Saturday, June 12, 2010

Boracay Food Trip

Ah...Boracay! It has always been one of my best vacation spots here in the Philippines! I have been there for four times already and every visit has always something spectacular that happened. This year so far, was the best! Because my friend and I just went there to eat and eat and eat and eat!!! It was like we've been eating the whole day! So hold your appetite as I walk your through the three-day Boracay food trip that we had...

Smoke (D'Mall, Station 2)
I first ate there last 2007 when I was with my family to celebrate my aunt's birthday. From then on, I made sure that I had to eat there. In fact, I celebrated my birthday last year at Smoke too! Their specialty is the Beef Salpicao (sauteed spicy beef rice topping), Kad Pao (sauteed beef with green mangoes and egg topped on bagoong rice) and Sizzling Bulalo. The price is very reasonable as one rice bowl is just P95. We also had their sizzling prawns and the sauce...perfect with the garlic rice!





Jony's Fruit Shake (Station 1)

Going to Boracay without a sip of the fresh fruit shake will not complete your trip.   Jony's offers a wide range of fruit shakes and milk shakes to choose from but for me, the Best will always be the Avocado Shake (seasonal) and Mango Shake. My friend had Buko Shake and she told me that their Pineapple Shake is also very good (there's a reason to go back!). Their shakes are very thick and not too much ice. The price ranges from P90-P100 depending on the fruit and fruit combination.









Manana (Station 1)

So far, the best Mexican food I ever tasted! They make their own sauces and sides. Very authentic Mexican food! My favorite dishes are their Enchiladas and Tacos. Although their set meals are kinda pricey but it is good for two. We also had soft tacos and the fun part is you get to wrap the filling on your own. I also love their salsa and because of the authenticity, you know that it is freshly made.


Bite Club (D' Mall, Station 2)


Craving for a burger? As in BURGER! Bite Club offers a burger that's somehow guilt free because it is char-grilled...therefore, NO OIL! We ordered Bombarella, a half pound burger with mozzarella cheese. It was a good thing we shared the burger because it was so BIG that I, myself can't finish everything on my own! You will also be given a wide range of sauces to top your burger. A burger will not be complete if you did not order some fries. Their Crispy Fries is like Jollibee's but has a better taste because they season it with some pepper to enhance the taste. Their burgers price range from P140-P305...next time I had to try their Triple X burger with some friends. How is that possible? They have a branch here in Katipunan! Woohoo!!!




Aria (D'Mall, Station 2)

Beach life won't be complete without pizza. Aria is one of the oldest establishments in Boracay that serves Italian food. Their pizza is baked in a stone oven, so, no oil is needed. We had the Aria Pizza with Parma Ham (Italian Ham) and it's taste would enhance if you put some chili oil in it. Although it's quite expensive but when you go to Boracay, Aria is a place where you must try their pizza and pasta!








D' Talipapa (Station 2)


How could you go to Boracay without eating seafood? Just walk a little further and D' Talipapa is where you can feast for seafoods! From prawns to clams to oysters to lobsters, name it and you can have it! The style here is that you need to know how to buy your fresh catch and how it should be cooked. But I do recommend that for crabs, have it with chili sauce. For lobsters, butter garlic sauce and for the prawns, let them grill it. By the way, although we didn't have oysters, I suggest you have them baked topped with cheese, butter and garlic...yum!


Real Coffee and Tea Cafe (Station 1)

Craving for a dessert like no other and only in the Philippines? Then, you better have the Calamansi Muffin at Real Coffee and Tea Cafe. It's P40 and would surely satisfy your tangy craving. You can even make some pre-order to bring it back to Manila.












I guess, after reading this blog, you are now hungry...well, I think you better pack up your stuff and have a Food Trip in THE party island, BORACAY!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Cajun

When I'm feeling stressed or down, I always splurge on good food. Just around the corner of Retiro St. in Quezon City stands a restaurant called Cajun. An American cuisine like no other! With their homey style restaurant, it really makes me feel relaxed and forget about the pressures in life even for just an hour.

For appetizer, you may order their sampler platter. The platter contains chicken fingers, onion rings, calamares and my favorite, cheese logs!

For their main entrees, my personal favorite is Chicken Alfred (breaded boneless fried chicken with Alfredo sauce) sides with their sauteed Hashbrowns and Cajun Saflon Rice. I also love their Mustard Chicken and Volcano Burgers! Well, practically, I love all their food! And the price, it's very reasonable. An entree with a big serving costs more or less P215-P275 depending on what type of meat and entree you prefer.

Then, it is going to be perfect to end your meal with their Overload dessert! Fresh hot chocolate cake topped with chocolate coated vanilla ice cream...hmmmmm....need I say more? No need to pay for an overpriced meal anymore on your next relaxing Food Trip; just drop by at Cajun and it now has two additional branches: Atrium at Megamall and Robinson's Galleria Movieworld.

Chef Tony's

Movie nights will never be the same without a bowl of popcorn. Of course, as we all know, the usual flavors are butter, cheese and the salted one. However, Chef Tony's Popcorn was able to develop popcorn into a higher level. I was able to meet the man himself yesterday and was privileged to listen to some of his popcorn stories.

They have developed a new flavor called the Yummy Flavor intended for Yummy Magazine. It is mixed with Southern French Herb and Cream Cheese. At first, I had doubts in the taste but when I was able to actually taste it, man, I couldn't stop taking another bite and another bite to the point I have to close the tub to stop nibbling! They only manufactured 500 tubs for introduction and will eventually become a regular item in the near future. It costs P175 per big tub and is available in selected Chef Tony's branches. Like what I said earlier, movie nights will never be the same without a tub of Yummy Chef Tony's Popcorn!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Abe

When it comes to Filipino fine dining, there are only a few of them. One of them is Abe. It is operated by LJC Group of Restaurants that also brings you Cafe Adriatico. They have an authentic Filipino Cuisine that would certainly appeal to any Filipino palate. We brought our Japanese friend to have a taste of our very own cuisine and he was impressed! I would recommend their Binukadkad na Pla-pla (deep fried fish), Crispy Pork Adobo, Pinakbet (mixed vegetables with shrimp paste or bagoong), Baby Shrimp in Olive Oil, Sugpo sa Gata (Tiger Prawn in coconut milk sauce) and of course, their Bamboo Rice (one of their best sellers).

Although the price is kinda high but it's worth eating there once in a blue moon. They have branches in SM Mall of Asia, Trinoma, and Serendra. Sometimes, it's ok to splurge on your next Food Trip, so if you're taking your date, Abe could be your next choice!

Amici

Do you love canteen food? I'm sure that most of you would answer "NO!" But there's one canteen food that you would always crave for...it's Amici. It started its operations at Don Bosco in Makati. They serve Italian food....of course the usual pizza and pasta. But for me, they have the best fast food pizza in the metro! They cooked it in a brick oven....no oil is needed therefore, it's a healthy pizza. My personal favorite is the Frutti Di Mare (seafood pizza). Unfortunately, when I ate there with my "angels", it was out of stock. But anyway, we still had fun eating! We had Margarita Pizza, Mozzarella Frittos and Vongole (seafood pasta). The price is very reasonable especially for a pizza place. More or less, it's just about P200 per head.

They have branches in Don Bosco Makati, SM Megamall, Greenhills, Tomas Morato, SM North EDSA Annex and Alabang Town Center. So, if you're craving for a reasonable priced Italian cuisine on your next Food Trip, Amici is the place!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Octoboy

This lunch, my colleague and I ate at Octoboy. So far, for me, this is where the best Takoyaki can be found. At a price of P90, an order would already fill your stomach because it bigger than the average Takoyaki you found in malls. They have a variety of Pork, Squid and Shrimp to choose from.

We also ate their Shrimp Yakiudon. An order (P210) is good for 2-3 persons and it's very tasty. I like their Yakiudon because it has less toppings and it's kinda different from the ones I have ate. It's a bit sweet. Perfect for the Filipino palate.

Octoboy is located along Banawe beside Ersao. The service is fast and is very appropriate for a quick Food Trip!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Suka at Sili

When I eat Halo-Halo, I become very choosy because I don't like eating beans. However, there's one place in Quezon City where their Halo-Halo becomes my personal favorite. And I always keep on coming back for it.

Suka at Sili is located at D. Tuazon, Quezon City beside Quincy Supermarket. At first, you will not notice it because it looks like an office space. They serve Filipino dishes that cost about P150 per head with ALL YOU CAN EAT RICE. Their specialties are grilled chicken, grilled pork, enseladang talong and, my favorite dish, crispy hito and make sure you dip it in their special suka (vinegar)!

In this blog I will highlight their Halo-Halo. The ice is very fine and it looks like an ice cream. Mixed in this dessert treat are slices of bananas, langka (jack fruit), coconut meat and leche flan. Nothing beats this P60 dessert that you would crave for perfect for a cool Food Trip!

Food Trippers