Shakeys- Angus Steakhouse Pizza

I saw the giant ad at the corner of South Super Highway and Quirino. And my mouth was wide open due to the beautiful picture of the pizza.

Steak- according to Mr. Webster is a cut of meat, usually perpendicular to the muscle fibers. So i expect the pizza to have beef pieces.

I was so excited when i got the chance to order it, but when i opened the box… my golly gee.. this is what i saw…. pieces of ground beef… ARGH!!!!! Why oh why… they advertise steak.. so i expect steak,…. sana na lang they said angus beef burger.. then i would expect something like this.

Anyway, if not for expecting the steak.. it was actually good and filling. THe bround beef pieces are softer and more thender than the usual beef pieces they give.. but still i suggest that they change their advertisement,… IT IS NOT STEAK!!.

Anothe thing… what is a Shakeys meal without Chick and chips… really good fred chicken!!!! and the mojos.. o… the mojos.. i just wish they would slice it thinner:)

Greenwich Pizza – various branches

Eversince the Jollibee group bought Greenwich, they have beendishing out a lot of different kinds of pizza, from the Sisig pizza, the Lechon Pizza, Mango Pizza etc etc…

THe advertisement of Greenwich has already surpassed the advertisement of other pizza chain and they claim that they are the Philippines no.1 pizza chain now.

Their latest pizza offer are the OVERLOADED CHEESY PIZZAS, coming in different variants,  but what interest me was their Philly Cheesesteak pizza.

Loaded with slices of beef and cheese, it look very nice but oily… look at the glistening layer of oil!!!! i have to dab the pizxza with tissue a couple of times to get as much oil off as possible. Tastewise, it didnt really hit the spot for me. It lack taste somehow.. too bland. THe beef slices were soft and tender which is a plus factor, but aside from that, i wouldnt order this pizza again but i would like to try the over overloaded pizzas:)

SNR Garlic and Shrimp Pizza

SNR is having another sale from September 30 to October 4. I love SNR pizza since they started serving them. They are big and reminds me of the pizza of Sbarro. THey have this new flavor that they just started to serve Summer of this year and I would like to share with you guys my experience

THe Garlic Shrimp pizza. Plump shrimp served over a medium thickness pizza crust. Tomato sauce base, sprinkled with garlic bit then topped with loads of mozzarela cheese then baked to perfection.  A whole pizza cost 549pesos and a slice cost 99 pesos.

THe Pizza was full of delicious toppings, the shrimp was still succulent and juicy even when its baked. There was indeed the garlic taste to the pizza which was a perfect accompaniment to the shrimp.  The pizza crust was a bit thick than how i like my pizza but it was still good, soft and chewy inside, crusty on the outside. Dont expect italian pizza here okay, this is New york style. I never leave SNR without buying a pizza

Another favorite of mine is their Baked  chicken roll..:)

Yellow Cab Pizza – Dear Darla Pizza

Let me interrupt my Hongkong series with this pizza love. Yellow cab opened in our city with a big bang. Delivering big 18 inches pizzas, loaded with toppings.  All of us thought is was an american franchise, with how the advertisement looked like showing caucasians, showing new york city. Glad to know that its proudly Filipino owned and it already have branches abroad.

They came up with an imitation to C Italian dining PANIZZA and they call it Dear Darla. let see how they fare in their try…

Not as thin as the ones of C’s, not also as savory. It is a cheap and closer(in terms of distance not in taste…NO WAY) alternative. A healthier way in eating my favorite food.

Another new item is the baked potato halves.loaded with cheese and bacon bits.  it was good, but it would have been better if it was baked more so you get a golden brown crust

CEbu Food Chronicles – Giuseppe Pizza and Roast

A trip to the Queen City of the South, in search of good food, particularly a good italian restaurant, and out of all the names that were researched. La Tegola, ROma Mia, La Gondola..etc.. This is the one that is the most interesting for me. Giuseppe Pizza and Sicilian Roast. Well, for me, anyone who would put his name in his restaurant really will tell you that he is proud of his creations.

Giuseppe Genco is a veteran Chef, worked in a lot of hotel.. the last two being, Manila Peninsula and Shangrila Mactan.. before deciding to make it on his own.  Having over 30 years of experience on his belt. He decided to open his own resto. Located ion Maria Luisa Park Road. this restaurant is not big.. just right to be manage by the Chef. He mans the kitchen himself.

This restuaarnt is already 6 years old and still going strong. People come here because of the consistency and quality of his food, not to mention the beautiful brick oven and homey ambience

On the table

Pizza – Salsiccie / Prosciutto e Formaggi (p420)

Its good that they allow the pizza to be ordered in half sections so we can try at least 2 flavours. What makes any pizza worth eating… its the crust, and they done it as good as it gets. Crispy on the outside.. a little burnt but who cares.. soft and chewy inside… between thin and being medium, the crust was absolutely delicious.  The toppings.well its could use a bit more meat. hehe,  the cheese were excellent, the pizza sauce was freshly made…

Pasta – Spaghettie Marinara in white wine sauce.. u can choose a tomato sauce if u want(P420) – aldente pasta.. loaded with perfectly cooked seafood.  THe white wine sauce just heighten up the flavors of the seafood, nothing masked here by heavy laden cream sauce of tart tomatoes, just plain seafood goodness:)

Dessert – Pistachio Gelato- this was just okay

Warm chocolate Cake ala mode – this was a winner, warm cake.. oozing with delicious chocolate… topped with vanilla ice cream made with real vanilla bean.. yummy

This place for me  is one of the best italian  places here in our country.. the other two places would be C italian dining and Cafe CAruso…

Dusit Thani Hotel – Makati City

Address: Ayala Center, Makati City

TEl NO: (02)8673333

Buffets have been around the country for a very long time, the most popular being the ones started by the Triple V group, which consist of Kamayan, Dads, Saisaki, then a lot of hotel restaurant have upgraded their buffets to have live cooking stations so we are assured of getting freshly prepared food.

One of the hotels with the most number of dining outlets is this 5 star hotel in Makati. Dusit Thani.

Having a wide array of choices, from the ultimate in Thai Cuisine, Benjarong, to the two of the upcoming great restos in their own cuisine. UMU for japanese and TOSCA for italian, Plus the international cafe BASIX they also have Fiesta San Miguel, which serves the best beers in town,

I was very intrigued by the (Family Sunday Brunch) Crossover buffet they are offering. Imagine, 4 hotel restaurants serving their items all at the same time for only P1450 all in.

To those who want to avail of the buffet, here is my story about it.

Process-

Patrons are to register at the lobby, near the Fiesta San Miguel area, then you will get a tag(that looks like a ride all you can from enchanted kingdom,) which will give you the go signal to go to all the buffet stations of all the restaurants

Station

- there are four stations, namely the 4 restaurants. YOu have to choose where you want to be your base station. I prefer UMU for its laid down atmosphere and very spacious interios

Umu Dishes-

This is where we started. THe Sushi and maki bar, the also serve trhis dish which i thought was cubed salmon but later on realiuzed it was ebiko in in cubed form, which was good actually. THe maki weres also nice, ver nice japanese rice used.

Umu- grill station..

various yakiniku prepared in front of you. also available is the delectable GINDARA teppanyaki.. melts in your mouth, the sauce penetrating the fillet . yummy

The grill skewers were also very good,

the beef was tender, the chicken succulent, the chicken sakin was well.. fattening. If u can see in the pic, i also got a fried lapu lapu collar bone, this was a loetdown cause it was over cooked and dry.

THe beef sukiyaki was heavenly, thinlly siceld well marbled beef, tender tender tender:)

The Tempura Station

was dishing out HUGE prawm tempuras, the coating was light and delicious:)

Next stop-Benjarong,

- THis is the restaurant Dusit is most proud of. With their Executive chef really hands on with the food here. Everything is prepared according to the strict standards of the chef. Food here is not as spicy as the usual Thai restaurant, but you can have it cooked to as spicy as you want it to be.

Here is the chef in action

cooking the PAd Thai was you order it, and believe me , it was fantastic, Just the right amount of all the ingredients…you can ask her to adjust the level of spicyness.

Benjarong- There is also a fried food station

which served arguably the best Shrimp Pancake in town, crispy on the outside, moist and juicy in the inside

Next Stop- Tosca= For me, the best new italian restaurant in the city. They serve bottmless sparkling wine which u can add mango juice and make it to a bellini.. refreshing

Pizza Station-

serving freshly prepared single size italian pizzas, Chewy crispy outer crust, topping u can choose from there.

Tosca- Risotto Station-

Two kinds of Risotto , cooked in front of you. Asparagus and Shrimp /Zuchinni(too bad walang mushroom). THe italian chef was looking at the way his sous chef was cooking. So Rest assured of the quality.

THe shrimp and zuchinnis

was a little was a little wet but the asparagus was perfect. Creamy and cooked al dente.

Tosca- they also have a grill station with different seafood and meat, i chose the sea bass which was just excellent. Grilled perfectly, seasoned well, a few more pieces of this and the 1450 price tag is already worth it..:)

Tosca- other items on the tosca spread

are the different smoked salmon, ribs, fish(overcooked) and a pasta station as well

Next Stop-Basix-

trying to be at par with the other live station buffet restaurant such as Circles, Paseo Uno etc. They have different Stations as well, Roast Station, Dimsum, MAke your won Taco Station, Shawarma Station, Chinese Station, Grilled Station, Crepe Station Etc ETc

Here is the chinese STation,

where the chef will makew you a duck roll, i was intrigue by their use of Melon Slivers instead of the usual cucumber slices. It was good.. nice contrast…

Basix- freshly cooked curry prawns

skewers whic are excellet\nt, fresh ingredients. Good flavor. ONe letdown though teh Roast Beef, it was cold, and overcooked.. sayang.. but i think this is just an off day..

Now for Desserts:

Tosca: Flourless Chocolate Cake-

Topped with Vanilla Ice cream. Cooked in a turbo brioler, i had my doubts, but once u get a spoonful… wow… i am not a chocolate lover but this one is good. Beside it ia creme Brulee.. it was okay..

Other Dessert Offering-

this beautiful plate of flan with a shot glass with mixed fruits in a fragrant syrup. It was beautiful and taste good. Next plate is addorted goodies like mango crepe pouches, Chocolate comething and flan with fruits

Last Plate: Mango Crepe

topped with Vanilla SAuce and Strawberries

Drinks- drnks are included, here in UMU you will be served with Greentea which they brew in house themselves, Tosca has the sparkling wine, Benjarong and Basix have their own ice tea conconctions..:)

What can i say about the experience- it was a revelation all the restaurants have a complete offering, meaning from appetizer to soup to salad to main courses and desserts.

for 1450 all in, it was worth it. My choices(not to be missed) are the Sea Bass, THe Pad Thai, Tempura, Sukiyaki,Gindara Teriyaki, Shrimp Pancakes, Prawn Spring Roll, Pizza, Risottos, Smoked Salmon, Tom Yum Goong, Flourless Chocolate Cake

Some interesting notes: Dusit has a lot of offerings this coming Holiday season

Chritmas eve dinner for each of the outlet UMU 8 course Kaiseki for 3,700. Benjarong 5 course for 1850net, Tosca 4 fourses for 2250, BASIX for 1600net .and Christmas day crossover brunch for 1600 net, a little more expensive but with added surprises..

New year Countdown crossover buffet- for P3800 net, aside from the crossover buffet, u get unlimited open bar drinks and entertaiment coutesy of the New Minstrels so u can celebrate in style and welcome 2009 with a happy stomach:)

Inquire at 02-8673333

Chi’s Brick Oven Kitchen – BF Sucat

Address: Unit 105, 209 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes
Parañaque City
Tel: (02)820-7210

Operating hours: Tuesdays thru Fridays: 11:30 am to 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 11:30 am to 10:30 pm

Parking Available in front of the restaurant

I love small homey restaurants wherein you can just seat down, unwind. And eat good food. And this is exactly how I feel everytime I go to this place. Owned by Chi and Apple Tirona. Very nice people and very accommodating. No wonder people flock here to eat and have a good time.

The brick oven is the star of this resto, located behind the counter . It is where they cooked more than 50 percent of their dishes..

Interiors are kept to a simple. Service is fast and efficient.

On the Table

Phillycheesteak Pizza(330)- near perfect pizza crust, just the right thickness. Good amount of cheese. My only comment and suggestion here is that they should not use tomato based sauce. An authentic phillycheesteak is just a blend of cheesewhiz, sautéed caramelized onions and tender beef strips.

Molten Chocolate Cake(120)- LAVA cake!!!, oozing with chocolatey goodness.. yummy, I wanted it to come with a straw so I can suck the chocolate:).

Appie Pie Pizza(105)- some people would not think of pizza for a dessert. But I think people who have tried Chi’s dessert pizza would argue otherwise. Perfect combination of sautéed apples, cinnamon, crushed graham and dollops of vanilla ice cream. Served hot from the brick oven, the vanilla ice cream slowly melting on the pizza, It was indeed yummy.

I love little places like this in BF Sucat. One more thing to rave about,. hey don’t charge you for corkage so to those wine drinkers, just bring your own bottles and enjoy.