roasted chicken – Jellybeans in the City

Timberland Highlands Resort’s Ridge Cafe introduces Arabic Dinner Buffet

Would you like to give in to your flights of fancy and embark on an exciting journey?

A journey among extraordinary flavors, that is. 🙂

Well, head on then to Ridge Cafe at Timberland Highlands Resort up in the mountains of San Mateo, Rizal. Here, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy the fresh mountain air as you dine in style, thanks to its opulent interiors and al fresco area overlooking the metro.

Ridge Cafe - Timberland Highlands Resort — Ridge Cafe from outside

Here, your tastebuds can certainly go on a flavor tour, thanks to its recently unveiled Arabic Dinner Buffet.

Expanding gastronomic possibilities in the Rizal area

Every Saturday, from 6m to 9pm, you can eat your fill of flavorful and nutritious viands that boast of having Arabic, Mediterranean and South Asian origins, as well as free-flowing iced tea, all for just Php980++.

This exciting culinary curation is the brainchild of Timberland Highlands Resort’s new Executive Chef, Ranuka Hettiarachchi, who sought to include healthy Mediterranean dishes in Ridge Cafe’s buffet, as well as providing guests with vegan and vegetarian diets with suitable options.

Ridge Cafe - Timberland Highlands Buffet — A preview to the Arabic Dinner

Also, given that restaurants offering Arabic food are not that common in the Rizal area, local residents now have a new convenient destination if they want to expand their food horizons.

Representing exotic flavors from the Mediterranean and Arabic regions

Ridge Cafe’s Arabic Dinner Buffet presents travel-hungry foodies with the opportunity to enjoy signature dishes of regions such as Greece, the Middle East, Egypt and South Asia, all cohesively curated and mouthwateringly presented in their respective stations.

Carnivores will be (quite understandably!) drawn to the carving station where beautifully roasted beef striploin and leg of lamb take pride of place, accompanied by roasted veggies and a variety of sauces to choose from.

Those seeking healthier fare can always go to the cold section and check out the fresh salads comprised of crisp greens and veggies as well as filling proteins.

Then diners can hop from station to station to sample distinct tastes from various countries in a virtual food trip across the Mediterranean, Gulf and Indian subcontinent with these flavorful offerings:

Dessert lovers can also look forward to sampling the popular desserts from these regions as well as their favorite sweets in the dessert station.

While you can always take this journey by yourself, it’s best to experience it with family and friends!

Ridge Cafe also offers other buffet meals including:

Top of the Morning Buffet: intercontinental breakfast menu and classic Pinoy almusal favorites at Php650 net per person (weekends from 7am to 10am)
Filipino Buffet: favorite Filipino dishes with free-flowing iced tea at Php980+ per person (lunch from 11.30am to .30pm | dinner from 6pm to 9pm)

To reserve a table, email timberlandfbm@timberlandresort.com or message 0999-889-2659 | 0995-840-3206 | 8891-8288 local 1030 and 1032.

Ridge Cafe is located at Timberland Highlands Resort, inside Timberland Heights, Barangay Guitnang Bayan II, San Mateo, Rizal 1850 Philippines.

Book your room via Klook today to enjoy great savings!

To know more about Timberland Highlands Resorts latest updates and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Timberland Highlands Resort:

Chimichurri makes a comeback at Kenny Rogers Roasters!

Guess what’s making its way back to Kenny Rogers Roasters’ menu…

Chimichurri!

This flavorful condiment made from finely chopped parsley and cilantro, minced garlic and spices, kmixed together with a healthy dose of citrus for that blend of spicy and citrusy flavors that adds elevates many South American dishes.

Now, Kenny Rogers Roasters is bringing you seven delicious ways to savor this unique flavor with various proteins so you can choose how you want to enjoy your chimichurri, any day of the week.

Plus, to complete your chimichurri experience, Kenny Rogers Roasters is launching two new side dishes available for a limited time only: baconized corn and chips & salsa. These are perfect foils to the savory dishes enhanced with the spice and zest of chimichurri.

Day 1: Chimichurri Roast

Get the week off to a tasty start with Kenny Rogers Roasters signature juicy chicken infused with garlic and lime flavors and served with zesty chimichurri sauce.

Day 2: Chimichurri Half Slab Ribs

Sate your appetite with fall-off-the-bone tender ribs smothered with spicy and garlicky chimichurri sauce.

Day 3: Chimichurri Burger Bun

On this day, you can indulge yourself with a perfectly grilled 1/3-pound Angus beef patty, tomatoes, lettuce and mayonnaise sandwiched between two wheat buns.

Day 4: Chimichurri Fish

How about opting for something healthy today with this soft and flaky grilled white fish served a chimichurri sauce.

Day 5: Chimichurri Sausage

Treat yourself to a flavor bomb with this juicy and salty Schublig sausage topped with chimichurri sauce.

Day 6: Chimichurri Burger Steak

Savor this 1/3-pound Angus beef burger patty topped with zesty chimichurri sauce.

Day 7: Chimichurri Premium Steak

Cap the week with this special indulgence: a perfectly grilled striploin steak paired with spicy chimichurri sauce!

Excited for to bite into your chimichurri feast? Visit your nearest Kenny Rogers Roasters outlet to dine-in or have it for takeout.

It is also available for delivery at kennyrogersdelivery.com.ph and through Kenny Rogers Roasters delivery hotline +63 2 85559000, as well as in GrabFood, FoodPanda and Pick*A*Roo.

For more details about its offers and promos, follow Kenny Rogers on Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Eggs-perience eggs-tasy with Kenny Rogers Roasters’ new Salted Egg Chicken line

Guess what, foodies? Kenny Rogers Roasters has new menu items that will give a truly egg-ceptional eggs-perience: the Salted Egg Roast, the Unfried Fried Chicken and the Unfried Fried Chicken Bun.

Our all-time favorite Kenny Rogers Roasters dishes were given an egg-citing makeover, elevating them with salted egg flavors to bring about eggs-tasy with every bite!

Egg puns aside, this new line incorporates one of our well-loved ingredients: the salted egg!

From the time it was introduced into our shores when our ancient forebears traded with the Chinese, the salted egg has become a staple addition in many of our much-loved native dishes, adding a rich and exotic flavor to our cuisine.

Today, fast-food chain Kenny Rogers Roasters incorporates this ingredient into its healthy chicken variants, such as:

Salted Egg Roast.

Generous chicken pieces marinated in special herbs and spices, roasted to juicy and smokey perfection, then garnished with salted egg powder and salted egg sauce. It is best enjoyed with steamed rice, your favorite Kenny Rogers Roasters side dishes and corn muffin.

Salted Egg Unfried Fried Chicken.

A healthier and more exotic alternative to fried chicken, this consist of chicken pieces cooked through an oven with circulating hot air instead of being deep-fried, cooking the meat in its natural oil. The resulting juicy and crispy chicken pieces are then given an generous coating of salted egg powder and served with salted egg sauce. Partner this tasty viand with steamed rice, your favorite Kenny Rogers Roasters side dishes and corn muffin.

Salted Egg Unfried Fried Chicken Bun.

Perfect for a snack or a light lunch, this sandwich consists of an oven-cooked chicken fillet tossed with salted egg powder and salted egg sauce, then packed with tomato, lettuce and onion in between two wheat buns.

Isn’t it egg-cellent that we can readily enjoy our Kenny Rogers Roasters faves flavored with salted egg just by dropping by the nearest outlet or by calling +63 2 85559000?

It is also available for delivery at kennyrogersdelivery.com.ph, as well as in GrabFood and FoodPanda.

For more details about its offers and promos, follow Kenny Rogers on Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Chicken Galantina by Fira’s Kitchen

If you haven’t encountered the dish called Chicken Galantina yet, you’re missing on quite a lot!

This delectable dish is made with a deboned chicken stuffed with ground pork, hard-boiled egg and sausages with some pickle relish and spices which is then baked until cooked.

Its origins go all the way back to France with a dish called galantine which employs basically the same method and similar ingredients. Its name may have been derived from its elaborate preparation and presentation: deboning a chicken, after all, is pretty difficult and time-consuming, and the finished dish is lavishly decorated before serving. This leads to a spread of food on the table that is urbane and sophisticated – therefore gallant.

Given the effort that goes into making this dish, it usually makes an appearance during special occasions or holiday feasts.

I remember my mom trying her hand at making this dish back when I was young and I could attest to the difficulty and care needed in making it. No wonder then, that despite the appeal of the dish among our family members, Mom rarely ventured into making this dish since then.

To my reckoning, it’s been years since the last time I had a taste of Chicken Galantina, while my kiddos have yet to acquaint themselves with it.

As luck would have it, the family of my honorary daughter – my real daughter #ExhibitA’s BFF – sent a whole Chicken Galantina from Fira’s Kitchen to us.

Established in the early 2000s, Fira’s Kitchen specializes in Chicken Galantina, making use of a family recipe that had been passed down through generations.

Honorary Daughter and her mom swear by it, and I have to say that I agree.

From its flavorful browned skin to the succulent chicken meat and delicious stuffing – thankfully not overflowing with raisins! – it is a welcome highlight at our dinner table.

It came with its special gravy which my kiddos consumed quite liberally but I quite prefer my Chicken Galantina portion without it.

The remarkable thing about this dish is that it can be enjoyed hot or cold, so what few leftovers we had conveniently became sandwich fillings for our midnight snack.

Fira’s Kitchen sells its Whole Chicken Galantina with Gravy for Php850. Galantina Rolls (a version of the Chicken Galantina rolled in chicken breast) and Chicken Embutina (the same Chicken Galantina recipe but in embotido-style) are also available for Php150 and Php180, respectively.

To order, call +63 927 5192810 or send a message via Facebook or Instagram.

Check out my blog posts on other small enterprises and startups in the food business:

#TheBistroGroup Trinoma Food Crawl: TGI Friday’s

Don’t you sometimes have those days when you’ve got a monster-sized appetite and only big slabs of meat or platters of pasta will do?

On such days, you should head straight to TGI Friday’s!

TGI Friday’s started as a bar at the corner of 63rd and First in New York City in the 1960s where everyday felt like Friday. Today, it still serves up delicious American dishes right off the grill and beer fresh from the tap for groups of friends to enjoy in 931 restaurants in over sixty countries.

In the Philippines, it is managed by The Bistro Group, a collection of imported and home-grown hospitality brands.

In response to the need of the times, The Bistro Group has instituted safety protocols for safe dining-in at its restaurants. These include: regular health checks for all its personnel, compliance of all outdoor and indoor seating to physical distancing guidelines, hand sanitizers available at the entrance and on every table, as well as contactless menu ordering and payment.

These protocols require diners to submit to temperature checks, provide contact tracing details and using the hand sanitizers and sanitation mats prior to entering the restaurant premises, as well as wearing their personal protective equipment (PPEs) while inside. Would-be diners who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to people who do, have underlying health conditions or have concerns about contracting the disease when dining out are advised to stay home and avail of the restaurant’s contactless delivery options.

While observing these safety measures during our epic #TrinomaFoodCrawl, my foodie friends and I were able to enjoy an hearty all-American feast which consisted of:

Southern Platter (Php2,195). A filling combination of Baby Back Ribs, Cajun Chicken, Grilled Andouille and Grilled Baguette with sides of Coleslaw, Mac & Cheese and rice.

Truffle Bacon & Mushroom (Php495). Pasta tossed with shiitake mushrooms, mozarella, smoked gouda, bacon bits and truffle aoili.

Guess who left the table full and happy: me, that’s who!

Get your fill of TGI Friday’s hearty dishes with its exciting offers:

BFF Bundle: Fish & Chips + Tomato Arugula Pasta + 2 pcs Pacific Grilled Porkchop (Php1,295).
Buy One Get One Everyday: 2 pcs Signature JD Porkchop + Truffle Bacon & Mushroom Pizza (Php950), Three-Meat Platter + Scallops and Scampi (Php1,895), Signature JD Salmon + Tomato Arugula Pasta

You can also get great savings with the BFF Card, The Bistro Group’s loyalty program that gives members exclusive perks across 15 restaurant brands such as:

30% off on Mondays
20% off on Tuesdays
Complimentary coffee or hot tea single-serve with entree purchase
Online seats reservation
Six Php250 e-vouchers with minimum purchase of Php1,000 per voucher

This TGI Friday’s branch is located at Fourth Floor, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 8pm.

Other branches are located at:

Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon City
Level 2, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City
B4, Bonifacio High Street, 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Ground Floor, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill, Taguig City
Ground Floor, Hotel Rembrandt, Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Bayoran Street, South Triangle, Quezon City
Second Floor, Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City
Level 3, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City
Ground Floor, Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
Ground Floor, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City
Central Garden, Ayala Fairview Terraces, Maligaya Road Corner Quirino Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City
Second Floor, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari Road, Almanza, Las Piñas City
Upper Ground Floor, Main Mall, Ayala Malls Circuit, Carmona, Makati City

TGI Friday’s delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Check out my posts about other restos of The Bistro Group:

Brotzeit’s Wonder Platter

German cuisine is not so represented among the metro’s restaurants, which is a shame.

German cuisine presents rich flavors and hearty servings that would appeal to the largely carnivorous Filipino palate.

Meat figures prominently in German food, with pork making up most of the meat dishes from wursts to roasts.

Take Brotzeit’s Wunderplatte/Wonder Platter (Php3,700) for example. I was able to sample this filling curation of signature German dishes and new items when I visited Brotzeit before thee quarantine.

With its tasty collection of meats in large servings, this platter is the perfect meal for people to come together to enjoy.

This jam-packed platter, which is good for up to six people, included:

Oven-Roasted Chicken.

Berner Sausages. Savory pork links stuffed with emmenthal cheese and wrapped in bacon.

Honey Bavarian Ribs. Fall-of-the-bone tender pork ribs coated with a unique garlic, beer and barbecue-infused sauce.

Signature Crispy Oven-Roasted Pork Knuckle. Hind shank of grain-fed pork roasted in the oven to achieve a crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat.

If all those can not make any carnivore’s mouth water, I don’t know what can!

As with most German food, the Wunderplatte was best enjoyed with another German staple: a glass of good German beer.

Brotzeit has already re-opened with protocols in place for safe and fun dining.

This Brotzeit branch is located at Ground Level, High Street Park, Shangri-La at the Fort, 30th Street Corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 88159338.

Another branch is located at 112 G/F Shangri La Plaza Mall, Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 86311489.

You can also have your German food feast delivered right to your home through Brotzeit’s website. The good news is that until January 22, you can enjoy 20% off your online delivery order by using the promo code BZ20OFF.

A Subway Snack Attack

Busy working at home but in need of some nourishment to plow through your tasks?

Not to worry because you can easily have a tasty and filling sub from Subway delivered right to your doorstep!

The sub, or the submarine, is a sandwich made with a length of bread split lengthwise and filled meats, cheeses, vegetables and condiments. It is so-named because of its distinctive shape, but has also been called hoagie, hero or grinder.

Subway, the world’s largest single-brand restaurant chain, specializes in submarine sandwiches, some of which, my kiddos and I were able to sample when Hubby ordered a few subs for our mid-afternoon snack. These include:

6-inch BLT (Php276). People say that great things come in threes. In the case of this sandwich, those three things are crispy bacon, crisp lettuce and juicy tomato slices served with mayo on freshly baked honey oat bread.

6-inch Roasted Chicken Breast (Php149). A six-inch sub with a tender, juicy roasted boneless chicken breast patty, with lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, onions and mayo is served on freshly baked honey oat bread.

Truth be told, Hubby ordered a 12-inch Spicy Italian (Php264), a footlong sub with spicy salami and pepperoni with crispy veggies on a freshly baked footlong bread, but I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of it anymore. Guess why, hehehe!

Well, I do plan on getting a fews subs again soon, especially since it has an ongoing Two for Php200 promo.

Posted by Subway Philippines on Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Feel like a sub today?

This Subway branch is located at Ground Floor, Zeta Tower, Bridgetowne Business Center, Libis, Quezon City, and is open from 9am to 4pm for takeout and delivery via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Download the Grab App and get a discount on your first food order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Use this link to download the FoodPanda app and get Php100 off your first order.

Check out my blog posts on comfort food joints around the metro:

A chicken-y twist to sisig from Manokoloco

Find yourself in a bind as what to have for the gang’s lunch while in quarantine?

Don’t stress yourself out! Go for something tasty that you won’t have to tire yourself out cooking.

How about that Pinoy staple ulam called sisig? That’s sure to have the vote of everyone in the gang!

Try it with a twist by ordering some Chicken Sisig from Manokoloco!

Instead of the usual pork cheeks, get crunchy bits of roasted chicken and chicken liver all mixed up with chilis and a bit of mayo. It’s lighter on the tummy and (hopefully, just a wee bit) healthier, too!

Get enough for the whole gang by ordering the Nalocosisig (Php250), quite plenty for a barkada of three to four. Just make sure to have lots and lots of kanin ready!

Eating all by your lonesome? Here is where it gets interesting.

You can reheat it for dinner, make a pasta sauce out of it or add it as a topping to the tortilla chips you munch on while binge-watching your fave Netflix series.

The possibilities are endless!

Thanks to Harvard of AlwaysHungry.PH for sharing from his ulam stash!

Manokoloko is located at 19 11th Jamboree Street, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City. For inquiries or to order for curbside pickup or delivery, call +63 916 5563487.

Check out my posts on other chicken places in the metro:

Momshie, grab a takeout from Baliwag

One of the challenges we moms face during this period of enhanced community quarantine is planning the family’s menu.

Stocking up on food items, hunting for that missing but all-important ingredient, adding twists on old recipes so that the little ones won’t get tired of eating the same viands week after week, tracking which refrigerated item is nearing its expiration date… All these can be quite overwhelming, huh?

So momshie, just this once, give yourself a break: order takeout from your nearby Baliwag Lechon Manok ATBP stand. (And chances are, wherever you are in the metro, there’s a Baliwag outlet near you.)

You won’t have to break the bank to give yourself a rest from the kitchen woes.

Get a Whole Lechon Manok for just Php290 and let the kiddos enjoy the tender and juicy chicken pieces roasted just right for the Pinoy palate.

Get a whole Inihaw na Liempo for just Php224 and savor the crunchy skin and flavorful pork belly meat.

All you have to do is cook up lots of steamed rice and have a liter of juice ready and you’re good to go!

You can always go back to menu planning and cooking tomorrow, right?

Can’t go out because of the enhanced community quarantine? Have your order delivered to you instead by GrabFood or LalaFood.

Download the Grab App on the App Store or Google Play. Get a discount on your first food order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Download the LalaFood App and get a free delivery coupon when you use my code: BEINGJMR53.

This Baliwag Lechon Manok ATBP outlet is located along Countryside Avenue, Countryside Village, Barangay Santa Lucia, Pasig City.

Other branches may be found at:

Pasig: De Castro Avenue, Manggahan, Santolan
Quezon City: Eastwood Citywalk 2, Robinsons Galleria, Project 2, Project 4, Project 6, Project 8, Ali Mall, Gateway Mall, Farmers Plaza, Sikatuna Village, Diliman, Tomas Morato, Paligsahan, West Triangle, Fisher Mall, Trinoma Mall, SM City North EDSA, Del Monte, Citiplaza Commercial Center, Walter Mart North EDSA, Bago Bantay, La Loma, Tandang Sora, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Sangandaan, SM City Fairview, Zabarte Road, Maligaya Park
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall, Shangri-La Plaza, Plainview, Addition Hills, New Zaniga
San Juan: Greater San Juan
Marikina: SM City Marikina, Barangka
Makati: Guadalupe, The Landmark, Olympia, Cash & Carry Mall, Ayala Malls Circuit
Taguig: Market! Market!, Greater Taguig
Manila: SM City Santa Mesa, Santa Ana, Pandacan, Paco, Sampaloc, Santa Cruz, Lucky Chinatown, 999 Mall, 168 Shopping Mall, Tutuban Center Mall, Tondo, Dragon 8 Mall, New Divisoria Mall,
Pasay: Buendia, Victory Pasay Mall, W Mall Bay City
Paranaque: Sun Valley, Don Bosco, Moonwalk, Marcelo Green, BF Homes
Malabon: Longos, Fisher Mall, San Agustin, Concepcion
Navotas: North Bay, M. Naval Street
Valenzuela: Puregold Paso de Blas
Caloocan: Deparo Road, Zapote Road
Muntinlupa: Festival Mall

Check out my posts on other chicken places in the metro:

Winner chicken dinner, thanks to Chooks-to-Go

If you run out of grocery items and are at a loss on what to have for dinner during the enhanced community quarantine, well, help is just a few clicks (or phone taps) away.

Why not order a lechon manok from Chooks-to-Go and have it delivered to you?

Lechon manok is sure to appeal to everyone in the family: it is a favorite, fuss-free yet flavorful viand that goes so well with that other Pinoy staple, steamed rice.

I would go for a Sweet Roast Oven Rosted Chicken. A whole rotisserie chicken marinated in a mixture of local incgredients and expertly roasted in an oven that still brings about the classic lechon manok flavor we all know and love.

Ordering it won’t break the bank, either. At only Php259 for a whole chicken, and with lots and lots of steamed rice, you can already feed the entire fam a tasty meal.

This Chooks-to-Go branch is located at De Castro Avenue corner Ilang-Ilaang Street, Santa Lucia, Pasig City.

It delivers through its hotline +63 2 86871010 or via FoodPanda. Use this link to download the FoodPanda app and get Php100 off your first order.

Check out my reviews of other Filipino restaurants:

Nanka brings fresh and natural flavors to your party with its catering service

Parties bring together people and food. It is a time for the enjoyment of other people’s company, hopefully over delightful repasts.

And to help bring in the good food that will fuel great party experiences, Nanka Japanese Steakhouse offers in-house and outside catering.

I experienced it myself last December when my division held our office Christmas Party at Nanka.

From my previous dining experience here with my fellow foodies, I already know that Chef Mike Santos and his team pride themselves in bringing out the natural flavors of food. Everything starts with the finest ingredients – fresh produce, meats and seafood – all painstakingly prepared and cooked to accentuate their natural tastes and textures.

Recently, I had another taste of Nanka’s catered dishes when foodie pioneer Spanky Enriquez hosted a food-tasting buffet which featured these delicious viands:

Mushroom and Tofu Soup.

Shiitake Pasta.

Baked Salmon.

Teppanyaki Shrimp.

Pork Belly with Spicy Miso.

Roasted Chicken.

Salmon Sashimi and Assorted Sushi Rolls.

Kani Salad.

Assorted Sweets which include eclairs, carrot cake bars, cream puffs and brownies.

Nanka’s buffet packages start at Php825 per person.

But the real stars of the show are what we had for “dessert:” Nanka’s famous premium steaks which included the Wagyu A5, the highest grade among Japanese Wagyu; WagyuX by Rangers Valley and the Black Onyx Bone-in Rib-Eye and Black Onyx Tomahawk. All of Nanka’s steaks are priced at Php500/100 grams.

These steaks are seared cast-iron grill before oven-roasted to a medium doneness. Served with togarashi salt, wasabi sea salt, housemade demiglasse, chipotle miso and chimichurri sauces, each bite is buttery and beefy that we found ourselves going for more. (Too bad I had to leave before the Tomahawk was served but, fortunately, I was able to taste it during my previous visit.)

So if whether you’re planning a party for the fam or an office shindig, do check out Nanka’s catering services.

Many thanks Spanky for the invitation!

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

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

Liloan’s Pride Liempo, Greenhills

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.

Check out my reviews of other Filipino restaurants:

Abbiocco Alternative Filipino, Paligsahan

Isla Sugbu Seafood City, McKinley Hill

Chef Robert, Greenhills

The Lechon Shop, Tomas Morato

Angus Tapa Centrale, Tomas Morato

Gerry’s Grill, Tomas Morato

Luna J Filipino Gastropub, Tomas Morato

Gerry’s Grill, SM Marikina

Bacolod Chicken Parilla, Tomas Morato

Classic Savory, SM East Ortigas

Jaytee’s Tagaytay

Buddy’s, Cubao

Cabalen, Ayala Malls Feliz

Limbaga 77, Tomas Morato

Victorino’s, Tomas Morato

Locavore, Kapitolyo

Recipes, Tomas Morato

Mozu at Ming’s, Tagaytay

Siglo Modern Filipino, Tagaytay

Conti’s, Greenbelt

13 Ubay Street, Banawe

Ilustrado Restaurant, Intramuros

Rico’s Lechon, Tiendesitas

Fika, Capitol Hills, QC

Sartin, Tagaytay

Lazat, Tomas Morato

Romulo Cafe, Tomas Morato

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Padi’s Point, Tomas Morato

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Sisig Society, Fisher Mall

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Lola Cafe, Tomas Morato

Pamana, Tomas Morato

Seven Reasons why Bistro Charlemagne, Nuvali is your road trip foodie stopover

The Santa Rosa – Tagaytay Road is just teeming with strip malls with various dining options as well as standalone restaurants. Any foodie would be faced with the dilemma of where to eat with so many food choices available.

May I present the Bistro Charlemagne in Nuvali as a viable option? Here are seven reasons why which became even more apparent when my extended family made our way down here after our Tagaytay sojourn.

One: It’s where the cuisines of the East and West come together and have a ball

Being a third-generation restaurateur, owner Charlemagne Lim achieves the balance between tradition and novelty in cuisine. The offshoot of Little Asia, Bistro Charlemagne features a little bit of the well-loved dishes its mother-restaurant popularized and a whole lot of new or innovated-upon dishes developed specifically for this new concept resto.

Take the Ceasar Salad (Php295) for example: the crisp Romaine lettuce, classic dressing, shredded chicken breast and slivers of parmesan cheese are to be expected and quite yummy… but add delicate boiled quail eggs into the fray? Say what?!?

How about the Crispy Lumpiang Hubad (Php305)? The classic shredded and sautéed vegetables that make up the local fried vegetable rolls of our childhood are served on top of a crisp pastry while doused in garlic sauce and sweet soy dressing.

The much-raved about Beef Tenderloin Rolls with Cheese (Php405) did not disappoint either. Our group loved the finely rolled tenderloin slices stuffed with melting cheese on top of authentic teriyaki sauce that we ordered for another plate of these goodies.

Or consider, a new favorite of my daughter #ExhibitA and myself, the Drunken Lengua in Mushroom Brown Sauce (Php405). Those melt-in-your-mouth tender morsels of pan-seared ox tongue are served with mushrooms and asparagus spears on a bed of rich buttery brown sauce. If you had misgivings about eating the more exotic meat parts like ox tongue, this will change your mind.

The Japanese Beef Fried Rice (Php125) tasted the Kamameshi Rice of Japanese restos but had a lighter feel. It went so well with our viands that we consumed three bowls of it.

Two: Your favorites are here too!

Missing the taste of the familiar? No need to fret because old-time favorites are also available on the menu for those seeking more of the flavors they loved and less of the adventure into the unknown.

These include the Tuna Tataki (Php305), an appetizer made of lightly seared tuna loin lightly coated in a crust of sesame seeds and served with the traditional Japanese ponzu sauce. (And yes, we got two orders of these.)

The Chinese food staples Salt and Pepper Spareribs (Php345) and Salt and Pepper Squid (Php365) rounded up our mains.

And because we Pinoys, for some reason, can’t fathom a family meal without a vegetable dish, there’s the Brocolli with Prawns and Mushrooms (Php445). We had one of these as-is, while another was made without the prawns to suit the taste of one of the little ones in our party.

Too bad the Chicken Fingers (Php345) did not make it to our table on time so we just had that wrapped to go.

Three: There’s something for your sweet tooth

Knowing the kiddos’ predilection for peanut butter, I ordered a serving of Reese’s S’mores (Php245). It turned out that dipping crisp graham crackers into warm toasted marshmallows resting on a ganache of peanut butter chips is a decadent treat, not just for the young ones but also for the grown ups!

And wouldn’t you know it; we had another serving of this yummy dessert because…

Four: Birthday celebrants get a special treat!

As Hubby’s natal day was within seven days of our visit to this resto, we were given a free serving of the house special Little Asia’s Crispy Chicken, one of the recipes passed down from Charlemagne’s forebears. (We simply had to present a valid government-issued ID as well as reach a minimum single-receipt transaction of Php1,995.)

A candle was placed right smack in the middle of another Reese’s S’mores for Hubby to blow out while the restaurant staff sang a Chinese version “Happy Birthday to You.”

Five: Did you know Bistro Charlemagne catered to international stars?

When top musical acts such as Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Smashing Pumpkins and Paramore had their concerts in the country, Bistro Charlemagne was in charge of keeping the stars and their entourage well-fed.

Six: On a budget? No sweat!

When petsa de peligro comes along, you can still satisfy your craving for your favorite Bistro Charlemagne dish with a set meal at only Php215! This already comes with rice, soup and iced tea.

Seven: Check out its new Lenten Specials

Even if your road trip takes place in the days leading to the Holy Week, you can still keep your Lenten observance with Bistro Charlemagne’s new seafood offerings such as Crispy Fish Fingers, Octopus ala Pobre and Baked Salmon in Truffled Spinach Cream Sauce.

Thanks to Bistro Charlemagne for serving as the tasty final stop of our Tagaytay weekend sojourn!

This Bistro Charlemagne branch is located at GFF-6, Building B, Ayala Malls Solenad 3, Nuvali, Don Jose, Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Another branch is found at Fifth Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz along Marcos Highway, Dela Paz, Pasig City.

For reservations and inquiries, call +63 049 2580846 or +63 917 8334223.

Check out my review of its branch in Pasig here: East meets West at Bistro Charlemagne, Ayala Malls Feliz

Latin-style Roast Chicken at Senor Pollo, Tomas Morato

One fine day, my coworkers and I developed a hankering for a hearty lunch. We settled on the Senor Pollo branch in the nearby foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area.

Entering this resto is like stepping into a vibrant and lively Latin-inspired world. From its subdued lighting that highlights colorful artworks that adorn the brick walls to the flavorful dishes it serves.

Its Latin-style roast chicken offers a break from the usual Pinoy-style roasted chicken that we usually go for. It’s juicy and tender meat encased in flavorful herb-seasoned skin, accompanied by a piquant chimichurri sauce and paired with tasty side dishes, ignites an explosion of tastes in my mouth with every forkful.

Our party of three split among ourselves two orders of Half Roast Chicken with 2 side dishes each (Php499). Our side dishes consist of two cups of Cilantro Garlic Rice, a cup of Herbed Brown Rice and Senor Pollo’s famous Cole Slaw.

This Latin-style happy lunch turned out to be a tasty break from our usual haunts.

And since we unlocked a Zomato Gold Privilege in this resto, we ended up paying for just one order.

Want to score a similar discount? 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 as soon as slots open. (They tend to get snatched up pretty quickly so be sure to sign up as soon as slots become available.) Use my code JELLYB to get 20% off the membership fee.

This Senor Pollo outlet is located at F7 Building, Scout Rallos Street corner Tomas Morato Avenue, Bgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11.30am to 1am and Fridays to Saturdays from 11.30am to 2am. For reservations and inquiries, cal +63 2 3517235.

Other branches are located at

5767 Ebro Street, Poblacion, Makati City (open daily from 11.30am to 2am; Tel. No: +63 2 8316945)
27 Sapphire Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig (open daily from 11am to 12midnight; Tel. No: +63 2 5322266)
Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon City (open Saturdays to Tuesdays from 11am to 2am and Wednesdays to Fridays for 24 hours; Tel. No: +63 966 7014022)
Second Floor, Crossroads Building, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (open daily from 11am to 1am; Tel. No: +63 2 8214933 or +63 921 8066027)
Ground Floor, ATC Corporate Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City (open daily from 11am to 11pm)

Roast chicken is such a versatile dish that various cuisines would have their own version of this dish. Check out other places where you can enjoy roast chicken:

World’s most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant Hawker Chan opens 2nd PH branch in SM North EDSA

When we think of Michelin-star restaurants, what comes to mind are posh establishments and stiff dining etiquette.

That couldn’t be farther from Hawker Chan.

The internationally acclaimed Singapore-based restaurant, famous for its Soya Chicken Rice, has opened a store at SM Mall of Asia earlier this year and is now opening its second branch in the country in SM North EDSA.

Founded by Malaysian chef Chan Hong Meng in 2009 as a small store in the largest hawker center in Singapore serving soya sauce rice, Hawker Chan has since been recognized by Michelin’s Singapore Guide when it debuted in 2016 and every year since, making it the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant in the world.

Hawker Chan was brought to the Philippines by Foodee Global Concepts, which currently manages fourteen food brands in the country.

Together with fellow foodies and other selected guests, I attended a pre-opening dinner at Hawker Chan SM North EDSA.

Among the dishes we sampled are:

Combination Platter of Char Siew, Roasted Pork and Pork Rib (Php270). Served with either plain rice or Hawker Chan’s signature noodles freshly made daily, it is a hearty meal for meat lovers.

Chicken Platter (Php299 for half | Php598 for whole). Juicy, succulent chicken with that flavorful skin, it just makes you want to get more and more.

Thai Style Tofu (Php160). Our wait staff Ian called it the healthier option among the items served but I’m calling it an addition to the items on my plate (Yep, an addition, not an option. I’m having all of them and who’s to stop me? :-)) It adds a contrast in texture and spiciness to the other dishes.

I don’t know about you, but I’m hoping they open another branch nearer to my place soon so I can enjoy a great, affordable hawker meal!

This Hawker Chan branch is located at the Upper Ground Level, City Center at SM North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City. With a seating capacity of 56 people, it is open daily from 10am to 10pm.

Did you know that there’s a possibility that you can enjoy Hawker Chan’s Soya Chicken Rice for a year at this branch? Simply be among the first ten customers when this branch opens on December 4 and 5. The 11th to the 20th customer will get 6 months supply, the 21st to the 50th will get 3 months supply and the 51st to the 100th customer will get a month’s supply. Remember: you found out about it here (and maybe treat me to one of those free Soya Chicken Rice, maybe? Hehehe!)

And with Christmas just around the corner, you can treat your fam-bam to a family-sized platter of Hawker Chan’s mouthwatering roasts – Char Siew, Roasted Pork and Soya Chicken – good for six to ten people.

Hawker Chan’s other branch is located at Ground Floor, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City, open daily from 10am to 10pm.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a Pre-opening Event 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.