review – Jellybeans in the City

Salud to the weekend at Latino Cocktail Bar, Poblacion

What to do after a hectic week of meetings, reports and presentations?

If you find yourself in the Poblacion area, you might want to check out the newly opened Latino Cocktail Bar along P. Burgos.

Here, you can bid goodbye to the workweek partying the night away enjoying the hot Latin vibes from the music, the drinks and the people (mostly from the local Latino community) who are sure to frequent the place.

Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH, I attendee its Grand Opening, where we enjoyed some of its celebrated cocktails:

Mojito. A traditional Cuban highball of white rhum, lime juice, sugar, mint, ice and soda water which makes for a sweet, herby and citrusy drink.

Amaretto Sour. A drink made with the Italian almond-based liqueur amaretto as well as citrusy juices, simple syrup and orange liqeuer.

Cosmopolitan. Popularized in the TV series Sex and the City as Carrie Bradshaw’s drink of choice, this concoction is made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and sweetened lime juice.

Frozen margarita. A cocktail made with tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice shaken then frozen to create flavored shaved ice served in a salt-rimmed glass.

Together with these cocktails, we also nibbled on some of Latino’s bar chow:

Empanadas. A baked pastry turnover filled with beef, chicken on cheese.

Desitos de Queso. A popular Venezuelan snack made of fried and breaded cheese sticks.

Nuggets and Fries. If you’re wondering what these fun-shaped chicken nuggets and stick fries are doing in a Latin-American style bar, well, I’m wondering about that myself.

So go ahead and add Latino Cocktail Bar among your Poblacion haunts when you want to say salud to the weekend!

Thanks to the owner and crew of Latino Cocktail Bar and to Jonylle Pineda of #WeLoveToEatPH for extending the invite!

Latino Cocktail Bar is located at 5739 P. Burgos corner San Lucas Street, Poblacion Makati (beside Gogi Korean Barbecue and Gangnam Style). For inquiries and reservations, call +63 956 4630866.

Disclosure: Together with fellow foodies from #WeLoveToEatPH, I attended the restaurant’s grand opening wherein the food items mentioned above were served to allow us to sample the fare in exchange for honest reviews.

Check out my reviews of other Latin American restaurants:

Classic Negrense cuisine at JT’s Manukan Grille, Tomas Morato

One particularly rainy day, a coworker was craving for barbecue for lunch. Well, for me, barbecue as the main highlight of the lunch meal would be too basic (Yes, sometimes, I’m a diva like that!)

After much debate, our group decided to have lunch at the nearby JT’s Manukan Grille to get the best of both worlds. She can have the pork barbecue she has been craving for while I get to experience authentic Bacolod chicken inasal.

The restaurant was started by award-winning character actor Joel Torre (hence the name “JT”) and his wife, Cristy. From its humble beginnings as a takeout counter, the brand has grown to eighteen outlets all over the metro.

The restaurant operates on four principles: masarap (delicious), mura (affordable), malinis (clean) and masaya (happy). All of these principles came into play during our meal.

Located at the corner of Sgt. Esguerra Avenue and Scout Borromeo Street, the restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating areas. It is marked by decor that denote its Negrense origins such as the Masskara masks painted on the walls and its association with the actor such as movie posters and that fun wall mural that offers a fresh take on The Last Supper that adorn many Filipino dining rooms.

Chicken inasal is made of chicken pieces marinated in a mixture of calamansi, pepper, coconut vinegar and annatto then grilled over hot coals while being basted with the marinade.

Our orders included Paa (chicken leg and thigh – Php120), Pecho (chicken breast and wing – Php135) and Pork Barbecue (Php35 per stick), which we enjoyed together with lots of chicken oil, the soy sauce with calamansi and chili pepper dipping sauce, flavorful garlic rice and bowl of hot broth.

I also got myself an Allmytea Iced Tea (Php50 for single serve | Php70 bottomless) which is a good partner for the inasal.

See? Sometimes, we can have the best of both worlds!

This JT’s Manukan Grille branch is located at Scout Borromeo corner Scout Ybardolosa Street, South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 9288085.

Other branches in Metro Manila are located in:

Quezon City: Valencia, Banawe, Libis, Eton Centris, Novaliches, Project 8, Ever Gotesco Commonwealth, Blue Ridge
Makati City: Bel Air, Makati Central Square
BGC: Justice Drive, Sapphire Residence Tower
Pasig: Ortigas Home Depot
Manila: Ermita
Paranaque: Victory Food Market

Check out my reviews of other Filipino restaurants:

3 reasons for titas to have a deluxe brunch at Chef Jessie, Rockwell Club

It was a sunny Sunday and two intrepid titas – Jen of Sand Under My Feet and myself – are out for brunch.

But do note that we are not braving weekend traffic and the after-mass influx of people in the Rockwell area for just any, run-of-the-mill brunch.

Oh, no… We’re there for a special kind of dining experience that only one of the most trusted names in the metro’s culinary scene can provide.

We made our way to Chef Jessie Rockwell Club for a deluxe brunch.

And as to why two titas decided to spend their late Sunday morning here, well, read on…

One: It’s a beautiful place to have a meal.

Situated inside the posh Rockwell Club in Makati, Chef Jessie’s recently renovated restaurant is infused with a modern colonial design that provides a lush tropical-themed haven for food lovers.

Floor-to-ceiling windows let in a lot of natural light, as well as a view of the goings-on in the nearby pool area. The green-grey walls, highlighted by large potted plants make it seem like the garden outside found its way into the restaurant and suffused the space with freshness and calm.

For us titas that already deal with office stresses during the weekdays, entering this welcoming and relaxing space is a treat.

Two: Every dish is a work of art.

Chef Jessie Sincioco is a legend among foodies. Having won the Great Maya Cookfest in 1983, she was offered a special training course at Hotel Intercontinental Manila which paved the way to her becoming the first-ever Filipina pastry chef in 1990.

Chef Jessie brings her considerable culinary expertise into play in bring dishes that provide a feast for the senses: beautifully presented and masterfully prepared to achieve the best in taste, texture and aroma.

During our Sunday brunch, Jen and I feasted on Chef Jessie’s tasty offerings which include:

Fresh Juices:

Dalandan (Php195) and Banana Shake (Php160).

Starters:

Freshly baked breads served with butter and herb vinaigrette infused olive oil.

Salads:

Salad ala Judy Ann (Php450). Mesclun and micro greens tossed with bits of fruits in season along with slivers of brie and bleu-cheese in a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

Salad ala Joe Mari Chan (Php450). Slivers of ubud (heart of palm) molded into a circle together with alugbati (local spinach) in a sampaloc (tamarind) vinaigrette.

Soups:

Classic French Onion Soup with Gruyere Cheese (Php395).

Cream of Carrot and Pumpkin with Shrimp and Mango (Php350).

Entremets:

Dalandan Granitas (Php195) to cleanse the palate in preparation for the main course.

Mains:

Certified US Black Angus Beef Tenderloin (Php1,895) served with sauce bourguignonne, buttered vegetables and potato gratin.

Grilled Lemongrass Chicken (Php895) served with garlic rice and atchara.

Desserts:

Chocolate Souffle (Php350) and Mango Jubilee Ala Mode (Php450).

Cafe Latte (Php180).

Truly, this was a feast that any tita would find rewarding after a hectic work week!

Three: You get treated like the queens you are.

From the time we were ushered to our table to the time we left, we were assisted by the friendly staff. Plates were efficiently cleared after every course, our water glasses immediately refilled, and our inquiries on the food items sufficiently addressed.

They even gamely agreed to our multiple requests for pictures!

So whether you’re a tita, a tito or just a foodie looking to treat yourself to an amazing meal, head on to Chef Jessie’s!

Thanks to the Chef Jessie staff for the great food and warm service during our brunch and to Jen for sharing her GC!

Chef Jessie is located at Ground Floor, Rockwell Club, Amorsolo Square, Rockwell Center, Makati, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 8906543 or +63 2 8907630.

Check out my blog posts on brunch places around the metro:

Frozen treats at Fiorgelato, Sta Lucia East

Just when we Easterners thought gelato treats are way above our budget or inaccessible to us, a Fiorgelato scooping station sets up shop right in our turf.

Gelato is a type of frozen dessert that originated in Italy. Made with a base of milk, gelato uses a lot less cream than ice cream, resulting in a denser and creamier dessert.

Fiorgelato produces several gelato flavors that make use of the finest ingredients such as chocolates, fresh fruits and imported Italian flavorings.

Together with my fellow foodies from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I visited the newly opened Fiorgelato scooping station at Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall.

The store stocks gelato variants that include: pistachio, pragola (strawberry), salted caramel, choco nut fudge, biscotti (cookies ‘n cream), ube (yam), menta (mint) and fior de panna (vanilla).

These flavors are mixed and matched, topped with goodies and made into yummy gelato-based treats, which, thanks to an ongoing rainy season promo, are currently available at discounted rates.

Check them out:

Regular Cup (Php60 from Php70).

Banana Split (Php110 from Php120).

Ice Cream Blend (Php110 from Php140).

And the soon-to-be-launched Revel Bar ala Mode (no price yet).

Just imagine what other gelato treats await us! Personally, I would really love it if Fiorgelato adds chocolate chips and chopped nuts among its toppings.

Many thanks to Oliver and the staff of Fiorgelato Sta. Lucia for having us!

This Fiorgelato kiosk is located at Second Floor, Building 3 (in front of the department store), Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Felix Avenue corner Marcos Highway, San Isidro, Cainta.

Other kiosks are located at:

Medical City, Ugong, Pasig
Rustan’s Makati, Glorietta Complex, Makati
Ayala Malls Circuit, Olympia, Makati
Salcedo Village, Makati
Sampaloc, Manila
Fairview, Quezon City
Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
Fisher Mall Malabon, Longos, Malabon City

Disclosure: Together with my fellow foodies, I attended a foodie meetup held here. 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 dessert shops in the metro:

Brunchin’ at the Beach at Saltitude, Anilao

Anilao in Batangas is home to all sorts of fun beach activities: swimming, diving, snorkeling and windsurfing, just to name a few.

Aside from their proximity to the clear sparkling sea, those activities have another thing in common: they do work up quite an appetite.

Fortunately, Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort recently launched “Brunchin’ at the Beach,” a brunch buffet experience that takes place every Saturday, from 6am to 12.30pm at its Mingle restaurant.

For only Php699/person, diners can enjoy a sumptuous and well-curated spread of dishes in line with a weekly theme cuisine, all while enjoying the cool and relaxing vibe of the Saltitude’s beach and premises.

Together with my fellow bloggers, I was able to experience Saltitude’s first brunch buffet available to resort guests and walk-in diners.

Inside, diners and guests can relax in the resto’s sprawling and well-appointed dining area furnished with custom-made pieces. And yes, should they be so inclined, they can take advantage of these Instagrammable surroundings to snap a photo or two.

The menu theme for the launch is intercontinental which features samplings from Pinoy, Asian, American and Mediterranean cuisines, all personally chosen by the resort’s co-owner Malou Esparrago, and whipped up in the kitchen using local ingredients by Saltitude’s in-house chef.

These dishes are beautifully presented in a lavish buffet spread with a few touches of coastal chic bric-a-bracs, also conceptualized by Malou.

The tasty items in the sumptuous buffet spread include:

Filipino. Steamed freshly caught fish, pork adobo, clam soup, pancit canton, champorado with crispy dilis, puto and kutsinta.

Mixed Asian. Sushi rolls, steamed potstickers and Chinese fried rice.

Mediterranean. Lasagna, Pasta Aglio Olio, Tomato Basil Bruscheta and Salmon Bruscheta.

American. Bacon, hotdogs, scrambled eggs, pancakes and bread with various cheeses and jams.

Dessert. Buko pandan and leche flan.

My faves among these are pancit canton, lasagna, salmon bruscheta and the leche flan. I found the varied selection of dishes quite appetizing. I would also imagine the kids would love the hotdogs, bacon and pancakes.

I look forward to Brunchin’ at the Beach’s the next themed menu. Which one’s your bet: Spanish, Mexican or Indonesian?

Plus, I’d also love to join one of Saltitude’s Beach Barbecues held Saturday nights during the summer.

View this post on Instagram

Picture perfect beach BBQ destination here in Anilao, Batangas 💙 #anilao #dive&chill #beachBBQ

A post shared by Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort (@saltitude_dive) on May 30, 2019 at 7:19am PDT

So the next time you’re in Anilao, drop by Saltitude for some brunch. Or better yet, book your stay in one of its quirkily themed rooms (read more about them here) for the weekend, and then head straight to brunch on Saturday morning.

Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort is located along Manini Road in Mabini, Batangas. To book your stay or reserve a table at the restaurant, call +63 43 4101857, +63 927 4220428 or +63 939 9088843, or email info@saltitude-anilao.com. For more details, check out its website.

Want to know what activities you can enjoy at Saltitude? Check out my previous post.

Get your ultimate cup of tea at Ultrakappu, Old Balara

Just when you thought that the milk tea business has reached its peak, here comes a new player in the market that has something quite novel to introduce: healthy beverage options.

That is not something most people go to milk tea joints for but for John and Anna Pelino, who are both on keto diets, having sugar-free and keto-friendly choices available in their milk tea bar is essential.

Found in a residential area along South Zuzuaregui Street in Old Balara, UltraKappu was borne out of the couple’s trip to Taiwan (originally to take their young toddler to see the pandas) into a week-long milk tea party. Finding a particular taste in Taiwanese milk tea that they wanted to bring back home, they soon set up shop in Quezon City with the help of Anna’s brother Mark, further fueling the milk tea craze in the metro.

Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I visited UltraKappu’s flagship store to discover what sets it apart from other milk tea establishments.

One: The brand has Japanese-inspired origins

Unlike most milk tea places in the country that translate their Taiwan origins to their local operations, UltraKappu got its (very loose) inspiration from Japanese superheroes. UltraKappu (or “urutorakappu”), in fact, translates to “ultra cup” in Japanese.

Even the store is marked with Japanese-style minimalism. Two sets of cafe-style tables and chair and bar stools provide seating adequate for around ten people. The store logo is boldly emblazoned in orange against the dark grey background, while the TV plays the store’s music video starring cosplayers dressed as Japanese-style anime girls enjoying their favorite drinks.

However, all the milk tea ingredients are imported from the motherland of milk tea, Taiwan.

Two: A milk tea place for the health conscious?

You would think that “milk tea” and “healthy” are two mutually exclusive concepts but John and Anna are adamant that their store be able to offer, not only supercharged versions of beverages already available in the local food scene, but also guilt-free and ultimately healthier drink choices.

How exactly?

For one thing, they offer sugar-free drinks, suitable for those on keto diets, such as Bulletproof Black, Bulletproof White, Bulletproof Mocha and Almond Milk Tea.

Bulletproof coffee is a drink consisting of brewed coffee, grass-fed unsalted butter and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) coconut oil, all healthy ingredients that are low in sugar but high in good energy.

Diners can even request to see the macros of these drinks such as the amount of calories, fat, carbs and protein they contain to make sure these fall within their daily intake levels.

Also, instead of just adjusting sugar levels of their other drinks, the staff can take out sugar altogether. For additional Php10 to the price of your kappu order, they will use a sugar substitute with zero net carbs and zero sugar.

Lastly, UltraKappu has an Ala Carte Menu that allows diners to build their own healthy milk tea from scratch. With a base of either assam black tea or jasmine tea, diners can pick and choose toppings they can add to their drink which include, pearls, salty cream, cloud (a cream foam that adds texture to the drink), Oreo crumbs, egg pudding, grass jelly, popping boba (with yogurt inside), nata, konnyaku (low-carb blocks of jelly-like extract from a type of root crop), MCT oil and butter.

Standout drinks for me include:

Bulletproof Mocha (Php130 small | Php140 medium). I didn’t expect to find this so creamy! While it’s not as sweet as my regular coffee drinks, I can definitely taste a certain milky richness.

Super Soy (Php115 medium | Php125 large). Imagine your favorite taho drink supercharged with boba pearls and caramel.

Brown Sugar Boba Milk (Php100 medium | Php110 large). Ooh, that intense toasty brown sugar caramel distributed in creamy milk tea!

Oreo Matcha (Php130 medium | Php140 large). I’m not so into matcha drinks so I was surprised that this one appealed to me. It’s really because its taste is not as intensely herby as other matcha drinks I’ve tasted, and the Oreo crumbs serve to add sweetness and texture to the drink.

Salty Cream Pudding (Php130 medium | Php140 large). The creamy milk tea with an added dimension of the sweet-salty taste of salty cream and the mild sweetness of egg pudding.

Now, aren’t you glad you have more (and healthier) choices for your milk tea fix? Drop by UltraKappu to get your own ultimate cup of milk tea goodness today!

UltraKappu is located at 2nd Floor, Bali Garden Residences, Zuzuarregui Street, Matandang Balara, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 10pm.

No time to drop by the store? Have your drink delivered by Lalamove! Contact UltraKappu through its Facebook or Instagram pages to order.

Check out my reviews of other milk tea joints:

Happy fam brunch at Over Easy, Marikina

When we think of brunch, we think of ladies leisurely eating a meal while exchanging gossip.

However, one Tuesday, while my mom was out doing errands, my daughter #ExhibitA and I decided to take my groovy dad out for brunch at Over Easy.

So, after a short trip from our house in Pasig to this trending resto in Marikina, soundtracked with classic rock ‘n roll from my daughter’s Spotify, we found ourselves at Over Easy’s sprawling premises.

And my dad lost no time taking a pose! (So now we know where I got it from! 🤪)

Actually, the resto’s premises is quite conducive to photo opps (“IG-worthy” is how kids today would call it).

From the colorful wall murals to the artfully displayed tchotchkes, Over Easy exudes an atmosphere of warmth, comfort and welcome while still retaining that “cool” factor. Badly put: you might get dragged here by your tita, but, deep inside, you wouldn’t mind.

Yep, you wouldn’t mind hanging out here one bit especially once you’ve tasted what Over Easy has to offer such as what we enjoyed during our brunch with Daddy-o:

Macaroni and Cheese (Php220). This is actually #ExhibitA’s go-to dish. Over Easy’s version features creamy and hot melted cheese mixed in with macaroni and topped with bacon bits.

Fish and Chips (Php295). Fish fillets coated with beer batter, deep-fried until golden brown and served with parmesan dusted potato chips and tartar sauce.

BBQ Ribs (Php510 for half-rack with 2 side dishes). Fall-off-the-bone tender braised ribs, then grilled to get that rich smokey flavor, then served with Over Easy”s signature barbecue sauce. All I can say about this dish is that the bones were picked clean by the time we’re done.

While my dad sipped on his Coke Zero (Php55), #ExhibitA and I treated ourselves to a European Strawberry Cooler (Php140), a refreshing fizzy drink flavored with sweet strawberries (yeah, it’s a tita drink, hahaha!)

Lava Cake (Php195). Our foodie adventure here wouldn’t be complete without dessert. We got ourselves a molten chocolate cake topped with classic vanilla ice cream and doused with chocolate syrup. What a perfect way to cap our meal!

This brunch may not have been an all-out gossip over drinks sesh among ladies but it allowed my daughter and me to spend some precious time with my dear daddy.

Over Easy is located at G&W Terraza, Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue, San Roque, Marikina City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 7am to 11pm and Fridays to Sundays from 7am to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 2554686.

Disclosure: Part of our meal was sponsored by Over Easy through gift certificates shared by Harvard of Always Hungry PH.

Check out my blog posts on breakfast joints around the metro:

Time to hustle hard at Hustle Cafe, Tomas Morato

“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.

Check out my blog posts on breakfast joints around the metro:

Food and nature-tripping at Burrow Cafe, Taytay

Nestled into east of Manila is a hidden haven for food and nature lovers. Called Burrow Cafe, it is located in the Antipolo Beehouse, a nature reserve set in a quiet residential subdivision away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

My daughter #ExhibitA and I decided to treat my mom out to Sunday brunch at Burrow Cafe. This mother-daughter-granddaughter outing is something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time but never found the time for until now.

So last Sunday, off we went up Ortigas Avenue Extension towards Antipolo and into Beverly Hills Subdivision where the Beehouse is situated. Upon arriving at the Beehouse gate, we went down 76 steps (good thing I didn’t wear heels!) to a lush green courtyard with another flight of stairs leading to what seemed like an underground bunker.

When we entered the cafe’s premises, however, we were treated to an abundance of light and greenery, thanks to the cafe’s large panel windows which let in a lot of natural light and give diners a relaxing view of the surrounding forest. Artfully laid out wood furniture, potted and hanging plants as well as other bric-a-bracs further accent the cafe’s nature theme while hammocks hanging from the ceiling provide some splashes of color and whimsy to the interiors. Outside, there is a balcony that overlooks a nearby mountain stream.

There, my mom, #ExhibitA and I chatted about life and gossiped about mutual acquaintances (hahaha!) while enjoying our brunch made with ingredients sourced from the Antipolo Market or grown within the cafe’s grounds.

Our meal included:

Beef Short Ribs with Corn and Green Bean Risotto (Php550).

Fish and Chips (Php420).

Key Lime Pie (Php190).

Burrow Home Brew Iced Tea (Php120) and Avocado Fruit Shake (Php180).

Though quite tasty, food items are limited and a bit pricey. Given the cafe’s lovely and restful ambiance and warm, friendly service, however, I’d say dining here is well worth the expense and effort.

After all, nothing but the best for my mom and my baby girl.

Burrow Cafe is located at the Antipolo Beehouse, 113 Beverly Hills Drive, Beverly Hills Subdivision, Dolores, Taytay, open Wednesdays to Thursdays from 8am to 4pm and Fridays to Sundays 7am to 4pm. Although walk-ins are welcome, table reservation is highly recommended through email (burrowcafe@gmail.com) or mobile (+63 917 6229795). For more details, visit the Antipolo Beehouse website.

Notes:

Beverly Hills Subdivision charges Php20 for cara entering the area so keep some change handy.
The resto is not wheelchair-friendly.
You might also want to check out the cafe’s retail area which sells reusable straws, homemade self-care products, zero-waste household ware and paper products.

Check out my blog posts on breakfast joints around the metro:

Take a sip of summer at Jack’s Lemonade, Ayala Malls Feliz

If the sweltering heat outside is any indication, then we are all caught in the claws of midsummer.

That’s no reason to let your body (and your temper) overheat, however.

Oh, what to do?

Cool your body and your spirit with the refreshing and invigorating drinks from Jack’s Lemonade. Fortunately, there’s a stall nearby at Ayala Malls Feliz which features the store’s newest Rose Blossom flavors which are based on rose tea.

Rose tea is brewed from dried whole rose blossoms or rose petals. This tea variant has Middle Eastern origins but has grown in popularity in many parts of the world. Its known health benefits include its use as a treatment for menstrual discomfort and sleep disorders, improving mood, digestion and respiration, as well as bolstering the immune system.

Add it to the freshly squeezed lemon juice at Jack’s Lemonade and you’ve got yourself a tasty and healthy drink!

I got myself a nice big cup of Creamy Rose Lemonade (Php150), whipped up by adding rose tea and lemon juice to condensed milk and powdered milk in a blender then pouring the mixture into ice with some fruit-flavored poppers. There are bursts of tangy fruitiness and rich sweetness in every refreshing sip!

So cool your jets and take time off for a well-deserved lemonade break by checking out your nearest Jack’s Lemonade branch.

This Jack’s Lemonade stall is located at Food Choices, Fourth Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz, Dela Paz, Pasig City.

Other branches may be found at:

Ground Floor, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City
Cinema Area, Third Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Level 6, Shangri-La Plaza, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
Third Floor, Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City
Fourth Floor, Market! Market!, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Second Floor, Market! Market!, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Disclosure: This drink is sponsored by Jack’s Lemonade through gift certificates I received prior to the visit.

Check out my previous posts about Jack’s Lemonade and its sister store Jelly G Milk Tea:

Refreshing lemon drinks at Jack’s Lemonade, UP Town Center Healthy Thai Milk Tea at Jelly G, UP Town Center

Tasting sweet dreams at Le Reve Patisserie, Ugong

Darling, if you ever feel the stress of city living bringing you down, why don’t you take a break and treat yourself to a bit of the sweet life?

How?

Head off to this lovely dessert shop hidden at the Ortigas Technopoint block along Julia Vargas Avenue. Called Le Reve (“The Dream” in French), it offers savory dishes and sweet desserts that combine the elegance and sophistication of French culinary techniques with homegrown flavors.

Owner Angeli Nasser started baking as a hobby but eventually pursued it as a craft and a passion. Now a certified Paris-trained chef, she applies the precise and exacting preparation styles of French cuisine to bring out the wonderful tastes and textures of local ingredients.

This marriage of French cuisine with Filipino ingredients is brought to sweet life for myself and my foodie friends from #SaanSaPH through these delectable dishes:

Longganisa Capellini (Php220). A sauce made with bits of longganisa (sausages) from Laoag, Ilocos adds a lot of savory flavors and a bit of spice to the thin-strand capellini pasta.

French Apple Crumble (Crumble aux Pommes – Php730 for 8 inches | Php150 for 4 inches | Php180 ala mode). Delicate apple slices sweetened with coco sugar and cinnamon spice topped with a crisp and buttery streusel crust. I will come back here just to taste this again ala mode. 🙂

70% Chocolate Lava Cake (Mi-cuit aux Chocolat – Php110 for 4 inches | Php140 ala mode). A molten chocolate cake prepared mi-cuit (“half-cooked” in French). Rich chocolate made from single-origin beans supplied by our very own Cacao de Davao is prepared souffle-style, making the resulting cake feel light and creamy but still rich with chocolate goodness.

Calamansi Tart (Tart au Calamansi – Php125 for 4 inches). A bright and tangy taste of summer in a dessert. A delicate but creamy citrus-flavored custard set on a thin layer of graham cracker crust will have you reaching out for more.

Dalandan Madeleines (Madeleines aux Dalandan – Php32 per piece | Php380 for 12 pieces in a tin can). Cute, little shell-shaped sponge cakes flavored with dalandan rinds, you can enjoy it with your coffee at the store or bring a can home to enjoy at your leisure.

https://flic.kr/p/2eiDazH

Cafe Americano (Php100). Freshly ground and brewed coffee made with Sagada French Roast, great on its own but also a perfect companion to Le Reve’s desserts.

Le Reve Patisserie brings a bit of the pleasures of Paris here in Pasig. Hang out for a bit to bask in patisserie’s elegant surroundings for a leisurely coffee break, or some photo opps (because, who’s judging?) 🙂

So leave your troubles behind for a bit and taste your sweetest dreams, my dear. You deserve it.

Le Reve Patisserie is located at Ground Floor, Ortigas Technopoint One, Dive Pool Block, Ugong, Pasig City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11.30am to 8pm and Sundays from 12.30pm to 6pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 977 7153267.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies from #SaanSaPH, 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.

Check out my reviews of other dessert places in the metro:

Sisig your heart out at Sisig Society, Fisher Mall

The Sisig. (bow)

It is a traditional Kapampangan dish made from parts of pig head and chicken liver – the livestock parts that are normally left behind by mainstream diners. Well, at least before this dish became popular.

It is a testament to the Pinoy cook’s ingenuity that meat from seemingly unpalatable animal are made into a savory and scrumptious dish.

Sisig Society – the establishment behind the cheekily controversial sisig lip balm – has made it its mission to proclaim the glories of this dish beyond the token inclusion in a Filipino restaurant’s menu.

To this end, the resto has crafted several ways to enjoy sisig which my officemates and I were able to sample during one of lunchtime forays using the GCs I received from Sisig Society. These sisig meals are served sizzling, together with rice, egg and sinigang soup.

These include:

Classic Pork (Php179 for solo | Php275 for sharing). The sisig that’s dear and familiar, with tender pork cheeks, crunchy bits of chicharon, caramelized onions and flavored with Sisig Society’s secret sauce.

Bacon and Cheese Chicken (Php179 for solo | Php275 for sharing). Chicken bits cooked sisig-style together with bacon pieces, sprinkled with grated cheese and a cheddar cheese sauce. Cheese, for me, is always a good bet; however, I found this dish just a tad too salty for me.

Suman Turon Ala Mode (Php89). The classic rice delicacies wrapped in lumpia wrapper, fried to a crisp golden brown, drizzled with mango puree then topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. This sweet treat is a great counter-balance for the salty-savory sisig variants we tried.

So the next time you have a craving for sisig, why don’t you drop by your nearest Sisig Society branch and get a taste of the dish from the resto that knows and loves it best?

This Sisig Society branch is located at Third Floor, Fisher Mall, Quezon Avenue, Del Monte. Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 11pm. For inquiries, call +63 908 4693015.

Other outlets are located at:

East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Food Gallery, Third Floor, Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Ground Floor, Ayala Malls Marikina, Liwasang Kalayaan, Marikina Heights, Marikina City
Unit 12, The Fort Strip, 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Ground Floor, One World Square, Ma

East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Food Gallery, Third Floor, Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City,

Calle Bistro, Ground Floor, Ever Gotesco Mall, Commonwealth Avenue, Old Balara, Quezon City

Ground Floor, One World Square, McKinley Hill, Taguig

Third Floor, Circuit Lane, Ayala Malls Circuit, Olympia, Makati

Ground Floor, Dela Rosa Carpark 2, Legaspi Village, Makati

Ground Floor, Fisher Mall, Navotas-Caloocan Junction, Longos, Malabon City

Disclosure: Part of this meal is sponsored by Sisig Society through gift certificates I received prior to the visit. The remaining balance of the bill was paid for.

Check out my reviews of other Filipino restaurants:

Padi’s Point, Upper Antipolo

Unli Premium Korean BBQ at Muhan Samgyupsal, Greenhills

My love affair with Korean BBQ has already spanned more than a decade and I welcome every chance to enjoy it, especially with my family in tow. Really, what’s not to love about it? Sizzling strips of tender beef or pork cooked right before our eyes, a proliferation of side dishes (called banchan) to munch on while the meat is cooking, the interplay of tastes from the meat wrapped in crisp lettuce accompanied by the complexly flavored ssamjang paste.

This past week, I was quite fortunate to try out one of the newer entrants among Korean barbecue restaurants: Muhan Samgyupsal.

This resto is situated in a newer buildings along Ortigas Avenue in the Greenhills area, and it boasts of ample parking space as well as expansive and well-appointed interiors.

As I have come to expect in all Korean barbecue joints, this branch of Muhan Samgyeopsal is equipped with exhausts to suck the smoke from the meats cooking on the table-top grills.

Its menu is refreshingly simple but packed with value. The choices consist of:

UNLI 1 (Php369/person for lunch available from 11am to 3pm and Php399/person for dinner available from 3pm to 2am): unlimited refills of 5 kinds of pork barbecue

UNLI 2 (Php399/person for lunch available from 11am to 3pm and Php449/person for dinner available from 3pm to 2am): unlimited refills of 5 kinds of pork barbecue and 3 kinds of beef.

UNLI 3 (Php449/person for lunch available from 11am to 3pm and Php499/person for dinner available from 3pm to 2am)): unlimited refills of 5 kinds of pork barbecue, 3 kinds of beef and shabu-shabu.

All these come with soup, unlimited banchans and steamed egg.

Plus, the resto currently runs a Lunchtime discount promo wherein a group of four diners get to enjoy, not just the discounted pricing on the Unli sets, but also a free 1.5 liter Coke. Now, isn’t that a great combination?

The fam opted for Unli 2 so we were able to enjoy various options of marinated and unmarinated pork and beef. Granted, our tastes veer towards the unmarinated kind.

The premiumness of the meat cuts was apparent in their flavor, juiciness and tenderness, which, together with the clean and comfortable surroundings and the warm and friendly assistance from the wait staff, makes the price of the menu items so worth it.

We all enjoyed our first dining experience at Muhan Samgyeopsal and we look forward to our next visit.

This Muhan Samgyupsal branch is located at the Ground Floor, Eton Square Building, Ortigas Avenue, Greenhills, San Juan, open daily from 11am to 2am. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 956 3912240.

Other branches are located at:

Second Floor, One Archers Place, Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila (Tel: +63 2 7175627)
830 Padre Noval Street, Sampaloc, Manila (Tel : +63 955 4957585)

Disclosure: Part of this family lunch is sponsored by Muhan Samgyupsal through free Unlimited Meals good for two people, the balance of which was paid for.

Check out my posts about other Korean restaurants:

Notable character developments leading to the Avengers: Endgame

Seven years after Earth’s mightiest heroes assembled in one epic movie in Avengers, band together again against another global threat in Avengers: Age of Ultron and were then left to face the aftermath of The Decimation at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, many of the team’s character arcs may be considered completed by the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame.

With this, I thought a review of characters’ initial appearances and growth over the course of the franchise quite fitting.

Warning: This post may contain spoilers on previous MCU movies, but no spoilers about Endgame. I promise.

So here’s what the original Avengers have gone through so far:

Clint Barton aka Hawkeye

Played by Jeremy Renner

During his first appearance in Thor, he was a wise-cracking deadshot agent of SHIELD. In his later appearances, we learned that he was the one who decided against eliminating Black Widow and recruited her as a fellow SHIELD agent instead. Their shared adventures and strong bond outside the Avengers include the “Budapest Incident” and Nat’s familiarity with Clint’s wife and children.

Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow

Played by Scarlett Johanson

Nat has certainly come a long way from her first outing as Black Widow in Iron Man 2 as a SHIELD operative under cover as Pepper Potts’ stunningly gorgeous assistant. Her kick-ass fighting ability was apparent from the get-go, but we got glimpses of her dark past such as her training as an assassin in the Red Room, her loyalty to Nick Fury and Steve Rogers as they revealed Hydra’s infiltration of SHIELD, as well as her budding romance with Bruce Banner which was cut short when Hulk decided against returning to the fold after the events of Age of Ultron.

Bruce Banner aka The Hulk

Played by Mark Ruffalo

The Hulk’s origin stories were told in teo movies that came prior to the start of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, played on-screen by Eric Bana and Edward Norton, respectively. Throughout the movie franchise, Banner’s disdain for his alter-ego is apparent, referring to the Hulk as “the other guy,” and always seeking ways to suppress him. After serving as a gladiator in Sakaar, helping in the Battle of Asgard in Thor: Ragnarok, he was soundly defeated by Thanos at the start of Infinity War, owing to Thanos’ possession of the Power Stone. The Hulk has since then refused to join the fray in succeeding battles, explained by the Russo brothers as stemming from his resentment of Bruce Banner, and how he is disdained despite always being called upon the save the day.

Thor

Played by Chris Hemsworth

The favored son of the Norse god Odin Allfather, Thor has experienced epic losses in the course of the films such as the death of his mother in Thor: The Dark World, the death of his father and the destruction of his home Asgard in Thor: Ragnarok, and the death of his adoptive brother Loki at the start of Infinity War. Throughout the franchise, he has displayed his earnestness and tenacity; despite being left for dead by Thanos, he pursued the forging of a weapon capable of defeating the Mad Titan.

Steve Rogers aka Captain America

Played by Chris Evans

Considered the First Avenger, Steve is the “man out of time.” Woken up from decades of cryostasis into modern times, his struggle is to find his place in today’s world after losing most of the people from his past.

Tony Stark aka Iron Man

Played by Robert Downey, Jr.

The man who started the MCU, Tony Stark dealt with his father’s death and legacy, the consequences of his billion-dollar empire built on weapons manufacturing and his self-assumed responsibility to protect the Earth from all possible threats.

I’ve just gotten home from watching the movie and I can say that it ended well. To avoid spoiling it for those who haven’t watched it yet, I won’t write about how these character arcs played out in Endgame. Instead, I’ll update this post after a week, which will also give me some time to digest the experience.

For over a decade, the Avengers have been a part of my life, taking me along on their adventures and letting me peek into their family. For me, the Avengers saga is not just superhero movies: it is comprised of stories about love, family, friendship, sacrifice and hope.

I’m happy to be alive at a time when a movie based on comic books can have such an impact, not just on pop culture, but on me personally as well.

Relive the adventures of the Avengers by streaming the MCU movies on your mobile device. Join Amazon Prime, to have unlimited access to shows and movies which include:

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Avengers: Age of Ultron

Avengers: Infinity War

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The Tita’s Guide to having a blast at Walrus, Katipunan

Admit it: we women past a certain age do have some limitations on what we can subject our body and our consciousness to on a typical night out.

Gone are the days when we can party until dawn, dance to reverberating music, drink until we’re wasted or whatever the young ‘uns are doing nowadays.

Nope, we #TitasOfManila are happy to sit in comfort in well-lit, well-ventilated restos, sipping our favorite teas or even wines, animatedly chatting with our girls.

You wouldn’t think that us titas will be caught dead hanging out at Walrus, would you?

Walrus Fil-Mex Cantina, that mecca where young college girls and boys can congregate and enjoy affordably priced and imaginatively prepared Mexican-Filipino dishes, is something outside the tita‘s comfort zone.

Or is it?

Read on, dearies. Here’s how you can survive, nay, own a night out at Walrus:

One: Dress light and stay cool.

Leave the blazers at the office and the wool scarves at home. There’s no air-conditioning here so it would be best to dress as light as possible and order a cool drink as soon as you arrive.

Two: Leave the car at home.

Parking is at a premium so save yourself the stress of driving and looking for parking space. Just book yourself a Grab Car going to and from the place. This way, you can indulge in some beers or cocktails with no worries.

Three: Let them hear the song of our people.

Don’t be afraid to request for your favorite songs from the DJ. Whether it be the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe,” Los Lobos’ “Macarena,” or Next’s “Too Close,” feel free to sing or dance along.

Who knows? You might catch some of the young ‘uns singing and dancing along, too. (A testament to remarkable taste in music, if so.)

Four: Forget counting calories.

Both Mexican and Filipino food are heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine, and are known for heartiness and flavor. It would be a shame if your diet will make you miss out on these affordable and tasty treats:

Sisig Nachos Locos (Php130). Heated tortilla chips smothered in melted cheese and spicy sisig.

Walrus Famous Chicken Skin (Php80). Crunchy and savory deep-fried chicken skin. You’ll keep reaching for more.

Chicken and Sisig Thrilla in Quesadilla (Php130 and Php120, respectively). Craving for cheese? Satisfy that hunger with these quesadillas.

Beef and Chicken Tacos of the Town (Php140 and Php130, respectively). Warm tortilla folded over cheese and sauteed beef or chicken.

Kare-Kare Fab-burrito (Php170). This hearty Mexican roll with that meaty and peanut-ty rice filling is all you need to satisfy your hunger.

Five: Quench your thirst.

With these sultry summer nights, you’ll need ice-cold drinks to cool you down. Check out Walrus’ beverage options:

Mad Amigo (Php80). Fruity apple plus rum. How could you go wrong with that?

Strawberry Fields Forever (Php250). A tall pitcher of strawberry and basil with a slight kick.

Horchata (Php60). Not feeling like imbibing alcohol? Try this intriguing concoction made of rice milk and flavored by vanilla and cinnamon.

Six: Have fun with your friends.

Aside from good food, a great time is assured by great company. So make Walrus the venue of your next #TitaConference. Show them young ‘uns how titas get down!

Walrus Fil-Mex Cantina is located at 3rd Floor, 318-A Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 2am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 5931630.

Did you know you can buy two drinks and get the same two drinks for free at Walrus through Zomato Gold? Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 deals on food or 2+2 deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use my code JELLYB to get 20% off the membership fee.

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

Check out my reviews of other restaurants serving Mexican food: