If there's one place which was highly recommended everywhere (in publications, online blogs, online reviews sites, tv shows) to have Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine,  it would be Everybody's Cafe.

Thus, we squeezed it into out itinerary.

We arrived there around 9 pm and we were practically the only customers of this popular place.

It looks like a carinderia (even with flies).  Just with a better table set up since there is a table cloth.

The dishes are displayed like in a carinderia or turo-turo style canteen.

They have no menu and the set-up was like this so we had the impression that the food would be affordable.  We ordered the ♥ Morcon (360 php) for take out.  I think that is the their most impressive dish.

Unlike me, it is the family's first time to try the Kapampangan exotic dishes.

Food

Camaro (Mole Cricket) (220 php)

I was really excited to let the family try the Camaro.  I've had a pleasant experience with the camaro by Ikabud, Bistro Remedios and during the Marquee Mall's Big Bite!  Unfortunate, this one is not as good.  =( I felt bad that the family had to try this not-so-crispy, bland and greasy version at such an expensive price too!

Kalderetang Kambing (300 php)

The Kalderetang Kambing is delicious with a little spiciness to it.  It was tender enough but the serving was small and had lots of bones so  felt that the pricing is not justified.

Betute

I forgot how much the Betute was but I'm pretty sure it was also every expensive as it was priced per piece.  Compared to the Camaro, this is much better.  But, I still didn't like it's oiliness.  I suggest you try Cely's Carinderia and Abe's instead.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Out of all the place we dined at in Pampanga, this is the most expensive and disappointing one.  Trying Everybody's Cafe was a huge mistake!

During an overnight staycation in Tagaytay City, my companions brought me to Don Juan Tamad Restaurant. 

It was located at the corner of Aguinaldo Highway and Magallanes Drive.  Although it is a corner lot, it's front is covered by signages and tarpaulin so you'll hardly notice that it's there.  You can enter either from this side...

or this side which is more convenient coming from the parking area.

I was amazed at how beautiful and huge it is in the inside.  It's like a secret club or haven.  Given the natural chilly weather of Tagaytay plus this set up, your dining experience will surely be relaxing.  That's what Don Juan Tamad is all about... enjoying a chilly lazy night... a slow-life which you can rarely have when you're in the busy city.


It's has private rooms, bars and hut or kubo style dining set up.  There were a lot of foreigners from asians such as Korean to westerners.  At late hours, there are live bands.  Diners can also volunteer to sing with the band as back out. 
 
Food

Exotic Foods & Pica Pica

♥ Kalderetang Kambing (330 php)

The dishes here are interesting especially the exotic ones.  The Kalderetang Kambing is goat stew.  It is a bit sweetened.  The meat was tender enough.

Tapang Kabayo (310 php)

 The Fried Mountain Range Horse Meat is peppery and a bit tough to chew.  After a while, I got the hang of it.

♥ Adobong Baboy Damo (355 php)

I liked the Adobong Baboy Damo the most.  My only dislike would be that it had so many bones that there are smaller portions of meat left.

Quick-Serve Best-Seller List

♥ Beef Bulalo M (340 php)

The Beef Bulalo is served warm so it was really comforting to drink at such chilly night.  It was very tasty too!  Sarap!

♥ Don Juan Beef Pares Beef Soup Special (115 php)

The Don Juan Beef Pares Beef Soup Special is one of the most flavorful and chunky pares I've encountered.  So good!
 

♥ Crispy Fried Tawilis (140 php/8 pcs.)

I'm not very picky with the establishment when it comes to Crispy Fried Tawilis.  All restaurants here in Tagaytay seem to know the technique of cooking it right.  I've tried buying fresh tawilis in Fisher Mall and I always end up frying an uncrispy one. =(

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Don Juan Tamad offers one of the most relaxing places to dine in Tagaytay.  I really love the native kubo non-intimidating and fun atmosphere.  The food is also delicious!  It's also convenient that it's open 24/7 so it's also a great breakfast place.  But for me, best time to go is at night because of the enchanting lights and fun entertainment.

A few weeks ago, I was invited to try Xilaimen Seafood Restaurant, a newly opened restaurant in Robinson's Magnolia with fellow bloggers.  Believe it or not, this is my first time to be invited at a Chinese restaurant so I'm quite ecstatic.

Since I was in the area, I  took the chance to try their dishes as well as reconnect with other bloggers. 

Stepping in, gave me the familiar Chinese restaurant feel.


There's an open kitchen where you can see roasts hanged. 


There are also aquariums to showcase the live seafoods available.

As live seafoods are seasonal in price, they have a price list where you can see how much per 100 gram.

Food

Roast & Soy Specialties

Cold Cuts Combination: Seaweeds with Century Egg, Soy Tofu, Pork and Lechon Macau (370 php)

We occupied a large table where dishes were served lauriat style.  The Cold Cuts Combination had Seaweeds with Century Egg, Soy Tofu, Pork Cuts and Lechon Macau.  Aside from the
Seaweeds with Century Egg and Pork Cuts, the other items are not the typical ones I'd expect from a cold cut platter.  They were pretty good.  But, if I were in the company of my family and old relatives, I think its best to ask first what are available and maybe w can substitute some for healthier options.


Soup

♥ Mixed Seafood with Polonchay Soup (290 php)

The Mixed Seafood with Polonchay Soup is very good.  An order is already good for sharing.  

Prawns and Shrimps

♥ Pan Fried Prawns with Salted Egg (390 php)

The Pan Fried Prawns with Salted Egg is my favorite!  Actually most of the dishes with egg or salted egg yolk is my favorite!  This was perfectly crispy that no tinee-winee bit was spared from me.  I noticed all the bloggers I was with removed the prawn shells though.  I wonder why...

Live Seafoods (Seasonal Price): Lapu-Lapu

♥ Fried Lapu-Lapu in Egg White

I've been accustomed to steamed fish.  I'm glad I got to try something new and delicious like the Fried Lapu-Lapu in Egg White. 


Live Seafoods (Seasonal Price): Crabs

Sauteed Crab in Hotpot with Extra Sotanghon (+50 php)

The Sauteed Crab in Hotpot with Extra Sotanghon brings out the delectable crab flavors that we love excellently.

Live Seafoods (Seasonal Price): Elephant Shell

♥ Elephant Shell with Broccoli Flower in XO sauce

The Elephant Shell with Broccoli Flower in XO sauce is simple yet delightfully healthy.

Live Seafoods (Seasonal Price): Frog Legs

♥ Spicy Frog Legs

The Spicy Frog Legs is another favorite of mine.  I'm so lucky that my companions are not as much of a fan as I am so I took on this poor little creatures and finished them all.

Rice

Yang Chow Fried Rice (220 php)

Dimsum

♥ Buchi Cake

Buchi Cake

We always order buchi whenever available.  This is my first time to encounter a buchi cake.  I loved it!  It was a cake made of my favorite fried mantou and filled with bean paste.

Beverages

Fresh Fruit Shake Mango (95 php)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'm quite satisfied with our dinner at Xilaimen Seafood Restaurant.  I find their quality good for value considering their fresh ingredients, large serving size and reasonable pricing.  I can bring the family here when in the area.

Last Mother's Day, my siblings and I decided to treat our mom to a dinner Ziggurat Cuisine.  


It's really difficult to decide what to give to a woman who has given you her life and asking nothing in return.  She is always saying that she's already happy as things are.  Yet, we love her so much so we want to give her the world.  But, right now, we couldn't afford to treat her to a trip around the world so we the next best thing is to bring her to Ziggurat Cuisine that offers over 200 dishes from India, the Mediterranean, Africa and Middle East. 


Ziggurat Cuisine is located at Tigris Street and Durban Street near Makati Avenue.  It's unique facade really stands out.
The dining area is quite limited so aside from the long table on the side, small tables are set up with pillow seats.

Utensils are set up as soon as our orders are taken.

In honor of Mother's Day, I would like to dedicate this post to my mom.  I know everyone claim's that their mom is the best.  Well, my mom really is the best person I've ever encountered.
Most people are driven by pride, self-achievement, materialism and survival instincts - all reared towards ourselves.  But, my mom is different.  She's a giver.  She does everything for others and never (not exaggerating here!) thinks of herself.   I know I will never be as great as my mom.  (although I always strive to be).   But, I know that where I am and where I will be is because of my mom.   Because of my mom, I can positively view life with all its beauty and colors.  I've seen my mom's heart radiate through all kind of obstacles and hardships.  Her non-stop laughter, happiness and feeling of gratitude towards God and the world is unwavered by losses and gains.  And, every moment is so wonderfully bright as we enjoy working diligently, eating out, dancing, singing, watching movies, trying  new things and exploring the world.  

Food

Shurabat/Soupes/Sopas/Zuppas/Soups

♥ Canja (75 php)

The Canja is a Moroccan chicken soup with lemon and mint.  This is one of the most refreshing soups I've ever encountered.

♥ Indian Khumbi Yogurt (90 php)

The Indian Khumbi Yogurt is a creamy mushroom soup with a interesting spices: cumin, pepper, lemon and garlic.

Middle Eastern Kebabs

♥ Scallop Kebab (300 php)

The Scallop Kebab is one of the best kebabs I've ever tried.  I didn't even know you could make a kebab out of scallops.   The light butter, lemon, paprika and garlic worked wonderfully.

Rabbit Kebab (300 php)

We were all determined to try something exotic so we chose the Rabbit Kebab.  It was prepared using an early Arabian recipe.  It was heavily seasoned with paprika (something we failed to appreciate) with a hint of lemon, parsley, salt, mustard and olive oil.  It was so rubbery and difficult to chew. 

Rice and Grain

Turkish Eggplant Pilavi (100 php)

The Turkish Eggplant Pilavi  is a bowlful of long grain rice with small slices of eggplant, tomatoes and garlic.  We all loved this!

Persian Tadiq (120 php)

The Persian Tadiq is an Iranian rice with egg and crispy socarat (slightly burnt parts).  It is said to be enjoyed by Persian nobilities but I found it too plain and boring.

♥ Himalayan Mushroom Rice (100 php)

The Himalayan Mushroom Rice is a cup of premium Basmati rice with mushroom, cummin, fennel and anise.  I highly recommend this! 

Bread

Ethiopian Injera (35 php)

The Ethiopian Injera are cooked like moist pancakes and taste like sour dough. 

Speecialties from Around the Mediterranean

♥ Moussaka (150 php)

I've long been searching for the best moussaka.  I think their Moussaka is what I'm searching for!  

The Great Curries of India and Pakistan

♥ Bombay Yellow Curry Chicken (250 php)

The Bombay Yellow Curry Chicken is a spicy coconut milk and yellow curry based chicken dish spiced with tumeric, garam masala, chilies and ginger.  I loved this!  I'm going to try more indian curry from now on. 

Exotic African Delights: Northern Africa

♥ Duck Tagine M'ghdour (375 php)

The Duck Tagine M'ghdour is duck stew which has a very rich and bold flavor from the duck meat being lengthily simmered and recooked in the zesty tomato sauce.  It is also topped with egg.

Sweet Temptations

♥ Baklava (90 php)

Most baklavas I've encountered are expensive and tiny.  Their Baklava was not only generous in portion but its the best phylo pastry with honey, almonds and walnuts I have ever had!   I noticed that they don't use pistachio like the others but I loved it!

Drinks

Cold

Cameroonian Guava Shandy

The Cameroonian Guava Shandy is very smooth, bubbly and fruity.

♥ Einab Cold Arabian Flower Tea

Ladies will surely enjoy the sweet and fragrant Einab Cold Arabian Flower Tea.

Hot

♥ Indian Chai Tea

The Indian Chai Tea is a nice and soothing spiced and slightly sweet taste after-meal hot drink.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I've never encountered such a small place with a huge variety of worldly cuisines like Ziggurat Cuisine.  I highly recommend this!  I hope to be back to try more of their exotic culinary wonders from around the world.