The PolyHobbyist: favorites

If I would be making a list of those restaurants that I would always go back to, Cafe Mary Grace will always be on that list. Chad and I have dined here thrice already, all during special occasions, and there was never a time that we got disappointed with their food and service. Their cakes are one of the biggest reasons why we always come back. But it was never a bad idea to order their pasta and pizza because they also taste delicious.

The ambiance and interiors of the restaurant looked quite intimidating at first you'll think that the food served here will burn holes in your pockets. But to me, the prices are quite reasonable for the kind of food they fill in our tummies.

I always felt like dining at home every time we visit. Although the Gateway Cubao branch is quite small and the space is quite narrow, we always had a good time. The budget for two, based on experience, is around 1000 - 1200 pesos - the reason why we eat here only in special occasions. It's quite pricey, but I promise you, you won't get disappointed.

Our third visit was to celebrate Chad's 25th birthday. Here's what we ate:

Spanish Sardines & Olives(P320)

I've always been a fan of red sauce pastas when I was a kid. When I got older, oil-based pastas became my instant favorite! I find them healthier and more delicious. I had Cafe Mary Grace's Spanish Sardines and Olives Pasta. Chad recommended I have this because he knows how much I'm craving for it. It did not disappoint! My cravings for this pasta are fully satisfied! The taste is not that salty, and there's a right amount of kick in the dish. It tastes like homemade pasta. Felt like home.

Smoked Salmon & Cream(P330)

The birthday boy had Smoked Salmon & Cream. I tasted it and as much as I love the pasta dish that I ate, this dish doesn't taste bad at all. I'm not a fan of Salmon but it tastes good. The cream blends with the Salmon quite well. The cream eliminates the fishy taste of the Salmon in a good way. I wasn't able to taste the caviar though.

And now, for some dessert! The reason why I suggested such a budget if you would dine here is because I don't want you guys to miss their super yummy cakes!

Mango Bene(P198 per slice)

If you haven't heard of Cafe Mary Grace's Mango Bene before, then now's the time you should know about it. It's the best Mango Cake I have ever tasted! The mangoes are in every layer of the cake and they are always sweet! I also love the meringue which adds a different texture in the cake. You shouldn't miss this slice of heaven if you'll dine here. It's quite pricey, but you won't feel any guilt about it.

Chocolate Truffle(P170 per Slice)

If Mango Bene's my favorite cake, this one is Chad's. The cake is creamy chocolate-y but never too sweet. The chocolate cream in between those chocolate layers tasted like Cadbury chocolate for me. It just melts in your mouth! According to Cafe Mary Grace's website, it is Callebaut Truffle in between those chocolate cake layers. The cake is soft and I think it is best eaten when chilled.

I've always wanted to order a different flavor of cake every time we dine here but we always end up with our favorites LOL.

We always had a satisfied dining experience at Cafe Mary Grace that's why we always choose to dine here to celebrate life milestones. Belated Happy birthday, Love!

Have you ever dined here? If not, go na!:D

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Their door is so big. We thought they were already closed.

Ever since Gringo opened in SM North, Chad and I already planned on checking the place out knowing they have one of the best tasting chicken in town. Many times we planned. And most of those were failed attempts. But I guess the heavens heard our tummies' prayers that they opened a new branch in UP Town Center! Gringo Chicken, Ribs and Friends is located on the Ground Floor of UTC side by side with Genki Sushi and close to the H&M Mall Entrance just so you won't have a hard time finding it because we did LOL.

Gringo's Place

Loving those colored wooden walls

Gringo's in UP Town Center is quite big as compared to the SM North branch. Upon entering, you will be greeted with "Hola!" by their cheerful servers. The very first thing that I noticed is that most of the tables are for groups. Most of them are long tables serving 6 to 8 people. Tables for 2 persons were scarce so I guess this place is really meant for barkadas and families. They also have couches if you want to feel extra comfy. I can't properly describe though the way they designed their interiors. I think it's a mix of modern and classy at the same time.

Long Tables and Beers over there!

Gringo's Service

Gringo's is still on their soft opening when we visited. There were also not much people so I guess it's safe to say that we received the best service they could offer. The food also came quick we don't have to entertain ourselves so to not get bored of waiting. Moreover, we didn't have to ask them for water because they always fill our glasses in every time.

Gringo's Chicken

When our orders came up, the smell of the chicken is really irresistible. It's like the chicken is marinated in strong spices. We are also served with complimentary Nachos though there are a lot of chips and less toppings. But it's free anyways so who are we to judge.

Mine

I ordered the Southern Spice Quarter Chicken with Garlic Rice and Buttered Corn as my sides. You can choose not to order any sides. But since we're very hungry, we both ordered rice and another one from a variety of sides namely: Rice(White, Mexican or Garlic), Smokey Beans, Buttered Corn, Mashed Potato, Marbled Potato Salad, French Fries, Fried Saba and Macaroni Salad. A Southern Spice Quarter Chicken with 2 sides costs 235 pesos which is not really bad for the amount of servings we had. But if it's still expensive for you, removing the sides would cost 158 pesos on your pockets but I think that won't be satisfying.

His

On the other hand, Chad ordered the same Southern Spice Chicken but with French Fries instead of buttered corn.

On my first bite of the Chicken, honestly, my taste buds had to adjust. The flavor is overwhelming especially with the dip. But as I bit again, the Chicken tasted so delicious and juicy. I researched a bit and found that the chicken is baked then grilled. So I guess that's where the smokiness and at the same time tenderness went in. The taste is very distinct I can't compare it to others. Gringo is the only one that has this flavor for my favorite meat. It has this right amount of acidity that most restaurants serving chicken don't have. One of the best tasting chicken I've had. As for our sides, I liked that the buttered corn is not so butter-y. Just the right amount of the butter. But the Frieesssss, so crispy! Chad liked dipping it on the Chicken's condiment.

We only tasted their Chicken. But man, they provide food for the souuuul. Their chicken is so unique, they earned a spot on my taste buds that only their chicken could fill in. Maybe next time, we'll have Ribs and Mojitos. Make sure to stop by any Gringo restaurant you could find and be delighted with the delectable but affordable chicken they serve. So before I get all hungry again, I'll just end this post. Tehee.

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While we were enjoying our Samgyeopsal last January, we came across this idea of what we wanted to do the whole year round. I welcome you guys to a new Blog Series: the 12 months, 12 cuisines challenge! Every month, we'll be trying one different cuisine. That way, we will be able to explore all possible food choices Metro Manila has to offer. Or if possible, just around Marikina(my hometown) and Quezon City(his).

A lot of people! And a tiger and mouse!

For the month of February, and to celebrate our 3rd Valentine's Day together, Chad and I headed to UP Town Center to have a piece of Mexican taste. Well basically it's a Fil-Mex Restaurant. This is not our first time in UTC. Before, I always see Silantro with big groups of people waiting outside. In my mind, I was curious what could be making the commotion, until my sister told me that they offer both high quality and quantity of food at a very affordable price. Who wouldn't want that? With those 3 in a restaurant, even I would be willing to wait outside to try it out.

Must-Knows

However, we're not the only ones who knows this piece of Gem exists. So to dine without hassle, here are the things you must know before you decide to dine here:

Location: Second Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
They have other branches which may be close to you so you won't have to travel far to seek this place.
They are crowded most of the time. We arrived at UTC at around 4:30pm and the restaurant is already full! Best thing to do is to sign yourselves up on the long queue before you go shopping or watch a movie because I heard the duration of waiting could be worse, especially for big groups.
If there's only two of you then you could get seated faster than anyone else.
They DON'T ACCEPT RESERVATIONS.
They have really BIG SERVINGS so you might what to check on first of what you're ordering before you get another one.

The Place

Canteen Setup with a sneaking Panda and an octopus and bear :))

There's nothing special about this restaurant. At least when it comes to their environment. Having so many diners, very busy waiters, and simple chairs and tables, the setup really looks like a Canteen. It's very crowded. We just acquired a very little space in the corner. This is not really a good place when you want to have peaceful conversations but a very good place when you just want to eat and run. Maybe they should expand their place already to allow more people to dine in an instance. In my estimate, I think there are 20 to 30 people whom we're with at their small space. However, the aroma of the food they are cooking is seducing. Good thing we didn't smell like nachos or barbecue when we got out.

The Service

Aww look at their happy faces char! Haha.

Well I'm satisfied to say that even though this is a very busy restaurant, their service is quick! Maybe because they also took our orders beforehand. The waiters are very attentive. We don't even have to ask for water most of the time because they always serve it before we can even ask for it. Maybe that's the advantage of a small place, they can easily all those who were dining and what they need.

The Food

This is what makes this restaurant so special for me. Despite not having artsy decorations or a wide space, what will make people coming back for it will always be the food they offer. Knowing they serve big quantities, we opt to just order 2 dishes to avoid ordering too much of what we could really eat.

Holy Moly Nachos with Guacamole!

When their Beef Nachos arrived, both our eyes literally widened! Yes, even Chad's Chinese eyes(though he's not Chinese haha) became more visible. Definitely, NACHO ORDINARY NACHOS! Get that pun? haha. Every restaurant has a dish of crowning glory and for Silantro, I think it is their Beef Nachos oozing with Cheese and Guacamole. Dito palang mabubusog ka na! Lalo na kung dalawa lang kayo haha. They also have dips which you can use whichever dish you want. The amount of beef and cheese is in proportion with the Nacho chips so you won't worry about running out of beef while still having so many chips.

Ribs, the Silantro Way

For the second one, we ordered their Rib Fingers. I'm not really sure though if these really came from the ribs part of the pig or it's just a metaphor because it's boneless. It is meat served on a sizzling plate with mashed potatoes on the side and a gravy sauce. The meat is very hard to chew which I think is because of the fat parts. It tastes okay for me. However, I really liked the gravy sauce and mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes are soft and I really liked putting the gravy sauce on top of it much like KFC style of eating mashed potatoes.

While were almost done eating, we felt this feeling of getting tired of eating the nachos. What Chad did is to order a coke in can just to get off the umay feeling. It's very cold and you know that Coke is best when it's cold. It washed away the umay feeling so I guess what we can suggest when you dine here is to get some softdrinks to avoid feeling the same.

There's no better way of celebrating Valentine's Day than having a very hearty meal and Silantro just gave that to us. Though we can't stay that long because it's very noisy and a lot of people were waiting outside. Waiting to be seated in Silantro is really worth it. When it comes to food, Silantro never fails at giving their customers all quality, quantity, and value for money. Next time you head on to UTC, do visit this crowd favorite. 2/12! ;)

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2016 had been a year for one of the greatest food innovation yet, Food Parks. I've been to most of them in Quezon City and Marikina. To name a few, I've been to Maginhawa Food Park, The Yard, Marikina Eat Street, The Truck Park, and Crave Park. While I've been to most of them once, there's only one food park that I've been to FOUR TIMES up to this date. And that my friends and fellow food lovers, is what I'm sharing with you. My love for cravings and Crave Park.

One of the large murals outside Crave Park

Crave Park is the first of its kind to offer not just quality and diverse food choices, but also appreciation with art. This food park showcases murals created by locals located at different parts of Crave Park. And mind you, you need not worry anymore even if this place gets crowded during weekends because the hype already slowed down and you can already find your seats in a few minutes. Here are some of the things you should know about Crave Park:

Must Know's

Crave Park just offers al fresco dining but the place is well-ventilated so you won't feel all sweaty while indulging with your favorites. Yes Crave Park may have offered something new that others don't have, but the main reason why we kept coming is not mainly because of the ambiance, it's FOOD. And with that, let me share you what we always crave in this establishment that kept us one of their loyal customers:

Chicken and Pesto from FLAT BREAD

Chicken and Pesto (P90)

Rating: 7.5/10

You may have thought that Chicken and Pesto can only be a pasta variety but Flat Bread offers them in a different kind of carbohydrate. It may be oily from the looks of it but the it is very delicious I didn't find it unhealthy at all. The pesto flavor kicks in giving it a whole new taste level while the chicken and bread keeps things in balance. They offer this in solo and sharing sizes. They also have other unique flavors like S'mores flat bread for those who like something sweet.

Garlic Parmesan and Buffalo Wings from KM128

Garlic Parmesan Wings (P185)

Buffalo Wings (P185)

Rating: 10/10!!!!

This is what Chad and I mostly crave for. Every time we wanted to eat wings, we head back to Crave Park for these babies. Our favorite flavor would always be Garlic Parmesan. The garlic flavor is not that strong it just blends with the cheese. I just wish they'll have a special dip for it. Their Buffalo Wings have one though. It's not too spicy. I think the spiciness is bearable so I also recommend this one. Their wings are also crispy and juicy(chickenjoy! char) and they come with eating gloves so we won't mind to get our hands on our wings.

The Archipelago's Ilocano Rice

Ilocano Rice (P215)

Rating: 10/10

If you don't mind eating too much carbs or you're just very hungry at the moment, then The Archipelago by Barrio Fiesta offers one of those that will get you very full afterwards. Their bestselling Ilocano Rice is really one for the books! It showcases most of the well known Ilocano dishes. It is comprised of Bagnet, salted egg, tomatoes, onions, and rice topped with Longganisa bits! Yep you may have your BP's checked after this one but it is very much worth it for its price.

Kwatro Cubanos' Classic Cubano

Classic Cubano (P185)

Rating: 8/10

I'll be honest. The main reason why we ordered this one is because of its TWISTER FRIES LOL. But then, the sandwich didn't disappoint. Classic Cubano is like a ham and cheese sandwich but the difference would be its gooey-ness. I love that they've put just the right amount of cheese for us to enjoy. It is also served fresh and hot. I just wish they'll be more generous too with the twister fries hoho.

Kawaii Kitchen's Pork Katsu Curry

Pork Katsu Curry (P215)

Rating: 8/10

Another Carbs loading made its way! We just tried this yesterday. I'm a bit disappointed with the presentation though because that's not what I saw in the other reviews. Kawaii Kitchen serves kawaii-ly garnished dishes from what I've read and to be honest, this is far from the impression their name made. Surprisingly, this tastes good! For its price, the quality of their katsu did not disappoint. It is crispy and well cooked. The breading is also not too thick and pork is well seasoned. To add up, putting the curry sauce on top adds more flavor. The one that really had me forgetting about their presentation. They should add more curry sauce though. It's not in proportion with the katsu.

Update!! 2017!!

Mango Graham Bingsu from Bingsheep

Mango Graham! Yum!(P149)

Rating: 9/10

Dining won't be complete without a dessert of course! Now with the invasion of all things Korean in the Philippines, this one is my favorite! The ice melts easily inside my mouth and it's sooo creamy. The mango is also sweet and there are lots of it! It was hot that time and trying this out is so refreshing.

Before this post gets more lengthy, I'll just add some more crave-worthy dishes you could try at Crave Park, hope to see you there! And for the record, this is not a sponsored post. ;)

Tempura from Tokyo Tempura! They also serve unlimited Tempura for you to try.:D Rating: 7.5/10

Quenchers' Milo Dinosaur Shake. They also serve Lemonade in buckets for large groups! Rating: 6/10

Four Cheese from Dabs and Popcorn for the cheese-y peeps! Rating: 6/10

Fix your burger cravings with Hunger Buster's Dying Burger (P155) Rating: 7.5/10

Chicken Sandwich from Pulled Meat Bar Rating: 8.5/10

Kebab Platter from Uncle Moe's Shawarma Rating: 7/10

I really enjoyed doing this post. And it got me hungry again also lels. We also did a 800-peso challenge in Crave Park! You can read about it here:

http://acilegnamai.tumblr.com/post/152804609374/satisfy-your-cravings-at-crave-park.

We'll try something Greek in Crave Park next time. Have you been here too? I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments box! Share with me your favorites and I'll try it out! *high five*

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If there's something that I'm quite hesitant to try despite being a self-proclaimed food lover, it is to eat a completely different cuisine. For the record, I never tried Korean before thinking that their taste buds have a higher level of tolerance when it comes to all things spicy. But when I saw this unique place of what it seems to me like a "Train to Busan"-inspired restaurant in Facebook, I began to think twice. Then I saw that it is a Korean BARBECUE restaurant. That keyword really spoke a lot to me. And I knew I had to drag Chad into eating Samgyeopsal which he ecstatically accepted. What happens next? We got a reservation for two after a few days!

Overloaded Mural Cuteness!

Brace yourselves K-pop, Korean Drama fans and food lovers alike! The coolest and newest Korean Barbecue place has finally arrived! Aaaand just a fair warning, this is a photo heavy post. Aaaaand you might just get your samgyeopsal cravings working. *wink* *wink*

This train won't leave you, unlike your ex :P

At first, I thought that this may be inspired out of Train to Busan but when I read the other reviews, this concept came from the owners' love for travel and barbecue. Finding this place won't be a hassle as this protruding train is very visible to everyone.

Must Knows

Seoul Train is located at 28 Sergeant Esguerra Avenue, South Triangle, Tomas Morato, Quezon City
I highly recommend to get a reservation instead of walk-ins because the seats are very limited(There are only 6 tables available on the main dining area). You can contact them through facebook or via landline: 02 2872446 for a reservation.
They're open from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5:30 pm to 10 pm
There's somehow like a minimum order when you dine there. You should get either one of their premium meats which costs around 800 to more than 1000 pesos or order two of their barbecue meals.
Budget for 2 is a minimum of 1200 pesos when you have such a hungry tummy,
Dining time is limited due to other reservations but I think the time they gave us is enough for us to enjoy the food
They have a VIP room which you can get for P3000/table on weekdays and P5000/table on weekends.

The Train and the Station

I won't mind waiting here as long as I get those toys!

I really admire how consistent this restaurant is when it comes to their theme. From the sound of a choo-choo train to the K-pop music videos being played on a screen in the dining area. This place is too cute not to be noticed! They even have toy vending machines and toy cranes which I guess is for the people in the waiting area.

Despite being a small restaurant, I found it to be spacious. I can move freely. Even when the dining area is full, I still feel comfortable. You don't even need to worry about smelling like barbecue when eating because they have an exhaust on top of every grill.

Dinner on board the Seoul Train

The Ultimate Samgyeopsal Experience

And the most important part of this post, foooooood! Seoul Train offers a lot of Korean dishes including the popular Bibimbap, Japchae and of course! Samgyeopsal. But it being a barbecue place, they require you to avail their korean barbecue dishes. We ordered, Woo Samgyup, Samgyeopsal, and Kimchi Bokkeumbap(Kimchi Fried Rice).

I must say, they have the best service quality I ever had. They even cooked the barbecue for us which is an advantage for me because I can snap photos without worrying that our meat may get burnt. They are also very approachable and attentive.

Kimchi Bokkeumbap (P260.00)

I've known Kimchi ever since I started to watch Korean Dramas. I even remember Gu Jun Pyo munching Kimchi in Boys over the Flowers so I thought maybe Kimchi is delicious. Until the time I got to try it in a Korean noodle restaurant to which I really didn't like the taste. But Seoul Train's Kimchi Bokkeumbap or Kimchi Fried Rice is a completely different story. It is served in a sizzling bowl with a sunny side up on top. I really liked the right amount of spice it has. It is amply seasoned and the serving is just right to be shared by me and Chad. I even ate it with our barbecue and they blended well on my tastebuds.

Woo Samgyup(P400.00) and Samgyeopsal(P350.00)

Lettuce and Sides

As for our meat, we had thin(Woo Samgyup) and thick slices which we used for our Samgyeopsal. Just note that this is not unlimited so that's really all that we had plus a refill of lettuce. I liked the thin slices more because the thick one combined with the other dressings won't fit into my mouth. And I'm just surprised that I loved adding Kimchi to my Samgyeopsal. They also have special sauces where you can dip the meat which add a different kind of taste to your Samgyeopsal. It's a good thing for me that the sides are not that spicy. You can add chilli on your samgyeopsal if you want a spicy one.

Seoul Train gave me a very good impression of authentic Korean dishes. There's none that I didn't like during our dining experience. From the meat to the sides, the quality is A+! And just like what Chad and I both said the moment we leave this establishment, we will always come back here every time we crave for Samgyeopsal.

I hope you guys enjoyed this post. Plus I'll be making a video of this for my latest blog project! Enjoy the rest of the photos! ;)