Tikim 68: Maria's Ilocos Empanada (Fairview, Quezon City)

Have you ever tried eating Empanada? or at least tasted Ilocos Longganisa? An empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry, baked or fried. I have tried different kinds of it, but Maria's Ilocos Empanada gave me a different view of their one of a kind empanada.

A lot of my friends told me to go visit their place and try one of their empanadas for a change.

I ordered one of their best sellers The Double Longganisa with single egg (P80) since it is really recommended by many.

 

besides its famous empanadas, the place also sells Ilocos delicacies and items!

AND HERE IT IS! I was really surprised to see this BIG empanada served in front of me! it was really not what i was expecting since I have only tried a few empanadas in my entire life and they were the cute and tiny ones, just for snack time. Although this one's different since the coating was unusual, crunchy and tasted much better than bread or the typical coating of an empanada.

The inside part was filled with delicious Ilocos Longganisa and the egg made it taste even much better! 

Every bite was definitely worth it and now i know why this is highly recommended by many. 

If you're an empanada lover and would like to taste something different that the usual empanada, Maria's Ilocos Empanada will be a sure satisfaction for you guys! 

Quality: 3/5

Taste: 3.5/5

Ambiance: 2/5

Maria's Ilocos Empanada

Address: 41 Regalado Street, Fairview, Quezon City, Philippines

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mariasilocosempanada

Tikim57: Wangfu (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

I noticed that there's a few Chinese restaurants in Tomas Morato area, so when I saw in Il Terrazo that there's a new Chinese restaurant, I asked Evan to accompany me here. Wangfu opened just months ago and I am excited to share with you my food experience in this new Chinese restaurant!

Wangfu

First impression before entering: wow! it's a modern Chinese restaurant. I wonder their price range. Why my thoughts was such? The place looks like an clean-upscale-modern fastfood with simple wooden accents so I wondered if their interiors made food prices higher.

Inside the restaurant

Ordering was a breeze, the menu has pictures of house specialties!

Menu

Menu

Ordered the following:

Shanghai dumplings P58.00

It has 3 pieces of dumplings that aren't actually siomai filling. The dipping sauce is not soy sauce, Im guessing it's light soy sauce with vinegar.I liked it and I ordered 1 more of these guys!

Black pepper beef rice P158.00

The serving size is good, it has enough meat for you to finish with your rice. You can really taste the black pepper sauce; it would be awesome if it's served un a sizzling plate.

Cha Chang noodles P120.00

Evan ordered this, he didn't say anything about it. So it's just a normal dish.

Chili potato strings P128.00

I was carving for fries yet avoiding them to have a better diet; so when I saw this I wanted to order it. Evan told me that it's not worth it but I didn't listen to him. Taste wise the potatoes were a bit sour instead of it being spicy. I think they were cooked with light vinegar that were just topped with chili. Well I wouldn't recommend this dish unless they do something special with it.

Honey Lemon Tea P58.00

This drink is on the sweet side. I thought it would be more citrusy but I guess the honey overpowered the drink. My suggestion got this is to have a small sauce cup so the customer can control the sweetness level.

Food and plate serving was appropriate with their pricing thus answering my thoughts on their first impression. If you want something FAST (sit-down restaurant), friendly to the wallet, and Chinese cuisine in Tomas Morato then go for Wangfu!

Taste: 3.5/5
Quality: 3/5
Ambiance: 3.5/5

Wangfu

Address: Unit G5 Il Terrazo building, Tomas Morato avenue corner scout madrinan street, 
south triangle, Quezon City

Contact: 7090569

Tikim 56: Double date at Ninyo's (Katipunan, Quezon City)

Ninyo was included in Spot.ph's top 10 most romantic restaurants (2nd placer) and in its top 10 must-try wine bars (5th placer). For a double-date, I wanted to bring my friends to Ninyo so they can try out a Japanese-French fusion cuisine. It was raining when we went there,  so the alfresco dining was a no-no. If it wasn't raining, I'd choose to dine here because of its lovely ambiance.

Indoor dining at Ninyo's

Alfresco dining; perfect for dates!

Alfresco Dining 

I just have to share this; the tables in Ninyo were old sewing tables with no machine! For a fashion design student, it really amused me!

Sewing tables!!!

Wondering what's is today's specialty?

Chef's recommendation

Here goes the food! 

For appetizer, ordered this baked sushi style prawn rolls served with salad greens for everyone on the table. One should get 1 roll each but I ended up eating 2 rolls (I got Evan's share) and Hanna and Lance ended up sharing because they were afraid that they might not finish their main entrees. I really like these prawn rolls because they were cooked. The rolls have caviars on top, which blends well with the prawn meet and baked seaweed.

4 rolls of these oven baked sushi style prawn rolls

Oven baked sushi style prawn roll P495

I like tasting French onion soup, so when I saw a Miso-based onion soup...I thought that this is a must try because it combined 2 soups that I love to order: Miso soup and French onion. The soup was in a small coffee cup, a bit pricey but once in a while it's okay to splurge on food. Taste wise, it is kind of subtle and sweet
because of the Miso-base. For the french flair, onion slices were evident and generous cheese completed its essence of its name.

French Onion Miso Based P295

Check out the cheese

Before the table's main entrees, we were served with lime sorbet to clear up the tastebuds. I wish they had this for dessert!

Lime Sorbet

For the main entrees, the table ordered the following:
Lance chose a Chargrilled U.S  hanging tender steak salad with Yuzu sesame-thai chili dressing in mixed greens and seasonal fruits. This combination of meat (protein) and greens is perfect for the health conscious person.

Chargrilled U.S hanging tender steak salad.P325

For me, I chose a Shitake mushroom udon since I am a fan of anything mushroom. Even if i am a rice eater, I had no regrets in ordering a pasta dish because the noodles were really flavorful. I also like the fact that
it's healthy dinner.

Shitake Mushroon Udon P420

Hanna went for the Ebi tempura soba. She got surprised when it was served because it was placed in a really big plate that was actually good for 2 persons.. She ended up sharing the tempura to us because it was heavy. Evan said that is the MOST delicious tempura that he ever tasted because these babies were wrapped in fish then fried with tempura batter. This is something to try on your next Ninyo visit!

MUST TRY: Ebi tempura soba P595

Evan went for a meat entree. He ordered a U.S hanging tender steak served with wine sauce with buttered seasonal vegetables and pumpkin risoni. True to its name, the meat was really tender, its also easy to slice and just goes well with pumpkin risoni. I didn't know what risoni is, its my first time to taste this and it's like risotto but  more creamy.

U.S hanging tender steak P650

To finish the awesome dinner, we ordered dessert. 
If you like vanilla ice-cream then this dessert is for you! It is like eating vanilla ice-cream in jelly form. The seasonal fruits however were not as inviting to eat because they are more of a decoration than actual food that you can eat.

Vanilla bean-infused panna cotta P200

Up close

Mango pavlova is a actually meringue that tastes like marshmallows. It is crispy on the outside but light and fluffy in theinside, topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh Mango. 

Mango Pavlova P245

Price is a bit steep but for special occasions, Ninyo is a must go to!

Happy customers!

Taste: 5/5

Quality: 5/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Ninyo Fusion Cuisine

Address: Esteban Abada Street (behind Katipunan), Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Telephone: 426-0301/ 0917-5385813

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NINYO-Fusion-Cuisine-Wine-Lounge/212177541624

Tikim50: Tea Prince (Fairview, Quezon City)

So far, all of my recent posts are about tea places and drinks, but before i take a turn into trying another thing, let's try to see my new chill place TEA PRINCE. 

Tea Prince

I've always wanted to check this place out because i find the name interesting and all and when i got there, it gave me the aura that i was expecting. The place was bright and cozy. great place to study or unwind.

We all know the saying "curiosity killed the cat", right? well, I'm curious whether they offer same teas like every other tea shops or if ever they'll satisfy my craving for a new taste. 

Menu

They had different drinks to offer and even a few snacks if you're hungry.

Oh, and a new add-on too!

I tried the Cherry Blossom fruit tea and my friend got the chance to drink the Dark Choco Milk Tea drink.

And remember the saying I stated above?

Yup! Definitely gave in!

All I can say is that they gave me the new taste I want to try and you have a chance to write on the opinion board.

Oh and yeah! I'll introduce you to a cute figure below.

This is Prince Kitty accompanying us while we're at the place.

So if ever you need some place to relax or want to satisfy your curiosity with a new drink, TEA PRINCE is definitely a must try!

Taste: 3/5

Quality: 3/5

Ambiance: 3/5

Tea Prince

Address: Regalado Ave. West Fairview, Quezon City, Philippines.

Contact: 4301326

Map: click here