Gumbo... A Taste of New Orleans

After a tiring week of work, me and my friends wanted to catch a big meal before heading home. We did not want to go in a buffet since it was already dinner time. I suggested to eat at Gumbo since it was a long time since my last meal at this restaurant and I knew they had a promo that is worth the price for 3 persons. So, Gumbo it is!

Robinson's Ermita branch

The Ambiance     4/5

I remembered that my friends and I usually try to avoid eating here due to their air conditioner being broken and we could not stand the heat. That was why the first thing we checked before actually sitting on our seats was if the place is sustainable. To our surprise, the restaurant had a cooler feel compared before, which was actually good. Here is the inside of the restaurant.

If seated by the window area, a good view of the Pedro Gil Midtown side of the mall could be seen, which is actually refreshing for people who are new to this mall. The restaurant still maintained its casual elegant look, with the tables and chairs in good arrangement, not too far or too close to each other. Although the overall set up was good, I felt something lacking and felt that the management could do more.

The Food    4/5

 

This restaurant offers a wide selection of food and I consider their menu one of the best due to the number of food that one could actually choose from. Here is the copy of their menu. I apologize for some shots are blurred.

Like what I mentioned, I knew that they had a promo good for 3 persons. Luckily, they still have it when we dined there. Here it is:

Two starters and two entrees are to be chosen from the list above all for PHP 999. This is what we got:

Buffalo Wings     Php 345     4/5

Mozzarella Sticks     Php 295     3/5

Grilled Porkchop     Php 395     4/5

Seafood Jambalaya     Php 475     5/5

Calamansi Juice     4/5     Php 145     and      Cranberry Juice      4.5/5     Php 145

Our Food

The Buffalo Wings was good but not that great and I commend the server for asking us first if we really wanted it mild or very spicy. Although the bleu cheese that comes with it was great. The Mozarella Sticks was not remarkable. It was enough to be an appetizer, but given a chance to order again, I will not include it anymore. The Grilled Porkchop was just right and the serving was only good for 1 person, which was very hard to share if your companions are not that close to you. It was however, grilled to just the right tenderness. The Seafood Jambalaya, on the other hand, in contrast to the others is a Must Try!!! There is this taste as it enters your mouth that is very unique. Not too salty nor spicy and the serving was big making us three full. If there is only one meal I would come back for in Gumbo, it would be their Seafood Jambalaya!

I personally had bottomless iced tea (not in photo) but my friends had Calamansi Juice and Cranberry Juice. I really did not like their iced tea, sorry. It lacked sweetness for me. Their calamansi juice was too sour and the cranberry juice was just okay. The serving size of the juices for me was too small and the taste was not worth the price. The drinks are not included in the promo by the way.

The Service    4/5

Our seat was located at the edge and for me it was very hard to call the servers. I, however, commend our servers, Doreen and Arine, for making sure that everything we wanted was taken cared of. Again, I liked it that Doreen asked us what level of spiciness we wanted for our Buffalo wings as well as with our Jambalaya. Arine easily refilled my bottomless iced tea, without even asking. 

Maybe what I felt lacking was the happiness that the servers of this restaurant can offer. For example, instead of only one server greeting us as we entered the restaurant, it could have been better if all the servers as well as the one in the bar area greet us. Same goes after our meal when we went out only 1 server said thank you. Aside from that, I had no bad experiences with the service of this restaurant.

The Budget     4/5

The total budget for each person is approximately Php 500. This is way cheaper than actually ordering the food one by one.

Verdict     4/5

Will I go back to this restaurant? Definitely YES for their Seafood Jambalaya!

Always choosing to be benign,

    FIO

Contact Information

Website:  http://www.gumbo.com.ph

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gumbo-Restaurant-Robinsons-Place-Ermita

Branches:

Mall of Asia
2/L, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City Philippines
(+632) 556-0238 ; (+632) 556-0239

The Block
2/L The Block, SM City North Edsa, Quezon City Philippines
(+632) 442-0106 ; (+632) 442-0158

Mega Atrium
2/L Mega Atrium Bldg., SM Mega Mall, Mandaluyong City Philippines
(+632) 635-3015 ; (+632) 635-9571

Robinsons Manila Midtown
3/L Midtown Wing , Robinsons Place Ermita, Manila Philippines
(+632) 567-1820 ; (+632) 567-1925

Gateway Mall
2/L Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City Philippines
(+632) 440-4632

#American #Spanish #buffalo #wings #Jambalaya #mozzarella #sticks #grilled #porkchop #juice #Robinson's #Manila

Tim Ho Wan: Dimsum Overload

Being half-Chinese, I have always loved the Chinese cuisine especially because it was introduced to me as part of our daily meals at home. During my younger days, I would always crave for pork siomai regardless what restaurant it came from. But as I grew older, I developed this fondness to Hakaw, which I always look for even when we go out of the country. This is why I became very excited when I learned that Tim Ho Wan just opened a branch in Robinson's Place Ermita, Manila, last July 25, 2015 as this is near my work place. It took a while before I finally had a chance to try it due to busy schedule and now here it is!

Robinson's Place Ermita branch

The Ambiance     4/5

The overall set up of the restaurant was just okay since it welcomes the customer to an aura of a casual Chinese Restaurant. What I did not like was that the tables were too close to each other that we could be able to hear the normal conversation of the diners just beside us. It was just good luck that we were seated at the edge of the couch so we only had 1 table beside us, thus not bothering us that much.

Restaurant was full even on a weeknight

View from the Outside

Table set up

The Food    4.6/5  

The variety of food that the restaurant offers is wide, such that our stomachs were easily filled. We really did try almost everything that they could offer. I liked the fact that the guests be the one to check on the food list their desired orders, since this would avoid mistakes from servers themselves, at the same time making it a unique way of ordering. Once the checklist has been filled up by the customer, a server can be called, who will confirm the orders. Food were actually served fast. Below is the check list:

Front list

Back list

Menu

Once order was done, a server will go back to the table to provide a printed list as their guide if all orders are complete.

Our Order

Pork Rib with Black Bean Sauce     Php120    5/5

Baked Bun with BBQ Pork     Php 145     4.5/5

Prawn Dumpling (Hakaw)      Php160      4/5      and       Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp    Php120     5/5

    

Congee    Php 140     4/5

Spareribs Rice    Php 170     5/5

Vermicelli Roll with BBQ pork     Php 160     5/5

The Service    5/5

The overall service was great when we dined there. It was a week night and not much people were lining up outside and waiting for their turn to be seated. Eventually, once we got there, the receptionist was able to give us our seats. Like what I mentioned, we were seated at the edge and was of advantage since many servers pass by and could easily be called on. The waiter, Joebert, was also able to get our orders accurately and he was able to efficiently deliver our food. Charice, who was also one of the servers was able to handle our needs from the condiments, additional special sauce and even to the giving of tissue. The initiative coming from the servers was plus points for this restaurant!

The Budget     4/5

What we ordered could actually serve about 3 to 4 people. We just had a really big appetite when we ate there and was excited to taste almost all of it. The budget is approximately:

PHP 285  / person

Verdict:  4.4/5

Although their Hakaw was not as remarkable, I still have a new favorite here... their Spinach Dumpling. I will definitely come back for this! 

Choosing life's benignity,

   FIO

Contact Information:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TimHoWanPH

Instagram: @timhowanph

Branches:  

Glorietta Complex

Ground Floor, Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City

027299367

Ortigas

Ground Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas Centre, Mandaluyong City

024708836 

SM City North EDSA

Upper Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City North EDSA, Quezon City

023742966 

Ermita, Manila

Ground Floor, Midtown Wing, Robinson's Place Ermita, Manila  

#TimHoWan #Chinese #Hakaw #dimsum #Spareribs #bun #dumpling #spinach #vermicelli #barbecue #congee #Manila 

Q TEA: My Favorite Milk Tea

Each person has this one place that comes into mind when talking of chilling and relaxing. Well, aside from Starbucks, I have this one favorite place just near my work and had long since my favorite milk tea place even back when I was preparing for the Medicine Board Exams in 2014. This is Q Tea.

Q tea - Jorge Bocobo cor. Faura branch

I remembered it was a newly opened store sometime in 2014 prior to August, and I was really excited back then. The owner, Vince (I could not really remember his last name though), was very hands on with this and often he would approach me and other customers, what we thought of the place and the drink.

The Ambiance     5/5

Q Tea is a good place to relax, chill and just enjoy some time for yourself or catching up with friends. I often go here if I just want to forget some problems and do not want to bring at home my bad experiences with patients at the clinic. It's as if it is a home to its customers, and that is what I feel whenever I go here. From the pictures itself below, the place is very inviting.

Fist floor

With view of the second floor

The Food     4.5/5         

Q Tea offers a wide range of drinks from Milk tea to Smoothies to Fruit flavored drinks to Coffee, whatever fits the customers desire. They also have some snacks in the form of cakes and pastries, although I did not have the chance to order one the time I went there since I was only craving for their milk tea. Here is a copy of their menu:

And this is what I ordered:

Wintermelon Milk Tea     Php 88 (already comes with zinker)     5/5

Cakes and Pastries

On Q Tea's first months, they offered Waffles. I even remembered the time when Vince himself was the one making it and having us, his customers, try it. It is still my favorite waffle to date. However, when I arrived there, I was informed that it was not already available. This is why I am rating the food 4.5/5 since I miss the waffle. Huhuhu....

The Service    5/5

I received great service from Nikki. She was able to get my order correct and it was always plus points for me if the server informed me of my waiting time. She said that the large QQ pearl will take 10 minutes to wait and when I approved, that was the only time she punched my order. Fortunately, my milk tea came earlier.

What I also love about this place is that it offers free wifi. Customers could ask the password from the counter area, and the wifi was good for 2 hours. During my recent visit there, the first password given to me did not work. I asked Nikki for a new one and she gave me two more to try. However, after several tries, I could not connect to their wifi. I again informed Nikki of this problem, and she was kind enough to assist me and tada, I was connected and given the unlimited wifi instead of the usual 2 hours.

Electrical sockets could also be used for laptops, phones and the like, especially for those studying and reviewing.

The Budget    5/5

Approximately Php 100 for each person per drink.


Verdict     4.9/5

Q tea will always be my favorite milk tea place, but I really hope they bring back the waffles!

Always choosing to be benign,
     FIO 


Contact Information:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Q-tea-Bocobo-Manila
Instagram: @qteaph
Contact No. 02-5217832
Address: Unit B, GF, 1253 Jorge Bocobo cor Padre Faura, Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila



#Qtea #milktea #coffee #smoothie #Manila #wifi #Taiwanese

Lasagna's Home at House of Lasagna!

Last Saturday, after clinic hours, my mom wanted to have lunch at a new restaurant in Robinson's Place Manila, at House of Lasagna. From the name itself, I thought that it would be another Italian restaurant offering only the typical lasagna. However, the variety and uniqueness of the food the restaurant serves are just some of the qualities why it was worth every peso.

Robinson's Place Manila Branch Third Floor

What made me more excited was that House of Lasagna is owned by a Filipino and was only Italian inspired. Some of the items in the menu were the family recipes of Chef Erick Congmon. Here is a brief history of the restaurant as seen at the back of their menu:

History of House of Lasagna

The Ambiance     5/5

     The restaurant was located at the third floor of Robinson's Place Manila. When my mom told me to meet her there, I was not expecting a very good feel since most restaurants at the third floor near the Food Court did not have a good ambiance and I expected a lot of noise coming from the usual crowd there. However, I was surprised by how homey the feeling of just having a glimpse of the restaurant. It truly was designed to fit its name. The restaurant was able to mask the usual sounds of the third floor.

Dining area

The Food     4.5/5

     Of course, we were there for the lasagna. It was just surprising that the restaurant had variety of choices for the lasagna flavors. Here is the copy of their menu.

House of Lasagna MENU

And this is what we ordered:

Three Cheese Lasagna     5/5     Php 280     2-3 pax

Southern Fried Chicken     4/5     Php 220    1-2 pax

     Unlike the typical beef lasagna, the three cheese lasagna had a mix of Mozzarella, Cheddar and Bleu Cheese. It was the first time I tasted this kind of Lasagna. For every bite I had, I could really savor the taste and the aroma of the cheese in the lasagna. The Southern fried chicken for me was not as remarkable compared to the lasagna, however, I commend its presentation, as well as the presence of the side dishes, which made it more delicious. I still hope that someday, this would come with a gravy sauce.

     

     When we dined, we were informed by our servers that the restaurant just opened three days prior and they had a promo of unlimited iced tea, which had me quite excited since I was dried up and had not taken enough water or drink during my clinic time. This promo, was only up to a month from its opening day. After which, bottomless iced teas are not anymore included even in their menu.

Refillable Iced tea for 2

      When we were waiting for our orders, the servers placed a basket of toasted bread on our table and were surprised and informed them that we had no such order. They informed us that this was part of their service, another refillable food laid down to us. This was not anymore part of their opening promo, but was regularly done even in other branches.

Refillable toasted bread with butter   5/5    Free     Serving size depends on how many pax seated

    If anybody would want to try it with their loved ones at home, there are no worries since the lasagna are placed in these neat and clean boxes.

Lasagna Boxes

The Service     5/5

     Two thumbs up for the great service given to us by the House of Lasagna, especially by Ms. Riz. From the time mom entered the restaurant, she told me that she was immediately given the complimentary refillable glass of iced tea by Riz. She even helped us in choosing the lasagna best for our taste buds. The food was served right on time. But what I actually liked best about her was when my mom wanted to take home extra toasted bread and she had no apprehensions in giving this to us.

The Budget     4/5

     Approximately Php 250 per person.

Will definitely come back to Lasagna's home!

Verdict     4.6/5

Life is a choice, choose to be benign! :)

     - FIO

Contact Information:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/House-of-Lasagna

Instagram: @houseoflasagna

Contact Nos and Branches:

SAN JUAN MAIN BRANCH, Unit 1-B G&L Building, J.Abad Santos St. corner V. Cruz St., Little Baguio, San Juan.
Tel. No.570-8610

GREENHILLS BRANCH, G/F Virra Mall (between Globe and Bench Fix), Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan.
Tel. No.571-3852

SM MEGAMALL BRANCH, Lower Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building A, Mandaluyong City.
Tel. No.655-0968

ETON CENTRIS BRANCH, Eton Centris Walk, EDSA corner Quezon Ave., Quezon City.
Tel. No.709-7004

DELA ROSA MAKATI BRANCH, 3/F Dela Rosa Car Park 2 Bldg., Legazpi Village, Makati.
Tel No.503-7338

HOUSE OF LASAGNA- ROBINSON'S PLACE MANILA

#HouseofLasagna #Italian #lasagna #threecheese #southern #friedchicken #robinson'smanila #icedtea