I've long heard of Red Baron Ribs and Steaks from my siblings.  But, I have not tried it until recently.

They have two branches (both beside a car wash).  Since I'm from Manila, their Santa Cruz branch is nearer to me.  It is also near one of my favorite safety shop Wyler Enterprises so I'm familiar with the area.

They have an indoor and an al fresco area.

Food

Complimentary Dried Peanuts

Nibbles

Nacho Small (148 php)

Red Baron's Nachos are one of the best I've tried!  This is the first time I've encountered nachos made using wanton wrappers and not tortilla.  It works!  It's very crunchy and it doesn't get too soggy.

Soup or Salad

Baked Potato Soup (159 php)

The Baked Potato Soup is a great warm tummy filler.  But, you could skip this for the more awesome meaty dishes.


Pasta or Sandwich

Flakey Tuna Pie (159 php)

If you can resist other more interesting offerings and want to settle for a healthier option, here's the Flakey Tuna Pie for you.

Burgerology

Brunch Monster Burger (255 php)

The Brunch Monster Burger is a burger that is sure to satisfy your hunger.  It's a 3-layeres sandwich: (1) bacon, (2) 100% Angus Beef Patty and (3) Scrambled Egg.  The bread is buttered too for additional flavor. 

 

Hawaiian Luau Burger (225 php)

If you like it sweet and savory, the Hawaiian Luau Burger is a great choice.  Their special rib sauce works wonderfully with the pineapple slice, ham and tomatoes.


Ribs

Ribs Full (2 Rice + 3 Wildside) (698 php)

If you ask me what's my top pick, it would definitely be Red Baron's Ribs.   A full slab comes with   3 sides.  We had the Buttered Corn, Sweet Mashed Potato and Red Baron Signature Rice.

Steak Mania (1 Wildside + 1 Rice + Jar of Dried Peanuts in Shell)

Rib Eye Steak (295 php)

The Rib Eye Steak is 1/2 inch cut steak.  It already has a tasty marinate.  But, you still have the option to eat it with gravy.  This is very tender with the right amount of fatty parts that we love.
 

Lamb Steak (299 php)

The Lamb Steak is 2 pieces of thin and lean lamb meat.  It has a bit of spiciness.  I liked this!  But, it may not appeal to some since it is dry compared to the other steak options.

TW Steak (285 php)

If you want a very tasty steak, the TW Steak is for you.  It is slightly thicker than the Rib Eye Steak so as expected a bit tougher but still easy to slice and chew.

Happy Endings

Frozen Crunchy Mango Cake Slice (145 php)

The Frozen Crunchy Mango Cake Slice is a cool and refreshing dessert.  I love the crunchy icy cream texture. 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Red Baron Ribs and Steaks is one of the best ribs, steak and burger options you can go for in Manila.  Their pricing is very reasonable as the serving portions are hefty and good for sharing. 

I still can't get over last night's grand opening party as Roku Sushi Ramen Donburi opens in Level 1 TriNoma.  

Mika Romero Inviting You to Try Roku!

Roku is a family-oriented and student-friendly Japanese restaurant concept formulated by Mika Romero.  Mika has been yearning for a good quality Japanese casual restaurant near the University where she studied.  Since she can't find any, she decided to put up one herself with the guidance of her mother Sheila Romero.  

Roku means 6 because they are 6 in the family.  And, they want Roku to embody their family-oriented passion in everything they do.  


As a shy wallflower type of foodie, I was really overwhelmed by the awesomeness of the party.

The event was graced by the Ayala Top Management, celebrities and politicians.
 

There were also media, fellow bloggers (spotted on the photo above are: Arcee of TheBagInvestigator.Com, Jonel Uy and Marjorie Uy of SeatForTwo.Com, Aldous of AldousAteTheWorld.blogspot.com) and Instagramers (spotted on the photo above are: @sheroseontimare, @thehungrychef , @maxieissuper, @thebaldbakerph and @manilaeatup).  Though I was to shy to approach them as their follower, I was glad to see these people who I look up to.


Music performances of Curtismith and  St.Vincent & The Grenadines rocked the party.  
 
And, of course there were tons of food!
 

Pork Gyoza (169 php)

The Pork Gyoza is pretty good.  Thin and soft shelled with succulent juicy ground pork.

Dream Roll (259 php)

 Our favorite with tempura-battered salmon, kani and cream cheese.

Firecracker Roll (249 php)

 Too bad I was the only one on our table who can tolerate spiciness so I had to finish the Firecracker Roll all by myself ~ with pleasure. =p

Sailboat Roll (259 php)

 The Sailboat Roll has spicy tuna with crunchy wantons.  Loved the appearance and the experience it delivers too.

S.S. Roll (249 php)

The S.S. Roll  is tasty salmon teriyaki on top and filled ith salmon skin, cream cheese and cucumber.  Yum!

Gyudon (sample portions)

The Gyudon is so good because it has shitake mushrooms to enhance the flavor.

 

Chashu Shoyu Tonkotssu (sample portions)

Roku's Tonkotsu broth (boiled for 12 hours) was specially created by Japanese Ramen Master, Kenji Dobashi of famous ramen house Kagari in Ginza, Japan.  Their chashu slices are  slow-cooked and marinated for 8 hours.  So you could really taste so much of the rich goodness in every sip of the Chashu Shoyu Tonkotssu.

Kampai to Roku

I really enjoyed the night!  And, I will definitely try more of their dishes (and review them) with the family next time. 
 
P.S. In case you've wonder how I ended up in such a party...  I was invited by one of my longtime instagram followers to attend Roku.   When I first heard this, I was really surprised and quickly turned red.  Up until my recent acquisition of the Zenphone 2, I swear my instagram photos were horrible.  My family and relatives were literally begging me not to post anymore because my photos were not recognizable or if they were, they looked disgusting.  Even now, none of my siblings follow me on instagram because of that.  So, whoever has been my follower ever since deserves my utmost gratitude and I would certainly like to thank them in person haha.  My photos are now recognizable so hope you can follow me @tsinoyfoodies

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.