ChopStop - Where Pork and Chicken Can Taste The Same

I rarely ever go to the new section in Eastwood where some of the smaller restos are located - the area where S & R and Unionbank is. I didn't really think that the place offered much food wise, but I was immediately drawn to the "rice all you can" sign at the door.

 

My expectations were not too high. It looked like they served takeout food and catered to people who don't have a lot of time to eat and enjoy food. The place was also semi deserted (only one other table occupied). So what's up with that, right?

 

The staff, however, was really nice and accommodating. Our waitress patiently explained which items we should order and reminded us that the rice is unlimited. The menu primarily consists of pork chops and chicken with pretty much the same sauce options. 

 

The Pork Chop in Buffalo sauce was surprisingly good. It tastes, well, like Buffalo chicken wings without the wings. It had the right amount of spice and the meat was drowning in the sauce. The sauce probably works better with chicken, but it was a good fit for the Pork chops too. Probably not gourmet, but a good steal at P139.

 

The alcoholic in me couldn't resist ordering the Chops wig Jack Daniels sauce. To be honest, I doubt that they actually used Jack Daniels (perhaps mixed with something else), but it turned out ok. It doesn't compare to the sauce from Fridays but then again, it' only costs P139. Why complain?

 

The Bacon Cracklings (P119) were good. Because anything that has Bacon on it is good in my book. It was probably made of thinly sliced liempo fried to a crisp, but they got me at bacon. Bacon bacon bacon.

In summary, it's a good place to eat if you are a bit short on the budget and in the mood for a lot of rice. I kinda wished that we ordered a chicken dish as well, just to validate my theory that the pork and chicken probably tastes the same (when drowned in the sauce). Maybe next time. And yes, bacon.

Pho Hoa - "When I was in Vietnam"

The Pho Hoa Restaurant in Eastwood has been in that location for as long as I can remember, and for good reason. Vietnamese food is awesome - and Pho Hoa's dishes are delicious! I wouldn't go as far as saying that it's the BEST that I've tasted (I always go back to the authenticity of the Viet Ville resto in Palawan), but it's in the vicinity.

Let me dispense of the bad stuff right off the bat. Service was oddly out of place when my friends and I went over for dinner the other night. It was probably because of the late hours (nearing closing time) and it seemed like the staff was already busy preparing for closing time. But what's "unforgivable" was the rationing of ice cubes. I felt that they were being stingy with it, and found out later on that they run out of ice. Kind of a bummer for people (like me) who like their drinks extra cold. 

 

The food, as always, was good. The Vegetarian Cha Gio (fried spring rolls) is a nice starter but also perfect with rice. It came with a lettuce wrap that I never touched. I just loved how tasty it was with or without the dip. I wanted more!

 

We ordered a couple of Phos - another staple dish. The beef stew reminded me a lot of the ones served in Viet Ville. It had a generous amount of beef and a delicious base. I just got a small serving to try, but that was enough to make me want to order more.

 

The other Pho seemed to have more ingredients but came with a lighter soup base. I personally prefer the spicier one, but this one was also delicious. The rice noodles were nicely done and it had some of the most unexpected ingredients on it.

 

For those who can't live without rice, the Pork Stew with Beancurd and Egg is the perfect choice. It reminded me a lot of Pork Humba, but with a different twist. The eggs don't look appetizing (at least to me), but overall the dish is a winner. Loved eating it with rice and the spring rolls.

 

Finally, there's my favorite sandwich - the Banh Mi. I got the grilled pork variant and it was very tasty. It's made differently from the Banh Mi of my youth, but it's still delicious. I was able to finish an entire sandwich even after devouring some of the other dishes that we ordered. 

The food was so good that I forgot about my ice issue. We even forgot to take a group photo, which would have made this blog entry more interesting. I'm now looking forward to our upcoming Ho Chi Minh trip - I'm dying to taste Vietnamese food right from the source!

Italliani's - A Steak to my Liking

Been very busy the past couple of days and I was unable to post some of the (relatively decent) meals I had. They were mostly from previously reviewed restos like Wee Nam Kee and Ichiba anyway, so you guys have an idea how those meals may have gone.

 

A must blog, however, was my latest Italliani's dining experience. It's no secret that I frequent this resto for the yummy pasta and pizza. What makes me come back, however, is the huge discount that I get from using my Bistro card. At least 20% off on top of the vouchers. Sulit na sulit!

 

This time, for a change, I was craving for steak. It's been a while since I got one from this place and I totally forgot what it tasted like. I was in heaven when I finally got a taste of it. The USDA Ribeye (P1450 in all its 10 oz glory) was heavily seasoned which is just how I liked it. Turned out to be a little over cooked than expected but it was moist, marbled and tender. Steak is best eaten shortly after being served, but I enjoyed mine even when it was already slightly cool. A far cry from the poorly seasoned steaks of neighboring restos. 

 

I must confess that I made a rookie (and idiotic) mistake when I ordered the pasta. I had Chicken Alfredo in mind when I got the Fettucine Alfredo (P325). So I was shocked and kicking myself when I got a plate of pasta with white sauce and nothing much on it. What a waste. I ended up using it as a rice substitute for my steak. Ok na rin.

 

A couple of other things that I love about Italliani's: the bottomless iced tea and the "bottomless" bread basket. I can't get enough of the dip. I won't mind coming here for "dinner" and just get a fill of this bread/drink combo.

 

My Bistro card is about to expire in a few months, so that's a bummer. I usually end up getting another one after serious haggling with the marketing person. It's a good buy, but I can be a hard sell sometimes.

Eastwood's Very Own Gloria Maris

Gloria Maris is probably best known for its Greenhills branch - the one that used to be somewhere in the old part of the mall but eventually moved to a new building near the Promenade area. It has always been a family favorite and we have celebrated one too many events in that Chinese resto. Since then, they've branched out and found their way to an area of Eastwood Mall that used to be deserted.

 

The Eastwood branch is not as grandiose as the Greenhills branch - no high ceilings and countless round tables. But it looks stylish in its own way and also has an aquarium/display area. They tried their best given the limited space that they had, I would say. But hey - if the plan is to give access to people from the Libis area, then the plan definitely worked. I've never seen this part of the mall as busy as it is today.

 

The food is generally good - one of the reasons why families keep coming back. We ordered the staple Steamed Fish Fillet with Soy Sauce (P350) and it was great paired with my very own chili/soy sauce concoction. Not as good as the fish fillet from Hap Chan (yum yum), but good enough. This coming from a guy who generally does not order fish dishes.

 

The Siomai is yet another staple when ordering food in most Chinese restaurants. This dimsum looks really simple but can taste explosive depending on it was prepared. The one we ordered tasted good and would have held on its own even without the other dishes. Siomai rice, anyone?

 

Finally, the waiter recommended the Fried Spareribs with Salt and Pepper (P400) with confidence. I was leaning towards the Kingdo Spareribs but he interjected and made his suggestion. Fine, Mr. Waiter. I'll take your word for it. It did taste good and was surprisingly a good fit with the other dishes we ordered. 

 

There are a lot of other dishes to try, and you can ask them to cook one of the live fishes from the aquarium. I'm sure this place will see me again soon as it seems to be on the "favorite list" of several people that I know. 

Paper Moon's Mille Crepes - Must Try!

A Mille Crepe is a classic French cake that consists of 20 layers of paper thin crepes, each separated with a brush of French pastry cream. I got my first taste of this cake a few years back when we received one for Christmas. I fell in love with the simplicity and the sweetness level (not too sweet), and have been craving for it on occasion.

 

This is why I was very excited when I saw that Paper Moon  was going to open in Eastwood Mall (3rd floor). Sure, it's just a kiosk with some tables and chairs by the escalator. But they do have a decent selection of sweets and drinks. The area is perfect for parents waiting for their kids (buying toys and clothes) or people who want to take a quick break from shopping. LTE signal in the area is also strong (plus Eastwood has free wifi that you can use for about an hour) so people like me can whip out our laptops and get some work done.

 

I ended up ordering the Mango Mille Crepe (had a hard time deciding if I should get the Ube or the Original flavor instead). It took me a few minutes to make my final decision, and I almost ended up ordering everything. Paired with coffee or iced tea, you can get the "Perfect Pair" for P260. 

 

The verdict? The one I got for Christmas was better (probably because it wasn't too "commercialized") but Paper Moon's version was also good. I like that it's not too sweet - I can eat it all day! The filling was also yummy without being too overpowering. If I had to critique it, I would say that the crepes could come a little thinner. I didn't think they were as "paper thin" as they could be. I'll try the other flavors next time and see if they are any better.

Annam Noodle Bar - A New Favorite

I love Vietnamese food. I grew up near a Vietnamese refugee camp and usually order a Banh Mi or two for snacks. My friends and I used to crave for beef stew after a night of partying (or for any reason, actually). My interest is always piqued whenever I see a new Vietnamese restaurant or even a Vietnamese dish on a menu.

 

So when I saw a poster saying that there's a new(ish) Vietnamese noodle house in 1880 building (Eastwood), I didn't even hesitate. I crossed the fountain area and headed straight for Annam. Not completely certain when this Resto opened - it's been a while since I've been to this part of Eastwood. 

 

Interestingly enough, they only serve noodles, sandwiches, desserts and sides - no rice meals! It was perfect because I was feeling a little under the weather and thought that a good dose of soup would help me out. I ordered the Pho Australian Beef Combination (P350) upon the recommendation of the waitress. It had beef steak slices, beef balls, tendon and honeycomb tripe. And my, was it delicious. I like my food tasty, and the Pho was indeed very tasty. Can't wait to try the other variations next time!

 

While waiting for the Pho, I asked the waitress if I will still have enough space in my tummy for a sandwich - to which she replied "that depends on your appetite." I really wanted a Banh Mi so I went for it and ordered the one with the sautéed lemongrass pork and cream cheese (P250). Another great decision, I must say. I ended up eating everything, down to the last leaf! 

But upon checking the menu online, it looks like there's a "promo" of sorts if you order coffee with the Banh Mi, you get to save P170. I wasn't made aware of this option when I ordered, and I'm hoping that it's because it was way past snack time. I would hate to find out that I missed out on a good deal haha!

 

Looks like I found a new favorite place (for when I'm not in the mood for rice, that is). I'll definitely try out the other items on the menu next time, including the desserts and the Vietnamese coffee. I think they close at around 3AM, making it a great after party meeting place. If only they had wifi.

Mesa Restaurant - Mostly Satisfying

Mesa is one of my go-to places when I need a good Filipino food fix. I always leave with a full stomach and a not-so-empty wallet so that's always a plus. I'm glad that they opened a new(ish) branch in Eastwood - no need to go to far off places to eat some of their delectable dishes!

The Eastwood branch does not look as "fancy" as the other locations but they managed to make a small space look decent. I particularly like the pinoy-style dividers - they give a semblance of privacy to diners.

The place was surprisingly deserted when we arrived - a far cry from the usual crowd that greets us everytime we go there. As such, I was expecting great service. But NO, for some reason it was very challenging to look for a waiter. I suppose they were all ready to go home at that point.

And then there was the Baked Scallops (P225). For the first time ever, there were left overs - not something that happens to scallops. It was really bland and I was looking for a little more buttery taste. Very disappointing.

But I did say I liked the place, and the Baby Squid in Olive Oil (P310) is one of the many reasons for that. I know, eating baby squid sounds murderous (because baby), but this dish is worth compromising your morals so to speak. A must try.

The Sizzling Tofu is another good dish that's worth trying. It's a good side dish for all the meat and seafoods that you want to order. But you need to eat it sparingly - too much of it will make you feel satiated.

Finally, there's the Binagoongang Baboy ni Kaka (P225). It got mixed reviews from the gang mainly because of the shrimp paste that was used. It's on the sweet-salty side which I like, but Mami Ann prefers it straight up salty. 

It was a good meal overall, and I always like it when a restaurant serves bottomless iced tea. I had a hard time walking out of that place, and I think the bill was only a little over P1000.

Mesa is located at the 3rd Floor, Eastwood City Mall (new mall).

Outback Restaurant - Picked All the Wrong Things

The "old" Outback at Libis used to be one of my go-to places when I wanted to get away from the usual "resto in the mall." It had a nice vibe and it felt like I was in the presence of other people who wanted to escape from the world. That Resto, I believe, has recently closed. So tonight, I tried the new one in Eastwood.

My first impression? The place was too bright. Not sure if it's the latest trend, but I noticed the same thing about Applebee's. It felt like I was in a diner or something, and it just didn't appeal to me at all. Or maybe there's just something wrong with my eyesight.

Outback is known for their steak, so I had to order one. I settled for the Outback Special (P1049) because the description sounded promising. It's signature sirloin seasoned in bold spices. Sadly, the "special" was not special at all and did not deliver. I had to resort to adding salt and pepper to make it taste a little better. I also had a hard time trying to slice pieces of meat off. I wanted to kick myself for not ordering the rib eye steak instead.

The Spinach Artichoke Dip (P349) was decent but could not compare to the one from Cyma. I think that it lacked cheese, and the artichokes were sliced too thickly. The nachos were also too bland for me.

The Kookaburra Wings (P299) saved the night for me. Sure, I can think of at least a couple other chicken wings that taste better. But I found myself wishing I ordered more of the wings and just did away with the steak.

I'll probably still go back to Outback, but will remember to be more picky when ordering. I'm pretty sure there are other things in the menu that are worth trying.

Outback Restaurant is located in Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon City.

Pasto - Loved the Marinara

I'm back in Manila and one of the first things I did was to get in the middle of a Pokemon Lure Party. Pasto in Eastwood was perfectly situated, though you will need to rely on your phone's data connection or Eastwood Mall's 1-hour free wifi.

The place itself looks great; lighting was a bit dim, tables/seats were comfortable, and the vibe was chill. They also have a smoking area outside. However, I must mention that the airconditioning needs to be improved. It was warm where we were seated, and I had to drink liters of iced tea just to keep my body temperature from rising. It was tolerable because it was raining outside, but I can't imagine how uncomfortable it would be if the weather was warmer AND if the resto was filled with people.

The pasta we ordered, however, was really good. I asked the waitress for their best seller and she recommended the Seafood Marinara (P295). I'm not particularly fond of seafoods in my pasta (unless it's shrimps/prawns), but this one got my attention. I guess I liked the bit of spice as well as the generous amount of ingredients. The downside? Serving was too small (just enough for one "not so hungry" person).

We also ordered the all meat Di Carne Pizza (P295). At first glance, it did not look like it had much to offer. It actually reminded me of 3M pizza. It tasted okay, however. I specially liked the crunchy crust and the rich taste of the meats added. Additional toppings would make it a lot better, IMO.

I remember liking some of the appetizers in this place, but we just didn't have enough space in our tummies (we just had coffee and pastries from Costa). Perhaps I'll get some of those dips next time.

Pasto is located in Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon City

When Kyochon Ran Out of Spice

I love Korean fried chicken - the spicy ones, not the regular light soy variety. I enjoy it when I sweat while eating, iced cold drink in hand, fearing that my "sipon" will start flowing. And when it comes to Korean friend chicken (KFC??),   Kyochon is usually my go-to place.

So imagine my disappointment when I was told that the Red Series ("original hot sauce made from Korea's hottest red chili peppers") variety was not available. What? Magsara na kayo! To add insult to injury, the "Honey" variety wasn't offered as part of the combo I wanted. I ended up getting the Original series with soy garlic glaze. I mean it can't be that bad, right?

The combo came with a small plate of salad, 2 cups of rice, a couple of drinks and 10 pieces chicken wings. All for P549. Just enough for a growing kid like me. The salad was good enough for me - with a strong vinaigrette flavor but with something sweet in it. Nothing spectacular, but I finished it nonetheless.

And now, for the main event. I was hoping that the chicken would be tasty and yummy even without the spice, but as expected it was too "bland" for me. It tasted ok without rice, but it became almost tasteless when paired with my favorite staple food. And no, eating chicken without rice is not an option. I should have walked away the moment I heard the words "no spicy."

Costa Coffee - Another Great Coffee Alternative

Looking for a good coffee spot with free wifi and access to Pokestops? Try Costa Coffee in Eastwood. I used to dislike this place because it was an LTE deadspot for my phone (how can I get work done?). But now, it's one of my favorite spots. 

As mentioned in one of my previous posts, I love it when my coffee comes in a large mug with froth decor on it - it makes the drink more special (sorry Starbucks). As such, the Caffe Caramella (P175) was perfect.

I also tried a couple of their cheesecakes, at the recommendation of the barista. The Blueberry Cheesecake (P150) was good, but a bit on the sweet side - definitely not for my diabetic friends.

The Chocolate Marble Cheesecake, on the other hand, was a miss for me. Not sure why, but I just didn't like it. Sorry Ms. Barista - the recommendation was a fail.

But worry not - there are a lot of other options available. I personally like the cookies, and some of the other cakes taste good too.

As a final note, I simply had to take a photo of this phone booth - reminds me of Superman.