Now Open: Freezer Burn

So this happened:

I was planning to head to Locavore for dinner last Friday as I had this intense craving for congee and knowing that Locavore has one with foie gras, I just have to go for it! So I speed walked from work and headed straight to Forbes Town...when I saw my former Yummy magazine colleagues in front of Freezer Burn.

I was super excited to try Freezer Burn's sweets as this dessert shop is the newest baby of the talented duo Chefs Miko Aspiras and Kristine Lotilla (and their awesome partner Charlie Paw) who happen to be the brilliant minds behind hits like Le Petit Souffle, Fowl Bread and Bad Bird. I was counting the days till July 2, the store's opening date to the public. 

As I love being prepared, I asked the Yummy team for their favorite picks and they practically loved everything! I was trying to check the place out when Charlie saw me from the inside. He greeted me and I shared how giddy I am to visit the store tomorrow. And that was when he asked me if I want to sample one...now. OF COURSE!!! 

Hello, Freezer Burn!

Freezer Burn is like a portal to a cool 70's or 80's American ice cream diner. Everything was adorable! The cool color palate is very Instagram-friendly! Even the buzzing wait numbers have the same light and cool color!

Chef Miko and Charlie explained to me why they call the shop Freezer Burn. It is a play of words as each composed dessert (priced at PHP295 each) is a combination of cold treat which is ice cream (freezer) and hot dish (burn). 

After a long while of checking the menu and asking Chef Miko for recommendations, I was torn between Morning Glory (Maple Bacon Ice Cream with Brioche Toast and Popcorn) and Cream of the Crop (Corn and Cheese Ice Cream with Toasted Honey Cake and Cornicks). I was also very interested in Ketchup Mayo Fries (Ketchup and Mayo Ice Cream with Salt Pepper Fries) because I love weird flavors. But I eventually got Morning Glory because of the cotton candy. While waiting, I sampled the chocolate and ketchup mayo ice cream. 

The chocolate ice cream was the best chocolate ice cream I've had to date! It was so rich and as other guests describe it, deadly. It was inspired by the thick chocolate paired with churros. No wonder it was so good!

The ketchup and mayo ice cream was brilliant as well! You could definitely taste the two condiments and both went so well together with the vanilla ice cream base. I get it why they paired it with fries. It was made for those who love eating their sundaes with fries. It was so smart of this group to create such!

My dessert was served after 5 minutes or so and it was not a long wait at all considering that there were a handful of orders before mine.

And it was so pretty. *cries*

Love at Second Bite: Maple

There are just some things worth giving a second chance. And no, I’m not being mushy here. I’m talking about giving some restaurants a second chance. There are times when I get bad first dining experiences because of either bad food choices or terrible service. But when I see good reviews about those establishments I visited (and swore will never visit ever again), I get curious and try to dine again. And I’m glad I did with Maple.

Hello, Maple.

To be honest, I wasn’t that thrilled to eat there again since my first visit wasn’t that pleasant. (We ordered all the wrong dishes hence Maple never appeared before.) But my mom wanted to visit something new to her so I gave in.

She ordered The Maple Burger (PHP475) and a glass Country Iced Tea (PHP105) while I got the Salmon Catch (PHP550).

The iced tea was quite concentrated so my mom had to wait for the ice to melt. Then again, that’s value for money (in a way).

The Maple Burger was pretty huge. Thick and juicy beef patty served with cheese, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and bacon with onion rings on the side, this dish guarantees a full tummy.

McDonald's McGriddles Now Available in the Philippines

I love breakfast! I love to eat breakfast meals for breakfast (duh!), lunch, dinner, or as midnight snack! I dislike it when restaurants only offer breakfast meals in the morning. What if I’m craving for scrambled eggs, bacon and sausages at 1 p.m.? Anyway, rules are rules. :| One fine Sunday though on our way to visit our lovable grandma, we passed by McDonald’s for a much needed breakfast.

I was about to order Egg McMuffin when my sister told me to order a McGriddles instead as it’s “limited edition” breakfast. I spotted bacon so I ordered the Bacon, Egg and Cheese McGriddles (PHP113 with coffee | PHP128 with coffee and hashbrown). My mom ordered the Sausage, Egg and Cheese McGriddles (PHP113 with coffee | PHP128 with coffee and hashbrown).

While waiting for our order, I made a quick check on what McGriddles is all about and apparently, it’s a pancake sandwich with maple flavoring. Sinful? Oh yes! Yummy? Definitely.

Okay, I wasn’t able to try my mom’s McGriddles as she ate it while I was not looking for me to flash my annoying puppy eyes (which do not really work on anyone). But since she finished it, I’m guessing it was good.

My Bacon, Egg and Cheese McGriddles was pretty good. The bacon was quite crispy (though the serving was a bit stingy with just 2 small strips) and I love the contrast of its saltiness with the sweet griddle cakes. If only they put in more bacon, it would have been my everyday breakfast meal. Hello, Super Size version of me!

And speaking of Super Size Me, the McGriddles was mentioned in the well-loved documentary. Morgan Spurlock described it as “one of their fattest sandwiches to date.” So try to keep it down to once or twice a week. ;)

Here’s the list of McDonald’s branches with McGriddles:

Navotas

Sun Mall Welcome Rotonda

Farmer's Market

Pioneer Reliance

Ortigas Extension Cainta

Quirino

Granada

Tarlac Hi-way

Sto. Tomas Batangas

Dona Soledad

Bankmer (along Ayala Ave)

Lucky Chinatown

Matalino

San Pedro

Binan

Blue Ridge

Las Pinas Talon

Project 8

Angeles Intersection

(List from Pickiest Eater in the World)

Try them all before it’s too late!

-Gluttonshopper

Restaurant Discovery: Early Bird Breakfast Club

Never skip breakfast. That’s something our parents always tell us. But with the boom of breakfast-all-day restaurants, this is one reminder that we will definitely remember.

I just love meetings outside the office as it helps me think better and churn out more ideas. And I just love that my officemates are such great foodies that they know the best restaurants.

 

One day, we had a meeting for Real Living’s big celebration and our group publisher (GP) decided that we hold the meeting at Early Bird, a cute restaurant that serves breakfast food… all day long.

 

The place sure is charming. It is screaming Real Living with its printed wallpapers and nice furniture. The lighting fixtures are cute too!

 

For my order, I decided to get the Tenderloin Tapa (PHP375). I hesitated though given that I want a dish with bacon but since GP ordered bacon crisps with maple syrup (forgot to take note of the price though), tapa it is! As for my beverage, I went for Early Bird Signature Iced Tea (PHP125).