One time I took my little sister for a tea date at Tamayaki in Addition Hills, we noticed that there was a Japanese restaurant in the second floor called 5th Taste Modern Japanese Cuisine.  

We didn't see the interiors in the second floor.  But, the menu on the front door at the entrance of Tamayaki gave us an idea that it was modern Japanese. 

Food

Starters

♥ Deconstructed Miso Soup (98 php)

When the Deconstructed Miso Soup was served, I had the impression that the plating was of European or French influence.  I was really impressed with the Deconstructed Miso Soup because it never imagined that a miso soup and meat floss would complement each other well.

Mussels Tempura (150 php)

I was expecting something interesting with the Mussels Tempura.  Unfortunately, it failed to impress me as the batter was too thick that eve the sauce or the mussel was able to entice my appetite.

Sushi

Smoked Mackarel Maki (150 php)

I ate a few pieces of the Smoked Mackarel Maki.  I was able to distinguish the spicy tinge in each piece but I had a hard time trying to taste the smoked mackarel.

Sandwiches

The Fifth Taste Cheesesteak (200 php)

The The Fifth Taste Cheesesteak deliciously cheesy.  I liked that it had mozzerella aside from the cheese sauce.  Unlike the other cheese steaks with hard and crunchy buns, this one is pillow soft that my fingers sinks in as I held it.


Omurice Curry

Crispy Chicken Curry (220 php)

I like the idea that they separately served the Crispy Chicken and the Curry Rice to assure the crispiness.  The Curry Rice is similar to the Fuwatoro Tenshin-Han of Osaka Ohsho where high quality Japanese rice is wrapped in fluffy egg omelet and gooey cheese except tthat it comes with curry sauce.  For the price, I find the quality remarkable.  But, the crispy chicken could lose a bit batter coating so we it could bring out more of the chicken meat.


Pizza

♥ Kani Salad Pizza (225 php)

My favorite dish for the night is the Kani Salad Pizza.  If had an extremely thin and crispy crust with heavy gooey cheese, kani, cucumber, carrots and Japanese Mayo. I comes with nori flakes and chili powder.  I can't figure out how they managed to make the crust so thin and crispy without any sogginess or oiliness from the cheese.

Main Course

♥ Jalapeno Cream Cheese Onion Tonkatsu (325 php)

I'd give the Jalapeno Cream Cheese Onion Tonkatsu A+ for effort with the presentation.  I also consider this dish as the tastiest among all our orders.  It had a Jalapeno cream cheese sauce with caramelize onions inside the tonkatsu.  It is served with Japanese coleslaw and Tonkatsu sauce.  I prefer this without the Tonkatsu sauce because I found it contrasting the spicy Jalapeno Cream cheese.
 
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
5th Taste Modern Japanese Cuisine is surprisingly cheap for its concept.  I find their pricing budget-friendly especially the pizza.  For that reason, it would be a great hang out with some company if in the area.  It offers great privacy and it has a parking area too.  But, it's not something I'd seek out and travel for. 

This might sound quite peculiar but my mom, being born under the year of the monkey, is fond of cute monkeys.  I guess our home being filled with our cute monkey items we've given her over the years is enough proof.  So when we spotted Tea Monkey Tamayaki & Tea with a cute monkey logo, as expected, we quickly parked and checked it out.

Tea Monkey Tamayaki & Tea at Wilson is found just below Carol's Texan 5.The place is modern and cozy as expected from a typical milk tea store.  But, this one has monkeys everywhere from its glass window to its walls which makes it more fun and bright.

On both branches:, we noticed that the staffs are very friendly.  I recall on our first visit at the Adriatico Branch, they even allowed us to sample before ordering so we'd know the default intensity of their tea bases. 

Unlike other milk tea brands, Tea Monkey Tamayaki & Tea uses paper cups.  On the plus side, it is environmental friendly.  While on the other side, you can't really see what's in it so I was a bit frustrated not knowing if there's still a lot of adzuki beans and pearls down there.  Moreover, the adzuki beans are sticking to the side of a cup making it difficult to sip with the straw.  They also offer their drinks in two sizes: Regular and Large.  And, you can choose the sweetness level. 

Drinks

Milk Tea
The Roasted Milk Tea with Peals L (100 php) was good but it didn't stand out in terms of flavor.  I was yearning for a more powerful roasted taste.  But, I liked their pearls with excellent chewiness.

The ♥ Matcha Milk Tea with Adzuki Beans L (115 php) is great!  It's creamy and aromatic but not too thick so its still refreshing.  The amount of adzuki beans is sufficient too.

Rock Salt & Cheese
The ♥ Green Tea L (100 php) is the best drink I've tried at Tea Monkey Tamayaki & Tea yet.  The green tea is refreshing with a flowery after-taste just the way I like it.  The rock salt & cheese heightens the flavors more giving it a great texture too.


Food

Tamayaki

♥ King Kong (110 php)

Their Tamayaki comes in an adorable in a cute box still with a monkey logo.  An order always comes with six Tamayaki balls: 2 Akegai, 2 Ebi and 2 Tako.  But, they have various topping options. 

♥ King Kong (110 php)

The King Kong named after the king of the jungle is the option with the complete toppings.  It is topped with Japanese Mayonnaise, Tamayaki Sauce, Roasted Nori, Katsuboshi, Fresh Nori, Tobiko and Kodako.  I really liked their tender and moist Tamayaki.  It was quite tasty too.  They also don't scrimp on the ingredients especially the Tako!  How I wish I could just order the Tako though cause the Akegai and Ebi is really pale in comparison to it. 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Tea Monkey Tamayaki & Tea is another great place to drop by for tea and tamayaki.  The price range of the tea is at par with famous brands but quality-wise, I'd say its worth it.  There's not much tamayaki places in the Metro, I'd definitely add this to my list. 

When my friend invited me to try Carol's Texan 5, I have to admit I was hesitant.  It was not only unfamiliar to me and I also find it quite distant.  Yet, after my dining experience,  I just can't help but rave and share about it.

Carol's Texan 5 occupies the second floor.  There is a sufficient parking space but its usually occupied during meal hours.

What looked quaint on the outside is actually contrary on the inside as it it a bright, spacious and lively Texan themed fast food restaurant. It adopts a pay as you order system with a menu by the counter.

It had a wooden furnishing which is an evident transcendence from the Western America.

The place has impressive creativity in each section but consistent in totality with its motif. 

It's a fun place where kids and adult alike can even chill and take Texan and rodeo souvenir photos.

Food

Spud Selection

♥ Tato Skins (165 php)

These Tato Skins were so crunchy and flavorful with its savory bacon bits and zesty cheese.  This instantly captivated my palate and left me wanting for more.   Try this with their sour cream dip and I'm sure you'll be hooked like I was.


Old Time Favorite

♥ Dynamite Wings Solo (225 php/6 pcs)

I just love their Dynamite Wings which had the tangy citrus taste spiced up with some red hot chili.  The meat is plump and juicy too!  Spiciness level is within the middle of my tolerance range which is not too much but not too light either.

♥ Ultimate Texan Ribs (425 php)

The Ultimate Texan Ribs is definitely a must try!  This is hands down one of the best texan ribs I have ever tried.  With or without the sauce, you'll surely fall in love with its tender and succulent pork meat that almost falls of the rack.  The sauce is lip-smacking good too!  As a foodie, it breaks my heart that this is still undiscovered by many.  I highly recommend that you try this.  For its huge portion, I find the price very reasonable.


Super Sandwiches

♥ Mushroom Jack Burger (205 php)

The Mushroom Jack Burger is a 100% beef patty topped with lettuce, jack cheese, bacon bits and mushrooms placed between a crunchy bun.  It's oozing cheesiness with overloaded toppings as well as wholesome juicy and chunky beefiness made each bite a sensation!


Pasta

Tomato Shrimp Basil (220 php)

The Tomato Shrimp Basil is an al dente cooked pasta with the perfect hint of basil and generous amounts of shrimp.  It has certainly passed my standards for tangy red sauce-based pasta with flying colors.

Dessert

Mango Cheesecake (195 php)

The Mango Cheesecake has a light and creamy texture which I find soothing.   While I found this too sweet, my companions enjoyed this to the last spoonful.

Waffle Cream (115 php)

The Waffle Cream is a golden crisp waffle topped with cool vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel syrup and nuts.  This is a classic that never loses its touch.

♥ Lava Cake (155 php)

The best dessert for me is the Lava Cake.  It's rich moist chocolate cake and syrup explodes in the mouth with awesome gooeyness.  It's best eaten with the vanilla ice cream to neutralize the sweetness. 

Drinks & Cocktails

Shirley Temple (85 php)

For drinks I ordered my favorite, the Shirley Temple, which is a cherry flavors soda. 

Cosmopolitan (135 php)

Margarita (125 php)

Seasons Punch (125 php)

My companions enjoyed their cocktails too. 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Carol's Texan 5 offers the best Texan ribs hands down!  The food here is good and is a definite must try!  The food quality, place, pricing is just superb.  And, don't ever leave without trying the Ultimate Texan Ribs, got it?  They also offer catering and group packages just inquire.

My little sister and I love yakitoris so when I had the time to spare, I decided to treat her and her beau for a quick bonding time at Toki Q, the first rotating BBQ in Manila.

It occupied a humble space along Wilson street.  But, despite it limited floor area, I'm amazed at how they utilized every inch of it to make it look spacious and comfortable.


Even the lighting is simple yet innovative.  but, since the place is bright during the day, they don't even have to turn it on.


The wooden stairs and table are pretty sturdy and are arranged neatly.  Though they don't have much dine ins, we noticed that students and nearby residents stop by to order for take out. 


This is were we sat.  It granted us a nice street side view. 


Food

Toki Soup (12 php)

I ordered the Toki Soup because it was pretty cheap.  It's basically a diluted version of miso soup but for the price, I dare not complain.
 

Combo 2: Chicken Ball, Pork Ball, Tontoro Pork (Pork Belly), ♥ Chicken Fillet (110 php)

I ordered the Combo 2 because it offered a 5 peso saving.  I'm surprised with its price.  Four sticks only for 110 php!


The Chicken Ball was coated with a well-seasoned yakitori sauce.  It was a bit airy and light that I'm amazed that it was composed of chicken meat. 

The Pork Ball had the same sauce.  But, the meat pork meat was more bland than its chicken counter part.

The Tontoro Pork (Pork Belly) is better than the grinded ball version because it was chunkier and had a lot of fats to add some flavor.

I liked the Chicken Fillet the most!  It was tasty, tender and succulent.  The chicken skin is simply irresistible.

♥Chicken Wings (45 php)

The Chicken Wings is also a great choice to order cause of its tasty skin!  Who cares if there's not must mat in it right?

♥Kara-age (75 php)

The Kara-age is their best selling product.  Upon first bite, I could understand why.  Th sauce is thick and sweet and the crunchiness is superb.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Toki Q is a great place to stop by for an affordable yet satisfying meal.  The rotating BBQ does wonders with the texture of the meat.  Too bad the machine is not fully visible for the customers to view though.  I really like their chicken selections so I'll probably miss the pork ones next time.

Looking at the sign, my little sister was quite reluctant thinking its just another milk tea shop.  But, as we came in, we were all surprised that the place was spacious and quite elegant.  


They served milk teas, yogurt and meals.  Since we already ate our lunch, we simply ordered their milk teas. Their pricing is on the premium side matching those found on the malls especially since they charge separately for the toppings.  Luckily, it was my little sister's bf treat. =p

Like all other milk tea shops, you can choose your toppings and the sweetness level.

♥Paris Rose Milk Tea Tall (95 php), ♥Hokkaido Milk Tea Tall (95 php) and Passion Fruit with Perilla Tall  (80 php + 15 php)

Milk Tea Series

The Paris Rose Milk Tea Tall (95 php) had rose syrup with a strong green tea base.  The natural flowery sweetness from the paris rse syrup contrasts the green milk tea well so I really enjoyed this to the last sip.

The Hokkaido Milk Tea Tall (95 php) is also very good.  I just noticed that their black tea is not as fragrant as their green milk tea variants. 

Matcha Green Milk Tea
The Matcha Milk Tea Tall (95 php) was too milky for my taste.  I would prefer a stronger concentration for the matcha itself. 

Fruit Tea
My little sister choose the Passion Fruit with Perilla Tall  (80 php + 15 php).  She found the green tea and the citrus flavor of the passion fruit too strong for her preference so she was not able to finish her drink.  She also did not like chewing on the Perilla. 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
TeaTap Cafe offers fragrant milk tea for tea lovers.  You can assure that the price you pay is for a quality milk tea.  A single sip with leave you a lingering flavor and scent.  I really enjoyed my drink.  I'll probably try more when I'm in the area.  I hope they open more branches so its more accessible.  Maybe on my next visit, we can try their meals too.

It's only been a few months since Yen Yen moved to Wilson Street from its old location at Gilmore.  It's a typical Taiwanese restaurant with a delivery bicycle parked in front of its store window.  

Here's the Map to their Parking Slot (Too bad we found out about this too late! =p )

We were fortunate that the owner were dining on a table during our visit so we had a little background about the restaurant.  







Food
We ordered the dishes according to the recommendation of their Chef Ernie Monzon.  He also informed us that by next week, they will be adding new items on their menu.  Well, we'll have to come back for that next time.    

Noodles

Taipei Beef Noodle Soup with Tendon (240 php)

Taipei Beef Noodle Soup with Tendon (240 php)

Since we love tendon, the group made an unanimous decision to try their Taipei Beef Noodle Soup with Tendon.  It was a wise choice because the noodle soup was delicious!  The broth was mildly spicy with a genuine taste of beef and tendon.  This is one of the best versions I've tried.  The beef and tendon were so tender and easy to chew.  The noodles were firm and chewy like it was freshly made.  It had huge chunks of carrots and radish too.

Taiwan Sate Chami (220 php)

The Taiwan Sate Chami is served in a big round platter.  Although it is suggested for 2-3 persons, it could cater to more people if you're not a heavy eater.  The great blend of sate sauce is perfect with the sweet fresh vegetables and pork bits.  Even the amount of the sauce is right so the noodles are neither dried nor soggy.

Dimsum

Fried Wanton 8 pcs. (180 php)

The Fried Wanton is fried pork with vegetables wrapped in smooth and silky wanton.  I love the smoothness of the wanton and the bold meaty flavor it holds.  It didn't have a hint of oiliness too.

Spicy Wonton 6 pcs. (140 php)

The Spicy Wonton is soft wanton filled with vegetables swimming in a pool of chili sauce.  All of us nodded in approval to this dish.  We all agreed that it is better than the Fried Wanton because its not your usual wonton dish.

Specials

Taiwan Pork Chops 2 pcs. (220 php)

The Taiwan Pork Chops were thin pork chops cooked Taiwan Style with its spiced crunchy coating.  Although the pork meat is tender, it was a bit bland for my taste.

Crispy Chicken (160 php)

I loved the Crispy Chicken.  It was crispy on the inside but tender juicy on the inside.  This will definitely be on my list of must order when visiting Yen Yen. 

Drinks/Desserts

Regular Taiwan Ice (80 php)

The Regular Taiwan Ice is a shaved ice with condense milk and imported red beans from Taiwan.  The shaved ice is as fine as snow and the red beans were very tasty.  This humble dessert is surprisingly an excellent meal ender.  Not a single red bean was left on our bowls.  

Pearl Milk Tea (80 php)

The Pearl Milk Tea is good beverage to accompany any dish.  But, its nothing extra ordinary.  The pearls are soft and chewy just the way I like them.  

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Yen Yen Taiwan Street Food is a must stop for Taiwan Cuisine now that its bigger and better.  It has revamp its dishes to assure customer satisfaction.  Although it has increased its pricing since it moved to a new location, it is compensated by the greater food proportion and top-notch food quality.  I'd recommend this for group dining because most of the dishes are good for sharing.  They offer FREE delivery within the neighborhood.  I'm guessing that's what the bike is for. =D