Wandergirl Speaks

Archive for the ‘Food & Dining’ Category

I am not a big fan of sweets. I’d rather go for something salty than munch on a bar of chocolate or a slice of cake. It probably is another factor that I get skin allergies every time I’d eat chocolates, and that explains why my intake has to be very limited.

Lately though, it’s so ironic that I have been craving a lot of Red Ribbon Chocolate Heaven. In fact, just last week alone I have eaten a slice thrice that I had to make sure I have enough of my skin ointment to ease the itchiness that triggered on some parts of my arms and legs during the weekend. Whew, poor me.

Red Ribbon's Chocolate Heaven

Nevertheless, braved by the fact that I still have my medications within my reach, I have been indulging with Chocolate Heaven sooooooo frequently. It’s super rich with chocolates…chocolate brownie, chocolate icing, chocolate mousse, and top that with chocolate curls, you get the most tempting, chocolate-full dessert of your life. Yum, yum!

I have a new diet regimen!

It’s called the one-heavy-meal-a-day diet, which I have been doing for two weeks already. In this regimen, I only eat one full course in a day, and that means the rest of the day is only about eating salad or munching on some light snack.

Somehow, I can’t believe I am actually surviving…kudos to myself for that. But honestly, it’s a lot harder than I thought, not to mention a little more heavy on the pocket. The last week has been especially not too budget-friendly for me, because I really had to look for a fast food chain that would serve me something healthy and of course no-rice or less carb menu.

That’s when I realized I have been frequenting Kenny Rogers Roasters’ and ordering their healthy meal variety, my favorite being their Classic Healthy Plate. I take it for lunch and surprisingly makes me full even when it’s dinner time. But again, it’s a little too expensive if I’d go for it every day. So, I really have to think of an alternative if there is, otherwise, I’m stuck to this kind of stuff for the meantime until I am somehow able to shed those post-pregnancy fats in my body…lolz.

healthy plate, anyone?

The first time I ate at Burgoo I wasn’t too fascinated with the food. In fact, I couldn’t remember what it was I ordered then, but I do remember that I wasn’t too eager to go back.

Ironically, I had the chance to dine at this place again over the weekend when hubby and I met up at the mall after work. Since it was still rush hour at that time and assuming that traffic would be horrendous, we decide to get some dinner first—before heading off to my in-laws to fetch our daughter—and Burgoo has been the place to be.

To be honest, I kinda seem to look at Burgoo differently this time. I don’t know if it’s because the ambiance at SM North EDSA is cozier…or must be because I have not eaten again since the last time I did. Either way, I was sure I enjoyed the food at present. Though we only tried two of their dishes, I thought I had a better experience this time around.

I really like the N’awlin’s Classic Platter, which is a combination for sausages, Cajun chicken, and baby prawns served on a bed of rice. No wonder, it has become one of their bestsellers. Supah yummy and heavy in the stomach.

Burgoo’s bestseller N’awlin’s Classic Platter

Burgoo's new must-try Chicken Steak

Oh, I love pay day! It’s that time of the month when I don’t feel even a bit guilty splurging on expensive meals. And for days, there’s this steak house I have been rooting to re-visit after the first time I dined in at their Bonifacio High St. branch some two weeks ago during a client visit to our Makati site.

I’m talking about Texas Roadhouse Grill and it was introduced to me by my manager who brought our group for a dinner together with our visiting client. That time, I got myself the Outlaw’s Tuna Belly with Texas rice, and the first bite instantly made me fall in love with the place. Right then, I promised I’ll go back no matter what.

And so yesterday, dismissing the fact that traffic will be horrendous because it’s pay day and everyone’s going shopping, I prodded my husband to eat at Texas Roadhouse Grill in El Pueblo Ortigas. Darn, this place is beginning to be my favorite these days because of their very juicy and tasty meat.

For starters, Texas Roadhouse serves an extensive grill menu, from chicken to seafood to—of course—steak. And because their steaks are imported from the US, expect their meat to be fairly pricey (ranging from P400 to P1000). But really, it’s worth your every penny because apart from the huge servings, the food are just simply superb and the waiters and waitresses are very attentive and friendly. They make it a point to drop by your table and politely ask if you need anything or something.

We started out with their Southwestern Cobb salad. It’s a mix of crispy greens topped with chicken breast strips, bacon bits, diced eggs, pico de gallo, cheese and ranch dressing. We opted for the Lone Ranger size which is already good for 2 to 3 people.

Southwestern Cobb salad for appetizer

juicy Trailboss Herb Steak

On the other hand, my husband—who’s eating there for the first time and said he loved the food—ordered their Flat Iron steak, with mashed potatoes and shredded sweet corn. And though I liked my steak well done, I just thought that between his and mine, I find his order tastier. So, somehow that gives you an idea.

And yeah, you have an option for some shrimps and mushrooms on your steak, just like the way we had ours. Just be ready with the add on rate for those.

Flat Iron steak

To be honest, even if the bill went up to a few thousand considering there’s just the two of us, both my husband and I were never disappointed in any way or another. Love it, and will surely go back for more.

The last Sunday had been a very hectic day for me. From the moment I sat down, I got seriously busy as a bee that I didn’t get a time to chat a bit with my agents. Time passed so quickly and I didn’t realize I had not taken a break yet and it was already 5 AM then. Worst, I still got a lot to do and I only had 3 hours left.

And because I also realized that no matter how hurriedly I do my stuff, I’d still need to render overtime that day to finish everything. So, might as well get a super early breakfast.

I went to KFC which is just located across the office building. And as usual I ended up ordering my favorite Italian Roma supreme bowl. Damn, it tasted really good that day. I don’t know if it was only because I was tired and too hungry, but what I am so sure is that the food really comforted me.

KFC's Roma Italia rice bowl

On that day I also realized that being all worn out and a good food is not a good combination. Why? It makes you eat a lot and you’d refuse to accept any excuses…lolz

Ok, I’m getting a little ashamed now. Looks like this blog is beginning to look more like a food network blog with all the food fest I was having lately. But what can I do, I just so love to eat and having said that I know I need a lot of work-out time to reduce the bulges. But I guess that has to come a little later…lolz

On Sunday, hubby, sister, and the baby went to Robinsons mall to pass the boring time at home. We strolled around for, probably 30 minutes, until I feel like I can’t ignore my grumbling stomach anymore. Yes, I was starving and I had to make sure my husband knows that.

We were initially choosing between Super Bowl and Banana Leaf. My sister says she’s fine with any one of the two, while my husband stayed on a safer side of letting us decide. In the end, I won for Banana Leaf.

Their Tilapia Fillet with Sambal sauce (P238) is really good. It’s tasty and delicious, just learn to ignore its patis-like smell.

Tilapia Fillet with Sambal sauce

We also tried their Malayan Chicken Curry with Potatoes (P228) and requested to make it not too spicy. It came in generous servings (good enough for 3 people) and even became my sister’s favorite. I like it just as much as I like the Tilapia Fillet with Sambal sauce.

Malayan Chicken Curry with Potatoes

For our rice, though we’ve quite confused ourselves with the many options, we settled for the Nasi Goreng (P188) and the Vietnamese Fried Rice (P188). I think this is the third time I’ve eaten in this resto (from different branch locations) but I always get a satisfactory experience very time.

Vietnamese Fried Rice

I so love payday! It gives me a guilt-free reason to splurge on food, and I mean a lot of food. Just take for example the family dinner we had during the weekend at Gerry’s Grill in Mall of Asia. We’re like 14 all in all and it was fun, fun, fun.

My sister and one of my cousins came ahead to get us a table because we were expecting they’d have a huge throng of guests since, first it’s payday and second it’s an official weekend gimik for a lot of families and yuppies.

When the rest of us got there, the waiters were starting to serve our food. It helps if you already have your orders enlisted while you’re still on their waiting list so that you won’t have to wait too long for the food once you’re seated.

Of course, our all-time favorites we’re all there: kare-kare, ensaladang mangga, inihaw na manok, tuna and pork sisig, sizzling beef spareribs, sinigang na hipon, ampalaya con carne, and more. What’s more: we got some desserts freebies! Think leche flan and buko pandan.

my favorite ensaladang mangga w/crispy chicharon

Gerry's Grill bestseller Pork Sisig

Beef Caldereta w/a twist

If there’s one thing that ruins my diet it’s Starbucks’ Chocolate Belgian Waffle!

Look, I’m supposed to be following a regimen and should slow down on sweets since my belly has yet to fully shrink after giving birth 3 months ago, but who can resist this generous temptation?

Starbucks' Chocolate Belgian Waffle, anyone?

I know there are other healthy bread choices in their menu but I just can’t ignore my cravings of their chocolate waffles which by the way I’ve been enduring for weeks before this. So I thought maybe it won’t hurt to give myself some relief. But after this, guess I should again pay attention to my belly and even if it’s gonna be hard not to buy anything from Starbucks especially whenever I pass by it a lot, perhaps, I really need to try. And I mean, really hard

If you’ve been to Baguio several times, you must have heard about (if not tried dining) Cafe by the Ruins. This place is located along Chuntug St. and has a very relaxing atmosphere. I first read about it online and made sure to visit the place the last time I was in Baguio City. I love their Fruit Festival dessert, which consist of a generous amount of sweet mangoes, banana and papaya. We also tried their version of Mechado, a concoction of roast beef with gravy, very much in contrast to the usual Mechado w/red sauce we know. And if you want to warm yourself a bit, don’t forget to try their Pinikpikan — sort of like a chicken Tinola for me but they’re using a native chicken for this dish. Below are the pictures I’ve taken when we were there:

Their must-try Fruit Festival

yummy Mechado

Pinikpikan w/native chicken

The last time my husband and I went to Trinoma mall in Quezon City, we dined at Mexicali before we headed for a movie. It wasn’t the first time I ordered something from Mexicali. In fact, I have already tried their famous nachos before and it’s delicious while it’s still newly served.

This time around I took advantage of their Enchiladas menu and ordered Chicken Enchilada with Rice & Salad (P175). To be honest, I did not realize how big the meal was until it got served to me.

Chicken Enchilada with Rice & Salad

I like the green salad that came with it. It has got some tomatoes and the garlic dressing is so yummy. The chicken enchilada itself is more than enough to fill your hungry stomach. The meal is worth every penny…you should try it, too, the next time you pass by it.