It's been a very long time since the girls of The Foodies Circle met.  I haven't seen the girls since last year!  Naturally, a hangout together is long overdue.  And, there's no better place to chill over good food and chill than Applebee's which we have long wanting to try.

We all rarely go to Eastwood so coming from the side, we didn't see Applebee's at first.  Good thing they had a sign by their stairs pointing us to go up.


When we got up, we were surprised to see how big and spacious the place was.  The interiors gave a hint of a laid back kind of bar.


After the first portion, there are more booths that for many would be more comfortable and well-suited for dining.


Yet, it still keeps the same dim and yellow hued lighting.  Some parents would find it to be too dark as a family restaurant but then for me, some family restaurants like Tony Roma's is even darker. 

Food  

Appetizer

♥ Fried Sweet & Spicy Pickles (195 php)

There were a lot of interesting appetizer options.  But, we were really intrigued by the Fried Sweet & Spicy Pickles.   Upon trying this out, we felt that we made the right choice.  The boys were more delighted than us since this is an amazing bar chow.

Salads

♥ Grilled Watermelon & Spicy Shrimp Salad Half (445 php)

Applebee's menu has an extensive menu including greens.  So glad they have salads because I always aim for a balance meal.  The Grilled Watermelon & Spicy Shrimp Salad swooned all of us.  I like the ying and yang between the grilled watermelon offered a sweet fruity flavor and the spicy shrimp added a nice kick together.  Together with the feta cheese, yogurt dressing and almond, this salad is the bomb!

Buffalo Chicken Salad Half (325 php)

If you like a very bold spicy, sweet and salty flavors to go with your greens, get the Buffalo Chicken Salad.  But, most of us found the taste to be strikingly sharp for our taste buds.

Pasta

Spinach Artichoke and Grilled Chicken Cavatappi (495 php)

Since I'm crazy for spinach dips, seeing the Spinach Artichoke and Grilled Chicken Cavatappi instantly lured me to order it.  However, we all felt that the spinach being fried in this case was too subtle to create a good balance against the creamy artichoke sauce.


Chicken and Fish

Teriyaki Balsamic Glazed Salmon (675 php)

If there was an order we would not have made, it would be the Teriyaki Balsamic Glazed Salmon.  The thick salmon slice was not cooked as evenly as we would have hoped.

Local Favorites

Applebee's Pork Liempo Adobo (485 php)

So I suggest ditch the Teriyaki Balsamic Glazed Salmon for the wholesome Applebee's Pork Liempo Adobo.

Sandwiches, Tacos and More

♥ BBQ Beef Brisket Tacos (545 php)

The BBQ Beef Brisket Tacos is served quesadillas style with dips and sauce.


Burgers

Triple Meat All-In Burger (795 php)

Okay if you're looking for an instant heart attack, get the Triple Meat All-In Burger!  Just kidding!  But, wow this is one bad-ass burger with USDA beef burger patty, double smoked bacon, honey barbecued shredded beef brisket with cheddar cheese.


Desserts

Banofee Cheesecake (350 php)

We all yearned for an evident banana taste from the Banofee Cheesecake.  We can't help but feel disappointed that the banana component is just the banana chips.  I suggest that you order this for sharing because the cheesecake is very rich and dense. 

♥ S'Mores Creme Brulee (375 php)

I highly recommend the S'Mores Creme Brulee as a meal ender.  The slightly burnt marshmallows and rich dark chocolate fudge with caramelized crisp is wonderfully comforting to eat.  I never thought that smores could presented like this!  It is fun, appealing and delicious!


Drinks


Local Crafted

♥ Brew Kettle (110 php)

Sweet Adventures and Refreshers

♥ Strawberry Banana Colada (195 php), Fresh Mango Shake (175 php), Blueberry Cheesecake Shake (195 php), Fresh Lemonade (150 php)

Happy Birthday Surprise for Achie Joan (At Applebee's There's Always a Reason to Celebrate!!!)

We surely had a great time over Applebee's New Menu for 2017.   I have so much more to try so I'm coming back with the family next time!

The family loves Tokyo Tonteki.  But, such love cannot overcome the distance from our home to UP Town Center so we're very glad they opened their second branch in Greenbelt 5. 

I actually find it a bit odd that they had a narrow entrance. 

And, along that narrow entrance is a display of their dishes.

The design is less elegant than their UP Town Center pioneer branch but it's still bright and clean looking.

Food

Starters

Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado and Onsen Egg (190 php)

I've shared and raved about the Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado and Onsen Egg on my first review.  Of course, I have to have more of it! 

Set Meals (Unlimited Pork Miso Soup, Japanese Rice and Cabbage)

Tonteki Sets (Premium Pork Loin Sets)

Regular Tonteki Set (375 php)

Starting with their classic item: Regular Tonteki Set served with unlimited pork miso soup, Japanese rice and cabbage.

Japanese Cucumber Pickles

It also comes with a serving of Japanese Cucumber Pickles.
 

Regular Tonteki Set (375 php)

The Regular Tonteki is glazed with the tonteki sauce.  It's a really flavorful blend that's quite captivating.  But, I still like the Ginger Flavored Pork Steak Set more.

Tonburg Sets (100% Pure Ground Pork)

Tonburg Steak Set with Tonteki Sauce (375 php)

The Tonburg Steak Set with Tonteki Sauce is another all-time favorite for me.  But, if you  have more money to spend, I' suggest going for the heese Tonburg Steak Set.

Chicken Steak Sets

Chicken Steak w/ Teriyaki Sauce (350 php)

I really liked their Chicken Steak w/ Teriyaki Sauce because the taste is just right.  It wasn't short of flavor nor was it too sweet or salty.  It's difficult to decide whether this is better than the Chicken Steak Set with Onion Steak Sauce I've tried before.


Katsu Sets

Salmon Fry 4 pcs. (360 php)

This is the first time I'm trying their Katsu. As you can see, their Salmon Fry is beautifully prepared.  The Katsu breading is so thin and crisp.  The salmon is also fresh and juicy.

Side Dishes

Sundubu Style Tonteki Stew (300 php)

My favorite dish in Tokyo Tonteki is actually not their pork steak but just a side dish.  It's the Sundubu Style Tonteki Stew I just had to order in every visit!  It you like spicy Korean dishes, order this!

Stir-Fried Japanese Mushrooms (250 php)

The Stir-Fried Japanese Mushrooms still has 3 kinds of mushrooms.  But, I noticed that their not as big as I remembered them to be.


Rice

Special Fried Rice with Egg (150 php)

The Special Fried Rice with Egg is sinangag escalated ti the highest level.  Everyone was crazy for this!

Dessert

Chocolate Pudding w/ Whipped Cream (120 php)

It appears that they have totally revamped their dessert menu.  Although I liked the old ones, I'm glad they did because of this Chocolate Pudding w/ Whipped Cream.  It's so good with its semi-powdery but still silky texture, rick dark chocolate taste and addictive vanilla whipped cream.  I won't deny that I didn't want to share this and I didn't!  I swear I'll order this in every visit!

Creme Brulee (120 php)

The Creme Brulee is good but it faded just behind the Chocolate Pudding w/ Whipped Cream's limelight.

Beverages

Bottomless Iced Tea Lemon (85 php)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Tokyo Tonteki is now available for those from the South side. I know I'm surely coming back for more of their pork steak and more.  I'd strongly suggest you give it a try too.

Sometimes, I just want to put life on a hold and press "pause".  For some reason, I just want to stop and chill a bit before I can go on and press "play" and it goes on.  On time, I feel like that I just randomly do something out of the ordinary.  This time, I went to the nearest hotel just to have some snack. It was a bit odd that the cafe had no label or signage at all.  I wouldn't have known its name Caliber Cafe if I hadn't asked.

I've been to Armada Hotel once but that was for Raja Thai Cuisine.  This one is more cozy and elegant so I was taken by surprise.  No idea what star of hotel Armada Hotel is.  But, the cafe looks grand don't you think?

I loved the red cushioned seats which I wouldn't mind seating on for hours while enjoying their fast and reliable WiFi.

Food

Soups & Salads

♥ Traditional Caesar Salad (335 php)

I had the Traditional Caesar Salad which looks good right?  It is!

Desserts
I'll be honest.  I came there to escape the intense hot weather and was craving for something cold like halo-halo.  But upon glancing the menu, they didn't have that so I had these instead.

♥ Chocolate Salami (95 php)

I loved the creativity they put on the Chocolate Salami so I ordered one.  It was a delicious rich dark chocolate with marshmallow and cashew nuts.  It was so good!  I love the plating too. 
 

Angel Caramelo (105 php)

The Angel Caramelo is creme brulee.  It was nothing out of the ordinary.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
If you're looking for a good hotel cafe with an elegant and cozy ambiance and good WiFi, definitely put Caliber Cafe into consideration.  The price is standard for a hotel cafe.  The service is top-notch too. 

After our dinner at Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant, we were craving for dessert.  I suggested that we try Wildflour Cafe + Bakery.  

News about this place has spread within the foodie community ever since it opened.  But, I've passed on previous chances just to wait until the passing of its soft opening stage so I can enjoy the full experience and render a fair judgment as well.
 
Thus, we walked towards Wildflour Cafe + Bakery finding it packed when it was already around 9:30 pm on a Saturday night.   It looks like a typical urban cafe in the U.S. with its large glass windows, modern lighting and wood furnished fixtures.

While waiting for our table, we bought some pastries for dine-in and take out as they were sold at 50% OFF. 

We also took the chance to observe their busy kitchen.  I'm happy to observe that they use my favorite peanut butter brand "Skippy" and their loaded with tons of "Nutella". =D



After a few minutes of wait, we were led to our wooden table by the al fresco area.  I just love the table set up.  The candle light in a bottle, the checkered napkins and a tin full of utensils gives off a warm and nostalgic feel similar to the ones you have when enjoying a laid back picnic in a park.

Food

Desserts

Tiramisu Creme Brulee (180 php)

The Tiramisu Creme Brulee is our server's suggestion.  It's a creme brulee with espresso ice cream beneath it.  It's the first time I've enjoyed tiramisu this way so it was quite an experience.  The texture and the sweetness level is right on the mark.

 

Apple Pie (170 php)

The Apple Pie is their best-selling dessert item.  Upon first bite into its streussel, caramel sauce and slightly sour apple bits, I instantly understood why.  Their Apple Pie is so divine!  Every component just blends wonderfully together.  This is the best Apple Pie I've tried yet.  

Pastries

Blueberry Almond (170 php) (Bought at 50% off!)

I'm not much a fan of pastries but the Blueberry Almond is so amazing that I couldn't help but fall in love with its moist bread topped with generous amount of blueberries and almonds.

Hot Drinks

Cappuccino Small (110 php)

If the food was good, you can expect the same from their beverages.  My dear brother loved his fragrant Cappucino.
 

Chai Tea Latte (120 php)

My tea-loving sister adored her Chai Tea Latte as well.

Brewed Pour Over Coffee

Ethiopia (135 php)

I watched as my mom took her time to appreciate every sip of her bold Ethiopa brewed coffee.

Organic Teas Per Pot

Green Moroccan Mint Tea (140 php)

My little sister and I shared over the pot of Green Moroccan Mint Tea.  A pot is good for 4 cups so its good for sharing.  Like the rest of our orders, it was a fine choice as well.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Wildflour Cafe + Bakery is a cafe and bakery you'll surely fall in love with.  The ambiance, food and drinks is has its own unique way of delivering a transcendent experience.  The price is competitive with cafes and lounges around the area too.  I will definitely pay this another visit as soon and as much as I can.