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.

Big Daddy's opens at SM Angono: Restaurant Review

Big Daddy's is one of our go to fast food restaurants, whenever my boys are in the mood for specialty burgers.  

We are frequent visitors of the Big Daddy's SM Taytay Branch

(Please check here our review of Big Daddy's at SM Taytay: MamaSpeaks meets Big Daddy) and I was happy to have been invited to one of their recently opened branches during a Food Crawl event with Rizal Bloggers and Media friends. 

The Big Daddy SM Angono carries the same theming as its SM Taytay counterpart ~ rustic and  cozy.

Big Daddy's serves some seriously to die for burgers...

(Regular burgers are priced at P100+ and Signature ~ Home Run and Ultimate burgers at P200 and P225 respectively). 

Their burgers are perfect with Nachos (P125) and French Fries Cheese Overload (P75).

Don't fret if you are not into burgers since Big Daddy's also serves pasta and rice meals.

Buffalo Wings (5pcs at P155 and 10pcs at P295)

Pasta Seafood Penne  (costs P125+) is my personal favorite.

Baby Back Ribs (P150) is tender and juicy.

Porkloin Steak (P155) equally delicious.

Have your fill of delectable burgers and steaks at really affordable prices. Visit Big Daddy's at SM Angono.

For additional information check out and like their facebook page at Big Daddy's Burgers and Wings SM Center Angono.

Charitos by Bag of Beans ~ TKO by Coffee

My-ex and I decided an impromptu joy-trip one weekend and found ourselves in Tagaytay.  We were feeling a bit romantic, having the alone time, without our extra baggages (our beloved but super "kulit" duo ~ awws you know who I mean), that we knew right away that lunch would be extra-romantic (meaning no fast food!) and yes a tad more expensive.

Restaurant hunting in Tagaytay is never a problem ~ good restaurants abound. 

We finally settled in Charitos operated by the well-known Bag of Beans. 

Unlike the Bag of Beans branch located at the Aguinaldo Highway, Mendez Crossing, Charitos is spacious with ample parking. 

Charitos is gorgeous ~ it has wide open spaces with a view of Taal volcano (unfortunately, the weather was gloomy that day and we only got glimpse of the famous attraction). 

Decoration is a bit eclectic, but more of the Victorian side.

I ordered Fish and Chips (P380), tender lightly coated fish fillet, with side salad and potato wedges.

My ex meanwhile herbs marinated Roast Beef (P450). 

I took bites and found it tender and really flavorful.   

For the finale (You can't say you have been to Charitos without) Bag of Bean's house blend coffee (P130) and  blueberry cheesecake (P160+).

VERDICT:

• Charitos by Bag of Beans is charming. It is perfect for a romantic or a special occasion date with your better half.  A clear view of the Taal Volcano below would have been the topping on the ice cream.
• It is bit upscale, but we didn't mind paying extra since service was A+ and food great.  
• We had a wonderful lunch at Charitos and would not mind coming back for more.

Happy customers :P

CHARITO BY BAG OF BEANS

Maharlika East, Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, 

Tagaytay City, Cavite, Philippines

Contact no: 046 4831279

Cajun Red Rock Mega Mall ~ Restaurant Review

We were out malling at SM Megamall and found ourselves starving ~ our tired and weary feet and oh so hungry bodies led us to Cajun Red Rock .

I am not very familiar with Cajun cuisine, but judge on the restaurants theming and setting, we were all in agreement that it was an all American restaurant.

We ordered a family set meal (I forgot how much exactly, but I remember it was under P1000) for four persons, inclusive of chicken, rice, pasta, salad and drinks. 

VERDICT:

• There are plenty of food options available to suit everyone's palate. We would love to order the house specialties, but ended up getting a set meal which we figured was worth our money (as we did save a bit).
• Food is flavorsome.   
• Price is affordable (price range per order is P300-400), with huge family size servings.
• Service is good; The crew were especially attentive and friendly.

MamaSpeaks would definitely be back soon!

The CAJUN RED ROCK we visited is located at

Megastrip B, SM Megamall 

For inquiries you may email /call them at:

inquiry@cajunredrock.com / 415 26 05

fb page: CajunRedRockPH

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Post note: Per Wikipedia Cajun cuisine, French in origin. It is a style of cooking named for the French-speaking Acadian people deported by the British to Louisiana USA. This cuisine is rustic using locally available ingredients using simple cooking preparation techniques.

Restaurant Review: Highland Steakhouse

My ex-bf was playing sweetie invited me for lunch at the Highlands Prime Steakhouse at SM MOA.

The restaurant has a rustic countryside ambiance ~ real cozy and homey. It was spacious  and can comfortably seat 150-200 guests.

 

We ordered:

Sweet Chili Beans (P350)

 Roast beef pasta (P400)

Cowboy Buffalo Wings (P400)

Mixed Vegetable Pizza (P400)

VERDICT:

• Location is great with a great view of Manila Bay.  Perfect place for a romantic dinner with your special someone.
• Service is A+ and on personal level.  Our attendant really made us feel important.
• All our orders were spot on delicious ~ fresh and flavorful. We were not able to try their specialty steaks, as we were not really hungry for one.  Steak cost an average P2000 per 15oz. Would definitely try this though on our next visit.   
• Pricing though is on the high side, but given the plentiful serving, top notched presentation and fancy set up ~ price was worth it.

Highlands Prime Steakhouse-SM MOA is located at the

2F North Wing ~ SM MOA

Restaurant Hours:

Sunday to Thursday: 10AM to 10PM

Friday and Saturday: 10AM to 11PM 

Contact Number (02) 556-0768, (02) 556-0769, (02) 901-3243 and 0905-269-6513.

For inquiries check out their webpage www.primesteaks.com