A few months ago, I stumbled upon The Ostrich Farm's Facebook Fan Page.  The name and concept is quite interesting being a farm-to-table burger joint so I couldn't resist digging more information about it by checking their website. 

I then saw that they had a birthday promo but no details so I decided to pm them on Facebook to inquire.  

 This is the reply I got in verbatim. 
"It will start on Feb 16 here's the mechanics:
ACTUAL BIRTHDAY:
1. Anyone who has a valid I.D. or any document that indicates his/her birthdate can avail the promo.
2. Present his/her I.D. or any document to the manager or cashier before ordering to get a FREE burger of his/her choice. No need for a purchase but only one (1) free burger will be given to the celebrant on the day of his/her birthday.
3. Non-transferable and Non-convertible to cash.
4. Promo not valid with any other promo or in conjuction to other promos.BIRTHDAY MONTH:1. Anyone who has a valid I.D. or any document that indicates his/her birthdate can avail the promo.
2. The celebrant is to present his/her I.D. or any document to the manager or cashier before ordering to avail the promo.
3. A Birthday Bundle (1 Big Bird Burger (beef), french fries and Cheesy Pops) will be given to celebrant for every Php800 purchase.
4. Celebrant may avail the promo more than once during his/her birthday month.
5. Celebrant may avail the promo more than once per day.
6. Non-transferable and Non-convertible to cash.7. Promo not valid with any other promo or in conjuction to other promos."

I'm a believer in the saying that "If it's too good to be true, it probably is."  So out of curiosity, not really expecting anything, I decided to drop by and test it out on my birthday. 
 
The Ostrich Farm is located at Blue Bay Walk in the same side as our favorite curry place, Curry Bee.  I didn't notice it before probably because it was overcasted by Red Kimono's spacious facade and area size.  It was late afternoon, it was empty.  I walked straight to the counter and asked if I could claim their birthday promo.  To my surprise, indeed it was true.  I was asked for my government issued id, my age and my signature.  I was then asked to choose any burger I wanted. 

While waiting for my free meal, I took my time admiring their decor.  

These ornaments are made from real ostrich eggs which is so cool!





They also sell ostrich meat.  There's also a self-service area for condiments.



There's fun facts to entice you even more!

While waiting, these lovely ladies came in and orders the February Couple meal special.  I thought it was only my imagination but then I heard then speaking "Oh my, what's that delicious smell".  The whole place was swarming with inviting smokey grilled ostrich meat scent.

Food
Since I was bored and alone, I chatted with the lovely ladies on the table beside me.  Learning that I blog, they even let me take a photo of their cute order.  (Haha! Thick-faced I know... But it's my birthday so I had a great positive vibe lol).   I think a lot of couples would enjoy this and they should may this available regularly right?
 
The two ladies shared that they work nearby and just finished a seminar.  They are so happy with their meal that they already planned on bringing their friends.  I then returned to my seat so they can enjoy their meal.  As soon as they were finished, their Lebanese boss (who they said owns a Lebanese restaurant in Malate - I'm guessing it is Shawarmama) came in and said, "Oh I've tried it here.  The food is really good!".

♥ TOF Macho Ostrich Burger (338 php)

The friendly staff shared that The Ostrich Farm is actually a sister company of Garage88 Bar and Diner.  The burger pattie are the same its just the topping and sauces that vary. 

♥ TOF Macho Ostrich Burger (338 php)

I chose their best-selling TOF Macho Ostrich Burger.  Just by it's looks and fragrance, I already knew it was of premium quality.  It is far up exceeding my recollection of Garage88's burger.

♥ TOF Macho Ostrich Burger (338 php)

Since its my first time to try an ostrich burger, I just had to peep and check what it looks like.  Quite frankly, I couldn't tell the difference and the smell was really good!

I swear this is one of the best burgers I've had!  I rarely get impressed by burger buns but really buns palang winner na.  When you grab the burger, you can feel the your fingers sink down into it like a pillow.  Biting through it, you'll feel that it is so moist and soft.  Yet, it doesn't crumble down or become soggy.  And, then the burger pattie itself... It was explosive in terms of smoky savory flavors.  In addition, it was tender and juicy too.
 
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I highly recommend The Ostrich Farm.  I'm very proud of this discovery and I really wish that more people would try it out because it's awesome! Did I mention that they offer FREE WiFi too? =)

The farm to table concept is quite new for me.  But as previously stated, I all in for it!  So when I was invited by the Estancia De Lorenzo team to try and critic their dishes, I was thrilled. 


Upon our arrival, I instantly fell in love with this place.  Who could have thought that such a beautiful place is hidden inside El Dia Farms in San Mateo Rizal.  


Check out the interiors!  It's just like your dream house depicted in some foreign interior magazine right?


Eveything is so lovely that I couldn't help but rush in to check it out more.  The staffs are all full of smiles and politeness as we were greeted and accommodated kind-heartedly.


Each table is completely set up with complete wares. 


Every detail is fascinating even the centerpiece.

Since they are currently on their soft-opening phase, the fresh plant crops still outsourced.  But once the're organic garden is constructed, they will offer their diners a one-of-a-kind experience by allowing them to pick their own ingredients.  The meats are directly sourced since they have their own free-range chicken, shrimp, tilapia and peking duck farm so they are offered fresh and affordable too.

This is just one part of El Dia Farms by the way, they also have an Aviary and Crocodile Farm.  Within a year and a half, this will be a full-blown tourist recreational area with an event place and adventure activities.  I'm very excited for that.  But right now, I'll share with you their awesome dishes that are currently offered.

Food

Our Bowls

50/50 Champorado (120 php)

You can have the 50/50 Champorado for breakfast or dessert.  It's called 50/50 because it has 50% oatmeal and 50% brown rice.  It has a nice rich creamy layer of chocolate on top of the oatmeal and brown rice then meringue frosting and served with a cookie.   

From the Greenhouse

Taro + Bamboo Shoots (150 php)

The Taro + Bamboo Shoot is an interested dip dish.  I love the ingenuity.  It's also very addictive! The dip is a mix of many ingredients:  taro leaves, bamboo shoots, confit garlic, taro root chips, sour cream and cheese.  It is served with grilled crispy flat bread and buttered toasted bread. 

EDL House Salad (180 php)

The EDL House Salad is one of the best salads I've ever had!  It has a perfectly cooked runny organic duck egg, pulled duck bits, roasted beet cubes (I know I've stated that I dislike it but I ate every piece I got because it blends well with the salad), pomelo bits, sweet potato chips, santan flowers, mixed greens and tamarind vinaigrette.  It's so good that even non-veggie lovers will praise this!

Our Boards

Estancia's Duck Burger (200 php)

The Estancia's Duck Burger is an organic thick duck patty with local greens, pickled onions and aioli sandwiched between potato buns.  It is served with their Papaya Ketchup (or Sriracha if you want it spicy like me) and mixed fries.  The sweet potato buns are soft and moist!  The duck patty is very savory and tender to chew.  

Sriracha

They make their own fiery Sriracha and sweet Papaya Ketchup!  Both are really good.  But since I enjoy the hot stuff, I liked their Sriracha more.  It's so good they can these by bottles.


Classic Farm Breakfast (includes 2 free range eggs any style and garlic fried rice)

Estancia's Duck Tapa (180 php)

Every one was exclaiming oohs and aah with glee over the Estancia's Duck Tapa.  I've always been a tapa fan but never have I encountered duck tapa before.  Wow!  It was really good!  This is definitely a must try.  The texture is like meat and the blend of flavors is simply delightful.  This one hefty meal too.  Ladies can opt to share this.

Free Range Chicken Tocino (160 php)

The Free Range Chicken Tocino is also good.  It's not too sweet and the chicken was tender and juicy.  But if you've tried the Estancia's Duck Tapa, this will just be the next best thing.  But if you're a fan of tocino dishes, this is for you.

From the Pond

Tilapia + Shrimp Gyoza (140 php)

The plating of the Tilapia + Shrimp Gyoza is so beautiful that I almost didn't want to eat it.  But, a bite of the gyoza made me want to swipe this plate clean.

Tilapia + Shrimp Gyoza (140 php)

I've tried a lot of gyoza before (beef, pork and chicken) but my golly this Tilapia + Shrimp Gyoza
has left me stupified.  Just by the look you could tell that it's cooked with precision promising a wonderful crispy and softness in every bite.  The ground tilapia and shrimp is very tasty.  They are in perfect harmony with the mango butter, sour cream, shriracha cashews and sweet potato curls. 

Smoked Tilapia Fish Cake (180 php)

To eat the Smoked Tilapia Fish Cake, you crush the smoked tilapia fish cake until it crumbles into grinded bits and mix it together with the green onions, 64 degrees poached egg, linguine pasta in red sweet seafood tomato bisque.  It also has crispy tilapia skin flakes on the side.

Beer-Battered Catfish (180 php)

Steering away from the usual Fish and Chips, Estancia offers the Beer-Battered Catfish laid on top of a squash brown cooked like a roesti and swimming in a pool of coco cashew cream with sayote tops and crushed cashew.  It's the first time I've tried a catfish fillet.  What a great idea!  I've always loved catfish and I'd certainly prefer it over the dory.

Duck Ragu Bolognese (250 php)

Rarely do I encounter a ragu pasta dish.  Boy am I glad they have the Duck Ragu Bolognese.  Yes, its a linguine pasta with less tomato sauce as its emphasis is to bring out the bold flavors of the ground duck meat complemented by the lightly salted duck chicharon.  It also comes with fried battered squash blossoms. 

Desserts

Pandan Cheesecake

The Pandan Cheesecake is to die for!  A taste of this wonderful masterpiece will make you hear the trumpets of heaven.  It's a rich, smooth, creamy and slightly dense pandan cheesecake served with a scoop of ice cream, sweetened kamias, macaroon bits and meringue. 


Drinks
I rarely insist on ordering drinks.  But, really you have to try at least one of their drinks.

House Blend Iced Tea

Pandan Water

This is the best Pandan Water I've tried yet!  This even beats the specialty beverage Pandan Tea of Ilustrado.

Chili Mango

The Chili Mango will definitely capture the hearts of spicy lovers like me.  The combination is so nice because the refreshing sweet note and fiery spice is a nice contrasting yet equally balance and matched duo like fire and ice or like yin and yang.

Cucumber Basil

The Cucumber Basil is another must try!  This a refreshing drink is so cool and cleansing that you'll enjoy every sip.

Tomato and Orange

The Tomato and Orange is a very nutritious beverage that will boost your immune system.  It is served with syrup so you can make it sweeter depending on your preference.  I'm a frequent tomato juice drinker so I'm used to the taste of tomatoes so I enjoyed it even without syrup. =)

Dalandan Lime Soda

No, this is no mojito.  The Dalandan Lime Soda is a mocktail perhaps as it is a nice sweet fizzy citrus drink.

Estancia De Lorenzo Farm to Table Restaurant Team

The Estancia De Lorenzo Farm to Table Restaurant Team who served us.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Estancia De Lorenzo won't be opening till the El Dia Farm is completely developed and open to the public.  However, I have yet to receive of an update.

Last week the family noticed a new restaurant called Wasabi Warriors as we passed by Century Mall.  The name is cool and catchy so I instantly remembered it when I received an invite.  Of course, I gladly accepted.
   
Swinging Chair Establishments decided to bring in this concept to the Philippines and Hongkong.  According to Swinging Chair Establishments' business manager, Kimmi Siu Dewar, Kimmi Siu Dewar what sets Wasabi Warriors apart from numerous existing sushi shops in the Metro is it's green heart.  The Wasabi Warriors are five brothers: Chicken Warrior, Beefy Warrior, Porky Warrior, Ocean Warrior and Veggie Warrior who only draw their sword to do good.  They abide with their Bushido warrior code: To Eat Good, To Do Good and To Feel Good, it seeks to respect their journey, assure quality, freshness and taste with their honor on the line.


As much as possible, all their food items are made from locally sourced and organic ingredients. They exercise sustainable, economical and honorable practices not only with their food but in everything.  The entire restaurant is made of recycle materials and I noticed that they practice proper waste segregation as well.   They also incorporate corporate social responsibility into their operations by training and hiring from local youth organizations to help in the social and professional development of young adults living in extreme poverty . 

If you decided to stay and dine in, there's a long bar and tables for you. 

Food Display

California (100 php), Honey Soy Chicken (120 php), Fresh Salmon & Avocado (150 php), Pork, Katsu & Avocado (120 php), Tuna & Avocado (120 php), Seaweed (100 php), Spicy Katsu Chicken (120 php) and Chicken Teriyaki (120 php)

All unsold food products at the end of the day to their partner charitable institutions.  Thus, it follows that all their products are freshly made within the day.

Chicken Katsu & Avocado (120 php), Beef Teriyaki (120 php), Panko Prawn (150 php) and Spicy Tuna (100 php)

The restaurant is designed in a clean, transparent and minimalistic way so it's very easy to order.  

Seared Teriyaki Salmon with Mayo (100 php), Crumbed Prawn (100 php) and Seared Teriyaki Salmon with Spicy Mayo (100 php)

You can see all the Warrior Rolls, Warrior Packs and Nigiri Packs available so you can select, pay, grab and go if you're in a hurry.    

Black Rice Seaweed (100 php), Black Rice California (100 php), Black Rice Fresh Salmon & Avocado (150 php), Black Rice Spicy Tuna (100 php), Brown Rice Panko Prawn (150 php) and Brown Rice Spicy Katsu Chicken (120 php)

I appreciate that every item has its own tag indicated the name of their item, price, ingredients and other features (some were noticeably blackened out) like "organic", "free range" and "do good".

Beefy & Pork Warrior Pack (350 php), Chicken Warrior Pack (350 php), Ocean Warrior Pack (350 php)

Did I mention that they can produce in volume and cater because they have a Suzumo sushi robot that can consistently produce up to 500 quality sush in 1 minute.

Spicy Edamame (80 php), Edamame (80 php) and Seaweed Salad (100 php)

The Warrior Packs, Edamame and Salads are already packed so they're ready to be taken out.

Inari with Seaweed (60 php) and Inari (50 php)

They have a chiller for their available drinks too.

Sauces

Unlike other sushi shops, here you have 3 options for sauces: the traditional Soy Sauce and their specially made (made fresh everyday) Wasabi Mayo and Spicy Mayo.  

What We Got

Warrior Rolls

California (100 php), Panko Prawn (150 php), Tuna Mayo and Avocado (100 php) and Seaweed Salad (100 php)

So here's what we had.  Note that this is sample serving size.  The actual size of 1 roll is the one in the display chillers.

California (100 php), Fresh Salmon & Avocado (150 php), Honey Soy Chicken (120 php) and Spicy Tuna (100 php)

My favorite rolls are the California, Honey Soy Chicken and Beef Teriyaki.

Spicy Tuna (100 php), Black Rice Seaweed (100 php) and Black Rice California (100 php),

They also have the black rice and brown rice options which I noticed are priced the same without any premium.   I'm sure my family will be happy with this because we are used to eating black rice.

Chicken Katsu & Avocado (120 php), Panko Prawn (150 php), Beef Teriyaki (120 php), Panko Prawn (150 php) and Tuna and Avocado (120 php)

Gyoza Pork (6 pcs/150 php)

I was expecting the Gyoza to be steamed because they had the steaming container same as the ones used for dimsum.  But, to my surprised they were fried.

Miso Soup (50 php)

The Miso Soup is warm and flavorful.  It is very soothing to the tummy especially if you have it before or while having the other cold items. 

Seaweed Salad (120 php)

I love the Seaweed Salad.  You can tell in every crunchy bite that it is very fresh.

Nigiri Packs

♥ Seared Teriyaki Salmon with Mayo (3 pcs/250 php) and ♥ Seared Teriyaki Salmon with Spicy Mayo (3 pc/250 php)

The must try and winning item for me is their Seared Teriyaki Salmon with Mayo (if the spiciness is not enough fpr you, you can add some sauce) and  Seared Teriyaki Salmon with Spicy Mayo (in case you can't handle spicyness). 

Warrior Hot Boxes

Warrior Udon Soup/Vegetarian Udon Soup (150 php)

The Warrior Udon Soup/Vegetarian Udon Soup is pretty good.  This is a great affordable choice for a meal.

Beef Teriyaki Rice (250 php)

 The sauce of the Beef Teriyaki Rice is too sweet for me.  But, I enjoyed the thin tender beef strips.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We Tsinoy Foodies welcome the Wasabi Warriors here in Manila.  We think its fresh, healthy, convenient and affordable selections will definitely do good here especially since many are now forced into a busy and hectic lifestyle.