12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub

12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub

If you find yourself in Makati, you can venture at Century mall and try the various offerings of 12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub. Located at the 5th floor of Century City Mall. To reach it, you take an elevator to the 4th floor and then enter a separate elevator to arrive at the 5th floor.

The orange chicken at 12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub is very delicious according to my friend.  You have to take my friend's word for it because I never tried this dish yet.

I was able to try the burger and fries and it is superb. Kudos to the chef for this particular meal!

This is what I ordered, carbonara. And I shared this with Kuya Rey.  I am a bit disappointed. I think there is more room for improvement to this dish.  The chef at 12 Monkey's should improve this particular dish. Make it more creamy and put more cheese please.

My seatmate got this for herself, a seafood spaghetti, She said it is delicious. 

At least, you and I now know what to order the next time we find ourselves at 12 Monkeys.

Enjoy!

The waiters shared that the live music performers at 12 Monleys are musical icons in the Philippine music scene like Side A, The Dawn, Razorback, Wolfgang, Parokya ni Edgar etc.

Disclaimer: This is not a paid review or a food review. 

Sentro 1771 Restaurant: Newest Food Offerings

Sentro 1771 Restaurant: Newest Food Offerings

Sinigang na Corned Beef

Sentro 1771 restaurant's newest food offerings are original Filipino dishes made possible by Executive Chef Vicky-Rose Pacheco. Before I present the new menu, let me expound first about the restaurant and its sinigang na corned beef.

Per Wikipedia, sinigang is defined as a Filipino soup or stew characterized by its sour and savory flavor most often associated with tamarind (sampalok). It is one of the popular viands in Philippine cuisine.

As you all know, Executive Chef Vicky-Rose Pacheco invented the famous Corned Beef Sinigang, the house specialty of Sentro 1771 since eleven (11) years ago. Sentro 1771 caught the local culinary scene by surprise with its original Modern Filipino cuisine way back in 2002. Did you know that from then on, people lined up outside Sentro 1771 to get a taste of her famous Corned Beef Sinigang?  Sentro 1771's Modern Filipino cuisine fired up the innovative spirits of chefs around the Philippines and started a new trend in contemporary Filipino restaurants.  

Sinigang na Corned Beef

Chef Vicky told us that it all started when she tried to put into good use the restaurant's excess corned beef broth. She then discovered that she could make the broth into sinigang by adding sour ingredient and putting in beef cuts with sinews, fat, and bones. The result is a hearty soup and the now known signature favorite dish at Sentro 1771, the heartwarming, flavorful and meaty Corned Beef Sinigang, which I labeled as Sinigang Almighty, ha ha ha!

Sinigang na Corned Beef

I asked Chef Vicky, "what's the secret behind the soft boneless beef shanks in the Sinigang na Corned Beef of Sentro 1771?" She explained that they cure the beef brisket in special brine solution for five (5) days and custom mix it with several other spices for that added flavor. Can you imagine that they cure 32 kilos of beef everyday to meet the demands for sinigang na Corned beef? They then throw away the mixture after the curing period of five (5) days. I was intently listening to her that I can clearly imagine how they make the corned beef. Ahhh, the beauty of making your own corned beef – you can adjust the flavors the way you want.

The pot is loaded with vegetables such as tomatoes, okra, gabi (taro corms), labanos (daikon or radish), kangkong (water spinach), and eggplant stewed in tamarind. The broth from scratch is loaded with flavor-boosting natural spices. They then served the sinigang almighty hot and steamy.

Sinigang na Corned Beef

I believe one of the factors why Sinigang na Corned Beef became so famous is the personalized approach practiced by Sentro 1771's staff. The staff always ask guests to sip the delicate soup stock prior to serving. Why? So that the sourness, saltiness, and spiciness can be adjusted according to each guest preference.

Executive Chef Vicky-Rose Pacheco

The amiable and very innovative Executive Chef Vicky Pacheco brought Filipino cuisine to the next level by presenting local dishes in a chic and elegant setting. She combined Swiss and French techniques with familiar Filipino flavors. 

Ow, by the way, here's Sentro 1771's newest menu: 

New Food Offerings:

Sentro 1771 has branches at Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City and at Serendra, Bonifacio Global City. 

Soon, another branch will rise in Capitol Commons, Meralco Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City.

Goldilocks Coupon: Download and Print

Goldilocks Coupon: Download and Print

Here is a great deal from Goldilocks this 2013! Download and print the coupon below to avail of awesome discounts for your favorite meals and merienda combos at Goldilocks. Yummy start for an awesome year!

Enjoy!!

JELLY-G: Delicious Thai Milk Tea

JELLY-G: Delicious Thai Milk Tea 
 
Bangkok and Ayutthaya are two of my favorite places in the world. In fact, I love anything Thai, from Durian chips ( to die for!!), Tamarind, Tom-Yum-Goong (Thai: ต้มยำกุ้ง, IPA: [tôm jam kûŋ) to Thai Milk tea (Thai: ชาเย็น). 

A lot of small coffee/tea shops can be found all over Thailand. But we observed that unlike in the Philippines, Thai people like their iced tea on the go and take it with them in a small plastic bag with the straw sticking out. Very few people sit at shops and drink it leisurely. In fact, many shops have no place to sit.

In Thailand, they call Thai Milk Tea as"cha-yen”.  Cha-Yen is a cold drink made from strongly-brewed black tea enhanced with ingredients like orange blossom, star anise, and crushed tamarind seed, as well as sweetened condensed milk are mixed with the tea, then a tablespoon of evaporated milk or half-and-half is floated on top. Some Thai chef uses sugar and half-and-half to make cha yen while other Thai chef uses condensed milk and half evaporated milk. No matter which combination you choose, there’s no other beverage that works as well with the foods of Thailand.

Maybe not a lot of people know that nothing works to neutralize the blistering heat of Thai food than a cold Thai Milk Tea. My brother and I come to love the taste of this cool treat while vacationing in Bangkok, Thailand. So you could just imagine our happiness when we were invited to try this cool Thai Milk Tea place called Jelly-G in Shaw Zentrum 500 at Shaw Boulevard the other day.

Jelly G lets you sip in an indulging cup of smooth milky layers beautifully blended with tea’s hint of deep amber color. When your cup of drink seems a less than-inspired concoction, why not make the switch to a healthier option with better, more imaginative taste? Let these crazy-good milk tea inventions tickle your taste buds for a change and experience another of Thailand’s gift to humanity. They also offer thick toasts as combination to the refreshing Thai drinks.

Jelly-G Milk Tea is the only premier drink brand in the Philippines that serves authentic, creamy and perfectly blended Thai Milk Tea.  Every Jelly-G Thai Milk Tea uses freshly steeped tea leaves daily mixed with all-natural ingredients like Arabica Coffee, Pure Australian Milk Chocolate and puree from fresh fruits with its signature grass jelly intensifying the richness of Jelly-G drinks.

Remember, don't forget to drink this super sweet, lightly spiced beverage to calm sizzling hot Thai foods. 

 

JellyG branches:

• Ground Floor, Shaw Zentrum 500 Shaw Boulevard
• Food Choices, Glorietta 4 
• 3rd Level Activity Center Market!Market! 
• Food Choices, Alabang Town Center Activity Center 
• MarQuee Mall Ground Level 
• Robinsons Metro East 3rd Level
• SM Marikina 2nd Level, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall 
• 3rd Level, Festival Super mall

SINGAPORE FOOD REPUBLIC: Introduces New Dishes

SINGAPORE FOOD REPUBLIC: Introduces New Dishes

I was invited to a dinner by HK Tan of the famous Nasi Lemak and Singapore Food Republic. It happened on a Friday, sadly, I had to commute because I am not allowed to bring a plus one. I was so famished and tired when I finally reached Singapore Food Republic in BGC. Enduring a three hour commute from our house is worth it, after I got to taste the Singapore Food Republic's version of Thai Mango Salad!  It was so delicious! I love this spicy dish! Gustong gusto ko ang kagat sa dila. Yum yum!

 Sizzling Japanese Tofu with Seafood. I love any dish with Tofu.

Aromatic Lemon Grass Seafood stick. So yummy dish! I like this!

Kong Pao chicken with cashew.

Braised Pork Knuckle in Superior Soy. According to HK Tan, this is based on Chairman Mao's Favorite recipe.

 Superior Pot with beefsteak.

Spicy Garlic fish fillet with cotton tofu.

I tried some of the dishes above and my favorite is the Thai Mango Salad. If you want something spicy then go to Singapore Food Republic by Nasi Lemak Fort Bonifacio. Hey, don't get me wrong, if you don't like spicy food, they also have other food offering like this yummy Seafood Fruit Salad Croquette. I love this! You can have this dish together with  your choice of one drink and a dessert for only Php 165/ net from 2 pm onwards. Isn't that a steal?


Here is a sample combination, composed of tea tarek, siomai and siopao all for Php 165.00

 

I was able to try the tea tarek, we were entertained on how they make this cool drink. Order one and see a performance like no other!

Singapore Food Republic also has a tasty dessert offerings like this muffin below. The good news is that this yummy muffin is included at their 2 pm until they close promo.

I think it is important to note that all of their ingredients are imported from Singapore so you'll know/taste that it's authentic. It was nice meeting you Chef Joanne! Thank you so much for the warm reception H.K. Tan, Kim and Ms. Cora!

Singapore Food Republic by Nasi Lemak Fort Bonifacio located at Unit 8 Commercenter, 4th Ave cor 31st St Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Philippines (02) 925-1988.

DIMSUM BREAK: The Home of Good Chinese Food Now Open at THE ANNEX of SM City North Edsa

DIMSUM BREAK: The Home of Good Chinese Food Now Open at THE ANNEX of SM City North Edsa 

To all siomai-eating pinoys: You thought you already know your dimsum?  For all you know, what you have tried might have been nothing but dimsum with extenders and with only soy sauce and kalamansi dip to make it flavorful. It's a good thing that the Dimsum people who inculcate the Dimsum eating habit to almost every Cebuano conquers Metro Manila. Dimsum Break is now open at the third floor of SM City North Edsa The Annex. at unbelievably affordable prices! I tell you, you'll not only see but taste the big difference! In the picture above you can see the following:

• Empress roll - the one with lettuce wrap, this is my favorite! I so love how the taste slide to my tongue in every bite! Two thumbs up for this! Very healthy! Makulay ang buhay kapag kumain ng gulay!
• Shaomai - pork siomai so delicious!
• Bacon Shaomai- the sinful bacon wrapped siomai, yum yum!
• Quail's egg siomai- siomai topped with quail egg 
• Mushroom siomai - siomai with mushroom ano beh! Lol!

The above picture is only a steamer basket sampler. You can purchase them cafeteria style. Just point to what siomai you like to order and the friendly and attentive staff will serve them to you!

Crab Princers on stick are so meaty! Lasang lasa ang crab! I love it! On the side is the yummy spring roll.  The Spring rolls (P65) are cooked to a nice crisp, and the sweet and sour sauce it was drowned in was the perfect sauce for it.

Don't forget to order the foundation of Dimsum Break, their core product -the Steamed Fried Rice. Super yummy! Hahanap hanapin mo talaga! Take note Dimsum Break doesn't use MSG!

Cap your meal with the delicious coconut cream. Oh! Fall in love with their mango custard, very delicious, manggang mangga talaga!

As for the ambiance, I am sure, like me, you'll also be fascinated with Dimsum Break's Dimsum wall decor and steamer Basket lamps. It was pure genius!  I love it!

Plenty of other restaurants come and go over the decades in Cebu but Dimsum Break has very good food that stood the test of time. Today, after a couple of decades of evolution, occasional menu additions, tweaks here and there and a steady growth trend upwards, Dimsum Break stands ingrained as a legitimate piece of Cebuano culture, as much a part of the city’s landscape and history.

The movers and shakers of Dimsum Break. Thank you so much to Ms. Tish and Ms. Mae Ilagan for the invitation. The company started in 1969 as "Ding How" then became "Ding Qua Qua" then "Harbor City", and the most recent, "Dimsum Break", whatever name they use the Cebuanos will always love their Sweet and Sour Pork and Steamed Rice. They are now operating a total of 16 branches in Cebu. Having them at SM Annex is heaven's answer to all Cebuanos who are now based here in Metro Manila.

One could never have enough of Dimsum Break's offerings! Mapababalik balik ka sa mura at sarap! Try it, you'll love it!

Dimsum Break is located at the 3rd floor of SM City North Edsa The Annex.

BIGBY'S: CDO's Premier Café & Restaurant

BIGBY'S: CDO's Premier Café & Restaurant

Whenever you are in Cagayan De Oro City, don't you dare miss Bigby's to-die-for Cookies ‘N Caramel Cheesecake (Php 199)! It is one of the excellent cheesecakes I ever tried! It has a very refined texture, light and melting, not too sweet and yet so yummy! It is topped with cookie bits, which is an American twist on the European pastry crust. The caramel swirl sauce gives the cheesecake an extra oomph! Highly recommended! Rating: Five fingers out of five. Mapa-pa-appear kayo sa sarap!

For the taste teasers, we had Tijuana Quesadillas. Pan-grilled Tortillas with garlic and cheese stuffings. 1/2 order is only Php 99.00

Tiki Wacky Chicken Salad: Php 295.00. A chunky salad treat with tomatoes, yellow mango, grapes, walnuts, cheese, croutons and creamy chicken salad on top of romaine lettuce.

 

Fire-grilled Boomerang shrimp Go-lite: Php 285.00

Uncle Sam's Roast Beef. Slow Roasted U.S. Beef served with pan gravy: Php 290.00

 

Rack-A-Bye Baby Back Ribs: Php 399. Oh la la! Finger-licking goodness of tender smoky barbecued pork ribs. Super sa sarap ang barbecue sauce nila. Ang sarap!

 

Bigby's Quality Food Corporation was conceptualized in 1998 by 3 friends who created Bigby's Cafe and Restaurant. 

 Refined food with great atmosphere. 

Bigby's Cafe first opened in December 8, 1998 at #89 Hayes St., Cagayan de Oro City. Bigby's revolutionized dining habits of Cagay-anons by offering a variety of internationally-famous food with big servings at very competitive prices in a family-friendly atmosphere. 

It tested Cebu market by opening a 2nd branch at the Ayala Entertainment Center, Cebu City on August 16, 2001.

It opened it's 3rd branch at the SM Cagayan de Oro Mall on August 4, 2003 and launched franchising program in 2004 by opening in Gaisano City Mall Bacolod City on May 2004 and SM City Davao on June 2004. 

The first store was relocated to Rosario Strip, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City on April 26, 2005. Bigby's opened a 3rd franchise at SM Bacolod on May 16, 200. It opened a 4th branch at SM North Wing, Cebu City on February 8, 2008 and opened a 4th franchise at Metro Lifestyle Center, Torres-Jacinto Extension, Davao City on August 8, 2008 and it just opened it's new branch at Centrio Ayala Mall in Cagayan de Oro City last November 9, 2012.

By the way, Bigby's Quality Food Corporation is also the owner of Missy Bon Bon breadshop which started as a kiosk located at Robinsons Mall Cagayan de Oro on December 4, 2009. Missy Bon Bon opened its full store on April 16, 2010.