Rio Japanese and Korean restaurant is now in BF Resort (from BF Parañaque), Las Piñas. We, Southerners, now have a new place to chill. 

Rio's logo is orange. Maybe that explains why the place radiates with so much orangeness (see pictures). The place is simple, not so many decors. But what I love about this new joint is their vast offerings: from Korean to Japanese. Nice!

As with any Korean restaurant, they also offer complimentary appetizers: dilis. (During my first time, they even had peanuts). Anyway, what enticed me to go back is their cool and yummy selection of makis. 

So what's the English translation?

Crazy Maki at Php 160 for 8pcs has a crunchiness I love! I don't know where it came from. All I know is, I'm enjoying every bite.

Crazy about it!!! :)

Sunset Boulevard at Php 230 for 8 pcs is spectacular, too! I'm assuming the pink ingredient on top is cotton candy. Weird as it may sound, it added a whimsical overall taste. 

I wanna eat it sunset until day!

Top it all off, their maki price range won't break the bank!

Katsudon at Php 190 is just on the ordinary. Not lamentable but nothing special, either. 

All rice, then!

Although the service's a bit slow, I'd go for another round of their makis again!

And hey, take a glimpse of their menu, here:

 

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/rio-japanese-and-korean-restaurant-1-bf-resort-las-piñas-city" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Rio Japanese and Korean Restaurant, BF Resort and other Restaurants in Metro Manila" target="_blank"><img alt="Rio Japanese and Korean Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6308105/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> 

Rating: 3.5

Rio Japanese and Korean Restaurant is located at:

J.B. Tan Street, 

along BF Resort Drive, 

BF Resort, Las Piñas City

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Thursday, December 31, 2015

You will be amazed at how Kuya J Restaurant poured over their marketing efforts: they have billboards, TVCs, and even have several branches in Metro Manila to choose from (and in Bacolod, where I had my first Kuya J's). Given that you're hungry, Kuya J's is an easy choice offering Filipino foods. 

2nd chance

So they have one in SM Southmall and it's always packed. I don't even know if it's because of the celebrity, Jericho Rosales. 

Choosing the never-tried ;p

And here's our take on their food offerings:

Kare-kare at Php 399. Description reads: 'Kuya's take on traditional kare-kare. Reinvented peanut sauce, perfect sa panlasa ng bawat Pinoy!' 

So small of you!!!!

It's not what you'd expect. You imagine this to be in a big bowl with lavish 'reinvented' peanut sauce, but it's not. Bet the peanut sauce was in scarcity. It tastes good, though nothing has beaten Little Quiapo's Kare-kare yet. But serving is just disappointingly small. 

Humba at Php 220: "Traditional pork humba in a sweet savory sauce. May kasama pang boiled egg."

Around 3 strips kuya

Same story. Very small. And nothing really special except with the egg, rather?

Sizzling Sisig with Egg at Php 190: "The all-time Filipino favorite sizzling crispy and crumbly chopped pork belly na hot na hot sa sarap."

Watch it sizzle

Now this one was a redeeming choice. Really crunchy, tasty and sticky. The pan they used was bigger than in other restos. 

Palabok at Php 165: "Traditional palabok with Kuya J's original rich shrimp sauce. Sinamahan pa ng boiled egg at crunchy chicharon bits."

Presentation: good, taste: ehh

Didn't enjoyed this, too. It was a bit bland.

In general, serving's small and it's overrated. Same sentiment I thought would turn-around from my Bacolod experience. They could've spent their money on improving their menu and serving. Word-of-moth could be the best marketing. Just sayin'.

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/kuya-almanza-las-piñas-city" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Kuya J, Almanza and other Restaurants in Metro Manila" target="_blank"><img alt="Kuya J Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6318518/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> 

Rating: 3

Kuya J Restaurant has a branch in:
SM Southmall

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Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Quirky. Mystical. Magical. 

The mystic logo

If you're a Harry Potter fan, dining at Mystic Brew feels like you're in one of the restaurants in Hogsmeade. The place is strongly Harry Potter-ish and a mishmash of other 'magical' concepts, even some Gingerbread house since it's Christmastime.

Of butter beers (and oh yes they have that in their menu!)

Mystic Christmas

Even their menu is a concoction of sorts. They have pasta, burgers and sandwiches, desserts, and of course coffees. 

Take your mystic ending

Tried their Mystic Burger at Php 180. It's supposed to be in a bun, but that late night, they ran out of it so offered instead bread in lieu of it. Not having so much choice, said yes. Added Php 20 for french fries.

Ooopps, they ran out of bun. Asiwassayin.

All things considered, I felt that Php 180 (plus 20) is quite high for a small burger (the patty was just a stubby version of my fist). 

Also tried Bowl-over-Bolognese at Php 180. It was meaty, yes, but it's weird it's not so tasty and saucy (a personal preference, anyway).

In a kind-of-a-bowl, indeed

Overall, the place is in its own way, unique: a good place to chill, too. Food isn't entirely bad but there are just some points that can be improved to make the mystic experience better. Just sayin'.

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/mystic-brew-talon-las-piñas-city" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Mystic Brew, Talon and other Restaurants in Metro Manila" target="_blank"><img alt="Mystic Brew Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6311389/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> 

Rating: 3.5 

Mystic Brew is located at:

511 Capitoline Hills Street, 

BF Resort Village, Talon, 

Las Piñas City

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Monday, December 28, 2015

Finding Tonkatsuya was a challenge. Even when we were told that it's in Palm Tower, we had to look once over because it's at the basement. But it was worth the hassle as it's a gem restaurant in Makati. 

The place was very unassuming; only manga series adorned their walls. Their patrons were mostly Japanese. Didn't put my expectations high even though it's included in Spot.ph's Top 10 Tonkatsu in Manila. 

Way of saying 'welcome'

Then you can spend the afternoon here with these

Upon order, we were served with cold tea. The usual set would include miso soup plus in Tonkatsuya, there's a bean sprout side dish and a bowl of rice. First time I went there, I ordered Cheese Katsu Set at Php 260 because I was craving for something like Ichiro's in Taft. Funny thing is, their cheese katsu was regular tonkastu topped with melted cheese. Ichiro's was better of course that it melts in the mouth. But Tonkatsuya's wasn't bad either; it was acceptably good.

Cheesy without you....

Yes it was that I visited again. Second time around, ordered Tonkatsu Set at Php 220. It wasn't as soft but it's tasty and not so oily. A good way to end it was their sliced cabbage (not unlimited, of course). Just had to pay additional for Japanese mayo or Kewpie sauce. 

Back to basic

In my two visits, walked out full and happy. Cheap yet good food. Nice combination. Service time was also acceptable for a 1-hour break. 

Menu here:

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/tonkatsuya-san-antonio-makati-city" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Tonkatsuya, San Antonio and other Restaurants in Metro Manila" target="_blank"><img alt="Tonkatsuya Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6312609/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> 

Rating: 4.0

Tonkatsuya is located at:

Palm Tower B, St. Paul Road

San Antonio Village, 

Makati City

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Saturday, December 26, 2015

It's my 2nd time and Coron! My second chance was all about re-exploring and re-appreciating the beauty of this piece of paradise on earth. 

Back in 2012, I traveled with my friends for the first time. This year, 2015, was there for a company planning/ outing and must say, even though I've been to places we visited, there were nooks and crannies I left unexplored.

Of course, Coron has 50 minor islets in the Calamian Archipelago of Northern Palawan and a few days each wouldn't be enough. I was thrilled to be back!

• Mt. Tapyas- was able to conquer the 720 steps in 2012 but this time, was able to experience the 'back door' while we waited for the sunset. The back door I'm mentioning is the hilly top at the back of the gigantic white cross. I was like, oh! If the view deck gives a panoramic shot of the city (with the houses and everything), the 'back door' was pure nature: hills, skies, greenery. It was wonderful.

View from below or 720 steps below hilltop level

Panoramic shot from the view deck

This bahay-kubo is already at the 'back door'

Look at the scenery (me included) going to that nipa. This is beside the pathwalk.

Apparently, the scenery is conducive for this drama. haha

Can you see the view??? Thus my own drama. haha

Sunset at Mt. Tapyas

Time to go down

• Malcapuya Island- first time here and if I was all praise for Banol Beach last time, Malcapuya Island gives a different kind of exhilaration. It offers a stretch of wine sand amidst the crystal clear blue waters. It was breathtaking! What's more, it's not yet developed that close to the nature, it was. There were hammocks we rested in while enjoying the view. Lunch was also superb here. The freshness of our meal complemented the serene surroundings. 

I call this the docking area because here's where we parked our boat

What greeted us! WOW!

I had to take a shot, of course

Serene :)

Safe to swim also. You can see what you're stepping on and water's very clear

Away but shallow

There are fishes here near the corals!

• Twin Lagoon- again, my first time. Wasn't able to go here last time. Going to Twin Lagoon was spectacular. Limestone cliff formations were just so awesome. As we wade through our way, our jaws dropped. Twin Lagoon though is perfect for a swim especially when in the inner lagoon. But it was so deep already that of course, that snorkeling isn't advisable.

On our way to the lagoon

Not yet there but the limestone cliffs enveloping us were hard to resist (not to take photos of!) 

Outer part of the lagoon where we docked

The shallow part connecting to the other lagoon

Happy to be at the inner part of the lagoon, eh?

• Kayangan Lake- as always, Kayangan Lake never fails to impress. It was stunning! Beyond compare. After quite a steep ascend, I was already anticipating the breathtaking view from atop and whoa, still an exhilarating panorama. Same goes with our descent to Kayangan Lake. Happy to note that it's still as clear though there were less fishes than I can remember. Probably because we were a big group so they went away (hope so). This time too, just enjoyed the 'unsalted' water. Last time here, explored the caves but it was fun just to swim back and forth. 

The most photographed, and for a reason

Mandatory turista shot--- bec I don't have a copy before

Trail down to the freshwater lake

What a beauty! Apart from us, that is

Enjoying some freshwater

Coron is still a beauty. Three years after, I'm still in awe. I pray and hope that come another 3 or more years, Coron will stay as pristine, as beautiful. I know we Filipinos can maintain this paradise. I will never run out of hopes for my beautiful country and confidently beautiful (with a heart) countrymen. :)

I <3 CORON!

Some photo credits to dey, henry and blesr. 

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Saturday, December 19, 2015