When we were toddlers, our family used to frequent Magnolia Ice Cream house.  We were quite saddened when it closed down.  A few years ago, it opened again in San Miguel By The Bay in SM Mall of Asia.  We were able to eat there twice and then it also closed down.  We're been waiting for the come back of Magnolia Flavor House which has finally opened at its original location which is now Robsinson's Magnolia.  We eagerly waited in line just to try it out once more.

Magnolia Flavor House has a round structure of its own located in the outdoor area of Robinson's Magnolia.  With the scorching heat of the sun during the afternoons in our tropical country, Magnolia Flavor House has been a refuge for cold comfort and frozen sweet treats.  They also serve cooked dishes too in case you don't want to skip to dessert at once. 


Magnolia Flavor House has a cozy waiting area.  You'd have to stay there if you don't want to risk missing your turn when you're name is called.


Although they have a counter for take-outs of food and ice cream purchases, Magnolia Flavor House has staffs to take your orders at your table.


The place is brightly with large lamps.  There are also chillers of the usual flavors and the limited edition President's Tub which can only be purchased there. 

Food

Ice Cream Specialties

We noticed that their menu  has more variety than the previous stores.  We're glad the our old classic favorites are still there too.

♥ Peach Melba (240 php)

The Peach Melba is my mom's old time favorite.  She never orders anything else except for this.  I do agree with her preference on this though.  It does have an appealing taste with the peaches, nuts and light glaze of caramel syrup together with the mellow mango, strawberry and vanilla ice cream flavors.  And, it also has the classic whipped cream with cherry on top to enhance the experience.

♥ Amazing Batman's Brownie Overload (260 php)

The Amazing Batman's Brownie Overload has two scoops of chocolate ice cream and one scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate syrup.  It has three brownies that lay on whipped cream dividing them and then showered with small marshmallows on the side.  I'm quite surprised that the brownies where plain unlike the image on the menu which looked like fudge brownies glazed with caramel.  But, this dessert with whipped cream and cherry on top was still a delicious sweet treat. 

Crepe Parfait (180 php)

The Crepe Parfait has three scoops of ice cream: mango, strawberry and chocolate.  If you don't like the flavor, you can always request them to change it.  It has a frozen crispy crepe, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, nuts, chocolate wafer, chocolate coated candies and lastly, whipped cream with strawberry on top.  This is a pleasurable treat but I found it a challenge to eat with the crepe.

Flavor House Concoctions (Cold Stone Ice Creams)

The Flavor House Concoctions is actually something new to us so we decided to try one. 

♥ Citrus Vanilla Mango (175 php)

The Citrus Vanilla Mango is mango ice cream mixed with white chocolate chips with mandarin orange bits on the bottom and drizzled with caramel syrup.  I found it refreshing and enjoyable to eat.  But for the price, I'd rather order the specialties with three scoops than this.  My ice cream cravings can't be satisfied by this serving size.  On the bright side, this is a great choice for those who love waffle cones.  It also has whipped cream with cherry on top and a chocolate coated stick biscuit.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Magnolia Flavorhouse serves frozen sweet treats that's perfect for the summer!  Old classics die hard and this one will last for generations.  As a ice cream lover, this is one of my favorite places to go to when at Robinson's Magnolia.  I'm certain that I'll be bound to drop by here again especially this summer season.  I'll purchase and try their President's Tub on my next visit too.

I've shared SSC Shawarma Snack Center's shawarma before (check my previous post).  Just in front of that canteen-type store is the two-storey SSC Shawarma Snack Center Cafe Grilled Seafood Restaurant which serves a wider variety of Middle Eastern dishes.  

This tops as one of our favorites when craving for Middle Eastern cuisine.  I've been wanting to share this with you for quite some time now, but I am so into the food that I've been forgetting to take a photo.  I'm like that whenever I eat at my favorite places.
 

Although located in a narrow alley, you'd be surprised that the place is usually packed with locals and foreigners alike.


They have indoor dining areas for the first and second floors and an al fresco area for the second floor terrace.  They have typical round tables, lowered tables and couches which are ideal for shisha sessions.

Food

Cooked Dishes (Salona or Curry Good for 2 Persons)

♥ Bamya Lahem (Mutton) (335 php)

The Bamya Lahem is my all time SSC favorite dish.  I could never get over this a mutton and okra stew.  Hands down no other restaurant serves mutton or mature sheep meat like SSC. The mutton has a clean taste and the meat is so tender.  And, the taste is so appetizing that I could finish this on my own even though it was supposed to be for two.

Rice and Bread

Arabic Bread (12 php/piece)

Whenever the Arabic Bread (pita) is available, I usually opt for this rather than rice. 

Basmati Rice Meal

♥ Chicken Beryani (360 php)

I've seen a lot of foreign diners finish this.  But, look at that size of the Chicken Beryani!  That's a whole chicken in one meal.  If you're not a hefty eater, this can be shared by two.  The Chicken Beryani is an interestingly tasty meal.  Even the flavored beryani rice is delightful. 

 

♥ Lahem Biryani (360 php)

The Lahem Biryani is another must try!  This is a savory meal.  Again, the lahem or mutton is something you need to try when at SSC.

Salad (FREE for Every Basmati Rice Meal)

The Basmati Rice Meal is served with either a Salad, Dakous and Beryani Sauce.  I love their Salad.  It has lots of parley bits, cucumber and tomatoes. 

Fresh Juice and Shakes

Yoghurt (Salty) (95 php)

I really like the tangy taste of yogurt so I always order their Yoghurt drink.  You can choose either salty or sweet.  But either way, expect the rich full taste of plain yogurt.  

If you're not into yogurts, I suggest you try their 4 Season which is a popular drink there.  

Dessert

Mouhalabieh (75 php)

The Mouhalabieh is a milk custard topped with crushed pistachio.  This had a smooth and creamy texture like pana cottas. But, I'd prefer if this had rose or orange extract to make this more interesting like the one I tried at Circles. 


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
SSC Shawarma Snack Center Cafe Grilled Seafood Restaurant is a must stop for any one who wants to try Middle-Eastern Cuisine.  I've tried almost all their dishes and not one of them has ever turned out to be a disappointment.  I've even brought friends and relatives here who are unfamiliar or not fond of Middle-Eastern dishes and they've enjoyed their dining experience.  More importantly, the price is very reasonable for the quality and large portions (yet normal for foreigners). 

Even on a tight budget, there's no need to put your Katsu cravings on hold because I've discovered Katsu Cafe along Maria Clara Street near the corner of Banawe.  

It has sufficient parking spaces and its glass windows allows you to take a peek of what's inside.

I liked the clean wooden feel.  It's very spacious and well-lit too.

Food

Ala Carte

♥ Kani Salad (120 php)

♥ Kani Salad (120 php)

The Kani Salad is served in a huge bowl which is compacts so I really appreciated the generous portions.  I like that they didn't scrimp on the ingredients especially the roe.  It is neatly presented with the vegetable shreds at the bottom, then the kani (crabmeat) strips, Japanese mayonnaise and the roe.  This is one of the best Kani Salad I have ever tried and I highly recommend this!


Katsu Curry Rice

Pork Katsu Curry Rice (235 php)

Pork Katsu Curry Rice (235 php)

It is actually composed of two hamburger patty sides katsu.  The breading is nice and crunchy while the pork meat, which I think is grinded, is tender.  I'd say this is one satisfying pork katsu and it comes surprisingly cheap too.

Donburi

Gyudon (Beef) (215 php)

I've always been a fan of Gyudon.  The Gyudon is served with a bowl of miso soup too.  I was glad that this had huge shitake mushrooms and beautiful raw egg yolk on it.  But, I'd prefer if the beefs were in thin strips rather than rough shreds.  Moreover, I also think this would have been better with more sauce and onions.  I'm sure with its price, it deserves to be more than its current state.

Iced Tea

Sola Green Apple Iced Tea (60 php)

For drinks, I had the Sola Green Apple Iced Tea which had a light refreshing taste perfect for any meal.
 

Take Home

The food is great so I ordered for take home to share the experience with the family.  I really appreciate their eco-friendly packaging.  But, their soup container which is a coffee cup is not spill proof because it had a sip hole on top. 

Other Katsu Reviews
Ginza Bairin
Kimukatsu
Maisen 
Saboten
Tampopo たんぽぽ 
Tonkatsu by Terazawa
Yabu 1 | Yabu 2

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
With Katsu Cafe, you can go for Katsu anytime you want.  The price is really reasonable.  I look forward to try their other Katsu sets.  And, I'll definitely order the Kani Salad again!  The service is great too.

Jill of Foodscout.net with her better half =)

Party at Buddha Bar Manila has is now more fun and exciting with its Weekends at the Terrace.

Upon entry at Buddha Bar, you can take the elevator to The Terrace which does not fall short compared to its luxurious first two floors and basement. 

The Terrace

The Terrace has the essential long bar, cozy benches and tent-like lofts.  It also has a huge coin bank which you could mistake for a pool. 

Weekends at The Terrace
Every Friday and Saturdays from 8 pm to 11 pm, you can enjoy a wide array of barbecue items, salads, maki, pastry sweets and unlimited rum and vodka cocktails for only 1,500 ++ per head.  
 

I noticed that some of their offerings belong to their regular menu like the Creme Brulee Trio, Chocolat,  Verte and Macaroons. I loved the Cream Puffs and Black Sesame Macaroons.

Maki

Canapes and Salads

There's an assortment of canapes and salads to choose from. It includes their signature Buddha-Bar Chicken Salad. 

Potato Salad

Barbecue

They have a wide array of barbecue selections from beef to fish so just pick whatever you want and request them to be grilled.

Yakisoba

My Plate

So, here's my plate from appetizer to dessert. 

Unlimited Rum and Vodka Cocktails
Of course, the highlight of the event is the drinks.  Imagine yourself, wallowing and chatting under the clear night sky enjoying the city lights and cool breeze while sipping your choice of cocktails. 

Heart of Darkness

The Heart of Darkness is perfect for the ladies.  It is composed of fresh grapes, cinnamon syrup, lemon juice, vodka, and port wine topped with soda.  It's smooth, sweet and mild.  But, has a hidden strike of alcohol too. 

Majestic

The Majestic is made of fresh pineapple, fresh basil, pineapple juice, sugar cane syrup, and vodka. This one is warm on the throat and hits harder than the Heart of Darkness. 

I've only tried two but since you can get as much as you want.  I encourage you to try the other drinks such as these which my friends have tried:

• Raspberry Saketini which has sake, raspberry puree, pineapple syrup, pineapple juice and creme de casis
• D'Ultimate which has fresh pineapple, almond milk, Cointreau, Maraschino Syrup and special rum mix

Shisha (300 php/flavor with 4 mouth pieces)

For only 300 php, you can also enjoy some Shisha.  They had 16 flavors to choose from.  My companions had the bubble gum flavor which I think they enjoyed a lot.

Buddha-Bar Manila Weekends at The Terrace is definitely a whole new experience here in Metro Manila.  It's no secret that food and drinks when ordered ala carte is quite pricey so why not avail this so you can eat and drink to your hearts content right?