T.G.I.Fridays Alabang Town Center

When dining at T.G.I.Friday’s, it’s usually a drinking session for my friends and me. So normally, we would just settle for their appetizers available such as Sesame Jack Chicken Strips, Fried Calamari, Buffalo Wings, and of course, my personal favorite, Fried Mozzarella.

When we chanced upon T.G.I.Fridays at Alabang Town Center, we decided to have our lunch there before we decide whether we head on a drinking session or not. As expected, we were not disappointed with the food since everything is delicious and very satisfying in terms of serving size. And since we are used to the superb ambiance and the good service of the resto, it has never been an issue.

To have a taste of everything, we ordered for their sandwich, pasta, and grilled entrée. Their Chicken Finger BLT is a hefty sandwich. Basically, it’s a crispy, battered chicken tenders covered with melted Monterey Jack Cheese, served on a buttery grilled Ciabatta bread, with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, and it comes with crispy fries. For 295php only, it’s good enough for two people sharing.

Their Tossed Tomato-Basil Chicken Pasta is sliced, char grilled chicken breast served over linguine pasta tossed in a fresh, Roma tomato-basil salsa, garnished with a zest balsamic glaze. I am not a big fan of pasta with chunky tomatoes, but my friends said that it is good. It is only 375php.

Known as an American Resto, when I saw Filipino Pork Liempo on their menu, I ordered it immediately as my curiosity got me if they have given justice to the dish that is our very own. This dish is a three pieces of grille pork belly marinated in garlic and sweet soy sauce, and served with java rice, vegetable salad with their own vinegar and garlic sauce. For 395php, the meal is extremely satisfying.

Of course, I couldn’t let a visit at T.G.I.Friday’s passed without having their Fried Mozzarella cheese which is coated in their special Italian-styled breading then deep fried and served with a rich marinara sauce. For 225php, you’ll have 6 pieces of this superb appetizer.

T.G.I.Friday’s has always been and will always be one of my favorite resto in town. One can complain about the price, but for me, you’ll get your part of the bargain since their food is delectably satisfying, their service is two thumbs up, and the ambiance is a pleasing atmosphere where anyone can relax after a tiring day from work.

T.G.I.Friday’s (Alabang Town Center)
2/L, Alabang Town Center, Alabang Commercial Corp., Alabang-Zapote Road
Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila(02) 842-9372

Roast Chicken Sandwich by Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers' Fresh Sandwiches has been here for a while. Although they look tempting, whenever we frequent to Kenny, Chicken is always my priority. I mean, isn't Kenny Roger's synonymous to their Grilled Chicken?

How can you go wrong with grilled chicken? I mean, it's delicious and healthy. But the thing is, I always want my grilled chicken with steamy white rice, well I guess that negates the healthy part of the deal, eh?

Anyway, way before I started getting hooked with their fresh sandwiches, my father was already a fanatic of their Chunky Cold Tuna Sandwich. He always makes it a point that whenever we go to Kenny, it's always his Tuna Sandwich that is first on his tray. It goes really well with the diet that he is into these days. And when it's my time to let go of my usual Roast Chicken Plate meal, there's never a strand of regret as I settle for their Roast Chicken Sandwich, the best of Kenny’s Fresh Sandwiches, according to the People at Kenny, aside from the other variants they offer.

It's a slow-roasted chicken strips on a bed of crisp lettuce, tomato and cucumber, smothered with mayo on a wheat bread. The generous strip of roasted chicken is marinated to herb and spices and so you can still expect the delectable chicken that Kenny offers, plus the crispiness of the veggies goes well with the tingling taste that their special mayo adds to the sandwich. The wheat bread they use is soft and very tasty as well.

Roast Chicken Sandwich is 95php only for ala cart, and 115php if you want some fries and drinks with it. These sandwiches are indeed a healthy substitute from the usual rice meal so I recommend this to foodies who are guiding their weight.

Aside from Roast Chicken Sandwich, they also offer other variants such as Philly cheese steak (loaded with slivers of choice beef topped with premium cheese and caramelized onions), the BBQ rib sandwich (baby back ribs smothered in honey bourbon sauce), Kenny’s cheeseburger (1/3 pound moist ground beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato with mayonnaise), the grilled smoked salmon with cream cheese, the grilled ham & cheese (slices of premium whole-muscle ham and fresh mozzarella cheese), the grilled four-cheese sandwich (with mozzarella, Parmesan, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheese), the grilled tomato, pesto and mozzarella, the cold chunky tuna sandwich, the tuna melt sandwich, the cold chunky chicken sandwich (chunks of classic roast chicken with special dressing generously on a bed of lettuce), and the jumbo hotdog sandwich (German hotdog with ketchup and mayo).

Kenny Rogers' Delivery Hotline is 533-8888 or visit www.kennys.com.ph.

White Forrest Cake by Red Ribbon

Red Ribbon, one of the leader and innovator of signature cakes here in the country has yet again launched another creation which will surely found its place in the hearts and palates of food enthusiasts. "Let there be White" Red Ribbon says, as they made a complimentary opposite of the famous Black Forrest they called, none other than, Red Ribbon White Forrest Cake.

The Red Ribbon White Forest is made with moist white chiffon cake layered between fusion of cream and cherry bits filling covered white chocolate cream and generously finished white chocolate shavings. On top of it are cream rosettes and luscious long-stemmed, red maraschino cherries.

Sweet and simple, that's how I would describe it. This is pretty much straight forward the opposite of Black Forrest Cake. If you're the type who likes variety of tastes and texture on your cake, then I guess, this cake can be as boring as color white itself. But if simplicity in flavor is your cup of tea, then White Forrest can give your heart's delight a deliciously memorable dessert experience.

Visit any Red Ribbon branch today and get the new White Forest or simply call 8-77-77 and have it delivered right at your doorstep.

Persia Grill

For foodies, nothing beats the feeling of discovering new restos that makes you rave about the food in between bites and leaves you wanting for more. That was what my friend Tracy and I experienced when we dined at Persia Grill.

Owned by Pinoy Big Brother ex-housemate Kian Kazemi, this branch is located at Building A of Megastrip Megamall. Upon passing by the mall, the big advertisement never fails to capture my attention as a Persian food lover myself. And since my friend share the same passion, that afternoon, we forgo the original plan of dining at an Italian Restaurant and have a gastronomical experience at Persia Grill instead.

Since it's our first time, we decided to try their Kabab Meal first. I ordered for their Chelo Kebab Kobideh and Chelo Morg Combination which is a stick of charbroiled beef kebab (kobideh) and a stick of charbroiled chicken breast fillet served with fresh grilled tomato, Persian eggplant-yogurt dip, and long-grained steamed rice with butter, while Tracy let the chicken passed and settled for the two stick chelo kebab.

The Chelo Kebab Kobideh is seasoned to perfection. It is tender and juicy, bursting with flavor every time you bite on it. Same goes for the Chelo Morg which is soft, tender, and very tasty. The eggplant-yogurt dip complements the entire meal but it was really their garlic sauce and hot sauce which stands out for it’s garlicky-creaminess was simply to die for. My friend and I were literally raving about the goodness of the meal, while eating.

Each meal we had is 199php only. Aside from the other Persian dishes that they offer, it is good to know that they also have their own set of Budget Meal they called (BM) Business Meal which ranges from 120php (one piece beef or chicken kebab) up to 160php (one-stick lamb kebab).

The ambiance is cozy, the place is clean, relaxing music is constantly playing, everything is perfect. But the thing is, although their food servers are courteous, they lack professionalism in a sense that they tend to hover around the counter area for some chit chats while on their sleepers instead of checking on their customers if they need something. Also, chewing gums while taking customer's orders is a big no no especially on a resto like that.

Despite the fact that they need a little improvement for their food servers, the good food that they serve is reason enough for me to come back there and enjoy Persian Food.

Persia Grill Branches

Valero st, Makati
Legazpi st, Makati
Megastrip, Megamall
SM Skygarden
North Edsa

Chef Donatello

For quite sometime now, I’ve been hearing a lot of reviews about Chef Donatello. Some are good while the others are not, and so I decided to try it myself.

Upon entering their Megamall Branch, we were enthusiastically greeted by their food servers as they assisted us towards the available table. The place is not that big and the ambiance is very humble but not cheap. However, they could use a better and comfortable tables and chairs to suit to the homey feel of the entire resto.

As they handed out the menu, I noticed that they have variety of American-Italian dishes which is amazingly affordable.

First, we ordered for their Ribs Risotto and Chicken Risotto, and these two are stellar. The Ribs Risotto is marinated into perfection, very tender and well, yes, juicy and full of flavor. While the Chicken Risotto is equally delectable. For 99php each, it is indeed a good treat.

For Pasta and Pizza, we ordered their Awesome Foursome Set for only 549php. The set consist of 2 Spaghetti Bolognese, 2 Fetuccini Carbonara, 4 Italian Soup, 4 Drinks, and 12” Donatello Special Pizza.

The pasta may look like an ordinary pasta you can get anywhere but it taste really good, I must say, especially their Carbonara which has an amazing sauce.

The Pizza is also good but nothing extra ordinary considering it is their special. The dough taste like a normal bread, therefore it spoils the very idea that you are eating a real pizza.

The Soup has a very delectable and distinct Italian taste. Although served in a small amount, you can taste a subtle hint of Italian herbs and spices that is quite filling in itself.

Although I’ve been hearing that their service is not good, fortunately, we were assisted by one of their food server who has the knowledge about good customer service. He even chatted with my mother about the ingredients used for their Italian Soup, but then of course, he didn’t divulge all the information regarding those so-called-secret-recipe. But then again, we were served and accommodated very well.

All in all, it was a good experience. Good food, affordable price, and good service, I will definitely come back to try other food varieties they offer.

Chef Donatello3/F Bridgeway, SM Megamall
Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
(02) 633-9828