JIN JOO KOREAN BBQ OPENS IN GLORIETTA 4

I was invited to an exclusive pre-opening event of Jin Joo Korean BBQ's newest branch at Glorietta 4! During my first visit to Jin Joo at Podium, I managed to try their unlimited samgyeopsal offerings. This time, I got to try their ala carte dishes, and I was immediately blown away with how amazing their food was!

Jin Joo Korean BBQ Ground Floor, Glorietta 4

Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex 

Makati City

FATBURGER FINALLY OPENS IN GLORIETTA 2!

           The year was 1997, and the place was Las Vegas. My brother and I chipped in part of our vacation money to take our dad out on a limo ride around the City of Lights for his birthday. My Godmother was a travel agent so we got a great deal on our limo ride, but since we had splurged on the wheels, it meant dinner would have to be sacrificed. 

           Our Limo Driver picked us up at the MGM Grand promptly at 6:45pm, and I noticed my dad, despite being in an incredibly luxurious limo, seemed a tad crabby. My dad is notorious for getting grumpy when his tummy grumbles so it clicked to my brother that if he was going to fully enjoy this limo ride, he would need to get some food in his stomach. 

        I told my Ninang about the situation, so she casually asked the Limo driver where was a quick but delicious place to grab something to eat before we went on our tour around Las Vegas (we weren't allowed to eat inside the car). The driver suggested his favorite burger spot which was conveniently located three minutes away, just along the Las Vegas Strip. And he even told my aunt that since he hadn't had dinner yet, if we bought him a burger, he'd only start the time AFTER we all had eaten.. A concession he was willing to make ONLY for a restaurant called, Fatburger. 

      That told me that this must be one awesome burger. After one bite of a Double Fatburger with Bacon and Egg, I just had to give that Limo Driver a high five. 

    19 years later, Fatburger, has become one of the emerging burger chains in the global scene, and has now finally opened a branch in Manila! 

THE DAWN OF DONS: YABU'S MASTER CLASS CREATIONS

(2015 version)

      I will forever be a fan of Yabu. Any restaurant that puts my picture near their toilet will always hold a special place in my heart. What I like about Yabu is how they never feel they should rest on the laurels of their success. Their kitchen is always coming up with new dishes that keeps their menu fresh, leaving their customers curious with what they might come up with next. 

     As the first quarter 2015 comes to a close, Yabu has unleashed two items that belong in their all new Premium line, that they have dubbed their "Master Class Creations". 

    Behold, the Dawn of the Dons is upon us. 

    And it is awesome :) 

MODERN SHANGHAI: A GRAND DINE-ASTY!

   Modern Shanghai kicks off the new year by adding some new, delectable items to their already mouthwatering menu! And what better way for me, Rina and my blogger friends to welcome 2015 (and my birthday) than trying Modern Shanghai's "Grand Dine-asty" dishes out for ourselves! 

MAD MARK'S: THE MADNESS CONTINUES AT GLORIETTA 5

            My first visit to Mad Mark's was a memorable one. You throw in a Beef and Chicken Sandwich in front of me the size of a battleship, and yes, that will definitely leave a mark in my memory for ages to come. Although the first branch had a cool, hole-in-the-wall vibe to it, the popularity of Mad Mark's food made it impossible for their progress to remain stagnant. Considering its fan base, it was only a matter of time that Mad Mark's would expand, and go to a more mainstream venue. 

   

    

  Sometime in October, the inevitable happened.. Mad Mark's opened their second branch at Glorietta 5 in Makati. I always knew that they would go mainstream, but I didn't think they would go THAT mainstream hehe. 

       Agent Smith said it best:

          

OUTBACK'S STEAKHOUSES' NEWEST STEAKS! - RINAZ

    

  Whenever we’re dining in Outback, I am always guaranteed a night of good food and good company (given of course you’re dining with your most favorite people hehe). It’s just a night of stories and drinking and lots and lots of eating! This time, we were introduced to two (kinda) new steak members they have on their menu. Meet the Grilled Peppercorn New York strip and Herb Crusted Prime Rib. (More on these newbies in a bit)

CUPCAKES BY SONJA AT GLORIETTA!

      "A red velvet cupcake?".

      Those were exactly my thoughts when a friend of mine, Zee, mentioned about this tiny wonderful cupcake shop in Serendra sometime in 2006. Until now, due to my lack of knowledge in anything culinary, I still don't know what flavor / ingredient red velvet really is. Aaaanyway, I'm getting off track. This shop was probably the daintiest shop I have ever seen at that time. It was just so pretty that I felt so ugly in it! And it wasn't just the shop that was pretty. It was their cupcakes too! I know I took photos during my first visit but I can't remember where I put them. I'm sure it's long gone :( Sniff...

This was the first shop I have ever been in that exclusively sold cupcakes, and the Red Velvet Vixen was the first ever Red Velvet treat I devoured. So just like the rest of Manila, I was hooked! Cupcakes by Sonja was amazing! The taste you get from each bite is truly a pleasure in the mouth! (Confession: I thought this whole time it was pronounced "Sonya" hehehehe *blush*) As for the price, at first I found it a bit steep but after tasting the cupcakes, it all started to make sense.

A G'DAY FOR OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE'S LUNCH SPECIALS!

                It's been years since I had been to Outback Steakhouse. As in, I can't remember the last time I was there. I think it could have been during my college days, when my then-girlfriend and we would sneak out of class, and take an LRT Ride to Robinson's Place Ermita to watch a movie. I would then try to impress my ex by taking her to Outback. Unfortunately, since I was still on student allowance, she and I had to split a "Jackaroo Chop" (And when I say "split", I was fine with giving her all the meat as long as she gave me all the fat hehe)  

           I've always loved the food, but for some reason, I had never gotten around to making a return (Which is weird because, although i'm not exactly Mr. Megabucks either, I'm fairly certain that I can afford more than just half a Pork Chop by now hehe). 

          When an opportunity came along to try Outback's New Lunch Specials, I felt like a giddy college kid once again!