Considering I work in Quezon City, it’s a wonder I’ve only explored a fraction of the gastronomic choices the other side of Quezon Avenue has to offer.
This is why I grabbed at the chance to dine at Hodai together with my foodie friends.
Located in a sprawling renovated two-storey house along Examiner Street which was originall built in the 1960s, Hodai offers a cozy and comfortable atmosphere for its diners, perfect for group get-togethers and family outings. The decor is minimalist with bits of Asian accents while windows throughout the dining area let in a lot of natural light.
“Hodai” translates to “all you can” in Nihongo, and really, you can eat to your heart’s (and tummy’s) content of Japanese cuisine (with some Korean food thrown in) in this resto.
Curious on what you can enjoy at Hodai? Feast your eyes on these!
Fish Teriyaki
Japchae
Rose Cream Pasta
Tempura
Sushi Rolls
Korean Fried Chicken
Kani Salad
Kimchi Gyoza
Tonkatsu
Cheese Cream Spicy BBQ Bowl
To get your fill of these delicious dishes, choose from two value-packed meal sets:
Silver Set (Php499). Includes Teriyaki, Japchae or Rose Cream Pasta, Tempura, Sushi Rolls, Korean Fried Chicken, Kani Salad, Kimchi Gyoza and Tonkatsu.
Gold Set (Php599). Includes everything in the Silver Set plus Cheese Cream Spicy BBQ Bowl.
Note: Unli rice and miso soup are also provided on a self-service basis. Guests are also given Korean frozen sweets as desserts after the meal.
The sheer number and variety of these sumptuous dishes may be daunting at first. However, for hungry foodies and fans of unli servings, Hodai’s meal sets present quite a good deal.
And to sweeten the deal further, Hodai has irresistible Lucky 7 promo offers this July:
On weekdays, get 1+1 on the Gold Set. That means two people can dine on all these food for only Php599.
On weekends, get discounted rates on the Silver set (now at Php349) and the Gold Set (now at Php419).
So, really, there’s no better time to gather up your family and friends to feast on all-you-can-eat Japanese food at Hodai!
Hodai is located at 14 Examiner Street, West Triangle, Quezon City, open daily for lunch from 10am to 3pm and for dinner from 5pm to 10pm. For reservations, call +63 956 4605848.
Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, 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.
It is a Japanese yaki (baked) dessert which follows the shape of the tai (Japanese red seabream). A classic street vendor fare in Japan, it has now reached our shores when the first store of Taki Taki opened a few weeks ago at Century City Mall in Makati.
Walk around the mall’s Hole in the Wall food hall and you will find a quaint little shop decorated with fish images (the servers even wear cute fish hats), and anime-like drawings. The smell of baking taiyaki might even lead you there, hmm?
So how are taiyaki made?
Waffle batter is poured into hot fish-shaped molds (each side poured separately) with the filling placed in one side. Before the batter is cooked through, the molds are closed for up to three minutes until the batter is golden brown and the filling is sealed inside inside the taiyaki.
The taiyaki is a actually quite versatile in the sense that it can suit almost any filling, whether sweet (Php100) such as red bean, Nutelle/Peanutbutter, apple cinnamon and cream cheese with strawberries, or savory (Php120) such as cheese, tuna/corn/mayo, bacon egg and cheese and curry cheese.
Being a sweet tooth, my choices in taiyaki include one with the traditional filling of anko (sweet red bean paste) and another with cream cheese and strawberries. The red bean taiyaki has that sweet and light taste while the cream cheese taiyaki has a nice contrast of saltiness from the cheese and tart sweetness from the berries.
Taiyaki also make for tasty frozen treats. Soft-serve ice cream made with premium Hokkaido milk is twirled into open taiyaki cones then topped with candies, crunchies, fruits and drizzles.
I got myself an I Love Taki (Php200), made with Vanilla Milk ice cream topped with marshmallows and strawberry sprinkles and strawberry syrup syringe, and a Grizzly’s Chocolate Overload (Php200), made with Chocolate Milk ice cream topped with toast crunch, cinnamon, marshmallows and a milk chocolate lollipop.
Well, this is another case of sugar high for me.
These taiyaki treats are a welcome addition to the dessert and snack choices available in the metro. If you want a taste of this popular Japanese street food, head to Taki Taki today!
Taki Taki is located at the Hole in the Wall, Fourth Floor, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 9pm, Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 10pm and Sundays from 10am to 9pm.
Disclosure: I was invited to visit Taki Taki where I was served food items mentioned here for free for me to sample the fare in exchange for an honest review.
Did you know that Krispy Kreme is celebrating its 82nd birthday this July?
It opened its first branch in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on July 13, 1937 after founder Vernon Rudolph acquired a secret yeast-raised doughnut recipe from a New Orleans chef and brought about Krispy Kreme’s signature Original Glazed doughnuts.
This month, however, as a special treat to its customers, Krispy Kreme recently launched its limited edition Mini Birthday Cake Doughnuts.
Made of three yummy and festive new flavors – bubblegum, strawberry and white chocolate – all drizzled with melted dark chocolate, studded with rainbow sprinkles and dusted with edible gold dust. It even comes with its own limited-edition happy box so the celebrant can unbox this special treat and get a happy surprise.
Gift someone special with this Mini Birthday Cake for only Php149. Hurry, though! It’s available at Krispy Kreme stores only until July 31.
Still can’t get enough of Krispy Kreme’s sweet treats? How about mix-and-matching these babies up with our favorite candy? Check out Krispy Kreme’s DUOghnuts!
Get yourself a dark chocolate-glazed doughnut topped with Reese’s Peanut Butter Butter Cups and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds or a strawberry-dipped one topped with M&Ms and Skittles. Because you’re never too old or too full to enjoy your childhood treats.
This Krispy Kreme branch is located at SM Hypermarket, Frontera Verde Drive, Ugong, Pasig City.
I would scour food halls, parks, malls and shopping centers in search for sugary treats. And sometimes, I would find something that the mere thought of which gives me a sugar high.
How about sweet confections at par with those you can find in a Parisienne cafe or New York hotel, but easily accessible and affordably priced? Think it’s good to be true?
Well, as I’ve discovered together with my East-based foodie friends, Coffee Time Cakes and Pastries, is the place to be in Pasig if you want to indulge in delectable desserts masterfully whipped up by a Paris-trained pastry chef.
Upon her retirement, Chef Amy Carr decided to bring her extensive experience in cakes and pastries by helping her daughter Lucelle and son-in-law Martin Tan set up a cafe along Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Santolan, Pasig.
Enter its doors and you will be ensconced in a cozy haven with a cosmopolitan feel. Comfortable chairs and low tables make for seating that encourages intimate conversations or restful solitude. Tasteful wall and shelf decor give the space an posh yet welcoming atmosphere. And for those who need to be always online, whether for work, study or social media, the place provides many power outlets for gadget charging as well as free WiFi.
For me and my foodie buddies, Coffee Time’s raison d’etre is its well-curated selection of cakes and baked goodies, all made from scratch by Chef Amy using premium ingredients. Check out a sampling of sweets that we were treated to when we visited the cafe:
Blueberry Cheesecake (Php160/slice | Php1,300/whole). New York-style cheesecake topped with sweetened blueberries.
Choco Salted Caramel (Php150/slice | Php1,200/whole). Rich chocolate cake layered with salted caramel and covered with a luscious chocolate frosting.
Tiramisu (Php160/slice | Php1,300/whole). Did you know that the name Italian word tiramisu translates to “cheer me up?” Well, this confection made of espresso-dipped chiffon cake layered with mascarpone cheese-based mixture and topped with powdered cocoa is sure to give your day a boost.
Sans Rival (Php165/slice | Php1,500). A homegrown dessert, this confection made of buttercream, meringue and cashew nuts layered on top of each other really is without rival.
Strawberry Shortcake (Php160/slice | Php1,300/whole). Light sponge cake layered with strawberry and vanilla cream and topped with fresh strawberries, this cake blew us foodies away with its delicious taste and lovely mouthfeel.
French Macarons (Php65/piece | Php320/box). These dainty and colorful meringue-based confections are bigger than the ones you’ll find in other dessert shops. Buy a piece, a box or two, for yourself or to give as a gift.
Cheese Drops (Php45/piece). A kiss-shaped dollop of cheesecake coated with s thick layer of chocolate, it makes for a bite-sized enjoyment!
Ensaimada con Queso de Bola (Php70/piece). Our favorite merienda pastry is given more flavor by the incorporation of Pato queso de bola (Edam Cheese).
Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies (Php60/piece). The classic chocolate chip cookie is made heartier by the addition of oatmeal and chopped walnuts.
Red Velvet Muffin (Php55/piece). Despite its bright red color, red velvet muffins are actually rich in chocolate flavor. Topped with buttercream icing, these are quite filling yet not too sweet, perfect for pairing with black coffee.
Choco Chip Muffin (Php60). Everyone’s favorite cookie now in muffin form.
Partner these sweets with coffee- or non-coffee-based drinks offered at the store such as:
Flavored Lattes: Salted Caramel Mocha (Php90/8 oz | Php100/12oz) and Red Velvet (Php115/8oz | Php125/12oz).
Coffee or Cream Frappes: Salted Caramel Popcorn (Php150/16oz), Matcha (Php150/16oz) and Strawberry Cream (Php170/16oz)
No time to drop by the cafe? If you live in nearby Pasig or Marikina areas, call +63 920 9490391 to have your sweets delivered.
We foodies had such a sweet time which was one big sugar high, thanks to Chef Amy, Lucelle, Martin and the sweet folks of Coffee Time Cakes and Pastries!
Coffee Time Cakes & Pastries is located at 50 Amang Rodriguez Avenue (across South Supermarket), Santolan, Pasig City, open daily from 7am to 9pm. For inquiries and delivery requests, call +63 920 9490391.
Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, 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.
There are lots of Italian food joints all over the metro but every once in a while, there’s one that stands out because its concept stayed fresh despite having been around for years.
I first tasted Pazzo Rollio’s offerings almost four years ago and, to this day, they remain among my favorites because they retain the taste I love while still seeming new and unusual.
Wanna know what I mean? Read on.
Together with my friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I visited Pazzo Rollio’s branch in SM Pasig to reacquaint myself with its signature dishes, which include:
Spinach and Artichoke Dip (Php185). A wonderful start to the meal! A thick mixture of spinach and artichoke with a layer of mozarella on top, and served with bread and fried wonton chips.
Pasta Puttanesca (Php220 solo | Php360 family). Spaghetti noodles with a house/made sauce of anchovies, tomatoes, olives, capers and garlic.
Fellinis (Php195 solo | Php310 family). Angelhair pasta and shrimp in housemade pesto sauce.
Bleu Cheese (Php245 solo | Php385 family). Chicken and sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy and cheesy gorgonzola sauce.
Bistecca (Php320). Flavorful and tender beef tenderloin pieces top pasta with a pommery mustard sauce.
Buffalo Wings (Php119 for 6 pieces | Php219 for 12 pieces). Yummy chicken pieces in Original and Garlic Parmesan flavor.
The name “Pazzo Rollio” translates to “crazy rolls” in Italian. And Pazzo Rollio’s rolled pizzas are definitely crazy good. These are central to the resto’s concept: paper-thin pizza dough slathered with cheese sauce and toppings, it is baked in a hot oven and served with arugula and alfalfa sprouts, ready for rolling. While rolled pizzas are available elsewhere, Pazzo Rollio’s are among the less expensive and more varied in flavor that I know of.
Big Bang Supreme (Php250 solo | Php450 family). Topped with bacon, ham, pepperoni, caramelized onions and mushrooms.
Pazzo Special (Php280 solo | Php480 regular). Topped with bacon, ham, salami, crumbled meatballs, mushrooms and bell pepper.
House Blend Iced Tea (Php50 glass | Php150 pitcher). A refreshing beverage that goes well with Pazzo Rollio’s dishes.
All these just go to show that there’s definitely more to Italian food than meets the eye!
Many thanks to Miss Vinci, Ana and Jem of Pazzo Rollio for having us!
This Pazzo Rollio branch is located at SM Hypermart, Frontera Verde Drive, Ugong, Pasig City, open daily from 10am to 11am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 5707801.
Other branches are located at:
Third Floor, Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, QC
Fourth Floor, SM City Manila, Ermita, Manila
Treat the gang out for a tasty and filling meal of Fellinis and Bleu Cheese pastas with a Big Bang Supreme rolled pizza for Php1,099!
You can also Create Your Own Rolled Pizza (Php280 solo | Php480 family) by choosing your preferred toppings for your pizza which include bacon, ham, salami, prosciutto, chicken, shrimp, sausage, crumbled meatball, anchovies, olives, caramelized onions, red onions, garlic, jalapenos, mushrooms, bell pepper, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, pineapple, chili flakes, basil, parsley, gorgonzola, mozzarella, pesto sauce, barbecue sauce and truffle oil.
Look back on your favorite homespun food, the ones that your mom or lola used to cook for the family during special occasions.
Now imagine them with a fresh twist, a little change that makes them keep the nostalgia that you harbor for them but, at the same time, gives them a new dimension that gets you so giddy with excitement for a taste of something new.
That is what Chef Jehrad Dolino achieved when he unveiled his latest creations of reimagined Filipino food for Moonshine PUB.
Moonshine PUB is a cozy public urban bar situated in the hip and happenin’ Sapphire Bloc in Ortigas Center. It has a relaxing atmosphere with muted lights, dark leather furniture and brick decor reminiscent of 1920s underground speakeasies.
This is where Ortigas-based yuppies can go and unwind, enjoying the pub’s signature drinks which include these cocktails:
Calamansi Gin Smash (Php335). A refresing gin-based cocktail made with muddled sugar, cucumber and basil leaves and flavored with calamansi.
Smoked Old Fashioned (Php310). A whiskey-based cocktail made with muddled sugar and bitters accented by a lemon peel. It is smoked then covered for full effect.
Whiskey Sour (Php310). A whiskey-based cocktail made with lemon juice and sugar.
Chef Dolino’s new set of #FilipinoReimagined dishes take advantage of locally-sourced ingredients that are in season and allows Moonshine to continue to provide fresh takes on classic Pinoy cuisines. These include:
Chori Burger (Php395). Made from scratch by the chef and his team using vinegar and a lot of garlic and allowed to marinate in the chiller for two weeks, the chorizo patties give the burgers an exotic taste and feel. Each burger is served in a brioche bun with the house slaw and a sunny side up, plus some fries on the side.
Crispy Palabok with Crablets (Php350). Crispy glass noodles drenched in made-from-scratch palabok sauce made even heartier with the crablets and chicharon bulaklak.
Pizza Margarito (Php465). Chef Dolino’s twist on the Pizza Margherita, adding some house-made longganisa to the toasty pizza. This dish was inspired the chef and his wife’s trips to Italy.
Longganisa Shanghai (Php280). Also incorporating the house-made longganisa, this is the chef’s take on the classic Lumpiang Shanghai.
Laing with Chicharon (Php240). Inspired by the traditional family of one of the chef’s long-time cooks who hails from Bicol, this dish is not the blow-your-socks-off spicy kind of laing but, especially with the addition of crunchy chicharon, it is well-suited for a Manileno palate.
Spicy Sardine Pasta (Php320). The chef and his staff make the resto’s sardines from scratch using fresh, locally sourced fish. Added to some al dente pasta, these make for quite a filling dish.
Prawn Pakbet (Php380). Made with traditional bagoong, the vegetables here are prepared by blanching them in boiling water then shocking them in iced water, allowing them to retain their crispy texture and vibrant color. And seeing how the shrimp is mostly treated as an add-on in the usual pakbet dishes, he made it the star of the show with the addition of large grilled prawns in his version of the dish.
Salt and Pepper Prawns (Php700). Also inspired by his memories of meals at his lola’s seaside home, this seemingly simple dish pan-fried prawns accompanied by a refreshing cucumber salad presents a lot of pleasing complex flavors.
Angus Beef Adobo (Php540). Taking advantage of the resto’s abundance in tender and flavorful Angus beef, the chef applied classic adobo preparation for this dish with the addition of pan-fried potatoes for added texture like his grandma used to make, and some soft-boiled quail eggs for added richness, as inspired by his tita’s version of the dish.
Langka and Mango Biko (Php190). The classic kakanin (rice delicacy) is given the added twist of mango ang langka (jackfruit) bits, making this reminiscent of the Mango Sticky Rice dish from Thailand.
These new creations highlight the variety and versatility of Filipino cuisine.
Now, if you’re one Moonshine’s loyal patrons and have already developed your favorites among the items in its menu, don’t fret. These new dishes are additions, not replacements. You can still indulge yourself with your old favorites.
This Moonshine branch is located at The Sapphire Bloc, Sapphire corner Onyx corner Garnet Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 3am and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 4am. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 927 8000920.
Planning a trip to Moonshine soon? Drop by between 2pm to 8pm from Sundays to Thursdays for Happy Hour:
Get Php1,000 off on Black Label, Grey Goose and Hendricks
Buy 1 Take 1 on Superdry, Cerveza Negra, Brew Kettle and San Miguel Premium
Buy 1 Take 1 on wine (Php350 per glass)
Buy 1 and get 50% off on Signature Cocktails
San Mig Light and Pale Pilsen at Php50
Drop by from 6pm to 10pm every Saturday to Go Hard or Go Home:
Get Php1,000 off on Jack Daniel, Black Label, Grey Goose, Hendricks and Botanist
Buy 1 Take 1 on Jose Cuervo and Jagermeister
Did you know you can buy two drinks and get the same two drinks for free at Moonshine through Zomato Gold? Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 deals on food or 2+2 deals on drinks.
Disclosure: Together with my fellow foodies, I was invited to join a foodie meetup held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
They say that great stories are told over good food.
Well, at the Cafe Tribu branch at the Victoria de Morato building along Scout Borromeo Street, the food items themselves have their own stories to tell, as I’ve recently discovered together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH.
Care to know ’em?
Opened in March 2019 by former Starbucks Coffee Master Marychris delos Santos, this Cafe Tribu branch has evolved into a showcase for her coffee mastery and her favorite dishes. Having her own business was also her motivation when she was dealing with some personal problems.
Here, you can find a nice and chill haven to hide out in away from the sun or rain. You can also take advantage of the free WiFi while working or studying, or amuse yourself and your buddies with boardgames you can borrow at the counter.
Here, you can refresh yourself with some of Marychris’ signature concoctions such as the Strawberry (Ph85) or the Kiwi Lychee (Php85) Green Tea coolers; or treat yourself to something more decadent such as the Caramel Creme (Php95) or the Java Oreo Berry (Php100) frappes.
So what are the stories behind this Cafe Tribu’s food offerings?
Well, let’s start with the all-day breakfast items which are served with garlic rice, fried egg, atchara and saba:
The German Cheesy (Php130), for starters, features plump homemade cheese-filled sausages which are popular among the denizens of the area near UST where Marychris studied.
The Boneless Bangus (Php130), on the other hand, came all the way from Dagupan, where Marychris’ family hails from. Together with its sweet-sour sukang atchara, it’s a sure-fire winner!
Have you ever tasted baboy ramo (wild boar) before? Order the Pork Tapa (Php165), and you will. I was actually surprised to find this meat imported from Nueva Ecija to be quite tender to the bite.
If you want something more American, have a Ham and Egg Sandwich (Php135). Together with the parmesan-dusted fries, it will fill you up for a day’s work or studying.
Since there’s always room for dessert, check out this Cafe Tribu’s sweet treats:
French Toast (Php95). A sweet confection of Marychris’ own recipe, which became her way to her man’s heart.
Banana Muffins (Php20 each). These yummy cuppies were Marychris’ mom’s way to her dad’s heart.
(There must be something in the way women in her family prepare desserts.) 😍
So if you’re ever in the Tomas Morato area, drop by this Cafe Tribu branch and chat up with Marychris over some good food and refreshing drinks.
Many thanks to Marychris of Cafe Tribu – Victoria de Morato for the warm welcome, the stories and of course, for the yummy food!
This Cafe Tribu branch is located at Ground Floor, Victoria De Morato, Scout Borromeo Street, South Triangle, Quezon City, open weekdays from 10am to 7pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 921 5411885.
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.
“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”
That quote, often mistakenly ascribed to legendary US President Abraham Lincoln, does have a point. Things are done and achieved by those who move.
Well, one of the hardest things to overcome is the state of inertia: just imagine, if your mind and body already think they are at rest, they tend to stay that way for the rest of the day. (Good luck getting over that mid-day slump!)
Fortunately for us working folks here in Quezon City’s South Triangle area, Hustle Cafe has moved its store from Cubao to the corner of Tomas Morato Avenue and Scout Rallos Street. In its new location, it continues to serve food and drink freshly prepared in the store to help people power through the day.
A friend and I dropped by during our lunch break to get our much needed mid-day sustenance, which included:
Pork Samgyupsal (Php250). Korean-style grilled pork and fried egg tops a bowl of fluffy steamed rice, sliced cucumber and kimchi-flavored shredded cabbage.
Grilled Cheese (Php180). Cheese and onion marmalade make up the filling of thick and buttery toasted bread with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Salted Caramel (Php140) and Coffee (Pbp120) Frappes. Our little bits of caffeine-laden treats to wake our brains up and lift out spirits to face the rest of our tasks for the day.
Speaking of uplifting, did you know that proceeds from the sales Hustle Cafe’s food and drink help in the training of out-of-school youth in the food and beverage industry? The cafe exposes these kids, not just in the store’s back-end operations, but also in customer-facing roles to prepare them for larger responsibilities in their future F&B jobs.
With its wallet-friendly-priced drinks, Hustle Cafe also makes specialty brews and blends more accessible and less intimidating, thereby helping to create new coffee lovers and enthusiasts.
So if ever you’re in the Tomas Morato area, do drop by and check out Hustle Cafe’s offerings. They just make give you the energy to hustle your way through your day.
Hustle Cafe is located at the CKB Center, Tomas Morato Avenue corner Rallos Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and advanced orders, call +63 916 6557485.
There’s another reason for tea lovers out there to rejoice: Royaltea, the tea brand which originated from China, has further strengthened its foothold in the country through its second branch in San Juan.
Adding to Royaltea’s existing Taft Avenue branch, the newly opened store in San Juan now serves the brand’s signature tea drinks to the students of nearby Xavier School and residents of adjacent Greenhills villages.
Globally, Royaltea has over 500 stores with highest growth in number in countries such as China, Vietnam, Malaysia and the United States. It prides itself on only using the most premium, fresh and natural ingredients which include natural loose tea leaves and fresh fruits.
It is especially known for its Cheese Teas, beverages with rich and creamy cheese covers made from authentic New Zealand cream cheese. I was able to taste some of Royaltea’s Cheezo drinks when I dropped by for the Grand Opening of its San Juan branch.
These include:
Avocado Cheezo (Php180). Definitely one of my new favorites! The tea taste is not as intense as the Mango Cheezo’s, and the salty sweetness of the milk cap complements the earthy sweetness of the fresh avocado.
Mango Cheezo (Php180). Uses fresh mango and possesses an intense tangy-sweet taste, probably from the tea.
Very Strawberry Cheezo (Php180). Uses fresh strawberries and has an intense sweetness.
Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea with Cheezo (Php130). The caramelized sugar flavor in the milk tea and the chewy tapioca black pearls are given an added layer of flavor from the sweet-saltiness of the cream cheese cover.
The best way to drink these Cheezo drinks is to first sip from the top to really get the cheese flavor, then use the straw to sip the tea from the bottom.
I look forward to checking out Royaltea’s upcoming branches in Quezon City which are nearer my workplace: one in Sgt. Esguerra Avenue and the other in Banawe. It will be so much easier for me to enjoy the store’s myriad of offerings together with my coworkers.
By the way, did you know that Royaltea’s large cups are reusable? Bring them back with you when you re-visit the store, ask the milk tea barista to serve your drinks there, and voila! Not only have you done your part in lessening plastic waste, you also get Php5 knocked off your tea price.
This Royaltea branch is located at 67 Washington Street, Greenhills, San Juan. The other branch is located at Ground Floor, WH Taft Residences, Malate Manila.
Header image provided by Royaltea. All other photos are mine.
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held here wherein in drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
The areas east of Manila are home to many noteworthy restaurants that satisfy the discerning foodie’s need for great food and beautiful surroundings.
Sammy’s, the rustic restaurant tucked away in one of the inner subdivisions in Valley Golf, Cainta, has a lot more going for it.
Curious yet? Read on to discover four reasons why this hidden gem should be brought out to the light of day for everyone to enjoy.
One: The warm welcome.
Sammy’s is located in a fairly hidden street in the Valley View Executive Subdivision, one of the residential villages inside Valley Golf in Cainta, Rizal. Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I was able to locate the place thanks to Google Maps and to the cute signboard made of corrugated steel that hangs outside the gate.
When the gate opened, we were greeted by the smiling Chef Sammy Isidro and his lovely wife Dorothy. And boy, do they have a lot of fun stories to tell! (But more on that later.)
Two: The beautiful place.
The restaurant is actually located at the second floor of their house. A high ceiling decorated by hanging Edison lamps and large windows that let in lots of natural light give the room an open and airy feel. While the area is just big enough to seat twenty to twenty-four people, the layout makes it seem much bigger.
Adding character to the place is its decor which is a cross between rustic and industrial. Polished pine wood tables and woven hemp place mats complement the black and white ceramic ware and clear glassware. Clocks made of bike parts adorn one wall, while a light fixture made of pipes accent another.
Even the washroom is visually appealing: check out that kawali sink!
And the lush greenery from the trees outside provide a verdant backdrop for all of these elements, and, of course, the delicious dishes that Chef Sammy whips up in the kitchen.
Three: The delicious Indonesian-inspired food.
Sammy’s serves a carefully thought-out curation of Asian cuisine influenced, no doubt, by the seventeen years the couple spent in Jakarta. (Doing what there? Again, more on that later, I promise!)
We were served these delectable dishes:
Sammy’s Breakfast (Php390). This big-enough-for-two meal consists of Chef Sammy’s favorite breakfast meal items which include Pinoy classics such as beef tapa, tocino, longganisa and danggit, accompanied by garlic fried rice and omelet.
5-Hour Pork Belly in two ways…
With Laing and White Rice (Php290). A lean piece of pork belly is roasted at low temperature for five hours to achieve a tender texture and a smokey flavor. It is placed on a bed of homemade laing, the Bicolano staple made of taro leaves accompanied by steamed rice.
In a Cubano Sandwich with Kamote Fries (Php250). Showcasing the versatility 5-hour pork belly, Chef Sammy uses it in a hearty Cubano sandwich together with pickles, cheese and a tart sauce in a crisp Cubano bread with kamote (sweet potato) fries on the side.
Konro with White Rice (Php530). In this Indonesian version of braised beef, big chunks of flavorful ribs are slow-cooked for hours in its own drippings, thereby concentrating its flavor. By the way, this giant serving is also big enough for two.
Nasi Goreng (Php190). In this Indonesian take on the fried rice, precooked rice is flavored with kecap manis (a sweet kind of soy sauce), shallots, garlic, shrimp paste and tamarind, and made heartier with the addition of juicy pieces of chicken satay on skewers and krupuk crackers.
Mango Crepes with Vanilla Sauce (Php160). Chef Sammy first tasted this dessert when he was a waiter at La Scala years ago and his fond memories of it drove him to include it in the menu of his own restaurant.
Banana Bread French Toast (Php140). Slices of homemade banana loaf are dipped in a rich egg mixture then lightly toasted, making this dessert extra decadent.
Martabak Manis. This thick pancake dish popular in Indonesia is filled chocolate sprinkle, crushed peanuts, cheese and condensed milk. It’s not yet on the menu but given our enthusiastic reaction to it, it definitely should be.
Fresh Fruit Shakes: Ripe Mango Shake (Php140) and Banana Milk Shake (Php130).
Hot Bicolano Tabrilla Chocolate (Php65). This cup of decadently thick hot chocolate made from single-origin tabrilla from Bicol is perfect for lazy Sunday mornings when you just want to luxuriate in its sweet comfort… or any other time, really.
Four: The singing chef… and his wife!
And now for the low-down: Chef Sammy and Dorothy spent seventeen years as singers in the Hotel Mulia Senayan Jakarta, where they exemplified the musical prowess of Pinoys to the hotel’s international clientele.
In between his singing gigs, Sammy achieved his Diploma 1 at the Jakarta Culinary Center.
Now that they have their own establishment back home, Chef Sammy and Dorothy still break out into song from time to time, but mostly as an extra treat for their dinner guests after dessert has been served.
Imagine a Valentine’s Day date, an intimate proposal or an anniversary celebration with these two singing in the background. (Kilig time ahead!) 😍😍😍
So given all these reasons, I think it’s high time that Sammy’s become a prime destination for foodies, and not just for those living east of Manila. Don’t you agree?
Thanks to Chef Sammy and Dorothy for an awesome dining experience for me and my foodie buddies!
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.
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.
Jellybeans in the City 