And do you know what I’ve been looking forward to since the day started?
A #happylunch with my office buddies, that’s what!
For today’s foodie adventure, we decided to give the newly opened Japanese restaurant along Sgt. Esguerra Street a try!
Located within walking distance from our office is Fumizen which specializes in premium katsu. It is a local franchisee of a long-established Japanese restaurant which was founded over 40 years ago and patronized by Japanese officials and celebrities.
It has a cozy atmosphere and a minimalist aesthetic with polished wood and gray upholsteried furniture set against clean white walls sparsely decorated with silhouettes of bamboo.
Katsu refers to “cutlet” in Japanese. It is usually a piece of meat coated in panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried to achieve a bright golden color and a crispy outer layer which gives way to tender. juicy and flavorful meat inside.
At Fumizen, diners can enjoy Katsu Sets which consist of a katsu variant plus unlimited rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage and fruit slices. The katsus may be enjoyed by dipping the pieces in Fumizen’s secret katsu sauce, rock salt or the resto’s signature truffle salt.
Our happy lunch at Fumizen included:
Rosu Loin Tonkatsu Set (Php375). This is the richer cut of pork loin owing to a strip of fat along one side.
Hire Tenderloin Tonkatsu Set (Php405). This is the leaner, less fatty cut of pork.
Fumizen also has ongoing Lunchtime Deals that some of my companions availed of. These deals give significant discounts on selected katsu sets such as:
Chicken Karaage Set Meal (Php199 from Php255). Japanese-style fried chicken best dipped (as we’ve discovered) in Japanese mayo with a bit of wasabi.
Menchi Katsu Set (Php199 from Php350). Patties consisting of two-thirds ground pork and one-third ground beef prepared and cooked katsu-style.
The katsus are well-cooked with the panko-breading adhering well and providing a satisfyingly crunchy texture to the meat. I found dipping the katsu in truffle salt winderfully heightens the flavor.
What could use a bit of work is the rice which could be a little stickier to serve as a foil to the katsu.
The wait staff is polite and accommodating but could use some more training on product knowledge.
Still, with the quality and afforadability of Fumizen’s katsu sets, it sure looks like my officemates and I found a new favorite Japanese resto in our area!
Fumizen is located at 34 Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, Bgy. South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77931894
The Tomas Morato area is definitely a foodie haven. At practically every corner is an old and familiar or a new and exciting food destination, something that will spark a foodie’s curiosity and appetite.
One such destination is Vanilla Cafe along Mother Ignacia Avenue. Formerly known as Vanilla Cupcake Bakery, it has expanded its repertoire from cupcakes and pastries to pastas and classic Filipino food.
Enter its doors and you will be taken to a place of fun and cuteness with pastel-printed walls, plush floral couches and dainty chandeliers.
Guess what: come around lunchtime and you can eat your fill at Vanilla Cafe’s Lunch Buffet where you can enjoy a delightful curation of Vanilla Cafe’s food offerings served with delicate country style flair.
Have a sampling of these dishes:
Prettily prepared canapes and veggie dips.
Freshly made pastas.
Binagoongan and Tinapa Rice.
Classic Pinoy Favorites: Sizzling Tofu, Sizzling Sisig, Bagnet, Fish Sarciado, Chop Suey, Chicken Adobo, and of course, Vanilla Cafe’s famous Kare Kare.
And since there’s always room for dessert, have a cupcake (or two… or more!) because, why not!
This buffet is best enjoyed with pals as a barkada lunch date…
Or as part of a festive celebration!
So check it out: the Premium Lunch Buffet is available at Vanilla Cafe Tomas Morato on weekdays from 11am to 2pm for only Php398 per person (+10% service charge).
This branch also has a Boomin’ Breakfast Buffet available everyday from 7am to 10am at Php228 for adults and Php114 for kids ages four to eleven (plus 10% service charge). Kids below four years old eat for free.
This Vanilla Cafe branch is located along Mother Ignacia Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 7.30am to 11pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 7.30pm to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 2 83743783 or +63 918 8264552.
Other branches are located at:
Second Floor, Garden Wing, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City
Second Floor, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari Road, Almanza, Las Pinas City
20 Villamor Street, Lualhati, Baguio, Benguet
Planning a get-together? Why not order one of Vanilla Cafe’s Party trays? Pastas, entrees, salads and rice trays are available for order at any Metro Manila branch.
It’s been some time since I last had a taste of premium tonkatsu. I’ve been craving those flavorful pork cutlets, breaded with panko, deep-fried to a beautiful golden brown and accompanief by fluffy Japanese rice and its own katsu sauce.
But first, how about some trivia about one of my favorite dishes? For example, did you know that…
Katsu is a shortened form of katsuretsu which means “cutlet?”
The dish was introduced in Japan in the 19th century during the Meiji period when the country opened its doors to the West?
At first, beef was used for katsu bit was later eclipsed by pork as the meat of choice by the 1900s, hence the rise of the term tonkatsu with ton referring to pork
Well, what comprises tonkatsu anyway?
You will know that you’re enjoying good quality and authentic tonkatsu when these are present:
Thick cuts of meat. Expect generous cuts of meat of at least 0.75 inches, giving you a viand that’s flavorful and filling.
Premium pork. Only the finest pork from local farmers delivered fresh to the kitchen should be used to ensure meat that’s tender and juicy.
Fresh panko. The panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) that coat the katsu should be freshly made, resulting in long, light and crispy flakes that adhere to the meat and gives a satisfying crunch to the bite.
Heat. The katsu should be cooked at precisely 165 degrees C and allowed to rest properly to help it retain its juiciness and tenderness.
Bright and golden. The resultigg katsu should be served fresh with a bright, golden color and crisp coating.
With these to look forward to, I went to the Yabu House of Katsu branch at Ayala Malls Feliz for lunch for my return to katsu. My solo food adventure was a Hire (Pork Tenderloin) Set (Php375 for 80g) which consisted of a thick and juicy pork cutlet with no fat, plus refillable Yabu staples which include steamed white rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage and fruits.
I also got myself a glass refreshing Ripe Mango Juice (Php125) to go with my katsu meal.
What a happy return to an old favorite!
This Yabu branch is located at Ground Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz, Marcos Highway, Dela Paz, Pasig City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 9pm and Fridays to Sundays from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82531746.
Other branches are located at:
Pasig: Ayala Malls the 30th
Quezon City: Robinsons Galleria, UP Town Center, Robinsons Magnolia, Ayala Vertis North, SM North EDSA The Block
Cubao in Quezon City is a hustlin’ and bustlin’ place with various malls, shopping centers and bus stations in the vicinity.
Well, there’s a piece of good news for the hungry shopper or commuter in this area as a new and exciting restaurant just opened last month.
KopiChan translates to “coffee eatery.” It’s a place to have a sip of coffee while munching on some tasty and affordable Asian dishes.
The restaurant is styled after the old-timey Chinese restaurants in Binondo which are near and dear to us Pinoys, albeit with a few modern and colorful touches.
Together with my fellow foodies, I got a taste of its food offerings crafted by Chef Isaac Bravo and his team, which include:
Kung Pao Chicken (Php218 for solo | Php398 for sharing). Tender fried chicken fillets tossed with peanuts in a sauce made of sweet chili and soy sauce.
Soy Chicken (Php178 for solo | Php335 for sharing). Poached chicken leg in soy sauce with steamed bokchoy.
Tausi Beef Ribs (Php278 for solo | Php518 for sharing). Beef ribs with tofu cubes in tausi sauce.
Shrimp Paste Pork Ribs (Php248 for solo | Php458 for sharing). Pork spare ribs marinated in shrimp paste.
Beef Rendang (Php258 for solo | Php498 for sharing). Mildly spicy Indonesian-style beef stew in which the ribs are coconut milk.
Beef Noodle Soup (Php198 for solo | Php378 for sharing). Tender braised beef pieces in beef broth together egg noodles and bokchoy.
KC Spaghetti (Php138 for solo | Php248 for sharing). Spaghetti noodles topped with Asian spaghetti sauce and curry cheese sauce.
Salt and Pepper Squid (Php268 for solo | Php518 for sharing). Lightly battered pieces of fried squid tossed in salt and pepper.
KC Chopsuey (Php188 for solo | Php368 for sharing). Stir-fried mixed vegetables with shrimp, chicken, Chinese sausage and quail eggs in oyster sauce.
Gravy Eggs (Php48 for solo | Php118 for sharing). Hard-boiled eggs in Asian gravy.
Rendang Eggs (Php48 for solo | Php118 for sharing). Soft-boiled eggs in spicy Rendang sauce.
KC Clubhouse (Php218). KopiChan’s take on the clubhouse sandwich with bacon, egg, ham and special KC spread.
Kaya French Toast (Php198). Milk-soaked loaf bread toast topped with kaya spread, condensed milk and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Banana Pancakes (Php258). Pancakes with caramelized bananas and crunchy peanut butter.
Salted Egg Pao (Php98). Steamed salted egg custard bun.
Fried Kaya Buns (Php88). Fried mantou stuffed with kaya custard and served with vanilla ice cream.
KC Sundae (Php178). Three ice cream flavors – salted caramel, cookied and cream and vanilla – topped with crunchy cornflakes.
KopiChan will also launch new items on the menu soon so be on the lookout out for:
Yang Chow with Egg. A sunny side up egg is added to stir-fried rice with Chinese sausage, ham, egg and vegetable.
Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang and Boiled Egg. A rice meal featuring the fragrant Malaysian rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, accompanied by beef rendang and boiled egg.
Nasi Lemak with Charsiu Belly and Fried Egg. Another take on the nasi lemak, this time as KopiChan’s approximation of the Pinoy tocilog with charsiu pork belly and a sunny side up egg.
Soy Chicken Congee. The Asian style of rice porridge (similar to the Pinoy lugaw) served with a piece of soy chicken.
Enjoy your meal with tasty drinks that the kitchen can whip up for you:
Coffee with Condensed Milk (Php100). KopiChan’s take on the Vietnamese ca phe sua nong but this time, the condensed milk is poured into hot freshly brewed coffee.
Teh Tarik (Php100). The national drink of Malaysia, it is made from strong black tea blended with condensed milk.
Milo Dinosaur (Php135). Also known as Milo Tabur, it is a popular drink in Malaysia and Singapore wherein undissolved Milo powder is added on top of an already prepared iced Milo drink.
Horlicks (Php195). A cold drink flavored with horlicks powder primarily made of malted wheat and malted barley.
With Kopi Chan’s extensive array of affordable Asian food choices, Cubao just got itself a new foodie destination that opens of new worlds of dining for its locals and visitors!
Many thanks to Chef Isaac and team for the delightful meal and the warm welcome and to Harvard of AlwaysHungryPH for extending the invitation.
KopiChan is located at Shopwise Arcade, General Romulo Street, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City, open 24/7. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82515863 or +63 977 7486064.
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 reviews of other Chinese restaurants:
Taiwanese cuisine’s claim to fame isn’t just it’s wildly popular milk tea.
It is also marked by the creative use of spices and the inclusion of fresh local produce.
The country’s food is heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine because of Taiwan’s proximity to the mainland’s south provinces and especially due to the Koumintang retreat, as well as by Japanese cuisine due to the time of its occupation.
Being in a crowded island, the Taiwanese had to look for sources of protein other than their farmlands which led to the prominence of seafood in their dishes.
These culinary influences came into play when my family and I had dinner at Shi Lin in Robinsons Galleria.
Our Taiwanese meal included:
Original Xiao Long Bao (Php170 for 6pcs).
Mushroom and Vegetable Dumpling (Php175).
Fried Rice with Shrimp, Pork and Egg (Php175).
Stirfry Brocolli (Php100).
Braised Beef Noodle Soup (Php310).
Spicy Spare Ribs (Php395).
Half Shi Lin Chicken (Php380).
Chinese Pepper Shrimp (Php475).
It was a filling and flavorful dinner which provided a welcome respite from our usual home-cooked meals.
We also got some dishes free when Hubby and I unlocked our Zomato Gold privilege!
Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 (Buy 1 Get 1) deals on food or 2+2 (Buy 2 Get 2) deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use the code JELLYB to get 10% off the membership fee.
This Shi Lin branch is located at Level 3, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 9am to 9pm and Fridays to Sundays from 9am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 86377503 or +63 916 3040185.
After hibernating at home since New Year’s Eve (and eating yummy leftovers!), the fam and I decided to go out for dinner on the second day of 2020.
So off we went to our neighborhood mall, SM City East Ortigas, where, as luck would have it, a new branch of Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken just opened.
Peri-peri (also spelled as piri-piri or pili-pili), is a type of chili that is grown in Southeastern Africa, taking its name from the Swahili term for “pepper.” Also known as the African bird’s eye chili, its cultivation and culinary use was spread by the Portuguese to their Indian territories.
When combined with salt, garlic, lemon, oil and vinegar into a sauce, called the peri-peri sauce, it provides a distinctive flavor to the chicken dish that also bears its name.
Peri-peri Charcoal Chicken prepares its birds by trimming excess fat and marinating for at least a day prior to grilling to achieve that tender and juicy meat that explodes with every bite.
Every order of chicken comes with your choice of mild or spicy sauce. Feel free to ask your server for their recommendation.
For our first dinner out of the year, we feasted on:
Sebastian Salad (Php210). A manifestation of Hubby’s resolution to eat healthier, this salad is made of lettuce greens topped with shredded crabsticks, wedges of hard-boiled egg and cherry tomatoes served with a roasted sesame dressing.
Chicken Group Meal (Php799, good for four persons). A fully loaded meal that includes a whole peri-peri chicken, four bowls of Java rice and four side dishes – we chose coleslaw, corn and carrots and bacon mac ‘n cheese.
Four Cheese Flatbread (Php315 family size). Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken’s version of pizza which my son immediately demanded, because, as everyone knows, he is a pizza monster.
Carafe of Iced Tea (Php130). Eating these flavorful viands work up quite a thirst so we get ourselves a family-sized pitcher of Peri-Peri’s house-blend iced tea.
As the branch is still fairly new, there were some operational hiccups such as the sudden unavailability of hummus (Hubby’s preferred side dish) and some billing concerns which were easily straightened out. That said, our family dinner here was still a yummy start to 2020!
This Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken branch is located at Ground Floor, SM City East Ortigas, Santa Lucia, Pasig City, open daily from 10am to 9pm.
I just love donuts! Those little circles of sweetness and joy never fail to perk up my mood.
That’s why I took advantage of a business meeting in Megamall to drop by one of my favorite donut shops.
J.CO Donuts, a donut brand that hails from Indonesia, continues the trend of offering premium donuts that feature fluffy dough and imaginative toppings.
Take my donuts for example:
J.Club Cheezy Rich (Php45). A donut sandwich that’s made of donut plus cheese, how heavenly can this get?
Alcapone (Php42). I’ve always liked the contrasting textures of the crunchy sliced almonds and the soft airy donut.
And, as if things couldn’t get sweeter, I got a free sugar-glazed donut, thanks to an ongoing promo. Sweet!
Hot Mocha Espresso (Php115). My donuts are best enjoyed with something hot and sweet so I got this mocha espresso for a dose of caffeine with some chocolatey notes.
This J.Co Donuts branch is located at the Upper Ground Floor (outside Building B), SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
Other branches may be found at:
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Makati: Paseo Center Salcedo Village, Glorietta 2
Manila: HP Village Square Malate, UN Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Lucky Chinatown Mall
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, SM City BF Paranaque
Pasay: DoubleDragon Plaza MOA, Blue Bay Walk MOA, North Wing MOA
Pasig: SM City East Ortigas
Quezon City: Eastwood Ave Libis, Robinsons Galleria, SM City Cubao, Shopwise Araneta, Trinoma Mall, UP Town Center, Tomas Morato Avenue, SM City North EDSA, SM City Fairview, Ayala Fairview Terraces
It was the first American-style restobar for as long as I can remember, and back when I was in college, its Glorietta branch was where I had my first taste of Long Island Iced Tea (guess who got drunk on that! Hehehe!) and I started my love affair with Chicken Fingers.
TGI Fridays started in 1960s New York when Alan Stillman established a bar at the corner of 63rd and First Streets. There, he served big American burgers and beer always on tap for his guests, making sure that they’re having a great time.
When TGI Fridays came to the Philippines 25 years ago, it sought to bring the same kind of good times to Pinoy diners.
Fast forward to 2019 and TGI Fridays is still bringing fun times with its hearty servings American comfort food and drinks.
I was at its Tomas Morato branch together with my office teammates (who all happen to be December birthday celebrants) for lunch when TGI Fridays celebrated its 25th anniversary in the Philippines last December 11.
On that day, diners were treated to a free platter of Chili Ballpark Nachos and Seafoam and Dream Punch Splashers at 1pm and 7pm as the service crew break out into their version of the Happy Birthday song.
TGI Fridays in Tomas Morato is also notable for being the last remaining store to feature music memorabilia in its decor to complement its classic American diner furniture. This branch also made some improvements in its interiors to let in more light, giving it a cheerier atmosphere compared to my last visit.
I treated my work buddies to Bucket of Bones Platter (Php2,795). It includes TGI Fridays signature tender, falling-off-the-bones glazed pork ribs, 8 pieces of chicken wings and 2 large pieces of porkchops, along with sides of mac & cheese, garlic rice and fries. Plus, for every order of this platter, a portion goes to supporting Action Against Hunger, the movement that fights hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines.
Any visit to TGI Friday’s won’t be complete without an order of Chicken Fingers (Php450). These hand-battered chicken tenders fried to a beautiful golden brown and accompanied with by a side of crispy seasoned fries and honey mustard dip remain among my all-time favorite food.
For dessert, we had a Mocha Mud Pie (Php365). This sweet treat is made of chocolate almond and coffee ice cream, hot fudge and toasted almond slices.
Along with the free nachos and drinks, these were more than enough to fully satisfy or group of four. Yey!
And since one in our group has a Bistro Card, we got 20% off the total food bill!
A happy birthday treat for all indeed! Well, except me, because my birthday is still in April, sigh! Oh, well…
This TGI Fridays branch is located at Ground Floor, Hotel Rembrandt, Tomas Morato Avenue corner Scout Bayoran Street, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 11pm.
Other branches are located at:
Eastwood Citywalk, Libis, Quezon City
Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City
Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
It’s great to have officemates who love to eat (not as much as I do, but still).
Before we took our holiday break, my boss decided to treat our team to dinner at The Alley by Vikings in UP Town Center.
What sets this buffet restaurant apart from the others is that it takes the form of a street-style food hall which incorporates concepts from around the world. Walking around the stations, you get a feel of touring the streets of the countries where the featured food items originate.
Instead of filling your plates yourself, you can request for small servings of the dishes from their respective stations, similar to the street food tripping experience. For example, our “food trip” here included the following stations:
Hao Chi – for Chinese dimsum and Peking Duck
Yatai – for Japanese sushi, sashimi and okonomiyaki
O’Sean Eleven – for seafood chowder
Just Steak a Minute – for freshly grilled steaks and other meats
Ferino’s Bibingka – for freshly made puto bumbong
Hunnycomb – for cakes and pastries
Buffet Rates:
Weekday Lunch: Php738 for adults, Php188 for kids 3ft for 4ft, Php388 for kids 4ft to 4ft 6in
Weekday Dinner/ Weekend or Holiday Lunch and Dinner: Php938 for adults, Php288 for kids 3ft for 4ft, Php588 for kids 4ft to 4ft 6in
Kids below 3ft eat for free
There are a lot of food choices, and more food stations than the ones I mentioned, which can be quite overwhelming. Refilling the more popular stations such as the sushi and the muscovado sugar for the bibingka took a long time.
I would also guess that the air-conditioning couldn’t cope with the volume of diners as it was quite warm where we were seated.
All that said, it was still a good time spent with my office buddies.
This branch of The Alley by Vikings is located 2nd Level, Phase 2, UP Town Center, Ayala Mall, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and from 5.30pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82771888, +63 2 82772888, +63 917 6735888 or +63 918 9078888.
Other branches are located at:
2nd Level, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, A. Bonifacio Street, Brgy. Balingasa, A. Bonifacio, Quezon City
C1, Upper Ground Floor, Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Planning a visit to The Alley by Vikings? Here are some promos you can take advantage of:
20% off Weekday Lunch for every group of 5 pax from January 2 to February 28, 2020
Birthday celebrants eat for free on the day of their birthday if accompanied by one full paying adult, or within their birth month if accompanied by four full-paying adults
(Note: Terms and conditions apply for the above-mentioned promos.)
As we enter into the new year, it’s nice to look back on what made it so special.
I was lucky enough to take part in foodie meetups and special events that opened my eyes to new ways of enjoying good food.
Here are ten that are especially memorable:
1. Teavana TEA-volution Seminar at Starbucks, SM East
Starbucks is always associated with coffee but I learned that it also has a lot to offer when it comes to teas.
Last February, I joined the Teavana TEA-volution Tea Tasting Seminar, a Tea 101 if you will, where Starbucks Tea Master Jonas Velgado took my fellow foodies and I on guided tour through the history of teas, the tea-growing regions of the world and three flights of tea tasting which included full-leaf brewed teas and tea lattes.
Starbucks branches may be found all over Metro Manila.
2. Summer Menu Launch at Ombu Kusina, Tomas Morato
Ombu Kusina has a modern take on Filipino cuisine: infusing classic Pinoy dishes with new and exciting cooking styles and influences. These help to make Pinoy cuisine fresher and more relevant to a growing number of foodies, who are looking for their next food adventure.
Last March, it launched its summer menu which included new takes on the Pinoy classic halo-halo, which made use of the use of flavored ice: the flavors are infused into the ice, resulting to a more intense taste and creamier mouthfeel. I’m glad that my favorite among the three halo-halo flavors – the Tres Leches – have been included in the regular menu.
Ombu Kusina is located at the Ground Floor, Sequioa Hotel, Mother Ignacia corner Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 6.30am to 10.30am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 84411789.
3. Sunset Dining at Padi’s Point, Antipolo Sumulong
The original Padi’s Point along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo is known for its magnificent sunset views. It has long been considered a landmark in the area, with families, barkadas or even couples, making the trek up from all over the city to this restaurant to enjoy the chill ambiance, the homegrown food served here and, of course, the amazing scenery.
Padi’s Point offers a wide array of homegrown dishes that are best enjoyed family style.
This Padi’s Point branch is located at Alpha D Compound, Sumulong Highway, Santa Cruz, Lower Antipolo, Rizal, open daily for 24 hours. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 83443028.
4. Breakfast at Sammy’s Restaurant, Cainta
Sammy’s serves a carefully thought-out curation of Asian cuisine influenced, no doubt, by the seventeen years the couple spent in Jakarta where the chef obtained his diploma at the Jakarta Culinary Center in between gigs as singers in the Hotel Mulia Senayan Jakarta.
Sammy the Singing Chef and his wife Dorothy even serenede diners during dessert!
Sammy’s is located at 14 Raspberry Bend Street, Valley View Executive Subdivision Phase 3, San Juan, Cainta. The restaurant is open Tuesdays to Saturdays for breakfast from 7am to 11.30am and for dinner from 7pm to 10.30pm, and on Sundays for breakfast from 7am to 11.30am. Seating is strictly by reservation so call +63 939 1483960 to book your table.
5. First taste of isaw at Mang Ding’s, Marikina
The Filipino street food scene is quite storied and vibrant, a showcase of the Pinoy’s creativity and resourcefulness.
At Mang Ding’s Pinoy BBQ, diners can rediscover Pinoy street food, touted as MASARAP, MALINIS and MURA, in a pleasant al fresco setting.
Here is where I had my first taste of isaw (grilled pork and chicken intestines looped in skewers).
Mang Ding’s Pinoy BBQ is located at Block 3, Lot 13, C. Buenviaje Street, Santo Nino, Marikina City, open Mondays to Wednesdays from 4pm to 11pm and Thursdays to Sundays from 4pm to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 1659872.
6. Brunchin’ at the Beach at Saltitude, Anilao
Anilao in Batangas is home to all sorts of fun beach activities: swimming, diving, snorkeling and windsurfing, just to name a few.
Aside from their proximity to the clear sparkling sea, those activities have another thing in common: they do work up quite an appetite.
Fortunately, Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort recently launched “Brunchin’ at the Beach,” a brunch buffet experience that takes place every Saturday, from 6am to 12.30pm at its Mingle restaurant.
Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort is located along Manini Road in Mabini, Batangas. To book your stay or reserve a table at the restaurant, call +63 43 4101857, +63 927 4220428 or +63 939 9088843, or email info@saltitude-anilao.com.
7. #ZomatoXListerine Foodie Meetup at Kusina Moderne, Poblacion
Kusina Moderne offers classic dishes we grew up with but prepared using French cooking techniques and presented in a deconstructed manner, adding a veneer of sophistication and excitement to familiar viands while still remaining affordable for families and friends to enjoy.
During a foodie meetup hosted by Zomato and Listerine where my fellow foodies, I tasted Kusina Moderne’s unique take on Filipino food and I also learned the importance of mouthwash, especially among foodies.
Kusina Moderne is located along Caceres Street, Poblacion, Makati, open Sundays and Tuesdays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 927 0830688.
8. Foodie Meetup at ICHO Japanese Restaurant, Greenhills
ICHO is named after the gingko trees in Japan. Known to be highly resilient as they can withstand pollution and salt in their native environment, they also beautify their surroundings and as well as provide nourishment and medicinal benefits.
ICHO brings the metro’s diners a piece of the serenity that gingko trees have come to symbolize through its calm and peaceful premises with which to enjoy the restaurant’s flavorful food creations.
ICHO Japanese Restaurant is located at 6 Annapolis Street corner Purdue Street, Greenhills, San Juan City, open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 85350020 or +63 917 1346027.
9. Night out at Tiyo Craft Kitchen & Bar, Tomas Morato
Tiyo serves a thoughtfully curated menu of local fare which takes the best representations of Philippine regional cuisine and painstakingly uses traditional ingredients and cooking methods, and yet has reinvented and served these dishes with a modern flair.
And the craftsmanship does not stop with the food. Tiyo’s bartenders also whip up exciting craft cocktails for the thirsty but exacting diner. These concoctions are designed around local spirits, highlighting their unique flavors while demonstrating their versatility.
Tiyo Craft Kitchen & Bar is located at Second Floor, CKB Centre, Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Rallos Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City, open Sundays to Mondays from 4pm to 1am, Tuesdays to Thursdays from 4pm to 2am and Fridays to Saturdays from 4pm to 3 am. For inquiries or reservations, call +63 932 8642593.
10. Foodie Meetup at Bistro Charlemagne, Ayala Malls Manila Bay
I introduced my immediate and extended fam to the joys of dining at Bistro Charlemagne in Ayala Malls Feliz and the in-laws at its branch in Solenad, Nuvali early last year. Since then, we have enjoyed its Asian fusion cuisine time and time again, making this resto our go-to place for intimate family celebrations or get-togethers.
And now, with the opening of its third branch in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, it just got easier and more enjoyable to meet up with family and friends in the South for great food and great times.
This Bistro Charlemagne branch is located at Lot 2, Third Floor, Cinemas Building, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Entertainment City Paranaque, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 10pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79149082.
Many thanks to all the restaurants that hosted foodie meetups and my fellow foodies who extended their invitations!
Looking forward to more exciting foodie adventures in 2020!
Jellybeans in the City 