Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Marikina Food Tour 1: HERITAGE TOUR



Last week, I was in the company of super cool people during the first ever Marikina Food Tour organized by yours truly. While driving to our assembly point, I was excited and nervous as to how the food tour would go. I was preparing some activities (like "Ice Breaker") the night before that but after a few minutes into the prep work I decided, well, to let things unfold - the get-to-know, the conversations, and of course the meals. I was extremely happy with the way things turned out for this very first tour (Dong, Gatchie, Jonas, Jefel, Julius, Migs, Nicole and Neil, we made history!). Hope you enjoy the tour as well, through pictures!

Our meet up point was in front of Kapitan Moy. There was a set up for "Alay kay Maria", a Marian Exhibit and Procession celebrated every year.

From L to R: Jefel, Julius, Migs, Jonas, Yours truly, Dong, Gatchie, Nicole and Neil. My sister Rona took the photo this time!

Our first stop was Macky's Goto. We were ten in all in the group, so it was not really a challenge to find a table. We ordered the staples: goto with tokwa't baboy (which I fondly call "tokwa con lechon kawali, hehe), while some ordered Palabok and burgers. We had a great time introducing ourselves to each other, it was fun learning about what these people do as their profession, and amazing how we share this common love for food.

An almost identical photo, with my sis in the middle instead of me, hehe!

We tried going to Rocha's, but the shop was closed. It's just across Macky's, maybe we can try that in the next batch for this Heritage Tour (the tours are having names already... yey!). This photo is taken in front of Frederick's Barbecue's main branch along E. de la Paz. Only 10 PhP per stick and you get really flavorful barbecue!

Recognize this burger? YES! It is the infamous burger of Mama Chit's! So juicy and so yummy, no wonder it became even more popular when covered by media (KrisTV, thank you for featuring Marikina food places!)

The turkey sandwich that Migs ordered was also good. It tasted even better because Migs cut it up in portions and willingly shared it to the rest of the pack. Hooray! I wasn't able to take a photo of the salad though, which Jefel and Julius shared with the table as well.

 Neil and Nicole

 Gatchie and Dong

 Jefel and Julius

 Happy group!

 Mr. Burger at Mama Chit's garden

 Find Mr. Burger! Hehe!

Then we simply crossed the street and bought some pasalubong from Aling Remy's! :-) One of the best puto and kutsinta in Marikina!

 

Then, we walked over to Isabelo Mendoza street to have desserts and coffee at Isabelo Garden (Rustic Mornings, by day). We had no reservations but Chef Portia was very kind to accommodate our group. It was a great venue to wrap up the evening!

 A lot of us ordered the Key Lime Pie. This is SOOOO good. I regret not ordering this. Next time, I'll order two for myself. Hehehe!

The frozen brazo was also delicious. I loved the yellow layer, as usual! Hmmm... maybe I'll order one key lime pie instead... and one frozen brazo! Gotta have both!

Sis ordered the Cookie a la Mode and it took quite a long time to prepare it. Everyone has already finished their desserts and still no cookie a la mode. When the plate finally arrived... oh my. It was really worth the wait! The cookie was so crumbly and warm and buttery with the right amount of sweetness, it was what every cookie dream is about. The ice cream made the dish even more perfect ("perfect" na nga, more pa!).

 Photo c/o Migs

 Photo c/o Dong

I had a really great time with the group, and of course we had a blast with all the delicious food that accompanied us during our trip. I am definitely planning more food tours in the future. Hope to see some of you on our tours! Please visit our Facebook page for more information and other updates. 'Till next time!

More photos from Dong (click here) and Migs (click here). Enjoy!

MACKY'S GOTO
J.P. Rizal St., San Roque, Marikina City
Just a few meters before Our Lady of the Abandoned Church, across BPI Family Savings Bank
(Take the Calumpang Jeepneys)
Munching Budget per person: starts at 20 PhP

MANG FREDERICK'S BARBECUE
Beside San Roque's OUR LADY OF THE ABANDONED CHURCH
San Roque, Marikina City, Metro Manila
With another branch at 129 E. DELA PAZ ST., San Roque, Marikina City
Tel. No.: 6463685
Ihaw-ihaw set up usually starts at noon. :)
Munching Budget per person: starts at 10 PhP


MAMA CHIT'S
278 J.P. Rizal Street, San Roque, Marikina City
Tel. No.: (02) 646-8547
Just across the Shoe Museum, near Our Lady of the Abandoned Church
Visit their Facebook page here.
Munching Budget per person: starts at 100 PhP

ALING REMY'S SPECIAL DELICIOUS PUTO AND KUTSINTA
229 J.P. Rizal Street, San Roque, Marikina City, Metro Manila
Tel. No.: (02) 467 9806 / 09163191811
Munching Budget per person: starts at 65 PhP
 


ISABELO GARDEN RESTAURANT
Isabelo Mendoza Street, San Roque, Marikina City
RESERVATION is a must via http://www.isabelogarden.com/
Munching Budget per person: starts at 500 PhP


Marikina, aking hirang.

Roni

Monday, October 21, 2013

MYLENE'S ENSAYMADA AND BANANA CAKE



I was blessed enough to be invited by Dien, daughter of Tita Mylene (naks, close na ako sa kanila) last weekend to their shop in Ipil Street. Tita Mylene is the master baker while Dien assists her and also gets busy with marketing. It was my first time to hear about their shop, Mylene's Ensaymada and Banana Cake, and I was really looking forward to the visit since I am all about signature dishes / products. Theirs are ensaymada and banana cake.

I love ensaymada, even the freshly-baked ones from the local bakeries make my afternoon complete, paired with a hot cup of cocoa,and I can face any challenge in the world. Of course my sweet little Rence's smile is the best stress-reliever of all! I was also excited to try their banana cake, since I bake myself, I'm quite keen on banana-flavored baked goods. They have to be really moist, and bursting with banana flavor.

As I mentioned, the shop is located in Ipil Street, in front of the new school building of Infant Jesus Academy

 This is how the cute little shop looks like from outside

 Their signature ensaymada!

 They have cinnamon rolls with cream cheese too. This one is REALLY good.

 Bavarian-filled ensaymada says: "Hello Roni! Please be kind!"

Aside from the classic ensaymada, Dien and Tita Mylene had us taste all variants of their filled-ensaymadas. These are: ube, chocolate, yema, dulce de leche, bavarian, and blueberry. (40 PhP per piece, 420 PhP for Box of 12)

One bite of the classic ensaymada (30 PhP, Box of 12 300 PhP) and we are immediately transported to ensaymada heaven. They use real cheddar (nope, not processed cheese food!) on their ensaymada making it more flavorful. The bread was really, really soft, and the sugar and butter mix was just the right amount to complement the cheese.

Here are more ensaymada shots, as promised on our FB page:

The Dulce de Leche variant. This one we wolfed down in less than two minutes. See how generous they are with the filling? Well, wait 'till you get to taste this one!

The Yema-filled ensaymada. Please don't hate me, yema lovers. I know I made you hungry right now. Haha!

How can you go wrong with chocolate? This chocolate-filled ensaymada was the perfect breakfast for me earlier.

 The Bavarian-filled ensaymada reminds me: "Roni, I told you to be kind..."

We were also able to try their loaves, and they were all excellent. Super moist. Dense. Flavorful. Fragrant. What else can I use to describe those loaves? I am no master in vocabulary, but if you do find a better adjective when you get to try these loaves then let me know.

Super yummy, super flavorful: Banana Loaf, Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf, Carrot Walnut Loaf and Butter (this one's really yummy too... ALL OF THEM!!!) Price range from 120 PhP up per loaf.

The cheese cupcakes were a way, way, way better version of the commercially available cheese cupcakes out there. It tasted like a cupcakefied-yema. A little sweet, milky, cheesy... just try one when you visit their shop and tell me what you think! :-)

Their products are soooo ready to be purchased as gifts, give-aways, souvenirs, pot luck items... Their packaging is classy and their prices are very affordable, specially if you're getting this type of quality!

 They also have other baked goodies such as oatmeal raisin cookies.

Chocolate crinkles

 Chocolate chip cookies

Their products are SO good that they also got featured on Kusina Master. Please check out the video of the episode here. They are also launching a new packaging for this coming holiday season. The shop also becomes really busy by the "ber" months,  so better book your orders as early as NOW! :-)

With the brains and beauties behind Mylene's Ensaymada and Banana Cake Bakeshop. I am pretty sure you will have an even bigger following in the years to come! Keep it up ladies!

We were all happy clappy coming from their shop. Thanks again for the great merienda, Dien and Tita Mylene! And oh, they make killer cakes too! Check these photos from their FB page:





So Marikenyos, check out their shop! Hope you have the same happy ensaymada and banana cake experience as we did! Mylene's is hands down, the BEST ensaymada so far in my book.


MYLENE'S ENSAYMADA AND BANANA CAKE
Ipil Branch: 51 Ipil St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City (Across Infant Jesus Academy's new building)
Lilac Branch: Ruby's Building, 36 Lilac St., Marikina City (Beside Rancho 1 Gate)
Tel. No.: (02) 940-9604 / (02) 966-2303
Visit their Facebook page here.

Munching Budget per person: starts at 30 PhP


Marikina, aking hirang.

Roni

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AFFECTED BY THE VISAYAS QUAKE

I was scheduled to post a new entry today, but I don't want to be oblivious to what's happening in our country. Marikenyos, let us pray for our brothers and sisters in Visayas whose lives are devastated by the quake.

Image from here.

Lord, we know that no amount of words or hugs or relief goods can ever make up for their losses, for their mourning, but YOU, You are the greatest Comforter, You are the greatest Healer. Bless our kababayans with warmth, food, comfort, reunion with their loved ones, that they may see Your light despite all of this.

There are many ways to help, like through the Philippine Red Cross. God bless us all.

 Image from here.

Marikina, aking hirang.

Roni

Thursday, September 5, 2013

WHAT EVERY RESTAURANT OWNER SHOULD MAINTAIN FOR THEIR BUSINESS TO THRIVE



This post is just a quick reminder to all food biz owners out there.

Just recently, my hubby and I went to this food place in the city, excited to discover what they have in store for Marikenyos. There was one attendant at that time, she was behind the counter. We came in, and, well, she didn't greet us. We were the only customers, and it was lunch time. I dismissed her act of ignoring us, so we settled our things on a table and went back to the counter to order.

At the counter, she still didn't greet us. Not a single word from her. Nothing. Nada. She didn't even ask what we wanted to order, nor make any suggestions of what their best products are for us to try. And most importantly, she wore this irritating grumpy look on her face, and never smiled a bit. Sorry miss, but in my opinion, if you're having a bad day, please do not let your employer's business suffer. And don't worry, I will not mention the business name here, but I will definitely tell your boss about it. I remember your shift date and time, lagot ka! :-p Really, I think I will be doing your employer a favor. And oh, I have a picture of you, too. Baka ibang kasama mo pa mapagbintangan.

So what's with the title of this post? With that food place, the grub was really good. No doubt about it. The place was clean. The concept is very promising. However, the customer service - sorry for the term - sucks.

You know, it's been said a million times, but customers of restaurants and food places do not just go back for the good food. They come back for the dining experience. You can have your restaurant serve really good food but poorly-trained staff will have your business weeded out in no time. So there: every restaurant owner should maintain GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE for their business to thrive. This has worked for centuries.

DISCLAIMER: Just because this experience is a recent one, does not mean that subsequent posts will give away the name of the restaurant. Uhm, puedeng oo, puedeng hindi. ;-)

On a lighter note: More foodie places coming your way ;-) Thanks for reading through my rant.


Marikina, aking hirang.

Roni

Friday, August 30, 2013

Even More Reasons to Love PERFECT MOMENTS BAKESHOP



Hello dear Marikenyos, friends, and reader friends, I am SOOO back ;-) The baby is thriving, life is great, and I continue to praise and thank God for all the wonderful works He does in our lives. I hope you've had your share of blessings, and that you have been a blessing today!

Speaking of blessing, we have been blessed to be invited by no other than our Chef - Masterbaker Josephine Po to check out the new look and menu of Perfect Moments Bakeshop in Blue Wave Marquinton. If you happen to be in the area, Perfect Moments is a great alternative (not to mention affordable) to your usual fast food chain.
 
 Welcome to Perfect Moments Bakeshop!

The Chef and the Master Baker, our allies for good food!

 The pretty lamps are still there!

 Coffee lovers, try their Vietnamese Coffee!

The new menu! I wanted to try out everything but stomach space is limited... Haha!

We decided to try the pizza offerings, since the store has a new brick oven. The pizzas are 99 PhP for a thin crust 8-inch pizza. Eat them while fresh of the oven! The crust is crunchy! :-)

 Hawaiian Pizza (99 PhP, 8")

 Four Cheese Pizza (99 PhP, 8"). A great deal for 99 pesos ;-)

We also tried the Banh Mi (49 PhP), a 6-inch sandwich of Vietnamese descent. It is a very simple, fresh-tasting sandwich. I love the chewiness of the bread and the aroma of fresh cilantro. With ground pork and liver, and the crunchiness of carrots (there's cucumber too but for my share I had to remove them because I don't eat cucumber, hehe), this sandwich is an easy favorite. Don't forget the chili sauce!

A slice of their Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

 Desserts up! Mais Con Hielo with Pinipig and Pastillas bits, topped with Leche Flan (50 PhP)

Photo Op with their marquee inside the store :-)

Now, let me give you some eye candy. Chef Jo and her craft assistant Jen are so talented that I can't help but take photos of their creations. Wondering where to get your cake for the family's next celebration? Contact Perfect Moments!

 Feast for the eyes

 Me want those piggies and owlies!

 Lovely!

 Hmmm... I want my wedding cake to be like this!

 Or maybe this? Hehe!

 Works of art indeed!

 Look! They have cookie pops, and minions, at that! We tried these and let me tell you... they're one of the best cookie pops out there. The cookie is soft and buttery! Kids will love this!

Hello Kitty Cupcakes

 More cookie pops! Hello Cookie Monster!

 Minion Cupcakes

 Mini Cupcakes. Cute!!

 Sesame Street Cupcakes :-) Love them!

Thank you so much Jennifer and Ate Dess for answering my never-ending questions! Chef Jo, I hope to meet you soon! xoxo

Check out my other Perfect Moments posts here.

PERFECT MOMENTS BAKESHOP
Ground Floor, Blue Wave Mall Marquinton
Sumulong Highway, Sto. Nino, Marikina City
Tel. No.: (02) 298-3871 / (02) 941-3266 / 0922-8116419
Visit their website here.
Munching Budget per person: starts at 50 PhP

Marikina, aking hirang.

Roni

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