renovated Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

Henann Lagoon Resort in Boracay

June 1, 2015 by Janey

They say we travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us. Instead of being trapped in the confines of every day routine, we must look to travel as far as we can, as much as we can, and for as long as we can. Life is not meant to be lived in one place. And I definitely don’t want to live it in one place when I have a home away from home at Henann Lagoon Resort.

My sister and I welcomed March with open arms and we were welcomed with warmth as we stepped into the holding area in Caticlan port prior to boarding the private boat to Boracay Island.

Even if it was only a 45min to 1hour plane ride from Manila to Kalibo, Henann Group of Resorts made everything seamless as soon as we landed, providing the coaster service from Kalibo to Caticlan, and welcoming us with refreshments and a shell necklace at the port.

We’ve flown international a few times but first time together in Boracay.

Off the bat we felt we were on a vacation… far from any worries or burden.

The boat men and respectful staff of Henann Group of Resorts quickly and carefully loaded our things on the boat and 15 minutes later, I’m stepping on the soft pristine white sand of Boracay… ready to be checked in.

Henann Group of Resorts (formerly Boracay Regency Group) is committed to delivering world-class accommodation in their luxury resorts in premium locations, with personalized and quality customer service and high-value for money.

Henann Lagoon Resort in Boracay boasts of 120 rooms, a beautiful al fresco restaurant overlooking a picturesque and sprawling swimming pool, one of the biggest on the island measuring up to 1,200 sqm. The resort also offers numerous function rooms for corporate meetings or your banquet needs.

–

If Boracay Regency Beach Reosrt and Spa is full (which it always is unless you book very early since this is usually most people’s first choice), Henann Lagoon Resort is the next best place to be quartered in when in Boracay Island. The resort provides a complimentary shuttle service to the beachfront of Boracay Regency and it’s a cinch to get to the beach, with no delay at all. It can feel like you’re already staying beachfront.

New Palate Gems at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight

April 29, 2014 by Janey

Their restaurant frontage can barely be seen in 2010 with the long queues outside that wait to get seated. Flocks of families and foodies have trooped to Crystal Jade for their famed Xiao Long Bao and authentic Chinese dishes. You cannot spell authentic any less with the Chinese expats that are rebased here to head and run the Crystal Jade kitchen to ensure quality standards.

Crystal Jade is one of the largest restaurant chains and is just about everywhere in Singapore. They have established a strong presence in San Francisco and across the Asia Pacific region –in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Qingdao, Guangzhou among numerous places. The successful opening in Manila added to that portfolio, bringing in that passion of dishing out the finest delicacies served contemporarily.

We usually think of comfort food in the form of burgers, fries, and wings but when I want to eat a little more stylishly minus the grease and the common taste of diner items, I find my comfort at Crystal Jade.

Whenever I’m in the Greenhills area, there’s a magnetic pull to eat at Crystal Jade. I’ve been a long fan of their original Xiao Long Bao, Cantonese barbecue meats and noodles. In fact, I don’t order outside my usual of two orders of Xiao Long Bao, Noodle with Beef in Chili Oil (P228) and my all-time favorite Noodle with Dried Shrimp and Peanut in Spicy Sauce (P328 for sharing and P198 for snack portion).

I have visited again some weeks ago and noticed that they have renovated their interiors. It has maximized their seating capacity to serve more patrons and have shifted to vibrant welcoming hues of purples and pinks. I’m happy to report that their menu still retained their classic dishes and happier to tell that it has expanded to add more dishes that are surefire imminent bestsellers. Cuisine has delved into an authentic mix of Cantonese and Shanghai offerings that get your palate incessantly interested.

On the Table

Crispy Eel in “Wu Xi” Style P288

Prior to the recent visit, someone has made me try this before and it’s an appetizer that’s a staple on the table. It’s wonderfully crunchy that it cackles biting into it. The crispy eel has a dark sweet soy coating leaning towards a barbecue taste.

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.

READ MORE:

Take a Poke at Poco Deli

In Crumbs: Poco Deli

Aquaknox, Vietnamese Cuisine Knocks

May 31, 2011 by Janey

From a hip bar vibe to a modern family restaurant design, Aquaknox in Makati underwent a restaurant renovation and opened again in November last year. A splash of colors will greet customers as they enter the restaurant starting with a blue painting of fishes near the 2^nd staircase that leads to their mezzanine dining area.

The walls are adorned with almost life-size paintings that depict life in Vietnam. The seating furniture also evokes a lot of modern colors. A frame on the right side is devoted to customers who have enjoyed their famous naked crab and has become part of the “crabilicious” family.

I’ve been to Vietnam and even the pho/s served on the side streets is quite a warm bowl of delicious topped with as many basils and bean sprouts as you prefer. There is more to Vietnamese food than the familiar pho houses that are around the metro and Aquaknox dishes up the best tasting Vietnamese dishes at the affordable price that it should be pegged at.

On the Table

Goi Cuon PHP 100

Fresh spring rolls with shrimps, lettuce and noodles

Fresh spring roll is the healthiest starter in any Vietnamese table. The translucent wrapper vividly shows the encased shrimp, pork, lettuce and vermicelli noodle inside

Chao Tom PHP 160

Prawns skewered on sugar cane served with lettuce and noodles

Instead of removing the barbecued prawn from the sugar cane stalk and wrapping it in lettuce together with noodles, I took a bite immediately of the minced prawns from its skewer. The prawn was soft and almost crumbles upon bite with a toasty taste of sweetness.

Goi Buoi Von Tom Noung PHP 150

Pomelo salad with grilled shrimps, cabbage, cucumbers, carrots and Asian basils

Refreshing plate of sweet citrus, grilled shrimps combined with the crunchy texture of cabbage, cucumber and carrots. This appetizer plate reminds me of a beautiful colorful flower garden that is edible.

Cahn Ga Chien Voi Toi (8pcs) PHP 150

The chicken lollipop is one of the tastiest I’ve ever tasted. It has a nibble of crisped skin and the chicken meat is flavored with spices.

Saigon Banh Xeo PHP 285

Saigon sizzling crepe with chicken, shrimp, shitake, onions, and bean sprouts served with lettuce wrap

The Foodie Club, who I was with for this specific Sunday lunch, raved about the Saigon crepe of Aquaknox. They enjoyed the soft crepe with pieces of chicken, shrimp, and shitake that they kept puncturing the crepe for more bites.

Hu Tieu Or Mi My Tho PHP 195

Shrimp, ground pork, pork slices in soup with rice noodles or egg noodles

Bun Thit Voi Cha Gio PHP 195

Combo with a choice of satay and a crispy roll

Ga Roti Voi Gao Nep PHP 170

Grilled chicken with sticky rice, scallion oil and crispy shallots

Thit Heo Nuong Voi Gao Nep PHP 160

Grilled pork belly with sticky rice, scallion oil, and crispy shallots

Cua Rang Moui Toi – naked crabs PHP

Chef Danny’s Garlicky Crab, otherwise known as naked crabs.

The naked crab is one of my favorite dishes that Sunday lunch. I love the garlicky bits that are tasty and crispy but not overly pungent.

Aquaknox is famous for its naked crabs since they take the hard work out of eating the crabs. They serve the crab meat sophisticatedly out of the shell, which means minus the nitpicking, and leaves mouthful of tender white crab flakes for crab-eaters to easily attack.

The restaurant definitely serves more than flavorful warm broth of phos. Aquaknox is one of the restaurants worthwhile and affordable to grab modern eclectic and succulent Vietnamese dishes.

Aquaknox More than Pho

800 Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road)

Corner Amorsolo Street, Makati City

(63 2) 894 3380

www.aquaknox.com.ph

Tales from the Tummy Aquaknox Album

Photo Courtesy:

Richard of www.talesfromthetummy.com

Carlos of www.foodiemanila.com

FoodieManila’s Aquaknox

Ho Chi Minh City’s Hidden Charm

Traveling to Cambodia

My Tuk Tuk Moment

Angkor Wat: Journey to the Lost City Begins

Inside Angkor Wat and the Beauty of Rain

Moving to Angkor Thom Aboard Big Feet

Walk the World- Asian Travel Omnibus

—

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: 2010, 2011, address, Aquaknox menu, Aquaknox review, Aquaknox Vietnamese, best, best lifestyle blog, best Vietnamese, blogger, contact number, date, discount, exclusive, Filipino, food, food blog, food blogger, food review, how much, image, lif, location, Madison Avenue, Makati, Manila, Map, menu, Metro Manila, ortigas, Philippines, pinoy, promotion, Quezon City, renovated, restaurant, Restaurants, review, schedule, service, Taste Manila, travel, Vietnam, Vietnamese food, where

Charlie’s Grind and Grill in Ortigas Ave, San Juan

August 13, 2010 by Janey

I know you’ve probably gotten whiff of the news that there’s a new Charlie’s Grind and Grill branch somewhere in Ortigas Avenue. There is!!!

Charlie’s Grind and Grill

RONAC Building,

Ortigas Avenue, San Juan.

Don’t miss out to order:

Buffalo Wings (one of my favorites!)

Black Angus Burger with Fries PHP 175

–

Clam Chowder PHP 150

Panko Crusted Deep Fried Cheese Stuffed Portabello Mushroom Black Angus PHP 350

Filly Cheesesteak Hungry Size PHP 220

Fish and Chips PHP 180

Have you paid the new branch a visit? 😉

And if Charlie’s is full or if you want a new taste other than burgers, CHECK OUT B&T Mexican Kitchen which is 2 minutes away from Charlie’s.

B&T Mexican Kitchen

B&T Mexican Kitchen Chicken Mole

Charlie’s Grind and Grill

In My Restaurant List This Coming Quarter

—

9 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: address, affordable, american, area, Baranggay Kapitolyo, beef, best, best Angus steak, best blog, Black Angus, Blog, buffalo wings, Burger, burger joint, burgers, Cafe Juanita, car wash, Charlie, Charlie's, Charlie's Grind and Grill, Charlie's new branch in San Juan, clam chowder, contact number, counter, credit card, delivery, fish and chips, food blog, food review, foodie, fries, Good Service, Grilled, joint, location, malt vinegar, Manila, Map, meat, menu, new branch, new items, order, Panko Crusted Portabello Mushroom cheese stuffed burger, Pasig, Pasig City, Pasig number coding, pay as you order, phone, Photo, price, pricey, renovated, Restaurants, restos, self service, service, Steak, Taste Manila, Wednesday, week

Take a Poke at Poco Deli

June 17, 2010 by Janey

Bubba invited out to lunch and I can only be a happy beaver to get out of the office environment and enjoy a slow lunch with him. Away from the tall buildings of Ortigas Center, we found ourselves at a small deli near Charlie’s Burger (our usual for lunch dates on weekdays).

Poco Deli, situated unassumingly along East Capitol Drive in Pasig City, has only 5-6 tables including those outside. Upon entering, you’d notice Dave’s Natural Yogurt stand near the counter, display cases of cheeses and other deli products like sausages, and wine display at the end of the dining area.

—

Their menu consists of pasta, pizza and sandwiches as well as cheese boards and cold cuts of Mickey Deli’s products. Dave’s Frozen Yogurt for dessert and a list of wines are also available.

On the Table

Pomodoro PHP 155

The pasta pomodoro arrived 5-8 minutes after ordering. It had that sweet light tomato base on angel hair pasta.

Pizza Margherita PHP 280

The pizza took approx. 20-25 minutes before it arrived that Bubba and I only had a slice each before we had it wrapped.

Glass of Wine PHP 140

Pistachio Yogurt PHP 80

I’d probably do a repeat once there’s another lunch out invite, especially if I wanted to stay off the crowded areas like Charlie’s Burger (unless I’m craving for Charlie’s!).

21 East Capitol Drive,

Barrio Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Philippines

(632) 664 0519

Poco Deli Album

—

2 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: address, affordable, american, area, Baranggay Kapitolyo, beef, best, best Angus steak, best blog, best food blog, best yogurt in town, Black Angus, buffalo wings, Burger, burger joint, burgers, Cafe Juanita, car wash, Charlie, Charlie's, Charlie's Burger, Charlie's Grind and Grill, cheese, cheese boards, clam chowder, contact number, counter, credit card, Dave's Frozen Yogurt, dave's natural yogurt, delivery, dessert, dining place, Discovery, East Capitol Drive in Pasig City, Filipino, find, fish and chips, food blog, food blogger, food review, foodie, fries, frozen, Good Service, Grilled, hole in the wall, joint, location, malt vinegar, Manila, Map, meat, menu, Mickey Deli's, new items, order, Ortigas Center, out of the way, Panko Crusted Portabello Mushroom cheese stuffed burger, Pasig, Pasig City, Pasig number coding, pay as you order, Philippines, phone, Photo, pizza, pizza place, Poco Deli, Poco Deli menu, Poco Deli restaurant, Pomodoro Pasta, price, pricey, Products, quiet, renovated, Restaurants, restos, secret, secret dining place, self service, service, Steak, Taste Manila, Wednesday, week, Wine

Charlie’s Grind and Grill with Joyce

August 26, 2009 by Janey

Charlie’s Grind and Grill is a stone throw away from the office that that has been the perpetual excuse to have lunch breaks there. It’s always at least half full –full when we dine there.

Bubba invited out for lunch that Wednesday, which is a QC holiday (he still went to work though), and by 12nn was already at the lobby area to pick me up. I got in the car and after a few seconds of dead air, a hooded person sitting at the back surprised me that made me shriek out loud. It was my sister Joyce. Bubba went to pick her up since QC schools were also on holiday.

On the Table

Black Angus Burger with Fries (2) PHP 175

Bubba and Joyce both got a burger set each. Juicy meaty hamburger patties that make you want to come back for more –grilled to perfection. Get it with fries and you add only PHP 20. Burgers can’t get any better than this especially when priced only this much.

Clam Chowder PHP 150

I had a heavy breakfast (Read: probably almost 2 cups of rice) so I decided to get something light. Clam chowder served in a bread bowl was creamy and tasted fresh –had generous amount of clams.

Key Lime Pie PHP 200

It was too sour for my taste that I didn’t get to finish even half.

This was also the time Bubba surprised me with the Nokia N95 Soul of Manila Wireless Adventure Race Part 1 televised video! 2007, Moi was fatty fat then but yay!

Even if it was a holiday, Bubba wanted to go back to ABS to work so I brought Joyce to my office instead after lunch. She had her own space, table and desk. She was so behaved and cute!!! Karen loved her and gave her many items to tinker with.

Other stuff to try at Charlie’s (ordered in previous visits):

Panko Crusted Deep Fried Cheese Stuffed Portabello Mushroom Black Angus PHP 350

We ordered this the last time we were at Charlie’s. That’s a mouthful of a description! And indeed it was. The cheese stuffed portabello mushroom was deliciously stunning in appearance and taste. You get a bite of layering flavors and textures leaving you hankering for more. The burger’s name is a mouthful but the taste can leave you mouthwateringly speechless.

Filly Cheesesteak Hungry Size PHP 220

The white bread was topped with local sirloin meat and charged with loads of tasty caramelized onions and green bell peppers. It was as good as the Black Angus burger –it will be quite difficult to make one a favorite over the other.

Fish and Chips PHP 180

Generous serving of dory fried to a golden crisp. Add malt vinegar.

Next on my list are the Meatballs Marinara and the Pulled Pork Sandwich. I can just hear my stomach grumble in anticipation. Executive Chef Rob Goco really knows how to tickle our fancy with great food from Cyma, Ristras to Charlie’s.

And if Charlie’s is full or if you want a new taste other than burgers, CHECK OUT B&T Mexican Kitchen along Ortigas Avenue.

B&T Mexican Kitchen

B&T Mexican Kitchen Chicken Mole

Charlie’s Grind and Grill

16 East Kapitolyo Drive,

Pasig City.

(632) 635 4857

Charlie’s Album

Charlie’s Panko Crusted Portabello Album

Charlie’s Fish and Chips Album

Related Post

Charlie’s Grind and Grill

Addicted to Ristras

Bribing the Chaperon

—

2 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: address, affordable, american, area, Baranggay Kapitolyo, beef, best, best Angus steak, best blog, Black Angus, buffalo wings, Burger, burger joint, burgers, Cafe Juanita, car wash, Charlie, Charlie's, Charlie's Grind and Grill, clam chowder, contact number, counter, credit card, delivery, fish and chips, food blog, food review, fries, Good Service, Grilled, joint, location, malt vinegar, Manila, Map, meat, menu, new items, order, Panko Crusted Portabello Mushroom cheese stuffed burger, Pasig, Pasig City, Pasig number coding, pay as you order, phone, Photo, price, pricey, renovated, Restaurants, restos, self service, service, Steak, Taste Manila, Wednesday, week

Uno

January 27, 2009 by Janey

“Uno restaurant” has been ringing over my ears for more than a year now. It was on the restaurant list I’ve always wanted to try but since I am rarely in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, and Bubba works in the area (thus I’m sure he is tired of it), I haven’t had the chance to pay a visit. …Not until one evening Bubba invited me to dinner.

It is an old-fashioned restaurant that can be mistaken for a duplex apartment sitting at the corner of Tomas Morato and Scout Fuentebella. This restaurant was highly recommended by a friend we met at the Dinelli Gourmet launch. He said that the restaurant had undergone several renovations and through a lot of changes, including the menu, he has been a loyal patron of Uno. His support stems from the consistency of the food that remains to be unchanged.

On the Table

Carrot and Chili Bisque PHP 170

We requested the soup to be split into two and the courteous wait staff readily agreed. It was our first time to try carrot soup and like carrot juice, it pretty much didn’t convert me into a fan. What I appreciate is how the chili spikes the bisque good enough to make the carrot flavor livid.

Barbecued Lemon Grass Chicken with Calamansi Sesame Dressing PHP 340

There were a few interesting dishes on the menu I was intrigued to try. Bubba thought I was being moderate by trying the barbecued lemon grass chicken. I had to point out to him the word Calamansi to make him a believer. Anything calamansi has my name on it. I love calamansi, lemon, green mangoes and other sour victuals. I put Calamansi in almost anything I eat… siomai, siopao, popcorn, fish cracker, etc which makes Bubba give me the weird eye. The Barbecued Chicken didn’t have much skin on it (which is great if you’re watching the calories) and the white meat was cooked perfectly with just enough juice to prevent the meat from being rubbery. I wish I asked for more Calamansi Sesame dressing as it made me enjoy this wonderful subtle dish.

Lamb Shank Braised in Balsamic and Fresh Turmeric ADOBO Sauce PHP 480

Lamb shank is one of the more favorite cuts of lamb. Uno’s version that incorporates the Filipino favorite Adobo in the sauce was brilliantly done well. The tender flesh of meat melts in your mouth with the deep taste of Balsamic infused Adobo sauce.

Uno Restaurant

195 Tomas Morato cor. Sct. Fuentebella

Quezon City

Philippines

Telephone No. (02) 374-0774

Price Range: PHP 300 –PHP 500 ($6 –$10)

Uno Album