restaurant review – Page 34 – Jellybeans in the City

Pinoy-style fried chicken delivery from Max’s Chicken

In this blog, I’ve covered various ways to enjoy fried chicken: from Korean- and Japanese-style then all the way across the globe to Southern US-style.

But particular attention should also be given to the fried chicken that’s near and dear to many a Pinoy’s heart: the fried chicken from Max’s Restaurant.

This restaurant had its beginnings in post-WWII Quezon City, when Stanford-educated teacher Maximo Gimenez befriended the American troops stationed nearby and would invite them to his home for a drink or two. This led to Maximo opening a cafe catering to the GIs.

The fried chicken recipe which would become the restaurant’s claim to fame across generations was created by Maximo’s niece, Ruby, who managed the kitchen.

Today, Max’s Restaurant is The House That Fried Chicken Built. It is where people go to for a taste of simply delicious juicy and flavorful fried chicken, as well as other Filipino dishes.

And luckily for me, it delivers!

One Saturday when I was in no mood to cook, I decided to cook for the fam’s lunch, I decided to just order our ulam from Max’s Restaurant via FoodPanda.

So, having asked my yaya to cook lots and lots of rice, the fam and I lunched on:

Regular Chicken (Php575). A whole chicken cooked the Max’s way. At first look, the chicken looks quite small, but don’t worry; it packs a lot of flavor. As in, sarap to the bones, as they say. Of course, this dish would not be complete without its perfect complement: Max’s house banana ketchup!

Vegetable Kare-Kare (Php425). Max’s vegetarian take on the classic Pinoy dish. Lightly blanched veggies immersed in a rich peanut sauce and served with Max’s house bagoong. Since the sauce is quite flavorful, this dish is a great way to induce the kiddos to eat veggies.

While it was a simple meal, it was quite delicious, one I’m looking forward to having again soon!

To have your Max’s Pinoy-style fried chicken and more delivered to your home, call +63 2 88879000, order online or via Food Panda.

Outback Steakhouse, MOA Complex

Are you a steak lover? I know I am!

A big hunk of beefy steak, grilled to tender and juicy perfection, can do wonders for my mood.

A place to be for good steaks is Outback Steakhouse.

Outback Steakhouse is an Australian-inspired steakhouse with a global presence. True to its inspiration from Down Under, it has a casual and easy-going vibe which translate to boisterous fun while enjoying great-tasting and hearty fare with family and friends.

Prior to the lockdowns brought on by the pandemic, I was able to have a lunch date with Hubby at the Outback Steakhouse branch in the Mall of Asia Complex.

First, we were served a loaf of freshly baked brown bread and butter to nibble on while waiting for our orders.

Then, we gave in to out steak cravings with:

Appetizer Platter (Php649). An appetizing combo of Kookaburra Wings, Crispy Fried Calamari and Crispy Volcano Shrimp. The variety of flavors and textures will whet your appetite for more!

New York Strip (Php1,499). A 284g cut of New York strip steak flavored with Outback’s special blend of seasonings then grilled to medium doneness. To go with this, we ordered freshly made sides Coleslaw (Php99) and Aussie Fries (Php129).

Outback Steakhouse halted its operations during the enhanced community quarantine but re-opened in May for takeout and delivery, and, by June, started accepting dine-in guests to sate the steak cravings of the metro’s denizens.

So if you feel like having a hearty hunk of perfectly grilled beef for your meal, do drop by a branch.

This Outback Steakhouse branch is located at Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal Avenue Corner EDSA, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City, open daily from 11am to 8pm for dine-in, takeout and delivery. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 88931026.

Other branches in the metro are located at:

Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon City
Ground Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City
Ground Floor, ATC Corporate Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Got my #YabuAtHome, finally!

One aspect of pre-COVID-19 life that I miss the most is dining out.

The excitement as I step into one of my go-to restaurants, the anticipation for my favorite dishes and the joy of biting into familiar flavors and textures… all these are part of the enjoyable experience of dining out.

Some of the dishes I enjoy most when eating out are the katsu sets from Yabu: House of Katsu.

Yabu takes pride in its tokatsu. Thick cuts of premium meat from local farmerd are coated in panko (Japanese bread crumbs) and deep-fried at precisely 165 deg C then allowed to rest. The result: brightly golden katsu with crispy panko coating giving way to juicy and tender meat.

Aside from the freshly-made tonkatsu, each Yabu katsu set consists of refillable steamed rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage and slices of seasonal fruits.

The fam and I enjoy dining at Yabu for the delicious katsu and the unli rice and shredded cabbage. Being able to eat our fill at this resto makes for great value for money.

However. the pandemic made itself known to the world in quite a big way, and with all the restrictions resulting from the quarantine, dining out will never be the same.

There was a time when I despaired of ever getting to enjoy the katsu sets I craved for.

Then, Yabu introduced the notion of enjoying its signature katsu sets without having to leave the house.

Thanks to #YabuAtHome, now available via GrabFood’s long-distance delivery, I had my family’s katsu faves delivered to my home, where we can enjoy them in comfort and safety. These included:

Rosu (Pork Loin) Set (Php460). Thick and juicy pork cutlet with a trimming of fat.

Hire (Pork Tenderloin) Set (Php425). Thick and juicy cutlet with no fat.

Chicken Set (Php430). Thick chicken breast fillet.

Each katsu set comes with pre-packaged katsu sauce, miso soup, shredded cabbage with dressing, and a serving of steamed rice. While we had to waive the unli rice refills, we were able to make do by cooking additional rice at home. Problem solved!

I’m so glad that I won’t be deprived of my katsu faves during quarantine.

This Yabu: House of Katsu branch is located at Lower Ground Floor, Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City, open for dine-in and takeout Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 9pm, and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 87293872 or +63 915 5130094.

Burger + Burrito Group Meal delivery from Army Navy

Hubby’s go-to delivery resto to get his bite of burrito is Army Navy.

It is a fast food restaurant chain that specializes in freshly made and premium burgers and burritos. What makes it stand out is its military theme, which probably also explains the store’s appeal to Hubby.

While browsing through his Grab app, looking for something to snack on in between Slack meetings, he happened upon Army Navy’s Burger + Burrito Holiday Group Meal. He immediately placed an order to share the snack bundle with the fam. This group meal consists of:

Two Classic Burgers. Quarter-pound beef patties served with lettuce, onion and tomato in sesame seed buns. Quite filling for a snack.

Two Burritos. Hubby opted for steak burritos which consist of beef pieces, Spanish rice, frijoles, lettuce and cilantro wrapped in flour tortilla. I wish this had more meat in it. Other burrito variants available are chicken, pork carnitas and vegetable.

Two Orders of Freedom Fries. Thin-cut and seasoned fries with a zesty and crispy exterior.

Four Jars of Libertea Iced Tea. Army Navy’s house-brewed iced tea. These are not much on sweetness and they have an aftertaste that doesn’t appeal to me. I love the reusable jars these are served in, though.

My preferences aside, Hubby continues to be a loyal Army Navy customer. And as long as he shares his snacks to the fam, I won’t be complaining.

This Army Navy branch is located at Hampton Arcade, C. Raymundo Avenue, Maybunga, Pasig City, open daily 24/7 for pickup and delivery. Just call +63 2 83333131 or course your order via GrabFood.

Culinary journey at Pandan Asian Cafe, Tomas Morato

Part of the fun of traveling is the eating the local food. By tasting the signature dishes of the locale – see what flavors the people savor, how they use available ingredients and more – you get to learn much about their culture and history.

Sadly, I haven’t been able to travel to our neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, as other priorities got in the way. However, there is a way to get a taste of Southeast Asian flavors, thanks to Pandan Asian Cafe.

One of the recent ventures by Chef Mike Sarthou (or more widely known as Chef Tatung), Pandan Asian Cafe brings iconic Southeast Asian dishes to Quezon City’s dining public.

The resto is situated where Lazat Fil-Asian Restaurant & Bar used to be. It maximized the place’s open and airy layout, adding vibrant greens from decor and plants, which add to the feeling of freshness.

Before the pandemic made itself known, I had lunch here with my officemates. Our Southeast Asian meal consisted of:

Nasi Goreng (Php285). The Malay version of fried rice with chicken, eggs and vegetables and distinctly flavored with sweet soy sauce called kecap manis.

Orange Chicken (Php450). A variation of General Tso’s chicken wherein battered chicken is served drenched in fruity orange sauce.

Salt and Pepper Squid (Php340). The Chinese version of fried calamari wherein squid pieces are covered in light batter, then deep-fried to become crispy on the outside, tender and chewy on the inside.

Sticky Rice (Php210). Traditional Thai dessert of sticky rice in coconut cream sprinkled with sesame seeds and served with mango slices.

Iced Vietnamese Coffee (Php160). Also known as ca phe da, it is made by allowing hot water to drip through medium to coarse-ground dark-roasted Vietnamese-grown coffee beans into condensed milk then stirring with crushed ice.

I’m glad with the break from the usual lunch fare that Pandan Asian Cafe provided our group. I just found the portions a little small.

During the ECQ, the resto temporarily halted its operations but re-opened last July. It also expanded its offers to include party platters of its best-selling dishes for takeout or delivery.

So if you feel like expanding your culinary horizons, drop by or order a food tray to go.

Pandan Asian Cafe is located at 76 Scout Limbaga Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For inquiries, reservations or delivery requests, call +63 2 83550998, +63 2 83515279 or +63 917 7748999.

Homeschooling snack break with Goldilocks

Many of us whose kids have just finished the first quarter of blended distance learning all deserve a pat on the back.

Much has been said about the stress experienced by students and teachers in adjusting to learning outside the classroom. But we parents are adjusting, too, right?

The good news is, you won’t have to leave the house nor spend a lot for your indulgence with the little one. Order some of Goldilocks’ tasty and affordable baked goodies from FoodPanda, and they will be delivered right to your doorstep.

Fluffy and Mocha Mamon (Php25). Light and fluffy, these are the Pinoy version of the Sponge Cake.

Butter, Chocolate, Marble, Mocha Marble, Double Dutch and Chiffon Cake Slices (Php29/slice). The same light and airy snack cakes available in a variety of well-loved flavors, which are well-suited for a quick snack or pasalubong.

Egg Pie (Php237). Creamy egg custard baked in a special pie crust with a caramelized top. One of my childhood faves, newly discovered (and much-appreciated) by my little boy.

After snacking on a cake slice along with a mug of hot chocolate, my home student here is buoyed up to tackle his homework.

I’m glad that it’s so easy and affordable to reward him (and myself!) with a tasty treat after all our stress as we adjust to our New Normal.

So momshies, if you’re feeling harassed as you tackle your daily grind while still assisting your kiddos with their home learning, kudos to you. Treat yourself and your home student with these treats from Goldilocks.

To get your hands on these yummy goodies (whether for homeschooling baon or for munchin’ on), just tap away at your FoodPanda app.

BonChon lunch while working from home

It has become an all-too-familiar lament among us parents who are working from home: juggling all the tasks we are supposed to deliver for our jobs and overseeing the kiddos who are still adjusting to distance learning leave us very little time to prepare tasty meals for the fam to enjoy.

Fortunately, a solution to this quandary is just a few phone taps away, thanks to our trusty food delivery apps.

On one such busy day, Hubby decided to order our lunch from the BonChon branch nearby.

This chicken resto chain was founded on 2002 by entrepreneur Jinduk Seh. After spending two years perfecting the soy garlic and spicy glaze for his fried chicken, he opened his first resto BonChon (or “my hometown”) in Busan, South Korea. By 2010, it has made its way to the Philippines, just in time to help sow the seeds of the Korean obsession of Pinoys.

Considering the fam’s considerable collective appetite, Hubby decided to get 6 pieces (Php462) + 8 pieces (Php613) assorted chicken pieces, all with our favorite soy garlic glaze.

Giving in to his daughter’s request, he also ordered a Mandu Box Meal (Php199). Mandu are basically Korean dumplings. BonChon’s version is deep-fried and glazed with soy garlic, similar to the chicken.

All we had to do is make sure we have lots of steamed rice ready for our meal.

As luck would have it, my morning meeting extended to lunchtime so my baby girl assembled a plate for me to eat while on telecon (my brain can’t function on an empty stomach, you know!)

So that’s it: the whole fam satisfied with a tasty meal, quick and easy!

To have your favorite K-style fried chicken from BonChon delivered right to your doorstep, call +62 2 86331818.

McDo-snackin’ with the fam

A few days ago, I received a very welcome piece of news: McDonalds Shakes are back and they’re here to stay!

I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed this childhood treat.

That got me thinking: I have been working hard lately, putting in a lot of hours in telecons and drafting presentations. Hubby, too, has been pretty busy with his job, while the kiddos have been dealing with their adjustments to distance learning. Hmm… don’t we all deserve a reward?

So I took out my phone and a few taps later, my treats for the fam were on their merry way to our doorstep.

A little taste of our favorite fast food every now and then can’t hurt, right?

Check them out:

Big Mac Meal (Php207 with medium Coke and medium fries). Oh, yes… the 🎶 two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame-seed bun.🎶 For those who are below forty years of age, one of McDonald’s early advertising campaigns in the country was hinged on listing the ingredients of the Big Mac in a TVC that had a whole lot of airtime. There’s no surprise, then, that many of my generation know this list by heart, and that some, like my Hubby, would consider it his go-to McDo order, inseparable from the fries and Coke.

Cheeseburger (Php62). For those of us – like me and my little boy – who can’t handle the size and the sheer commitment of tummy space that a Big Mac requires, this burger made with ground beef topped with cheese, onions, pickle slice, ketchup and mustard in a toasted bun will have to do.

McNuggets (Php123). Six pieces of battered and deep fried chicken chunks that my daughter just can’t resist.

Apple Pie (Php37). Apple pieces stewed cinnamon encased in a flaky crust then deep-fried. (Because there’s always room for dessert!)

McDo Shake (Php94 for medium). Ah, the catalyst for this snackin’ adventure. McDonald’s creamy soft-serve ice cream flavored with your choice between chocolate and strawberry syrup. My childhood treat is back and that is goooooood!

After the fam made short work of these fast food items, we were ready to tackle our work again.

So every once in a while, it’s good to give in to your fast food cravings.

Wanna have your favorite fast food delivered right to your doorstep? Order online at McDelivery or download the McDelivery App.

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

Check out my other posts on McDonald’s:

Comfort food delivery from Pares Retiro, P. Tuazon

Lately, we’ve been craving for comfort food, right?

Now more than ever, we’re looking for that feeling of well-being and fullness that comfort food brings.

An example of Pinoy comfort food that I was happy to rediscover is beef pares. This dish is braised beef stewed in a savory-sweet sauce and served with garlic fried rice, making winning combo indeed!

For me, the benchmark for beef pares is the one I tasted prior to the quarantine, when my officemate and I had our lunch delivered from the Pares Retiro near our office. I guess that’s why this resto chain was dubbed the best pares in town. I get cravings for it sometimes since then.

However, I’ve been stuck at home for the past few months and the nearest Pare Retiro is too far for delivery.

That is, until GrabFood made Pares Retiro in P. Tuazon available for long-distance delivery. Yey!

I found out about it when Hubby gave in to his late-night cravings and had some beef pares and bone marrow delivered for us to devour in between episodes of the K-drama we’re bingeing on.

(Spoiler Alert: they were gone in mere minutes that I haven’t been able to take decent pictures!)

That late-night taste intensified my craving for the dish again so I decided to order from Pares Retiro via GrabFood for our dinner.

Tonight, the kiddos and I feasted on:

Classic Pares Meal (Php208). That winning tamdem of beed pares and garlic fried rice. The slow-braised meat is fork-tender and the sauce has the right dynamic between sweet and savory that goes so well with the garlic fried rice.

Pares Tendon Meal (Php214). The classic pares dish made even more irresistible with the addition of melt-in-your-mouth pieces of imported US beef tendon that adds flavor and texture to the dish.

Bone Marrow (Php189). Roasted bone marrow flavored with herbs and spices. Add a bit of bone marrow to each bite of pares and rice and you’ll see why the fam and I got obsessed with it. I only wish there was more of it.

These dishes are not high-brow nor elaborate. Instead, they are simple dishes that give us comfort especially during these trying times.

This Pares Retiro branch is located at P. Tuazon Corner 17th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City. It delivers via GrabFood, LalaFood, FoodPanda and Pares Retiro’s website.

Japanese dining for the fam at Teriyaki Boy

For years now, my family has been getting our Japanese food craving satisfied by Teriyaki Boy.

This local chain under the Max’s Group occupies the space between fast-food and high-end Japanese restaurants by offering the fam’s Japanese food faves at reasonable prices.

Our go-to branch is the one nearest our home located at SM City East Ortigas. Here, we feast on classic such as:

Tonkatsu (Php289). My son’s favorite Japanese dish consisting of a tender piece of pork cutlet that’s been breaded and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown and served with shredded cabbage and drizzled with sesame dressing along with a tangy-sweet katsu sauce.

Katsu Ju (Php355). My daughter’s go-to order consisting of breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet which is simmered in sweet soy sauce with leeks, onions and a beaten egg and then served on top warm rice.

Dynamite Sushi (Php114/4 pcs | Php210/8pcs). This sushi roll made with fresh tuna, chili oil, togarashi and Japanese mayo is one of the ploys employed by Hubby to stimulate my appreciation for spicy food.

Another bonus of dining at this particular branch is that it shares the space with another Max’s Group brand, Sizzlin’ Steak, enabling Hubby and me to also sate our craving for steak by cross-ordering an Australian Marbled Steak (Php699) for each of us. This tender and juicy piece of imported meat, grilled to our preference (medium to medium-well) and served with rice, French beans, cherry tomatoes and herb butter on a sizzling plate, ready for the satisfying sight, sound and smell of flavorful gravy being poured over it.

During the enhanced community quarantine, Teriyaki Boy paused its operations but has since re-opened for for dine-in, takeout and delivery.

So if the quarantine has you missing those tasty Japanese dishes you so love, check if there’s a Teriyaki Boy outlet near you.

This Teriyaki Boy branch is located at Second Floor, SM City East Ortigas, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Santa Lucia, Pasig City, open daily from 10am to 7pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 96381817 or +63 2 88879000.

Teriyaki Boy also delivers via its website.