Lydia's Lechon Pasig Branch, Now Open!

Lydia's Lechon Restaurant's Pasig branch recently opened their newly relocated store with a notable facelift. Being one of the food brand close to my family's heart, a visit one weekend follow suit to check out the place and enjoy some new dishes on the menu as well as some of the all-time favorites. 

Just a couple of units away from its previous location as it is still housed in the same building, Lydia's Lechon Pasig branch still boasts of great service and food but this time, the ambiance is more welcoming and conducive to a festive meal time.

It was around 10 in the morning when we visited the restaurant - couple of minutes passed its opening for the day. The diners were minimal but after a brief moment, people started coming in - mostly in groups. It goes to show that the charm of Lydia's Lechon to its patrons is still palpable. 

I AM KIM Korean Restaurant, Estancia Mall at Capitol Commons Pasig City

Playful, bold, and genius - if I could sum up I AM KIM at Estancia Mall in Capitol Commons Pasig City in three words, that would be it. Specializing in Korean Stone Bowl Rice or popularly known as Bibimbap, I Am Kim is a brainchild of who in my opinion is one of the best chefs in Manila, Chef Him Uy de Baron of Nomama Ramen fame.

While the recent discontinuation of the ramen place threw a sense of despondency up in the air inhaled by Nomama Ramen aficionados, myself included - Chef Him's flair for translating his genius into palatable creations remains unabated. Case in point, I AM KIM. 

If it isn't your first brush with Chef Him's creations, the same enticing charm can be well expected with his offerings at I Am Kim. As for me, we will go back to the firsts three words of this write up - playful, bold, and genius. Now let me prove my point. 

Pomodoro Pizza in Kapitolyo, Pasig City

A guy, barely in his mid twenties, dishing out book recommendations with emphasis on Robert Kiyosaki’s craft was not something that I expected.  A taste of pizza and pasta at Pomodoro Pizza located in Kapitolyo, Pasig City was what I signed up for.

A glimpse of a humble side street osteria that aims to serve simple Italian fares without breaking the bank is on top of my itinerary. Yet, interesting conversation is a pleasant addition to the feast, more so, when it involves food and book authors that I also read. 

To be honest, I am not usually the type who would engage in a conversation while eating. I prefer exchange of words at the end of a feast.  I want to be in communion with my food, to savor it without interruption. To let the intricacies of flavor ingrain in my mind as it play in my palate – I am not the silent type, this is just how I remember food that I need to write.

But that afternoon was a different story.

RUB Ribs & BBQ

Seated at one corner of Rub Rbs & BBQ at Sct. Rallos St. Quezon City branch one busy weekend lunch service, thoughts came running through my head. First, I will finally get to try the much raved about Raki's BBQ Ribs and second, holy guacamole the place is so jam packed!

Another diner from the next table was seated so close to me I feared that if he popped in the ribs into his mouth and chew it, I could might as well spit the bone for him.

Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the picture.

Our visit happened prior to the opening of their newest branch at nearby Roces Ave. corner Sct. Tobias St., also in Quezon City. So, it is pretty understandable that people from the area who craves for ribs at RUB were still pointed to the same direction. Hence, I am not complaining. Also, a school of thought dictates that a restaurant crowded with people hankering for their specialty is always a good sign. Indeed, at RUB Ribs and BBQ, it was a good sign.

Black Olive Cerveceria at Capitol Commons, Pasig City

Black Olive Cerveceria is a new restaurant by Chef Carlos Miguel which is located at the Capitol Commons, a new foodie hub along Shaw Blvd. in Pasig City. It offers Mediterranean cuisine coupled with impressive line of beers, wines, and spirits in a relaxing ambiance conducive to having a great time over good food. 

Capitol Commons is slowly but surely becoming the favorite of foodies in Manila, with several food trucks and new restaurants up on its sleeve. Black Olive Cerveceria is one of those which should not be missed when visiting the area.

Some weeks ago, I along with some foodie friends visited Black Olive to meet Chef Carlos Miguel, the genius mind behind Draft Gastropub, Opus, Beso and Publiko and try his offerings served at Black Olive Cerveceria. It was a holiday season and there could not be more apt way to relax amidst the busy season than to feast on good food and great beers.