Purple Oven is just around the corner that every time there's a sweettooth craving or someone's celebrating birthday, it's the place to be.

The cakes and pastries are quite expensive than the commercialized ones but you get your money's worth here.

Some of my recommended are:

Cakes:

Chocolate Campfire- Php 600- Looks interesting, tastes delectably good. Had this as a birthday present last year and was so happy!

Toot cute to eat :)

Pistachio Stardust- Php 720- pistachio lovers' haven. This is just layer after layer of chiffon goodness. Covered with thin icing and sprinkled with pounded pistachio. The portion that I most love is the crust made of pistachios pounded to stardust.

Stardust of pistachio!

Pastries:

Lemon Bars- Php 450/ 32 pcs- Love the sweet and lemony combination. It's so soft it melts in my mouth. Not too sweet, too.

Breads:

Sausage roll- Php 95- I love the herb topped with every roll. Better than Starbucks'.

Their turn-overs such as Chili con Carne and Tuna's mouthwatering, too!

No wonder why so many people like the sweets here. Really worth every bucks!

  
Rating: 4


Purple Oven is located at:


MCA Bldg., 7 Sacred Heart St.,
San Antonio Village,
Makati City

chocolate campfire food blog lemon bars Makati Makati City pistachio stardust price Purple Oven revel bars reviews Sacred HeartStart San Antonio Village sausage rolls

Saturday, October 25, 2014

How often do you encounter a restaurant name so straightforward? It’s screaming, “Big Better Burgers are served here!” Not all are but anyhow, did enjoy munching my BBB when I visited with my family.

Hello, BBB!

The Menu!!

BBB in Star Mall was just small but only in place. To my delight, aside from serving burgers, they also have rice meals, pastas and etc. They also give you choice for the size of your patty which depends on the kind.

My mom had A La Pobre Rice (1/4 lbs at Php 99).

It was filling, according to her.

For the kiddos, burgers are expected. My brother, being a voracious and expensive eater tried their Double Dare with Cheese (1/4 lb at Php 188).

He had to dissect it ;)

My sissy had Bacon Mushroom Melt (2/4 lb at Php 175).

Hope you see the bacon and mushroom

As for mine, Bacon BBQ (1/4 lb at Php 151) and it did not disappoint! I love BBQ burgers, actually. It would be much great if it has veggies and tomatoes. And much better if a tad bigger, haha. For a value meal, it is quite expensive at an additional Php 45 so we just added Wedges for all at Php 65.

Plain but yummy!

Wedges:)

Admittedly, BBB isn’t really that cheap. But for not your usual burgers, it’s good to try. But you might enjoy Graciano's BF. It's much affordable and yummier- if there is such a word- for me. 

  
Rating: 2.5

Big Better Burgers has a branch in:

G/F Star Mall

Pamplona, 
Las Piñas City

A La Pobre Rice Bacon BBQ Bacon Mushroom Melt Big Better Burgers big burger burgers Double Dare with Cheese food blog Las Piñas City menu

Monday, October 20, 2014

One starry night, as the craving and hunger after work kicked-in, we found ourselves in Mesa Filipino Moderne.

WARNING: That it was just to satisfy, therefore not planned, we only ordered few dishes. 

From the name itself, we know that they serve our very own, but adding moderne in the title makes it exciting! Mesa’s interiors are modern; not the usual wooden tables and oriental decors that it was impressive yet the ambience, relaxing.

Not only in the interiors was it modern but also in the way food were served. There goes our craving for the night: Chicken and Pork Pochero Php 385! It was a hearty meal. But nothing too special. We were just two but almost nothing was left. It was comforting to our tummies. 

The waiter mixed the Pochero before serving

We also had Tinapa Roll wrapped with Lettuce Php 155. First off, I commend the presentation. When I tasted it, I could have offered a clap. It was crispy and the tinapa was so flavorful. Since we were two, I got to eat several. It's not good though. A helping or two was just enough or else, mauumay ka na. 

Tinapa inside :)

We had Filipino dessert as well, Talong Salad Php 80, served in a glass. Perfect to end the busy workday.

Candle plus talooooong!

I salute restaurants who go for Filipino goodness. Be proud of our heritage (and comfort food :D )

On the other time that we went in their SM Southmall Branch, had the ff:

• Grilled Liempo (Php 195)

Liempo was ordinary. La Mesa Grill's version is still better because it's quite sweet.

• Beef Kare-kare (Php 305)

Serving is good for 3. I have a high benchmark for Kare-kare. Blame it on Little Quiapo's.

• Stuffed Giant Squid (Php 325)

The head with the 'tentacles' was fried with breading. While the body stuffed with meat has its own sauce in soy base, I think. It was okay. Stuffed not generously but not too bad, either. I still like the grilled one tomatoes and onions inside.

  
Rating: 3.5

Mesa Filipino Moderne has a branch in:

G/F Greenbelt 5, 
Ayala Center

Makati City

Chicken and Pork Pochero Filipino food food blog Greenbelt 5 Grilled Liempo Kare-Kare Little Quiapo Makati City Mesa Filipino Moderne Stuffed Giant Squid Talong Salad Tinapa Roll wrapped with Lettuce

Monday, October 13, 2014

A week after eating Buffalo wings in another restaurant, with my office pals, I tried Wingman. Although it’s situated in a non-descript area in Makati, I find the interiors relaxing: menus on chalkboard, scribbles and frames everywhere, aero plane drawings and literal wings and a TV set playing sports! It’s like a place one would go to catch up with friends and eat!

Hello, Mr. Wingman!

As my pack was divisible by two, I went for Dozen Wings with a friend at Php 350. Good thing that two flavors can be chosen so ticked in Garlic Parmesan for the first half and Honey Garlic for the second.

Garlic Parmesan, according to the menu, has fresh minced garlic grated with authentic Italian parmesan to perfection. Wow, that’s description enough! I mean, you can never go wrong with anything cheese, right?

Honey Garlic is sweet, of course, and garlicky with a touch of honey. Noticed that both were up in garlic, but never mind.

When the dozen was served, it has a complimentary raw carrot sticks and mayonnaise with sprinkle of herbs. I’m not a carrot fan so I went ahead for my first choice: Garlic Parmesan.

Well, their garlic parmesan was a tad garlicky for me; wasn’t able to trace that parmesan, too. Overall, it was just fine, nothing spectacular plus the wings weren’t that juicy. Not as juicy as Buffalo Wings n' Things. Honey Garlic, meantime was much okay, though not exponentially, for me than the first one.

Garlic Parmesan vs. Honey Garlic

What I enjoyed best was my unlimited blue lemonade! While waiting for our food, it was a perfect companion.

Captain Cola, you're the best!

When I get back, I hope that their food will improve, though their service is good. Servers were attentive to refill my favorite Captain Cola :)

  
Rating: 2.5

Wingman is located at:

The Collective, 
Malugay St.,
Makati City

Blue Lemonade buffalo wings Dozen Wings food blog Garlic Parmesan Honey Garlic Makati City restaurant The Collective Wingman wings

Monday, October 06, 2014

Lately, my office pals and I had been scouring streets for the best Buffalo wings in town. Not so far away, one of us suggested good wings to satisfy the crave. From the not so spicy to ultimate wingsanity, all of us were ultimately satisfied.

Hello sporty people!

Buffalo Wings N' Things in Glorietta 5 was packed with patronizers that there was a need to line for queue before finally, the sought for wings will be served. Inside the restaurant, there's this comfortable and western feel. And seemingly, all around people were enjoying.

As mentioned, the Ultimate Winsganity is their hottest of all Buffaloes. Followed by:

• Total Wingsanity
• Gangnam Style
• Armageddon
• Nuclear
• Firehouse Classic
• New York’s Finest (Just like a pizza flavor, good thing yours truly wasn’t fooled)
• The Rookie
• Jalapeño Cheddar
• Whiskey Glaze
• K-Pop
• Honey BBQ
• Garlic Parmesan

From burgers to pizzas, I have this penchant for BBQ flavors so I tried their Honey BBQ at ½ Pound for Php 149. It’s the second flavor from the mildest but whoah! It caused sweat to drip from my forehead. It has a kick after all. Still, I enjoyed the playful combination of Honey, BBQ and a little spice. The wings were juicy, too. And to my delight, it was served in little puddle of sauce which my wings can dip in anytime. I need to wear plastic gloves too as though messy, was really fun!

Saucy!

Putting the hotness to its limit, I tried my wings in a Dirty Rice Php 39. It was a hilarious combination because the rice is smoky in itself already! What balanced it though was the additional Bleu Cheese Php 29. I loved how the Bleu Cheese appeased the hotness.

To cap the night, we shared two cups of NY Cheesecake Ice Cream Php 84. It was pretty in its whip topped with blueberry sauce. Below it, the ice cream itself was even better. Thanks to the crushed cookie that added texture and flavor.

I though the whip was the ice cream!!

Three thumbs up!

  
Rating: 4

Buffalo Wings n’ Things has a branch in:

Glorietta 5

Makati City

best buffalo wings Bleu Cheese buffalo wings Dirty Rice Glorietta 5 Honey BBQ Makati City NY Cheesecake Ice Cream Ultimate Wingsanity

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Sorry for taking that line from a famous fast-food chain. It's really how I'd describe this new and quite little restaurant just after the gate of BF Resort Village.

From outside, it looks like another milkshake mushroom, but the name should never disappoint! It's a kitchen so there must be some foods there!

And there are from pizzas, pasta, burgers n' wraps, rice meals, sides n' salads, desserts n' coolers.

I tried Graciano's Kitchen's Hawaiian Beef Burger in a Budget Saver meal, meaning it's served with fries and iced tea (Php 109).

It's served with a big bun with a satisfying grilled patty, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, onions with a slice of pineapple.

Surprisingly, the patty is savory and I get to taste hints of barbecue sauce. Love it!

Their fries are in wedges too served with a mayo dip.

My humongous eater siblings, afraid to starve, tried Buster Burger Budget Saver meal (Php 139).

I don't have a close-up view of this topper burger but here's its anatomy: grilled beef patty PLUS crunchy chicken fillet AND bacon strips with tomatoes, lettuce, cheese and onions.

Perfect for my sibbies with big appetite.

My sister even said that she could have ordered rice with it. :)

Tried also their Tacos Solo (Php 49):

But the serving is just small and the tacos, or should I daresay corn chips, is not that good. It's really better to just concentrate on their pizzas and burger menu. I'll try their pizzas on my next! Heard that they serve it yummy here.

Their service is not that fast too. But I believe it's worth the wait. Plus the staff are friendly too.

 
Rating: 3


Graciano's Kitchen is located at:


28 Gemma Cruz,
BF Resort Village,
Las  Piñas City

BF Resort Buster Burger cheap finds food review Graciano's Kitchen Hawaiian Beef Burger Las Piñas City menu restaurants

Monday, September 08, 2014

Kichitora is a combination of two Japanese words; "kichi" means lucky and "tora" means tiger. I don't know how it's connected with Ramen aside from all over, the place is decorated with "kittie" tigers. All I know is, I'm lucky too to have tasted this authentic comfort food.

Their noodles is made from high quality flour, especially prepared by Kichitora. While its chicken soup is carefully prepared to bring out its soulful flavor. No wonder I enjoyed every slurp of the soup and noodles!

According to them, and so the menu says, their Best-Seller is Paitan Ramen Zenbu no Se (Php 420):

So I tried it. After just a spoonful, I exclaimed, "Wow!" It really is good. I've tried several other ramen joints, and by far, this is the most satisfactory ramen I've had. 

No questions though as in Spot.ph's Top 10 Ramen Spots (2013), it's high at No. 2. Clap! Clap!

Well, let's anatomize what comes in it: Paitan Ramen Zenbu no Se is topped with a very tasty, too bad it's just a few slices of pork or chicken chasu, dried seaweed, ajitsuke tamago or molten lava egg (I love this too!) and ma-yu or fried garlic oil. 

Regular serving is also good, as common, for two. Small serving is at Php 300.

My friends also tried Chintan Ramen (Shio/ Shoyu) (Php 320):

It is a salt or soy-based clear soup ramen also with chicken or pork chasu, menma or bamboo shoots, green vegetables and spring onions.

My friend said she loves to have more veggies that why she opted for this bowl.

Got to try this too, it's good yes but my heart is locked already in Paitan Ramen Zenbu no Se. And I'm so lucky I did. 

Of course, what is Ramen without a Gyoza (Php 150). 

Five (5pcs) of gyoza it is. I did not quite enjoy it, although got myself two. Maybe gyozas aren't their thing, but it's fine. 

Really because Ban Ban Ji (Php 295) is here!

It's a deck of salad with famous, as they say, so tender chicken chasu topped with sesame dressing and julienned chips.

I recommend this delicious and yummy salad with generous serving. 

And then I'm thinking now what to try next when I visit Kichitora of Tokyo. Good try! Great food!

 
Rating: 5

Kichitora of Tokyo has a branch in:

SM Megamall

Ban Ban Ji Chintan Ramen - Shio/Shoyu food blog food review Kichitora Paitan Ramen Zenbu no Se Ramen ramen goodness SM Megamall spot.ph Spot.ph's Top 10 Ramen Spots

Monday, September 01, 2014

Congo Grille has been in the food industry as far as I can remember. It's not everyone's clamor, I know, but there's something about them that calls for space.

Who would've thought that this African-jungle themed restaurant within a concrete jungle is just about two points that will make me come back: affordability and comforting foods!

And when I say comforting foods (though not necessarily healthy), sisig tops my list!

I love sisig and in one of the Top 10 of Spot.ph, Congo Grille's made it high. They have several kinds of sisig so I tried Sizzling Pork Sisig at Php 190. It's sinfully crunchy! Blame that chicharon! And it's the type that even without calamansi or mayonnaise, it tastes perfectly fine.



Sinful! 

Also tried Spicy Salmon Belly at Php 253. It's not that spicy, by the way, but it's a good new trick to cook salmon aside from Sinigang. If I guess that right, it probably has oyster or soy sauce sautéed with onions.

Hello, belly!

Then there's their Beef Kare-kare at Php 298 served with two kinds of bagoong: ginamos or alamamg. I daresay Little Quiapo's is way way better.

Care for Kare-kare, anyone?

I don't usually eat Kare-kare with bagoong. If it's not peanuty or flavorful enough, enter bagoong. Unfortunately, Congo Grille's Kare-kare needs a little helping from it. That's just me, though.

Their YangChow rice at Php 143 is also good and meaty!

In totality, all things considered, I'll still make little trips to this jungle. There's still much to shoot!

 
Rating: 3.5

Congo Grille has a branch in:


G/F South Wing,
SM Mall of Asia,
Pasay City

African-jungle theme Congo Grille Filipino cuisine food blog food review Kare-Kare sisig SM Mall of Asia spot.ph

Thursday, August 07, 2014

Affordable yet delicious! That's what I love most about Flaming Wings: New York Style Buffalo Wings. I can just drop by whenever the craving is strong.

Let me push further my point:

Flaming Wings's ambiance have this comfortable feeling. Thanks to them staying true to their New Yorkie peg. I love the pictures hung around too.

In terms of food selection, they offer not just yummy buffalo wings but also variety of pastas, sandwiches and even desserts.

Their buffalo wings is sold based on no. of pieces:

3pcs- Php 150

5pcs- Php 248

15pcs- Php 753

24pcs- Php 1,152

Then, and this is an interesting part: you get to choose a special flavor from their Signature Sauces:

• Original
• Mild n' Sweet
• Wild (way too hot!)
• Smokey BBQ
• Caribbean Jerk
• Oriental Zing

Try it in Wings or Tenders (but Wing's wholatta better!)

Original is perfect and appealing to all dips but I love Smokey BBQ as it is, followed by Mild n' Sweet. Aside from the not  too obvious chicken oil,  I enjoyed each unique flavor tickling my taste buds.

Original with Bleu Cheese

I just didn't try Wild sauce because yes, it's way too hot for me.

All are available in Tenders meal, something like  Chicken fillet.

Tenders with Honey Mustard

There's also dips to mix and match:

• Bleu Cheese
• Balsamic Mayo
• Ranch
• Wasabi Mayo
• Honey Mustard
• Aioil

I've tried Bleu Cheese, Balsamic Mayo and Honey Mustard dips. Though Bleu Cheese seems to be a favorite, I had an instant love affair with Honey Mustard. But not until Balsamic Mayo came along... :-)

For their pasta, I tried their Spaghetti Carbonara (Php 130, regular) and for a restaurant specializing in chicken, I'm surprised that it's pretty good!

Flaming Wings's Carbonara

For sweet endings, Wicked Oreos (Php 80) is really wicked! It's composed of three oreos fried in a batter. It really wouldn't have that yummy effect if not for the ice cream on top!

Wicked!!!

There's still a lot in their menu to go back to, so this wouldn't be the last.

Zomato Rating: 3.5

Flaming Wings is located along:
Alabang-Zapote Rd, Talon Uno
Las Piñas City
(in front of University of Perpetual Help)

buffalo wings dips and sauces Flaming Wings food blog food review Las Piñas City price restaurants

Sunday, July 27, 2014

It's so sulit!

Imagine, at an affordable price, I got to have humongous chicken even good enough for two.

I'm glad that the No. 1 fried chicken in Taiwan is now in our shores. But unlike there where it's in stall-type, here in the Philippines because we love to converse, it's in a restaurant-type. Hot inside but great, anyway.

One chilly July night, my friends and I tried to see what's hot in Hot-Star. For starters, I got to munch on Chicken Skin (Php 45). At this price, there's three sticks of two skins to share. What I love about this one is its flavor. It's a chicken skin with added barbecue flavor.

 Fighting the urge to munch it all down, I managed to get a nearly extinct chicken skin.

Then since I felt that I got to have a lingering taste of their BBQ Large Fried Chicken, I tried their Original Large Fried Chicken (Php 110) for my main course and added Php 35 to make it a meal with rice and regular drink. 

It did not disappoint. It was clearly large enough. Thanks to how it was cut, I enjoyed eating several parts of chicken at one meal. Surprisingly, the meat inside was flavorful too. I was kind of expecting to get all breading, but no.

All my rice and drink gone, still the chicken remains.

Now we have more choice for fast-foods offering our all-time favorite chicken. Aside from large fried chicken, they also serve spaghetti, large crispy fish, chicken pop-corn and sandwiches in chicken and fish too.

They also have sides such as mushroom soup, french fries, mashed potato, crunchy fruit salad and yes, chicken skin.

 
Rating: 3

Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken is located at:

Blue Baywalk

Macapagal Ave., cor. EDSA

Pasay City

Blue Baywalk Chicken Skin food blog food review Hot Star Large Fried Chicken large chicken Original Large Fried Chicken Pasay City Taiwan

Tuesday, July 15, 2014