A Taste of Taiwan: Lugang Cafe

Was so into my fashion 366 that I forgot about all my foodie quests. So here you go, after some time, my foodie brouhaha!

Heard about Lugang from so many friends but I’m hesitant to check it out because of its location. I’m really not a Greenhills person so this gastro delight gets bumped off my list everytime. Not until last December when they decided to open one in MOA – oh my lord, come to momma!

Lugang is Bellagio’s (the famous Shanghai based Taiwanese restaurant) franchise in Manila – it is known in Shanghai for its cuisines and yummy desserts. Everyone’s just raving about their Xiao Long Bao which I was eggsighted to try out too but holy mother of feist, seeing the menu was a totally different story! Haha! Hello, pigout!

Lugang's a forever box office!

 The lines are just crazy everyday! They don’t do reservations unless its for a group of eight and above. 

Love the cafe's interiors. Cutesie bird cage-ish lights in one area.

This is the innermost part at the ground level. Bigger tables for more pax

NOW, FOOD! Happy tummy super super!

Oyster Omelette with Sweet & Spicy Sauce (Php 180). Super yumyum!

Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao (Php 188) - never failed my expectations! Super loved it. I can actually eat it everyday. Imma dumplings monster!

The Three-Cup Chicken (Php 290) was my favorite! I can't explain the taste but my tastebuds sure loved it. It's one of their house specials after all

I love cranberry juice! So I had no second thoughts 'bout getting their Cranberry Juice with Mango (Php 133) the minute I saw it on the drinks list. So refreshing! That's the only drink I'm getting everytime I eat there!

We also tried their Taiwanese Salt & Pepper Shrimp (Php 380) but the photo’s missing. Gah. Anyway, its also good Lugang really exceeded my expectations – it looks pretty intimidating  (exteriors and ish) but prices are really reasonable. Definitely recommending this for those who wants some piece of authentic Taiwanese dish. I’m sure to go back to test the rest of the menu

♥

Lugang Cafe | (Greenhills) 115 Connecticut St. Northeast Greenhills, (Mall of Asia) Ground Floor Main Mall | (Greenhills) 570-9011 (Mall of Asia) 555-0219 / 0916-2140822

Dumplings Monster,

PROMO: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s 50Pesos Fiasco

Attention Coffee Beaners – Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® recently opened their newest branch in Manila, making it more accessible for the people in the metro. Located at the Avenue of Arts in Roxas Boulevard (right across the American Embassy), CBTL is nestled amid a quintessentially Filipino setting that boasts of historic architectural structures and the world famous Manila Bay — allowing everyone to enjoy their perfect cup of drink while enjoying the sunset which is just schweet!

AND FOR THE REAL DEAL, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® branch in Avenue of the Arts will be holding a special promotion that will run from December 10-17 2011. Customers can avail of the Regular Mocha Vanilla and Caramel Ice Blended Drinks for only P50 everyday between 1230-130pm. Now that’s some deal! So come one, come all – and raise those ice blended with me yaw!

Get your Caramel Ice Blended fix for only P50 at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Avenue of Arts branch from December 10-17, 1230-130pm

FOODIE ALERT: Makati launches Distrito

We’re making it sizzle in Makati this November 25.

Makati's making it all happen for ya!

Makati City is unveiling a distinct urban experience inspired by the outdoor lifestyle markets of Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, and Birmingham as it opens its unique late night food and lifestyle fest—Distrito at Makati.

Feast on an excellent array of food and arts must-haves and enjoy the vibe of an exceptional street night fair at the Distrito in Makati, where everyone takes a toast to life’s most precious things.

Breathing more life to what is already a dynamic urban hotspot, Distrito will showcase a fantastic selection of restaurant foods and drinks, street arts, and quirky retail products all in one venue. Set to be staged at the Amorsolo Open Car Park, Distrito at Makati will also complement the emergence of the MCBD North and Makati’s distinct retail hub as the city’s quirky and young lifestyle hub, thus highlighting Makati’s ability to evolve with its public and stay relevant to its denizens’ growing needs.

Distrito Makati is a weekday, late night market that opens every Wednesday to Friday from 9:00 pm until 3:00 am where you can enjoy the best that Makati has to offer.  Distrito Makati is brought to you by the same organizers that put together the successful Mercato Centrale.

Bistro Filipino

What is food coma? Weirdic blissful feeling after nomnoming the following *in proper order*. Recently ate our hearts out *spell buffet* at Bistro Filipino for Cessie’s 25th and geezus kwayst, calories at its best! Whew!

Pork Sisig Shooters

Palabok Bites

Pork Sinigang Puree. Love sinigang!

Angus Tapa Salad

Okay, it took me a four-set appetizer to realize I’m ready for the real battle – main course here I come! Haha

Crispy Pata Binagoongan. Burp!

Bulalo Steak something. Haha! I forgot what its called. Too busy eatiing!

What's a birthday without spaghetti? Haha. Availed of the make your own pasta but opted for the regular spaghetti sauce topped with kesong puti for a change

God I ate a lot that night, seriously, i can’t stop munching cause the food’s so great! And yes, what’s a meal without desserts? Hello dessert buffet!

Oooh molten chocolate cake

Frozen Brazo! Love brazo de mercedez forever!

Yema Baaaaalls

Buffet’s super sulit, you may opt to get the Php1,299 for all the cuisine, 700++ for all except steaks and prawns or the executive dinner which is a four course set meal at 500++. Ala carte’s always an option if you think your tummy’s not ready for the whole fiasco. Haha!

Really had a great time, good food and company. Chef Rolly and Jackie’s amazing, as always!

Photo Credits: Alvin Paulo Perez

Chef Laudico’s Bistro Filipino | G/F Net 2 Bldg. 3rd Ave., Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig | (02) 856-0634 | Open 10am-3pm; 6pm-11pm | Accepts Credit Cards

Saraaaap,

 

 

Cafe Ysabel

Got curious with Cafe Ysabel at first sight but wasn’t able to plan my little foodie adventure because its totally out of my way *not unless Edsa’s gone manic and re-routing to GH is necessary*. So for my birthday, one of Cess’ surprise was to drive all the way to San Juan and try this baby out. Yey!

Cafe Ysabel was started out by renowned Chef Gene Gonzales, to date he also built up the Center for Asian Culinary Studies whose interns are helping out with the restaurant operations but trust me, food’s so pro! No wonder Anthony Bourdain and Bobby Chin made time to visit this place. Had a super happy birthday lunch!

Restaurant was actually an old house. Went there for lunch so no lights and ish, but promise the place glows up at night! Super romantic!

The interiors screams old. Wooden furnitures and painted ceilings, still love it though. Total packaging ftw!

Took us some time to choose what to get but since were a bit full we decided to just get pasta, fish and wine. Hmm. Lovely!

They gave us a freshly baked bread for starters. Super yum! Really, one of the best breads I had.

Polly's Pasta. Grilled white cheese, Calumpit sausage with kalamata olives and basil. Flavor was just wow!

Pan Roasted Seabass in Vietnames butter and mixed vegetables in crustacean sauce

Food’s all fresh and oozing with flavor. Wine selection’s great too! Happy tummy me!

Delizioso!

Cafe Ysabel | 455 P. Guevarra Street, San Juan Metro Manila | (632) 726-9326 and (632) 725-5089 | reservation@cafeysabel.com 

Wander Foodie,

Food Porn Kota Kinabalu

I love travelling, I think I kinda made that clear in my earlier posts. Haha. And for some reasons I just can’t get enough of Malaysia! Been to Kuala Lumpur once and I told myself Imna come back for more.

Decided to go to Kota Kinabalu for a level up adventure trip and yes, ended up doing two things: sightseeing and eating! Kota Kinabalu’s just one seafood haven! Super cheap plus love the way they cook!

Selera is their version of Dampa.

Setup's same here. Live sea creatures in aquariums. Nyahaha. Hello PETA?

FOOD PORN COMING UP! Our first night was a feast. Ate more than what we could, holy gluttons!

Stir fried buttered shrimps. Yuuum!

Chicken Wings, KK Style!

Seafood Fried Rice - A little bit of everything

Black Pepper Crabs

And of course - won't be complete without ze authentic side street Satay! Looove!

Here are some of the lovely authentic Malaysian dishes we had. Just wow!

Fish Curry! Malaysian's are known for curries and other things spicy because uhm, they like it like that. Haha!

Mi Goreng just for Me! Haha. Kidding.

Gained 5pounds in this entire trip. Good thing we had happy activities to wipe the fats out. Happy foodies!

Pigging Out with Charlie and Miko

Take two with Moi. Spell lip tint? Hahaha.

More on sight seeing and things to do in my next post

Halloo,

1521

I love Filipino food as I love my mom. Kidding. Haha. No, seriously, I love Filipino food and I’m always in the hunt for good places to get the real deal.

Been hearing lotsa bout 1521 and when we heard that they had a branch at the Fort – vroom, off we go!

Love their logo. Super smart. Love the menu more, witty food copywriting's a major come on

The wall's got cool Pinoy touch too

We were too busy laughing at the food names that we forgot we havent placed our orders yet, so best in tanga award lang. We wanted to get everything but hey, were on a diet *seriously* so we just picked two *hahaha*

GATA-GET THIS CHICK (Php 265). Chicken adobo cooked in Ilocos vinegar and coconut milk.

BONGGANG BONGGANG BINAGOONGAN (Php 295). Deep fried pork in local shrimp paste topped with green mango shreds

1521 Ays-Ti (Iced Tea) and Sago't Gulaman

Verdict: 4 Thumbs Up! (Mine and Cess’ combined) Lol! The dishes were oh-so-zesty. Nomnom’d everything upon serving. Will definitely come back to try everything on the menu

Cess' food anticipating fez. Haha! Best in smile.

Milk Tea fix after. Happy Serenitea's a hop away

1521 Restaurant | Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City | 0917.803.1521

Happy Tummy,

Rub Ribs & Barbecue

Love quality barbecue ribs but don’t want to spend much? Then I might have the best place for ya!

Rub’s a pretty new establishment in Tomas Morato, I haven’t heard of it till the day I went there and fell in love at first sight/bite/taste/gulp/whatever! Haha! The contrasting colors of the place is an appetizer in itself, really quaint and not pretentious, what you see is definitely what you’ll get!

Love how the counter is country-ish. Imma fan of them wood and blackboards!

 

Food’s just aaaaaahhh! Sarap! Im outta words! A++ in my books.

Chicken Cajun Pasta (Php 170)

Love the chicken marinade! What I love most is how the chicken compliments the pasta. Just creamy and zesty! Puuurfect!

Baby Back Ribs|Singles (Php195)

Three words: To – die – for – !

Fried Oreos with Vanilla Ice Cream (Php 140)

Capping the whole experience with my old friend, fried oreos! Afternoon delight mode. Nomnom!

I Rub You! <3

Rub Ribs & BBQ | 64 Scout Rallos, Tomas Morato, Quezon City | Open Monday – Sunday (11Am-12MN) | (02) 622-6352

Just got RUB’d,

Krispy Kreme’s Koffee Krew

KRISPY KREME’S KOFFEE KREW IN THE HOUSE YO!

Krispy Kreme's Koffee Rockett Man's the shit! Winner!

 

Krispy Kreme’s starting a new 3pm habit! And I heard they’re invading other offices soon. Happy they stopped at ours this aftie – they surely perked up everyone’s gloomy mood with all ze free coffee and doughnuts! Love Krispy Kreme!

 

Mooore Coffeeee,

CBD: Cheesesteaks, Burgers & Drinks

I rarely crave for burgers so when I do, I make sure I get the best one. Happy that the people behind Tender Bob’s came up with a new diner franchise – CBD. CBD’s just home to one of the finest patties I know. (PS: Don’t mind the trial watermark, haha. Trying out a new watermarking app. Lol)

CBD at the CBD

CBD stands for Cheesesteaks, Burgers and Drinks is located at the Ayala Triangle Center which is also at the center of Makati’s CBD *Central Business District* Smart naming! Haha!

Flatscreens purrfect for basketball or football viewing.

AND NOW, ZE MAIN DEAL! Love their patties – moist, soft, meaty and ish. Nomnom galore!

CBD Cheeseburger

Bunch got the CBD Cheeseburger (Php 150) nothing really special, just your regular patty plus cheddar cheese. 

Blue Cheeese! Yuuuum!

London Blue Cheeseburger (Php 220) for me cause I love blue cheese. Not recommending though for those with sensitive tastebuds cause ya know, blue cheese. Haha!

Chocolate Milkshake

Not so happy with the serving size of The Chocolate Milkshake (Php 115). The other diners would have a bigger serving for the price. Add (Php 20) for the malt – milkshake’s always best with the flavor

Side Order: Fries at Php 45

Cheesesteaks, Burgers & Drinks | Ayala Triangle Gardens |  Open Monday – Sunday (10:00am-10:00pm) | Price Range: 200 above | Accepts Credit Cards

Nomnomnom,