I've already tried what sizzled in the Sizzling Pepper Steak before. Though the concept was fun and new to me that time, taste-wise, it didn't really kicked in. Just the same though, I was giddy to try out their competitor: Pepper Lunch.

Express at SM Southmall

Without any further ado, I chose Beef Pepper Rice at Php 158. Here are the good points that, okay, I can applaud to:

• It will be hot longer than usual because yes, it was served in a sizzling plate.
• True enough, I can taste the pepper.
• I'm a die-hard fan of corn kernels. Haha.

Unfortunately, I did not find the meal tasty. The serving of the beef and rice were small. It felt like eating just hot and peppery rice. Good thing it's nighttime and I wasn't that hungry. But for lunch, gah. 

Easy to see the serving size

Here's their menu. Notice the Beef Pepper Rice in the picture. If it was that hefty, I might not complain at all.

Maybe yet, it needs to be tried inside a resto itself. What's the express for, then? 

Menu and counter

Pepper Lunch again? Yeah in a million years. 



Rating: 2.5


Pepper Lunch Express has a branch in:


Food Court, SM Southmall,
Las Piñas City

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Saturday, January 31, 2015

CaliBurger is located in, not in California but in Century City Mall PH. What I love about it is its beach setting with pops of orange everywhere.

The menu :)

For the first timer, tried first their basic burger A at Php 245. The burger was relatively big. The patty was tasty, too. I love the serving of lettuce and tomato. For the sides, instead of fries, chose onion rings and I enjoyed! It was thin and crisp. 

Basic CaliBurger Meal

Their selection of drinks, I give a thumbs up, too. They have variety of juices to choose from. And, it's refillable! All for the tag price. Sulit!

KINECT!

Again, love the beach side setting and the kinect set-up!


<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/caliburger-poblacion-makati-city" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about CaliBurger, Poblacion and other Restaurants in Metro Manila" target="_blank"><img alt="CaliBurger Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6313573/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a>  Rating: 3.5


CaliBurger is located at:


4/F, Century City Mall, 
Kalayaan Avenue, 
Poblacion, Makati City

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Friday, January 30, 2015

Bagnet is an Ilokano version of Lechon Kawali: deep fried pork belly goodness.

But my goodness! Even if 8065 Bagnet is just a few blocks from my office, that I can have it for lunch whenever, I've only been there once every year.

Right. Because too much of goodness can be bad cholesterol.

Who would've thought that this hole-in-the-wall along Estrella, a house really, with eccentric paintings on its walls, inside and out, serves bagnet expertly.

Paintings on the wall

At Php 120, they offer several viands with bagnet as its star.

Their bagnet itself is perfect. Never was a time it was sloppy (only the service most of the time). Always, it's too crispy I think my neck would crack first (or burst, as in putok batok haha).

What's more, for someone like me who can't face bagnet squarely, there's bagnet with Kare-kare, Sinigang, curry, sisig, pakbet and etc.

Complete pricelist

During my last encounter in 8065 Bagnet, tried their Kare-kare Bagnet. When I looked at it, I thought I got it wrong because the sauce looks like gravy. The color and consistency, yes but the taste was rich. It's like Kare-kare gravy. The veggies, though, can just be counted. I would've preferred more to somehow offset the sinfulness.

Looks like gravy the Kare-kare

Overall, for the price and food quality it's a worthy meal.


 
Rating: 3


8065 Bagnet is located at:


8065 Estrella St.,
San Antonio Village,
Makati City

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Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Chicken with generous serving of gravy...

BBQ dripping with catsup-concoction sauce...

Pastas with heaping sauces...

Inihaw na isda or liempo with toyo at suka with matching kamatis at sibuyas...

I don't know if it's just me and my siblings but we, Filipinos, seem to love foods na masarsa- or those not just flavorful in itself but also with matching dipping and sauces. 

Sarsa Kitchen + Bar is a perfect combination of those two (and of what I adore in our cuisine). Specifically, they serve Ilonggo hearty foods (both my parents are!).

And just how yummy they were? Just read starting with the appetizers:

Pritchon Pancake at Php 270. Was it pancake or lumpia? I wasn't able to scrutinize well already. I was already taken by how good it was. Because even if it took me forever to eat it, it still tasted like heaven. Imagine, pritong lechon still awesomely crispy inside? Wow.

It came with Hoisin chili sauce. Didn't try it with it. Didn't think it was that necessary.

How are you there piggy lechon inside?

Lechon Manok Lumpia at Php 180. Now this one was the lesser evil appetizer- that I allowed myself to eat three, four? Well, I cannot remember. All I know was I enjoyed every flavorful bite. And the spices that came along inside made it bursting with so much goodness. Aprub!

It was served with Pinakurat but it's flavorful enough just by itself.

See the filling?

They also serve grilled sticks such as Isaw here at Php 165. Crispy and much hygienic, too. Haha.

Isaw love <3

Lechon Manok Pancit Canton at Php 195. Their serving was hefty. Their pancit canton was full of veggies and meat. It tastes good, prolly because of the flavor of lechon manok? It's also served with chili garlic oil.

Pancit for long life. 

Inasal Sisig at Php 335. Their sisig was a tad expensive compared to others but, hello? It's healthier, it's inasal. This was one of those yummy sisigs I've tried it took me two helpings until full to stop. Hope mayo came with it because then I might had adored it. Only that it won't be that healthy anymore.

Healthy way to sisig

Kansi at Php 380. Open and close parenthesis, Bulalo. I only took a sip for this one. I'm not used to Bulalo being sour. But then again maybe that's how Ilonggos would like it.

Bulalong maasim 

Thin-cut Liempo at Php 240. Served with native coffee and burong vinegar. Again, sorry I didn't try the sauces, or at least verify if it's really coffee because the liempo tasted just right.

Coffee ba talaga?

Lechon Kawali at Php 270. Served with Batwan Tsokolate and Pinakurat. Interesting, right? Twice the happiness for the already extreme lechon kawali.

Sinfully good!

Tortang Talong with Crispy Sardines and Kesong Puti at Php 210. I love talong and this one had a spicy twist and kick in it. Gourmet?

Pinakurat and Chili Banana Ketchup also came with it.

Talooong = Eggplaaaaant

Along with its comfy interiors and dedicated staff, it was a joy to dine in Sarsa Kitchen + Bar. Foods made sarsarap, three thumbs up.

For those looking for their menu, here:

Namit kaayo! 

('Super sarap' in Ilonggo)

  
Rating: 4.5

Sarsa Kitchen + Bar has a branch in:

2/F Entertainment Mall, 

SM Mall of Asia Complex,

Pasay City

Some photo credits to azyl. Happy, happy birthday :)

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Wednesday, January 21, 2015

When I posted my review on Balay Indang, I hinted that Tagaytay is just 10-15 min away. What better way to go home, than to go far and conquer the January cool breeze of Tagaytay?

So even if we're still full from the goodness of Balay Indang, we can't help but give in to the lure of hot chocolate and Bulalooooo!

Guess the name's too giveaway: green view while savoring Tagaytay's best: Verdi-view.

Good view combined with good foooooood!

My take on their Nilagang Bulalo at Php 450: it's good! Not 'sooooo spectacular I'm gonna die' way but yes, it's good. Tried kinda high-end version of Josephine's but theirs is much better. Served with a big and deep bowl, it has considerable amount of beef, with utaaaaak and vegetables. Perfect for the cold weather! Bet it can feed a group of four.

The veggies are many underneath!

To complement the coldness of the air, chocolate drink made of tablea at Php 45 is just oh-some! Others on their menu are affordable (except the famous bulalo, of course) too, though I haven't tried. See this:

Part of their menu with Bulalo :)

Verdiview Restuarant is located along:


Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, 
Alfonso, Cavite

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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

I've been in Indang, Cavite several times. In fact, I visit the faraway town yearly to celebrate Christmas with my extended family. But never in those times had I heard Balay Indang: The Red Ginger Farm.

It might require traveling down the long and winding road after several hours dueling with Waze, but it feels good to find a hidden gem after.

The marker with No. 88 on the gate

Interesting inside!

The whole farm is so huge and the activities considerably many that one can spend the whole day just basking around nature. Here are the list of their amenities:

- Swimming Pool (additional Php 100 per person)

- Massage Huts 

- Pavilions

- Playgrounds

- Watch Tower

- Hebron Valley

- Stations of the Cross

- Rooms for overnight stay

- Conference rooms for retreats

- gardens 

- etc.

They have swimming pool!

Nature's delight!

And of course, in between, endless picture taking. The nature close by is just a bonus in Balay. Main agenda is filling the hungry tummy with lutong bahay, in a healthier way. (P.S. food can be refilled)

LUNCH

Salad

Mixture of greens, carrots, cucumber, corn, singkamas and eggs with a very tasty dressing. I enjoyed devouring their salad. I feel so revived!

There's singkamaaas!

Cornflakes Crusted Prawn Balls

This is my favorite. The ball is encrusted with sweet cornflakes. Inside is pure prawn filling. It has a little sauce of its own, too. But it can also be dipped with the salad’s dressing. Very prawny. Very yummy. I love it!   

   

Prawn balls- Upper Right
Tuna Pasta- Below
with the carrot rice

Tuna Pasta

Their pasta is very light and filling. It’s aromatic too because of the herbs.

Fish with Broccoli and Mushrooms

Very light to the taste. It feels good to eat something so healthy once in a while.

Healthy!

Stuffed Chicken

According to my friend, it tastes like lechon manok, only stuffed with generous meat and carrots. Got an idea from this!

Meaty delights!

Tuna Wasabi (not in the picture)

I honestly don’t like Wasabi. When I tasted it, though, the Wasabi sensation is lighter. My friends did enjoy this dish.

Minatamis ng Saging  

Well, minatamis na saging is minatamis na saging. It wasn't that sweet that I enjoyed it.

Sweet :)

They have a very refreshing dalandan juice, too. During the course of the meal, I refilled mine four times, if I’m not mistaken. After that, they served coffee.

SNACKS

Bibingka/ Pudding

I really don’t know if it is bibingka or pudding with cheese on top but it’s very soft and stuffed. They served it with bowls of nuts and raisins with bottle of coke.

So yummy!

These buffets have the ff rates:

- Lunch: Php 725 per pax

- Snacks: Php 120 per pax

All in all, I enjoyed the goodness Balay Indang offers. If you think it’s too far, wait until you learn it’s just 10-15 minutes from Tagaytay.

Balay Indang is located at:

88 Mahabang Kahoy Cerca

Indang, Cavite

Tel: +63917-8374261, +63917-8665825

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Thursday, January 15, 2015

Around the table is the place to eat with family and friends. More than the physical presence of the table as the bearer of food, it's also that area where endless chitchat happens.

I'm so glad to start my 2015 in the company of my friends around La Mesa Grille. Dim lit under the native chandelier, it's just about that conducive to laugh and talk about anything under the sun (unless outside where at night, music blares from the band.) 

Feels like home

What is good talk without good food? While here, tried the ff:

Inihaw na Liempo at Php 175. Quite expensive for a strip of pig, right? Yes, but for me though, I enjoyed every munch of it. It's everyone's favorite, I know. But there's something special about their Liempo. Bet it's the marinade, it came out aromatic. To my taste, it's so flavorful, bit sweet even and tenderly grilled right. I enjoyed my every munch of their Liempo.

Lamesa Way :)

Kare-Kare with Beef/Tripe at Php 290.  I'm fond of eating this Filipino dish that I happen to almost every time order it wherever. I had my best at Little Quiapo in BF (been saying this all the time). And I'm super glad that theirs came second for me. It's peanuty. No need for bagoong. The meat and ox tripe both were tender. I just hope they serve it with more sauce and vegetables. But nonetheless, it was still awesome!

This is yum!

Service is good. Price is great! Food comes not instantaneously but the staff were attentive to refilling water.

They also serve alcoholic drinks so chitchat can go as long as the wee hours.

 
Rating: 4.5

La Mesa Grille has a branch in:

SM Mall of Asia, North Bayview Park, 
Seaside Blvd., Manila Bay Reclamation Area, 
Pasay City

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Sunday, January 04, 2015