Food Trip at Robinsons Place Antipolo [World Food Tour Without Passport]

Over the weekend, I was invited to join a Bloggers Food Trip wherein we visited different restaurants at Robinsons Place Antipolo.  If you have poked around my blog a bit, you would know that I am currently doing my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series in which I feature those I deem as the best restaurants in Antipolo City.

With that in mind, I am grateful and humbled to be part of the bloggers’ activity at Robinsons Antipolo because truth be told, some of the best places to eat when in Antipolo is housed within the confines of this amazing mall. Also, this Antipolo Food Tour we had courtesy of Robinsons Malls is just like a World Food Tour without Passport. How? I promise, I will get to that.

A lot has been said and written online about Robinsons Place Antipolo since it opened its door to the public. For someone who resides in the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines - upper and rather secluded Antipolo area if I might add - Robinsons Antipolo is a prayer answered. We do not have much big malls around here, thanks to Robinsons Malls for providing us that.

Cafe Esse: Coffee, Waffle, Good Vibes, and Then Some

I am writing this blog post about Cafe Esse in Antipolo on a fly because it felt like I have been living under the rock these days being caught up doing things not related to bogging - or writing, in general. My presence here on the blog is getting less frequent much as I don't want to because well, you know, life.

But I don't want the thought of being a cave woman away from the world wide web to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Hence, trust that I am doing my best here. I've way too many blog posts to share in due course, mostly about travel and of course, food. But for now, let's give this one a go.

Cafe Esse it is - to supplement my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series.

I would like to say that it was like love at first sight but that sounds too cheesy. And I've no right no be cheesy since there will be a Double Cheese Waffle somewhere in this post as we go along.

So lets avoid being cheesy and settle to the "It's like meeting an old friend, but not really." A tad shady for an opening description but I think I'm cool with that.

Sons of Burger, Kick Ass Gourmet Burgers You Will Swoon For

This article about Sons of Burger in Antipolo City was originally published at the maiden issue of a new food magazine, Flavours & Senses Magazine under the publisher Ocular Media Publications Group. I am thankful that our amazing Editor-In-Chief Dianne Dominique Ting gave me the liberty to share this new restaurant in Antipolo City, one of the places close to my heart.

I am more than enthusiastic to share this piece here on YedyLicious not just because of the Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series I am currently running, but also because this kick ass burger joint is well worth a space here.

This piece was published around October of this year which means this particular visit happened months back. I am confident that there are some new additional items on the menu, so it is set on stone that I will be coming back to Sons of Burger and once again share my experience here. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy reading this.

Giligan's Restaurant, Mille Luce The Village Center Antipolo: Unlimited Rice Meals, Cold Beer, and The Best Sisig

Giligan's Restaurant located at the new complex of Mille Luce's The Village Center in Antipolo City is one of the newest restaurants that popped in this year in town. Giligan's which has several branches in Manila is best known for their Sisig which makes them the best place for after work beer session aside from being just a dine-in restaurant.

I have been to Giligan's other branches in Manila before as most of my friends including myself are fan of their Sisig paired with ice cold beer. Since I am doing my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series, I didn't mind a visit for a decent meal instead of just popping bottles of beer.

The visit happened this evening when my father suddenly made a right turn to The Village Center on our way home. We were expecting a nice dinner at home but no one complained when the suggestion to check out Giligan's first popped in.

P125 Eat-All-You-Can Buffet at Mom's Pot Restaurant [Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series]

Mom's Pot Restaurant is one of those that offers really affordable eat-all-you-can buffet in Antipolo City. Yes, we have quite a few buffet restaurants here that offers Php100+ buffet rate. Mom's Pot Restaurant located along M.L. Quezon extension was my first brush with these affordable eats. It was formerly known as My Pot Restaurant but with their recent relocation comes with a changed in name.

At first, I was a bit hesitant to try it out because really, what can you expect from a Php125 buffet restaurant?

But then I was always curious. Every time I passed by Mom's Pot, the place was always full and parking area was never empty either. So I figured I should give this one a shot. After all, I am still working on my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series. 

The Little House of Cheesecakes and More [Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series]

I chanced upon Little House of Cheesecakes and More in Antipolo City while I was working on a write up for one of the food magazines I am writing for. Situated at the new commercial complex that boasts of new restaurants and food stores near Ynares Center in Antipolo, The Little House of Cheesecakes is not really hard to locate.

The name may imply that the store sells different kinds of cheesecakes you could ever imagine. I myself, was under that impression. Yet, my visit opened my eyes to this wonderful little world of well yes, cheesecakes - and then some. That includes one of my most favorite things in the world - books.

I notice that there is a sudden wave of new restaurants opening in Antipolo City and as a blogger, it really makes me happy. So, in continuing with my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series for YedyLicious, let us talk about The Little House of Cheesecakes and More (LHCM).

Not Just Meat Restaurant in Antipolo City [Antipolo Food Trip Series]

Not Just Meat is a new restaurant in Antipolo City (Rizal Province) which I happen to visit for my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series. Located near Transfiguration of Christ Chapel and Maia Alta Subdivision, Not Just Meat is an addition to few restaurants located at the upper part of town as most are located at either Antipolo town proper or along Sumulong Highway also known as the overlooking part of Antipolo City.

When I first heard of its name, I was under the impression that they specializes in different dishes with emphasis on vegetables - because well, the name is a statement in itself - not just meat.  Turns out, they do have a different story.

Not Just Meat used to be just a meat shop before they branched out into a dine in restaurant / snack bar. Given the area they occupy, patrons who buys meat products from them would always ask if they serve cooked food aside from their frozen meat products. After a while, the owners decided to expand their meat shop and serve meals using their products. Hence the name - Not Just Meat.

Hap Chan Restaurant in Antipolo City [Antipolo Food Trip Series]

Hap Chan Restaurant located along Circumferential Road in Antipolo City is one of the few Chinese Restaurants in the area. Few being the operative word since majority of the restaurants in Antipolo is either Filipino or anything else not Chinese. For someone who loves Chinese food such as myself, it can be disheartening. Good thing though that there is Hap Chan Restaurant, one of the famous Chinese restaurant chains in the country.

There are two Hap Chan branches in Antipolo, the other one is located at the new Robinson's Place along Sumulong Highway. But the branch my parents swear by is the one along Circumferential since it is the one they frequent to especially when having our car checked at Goodyear Servitek located just in front of the restaurant.

While I have attended a family gathering held at Hap Chan Antipolo way back, I have not really dined in there as a customer ever since I moved back in Antipolo. But I know some people aside from my parents who are pretty much happy dining at this branch hence, I know I should visit sometime soon. 

Kapitbahay Filipino Restaurant in Antipolo City [Antipolo Food Trip Series]

Kapitbahay Filipino Cuisine is one of the new restaurants in Antipolo City I recently visited and decided fit for my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series. Located along M.L. Quezon Extension, Kapitbahay Restaurant is fairly easy to spot since it sat just right in Palm Square Building compound in front to Antipolo Doctors Hospital near Lores Country Plaza. It occupies the same space of the now defunct Goto King Antipolo Branch.

We always passed by this restaurant to and from Antipolo Town Proper and with its nice view of its interior made possible by its see through glass walls, I cannot help but be enticed. The name is a dead giveaway that it specializes in Filipino cuisine.

I have not fully exposed myself in my hometown's restaurant scene since I've come back here but one thing I noticed by far is that most of the locally owned restaurants mostly focuses on Filipino cuisine. I still have some Antipolo restaurants to write about and majority of it is Filipino restaurant. Safe course to take, but it only goes to show that locals love our very own which is not really a bad thing.

Roots and Herbs Coffee Shop: That Malunggay Coffee Frappé! [Antipolo Food Trip Series]

Located just by the entrance of Mission Hills Subdivision in Antipolo City, Roots and Herbs Coffee is the nearest coffee shop in my house. Most Restaurants and Coffee Shops in Antipolo City are located either at the Sumulong Highway overlooking area or in Antipolo Town Proper (or Bayan, as locals call it). Rarely can one encounter commercial food establishments operating in the upper part of the town. 

Roots and Herbs Coffee Shop which boasts of serving healthy good quality coffee and dishes is one of the few.

I first heard of Roots and Herbs Coffee when I was still living in Manila. They have a branch somewhere in Quezon City and some of my friends swear by the goodness of their frappe including the interesting Malunggay/Moringa Frappé. I never really had a chance to visit any of their branch in Manila. Little did I know, the opportunity will present itself when I'm already here in Antipolo.

Marison's Filipino Restaurant in Antipolo City [Antipolo Food Trip Series]

I was not really planning to visit Marison’s Restaurant in Antipolo that day.  Not that particular day at least. The original plan was to check out the coffee shop near home after some grocery shopping at the newly opened Rustan’s Supermarket at The Village Center. After all, we just had a lunch at home.

I was dead set on just getting my caffeine fix until my mother blurted out that she’s craving for Kare-Kare. I can’t really say No to my mother’s craving since such things rarely happen. I was thinking of restaurant nearby I know that serves the dish when my father reminded me of Marison’s, located on the second floor of The Village Center.

Since it’s advertised as a Filipino restaurant, it would be impossible that they don’t serve Kare-Kare so headed upstairs after loading our grocery bags in the car. True enough, the menu board standing by the entrance of Marison’s shows several Filipino dishes including the dish we’d hoped to find.

Khayil Bakeshop and Café Restaurant in Antipolo City [Antipolo Food Trip Series]

I’m on a roll with my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series wherein I write about Restaurants, Cafes, and Food Places in Antipolo City (Rizal Province) that piqued my interest.  This time it’s all about Khayil Bakeshop and Café. Located along Circumferential Road, Khayil started as a specialty bakeshop that offers gourmet cupcakes, cinnabons, and customized cakes until they expanded into a restaurant café.

Their original shop was located along M.L. Quezon Extension in front of the now defunct Puregold JR at Mille Luce Village Town Center, (replaced by the newly opened Rustan’s Supermarket Antipolo.)  From their small shop, Khayil Bakeshop and Café garnered several patrons who love their products. 

While it is safe to say that continuous patronage of people prompted Khayil for an expansion, the reason, I learned, was way beyond their will to prosper.  That’s what makes Khayil dear to me.