Photo Dump: Buffet 101 International Cuisine

Three years in a row, the May celebrants in my barkada (myself included) have been joining forces to celebrate our birthdays in a one-time, big-time “lamon” fest. The first year was Buffalo Wings N’ Things. The next was Dad’s/Saisaki/Kamayan buffet. This year, we decided to do the buffet thing again and went with Buffet 101 at San Miguel by the Bay.

Buffet 101 offers a HUGE selection of American, Japanese, Chinese, and Italian cuisine, I honestly didn’t know where to start. I ended up stuffing myself with maki and sushi on my first wave (big mistake, by the way), and I barely got through my second plate. I did help myself to a lot of drinks and sampled the various desserts all lined up on the table (most of them whispering “EAT ME” to my ear). At 999+ per head, it was worth it.

That was last night. I still feel bloated.

And since I can’t exactly talk about every single thing I ate there, I’m doing a photo dump. Enjoy!

The place was packed when we got there. Good thing we had reservations.

My first plate – biiiiiiiiig mistake. It was like the maki expanded as soon as it hit my stomach.

Recreated “Suicide”, a drink we used to buy back in high school. It’s a combination of Coke, Sprite, Royal, Mountain Dew, root beer, grape juice and apple juice. The one I did had Pepsi, 7Up, Mirinda, root beer, iced tea, and blue lemonade. Very nostalgic.

KC’s plate. Oooooh, oysters!

My second wave. Had a hard time plowing through this one. LOL

Should’ve taken these with me after I took the shot.

Cream puff, Tiramisu, Mango Panna Cotta, and Leche Flan (which was a bit disappointing)

Jelly desserts are LOVE.

They also offer fruits, for those who are trying to cut back on the pastries.

This one, I really enjoyed.

And that was our celebration.

Location: Bldg K, Seaside Boulevard, San Miguel by the Bay, SM Mall of Asia Complex, 1300 Pasay City (right beside the Super Vikings ride, near Microtel)

Contact Number: 556-2888, 556-3888, 556-9888, buffet101pasay@gmail.com

Store Hours:
Mon – Fri: 11:30-14:30, 17:30-22:30
Sat – Sun:11:00-14:30, 17:30-22:30

Cuisine: International (American, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese)

Buffet Rate:
Mon-Fri Lunch P699
Mon-Fri Dinner P950
Sat Lunch P799
Sun Lunch,Sat-Sun Dinner P1050
Kids below 4.5ft are P499.
Kids below 3.5ft are free of charge.

Payment Method: Cash, Mastercard

Review: Sensei Sushi Bar, BF Homes

There was a time when Japanese restaurants were hard to come by here in BF Homes. If we wanted Japanese food, we’d go the mall for some Saisaki or Tokyo Tokyo, or all the way to Makati for Suzukin (this was before I discovered Bento-Ya). These days, you see a Japanese restaurant almost everywhere especially along the Aguirre Avenue stretch. Hanakazu, Hotaru, Little Rio, Okiniiri, Ichigo (in Pergola), Daikichi, Akakage, Ayak (which is more like a Japanese bar), and many others (including those Korean Japanese places). But if it wasn’t for my sister going gaga over those Ensogo/Groupon/what-have-you deals, I wouldn’t have noticed this cute, little resto nestled in between a huge Korean grocery and a Thai spa.

Sensei Sushi Bar, according to my sister (who loves to do research on restaurants she plans to visit), offers Japanese and “Asian fusion” cuisine; it’s not your typical katsudon, sushi, or ramen. You could tell just by looking at the big blackboard menu on the wall. Each dish has a short description, which was a big help for us first-timers. Their friendly staff and fast service is also a big plus.

The place is pretty small but it is cozy. There’s Chef Bruce Ricketts, the owner. He’s seems friendly because he talks to the customers. Too bad he was in the kitchen when we left, I wanted to thank him for the excellent food.

Menu # 1

At least we didn’t have to wait for someone to approach us with the menu.

Now, on to the food! Yes, Php1,000 worth of food. LOL

Pictures were taken using Chiqui’s HTC ChaCha. Completely forgot to bring my camera for this. Pfft.

Uni Sashimi (Sea Urchin Roe)

My new favorite sashimi (but salmon still holds my heart). Sea urchin roe is a delicacy around the world because of its interesting taste. Imagine you’re eating a butter ball candy while swimming in the sea, and then a huge wave catches you unawares and you take in a whole lot of seawater. Sweet, buttery, salty, and, uh, sea-y. That’s uni for you. The consistency takes a bit of getting used to, but I love it. Add a bit of wasabi soy sauce, and it’s pure heaven.

Seared Tuna Sashimi – Php195

I’ve tried seared tuna sashimi before but Sensei’s version really did a number on my taste buds. The freshness of the tuna, the spice-y flavor of the seared edges, the ginger, and all the other tangy flavors just melt in your mouth. Definitely my favorite dish of the night.

Chicken and Pork Gyoza – Php137

The gyoza was good in terms of the flavor – the usual meaty, ginger-y goodness – but what put me off was the consistency of the meat. I’m so used to feeling bits and pieces of meat and ginger in my mouth, that the mushy texture I got from this particular gyoza kind of caught me by surprise.

Pan-Seared Salmon with Noodles – Php230

This dish is where I think the Asian fusion kicks in. The al dente noodles had a flavor I can’t quite describe – I think leaf-y, herb-y and ramen-y (like it was cooked in ramen broth) are the best I can come up with. The real winner of the dish is the salmon. Tender and sweet salmon meat coupled with a slight crisp of the pan-seared skin and the smoky flavor is a perfect match to the taste of the noodles (which I promise to describe once I figure it out…I might have to go back there and refresh my memory, haha).

Crispy Pork Confit Rice Bowl – Php195

This one is a typical rice topping dish. The meat was tender and crispy, just like what the name says. My sister loved it and claimed she can eat about a dozen bowls, but the serving size was quite small for the price.

Spicy Tuna Roll – Php185

The Spicy Tuna roll was a bit disappointing. I was expecting that bite you get when you eat something hot and spicy, but alas, I got no such flavor. The roll is still delicious, don’t get me wrong,. I’m just saying it could be hotter.

Half-Baked Chocolate Cake – Php195

Ah yes, lava cake. Who can resist lava cake? The moist cake, the ice cream, the caramel, the strips of sweet mango, and the oozing chocolate…oh my goodness. If it wasn’t so sweet that my throat started to itch a bit after a few bites, I’d have eaten the entire thing and asked for seconds.

Just look at that melted goodness.

Sensei Sushi Bar has its goods and bads, but overall, I think this place deserves another visit. Gotta sample all those interesting things on the menu. Oh, and I saw on their Facebook page that they change their menu every 2 to 3 days, depending on what’s available on the local market. More reasons to come back – you never know what they’ll serve you next.

Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Location: 268 Aguirre Ave., BF Homes Parañaque City (in front of Tonton Massage, beside Nuat Thai Spa)

Contact Number: (02) 754-9526 (for reservations)

Store Hours: 11AM to 10PM (Sunday to Thursday),  11AM to 12MN (Friday and Saturday)

Cuisine: Japanese, Asian Fusion

Price: ~Php150

Payment Method: Cash

Review: Zark’s Burger

After a couple of errands this morning, my sisters and I decided to have lunch out to avoid the hassles of actually preparing and cooking food (yes, we can be a lazy bunch) and made a beeline to Zark’s Burger to order take-out.

I’ve been wanting to try out Zark’s ever since I heard about their huge burgers a couple of months ago. The resto, located along President’s Ave. in BF Parañaque (right across Shawarma Snack Center), offers a wide range of  monster burgers and ribs for the brave and/or crazy. Browsing through their menu, it was pretty obvious that whoever thought of Zark’s Burgers did not care about diets and counting calories. I mean, just look at their flagship burger, the Tombstone. Better get your meds ready!

We each ordered a burger – I got the Jawbreaker, Mars got Burger From Hell, and Miwa got the Zark’s Special.

Jawbreaker – Php250.00

The Jawbreaker is a “triple cheeseburger with spam, bacon, and overflowing cheese sauce.” The burger patties were juicy and full of flavor, and you can tell that it’s all beef.  I don’t know if it’s just me, or the spam’s and bacon’s flavors were totally lost under all that beefy flavor, and there were barely any veggies. I almost had to split my face in half just to take that first bite, and as much as I enjoyed eating, I’m not sure if I’m going back there anytime soon (or to any other burger joints, for that matter). I only finished about 3/4 of this monster – this pushed me to my burger limit like no other burger could. LOL.

Zark’s Special – Php220.00

This is a new Zark’s promo and is not yet included in their menu. A huge, deep-fried burger wrapped in heaps of bacon, this burger almost made my blood pressure skyrocket just by being in the same room together. Good lord, I could see the oil dripping from the meat while my younger sister bravely tried to consume this beast (I was gonna say “monster” but that’d be too repetitive). She ate half of it before throwing her hands up in defeat.

Burger From Hell – Php135.00 + 25.00 for fries and iced tea.

Cheeseburger with more cheese sauce and chili oil. I kinda knew my older sister Mars was going to order the hottest thing on the menu, LOL. To her disappointment, the chili oil’s bite didn’t even make her hoot like an owl and ask for milk/water. So yeah, she now calls this the “Burger From Purgatory.”

Gotta stop writing now. I’m still reeling from all the fat.

Review: Big Bob’s Burger

One thing I like about being the driver of the family is the perks I get when they ask me to accompany them to places as near as a friend’s house just to pick up a cardboard full of bullet holes, to as far as QC to pick up seeds. Yes, seeds. In Quezon City. Don’t ask.

I’ve been coughing like crazy since yesterday and I was really out of it, but I had promised my mom a few days ago that I’d go with her this weekend to Soderno to buy something. This was the freebie I got, care of my older sister.

Not bad for Php150.

I’m not really a burger type of person but I can appreciate a good burger when I see/smell/taste one. I’ve tried Big Bob’s a couple of times already and they haven’t disappointed me so far. The 1/3-pound pure beef patties are huge, and there’s always a burst of flavor in each bite – the combination of salt, pepper, that grilled, smoky taste, and the infused mozzarella and cheddar cheese is mouth-watering. Add the usual condiments – mayonnaise, mustard (I love mustard!), ketchup, pickle relish (I love pickles!), tomatoes, onions, and lettuce – and you have one “nyamy” burger. I think the only thing I don’t like about this is the bun, which gets really soggy fast. I usually like soggy, but this one gets kind of…rubbery (I don’t know how else to describe it).

But hey, I can always ditch the buns, right?

Big Bob’s can be found in Mercato Centrale and Soderno. Check out their Facebook page for more details.

Review: Devil’s Food Cheesecake (Valentine’s Edition)

So much for ending my hiatus. LOL.

I usually celebrate Valentine’s Day with my family (being single and all), but we don’t usually have cake. This year, this was my mother’s special request.

She saw the cake when we passed by Cake 2 Go along President’s Avenue in Paranaque and she hasn’t stopped talking about it since. Yesterday, when my mom took the cake out of the very red box, I really didn’t know how to react. It looked so artificial especially the pink rectangles on the side, plus the hand-written “Happy Valentines” wasn’t very visually appealing. But I guess all can be forgiven, given that the cake actually tasted pretty good.

The pink rectangular chocolates surrounding the cake tasted like those heart-shaped chocolates on a straw – not too sweet and creamy, which is a plus in my (cake) book. The icing had a smooth, light texture, and the layers of chocolate and cream cheese were moist and again, not that sweet, which makes me want to eat more. I think it’s safe to say that this is one of the better cheesecakes out there. That Php500 tag is kinda worth it.

I’m planning on buying another cake from Cake 2 Go and maybe use their delivery service soon. I just hope they won’t disappoint.

CAKE 2 GO contact numbers - 8253257 / 0922-8225368 (Parañaque branch)

Review: Theo&Philo Chocolates

“You hafta try it!”

This was what Ria, one of my high school buddies, said as we made our way to The Collective for lunch yesterday afternoon. So what exactly is she talking about? This:

Her excitement over these chocolates got me really curious. I mean, spicy chocolate? Really? So after having a hearty lunch at Wingman (which I will write about soon), we went to Ritual Organic Grocery to buy these babies.

Ria and KC made a beeline to the small fridge where the chocolates were kept, and I was surprised and amused by the number of chocolate bars my friends took. Ang dami, LOL. I guess that means these things were really good. I took two from the fridge, choosing the most interesting dark chocolate flavors I could find – “Siling Labuyo” and “Green Mango and Salt.”

First, the Green Mangoes and Salt. It kinda reminded me of chocolates with raisins, except it’s sour. I like how the flavors seem to burst in my mouth every time I take a bite – sometimes it’s sour, sometimes salty, sometimes both, and it actually complements the dark chocolate. This is by far one of the more interesting chocolates I have tasted. It might take a bit of getting used to, for the not-so-adventurous chocolate lovers. I’m giving this a 3.5 out of 5.

The Siling Labuyo is a pleasant surprise. At first you won’t taste the labuyo and then bam! Hot! Well, It’s not as hot as I expected, but it definitely has a bit of a kick. I had to laugh at my best friend Juay’s expression when she tried this; she stood there chewing for a couple of seconds before exclaiming “Oh!” with a surprised look.  I must admit the combination of sweet and spicy is a bit addicting, and the labuyo stays in your mouth for quite a while. So yeah, if you like ‘em hot, then  you’ll probably love this one. It gets a 4 out of 5 for me.

At Php100 per bar the size of my LG Cookie, it’s actually not that bad. Add the experience of eating weird chocolate, and it makes Theo & Philo worth a second helping. Yes, I am so going back and raiding that chocolate fridge.

For more information, visit their website at http://www.theoandphilo.com.

Photo Dump: Baguio Part 2

Like what I said in my previous post, things have been pretty interesting for the past two months. It was so interesting that I completely neglected my blogs and didn’t quite go on food trips as much as I wanted. Stress almost ate me alive, and it’s a good thing I had friends and family to keep me sane.

My bandmates and I went up to Baguio last Oct. 29-31 for the Lomo Paraiso gig, organized by LomoManila and Ms. Tuesday Vargas. It was an epic, epic night filled with good food, great music, and awesome people. And since this was my only time to relax after a grueling semester, I had only one goal in mind – stuff myself silly with what Baguio has to offer.

We went to our usual dining spots – Glenn’s 50′s Diner, Pizza Volante, and Vizco’s. We also tried out new places like Oh My Gulay! and Steaks and Toppings. And I’m going to let the pictures do (some) of the talking.

50′s Diner: S/S (Steak and Shrimp). Php130.

50′s Diner: Cornsilog – Corned Beef with Sinangag and Egg

50′s Diner: Chop and Chop. Php125.

50′s Diner: Cordon Bleu (with fries). Php125.

50′s Diner: Chicken Cordon Bleu (with steamed rice and veggies). Php125.

Oh My Gulay: Kamatis Pasta. Really liked this one. Also liked their brewed coffee.

Pizza Volante: I forgot what this is called. We were too many we had to sit on separate tables, and this wonderful stack of pizza came from Chevy’s table. After an interesting morning with a grumpy old landlord, this is a great way to shake off the bad vibes.

Pizza Volante: Mussels and Tomatoes in Red Wine Pasta (large). Php232.

Pizza Volante: Smoked Salmon Pizza (10″). Php313.  This one I REALLY loved. Best eaten fresh from the oven to maintain the crust’s crispy-ness. More pleaze!

Vizco’s: Strawberry Shortcake. Php60.

Vizco’s: Krema de Fruta. Php60.

Vizco’s: Ube Cake. Php60.

Vizco’s: Choco Walnut Cake. Php95.

Vizco’s: Garlic and Sun-dried Tomato Pasta (regular). Php155.

Vizco’s: Caesar’s Salad. Php115.

Vizco’s: Cordon Bleu. Php175.

Vizco’s: Spanish Caldereta. Php180.

Vizco’s: Italian Beef Stew. Php180.

Vizco’s: Salmon in Saffron Sauce. Php298.

Vizco’s: Blueberry Cheesecake. Php105.

Steaks and Toppings: A piece of Tenderloin Strips. Probably the most tender piece of meat I’ve ever had. Oops, I spilled sarcasm all over the floor. Sorry.

Steaks and Toppings: Leche Flan. Php23. It actually tasted pretty good enough to redeem the place. But yeah, probably not going back there. Not because of the food, but because their glasses and utensils look like they weren’t washed properly. Ew.

And that was my Baguio vacay.

Hiatus Over

Oh wow, it’s been months since my last post. I’d like to apologize for my lack of reviews. Things have been pretty crazy for the past few months, and it’s only now that I got any down time. I have been eating in a lot of new places, though, so watch out for those. For now, I think another Baguio photo dump would do just so I can break my dry spell. Gotta organize my photos first.

Long weekend ahead! Happy eating!

Photo Dump: Legazpi Sunday Market, Makati

My parents and I went to Makati this morning to fetch my older sister and to have breakfast at the Legazpi Sunday Market. I love Mercato, but I think I like this place better because they also have an arts section, a live ethnic band, and I think their wares are more international.

And I can’t get enough of that yogurt shake and Shrimp Salpicao. Nyamy!

Speaking of the arts section, there was one stall there with a very “friendly” seller. They sold very nice jewelry, and when I was readying my camera to takea shot, this seller comes out of nowhere and starts shouting “eks kyus mi!” in a very aggressive manner. Naman, she could just tell me nicely that picture-taking wasn’t allowed and that she’s praning that I”m going to steal her designs. Hay nako.

Still, that incident didn’t even faze my mood. I went home with a very happy stomach, and the rest is history.

On with ze pictures!

The banner near the entrance. Visit their website!

It’s only 9 in the morning and they’re already sold out. Wow.

Interesting smoothie combinations. My mom loved it, but personally I think it’s an acquired taste. Php95/bottle

Korean food. We always buy Chap Chae here.

This is probably the cutest onigiri I’ve ever seen.

They all look so fresh.

TAKOYAKI!!

Chap Chae.

Strawberry and Mango Yogurt Shake. Php60. Again, another one of our Legazpi Market staples.

Shrimp overload from The Shrimp Station.

Ate Shrimp got all shy when I told her I was going to take her picture while preparing my order. LOL

The heavenly Shrimp Salpicao.

My mom was so amused with watching her Pad Thai being cooked in front of her that she dragged me from the table to take a picture. LOL

One serving is so huge, it’s overflowing.

My mom’s Shrimp Pad Thai.

Finished product.

My brunch – Shrimp Salpicao with Pesto Rice and two sidings. Php200. Not bad at all.

Shawarma!

Okoy, from an stall that sells Ilocano cuisine.

Fruits galore.

Look at all those pretty colors.

This Aubergine Eggplant is HUGE.

Cherry tomatoes are love. I can eat them all day, no joke.

The Monster Burger grill. Yes, their patties are biiiiig.

Nyamy!

It’s not everyday I see a roasted chicken sitting on a beer can and holding an umbrella.

Grilled…catfish?

I can already imagine these babies in a baking pan and swimming in garlic, butter, and cheese.

Adobo Quiche.

Sandwiches.

Gourmet Polvoron.

Those are just some of the things you can find in the Legazpi Sunday Market. I would’ve taken pictures of every single thing in there, but alas, my stomach required my attention. LOL.

Visit http://www.legazpisundaymarket.com for more information.

Review: Bento-Ya, BF Homes

Deep in the heart of BF Homes along the stretch of El Grande avenue lies one of the best Japanese restaurants the town can offer…if you can find it. I’ve been eating at Tatsunoko Restaurant (more popularly known as Bento-Ya) for the past four or five years, and I still have to drive really carefully so I won’t miss because it the outside looks like a some run-down, seedy warehouse where members of the Yakuza meet for parties or whatever. But don’t let appearances fool you; they offer great-tasting, authentic Japanese cuisine. Why do you think I keep coming back?

The only decent interior shot I got. I forgot to change my lens,
so I couldn’t do any wide shots.

I went there with college friends for a despedida dinner. Riane and I went there early to get a good parking slot and reserve a table, since the place tends to get really packed by dinner time. We were greeted by a couple of cheerful waitresses in Nihon-go and led to a big table in the smoking area (the tables in the non-smoking area could only seat 4-5 people), right beside a group of Japanese men drinking sake. We’d always see Japanese clients every time we go there, which is testament to the quality of the food. Anyway, our friends arrived much later, and dinner was served.

Salmon Sashimi (Php180). Served fresh and cold.

Sukiyaki (Php190). Serves 2-3 people. I love the sweet-salty broth. The vegetables are crisp, the meat is tender, and the noodles have an interesting and rubbery texture. I am officially addicted to this thing.

Beef Shirataki (Php135). Tastes like Sukiyaki without the broth and veggies. Maybe if you wanted extra meat and noodles in your Sukiyaki, just dump these into the bowl. 

Gyoza (Php90). Minced meat, veggies and garlic. One of my favorites here, because the garlic doesn’t overpower the meat unlike some Gyozas I’ve tasted. 

Onigiri – Umeboshi/Pickled Fruit (Php45), Salmon (Php55), Katsubushi/Smoked Tuna (Php45).

Sea Urchin (Php70). I’m not sure how to describe what this tastes like…”raw” and “sea” are the first words that come to mind. I may have to take another shot at this to really understand the flavor. But it does taste pretty good when dipped in soy sauce and wasabi.

California Maki (Php135). That dollop of Japanese Mayo makes all the difference.

And now, for the million-peso question: Which is better, Bento-Ya or Little Rio? The latter has its own specialties, like the Crazy Maki, Shoyu Ramen and Misou Ramen, but the former gets everything else in my opinion. Or maybe I should comb Little Rio’s entire menu first. *Food trip alert*

Bento-Ya will always and forever be one of my favorite pig out spots here in BF Homes. Great food, great service, great Japanese atmosphere, and most of all, it’s cheap. It just goes to show that you don’t need a grand and sophisticated facade – it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

Location: 452 El Grande Ave., BF Homes Parañaque City

Contact Number: (02) 825-0551

Store Hours: 11AM to 10PM (closed on Sundays)

Cuisine: Japanese

Price: ~Php150

Payment Method: Cash