Metro Resto Review

hawaiian bar-b-que

hawaiian bar-b-que exterior

The Hawaiian Bar-b-que restaurant, Tagaytay City branch.

hawaiian bar-b-que exterior

This is how the establishment looks like when you pass through Aguinaldo Highway, it is the exact lobby of The Boutique Bed and Breakfast hotel.

hawaiian bar-b-que interior

Interior of the restaurant, this is just across the lobby of The Boutique Bed and Breakfast.

Lahaina's famous beef stew

Lahaina’s famous beef stew, beef ribs stewed in a hawaiian spice blend of chili, maple and sesame.  Price at P340.00.  It was tender, and very tasty! The sweetness, and little bit of spiciness compliments each other.  Highly recommended!  I give this food a rating of 5/5.

original hawaiian baby back ribs

Original Hawaiian Baby Back Ribs, barbecue ribs roasted in homemade sweet and tangy sauce, served tangy style price at P450(Medium) P680(Large). I can say this is truly delectable! Fall of the bones ribs and surely very tender every bite.  I give this a rating of 5/5.

Overall, I give the rating of 5/5 for the service, 4/5 for the ambiance and 5/5 for the food.

Branches:

1.   Station 1, Balabag (in between El Toro and Landbank), Boracay, Aklan. Tel. No. (036) 260-2246.

2. San Miguel By The Bay, SM Mall of Asia Pasay.  Tel. No. 0920-3036225.

3.  45 Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay.  Tel. Nos.(046) 413-1698 / 1885 /1795.

NOTE:   If you dine at Hawaiian Bar-b-que, please let them know that you saw the review from MetroRestoReview.com.

cafe mary grace

The ambiance at Cafe Mary Grace,  Robinson’s Manila branch.  It was not that spacious but didn’t compromise comfortability.  We were greeted by their friendly server and was immediately assisted to our seats.

mary grace caesar salad

Mary Grace Caesar Salad, breaded chicken fillet, romaine lettuce, croutons, bacon bits and caesar dressing price at P175.00.  It was tasty but noticed the lack of dressing though.

mary grace mushroom cream

Mary Grace Mushroom Cream, linguini noodles, cream, mushroom and truffles price at P262.00.  I was informed that this is their best seller, it was creamy and pasta cooked al dente which I craved all the more.

peach iced tea

Peach Iced Tea, peach tea with peach nectar at P75.00.  I find this peach-flavored tea tasted more of wine than tea itself.

peppermint and fruits iced tea

Peppermint and fruits iced tea, blend of peppermint and fruit juice price at P75.00.  I love peppermint, and the mint dominated the drink.  Refreshing!

Overall, I give the rating of 5/5 for the service, 3/5 for the ambiance and 4/5 for the food.

Branches:

1. Level 1, Trinoma Mall Edsa cor. North Ave., Quezon City.Tel. No. 9169003 / 9169004 / 4319786.

2.  G/F Serendra Complex,  Taguig. Tel. No. 8560858 / 4319786.

3.  G/F Rockwell Business Center, Ortigas. Tel. No. 4703712.

4.  G/F, Corte De Las Palmas, Alabang Town Center. Tel. No. 3840129 / 8288476.

5.  Level 2, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City. Tel. No. 3922735.

6.  G/F, St. Lukes Hospital, Fort Global City . Tel. No. 6596929

NOTE:   If you dine at Cafe Mary Grace, please let them know that you saw the review from MetroRestoReview.com.

cafe on the ridge

ambiance

ambiance

We wanted to savour the cool air of Tagaytay, and the trip will never be complete without tasting the buffet that the famous Taal Vista hotel has to offer.  And so, we tried their Cafe on the Ridge.

The restaurant has a floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the Taal Volcano.  They also have orchestra group and acoustic entertainment performed inside the hotel during this season.

During Christmas season buffet price is P922++, with one round of drinks (soda, iced tea or pineapple juice).  Children below 5 yrs. old is free of charge.

Bread Station

Their selection of bread.

They usually have 2 kinds of soup to offer, at the time of visit they have  Bulalo soup and a Cream of Broccoli soup.

Fillers for the salad

Prepared Salad were displayed from Apple Waldorf  Salad, Potato Salad and more.  There were six choices to choose from.

Baby Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes for a carbohydrates load.

Maya-Maya with Lemon Butter Sauce

Maya-maya with Lemon Butter Sauce was tender, but a bit dry to my taste.

Buttered Vegetables

Buttered Vegetables was cooked just right and the sweetness of the vegetables came out which makes this dish delectable.

Noodles Station

Choices of Noodles:  Pansit Canton on the left, and Rice Vermicelli on the right.

Seafood Termidor

Chicken Hawaiian

Chicken Hawaiian, I find the chicken dry but the sauce was just right with a sweet and sour taste.

Lechong Kawali

Tasted the famous Lechong Kawali, and didn’t satisfy me at all.  It has more oil that I can ever imagine.

Beef Loaf with Gravy

Beef Loaf with Gravy was tender and best if paired with rice for the saltiness of the sauce.

fresh fruits

True to its promise, fruits served were really fresh.

Dessert Station

Surprisingly, everyone  was giddy to try their baked desserts.  And it didn’t disappoint me.

more of desserts station

Panna cotta, and  Leche Flan were my favorite desserts then.  It was creamy but a bit bland though, still it was yummylicious for me.

halo halo station

A dessert from Cafe-on-the-Ridge will never be complete without a serving of halo-halo as the server informed us.  We had our taste of the ever famous dessert, but was not satisfied with the milk that they were using.  It was not that creamy, and almost watery already.

Overall, I give the rating of 3/5 for the service, 5/5 for the ambiance and 3/5 for the food.

Branch:

1.  Taal Vista Hotel, Km. 60 Aguinaldo Highway Tagaytay, Cavite.  Tel. Nos.  413-1000 / 886-4325.

NOTE:   If you dine at Cafe on the Ridge of Taal Vista Hotel, please let them know that you saw the review from MetroRestoReview.com.

the gustavian

The Gustavian

The serene facade of The Gustavian in Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City.  The restaurant itself has a wide array of deli also available for sale.  The interior was a bit hot for the number of customers dining.

bread with butter

We were served a complimentary bread with butter, while waiting for our main dish.

salmon fillet

Salmon Fillet was served with sweet corn, mushrooms, bacon, caper tomato salsa at the price of P330.00.  It was cooked perfectly,  juicy Salmon and complements with the combined salsa.  We thought that the serving was way too small for it’s price, surprisingly it was only enough for one serving.

beef stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff, mushrooms, mustard, sour cream and cognac at the price of P340.00.  Beef was tender, I immediately tasted the presence of sour cream in this dish.  I will appreciate the dish more had it been served with more rice.

Iced Tea

Iced Tea at P75.00.  It was a real brewed tea served with ice, and not too sweet.

Overall, I give the rating of 4/5 for the service, 4/5 for the ambiance and 4/5 for the food.

Branches:

1. G/F Eastwood Mall Veranda, Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City.  Tel. No.  470-2971.

NOTE:   If you dine at The Gustavian, please let them know that you saw the review from MetroRestoReview.com.

napoli pizzeria ristorante

exterior of napoli

Napoli Pizzeria Ristorante the name of the restaurant itself entailed that it offers Italian food.  True to it’s name, there were variety of pasta and pizza to choose from.   We visited their SM the Block branch, where most of their seats were placed outside the restaurant rather than inside the restaurant.  With the number of diners,  good thing they can still accommodate us inside the restaurant where we can have our privacy.

wall designs of napoli

another wall design of napoli

Their interior wall design of the restaurant.

oil and garlic pasta with seafood

For pasta, we had Oil and Garlic Pasta with Seafood.  It was served with generous seafood, and flavorful olive oil and herbs and garlic, and comes with freshly baked garlic bread.  At the price of P210.00.  A rating of 5/5.

bacon cheeseburger pizza

For pizza, you can have it in two flavors.   We had Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza price depends on the size with choices of per slice P65.00, 10 inches for the price of P175.00, 14 inches for the price of P270.00, 16inches for the price of P345.00.   If you’re a meatlover you’ll surely enjoy this for the bacon was truly crunchy and was cooked to perfection.  A rating of 4/5.

new york pizza

And the other half of the pizza was New York Pizza at the price of per slice is P80.00, if 10 inches at the price of P205.00, if 14 inches at the price of P330.00, if 16 inches at the price of P450.00.  They used fresh bell pepper and onions and has a sweet taste for it was cooked at the right temperature.  As the picture speaks, it was full of toppings we were happy that we chose Napoli to dine.  A rating of 5/5.

Overall, I give the rating of 4/5 for the service, 3/5 for the ambiance and 5/5 for the food.

Branches:

1.  Timog, Tomas Morato Quezon City.  Tel. No.925-9224.

2.  SM City North EDSA, The Block Quezon City.  Tel. No. 442-0392.

3.  SM City Fairview, Upper Ground Floor Quirino Ave. cor. Regalado St. Greater Lagro Quezon City.  Tel. No.939-5556.

NOTE:   If you dine at Napoli Pizzeria Ristorante, please let them know that you saw the review from MetroRestoReview.com.

mr. choi kitchen

Mr. Choi’s kitchen is one of the most talked about chinese restaurant that can now be easily found inside the malls.  With red walls and chinese characters on their logo, who wouldn’t think that this could be an authentic chinese restaurant.

mapo beancurd

We ordered Mapo Beancurd, with pork, and jalapeno that makes it really unforgettable.  It’s taste blends well and didn’t find it too spicy.  Great to pair with rice as viand, at a price of P190.00.  A rating of 5/5.

sweet and sour fish fillet

The Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet was crunchy, we were delighted with the right mixture of the sweet and sour sauce even my son loves it.  At the price of P260.00, a rating of 4/5.

yang chow fried rice

We find the Yang Chow Fried Rice a bit dry.   We were disappointed with our rice, it was no longer moist nor you could say that it was freshly cooked.  At the price of P190.00.  A rating of 2/5.

fried springroll

After a long wait of our food ordered, we thought an appetizer will help us go through with our hunger, we ordered Fried Springroll at the price of P75.00.   It was filled with the right amount mixture of vegetables and served with vinegar.  A rating of 4/5.

chicken fillet in special sauce

We were told that this is their best-selling recipe the Chicken fillet in special sauce.  When asked if what composed of the special sauce, we were informed that a mixture of mayo and secret spices.  The Chicken Fillet was truly delectable, although it was fried, I find it really tasty and one piece is not enough.  A rating of 5/5.

black gulaman

For beverage, we had Black Gulaman at the price of P60.00.  No scrimping on the sago and gulaman used and was satisfying and refreshing!   A rating of 5/5.

Overall, I give the rating of 4/5 for the service, 4/5 for the ambiance and 3/5 for the food.

Branches:

1.  Robinson’s Galleria 2nd level  East Wing, EDSA cor. Ortigas Ave. Quezon City.  Tel. No. 638-4523.

2. Robinsons Place-Pioneer 1st Level, , EDSA cor. Pioneer Rd.Mandaluyong City.  Tel. No.687-2691.

3.  Waltermart, Ground Floor 790 Chino Roces Ave. Makati City.  Tel. No. 889-7749.

4.  Robinson’s Place-Manila 1st Level Padre Faura, M. Adriatico St., Ermita Manila.  Tel. No.522-4987.

NOTE:   If you dine at Mr. Choi’s Kitchen, please let them know that you saw the review from MetroRestoReview.com.

Van Gogh is Bipolar Restaurant

To all readers, I welcome you to peer into an asylum filled with artistry and passion from the owners that I am sure everyone (once experienced) will leave you appealed and amused. And I am not just pertaining to the interiors of the place, but also the yummy food that everyone will definitely enjoy. This is one asylum I will never get tired checking myself into. I introduce to you “Van Gogh is Bipolar Restaurant”

When I got in to the place, at first I felt a little.. Err, well.. weird. A restaurant that requires you to take off your shoes? And I thought only the Japanese are the ones require you to do that. I told myself, this is a restaurant, you can’t eat barefooted. But the moment I step in, I finally understand why. Looking around at the place, the first thing that the place wants you to do is to simply relax and enjoy. The place has no waiters, thus throw the formalities out of the door. Van Gogh requires you to just be casual and cozy with everybody, the owners, and the ambience and even to the guest around you.

So time to order some food, The place is self service so to place your order, just flip over the menu and write in a piece of paper, ring the bell and just hand it over to the chef. That’s it. I for one at first really felt shy and awkward with the process so thank God for first timers like me there was Ate Ron who is always around to help.

I guess while waiting, I’ll take the time to look around the place.

Ate Ron’s Table

Van Gogh Wardrobe

Shoutouts and Calling Cards

Fancy Bubbly

I personally truly enjoyed looking at the different artworks and photographs that the owner exhibits in the place. It’s like his own personal museum of experiences and fancies. Look closely and you may some “shots” of wisdoms scattered all around his displays. I enjoyed doing a little scavenger hunt of my own over these quotable quotes made originally by the owner.

Now for some tea….

Teapots and teacups are available for everyone, choose whichever strikes your fancy. You can always go back and get as much tea as you want. There are many kinds of tea to choose from. The owner even says that drinking a certain kind of tea can help change your mood. As I Drink my tea and matching it with the ambiance it reminded me of being the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.

Dinner is Serve

Godfather (Salmon)

Godfather (Australian Beef)

This food is called Godfather I and II. Sadly I don’t remember which Godfather corresponds to the salmon and which one the Australian beef. But I assure you, both dishes are YUMMY!

A Little after dinner bubbly

A Few Notes to all foodies out there who wants to try out the place.

- The place is only open at a certain time. Check out the facebook link for details and updates of the restaurant

- The restaurant always delivers something new once in awhile. So to get updates, check out their facebook

- Forget about dressing formal for this place, as I mentioned before, be casual as in shorts and sandal casual.

- The Interior can only accommodate at least 10 guests, anything beyond that must stay/wait outside. So it may be best to make reservation to assure you a seat.

- After dinner, the owner will encourage you to “leave your mark” He’ll let you write something on his wall (No not in facebook but literally the wall) or carve something in his table.

So that’s all to talk about for now, I hope the pictures help give you a good visualization of the place. I truly recommend giving this place and experience the little asylum of van Gogh.