Minced Manila, Antipolo: Restaurant Review

Where to go for a birthday breakfast?

 

My itinerary for the day brought me to this quaint restaurant atop the hills of Antipolo.  Minced Manila is just a kilometer away the Antipolo Cathedral, which made it a perfect breakfast stop-over after mass. 

 

 

 

I first read of Minced Manila from a friend blogger of Memet Diaries, who rated Minced Manila as a worthy visit. 

 

We ordered from their breakfast menu (available from 7am - 10am only). The breakfast menu is served with garlic rice, two eggs and brewed all you can drink coffee.

 

My husband got Longganisa Lucban.

The longganisa smells so good half ended on my plate :P

 

Longganisa Lucban set cost P200.

 

I love their garlic rice... and their sunny side-up eggs were perfect.  The "atsara" with the longganisa was spot-on.

 

I got the Hungarian Sausage, which I of course had to share with my husband, after eating most of his longganisa.

 

Hungarian Sausage set cost P180.

 

Coffee was very strong, which was how we liked it.  "We were happy to hear that coffee was refillable, but one cup was all we needed to keep us up the entire day". You won't be needing a refill :P  

Minced Manila is more than just a breakfast place, they also boast a full lunch and dinner menu, that I am sure are also MUST TRY.

 

 

VERDICT

• Minced Manila is a wonderful find, serving delectable breakfast at really reasonable price. I would definitely come back to try their lunch and dinner menu. 
• Staff are attentive and amiable. 
• Secured location and ample parking a plus.

 

Minced Manila is located at the

2nd floor of EM Gems Building  L. Sumulong Circumferential Road Antipolo

For inquiries check out their facebook page: www.facebook.com/MincedMNL

Contact Number: 696-0148

Eggs for Breakfast Antipolo: Review

My husband loves eggs for breakfast, so when I read about this dainty restaurant ~ I only had to ask him once and we were soon on our way to Eggs for Breakfast (Restaurant).

The restaurant is located inside a compound, about 300meter off the main highway.

Eggs for Breakfast has huge grounds for running about.  It is clean and with a countryside vibe. I picture it would be perfect for an intimate garden wedding.  

A mini pond filled with koi fishes welcomes visitors and guests.

The place is air-conditioned, well lighted.

It is however a bit small with limited.  If you intend to come on a weekend, they do take in reservations ~ and I suggest you do (to avoid disappointments). 

Interiors and décors is rustic and exudes a country home appeal.

 

 

 Service was surprisingly fast.  Attendants were amiable and well versed of the house specials.

We ordered:

Vigan Longganiza (P275) served with eggs, tomatoes and rice.

Bacon-Fried Eggs (P220) served with eggs and a choice of roasted potatoes or garlic rice. 

We were hungry so my husband got an extra order of  Classic Omelette with Tomatoes (P65).

We both had coffee (P95) to finish our meal.

 

 

VERDICT

• Eggs for Breakfast sells ambience.  It was a perfect setting for cup of nicely brewed coffee and hefty breakfast.
• Food was just okay for me and nothing out of the ordinary.  It was also on the expensive side at P200+ and still exclusive of coffee (which was another P95). It would have been nice if the can have coffee or tea options included in their meals already. My husband though can't stop raving about his Vigan Longganiza.
• Staff are very accommodating and service was very efficient.  

Overall, Eggs for Breakfast is worth a try. It levels up ones dining experience by offering good food in a really beautiful surrounding so near the Metro.  If you are heading to Antipolo Cathedral via Sumulong Highway, I suggest you drop by.

Eggs For Breakfast Cafe is located at Velada Estate, 21 Don Juan Street, Villa Cecilia Subdivision, Mambugan, Lower Antipolo City

For reservations and inquiries, you may call 213-2434 or visit Eggs for Breakast facebook page at www.facebook.com/EggsforBreakfast.

Project Pie: Review

 Traffic out of the Makati Business District was hellish and considering it was almost dinner time, we were left with very little choice but to fuel up (almost hungry tummies) before braving the C5 traffic.

 

 My husband has been wanting to try out Project Pie Pizza, a build your own (BYO) pizza restaurant, which was just a short distance from where I work. 

 

The place has ample seating, with additional tables located in a mezzanine floor.  Decoration is minimalist and clean.    

 

Project Pie only serves salad and PIZZA,  but when I said their menu is limited to pizza... their list of  pizza toppings is quite overwhelming.  

 

Making your only pizza was supposed to be easy, as advertised in three simple steps:

 

 

We had a hard time deciding what to get and ended ordering Signature Master Pizzas (SMP). These are Project Pie's tried and tested flavors.  You can never go wrong with an SMP. 

 

We ordered Richie and Woody.

 

Richie is an all meat pizza. Richie Pizza uses red sauce and is topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage with crumbled meatballs, mozzarella, garlic.  

 

Woody meanwhile is topped with chicken, cilantro, gorgonzola, mozzarella, sliced red onions and barbeque sauce.  Really flavorful and slightly spicy. 

 

 

 

My date for the night :P

 

VERDICT

• Project Pie is a cool concept.  I love that you get to choose what toppings go to your pizza. 
• I find prices somewhat expensive at P300 for a personal pizza. But the pizzas we had were nicely done ~ the artisan way and ingredients used were fresh.     
• There were not much choices in the menu. Though my husband and my kiddos are head over heels pizza lovers, I am not.  I would love to see at least one to two pasta on the menu.
• Service was fast and efficient. 

 

The Project Pie branch we visited is located at the

Upper Ground Floor, Frasers Place, Valero Street, Makati

Contact # 551-3274

 

More than Just Coffee ~ Art Capital Cafe

Have you been to the Art Capital of the Philippines? 

 

Angono Rizal is the famed art capital of the country, home to two of our National Artists ~ Maestro Lucio San Pedro for music and Carlos "Botong" Francisco for arts. 

 

Other known artists from Angono includes Nemiranda, Perdigon, Blanco and Tiamson.

  

Numerous public and private art galleries about in Angono, was not surprised to see a coffee shop in Angono joining the coffee shop cum art gallery bandwagon.

 

Come ~ Art Capital Café (ACC), a home grown local business establishment where you can have your coffee amidst beautiful paintings and art pieces. 

 

 

It was nearing Nov 1, hence the web strings decorated store facade. 

 

 

The place is homey and interesting. Paintings from new and aspiring artists adorn ACC's walls. 

 

The coffee shop has an adjoining gallery, showcasing more art pieces and paintings, the gallery looks promising from the outside, unfortunately we were not able to enter since it was already late when we visited ACC.  

 

I had brewed coffee and shared dessert with my husband.

 

Coffee so aromatic, you know it's good.

For dessert we had Mango Pavlova. 

 

Dessert was very good too.

 

 

 

ACC also serves pasta, sandwiches and all-day breakfast.  Will surely give their these a try when we return.

 

If you are heading to Angono or anywhere near the area, drop by and give ACC a visit.

 

ACC is located along

M.L. Quezon Avenue, Brgy. San Isidro

Angono Rizal

Store hours:

Monday - 4pm to10pm

Tuesdays to Thursdays - 12nn to 10pm

Fridays to Sunday - 12nn to 12am

  

For inquiries check out ACC in facebook

www.facebook.com/Art-Capital-Cafe

 

 

Kuya J at SM San Mateo ~ Exceptional Filipino Dishes

 Good food, classy ambiance and good old friends spells the difference between fine dining and a memorable one.

After attending a Rizal Blogger and Media event at SM San Mateo, my hubby met with a dear friend, who lives just across SM San Mateo. 

I have read a lot about "Kuya J" a restaurant originating from Cebu.  Kuya J serves native Filipino dishes. I love Filipino cooking, so decided to meet here.

I was initially taken aback, the restaurant looked rather costly.  I was surprise to see that menu options are actually quiet affordable.

 

(Kuya J's SM San Mateo has elegant and well lighted interiors)

Grilled scallop with cheesy butter topping (P230)

Fritos Dinamitas (P170)

It is a pastry wrap, deep fried jalapeno with Cebu chorizo with cheddar cheese, dipped in garlic mayo.

 Lumpia Presko (P95)

Made of sauteed crabmeat and bamboo shoots using malungay infused lumpia wrapper. Something healthy before the sinfully delicious  crispy pata.

The famous Kuya J's Crispy Pata (Regular P490 / Family P695)

This is by far one of the best Crispy Pata, I have tasted, real tender and juicy.   The meat literally fall off from the bone ~ perfect dipped in vinegar and soy sauce.

Relyenong Talong (P120)

It is a pan-fried talong omelet with ground pork. I am not a real fan of this one, its a little too much pork "giniling" for me. I prefer my torta ~ plain.

  

Tablea coffee flan (P85) a Batangas tablea flavored flan, topped with coconut sprinkles.

Creamy Mango Pandan (P80)

Look at that wonderful sugar art. Ingenious way to add sugar to a creamy mango pandan.

VERDICT

• Kuya Jay's offers a complete dining experience. I think it is perfect for celebrating special family occasions and welcoming Balikbayans.
• Though they serve known Filipino dishes, Kuya J's version is special and nowhere near ordinary. And food presentation was fancy served on fine plates with heavy utensils.
• Price is  reasonable with servings enough for 2-3 hungry pax.
• Service is fast and efficient;  Staff are very personable and amiable.  

Thumbs Up for Kuya J! 

For additional information check their facebook page: Kuya J (SM San Mateo)

Chicken Deli ~ Ang Bidang Inasal ng Bacolod now at SM Center Angono

 

Chicken Deli which stands for "Chicken Delicious" was born in 1983 in Bacolod (the home of Inasal). The founder's (Mamang's) desires to share her love for inasal to others, started Chicken Deli.

 

 I together with blogger and media friends from Rizal, were treated to a sumptuous Filipino lunch at Chicken Deli's newest branch at SM Center Angono.

  

 

 

We were served two (2) sets of Big Game Meals (BGM).

 

Each BGM meal is good for 3 to 4 persons. It is served with free soup and rice all you want ~ yes, Kuya all you want!.

 

BGM is served on green plates resembling huge leaves ~ boodle food style.  So true to the boodle spirit, we were all over everything ~ and I mean everything! Our hands and arms crossing each others(#riotmuch)!

 

 

 

BGM 2 (P579)

Paa, Pork BBQ (2 sticks), Squid Sisig, Lechon Kawali, Kangkong with Garlic, Talong KBS 

 

 

BGM 3 (P629)

Paa, Lechon Kawali, Bangusito, Kare-kare, Kangkong with Garlic

 

 

 

The house specialty ~ Chicken Inasal was an obvious favorite to everyone.  Chicken Deli's Inasal was perfectly grilled.  It was tasty and savory, let me say that in Tagalog "malinamnam at nuot ang sarap".  I am not ashamed to admit that I laid down my spoon and fork and used my bare hands in eating Chicken Deli's Inasal (I tell you it was delicious x2).

 

Another hit, for me is the Kare-kare.  Ohh, I love that Kare-kare's rich sauce, spot on!  In Tagalog "sabaw palang ulam na".

 

We finished everything with rice refills (yes with "s", sorry to say, but it was clearly a cheat day for all of us). 

 

I thought I was full, until we were served  Halo Deli and Mais Con Deli, both served with CD Caramel.

 

Mais con Deli with CD Caramel (P75)

 

Two words:  MUST TRY!

 

 

The before "digging in" photo... :P 

The after photo is crazy messy to post! 

 

VERDICT

• Hefty servings at an affordable price, Sulit! 
• Perfect for huge families and hungry barkadas.  If undecided on what to order, I suggest getting a BGM! 
• Varied menu options.  We were told Angus Beef Tapa and Bachoy were also house favorites.  Will definitely try these on our next visit. 
• Fast and efficient service, with friendly and attentive personnel.

I agree with James Yap, Chicken Deli is Deli-cious!

 

Visit them at the Upper Ground Floor, SM Center Angono.

 

For inquires check out Chicken Deli in:

Facebook: @chickendelibacolod

Twitter: @chicken_deli

Instagram: @chickendeliofficial

Website: www.chickendelibacolod.com

Flavorful Flame Grilled Chicken at Eduardo's Peri Peri (SM San Mateo)

Tired of your normal and standard family lunch dates?

Let me introduce you to our latest food find ~

Eduardo's Peri-Peri Flame Grilled Chicken.

This restaurant is home to one of the best tasting grilled chicken and baby back ribs I have tasted. 

The Periperi Corporation incorporated April 3, 2014 is a partnership of two young and driven businessmen: restaurateur Eduardo "Ed" Viterbo and entrepreneur Joseph "Josh" Calata.

Their maiden branch, which just opened last March is located at SMDC Light, Mandaluyong,  this was followed by West Avenue, Barangay Nayong Kanluran in Quezon City Branch and then the SM San Mateo Branch.

Their latest branch to open is located at the 2nd level of University of Perpetual Help, Dapitan corner V. Conception Street, Manila, with plans to open two more branches in SM Southmall and SM City Fairview by the end of the year and a few more in 1st Quarter of 2016.

 

 

We were fortunate to have been invited to a Blogger and Media Treat last Saturday to their SM San Mateo Branch.

The restaurant sports a vibrant South American feel. 

It has wooden furnishings in earthy colors and wall trimmings.  The ambiance is truly warm and cozy.

What makes Eduardo's special?

Eduardo's Peri-Peri Flame Grilled Chicken is unique for several reasons:

• It undergoes an elaborate cooking process ~ from 24 hours marinating, combi-oven pre-cooking, vacuum packing, blast chilling and flame grilling. It was no wonder they have  successfully locked-in the flavor and chicken goodness.
• They don't use batter or filler, they don't fry, hence food is tastier and healthier compared to most.
• Their Peri-Peri sauces, developed and manufactured in New Zealand is uniquely Eduardo's.

Peri-Peri sauces come in three blends: BBQ, Spicy and for the bold, Kick Ass. 

 

I love the sweetness of BBQ and the tanginess of the Spicy sauce.  My husband and almost everybody else in our group were delighted with the Kick Ass. 

Peri-Peri sauce (P120/pc)

We were served, Chicken Garden Salad and Mediterranean Salad, for starters.

The Chicken Garden Salad is mayonnaise based, while the Mediterranean Salad is seasoned with vinaigrette and lightly sprinkled with feta cheese.

 Chicken Garden Salad (P89)

 Mediterranean Salad (P99)

The highly famed Peri-Peri Chicken (Half Chicken which comes with rice, drinks and regular side dishes for 2  ~ P328 / Whole Chicken which comes with  rice, drinks and regular side dishes for 4 ~ P636)

Baby Back Ribs (Half Slab P169 / Whole Slab P289)

A whole slab serving is enough for 3-4 persons.

Both the chicken and back ribs are super flavorful, the meat tender and juicy. They were already very good, without the sauce if you ask me, but when I tasted with drops of Peri-Peri sauce I was sold even more (Hubby hogged the Kick Ass sauce next to his plate). 

My favorite is this Portuguese Paella ~ tomato based topped with grilled chicken breast (I am a bit shy to say it, but most of this order ended on my plate).

Portugese Paella (Regular P129/Large P169) 

The surprising hands down star of our lunch is this All Black Angus Beef Burger.  I would be honest I am not a burger fan, but I was intrigued by this burger.

The black color of the bun, as our hosts explained is because it is made of black charcoal powder.  My curiosity had me sinking my teeth into this obviously unique burger. The soft and light bun complements the tenderness and juiciness of Angus beef.

Fantastic Restaurant, highly recommended for family and barkada lunch outs! 

VERDICT: 

1. Food options is currently limited, but according to Eduardo's they are continuously expanding their products. We would definitely be back to try these out.
2. Eduardo's provides customers a complete dining experience.  The warm ambiance adds up to the already delicious food.
3. Eduardo's Peri-Peri is such a treat. Each and every order was spot on delicious. 
4. Servings are hefty and family sized, but they also offer kiddie meals and budget meals, which is good for choosy children eater. Cost is very affordable considering the serving sizes.
5. Service is very good and efficient.  Staff are attentive and are genuinely very welcoming. 

Gave your taste buds a BOOOST and visit Eduardo's Peri-Peri closes to you.

Four Thumbs Up (mine and my hubby's) !!!

With us are Ms. Diana Evite, SM PR Officer of SM San Mateo (6th from left), Mr. Rollie Halili, Promotions Manager (3rd from left) and Ms. Rayen Mendoza (7th from left) of Periperi Corporation.

For additional information and updates on Eduardo's Peri-Peri, visit their facebook page at www.facebook.com/eduardosperiperi