steak – Jellybeans in the City

Just like old times at SGS House of Minis, Greenhills

One of my most cherished childhood memories is celebrating important occasions and milestones with a special steak dinner.

Whether it’s a significant accomplishment (a school award, a new job or promotion, etc.), a birthday or anniversary, marking the event through a multi-course meal at the House of Minis is just the ticket!

That was how I was introduced to this restaurant. During my childhood, important family celebrations were marked by our special meal at the local House of Minis along C5 in Pasig City, where I experienced what was to me then a markedly leveled-up way of dining. In contrast to fast food outlets where self-service was the rule, or the family-style casual dining places where all the dishes are served together, this steakhouse serves its food one course after another.

Since it’s been quite a while since we’ve dined at House of Minis, we decided to have lunch at its branch in Greenhills when we were out for some holiday shopping.

The experience starts with ordering our mains (regular-sized T-bone steaks, grilled to medium doneness), then we waited for our courses to arrive.

The meal starts with hot creamy soup served with house-baked dinner rolls accompanied by unsalted butter.

Next comes a light starter salad of fresh vegetables with Thousand Island dressing.

We ordered some starches to go with our steaks: Hubby opted for a serving of gravy mashed potatoes, while, for me, good ole’ steam rice is the way to go!

Then our steaks made their grand entrance.

These are slabs of perfectly grilled fork-tender T-bone cuts beef served on hot plates with some buttered vegetables on the side. When doused with the house gravy, their hissing sound and appetizing aroma sure got us salivating.

This is a meal that is to meant to be hurried over so we took our time in enjoying our steak meal.

Afterwards, we opted against getting coffee after our meal but instead went for servings of vanilla ice cream.

(Actually, Hubby gamely gave his ice cream serving to me! Awww!)

While some aspects of this steak meal (such as the restaurant location and serving sizes of some of the courses) may have changed, I’m glad to say that it feels pretty much like old times at this House of Minis.

Got a similar steakhouse childhood memory? Relive it at House of Minis in Greenhills!

SGS House of Minis is located at Lower Ground Floor, Shoppesville Arcade, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan, open Mondays to Fridays from 11am to 8.30pm and Saturdays from 11am to 6pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 87211410 or +63 922 8640628, or Viber +63 927 8717896.

It also delivers via FoodPanda.

To know more about its updates and offers, follow SGS House of Minis on Facebook and Instagram.

A taste of extravagance with Kenny Rogers Roasters’ Truffle Collection

It’s high time to enjoy a bit of luxury, isn’t it?

After the deprivations of the past few years, here is a moment indulge in a little extravagance.

Well, Kenny Rogers Roasters’ got a luxuriously delicious offering just for you: its Limited Edition Truffle Collection!

Imagine this: Kenny Rogers Roasters’ classic offerings now infused with the distinctive aroma and flavor of truffle.

Kenny Rogers Roasters Truffle Collection

Truffles are a type of fungi that grow under the ground’s surface, typically around tree roots in damp areas. Since they are quite hard to source and quickly lose their potency after being harvested, truffles are among the most expensive foodstuffs in the world.

Are they worth it? I’d say!

Truffles are characterized by their complex flavors: a heady combination of earthy muskiness that’s rich in umami with just a hint of floral notes.

Now, they add a level of sophistication to your classic faves, such as:

Truffle Roast. Kenny Rogers Roasters signature juicy roasted chicken marinated in truffle extract, drizzled with truffle oil and served with buttermilk sauce.

Enjoy this posh take on the roasted chicken ala carte (Php225/quarter | Php420/half | Php800/whole)…

…or as part of a filling solo meal complete with rice, sides and a corn muffin (Php300 Solo A | Php330 Solo B).

Truffle Steak Plate (Php650). Perfectly cooked truffle-infused striploin steak served with two sides and a rich and creamy truffle sauce.

Truffle Mac and Cheese (Php200 solo | Php590 platter). Al denta pasta shells tossed in creamy truffle sauce and sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley

Treat yourself and the fam to a lavish meal at your nearest Kenny Rogers Roasters branch.

You can also have your golden dining experience at home when you order your Kenny Rogers Roasters’ Truffle Collection for delivery right to your doorstep at kennyrogersdelivery.com.ph or through Kenny Rogers Roasters’ delivery hotline +63 2 85559000, as well as via GrabFood, FoodPanda and Pick*A*Roo.

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

Check out my previous posts about Kenny Rogers Roasters:

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

Chimichurri makes a comeback at Kenny Rogers Roasters!

Deliciously healthy meal at home with Kenny Rogers Roasters’ Roasted Chicken Group Meal

A festive feast of Kenny Rogers Roasters Smokehouse BBQ Roast & Ribs

Specialty coffee and gourmet dishes at The Coffee Academics Cafe in Makati

During an overcast Saturday morning in Makati’s Central Business District, you would think that the cafes there would be nigh deserted. After all, office workers who rely on their cuppa to energize them for their workday are mostly at home, enjoying the extra time they can spend in bed snoozing.

However, such is not the case at the Coffee Academics Cafe along Carlos Palanca Street. In this cozy yet well-appointed establishment, there is a hustle and bustle of activity: patrons coming in for their takeout orders, some staying to enjoy their coffee and light meal inside as baristas and servers hasten to serve up the drinks and dishes.

The world standard in coffee

The Coffee Academics Cafe is the first Metro Manila presence of Hong Kong’s favorite coffee hotspot, joining its sister branches in Singapore, Beijing and Shanghai. Known for setting the standards in specialty coffee and for delivering unique coffeehouse experiences to its clientele, TCA is a welcome addition to Makati’s gastronomic scene and prime destination for serious coffee aficionados.

Specialty Coffee

TCA sources only the top 5% of specialty arabica coffee from sustainable and fair-trade institutions worldwide, with the aim of ensuring the conservation of biodiversity and local livelihoods. Since its founding in 2012, it has garnered awards and recognition from global industry bodies and media outlets for its coffee products and practices.

Its strong grounding in its trade allows it to make delicious coffee creations that wow its customers, such as:

Specialty gourmet dishes

Your foodie adventure at TCA does not stop with coffee, however. With its unique takes on cafe fare, you can sate your hunger while indulging in your favorite brews.

These include:

Nori Nachos and Hummus (Php350). Homemade nori rice chips served with mixed pea hummus topped with Harissa chili, Lucban Longganisa and Kesong Puti.

Eggs Royale Bibingka (Php445).Toasted Quezo Bibingka Muffins topped with young pork tocino and poached eggs drizzled with dalandan Hollaindaise.

Prawn & Aligue Pasta (Php495). Buckwheat pasta on a bed of coconut cream sauce topped with seared prawns and crabfat, garnished with fried basil and nori rice chips.

KFC 2.0 & Kimchi Fried Rice (Php445). Boneless fried chicken thighs doused in Korean-style garlic soy glaze on a bed of kimchi and spam fried rice topped with furikake flakes with a side of caramelized sweet potato.

Steak Rice (Php795). Bistro steak and seared mushrooms on a bed of Japanese-style steak rice topped with furikake, Asian chimi and homemade demi glace.

As you can see, you can definitely do more than just enjoying a cuppa (or two!) at The Coffee Academics Cafe!

You can come in for a leisurely coffee break, a light snack or a filling meal.

Savoring your coffee and food in this relaxing atmosphere is an experience in itself.

You can also bring your TCA experience to your home, as it retails its signature coffee blends in whole beans, Nespresso-compatible capsules or drip bag sets.

The Coffee Academics Cafe is located at 109 Don Carlos Palanca Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City, open daily from 7am to 12 midnight.

A new branch is set to open soon at Molito Lifestyle Center in Alabang.

Know more about The Coffee Academics through its website, or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: Together with fellow bloggers, I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant. Food items served were not paid for by the attendees.

Delicious MEAT-up at Meat Depot, UP Town Center

Are you a certified carnivore like me?

Then, I’m sure you’re always on the lookout for juicy, flavorful and succulent morsels that you can sink your teeth into.

And where to find meats galore that you’re craving for?

Meat Depot, of course!

Meat Depot is both a butcher shop that carries a wide variety of meats, poultry and seafood, and a steakhouse. It is a place for meat enthusiasts to indulge their love for meat and meat products.

Whether locally raised or internationally sourced, its meat products are professionally handled from farm to plate as Meat Depot takes utmost care to comply with industry-certified procedures and employ industrial-grade facilities for meat handling, storage and cutting.

Socially conscious buyers can rest easy knowing that Meat Depot also champions conscientious butchery and helps to raise awareness for ethical slaughtering processes and food safety.

Over the years, the fam (and our extended family) have developed a liking for Meat Depot due to the quality of its meat products and the masterful grilling of its steaks.

After taking a break from dining in at our favorite steak place for over two years due to the pandemic, the fam was able to try out another one of Meat Depot’s branches, this time at UP Town Center in Quezon City.

Its chillers house various steak options to suit the tastes of all kinds of steak lovers, from the most basic to the most discerning:

Black Mountain: Ribeye, Striploin, Tenderloin, T-bone, Porterhouse, Tomahawk
Star: Ribeye
Clear River: Ribeye, Striploin
Lamb: Lamb Chop and Lamb Steak
Local: Ribeye, Striploin, Tenderloin, T-bone, Porterhouse

After selecting our steaks, the steakhouse’s expert griller set about grilling them to come out all juicy and flavorful and marked by those gorgeous grill marks, of course!

Newbie steak fans can take some pointers from Meat Depot’s cooking guide on various stages of doneness:

Blue: grilled for 30 seconds on each side.
Rare: grilled for 45 seconds to 1 minute on each side, resulting to a steak that’s seared on the outside while the inside is mostly red. This meat is soft and tender.
Medium Rare: grilled for 1 minute to 1 minute and 15 seconds on each side, resulting to a steak that’s seared on the outside while the inside is half-red. This is the recommended doneness of most chefs as it has the perfect texture.
Medium: grilled for 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes on each side, resulting to a steak with a rosy pink interior and slightly firmer texture. This is the preferred doneness of most steak lovers, my fam included.
Medium Well: grilled for 3 to 5 minutes on each side resulting to a steak with a mostly brown center and firm texture. This level of doneness is well-suited to people who may be squeamish and prefer not to see color in their meat.
Well Done: grilled for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, resulting to a steak a brown center with a very firm texture. Surprisingly, a lot of people prefer their steaks this way.

To make our steak meal complete, we opted to pair our steaks with mushroom sauce and side dishes that include steamed rice, mashed potatoes and marbled potatoes in balsamic dressing.

Wouldn’t you love to also MEAT up with your family and friends for a flavorful and filling steak meal at Meat Depot?

Then hie yourselves over to any of these Meat Depot branches located at:

2/F Ayala Malls Vertis North, North Avenue, Quezon City
815 Banawe Street, Brgy. St. Peter, Quezon City
283 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque City
G/F Paseo de Magallanes, Magallanes, Makati City
2/F O Square 2, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan City
Corner Market, 2/F The Podium, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
3/F Robinsons Galleria, EDSA, Quezon City
G/F U.P. Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City

You can also shop for your steaks and other meat products online through Meat Depot’s website and enjoy free shipping for orders exceeding Php2,500.

Stay updated on Meat Depot’s products and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Meat Depot:

Meat Depot, Greenhills — Steakin’ it easy at Meat Depot

Steak break at Meat Depot

If you’re a true-blue carnivore like me, a big hunk of steak would be one of your ultimate gustatory pleasures.

Just imagine: a sizeable well portioned slice of beef, rightly seasoned and then seared over on a hot grill over charcoal or a cast-iron pan to the perfect juicy and tender doneness (and no, it won’t be well-done).

What’s not to love?

From the contrast of its seared surface to the reddish tender flesh underneath, its wonderful aroma wafting to your nostrils, to its strong flavor and rich, juicy mouthfeel, a perfectly cooked steak is a multi-sensory experience.

For me, the go-to place for this kind of epicurean delight is Meat Depot in Greenhills.

With the pandemic still a consideration, Meat Plus implemented health and safety measures for strict compliance inside its stores to keep its customers and staff safe. These include:

Wearing of face masks inside the premises and conduct of respiratory etiquette (covering of nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing)
Temperature check and footbath upon entry
Frequent washing and sanitizing of hands
Maintaining 6-foot distance from other people

All store personnel are also required to face masks and disposable gloves, while the stores and their equipment are cleaned and sanitized on an hourly basis.

Being both a butcher shop that carries a wide variety of meats, poultry, seafood, and of course, steaks, as well as a steakhouse, Meat Depot allows you to select your preferred meats from among the choicest cuts to bring home or turn over to the store’s expert grillers who can cook them up for you to enjoy in a jiffy. You can also select which sauces and sides will go with your cooked meats.

Such was the case when Hubby and I dropped by after a running a few errands to give in to our steak cravings.

Rib Eye (Php870 + Php150 cooking charge)

We know that we can count on Meat Depot to bring out all the possibilities in flavor, juiciness and tenderness of our chosen steaks.

Lamb Chop (490.42 + Php150 cooking charge)

Similarly, Meat Depot did not disappoint with our Grilled Lamb Chops, which are tender and full-flavored with every bite.

Well, the true-blue carnivore in me surely got her wish!

With some family celebrations coming up, we took advantage of the opportunity to stock up on some Rib-Eye (Php2,670/kg) that we can grill at home.

Hubby masterfully pan-grilled these steaks for our family celebration. This way, we were able to indulge our carnivorous cravings at home!

So if you’re craving for a delicious piece of steak or specialty meat that you can enjoy when you dine out or you can cook at home, check out Meat Depot.

Meat Depot branches are located at:

2/F Ayala Malls Vertis North, North Avenue, Quezon City
815 Banawe Street, Brgy. St. Peter, Quezon City
283 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque City
G/F Paseo de Magallanes, Magallanes, Makati City
2/F O Square 2, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan City
Corner Market, 2/F The Podium, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
3/F Robinsons Galleria, EDSA, Quezon City
G/F U.P. Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City

Click here to reserve a table or here to shop online among Meat Depot’s extensive selections of meats.

Dining indulgence at Cowrie Grill

Sometimes, the occasion calls for you to indulge in the finer things in life – and what better to splurge on than an unforgettable meal? Paying homage to its former home with old world opulence, The Manila Hotel-managed Cowrie Grill delights guests by offering the choicest selection of meats and seafood.

Fine dining goes one step further at Cowrie Grill. It is a gem of a restaurant located at Promenade 3 Mall, Greenhills on Missouri Street. It is upscale and impressive, coupled with warm service reserved for VIP guests like you. Explore our distinctively flavored steaks handcrafted by our chefs, as well as tantalizing menu that includes main entrees, appetizers, healthy greens, and desserts!

As a start, go for the French Onion Soup, or try the Maitre D’ Caesar Salad – freshly prepared greens with crunch from romaine lettuce, croutons, generously drizzled in olive oil, cheese and bacon complemented by the sweet and zesty Caesar salad dressing. Pair it with the flavorful pan-seared scallops on mushroom risotto.

Menu standouts here are the Surf and Turf set duo of Pitik Lobster Thermidor [fresh slipper lobster] and US Angus Beef Tenderloin with baked garlic and garden vegetables. Go for US Angus Beef Rib or the US Angus Chateaubriand that are seasoned and grilled to perfection. Complement this with any of Cowrie Grill’s fine selection of red wines. You also have a choice of a generous serving of certified Angus Beef Tomahawk [best shared by two].

When it comes to the food, Cowrie Grill is a great place to go for variety. Aside from meat cooked to perfection, the seafood is much more than an afterthought. Pescatarians will enjoy our mouth-watering sweet and silky Chilean Sea Bass, or the Grilled Norwegian Salmon Steak.

You must also try other good choices like the Symphony of Scallops, Baked Oysters, Iberico pork loin, and Angus Beef Burger.
An excellent ending to your hearty meal is our Chuao Chocolate Gateau, a rich four-layered cake served with Crème Anglaise.

Then, there’s the crowd favorite, Baked Alaska, with its perfectly browned meringue, flambéed with brandy, mouthwatering moist sponge cake with strawberry ice cream in the middle, and layers of different textures and flavors all in one bite.

With scrumptious food and impeccable service, Cowrie Grill’s guaranteed to impress. For table reservations, please call (02) 84631993 or email r.cowriegrill@themanilahotel.com.
Cowrie Grill may also be booked for exclusive functions for up to 30 guests.

About Cowrie Grill

Cowrie Grill used to be an in-house restaurant in The Manila Hotel but had to be transferred to San Juan in 1993 to give way to the famed Café Ilang-Ilang. With its classic and elegant interior, Cowrie Grill is perfect for celebrating special occasions like Father’s Day. It caters best to families and friends looking for a good intimate fine-dining place to relax and have a good meal after work or shopping. Guests can book the entire restaurant for an exclusive small function in strict compliance to the heath and safety protocols in the guidelines of the IATF.

Outback Steakhouse, MOA Complex

Are you a steak lover? I know I am!

A big hunk of beefy steak, grilled to tender and juicy perfection, can do wonders for my mood.

A place to be for good steaks is Outback Steakhouse.

Outback Steakhouse is an Australian-inspired steakhouse with a global presence. True to its inspiration from Down Under, it has a casual and easy-going vibe which translate to boisterous fun while enjoying great-tasting and hearty fare with family and friends.

Prior to the lockdowns brought on by the pandemic, I was able to have a lunch date with Hubby at the Outback Steakhouse branch in the Mall of Asia Complex.

First, we were served a loaf of freshly baked brown bread and butter to nibble on while waiting for our orders.

Then, we gave in to out steak cravings with:

Appetizer Platter (Php649). An appetizing combo of Kookaburra Wings, Crispy Fried Calamari and Crispy Volcano Shrimp. The variety of flavors and textures will whet your appetite for more!

New York Strip (Php1,499). A 284g cut of New York strip steak flavored with Outback’s special blend of seasonings then grilled to medium doneness. To go with this, we ordered freshly made sides Coleslaw (Php99) and Aussie Fries (Php129).

Outback Steakhouse halted its operations during the enhanced community quarantine but re-opened in May for takeout and delivery, and, by June, started accepting dine-in guests to sate the steak cravings of the metro’s denizens.

So if you feel like having a hearty hunk of perfectly grilled beef for your meal, do drop by a branch.

This Outback Steakhouse branch is located at Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal Avenue Corner EDSA, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City, open daily from 11am to 8pm for dine-in, takeout and delivery. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 88931026.

Other branches in the metro are located at:

Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon City
Ground Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City
Ground Floor, ATC Corporate Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Check out my reviews of other steak joints in the metro:

Japanese dining for the fam at Teriyaki Boy

For years now, my family has been getting our Japanese food craving satisfied by Teriyaki Boy.

This local chain under the Max’s Group occupies the space between fast-food and high-end Japanese restaurants by offering the fam’s Japanese food faves at reasonable prices.

Our go-to branch is the one nearest our home located at SM City East Ortigas. Here, we feast on classic such as:

Tonkatsu (Php289). My son’s favorite Japanese dish consisting of a tender piece of pork cutlet that’s been breaded and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown and served with shredded cabbage and drizzled with sesame dressing along with a tangy-sweet katsu sauce.

Katsu Ju (Php355). My daughter’s go-to order consisting of breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet which is simmered in sweet soy sauce with leeks, onions and a beaten egg and then served on top warm rice.

Dynamite Sushi (Php114/4 pcs | Php210/8pcs). This sushi roll made with fresh tuna, chili oil, togarashi and Japanese mayo is one of the ploys employed by Hubby to stimulate my appreciation for spicy food.

Another bonus of dining at this particular branch is that it shares the space with another Max’s Group brand, Sizzlin’ Steak, enabling Hubby and me to also sate our craving for steak by cross-ordering an Australian Marbled Steak (Php699) for each of us. This tender and juicy piece of imported meat, grilled to our preference (medium to medium-well) and served with rice, French beans, cherry tomatoes and herb butter on a sizzling plate, ready for the satisfying sight, sound and smell of flavorful gravy being poured over it.

During the enhanced community quarantine, Teriyaki Boy paused its operations but has since re-opened for for dine-in, takeout and delivery.

So if the quarantine has you missing those tasty Japanese dishes you so love, check if there’s a Teriyaki Boy outlet near you.

This Teriyaki Boy branch is located at Second Floor, SM City East Ortigas, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Santa Lucia, Pasig City, open daily from 10am to 7pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 96381817 or +63 2 88879000.

Teriyaki Boy also delivers via its website, GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

Feasts for the Man of the Hour from The Bistro Group

Dad can’t say no to meaty, fall-off-the-bone ribs and steaks any time of the year, especially on his special day this Sunday, June 21. Treat him to the delicious goodness of juicy, luscious steaks and slow-cooked, tender ribs that are perfectly glazed, they glisten!

At TGIFridays, Italianni’s and Denny’s, place an order of their bestselling ribs and take home another one for FREE at the following select branches:

ITALIANNI’S Bonifacio High Street, Ayala North Exchange, Greenbelt 2, Glorietta 4, Eastwood City, Evia Lifestyle Center, Alabang Town Center, Midtown and Vista Mall Sta. Rosa Dine-in store hours are from 11am to 6pm

TGIFRIDAY’S at Bonifacio High Street, Alabang Town Center, SM Mall of Asia, Glorietta 3 and Evia Lifestyle Center. Dine-in store hours are from 11am to 6:30pm

DENNY’S at Uptown Parade, Midtown, Eastwood City and Vista Mall Sta. Rosa. Dine-in store hours are from 8am to 8pm

Meanwhile, steak-loving Dads will be happy to sink their teeth into Texas Roadhouse’s legeandary Ft. Worth 10 oz Ribeye Steak, an order of which entitles guests to half ribs for FREE to take home.

Dads who are partial to Asian cuisine will love the dishes of Watami and Modern Shanghai. As a Father’s Day treat, order Xiao Long Bao at Modern Shanghai and get one FREE to go. At Watami, an order of Tokyo Beef Rice Bowl entitles guests to another one FREE to go.

At Buffalo Wild Wings, Buy 1 Get 1 Platter 2 (Liempo, Ribs, Traditional Wings and Rice) available for Take-Out/Delivery only at these branches inside Denny’s Vista and Uptown, BGC.

Of course, there are a lot more on the menu, so get ahead and spoil Dad!

Promo details and images provided by The Bistro Group in a recent press release.

The Jelly List: Father’s Day gift ideas for your foodie dad

They say a dad is a son’s first hero and a daughter’s first love.

There’s no doubt that our fathers play a very important role in our lives. With Father’s Day coming in a few days, it’s time to think about what to give our dads as little tokens of our love and appreciation for all they have done and continue to do for us.

This task is even easier if our dads have a great love and regard for good food. Luckily, we have an abundance of great food choices that can be delivered straight to Dad’s doorstep to delight him come Father’s Day.

Let me share with you my top picks:

Pampanga’s Famous Cheesebread from LBS Bakeshop

If Daddy ever tasted Pampanga’s famous cheese bread, I’ll bet that he will be craving for more. As luck would have it, this delicacy is now easily available in the metro. At just Php299 for a box of thirty pieces of cheese bread, he can eat his fill of this yummy pastry from Pampanga’s LBS Bakeshop.

To order, just send a message through Facebook or Viber +63 999 8233340.

L’entrecote opens for take out and delivery

Your favorite steak is only a call away! L’entrecote Corner Bistro is now open for takeaway and delivery daily from 11am to 5pm.

Have your favorite l’entrecote cuts of 8oz US Angus Choice Sirloin Steak and 12oz US Certified Angus Beef Sirloin Steak both with the famous secret herbed butter sauce, hand cut fries and house salad. You can also have the 21oz US CAB Tomahawk Rib Bone Steak good for two people or the 6oz US CAB Tenderloin. You choose sides and sauces.

The popular Big Adlez Niçoise Salad of mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, potato, hard boiled egg and anchovies with Dijon mustard, olive oil and lime dressing comes with either Grilled Salmon or Shrimps is also available as well as pastas, appetizers and mains like Grilled Salmon, Lamb Shank and Grilled Chicken.

L’entrecote is at Unit A Bellagio II Burgos Circle at Forbes Town Center Bonifacio Global City. For pick up and delivery, call 8856-4856 or 0915-885-7622.

Payment is cash, credit card and bank transfer.

Product images and details provided in a recent press release.

Steakin’ it easy at Meat Depot

Truth be told: I came from a family of true-blue steak-lovin’ carnivores and so did my Hubby. Apparently, through the interplay of “nature” and “nurture”, our kiddoes turned out to be just like us.

Little wonder, then, that the thought of indulging our inner carnivores by having a steak lunch at Meat Depot after a bout of shopping in Greenhills was enough to have us practically salivating with excitement for the upcoming meal.

Meat Depot has the unique quality of being both a butcher shop and a kitchen at the same time. First established in 2014, it aimed to provide consumers with quality meats for home or institutional consumption, and to bring excellently cooked meats to hungry diners.

At any of its branches, diners can browse through and select their choice from a wide selection of premium cuts which they can bring home, or turn over to Meat Depot’s master grillers for cooking those meats to bring out all of its possibilities in flavor, tenderness and juiciness.

So that’s how we ended up gorging ourselves with our tender and juicy medium-cooked AB Rib-Eye Steaks (Php2,410/kg with Php125 cooking charge per piece which already includes mushroom gravy and choice of rice or mashed potato).

Well, what can I say? We really are a family of steak lovers!

This Meat Depot branch is located at Second Floor. O Square Building 2, Greenhills Shopping Center, Greenhills, San Juan.

Steak lovers in the metro will be happy to know that although this branch is closed for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine, selected Meat Depot branches are still open for pick-up and take-out.

Available products in these branches include:

Pork: lean ground (Php268/kg), menudo cut (Php304/kg), pork cubes (Php288/kg), pork chop (Php278/kg), country style (Php380/kg) and baby back ribs (Php330/kg)
Beef: ground (Php275/kg), shank (Php400)
Angus Beef; T-bone (Php2,070/kg), Striploin (Php2,130/kg), Rib-Eye (Php2,410/kg), Tomahawk (Php2,535/kg) and Tenderloin (Php3,920/kg)
Wagyu: Japanese Wagyu Striploin (Php10,070/kg) and Japanese Rib-Eye A4 (Php11,130/kg)

Just call or message the branch closest to you, indicate your name, order and time of pick up, make your payment via BDO and pick up your order or have it delivered to you through Grab Express or Lalamove.

Banawe, Quezon City: +63 966 7444366
Paseo de Magallanes, Makati: +63 926 0755187
BF Homes, Paranaque: +63 926 6474778

Check out my reviews of other steak joints in the metro:

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:

Get the romance burnin’ this February at 390 Degrees, Entertainment City

At last January is over and done with. Now, let’s get ourselves in gear for the month of hearts – February!

And what better way to celebrate this month than to spend time with our Significant Other in a special place, one that can provide not only a venue for a romantic outing but also good food that can make the experience truly memorable?

Well, venture into the still seemingly uncharted Aseana City Business Park in Paranaque and there you will find the newly opened 390 Degrees.

Operated by the same team that brought about Ombu Kusina in Quezon City, 390 Degrees brings the same hearty servings and imaginative takes on comfort food in an elegantly well-appointed setting that Ombu Kusina does.

Here, though, the restaurant’s concept centers around its charcoal brick oven which influences all of its dishes. In fact, the resto’s name 390 Degrees refers to the temperature that restaurant’s oven must maintain to produce its delectable dishes.

In a special foodie meetup hosted by 390 Degrees’ head chef Mark Griffin Oraiz and marketing head Tammy Lim, my fellow food bloggers and I were treated to a sneak peek into the resto’s exciting Valentine’s offering.

Curious yet? Imagine dining with your special someone on a special meal for two which consist of:

Tomato Soup with Ravioli. Thick soup of pureed tomatoes topped with spinach-cheese ravioli to warm your tummies and your hearts.

Chicken Ceasar Salad. Get your taste buds ready with this hearty salad made with lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers and sliced hard-boiled egg tossed in a creamy Ceasar salad dressing topped with a dash of paprika and topped with sliced charcoal-grilled chicken.

Pepper Crusted Steak. Juicy steak with peppery seasoning charcoal grilled to a medium doneness. You can choose two side dishes to go with this dish (and the chef recommends Sweet Potato Mash and Cauliflower and Cheese.

Two Mini Salted Caramel Cream Puffs. Finish off the meal with these cute and not-too-sweet pastries.

Two Glasses of Shiraz Red Wine. All the better to drink to more wonderful times ahead!

This special Valentine’s meal is available from February 3 to 29 for only Php2000! So what are you waiting for? Book your Valentine’s date today!

The tasty eats don’t stop at Valentine’s, though. Check out the other yummy viands you can enjoy with your family and friends:

Vegetable Chowder (Php200). A cream-based soup with mixed vegetables served inside a charcoal-baked bread bowl.

Seafood Marinara (Php270). Mixed seafood tossed with fusili pasta in a savory tomato sauce.

Margherita Pizza (Php290). Tomato, basil and mozarella top a hand-stretched charcoal-baked pizza.

The Black Burger (Php530). A hefty and juicy charcoal-grilled burger patty sandwiched in charcoal activated burger bun with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onions and cheese.

Blackened Salmon (Php880). A charcoal-baked salmon fillet with creamy dill sauce which go so well with Rice Pilaf as a side dish. I usually look for a cream cheese topping for baked salmon but this dish has no need for it.

Tiramisu. 390 Degrees’ take on the coffee-based Italian dessert.

All those good food will work up quite a thirst. Fortunately, 390 Degrees has a bevy of refreshing drinks to quench your thirst:

390 Signature Iced Tea (Php120). House-brewed black tea given some zest by the addition of lemon and pineapple.

Tropical Lagoon Soda (Php120). A fun and citrusy fizzy drink made with blue curacao, orange juice and soda water.

Mountain Mojito (Php130). A herb-flavored drink made with lime, mint leaves and soda water.

With such delish dishes and drinks, 390 Degrees is slated to be one of the hottest foodie destinations this side of the metro!

Many thanks to Tammy, Chef Griffin and the staff of 390 Degrees for the warm and fun welcome and the delightful food and to Kaycee of Date For Two for extending the invitation!

390 Degrees is located at Ground Floor, Sequioa Hotel Manila, Aseana City Business Park, Entertainment City, Paranaque, open daily from 6.30am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 921 2446502 or +63 945 639 0724.

For the meantime, the restaurant accepts payments in cash only.

Check out my posts on other places for your romantic date in the metro:

The Alley by Vikings, UP Town Center

It’s great to have officemates who love to eat (not as much as I do, but still).

Before we took our holiday break, my boss decided to treat our team to dinner at The Alley by Vikings in UP Town Center.

What sets this buffet restaurant apart from the others is that it takes the form of a street-style food hall which incorporates concepts from around the world. Walking around the stations, you get a feel of touring the streets of the countries where the featured food items originate.

Instead of filling your plates yourself, you can request for small servings of the dishes from their respective stations, similar to the street food tripping experience. For example, our “food trip” here included the following stations:

Hao Chi – for Chinese dimsum and Peking Duck
Yatai – for Japanese sushi, sashimi and okonomiyaki
O’Sean Eleven – for seafood chowder
Just Steak a Minute – for freshly grilled steaks and other meats
Ferino’s Bibingka – for freshly made puto bumbong
Hunnycomb – for cakes and pastries

Buffet Rates:

Weekday Lunch: Php738 for adults, Php188 for kids 3ft for 4ft, Php388 for kids 4ft to 4ft 6in
Weekday Dinner/ Weekend or Holiday Lunch and Dinner: Php938 for adults, Php288 for kids 3ft for 4ft, Php588 for kids 4ft to 4ft 6in
Kids below 3ft eat for free

There are a lot of food choices, and more food stations than the ones I mentioned, which can be quite overwhelming. Refilling the more popular stations such as the sushi and the muscovado sugar for the bibingka took a long time.

I would also guess that the air-conditioning couldn’t cope with the volume of diners as it was quite warm where we were seated.

All that said, it was still a good time spent with my office buddies.

This branch of The Alley by Vikings is located 2nd Level, Phase 2, UP Town Center, Ayala Mall, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and from 5.30pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82771888, +63 2 82772888, +63 917 6735888 or +63 918 9078888.

Other branches are located at:

2nd Level, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, A. Bonifacio Street, Brgy. Balingasa, A. Bonifacio, Quezon City
C1, Upper Ground Floor, Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Planning a visit to The Alley by Vikings? Here are some promos you can take advantage of:

20% off Weekday Lunch for every group of 5 pax from January 2 to February 28, 2020

Birthday celebrants eat for free on the day of their birthday if accompanied by one full paying adult, or within their birth month if accompanied by four full-paying adults

(Note: Terms and conditions apply for the above-mentioned promos.)