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

Alfonso bulalo Cavite cold weather good view menu price restaurant review Tagaytay-Nasugbu

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

Once heard my friend all praise for Mooon Cafe when she was in Cebu. One chilly Friday night, when in Abreeza Mall in Davao, found myself ecstatic to try that went straight to Mooon cafe.

The mooon and the stars

So what exactly do they serve in the Mooon? Pizzas. Quesadillas. Pastas. Roast beef. Baby Back Ribs. Something in between Italian and Mexican.

Quesadilla Uno

Toasted flour tortilla stuffed with onion and cheese served with salsa rojo and sour cream.

6 pcs to share

For cheese lovers, this will surely be a hit. I love the portion, though of the peak of the triangle. It balances the cheese, beef and tomato flavors. The presentation is cute, too.

Bacon and Mushroom Pizza. 

A duet of bacon and button mushroom combined with mozarella. 

Cheesy and yummy

Soft and cheesy. Their pizzas are baked to perfection. Well, I don't know. I'm just a plain fan of pizzas.

Spaghetti Ala Gambas. 

Shrimps sauteed in butter, garlic, cayenne and paprika.

Served with toasted bread

Quite garlicky. With considerable amount of gambas. Those who love lighter pastas might love this. But I'm a saucy lover.

Mexican Baby Back Ribs.

Grilled pork ribs marinated in herbs. With Buttered vegetable sidings.

Sarap to the bones 'din naman :)

It was tender, yes but not the best out there. But I like this better than the Mooon Steak. 

Mooon Steak

Sizzling pork with gravy sauce, served with garlic rice and vegetable sidings. 

Hello, genie. Make this yummy.

This is the only dish that I didn't quite enjoy. It wasn't tender enough. With sauce or as is, it didn't make that much difference to me.

All in all, it was an average treat. Again, I value more the experience in dining here. Did I forget that the attendants wore cute Mexican skirts?

Mooon Cafe has a branch in:

Zone 1, 2nd Level Abreeza Ayala Mall, 
J.P. Laurel, Bajada, 
Davao City, Davao del Sur

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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

"Life's a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you're gonna get."

Truly. Definitely. I agree. Exactly because Bubba Gump's not what's we're craving for. But then when it's there already, you have to grab it and Run, Forrest, Run!

And we stopped, so here we are with Speckled Lemonade. One of the few non-alcoholic drinks here.

Eventually we stopped so hello there, Forrest! Here we are in Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Greenbelt 3! And it's a nice place to be after a tiring day. Feels really like an American home beside the sea.

Hello, there!

Seafood lovers, commence! For Appetizers:

House Special Calamari Rings (Php 370) is truly a delight! Oh calamari deep fried with two dippin' sauces. I can just munch all the time. Perfectly crisp!

Share the love <3

Ping Pong Shrimp (Php 345) lightly breaded each with mango pineapple salsa on top. Unbelievably yummy with a little spicy kick! A must try. The bottom is full of cabbages, too that we don't know what to make of. Care to explain?

Good choice!

There comes my favorite salad. Here we had Shrimp BLT Salad (Php 585) with Romaine lettuce, bacon, tomatoes in Ranch dressing. It's also with special Bleu cheese and shrimps. It's good but not a fan of this particular salad. I prefer their Classic Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken, classic to the core at Php 440 (not in the picture). 

Hi shrimps with B-acon, L-ettuce and T-omatoes!

Here comes Forrest's Favorites:

Dixie Style Baby Back Ribs (Php 995) slow-roasted and served with fries and coleslaw. It looks mouthwatering and it is! I need not much effort on slicing. It almost slices by itself. Wickedly great! And it's not shrimp--let's take a break ;).

Mouthwatering!

Forrest's Seafood Feast (Php 590) is a taste of many of their fried foods: shrimps, fish and chips, croquettes, hush pups and coleslaw plus dips such as tartar, cocktail and remoulade. I especially enjoyed the croquettes here and oh, the coleslaw. But too much fried can hurt, too. ;)

A hodge-podge of everything!

And of course, Bubba's Shrimp Specials:

Shrimper's Net Catch (Php 770) right from the casserole for the shrimp lovers. But don't get too excited, it's not a good catch as in the picture. Anyhow, it's served with veggies and Secret Recipe Cajun Spice. Can be with Bubba's Garlic spice, too.

Not a good catch, eh?

And oh, although a tad expensive, this one is a good treat too. Not the Chocolate Rootbeer Float at Php 300+ but the glass with dancing lights. 

Run it home!

All in all, expensive, some serving not many, all things considered, it's a great treat. Once in a while. Sometimes too, it's all about the experience.

 
Rating: 3.5


Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is located at:


Level 2, Greenbelt 3
Ayala Center, 
Makati City

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Saturday, December 20, 2014

Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen is one unique but not so cheap restaurant that's a gem here down South. Whenever I pass by this place straight for a food trip in Aguirre Ave., a famous street inside BF Homes because of the many good restos, I always tell myself that I'll find an occasion to celebrate here with my family.

Good thing it came sooner! So we all hopped to BF's famous Italian Kitchen: Mama Lou's! It is really a two-storey house transformed into a full-time restaurant. It's like being invited in a friend's house to feast on their homemade specialty. Talk about hospitality!

(But beware, though. The place can really be jam-packed at many times. So as not to be disappointed, it's better to call for reservations.)

While waiting for the orders to be served, they offer free bread in salsa and pesto dippings. They used to serve crostini-type but I like this better. It can be refilled!

Our third refill :)

For the starters, Chef Salad (Php 275) is perfect with fresh iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, mushrooms, garlic sausage drizzled with Italian vinaigrette dressing. Serving is good for my family of five.

Starting the meal right with a salad

Off course, an Italian meal wouldn't be so without pizza. Opted for a Pizza Bianca, with mozzarella, bacon and mushroom. A large one costs Php 800+. Price for this big I think's not on their menu. I'm a big fan of pizza, really! But maybe this isn't the flavor for me. Better try some other next time.

Or bad me. Should have I tried it with Arugula and Alfalfa sprouts?

What's better than the Bianca?

Served with Alfalfa and Arugula

Good thing, when it comes to pasta I enjoyed. For the red sauce, Italian Sausage Pomodoro (Php 295). It has spicy Italian sausage, tomatoes, garlic and herbs. I love the generous helping of sausage slices!

Can make out the sausages from here ;) 

Carbonara (Php 295) with creamy Parmesan and bacon pancetta. It's really creamy. Just the right amount that it bordered on too good. Two-thumbs up!

The king of the night!

It's really good to come back to Mama Lou's after several years (and after some 'no available seat' trips in between). What's more is that this haven is just few miles from home. Great!

 
Rating: 4.0


Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen is located at:


Blk 1 Lot 36 Tropical Ave., cor Palace St.,
BF International,
Las Piñas City

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Monday, December 15, 2014

When a survey is asked, "Where best to eat in Tagaytay?", among the many names I can bet that Josephine Restuarant will come up in the list. It's been loved for almost 40 years. And it's been comforting weekend warriors delicious treats in the cold weather.

Christmas at Josephine

So as not to make the food cold, let the feast begin!

For appetizers, Crispy Kangkong (Php 220) will never fail. Served crisp, of course, with special mayo. The dip was good!

Perfect combo

Then comes Seafood Paella (Php 520) of which I was excited about primarily because I love Valenciana (they don't have this on the menu) and I always eat that than Paella. After devouring though, I still love our homemade Valenciana. To start off, our malagkit is sticky awesome. And the flavor of meat, chorizo, prunes all complement perfectly together. Not what I tasted with this Paella. Although in terms of seafood variety, there's a lot from shrimp, squid to crabs. And it can feed many, too.

This Paella can feed many!

Tagaytay is famous for this.  Josephine's Bulalo (Php 540) is surely a nice kick fit for the weather. It's flavorful and comforting. But not necessarily the best in town, though.

Are those 'utak' that I see? :)

Now then, Baked Talaba (Php 260)! Not a fan of this slimy treat but then in an instant, it's gone! It's talaba without so much fuss in seasonings. Just an exhibit of its delicate freshness.

Sorry for the not so nice photos but here are: Baked Talaba (lower portion) and Kare-Kare on the upper.

Kare-Kare (Php 395) is one of my favorites. But nothing beats Little Quiapo's. It's nice to note though that it's served heftily and the meat's tender!

Bangus to love!

I also enjoyed their Boneless Bangus (Php 340). It's crispy and tasty. Good even without soy sauce or dips!

Now this is fun, their Fresh Fruit Salad (Php 90)! With mangoes, melon, watermelon in a coconut husk plus whip! Too cute to eat.

Fruits in a fruit

They also have a very yummy Blueberry Cheesecake (Php 95). The cheesecake's so pure added with just the right amount of blueberry. It must have been baked fresh everyday!

Blueberry yum!

Also tried their Kahlua Sans Rival (Php 95) (not in the photo). Layer after layer of Sans rival goodness made special with Kahlua wine. I love their desserts!

The food is okay but love their ambiance more and attentive servers. And did I just forget that the cold weather was the icing on the cake?

  
Rating: 3


Josehphine Restaurant is located at:


Km. 58, Gen. Aguinaldo Hi-way,
Maharlika West, 
Tagaytay City

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Wednesday, December 10, 2014