Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Pepper Lunch

I have always wanted to east at Pepper Lunch especially when I'm doing the groceries at Rockwell. The smell of the food just entices me to go inside an try it out. The bad thing about that though, I'm usually craving for something else or set to eat somewhere else. I finally got the opportunity to try out Pepper Lunch when Grazey invited me to join her in Greenbelt.

Since they have a small space and long lines to deal with, they organized lines and assist you to your table after you order. I found this very efficient since we were not in line for so long.

I ordered the Beef Pepper Rice (195 PHP). They served this on a sizzling plate while the beef is still raw and it will be cooked there.
The hotness of the sizzling plate seems just right since my rice was not toasted and the beef cooking was not too smoky unlike in other restaurants which has the same concept. It was obvious the beef was very fresh since I saw that it was reddish in color before it was fully cooked. 
 You have the responsibility not to burn your own food, so make sure to mix it all up. The beef would then be tender and the rice flavorful since they added some special butter to it along with the corn. 
There are two sauces you can choose from, Garlic and Honey Brown. I liked combining both. The garlic sauce gives saltiness to the beef while Honey Brown was rightfully sweet and delicious.

I would want to try their desserts and drinks next time. Overall, I think Pepper lunch is the best one of the chains that offer the same type of food. I highly recommend this since you get good quality for the price you pay, efficient service and you don't smell too much like grilled beef when you get out.

Pepper Lunch can be located at 2F Greenbelt 5, 5F Shangri-La Plaza, Lower GF Powerplant Mall.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Kogi Bulgogi

Three of our teamates treated us to Kogi Bulgogi for their birthday. This is a new addition to the chain of restaurants in Eastwood Mall. Since this is a treat, I cannot remember the prices of any of the food or have a choice what can be ordered.
 We got the Bulgogi and I find this dish sweet and tasty, just about the right sweetness. The beef was tender and juicy. The serving was just enough for the price. This is good for 3-4 people.
 The Japchae was just ok. I find the serving really small.
We also had the Pork and Chicken Barbeque. Both were really tasty and we were given three kinds of sauces, sesame oil herb, denjang and another type of sweet sauce. The should add more lettuce leaves per order. Additional lettuce will cost another 50 PHP.
The service was ok for a restaurant that just opened. At times you need to call their attention but at times they're attentive too. Plus points for offering the Korean Ice Cream (which is a must try for 55 PHP) when they heard me say, "I want ice cream" to my teamates.


I think one let down is that I barely got to try the 6 free side dishes that they served. For a big group such as ours, they should have added more dishes and let us refill those at least.
 
Budget per person ranges from 200-400. Kogi Bulgogi can be found on the 2nd floor of the Eastwood Mall veranda.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The Couple Who Left On The 7th

There was a couple who lived a simple life in the province. The husband Carlos was a doctor and helped our wounded troops during the Second World War. The wife Teresa, is one of the youngest children in a big family of 14 children. They were 13 years apart and blessed with 8 wonderful children.
As Carlos continue to provide for his family as a doctor, Teresa would look for ways to help out in the finances by taking care and starting small businesses. She is a very good cook and friends and family eventually encouraged her to sell the food that she makes. She eventually accepted orders for her bread and pastries, opened up the family garage to sell these and set up tables under the tree for people who would want to enjoy their snacks.

As time passed, the business got better. Carlos made the logo and their children will also take turns in selling the goods after school. 

The couple has also lived their life with God as the center. They are both devotees of the Sacred Heart. When Pope John Paul II visited their hometown, Teresa was part of the mass that the Pope celebrated. Carlos would have pamphlets and stampetas of the Sacred Heart printed out and even gives it to the people going to church after mass.

This couple has influenced their children greatly to put God in the center of their life. With their hard work, they were able to send their children to good schools. Their 14 grandchildren lived a life of simplicity despite the privileges they can now provide. Every summer, when all the children are in their home, Carlos would teach them all the prayers he knew and let them recite it. He is also very good at crafts and can make improvised toys. Teresa allowed them to be part of the family business that is continuing to grow. She taught them to wrap the pastries and would also let them sell these in the store or be the cashier.

The couple lived a happy life. They were not just good to their family but helped out those in need around them especially the people who have been very loyal to them.

On March 7, 2003 a first Friday, Carlos died peacefully. It may be sad for his entire family but they are comforted by the fact that he joined God on this day as he is a Sacred Heart devotee after all. Teresa felt all the sadness when he was gone and slowly got sick after a few weeks. Their children continued to take care of her despite her deteriorating health. They took care of her business and at this time, it has grown to a local corporation along with all her property. This business is what we now call as Original Biscocho Haus.

Seven years after Carlos passed, also on a first Friday, Teresa joined her husband on May 7, 2010. Everyone knew that she is happy to be with Carlos once again and their Sacred Heart, Jesus Christ is taking care of them.

Today marks the 40th day after Teresa died. 

I feel a bit sad writing this, after all I miss them both terribly. Carlos and Teresa are my grandparents and I'm just taking comfort that they are watching over us. 


(As for the picture above. I think they're both good looking. I'm a bit disapppointed I didn't get Lolo's height and long legs, and Lola's nose.)

Monday, June 14, 2010

8065 Bagnet

Since I have never been to Ilocos, I have always been curious what Bagnet is like since everyone I know who has tried it was raving about it. Luckily, 8065 Bagnet opened a branch near our place at Leon Guinto st.
 I was expecting just a usual eatery like the ones in that area. When we entered the door, we were greeted with interiors that seemed like a good place for people who love art. The save a simple bar and paintings adorned one wall. The furniture looked as if it has been used in the 90s or 80s which gives you a more vintage feel. Other interesting stuff like old toys are placed on the shelves.

 The specialty of the place is obviously Bagnet. The original Bagnet costs 100 PHP but if you choose to try other sauces, you can get it for 105 PHP. You have an option to try the Binagoongan, Kare Kare, Curry and Spicy Ginataan. The bagnet was crispy on the outside and the skin while the inside was juicy. Some of the laman gets a bit hard though when the Bagnet is too toasted.

The Spicy Ginataan was my favorite. I loved the chillies in the sauce with the very rich taste of gata.
 The Curry sauce was just ok, I prefer my curry to be spicier.
 I like the Kare Kare sauce also. I think it would be better though if they served bagoong on the side.
 You can choose to have the sauces separated so the Bagnet skin will still be crispy.

 We ordered Ensaladang Talong (35 PHP) on the side to balance out our meal.
I find this place really promising although I hope the students in the area appreciate the place as well. The price may be a little high though if students are indeed its target market. However, yuppies would surely love this place.


8065 Bagnet has 2 branches. One is in Estrella st. Makati and the other one is in Leon Guinto st. Near La Salle.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Serenitea

I'm a big fan of milk tea. Ever since I tried it in college, I usually have the craving from time to time. I like my milk tea without pearl though. I get annoyed when the pearls get stuck in my teeth.

After a heavy lunch in Wilson, we headed over to Serenitea in J Abad Santos st. One could smell the aroma of tea once you enter the small shop.
The interiors were simple and I enjoyed the quotes about tea in the walls.
 Anj ordered the Hokaido Milk Tea (80 PHP) which is one of their best sellers. I got my favorite, the Jasmine Milk Tea (80 PHP). 
The Hokaido Milk team has a very strong aroma. The taste is as strong as its smell also but quite sweet.

The Jasmine Milk tea has a milder taste and aroma. Sweetened perfectly as well.

Serenitea allows you to pick the sugar level of your choice for your milk tea. This is good since different people have different tolerance with sweetness. Being a born sweet tooth, I chose to stick with the original sugar.
 They also serve taiwan snacks like chicken chops and spicy squid and will try that next time.

To get to Serenitea, from Ortigas avenue (coming from EDSA), turn left at Wilson st. Then turn right at J Abad Santos st, somwhere past Cardinal Santos Hospital. Serenitea is right across Ristras.