KKK Pinoy Food Revolution

When you peer into KKK you would immediately notice that colorful jeep that's parked right inside the restaurant.  Yes, the bar, the cashier and the kitchen are all situated behind that.  Colorful bottles are dangling from the ceiling and most of their decorations add to the filipiniana vibe of the place.  You know right away that this establishment serves Filipino food.

A Quick Bite at Clucky's

First off, I'm not a die hard fan of Korean fried chicken.  I think I've only tried this type of chicken twice unless you count the ones I have prepared at home using McCormick Korean Fried Chicken Recipe Mixes.  I was staying at Medical City with my uncle and by the time I went down for dinner the foodcourt was closed.  I crossed over to the Rockwell Business Center and scouted the restaurants.  Clucky's looked like an upbeat quick service restaurant so I went in (although my uncle told me to take my time, I didn't want him to be alone too long)  

I went straight to the counter but I couldn't decide right away.  In the end I figured I should try the chicken since that seemed to be their specialty.  I asked for the Tenders Meal with 3 pieces and requested for 2 pieces of the soy garlic and just one of the spicy.

Tenders Meal P109/2pcs; P149/3pcs
breast strips, corn salad, rice and 12 oz soda/iced tea

Our New Marikina Discovery - Cafe Lidia

Hubby and I had to run an errand in Marikina one weeknight.  We had early dinner so by the time we were finished with what we had to do we were craving for a snack.  I googled for dessert places in the area and stumbled upon photos of the cakes from Cafe Lidia.

Abe's Binukadkad na Pla Pla and More

I'm catching up on my backlogs and while organizing my entries I was thinking of skipping this one altogether since I already wrote about Abe before.  But then again my photos are of better quality now and we just really really love their Binukadkad na Pla Pla.  

Corazon Filipino Hispano Cuisine by Chef Florabel

Corazon was one of the restaurants that caught our attention when we explored Shangri-la's east wing for the very first time.  The red and white striped chairs in the "al fresco" dining area resembled candy canes.  The colorfully designed sorbetes cart was a nice attraction as well.  Plus we learned that Corazon was from the same people behind Elias and Crisostomo.  So when my in laws were thinking of a restaurant to celebrate hubby's birthday, my sister in law's birthday and father's day, Corazon was the obvious choice.

Midnight to Morning Buffet at Somethin' Fishy

One Saturday morning, we trooped to Somethin' Fishy for their Midnight to Morning Buffet.  It was sort of a despedida for a balikbayan cousin who was flying home that night.

Photo from Somethin' Fishy's website

Borough at The Podium Mall

Borough at the Podium Mall is so close to my parent's place yet I've only been here three times (including this dinner date with my sister).  

Gavino's Japanese Donuts

I'm a sucker for sweets especially donuts.  Here's a quick roundup of my first encounter with Gavino's Japanese Donuts at SM Megamall.

Balboa at Shangri-La's East Wing

Aside from December, June and September are the busiest months for us because birthdays of our immediate families all fall under these months.  We started the June festivities with a birthday dinner for my dad at Balboa in Shangri-La's east wing.

those books are real!  love the floor tiles!

Ristras Mexican Grill

When we visited Chicago and California several years ago, we fell in love with Chipotle Mexican Grill.  So we were really excited when Ristras Mexican Grill opened in San Juan in 2009.  They have a similar set up wherein you would line up at the counter, choose if you wanted a burrito, taco etc, pick your filling - steak, chicken, pork etc.  At Ristras, the other ingredients are laid out on the counter and the server assembles your order and delivers it at your table after.  

Last month, we were in the San Juan area for an errand.  As we were driving around during a heavy downpour, we spotted an empty parking space at Ristras.  It has been a while since we've dined there so we couldn't decide on what we wanted.  The only thing we agreed on was that we didn't feel like eating beans and anything too heavy.  The servers were very patient with us and answered all our questions (plus aside from us, only one other table was occupied).  We settled on the Steak Soft Tacos and Chicken Quesadilla.   

Screamers Italian Ice

When I spotted the ultra colorful Screamers Italian Ice stall, I automatically assumed that it was another ice cream kiosk.  I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that they were serving gourmet frozen desserts made primarily of fruits plus it was dairy free, cholesterol free and fat free.

Chatime Eats

I was at my parents place last week and we just wanted to stay in for dinner.  We were thinking of having food delivered but our top picks weren't available or would take more than an hour for the food to arrive.  Dad was getting hungry already so I was open to just getting anything from the fastfood joints downstairs.  Good thing my sister suggested that we check out the food offerings at the newly opened Chatime branch a few blocks away.  

Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay

A few months ago, Hotel Kimberly in Tagaytay was our little playground for one weekend.  With about 20 of us from mom's side of the family, we explored and maximized the hotel's amenities which my sister wrote about here.

LZM Restaurant Lutong Bahay Specialties

We've passed by LZM Restaurant several times but never really stepped into it until a few months ago.  We were heading to Tagaytay for a family weekend getaway and stopped over at Solenad for lunch.  It was barely 12 noon and there was a waiting list already.

Let Me Count The Ways...

Two of the most versatile ingredients in our kitchen are ground beef and ground pork.  Over the years, I've used them for Pork Balls in Tomato Sauce

Burgers with Mushrooms and Gravy

Brickfire Oven-Roasted Steaks & Chops

Hubby and I are always on the lookout for affordable mouthwatering steaks.  We fell in love with Snackaroo in Quezon City and we were jumping with joy when we discovered Brickfire which is so much closer to us.

On our first visit, we zeroed in on two of their Specials.  I claimed the Cowgirl Annie for myself.  

Cowgirl Annie P145
a little bit sweet, a little bit tangy. everything you're looking for in a t-bone steak

Banapple

I can't believe I'm a Banapple latebloomer.  I've been hearing and reading raves and great reviews about this place.   A few months ago, we attempted to eat at their Katipunan branch.  We were lucky enough to find a parking slot but the entire first floor was packed.  We were with seniors and they didn't feel like waiting or walking up the flight of stairs.  A couple of weeks after, we were in the Makati area and headed straight for the Banapple branch in Ayala Triangle.

I was overwhelmed when I went through the menu.  I couldn't decide right away then I spotted the Bacon Fried Chicken Steaks with Milk'shroom Gravy.

Bacon Fried Chicken Steaks with Milk'shroom Gravy P175
crisp chicken fillets smothered in a creamy milk and mushroom gravy, topped with  yummy bacon pieces, served with corn relish

My Kitchen by Chef Chris

Just like any other holiday or special occasion, mother's day weekend was hectic for us.  My sister and I were in Bulacan the previous week campaigning full force for our uncle.  The parentals picked us up saturday night (the last day for campaigning) and brought over Purple Oven cakes.  Sunday lunch was with my in laws in Nanbantei of Tokyo (food photos on my instagram page or read about my first visit here) to celebrate mother's day and my niece's 3rd birthday.  Sunday dinner was with my mom's side of the family and since we were pretty late I wasn't able to take any photos.  Monday, election day, was a holiday so we had a post mother's day celebration with my immediate family at My Kitchen by Chef Chris.

This was hubby and my first time to troop all the way to The Oasis Paco Park Hotel.  My family immensely enjoyed their previous visits that they always purchase Deal Grocer vouchers whenever they're available.  We used up 2 panizza vouchers and sampled the Paco and the Verena.

Original Paco P790
fine slices of herbed chicken fillet, smoked bacon, portabello and golden mushrooms, capers and slices of kalamata olives

Original Verena P790
tomato and white truffle oil enhanced cheese sauce topped with scallops, prawns and sun dried tomatoes

Follow me on Instagram!

I've been MIA for the past couple of months because I've been preoccupied with personal stuff.  I just didn't have the heart to write as much or as often.  But I'm back and intend to share more food adventures with everyone.  In the meantime, do follow me on instagram!

Pepper Lunch

What I thought would be a laidback Saturday at my parents place turned out to be a whole day affair at 2 different malls running errands, watching a movie, lunch and then dinner at Pepper Lunch.  Pepper Lunch serves their viands raw on a patented electromagnetic plate that is heated to a certain temperature.  Diners then cook them to their liking and eat it as is or mix it up to resemble fried rice.  Honey brown sauce and garlic soy sauce are available per table and may be added for even more flavor.

I skipped my usual order of Beef Pepper Rice and went for the Curry Beef Pepper Rice with Cheese (P225).

Madeca

Pictures of or at Madeca have been popping up my instagram feed lately which irked my curiosity.  

Mr. Rockefeller

Hubby and I celebrated our wedding anniversary last month the best way we know how...with FOOD and of course togetherness (yeah let me be cheesy once in a while haha).  We strolled around the Greenbelt area until the shops were about to close and our stomachs started grumbling.  Our tired feet led us to Mr. Rockefeller, and with a restaurant name like that, we just had to order the Oysters Rockefeller and it did not disappoint.  One of the best oysters we've ever had.

Oysters Rockefeller P330/8pcs
the star in this restaurant!  18 ingredients placed on each and every oyster finished off in the oven and topped with melted mozzarella

Quiznos

Every December, we make it a point to visit the Karl Edwards bazaar at the NBC Tent.  Last year was no exception.  We went twice with different people but somehow ended up in Quiznos both times (but I'm not complaining!).  We tried this in the States several years back and we were pretty psyched that they're in Manila now.

Acaci

Hubby's cousin tied the knot last November and the newlyweds treated their wedding guests to a buffet lunch at Acaci in Acacia Hotel.

Mom & Tina's

We've stopped by Mom and Tina's maybe about a handful of times for their Mango Walnut Torte and Toblerone Walnut Torte to bring to parties.  We've been dying to sample their food and actually dined there last week.

The U.S. Beef Tapa was just heavenly.  A must order for bacon lovers.   

U. S. Beef Tapa P225

Crispy strips of marinated beef served with egg, garlic rice and achara. It's an all new way to enjoy tapa!

Holiday Spread for 2012

The holidays have come and gone but my belly is here to stay hahaha... One celebration after another in a span of just a few weeks may have added even more pounds (and inches) to my already "healthy" body.  Here are a few of the holiday treats that were so hard to resist. 

my cousin's clambake (?) with sausages and seafood served on a huge paellera