Snacking at Burgoo

It is quite impossible to miss the bright yellow signage of Burgoo when you walk around the mall looking for a place to eat.  This American resto has already been here for a while and it has become a usual go-to place for burgers and other American staple alongside its competitor, TGIFriday's.  Aside from the good 'ol burgers and steaks, they have huge platters of appetizers, soup, salads, desserts, etc.  Very American catering to the Filipino taste.

So one hot afternoon after watching a fashion show, my friends and I decided to dine in Burgoo again to get a quick snack.  (I don't know how many times I've eaten here already but maybe more than five.)  I decided to order the Supreme Sampler, the Oklahoma Pulled Baby Back Sandwich, and some Dalandan Shake as refreshment.  You're probably thinking those sounded more like lunch or dinner than snacks...well you know me haha! ☺ 

I particularly enjoyed Burgoo's Supreme Sampler.  I've always loved samplers because I want a little of everything.  The Onion rings were crispy and cooked perfectly, the Mozzarella sticks were...well they're my favorite so... the Buffalo wings were yummy, and the Santa Fe spring rolls had great flavor and were extra crisp.  It's a great snack, appetizer, or bar chow slash "pulutan".

Supreme Sampler, Regular (P395) - Large is at P595

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy my burger as much as I enjoyed the Supreme Sampler.  Perhaps I expected a lot because the name Oklahoma Pulled Baby Back Sandwich sounded fantastic! It was not that "bad" but I did wish I just ordered the usual Hamburgoo instead.  It just wasn't tasty and the meat was not juicy and tender. I'm not sure if the meat was overcooked or if they did not use baby back meat to begin with, but the dry and hard texture was really a downfall. Too bad because I was imagining really tender and juicy ribs-like meat in my  sandwich with flavorful sauce. Anyway, at least the coleslaw was good and I had a lot of fries as siding.

Oklahoma Pulled Baby Back Sandwich (P325)

Because it was such a hot day, the hero for me would surprisingly be their Dalandan Shake.  Very very refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness and citrus tanginess.  I wish there was an option to make it bottomless.  That would be perfect especially during the summer.

Dalandan Shake

Overall, I enjoy dining in Burgoo because of the ambiance and the decent American food.  They also have satisfactory customer service.  Not bad for an All-American snack fest.

Snack time over! Ciao! ☺




You may visit Burgoo at the following branches: Powerplant Mall Rockwell,  Robinsons Galleria,  The Podium, Gateway Mall,  Greenhills Shopping Center,  SM Mall of Asia,  SM Marikina,  SM North The Block, and Tomas Morato. 

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Dreamy Sushi: American Dream

A is for AWESOME, D is for DREAMY...  That is how I'm going to describe The Fat Vain Shopper's all time favorite, American Dream Makimono from Omakase. ♥

American Dream is made up of cooked salmon and cream cheese wrapped in nori, Japanese rice, and deep fried with light breading.  It's not the conventional sushi/maki with raw seafood but I like it.  The dipping sauce makes it extra special too.  I love the combination of salmon and cream cheese with the crispiness.  It's really a fine comfort food that's hard to resist.  Although for healthy conscious folks, I suggest you stick to the conventional sushi because this has extra calories in it.

I don't mind loading on extra calories because of its goodness so I'm quite biased.  In fact I can eat one order all to myself.  (THIS IS WHY I'M FAT haha!) Good thing it's very affordable!  Only P195 for one order (8 pcs.).  Woohoo!  I can eat it everyday!

Try American Dream on your next visit to Omakase.  Let me know your verdict! ☺


Check out OMAKASE at the following branches:  Alabang Town Center, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Greenhills Shopping Center, Il Terrazo, and Libis QC.  

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Johnny Chow

Me: "Let's eat at Johnny Chow!" Brother: "Jackie Chan??" Me: "No, I said JOHNNY CHOW!" Brother: "Oh, okay."

What comes to mind when you hear the name Johnny Chow? Asian? American? Chinese food? Martial Arts? Well, I think the name is very clever.  It's catchy and you know right away that it's Asian with a twist.  They market it as having "Amazing Asian Cuisine" and yeah I think they do. ☺

Johnny Chow is located at the Newport Mall, Resorts World.  It is actually managed by the same people behind Sumo Sam, John and Yoko, and Mr. Kurosawa, which are all excellent fusion restaurants.  So I am not surprised that it also has that charm and appeal plus having good fusion cuisine.  The first things you'd notice from the outside are the huge bright and colorful (almost neon) signage, the cute tables and chairs, and the waitresses dressed in sexy cheong sam and colorful wigs.  Talk about good first impressions huh.  Your eyes will definitely feast on the playful interiors and furniture.  I am particularly a fan of the chairs with Asian faces. They're so cute!

Outside Johnny Chow with the waitress in wig

Cool creative playful interior design

I love their cute chairs!

Their menu boasts of a wide variety of Asian cuisine such as Chinese, Korean, Thai, Malaysian, and a lot more! It's actually a bit overwhelming to look at the menu because there are a lot to choose from and everything looks appetizing. Yes, you'd already know how it looks because in their menu, every dish has a really big picture as well as a description of what's in it.  Very good for indecisive people and very good marketing strategy for visual people like me. The names of the dishes are also as playful unique and interesting as the ambiance.  Let me show you what we ordered....

On the table:  Eat Pray Love (Salad with crispy prawns and mandarin oranges), Tropic Thunder (Vietnamese rolls with a twist),  Jet Li Wagyu (Black peppered beef with shoestring potatoes),  Ming Dynasty (Salt and pepper oysters), Hot and Sour soup,  Emperor Wenzong (Crispy Asian chicken with barbecue sauce), Johnny Chow Fried Rice, and Goddess of the Sea (Steamed Lapu-Lapu with supreme soy sauce). We also ordered a pitcher of cold Lemongrass Tea.

Eat Pray Love Salad (P325)

Tropic Thunder (P278)

Jet Li Wagyu (P385)

Ming Dynasty (P278)

Hot and Sour Soup (P275)

Emperor Wenzong (P330)

Johnny Chow Fried Rice (P230)

Goddess Of The Sea (P495) - at least what's left of it coz I took a photo after eating sorry

Lemon Grass Iced Tea (P285)

I'm a fan of creativity so I do appreciate their dishes' naming convention.  Perhaps if I own a restaurant int he future, I'd also name my dishes in a unique way.  The more important thing however is if they achieved the same charm and creativity on the taste itself.  Well, I am happy to say they did.  The rich dynamic flavors I was expecting were present in most of the dishes.  The salad and rolls were wonderful, the Wagyu was very well seasoned with a kick of spice (might be too salty for others though),  the chicken was cooked perfectly and reminded me of Hong Kong, the Lapu Lapu was soft and juicy with just the right amount of soy sauce, and the oysters were tender and fantastic!  Even the tea, I also liked because it had mild sweetness with citrus pizzaz.  So there you go, the food did disappoint me.  As for the pricing, I think the range is average (not that affordable, but not that expensive).  If you have a tight budget, maybe it would be better to come back next time because I assure you, you would be tempted to order more than 3 dishes.  I actually wanted to order everything on the menu! ☺

Obviously, I enjoyed dining in Johnny Chow.  It was a feast not only for my eyes but for my taste buds as well.  I am definitely coming back for more AMAZING ASIAN CUISINE.  Thanks, Johnny Chow! ♥ 

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Katsu Yakitori Bar

Whenever you want to party or eat out, The Fort / Bonifacio Global City is always one of the top choice areas.  Why?  Because there are A LOT and I mean A LOT of good restaurants and bars located here.  Personally, I love BGC because there's no traffic, the place is so organized, and I can find everything I want here.  There's the Starbucks drive thru, Mercato Cetrale, the huge Fully Booked, and my favorite restaurants too.  Anyway, to cut to the chase, there's a new place in The Fort Strip which I already tried twice and I think you might like it.  It's KATSU YAKITORI BAR. 

KATSU opened last May so it's only 2 months old, and is located right beside Amber Ultralounge and Scarlet Lounge at The Fort Strip.  It's perfect for sumptuous dinner before you party, maybe a midnight snack after your night out, or just a quiet date with your special someone.  The first thing I noticed with Katsu even before getting inside is it's cool exterior and architecture.  The one-story restaurant has wooden walls and flooring (looks like Japanese bamboo).  It has an open air deck or patio in front for smoking guests and for those who want to enjoy al fresco dining.  The exterior looks very appealing to me.  Then upon entering, I also liked the interiors and ambiance.  The lighting is good, furniture is modern, and the place looks nice overall.  The ambiance would make you think it's an expensive restaurant BUT it really isn't. That is one of the best things about Katsu -  the food is very very affordable.  I wouldn't say "cheap" because it connotes something derogatory, but for the quality of food they have, yeah it's affordable (good value for money).  And because I came back twice, the food was obviously satisfactory! I'm not jumping up and down after eating (yeah I do after Antonio's and Aubergine haha!) but the serving is big and they are tasty enough for me the Jap-lover.  If you want to enjoy decent Japanese food, Katsu won't fail you.

So what was on the table?  We tried the Dynamite Roll which had salmon skin, scallions, and cream cheese topped with spicy salmon, Aspara-Bacon Maki which was basically asparagus wrapped in bacon Yakitori with sauce,  the California Roll which is an all time personal favorite, the Agedashi Tofu Steak, our Japanese resto staple Gyoza, and my Katsu favorite Spicy Tuna Roll with Kani.  All dishes had subtle yet authentic Japanese flavor and were yummy.  I wish the Tofu Steak was a little bit saltier though but all the rolls were good.  For those who want simple Japanese dining but in a more upscale environment, this is the place for you.☺

Dynamite Roll (P245)

Aspara-bacon Maki (P85 for 2 pcs)

California Roll (P225)

Agedashi Tofu Steak

Gyoza

Spicy Tuna Roll with Kani

Katsu
Unit E Fort Entertainment Center, 5th Avenue, corner 26th Street
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Tel. 846-1715, 846-2649, 552-21650
e-mail: barcraftconcept@ymail.com

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Not Your Ordinary Burger

What's your ultimate comfort food?  My quick fix would be chocolate (preferably dark and plain), sometimes junk food or fries, recently milk tea has done a good job too, but my ultimate comfort food of all time would definitely be BURGERS!  Anything from the classic McDonald's cheeseburger/Big Mac to Cafe Breton's Mozarella burger would do.  Burgers just have a way with me!  They keep me relaxed and satisfied.  Even back in college, my friends would see me eating a Big Mac while stress-studying for an accounting exam and they would just laugh teasingly.  The burger never fails me.  :)

So I've already tasted many burgers in my life.  McDo, Jollibee, Burgoo, Carl's Jr. (I miss), Crave, Brother's, Sango, Sumo Sam, Friday's, Breton, and many many more...  Each burger is unique and delicious in it's own way.  Now when I heard of this new burger in town early last year, I didn't think twice and headed out to get it.  Imagine...a FOIE GRAS BURGER!  How exciting can that be?  The juicy burger paired with the rich unique taste of foie gras - I was more than excited to try it.

Arrived at LUSSO, Greenbelt 5, one night.  I didn't even bother looking at the menu anymore because I already knew what to order - Lusso's controversial Foie Gras Burger.  I sipped on my fresh orange juice as I waited and when it arrived mmhhmm I already smelled heaven.

Initially, the plate looked rather simple, with the burger and some fries and cream on the side.  That's a good thing because you don't want to get intimidated.  (As if the thought of eating a foie gras burger doesn't intimidate already.)  The creamy sauce on the side looks very inviting so I placed a generous amount on my first slice.  And there it goes.  YUUUMMM!  The juicy beef just oozed with flavor with every bite and wow that foie gras hit the spot right on.  Very good combination indeed.  Quite sinful because of all the fat but very very good.  I just realized after a while that the creamy sauce on the side was melted Cambozola cheese that's why it was very tasty with awesome texture and suited the burger perfectly with some caramelized onions as well.  Comfort food at it's finest right there.    

Lusso Foie Gras Burger and Fresh Orange Juice

Pour the melted cheese and take a heavenly bite!

Lusso is a fancy restaurant (pretty obvious with its name Lusso = Luxe) but it has a cozy ambiance that won't intimidate.  Of course the burger is not priced as your average fast food burger.  It's P595 and good for ONE person.  Definitely a steep price for a burger (McDo cheeseburger is at a measly P39) BUT definitely worth your money.  You can probably splurge on it once in a while, I guess when you're overworked.  :)  I suggest you use your hands to eat the burger and pour all of the melted Cambozola cheese.  YUM!


For your info:
LUSSO 

Greenbelt 5, Makati City
(Beside Myron's Place)

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Under The Tuscan Sun

TUSCANY is a region in Central Italy known for its beautiful landscapes and rich artistic legacy.  If you've watched the movie "Under The Tuscan Sun" starring Diane Lane, then you pretty much have an idea of how Tuscany looks and feels like.  It's a very pretty and romantic place inspired by the elements of nature.  Sounds dreamy and picturesque?  It is! You can even consider this as a honeymoon place.  And who would have thought that we here in the Philippines could have our own little Tuscany?  Yup, that's when you've discovered Marcia Adams Tuscany in Tagaytay.

I just love hole-in-the-wall restos!  It feels like finding a treasure, really.  That's how I felt after discovering Marcia Adams Tuscany.  It was actually Christmas Eve of December 2010 when my family decided to have dinner outside.  (We spent Christmas in Tagaytay last year, hoping for a cold weather to match the mood.) So I was on my laptop researching for a nearby restaurant when I came across an article from OAP featuring the place.  I instantly decided on going there.  Although I was worried that it might be closed because it was Christmas Eve so I had to call to make sure.  Luckily, Marcia was very accommodating and said they can serve us dinner that night.  Woohoo I was excited!

So we drove to the Rotonda as Marcia instructed.  It was dark at 6:30pm and signs weren't that visible anymore.  It's really difficult to find places in Tagaytay when it's dark already but it's part of the adventure.  We finally saw the street right after the Rotonda, and we turned.  It was a small street void of much lighting so we had to ask a couple of passers by to make sure we weren't lost.  Then at last, we found the Tuscan-looking door!  There was a parking area for a few cars and just a small mysterious Tuscan door (which wasn't the entrance by the way).

We entered the place through the side gate and immediately saw plants and trees all in a pretty landscaped garden.  You'd notice it even if it was dark.  Not long after, Marcia's husband Neil greeted us politely and escorted us inside the main dining area.  WOW I thought.  Boy it was pretty.  All of a sudden I felt like I was in a different country.  The main dining area was inspired by the elements of nature and very Tuscan. It had stone walls, interesting sandstone bricks, intricate wrought iron accessories, and a hint of sun-washed colors.  We looked around for a while before settling down to appreciate the charming place. (Too bad I wasn't able to bring my Lumix LX5 with me.  Photos were only taken using an old Olympus digicam so quality isn't that nice)

They brought the Tuscan Sun to Tagaytay!  You may appreciate it more when you visit the place around 4-5pm

Wrought iron accessories on dark wood furniture

Mood lighting and chilly December weather

Apart from the dining area was a smaller porch/patio area which would be PERFECT during sunset.  Oh I can already imagine having a date there!  So romantic!  It was also Tuscan in style of course, made with rustic stone and bricks, with marble flooring and sturdy wooded furniture, but had a splash of color - bright yellow.  The peaceful and warm setting and simplicity will not intimidate you but will leave you in inviting awe.  Outdoor spaces are critically important for Tuscan style thus their garden area is huge.  They also had a water fountain in the central courtyard surrounded by beautiful wildly growing greens. Walkways, driveways, and garden paths are set with stone or brick and nature takes its course and grass grows up between the stones.  Obviously, we had a lot of time appreciating the place.  Why?  We were actually lucky that because of our schedule, we had the place all to ourselves. :)

Walkway to the sunset patio (I wasn't able to take a decent photo of the patio itself but I promise to do so when I come back)

So enough of the place.  I think I've already raved enough about it.  WHAT ABOUT THE FOOD??? Well... the food did not disappoint me.  The dishes were simple yet exquisite in flavor!  These are my type of dishes so I may be biased.  They were healthy (no trace of oil, mostly grilled not fried, and with herbs), had authentic flavors (seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices), and had big serving sizes.  I don't think a typical girl can finish a plate.  I did of course! :)

We ordered the set menu instead of ala carte and I suggest you do the same.  I can't see the point of ordering ala carte when you can have a delicious THREE COURSE MEAL for the price of ONLY the main entree you choose! Isn't that great value for money?  (Actually the set-up is similar to Antonio's but this one's waaayyy cheaper)  The average price of a set menu would be P700 inclusive of one appetizer/soup, a main entree, and dessert. 

My Set Menu:  Almafi Prawns, Fish Souvalki with couscous, and Grilled Orange with Vanilla Ice Cream.  (Price: P700) 

My Brother's Set Menu:  Mushroom and Garlic Soup, Spanish Chicken Casserole with couscous, and Lime Panna Cotta  (Price: P755)

My Dad's Set Menu:  Almafi Prawns, Grilled Aromatic Pork with rice, and Fried Bananas with Dark Chocolate Dip (Price: P700)

Starter:  Soup

Entree:  Spanish Chicken & Couscous

Entree:  Fish Souvlaki (tanguige kebab marinated in olive oil, lemon & herbs)

Dessert:  Lime Panna Cotta

Dessert:  Grilled Orange with Vanilla Ice Cream (FAVORITE)

I absolutely loved my orders!  The prawns were crunchy and tasty.  They weren't overcooked and are really great appetizers because I couldn't wait for my fish to arrive haha!  As for the main course, the spices and herbs gave the fish so much interesting flavor I couldn't stop savoring every bite. The couscous' texture was lovely and matched the fish well.  And finally, the dessert was so heavenly I was tempted to order another one.  Great contrast of a fresh citrus fruit like an orange being grilled with rugged flavor and then adding the simple sweetness of the vanilla ice cream - perfect combination of flavors in my mouth :)  Take note however that some of my family members thought that the dishes were a bit bland for their taste.  I may be biased because my taste buds appreciate light flavoring.  Some of you who likes salty cooking may not appreciate the dishes as much as I did.  Just go try and see for yourself.  Oh, and I love even the beverage - Lemon bitters! :)

A pitcher of cold Lemon Bitters

Overall, I'm giving it 4.5 out of 5!  It's my second favorite restaurant in Tagaytay (Nothing can beat Antonio's).  If you haven't visited Marcia Adams Tuscany, please do so!  You'll be missing a lot if you don't.  I'm definitely coming back for a date in that lovely sunset patio. ENJOY!


For your info: 
Marcia Adams Tuscany is located along the border of Tagaytay and Alfonso, Cavite across Ville Sommet.  Just turn right at the Tagaytay Rotonda with the sign leading to Ville Sommet. Tuscany entrance is on the left side.

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Tasteful Jap-Mex at TORO

What do you think about Japanese-Mexican fusion?  Sounds promising right?  Well, I had to try it myself to find out.  Last month, I visited a new place in Bonifacio Global City called TORO.  Yes, Toro as in the bull.  It's a newly opened restaurant which is quite small (fits around 40 people) and hidden since it's not located in the usual Highstreet, Serendra, or Burgos Cricle.  I didn't mind having to look for it though because for me finding it is like discovering a treasure concealed inside the many streets of BGC.  All because I had a delightful dining experience. :)

According to OAP, TORO means bull in Mexican and tuna belly in Japan

So before entering the little posh place, your first concern would be parking.  Unfortunately, they don't have a designated parking area yet.  We almost parked in the MINI car showroom parking area but the guard did not allow us.  So anyway, no need to worry though because they have a valet service for all Toro customers.  Not bad.  Besides, valet parking has always been convenient.  So after parking and entering the restaurant, the first thing i noticed was its size.  It was quite small with very few tables (so make sure to go early or make a reservation) and if I'm not mistaken it can only fit 40 people at most.  However, the size didn't make things uncomfortable.  In fact I kinda like the private feel to it.  The chairs were comfortable and the tables were big enough, but I didn't like the dim lighting so much.  Perhaps because it's also a bar/lounge and they served drinks aside from food.  In terms of design, for a small resto, interiors were quite remarkable, having a few artistic pieces that caught my eye.  Overall, the ambiance can be perfect for a date or a chill dinner and drinks with friends.

Spanish bar ambiance 

With some artistic pieces that caught my eye

TORO BAR - they do serve drinks that look yummy so you can also come here for a "loading dose" before a night out with friends :)

Now onto the best part...the food as usual.  What can I say, I was right!  The Japanese-Mexican fusion idea is superb!  Well the dishes were more of Japanese, let's say 70% Japanese with 30% Mexican kick, but still brilliant.  They have the usual Toro Miso Soup which I loved because of the fresh enoki mushrooms and large fresh tofu cuts and green onions.  A warm cup of miso soup is always a good way to start my Jap meal.  We also ordered the Toro Ceasar Salad which was quite interesting because it had romaine lettuce, tomatoes, manchego, crispy ebi tempura, and a soy ginger glaze.  It was deconstructed so you have to mix it by yourself, maybe so that you can mix the flavors according to your preference.  Then we also tried the Stuffed Finger Chilli which is their version of my favorite dynamite rolls.  It's basically a big green pepper stuffed with mozarella cheese, chedda cheese, and basil.  It didn't fail my taste buds as usual!  There was a beautiful contrast between the spicy chili and mouthwatering cheese.  Two thumbs up for an appetizer!  Then we wanted to order something like a Japanese resto staple, ebi tempura.  The Creamy Spicy Tempura Rock Shrimp was the closest bet so we tried it.  It wasn't the normal ebi tempura because of the special sauce that's creamy but tomatoe-y and spicy like a mexican version of marinara sauce.  So again it's a good combo of Japanese with hint of Mexican flavors.  Now for my favorites - the maki.  First we ordered the Salsa Verde Maki which didn't look so appetizing at first because it was too green.  But alas, I was wrong, it tastes unique but very delicious.  Then here comes my favorite dish of all - the Volcano Roll.  Yes, it is now included in my top 10 favorite foods of all time!  I just love the powerful taste of spicy mayo combined with the delicate taste of fresh salmon, with an extra kick of crispy jalapeno fried in tempura batter.  Wow it just literally explodes in your mouth, hence the perfect name Volcano Roll.  That maki really made my dining experience such a delight.  We also ordered other dishes such as crispy pork belly, spicy beef fire bowl, crispy chicken basil bowl, and age dashi tofu, and all of them were pretty tasty.  Oh and we also tried the Mojito since some guests seemed to be having fun drinking.  :)

Miso Soup  - P200

Toro Ceasar Salad - P260

Stuffed Finger Chilli - P250 (5pcs)

Creamy Spicy Tempura Rock Shrimp - P350 (4 pcs)

Salsa Verde Maki - P350 (5 pcs)

My favorite! The VOLCANO ROLL - P390 (5 pcs)

Mojito (You can try their drinks too, they look good)

As the restaurant seems quite intimidating because of the fine dining appeal, no need to worry because the prices aren't that steep.  Dishes are more expensive than the ones in your usual Japanese or Mexican restaurants but can be affordable especially for special occasions.  You'd spend an average of around P700 per person depending on what dishes you'll be ordering.  By the way, I also like the service and the fancy bag holders that they lend to the ladies.  :)

My overall rating for Toro would be 4 out of 5.  If the prices were a bit lower, it would be 5 out of 5.  If you like Japanese food and you're looking for something new and exciting, try Toro!  You won't regret it.

For your info:
TORO Restaurant & Bar
Unit 6 G/F McKinley Place
26th St. Corner 4th Ave. BGC
(At the back of MINI showroom)

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