What Mary Loves

Cibo is one of the you-cannot-go-wrong restaurants in Manila. I have never ordered anything from this place that I didn’t like as every single dish offered by this restaurant has been well thought of and beautifully executed. And it is not surprising given that this is the brainchild of Asia’s Best Female Chef of 2016, Margarita Fores. But given the number of new restaurants here and there, I tend to forget this well-loved restaurant till R’s family decided to have dinner there one Sunday.

Hello, Cibo!

It was my first time to visit its Eastwood branch and it was packed! We had to wait for 10 minutes or so before we got a table to fit our party of 8.

R’s sister had everything planned out and ordered a few dishes for sharing such as Patatine (PHP165, medium | PHP295, large), Spinaci Zola (PHP270), Tartufata (PHP395) and Penne al Telefono (PHP375 | PHP660, La Famiglia). R and I were not very hungry when we went so we decided to share one order of Grilled Tenderloin, an off the menu dish. For drinks, we both went with Pomelo Shake (PHP150).

First served were two orders of Patatine, Cibo’s famous thin potato chips with garlic mayonnaise dip. It was funny how all the guys thought that these were complimentary wait baskets. Well, these delightful treats weren’t but definitely worth the price. Crispy and well seasoned, it was perfection!

Spinaci Zola is yet another famous appetizer of Cibo. I have always been a fan of spinach and gorgonzola combination and Cibo puts those two together like a spinach dip master!

I just wish that there are free crostini refills.

Soon, our drinks were served and R who never had Cibo’s bestselling Pomelo Shake was delighted by the refreshing drink.

Sweet, light with a bit of tangy kick. *insert hearts here*

A huge plate of Penne al Telefono was served after and we all loved how al dente the penne pieces were. Despite its pale color, this pasta dish was packed with flavor. It was tangy and cheesy at the same time tickling my tastebuds and making it yearn for more.

We also had this other dish with ginormous pasta pieces. Sadly, I forgot its name. Taste-wise, it was pretty close to Penne al Telefono.

It wasn’t a long wait till our steak was served.

Grilled medium rare, one could still see some blood oozing out of the thick slice of meat which was sitting on a bed of mushroom cream sauce and asparagus. There were also some sautéed mushrooms on the side for additional flavor and texture.

The verdict? It was pretty good. The steak was succulent and well seasoned but it tasted a lot better with the cream sauce. There were just some parts which were oddly dry.

I last sampled the Tartufata pizza which looked healthy to me. Given that Tartufata is a flat pizza topped with mozzarella, mushroom-truffle paste, sautéed mushrooms and asparagus, I expected it to be a bland dish.

I was surprised though that it was good too. The light flavors played well together and were further enhanced by the truffle paste. The asparagus and sliced mushrooms added a bit of bite to the dish.

Overall, it was a scrumptious dinner. I just didn’t like the open space as it made the ambiance too chaotic and noisy.

Cibo is located at 2nd Floor Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City.

2016 seems to be the year of Japanese food brands. Many anticipated the opening of Pablo and even lined up for it for hours! Now that Pablo is a thing of the past for some, others are now looking forward to Bake and LeTAO. But before that, there was another Japanese brand that turned foodies into cheese fanatics. Yes, I’m talking about Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory. This brand, despite making the wallet scream, received a warm welcome from the market.

Hello, Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory!

I visited the SM Megamall branch before dropping by the newly opened Le Petit Soufflé.

Since I was there quite early on a weekday, there was no line at all. And I was extra lucky when I found out that all flavors were available. Yay!

I sampled each one and was torn between Salt and Camembert (PHP580, 10 pcs | PHP1,160, 20 pcs) and Honey & Gorgonzola (PHP620, 10 pcs. | PHP1,240, 20 pcs.). Notice that you don’t really get to save for getting more? It is best to just go for the box of 10 per visit to make sure you enjoy each pack of cookies fresh and worth your money.

In the end, I went with the classic Salt and Camembert which I’ve had before. I chose this one because it had a sharper contrast between the sweet cookies, French salt and creamy Camembert cheese. It was the perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors with a hint of tanginess! I also loved how crunchy the delicate cookies were.

Unlike how I enjoy my other edible splurges, I finished half of my box in one sitting as I have no plans of enjoying a chewy version of this. (I made a mistake before and kept one pack for a month. Though it was still good, Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory cookies are much better fresh.)

I will be back for more and to try its cheesecakes (PHP950)!

So please do open again, Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory! I'll be waiting.

Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory is located at Ground Floor, SM Megamall Fashion Hall, Mandaluyong City.

I am a big fan of Thai Original BBQ and I couldn’t contain my excitement when I found out that they opened a branch here in Manila. It has been over two years since I indulged in its famous chicken bbq and I’m so glad that it won’t turn into three years as I managed to convince my friends to hold our Christmas get together at the newest restaurant in Fort Strip.

Hello, Thai Original BBQ!

It is hard to miss Thai Original BBQ as its prime corner location facing 5th Avenue and Central Square is very easy to spot.

I was warmly greeted by its front host wearing traditional Thai outfit and ushered me inside.

The interiors of its Manila branch is not quite the same as its Los Angeles’ restaurants as it lacked fresh orchids. I do understand though that such tabletop could cost a fortune.

I was so happy that they kept most, if not all, of the dishes offered by its US counterpart. Of course we had to go with the bestsellers Gaiyang Dinner (PHP530) and BBQ Spare Ribs Dinner (PHP580). We also ordered Fried Calamari (PHP280), Yum Pla Dook Foo (PHP380), Tom Yum Goong (PHP380) and Pad Thai (PHP380). For our drinks, we all went with Thai Milk Iced Tea (PHP140) except for M who tried Iced Coffee (PHP140).

First served were our drinks and I liked that our Thai milk tea was not watered down. But it could have been a bit more flavorful as well. One other thing I noticed was the lack of orchid on the rim of the glass.

Next served were our appetizers Fried Calamari and Yum Pla Dook Foo.

The fried calamari was your usual deep fried squid rings but made a bit special with its delightfully sweet plum sauce.

I fell in love with the Yum Pla Dook Foo or what we simply call catfish salad. The deep fried catfish was tasty and very crispy which was beautifully complemented by the tangy mango strips and peanut bits. I also loved the beautiful blend of salty and sour flavors which whet my appetite for the mains.

But before attacking the huge chunks of barbecue chicken and spare ribs, I had some Tom Yum Goong.

I liked that it was mildly spiced making it easier for me to slurp several spoonfuls of this classic hot and sour Thai soup without gasping for water. Though stingy with the shrimps (there were only two pieces in our bowl), it was still flavorful thanks to mushrooms, lemon grass, chili paste and various spices.

The classic Pad Thai was pretty good as well. The rice noodles were cooked al dente and the shrimps, bean sprouts and peanut bits gave texture to the dish. The stir-fried egg added a bit of sweet and spicy flavor which blended perfectly with all the other ingredients.

I’m so happy that the bbq chicken of Thai Original BBQ Manila is exactly the same as the one I loved in LA. The perfectly barbecued and flavored chicken went well with the generous serving of rice topped with a few shrimps. I couldn’t comment on the side dish as I totally ignored the cucumber salad.

The BBQ Spare Ribs Dinner was pretty good as well. The meat was succulent and the serving size was huge! One order could definitely feed at least two very hungry individuals. Just like the other dinner plate, this one came with fried rice and salad. But if I were to choose between the two platters, I’d stick with the bbq chicken.

Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience. The only thing we didn’t like was that one server kept on trying to get our plates when it was clear that we were still eating. It really pissed K during the latter part of our lunch.

Thai Original BBQ Manila is located at Ground Floor, Fort Strip, 5th Avenue corner 28th Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Barcino has been around for a few years now yet I still remember its launch years back where I was still new with food blogging. I guess it is hard to forget such a fantastic dining experience and being in the awesome company of top foodies and wine connoisseurs. Hence it was such a treat to have my first 2017 date with R at what I consider one of the best tapas restaurants in town.

Hello, Barcino!

We were warmly greeted by the front hostess upon entering its Forbes Town branch and were quickly ushered to our table near the bar.

We felt extra special when Barcino’s house chef, Chef Pau, approached our table and recommended a few dishes for us to try. After a short chitchat, we went with Jamon Bodega(PHP400), Tortilla de Patatas (PHP275), Pan Con Tomate (PHP85), Croquetas Bacalao(PHP295), Gambas Al Ajillo (PHP775, 150g), Cordero Alvino Tinto (PHP325) and Cheese Platter (PHP895). For drinks, I went with Sangria (PHP280) while R opted for Orange Shake(PHP140) and Watermelon Shake (PHP95).

First served were Pan Con Tomate, Jamon Serrano, Tortilla de Patatas and Croquetas Bacalao along with our beverages.

I was surprised that my glass of sangria was huge! For PHP280, it was bang for the buck as it lasted me the whole dinner.

It wasn’t that strong as well but you could definitely have a taste of wine.

R’s drinks were great too! Both were very refreshing and priced just right.

In fact, R liked it so much that he had two glasses of watermelon shake!

According to Chef Pau, it has been a Spanish habit to “salvage” a hardened piece of bread by drizzling it with olive oil and topping it with tomato chunks. Though Barcino does not serve old bread just to relive such, this popular way of enjoying bread is offered by serving crisp bread slices. True enough, when drizzled with olive oil and topped with tomato chunks, the bread became a lot more enjoyable. Its light flavor also made it a perfect appetizer.

We fell in love with the Jamon Bodega which had lovely texture. The thin slices of dry cured ham were salty and slightly chewy, perfectly complementing Pan Con Tomate.

Tortilla de Patatas is your usual Spanish omelette with potato chunks and onions.

But its fluffiness was on point! It made me dream of having this for breakfast.

Croquetas Bacalao, an off the menu dish, was pretty good too. The sharp contrast between the crisp batter and the soft stuffing of shredded codfish made it so irresistible that I braved eating a piping hot one in one mouthful! Also, unlike other deep fried dishes, this one was surprisingly not oily at all!

The Cordero Alvino Tinto was another favourite of mine that night. The perfectly cooked young lamb in red wine sauce was superb! It was so soft that I didn’t even have to chew it!

Though a tad salty, the crunchy thin potato strips offset it while adding texture to the dish. This made me wish I was gulping a glass of red wine as it sure would go well with one.

But the best dish award went to Gambas Al Ajillo which brought us to seafood heaven! The giant succulent prawns were beautifully topped with garlic bits while soaked in olive oil. Fireworks were set off as soon as we had one bite of it. I loved the snap I get per bite which assured me that I was munching on fresh prawns. Though priced at PHP775 for 150 grams, the steep price was well compensated by the superb taste matched with excellent ingredients!

Chef Pau recommended that we cap our meal with a Cheese Platter. Though I’ve never had cheese as my dessert, I trusted the expert and I was glad that I did.

We were told that we have to start at a certain point and circle from there as the slices of cheese were arranged from mild to strong in terms of flavor. (I ended up going the wrong way though and started from the strongest as I totally forgot where to start after taking photos of the platter.)

Though I’m used to enjoying cheese with crackers, bread sticks and raisins, I had no idea that it would go so well with dried mangoes as well. I just learned something new from Barcino!

Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience. I’ll definitely be back and pair my dishes with wine this time.

Barcino is located at Rizal Drive, Burgos Circle, Taguig City.

Toby’s Estate is one of my favorite coffee shops in the metro. I love that its coffee is not overly bitter and that its hot mocha is a taste of heaven. With a bunch of drinks to choose from, I usually stick with my usuals—flat white and mocha. That was till I had chai addiction. I always end up ordering anything with chai. And when I spotted it on Toby’s Estate’s menu board, I had to order it.

Hello, Toby’s Estate!

It was my first time to visit its branch at Shangri-La, Fort and just like its other cafés, it has really nice interiors. It was also quiet there making it a nice place to catch up with friends.

I spotted Chai Chocolate (PHP160) and was convinced to get that despite possibly ruining my appetite for dinner.

I found out upon paying that the price on the board isn’t the price you pay. There was still a 5% charge making my total bill PHP168.

There weren’t a lot of people when I placed my order so my cup was served in 5 minutes or so.

And it was love at first sip! It was chocolatey and had a nice rich taste of black tea with herbs and spices. I also liked that it was slightly thick, just like hot chocolate.

I think I found a new favorite drink and I can’t wait to have more.

Toby’s Estate is located at Ground Floor, Shangri-La at the Fort, 5th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Those who say “never skip breakfast” are wise. Why skip an awesome meal? I try to squeeze in a bite or two even when I’m at my busiest state because breakfast is love. And when I do have the time to indulge in some sunny side up eggs, sausages and the works, I spoil myself with only the best. I have to admit though, I got used to eating out due to convenience. But last Sunday was a different story. I finally got to spend some time at home. And what better way to spend morning than to whip up your own brunch?

It felt like it has been months since I last cooked my own meal. Due to the crazy ber months, I often find myself dining out to save time (not money). Holding a pan and knife seemed a bit foreign to me till I opened my fridge and saw my Filipino favorites.

Longganisa and tocino are two of my all-time breakfast loves and I’m one lucky girl to feast on a stash from Suy Foods.

Before I continue on with my kitchen adventure last Sunday, I would like to share how impressed I was with how these morning classics evolved to different flavors. Davao-based Suy Foods have longganisa in original, curry, spicy, Spanish style, smoked and smoked with cheese.

For tocino, they have it in original, curry, spicy and teriyaki. They also have chicken rolls with cheese for picky eaters who could not let go of their love for anything fried and chicken.

All of Suy Foods products are made from chicken and Halal Certified making it a perfect option for the Muslim community who follow a strict religion-based diet. But of course, this doesn’t mean that it would be less enjoyable. In fact, it was nothing short of scrumptious! Now, let me go back to my kitchen story.

I played it safe and picked sweet tocino (or tocino original) for my Pestocino Pasta while tried to be a bit more adventurous with my Longganisa Cheeseburger by choosing Smoked Longganisa with Cheese.

I am a big fan of pesto dishes and I figured that it would go well with tocino as well. With this idea in mind, I Filipino-fied my usual pesto pasta dish.

Prepping this dish was a breeze as all I had to do was put cream, pesto sauce, and parmesan cheese on a pan. Though I usually put butter as well, I skipped this one as I will be putting tocino bits in the pasta sauce.

The end result was a beautiful blend of herby, nutty and sweet taste! I had no idea that pesto and tocino could go so well together. I think I just discovered my new favorite pasta. And it came from my own kitchen!

My Longganisa Cheeseburger was an easy meal to prepare as well as all I had to do was cook some longganisa and egg.

I sliced the longganisa rolls into small bits to cover the bun’s base and topped it with a slice of cheese, tomatoes and egg.

And it was love at first bite! As a longsilog fan, I just found a way to enjoy it with just one hand and on the go. I also loved how the cheese ooze out from the longganisa every time I take a bite. It was one cheesy love!

I can’t wait for another slowdown Sunday for me to cook more dishes with my Suy Foods stash.

Suy Foods products are available in selected Robinsons Supermarkets (in its Halal food section), Puregold, Waltermart Makati, Landmark Makati, Trinoma and all major supermarkets in Davao. SRPs are as follows: Skinless Longganisa Original (PHP85.75), Skinless Longganisa Curry | Spicy | Spanish Style (PHP87.75), Smoked Longganisa Original (PHP135.75), Smoked Longganisa with Cheese (PHP137.75), Tocino Original (PHP113.75), Tocino Curry | Spicy | Teriyaki (PHP116.75), Chicken Rolls with Cheese (PHP73.75).

-Gluttonshopper

I hardly frequent Kapitolyo these past months but when I do, I always notice the numerous cars parked in front of Warung, an Indonesian restaurant that opened a several months back. It sure made me curious as the place seemed to be packed every lunch and dinner. But I’m always hungry whenever I visit Kapitolyo and I lack the patience to wait for a table. Luckily, I passed by this place again around 2 pm on a weekday and my mom and I had the place all to ourselves!

Hello, Warung Kapitolyo!

This restaurant seems to be an old house converted into a spacious and well-designed restaurant. Upon entering the dining hall, I noticed the beautiful dangling lighting fixtures and wooden window panes that made the frustrated interior designer in me jump with glee.

I’m not exactly familiar with Indonesian cuisine but the overlap of Asian dishes made me feel comfortable with ordering Sate Ayam (PHP195), Ikan Pepes (PHP210), Nasi Goreng (PHP185) and Soto Ayam (PHP190). For drinks, I got Cucumer Shake (PHP95) while my mom ordered Coconut Shake (PHP95).

First served were our drinks which were perfect thirst quenchers!

I loved that our drinks were not that sweet and were very refreshing to combat the intense afternoon heat.

Service was fast as all of our dishes were served in less than 15 minutes.

Sate Ayam is probably my favorite that day as its tender chicken bits were barbecued to perfection!

I also loved the generous sauce coating that gave each bite a punch of peanut taste!

I wasn’t too crazy with Soto Ayam or the traditional Indonesian yellow spicy chicken soup as it tasted just like your usual chicken sotanghon with hard boiled egg, only it was a bit spiced.

I did appreciate though that the chili sauce was served on the side. I find it a thoughtful touch for those who could not enjoy spicy food.

The Nasi Goreng was another story though as it was divine! I loved how well the rice was cooked and how it was beautifully complemented by the perfectly fried sunny side up egg and cracklings for texture.

Ikan Pepes was pretty good too. The steamed and grilled tilapia wrapped in banana leaf may not be as flavorful as the other dishes but it gave a bit of spicy curry kick which I liked.

We would have ordered desserts too but I was hoping to drop by this coffee shop along Sheridan so we decided to skip the sweet endings.

Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience. I liked most of the dishes served and the ambiance was perfect for a nice catch up with family and friends. Warung Warung also has three function rooms for private events and spacious parking space to boot!

Warung Kapitolyo is located at 83 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

One thing I do not like about Manila is the lack of fun activities one can do in the city. Unlike other places like New York, Seoul and the like, we do not have parks, easily accessible mountains, or even spacious and well maintained zoos to spice things up and avoid mundane activities such as shopping and watching movies. Don’t get me wrong, I also enjoy shopping and catching the latest blockbuster but there are times when I crave for adventure or simply do something different. And I found the solution when I stumbled upon Gandiva in Ortigas. I had a blast firing arrow after arrow but I didn’t like the heavy price I had to pay for an hour of fun. Thankfully, Gandiva heard my prayers and created Arrowland.

Hello, Arrowland by Gandiva.

I’m sure you’re wondering what makes this different from Gandiva. It’s also an archery place with pretty much the same set up as Gandiva which just happens to be located inside the always busy and packed SM Megamall.

The venue alone already serves as a clue on what differentiates Arrowland from Gandiva. It made archery a lot more affordable and accessible to everyone interested to try being Katniss or Hawkeye by offering this action-packed activity in sachet-like packages.

Arrowland features an archery range with 10 lanes of 10 meters each. Beginners all start with bare bows, allowing players to enjoy archery in its most basic form. This, again, sets Arrowland distinct from Gandiva and other archery places which uses bows with target guides.

I have to admit, I suck with bare bows. I prefer the bows with that small circle in front to help me hit the target (or at least have all my arrows land on the sheet of paper).

For the rates, Arrowland did an amazing job in creating its shooting packages. Listed below are its rates inclusive of bare bow rental and lane:

25 arrows - PHP250

50 arrows - PHP475 (arrows could be shared by 2 players)

75 arrows - PHP675 (arrows could be shared by 3 players)

120 arrows - PHP1,020 (arrows could be shared by 4 players)

150 arrows - PHP1,200 (arrows could be shared by 5 players)

200 arrows - PHP1,500 (arrows could be shared by 5 players)

240 arrows - PHP1,680 (arrows could be shared by 6 players)

300 arrows - PHP1,950 (arrows could be shared by 6 players)

If you think 25 is a small number, you might change your mind after sending a few arrows off your bow. As a person who is far from being called fit, my arms felt sore after shooting about 10 arrows.

In order to attain the right form, one has to exert effort in pulling the bow string at the right angle and it takes muscle strength to do that. And since I lack such, I think I pulled more than just the string.

Despite having jello arms after finishing my stash of arrows, I could not resist firing more when our friendly instructor gave us a few extra arrows challenging us to hit bullseye. (Yes, we’re very competitive even if we suck at the game.)

Overall, it was a fun afternoon and I can’t wait to go back for more and bring out Katniss instead of Katmiss!

NOTES:

-There are times when the place is packed with mall-goers interested to try archery. Make sure you pass by Arrowland ahead of time to book your preferred time slot.

-Arrowland is also kid friendly! They have smaller bows for your tykes. The staff will let them try holding the bow and arrow first to determine if they could indeed play before you pay the fee.

-To make things more interesting, you may also avail of a target face for an additional fee of PHP40. You may also just rent a lane at PHP300/hour if you already have your own equipment.

-Arrowland is also open to private events such as birthday parties and team buildings. Just contact them at (02) 577 0956 or at 0917 877 2425 for inquiries and bookings.

Arrowland is located at 5th Floor, Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

I have been crazy for Chinese food ever since I’ve been with R. It’s hard not to fall in love with the centuries old cuisine especially when R’s family loves to go to the best Chinese restaurants in town. My tastebuds got spoiled and there’s no turning back. And just when I thought I’ve had the best peking duck, another restaurant made me think otherwise. And this “other” restaurant made me regret all the years of me ignoring it.

Hello, Choi Garden.

I always pass by this huge restaurant with red facade whenever I drop by Greenhills. A popular dining option for the Chinese community, this place gets really packed during dinner time and the day I went was no exception.

It was R’s parents’ wedding anniversary dinner and they ordered a bunch of special dishes for us to feast on. While waiting for them, I was given some nuts, water and hot tea which I almost finished as I was super hungry. I also ended up eating more than I should as there was nothing else to do. My phone's signal was weak and they do not have wifi. It was just me and the peanuts. Well, it was mostly plate when R and his family arrived.

They all arrived a bit before 7 pm and after a few minutes, a majestic boat filled with two huge Chilled Australian Abalone was served.

It was simply divine. I loved the firmness of the fresh abalone and I went to mushroom heaven after my first bite. I also liked it with a bit of wasabi for extra flavor and spicy kick.

The Chicken Fruit Salad which it was supposed to be paired with the abalones was served a bit late hence we were not able to know if the two actually go well together. Nonetheless, the chicken fruit salad was also chilled, creamy and slightly sweet because of the fruit bits. I think I prefer my abalone as is.

Another highlight of dinner was the Peking Duck (PHP1,000) which was prepared two ways, one was with just the roasted to perfection skin and another was with the meat which we stuffed inside a soft wrap.

It has been quite a while since I had roasted duck as good as this one.

The skin was so crispy while the meat was succulent and oh so flavorful. It was pure bliss.

Next served was Shark’s Fin with Crab Meat Yellow Soup which was divine! It was thick and had a generous serving of shark’s fin and crab meat. I loved it even more as I was feeling cold that time.

The Rock Lobster with Superior Sauce was pretty good too! Though the lobsters were on the small side, these scrumptious sea creatures were so fresh and had lovely snap per bite. The “superior sauce” was quite light hence giving way to the natural taste of lobster. The smooth noodles added texture to the dish and made it a filling one.

The kiddos went crazy with the Minced Duck with Lettuce but preferred the meat with rice.

I also loved this one as the duck meat was succulent and I really liked the crunch of the turnip.

Last savory dish served was the Steamed Lapu-Lapu and it was lovely! It had a lightly seasoned flavor which made me crave for more!

Last served were our desserts Egg Yolk Pao, something that reminded me of inipit and taro with tapioca balls and sago.

The Egg Yolk Pao was your usual mantao with lovely egg yolk filling. I would have loved it more if it was salted egg.

The inipit and taro desserts were pretty straightforward and quite ordinary. But I prefer those two over the egg yolk pao was both were sweeter and nicer to have to cap the meal.

Overall, it was a good dinner. The mains were amazing and I can’t wait to have more of Choi Garden’s Peking Duck!

Note: Cleanliness is very important to me and Choi Garden marginally passed this one. The utensils on our table were quite dirty and I had to have some changed as there were still food bits on it! My glass was a bit sticky because some of my drink spilled while being served and the chef who chopped our duck had a stained apron. At least our plates and everything else were clean.

Choi Garden is located at 12 Annapolis St. corner Purdue St., Greenhills, San Juan.

Lechon has always been one of the highlights of any festive celebration. We’ve seen it in big events such as fiestas, Christmas gatherings and well… Cebu. I must admit, I already had my fair share of crispy suckling pig but it’s just so hard to resist it when it’s right in front of you begging to be loved or indulged. Screw cholesterol! Let’s YOLO. Okay, using that term might have just revealed that I’m no longer young. Lame lines aside, The Foodie Station tickled my tastebuds once again by inviting me to its foodie eat up at one of Manila’s classics… Lydia’s Lechon.

Hello, Lydia’s Lechon!

A well-known brand that has been around for over 51 years, Lydia’s Lechon continues to make gatherings, big or small, extra special with its famous roasted pig. But unknown to many, Lydia’s offer more than just lechon. In fact, it serves other dishes that you wouldn’t associate with lechon.

Let’s start off with the dishes that are somewhat close to roasted pig first.

Upon close look of the beautiful spread of Filipino favorites, we spotted Chicharon Bulaklak(PHP135) and your usual Chicharon (Plain - PHP65, with Laman - PHP135), both perfect to be matched with beer. The chicharon was crunchy and lightly salted, just like how I like it.

Sadly, I was not able to try the chicharon bulaklak so I couldn’t comment on that.

Pork Dinuguan (PHP195) had the delightful grainy sauce texture and it wasn’t bitter at all. It would have been more delightful though if it was a bit tangier. (Then again, that’s the sour monster in me talking.)

Another dish on display which I was not able to try was Pork Barbecue (PHP75/stick). But this is a safe dish to order if you’re with picky eaters.

Lydia’s Classic Beef Kare-Kare (PHP285) would delight purists as this dish remains true to how kare-kare should be, peanuty, thick and full of tripe.

A trip to Lydia’s is not complete without ordering Lydia’s Special Lechon (PHP205, 1/4 kilo). I loved that the skin was crunchy and that they were very generous with the lechon sauce. The meat too was succulent and something elders would be able to munch on with ease.

Chopsuey (PHP150) and Breaded Water Spinach are must-orders to make one feel a bit healthier if you opt to order the sinful yet oh-so-good lechon.

These two vegetable dishes were pure joy to eat as the greens used were fresh.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Seafood Paella (PHP220) and Crab Rellano (PHP235 / piece) on the table. I never thought that Lydia’s also serve something like these and at reasonable prices at that!

Though the seafood paella’s rice was a bit off, the generous serving of fresh seafood—crab, mussels and shrimps— along with bell pepper slices, green peas, chorizo and a piece of lechon, made this dish bang for the buck!

The stuffed crab was one of my favorites during the eat up and I wouldn’t mind ordering a few more in my next visit. As a person who loves crabs but lazy to remove the crab meat from the hard to crack shell, this dish seemed to be made for me!

We capped our meal with Pandan Jelly (PHP75) which was pretty good too though I hope that they also have this available with ice cream on top.

Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience. It was fun too to catch up with fellow foodies and to meet new ones.

TIP: C5 traffic could be hellish sometimes so to avoid the pain of being stuck in traffic, you may order your favorite Lydia’s lechon dishes at the comfort of your home. Just call them at 939 1221 or at 851 2987 to 89. No landline? They got you covered! You may also order online at www.lydias-lechon.com.

Lydia’s Lechon is located at Cathay Builders Building, C5 Corner Caparas Street, Ugong, Pasig City.

It has been a while since my last road trip with R. We’ve been busy with work and other activities that we were not able to keep up with our monthly short getaways. But since our Deal Grocer voucher for The Plaza Hotel will expire soon, we decided to head up North and spend the weekend there. But before heading to Bataan, we decided to spend one day in Subic to enjoy the beach. But Mother Nature refused to cooperate and we ended up pigging out instead. And there is no better place to feast but the famous taco shop, The Coffee Shop, Home of Jumbo Tacos.

Hello, The Coffee Shop!

This restaurant doubles as a hotel with its rooftop room accommodations at friendly prices. But let me focus on the food, especially its jumbo tacos.

Since this place has been raved by so many foodies and some even claim that this place offers the best tacos in the country, I just have to try it! I went with Taco with Sour Cream (PHP130) while R went with Hard Shell Taco (PHP95). We also got Double Cheeseburger with Fries (PHP185) simply because R wanted fries. For drinks, we ordered Frozen Iced Tea (PHP85) and Chocolate Shake (PHP130).

While waiting, I took a few snapshots and noticed that they charge PHP30 for using their electrical outlets and that they also do not provide straws for non-frozen beverages.

Service was quick and our drinks were served in less than 5 minutes.

My frozen iced tea was refreshing. It had the right amount of sweetness and had a delightful lemon flavor. (It was so good that we ordered another glass right after finishing one.) R’s drink tasted like chocolate ice candy. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t that good as well. And for PHP130, I don’t think it was value for money.

Our tacos were served next and we were overwhelmed by the size. They were not kidding when they said jumbo. It was really huge! It would be at least 9 inches long.

And the taste did not disappoint. I didn’t really expect much given its price but one bite made me believe that there are still some restaurants that offer ridiculously yummy dishes at pocket friendly prices.

The taco shells and lettuce were crispy creating a sharp contrast against the juicy and flavorful ground meat, cheese and tomato chunks. The sour cream didn’t do much as the meat was seasoned really well. I regret not getting taco without the dip. I would have saved PHP35 if I did.

The cheeseburger which came with double patty and a generous serving of fat fries. I appreciate that they put the lettuce and tomato on the side as some diners do not like their greens.

It was pretty good too and reminded me of homemade burgers, prepared with love. The patty was juicy and perfectly grilled. It was just a bit hard to munch on the burger as the bun was very thick. (Note: We ate our fresh from the fridge leftover burger after a couple of hours and it still tasted awesome!)

Overall, it was a great lunch! I would love to visit this place again when I’m around the area.

The Coffee Shop is located at 2 Rizal Street corner National Highway, Barretto, Olongapo.

I’m always on the lookout for lines whenever I travel. I always think that long queues mean good food or deals. And I spotted a relatively long line when I passed by Hanjuku Kobo.

Hello, Hanjuku Kobo!

Okay, perhaps the line isn’t long all the time. We passed by its Tsim Sha Tsui branch (near Nathan Road) thrice and there was barely a line around lunch time. Then again, it was because the store just opened and foodies must be busy having lunch that time. But after an hour or two, the place was packed with locals waiting for their turn to get hold of Hanjuku Kobo’s pastries.

The long line made me curious and I told R that I want to buy some of the shop's cheese tarts and cheesecakes. But R is allergic to lines and we stayed inside our hotel and napped instead after lunch.

There was still a line when we headed out for dinner. My curiosity got the best of me and with my best puppy eyes, I asked R if we could line up and buy a few. And he finally agreed. We were fourth in line outside. (The staff control the number of people inside their small shop and I was part of the next batch.)

Hanjuku Kobo has a very limited product range. It only has cheesecakes, cheese tarts and a few other cakes. I went with a box of cheesecakes and two cheese tarts just so we get to try it. Our total was around HK$119 if I’m not mistaken. I recall that the box of 5 costs around HK$75 and the tarts were HK$22 each.

The wait wasn’t that long as the ones in line sure know what they want. We got our treats in less than 20 minutes.

And because these goodies could melt, the shop placed some ice packs inside to keep our cheesecakes and tarts cool. There was a problem though… the thin paper bag melted instead. We had to transfer the boxes to another paper bag and eventually get rid of the ice packs.

I immediately opened the boxes as soon as we got to our hotel.

The cheesecake had a light taste. it would have been perfect with tea. I loved that it was so moist and fluffy.

The cheese tarts though were way better! It had a stronger taste and I loved its slight tangy taste! The crust was crunchy and it complemented the soft and smooth filling. It was divine! I would fly to Hong Kong just to get my hands on these tarts!

Make sure that you include Hanjuku Kobo in your Hong Kong itinerary.

Tip: Hanjuku Kobo's Causeway Bay branch has less crowd.

I love being surrounded by fascinating (and old) architecture. I have been eying Vigan for the longest time but the long drive to the "blast from the past" scenic cobblestone road isn’t too appealing, especially to R. We then considered going to Bataan instead to check out some old infrastructures in the area. Luckily, The Plaza Hotel had a promo in Deal Grocer and we quickly nabbed it before it gets sold out. Soon, we found ourselves on our way to the historic place that marked the perseverance and bravery of Filipinos.

Hello, The Plaza Hotel.

We were a bit iffy turning to the small road leading to the hotel. We thought that the well-established hotel is located in a sinister looking place. But to our delight, it is a pretty good location. It is sandwiched in between Balanga Public Library and Galeria Victoria Mall. It is also across the historical Balanga Cathedral which was once used as an artillery emplacement during the Japanese invasion.

Parking could be hellish as The Plaza Hotel does not have its own parking area. You have no choice but to park in front which is shared with the other establishments nearby. We were fortunate to get one though in front of the hotel.

The doorman assisted us with our luggages as soon as he spotted us and guided us to the elevator heading to the main reception on the third floor.

Checking in went smoothly as all I had to do were to present my voucher and ID, sign a form and pay a security deposit of PHP1,000 (which will be returned during check out). After a couple of minutes, we were given our key card and we headed to our room on the fourth floor.

R noticed that the key card had the room number which is a big mistake. If the guest loses the key card and ends up with an evil (forgive me for the lack of better word) person, the lucky finder could easily head to the room and grab items worth getting or selling. Anyway...

We got a deluxe room for PHP2,000 and we felt like winners when we opened our room door. The room was spacious and well equipped with toiletries and even coffee!

The bed was comfortable and the air-conditioning was working well. The cable TV also had a lot of channels to choose from if you prefer a staycation in Bataan. It would have been better though if we had a nice view of the plaza. Our view was… the fire exit.

Don’t expect too much from this hotel as it has simple amenities. It doesn’t have a pool or a gym. But it offers a comfortable stay and prime location. (Plus, there are a lot of Poke Stops nearby!)

I’d definitely consider staying here again when I visit Bataan.

The Plaza Hotel is located at Bonifacio Street, City of Balanga, Bataan.

It has just been a few weeks since the holidays but most of us are already stressed as if we didn’t just took a relaxing break. Though it’s nice to run towards your goal, we tend to be too driven towards that finish line that we miss out on the smaller things in life that are also worth celebrating. Admit it, when was the last time you had a slow paced work lunch where you get to really taste your meal and not just wolf it down? Or how about having those few minutes in the morning where you enjoy a cup of coffee while reading your favorite book or catch up with your family? Sadly, I couldn’t remember the last time I had those. And this is what foodpanda wants to change.

Take time to celebrate everyday as each new day is worth celebrating.

This is pretty much the message of foodpanda as they launch the campaign “Celebrate the little things with foodpanda."

The well-loved food delivery app aims to let us have an awesome start this 2017 by helping us remember that even small things matter and worth our time.

From January 16 to February 12, around 1,500 lucky customers (who order a minimum purchase of PHP1,500) will receive lovely small tokens from foodpanda in the form of PHP300 discount vouchers from Zalora, addicting fries from Potato Corner, refreshing halo-halo from Icebergs and free rides from Grab EACH WEEK!

I could not think of a better reason to spoil one’s self with some serious good grub!

Check out www.foodpanda.ph now!

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It’s quite frustrating to be in a lovely city yet not know where to eat. I checked a bunch of sites but most of the establishments in the area have zero reviews. I remember though that a close friend of mine recently went to Bataan and took a photo of herself with a charming swing. I quickly checked if it has reviews in looloo; and it has an overall rating of four stars. Since it is just beside our hotel, we decided to drop by.

Hello, Stregato Gelateria!

The quaint dessert shop is located at the ground floor of Galeria Victoria Mall and it was a good thing that I asked The Plaza Hotel’s doorman for directions as we would have missed it and walked 15 minutes away as directed by Google Maps based on the pin in looloo.

Entering the restaurant could be a bit unpleasant as kids selling garlands would tap and force you to buy. One kid even asked me to treat her a scoop of gelato. Though it is sad to see kids trying to earn money to survive, it could also be annoying to some customers who just want a nice meal, poke-free.

The showcase freezer of gelato is the first thing you’ll see once you set foot inside the charming restaurant. But since R and I were famished, we didn’t bother to check it and looked for the menu instead. After spotting some savory dishes, we headed to the second floor and took the table with a swing couch. After a while, we moved as the table is too small for dinner.

We decided to go with Mushroom Soup (PHP97), Loaded Potato Skins (PHP145, add PHP10 for additional sour cream dip), Grilled Salmon (PHP185) and Eight-Hour Roast Beef (PHP220). For drinks, we went with Gelato Shake (PHP130) and Frozen Iced Tea (PHP85). I went down again as they have this pay as you order policy.

After placing our orders, I was informed that they were out of roast beef. I then changed it to pork belly but they were out of pork as well. I could sense that R was frustrated as he wanted to eat either beef or pork. Eventually, he settled with Pan Fried Herbed Chicken with Gravy (PHP178).

Service was fast and our drinks were served after 5 minutes.

The iced tea tasted like frozen Nestea while the gelato shake (I chose tiramisu) was slightly lighter than its dessert version. I was surprised that it was not as sweet as expected. It was a good thing though as it somehow quenched my thirst.

Mushroom soup was served next and it was the saddest bowl of soup I’ve tasted. It was so watery and quite bland. At least it was served warm. It would have been better if there were mushroom bits and sour cream for texture and taste.

Our frowns were turned upside down though by the loaded potato skins. R and I loved it a lot!

The baked potato skins topped with crispy bacon bits and cheese were delightful! Each bite was flavorful and adding a dollop of sour cream further enhanced the dish. I loved the contrast in textures and the play of flavors. I wouldn’t mind placing three orders of this if only it won’t make my thighs bigger.

My grilled salmon was quite good too though a bit too salty. I had to make sure that each spoonful had some sautéed mushrooms and leeks to offset the saltiness of the slab of salmon. Then again, for PHP185, this dish is a steal!

R’s pan fried chicken was also good. The chicken fillet was succulent and well seasoned. Stregato Gelateria was also not stingy with gravy. The chicken fillet was swimming in gravy! An order also comes with a small glass bowl of gravy for the gravy monsters out there. I also loved the slightly bland fried potatoes to offset the saltiness of the chicken.

We thought of trying its gelato or cakes but we were already too full to have desserts. We just stayed a bit longer to check our mails and catch a Pokemon or two.

Overall, it was a pleasant dinner. Food’s not that remarkable and the place is a bit too dim for its cute interiors. Servers though were quick and nice. Stregato Gelateria is still a restaurant worth visiting when nearby. Also, make sure you get a photo with the cute swings!

Stregato Gelateria is located at Ground Floor, Galeria Victoria Mall, Bonifacio Street, City of Balanga, Bataan.

Most of us hate Mondays as it means that we had to bid farewell to weekends again and face the real world. But there are times when work has its perks and one of which is having offsite meetings. You might think that I’m crazy because it still means work. But hear me out. Offsite meetings also mean possible good food! And for my company planning session, the team was thinking of holding it somewhere far like Anvaya. However, the ones with kiddos around were not too warm with the idea hence we ended up in… Manila Polo Club. Though it’s not exactly far, the traffic separates us from the office.

Hello, Manila Polo Club!

We booked one of the meeting rooms for our whole day planning and the rental of the room is consumable for the whole day. We had to bring some of our equipment though like projector to avoid incurring additional charges.

To start the day, we each ordered something for breakfast and I went with Granola and Yogurt Trifle (PHP335).

Service was fast and I got my lovely glass of dairy goodness in less than 15 minutes.

I took a big spoonful of this breakfast in a glass ensuring that I get all the layers—banana, yogurt, granola, honey and blueberry jam. And it was a delightful first bite! I love the contrast of flavors and textures. The soft and smooth tangy yogurt was well complemented by the sweet honey and blueberry jam. The banana slices added sweetness and bite while the granola gave the dish a lovely crunch. However, I needed a glass of water beside me as I finish it. (Note: It could be a bit too sweet for a morning meal.)

For lunch, I went with the Sirloin Steak that costs a bit less than PHP500. I had high expectation for this dish as we were having lunch at a posh exclusive club.

Our meals were served one by one and when mine was served, I was a bit disappointed with its plating. I was thinking it’d be served on a sizzling or wooden plate but it wasn’t. Anyway, hungry individuals cannot be so picky.

I took a bite and it was good but nothing special. It was your typical mid range sirloin with mushroom gravy.

I’m not sure if I was expecting too much from this clubhouse but I was not impressed with the main course at all. I also asked for some honey for my warm water and it tasted terrible. I had to save the honey I brought with me to last the day.

Overall, it was just an okay meal. I wouldn’t consider going here for a meal. I guess those who dine here are the ones stuck here for a meeting or event.

Manila Polo Club is located at McKinley Road, Makati City.

Cebu is slowly turning into a foodie paradise with new restaurants opening here and there. One of the restaurants that captured my interest is La Vie Parisienne. It is not particularly new but it has a romantic ambiance and I figured that it’s a great place to spend a night with R for his post birthday celebration.

Hello, La Vie Parisienne!

I am aware that this place is more of a bakery than a restaurant but I didn’t know that they have quite a limited selection in terms of heavier, dinner appropriate dishes.

We ended up just getting a few pastries—Pain Choco (PHP60), Croissant (PHP60) and Three Cheese Puff (PHP25).

We also decided to try one of the Shanpelino Sparkling Wines (PHP325/bottle) and went with Strawberry flavor given that it seemed to be the most popular.

Just like your usual bakery, you have to pick the pastries and drinks of your choice and put it in your basket.

Upon check out, you have to inform the staff if you would like to dine in or to have your food and drinks to go. We opted to eat there to enjoy the beautiful ambiance.

The French looking cashier quickly placed our pastries on a black stone plate and opened our sparkling wine and put it in a bucket full of ice. And in less than 2 minutes, we were set.

It took us a bit of time before we found good seats and clean table. The dining area was packed when we visited and the vacant tables were not very clean. Though I like the vibe of enjoying light snacks and wine al fresco, I didn’t really like that the the place was very crowded. (The nicest places to wine and dine—the lighted dome, teepee and low couches on the grass) were the most crowded.) There were a lot of youngsters around and R and I felt a bit out of place.

We started our light dinner by trying the cheese puff. And one bite made us realize why it was cheap. It didn’t taste that good. It was at best mediocre. The cheese taste wasn’t sharp and it was very true to its name “puff” as it was very airy.

The Pain Choco and Croissants are a lot better though. Pain Choco is your usual flaky bread with chocolate spread in the middle. The croissant on the other hand had a light buttery taste which I loved. Too bad I didn’t buy extra to bring home to Manila.

Our sparkling wine on the other hand was pretty good! It tasted like strawberry soda and the fizz tickled my mouth.

It was a refreshing drink and perfect to enjoy during a humid night.

Overall, I liked the interiors and the concept. Despite the intimidating name and look, food and drinks are reasonably priced. I’d be willing to go back for more of those croissants but I’ll definitely avoid the peak hours of the store.

La Vie Parisienne is located at 371 Gordoro Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City.

My college friends and I have been planning to visit Aguirre for the longest time but it always get cancelled, moved or totally changed to another location. But it finally happened! Today is an Aguirre food trip.

Out first stop was Bread and Botany but it didn't leave much of an impression. And honestly, I was disappointed. The only good thing I got from it was that it is beside Magnum Opus, a well-loved coffee shop along the popular food street.

Hello, Magnum Opus!

I went straight to the menu as soon as I set foot. Well, the place is pretty small too so you'll hit the counter as soon as you open the door.

I went with the famous Belgian Heartbreaker (PHP175) as I have been reading and hearing a lot of good reviews about it so I was excited with my cup.

I was surprised that it was served on a 9 ounce glass without handle. "How will I hold it?" Or so what I thought. But it was lukewarm. And I doubt that it was because I took a few snapshots of it. It was less than a minute.

I took the first sip and... it was okay. The Belgian chocolate taste was evident but not too strong. It wasn't as sweet as I thought as it had espresso in it. Overall, it was good, but not as good as I thought. It was very similar to the mocha drink I whip up at home and it does not cost me more than PHP50 to make a giant cup of it.

Iced Belgian Chocolate

Would I go back? Not anytime soon.

Magnum Opus is located at 2nd Floor, Prime Building, 115 Aguirre Street, BF Homes, Parañaque City.

Filipinos love to eat and that pretty much explain why more and more new restaurants and food parks open almost on a daily basis. Though I’m not exactly a fan of food parks as more often than not, the food in these places are just so-so, I had to take back what I said countless times when I visited The Food Haven at 77.

Hello, The Food Haven at 77!

This spacious two-storey house turned food park is one of the latest Kapitolyo gems worth visiting. Unlike other food parks, this one has ample parking space and the main dining area has A/C units in full blast to beat the never ending Manila heat.

I was warmly welcomed by a long table filled with delectable dishes and my hungry eyes couldn’t help drool over the mouthwatering milkshakes, maki rolls, churros, succulent chicken thigh and pretty much everything else. And since this entry will be too long if I go through everything, let me share with you my favorites instead.

Here are my top finds at The Food Haven at 77:

Auntie May’s

Owned by the very friendly May Reyes, this food venture started way back when food park is still a new concept in Manila. As one of the pioneers of Mercato Centrale and bagging the coveted number one spot during the recently concluded Ultimate Taste Test (UTT), it would be hard to be disappointed by this kiosk’s offerings. I particularly loved its Beef Salpicao which was succulent and oh so garlicky!

The lemonade she offers is also superb as each cup is freshly squeezed on the spot by Auntie May herself. And the best part is that it only costs PHP70!

Fiyah Peri Peri Grilled Chicken

What’s not to love with grilled chicken? Well, perhaps if it’s burnt or too bland. Fret not though as Fiyah seemed to have mastered the skill of grilling.

I absolutely loved its tender grilled chicken paired with a bunch of sauces from Peri Peri to Adobo and Chipotle. Actually, you don’t even need to put sauce on your portion as its marinated meat is flavorful enough to be enjoyed as is.

Trivia: Fiyah is owned by Romeo Nacpil and Jeffrey Go, start up restauranteurs who both first ventured in Gastro Park Kapitolyo with El Phante, a Thai-Mex kiosk.

Cone Head Frozen Custard

For dessert, I went with Cone Head’s Milo Dinosaur (PHP100) which was a frozen custard cone topped with Milo powder, Milo cereal balls, Chocolate Krispies and chocolate syrup.

It sounded like death by sugar, right? Surprisingly, it wasn’t that sweet at all. The frozen custard was smooth and had the right sweetness level. The different toppings added texture to my dessert which was love. However, it could be very messy to enjoy this cone. Luckily, you have an option to have it in a cup instead. But where's joy in that?

As we were to head out, we bumped into AJ, the owner of The Food Haven at 77 and he shared with us some of his plans for the place. Now that he was able to address the biggest concerns of diners, mainly parking and humidity, he now plans to add WI-FI and more activities like open mic sessions and acoustic nights. Also, as a supporter of local artists, he plans to have the whole space adorned by paintings from the budding painters and all these will be available for sale. How’s that for a food hub with an ambiance?

Thank you, The Food Haven at 77 and The Foodie Station for filling the good ol’ tummy. I will be back for more!

The Food Haven at 77 is located at 77 East Capitol Drive, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City. It is open on Mondays from 4pm to 11 pm and Tuesdays to Sundays from 12 noon to 11 pm.

My mom is a big fan of Craft Coffee Revolution ever since she tasted this third wave coffee shop’s cakes. I only had its cappuccino on my first visit and I wasn’t exactly impressed. But since my mom was craving for its sansrival cake, we found ourselves having afternoon snack at my mom’s favorite café.

Hello, Craft Coffee Revolution!

My mom quickly ordered a slice of Macadamia Sansrival (PHP170) while I ordered Flat White (PHP140). My sister didn’t order any as she was not in the mood for cakes and wasn’t fond of coffee from cafés as she find it too strong for her liking.

My mom’s cake was served first and it was… just okay for me. It wasn’t sweet so I guess that’s why my mom liked it. It had a light taste and it was not overly buttery making me feel less guilty for having a few bites. There was a relatively generous sprinkle of macadamia bits and that is probably the reason why a slice is a bit expensive.

My cup of Flat White was served next. It had the standard heart-shaped latte art and it was served hot.

It was a bit stronger than the ones I get from Local Edition, Toby's Estateor Yardstick. I opted not to add sugar for me to enjoy the natural coffee taste. My sister took a sip and I totally forgot to warn her about its strong taste and such mishap led to her making a really ugly face (which I’m quite used to). It went well though with the pastry my mom ordered but it might have been better with a sweeter cake to offset the bitterness of the coffee.

Overall, I’m still not impressed with Craft. I’d still go elsewhere for my caffeine fix.

Craft Coffee Revolution is located at 2nd Floor, Podium Mall, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Restaurant Love: Cibo

A Cheesy Affair: Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory

Now in Manila: Thai Original BBQ

Restaurant Love: Barcino Wine Resto Bar

Love at First Sip: Toby's Estate Chai Chocolate

Kitchen Adventure: Suy Foods' Longganisa and Tocino for Brunch

First Bite: Warung Kapitolyo

Archery 101: Arrowland by Gandiva

Love at First Bite: Choi Garden

Filipino Classic: Lydia's Lechon

Love at First Bite: The Coffee Shop

When In Hong Kong: Hanjuku Kobo

When in Bataan: The Plaza Hotel

Celebrate the Little Things with foodpanda

When in Bataan: Stregato Gelateria

Work Perk: Manila Polo Club

When in Cebu: La Vie Parisienne

First Sip: Magnum Opus

New Food Park Alert: The Food Haven at 77

Second Sip: Craft Coffee Revolution