Love at First Bite: Ippudo

I have been planning to visit Ippudo since it opened but the line was so discouraging. I could never wait for over an hour just for a bowl of ramen while my tummy’s staging World War 3. I figured that in a month or two, the line wouldn’t be as crazy. WRONG. But last Friday, which happens to be a pay day Friday the 13^th, there was no line at all. (Okay, it was 4 p.m. then.)

Finally!!! Hello, Ippudo!

First thing I noticed was the bar table perfect for solo diners. I think I just found my new favorite hangout place.

I was famished when we got there as I haven’t had lunch yet. So I decided to go for Shiromaru Motoaji Special (PHP480), Ippudo Pork Bun (PHP100), Ippudo Chicken Bun (PHP100) and Ippudo Hakata-Style Gyoza (PHP195).

First served was the gyoza.

It was served hot and it was juicy with a slight crunch on the fried parts. Yummy though it was more expensive compared to the gyoza of other ramen shops.

Mega Food Hall Favorites: Tex-Mex and Sweetea by Da.u.de

I love hanging out with people who love to eat. It means that they are game to pig out and try different restaurants. My college friends are just like that and when we met a few weeks back, we were able to visit three different establishments! (Well, four for K and I.)

After having lunch at Burgers & Brewskies and dessert at Larcy’s Cupcakery Café, we decided to go to Megamall to continue pestering each other (in the most loveable way possible). And since we like to chit chat while munching, we headed to Mega Food Hall for some snacks.

K and I went straight to Sweetea by Da.u.de and she got Starburst (PHP160 for medium | PHP170 for large) while I got Green Passion (PHP120 for medium | PHP130 for large). Since there’s a wait time of 6 to 8 minutes, we checked out Tex-Mex after seeing a couple enjoying a plate of nachos.

Since we were envious (of the food and not the lovey doveyness just so we’re clear), we ordered Nachos MexGrande (PHP159) and Grilled Chicken Quesadilla (PHP169). After paying, we were given this coaster looking number that vibrates when our orders are ready. I hope all food courts have this so that we could roam around while waiting for our orders.

After a short while, we got all of our orders and started to dig in.

My Green Passion had a slight fruity taste from the passion fruit. It was a bit on the bland side but I like it that way. K liked it too, and even more than her Starburst which she felt would take a bit of time to be likable.

Love at First Bite: Fireside by Kettle

I can’t help it. I just can’t. I smile like a love struck fool whenever I see a new restaurant. And last December, I saw Fireside. I was really curious and wanted to check the place out but my favorite Dragon Lady and two Rs wanted to visit Linguini Fini then. Three weeks later, I made it happen.

Hello, Fireside!

I guess I wasn’t too observant when I went in as I was surprised to see that Fireside is owned by Kettle, the maker of “Manila’s best buttermilk fried chicken” or so what most foodies claim. And since I was in a hurry and was quite hungry too, we decided to go for the following: Grilled Chop House (PHP189, bowl | PHP389, platter), Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders (PHP489), Steak BLT (PHP389) and Homemade S’mores (PHP139).

First served was our salad.

Love at First Bite: Chelsea Kitchen

I think Ippudo and I are not meant to be. I have tried to have lunch or dinner there for a whole month now (or even more) and for some reason, it gets cancelled… all the time. But I am not giving up on you, Ippudo! I AM NOT GIVING UP. Anyway, I was supposed to have lunch there with friends after Christmas but the line was still crazy which scared my friends. So we opted to eat elsewhere.

Hello, Chelsea Kitchen!

A good friend of mine told me that this place serves good food. And I believe her since Chelsea never fails me.

When I arrived, M and K already ordered the following: Smoked Tinapa Aglio Olio (PHP320), Three Cheese Pizza (PHP320), The CK Chicken Salad (PHP250) and Jones’ Tapa & Fried Egg (PHP320). I just added Crispy Pork Belly “Bagnet” (PHP395), Truffle Mac N’ Cheese (PHP295) and Sundrenched Freshly Brewed Iced Tea—Strawberry and Lemon (PHP195).

First served was our salad.

The server mentioned that it is best eaten with a bit of the dressings. True enough, I like the different flavors—saltiness of the grilled chicken, sweetness of the plum dressing and coolness of the herbs. It was a delightful dish to start the meal.

Next served was the tapa which was topped with a lot of fried garlic. It was loooove! It was tender and flavorful.

Love at First Bite: Dolce Latte

I find it fascinating how Manila became such an interesting place for foodies. Gone are the days where we’re stuck with just Jollibee, McDonald’s, Max’s, or Goldilocks as choices for afternoon snacks. Today, some people hate being asked, “Where do we eat?” as the choices are endless! (And foodies like me get grumpy when you choose an establishment I have already visited.) I am so fortunate though to live near some foodie hotspots. And with the malls bringing in more and more restaurants and whatnot, I get to try more dishes without traveling too far. And last weekend, I spotted Dolce Latte.

Hello, Dolce Latte!

I’ve heard of this place during the peak of the Cronut™ craze. I heard that Dolce Latte offers the best Cronuts™ in Manila (though some say that Wildflour deserves the title). However, I never got the chance to visit the place because the store’s located in Quezon City. It’s not exactly my territory and the only places I visit when I’m around the area are Teachers Village, Katipunan, UP, or White Plains. But here we are, a year later and I finally get to visit Dolce Latte. <3

Okay, I was originally planning to visit St. Marc Café but after staring at the Chococho, I backed out. It looked too sinful. Plus the place was packed. Not a single chair was vacant when I visited. So I went up with the intent to look for something less fattening. But I ended up buying the following: Valrhona Crunch Cronut™ (PHP120), Raspberry Cronut™ (PHP120) and Hot Chocolate Double Doughnut (PHP60). (What diet?!)

A Sweet Delight: Sweetea by da.u.de

I love tea. Fine, I love coffee more but there’s something calming and sophisticated with tea that makes me want to have a little bit of tea time from time to time. da.u.de for one gave me a tough time. Every time I try to visit its Fort branch, it’s always closed (and sadly, it permanently closed a few months back). Luckily, the owner decided to do a rebranding and da.u.de is now… Sweetea.

Hello, Sweetea.

I was so excited to visit the place when Yummy featured it in its Instagram account. Since its newest baby is just in Megamall’s Mega Food Hall, I thought to myself that I could easily visit the place.

And we’re destined! While doing a few errands for work, I passed by the new food court of Megamall and spotted Sweetea near the entrance.

I decided to order Jasmine Mint with minimal sweetener (PHP120 regular | PHP130 large) since I wanted something refreshing.

Traffic Advisory: Friday Madness

I think this is more of a traffic advisory than an opening announcement.

The most awaited fashion brand, H&M will finally open its doors this October 17 at its SM Megamall Fashion Hall branch. (Technically, it did yesterday to the press and celebrities.) If you want to be ahead of the (long) line, be there before 9 a.m. with an energy drink or two.

 To celebrate it's opening, H&M will also give away gift certificates as much as PHP6,000! 

To everyone else who drives to and from work and cannot avoid EDSA, good luck. Aside from the grand opening of H&M (which will be until 12 midnight), it's also SM's 3-day Mega Sale. May the odds be ever in your favor.

I'll most likely visit H&M on another non-pay day weekend.

-Gluttonshopper 

Dessert Discovery: New Zealand Natural

One I-don’t remember-what-day-it-was day, I left the office early to have my thumb checked. While enjoying “Just for Laughs” I totally failed to realize that it was already 8PM and that the doctors were about to leave and I was waiting for over an hour. Apparently, they were not able to jot my name down. But, since I was in a happy mood, I just laughed it off. But, my grumbling tummy was complaining… till my mom convinced me to try this new ice cream brand.

Hello, New Zealand Natural!

 

The small kiosk is located at the middle of the walkway of the fifth floor of Megamall offering ice cream, yogurt, and sorbet. Prices are not very student budget friendly as one scoop is PHP95 and additional scoop costs PHP50.

Love At First Bite: J.Co Donuts & Coffee

I just love doughnuts! It is one of my top comfort food choices. I just love the sweet, chewy ones. I still drool whenever I remember the chewy doughnuts of Mister Donut in Seoul. It was love and definitely different from the ones available here (which I love too).

One typical workday turned special when we were surprised by several yellow boxes from J.Co. In short, we had a feast. The Alcapone was L-O-V-E. While munching on the doughnut topped with slices of almonds, I was informed by Frannywanny that J.Co will open their first store in Mega Mall and I was so thrilled as it is so near my "territory".

However, it took me quite a while before I got to pay J.Co a visit. But I just cannot keep on delaying it anymore and decided to visit it a few weeks ago. 

Hi, J.Co! *smile*

Not Just A Bakeshop: Jipan

Oh soft croissant bread stuffed with gooey chocolate filling… where did you go? That bread was the reason why I used to frequent JiPan, a Japanese inspired bread shop located at Glorietta and Megamall. When they stopped selling the bread I love the most, I was heartbroken and decided to go somewhere else till one night, we were reunited.

I never noticed that JiPan also offers savory dishes aside from bread. They have breakfast to dinner meals that are reasonably priced and some of them sound tempting. So, one night, during our last minute shopping spree, we decided to have dinner there.

 

My sister was not in the mood to eat dinner so she just ordered Corn Soup (PHP130) while my mom decided to go for the Chicken Teriyaki Set (PHP230) while I went for the Seafood Teppanyaki (PHP240) and Zaru Soba (PHP180). I also ordered Papaya Shake (just to avoid possible indigestion).