Senor Pollo, Tomas Morato Quezon City

When I’m in the North, I’d usually want to try food not offered in the South.  So in one of my North Saturdays, Jeremy and I tried Booky’s top pick of the month, Senor Pollo.

Senor Pollo is a modest place located in a compound of restaurants in F7 Rallos (Thanks to Waze we found the place!) and is owned by the same team as El Chupacabra and Mexicali.

F7 Rallos with Restaurants such as Senor Pollo, Kanin Club, Purple Oven and Uncle Moe's

Their menu was simple and straightforward, and the place was laid-back with a Latin feel.  They say to bring a big appetite when going to Senor Pollo so we did, and I was very excited to try their Roasted Chicken, as suggested. 

This first level is open air and houses their kitchen.  This is also where you order before going up the second floor, which is the dining area.

Senor Pollo's Menu Board

I liked the feel of the dining and bar area, which matched their Latin concept, with its brick walls, wooden furniture and creative murals and art.  Though it was quite a late lunch for us, the place was full.  The area can accommodate around 50 people (10 in the bar), and it was a good thing there was an available table for us so that we can enjoy our food more. 

Senor Pollo's Interior

Now, the food!  We both ordered their Senor Pollo Roast Quarter.  The roasted chicken was perfectly grilled seasoned with some citrus and spices.  The chicken itself is not that extraordinary, but once you add their Chimichurri, it goes to a different level!  I am not a food connoisseur, but I believe the Chimichurri is a mix of chopped garlic and parsley, which really enhances the flavor of their chicken giving it a tangy taste.  As it is not served in large quantities, my tip is not to save on it and order extra!

Every order of chicken has 2 options of side dishes, and we went for their Patatas Bravas, Latin Coleslaw, Spicy Rice and Cilantro Garlic Rice.  The Spicy Rice and Latin Coleslaw were the best side combination for me.  The Spicy Rice had the right amount of kick, while occasionally adding Latin Coleslaw, a fresh combination of cabbage and carrots, acts as a palate cleanser slightly sweeping the spice.

L: Quarter Roasted Chicken, Spicy Rice, Patatas Bravas and Chimichurri (P209)
R: Quarter Roasted Chicken, Cilantro Garlic Rice, Latin Coleslaw and Chimichurri (P209)

Tip: Go for the leg part if you want more taste, but go for the breast part if you’re too hungry and want a bigger part!  Better yet, just order a half chicken! J

It was an enjoyable Senor Pollo experience for us, and it is a definitely good value-for money find in the North!  Did I mention that their happy hour is from 4 to 7 pm where they serve local beer at P35 and selected cocktail drinks at P70?  J

I will definitely go back.  See you again, Senor Pollo!

-Jessamine

Average price per person: P250-400

https://www.facebook.com/senorpolloph

IG: senorpolloph

Operating Hours:

Monday to Sunday – 11:30 am to 12:00 am

F7 Building Scout Rallos Tomas Morato, Quezon City

(0977) 142-9372

Tatang's Boneless Lechon, BF Homes

When in Cebu, one should always have lechon!  At first, I didn’t think it would taste THAT different from the numerous lechon brands here in Manila, but when I tasted it… WOW!  It did taste uniquely delicious!  It tasted different because of the stuffing, which is the most prized part, and the way it is roasted—the traditional way.  This, I think, gives it more taste and spice.  That’s why Cebu lechon can be eaten even without any sauce!

The latest cuisine trend in Cebu is the boneless lechon.  Instead of slow-roasting a whole pig, the torso is deboned and infused with the same herbs and spices then roasted.  This is pure meat, all-belly, wrapped in crispy skin!  Yummmmm!  Also, this is value for money, as you pay for the kilo and can consume everything (no wasted kilos on bones!).

  

Roasting lechon belly

Can't wait to get my hands on them!

Now I’m craving for some!  Haha!  And guess what?  Good news is that we don’t have to fly to Cebu to answer our lechon-craving.  Tatang’s Extra Crispy Boneless Cebu Lechon is now available in Manila!  They have 3 branches located at: (1) Mindanao Avenue Quezon City, (2) Gilmore, and (3) my favorite branch, BF Homes, Las Pinas!

The BF Homes branch is owned by the lovely couple, Jeff and Lala Garcia.  I’m lucky to be part of the few who were able to try Tatang’s the day before it was opened to the public.  It was delicioso!  The meat was full of flavor with the right amount of spice (my favorite section was near the stuffing as this had the most flavor!), and the skin was crrrrrrrispy!

 

Tatang's Extra Crispy Boneless Cebu Lechon
P740 per kilo

They offer value meals for those going solo priced as low as P99 and also sell it by the kilo for groups who want it for sharing (starting at ¼ kilo, P740 per kilo).  This is definitely a good deal!

Aside from their regular and spicy lechon belly, they also have lechon flakes if you want some variety.  Oh, I also heard that they have new offerings coming!  Can’t wait to try these too! :)

Menu as of August 1, 2015

Aside from their al fresco casual dining, they take reservations for pick-up and also deliver within the Las Pinas, BF Homes Paranaque and Alabang area for a minimal fee (with a minimum order of P500).  Tatang’s has become one of our go-to favorites for lunch and dinner gatherings at home, and our guests always love it!

So what are you waiting for?  Dial any of the numbers below, and get to enjoy the taste of Tatang’s Lechon Belly!

Average price per person: P130-P200

Facebook: Tatangs-Boneless-Lechon

IG: tatangslechonbfhomes

Operating Hours:

Monday to Sunday – 11:00 am to 9 pm

El Grande Avenue cor. Tropical Avenue BF Homes, Las Pinas City

(0917) 881-4421

(02) 893-6773

Sensei Sushi, BF Homes

I remember it was the start of 2014 when we said that we would start a blog on our rocking adventures and new discoveries.  During that time, our target was to write at least once every 2 weeks, a total of 24 blogs.  Today, the last day of 2014, Wandertwins has a total of 7 blogs—1 blog for every 1.7 months.  Haha!  This actually doesn’t mean that we stopped exploring new places or activities and food to try, but what I realized is that you really, really need to find time to blog, and I guess my work and personal schedules are not really cooperating.  Haha!  Even so, I will still write when I can and will still share with you our awesome finds in the Philippines and in the world.

It was one October evening (that’s how piled up my stories are) when we craved for Japanese food.  I heard good reviews about Sensei Sushi so we thought of giving it a try.  Together with Jeremy and my mom, we drove the street of Aguirre and looked for this restaurant to have a nice Jap dinner.  This was actually my 2^nd attempt to eat here.  We couldn’t find the restaurant the first time (I was with my friends Mich & Hen) as it was quite small and hard to find amidst the row of establishments in the area.  This time, eureka!  We found it!

Sensei Sushi is beside Nuat Thai, near A Veneto Napoli Pizzeria

Photo taken from the blog of Cheryl Tiu

Sensei Sushi is owned by Chef Bruce Ricketts.  It’s a small and quaint 20-seater restaurant, which serves Japanese fusion.  They have a set menu, but what’s nice is that they also have additional dishes to serve posted in their menu blackboard, which they change every 2 to 3 days depending on what is freshly available in the local market and what food they can create with these.

Sensei Sushi Menu Board

The night we went there, the tables were all reserved despite us coming in early at 6:30 pm so the only available seats were at the bar.  Apparently, these are the best seats at Sensei as you get to see how the great food is created and plated by their very own chef!

Now, time for dinner!

Crispy Philly

With Salmon, cream cheese, asparagus, aioli and unagi sauce
P185

Cali Roll with Prawn Popcorn

with kani, cream cheese, kyuri, green goddess and aligue aioli
P235

Tuna and Crispy Scallop Dynamite

with kyuri, cream cheese and dynamite sauce
P285

Soft Shell Crab Tempura

with kimchi garlic and aioli sauce
P400

Beef Teppanyaki

with market vegetables and teppanyaki sauce
P480 

We loved everything that we ordered!  Our tummies were filled with lots of good food that we didn’t have any room for dessert anymore.  On our next Sensei trip, I’ll make sure that I’ll save room for their Grilled Banana—a frozen tofu cheesecake with miso butterscotch, chocolate ganache and togarashi.  Sounds yummy, and the chef said it was a contender for good-tasting desserts in BF Homes.  Haha!

I really loved the food here!  Even the service was great!  They had nice staff who would actually explain your dish (even the chef!).  Given that we were seated in the bar area, we got to see dishes/orders of their other customers, which gave us ideas on what to order the next time we’re here.  (Just you wait ‘til I get you in my tummy, Torched Salmon Belly!  Haha!).  I will definitely, definitely go back!

Thank you, Sensei Sushi, for the wonderful dinner!

- Jessamine

Average price per person: P400-P500

https://www.facebook.com/senseiph

Operating Hours:

Monday to Sunday – 10:30 am to 11 pm

268 Aguirre Avenue BF Homes, Paranaque City

(02) 358-1387

Mateo's Restaurant Cafe, Malakas, Quezon City

I love the South!  Yes, there are a lot of great restaurants and must eats here in the South, but I need to be fair to the North and say that they would have countless and unique places and food to eat in that side of the metro too.  Back then, my family and I would be in my Lolo Joe’s house in Malakas, QC every Sunday for our regular family reunion, and it was deja vu for me when we were in the same area last week to try a new restaurant café in town, Mateo’s.

Mateo’s Restaurant Café has a rustic ambience reminiscent of trattorias in Italy, which I really, really loved.  Still on its soft opening, they serve homemade Spanish-inspired Filipino cuisine, pastries and specialty coffee, boasting of recipes passed down from generation to generation.  The main area sits approximately 20 people, and there’s another section, which can accommodate around 30 people.

 

We went straight to the main course.  They had several dishes to choose from, but we decided to go for their Spaghetti Alla Vongole, Lengua Alla Mateo and Creamy Binagoongang Bagnet as they suggested.  Their presentation was impressive, and we were very eager to try their fusion meals. 

Lengua Alla Mateo
Ox Tongue, Mushroom, White Wine, Potatoes and Cream served with Mashed Potato
P350

Creamy Binagoongang Bagnet
Crispy Pork Belly with Coconut Milk, Homemade Bagoong Spices served with a cup of Steamed Rice
P250

Spaghetti Alla Vongole
Manila clams sauteed in garlic, Anchovies, Special Sauce with Red Pepper Flakes
P250

It was a breather on the typical Spanish and Filipino meals as theirs had a different take/twist on their dishes.  Of the 3, the Creamy Binagoongang Bagnet was our favorite.  The meat had just the right amount of crisp and taste!

For dessert, we tried their Mateo’s Ensaymada con Queso and Dark Chocolate Mousse Dome (Yes, we love to eat! J).  Their ensaymadas looked very enticing to eat.  It was light with just the amount of taste and texture.  You can choose from a topping of either Cheddar or Queso de Bola, whichever you prefer. 

Mateo's Ensaymada con Queso
P40 each

Their Dark Chocolate Mousse Dome was heavenly.  Their serving is good for sharing for 3 to 4 people as it was very rich and is definitely a must for chocolate lovers.

Dark Chocolate Mousse Dome
P150

  

This is definitely one of the places I will go back to.  Mateo’s is a very lovely restaurant cafe with good quality food.  It is actually also a nice place to catch up with friends with a cup of coffee (or for me, hot chocolate J) and a nice destination for a special meal with your family and loves partnered with Sangria (P250 per glass) or a bottle of wine (P700 per bottle).

Since they are still on soft opening, the only parking available is along the street.  Soon though, there will be a parking area for their customers, construction of which is ongoing.

Thank you, Mateo’s for the delightful lunch!  See you again!

- Jessamine

Average price per person: P300-P400

https://www.facebook.com/Mateosph

Operating Hours:

Monday to Sunday – 10 am to 10 pm

76 Malakas Street, Diliman, Quezon City

 (02) 433-8033

mateosph@gmail.com

Pateacherie, BF Homes

I love cupcakes!  I think I got my sweet tooth from my Dad.  When we were young, I remember that breakfast would be bread with butter and a spoonful of sugar, while dessert would be peaches with syrup straight from its can.  And growing up, it never left me, because I would prefer cupcakes and cakes over whatever it is on the dessert table.  My love for cupcakes is also shared with my niece, Bianca, where we would have baking experiments on Sundays. (We actually even plan to invest on hardcore baking equipment!  Haha!)

Just yesterday, we had an intimate dinner with my close friends from the office at home.  For dinner, we ran to Maechibog, one of our favorite and ever reliable food-to-gos.  For dessert, we wanted to try something new.

I started following Pateacherie recently, whose page was suggested by one of my good friends (Hi Got!).  Pateacherie is owned by Sarah Lapena, a teacher in DLSZ; thus, the name.  Two of the things that intrigued me in her page were her rainbow cake and her beer cupcakes, because it was unusually different.  So for dessert yesterday, we tried their Chocolate and Beer Cupcakes with Maple Bacon.

It was delicious!  It was a chocolate moist cupcake and the hint of beer was just right.  It was topped with vanilla icing plus maple bacon, a really very different take in cupcakes!

Chocolate and Beer Cupcakes with Maple Bacon

P55 per piece

Minimum of 1 dozen per order

What’s great is that she delivers for free in the BF area and has usual pick-up points in ATC and Festival Mall, Alabang.  For those outside the area, delivery charge will depend on the proximity. 

Also, lead time for cupcakes, cookies and plain cakes is 1 week, and 2 weeks for sculpted cakes.  I was very fortunate that Sarah was baking the same batch of cupcakes last Saturday so she was able to accommodate my order!  Thanks, Sarah! J

Pateacherie will now be in my dessert list, and I’m excited to try the other flavors, too. Do follow her in Facebook and Instagram to see her yummy creations.   

That was great dessert, Pateacherie!  Thank you!

Satisfied customers with happy tummies of Maechibog and Pateacherie

- Jessamine

https://www.facebook.com/bakedbyteachersarah

IG: @pateacherie

(0917) 574-2493

Pavilion Japanese Cuisine, Madrigal Business Park, Alabang

We were craving for Japanese food one night and wanted to try something new for a change.  This craving of ours led us to Pavilion located at the Madrigal Business Park. 

Thanks to Waze, she (Yes, Waze is a she. J) helped us locate this discovery as we really never heard about this place until this time.  Surprisingly, Pavilion has been operational for 2 years now and is owned by the very nice couple, Christian and Marianne Polistico.

Pavilion is located in a gazebo in Venture Street (behind B Hotel) and provides al fresco dining to their customers.  When we arrived, we were their only customers and learned that most of their customers come during lunch since most are employees from the offices around the area.  The place was pleasant and could accommodate around 30 people.

  

We really didn’t know what to expect since it was a new place for us with no available reviews, and I am happy to say that it did not disappoint us. J

For starters, it was a choice between their Tofu Steak and Pavilion Maki as these, they say, are their best-selling appetizers, and for this trip, we tried their Tofu Steak.  When our order came, we were impressed with the presentation and was so eager to try it.  It was delicious!  The sauce was good, and the tofu was cooked just right.

Tofu Steak, P140

For their main course, they had typical Japanese selections for ala carte, donburi (rice toppings) and ramen, and we ordered their Tonkatsu, Shrimp Tempura and Pork Chahan.  Again, to our delight, we liked it!  Their dishes had a generous serving, and we can say that this is really value for money! 

Tonkatsu (P140) and Pork Chahan (P130)

Shrimp Tempura, P220

If you just had one choice though, we’d say you go for their Tonkatsu.  We haven’t really tried all their offerings yet, but this was one of our favorites during the trip (Again, don’t forget to couple it with their Chahan Rice!).

Since we were really happy with the food, we decided to get something for dessert.  It was unfortunate that their Green Tea Ice Cream wasn’t available so we tried their Chocolate Cake instead.  It reminded us of the cake from Polly’s, and it was delighting to know that it came from their own kitchen (and you can actually order one whole cake as well!). 

Chocolate Cake, P50

It's really nice to stumble upon places like this, and I am happy to share this good find with you.  This is really value for money. J

What we think doesn’t work for them is the name of their restaurant as it is nowhere related to Japanese food (except for their structure of course).  Also, they should strengthen marketing their restaurant so that other people get to know about them, and they get to extend their customer base to outside those in Madrigal Business Park.  Hopefully, in one way or another, this blog helps them. J

With the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Polistico

Thank you, Pavilion, for a surprisingly great dinner!  We will definitely go back!

- Jessamine

Average price per person: P250-P350

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pavilion-Japanese-Cuisine/499794220107862

Operating Hours:

Monday to Sunday – 8 am to 7 pm

Note: We called them earlier to inquire if they extended until 9 pm, and they were very nice to accommodate us even after their standard operating hours.  If you would like to eat in Pavilion for dinner, suggest you call them for reservation and extension requests.  The owners are very nice. J

Venture Street, Madrigal Business Park, Muntinlupa City

(0917) 629-3103

(02) 514-7554

Maechibog, Food to Go in the South

We love get-togethers with family and friends!  When we schedule one, we usually host this at home.  Compared to eating out, it’s more intimate, relaxed (you can just laze in the couch) and provides space for noise (Yes, our friends are sometimes loud and rowdy—in a good way.).  Unfortunately, we are not much of cooks, so when the time calls for it, we rely on a handful of good food delivery, and one of our food-to-go go-tos in the South is Maechibog.

Maechibog is owned by the lovely couple Chino and Mae Laurel serving freshly made, home cooked meals.  They started in the year 2010 with a select menu for delivery and also joined Soderno, then the weekend market in Alabang.  Here, they served their best seller, and one of our favorites, US Beef Tenderloin Roast Beef.

From only a number of choices, Maechibog now has a diverse menu offering.  Today, they provide a range of menu where you can choose from: from Filipino, American, Japanese, Spanish to Italian.  What’s great is that they deliver for free in BF Homes and Alabang, and in Makati in the weekdays.

 Here are our favorites!

1. Japanese Goma Dressing

We love their Goma Dressing!  For us, this is way better than Yabu’s!  You’ll just have to buy greens in the supermarket, top it with this dressing, and tadaaaaah! Instant salad for you and your guests.  This will also be a plus since it’s not the typical Thousand Island and Vinaigrette dressing you can pick up from the shelf of your supermarket.

 P330 per bottle

  

2. US Beef Tenderloin Roast Beef with Marble Potatoes

This is their best seller.  We love that they serve it with marble potatoes and a generous serving of gravy.  Yum!

 P1,000 per kilo

3. Callos

 P1,600

10-15 pax

4. Fish Florentine

One needs to have at least 1 dish of seafood/fish during parties, and we suggest that you go with this one.  This is very different from the typical Fish & Chips or Cream Dory dish.  This is one of our dinner crowd-favorites.

P1,500

10-15 pax

5. US Beef Tenderloin Tapa 

This is one of our breakfast favorites and forms part of our delivery orders.  This is delivered in ½ and 1 kilo frozen packs.  We find this very different from the regular Tapa.  It’s truly a different take in Tapa breakfast!

½ kilo – P300

1 kilo – P600

Maechibog is definitely one of our food-to-go favorites!  If you have a gathering with your family and friends at home, save on the hassle on preparation, and try Maechibog!  On top of the great food, it also saves you time since they deliver straight to your BF Homes and Alabang doorstep.

Hope this helps and enjoy your future partays! J

Note: You can also catch them at South Supermarket where they sell their Roastbeef—now served with rice, and their frozen packs of U.S. Beef Tapa.

http://www.facebook.com/maechibog

Call or text these numbers for delivery:

(0917) 792-3829

(0917) 542-1880