where to eat in QC – Jellybeans in the City

Culinary delights at SilverSpoon QC

Being a foodie myself, there are few pleasures in life as universal as the enjoyment of a delicious meal. From childhood memories of dinners with my family to those first kilig dates at fancy restaurants, dining on good food has the ability to bring not just satiety, but a sense of joy.

And for people like me who are passionate about food and all its delicious possibilities, there’s no better feeling than sharing their gustatory adventures with others.

That’s what I did when on the first day of our #ReturnToOffice, I took my teammates to one of my favorite places in the Tomas Morato area for our first #HappyLunch after nearly three years: SilverSpoon Kitchenette.

Located in one of the side streets off Tomas Morato Avenue, this cozy little kitchenette is a hidden gem that has been making waves in the local food scene.

The kitchenette is run by a team of passionate foodies who are dedicated to bringing dishes that are not only delicious but also made with the freshest ingredients. They source their produce from local farmers, ensuring that every dish is packed with the goodness of the season. They also instituted a quarterly showcase of classic Pinoy food from various regions to make these heritage dishes more accessible to their clientele.

However, for this particular food adventure, my coworkers and I focused on SilverSpoon’s pastas and mains, which included:

Creamy Spinach Ravioli (Php365). Handcrafted ravioli stuffed with creamy spinach filling served on a flavorful sauce bed.

Pasta al Nero (Php330). Squid ink pasta tossed with crisp vegetables and calamari.

Crispy Lechon Kawali (Php330). Deep-fried pork belly served with saffron rice with lechon sauce on the side.

Honey Garlic Liempo (Php330). Tender grilled pork belly glazed in a sweet-savory honey garlic sauce and served with garlic rice.

Gambas in Tomato Sauce (Php385). Plump tiger prawns flavored with paprika and tossed in a sauce of pureed tomatoes.

Beef Salpicao (Php495). Tender beef strips and mushrooms stir-fried in Worcestershire sauce, butter, garlic and chilis served on a bed of garlic rice.

But the food is only part of the story. SilverSpoon Kitchenette is a warm and welcoming space that’s perfect for everything from a quick lunch for office workers to a leisurely dinner with friends.

The decor is simple and minimalist but has a charming vibe that makes you feel right at home. Whether you’re sitting at the bar with your coffee and a sandwich or feasting with your buddies at one of the cozy tables, you’ll be feeling quite at ease.

In a world where fast food and pre-packaged meals have become the norm, SilverSpoon Kitchenette is a refreshing reminder of what real food is all about. So the next time you’re in the mood for a meal that’s made with love and care, head over to SilverSpoon Kitchenette and prepare to be delighted.

Silverspoon Kitchenette is located at 81 Scout Gandia Street, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily for dine-in, takeout or delivery from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries, reservations or delivery orders, call +63 917 1603327. It also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Plus, here’s a something to make your culinary adventure even more delightful!

Scan this code and present your boarding pass when you dine in at SilverSpoon to enjoy 10% off on your bill! (Applicable to dine-in transactions only)

For updates on its latest offers, follow Silverspoon on Facebook or Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about SilverSpoon:

‘Tis the start of the season for fam celebrations with Silverspoon

3 reasons to treat your Valentine to a meal at Silverspoon, Tomas Morato

Sumptuous snacking at Silverspoon, Tomas Morato

Take a bite of classic Kapampangan food at SilverSpoon QC

If you haven’t gotten your fill of food trips over the holiday break, the good news is that you won’t need to leave the metro to get a taste of the best of Filipino food.

SilverSpoon Kitchenette is launching its 2023 Travel Lokal Campaign which highlights dishes that represent regional culinary traditions every quarter of the year.

“SilverSpoon’s mission is to give a spoonful experience to our customers – part of which is to bring something new to the table,” shares owner Decie Montefrio. “That’s why we decided to immerse ourselves and travel to places to understand to understand the culture and tradition of our local dishes and to give homage to our own cuisines.”

From January 6 to April 5, 2023, Pinoy food lovers will be able to enjoy a well-curated selection of Kapampangan dishes.

Pampanga’s culinary heritage is heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine (by way of the Spanish friars and sailors who introduced their way of cooking to the locals during the Spanish occupation), while also sharing characteristics with Malay and Mexican cuisines. Kapampangan cooks also incorporated local produce into the resulting dishes, and pioneered in methods of pre-cooking (“sangkutsa”) and food preservation, earning for their region the moniker “culinary capital of Luzon.”

SilverSpoon’s limited edition menu is a product of extensive research by the SilverSpoon team, made by traveling to Pampanga collaborating with a local homecook who shared heritage recipes and provided insights into Kapampangan cuisine. This menu includes:

Pako Salad. Made with local vegetable pako (fiddlehead fern) tossed with tomatoes, onions and hard-boiled eggs in a honey citrus dressing.

Suam na Mais. Also known as sinabawang mais, this is a healthy and hearty soup made from white and yellow corn kernels.

Pork Sisig. The famous Kapampangan dish made with pig’s face (“maskara”), belly and chicken liver, seasoned with calamansi, onions and local chilis. Traditionally, this dish does not include the mayonnaise and pork cracklings (“chicharon”) that figure prominently in the version present in many Metro Manila restaurants.

Bringhe. Also known as biringhi, it is the local version of the Valencia paella, but uses local glutinous rice (“malagkit”) cooked in coconut milk (“gata”) and turmeric which gives the dish its distinct flavor and color. Giving more heft to the dish are the bits of chicken , chorizo and vegetables that are cooked along with the rice.

Palitaw. Popular local rice cake dessert made with glutinous rice that was washed, soaked and ground then shaped into flat discs and cooked in boiling water. The dish gets its name from the way that the palitaw floats to the surface to indicate that it’s done. It is then topped with grated mature coconut (“niyog”) and served with toasted sesame seeds, muscovado and washed sugar.

Leche Flan. The classic Filipino dessert made with fresh egg yolks, milk and topped with chocolate flakes.

Drinks. To complement the meal, SilverSpoon serves various beverage options which include hot and iced chocolate, as well as mocktails such as Blue Lagoon (citrusy drink made with blue curacao syrup) and Shirley Temple (made with ginger ale sweetened with grenadine and garnished with a maraschino cherry).

So if you feel like going back to our culinary roots and delving into our heritage cuisines, drop by SilverSpoon Kitchenette and take advantage of its Travel Lokal offerings.

Watch out for other local cuisines to be featured later in the year!

Note: SilverSpoon’s regular menu of sandwiches and rice meals is also available.

Plus, here’s a special treat for your food trip!

Scan this code and present your boarding pass when you dine in at SilverSpoon to enjoy 10% off on your bill! (Applicable top dine-in transactions only)

For updates on its latest offers, follow Silverspoon on Facebook or Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting event held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to facilitate an honest review and were not paid for by the attendees.

Check out my previous posts about SilverSpoon:

Pinoy comfort food at Goodah, Timog Avenue

Whenever I feel stressed or harassed, I always get a strong craving for comfort food. These are dishes that I usually associate with delicious home cooking, the kind that my mom would serve me whenever I was sick or sad.

For over thirty years, Goodah has been the has been the go-to place for people seeking fuss-free comfort food that appeals to down-home Pinoy palate. These include the traditional hot and quickly-served Filipino snacks like goto and lugaw, as well as the hugely popular silogs. Being so popular among all sorts of people, it soon adopted the monicker “ang pagkaing for every all!”

During the height of the lockdown due to the pandemic, I was able to enjoy Goodah’s comforting dishes with my fam while stuck at home through its Salo-Salo Set Meals (thanks to Rowena of TravelEatPinas for thoughtfully sending me this meal set!)

However, as the lockdowns gradually eased (but my work and life stresses did not) I wanted to experience Goodah’s down-home Pinoy dishes in a dine-in setting.

So off I went with my fellow unnies to the Goodah branch along Timog Avenue.

Here, we were able to sit down and take a break from our daily grind as we gossiped about our Hollywood idols and K-pop stans while we feast on Pinoy comfort food.

These include:

Batangas Lomi with Tokwa’t Baboy (Php134). A noodle dish made with thick yellow noodles in a thick and starchy soup topped with bits of pork meat, pork offal, pork rind and kikiam. It’s best enjoyed with a side dish made with tofu and pork bits in vinegar sauce.

Arroz Caldo Special (Php179). A porridge made with glutinous rice and accompanied by chicken pieces, hard-boiled egg and topped with crunchy fried garlic and chopped scallions.

Pork Bingoongan (Php319). A classic Pinoy dish wherein pork belly is stewed in shrimp paste (bagoong).

Kare Kare (Php345). A Filipino stew wherein ox and pork meat and offal are served in a thick and rich peanut sauce along with vegetables.

Supermeal A (Php150). A budget-friendly rice meal that includes tocino, lumpiang shanghai, pancit canton, kropek (prawn cracker) and leche flan.

Supermeal B (Php160). Another rice meal that’s light on the budget which includes tapa flakes, lumpiang shanghai, pancit canton, kropek (prawn cracker) and leche flan.

Ribsilog (Php195). Crispy fried pork ribs served with garlic fried rice, fried egg and atchara.

Leche Flan (Php39). The Pinoy version of creme caramel which is made of egg-and-milk custard with a soft caramel layer on top.

With such comforting dishes to be enjoyed, should there still be room in my psyche for stress and negativity? I guess not!

Dispel your own blues with Pinoy comfort food by dropping by a Goodah branch near you today!

This Goodah outlet is located at 57 Timog Avenue, Bgy. South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily for dine-in and takeout from 8am to 8pm, and for delivery from 7am to 9pm via Pick*A*Roo, and 25-hours via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Other Gooodah outlets are located in Alabang, Valenzuela, Pasig, Granada and Fairview in Quezon City, as well as in Sucat and Bicutan in Paranaque.

Know more about this much-loved Filipino food brand through its website. Stay updated on Goodah’s latest offers and promos by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

#FruitTeaParty at Colobaba Cafe

In these last few days of summer, don’t you sometimes feel the need for ways to relax and refresh yourself as well as a break from the monotony of responsibilities at work and at home?

How about getting together with your pals for a refreshing Fruit Tea Party at Colobaba Cafe?

This fruit tea brand originated from Taiwan and has now spread to over 500 branches worldwide. One of its outlets in the Philippines is located along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

Here, you and your buddies can relax in the laid back atmosphere as you feast your eyes and sate your tummy on wondrously colorful and refreshing drinks and snacks on offer.

With the reinvigorating blend of fresh fruits and premium Taiwanese tea, Colobaba Cafe’s drinks are high on both taste and nutritional content.

Taking center-stage, of course, is Colobaba Cafe’s Fruit Tea Party (Php298). This is the 1.5-liter version of the Superfruit Tea which is made of Taiwanese tea infused with apple, pineapple, watermelon and calamansi.

If you want to make your fruity drink even healthier, you can always go for a Yogurt Baba (Php188), which is made by blending fresh fruit juice and yogurt. To enjoy this drink, simply shake then gulp it down!

Of course, what would a party be without some delicious food? Colobaba Cafe’s got this covered, thanks to delectable snack offerings.

Snack Pack (Php268). A filling combination of potato fries, chicken chops, chicken popcorn and sausage.

Orange Chicken + Veggies (Php198). A satisfying rice bowl topped with chicken glazed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, a sunny-side-up egg and vegetables.

Nothing caps a meal quite like some sweet delight, so Colobaba Cafe’s got some treats to give you and your friends your just desserts!

Chocolate Souffle (Php188). Fluffy Japanese style pancakes topped with cheesy cream foam, drizzled with chocolate sauce and sprinkled with crushed Oreos.

Egg Tarts (Php150/pcs | Php200/6pcs). Portuguese-style pastries composed of a flaky and buttery shell housing creamy egg custard.

So take heart, you harried urbanite. Some welcome rest, respite and refreshment await you and your buddies at Colobaba Cafe. Drop by any of its outlets in the metro:

Quezon City: Unit 9 ITC Commercial Complex, Timog Avenue corner Panay Avenue, Quezon City

Manila: Unit 104 The Manila Residence Tower II, Taft Avenue, Manila

Pasay: Magdalena Jalandoni Street, CCP Complex, Pasay City

Don’t have the time to drop by a Colobaba Cafe branch? Have your reinvigorating drinks and re-energizing snacks delivered to you via GrabFood or FoodPanda.

To keep updated on its latest offers and promos, follow Colobaba Cafe on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting held at this restaurant where food items were served at no cost to the attendees.

Come home to delicious homey flavors at House of Lasagna, Katipunan

Find yourself needing a little bit of comfort lately?

How about some good ole’ comfort food, the kind that envelops you in feelings of warmth and familiarity, just like coming home?

Chances are, you won’t have to travel far to treat yourself to delicious comfort food, thanks to House of Lasagna.

Since 2009, House of Lasagna has been serving up these homey flavors, starting from the time when founder Chef Erick Congmon expanded the reach of his homemade creations beyond his family and friends by opening a hole-in-the-wall outlet in J. Abad Santos in San Juan. Today, House of Lasagna has presence in three cities in the metro and one in Lipa, Batangas.

Together with my fellow foodies, I visited House of Lasagna’s main branch along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City to sample some of its celebrated comfort food.

These included:

Truffle Mushroom Lasagna (Php350 single | Php1,240 half tray | Php2,440 whole tray). Of course, our meal included one of House of Lasagna’s namesake dishes. This rich creation is composed of al dente lasagna noodles layered with rich creamy sauce made with shiitake mushrooms and white truffle. A welcome variation of the classic lasagna most of us are familiar with!

Southern Fried Chicken Skin (Php200 single | Php380 party). One of Chef Congmon’s family recipes, this crunchy and crave-worthy appetizer consists of seasoned chicken skin, deep-fried to a delicious golden brown and served with a side of vinegar dip.

Lemon Pepper Flavored Southern Fried Chicken (Php329/6pcs | Php649/12pcs | Php999). Flavorful wing pieces that are crispy and juicy to the bite but with a bit of lemony zing that will make this dish truly memorable

Classic Margherita (Php599). One of House of Lasagna’s stone-baked pizzas, this Neapolitan pizza is made with tomatoes, mozarella cheese and fresh basil. Simple enough when it comes to ingredients but it’s big on flavor and texture thanks to its crispy edges and bottom.

Frozen Brazo Vanilla (Php750 for 8x8x2in tray | Php1,050 for 8x12x2in tray). The classic Brazo de Mercedes dessert gets a makeover, adding a graham cracker crust and a layer of vanilla ice cream to the original custard filling. A decadent treat for dessert lovers!

Ultimate Ube Halaya (Php820 for 6in round | Php1,590 for 9in round). Another homegrown dessert gets upgraded into a decadent pastry which consists of moist ube-flavored sponge cake, a filling made of real ube halaya (jam made of purple yam) and covered with white chocolate truffle frosting.

With such delectable comfort food to be had, you won’t give in to the blues, would you?

Drop by House of Lasagna to treat yourself to its homey goodness! Its branches are located at:

240 Aguirre Ave. BF Homes Paranaque, Paranaque City
218 Katipunan Ave, Project 4, , Quezon City, Metro Manila, Quezon City
3/F Dela Rosa Carpark 2 Bldg., Dela Rosa St. , Brgy. San Lorenzo Legaspi Village Makati, Makati
Ground floor, SM City Lipa Batangas, , Lipa, Batangas

You may also order online through its website, which covers delivery in Metro Manila, Batangas (Lipa, Tanauan, Padre Garcia, Rosario,Cuenca, San Jose, Mataas na Kahoy, Malvar, Sto. Tomas), Cavite (Kawit, Imus, Bacoor), Laguna ( Biñan and San Pedro) and Rizal (Cainta, Taytay, Antipolo, Angono and Binangonan). It accepts payments via GCash, Visa and Mastercard.

To keep updated of its latest promos and offers, follow House of Lasagna on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting held by this restaurant wherein food items were served at no cost to the attendees to facilitate honest feedback.

K-snack time with Nineteen Degrees

Those Youtube videos on Korean egg toasts are sure working on me!

These popular egg drop sandwiches have been making their presence felt in social media, thanks in large part to their highly Instagrammable presentation, and, of course, the buzz on how tasty they are!

My daughter (who’s so into K-culture) almost despaired of never getting to taste these bread snack creations, until we found out that they’re available at a shop in nearby Eastwood City in Libis called Nineteen Degrees.

Plus, there’s no need for us to leave the house and brave the outside world just to get a taste of egg drop sandwiches as Nineteen Degrees conveniently delivers via GrabFood!

So I immediately took out my phone and got to tapping on my Grab app, and soon, my daughter and I were enjoying our egg drop sandwiches and other snackables from Nineteen Degrees, which included:

K1 Egg and Cheese (Php120). Made with buttered and toasted brioche stuffed with fluffy scrambled egg, cheese, coleslaw and Signature Sauce.

K2 Ham and Cheese (Php120). Has the same ingredients as the K1 Egg and Cheese with the tasty addition of ham slices.

P3 Crabivating Corn (Php80). A handmade scallion pancake wrapped around crabmeat, corn kernels, caramelized onion and lettuce.

Drinks. We washed down our Korean-inspired snack with refreshing 700ml drinks from Nineteen Degrees.

We’re just so glad that we no longer have to stare enviously at the TV as Youtubers get to enjoy their Korean egg drop sandwiches!

You too can get to enjoy Nineteen Degrees’ snacks and drinks by dropping by its store at Eastwood Citywalk 2, Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City, open dine in, takeout or delivery from 10am to 9pm. It also has sells its signature food through the Cloud Kitchen in Binondo, open for takeout or delivery from 11am to 9pm.

You may also order from GrabFood and FoodPanda or send a message on Facebook Messenger.

Tasty Taiwanese dishes at FatFook Kitchen, UP Town Center

For a recent holiday get-together with my former office buddies, we settled on FatFook Kitchen at UP Town Center as our meet-up place.

For one thing, UP Town Center is easily accessible to all of us, scattered all over the metro as we are. Despite the Christmas rush, getting there was relatively easy, since most of the traffic are headed towards the opposite direction to the Makati and South areas.

Secondly, we know that we won’t be disappointed in the food. After all, Taiwanese cuisine is so close to what appeals to the Pinoy palate while offering a welcome break to flavors and textures we consider mundane.

The next challenge was ordering food for a group of five that will please everyone’s taste buds or sate their personal cravings. Fortunately, FatFook has a ready solution with its Feast for the Family offer which allows diners to order one appetizer, one noodle or rice dish, one vegetable dish and two main entrees for just Php1,1088.

Given our appetites and this amazingly affordable offer, we ordered two sets of Feast for the Family and indulged ourselves in a variety of Taiwanese dishes which included:

Appetizer.

Noodles and Rice.

Vegetable Dish.

Main Entrees.

Dimsum. Our meal wouldn’t be complete with some tasty potstickers so we ordered some of the frozen dumplings which the restaurant steamed and served to us.

We also couldn’t pass up the chance to have a taste of FatFook’s signature Taiwanese Sausages, plump and meaty links with a sweet, savory and garlicky flavor. Also, since FatFook does not offer service water, we washed down our meal with soda and TeaCo Black Tea.

Our enjoyable time together over good food was enhanced by the great service of FatFook’s staff.

I’m so looking forward to our next meet-up here.

This FatFook branch is located at 2nd Floor, Phase 1A, UP Town Center, Diliman, Quezon City, open daily for dine-in and takeout.

Other branches in the metro are located at:

SM North EDSA
Glorietta
Robinsons Galleria
Alabang Town Center
Ayala North Exchange
Ayala Malls Manila Bay

FatFook delivers frozen and ready-to-cook dishes via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Home-grown and heritage dishes at Anonas Bistro

Now more than ever, we harried denizens of the metro look for comfort whenever we can, right?

Well, what’s more comforting than feeling the warm welcome of home?

That’s what it felt like to enter this newly opened restaurant in Anonas, Quezon City.

Sure, the hustle and bustle of the city may stay just outside its doors, but inside its premises is a haven for your spirit.

“We want this experience to be like going home to your lola’s house in the province,” shares co-founder Lucien Aquino. “You’re with your family, your lola is cooking your favorite food in the kitchen, and you feel right at home.”

The place certainly calls to mind the familiar comforts of our beloved ancestral homes in the province that we enjoy spending time in again and again.

Its outdoor seating area is surrounded by lush greenery. Sheltered by a large mango tree from much of the sun, it affords diners a comfortable al fresco setting for their meal. In the evenings, lighted lamps adorn the mango tree giving diners whimsical lighting for their dinner.

The two-storey residential house was renovated by builder/contractor Lucien and his co-founder Roman Ignacio, updating the structures and finishings to current standards and for use as a restaurant. Its dining areas are furnished with heavy wooden tables and chairs, shipped all the way from Ilocos. The walls, on the other hand, are decorated with artworks by local artist Ronan Rosacay as well as other homey bric-a-bracs.

Completing the transformation of this space into a homey Filipino restaurant is Chef Severino Palunday. He brings with him a considerable thirty years’ worth of culinary experience as a sous chef in a European cruise liner.

From his kitchen, Chef Sev whips up traditional and home-style Pinoy dishes, that make use of fresh local produce, just like the ones your lola makes, but infused with the techniques and methods of an internationally trained chef.

His menu includes:

Soup of the Day. Usually a cream-based soup that the chef whips up from choice ingredients. It is served with every meal.

Creamy Tofu (Php135). A savory appetizer made by combining crispy fried tofu, aromatics with cream.

Dinakdakan (Php315). An Ilocano dish in which pig parts such as ears, liver and face are boiled until tender, then grilled and sliced thinly. Flavorings and chilis are then added to complete the dish.

Fried Lumpiang Ubod (Php195). A Filipino appetizer (or ulam in my case) which julienned ubod (or heart of palm) are sauteed with chopped meat and vegetables, encased in lumpia wrapper and then deep-fried and served with a spiced vinegar dip.

Gising-gising with Shrimp (Php275). Otherwise known as ginataang sigarilyas, this Kapampangan dish is made with chopped winged beans in coconut milk spiced with siling labuyo, garlic, onions and shrimp paste. Chef Sev serves it with plump shrimp.

Pork Belly Roll (Php380). Pork belly is seasoned and stuffed with aromatics and flavorings, then oven-roasted until the skin becomes golden brown and crispy and the meat is tender. Chef Sev serves it with mashed camote and a buttery gravy.

Kare-Kare Ox Tail (Php480). A viand made with stewed ox tail, tripe and other offal in a sauce made from roasted peanuts, onions and garlic, colored with annato seeds and then thickened with ground rice.

Turon Ala Mode (Php160). A dessert made with fresh ripe banana slices encased in lumpia wrapper and then deep-fried until golden and crispy. It is then topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Mango Shake (Php120).

Avocado Shake (Php120).

Ampalaya Apple (Php120).

Whoever said that Filipino food lacks color and character obviously has never encountered Chef Sev’s takes on Pinoy food classics.

So if you’re looking for a place where you can come home to good food and a good homey vibe in Quezon City, Anonas Bistro is your best bet.

Anonas Bistro is located at 145 K-6th, East Kamias 1102 Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 995 1200969 or email anonas.bistro@gmail.com.

For more deets on Anonas Bistro, visit its website or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting here together with fellow foodies. All food items mentioned here were served for us to sample the fare and elicit our honest feedback.

Check out my reviews of other Filipino restaurants:

Fun feasting at Lido Cocina Tsina, New Manila

Chinese cuisine has left an indelible mark on the Filipino palate.

Step into any Pinoy celebration and you will be hard-pressed to avoid dishes such as the pancit, lumpia, asado and lechon Macao or the use soy sauce and soybean products as well as produce such as pechay (Chinese cabbage) and mustasa (mustard greens).

This strong influence is rooted in the trading relationships between the Chinese and Filipinos before the Spanish era, and the waves migration among the ethnic Chinese to the Philippines.

This mingling of culinary influences is celebrated in Lido Cocina Tsina, established in 1936 by Mr. Lido, a Cantonese chef. Aside from classic Chinese favorites like noodles, dimsum and siopao, Mr. Lido would also roast porkloin in his wood-fired brick oven every morning. It has since then become Lido’s signature dish that customers kept coming back for.

Together with fellow foodies from #WeLoveToEatPH, I visited. Lido Cocina Tsina’s E. Rodriguez Avenue branch where sampled some of Lido’s much-loved dishes which include:

Chunky Pork Siomai (Php121). The traditional Chinese steamed pork dumpling is best enjoyed dipped in soy sauce with calamansi juice and a bit of chili-garlic paste. This is always a winner with me, more so here at Lido because the siomai pieces are packed with meat without extenders.

Shrimp Foo-Yong (Php446). This saucy egg dish with a healthy serving of plump shrimp folded in is one of Lido’s best-sellers.

Lumpiang Shanghai (Php255). This Filipinized version of the spring roll is always a hit with the kiddies. Ground pork mixed with finely chopped carrots, onions and shallots is wrapped in lumpia wrapper to form cylinders which are then fried to golden brown. It is great as an appetizer or as a viand paired with rice.

Yang Chow Fried Rice (Php121 for solo | Php297 good for two to three persons | Php605 good for eight to ten persons). This fried rice is arguably the most famous Chinese rice dish in the Philippines. Char siu (barbecued pork) is chopped and sauteed along with shrimp, peas, onions and eggs in a wok together with cooked rice. The reason for its enduring appeal seems to be in the way it complements the other viands.

Spareribs in Salt and Pepper (Php285). Simply seasoned with salt and pepper and lightly coated with an egg and flour mixture then deep-fried until the pork attains a slight crispy exterior surrounding tender meat. This dish is usually served tossed with sauteed peppers, garlic and green onions.

Manchurian Wings (Php374). Tender fried chicken wings doused in savory-sweet soy ginger sauce. This is one of those dishes that are so good they make you reach for another serving of rice again and again.

Chami Special (Php176 solo | Php292 good for two to three persons | Php726 good for eight to ten persons). Asian wheat (miki) noodles sauteed in a flavorful sauce with pork bits, shrimp and crisp vegetables, this is a welcome break from the usual pancit guisado.

Pugon-Roasted Asado (Php391 for one-fourth kilo). This cured pork loin freshly roasted every morning in the restaurant’s pugon or wood-fired brick oven which adds smoky flavors to the already flavorful meat. Its flavor meshes well with the Yang Chow Fried Rice but is also a good filling for Lido’s hot pan de sal.

Buchi (Php110). These deep-fried sesame balls with lotus cream filling are staple desserts in many Chinese restaurants and are a fitting end to this Chinese feast.

Want something to perk you up after a heavy meal? Check out Lido’s Siphon Brewed Coffee, available hot and iced.

So if you want a taste of Chinese food that captured the hearts and tummies of Pinoys, drop by your nearest Lido Cocina Tsina branch!

Many thanks to Elaine and John of Lido Cocina Tsina for the warm welcome and the fabulous feast and to EJ of #WeLoveToEatPH for extending the invitation!

This Lido Cocina Tsina branch is located at 1014-1020 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City, open daily from 7am to 10pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 34145436 or +63 2 84776878.

Other branches are located at:

Shaw Plaza One Building, 561 Shaw Boulevard, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City
Quezon Avenue corner Examiner Road, West Triangle, Quezon City
16 Visayas Avenue, Vasra, Project 6, Quezon City
Block 8 Lot 9 Commonwealth Avenue, Batasan Hills, Quezon City
43 Mindanao Avenue (beside Phoenix Gas Station, Project 8, Quezon City
Upper Ground Floor, Z Square Mall, Banawe, Quezon City
Unit 6-7, La Fuerza Plaza, Chino Roces Avenue corner Sabio Street, San Lorenzo, Makati City
Ground Floor, Radiance Manila Bay, Roxas Boulevard, Buendia, Pasay City
Avenue Garden Building, 532 UN Avenue corner Bocobo Street, Ermita, Manila
35 Dona Soledad Avenue, Betterliving Subdivision, Don Bosco, Paranaque City
Ground Floor, Puregold Sucat, Dr. A. Santos Avenue, San Isidro, Paranque
South Park High Commercial Complex, 262 Alabang-Zapote Road, Talon, Las Pinas City

No time to drop by a Lido branch? Have your favorite Chinese dishes delivered to you by calling +63 2 8888-LIDO (5436) or visit lidodelivery.com.

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 Chinese restaurants:

Dean & DeLuca, Tomas Morato

This past November, Dean & DeLuca opened its newest branch in Quezon City.

This much-awaited outlet is notable for many things, not the least of which is the fact that it is owned by actress (and idol of the titas) Bea Alonzo.

“Good old coffee. Just what I need today.” she posted on her Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

Good old coffee. Just what I need today. ❤️ I am happy to announce that we are having our soft opening today of Dean and Deluca in Quezon City. I’ve been so excited about this new venture and I can’t wait to dine with you guys and run you through our delectable menu. Visit us at Scout Tuazon cor Scout Rallos today. ❤️❤️❤️ . . . . @deandelucaph

A post shared by bea alonzo (@beaalonzo) on Nov 20, 2019 at 2:31am PST

(Oh, Bea… don’t we all?)

Dean & DeLuca started as a chain of upscale grocery stores in New York City but has since evolved into cafe operations. Its first three branches in the country are located in Makati and BGC, with more in the works.

This past Tuesday, my officemates and I made our way to QC’s Dean & DeLuca, a five-minute car ride from our workplace, for our lunch break.

With the exception of the guys who joined us for the midday meal, this bunch consisted mostly of titas, who all have been looking forward to dining at Dean & DeLuca.

Our orders included:

Truffle Fries (Php160). Crispy French fries drizzled with truffle oil and sprinkled with grated parmesan before serving with a creamy zesty dip.

Aglio e Olio Gamberini (Php450). Organic pasta tossed in traditional Italian garlic and olive oil base along with prawns and cherry tomatoes.

Prawn and Gorgonzola Pasta (Php495). Organic pasta tossed in a creamy paprika wine sauce along with fresh prawns, gorgonzola cheese, mushroom and basil.

Butifarra con Salsa Funghi e Tartufo (Php470). Organic pasta tossed in truffle cream along with slices of Butifarra sausage and fresh mushrooms.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich (Php380). Free-range chicken, grated cheese pimiento, pickled dill, slaw and dressing in yeast-free sourdough bread.

Umami Fried Chicken (Php390). Aburi fried chicken, miso glaze, slaw and lettuce in sourdough brioche.

Beef Rendang (Php590). Himalayan red rice topped with grass-fed beef cooked in rendang spice and coconut milk.

After lunching on these food items, we capped our meal with our chosen coffee drinks – Salted Caramel Latte, Cafe Latte and Cappuccino – all priced at Php160 each.

Dean & DeLucca does tick off all the marks when it comes to trendy cuisine (eg. grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, organic pasta, etc.) which I’m sure many foodies will appreciate.

Sadly, given its price points, I’m not as impressed as I hoped I would be when it came to my truffle pasta which I found too heavily flavored. My friends told me that I simply ordered the wrong item from the menu but how can I go wrong with ordering one of my favorite pasta dishes?

Oh, well. Maybe when I try the desserts on my next visit I’ll have a better experience!

Plus, my officemates and I still had a chill “tita-ish” lunch break here.

Dean & DeLuca is located at Scout Rallos corner Scout Tuazon Streets, Tomas Morato, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 916 2126535.

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

Unli Samgyupsal at Oh My Samgyup, Tomas Morato

I gotta say: there’s something irresistible with these unli Korean barbecue offers sprouting all over the metro.

Sometimes, even the most budget-conscious will agree to a group lunch at a resto with this kind of offer. Knowing that everyone would be able to eat their fill of the barbecued meat and banchans (side dishes) is enough to entice them to join in on the lunch outing.

That’s how my officemates and I enjoyed our lunch prior to the holiday break at Oh My Samgyup.

This Korean grill restaurant is located just across the street from our office so the ease and convenience of getting there is a big plus.

The resto’s decor has also been recently given a makeover, resulting to an airier feel and a hipper vibe.

We also took advantage of its Christmas Promo wherein the per person rate of Unli Pork , Chicken and Beef (already includes unli side dishes, rice, cheese and iced tea) was slashed from Php499 to Php389 everyday from 11am to 4pm.

Well, by the time we left the place, our tummies are full but our wallets were not empty. Yey!

Oh My Samgyup’s Christmas offer may be over but here’s some good news! Until January 31, enjoy unlimited chicken pork and beef from 11am to 4pm for only Php399 per person and from 4pm onwards for only Php499 per person, thanks to the resto’s January offer.

So what are you waiting for?

Oh My Samgyup is located 139 Mother Ignacia Avenue, Bgy. South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 0916 6007505 or +63 0920 3066314.

Check out my posts about other Korean restaurants:

Manam Comfort Filipino, Trinoma

Comfort food are fare that provide the diner with a feeling of consolation or well-being and are oftentimes associated with the food enjoyed at home or during childhood.

While these evoke nostalgia and sentimentality, they also excite the taste buds and stir anticipation.

After a typical morning at the office, my officemates and I opted to get some comfort and good eats at the newly opened branch of Manam in Trinoma.

We were welcomed by Manam’s friendly and accommodating wait staff as well as its well-appointed yet cozy interiors.

Manam was formerly known as NamNam, and it boasts of a menu that offers both the classic renditions as well as fresh twists on Pinoy cuisine.

That day, we feasted on these dishes:

Adobong Kangkong (Php98). Kangkong (water spinach) shoots sauteed in garlic and soy-vinegar.

Gising Gising (Php125). Sigarilyas and kangkong sauteed with pork and chilis in coconut cream and bagoong (shrimp paste).

Pinakbet (Php130). Okra, string beans, eggplant, squash and tomatoes sauteed in with pork bits and shrimp in bagoong.

Mangga at Bagoong (Php140). Sliced green mango and shrimp paste, this combo is famous for that sour-salty dynamic.

Caramelized Patis Wings (Php170). A twist on fried chicken, patis (fish sauce) flavors the zesty wings.

Crunchy Salt and Pepper Squid (Php280). Lightly battered squid pieces tossed in a crunchy mixture of stir-fried garlic and chilis.

House Crispy Sisig (Php398). Ranked as the No. 1 Sisig in Manila for two consecutive years, this dish features chopped pork jowl and cheek served sizzling.

Sinigang na Beef Short Rib and Watermelon (Php775 for family size). The sour broth of the beef sinigang is given a slightly sweet twist with the addition of watermelon.

Bibingka de Leche (Php125). A layer of leche flan (caramel egg custard) tops a pancake-like rice cake.

Kape, Sago at Gulaman (Php105). The samalamig (Filipino version of slushy drink) given a twist with the addition of coffee flavors.

Puto Bumbong with Muscovado Butter (Php80). The classic purple rice cake traditionally steamed in bamboo tubes accompanied by grated cheese, grated coconut and a bar of muscovado-enriched butter.

What a delicious way to get some comfort on a work day!

This branch of Manam Comfort Filipino is located at Ground Floor, Trinoma Mall Garden Wing, Bagong Pag Asa, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79005750.

Other branches are located at:

Powerplant Mall, Rockwell, Makati
Net Park, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
O Square, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan
South Wing, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay
Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Entertainment City, Paranaque
SM North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
SM City Fairview, Novaliches, Quezon City
Ayala Fairview Terraces, Novaliches, Quezon City

Check out my reviews of other Filipino restaurants:

Sourdough Cafe + Deli, Tomas Morato

Sourdough bread is a new food trend that gaining traction in the metro. It is made by fermenting dough using naturally occurring lactobacilli and yeast producing a sour taste compared to breads made with baker’s yeast. It also keeps longer, owing to the lactic acid produced by the lactobacilli.

For the health-conscious, sourdough may be used to improve the quality of gluten-free breads by enhancing their texture, aroma and shelf-life. Its glycemic index is lower than other types of bread which is good news for people watching their sugar intake.

It’s a good thing, then, that a cafe specializing in sourdough recently opened near my workplace.

With such an exciting item in its menu (in fact, the central item in it!) as well poshly designed yet comfy interiors ideal for quiet lunches or intimate dinners tucked away in an office building along Tomas Morato, Sourdough held an irresistible appeal to titas like me.

This is why during one of our lunchbreaks prior to the Christmas break, my co-titas in the office and I decided to have our meal at Sourdough Cafe + Deli.

This tita meal consisted of:

Complimentary Flatbread Slices. Dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar with some parmesan cheese, these gave our tastebuds a good preview of Sourdough’s offerings.

Prosciutto Arugula Flatbread (Php345). Sourdough flatbread topped with marinara sauce, mozarella, arugula leaves and bits of prosciutto.

Pasta Carbonara (Php395). Al dente noodles tossed in a creamy sauce made with eggs, pecorino cheese, parmegianno reggiano, guanciale (Italian cured meat made from pork jowl) and pancetta (Italian salt-cured pork belly).

Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Php295). Four cheeses – gouda, yellow cheddar, mozzarella and grana padano – sandwiched between sourdough bread slices lightly spread with mayo.

Basque Burnt Cheesecake (Php195). Also a trending food item, this cheesecake is an offshoot of Spain’s tarta de queso. Its top appears toasted but the center has a soft custard-y texture. Combined the top’s buttery taste to the tanginess of the cheesecake filling, and you have a winning dessert you would want to taste again and again.

After lunch, we also treated ourselves to Sourdough Cafe’s handcrafted coffee.

Not bad for a bunch of titas out for lunch.

By the way, since wine and titas go together so well, you might want to check out Sourdough Cafe’s unli wine at Php599 per person.

Sourdough Cafe + Deli is located at Ground Floor, JSB Building, 104 Tomas Morato Avenue corner Scout Delagado Street, Tomas Morato, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 85259463 or +64 917 1889463.

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

Have #YourDailyBird at Chicka Chicka Chicken House, Libis

Sped away from your desk for your precious lunchtime? Out for dinner with the fam? Or just looking for somewhere to sate your craving for grilled chicken?

Well, if you’re in the Libis area in between Pasig and Quezon City, you’re in for a treat because there’s a new chicken joint in town!

LA-born and raised Matt Fong decided to bring his restaurant business know-how to the Philippines. With his wife’s family owning a poultry business, he figured that it was only logical that he start a chicken restaurant.

And so, earlier this month, Chicka Chicka Chicken House opened its doors at Robinsons Zeta Tower in Bridgetowne Business Center to bring to the metro’s hungry denizens the best grilled chicken in town, and affordably priced too!

Chicka Chicka’s grilled chicken’s taste and pricing definitely make it #YourDailyBird.

Case in point: for just Php160, you can satisfy your lunch craving with a Breast + Wing or a Leg + Thigh with White Rice and Drink.

Add Php20 and you can enjoy your chicken meal with a tasty side dish such as a Macaroni Salad or my new favorite Cream Corn which has a bit of a spicy kick to it.

If you prefer wings, eat your heart out for just Php140 with 2-pc Wings with White Rice, 1 Side and Drink.

No worries if you’re in the midst of #PetsaDePeligro: you can just opt for one of Chicka Chicka’s Daily deals such as a 1pc Leg + White Rice combo for Php80, a 1pc Thigh + White Rice combo for Php90, or the resto’s version of the chicken lumpia, the 2-pc Chicka’n Rolls + White Rice combo for Php65.

The grilled chicken pieces are flavorful enough in themselves. However, you can also choose among four sauces – honey mustard, garlic pepper, chili chili or classic chicka – to add a tasty twist to every bite.

Want something quick and cheap for breakfast before heading off to the office? How about warming your tummy with a steaming bowl of Arroz Caldo (Php70) made more flavorful by its broth made from chicken bones, a tasty bowl of Chicken Pares (Php65), or a filling bowl of Chicka Chicken Rice (Php110)? Add Php20 to enjoy these Chicka-Chicka Bowls with a drink or a side dish.

If you want to snack on something during the workday, you can go the healthy route with a Chicken Salad Bowl (Php135) or indulge yourself with some Loaded Fries (Php90 for regular | Php120 for large).

Going as a group? Get a Chicka Bundle (Php775) and feast on a whole chicken, 2 white rice, 2 large fries, 1 large side and 4 drinks.

No time to drop by the store? Well have your chicken meal delivered via Grab, quick and easy! Get a discount on your first food order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Plus, Chicka Chicka’s offerings all come with an Always Fresh Guarantee. Since all the chickens are sourced from their family’s farms outside the metro, and all the chicken are marinated, brined and grilled in small batches on-site by Chicka Chicka’s in-house chefs without the use of pre-mixes, MSG or preservatives, Matt and his crew can guarantee diners a fresh and tasty chicken meal.

I may have just found my new favorite chicken place.

Many thanks to Matt and his team at Chicka Chicka Chicken House for the wonderful meal and to James of Recommend Eat for extending the invitation!

Chicka Chicka Chicken House is located at the Ground Floor, Robinsons Zeta Tower, Bridgetowne Business Center, Libis, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 11pm. For inquiries, call +63 2 77522927 or +63 917 1763026.

Disclosure: Together with fellow foodies, I attended a good tasting held in this establishment wherein the items mentioned above were served to enable us to sample the fare to facilitate an honest review and were not paid for by the participants including myself.

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

Sate your Japanese food cravings at Hanako, Regis Katipunan

Japanese food remains to be among the most popular cuisines in the metro. With its focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients, simple yet meticulous food preparation that brings out the ingredients’ natural flavors, as well as the artistry involved in presentation and styling of its dishes, Japanese cuisine, has won the hearts (and tummies) of many Pinoys.

Hanako, for example, is a Japanese restaurant chain that’s geared to be among the metro’s go-to destinations with its focus on authentic yet affordable Japanese food.

“Hanako” is actually a popular girl’s name in Japan which translates to “flower girl.” As the name implies, Hanako’s dishes exemplify the simplicity and beauty of Japanese cuisine.

Recently, my gal pals from #SaanSaPH and I trooped to Hanako’s branch in Regis Center Katipunan for a late lunch. We were treated to a wondrous array of dishes which included some of my old Japanese food faves as well as new discoveries:

Miso Soup (Php54). The staple soup of many Japanese restaurants wherein miso paste is incorporated into a dashi stock with some tofu cubes. Did you know that this soup can be filling despite being low in calories because of the high protein content?

Kani Salad (Php174). A light and refreshing salad made with matchstick-sliced cucumber and carrots, shredded lettuce, strings of kani (crab) meat, tossed in Japanese mayonnaise.

Gyoza (Php89 for 2 pieces | Php159 for 4 pieces). Ground pork mixed with aromatics and spices and wrapped into dumplings which are first steamed then lightly pan-fried on one side for an interesting contrast in texture.

Sushi Rolls. One of the most popular dishes in Japanese cuisines, sushi rolls are made of specially prepared sticky vinegared Japanese rice served with other ingredients. These include the California Gunkan (Php219) – made with kani, fried salmon skin, tamago (seasoned hardboiled egg), mango, cucumber and ebiko (shrimp roe), Spicy Tuna Crunch (Php229) – made with tuna, togarashi (seven-flavor chili pepper) and tempura flakes, Philadelphia Roll (Php209) – made with salmon, kani, cream cheese, tamago and cucumber, and Five Star Roll (Php149) – made with fried salmon skin, salmon, kani, mango, teriyaki sauce, sesame and cucumber.

Salmon Tartare (Php224). Chunks of salmon mixed with Japanese mayo, togarashi, tempura flakes and chopped scallion.

Katsu Curry (Php229). Deep-fried, panko-covered pork cutlets covered in a slightly sweet curry sauce and served with rice.

Ebi Tempura (Php169 for 3 pieces | Php279 for 5 pieces). Battered and deep-fried shrimp served with a special sauce.

Fish Katsu (Php189). Fillets of fish covered in panko and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown.

Beef Omurice (Php184). Classic Japanese omelette stuffed with savory beef fried rice and drizzled with Japanese mayonnaise and homemade sweet umami sauce.

Grilled Salmon Head (Php149). Lightly seasoned salmon head served with homemade sweet citrus-sou dipping sauce.

Yakitori (Php149). Chicken pieces in skewers seasoned with salt, pepper,l and teriyaki sauce, which are then grilled and served on top of a bowl of steamed rice.

Donburi. Traditional rice bowl meals consisting of meat simmered or doused in a sauce made of dashi, soy sauce and mirin (rice wine) and served on top of steamed rice. These include Gyudon (Php219) – made with beef and onions, and Katsudon (Php199) – breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets simmered with onions and egg. Diners can upgrade their donburi orders to meal sets by adding Php35 for a drink, Php75 for miso soup plus drink, Php105 for a 2-piece gyoza plus drink, or Php145 for miso soup, 2-piece gyoza plus drink.

Chahan (Php79). Japanese stir-fried rice with meat bits and chopped vegetables.

Meiji Madness (Php129). Moist and chewy lava cake topped with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup.

Drop by Hanako for a taste of #HandsDownGoodFood and sate your cravings for Japanese dishes!

Many thanks to the management and staff of Hanako for the warm welcome and lovely food.

Enjoy free dishes when you and friend dine at Hanako and unlock your Zomato Gold privilege. Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 (Buy 1 Get 1) deals on food or 2+2 (Buy 2 Get 2) deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use the code VOLT0979 to get 10% off the membership fee.

This Hanako branch is located at Second Floor, Regis Center, 327 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 907 4879346.

Other branches are located at:

131-C Armstrong Avenue, Moonwalk Village Phase 1, Paranaque City
30-C Dona Soledad Avenue, Bgy. Don Bosco, Paranaque City
SM Supercenter, Fontera Verde, E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Bgy. Ugong, Pasig
2nd Floor, The Rock, Holy Spirit Drive corner Marcelino Street, Don Antonio Heights, Quezon City

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. 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 Japanese restaurants: