QUICK BITES AT THE GROVE: BACKYARD KITCHEN + BREW

Forgot to take a pic with Chef Ed, so I'm posting a pic of me and his "Representative" instead 😂

            I first got a taste of Chef Ed Bugia's Backyard Kitchen and Brew when it opened its first branch at UP Town Center a couple of years back. I was immediately blown away with Chef Ed's creative take on comfort dishes, that doesn't stray too far away from the classic, but takes your taste buds to realms you've never been to before. 

        Of course, since then, Backyard has exploded into a legitimate restaurant chain, with four branches scattered across Metro Manila, include one not too far away from my place.. The Grove By Rockwell! 

QUICK BITE AT THE GROVE: OM INDIAN KITCHEN

           Once you get talking to him, it's easy to forget that DJ, Host, and TV Personality Sam Y.G. is of Indian descent. He speaks Tagalog better than I do, and his sense of humor is unmistakably Pinoy. Having lived in our country for so long, even Sam himself will attest that he feel right at home here in the Philippines. However, once he begins talking about the cuisine from his homeland, you can see Sam beam with pride, especially when he tells you the stories of how his mother would prepare the food for the family.

        That warmth and care of Mrs. Gogna is the crux of what Om Indian Kitchen is all about. A family from India, bringing not just phenomenal Indian dishes to the Philippines, but with the love, happiness and good vibes that comes with it. 

      That's all part of the Om Indian Kitchen experience.

QUICK BITE AT THE GROVE: ASAKUSA HOME OF TEMPURA

           Have you noticed how much Filipinos love tempura? You go to a buffet, and what's the longest Queue? The Steak and carving section? I've got to admit, it's pretty long but manageable. Lechon? Yes, but I noticed when there's no more skin, the line significantly lessens.

        But the Tempura station.. Pinoys will WAIT for a platter of those bad boys, no matter how long it takes.  

       I can't blame them though, because I'm one of those guys that wait in line for a few pieces of deep fried deliciousness.. and the funny thing is, I don't even eat Prawns!  

     As I'm sure I've discussed before, my daughter Rain is the ultimate Tempura fanatic. Which is why I'm so excited to take her to my latest discovery that opened at The Grove by Rockwell..

        Asakusa: Home of Tempura!

QUICK BITE AT THE GROVE: PI BREAKFAST AND PIES

         Being a denizen of the City of Pasig, I'm always looking for places within the area where I can grab a bite. One of my go-to places is The Grove by Rockwell, which has one of my favorite Ramen places, Hanamaruken, and Sunrise Buckets. 

         For the longest time, these were the two restaurants that I would associate The Grove with, not realizing that over the past year, more and more restaurants have sprouted at their complex, making the place a virtual food lover's paradise. 

         I joined a few of my foodie friends for a day of exploring The Grove, and we started with one of my favorite restaurants, that opened a new branch there last year.. Pi: Breakfast and Pies!