Tsinoy Foodies

Our shopping spree at Lucky China Town Mall got us hungry but we didn't mind waiting in line for Little Asia that night.

Having good experiences at Little Asia in the past made us enticed to come back for more.

As you can see, the interiors are quite luxurious with chandeliers and beautiful wallpaper prints. But, the tables are cramped with little spacing and you can hear the chatter all over the place. That's quite typical for Chinese restaurants so we're comfortable with that.

Food
What we love about Little Asia is that they continuously add new dishes so we are always assured of something new to try in every visit aside from our old favorites.

Poultry

♥ Kung Pao Chicken (275 php)

The kung pao chicken is a family favorite. Little Asia's Kung Pao Chicken has big chunks of chicken inspicy kung pao sauce with peanuts, leeks and black chili. It was a pretty good rendition!

Seafood

♥ Coconut Fish Fillet (275 php)

Our new and well-loved discovery was the Coconut Fish Fillet. It was soft and slippery fish fillet in a mildly spiced coconut cream sauce with a hint of basil.

Vegetables

♥ Shanghai Spinach Tofu (245 php)

The Shanghai Spinach Tofu is also a must try! It is a pan fried tofu topped with finely chopped spinach with oyster sauce, rice wine, shitake mushroom ginger and onion leeks.

Rice

Yang Chow Fried Rice (255 php)

The Yang Chow Fried Rice was recommended by our server. We regret ordering this because it was too common. Next time, we'll go for the Salted Fish Fried Rice or their noodles instead.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
When it comes to Asian cuisine, definitely put Little Asia on top of your list. Their pricing is affordable and serving size is good for sharing. They also have a wide-range of selections to choose from.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Little Asia Menu
Ambiance	★★★★	Menu
Taste	★★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Little Asia Lucky Chinatown Mall
Business Address	G/F, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Reina Regente St cor Dela Reina, Binondo Manila, Metro Manila
Business Hours	10am-9pm
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	300-800
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact
Other	Facebook Fan Page

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My bestie Eric and I have this weird habit of inviting each other as spontaneous or impromptu as possible when we know we're in each other's convenient zone. A few days ago, I was in Makatiwhere he works so I invited him to have a lunch break at an instantaneouslyfound place called "Manila Maki" at Elizabeth's Place Condominium. If you're unfamiliar with the location, it's wiser to ask the name of the building instead so people can guide you towards it.

In case you're wondering why Manila when it's in Makati, we asked that too. Manila symbolizes Pinoy food and not the location.

Eric was smiling as soon as he saw their happy hour poster by the entrance. I, on the other hand, was allured by Manila Maki'sunique decor and interior. It was a certainly a mix bag of creativity that blended well with each other.

The lights were made from laminated Japanese newspaper sheets. Some parts of the place also had Japanese newspaper as a wallpaper. Tables were either made of solid wood or wooden planks formed into a picnic table. The chairs had a lot of variety too from modern plastic ones to steel garden types to wooden stools made of planks and picnic benches.

Seeing their wooden framed food shots andglancing on their menu filled with their Pinoy-Japanese dishes made me feel a bit skeptic. I mean who does Pinoy-Japanese fusion? I've always considered myself to be an adventurous foodie but never have I encountered such a bold twist. I'm fearing that I might end up forced to finish all our orders. Eric is a good friend but he is such a picky eater. If he doesn't like the food, no one can ever make him eat even if it means saving his life.

Each table had Japanese newspaper wrapped chopstick, napkin and soy sauce holders.

And, plates were set up with soy sauce holders so you're ready for a whole new maki experience!

Food

Sashimi

Seared Tuna Kinilaw (245 php)

As you can see, the Seared Tuna Kinilaw is cooked with precision. Other than that, the preparation doesn't seem too technical as it is topped with peppers and sesame seeds and served with spicy vinegar dip. Yet, the delivery of the dish was surprisingly splendid! We both thought it was ingenious!

Premium Rolls

Manila Maki (255 php)

Our server recommended their best-selling Manila Maki. It appears like an ordinary topped tuna-topped maki but it's actually very complicated. It's drizzled with a light mango dressing, the sushi rice is rolled in garlic bits and filled with fresh Philippine mango, kani salad and nilasing na hipon. I found this to be a more interesting version of the usual California Maki.

♥ Adarna Roll (225 php)

To be honest, we loved the Adarna Roll more than theManila Maki. Can you guess what's on top? It really looks like Unagi but it's actually their crisp bangus belly fillets braised in teriyaki and topped with sesame seeds. They were wonderfully tasty. The rest are common sushi complements such as: kani salad, mango, cucumber, lettuce and topiko duo.

Salad

♥ Spicy Tuna Salad (265 php)

Manila Maki's Spicy Tuna Salad makes all the spicy tuna I've tried in the past pale in comparison. Despite being so saucy and flavorful due to the interesting pinoy twist of using taba ng talanga, the tiny tempura flakes successfully delivered a sensational crisp in every bite. It is spiced with chili flakes which you can request to be milder or spicier depending on our preference.

Ala Carte

♥ Longgiyoza (125 php)

I love the classic gyoza butboy, the Longgiyoza has swooned me to a whole new level. Aside from the perfect skin thickness, smoothness and meat juiciness, cabanatuan longganisa amazingly adds an explosive savoriness to it.

♥ Bon Bon Chicken (185 php)

The appearance of the Bon Bon Chicken is similar to the Korean fried chicken. But, this is way better! Upon trying a piece of these boneless crunchy chicken coated in sweet garlic-ginger sauce and drizzled with Japanesemayo, Eric and I just couldn't stop ourselves from munching on some more. We finished this bowlful even to the last crunchy sauce-coated batter.

Donburi

♥ Sisigdon (215 php)

The highlight of our meal was the Sisigdon. It's a bowlful of pork sisig with beaten egg, sweet shoyo sauce, chili powder, green onions and chicharon bits. Gosh! My words can never be enough to expound on this. You just have to try this out for yourself to appreciate the magical sensation of taste and texture of this dish.

Dessert

Molten Lava (165 php)

I wanted to try the Coco Mango which was not available at the time but I always have to have my dessert so I settled for the Molten Lava instead. Unlike other lava cakes which had hot fudge splurging from the center, this one just has a center that's more moist than the other parts but lots of chocolate fudge is found on the outside.

Drinks

Shakes

♥ Buco Lychee (140 php)

The Buco Lychee is a tall glass of very refreshing thirst-quencher and palate cleanser.

Manila Maki Specialty Drinks

Calamansi Saketini (195 php)

The Calamansi Saketini is Manila Maki's take on the Martini by substituting sake. Sake has a very bold flavor but this drink masks its perfectly by delivering a nice tangy and mildly sweetened calamansi blend.

♥ The Maki Cooler (225 php)

The Maki Cooler is a sweet and delicious four seasons and dalandan juice mixed with coconut rum, vodka and sake concoction that so smooth you'll forget you're having alcohol.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Manila Maki is Makati's hidden Pinoy-Japanese Fusion gem. I have to hand it to them. They really know what they're doing. Every dish is a masterpiece. We couldn't help but swipe everything clean... everything sticky grain and to the last drop of our beverage. Price is affordable. Serving size is great for sharing especially their Sashimi, Pinoy Maki and Premium Rolls. The drinks are just as good so go ahead and pair them with your food. They also offer a reliably fast WiFi.

P.S. Saw on their menu a pamphlet that they also do catering with more dish options.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Manila Maki Menu
Ambiance	★★★★	Nigiri Sushi \| Sashimi \| Pinoy Maki \| Premium Rolls Salads \| Sushi \| Katsu \| Ala Carte \| Tempura \| Teriyaki Inasal \| Teppanyaki \| Noodles \| Donburi \| Rice \| Desserts\| Drinks 1\| Drinks 2 \|
Taste	★★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Manila Maki
Business Address	Elizabeth Place Condominium 332 HV Dela Costa, Salcedo Village, Makati, Metro Manila
Business Hours	Lunch: 11am-2pm Dinner: 5pm-11pm
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	N/A
Budget/Person	200-500
Free WiFi	Yes
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 822-7319
Other	Facebook Fan Page

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One of our family favorite Singaporean restaurant is Boon Tong Kee.

For a Singaporean franchise, I don't know why it's not drawing any crowd like its competitors. Their dishes are consistently good.

Food

♥ Signature Boil Chicken Whole (845 php)

The Signature Boil Chicken is what most know as the Hainanese Chicken. You can simply judge just from its appearance that it so tasty, soft, moist and tender.

It comes with chicken rice.

♥ Coffee Spare Ribs (295 php)

The Coffee Spare Ribs with thick, rich and bitter-sweet sauce is another item that we usually order. The coating is a bit crunchy and the spare rib meat is very tender. This is so good when paired with rice.

♥ Poached Chinese Spinach with Assorted Egg (295 php)

The Poached Chinese Spinach with Assorted Egg is one of the best vegetable dishes I've ever encountered. It sounds and looks simple but I bet cooking this has a secret technique somehow.

♥ Crispy Tofu (185 php)

The Crispy Tofu is consistently beautifully cooked. The fried skin is so thin and delicate. The tofu inside is smooth and top-notch too. It really goes well with their wasabi sauce.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Boon Tong Kee is and will always be our default Singaporean stop whenever in SM Mall of Asia. For the authenticity and quality they offer, the price is really affordable.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Boon Tong Kee Menu
Ambiance	★★★	Menu 1 \| Menu 2 \| Menu 3 \| Menu 4 \| Menu 5 \| Menu 6 \| Menu 7 \|
Taste	★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Boon Tong Kee
Branches	MALL OF ASIA BRANCH 2/F, Entertainment Mall, North Wing (by Seaside Blvd) SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City, Metro Manila (02) 804-2862 POWER PLANT MALL BRANCH 3/F, Power Plant Mall (near cinemas), Makati City (02) 890-0160 TOMAS MORATO BRANCH 310 Tomas Morato Avenue (near ABS-CBN) Quezon City UP TOWN CENTER BRANCH 2/F, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City (02) 955-2292
Business Hours	10am-9pm (mall hours)
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	250-500
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Other	Facebook Fan Page

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A few years back, whenever my friends would invite to treat me to a bar, I would always decline because they tend to focus more on alcoholic beverage than their pricey dishes. But now, more and more establishments are set to offer a wholesome experience for reasonable prices. One of my latest discoveries is Paprika Comfort Food + Cocktail Bar humbly settled at the second floor of RCBC Savings Bank along the corner 5th and 26th.

It’s a cozy artsy yet place with a pinch of sophistication.

It has soft cushioned lofts and pillows for seating and shelves with card games and frames portraying artistic works.

Food

Appetizers

Trio Dip (165 php)

For starters, we got the Trio Dip. It is a silver platter filled with toasted bread drizzled with balsamic vinegrette and served with three choices of dip: Spinach with Creamy Cheese, Truffle Mushroom (Yes! Mushroom bits on a pool of rich truffle oil) and Eggplant Caponata with an appetizing spicy zizzle.

Pasta

Bagoong Pasta (220php)

The Bagoong Pasta topped with crispy pork fatty liempo and zesty tomato slices is unlike any other pasta I’ve tried before. Just a forkful of it’s tasty bagoong spiced oil based al dente cooked spaghetti got me hooked.

Over Rice

Adobo Overload (305 php)

When the Adobo Overload was served. I have to admit, I didn’t find the blackened pork chunk over adobo rice enticing. But, when I got to bite into the huge crunchy pork adobo with tender meat and succulent fats, it was like I was hypnotized by the wholesome adobo goodness as I indulged over the pork adobo meat, equally addictive , pork adobo rice and adobo mayo and a bit of adobo sauce. Damn! This is the most captivating adobo I have ever tried. I finished the whole thing and didn’t even bother to share.

Over Rice Roast Beef Pares (255php) *sorry forgot to take a photo

The Over Rice Roast Beef Pares are roast beef slices glazed in rich, thick, sweet and savory home made pares sauce with scrambled egg laid on a bed of garlic rice. It is also served with a red thick and sticky chili-garlic oil with evident chili seeds. I was warned that it delivers a powerful spicy kick but when I tried it, it was just right for me. It's cool that restaurant's now offer fun twists with the beef pares. I was reminded of the one I tried at 12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub.

Chicken and Waffles(245 php) *apologies no photo

I didn’t get a shot of someone’s Chicken and Waffles. But, I did get to try it. It has 2 pieces of buttermilk fried chickenwhich had a crumby batter coating similar to a Katsu and really juicy and tender meat. I like it better when eaten with their house gravy. For staple, it comes with 3 pieces of waffles topped with maple syrup.

Desserts

WTF! (What the Fudge) (180 php)

The WTF! (What the Fudge) lives true to its name. That is exactly the expression you’re going to make when you take a deep teaspoon full into their small jar filled with chocolate crumble, layers of dark and white chocolate ganache and finally small cubes of coffee jelly.

Drinks

Iced Tea

Specialty Cocktails
For alcoholic drinkers, the real fun begins after the meal as Paprikaoffers a whole new experience with their Specialty Cocktails.

B-52’s (285 php)

The B-52’s is a mix of Grand Marnier, amaretto, milk, cream and cinnamon.

Smores (255 php)

The Smores is a cute but secretly fiesty colorful dessert cocktail. Crack a piece of the graham cracker, dip it into the whippwd cream tipped with mini marshmallows and sip into its marshmallow and Bailey's blend.

Gold Mine (375 php)

The Gold Mine with its ravishing golden color dominantly of the Johnny Walker Gold Reserve topped with apple cubes and mixed with honey, apple juice and sparkling wine promises to deliver a treasurable sensation.. It even has an added flare with sugar frost on the bottom of its glass.

Smoked Bacon Rye Sour (355 php) *you can opt it to be served on your table this way

Smoked Bacon Rye Sour (355 php)

Find out for yourself what Smoked Bacon Rye Sour, a concoction lit with a tobbaco before being served. It has Jameson Irish Whiskey, lemon, egg white, bacom and the most important ingredient: vanilla smoke will taste like.

La Playa Barcelona (305 php)

The La Playa Barcelona has some initial tartiness from the line and dalandan juice with a smooth, sweet and refreshing follow through of white wine, brandy, cherry, lychee syrup and mint leaves.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Paprika Comfort Food + Cocktail Bar offers a different kind of experience with its cozy, exclusive but not cramped interiors and fantastic, fun and playful comfort food and cocktails. And, the price is quite affordable that workers in the area can enjoy its offerings as often as they want.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Paprika Comfort Food + Cocktail Bar Menu
Ambiance	★★★★	Appetizers \| Pasta \| Over Rice \| Sandwich \| Desserts \| Drinks \| Drinks 2 \| Drinks 3 \| Drinks 4 \| Specialty Cocktails \| Specialty Cocktails 2 \|
Taste	★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Paprika Comfort Food + Cocktail Bar
Business Address	RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Tower, 25th Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	Mon-Fri;Sun: 10am-5am Sun: 5pm-5am
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	250-1,500
Free WiFi	Yes
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 425-9621 \| (0917) 311-6616
Other	Facebook Fan Page

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I've always wanted to try Argentine Cuisine so I've been bugging the family for quite sometime to tryGaucho Cocina y Vinos Argentino. Finally, they gave in.

We've been to Robinson's Magnolia before but never noticed their conspicuous facade. It has small sign above with no visibility of the inside.

So when they opened the door for us, we were all stunned by its interiors.

Upon entering, we noticed that the chiller was filled with meat. The fire pit is occupied as well. When we passed by after our dinner, the chiller had less meat and the fire pit was empty.

Food

We had no idea what their serving size was. We just realized we may have over ordered when the dishes all arrived at the same time and filled our round wooden table.

Salads/Ensaladas

Ensalada Casera (290 php)

The family just couldn't survived without veggies so we ordered the Ensalada Casera. It had mixed greens, poached organic egg, criola andItalian vinegrette. We loved this! It was quite a refreshing accompaniment for our meaty orders.

Slow-Roasted from the Fire Pit / El Pozo De Fuego (comes with Chimichurri Sauce, Organic Pickled Eggplant, Organic Pickled Zucchini, Organic Pickled Onions and unlimited steamed or garlic rice)

♥ Cochino a la Cruz (760 php), ♥ Falda a la Cruz (330 php) and ♥ Cordero Entero a la Cruz (890 php)

Our meal is focused on their specialty Slow-Roasted from the Fire Pit so all of them are cooked the same way but differ in the kind of meat. The Cochino a la Cruz is native free range suckling pig, the Falda a la Cruz is beef and the Cordero Entero a la Cruz is australian riased young lamb. All of them are equally savory and delicious! But, the texture varies. As to which is the best is only a matter of preference.

Chimichurri Sauce, Organic Pickled Eggplant, Organic Pickled Zucchini, Organic Pickled Onions

The Chimichurri Sauce, Organic Pickled Eggplant, Organic Pickled Zucchini, Organic Pickled Onions are really useful in making the meats from becoming overwhelmingly savory. I really liked the Chimichurri Sauce which has finely chopped parsley, oregano, onion, garlic, chilli pepper flakes, olive oil and lemon.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We all loved our meaty dining experience at Gaucho Cocina y Vinos Argentino. I'm glad that we had a great first time experience with Argentine Cuisine. I'm quite pleased that even my non-carnivorous family was able to appreciate the dishes here.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Gaucho Cocina y Vinos Argentino Menu
Ambiance	★★★★	Menu 1 \| Menu 2 \|Menu 3 \|
Taste	★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Gaucho Cocina y Vinos Argentino
Business Address	3rd Floor, Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	10am-9pm (mall hours)
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	350-1,500
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 654-3148
Other	Website

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I've been seeing Rice in a Box (RBX)for a long time but never bothered to try it. One time, I went out on an errand and forgot my wallet. (Yeah, I'm quite careless sometimes) As I got hungry, I scrambled on my coin purse for some change (barya) and recalled seeing Rice in a Box offer cheap meals so I headed there.

They have a very straight forward menu with pictures of bowlsfilled with yellow-colored rice and toppings.

In addition to that, there are also plates wrapped in plastic to show the meals up-close.

Premium Chowfan

Beef and Mushroom (55 php)

I waited around 10 minutes and my Beef and Mushroom was ready. It was served in a Chinese box with a napkin and plastic spork.

Beef and Mushroom (55 php)

As I opened it, I couldn't help but wonder why it didn't look the same as themenu and display? That's when I noticed that it didn't have any peas and corn. Thebeef bits and mushrooms were well-proportioned with the rice. In terms of taste, itwas enhanced with MSG but that's roughly what you paid for. It felt warm to the tummy butthe portion is snack-size.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'm glad I got to try Rice in a Box (RBX). It's has hundreds of branch that's always crowded and I've always wondered what it taste like for such a bargain price.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Rice in A Box (RBX) Menu
Ambiance	★★★	Shanghai Meal - 36 php Chicken Nuggets Meal - 36 php Ham & Bacon - 43 php Chicken & Chorizo - 43 php Seafood Bagoong - 55 php Beef & Mushroom - 55 php Chinese Chicken Strips - 49 php Longganisadog - 49 php Beef Teriyaki - 59 php Pork Barbecue - 59 php
Taste	★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Rice in A Box (RBX)
Business Hours	10am-9pm (mall hours)
Budget/Person	36-100
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Other	Website

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The family was craving for vegetarian pizza so went to the Bonifacio Global City area to try Nolita. But, the crowded Nolita didn't serve any non-meat selections so we searched for other options. We were supposed to go for P.F. Chang's as an after-thought but the queue was long so we settled for Mad for Garlic instead.

We were the second in line so we had the chance to search the net for feedback about it. I got to learn that it is actually an Italian restaurant concept from Korea. The reviews about the place was mixed of good and bad so we all had our fingers crossed.

The interiors were very classy as the dining area is surrounded by wine displays. We all thought that the lamps that looked like garlic cloves were cool.

Food

Pasta

♥ Triple Garlic Pasta(595 php)

The Triple Garlic Pasta has mussels, shrimps, cuttle fish and of course, garlic sprouts. Everything about this dish is excellent especially the texture of the pasta. The pasta was firm and chewy which is how I liked it.

♥ Crab and Lobster Pasta (475 php)

Although I always prefer red sauce to cream sauce, on this rare occasion, I enjoyed the Crab and Lobster Pasta more. The taste was mild but addictive. I couldn't help but indulge from one forkful to another.

Pizza

♥ Garlic Snowing Pizza (545 php)

We were wondering why it was called Garlic Snowing Pizza until the server did this.

♥ Garlic Snowing Pizza (545 php)

As suggest by all social media tips, the Garlic Snowing Pizza is a must order! It is a thin-crusted pizza which small shrimps, pineapple bits, fried sliced garlic and grated cheese.

Ratatouille Ricotta Pizza Family (425 php)

Our last dish is the Ratatouille Ricotta Pizza. I love how colorful this healthy pizza turned out to be. It's a very light pizza with button mushrooms, eggplant, zucchini, chery tomatoes, herb garlic and garlic ricotta cheese.

Dessert

♥ Garlic Sprinkle Gelato (195 php)

I think all my family members are garlic addicts so when we tried the Garlic Sprinkle Gelato, we had to order one for each and adopted a no sharing policy. Not even that crispy garlic almond cookie was spared.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We had a really great garlicky meal thanks to Mad for Garlic. I'm glad we landed there by accident. Everything was just brilliantly complemented by the bold garlic flavors. It was awesome! I have to admit it was really pricey but it was money well spent for me. I would also like to commend our server who was always happy to serve.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Mad For Garlic Menu
Ambiance	★★★★★	Menu
Taste	★★★★★
Service	★★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Mad For Garlic
Business Address	G/F, W Global Center, 9th Ave, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	Mon-Thu; Sun: 11am-11pm Fri-Sat: 11am-12am
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	250-500
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 808-9517
Other	Website \| Facebook Fan Page

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Over the years, Tempura Japanese Grill has been our favorite Japanese casual dining restaurant.

There's always a seating available.

Aside from dining in, we extend our patronage by frequently ordering their reasonably priced sushi trays as our potluck share at parties.

Food

Tempura Creations

♥ Dynamite Ebi Roll (200 php)

We always order their Dynamite Ebi Roll which are rolled maki with crispy ebi, kani, mango, asparagus with a mild spicy sauce.

Sushi

Sake (100 php/3 pieces)

We also order the Sake or salmon sushi from time to time.

Tempura

♥ Ebi Wasabi Tempura (450 php/8 pieces)

I wish they'd make the Ebi Wasabi Tempura as green as their menu display. Desppite the great disparity in terms of color and flavor from our expectation (as shown on the menu), we still order this because it's as near to a wasabi tempura as we could get. Plus, it's priced the same as the plain one.

♥ Soft-Shelled Crab Tempura (325 php)

If you can't afford Yabu's Soft Shell Crab Katsu, I assure you that this Soft-Shelled Crab Tempura is just as good for a way bargain price.

Teppanyaki

♥ Gyu Saikoro Tofu Steak (350 php)

The Gyu Saikoro Tofu Steak is grilled tenderloin with enoki mushroom and asparagus in Japanese steak sauce. The meat is so tender and the serving portion is generous too.

Teriyaki

♥ Chicken Roulade (260 php)

The Chicken Roulade is stuffed with carrots, asparagus, ham and cheese in Teriyaki sauce. This is very flavorful and fun to eat.

P.S. The family also raves about the Honey Miso Glazed Salmon which I have yet to try.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Tempura Japanese Grill offers quality Japanese dishes at sharing portions for a fairly reasonable price. The service is great too. The staffs are very friendly (except for the male manager XD).

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Tempura Japanese Grill Menu
Ambiance	★★★	New \|Soup \| Appetizers \| Tofu \| Salad \| Agemono (Furai) \|Makimono \| Tempura Creations \|Sushi \| Sashimi \| Temaki \| Tempura \|Platters \|Teppanyaki \| Teppanyaki \| Curry Rice \| Donburi \|Ramen \| Udon \| Rice \|
Taste	★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Tempura Japanese Grill
Branches	Robinsons Midtown G/F Robinsons Place Manila, Manila, Metro Manila Banawe, Tomas Morato, Trinoma, Alabang Town Center, SM Mall of Asia, U.N. Avenue, Convergys Makati, SM Pampanga and SM Cebu
Business Hours	10am-9pm (mall hours)
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	250-500
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 567-2447
Other	Facebook Fan Page

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Birthday dinner celebrations enjoyed Chinese lauriat style is a big part of Tsinoy culture so here I am with another post of it. When it comes to Chinese restaurant selection, we youngsters entrust the selection process to my Ah E who recommended that we dine at King Chef Seafood Restaurant this time. We've dined here several times already (but this is the only incident I brought a camera).

King Chef Seafood Restaurant in Lucky China Town Mall is so spacious with lots of seating capacity that the chances of seeing other Tsinoy friends there are high.

Aside from the general dining areas, they also offer function rooms for more private occasions and events.

Food

Dimsum

♥ Hakaw (Shrimp Dumpling) (90 php)

We actually ordered the dimsum last because they have a b dimsum promo after 9 pm. We were already full so we only ordered our favorites. The Hakaw is my all-time favorite.

X.O. Siomai (85 php)

My cousins ordered the X.O. Siomai.

♥ Fried Shrimp Dumpling (95 php)

The Fried Shrimp Dumpling is one of their specialty dimsums so its a must order!

Soups

♥ Hot and Sour Soup LRG (620 php)

The Hot and Sour Soup is my default order.

♥ Golden Pumpkin Soup LRG (950 php)

The Golden Pumpkin Soup is another great choice. Since I couldn't chose which soup I wanted, I had both.

Live Seafood Selection

♥ Sauteed Suahe with Tea Leaves

Prices are not fixed for the live seafood selection. It's a bit more pricey but worth it. The Sauteed Suahe with Tea Leaves is one of the items we always order at King Chef.

Lapu Lapu

♥ Fried Lapu-Lapu in Mango Sauce

The Fried Lapu-Lapu in Mango Sauce is also a must order when dining at King Chef. The mango sauce breaks the monotony of the usual sweet and sour fare.

Pork

Spareribs with 8 Spices SML (320 php)

The Spareribs with 8 Spices is crunchy on the outside but the pork meat is tender and juicy.

Chicken & Pigeon

♥ Chicken Fortune Bags LRG (960 php)

The Chicken Fortune Bags is another family favorite. It's filled with tiny diced chicken and mushrooms.

Seafood

♥ Stuffed Eggplant with Japanese Sauce SML (380 php)

TheStuffed Eggplant with Japanese Sauce is also King Chef's best-seller and we love it too. The sweet and savory sauce as well as the smooth and fun texture of this dish is sensational!

Vegetables & Beancurd

Seasonal Vegetables (Polonchay) with Garlic LRG (550 php)

We also got the Seasonal Vegetables (Polonchay) with Garlic just to have something healthy which is a must for the oldies.

Noodles

Birthday Noodles LRG (625 php)

The Birthday Noodles is of course a requirement for every Chinese birthday celebration.

Drinks

Butterfly Iced Tea

The Butterfly Iced Tea is a sweet blend of brewed iced tea.

Milk Tea

The Milk Tea was a bit too sweetened.

Complimentary Desserts

♥ Mango Balls

One of the perks of eating at Chinese restaurants often is that Ah E is already best friends with every manager. Not only will you be guided on what to order (what's the freshest seafood etc.), you'll also be given a discount when dining in groups andany complimentary dessert you want. (These perks are similarly offered in every Chinese restaurant.) We wanted Mango Sago but it was not available so they served Mango Balls instead. It is has a mango flavored skin filled with a mango slice and covered in dessicated coconut.

Almond Jelly

We were also given served a second dessert which was Almond Jelly. This is a classic dessert which I'll never get tired of eating.

Complimentary Dance and Song Number

While enjoying our dessert, the servers also danced and sang their hearts out (about three or four times). You can even request your favorite song if you want. The excess performance numbers were a display of the manager's hospitality and show of gratitude for our dining loyalty. Ah E and the rest of us were very delighted with such a simple gesture.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
King Chef Seafood Restaurant has always consistently delivered quality food and service. No doubt, we will soon dine here again.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		King Chef Seafood Restaurant Menu
Ambiance	★★★★	Soups \| Appetizer \| Roast \| Live Seafood 1 \| Live Seafood 2 \| Pork \| Chicken & Pigeon \| Beef \| Seafood \| Froglegs \| Vegetables \| Rice \| Noodles \| Set 1 \| Set 2 \| Set 3 \|
Taste	★★★★
Service	★★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

King Chef Seafood Restaurant
Business Address	Lucky China Town Mall 2/F Lucky Chinatown Mall Reina Regente st. corner Dela Reina st., Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila
Business Hours	10am-10pm (mall hours)
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	500-1,500
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 720-9062
Other	Website \| Facebook Fan Page

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If there's something I'm not proud of... that would be my laziness. Yes! There are many times in a week that I don't feel like preparing for my meal or cleaning up my mess after. And, there are days when I can't afford to be lazy so I resort to my cheap eats favorites. One of them is Hainanese Delights.

Before Hainanese Delights came, I've always classified Hainanese Chicken as a luxurious and expensive dish. But, now I can have it as often as I want.

Food

Each table has the usual sauces.

Complimentary Soup

Each order will entitle you to their complimentary hainanese chicken broth with lots of salt and MSG soup. For the price, you really can't complain.

♥ Hainanese Delights Whole (350 php)

I only order 1 item on the menu each time and that is the Hainanese Delights. If you order the whole, you have to order the rice separately.

If you order the meals, it automatically comes with two cups of their justifiably tasty (or salty) chicken or hainan rice. The rice is unlimited so you can get a refill if you want more.

♥ Hainanese Delights (135 php)

If you order for take-out you'll be missing the unlimited hainan rice perk but if you're not a carbo-loader like me, two cups of rice is enough right?

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Hainanese Delights is one of the few places that offers hainanese chicken that fits the budget. In fact, I've yet to encounter one that bits its market penetrating pricing scheme. It's so affordable I bet everyone has considered trying or has tried it.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Hainanese Delights Menu
Ambiance	★★★	Menu
Taste	★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Hainanese Delights
Business Address	G/F Robinsons Place Manila, Manila, Metro Manila
Business Hours	10am-9pm (mall hours)
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge
Budget/Person	130-200
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact
Other

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We were yearning for after-dinner when we spottedEpic Coffee Roastery along East Capitol drive.

It's yellow, flashy and bright sign makes it glaringly visible to passersby. Parking was full so we had to settle for a few distance of walking which seemed worth it as we interpreted the crowdiness to mean that they must be serving good coffee.

It is one of the most hyped third wave cafe in Kapitolyo. Upon entry, the first thing I noticed was the bike display and the cake chiller.

Lot buzzes and chatter from diners are also evident. We got to learn that you can cross-order fromtheir big brother restaurant Poco Deli which is why it had a huge crowd.

We couldn't find any seat available so we ordered for take out. We just observed their displays.

It has a unique rustic atmosphere.

There's a quote above the bike display from Albert Einstein.

Old marketing campaigns are hanged on its wooden walls. There's a barrel with an old recorder too.

And, a sack of coffee beans...

Cakes seemed reasonably priced.

Drinks

Cappucino (120 php) and Latte (100 php)

My brother ordered the Latte. While my little sister had the Cappuccino. They didn't seem impressed with it. I tried it too and found it too light. Their hand-crafted coffee blendsmust have been designed for those who prefer coffee sweet than bitter-sweet.

Sea Salt Caramel (145 php)

I tried their best-selling and famous Sea Salt Caramel. I requested it to be less sweetened. I liked the strength of the coffee but it still turned out to be too sweet for me that I was wishing for water.

Food

Chocolate Sorbet (90 php) and Earl Grey (90 php)

They also have a chiller of ice cream where you can choose on your own and pay at the counter.

Chocolate Sorbet (90 php)

The Chocolate Sorbet was very dark, sweet, rich and creamy. It actually reminded me of the one we tried at Paradis Ice Cream Cafe.

Earl Grey (90 php)

I liked the Earl Grey better even though it was still beyond my sweetness preference.

Lemon Cake (90 php)

We also tried their famous Lemon Cake which was highly recommended in Foursquare and by their staff. I let the family try it because they are the ultimate chiffon cake fans. I, on the other hand, prefer cheesecakes and creamy and mousse ones. When they told me they didn't like it, I was a bit surprised so I tried it out for myself. The white frosting was sugary and dull. The texture of the chiffon was dry and crumby. I also felt that it lacked the lemon flavor and overly sweet.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Epic Coffee Roastery is the third wave cafe for the yuppies. If sweet blended hand-crafted coffee, cakes and ice cream is what you love, definitely give them a try.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Epic Coffee Roastery Menu
Ambiance	★★★★	Hot or Cold \| Frappe \| Ice Cream \|
Taste	★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Epic Coffee Roastery
Business Address	7th East Building, 102 East Capitol Drive Cor. Santa Rosa St.,Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	8am-10pm
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge
Budget/Person	100-500
Free WiFi	Yes
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 631-0057
Other	Facebook Fan Page

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After a short run at the Quezon City Circle, I headed back to Trinomato take the MRT. But, as my stomach was grumbling and protesting, I succumb to my intense hunger and quickly searched for a new restaurant to try. Somehow, I was enticed by the crowded atmosphere of Ristorante Bigoli.

As I glanced on their menu board, prices are incredibly cheap. I fell in line like the rest of the customers who paid as they orders at the counter. That hinted to me that the Bigoli is a fast-food type restaurant.

As a first timer, it took a long time for me to decide on what to order but the staffs are very friendly and even assisted me. It's my first time to encounter a fast-food with a chiller and a display of salad, dishes, cakes and drinks but it was great because it gave me an idea of their usual serving size.

As soon as I paid, I was given my number.

Tables were usually set up for a group of 2 and 4. There was a booth types on the side. The ambiance is like casual dining so it's better than most fast food right? It was very packed but luckily the turn over was fast so I was able to find a seat. On the right side, there is a Stickhouse Gelato Bar so I'm guessing they are affiliated.

Food
I didn't wait long before my food was served smoking hot.

♥ Spaghetti Bolognese with Pepperoni Pizza (135 php)

I didn't know why but I was just in the mood for simple comfort food so I ordered the Spaghetti Bolognese with Pepperoni Pizza. Just feeling gluttony that night, I ordered two just for myself. LOL! =p

Spaghetti Bolognese with Pepperoni Pizza (135 php)

The Spaghetti Bolognese was surprisingly good. It was definitely the Italian spaghettibolognese with the tangy tomato sauce I was yearning for. The Pepperoni Pizzawas just as good! It was thin crusted exploding in comforting crisp and savory pepperoni flavor in every bite. As I was eating my way on my first plate, a server was roaming around with a basket filled with warm Breadsticks. Wow! I couldn't believe it. With the price and quality they offered, they could still offer unlimited Breadsticks. As their Breadsticks were delicious, I modestly took one. By the end of my meal, I was so stuffed that I felt I over ordered.

If you like spicy foods like me, they have a great Chili Rojo sauce that goes well with their pizza.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'm adding Ristorante Bigoli in my cheap eats list. I'm very satisfied with their incredibly cheap combo meals with unlimited Breadsticks. Sulit talaga! The service is good too as assistance was immediate and the staffs are friendly.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Ristorante Bigoli Menu
Ambiance	★★★	Menu 1 \| Menu 2 \|
Taste	★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Ristorante Bigoli Trinoma
Business Address	4/F Trinoma Mall, Edsa Corner North Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	10am-9pm (mall hours)
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge
Budget/Person	100-300
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 901-5742
Other

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Brew Haus Pub & Eatery has recently opened at Mc Kinley Hill. Aside from beer as implied from its name, I was eager to check out what Draft Gastropub's little brother has to offer. So I'll go on with the food...

Food

Pub Bites

Ghost Wings (359 php)

The Ghost Wings claims to be the spiciest wings in the Metro. It makes use of Ghost Chili which is the world's hottest chili. Oh man! I'm telling you it's not just a claim. Upon serving, it already spread and intimidated all my companions with its strong pungent scent. I managed to eat two of these but with the bleu cheese dip. I haven't tried an intensely spicy wings since Chilli and Ink. It's really sensational for a spicy food lover like me.

Classic Chicken Wings (195 php)

For those who want to be safe and enjoy the less intense buffalo wings, the Classic Chicken Wings is for you. It's got a flavorful sauce with a tinge of fieriness to tickle the taste buds.

Chili Cheese Fries (250 php)

TheChili Cheese Fries is actually the fries version of a chili con carne.

Chicken Garlic and Chiptotle Cheese Fries (250 php)

I found theChicken Garlic and Chiptotle Cheese Fries to be interesting.

Brewhaus Nachos Asian Pulled Pork(250 php)

Brewhaus Nachos Barbecue Pulled Pork (250 php)

Whether you go for the zesty flavor of the Brewhaus Nachos Asian Pulled Pork or the sweet, hickory and savoryBrewhaus Nachos Barbecue Pulled Pork, you can't go wrong.

Mac and Cheese Bites (165 php)

Although I'm generally not a mac and cheese fan, I found the Mac and Cheese Bites fun to munch on.

Nachos and Chili Cheese Bean Dip (220 php)

If it were me, I'd be satisfied with this simple Nachos and Chili Cheese Bean Dip.

Brewhaus Fry Basket (295 php)

If you can't decide which finger food to go for, get the Brewhaus Fry Basket which is a mix basket of house fries, beer-battered fish fillet, breaded cripsy chicken fillet served with tartar sauce, ketchup and garlic dip.

Mains

Fish and Chips (180 php)

Meatballs (200 php)

For the Meatballs, you can choose between spaghetti or rice. I'm used to having it with spaghetti so I went for it. This is an affordable, delicious and hefty bowlful.

Asian Pulled Pork Rice Bowl (160 php)

The Asian Pulled Pork Rice Bowl is essentially the same as the nachos. The Asian dressing actually goes well with any staple.

Pork Schnitzel (199 php)

You can opt to have your Pork Schnitzel with fries or rice.

Chilicon Carne Rice Bowl (180 php)

For chilicon carne lovers, you can have the Chilicon Carne Rice Bowl for a meal too.

Salisbury Steak (250 php)

For the a wholesome US Angus beef patties, I find the Salisbury Steak to be a great choice. You can also choose to pair it with mac and cheese or steamed rice.

Brewhaus Fried Chicken (250 php)

I'm not sure if I was just enticed by the rest of the dishes I tried but I found the Brewhaus Fried Chicken to be my least favorite. It seemed like the usual fried chicken to me.

Gourmet Grilled Sandwiches (Add 15 php for wheat or multigrain bread)

The Cubano (250 php)

One of my favorites is The Cubano. It's got a wonderful play of flavors and texture with the pulled pork, cheddar cheese, emmental cheese, dill pickles, ham and chiptotle dressing.

Triple (175 php)

If you like classic grilled cheese, the Triple is definitely what you must order. The blend of the cheddar, mozzarella and bleu cheese is simply delightful. If you don't like bleu cheese go for the Double instead.

Grilled Cheese Burger (195 php)

The Grilled Cheese Burger is a burger with grilled bread instead of buns securing the 1/3 US Angus beef patty.

All American (210 php)

The All American is another successful hit for me because I love sloppy joe!

Bacon, Mac and Cheese (220 php)

I was curious what the Bacon, Mac and Cheese would look like. Consumption-wise, it wasn't for me.

Chiptotle Pulled Pork (245 php)

Desserts

Vanilla Pot De Creme (85 php)

Now, I confess I really don't like chocolate chip cookies. But, I was blown away by this Vanilla Pot De Creme. The thin, light and crispy chocolate chip cookie crumbs and very smooth and creamy vanilla pudding was just so perfect together that I couldn't stop digging in for more.

Drinks

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Brew Haus Pub & Eatery is a wonderful addition to Mc Kinley Hill. I'm sure residents and employees in the area would love to swing by for their drinks and affordable meals. I don't know any other place that serves gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and I have to admit, there are days I'd crave for one.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Brew Haus Pub & Eatery Menu
Ambiance	★★★	Food Menu \| Drink Menu
Taste	★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Brew Haus Pub & Eatery
Business Address	GF Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	Mon-Fri: 7am-2am Sat-Sun: 7am-12am
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	5%
Budget/Person	200-600
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(0917)831-0201
Other	Facebook Fan Page

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When it comes to Singaporean cuisine, Tao Yuan Restaurantis definitely on the top list. For such a long time, the family has been raving about it but I'm always too busy to try it. Well, lucky for me, I finally got to try it when a mentor treated us as a reward for hard work.

Tao Yuan Restaurant has a typical formal Chinese dining set up with several function rooms.

Hot Pot

Upon being seated, our host told the server that we will be availing of the hot pot so he gave us this hot pot check list. I know everyone has their own hot pot topping favorites. Well, I only have one rule: flavorful seafoodtoppings are essential.
Soup for Hot Pot

Double Soup in Pot (238 php)

We chose the classic Double Soup in Pot which is composed of the plain and spicy. We're not really particular with the soup broth because we'll be adding toppings and sauces anyway.

Meat & Poultry

Sliced Imported Fat Beef (268 php)

Wegot some Sliced Imported Fat Beef! I love fatty beef you see but the family are too health-conscious so we never order one so I was so happy with this first time thing. ;)

Seafood & Meatballs

Beancurd Roll (118 php)

The Beancurd Roll has bountiful ingredients. The only problem was that it was difficult to eat or fully appreciate because it dissintegrates into the soup.

Crab Stick (118 php)

Economical-wise, the Crab Stick is a great hot pot topping option. It's actually my favorite!

Shrimp Dumpling (148 php)

I like that their Shrimp Dumpling are wrapped with nori.

Vegetable & Noodles

Hofan (88 php)

For our staple, we had the Hofan.

For our greens, we had the Watercrest (118 php).

Japanese Mushrooms (118 php)

The Japanese Mushrooms was coincidentally everyone's favorite.

Sweet Corn (88 php)

We ordered Sweet Corn for flavor but it take effort to eat.

Of course, the tray of condiments and sauces to dip out shabu-shabu items.

I consider the hot pot to be expensive. We spent a total of 1,302 php (exclusive of serivce charge). Our hot pot was divided among 4 persons so that's 325 php per persons each. It's not far from eat-all-you-can rates already. But, that's the price you pay for good quality shabu-shabu.

Traditional Singaporean Dishes

♥ Singaporean Hainanese Boneless Chicken (440 php/half)

A must order when dining at Tao Yuan is the Singaporean Hainanese Boneless Chicken. This is the best hainanese chicken in the country for me!

Desserts

♥ Complimentary Mango Sago

Our host seems to know the secret that they serve Complimentary Mango Sago every Wednesday. It is served after you settle the bill. Not a bad freebie since it 98 php per bowl on the menu.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Tao Yuan is one of the best when it comes to Singaporean Cuisine. The dishes are a bit pricey but definitely worth it. You'll surely have a great time when dining here.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Tao Yuan Menu
Ambiance	★★★★	Shark's Fin Soup \| Abalones \| Live Seafood \| Seafood \| Chef's Recommendation \| Chef's Recommendations 2 \| Classical Dishes \| Traditional Singaporean Dishes \| Traditional Singaporean Dishes 2 \| Rice & Noodles \| Desserts \|
Taste	★★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Tao Yuan Restaurant
Business Address	508-512 Malvar St, Malate, Metro Manila
Business Hours	Lunch: 11am-2:30pm Dinner: 6pm-12mn
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	250-500
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 522-7009
Other	Website

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I recently discovered Staple and Perk Bakery at the back of Ecoplaza Building along Chino Roces Makati. It doesn't really have a front signage so its not really visible for passersby. So, should you stop by for it? Read on...

Staple and Perk Bakery is surprisingly majestic in comparison to other top-notch bakeries I've been to like WildFlour Cafe + Bakery and Lucca Bakery.

It is well-ventilated with its high ceiling. It's also very bright as I noticed that it has more than adequate lighting and surrounding glass windows that allow outer light to seep in.

Just next to the counter is their chiller filled with their pastries, dips and drinks.

The place also has its artsy cutesy quirky colorfulness to it so it gives of this really refreshing, warm, hearty and cozy vibe. Did I mention that they are open 24/7?

And, I like that they promote chilling with actual interaction because admittedly its rare for our generation.

They also serve a lot of take home goodies like cookies and biscotti.

and very affordable pastries. To bad my family only eat whole wheat variants so I wasn't able to buy some for them. But, I bought my mom some Ginger and Pili Biscotti and she liked it.

Being health-conscious, I really loved their preservative-free advocacy. I hope a lot of bakeries would also follow suit.

While looking around, I left this cute giraffe doll with my table number on a table.

Food

Hearty Meals

Flat Breads

♥ Bacon (180 php)

Well, to be honest, I've not explored much into flat breads. But this, Bacon with pepper and cream topped over its soft and chewy dough is exactly what I've been yearning for.

Cheese (150 php)

Compared to the Bacon, the Cheese is pale in comparison although quite reasonably more affordable.

Baked Pastas

Sweet Corn & Country Ham (180 php)

The Sweet Corn & Country Ham is a light cream penne pasta topped with corn and bits of country ham. For someone who has sensitive taste buds like me, I'm fine with the simplicity and limited sauce. But, surely the average diner will want more flavor. I also found the penne to be tougher than al dente.

Fried Shallots & Bacon (180 php)

The Fried Shallots & Bacon is more flavorful than theSweet Corn & Country Ham because of the presence of the bacon bits. But, the cream composition is quite similar.

Sandwiches

Tomato, Pesto and Kesong PutiSolo (88 php)

The Tomato, Pesto and Kesong Puti panini is simple but comforting to munch on. It's the first time I've encountered such a combination so I'm quite amazing that they mashed really well. Plus, as you can see the panini is grilled quite perfectly.

Fried Ham & CheeseSolo (99 php)

If you're into fried dishes, you can try the Fried Ham & Cheesewhich oozed with melted cheese and was served with their homemade strawberry jam. Alone, I felt this was not worth the guilt but the strawberry jam was just so good with it.

♥ Sesame Chicken Salad Whole Solo (180 php)

My favorite among the sandwiches is the Sesame Chicken Salad. Not only is the spread very tasty, the Ciabatta bread is so beautifully prepared as well. If you're baking, you'd know that Ciabatta is defined more for its big and shiny holes than the flavor because it's harder to accomplish.

Braises (set comes with side salad and perk cooler)

♥ Lemon Braised Chicken Solo (150 php)

Upon first glance, I thought the Lemon Braised Chicken was a bit undercooked because of the pinkish color. But, it was not. In fact, it was evenly and slowly braised so it was really tender and juicy. I really loved the Lemon Braised Chicken because the citrus flavor is mellow and well-balanced with the cream sauce.

♥ Coconut & Peanut Braised Chicken Solo (150 php)

On the other hand, I found the Coconut & Peanut Braised Chicken quite bold and rich in taste you have to eat this with bread or rice (upon request). It has a dominant sweet and peanuty taste.

♥ Red Wine Braised Beef Set (260 php)

If you're a beef lover, you;d be glad they offer theRed Wine Braised Beef. It actually reminds me of the Chinese dishBeef Brisketbut with more sophistication because of the red wine. The beef was very tender too. If you order the set you get it with a Perk Cooler and a side salad:Fresh Panzanella SaladorApple-pili Salad.

Soy Butter Braised Pork Set (260 php)

The Soy Butter Braised Pork is pork cubes swimming in soy sauce and butter oil. Forget the guilt, butter fat is good!

Staples

Pastries

Bacon Quiche(95 php)
The Bacon Quichewas too plain for me. Compared to other quiches I've tried, I really felt that this could be further improved. Too be honest, I preferFrench Baker's quiche over this.

Vegetable Quiche(95 php)

The Vegetable Quiche with zucchini offered lesser flavor than theBacon Quiche.

♥ Apple Pie Bar (80 php)

I really enjoyed the Apple Pie Bar. I've always enjoyed apple and cinnamon-based pastries and this one is pretty good because it had the right texture and sweetness.

Cinnamon & Caramel Bread Pudding (130 php)

I usually stray away from caramel containing desserts because of the overwhelming sweetness. But, I'm quite surprised that the Cinnamon & Caramel Bread Pudding topped with cinnamon dusted whipped cream was just right for my sweet-sensitive preference. But, I found the texture quite inconsistent perhaps due to its thickness.

Chocolate Chip Cookies (30 php), ♥ Ginger and Pili Biscotti (30 php) and Vanilla Biscotti (30 php)

I'd recommend everything in this plate: Chocolate Chip Cookies,Ginger and Pili Biscotti and Vanilla Biscotti for those who like crunchy crumby snacks.

Cream Puffs (65 php)

Being a fan of cream puffs, I'm quite disappointed with S&P's Cream Puffs because the texture was off, the cream was too plain, the size was petite but the price was hefty - as it was more than the price standard for international brands.

Cheesecake

Dayap Cheesecake Slice (110 php)

I was expecting the Dayap Cheesecake to be more on the tangy side but since it was more like a jelly or jam form, it was actually sweet. This won the vote of my companions.

Three Cheese Cheesecake Slice (160 php)

It's actually my first time to try a cheesecake that's more on the salty side than sweet. The Three Cheese Cheesecake felt like a cheese pie with an exquisite dense cheese texture.

♥ Sweet Potato Cheesecake Slice (99 php)

My favorite among the cheesecakes is the Sweet Potato Cheesecake. I like the contrast between the dense and salty cheese and the soft, mushy and natural and mild sweetness of the sweet potato chunks.

♥ Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake Slice (130 php)

Being a chocoholic, the Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake is one of the best chocolate cheesecake I've tried! It's dark and rich chocolate chunks are so indulgent.

♥ Sesame Roll, Baguette, Pandesal

I also tried some of their pastries. I loved the Sesame Roll the most because they are very generous with the sesame seeds.

Perks

Ice Blended

Mixed Berries (150 php)

For my perks (which is what they refer to their drinks), I chose the Mixed Berries. I liked that it was very creamy and not too sweet but it wasn't anything extraordinary.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Staple and Perk Bakery is a great addition to the hidden restaurantsalong Chino Roces. I'd definitely swing by when in the area. The price is very affordable (albeit for some items) given their fresh, quality and hearty products and the ambiance is a place where can chill for hours long. The staffs are also very friendly and the owner himself is very passionate and hands-on. I think this place is very promising. In fact, they are already a concessionaire for many establishments.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Staple and Perk Bakery Menu
Ambiance	★★★★	Menu
Taste	★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Staple and Perk Bakery
Business Address	Ecoplaza Building, Pasong Tamo Extension (Chino Roces) Pasay City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	24 hours Except Sundays
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	30-200
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 925-1122
Other	Facebook Fan Page

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I'm taking it quite slow with my Katsu adventure. A few nights ago, my cousin and I had out girls bonding night where she mentioned Saboten as being one of her and her husband's favorite. That made me curious and teased me to want to try Saboten.

Saboten's latest branch is inGlorietta 5. I think it's strategically located, very brightand welcoming so it's difficult to miss. Saboten is actually brought to the Philippines by Raintree group whose other concepts I've encountered before.

As soon as I walk in, I noticed that they have a take out counter with comfortable seatingfor those who are waiting.

While waiting, I also took my time to read about Saboten and their thick cutlets.

The area is very spacious and they made sure that their diners are afforded a lot of space and privacy.

Each booth had a divider see?

Condiments

Saboten's secret sauce is made in Hokkaidousing onions, carrots, apple, tomatoes and over 10 spices so make sure to try it out. They also have the pink Himalayan salt.

Pour the Special Sauce in the Grinded Sesame

Food

Katsu is best shared with a group so we ordered based onour servers suggestion for us three girls to share. And, somehow we managed to swipe this clean. =))

All set meals include refillable shredded cabbage, pickles, rice and miso soup

I noticed that they don't have any ala carte. Everything is ordered by sets.

Grated Radish Katsu

Grated Radish Tenderloin Set(440 php)

We opted to go for theGrated Radish Tenderloin Setwhich was an upgraded version of The Original because it had grated radish on top of it and is supposed to be served with a slice of grapefruit (but we got lemons instead) and ponzu sauce. We noticed that they pork cutlets are thicker thanothers we've tried. The tenderloin is really lean and meaty. I was expecting this to deliver a whole new experience but I noticed that the other variants were served with ponzu sauces with grated radish on it so its almost the same.

Katsu Curry

♥ Curry Chicken Set (575 php)

I'm glad they offered theCurry Chicken Setfor people like me who want to feel healthy once in awhile and opt for chicken over pork. I find their curry sauce to have just the right blend. I declare it safe even for those who can't eat spicy food.

♥ Curry Chicken Set (575 php)

I know I mentioned last time that I won't go for chicken anymore but I'm now retracting that because Saboten has executed this dish so well that I could hardly distinguish any difference in moisture and texture with that of a pork. I think I finished most of this dish.

Claypot

Clay Pot Tenderloin Set (440 php)

The Clay Pot is their version of the Katsudon. While my friend Berylle enjoyed this, I found the sauce to be too sweet for my liking. And, I also prefer wet and runny yolks than dry than fluffy ones.

Clay Pot Tenderloin Set (440 php)

But, what I like about the Clay Pot Tenderloin is that it's more moist and soft than the other variants.

Mille-Feuille Katsu

♥ Mille-Feuille Combo Set (595 php)

The Mille-Feuille Combo Set had 130g Mille-Feuille Katsu, 1 Deep-Fried Shrimp and 1 Crab Cream Croquette. The deep-fried shrimp is one of the best I've tried. I also loved theCrab Cream Croquettebecause the flavor of the crab was brought out by the cream instead of being dominated byit.

♥ Mille-Feuille Katsu

Their Mille-Feuille Katsu was very tender and more juicy than the rest because we noticed it had a lot of fats especially at the center part. It's a really good alternative to The Original one. I really like their spiky bread crumbs. It's doesn't absorb too much oil so it was not oily and the crunchiness is so light and easy to breakthrough.

Dessert
After eating a heavy load of meat, we felt a huge craving for something sweet. And, since we can't decide on what to order, we decided to try all four of their cakes.

♥ Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Cake (195 php)

I actually voted for the Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Cake despite it being the least visually appealing (Yes! When it comes to desserts, we tend to use our eyes) because I saw a lot of blogs raving about it.

♥ Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Cake (195 php)

Sure enough, it did not disappoint. It was a chocolate lovers dream with its rich chocolate ganache coating and velvety hazel cream filling.

Matcha Lychee Almond Cake (210 php)

My two girl friends seemed to be drawn to the exciting combination of the Matcha Lychee Almond Cake and insisted on ordering it. I didn't like it because the chiffon sponge cake felt too moist as if chilled too long and the matcha, lychee and almond were all too light that I could hardly recognize it from the sweet white ganache.

Strawberry Shortcake (195 php)

I'm a huge fan of strawberry shortcakes especially Japanese ones so I was really persistent in having this. But, when our Strawberry Shortcake came, I was surprised that it didn't have a single strawberry slice between the layers as shown on the menu. The taste of the shortcake was good but it failed in terms of texture as it has the denseness similar to that of being chilled too long.

Sesame Sansrival Cake (210 php)

The Sesame Sansrival Cake is my second choice next to the Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Cake. It was not overwhelmingly sweet like most sansrival. And, the black sesame in butter cream was quite evident.

Drinks

♥ Ripe Mango and Passion Fruit (195 php)

I highly recommend the Ripe Mango and Passion Fruit which was the drink I got to try. It was very sweet and refreshing that it mellows down the palette in every sip.

Promo

Collect all of these by purchasing for 295 php or dining in every Rain Tree Restaurant with a minimum of 1,000 php.

Other Katsu Reviews
Ginza Bairin
Katsu Cafe
Kimukatsu
Tonkatsu by Terazawa
Yabu 1 | Yabu 2

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Saboten offers its own distinguishing katsu experience that is sure to satisfy any katsu craving. The thickn but tender pork cutlets, exquisite crisp of the breading and flavorful sauce is worth coming back for.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Saboten Japanese Cutlet Restaurant Menu
Ambiance	★★★★	Specialty \| Specialty 2 \| Specialty 3 \| Appetizers \| The Original \| Rolled \| Grated Radish Katsu \| Miso Katsu \| Special Sharing \| Variety \| Shrimp \| Katsu Curry \| Tuna \| Mille Feuille \| Dessert \| Drink \|
Taste	★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Saboten Japanese Cutlet Restaurant
Branches	Serendra GF Serendra Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila Glorietta 5 GF, Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	11am-11pm (mall hours)
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	450-1,200
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 625-2000 (Serendra) \| (02) 625-0909 (Glorietta 5)
Other	Website \| Facebook Fan Page

Saboten Glorietta 5 Map Like This Post? Subscribe here Follow @tsinoyfoodies

Every time we pass by the Fort Bonifacio area, we couldn't help but notice the crowd Las Flores is drawing. That made us want to try it for quite some time so one evening, we just spontaneously gave it a go.

It's at One Mckinley Place same as Smoper Chicken and Toro Restaurant. It has a very bright and inviting facade. It is very attuned to its name "Las Flores" which means "the flowers". Upon reaching their door, we were quickly assisted and ushered to our table.

The interiors were very homey and cozy.

I love everything about the place: the plate, glass and wine displays, frames on the wall, mix match of cushioned furniture, lighted candles on every table and more.

As I've researched, this is owned by the pioneers of Barcino. Since we've had a pleasant experience with Barcino ever since, we had even higher hopes for this one.

Food

Complimentary Bread Basket

The Complimentary Bread Basket was served as soon as we ordered. Everything on it was warm and moist so we couldn't resist nibbling on them.

Soup/Sopa

Sopa Del Dia (Soup of the Day) (145 php)

We had our Sopa Del Dia split into two. It was a bit watery cream of asparagus. It was an okay starter just to have something warm for the tummy.

Cold Dishes

♥ Ceviche de Vieiras con Jamon Iberico (350 php)

Ceviche has always been my kind of thing. But, it's my first time to try a Ceviche de Vieiras con Jamon Iberico which is a scallop ceviche with ham. This is by far the best one I've tried yet!

♥ Carpaccio de Calabacin con Calabaza Asada y Salsa de Pimientos del Piquillo (295 php)

Okay, so I guess I'm into raw dishes in general cause I enjoy having carpaccio too. The usual carpaccio is for meat or fish so I was intrigue by the Carpaccio de Calabacin con Calabaza Asada y Salsa de Pimientos del Piquillo which is zucchini carpaccio stuffed with pumpkin cream and roasted red bell pepper sauce. It delivers a nice one of kind experience I'd recommend anybody to have. It's a bit pricey though. Maybe you're paying for the beautiful plating.

Buñuelos de Bacalao con Salsa Romesco y Piñones (395 php)

The Buñuelos de Bacalao con Salsa Romesco y Piñones are codfish fritters with romesco sauce and pine nuts. This is good but nothing extraordinary.

Setas Bio en Tempura de Cerveza y Mayonesa de Soja (195 php)

Fellow mushroom lovers should not deprive themselves of the Setas Bio en Tempura de Cerveza y Mayonesa de Soja and order it at once. On a more objective note, I enjoyed this simply because it is mushroom cooked in beer batter. Not much ingenuity was applied here.

Carnes y Pescados

♥ Pollo Asado A La Catalana (495 php)

The Pollo Asado A La Catalana which is roasted chicken with prunes, shrimp and apricots received a lot of praise that night. I personally enjoyed the fruity apricots sweet notes that matched the tender chicken well.

Rice/Arroces

♥ Paella de Marisco (Seafood paella) (495 php)

This is one of the best Paella de Marisco or seafood paella I've ever had. Even Barcino's rendition is pale in comparison. The price is a steal too!

♥ Paella Negra con Sepia (495 php)

The Paella Negra con Sepia is also delicious but we preferred thePaella de Marisco over it.

I don't usually post the bill but this box is too cute not to be shared.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Las Flores is a good modern Spanish Catalan restaurant to try. We enjoyed our dining experience. For the food quality, ambiance and service, it's definitely worth the price paid for.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Las Flores Menu
Ambiance	★★★★★	Salads 1 \| Salads 2 \| Cold Dishes 1 \| Cold Dishes 2 \| Hot Dishes 1 \| Hot Dishes 2 \| Carnes Y Pescados 1 \| Carnes Y Pescados 2 \| Sandwiches Mini \| Rice \| Soup \| Desserts \|
Taste	★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Las Flores
Business Address	G/F One Mckinley Place, 25th St Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	Lunch: 11am-2pm Dinner: 6pm-2am
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	400-1,500
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 552-2815
Other	Facebook Fan Page

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With so many blog guides on Maginhawa food stops, my mom has been yearning to check it out. So one random night, we all decided to accompany her in her epicurean road trip from Manila to Maginhawa. Googling while on the way, we've chosen our candidates and Sancho Churreria won by an almost unanimous vote.

It is a simple hole-in-the-wall churreria specializing Churros con Chocolate and serving simple Spanish dishes. You can park along the street so it was quick and easy. But the seating required some waiting time. You can order in advance though.

Aside from the outdoor seating, there's a dozen-seater insidewhere you can enjoy a brighter and cooler atmosphere.

They have a few cakes on display.

Food

Appetizer

♥ Gambas al Ajillo (195 php)

The Gambas al Ajillois delicious because it was very garlicky.

♥ Calamares Fritos (170 php)

The Calamares Fritos are fried squid rings with their lemon mayo dip. The squid rings were so tender so we ordered another batch of this.

Soup

♥ Sopa de Ajo (80 php)

The Sopa de Ajo is my mom's all-time favorite Spanish garlic soup. Having tried many renditions of the sopa de ajo, she finds this as one of the good ones.

Beef/Pork

Salpicao (195 php)

The Salpicaois simple with evident essence of two combinations:olive oil and garlic that enhanced the beef cubes which were soft and savory.

♥ Callos (210 php)

My favorite dish are the Callos. It had generous servings of ox tripe, bell peppers and pork chorizo.

Steak and Mushroom Pot Pie (195 php)

The Steak and Mushroom Pot Pie has beef slices and button mushroom with a smooth layer of mashed potato on top.

Paella Valenciana (390 php/Good for 3-4)

The Paella Valenciana requires 20 minutes waiting time. For the price, I thoughthe serving size was hefty. But, this was the lamest paella we've ever tried. We don't mind paying more for a bit more flavor.

♥ Churros con Chocolate (85 php)

The Churros con Chocolate is actually my first churros so I have no point of comparison. It was pretty good but I wished the chocolate was a bit richer.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Sancho Churreria Manila is offers Spanish meals that can fit even a student's budget. Quality is not remarkable but its not bad either.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Sancho Churreria Manila Menu
Ambiance	★★★	Appetizer \| Salad \| Soup \| Fish \| Beef \| Pork \| Drinks \| Dessert \|
Taste	★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Sancho Churreria Manila
Business Address	122 Maginhawa Street Teacher’s Village, Diliman Quezon City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	11am-10pm
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge
Budget/Person	150-500
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 436-5539
Other	Facebook Fan Page

Sancho Churreria Manila Map Like This Post? Subscribe here Follow @tsinoyfoodies

I've passed by Alchemy Bistro and Barseveral times already. I was honestly intimated and mistakenly thought its striking facade indicated that it is a bar or disco place. Good thing I was invited by Zing Rewards to try it out with them.

I was really surprised that it was a French restaurant with the owner and chef who specializes in French cuisineas she graduated from Le Cordon Bleu.

It has an elegant bar area with violet hue and bright lights highlighting the bottles.

You can really feel the magic of the place through its bizarre interiors with gargoyle statues, hanged bicycles, odd displays and English influenced fixtures mix mashed together.

Aside from its casual dining area, there's also an alfresco area by their brick oven.

But, I love the second floor more. It also has a bar with a semi-alfresco area that gives you a great view of the city.

This is also considered as their smoking area as it is not air-conditioned and well-ventilated.

Food

Pizza

Since they have a brick oven, we found it difficult to desist from ordering pizzas.

Proscuitto Crudo (430 php)

My meat-loving friends ordered the Proscuitto Crudo which had long strips of proscuitto ham and mozzarella. The dough is thin so it was slightly crispy with the right degree of chewiness. Although I like proscuitto, I couldn't help but wish that they were sliced into smaller pieces so the flavor would have been evenly distributed as it was too salty on some parts but not plain on the other parts.

Scandinavian (460 php)

If you're a salmon lover like me, you'lll enjoy the Scandinavian with horseradish and capers that perfectly complements the salmon slices.

Alchemy (450 php)

The Alchemy has proscuitto, arugula, balsamic reduction with truffle oil and scamorza cheese. This was similar to the Proscuitto Crudo but with more ingredients. I liked this but more of the truffle flavor would have made this better.

Pasta

♥ Tagliatelle (310 php)

The Tagliatelle has generous servings of baby scallops, shrimps, tomato cherries, zucchini with some pine nuts in creamy light saffron sauce. This was well-executed.

Mains

Roasted Organic Chicken (360 php)

The Roasted Organic Chicken is a quarter chicken served with sauteed mushrooms and french beans. It also comes with rice pilaf and gravy. Although the spiced blend is delicious, I found the chicken meat to be quite dry on some parts.

♥ Slow-Braised Australian Lambshank (615 php)

Everyone gave their approval for the Slow-Braised Australian Lambshank which was slow-cooked for over 40 hours. The thick chunk of clean-tasting lamb meat easily slides off the bones. It is served with sauteed carrot sticks, french beans and mushroom, Mediterranean Couscous and gravy.

Drinks

Strawberry Daiquiris

Fiery Passion

Zing Rewards

I'm also now a member of Zing Rewards Card which offers 5% rebate on partner merchant establishments (not limited to food). I've actually used it already on several restaurants. It works whether you pay by cash or credit card. It also has a partnership with AIG Philippines so membership comes with Wallet and Purchase insurance. The Zing Rewards Card costs only 300 php good for 1 year validity. For more info check out http://www.zingrewards.com.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Alchemy Bistro and Bar is a great magical place for affordable French dishes with a one of a kind ambiance. The passionate chef and owner is very hands-on with her new restaurant so you'll sure to have a pleasing experience.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Alchemy Bistro and Bar Menu
Ambiance	★★★★	Menu
Taste	★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Alchemy Bistro and Bar
Business Address	Polaris Corner Durban Street, Poblacion, Makati City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	Mon: 5pm-2am Tues-Sun: 11am-2am
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	350-1,500
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 500-7398
Other	Facebook Fan Page \| Website

Disclosure: Food was provided for by Alchemy for the Zing Team.

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As SM North Edsa is so crowded on a weekend afternoon, I found it very comforting to chill atTamaYaki.

TamaYaki is an international takoyaki and milk tea chain that originated from China and has now over 200 stores internationally as it already has franchises in Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Australiaand Spain.

It has a hip and retro interior that's very distinct to it. The ordering takes place by the counter. For the drinks, don't forget to indicate your desired sugar level. You will be given their cute number stub and wait for it to be displayed on the monitor.

I really like their design especially the lighting.

The ccharactersare so cute!

Food

They have a very nice packaging for their Tamayaki. Did I mention, that their takoyaki is bigger than average? And, it has a crunchy coating too. It actually reminded me of the crunchy sensation when eating Hash Brown. Because of their huge serving size, I suggest you better bring some company so you can share and try more flavors or just add more toppings for 25-35 php each. Otherwise, you'll be satisfied with just one order.

Mussel & Cheese (125 php) and Seasoned Octopus (115 php)

The Seasoned Octopus is the classic takoyaki I've grown accustomed too with sliced octopus and cabbage topped with nori strips, bonito flakes and sweet takoyaki sauce. But, in addition, they also offered the white Japanese mayo (for non-spicy lovers) and spicy curry sauce (for spicy lovers)

Mussel & Cheese (125 php)

I was really intrigued with the Mussel & Cheese because I've never tried something similar before.

Mussel & Cheese (125 php)

To identify your orders, they have a label on the box.

Mussel & Cheese (125 php)

Each piece has a mussel, shredded cabbage and melted mozzarella cheese. The Mussel & Cheese is my favorite among all our orders.

Korean Pork BBQ (95 php)

We were really surprised that they offered the Korean Pork BBQ because takoyaki is Japanese and the brand originated in China.

Korean Pork BBQ (95 php)

The Korean Pork BBQ was pretty good as it contained a Korean-spicedpork cube along with the cabbage.

Double Cheese (115 php)

If you love mozzarella, the Double Cheese is for you.

Drinks

Milk Tea

Sake Milk Tea with Rice Ball Cold (110 php)

For their tea selections, you can choose either Hot or Cold. I got to try the Sake Milk Tea with Rice Ball which had a harmless amount of sake. My friends liked it because of the sake. They say it was very smooth despite the alcohol. As I'm not an alcoholic drinker, it didn't appeal to me so I traded it with a friend for theTamayaki Milk Tea with Pearl Cold (85 php). The blend of tea is not strong but not too light either.

Matcha Milk Tea with Adzuki Bean Cold (95 php)

They only have one size which is the tall cup you're seeing. I ordered Matcha Milk Tea with Adzuki Bean. It was really good even though I opted to have it without sugar.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
TamaYaki offers next-level takoyaki selections unlike any other. I could see why it's popularity has sweeped many countries. Their crunchy coated and huge-sized takoyaki with special fillings are worth coming back for. The price may seem hefty but really it's not as you're sure to be full after snacking. The awesome ambiance is another plus.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		TamaYaki Menu
Ambiance	★★★★	Food \| Drinks
Taste	★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

TamaYaki
Branches	SM North Edsa North Ave Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City, Metro Manila Additional Hills 453 P Guevarra St. Addition Hills, San Juan, Metro Manila Landmark Makati Foodcourt, West St. cor Palm Dr San Lorenzo, Makati City, Metro Manila Fisher Mall Quezon Ave., Talayan, Quezon City, Metro Manila SM City Fairview Quirino Hwy. Greater Lagro, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	10am-9pm (mall hours) except Additional Hills 11pm-12am
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge
Budget/Person	100-400
Free WiFi	No
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 705-1856
Other	Facebook Fan Page

TamaYaki SM North Edsa Map Like This Post? Subscribe here Follow @tsinoyfoodies

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