Lazy Bug Chronicles: Uma Uma Hakata-Style Ramen is now available via Delivery

Who says you can't have your ramen to go? Well, a lot. Ramen joints refuse to have its delectable noodles for take out even if it's your own leftover. I've seen several customers who went ballistic and argued with the staff when they found out that they can't have their leftover noodles to go. Though I understand that the restaurant just want to ensure product quality, I feel that a simple warning would suffice and just let its customers have their half eaten noodles packed. Thankfully, I don't have to worry about it anymore. In fact, I can even have some Hakata-style ramen delivered! 

Hello, Uma Uma.

Uma Uma has been quiet these past months while all other ramen joints have been launching new products here and there. Turns out Uma Uma has been brewing something cool for us. So, anyone up for ramen at home? 

Foodie Alert: The Shrimp Fever is on at Blue Post Boiling Crabs

Love shrimps and don't care to have your hands messy for the sake of good food? Then you'd definitely like what I have to share with you. Blue Post Boiling Crabs & Shrimps has something up its sleeves to make Halloween and your November yummier.

Hello, Blue Post Boiling Crabs & Shrimps.

Just when I thought I'd be living an anti-social life and not go out given the unpredictable weather and horrendous traffic, I went out. There's only two words that made me brave Greenhills traffic and that's "unlimited shrimps". Yes! You read that right! Unlimited fresh and delectable crustaceans. How can you resist that?

First Bite: Sunrise Buckets

I’ve never been a chicken wings fan as I always feel that I get less for paying the same amount for a piece of chicken. I’d always go for breast or thigh as these parts have more meat. This is also the reason why I’ve never been interested to try Sunrise Buckets. But I guess I’m fated to dine here as this is one of the food stops of Food Hop 2017 by Zomato and The Grove by Rockwell.

Hello, Sunrise Buckets!

We were greeted by interiors in nautical theme and a retro looking open display chiller filled with various canned and bottled drinks.

Now in BGC: Uma Uma Ramen

I think I’ve used the sentence “I love Japanese food” countless times to the point of me quoting myself. But I can’t resist it. I really do love this Asian cuisine and always find myself craving for more. And when I found out that one of my favorite ramen joints finally opened in Uptown Parade, I just have to drop by ASAP. But adulthood got in the way and it took me a few months before indulging in some Hakata ramen.

Hello, Uma Uma!

I’m so glad that they opened a branch in BGC. Gone are the days when I have to brave the traffic just to get to S Maison. I could finally have my ramen fix by walking to Uptown. (Okay, that might take at least half an hour but hey, at least I won’t get stuck in the detestable EDSA traffic.)

Love at First Bite: Paradise Dynasty

S Maison is such a nice place to visit as a it is slowly turning into a space bustling with new restaurants and franchises. It is the first choice of restaurants such as Chibo Okonomiyaki, Uma Uma! and Locavore’s newest baby Carnivale. I’d frequent this place if only it is near me but the hellish traffic makes it a long distance relationship. But thanks to some work related tasks, I ended up in this posh mall once again for lunch. And that was when I spotted a new restaurant on its soft opening. Those two words always work like magic and soon, I was right in front of the restaurant staring at its lighted menu. 

Hello, Paradise Dynasty! 

I was sold the moment I saw this restaurant’s Specialty Dynasty Xiao Long Bao (PHP388) and asked the friendly hostess if there were any tables available as the place was still packed at 2 p.m.. Luckily, there were a few tables left and I was quickly ushered inside.

I was greeted by yellow lights and wooden interiors and wall decors that look like lanterns or vases. There is also a stone wall with dragon carving on it.

I wanted to get the basket of colorful xiao long bao (which Paradise Dynasty claims to have natural pigments extracted from plants) but was worried that the Szechuan Xiao Long Bao (PHP230, 6 pcs. | PHP380, 10 pcs.) or the red one might be a bit too hot for me. In the end, I went with the safer option and got Signature Original Xiao Long Bao (PHP188, 6 pcs. | PHP 298, 10 pcs.). I also ordered Lotus Paste Bun with Salted Egg Yolk (PHP138, 3 pcs.) because of the words “salted egg yolk”.

While waiting, I had a sip of Paradise Dynasty’s house tea and it was… yes, free. And it was pretty good too! It had a nice rich taste without being bitter. 

Gastro Park Kapitolyo Find #7: The Masala Bar

Our desire to stuff ourselves till we burst brought us to our last Gastro Park Kapitolyo food discovery, The Masala Bar. This stall didn’t have a long line when we spotted it. (The ones with long wait are the milkshake stall and SurFries!!!.) It didn’t cross my mind that the store might offer mediocre dishes hence the lack of foodies lingering in front of its store. I just wanted to maximize my Kapitolyo visit. 

Hello, The Masala Bar!

We got the Chicken Tikka Quesadilla (PHP120) as it is easy to be shared and it sounded light, giving us room for drinks or dessert. An order comes with pico de gallo and garlic dip.

The server told us that they will just serve the quesadilla to us. We just have to inform them of where we’re seated. 

Our order arrived in about 10 minutes and it was served warm. 

I dipped my slice in the garlic dip and topped it with pico de gallo and… it was still bland. I had to sparingly drizzle more garlic dip as I was sharing it with my friends. 

I am not sure if we ordered pita with a hint of cheese or Chicken Tikka Quesadilla. I could not taste the chicken or any of the other ingredients. Perhaps they were almost out of ingredients when we placed our order? I have no idea but I’ll buy from the other stalls next time. 

The Masala Bar is located at Gastro Park Kapitolyo, 1st Street, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

Restaurant Love: Leona's Art Restaurant

I was so excited for the Quezon City Food Fest as it sounded so promising. Imagine, gathering all the best finds in Quezon City in one area. It was a foodie’s dream come true. But I wasn’t expecting (1) that it’ll rain pretty much the whole afternoon and (2) that there wasn’t anything special about the whole event. There were no special dishes or offering and every single restaurant was packed! In short, I ended up being a sticky and wet hungry girl.

After an upsetting trip to this new Japanese restaurant I shall not mention, M recommended that we visit his favorite pizza place instead. And since I was famished and the two sorbetes cones I bought were about to disappear, I agreed.

Hello, Leona’s Art Restaurant!

The place is pretty small and we had to wait for a bit for a table to clear up. Luckily, the wait wasn’t that long.

Since the place was packed, it took the servers a while to clear our table and to get our orders. But since the owner was apologetic, I was more forgiving this time. (Plus, the sorbetes helped calm me.)

We opted to get the Take Three Pizza Promo for only PHP499 (for 10 inches). For the flavors, Three Cheese and Pepperoni are fixed. We could only choose one more and we got the Garlic and Mushroom. I also ordered the Tomato Espresso (PHP80) and Soft Taco (PHP90). I also got a rootbeer float as drink/dessert.

Restaurant Discovery: The Hungry Hound

[Continuation of my BGC food trip story.] N and I were supposed to stop by Sunshine Kitchen for stop #2 but the place was closed. We passed by a German Pub, Burgos Circle and much more but none seem to catch our eyes and tummies. Then N went to Instagram for other finds and we both decided to go to...

Hello, The Hungry Hound!

We practically own the place when we got there as we were the only customers. The young server seemed to be very eager to serve us too. We guessed that he must be so bored and wanted to do his job.

We went with two dishes, Smoked Bacon-Silog (PHP385) and Duck Fat Fries (PHP288). Just two you say? Well, we still have one more stop and food tripping in BGC kills the poor wallet. 

We decided to finally order the Duck Fat Fries as it has been haunting me since I was in California. I just have to order it I guess. (Then I remembered afterwards that I had a few when I visited Green Pastures.)

 

The fries doesn't seem to be anything extraordinary. It tasted like deep fried potatoes. Or perhaps I just don't have the precise taste buds to differentiate the different oils used to fry food. The fries though were cooked crisp which I enjoyed. I just wish that they added a bit more cheese.

A Bacon Lovers' Heaven: Slater's 50/50

I remember it all started with a question on what cuisine I would love to try and I said, "Anything but Korean or American" as I was tired of Korean BBQ and burgers that time. But alas, we ended up in another burger joint at Old Town Pasadena which I must say looks pretty nice. It reminded me of New York with the stores on the streets and street performers making the night extra special.

Hello, Slater's 50/50!

The place was pretty packed with people so we had to wait for about half an hour to get a table. While waiting, K and I decided to go for a walk while couple T and K wait for our table.

The place is different from the other parts of Los Angeles. I actually find it pretty romantic. There are some quaint restaurants and for some reason, a handful of flower vendors too. I felt like buying one (love thy self) but naaah, I need the money for my other food trips!

After a while, K and I decided to head back as we're getting hungry too. And... we still have to wait for a few more minutes.

Thankfully, service was pretty quick. We ordered Fried Bacon Mac n' Cheese Balls ($5.95), Slater's Vampire Dip ($8.95), B' B' B' Bacon Burger ($10.95), The 50/50 ($9.95) and the Fried Chicken & Pancakes ($10.95) and in less than 10 minutes, our appetizers arrived.

The Fried Bacon Mac n' Cheese is your typical Mac n' Cheese covered in breaded coating with a tinge of bacon. It was pretty good though I hope it was a bit cheesier.

One of our favorites that night was the Slater's Vampire Dip! The dip had a strong garlic taste and it went so well with the cheese and artichoke. We also enjoyed the pita and T can't help but finish the sourdough.