The Sandwich Guy is a kiosk type booth at the center of the 3rd level at The Block.  It adopted a green and orange theme with hexagon shapes from tables, chairs and even their products.

Their booths are cute and cozy.  It's not only ideal for a casual meal but its also great for a short chit chat with your companion.

Food

All Time Favorites

TSG Bigtime (150 php)

I decided to trust the public opinion and go for the TSG Bigtime under their All Time Favorites section.  It also seemed like the grandest choice among their selections.  The sandwich was properly wrapped it their special wax paper when served.  Since I was sharing it with my friend, I had it cut into halves.  The TSG Bigtime, like all their sandwiches, had a hexagon shape.  This led me to conclude that their wheat breads are custom made since you can't find those anywhere else.  Wheat bread is rich in fiber which absorbs cholesterol and promotes a healthy digestive system.  The bread had grill marks similar to a panini.

TSG Bigtime (150 php)

The TSG Bigtime is a double-layered sandwich.  The top layer had lettuces, cucumbers, roast beef and cheese sauce.  While the second layer had cucumbers, bacon, ham, mayonnaise and cheese.  As the name implies, this is a huge sandwich that is sure to satisfy you hunger.  Not only is it loaded with ingredients, it is also bountiful in terms of flavor.  The organic vegetables were fresh and crunchy.  My friend who is fond of the cheese sauce enjoyed this sandwich and finished it way before I did.    

Seafood Pesto (80 php)

The pasta seemed really affordable so we tried the Seafood Pesto.   It's a peso pasta with crab sticks, tuna and slices of cheese.  It is served in a plastic container which makes it ready for take out.  The serving size is quite generous for the price.  The taste is just right too.  

Cheesy Bacon Potato (95 php)

The Cheesy Bacon Potato is a bowlful baby potatoes drenched in cheese sauce and topped with bacon bits.  If you love cheese sauce, you'll surely enjoy this dish.  However, I felt that we made a mistake in ordering this because our sandwich already had cheese sauce and it became too monotonous for our taste.  So perhaps, its better to choose a side dish with a different ingredient next time.  

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict

As we passed by Dairy Queen on the way to the Robinson's Super Market at Robinson's Place, we noticed that they have a new ice cream just for this Halloween called the "Jack-O-Lantern Dilly Bar"
The poster looks really enticing.  We were so curious we just had to buy one.  Of course, we wanted to know if it is exactly the same as advertised. =D

Jack-O-Lantern Dilly Bar (39 php)

As I got it out of the wrapper, I was amazed that the Jack-O-Lantern Dilly Bar is even cuter than the poster.  It is a bit smaller than the usual dilly bar but cheaper too.  It is perfect for kids and kids at heart like us.  It is in reality the same as the original dilly bar except that this one is coated with orange colored white chocolate.  The brown part if the same chocolate dip as the original dilly bar though.  

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
The Jack-O-Lantern Dilly Bar is a fun Halloween ice treat for your kids and yourself.  The creativity of Dairy Queen is awesome.  It's a great way to break tradition and expand Halloween treats to include ice cream bars too.  Try it while available.

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The Village Tavern is another restaurant belonging to the Bistro Group.  Whatever visualization you have of a tavern, I'm sure the Village Tavern is much more sophisticate and extravagant than that.  It has beautiful chandeliers, a luxurious bar, an extensive wine collection, velvet lofts and well cushioned leatherette seats.  


The walls are beautifully painted and the booths offer privacy perfect for any meeting.  Other than for food, our group intnded our visit to be a dinner meeting for our first ever out-of-town trip.  We also have not seen each other for more than a month so we were all laid back and chatting the night away due to the cozy atmosphere of Village Tavern.

Food

Small Plates

♥ Sesame Teriyaki Chicken Wings (225 php)

We started of with the Sesame Teriyaki Chicken Wings.  It reminds me of buffalo wings.  But, this is better because it has some sweetness from the teriyaki sauce and fragrant sesame flavor.  

Fully-Loaded Sweet Potato Skins (240 php)

♥ Homemade Jalapeno Poppers (290 php)

I love the Homemade Jalapeno Poppers.  It had a perfect crunchy breaded-crust filled with cheese and spicy and tangy jalapenos.  It gets better when dipped in the sauce too.

Pizzas

Black Pizza (395 php)

The Black Pizza has squid in on its though for coloring.  It is topped with parmesan, gruyere, mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions.  Except for the edges, I could hardly taste the squid ink.  But, its still a nice experience since I've never eaten a Black Pizza before.

♥ Forest Pizza (475 php)

The Forest Pizza is a sensational pizza to remember.  It has asiago cream, wild mushrooms, walnuts, mozzarella, parmesan cheese and truffle oil.  This pizza is full of delightful scents and flavors that will surely delight ones tastebuds.

Burgers & Sandwiches

Cowboy Burger (595 php)

The Cowboy Burger has a thick beef patty, apple-wood smoked bacons, oozing cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and barbecue sauce.  This is a wholesome burger that's sweet and meaty.  I also loved the sweet potato fries that's served with it.

Steak House

♥ Black Angus Beef Steak

• Marinated Flank Steak 8 oz (895 php)
• Ribeye 8 oz (1,395 php)
• Fillet Mignon 8 oz (1,450 php)
• Ribeye 12 oz (1,950 php)
• New York Strip 12 oz (1,995 php)

Their Black Angus Beef Steak is aged, hand-cut and grilled to the perfect temperature which make it tender and succelent.  Although I prefer my steak medium and this was cooked well-done, I was still able to appreciate the flavors and juices from the Black Angus Beef Steak.  

If you haven't tried this or want to try it again, now is the best time to avail because there is an ongoing promo called "The Great Steakout" which offers their steaks at 40% OFF from October 19, 2012 onwards, Fridays to Sundays, until supplies last.

♥ Texas Baby Back Ribs (P650-half)

The Texas Baby Back Ribs is unlike the usual because it has a cola and chiptotle glaze.  It has this slight taste of caramel and pleasant tinge of acidity.  The meat is also soft and easy to eat.  

Homemade Desserts

Very Best Carrot Cake (345 php)

The Very Best Carrot Cake is a huge piece of carrot cake drenched in sweet cream cheese sauce.  The carrot cake itself is moist and tasty on its own.  Together with the sauce, it is a great meal-ender that is best shared among your companions.

Beverages

Green Mango Fruit Shake (140 php)

Other Bistro Group Restaurant Reviews
Bulgogi Brothers
Italianni's Restaurant
Krazy Garlic
Ma Maison (closed)
Modern Shanghai
SikLab Filipino Favorites
Tonkatsu by Terazawa
Watami 1 | Watami 2

Update (May 2013): Revisited for their 1st year anniversary menu additions

Update (July 19, 2014): The family loved the ♥ Monterey Chicken.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Village Tavern is a great place for good American Dishes.  They have their own special way with their dishes that makes them worth the try even if the price is quite expensive.  The ambiance is superb so its impressive for any gatherings.  

Chardonnay is on of the best selling white wine around the world.  It is made from Chardonnay which is a green-skinned grape variant. It originated in Burgundy of Eastern France but  because it is adaptable to various climates it is now planted in fields around the world but the best ones come from France, Italy, USA, Chile, Australia and New Zealand and South Africa.  Thus, millions of bottles of chardonnay are produced per year.  The high supply therefor results in lower price.  You can buy a bottle of Chardonnay under 15 USD.  

A Chardonnay has many types of aromas and flavors.  Chardonnays aromas variants are butter and toast, tropical notes of banana, pineapple and guava.  It is usually described to have mineral properties too like crushed seashells or metal.  In terms of flavor, it can be like grilled nuts, creamy apples,marzipan, wet stones, peach, golden syrup, butterscotch, sweet, oak overtones,tropical fruits,  citrus and melon.

The variation of Chardonnay is caused by the two schools of thought.  One side aims for the high-toned steely, fruity taste like green apples which makes use of little or no oak.  On the other hand, the other seeks a rounder and buttery taste caused by the malic acid converted into softer lactic acid during malolactic fermentation.  

The Chardonnay is best served chilled.  The best Chardonnay are rich, steely, lean and crisp.  Although Chardonnay can be paired with almost anything.  It is best paid with poultry, pork, seafood, heavy cream or butter based and garlicky dishes. The food can also vary depending on the type of Chardonnay.  The more acidic ones are often paired with sweet onion or tomato-based dishes.  While mellow ones are more suitable for earthy dishes like aged cheese and mushroom soup.

Depending on your preference and budget, I'm sure you'll find a Chardonnay that will please you in every way.  Here's some of the Chardonnay you can try:

• Alma Rosa 2005
• Concannon Conservancy 2009
• Domaine du Chateau de Meursault Premier Cru 2009
• La Crema Sonoma Coast 2009
• Les Vins Georges Dubœuf Vin de Pays d'Oc Terradria Collection 2007
• Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2010 
• Saint Jean de Noviciat Vin de Pays d'Oc Mas du Novi 2009

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Cha Dao Tea Place is a small kiosk with three small wooden tables and matching wooden benches.  It had a yellow green theme which I find very pleasing to the eyes.  It also reminds me of green tea leaves which I find adequate for a milk tea store.

Black Milk Tea L (50 php)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Cha Dao Tea Place is a great place to hang out because its cool, clean and cozy.  Students are lucky to have an affordable place to hang out in.  As low as 50 php, you can buy a cool cup of tea.  At their price, even students can easily buy a cup or two.  A cup of tea is a good caffeine boost for any lazy class day.  It is also a good source of anti-oxydants.  The staffs are also very friendly.  They are very happy to serve and they attend to you in a quick manner.  But since the space is quite limited, it might not be able to cater to all its customers during their peak hours so there's no choice but to take out.

Indoor Waiting Area

Outdoor Waiting Area

The out waiting area is not as extravagant but I love the simple homey feel.  



They had a store for souvenirs by the annex just before the kitchen.


Just beside our table, we saw this framed collage of clippings where Halo Halo de Iloko was featured.   We've heard it has been featured in a lot of TV shows too and many celebrities have visited there.  Of course, that got me even more excited.

Food

Halo-Halo

♥ Buko Halo-Halo (170 php)

I ordered the Buko Halo-Halo which is the a halo-halo composed of Ube Ice Cream, Ube San Gabriel, Yema Pandan, Milk, Pastilla de Leche, ube, macapuno, cereal, langka, kaong and shaved ice.  What makes their halo-halo special is that the ingredients are all the best from the Ilocos region.  It also came with a glass of buko juice.  Not only did it look cute with a mini umbrella and a leaf decoration, it was delicious too.  

Panciteria

♥ Palabokano (150 php)

Kurt ordered the Palabokano which is their home-made palabok with home-made longganisa bits, leeks, egg, chicharon and vegetables.  We both agreed that this was a great innovation.  It made the ordinary version of the palabok more savory.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Halo Halo de Iloko serves an awesome halo-halo and other dishes that will surely satisfy you.  But, the most important part when dining at Halo Halo de Iloko is the ambiance.  Stay and be enthralled at its magical atmosphere.  Their pricing is very affordable too.  We will surely visit here again when in the area.

Every artifact and display on the restaurant is related to wines such as this collection of corks.  It's a simple but visually appealing arrangement.


The main dining area of the restaurant is not as spacious but they have function rooms for events on the second floor.  They also have a bar with displays of empty wine bottles.

Food

Salads

Caesar Salad (200 php)

The Caesar Salad with its crunchy croutons, fresh greens, bacon bits and adequate amount of dressing provide a wonderful starter.

Vegetables

Spinach & White Cheese (125 php)

The Spinach & White Cheese is sauteed spinach with cubes of white cheese.  This doesn't only look healthy but it taste like one too. =D

Favorites

Paella Collonial (450 php)

The Paella Collonial did not meet my standards for a paella.  Not that I was complaining since the price was really affordable compared to others I've tried.  The saffron rice was a bit bland.  But, I liked that it had olives in it.

♥ Crispy Toro (325 php)

♥ Callos Madrilenos (350 php)

♥ Fish Fillet with Ali Oli (275 php)

The Fish Fillet with Ali Oli may loook plain but a bite of it will surely change your perspective.  The batter coating is perfectly crunchy concealing within the soft and succulent fish fillet that holds the freshness of the sea.  Together with the Ali Oli sauce, this is sure to stir your appetite and leave you wanting for more.