Anyone who knows me knows that I love avocados. When I was a child, I used to look forward to the rainy season because that’s when I know avocados get in season. I would pester my mom to buy as many avocados as she can which should would then make into a dessert by adding sugar and evaporated milk to the avocado chunks in a bowl.
Nowadays, they seem to be available all year (yey me!) and are even getting made into fabulous desserts such as those offered at Avocadoria.ph.
Avocadoria prides itself on the quality of its avocado-based products as well as its drives for sustainability. It showcases produce from local farmers and ensures that waste is minimized by adding the discarded skins to fertilizers and providing the seeds to partner farmers for planting.
Aside from its laudable advocacy, it also elevates the avocado-eating experience by combining the fruit with ingredients that enhances its taste and texture.
The Avocado Lover (Php110 for 8oz | Php125 for 12oz), for instance, is a delectable dessert made layers of homemade cream and biscuits, tapioca pearls, avocado chunks, crushed almonds and a dashes of flax and chia seeds.
The contrasts of textures and the complementing flavors make for a crave-worthy frozen treat.
This Avocadoria kiosk is located at the Basement, Ayala Malls Vertis North, Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City.
Other kiosks may be found at:
Quezon City: Eastwood Citywalk 2, Robinsons Galleria, Ali Mall Cubao, Farmer’s Plaza, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Fisher Mall Del Monte, SKY Garden SM North EDSA, Waltermart North EDSA, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf Balintawak, SM City Fairview, Robinsons Novaliches, Ayala Fairview Terraces
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila, SM City San Lazaro
Pasig: Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls the 30th
Makati: Ayala Malls Circuit, Philamlife Tower Salcedo, San Lorenzo Place Condominium
Marikina: SM Marikina, Ayala Malls Marikina,
Mandaluyong: EDSA Central Pavilion, Forum Robinsons
San Juan: V-Mall Greenhills Shopping Center,
Taguig: Market! Market!, Food District Signatures on the 5th
Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, Victory Food Market Baclaran, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, SM City BF
Caloocan: SM Center Sangandaan
Malabon: Fisher Mall Malabon
Valenzuela: SM City Valenzuela
Las Pinas: SM Southmall, Vista Mall
Alabang: Alabang Town Center, Starmall Alabang, Ayala Malls Southpark
Much has been said of Cebu’s take on the lechon: its crunchy golden skin, its tender, juicy and flavorful meat, its independence from sauces and condiments that usually accompany the country’s national dish.
Liloan’s Pride Liempo, the brainchild of a family based in the municipality of Liloan in Cebu, is borne out of the recipes and practices that make the family’s lechon a local treasure.
The secret lies in choosing the freshest and juiciest meat, marinating it in garden-fresh herbs, spices and seasonings, then slow-roasting the flavor-infused meat to tender and flavorful perfection.
The Cebu lechon chain recently opened its newest store in Greenhills Shopping Center where it serves up, not just its celebrated Cebu lechon-style liempo, but also other classic Pinoy dishes that brings a taste of home away from home, all affordably priced to suit the Pinoy everyman’s budget.
Together with my fellow foodies, I was able to sample some of its offerings which included:
Cebu Liempo (Php360). The star of the show, this roasted pork belly is infused with herbs, with juicy meat highlighted by its crispy skin. A spicy version is available for Php380.
Roasted Chicken (Php380). A whole chicken prepared in the Cebu lechon manner.
Crispy Garlic Bangus (Php200). Marinated and lightly battered milkfish pan-fried to a holden brown and topped with toasted minced garlic.
Classic Sisig (Php160). Minced pig cheeks seasoned with calamansi, onions and chili peppers, topped with egg and served on a sizzling plate.
Bulalo Sisig (Php199). The store’s new take on the classic sisig which combines the classic dish with beef bulalo.
Beef Pares (Php99). Braised beef stew served with clear soup and garlic rice.
Pochero (Php149). Pork belly slices stewed in a tomato-based sauce along with potatoes, garbanzos. green beans and shredded cabbage, and served with sliced plantains.
While food choices – many of which are from foreign cuisines – abound in Metro Manila, it is heartening to know that our local delicacies are also represented.
Many thanks to the management and staff of Liloan’s Pride for the tasty meal and to EJ of #WeLoveToEatPH for extending the invitation!
This Liloan’s Pride Liempo branch is located at Ground Floor, Connecticut Arcade, Greenhills Shopping Center, Greenhills, San Juan.
Other branches may be found at
SM Hypermarket, Upper Ground Floor, Building B, SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
California Garden Square, Domingo M. Guevarra Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City
Lower Ground Floor, SM Cubao, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Third Floor, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village, Makati City
The Block, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
SM Hypermarket, North Wing, SM Mall of Asia, MOA Complex, Pasay City
Food Court, Second Floor, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa
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.
Did you know that Japanese culture has a profound influence in South America? Currently, Brazil has the largest population of Japanese immigrants while Peru has the second largest. This mixing of people and backgrounds surely produce wondrous variety in culture and society, especially in the food.
That came into play when my foodie friends and I recently visited Nanka Japanese Steakhouse. Located at the nook of Mother Ignacia and Chino Roces Avenues in Quezon City, the place has an elegant yet homey vibe, a welcome respite from my workday’s stresses. It is a perfect place for intimate date nights, chill barkada get-togethers or quiet family dinners.
Nanka’s executive chef Michael Santos takes pride in the work his team (which includes executive sous chef Rogel Rogel Pagtalunan, executive pastry chef Joel Gonzales and chef de cuisine Kenneth Afable) does in accentuating the natural flavors of food, made with the finest locally and internationally sourced ingredients. These include Black Onyx Angus and WagyuX steaks and tuna flown in from GenSan twice a week.
“I like clean flavors,” shares Chef Mike. “I like to emphasize the protein. I was taught to give respect to the animal being served and I feel the best way to do that is to not lose its soul – its flavor.”
My foodie friends and I were able to sample an excellent selection of Chef Mike’s recommendations from Nanka’s recently re-launched menu, which included:
Oysters Hollandaise (Php365 for 6 pieces). Large oysters from Aklan covered in a rich sauce made with egg, butter and lemon, then broiled until the top is starting to brown.
Deep-fried Oysters (Php375 for 8 pieces). Oyster meat lightly dredged and battered, then deep-fried to a golden brown.
Grilled Ahi Tuna (Php355). Yellowfin tuna, also known by its Hawaiian moniker ahi, is well-suited for raw sashimi dishes and for grilling. In this dish, it is served seared rare to bring out its natural flavor while adding some smokiness from the grilling and further enhanced by a dash of togarashi powder.
Grilled Togarashi Shrimp (Php495 for 9 pieces). Fresh shrimp perfectly grilled and spiced with sichimi togarashi, a Japanese powder flavoring made with seven ingredients which include red chili pepper,
orange peel, sesame seeds, Japanese pepper, ginger and seaweed.
Garlic Crabs (market price). Two giant crabs cooked in butter and garlic. Digging into this was one of the highlights of the meal.
Prawn Garlic Noodles (Php375). Plump and fresh prawns sauteed in garlic and tossed together with al dente noodles.
Black Onyx T-bone (Php520 per 100grams) and Black Onyx Tomahawk (Php495 per 100grams). Black Onyx is a well-known Australian brand of Black Angus beef noted for its ruch flavor, juicy tenderness and fine marbling. True to his philosophy of letting the meat’s natural flavors shine through, Chef Mike and his team seared the steaks in a cast iton grill then finished cooking them to a medium doneness in the oven. These were served with togarashi salt, wasabi sea salt, housemade demiglasse, chipotle miso and chimichurri so that diners can season or add sauce to taste.
Japanese Green Tea Mousse (Php215). A delectable dessert made with layers of matcha sponge, matcha pudding and matcha whipped cream icing.
Chocolate Ganache Mountee (Php245). A play of different ways to enjoy chocolate and matcha; a matcha bowl on top of a chocolate bowl with ganache in between, all on a bed of red velvet crumbs.
With these dishes, it is plain to see the sheer mastery and craftsmanship of Chef Mike and his team. Each dish, made of the choicest ingredients, beautifully presented and carefully crafted to enhance its natural flavors, show that the fusion of flavors between Japanese and Latin cuisines are well worth exploring.
Many thanks to Chef Mike and the staff of Nanka for the warm welcome and the wonderful meal!
Nanka is located at 1810 Mother Ignacia corner Chino Roces Avenue, Paligsahan, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 85179677, +63 977 6218472, or +63 917 6734917.
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up 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 few years ago, back when I was at the early stage of my career, the company I worked for held offices at the basement of Robinsons Galleria Mall in Ortigas Center.
There are many advantages to having one’s office inside a mall, not the least of which is the sheer variety of dining options for me and my officemates come lunchtime; the only limit, apparently, is our budget.
Fortunately, the mall then has a lot to offer when it comes to pocket-friendly eats. One of them is Hainanese Delights.
Aside from its affordable offers, this resto is also memorable for introducing me to Hainanese Chicken Rice.
This dish, though rooted in China’s Wenchang Chicken, has been well and truly adopted by Singapore such that it is considered the country’s national dish. The dish is traditionally prepared by poaching a whole chicken at sub-boiling temperatures, with some of the resulting stock combined with ginger, garlic and other aromatics used to cook the accompanying rice, producing a yellowish, flavorful and oily rice. It is usually served with three dipping sauces: a spicy red chili sauce, a dark soy sauce, and freshly ground ginger.
At just a little over Php100 with unli rice, Hainanese Delights’ Hainanese Chicken Rice was a tasty, filling and affordable lunch treat for me and my officemates back then.
Fast-forward to today: Hainanese Delights’ Robinsons Galleria branch has moved from its previous spot to a more spacious location in the mall’s foodie mecca, Eat Street. Aside from more tables and chairs to cater to its still-growing clientele, the place has more stylish interiors and even a window to the kitchen where guests can take peek into how their favorite dishes are prepared.
Recently, my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and I visited this reataurant for a taste of old faves and new flavors, which included:
Rice Dishes
Hainanese Delights (Php169). The resto’s best-selling white chicken dish
Hainan Fried Chicken (Php169). Prepared similar to the white chicken but fried to have that flavorful and crispy skin.
Chicken Heaven (Php169). The resto’s version of Barbecue Chicken.
Hot Chick (Php169). Barbecue Chicken made spicy.
Pork Passionate (Php169). Breaded porkchop fried to a crispy golden brown.
Hainan Fish Fillet (Php169). Steamed fillets of cream dory topped with minced garlic.
All rice dishes come with unlimited Hainan rice.
Php99 Meals.
Fish and Eggplant. Rice meal that comes with free soup.
Char Beehoon. Served with Mantao bread.
Entrees.
Surf and Turf Bits (Php169). Steamed shrimp and pork dumplings.
Noodles.
Singapore Staple (Php169). Hearty noodle dish served with broth on the side and Hainanese White Chicken.
Drinks.
Coffee with Mantao Bread (Php45). Add Php20 for unli coffee refill.
Houseblend Drinks (Php65 each). Comes in Peach Tea and Ginger Lemon Tea flavors.
Milo Godzilla (Php90). A chocolatey dessert drink.
It was a fun and filling experience to rediscover one of old favorite haunts in Robinsons Galleria. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!
Thanks to the management and staff of Hainanese Delights for the feast and to Harvard of Always Hungry PH for extending the invitation.
This Hainanese Delights branch is located at Food Court, Level 1 Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City, open from Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 9pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 10pm.
Other branches are located at:
Ground Floor, Adriatico Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
Lower Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City Fairview, Novaliches, Quezon City
Lower Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City Fairview, Buayang Bato, Mandaluyong City
Lower Ground Floor, Walter Mart North EDSA, Project 7, Quezon City
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up 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.
Check out my reviews of other restaurants offering Singaporean dishes:
Japanese food remains to be among the most popular cuisines in the metro. With its focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients, simple yet meticulous food preparation that brings out the ingredients’ natural flavors, as well as the artistry involved in presentation and styling of its dishes, Japanese cuisine, has won the hearts (and tummies) of many Pinoys.
Hanako, for example, is a Japanese restaurant chain that’s geared to be among the metro’s go-to destinations with its focus on authentic yet affordable Japanese food.
“Hanako” is actually a popular girl’s name in Japan which translates to “flower girl.” As the name implies, Hanako’s dishes exemplify the simplicity and beauty of Japanese cuisine.
Recently, my gal pals from #SaanSaPH and I trooped to Hanako’s branch in Regis Center Katipunan for a late lunch. We were treated to a wondrous array of dishes which included some of my old Japanese food faves as well as new discoveries:
Miso Soup (Php54). The staple soup of many Japanese restaurants wherein miso paste is incorporated into a dashi stock with some tofu cubes. Did you know that this soup can be filling despite being low in calories because of the high protein content?
Kani Salad (Php174). A light and refreshing salad made with matchstick-sliced cucumber and carrots, shredded lettuce, strings of kani (crab) meat, tossed in Japanese mayonnaise.
Gyoza (Php89 for 2 pieces | Php159 for 4 pieces). Ground pork mixed with aromatics and spices and wrapped into dumplings which are first steamed then lightly pan-fried on one side for an interesting contrast in texture.
Sushi Rolls. One of the most popular dishes in Japanese cuisines, sushi rolls are made of specially prepared sticky vinegared Japanese rice served with other ingredients. These include the California Gunkan (Php219) – made with kani, fried salmon skin, tamago (seasoned hardboiled egg), mango, cucumber and ebiko (shrimp roe), Spicy Tuna Crunch (Php229) – made with tuna, togarashi (seven-flavor chili pepper) and tempura flakes, Philadelphia Roll (Php209) – made with salmon, kani, cream cheese, tamago and cucumber, and Five Star Roll (Php149) – made with fried salmon skin, salmon, kani, mango, teriyaki sauce, sesame and cucumber.
Salmon Tartare (Php224). Chunks of salmon mixed with Japanese mayo, togarashi, tempura flakes and chopped scallion.
Katsu Curry (Php229). Deep-fried, panko-covered pork cutlets covered in a slightly sweet curry sauce and served with rice.
Ebi Tempura (Php169 for 3 pieces | Php279 for 5 pieces). Battered and deep-fried shrimp served with a special sauce.
Fish Katsu (Php189). Fillets of fish covered in panko and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown.
Beef Omurice (Php184). Classic Japanese omelette stuffed with savory beef fried rice and drizzled with Japanese mayonnaise and homemade sweet umami sauce.
Grilled Salmon Head (Php149). Lightly seasoned salmon head served with homemade sweet citrus-sou dipping sauce.
Yakitori (Php149). Chicken pieces in skewers seasoned with salt, pepper,l and teriyaki sauce, which are then grilled and served on top of a bowl of steamed rice.
Donburi. Traditional rice bowl meals consisting of meat simmered or doused in a sauce made of dashi, soy sauce and mirin (rice wine) and served on top of steamed rice. These include Gyudon (Php219) – made with beef and onions, and Katsudon (Php199) – breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets simmered with onions and egg. Diners can upgrade their donburi orders to meal sets by adding Php35 for a drink, Php75 for miso soup plus drink, Php105 for a 2-piece gyoza plus drink, or Php145 for miso soup, 2-piece gyoza plus drink.
Chahan (Php79). Japanese stir-fried rice with meat bits and chopped vegetables.
Meiji Madness (Php129). Moist and chewy lava cake topped with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup.
Drop by Hanako for a taste of #HandsDownGoodFood and sate your cravings for Japanese dishes!
Many thanks to the management and staff of Hanako for the warm welcome and lovely food.
This Hanako branch is located at Second Floor, Regis Center, 327 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 907 4879346.
Other branches are located at:
131-C Armstrong Avenue, Moonwalk Village Phase 1, Paranaque City
30-C Dona Soledad Avenue, Bgy. Don Bosco, Paranaque City
SM Supercenter, Fontera Verde, E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Bgy. Ugong, Pasig
2nd Floor, The Rock, Holy Spirit Drive corner Marcelino Street, Don Antonio Heights, Quezon City
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up 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.
This goes out to certified bookworms like me: imagine that you’re in your happy place ( a book shop, of course!), surrounded by shelves full of tomes waiting to be read and loved, the smell of book paper all around you.
Suddenly, you start to get really hungry.
Oh, just when you were so enjoying browsing through the books and picking out those you want to bring home with you!
What to do?
If you’re at the Fully Booked branch in Powerplant Mall, you won’t need to leave the book shop to ease your hunger. You can have a meal right there at the cafe situated at the corner called Press by Fully Booked.
Here, you can enjoy classic comfort food such as:
Mushroom Soup (Php160). Creamy soup made with bits of shiitake mushroom and Italian sausage.
Classic Caesar Salad (Php250). Fresh romaine lettuce, grilled chicken slices, grated parmesan cheese and bacon bits tossed in traditional Ceasar dressing.
Aglio Olio (Php200). Al dente pasta lightly sauteed in minced garlic and olive oil.
Carbonara (Php250). Al dente pasta cooked with special bechamel sauce topped with bacon bits.
Just in time for the Christmas Season, Press by Fully Booked launched Holiday Meal Sets inspired by dishes found in a Filipino Noche Buena table. These sets are good for three to four people so a group of friends or a family can share and enjoy them.
These sets include:
Arroz Valenciana. A Filipino dish made with glutinous rice, chorizo, shrimp, bell peppers, hard-boiled egg and spices.
Homestyle Fried Chicken. Deep-fried chicken marinated in buttermilk.
Lechon Belly. Slab of pork belly rolled in seasonings then slow-roasted in the oven to achieve a tender and moist meat and a crispy and flavorful skin.
Press Iced Tea (Php100). The house blend iced tea.
Set A (Php999) includes Arroz Valenciana, Homestyle Fried Chicken and Press Iced Tea while Set B (Php1,499) includes the items in Set A plus Lechon Belly.
The Christmas Season is also about gatherings and gift-giving. With this, Press by Fully Booked also launched a series of Holiday Pastries, an assortment of festive cakes and pastried perfect for a clan “salo-salo” or as holiday gifts.
Four Seasons Cheesecake (Php1,350). Baked cheesecake which comes in four flavors: Original, Caramelized Banana, Queso de Bola and Hazelnut garnished with chocolate, fresh strawberries and honeycomb.
Chocolate Cake (Php1,250). Moist chocolate sponge cake filled with layers of chocolate ganache and salted caramel, and coated with cashew crumble.
Cookie Sampler (Php440). A tub of twenty mini cookies consisting of five pieces each of Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate Chip, Double Mint Chocolate Chip and Cranberry & Raisins,
Bar Sampler (Php550). A tub of twenty-four bars consisting of twelve pieces each of Food for The Gods and Butterscotch.
And to make the holidays even more fun and festive, the cafe is bringing 9 Weeks of Press Holidays wherein the diners can enjoy a different perk every week:
November 11-17: free Americaninfor every order of available cakes
November 18-24: 10% off on total orders
November 25-December 1: Free Double Chocolate Chip Cookie for every minimum spend of Php500 and up
December 2-8: Free Press Iced Tea for every order of any pasta dish
December 9-15: 10% off on drinks
December 16-22: Free pumpkin soup for every order from “The Classics” menu
December 23-29: 10% off on holiday sets and holiday pastries
December 30-January 5: Buy 1 Take 1 on coffee (frappe not included)
Jannuary 6-12: 10% off on all salad orders
So the next time you’re at Fully Booked in Powerplant Mall, there’s no need to leave your happy place to get a meal. Pop by Press by Fully Booked and get yourself a taste of the holidays.
Many thanks to thr managemeny and staff of Press by Fully Booked for the warm welcome and to Bella Javier for extending the invitation.
This Press by Fully Booked branch is located at Level R3, Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Drive corner Estrella Street, Rockwell Center, Makati, open daily from 11am to 9pm.
Another branch is located at Ground Floor, Santolan Town Plaza, Col. Boni Serrano Avenue, San Juan.
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up 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.
If the hassles of city living gets you all stressed and harried, get yourself and your pals some decompressing time with a leisurely brunch at one of my new favorite haunts in Quezon City.
The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery in UP Town Center is a concept cafe that enlightens and inspires its guests to be themselves.
Together with my fellow foodies, I ventured to this resto and discovered a way to let loose my inner tita and fully enjoy a #TitaConvention with the friends at The Fat Seed.
Here’s how:
1. Set the stage.
The resulting photos and Instagram posts will document your outing with the ladies. Choose the spot that will serve as a wonderful backdrop for your photo opps. Fortunately, The Fat Seed has those in abundance from its custom wood tables made by local craftsmen to its grand wall mural.
2. Choose the grub.
The Fat Seed recently updated its menu, giving its clientele new viands to try while still bringing back many of its best-selling dishes.
You titas will be happy to see that these dishes not only combine ingredients in new and exciting ways, they look great, too! Feel free to upload your foodie shots!
Check them out:
French Toast (Php405). Slices of brioche dipped in rhum syrup and flavored with cinnamon and nutella topped with whipped cream and banana slices.
GaBa Chop Chicken (Php160 for single | Php265 for double). Chicken chops flavored with garlic, basil and chili.
Crispy Egg Salad (Php220). Unripe papaya, fried egg, century egg, arugula, cucumber, carrots, red radish, fried shallots and red cherry tomatoes.
Cheetos Rings (Php225). Onion rings covered with crushed Cheetos and accompanied by bleu cheese and cream.
SS Poppers (Php295 for combination| Php325 for shrimp only | Php225 for squid only). Beer-battered shrimp and squid with garlic aoili.
Wings Sampler (Php330 for 4 flavors). Twelve pieces (four pieces each) juicy deep-fried chicken wings in Louisiana Hot, Salsa Verde, Japanese Miso and Garlic Parmesan flavors.
Wagyu Beef and Peppers Pasta (Php405). Slivers of tender and flavorful wagyu beef and pasta noodles in a red wine and garlic sauce with green bell peppers and chili.
Triple Decker Grilled Cheese (Php450). Grilled cheese sandwich with alternating layers of melted cheese and bacon and mango in thick slices of buttered brioche bread and served with a cup of tomato soup for dipping.
Red Pesto Seafood Pasta (Php430). Prawns, squid, sundried tomatoes, white wine, basil, olive oil, chili and garlic.
Bacon Truffle Burger (Php480). Premium beef patty in buttered brioche buns, tomatoes, lettuce and melted cheddar cheese accompanied by truffle mushroom paste with crispy bacon strips.
Portuguese Seafood Casserole (Php350). Squid, shrimp, kani, corn and green peas baked in bechamel sauce over rice.
Seafood Cauliflower Rice Bowl (Php330). Shrimp, squid, red radish, ebiko and mango on top of cauliflower rice.
Breakfast Steak (Php405). Juicy slices of medium-cooked rib eye steak with grilled tomato and fried egg over garlic rice.
3. Have a drink… or two!
Being a roastery, The Fat Seed prides itself on its coffee-based drinks made with single origin beans. So, coffee addicts, grab yourself a glass of Cold Brew (Php165), Coffee Cubes (Php150) or Rootbeer Express (Php175) when you feel the need for a caffeine fix.
Looking for something refreshing? Check out The Fat Seed’s tea infusions and juices such as LGBT (Php135) or Mojito Tea (Php130) to quench your thirst.
Have a sweet tooth? Indulge in some delectable milkshakes such as Chocolate (Php215) or Strawberry.
4. Strike a pose (or several!) and snap away.
With great-looking surroundings, great food and drinks and great company, don’t hesitate to commemorate your brunch with your amigas with a few snaps.
The Fat Seed got its name from the concept that great things can grow from small seed. From my all-too-brief time here with my friends can grow lasting vines of fun and friendship!
Many thanks to The Fat Seed’s management and crew for the warm welcome and the gorgeous and delicious meal, and to Zomato for extending the invitation!
The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery is located at Ground Floor, Phase 2, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 9362113.
Did you know that if you and a friend ordered 2 drinks at The Fat Seed Coffee + Roastery, you can get the same 2 drinks free via Zomato Gold?
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
The rainy season might be over but I’m still not over my ramen phase.
There’s just something about tonkotsu ramen that is so irresistible to me…
Is it the steaming hot and creamy broth flavored with pork bone boiled for hours? Is it the way the firm freshly made pulled noodles feel against my lips as I slurp them from the bowl? Is it way the pork chashu slice seems to melt in my mouth as soon as I bite into it?
Whatever it is, my #RamenPhase is here to stay. Thankfully, there’s a place near my office where I can satisfy my cravings that’s also easy on the budget.
At the Kyukyu Ramen 99 branch in the Shopwise Crossings Supermarket along Quezon Avenue, I can get a bowl of tonkotsu ramen for only Php159. It is a nondescript stall that gives a taste of authentic ramen at affordable prices.
So rain or shine, I can find some comfort in my favorite ramen a short ride away from my office.
Kyukyu Ramen 99 is located at Ground Floor, Shopwise Crossings Supermarket, Quezon Avenue, Bgy. South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 9am to 9pm.
And my home is located east of Manila, where traffic jams abound and going to the overcrowded malls is sometimes too much of a hassle to be worth the effort.
This is why I #LookToTheEast for new destinations, foodie or otherwise. Because why brave the metro’s streets when you can find what you want right where you are?
Recently, I discovered another reason for us Eastern foodies to not venture far to satisfy our food cravings.
In the suburbs of foodie-friendly Marikina, away from the hustle and bustle of busy highways and malls, is a new and exciting foodie destination: Swig & Nosh Kitchen + Bar.
A hidden gem in a quiet Marikina neighborhood
The brainchild of Mario Mendoza, one of Marikina’s homegrown culinary talents, Swig & Nosh takes its name from the British colloquial terms for “taking a drink” and “eating a snack,” respectively.
Located in a remodeled bungalow along Mt. Pleasant street, Swig & Nosh is geared to be the place for Marikina locals and visitors to enjoy great-tasting comfort food along with their drinks of choice.
Mario took his cues from the house’s original architect (who also happens to be his dad) and furnished the space with comfort in mind. Ceramic tile-topped hardwood tables bring splashes of color while also accommodating large groups of diners. The chairs are also ergonomically-designed; they adjust when the diner leans back, giving back support that facilitates comfort for resting or conversing with companions after eating.
A well-stocked bar is situated in one of the inner rooms with mixologists at the ready to pour out spirits or concoct cocktails for the guests.
Diners also have the option to take their meals in the garden outside; this will become the location of choice when the cool weather sets in by December to February.
Nosh on fusion of American and Filipino cuisines
Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH, I was able to sample some of Swig & Nosh’s signature dishes.
These included:
Apple Pie Salad (Php220). A healthy combination of sweet and savory flavors made withmixed greens tossed with apple compote, streusel crumbs and cheddar with a cider vinaigrette.
Pork Cubes and Watermelon (Php230). Fork-tender cubes of pork belly tossed with watermelon cubes and hoisin sauce.
Calamares sa Bawang (Php210). Garlic-flavored battered squid rings served with tarragon vinegar and lemon.
Gambas Aligue (Php305). The shrimp and garlic appetizer hyped-up with the inclusion of crab roe balanced with orange bits.
Bacon Benedict (Php335). The hyped-up version of Eggs Benedict with special pan de sal, homemade bacon jam, spinach, bacon, two poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
Wagyu Bacon Royale Burger (Php350). Wagyu patty, cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and bacon jam in a buttered brioche bun served with spiced ketchup.
Tinapa Rice. Fried rice flavored with smoked fish.
Dry Rub Chicken with Truffle Honey (Php295). Chicken leg and thigh covered with the house-recipe dry rub and truffle honey then fried to a crispy golden brown and served with cole slaw and ranch dressing.
Prime Rib (Php392/100g). Tender and perfectly grilled grilled steak made of Black Onyx Australian Angus beef.
Choco Chip Cookie Dough Milkshake (Php170). Made with vanilla ice cream and milk with balls of edible cookie dough, topped with whipped cream in a candy studded glass and served with a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie.
Brownie Mocha Milkshake (Php175). Made with chocolate ice cream and milk with bits of brownie, topped with whipped cream and chopped nuts in a candy studded glass and served with a freshly baked brownie.
These hearty and tasty comfort food, all meticulously prepared and prettily presented, are suitable for discerning foodies in big celebrations, intimate get-togethers or even solo food adventures. The milkshakes, in particular, were a treat to both the eyes and the sweet tooth.
Take swigs of refreshing drinks and cocktails
Wash down these delicious viands with your choice of drinks – alcoholic or non-alcoholic – from Swig & Nosh’s well-stocked bar.
House Blend Iced Tea (Php185/liter). Swig & Nosh’s own signature flavor of iced tea. A raspberry-flavored variant is also available at Php175/liter).
Atomic Cat (Php130). A mocktail made with lemonade and grenadine.
Long Island Iced Tea (Php170). A cocktail made with rum, vodka, gin and other spirits mixed with cola and lemon juice.
Tequila Sunrise (Php180). A cocktail made with tequila, orange juice and grenadine.
Amaretto Sour (Php190). A cocktail made with amaretto, lemon juice, egg whites and bitters.
Blue Lagoon (Php170). A cocktail made with vodka, blue curacao and lemonade.
So if you find yourself in Marikina, know that you have somewhere to go for good eats and drinks.
Many thanks to the management and crew of Swig & Nosh for the warm welcome and great food, and to EJ of I Love To Eat PH for extending the invitation!
Swig & Nosh is located at No. 6, Mt. Pleasant Street, Bgy. Santa Elena, Marikina City, open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 28 2801298.
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
Labmates, are you ready for a bout of experimentation and discovery?
Well, check out the foodie adventure that my fellow foodies and I embarked on at Bubba Lab Graceland Plaza in our pursuit of food knowledge and verifiably delicious eats.
(And, in keeping with Bubba Lab’s theme, and just for kicks, this blog post will be formatted in line with the scientific method.)
Statement of the Question:
Where in Marikina do we go for imaginatively concocted drinks and tasty snacks?
Being a resident of the East, I usually gravitate towards Marikina for foodie adventures since this city is packed with great foodie finds: fresh concepts, creative food executions and enterprising owners.
Hypothesis:
Hmm, the Bubba Lab branch at Graceland Plaza sure seems worth checking out. I already sampled some of its drinks at its Lamp Quarters branch and those were pretty interesting.
Bubba Lab is a homegrown chemistry-themed cafe which set its roots in the foodie haven Marikina. This branch is the second of the brand’s three existing outlets and has recently undergone some renovation to include some botanicals into the space. The change made the cafe even more inviting and Instagrammable, a perfect place for yuppies and young ‘uns to relax and grab a bite while working/studying (there’s free WiFi) or hanging out with friends.
Data Gathering:
Yeah, but what about the food?
Well, let’s see… During its recent Bloggers Event, Bubba Lab treated us to some of its menu items which included:
Labcuterie (Php270). Bubba Lab’s version of a charcuterie, it is comprised of slices of bratwurst. kielbasa and Hungarian sausages served with honey mustard dip and coleslaw.
Supernova (Php260). Named after the stellar explosion, this collection of finger-foods – battered fish, squid fritters, jojos (crispy battered potato wedges) and nachos – served in individual containers in a stand for easy access and served with spice-infused vinegar and three dips of one’s choice are sure to lead to explosions of flavor.
Chicken Slaw Croissant (Php160). Truth be told: the chicken salad croissant is one of my all-time favorite sandwiches. When one of the fast-food chains eliminated it from its menu, I was near-heartbroken. I’m so glad that this sandwich has made its home at Bubba Lab, and is just a short drive away.
Crinkly Fries (Php75). Crisp and freshly made fries in your choice of flavor: sour cream, BBQ or cheese.
Tater Tots (Php80). Crisp deep-fried balls made from grated potatoes.
Lab Treats. Seasonal creations baked fresh daily which include muffins (Php75 each) – Cheese Overload, Red Velvet, Choco Chip and Chocolate Moist – and huge cookies (Php35/pc) – Oatmeal and Choco Chip.
Bubba Lab takes particular pride in its beverage offerings, and, in keeping with its chemistry theme, the store’s drink menu takes after the table of elements, with each refreshing drink assigned its own symbol.
Stp – Strawberries and Cream Candy Frappe (Php140 medium | Php150 large). Sweet and fruity, a dessert-drink for those with a sweet tooth.
Scp – Salted Caramel Frappe (Php140 medium | Php150 large). A creamy concoction with that sweet-salty flavor.
Mx – Mango Tea Frost (Php105 medium | Php115 large). Another fruity drink, with the sweetness of the mango-flavored tea complemented by the nata de coco.
Cu – Cucumber Cooler (Php105). A zesty refreshing drink perfect for hot summer days.
Bu – Bubba Lab Milktea (Php100 medium | Php110 large). The store’s best-selling drink made from freshly brewed tea leaves accented with chewy tapioca pearls.
Analysis:
Bubba Lab’s finger-food and sandwiches are well-suited as snacks or light meals, and go well with the store’s beverage offerings.
The drinks, on the other hand, are creatively concocted and affordably priced.
The store’s newly renovated premises also provide an attractive and comfortable backdrop for solitary work or lively meetups with friends.
Conclusion:
I therefore conclude that Bubba Lab Graceland Plaza is the place to be for milk tea lovers, where they can also enjoy yummy snacks as they work or hang out with friends.
Many thanks to the management and staff of Bubba Lab for the warm welcome and tasty treats, and to Aileen of Aileen Loves To Eat for extending the invitation!
This Bubba Lab branch is located at Graceland Plaza, JP Rizal Avenue, Marikina City, open daily from 10am to 10pm.
Other branches are located at:
Extension B, C&B Circle Mall, Liwasang Kalayaan Avenue, Marikina Heights, Marikina City
Lamp Quarters, Gil Fernando Avenue, Bgy. Santo Nino, Marikina City
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.
Jellybeans in the City 