Maple @ Sanctuario de San Antonio, Makati

After a meeting at the Manila Polo Club ended late, we said we'll find somewhere close to eat.  A friend suggested Maple, which is at the 2nd floor of the San Antonio Plaza in Forbes Park.  So we went.

The ambience was really nice.  Very warm and cozy, very suitable for the good old reliable pancake.  So we ordered their specialty, Maple Buttermilk Pancakes, because it was our first time there.  It was priced 275 pesos.  We also ordered Hueves Rancheros, which according to the description was a Mexican breakfast of tortillas, beans, chicken, eggs and cheese.  That was 340 pesos.

10minutes after, the lovely but distracted waitress arrived with the Huevos Rancheros and Waffles.  We told her that we did not order Waffles, but Pancakes.   She was surprised, which honestly even surprised us.  She said was it OK for us to wait for 16 minutes for our pancake?  We said, "16 minutes for a pancake?".  But we were really hungry, so we said OK, we will wait.

After a few minutes, the waitress came back saying the pancake would be ready in 5 minutes.  Of course, we were chuckling.  In fairness, our pancakes arrived in 5 minutes.

Huevos Rancheros were a literal hodge podge of ingredients, and the flavor became really confusing.  We said, we probably did not know how to eat it - as it really tasted nothing like cheese, nor chicken.  Maybe beans, with tons of unrecognizable spices.  

But it was the pancakes which were the biggest letdown.  They were fluffy, yes, thin, yes.  But rather dry.  And it was unbelievably bland.  I really had high hopes, given this was their specialty plus we were really hungry.  We were very disappointed.  Later on, we were told that Maple share the same owners with Pancake House, this was our biggest surprise 

When the bill came, of course we were charged with the waffles we did not order.  We called the attention of the waiter who of course dealt with it without much fuzz.  Intentional?  We don't know.

Food Quality: 2/10

Service: 2/10

Ambience: 8/10

Price: 2/10

Value for Money: 2/10

Verdict:  After lunch, we ran by a friend who at Starbucks who saw us coming from Maple and said, "why did you eat there, food is not good there".  We rest our case.

If it is any consolation, this is the nice view from Maple.

Random Food Pics

Just of thought of posting and reviewing random food pics.

CHEF MEZZE @ Gilak, Greenbelt Makati

A full plate of appetizers - hummus, moutabal, tzatziki, samosas and tabouleh with 2 pieces of freshly cooked pita bread.  We said, we do not prefer samosas, and asked the chef to change it to something else.  Just taking our chance.  Voila!!!  the waiter and the chef replaced the samosas with salad.  Talk about flexible good service.

Price:  990 Pesos

Rating:

Quality:  10/10

Service: 10/10

Price: 7/10

Value for Money: 8/10 

Overall: 9/10

Final Verdict:  Really very good.  Even their regular pita is fantastic.  if you have extra money try it.  

***

 TWG Lasagna @ TWG, Greenbelt Makati

The description just sounded really appetizing:  Bolognaise Ragout with Signature Homemade Tomato and Fresh Basil Sauce Infused with Moroccan Mint Tea

So we said we will try, as it was already too late for their brunch.  

Price: 380P

Rating:

Quality:  7/10

Service: 8/10

Price: 4/10

Value for Money: 4/10 

Overall: 4/10

Final Verdict:  Food is just OK.  Well I guess that's a problem, considering it costs 380 pesos.  We could hardly taste the mint tea.  Actually we could hardly taste the basil either. Maybe the pasta was a little too thick.  Skip this and try brunch.

 EBI FURAI SET MEAL, Santouka, Glorietta Makati

We seldom crave for Ramen.  So we said we will find a ramen place that serve more than ramen.  We ordered the Shrimp Set Meal, and was delighted to see so many things on our tray.

Price: 490

Rating:

Quality:  6/10

Service: 6/10

Price: 8/10

Value for Money: 8/10

Overall: 5/10 

Final Verdict:  It felt like it was soft opening when we got there.  Only to find out the place had been open for a while.  Here is a case of "There were too many servers, yet when you need one, you can't find one".   The food was OK, with the Ramen as their superstar of course.  I am biased towards perfectly cooked eggs, so that is a plus for me.  I hope their service gets better, because I thought the food was value for money.

  

For Dessert: HALO-HALO CAKE @ UCC Cafe, Newport Mall, Pasay City

Lesson no.1 - I should learn better food photography.  We were scanning their dessert freezer and was delightly surprised with Halo-Halo Cake.  We had to order one right away.

Price: 189 per slice

Rating:

Quality:  10/10

Service: 10/10

Price: 7/10

Value for Money: 9/10 

Final Verdict:  It was really really good.  It is a cake, but it sure tastes like Halo-Halo.  You can taste the ube, the leche flan, the monggo and of course the langka in almost every bite.  Really wow.  Everything is expensive at UCC :(, so to no surprise it is expensive.  But it really is a must try for everyone who likes Halo-Halo.

Strip at Solaire

Got the chance to eat at Strip Steakhouse.  On our way to another restaurant at Solaire, we saw Celebrity Master Chef Rick Moonen inside Strip, so we said we will have to try Strip when we get the chance.

On a Tuesday night, there was no need for reservations.

Consistency.  All the decors in all the restaurants of Solaire are simply spectacular.  I like the ambience of Finestra better, but Strip is also nice.  Looks really expensive.

We were given 3 types of bread with 3 types of butter.

For starters, we tried their Blue Crab Cake.  There was a hint of cucumber and grapefruit.  We liked it.  It was one of the cheaper options for appetizers, costing 780 pesos.

We ordered Top Sirloin (250 g.).  For sides, we went with Potato Gratin and Creamed Spinach.

The steak came with 3 different sauces: Brandy&Peppercorn, Mushroom Truffle and Bearnaise

Yes, the steak actually went with Bone Marrow.  This is starting to become a fad - Bone Marrow in everything.  Of course it was superb.  Like Bacon, Bone Marrow in anything is just sinfully good.

The steak was 1,930.  The sides 220 each.  

Our verdict:  Ambience was good, Food was superb.  But we thought that it was too expensive.  We were deliberate in choosing items that were not most expensive, yet still spent a total of 6,500 pesos for food and drinks.  So we say, if you have extra money, worth the try.  Otherwise, there are a lot of other steak houses which offer a less expensive menu.

Strip is at Solaire Resort & Casino

Entertainment City, Aseana Ave. 

Paranaque City

http://solaireresort.com/dine/strip/

Best of Cebu Food Part 2

Fine Dining Setting at Anzani

BEST MEDITERRANEAN in CEBU
Anzani

There is simply no competition.  A definite must try.  Enough said.

Anzani is in D'Address right beside Bellini at Nivel Hills, in Lahug Cebu.



FAVORITE BEEF IN CEBU
Olio

Somewhere at the Crossroads in Banilad is a less-popular (at least to tourists and short-term visitors to Cebu) fine dining place called Olio.  It is a 2-storey place just like many at Crossroads.

After frustrations from other Steakhouses in Cebu on the cut of their beef to their questionable definition of Rare and Medium Rare, Finally!  a steakhouse worth mentioning in Cebu.   We were obviously attracted to visit because of their Anniversary Buy-1-Take-1 Steak promo.   And we were just happy.

Major difference of the beef at Olio is that it is not masked.  No extra and  fake flavourings, you get the best beef plain and simple.

Olio is at the Crossroads in Banilad, Cebu City.   It is walking distance from the Cebu Golf Club and a few minutes away from BTC.


BEST PASTA in CEBU
Cafe Elysa

Hidden between the tourist spots in Parian and the barangay basketball courts is a gem of a restaurant in Cebu.   It is very difficult to find for a non-local, so finding it is a like a treasure.

Rather ironic that the Favorite Pasta in Cebu is not from an Italian Restaurant, but your opinion will change once you have tried the Pasta Bolognese with Basil and Grana Padano Cheese.  Consistent with all of the dishes at Cafe Elysa, the pasta is not greasy, seem simple, but exploding with lots of flavour.  And at less than 200Pesos a plate, this is a must try dish.

Another interesting pasta dish is the Bolognara Pasta at Cafe George.  The chef combined Bolognese and Carbonara sauce which conceptually could be trouble but actually blends really well.  For those who like their pasta sauces on the rich side, then this one is for you.  There is beef and tomato from Bolognese and Musrooms, Bacon and Cream from the Carbonara.  A pure delight.

Cafe Elysa is in Parian Cebu.  It is walking distance from the Cebu Heritage Park.
Cafe George is located in Banilad, right after Crossroads and before BTC.  You can also try Oh George, which is a restaurant-cafe on the Marina Exit side of Ayala.

Anzani in Cebu

A year living in Cebu, and I have not been back to Anzani Restaurant.  What usually happens is what happened.  Places that are close to where you live, you try to avoid.  You go very far to eat, drink coffee, or hang-out but seldom at the place near your house.

You see, Anzani is 2 minutes away from where I stay, as both are in the bottom part of the Busay Mountains.  Anzani is in D'Address together with Bellini and Belle Fleur.   Bellini is a fantastic bar, which I have visited maybe 20 times this year.  Belle Fleur is a fine coffee place, which I have been to also around 20 times.  But Anzani, the fine-dining Mediterranean place is often skipped.

Now that I am about to move to another place to stay, I suddenly realize I miss Anzani.   And I remember the one picture I have where I ordered some of the best-tasting Gnocchis I have ever had (outside Italy).

Definitely one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in the island, and maybe the whole country.  Anzani is a must try.

Pink Treasure of Cebu - La Maison Rose

Along Gorordo Avenue is a pink gem.  Right beside the enormous Mormon Temple is an authentic French Restaurant called La Maison Rose, with the subtitle The Pinkhouse Restaurant.  It was our first time to be in a restaurant where the primary theme is a color.  So we were very excited.

The menu is in an iPad.   So really impressive, until we realized there were only 3 iPads available.  So ordering can mean waiting for the "menu" to be available.

Nevertheless, the menu is quite impressive.  I had to try a lot.  Knowing the chef is French, and the restaurant is beside Alliance Francaise I felt comforted that we will be savoring real French dishes (not just the names)

For starters, I was intrigued and ordered the Soup Trio.  And then the Foie Gras was beckoning so I ordered one as well.

This is the waiting area.  Obviously very pink.

Apart from Pink, the La Maison Rose also is Indochine inspired.  So the decors were Western European and Asian inspired.  Worked for me.

I was looking for the men's restroom and told it was outside the main hall of the restaurant.  I was uncomfortable to enter first, because well it was too daintily pink.  I had to ask again, if this was really the men's room.  Upon receiving confirmation went in and took pictures.

The door is very French and very pink =)

We were talking and talking about work, about the decors, and about recent comic events at the office for a good 10 minutes....then our orders arrived.

This is the soup trio.  The leftmost is a Spinach & Ham Soup.  I used the spoon at first, but decided to try sipping from the glass itself.  The yellow middle is a Scallop Bacon Soup, one of my favorite dishes of the night.  The Red soup at the right most is Gazpacho.  My least favorite, but the heck I finished them all.

The pictures of the Foie Gras were not visually delightful.  The taste was OK.  Not bad, but not very good either - would not rave over it.

Main dish is the Truffle Pasta.  First bite was overwhelming.  The earthly flavor explodes right away.  I didn't think I could eat half the serving but ended up finishing the whole plate.

A friend order the French Lechon.  It was served with Mashed Potatoes and Carrots on the side.  Very interesting dish.

After the main course, I had to order the cheese platter.  The cheeses were fantastic, but the grapes were overriped.  And I didn't mind the salad that went with the platter. 

For dessert, I ordered their special espresso.  Which later I found out to be quite expensive at 125 pesos.  Taste was just OK.

But the biggest delight of the night was the very rich Chocolat Coulant.  It was everything you wanted in a cake - very moist, chocolatey but not sweet.  

For 1Soup, 1 Starter, 1 Pasta Entree, 1 Cheese Platter, and 1 Dessert I paid 1,500.  A little pricey for Cebu but just about right for the quality of food (not to mention ambience).

La Maison Rose at Gorordo St. Lahug, Cebu CIty is highly-recommended.   Just a tip - reserve ahead.  Friday is packed so we had to simmer at the table outside for 15 minutes, before we were transferred inside.

Cebu Boneless Lechon Belly

In the Philippines, each province and city claims they have the best lechon in the country.  Cebuanos and many non-Cebuanos alike are convinced that the best lechon is the Cebu Lechon.

At last night's episode of Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, a new variety of the Cebu lechon has been focused on the limelight.  After the very famous CNT, Zubuchon, Ayer, and the Talisay lechon, here comes the Cebu Boneless Lechon Belly.

Right now, it is only available at the Parkmall in Mandaue, Cebu.  So we went last night fearing after the Jessica Soho feature, an avalanche of curious will add to the loyal lechon afficionados.  The line was long, but the regular Cebuanos simply stand in line for their turn.

The Cebu Boneless Lechon Belly was surprisingly not pricey.  It was sold at 115 pesos for 1/4 kilo for original, and 120 for the spicy variety.  Compared to Zubuchon or CNT which are priced at ~500/kilo, this is a really good deal.  They also have a budget meal with 100 grams of lechon belly for an affordable 60 pesos.

We ordered 1/4 of the original and 1/4 of the spicy. 

The Verdict:

Taste:  Definitely the best tasting lechon we have ever tried!   Very crispy skin but really tender meat.  Yes, to us, it is even better than Zubuchon or CNT.  Of course, it is 10x better than the regular lechon in Manila like Lydia'ss or Mila's.

The spicy variety had a good kick, but still preserved the lechon taste.  And actually helped reduce the "umay" (I've had enough) feeling.

Texture:  Too crispy maybe we then began to wonder if this was really roasted.  It felt that it was fried.

Price:  Jackpot! As this is almost 10% cheaper than the regular Cebu Lechons.  20% cheaper than the usual Manila lechon

Summary:  Exceptional taste.  Very good texture - crisp and tender combination that is really difficult to achieve in a lechon.  The only problem is that it is too greasy.  I wanted to eat more because the taste was simply fantastic.  But I cannot finish.  There was just oil all over.  So if you like your lechon sinfully delicious, then this definitely for you.  

Whether you are up for the grease or not, you still have to try this one of a kind lechon.   I have a feeling after all the hype and the features, prices will no longer be the same in a month's time.

Best of Cebu Food

part 1

Cebu is synonymous to affordable and delicious food.  For where else can you get a 100 peso plate of Baked Scallops in an airconditioned restaurant in a Philippine City?

But Best as a term can be problematic as food and taste is highly subjective, so let's say these are our favorite places to eat in Cebu.

FAVORITE RIBS IN CEBU
Surfin Ribs

image from facebook/surfinribs

 Frustratingly, Casa Verde wavered and the quality of their ribs have started to decline.  We went to their branch at Ayala and at IT Park, and were consistently underwhelmed.  Suddenly, their ribs start to lack flavor and the cuts of the ribs seemed not correctly done.

At the same time, news came out of this new ribs place.  It costs 149 pesos for a full-slab, compared to 208 for Casa Verde.  We just had to try and was really pleased.  Their ribs is very tasty, and meaty.  So at less than 150 pesos, this has to be the most practical slab of ribs one could get.  Another thing we like is that they have the Spicy Ribs variety.  It is moderately spiced, so no need to worry if you want to try but are afraid of spicy.  Their claws, and buffalo wings are also good.

The 2 downsides are 1) the place is not airconditioned.  So going there lunch time would require you to bring a towel 2) not straight forward to go there.  It is along Escario's one-way street.  Very close to Parklane Hotel, but you would have to go around the block if you are bringing a car.  In the vicinity are several spas, and it is the place along Escario where cars are double or even triple parked.  One time, we waited 45 minutes just to get a table.  Go there early (6pm or even before for dinner)

BEST SCALLOPS in CEBU
Kuya J's

Chikaan's and Golden Cowrie's are good, but consider Kuya J's scallops the best.  It seems fresher, more succulent not to mention very generous with the butter.  And at 128 pesos a plate, it becomes the most affordable too.  Only Tsibooom's is cheaper, but this one is just a class above everyone else's.

Incidentally, Kuya J is along Orchid Street, in Capitol right across the very popular STK Ta Bai.  Enjoy STK's ambience but visit the Scallops at Kuya J's.

BEST SANDWICH in CEBU
Dolce

Getting a good sandwich could very tough in Cebu.  In Cebu just like in the whole Philippines, rice is a staple food.  So it will be easier to get an exotic dish (goat, snails, etc) than a good sandwich.  We like the simple sandwiches prepared while you wait at Kate's (Beside Rustans at the Basement of Ayala).  The Turkey Ham sandwich at the Metro Deli is nice, but you have to get it with the Mayo as the sandwiches are already prepared.  Having the mayo removed is an ordeal it seems.

Back in April, we tried this new restaurant at Nivel Hills.  Their specialty - sandwiches, burgers, and quiche. Dolce's Sandwiches allow you to mix and match with their available bread, cheese, and meat.  So you create your own sandwich.  Our favorite is Turkey Bacon with Gruyere cheese on Ciabatta.  Since the sandwich is grilled while you wait, the melting cheese compliments the meat and the bread really well.  Oh, and their condiments are served in a nice 3-d "W-shaped" container.  So you put your own relish, mustard, catsup or mayo.

And their sandwich is 150 pesos.  A little pricey, yes for a sandwich but the place's ambience is quite impressive.  Simple white decor amidst the Nivel Hills overseeing Busay makes dining a pleasant experience.

Dolce is in D'Address right beside Bellini at Nivel Hills, in Lahug Cebu.

Runner-up with be the semi-private restaurant at Dove street.  At 150 pesos, you get a salad, a sandwich and a dessert.  Food is good.  The only downside, quite difficult to find.  It is inside a subdivision, so you need a god map or googlemaps.

Lactose Intolerance and Coffee Bean

I am Lactose Intolerant for around 15 years and my condition just gets worse and worse every year.  The sight and smell of milk these days can already make me sick.



This afternoon I had  a very interesting discussion with the staff and eventually the manager of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at Robinson's Cybergate.  All about the promo ticker for their planner.  Gumaya kasi sila sa Starbucks this year, so you need to collect 18 stickers to get the planner.  The 18 stickers correspond to 15 drinks of your choice and then 3 specialty drinks.  All 3 drinks have milk.  So here you go.

I told the staff that I have 3 CBTL tickers that look the same, all stickers for regular coffee had been filled-up except for the drinks with milk.  The staff said, I really need to buy the specialty drink.  Of course I argued, saying I am lactose intolerant.  I offered to present a medical certificate.  Not 30 seconds the manager came. 

I told the manager that the same thing.  I am lactose intolerant.  I have 3 tickers that look like that - everything complete except the drinks with milk.  He said, how about your friend sir, doesn't she drink milk?  I said this is my ticker.  The manager suggested that I bring a friend who drinks milk ang buy it for my friend. 

At this point, I am not liking what I am hearing.  So I said, so there is no chance for a lactose intolerant person to complete the ticker and receive a Planner?  I also said that the name of the place is Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf - there is no word there for Milk or anything dairy, so I should not be deprived of a promotion because I am lactose intolerant.

Needless to say, the manager was really firm with the decision.  They would need me to buy the Red Velvet Drink before I receive the planner.

My girl friend reminded me that I had the same conversation with Starbucks 2 years ago.  Explaining to them my lactose intolerance.  Starbucks listened, so they changed the whole scheme in 2011.

I actually think that Coffee Bean has the better coffee even compared to Starbucks, Bo's, or Seattles.  But I cannot accept the fact that they will force me to buy a drink with milk to get the planner. 

So I hope Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf initiates a promo that will be kind to our kind.  After all, most of their sales come from coffee and tea, and not from the milk-based drinks. 

Until then, I will not buy Coffee Bean.  They may have the better coffee, but they marginalize us who have illnesses. 

me. with 7 of the 14 Starbucks planner I collected this year.  I wonder if anyone collected more CBTL planners? If yes, that person does not suffer from Lactose Intolerance.  That I know for sure.

Modern China

Ang China ang cino-consider na isa sa mga oldest civilizations in history.  Kaya interesting na sa kanila manggagaling ang mga Modern na bagay.  Let's look at the pictures...

Eto po ang famous Terra Cotta Warriors na matatagpuan sa Xian, China

at syempre si Bumblebee

ang mga China Ceramics

ang sumbrero ng Emperor

ang claypot teaset

ang cute na pussycat

at mawawala ba ang mga famous bags pag sinabing China...

So anong modern dyan?  E pangkaraniwan lang naman. 

Ay sorry, I forgot to mention - lahat po yan ay chocolate.  Yes, chocolate po yan na part ng bagong Modern China Chocolate Wonderland Museum.  Astig ano?

Food Trip with Guest

Buong linggo last week, kasama ko ang Americanong cliente na binebentahan namin ng trabaho.  Gusto raw niyang magdala ng 1,000 trabaho sa loob ng 4 na taon.  Pag ganyan ang usapan, maski saan mo ko gustong papuntahin sasamahan ko siya!  Kaya nga 2 araw sa Manila at 2 araw sa Cebu, sinamahan ko siya.

Pag kasama mo ang cliente, natural para na rin kayong nag-food trip.  Dahil boring naman kung trabaho i-blo-blog natin, e di yung mga kinainan na lang namin =).

1)  Red @ Shangri-la Makati
Dapat lang na pinakamasarap ang steak dito sa buong Pilipinas.  Paano naman ang presyo ng steak dito ay 3,500 pesos.  Exag!  Pero grabe talaga - tender na juicy pa, teka parang hotdog na ito.  Must-try din ang Soup Flambe nila - ang sopas na nag-aapoy.  Kakaiba.  Syempre di ako magbabayad, at siya order ng order so ako na rin.

2)  Crisostomo @ Libis
OK sana ang pagkain dito.  Kasi madalas kami rito sa Resorts World at sa Nuvali papuntang Tagaytay.  Kaso, ang salad na inorder namin merong uod.  Sobrang kadiri!  At nangyari pa ito kasama ang cliente ko.  Anak ng jueteng lord talaga.  Pasalamat sila at may cliente ako - kung hindi nagjuramentado ako dun.   So obviously,  this restaurant is blacklisted - teka malagay nga sa Facebook.  Promise, magsara na sila.  Ang sama nilang tumiming.  Kung kasama ko lang sila Ayo - OK siguro.  May cliente pa ko.

3)  People's Palace @ Greenbelt
Kung gusto nyo ng spicy soup - dito ang the best.  Yung Tom Yung Gung nila ay napakasarap at may sipa ng anghang.  YumYum, patok din ang pomelo salad at ang spiral shrimp.   Kaso mahal siyempre, mga 1,200 per person

4)  Coral @ Imperial Palace sa Cebu
Ito daw ang unang 7-star restaurant sa Pilipinas.  Sumakay pa kami ng Golf Cart papuntang restaurant - sosyal.  Ang Coral Restaurant ay nasa tabing dagat - so umorder kami ng scallops, lobsters, squid at prawns.  Ang presyo ay 2,200 per person (walang drinks), so dapat lang na sobrang sarap

5)  Thai Place @ Ayala Center in Cebu
OK lang ang food.  Nothing spectacular.  Pero ang lemonade nila - the best!  At mura pa.  Isang pitsel ay 220 pesos, puwedeng 8 baso.  Actually dahil sa dami kong nainom na lemonade, nabusog na ko - baka kaya di ko na rin nagustuhan ang pagkain.

6)  Hukad @ Ayala Center in Cebu
Para itong Gerry's Grill, pero better.   Umorder kami ng mga food na special sa Cebu syempre.  OK din ang cliente namin - medyo adventurous sa pagkain.  Pinakain namin ng kuhol, dinuguan, danggit, crablets -carry nyang lahat.  OK din siya sa balot.  Pero di namin siya pinakain ng sisig at pinapaitan - kasi di rin ako kumakain nun heheh - baka pilitin siya, nakakahiya naman.  Dahil di talaga ako kakain nun hahaha.

Starbucks - Free Upsize. Pero...

Tuwa ako ng malaman na may FREE UPSIZE ang Starbucks hanggang Monday.  Ibig sabihin, pag umorder ka ng Tall - bibigyan ka ng Grande for free.

Kaso mo, nagtaas pala sila ng presyo.  So ganun din pala.  Nahiya lang ako dahil sanay na ko magbayad ng 95pesos araw-araw (Tall 1 Splenda Americano) - kulang na pala ang binabayad ko since March 1.  Kanina ko lang napansin na nagmahal na sila ng presyo.

Best Restaurants sa RW Part 1

Last week - nakainan ko na lahat ng restaurants sa RW =).  Ang RW at Republiq ang nagiging dinner place to go sa Metro Manila.  Pag weekends - asa ka pang makakuha ng table pag 7-9pm.  Nung andito si Che last week - nakakain kami ng dinner ng 10:15pm.

Eto ang quick review ng mga restaurants sa RW, in case magawi kayo.

#1.  Tao Yuan

Still our favorite restaurant sa RW.  Naka-tatlong balik na ako dun dahil gusto kong suyurin ang buong menu nila.  Food is excellent, and service is good.  Yun lang dapat talaga pumunta ng maaga dahil sobrang haba ng pila.  Meron pang Tao Yuan branch sa Mabini, Manila.

Our Favorite - Cereal Prawns

Rating:

Food - 4 1/2  Stars

Service - 3 1/2 Stars

Price - 4 Stars (mga 400 per person)

#2.  Crisostomo - Pinoy Food

Puwede rin kayong kumain sa Crisostomo para sa mga bininyagan nilang pangalan sa mga pagkain - astig kasi. Huwag na nating sabihin, kasama yan sa element of surprise =)

Adobo Rice - kanin na ulam

At ang paborito ni Che-Che at ni Tita Ate na Crispy Pasta.  Kakabilib, very crispy on the outside, samantalang sobrang juicy naman ang laman.  Amazing paano nila ginawa yon

you also have to try their unique salads.  Sinubukan namin ang grilled squid - nakakabilib, sobrang kakaiba.

Rating

Food:  4 Stars

Service:  4 Stars

Price:  4 Stars (mga 350 per person)

#3. UCC

Well, nagkalat na naman ang UCC ngayon.  pero sige na nga i-review na natin.  Dahil pag mahaba ang pila sa ibang restaurants, sa UCC kami tumatakbo. 

 30% of the time eto ino-order ko Sausage Gratin.

Pag nanalo, eto naman ang kape ko - Blue Mountain coffee.  Iniinom lang ito pag naka-jackpot, presyong jackpot kasi ito (500 pesos per cup).  =).

Rating:

Food - 4 Stars

Service - 4 Stars

Price - 2 Stars (sobrang mahal - isang pasta = 400 pesos)

#4.  Parmigiano

OK na restaurant.  OK ang food, OK ang service, di masama ang presyo.  Ang problema hindi memorable.  Walang masyadong register ang dining experience - na gusto mong balikan

Rating:

Food - 2 1/2 Stars

Service - 3 Stars

Price - 2 1/2 Stars (Mga 400 per person)

#5.  Johnny Chow

Matatawag ang pansin mo dahil sa buhok ng mga waiters and waitresses.  Tingnan nyo na lang ng malaman ang sinasabi...

 Eto ang naging problema namin.  Pagkatapos ng appetizer (na OK naman), mga 30 minutes kaming naghintay sa main dish.  Di naman puno ang restaurant, so di namin ma-gets kung bakit.  Di nyo ako gustong kasama pag matagal dumating ang order kong pagkain, nag-tra-transform ako =). 

At lalong ayaw nyong maging waiter or restaurant manager.  So for the first time in 2011, nag-walkout kami sa restaurant.  At hindi man lang nagpaliwanag at nanghingi ng sorry ang mga waiters ang managers.  Ang matindi siningil pa ko ng kanin - na tignan nyo naman di ko naman nagalaw.

Hinding hindi na kami babalik sa restaurant na ito (tulad ng Kenny Rogers at Tony Roma's), imbitahan man ako ni Marvin Agustin (sya may-ari nito).

Rating:

Food:  (appetizer lang) 3 1/2 Stars

Service:  0 Stars.  Kung puwede negative, negative 5,000

Price: 3 Stars (mga  150 per person ang appetizer)

#6.  Beurre Blanc

Eto ang tanging French Restaurant sa RW.  Very sorry sa may-ari ng restaurant - di ko talaga type ang pagkain dito.  Pero maiintindihan ko kung yung ibang tao gusto nila.  OK lang, puwede nyong subukan

Pepper Steak - OK lang.

Rating:

Food - 1 1/2 Stars

Service - 3 Stars

Price - 2 Stars (mga 450 per peson)

#7.  Mr. Kurosawa

Bagong pauso ni Marvin Agustin ang Euro-Japanese Fusion sa pagkain.  Iyong kasing restaurant niya sa Greenbelt na John and Yoko dinadayo talaga, laging maraming tao at di mahal ang presyo.

Pero ewan ba at di pa ko nakakakain dito ulit.  Baka kasi Japanese purist ako.  Ang sarap naman ng Japanese food, bakit mo sasamahan ng European?  Di ko lang ma-gets siguro.  Have to give it another try.

Ang kanilang sushi roll

Rating:

Food:  2 Stars

Service: 3 Stars

Price: 3 1/2 Stars

Next time ang Part2, punta naman tayo sa:  Passion, Ginzadon, Mercado, Cafe Republic, Stackers, Penang, Cafe Med atbp..