» foodie finds {cherry} EVERYDAY

hong kong eats part I

May 23rd, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

Well hello, BACKLOG! I’ve been lazy updating, I know. It’s actually tragic. I maintain other blogs (if you call that maintaining as they haven’t been updated for so long). My tummy shows otherwise. It’s huge now and part of the reason why it’s in that state is our constant dining out which really began during my post-birthday trip to Hong Kong with daughter dearest.

It was an almost week-long vacation. We always travel to Hong Kong during winter season as it’s always a welcome change from hot and humid Manila. We stayed at Central during this trip only because Hotel Benito in Kowloon was already fully-booked. Although I was dismayed by the size of our hotel room at Mini-Hotel (the word mini was some sort of a warning which I ignored obviously), the location was perfect. It’s in Central. Shopping, dining and more shopping and dining are easy as everything is walking distance from our hotel. But you have to be prepared to go up and down a pretty steep staircase. It was fun at first and I thought I could use the exercise but after the 3rd day, I was already cursing going up those steps especially when we’ve just eaten and I was holding shopping bags in both hands. I’m still trying to figure out how in the hell I was able to manage carrying those.

Anyway, the highlight of our trip this year was the FOOD. I’ll just make a rundown and have detailed posts later on when I have more time. Between Joe & Cherry and Life, blogging now has to take a back seat. Wawa naman travel blog ko.

First meal upon touchdown…Maxim’s Food Delight at HKIA.

Then lunch at the always full Butao Ramen on the first day.

Just look at the long line of people hoping to get a table at this smallish resto (or more like a stall) in Central.

But it was worth the long line and long wait…

Butao King which I shared with my daughter as we were still full from the late breakfast we had at the airport. I still have dreams about this. Can’t wait to go back and try the Black King.

Then after some outlet shopping, this was merienda at a popular dessert place here in HK…HUI LAU SHAN Restaurant. You can tell from the photo that their specialty is mango.

And this was dinner. A lovely discovery and it was just so near our hotel. I miss this place. I’ve been trying to find a similar resto here in Manila that serves Chicken Biryani (not in photo) and Greek salad as good as the ones we had here but it has been one epic fail after another.

PART II: Tim Ho Wan, Saboten etcetera…

ramen yushoken molito

May 8th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

We finally got to dine in Ramen Yushoken last Monday and I discovered that they have the best Karaage in the whole of Metro Manila. But I didn’t exactly fall head over heels in love with the ramen. Was it because my taste or palette isn’t sophisticated enough? I don’t know. But don’t get me wrong again. It’s not your run-of-the-mill ramen place either. It’s kinda upscale actually. It’s authentic. They make the ramen noodles from scratch. And the broth is satisfyingly good and filling. You know and taste that it’s slowly simmered broth and not artificially flavored with pork broth cubes or something. But I’ve had better. Now I miss Butao Ramen and Ippudo in Hong Kong. And my sister claims she’s had the best ramen somewhere at restaurants lehigh valley. But that’s my sister. To her less sophisticated palatte, everything is great. She’s going to kill me for this.

So would I recommend this to friends and family? Yes, of course. Service is fast and attentive without being overly irritating and clingy. Hehe. Would I recommend it to my enemies? Probably not.

My order of Miso Ramen

Ramen Yushoken’s bestseller…Shoyu Ramen

Chahan with tasty pork for my daughter who is not so fond of ramen

The best Karaage. Crispy on the outside and juicy in the inside. Sounds familiar?

My son loved it here.

IHOP Philippines

April 11th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

I’m not a huge fan of pancakes but my kids love them, even the ones I make at home. That’s why we were ecstatic hearing about a new pancake place. IHOP, the International House of Pancake! We don’t have to settle for Pancake House each and every time we have this craving. And making a stack at home is pointless as I’m too lazy and too impatient. Yeah, I’m impatient like that. You know how you can’t put the flames on high and have to wait for each pancake to bubble up and get that right kind of brown. On each side!!!! Do you get me? I hate waiting. Patience has never been my strongest quality. While I enjoy browsing for clothes, celphone and even soccer trophies online for hours, I can’t give a minute’s time for those round things.

Anyway, it was my niece’s birthday when we first went there. As I decided on my order, I noticed that most pancakes on others’ tables were barely touched or consumed. So that was a warning that IHOP’s pancakes may not be that good. So I ordered French toast instead. And I enjoyed it.

And I was right about the pancakes….the pancakes suck. We went there the second time around and my son ordered pancakes and they were not fluffy and light the way good pancakes should be. They were bad. Don’t order pancakes now. I think you have to give IHOP time to perfect those. Anyway, when the bill came I was so surprised. Our bill didn’t even reach the 2K mark but we ordered so many and we were so full. Very affordable, indeed. I won’t include it in my Cheap Eats category but for the serving size and price, pwede na!!!!

Choices, choices. I love the Old-fashioned and Butter Pecan.

With my lunch or brunch partner…

Splashberry. This is refreshing and best part is, it’s refillable. Even the strawberries are refillable!

My order of French Toast. I shared this with my daughter. Good thing I ordered just one as I can’t finish one serving of this.

My side dishes that come with an order of Create Your Own French Toast. The bacon sucks but the hash brown is good with a hint of onion in every bite.

My sister’s order. I forgot what this is.

My niece had the same order as mine but she chose sausage instead of bacon.

Crepe with Fresh fruits on top. It’s savory and sweet at the same time.

The birthday girl with my daughter

This was the second visit with my son this time. I ordered the same thing but with sausage this time. I told ya, I’m not that adventurous when it comes to sampling other items on the restaurant menu.

My son’s Breakfast Sampler with Pancakes.

IHOP Philippines
W Global Center
30th Street cor 9th Avenue
BGC, Taguig

cookie butter craze manila

March 20th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

So have you jumped in on the latest craze? Yep, it’s Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter which everyone I know is raving about. Don’t tell me you haven’t. Well, you’re missing out. Seriously. So what is it, anyway? No, it’s not peanut butter. No, it’s not animal butter. How can I best describe it? Are you familiar with Speculoos Cookies? It’s made of that. And as brilliant and delicious as the Speculoos Cookie itself, somebody just thought about making it into a spread. How clever, right?!!!

Here’s to best describe it, straight from the horse’s, I mean, Trader Joe’s mouth…

Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter is, in its most simplistic terms, spreadable Speculoos cookies. Speculoos cookies are classic Belgian cookies with great crunch, and a slightly caramelized, almost-but-not-quite-gingerbread flavor. (Try our Bistro Biscuits for a close approximation.) After the cookies are baked to a fabulous finish, they’re crushed into a fine powder and mixed with magical ingredients (read: vegetable oils) and turned into a smooth, spreadable substance we call Cookie Butter. It resembles peanut butter in color and consistency. Make no mistake, though; this is a treat through and through. Spread it on toast, bagels, pancakes or waffles. Use it as a dip for hunks of dark chocolate or pretzels or (gasp!) veggies like carrots or celery. You could keep it really simple and just use it as a dip for a spoon.

So now you’re asking how one can get hold of it…especially when you’re miles away from the US. Well, well, well. You need not look any further as you, yes YOU, can get it from our online store, joeandcherry!!!! While everyone else is selling it at a ridiculously high price, you may find our price very reasonable. Go visit our site and find out. Like us on Facebook and even follow us on Instagram. As Christian Grey clearly says it, “We aim to please.”

joeandcherry
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/joeandcherry
Instagram: joeandcherry
Email: joeandcherrymanila@gmail.com

Relish “Hello” Happiness

March 11th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

That’s a mouthful for a restaurant name, right? But having a meal at Relish Hello, Happiness is definitely more than a mouthful. Big serving. I wasn’t even able to finish my order of Chicken Kebabs. But I had room for their New York Cheesecake which is a “must order” if you’re a cheesecake lover. The consistency is perfect and I love that I get bits of orange or lemon rind in there. The crust isn’t that thick which is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to crusted pies and cheesecakes.

But not all can be good, right? Downside is the resto is a bit on the expensive side. Nothing under 300 for a full meal with rice or mashed potato. Even the small plates/appetizers cost more than 200 pesos an order. The lovely NY cheesecake is P180. But I’ll gladly shell out 200 bucks for that. No problem. The dishes, on the other hand, are delicious but nothing unique or spectacular. I can get the same delicious dishes elsewhere at slightly lower prices. But the iced tea is good. I would also go back for that. It’s perfect now that it’s summer here. And oh, the place is visually appealing and beautiful. If you’re into that kind of thing, go and visit.

Relish Hello, Happines!

Chicken Kebabs. It’s good and I love the aioli dip.

Chicken Salpicao. I love the big button mushrooms. I don’t think it’s the canned version.

Gambas. This is just ok as I’ve eaten one of the best gambas around in Hai Chix and Steaks. That one was the bomb.

New York Cheesecake. Have I told you that I love this? It’s refreshingly different from the commercial cheesecakes that line most restaurants’ cake shelves and displays.