Published June 9, 2013 | 
Few weeks ago, some of my friends from San Diego are raving about this new Donut store in Down Town on Instagram. I need to google the said store and found out that it’s on B Street.
You know how I love donuts and cupcakes so I message my Aunt in FB and told her about it. After few days, she asked her son to drive her over to the place to try the donuts
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She said it was good and her favorite so far is the creme brulee and apples. My cousin and his girl friend love the Starbucks Espresso flavored donut which I believe is talk of the town.
I can’t wait to try the donuts soon, if ever I get the chance to visit San Diego again. For now, I am already listing down food to try on my next travel.
Macappleboy
Published March 13, 2013 | Last December, when the fam bam is in Hong Kong for our December quick holiday, Dwayne and I had some quality time searching for the best Macarons that the city can offer. I scout all over HK and ask Dwayne to try to figure out which gives more flavor, crunchiest meringue and has the most inviting aroma.
Here are some of the Macarons we’ve tried:
Paul Lafayette
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Jean Paul Hévin
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Ladurée
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Ladurée chewy, crunchy and generous with fillings. Their coffee flavor has more coffee taste than the first two. I love the French vibe of the store that I don’t mind queuing up for almost 30 minutes (it just opened in HK when I get there).
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While I love Ladurée, Sala Bistro’s Earl Grey Macarons are way better than all these international bakeshops! Sala Bistro serves 3 flavors: Earl Grey, White Truffle and Salted Caramel. TWG is kind of soso but I am not gaga over it.
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Earl Grey from Sala Bistro
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TWG
I hope Pierre Herme would open in HK soon.
Macappleboy
Published February 17, 2013 |  |
The first time I’ve dine in at IHOP is when I visited the US in 2008. Aunt Hattie in San Diego drove us in National City for breakfast before heading out for some shopping.
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Since then, I’ve been longing for an all-day breakfast experience in Manila – not to mention the overflowing coffee.
When I heard that IHOP is about to set their foot in Manila, I got excited. I love to get hold of the infamous Red Velvet Pancakes that the Americans have been enjoying since last year. So, I called up my good friend Janie to have breakfast last Saturday.
The place is kind of near from our office. If it’s not only of the Morning breeze, I won’t be walking all the way to 30th cor 9th from 24th cor 4th.
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There was not much customers yet when I arrived. The hostess directed me at the main dining area upstairs for my table. Since Janie is not yet around, I’ve decided to have coffee first while taking photos of the menu. I was already on my third cup when she arrived, so we scan through the menu and ordered.
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It was quite frustrating that our orders arrived an hour from the time we placed it (mine arrived 30 plus minutes, I estimated). Some folks who arrived before we do were almost done for the day. We tried to keep our cool but my pancakes are getting colder. So after more than 5 times of follow up and when the Manager approached us the second time, Janie already expresses her frustration. Imagine that they just opened a day before we dine in, they should’ve learn something from their experience if they were overwhelmed with customers and orders.
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As compliments, the Manager served us the most ugly looking pancake I’ve ever seen. But, you get what you get. Choosy pa ba?
So we ate, and I decided to order take away for Dwayne. When we asked for our bill, we were surprised that the pancakes that were given to us was billed to us and they’ve punched for additional orders on my take away. I reached out for my take away and found out that it has extra buttermilk pancakes on it. Imagine on how long it took for it to be corrected.
Don’t get me wrong, we were not the only customers who were complaining that day. Few folks from other tables in our area had the same from how they deal with the servers and talk to the Manager. I know that this could be just a soft opening but, they should’ve expected the worst and learn from Day 1. I can’t remember how its done in the US, but we think that the problem has to do with passing of orders from servers, to whoever punched it in on the system and to the Kitchen. That results to confusion on who took our orders and who should be accounted for on our table.
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I would be coming back after few weeks and check if there will be any changes. But I’m happy that they’ve arrived in Manila and its just few streets away from my work. I can now eat breakfast all day – less the Red Velvet pancakes.
Macappleboy
Published January 27, 2013 | The last time I was in Narita Airport en route to California, I saw this restaurant which serves Tsukemen. I was supposed to dine in this place however I was on a tight budget that I can only spend when I’m already in the US (I was only on Coach going to US so I don’t get free food at the lounge until my flight back home when I was upgraded to Business). End result, I didn’t get the chance to eat the noodles and decided to just walk around the terminal while waiting for the flight.
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Late last December, I heard about this place who serves Tsukemen who just opened their first store in Jupiter. Since then, I was longing to dine in at this place but can’t find someone to go along with me until yesterday when a good friend decided to catch up.
Mitsuyado Sei-Men is owned by Hubert Young of UCC. Their clan is in flour business thus they know how to serve good al dente noodles. At the entrance, you’ll see a little room where you can see a staff making some noodles.
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Upon entering the place, you’ll get the feel of Old Japanese Market. There were old woods, Japanese lanterns, and even a cat on the roof of your dining table.
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When Mamu Janie arrived, we decided to order Gyoza, Chicken Karaage and two sets of Tsuekemen.
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I can say that the Gyoza in Mitsuyado is the best that I’ve tried in Manila. It’s as if I was easting a Japanese Xiao Long Bao! I would recommend you to try this and eat it once they’ve served it. You’ll love it.
Mamu Janie ordered Double Cheese Tsukemen while I had Marotuko Tsukemen. All Tsukemen can be ordered in Regular or Large orders and you can either have Cold or Hot Noodles. Cold Noodles are al dente while Hot Noodles will be softer. I’ve ordered mine in cold and it’s just perfect, chewy and have the right bite.
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Tsukemen are served with noodles separated from its sauce and toppings. You have to dip the noodles as you east it and top it with the sidings. Mamu Janie find the sauce too salty but I think it was just ok. Enough for you to fully taste the sauce on the noodles as you dip it in it.
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I asked Mamu to order the double cheese so I get to try it as well. It’s so good and non-traditional. The Char-Siu (roast pork) on my Meal is so tasty, I wish I had more strips.
After our meal, we’ve waited for our service at Yamato where we had coffee and Red Velvet Cake. I was supposed to be buying this Squid Ink bread but I ‘m too tired to carry a shopping bag.
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Overall, I’m glad I’ve travelled from far North to have my lunch in Mitsuyado. It’s worth my 27 hours of no sleep.
Macappleboy
Published January 13, 2013 | I never knew that my friend Essa is just working in a building on the next block so last night since she was already on her way out, we decided to meet up and have some tea at da.u.de
It was drizzling last night and surprisingly cold. It was a perfect weather to layer down with your columbia coats on sale and some tea.
Daude is owned by Renee Sebastian who used to offer her products in Salcedo Market and is said to be the first Certified Tea Master in the Philippines. The place is the usual tea place that you can see in New York, Singapore or in Hong Kong. Clean, chic, modern, well lighted and perfect for “me time” to read books.
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Pork Sisig
The potato wedges are so flavorful and satisfying.
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Nuts for Mangga
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Lemon Thirst Quencher
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Southern Fried Chicken Kaiser
The Tea Marinated Chicken is so good and tender. I should’ve eaten it sandwich style to fully enjoy my meal but I was too tired to get messy and clean up. The wasabe-mayo dressing on the bang mi bun is love.
Overall the place and food is good and price is average. However, some may find the drinks expensive as some drinks are of the same price as your meal.
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