DonnAppetit Garden Grill ~ A Perfect Night Out wth My Girls

Our mission was to find a cozy place, specially different from our usual hang-outs to celebrate a friend's 18th (I know, you know, we both know, but I am not about to post her actual age on blogger now would I?).

 

Tada, our find for tonight is Donn Appetit Garden Grill a home garden restaurant, serving authentic home-cooked grilled dishes.

 

The place was rather small (seats about 40-50 guests), but is aesthetically pleasing, with a well kept garden to boast. 

We especially love the chirping birds as an added touch to complete the ambiance.    

 

 

Unfortunately since we came on a night time, we were not able to fully appreciate Donn Appetit's beautiful garden.

 

 

 

The restaurant is spot clean and although it is an open area, there are surprisingly NO bugs around.

 

Let us check the menu.

 

 

There are plenty of options to choose from, although most are grilled dishes.  Average cost per dish is only P150, really affordable.  One of my girls complained about the small serving size, but I think, it was just right for the price.

 

 

Here is what we ordered...

 

For appetizers, we had Nachos (P150). 

I am not a fan of this one. I find it lacking crispiness, probably a reaction to the rainy and humid weather.  The dip, however, was very good.

 

 

From the Grill, we had Liempo (P130)  

 

 

Baby Back Ribs (P180), which was my favorite among our orders.  The meat was tender and flavorful. We should have ordered more of this. 

 

 

 

And Hungarian Sausage (P75).  I am not a sausage fan, either, but this here (well, more than half) ended on my plate. 

I liked the spiciness of it.  It was really good. 

 

 

 

We also ordered Pancit Bihon (P100) of course, as we were there to celebrate a birthday. 

 

 

 

VERDICT ~ Thumbs up!

• Overall it was a worthwhile discovery.  I would gladly take friends there for a night out over a bottle or two of chilled beer. Unfortunately, we did not have any, as I was driving that night.
• Donn Appetit brags a "homey" garden ambiance, perfect for special occasions. 
• Service is fast considering they prepare your food fresh.  The staff were likewise cordial and cheerful.

 

With my girls :P

 

We finished everything, with only enough space for a cup of coffee (and probably some yummy dessert)!

 

 

DonnAppetit Garden Grill is located at14 Noli Pascual St. Gregoria Heights, San Isidro, Taytay Rizal.  It is a good stop over if you are heading to Antipolo from Manila via Ortigas Extension.

 

For reservation you may call: 570-6117 or 881-8028

Coffee Grounds ~ All You Need is COFFEE!

Me and hubby are self-confessed coffee addicts! 

 

 

 

 

What can I say, we LOVE OUR COFFEE!!!  

Coffee keeps us ~ up, awake and enthusiastic :P 

 

It is thus, not surprising that everywhere we go, we end up hunting for coffee shops for our daily dose. 

 

Our latest find is this little coffee shop along Ortigas Extension called Coffee Grounds (the place used to be a Mocha Blends branch, but moved on to a new Coffee Grounds).  

 

 

We were just there for coffee, but the Sansrival looked really inviting, it was hard to say no... so we said "YES" (lol!).

 

 

(Coffee is priced at P90-120 with a discount on refills).

 

 

What we liked about Coffee Grounds (aside from it's specialty coffees) :

 

1. They have an assortment of sandwiches, pastries, pasta, and an all day meal selection. 

 

There are plenty of food options to choose from.

 

 

2. Homey atmosphere.  The place made us feel right at home.  There were very few customers when we came in and we had some real quiet time - to enjoy our coffee (while browsing the internet and reading the newspaper).

 

 

 

 

3. Cordial crew. The staff were very nice and attentive of our needs.  I am not sure though if that was because we were one of the few guests inside that time ~ but none the less, those two ladies manning the counter that morning were jovial and warm!

 

 

4.  Free WIFI. I know right? Nice place to do blogging.  Will definitely be back to do some writing over my freshly brewed coffee.  

 

 

 

Coffee Grounds is located  at the Valley Fair Town Center, Km. 19, Ortigas Avenue Extn. Taytay Rizal

Contact Numbes:650-5258 / 0917-5016444 

 

Coffee Grounds is open daily from 8am - 1am.

 

 

Review of Catalan Restaurant and Grill

 

 

Catalan Restaurant and Grill in Taytay is nothing close to a Catalonian (a region in Spain) food and cooking (Catalans are  famous for their cheese, mushroom and spices rich pizza, seafood and tapas),  surprisingly this restaurant is very Filipino, specializing on all time favorite Filipino dishes, such as bulalo, adobo, inasal and more. 

 

 

The restaurant is artsy with wall murals, mosaic decorated tables and floors ~ the decoration kept me occupied, imagining how adorable these tables would look in my kitchen :P

 

 

 

 

There is also a corner dedicated to acoustic nights, perfect for an after dusk “barkada hang-out” and an "unwind night" with your special someone.

 

 

 

We ordered one of locales favorites, "budbod (a local version of fried rice toppings)" and Catalan fruit drinks.

(Shanghai Budbod ~ P69)  - Ang Sarap!  Hefty servings, but we cleaned our plates real good (hahah!)

 

(Mango and Strawberry-banana fruit drinks P75 each) 

 

Catalan offers very affordable meals, yet prepared fresh as you order. Their "Kumpleto Meals" starts at P110 and "Budbod Specials" at P69. 

 

 

Catalan is a true gem waiting to be discovered.  Visit them now or call for a delivery.

Catalan Restaurant and Grill is open daily:

SUNDAY TO THURSDAY 9:00am until 11:00pm
FRIDAY and SATURDAY 9:00am to 1:00am

(Acoustic Nights is every Saturday starting 7pm)

ADDRESS
#48 AMJC Bldg. Ground Floor, National Road (Manila East Road), Brgy. San Juan Sitio Ilog Pugad, Taytay, Rizal

(Near PUREGOLD Taytay, Beside BPI El-Monteverde Branch
Infront of WESTERN UNION)

CONTACT NUMBERS
Landline Number: (02)2345927

Mobile Number: (SMART)09999998777, (SUN)09328778053

  

 

Magnum Manila Review ~ Heaven Sent Dessert

What do you say to a Magnum Bar, with three (3) of your choice toppings, on a super hot afternoon? 

 

It was obviously a big YES (with a huge GRIN) for me and my boys. 

 

I have been wanting to try Magnum Manila's "make-your-own" ice cream bar, but the long queues is such a turn-off.  

 

We were back at SM Aura last week, and the queues were not as long ~ Yipee!

 

 

 A DIY Magnum Bar cost P100. 

 

 

 

After paying, a crew takes in your choices of three (3) toppings...

 

(Tip: There are so many toppings to choose from, if you are not certain, get the toppings labelled "best seller")

 

 

 

 You  would be asked, whether you want a vanilla or a chocolate bar; and preference of chocolate coating: dark chocolate, white chocolate or milk chocolate.  

 

 

The ice cream bar is dipped into the chocolate coating and the toppings are then sprinkled to the ice cream bar, and "tada", the bestEST Magnum Bar ever!!!

 

 

 

 My choice: vanilla ice cream, dipped in dark chocolate with almonds, marsh mallow and choco dots for toppings. 

 

 

My boy is so proud of his own ice cream creation. 

 

I guess we will be back again soon (hopefully without queues)!

 

 

 

Magnum Manila is located at the 5F Skypark, SM Aura

Check out their facebook page for details: Magnum Manila

 

 

NBA Cafe Review ~ Boys Day Out

If you have boys (and a husband :P) who are so into basketball,  you should consider dining at the NBA café at SM Aura, BGC Taguig. 

 

 

 

 

The huge NBA logo at the store front, was quite successful and attracting my kiddos' attention.  The crew invited us in and my kids were all eyes, on the NBA theming of the place ~ furnishing and decorations.

  

There are television monitors, everywhere you look, tuned to obviously the NBA channel.   

 

We came in at 11:30, with only a handful of people eating, but

I can imagine this place full of fans cheering their teams on at playoffs and finals. 

 

 

Just look at these NBA jerseys, such an eye-candy for my baseball stars wannabes.

 

 Do you see the main monitor at the background? It is humongous! 

 

And don't fear missing anything important as you excuse yourself to the bathroom, they have built in audio inside the restroom to make sure you are completely updated with the game.

 

 

We ordered cheese burgers, creamy macaroni and cheese and creamy spinach, white bean and artichoke dip. 

 

 

 The cheese burger plate ~ P 385. 

 

Topped with Gruyere cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles  cheese burger is heavy, my husband and my eldest had their fill and felt full even after dinner time. They said they should have ordered just one for sharing.

 

 

The creamy macaroni and cheese ~ P375.

 

I shared a bowl of macaroni and cheese with my youngest.  The sauce thickens as the meal cools. 

 

Creamy spinach, white bean and artichoke for appetizer ~ P195.

 

The appetizer came with very few chips that we had to get more chips for an additional P60.

 

 

VERDICT

• NBA café is perfect for a day out with your boys.  It is wonderful concept for basketball fans.  
• Our orders were good, but not spectacular.  

 

Are we coming back?  

With boys who are so into basketball, I am guessing Yes! 

 

 

NBA Café Manila is located at the 5th floor, Skypark, SM Aura Premier Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Telephone Number: 63-2-556-1683.

 

 

Check out their website for more details: http://www.nba.com/nbacafe/about.html

 

 

 

 

Hap Chan Antipolo

 

I love Chinese cuisine and was all too happy to know, that one of my favorite Chinese restaurants, Hap Chan has recently opened a branch at Robinson's Antipolo.

 

 

The restaurant is located at the mall's Al fresco ground floor area. It was small, but still inviting and cozy.

 

Me and my girls :P

  

We ordered: pork and shrimp siomai, hakaw, birthday noodles, spicy squids, lechon macau and yangchow

(what? we were hungry!).

 

 

 

The food were expectedly delicious and filling.  

 

 

View Park Hotel's Red Lemon Grill and Adam's Cafe

Are you in search of tummy filling alternatives to your usual Tagaytay staple native restaurants? 

We came to know of View Park Hotel's Red Lemon Grill by accident as we were traversing Tagaytay-Calamba Road from 8 Suites, which was our Tagaytay home for the weekend.  


Red Lemon Grill is a modest restaurant operated by View Park Hotel.   The restaurant serves fusion Italian and Asian meals. 

Indoor sitting capacity is limited with added few outdoor benches for guests who would rather enjoy the Tagaytay's weather out in the open.


We were there on a Saturday night dinner.  And we were delighted to learn that they have an acoustic band that starts playing around 7pm.


We had chopsuey, calamares, lechon kawali (sorry, I forgot the name of the food my eldest ordered).  Everything was delicious.  Servings was hefty, yet well within budget. 

Their special chopsuey and melt in your mouth lechon kawali are highly recommended.

 We ended dinner  with brewed coffee, from Red Lemon Grill's adjoining coffee shop ~ Adam's Café.

Adam's brewed coffee was perfect against the chilling Tagaytay weather. 

VERDICT 

• Thumbs up for Red Lemon Grill and Adam's Café.
• Everything we ordered tasted great and price was about half the costs compared to other nearby restaurants.
• Coffee was also excellent.  I recommend Adam's Café as an easy alternative to the always full packed Bag of Beans.
• Unfortunately, the restaurant has no view of the famous Taal Volcano. But that was okay, since our accommodation at 8 Suites already has a majestic view of Taal. 

Red Lemon Grill and Adam's Café  are located at

3500 Calamba Road, Sungay East, Tagaytay City

phone number: 584-4090

email address: inquiry@viewparkhotel.com

For additional inquiries you may also check View Park Hotel's website at www.viewparkhotel.com.

Senorita Cafe at Robinson's Antipolo

Let us just say, me and hubby enjoys having coffee to end our meals.  Unfortunately, Robinson's Antipolo, having just opened recently has very few food outlets available to choose from.

Located at the Robinson's Antipolo ground floor is Senorita Café.  It is a small coffee shop serving real affordable and surprising delicious pastries. 

Senorita is semi-self service.

You have an option to select through their wide selection of pastry spread, (which slightly reminded me of a tea/coffee buffet served at New World Hotel in Makati) or by placing your order at the cashier.

I had so much fun at the pastry spread table, I think I over ordered!

We had cheese cake, tarts and brewed coffee for less than P250.

Oh, what sweet temptations!

    

Ordering Food Online? Let FoodPanda help you!

 
PROBLEM I was swamped with month-end cut offs and it was nearing lunchtime.  I hate lunch crowds and I really have so many things to do, so lunch-out was obviously out of the question.

 

MY SOLUTION Order food online.  I chanced upon FoodPanda.com, through MommyBloggersPhilippines.com. I was immediately  drawn to its "Food On the Go" tagline. Tap, choose and enjoy from the many restaurants in your neighborhood. Is it really that easy?



TAP

 

A link led me to the foodpanda website

It was good to know that foodpanda is affiliated with trusted brand hellofood and delivery club, which are active online food delivery services in over 40 countries in 5 continents  

You would be asked to key in your location and you would be shown a list of restaurants serving your area.  

I was a bit dissapointed that they only service major cities.
I wish they expand and cover the Greater Manila Area as well.


CHOOSE
Now this was the most difficult part in the entire ordering process. For Makati area alone, they have about 58 restaurants, so it took me a while to decide.  

I finally ended with HongKong Noodles and Dimsum House.   I ordered hakao, salt and pepper squid with yangchow , bola-bola siopao and soda in can.  I knew that was a bit too much, but minimum order for a Free Delivery for HongKong Noodles is at least P300. 00.  I figured, I will just keep the siopao for merienda later. 


I noticed that some restaurants does not require minimum order, while others have fixed delivery charges of P30+.  

You can pay your order, online as well or upon delivery, which was so convenient.

Soon after I proceeded to check-out, foodpanda called and confirmed my order.  Oh I must commend the caller, as she was so pleasant to talk to.  

ENJOY
My food came less than an hour later and I was happy with the smooth and efficient service. The delivery boy was even smiling when I came down the lobby to pick up my food. 

Food was still warm and nicely packed - it won't get easily spill or tip over.  Also I was a little worried that they might miss out on the condiments while packing.  But was happy, since all that I needed was in the bag (lots of tissue and there was even an extra pair of disposable spoon and fork).
 
 

 

 
BTW, I was right that I over ordered, servings was hefty and good enough for 2 adults.  At P300+ my order is a lot.  My hakao and siopao both ended up as for later :P

VERDICT
I have had such a good exerience, that now, everytime somebody suggests for food delivery, I can't help but recommend ordering through foodpanda. 


For hassle free food delivery foodpanda is highly recommended.

Here is an easy guide to ordering from FoodPanda:

 
Aside from online or from the mobile application, via AppStore, WindowsPhoneStore or Google Play.