Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Fruits in Ice Cream Summer Cafe

Just in time for SUMMER!

Fruits in Ice Cream (FIC) was established in July 1997 by The Food People Incorporated with the goal of serving the international market with premium and delicious ice cream. The company carefully selects premium quality dairy products and tropical fruits to produce the distinct and quality ice cream FIC is known for.


I was able to try their Pistachio Gourmet Ice Cream when DB and I were looking for dessert after having dinner at Miyabi Express at the Pan Pacific Hotel lobby. From then on, I would tell him that the thought of having that Belgian cone with the creamy and rich Pistachio Ice Cream with real toasted Pistachios from FIC has been haunting me in my dreams and daydreams as well!


Then I remember seeing an FIC booth at The Cliffhouse Tagaytay located just beside Buon Giorno in my previous visit there. This was weeks before I had the privilege of tasting the best ice cream available in the market so I just passed by it. What a waste of a yummy and sweet opportunity!

This is so addicting!

Trust me, the one and a half hour travel to Tagaytay to sit in one of the benches in The Cliffhouse overlooking Taal with FIC's Pistachio Ice Cream in your hand is so worth it!

~o~o~o~

Fruits in Ice Cream Summer Cafe
5 Cliffhouse, Maharlika East
Tagaytay City, Cavite, Philippines

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Rufo's Famous Tapa

I first tried the famous Rufo's Tapa sometime last year when I was in the Ortigas neighborhood. I was impressed with how flavorful and tender the Tapa was. Sometime last week, a familiar logo caught my attention. Rufo's has opened a branch at Bluewave, Macapagal!

The following night, I found myself lining up to order the famous Tapa and some other dishes they have added on the menu.

On the table

Rufo's Famous Tapa - Php108.00

"Sauce pa lang, ulam na!"

Rufo's specialty since 1984, they only use marinated Batangas beef and served with their rich and sweet special sauce. If you like your Tapa drowning in sauce, I promise you'll love this one.

Chopsuey - Php75.00

Another hit is Rufo's Chopsuey, a dish made up of fresh vegetables, quail eggs, liver and pork. Velvety sauce and the vegetables are cooked just right (not soggy) -- just the way I like it!

Chili Chicken Wings - Php85.00

Served on a sizzling hot plate, this Chili Chicken Wings are fried to a crispy golden brown perfection before tossing in Rufo's sweet and chili sauce.

Rufo's Famous Tapa is open 24 hours giving people this side of the Metro another option if you're out late and looking for a place to eat or simply craving for something worth the calories!

~o~o~o~

Rufo's Famous Tapa
Bluewave, Macapagal Blvd.
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 551-0436 to 37

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Ramen Ichiban-Kan

It was Valentine's Day.

Just a normal day in the office until some of my colleagues decided to have Ramen for lunch. I initially thought we were going to Ukokkei Ramen, my first choice, but they suggested we go try another Ramen place in Malate. Traffic was surprisingly in our favor because it only took us about 20 minutes from ParaƱaque to Ramen Ichiban-Kan.

The restaurant is situated along rows of "girly bars" in that Malate area. Good thing we went during lunch time so those establishments are still close. According to a friend, Ramen Ichiban-Kan have been operating for so many years already, way before the "Ramen craze" in Manila.

What I ordered

Cold Ramen


I asked the waitress if they offer Hiyashi, my constant order in any Ramen place, since I didn't see it on the menu. While my colleagues were sweating to finish their humungous bowls of hot and spicy Ramen, I was just happy to have found a new love with Ichiban-Kan's Cold Ramen. It may not be as good as Ukokkei's Hiyashi, but its not a bad choice either especially since they make fresh noodles everyday and definitely way more cheaper.

The half-fried Gyoza on the other hand is really good! I made the mistake of taking a bite before checking if its still hot so before I knew it, my tongue was numbing with pain! After drinking the complimentary cold tea, I composed myself and took another bite. This time, I was able to taste what an authentic and honest to goodness Gyoza is like.

Gyoza

The food were excellent and very affordable as compared to other Ramen places. I just hope the owners would took some time and money to renovate the place. Reupholstering the couches would be a great start if I may suggest.

~o~o~o~

Ramen Ichiban-Kan
2101 A. Mabini St., Malate
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 524-4779

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Affordable Japanese at Teriyaki Boy

My taste buds was craving for some Japanese fares but since we were on a budget, DB and I decided to go to the more wallet-friendly Japanese restaurant in the Mall of Asia -- Teriyaki Boy.

Based on my previous experiences here, orders take longer than usual (I had to wait for about 30 minutes at one point) but today was a surprise. It only took 10 minutes and all of the food that we ordered were placed on the table, staring and begging to be consumed. I was more than happy to oblige, of course!

What we ordered

Tuna Sashimi Tartare - Php155.00

A mix of spicy Tuna, Tempura flakes and Japanese mayonnaise, this is one appetizer I could eat over and over again! Best eaten while it's hot so flakes are still crunchy and the oil does not overwhelm your palate.

Oyako Don - Php175.00

A Japanese rice bowl dish with chicken, egg and onions simmered together in a special sauce.

Suki Beef Teppan Don - Php170.00

I tried this Suki Beef Teppan Don which is basically marinated beef with onions and raw egg as toppings. They have generous servings here I feel like one order can feed two hungry ladies already. But since I'm no ordinary girl, I had the bowl all to myself! *wink*


Nothing beats downing cups of hot tea after having a bowlful of rice. Cravings satisfied!

~o~o~o~

Teriyaki Boy
G/F South Wing, Mall of Asia
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 556-0717

Monday, February 18, 2013

Happy Lemon: Rock Salt and Cheese


The memory of the unique blend of the chocolate drink, cheese and salt that I was sipping one afternoon while walking along Greenhills Theater Mall is still vivid in my mind even after a year has passed. I barely go to Greenhills nowadays so imagine my excitement when I saw that familiar smiling face in the Mall of Asia!


Happy Lemon now offers a wide variety of drinks but for memory's sake, I ordered the exact drink that won me over -- Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese. A glass of light cocoa concoction blended perfectly well with the creamy cheese and a hint of saltiness that others tried hard to imitate but failed miserably.


I'm afraid this could be a start of my drinking problem. Goodbye diet!

~o~o~o~

Happy Lemon 
Ground Level, Entertainment Mall
SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Metro Manila, Philippines

Sunday, February 17, 2013

RoyalView Seafood Restaurant


Royal View Seafood Restaurant is the newest addition to the numerous Chinese restaurants in the Mall of Asia. It currently occupies the same spot where Hongkong Emperor used to be, though I'm not sure if they just changed the name because the two restaurants are kinda alike in terms of the menu, ambiance and overall setting.


Royal View is known for its live seafood selection, which can be cooked according to the customers' preference. But since it was just DB and I that night, we ought to just order from their hardbound menu. One of the things that I love about Chinese restaurants is the wide range of menu that are almost always available!

On the table

Roasted Suckling Pig Combination Platter (Small) - Php520.00

Suckling Pig

This was ultra crispy! It barely had any fat attached to it, just pure and eardrum-numbing-crunchy-goodness every time I bite.

Pork Asado

Soy Chicken

Sliced Beef Shank

Taiwanese Style Three Cups Chicken (Small) - Php360.00

The Taiwanese Style 3 Cups Chicken may not be the best I've ever had but it surely made a good impression to both of us. The chicken was tender and the sauce was flavorful.


A plate of complimentary fruits was served just after DB and I finished everything on the table.


RoyalView is the perfect spot for family gatherings or dinner with your friends and colleagues because they offer value for money group meals. My mom's birthday is coming up soon and I just had the outright excuse to try out their other offerings. *wink*

~o~o~o~

RoyalView Seafood Restaurant
2L Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 556-9520

Friday, February 1, 2013

Marcia Adams' Tuscany

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


A lot of raves have been said about this quaint place snugged in a quiet side of Tagaytay City. I thought it was high time to finally experience what visitors called as a unique culinary experience.


As the name suggests, the place will give you a glimpse of the Tuscan setting.



Fresh beautiful flowers add romance and color to this once secret dining destination in a secluded location in Tagaytay City. According to Neil Adams (Marcia's amiable husband), these lovely flowers came all the way from Baguio City.



The food are prepared as you order. So while waiting, we decided to explore the beautiful place Marcia and Neil call home. If you ever come here for lunch, I suggest reserving a table near the window for a more dramatic effect.


On the table

Upon reservation, the lady on the other line told me that they require a consumable of Php700.00 per person which covers a 3-course meal that includes an appetizer, the main course and dessert. For Tagaytay standards, we thought the price was acceptable.

Complimentary Bread served with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar

Lemon Bitters - Php85.00

Not your usual Lemonade especially made by Marcia herself. It's basically soda with lemon but the cute mini pitcher makes it quite special.

Marcia offered two appetizers that night and we thought of getting both so we can try as many food off the menu as possible.

Amalfi Prawns

I'm loving the incorporation of the potato chip delicately placed inside that gives a crunchy sound and salty flavor to the perfectly fried shrimps. This wasn't my order but I think I ate more than my seat mate. *wink*

Soup of the Day

This post is a month overdue but the memory of the very tasty soup with bacon and beans is as vivid as I can remember my name.

Grilled Pork Chop with Herb Rice

DB wanted to try Marcia's Italian Rabbit Casserole but we were told that it was unavailable that time. The staff recommended he try their Grilled Pork Chop instead. I was already expecting for him to say no and browse the menu again but to my surprise, DB said "Okay, I'll have that." To our delight, the Pork Chop was flavorful and the sides are so crispy but not too dry either.

Oh, Marcia and her genius cooking!


Beef Stew

The stew was delicious and the beef was very tender that I can cut it with minimal effort. I begged off from ordering an extra cup of rice to wipe the sauce off my plate as I was feeling Ms. Prim and Proper that night. *wink*

Panna Cotta with Lemon Sauce

For dessert, DB had the most perfect and heavenly Panna Cotta while I ordered Grilled Orange with Vanilla Ice Cream.

Grilled Orange with Vanilla Ice Cream

Another ordinary and simple-sounding dessert but Marcia's presentation and plating makes this drool-worthy! And truth be told, the sweetness and coldness of the ice cream complemented perfectly with the warm and tangy orange.

It was the perfect dessert to end a fantastic meal.


Meet Mr. Adams. 

I heard he always makes it a point to meet the guests for a little chit-chat and walk them to the gate of their serene and lovely home.


How to get there:

Photo grabbed from Marcia Adams' Facebook page

The two-hour drive to Tagaytay to dine and try Marcia's specialties is so worth it. We would definitely be back soon!

~o~o~o~

Marcia Adams' Tuscany
JP Rizal Street
Tagaytay City, Cavite, Philippines
Tel.: (63917) 801-1456
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