Lemuria.
For this meal, we were presented with a tantalizing menu of Lemuria classics.
As an appetizer to the entire dining experience, we were given their home-made breads which are freshly prepared in-store using hand-churned butter. Among their selection are French Baguette, Walnut Loaf made with walnut, honey and molasses, and Foccaccia with sundried tomato. These are complimentary and served along any meal purchased :)

Foie Gras Trio (1,150 php)

Braised Lamb & Apricot Galette |(365 php)

Seabass (1,260 php)

Duck Leg Confit w/ Cassoulet  (1,310 php)

Beef Bourguignon (940 php)

Finishing up the main course was a serving of their Beef Bourguignon. As with all flavorful meats, this was braised and marinated for 2-3 days; Lemuria braises theirs in red wine reduction and slow cooks it for a full 8 hours. The effort is very evident with a beef that is absolutely melt in your mouth and flavorful, further complemented by the sweetness that comes with a side of shallots. This was my favorite dish for the evening.

Lemuria Cheesecake (294 php)

A sweet ending to a perfect meal, the meal ended with a dessert bearing the restaurant’s own name, the Lemuria Cheesecake. Arguably very popular, this is not just like any other cheesecake. Lemuria uses a combination of Carabao’s Milk, Goat’s Cheese, and Dulce de Leche to achieve a distinct and original cheesecake flavor that is full, creamy with a harmonious blend of dairy. Topped with their homemade strawberry compote and this dessert was just the perfect way to end the night.



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When my mom's best friend came home from the US, I recommended that they dine at Apag Marangle Kapamangan Restaurant.  We've been meaning to dine at their Pampanga branch but could no longer find a consolidated time given our work.  Mom loved it so much and she wanted to try more of their dishes so she decided that we celebrate her birthday there. 

So that Sunday, we made reservations.  

Only to find the place barely empty on a Sunday night.  We reserved the entire mezzanine area which has the best ambiance.  It has kawayan tables and benches with a fish pond.

Look at how huge their menu is.  It takes the form of a giant leaf.  There are so many options.  Although we are a group of almost 30, we couldn't try them all and we had a lot of left overs.

Although Apag Marangle is found at the heart of Makati specifically at Park Square, their interiors and dish presentation will make you feel like your having a native-style salu-salo in Pampanga or some provincial area.

Pulutan

♥ Chili Garlic Camaru (185 php)

My cousins wanted to try the exotic dish of Chili Garlic Camaru.  It was dominantly garlicky so you really can't tell that you're eating insects.  This was passed in between tables several times before we finished this though.  Some are not daring enough to try.
 
Seafoods

Ningnang Pusit

Among all our orders, the Ningnang Pusit did not make a lasting impression because it is simply grilled squid.


Nasi (Rice)

♥ Nasi Marangle (275 php)

Although we ordered the Nasi Marangle as staple, as you can see it already has enough viands to consider as a meal in itself.  I'm not sure if its just our Ilocano roots but we loved this very much since it's similar to the Ilocano dish pinakbet with the addition of rice.

Tabang Talangka (175 php)

The boys opted for the Tabang Talangka.  I think they had to burn this off at the gym later on.

Manuk (Chicken)

♥ Pepalukluk Manuk (415 php)

According to my aunt, there's a similar Ilocano dish that looks like this which my Angkong used to cook.  Since we never got to try it, the Pepalukluk Manuk is the closest that we will get to try.  It is very light tasting on its on so have it with the bagoong or vinegar sauce.

♥ Kalderetang Bibe (415 php)

The Kalderetang Bibe is so good!  This is one of the dishes that was first to be emptied.


Sabo (Soup)

Suam Mais (220 php)

The Suam Mais reminds me of sweet corn in soup form.  At first, it was comforting but I couldn't the cup.

♥ Bulalo (545 php)

The Bulalo is a classic and it wins over the other soups we ordered.

♥ Bulalo (545 php)

 The price is just right given the amount of meat.

♥ Sigang King Kamias Bangus (320 php)

We also loved the Sigang King Kamias Bangus.

Pagmayumu (Desserts)

♥ Meyumuang Kamuti (135 php)

The oldies ordered the Meyumuang Kamuti.  It was surprisingly good that even though we were all full from our overwhelming amount of orders, we found this pleasurable to eat.

Leche Flan (Big) (175 php)

The Leche Flan is delicious but nothing extraordinary.

♥ Ebun Malat Ice Cream (65 php)

Our top pick for dessert is the Ebun Malat Ice Cream.  I did not really dive into the salted egg craze despite receiving so many salted egg chips as gifts but one spoonful of this boy this is Ebun Malat Ice Cream and I'm a fan.

Inuman

Buko-Pandan Juice (70 php) and Lemon Grass Tea (70 php)

For drinks, any of the choices are good.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I highly recommend Apag Marangle especially for Balikbayans and foreigners who want to experience native Kapamapangan cuisine including exotic ones.  The pricing is reasonable and the ambiance and service is nice.  The serving size is good for sharing so the bigger the company, the better.  For us, this seems to be an under-rated establishment.

Todd English Food Hall has been hyped when it arrived.  My siblings were one of the many eager beavers who lined up just to try it but not me... I'm once again the last with the bandwagon.


I thought the big signage with clear glass window was the entrance... Only to find out from my little sisters that it was the exit. 
 
The real entrance is located at the side where waiting seats are placed.  Everyone is listening attentively as their name will only be called thrice before moving on to the next.  There were no microphones nor do they text so I suggest that you patiently stay put of you'll miss your turn like we did.  Boo! :( 
By the time we were relisted, called and ushers to our table, we were all so hungry that we just ordered everything our server suggested.

While waiting for our orders, I can't help but observe how cool and modern the interiors were.

There's a raw area by the side which many don't seem to notice.  Although it's a food hall, this one seems more formal.  Everyone was seated and no one bothers getting off their seat to notice the surroundings.

This seemed famous based on the online photos.

We forgot to try their macarons...

We loved the playfulness they did with the colorful pasta.

Agree with the quote?

Food

Signature Pasta 

♥ Brooklyn Style Meatball Spaghetti (330 php)

I've never gone crazy for a spaghetti.... that is before I've tried the Brooklyn Style Meatball Spaghetti.


The Grill

♥ T.E Slider (390 php)

The T.E Slider may look simple but it's the X factor because of its tasty beef pattie.


Mainss

♥ T.E Half Chicken (320 php)

The T.E Half Chicken is hands down the best among all our orders!  Don't miss this!

♥ T.E Half Pork Chop (440 php)

The T.E Half Pork Chop is a 48-hou brined pork chop.  It was pretty good.  It was tender and succulent.

T.E Two Way Duck (650 php)

The T.E Two Way Duck was good enough for me.  But, the family found some parts too rubbery.  You could skip this as the T.E Half Chicken is more worth it.

Salads

Spinach Salad (290 php)

Looking for something healthy and delicious?  Well, the Spinach Salad is almost healthy with the spinach, tomatoes, cranberry, peach, fried onion save for the bacon balsamic dressing - but trust me this is worth the guilt.


Flatbread

♥ Cheese Crispy Eggplant (460 php)

The Cheese Crispy Eggplant didn't look visually appealing for me.  But, this is so good that it made me appreciate flat breads even more.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Todd English Food Hall has lived up to my high expectations.  Pricing perhaps is New York standards but worth the experience. 

The farm to table concept is quite new for me.  But as previously stated, I all in for it!  So when I was invited by the Estancia De Lorenzo team to try and critic their dishes, I was thrilled. 


Upon our arrival, I instantly fell in love with this place.  Who could have thought that such a beautiful place is hidden inside El Dia Farms in San Mateo Rizal.  


Check out the interiors!  It's just like your dream house depicted in some foreign interior magazine right?


Eveything is so lovely that I couldn't help but rush in to check it out more.  The staffs are all full of smiles and politeness as we were greeted and accommodated kind-heartedly.


Each table is completely set up with complete wares. 


Every detail is fascinating even the centerpiece.

Since they are currently on their soft-opening phase, the fresh plant crops still outsourced.  But once the're organic garden is constructed, they will offer their diners a one-of-a-kind experience by allowing them to pick their own ingredients.  The meats are directly sourced since they have their own free-range chicken, shrimp, tilapia and peking duck farm so they are offered fresh and affordable too.

This is just one part of El Dia Farms by the way, they also have an Aviary and Crocodile Farm.  Within a year and a half, this will be a full-blown tourist recreational area with an event place and adventure activities.  I'm very excited for that.  But right now, I'll share with you their awesome dishes that are currently offered.

Food

Our Bowls

50/50 Champorado (120 php)

You can have the 50/50 Champorado for breakfast or dessert.  It's called 50/50 because it has 50% oatmeal and 50% brown rice.  It has a nice rich creamy layer of chocolate on top of the oatmeal and brown rice then meringue frosting and served with a cookie.   

From the Greenhouse

Taro + Bamboo Shoots (150 php)

The Taro + Bamboo Shoot is an interested dip dish.  I love the ingenuity.  It's also very addictive! The dip is a mix of many ingredients:  taro leaves, bamboo shoots, confit garlic, taro root chips, sour cream and cheese.  It is served with grilled crispy flat bread and buttered toasted bread. 

EDL House Salad (180 php)

The EDL House Salad is one of the best salads I've ever had!  It has a perfectly cooked runny organic duck egg, pulled duck bits, roasted beet cubes (I know I've stated that I dislike it but I ate every piece I got because it blends well with the salad), pomelo bits, sweet potato chips, santan flowers, mixed greens and tamarind vinaigrette.  It's so good that even non-veggie lovers will praise this!

Our Boards

Estancia's Duck Burger (200 php)

The Estancia's Duck Burger is an organic thick duck patty with local greens, pickled onions and aioli sandwiched between potato buns.  It is served with their Papaya Ketchup (or Sriracha if you want it spicy like me) and mixed fries.  The sweet potato buns are soft and moist!  The duck patty is very savory and tender to chew.  

Sriracha

They make their own fiery Sriracha and sweet Papaya Ketchup!  Both are really good.  But since I enjoy the hot stuff, I liked their Sriracha more.  It's so good they can these by bottles.


Classic Farm Breakfast (includes 2 free range eggs any style and garlic fried rice)

Estancia's Duck Tapa (180 php)

Every one was exclaiming oohs and aah with glee over the Estancia's Duck Tapa.  I've always been a tapa fan but never have I encountered duck tapa before.  Wow!  It was really good!  This is definitely a must try.  The texture is like meat and the blend of flavors is simply delightful.  This one hefty meal too.  Ladies can opt to share this.

Free Range Chicken Tocino (160 php)

The Free Range Chicken Tocino is also good.  It's not too sweet and the chicken was tender and juicy.  But if you've tried the Estancia's Duck Tapa, this will just be the next best thing.  But if you're a fan of tocino dishes, this is for you.

From the Pond

Tilapia + Shrimp Gyoza (140 php)

The plating of the Tilapia + Shrimp Gyoza is so beautiful that I almost didn't want to eat it.  But, a bite of the gyoza made me want to swipe this plate clean.

Tilapia + Shrimp Gyoza (140 php)

I've tried a lot of gyoza before (beef, pork and chicken) but my golly this Tilapia + Shrimp Gyoza
has left me stupified.  Just by the look you could tell that it's cooked with precision promising a wonderful crispy and softness in every bite.  The ground tilapia and shrimp is very tasty.  They are in perfect harmony with the mango butter, sour cream, shriracha cashews and sweet potato curls. 

Smoked Tilapia Fish Cake (180 php)

To eat the Smoked Tilapia Fish Cake, you crush the smoked tilapia fish cake until it crumbles into grinded bits and mix it together with the green onions, 64 degrees poached egg, linguine pasta in red sweet seafood tomato bisque.  It also has crispy tilapia skin flakes on the side.

Beer-Battered Catfish (180 php)

Steering away from the usual Fish and Chips, Estancia offers the Beer-Battered Catfish laid on top of a squash brown cooked like a roesti and swimming in a pool of coco cashew cream with sayote tops and crushed cashew.  It's the first time I've tried a catfish fillet.  What a great idea!  I've always loved catfish and I'd certainly prefer it over the dory.

Duck Ragu Bolognese (250 php)

Rarely do I encounter a ragu pasta dish.  Boy am I glad they have the Duck Ragu Bolognese.  Yes, its a linguine pasta with less tomato sauce as its emphasis is to bring out the bold flavors of the ground duck meat complemented by the lightly salted duck chicharon.  It also comes with fried battered squash blossoms. 

Desserts

Pandan Cheesecake

The Pandan Cheesecake is to die for!  A taste of this wonderful masterpiece will make you hear the trumpets of heaven.  It's a rich, smooth, creamy and slightly dense pandan cheesecake served with a scoop of ice cream, sweetened kamias, macaroon bits and meringue. 


Drinks
I rarely insist on ordering drinks.  But, really you have to try at least one of their drinks.

House Blend Iced Tea

Pandan Water

This is the best Pandan Water I've tried yet!  This even beats the specialty beverage Pandan Tea of Ilustrado.

Chili Mango

The Chili Mango will definitely capture the hearts of spicy lovers like me.  The combination is so nice because the refreshing sweet note and fiery spice is a nice contrasting yet equally balance and matched duo like fire and ice or like yin and yang.

Cucumber Basil

The Cucumber Basil is another must try!  This a refreshing drink is so cool and cleansing that you'll enjoy every sip.

Tomato and Orange

The Tomato and Orange is a very nutritious beverage that will boost your immune system.  It is served with syrup so you can make it sweeter depending on your preference.  I'm a frequent tomato juice drinker so I'm used to the taste of tomatoes so I enjoyed it even without syrup. =)

Dalandan Lime Soda

No, this is no mojito.  The Dalandan Lime Soda is a mocktail perhaps as it is a nice sweet fizzy citrus drink.

Estancia De Lorenzo Farm to Table Restaurant Team

The Estancia De Lorenzo Farm to Table Restaurant Team who served us.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Estancia De Lorenzo won't be opening till the El Dia Farm is completely developed and open to the public.  However, I have yet to receive of an update.