Living down South, I thought that the best weekend fix was out of reach. It's a sin I keep on forgetting BF Parañaque as a food haven. And so I need not reach far. Just a few circuses away from home was Little Quiapo. 

Home since 1949 :)

Little Quiapo wasn't about the latest fad. I feel that it's everything that I grew up with. It feels comfortable to eat there, just like home. And home to the core it was, because they serve the best Filipino cuisine in town. 

Kare-Kare (Php 367)

This and being a Filipino is quite inseparable. I've eaten a lot of kare-kare in my lifetime that I know what taste well and not. From the various restaurants that I've been to with a kare-kare on the table, Little Quiapo undoubtedly serves the best. The sauce was so creamy, the beef so tender and the serving all too generous. With every spoonful, I can taste the laborious pounding of peanut. On its side is an equally aromatic bagoong na alamang. 

Sweet and Sour Pork (Php 268)

They might have the best kare-kare but Hap Chan's version of this was still unbeaten for me. I can be quite forgiving though as they cannot actually put a fight with a Chinese. Good but not the best.

Shredded Beef w/ Sili (Php 293)

I'm quite hesitant with sili as the garnish. But it's not at all spicy. As with all their beef, it strikes the heart to know that they've spent hours to make it really tender. 

LQ's French Fries (Php 98)

LQ's version of fries was topped with cheese and beef with a red sauce. The toppers was good but it made the fries sloppy. I'd still go for the regular crunchy fries with a number of ketchup packets. :D 

Pancit Palabok  (Php 98)

Aside from kare-kare, LQ's known for their pansit palabok. And mind you, I am also a fan! Really, the sauce was so thick and yummy! It's garnished with chicharon bits and slices of egg. I soooo love it that I had to scrape the remaining sauce off. Not to mention that it's just 98 pesos for a plateful. 

Kalderetang Baka (Php 293)

 

This photo was taken on our second trip, so forgive the difference of quality.

Needless to say that the quality of their beef was good, their caldereta did not disappoint. It has a hint of spiciness too that blends perfectly well with its sauce. 

Pork Sisig (Php 178)

It's not creamy the way I like but it's good to note that though I asked for pig, I did not get a sisig peppered with just fat+skin. Oldies but goodies can still enjoy this for sure. 

Tokwa't Baboy (Php 104, half-order)

Thumps-up for their tokwa't baboy too! It's not only that it was served honestly will real pork meat, or topped not with a shortage of spices but it was served with the best concoction of soy sauce that I've tasted. Had I known, I should've asked for the whole order. :)

Definitely, I will keep coming back to LQ. I'm sure I won't get easily tired as there's more to explore from their menu. I bet they made their food with love. <3

  
Rating: 4.5

Little Quiapo is located at:

42 Aguirre Ave

B.F. Homes, 
Parañaque

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Monday, May 26, 2014

Republiq is definitely a place to go for awesome party. But more than fine music, they also have good food to be merry about. 

Their menu is brimming with choices, choices, choices. And generally, what came to my plate are delectable!

Hard to choose? But hardly will you ever go wrong.

Appetizers & Munchies: Spinach-Roast Garlic Puffs and Spiced Basil Marinara (Php 175)

This one is my favorite. Biting the crisp crust will bring out an oozing delight. Even without the spiced basil marinara, it's perfect! Thus, I tag this as 'must-try'! 

Appetizers & Munchies: Baked Whole Baby Brie in Garlic Thyme Olive Oil and Crostinis (Php 350)

Brie, in itself, is already heaven. When you're served with this cute baby, you'll look for it again. Of course, the crunchy crostinis pair it very well. 

Appetizers & Munchies: Gambas and Mushroom Ajillo (Php 350), Chorizo Bilbao Frito (Php 360) and US Beef Salpicao (Php 325) served with Crostinis.

My officemate, of whom these pictures are credited, likes the US Salpicao very much. The gambas are quite spicy although the taste didn't quite much register. As for the chorizo, it's my least favorite although I'm a fan of it when my mom cooks Valenciana. Maybe I found it quite rubbery at that time. 

Dips and Crisps: Spinach and Parmesan Cheese Gratin (Php 200) and Spicy Jalapeno Popper Dip (195)

As I don't like spicy, I found a certain love for the spinach and parmesan cheese gratin! I could eat it in itself! A must-try too, for cheese lovers most especially. 

Quesadilla love: Beef Short Ribs 'Kalbi' Fresh Cilantro Kimchee and Cheese Mix (Php 250) with Roast Chicken, Fresh Cilantro, Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa and Cheese (Php 250) 

I prefer the beef short ribs than the roast chicken quesadilla. I find it tastier. Don't forget to munch it will hot.

Thin and Crispy Pizzettas: Mushrooms, Smoked Bacon, Roasted Onions & Truffle Cheese (Php 320) and two other flavors of almost the same price. 

Pizzas are my favorite! But maybe Cafe Republiq isn't the best place for it. For pizza party, Uno Pizzeria is still the best for me. 

Sushi Rolls: Electric Eel Roll (Php 390), Salmon Dynamite Roll (Php 330) and Kalifornia Roll (Php 330)

It might be a bit expensive than the others but Electric Eel roll is a discovery! It's crunchy what with the combination of tempura shrimp, unagi, crab salad, and tempura bits! The others are well fine and tasty too. It's quite a hearty snack already. 

So next time you happen to visit Republiq, don't just dance and drink, EAT!

Republiq is located at:

Resorts World Manila

Newport City, Pasay

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

Everyone's trying to be fit and fab these days. Cue it on mushrooming fitness centers and even detox/cleanse juices.

There, cleanse juices. That's where we start catapulting Juju Eats because of Juju Cleanse.

From the interiors, there's this feeling that you'll get nothing but cleaned. Clear glass, white chairs and simple interiors. The walls were lined with creative, shout-outs of informative graphics on how to live healthy. 

That was a message in itself was already.

On the menu, various salads and pastas can be enjoyed. Although they have this variety of greens or pastas, over 50 toppings and 12 dressings to mix and match, we first stuck to the wall.

Chicken Caesar (Php 175, regular)

Romaine, grilled chicken, parmesan, bacon, herb croutons, caesar dressing

Healthy but strikingly yummy. I like how the grilled chicken matched the overall mildness of the salad. The bacon also added a new dimension and burst of taste in it.

Tuna Nicoise Pasta (Php 245, regular) 

Fusilli pasta, tuna flakes, french beans, hard boiled egg, sun dried tomatoes, black olives, honey mustard dressing

I don't know if it's the honey mustard or the sun dried tomatoes  or the black olives that gave it a close to tangy, zesty flavor. Maybe it was the fusion of everything. Was taken aback at first but found myself enjoying it. Additionally, it has generous chunks of tuna. Yes! 

Pastas and salads are available in different servings: wrap, half and regular. The latter's already good for sharing.

And wait, of course that this is the home of Juju Cleanse, they also have this cold-pressed juices and slushes available. Of course, the healthier way still.

 

Pineapple chia cold-pressed drink

High-five Juju Eats! It only proves that you don't have to be deprived just to be fabulous. 

  
Rating: 4

Juju Eats is located at:

G/F, BCS Building, 

2297 Chino Roces Ave (Pasong Tamo Ext.)

Makati City

Photo credits:@iLyzaCee

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Saturday, March 08, 2014

Yabu: House of Katsu might be the popular favorite for the best katsu in town but I digress, having tasted what might topple it off: Tonkatsu by Terazawa.

Located in Greenbelt 2, Tonkatsu by Terazawa is first in the Philippines from Nagoya, Japan. Just like their straight to the point yummy katsu, the restaurant was simply named after its owner Akinori Terazawa. 

Terazawa's Tonkatsu is perfectly crisp and just like an mm's it heavenly melts in the mouth. Thanks to nama panko, a kind of breading that they use to make it oh-so perfect. Not to mention too that it's less greasy. That we have to take credit from their imported oil from Germany. 

When dipped of course in a tonkatsu sauce, the experience almost complete. Unlike in Yabu where they'll give you a wooden mortar with sesame and a pestle, in Terazawa, you're left to enjoy how to make your best sauce with the aid of their info-graphics. 

So well now, how to best enjoy it according to the expert? 

Every tonkatsu is provided with a salt in the sidedish plate, grind it and pour two to three (yes, just like how they say it in Yabu) spoonfuls of tonkatsu sauce-- although right estimation comes in handy as it's served in something like an oriental teapot. To add the aroma we loved in Yabu, sprinkle it with grounded sesame seeds. Then hoola, you're just about to taste the dream of Mr. Terazawa: to provide the best katsu in town.

Here's what I first tried in Tonkatsu by Terazawa: Cheese Hire (lean pork without fat) Katsu at Php 485.

 

I enjoyed the menchi of my friend back in Yabu, that's why.

The cheese was just mild and half of the tonkatsu can still be enjoyed with its sauce. Aside from the tonkatsu that I love, their cabbage and its sauce is exceptional too! I have to get back again to relish that burst of flavor! Just like in Yabu too, rice and cabbage are refillable. But with its inclusion of tonjiru (special miso), side dish of tsukemono or pickled vegetable, corn and mustard, it's already too hearty for my appetite to ask for more of their yummy cabbage. 

Tonkatsu by Terazawa is so good I want to try it again. Although it's a but expensive than Yabu. But then again, with their comfortable ambience and their relatively fast service, it's every penny's worth.

I bow. 

 
Rating: 5

Tonkatsu by Terazawa is located at:

Greenbelt 2,

Makati City

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Sunday, March 02, 2014

This can really be a deadly combination: pizza + do-it-yourself concept. Project Pie, anyone?

Project wall, only that those famous are entitled for the space. Unless you want yours to be tagged as stupid.

The interiors of Project Pie has this New York feel around it, somewhere along the lines of Yellow Cab but with a subtler, comfortable feeling. It's an artisan place anyway. Creative juices must really flow.

And you really need creativity in building your own pie. There's practically every ingredient pizza's known to sport on their list, but in can be disastrous putting them all on.

Well, here's their menu list. You can 1. order by number (Php 245) or 2. build your own (Php 285). You can either select from their pre-built pizzas or create your own!

On the first line are cheeses. I'm a fan but content myself with just a mozarella. 

Then the succeeding two are meats. I limited mine to three only. I want it cooked properly and avoid charred crust, anyway. I had italian sausage, crumbled meatballs and canadian bacon. 

The fourth to the last lines are peppers, veggies and other toppings and even sauces. Underlined tomatoes, caramelized onions, fresh mushrooms and of course, my weakness in a pizza, bbq sauce! 

Choosing is the first step, next is lining up to have the pizza made, right before you. It's fun! 

I'm no fan of white pizza=only olive oil so red sauce it is! Yummm! 

It's pretty quick creating it. You just have to tell their friendly crew what you want.

After waiting just a bit, my name was called and my oven-fresh creation is now ready to be devoured! I hurriedly claimed it from the counter. Look at that!

The pizza can be shared by two, although I had this all by myself. It seemed small but it can really fill in a hungry stomach. Amazing! I also ordered a cup of juice to complement my pizza, and at Php 60, it can be refilled. 

After a filling meal, one must not leave the trays behind. It's self-service through and through and claygo or clean as you go is a must. It's cool!

Although I won't hesitate to come back again, I just wish they'd also have pre-built pastas and desserts--- the real ones and not fashioned as a pie. :) 

 

Rating: 4

Project Pie is located at:

Blue Baywalk

EDSA- Macapagal,

Pasay City

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Sunday, February 02, 2014

It might be just a craze this year, but indulging in a bowl of hot ramen in this particularly cold weather doesn't sound crazy at all. Definitely not, when it's Hokkaido Ramen Santouka opening its doors. Their ramens are to reckon with.

 

Let's get this ramen on!

Choosing what ramen to eat is like picking up my lugaw for the day. If with ox tripe then that's gotto; if with  chicken and egg, arroz caldo that is. For ramen though, aside from the toppings, the broth also comes in consideration. 

There's shio for salt flavored with seaweed, fish and chicken bones, tonkotsu for pork bone, shoyu for soy sauce and chicken stock and miso from the paste, as we all know. 

 

Drown in their selection of ramen, set menu, rice toppings, curry and rice and etc.

I decided for a Shoyu Ramen (Php 330, medium) this time. It was topped with nori, naruto, menma, negi and slices of pork. It wasn't so spectacular for me only that the braised beef was so tender and so flavorful! The medium-sized bowl was more than for me, I could be full with just small (Php 280). It was served in just the right temperature it didn't scald my tongue.

My first choice though was their special Santouka Chicken Ramen (Php 300), which according to the menu they only serve 15 bowls. I was able to taste it and it was way better than my shoyu. My friend really enjoyed hers, and I didn't even wonder why.

One of my friend also enjoyed his Ramen and Curry & Rice bowl set (Php 450) and was full afterwards. I got to try his ramen too and was I envious, again! 

I was just a bit wrong with my ramen choice but with my friends' reaction, Ramen Santouka nailed it. Made a mental note too to try char-siu ramen next time and add additional braised beef. Yummy! 

More than the food, the ambience is nice and the seats are comfy too. Service is also good I didn't have to wait long for my order.

  
Rating: 4

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka has a branch in: 

SM Mall of Asia, 
J. Diokno Blvd.

Pasay City

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Saturday, February 01, 2014

There's a lot of ways to go sweet these days. Expensive cupcakes to mushrooming milkshakes, you choose, but there's nothing like the pure joy ice cream gives. Whether it'd be in a humongous tub or in an ice cream parlor, you'd always screaaaaam with it.

When it comes to these things, you'll enjoy choosing in Iceberg's wide array of sweet nothings (well aside from that there's more on their menu like...sisig! But let's be sweet first). From Filipino all-time favorite con hielo specials to french parfaits, super sundaes, milkshakes, banana-splits to godzilla/ king-kong appetites, a week's not enough to taste them all. 

So it started with...

 

German U-Boat Banana Split (Php 228). It has three scoops of varying ice cream flavors, whipped and sprinkled with marshmallows and chocolate-chip. On the sides are wafer sticks then topped by swet little cherry. Best of all, this german named sweetheart has an American flag :p. The serving's big it's good for sharing. It's yum but...

Strawberry Parfait (Php 188) ...I enjoyed this strawberry coolness much much. It has real fruit with syrup and three scoops of ice cream, whipped with cream and topped with a cherry. I'm a fan of chocolate but this is refreshingly sweet. 

Iceberg's Super Mais con Hielo (Php 108) is a three-thumbs up treat too. At this cheap, it's already offered with a scoop of ice cream. It's quite generous for sharing, too.

One good thing about Icebergs too is that its icecreams appear smaller than they are in real life. How cool is that? :)

  

Rating: 3.5

Icebergs has a branch in SM Mall of Asia

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

Happy new year!

It's the first month of the year and I'm happy to be once again rolling! This first new review for the year is extra special because it's the birthday of my friend, LyzaCee. So let's talk about where she treated us, in Mongkok Dimsum and Noodles, as that of my title :p

While waiting for the birthday celebrant, we first ordered a handful: 

 

Minced beef in eggwhite soup (Php 230). Perfect for the cold weather. It has sliced tofu too that adds extra texture and flavor (of sourness) to the soup.

 

Seafood fried noodles (Php 280). Went excited for this because I missed the stir-friend noodles I had in KL that was so memorable. It wasn't the same but I'm glad to had elicited that feeling. Theirs is fine, actually. And you get to choose different toppings among the frieds.

When the celebrant arrived, then of course our table was suddenly full. 

 

Mongkok special fried rice (Php 260). I thought it's a yangchow rice, but it's better than any yangchows I've tried than I can remember. Maybe the sweet ham made it flavorful. Or the egg. 

 

Salt and pepper squid (Php 270). Who can say no to a tasty squid? It doesn't have a sauce on it's own but it's fine as it is. It was cooked right too that added to my enjoyment.

 

Fish fillet bean curd pot (Php 270). I personally didn't enjoy this but three of my officemates did. I cannot contest the taste then, haha. Bean curds, not for me.

 

Lechon kawali (Php 270). Partnered with the trusted Mang Tomas, how can you get wrong with this? But I care too much for my heart I diverted my energy in the chicharap instead :)

 

Beef tenderloin chinese style (Php 280). I love this! It's sweet that's why. I also love the crunchiness the onions gave. And it was soo tender. 

 

Schezuen shrimp (Php 280). It was a bit spicy but manageable. The shrimp was cooked the right way too. 

Mango shake (Php 80). How can you get wrong with a fresh mango shake. Yummy!

It's worth another try in Mongkok. It's just affordable. There's quite a lot to choose from too although in terms of dimsum, I'm confused there's no hakaw. Haha. Service speed is just a bit slow, though. To summerize, it's a feel good Chinese resto for me. 

Mongkok Dimsum and Noodles has a branch in Glorietta. 

 Rating: 3

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Sunday, January 19, 2014