With the holidays fast approaching, I can just imagine how stressful it is for moms and home makers out there to plan the family dinner on Christmas eve and new year's eve. Everyone wants to make this once a year event a day to remember hence most households make it a point to plan ahead. What better way to make any occasion festive than including a signature pinoy dish, the lechon.

Growing up in a family of meat lovers, it's surprising how I'm not so much into eating this popular dish. I actually prefer lean meat and every lechon dish I've tried don't taste as flavorful without the sauce. Then came Cebu lechon, now that's a totally different story! I got to taste one during our short visit to Cebu a couple of years back to attend a symposium. Since then, I would always ask what kind of lechon is being served before skipping the carving station in the buffet. Fast forward to last week, together with other lovely blogger friends, I got introduced to the newest Cebu lechon in town by Porky Pit.

WANGFU: Chinese Bistro

Hey guys! A close friend recently celebrated her birthday and since we just had a western dinner a month ago, we opted for Chinese this time at Wangfu Chinese Bistro in Tomas Morato. We were suppose to eat there last month but we didn't make reservations and the place was jam-packed even on a rainy night. This time, we made sure and reserved a week ahead.

I've seen Wangfu in Il Terrazo near ABS CBN but the branch in Tomas Morato near Roces Avenue is extra special since one of the owners is no other than Sir Chief, Richard Yap. The place became even more popular when Miss Kris Aquino featured it on Kris TV. Since then, I bet everyone else is as curious as we are if the menu is any good rendering the place fully booked most of the time. 

Sweet Corn Soup with Minced Chicken (228 Php)

I love that this soup has a perfect consistency and that it really tasted good. The mixture of corn, egg and bits of chicken meat tasted yummy! They do have a generous serving so this big bowl was enough for all of us even after refilling more than twice! I'm guessing it can serve 12 people at the most. 

Hot and Sour Soup (258 Php)

I'm not a fan of this soup and only had a sip to taste but it did have a good consistency and tasted quite similar to what other Chinese restaurants serve. My friend who's into hot and sour soups said she liked it and thinks it's at par with other hot and sour soups she's tasted. 

Yang Chow Fried Rice (228 Php)

This rice would've disappointed me if it weren't for the shrimps. I felt like the other components were lacking but the generous amount of perfectly cooked shrimps you get each scoop made up for the meager amount of other ingredients. But hey that's just me. 

Pork Siomai (88 Php)

These were delicious! Almost as great as my most favorite Siomai from Causeway but more comparable to that of Gloria Maris in terms of the tender pork meat and soft siomai wrapper.

Seafood Bundle (98 Php)

This is probably my least favorite among the dimsum we ordered. Although the crab meat and fish were tender, the squid was tough to chew on, I like Causeway's version better.

Beancurd Roll (88 Php)

I was actually asked to try even just a bite of this and I did like it. The flavor tasted good and it was tender enough to my liking.

Crunchy Sweet & Sour Pork with Lychee (288 Php)

This pork dish is actually one of the best ones we ate that night. It has a perfect crust with tender meat. The sauce isn't too special but goes well with the other ingredients.

Kung Pao Chicken (278 Php)

This chicken dish also tasted delicious. The meat was perfectly tender and the overall flavor is really good. I also like that the sauce was just enough to give the right flavor.

Beef with Broccoli in Oyster Sauce (328 Php)

This dish also tasted good. The beef slices were tender and the broccoli was crunchy and not over cooked. The sauce was a little dry yet very flavorful.

Sambal Chili Prawns (428 Php)

I wasn't able to take a picture but this dish tasted good and not overly spicy. The shrimps were perfectly coated with sweet chili sauce and the meat is really tender and flavorful.

Image courtesy of Wangfu

Overall, our dining experience at Wangfu Chinese Bistro wasn't extraordinary but good. The interiors of the place is really impressive especially their chandeliers and modern furnitures. The menu has a good selection, the food tastes good with equally good serving proportions.

Image courtesy of Wangfu

It's a good place to dine with friends and family but you have to make reservations to get a sure slot. They will hold the table for you but make sure to be there on time because they will give your slot away 15 minutes beyond your reserved time. I've read in other reviews that they have a problem with serving your orders on time but we didn't experience that. They are well staffed and the orders came right on time. As for the price, I think theirs is pretty much competitive. Our bill reached 3,000 Php which I believe is a reasonable price for 4 main dishes, 3 orders of dimsum, 2 varieties of soup, 2 orders of yang chow fried rice and drinks.

Image courtesy of Wangfu

I will definitely go back in the future and recommend it to those of you who want to eat Chinese food at any given time. Wangfu is located along Tomas Morato Avenue and you can make your reservations by calling them at 02-4100304.

Thank you for reading and have a great weekend!

♥♥♥

A Private Tasting Event at YABU The House of Katsu

Hey everyone! A month ago, we celebrated a friend's birthday in one of the most raved about restaurants in the metro, YABU The House of Katsu in Robinson's Magnolia. We only knew of two other branches, SM Aura and Mall of Asia so after that tasteful celebration, I literally wished for a nearer branch to open soon. 

That wish came to reality when YABU emerged in SM The Block. On their first opening week, Yabu catered only to invited guests. Fortunately, we were invited by a good friend to attend their private tasting event.

An array of condiments are on the table including their Goma dressing which reminds me so much of thousand island dressing and is best drizzled over shredded cabbage; Shoyu dressing used to season your chosen katsu or shredded cabbage for added flavor; Wasabi sauce which gives you just the right bite without being overly spicy. If you love spicy food, then you may enjoy your dish with other condiments like Japanese pepper, chili pepper and chili oil.

While waiting for your food, a mini mortar and pestle is served for grinding black and white sesame seeds which by the way smells so appetizing. Add in 2 to 3 scoops of the katsu sauce and voila! You now have a personally prepared sauce for your katsu.

Appetizers are also served and since I already ordered chicken for main course, I opted for prawn as a starter. It tasted really good and I love that you get more meat than breading. 

I ordered a complete meal consisting of chicken katsu which comes with unlimited brown rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage and fruits. 

The chicken katsu was deliciously cooked to perfection with tender chicken meat covered in crispy breading. I am not a veggie eater but their shredded cabbage was also a hit especially when drizzled with Goma and Shoyu dressing. If you're not fond of eating spicy food then keep away from the yellow sauce served with your katsu. 

You have a choice between brown and white Japanese rice but for a healthier choice, I suggest you get the former. 

They also serve unlimited fruits like Watermelon and Pineapple.

One of my friends ordered the Kurobuta Premium set consisting of imported flavorful pork in a crisp golden crust.

This is their Chicken and Seafood Katsu set consisting of Chicken, Black Tiger Prawn, Squid, Oyster and Eggplant. 

They also serve Katsu Curry Set of your choice whether, pork, chicken or minced meat with cheese.

To cap off the night, we ordered Chocolate and Strawberry Lava Cakes for dessert both of which tasted heavenly.

Yabu SM The Block Private Tasting Event
(L-R) me, Kristen, Leo, Honey, Rochelle, Roygien

Birthday celebration at Yabu Robinsons Magnolia
(L-R) Twinkle, me, Rochelle, Honey, Aileen, Manel (celebrant), May and Jef

Yabu SM The Block
(L-R) Honey, Rochelle, Aileen, me, May, Kristen and Twinkle

Overall, I really enjoyed our Katsu experience at Yabu and I have to say that they serve the best Katsu I've ever tasted in Manila. Aside from the nice ambiance, I'm also impressed with their competent crew of servers who attend to your every need, constantly refilling your plates and glasses. 

 

I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone who wants a taste of reasonably priced authentic Japanese Katsu. To date, they have six branches around the Metro including SM Megamall, Robinsons Magnolia, SM Mall of Asia, SM South Mall, SM Aura Premier and SM The Block. So if you want authentic Japanese food, head now to Yabu and let them solve that craving for you. 

Special thanks to Ms. Erika Lim of Yabu, Mr. Roygien Co and Dr. Rochelle Abuan for the generous invitation.

❤❤❤

YOBOB Cebu Lenchon

Hello everyone! If  you've been watching Kris TV, you'd know that Miss Kris Aquino has been featuring many restaurants around the metro, one of which is Yobob Lechon de Cebu in Tomas Morato, Q.C. This is co owned by former Pinoy Big Brother housemate turned actor, Paul Jake Castillo. If that name doesn't ring a bell, maybe you'd recognize him when I tell you he played as Maya dela Rosa's avid suitor Simon in Please Be Careful With My Heart. 

Yobob first opened in Cebu and just recently branched out in Manila. They are famous for their deliciously flavored and mildly spicy Cebu Lechon which is why we didn't think twice going there to try it ourselves.

I'm not really into eating lechon so I was relieved to see other dishes in the menu like Sizzling Gambas, Sinigang Salmon Belly, Tinolang Manok and Hungarian Sausage. 

Of course we ordered Krissy's Sinigang na Lechon, a dish contributed by no other than Miss Kris Aquino. It wasn't on the menu until she cooked it herself during their visit and made use of Yobob Cebu Lechon as the main ingredient. Honestly, this dish truly deserves a five-star rating. The meat is so tender and the soup has that perfect sour, spicy taste of Sinigang. I also love the soup's slightly thick consistency. It may look quite expensive on the menu at 280 Php but the generous serving (good for 3-4) makes this dish affordable so that's around 70 Php to 90 Php per person. 

We also ordered Sizzling Hungarian Sausage but unfortunately it wasn't available. After several minutes of enjoying the Sinigang, we realized a trip to Yobob wouldn't be complete without trying out their famous Cebu Lechon so we ordered it as well.

I never enjoyed eating lechon before because the taste is fully dependent on the sauce which for me isn't any good but Yobob Cebu Lechon is totally far from that. It's pretty tasteful that you can eat it alone without adding sauce. I love that the meat is quite lean with just a thin layer of fat in between but contrary to beliefs that lean pork meat is less tasty, this really tasted so delicious. The meat is really tender and a bit salty with a tinge of spicy flavor. We ordered half a kilo of Cebu Lechon which I think is enough to stuff 4-5 people. It costs 360 Php so again that's roughly 70 Php to 90 Php per head and is still pretty much affordable. This dish also deserves a five-star rating.

Overall, Yobob Cebu Lechon is definitely a must try for everybody. They serve delicious dishes priced reasonably that a budget of 200 Php per person is enough to enjoy their cooking. So for tasty Cebu Lechon and other Pinoy dishes, visit Yobob Cebu Lechon in Tomas Morato and you won't be disappointed. 

❤❤❤

STARBUCKS: My Second Home

Hey guys! The summer heat is really getting into my nerves. ACs don't seem to help a lot than usual and leaving the house seems like a nightmare. Anyway, enough about the rantings, this entry is all about a place I consider my haven, Starbucks. Be it any branch from north to south, in or out of the country (well, I've only been to Singapore but I wish to travel more), Starbucks has always made me feel like I'm home. So imagine my grief after finding out that the branch dearest to me, Starbucks PM Apartments in Diliman Q.C. is closing permanently. Not that I'm there everyday like I used to when I was studying for boards, but having them there has always made me feel lucky. Lucky to have a branch in my community approximately 3 to 4 blocks away. Lucky that I can just go there anytime and stay for as long as I can when I feel like it.

Image courtesy of www.behance.net

The news came to me last April 30 when I decided to have coffee before heading home. I was greeted by their cordial staff and I realized I miss being recognized especially by a bunch of people who has somehow become a part of my countless review sessions in the past. They gave me a complimentary drink up size so I asked why. They said it was their last day and they're transferring to a bigger place come July. Well the good news is that it's just across the street and they need 2 months to get the new place up and running so it's not too bad right?


Being the sentimental person I've always been, I couldn't help but reminisce the times I spent there with friends and family. Instances when we were there for the entire day while reviewing, several times spent there just hanging out after a day's work and a few occasions when going to Starbucks was implied after a night out. My emo mode was cut short when one of the baristas approached my table to give me this..

It may just be a generic letter to all the customers but the contents made me feel appreciated and thought of. The recognition of being one of their loyal customers is heart warming and the complimentary drink for me is just down right thoughtful.




I'll surely miss this place, my second home not too far away from mine but I'll be looking forward to their return. To all the wonderful staff of Starbucks PM Apartments, thank you for brewing with us in the past 5 years and we're more than excited to welcome you back in our community the soonest possible time so please don't take too long.

♥ ♥ ♥

Bio-essence BIO Spring Water and a lot more.. :)

About a couple of months ago, my cousin from Singapore surprised us with an unexpected visit. We got together as usual and celebrated over the one thing that never fails to make us happy.. FOOD.

Good thing we were all craving for pizza and pasta that day. Seeing the yellow and black stripes of Yellow Cab immediately perked our appetite.

I didn't know Yellow Cab already offers group meals called Fleet Packages" so it took us a little while to decide what to order. We eventually opted to get the package with an 18 inch pizza (New York's finest), two pasta dishes (Charlie Chan chicken pasta and Spaghetti with Meatballs), two small tubs of ice cream, half a pint each (Pistachio and Serendipity) and a pitcher of Coke.

With my beautiful cousins

Playing around with our spoons.. :)

But good food and AWESOME company weren't the only ones that made me smile that day, my cousin's pasalubong also played an important role. She gave me Bio-essence' BIO spring water spray.

I honestly wouldn't have bought this for myself two months ago because I really don't use water sprays even in the gym after work out. Also, I am an avid reader of product labels and this one doesn't look any different from a regular mineral water. Good thing my cousin gave me this and swears she got clearer skin on regular use. I started using this just a month ago and here are my thoughts:

This comes in a tall canister that can fit in your gym bag. I love that the spray works well each time, dispensing the contents in small particles that feel like cool mist sprayed on your skin. It instantly refreshes and hydrates, leaving your skin feeling clean and moisturized. I don't really feel my face tighten after each use, instead it makes my skin feel supple. This product didn't irritate my face or made me break out. As for the pore refining effect of this product, I feel like I have yet to observe if it does have that effect on me.

Bio-essence suggests daily use in almost any occasion but I use this in the morning before washing my face and at night before applying my skin care routine. It seems like an added step to my regimen but I really don't mind because it's easy to use and I feel it works well for my skin.

Overall, I do recommend the Bio-essence bio spring water to anyone who's willing to try something new for maintenance of healthy skin. Athletes or people on the go may find this very useful especially after work out or in the middle of the day when you want to freshen up. I will be purchasing one for myself when this runs out though I predict it won't be that soon since the canister is big enough to last me for months.

TID BITS:

• Thanks to my beautiful cousins Raquel, Treysie and Cyndy for the company.. I think we should do this more often.. Agree?
• I am on the verge of buying a new ipad case from speck.. :)
• My friends and I just watched Breaking Dawn 2 and it was BREATH TAKING.. Great twist in the end, for those who already read the book, you'll find it a bit different but in a good way.