I can still remember my pre-teen years when billiards and bowling was the "in" thing.  Whether it's with family or classmates, we'd play at Robinson's Place Manila. After that I'd buy my favorite Cinnamon Pretzel from Auntie Anne's and cap my snack off with a single cone of Pistachio Ice Cream from Baskin Robins located just outside the bowling center.  Later on, the craze faded and I rarely visited that side and when I did, Baskin Robbins had already closed down. 

When I heard that it opened at Central Square, I persistently convinced the family to have our dessert there.   It was a rainy day but as you can see, there are still lines

Before you can reach the ordering station's you'll first go through the enticing cake display.  I hope I can try this on one of my birthdays.

There's an ordering book there too.

There's a procedure guide on top of the chillers.

You can also have a taste before selecting.

Here are our orders.

Green Tea (139 php/Single Scoop)

Mint Chocolate Chip (139 php/Single Scoop)

Rum Raisin (139 php/Single Scoop)

Very Berry Strawberry (139 php/Single Scoop)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'm glad Baskin Robbins is back and we got to try it again.  It's still as good.  I'll try their cake next time.

Last month, I was invited to sample Italianni's new breakfast menu fare.  I've tried Italianni's many times before but never knew they had a breakfast menu.  I was really impressed.  Thus, I'm adding it on my list of breakfast options.  These are served daily from 7 am to 10:30 am in Italianni's Bonifacio High Street and Greenbelt 2.

Food
So here are the items that I was able to try.

Puff Pastries 
I'd typically go for omelettes than puff pastries but not this time!  I especially loved Italianni's puff pastries because they are lightly buttered, crusty, flaky and filled with a pouched egg.  Gorgeous golden yellow yolk erupts from the pastry upon slicing it.

Prosciutto and Dill Potatoes

The Prosciutto and Dill Potatoes has sliced dill potatoes, cherry tomatoes and prosciutto ham in a creamy sauce served with toasted bread and sunny side up.

 

♥ Chicken Caesar

 All hail Chicken Caesar!  I've always enjoyed a nice caesar salad.  But, that is nothing compared to the Chicken Caesar with grilled chicken cubes, fresh romaine lettuce and parmesan cheese.  It is also served with toasted bread and sunny side up.
 

♥ Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese

My favorite among the Puff Pastry selections is the Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese.  It is
topped with smoked salmon and dill cream cheese swimming on a pool of hollandaise sauce.  Words are not enough to describe the stupefying sensation I had upon indulging this! It also had the toasted bread and sunny side up on the side.

Omelletes

Italianni's Omelette

 The Italianni's Omelette is a very savory, manly and meaty option.  It is a  bolognaise, Italian sausage and chorizo with cheddar and Parmesan wrapped in a mustard omelet.  It is served with a salad and your choice between: Dill Potatoes or French Toast.

 

Mushroom and Bacon Omelette

The Mushroom and Bacon Omelette is for the bacon fanatics.  It has applewood smoked bacon, shiitake mushrooms, and creamy mozzarella cheese.  Choose French Toast for the sides.  It's really good! 

♥ Smoked Salmon Omelette

The Smoked Salmon Omelette is similar to the Puff Pastry version.  It's just as good.  But, since I love eggs, I'd prefer the Puff Pastry one.

 I've been wanting to try Chef Rob Pengson's dishes for the longest time.  So since the likelihood of someone asking me out on a date to The Goose Station is close to nil, I decide to dine at his Olive Tree Kitchen & Bar (OTKB) instead.


Olive Tree Kitchen & Bar (OTKB) is strategically located at Bonifacio High Street where many food enthusiast would go for quality food and drinks.

The place has a very cozy vibe with its high ceiling, brick red walls and yellow soft lighting.


Food

Mains

♥ Crispy Pork Belly (550 php)

The Crispy Pork Belly has apple and raisin glaze topped with alfalfa on a bed off mountain rice.  It is also served with poached apple and chicken liver parfait on the side.  This Crispy Pork Belly is a must try!  It may not look like it but it's a fulfilling meal too.

Cheeseburger (395 php)

The Cheeseburger was just okay for me.  It looked more delicious than it actually taste.  I'd pass up on this for other more interesting dishes. 
 

♥ 200g Hanging Tender Bistecca (945 php)

The 200g Hanging Tender Bistecca is the best dish for the night!  It was just "wow!".  

♥ Tenderloin Tips (790 php)

The Tenderloin Tips is a more chunky option than the 200g Hanging Tender Bistecca.


Drinks

Refreshments

Fresh Lemonade (120 php)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
It's no surprise why fellow foodies have been ravings about Olive Tree Kitchen & Bar (OTKB).  It's serves comfort food at its finest indeed.  As my first time experience with Chef Rob Pengson has been sensational, I want to try more of this dishes. 

One of our my best gastronomic discovery last year was Naci Comfort Food.  If you haven't tried Naci yet, you can now visit them at their new home at Fort with a more vibrant and lively atmosphere.  


Its high ceiling with white modern drop lights, multi-colored chairs, enticing LCD screen and cute decors gave off a light and cozy feel. 
Aside from the helpful and colorful menu platemats, they also use a tab for their menu which is pretty cool.


Food
Well, its been quite some time since The Foodies Circle got to dine again so we may have been a little been carried away. 

Appetizers

♥ Nat's Appetizer Sample: Beef Taco Springroll, Cajun Mozzarella Balls, Glazed Chicken Wings and Classic Salpicao (520 php)

I fell in love with the Beef Taco Springroll on my first time and its still the best for me.  The others are not that far behind either.  The Cajun Mozarella Balls is a fried crunchy ball with cajun spiced mozzarella cheese.  The Glazed Chicken Wings is tasty with a nice crisp.  I actually appreciated this more than my last visit.  While, the Classic Salpicao is simply nice and tender. 

Naci Specialties

Peruvian Chicken Rice (420 php)

The Peruvian Chicken Rice is a slow baked rice with chunks of chicken and suateed capsicum topped with aoli and slices of lemon.  I found the blend of flavors of this dish and tenderness of its chicken bits more appealing this second time around. 

Shrimp Jambalaya Rice (480 php)

The Shrimp Jambalaya Rice is slow cooked baked rice with curry, coconut cream and shrimps topped with fried eggplant, tomatoes and raisins.  This is different from other versions I've tried but it has its own flare.  

Soup

Tita Em's Chowder (260 php)

Tita Em's Chowder is thick, rich and creamy.  It's supposed to be served in a bread bowl which is not yet available since they just opened in last April. 

Onion Soup (180 php)

The Onion Soup is the classic caramelized onion soup topped with french baguette and generous amounts of melted mozzarella cheese.  

♥ Enoki and Soba Broth (240 php)

My favorite among their soup offerings is the Enoki and Soba Broth.  The seafood dashi broth is refreshingly addictive.  The enoki and seafood is cooked satisfactorily and the texture of the soba is perfect.  

Salads

Classic Caesar Salad (200 php)

If you havn't noticed yet, I always order the Classic Caesar Salad whenever available.  For me this is an old classic that never dies.  And, this version is what I expect of it.

Tofu Green Salad (220 php)

The Tofu Green Salad is something new to me.  It is a mixed green salad with crisp tofu crouton, egg and pepper calamari drizzle with Chinese vinegar dressing.  I like the innovation but it didn't leave much impact.

♥ Kani Mango Crunch (260 php)

I've loved the Kani Mango Crunch before and it has once again made my heart swooned with its layered greens, ripe mangoes, cucumber strips, crispy wanton and vermicelli.  The sasabi mayo dressing adds the final touch that leaves a brilliant sensation to the taste buds.   

  

Smoked Salmon Salad (280 php)

The Smoked Salmon Salad with onion rings, cherry tomatoes, mixed green, paermesan shavings and dill dressing is another must try salad from Naci.

Entrees

Seafood

Grilled Mahi Mahi (380 php)

I'm rarely impress with grilled dishes.  But, this Grilled Mahi Mahi is delicious!  There's something magical with the combination of the Grilled Mahi Mahiand the dill cream that makes it light yet flavorful at the same time.  

Poultry

Oven Baked BBQ Chicken (320 php)

The Oven Baked BBQ Chicken is succulent but I found the sauce too sweet for my preference.  For the price, I was yearning for something special.

Lites (Merienda)

Steak and Cheese Pizza (540 php)

The Steak and Cheese Pizza reminds me of philly cheese steak really.  Its got thin slices of beef tenderloin, fresh shitake mushrooms and cheese sauce.  Being a huge mushroom fun, I really enjoyed this.  But, I think the Pecking Chicken Pizza, I had last time is still a clear winner. 

Nadine's Adobo Cannelloni (360 php)

The Nadine's Adobo Cannelloni is a pasta roll filled with classic flaked adobo.  It is topped with Bechamel laced with Adobo Sauce and Mozzarella.  It is also served with foccacio break which makes it a complete meal by itself.  If you enjoy the salty taste of Adobo together with zesty cheese, you'll like this.  I'm still a fan of their Beef Caldereta Lasagna though.


Pasta

♥ Penne Al Fungi with White Shrimps (360 php)

I'm not usually a fond of white cream sauces for pasta, but the basil mushroom cream sauce of the Penne Al Fungi with White Shrimps is an interesting twist.  Plus, I love shrimps and mushroom so what a glorious meal it is for me.  

Mouthwatering Cakes
I description is 100% accurate!

♥ Chocolate Ganache Cake (165 php/slice)

The Chocolate Ganache Cake is on top of my list among their cake selections!  It is coated with thick, smooth and rich chocolate ganache that melts in your mouth in every bite.  And, its soft luscious moist chocolate is so heavenly that you just can't get enough until you finish the entire slice.

Red Velvet Cake (130 php/slice)

The Red Velvet Cake had a nice taste to it which is neither too sweet nor bland.  But, I found it a bit dry.

Pistachio Sanrival (120 php/slice)

The Pistachio Sanrival has wonderful delicately crispy, sweet, chewy, and nutty layers.   Being a big fan of the unique nutty taste of pistachio, I'm pleased that their topped with lots of them. 

Premium Cupcakes
Tip: If you buy a dozen, you get 30 php off!

Chocolate Ganache (90 php), ♥ Red Velvet (75 php), ♥ Caramel Cream (75 php) and Black and White (90 php)

I enjoyed the cake version rather than the Chocolate Ganache cupcake.  I found it a bit dry.  On the otherhand, the Red Velvet is surprisingly way better than the cake.  It's rich with the tangy cream cheese frosting and the cupcake is soft and moist.  At first, I had the impression that the Caramel Cream would be too sweet for my taste but I was wrong!  The light chiffon layer with vanilla cream neutralizes the caramel fudge so its well-balanced.  I used to be really impressed with the Black and White cupcake but now I'd choose the Chocolate Ganache Cake over it. 

Drinks

Fresh Fruit Shakes

♥ Black Grape Shake (165 php)

My friend ordered and loved her Black Grape Shake.

Smoothies and Shakes

♥ Strawberry Kiss (235 php)

The Strawberry Kiss is  not only visually appealing, it tastes even better with its refreshing mysterious subtleties.  But, the price will surely make you think twice.

♥ Mocha Java Chip (225 php)

Being a coffee lover, I tried the Mocha Java Chip and its amazing!  It had a smooth rich aromatic espresso taste that simply allures my senses.

Signature Iced Teas

Tamarind Iced Tea (120 php)

The Tamarind Iced Tea is a must try if you're want to try a new twist to iced teas. 


Update June 15, 2014: Relocated to their original location in Connecticut Greenhills as Cafe Naci.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I see a bright future for Naci Comfort Food in its new home.  Its a great place to consider when at the Fort Bonifacio area.  They have a lot of variety from breakfast to heavy meals.  They even have a Cohen Friendly menu.  I'd even vouch for their desserts and drinks.