Sam Kara Restaurant Review ~ Lucban Quezon

Our roadtrip to Lucban Quezon from Taytay Rizal (via backdoor entrance traversing the Rizal towns of Angono, Binangonan, Morong, Baras, Tanay, Pililla, then the Laguna towns of Mabitac, Famy/Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban, Pagsanjan, Cavinti and Luisiana) took us to a scenic 3 hours route. 

We reached Lucban, Quezon a little over 12pm.  We were tired and hungry ~ checking Trip Advisor's recommendation, we dropped by Sam Kara Restaurant and Garden Resort.

The place is scenic and quite appealing ~ it rich in flora and loving decorated in time for Christmas season.

Accommodations at Sam Kara range from P3500-P7000 (plus surcharge on weekends and holidays).

  

Rooms are air-conditioned, cabled TV and water heater.

From the restaurant, we saw that there is also a resort pool.

 

We never saw the interiors personally though, as we were already billed at another resort ~ Villa Elma. 

Sam Kara specializes in Filipino dishes.  Everything in the menu looked delicious, we simply settled with an order of Bilao (which is a combination of Sam Kara's specialties).

A Bilao costs about P1300+ and includes: Inihaw na Manok, Tokwa't Baboy, Laing, Baked Fish Fillet and Bicol Express with soda.

Everything was spot on delicious ~ they serve known Filipino dishes, cooked and prepared differently (but in a good way).

Sam Kara Restaurant and Garden Resort

is located in

Sitio Malinao, Brgy. Igang,
Lucban, Quezon Philippines

For inquiries and bookings,
you may contact them at 0917-6742693

reservations@samkara.ph

Guevarra's: The Best of Filipino Cuisine

We visited Chef Laudico's Guevarra Restaurant in San Juan for my mother's birthday lunch. I have been to the restaurant with officemates before and was really excited to come back with my family this time. 

The restaurant is an old house (~ this house has so much character) turned into a restaurant.  Consistent with the theming is the Filipino buffet spread. 

We were there early (about 1 hour before the opened their lunch tables).  We live in Rizal and we wanted to beat traffic.  We waited for awhile outside. 

NOTE: If you are coming on a weekend or holiday, don't just pop up.  Please be sure to make reservations.  During our visit, we saw a couple, who had to wait for vacant seats for 2 hours (even though they came early) because the restaurant is fully reserved (reservation details listed at the bottom of this post).

My parents playing cozy while waiting.

Waiting = Selfies

We have seniors with us, so I specifically requested for seating nearest the buffet spread (#PerksWithSeniors).

I love the interiors...

Autographed plates of famous guests, adorned the walls.

Don't worry my "forgets" had double dose of their maintenance medicine for the occasion. 

So much food ~  for the price we paid (P500 for a Saturday buffet, less Senior Citizen discounts)  I would say it was "Sulit".  

Chef Laudico Guevarra's Buffet Restaurant

387 P. Guevarra St. cor. Argonne St., Addition Hills San Juan

Manila, Philippines

Operating hours: 

11:00 am- 2:00 pm (Lunch)

7:30 pm- 10:30 pm (Dinner)

Buffet Rates: 

Monday to Friday - Lunch P399/ Dinner P499

Friday to Saturday - Lunch or Dinner P599

For reservations, call: Landline: (02) 705-1811, (02) 705-1874, and (02) 502-5006 or Mobile: 0917-311-2222

For more details or information, like Chef Laudico Guevarra's Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Sungayan Grill Restaurant Review ~ Bolinao Pangasinan

The long drive from Manila to Bolinao for my son's birthday weekend at Puerto del Sol Beach Resort left us tired and hungry.  We initially thought of heading to the resort directly for lunch, but fortunately saw the Sungayan Grill Restaurant and Floating Restaurant.

I knew I have seen this restaurant's good reviews in Trip Advisor and decided to make the stop.

The restaurant is about 2 minutes walk from the parking area via floating walkway.

The restaurant was named after the "sungayan" unicorn fish. As the name suggests, the restaurant specialized in seafoods dishes.

There were many guests when we visited.  We came it right smack  lunch time on a Saturday.  It was good though that we got there first, ahead of the bigger groups.  

We were seated comfortably right next to live acoustics.

Our order a small (good for 4) bilao worth P750, already inclusive of rice and a pitcher of ice tea.

Food is fresh and delicious.  I especially loved the perfectly grilled squid and the fresh vegetables dipped in Bolinao bagoong. 

Our plates were embarrassingly "spic and span" clean.   Good thing I was on "see food" diet.

We also got buko (P35)

~ My husband saw the buko on the menu list and just can't say no (#bukoaddict).

After lunch, we crossed to Sungayan's coffee shop  "Kapihan ni Zian"right across the main dining hall. 

Coffee was fine, but lacking the kick of Batangas' Kapeng Barako. There was only limited choices of desserts to pair off with your drink.  

Appended below is the full menu of Sungayan Grill Restaurant.

For questions and inquires, please like them on facebook

Sungayan Grill FB

Call 0912 353 4433

@bolinaosungayangrill

Wondering where to stay in Bolinao, check here our accommodation in Bolinao: Puerto Del Sol Beach Resort  

Affordable All Filipino Dishes at Cusinas Restaurant, SM Center Angono

"Cusina" is one of the recently opened restaurants at SM Center Angono. 

I was invited for a visit (and yes some chowtime) the restaurant as part of a Food Crawl event arranged by SM for Rizal bloggers and media friends.

Cusina offers Filipino dishes at really affordable prices.  The set-up like the ever familiar "cafeteria" with a more classy ambiance.

Wall deco ~ screaming Pinoy :P

"Kutsara at Tinidor"

Menu for Almusal, Merienda and Tanghalian/Hapunan varies, but the dessert is available all day long.  

Average Merienda will cost you P50+, while a hefty serving (good for 2 pax) of Tanghalian/Hapunan will cost about P100+. 

Our group got to taste the following:

Laing - P69

Beef Steak - P99

Adobong Pusit - P100

Soon to be launched dishes ~ (prices not yet available)

Kilawin 

(I am not a fan of kilawin, but I know people who would actually enjoy this dish) 

Grilled Tanigue

Baboyong

(Tastes a lot like bagoong, but not salty.  I actually liked it.)

Hamonado (This is very good, I would definitely order this one when I go back).

Rellenong Hipon

(They offered soy sauce dip, but I liked in more with catsup)

There are so many dish options to choose from. The ones we've tasted were really good and servings were generous for the price.

I would be back to try their dessert and merienda dishes.

If you are in the mood for decent priced Filipino food, come and visit Cusina. 

Cusina is located 2nd Floor of SM Center Angono.