks across 15 restaurant brands such as:

30% off on Mondays
20% off on Tuesdays
Complimentary coffee or hot tea single-serve with entree purchase
Online seats reservation
Six Php250 e-vouchers with minimum purchase of Php1,000 per voucher

This Italianni’s branch is located at 4th Floor, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 8pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79153582.

Other branches are located at:

Second Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City
Level 6, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
Third Floor, Uptown Place Mall, 36th Street Corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
B5, Bonifacio High Street, 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Ground Floor, Phase 2, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Ground Floor, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill, Taguig City
Second Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City
Level 1, Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City
Ayala North Exchange, Ayala Avenue Corner Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Second Floor, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, Newport City, Pasay City
Ground Floor, Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
Level 1, S Maison, Conrad Manila, Seaside Boulevard Corner Coral Way, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City
Corte de Las Palmas, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Ground Floor, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari Road, Almanza, Las Piñas City

Italianni’s delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Check out my posts about other restos of The Bistro Group:

TGI Friday’s, Trinoma

Easy dinner delivery from Delanders Pizza + Cafe

I’m all for home cooking; in fact, I’ve been taking the extra time spent at home to cook up delish dishes for the fam.

Every once in a while, however, I find myself lacking the inclination to whip up something in the kitchen. It may be because of a videocon that extended past office hours, or the depletion of supplies in the pantry.

Whatever the reason, I’m glad that a busy work-at-home mom like me – one that’s still adjusting to the New Normal – have a myriad of options for her family’s meal.

One such option is the delivery of pizzas from Delander Pizza + Cafe via FoodPanda.

Both of the kiddos are avid pizza fanatics and both welcomed the break from our usual ulam with pizzas ordered from a relatively new store.

Delander Pizza + Cafe opened its doors in Manggahan, Pasig a little over two years ago, bringing local residents a taste of freshly baked and topping-rich pizzas.

Thankfully, it has remained open through the various stages of community quarantine since mid-March to present for takeout and delivery.

Thanks to FoodPanda, the kiddos and I supped on:

Delander Special (Php90 solo | Php240 regular | Php320 mega). Topped with cheese, ham, bacon, beef, pepperoni, pineapple, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions.

Quadro Pizza (Php405). Four flavors all in one pizza: the Delander Special, Hawaiian (Ham, Cheese and Pineapple), Pepperoni and Cheese, and Shawarma (beef shawarma, cheese, onions, bell pepper and fresh tomatoes). This was an excellent choice as we were able to enjoy all four pizza variants for the price of one.

So, this busy mom got a kitchen duty reprieve, thanks to Delander Pizza and FoodPanda.

Delander Pizza + Cafe is located at 451 RL Reyes Building, Amang Rodriguez Avenue, Barangay Manggahan, Pasig City. To order your pizzas, call +63 2 85439843 or +63 975 7306240.

Late last year, it opened a branch a bit nearer to my home (but, sadly, does not yet offet delivery) at 7 Ilang-ilang Street, De Castro Subdivision, Barangay Santa Lucia, Pasig City. To order for pickup, call +63 2 73737751 or +63 999 9908910.

You may also course your orders through FoodPanda. Use this link to download the FoodPanda app and get Php100 off your first order.

Check out my posts on other pizza joints in the metro:

House Pizza Time with Yellow Cab delivery

In between video calls, reports and other tasks that make up a frenetic afternoon at work, Hubby and I were able to squeeze in a quick, tasty and filling snack, not just for us, but also for the kiddos.

This is thanks to Yellow Cab’s ongoing promo on GrabFood.

For years now, Filipino-owned pizza brand Yellow Cab has been offering New York-style pizzas using the finest ingredients to local pizza aficionados.

This type of pizza is characterized by a large hand-tossed thin crust, topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, usually sold in wide slices for takeout. If your pizza is thick and crisp on its outer edges yet soft, thin and pliable enough to be folded in half to eat, then what you’ve got is a New York-style pizza.

Through Yellow Cab’s House Pizza Time deal, the whole fam was able to enjoy a modest feast for just Php999! This consisted of:

9-inch Pepperoni Pizza. Hubby’s all-time favorite pizza!

9-inch Hawaiian Pizza. Pineapple bits on pizza may be problematic for some but not for me! I’ll take this pizza topped with pineapple, ham and bacon any day.

16 pcs Hot Wings. Crispy and juicy chicken wings coated with a spicy and tangy buffalo sauce. For me, it would have gone so well with Yellow Cab’s garlic ranch dip but I guess it was left out of our delivery pack. Still, Hubby and the kids lost no time in demolishing these chicken pieces.

Our little snack break was able to tide us over and helped keep our energy levels up until dinner time. It also gave us another reason to get spend a fee minutes with the kiddos despite our busy workday.

Have your favorite pizzas and more delivered right to your doorstep by ordering online. You may also order directly from the store nearest you by calling:

Metro Manila hotline +63 2 87899999 | +63 918 8073591 | +63 918 8073590 | +63 918 8038306
Baguio hotline +63 074 4429999
Cavite hotline +63 046 4169999
Laguna hotline +63 049 5029999
Cebu hotline +63 032 2541111

You may also course your orders through these food delivery apps.

Download the Grab App and get a discount on your first food order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Use this link to download the FoodPanda app and get Php100 off your first order

Download the LalaFood App and get a free delivery coupon when you use my code: BEINGJMR53.

Check out my posts on other pizza joints in the metro:

Take a pizza break with Papa John’s BOGO bundle

Since the start of the community quarantine, Hubby and I have been lucky enough to be among those able to work from home.

Aside from the greater safety this afforded to us, we were also able to avoid the hassles in commuting to our respective workplaces.

However, once we’re in the zone, we do have the tendency to tune out other stimuli, sometimes even afternoon hunger pangs.

Fortunately, Hubby made a note to have a pizza break during our work-from-day. Taking advantage of Papa John’s Buy One Get One (BOGO) Deal, he had two 12-inch pizzas for just Php569 delivered right to our doorstep:

Tropical Toss. Tasty pepperoni with shredded onions and diced tomato on top of mozzarella on a fresh oven-baked crust.

Double Meat. Italian sausages and meats bits interspersed with pineapple pieces and anchovies also on top of mozzarella on a fresh oven-baked crust.

Together with the kiddos, we took a much-needed and well-deserved pizza break to get us energized for the rest of our workday.

Papa John’s Buy One Get One deal is available for takeout and delivery via GrabFood, LalaFood and FoodPanda.

Download the Grab App and get a discount on your first food order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Use this link to download the FoodPanda app and get Php100 off your first order.

Download the LalaFood App and get a free delivery coupon when you use my code: BEINGJMR53.

This Papa John’s branch is located at Petron Gas Station, Marcos Highway, Dela Paz, Pasig City. To order, call +63 2 88877272.

Other branches in the metro are located at:

102 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air, Makati City
Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal Avenue Corner EDSA, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
87 Visayas Avenue, Vasra, Project 6, Quezon City
Ground Floor, A.M. Pacleb Building, Bayan-Bayanan Avenue, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City
N. S. Amoranto Corner Banawe Street, Santo Domingo, Banawe, Quezon City
Ground Floor, Eton Baypark, Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila
Gotaco Building, MacArthur Highway, Marulas, Valenzuela
Ground Floor, Chill Hotel, McArthur Highway, South Caloocan, Caloocan City
The Rolex Place, Rolex Corner Dahlia Avenue, Fairview, Quezon City
Shell Station, C5 Corner Julia Vargas Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City
M.L. Quezon Corner MRT Avenue, Lower Bicutan, Greater Taguig, Taguig City
Lubiran Street, Bacood, Santa Mesa, Manila
VM Terminal Mall, Soldiers Hills, Putatan, Muntinlupa City
Aguinaldo Street, San Antonio, Parañaque City
Metro Gas Station, J.P Rizal Street, Nangka, Marikina City
Don Graciano Building, 1108 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City
Kamias Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Maysilo Circle Corner San Francisco Street, Plainview, Mandaluyong City
Ortigas Avenue Extension Corner Riverside Street, Santa Lucia, Pasig City

Check out my posts on other pizza joints in the metro:

Bar chows and chill drinks at After Hours, Tomas Morato

After hours is that precious time when the day’s work is done and we can finally sit back to relax and spend time with friends.

After Hours is also the name of a newly opened bar in foodie haven Tomas Morato. This is where my foodie friends and I, shortly before the Covid-19 and the ECQ came down upon all of us, were able to enjoy a few hours chillin’ in each other’s company while discovering all the fun to be had after hours.

1) The buzzy welcoming vibe

You would think that Tomas Morato would already have its fill of concept bars but there’s definitely room for more, especially this one.

With its ample parking space, trendy decor, comfy furnishings, a playlist made up of 80s and 90s hits (which my friends and I sang along with!), excellent chows and a well-stocked bar, After Hours is a haven for those looking for some well-deserved R ‘n R.

2) Chill drinks

According to co-owner Rey Trillana, the focus of After Hours are on cocktails, whiskey and a bit of wine, drinks to chill with after work. Each cocktail is handcrafted (no pre-mixes). For whiskey connoisseurs, the bar also boasts of a well-curated whisky collection. Guests even have the option of getting the bartender to craft something Out of the Blue, based on their favorite liquor and taste profile.

During our visit, my foodie friends and I were able to sample:

Jack Estate’s Pink Moscato. A fresh and fruity wine from Australia.

Perfect Pear. A fruity non-alcoholic mocktail for lightweights like me.

Smoked Old Fashioned. The classic mix of bourbon, simple syrup and Angostura bitters, served with a bit of smoke and flair.

Red Sangria Spritzer. Handcrafted sangria made with wine, brandy, mixed berries, chamomile honey, calamansi and soda.

After Six. Gin mixed with elderflower liquor, lavender syrup, egg white and lemon juice.

Punch Drunk Love. After Hours’ signature cocktail made with spiced rum, chai pandan syrup, lemon and pineapple juice, Angostura bitters and clarified milk, served with a dehydrated pineapple.

3) Tasty bar chows

Of course, we needed some chows to go with those drinks, and After Hours has a very good kitchen going managed by Chef Miggy. He and his crew whipped up some tasty bar chows to complement our drinks, such as:

Beef Salpicao. Tender USDA beef tenderloin sauteed in a garlic butter sauce, definitely a favorite among tipplers and foodies.

Buffalo Style Chicken Poppers. Spicy, salty and slightly sweet bite-sized chicken breasts.

BBQ Beef Pockets. Crispy wonton pockets stuffed with ground beef doused with bourbon BBQ sauce and cheese.

Four Cheese Pizza. Mozzarella, feta, parmigiano reggiano and gorgonzala, all the good stuff on a thin-crust pizza.

All-Meat Pizzadilla. Gooey mozzarella sandwiched in two flour tortillas and topped with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, BBQ sauce and even more cheese.

Pork Binagoongan Pasta. Spaghetti with crispy-fried pork cubes tossed in shrimp paste.

Bacon Mushroom Truffle Pasta. Creamy truffle spaghetti topped with crunchy bacon.

Oh, such a happy time! There were good food, good drinks and good company.

But then, the community quarantine came and, sadly, After Hours had to close its doors for a while.

It seemed like the entire bar industry had been severely affected by the community quarantine.

However, a few weeks ago, I had the pleasant surprise of finding out that it had resumed operations to enable its loyal customers to get that After Hours experience even while at home through Buy One Take One offers on its wines, its signature cocktails by the bottle, as well as a selection of its bar chows, all available for delivery or pickup!

Thanks to Rey Trillana and the rest of the management and staff of After Hours Bar for having us and congratulations for succeasfully pivoting your business to operate in The New Normal.

So until the next time I can visit After Hours again, I can enjoy my after hours at home.

After Hours is located at 125 Don A. Roces Avenue, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City. To order its bar chows, wines and cocktails for pick up or delivery, fill up this form, send a message over Instagram or call +63 917 1767383.

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

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