Pandesal and Other Pinoy Favorites at D's Corner

Hey guys! Its been a while since I wrote a full on review. Life happened recently so if I sound kind of weird - This might be because I have been stuck at home WAY.TOO.LONG! 

But being stuck at home does not mean we can't enjoy some comfort food - like pandesal! 

With all the rage of Ube Pandesal nowadays, it has just become too saturated with other brands that sometimes there has been too many of options we can't seem to decide who makes it better. I have tried some recently and I will share to you one place you can get amazing Ube Pandesal and other Pinoy bread favorite - D's Corner. 

D's Corner is an online shop where in you can order Ube Pandesal, Cheese Bread and also Spanish Bread. If this is your first time reading my blog, please be warned that I can get very descriptive when it comes to the food I have tasted so make sure to have food to munch on because I don't want to see comments anymore saying I made them crave or worst Hungry haha! 

First one up is their Cheese bread. These bite sized munchies were actually the first one I liked because its packed and the sweetness is just right. Each Cheese bread is packed with flavor and its quite dense and highly addictive if you ask me. The size is also just right to eat while writing or enjoying your favorite show. Let's not kid ourselves that we don't do that okay because I actually do that because being stuck at home would make you do things like this. 

The second one I tried is their spanish bread. If you did not grew up around your lolos and lolas you wouldn't know why this is one of their favorites. I grew up with my lola always requesting this as her afternoon snack. As a young child of the 90's most of my afternoons were consisted of being babysat by my grandmother, watching her afternoon dramas with her and just let time pass. This reminded me of those days. 

The sweet filling was just enough and its also perfect to be paired with your choice of drink. I remember my grandmother loves to drink coffee alongside her afternoon spanish bread. If you try this with coffee you can thank me later. 

Last but definitely not the least, is the ube pandesal. When I first got this I was a bit surprised because it didn't really looked like the usual Ube Pandesal in the market. You can say its not aesthetically pleasing at first because the color looks weird, but don't let that fool you because this actually taste amazing! The bread is soft, flavorful and bouncy. Its quite similar to the bread of Pan De Manila but not as airy as Pan De Manila's Pandesal - Don't come at me okay I am just stating facts! 

The filling it has is amazing too because its like it has been layered in the bread to which each bite you will taste it. Its sweet and has quite thick viscosity similar to caramel or yema but not as sweet as that. I like how this bread can be enjoyed on its own or pair it up with your drink of choice. I paired this is almond milk while my nieces and nephew enjoyed it with some milk tea and they loved it.

Overall I would say try D's Corner is definitely the place to try amazing Filipino treats like these! Make sure to place your order on or before Wednesday and your order will be delivered every Saturday. 

Check out their social media page here for more information. 

Much Love and Stay Safe Always,

XX ALice 
 

Smile To Go Now Open in Mendiola Manila!

Okay I know I need to apologize since I am using pictured from my phone again since my memory card decided to get corrupted for some weird reason but just hold on to it I promise it won't happen again!

So since we are done with the apologies, I am just too tired this past few days that I have been craving milk tea. Luckily I was invited to see the opening of the latest branch of Smile To Go in Mendiola.

Although it looks small on the outside, its actually quite spacious inside and it can fit large groups of student who are studying or if you just want a place if you didn't want to go to class (don't me kids, I've been there too)

During their opening, they had a promo which is buy one take one on some of their drinks, and the whole place was packed! There were already students flowing in to go to the internet cafe that is located above Smile To Go to study and also the groups of student on the area.

One of the perks of this place is that they are open for 24 hours so its really amazing if you are in the area and you need a quiet place to study at night because that was one of my struggles when I was in college. Another thing is their prices are just fit for the budget of students since it ranges from 100 pesos to 125 pesos. Their beverage selection is also amazing since it ranges not just with the usual milk teas but also fruit teas, slush, and also Yakult based drinks.

Here are my top picks for you guys

2 Ladies Milk Tea 

This is the 2 Ladies Milk Tea which consists of milk tea with two toppings which can range from nata crystals with pearls or pudding. I was able to try the one with pudding and I would highly suggest the pudding if you want your milk tea to be a little more creamy and sweet which getting this with a different kind of pearl to give it more texture. 

Super Fresh Fruit Tea 

 If you need a refreshing pick me up The Super Fresh Fruit Tea is what I can recommend for you. It is an acquired taste but honestly the fruits like mango, calamansi, lemon, and also watermelon is quite unique that its definitely a great mood booster as well since citrus fruits can energize our body and mind. 

Oreo Cream Cheesecake Milk Tea 

 Lastly, I would be recommending the Oreo Cream Cheesecake Milk Tea if you are someone that is looking for a creamy sweet flavor that is great when you are hanging out with your friends. I have always put this kind of drink as the perfect drink to have with friends because you don't really feel that you are drinking too much and also it doesn't get watered down that much since it has been blended together.

I do hope Smile To go will open a brand near me so I can go back and try more of their drinks because three is definitely not enough haha!

For more Smile To Go check out their social media pages.

Much Love!
xx ALice

Affordable Japanese Gyoza with Suki Gyouza

NOTE: MY MEMORY CARD GOT CORRUPTED SO I ONLY HAVE THESE PHOTOS SO DON'T HATE ME >_<

Gyoza is probably one of the most known Japanese dishes in the world next to sushi and ramen. And there might be a lot of establishments that offer gyoza but this place me and my hungry byaheros found is I personally think is one of the best in the metro! 

And I am talking about Suki Gyouza at the Food Parade in BGC. 

This small kiosk located at the Food Parade in BGC only serves one thing - Gyoza! And I know its kind of a lame concept because why sell only gyoza right? But here is the thing though, Suki Gyouza is actually very similar to establishments in Japan in which the minimalism strategy is in full use in restaurants since there are other restaurants in Japan that offer only a limited set of food and sometimes even the number of servings!  

And its actually a good thing since if you only have one item in the menu it would be easier to get your business up because you will have more time in perfecting the flavor of your product.

Suki Gyoza did actually that and when we tried their food it reminded me of the time a family friend that is from Japan came to visit and prepared this for us one time. The way it was cooked is on point and also the flavor is just right. You can actually enjoy this with or without rice! 

The meat is quite tender and did not dry out as being the usual culprit if you don't know the proper way to prepare gyoza. The wrapping is not too thick nor too thin and didn't break up when you use chopsticks on it. 

And for as low as 65 pesos you can enjoy Gyoza! Here's the complete list of the things on their menu:

4pcs - Php 65 

6pcs - Php 85 

12pcs - Php 160 

30pcs (FROZEN) - Php 320 

Rice meals 

4pc - Php 90

6pc -Php 110 

Batta Rice - Php 30 

They currently have four branches: Ayala Clover leaf in Balintawak, Alley Streetfood Food District signatures at BGC, The Pantree in Legaspi Village and Eden Food Hall in BGC. 

Overall I am actually happy with this gyoza the only thing I hope they can do is have a branch in cubao because its quite far from my place and I hope to enjoy Suki Gyouza in a location near me because its sooo good! 

Check them out on their social media and also check them out to the branch near you. 

Much Love! 

xx Alixe

Modern Table 082 Brings out the classy side in Korean Food

NOTE: SOME OF THE FOOD DOESN'T HAVE A PICTURE IN IT BECAUSE MY MEMORY CARD GOT CORRUPTED AND I HAD TO REFORMAT IT I AM SO SORRY >0<

I love Korean food and if you haven’t noticed I like eating at different places and ways

Korean food is served and some time ago we went and tried Modern Table 082. Modern Table 082

is located at City of Dreams and serves a variety of Western and Korean dishes.

It's actually easy to find since its at the upper level of City of Dreams and

it's quite accessible with the parking area. On the outside you will be able

to see that they have a quite large and open dining area with big television

showing different sport programs ranging from the European to South Korean sport broadcasts.

It may look like a typical sports bar but don’t let the facade of this restaurant fool you because

the food is actually great. 

As I have mentioned, their menu is quite large and the prices are quite up there since it is

located in City of Dreams but it won’t leave you disappointed and the servings are quite huge.

Me and the crew were able to enjoy quite a lot from their menu and here are my top picks.

Shrimp Chicken (Php1290) 

This dish consists of spicy creamy sauce on pan fried chicken and butter grilled shrimp and

mozzarella cheese and when it is served, it will be flamed up for an added smokiness for the

meat and cheese goodness. This was actually one of the dishes that I am quite excited to

try to see if its really spicy but if you ask me it is on a very mild level and the mozzarella

topped on it gives a different dimension or flavor to the whole dish.

The chicken and shrimp were cooked to be just right and juicy. A serving of this dish

is actually perfect for 5 people so if you are a large group dining at Modern Table 082

this is definitely a great main dish to try. 

Bacon Potato Pizza (Medium Php 699 Large Php 999)

Baked Potato wedges and bacon on top this pizza is a new concept for me since it literally had

a potato wedge in the middle of each slice and it is quite basic in terms of taste but if you bite

into the potato wedge which is baked the creaminess of the potato adds a little kick in the whole

pizza. 

I like the presentation and taste and I think this is great with children because its a very simple

pizza with a potato on it which actually great since you would also be feeding them vegetables

in small ways. I am an aunt of three kids so I know the struggle of parents since the majority of

my life offline is taking care of those kiddos so maybe next time we go to there I will let them try

this. 

These kiddos are not picky eaters but they have their standards when it comes to pizza so I

think this will pass their standard. 

Gorgonzola (Medium Php 799 Large Php 1099)

This is probably the kind of pizza I will get if I am with my sister or my friends because its

light and slightly sweet since it will be served with a drizzle of honey. I liked this quite a lot

and since its thin dough doesn’t overpower the cheese that much. It might be an acquired

taste on your first bite, but trust me this is a great pizza to enjoy not just with the ladies but for

the whole family. 

The King of Cheese Pasta (Php 799)

I will admit that we picked this because it looked cute that it will be served table side and it's

quite a feat in seeing the chef mixing the pasta with the cheese. The taste is very creamy but

not overwhelming to the palate since most of the dishes that we have eaten consisted of cheese

too. And although this might be the most expensive pasta I have tried, the serving is enough for

a group so you are getting a great deal out of this dish. 

Soju Mojito (php 595) 

This is actually a drink I had and yes it is an alcoholic beverage so don’t judge me because I

really want to try this. Its actually a different take to the mojito I have tried before since the kick

of the alcohol was kind of instant since they used soju but its not going to make you drunk

immediately if you ask me. The presentation is simple but the taste is phenomenal and I think

the next time I will be at City of Dreams this will be my drink of choice. 

The drink choices at Modern Table 082 is varied to your liking.

They also serve local beers and international ones - even ones that I have never heard of.

And of course they have soju so if you want to enjoy the night with it you can get it at

Modern Table 082. 

And if alcohol is not your fancy, they also serve coffee, soda, juices and smoothies especially

if you will be with younger ones on your foodie trip here.  

Oreo and Mango Bingsu (php 599/each) 

And of course, why would I forget dessert! The only dessert I was feeling that night was

something cool and they have three variants of bingsu: Strawberry, Mango, and Oreo.

We got the Mango and Oreo thinking it was a small serving but boy were we wrong!

The serving is fit for about 2-3 person and it doesn’t skimp out on the toppings.

The Mango was sweet but not too much and the mango cubes were big and the shaved ice

along with the milk is just divine and a right way to end our feast at Modern Table 082. 

The oreo bingsu is also amazing I am surprised with it because even if the shaved iced

overpowered the oreo it tasted so good! If you will be asking if this is great for kids I would

definitely say yes to it because its chocolate taste doesn’t get watered down one bit. 

Overall, Our experience at Modern Table 082 is amazing and definitely one of the places

I will go back to in the future. I do appreciate that their staff is very attentive and one of the

coolest features they have is on every table there is a button where you can call their staff

instead of calling them out the traditional way which lessens the hassle if it's quite busy. 

Another thing I would like to add too is they have a smoking area that is well ventilated,

so to my smoker friends out there you don’t have to worry if you have to go far just to

smoke because I know the hassle of it.

Modern Table 082 is located at the Upperground Floor, City of Dreams, Paranaque City. 

Contact number: (02) 8888-0082

Facebook: Facebook.com/moderntableph

Website. www.moderntable.ph

Much Love! 

Xx Alice

Tex-Mex Realness in the South with Fiery Style

As a Foodie out to find the yummiest bites geography isn't really a problem for me but this is really a first for me - travelling to the south part of the metro to try out this newly opened restaurant in West Alabang Parade along Daang Hari called Fiery Style. 

Fiery Style is a Tex-Mex restaurant that is slowly taking over the south with new branches opening up a lot so I am quite curious with its offerings.

The interior in their West Alabang Parade branch is heavily inspired by Mexican references and the colors of the interior is just popping out. Its a quaint branch but it can easily accommodate large groups of people. 

With the main colors relying on orange, green and more earthy tones it looks like you have been brought to Oaxaca City. I do like the orange color because its bright and just brings happiness if you see it. 

Now lets go with the food choices I will recommend to you guys if ever you drop by Fiery Style. 

RIB EYE STEAK 1558

 First thing on my list to recommend to you is their steak. The steaks they offer are quite steep in terms of price but you won't regret it. Its tender, juicy and packed with flavor. This serving we got was actually enough for 8 people if you want to have this as like a sampler plate for everyone. 

They also have a variety of steaks you can choose from depending on your preference. 

APPETIZERS / STARTERS

For Appetizers or starters I would suggest the Lord of the Wings (1198php) which is 24 chicken wings, 8 of each stacked one on top of the other topped with Hot hot hot sauce and jalapenos, Nacho cheese sauce with bacon and Texan style BBQ sauce. This is actually great to share with friends and family who have conflicting taste buds because the sauce range is from mild to spicy. I personally prefer the nacho cheese with bacon but I slide in some of the hot hot hot sauce in it for a bit of a kick. 

Another one I will recommend is their fiery nachos (388php) too. This is basically nachos on overdrive which I love because each layer has a different flavor! One of the things I highly regard with their nachos is that there refried beans is one of the best I have tried so far. Its not too mushy or bland. 

 GALLEON GRILLS

I would be recommending the Galleon of Bones (1578php) and Baja Supremo (1688php) These are the types of entrees I would be recommending for family gatherings because the Galleon of Bones is basically for the meat lovers while Baja Supremo is for those who love seafood and they both taste amazing and it also comes with rice which is a must.

 DRINKS

And since we are talking about Mexican food its no surprise that I would dabble myself on some alcoholic drinks too because Mexicans, much like us LOVE to drink so if you also want to try out cool mexican inspired drinks here are my two recommendations:

1. MOJITO

They actually have two kinds of Mojito which are the House Minty Mojito (158php) and the Flavored Minty Mojito (178php) that comes in Fresh Mangoes, Green Mandarin, Lychee, Strawberry and Cranberry. I would prefer the House Minty Mojito because its quite strong in flavor but won't knock you out immediately.

2. EL TAMARINO SOUTHWEST MARGARITA

This is actually my favorite from the Southwest Margaritas that Fiery Style offer. This is actually bottomless but I would have to tell you to drink moderately because this one will knock you out after one drink because its quite stronger than the mojito. Don't let the fruity tamarind flavor fool you because this has a lot of alcohol which personally I prefer to drink if I am just enjoying the night with my friends.

Overall I think Fiery Style is a great Tex-Mex place if you want a taste of amazing Mexican food along with great service.

Check out Fiery Style thru their social media pages for more info on their locations and also promos!

Much Love!

xx Alice

Samgyup sa Lahat is now open in Vitalez

You guys know I love Samgyupsal and I won't miss the opportunity to try new restaurants no matter how far they are.


Last Monday, September 30 2019 I was able to experience a new kind of samgyupsal at Samgyup Sa
Lahat in Vitalez, NAIA 1 Complex, Paranaque City.

This is actually just a stone throw away from NAIA Terminal one so getting here is very easy.

If you are coming from the North (i.e. Quezon City and its neighboring cities) Just take the bus route that says MIA or Mania International Airport and tell the conductor to drop you off at VItaliz or NAIA Complex one.

If you are from the South, try the route that goes through NAIA Terminal 1.

Samgyup Sa Lahat is actually a different concept compared to other restaurant that offers Samgyupsal because they have 4 types of marinated meats inspired from the 4 seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

Spring is marination in Oil, Salt, Pepper and Herbs. Summer is Spicy Gochujang, Autumn is Miso Sesame and Winter is Sweet Soy. Let me break down the taste for each marinate.

Spring is quite mellow but has a certain fluctuation in flavor compared to the other three. I actually like this because the taste is not overwhelming to the meat although if you prefer a more complex flavor experience this will fall a bit behind from the others. I still like this as a starter if you ask me.

Summer is Spicy Gochujang, by far is the most colorful out of the four marinates. Although intimidating to the eyes, the moment you cook the meat marinated in the Summer flavors its not that spicy for me. The taste is quite smokey and mouthwatering and I love  this.

Autumn is the Miso Sesame which has a deeper flavor classification for my tastebuds. This actually is the most plain  looking for me but the flavor makes up for the lack of color prior to cooking the meat.

Winter is Sweet Soy. I have never tried sweet soy before but this one is quite nice because it brings out a different side to the meat.

Out of the four marinates mentioned I would say my top two favorites is Autumn and Summer. I love the flavor of everything but I just like the complex tastes of the two.

If you don't prefer the marinated meat you can go with the traditional thinly sliced beef and pork but I am telling you that their marinated meat is amazing as well and its worth a try.

Another great thing about Samgyup sa Lahat is they also offer Chimaek which is Chicken and Beer for their happy hour special from 11 pm to 2am where you can get a bucket of beer for 288 pesos only and Chicken for 150 pesos. For the Chicken you can choose between Original, Sweet and Spicy.

They also offer unlimited ice cream for an additional 88 pesos on top of your samgyupsal which is definitely awesome because you can have all the ice cream after your samgyupsal.

They do have a 2 hr. time limit so enjoy your samgyupsal as much as you can and try as much as you want but don't be wasteful as they also have no leftover policy.

Overall what do I think of Samgyup Sa Lahat?

I LOVE IT! The only flaw I can say is they are too far from where I live and I hope they open one in QC because they have great selections and they are one of the most creative places that serve samgyupsal in experimenting on different flavors.

If you are near NAIA 1 I would definitely suggest this place to you guys.

For more information about Samgyup Sa Lahat check out their Facebook page here.

Much Love!
Alice

BEFORE YOU SHUN MEAT (this week) Try Boboy's Iniwow!

Since it will be Holy Monday tomorrow most of us that will be observing the lenten season will surely eat less or possibly not eat any meat at all but before you do that I have a place to recommend to you guys - Boboy's Iniwow!

This Family-owned business is a restaurant that offers Filipino favorites at affordable prices. With their first branch at CK Square in Cainta its really accessible to those coming from Antipolo to the residents of Cainta. 

TINAPAYAN FESTIVAL, House of Breads – Speaks of Real Bread Flavor and No Other

There are only a few small businesses that turn into something near to an institution in a community after of years being in the business. I remember when we had our own small family business of an eatery that almost everyone in our neighborhood knows.

Our 'claim to fame' is basically what my mom cooks - from Adobo to even fried chicken everything gets sold out immediately. It wasn't until the late 1990s that my mama and papa decided to close it down because they can't manage it anymore.

And whenever I find these kinds of businesses I am so thrilled because it really takes a lot of hard work not just from the staff but also the owners to keep it that way! And for Tinapayan Festival: House of Breads, bringing that value and importance of bread to the public is what makes them well known.

Food Review: Qubiertos Grill and Restaurant

Sometimes I like to treat myself with dining alone which is great because you get to enjoy your food more. There would be less fuss about what to order because you would just be ordering for one. 

That didn't sound great. It makes me sound that I am so bitter. 

Qubiertos is a grill and restaurant located in Kalayaan, Quezon City so if you are near the City hall its just behind it and its so easy to spot that you don't need google maps for this. 

The prices of this restaurant are actually cheap and they also offer student meals because there are schools near the establishment so this is definitely a place for students and young professionals to hang out in. 

What they do offer most is Filipino food, so if you have friends who are visiting the Philippines for the first time THIS is one of the places you should bring them. 

This is their version of sisig. Their version from the typical sisig is different because they use the brain of the animal which this is made from. I know it sounds gross but who cares they taste great! 

Their version of the pinoy fried rice is also amazing because its like a meal on its own. But being Filipino, even if there is something mixed in the rice, its still rice and we need our ulam for that! 

And for dessert, I had some suman crepe! 

Its sweet from the chocolate and peanut butter drizzle yet savory from the rice cake or suman. Its definitely something for the ones craving sweets because its so yummy. 

I really like Qubiertos and I would go back over and over because the food they serve is definitely Filipino with a very homey feel to it. Check out Qubiertos with your friends and family today! 

Much Love! 

xx Alice 

Taste of Capitol in Tomas Morato

Tomas Morato is one of the 'foodie' hubs here in Quezon City because there are a variety of restaurants that can cater to any cravings you have - From sweet boba (bubble milk tea) or to a fine dining experience its basically there. 

One of the newest addition to that is Taste of Capitol. Originally based in Kapitolyo, Pasig, Taste of Capitol moved in QC since it has a larger audience here. 

If you check out their menu, its mostly American food with a Filipino twist. The prices are also very reasonable and the portions are bigger than usual so make sure to bring your friends here to enjoy their savory dishes. 

The interior reminds me of cafes and restaurants I've seen on some American television shows. Its very artsy as well since all of their tables and walls are painted with colorful street art. Its very cozy but very hipster-like. 

This is their meatball. Compared to those that I've tasted this is a bit on the sweet and savory side due to the gravy or sauce. The sauce is not too liquidy nor too thick since if its either the sauce will overpower the meat ball. The meat itself is not too dry on the inside. 

Typically a Tex-Mex staple, Nachos are actually something most Americans enjoy since its very easy to make and the recipe is easy to tweak out for your personal preference. I love how the meat was just right and the tomatoes were just as fresh as if they were just picked up from the garden and chopped up. I was not really a fan of the cheese which was weird because that is one of the things that I look forward the most in nachos. 

Tortillas! 

This is actually one of my favorite food to make since the recipe is so easy to do and you can improvise. I also love to cook this for my brother since he likes to multi task so he can eat and do his job at the same time. As for this one, I like the tortilla bread since its not too stiff nor stale. The meat and vegetables were a bit chunkier in my taste but it has a nice texture. 

They also have a smaller version if you want something for sharing. And this is literally one bite for me. Its like eating a ssambap without the lettuce and replacing it with the tiny tortilla. 

They also serve one of the yummiest mojitos in all of QC that is. And it comes in 2 sizes which was a big shock to me because when they served this to me I thought it would just be a tall glass, but it was actually for sharing - My bad! But this is really the best I tell you. 

They also serve flavored beers so if you have a liking in that kind make sure to try the ones they have at Taste of Capitol. 

I think Taste of Capitol is a nice place to hang out with your friends, especially if you are a foodie because most the food that they offer are really good and fit for your budget. Check them out on Tomas Morato and taste a different side of American dishes with a Filipino twist. 

Much Love! 

xx Alice