First Bite: Teppan Okochi

We've been searching for good wagyu places for almost a month now ever since our favorite Buta + Wagyu closed. We've been to Wagyu Japanese Beef which was said to be very close to our love but we found it different and underwhelming. This time around, we decided to go with Teppan Okochi, a new Japanese teppan restaurant raved by many. 

Hello, Teppan Okochi. 

It was a sudden decision for us to dine here as we originally planned to have dinner at Edsa Shangri-La's Senju. However, R's dad suggested that we try something new so I thought of Teppan Okochi which is just two months old. 

First Sip: Deété Organic Café

What happens when two corporate slaves get to visit the concrete jungle of Makati filled with new food finds? They go crazy. And that was what exactly happened to R and I when we visited Century City Mall after a filling Indian feast. We filled every inch of our tummy with food and capped the night at one of the newest coffee shops in the mall.

Hello, Deété Organic Café.

We wanted to enjoy a hot beverage to help us digest all the food we ate and thought that it would be a great idea to stop by this place before heading home. It was already almost 11pm when we got here and we were welcomed by jolly servers. 

Deété has a lot of drinks to offer and it took us quite a while before we finally settled with Green Tea Latte (PHP140, 12 oz) and Black Tea Latte (PHP130, 12 oz). At first, we were unsure if we should get the warm or cold version of these drinks so we asked the barista for recommendation. And he gave the funniest reply. He said that he loves cold drinks and it solidified his fats. It sure made us order warm drinks.

Promo Alert: Celebrate Friday with Iceberg’s Halo-Halo

Saan ka dadalin ng PHP30 mo?

Sa Icebergs!

The well-loved dessert shop, Icebergs, is celebrating its 30th year this month and to make it festive for everyone, it is offering its delectable and refreshing halo-halo for just PHP30 instead of PHP108!

How awesome is that?!

It is open every Friday (meaning now) until November 25, from opening time to closing time. This promo is valid from opening time to 6 pm. (Fine, I'm a bit late with this news. But hey, you are never too late for sweets!)

You know the drill. It’s FriYAY thanks to Icebergs' halo-halo!

And while you're at it, try some of Icebergs' savory meals like this mouthwatering pasta here! 

See you there! :)

Icebergs is available in these locations: Banawe, Eastwood City Walk 2, Harbour Square (CCP Complex), Katipunan Extension, Metrowalk Complex, Santana Grove, Robinson’s Galleria, SMBY (Mall of Asia), SM City Clark, SM City Fairview, SM City North Edsa, SM City Novaliches, SM City San Fernando, SM Mall of Asia South Wing, TImog Avenue, Tutuban Center Mall and UST.

**Photos used are all from Icebergs. 

First Bite: Raging Bull

I was so curious about Raging Bull ever since A mentioned it during our lunch at Canton Road. As a steak lover, I just have to pay the restaurant a visit. And two weeks later, I finally did. Thanks to Zomato!

Hello, Raging Bull. 

Just like its Chinese restaurant neighbour, the facade of this restaurant is fancy with its touches of dark browns and gold. 

The interiors of the dining area is equally elegant with its dark finishes. I could imagine the cast of The Godfather dining here. 

Not Your Typical Cup: Happy Beans Rainbow Coffee Latte

Flat white, 3D latte art, coffee with flower petals and now, colorful cup of coffee. Wait, what?! Yes, your usual black or brown cup of joe had a bit of makeover and it made coffee lovers go wild. Well, almost. 

Hello, Happy Beans!

This adorable coffee shop is located at the 2nd floor of Metrowalk, inside Mall of Korea. 

I was so giddy when I finally step foot inside the Instagram-worthy café where every corner deserves a photo or two. We got to the place a bit late but the friendly staff welcomed us with a big smile on her face. We were told though that we could only order drinks during that time as the kitchen is already closed. It was okay as we came to try Happy Beans Rainbow Coffee Latte (PHP128).

While waiting for our drinks, we took several snapshots of the place, from the cute salt and pepper shakers to the shelf full of board and card games. 

I then noticed the barista prepping the milk. It signalled me to approach the bar to take some photos of her making the colorful cup of caffeine. I happily asked her if she could prep it on the counter so that we could take photos of it. However, I just got an annoyed and loud “Teka lang miss. Ginagawa ko pa.” reply from the barista. She said it a couple of times too every time I approach the counter. She also banged some of the tools she used on the steel counter which I thought was to let out her annoyance. I figured that I must have been very annoying that night or that she was PMS-ing. 

But she was not annoyed. She was actually frustrated with the new machine they got that night. She could not get the right temperature to make the perfect milk to create the popular rainbow coffee latte. She threw away perhaps four to five cups before serving ours. 

After getting the right temperature, she called me back to take a photo of the magical transformation of coffee.

I was at awe when I saw her make the latte art. At first, I thought that she puts the latte art after pouring coffee, just like how others make it. 

But she actually makes it WHILE pouring coffee. I have no idea how she makes it but I was very impressed. 

The coffee beans are sourced locally and were sadly overpowered by milk. It was like drinking a very milky cup of cappuccino. Then again, it was perfect that time as it was already almost 10:45 pm when we got our coffee.

And to make up for the long wait, Zappy, the head barista whom we thought was pissed with us, didn’t let us pay for our coffee. She didn’t really have to as she already won us back when we witnessed how challenging it is to make rainbow latte. 

I’ll definitely be back to try the other drinks and perhaps some of the savory dishes. 

Happy Beans is located at 2nd Floor, Mall of Korea, Metrowalk Commercial Complex, Meralco Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City.

First Bite: Impressions

Unlimited foie gras. Those sweet words made me go "ooooh" longer than holding my breath to win the "happy birthdaaaaaaaay" contest. 

Hello, Impressions!

This classy buffet restaurant in Resorts World Manila is headed by celebrity chef Cyrille Soenen and its layout is meant to impress.

The slightly dim lit restaurant had a minimalist signage in front that also serves as the reception desk. 

As soon as you enter, you are greeted by several numbered tables with the first buffet bar on the right which serves the meats. 

We got table #18 reserved for us which was perfect as it was in front of the buffet table that prepares foie gras, scallops and lobsters. It was also near the sweet corner a.k.a. desserts and sashimi.

My first plate had a lot of salmon sashimi, a few maki and foie gras. 

The foie gras bits were bite size and it was... just okay. It wasn't spectacular but it wasn't bad. It had the usual slightly grainy texture of foie gras and the delectable oiliness per bite. But it lacked richness in flavor.

When in Hong Kong: Charlie Brown Café

I have lived in Seoul, South Korea for a few months and I never had a chance to visit a cute café throughout my whole stay. Vending machine was my friend, companion, and favorite barista. And the 250 Won price tag on coffee was hard to resist. And so when I saw my friends post photos of their visits in Hello Kitty Café or Charlie Brown Café, the foodie in me bawled in the ugliest way possible. I remember that I saw Hello Kitty Café and Charlie Brown Cafe in Incheon Airport on my way to LA. I wanted to take photos with the adorable merchandise. But since I travelled alone, I wasn’t able to take a selfie with the cafés. (I was also too shy to ask since I had no plans of buying.) Then again, during my recent Hong Kong trip, I got to visit one of the cute cafés and this time, I have someone to share the experience with!

Hello, Charlie Brown Café!

I was hesitant at first to try this place since the food’s quite pricey for its serving size. But I guess R sensed that I really want to visit this place so we stopped here before heading to Ocean Terminal for our cruise.

The place is adorable!!!

The stairs alone already made me stop to take quick snapshots of the mini statues of Snoopy and friends.

When we went to the third floor, we were greeted by a mini fountain adorned by Peanuts merchandise.

The ceiling too is worth mentioning as it is beautiful.

We decided to get a glass of Caramel Coffee Frappa (HK$41, grande) and Tiramisu Cup (HK$40).

The Tiramisu was fluffy and light. It goes well with a flavorful drink. But as is, it might be a bit bland for those with sweet tooth. It was hard to eat this though. 

I mean it has Charlie Brown’s face on it. Plus the price kinda hurts (given it’s such a small cake).

I enjoyed the caramel coffee frappa a lot! It was a great drink to cool us down. (It was quite hot in Hong Kong when we visited.) It was sweet yet not too sweet and you could definitely taste the coffee flavor. There were also small bits of ice you get to munch on for texture.

Sweet Stop: Paul Patisserie and Boulangerie

A meal is not a happy meal without dessert. I usually crave for sweets after a good meal. I just need to have my sweet ending (unless if I had a salmon sashimi overload for lunch or dinner). And last Friday, I had a good dinner but still had room for dessert so we went to SM Aura to visit…

Paul Patisserie and Boulangerie! It has been a while!

I still remember the sweet goodness I ordered last year and just thinking about it now makes me drool.

This time, J and I ordered the following: Tartelette Citron (PHP210), Éclair Chocolat (PHP160), Milleuille Mango (PHP150) and two Grand Café (PHP115/cup).

First served was the Milleuille Mango and it was pretty good. The lovely Napoleon was soft and creamy. The mango slices and puree made it even more delectable.

Summer Love: Larcy’s Frozen Hot Choco Velvet

Can you feel the love heat tonight? Definitely! It’s summer again and people are off to gym or beach. Me? I’d rather be in a cool place away from the crowd. And how could I leave the metro when I discovered…

Larcy’s Cupcakery Café!

My love, I’m back!

Yes, it’s official. I’m in love… so in love with the Frozen Hot Choco Velvet of Larcy’s!

This sweet drink enchanted me in one sip. The slightly rough texture and the oh so chocolately taste were just too much. I also love the creaminess of the drink. Sinful? Most likely. But hey, we all deserve a reward from after a tiring week at work or school.

I can’t get over my newest addiction. See you again soon, Larcy’s!

Larcy’s Cupcakery Café is located at Lower Ground, Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Oranbo, Pasig City.

Restaurant Discovery: Tweedle Book Café

As I grow older (and hopefully wiser and more mature), I find myself spending more and more time with friends in tea or coffee shops. I go fan girl crazy whenever I discover a quaint café. It gets more squeals if the café has cute décor or adorable names for dishes. (Okay, disregard being more mature.) Tweedle Book Café in Quezon City gets a lot of points for bringing out the geek in me.

Hello, Tweedle Book Café!

Ever since my schoolmate J posted her newest business venture on Facebook, I kept bugging people to accompany me visit the place. (I could do it on my own but the possibility of getting lost is high.) But finally, after several weeks (or was it months?) of pestering with love, I finally got to visit the place!

I wanted to try its savory dishes but I had too much for lunch at Haru. Instead, I tried the Chocolate Lava Cake with Salted Caramel ice cream (PHP220) and a cup of Latte (PHP140).

While waiting for my meal, I checked the décor and noticed that the different clocks show the time of different fictional places like Rivendell from Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Paradiso from the Divine Comedy. There’s even Whoville!

Harry Potter fans will go crazy with the Platform 9 ¾ wall.

The book selection was so amusing as well. I spotted Hunger Games cookbook!

Now for my afternoon snack…

Hole in the Wall Find: Green Cheese (Happiest Cheesecake in the World)

While waiting for my pho from Phobobo, I looked around to check the other concessionaires and see if I could try more dishes that night. However, the place was really packed so I was forced to buy from stores with shorter lines (as we were also rushing to visit a coffee shop after dinner).

Hello, Green Cheese, the happiest cheesecake in the world!

This cake stall caught my interest when Jin Perez of Jin Loves to Eat featured it on her blog. From the smiling Japanese cheesecakes to the nice façade (with a swing), Green Cheese sure screams kawaii!

I decided to go for Green Cheese’s plain cheesecake (PHP50 per slice or PHP350 for a box) and custard pudding (PHP120).