I first heard about Sweet Hunt from my friend Berylle. When I mentioned it to the family, they already knew about it and told me they are frequent customers. They were quite surprised and amazed of the fact that I've was so late in my discovery and that I have not tried it yet.
Well, it's no secret that ever since I was a kid, I've been known as the "anti-social" home buddy in the family. Perhaps, the only time I was forced to get out my shell is when I had a 5-year relationship. But, being single again led me to go back to my usual hermit-like introverted self.
One time we were having a family dinner at Robinson's Place and they decided that it's time for me to finally try Sweet Hunt.
Sweet Hunt is apparently a Taiwanese desserts shack located at the 3rd Level of Midtown Wing fronting Toys "R" Us. I loved the modern decor of the place. It had quirky variety of drop lights emanating a soft yellow light and trendy mix-match set of chairs.
Food
According to them, the Drinks are not recommendable so I should go for the Snow Ice. Well, since they are treating me and they are familiar with the place, I took their advise. My little sisters were teasing me as they handed me the menu. As the pitiful guest of honor, they told me to order whatever I want.
Snow Ice
I've always been adored the Black Forest cake. But, never had I tried it in Snow Ice or shaved ice form. A spoonful into its strawberry liquorish and chocolate-y taste made me got me hooked! The shaved ice is so fine that it instantly melts on your mouth in the most delightful way. The chocolate chips adds a pleasant crunchy texture too.
The family insists that the Tiramisu is a must order and thus, I obliged. They say I had my childish smile plastered on my face as I devoured over this. This is simply the best snow ice I have ever tried! I bet no one could ever resist this cool snow ice treat topped with cocoa powder, creme chantilly, coffee and condense milk.
The first two variants had a plain milky snow ice base. On the other hand, the Red Bean Matcha had a delicious green tea matcha snow ice base. It was topped with a generous amount of red beans, mochi balls and condense milk. It was really good but not as creative as the rest.
Update (March 10,2014): Passed by this place and found out it is now closed =( So sad! It's even perfect for the summer.
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Sweet Hunt is offers the best Taiwanese Snow Ice in the Metro! Now, I know where I can hang out whenever the family goes on their usual shopping spree at Robsinson's Place. If you're the pastry type of person (which I honestly am not), you can try their Honey Toasts too which looks enticing.
Well, it's no secret that ever since I was a kid, I've been known as the "anti-social" home buddy in the family. Perhaps, the only time I was forced to get out my shell is when I had a 5-year relationship. But, being single again led me to go back to my usual hermit-like introverted self.
One time we were having a family dinner at Robinson's Place and they decided that it's time for me to finally try Sweet Hunt.
Sweet Hunt is apparently a Taiwanese desserts shack located at the 3rd Level of Midtown Wing fronting Toys "R" Us. I loved the modern decor of the place. It had quirky variety of drop lights emanating a soft yellow light and trendy mix-match set of chairs.
Food
According to them, the Drinks are not recommendable so I should go for the Snow Ice. Well, since they are treating me and they are familiar with the place, I took their advise. My little sisters were teasing me as they handed me the menu. As the pitiful guest of honor, they told me to order whatever I want.
Snow Ice
♥ Black Forest Medium (70 php) |
♥ Tiramisu Medium (100 php) |
Red Bean Matcha Medium (100 php) |
The first two variants had a plain milky snow ice base. On the other hand, the Red Bean Matcha had a delicious green tea matcha snow ice base. It was topped with a generous amount of red beans, mochi balls and condense milk. It was really good but not as creative as the rest.
Update (March 10,2014): Passed by this place and found out it is now closed =( So sad! It's even perfect for the summer.
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Sweet Hunt is offers the best Taiwanese Snow Ice in the Metro! Now, I know where I can hang out whenever the family goes on their usual shopping spree at Robsinson's Place. If you're the pastry type of person (which I honestly am not), you can try their Honey Toasts too which looks enticing.
Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating | Sweet Hunt Menu | |
Ambiance | ★★★★ | Menu |
Taste | ★★★★★ | |
Service | ★★★ | |
Price | ★★★★ | |
♥=Favorites or Recommended |
Sweet Hunt | |
Business Address |
3/F Midtown Wing Robinsons, Ermita
Manila, Metro Manila
|
Business Hours | 10am-9pm (mall hours) |
Payment Options | Cash |
Service Charge | |
Budget/Person | 50-250 |
Free WiFi | Yes |
Unlocked Foursquare Perks | None |
Contact | |
Other | Facebook Fan Page (deleted) |
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My first encounter with Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen was a few months ago when my friend Sumi and her boyfriend J treated me there for late second lunch or perhaps heavy afternoon snack after touring me at the new Shangri-la Plaza Mall East Wing.
It had bamboo wood panels that functions as dividers. Each and every piece had Japanese characters sophisticated and carefully inscribed using brush and black ink. Aside from the typical dining tables with matching red plastic chairs, it also had a ramen bar by the side with a glass that partially reveals the kitchen.
A few weeks ago, I received an invite by Riza Meriado, Ikkoryu Fukuoka's Marketing Assistant, for a tasting session with the Kenji Komuro, the PR Director of Ikkoryu Fukuoka. Being acquainted with a number of ramen shops here in the Philippines, I have yearned to learn more about authentic Japanese ramen. Thus, it was an honor for me to accept his invite. On the scheduled date, I brought my closest guy friend (who believe it or not has never tried ramen before!) to meet Mr. Komura.
We were glancing at the menu when Mr. Komuro and Mr. Masanori Ogata, the CEO himself as indicated the first page of the menu, shook our hands and sat with us. I was starstruck. This was the first time, I've ever been on a face-to-face session with a restaurant owner before. But, I did not let my shyness hinder my chance to broaden my perspective about the ramen culture and began asking questions to Mr. Komuro who acted as the interpreter for Mr. Ogata.
Currently, Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen as over 40 branches in Japan and more than 150 branches internationally. Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen was established by Mr. Ogata's father 43 years ago. And, only Mr. Ogata and his brother knows the secret recipe. The Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen restaurant concept in the Philippines is unlike those in Japan and its international counterparts. Although it carries the same brand name, the concept here is more modern, cozy and artistic. They even had to make a logo of a Japanese god which Mr. Komuro jokes looks like Mr. Ogata. The stores are all strategically located in malls too. They intend to open 3 more within this year. According to Mr. Komuro, the market here is very good because Filipinos love pork and its strong flavor. In Japan, their stores vary from stalls to big restaurants. Food items in Japan focus more on ramen and offer less appetizers.
Mr. Komuro explained to us that they highlight food quality above all. Mr. Ogata visits the Philippines on a monthly basis to personally inspect their ramen broth. The broth also has to pass the approval of their local Japanese chef and Mr. Komuro before they can be served. This procedure will go on until Mr. Ogata is confident that local chefs can sustain their standard of quality. It doesn't matter if it takes years or even 10 years. Their sauces are all imported from Japan. But, they use local fresh ingredients. Mr. Komuro shares that when they first arrived in the Philippines, Mr. Ogata was pleased to find out that our pork quality even exceeds that of Japan's.
Food
Hope that little history didn't bore you, let us now proceed with the food.
Each tables has a set of condiments: Soy Sauce, White Vinegar, Chili Oil and Roasted Sesame. It's the same set in all branches even abroad.
Kobachi (Appetizer)
I had this Gyoza during my first visit. I was hesistant to order because I just had lunch so my friend Sumi, ordered the Gyoza for me. I'd give this Gyoza an A+! It had a slightly crisp and soft dumpling skin. The pork meat was chunky and juicy too.
Agemono
Mr. Komuro suggested that we try the Ikkoryu Teriyaki Chicken Wings. It was deep fried and crunchy chicken wings glazed with sweet and salty teriyaki sauce. If you love strong flavors of both sweet and salty, you'll probably appreciate this more than we did.
Ramen
During my first visit, there server suggested the Ajitama Tonkotsu as their best-seller so my friend Sumi ordered this and shared me a small bowlful. Mr. Ogata also told as that this is his personal favorite. They have three levels of doneness for their noodles: normal, hard and very hard. I'd say we had it at normal. The ajitama or egg was a bit overcooked for me. I'd prefer it more runny. The broth is lighter than the other variants but just as oily.
I was already allured by the aromatic black roasted garlic fragrant coming from my Black Garlic Tonkotsu as soon it was served. My bowl had a big chunk of charsiu (pork meat) swimming in a mixture of rich and creamy pork tonkatsu broth with dark black roasted garlic oil. Like many Hakata ramen shops in Japan, you can choose the the level of hardness of your noodles: Yawa (soft), Kata (hard) and Bari Kata (very hard). As advised by Mr. Komuro, we had our noodles at Bari Kata (very hard) just the way people prefer it in Japan. He was right, it was deliciously chewy! He says that they are very specific even in terms of their noodle texture. There are so many factors to consider such as the type of flour, thickness and cooking time measures in seconds. He also insisted that I try it with roasted sesame to tame the strong flavor a bit. With or without the roasted sesame, I loved this! But, this got me thirsty the whole day. No kidding!
My dear friend is always quite the gentleman. Intending to let me try, he insisted that I do the selection for him. We've done this set up several times and let's say I've had as many errors as much as my tries so I really thought about this more carefully otherwise, he'll probably ditch me as a friend. =p Since he is health conscious and appreciates spices like I do, I decided to place my bet on the Special Vegetable Paste Tonkotsu. It's a rich tonkatsu soup with a bold spiced flavor from their special vegetable paste. According to Mr. Komuro, they make the fresh vegetables into paste in Japan and import it here to make this.
I had my fingers crossed the entire time, awaiting for my trusted friend's no fuzz and totally honest remarks. Imagine my glee when he stated that he was pleased with the tender and large chunk of charsiu with fats that melts on your mouth. More importantly, he loved the broth and the very hard noodles too.
We're very grateful for such a memorable experience. I got to learn and appreciate ramen more and my friend had a successful first ramen experience. Yey! =)
Tsinoy Foodies Other Ramen House/Shop Reviews
Akira Restaurant
Curry Bee Japanese Curry Shop
Hanamaruken Ramen 花丸轩
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Kitchitora 1 | Kitchitora 2
Kokoro Ramenya
Menya Genki Tonkotsu Ramen
Miso-Ten
Mitsuyado Sei-Men
Moshi Koshi 1 | Moshi Koshi 2
Rai-Rai Ken Ramen House
Ramen Bar
Ramen Cool
Ramen Ichiban-Kan
Ramen Nagi
Ramen Sora
Ramen X (Closed)
Ramen Yushoken
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
Wrong Ramen
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen has certainly lived up to its name whether in Japan or in the Philippines. When dining at Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen, you can expect your ramen served piping hot and bursting with strong and savory flavors just as how it is enjoyed in the Fukuoka prefecture.
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen Shangri-La East Wing |
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen Rockwell Powerplant Mall |
We were glancing at the menu when Mr. Komuro and Mr. Masanori Ogata, the CEO himself as indicated the first page of the menu, shook our hands and sat with us. I was starstruck. This was the first time, I've ever been on a face-to-face session with a restaurant owner before. But, I did not let my shyness hinder my chance to broaden my perspective about the ramen culture and began asking questions to Mr. Komuro who acted as the interpreter for Mr. Ogata.
Currently, Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen as over 40 branches in Japan and more than 150 branches internationally. Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen was established by Mr. Ogata's father 43 years ago. And, only Mr. Ogata and his brother knows the secret recipe. The Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen restaurant concept in the Philippines is unlike those in Japan and its international counterparts. Although it carries the same brand name, the concept here is more modern, cozy and artistic. They even had to make a logo of a Japanese god which Mr. Komuro jokes looks like Mr. Ogata. The stores are all strategically located in malls too. They intend to open 3 more within this year. According to Mr. Komuro, the market here is very good because Filipinos love pork and its strong flavor. In Japan, their stores vary from stalls to big restaurants. Food items in Japan focus more on ramen and offer less appetizers.
Mr. Komuro explained to us that they highlight food quality above all. Mr. Ogata visits the Philippines on a monthly basis to personally inspect their ramen broth. The broth also has to pass the approval of their local Japanese chef and Mr. Komuro before they can be served. This procedure will go on until Mr. Ogata is confident that local chefs can sustain their standard of quality. It doesn't matter if it takes years or even 10 years. Their sauces are all imported from Japan. But, they use local fresh ingredients. Mr. Komuro shares that when they first arrived in the Philippines, Mr. Ogata was pleased to find out that our pork quality even exceeds that of Japan's.
Food
Hope that little history didn't bore you, let us now proceed with the food.
Each tables has a set of condiments: Soy Sauce, White Vinegar, Chili Oil and Roasted Sesame. It's the same set in all branches even abroad.
Kobachi (Appetizer)
♥ Gyoza (150 php) |
Agemono
Ikkoryu Teriyaki Chicken Wings (180 php) |
Ramen
Ajitama Tonkotsu (380 php) |
♥ Black Garlic Tonkotsu (380 php) |
Special Vegetable Paste Tonkotsu (380 php) |
I had my fingers crossed the entire time, awaiting for my trusted friend's no fuzz and totally honest remarks. Imagine my glee when he stated that he was pleased with the tender and large chunk of charsiu with fats that melts on your mouth. More importantly, he loved the broth and the very hard noodles too.
We're very grateful for such a memorable experience. I got to learn and appreciate ramen more and my friend had a successful first ramen experience. Yey! =)
Tsinoy Foodies Other Ramen House/Shop Reviews
Akira Restaurant
Curry Bee Japanese Curry Shop
Hanamaruken Ramen 花丸轩
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Kitchitora 1 | Kitchitora 2
Kokoro Ramenya
Menya Genki Tonkotsu Ramen
Miso-Ten
Mitsuyado Sei-Men
Moshi Koshi 1 | Moshi Koshi 2
Rai-Rai Ken Ramen House
Ramen Bar
Ramen Cool
Ramen Ichiban-Kan
Ramen Nagi
Ramen Sora
Ramen X (Closed)
Ramen Yushoken
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
Wrong Ramen
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen has certainly lived up to its name whether in Japan or in the Philippines. When dining at Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen, you can expect your ramen served piping hot and bursting with strong and savory flavors just as how it is enjoyed in the Fukuoka prefecture.
Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating | Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen Menu | |
Ambiance | ★★★★ | Kobachi (Appetizer) | Itamemono (Stir Fried) | Ramen 1 | Ramen 2 | Ramen 3 | Ramen 4 and Toppings | Agemono (Deep Fried) | Rice Menu | Salad | Dessert | |
Taste | ★★★★ | |
Service | ★★★ | |
Price | ★★★ | |
♥=Favorites or Recommended |
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen | |
Branches | Shangri-la Plaza Mall 5/F Shangri-la Plaza Mall, East Wing, Shaw Blvd cor EDSA Wack Wack, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila Rockwell Powerplant Mall G/F Rockwell Powerplant Mall, Lopez Drive, Rockwell Center Makati, Metro Manila |
Business Hours | 10am - 9pm (mall hours) |
Payment Options | Cash |
Service Charge | 10% |
Budget/Person | 300-600 |
Free WiFi | Yes |
Unlocked Foursquare Perks | None |
Contact | (02) 477-8333 |
Other | Facebook Fan Page |
As the family is always unusually excited about new places to explore, we were amongst the firsts to check out SM Aura. So after around 2 hours just to park, we ventured into the mall which was apparently not as spacious as it seemed from the outside. Most of the stores were still closed but we were more disappointed to find that most of the restaurants were yet to open.
Apart from fast food restaurants, only Brasas and Pepper Lunch located at SM Aura's food court called Food on the Four was open. And, everyone was lining up for Brasas so we trusted the crowds judgment and joined in. It took us more than an hour to reach the counter. Was it worth it?
The Asada Platters were limited to two options. As we were too hungry to settle for Wraps and Salad, we ordered both selections.
We were so glad to try Brasas! The Carne Asada Platter was delicious! Never thought Latin American food could be so sensational. The beef strips were tender and succulent
Although I liked beef more, my family enjoyed the Pollo Asada Platter. It was slightly leaner and less succulent than the beef but still as good to say the least.
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Brasas is certainly a must stop for Latin American Cuisine! I'm also impressed with their reasonable pricing. I look forward to trying more of their offering.
Apart from fast food restaurants, only Brasas and Pepper Lunch located at SM Aura's food court called Food on the Four was open. And, everyone was lining up for Brasas so we trusted the crowds judgment and joined in. It took us more than an hour to reach the counter. Was it worth it?
The Asada Platters were limited to two options. As we were too hungry to settle for Wraps and Salad, we ordered both selections.
♥ Carne Asada Platter (220 php) |
♥ Pollo Asada Platter (180 php) |
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Brasas is certainly a must stop for Latin American Cuisine! I'm also impressed with their reasonable pricing. I look forward to trying more of their offering.
Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating | Brasas SM Aura Menu | |
Ambiance | ★★★ | Menu |
Taste | ★★★★ | |
Service | ★★★ | |
Price | ★★★★ | |
♥=Favorites or Recommended |
Brasas SM Aura | |
Business Address |
4th flr. SM Aura Premier, McKinley Parkway,
McKinley Hill, Taguig City, Metro Manila |
Business Hours | 10 am - 9 pm (mall hours) |
Payment Options | Cash |
Service Charge | |
Budget/Person | 150-250 |
Free WiFi | No |
Unlocked Foursquare Perks | None |
Contact | |
Other | Facebook Fan Page |
Last month, the family decided to take a stroll at Eastwood City because it's a first time for my mom. By dinner time, we began searching for a food establishment that can only be found there. We had a difficulty in choosing so we googled for "Eastwood City Restaurants" and the first thing that popped out is Galileo Enoteca Italian Restaurant and Deli so we headed there.
For those who aren't very familiar with the place, we found it a bit conspicuous since the dining area is found on the second floor and the sign outside is the only hint that it exists.
It would have helped if it had a menu by the door so passers-by would have an idea of its offerings. But, then again, I think it got as even more curious as we went straight up.
Upon reaching the second floor, we were enchanted by its traditional wine cellar ambiance. It had brick walls and ceilings, slate tiles and wooden tables and fixtures.
They had a chiller which not only displayed goods for sale but also ingredients they actually used. It was not appealing for me.
Each table had dining wares already set up. The light yellowish lighting, laconism and warm vibe gives off a distinctive cozy and romantic fine dining feel.
Food
We were immediately attended to. After our orders were taken, we were served a complimentary platter of their warm and tasty Foccacia Bread with Tomato and Balsamic Oil Dip.
Pizze
The Pizze selection was limited so it was an easy choose for my seafood-loving family to choose the Shrimp & Garlic. It was a delicious brick-oven baked thin and chewy pizza topped with mozzarella, shrimp bits and garlic.
Primi Piatti
Of course, a staple dish when fining Italian would be pasta. As previously stated, it is a familial preference to lean on seafood than meat during dinners. We ordered the Spaghetti Ai Fruitti Di Mare which had a tangy tomato-based sauce with shrimp, squids, clams and mussels. This is exactly how I like my red sauce pasta to be cooked!
Due to the rarity, I could count the number of times a white sauce pasta has impressed me. This Fusilli Al Salmone which is a cream-based pasta with fresh herbs and salmon bits is definitely one of the best I've tried yet!
Two of my favorites: mushroom and white truffle oil merged in one pasta dish, how could I even stop myself from falling in love with the Penne Con Funghi Porcini & Tartufo Bianco.
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Galileo Enoteca Italian Restaurant and Deli is a hidden treasure for authentic Italian. I highly recommend this place for its excellent ambiance, service and food quality. We enjoyed every dish we ordered and my family is not even inclined towards Italian cuisine.
For those who aren't very familiar with the place, we found it a bit conspicuous since the dining area is found on the second floor and the sign outside is the only hint that it exists.
It would have helped if it had a menu by the door so passers-by would have an idea of its offerings. But, then again, I think it got as even more curious as we went straight up.
Upon reaching the second floor, we were enchanted by its traditional wine cellar ambiance. It had brick walls and ceilings, slate tiles and wooden tables and fixtures.
They had a chiller which not only displayed goods for sale but also ingredients they actually used. It was not appealing for me.
Each table had dining wares already set up. The light yellowish lighting, laconism and warm vibe gives off a distinctive cozy and romantic fine dining feel.
Food
Complimentary Foccacia Bread with Tomato and Balsamic Oil Dip |
Pizze
Shrimp & Garlic (420 php) |
Primi Piatti
♥ Spaghetti Ai Fruitti Di Mare (390 php) |
♥ Fusilli Al Salmone (350 php) |
♥ Penne Con Funghi Porcini & Tartufo Bianco (400 php) |
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Galileo Enoteca Italian Restaurant and Deli is a hidden treasure for authentic Italian. I highly recommend this place for its excellent ambiance, service and food quality. We enjoyed every dish we ordered and my family is not even inclined towards Italian cuisine.
Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating | Galileo Enoteca Italian Restaurant and Deli Menu | |
Ambiance | ★★★★★ | Panini | Pizze | Sides | Pasta | Insalata | Primi | Dolci | Wine | |
Taste | ★★★★★ | |
Service | ★★★★ | |
Price | ★★★ | |
♥=Favorites or Recommended |
Galileo Enoteca Italian Restaurant and Deli | |
Business Address | Eastwood City Walk 1, Cyberpark, Orchard Rd. Bagumbayan, Quezon City , Metro Manila |
Business Hours | 11am-11pm |
Payment Options | Cash |
Service Charge | 10% |
Budget/Person | 500-1,000 |
Free WiFi | No |
Unlocked Foursquare Perks | None |
Contact | (0922) 832-8071 |
Other | Website |
Last year I got the chance to try Rockwell's 2nd Ultimate Taste Test and it was so much fun! A year has past and Rockwell's 3rd Ultimate Taste Test will be held on September 14, 2013 (Saturday).
The will be 50 confirmed participants. Although I'm a frequent in food markets, I can see that there are a lot of new food concessionaires with new products that are worth checking for especially for the desserts!
Last year, I was able to finish them all. Well, see you on Saturday and let's try them all together!
Here's the details! Book you tickets now!
The will be 50 confirmed participants. Although I'm a frequent in food markets, I can see that there are a lot of new food concessionaires with new products that are worth checking for especially for the desserts!
1 | The Plaza Premium Baked Ham | The Plaza Premium Baked Ham - Hamwich & Hampanada | Appetizer |
2 | Cakeworks | Peanut Butter Oreo Dip | Appetizer |
3 | CURRY BAR | CURRY BALLS | Appetizer |
4 | Big Jack's | Ricepop | Appetizer |
5 | BITE by Chef Jam Melchor | Truffled Tuna Crudo & Burrito Taquitos Roll | Appetizer |
6 | ALA DUTCHE CHRONICLES –Condiment House | TU’KA – Gourmet Spiced Vinegar | Appetizer |
7 | 2407 Weekend Bakery & Cafe | Oatie - Granolie & Choco - Oaties | Appetizer |
8 | Yuan's Wings | Yuan's Original Chicken Wings | Main Dish |
9 | Butter Nuggets | Chicken and bacon ravioli with tomato sauce and cheese | Main Dish |
10 | Schmidt’s Gourmet Hotdogs | Wagamama | Main Dish, Appetizer |
11 | SHIFU MASTER'S KITCHEN | Pata Bihon & Shifu Milk Tea | Main Dish |
12 | Diplahan Lechon | Dipalahan Lechon | Main Dish |
13 | Flavor Avenue | Bagnet paella | Main Dish |
14 | Generals Lechon | Garlic Lechon | Main Dish |
15 | GoldenducK's Premium Meat Products | GoldenducK's Premium Burgers & GoldenducK's Sisig | Main Dish |
16 | Flavors on Fire | JALAPEÑO ALFREDO & FUSSILI CHOCOLAT | Main Dish |
17 | Bad Decisions Premium Burgers and Drinks Joint | The Patriot | Main Dish |
18 | The Sultry Chef | Sultry Roast beef with saucy gravy & Tuyo Pasta | Main Dish |
19 | The V Deli Vegetarian Delicatessen | Veggie Sisig Shawarma & Veggie Sisig Quesadillas | Main Dish |
20 | Verity Enterprise | Rice bomb | Main dish |
21 | Dennis The Grillboy | Crispy Pork Sisig & Tortilla Banana | Main dish |
22 | Conrad and Co. Inc | Coco Royal Coconut water and juices | Drink |
23 | THE JUICE BARISTA | King Kong Apple Pie | Drink |
24 | MALAGOS AGRI-VENTURES CORPORATION | Malagos 65% Dark Chocolate & Malagos Chocolate Drink | Drink |
25 | Moshi Moshi | Louie's sea salt chocolate chip cookies | Dessert |
26 | Jack Frost Premium Ice Cream | Artisan Ice Cream | Dessert |
27 | Everyday Mom | Black and White Cupcake | Dessert |
28 | The Noodle Bakes | Tosi & Garth Vader | Dessert |
29 | Everything with Soya | Chilled Soya Pudding in 4 flavors | Dessert |
30 | So-made food enterprises | Moringa (malunggay) cookies & Almond ginger cookies | Dessert |
31 | Sugarhouse | Cream Puffs | Dessert |
32 | Catherine’s Cakes & Pies | Apple Pie | Dessert |
33 | Pocket Pies | Banana Cinnamon cookie pie & Smores Pie | Dessert |
34 | F.A.T. Cupcakes | Cupcake | Dessert |
35 | Jameson's Gelato Manufacturing | Gelato | Dessert |
36 | Cream of the Crop | Sulu Coffee with Salted Muscovado Swirl & Malunggay with Langka (*And Capsicum Tablea) | Dessert |
37 | Bronuts | Bronuts | Dessert |
38 | Munchster Yum | S'mores Pancake Cookie & Red Velvet Pancake Cookies | Dessert |
39 | Ruby Red Kitchen | The Original Monkey Bread | Dessert |
40 | Sweet Kiss | Space Cakes | Dessert |
41 | Franchino's Food | Frosted Lemon Cookies & Creamy Salmon Dill | Dessert |
42 | Uni-Chefs Catering | Trifles & Cookies | Dessert |
43 | Gorby Balls | Graham Balls | Dessert |
44 | KATE'S SPECIAL MUFFIN | DIFFERENT KINDS OF MUFFIN | Dessert |
45 | AMY'S Fruits & Vegetables Cakes | Choco ampalaya delight cake & almond pumpkin melt cake | Dessert |
46 | Shmallows | Shmallows Marshmallow Spread | Dessert |
47 | Blue Toque | Ensaimada with Special Cheese Topping | Dessert |
48 | Hearts & Bells | Cakes | Dessert |
49 | Hacienda Macalauan | Live Greek Yogurt | Dessert |
50 | House of Macaroons | Coconut and Custard Macaroons | Dessert |
Last year, I was able to finish them all. Well, see you on Saturday and let's try them all together!
Here's the details! Book you tickets now!
- What: Rockwell's Ultimate Taste Test: Be a Food Critic for a Day!
- When: September 14, 2013, Saturday, 11.00 am - 9.00 pm
- Where: Rockwell Tent
- Ultimate Taste Test Fee: P585/head.
- Inclusive of:
- Food Taste Portions from a minimum of 50 Home-Based Food Vendors for the entire Saturday
- A bottle of San Miguel Super Dry, Premium All-Malt or Cerveza Negra (For foodies 18 years old and above only
- Food Critic Ballot for voting your favorite food discoveries.
- Donation to Rockwell's Typhoon Maring Beneficiaries
A few weeks ago, we saw the poster of the Ramen Burger Poster at Wrong Ramen. It is a collaboration of Wrong Ramen and Umami Hambaagu House. Since we knew Wrong Ramen is usually packed, we planned to visit Umami Hambaagu House instead to be able to dine comfortably.
As expected, there were only few customers at Umami Hambaagu House. We were able to order and seat to our convenience.
Everyone was excited so no one thought of ordering anything else other than the Ramen Burger. It came in such a nice packaging which raised our expectation to another notch.
The Ramen Burger is uses ramen as a bun. As you can see, there are sesame seeds on top with pan-fry marks. For topping it had braised pork belly, fried egg, Japanese mayo, tonkatsu bonito barbecue sauce, lettuce, Umami Hambaagu House's signature beef and pork patty.
Upon first bite, every was intrigued. But it soon faded away once we felt how oily it was. I initially though, it was a bit crispy but the ramen is soggy and it seemed to have absorbed the oil of the pork belly and burger patty. It wasn't even that hot. The Japanese mayo and tonkatsu bonito barbecue sauce failed in making the bland beef and pork patty more enticing to eat. We all couldn't finish it on our own. Hmm... so I guess it wasn't out type. But, worth the try still just for the experience. We regret not ordering from Umami Hambaagu House's normal menu though.
Tsinoy Foodies Other Ramen House/Shop Reviews
Akira Restaurant
Curry Bee Japanese Curry Shop
Hanamaruken Ramen 花丸轩
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
Kitchitora 1 | Kitchitora 2
Kokoro Ramenya
Menya Genki Tonkotsu Ramen
Miso-Ten
Mitsuyado Sei-Men
Moshi Koshi 1 | Moshi Koshi 2
Rai-Rai Ken Ramen House
Ramen Bar
Ramen Cool
Ramen Ichiban-Kan
Ramen Nagi
Ramen Sora
Ramen X (Closed)
Ramen Yushoken
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
As expected, there were only few customers at Umami Hambaagu House. We were able to order and seat to our convenience.
Ramen Burger (240 php) |
Everyone was excited so no one thought of ordering anything else other than the Ramen Burger. It came in such a nice packaging which raised our expectation to another notch.
Ramen Burger (240 php) |
Tsinoy Foodies Other Ramen House/Shop Reviews
Akira Restaurant
Curry Bee Japanese Curry Shop
Hanamaruken Ramen 花丸轩
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
Kitchitora 1 | Kitchitora 2
Kokoro Ramenya
Menya Genki Tonkotsu Ramen
Miso-Ten
Mitsuyado Sei-Men
Moshi Koshi 1 | Moshi Koshi 2
Rai-Rai Ken Ramen House
Ramen Bar
Ramen Cool
Ramen Ichiban-Kan
Ramen Nagi
Ramen Sora
Ramen X (Closed)
Ramen Yushoken
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
Umami Hambaagu House | |
Business Address | The Grove by Rockwell (Across Tiendesitas) C5, Pasig City, Metro Manila |
Business Hours | 11 am-11pm |
Payment Options | Cash |
Service Charge | 10% |
Budget/Person | 240 |
Free WiFi | Yes |
Unlocked Foursquare Perks | None |
Contact | (02) 695-3643 |
Other | Email: hello@umamiburgersteaks.com Website |
Back when we were little kids, life was slow and relaxed. I still recall when my little sister would cheat our siesta time and play as soon as our yaya would step out of our room. Oh, how we miss those days when we were the ones refusing to sleep and now it has become a luxury we could barely afford. And caffeine become our allies in coping with our responsibilities. We grew to love coffee and tea. My little sister even admits her coffee addiction.
After our pleasant experience at Akiba Cafe's first branch in Megamall last year, my little sister and I were quite excited to try the wider selections at their second branch at Ash Creek. Ash Creek is just on the opposite side of Madison Square in Greenhills.
The store is very visible along Ortigas Avenue. It has adequate parking too. According to my other little sister, it's more convenient to drive through and grab a quick drink here in the mornings before going to work.
The place was spacious and cozy. It has lofts and a bar type table on the side too.
Drinks
Classic Hot Kohi
Little sis ordered the Tokyo Cappucino which she loved before. Being particular with coffee, she told me that it wasn't as strong and aromatic as she remembered.
Flavored Hot Kohi
Craving for more caffeine, I ordered a Mt. Fuji Kohi for little sis because she raved about it before. But since this had more cream than the Tokyo Cappucino, it was lighter.
Caffeine-Free Chiru
While my little sis is loyal to the familiar drinks, I opted to try something new with the Black Sesame Chiru. I've always been a black sesame fan. I've tried black sesame mochi, mochi ice cream (Mochi Creme and Mochiko), ice cream (The Cake Club and Hongkong Roast) and macarons. But, this is my first time to try it as a drink. Upon first sip, I instantly fell in love with the perfect blend of texture and flavor from the crushed sesame and cream.
Ever since the Cookie Butter became the latest food trend, many have dared to infuse cookie butter to every form thinkable such as doughnuts (Krispy Kreme and Go Nuts Donuts), cookies, brownies and all sorts. But, none have dared to go as far as making it into a drink like Akiba Cafe's Cookie Butter Chiru. I have to admit, I expected it to be thick and heavy but it turned out to be silky smooth and effort-less to gulp. You haven't enjoyed the best of Cookie Butter until you've tried this!
Trifle Drinks
Although I was delighted with the new chiru offerings, my heart will always belong to Akiba Cafe's Matcha (Green Tea) Trifle Tea. It's a must order for me in every visit.
Katsu Donburi
Little sis tried the Tori Katsu and loved it! She let me try so I could join in with her on her gleeful episode. Indeed the crunchy golder brown coating and the tender and succulent chicken meat was impressive.
The Rosu Katsu was also to rave for! The crunchiness is as sensational as the Tori Katsu. The pork meat was chunky yet juicy and tender. Little sis said she liked this compared to Katsu Cafe's Pork Katsu which was obviously made out of grind pork meat.
Who doesn't love egg? This umami rich food is captivating in whatever way it is prepared. But, never have we been overwhelmed with eggs until we tried Akiba Cafe's Tamago. It has the fluffiness of cotton candy, puffiness of marshmallows and yet, runny yolks! Seriously, my home-cooked scrambled eggs is nothing compared to this. I can't help but wonder how they make this!
I personally find the plain katsu a satisfying viand on its own. But, the sauce made it even more irresistible. Every sauce had its own flare but we had our favorite pairings. For us the best match for the Tori Katsu is the Teriyaki while the best match for the Rosu Katsu is the Japanese Curry. We're guessing that the Garlic Wasabi, Seaweed and Parmesan would definitely complement the Sakana (Fish) Katsu well.
Cakes
s
I've been wanting to try their Banoffee so this time finally gave it a try! I usually find a Banoffee too sweet for my threshold but this one swooned me over. The rhapsody of texture of the light and smooth cream, slippery and mushy bananas, thick and chewy toffee, heavy and crunchy crust is superb.
Too bad we couldn't share the same enthusiasm for the Japanese Cheesecake. Our expectation of a Japanese Cheesecake would be soft, light and creamy like that of Mother's Crepe or Tokyo Cafe. Instead we got this... It was hard and not in a good way like that of my favorite Sarah Lee Butter Pound Cake but in a stale kind of way. And, the thick crust was even harder. Little sis didn't want to eat another spoonful of it so I had to gobble it up on my own which was not a problem for me thanks to the of delicious drinks.
Little sis will never forgive me if we ended with that so I suggested that she try the Sweet Potato Cake was one of my favorite cakes at Akiba second to the Green Tea Cheesecake. As expected, she loved it and we were all smiles as we went on our way home.
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Akiba Cafe has always been a great choice for drinks and cakes. Now, it got even better with its delicious meals. That's what I love about Akiba Cafe. There's always something worth coming back for.
After our pleasant experience at Akiba Cafe's first branch in Megamall last year, my little sister and I were quite excited to try the wider selections at their second branch at Ash Creek. Ash Creek is just on the opposite side of Madison Square in Greenhills.
The store is very visible along Ortigas Avenue. It has adequate parking too. According to my other little sister, it's more convenient to drive through and grab a quick drink here in the mornings before going to work.
The place was spacious and cozy. It has lofts and a bar type table on the side too.
Drinks
Classic Hot Kohi
Tokyo Cappucino Regular (110 php) |
Flavored Hot Kohi
Mt. Fuji Kohi Regular (140 php) |
Caffeine-Free Chiru
♥ Black Sesame Chiru Regular (140 php) |
♥ Cookie Butter Chiru Regular |
Trifle Drinks
♥ Matcha (Green Tea) Trifle Tea Regular (110 php) |
Katsu Donburi
♥ Tori Katsu (325 php) |
♥ Rosu Katsu (325 php) |
♥ Tamago (25 php) |
Classic, Teriyaki, Japanese Curry, Garlic Wasabi, Seaweed and Parmesan (55 php/additional sauce) |
Cakes
s
♥ Banoffee (80 php) |
♥ Banoffee (80 php) |
Japanese Cheesecake (120 php) |
♥ Sweet Potato Cake (130 php) |
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Akiba Cafe has always been a great choice for drinks and cakes. Now, it got even better with its delicious meals. That's what I love about Akiba Cafe. There's always something worth coming back for.
Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating | Akiba Cafe Ash Creek Menu | |
Ambiance | ★★★★ | Hot Drinks | Cold Drinks | Meals | |
Taste | ★★★ | |
Service | ★★★ | |
Price | ★★★ | |
♥=Favorites or Recommended |
Akiba Cafe Ash Creek | |
Business Address | G/F Ash Creek Center, Ortigas Ave. corner Madison St. San Juan City, Metro Manila |
Business Hours | 10am-10pm |
Payment Options | Cash |
Service Charge | |
Budget/Person | 120-400 |
Free WiFi | Yes (couldn't get it to work) |
Unlocked Foursquare Perks | None |
Contact | (02) 975-0953 |
Other | Email: akibacafe@yahoo.com Website | Facebook Fan Page |
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