Leaving No Steaks Unturned at House of Wagyu Stone Grill

First time I dined at House of Wagyu Stone Grill was back in 2009 at their Eastwood branch while the last time I visited was in late October last year, this time at their Greenhills branch.  The restaurant still boasts of its handsome sophisticated interiors highlighted by their chiller inside the dining room which displays their select wines and Wagyu beef.

Stone Grill’s culinary focus is their Wagyu beef and its signature style of cooking the beef tabletop on top of a hot stone grill.  Wagyu beef is considered a premium cut of beef due to its exquisite marbling.  Beef lovers will find satisfaction in the range of Wagyu beef available at House of Wagyu Stone Grill.

RELATED POST

Wagyu Stone Grill 

Pleased to note that attentiveness and attention to detail are still apparent in their service.  What I particularly like about House of Wagyu is the ability to leave the cooking preference of your steak unto your own hands.

On the Table

Oyster Rockefeller Php 500

One of my favorite apps at House of Wagyu Stone Grill is their Oyster Rockefeller.  Topped with white sauce, salty bacon bites and Parmesan cheese then baked to perfection with little burnt cheese parts that I love.  I can finish one whole plate by myself.

Gambas

Another one of my favorite starters

Traditional Caesar Salad Php 300

Romaine lettuce, croutons, bacon and freshly shaved Parmesan.  It was light, fresh and crisp with spears of sharp flavors from the bacon and Parmesan shaves.

[Read more…]

Typhoon Glenda and Preparedness

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.

[Read more…]

The Beetle: An Icon is Back

Baby you can drive my car, beep beep’m beep beep yeah.  Of course, you would want to drive my car if I’m driving The People’s Car from Volkswagen!  Built as one of the most successful cars of all time, people from all generations and cultures were drawn to it.  Looking back at its beginning, it symbolized the democratization of mobility with 21.5 million cars sold since its first production in 1939 to 1997.

Nicknamed according to precisely what it looked like, a beetle, it is one of the first rear-engined cars longest running in a single design platform.  In 1998, a New Beetle arrived and brought with it Beetle Mania.  The Final Edition completed the New Beetle series in 2010 that had sold more than one million cars.  And now, looking forward, the future of the most famous car in the world begins now, in a completely new generation.

 Volkswagen, 2014 Volkswagen, Ayala, Mind Museum, The New Beetle, cult car, muscular tension, sports, dynamic, Volkswagen, Volkswagen beetle, review, car review, auto review, automanila, Volkswagen BGC showroom, 28th Street City Center, Bonifacio Global City, Operation Hours, Open, test drive, adress, bonnet, new design, photo, hollywood, actors, Philippines, Filipino, Zobel Ayala, specifications, model, betweenbites, Fort, between bites, car review, Pinoy car, The People’s Car, Germany, Filipino market, Philippine market, importer, distributor, Mr. JP Orbeta, president of Automobile Central Enterprise, Inc. (ACEI), 2014 Beetle, model, photos, event photos, Ayala Auto Holdings Corporation (AAHC), Fernando Zobel de Ayala his brother, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, MRM Worldwide, agency, car showroom, most successful, fast selling, car of the year, 2014, 2013, awarded, award, sports car, 2014 VW Beetle, sporty, volkswagen Philippines, car shows, lineup, list, price list, car price list, cheap, affordable, payment plan, bank loan, car loan

Today, the third generation of the Volkswagen icon is officially back: The one and only Beetle.  The new Beetle displays impressive sports appeal – primarily in its extended bonnet, sharply swept-back windscreen and a longer wheelbase.

[Read more…]

Boon Tong Kee Philippines

The first time I tried Boon Tong Kee was in Singapore sometime 2010.  It started as a small chicken rice stall in Singapore’s Chinatown in 1979 and since then has grown into an international franchise with branches in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.  There are 7 successful branches in Singapore but the branch I dined at is their first full-service restaurant at Balestier Road, which opened as far back as 1983.

 

[Read more…]

Relish Hello! Happiness Restaurant, Morato

 

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.

 2012, 2013, 2013 new restaurant, address, bars, beef,best, best date restaurants, best dining spots, best dinner dates, Between Bites, betweenbites, branches,clubs, date place, date places, dinner date, discount, Discovery, enjoy, Filipino, food, food blog, food blogger,food finds, foodie, Fort, hidden, lifestyle blog, list, list of restaurant, location, Manila, Manila food reviews, Map,menu, Metro Manila, new, new date places Manila, ortigas, Philippines, Photo, photos, pinoy, price, Promo,Quezon City, recipe, restaurant reviews, Steak, taguig, travel blog, videos, www.janedchua.com, Relish, Relish Hello Happiness, Relish Morato, Relish Makati, Relish Salcedo, Relish menu, relish restaurant, Relish home, homey ambience, Tomas Morato, Relish food photos, bestseller, date place, best dinner dates, between bites, betweenbites

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.

 2012, 2013, 2013 new restaurant, address, bars, beef,best, best date restaurants, best dining spots, best dinner dates, Between Bites, betweenbites, branches,clubs, date place, date places, dinner date, discount, Discovery, enjoy, Filipino, food, food blog, food blogger,food finds, foodie, Fort, hidden, lifestyle blog, list, list of restaurant, location, Manila, Manila food reviews, Map,menu, Metro Manila, new, new date places Manila, ortigas, Philippines, Photo, photos, pinoy, price, Promo,Quezon City, recipe, restaurant reviews, Steak, taguig, travel blog, videos, www.janedchua.com, Relish, Relish Hello Happiness, Relish Morato, Relish Makati, Relish Salcedo, Relish menu, relish restaurant, Relish home, homey ambience, Tomas Morato, Relish food photos, bestseller, date place, best dinner dates, between bites, betweenbites

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.

2012, 2013, 2013 new restaurant, address, bars, beef,best, best date restaurants, best dining spots, best dinner dates, Between Bites, betweenbites, branches,clubs, date place, date places, dinner date, discount, Discovery, enjoy, Filipino, food, food blog, food blogger,food finds, foodie, Fort, hidden, lifestyle blog, list, list of restaurant, location, Manila, Manila food reviews, Map,menu, Metro Manila, new, new date places Manila, ortigas, Philippines, Photo, photos, pinoy, price, Promo,Quezon City, recipe, restaurant reviews, Steak, taguig, travel blog, videos, www.janedchua.com, Relish, Relish Hello Happiness, Relish Morato, Relish Makati, Relish Salcedo, Relish menu, relish restaurant, Relish home, homey ambience, Tomas Morato, Relish food photos, bestseller, date place, best dinner dates, between bites, betweenbites

[Read more…]

Take a Right to Main Street, Tuscany McKinley Hill

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.

  2011, address, affordable steaks, best, best steak,Between Bites, blogger, cheap, contact number, date, discount, Filipino, food, food blog, food blogger, food review, janedchua.com, lifestyle blog, location, Manila, Manila Philippines, Map, menu, Metro Manila, Philippines,Photo, photos, pinoy, price, Promo, Quezon City, Restaurants, review , Taste Manila, top ten best steaks, where, 2014,  Menu, Food review, Food blog, best food blog in Philippines, Pinoy, Filipino food blogger, best lifestyle blog, contact number, Between Bites, www.janedchua.com, photos, location, map, directions, price, discount, promos, deals, deal coupon,   Main Street, Main Street steak, Main Street review, Main Street canadian menu, how much, Main Street location, Main Street restaurant, Main Street address, San Francisco, Canadian restaurant, Canada, Pinoy, Filipino, food review, betweenbites

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.

  2011, address, affordable steaks, best, best steak,Between Bites, blogger, cheap, contact number, date, discount, Filipino, food, food blog, food blogger, food review, janedchua.com, lifestyle blog, location, Manila, Manila Philippines, Map, menu, Metro Manila, Philippines,Photo, photos, pinoy, price, Promo, Quezon City, Restaurants, review , Taste Manila, top ten best steaks, where, 2014,  Menu, Food review, Food blog, best food blog in Philippines, Pinoy, Filipino food blogger, best lifestyle blog, contact number, Between Bites, www.janedchua.com, photos, location, map, directions, price, discount, promos, deals, deal coupon,   Main Street, Main Street steak, Main Street review, Main Street canadian menu, how much, Main Street location, Main Street restaurant, Main Street address, San Francisco, Canadian restaurant, Canada, Pinoy, Filipino, food review, betweenbites

[Read more…]

RAP Steaks and Cakes

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.

2011, address, affordable steaks, best, best steak,Between Bites, blogger, cheap, contact number, date, discount, Filipino, food, food blog, food blogger, food review, janedchua.com, lifestyle blog, location, Manila, Manila Philippines, Map, menu, Metro Manila, Philippines,Photo, photos, pinoy, price, Promo, Quezon City, Restaurants, review, Snackaroo, Snackaroo address, Snackaroo location, Snackaroo menu, Snackaroo price, Taste Manila, top ten best steaks, where, 2014,  Menu, Food review, Food blog, best food blog in Philippines, Pinoy, Filipino food blogger, best lifestyle blog, contact number, Between Bites, www.janedchua.com, photos, location, map, directions, price, discount, promos, deals, deal coupon,   RAP, RAP’s, RAPS, sarap, RAP steaks, RAPS steak, Raps steak and cakes, Rap’s review, Rap’s menu, Rap’s porterhouse steak, t-bone steak, tenderloin, angus, cheap, affordable steaks, best cheap steaks in Manila, branches, Raps branches, Rap branch, contact number, Rap’s food, bestseller, food blog, betweenbites, menu, Rap’s menu price, location, where, Rap’s Ortigas Home Depot, Raps order, Raps best cheap steak, how much

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.

2011, address, affordable steaks, best, best steak,Between Bites, blogger, cheap, contact number, date, discount, Filipino, food, food blog, food blogger, food review, janedchua.com, lifestyle blog, location, Manila, Manila Philippines, Map, menu, Metro Manila, Philippines,Photo, photos, pinoy, price, Promo, Quezon City, Restaurants, review, Snackaroo, Snackaroo address, Snackaroo location, Snackaroo menu, Snackaroo price, Taste Manila, top ten best steaks, where, 2014,  Menu, Food review, Food blog, best food blog in Philippines, Pinoy, Filipino food blogger, best lifestyle blog, contact number, Between Bites, www.janedchua.com, photos, location, map, directions, price, discount, promos, deals, deal coupon,   RAP, RAP’s, RAPS, sarap, RAP steaks, RAPS steak, Raps steak and cakes, Rap’s review, Rap’s menu, Rap’s porterhouse steak, t-bone steak, tenderloin, angus, cheap, affordable steaks, best cheap steaks in Manila, branches, Raps branches, Rap branch, contact number, Rap’s food, bestseller, food blog, betweenbites, menu, Rap’s menu price, location, where, Rap’s Ortigas Home Depot, Raps order, Raps best cheap steak, how much

  [Read more…]

Summer Beach Party at Ibiza Beach Club Cebu

Summerrrrrrrrrrrrrr is here!  And Ibiza Beach Club is making things a little hotter.

DJ Daiki Wakabayashi and his friends of celebrity DJ’s from Japan returns to Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu to perform for a one-night beach party experience at the hotel’s ultimate party venue, The Ibiza Beach Club.

Organised by Cebu .20z, this luxurious event scheduled on March 8, 2014 is set to impress with exhilarating performances, creative cocktails and stunning ocean views. Think sand, surf, beautiful people and famous international DJs in one spectacular evening. Arrive early and take advantage of buy one, get one free cocktails and sunset beats from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Back to back DJ performances will begin from 7.00 pm onwards.

 

[Read more…]

7107 International Music Festival, Spectacular Now

We missed Dau by a split hesitation whether to take it or not.  He knew he read it in the driving directions and location map in the Survival Guide but asked the sleepless lady on the passenger seat to verify with a nod, but received head-shaking instead and a know-it-all answer that SCTEX will somehow lead to Clark.  Of course, she is wrong since there were no rice fields and a small bridge.  We took the next one, Mabalacat, and finally found our way to Global Logistics City in Clark Pampanga without any hitches.

7101 Music Fest, 7101 International Music Festival, local bands, list, set list, official, organizers, organized, review, concert, manila concert scene, photos, 7101 photos, clark, Pampanga, global city, global, Singapore 1 World Music Fest, September, line up, repertoire, music, Red Hot Chili Peppers in Manila, RHCP, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, MTV World Stage, MTV Pinoy, MTV Asia, 7101 World Music, 7101 International Music Festival, stage, main stage, booths, video, photo, one love, californication, encore, fireworks, Global Logistics City, venue, Rocksteddy, Kwjan, Up Dharma Down, Kendrick Lamar, Philippines, Pinoy, Filipino, global, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Face down, crowd shot, Empire of the Son, sick, singer, lack, Kiedes, Flea, Hey Ho, Under the Bridge, song list, drinks, beer, tourism, local music, Pulso

Arrived 430ish at the venue just in time to catch a little bit of Up Dharma Down, who closed their set with Tadhana.  Found a sweet spot with the rest of his crew and pitched our humble camp.  The cool weather was just perfect, like everything about this music fest was aligned with the stars, a light breeze and the sun setting slowly.

7101 Music Fest, 7101 International Music Festival, local bands, list, set list, official, organizers, organized, review, concert, manila concert scene, photos, 7101 photos, clark, Pampanga, global city, global, Singapore 1 World Music Fest, September, line up, repertoire, music, Red Hot Chili Peppers in Manila, RHCP, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, MTV World Stage, MTV Pinoy, MTV Asia, 7101 World Music, 7101 International Music Festival, stage, main stage, booths, video, photo, one love, californication, encore, fireworks, Global Logistics City, venue, Rocksteddy, Kwjan, Up Dharma Down, Kendrick Lamar, Philippines, Pinoy, Filipino, global, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Face down, crowd shot, Empire of the Son, sick, singer, lack, Kiedes, Flea, Hey Ho, Under the Bridge, song list, drinks, beer, tourism, local music, Pulso

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus opened with Face Down and I wanted to run away to the middle of the moving crowd and just get lost –“get pushed around, fall to the ground.”  “Well, I tell you my friend one day this world is gonna end…”  I squeezed in and jumped in between mats like a little mousy to make my way to the front-mid part but the big man trailed behind and before we could make our way to the crowd, the song ended.  Retreated back to camp.

7101 Music Fest, 7101 International Music Festival, local bands, list, set list, official, organizers, organized, review, concert, manila concert scene, photos, 7101 photos, clark, Pampanga, global city, global, Singapore 1 World Music Fest, September, line up, repertoire, music, Red Hot Chili Peppers in Manila, RHCP, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, MTV World Stage, MTV Pinoy, MTV Asia, 7101 World Music, 7101 International Music Festival, stage, main stage, booths, video, photo, one love, californication, encore, fireworks, Global Logistics City, venue, Rocksteddy, Kwjan, Up Dharma Down, Kendrick Lamar, Philippines, Pinoy, Filipino, global, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Face down, crowd shot, Empire of the Son, sick, singer, lack, Kiedes, Flea, Hey Ho, Under the Bridge, song list, drinks, beer, tourism, local music, Pulso

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Kendrick Lamar and Empire of the Sun got the massive crowd’s energy going all the way until the stage was set for Red Hot Chili Peppers.  RHCP unlocked their set list with Can’t Stop.

“The world I love

The tears I drop

To be part of

The wave can’t stop

Ever wonder if it’s all for you

The world I love

The trains I hop

To be part of

The wave can’t stop

Come and tell me when it’s time to”

[Read more…]

Mangetsu

A gravitational force always pulls me to Mangetsu, even if I never get thrilled driving to Makati.  I discovered Mangetsu near the same time they relocated their restaurant along Jupiter Street sometime late 2011 or early 2012 and have been harboring a heavy crush (almost love) with the restaurant since then.  It’s amazing that with the amount of excitement I have for this Japanese restaurant, this is the first time I’m writing about them.

 best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of Japanese places, top 3 best, top ten, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, gratin recipe, homemade, photo, picture, ramen daisho review, menu, Mangetsu menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua, best date place, best proposal, Mangetsu Japanese, Mangetsu Jupiter, Mangetsu food review, food blog, Mangetsu what to order, where is Mangetsu

Contrary to their old place at Mile Long compound, Mangetsu now boasts of modern interiors with subdued lighting, rich woodwork, and Japanese elements that decorate the comfortable dining room.  Menu is extensive where regulars of sushi, sashimi and cooked Japanese delicacies are present but it also offers an inventive stroke in the other dishes they serve that are thoughtfully created and plated.

 best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of Japanese places, top 3 best, top ten, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, gratin recipe, homemade, photo, picture, ramen daisho review, menu, Mangetsu menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua, best date place, best proposal, Mangetsu Japanese, Mangetsu Jupiter, Mangetsu food review, food blog, Mangetsu what to order, where is Mangetsu

The kitchen is headed by a Japanese chef whose expertise is in “Ryotei,” a traditional Japanese way of exclusive dining –whatever that means.  Mangetsu imports handcrafted secret seasonings made in Japan and last September, I could not contain my hidden desire knowing too well how those will translate to actual grub.

On the Table

Marinated Sashimi with Wasabi Sea Urchin Sauce P390

best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of Japanese places, top 3 best, top ten, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, gratin recipe, homemade, photo, picture, ramen daisho review, menu, Mangetsu menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua, best date place, best proposal, Mangetsu Japanese, Mangetsu Jupiter, Mangetsu food review, food blog, Mangetsu what to order, where is Mangetsu

Sashimi marinated in light soy piggybacking some sea urchin that leaves a slight hint of wasabi.  The sashimi screams freshness while the sea urchin wraps the tongue with some cool velvety brininess.  This starter can whisk me away to a private island and I’ll go willingly.

Karaage Fried Chicken Thighs P380

best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of Japanese places, top 3 best, top ten, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, gratin recipe, homemade, photo, picture, ramen daisho review, menu, Mangetsu menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua, best date place, best proposal, Mangetsu Japanese, Mangetsu Jupiter, Mangetsu food review, food blog, Mangetsu what to order, where is Mangetsu

I weakly frowned when my dinner partner ordered this since it doesn’t excite me much and only few can do it very well.  My moping turns into a smile since Mangetsu’s karaage is crispy on the outside but retains moistness inside and is garnished with fried rice cracker on the side that I can nibble on for days like chips.  It’s served with 3 kinds of salt: pepper, green tea and chili flakes to keep monotony at bay.

Tofu Cheese Gratin P290

best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of Japanese places, top 3 best, top ten, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, gratin recipe, homemade, photo, picture, ramen daisho review, menu, Mangetsu menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua, best date place, best proposal, Mangetsu Japanese, Mangetsu Jupiter, Mangetsu food review, food blog, Mangetsu what to order, where is Mangetsu

I tried to stay cool when this was brought out but my fidgeting self conveyed the tension.  I locked eyes with the Tofu Cheese Gratin, in fact the only order I was truly, madly and deeply interested in.  It is tofu gratin, simple enough, fairly bathing in white sauce, smothered with cheese that’s scorched on top yet stretches gooey-wee! like in Pizza commercials.

 best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of Japanese places, top 3 best, top ten, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, gratin recipe, homemade, photo, picture, ramen daisho review, menu, Mangetsu menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua, best date place, best proposal, Mangetsu Japanese, Mangetsu Jupiter, Mangetsu food review, food blog, Mangetsu what to order, where is Mangetsu

You know how broken-hearted girls sit and sulk with a tub of ice cream?  I picture myself by the window with an iron-cast pan, hot yet hugging it against my chest, looking far away, and drowning myself with spoon after spoon of the tofu cheese gratin.

best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of Japanese places, top 3 best, top ten, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, gratin recipe, homemade, photo, picture, ramen daisho review, menu, Mangetsu menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua, best date place, best proposal, Mangetsu Japanese, Mangetsu Jupiter, Mangetsu food review, food blog, Mangetsu what to order, where is Mangetsu

[Read more…]

Ninak, Asian Comfort Food

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.

Ninak, best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of ramen places, butao, nagi, tampopo, top 3 best, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, shaw, liberty center, where is Ninak, previous, chef, Special, broth, ramen chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, ramen recipe, homemade, photo, picture, Ninak restaurant review, menu, Ninak menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua, Ninak review, Ninak Pasig, Makati, Kapitolyo, Brothers Burger

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. 

 Ninak, best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of ramen places, butao, nagi, tampopo, top 3 best, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, shaw, liberty center, where is Ninak, previous, chef, Special, broth, ramen chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, ramen recipe, homemade, photo, picture, Ninak restaurant review, menu, Ninak menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua, Ninak review, Ninak Pasig, Makati, Kapitolyo, Brothers Burger

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

Ninak, best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of ramen places, butao, nagi, tampopo, top 3 best, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, shaw, liberty center, where is Ninak, previous, chef, Special, broth, ramen chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, ramen recipe, homemade, photo, picture, Ninak restaurant review, menu, Ninak menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua, Ninak review, Ninak Pasig, Makati, Kapitolyo, Brothers Burger

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.

[Read more…]

Ramen Daisho in Shaw

Ace has been favoring Taiwanese braised beef noodles for the longest time but I have somehow converted him to liking ramen more.  We’ve visited a handful of ramen places and even went as far as Marikina to check out Tamagoya – a hole in the wall ramen place that gets quite long queues too.  Last January 2, we decided to grab dinner and earlier in the day, Angelo suggested to try Ramen Daisho along Shaw Boulevard.

Ramen Daisho, Ramen, best ramen, ramen bar, ramen restaurants, best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of ramen places, butao, nagi, tampopo, top 3 best, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, shaw, liberty center, where is Ramen Daisho, Ukkokei, previous, chef, Special Ukkokei, broth, ramen chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, ramen recipe, homemade, photo, picture, ramen daisho review, menu, Ramen Daisho menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua

There was a short queue outside the restaurant but we only had to wait 10 minutes max before getting a table so it wasn’t such a long wait.  For a Thursday night, the restaurant was bustling with a dinner crowd.

On the Table

Gyoza P115

5 pieces of pork potstickers

Ramen Daisho, Ramen, best ramen, ramen bar, ramen restaurants, best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of ramen places, butao, nagi, tampopo, top 3 best, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, shaw, liberty center, where is Ramen Daisho, Ukkokei, previous, chef, Special Ukkokei, broth, ramen chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, ramen recipe, homemade, photo, picture, ramen daisho review, menu, Ramen Daisho menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua

Pan fried dumplings made from seasoned cabbage, chives and pork, wrapped in Ramen Daisho’s special dough made with sticky rice and flour.  I don’t know why but I always enjoy having a side of gyoza with my ramen bowls.

Ramen Daisho, Ramen, best ramen, ramen bar, ramen restaurants, best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of ramen places, butao, nagi, tampopo, top 3 best, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, shaw, liberty center, where is Ramen Daisho, Ukkokei, previous, chef, Special Ukkokei, broth, ramen chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, ramen recipe, homemade, photo, picture, ramen daisho review, menu, Ramen Daisho menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua

Haka Tonkotsu Chasu-men P380

This is Ramen Daisho’s Hakata-style ramen with straight noodles in rich, milky, pork bone broth soup. The Chasu-men version is just the Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen with “generous” amount of chasu.  Generous is always relative but their serving is quite filling.

Ramen Daisho, Ramen, best ramen, ramen bar, ramen restaurants, best, review, food review, top ten, top 10, list of ramen places, butao, nagi, tampopo, top 3 best, food blog, food blogger, Philippines, Metro Manila, Manila, Mandaluyong, shaw, liberty center, where is Ramen Daisho, Ukkokei, previous, chef, Special Ukkokei, broth, ramen chef, Japan, Japanese, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, ramen recipe, homemade, photo, picture, ramen daisho review, menu, Ramen Daisho menu, service, location, where, date place, price, between bites, betweenbites, janedchua

[Read more…]

Ramen Santouka Philippines

After the last schedule of Victory Service two Sundays ago, we headed to Greenhills for a quick late dinner.  We were initially targeting (with a capital T) a ramen place in the new Greenhills mall but our 2nd visit still had us slightly shunned away AGAIN.  They really have to get their host by the entrance area trained better –or at least have her pretend to be accommodating.

 santouka, ramen santouka, greenhills, location, metro manila, Philippines, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, photos, price, menu, dinner date, date place, Manila, list, 2013, 2014, new restaurants, branch, location, best, best ramen place, best ramen restaurant, broth, list of ramen places

We found ourselves walking towards the Old Promenade and reaching the door of Ramen Santouka.  Even if there’s a waiting line outside, reception was much better and more eager to receive us.  In less than 10 minutes, we were ushered to our table.

santouka, ramen santouka, greenhills, location, metro manila, Philippines, Filipino, Pinoy, recipe, photos, price, menu, dinner date, date place, Manila, list, 2013, 2014, new restaurants, branch, location, best, best ramen place, best ramen restaurant, broth, list of ramen places

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Ramen Santouka since it opened but when Eric and I visited mid last year at their Glorietta branch, it was incredibly jampacked and we had to find another place or my hunger pangs would have had me eating the menu.

[Read more…]

Ramen Nagi in Manila, Philippines

It’s called Nagi in Japan and Butao in Hong Kong.  It’s Ramen Nagi in Manila, Philippines.  They can take down the signage and call it the unnamed ramen place and I will still be there again and again encircling my order with a crayon on the paper menu they provide.

 best, best Ramen in Manila, bestsellers, better than, Between Bites, betweenbites, blogger, Butao in Manila, food, food blog, food review, foodie, Fort, Greenhills, Hong Kong, Japan, japanese, king butao, lifestyle, list of ramen, location, Metro Manila, Philippines, Photo, photos, Ramen, Ramen Bar, ramen butao, ramen nagi, ramen nagi menu, ramen places, ramen review, Red King Butao, Red King Ramen, sm aura, tampopo, what to order, price

[Read more…]

A Home in Paradise at Moevenpick Hotel in Mactan Island Cebu

 

I’m a Manila girl.  I envy friends who go home to their provincial town and celebrate regional fiestas since I’ve only known the capital city for most of my life not having relatives to visit elsewhere in the Philippines.  Evident of my countless short and long trips to this place, it is obvious that Cebu has become a hometown to me.

RELATED POST:

Dancing Flavors of Guiseppe Italian Restaurant, Cebu

Bantayan Island, Cebu

More Memorable Bantayan Cebu

My Weekend Escape in European-Fresh Hotel Elizabeth

Malapascua Island, Cebu

Chibori, Cebu

URCC Cebu

I have had many returns enough to sing this song this way, “Cebu, Cebu, I keep coming back to Cebu.  There’s no place like Cebu.  Cebu, I’m coming home.”  And home is exactly what it felt like checking in at Moevenpick Hotel in Mactan Island for four days.  Well, my home in paradise that is.

 

I’ve been flying in and out the past two months but I was only able to find rest in the last leg of my 2013 travel chronicle.  It was towards the final days of November and I was traveling with four gentle-but-not-so-gentle-men.

 

Our plane touched down in Cebu.  Moevenpick Hotel Cebu offers airport to hotel to airport transfers in style, with a huge air-conditioned jeepney-looking mini-bus.  Our chauffer assisted us with our luggage and 10 minutes after, we were welcomed by a beaming staff at Moevenpick Hotel.

Touchdown Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu

Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu is a five-star Mediterranean-inspired beachfront hotel located on the lush and tropical island of Mactan.  Surrounded by culturally rich points of interests, the hotel boasts an exceptional location ideal for both business travelers and visitors set to explore the city or nearby islands.

Refreshments were offered and as fate would have it, we arrived during chocolate hour (3pm-4pm at the Lobby).  A male staff with a tray of wonderful chocolate eclairs was going around offering these luscious treats in gratis.

My friend Richie of www.thepickiesteater.com teased the staff not to stray far away from him.  We almost shadowed him but eventually headed to one of Moevenpick’s restaurants Sails for a late lunch.

Filling our tummy with an afternoon delight, we headed to our rooms to settle in and take a short siesta.  Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu covers 245 contemporary guestrooms and suites.

I walked into my room and was glad to see where I’ll be camping in for the next few days.  I love white as it feels clean and relaxing so I am happy to report that the guestroom’s interior is in white and shades of blue.

All the guestrooms come complete with LED television, wireless internet and a fully stocked mini-bar.  Wireless internet is what makes it such a functional room.  I could work, blog and keep in touch with my friends and get connected to my social networking sites in a jiffy at no cost.

I could receive Viber calls too.  Moevenpick also offers high-speed internet at a nominal fee but I was pretty much content with their free Wi-Fi.  It did remind me though of the exorbitant internet fee I paid for at the Four Seasons Hotel in Langkawi, Malaysia in late September so yeah, free-of-charge Internet is glee!  Complimentary Wi-Fi is accessible in all guestrooms and throughout the public areas of the hotel.

  [Read more…]

The True Mettle of Comfort Food at Kettle

Routine brings us to welcome and dive into the unknown and take pleasure in the unfamiliar.  That is precisely the reason I love traveling so much, a momentary or season-long escape, or else, hunt and enjoy varying degrees of adventure from around.  Yet at the end of the day, most of us are creatures of comfort.  I am and it is no less than true when it comes to food.

Kettle, Kettle restaurant, Kettle menu, Kettle East Wing, Kettle Shangrila, Shangri-la Mall, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing, new restaurants, best, Filipino, Pinoy, Filipina, best comfort food, dishes, recipe, photo, food, foodie, food review, food blog, good, lifestyle blog, food blogger, janedchua.com, between bites, betweenbites, menu, Kettle prices, Kettle best seller, beer, bar, chow, burgers, pasta, golden fried chicken, Cajun style, cornbread, best cornbread, Cajun honey, Chef Chiloy Santos, Tender Bobs, group, new 2013 restaurants, 2012, 2014 restaurants, newly opened, list, Metro Manila, mandaluyong, Pasig City, Ortigas, Philippines, contact number, location, reuben sandwiches, truffle

I find myself easing into the seat of Kettle at East Wing of Shangri-la Mall.  Where many restaurants claim to dish out comfort food, only a few could push past asserting and make bold statements not out of their mouths but into yours.

Kettle, Kettle restaurant, Kettle menu, Kettle East Wing, Kettle Shangrila, Shangri-la Mall, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing, new restaurants, best, Filipino, Pinoy, Filipina, best comfort food, dishes, recipe, photo, food, foodie, food review, food blog, good, lifestyle blog, food blogger, janedchua.com, between bites, betweenbites, menu, Kettle prices, Kettle best seller, beer, bar, chow, burgers, pasta, golden fried chicken, Cajun style, cornbread, best cornbread, Cajun honey, Chef Chiloy Santos, Tender Bobs, group, new 2013 restaurants, 2012, 2014 restaurants, newly opened, list, Metro Manila, mandaluyong, Pasig City, Ortigas, Philippines, contact number, location, reuben sandwiches, truffle

On the Table

Oven Roasted Squash Soup P249

Shrimp salad, lemon oil, tarragon

 Kettle, Kettle restaurant, Kettle menu, Kettle East Wing, Kettle Shangrila, Shangri-la Mall, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing, new restaurants, best, Filipino, Pinoy, Filipina, best comfort food, dishes, recipe, photo, food, foodie, food review, food blog, good, lifestyle blog, food blogger, janedchua.com, between bites, betweenbites, menu, Kettle prices, Kettle best seller, beer, bar, chow, burgers, pasta, golden fried chicken, Cajun style, cornbread, best cornbread, Cajun honey, Chef Chiloy Santos, Tender Bobs, group, new 2013 restaurants, 2012, 2014 restaurants, newly opened, list, Metro Manila, mandaluyong, Pasig City, Ortigas, Philippines, contact number, location, reuben sandwiches, truffle

Kettle, Kettle restaurant, Kettle menu, Kettle East Wing, Kettle Shangrila, Shangri-la Mall, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing, new restaurants, best, Filipino, Pinoy, Filipina, best comfort food, dishes, recipe, photo, food, foodie, food review, food blog, good, lifestyle blog, food blogger, janedchua.com, between bites, betweenbites, menu, Kettle prices, Kettle best seller, beer, bar, chow, burgers, pasta, golden fried chicken, Cajun style, cornbread, best cornbread, Cajun honey, Chef Chiloy Santos, Tender Bobs, group, new 2013 restaurants, 2012, 2014 restaurants, newly opened, list, Metro Manila, mandaluyong, Pasig City, Ortigas, Philippines, contact number, location, reuben sandwiches, truffle

Similar to how Anzani, one of my top 3 favorite Cebu restaurants, does it with a bit of flair, the actual soup gets poured from a small ceramic flask into a bowl.  Roast squash suffused into the creamy liquid deliver that delightful slightly sweet taste with only a bit of tarragon scent swinging from time to time.  In between the smooth creamy soup are munches of shrimp that texturally play with your tongue.

Kettle, Kettle restaurant, Kettle menu, Kettle East Wing, Kettle Shangrila, Shangri-la Mall, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing, new restaurants, best, Filipino, Pinoy, Filipina, best comfort food, dishes, recipe, photo, food, foodie, food review, food blog, good, lifestyle blog, food blogger, janedchua.com, between bites, betweenbites, menu, Kettle prices, Kettle best seller, beer, bar, chow, burgers, pasta, golden fried chicken, Cajun style, cornbread, best cornbread, Cajun honey, Chef Chiloy Santos, Tender Bobs, group, new 2013 restaurants, 2012, 2014 restaurants, newly opened, list, Metro Manila, mandaluyong, Pasig City, Ortigas, Philippines, contact number, location, reuben sandwiches, truffle

Clam Chowder P229

Served on sourdough bowl

Kettle, Kettle restaurant, Kettle menu, Kettle East Wing, Kettle Shangrila, Shangri-la Mall, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing, new restaurants, best, Filipino, Pinoy, Filipina, best comfort food, dishes, recipe, photo, food, foodie, food review, food blog, good, lifestyle blog, food blogger, janedchua.com, between bites, betweenbites, menu, Kettle prices, Kettle best seller, beer, bar, chow, burgers, pasta, golden fried chicken, Cajun style, cornbread, best cornbread, Cajun honey, Chef Chiloy Santos, Tender Bobs, group, new 2013 restaurants, 2012, 2014 restaurants, newly opened, list, Metro Manila, mandaluyong, Pasig City, Ortigas, Philippines, contact number, location, reuben sandwiches, truffle

Pork and Potato Strips P399

Crunchy pork belly and fresh potato strips, fried herbs, red onion, aioli

Kettle, Kettle restaurant, Kettle menu, Kettle East Wing, Kettle Shangrila, Shangri-la Mall, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing, new restaurants, best, Filipino, Pinoy, Filipina, best comfort food, dishes, recipe, photo, food, foodie, food review, food blog, good, lifestyle blog, food blogger, janedchua.com, between bites, betweenbites, menu, Kettle prices, Kettle best seller, beer, bar, chow, burgers, pasta, golden fried chicken, Cajun style, cornbread, best cornbread, Cajun honey, Chef Chiloy Santos, Tender Bobs, group, new 2013 restaurants, 2012, 2014 restaurants, newly opened, list, Metro Manila, mandaluyong, Pasig City, Ortigas, Philippines, contact number, location, reuben sandwiches, truffle

Like a hot woman in a tight fitting dress that shows off all the right curves who walks into a bar with long sexy strides, this appetizer cum perfect beer chow takes breaths away.  It can also get you sinning all the time –with all the beer you want to guzzle down to partner this.  I don’t mind getting punished with the consumption of this sin.

Kettle, Kettle restaurant, Kettle menu, Kettle East Wing, Kettle Shangrila, Shangri-la Mall, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing, new restaurants, best, Filipino, Pinoy, Filipina, best comfort food, dishes, recipe, photo, food, foodie, food review, food blog, good, lifestyle blog, food blogger, janedchua.com, between bites, betweenbites, menu, Kettle prices, Kettle best seller, beer, bar, chow, burgers, pasta, golden fried chicken, Cajun style, cornbread, best cornbread, Cajun honey, Chef Chiloy Santos, Tender Bobs, group, new 2013 restaurants, 2012, 2014 restaurants, newly opened, list, Metro Manila, mandaluyong, Pasig City, Ortigas, Philippines, contact number, location, reuben sandwiches, truffle

Fresh potato strips with webs of shaved parmesan are non-stop mouth poppers.  Add to it the salty tones from the crisp pork belly that I also love nibbling and gyrate my incisors with until every whisper of fat excretes onto my wanting tongue.  I realize then I was born to be bad.

[Read more…]

Black Olive Cerveceria at Capitol Commons

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.

RELATED POST:

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…]

Griddle Melts at IHOP Philippines

 

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…]

Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez on SKY Cable HD

Too many Alvarez boxers that this fight is named Mayweather vs. Canelo instead of the latter’s last name.  Supposedly the highest purse fight in boxing history with $41.5 cool million as his minimum guarantee to just step inside the ring.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 23, will be facing 36-year-old Floyd Mayweather Jr.  this coming Sunday (Manila time) –both fighters with undefeated record.  Mayweather maintains that he is still at the peak of his game and continues to be his usual confident arrogant self.

Canelo is apparently the Spanish translation to the boxer’s ginger hair.  No mistake that he is also a world champ even if Mayweather dismisses the fact saying there are just too many belts in the field now and these young bloods easily get one compared to the time veterans really have to earn it the long hard way.

Catch the Mayweather vs. Canelo fight this weekend.  SKY Cable is giving this PPV fight FREE and in HIGH DEFINITION via SKYcable FREE VIEW HD to all subscribers with the HD box.  The event will air this Sunday, Sept 15.  Live telecast begins at 9AM.

 

For those SKY Cable subscribers who do not have the HD Digibox, other than me suggesting you get one to change your life and up your viewing experience, you can still catch this real-time, as it happens, via LIVESTREAMING on iWantv also at 9AM.

  [Read more…]

Poco Deli, A Revisit

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.

READ MORE:

Take a Poke at Poco Deli

In Crumbs: Poco Deli 

 

[Read more…]