restaurant review – Page 48 – Jellybeans in the City

Jelly G Thai Milk Tea, Ayala Malls Feliz

While Taiwan-style milk tea joints are popping up all over the metro, the Thailand-style milk tea is quietly building its base of aficionados.

Thai Milk Tea is easily recognizable due to its bright orange hue and distinct flavor brought about by the use of assam black tea, star anise and tamarind.

Jelly G Thai Milk Tea has been around since 2010, making it one of the pioneers in the country’s Thai Milk Tea category.

Serving authentic Thai milk tea steeped in small batches everyday from all-imported ingredients, Jelly G adds many fresh twists to the drink and introducing Pinoy milk tea drinkers to fresh and novel ways to enjoy their favorite beverage.

Thai milk tea also helps in delaying aging, improving digestion and fighting infection. So by treating your taste buds to these delish milky drinks, you’re also treating the rest of your body to some much-needed nutrients.

Together with my fellow foodies, I recently visited its Ayala Malls Feliz branch where I was able to sample some of its best-selling drinks, which include:

Cheesy Thai Milk Tea with Grass Jelly (Php125 regular | Php155 medium). A creamy foam tops a basic Thai milk tea with some grated cheese added to introduce some saltiness to the sweet drink. Instead of tapioca pearls, grass jelly, an antioxidant that aids in is added to the drink for some texture.

Pink Sala with Cream Cheese, Poppers and Pearls (Php160 regular | Php205 large). A fruity drink made from sala (a type of palm native to Thailand), black tea and brown sugar with strawberry poppers and pearls added in.

Oreo Coffee with Grass Jelly (Php135 regular | Php165 large). Made with strong freshly brewed arabica coffee mixed with condensed milk and topped with crushed Oreos. This is sure to appeal to both coffee and dessert-drink lovers.

Matcha with Grass Jelly. Made from powdered tea leaves, this has a rich herby taste and creamy texture that is well complemented by the grass jelly.

Now we know where to get a taste of authentic Thai milk teas!

Many thanks to Abby of Jelly G for the drinks and to Apol of SaanSaPH for extending the invitation!

This Jelly G Thai Milk Tea kiosk is located at Cinema Level, Fifth Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz, Dela Paz, Pasig City.

Other kiosks may be found at:

Food Choices, Second Floor, Main Mall, Ayala Malls Circuit, Carmona, Makati City
Third Floor, Market! Market!, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Ground Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

No time to drop by a Jelly G kiosk? Have your Thai milk tea delivered to you via Grab delivery! Get a discount on your first GrabFood order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Disclosure: Together with fellow food bloggers, I attended a foodie meetup held here. The drinks mentioned here were served to enable us to sample the fare and to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other milk tea joints:

Cherry blossoms and tea at Sakura Hanami, Maginhawa

If you ever felt the need to flee from the hustle and bustle of the metro and escape to Japan so you can be surrounded by cheery cherry blossoms, well, here’s the next best thing: a tea sojourn at Sakura Hanami in the foodie haven area of Maginhawa.

Sakura refers to the cherry blossoms in Japan that come into full bloom in the spring. Considered as Japan’s national flower, the cherry blossom has come to symbolize a time of renewal and the fleeting nature of life.

Hanami, on the other hand, translates to “watching blossoms.” It is the tradition that grew out of the practice of holding parties amd get-togethers under cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Sakura Hanami seeks to recreate the experience of tea drinking under cherry blossoms. From the cherry blossoms that adorn its ceiling and walls, to its dainty tea sets and furniture, as well as its kawaii-themed merchandise and curios, Sakura Hanami aims to evoke a feeling of life in full bloom.

During a recent visit to this tea shop together with fellow bloggers, I discovered that even Sakura Hanami’s concoctions are unique and meticulously designed to give homage to the culture that inspired its name.

Check them out and see which one fits your mood today:

Blooming Ethereal Flower Tea (Php195). A hot tea infused with edible flowers which you can sweeten with honey according to your preference. It’s perfect for the times you want to pretend you’re a geisha performing an intricate tea ceremony.

Cherry Blossom Fizz Tea (Php115 regular | Php155 large | Php175 extra large). A clear, mikdly sweet and refreshing soda drink with some fizz and edible flowers.

Hanami Dream Tea (Php105 regular | Php175 large | Php195 extra large). A drink that bursting with color and flavor, especially with those yogurt pearls.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Milk Tea (Php115 regular | Php155 large | Php175 extra large). A drink that incorporates the richness and dessert quality of red velvet cheesecake into a drink.

Lava Pearl Latte (Php99 regular | Php140 large | Php180 extra large). A milky concoction that incorporates pearls cooked in rich brown sugar.

Matcha Creme Milk Tea (Php115 regular | Php175 large | Php195 extra large). For matcha lovers out there, this is the drink that will sate your craving.

Pink Rose Milk Tea (Php105 regular | Php155 large | Php175 extra large). Premium black tea infused young rose buds and a splash of rich creamy milk.

Sakura Signature Bubble Tea (Php99 regular | Php140 large | Php180 extra large). The store’s premium black tea accompanied by its signature black pearls.

White Sakura Milk Tea (Php105 regular | Php175 large | Php195 extra large). A light cherry blossom white tea which is heavenly when combined with delicate sakura pudding.

These drinks just go to show that the peace and joy that cherry blossoms bring can be experienced even by those stuck in the metro. All they have to do is find the time to drop by Sakura Hanami.

Many thanks to the crew of Sakura Hanami for the delish drinks and to Midz of GastronomidaPH for extending the invitation!

This Sakura Hanami branch is located at 168 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 12 midnight.

Another branch is located at 1021 P. Ocampo corner Arellano, Sampaloc, Manila.

No time to visit the stores? Have your drink delivered to you via GrabFood! Get a discount on your first GrabFood order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Disclosure: Together with fellow food bloggers, I attended a foodie meetup held in this restaurant. Food and drink items mentioned here were served to enable 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 milk tea joints:

Have #YourDailyBird at Chicka Chicka Chicken House, Libis

Sped away from your desk for your precious lunchtime? Out for dinner with the fam? Or just looking for somewhere to sate your craving for grilled chicken?

Well, if you’re in the Libis area in between Pasig and Quezon City, you’re in for a treat because there’s a new chicken joint in town!

LA-born and raised Matt Fong decided to bring his restaurant business know-how to the Philippines. With his wife’s family owning a poultry business, he figured that it was only logical that he start a chicken restaurant.

And so, earlier this month, Chicka Chicka Chicken House opened its doors at Robinsons Zeta Tower in Bridgetowne Business Center to bring to the metro’s hungry denizens the best grilled chicken in town, and affordably priced too!

Chicka Chicka Chicken House, Bridgetowne

Chicka Chicka’s grilled chicken’s taste and pricing definitely make it #YourDailyBird.

Case in point: for just Php160, you can satisfy your lunch craving with a Breast + Wing or a Leg + Thigh with White Rice and Drink.

Add Php20 and you can enjoy your chicken meal with a tasty side dish such as a Macaroni Salad or my new favorite Cream Corn which has a bit of a spicy kick to it.

If you prefer wings, eat your heart out for just Php140 with 2-pc Wings with White Rice, 1 Side and Drink.

No worries if you’re in the midst of #PetsaDePeligro: you can just opt for one of Chicka Chicka’s Daily deals such as a 1pc Leg + White Rice combo for Php80, a 1pc Thigh + White Rice combo for Php90, or the resto’s version of the chicken lumpia, the 2-pc Chicka’n Rolls + White Rice combo for Php65.

The grilled chicken pieces are flavorful enough in themselves. However, you can also choose among four sauces – honey mustard, garlic pepper, chili chili or classic chicka – to add a tasty twist to every bite.

Want something quick and cheap for breakfast before heading off to the office? How about warming your tummy with a steaming bowl of Arroz Caldo (Php70) made more flavorful by its broth made from chicken bones, a tasty bowl of Chicken Pares (Php65), or a filling bowl of Chicka Chicken Rice (Php110)? Add Php20 to enjoy these Chicka-Chicka Bowls with a drink or a side dish.

If you want to snack on something during the workday, you can go the healthy route with a Chicken Salad Bowl (Php135) or indulge yourself with some Loaded Fries (Php90 for regular | Php120 for large).

Going as a group? Get a Chicka Bundle (Php775) and feast on a whole chicken, 2 white rice, 2 large fries, 1 large side and 4 drinks.

No time to drop by the store? Well have your chicken meal delivered via Grab, quick and easy! Get a discount on your first food order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Plus, Chicka Chicka’s offerings all come with an Always Fresh Guarantee. Since all the chickens are sourced from their family’s farms outside the metro, and all the chicken are marinated, brined and grilled in small batches on-site by Chicka Chicka’s in-house chefs without the use of pre-mixes, MSG or preservatives, Matt and his crew can guarantee diners a fresh and tasty chicken meal.

I may have just found my new favorite chicken place.

Many thanks to Matt and his team at Chicka Chicka Chicken House for the wonderful meal and to James of Recommend Eat for extending the invitation!

Chicka Chicka Chicken House is located at the Ground Floor, Robinsons Zeta Tower, Bridgetowne Business Center, Libis, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 11pm. For inquiries, call +63 2 77522927 or +63 917 1763026.

Disclosure: Together with fellow foodies, I attended a good tasting held in this establishment wherein the items mentioned above were served to enable us to sample the fare to facilitate an honest review and were not paid for by the participants including myself.

Teals & Tea Cafe, Santa Lucia

If we ever need proof that the milk tea craze is stronger than ever, we only need to look at the number of tea shops sprouting all over the metro, and not just in malls, mind you, but also in middle class neighborhoods such as mine.

As of my last reckoning, both entrances to my subdivision have a combined milk tea establishment count of eight.

One of these neighborhood milk tea joints is Teals & Tea Cafe.

Situated at the former location of my daughter #ExhibitA’s preschool, it stands out from the other milk tea joints in the neighborhood by having an actual teal-colored sit-in cafe. (Yep, the color theme is reminiscent of a Tiffany box.)

Here, milk tea lovers can hang out as they enjoy their tea-based concoctions in a comfortable and Instagrammable location.

#ExhibitA has been keen to try this place out for several weeks now so, recently, we dropped by this store while we were on out way home.

Teals & Tea’s drinks are all freshly made from brewed tea leaves (no powders here). My daughter and I brought these home as our milk tea treat.

Milk Teas with Black Pearls.

Classic Milk Tea (Php68 for 16oz | Php78 for 22oz). For my yaya.

Rocky Road Milk Tea (Php78 for 16oz | Php88 for 22oz). For my little boy #ExhibitB.

Milk Teas with Black Pearl and Cheese Mousse.

Hokkaido Milk Tea (Php98 for 16oz | Php108 for 22oz). For #ExhibitB.

Salted Caramel (Php98 for 16oz | Php108 for 22oz). For me.

I’m glad that my kids and I have more choices whenever we’re struck with a craving for milk tea!

Teals & Tea Cafe is located at No. 1 Sampaguita Street, De Castro Subdivision, Sta. Lucia, Pasig City.

Check out my reviews of other milk tea joints:

Fine dining at Bistro Manuel, Poblacion

I’ve never had the pleasure of dining at Lolo Dad’s Cafe in Malate which closed its doors a few years back.

From what I hear from veteran (ehrrm!) foodies and what I’ve gathered online, Lolo Dad’s is known for its fine dining, culinary masterpieces and the awards they merited.

Too bad I didn’t get to experience Lolo Dad’s but there is a silver lining to this predicament: in 2016, Chefs Ariel and Mia Manuel of Lolo Dad’s opened a new restaurant in Poblacion called Bistro Manuel.

It is a quiet establishment, almost hidden being situated away from Poblacion’s more casual (and noisier) bars and restaurants. The place is well-suited for workday lunchouts, intimate dinners for two or elegant family celebrations.

Diners are even given a sneak peek into the kitchen to see Chef Ariel Manuel and his team in action.

Together with my fellow foodies, I recently visited Bistro Manuel where we were welcomed by Chef Ariel himself. We also sampled the resto’s signature dishes which feature many of the old favorites from Lolo Dad’s as well as new creations that showcase the chefs’ mastery of their craft.

Starters. Tasty dishes to kickstart the meal.

Amuse bouche and freshly baked bread and butter (compliments of the chef).

Double Espresso Soup (Php295). Tomato and mushroom cream-based soups served in separate espresso shot glasses. Definitely a new way to enjoy soup!

Romaine Ceasar Salad (Php380). Crispy pancetta and six-minute boiled egg tossed in romaine lettuce with anchovies, lemon and parmesan cheese dressing.

Spinach and Warm Mushroom Salad (Php380). Mushrooms sauteed in smoked bacon on top of spinach leaves and doused with roasted garlic vinaigrette.

Lolo Dad’s Cafe Baked Oysters (Php230 per piece). A real treat to the taste buds, each oyster is accompanied by angel hair pasta under a layer of melted cheese, and accompanied with a cube of foie gras.

Sorbet (compliments of the chef). A citrus sherbet to cleanse the palate.

Mains. Hearty and flavorful viands showcase Chef Ariel’s mastery of European cooking techniques.

Mild Spice Arabbiata (Php550). Penne tossed in tomato base sauce seasoned with basil, garlic and chili flakes. A light dish that portended of great things to come!

Lamb Shawarma Grilled Pizza (Php700). In this pizza with a Mediterranean feel, lamb belly, tomato and onions are placed on a charcoal-grilled thin crust and served with yoghurt and chili dip.

“Only for the Rich” Pizza (Php1,290). One of the resto’s more playful dishes, this dish features many luxurious ingredients that led to its name. Lobster, duck liver, scallops, prosciutto and smoked salmon with carabao’s milk cheese and truffled tomato sauce on top of charcoal-grilled thin crust garnished with edible flowers.

Pan-fried Fillet of Salmon (Php695). A hefty piece of well-seasoned salmon, seared and served caramelized onion, potatoes and bacon butter sauce.

Roasted Duck Breast (Php860). Breast of moulard duck on compressed potatoes.

Seared Scallops and Scampi (Php990). Bechamel-stuffed rigatoni pasta accompany seared scallops and plump shrimp.

Lamb & Lamb with Lamb (Php860). Three ways to enjoy various parts of lamb: roast lamb rump, stewed lamb breast and fried lamb sweetbread with sieved potatoes.

US Rib-Eye Prime Steak (Php2,200). 300 grams of premium steak grilled to medium doneness and served in rendered fat with truffled mashed potatoes and chilled Hollandaise. A carnivore’s dream come true!

Desserts. A delectable selection of decadent confections whipped up by pastry chef Mia Manuel that capped a wonderful meal:

Freshly Baked Apple Tart with Rock Salt and Olive Oil Ice Cream (Php295)

Lemon Meringue Pie with Chocolate Ice Cream (Php295)

Baked Cheesecake with Orange in Spiced Syrup (Php275)

White Chocolate Creme Brulee with Berry Tartlet (Php240)

Tiramisu Souffle with Vanilla Sauce (Php350)

Declension of Mango and Mascarpone Cheese with Vanilla Frozen Cream and Dulce de Leche Sauce (Php285)

Every dish was exquisitely crafted and a feast for the senses. Bistro Manuel is definitely a welcome addition to my list of favorite restos in Poblacion.

Many thanks to Chef Ariel and the staff of Bistro Manuel for the warm welcome and fabulous food and the Jen of Sand Under My Feet for extending the invitation!

Bistro Manuel is located at Second Floor, Six Axis Center, 4347 B. Valdez Street, Poblacion, Makati City, open daily from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 88718566, +63 926 7341067 or +63 998 3423566.

Check out my posts on other fine dining establishments:

Food fast and affordable at BBX, Glorietta

Lowbrow Casual Restaurants, the company behind restaurant brands such as Fowlbread, Beefier and Bad Bird, has recently launched its new store at Glorietta.

BBX was originally intended to be an extension of the group’s fried chicken chain Bad Bird (with BBX standing in for “Bad Bird Express”) but it has outgrown its old concept and evolved its own identity.

BBX is now a semi-self-service restaurant that provides mall-goers an alternative to other fast-food places. This is the place to be for great-tasting and afforadably priced fried chicken, burgers and rice meals.

Oh, and being self-service means that you fetch your own condiments, clean up after yourself and pack your own leftovers for takeaways. (So parents, do take your kids here to teach them the value of CLAYGO.)

During a recent visit together with my foodie friends, I was able to try out some of BBX’s offerings, which included:

Fried Chicken.

Fried Chicken Plate (Php179). Juicy and crispy chicken deep-fried Southern-style to golden brown perfection and served piping-hot with house-made gravy. The fried chicken piece is big, satisfying and well-complemented by the gravy. This is available in safe and spicy variants. Diners also have the option to go boneless just by adding (Php20).

BB Crispers (Php259). Crispy fried boneless chicken thighs in a garlic and butter glaze. A variant in better than buffalo glaze is also available.

Sandwiches.

Ruben Sandwich (Php289). Corned beef, pickled onion and cheese between toasted sourdough. I’m not a fan of corned beef sandwiches but the pickled onion and the sourdough give this sandwich a special kind of taste that I like.

Crispy Fish Sandwich (Php246). Deep-fried fillets of fish, sliced tomatoes and shredded cabbage in creamy sauce in a fluffy artisanal burger bun.

Rice Meals.

Double Longganisa and Egg (Php229). House-made longganisa patties served with sunny side up egg, atchara and vinegar.

Double Burger Steak (Php259). Two flavorful patties made from 100% ground fresh beef served with corn and cream cheese.

For these rice meals, an option to upgrade to garlic fried rice is available for Php29.

Salad.

Garlic Sesame Chicken (Php230). A light and fresh salad of romaine lettuce, fried chicken and croutons doused in garlic sesame dressing.

Side Dish.

Corn and Cream Cheese (Php89). A lovely blend of sweet corn and cream cheese which serves a great accompaniment to any of BBX’ rice plates or sandwiches.

Diners also have the option to add this or any other side dish plus iced tea to any rice plate or sandwich for just Php99.

Desserts.

Huskies (Php119). Parfaits made of chia seeds and coconut milk flavored with mango and coconuts. Other variants include pineapple dragonfruit and chocolate tiramisu.

BB Cakes (Php125). Moist cake rolls of Spiced Pumpkin & Cream Cheese and Ube & White Chocolate which serve as a fitting end to the meal. Also available in Banana & Dulce de Leche and Double Chocolate flavors.

BBX is definitely a welcome addition to my favorite Glorietta food haunts. Why don’t you drop by and give it a try?

Many thanks to the management and staff of BBX for the wonderful food and to Jen of Sand Under My Feet for extending the invitation!

BBX is located at Second Floor, Glorietta 2, Glorietta Complex, Makati City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 9pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries, call +63 2 73738659.

Holiday sets at Medley Modern Mediterranean, BGC

Being a self-confessed bookworm, the Fully Booked building in Bonifacio High Street used to be one of my favorite places. I loved its rows upon rows of books and how it seemed to warmly welcome book lovers into its premises.

Sadly, the worsening traffic situation curtail many of my trips to the area and it has been some time since I last visited this building.

Well, last night, I discovered a new motivation to brave the traffic to spend time at this happy place. The Fully Booked building also houses a new concept restaurant called Medley Modern Mediterranean.

The restaurant had its beginnings as a small kiosk at the Legaspi Sunday Market. There, the father-and-son team of Michael and David Tweg (both hailing from Israel), offered Mediterranean snacks to the market goers. The demand for his offerings grew and soon, David decided to set up Medley, a Mediterranean restaurant with home-style dishes that harken back to his childhood but also caters to the on-the-go lifestyle of Metro Manila’s denizens.

At Medley, each dish is designed for taste and nourishment. All ingredients are freshly prepared daily and sourced local farms and suppliers, with no artificial flavorings or preservatives. Each dish is made to-order and can be customized according to the the diner’s preferences, with options for meat lovers, vegetarian or vegans.

Together with my fellow bloggers, I attended the Medley Community Christmas Party where it launched its new and exciting dishes:

Holiday Sets. These are meal sets that combine solo-sized rice or hummus bowls with Cardamon Tea and a Dates and Walnuts Bar, giving the diner a complete meal bursting with fresh flavors.

These include:

Beef Kofte Meal (Php269). Juicy grilled beef kofte kebab with sides of tabbouleh, corn salad , sumac onion salad and a dash of mamba sauce.

Levantine Chicken Meal (Php259). Broiled and shredded chicken flavored with a mix of Middle Eastern spices with sides of Moroccan carrot salad, Israeli salad, fried eggplant, matbukha and flavored with garlic sauce.

Falafel Crunch Meal (Php249). Crunchy deep-fried patties made from ground chickpeas flavored with herbs and spices with sides of Mediterranean rice, tabbouleh, corn salad, fried eggplant and tahini sauce.

By the way, diners can also opt to get the Cardamon Tea (Php80 for 16oz | Php99 for 22oz) and Dates and Walnuts Bar (Php49 per piece) ala carte.

New on the Menu.

Smoked Paprika Shrimp Power Bowl (Php399). Freshly smoked shrimp flavored with paprika in a bowl with hummus, pita bread, tabbouleh, bulgur what, Israeli salad, fried eggplant and lemon and garlic sauce.

Za’atar Fries (Php79). Sweet potato fries tossed in various seasonings.

Baklava (Php39). Rich and decadent dessert made from chopped nuts and syrup in between layers of flaky phyllo dough.

Bourekas (Php49). Savory pastries made from different fillings such as spinach, feta cheese and mushroom sandwiched inside phyllo dough.

Hummus Shake (Php169 for 16oz). I didn’t know that hummus can be made into a drink! In this exotic yet healthy beverage, the chickpea mixture is sweetened by the addition of bananas, cardamon and dates.

So whether you’re looking for a light snack or a healthy meal, do give Medley a try.

By the way, during the Medley Community Christmas Party, my fellow bloggers and I were tasked to create our own rice or hummus bowls. In this enjoyable activity, we started out by choosing between hummus or Mediterranean rice as our base, selecting our proteins among beef kofte, falafel crunch, Levantine chicken and smoked paprika shrimp, then adding up to three sides before finishing off with our chosen sauce. The best looking one won a prize.

Here’s my attempt: what do you think. (Spoiler alert: I didn’t win.) 😜😜😜

Even in the midst of such crushing defeat, I still had a lot of fun together with my fellow bloggers and ate my fill of Medley’s tasty Mediterranean dishes.

Many thanks to the management and staff of Medley Modern Mediterranean for the fun time and fabulous meal, and to Bella Javier for extending the invitation!

This Medley Modern Mediterranean branch is located at the Ground Floor, Fully Booked Building, B6 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, open daily from 10am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8206402 or +63 949 7209914.

Another branch is set to open soon at Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Entertainment City, Paranaque.

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 and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other restaurants serving Mediterranean dishes:

Rediscovering Filipino comfort food at Kusina Moderne, Poblacion

Do you remember the food served during your family’s get-togethers? The recipes passed down from your great-grandmas? The dishes that your mom and titas magically put together in the kitchen before calling everybody in to partake of the meal?

These are comfort food: down-home cooking that evoke a feeling of well-being. They may not be haute cuisine nor even exciting at times but they do call to mind the joys of childhood and family.

At Kusina Moderne, the recently opened restaurant in Poblacion, the comfort food passed down through generations of Filipino families are elevated through imagination and technique.

Tucked away in one of Poblacion’s side streets, Kusina Moderne is a hidden gem for ardent foodies to discover and share.

The restaurant’s modern yet warm interiors welcome guests into an exciting gastronomic experience: wood tables, benches and chairs provide color contrasts to the industrial-type unpainted concrete walls and exposed ceilings, and diners can take a peek into what goes on during food preparation through the open kitchen. Small bric-a-bracs and potted plants add some personality to the space, evoking the feeling of home even in such a modern setting.

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 #ZomatoXListerine foodie meetup, my fellow foodies and I got a taste of Kusina Moderne’s menu items such as:

Mechado Tacos (Php195). Honestly, I almost never eat mechado unless my mom prepares it but this reimagining of the braised beef dish is so refreshingly different from its usual iterations. The tender shredded beef seem to melt in your mouth in a burst of flavor enhanced by the addition of guacamole, cilantro, sour cream and pickled onion, with a satisfying crunch with every bite thanks to the fried wonton wrapper which takes the place of the taco shell.

Adobong Pusit (Php195). Sauteed squid heads on a bed of garlicky squid ink adobo sauce. Never have I seen adobong pusit served as prettily as this!

Embutido Scotch Egg (Php195). Your tita’s embutido gets a makeover with this dish: a runny soft-boiled egg is placed inside chicken embutido, and deep-fried theb served with banana ketchup.

Lumpiang Sariwa (Php200). In this classic merienda dish, sauteed veggies are wrapped in freshly made crepes and served drizzled with sweet and savoury peanut sauce.

Sotanghon Soup (Php345). A rainy day favorite, this Pinoy-style chicken noodle soup is made with thin glass noodles and sauteed veggies in flavorful chicken broth served with a soft-boiled egg.

Halaan Soup (Php395). Manila clams in a clear broth flavored with chili leaves, ginger, corn and kamote tops, and served with garlic toast.

Isda Tanigue (Php395). The tanigue or chub mackerel is often served plainly fried in Filipino dinner tables but this version it is served seared, sandwiched between a bed of pureed vegetables at the bottom and a medley of chopped and sauteed carrots, papaya, cabbage and pumpkin on top. If this was served to me when I was a kid, I would have eaten more fish and veggies!

Tuna Belly with Chimichurri (Php450). Marinated tuna belly is broiled then charred for that smokey flavor, and well-complemented by its chimichurri sauce.

Binagoongang Baboy (Php395). Roasted pork belly drizzled with binagoongan sauce and served with strips of green mango and radish salad on a bed of pureed roasted egg plant.

Cheesecake Flan (Php175). Graham cracker crust topped with smooth and creamy leche flan served with mango bits, sliced walnuts and Marie biscuit crumbs giving this dessert nice contrasts in flavor and texture.

Sans Rival (Php215). This dessert is definitely without rival. How else can you describe balls of meringue studded with chopped walnuts and filled with buttercreama and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream?

With these creative reimaginings of classic Pinoy dishes, Kusina Moderne adds a bit of excitement to its comfort food.

Check them out for yourself!

Many thanks to the management and crew of Kusina Moderne for the warm welcome and awesome food, and to Zomato and Listerine for making this event possible!

Oh, and watch this space for my blog post on the importance of mouthwash for foodies, coming soon!

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.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meetup held here wherein food and drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Bai’s Boneless Lechon Cebu, Pasig

The holiday season brings with it all manner of parties and gatherings. And you know what that means: lots and lots of eating!

The staple for many Pinoy celebrations is, of course, the lechon. The Filipino take on the roasted pig is also considered that national dish. The communal and oftentimes merry manner of eating the lechon make it a symbol of community and joy.

The lechon Cebu, in particular, is growing in prominence among many foodies. It is prepared by stuffing a slab or pork belly with spices such as garlic, onions, pepper, laurel leaves and lemon grass, and applying salt to the skin prior to roasting. This process results to a crispy skin and flavorful meat: so flavorful, in fact, that the lechon Cebu has no need for condiments and sauces.

Bai’s Boneless Lechon Cebu, which began its operations as a takeout counter in Alabang for its lechon offerings, recently opened its newest branch along Market Avenue in Pasig City. This is the first among its branches to have a sit down area where diners can enjoy, not just its much-celebrated lechon made fresh everyday, but budget-friendly rice meals as well.

Owner Dexter Ding actually hails from Carcar, a munipality in Cebu known for its lechon.

Together with fellow foodies, I attended the store’s grand opening where I was able to sample some of its menu items:

Cebuano Breakfast. Diners can take their pick of rice meals served with fried egg featuring classic Cebuano breakfast items: Danggit Silog (Php49), Squid Silog (Php49) and Bacon Silog (Php49).

Lunch Meals. For those seeking heartier fare, Bai’s has lunch meals made of Java rice and soup paired with classic viands: Siomai Meal (Php49), Shanghai Meal (Php59) and Humba Meal (Php79).

However, the centerpiece for this store is still its mouthwatering Boneless Lechon Cebu.

Available in regular and spicy flavors, it is it can be ordered for takeout or delivery in these packs which are great for sharing:

Family (Php820). Good for 4 to 5 persons.
Barkada (Php1,950). Good for 10 to 15 persons.
Party (Php3,200). Good for 20 to 25 persons.

It is also available as a Lunch Meal with Java rice and soup for Php120.

If you want additional fingerfoods for your party, check out Bai’s Pungko Pungko Set, which brings together more Cebuano favorites: chicharon bulaklak, hamonado, ngiohong, fried chicken and lumpia.

It can be ordered for takeout or delivery in these sizes:

Small (Php449). Good for 4-5 persons.
Medium (Php799). Good for 7-10 persons.
Large (Php1,199). Good for 15-20 persons.

So whatever the celebration is, whether a solo one to splurge on yourself on a paydays or a large gathering of family and friends, Bai’s Boneless Lechon Cebu is a good bet.

Thanks to Derek, the management and staff of Bai’s Boneless Lechon Cebu for having us and to Natacia of TigaSouth Ka Ba for extending the invitation!

This branch of Bai’s Boneless Lechon Cebu is located at 22, Market Avenue, Bgy. San Miguel, Pasig City. For inquiries and delivery orders within Pasig, Antipolo, BGC, Mandaluyong, Ortigas and Marikina, call +63 917 8341010. COD, online transfer, GCash and credit card payments accepted.

For delivery in other areas within the metro, contact these branches:

Alabang: covering Muntinlupa-Sta.Rosa, Paranaque, Makati, Manila, Binondo and Pasay (+63 917 5825333)
Binangonan: covering the whole Rizal area (+63 977 4939825)
Malabon: covering the whole CAMANAVA area (+63 966 4658348)
Quezon City: covering Quezon City and Manila

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a food tasting event held here wherein food and drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Lunchin’ on the Php55 Peso Menu at Pound, SM North EDSA

At first glance, you would think that Pound by Todd English is too classy to be a burger joint.

Of course, its stylish and well-appointed interiors are a far cry from the usual formica tables, upholstered chairs and greasy floors of the run-of-the-mill burger places.

Nope, this swanky resto is where you can enjoy expertly crafter burgers and sliders in leisure and style.

But guess what: you can dine here quite affordably too!

My officemates and I recently ventured away from the office for lunch and as soon we caught sight of this poster, we knew exactly where we would be having our midday repast.

Also known as the Dollar Menu (because Php55 converts roughly to USD1), the Special Php55 Menu presented us the opportunity to treat ourselves to some of Pound by Todd English’s well-crafted offerings for just Php55 each.

We took advantage of this offer and got ourselves some yummy eats:

Tomato Cream Pasta. A half-serving of pasta in a creamy tomato-based sauce.

Truffle Ketchup Fries. Well-seasoned French fries accompanied by ketchup in truffle oil.

Onion Cube. Lightly battered, thinly sliced onion rings deep-fried to a crispy golden brown and shaped into a cube. It is served with a Todd English sweet spice sauce.

TE Sliders. Two pieces of sliders at Php55 each which are made of house ground beef, tomato slices, iceberg lettuce, crispy onions mustard relish and #sauce.

Betty White. Vanilla milkshake topped with whipped cream, blondie bits and caramel sauce.

My officemate also got herself a Pound for Pound (Php195) which consists of sampler of TE Slider and a #Crispy Chicken Slider.

Imagine having such a tasty lunch at such a fancy place with a spend ranging from Php110 to Php250 per person, thanks to the Php55 menu!

This Pound by Todd English branch is located at the Upper Ground Floor, Main Building, SM North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 6302176.

Other branches are located at:

Second Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City
Second Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
B3 Bonifacio High Street, 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Level 1, Ayala Malls Vertis North, Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City
Ground Floor, Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia, MOA Complex, Pasay City
Ground Floor, Pedro Gil Wing, Robinsons Place, Ermita, Manila
Corte de Las Palmas, Alabang Town Center, Alabang Muntinlupa

Check out my previous experiences at Pound by Todd English: