Taste of China: Ma Chicken Mami House

Ma Chicken Mami House
Trinoma Branch
4th Level, TriNoma Mall
EDSA cor. North Ave., Quezon City
Metro Manila, Philippines

Phone Number
(+63 2) 425-5028

Funny because I would often just pass by this small restaurant that is strategically located at the Trinoma Cinema area. It's basically a very small place with roughly 6 tables in it.  I thought that the people there would just sit and served as their waiting area for the film showing but all that changed when I tasted their Mami, the food is really good, that explains why the place is literally packed of customers.

Fresh Lemonade

Their flagship Chicken Mami. The soup is flavorful and remained hot until you finish the bowl. Ma uses my favorite Shanghai flat noodles on it. It’s the perfect comfort food during the heavy downpour.  This comes with a Siopao Asado (0r Bola-bola if it's your preference) but I was so hungry I finished it before  I realized the need to take a photo for my blog.

This is the look of one satisfied customer; Happy!

Their menu, notice how affordable their food listings are. 

Ni hao! Until our next foodtrip adventure,

Bibo

Good times at 121 Grille and Restaurant

121 Grille and Restaurant

Location: Goethe Institute 

L.P. Leviste Street (near Villar Street)
Salcedo Village, Makati City
Tel:  892 8301

Looking for a good place to have a couple of beers and pulutan after office hours with some friends and officemates?  Then 121 is a place for you, right within the heart of Makati.

(What I'm Wearing: Top:OxygenTee, Jacket by TerraNova, Jeans by Forever21; Shoes by Kickers)

The Gloomy lights of Salcedo Village

The 121 in Salcedo Village is set outdoors, in the roofed entrance area of an office building, which means the staff will probably find space for you even if you show up with more than just a handful of people. There's a staircase and you can just park at the entrance of the building if you worry not to see your car being parked at the street. And need not worry, no towing in this area.

Enjoy after work the Filipino style: alfresco, with an ice cold San Miguel Beer ("below zero").

My second visit (in a more relaxed get-up and highlighting my newly purchased Kenneth Cole casual shoes); I ordered the exact same thing- MOJITO and Below-Zero San Mig Light for washing (haha) accompanied by their version of Buffalo Wings.

Until our next adventure,

Bibo

Lasang Pinoy: Gerry's Grill

It's Sam's Despedida Party!

Gerry's Grill

Location: Trinoma Mall

North Ave., Quezon City

(02) 332-1111

Gerry's Grill is one of those few restaurants (within the mall) that can cater to those who wants to binge (especially on authentic Filipino dishes) and at the same time enjoy and have some (alcoholic) drink. And such a perfect setting for a surprised send-off party prepared by my very good friend Ryan Malgapo for his good friend Sam.

I guess that High-school friends are friends for keeps (for life).  Us (Ryan and I) here doing some chit-chat before the other guests arrived.  You see, it pays to be an early bird.

Great selection of local beers and great colors to match too.

Super Cheat Day!

Crispy Pata

Serving amount is sufficient for a hungry tummy! The taste satisfies the cravings.
Gerry's Grill has been a fave for me for years and this branch didn't fail our appetite's calling.

Chicken Fingers and Fries

Kare-kare

Grilled Chicken

Carbonara Pasta

Gerry’s Grill provides its diners with an ambiance that is perfect for a get together like this Sam's send-off party. The place is so inviting and so unintimidating it attracts the dining as well as the family crowd. 

They also have live band that plays good music while you enjoy the great food served on your table.

If you are looking for a place to satisfy your food craving and to chill out with your family and friends,  then Gerry's Grill is the perfect place of choice. Its menu fits right into any occasion and budget.

Until our next foodtrip adventure,

Bibo

Lasang Pinoy: Marina

Marina
Location: Sky Garden - SM North EDSA Branch
North Avenue corner EDSA, Quezon City
Metro Manila, Philippines
332-3462, 357-2361

After that much-needed haircut (it was my first time to have it done at Tony and Jackey- a Korean Salon in SM North since my stylist whose name is also Jacky of Bench Fix Trinoma was on leave and I badly needed to have it cut) I immediately headed to Marina at the Sky Garden for Edwin's Birthday dinner.

It was a light celebration with 2 other friends Jeff and Vicky who were also pesent for Edwin's special day. A little chit-chat and came in the food.

Sporting a new look. Ok ba? I just feel that Fix really knows my profile better.  Oh well. next time

The Celebrant Edwin, together with Jeff, Me and Vicky

This is it Pansit! ( for longer life)

Their version of Pinakbet is one f the best. This is really a must try!

Grilled Tuna served with Rice and Atchara

I know for a fact that Marina has been in the food industry for quite some time now and they really know their ball game. Marina's restaurants have always been clean and spacious which makes dining a pleasant experience for its customers. 

Until our next foodtrip adventure,

Bibo

Lasang Pinoy: Kamay Kainan

Kamay Kainan

Location: Trinoma Mall
G/F Trinoma, North Ave., Quezon City

(02) 916-7178

It was a Sunday and we ( me, Jeff and Ed) were suppose to dine in at Vikings SM The Block but opted not to because of the long waiting time. I suggested to try out Kamay Kainan because I had a good dining experience at this restaurant- we celebrated my nephew Castiel Jadene's Christening at their branch in Kalayaan Avenue and Filipino Food will always be the best food. So we moved to the neighbor that is TRINOMA and dine at Kamay Kainan.

Kamay Kainan offers Eat-All-You-Can at its most affordable rate. With just PhP270.00 per head, you get to Enjoy a wide selection of native Filipino dishes such as Adobo, Sinigang, Binagoongan, Kaldereta, Tinolang Manok, Kare-Kare, Tokwa’t Baboy, and more. Plus, your authentic Pinoy foodtrip comes complete with unlimited soups, sizzlers, main dishes, vegetables, rice, and desserts (home-made sorbetes).

I was joined by my 2 foodtrip buddies Jeff and Edwin.

With the exception of a very noisy group of teenagers next to our table, which made Ed schooled and scolded them- they were a bit embarrassed- because another group of conservative adults (hahaha) also complained them to the manager, it was still a pleasant dining experience. I didn't mind. I was so focus on finishing my third plate as evident on how bloated I am on the picture. (Trust me, I spent hours running at the treadmill the next day)

Until our next foodtrip adventure,

Bibo

Lasang Pinoy: Seafood Island

Blackbeard's Seafood Island

Location: U.P.- AyalaLand TechnoHub
Commonwealth AveUP Campus, Quezon City

(02) 332-2256

Seafood Island is one of my favorite restos because when I was still working on graveyard in Mckinley Hills,Taguig;  me and my colleagues would often have our breakfast here, do the Filipino style boodle fight and what we call "one for the road" beer session.

And I am glad that there's one right here in the North.

On my foodtrip adventure here, I was joined by my kumare Merly (her eldest son Cyril is my inaanak).

Sinigang sa Miso

Tokwa't Baboy and Below Zero SanMig light

Let's eat :-)

Seafood Island offers an extensive menu that can satisfy any cravings. Service is okay, food is served without having to wait that long (promptness is not an issue in this resto). The food tastes good with generous serving. So if you are in a company of someone, simply order an extra rice and ask for an additional plate and spoon and fork and you have an amazing lunch or dinner date.

Until our next foodtrip adventure,

Bibo

Taste of Korea: Bulgogi Garden (Revisited)

This time a date with my sister Em.

Bulgogi Garden

Kalayaan
125 Kalayaan Ave Central, Quezon City

(02) 382-3915

And this post is brought to you by her generous wallet. Lol

My sister and I are very close (we all are), since we grew up together and up until college where we came to Manila to study we were each other's watchdogs- reporting to Mom if one is not acting in accordance to well; what is just and right. hahaha.

I was so fascinated when Ian and I came here for his birthday dinner that I told myself I will definitely come back. ( this is the link http://bibobayona.blogspot.com/2014/02/taste-of-korea-bulgogi.html )

I tried the Samgyupsal and it was really good. We asked the waiter for their bestseller and they wouldn't name their Restaurant as Bulgogi if it's not their best.

and the usual side dishes. That night, there were close to 10 appetizers or banchan served to us. The two that stood out among the rest were Kimchi and Sweet Potato.

our main course: Beef Bulgogi (with egg)  good enough for 2 people

My San Mig Light Beer and her Mango Shake (our table is well- a little messy)

Thanks to the polite and very friendly crew for more photo ops with my sister.

All in all is was definitely a great foodtrip adventure with my sister. The place has high ceiling, and very roomy feel. The tables are spaced very well. Toilets are clean. Ample parking space.

Until our next foodtrip adventure;

Bibo

Taste of Vietnam: Pho Hoa

Pho Hoa Vietnamese Noodle House

Location: Shaw Blvd. 500

Shaw Blvd.Addition Hills, Mandaluyong

(02) 531-7912

You don't really have many choices for Vietnamese Restaurants in the Philippines if that's what satisfies your taste buds. Vietnamese Food has got to be one of the best  that serves really good yet healthy food. And Pho Hoa manages to live up to it with their dishes that are packed with flavor, yet still maintains to be really good for the body. 

While we wait for our order, they serve a dish of fresh bean sprouts, sweet basil, a lemon wedge and some chili slices.

Goi Cuon: Fresh Spring Roll with Chicken and Shrimp
A sense of spring is what you get upon tasting this Roll having individual ingredient works well together. And the dip, peanut sauce. Yum!

Pho Chin Nam:Beef Flank, Brisket with Pho

A lot of health buffs really would flock this place because they would not have to sacrifice taste for its calorie count. Plus the prices are affordable.

Burp! Now that's Clean-- Simot sarap :-)

I would really recommend this place for health conscious people who would want something really delicious.

Until our next foodtrip adventure,

Bibo

Brekky with Khrissy

SUBWAY & J.Co

Makati City

Closeness has nothing to do with distance.

One of my dearest friends, Cebu-based Khrissy Davis frequents Manila for business trip and sometimes for personal reason or simply just to see me.

We were their first customers this particular day. We were looking for a place to have our breakfast before buying J.Co Donuts as her pasalubong to her family in Cebu.

Subway is always a safe bet when you are looking for someplace to grab a quick bite and you know the quality would be consistent. Friendly staff and sandwiches are prepared the way you like them. Good value for moment like this.

They assemble the sandwich in front of you while you wait.

Our footlong BASIC Sliced Chicken and Ham cut into two.

Everything on it!

Such a healthy alternative for breakfast and I'm glad we have it here now in Manila.

Next Stop;

J.Co at Greenbelt 3
A premium, lifestyle cafe brand founded in Indonesia has now come to the shores of the Philippines!

Alcapone - their top selling soft bite donut covered with Belgian white chocolate and Californian almonds. YUHMEH!

Many say that J.Co is a fad just like any other imported brands/chains that landed our shore. I think it is here to stay. If you are a fan of extensive choices, exciting flavors and not-to-sweet donuts, then J.Co is really a must try. Even if you ask Khrissy with her 3 boxes of J.CO DONUTS!

Until our next foodtrip adventure;

Bibo