March Time!

Some things to expect (from me, for you) thisMarch 2010:

• Gerry's Grill Tagaytay
• Eat & Go
• Eskimo Bob
• The French Baker
• and Many More!!!

*I had to reformat the laptop. It's been malfunctioning for days...and that is causing some delays so just bear with me...aight?

Banapple

Finally! After three months of banapple craving, we finally made it! Last Saturday, the Manila Berks went to Il Terrazo in Tomas Morato for some good time. It was all our first time in Banapple and I bet we're all excited. The queue was long since the place is small so we waited...and waited...and waited...and waited more patiently. Good thing we got ourselves seated after 48 years. But like what Erika said, I'm proud to say that "It's worth the wait." I couldn't describe how awestruck we were as we got our orders served one by one. Just imagine how we looked when we started eating. I don't know if it's because of the long craving or there's really just magic in every bite of banapple.

I had herbed chicken and vanilla shake. someone had chicken sandwhich, another an alfredo pasta. the pies we had were strawberry, mise-reese and banoffee. Everything was delicious! Each bite stuffed with superb banapple goodness. And of course, banoffee pie was our obvious winner.

Would i go back to Banapple?
Is that even a question?!

Category: Deserts
Location/s:
(1) 206 & 225 Blue Ridge, Katipunan Ave, Quezon City
(2) Il Terrazo, Tomas Morato, Quezon City
Price: P100 - P300
Rating: 10/10

Mister Kabab

To satisfy my week-old craving for something Mediterranean, Jimson and I went to UP-Ayalaland TechnoHub to dine at Mister Kabab. It's my first time to enter the Hub so I was very excited. Since we're both starving, we didn't waste much time and headed directly to the restaurant to get served. While waiting for our orders, we can't help but take notice of the place which looked less like mediterranean, or middle eastern, for that matter. We started to discuss how the place could have been made more gypsy-ish and how the walls should have been painted darker. The wood finish didn't seem to match either. Anyway...

The food came after a long wait. I had Beef Special Chelo Kabab (P135), which boasted a pure grilled beef flavor but nothing that got me jumping off my seat. 'Son had Beef Beryani P140, which is actually just a curry that smelled and tasted really really good. We didn't get to taste other food on the menu but here's something we enjoyed...shakes! MK's Mango Shake (P40) is one of the best I have tasted by far. One sip and you'd know they got it right. The yogurt shake (P45) wasn't bad either. Although I wouldn't recommend it to those who are not used to gulping unflavored yogurts. FYI: yogurts are curdled milk and to give you an idea how yogurt shake tastes, simply think of a semi-panis milk shake...and they got microorganisms! lol!

Now the question...Would i go back to Mister Kabab?
Probably when the waitresses become more friendly. Aaargh...Don't even get me started.


Menu* as of Feb. 2010
Vegetable - P60 to P100
Chicken - P75 to P130
Beef - P75 to P140
Lamb - P160-P190
Fish - P85-P130
Dessert - P30-P40

*The entrees are quite lengthy and i don't think it wise to write them all so there's an overview. Plus there are far too many words that i haven't experienced all my life until MK. Hommus, motabal, flafel, korma, beryani, keema, abghoust, keshmeshy, femy, harissa...can someone explain them please?!

Category: Mediterranean
Locations:
(1) West Ave, Quezon City
(2) UP-Ayalaland Technohub, Diliman, Quezon City
Price: P200 - P500
Rating: 7/10

Red Mango

Soft ice cream out, frozen yogurt in. Red Mango is in! I always had double thoughts on entering Red Mango. I thought it's the froyo version of haagen dazs but apparently not. The place looked expensive. The bar looked flashy. The few people inside were too classy. I don't know where I got that information but Red Mango wasn't as expensive as I thought. It just came as an experiment, we were hesitant to enter at first but it was kinda relieving to see the menu. A good serving of all-natural froyo starts at P80. Just add P5 if you want them flavored (green tea or strawberry available). What i like about Red Mango is their good variety of toppings. Aside from fresh fruit pieces, they also have crushed chocolate, almond, banana nut crunch, and fruity pebbles to name a few.

I enjoyed my first Red Mango on a comfy bean bag in a cozy corner. Healthy has never been this fun. The cashier also gave us a free RM pin which is now displayed at Rica's badminton bag. So cool!!

Now the question...Would i go back to Red Mango?
You bet!

Menu as of Feb. 2010 - SM MOA (Prices are not accurate and may differ based on location)
Small* - P80/P85
Medium* - P115/P120
Large* - P150/P155
Family* - P220/P225
Yogurt on Shaved Ice (with 3 toppings) - P125
Blueberries n' Cream Waffle - P85
Banana Almond Waffle - P85
Hot Coffee/Tea - P75-P90
Iced Coffee/Tea - P95-P125
Frozen Yogurt Blenders - P125
*Toppings(1/2/3) - P20/P30/P40

Category: Deserts
Price: P100-P200
Rating: 9/10

Don Henrico's

One of my favorite restaurants! Expect this to be biased. It just so happened that I really (heart) Don Hen. Not only do they serve a great dining experience, they serve great great great food! Did I just say great? My favorite branch is in SM Mall of Asia where the staff is so overwhelmingly accomodating. It also has a better ambience since it's not as clogged as the Baguio branches. For starters, I would suggest their combo meals (which are not available in Manila branches). Now if you're in the Metro, you wouldn't want to miss their pizza. You wouldn't go wrong with any choice.

My personal favorite on the menu is the Italian Bratwurst Calzone(P280), a feast of sausage, garlic, mushroom, onion, tomato, and oozing cheese enclosed in baked pizza dough. Add up a perfect serving of Oven Baked Potato overflowing with melted cheese (P110) and Homestyle Onion Rings that taste more onion than breading (P145). They also serve good pasta and better salads. In fact it took me a day just to get over their Chicken Fingers Salad (P195/P370)  I haven't tasted any of their entree meals nor their gorgeous desserts though. I would love to but they're a bit too pricey for me.

Now the question...Would i go back to Don Hen?

Oh c'mon, haven't you read the first sentence?!

Menu as of Feb. 2010 - SM MOA (Prices are not accurate and may differ based on location)

STARTERS

Homestyle Onion Rings - P145

Oven Baked Potato- P110

Baked Mussels - P175

Calmari Fritti - P175

Fried Mozzarella Cheese - P175

Crispy Chicken Tender - P195

Nachos Muchos - P240

SALADS

Caesar Salad - P160/P280

Romano Chicken Caesar Salad - P195/P370

Shrimp Kebab Caesar Salad - P195/P370

Chicken Fingers Salad - P195/P370

Oriental Chicken Salad - P195/P370

Four Seasons Salad - P240/450

SOUPS

French Onion Soup - P75

Clam Chowder - P75

PIZZAS

Don Henrico's Classic - P280/P540/P790

Seafood Pizza - P280/P540/P790

Rustic Italian- P270/P520/P760

Bacon Mushroom Cheeseburger - P270/P520/P760

Extreme Mushroom - P270/P520/P760

All Meat Pizza - P260/P490/P720

ENTREES

Chicken Farm - P260

Oven Fried Chicken - P260

Chicken Cordon Bleu - P260

Fishand Chips - P260

Oven Grilled Ribs - P195/P360

Paella Valenciana - P180

Don Henrico's Famous Buffalo Wings - P370/P560/P720

Captain Crunch Chiken

PASTA

Seafood Diavolo - P280/P530

Scampi Pasta - P280/P530

Baked Seafood X.O. Pasta - P280/P530

Pasta Alle Vongole - P240/P460

Chicken Pesto - P240/P460

Gorgonzola Pasta - P280/P530

Baked Ziti - P280/P530

Meat Lasagna - P245

Anchovy & Roaste Garlic Pasta in Olive Oil - P220/P420

DESSERTS

Tiramisu - P160

Blueberry Cheesecake - P160

Oreo heesecake - P160

Dulce de Leche - P160

Dark Truffle Cake - P130

Perfect Double Chocolate - P130

Category: Italian

Locations:

(1) Session Road, Baguio City

(2) LGF, SM City Baguio

(3) 574 Pedro Gil St., Ma

(4) Toledo Commercial, Tomas Morato cor. Scout Limbaga St., Quezon City late, Manila

(5)West Avenue cor. Examiner St., Quezon City

(6) The Brick Road, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Cainta, Rizal

(7) Ground Level, North Wing, Entertainment Mall, Mall of Asia, Pasay City

(8) 2nd Level near Bridgeway Entrance, Filinvest Festival Supermall

(9) 2nd Level, The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City

Price: P200 - P500

Rating: 10/10 (for masarap!)

Sunshine Lunch

This is one of the oldest restaurants in the city. Founded by a Chinese merchant named Liu Ki in 1950's, it claims to be the first in commercially serving the infamous "siopao" to Baguio residents. They were originally sold for 0.5 cents each. Now they cost around 45 Pesos which is not really that bad. As for the taste, I didn't really find anything magical with it. I'm sorry I'm just not a fan of siopao. We also ordered miki-bihon pansit to pair with our white meat-filled fluffs. It's delicious but like their siopao, it didn't get me jumping off my seat either.

What got my attention were the little trinkets they sell at the counter. I found some haw flakes, tootsie rolls, and marie biscuits to name a few. If you grew up in the 90s, you'll enjoy these little treats that would give you a flashback of your childhood days.

The place gave me an impression of its old glory, when the city wasn't overcrowded and fastfood hasn't arrived yet. But the restaurant stood against the competition and that is really admirable. As for now, we can only wish for the best for Sunshine Lunch.

Now the question...Would I go back to Sunshine Lunch?
Maybe for those 90s stuff.

Category: Chinese, Filipino
Location: Malcolm Square, Baguio City
Price: less than P200
Rating: 5/10

Sharjo's Imbiss n Cafe

I was with Ahyen during the second day of my Baguio escapade when we found this new food shop inside Porta Vaga. Sharjo's is one of those cutesy stalls that serve both Italian and Filipino dishes. The place is not really attractive at first glance but I'll give it to them for their food presentation. We were quite full and were supposed to taste only their bolognese but we ended up grabbing those feisty turons as well. Both of them looked and tasted pleasing. I haven't seen and tasted turon as good as in Sharjo's - blended perfectly with langka strips and caramellized sugar coating.

Okay, so much for the turon. I must say I was also impressed with their red pasta. Define pasta. Define tomato. You'd know they got it right! Yum yum! Aside from pasta and some kakanins, they also serve rice viands and various drinks which i couldn't even remember. It only means I ought to go back and update this entry. I just hope they'll start improving their place.

Now the question...Would i go back to Sharjo's?
Probably. Hopefully...when they get to improve their place.

Category: Italian, Filipino
Location: 3rd floor, Porta Vaga Mall, Baguio City
Price: less than P100
Rating: 5/10