where to eat in cubao – Jellybeans in the City

Cuisine that tastes like home at Tindeli by Chef Tatung

Nothing beats the warmth and comfort of home-cooked Filipino food. Whether it’s adobo, sinigang, or a plate of pancit, these dishes remind us of family gatherings, our lola’s kitchen, and the familiar flavors we grew up loving. At Tindeli, Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou has captured this feeling of home with his newest culinary venture—a Filipino-themed café and deli that combines the best of tradition with a modern touch.

Located in Gateway Mall’s Palenque food arena, Tindeli brings the essence of Filipino food to life in a setting that feels cozy and welcoming. Chef Tatung’s vision for Tindeli is simple: a place where Filipinos can come together to enjoy classic dishes, artisanal cured meats, and fresh-baked breads, all in one spot. It’s a café where the food tastes like home but with the quality and care of a chef’s touch.

A Culinary Dream 10 Years in the Making

Tindeli isn’t just another restaurant. It’s the result of a decade-long passion project that combines the Filipino tindahan (corner store) with an upscale deli experience. Chef Tatung, who is known for his expertise in Filipino cuisine, wanted to create a space where everyday comfort food could be celebrated and elevated.

The deli side of Tindeli offers a variety of Filipino-style cured meats, baked goods, and pasalubong treats. Whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat or taking home something special, Tindeli’s offerings are designed to remind you of the flavors of home.

Dining at Tindeli: A Feast of Familiar Flavors

After attending Chef Tatung’s birthday celebration at Quantum Skyview in Gateway Mall, my fellow foodies and I headed to Tindeli for dinner. The moment we stepped inside, we were welcomed by the warmth of the interiors—solihiya-patterned walls, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, and an ambiance that made us feel at home.

We were treated to a spread of dishes that highlighted the best of Tindeli’s menu:

Salted Egg Fries. A playful take on the popular salted egg flavor. The fries were crispy, with a generous coating of savory, salted egg powder that made them irresistible.

Chicken Macaroni Salad. This creamy side dish was a nostalgic reminder of Filipino celebrations, with tender chicken and macaroni mixed in a creamy dressing and topped with oodles of cheese.

Okoy. These crispy shrimp fritters were perfectly fried, delivering a satisfying crunch with each bite. A classic Filipino street food brought to the dining table.

Chop Suey. A colorful and hearty mix of vegetables and meat stir-fried in a savory sauce, it added a fresh and vibrant touch to our meal.

Dinuguan. A rich pork blood stew with tender meat, the dinuguan had a deep, hearty flavor that was both comforting and satisfying.

Pancit Canton. Stir-fried noodles with a medley of vegetables and meat, this dish was a celebration of flavors that Filipinos know and love.

Kare Kare. This peanut-based oxtail stew was thick, creamy, and flavorful. Paired with bagoong (shrimp paste), it was a delicious reminder of home-cooked meals.

Our meal ended with an array of indulgent desserts that made for a sweet conclusion:

To complement the meal, we enjoyed a variety of refreshing drinks:

A Pasalubong Haven

Tindeli isn’t just about dining in. It’s also a haven for pasalubong—those take-home goodies that Filipinos love to share with family and friends. From giant ensaymadas to homemade galantina, there’s no shortage of options for anyone looking to bring a piece of Tindeli home.

One of Tindeli’s signature items is the Tindesal—an oversized, open-faced pandesal topped with generous fillings like chicken salad and longganisa spread. It’s a playful take on the classic Filipino bread roll, made even more indulgent.

Chef Tatung also offers his range of house-made cured meats and baked breads, including his classic sourdough and ube pandesal. These items are made in-house with the highest quality ingredients, offering a taste of home that’s perfect for gifting or enjoying at home.

The Future of Tindeli

Tindeli’s first branch in Gateway Mall is just the beginning. Chef Tatung has big plans for the future, aiming to open more branches in key cities across Metro Manila and beyond. Over the next few years, he plans to bring Tindeli to more locations, sharing his love for Filipino cuisine with even more people.

Chef Tatung has expressed plans to target opening ten new branches next year alone, expanding the Tindeli experience while staying true to the quality and authenticity that defines it.

Why You Should Visit Tindeli

Tindeli is clearly a celebration of Filipino culture, tradition, and flavors. Whether you’re sitting down for a meal with family, grabbing a coffee, or shopping for pasalubong, Tindeli offers an experience that brings the comfort of home to every bite.

With its cozy ambiance, carefully curated menu, and Chef Tatung’s dedication to preserving and elevating Filipino cuisine, Tindeli is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves food that tastes like home.

Tindeli by Chef Tatung is located at Palenque, Upper Ground B, Gateway Mall 2, Cubao, Quezon City, open for dine-in and delivery weekdays from 10am to 9pm and weekends from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, contact +63 916 4688084.

Another branch is located at 45 Kamuning Road, Barangay East Kamias, Quezon City.

Know more about its menu and offers by following Tindeli by Chef Tatung on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant. Food items are served free of charge.

Taste of American Buffet at StrEATs, ibis Styles Manila Araneta

As part of my daughter’s birthday celebration, I decided to treat the fam to a buffet lunch at StrEATs, currently a trending culinary destination since it opened earlier this year due to its painstakingly curated array of delectable cuisines and affordable buffet rates.

As luck would have it, my family’s visit to this restaurant for my daughter’s birthday celebration coincided with the restaurant’s Fourth of July themed buffet, Taste of American.

From July 4 to 7, StrEATs at ibis Styles Manila Araneta transformed into a vibrant celebration of American cuisine, blending the flavors of classic American dishes with the festive spirit of the 4th of July. The lively atmosphere, complete with patriotic decorations, upbeat music and American-themed fare, made it an unforgettable dining experience.

American cuisine holds a special place in Filipino hearts, with its hearty flavors and comfort foods resonating deeply with local palates. For instance, Hubby, the kids and I all grew up munching on American snacks and dishes, alongside our Pinoy ulams, of course. StrEATs embraced this cultural connection by offering a Taste of American buffet that celebrated both American traditions and Filipino warmth.

Buffet Highlights

The Taste of American buffet featured a range of American classics, served alongside StrEATs’ regular buffet stations. This means guests were able to eat their fill of these all-American faves:

StrEATs ibis Styles Manila Araneta City — Walnet Carrot Cake

We also feasted on juicy fresh shrimps and succulent clams, sauteed in garlic and butter upon order, as well as freshly grilled slices of beef leg from the cart.

Additionally, the buffet included free-flowing root beer floats, sodas, juices, coffee, and tea, which complemented the American feast perfectly.

Of course, the full spread of StrEATs’ renowned buffet offerings were also on-hand at their respective stations. These include:

Pricing and Offers

The Taste of American buffet was available at the following rates:

Lunch Buffet: PHP1,499 nett
Dinner Buffet: PHP1,699 nett

Special kids’ rates made it a family-friendly event:

Children 12 years old and below: Free of charge with one accompanying adult
Children 13 years old and above: Full rate applies

This unique buffet was a delightful celebration of both American and Filipino flavors, which made for a memorable dining experience be sure to keep an eye out for future themed events at StrEATs that continue to showcase the restaurant’s creativity and culinary excellence.

In the meantime, regular buffet rates are:

Breakfast Buffet: PHP999 nett
Lunch Buffet: PHP1,299 nett
Dinner Buffet: PHP1,499 nett

StrEATs is located at Fifth Floor, ibis Styles Manila Araneta, General Roxas Avenue, Araneta City, Quezon City. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 8248 8444 or +63 920 988 2678, or email IbisStyles.ManilaAranetaCity.Restaurants@accor.com.

Know more about ibis Styles Manila Araneta by visiting its website, or by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my posts about ibis Styles Manila Araneta:

5 Things to Do During Your Staycation at ibis Styles Manila Araneta City

Deliciously affordable food adventure at StrEATs in ibis Styles Manila Araneta City

Looking for a food adventure that’s deliciously varied yet affordable? Then ibis Styles Manila Araneta’s all-day dining restuarant, StrEATs, should be right up your alley.

ibis Styles Manila Araneta City is the first ibis brand of the Accor Hotels Group in the country. The economy hotel chain characterized by creativity and playfulness pays tribute to the vibrancy and energy of its location through callbacks to cultural milestones.

For instance, the newly opened hotel’s interior is peppered with photo spots that harken back to the Thrilla in Manila, the legendary fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier held at the Araneta Colisuem. Hotel guests and visitors can then take their photos for ‘gram in these themed spots.

StrEATs leads the way to awesome food adventures

StrEATs serves as a pathway towards various international culinary journeys, with a rotating menu carefully curated by Executive Chef Massimiliano Pauletto. While enjoying StrEATs’ well-appointed setting and frenetic energy, foodies can look forward to flavorful discoveries with appetizing stations that include:

Plus, you can always request for freshly made Baked Oysters and creamy gelato from Novotel’s Indulge at their respective stations.

Make the most out of your StrEATs experience!

Whether you find the prospect of an all-you-can-eat buffet daunting or you’re a seasoned buffet diner, here are a few tips to make sure that you maximize your time there:

Start small. Sample small portions of a variety of dishes. This allows you to taste everything without getting full too quickly.
Prioritize. If you’re a carnivore like me, go for the higher-cost items (like seafood, meats, and specialty dishes) if you want to get the best value.
Mix It Up. Alternate between different types of food (proteins, vegetables, carbs) to keep your palate interested and avoid flavor fatigue.
Pace Yourself. Eat slowly and take breaks. This helps with digestion and allows you to enjoy the meal longer without feeling uncomfortably full.
Post-Meal Activity. If possible, take a walk after your meal. It aids digestion and can help you feel less bloated. Fortunately, Gateway Mall is just a few steps away!

StrEATs daily serves breakfast from 6am to 10am at Php999/person, lunch from 12pm to 2pm at Php1,299/person and dinner from 6pm to 9pm at Php1,499/person.

StrEATs is located at Fifth Floor, ibis Styles Manila Araneta, General Roxas Avenue, Araneta City, Quezon City. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 8248 8444 or email IbisStyles.ManilaAranetaCity.Restaurants@accor.com.

Know more about ibis Styles Manila Araneta by visiting its website, or by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my posts about Accor Hotels and Restaurants: