Buenisimo by Cafe Ysabel

June 15, 2013

Buenisimo by Cafe Ysabel
24 Sct. Tuason St.,
Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City
4105050

Last Saturday, DH and I were looking for a new restaurant to try in Quezon City. Most of the restaurants were full and were not accepting diners anymore. By 8:30pm, we finally found a decent place to eat- Buenisimo by Cafe Ysabel. It is a fairly new restaurant along Sct. Tuason beside Chic Nails where I had my nails done a few weeks ago.

 Grape Salad with White Cheese PhP 278 

Red/Green Grapes, Grilled Laguna White Cheese, Capers, Olives and Balsami Vinaigrette

Luckily for us, there were a few unoccupied tables when we arrived. We were seated on a couch next to a family of four. The waiter/waitress and even the guard were extra helpful with our things- we were supposed to bring in the stroller. I decided we we won't be needing it because there are several high chairs available ; )

Anyway, our orders came out in succession, within a few minutes after placing it... yey! I love how the kitchen staff work on the presentation of each dish (see the photos). I give it an 8 ; )

What about the taste, you ask? It surprisingly tastes as good as it looks.

For other orders, read after the break...

Pad Thai and More by Chef Cecille in Robinsons Magnolia

December 16, 2012

Pad Thai and More by Chef Cecille
in Front of Robinsons Bank
Lower Ground Floor (Supermarket level)
Robinsons Magnolia
Quezon City

As I was about to write this post, I realized that I have not ordered Pad Thai during my first visit in Cecille Chang's newest fast food joint called Pad Thai and More. So, I went back this afternoon and ordered one plus some more ; p

Pad Thai Prawns PhP 165

IMO, this is better than the Pad Thai Gevi and I ordered in Cecille's main restaurant, Thai Bistro. Of course, presentation wise, nothing can top what Thai Bistro has to offer. You can view the photo here. With this order, I did not even add any condiments available from the counter. It's flavorful despite the fact that I didn't put anything on it. It was oily, the same is true with the rest of our order. 

An order consists of stir fried Pho noodles with eggs, shrimp and tofu with spring onions and crushed peanuts on top. It is also available in Chicken PhP 145 or Pork PhP 145.

To know what else is on the menu, read more...

UPDATED! My dining experience with Cecille Chang at Thai Bistro

November 4, 2012

Thai Bistro
Ground Level
Unit 187 Robinsons Magnolia
Quezon City
7036910   09178381696   09231003530

Two Sundays ago, DH and I were invited by Ms. Cecille Chang, chef/owner of Thai Bistro, to dine in her newest baby at Robinsons Magnolia. After helping conceptualized Thai at Silk, Simply Thai and Thaipan, Ms. Chang has finally decided to put up a restaurant that she can call her own. Yes, we have eaten in two out of her three previous restaurants ; p It was really a pleasure to meet the woman behind it.

Prawn Fresh Rolls PhP 310

A few hours before going to the restaurant, I searched online to find out what Thai Bistro has to offer. I saw Soft Shell Crab presented in various ways on some blog entries, it certainly has whetted my appetite. If my memory serves me right, I raved about a soft shell crab dish in my Thai at Silk entry.

Thai Bistro's Soft Shell Crab cooked in more ways than one:

• Soft Shell Crab Double Fried with Tamarind Puree and Green Chili Dips (Starter) -  PhP 380
• Soft Shell Crab Pomelo with Honey Roasted Jam and Basil Slivers (Salads) - PhP 395
• Crispy Soft Shel Crab (Curries) - PhP 395
• Black Pepper Soft Shell Crab with Tomatoes, Onions and Spring Onions (Stir Fried) PhP 380

To my disappointment, soft shell crab was not available that day huhu ; ( Another favorite, Thai Dungeness Crab was also not available.

As we perused the elaborate menu, there were quite a few interesting dishes that DH and I would love to try. To continue reading about our Thai Bistro dining experience, click read more....

Updated! Greeka Kouzina in San Juan

October 26, 2012

Greeka Kouzina
285 Units 4 & 5 P. Guevarra St.,
San Juan 1500

Gevi, Cats and I were not able to meet up again until last October. We finally settled for the new restaurant called Greeka Kouzina along P. Guevarra in San Juan. I often passed by and almost always, the restaurant looks full from outside. Parking lot is not a problem as the restaurant's security guard will point you to a secured (gated) vacant lot just right around the corner.

Cats told ordered me to make a reservation, I did but the restaurant won't accept any reservations on weekends. When we arrived at around 6:30 pm, I understand why. The restaurant was already filled with diners. More people were waiting outside, mostly with families in tow. Luckily, the very courteous waiter was able to "squeeze" in a table for two on the second floor.

Greek Caesar Salad PhP 310 with Fried Calamari PhP 170

We were overwhelmed with the huge servings. Had I known that everything here is humongous, I would have advised my friends not to order too much. You can just imagine what our cramped table for two looked like. Well, since our table was only squeezed in beside the table of a father and son tandem, most of our orders were trespassing on their table ; p Talk about going overboard. 

The salad alone can be shared by a group of five girls. It's a guiltless Caesar Salad because the dressing is made from 100% greek yogurt and is absolutely fat-free. You can also enjoy this salad with Baked Chicken for only PhP 140.

There are other salad on the menu. I spy a Watermelon and Lamb salad which I would love to try when I go back. Hopefully, with DH in tow!

Food Delivery from City Delivery (87878)

I recently discovered a food delivery service called City Delivery. I was asked to try out their system by calling 87878. Before dialing the hotline number, I browsed through City Delivery's website and I found over three hundred restaurant partners. Think about any restaurant, most likely it's one of City Delivery's food partners.

I had a hard time choosing just one restaurant but finally, I decided to go with Bizu. I remembered my mom was all praise about Bizu's Braised Lamb Shank's in Red Wine. While browsing, I found out that the cake (Amour Party Tray) I wanted to order requires 3 days lead time... ack! Good thing, City Delivery accepts calls for food delivery in advance.

 City Delivery hotline 87878

I made a call around 10 am on a Friday. I gave my name, delivery address, specific date and time (October 28, 2012 Sunday 11 am) for the food delivery. The call lasted around 5 minutes. I even asked Christy, the Call Center Agent who took my call, if I still need to follow up and give them another call on Sunday to ensure the delivery but she said the order was already on their system and everything will be delivered on Sunday ; )

So, did City Delivery come on time? Find out after the break...

Kao-Chi Banawe Revisited

It has been awhile since we last visited Kao-Chi Restarant in Banawe, Quezon City. If I remembered it correctly, we visited this restaurant during its soft opening so I have some issues regarding the service. To be fair, I went back and I am happy to say that the service has improved. Suffice it to say, DH and I had a pleasant time dining in Kao-Chi.

Sauteed Lamb with Golden Mushroom PhP 368

Truth be told, it was DH who insisted on dining here. He remembered how we love the appetizers we ordered. Sad to say, the management has erased it out of their menu. 

Since we both love lamb, we ordered Sauteed Lamb with Golden Mushroom. The serving can be compared to that of a rice topping. It is pretty pricey but what matter is how it tastes like. Uhm, well, it's a bit spicy. Even though the meat is cut into tiny bite size pieces, some of which were still a bit hard to chew. DH loves golden mushroom so I think that was it's saving grace. 

Brick Oven Pizza in Napa Restaurant & Bar

My visit: October 31, 2011

Napa Restaurant & Bar

12 Scout Borromeo St.,

South Triangle, Quezon City

4148272   

My brother is eager to let us try this newly opened restaurant in Scout Borromeo called Napa. He filled me in on what to expect like the brick oven pizza among others. 

 Napa Special PhP430

We went there for dinner after visiting the tomb of my grandparents and two of my uncles on my father's side. We were already hungry even though we had an afternoon snack in Bag of Beans, Tagaytay. You know traveling more than 70 km makes one really, really hungry lol

Napa Special is a thin crust pizza that has everything on it. Crispy and flavorful!

Bloggers at 2nd's Comfort Food Revisited in Fort

My visit: October 13, 2011

2nd's Comfort Food Revisited

2nd floor Wumaco Building 1,

Quadrant 3, 9th Avenue,

Bonifacio High Street

8465293

After gracing the launching of Estee Lauder's Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, my blogger friends and I dined at 2nd's Comfort Food Revisited. It was Shen who suggested the restaurant. I went along as long the establishment accepts credit card hahaha You see,  I only bring a few pesos when I go out. An old habit I carry with me until now. I know, bummer, right? I should kick that habit!

chika babes (l-r) Nikki, Shen, Rowena and I

I am with gorgeous girls, yes?!

Samosas in Apartment 1B Gourmet Comfort Food

My visit: July 21, 2011

Apartment 1B Gourmet Comfort Food

One La Fayette Square

132 LP Leviste corner Sedeno St.,

Salcedo Village

Makati City

8434075

Two weeks ago, DH and I braved the traffic going to Makati just to meet with friends who love to eat good food! We seldom go to Makati because it's far from where we live. But who can resist dining with super friends, right?

 crabcakes PhP330

It was Ryan who recommended the crab cakes. When DH and I arrived, he told us that he and his wife had just finished eating the cakes. We ordered another one as one of the appetizers. It has bits of crab that you can taste as your bite into it. We ordered 4 of these crunchy crab cakes over green leaves, cucumber and cherry tomatoes.

Experience Hong Kong Noodles Bistro in NS Amoranto

My visit: June 11, 2011

Hong Kong Noodles Bistro

529 N.S. Amoranto Sr. Ave.,

corner Pao St.,

Quezon City

7084751

DH is very familiar with Banawe area. When he spots a new restaurant, he would sometimes dine alone. If I am lucky enough to be with him that day, I will be able to take photos of the food we ate and share them with you. I guess this is one of my lucky day!

Hong Kong Noodles Bistro is a fairly new restaurant. A signage along N.S. Amoranto is not that visible and you might just pass by it without noticing that its there. I suggest that you eat here if you are a big fan of noodles like DH or if you are addicted to lamb like me.

house special beef ramen PhP188

The house special beef ramen is filled to the brim with beef, noodles, adobo egg and Taiwan pechay. The beef is not as tender as DH wants it to be but the quality of the noodles made up for it. He didn't know that this order has an adobo egg already. Sigh! When will men learn how to ask? Anyway, he ordered one extra adobo egg for an additional PhP18.