Where to Eat Tidbits: Rai Rai Ken Cubao

If you haven’t heard of Rai Rai Ken yet, I don’t think we’re living in the same planet! Kidding aside, Rai Rai Ken is the forefather of Ramen restaurants here in the country. I have been dining at Rai Rai Ken ever since I was 9! Through the years, the chain has maintained its authentic taste without being distant from the average purchasing foodies! Their equation to  success? Quality Ramen + affordable price = a reign of more than 20 years!

My thoughts:

🍜🥢🍚 Rai Rai Ken’s Ramen is one of the best in town! Their Miso Ramen is so on-point that the richness of the taste is undoubtedly satisfying. Like all their Tonkotsu-based soup, the pork bones broth base amplifies the flavor of the dish…and OMG the size of the serving! You can actually share this with a friend! Not bad for a Ramen ranging from 250 to 400 Php!

🍜🥢🍚 If you are fond of challenges, you ought to try their Garlic Chili Ramen. This is best eaten during cold weather. It has ox tripe and shrimp which are the ideal grubs to pair with hot Ramen!

🍜🥢🍚 Rai Rai Ken is not only all about Ramen. They also serve Bentos (Japanese lunch box consisting of rice, vegetables, and meat) and Donburis (Japanese rice bowl dish with fish, meat, and vegetables). They are all promising and sumptuous!

🍜🥢🍚 What is a Japanese Restaurant without sushi and maki? They have it here! Just don’t expect the exotic ones, of course. But if you’re looking for the timeless classics like salmon, kani, and tuna, you will not be disappointed!

Rai Rai Ken can still be found in several locations in Metro Manila. I am very to lucky to be living so near it in Cubao! Try their Ramen today and find out why they are standing strong in the market for more than 2 decades!

🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜

You can find Rai Rai Ken at the Second Floor, Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City! They are open from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. Here’s how you find it:

 

Where to Eat Tidbits: Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar

If you are tired of the usual chicken joints, you have got to try Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar! What sets this place apart is that they do not only showcase their signature chicken (which is, by the way, the richest, mouthwatering chicken I have tasted in a long time! You can tell how wide the variation of herbs they’re using as rubs and how they slowly grill their food to goodness!), they also have a number of dips or sauces that will cater everybody’s taste buds.

My thoughts:

🐔🍗🌶️ The dips/sauces are refillable! You have 8 options to choose from, ranging from the oriental Sweet Soy to the daring and fiery Chili Peppa’, which is my favorite!!!

🐔🍗🌶️ At first glance, food may seem pricey but boy are the servings abundant! I had trouble finishing my Chicken and Rib Plate!

🐔🍗🌶️ The interior of the restaurant is Instagram-worthy! I love how they recycled bottles to wall decors. The lighting and fixtures were also beautiful, giving that whole Tex-Mex vibe.

🐔🍗🌶️ They have friendly and accommodating staff. You know how rowdy family dinners turn out! They were patient and enduring to our never ending (and at one point unreasonable) order changes and requests.

🐔🍗🌶️ If it’s your birthday, all you need to do is present a valid I.D. with your birthday stated on it and they will give you–get this–one whole chicken!!! OH MY LORD!!! I couldn’t hide the fact that I was ecstatic over this surprise. It wasn’t my birthday, though. It was my brother’s! When the box was handed to him I just knew that tomorrow’s breakfast will be phenomenal!

🐔🍗🌶️ You have got to check out their desserts! Their El Fuego is a must try! It’s chocolate fudge topped with vanilla ice cream, which were all wrapped inside a cloud of torched marshmallow!

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar is best for lunch outs and dinners with your family and friends. They have a bar as well where you can give their Beergarita a go and celebrate life and what-not with your amigos!

🐔🍗🌶️🐔🍗🌶️🐔🍗🌶️🐔🍗🌶️🐔🍗🌶️🐔🍗🌶️🐔🍗🌶️🐔🍗🌶️🐔🍗🌶️🐔🍗🌶️🐔🍗🌶️

You can find Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar at the Third Floor, Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City! They are open from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. everyday!

Ethnic Boutique, Tabuk: An Oasis in the Mountains

Tabuk, Kalinga is known to be the portal to the ever so famous Buscalan. Many tourists roam around the town, all excited to their soon encounter with the legendary Whang Od or the country’s oldest mambabatok (traditional art of tattooing using bamboo stick and pomelo thorn. Ash is used as ink). Not known to the public, Tabuk has its own charm.

 

One of Tabuk’s hidden treasure is Ethnic Boutique, located at FF Cruz, Bulanao Centro. My partner and I were looking for places to hang out the afternoon before my cousin’s wedding day when we accidentally stumbled upon the place. We were expecting to have the famed Kalinga Coffee over our usual musings. What we didn’t expect was how beautiful the place is.

Everything was on point. It was Ethnic, alright! In every corner of Ethnic Boutique you will see the customary Igorot tapestry. The lush vegetation enveloping the cafe is a treat to the senses. It made the place an oasis to weary travelers. We arrived just right after lunch and there were no dishes left to prepare probably because of the influx of people dining. We waited for their merienda instead which is all good because the view is stunning.

We stationed at the farthest corner of Ethnic Boutique, closest to the open view of the farmlands. The mountain seemed so near and smelled so near. It was something you would want to hold on to after being in the city for the longest time. The air was the freshest I have ever been exposed to. It was the antithesis to my usual toxicity of Aurora Boulevard.

There were also different variations of native wines displayed. You can opt to buy from them and have it served with your meal. Their specialty wine is the Bugnay Wine or wine made from fermented wild berries. Pineapple wine and Guava wine were also available. We didn’t buy though. There’s a good place near the market that sells them cheaper.

Ethnic Boutique serves unlimited Kalinga Coffee! While waiting for their afternoon serving, we indulged ourselves to the unlikely combination of coffee and cucumber iced tea. I know, I know. We were very hydrated and happy. We also got to meet the dogs and cats in the area. There was even a mama dog with her puppies. All were friendly and tamed.

We ordered their buttered chicken and organic rice. It was so good, in fact, that after finishing our meal, we ordered a round of fries. Our palettes were not disappointed. If it was something about the cool weather that made us extra hungry, or the welcoming scenery, or their meals were just scrumptious to the core, we will never know. All we knew at that time is that Ethnic Boutique made us warm in delight.

Ethnic Boutique is one of the places that gave us the full Tabuk experience. We were fortunate that we’ll always have the comfort of returning since my relatives are from the area. I would suggest that should you visit the cafe when you happen to make Tabuk your stopover or destination, better come on time for lunch. You will be able to choose more from their menu!

Here’s a rough map to Ethnic Boutique. If all else fails, you can ask the townsfolk where Ethnic Boutique is!

 

The Aristocrat Restaurant: Unli-Almusal and a Cup of History

 

The Aristocrat Restaurant is one of the many things that define Philippine culture. Since 1928, it has been serving Filipinos from all walks of life the traditional cuisine that we have learned to love and long for.

It all started when Engracia Cruz-Reyes, more popularly known as Aling Asiang, decided that their family of 14 (12 children and the family’s foundation) should not be the only people enjoying her home-cooked meals. She had converted their home to an eatery and thus, history was made. Her ever famous Pancit Luglog, Arroz Caldo, Adobo Sandwich, and Chicken Barbecue  became the exquisite cravings of almost everyone Pinoy.

Image from notey.com

Also, a fun fact, Aristocrat pioneered the food-cart industry in the country in 1940 when they have converted a Ford to a rolling canteen. This used to make rounds from Luneta to Roxas Boulevard and has served as the forefather of the elegant Aristocrat Malate Branch.

Image from Aristocrat.com.ph

If you think that something this advanced in years would end up forgotten, then you’re making a mistake. Just recently, Aristocrat Malate has launched their promo “Almusal-All-You-Can”  and we knew instantaneously that, this, we had got to experience!

Image from Aristocrat.com.ph

The promo runs from October 21, 2016 to December 31, 2016 within the hours of 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM. For 200 Php you get to experience the lavish breakfast menu of Philippine’s finest.

Now, you might ask what sets this buffet apart from all those who have managed to sprung out in the Metro. Honestly speaking, the number of their dishes aren’t as many compared to Something Fishy, Finio, or Bigoli. It’s the quality that actually knocked these buffet joints down. Aristocrat, contrary to the principle of most all-you-can-eat joints,  prioritizes quality over quantity.

The instance Aristocrat’s friendly staff ushered us to the dining hall, we were greeted by an array of hearty ulams. You can only imagine how joyous I was when I saw the Java Rice and their praise-worthy Sinigang! If only words can describe how delectable the thick soup submerging the pork and vegetables is, you would get what this raving is all about.

Tapa and Longganisa are not to be missed, as well. They go very well with their flavorful Garlic Rice! It was a feast to the palette. It was every foodie’s happiness actualized. To make things even better, they served a complimentary roll of Mango Delight! It was just tragic that the moment it was laid on the buffet table, it heralded a hungry pack of fans that we were not able to get a slice…I have to confess, though. My friends and I, out of desperation, took the cake packaging and lived with what was left of the beauty. The icing sufficed!

I had to say, Aristocrat felt like home. The menu is a reminiscent of a Sunday visit to your Lola’s house. Aling Asiang’s legacy lived with every satisfied customer who came out of their restaurant doors. The staff were very accommodating and friendly and were very festive despite the ungodly hour to which their jobs begin. I was even to the point of dancing with one of them to the tune of the jovial music (let me call him “mem” and if ever you get the chance to read this, you were that one happy pill that completed our visit)

My friends and I were beyond satisfaction. Your family and friends will definitely enjoy the experience too!

How to go to The Aristocrat Restaurant, Malate Branch:

1. From Cubao, you can ride the LRT 2 Station to Recto.
2. After alighting from the station, walk to the direction of Divisoria until you reach Avenida.
3. Hail a jeepney with the signage “Mabini/Baclaran/M.H. Del Pilar”
4. Ask to be dropped near to Rajah Sulayman Park or Malate Church.
5. Walk to the direction of Baywalk and you are not to miss the restaurant!

Budget of a Typical Wanderlust (Public Transpo + Tipid Tips):

LRT (Araneta Center to Recto): 20.00 Php x 2 = 40.00 Php

Jeepney Fare: 10 Php x 2 = 20.00 Php

Buffet: 200.00 Php

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Total: 260.00 Php + Free strolling along Roxas Blvd/Baywalk ヽ(・∀・)ﾉ

**The Aristocrat Restaurant Malate is located at 423 San Andres Street Malate Manila, Philippines. Contact number is (02) 524-7671 to 80

Can I Just Say, “Bullchef!”?

We were told that Kapitolyo, Pasig is fast becoming the next “go-to” place for foodies. Would we miss the chance to give the place a visit? Of course not!

The moment we arrived at the district, we were once again torn as to where to go and which restaurant to try. Kapitolyo offers all sorts of food from Japanese to Italian, from pastries to full-course meals!

Funny how we ended up at this Bulalo place called “Bullchef”. We passed-by their screaming sign once or twice but didn’t land there up until the very last minute. Yes, we got tired. We walked from both ends just to ensure that we’re making the right decision!

My partner and I thought that, “Hey it’s Bulalo! Bulalo is always good!”. With that in mind, we knew that nothing could go wrong despite being greeted by a damp, musty smell. We did try convincing ourselves that it was all going to be great.

We sat down near the window and immediately noticed the stack of old magazines behind us. We sort of moved a little bit farther from it just in case cockroaches would spring out. There was also a sort of Wall of Fame where famous personalities who dropped by leave their messages of support and autograph. Pictures were also put up on the wall and I could only imagine how beautiful it looked like…before. Now, it was washed out; the photos were blurred to the point of beyond recognition, and the wall was turning yellow.

Still, we tried telling ourselves that it couldn’t be that bad. Celebrities loved the place!

Their menu was remarkable! Aside from it was entertaining because of the food names, they also have bundles so you get to enjoy not only Bulalo, but other side dishes. Yes, it was a little pricey…but we thought that even at Mahogany Tagaytay, Bulalo does come in a significant amount.

Now, we never thought 150 grams can be sooo little. We knew for a fact that 150 grams is just 50 grams more than the minimum weight of jellybeans you can get from those high-end candy stalls but hey…translate it to ulam, it was waaay too quaint. I honestly was disappointed. We ordered the Bullchef special and it was nothing but that. The rice was weighed up to the last grain (although refillable once only) and the Bulalo Soup was bland. The only thing that looked special were the 2 wooden sticks to help us get the marrow out of the bone.

If there’s any consolation, we were told that the soup is sky’s the limit.

Asking for the bill was also heartbreaking. We had to pay almost 500 Php for something not worth it. With heavy heart, we still thanked the staff and head out, promising never to visit the place again.

**Please click this LINK for directions on how to go to Bullchef.

**Bullchef is located at 4 East Capitol Drive,Kapitolyo, Pasig City and is open from 10 AM – 3 AM, Mondays through Sundays. For more information, you can visit their FACEBOOK PAGE. 

Caution Hot 警告辣: Your Go-To Spicy Noodle House

Being a fan of anything soup is not really easy. There will come a point where you can no longer be satisfied with your typical carinderia’s pasabaw. You wanted something more…something that will definitely tickle your taste buds…something amusingly shocking.

I could talk passionately about soup and noodles all day if you want! That’s how big of a lover I am…and this is how I wound up at Caution! HOT!

Aside from the place is so hard to miss with its screaming red sign, you’ll also see a chalkboard declaring “Spicy Noodles Inside!” That’s love! We rushed in and immediately appreciated the simplicity of the place. Imagine Taiwan or even Hongkong…can you recount their modern noodle houses there? This is fusion of that and a wash of the traditional.

When we were handed the menu, it got more interesting. Ordering is actually a 4-step process! First of, you would have to decide which toppings you would like. You have a choice between All Veggie, Pork, Beef, and Seafood. Honestly, I would have gone for the seafood if it was not for my allergies but I was not disappointed with Pork. OMG Pork was to die for.

Then, you will be asked to choose your broth. Szechuan is an all-time favorite of mine. It’s everything spicy and hearty plus it has fried egg and mushrooms! If you would like to go for a bit of sourness with a splash of sweetness, I would suggest you try Asam Laksa. The taste would transport you to Malaysia with its authenticity! Lastly, it would never kill, if you’d go for the simple and traditional. Try their Classic broth for a more clean, non-spicy experience.

Choosing your noodles is easy. If you would like a fuller taste, go for the wheat noodles. If you are like me, though, who loves thin, easy to eat ones, go for the egg noodles. Lastly, you will be asked how spicy you would like your noodles to be. I went immediately for Ultimate Burn! According to their menu, it’s the 4th level of spiciness and super punch. If you’re a little bit modest, I would strongly recommend the 2nd Degree burn so you get to enjoy full flavors still.

The experience at Caution! HOT! is something worth retelling. It’s a simple dining place but the food is just so delectable. If you don’t have that big of an appetite, you can actually share one bowl with a friend. But remember, personalizing your noodles is a big thing here. Your friend might not appreciate you palate’s whims!

How to go to Caution! HOT!

1. From Alimall Cubao, ride the jeep heading to SM Fairview. – 7.50 Php
2. Alight at Puregold Kalayaan and ride the trike. Ask to be dropped off at Ministop near Krus na Ligas. – 17.00 Php
3. Once you disembarked at Ministop, look toward the direction of U.P., and you can’t miss the red signage screaming “CAUTION! HOT!”

**Caution! HOT! is located at Magiting Corner Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City. You can visit their Facebook Page for more information. They are open from 11 AM to 11 PM 🙂

TGI Fridays: Of Reunions and Perks of a Bella

RA and Jenny were 2 of my closest college buddies. We’ve been through a lot then. It was a combination of the worst professors, family tragedies, the case of bad ex-boyfriends…almost every darn component that can launch a youth-oriented program either on Channel 2 or 7!

Fast forward 8 years, we decided to meet up and we were different in a way that we’re no longer caught up with the little things, and so much the same because the humor, the way we are to each other, is still the same. RA has already passed the BAR exams while Jenny is happily married and living in Isabela.

After our coffee shop chat, we decided to eat dinner at TGI Fridays in Eastwood. We were even joking that this was one hell of an upgrade since we were used to eating along Mendiola and Quiapo eateries back in the day. I mentioned that I have this voucher from the planner I ritually buy every year and they were ecstatic since the deal was for every 1,500 Php purchase, it was 500 Php off. That’s one dish taken out!

We took obligatory selfies, aiming for something we cannot disclose openly here but has something to do with a sort of vendetta (LOL), and then delved into finding a good meal to chow down. For starters, we ordered the Calypso Calamari Salad for 495 Php. Expensive for a salad? Definitely not! Aside from the vegetables are all crisp and fresh (considering the time, we were there 9 PM), the zing of the cilantro-lime dressing is a fresh take over the calamari.

Jenny was craving for the Seafood Platter so we ordered that one as well. For the price of 975 Php, it was a lot! We were not able to finish the whole dish despite how hungry we were from our chikahan. 

And why go to Friday’s without trying out their burger? I know all too well that TGI Fridays burgers are simply to die for. Whether death by its scrumptious taste or overeating, it’s for you to find out. The servings are more than generous and the meat is pure, unadulterated, chunk of heaven. So we humbled ourselves over the Fridays Cheeseburger Sliders (495 Php). The meal is made up of 4 mini-burgers made up of char-grilled patties and caramelized onions. Disappointment was never an issue with this. Delicious!

We washed it down with our refillable glass of iced-tea and more reminiscing. When our bill came, it was surprisingly within expectation. No qualms about this one as we were deeply satisfied and we’re not even able to finish everything!

With the Belle de Jour Perks of a Bella Voucher here’s a breakdown of our bill:

Calypso Calamari Salad – 495.00 Php

Seafood Platter – 975.00 Php

Fridays Cheeseburger Sliders – 495.00 Php

Iced Tea – 300.00 Php

Service Chage – 202.23 Php

Total: 2467.23 Php

Less 500 Php from Belle de Jour Voucher

New Total: 1967.23 Php 

It was pretty much a good deal p(*＾-＾*)q  500 Php that was taken off from our bill is not far from what I have originally paid for to purchase the whole planner with the coupon book on it (598.00 Php). Definitely one of the perks of being a Bella!