Takeout Picks: Black Scoop

Black Scoop is one of my go-to milk tea shops since 2018. With its delectable fruit teas and addictive milk teas, it's hard not to grab a few drinks whenever I pass by a branch. I know that they have savory meals too, but I only got to try some of its dishes during the community quarantine. And since I now know that they have good chicken poppers, I decided to grab some again after my OB appointment. 

Hello, Black Scoop.

For a milk tea shop, Black Scoop offers a good range of dishes to complement its sweet drinks. Its menu includes rice meals, sandwiches, pasta, and snacks. 

Underrated Drinks: Dakasi's Creme Avocado

With baby Sam's arrival getting nearer and nearer, I find myself wanting to indulge in cold treats every single day. From ice cream to frozen cake, I just want to have them all before I start ge lai. And I'm so happy to be able to try Dakasi before I give birth. 

Hello, Dakasi.

Dakasi has been named as one of the underrated milk tea brands in Manila. As one of the minor players in the milk tea industry, it's easy to forget Dakasi when asked for the top of mind boba brands.

Takeout Favorite: Ooma's Ebi and Soft Shell Crab Tempura Aburi Bake

It has been seven months since I last dined in and traveled. And as much as I tell myself that it's better to stay cooped up indoors, I can't help miss the "old" normal. Thankfully, many restaurants made it a lot bearable for us by making takeouts a bit more interesting, just like Ooma with its bento meals and its lip-smackingly good aburi bake!

Hello, Ooma.

Ooma is no stranger to those who love Japanese fusion dishes. Its wide array of maki and entrees guarantees that there's something for everyone. And for me, it has always been its soft shell crab taco maki and hanger steak.

Food Delivery Favorite: Gang Gang Boneless Fried Chicken

I have a weak spot for fried chicken. Just thinking about its crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside texture makes me drool. And I'm so happy that I get to enjoy lemon fried chicken anytime I want. But a new food discovery, Gang Gang Boneless Fried Chicken, made me realize that there are other flavors out there that deserve love. 

Hello, Gang Gang Boneless Fried Chicken.

Gang Gang Boneless Fried Chicken is yet another brainchild of the creative individuals behind Boa Kitchen + Socials and Buwan. 

Food Delivery: Busan Kitchen

I surprised my family with flight tickets to Korea. But I was in for a bigger surprise when Covid-19 put a halt on all international flights. And even if flights pushed through, it was just too risky for us; especially when I'm expecting. Thankfully, we have pretty good Korean restaurants in Manila. A new one that claims serve authentic Korean fare is Busan Kitchen.

Hello, Busan Kitchen.

Busan Kitchen is one of the newest Korean restaurants in town. Founded by Mr. Kim Dong Jun, a Korean national born and raised in Busan, he is committed to serving authentic Korean cuisine to the Manila market. 

Food Delivery Favorite: Serenitea's DIY Milk Tea Home Kits

Milk tea has been one of the drinks I've been craving since the lockdown. But the fact that I can't reheat it makes me worried. Yes, studies are saying that transmission through food is low to unlikely. But you can never say to a pregnant woman's face that she's a germaphobe when she has a little one to protect. Thankfully, Serenitea started offering DIY kits of its bestsellers. It made me feel more at ease as I get to make and enjoy my drinks in a space I'd consider safe. 

Hello, Serenitea.

Serenitea launched its DIY milk tea kits back in April. And it was an instant hit. Available in Okinawa and Taro variants, it also has sets that come in your favorite sinkers.

Black Scoop Launches its Pints-To-Go

Milk tea is one of the drinks I find hard to resist. I've been so used to gulping down at least one large cup a week. The lockdown changed all that as I barely had any sweet drink for months. To make up for all the milk tea I missed, I had a gallon of boba from Black Scoop and tried a few new items on its menu.

Hello, Black Scoop.

Black Scoop has been one of my favorite milk tea brands since 2018. I always get its classic boba flavors and fruit teas whenever I pass by. 

First Bite: Yoshimeatsu's Sushi Bake and Tebasaki

Manila's community quarantine gave birth to many home bakers, chefs, and first-time entrepreneurs. Every day, our social media feeds get filled with photos of baked goods, handicrafts, and items for reselling. It felt like a trap as I couldn't help myself from trying a lot. Sushi bake was no exception. Just hearing my friends gush about it makes me drool. And I was happy to be able to try the one from Yoshimeatsu a few weeks back.

Hello, Yoshimeatsu. 

Yoshimeatsu is one of the popular Korean-Japanese restaurants in Manila. Known for its wide selection of Korean BBQ meats and Japanese staples, it grew to multiple branches in just a short period. 

Restaurant Favorite: Via Mare

My constant food craving is driving me insane. It never stops. And when I saw a post about palitaw, I craved for it for weeks. I even tried to have some made at home. But we had a hard time finding some ingredients. Thankfully, Via Mare opened several of its branches to satisfy my appetite for Filipino kakanin.

Hello, Via Mare.

Via Mare is one of my go-to restaurants whenever I feel like having palitaw or bibingka. I also didn't have to wait for the holidays for me to indulge in a plate or two of puto bumbong.

Food Delivery Favorite: Happyfoods' Korean BBQ Feast

Korean BBQ has become a staple in our diet that we couldn't help crave for it during the lockdown. From its mouthwatering premium, a la carte meats to bang-for-the-buck eat all you can deals, just the thought of indulging in this flavorful feast is enough to make many Korean BBQ fans drool. And I'm so glad that my favorite Korean BBQ joint decided to offer its bestselling meats for delivery. 

Hello, Happyfoods!

Happyfoods is the company behind popular Korean BBQ restaurants Sariwon, Soban, and Sibyullee. I have been a fan of these three brands for years. And this is the only restaurant group that made me appreciate kimchi. 

Love at First Bite: Jamie's Kebabs

Growing up in a household not very fond of Meditteranean food made me appreciate this cuisine later in life. I never thought that I'd love kebabs, hummus, pita, and dip almost everything in garlic sauce. It even became one of my constant cravings during Manila's lockdown. And I'm so glad that there's a new place in town that serves superb Middle Eastern food.

Hello, Jamie's Kebabs.

Jamie's Kebabs is the newest food concept by the people behind Main Street. It serves the classic beef, chicken and lamb kebabs as well as other staples like hummus and pita wraps.

Love at First Bite: Goto Tendon

The Coronavirus pandemic left almost everyone paranoid. We'd freak out at the sound of a soft cough or tiny sneeze and take several steps back with fear plastered on our faces. We got used to sanitizing almost everything and practice social distancing. Yet, we don't know if that's enough. And when R got a fever a few weeks back, we were a bit panicky and had no idea what to do. All I could think of was to feed him good food. Thankfully, Goto Tendon was open for take-out. 

Hello, Goto Tendon.

Goto Tendon has been one of the highly-rated goto/pares places in Manila. It may be a bit new in the goto or pares scene but its mouthwatering offerings and affordable prices made it an instant hit and favorite to many. 

Love at First Bite: Kitchen Corner by Zula Hostel

There's no denying that food delivery is now part of the new normal. As more and more restaurants now offer in-house or through food app deliveries, ordering food for lunch or dinner gets a bit harder each day. I'm not complaining though as this allows me to try new restaurants with just a few clicks and without getting stuck in traffic. And I'm so happy to discover a new favorite-- Kitchen Corner by Zula Hostel.

Hello, Kitchen Corner by Zula Hostel.

Kitchen Corner is a new player in the very busy street of Makati Avenue. It opened primarily to service Zula Hostel's guests. But the ECQ made it shift its attention to cater to a wider market. And I am glad that they did as I got to try its superb dishes!

Go! Salad Celebrates Anniversary with P99 Fresh Farm Salads

Salad was never a staple in a typical Filipino meal. It was often associated with diet and seen to be not as good as other savory dishes like fried chicken, bulalo, crispy pata and so on. But that was all in the past. Filipinos today are smarter consumers and understand the importance of greens in one's diet. And thanks to Go! Salads, it's so much easier to have a healthier lifestyle. Its promo this month makes it even more pocket-friendly too!

Hello, Go! Salads.

Go! Salads celebrates its 7th Year with a great treat for everyone! Grab your favorite Farm Fresh Salads for just PHP99 from March 13 to 17, 2020.

Truedan: A Fresher Way to Enjoy your Milk Tea

With the average consumption to be 4-5 cups of milk tea per month, it's not surprising for new foreign and local brands to open left and right. And my weak will to go milk tea-free this 2020 was obliterated when I spotted Truedan.

Hello, Truedan. 

Truedan is no newbie in the milk tea business. With a decade of expertise, it has been popular in Taiwan for its use of fresh ingredients. It was even awarded 2-star Anti Additive by the Anti Additive Association.

Overdoughs Now Offers Cookie Cakes

February is my favorite month! I love seeing everything turn into hearts. From traffic lights to burgers and pancakes, things get extra romantic every February. And it got even sweeter when I received a huge heart-shaped cookie cake. 

Hello, Overdoughs Cookie Cake!

Overdoughs is one of my favorite dessert brands in town. My love for Overdoughs started with its delectable beignets and dips. And it became stronger when it launched its rich and flavorful cookies. Its commendable support for the deaf and mute community makes it an even tougher brand to beat. 

Breakfast at Angels' Kitchen

Angels' Kitchen is one of Greenhills' dining gems. Having been around before all the quirky food trends and social media hypes, this place is known to serve straightforward, no-frills, homey dishes. And we decided to try its breakfast dishes one Wednesday morning.

Hello, Angels' Kitchen.

Bright and clean was my first impression of Angels' Kitchen as soon as I stepped inside the restaurant with its minimalist interiors, paper table covers, and simple silverware.

The Perfect Alibi for a Night Out

You don't need to find an excuse to get a drink or two and bar chows to pair it with. You deserve it after surviving a grueling week at work or simply living in chaotic Manila. And if you do, we have the perfect alibi which is Alibi.

Hello, Alibi.

Alibi is one of the newest speakeasy bars in Tomas Morato. Located in the basement of Geonbae, one could easily miss this new gem in the city.

Geonbae Offers Unlimited Korean and Japanese Favorites

The charm of unlimited meat is undeniably strong. It's so attractive that numerous Korean BBQ chains opened these past years. There are those priced unbelievably affordable while others market its brands as premium. The newer K-BBQ stores made things more interesting by offering the best of Korean and Japanese cuisines. And I heard that one of the best places to get your Seoul and Tokyo favorites is Geonbae.

Hello, Geonbae.

Geonbae is a modern Korean BBQ restaurant that features an extensive menu of beef, pork, and chicken. The overwhelming selection of barbecue meats is paired with an equally long list of side dishes featuring the likes of japchae, mandu, tteokbokki, ramyeon, rolls and steamed egg aside from the usual kimchi and pickled radish. 

Soru Now Offers Unlimited Hot Pot

Soru has been synonymous with beautifully plated sushi and maki rolls. Its intricate and colorful designs are just as anticipated as its dishes. But Soru has a lot more up its sleeves when it launched its hot pot menu.

Hello, Soru.

Soru recently opened a branch in Timog and it is a lot bigger compared to its other stores. It has a lot more parking space and even has an area dedicated to its new concept--hot pot.