Reyes BBQ Grilled Chicken at P105
September 17, 2008 at 1:48 am | Posted in Rice Meals Below P200 | Leave a commentTags: Barbeque Chicken, Chicken, Grilled Chicken
RATING:
Tired of the same old style of fast-food chicken recipes? Then Reyes Barbecue should be your next destination for your grilled cravings. The meals that Reyes Barbecue offers are all served grilled. If you are a little skeptic about it, just wait for them to take your order. Their shiny makeshift grill adds anticipation and most of all, to your appetite. This is very apparent, especially on a busy time wherein aside from chicken, one could see the lineup of fish cuts, burgers and their must-see squid cuts with their stuffings.
Since I was in the mood for chicken, I tried their grilled chicken. It did not take long before my meal was up. To my surprise, the meal looks very Filipino; smoking hot grilled chicken on one side coupled with Java rice? Who can say no to that? Oh, and they haven’t forgotten the traditional atchara to keep the taste buds going. The chicken tastes great, the rice tastes great, what could possibly make it even greatER? Well here’s a little history lesson for you. Don’t worry, there are no dates or famous names this time. Back in the 90’s, there was a restaurant named Aristocrat and for those of you that have tasted their sauce, they served the best peanut butter/barbecue sauce in town. And now, Reyes Barbecue has it.
All in all, the meal was superb. It gave a mix of tastes with Spanish roots and served in a traditional Filipino-style that you surely would come back craving for more.
Wham! Burger Double Whammy (P129) (chicken littles not included)
September 17, 2008 at 1:40 am | Posted in Snacks Below P150 | Leave a commentTags: Burger, Double Whammy, Whammy
RATING:
Wham! Burger Double Whammy
The look and feel of Wham! Burgers seem to be very mundane. Sure it has a catchy name and some attractive colors but for first impressions, I thought it was going to be another one of those trying-hard burger chains that overcharge customers just because they think their burger is THAT good or they used the best beef in the world blah blah blah. Yeah right. There are certain foods that require certain manners when eating it. And then, there are burgers. Burgers are burgers. It may be sloppy to eat but damn, it sure is fun to eat it with both hands.
Big hunger needs a big burger and what better to eat than a 1/3 pound beef patty, coupled with the usual TLC. (Tomato, Lettuce, and Cheese) Wham!’s double whammy proves to be more than enough to satiate one’s hunger for a simple but raw, grilled meal. The burger is massive and the condiments that come with it do not help in decreasing its size either. As with anything flame grilled, there is a hint of bitterness in every bite but that just completes the experience of eating grilled burgers. After all, what do you expect for something as hardcore as this burger to satisfy the growling hunger that emanates from the pits of one’s stomach? I would like nothing less.
Getting full does not need to be complicated. If ever you feel your stomach growling, get yourself a double whammy. Get wham!-ed and get out.
P.S Definitely not meant for midnight snacks.
Beef Pepper Rice at only P185
September 17, 2008 at 12:48 am | Posted in Rice Meals Below P200 | 1 CommentTags: Beef, Beef Toppings, Rice Meals
RATING:
Beef Pepper Rice
After a stressful weekend filled with DEADlines and cramming, I knew I had to blow off steam and treat myself to a nice lunch. I dragged Makee to eat there one lazy Tuesday afternoon. It was a bit hard to find the place. You don’t really notice it from afar. You sort of have to know it’s there to actually find it. So yeah, I think they picked a bad location for their business. With all the restaurants along Katipunan, Sizzlin’ Pepper Steak should find a better way to make itself standout. Although, the cute cartoony cow on their logo did help to catch my attention. 
But that’s just me.
When we arrived, only two other tables were occupied. The place had a nice ambiance, very relaxed and laid-back. It was exactly what I needed. The staff was really friendly and accommodating. I have to give them props for that. And since our server was so nice, I asked her to recommend a good rice meal for us. She told us one of their BEST SELLERS was Beef Pepper Rice. Good thing it was well within our budget. Each plate of this meal will set you back for only PhP 185.00.
While waiting for our orders, we ogled the LCD screens mounted on the walls of the restaurant. It featured—what else—food and lots of it. It actually made me hungrier just watching. J The service was fast. Our food arrived in more or less five minutes. The pictures on the menu did not disappoint; the presentation alone was a feast for the eyes.
I thought their serving size was average to a little above average. Certainly, there was no shortage in rice but for the price I paid, I expected a little more viand. The good thing about them, though, is that they didn’t scrimp on the sauce, which is important for me ‘cause I love love love rich saucy foods. As for taste, I thought it was okay. Sure, the beef was tender, the rice was savory, the sauce was sweet (just the way I like it)… BUT there was no wow factor. It reminded me of Obento’s Tofu Steak, which to all Ateneans out there, is known as Caf food (less than 1/3 the price of Beef Pepper Rice, mind you).
So, for the final verdict… I commend Sizzlin’ Pepper Steak for their pleasant, well-trained staff and the warm, inviting ambiance. However, I don’t think that this restaurant and the particular meal from their menu, which I evaluated is NOT fit for TIPIDEAT-Y. If you have cash to spare and a hankering for some steak, by all means, go and check out this place. However, in terms of the bang-for-your-buck department, Sizzlin’ Pepper Steak falls short.
Lasagna Wraps at only P145
September 16, 2008 at 11:00 pm | Posted in Snacks Below P150 | Leave a commentTags: Banapple, Lasagna, Pasta
RATING:
Banapple's Lasagna Wraps
My first thoughts on hearing the restaurant “Banapple” was another one of those places where people go for those lip smacking desserts and maybe even take-out expensive cakes or pastries. Yes, it is true that when you enter the store, scrumptious cakes and pastries are welcoming you but the food variety goes beyond those of sweets.
As I grabbed the menu, I had a hard time deciding what to order. They may have fewer choices compared to the neighboring restaurants but at least I knew what I was going to possibly eat. It is quite funny though, what I ordered was not on the main menu but on a small stand on the table. As the order came in, the first thing that one would notice about the food is that it does not come in the usual form of lasagnas. Instead of being served in sheets, it is rolled into what looks like a burrito. The sauce which is usually spread in between the sheets is now poured all over the two pieces but the béchamel sauce remained isnide. Banapple’s serving of bread is quite generous compared to the usual breadsticks that accompany pasta in other establishments. As for the meal itself, the taste of the cheese is very distinguishable from the sauce. The creamy, white béchamel sauce also had a distinct taste from the beef and sauce so every bite is sort of a fusion of different flavors in one’s mouth.
All in all, if you are looking for something new, whether in taste or in form, and diets are not one of your priorities, lasagna wraps is a must-try. Just don’t forget to order some of their drinks and don’t get me started on their desserts.
Tea Blends Nai Cha Milk Tea: A Taste of China
September 16, 2008 at 9:15 pm | Posted in Desserts Below P100 | 2 CommentsTags: bubble tea, drinks, iced drinks, milk tea, tea
RATING:
I’ve always been a big fan of iced drinks – smoothies, frappucinos, shakes, iced coffee, iced tea, and so on – but never was really into milk teas until I went to China. Having a sweet tooth, I found it quite odd, expecting it to have such a bland taste with simply milk and tea combined. Though when it was practically everywhere in China, I decided to give it a shot and buy myself one. And indeed I surprised myself as I became an avid fan of it, trying different flavors available and boy, did I get hooked up to it!
When I got back to the Philippines, I started missing that perfect mix of milk and tea with both taste dominant as I have not tasted yet any milk tea close to it. It was either too milky, or too much of tea that it just was not right. Then I discovered Tea Blends near my place – first try and I knew this was it, my little bit of China right beside my house!
Tea Blends in Ash Creek, Greenhills
What’s different with Tea Blends is the not-so-strong yet you still can taste the tea in it – without sacrificing the milky flavor. Did I mention you could also pick your flavor AND your tea? From chocolate, to black tea & green tea, you can make it suitable to your taste! And it comes with their uniquely addictive sago at affordable prices ranging from Php 35 – Php 60.
Tea Blends
One of their most famous bestsellers that I personally began to love is the Nai Cha milktea. Nai Cha is a blended black tea and milk that creates a sweetness just right to calm your stressed cells back to life. Making it extra perfect with the sago, it’s all worth it for a extra tall glass of Nai Cha for only Php45!
Cello’s Chocolate Castle Promises Chocolovers Magic!
September 16, 2008 at 9:02 pm | Posted in Desserts Below P100 | Leave a commentTags: cello's, donut, ice cream, katipunan
RATING:
I confess – I’m an official chocoholic by heart. And I found the dessert just right for my addiction and for my fellow chocolate-obsessed fellahs out there: Cello’s Chocolate Castle Ice Cream Creation!
Cello's Chocolate Castle
If you think Cello’s Doughnuts are good enough and satisfying, then you’re still missing out another of their wonders – ice cream creations! Their irresistible doughnuts added with ice cream & whipped cream and sprinkled with toppings – sounds plain and simple? But there’s just something about Cello’s freshly baked doughnuts combined with ice cream that makes the combination extra special especially during warm lazy afternoons.
Its extra sweetness might be a bit too much to some, but the rich chocolatey-flavor of both the ice cream and the doughnut complements well enough that makes you want to just keep on slicing before the ice cream melts on your plate. For Php80, it will make your catch-up session with your bestfriend even more exciting and satisfying, that you just can’t help reconsider another serving!
A Burst of Flavor
September 16, 2008 at 7:07 pm | Posted in Snacks Below P150 | Leave a commentTags: hot rocks, sunrise burger
Sunrise Burger
With an area as big as two container vans put side by side (which is actually what it is), the first floor of HotRocks, a restaurant located inside the Club650 compound, can seat as much as forty-five people at one time. The small area, along with its bright-colored walls and laid back music, makes the place very casual and homey. Just by taking a look around the place – at the plates marked by satisfied customers and original photographs taken by the owner and his friends embellishing the walls of the restaurant – one can already get an idea of what the place is all about – “no frills, just good food.”
Although more popularly known for their Angas beef steak (Batangas J), HotRocks’ burgers are just as mouthwatering as their signature dish. Served with different add-ons, the 100 percent beef patties are generally served with butter-toasted buns topped with lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Ordering this meal costs PhP105 and adding cheese for flavor would bring it up to PhP110, which is still fits well into the budget.
For a different experience burgers however, one must try the restaurant’s Sunrise Burger with cheese which is priced at PhP130. The burger gives a rich blend of flavors with every bite as the combination of juicy beef patty, butter-toasted bun, vegetables, cheese and pan-fried egg melts into your mouth.
HotRocks also produces its own house blend sauces which go very well with the food that they offer with one table of customers finishing a bottle in one sitting. There are two blends that they offer, the first of which is HotRocks’ Steak Sauce which goes well with pretty much everything on the menu and the second is mustard based concoction called HtoRocks’ Sunrise Sauce. This goes very well with the meaty burgers that the restaurant serves giving it a taste which distinguishes it from other burgers around.
So if you’re up for a chill night with your friends or family and want to tickle your taste buds with something new, go down to HotRocks’ Libis where where you’ll find there’s “no frills, just good food.”
A New Take on Sushi
September 16, 2008 at 6:36 pm | Posted in Snacks Below P150 | Leave a commentTags: jozu, Sushi
Japanese cuisine has always been a favorite of most Filipinos. Most won’t seem to ever get enough of the staple: maki, tempura and for the more daring, the raw fish, popularly known as sashimi. Most, if not all, sushi fans enjoy trying out different variations to the sushi that each restaurant has to offer. Unfortunately, most Japanese restaurants that offer a unique and creative twist to the plain old sushi are priced higher than most can afford on a casual night out.
Deep Fried Salmon Skin
Jozu, located in Tomas Morato, changes all that. Perfect for a dinner out with friends before going out into the night, the place has a laid back atmosphere where groups can enjoy their over converssation. Upon entering, a waiter will direct you to a spot in the restaurant and hand you a menu with a wide variety of dishes, all considerably priced for those who are on a budget. Along with this is an appetizer of deep fried salmon skin and Hoisin to dip it in, which does the trick of distracting your stomach while waiting on your meal.
Nui Rainbow Batera
Aspar Kani Maki
A section of the menu is dedicated to an assortment of Maki that come in all shapes and colors. Included here is the Nui Rainbow Batera, priced at PhP149, barely making it to the price cut-off for the budget. The Nui Rainbow Batera is a Batera style Maki with tuna and salmon. Its size is that one has to bite it in two in order to get the whole piece in and, the best thing about it is that it doesn’t break into a disarray of ingredients that one will have to wonder how to pick it up with a chopstick once again. Another more interesting Maki is the Aspar Kani Maki. This is a rice paper rolled maki with ebiko infused flavor rice, crabstick, baby asparagus, and here’s the clincher, cheddar cheese. Yes, cheddar cheese. The cheese, although unexpected, gives a different flavor to the maki without overpowering the simplicity of it, leaving the taste buds wanting for more. This distinctive mix of flavor is priced at only PhP134 which fits well into the budget.
So if you’re craving good Japanese food at affordable prices come to Jozu in Tomas Morato Street, South Triangle Quezon City.
Banapple’s Strawberry Amaretto Cheesecake
September 16, 2008 at 4:57 pm | Posted in Desserts Below P100 | Leave a commentTags: Banapple Deserts, Cheesecake, Deserts Below 100
RATING:
Strawberry Amaretto Cheesecake
Banapple (along Blue Ridge, Katipunan) always seems to satisfy my sweet tooth cravings. Their cakes, such as their Banana Toffee Pie, were really sweet yet at the same time, really excellent.
Just recently, I tried their Strawberry Amaretto Cheesecake; being the cheesecake lover that I am, I promised myself that I would try all the mouth-watering cheesecakes that I would see in restaurants. So I tried Banapple’s Strawberry Amaeretto Cheesecake. Looking at it made me crave for it! In the middle, of course you’ll see the thick and rich layer of the cheesecake base. It is then topped with this red blanket of strawberries and jelly (imagine, strawberry jam) with slivered almonds atop it and this was all placed on a dark brown crust, made up of (I am guessing by the looks of it) graham crackers mixed with chocolate. I made sure that on my first bite, I get the almond, the strawberry, the cheesecake and the crust. My first bite was just good- the first thought on my mind, it’s not that sweet! Of course, I was sad because I was sort of hoping for a sweet, sweet cheesecake. But generally, it was just good. Then I started eating by the layer. I got a bite of the cheesecake and I thought that it had perfect consistency, and perfect taste. After all, it wasn’t that sweet and rich. It was just right. But when I had the strawberry topping, although I was expecting it to be jam already, it wasn’t that great! I felt that they didn’t use a good brand of strawberry jam. It was tart yet at the same time, sweet? I couldn’t understand! And one last disappointment was the crust! Remember, I was expecting chocolate mixed with graham crackers? Well, I couldn’t tell what the crust was made of! Okay, so its consistency felt like graham but its taste was another thing. It’s not something you can eat alone considering the crust (for me) should be the next best thing. L Sad sad. If you eat the whole thing, it’s good- I guess the cheesecake really neutralizes the taste of the strawberry and the crust. But if you break it up into layers, uhmm… So so… Not as yummy as I expected it to be. And the Amaretto! How can I forget… I had to search for amaretto to make sure I’m no missing out and according to about.com, Amaretto is an almond flavoured liqueur. Any almond flavour? No, it could barely be tasted. So it’s really just Strawberry Amaretto Cheesecake. For the price of Php 90, it does give you cheap dessert but it’s not as worth it since I know that in Banapple, you can get cakes and pies below a hundred bucks and still make your tummy smile.
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- Paramus Teen Sings of Peace to “Help the World” - ParamusPost.com June 4, 2012
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