Interesting. I mean the name which caught my attention first time. I always pass by Satinka Naturals as it's just round the corner of Chino Roces and Kamagong streets in Makati. Later on, I learned that it's an all-natural and healthy dining spot. I never would have guessed just by the name.

Easy to miss, so watch out!

A piece of mountain in the city, they boast. And truly, when I entered the restaurant with their wooden interiors, I felt like I'm in the mountains. Rustic and simple. It's the kind of quiet I'd love to embrace everyday.

1st floor of Satinka

2nd floor seating

Satinka also brought nature's healing power from the mountains. They have an apothecary to boot. Am I in the forest or in Diagon Alley? 

Oh, Apothecary!

Furthermore, if up in this corner of Satinka brooding on life with the backdrop of the busy Makati streets, with a cup of coffee, it can be just as relaxing.

Down time :)

Simple decors

But I didn't went for a cup of coffee to do some thinking as I had lunch. Initially, my heart was with their menu for the day. But when I saw Bacon Carbonara at Php 180, I craved for it. How come bacon for a healthy store? Well they said the pork was vegan. Good to know. So no guilt.

Menu for the day

After quite sometime, my Carbonara came out. Since they promote healthy meals, their food was a bit bland. Happily, we asked for extra Cheese. Just added it in the carbonara, fork a pork with the cheesy pasta, and it tastes healthy good.

Satinka's healthy Carbonara

Up close

Serving size was not too big. Bet it's just the right size for the diet-goers. As a carnivore to the core, the food was okay (because my mind says, it's healthy). And presentation is cute. But more than the meal, the ambiance was what struck me the most.

Time for some down time.

And, oh. Menu here:

 

:4

Satinka Naturals is located at:


1163 Kamagong St., Cor Chino Roces Ave., 

San Antonio Village, 

Makati City 

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Friday, July 10, 2015

An Ilongo myself, but only recently did I heard about Kansi. First time I've tried it was in Sarsa Kitchen + Bar but unfortunately, I was taken aback by the sourness. 

So even if I'm hearing alot about Pat Pat's Kansi, an eatery type dining in San Antonio, Makati, this previous experience always pull us back. Until one night, with the coming rain and lack of good choice around, we ended up here.

Best Bulalo conferred:)

Initial target was only Sizzling Sisig. Without any soup choice, also had Kansi. 

Their Sizzling Sisig at Php 165 (add Php 10 for egg) was good enough. Craving satisfied, in fact.

As for the Kansi/ Laman at Php 135, it was shockingly good. Not so sour. And the beef was so tender. At Php 135, got to share it with two more.

Kudos to this small and unassuming yet good kiosk.

 

Rating: 4

Pat Pat's Kansi is located at: 

Sampaloc Corner Kamagong Street, 

San Antonio Village, 

Makati City

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Sunday, June 28, 2015

Mad yet honest i-screeeeaaaaams!

Mad servings!

Mad lineeeee on a Tuesday night!

Well, seems like people are mad-crazy about Mad Mark’s Creamery and Good Eats. And not surprisingly because they really serve generous servings of good eats at an affordable price. That even on a weeknight, there’s a mad line.

Ice cream on board

After about an hour of waiting and reading their black board menus, finally feasted on Johnnie Double Black Ribs at Php 305 with sides of smashed potato and bacon potato salad.

First of all, the serving was big. Maybe it was called “double” because of the two ribs in black sauce. The sauce has a sweet and more on the sour taste. But what I like best was the smashed potato! The bacon potato salad was alright but since it’s a salad, it’s cold.

Just a friendly advice though: don’t try two potatoes at once. They also have rice and corn & carrots.

Whoah!

Mad Mark’s is also famous for their Honest Ice Creams made from scratch every day. They only serve a number of flavors because it won’t last long. Of course, have to see how an honest ice cream tastes like. At Php 165 for double scoops, tried the ff flavors:

Honestly good

•  Chocolate on Chocolate- surprisingly unsweet. Bet it’s made from a mild dark chocolate
•  Motherlade- my favorite from the loot; it has a vanilla base with nuts I don’t know what to call. I only know that it’s yummy!
•  Banoreo- vanilla ice cream based also, this is a better version of cookies and cream.
•  Walnut Cinnamon- great for cinnamon lovers! Plus with walnut, perfect!

Here’s their sweet-o-meter for guide:

For its good price, cozy interiors and friendly staff (not to mean the cooking time, though), hands-up!

Menu:

  
Rating: 4

Mad Mark’s Creamery and Good Eats has a branch in:

2F, Glorietta 5,

Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex,

Makati City

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Saturday, April 25, 2015

"I want to make tusok-tusok the isaw!"

A tusok-tusok ihaw haven, for the sosyal, it was! The concept's very Pinoy minus the free germs and the kanto-style. Bravo to the brainchild of Charaptor! 

Barbecue all you can

At Php 390 (dinner weekdays), selection of meats and veggies on stick were available for grilling. Each table has its own grilling set-- with charcoals! It's not smoke-less, by the way. Thus, in Charaptor it's dine al fresco. 

Charaptor menu

Cooks meat fast!

Compared to regular buffets, they had lesser food options. But of course manong bbq cannot compete with their food selection. That time, they had chicken, ribs, pork, ham, hotdogs, squid fish, quail or tofu wrapped in bacon, shrimps, butayaki (looks like kebab), squid balls, salmon balls, gizzard intestines of both chicken and pork. Plus veggies to grill such as corn, potatoes and others.

For the grills

Look at the bacon wraps!

1st batch

Too bad, though, they didn't have fish balls. 

To appease that sad face, table of sauces and dips were available to complement every dish available. I didn't dip much in the sauces as the meat themselves were already flavorful. Too bad they don't have peanut sauce! 

Sauces in every way!

For the stomach who can't wait, there were french fries, kimchi, chicharon, siomai, mashed potatoes and etc. Their mashed potato was good! Perfect for the hungry. 

Cheese sticks, french fries and mashed potato :)

Surprisingly, desserts were served such as crinkles and meringue. Not to expect too much from the desserts though, as the crinkles were tough I would've sworn it was bought in the nearest bakery. Haha. 

This meringue looks familiar ;)

Drinks were refillable, too. No soft drinks, only powdered juices. 

Yes put ice on the fats

Good price. Good service. Food selection was fine. The only thing I didn't enjoy was my inability to tell if my meat was cooked already which resulted in a few minor and major burns. 

For the new concept, minus the carcinogen intake, my verdict:

Rating: 3.5


Charaptor is located at:


9752 Kamagong St. cor Aranga St., 
San Antonio Village,
Makati City 

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Tuesday, February 10, 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

We all know that Chili's is a good Tex-Mex restaurant around, and I second the motion! Here are some from their menu I've tried that's worth a thumbs up:

1.) Big Mouth Burger Bites- Php 445. Perfect for a group of four. Mini burgers with crispy bacon, aged cheddar cheese, sauteed onions and a ranch dressing. The best thing about it: onion rings and fries are served with it!

The burgers are tasty and I love the beef itself.

Go, help yourself

2.) Cilantro Pesto Pasta-Chicken- Php 440.00. Not spicy! Penne pasta, as seen, with yummy sauce, pico de gallo and chicken. Good for two!

Penne's usually need a super tasty sauce as it's thicker and bigger. In Chili's, they made a perfection!

Penne goodness

What's nice about Chili's too is their proactive staff. A good place to just enjoy and chill :)

P.S. Hope to make this list longer :)

  
Rating: 4.5


Chili's has a branch in:
Greenbelt

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Sunday, November 30, 2014

Right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Central Business District, an experience to eat in a banana leaf is possible! Where else but in Banana Leaf, along foodies' haven: Greenbelt 3.

Not only does the name elicit a native fee, but also the interiors of Banana Leaf. Not Filipino, but yes Asian. The interiors mostly made of wood with an interesting play of the lights. Though it's quite a bit dark inside, so forgive my underexposed shots.

Since 2001 :)

Charming!

Tried the following in Banana Leaf, but before anything else, let me prove the name:

They serve rice in banana leaf ;)

1. Thai Vermicelli Salad- Php 168- I honestly don't know how to make of this. I tastes weird to me, plus the vermicelli. Although I like tomatoes, too, I got afraid to mix it with the other ingredients in fear that it'll worsen. So I don't personally recommend this one. 

Not for me, friends

2. Stir Fried Chinese Kangkong with Sambal Sauce- Php 198- I don't know what Sambal sauce was. All I know is that I enjoyed eating this dish. Though I really am a fan of vegetables. My boss though, thinks it's too salty. 

Kangkong lover here

We also tried two kinds of curry here: Malayan Chicken Curry with Potatoes (Php 238), not in the picture. But I like better this:

3. Malayan Beef Curry with Potatoes- Php 288- I like the milky and light flavor of this one. A twist to the regular curry I'm used to. 

Right there

4. Barbecue Roasted Baby Back Ribs- Php 388- This was what I enjoyed most. Baby Back Ribs! It's has a sweet taste and I love it. It's saucy too and tender.

Hi baby!

My Banana Leaf experience was average, so was the service.

  
Rating: 3

Banana Leaf has a branch in:

2/F Greenbelt 3, 
Ayala Center,

Makati City

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Monday, November 10, 2014