Is this the new Chowking?

Let’s get this out of the way first: Chowking, a fastfood chain offering Chinese dishes, isn’t exactly known for having the nicest ambiance. More often than not, their branches tend to squeeze in as many tables as they can to accommodate their ever-burgeoning crowd who flock the chain for their good prices and decent selection. It’s not really my go-to for quick food (I’m more of a McDonald’s girl), partly because of the ambiance. But can I say, I think I just found the best-looking Chowking branch I’ve ever visited.

Bypass Burger needs help, stat! (restaurant review)

(It seems I’ve fallen into old habits again; I had to sweep away cobwebs to click on “Add New Post.” I’ve got a lot of stuff to write about in the coming weeks, so hopefully you don’t decide to abandon me by then.)

We (meaning my sister, her husband, and I) have always noticed Bypass Burger when we drive around BF Parañaque looking for a place to dine in. We never really considered eating there, until I saw pictures of seemingly glorious food while checking my Instagram, at which point I convinced them to give it a shot last night.

Feast on fish and fowl at Coco Hut (restaurant review)

The first Coco Hut I’ve ever seen is the one in Filinvest Alabang, but back then I wasn’t curious enough to stop by. This one, on the other hand, is in a good location (Translation: it’s only a couple minutes’ walk from my office, though I’ve been known to travel far on purpose for lunch just to get away from work), so I figured now’s as good a time as any to try it.

Manning up at Mr. Pizza (restaurant review)

If the word “pizza” conjures up for you images of pepperoni, margherita, and pineapple, you’ll realize as soon as you see the menu that these are far from being the stars of this Korean chain. In fact, you can go ahead and leave your expectations at the door on your way in. Mr. Pizza is not your typical pizza place. Here, they top their pizza with bulgogi, sweet potato, and tofu. Yep, you read that right.

Restaurant review: Mad Mark’s Creamery and Good Eats

So, one of the places I’ve had on my list in a while of restaurants to visit has been Mad Mark’s Creamery, but more because of their supposedly great ice cream than their savory offerings. But then when I was looking for a good steak place one day while I was at the office, it popped up during my online search, so I figured, might as well give it a shot.

Southern food crawl, part 5: berry smoothie bowl at Detoxify Bar

This is it. The last stop of our Westgate, Alabang food crawl. After a whole afternoon of gorging ourselves (the fourth stop being Melo’s), we found ourselves in front of Detoxify Bar, a health nut’s paradise. Bursting at the seams, we waddled (this is the only way I can describe how I felt after downing so much food) into the restaurant with a promise that this would at least be a light and fruity end to the day.

Southern food crawl, part 4: Christmas roulade at Melo’s

Melo’s was Stop #4 of our Westgate food crawl after we had our fill of that lingering sinigang paella at Neil’s. I’ve had steak at Melo’s before (at the BGC branch), and whatever good things you’ve heard about their meat is true. They do have some of the best steaks I’ve tasted, so I was looking forward to having more of it.

Boarding Ortigas’ Cable Car (restaurant review)

I’ve always noticed Cable Car, but I’ve never had a chance to try it. And I almost didn’t get to, even before I got an invite from Zomato Philippines. According to the bar’s part-owner Sherwin, he and his co-owners swooped in just in time to save the almost-closing restaurant chain a few years ago. Now, it continues to provide party goers with a venue for drinking, lively music, and beer pong. But I wasn’t there so much for the party scene as for the food, so armed with an empty stomach, I went into the recently opened Ortigas branch.

Southern food crawl, part 3: sinigang paella at Neil’s Kitchen

Leg Three of our Westgate, Alabang food crawl had us leaving Sushi Ninja and heading straight for Neil’s Kitchen, a place that promises to offer traditional Filipino dishes with a modern twist. On their menu, I saw on Zomato’s info card, was sinigang paella with grilled pork belly. What the hell?, I thought as we piled into the restaurant.

Southern food crawl, part 2: kobe toshi and spicy tuna salad at Sushi Ninja

For the next leg of Zomato Philippines’ Westgate Alabang food crawl, we walked a few meters from Bugsy’s Bar and Bistro to Sushi Ninja, a restaurant that boasts of injecting modern flair into traditional Japanese favorites. As I haven’t been to this place before, I was looking forward to giving it a shot, especially considering I’d been craving good Japanese food that week.