Where food and fashion collide

Nice Domanog

[nicedomanog]

Just got lucky! Hoho! 🍀 (at Lucky's Burger and Bar, Tuscany)

[nicedomanog]

Cake for lunch? Not badddd! Hahahaha. Happyy birthday, Tins!! 🎉

[nicedomanog]

Gino's Brickoven Pizza

I have been hearing about Gino's in forever, but i was only able to try it recently when my officemate invited us for lunch one weekend. Didn't know where this place was exactly, so i had to rely on kuya cab driver's skills, and Waze's! (Hahahaha Thank God for Waze!!!) 

Gino's is a humble Neapolitan Pizzeria located on the 2nd floor of a building opposite to Miriam College. The place was cozy, and seats just about 20 people.

For appetizer we had the classic burrata, served with bread. Wasn't able to take a picture cause we were too hungry!! (Well, i tried but my friends just put on an evil stare so i had to back off hahaha)

Since we were here for pizza, we had the much raved about Smegg(340php), its basically pizza with homemade sausage, mushrooms, eggs and gouda cream on top - couldnt ask for more! It was clearly everyone's favorite.

We also ordered Bianca Verde(330php), not-so-unique as it can be found on other restaurants too but i can say that it fared well to others. Its pizza topped with olive oil, garlic, kesong puti, ricotta, parmesan, basil and arugula! Perfect for cheeselovers.

For pasta we tried the Salted Egg(180php). Its fettucine with bacon, salted egg, cream and parmesan - thick, chewy, and creamy. Ahhh very addicting!

After munching on these mains, its now time for dessert! It was a battle between chocolate covered chicharon and Nutella soup. We (I, mostly hahaha) wanted to try both but it felt like our tummy couldnt handle it anymore so we ended up with just one, Nutella soup(120)php. Easy pick for a nutella fan like me - very straightforward, just imagine drinking your jar of nutella at home. Hihi.

Restaurant Highlight Gino's Brickoven Pizza 2nd floor K2 Building, Katipunan

Budget per head 350php++

[nicedomanog]

Last August, I went to one of the happiest place on earth.

BazaarFinds Heart Maong Jumper || Bazaarfinds Pink Cotton Longsleeve Shirt || Bazaarfinds Black Circular Bag || Vans Maong Sneakers

[nicedomanog]

Commune Cafe

Its been a while since i last blogged, kinda missed it so here i am again! Yayyyyy! But just an early warning, i might flood your feeds for the next few weeks in an attempt to catch-up on my backlogs - i've been eating here and there lately but i was unable to write about any of it, Uhohhhh! 

Anyway, for my comeback entry id like to blog about Commune, a cafe-bar I just recently discovered in the heart of Makati. I've been dying to try it for quite some time now because their cookie shots and 3d coffee art are all over the world of social media! Hahaha.

The moment i entered the place, i instantly knew that this would be one of those cafes where one can stay for hours. Its a cozy little cafe that combines good food, good art, and good coffee perhaps? (I have to admit, I'm not a coffee drinker so i couldn't testify to the latter. Hahahahaha)

In the hopes of seeing 3d art on my drink, I ordered hot choco for myself and mocha latte for my friend. However, i think the artist was out at that time so our drinks were as plain as it could possibly be. Talk about bad timing!! Believe me, i was devastated - its like my excitement meter went from 100 to -50 cause its the very reason why i went here!

Good thing their food selections were also to die for! First, we had the Tuna Melt (Php250) - an easy favorite cause its crostini with pesto, tuna, tomato, and so much cheese on top!! Look! 

For the main dish, i had Chicken Adobo sa Gata (Php190). Didnt find it hard to choose among the mains cause I'd pick anything with coconut cream in a snap and oh, it didn't disappoint! Its creamy, and tangy - just perfect.

Lastly, Cookie Shots (Php120) for dessert! Tell me, who would dare miss these? The cookies were good by itself - no need for milk!

Restaurant Highlight Commune Cafe Liberty Plaza, 102 H.V Dela Costa

Budget per head 350php++

[nicedomanog]

SM Aura: Shine Bakery & Cafe || The Royal Touch

I find it weird how I always, always find it hard to decide on where to eat whenever i'm at SM Aura given that there are lots of restaurants to choose from. 

One time, i had to report to work on a weekend and i hated the idea so much that i realized i needed to eat something good to compensate but i couldn't think of any place. 

My friend (whom i forcefully asked to accompany me to work and dinner hahahaa) and I ended up eating dinner at Shine Bakery & Cafe.

We ordered Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles (Php490) and Truffle Carbonara (Php475). To be honest, i found nothing special with what we ordered. The buttermilk chicken tasted like, eh, fried chicken. It didn't fare well compared to the buttermilk chicken i have tried in other restaurants and its pretty much what i can say to the truffle pasta as well. 

I didn't want to go home with an unsatisfied tummy so i decided to treat myself for another round. Yaaaayyy! We saw this posh, little cupcake store at the ground floor of SM Aura named The Royal Touch. The store's interior was cute and classy enough to lure me in and being the chocolate lover that i am, i ordered the Queen of Nutella Cupcake and Chocolate Biscuit Cupcake at Php90 each. The first was basically nutella cupcake with macadamia nuts topped with nutella buttercream frosting. The latter, was dark chocolate cupcake layered with biscuits and nuts. They were both seriouslyyy good!

Restaurant Highlight Shine Bakery & Cafe, The Royal Touch SM Aura Premier

Budget per head 400php++

[nicedomanog]

Bazaar Finds: Bored Baseball Polo and Black round bag || Call it Spring Black loafers || Apartment 8 Mustard Shorts

[nicedomanog]

Brasas and Bronuts

This might be an unusual combo for some people but it worked for me! If im not mistaken, there are only few Latin america-inspired restaurants here in the metro. I can only think of two actually, Brazil, Brazil and Brasas so i decided to give one a try.

I had the Puerco Asado - Cuba (240php). Its slow-roasted pork belly with crunchy skin with roasted seasonal vegetables, rice and beans. The pork for me, was good but the herb in the rice was too strong. Perhaps some people would like it as it made the dish more authentic.

My friend tried their Grilled Beef Wraps (220php). It's basically charcoal grilled meat, flour tortilla salsa, roasted sweet bell peppers and sauteed onions served with chipotle sauce. To be honest, i didn't like it maybe because im not a fan of bell peppers but my friend actually enjoyed it! Hahahaha. 

After that Latin American dinner, i realized i had to eat something sweet to get rid of the strong flavors. Hahaha. Good thing there's bronuts nearby! My friend ordered the super floss. Its savory, the pork floss is sweet and kind of spicy at the same time. Being the chocolate lover that i am, i got the Belgian chocolate. Its rich in chocolate and there's caramel oozing out from the center. Awesome! 

Restaurant Highlight Brasas, Bronuts SM Aura Premier

Budget per head 200php++

[nicedomanog]

[nicedomanog]

As they say, its buckys. Not brownies. Reaaally good! Restaurant Highlight Toby's Estates Century Mall

What I ordered  Bucky's

Budget per head 100php++

[nicedomanog]

Tutto Domani

I am not a fan of sandwiches so i was a bit hesistant at first to try this place - but, i am reaaallly glad i did! Thanks to my bestfriend for being very pushy! Hahaha. 

We both had Power meal platters - sandwich, pasta, salad and chips, iced tea and dessert!

She had the italiano basic - a combo of cheese and salami partnered with Saffron Cream sauce and mushroom truffle sea salt pasta! I loved her pasta so mucchhh that i almost ate everything. Hahahaha.

Mine was Tortini del Manzo - angus beef sandwich matched with pesto fettucine. My bestfriend liked my pasta more than hers because as she said, it tastes healthy, herby and refined.

And for dessert, we had blueberry cheesecake and crepe samurai. So yummyyy!

Restaurant Highlight Tutto Domani utto Domani is located at New World Hotel Esperanza St. Makati City Budget per head 450php 

[nicedomanog]

Bazaar finds: Long-striped skirt and white chunky necklace || Parisian Heels || Charles & Keith bag 

[nicedomanog]

Love Shack

Lalala-loveeee. Love shack is a restaurant where i felt the need to come back for more right after my first visit so i ended up eating here twice in just one week! Hahahahaha.

Wasn't able to take a good picture though during my first time as i was feeling kind of sick but here's what I had on my second try. :D

Fried Porchetta (Php388)  Pork belly served with side salad and three salsas to choose from (mint, capers, pickles, parsley and basil)

Toasted Marshmallows on Soft Ice Cream (Php150)  What can i say? It's wonderfully sinful! Hahahaha. Restaurant Highlight Love Shack, U/G SM Aura Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Budget per head 450php++ - Food portions are definitely for sharing! 

[nicedomanog]

Forever 21 Crimson Pumps || Redhead Black Laced Skirt || Thrifted Shirt, Plaid Polo and Accessories

[nicedomanog]

Comfort food at its finest! Restaurant Highlight 5/F Shangri-la Plaza Mall, East Wing, Shaw Blvd Wack Wack, Mandaluyong What we ordered  Pork and Potato Strips at Php 340 Crunchy pork belly and fresh potato strips, fried herbs, red  Buttermilk Fried Chicken at Php 519 - Must try! Honey glazed cornbread, country gravy, Cajun honey Miso Glazed Salmon at Php 559 - My friends' favorite dish! Pan fried Norwegian salmon, marinated cold soda noodles, mango cilantro salsa Budget per head 450php++ - Food portions are definitely for sharing! 

[nicedomanog]

Finally tried eating at El Chupacabra! Was so eager to try this as this was included in Awesome Planet's top 10 restaurants of 2013. Food was great and it came at a good price! However, there was one setback - area was too crowded and we had to wait for quite sometime before we could actually sit down and eat. Not recommended for hungry monsters! Hahaha Restaurant Highlight El Chupacabra 5782 Polaris St., Corner Felipe St. What we Ordered Baja California Fish Taco -120php San Francisco-style Lean Pork Sisig - 90php Budget per Head 150php

[nicedomanog]

Went to Poppin's Gastrobar for a quick catch-up with one of my closest friends. Poppin's is fairly new, and is centered on serving couture cocktails and Cajun-Creole inspired food. Its a feel at home place where you can sit back, eat great tasting food and enjoy a drink or two! Restaurant Highlight Poppins Gastrobar Tomas Morato cor Sct Madrinan StLaging Handa, Quezon City (Building right across Il Terrazzo) What we ordered Poppin's Surf and Turf (Php400) - Australian rib eye served with Cajun Shrimp Chorizo Carbonara (Php 350) Budget per head Php400++