FAMILY MART: Episode 1

Nightshift people often treat the nearby convenient store your “to go to” when you crave nothing or nothing is open at the moment. Tsktsk. Story of my life, hahaha…

On our Basket:

Beef & Mushroom Pot Pie 55 Php

Puff pastry filled with chunky beef with potato, carrots and cilantro. You’re basic beef stew in a pie. Not a fan of cilantro so I’ll just give this an ok, not bad for 55 php.

Chicken & Mushroom Pot Pie 45php

I like this one way better. It contains heaps of chicken filling matched with its flaky pastry base.

Karole seems to like this, it is an official " favorite" as of the moment.

Tenkei Seika Choco Marshmallow 88 php

Kich found this snack; the decent package draws you in, as the simple yet elaborate image of a bunch white fluffy marshmallows are hove together and highlighting one piece which seeps a choco-filled delight. Inside it was an individually packed snack, indeed the outside picture didn’t disappoint. You can even recreate the packaging image if you want to. =)

The Side Story...

MORE AND MORE updates to come.

BEEF & MUSHROOM POT PIE

CHICKEN MUSHROOM POT PIE

Don't Know @ Donu Prok and Beef Grill

1 am 30 July 2014, On a day that I deeply crave for Korean food, we were suppose to dine at our usual Korean place but so sad that it only caters customers until 11pm. So let’s hunt down a 24-hour Korean place.

OUR ORDERS:

Cheong-guk Jang ( 청국장 ) 200 php

It is a strong soy bean paste stew. As most of Korean soup\stew are spicy, on a scale of spiciness (3 as the highest) this should be on level 1. If you do not like spicy soup, I suggest you try this one. Cheong-guk jang is a stronger flavor of Dwenjang(뒨장), it is both soy bean paste stew, the only difference is the latter is more fermented leaving it less stronger than cheong-guk jang. Here’s to your Korean Food 101 Hahaha…

Chadolbagi ( 차돌박이 ) 300 php

The beef brisket point thinly sliced and cooked to a semi-crisped stage served with leeks on the side. The meat is not seasoned so you can know the basic taste of thinly sliced beef right?

Goonmandu ( 군만두 ) 200 php

Similar to your Japanese gyoza, gun means pan fried so translating this would be pan fried mandu. The filling consists of meat, chives and tiny bit japchae noodles.

The Side Story...

The service lady or should I call her “ahjumoni” polite term for “ahjumma”is relatively new so she has no idea of what is what so don’t bother asking. Lucky me, I know most of what is being served.

P.S. I’m an eat first picture later kind of eater so pardon the images. A bite or two has been done. Hihihi…

In to Holday Inn

Buffet

What’s In:

Breads and dip

Loads of loaves and sauces are available on the side in all shapes and color, just take your pick.

Salad Bar

Create your preferred salad mix with all the greens with your choice of dressing.

Grilling Station

Grill to your heart’s content.

Noodle Station

Make your noodle soup dish just the way you want it.

Pork Barbeque

This baby pork barbeque’s are in bite size portion and caters the kid’s appetite.

Macaroni and Cheese

Next to Pork Barbeque is the mac and cheese and it is cute. It is cooked with a very large macaroni pasta that 3-4 pieces will make it a full serving. =)

Lamb Curry

My favorite kind of meat, it was very tender that you can use just your fork in slicing it down for a bite. It has rich spiced sauce that makes you want more.

Pizza

I like my pizza thin crust unless I’m eating at P**** H** joint so I didn’t get one since I don’t think I would enjoy it.

Korean Glass Noodles

Commonly known as “japchae” this Korean stir fried noodles in sesame oil with vegetables served and meat. To complete the look it is garnished with sesame seeds and slivers of chili.

Roasted Potatoes with Oregano and Garlic

Best pair for my Lamb Curry. I enjoyed eating it with the thought that “this is healthy.” Hahaha.

Paillard of Pork Lemon and Caper Butter

Not a fan of pork so not much to say on this one.

Fish Stew on Leeky Potato Cream Sauce

Dinise liked this one, the creamy sauce compliments the fish without that fishy taste.

Boiled Beef and Vegetables

Second to Lamb, I indulge myself with a generous serving of beef, sweet and tender. Oh that melt in your mouth feeling.

.

Breaded Tilapia Fillet

Your regular fried dish that highlights the sauce bringing it to life. =)

Chicken Piccata Milanaise

Chicken breast can be really dull without the right amount of sauce to complement it. The tomato base gave it a perfect flare.

Sauted Veggie with Shrimp

To balance your diet, have some of the veggies (sayote and carrots). Chayote is known for  its cholesterol controlling component neutralizing high blood pressure. You’ll need it after eating all that meat.

Desserts

Tons and tons of it, just browse the pictures and you’ll understand. Halo-halo corner is available plus your ice cream machine is right next time. Time for mix and match. =)

The Side Story...

They have it refilled as soon as the dishes contains only ¼ of its silverware. I really hoped they had more though. I only enjoyed 2-3 dishes. 

The last food adventure that my 12-year BFF Dinise went to as she is now off to Canada. T_T (huhuhu)

Non Roast on Kenny Rogers Roasters

Another day for a feast, I know we all tend to buy foods that are highly recommended or the specialty on any food chains. But this time, let’s explore other chow on their menu.

OUR ORDERS:

Lasagna 145 Php

Plausible for the cheesiness not for the meatiness, nothing much really but it OK for me.

Burrito 110 Php

A cheap treat for 110Php. The minced meat is a compliment to their java rice, real java rice and not just the colored one. The sweet and semi-spicy give it perfect blend.

Quesadilla 110 Php

As a fan of quesadilla, I’ll give this serving a 3/5 rating. Honestly the serving is inconsistent, one day I really enjoyed the plate since the cheese is well melted and on other days it is just cheese. Chunky cheese, tsktsk..

Corn and Carrots 85 Php (Large)

 The side dishes they have served as an appetizer to me. Steamed corn and carrots mixed with butter. What else can go wrong?

Macaroni & Cheese 85 Php (Large)

A classic dish, it is hard to rate this since there are times that they serve it completely dry and not that cheesy and there are moments that it is juicy, milky and cheesy. Hmmm…

Banana Split 155 Php

A classic dessert served in any joint. Time and time again there is no failed banana split I’ve tried in my life. A decent serving of 3 flavored ice cream (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry) and course the main ingredient the BANANA. Need I say more?

The Side Story...

Brownie A la Mode 80 Php

A soft warm brownie topped with your classic vanilla ice cream making the flat baked square delight to its finest.

The Side Story:

We went for meryenda, so no main meal was ordered and to my shocked that my 3-year-old nephew loved the cherry. I never liked cherry, I just like the color it provides in wholeness of the food. Look at “dungis” baby.

ILIWA to ILLY (ESPRESSAMENTE)

 이리와 Read as “ILIWA” means come here in Korean. Illy has always been an eye catching bistro situated at the center of 2^nd floor of Rockwell Power Plant Mall, showing off its red capsule style couch and as it turns out, it brags more than its looks.

Red Velvet Cake - 185Php

This bright red dessert comes to life as you taste the moist, light and fluffy cake. I always look forward in tasting red velvet cakes since I am fond of cream cheese, I really love that subtle taste it gives.

Ferrero Cake – 195Php

This is a personal fave of my sis and she loved every inch of it. I adore Ferrero as a chocolate and love it even more for a cake. It didn’t disappoint having that crisp wafer layer filled with delicious crushed hazelnut and cream.

Belgian Cheesecake – 195Php

It was too sweet for everyone but not to me. I ain’t a sweet tooth for nothing. (hahahaha) It grants you that happiness, no other sweet treats can. Smooth, light and creamy.

Cappuccino – 140 Php

Cakes and Coffees are a very excellent pair. I totally agree to the “Japanese Perception” of eating, for them, you eat with your eyes, nose and lips. As it turns out, what is good in your eyes is tastier when put on the lips.  Your regular cappuccino is always better when it looks like this.

Marrochino Caldo – 140 Php

Curiosity strikes when I read Marrochino Caldo. “what the?”. As I sipped through it, a tasty warm thick chocolate drink embodies the cup combined with that espresso and frothed milk taste. Then I feel like having a coffee CF (Commercial Film).

Oreo Smoothie 190 Php

Loaded with Crushed Oreo cookies blended in a cream based drink. To complete the taste it was topped by whipped cream. 

Lasagna

I was having a blast with all that sugar treats when I started to feel hungrier as I eat. I think all that coffee and cakes served as my appetizers. We ordered this mouth watering lasagna and boy… it was really really really meaty as in really…. to the point that I want more layers of pasta for it. 

The Side Story...

The Side Story...

We wanted to sit on that adorable couch so we are willing to wait for the previous diners to go, the polite server asks for us to leave our number and he’ll give us a call for the availability of the place. Almost every day whenever we pass by Illy he never fails to greet us on our way.

ü  Multiple branches.

ü  Rockwell Power Plant Mall Wi-Fi available.

ü  Accepts credit card.

ü  10% service charge.

We ordered these on a different day...

Peach Fullati 205 Php

Milk based fruit smoothie. You can choose from a lot of fruits available. It was really tasty, fruity and all too refreshing to taste. 

Blue Berry Muffin 75 Php

It was moist, soft and packed with blueberry. Heaps and chunks can be seen through each bite. Enough sweetness that you savor each nibble.