Applebee's Philippines New Menu: Serving Up Good Times!

Applebee's Grill and Bar Philippines recently launched its new menu straight from the US packed with new dishes including all-new local favorites. Applebee's has always been about encouraging their valued customers to celebrate everything - from small victories to the grandest milestones. Hence, their new brand promise, "Serving Up Good Times" is very much fitting.

That is why when it comes to celebrations spent at Applebee's are guaranteed to give you the best dining experience from great food to amazing service. 

I should know, I celebrated with them many times since they opened here in Manila. It is safe to say that I am a fan and I know some of you are too. 

Grissini Ristorante, Marikina City

There are a lot of restaurants and food parks in Marikina City but if you are craving for good Italian food, there is Grissini Ristorante along Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue that you might want to consider. Grissini offers delicious Italian cuisines with price tags that are not meant to burn a hole in one's pocket.

Breads are freshly made and baked everyday. So are the pizza dough which are hand-rolled on the spot once an order has been made. Fresh pasta noodles have spot on their menu alongside other Italian dishes. Garnishes, herbs, and some spices came fresh from their garden.

From where I am there aren't many Italian Restaurants. So, a trip to nearby Marikina City is always a good idea when hankering for Italian food made with care.

Unlimited All-You-Can-Eat Korean BBQ and More at GEN Korean BBQ House Manila

Eat-all-you-can Korean BBQ Restaurant Buffets in Manila are plenty but Korean food-loving Filipinos still can't get enough of it. Hence, the opening of Gen Korean BBQ House Manila located at the Seaside SM by the Bay is a welcome addition to the endless list of the best Korean restaurants we love. Who doesn't like feasting on unlimited Korean BBQ anyway?

Gen Korean BBQ House hails from California. It is so famous in the area that there is always long line of diners waiting for their turn to enjoy premium eat-all-you-can meats and seafood. Gen Korean BBQ House Manila is their first branch outside the US.

It was the Excello Restaurant Management Group composed of Raymund Magdaluyo, Leina Bolinas, and Marvin Agustin who brought Gen Korean BBQ House here in Manila, so all thanks to them we can get to experience the wonder that is Gen Korean. 

Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant: New and Old Favorites

We recently had lunch at Watami Japanese Restaurant’s Shangri-La branch to check out some of their new menu offerings and to enjoy some old favorites. I have a lot of favorite Japanese restaurants in Manila and one of them is Watami. Not only the food selections are always good at Watami, the price tags are also affordable – a feat so rare in Japanese restaurants that serves good quality food.

Currently, there are four Watami Japanese Restaurant branches here in the Philippines; SM Mall of Asia, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Uptown Mall BGC, and Greenbelt 2. 

It is not very often that I get to join my fellow food bloggers from our little group we fondly call The KTG, so this trip to Watami was a bit special. We all love Watami. Personally, you wouldn’t believe what mountains I had to move for this lunch, and it was worth it. 

Café Shibuya at SM Megamall

I visited Cafe Shibuya at SM Megamall recently and I have come into realization that after all these years, Cafe Shibuya is still one of those cafe restaurants that makes me giddy with happiness like a kid. It first captured my heart way back 2014 when I first visited their branch in Glorietta, and to this day, I am still fangirling over their delicious offerings.

Just the thought of having their amazing Shibuya Toasts coupled with Ghirardelli Frappe excites me to the core. While actually feasting on it - euphoria, man!

I am telling you, their is the kind of sugar rush I welcome warmly in my life. 

The Cheese Steak Shop and Fire Station Char Grilled Food Manila

The Cheese Steak Shop Manila has a new sister food concept named Fire Station Char Grilled Food. Unlike The Cheese Steak Shop, Fire Station is downright Asian and is specialized in well, as the name suggests char grilled food. But it's not just your run-of-the-mill char grilled food we are talking about here. I bet my name on it, it's all about flavorful and really good char grilled food. 

I had a wonderful staycation at Makati Diamond Residences recently (which blog post will be posted soon) with some of my Manila Food Bloggers friends (a.k.a. KTG Bloggers) and before heading home, some of us visited The Cheese Steak Shop in Makati to check out The Fire Station where it is also currently housed in. 

People behind Makati Diamond Residences fed us really well up to the last minute we were at their property. But being acquainted with a new food concept especially when it is under the umbrella of one of those people who we trust in Manila food landscape, is not something we could pass up. Bloated faces and all, we went there and feast to our hearts' content.

Ramen Nagi Robinsons Galleria

My recent visit to Ramen Nagi Manila Robinsons Galleria branch I deem was timely since it is officially ramen weather now. While there are several ramen restaurants that claim to be the most authentic and best ramen in Manila I only have few favorites I always go back to and one of them is Ramen Nagi. 

If the several branches that Ramen Nagi has already opened here in Manila is not a clear indication of success, then I don't know what is. It only goes to show that they are one of the most trusted in Manila restaurant scene when it comes to Japanese ramen. 

Robinsons Galleria is one of the malls I usually frequent to because of its proximity to where I reside. These days it is undergoing facelift on several spots and from what I heard, there are several new restaurants opening in the area. Now they already have Ramen Nagi.

Bigaw's Brick Oven Pizza, Lilac St. Marikina [Pizza, Pasta, and More!]

Just when you thought that you have already tried all the best restaurants along Lilac St. in Marikina City, there are relatively new players in the field that are well worth the visit. It is true that there several restaurants and even food parks sprouting all over Marikina these days but the food scene at the pioneer and famous foodie haven Lilac St. still deserve the attention,

One of these restaurants I am talking about is Bigaw’s Brick Oven Pizza that serves pizza, pasta, and a whole lot more.

I was recently introduced to Bigaw’s Pizza and to this day, I am still dreaming of having that amazing Kebab Pizza again. And that Baked Lasagna which flavor is as impressive as its hefty serving portion – still makes me salivate even at its mere thought.

J.CO Donuts and Coffee at SM East Ortigas & the New J.CO Premium Affogato Drinks

J.CO Donuts and Coffee Philippines recently opened their newest branch located in SM East Ortigas. J.Co Philippines is now on its fifth year here in the country and this new branch is said to be the 44th J.CO store. In line with this, J.CO also recently launched a new addition to their menu, the all-new premium J.CO Affogato Series.

The all-new premium Affogato drinks line up is perfect for the summer season. It is a perfectly delicious way to combat heat by enjoying the best of both worlds - coffee and ice cream. 

And J.CO as expected, goes beyond that. J.CO's Affogato Series isn't just confined between the goodness of ice cream and espresso. There is more to it, of course. Something I am enjoying immensely these days while lounging at their newest branch.

California Pizza Kitchen Philippines New Menu for 2017 #SeekTheUnique

CPK California Pizza Kitchen Philippines  recently launched its new menu for this year 2017 highlighting and staying true to California uniqueness, creativity, inventiveness, and ingenuity. Tagged with the phrase "Seek the Unique", CPK PH's new menu boasts of new line-up of pizzas, pastas, salads, and get this - rice meals!

Fervent requests to include rice meals on CPK's menu have been heard and answered. Now, not only we can enjoy the usual suspects of pizza and pasta at CPK, we can also celebrate our innate love for rice as well while dining at CPK.

Of course, just like all other grubs on the menu, the rice meals are not without the touch of intrinsic California identity known for California Pizza Kitchen. 

Brotzeit Philippines' Lunch and Kinder Menu

On the previous blog post wherein I share an easy recipe for spaetzle made from scratch, I mentioned how I consider the cheese spaetzle at Brotzeit as the best restaurant-bought spaetzle I have tried by far. Recently, I found myself in the company of some of my Manila food blogger friends once again at Brotzeit, enjoying their spaetzle, and then some.

Brotzeit has just launched their new lunch and kiddie menu offerings. Which I believe is a good reason to visit them even outside the happy hour.

If you are one of those who is under thee impression that Brotzeit is only good for those who loves to drink beer and eat sausages (I know some people who do, it's shocking and sad), you gotta believe me that they are so much more than that.

Puerto Princesa Palawan Food Trip: How I Stuffed My Face in 48 Hours

We got 48 hours and the goal was to stuff ourselves silly to full capacity as humanly possible. We were in Puerto Princesa Palawan armed with inflexible belief that we got legit reason to throw away bout of puritanical health kick with reckless abandon in exchange of two-day feeding frenzy. 

For certain, two-day worth of eating stunt hardly suffices to cover everything that Puerto Princesa has to offer. Still, we ate and we ate - until we couldn’t anymore.

In our minds that time, “We will never be as young as we are now.” The same old adage I held on to way back when I got my very first tattoo after I graduated from college. Still relevant.

We seized upon the chance – we searched and met good grubs that befriended our bellies.

Summer Palace at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel

After several months of renovation, Summer Palace of EDSA Shangri-La Hotel which is touted as one of the best Chinese restaurants in the Philippines finally opened its door again recently with a spanking new fresh and contemporary look. In line with the unveiling of the newly renovated restaurant, Summer Palace also introduces new menu items which give people more reasons to visit them again.

Summer Palace has been serving delicious and authentic Chinese cuisine to its guests for 22 years now. It has surely become part of the many milestones for most of us.

Can I share a little personal fun fact here? Yeah, my first ever official date was at Summer Palace. The guy and I did not end up together but to this day, we are still good friends and we still share the same love for Chinese cuisine at Summer Palace. I’m sure some of you have fond memories of this restaurant.

The Great Aussie Eats at Outback Steakhouse Philippines

We visited Outback Steakhouse Philippines' branch at Eastwood City Libis recently to check out their new menu items tagged as The Great Aussie Eats. The new Outback Steakhouse dishes are said to be "Extremely addictive new favorites from the land down under" hence, I knew from the get go that we gotta check it out pronto. 

It was my first time at their Eastwood branch right after relocating from their old nook along C5 and I must say that this new branch is way better because it is accessible. 

While their branch in Glorietta Makati still holds a special place in my heart, the one in Eastwood is not a bad option either. not to mention, they offer breakfast meals in this branch. 

Holiday Rib Platter at RACKS Philippines

Indeed, it is the best season to share the best ribs in town as RACKS Philippines launched their Holiday Rib Platter and other holiday offerings this year. RACKS is always known as one of the best places to go to when craving for downright manly and delicious ribs so this holiday offerings could be one of the many reason to tag along your family and friends as you visit your favorite Racks PH branch.

Available from November 14, 2016 to January 15, 2017, the holiday specials at RACKS PH is surely to please the meat lovers in you.

I am not sure about you but I personally love RACKS and I have a lot of fond memories of it which involved my loved ones. So I am excited to share this news to you the same way I am excited to visit RACKS soon with my family to enjoy their holiday specials. 

Holiday Specials at Tenya Tempura Tendon Philippines

This holiday season, Tenya Tempura Tendon Philippines aims to transport its customers to the winter wonderland Japan through their holiday product offerings. The new limited offer holiday menu which is available from November 15, 2016 to January 15, 2017 only is poised to make the diners' white Christmas dream come true while dining at all Tenya PH branches. 

Steak, Salad, Maki, and the well-loved Tepura Tendon and then some are the delicious things that comprised the holiday set menu. Known as Japan's number one Tempura Tendon, Tenya has once again step up its game by providing us more reasons to visit them. 

I have already blogged about Tenya for quite a number of times already and I even hosted a blog giveaway before. It only goes to show how much I love Tenya and I am happy to report that since their opening, the quality of their food is still as stellar as ever. 

Wolfgang's Steakhouse Philippines at Resorts World Manila

It was a lunch gathering I almost missed, my first visit at Wolfgang's Steakhouse Philippines located at the Newport Mall of Resorts World Manila. Good thing that I got friends who share the same affinity for manly meat and who are considerate enough to knock some sense to me that luncheon such as this should not be missed - I am lucky.

And of course, any self-respecting meat lover wouldn't pass on the chance to dine at critically acclaimed steakhouse from New York City and is said to be the first and the only steakhouse in the country which has its own dry aging room.

Much has been said about Wolfgang's Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener since it opened its first branch here in the Philippines. Its history is quite impressive since Wolfgang Zwiener boasts of 40 years experience as a head waiter at the famous Peter Luger's steakhouse in New York.

Sulok Café, Antipolo City

Sulok Café is one of the newest cafe / restaurants in Antipolo City that just opened recently. It offers variety of cafe grubs such as sandwiches, pasta, salads, as well as rice meals alongside different coffee concoctions proudly curated for Sulok Café diners.  With variety of dishes and drinks on the menu, coupled with free wifi and a decent ambiance, Sulok Café can be a perfect hang out place where you can find your own favorite corner - or as they say, sulok.

I visited Sulok Café recently and based on my experience, I must say that Sulok Café rightfully deserve to be included on my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series. 

Stepping inside Sulok Café, the thing that I noticed first was the artistic vibe it has. While it is not really an art cafe, the walls peppered with scribbles by Sulok Café's customers will make you think otherwise. 

Kings & Pawns Board Game Cafe, Marikina City

There is a noticeable proliferation of board game cafes these days and one of those that recently opened is Kings & Pawns Board Game Cafe located in Marikina City. There are a lot of homegrown restaurants and cafes in Marikina City but Kings & Pawns is one of the first few board game cafes in the area. 

Just like any other board game cafes, Kings & Pawns offers variety of board games alongside number of food items that diners may enjoy while playing. What sets them apart however is that there is no time/game limit nor minimum order needed to enjoy board games on this cafe.

There are only few board games that I get to enjoy but give me good food choices and I will certainly be there. So I visited Kings & Pawns one afternoon to check out their offerings. 

Yellow Bird Cafe X Kitchen, Beautiful Dining Destination in Antipolo City

Yellow Bird Cafe X Kitchen is one of the newest cafe / restaurants in Antipolo City and is the current apple of my eye. There are a lot of new restaurants and coffee shops opening in Antipolo and since I am dodging Manila traffic jam and have been working from home these days, my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series will be on a roll.

Tucked away by the entrance of Mission Hills Subdivision, Yellow Bird Cafe X Kitchen is one of the restaurants near my place since most are located either in Antipolo town proper or the overlooking area along Sumulong Highway. Good reason why I am loving this restaurant even more.

If you are like me who is crazy about restaurants with beautifully designed interior coupled with impressive choices of food on its arsenal, then Yellow Bird Cafe X Kitchen might be just right up your alley. 

Related Posts: List of Restaurants in Antipolo City