Lemon Cafe

The first and only time I've eaten at Lemon Cafe was the last time I was at Boracay. I've been wanting to go there but there were just a lot of things to do and places to eat (many that you'd like to try out again) that it got further down the my list of to dos.

I've been hearing a lot about the restaurant before I got there and the news I heard was not far from the truth (or my experience, at least).

I forgot what I had but it was roasted chicken (or was it grilled... It's lost in my head somewhere. it was more than two months ago and I'm excused). I loved every bit of it; the veggies, the chicken, the sauce, everything! It was probably the best thing I ordered during my stay there that time. It's not that the other restaurants don't compare to Lemon Cafe, I just "poor judgement" that I keep ordering mediocre dishes. I also had their mojito to compliment my food, and my drink in an attempt to get a good tipsy ordeal early that afternoon, but to no avail (I wanted to stay sober while I have my massage which was scheduled later that night).
The perfectly seared tuna your seeing was my friend's order and I actually loved it better than mine. :)

The dishes were light but somehow filling. Weird but it really was that way. We had their must try mango dessert. It was really good though I preferred the mango very ripe and sweet.

Zao @ Eastwood

CAV (again)

This post is overdue! It's way overdue that I don't even remember what dessert I had. I had to dig into my previous Facebook and Multiply posts to find out. But... I remember it was a fun night.. Christmas Dinner with friends last 2008. Yes, yes... that's about 4 months ago.

I've blogged about Cav before but I won't be talking about wine this time (I'm not too sure if I talked about wine that time, I'm too lazy to search for it from the bunch of posts I've accumulated). Anyway, this time I got to try their food.

I never expected that it would be as cheap as it was. Sorry, it's not cheap. It just seems like they charge more but not that much. A three-set meal for less than one thousand pesos-sesos-ses. And the food was really yum!

...Especially the soft crabs, I wanted another order but I also wanted to try other dishes. So I had the lamb chops. Nothing special there but good nonetheless. The rice just didn't cut it for me. Other than that the rest of the lamb was good. Quite tasty, actually! I finished the lamb when I realized I haven't taken a picture of it yet so pardon the worthless shot I have posted. Scraped to the bones.

what's left of my lamb chops

Dessert was not bad too. I'm not a fan of banana (so I'm a bit biased) but the dish passed my standards. And, don't blame me if I don't like banana yet I had the banana creme brulee... It was the waiter's fault! He wasn't too keen to notice that I ordered soufle, not brulee. Careless but forgivable. Anywho... I still had my wine after and I had several glasses. It was a Christmas Dinner so I had all the excuses I need not to be sober!

My Creme Brulee

One last thing! Funny that everytime I remember Cav, I always picture a rat sneaking up the tables. This is no joke but we saw a rat the size of a grown cat hovering the beams of the restaurant. How's that for fine dining!? I hope they had the place eradicated since then coz I like the place (and I don't mind seeing rats) but it's just a mood spoiler. Service was OK except that they had my order wrong (and I remember my other friends had theirs wrong too---and there weren't a lot of people then--- so I guess it's not that OK after all).

If you plan to visit, It's at the Fort right across Nike and Mag:Net. It's a nice place to hang and have good dinner.

Ice Cream Bar

Again, an overdue post. This will be a recurring theme for the next few posts. But I like coz I don't have to think of what I'll post next. :) Anyway, the day I went to Ice Cream Bar to take the pictures you see here was a mango-overload night.


After work, we decided to see a movie (it was Marley & Me, if I remember it correctly -- not a bad movie, by the way, for a story that revolved around a dog who doesn't talk or make overly out-of-this-world tricks). And since we didn't have time to eat dinner to catch our early movie, I shared a sandwich. It was asian so it had mangoes and I had a big mango shake for drinks (that's already 2 strikes). Earlier before that, I already had a mango shake, or something else but it was definitely something yellow and tangy-sweet (that's 3). And when we hung-out after the movie, I had froyo with mangoes (so that's a total of 4).



I've been to Ice Cream Bar a few-many times... Though I'm not sure if I've ever been there to eat ice cream. Ever since I've discovered froyo, it's all that I've ordered at Ice Cream Bar. Makes me wonder when else I have had ice cream there but it's all blank in my head.

I've tried their ice cream for sure, at FIC though and not at Ice Cream Bar (moving forward, I'll refer to it as ICB coz it's too long to type). It's one of my favorite brands, not that there are a lot of brands in the Philippines but my favorite nonetheless. But since I've been craving for froyo a lot, it's all that have caught my attention.




Among the froyos I've tried, I like ICB's the best. There's a finer taste to the yogurt. I can't exactly describe what "finer" is but it's less sweet than others. Just the right sweetness i prefer to the sourness of the yogurt. I am no chef, nor a connoisseur, so I don't know the right terms. And, I like the variety of their toppings and most specially their granola compared to others.

Since I was craving for froyo, I had 2 orders even if I already had a heavy tummy. First was Mangoes and Cranberries and then Strawberries and Granola on strawberry syrup. Yummy!

Mangoes and Cranberries. Not the best combination

but the mangoes made it better.

Where is Ice Cream Bar: I'm not sure exactly but it's in the builing right beside Rockwell (on the side where starbucks is. OK, it's not the best description cause I know there are a lot of starbucks there - I'm not a "Makati person," but just ask around and you'll find it for sure!)

Budget: 200 is enough. People just go there for dessert anyway so you won't need a lot of dough. But they also have delis and other stuff I forget so can definitely have lunches and dinners there too. You'll need more than 200 though since that's just for dessert.

Crisostomo

I completely forgot to post this... I've been meaning to but things just keep piling up (literally and figuratively). But nonetheless, here it is.

Beef Steak Tagalog

Not so long ago (a good month ago) I got to try out the food in Crisostomo. By the sound of its name you can already guess it's Filipino cuisine. The food: you can tell there's something different to the it but it was, at the very least, something "familial." You know how, when you visit a tita notorios for how good she cooks, you taste a side of adobo (or any dish, for this matter) you usually don't? --- that's exactly how my exeperience was dining at Crisostomo.

My serving of the Sinigang

We had Beef Sinigang, Beef Steak Tagalog, and Sweet and Sour Fish. And can I just say, it took some time before we came up with the orders (It's not easy deciding for everyone). Dessert was the best (though I'm biased 'cause I have insatiable sweet tooth). We had Frozen Mangos and Cream cake although it was sad that I could only finish 2 bites as I was already full even before the time I tried our third dish.

The awkward piece. What's left of the dessert.

Good food, though, I have to say, wasn't enough to make the experience perfect. I was turned-off by how my plate kept sliding down the table. I had to improvise and tip my plate over a folded tissue. And, it wasn't just the plate that kept sliding, the floors are uncomfortably slippery (too much wax, i guess) that my chair kept slipping. One nudge and the chair would surely follow. Those are minor flaws but all too important for me. Still, all these were considerable knowing that it had only been open a few weeks and so these details can surely be easily overlooked. Even so, still, a place mat and a stopper could well ease the problems.

Sweet and Sour Fish for a candle-lit dinner

To a more positive note, I was impressed at how they were able to pull off a very modern old-Filipino look (very ironic -- I know, but that's how I saw it).

Although it was much expensive than what you'd normally pay for your everyday Filipino dishes, I didn't mind it at all 'coz Maina was an angel to surprise us to an early birthday treat (note to Maina - much thanks! sa u-ulitin :) hehe...).

Where is Crisostomo: 2/F Eastwood Mall in Eastwood City, Libis. Don't be surprised if, when you enter the mall and you go up the 2nd floor, you only see shops. The restaurants are outside by the veranda.


Budget: 700 can already serve well for two people. A dish is about 300 each and it's good to share (they say 2 - 3 but I say only 2... It depends how much of a pig your company is. hehehe.)

Pastry Passion

Pastry Passion is one of my Favorite places in the world (if not the best one ever!).

(Blueberry Cheesecake, Decadent Cake, Sansrival)

It's quaint shop lies in the not so far West Avenue, Quezon City. If it's your first time to visit, be sure to be on the look-out (it's just across Metro Bar) as it is very hard to notice. But, it's one of the beauties of dining at Pastry Passion: elusive and alluring... like keeping a deep and great secret.

(Concorde)

For the many times that I've visited the shop, I've always noticed not less than 3 people ordering out (maybe to bring cakes as pasalubong or as a gift) and seems like it has grown quite a big group of patrons.

What I dig the most is their Decadent cake. Yummy!!! The rich chocolate stimulates your mind and makes you want more. When I had my first bite, I wanted to finish another. And there's another good thing about this shop. It's prices are just so cheap! Less 100 and you have a cake. 300 will already fix you a complete dinner (pasta, drink and dessert).

All the cakes are good! Concorde, Sansrival, Triple Decadence, Cheesecake, Turtle Pie, Apple Pie... (Are you drooling???) and more!!! And the pictures are just as yummy as it looks (if not more yummier! that's right... more yummier!!!). As I've been told, the owner of the shop really loves to bake and so I guess her passion for pastries translates to the yummy cakes.

This Valentine's Day, be sure to give your loved ones a sweet cake made with Passion by Pastry Passion. (cheezy, but I just wanted to put it in... hehehe)

Where is Pastry Passion: Marisan Bldg. 48 West Ave., Quezon City

Contact Details: 415-0108, 373-2936

R. Ma Mon Luk

A year and about 3 months ago, I went to Ma Mon Luk to try my first bowl of noodles there. And since then, I've been wanting to go for another bowl.

This quaint restaurant has long been running since who-knows-when (I didn't do my research) but who would care if the food is good. I would guess that little of this place has changed in a long while. The chairs and tables add to that effect.


It reminds me of the old chinese restaurants (here we go again with me and my nostalgia). While I was there, I could imagine how busy the aisles would be... How the noise of spoons and porcelain clashing at each other fill the room constantly... And, how full of people it might have been back then.


I've been there twice and I've noticed that people just come and go (I watch them step in and go out --- while I'm taking my dear time with my food). Many would also pass for a quick take-out of their siopao. It seems like people who go there stay for not longer than 10 minutes. And me... I was there for about an hour (both times).

The food was good. There was something refreshing about the noodles. Maybe I was too used to instant noodles that this felt like it was special. But I swear, the noodles is a must try. I already mentioned they have siopao. But, I haven't mentioned that the siopao there is humungous. Okay, I've seen bigger but it's still amazing how big it is compared to the normal siopao you buy elsewhere. Those are basically all that's in their menu... and siomai... how much simpler can the menu get! And nothing beats a hot bowl of noodles with siomai and a serving of asado siopao all partnered with ice cold Coke!!! Yum!!!



When you visit, don't be surprised if:

- you catch a glance of roaches. They are generally everywhere and I did see one of those creepy crawlers. But hey, what can you expect if you're in Quiapo. I wouldn't be surprised too if I see rats; and I've seen rats --big ones, even-- in posh restaurants so I guess they're everywhere too.

- they serve your siomai in broth (I'm not sure if it has been that way in the "olden" times or if it should really be served that way.)

- the servers seem a little stoic. They all look that way. But, they're cool people. They have the best stoic customer service you can experience. They're really nice.



Where is R. Ma Mon Luk? Quiapo, not far from the Quiapo church along the highway on the side where the church is. You can walk along and wander until you see their sign inside the sidewalk (and yes, inside the sidewalk. It's like that in Quiapo).
Your Budget? If you want noodles, siomai and siopao with a drink, then be ready with Php 300, but that's already more than enough.

Ying Ying Tea House

There is no better place to look for Chinese Food than at the Chinese capital of Metro Manila: Binondo, and Binondo has always equated as Chinatown. Down the long rows of its streets, floods of restaurants and stalls scream "chinese food here!"

We went in one of the frequented restaurants there and it was no surprise that it was almost full. Ying Ying has 3 or more floors, I didn't count (obviously) because of the sense of nostalgia that overwhelmed me... It was nostalgia of my past life (my old self when I was in the hispanic era, hehehe). It felt like going back in time.

But enough of the senseless rambling. Let's talk food!

We ordered Fried Shrimp in Mayonaisse, Beef Curry and tried eating something exotic, Fried Frog Legs. What we ordered may seem "bitin" but it was the opposite. We had to force ourselves to finish everything.

The Shrimp was interesting. I didn't really expect to like it but I did. Maybe, it's because of my fondness of mayonaisse and anything unhealthy. It may be fattening or even deadly but all the calories and fat was worth it. The taste will outgrow you, though, as soon as you've had your fourth piece.

There was nothing special with the Beef Curry but I pushed my friends to order it anyway. I was craving for beef. And, beef is always good. The spotlight was on the Frogs Legs. Surprisingly, it was not at all anything that would play in your mind. It tasted like chicken. I know it's such a cliche but true expcept that it had some fishy taste to it. A little fishy but nonetheless good and, most importantly, not gross.

From Left: Beef Curry and Fried Frog Legs

If it's your first time eating at authentic chinese restaurants, you should ask them if they serve Oyster Cakes. We didn't order any (as I've mentioned, we forced to ourselves to finish everything that the last few bites we had were not too welcome in our capped tummies).

Jollibee's Champ

I couldn't help it!

So last Sunday I had Whopper, and because I didn't want to lose faith in my ex-loved Whopper (in reference to my previous post) I had to order another one just to make sure it wasn't me who's wrong. I went to Burger King (again) and ordered a Whopper (again). And for the second time, I was disappointed. No luck! But I finished it nonetheless, it still was a good burger.

And so today I started my conquest to find the best burger in town. And I started with Champ. Yum Yum Yum!!! I love love looovvveee it! And very true to their ads, Champ is juicy which I love the most about it. It makes me feel like I'm eating real meat -- you know how it feels when you've eaten only veggies for weeks and it was the first time since then that you're eating savory meat? -- well that's how it felt like. It's like your a carnivore longing for that unsatiable prey and you've finally had it within your grasps (and I'm serious with my beef eating).

Sunday, I had Whopper. Monday, I had another Whopper. And today I had Champ. And, I'm feeling that bulge in my tummy growing again. But I can't help it. I just want me another burger.

Burger King's Whopper

(It's not the most appetizing picture i have of the whopper
but I wasn't satisfied with it anyway - and i mean
the burger and not the picture.
read on so you get a clue what I'm talking of)

I have been craving for a good burger and I've always loved BK's Whopper ever since I was in High School and it has always been Whopper who consoled me during times when I'd (figuratively) drool over a savory, high calorie American Deli.

True enough, I craved for one and yesterday and I went to BK to buy me a Whopper. Much to my dismay, the Whopper I had wasn't the Whopper I've always known. I was frustrated that it didn't taste the way I had known it to be. Though the taste was familiar, I was pretty sure it lacked something.

To be honest, I can't point my finger on why I think so. I just know. And to be fair to ex-loved Whopper, it has been almost a year since the last time I had one (before yesterday) and I may have lost some of my memory about it. But still, I was disappointed.

Now, I need something to replace it. And one of the best contenders are Jollibee's Champ and Brother's Burgers. Now I'm craving again!

Cafe Juanita

I've heard of Cafe Juanita long, long ago and I'm a complete loser for not seeing it until now. I've heard a lot... That it's cozy and the ambiance is homey... That the food was great... That the prices were reasonable... That it's one of the restaurants you need to see... and so goes the list of what I was missing.

Everything I heard about it was true.

One of the things I love is the ambiance. The place is perfect for romantic dinners but a lot of families and groups of friends frequent it too. From outside, you can't help but wonder what the inside looks like and, once you come in, you'll be amazed at how the place will overwhelm you and, at the same time, be silently at awe. The decors clutter the walls in a way that harmonizes everything about it. As Michel commented: "Di mo malalaman kung may christmas decors na sila." It's a bit hard to explain how the ambiance makes you feel like and so you'll need to see it for yourself.

(From Left: Chicken Panang, Cassava Cake)

We tried Phai Phai for starters. Crunchy and salty just like chicharon exept that it's fish. Michel had Chicken Panang (which I wished I had ordered), Ange had Chicken Teriyaki, Ly had Seafood Pasta and for me... Bagoong Rice and Kare Kare. Of course, we shared everything and boy was I very full. But no dinner is complete without dessert and so I had to (emphasis on the phrase "I had to") order more. We had Toffee Pudding and Cassava Cake. The Toffee Pudding was so yummy the picture (left) says it all. Simot... to (virtually) the very last morsel. And the price: Everything for just a little over 2,000 pesos. Reasonable enough.

Very interesting about Cafe Juanita are their bells to call out for waiters. I just like it for some unknown reason. Maybe I like it because it was oddly hanging from the ceiling and so it catches your curious attention.

Cafe Juanita is a very good dining experience if you're looking for an intimate dinner with family, friends or a significant other.

(I didn't take a lot of pictures of the food... Well, actually, I did, but I didn't get to take pictures of all of them but I hope the ones I have are good enough for visual aids)

Le Coude Rouge

In the not too far outskirts of Makati lies a small restaurant that serves authentic french cuisine: Le Coude Rouge. I've heard about it through Odyssa who was taking French lessons at Alliance Francaise and I've been wanting to go to this place since then.

Le Coude Rouge is French for Red Elbow and I find it weird that they name a restaurant from a body part not even nearly related to eating (but then... it might mean something else in French). Anyway, I didn't dare ask why it was called as such (I guess we'll leave curiosity bugging) but I'll ask next time.

Finding the place is a task but, after a mishap commuting and five turns and two U-turns from our meeting place (which was a little less than 500 meters from the restaurant), the effort was well worth it. The food, I'd say, is not for those looking for a heavy or a very savory meal.

Typical of most French dishes, their food is light and mild. We ordered a Ceasar Salad, two pasta dishes (Fusilli aux legumes: Fusilli with mixed veggies & Penne au thon: Penne with Tuna Cream Sauce), an order of tenderloin steak (Steak au poivre) for sharing, and fresh fruit salad (Salade de fruits) and chocolate mousse (Mousse au chocolat) for dessert. The best thing about this food trip was the bill. Everything we had for just under a thousand! What about that for a French experience!?!

The must try: chocolate mousse - foamy and yummy.

It's best to go there for Lunch (since they close at 5PM for most of the week) but be sure to expect a lot of people during Saturday Lunchtime.

Where is Le Coude Rouge?
Inside Alliance Française de Manille
209 Nicanor Garcia Street,
Bel-Air II, Makati City

Website: Le Coude Rouge