The founders and the management wanted to establish a homey eating place that would be close to the hearts of the Filipino people; close to the hearts of the Filipino families. And the result? Dekada! Dekada is an all-original Filipino restaurant that serves Pinoy dishes, but with a new twist. It is not the ordinary local resto as it offers historic Filipino cuisines that would throw you back to the decades of the past. Yup, Dekada is that good, old restaurant in the contemporary period that integrates Filipino favorites with wonderful flavors.
We asked the staff and ordered some of its bestsellers. We had fried chicken, sisig, kare-kare, and bulalo. All of these dishes made the fam speechless. Indeed, the best in their menu! These are the usual Filipino viands, but no kidding, each has a magic recipe that makes it different and level up from the lutong bahay we usually eat. Dekada's rice variants are also worth to mention because they are also sooo good! We had them all: adobo, bagoong, and tinapa rice. The fam was able to utter, kanin palang ulam na because it really was! Plus that giant halo-halo that we all shared together? Ahhh, sarap! Of course, it has generous servings that fit everybody. Since the halo-halo is legitly big, it also comes with a great presentation. Hashtag busog lusog talaga dito ~ Thanks sissy, thanks Golden Donuts, thank you G -- the fam then again found another good restaurant that we would come back for. Grateful for this night because it has been a while when I went to a resto where all of its food are insanely good! Indeed, Dekada is a memory lane that brings back the glory days, or should I say glory decades of our country through nostalgic feelings and great tastes to the modern period. Dekada is an underrated Filipino restaurant that deserves more limelight in the food industry field. I definitely stan this eating house! 💖 Dekada Second Floor, Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City Royale Parc Hotel, Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Silang Junction West, Tagaytay City https://www.facebook.com/DekadaPH/
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That fine Saturday did not end at Hakata Ton-ichi. Yes, this is a continuation of what happened after dinner. Dada and I were really going home already; we were in the BGC Bus. However, I still wanna be with him, so I asked him to stay with me even for just a little time. I really missed this guy, eh? Been almost three weeks of not seeing each other. Siya na nag-Japan! Hahu! So then! We stopped by at Macao Imperial Tea, the branch near the SM Aura, not at the Philippine Stock Exchange one for some milk tea fix. This time, the treat was on me! Nakakahiya naman kay Dada kung lahat nalang ililibre niya, 'di ba. :))))) Trivia: Dada and I had craved for this since forever! There was no near branch at our homes and our usual hangouts, so even if we wanted some, it was hard to look for one. Thanks to my childhood best friend for spilling the tea that there is already a Macao Imperial Tea outlet near us! And yes, last Sat night, we were here. Finally, Dada and I tried this talk of the town! *yay* People say that this milk tea shop has a great-tasting variety of blends from hot and cold beverages of milk tea, tea, coffee, soda, Yakult-based drinks, and more. Macao Imperial Tea also offers some pies and pastries that are perfect with these comfort drinks. Lucky for Macao Imperial Tea because even if there are lots of competitions around -- we know naman this milk tea craze -- its brand still stood out and boomed to the top. Macao Imperial Tea is known for its cream cheese and chestnut cream milk tea variants. Just as what Kristine, the Macao Imperial Tea addict suggested, Dada and I had Cheesecake Oreo milk tea, one of the best-selling beverages. And in fairness, it really tasted good, huh! Very creamy! I loved the generous cheesecake that was on my milk tea! Found another milk tea favorite, my friends. And not just that, another weekend tambayan, too *woohoo* Indeed, it was a looooong yet fun day! Imagine, from Makati to Manila to Makati to Taguig to Makati; from learning at Planetarium, feasting at Hakata Ton-Ichi, to this! Thought we were just staying there for one hour, but guess what, we went home at midnight! Like Hakata Ton-ichi, nakakagana kasi dun dahil sobrang aliwalas ng lugar kahit gabi na. Impressed with the cutesy and cool ambiance of this branch. Really picturesque and double-tap-worthy. But! What made me hooked up a little more? The personalized experience with Dada! It is always an endless conversation with this guy, 'no? And I do not mind because I actually love it! Hope we never stop communicating; never stop loving each other; never stop growing together just as how Macao Imperial Tea never stops branching out all over the world 💖 Macao Imperial Tea Various locations: https://www.zomato.com/manila/restaurants/macao-imperial-tea https://www.facebook.com/MacaoImperialTeaPH/ Dada and I actually planned to have a date night at Fort Santiago after visiting the National Planetarium of the Philippines. It is just a few walks away anyway. However, there was an event happening at the fort, so we were not allowed to enter! Wrong timing, 'no? Because of that disappointment, I then craved for some spicy, hot food. Trivia: every time I do not feel good (sad, hurt, mad, agit, etc), I need something spicy or hot for me to calm down better. So! From Manila, we headed to Ayala for dinner. I told Dada that we could dine at Chowking where I can just order a wonton mami, then I would pour some chili. But... Dada insisted to eat at one of the restaurants in Japan Town, the Japanese food district on the top floor of Glorietta. He said that he had been wanting to try Hakata Ton-ichi because he heard lots of good things about this food nook, and yes, that was where we dated last Saturday 💖 No idea about this place, to be honest, so I just followed Dada. Besides, I was hangry already and it was him who was paying. Hahehi! And that was why, I was shocked at the moment we stepped into the restaurant. I know in myself that I have my bias at Shaburi and Kintan Buffet, but I must say, I was struck at the moment when I saw Hakata Ton-ichi's interiors! Amazed that this authentic ramen joint is so bright, very modern, yet still gives off the feels of Japan. Hakata Ton-ichi has vintage magazine collages, colorful banners in Japanese writing, and artistic walls of anime or Japanese cartoons that provide a great backdrop for picture-taking. Its industrial fixtures, like where Dada and I sat, blend nicely with the overall look of the dining space as well. The restaurant is so nice! Japan-nice! Kaya nakakagana rin talaga kumain! :) Hakata Ton-ichi is home to the favorite Japanese cuisines. But what makes it much distinct than others? The authentic variety of ramen noodles with very friendly prices! Imagine, Dada had the signature Hakata Ton-ichi Ramen for only PhP 180. It is a mixture of chasu pork, oil, and Ton-ichi broth that is topped with kikurage mushrooms, onion leeks, and of course, a soft-boiled tamago. While I, since I wanted something spicy and hot, I had the PhP 220-Red Ramen. Like Dada's, it has chashu pork, kikurage mushrooms, onion leeks, soft-boiled egg, and Ton-ichi broth, but with some special red oil that makes the ramen tastes spicy than the original. Dada and I also ordered side dishes, such as the yummy California maki and the best cheese gyoza as suggested by the staff. Thanks, mga Sir! :) I highly suggest these affordable yet delicious dishes in this Japan-nice resto! No doubt, it is one of the best Jap places I have been to! Slurping such steaming, umami-filled ramen bowl without needing to break the bank? It is possible at Hakata Ton-ichi! Wallets would not hurt, to be honest, because these comfort food are truly worth the money. I look forward to dining here again after a long, tiring day or just whenever I am craving for ramen. Aside from the cuisines and the ambiance, I really do commend the employees from the Glorietta branch because they assisted us like VIPs and took care of us during that stay. That made Dada and I's experience more memorable than others. Indeed, the overall experience at Hakata Ton-ichi complements the Japanese culture from the in-house food to the pleasing atmosphere to the nice workforce. Four thumbs up from Dada and me for this! 💖 Hakata Ton-ichi Japan Town, Top of the Glo, Roofdeck Level, Glorietta 1, Ayala Center, Makati City 2nd Floor, Ayala North Exchange, Ayala Avenue Corner Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City 2nd Floor, North Towers, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City https://www.facebook.com/Hakata-Ton-ichi-PH-413704732460978/
Since Dada and I had not dated in this mall that often anymore, we decided to dine at somewhere unique -- like at a restaurant where Landmark, Glorietta, UP Town, SM Aura, Market! Market! do not have. We then thought of ZubuChon! Wanted to eat here since forever, so, here we were! :) I was with Dada's family when I tried ZubuChon for the first time. We were at Cebu City last 2016 and we had our dinner in this restaurant by then. Thanks to the taxi driver who suggested this place, we really had a great Cebu Lechon experience! So... When we knew that ZubuChon was branching out to Manila, the fam promised to dine here again and we did! I was not able to blog at that time because I just wanted to eat, just like before. But it's here, it's here, it's here already! I still can conclude after four years that ZubuChon is the best lechon restaurant -- as in lechon restaurant, huh, not just the lechon itself -- in my life! 💖 ZubuChon lives by its name. Zubu is the former name of Cebu from the 16th-century maps. While Chon is derived from lechon, the stuffed and roasted pigs. Combining these words into one then, ZubuChon has been (one of) the best lechon in Cebu ever since. ZubuChon offers a diverse lechon menu. Yes! Aside from the original Cebu Lechon that needs no introduction, it also has Tokwa't Lechon, Sisig, as well as Dada and I's favorite: Sinigang Lechon and so much more. ZubuChon's lechons are backyard-raised pigs, sprayed with fresh coconut water and natural sea salt, so customers are assured that these stuffed, roasted, crispy pigs are locally- and naturally-sourced ingredients all the time. Its branches do not use any added MSG, chemical preservatives, and even food coloring in all its dishes. And albeit lechon is known for cholesterol, with ZubuChon, you would know you are eating just right for the heart. Yay, right? :) True to its roots, ZubuChon did not change its original recipes. Luzon branches have the same taste as the outlets in Visayas and I am so happy about that because it as if takes me back to the first time I tried ZubuChon in Cebu! Even when we are in Manila physically, it still tastes like Cebu City from its five pork fried rice to its lechon dishes to even the fam's favorite lemongrass juice! Eating here at the cozy, modern, and prominent-red-and-black-accented Ortigas branch, it still felt like I was in Maxilom Avenue. Plus, the aftermath is the same too: busog na busog kami ni Da! 💖
ZubuChon Various locations: https://zubuchon.com/locations/ https://zubuchon.com https://www.facebook.com/zubuchonphilippines/ Last Sunday, one of my soul sisters suddenly called -- inviting me and our another sissy to meet on Wednesday. I was shocked because Angeli does not usually ring me up, so I thought it was an emergency. But actually, she just set up a schedule for her despedida bonding with us before her sampa to the cruise ship where she will be working for six months. So, of course, g! Especially that it was Angeli's birthday, Carly and I must grant that special request. We did not want to miss this one because we missed each other so much already, too! 💖 SM Mega Mall is the halfway location of the three of us and yes, that was where we met. Supposedly, we would be having Shake Shack or Lugang Cafe. We were undecided for lunch, but as the three of us were roaming around the mall, thinking where to host our chikahan party, the birthday girl then saw Masil Charcoal Grill. Angeli and I have been Korean drama addicts and slight K-Poppers since we were in college. Carly, on the other hand, was able to explore the K-industry because of us and now, she is more updated than us! Therefore, eating in an authentic Korean restaurant? Basic! It was just like the old times of having samgyup and chicken without beer, but level up. The girls were hospitably accommodated to the table by the friendly staff. She gave us the menu and told us about the bell that we can ring if we need something. I was amused because the plates, utensils, and cups were all ready already even before we sit down. I also loved the idea that each table has this bell that you can click, so it is more efficient for serving; thus, convenient for the guests. Heard that the management did this because their branches are usually busy. Shookt when I knew that because I really had no idea that this is a legit, high-end Korean place! Aside from the fact that some celebrities have visited here already, Masil is actually known to be the second Korean catering service in the Philippines! Yes, this K-resto is not just the ordinary grilling place as it also caters to food services and accepts events, parties, and reservations. Side dishes, service water, and our drinks were served while waiting our lunch for the day. The waiting time was not actually long, just in time like any other restaurant. Angeli had Samgye-tang or ginseng chicken soup. That was my first time trying this dish and I can compare it to the Philippines' Tinola. What is unique with this soup though, the additional of ginseng in it. Because for Koreans, it is essential for the body's health. I told Angeli to have miyeok-guk or seaweed soup, the traditional birthday dish in Korea. However, she does not want it. She really was craving for this samgye-tang! While Carly and I, we had Masil's Dolsot Bibimbap. It is a big bowl served in a hot pot that is filled with steamed rice and mixed with assorted vegetables. And in fairness, huh, its sauce is differently good. I really enjoyed eating our chosen dishes because mashita! :) My girls and I stepped in the restaurant before lunch; around 11-ish AM, we think? And so we laughed so hard when we looked at our watches that it was already 3 PM and we were still there. Merienda time already, hala! Embarrassed for overstaying, we had desserts. Yes yes, this amazing Korean grill also has an ice cream tub where you can choose your favorite K-ice creams! I had Samanco: Red Bean ice cream while they had Melona. It was, indeed, a great catch-up time with Angeli and Carly. Each of us had so many stories to tell! But, our day did not end here. Check out our experience at Arrowland by Gandiva, another wish by the birthday girl here! :) Masil Charcoal Grill caters a wide range of Korean food for the customers -- from side dishes to soups to main dishes to even barbeque grilling! Their bestseller, of course, from their name itself: the charcoal grill! Next time, hopefully, I would try that as well. Will update you guys, soon. But for now, I must say: Masil Charcoal Grill is already on my K-go-to restaurants list because of its good food, polite employees, chill ambiance. Plus the fact that my sisters and I spent quality time here and they did not mind? Two thumbs up! :) Masil Charcoal Grill Ground Floor, Unimart, Capitol Commons, Pasig City 4th Floor, SM Mega Fashion Hall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City https://www.facebook.com/MasilOrtigas/ |
THE BLOG-GIRLE L A M A N I L A Ela Mones, a Filipina girl,
is a passionate lifestyle blogger who loves to express her unforgettable life experiences and best moments through words, photos, and videos 💖
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