Way back in high school, my classmates and I would sneakily eat behind the teacher's back just for fun.  We Tsinoys call that "Taw Cha".  We would take turns bringing snacks and share it with the group.  One day, my classmate brought Kopi Roti which was entirely new for me.  

I asked where he bought it and brought home some for the family as a surprise.  They loved it too and since then we've been loyal customers.

Food


Set

♥ Set E: 1 pc. Kopi Bun with Coffee (or tea) (105 php)

When dining in, our usual order is Set E: 1 pc. Kopi Bun with Coffee (or tea).  Kopi Roti's Coffee is pretty good for such an affordable price.

♥ Kopi Bun (50 php)

But,our favorite is really their Kopi Bun.  Just its coffee and butter aroma can wake me up from a drowsy state.  When I was in high school, this was only 30 php.  Naturally, it's been price has increased like the rest of the commodities.

♥ Kopi Bun (50 php)

The Kopi Bun has a thin flavorful crispy coffee crust with followed by its  soft and fluffy dough with warm butter in the middle.  Whenever we spot a Kopi Roti branch, we'd buy some of this for take home.  They have a nice packaging for 6 pieces with matching paper bag.  We enjoy eating this for breakfast or merienda.  It's easy to reheat.  We just use the electric oven toaster.

Kaya Puff (25 php)

It's our first time to try the Kaya Puff which was smaller in size and topped with powdered sugar.

Kaya Puff (25 php)

It was not as crisp as the Kopi Bun.  Instead of butter, it had the Kaya spread.  It was pale in comparison to our all-time favorite Kopi Bun.

Soft Boiled Eggs (35 php)

They also offer the Soft Boiled Eggs  which was prepared the Singaporean way.  It has 2 soft boiled eggs mixed with black soy sauce and sprinkled with white pepper.  I'm not a big fan of this style since I love my eggs plain as I appreciate the egg yolk flavor but some prefer eating eggs this way.  If you haven't tried this, you should try it out for yourself.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Over the years, we've tried coffee buns from local bakeshops and international franchises but nothing even comes close to Kopi Roti!  It is still our favorite Kopi Buns and I think it's pretty tough to beat. 

The perfect way to cap the last day of the week so to wine and dine.  So one Friday night, I convinced my friend Eric to try the Yamazaki Nights at Akira The Art of Sushi & Teppanyaki which is just walking distance from his work place.

Akira The Art of Sushi & Teppanyaki has an al fresco area for those who don't want to enjoy the DJ beats and want to smoke.


But, we're more of an indoor type.  I love it's serene interiors and nature-influenced musical background.  You get to be in touch with nature even when you're comfortably inside and air-conditioned. 

They have a sushi bar with designer chairs.

I prefer seating by the Teppanyaki area for a more interactive experience.

Their chef is very skillful and has 20-years of culinary experience in Japan. 

Every Friday and Saturday nights from 10 pm to 2 am, they have the Yamazaki nights where the nights dim and the DJ does his thing.

Food

Fried Rice

Akira Fried Rice (248 php/Good for 2)

For staple, we had the Akira Fried Rice.

Sushi

Mixed Sushi (538 php)

Look at how fresh their Mixed Sushi is.  It has Ebi, Uni (sea urchin), Ikura (octopus), Tamago (egg), Kani (crabstick), Tuna, Ika (squid), Salmon and Hamachi (Yellow Tail).  I think they were out of Unagi (eel) so it was replaced with another Tuna.

Sushi Rolls

Crunchy Tuna Rolls

♥ Akira Roll (348 php)

The Akira Roll is the classic california maki topped with tempura bits, grated cheese and spicy mayo.  I liked this upgraded rendition more.
 

Chicken Teriyaki Roll (309 php)

For those who are allergic seafood, you can try their Chicken Teriyaki Roll. 

A La Carte

Ebi Tempura (368 php)

Ebi Tempura is always the default order for most so I tend to order this when I'm not sure what my companion would like.

Japanese Mushrooms (268 php)

The Japanese Mushrooms is cooked in the foil with butter and sake. This isn't interesting...

Teppanyaki A La Carte

♥ U.S. Tenderloin (150 g) (518 php)

We loved the U.S. Tenderloin which was really tender and succulent. 

Desserts

Ice Cream Parfait (268 php)

The Ice Cream Parfait is a medley of mango, avocado and vanilla ice cream with mandarin orange topped with whipped cream, chocolate syrup and cherry.  It's supposed to have strawberries too but it wasn't available.

Fruit Flambe (168 php)

The Fruit Flambe has peach slices, sweetened tempura flakes and vanilla ice cream with whipped cream and cherry on top.  You can also opt for banana or pear instead of peaches.

Drinks

Akira Iced Tea (98 php)

I had the Akira Iced Tea which is a pretty good blend.

Cocktails

Blue Crush (219 php)

The Blue Crush is cool to try because of the color. =)

House Cocktails

Absolute Sex (198 php)

Eric loved the Absolute Sex which had kurant, midori, cranberry and soda.

Sex on the Beach (148 php)

The Sex on the Beach is a mix of vodka, peachsnapps and soda.  According to Eric, all their drinks are very "suabe" or smooth so you could hardly feel the alcohol in them.
 

Mudslide (168 php)

The Mudslide is a vodka, baileys and kalhua mix.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Akira The Art of Sushi & Teppanyaki is a great place to chill in Makati for some drinks and authentic Japanese sushi and teppanyaki dishes.  Join in on their Yamazaki Nights on Friday and Satuday nights 10 pm and 2 am.  It's actually an extension of their normal hours with added music too.  Both of us have been working really hard for the entire week so we're so glad that we could relax over a candle lit dinner, cool beats and drinks. 

During our Kapitolyo Christmas food trip, we got to try Mad Mark's Creamery & Good Eats.  But, only the ice cream. 

So when I saw it open in Glorietta 5 just beside Kichitora, I knew I had to complete the experience.

Our visit was a weekday afternoon so we're lucky there wasn't a long line by the counter. 

Compared to their first branch, this is more spacious.  They have tables on the outside too.  They get packed on weekends. 

For ice cream, they have the same chalk board menu.

Compared to the one in Kapitolyo, this branch has more flavor availability.

Food

Man Sandwiches

Mariner (180 php/Half)

The Mariner is a filled with fish fillet, lettuce, tomatoes and marine sauce.  I rarely go for sandwiches because I don't like the dryness but this one has awesome crunch, softness and sauciness that I couldn't stop digging in.

Mad Mark's Grill Works
For the Mad Mark's Grill Works selection, there are three steps:
Step 1: choose your Grilled Entry
Step 2: choose you Grilling Sauces
Step 3:  choose 2 Side Dishes

♥ Signature Steak Regular (200g) (285 php)

Grilled Entry: Signature Steak Regular (200g)
Grilling Sauces: Cream Mushroom Sauce
2 Side Dishes: Smashed Potato and Grilled Corn on the Cob (apparently off the cob)

I'm quite surprised with the price of their Signature Steak.  We had ours cooked medium and it was cooked perfectly so.  We enjoyed the oozing juiciness of our USDA Angus Striploin steak.  This is now on top of my list to go to for steak cravings while on a budget.  (Surpassing Bugsy's Siegel) I don't think any other mall establishment can offer a quality steak at the price they offer.   

Creolle Grilled Chicken (195 php)

Grilled Entry: Creolle Grilled Chicken (200g)
Grilling Sauces: Roasted Nut Sauce
2 Side Dishes: Garden Grains and Bacon Potato Salad

The Creolle Grilled Chicken is a healthier option but as satisfying.  The chicken meat was tender and moist.

Ice Cream

♥ Apple Saigon Cinnamon (85 php/single scoop)

If you're a fan of apple pies like me, you'll surely fall in love with the Apple Saigon Cinnamon.  This is the best flavor at Mad Mark's for me!

Banoreo (150 php/double scoop)

Being an ultimate Oreo fan, I also enjoyed the Banoreo which is banana ice cream with Oreo bits.

Half-Baked Madagascar (150 php/double scoop)

The Half-Baked Madagascar was not mixed nicely so it had inconsistent texture... Surely, I'd love to give it a second try though.

♥ The Rolling Dutchman Ice Cream Sandwich (150 php)

The Rolling Dutchman Ice Cream Sandwich flavor that day was nutella and cookie butter with madagascar vanilla bean.  Wow!  It was really good!  The bread is warm and soft.  This makes the ordinary pandesal ice cream sandwiches seem like the lamest thing.  And, what better spread could there be then nutella and cookie butter right?  They complement the madagascar vanilla bean wonderfully.

Other Reviews at Kapitolyo Pasig
Bullchef
Lia's Cakes in Season
Nav Modern Thai Cuisine
Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Mad Mark's Creamery & Good Eats is a place I could dine at over and over.  The food is great and everything is unbelievably priced! 

My mom grew up loving the Maki Mi of Mañosa in Ongpin.  So when we heard that there is Mañosa Noodles, Seafood & Chops at RCBC Plaza in the corner of Sen Gil Puyat and Ayala in Makati, we decided to dine there to relive her childhood memories. 

Mañosa is one of the oldest authentic Chinese restaurants.  It was first established in 1940's! 


The place had yellow lighting.  The walls had pictures of the old Binondo.  The interior gives a rustic and native Filipino-Chinese feel to it. 

Food

Soup

Maki (110 php)

My brother ordered the Maki which is only broth and starched beef strips without noodles.

♥ Maki Mi (120 php)

Everyone was so excited I guess that we ordered a Maki Mi for each of us.  The serving is generous so it overwhelmed us.  We could probably finish it if it was our only order but since it wasn't, we should've at last shared this. >.< The Maki Mi was good though.  The broth was thick, rich and slimy just the way its supposed to be.  The starched beef strips was savory and tender.  The noodles is your typical Chinese egg noodles. 

Seafood

♥ Oyster Cake (200 php)

Don't let its confusing marbled appearance fool you.  This is one damn good Oyster Cake!

Pork

♥ Pata Tim (365 php)

The Pata Tim is a Filipino Chinese fusion braised pork leg dish.  This is our family favorite.  Despite being health-conscious, all of us easily succumb to the flavorful yet sinful pork skin and oh-so-tender braised pork meat.  We also ate the vegetables to lessen the guilt. =p

Noodles

Chami (140 php)

Cha means "stir-fry" and Mi means "noodles" in Chinese.  I like their unique version which is soaked in Maki sauce because I'm not fond of dry noodles in the first place.  This had thick egg noodles and loads of meat strips and vegetables. 

Rice

Kiampong (48 php)

The only let down for the night was the Kiampong.   It tasted odd! 

Machang (65 php)

We love Machang!  In fact, we always have a stock at home in case we're to lazy to cook, we just boil one.  Mañosa's version was simple with pork chunks that's quite meaty and not too fatty.  It was good but I'd prefer a Machang with black mushrooms. 

Drinks

♥ Black Gulaman (50 php)

The Black Gulaman is not only cheap but it was very refreshing!  Everyone ordered a glass of this.  This had vanilla essence, shaved ice, sugar and gulaman cubes. 

♥ Mango Black Gulaman (70 php)

I ordered an extra Mango Black Gulaman because I've never tried one before.  I super loved this tantalizing glass of sweet mango puree with black gulaman cubes! 


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
The legendary fame for affordably priced authentic Chinese dishes of  Mañosa Noodles, Seafood & Chops continuous and I bet it will go on for a very long time.  Their Maki Mi is as good as it has always been.  Don't miss out on it.