Manna Korea Garden

This time we tried Manna Korea Garden this is located near Min Sok Restaurant. Its also another 'hole-in-the-wall" Korean restaurant.

What I like about discovering hole-in-the-wall restaurants, it makes your trip worth it. Most often the owners personally assist you. The one seen on the photo is actually the owner. She speaks little English, but she smiles and smiles as she nods her head.

I can't remember the names of the dishes we ordered. Aside from the fact the menu was in Korean, I just let my friends to do the ordering since I was sooo hungry already at that time.  Again, thankful to their refillable appetizers, it was served fast. 

What I find interesting about Korean cuisine is it has a lot of condiments / side dish then the idea of cooking your own meats. In that way, you don't have to blame the chef of cooking your meat too long or too raw.  Though this becomes a disadvantage if you are already hungry, seeing your food cook in front of you makes the cooking longer than you think. hee hee. Overall, I still love the idea.

Manna Korea Garden is located at 5650 Don Pedro Street, Makati City. Tel Nos (63-2) 897.8552, (63-2) 897.6799, (63-917) 525.6150. To get there, from Rockwell Powerplant's main street, turn right to Kalayaan. From Kalayaan, turn right on Don Pedro Street. The landmark of knowing which Don Pedro Street is when you see Ministop store. (Its after Grilla restaurant. If you reached the traffic light, you've passed it already). From Don Pedro Street, go straight until you see Manna Garden signage on your left.

Min Sok Restaurant

We discovered Min Sok Restaurant when I was craving for Korean food. I just googled on the net which Korean resto to go to around Makati. With the knowledge that there are a lot of Korean restos around P.Burgos / Makati Avenue area, we picked Min Sok.  It was even challenging to reach this place. Definitely a hole-in-a-wall restaurant!

A typical me when I visit an unfamiliar cuisine, I ask what the locals eat. The waitress recommended to us Bossam Jeiongsik and a noodle Nakji Myeon. When our orders came -- Whoa! the Bossam Jeiongsik  was a big serving. All the small bites (appetizers) are even refillable, even the veggies but am not sure about the pork. Even the soup was included.  We noticed in 2 other tables, this is the only thing they ordered plus beer.  

For the Nakji Myeon noodle order, the spicy level of it was just too much for us. Recommended only for high-level spicy taste buds.

A plus for this place is the Korean owner personally showed us how to go about in mixing and eating the food.  Basically get the leafy veggie, add in the pork, the paste, and any of the small dishes. Wrap it like a bun, then bite.

I enjoyed experimenting, for every leaf,  mixing and matching.  Each taste would come out differently combining the spices and the small bites. I realized the paste makes up for everything.

Minsok Restuarant is located at 5655 Don Pedro 23 Street corner Jacobo Street, Poblacion Makati. Tel No: (632) 895.95.86. Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm.  To get there, from Rockwell Powerplant's main street, turn right to Kalayaan. From Kalayaan, turn right on Don Pedro Street. The landmark of knowing which Don Pedro street is, when you see Ministop store. (Its after Grilla restaurant. If you reached the traffic light, you've passed it already). From Don Pedro Street, go straight until you see Min Sok signage. The Min Sok is located at the corner.

BO's Coffee

BOs Coffee originated in Cebu, Philippines. I like hanging around their shops since its usually not crowded. I also find their coffee good and knowing that they source their beans locally, I would like to support it.   

I like the idea that if you dine in, they serve your coffee in mugs. Less trash.  They also serve breakfast-all-day meals and I find the price reasonable.  Plus, the shop  provides free wifi access and free use of their electrical outlet without electrical charge. 


I usually go to their Newport City branch. They even have a meeting room that you can rent with 10 to 20 pax sitting capacity. If I am not mistaken, Newport City branch is open 24-hours or closes early AM.   

Oh they have the best mango cake! Its light, not too sweet and can taste the mango.  I can eat 2 slices in 1-sitting. Though this is not available all-year-round. One thing I noticed about BOs coffee, their desserts changes. I assume its because of the season.

This year, they are turning 15 years with 50 stores located nationwide. They also launched Bo's Coffee 15 and 50 promo. The promo runs every Tuesday and Thursday until July 21, 2011.  From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (Php15.00 for brewed coffee);  From 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm and 12 mn to 4 am (Php50.00 for all Froccino flavors). 

Love your country, support Philippine business!

You can follow them in facebook http://www.facebook.com/boscoffeeclub and subscribe in their blogs http://blog.boscoffee.com. To check their official website, visit  http://www.boscoffee.com. For inquiries, you can email them inquiries@boscoffee.com

The Cake Planet and Cafe

The Cake Planet and Cafe is a small establishment located inside our subdivision - Better Living.  Looking at it from the outside, its just another coffee shop.  There are a lot of coffee shops inside our village,  I have tried dining to at least 5 coffee shops inside Better Living, I can personally say this is the BEST so far.  The BEST in terms of dessert and coffee.  

What made me try this Cafe is because of their sign "SERVING LAVAZZA COFFEE".  I just love Lavazza Italian coffee. We got to chat with the owner when we were there. He said their coffee maker is one-of-the-few who uses that type of coffee machine. I just love their Frappes. So far I have tried 3: The one with Java chips, white chocolate and mocha. All I highly recommend! :-)

From the love of drinking Lavazza coffee to trying their desserts, this totally changed the "just another coffee shop - mentality" to being a regular customer and even to the point, craving for their cakes.  yum! yum!

The photo shown above is a must-try. They call it Mango Empress (Php140/slice). You won't find this at their dessert window display, since it has to be kept in a freezer.  This is a thicker type of mango torte.  With nuts, chewy meringue crust, and cream. 

For those who wants to indulge in desserts, must-try are: Turtle Pie (Php100/slice), Banoffee Pie, and Macademia Sansrival (Php150/slice).  I am not a chocolate lover, but I enjoyed the taste of the Turtle Pie and to me, its not too sweet. On cheesecake, I have tried the blueberry and white chocolate cheesecake, I think this isn't their specialty.

We learned that they create and make their own cakes, they even supply for other coffee shops and restaurants.  That's why you can order whole cakes by dropping by their store or order in advance to make sure, they have it ready.

They also serve pasta, cookies and sandwiches.  Pasta prices ranges from Php180 to Php250. Cake slices ranges from Php90 to Php150.00. Free WIFI access. Plugging on their electrical outlet has a fee of Php30/hour.

Absolutely a place for sweet lovers who wants to indulge on desserts and coffee!

The Cake Planet and Cafe is located at #91 Dona Soledad Avenue, Better Living Subdivision, Paranaque. Opens daily. Mon to Sat: 1:00 pm to 1:00 am. Sun: 4:00 pm to 11 pm. (In front of Sinangag Express / Boheur / Sieg Restaurant.  There is a PNB-Bicutan branch beside their cafe.). For orders: (632) 621.28.57 or (63915) 449.31.19

Follow them in Facebook The Cake Planet and Cafe

Banoffi Pie

Mango Empress

Marcia Adams' Restaurant, Tagaytay

What makes Marcia Adams' restaurant different is its Tuscany-inspired theme. I have never been to Italy but the bright yellow-orange cement walls, old stones on cement walls, antique cement floor tiles, old-wooden furniture, stained glass windows, wooden door arches and surrounding wild garden made the place picturesque. As I verbally shared to the couple, in every corner of your restaurant, there is an artistic touch. 

The place is run by Neil and Marcia Adams.  Who were both very hospitable and chatty.  I came to know that Marcia is the one cooking and the one who made the flower arrangements. While Neil is the one who is well-versed with the plants & flowers in their garden. The furnitures they are using were also made from within. There is a carpentry shop in the garden. They use old furniture and create a new furniture. They produce on a by order basis.

I am impressed that from the gate entrance we were welcomed by one of their attendants and upon leaving we were accompanied to the gate by the couple themselves.  It gave me the warm-feeling that is like I visited a friend's house.

Even though, personally I think the food is just ok, its the relaxing ambiance especially the warm service by the couple made my dining experience delightful and unforgettable.  Its definitely a place to unwind, relax and bond with your loved ones.  Looking forward to their future expansion and making the restaurant a Bed and Breakfast venue.

Their menu prices ranges from Php700.00 to Php900.00. It includes appetizer, dessert and non-alcoholic drink.  Plus the 10% service charge.  Cash payment only.  Reservations is a must. Contact (63-917) 801.1456

How to get there:  Drive all the way to Tagaytay. Turn right at the Tagaytay Rotonda. Go all the way to Alfonso, Cavite. You will pass Petron, Mushroom Burger, Shell gas station, Total gas station. As you see Residence Inn on your left and the Tagaytay arch with Pineapples with the "Thank You Come Again” (turn right). 

You should see a sign leading to Ville Sommet and other signage there. On that street, look for stone wall with wooden gate (its on the left side of the road)  

Follow them in Facebook  Marcia Adams' Restaurant

Lan Zhou La Mien

Steamed Dumpling Beef Lamien

Chewy Junior Cream Puff

CHEWY JUNIOR is now in Greenbelt 3, Makati!! :-)

For those who are not familiar with Chewy Junior, it originated in Singapore (That's what I know).  I fell in love with this cream puff snack when I visited my sister in Singapore in 2009. There is a stall at the MRT near her place. You can smell the aroma of their baking and I always see people buying considering its S$1.00 per piece.  I initially tried 1 piece but I have to come back and buy more.  I would buy them in 3s, bring it home and eat 1 piece everyday. 

What makes this cream puff unique  among other cream puff I tried in my life is its crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside.  Then the bread is chewy inside and for me the cream filling is not that sweet compared to how it looks like.  I usually eat 2 pieces in one-sitting but worried of the calories it will give me if I eat more than 2  :-)  Yummy!

Prices: Php45.00 each. You can also buy in boxes. Box of 3s - Php119,00, Box of 6s - Php226, and 12s - Php439.

Aside from their branch in Greenbelt 3, Makati. They have branches in Trinoma, SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall and SM Cebu. Follow them in facebook. http://www.facebook.com/ChewyJrPhilippines

Lace Cookies

I discovered about Les Chocolateries lace cookies when I was house-sitting at my Aunt's house. The thinness and crispiness of the cookie makes you want to eat more and more.  When you bite it, there is something in the cookie, I couldn't tell if its oatmeal or coconut + the thin spread of chocolate, it just tastes sooo good.  I think I can eat half of the 300g in one-sitting. What more for chocolate lovers?

The Lace Cookies have 3 flavors: white, semi-sweet and dark.  There is a package that you can order all 3 flavors in 1 container. But the DARK is my favorite.  It comes in 2 types of containers: 300g  which costs around Php400+ and 600g at Php600+

If you haven't tried this, its highly recommendable!  Eat them cold. 

Les Chocolateries Lace Cookies is being sold at DON MERTO'S Deli Restaurant. Located at 118A, Upper Ground Floor, The North Wing, SM City, Cebu City.  Tel Nos. +63.32.236.29.34

Sze-Chuan House, Aloha Hotel

Dining at Sze-Chuan House, Aloha Hotel has been part of our childhood memories. I remember, every year we would eat here during the Holidays all because the owner of this establishment is my brother's Ninong.  This year we decided to dine here again to relive the memories plus my sister is here visiting from the US, and today is my birthday.  This time, as a paying customer - though they still gave us discount :-) 

It is from this restaurant where I discovered  about Sze Chuan shrimps and the Fried String Beans.  Which became my all-time-favorite. I even have this notion that they are the only one who can best cook these 2 viands. Well I think they are not the best, after being exposed to other Sze Chuan type of cooking, but I still use them as my benchmark. :-)

We also LOVE the silver roll  fried bread. Well its supposed to match with pork knuckles but we aren't fond of it, so we didn't order it anymore.

They are the chinese restaurant who have Small, Medium, Large servings in their menu. This is good for small or big diners. Our orders were all SMALL and it was just enough.

The photos shown are: Spinach Cream with Seafood Soup Php330, Stir Fried Beef Tenderloin (chinese style) Php250, Fried String Beans Php160, Stuffed Tofu with Brown Sauce Php180, Stir Fried Shrimp with Hot Pepper 240, Silver Roll - Fried Bread 75

Sze-Chuan House, Aloha Hotel is located along 2150 Roxas Boulevard cor Quirino Avenue, Malate, Manila.  Tel Nos +632.526.80.88.  http://www.alohahotel.net.ph

Ang Tunay Beef House

We always hear "Ang Tunay" from my Papa. Ang Tunay is actually his favorite eatery/tambayan in Binondo at which I have never been to. During his last few months alive, and up to the point he can't barely walk, he would still want to go and eat at Ang Tunay. So in memory of my Papa, one Sunday, we all went down to Binondo and had our lunch there.   

Per my experience, I couldn't see what he loves in that place. I guess its because its a typical chinese fast food in Binondo. Plus the good service being given to him (He has his own spot/table). Though I noticed they have a wide-range of menu. There are ready to eat meals which is displayed at the counter, then there are the "for order" meals posted on the menu board wall.

The waitress who always assists my Papa said my Papa always order the Pork Knuckles and the Pork Adobo.  The pork adobo really looks good. Was tempted to try it but we ordered a lot already.

After being exposed to "Ba Chang" all my life. I learned that day that there are different types of it. In Ang Tunay they have 2 types. Which is TAO CHANG (red string), recommended for non-pork eaters. The sticky rice is mixed either with beans or mushroom or chicken. And MA CHANG (yellow string) is sticky rice mixed with mushroom or pork.

With all our orders, the fish (Lapu-Lapu) is what I really like.  Though per my standards, I find the meals too oily which is common in chinese eateries, that's why drinking hot tea is a must.

This place is recommendable for people who wants to explore chinese day-to-day food.  Some of them, I can't even imagine trying.  

Shown in the photos are: Lapu-Lapu Php250, Kimachay Php55, Pork Ears Php80, Oyster Soup Php130, Pansit Misua Php130, Tofu (Mapu) Php55, Rice Php20, Ma Chang/Tao Chang Php65

Ang Tunay Beef House is open daily. Mon to Sat: 7:30 am to 9:00 pm. Sunday: 7:30 am to 2:00 pm. It is located at 825 Gandara Street, Sta Cruz, Manila. Tel No. +632.733.11.06