One of the Classics: Tropical Hut

I have several fond memories with Tropical Hut. I used to frequent a few branches back when I was young. My grandmother would often bring me there after school for an afternoon snack. We'd share a clubhouse or chicken sandwich, and she'd let me play for a few minutes in its play area. But ever since she stopped picking me up from school, our Tropical Hut visits stopped too. And it took more than two decades for me to rekindle my love with this nostalgic fast food brand.

Long time no see Tropical Hut.

I had this crazy craving for macaroni salad last week. I couldn't stop yearning for it. I used to order from another fast food joint. But the brand recently pulled it out of the menu. And thanks to the Best of the Best Manila, I was reminded that Tropical Hut offers it too.

All about Beef: The Beef

Hole in the Wall's The Beef has been named as one of the best burgers in town for years now. Known for its thick and juicy homemade patties, foodies all over the metro went gaga over this premium burger joint. I hate to admit it but it took me a long while before I got to try this picturesque burger almost everyone is raving about.

Hello, The Beef.

Tucked inside the first ever food hall in town, The Beef has earned a lot of patrons with its premium beefy burgers. The no-frills burger joint has a very thin menu only offering hamburger, cheeseburger and fries. Such streamlining allows The Beef to focus on what's crucial, its patties.

First Bite: NoKal

The night was still young yet our bellies were about to pop when we got to our last stop for our Poblacion food crawl. But when we heard "Longganisa Mac and Cheese" we all felt our appetite strutting back and ready for something mouthwatering. And knowing that the talented Raul Fores of Made Nice Supper Club is involved made me even more excited. 

Hello, NoKal. 

Nokal or short of North of Kalayaan is a hot spot for night cap. Located along the busy street of Kalayaan, the three-storey resto bar caters to foodies, night owls, beer and cocktail enthusiasts and music lovers. 

First Bite: The Nautilus Whiskey Bar

It's interesting to see Quezon City bloom into a dynamic food scene. Gone are the days where the area is just a place filled with beer pubs and cheap eats. As more boutique hotels open in the city, we get more options for dates and night out with friends. And one perfect spot to hang out is Nautilus Whiskey Bar. 

Hello, Nautilus Whiskey Bar! 

Located on the roof deck of Prime Hotel along Sgt. Esguerra, Nautilus Whiskey Bar offers a nice vantage point to enjoy Manila's sunset. One must be prepared to take two flights of stairs before enjoying the view though. 

Curious Foodie: Angel's Burger

Who hasn't seen Angel's Burger must be living in a cave. This burger joint is one of the most successful local food brands in the country today with multiple branches nationwide. Though curious, I never really thought of trying it as I always have something else in mind. That was until we found ourselves starving during a road trip with no other restaurant in sight. So... what the heck? It can't be successful if it serves bad stuff, right?

Hello, Angel's Burger. 

Famous for its Buy One, Get One burgers, we availed of its Cheeseburger Sandwich (PHP38 or PHP19 per burger) while I upgraded mine to a Bacon Cheeseburger Sandwich by adding PHP16 for a slab of bacon. 

First Bite: Sweet Ecstasy

I have been dying to visit Sweet Ecstasy ever since I heard that it serves really good burgers and that its taste is very close to In-N-Out's, a well-loved burger joint in California which also had a few pop up events here in Manila. I was ecstatic when I found out that they have a branch in Uptown Parade. However, all the negative reviews from that branch made me hesitate. Hence, it took me longer to try this joint’s famous patties. Thanks to an event at Miriam College, I finally had a chance to visit its Katipunan branch.

Hello, Sweet Ecstasy!

Located at the second floor of Regis Center, I had an impression that this place will be packed by students and residents around the area. I dropped by around 12:30 p.m. and surprisingly, the place only had two tables occupied. I guess it is busier on weekdays. 

Since I had to go to Banawe at 2 p.m., I quickly ordered Cheeseburger (PHP195) and Ginger Ale (PHP150). 

Love at First Bite: The Coffee Shop

It has been a while since my last road trip with R. We’ve been busy with work and other activities that we were not able to keep up with our monthly short getaways. But since our Deal Grocer voucher for The Plaza Hotel will expire soon, we decided to head up North and spend the weekend there. But before heading to Bataan, we decided to spend one day in Subic to enjoy the beach. But Mother Nature refused to cooperate and we ended up pigging out instead. And there is no better place to feast but the famous taco shop, The Coffee Shop, Home of Jumbo Tacos. 

Hello, The Coffee Shop!

This restaurant doubles as a hotel with its rooftop room accommodations at friendly prices. But let me focus on the food, especially its jumbo tacos. 

Since this place has been raved by so many foodies and some even claim that this place offers the best tacos in the country, I just have to try it! I went with Taco with Sour Cream (PHP130) while R went with Hard Shell Taco (PHP95). We also got Double Cheeseburger with Fries (PHP185) simply because R wanted fries. For drinks, we ordered Frozen Iced Tea (PHP85) and Chocolate Shake (PHP130).

While waiting, I took a few snapshots and noticed that they charge PHP30 for using their electrical outlets and that they also do not provide straws for non-frozen beverages. 

Service was quick and our drinks were served in less than 5 minutes. 

My frozen iced tea was refreshing. It had the right amount of sweetness and had a delightful lemon flavor. (It was so good that we ordered another glass right after finishing one.) R’s drink tasted like chocolate ice candy. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t that good as well. And for PHP130, I don’t think it was value for money. 

Our tacos were served next and we were overwhelmed by the size. They were not kidding when they said jumbo. It was really huge! It would be at least 9 inches long. 

Kitchen Adventure: Suy Foods' Longganisa and Tocino for Brunch

Those who say “never skip breakfast” are wise. Why skip an awesome meal? I try to squeeze in a bite or two even when I’m at my busiest state because breakfast is love. And when I do have the time to indulge in some sunny side up eggs, sausages and the works, I spoil myself with only the best. I have to admit though, I got used to eating out due to convenience. But last Sunday was a different story. I finally got to spend some time at home. And what better way to spend morning than to whip up your own brunch?

It felt like it has been months since I last cooked my own meal. Due to the crazy ber months, I often find myself dining out to save time (not money). Holding a pan and knife seemed a bit foreign to me till I opened my fridge and saw my Filipino favorites.

PROMO ALERT: McDonald's is giving away FREE CHEESEBURGERS

I go crazy whenever I see promos. I recently downloaded SM Supermalls, Krispy Kreme and Yellow Cab for awesome freebies. And last night, I spotted another cool reason to download another app. 

After the fun McChicken promo, McDonald’s once again making noise in social media.

I present… FREE CHEESEBURGERS!

Yes, McDonald’s is giving away free cheeseburgers and you do not need to be named after a burger or have your name sound like one. You also do not have to sing a cheesy song just to get your free cheesy treat. 

All you have to do is download the McDonald’s app on iTunes or Google Play. Once downloaded, set your profile and log in. 

Click the Refer a Friend tab to get your promo code and share it to all your friends (or contacts if you really want a lot of cheeseburgers). Note though that even your gazzilion friends put in your promo code, you are only entitled to a maximum of 30 cheeseburger coupons. Also, you could only claim one cheeseburger per transaction. 

Lazy to visit the nearest McDonald’s? You can have your free cheeseburger delivered! You just have to pay for the delivery fee. (Yes, there is no required purchase for you to claim your free cheeseburger! How awesome is that?!) 

This promo is valid until June 20, 2016 and redemption is valid until August 20, 2016. Redemption is not available during breakfast hours (4 am to 10:30 am).

Use my promo code for instant free cheeseburger!

Hooray for promos!   

For more details, visit McDonald’s PH website.

Love at First Bite: Xtremely Xpresso

A few weeks ago, I went to Anvaya Cove with some college friends and R. The place would have been extra nice if the weather cooperated. Nonetheless, it was a fun trip! And since we're already in Subic, I made sure that we stop by Xtremely Xpresso.

Hello, Xtremely Xpresso!

The place was packed when we arrived but we were lucky to get a table for six right away.

While the staff was clearing our table, we roamed around and the first thing we noticed was that there are different concepts in play. The main dining area of Xtremely Xpresso has an old  American diner feel with its vintage light boxes. 

The other dining area had an English tea salon feel.

Once our table was set up, we ordered Big Ben Xtreme (PHP729) for sharing. R and I also ordered Bacon Cheeseburger (PHP180), Meat Lasagna (PHP200), and Pumpkin Soup (PHP120). For drinks, we opted for Raspberry Avalanche (PHP100) and Caramel Daze (PHP100).

R's drink sure was berrylicious. It was really sweet! Mine had a nice hint of coffee with the sweet taste of caramel. R and I both liked the Caramel Daze more than the Raspberry Avalanche.

The pumpkin soup was creamy and had that sweet taste that I love. The crispy bacon bits added a nice contrast in flavor and texture.

Next served was our lasagna. It was cheesy and meaty! I loved it! It may not be sophisticated or the classy type of lasagna but this comfort dish is a winner! I packed the leftover lasagna for lunch the following day and it was still as good as when it was served at the restaurant.

First Bite: 8 Cuts Burger Blends

Burgers. My tummy must be filled with burgers to last me a lifetime. I have been munching on burgers for months now! I had tons of burgers when I was on vacation and I had tons of burgers when I got back here. Heck, I even had a burger during the day of love. (Hey, that's my day!) And today, I will share another burger joint I have visited recently.

Hello, 8 Cuts Burger Blends!

I saw 8 Cut's signage on our way to the parking lot. I must say, having a store signage facing EDSA is pretty effective to capture attention and create interest. (Or maybe it was just me.)

We then went straight to the fashion wing and went to the 3rd floor to see this new burger place. And thankfully, the place wasn't packed at all. 

First Bite: Green Pastures

Organic. This craze is getting stronger and stronger as time pass by. I guess it's actually a good craze as people are becoming more health conscious. I'm not too fond of organic food though as I think it tastes the same as the usual non-organic kind and because it is way pricier than its "unhealthy" counterpart. Don't get me wrong though as I try organic or healthy food from time to time. Like when I tried Juju Cleanse and Slice. And because of my desire to visit all new restaurants, my friends and I visited Green Pastures.

Hello Green Pastures!

There's a short wait before we could be seated. Oh the charm of new restaurants. This one was featured on T.V. and my aunt told me to give this a try and so I did.

I just came from Kimukatsu so I was still pretty full when I met A and L. (AL?) So I decided to go for the Local Artisanal Cheese (PHP325, single; PHP425, choice of 2; PHP850, full) and MilkEggsHoney (PHP155) for dessert. A went for the Meat On Meat Classic Cheeseburger (PHP595) while L ordered Octopus Bone Marrow (PHP425) and Duck You fries (PHP185). We all ordered Hibiscus Iced Tea (PHP90 per glass, PHP135 refillable) out of curiosity on how different it would be from a typical iced tea.

Service was quite quick as the Duck You which was served with a mini spray bottle of sauce, which happens to be vinegar, arrived in less than 10 minutes. The Duck You fries are your typical fries cooked in duck fat and topped with duck skin and duck confit. This dish is rather unhealthy but something duck lovers would enjoy.

Next served was my cheese order. I got the Neufchatel Cream Cheese with Smoked Salmon. The serving of cheese wasn't that generous but it was definitely enough for the four slices of bread. I wasn't very experimental though and ate the nuts, grapes honeycomb and cheese separately. I enjoyed the cheese though I hardly tasted the salmon.

My date with Five Guys!

Writing this entry made me realize that I practically ate nothing but burgers in the States. But, I just have to try this one as I heard that this was the favorite of Obama. Yeah!
 

It was our first day in Florida when we decided to go shopping for a bit. So off we go to this big outlet mall carrying Nike, Adidas, Skechers, Converse, Forever21, Payless and so much more.

Our last meal then was a 6am breakfast at IHOP, a diner famous for their pancakes. Since we were trying to save money for the chocolate sale on the first of November, we opted to have lunch at the food court. There my mom saw Five Guys. She shared with us how it was the favorite burger of Obama and that she tried it in Washington (I think).

Fine. Let’s try the President’s favorite burger chain. We were too hungry to argue or look for another restaurant or food stall anyway.