Author: Katia

Restaurants

Chihuahua Mexican Grill Review

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Chihuahua Mexican Grill Review

If you’re ever in BGC Crossroads (the building where the drive-thru Starbucks is at on 32nd Street), Chihuahua Mexican is on its second floor, tucked at the farthest corner. It’s been there a while now. However, it wasn’t a popular after-office drinks place before as most officemates would comment that the beers were expensive.

I’ve only tried Chihuahua Mexican once, at the Central Square cinema level, for quesadilla which I thought was quite expensive, but really good. A few weeks (months?) ago, I saw that the restaurant painted a huge-ass sign “HOPPY HOUR Beers @ P35.” Guess they’ve realized that it’s really the pain point? Continue reading “Chihuahua Mexican Grill Review” →

Homecooked

Ginisang Baguio Beans with Pork Giniling

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Ginisang Baguio Beans with Pork Giniling

For non-Filipino readers: “Ginisa” is sauteed, “Baguio beans” refers to green beans, and “giniling” is anything that’s been ground. So this Filipino dish translates to Sauteed Green Beans with Ground Pork.

I have this budding newfound love with tomatoes. You see, I’m not fond of mushy things. I only like tomatoes when they’re not too ripe, otherwise it just becomes this gooey mess with very little crunch. However, when it comes to sautéed meats and vegetables, this is a must-have for me.

When I was younger, the only sautéed ingredient I could identify was actually just garlic. Regardless of whether I added onions and tomatoes, I thought only garlic made a difference.

Decades later, I’m discovering that I was probably just too impatient to let onions and tomatoes do their thing. I’m now more inclined on faux-roasted tomatoes, almost charring in the pan. Continue reading “Ginisang Baguio Beans with Pork Giniling” →

Restaurants

Oye Tapas & Grill Review

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Oye Tapas & Grill Review

If you go to Uptown Mall, you’d easily spot this restaurant near the fountain area. Believe it’s relatively new, and actually, the “by XO46” attached to its name is reassuring. We’ve been to XO46 Heritage Bistro, which turned out to be a good experience.

Ambience

As soon as you’re inside, you’d know it ain’t a cheap place. Tables with place settings, an actual flower for a centerpiece, dim interiors and interesting light pieces. (Forgive the photos as my iPhone cannot do justice in dimly lit places.)

There’s a splashy mural that’s sure to get your attention. There’s black, there’s red, you see a bull, and a splash of loud color somewhere. It’s good. I’m starting to feel Spain. (Never actually been to Spain though.) Continue reading “Oye Tapas & Grill Review” →

Homecooked

Lumpiang Isda (Fried Fish Rolls)

by Katia1 Comment on Lumpiang Isda (Fried Fish Rolls)
Lumpiang Isda (Fried Fish Rolls)

Lumpia came from the Chinese, which are spring rolls that usually contain meat, vegetables and sometimes noodles. In the Philippines, we have different types of fried (and fresh) lumpia. The most common is Lumpiang Shanghai, filled usually with minced pork. Isda is the Tagalog word for fish, therefore “Lumpiang Isda” translates to Fish Rolls.

My mom used to make these fish rolls using galunggong–in English it seems to be some sort of scad–and I really never knew how tedious this was. While it is cost effective (a.k.a. cheap), making it from scratch will easily take a couple of hours of your time! And it will be gone in fifteen minutes! Continue reading “Lumpiang Isda (Fried Fish Rolls)” →

Restaurants

Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse Review

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Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse Review

One of my biggest apprehensions about accepting invitations as a blogger is the negative connotation that bloggers–as long as you give them freebies–will write 5-star reviews and recommendations. I’d hate to be categorized as that, which is why I wrote my disclaimer page with a section about Sponsored Content. But then again, if I don’t accept and not write about it, then the world will be filled with biased reviews filled with the happiness of free food.

We got invited to try Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse in UP Town Center. A bit of a drive, to be honest. I opted for a Sunday because weekday/Saturday Manila traffic will not make me say yes to even free food. Luckily, we could be accommodated on a Sunday, so yes I of course I dragged the husband along! We also got to invite The McGees–my husband’s high school friend Adam, and his wife Joana, plus their two adorable daughters.

Alright let’s get to the review. Continue reading “Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse Review” →

Kitchen & Pantry, Services

Honestbee Grocery Delivery Review

by Katia2 Comments on Honestbee Grocery Delivery Review
Honestbee Grocery Delivery Review

Over the weekend, my willpower dwindled and my hormones ruled. We stayed in (we’re introverts) instead of heading out to the market at 9am like we always plan to. With no more food in my cupboard, we had Chowking for lunch, and McDonald’s for dinner. Junk food in one hand, Stardew Valley on my husband’s Nintendo Switch on the other. Ah, to be young and eat whatever you want, do what you want, yes?

Well Monday couldn’t have come sooner and my housewife mode switched on, slightly in panic that I have nothing to feed my husband for lunch. My poor hardworking hubby slaving away in the corporateness of BGC, and I’m just home tending to my, uhm, Stardew farm.

So I spent the morning grocery shopping on honestbee. I’m no stranger to grocery delivery, having been a customer of Happy Fresh when they still had Philippine operations. (In fact, I use my Happy Fresh bags on Saturdays when I do groceries!) I also tried MetroMart once but didn’t get to try it again. So here’s my honestbee review! Continue reading “Honestbee Grocery Delivery Review” →

Homecooked

Filipino “Salmon” with Sotanghon

by Katia1 Comment on Filipino “Salmon” with Sotanghon
Filipino “Salmon” with Sotanghon

When I was younger, I really didn’t like this dish. My mom made these with misua (some thin salted wheat noodles) which always ended up too starchy for me. I also never got why it was called ‘salmon’ (pronounced SAL-mon, instead of samən) when it’s Not. Even. Salmon. It’s mackerel.

The most popular brand was Hokkaido–some argue that this is Hekkaido, with an e. My husband and I think that the brand Hokkaido used to all just be the Pink Salmon variety, hence homecooks called it “salmon,” but maybe some time later the mackerel was introduced. It was most likely much cheaper than pink salmon and made its way to Filipino homes, but got stuck with the name! Well, that’s our theory.  Continue reading “Filipino “Salmon” with Sotanghon” →

Homecooked

Chicken & Egg Salad Sandwich

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Chicken & Egg Salad Sandwich

Some weekends, we go to our parents’ homes to join them for Sunday lunch. One time I brought home roasted chicken, but dad has prepared (a.k.a. bought) a lot of food so we had a lot of leftovers.

After cleanup, he asked me to make Egg Salad with chicken, and motioned at the leftovers. Well I know my dad likes to throw things together and add whatever he can find in the cupboard, but this one sounded really good. Makes me think why I’ve never done it before. Continue reading “Chicken & Egg Salad Sandwich” →