Salakot Alfresco Dining and Cafe in Silang Cavite

 Last month, Daryl and I celebrated our Jowa-nniversary haha! It was actually just our anniversary date when we were in the girlfriend-boyfriend stage. It's not yearly that we celebrate but this time, I wanted to get out of the house, a long drive with the family. Alam mo yon? 

Kakaboring din sa bahay talaga eh. I have been working from home since the start of the pandemic so I want to be able to go out when the time and budget permit. Hehe. 

Niyaya ko si daryl to eat at Salakot Alfresco Dining and Cafe in Silang Cavite. 

We left the house around 3pm kasi I planned to have dinner there then we can go straight to Tagaytay just to chill in Skyranch. We also decided to bring Bruno, our male shih tzu with us because I heard they allow pets.

We arrived in Silang exactly before dinner. I am so glad we were able to secure a small Kubo. They don't allow reservations so it's on a first come first serve basis. 

I honestly don't know what to expect since di rin talaga ako nakapag search about the place and it was a sudden change of plans. Lol. Talk about the impulsive me. 

We were able to secure a parking space because there weren't so many cars/people when we arrive. 

The place was nice. Malamig ang weather and maaliwalas ang paligid. What I didn't like about it though is because the place was outdoorsy-nature type, mejo may mga insekto pero expected naman na talaga iyon. Mejo worried lang ako because of Vince na sobrang lapitin ng lamok talaga. Nagmana sa akin sa pagiging favorite ng lamok na kagatin. 

I realized just now that I don't have photos of our food haha. It took 15-30 minutes din before they served the food from the time we ordered kaya pag ka serve pa lang eh kumain na agad kami. Hahah. We ordered Cheesy baked bangus, half bulalo, Inihaw na Pork rib and Buffalo wings. The food is okay, nothing super fancy. Parang mga usual na restaurant din sa Tagaytay. The serving was pretty decent din which is good to 2-3 people depende sa lakas kumain. We spent around 2,400 pesos sa food but we were able to take home a lot of leftovers. We even ate them for two days after hahah. 

When it got dark, they opened the lights on this very nice walkway with leaves and flowers, so cute. 

After dining in, we went straight to Tagaytay Sky ranch to chill. We paid 100 pesos for the entrance fee and roam around lang. Daryl and Dwyane rode the bump cars, too, and bought some snacks inside. Mejo expensive syempre but that's something you'd expect for a place like that. We only spent around 1 hour to 1.5 hours there because it was getting chilly. We were blessed with the perfect weather for this mini-trip. 

We went home straight after kasi mejo madilim talaga ang highway in Tagaytay at night tapos super tinted din ang car so mejo mahirap mag drive. 

Overall, it was a great quick escape from work and house chores. A perfect mini-getaway for me. =)

Valentine's Dinner in Ramen Kuroda

So it's the end of February na pala! I lost track of time and didn't realize na hindi pala ako nakapag post ni isang entry sa blog for this month. Lol!

I need to learn time management. I easily get distracted so most of the time, hindi ko nagagawa yung mga dapat kong gawin. Hehe.

Anyway, what I really want to talk about was our Valentine's Dinner at Ramen Kuroda. Being a picky eater, I have very small selection of food that I like. However, as years pass by, I am more open in trying different food than those that are super familiar for me. I always hear my officemate talk about ramen and I wonder what's in it that makes them salivate for just thinking about it.

When Daryl asked me about our plan for the day, I immediately told him that we'll just eat ramen. I guess Daryl liked the idea since it will be another first for the both of us. I did some research of restaurants that we can go to along Pasay. It was our halfway point and it will be easier for us to go home. I also thought that there will be a lot of people going in malls, watching movies etc., so to avoid the crowd, we went to the newly opened Double Dragon Plaza near Blue Bay walk.

I have to choose between Ramen Kuroda and Ramen Metro which are both very near to jeepney terminals on our ride back home. I was also given by Zomato an option in Mall of Asia to try Ippudo and the rest I actually forgot.

Ramen Kuroda newly opened in Double Dragon Plaza around December or early this year along with other known fast food chains. We arrived just before 7pm which gave us ample time to settle down and find a good seat. The place was really nice and somehow gives you a Japanese feel. 

As I said, it was both our first time so looking on their menu gave us a hard time. Haha! I have no idea about ramen so I don't know which one I'll like. Good thing, I did some research so I pretty much had an idea on what to order by looking on their menu in Zomato plus asking questions to my officemates. Daryl and I ended up with their Set meal which includes rice meal, a solo ramen, seasonal fruit and hot tea. We added an iced tea for our drink to cap off everything.

Ramen Teriyaki Pork Don Set Php 320

Ramen Teriyaki Chicken Don Set Php 340

Iced tea costs Php50 pesos for one serving. By the way, you can choose which ramen to get along with your set meal. I got their Shiro Ramen while Daryl had the Aka ramen which the lady said was spicy pero it wasn't too spicy naman.

When the food arrived, we asked the waiter to take photos of us together. We were told that they have a promotion that we should post our photos on our own facebook profile with a hashtag ramenkuroda.ph and get a voucher of their 4 pcs gyoza on our next visit. We were also encouraged to post each so we could get two vouchers. It should also be done before we pay the bill. We participated because we were definitely happy with the food and surely have reasons to go back. 

I actually cannot say anything about the ramen. It was my first time and I have nothing to compare it to. I like the noodle though since it wasn't that soft or malata. The saltiness was just fine while the pork melts in your mouth. We both enjoyed the food and kept on talking about it for the next 3 days. Haha!

Our experience was satisfying for the price that we paid. It was a really heavy meal that I have to ask for a second serving of hot tea (no extra charge). I know I couldn't sleep at night being too full. Now I learned my lesson to order ramen with no rice meal na because it was really filling with just ramen alone. I wasn't able to finish my food which I felt really guilty after. =( Yung feeling na gustong-gusto mong kainin kaso suko na talaga yung tyan mo? Hahah! I would like to also note that the staff were accommodating and smiles to you when you call their attention. I just hope they would continue to be mabait not only because bago pa lang yung branch.

Ramen Kuroda
Ground Floor, Double Dragon Plaza
DD Meridian Park cor Macapagal Ave,
EDSA Extension, Pasay

S&R SM Southmall

A long time ago, we discovered that the S&R New York Style Pizza will open in SM Southmall. I was really glad because I don't have to go to Alabang or Aseana to try their famous pizza.

Fast forward to couple of months, we tried their pizzas and when we craved for one, S&R is definitely included in our choices.

Jami and I loved their Bavarian Filled Churros. I liked how the pizza was served in a huge slice. Definitely filling and cost saving. =)

Since I was on a diet during our visits, I can only consume up to 1/4 of the pizza slice and let Daryl eat the rest. Hahah!

The place gets pretty crowded most of the time. Probably because people are so happy they can finally taste S&R pizza without going in their groceries. They have a place where you can get unlimited ketchup, mustard, onions etc. S&R doesn't only offer pizza but they carry burgers and chicken meal as well.

After our merienda, we roam around SM Southmall and saw the miniature Eiffel tower.

Sobrang likot!

Look at the photo! Grabe he grows up really fast! He looked like 7 years old in this photo. Jami got his Daddy's height and body type. Parehong payat pero matatangkad. Well, I'm glad he is kasi I am the shortest in the family. I am just hoping na mejo tumaba taba naman ng konti. Sobrang payat kasi but definitely not sickly (thank God for that!). He's about to start school this year so I am really excited! =)

Kanin Club at Westgate Alabang

March marks my eldest sister and my eldest niece's birthday. Yearly, they would invite our family for eat outs. What I liked about it was, my Ate would usually bring us to a place we've never tried before.

She brought us to Westgate Alabang and kept on telling me about Kanin Club where they ate weeks before our eat out.


Before our eat out, she tagged me along with her kids in Alabang Town center and SM southmall to look for a perfect gown for my niece's graduation ball. #sistergoals lang ang peg. Back in the time, we would go mall hopping and bazaar hopping just to look for the best #ootd for our travel plans. I miss those days na nga but we both have a lot on our plate most of the time and the limited budget of course. =)

While waiting for our seat

We ate lunch in Pancake House, Alabang Town Center.

Mac & Cheese with 2 strips of Bacon

We headed to SM southmall after some time to check if we could find a better choices there but to no avail. We met up with my brother-in-law and the rest of my side of the family and went straight back to Westgate for dinner.

Ate, Sab and me while Lalai's in a fitting room cubicle

The restaurant is very easy to find. Parking spaces are available only on both sides of the road so if there aren't many people on your visit, you'll be lucky to find one closest to the location of the resto.

Family Photo

Since it's too early for dinner when we arrived, we were able to get a long table to accommodate us all. The resto has a second level and ambiance of the place resembles an antique houses.

We just have to wait for about 10-15 minutes when our food arrived.

The whole gang =)

Ensaladang Mangga

Putok Batok

Sinangag na Sinigang

Our Food

All in all, I enjoyed the food. It was really filling and most of all Free. Hahaha! Please check here the menu. I don't know the total amount of all the food we ate because it's on my sister. It was her treat so let her be. hahah! The place is homey even the restroom. It feels like you're back in the time of Spaniards and the war. Hahaha! The staff are accommodating and prompt. =)

Thank you Ate!! Belated Happy Birthday to you and Lalai.

Cold Stone Creamery, SM Mall of Asia

Couple of weekends ago, the three of us (Jami, Daryl and I) went to SM Mall of Asia to check the baby section of Department Store. I was looking for a decent outfit for Jami.I realized Jami doesn't have a formal wear at all. He has a lot of T-shirts gifted to him on his first birthday so I didn't really buy a lot for this year.

You may ask what is the formal wear for?! Hehe.. It's one of the things we did couple of weekends ago which I'll share as soon as it's out. =)

Anyway, I have a very limited time looking for a nice formal clothes because Daryl and Jami were waiting for me at mukang inip na inip na. I decided to go to SM Southmall again since I am pretty familiar on their Department Store. Mejo na o overwhelm kasi ako in Mall of Asia since ang daming stores, I don't know where to start looking.

Before going home, (we usually ride the UV express from Mall of Asia to Las Pinas), Jami saw a car stroller. He ran towards it and wants to ride the car. I carried and talked to him that he can't ride it since it belong to someone else. I promised him instead that we'll buy "SUWAKIN" (ice cream). I thought about Coldstone since I badly want to try their expensive ice creams. Napansin ko din that they were always shouting happily, having dance showdowns in front of their store so I was really curious about their service.

When we got to the store, there weren't too much people unlike those days that it's really crowded and there were a lot of customers. Maybe because it's near mall's closing time na. I immediately approached one of their staff who assisted me kindly and introduced me to their best sellers. I then placed an order and waited for a short while.

While waiting, I saw them offering the lady to catch her order. Of course mejo tumatanggi yung lady because she's not confident in catching the cup pero she did naman. I was nervous myself and wanted to shout too hahaha! I looked at those who were dining in and they looked happy everytime it happens.

My name was called and it was my turn to catch my order. I was telling Daryl to catch it for me pero the crew insisted that I'll catch it. He said he'll replace my order in case I failed to catch it but hey, I did! Hahaha. It was fun though. =)

We ordered one Chocolate Devotion for Php200+.

Here's the baby! Hindi pumayag na ma picture-an ang ice cream.

 Verdict: 

Pros:

1.) The place is clean, inviting and well-lighted.
2.) Staffs were friendly and enthusiastic. They were so hyper all the time I wonder where they get all their kakulitan! No wonder there are always a lot of people in their store everytime I pass by. Before you receive your order, they'll give you a short entertainment so you'll be delighted even before you taste their ice creams.
3.) I loved their Chocolate Devotion. It's creamy and chocolatey with lots of brownies and fudge.


Cons:

1.) Expensive. You can buy a cheaper ice cream but of course, not as good as their chocolate devotion.

In total, I loved our experience with Cold Stone Creamery. We bought one to give it a try. Aside from the fact that it's quite expensive, I am not a huge fan of ice cream talaga. Nevertheless, I would love to try their ice cream on a waffle and other flavors too.

I don't look good on this photo pero I like Jami's facial expression so I am sharing this. No judging please! Hahah.

Cold Stone Creamery
Main Mall, Mall of Asia Complex
Pasay City

Zarks Burger at SM Southmall

I realized sometime ago that Zarks Burger opened their new branch at SM Southmall. I was really glad because I can finally give it another try. Daryl had some takeover for me once when they went to eat in one of their branch in Taft (near De La Salle). Quiet frankly, I didn't enjoy the burger because it was really cold na and I find it really big. I think Daryl ordered the Jawbreaker. The feeling sexy in me found the burger really big for my petite appetite (wow! Maka-petite?).

Anyway, we took the opportunity to dine in last weekend when we were looking for Jami's costume (I'll blog about it separately). Zarks burger is located on Food Street, SM Southmall which is at the back of the mall. From main entrance, just walk straight ahead then turn left when you see Promod. The store is on the far right, in front of carousel and Watson (before you reach Door 5 or 6).

There were a lot of people at the time we came so we waited outside and reserved a seat. They have a courtesy chairs outside of their store for those who are willing to wait. We took the chance to take selfies. 

Suplado!

His Daddy asked him to smile properly so here's how he looked like after..

Hahahahah.. I don't know if he's happy or nang-aasar talaga. 

I took one of their menu so we can decide before hand what we'll order.

Not a decent photo. Sorry =(

We were called shortly after and I was so happy to know that they have a lot of seats available at the back of the restaurant. I forgot that they were placed in The Food Street of SM Southmall, that means they have extra chairs at the back of the mall along with other restaurants. We were ushered passed thru the small hallway (which I thought originally as their kitchen) that lead us to another part of the resto with more seats. There was a glass door at the back that's for seats at the back of the mall.

There was a small hallway (where one of the crew stands) leads to the cashier and front part of the restaurant.

We were assisted with their friendly crew. While waiting for our order, I saw this big picture of one of their burgers on the wall. 

makes me hungrier. =)

So here's what we ordered.

Jawbreaker for Babe P280.00

Candy Bacon Burger for Me with Fries and Bottomless Lemonade. =)

I noticed that I always go for Bacon whenever I order burger. Remember what I ordered at Brother's Burger? Anyway, here are my review of Zark's.

Verdict: 

Pros: 

1.) I love the place although for me, I found the place a little small. Good thing they offer more seats at the back of the resto.

2.) Crew were friendly and assisted us during our stay. I asked about their best sellers and was instructed on which is which. 

3.) The burger was great. The Candy Burger of course is sweet. I became a little umay probably because I ate burger for consecutive days or I am too full to finish one to two fork full. 

4.) I found the lemonade interesting since it's color blue. It has a minty after taste. 

5.) Their burgers were really big. It's being categorize. If unsure of the size of their burgers, you can always ask their friendly staff. You can always request for your food to be taken out when you're too full to consume them all. =)

6.) I was really glad that they are organize in terms of seating. It wasn't like the usual fast food.  

7.) No service charge. Our food was less than P500.

Cons: 

1.) Burgers weren't that hot when served. 

I was really glad to give Zark's Burger a try and I can't wait to try the others on their menu. Sayang lang because Jami fell asleep before our food was served so he wasn't able to eat. 

 

Zark's Burger

The Food Street, SM Southmall

Almanza, Las Pinas 

Brother's Burger

It has been the second time that some of my office mates had the chance to have our lunch break on a resto that we haven't tried yet. We enjoyed each others company when we're eating out so hopefully this will continue for a long time.

Anyhow, we originally decided to eat in RCBC again. We had our first eat out at World Chicken and we're looking to try Ramen Kuroda. I backed out since they have a limited dishes to try and it will be my very first time to try ramen. I didn't find the menu appetizing for a first timer. hahaha! We then agreed on Brother's Burger and try Ramen two Fridays from now (if it rains).

RCBC also has Brother's Burger but we wanted to try our luck in Ayala Avenue (Convergy's Building). It was a little far away from the office and no one went there ahead of time so it ate a lot of our time going there and waiting for our order.

Our group

Extreme Bacon Burger

Blues Brothers Burger

Brothers Burger

Extreme Bacon Burger with Onion rings

Extreme Bacon Burger with fries for sidings

Now, here's my take of Brother's Burger.

Verdict:

Pros:

1.) I love their burgers. Whenever I think about my order, nagke crave talaga ako. I actually asked for their best seller which I usually do if it's my first time to try the resto. I failed to read reviews from Zomato ahead of time since it was a last minute decision. I was told of their best burgers but they don't sound yummy to me so I ordered their Extreme Bacon Burger Meal. I swear I loved it. Probably because I love bacon and the fact that it has a little caramel coming from it that made the burger a little sweet.
2.) Their patty was really malasa. I also tasted their Bleus Brothers and for me it's cheesier. The patty tasted different somehow from the Bacon Burger although both were really tasty and yummy.
3.) The price ranges are okay with the size of the burger and fries/onion rings you'll get. We took the meal which includes a lemonade/ice tea. Onion rings were crispy too as per my officemate who ordered it for her sidings.
4.) The area is clean and very inviting. I surely would want to eat at Brother's Burger when given another chance. It's off peak during the time of our visit and it wasn't really crowded. I wonder what the store looks like when a lot of people are dining in. I just think that the tables in the middle were a little close to each other.
5.) The service is good, the staffs are friendly and attended on our request fast.
6.) They have security personnel which is a plus especially if it's late at night. 

Cons:

1.) During the time of our visit, their airconditioned are broken so we have to rely on their fans which made me really uncomfortable when we enter the place. We came from a very long walk (knowing Makati where you have to go up and down the underpass to go places). It was so hot since we just came outside and were so tired. Good thing they have plenty of fans that they can provide to their diners. Hopefully, their ac is now fixed.
2.) Their lemonade was a little bland. Probably because matagal syang nababaran ng ice. Ok naman, hindi nga lang sobrnag tasty I couldn't tell if it's really a lemonade or water na kulay yellow. Hehe!
3.) Burgers weren't that hot when served to us. 

In total, I love Brother's Burger and I can't wait but go back here with Daryl and Jami. I know they will love it here too.

**credits to Lyden's phone for our photos. =)

Brother's Burger
Convergy's Building  Ayala Ave., cor.
H. V Dela Costa, Legaspi Village
Makati City

World Chicken RCBC Plaza, Makati

Last friday, team Legals went on a lunch break treat at RCBC Plaza in Makati. It was a 5 minute walk from our office so we braved the night to get to our target restaurant.

It has been planned for a week and we were so glad we finally made it happen. We asked our schedules to have lunch all together at 7pm. It was a late lunch but super worth the wait. =)

We checked in Zomato any restaurants near us and we found RCBC Plaza. Along the way, we have decided to eat at North Park in Ayala Avenue but last minute changed our mind. We have finally agreed on World Chicken.

I personally had the chance to try World Chicken years ago with my sister but I honestly didn't enjoy my dine there (it was in Mall of Asia). During those time, I don't appreciate new food talaga. hehe!

Anyhow, we asked one of our officemate to go before us so we can order our food na. We gave the list of our orders since I have read in Zomato reviews that there times that the store runs out of their sidings. Good thing, it was passed dinner time and rush hour so we had the whole store by ourselves. =)

It was near their closing time

World Chicken offers a bone-less chicken then you'll get to choose your sauce over your chicken and 2 sidings.

Bacon Rice with Chicken in Teriyaki sauce plus Cheese muffin

I had their Teriyaki sauce for my chicken then Bacon Rice plus cheese muffin for my sidings. I wasn't that hungry talaga but I didn't like pasta so I opted for the muffin na lang. I had water for drinks. I failed to take pictures of my officemate's food. Nahiya kasi ako gutom na gutom na sila hahaha!

Verdict: 

Pros: 

1.) I love the chicken. It was really tender and the Teriyaki sauce that I choose tasted great with the chicken. Somehow, their teriyaki sauce reminds me of peanut butter. I don't know how this sauce was made honestly. :p

2.) The Bacon Rice was good too. It was an ulam itself so for me, the chicken in Teriyaki sauce complemented the bacon rice. It's as if I had 2 ulam in one plate. The cheese muffin was a little dry for me. Little lang naman promise! Or maybe I was really full by then I was just trying to finish what's in my plate.

3.) For the price of Php181 for these, (without drinks) I think it's a good deal already. I was so full after meal and even after several hours after I ate. I guess it's a good alternative for unlimited rice meals. Haha! Or I just have a small to medium appetite?

4.) Staff were friendly. I had the chance to joke around with them while I was taking picture of the store front. I am not sure if the food were served on time since I had an officemate to go there before us. 

Cons: 

1.) The store was really small. Well I guess most of food stores in RCBC was really small to dine in. It's a turn off for me since I can imagine myself being there during lunch or dinner time with a lot of people dining in. There's a very limited space to move. I hope they can do something about it. As far as I can remember their store in Mall of Asia was small too but not in a suffocating level.

2.)  I hate their tables. It's moving while we were eating. Have you tried eating on a table na panay ang galaw? Haha! We were joking around because we may not notice, nasa dulo na pala kami ng resto because the table keeps on moving side to side.

Overall, I can't agree more that I enjoyed the food. I guess I had a wrong choice of sidings back then kaya I never went back. I was so glad I gave it another try after all those years of waiting. I kept on seeing World Chicken in Mall of Asia and I can't wait to dine there with Daryl anytime soon. I even mentioned to him that we'll eat there sometime. =)

Meet team Legals ( Euclid, Joyce, Lyden and Baby K) carbs on carbs on carbs. Hahah!

World Chicken
3rd Level, RCBC Plaza
Ayala Ave., Makati