The PR Guy Eats

I EAT - JOEY PEPPERONI PIZZERIA

2012-02-05T03:26:00.000-08:00

Had a meeting/presentation in the Pioneer district. Since our contact person didn't came in in the morning as scheduled (11am), they had the presentation moved at 1:00pm. Thank God there was a restaurant at the ground area. We were four - I, my business partner, AE and the driver. We ordered the following. Don't ask why. We're all men.

Minestrone Ala Milanese soup at Php120

Pollo Impanato e Patate Fritte (chicken fingers and fries) at Php170

The Works Pizza (r12) at Php350

Carbonara at Php170

Baked Cheesy Fries at Php150

Bolognese at Php160

So what do I think with the restaurant and their food selections? Well I, being bias to chicken and pastas, gives it a 9 out of 10. The food was great! And I love that the food was still hot (which of course the way food should be) when it was served. Everything was perfectly paced and the food (all of it) tasted good and fresh. I'm definitely going back the next time I'll be in the area. This time, it would be a celebratory lunch. (Cross fingers)

The Breakdown:

Minestrone Soup Php120

Chicken Fingers and Fries Php170

The Works Pizza Php350

Carbonara Php170

Baked Cheesy Fries Php150

Bolognese Php160

Bottomless Iced Tea Php55 (4)

Total: Php1,340

SAUCERIA, NOT YOUR ORDINARY PIZZA AND PASTA RESTO

2011-12-14T11:09:00.000-08:00

We eat to live. That's a fact. But some of us eat just for the sake of filling up a hungry stomach or in some cases, eat just because we feel like it. Seldom we ask ourselves if the food that we put in our mouth is healthy or if it was created from the finest ingredients worthy of the money we spend on it. My philosophy on food is "If it's worth it, spend!" That's why when Chad of Ambush Online invited me to take part in a food tasting event that he was organizing last December 4, I was intrigued by the "Artisan" resto that is Sauceria and I immediately said yes. As far as I know, the artisan concept meant everything is painstakingly made from scratch. I assumed: the longer you make the food, the higher the price is. But lo and behold, I was in for the surprise of my life.

So let me tell you about Sauceria. Where everything is artisan-style, naturally and freshly made… from scratch!

Sauceria, viewed from the outside emanates a homey feel (as seen in the following photos),

daytime

nighttime

Its interior has a sort of techno-art deco with an interplay of bricks, stainless steel and copper. Much like the food that Sauceria offers, the restaurant's look is also a fusion of different elements. The idea is to set different moods for different dining times. Sauceria serves lunch, dinner and even after hours! Soon: breakfast.

Allow me first to share the secret behind the good tasting food that you are about to see (and possibly drool over) as told by the owner/artisan/food-lover, Mr. Earl Palma. Sauceria's food is considerately cooked with the right temperature in mind. You see, there's science in cooking! Same as how you boil water or how you cook meat to soft, juicy perfection, every food (that requires heat to cook) should be done accordingly with the right temperature.

Sauceria's not-so-secret weapon: infra-red temperature gun. They use this to
measure the right temperature in cooking. Right heat = Good eat!

Now let's get to the good part. The food! For starters, we were offered our choice of drinks. There's calamansi, ginger and iced tea. I ordered calamansi. It was raining that day and extra protection from the sniffles won't hurt. I needed Vitamin C! Haha.

Calamansi soda - freshly made and yes, they make their own S-O-D-A

I'm a big fan of salads! Just thinking of the lush, green, crunchy veggies and the oh-so-perfect vinaigrette of Sauceria makes my mouth water. Here they served us with two kinds of salads.

Ceasar salad at Php160 p/o

Garden salad with vinaigrette dressing at Php110 p/o

It's time for the pasta! I prefer red sauce over white but what Sauceria served us that day made me change my limited preference over white sauced pasta like carbonara. I appreciate how the sauce of the carbonara was creamy yet not bland and it tasted right - for a white sauced pasta that is. Don't even get me started with the pomodoro. Oh man!, it was great! Sprinkled some chilis over it and I simply could die. It's pasta heaven I tell you! See the bread on the side? You simply can't miss it. The fresh taste of it is all to the fact that Sauceria makes and bakes their own bread! Sarap!

Pomodoro at Php210 p/o

Carbonara at Php240 p/o

And now let's get to the highlight. The pizzas!!! If only I'm half of a glutton as I was, I could've finished them all. Thank God I was with (new-found) friends who helped me finish everything (well, almost everything).

Charsiu pizza with mango at Php390 p/o

Margherita pizza at Php300 p/o

Ham and mushroom pizza at Php300 p/o

Spanish sardines pizza at Php330 p/o

Salted Egg and Ampalaya pizza at Php250 p/o

S'mores pizza at Php300 p/o

Here are my top pizza picks:

1. Salted Egg and Ampalaya Pizza - It's not even that bitter! This is a surprising mix of salty and slight taste of bitterness but all in all, I loved it. This is a must try.

2. Margherita Pizza - I just love the taste of green herbs mixed with tomatoes and cheese

3. S'mores Pizza - chocolate, marshmallows and mango tidbits. 'nuff said!

While waiting for the last pizza to be served (the S'mores!!!), I was able to have a warm-up for my sweet tooth with this...

Mango Yogurt smoothie - yummy!

For fear that we might have a cheese overdose with all the pizzas, the owner - Mr. Earl Palma, made a pahabol for us. This usually comes before the main course but with us, food enthusiasts that we are, we didn't mind. Appetizers or not, good food is still good food.

Tuna Tataki (goof for 4) at Php320

Nachos grande (baked with cream fraiche, beans and jalapeno; good for 4) at Php360

This is the Finale for me (and Twinkle). I'm a coffee drinker but not half as discerning and critical as she was! She speaks coffee lingo and man, she's really good at it. We were able to enjoy half a cup (each) of the famous (and expensive!) Civet coffee. Civet or Alamid (as commonly known here in the Philippines) is made from the beans of coffee berries which was eaten and defecated by the nocturnal mammal. Once cleaned, sun dried and processed, Civet coffee lives up to it's reputation as the world's most expensive coffee with its sharp yet clean coffee taste. Coffee lovers must at least try this once in their lives.

The most expensive coffee ever! Civet coffee at Php360 per cup

So who are these new found friends who shared these delicious feast with me that I was referring to earlier? Here they are.

The duo behind Good Food Blog

Jon and Twinkle of Forkplay

Jill of The Food Scout

Chad Arietta of Ambush Online

Sauceria Restaurant was founded on the concept that healthful and natural food can taste better than the commercial preparations. MSG and artificial chemicals are a big no-no and the flavorful taste all comes from natural ingredients. Being the true artisan that they are, Sauceria (as I've mentioned earlier) makes everything from scratch! From yogurts to cultured creams, to mayos and even ketchup! Sauceria also support local farmers. They source out the products that they use from marginal and cottage businesses and even from forest dwellers for their civet coffee!

Overall, I'm giving Sauceria a 9 out of 10 stars. The food, ambience and pricing deserves a gold medal. The staffs were even friendly but the only catch was the time the food was served, which I understand is the result of the food being prepared and cooked as ordered. Read: A-R-T-I-S-A-N. Meaning: F-R-O-M S-C-R-A-T-C-H. Piece of advice, If you're in a hurry to eat, go to a fast food restaurant. But if you want to be on for a treat, eat at Sauceria. I tell you, it's worth the wait!

Sauceria Restaurant is located at 25 Boni Serrano Ave (fornerly Santolan) corner Sunrise Drive 1111, Quezon City
For questions, reservations and the like, you can email them at sauceria@gmail.com or you can simply call (02) 584 3967

Like Sauceria on Facebook HERE.

PS: Before leaving, I ordered a S'mores pizza to take home for the family but when I asked for the bill, Mr. Palma said that it's on the house. Aww… nothing beats kindness to cap off the day. As you can see, Sauceria is not just big on taste but also has a big heart. Thanks sir!

Thank you Sauceria! Thanks Chad! And oh, don't forget to check Chad's video blog! It's ambushonline.tk

RECESS AT THE CANTEEN

2011-11-28T01:59:00.000-08:00

One of the brands that my company is handling is based in Makati, Rada St. And everytime I pay them a visit, I make it a point that prior to visiting, I semi-starve myself so that I'll be able to eat "hungrily" at one of my favorite restaurants - Canteen, also located at Rada St.

This is basically the 3rd (or 4th?) time I paid them an eat. I was with my food crime partners Bestie and Kenneth. Hmm… why is it that it's always you two? Aha! Both of you are slim (payatot) kasi that's why.

grabbed from The PR Guy

We need to wait for like 30 minutes in order for us to be accommodated because it was a full house when we got there. We even considered eating at the car mind you… All because of good food! So here's what we ordered/enjoyed,

Beef Lemongrass at Php260

Pasta Chamba at Php245

Chicken Cutlets at Php195

(Extra) Fried Rice at Php50

Chop Chop Chicken Salad at Php175

Iced Tea at Php75

I really do like Canteen's BIG Iced Tea and Lemonade. Bestie and Kenneth preferred water (again) - see? They're nice. What came as a surprise was the Pasta Chamba! It was a delight eating it much to the protest of my numb lips but it's all good. Thinking about it makes my mouth water…

I'm giving them an 8.5 out of 10 stars. If the menu were THAT cheap, they'll get a perfect 10! But of course, I don't mind paying that much dough if it's worth it and Canteen is ALL WORTH IT! Simple + Good Food indeed!

The Breakdown:

Beef Lemongrass Php260

Pasta Chamba Php245

Chicken Cutlets Php195

Fried Rice Php50

Chop Chop Chicken Salad Php175

Iced Tea Php75

Total: Php1,000

+ 5% Service Charge Php50

Grand Total: Php1,050

Canteen is located at 110 Rada St. Legazpi Village, 1200 Makati. Like them on Facebook!

MOM AND HER THREE AT THE MANGO TREE

2011-11-23T12:31:00.000-08:00

On the following day upon my mom's arrival, I treated her and my two brothers to a (half) day out by watching a movie and eating at Trinoma

(L-R) Kuya Michael, Mom and Ryan (the youngest)

We watched Puss in Boots which was very entertaining, as expected, and capped off the day by eating at Mango Tree Bistro. This will be my third time eating at the restaurant and you know what they say about the third time being a "charm"? Well, this is beyond that.

I'm a fan of Thai cuisine and Mango Tree Bistro's serves the best, if not, the practically priced Thai food in the metro. It's "sulit" as how Kris Aquino would say because we got more than what we paid for!

grabbed from ClickTheCity.com

I took the liberty of ordering on behalf of all four of us since I've been there a couple of times (and also because I'm always the "nasusunod" son and the fact that I'm the one treating them anyway :p) and here's what I got,

Thai Iced Tea at Php80 - I always order this; favorite

All boys got the Thai Iced Tea while mom got the Lemongrass

Tom Yum Pla Nuan Chan - Bangus at Php280

This is the "sulit" part. We got this as a complimentary to the grilled sea bass.
Usually, it comes only as a side with the fried sea bass but the good waiter
still served me this upon my request. Green Mango salad.

Pla Krapong Yan - Grilled Sea Bass at Php700

Khaopad Jay - Vegetable Rice at Php150

Gaeng Ped Gai - Red Chicken Curry at Php350

Khao Klook Kapi - Bagoong Rice at Php230

We were able to finish everything! Of course my mom, having three sons, took care of that. Overall, it was a very pleasant food experience. I'm giving Mango Tree Bistro a 9 out of 10 stars for its fuss-free setting, ambience, menu selection and food taste/quality. I could have given it a 10 but there's something missing and I don't know why… Oh well, maybe next time I go there I'll be able to identify that "thing" that is missing and hopefully, by then, I'll be able (also) to justify my 9.

The Breakdown:

3 Thai Iced Tea Php240

1 Lemongrass Iced Tea Php80

Pla Krapong Yang - Grilled Sea BassPhp700

Tom Yum Pla Nuan Chan - Bangus Php280

Gaeng Ped Gai - Red Chicken Curry Php350

Khao Klook Kapi - Bagoong Rice Php230

Khaopad Jay - Vegetable Rice Php150

Total: Php2,030

Plus Service Charge Php181.25

Grand Total: Php2211.25

See the happy faces?

We, I, whoever comes first, will be coming back for sure! How about you? Been to any of Mango Tree Bistro's two restaurants? They have one in Greenbelt 5 (1st Level) and of course, Trinoma (3rd Floor, beside Powerbooks)

Like Mango Tree Bistro on Facebook

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!

2011-11-21T00:20:00.000-08:00

Or was it? I don't know if it was a Friday but it sure felt like one when I decided to have lunch (pre-celebratory) at T.G.I.Friday's, Robinson's Galleria with two of my ~~favorite~~ staffs (Bestie and Kenneth). We just had a client presentation within the area and I also need to settle some things with T.G.I.Friday's for my nephew's first birthday celebration which we are also going to do there. Talk about susyal…

T.G.I.Friday's Robinson Galleria; Photo grabbed from http://fridays.com.ph

Since it's lunch already, we have no choice but to eat there. Hala! Choosy pa? And we got ourselves these…

For appetizers,

Loaded Potato Skins at Php295

And for our main course,

Mushroom Chicken and Mushroom at Php565, we had the corn shredded

Pacific Grilled Pork Chop at Php745 -three piece

We just had an extra rice pilaf and a regular coke in can for me. Bestie and Kenneth preferred water - they're nice.

T.G.I.Friday's is a good restaurant if you're on to impress a date or if you have a SMALL (emphasis on the small) family gathering. Even though I like the food, of course we have to be wise spenders here. I'm giving it a 7 out of 10 stars. I just have an issue, on behalf of the others who wants to eat there, with the pricing. But overall, it was a good dining experience. One to be followed after a month or so… Not on a regular basis though unless... if you're an Aquino or a Trump, then indulge!

The Breakdown:

Loaded Potato Skins Php295

Mushroom Chicken and Mushroom Php565

Pacific Grilled Pork Chop (3s) Php745

Extra Rice Pilaf Php85

Coke in can Php95

Total: Php1,785

Plus 10% Service Charge Php178.50

Grand Total: Php1,963.50

IT ALL STARTS HERE AT CHICKEN CHARLIE

2011-11-20T08:43:00.000-08:00

What started you ask? My being an instant fan the first time I tasted Chicken Charlie's double fried chicken and my insatiable appetite for it.

10pc Wing in Hot Sweet Sauce at Php229

8pc Drumstick in Soy Garlic Sauce at Php379

Potato Wedges

Cheesestick Dynamite

Bundaberg Sarsaparilla - my preferred flavor

Can't help myself getting this cool shaped bottled water

I'm planning to get myself my very own (franchised) store of Chicken Charlie early next year. I find its menu selection simple yet "complete" and the food? Pure happiness! Of course it would make a great business opportunity for me and at the same time, sate my cravings. Imagine a chicken wing appearing with just a snap-of-a-finger! Hmm… yum!

Like Chicken Charlie on Facebook and don't forget to visit their website for updates!
They have branches in Banawe QC, San Juan, Malate, Paranaque and Katipunan.

Happy eating everyone!

HAPPINESS IS A PLACE CALLED BUBBLE TEA

2011-11-14T07:14:00.000-08:00

Finally, I was able to squeeze in some time to go out on a long overdue lunch date with my girls Bestie, Astrid and Lorraine which I promised like over a month ago. What took me/us so long? Well, we are a working company. And by working, we don't consider eating out as a luxury and lunch is… what lunch? Work!

Lorraine, Astrid and Bestie

There are some things in life that are better left unplanned. And that lunch out at Bubble Tea? It's just a spur of the moment thing. That and the fact that SM North is like a minute away from our office.

We four, are fans of Bubble Tea… and going out (non work related) with my staffs is not something that I do on a regular basis that's why we made the most out of this rare opportunity for us to bond over our common interests with milk teas and japanese x western food shared with some laughs (or tons of it). And by making the most out of this chance, I meant these:

Bestie's: JCC Roasted Tea (L)

Astrid's: Royal Mik Tea (L)

Lorraine's: Coffee Milk Tea (L)

Mine: JCC Black Milk Tea

Lorraine's: Unagi Lover Roll

Astrid's: Chizu Maki

Bestie's: Nippon Ebi

Mine: Mix Sashimi

Of course we all have to share everything except for the milk teas. Had a little trouble chewing the raw squid from the Mix Sashimi though but it's (still) all good!

In true The PR Guy fashion, a delicious meal won't be complete without a breakdown of the food and drinks we ordered. So here goes…

The Breakdown:

1 Royal Milk Tea (L) Php125

1 Coffee Milk Tea (L) Php125

1 JCC Black Tea (L) Php 135

1 JCC Roasted Tea (L) Php135

1 Chizu Maki Php135

1 Nippon Ebi Php285

1 Unagi Lover Php 295

1 Mix Sashimi Php350

Total: Php1,585

Every bite of the rolls and sip of the tea was pure happiness. Bestie and I had the same thoughts the moment we took our first bites. Would I recommend this restaurant to you? Yes! And I'm giving it an 8 out of 10 stars rating.

This is us, happy and obviously full

Like Bubble Tea Restaurant on Facebook here. Their branches are at SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, Tomas Morato and Wilson St, Greenhills.

Happy eating & happy spending everyone!

I CAN'T EAT WITH UN-IDENTICAL SPOON AND FORK

2011-11-14T00:39:00.000-08:00

Call me OC but I am.

This is my first post for my food and travel blog. An introductory on what keeps me (and my tummy) happy.

I cook. I bake. And I love to travel! I think that sums up everything I am in this blog. Join me as I embark on a journey full of endless walks and gastronomical adventures.

Of course, it wouldn't be The PR Guy talking if there's no mention of spending here. The art of spending on food and travels that is.

Happy eating! err… Happy reading!

Paul The PR Guy