January 2012
1 post
13 tags
Date # 85: New Bombay
Date 85 New Bombay
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I’m honestly falling in love with Indian food. I don’t really have a high tolerance for anything spicy, but it’s great to be daring once in a while. I was also looking for something new since it’s the new year. That’s why Douglas and I went to the Podium Mall and tried out New Bombay, a relatively well-known...
December 2011
2 posts
18 tags
Date # 84: Yabu: House of Katsu
Date # 84: Yabu: House of Katsu
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Douglas and I were eager to go out after our grueling midterms week. We wanted to try this new place at SM Megamall Atrium called Yabu: House of Katsu, since it’s been making quite a buzz in the local foodie community. We’ve heard the legend of the Kurobata Black Pork being served in this restaurant and...
11 tags
Date # 83: Red Garlic Bistro
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One of my foodie friends Deane recommended this newly-opened restaurant in Katipunan extension called Red Garlic Bistro. I was immediately impressed when I read about the reviews of the place online, so one day, Douglas and I came to this place bringing high expectations.
Red Garlic Bistro Café is owned by Chef Vincent Rodriguez. The...
November 2011
4 posts
12 tags
Date # 82: Komrad: Mao's Hunan and Sichuan Kitchen
Date # 82: Komrad: Mao’s Hunan and Sichuan Kitchen
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There are days when Douglas and I just go wherever our feet take us. That’s how we ended up in Komrad, a new Chinese fusion restaurant in Eastwood. I’ve never heard anything about this restaurant before, but there was something about it that made me want to try.
Komrad banners food from...
12 tags
Date # 81: 2nd's, Comfort Food Revisited
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Despite being a food blogger, I still think that I’m not that much of an adventurous diner. Most of the time, I go for the more popular cuisines, like Italian, Japanese, American and Chinese. That’s why restaurants like 2nd’s appeal to me, because they serve comfort food, but elevated to have the finesse of gourmet...
10 tags
Date # 80: Gino's Brick Oven Pizza
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One of my favorite restaurants in the Katipunan area is Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza. I know that Katipunan is home to so many pizza chains like Yellow Cab, Shakey’s, Pizza Hut, Greenwich and Calda Pizza, but there’s really a huge part of me that craves for more than just the commercialized pies sold elsewhere. That’s why I choose to visit...
11 tags
Date # 79: Manang's Chicken
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Manang’s Chicken is the newest variant of the Double Fried Chicken fast food chains that are taking the Metro by storm. First was Chicken Charlie, and then the original Korean franchise Bon Chon Chicken, and then lastly, Manang’s Chicken. They describe their product as “Ang Bagong Fried Chicken ng Pinoy,” because their food is really...
October 2011
4 posts
12 tags
Date # 78: Shi Lin
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It was just by chance that we ended up in Shi Lin a few weeks back. We originally visited SM Megamall to get Douglas’ laptop fixed and then we drove to Podium for a quick lunch. Shi Lin is a relatively new Chinese place that serves dim sum and noodles, much like Crystal Jade.
Ever since Shi Lin opened in Podium Mall, people have been...
8 tags
Date # 77: Impressions
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Top left photo credit from: When in Manila
To be honest, I’m not really a fan of fine dining. I hate all the stiff conventions, the protocols, the unwritten rules—there are so many unnecessary things that go with fine dining that I’d rather do without. However, for our last date for the semester, I really wanted to slow things down and...
13 tags
Date # 76: Chicken Charlie
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Before Bon Chon Chicken became popular in the Philippines, there was Chicken Charlie. It was the restaurant that introduced the double-frying technique to Filipinos, popularized by restaurants in New York and in Korea.
The double-frying technique cooks the chicken without making use of breading so that the chicken skin stays thin but...
12 tags
Date # 75: Va Bene Pasta Deli
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Douglas and I decided to celebrate our anniversary at Va Bene Pasta Deli, a very popular place that’s tucked inside a Petron Gas Station. They serve fresh and authentic Italian pastas, made in the restaurant every day. Va Bene is owned by Chef Massimo Veronesi and his Filipina wife.
I recommend that you try to reserve before going...
September 2011
2 posts
10 tags
Date # 74: Persepolis Mediterranean Hub
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This is an overdue post. I haven’t really had time to write because of school. That’s also why Douglas and I have been revisiting our own backyard rather than going on food adventures like we’re supposed to.
Persepolis is one of our favorite establishments in Katipunan. It recently renovated and expanded its menu, as well as improved...
8 tags
Date # 73: Bon Chon Chicken
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Douglas and I have been getting requests to review Bon Chon Chicken since its first branch opened in Ayala Triangle Gardens. We’ve always responded with the words, “Sorry, but we’re not willing to go to Makati for fried chicken.” But ever since then, Bon Chon Chicken branches have spread throughout the Metro like wildfire. After a Bon...
August 2011
2 posts
16 tags
Date # 72: Orale Taqueria Mexicana
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Douglas and I got lost in The Fort one day while searching for Órale, a newly opened Mexican taqueria. Normally we’re iffy about walking under the sun, but I suppose the promise of good Mexican food was too good to ignore. We just couldn’t settle for anything less.
The interiors are bare and look unfinished. But this large mural of...
13 tags
Date # 71: Isabelo Garden Restaurant
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There’s something romantic about meeting in a secret garden at the heart of a bustling city. It’s like finding an oasis in the middle of the desert. It’s always worth the trip.
Douglas and I originally intended to go to Isabelo Garden Restaurant after our midterms, but unfortunately, all the missed classes due to the insane rain these...
July 2011
5 posts
13 tags
Date # 70: Jang-Gun Korean Restaurant
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I hate rain. I hate everything about it. I hate how it makes my socks soggy, I hate how it ruins my shoes, I hate how it causes traffic, and I hate how it can make me sick so easily. What’s worse, my reasons to hate rain is nothing compared to the true devastations it can cause—flash floods, ruined crops, destroyed homes,...
9 tags
Date # 69: Delish Restaurant
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Delish has been on our radar for a long time now, but we only got to visit the place recently because of our hectic schedules. Delish is famous for serving scrumptious oysters flown fresh daily, as well as affordable Filipino food.
For budget eaters, you’ll be glad to know that Delish serves lunch specials that range...
13 tags
Date # 68: Fish & Co.
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Fish & Co. is actually one of our favorite restaurants, only that we can’t visit the place regularly because we find the food a little bit pricey for our humble pockets. Good thing they have this new promo where they give a P500 discount for a minimum of P1500 worth of purchase, provided that you have the discount stub that comes...
12 tags
Date # 67: Gayuma ni Maria
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It was mostly our curiosity that led our feet to Gayuma ni Maria. This popular restaurant near the Ateneo/UP area banners a strange, but familiar theme: love and magic. With that said, the place is characteristically flirty, kitschy and chic, with heart-shaped designs stamped on its...
9 tags
Date # 66: O'sonho Portuguese Fusion
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O’sonho Portuguese Fusion is an underrated restaurant. It never made a buzz in the blogosphere, nor did it ever become a hot topic in social networks. But O’sonho is a place worth checking out—they serve mainly spicy food, with peri-peri (a kind of African chili) chicken being their specialty. That’s not the only thing they’re good...
June 2011
3 posts
11 tags
Date # 65: Mile Hi Diner
Katipunan has always been more than just a strip that houses two esteemed universities, it’s also known as a busy avenue that houses countless commercialized eateries that’s perfect for budget-conscious students. Due to various circumstances, however, the restaurants in Katipunan change every once in a while. Some say good bye, others say hello. In contrast, there are also...
12 tags
Date # 64: Choi Palace
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Choi Palace at Eastwood Mall is the newly opened sister restaurant of Choi Garden, located in San Juan. Both are highly esteemed Chinese restaurants that promise to serve high quality food ranging from the common dimsum and noodles fare to the more costly seafood, pork, poultry and beef dishes.
Choi...
12 tags
Date # 63: Hermanos Taco Shop
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Hermanos Taco Shop is a quaint, seemingly out-of-place Authentic Mexican Taco Shop located near a gas station. Purists would normally scoff at other Mexican restaurants and say that Hermanos Taco Shop is the only real Mexican taqueria in the city. But we’re not one of them. We always say that “just because it’s...
May 2011
3 posts
sansgf asked: Hey guys! Why don't you try Hermanos Tacos along Gilmore Avenue. It's exactly at a Petron Station, the one near Joel Torres' Grill near where they sell parols during Christmas season.. Just go to Petron Gilmore, you won't miss it.. ;)
14 tags
Date # 62: Izakaya Nihonbashitei
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Resting on one corner of Pasay Road is a spacious, but unassuming restaurant called Izakaya Nihonbashitei. The establishment houses two floors, the first floor having the usual effects of a sushi bar, and the second floor being the appropriate venue for Japanese teppanyaki fests. It is the kind of establishment that attracts even...
Yummy Date Night Turns 1
I’m sure you guys have noticed that we haven’t posted in a while. It’s a bit sad :( We thought we’d be able to post more since it’s summer now but unfortunately our summer schedules have made it even more difficult for us to meet. We’ve also been trying to build up our savings, so we had to skip out on lavish dates.
Anyway, I’ve been backreading my...
April 2011
2 posts
8 tags
Date # 61: Torch by Peppermill
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I originally wanted to celebrate my birthday in a steakhouse like Myron’s or Melo’s, but I went against the idea later on because I realized that Torch in Connecticut, San Juan, would be the more interesting choice.
We celebrated Douglas’ birthday last year in Shang Palace, before I outgrew my Xiao Long Bao...
9 tags
Date # 60: Gino's Brick Oven Pizza
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Sorry for the slow updates lately. The last few weeks of March really took a toll on us because of school. But we’re happy to announce that we’re finally seniors now! *cue happy dance* I can’t believe that I will graduate from college a year from now. :( (Douglas still has two years though, since he...
March 2011
3 posts
6 tags
Date # 58 & 59: Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken; Uncle...
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This is going to be a joint entry featuring two restaurants we dined in separately, since I think that we were only able to sample a few items from both of them.
The first restaurant I will discuss is Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, a truly great find. Peri-Peri Chicken makes use of African Birds Eye Chili, a spice that the...
6 tags
Date # 57: Sambo Kojin
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Sambo Kojin is a new Japanese/Korean eat-all-you-can buffet restaurant. It presently has two branches, one in EDSA and another in Eastwood City, Libis. We tried the one in Eastwood Citywalk for this visit. It’s located behind Something Fishy and across Club Manor.
The moment you step in, you’ll be greeted by a...
8 tags
Date # 56: B&T Mexican Kitchen
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B&T Mexican Kitchen is one of the newest Mexican restaurants to open in town. We visited this place because I was actually pretty upset that Mexican food is so unrepresented in our blog considering that Mexican cuisine is my favorite. Good thing we discovered B&T, because now we have a new venue where we can satisfy our...
February 2011
5 posts
6 tags
Date # 55: Gravy Fix
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Gravy Fix is the newest restaurant to open in Katipunan Ave. It’s located right beside Flaming Wings, which is incidentally its sister restaurant. Gravy Fix specializes on different kinds of gravy to suit anyone’s hankering for saucy goodness.
The place is taking off really well during its opening month,...
6 tags
Date # 54: Chef Dogan Turkish Grill
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Chef Dogan Turkish Grill & Restaurant is one of the restaurants in town that you should really try. It offers authentic Turkish cuisine prepared by a Turkish chef. What I find remarkable about it, though, is that it offers much more than just uniqueness—besides being the only Turkish restaurant in the area, it also...
8 tags
Date # 53: Bellissimo
Bellissimo is a tiny, cozy and romantic Italian Restaurant along Tomas Morato. It is owned by Filipino actor Cesar Montano. On a lucky day, maybe you’ll get to catch him there. On a regular day, though, I suggest you go there for the pizza.
The restaurant offers a selection of wines, although Douglas and I didn’t get to try them because we don’t drink.
This picture...
7 tags
Date # 52: The BRGR Project
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The BRGR Project along Maginhawa St. is now our favorite burger joint—for a ton of reasons. Here’s why:
1. ) You can customize your burger completely according to your preference. You can choose which toppings, buns, sauces, and even which kind of meat goes along with your burger.
The ordering process is...
7 tags
Date # 51: Cibo
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Cibo is an institution when it comes to Italian dining in the Metro. It has sustained its quality over the past twelve years, and has also become a reliable, familiar choice for most people.
They offer comforting food that comes in your choice of family or individual servings. This, in my opinion, is an advantage when it...
January 2011
7 posts
7 tags
Date # 50: Lugang Cafe
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For the Chinese food addicts out there, I think you’ll be delighted to know that Shanghai-based Bellagio Restaurant is now in Manila. They changed their name to Lugang Cafe, though, because “Bellagio” is a registered name here in the Philippines.
Lugang Cafe is definitely more modern than the...
6 tags
Date # 49: Charlie's Grind and Grill (2)
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I’m not sure if you remember the last time Douglas and I went to Charlie’s, but I think it’s obvious that we instantly fell in love with the place. We came back last week to try the other things on their menu.
I got their USDA Prime Cheese Steak Hungry Portion (P395). We also upgraded the cheese to...
6 tags
Date # 48: Cyma
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I’ve been wanting to eat in Cyma for a long time now, because the last time I ate there was around three years ago, if I remember correctly. The first Cyma I’ve ever seen was in Boracay, their pilot branch. It was strikingly unique back then, because Greek cuisine was relatively unknown in the country.
Years...
6 tags
Date # 47: Red Kimono
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Red Kimono is a popular restaurant chain that serves modern Japanese cuisine. That means only one thing: fusion food. I know, I know, we all have our qualms when it comes to Japanese fusion, but I think Red Kimono is a pretty good contender in the business.
Customary for almost all modern-themed restaurants, the design is...
6 tags
Date # 46: Kogi Bulgogi
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Despite being struck by the Korean wave, Filipinos are still a bit in the dark when it comes to Korean cuisine. Lately, though, more and more locals are gaining interest when it comes to Korean culture, and it’s no wonder that the market for Korean food has increased in number.
Kogi Bulgogi is a Korean Restaurant...
3 tags
Date # 45: Kai Neo Japanese Restaurant
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KAI Neo Japanese Restaurant is a Japanese-American Fusion restaurant located in Greenbelt 5. It is a nice restaurant to try because the prices aren’t too steep compared to other establishments within the area. The setting is stylish and chic, although I find the space a little bit cramped. It’s still good for dates,...
7 tags
Date # 44: Wee Nam Kee
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To be perfectly honest, it’s actually quite a hassle for us to go to Makati. The traffic is unbelievable and the distance is discouraging. However, we have been meaning to visit the city again one of these days because of its unique and delicious food offerings.
Last Tuesday, we were finally given the chance to...
December 2010
6 posts
6 tags
Date # 43: Shang Palace
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I live to eat dimsum. I think that if dimsum didn’t exist, I’d die in a millisecond.
Okay, I’m kidding. I just really love dimsum so much, because it’s so light and flavorful and yummy and okay I should shut up. Just imagine my delight when Douglas and I found out that Shang Palace is opening its...
4 tags
Date # 42: Boulevard Diner
To tell you the truth, I’m really tired of the usual Katipunan restaurants, so Douglas and I decided (more like I convinced him) to troop over to Xavierville to try the new burger joint in town, Boulevard Diner.
We were too stingy to take a trike, so we had to walk from Berchmans to Xavierville. It was tiring. But was Boulevard Diner worth the walk? Read on.
This is...
7 tags
Date # 41: Mr. Kabab
I have a love affair with Persian food. I think it’s one of the most comforting cuisines ever. Be it Beryani, Keema, Kebab, Shawarma, Lassi, Ox Brains, or the occasional curries, I’m totally up for it.
The restaurant we will talk about today, Mr. Kabab, is usually the crowd favorite when it comes to Persian food. They offer various ‘halal’ dishes, so the restaurant...
5 tags
Date # 40: Eat Well Delicious Kitchen
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Aside. I hate you tumblr you mess up the quality of my photos.
After hearing that Eat Well Delicious Kitchen serves Xiao Long Bao for only P88, I knew that I had to check it out. It was destiny. I live to eat Xiao Long Bao. I can eat around 12 of them in one sitting—and I would only stop because Douglas and I would...
Date # 39: Wicked Kitchen (2)
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It’s our second time at Wicked Kitchen since we didn’t get to order a lot the last time we visited. Quoting my previous post, “Wicked Kitchen is a restaurant that is run by the Center for Culinary Arts (CCA), although Wicked Kitchen has a far more casual ambiance and overall feel compared to CCA’s other...
8 tags
Date # 38: Sugi
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My initial impression of Sugi in Greenhills wasn’t exactly good. We weren’t exactly given a very warm treatment upon entering because we arrived at around 2 o’clock pm, just when the restaurant was about to close. Maybe they shouldn’t have invited us in if they’re just going to emphasize...
November 2010
5 posts
8 tags
Date # 37: Bellini's
To most people, Bellini’s is a hidden gemstone. People who wander in this restaurant normally end up being surprised, because it feels so out of place in its location (which is populated by boutiques and antique shops). Nevertheless, patrons always flock to this place whenever they feel the need to satiate their authentic Italian cuisine cravings.
The ambiance is warm and...