What Mary Loves

Why do we always love the things bad for us? I am not talking about drugs or anything illegal. One of my addictions is ramen. The sodium in a bowl gloomy weather must have is one of my top 5 favorite dishes and a trip to Japan is nothing without indulging in a bowl or two. And so when R and I spotted a ramen shop with a long queue outside, we just have to line up and find out why locals (and tourists) line up for it.

Hello, Ichiran!

I have read about Ichiran online and all articles say that it is one of the best ramen joints in Japan. Knowing this made me so excited to order a bowl. I asked R to share a bowl with me since I wasn’t that hungry but he was; so we decided to go with one bowl each. And it was a good thing we did as sharing was not allowed.

Before entering the dining area, we had to line up to place our order from the ramen vending machine. There was only one type of ramen with a handful of add ons to choose from. You could also adjust the richness of the broth based on your preference. I went with no spice with a lot of spring onions, a bit garlicky, firm noodles and with rich broth. R went with the same but with mild spice. A bowl cost about JYP800-1000. The machine also takes our payment in return of food stubs which we have to give the servers inside.

I was surprised that the dining area inside was the Japanese individual dining booth type. I have been dying to dine in one for the longest time! (No wonder sharing was not allowed.) R and I managed to get seats beside each other. Yay! <3

While waiting for our ramen, our shelled tamago (egg) was served. We were still dazed from the experience that we didn’t think of removing the shell while waiting.

Our ramen arrived next and it came in a rectangular ceramic bowl with lid. Upon lifting the lid, the ramen looked very simple yet unexplainably mouthwatering.

R and I hurriedly removed the shell off our eggs and dipped it in the warm broth and had a big spoonful.

It was delectable! The broth was rich but not cloying. It was spot on. It was the best ramen I’ve had to date.

The noodles were thin and very firm, just the way I like it. The chashu was tender and flavorful too. The spring onions added crunch to the dish and the garlic taste made the dish so addicting.

And the egg was great too! Everything was simply delightful.

I regret not buying Ichiran’s instant noodles and other merchandise. I will definitely buy a few packs when I get a chance to visit again.

Ichiran is located in Canal City, Hakata, B1 1-2-22 Sumiyoshi Hakata-ku Fukuoka-shi Fukuoka-ken 812-0018. For a complete list of branches, click here.

I still remember the time crepe cake craze hit Manila. Everyone was raving about it and posting it on their social media accounts. I’m not a fan of this dessert as all of the ones I’ve tried were overpriced and borderline disappointing. But when my friends start to rave about this café in Makati, I was itching to try it. After all, I trust their tastebuds.

Hello, Crepe Amélie.

It’s easy to spot this quaint café as it is located on the ground floor of A.Venue and it has frontal facade giving it high visibility.

I was instantly charmed as soon as I stepped in. Dim lights, dark wood interiors and adorable decors filled the dining area of the café.

C has been waiting inside for a couple of minutes already when I arrived and since we were about to have dinner somewhere else, I decided not to order anything. She, on the other hand, ordered a slice of Strawberry Fields Crepe Cake (PHP200) and waited for me to arrive so that I could also take photos of the lovely slice of cake. Ain’t she the sweetest?

And after a few snapshots, I demurely took a bit of the cake to taste and it was pretty good! Actually, it was the best local crepe cake I’ve tasted so far.

It was moist, beautifully layered with cream and strawberry filling, and it was actually flavorful! It didn’t taste like plain colored crepe at all!

It is quite steep though at two hundred bucks but it’s a nice way to cap the week or to celebrate payday. I’d definitely go back to Crepe Amélie to try the other flavors.

Crepe Amélie is located at Ground Floor, A.Venue Mall, 7829 Makati Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City.

Wee Nam Kee has been around for several years now, but for some reason, it never succeeded in attracting me to any of its branches. And the weird part is that I love Hainanese chicken. But it was in my fate to eventually step inside Wee Nam Kee and that day finally came two months ago.

Hello, Wee Nam Kee!

We visited its Serendra branch one Friday night and we were instantly greeted by warm yellow lights and a crowd feasting on some Singaporean signature dishes.

Plate after plate of scrumptious looking dishes were served on our table while another server was busy serving everyone glasses of Iced Lemon Tea (PHP70 | PHP95, bottomless).

As a Wee Nam Kee first-timer, I didn’t know that the dishes served to us were the Singaporean restaurant’s new offerings.

The Laksa Lava Fish Cake (PHP195 / 2 pieces) was an instant favorite as the beautiful contrast between the silky fish cakes and crunchy breading was addicting.

The delightful laksa curry filling also added oomph to the dish making it a superb appetizer. If you happen to have very low tolerance to spicy food, fret not as this dish is mildly spiced.

My eyes were on the Cereal Soft Shelled Crab (PHP658, 2 piece) and Chili Soft Shelled Crab (PHP658, 2 pieces) as soon as both were placed on the table. And both did not disappoint in the taste department.

The Cereal Soft Shelled Crab, just like its sister Cereal Prawns, were crunchy and had a divine sweet taste with a bit of spicy kick. But just like Laksa Lava Fish Cake, its spiciness was tolerable.

Chili Soft Shelled Crab, on the other hand, had onion rings as the bed of the battered soft shelled crab covered in sweet-spicy sauce that gave a gentle hot kick at the end of each bite.

The Braised Beef Brisket with Potatoes (PHP380) was another dish that tickled my tastebuds. The succulent beef brisket chunks and potato balls were beautifully coated with a peach flavored sauce that made the dish enjoyably sweet. But I had to eat this with some rice as it is quite rich in flavor.

A trip to Wee Nam Kee is not complete without indulging in its bestselling teamed Hainanese Yellow Chicken (PHP455, small | PHP898, medium | PHP1,688, large).

I managed to get a portion of the tender and juicy poultry and loved it with a generous serving of ginger.

However, if I were to choose between steamed and roasted, I’d go with roasted (PHP234, personal set | PHP352, small | PHP618, medium | PHP1,045, large) as I love its smokey taste. And with Wee Nam Kee’s superb culinary staff, the chicken remained moist and simply delectable.

Overall, it was a great dining experience. All the dishes served to us were delightful and would make me go back for more.

Tip: Lazy to go out for lunch or dinner? Wee Nam Kee is also available for delivery through Food Panda PH!

Wee Nam Kee is located at Ground Floor, Serendra, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

I think I’ve used the sentence “I love Japanese food” countless times to the point of me quoting myself. But I can’t resist it. I really do love this Asian cuisine and always find myself craving for more. And when I found out that one of my favorite ramen joints finally opened in Uptown Parade, I just have to drop by ASAP. But adulthood got in the way and it took me a few months before indulging in some Hakata ramen.

Hello, Uma Uma!

I’m so glad that they opened a branch in BGC. Gone are the days when I have to brave the traffic just to get to S Maison. I could finally have my ramenfix by walking to Uptown. (Okay, that might take at least half an hour but hey, at least I won’t get stuck in the detestable EDSA traffic.)

Uma Uma’s BGC branch is a bit smaller than S Maison and it’s a bit dimmer as well.

I guess it was intended to blend in with the other establishments that cater to the “party” crowd. Speaking of party, my tummy feasted on several new Uma Uma dishes.

We started off with Spicy Karaage (PHP220), Beef Yakitori(PHP150), Butabara or Pork Belly (PHP75), Shiitake Mushroom (PHP75), Cherry Tomatoes (PHP50), Tsukune or Chicken Balls (PHP75), One Bite Gyoza(PHP140) and Chicken Karaage(PHP160).

Among the yakitoris, my favorite was beef that was lightly seasoned hence highlighting its lovely beefy taste.

Butabara was pretty good too though I would have loved it more if there were some sauce I could dip it in or salt and pepper for more taste.

I’m a sucker for mushrooms and I finally have a place to visit when I crave for shiitake. I just love its chewy texture!

The cherry tomatoes were pretty good too. But I’m being biased here as I love tomatoes.

I totally forgot what the chicken balls taste like but I guess it was just okay as I don’t have any negative feeling towards it.

The bite size gyozaswere still delightful just like the first time I had it. Though it seemed to be a tad oilier this time around.

The two karaagedishes were winners!

I was impressed that despite sitting for over half an hour in spicy sauce, the skin of the spicy karaage remained crispy. I also liked that it was just mildly spiced making it tolerable for non-spicy food eaters like me.

But the crown is on the classic chicken karaageas it is the best karaage I’ve had to date! And its very affordable price makes this dish a gift from heavens above for moms with kids who can’t get enough of crispy chicken. The sinful combination of crunchy flavorful batter and the juicy chicken meat would make anyone crave for it for weeks (or months in my case).

As for ramen, I was able to sample Uma Uma Ramen(PHP360), Garlic Ramen(PHP360) and Mazesoba Chasiu(PHP390). Tan Tan Men (PHP390) was served too but I didn’t try it anymore as it looked really spicy.

I’ve had Uma Uma Ramenbefore and loved it. And it tickled my taste buds once again. The delectable tender chasiu added flavor to the rich broth and the black fungus gave it an interesting bite.

The Garlic Ramenis perfect for garlic lovers. Though it might be a bit too flavorful and strong for “casual” garlic fans, it was heavenly for me. I loved that it was a bowl overloaded with garlic taste. And since this bowl has beansprouts, it became an instant favorite.

If you are trying to cut down on calories, Mazesoba Chasiuis a good option as it only has two-third the calories of typical ramen bowl. However, I only had a bit of this as it was topped with chili oil.

Overall, it was a scrumptious dinner. I would definitely order karaage again and Garlic ramen.

Uma Uma is located at 2^nd Floor, Uptown Parade, 9^th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Ola amigos and amigas! Those are the words that come in mind when I think of Gringo, a restaurant known for its delectable baked chicken. And when I found out that Gringo opened a branch in BGC, I was beyond ecstatic! I could finally sink my teeth into some of Gringo’s well-loved chicken.

Hello, Gringo.

After a tiring walk around High Street and Burgos Circle to do some errands, I decided to reward myself with a nice meal before heading back home. And it was the perfect time to stop by Gringo.

I was warmly greeted by one of the staff and ushered me to a vacant table. He quickly handed the menu and gave me a glass of cold water.

After some thought, I ordered Quarter of Gringo Original Chicken with two sides (PHP225). For sides, I went with marbled potatoes and roasted squash. I also got a glass of House-brewed Iced Tea (PHP75).

Service was fast as my glass of iced tea was served after three minutes. And it sure was no Nestea or Lipton.

I have nothing against the two popular brands but I just do not like it when restaurants claim that they served house-brewed iced tea only to drink those ready-to-drink ones. Gringo’s iced tea has a nice dark tea taste which I love. But it’s best to wait for the ice to melt a bit as the drink could be a bit too flavorful to quench one’s thirst. (But hey, that means more iced tea!)

My plate of baked herby chicken was served next and I quickly took some snapshots without realizing that one of the sides I got was wrong. Instead of squash, I got eggplant. But the staff quickly replaced it after I pointed it out.

And true to most reviews, Gringo’s chicken delights and tickles the taste buds. The poultry marinated in various herbs and lemon was indeed flavorful and juicy. It was like a healthier version of KFC, only way better! It didn’t need any of the two sauces it comes with.

I would have preferred my sides to be a bit mushy as I found both to be too hard. But I guess it was cooked as such to add texture to the beautifully moist chicken. Just don’t expect for equally tasty side dishes as these ones were lightly seasoned.

Overall, it was a very pleasant dining experience. I didn’t get weird looks from the crew as I get the centerpiece from the other table for flat lay. Service was quick and everything was affordable.

Will I go back? Definitely!

Gringo is located at Ground Floor, The Fort Residences, Burgos Circle, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

Abaca is not a foreign name to those who frequent Cebu. As one of the popular restaurant groups in the city, a visit to any of Abaca Group’s restaurants is a must. I’ve been to Maya, Abaca’s Mexican joint last 2015 after my trip to Bantayan Island and I was impressed by its nachos and very flavorful Asada Fajitas. This time around, I made sure to drop by its cafe counterpart, Abacá Baking Company.

Hello, Abacá Baking Company.

Located a few steps away from Maya, this place has a very chill and New York bakery vibe.

Since there are only high stools on the ground floor, we decided to head up to the second floor. I was hoping that some of the staff would help us carry our luggages (as we were on our way to the airport then) upstairs but we didn’t get any assistance from anyone even when some were just idle when we arrived.

We were approached by a server with a very red nose and handed us menu. With hoarse voice, she mentioned their bestsellers and we decided to go for Tomato Soup (PHP195), Skillet Breakfast (PHP495) and Calamansi (PHP55). For dessert, we went with Fresh Fruit Tart (PHP225).

First served was a glass of tangy calamansi juice.

Drinking it as is would be like pinching the tastebuds as a mere drop was tangy enough to make one’s face scrunch. In order to avoid wrinkles, it is best to pour some syrup in. However, foodies fond of sweet drinks may not find one shot of syrup enough.

Next served was our piping hot bowl of tomato soup (that day’s Daily Soup) served with a thick buttered brioche.

As a tomato soup fan, I was excited to take my first sip and compare it with Cicada’s Roast Tomato Soup. But I was slightly disappointed by it.

Unlike Cicada’s, Abaca’s version was slightly watered down. Also, serving size was smaller and pricier. But if you plan to order a lot of dishes, Abaca’s soup would be a better option as it was lighter in the tummy, just like how appetizers should be.

After a couple of minutes, a skillet filled with fried eggs, bacon, country style sausage (patties), beans, tomatoes and thick toasts graced our table. It sure made us thankful for not ordering another dish as this one looked really filling.

And it was filling. But that was about it. Sadly, it was not impressive on the taste department. It was pretty much ordinary. The only thing that stood out was the fluffy toast.

At least the fruit tart’s taste gave justice to its steep price.

The huge fruit slices and chunks were indeed fresh and went well with the smooth and creamy custard and crunchy tart.

I guess it’s best to order pastries from Abacá and head over to Maya for savory dishes.

Abacá Baking Company is located at Crossroads Mall, Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City.

I’m so glad that I live in a country rich in seafood. With a bunch of seafood restaurants around, I never have to worry on where to get my under-the-sea fix. And whenever I travel north, one of the stops I look forward to is Matutina’s Seafood House and Restaurant.

Hello, Matutina’s Seafood House and Restaurant!

We were supposed to eat at its main Urdaneta branch but the place was packed when we got there with an hour wait time. With grumbling tummies, we tried our luck with its Annex 1 branch and thankfully, Lady Luck was on our side as a table just cleared up when we got there.

R’s parents did the ordering and went with Tangigue Kilawin (PHP250), Pinakbet (PHP150), Grilled Bangus (PHP150, regular), Crispy Hipon (PHP250), Liempo (PHP85) and Buko Juice (PHP75).

While waiting for our food, we were given some complimentary coconut snacks which I always look forward to whenever we visit Matutina's.

Soon, our drinks were served.

I love drinking fresh buko but I wish that it could be served chilled. Nonetheless, I like that sipping from the shell makes me feel healthier. (Though, I couldn’t say the same in R’s case as he likes to sprinkle sugar in his drink.)

Pinakbet was served next and it was pretty good. The veggies used were fresh and I loved that the pumpkin chunks were not very mushy. But the best part was the chicharon cracklings! It went superbly well with the greens. And for PHP150, it had generous serving.

Crispy Hipon soon followed and it also had some chicharon mixed with the fried shrimps.

I wasn’t too crazy with this one as it was too dry. But eating it with saucy dishes like pinakbet solves that issue.

I also liked munching on the grilled liempo with pinakbet. It would have been better though if the skin was crunchy.

As always, Matutina’s grilled bangus was stellar. Despite the burnt skin, the inside was juicy and nothing short of being called “perfectly cooked”. Drizzling it with soy sauce with calamansi made it even better.

As we were trying to get as much meat as we could off the fish, our almost forgotten tangigue kilawan was served.

As much as we would like to appreciate the last dish, we were too full for it. The only perk of having this last was that it somehow cleanse the palate with the dish’s tangy flavor.

Overall, it was a pleasant lunch. We left the restaurant with full and satisfied tummies and the best part was that it didn’t hurt the wallet.

I’d definitely drop by again when I drive to north.

Matutina’s Seafood House and Restaurant Annex 1 is located at Nancaysan Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

Japanese restaurants never fail to charm me like light to fly. I’d go to one for lunch or dinner if I have the chance to do so. And when I spotted New Kamameshi House during one of our Pokemon Go runs, R already knew where we were going to have dinner.

Hello, New Kamameshi House.

I heard that this Japanese restaurant is one of the pioneers in Quezon Memorial Circle. With it having several years of being in business, my expectation from this place went up a bit.

There were not a lot of people when we dropped by around 7:30 pm on a Sunday night. In fact, there were only 2 other tables occupied then.

We were quickly assisted by one of the staff who patiently waited till we decided on getting Tori Kamameshi (PHP165), Uni Temaki Sushi (PHP163), Ebi Tempura Meal (PHP220) and Tempura Maki (PHP206).

While waiting for our food, we were served some complimentary appetizers and house tea.

I must be famished as I finished mine in less than 2 minutes. (Well, I also happen to be a sucker for bean sprouts.)

Soon, a lovely lone Uni Temaki Sushi was served and it tasted just as good as how it looks. I liked that Kamameshi House was generous with its uni. Even my last bite had sea urchin! The rice used was great too and not the paste-like type some Japanese fast food chains use.

R’s Tempura Maki was served next and the ones without Japanese mayo were on the bland side so make sure you spread that eggy goodness on all the rolls.

The Ebi Tempura Meal which was composed of two prawn tempura, two veggie tempura and misoshiru (soy bean based) soup was decent. I was trying to figure out if it was value for money or not. But it might seem to be a bit on the pricy side given that you only get two small ebi tempura while other restaurants offer a bit more at that price. However, if you are particular with your rice, Kamameshi House offers better quality carbs to pair your tempura with.

My Tori Kamameshi was served last and I was intrigued with the traditional rice cooker looking container of my chicken rice.

Apparently, this is how kamameshi rice is prepared. It is cooked in an iron pot called kama along with other ingredients ranging from meat, seafood and vegetables. And by cooking rice on an iron pot, you can’t avoid having slightly burnt rice at the bottom. But this, according to Wikipedia, is the best part of the meal as it gives a desirable flavor to the dish while adding texture as well.

My Tori Kamameshi had an enjoyable light taste. The chicken bits were succulent and were made even better with the light soy broth. The rice was great too and true to what Wikipedia claims, the burnt part was actually the best part for me as it added crunch to the dish.

Overall, it was a pleasant dinner and I would love to go back and try the other kamameshi dishes.

New Kamameshi House is located at Quezon Memorial Circle, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

The third stop of our Zomato x ABS-CBN Marikina food crawl was supposed to be this well-loved ribs place but due to heavy rainfall, we had to make sudden changes and headed straight to the only Japanese restaurant on the list. And that’s Fukurou Nihonryori.

Hello, Fukurou Nihonryori!

Almost everyone in the group was excited to this stop as the gloomy Saturday afternoon screams for some hot bowl of ramen. However, I was not so thrilled with this stop especially when M and R mentioned that this place serves below average dishes. But hey, they might have improved. Let’s give it the benefit of the doubt.

We were only given 45 minutes to enjoy our food here as we were behind schedule. Good thing though that service was fast.

First served were plates of Kani Salad (PHP128). Honestly, I though those were complimentary side dishes as I couldn’t even call it kani salad for I could count the number of thin kani strips with one hand. Taste-wise, I couldn’t even remember.

Next served were bowls of Miso Ramen (PHP238). The noodles were said to be made from scratch in their kitchen but it looked and tasted like instant noodles. The noodles were not firm and in fact very soggy. It also had this not so pleasant starchy taste.

And the broth was weird. It was spiced. I’ve had several bowls of miso ramen and it was my first time to sip one that had a hint of spice. Others even commented that it tasted a bit gingery.

The California Maki (PHP148) was served after and it was just your usual mediocre California maki. The only thing I liked from this order was its generous serving size.

Last served were plates of Salmon Sashimi (PHP185). And as a salmon lover, I drooled over it despite its bright orange color.

Well, it was a decent plate of salmon sashimi and for PHP185, you really could not expect much from it. It wasn’t the melts in your mouth kind of salmon but it was good enough if you have sudden sashimi craving and stuck in Blue Wave Mall.

I noticed while browsing the menu that Fukurou has a bunch of bento meals priced at PHP218-228. I guess that’s a pretty good deal with the assumption that the taste is average and serving size is big enough. But based on the food we had that day, I would not go back here for more.

Fukurou Nihonryori is located at Ground Floor, Blue Wave Mall, Sumulong Highway, Santo Niño, Marikina City.

I always look forward to my Cebu visits as it means pigging out and indulging in some cholesterol-filled lechon. I also love that most of the new Cebu restaurants pay attention to ambiance and not just offering good food. But one café stood out and outdid everyone in the ambiance category when it filled its front yard with 10,000 roses.

Hello, 10,000 Roses Café.

This place is at the end of Cordova and the last two to three hundred meters are not accessible by car.

Given the influx of tourists and locals, there is now an environmental fee of PHP20 per person to get in the area of Lantaw and this café.

As soon as we settled the fees, we were greeted by a huge crowd and numerous selfie sticks. Since we do not want to squeeze our way in to get a selfie or two, we opted to go straight to the café to order something.

Unfortunately, the café experienced an electrical problem and we could not order any of its cold drinks because they didn't have enough pre-brewed coffee and ice. (They did get to fix it though after 20 minutes or so but we opted not to order anything anymore.)

We decided to stay at the al fresco area and enjoyed Cebu's skyline and one Chocolate Chip Muffin to pass time.

The chocolate chip muffin was your usual average tasting baked good. And sadly, it was quite forgettable. We opted not to order drinks after being underwhelmed by the muffin.

Since the place was getting even more crowded by the minute, I opted to take photos of the place and of the beautiful scenery before it becomes too chaotic.

Though it is best to visit this place at night to see the roses glow and dance (yep, those are fake roses), this place is also picturesque (sans the crowd) when the sun is about to set. You'd also get to see the skyline and the nearby island.

But would I go back? Not anytime soon. Maybe when the craze is over.

Tip: Most, if not all, dishes available are on the expensive side given its serving size. The only one that seemed bang for the buck is nachos. Drinks, on the other hand, are priced at Starbucks level.

10,000 Roses Café is located at Day-as Cordova, Cebu City.

I love jello, jelly, gelatin… whatever you call it. It used to be my staple afternoon snack and I remember that I used to get all the grape flavored ones to eat and the red ones to use as my pretend lipstick. I still get to have my jello fix from time to time these days but in the form of coffee jelly, grass jelly or sago’t gulaman. But when we discovered a jello place in Hong Kong, R and I dropped by the place as frequent as we could.

Hello… uhm… sorry, I can’t read Chinese. But this is the place near Canal Road, Causeway Bay.

R and I headed to the small restaurant one time after dinner. We got curious with why a lot of locals frequent the place and we were greeted by a friendly elder who I assume is the owner of the restaurant. We told him our order—one bowl of black jello (HK$7).

Service was quick and we got our bowl in less than 5 minutes.

It was pretty bland as is so R added this orange powder we saw on the edge of the table.

We sparingly sprinkled some of the said powder and it turned the jello sweet. We then figured that it was sugar. And that was when we went crazy with it.

It was just your usual bland jello but it being served chilled and topped with sugar made it a refreshing dessert, perfect to cap any meal.

After a filling dinner at Manam’s, F and I decided to cap the night with a warm drink. (When you reach our age, you’d want tea or coffee after a meal to help aid digestion.) I remembered that there was this coffee shop that I wanted to try when I went to Jonas for dinner. And without thinking twice, I convinced F to have our warm drinks there.

Hello, Dipdenza Coffee!

It has been several months since I last visited Fort Strip. I’d usually head home right away given the unpredictability of Mother Nature. Also, Fort Strip isn’t exactly “on the way” back home. Then again, so are the other restaurants I have visited these past days. Anyway…

F and I stood in front of the counter for a few minutes with blank faces and obvious traces of food coma. Eventually, F went with a cup of tea while I ordered Hot Chocolate (PHP110). Yeah… I should have ordered tea too or at the very least, coffee. But I wanted something semi dessert.

Service was quick as there were no other customers during our visit aside from the other fellow busy tinkering with his laptop.

My hot chocolate drink had a bit of art on top and it made my expectation a bit higher.

But I was disappointed after my first sip. It wasn’t thick enough and it tasted just like Swiss Miss. It was an overpriced slightly watery Swiss Miss.

Then again, I guess their specialty is coffee. Also, the place was a bit hidden and quiet making it a perfect venue for catch up sessions. So I’ll give this place a second chance to impress me.

Dipdenza Coffee is located at Fort Strip, 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. It is right beside Early Bird Breakfast Club.

I think most of us are guilty for ordering the more photogenic dish over the tastier one. More often than not, I find myself asking the server if the dish I’d like to order is pretty or Instagram-worthy and hesitate when I get no for an answer. But there’s a restaurant with a menu packed with tasty AND photogenic dishes. Yes, I’m talking about Wildflour.

Hello, Wildflour.

I’ve never seen Wildflour empty and it proves that this restaurant is not just a craze or have lost its charm after the market became less interested in Cronuts.

The homey café-slash-restaurant is one of Foodgrammer PH’s favorite restaurants and since we miss our fairy god foodie, we decided to have lunch there one time to celebrate how good 2016 was to us.

R and I arrived a few minutes past 12 noon and we were greeted by F who was already there munching on the complimentary bread.

Since we couldn’t seem to decide on what to order, R and I decided to share dishes and went with French Omelette (PHP345) and Chia Bowl (PHP350). I wasn’t able to take note of F’s order but it was an absolute egg porn dish!

Sadly, service was not as fast as it should have been. It’s just so interesting how restaurants are like printers, it could sense when you’re in a hurry. In our case, we only have an hour to enjoy our lunch.

Half an hour later, our food arrived and all looked so beautiful and seemed like it came straight out of a magazine feature.

After a few snapshots, we finally feasted on our hefty breakfast dishes for lunch and we fell in love (again).

The French Omelette was a fluffy scrambled egg stuffed with ham and ricotta sitting on a delightful tangy bed of tomato sauce and topped with arugula and parmesan cheese.

The tangy sauce and cheese were beautifully balanced by the divine egg and flavorful ham while the arugula added crunch and a bit of healthy taste to the dish.

If I were to choose what I’d like to eat every single morning, I’d choose this bowl of happiness.

I had no idea that a bowl of fresh fruits with chia seeds, almond milk, coconut milk, honey and toasted almonds would make me so giddy. If healthy living means eating this every day, sign me up!

Though it might be pricey, the huge chunks of premium fruits make up for it. (And chia seeds are not cheap too!)

As a treat, F bought R and I some puffed pastry called Bomboloni which reminded us of cream puffs. Sweeter than the usual cream puffs, this dessert is perfect with coffee.

Overall, it was another pleasant lunch. It would have been better if service was fast. But food and company were great so it was still a lovely experience.

Wildflour is located at Ground Floor, Net Lima Building, 26th Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

It’s always fun having R’s sisters around as it means endless feasts! For last November’s visit, D was particularly excited with Raging Bull, Shangri-La at the Fort’s well-loved steak place, especially after finding out that this restaurant offers superb cocktails aside from its famous grilled meats. Soon, I found myself on my way to the posh hotel for one heavy lunch.

Hello again, Raging Bull Chophouse & Bar.

The frustrated interior designer in me was tickled once more by Raging Bull’s sophisticated interiors. The combination of dark browns, blacks and whites never gets old.

R’s family did the ordering and they chose Raging Bull Salad (PHP375), Maryland Crab Cakes (PHP475), Tomahawk Wagyu (PHP7,950) and Ribeye (PHP3,100). The kids asked for something to snack on while they wait for the meats and H ordered Josper Bone Marrow (PHP685) for them.

First served was the complementary Raging Bull bread and butter which we finished in just a few minutes as we were famished.

I noticed that Raging Bull added mandarin oranges to its usual Mesclun mix, Gorgonzola, hazelnuts and Granny Smith apple slices topped with cider vinaigrette. I’m not complaining though as I love those small citrus goodness which went well with the delectable Gorgonzola cubes, nuts and greens.

The Maryland Crab Cakes were good as always. I loved the contrast between the crunchy coating and the soft shredded crab meat filling.

Josper Bone Marrow was served next which the kids fought over! It was just so funny how they argued on which bone marrow was bigger and who deserved it. They only kept quiet when they each got their portions. I wasn’t able to try this one as they literally licked the bone marrow! It must be that good.

A beautiful platter of ribeye was soon served and we feasted on it.

Just like before, I paired my meat with various salts in order to fully appreciate the taste of the steak. Cooked medium in order not to dry up its juice, each bite was packed with flavors that made me sigh and my tastebuds sing hallelujah.

The perfectly grilled meat was wonderfully complemented by grilled pumpkin slices, cream of spinach, buttered corn and mashed potatoes. I didn’t attempt to get rice as I’ve had too much carbs from the start of the meal.

The Tomahawk Wagyu was served after and it was gigantic! The MS 5+ grain-fed meat had that divine beefy taste which you could get by simply getting a whiff of it.

As my eyes sparkle at the sight of the huge piece of meat with a bone sticking out, R sliced me a portion and I began to indulge in the premium steak.

It was succulent and barely required effort to chew. It was an instant crowd favorite though for some reason, I prefer ribeye more.

As we continue to bring out a more sophisticated version of cavemen, I took a sip of my cocktail, Monkey Business (PHP400).

The blend of Monkey Shoulder pure malt, homemade rosemary syrup, Griottes cherry juice and Whiskey barrel bitters was a bit too strong for a noontime drink. I got a bit woozy after reaching half of my glass. I guess I’m just not used to drinking anymore.

But if you happen to fancy this drink, do watch the barista prepare it as it is very entertaining.

To cap our meal, we ordered Granny Smith Apple Cobbler (PHP340) which was absolutely perfect! I loved the crunchiness of the apple slices and how well it went with the puff. It was sweet yet not so sweet, making it great too for elders.

And since it was R’s birthday weekend, we were given a complimentary cheesecake which was pretty good as well. It had great consistency and the berries were love.

Overall, it was a pleasant lunch. I can’t wait to go back for more steaks!

Raging Bull Chophouse & Bar is located at 3rd Floor, West Wing, Shangri-La at the Fort, 30th Street corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

I find it interesting how much I’ve changed over the past few years. Before, I’d make sure that I have plans on weekends and that I get to visit at least five restaurants to serve as my content the following week. As I grow older (with matching aching joints and slower metabolism), I now value staycations and enjoying my alone time in the comfort of my own home. And one staycation got extra special when I got a sweet treat from Köök Manila.

Hello mini vacation with Köök Manila!

I hurriedly went home as soon as the clock hit 6 pm and I placed the vacuum-sealed Greek Chicken in the sink to thaw as I prepare my cookware.

Since I do not have an indoor griller, I decided to pan-fry the chicken sans the oil. Though I do not recommend this as it took me quite some time to cook the chicken, it still gets the job done. Best to puncture or slice the chicken to make sure that all parts get cooked. (Mine took longer than it should have because I wanted my chicken to look pretty when I take photos of it. Priorities.)

It was plain torture cooking this dish with an empty stomach as the fragrant marinade filled the room with its alluring scent of mixed herbs and spices. Even R who was asleep woke up because of it!

After 30 minutes or so of cooking, I finally got the light brown skin I prefer. I’m sure it would have been a lot faster with a griller. Maybe it’s time to buy one!

And it was worth the wait! The chicken was delectable and each bite was flavorful. I loved the slight tangy taste of the chicken as it tickled my taste buds and it made me crave for more. But for those who prefer extra taste, I suggest that you pair it with some garlic cream dip for that extra kick!

It’d be great for picnics and potluck parties too!

I can’t wait to try the other variants like Korean chicken!

For orders or inquiries, contact Roanna Chua at +63 917 598 6970.

People close to me know that I'm far from being tagged as a party person. Born as a certified tita (aunt), I have now graduated as a full-fledged Lola(grandmother) of Manila. But such did not discourage me from visiting a Great Gatsby themed bar that offers a magnificent view of the city. Okay, it was also because I was intrigued with its bar chows. The foodie remains more influential than the lola in me.

Hello, The Penthouse 8747!

The place, as it is aptly named, is located on the topmost floor of Lepanto building. Though the lift would not bring you all the way to the bar's main entrance, you just need to take one flight up to reach the reception adorned with gold accents and chandelier.

We were warmly greeted by the front hostess who assisted us inside where we were cheerfully welcomed by Krisha, The Penthouse 8747's Marketing Associate. She gave us a few minutes to admire the beautiful night view before we stuffed ourselves with some refreshing cocktails and mouthwatering dishes.

We started the night with some pretty cocktails called Jellous Lover (PHP350) while listening to some music crowd born in the 80s and early 90s would appreciate.

The light bubbly had a nice light taste perfect for a long sober catch up session with friends. And to reward one's self for finishing a glass, you'd get to taste the delightful jello on the bottom.

Savory dishes were soon served and we sampled Crab Cakes (PHP470), Shrimp Pesto (PHP370) and Seafood Flatbread (PHP460).

I loved that the crab cakes have generous crab meat stuffing. There was not a single bite with just breading. The flavorful shredded shell fish was made even more delightful with alfalfa, mayo and lemon juice.

The Seafood Flatbread had a light taste and perfect for those who do not like strong flavors. But for those who want to bring out further the divine taste of shrimps and mussels, request for some chili oil and drizzle it on top of your pizza slice.

Shrimp Pesto was the favorite during our visit. The rich nutty and herby taste of pesto was heavenly. The al dente pasta and fresh shrimps balanced the sauce and together created a dish all pesto lovers should try. I was told that it would be best to drizzle some lemon juice on the pasta and they were right! The contrast between the creamy pesto and citrus lemon made this dish not cloying at all. I'll surely request for lemon every time I order pesto.

And since The Penthouse 8747 experience is not complete with just one cocktail, we also sampled Fiftish Shades of Pink (PHP280) and Sweetish OM (PHP280).

Both drinks were quite good too. But I liked Sweetish OM more as it was more refreshing and not as strong as the former.

Overall, it was a very pleasant experience and I will definitely be back with girl friends with me for a Girls' Night Out, Titas of Manila version.

Tip: It's best to Uber or Grab your way to The Penthouse 8747 as the building has very few parking slots for guests.

Also, this pretty bar is celebrating its first year anniversary this April! Follow then on Instagram and Facebook for they might have some promos or events to celebrate this milestone.

The Penthouse 8747 is located at Penthouse, Lepanto Building, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.

I have been hearing a lot of good feedback about this ramen joint at The Grove. It made me curious when two of the foodies I know and trust mentioned that this is their favorite place for their noodle fix. However, I could never seem to find time to visit as I usually head elsewhere. Luckily, I got the perfect opportunity to drop by last Saturday.

Hello, Hanamaruken.

We were greeted by the restaurant’s striking blue round signage and it felt like we were transported to one of Japan’s modern ramen bars as soon as we stepped inside.

The beautiful dark brown tables along with eye candy Japanese décor and yellow lights tickled the frustrated interior designer in me.

Since this visit was part of the Zomato x The Grove by Rockwell Food Hop, we were able to try several dishes.

First on the list was Signature Happiness Ramen (PHP480).

This beautiful bowl of ramen topped with slow-braised custom cut soft boned pork rib was heavenly. I loved the richness of thes shoyu tonkotsu broth without being too overwhelming or cloying.

The ribs too were divine! I really appreciate the slight twist Hanamaruken did for this dish. Instead of the usual sliced chashu, they put in a whole rib! And even the bone's edible. Yes, it is that soft! (I feel sorry for the dogs though as we just ate the whole thing.)

I also liked that the noodles were firm and remained firm till we were done with our shoot (which lasted for over half an hour).

The Curry Tan Tan Mien (PHP340) which uses the same base as Signature Happiness Ramen was good too. It had a lovely curry taste which is uncommon for most ramen bowls. I liked that it wasn't that spicy and overly flavored.

We also got to try the dry ramen called Arakawa Abura Soba (PHP290). This dish is a collaboration between Hanamaruken and Wrong Ramen. The pan fried ramen noodles in reduced tonkotsu sauce, topped with slow cooked spareribs, onsen egg, R Lapid's chicharon, nori strips and negi concoction seemed to be a noodle lover's version of beer match.

It's best to share this bowl with someone as it tends to be on the salty side.

I wasn't able to try Champon (PHP320) or Hanamaruken's version of chopsuey,

But I didn't hear any negative reaction from the other foodies I was with so I'd assume that it was at least decent.

Hanamaruken's rice bowls were pretty good too and affordable at that. We sampled Happiness Rice Bowl (PHP250) and Drunk Man Rice Bowl (PHP280).

The Happiness Rice Bowl, similar to its ramen counterpart, has pork rib on top of perfectly cooked Japanese rice.

The saltiness of the succulent pork was just as good and I feel that it tastes a lot better with rice. I'm just not sure if it's the Asian in me talking, but I liked how the strong flavor of the rib was balanced by the neutral tasting rice.

Drunk Man Rice Bowl, on the other hand, as the name implies, is designed to cater to intoxicated foodies. The kakuni or braised pork was paired with two sunny side up eggs and sprinkled with chili bits.

Since I'm not fond of spicy food, I brushed off the spice and went with the braised pork with rice and egg. And the taste was quite similar to Happiness Rice Bowl. But do get this if you love eggs!

I wasn't able to try the mouthwatering Chicken Karaage (PHP320) as well as I was too focused getting my portion of ramen with noodles (which, believe me, could be very challenging for those who lack chopsticks skills).

I'll definitely order this on my next visit!

I last sampled the humongous Ebi Tempura (PHP480).

Hanamaruken uses tiger prawns for its tempura hence its size and price-wise, it's actually one of the cheapest I've had. But cheap doesn't mean bad tasting as the fresh prawns and crispy batter combo was an absolute winner. I actually liked this dish more than its ramen! I think I now have a new favorite place to satisfy my tempura cravings.

Overall, it was a great dining experience. Service was superb and food was good. It'd be better though if they could adjust the saltiness of some of their dishes.

Hanamaruken is located at Ground floor, The Grove by Rockwell, Ugong, Pasig City.

I have been dying to visit Sweet Ecstasy ever since I heard that it serves really good burgers and that its taste is very close to In-N-Out's, a well-loved burger joint in California which also had a few pop up events here in Manila. I was ecstatic when I found out that they have a branch in Uptown Parade. However, all the negative reviews from that branch made me hesitate. Hence, it took me longer to try this joint’s famous patties. Thanks to an event at Miriam College, I finally had a chance to visit its Katipunan branch.

Hello, Sweet Ecstasy!

Located at the second floor of Regis Center, I had an impression that this place will be packed by students and residents around the area. I dropped by around 12:30 p.m. and surprisingly, the place only had two tables occupied. I guess it is busier on weekdays.

Since I had to go to Banawe at 2 p.m., I quickly ordered Cheeseburger (PHP195) and Ginger Ale (PHP150).

While waiting for my food, I kept myself busy answering the long market questionnaire of Sweet Ecstasy which focused on the market’s buying behaviour.

After a couple of minutes, my burger and ginger ale (though still with the crown on) were served. The friendly server was apologetic when he found out that the cap was still on and was quick on his toes to have it opened. Talk about good service! *clap clap clap*

Sadly, the burger was not photogenic and I struggled to get at least one decent shot. And I think I failed.

I took a big bite to comfort myself and I was surprised with how soft the… bun was. It basically melted as soon as I took a bite and everything else (including the patty’s oil) slid to the opposite end of the bun. I got hold of the patty and greens on my second bite and it was quite good. Succulent and flavorful. However, it wasn’t what I was expecting. It was not close to In-N-Out’s burgers.

It took four bites before my burger turned into a hot mess. I ended up asking for a fork for me to finish my murdered burger. And that was when I realized that the patty was not as juicy as I thought. It is best with all the other ingredients, but if eaten alone, it was forgettable. I guess it’s a party loving patty that loves companion and shines best with its posse.

The ginger ale on the other hand was marketed as the freshest ginger ale in Manila. Though I have no idea what fresh ginger ale tastes like, I was convinced to get a bottle with its superlative description.

And it went well with my burger. It was refreshing and it had a stronger ginger taste compared to commercial brands like Canada Dry.

Overall, it was a pleasant visit. I heard that I should have ordered the double cheeseburger, fries and milkshake. I guess I have to visit again for that.

Sweet Ecstasy is located at 2nd Floor, Regis Center, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

I’ve been a fan of 7107 Culture + Cuisine ever since I visited it last year. I still remember the lovely pesto pasta with sweet tocino dish I ordered as if it was from yesterday’s lunch. As much as I would like to dine here again, my busy schedule was against my plan of visiting this colorful restaurant sooner. Thankfully, one weekend finally cleared up and I was able to drop by for more delectable local fare with a twist!

Hello again, 7107 Culture + Cuisine!

We were warmly greeted by the inviting interiors of the restaurant and were ushered to a table by the window.

Our lovely host, T, guided us through 7107’s new menu and recommended that we get Pata Croquette(PHP135), Bulalo V 2.0 (PHP375), 7107 Sisig (PHP335), Pinoy Big Breakfast (PHP335), Ube Flan Fritters (PHP165) and Molten Pastillas Lava Cake (PHP185). For drinks, we went with Tamarind Iced Tea (PHP75), Watermelon Lychee(PHP160) and Coco + Pine + Pandan(PHP160).

First served were our drinks.

I loved my WatermelonLychee as it was sweet yet refreshing and perfect to beat the afternoon heat. The taste of watermelon seemed to overpower lychee though.

The Tamarind Iced Tea was pretty good too. It reminded me of Bangkok’s famous tamarindcandies.

My least favorite was Coco + Pine + Pandan. Don’t get me wrong here though. When I say least favorite, I didn’t mean that I don’t like it at all. It was good too but I’m just not a fan of drinks that have a bit of milky taste.

The Pata Croquettewas served right after the drinks and it was divine!

I loved the combination of potatoand pata meat and the crispiness of the batter. The 7107 crispy pata sauce was great too and was the perfect dip for this unusual yet delectable croquette.

The 7107 Sisigwas a contender for Best Sisig in Manila as the sizzling pork bits were flavorful. The generous serving of scallion made it extra tasty! It would have been better though if it was the crunchy type of sisig.

We were surprised with the Pinoy Big Breakfastas it really was a huge platterfor its price. One order of this mouthwatering day starter includes tapa(with a choice of traditional or crispy Tapade Isabela), longganisa, crispy dulong, rice, atsara or pickled papaya and two sunny side up eggs.

Though each element in the plate was just ordinary, it exudes a wow factor when put together. The different textures and flavors went harmoniously with each other. This plate is also perfect for sharing if you and your companion are light eaters.

The highlight of my visit though was indulging in 7107’s BulaloV 2.0. I’ve been eying this dish since the restaurant opened. However, I wanted to wait of R as I could not finish one order alone.

And after half a year of waiting, I finally got to sink my teeth into the tender beef shanks that were grilled to perfection. I also liked that 7107 opted to serve the soupseparate from the greens in order to ensure that we get enjoy the leafy delights in its crunchy state. Having calamansi on the side was a nice touch as well as I love bulalothat has a hint of tanginess.

Quite full and ready to burst, we started to unbutton our pants for desserts.

The Ube Flan Fritterswere served warm and topped with mango ice cream creating a divine hot and cold contrast. The contrast in texture between the crisp wrapper and the soft and smooth ube flanfilling was great too.

The MoltenPastillas Lava Cake was also served warm and topped with vanilla ice cream. I was excited to slice the cake open thinking that molten pastillaswill ooze out of the cake. But not a bit of pastillasbudged. I guess it didn’t melt enough while baking the cake.

Taste-wise, it was not as sweet as I thought but that was a good thing for me. However, this dessert is a bit too heavy to be enjoyed after indulging in a feast. So make sure you share this with at least two friends if you plan to order this one, unless you intend to only order this during your visit.

Overall, it was a great dining experience. Service was prompt and we got our orders right away. The only downside from this visit was that the wait staff who wrapped our take away didn’t properly close the lid of the crispy pata sauce container. Ten minutes later, our paper bag’s bottom tore and R’s pants wet with the not exactly pleasant smelling sauce. So make it a habit to check your take away before leaving the place.

7107 Culture + Cuisine is located at Ground Floor, Treston International College, University Parkway, 32^nd Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

No double dipping! Finally, one restaurant said it.

Though I'm not very strict with the no double dipping rule, I still cringe whenever someone I barely know dips his or her bitten food in the communal sauce. I guess that is what Kushikatsu Daruma wants to avoid... a sudden lack of appetite due to what kids call "cooties". Then again this newest addition to Uptown Bonifacio's roster of restaurants have to mess up a whole lot before I lose my appetite for its mouthwatering offerings.

Hello, Kushikatsu Daruma.

I was greeted by modern Japanese interiors and friendly servers who ushered me to my table. Soon, Charlie Paw joined me and suggested that I try Beginner Level (PHP480, 9 sticks).

While waiting for my food, I was given a bowl of greens. It's not exactly a wait snack or appetizer though as it is meant to serve as palate cleanser.

The Beginner Level is composed of Classic Kushikatsu, Prawn, Chicken with Garlic, Tonkatsu, Leeks, Potato, Camembert Cheese, Chikuwa and Tsukune. Unfortunately, they were out of chikuwa and tsukune (chicken meat balls) when I dropped by and these were replaced with shiitake mushroom (PHP59/stick) and quail egg (PHP79/2 sticks).

The sticks were served three at a time and the first thing I noticed was the beautiful golden color of the batter. Charlie mentioned that its flour (for batter) and sauce are sourced from Japan. Even its oil, though not sourced abroad, is not your usual kind in order to achieve the delectable crispy yet not oily coating Kushikatsu Daruma is known for.

I went with quail egg first and it was like your premium kwek-kwek. The delectable quail eggs covered in the crisp batter and dipped in Kushikatsu Daruma's special sauce made me forget my love for the bright orange treat. The sauce, which tasted like a lighter tonkatsu sauce, added flavor to the stick without being overpowering.

Prawn would remind one of tempura. Though good with the special sauce, it made me crave for the usual tempura dip. This is one of my favorites and it is a safe bet for kids. Just add a cup or two of rice and your kids would surely stay put.

Chicken with Garlic is also one a great option to order when with kids. Juicy and garlicky, I enjoyed munching this one with only a light coating of the special sauce.

Tonkatsu or pork loin was pretty good too. However, if I were to compare it with other tonkatsu places, this one won't be on top of my list. But it's part of my top 5.

Classic Kushikatsu, though similar to tonkatsu, was better. The beef was seasoned well and was flavorful enough to be enjoyed as is. The cut of the classis kushikatsu was also a bit bigger than tonkatsu.

My tastebuds were starting to get too overwhelmed after I finished my fifth stick and I decided to eat some of the greens and skipped dipping it in the special sauce. And when I was ready to indulge once more, I went with leek. The crunchy onion-like vegetable turned out to be a great light start.

The shiitake mushroom, which is not part of the beginner set, was my favorite! The chewy texture of the huge mushroom went well with the crunchy batter. The slight sweet taste of shiitake also made it so addicting.

The potato and camembert cheese were my least favorites in the set but it would be something kids might enjoy as these are similar to potato and cheese balls.

Charlie also let me try Chicken Intestine (PHP79/2 sticks) and Chicken Gizzard (PHP79/2 sticks). The two popular street snacks were "Osaka-fied" and I was definitely curious on how different it would be.

Well, aside from the assurance that you're munching on clean food, these two snacks were also covered in the heaven-sent batter. I enjoyed the chicken intestine more than the gizzard as it was more familiar and didn't have that fear factor texture. (Sorry, I really am not just into gizzards.)

Overall, it was a nice dining experience. Though the dishes are slightly on the expensive side, its superb batter make up for it. I'd definitely go back and stuff myself with more prawns, classic kushikatsu and shiitake mushrooms. I'll also order rice on the side coz... I love the Asian way of dining.

Kushikatsu Daruma is located at 2nd Floor, Uptown Bonifacio, 9th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio.

When in Japan: Ichiran (Best Ramen Ever)

First Bite: Crepe Amélie

First Bite: Wee Nam Kee

Now in BGC: Uma Uma Ramen

First Bite: Gringo

First Bite: Abacá Baking Company

Restaurant Love: Matutina’s Seafood House and Restaurant

First Bite: New Kamameshi House

First Bite: Fukurou Nihonryori

When in Cebu: 10,000 Roses Café

When In Hong Kong: Go Jelly Crazy!

First Sip: Dipdenza Coffee

Brunch for Three: Wildflour

Second Bite: Raging Bull Chophouse & Bar

Food Find: Köök Manila

Night Cap: The Penthouse 8747

First Bite: Hanamaruken

First Bite: Sweet Ecstasy

Restaurant Love: 7107 Restaurant

First Bite: Kushikatsu Daruma