Farm Health Good Food at The Urban Farm

With its bright green signage, this restaurant never fails to attract my attention every time we pass by it along President’s Avenue in BF Homes Paranaque. After one fruitful ministry day, we decided to try out some real fruit (and other healthy viands). True to its slogan, ‘Farm Healthy Good Food’ is what it really offers. The food served in this restaurant was created by a US accredited chemist and master herbalist.

Hand-painted murals on the wall reveal uplifting messages with a sense of humor. The interiors are cozy and homey providing a feel that you are in a farm with white fences and gardening tools. Wait for a few minutes and the produce will be shortly served to you – fresh and clean.

We tried the following:

 Dijon Half Roast Chicken (Mustard marinated half of chicken with gravy fries)

 Salmon & Mash (Grilled salmon fillet with cream sauce and mashed potato)

 Beef Steak and Frites (Imported beef fillets with gravy and seasoned fries)

Being regular brown rice consumers, this time we enjoyed black rice served with the Mains.

For drinks I ordered a Healthy Smoothie - Fresh Strawberry Mint Lemonade (with herbs, spices and vegetables).

For the Starters and Mains, serving size is big enough for sharing. Food is fresh, unique and delicious.
The Urban Farm‘s concept is relatively new since they emphasize that they only use organic vegetables and grass fed animals.Truly, out of the many sprouting restaurants in BF area, The Urban Farm is definitely a must-try for the health buffs (and curious foodies) out there.

THE URBAN FARM
#4 President's Ave. cor. Adelfa St.
Tahanan Vill., BF Homes Subd.,
Paranaque City
823-8495

Vikings – A Feast From the Sea

It is graduation season once again and as always, parents beam at the proud moment of seeing their son/daughter climb up the stage to reap the fruits of hard work. Our tita is one of those proud parents, who decided to treat us all to a graduation feast.

Feast it is, as we found ourselves in Vikings SM Marikina. Uncover the taste of luxury – this is Vikings’ striking statement to its customers as they promote the services they offered. However, one doesn’t have to be intimated because true to its tagline, it’s the luxury buffet for every Juan! And being the Juan and Juanas to celebrate our cousin’s triumph, we started the ‘feast from the sea’.

Like the Vikings who were great warriors and once ruled out the seven seas, we became warriors of a different type – food lovers ready to celebrate. We explored the area and found out that there are various food stations.  I was surprised by the extensiveness of the buffet spread. From outside, you'd think this was a small branch but I was wrong. Some favorites include the following:

 Salad and appetizer station
 Bread station – sourdough!
 Cold cuts and cheese
 Carving station – US Roast Beef and Lamb Chops are must-tries
 Barbecue station
 Korean food station – bulgogi and well, kimchi
 Chinese – dumplings and siomai
 Japanese – sushi and sashimi overload
 Dessert Station -yogurt ice cream, chocolate fountain, raspberry crepe and crème brulee
 Caviar
 Drinks Station – Twinings tea, cold juices and shakes, coffee, tea, milo shake and even San Mig beer

Plate no. 1 – The healthy plate served as appetizer. I enjoyed the pomelo salad but added a touch of cheese.

The Oyster Rockefeller also topped my list.

Plate no. 2 – A Japanese food lover at heart! After making our own chirashidon, 

we shared a plate of sushi overload.

Plate no. 3 – Time for some protein – lamb chops and mint sauce salsa.

Plate no. 4 – East meets west on my plate. 

A mixture of Korean Bulgogi and Western food (such as pizza and barbecue)

                                         

Plate 5 – Shabu-shabu – spicy broth for us.

                                            

Plate 6 – Chinese cuisine (siomai and chicken feet) – almost full this time. Haha

Plate 7 – Satisfying the sweet tooth with half order of raspberry crepe, 

fruits, yogurt and ice cream (avocado and bubble gum flavors)

As the food adventure ended, we realized that life really gives us a lot of reasons to celebrate. These gatherings do not have to be as grandiose as the way the Vikings celebrated (not stopping until their every want and need was satisfied) but what is important is to gather loved ones, share success and happiness, and be grateful for all the blessings received.

For your own food adventure, visit Vikings SM Marikina:
SM Marikina, Marcos Highway,
Calumpang, Marikina City
www.vikings.ph
Tel No.: 570-3888; 570-4888; 570-5888
Mobile No.: 0917-8766888

Café Lydia – The Pride of Marikina

Along the street of Calderon in Calumpang Marikina City lies a little secret. Word of mouth made this little secret now a pride of the city. Café Lydia, now thrives as one of the best restaurants in the area. Featured for several times in national television and is continuously trending in blog reviews, Café Lydia never fails to satisfy its customers. 

Owned by an entrepreneur who formerly ran a shoe business, Café Lydia opened its doors to the public on September 2009. Despite struggles such as the typhoon Ondoy on its opening month, this restaurant continues to thrive and is now a destination restaurant for food lovers both from the North and South. Serving the cravings of families and friends who get together for a common purpose, Café Lydia provides a cozy ambience which is also reflected in the warm smiles of its servers. 

All set to eat!

 Pasta ala lidia (P155) is their house special. It has anchovies, olives, capers, tuna, and fresh tomatoes in olive oil. Quite a large serving of 200 grams.

Chicken Kiev (Chicken Cordon BLeu - P205) is also a must try- rolled chicken fillet with ham, cheese and herbed butter with bechamel sauce, served with mashed potato and mesclun salad. 

Yummy Back Ribs (P310) is served with java rice and mixed vegetables.

House Special Pizza (P240) with pepperoni, ham, bacon, mushroom, onion, bell pepper, pineapple is perfect for a group of pizza-lovers!

 Grilled Blue Marlin (P305), grilled in brown butter garlic sauce, sundried tomato, 

mushroom served with mashed potato and mixed vegetables, is also a great choice for fish lovers.

Who can resist the classic banana split (P125)? Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla ice cream scoops with frozen strawberry, and crushed pineapple caught between two banana halves 

and topped with chopped peanuts 

With Marikina as my hometown, Cafe Lidia is a restaurant close to my heart. Their coffees and cakes are served with the biggest smiles. Aside from a wide variety of menu, they also give speedy services by their very friendly staffs. The interior is quite cozy and comfortable, with warm lighting. There's also free wifi for internet lovers. A visit to Marikina is all worth it, especially if a stop is Café Lydia. Done sharing this little secret with you, it’s your turn to try and be proud.


Cafe Lidia 
Address: 64 Calderon St., Calumpang , Marikina City
Contact Detail: 647-7606
Business Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.(Monday-Saturday); 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Sunday)
Price Range per Person: Php 201 - Php 500
Payment Method: Cash/Credit Card
Accepts Reservation: Yes

Zamboanga: Asia's Latin City

More than the Spanish touch of the Chavacano tongue, there are some things that make Asian’s Latin City one of the best attractions in the Philippines. Zamboanga City is known as "Asia's Latin City". And indeed, this highly urbanized city in the south-western part of the Philippines offers other interesting facets beyond its rich heritage and culture. 

An itinerary in Zamboanga wouldn’t be complete without visiting the different attractions in the city proper as well as going to Pasonanca where one can visit parks and climbed a hill to have a good view of the city. 

Latin or Filipino Touch?

These days, tourists will be glad to know that Vinta Sailing is offered at
Paseo del Mar during weekends. The boats docked there are managed by
fishermen who, after heading out to sea in the morning for the day’s catch,
unfurl the colorful sails on their boats and, weather and wind conditions
permitting, offer rides around the area.

Baby Comes with Mommy to Work

Barako Ice Cream to Keep the Conservation Going on a Late Night

(Country Chicken)

The food most associated with Zamboanga City is curacha, coconut crabs that
can only be found in the deep waters of Zamboanga. The dish is served at
the Alavar Seafood Restaurant, an institution here and a top destination
for serious foodies in Zamboanga. Curacha is served with a delicious blend

of coconut milk and spices at the restaurant located along Don AlfaroStreet.

 Seafoods and Buco Juice for the Strong Tummy

 Knickerbocker of Palmeras  - A Bestseller We Can't Leave Without

(mixture of watermelon chunks, banana slices, papaya with gelatin chunks

 and topped with Strawberry Ice Cream)

Colorful Trike, Inspired by Vintas

"Mas Alegre na Zamboanga" - Kids at Play

Go Crazy with "Lokot-lokot" - an indigenous delicacy found in Zamboanga

Also called Zambo Rolls -  crunchy roll made of rice powder

 which looks like thin noodles bound and rolled into this crunchy rolls

Go visit Zamboanga, Asia's Latin City.

A Taste of India

They say the way to a (wo)man’s heart is through his stomach. This might be what an Indian restaurant owner wanted to prove as he bubbly roamed around his restaurant serving the exotic Indian dishes to big-eyed customers. Big-eyed, not because of the food, but because of the belly dancers expertly swinging their hips dancing to the beat of the chanting drums.

Even I got big-eyed, as I try to comprehend how the belly dancers tried to pivot their bodies around their not-so-lean waists, creating an artistic groove for everyone’s awe. But what made my eyeballs even bigger was when the restaurant owner came over to our table and presented their best-sellers. His smell was ‘different’. Yes, different from the usual scent I am used to. Noticing my look, he said ‘The food we serve makes you hot.” We placed our orders (hurriedly) and food was served.

Indian dish is known for the way it is being prepared. It contains a lot of herbs and spices. Tandoori (name of the restaurant) comes from the type of cylindrical clay oven, a tandoor, in which the dish is traditionally prepared.

We ordered Nan, a leavened, oven-baked flat bread, which is a staple food of India. There’s plain Nan and we also tried the egpgplant-flavored one. Nan was mixed with Keema Curry and Tandoori Chicken. The curry experience is different because the taste is meaty, thick and powerful. The dishes are ‘saucy’ and they’re heavy on chicken, lamb and veggies. I almost forgot about the belly-dancers as I consumed the dishes. The spices and aroma was strong but the experience was worth it. 

For those who have an adventurous palate, try visit Tandoori Indian Restaurant.

As we left the restaurant, I smiled at the belly dancers, thanked the owner and said to myself that if this is the way to a (wo)man’s heart…  I’m sure there is another way. ;)

Leslie's Famous Bulalo - Tagaytay

A visit to Tagaytay would never be complete without a visit to Leslie's Bulalo. Perfect for Tagaytay's cold weather, this beef stew will satisfy your palate and craving for a heart (and tummy) warming trip.

Bulalo price: P599 (good for 4 or more pax)

Leslie’s Restaurant

Aguinaldo Highway Crossing, Silang

Tagaytay City, Cavite

(046) 413-1065

The next time you go on a road trip, visit Leslie's - the famous bulalohan in town.

Surprised by Longganisa Sorpresa

Not just for breakfast, but served all throughout the day.

Who would have thought that the Pinoy-all-time-favorite-meal would be the main attraction of a restaurant in the metro? Loved by Filipinos and most people around the globe, the longanisa is a Filipino sausage packed with flavor mixed by various cultures in the country. It is well-renowned as a breakfast fave, but trust me, cravings for this doesn’t just settle for the early birds.

Now in SM North, this mouth-watering classic is offered by Longanisa Sorpresa. Situated in the mall’s Sky Garden, the restaurant’s homey location takes the diners to a regional tour of the places in the Philippines. The Longanisa Platter offers variant flavors: Longganisa Lucban, Alaminos, Tuguegarao, Cabanatuan, Laoag, CDO, Cebu, Gensan, Davao, Batutay. The condiments (particularly vinegar) are also showcased featuring distinctive regional tastes.

They also have a branch in Pasig City. For more info, you may visit their website.

So hop on to this culinary journey and be surprised!

Hong Kong Food Trip

From street-style comfort foods to rich king's meals, we roamed the bustling streets of Hong Kong looking for the foreign taste that will satisfy our palate. Here are HK edibles that fulfilled our cravings.

Fishballs, etc.

Who says street foods are dirty? You’ll forget about this when you tried HK’s fishballs – noticeable for their firmness. For almost every street that you’ll see, you’ll find a shop that specializes in this beloved snack. And if you’re really desperate, go to Tsim Sha Tsui, a major food district in Hong Kong. Enjoy the HK version of fishball sauce - intense curry flavor.

Egg tart

Though egg tarts may only be considered as snacks, they may be eaten any time of the day. Be it a breakfast starter, dessert after lunch or as take home after dinner, egg tarts can be seen around HK and the ones they serve have been adapted to local Chinese tastes. We were able to taste two varieties of egg tarts - one with a flaky puff pasty shell and another with a sweet shortbread crust. The former was from a local bakery and the latter was from KFC. Both are filled with a rich custard that is eggy and creamy.

Milk tea

It's love at first sip. You could argue that milk tea is a tool to intensify your tummy’s activity, but it’s all worth it. A good milk tea in HK is a bit bitter, full-bodied and velvety smooth. It can be served hot, but a cold glass after a long tour will healthily quench your thirst. Too bad, they don’t offer it bottomless in HK.

Noodles, etc.

Be it wonton, egg, seafood or rice noodle, the taste and texture makes it special. Noodle shops in HK have been in business for various decades. Never miss a noodle meal in HK, together with fried rice and other Chinese viands.

Moon cake and other mini cakes

Just in time for the mooncake festival during our last visit, these cakes are indispensable delicacies on this occasion. May sound weird, but it tasted like the Filipino ‘hopia’ for me, but richer in flavor. And oh, thanks to my sweet friend for her mooncake souvenir. :)

McDonalds

Oh well, the famous fastfood chain is (as usual) present in HK. What’s different from the branches in the Philiippines? The jam, some a la carte and the price. Haha

Proud to see the Filipino's "Love Ko 'To" tagline displayed with English and Chinese.

Other must-tries: Congee, Peking Duck

Suggested Restaurant:

Chiu Fat Restaurant

G/F 48 San Tsue St. Tsuen

Telephone Numbers: 26122787

Chocolate Kiss

Chocolates? Kisses? You can have the best of both worlds!

Wanting to revive the satisfying Katipunan experience, I ventured again to meet one of my favorite restaurants - Chocolate Kiss!

This restaurant (especially the branch they have in Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman), has played a big role in the lives and memories of many regular diners.

Personal Favorites:

• Hickory Baked Spareribs (only P195 with rice)
• Chicken Kiev - love the cream cheese inside each slice of chicken (P205 with rice and veggies)
• Bottomless House tea (only P70) click here to see their delightful mix-your-own-tea
• Devil's Food Cake (P70/slice)

I think they're a bit underestimated when they claimed (as slogan) that they are "serving the good stuff", because they are serving the best stuff in the area. Chocolate Kiss, you wouldn't reach 13 years of service if you do not serve the "best". Looking forward to more of your sprouting branches in the metro! ;)

For the complete info, you may want to check out their website.

The Flying Pig

A much noticeable restaurant in Eastwood Mall, The Flying Pig is a headturner for hungry stomachs walking along the Ground Floor. Almost right across Eastwood’s dancing fountain, this restaurant is a must-try for pork lovers. Inspired by super heroes from famous movies, the theme features “Mr. (and Ms.) Porky” in various costumes – Green Lantern, Superman, The Torch, etc.

Though The Flying Pig sounds like an all-pork-lovers-place, it offers leafy and healthy meals such as salads and soups.

Must tries: Mr. Pork Sampler (the Hungarian sausage is spicy and yummy) and specialty liempo with 2 types of sauce plus the bagoong rice.

Though pigs don’t literally fly, The Flying Pig will surely amuse, ignite the super hero-aficionado-aspect in you and satisfy your cravings! It will almost make you believe that pigs don't just walk, they fly...and land in your stomachs. ;)

If you eat at The Flying Pig, you may also order from the adjoining restaurant “Blufish” (belonging to the same owner (which serves seafoods as their specialty).

Conti's Culinary Treasures

Conti's - Home of Culinary Treasures, a place that brings family and friends together.

There goes their slogan, expressing their stand in the food and culinary industry.

And so Conti's offers various delectable dishes and culinary masterpieces to choose from - great appetizers, pastries and cakes, pastas, entrees, and other fabulous treasures for the palate.

Being a frequent visitor of Conti's, I am a fan of their delectable seafood and beef entrees, and never finishes my meal without an indulging slice of cake as dessert.

Conti’s at Nuvali Solenad (Italian Supreme Pasta and Mango Royale Salad)

Bananalicious Pie and Seafood Au Gratin

For more info, you may visit their website.

The White Hat

Touted as “Italian frozen yogurt”, White Hat was one of the early players in the local froyo field, and still remains as one of the best. White Hat has a sharp, tart taste that takes some getting used to if you’re not a big fan of frozen yogurt, but is absolutely addictive once you’re hooked. Toppings include a host of fresh fruits and nuts. You may want to try my favorite - a combination of blueberries and kiwi plus a twist of oreo cheesecake. ;) Even on its own, the froyo is excellent. A serving costs around P85, plus P30 for additional toppings.