UCC 3rd Wave Clockwork

I'm not a coffee drinker. It's always tea or any non-coffee based drink whenever we go to Starbucks, Figaro, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf or Seattle's Best. In fact, it was only recently when I learned what the so-called "third wave coffee" was all about. First Wave Coffee refers to the mass-produced solubles to increase consumption then came the Second Wave that focuses on Specialty Coffee to achieve different flavors and the current popular movement, Third Wave or Seed-To-Cup. The latter produces high quality coffee -- from the origins to the roasting style, as the roasters and baristas know exactly where the beans are sourced from.

UCC 3rd Wave Clockwork in Blue Bay Walk is one of the most spacious coffee shops I've been to. This unique concept of UCC is their response to the demand of third wave coffee drinkers in the Metro. Since CS and I were famished, we opted to skip the tea and ordered dinner instead.

A useful button to call the server especially when you're seated in the second level of the coffee shop. The service was quite slow still that we had to press it twice at times to get their attention.

What we ordered

Beef Hash Benedict - Php320.00

I love Eggs Benedict. No matter what time of the day, I'd always go for these runny eggs in its glorious sunshine color. UCC's version is served with beef hash and arugula over corn muffin that will turn your already delicious meal into an even more exciting gooey goodness.

Corn Muffin, Beef Hash, Bechamel, Poached Egg, Arugula and House Salad

Our orders came with this refreshing House Salad of lettuce and grapes with sesame dressing.

Grilled Pulled Pork with Cheese - Php250.00

CS ordered the Grilled Pork with Cheese which was also heavenly. The tender pork didn't need much effort to bite into and of course, how can you go wrong with grilled cheese sandwich right?

Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Honey Barbequed Pork and House Salad

Japanese Pancake (Butter Maple) - Php190.00

The fluffy Japanese Pancake was the perfect dessert to end a fantastic meal. Carb overload!

The menu may be pricey but the quality and taste of the food is worth every Peso. Must come back soon to try their Fresh Corned Beef with Kimchi Rice and mouthwatering desserts!

~o~o~o

UCC 3rd Wave Clockwork
Blue Bay Walk
Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. corner EDSA
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 843-4383

Overpriced Mediocrity at The Food Club Manila

Adding to the roster of 5-star buffet restaurants down South, particularly in the Mall of Asia and Macapagal Blvd. areas, The Food Club opened its doors last January 2014 and have been serving a wide variety of delightful dishes perfect for any occasion you might have in mind. Or like in our case, just a typical day of pigging out. I was fortunate to have came across an irresistible deal from Ensogo, a popular group buying site because paying full price is quite heavy on the pocket.

Make sure you read the fine prints of the voucher whenever you buy from these group buying sites because most restaurants require an advance reservation and strictly no walk-ins. In fact, it took us two weeks before we were confirmed for a dinner for two as they're always full and can only accommodate a limited number for tables to give way to full paying walk-in clients.

We were ushered to table no. 23 (beside the Japanese section) as soon as the receptionist verified the paper voucher I presented. One will immediately notice the elegant interiors of the restaurant with its beautiful bubble chandeliers and impressive design upon entering the dining area.

The buffet feast is spread across the room with an assortment of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Italian, Rotisserie, Seafood and Dessert sections. I've been to almost all of the buffet restaurants in the area and I find The Food Club's selection quite limited and ordinary.

Assorted Breads

Salad

Maki and Rolls

Pasta

Pizza

Rotisserie

Shabu-Shabu

Tempura

Seafood/Grill Section

Candies

Filipino Native Delicacies

Blueberry Cheesecake

Churros con Chocolate

On our table

It was actually hard to move around and to fit in a few plates on the table as the setting was cramped to accommodate more diners. You can just imagine how many bumps we had to endure with the tight space that it's almost impossible to talk and eat in peace. 

Our first stop was the Japanese section with sparse variety of sushi, rolls and sashimi. To fill in my hungry tummy, I had a few slices of the Salmon Sashimi and Saba Sushi, which were almost frozen and obviously not fresh. Save for the Spicy Salmon and Seaweed Salad, this is by far the most disappointing Japanese buffet section I've tried in any buffet restaurant of the same price range.

Salmon Sashimi

Saba Sushi

Another section I was also looking forward in The Food Club is their Seafood/Grilled section. To my dismay, it took more than 30 minutes before a plate of overcooked grilled shrimp was handed over to us. I also felt like the staff were biased because when I asked for steamed shrimp, I was told that it was not possible only to find out that our neighboring table had in fact, buttered and steamed shrimp. So after that one time order, I never bothered going back to that section again.

Scallop with Crab Meat

With my unpleasant experience and less than impressive food selection at The Food Club, I'd probably have second thoughts on dining here again. Besides, there are way better options in the area if you love buffet such as Four Seasons Hotpot City, Banzai, Buffet 101, or Vikings.

~o~o~o

The Food Club Manila
Unit E Blue Bay Walk
Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. corner EDSA
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 736-8001
Website: www.thefoodclub.com.ph

All Organic Menu at Potts Point Bayside

The pursuit to a healthier lifestyle brought CS and I at Potts Point Bayside, a newly-opened restaurant in the Mall of Asia offering an all-organic menu ranging from salad, pasta, savory pies, Australian grass-fed beef burgers down to dessert. It's actually the second branch of Potts Point following a successful opening at Eastwood Mall in Libis, Quezon City in 2014. 

The minimalist and modern interiors of Potts Point is the perfect venue for people looking for delicious food and a place to meet with friends and celebrate family gatherings. It's also the go-to spot if you want to watch the Mall of Asia's fireworks display every 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

What we ordered

Organic Roasted Chicken Fillet with Salsa Verde, Mango Cream,
Garlic Yogurt Sauce and Quinoa Red Rice - Php355.00

One of their bestsellers, the Organic Roasted Chicken was good but not a standout. We liked that it offered an array of dips for variety, the Mango Cream being the best among the three.

Seared Organic Pork Tenderloin with Bone Marrow Brown Rice Risotto - Php355.00

I loooove Risotto so I thought I'd give it a try. The Bone Marrow Risotto was tasty but so rich that it was overwhelming and saturating after a few spoonful. Thank goodness for the parmesan cheese shavings on top to give it a different flavor and texture. Definitely not for the faint-hearted.

The staff were commendable and I love the ambiance and food presentation but I have yet to discover a dish here that's going to make me want give it another try. Any recommendations?

~o~o~o~

Potts Point Bayside
2F Entertainment Mall
SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City

Metro Manila, Philippines

Authentic Kapampangan Dining at Binulo Restaurant

The most popular restaurant in Clark serving authentic Kapampangan dishes, Binulo Restaurant derived its name from the traditional process of cooking food called bulo. It's not surprising that they were full on a weekday because from what I've heard, people looking for the total Kapampangan food experience do travel all the way here! It is also a great way to introduce and relish the Filipino cuisine if you have foreign guests or balikbayan relatives coming to the country.

What we ordered

Binulong Nasi - Php105.00

It may appear like the good old fashioned suman at first look but Binulong Nasi is basically white rice but cooked in a bamboo thus imitating the rice cake's shape and the yellowish color. The taste on the other hand, was plain and simple rice and no, its not sticky either.

Kinilaw na Bangus - Php125.00

It was my first time to try Kinilaw na Bangus and I loved it! I've always liked tanigue or tuna in vinegar but these boneless bangus version is a cheaper yet equally delicious alternative. 

Crispy Pata - Php405.00

No Filipino feast is complete without Lechon or the second best thing, a Crispy Pata on the table! Binulo's version has crackling skin so crispy that I felt like my every bite was heard all the way to the other side of the restaurant. The meat, best dipped in their special sauce, was tender and savory with great proportions of fat to lessen the umay feeling.

Tibuk-Tibuk - Php85.00

I always crave for sweets after a hearty meal so we ordered two of their bestselling desserts. A popular Kapampangan specialty, Tibuk-Tibuk is a delicate dessert that resembles a Panna Cotta only richer in taste with salty Latik on top to balance the flavor. Equally satisfying was a bowl of Bucayong (Sweetened) Kamote in a pool of Carabao's milk.

Bucayong Kamote with Gatas Damulag - Php85.00

With its homey ambiance, hospitable staff and delicious meals at value for money prices, Binulo Restaurant is an experience you should never miss out if you're heading to Clark soon!

~o~o~o~

Binulo Restaurant
Bldg. 6410-6413, Manuel A. Roxas Highway
Clark Freeport Philippines, Mabalacat City
Pampanga, Philippines
Tel.: (6345) 499-2238