Yummy Veggies at Greens

I do not love veggies. I eat them (some of them, unless it’s okra) but I do not love them. If you put a plate of steak and a plate of Chopsuey (a quick Filipino-style stir fry of vegetables and meat in thickened sauce) in front of me, I would definitely choose the steak.

Greens made me change my mind about veggies.

The first dish I tried there was the Grilled Mushrooms and Tofu Kebabs with brown rice (115 PHP or 3 USD). I didn’t like the rice that much (it has a very rough texture) but I loved the kebabs. I also love their Vegetarian Barbecue (80 PHP or 2 USD). You should order those and the Sisig (155 PHP or 4 USD good for two) if you want to eat meatless meat!

Another favorite is the Cheesy Soy Sticks (95 PHP or 2 USD). A healthier version of the cheese sticks.

The Carrot Cake is also good. It’s not too sweet and it’s flour-less.

I give it 3.5/5 spoons.

Food – 4 spoons
Ambience – 3 spoon
Price – 4 spoons
Service – 3 spoons

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Greens Vegetarian Restaurant and Cafe
92 Scout Casto St. South Triangle, Quezon City
(02) 415-4796

The 36″ Pizza

No, we didn’t try the 36-inch pizza. There were only 3 of us in the group so eating a pizza that humongous is just impossible. A group of students near our table ordered one though. At that time, there was a promo at El Buono. A group of 10 can order a 36-inch pizza and if they finish it in 5 minutes, it’s free. We had a great time watching them stuff their faces with pizza. Too bad they weren’t able to finish it in time. They looked like they had fun though.

We ordered the Mexican Nachos, a 10-inch El Buono Special Pizza, Pasta & Chicken, and beer (San Mig Light).

While we were eating, 2 of the wait staff started setting up a beer pong table for the students. To be honest, I haven’t played that game yet. I find it… I dunno, dirty? Unhygienic? My friends need to get me drunk first before I play that game.

The food was not bad for the price. A  budget of 150-300 PHP or 3-7 USD per person would be enough. The pizza was ok. It was great with beer, even though I had to remove chunks of pineapple off it (I do not like pineapple on my pizza). I didn’t like the chicken that much though. It’s as if it wasn’t cooked enough. I like my friend chicken cooked super crispy yet tender. The bolognese pasta was so-so. I liked their nachos.

I’d give the place 3.25/5 spoons.

Food – 3 spoons
Ambience – 3 spoon
Price – 4 spoons
Service – 3 spoons

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El Buono Pizza
Branches: Tomas Morato and Greenhills

Coffee & Crepes at Cafe Breton

I LOVE coffee. I cannot function properly without coffee in the morning. I usually have Cafe Mocha (105 PHP or 2 USD) or a Macchiato (80 PHP or less than 2 USD). If I’m really, really sleepy, I take black with sugar or honey. I like it sweet.

I also love crepes. I prefer the sweet ones over the savory ones unless I’m starving. In that case, I’d probably get the Veal Sausage, Tomato, Cheese and Egg Crepe (210 PHP or 5 USD) or the Ham, Cheese, Tomato and Egg Crepe (184 PHP or 4 USD).

Aside from coffee and crepe, Cafe Breton also serves salads, pasta, sandwiches, milkshakes and ice cream.

I like the Peach Melba – 1 scoop of caramel ice cream, graham crackers, peaches, whipped cream, caramel sauce, almonds and chocolate syrup (160 PHP or less than 4 USD).

I give it 3.75/5 spoons.

Food – 4 spoons
Ambience – 4 spoon
Price – 4 spoons
Service – 3 spoons

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Cafe Breton
Branches: Tomas Morato, Greenbelt 3, SM Mall of Asia, Robinson’s Place Manila, Trinoma, The Podium, UP Technohub and Pasong Tamo

Korean-style Fried Chicken

Here in the Philippines, only one thing comes to mind when you think of twice-fried super crispy and flavorful Korean fried chicken – BonChon.

They now have 3 flavors – Soy Garlic, Spicy and Honey Citrus. The Spicy flavor burns my tongue so I usually pair it with Soy Garlic or Chapchae.

I also like their Kimchi Coleslaw (only 45 PHP or 1 USD). But unless you really like spicy food, don’t order the Kimchi Coleslaw with Spicy Chicken. I almost cried when I ate them together.

They also serve beer by the way, that’s why it’s now my favorite fast food restaurant.

I give it 3.5/5 spoons.

Food – 4 spoons
Ambience – 3 spoon
Price – 4 spoons
Service – 3 spoons

While exploring Koreatown in New York, I saw KyoChon. I should have tried the chicken there. I’m curious which is better.

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BonChon
Branches: Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu and Davao
Metro Manila Delivery: +632 6331818

Branches Worldwide: New York, San Francisco, Boston, Virginia, New Jersey, Seoul, Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta, Singapore

A Boodle Feast at a Time of Mourning

I know it’s weird to start a food blog with death but the first time I ate at Blackbeard’s Seafood Island was when my grandma died. Some of my friends brought me there for dinner to cheer me up a bit.

We ordered Dapitan’s Pride (785Php or 18USD) – crispy shrimps, San Mig clams, grilled tilapia, grilled squid, laing, steamed crabs, grilled liempo and rice which is supposedly good for 3-4 persons. There were 5 of us and what we ordered was more than enough. The food was ok and the place is great for large groups or friends or family.

I give it 3/5 spoons.

Food – 3 spoons
Ambience – 2 spoon
Price – 4 spoons
Service – 3 spoons

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Blackbeard’s Seafood Island
Branches: Metro Manila, Davao, Laguna and Pampanga

Ristorante Bigoli: The Italian Fast Food

According to the Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten), Italian food is the easiest to cook. I kind of agree. Kind of, because I still have to learn how to cook pizza from scratch.

Ristorante Bigoli is a fast food restaurant. If you’re craving for something Italian and you’re in a hurry, try the food there. I recommend the Stromboli. It’s good.

Fast, filling, and inexpensive. A budget of 150-300 PHP (3-7 USD) would be enough. If you know how to make them at home though, I suggest you do that instead.

I give it 3/5 spoons.

Food – 3 spoons
Ambience – 2 spoon
Price – 4 spoons
Service – 3 spoons

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Ristorante Bigoli
Branches: Trinoma, Eastwood and SM City Fairview

Addicting Banapple Pies & Cheesecakes

Thankfully, I’m no longer addicted to them pies and cheesecakes! If you’re watching your weight or if you’re diabetic, you gotta stay away from Banapple. Seriously. Or at least TRY.

They’ve got a lot of different cakes and pies that would make you go crazy if you love sweets (like me). A slice costs around 95-120 PHP (2-3 USD).

So far, my favorite is still the special pie they did for Halloween a year ago (I already forgot what it’s called). I got so addicted to it that time I think I ate a slice everyday for a week.

They also serve hot dishes that are reasonably priced. My only issue is the space. It can get really crowded sometimes especially during peak hours.

I give it 3/5 spoons.

Food – 4 spoons
Ambience – 2 spoon
Price – 3 spoons
Service – 3 spoons

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Banapple Pies & Cheesecakes
Branches: Katipunan Ave., Il Terrazo Tomas Morato, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Connecticut Street Greenhills, Alabang Town Center, and Market! Market!

Bai Yok

Apparently Bai Yok (sculptured leaf) is a very popular name for Thai restaurants. I didn’t know that. At first I thought it was a Visayan restaurant until I saw the words Authentic Thai Cuisine under it.

Since I love Thai food, my officemate, Jed and I decided to go there for lunch and check out if they really serve authentic Thai cuisine.

They didn’t have any other customers aside from us when we got there around 12nn which was just fine because I really don’t like crowded places (unless I’m partying in a bar).

A few minutes after taking our order, the waitress gave us free appetizers which I found cool because it was as if I’m back in Phuket.

We ordered Pad Thai and Spring Rolls. I know. We should have ordered a lot more. But since we needed to be back at the office by 1pm, we decided to order just that. Also, we were being very… safe (in case the food’s not good).

The food wasn’t bad at all! Even the price. A budget of 200-300 php (5-7 USD) would be enough per person. It can actually even go lower if you just order a few items like we did. We were full after eating just those. The Pad Thai was good for 2 people (unless you’re really, really hungry).

We weren’t able to try the Tamarind and Ampalaya (Bitter Melon) shakes that they serve there. I would go back to try those and the Tom Yum.

I give it 3/5 spoons.

Food – 4 spoons
Ambience – 2 spoon
Price – 3 spoons
Service – 3 spoons

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Bai Yok Authentic Thai Cuisine
185 Tomas Morato Ave. cor. Scout Castor
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
(+63 2) 475-8828, (+63 2) 788-7707

Operating Hours
Monday to Sunday 11:00am to 10:00pm

Almon Marina Sandwich Bar & Deli

I love sandwiches. Whenever I crave for one, I almost always think of either Almon Marina or Starbucks. I guess one reason is because there aren’t enough sandwich bars in the Philippines.

Light bulb moment: New business venture in the future?

I like their sandwiches but I don’t like their pasta. I don’t know. Something’s always wrong with the sauce. It’s either too dry or too watery or too bland.

I give it 2.75/5 spoons

Food – 3 spoons
Ambience – 2 spoon
Price – 3 spoons
Service – 3 spoons

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Almon Marina Sandwich Bar & Deli
Branches: SM Megamall, Greenbelt, Glorietta 4, SM Mall of Asia, Robinson’s Place Ermita, Alabang Town Center, Festival Supermall, SM Southmall, and The Block SM North EDSA

Tasty Filipino Cuisine at Tootsie’s Tagaytay

If you and your friends are in Tagaytay and you’re craving for Filipino food, you have to go to Tootsie’s. The food there is so yummy.

You have to try the Ensaladang Ginadgad na Mangga (Green mango julienne with crispy fish flakes), the Tilapia Frita (Crunchy Tilapia), Sinigang na Hipon, Pinakbet, and the Pata Pinalutong (or Crispy Pata).

The food’s a little pricey so it’s best if you go there with a group. A budget of 200-300 php (5-7 USD) per person would be enough.

You also have to try their desserts. They have a lot of Filipino desserts to choose from. My favorite is the Turon Halo-Halo which I usually pair with their Hot Chocolate (you can ask for more Pinipig if you want). It’s the best!

I give it 3.75/5 spoons.

Food – 5 spoons
Ambience – 4 spoon
Price – 3 spoons
Service – 3 spoons

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Tootsie’s Tagaytay
J.Abad Santos, Cor. Aguinaldo Highway, 4120 Tagaytay City, Philippines
(046) – 4834629 / 0917-TOOTSIE (866 87 43)