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The Penthouse 8747

September 19, 2016 by Janey

After the dinner at Naxional, we grabbed a few drinks to relax and unwind. I was bringing them to Bank Bar in BGC, which is my favorite hideout of recent, but they had a private event. We ended up going to the second one I had in mind, which was The Penthouse 8747.

Related Post:

Naxional South American Diner

The Penthouse 8747 offers you a scenic view of Makati’s skyline. It’s not such a big club that it gets overcrowded. Its whole area is huge enough to have good spacing in between tables with plush couches with everything still well within eyesight. It gives that slightly intimate ambience as the area looks manageable versus other bars or clubs. The interior is mainly in black with trimmings of gold, giving off a Gatsby grandeur.

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Caution Hot: Spicy Noodle House

June 1, 2015 by Janey

Most of the time I instigate eating lunch out with the team and exploring new places. We are quite new around the Quezon City area, being sheltered mostly in the Ortigas CBD. This time, it was Ivan who suggested where to eat. I get excited when someone else makes a restaurant recommendation, it takes the pressure off my back and I can just then concentrate taking the pressure of food pushed inside my tummy. Woohoo.

Caution Hot was packed when we arrived but it took only a quick 10-minute wait for a table to get vacated and their wait staff to bus out. Their menu is simple and straightforward. For noodles, you have the choice of noodles (whether wheat or egg noodles), toppings (all veggie, pork, beef or seafood), broth (option of Szechuan, asam laksa, classic), and burn level which tells them how spicy you want your noodle bowl to be.

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Kumori Japanese Bakery Now in the Philippines!

May 8, 2015 by Janey

I’m so fluffed! The big brand in Japan, Kumori Japanese Bakery, has opened its doors in the Philippines. If you’re not familiar with Kumori Japanese Bakery, they’ve been whipping out artisanal Japanese tradition of baking craftsmanship using their homegrown ingredients for the breads to appeal to local Japanese tastes. And you know how committed the Japanese are to excellence.

Kumori Japanese Bakery offers natural, handmade, fresh, and quality breads, cakes & pastries where true Japanese quality, culture, and tradition are evident. They live by their belief that the best bread is made from the best ingredients. Kumori uses only the finest ingredients from Japan, giving its breads distinct flavors & textures.

Every ingredient used in baking Kumori products is wholesome and natural. You can taste freshness in their breads. No bread softeners, preservatives, stabilizers, or emulsifiers are used in Kumori’s baked goods so they are all healthy, natural, & ideal for your daily or in my case, hourly consumption.

Croissant

Kumori’s version of the iconic French bread. It is flaky layered Danish pastry enriched with pure, premium European butter.

Salmon Bonito

Kumori’s Salmon Bonito consists of a soft bun filled with a savory salmon filling drizzled with homemade teriyaki sauce then sprinkled with smoked bonito flakes. Two of these and it can be a complete meal in itself!

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Nomama Bids Adieu with Php 1 Ramen

March 23, 2015 by Janey

Nomama will always have a big fan in me. Whenever I am dining there, there is zero willpower to resist their Wagyu Beef Cheek Ramen or the Spicy Tongue Dry Noodle. I also cannot dine there without ordering their tasty gyoza, which I think is one of the best in Manila.

Their gyozas do not require any dipping sauce, just a splash of Tabasco and you’d have the best appetizer or accompaniment to your ramen. I love their mushroom gyoza which is just brimming with this rich woodsy flavor but their beef curry rib gyoza is nothing short of awesome too, like the Wagyu Beef Cheek Ramen.

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Between Bites Top 10 Best Ramen Places in Manila

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Mad for Pizza

December 9, 2014 by Janey

These past 3 months have been nothing short of exhaustingly crazy busy and hectic. I’ve been remiss in posting and blogging. My last entry was in mid-November about Centrum and the last time I shared my last food / restaurant discovery was in October. It’s not like I have stopped eating. In fact, I can’t let being busy get in the way of sharing my recent fondness of a pizza parlor in QC.

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Pizza has been my favorite comfort food since I was a kid. From being taught shapes in kindergarten or pie charts in geometry class, anything circular makes me fantasize about a round cheesy pizza. There is no saying no to pizza. But the best way to enjoy it is to be able to share that comfort with people close to you like dear friends. Isis, EJ, Shar, Lia and I tried a new restaurant and set out for Mad for Pizza one Saturday brunch.

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The restaurant is located at the Il Terrazzo plaza in the Tomas Morato area. Cyril Reyes and partners birthed the concept for Mad for Pizza and officially opened its doors in June 2014. The interiors are bright, airy and spacious. It feels modern with elements of a retro pizza diner, especially their cool throwback music reminiscent of the Awesome Mixed Tape of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie.

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Edgy Veggy

October 13, 2014 by Janey

Vegetarian dishes can be as tasty and delicious contrary to what you think.

Between Bites TOP TEN NEW Kapitolyo Restaurants

On the Table

Korean Rice Meal P240

Pan-seared tofu with applesauce mushroom bulgogi, spicy bibimbap style vegetable rice with a side salad and kimchi

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CO/OP Lifestyle Store and Café

July 28, 2014 by Janey

I’ve been seeing this café every time I drive home. I initially wondered if it’s just a lifestyle or furniture store but upon closer inspection, it’s also a café. Sunday evening after Service, I decided to check the place out and since my family was too lazy to dine out (or they wanted to escape the joy of my boring company), I had to eat dinner all by my lonesome self… Don’t worry, I was very tempted but still stayed within the “order” cap my sister gave me, three.

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It’s a huge space that CO/OP Lifestyle Store and Café occupies and happy to report they have ample parking in their front lot. The design space somewhat reminded me of Trilogy Boutique and Canteen in Makati before but instead of clothes, CO/OP has an array of interesting quirky items for display or for home or personal use while half of the interior has table and chairs for your dining intention. It has a nice industrial chic design with high ceilings and production spotlights hanging around.

RELATED POST:

Trilogy Boutique and Canteen

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Typhoon Glenda and Preparedness

July 15, 2014 by Janey

I find it a little strange how people can celebrate escalating winds and storm signals just to have work suspended or canceled. I appreciate holiday from work and would likely do cartwheels every time I get some bit of separation from it, but not at the cost of dangerous weather forecasts since a degree of risk, whether to us or other people, is always attached to it. PAGASA is always scrutinized being a work in progress (aren’t we all) but shouldn’t we all be silently praying that the storm changes direction and never hit any part of the country? Or do we just find satisfaction in proving someone wrong?

PAGASA reports that Typhoon Glenda as of 12pm today is at 40km northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar.

PAGASA advised the public to prepare and take pre-cautionary measures.

PAGASA urges public to constantly monitor weather updates.

PASAGA expects typhoon Glenda to intensify further with likelihood to raise storm signals to Signal #3.

Check Typhoon Preparedness Advisory from time to time.

Below are some practical preparedness tips we sometimes overlook, time to double check:

Keep all your mobile phones, laptops, and other communication means fully charged.

Disseminate information on weather and warning advisory to your family members, friends and colleagues. Check on them and ask them to go home already soonest possible time.

Store an adequate supply of food and clean water. Prepare food that need not be cooked.

Keep flashlights, candles and battery-powered radios within easy reach.

Always keep yourself updated with the latest weather report.

Should you need to evacuate, bring clothes, first aid kit, candles/flashlight, battery-powered radio, food, water, among others.

Typhoon Glenda is expected to hit Metro Manila this afternoon.

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Caught Bread-handed at Harina Artisan Bakery Café

May 12, 2014 by Janey

In an urban environment, quite a number of restaurants try to separate itself from the clutter. They go spending top dollar on PR agencies for their launches and mentions in the dailies or glossies. Sometimes many great finds come about through wandering aimlessly, away from the usual commercial spots – or for easier reference, checking out this wonderful website called Between Bites (ahem!). Self-indulgence aside, almost every time, the food just has to speak for itself.

Deep in White Plain’s neighborhood is a bakery-café that serves lunch, dinner and all-day breakfast menu. Inside it is airy and spacious, designed to be homey, relaxed and casual, with pale wooden display providing a gallery-like backdrop of its tasteful assortment of breads. Harina Artisan Bakery Café opened in November 2013 but the owners have been occupying the space as Monsee’s prior to Harina.

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Both brands are visible in the signage, with Harina fronting as its retail arm / café operations powered by Monsee’s, which focuses on the institutional business of supplying bread and pastries for airlines, hotels and other restaurants.

At Harina, products are created with labor of love. The baking is done the traditional way, without shortcuts and chemical additives. Without additives used, the flavors of each ingredient are fully developed.

The breads are hand rolled. Breads are baked in small batches rather than on a vast assembly line. A dedicated corner serves as their open baking area, allowing customers to see how some of their products are freshly made.

On the Table

Harina’s Bloomin’ Bread (for sharing) P320

Crusty pull-apart Italian loaf filled with basil puree and an assortment of melted cheese. Served with a dip of balsamic vinegar & extra-virgin olive oil

Initially hesitant to order this, all doubts left me when I pulled apart a piece of the bread, dipped and took a bite. It had a beautiful crusty exterior yet inside, new pillowy levels that have alternating flavors of light basil and cheese. It’s possibly the best bread you could eat on its own or repeatedly dunk in a balsamic-olive oil dip with the sweet acidity interplaying delightfully with the basil and cheese.

I could always sacrifice my low-carb diet for Harina’s Bloomin’ Bread. This round Italian pull-apart bread is nice to share with a group.

Grilled Watermelon

Outside their regular menu, Harina recently came out with a healthier menu addendum which would be perfect for those who want to lower their cholesterol level as a lifestyle choice or just fit in that skimpy bikini for a beach getaway.

It smelled wonderful, a block of watermelon have grill marks formed on its edges. Cutting into it and taking a bite of the crisp piece of watermelon saturated with sweet juice was like eating the Angus ribeye of fruits. Fortunately, it’s 92% water so my clothes still fit fine. Caramelized parts give that slightly smoky flavor, enhanced by the cheese and repressed by the minty bitterness of the arugula. The garnish of alfalfa and chopped walnuts adds speckles of taste and crunch.

This is the perfect summer dish that’s savory, light and refreshing.

Adobo Pulled Pork P265

Pulled pork adobo with fried kesong puti, lettuce and tomato on baguette

The Adobo Pulled Pork had brilliant and intense flavors broken by the mildness of the fried kesong puti, fresh crisp lettuce and sweet tomato.

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Soakin’ Up Summer at Diamond Hotel

April 16, 2014 by Janey

Summer is here and it’s the season to get some tan. Soak up the sun and get ready for a fun summer family bonding! Spend the day by the poolside or relax with the family in the luxurious confines of your room at Diamond Hotel Philippines.

Amp up your summer with Diamond Hotel’s Soakin’ Up Summer room package. For only Php 5,500 nett per night, get an overnight stay in a Deluxe room with buffet breakfast for 2 adults at Corniche, access to the swimming pool and Health Club and Spa, 3 hours free internet access per stay, discounts on massage and reflexology, discounts at the Poolside and Sky Lounge, and complimentary shuttle service to and from Mall of Asia or Robinson’s Place Manila.

If you are swimming or lounging by the poolside on a weekend, treat the whole brood to flavorful barbecue specialties, ice cold drinks and signature ice cream concoctions.

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Relish Hello! Happiness Restaurant, Morato

March 19, 2014 by Janey

Last year, I suggested Lola’s Café to the SOLA gang to celebrate Isis’ birthday. They were pretty happy about the homey ambience in the traditional house-cum-restaurant and generally with the food. After a couple of months, they discovered another restaurant with a homey ambience in the Morato area and kept insisting to bring me there.

They were all telling me how it reminds me of my own living room at home mostly decked in white motif and neutral colors with minimal color accents. After our Christmas outreach, we wanted to grab a late lunch somewhere in Quezon City and finally ended up at Relish. The porch which serves to be the waiting area when the dining room is packed looks like a modern living room with lots of lamps and modish accents. I actually saw two pillows that were exactly the same as mine.

RELATED POST

Lola’s Café

On the Table

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup P140

I started off with the roasted tomato soup which tasted smoky tangy and slightly sweet. It was quite good to start my meal with.

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My Own Meatshop

March 18, 2014 by Janey

I couldn’t stop talking about my favorite Kitayama steaks and other meat buys to fellow home-cook and friend, EJ. It’s my favorite go-to for premium quality meats and the one I highly recommend to friends looking for a butcher shop. Sometime late last year, Marco gave a tip to EJ regarding a meat shop that sells quality steaks from New Zealand.

Last December, after a tiring Christmas outreach program and a late lunch, the SOLA gang decided to bring me to My Own Meatshop to finally check out what Marco and EJ have been excitedly talking about.

RELATED POST:

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Take a Right to Main Street, Tuscany McKinley Hill

March 17, 2014 by Janey

A partially impromptu dinner saw me finally visiting the Tuscany restaurant strip at McKinley Hill, Fort. I wasn’t planning to eat since I was on an after-6 diet but I had a long day at work, I deserved a release.

I walked through the narrow path where all the restaurants are lined up – some are branches of restaurants I’ve visited before, others are totally new to me. The evening had a cool crisp breeze and the many trees around add to the relaxing climate –and to my appetite. I was debating between the ramen place, Wursty Wursty and ended up at Main Street.

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RAP Steaks and Cakes

March 14, 2014 by Janey

A couple of weeks ago, I accompanied a friend to dinner but since I was on my after-6 diet (no, I wasn’t) and it was successful for 4 straight days (no, it wasn’t), I didn’t eat anything (no, I did). I was just there to make sure somebody who’s been skipping meals would eat and to raise the level of conversation – readers, you know I’m saying this with a mocking tone.

I could not add any scale of intelligence in any dialogue… unless you feed me Chef Ariel’s Unsalted Butter Poached Langoustine with Foie Gras, then I could probably narrate the logic why Pi is an irrational number and a mathematical constant always equaling to 3.1416, which is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. See, it has that effect.

Before I further yap and try to fool you with the amount of aptitude I have, we stumbled upon Rap, unassuming and without much expectation. Long story short, I tried a piece of the steak that was ordered just to get a taste and I was pleasantly surprised.

I restrained myself from ordering my own plate and distracted myself with the conversation. Fudge, it didn’t work. That juicy greasy bite haunted me for days and I started craving.

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Ninak, Asian Comfort Food

February 18, 2014 by Janey

You know how you’re surrounded with couple friends, you look around and you’re the third or fifth wheel. It doesn’t feel that lonely when you are secure of where you are in your life… and if you have a fifth wheel partner named Marco.

Sometime September last year, we headed to Kapitolyo for dinner. The green signage bearing the name Ninak intrigued us. Ninak is the Filipino word for rice spelled backwards. Rice is a staple in Philippine cuisine, even Asia at large, and Ninak offers a variety of it.

The restaurant is under the management of the same brothers who opened Brothers Burger. They aim to hit flavors close to home so the menu is largely influenced by Asian cuisine. Upon placing our orders, the wait staff asked us our heat preference as most Thai and Malay cuisines tend to be very spicy. Other than Filipino dishes, they also offer dishes that our neighboring countries are known for like Vietnamese spring rolls, Chicken Rice, Fish Curry.

On the Table

Green Mango Salad P

Sweet and sour green mangoes tossed in Ninak’s spicy Thai dressing with toasted crunchy peanuts, shallots, red chili and cilantro

This starter was a playground of Thai flavors. The peanuts’ crunchiness dances with the snaps of the fresh lettuce, onion and sour freshness of the green mango. Thread carefully since the red chilies could easily spike the heat range. The spicy Thai dressing was enough to let its presence felt – zesty, sweet and hot, pretty much how I would define myself but my friends would rally against it.

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Black Olive Cerveceria at Capitol Commons

November 7, 2013 by Janey

The two-level restaurant with an outdoor patio dining area only has its yellow signage as its spot of color. Stepping inside, the dimly lit dining room akin to a beer cellar is decorated in warm tones of beige and rich brown wood surrounded by glass walls. The long bar fronting the kitchen and the high ceiling add a dramatic touch to the interiors. Diners can enjoy cocktails or beers while waiting for a table or right before dinner –or vice versa.

After getting cooped up at home for 2 days due to fever and colds and working until 7pm last night, I was only glad to get a last minute invite to dinner. I was supposed to catch One Republic’s concert but ended up not going. Dinner alone wouldn’t have been what I wanted to do. Good thing Carol called and invited to check out a restaurant at Capitol Commons with Rizza and Rizza’s boyfriend Ken.

Exhausted from that day’s ongoings, I sunk into my seat perusing the menu. Something about the menu felt familiar and I asked the wait staff if my theory was correct. Menus sometimes feel like a chef’s penmanship and you tend to recognize the writing. In this case, Black Olive is another venture of Chef Carlo Miguel of Opus, Draft and Beso fame.

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A Sweet Kiss of Tapas at Beso Cucina Venotika

On the Table

Squid Ink, Battered Prawns with Jalapeno-Honey Aioli P390

The introduction to our dinner started with two hot small plates. We immediately dug in as soon as the first tapas was brought out. The prawns were covered in squid ink batter, slightly crispy, and served with a delicious jalapeno honey aioli dip on the side. Gone in 60 seconds.

[Read more…]

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Griddle Melts at IHOP Philippines

September 30, 2013 by Janey

I see myself back at IHOP checking out a new reason to visit. IHOP Restaurant in BGC launched handcrafted made to order sandwiches that come in three variants – experience the new item in their menu, Griddle Melts.

These sandwiches are not your ordinary sandwiches as each is served on artisan sourdough bread with a choice of three fluffy omelets in large breakfast sandwich.

Big choices that give you value for your money as any order come with your choice of hash browns or seasoned fries. Full sandwich can be had at P385 and P325 for a half order. I say, always go full throttle.

On the Table

Spinach, Roasted Pepper and Cheese Melt

Sautéed fresh spinach in a fluffy egg omelet topped with roasted red peppers and onions, melted Provolone, Parmesan and Pepper Jack cheeses make up my favorite of the three. I know I am biased, 3 cheeses. How can I resist?

[Read more…]

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Poco Deli, A Revisit

September 5, 2013 by Janey

It’s been a while since I last ate at Poco Deli but I was able to visit again sometime mid-July. Parking is still tough around this part of Kapitolyo but luckily, we were able to park right out front. I walk in the familiar dining area with the display case and counter on the right and a huge shelf of wine at the far end.

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Rekindled with Lolo Dads

August 23, 2013 by Janey

Somebody mentioned Lolo Dads during a table conversation and my friend Irene piped in, “hey, that’s Jane’s favorite restaurant.” I looked at her slightly bewildered like an illicit love affair was exposed. “How did you know?” I asked. She said, “Of course, I’m your friend. I know Lolo Dads is your favorite.”

That’s just how friends are… they know your heart and its desires. In this case, she has probably seen my photos of Lolo Dads dinners of past and likely has heard me say countless times that it’s my all-time favorite (when I don’t think about Antonio’s or vice versa –these two have an ongoing battle of who’s first inside my heart).

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Take A New Flavor Turn

Of Mince and Men

Before the crazy month of August hit, like the universe conspired to bring back an old flame, I found myself back at Lolo Dads. Last time I visited was December but I didn’t realize how much longing was present until the first plate was brought out.

On the Table

Ahi Tuna Loin and Marinated Salmon, Grilled Watermelon with Soy Vinaigrette and Aioli P440 / P260

Whenever at Lolo Dads, I choose between a degustacion special of the month / season or just go ala carte. This specific dinner, we started with the All of the Above Appetizer Sampler (P1960), a tasting portion of all the starters, served family style. I think this is the best way to taste and share all the starters.

The ahi tuna loin tasted fresh and light. Tucked underneath is the marinated salmon stealing the scene from the tuna adding a richer aspect, its salmon meat creamy and continued towards the outer cover of the grilled watermelon. The watermelon block then bursts in the mouth with its juice almost erasing the slightest fish element.

Seared Duck Liver and Pate de Foie Gras, Pear Confit, Mesclun Salad, and Cranberry Compote P1320 / P795

Rich, buttery and delicate, the duck liver had a beautiful tan from its sear adding that layer of smokiness. The pear confit sheds a sheet of sweetness and helps cut through the sinful richness of the foie gras. [Read more…]

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Le Café Curieux

August 14, 2013 by Janey

I try to sneak inside Makati some Sundays or Saturdays, not that I’m declared as a persona non grata in this city, in fact I had a Makati residence for a while back in 2006-2007, but it’s the heavy traffic and clogged streets I try to avoid. About 2 Sundays ago after biking at UP and Ateneo, off we drove to Makati to check out an art gallery slash restaurant. 2 months ago, we traveled all the way to Tagaytay to visit an art gallery café there. I’m so glad Makati was just a half an hour away on a Sunday.

In the midst of the red light district stands Le Café Curieux. The eye on its logo is befitting its name and has become the object of curiosity along the alley of gentleman bars. For those interested in French home cooking but veers off due to the hefty price it’s usually associated with, Le Café Curieux will again pique your interest.

Inside is a small dining area with the bar taking most of the left while the paintings on the wall pan your attention to the right. Wine barrels are used for décor and tables.

We were ushered in the al fresco area, which was a good spot to watch and listen to the light rain while waiting for our orders. The outdoor dining area has somewhat a garden-style vibe.