Lōla Cafe + Bar

It's quite a surprise I was took here one night for our dinner date, THANK YOU. As frequent food trippers of Tomas Morato, he must have eyed on this restaurant when we once dined at its neighboorhood Buenissimo by Cafe Ysabel. 

Lōla Cafe + Bar is a safe haven surrounded by lush greenery amidst the hustle and bustle of Tomas Morato. This post-WWII-ancestral-house-turned-resto was named after the house owner and mother of the Sanvictores family. 

So, here's our experience and what we had:

Veggie Hummus
eggplant hummus served with pita bread
(Php 150 + 10% service charge)

Herbed pita bread was very crispy.

Mixed Seafood Stew
fish, shrimp, mussel slow cooked basil tomato sauce
(Php 300 + 10% service charge)

Tapa Benedicts

two-piece English muffin with beef tapa, caramelized onion,
poached egg and drizzled with Hollandaise dressing

(Php 350 + 10% service charge)

Their famous Filipinized version of egg Benedicts, the tapa was tender and flavorfully sweet. The Hollandaise dressing was creamy.  

Cocktails: Sao Paolo
whiskey, vodka, bellpepper, apple, lychee syrup
(Php 195 + 10% service charge)

Mocktails: Rio
mint leave, grapefruit, and soda(Php 120 + 10% service charge)

Refreshing drinks on cute mason jars. 

PROS:

• A very homey hangout place for family/friends and an ideal restaurant for intimate date nights. 
• An impressive two storey place with an alfresco dining space. The white-black-gray interior from inside-out made it look modern, chic and cozy leaving no traces that it was used to be an post WWII ancestral house. 
• Enjoyed their mocktails & cocktails. Their presentation of food and drinks are a treat in the senses.
• Nice staffs.

CONS:

• We didn't enjoy what we ordered. Maybe, we should've tried their pastas as what the people in the social media were giving praises about.

THE VERDICT: ★ ★ ★ 

I'd definitely commend everything about the place but the taste of the food. I'm slightly curious on what I've missed out on their pastas though. Hence, I might think twice before going back at the restaurant again. 

P.S. Already tried this restaurant? Feel free to share your experience and recommend a dish on the comment section! Thank you! xoxo

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Lōla Cafe + Bar

99 Scout Lozano, Near Tomas Morato, 
Laging Handa, Quezon City

Operating Hrs: 

Sunday, Tues. to Thurs. - 3pm to 11pm
Fri to Sat. 3pm to 1am

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El Chupacabra

I'M BACK! Wow! It's been ages since I last updated my blog.*sigh* I never knew I'd missed blogging this MUCH. It felt like reuniting with a lover after being in a long distance relationship (LDR) for 3 months. So enough with the emo stuffs and here's my comeback post.

Since last year,  El Chupacabra is making a huge buzz to the foodie community and was hailed as the hottest street tacos hang-out place in Makati. Thus, summer this year, I organized a girls night out with my friends (A & K) and chose El Chupacabra to finally scratch it off my hit list and satisfy my curious tastebuds. 

El Chupacabra means sucker (chupa) + goat (cabra) is a fabled creature that sucks blood out of livestock, especially goats. As for their menu, it prides itself with an authentic Mexican street tacos, cheap beer and barbeque. 

Luckily, we got a seat inside. The red light gives off an uncomfy feel though.

As you can see, you can doodle and freely write all your 
whatevers on their walls. 

So, here's our experience and what we had:

Carne Asada 
Grilled Steak
(Php 95)

Al Pastor
Shawarma-style, chile marinated pork, very popular in Mexico
(Php 95)

Baja California Fish Taco
White fish fillet (not cream dory) topped with shredded cabbage,
tomatoes, and a secret sauce
(Php 125)

Grilled Boneless Chicken Skewers 
(Php 50/piece)

This is a BIG HIT for me!

Taco Quesadilla Cheese Garlic
(Php 218)

PROS:

• I am a HUGE Mexican food lover. As for our experience, we liked everything we ordered but the Al Pastor, Cheese Garlic Quesadilla, esp the Grilled Boneless Chicken Skewers definitely stood out. UH-YUMMYYY!
• They have a wide selection of street tacos and each has their own distinct flavor.
• Definitely lived up to their promise of authentic Mexican street food at  a very reasonable price. 

CONS:

• This is our huge disappointment, the uncleanliness of the place even on prep of the food. El Chupacabra prepares orders on an open kitchen so customers can easily scrutinize how the foods were prepared. We're almost done eating when we saw the cook accidentally dropped the tortilla BUT STILL placed it back to the pile of clean tortillas. 
• It would have been a good hang-out place if the area can accommodate enough people to resolve long line of waiting customers.

THE VERDICT: ★ ★ ★ 

I would have given this place 4 stars because I loved the food here, authentic Mexican street food and affordable. It's just that what we have witnessed was a HUGE TURN OFF. 

P.S. Already tried this restaurant? Feel free to share your experience and recommend a dish on the comment section! Thank you! xoxo

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El Chupacabra

5782 Felipe St. cor. Polaris St. Makati City
Operating Hrs: 
Sun to Wed - 11 am to 12mn, 
Thurs to Sat - 11am to 3am

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Torch Bar and Restaurant

We usually came across Torch Bar and Restaurant going to Greenhills but I never really had the chance to visit it. Finally, a second branch opened at the UP Town Center,  I felt that urge to really try it that time. THANK YOU for taking me here! xoxo

So, here's our experience and what we had:

Truffle Fries
Crispy potato fries tossed in truffle oil and served with their Peppermill dressing
(Php 234.95 + 10% service charge)

For starters, we had this one out of my curiosity. But, it gave us disappointment... it has the truffle smell but the truffle flavor is non-existent plus it's very oily.   

We were so eager to try 2 of their bestsellers (Peppermill's Signature Roll & Volcano Roll), however, it was already out of stock that night. So, we had these as alternatives.

Smoked Jabañero Glazed Salmon

served with Unagi citrus sauce, mango salsa, and garlic parsley 
(Php 384.95 + 10% service charge)

A dish for healthy eaters. We're big salmon lovers and this is a thumbs up for us. 

Philly Cheese Steak 
Classic Philly cheese steak  sandwich filling on a fresh, oven-baked,
thin crust topped with mozzarella and cream cheese.
(Php 349.95 + 10% service charge)

A thin crust pizza loaded with toppings and even have my favorite cheeses in it, so, I commend this one. 

PROS:

• The place is patronized by a lot of diners and best to come with family or a group.
• The interior is simple and elegant. 
• I am not a fan of restaurants which are into fusion cuisines but I commend the food here. They are nicely presented and have fine selections. Plus, you can order alcohol and teas. 

CONS:

• None that I've observed.

THE VERDICT: ★ ★ ★ 

Overall, I like the place. I could come back here or try the Greenhills branch (for a more barkada night-out vibe) with friends. For next time, I would definitely try their Beef Salpicao Medallion,  Peppermill's Signature Roll & Volcano Roll.

P.S. Already tried this restaurant? Feel free to share your experience and recommend a dish on the comment section! Thank you! xoxo

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Torch Bar and Restaurant
Ground Flr, UP Town Center
Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City


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The Iscreamist

For years, I've always been so curious with The Iscreamist and the "science" thingy going on their desserts. So, I don't know why it took me ages to visit the place when I'm just been studying around the area when I was in college. Well... probably I just had waited someone to take me or invite me here... & that what actually happened. To that person who traveled from South to North, THANK YOU for visiting the place with me.

So here's our experience and what we ordered:

Dragon's Breath S'mores

Their ever famous! We decided to really just try this one out... for fun sake. We were instructed to dip the S'mores in the liquid nitrogen for about 7-10 seconds and eat it immediately. The warnings about the nitrogen liquid posted on the the walls of the restau gives me a scare though. HAHA! 

  

PROS:

• In terms of the food quality, you may find the nitrogenized products too bland because the nitrogen liquid tends to make the food bland and frozen but I definitely love the witty idea on their nitrogenized desserts... very unique, interesting and fun.
• Affordable desserts.

CONS:

• The place is very small so you have to wait for several minutes before you can have a seat... as for us we waited for almost 15 mins. 
• Another issue I'd like to raise is that I wish their staffs would be attentive with cleaning and organizing tables & chairs as soon as a customer is done. Unfortunately, the only staffs I felt existent was the two guys, one preparing the desserts and the other in the cash register. 
• Parking space was really tough.

THE VERDICT: ★ ★ ★ 

This is a dessert place with a lot of potential, however, I think there is lack of willingness to develop it even more. I hope at the very least expand the place or train their staffs even more. Nevertheless, I will still give this place another chance and try their other desserts.

P.S. Already tried this restaurant? Feel free to share your experience and recommend a dish on the comment section! Thank you! xoxo

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The Iscreamist

46D Magiting Street, 

Teacher's Village, Quezon City

Monday to Sunday : 1:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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Dulcelin Gourmet

We have tried most, if not all, of the best food trip places around Katipunan area way back our college days. So upon knowing this newly built UP Town Center got a lot of NEW restaurants to explore, tickled our taste buds and ended up visiting... *drum rolls* DULCELIN GOURMET.

I have read somewhere that this restaurant is owned by Ricky & Mico Morelos and finally, got to open their first branch.

So, here’s our personal experience and what we had:

Callebaut Chocolate Ganache Cake
premium Belgian chocolate icing, chocolate mousse center, 
sprinkled with almonds
(Php 165 + 10% service charge)

For all the chocolate lovers out there, this definitely a must try. I have a superlative love for Belgian chocolates so this is something that will make me comeback for more. The cake is moist and the chocolate mousse center is very thick, rich and flavorful. Everything compliments well and it is such a delight to eat.  

Pulled Pork Sandwich 
pulled real hickory wood smoked pork & caramelized onions
drizzled with barbeque sauce in Ciabatta bun
(Php 199 + 10% service charge)

According to my friend, the meat is chewy but it is just okay nothing extraordinary came out of this. 

THE VERDICT: ★ ★ ★ 

I would definitely comeback here for their desserts and try their famous Mango Torte.The place is very plain but very spacious and the staffs also offer a good service. As for their other dishes, maybe I will give it chance as I read that their Red Rice Shisho Duo, Pork Inasal with Lechon Skins, Wagyu TriTip, Short Ribs are recommended.

P.S. Already tried this restaurant? Feel free to share your experience and recommend a dish on the comment section! Thank you! xoxo

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Dulcelin Gourmet

2nd Level, U.P. Town Center

Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

Mon - Fri 11:00am to 10:00pm 
Sat - Sun 11:00am to 11:00pm

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