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)
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.
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:
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.)
That’s what you will exclaim when you treat yourself and your friends to Holy Cow Sizzlers’ Meat All You Can promo.
Well, what is it anyway?
The Meat All You Can promo is Holy Cow Sizzlers’ answer to the unli samgyeopsal places sprouting all over the metro.
If you’re wondering what a casual dining resto with an American West theme has to do with the current K-BBQ craze, here are some points for comparison:
Similarities:
Unlimited meat. Yes, for just Php399, you can indulge your inner carnivore and eat your fill of grilled beef, pork and chicken dishes available.
Refillable sides. You can have as much of the rice, veggies and salads on the side as you like.
Differences.
Flavors of the West. Holy Cow Sizzlers first made a name for itself for serving American West-style steaks. Those flavors will still come into play in its Meat All You Can Offer which include Chicken Chinitos and Chicken Fillet, Beef (my fave!), Pork Belly and Fish Fingers, along with your choice of sauce among spicy barbecue, peppercorn gravy, trio mushroom gravy and soy garlic.
Choose from ten tasty side dishes as well: coleslaw, cheese croquettes, macaroni salad, corn and carrots, fries, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, mojos, buttered veggies and garlic rice.
No grilling! Yep, you don’t need to worry about cooking the meat yourself. Just order or ask for refills as you like and your meats will arrive on your table already grilled to perfection and served on sizzling plates.
So be sure to bring your appetite when you and your gang visit Holy Cow Sizzlers!
Thanks to the crew of Holy Cow Sizzlers for the warm welcome and the delicious meal and to Jen of Sand Under My Feet for extending the invitation!
This Holy Cow Sizzlers branch is located at Garden Wing Area, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 9pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 10pm.
Other branches are located at:
Ground Floor, Park & Shop, 8300 Dr. A. Santos Avenue, BF Homes, Paranaque
Ground Floor, South Wing, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
Check out my reviews of other restos that cater to meat lovers:
And my home is located east of Manila, where traffic jams abound and going to the overcrowded malls is sometimes too much of a hassle to be worth the effort.
This is why I #LookToTheEast for new destinations, foodie or otherwise. Because why brave the metro’s streets when you can find what you want right where you are?
Recently, I discovered another reason for us Eastern foodies to not venture far to satisfy our food cravings.
In the suburbs of foodie-friendly Marikina, away from the hustle and bustle of busy highways and malls, is a new and exciting foodie destination: Swig & Nosh Kitchen + Bar.
A hidden gem in a quiet Marikina neighborhood
The brainchild of Mario Mendoza, one of Marikina’s homegrown culinary talents, Swig & Nosh takes its name from the British colloquial terms for “taking a drink” and “eating a snack,” respectively.
Located in a remodeled bungalow along Mt. Pleasant street, Swig & Nosh is geared to be the place for Marikina locals and visitors to enjoy great-tasting comfort food along with their drinks of choice.
Mario took his cues from the house’s original architect (who also happens to be his dad) and furnished the space with comfort in mind. Ceramic tile-topped hardwood tables bring splashes of color while also accommodating large groups of diners. The chairs are also ergonomically-designed; they adjust when the diner leans back, giving back support that facilitates comfort for resting or conversing with companions after eating.
A well-stocked bar is situated in one of the inner rooms with mixologists at the ready to pour out spirits or concoct cocktails for the guests.
Diners also have the option to take their meals in the garden outside; this will become the location of choice when the cool weather sets in by December to February.
Nosh on fusion of American and Filipino cuisines
Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH, I was able to sample some of Swig & Nosh’s signature dishes.
These included:
Apple Pie Salad (Php220). A healthy combination of sweet and savory flavors made withmixed greens tossed with apple compote, streusel crumbs and cheddar with a cider vinaigrette.
Pork Cubes and Watermelon (Php230). Fork-tender cubes of pork belly tossed with watermelon cubes and hoisin sauce.
Calamares sa Bawang (Php210). Garlic-flavored battered squid rings served with tarragon vinegar and lemon.
Gambas Aligue (Php305). The shrimp and garlic appetizer hyped-up with the inclusion of crab roe balanced with orange bits.
Bacon Benedict (Php335). The hyped-up version of Eggs Benedict with special pan de sal, homemade bacon jam, spinach, bacon, two poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
Wagyu Bacon Royale Burger (Php350). Wagyu patty, cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and bacon jam in a buttered brioche bun served with spiced ketchup.
Tinapa Rice. Fried rice flavored with smoked fish.
Dry Rub Chicken with Truffle Honey (Php295). Chicken leg and thigh covered with the house-recipe dry rub and truffle honey then fried to a crispy golden brown and served with cole slaw and ranch dressing.
Prime Rib (Php392/100g). Tender and perfectly grilled grilled steak made of Black Onyx Australian Angus beef.
Choco Chip Cookie Dough Milkshake (Php170). Made with vanilla ice cream and milk with balls of edible cookie dough, topped with whipped cream in a candy studded glass and served with a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie.
Brownie Mocha Milkshake (Php175). Made with chocolate ice cream and milk with bits of brownie, topped with whipped cream and chopped nuts in a candy studded glass and served with a freshly baked brownie.
These hearty and tasty comfort food, all meticulously prepared and prettily presented, are suitable for discerning foodies in big celebrations, intimate get-togethers or even solo food adventures. The milkshakes, in particular, were a treat to both the eyes and the sweet tooth.
Take swigs of refreshing drinks and cocktails
Wash down these delicious viands with your choice of drinks – alcoholic or non-alcoholic – from Swig & Nosh’s well-stocked bar.
House Blend Iced Tea (Php185/liter). Swig & Nosh’s own signature flavor of iced tea. A raspberry-flavored variant is also available at Php175/liter).
Atomic Cat (Php130). A mocktail made with lemonade and grenadine.
Long Island Iced Tea (Php170). A cocktail made with rum, vodka, gin and other spirits mixed with cola and lemon juice.
Tequila Sunrise (Php180). A cocktail made with tequila, orange juice and grenadine.
Amaretto Sour (Php190). A cocktail made with amaretto, lemon juice, egg whites and bitters.
Blue Lagoon (Php170). A cocktail made with vodka, blue curacao and lemonade.
So if you find yourself in Marikina, know that you have somewhere to go for good eats and drinks.
Many thanks to the management and crew of Swig & Nosh for the warm welcome and great food, and to EJ of I Love To Eat PH for extending the invitation!
Swig & Nosh is located at No. 6, Mt. Pleasant Street, Bgy. Santa Elena, Marikina City, open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 28 2801298.
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
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.
Just when you thought that you’ve tasted all there is to good ole’ steaks, here comes Miyazaki Gyu introduce us to a truly luxurious steak experience.
The restaurant got its name from the Miyazaki Prefecture in the Japanese island of Kyushu. It is the word’s second largest producer of beef from Japanese black cattle – referred to as miyazakigyu – which is known for having a high level of marbling, making the meat as tender and flavorful as can be.
The restaurant not only sells high-grade beef but also treats its diners to the optimal preparation of the meat, thereby maximizing flavor and texture. That is actually the driving force behind the resto: showcasing to local diners the full potential of miyazakigyu, as envisioned by its executive chef and youngest Iron Chef contender Kensuke Sakai.
Hubby decided to treat the family to the experience of eating such high-quality beef so we spent one of our weekend lunches over the holidays checking out its offerings.
The restaurant embodies a combination of Japanese simplicity with its clean lines and bamboo accents, and of luxurious opulence with its gold and leather interiors.
A display of its various meat offerings takes pride of place, giving diners the option to take some home.
For our luxurious miyazakigyu lunch, we had:
Beef Sushi (Php650). Slivers of tender wagyu draped over sushi rice and lightly doused with ponzu sauce served as our appetizer.
Hubby, my daughter #ExhibitA and I split orders of various beef cuts – Chuck Roll or Premium Steak (Php22/gram), Habaki or Special Part Steak (Php25/gram) and Top Round or Prime Marble Steak (Php32/gram) all cooked to medium doneness so we can savor their taste, juiciness and tender texture.
Hamburg Steak (Php900). Our little boy #ExhibitB, on the other hand, was treated to this tasty grilled ground beef burger patty.
All of these meat dishes are preceded by a light vegetable salad and a steaming hot soup with slivers of wagyu beef.
The steaks were served with sauteed bean sprouts, minced herbs and a bit of salt to bring out more of their flavor.
We also upgraded to the House Special Garlic Rice that went so well with the wagyu steaks.
Given its price range, dining at Miyazaki Gyu is really not for everyday enjoyment; for me, it’s for those rare occasions when you feel like you deserve a break from the ordinary. Its premium-grade wagyu surely takes you to a whole new level of experience.
Miyazaki Gyu is located at Podium Level, One Mckinley Place, 26th Corner 4th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open daily from 11am to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 8296167 or +63 917 166 6673)
Kapitolyo is considered to be the foodie haven of Pasig, the city’s answer to QC’s Maginhawa Street and Marikina’s Lilac Street.
Kapitolyo is the place to be if you want imaginative and extraordinary dining experiences, in establishments that veer off the beaten path when it comes to restaurant concept, menu items or decor.
One such restaurant is Tittos Latin BBQ and Brew.
The brainchild of a group of friends who consider themselves “titos” already (hence the restaurant name), Tittos has a relaxed yet vibrant vibe that appeals to the titos and titas in all of us. From the huge colorful murals, its spacious indoor and al fresco dining areas, its friendly and accommodating wait staff to its huge servings of Latin American comfort food that appeals to the Pinoy palate, Tittos is the place to be for gastronomic adventures and fun times with friends.
However, there is more to Tittos than meets the eye which I found out when I attended a foodie meet up held there. And since I like to blab about my discoveries, here are things about Tittos that will make you hie yourself off to Kapitolyo stat.
One: It recently launched some new appetizing menu items.
Imagine sharing a meal with your crew that includes gastronomic delights such as:
Tapas de Chipa (Php295). Soft puff pastries served tapas-style with cream cheese, smoked salmon and truffle honey.
Tuna Tirataki (Php275). A Brazilian take on the Japanese tataki, sashimi-grade tuna is seared and served with a tangy spice mix, fried garlic, and garnished with a delicate black coral tuile.
La Lucha Salad (Php320). A very healthy salad that mixes in the trendy ingredient quinoa with mixed salad greens, corn, candied cashews, tempura-style oyster mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and crumbled white cheese drizzled with a honey balsamic dressing.
El Cesar’s Salad Burrito (Php320). In this Latin American deconstruction of the classic Ceasar Salad, lava-grilled chicken mojo is wrapped in flour tortilla together with mixed lettuce, soft-boiled eggs, garlic croutons, fresh parmesan, cherry tomatoes and Tittos’ own house-made Ceasar salad dressing, and served with some potato fries on the side.
Chiquittos (Php155). Fried chicken taco done as a deep-fried roll accented by white cheese and Mexican crema.
Garlic Shrimp BBQ Pizza (Php325) and Truffle Pork Pizza (Php345). Substituting the normal pizza dough with a flour tortilla, these pizzas give you maximo satisfaction through either the spicy garlicky barbecued shrimp toppings or the strips of pork belly over bechamel sauce together with melted cheeses.
Pasta Negra con Gambas (Php375). Squid ink linguine tossed with stir-fried prawns marinated in citrus and garlic bits.
Blackened Tuna Jaw (Php745). Lava-roasted tuna jaw rubbed with Latin spices served with grilled lime and honey chipotle sauce.
El Puerco ala Brasa (Php395). Tender slices of pork belly rubbed with dried red chilis then lava-grilled and topped with mole verde sauce.
Pan-seared angus steaks served with torched sofrito butter, crispy beef bits, Peruvian pink peppercorn, lime and Latin gravy.
Now, with these new inclusions to the Tittos menu, all the titos and titas have great reasons to come together and grab a bite!
Two: You can look forward to cool events and exciting promos come December
On December 2 from 7pm to 10pm, you can enjoy a Sunday Chill Night with acoustic music artist Tiara Shaye, along with five bottles of local beer and a plate of Nacho El Gigante for only Php399 or unli wine with a serving of Batata Frita for only Php499.
On December 4 – Taco Tuesday- get a Buy 1 Take 1 deal on all street tacos – Chiquittos, Chicharrones, Salted Egg, Shrimp, Beef Barbacoa, Baja Tuna and Venduras.
If you’ve ever been at Tittos and wondered what the “Ask for the secret” sign was all about, it’s the bread crumb that will lead you to a secret bar: Rm 16.
If you titos and titas ever want to disappear for a while to enjoy a drink (or two… or three…), check it out by seeking the big red vending machine, which, similar the closet to Narnia, leads you to a vastly different place: a speakeasy with subdued lighting in contrast to Tittos’ vibrant lights, and that serves cocktails and drinks with some Latin flair.
Curious about Tittos yet? Come on over to 16 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City. Call +63 2 5323414 for reservations. Tittos is open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm, Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 1am and Sundays from 10am to 10pm.
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, 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.
San Fernando, Pampanga is only about two hours ride from Manila. It is usually a place my family and I pass by on the way to our hometown of Bataan. While I may have visited the city once or twice over the past years (and usually on business), I have never thought of it as a foodie destination. (I admit now that this notion is a bit odd, considering that Kapampangans are known for their culinary skills.)
Fortunately, I recently took part in the Giant Lantern Festival Bloggers Tour organized by the city’s Tourism Promotion and Caravan Sub-Committee, YALLA Book of Coupons and the Giant Lantern Festival Foundation, Inc. Together with fellow bloggers, I toured San Fernando’s heritage sites and learned about the city’s thriving Christmas lantern industry and annual competition. Plus, our group was treated to an EPIC seven-stop food crawl of the city’s top restaurants.
I can hardly keep myself from talking about all the great foodie finds discovered during the tour, so I wrote a curated list of the “absolute must-trys” that represent the various cuisines available in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Check them out and try to include these restos in your itinerary on your next visit to the area.
Baked Goods: The Original Cheesebread at L.A. Bake Shop
L.A. Bakeshop prides itself on being the “Home of the Original Cheesebread.” And, oh, its artisan cheesebread is really worth boasting about! When served while still warm from the oven, it emits a sweet cheese-y smell that has you salivating. Bite into it and the soft fluffy sweet bread gives in to the explosion of cheese flavor in your mouth. Enjoy it for breakfast together with L.A. Bakeshop’s Spanish Bread and Tsokolateng Batirol for a truly indulgent start to your day.
L.A. Bakeshop is located along MacArthur Hi-way, Dolores, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, open daily from 7am to 9pm. For inquiries, call +63 045 4360153 or +63 916 2623098.
Italian: Shrimp Bisque Fusili at Parmisano’s
An exciting take on the Pancit Luglog, this dish features al dente fusilli pasta tossed in a creamy shrimp sauce, topped with onion leeks, plump shrimp, soft-boiled egg and bits of savory chicharon. What a fun way to enjoy a local classic!
Price: Php286
Parmisano’s is located at KM 78, San Agustin, City of San Fernando, Pampanga (across Vista Mall), open Tuesdays to Sundays from 12nn to 9pm. For inquiries, call +63 045 4027639.
American: Grilled Beef Steak at Meats and Match
For the true-blue carnevore like me, there is nothing like the taste of freshly grilled steak. Sourced from local farms, cooked to medium doneness and served on a sizzling plate together with mashed potatoes and buttered corn and carrots, the meat is tender, juicy and oozing with flavor. I love it when its accompanying gravy has caramelized a bit below the steak, adding a more intense flavor to every bite.
Price: Php194
Meats and Match is located along McArthur Highway, Dolores, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. For inquiries, call +63 998 9888917.
American: Double Smoky Mushroom & Cheese Burger at Roberto’s
Two juicy flame-grilled meat patties topped with a flavorful mushroom sauce and accompanied by crisp greens inside a warm burger bun. Crispy battered onion rings and tartar dip are served on the side.
Price: Php450
Roberto’s is located in Dolores (beside the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital), City of San Fernando, Pampanga, open daily from 10am to 9pm. For inquiries, call +63 998 9888914.
Seafood: Bag of Fresh Catch at Orange Bucket
Steamed or boiled crabs, shrimps and mussels in a savory-spicy Cajun-style sauce. It’s best eaten by hand and you can expect to be messy so take advantage of the disposable gloves and bib provided by the resto (it’s a lot more fun that way anyway).
Price: minimum order of 300g
Crab: Php540
Shrimp: Php450
Mussel: Php270
Clam: Php60
The Orange Bucket is located at the Erazone Square, Kalahi Business Road, Bgy San Isidro, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For inquiries, call +63 045 4022611, +63 906 2468000 or +63 998 8597750.
Filipino: Sizzling Sisig at 4MD’s Manukan at Ihaw Ihaw
Since Pampanga is the birthplace of the sisig, a Pampanga food crawl would hardly be complete without it. This dish is made in the traditional way: boiled and chopped pig ears and cheeks, seasoned with vinegar, and served on a hot plate with roughly chopped onions. I found this version dryer than other sisig I’ve tasted (which usually incorporate mayonnaise), but it did not detract from the taste.
Price: Php175
4MD’s Manukan at Ihaw Ihaw is located along MacArthur Hi-way, Dolores, City of Pampanga, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For inquries, call +63 045 9633283.
Dessert: Chiffonelle at Cafe Noelle
Made from the recipe crafted by the chef’s family matriarch, this dessert treat is composed of classic chiffon cake with a decadent yema custard filling and butter icing. It’s simple and light on the tastebuds but absolutely wonderful.
Price: Php140/slice; Php 980/whole cake
Cafe Noelle is located at the Greenfields Square along MacArthur Hi-way, Sindalan, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, open daily from 10am to 10pm.
The #PampangaFoodCrawl helped to open my eyes to the many gustatory delights available in the city of San Fernando and I look forward to my future trips up north so I can explore more of the city’s dining possibilities.
Planning a trip up north? Check out these restos and be sure to head out and experience more of what makes the city of San Fernando, Pampanga unique. Check out my previous blog posts on the city:
Disclosure: Together with other bloggers, I participated in a tour and food crawl sponsored by the city government of San Fernando, Pampanga. The experiences provided and food served were not paid for by the attendees including myself.
The Jellybeans Edit 