restaurant review – Page 43 – Jellybeans in the City

Took a ride on Seoul Train Korean BBQ, Tomas Morato

Don’t worry: this ain’t the train to Busan.

This is Seoul Train Korean BBQ, oppas and unnis, the resto with the back of a green train for its facade along Sgt. Esguerra Street in Quezon City.

Last Thursday, I took a ride with my fellow foodies on a gastronomic adventure during Seoul Train’s #ChewChewThursday Media Event to mark its reopening after it was temporarily closed for renovations at the end of last year.

There, I seemingly took a quick trip in SoKor as I explored the resto’s unique interiors, from its train station-like hallway, its cabin-type dining area and the downtown Gangnam feel of its upper floor which houses a mini-mall selling K-Pop items.

Seoul Train was the brainchild of renowned concert producers Happy Sy-Go and Vernon Go. The resto’s design concept and menu is a fusion of their love for great food and traveling.

During the event, Seoul Train launched several things that Korean food lovers are sure to love:

The upgrade to smokeless charcoal grills which takes away much of the “amoy usok” we associate with Korean BBQ joints. During grilling, the smoke is sucked away by the built-in vents, greatly reducing the smoke.

The inclusion of new dishes in the menu such as Jajamyeong (black bean noodles), Tteokbokki (rice cakes in spicy sauce), Dakbal (spicy chicken feet), Tangerine Chicken, Naejantang (beef tripe and intestines in broth) and Kimchi Godeungo-Tongjorim Jigae (spicy fish stew).

The introduction of the Dosirak, Korean bento meals available for take out. K-food lovers can choose from nine different dishes – Dry Beef Bulgogi, Beef Bulgogi, Yangnyeom Galbi, LA Galbi, Samgyeopsal, Ssamjang Samgyeopsal, Dak Gui and Bul Dak Gui – and enjoy their choice of viand along with rice, kimchi and fishcake.

With such exciting new additions to its facilities and menu, Seoul Train is the destination for Korean food lovers.

Many thanks to Jillian Subido of Pulp Media for the invitation and the management and crew of Seoul Train for the fun event!

Seoul Train Korean BBQ is located at 28 Sgt. Esguerra Street, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and from 5.30pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82872446 or +63 917 7722203.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a media event held in this restaurant. 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.

A home of gastronomic delights at Tahanan Bistro, Antipolo

As a foodie, I live for those food adventures that just take my breath away.

And my visit to Tahanan Bistro did just that.

Having earned the distinction of being one of Zomato’s Top Foodies Choice in Antipolo in 2019, Tahanan Bistro hosted a food tasting event attended by East-based foodies.

Tahanan Bistro opened in July 2016, the brainchild of Keesha Reyes and husband Kevin Tuason. They turned part of her family’s ancestral home made entirely from reclaimed wood from old houses and bridges into a casual fine dining 45-seat bistro.

The restaurant showcases creative takes on local ingredients, the masterpieces of her father, sculptor Benji Reyes, and a stunning view of Laguna de Bay beyond the surrounding verdant forest to provide diners with a relaxing and inviting haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

This place, though impressive in style, is still a home. In fact, guests are asked to remove their shoes upon entering, partly as a form of respect to the homeowners, and partly to help preserve the beautiful wood floors.

The kitchen is helmed by Kevin who brings his considerable culinary training gained during his stay in Melbourne, Australia. Tahanan Bistro offers set meals at Php1,350 (+10% service charge) per person. Named after famous mountains in the Philippines (Halcon in Mindoro, Iraya in Batanes and Mayon in Albay), each set consists of five courses with dishes hinged on the produce and flavors found in country, some of which my fellow foodies and I were able to sample.

Gising Gising (included in the Iraya set). An appetizer of prawns and winged bean dumplings, leeks, coconut cream, herb oil, chili oil and house-made crispy pork floss.

Danggit (included in all three sets). A light and refreshing salad made with quinoa, cherry tomatoes, mixed greens and roasted zucchini in lime vinaigrette.

Pininyahang Manok (included in the Halcon set). Smoked pan-seared chicken thighs, grilled pineapple, coconut, hasselback potatoes, carrot puree and capsicum.

Bistek Tagalog (included in the Iraya set). Braised beef shank, adlai, onion puree, charred white onions, parsley oil and fried enoki.

Binagoongan (included in the Mayon set). Crispy pork belly in a sauce made with tomato and shrimp paste puree, Greek yoghurt and Baba Ghanoush in a house-made flat bread.

Fruit Salad (included in the Iraya set). A dessert made chia pudding, bits of seasonal fruits in a campange sabayon topped with a cashew biscuit.

Ube (included in the Halcon set). Purple yam and white chocolate lava cake with cheese ice cream topped with an Edam crisp.

The dishes served combine the familiar and the new: the ingredients are home-grown but made novel with the addition of a few elements and foreign influences. They are also well-complemented by a refreshing glass of Lemongrass Iced Tea (Php95).

Given that access to this awesome place (and these delectable dishes) are possible only during weekends, and only by reservation, there is a definitely an air of exclusivity and specialness in the dining experience.

If you’re planning an cozy dinner for two or an intimate gathering for close family and friends where you can enjoy a well-curated and crafted menu as well as breathtaking views, Tahanan Bistro is your best bet.

Tahanan Bistro also offers ready-made products you can bring home to enjoy with your family such as ground coffee beans and butter spreads, among others.

Many thanks to Kim and the staff of Tahanan Bistro for the warm welcome and the delicious meal, and to Trisha and Donna of Zomato for extending the invitation!

Tahanan Bistro is located at 22 Loresville Drive, Lores Farm Subdivision, San Roque, Upper Antipolo, Rizal, open Saturdays to Sundays from 11am to 4pm and 6pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 925 8801487. Walk-ins are not entertained.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a food tasting held in this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my posts on other places for your romantic date in the metro:

Back-to-basics coffee at Little Farmers Coffee Brim, Ayala Malls the 30th

Coffee is big business in the metro, with coffee shops and cafes sprouting all over, offering coffee aficionados all kinds of roasts, blends and what-not.

But if you’re a coffee lover wandering around Ayala Malls the 30th, you just might find a no-frills alternative for your caffeine fix.

A few steps away from the grocery store is a Little Farmers Coffee Brim kiosk which offers a wondrous array of coffee beans, roasted and blended, some infused with flavors, to cater to coffee fans who really care about what goes into their cuppa.

Little Farmers Coffee Brim started in Bacolod then branched off to Manila with its first outlet in SM Megamall where budding entrepreneur Warren Yao got hooked after his first taste of the coffee and decided to become a franchisee. Hence, the opening of a Little Farmers Coffee Brim at Ayala Malls the 30th which I visited together with fellow coffee-loving foodies.

The coffee beans are all sourced locally, from the coffee-producing mountains of the Cordillera region – Benguet, Sagada and Kalinga – supporting the region’s small coffee farmers through a fair trade arrangement.

These local beans are roasted and blended to produce the variety on offer at all Little Farmers Coffee Brim outlets, where they are freshly ground and brewed upon order.

Of particular interest to me were the flavored beans. How could that be possible?

Simple: during the roasting process, food grade oil extracts of the desired flavors are added to the beans, producing coffee with subtle notes of desired flavors without the need for too much dairy or flavored syrups.

During my visit to this Little Farmers Coffee Brim kiosk, I was able to taste iced versions of two of these variants: Mocha and Baileys. The coffee flavor is the most dominant with infused flavor adding dimensions to the aroma and overall taste of the brew.

Here, I also learned that sweetening coffee with condensed milk or muscovado sugar brings out their best flavor. (Duly noted!)

Little Farmers Coffee Brim also offers the famed Kape Alamid – the civet coffee (I won’t go into how that is made, hehehe!). This aromatic and full-flavored brew will really wake you up! (Like my foodie friends say, “ang kapeng matapang na kaya kang ipaglaban!”).

You can get a hot freshly brewed cup of your choice of coffee blend for just Php55, enjoy it iced for Php65 or have it decaf for Php80. Alamid Coffee is Php200 per cup.

Little Farmers Coffee Brim is definitely a welcome addition to metro’s coffee options. Do give it a try!

Many thanks to Warren Yao of Little Farmers Coffee Brim for the drinks and to Bunny of Always the Funny Girl for extending the invitation!

This Little Farmers Coffee Brim branch is located Lower Ground Floor, Ayala Malls the 30th, Meralco Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 9pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 10pm.

Other Metro Manila branches may be found at:

SM Hypermarket, Upper Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building B, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Lower Ground Floor, SM Makati, Glorietta Complex, Makati City

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I was invited to attend a coffee tasting held at this kiosk. Drinks mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Get the romance burnin’ this February at 390 Degrees, Entertainment City

At last January is over and done with. Now, let’s get ourselves in gear for the month of hearts – February!

And what better way to celebrate this month than to spend time with our Significant Other in a special place, one that can provide not only a venue for a romantic outing but also good food that can make the experience truly memorable?

Well, venture into the still seemingly uncharted Aseana City Business Park in Paranaque and there you will find the newly opened 390 Degrees.

Operated by the same team that brought about Ombu Kusina in Quezon City, 390 Degrees brings the same hearty servings and imaginative takes on comfort food in an elegantly well-appointed setting that Ombu Kusina does.

Here, though, the restaurant’s concept centers around its charcoal brick oven which influences all of its dishes. In fact, the resto’s name 390 Degrees refers to the temperature that restaurant’s oven must maintain to produce its delectable dishes.

In a special foodie meetup hosted by 390 Degrees’ head chef Mark Griffin Oraiz and marketing head Tammy Lim, my fellow food bloggers and I were treated to a sneak peek into the resto’s exciting Valentine’s offering.

Curious yet? Imagine dining with your special someone on a special meal for two which consist of:

Tomato Soup with Ravioli. Thick soup of pureed tomatoes topped with spinach-cheese ravioli to warm your tummies and your hearts.

Chicken Ceasar Salad. Get your taste buds ready with this hearty salad made with lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers and sliced hard-boiled egg tossed in a creamy Ceasar salad dressing topped with a dash of paprika and topped with sliced charcoal-grilled chicken.

Pepper Crusted Steak. Juicy steak with peppery seasoning charcoal grilled to a medium doneness. You can choose two side dishes to go with this dish (and the chef recommends Sweet Potato Mash and Cauliflower and Cheese.

Two Mini Salted Caramel Cream Puffs. Finish off the meal with these cute and not-too-sweet pastries.

Two Glasses of Shiraz Red Wine. All the better to drink to more wonderful times ahead!

This special Valentine’s meal is available from February 3 to 29 for only Php2000! So what are you waiting for? Book your Valentine’s date today!

The tasty eats don’t stop at Valentine’s, though. Check out the other yummy viands you can enjoy with your family and friends:

Vegetable Chowder (Php200). A cream-based soup with mixed vegetables served inside a charcoal-baked bread bowl.

Seafood Marinara (Php270). Mixed seafood tossed with fusili pasta in a savory tomato sauce.

Margherita Pizza (Php290). Tomato, basil and mozarella top a hand-stretched charcoal-baked pizza.

The Black Burger (Php530). A hefty and juicy charcoal-grilled burger patty sandwiched in charcoal activated burger bun with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onions and cheese.

Blackened Salmon (Php880). A charcoal-baked salmon fillet with creamy dill sauce which go so well with Rice Pilaf as a side dish. I usually look for a cream cheese topping for baked salmon but this dish has no need for it.

Tiramisu. 390 Degrees’ take on the coffee-based Italian dessert.

All those good food will work up quite a thirst. Fortunately, 390 Degrees has a bevy of refreshing drinks to quench your thirst:

390 Signature Iced Tea (Php120). House-brewed black tea given some zest by the addition of lemon and pineapple.

Tropical Lagoon Soda (Php120). A fun and citrusy fizzy drink made with blue curacao, orange juice and soda water.

Mountain Mojito (Php130). A herb-flavored drink made with lime, mint leaves and soda water.

With such delish dishes and drinks, 390 Degrees is slated to be one of the hottest foodie destinations this side of the metro!

Many thanks to Tammy, Chef Griffin and the staff of 390 Degrees for the warm and fun welcome and the delightful food and to Kaycee of Date For Two for extending the invitation!

390 Degrees is located at Ground Floor, Sequioa Hotel Manila, Aseana City Business Park, Entertainment City, Paranaque, open daily from 6.30am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 921 2446502 or +63 945 639 0724.

For the meantime, the restaurant accepts payments in cash only.

Check out my posts on other places for your romantic date in the metro:

Yokohama’s Sigekiya Ramen now at Estancia Mall

My #RamenPhase has already spanned years.

From the first time I had a taste of what real Japanese ramen could be (as opposed to the instant noodles the defined the term during my childhood) I was hooked.

Since then, I’ve always been on the lookout for places to enjoy those firm, freshly made noodles in hot flavorful broth. I’ve tried a number of ramen restaurants in the metro already but this is the first time I’ve tried Sigekiya Ramen.

A franchise of the famous ramen chain in Yokohama, Japan, this shop opened in Estancia Mall’s East Wing in November last year. The place has a down-home izakaya feel to it, with colorful banners and lanterns hanging from the ceiling and a peek from the ramen bar into the hustlin’ and bustlin’ scene in the kitchen where the ramen orders are freshly made.

Last Sunday, together with my fellow East-based foodies, I had a taste of Sigekiya’s celebrated offerings, which included:

Sigekiya Ramen (Php325 small | Php375 regular | Php420 large). The store’s unique take on the shoyu ramen with pork meat broth taking the place of the pork bone broth resulting to a rich umami flavor. It comes with generous slices of char siu (seasoned and torched pork belly) which gives the ramen some added heft. Just imagine slurping this during these balmy January days. Yummy!

Tsukemen (Php375 small | Php420 regular | Php500 large). The so-called “dipping ramen.” Instead of being immersed in the pork broth, the ramen noodles are eaten after being dipped in the soup which is more intense in flavor than the normal ramen broth. A version called Tsukemen Gyokai (Php385 small | Php430 regular | Php510 large) is also available wherein the pork broth is supplemented by fish powder, giving the ramen another dimension in flavor.

Tantanmen Ramen (Php325 small | Php375 regular | Php420 large). Sigekiya’s take on the spicy Dandanmian noodle dish which originated in China. With a hearty peanut-based broth, ground meat and chopped veggies, this is a filling meal for the ramen lover.

Gojira (Php380). The name sounds so similar to what the Japanese call the monster Godzilla, hehehe! (I wonder if that’s intentional, hmm…) Well, this ramen bowl is such a monster in terms of serving size. With all those noodles, meat, loads of garlic and veggies, you’ll really get your fill.

Shirunashi (Php380). Another ramen that has very little soup, just a bit of rich-tasting sauce that together with a freshly cracked egg, veggies and loads of garlic to bring flavor and texture to the noodles.

Gyoza (Php110 for three pieces | Php160 for five pieces). Pan-fried dumplings filled with seasoned ground pork flavored with aromatics. The gyoza here are larger than the usual gyoza and are among the most delish my friends and I have tasted.

Okonomiyaki (Php160). Sigekiya’s version of the savory Japanese pancake is served on hot plates and topped with Japanese mayo and smoky bonito flakes.

Chicken Karaage (Php215). This version of the Japanese fried chicken is served with a sweet chili sauce but, trust me, request for some Japanese mayo and dip the karaage there instead. Add a bit of wasabi for a bit of spice.

With its delicious and affordable offerings and large portions, Sigekiya Ramen makes Yokohama’s celebrated dishes more accessible to hungry Pinoys.

Many thanks to Miguel Illescas and the crew of Sigekiya Ramen for the warm welcome and the delicious food!

This Sigekiya Ramen branch is located at Lower Ground, East Wing, Estancia Mall, Oranbo, Pasig City.

Another branch is located at Ground Floor, Commercenter, 1780 Commerce Corner Filinvest Avenue, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa City.

My top 6 faves at Six Doors BBQ Buffet

It has been a year since Six Doors BBQ Buffet opened its doors at Uptown Mall in BGC. Since then, it has won the hearts of foodies (including my parents when they treated one of my mom’s amigas here!) with its expansive showcase of European, Asian and Brazilian dishes, its 3D VIP dining rooms and now, a teppanyaki station!

I recently dined here together with Pat of ThePatKidInside and we spent an enjoyable time catching up as we ate our fill.

If you haven’t been to Six Doors BBQ Buffet, let me share with you the top six things I enjoy the most during my dining experiences there.

One: The well-appointed and sprawling dining area

Depending on their concept and design aesthetics, some buffet restaurants tend to feel crowded and cramped. Some tables are located too close to each other and diners would sometime jostle each other when they get up to get food or when they come back to their respective tables.

Well, that’s not the case here at Six Doors BBQ Buffet.

You and your companions can dine in comfort and style with its spacious open dining area with tastefully laid out tables and couches.

Parents with young (and energetic!) kids can also rest easy because there’s a playroom where the little ones can play and enjoy themselves after eating.

If you feel like splurging and got yourselves one of the country-themed VIP dining rooms, you won’t just enjoy a 3D projection of the sights of the country you’ve chosen to transport you as you enjoy a top of the line menu selection, you can also enjoy the services of a butler so you won’t have to leave your table during your meal.

Two: The carving stations

One of my rules of thumb when dining at a buffet restaurant is to head straight for the food you don’t usually get to enjoy at home or in other restaurants, or those that would cost a lot elsewhere.

That’s why I make a beeline for the carving station where I can get generous slices of roast beef, grilled pork and other meats again and again to satisfy my inner carnivore.

Three: The unli sushi

I so love Japanese food and I just can’t get enough of my faves: salmon sashimi, Tuna Maki and California Maki. Plus, there’s a huge array of sushi rolls for some variety.

Four: The new teppanyaki station

Did you know that teppanyaki came about after World War II?

Cooking steak, chopped vegetables and rice on a flat metal plate called teppan became popular among tourists in post-war Japan who found the skillful maneuvers of the chefs preparing the teppanyaki entertaining.

Six Doors BBQ Buffet launched its own teppanyaki station last December so I was able to witness a fiery display as the chef fired up the teppan with my chosen ingredients.

And the buttery, garlicky teppanyaki beef and rice are just so delish!

Five: The Korean BBQ Grill

Unli samgyeopsal restos abound in the Metro but at Six Doors, there’s a wide array of plain and marinated meats and seafood to choose from that Pat and I grilled at our table.

Six: The dessert station

Given that I have a sweet tooth, I can definitely appreciate the array of cakes, sweets and creams that Six Doors’ pastry chef have whipped up.

Plus, I get to have all the avocado ice cream I want at the ice cream bar. Yummy!

So there you have it, my six faves at Six Doors BBQ Buffet. Check it out and let me know what your faves are!

Six Doors BBQ Buffet rates are:

Weekday Lunch Buffet: Php699 (Php299 for kids 3 to 4 feet tall)
Weekday Dinner, Weekend Lunch and Dinner and Holiday Lunch and Dinner: Php999 (Php599 for kids 3 to 4 feet tall)
Kids below 3 feet: FREE

Book your table at Six Doors BBQ Buffet using Eatigo to get up to 50% off your food bill. Sign up using my referral link to get additional perks.

Six Doors BBQ Buffet is located at 2nd Floor, Uptown Mall, 36th Street corner 9th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and from 5.30pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79559905 or +63 967 2819403.

Dean & DeLuca, Tomas Morato

This past November, Dean & DeLuca opened its newest branch in Quezon City.

This much-awaited outlet is notable for many things, not the least of which is the fact that it is owned by actress (and idol of the titas) Bea Alonzo.

“Good old coffee. Just what I need today.” she posted on her Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

Good old coffee. Just what I need today. ❤️ I am happy to announce that we are having our soft opening today of Dean and Deluca in Quezon City. I’ve been so excited about this new venture and I can’t wait to dine with you guys and run you through our delectable menu. Visit us at Scout Tuazon cor Scout Rallos today. ❤️❤️❤️ . . . . @deandelucaph

A post shared by bea alonzo (@beaalonzo) on Nov 20, 2019 at 2:31am PST

(Oh, Bea… don’t we all?)

Dean & DeLuca started as a chain of upscale grocery stores in New York City but has since evolved into cafe operations. Its first three branches in the country are located in Makati and BGC, with more in the works.

This past Tuesday, my officemates and I made our way to QC’s Dean & DeLuca, a five-minute car ride from our workplace, for our lunch break.

With the exception of the guys who joined us for the midday meal, this bunch consisted mostly of titas, who all have been looking forward to dining at Dean & DeLuca.

Our orders included:

Truffle Fries (Php160). Crispy French fries drizzled with truffle oil and sprinkled with grated parmesan before serving with a creamy zesty dip.

Aglio e Olio Gamberini (Php450). Organic pasta tossed in traditional Italian garlic and olive oil base along with prawns and cherry tomatoes.

Prawn and Gorgonzola Pasta (Php495). Organic pasta tossed in a creamy paprika wine sauce along with fresh prawns, gorgonzola cheese, mushroom and basil.

Butifarra con Salsa Funghi e Tartufo (Php470). Organic pasta tossed in truffle cream along with slices of Butifarra sausage and fresh mushrooms.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich (Php380). Free-range chicken, grated cheese pimiento, pickled dill, slaw and dressing in yeast-free sourdough bread.

Umami Fried Chicken (Php390). Aburi fried chicken, miso glaze, slaw and lettuce in sourdough brioche.

Beef Rendang (Php590). Himalayan red rice topped with grass-fed beef cooked in rendang spice and coconut milk.

After lunching on these food items, we capped our meal with our chosen coffee drinks – Salted Caramel Latte, Cafe Latte and Cappuccino – all priced at Php160 each.

Dean & DeLucca does tick off all the marks when it comes to trendy cuisine (eg. grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, organic pasta, etc.) which I’m sure many foodies will appreciate.

Sadly, given its price points, I’m not as impressed as I hoped I would be when it came to my truffle pasta which I found too heavily flavored. My friends told me that I simply ordered the wrong item from the menu but how can I go wrong with ordering one of my favorite pasta dishes?

Oh, well. Maybe when I try the desserts on my next visit I’ll have a better experience!

Plus, my officemates and I still had a chill “tita-ish” lunch break here.

Dean & DeLuca is located at Scout Rallos corner Scout Tuazon Streets, Tomas Morato, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 916 2126535.

El Chante, Poblacion

Denizens of Poblacion in Makati are probably already familiar with the previous site of the Johnny Walker House in Pobacion. Located at the corner of Dona Carmen Street and Kalayaan Avenue, it is a touchstone for those seeking the night life.

In fact, a few months back, a special viewing party for the premiere for Game of Thrones Season 8 was held right here.

Today, it is the place to be for music, food and drinks have a hot Latin flavor under the name El Chante.

Chante is a colloquial Spanish word for “home.” And those who prefer their nightlife eats and entertainment to have that saucy Latin quality would surely feel at home here.

Together with my fellow foodies from #WeLoveToEat, I ventured to Poblacion and its newest nightlife destination. The Latin-style bar chow and eats we sampled include:

Salchipapas (Php200 for single | Php250 for platter). A portmanteau of Spanish words salchicha (“sausage”) and papas (“potatoes”), this Peruvian street food consist thinly sliced pan-fried sausages drizzled with ketchup and other sauces.

Beef Empanadas (Php200). Baked pastry turnovers with savory ground beef filling. Be sure to ask for extra servings of El Chante’s special sauce. You’ll know why as soon as you dip the empanada (or any of the bar chow) in it.

Buffalo Chicken Wings (Php200 for single | Php380 for platter) and Buffalo Chicken Tenders (Php250 for single | Php420 for platter). Unbreaded and deep-fried chicken pieces coated in zesty and spicy buffalo sauce prior to serving.

Cheesy Cheese Sticks (Php200) and Chili Cheese Sticks (Php200). Sticks of cheese wrapped in egg roll wrappers; the spicier ones – also called dynamite rolls – have chili peppers in them along with the cheese.

Mozzarella Sticks (Php250). Breaded and deep-fried slices of mozzarella cheese.

Nachos (Php200 for single | Php380 for platter). Freshly made tortillas deep-fried to a crisp and topped with cheese sauce, pulled pork, special mayo and salsa.

Salivating yet? Well, these bar chow are just half the fun. Wait ’til you get a taste of El Chante’s house cocktails that are just full to the brim of pop culture references!

The Irish Trash Can (Php250). Made with vodka, gin, rum, peach schnapps, blue curacao, triple sec and one can of red bull. If this doesn’t get you in a partying mood, I don’t know what will.

Mermaid’s Drink (Php250). Here’s something to cheer Ariel up! Lemon juice mixed with simple syrup, vodka, midori and blue curacao make up this drink that brings you to the seaside with every sip.

White Walker (Php250). Named after the chillest (literally!) characters in Game of Thrones, this drink consists of orchata liquer, vanilla cream soda, cream, rum and blue curacao.

Butter Beer (Php250). This is definitely NOT the Hogsmeade drink as this has beer and Liquor 45. Drink your heart out, Harry Potter!

Planning a fun night out with the gang? Check out El Chante’s special take on tequila shots. Instead of salt and lemon, brown sugar and orange slices accompany the shots of Olmeca tequila. Toast among your friends with this for just Php500 for every five shots.

Plus, there’s an open bar for just Php600 from 9pm to 12 midnight everyday.

Well, it sure looks like Poblacion’s party people have a new rockin’ destination.

El Chante is located at the Third Floor, 8456 Dona Carmen Street corner Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City, open Sundays too Thursdays from 8pm to 5am and Fridays to Saturdays from 8pm to 7am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 995 8651999 or +63 917 6395487.

Disclosure: Together with my fellow foodies, I was invited to join a foodie meetup held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Photo Credit: Alex of BoyEatWorldPH for the barkada shot.

Hashi Donburi, Tomas Morato

Got a sudden hankering for Japanese food?

Why not drop by Hashi Donburi’s newest branch in QC?

Step up to the second floor of the building across ABS-CBN and you will enter what appears to be a laid-back izakaya where you can sit back and have a hearty serving of your favorite Japanese food.

Here’s a sampling of what you can enjoy here:

Salmon Sashimi (Php299). Slices of fresh salmon served that’s great for starters.

Tantanmen (Php299). Slightly spicy ramen with a peanut-based broth topped with pork slices and egg.

Tonkotsu (Php269). Savory miso-based ramen topped with pork slices and egg. This is quite hearty and well-suited for a rainy day.

Gyudon (Php199). Rice bowl topped with beef and onion simmered in a sweet sauce with dashi.

Tendon (Php179). Rice bowl topped with battered and deep-fried prawns in donburi sauce.

Oyakudon (Php159). Rice bowl topped with simmered chicken, egg and sliced scallions.

Chicken Teriyaki Bento (Php199). A meal set that includes chicken teriyaki, rice, sauteed veggies, potato croquettes and miso soup.

Chicken Karaage Bento (Php199). A meal set that includes chicken karaage, rice, sauteed veggies and potato croquettes. I suggest you request for a serving of Japanese mayo (and add a bit of wasabi to that) as your dip.

Among Hashi Donburi’s menu items, I found the bento boxes the best value in terms of price, serving size and taste.

I now count this resto among my lunch choices in the area.

Planning a party? Hold your gathering at Hashi Donburi and take advantage of these value-packed party packages:

Set A (Php4,499 good for 10-15 pax). Two servings each of edamame, ebi furai, yakisoba, tonkatsu, chicken karaage and chicken teppan plus three rice platters, 60-piece maki/sushi platter, four pitchers of drinks and 4 servings of tempura ice cream.

Set B (Php4,999 good for 10-15 pax). Two servings each of korokke, tempura, ebi furai, seaweed salad, yakiudon, beef teppanyaki, chicken karaage and chicken teppan plus two rice platters, 48-piece maki/sushi platter, one big ramen serving and 4 servings of tempura ice cream.

This Hashi Donburi branch is located at Second Floor, 139 Mother Ignacia Avenue, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77206040.

The original branch is located at 1607 Dapitan Street, Sampaloc, Manila.

A taste of home in the South at Serye, Santana Grove

Whenever a group of diverse people need to sit down for lunch, chances are, they would agree to go for Filipino food.

And why not?

The familiar dishes and comforting flavors of Filipino food have an easy appeal to most of us.

That’s what happened when my officemates and I stopped over for lunch at Santana Grove on our way to our fieldwork in Paranaque. Most of us live quite far from this area so we were happy to find a chill place to eat before we go back to work.

After doing a quick scan of the options available, we agreed on Serye as our venue for out midday repast.

Serye’s owner Alvin Reyes Lim is part of the well-known Reyes family of restaurateurs who brought about time-honored establishments and brands such as Aristocrat, Alex III, Reyes Barbecue and Mama Sita’s. In fact, he pays tribute to his heritage through his restaurant’s name as it is an anagram of Reyes.

Serye also means progression, as denoted by his restaurant’s well-crafted menu of classic Filipino favorites, some of which feature strong Spanish influences.

Our lunch that day consisted of:

Hototai Soup (Php195). Light yet flavorful broth with pork, chicken, shrimp, vegetables and wisps on wonton thickened with a fresh egg.

Deep-fried Chipirone (Php320). Seasoned baby squids deep-fried to a golden brown.

Serye’s Sisig (Php295). Serye’s version of the Kapampangan classic with seasoned pork cheeks sauteed in onions and chili peppers, topped with a fresh egg.

Pinakbet (Php220). Serye’s take on the Ilocano dish with choice veggies sauteed in homemade shrimp paste sauce.

Binagoongan (Php515). Hearty pieces of crispy and meaty bagnet and steamed veggies on a bed of homemade shrimp paste sauce.

What a lucky find: a delicious taste of home in the South.

Serye is located at Santana Grove, Dr. A. Santos Avenue, Barangay San Antonio, Paranaque City, open daily from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 88269317 or +63 2 88254691.