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Friday, September 30, 2016
GRIND BISTRO in BGC'S NET PARK: Perfect place to take a breather

 
When the word GRIND comes into mind, it usually has to do something with pulling things apart by crushing it. At GRIND BISTRO in BGC, they like to play with the ingredients to make something different and enjoyable. Back to basics, I believe.
Located at the NET PARK in BGC, GRIND BISTRO is more than just a restaurant bar. It is a passion project that definitely shows the attitude of the team towards service and everything delicious.

Starting on a high note, the bar knows what it is doing. A plethora of drinks are personalized and concocted to satisfy the guests' alcohol needs. A perfect example, the KENTUCKY MULE is a bit different but hits the spot. Adding a pickled SILI or pepper, gives it a complimentary flavor. It may not be for all but it does give the drink a different tone.

SOUPS and SALADS seems to be an important part of the experience. Perfect for the rainy weather, one could go for the ASPARAGUS SOUP or TOMATO BISQUE. For something healthy and fresh, you could choose the LAGUNA FARMER'S SALAD. To be sure, you have to ask the server as locally sourced and seasonal ingredients are placed in the salad. As such, everything on it depends on what is available.



GRIND did an excellent job with the STARTERS. The POKE NACHOS made an iconic dish into something party friendly. By adding taro and sweet potato chip "nachos", diners get to play with their food and use the POKE as dip. Another simple yet delicious dish would be the POPCORN SHRIMP. Unagi sauce and wasabi aioli was mixed to make the shrimp decadent and savory at the same time. It gives off a bit of crunch with each bite.

 For something "light", one could go for the CORNED BEEF on RYE. Almost similar to a REUBEN sans the sauerkraut, the bread and the emmental cheese works well with the secret sauce. The bread was well buttered and the meat was cured in house.
At GRIND BISTRO, they take meat seriously. Everything is fresh and made in house. From the bread to the patty, you can't go wrong with any order.

As such, their GRIND BURGER is made with 100% USDA BEEF. The Brioche is fresh from the oven and is smothered with Tiny's secret sauce.
For mains, healthy eaters could start off with SALMON FILLET. Soy, miso, ginger, and lemon syrup makes up the glaze. These make the flavors pop up.


If there was one dish that I would go back for, it would be the NUTTY BLACK CHICKEN. Black tempura chicken fillet is partnered with coleslaw and a sweet chili sauce. Hazelnut romesco was also used to create the flavor. The meat was tremendously moist and the batter goes extremely well with the chicken.

GRIND definitely read everyone's mind as you could actually create your own steak. You can pick from a number of cuts, sauce, toppings, and sides. One thing is for sure, the meat was cooked to perfection. Each knife slice shows the tenderness of the steak. Delicious.
Dessert is deadly as it can be, they have this amazing SMORES that was just insane. A marshmallow is toasted while vanilla ice cream is inside of it. A number of chocolate covered potato chips are placed on the side then hot cocoa slowly covers the entire cauldron. Deadly good but a bit too sweet for some.
GRIND BISTRO seems to be another welcomed treat for BGC goers. Aside from offering worthwhile cocktails, dishes are well thought off. Definitely a must visit for a night out with friends. Budget around 800-1000Php per person. Better to come as a group. It's better to share.

RELATED LINK:
HEY HANDSOME: The Best Restaurant of 2016
CHOTTO MATTE and IZAKAYA SENSU: Japanese all you want.



GRIND BISTRO
Ground Floor Net Park
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila

Disclaimer: Wrote this based on my experience. Was invited to try out this restaurant.
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Wednesday, September 28, 2016
DIGITAL WALKER'S EARLY CHRISTMAS SALE!!!!

 Who isn't excited for a sale? This coming SEPTEMBER 30-October 2, 2016, DIGITAL WALKER will be holding their CHRISTMAS SALE!!!!!
 Up to 90% discount on different items being offered. Aside from that they have a few deals that are more than worth it check it out.
 Different items from BENRO, MARSHALL, BELKIN, CRUMPLER, URBAN EARS, TAMRON, LOWEPRO, and many more would be up for grabs.
Audiophiles are pretty excited for the sound equipment they have on sale. Cool and awesome gadgets.
 Gadget freaks would enjoy the different power banks and battery options that are on stock!
 Bags would also lure you in as they have as much as 90% OFF!!!
"Let's celebrate Christmas earlier than usual at Digital Walker! All your favorite gadgets will be on sale at up to 90% off! Visit us at SM Megamall - Megatrade Hall 3 on September 30 to October 2."

Check out DIGITAL WALKER'S FACEBOOK PAGE for more info and updates.


Disclaimer: This is an advertisement. Photos are not mine.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2016
YELLOW BOX RICE COMPANY: Quick and Easy


Quick and easy. That is how I perceive YELLOW BOX RICE COMPANY.
This place serves a delightful array of dishes that is perfect for on the go students, family and friends alike.
Located on the 2nd floor in LA VISTA PETRON along Katipunan, the YELLOW BOX RICE COMPANY is a quaint place to have your on the go meals.
Cooked as you order, the meals are prepared and placed inside a cute YELLOW BOX. You have an option to get a regular or a big box. Believe me when I say that the regular one is definitely big enough.
Breakfast lovers would enjoy their TAPA and EGG. Made from a special secret recipe, the TAPA isn't overly sweet. The flavor is just in the middle and goes extremely well with rice and egg.
If you are trying to stay away from meat, guests might want to try their DAING NA BANGUS with SALTED RICE EGG and the TINAPA with ALIGUE RICE. The top is covered with a generous serving of crispy fish skin. You must eat it quickly so as to experience that crunch.
For a bit of veggies, one could go for the BINAGOONGAN RICE and the CHICKEN AND SQUID MONGOLIAN.
The BINAGOONGAN is served with sweet shrimp paste and a bunch of pork cutlet. The Squid and Chicken MONGOLIAN has that distinct taste that you would get from the squid. This can also be changed into a all vegetable option.
The SALPICAO is just genius.
Covered with garlic and mushrooms, the beef is tender and moist. Definitely a joy to eat. Alongside the next dish.
If there was one rice box to order, it would be the SISIG. Oily juices are mixed into the flavor. From onions, pepper, meat and a little bit of fat trimmings, definitely a nice mix with rice. This has a little bit of kick into it.
YELLOW BOX RICE COMPANY is the perfect place to visit for something simple and straight to the point. Here, you could get your meal in a few minutes and have a taste of your favorites in a box. 
PRO TIP: Get a regular sized sisig and salpicao. Mix them both together and it will bring you to heaven.



YELLOW BOX RICE COMPANY
2nd floor Petron La Vista,
Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City,
Metro Manila

Disclaimer: wrote this based on my experience.
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Monday, September 26, 2016
HEY HANDSOME: THE MUST EAT AT PLACE for 2016

 By now you must have heard, I am indeed handsome. Fine, cute is a more apt term. At HEY HANDSOME, they really mean what they say and deliver. Serving PERANAKAN CUISINE, It has captured the hearts and the taste buds of the foodie scene in the metro.  Thus, making it the MUST EAT PLACE this year.
You may ask: " What is Peranakan Cuisine?". Before that night, I had no inclination that there was a word as such to describe food. Apparently, it has stemmed from the dishes served in Malaysia, Singaporean and Indonesia.
Currently, HEY HANDSOME can only serve dinner as the preparation and detail they give into each dish takes a lot of time. When one gets in a bit early, you get to see the magic happen. The kitchen is open and one of the most coveted area to stay at would be by it. You get to observe how they cook the dishes and see different techniques that could make you say, "why didn't I think of that?".

One of the people behind HEY HANDSOME is CHEF NICCO SANTOS. This guy is no stranger to delicious dishes. Being able to create YOUR LOCAL, you get to tell yourself, now I see. He loves his flavor and wants it to give you punches after punches. Never ending and different profiles all in a swift motion. A bite is all it takes and you are swept in.
For appetizers, they call them SMALL PLATES. These dishes aren't really tiny but the flavors pop up with each spoonful.  SOFT SOFT TOFU is bombarded with bonito flakes and has century eggs mixed in the fun. LAAP PHET is your minced duck with deep fried egg. When you mix everything in your mouth, everything bursts in one glorious fashion. Very very strong flavors one after another.

If there was only one starter to try, it must be the FRIED EGG SALAD. Ground sausage is mixed with crispy fried egg. One order is not enough as egg lovers would enjoy this tremendously.

The use of herbs and spices seems to be the main focal point to make the dishes come alive. One of the herbs would be GALANGAL. This BLUE GINGER is also called THAI GINGER. It doesn't tastes like it but once you get to try the dishes, you'll be thankful this was in the fray. Furthermore, Southeast Asian flavors takes us on a roller coaster ride. Up and down with a bit of left and right. Giving you a bit of surprise.

Right off the bat, the menu lists only a handful of main dishes. Each one with great profile and characteristic. For guests that would like something safe, the BEBEK PENYET or deep fried white pekin duck would work. A bit of nasi ulam or steamed rice with herbs, on the side and you are good to go.

Going a bit on the wild side, the BUAH KELUAK gives you a bit of sambal and danger. This dish uses the nuts from the PANGIUM EDULE or KEPAYANG TREE which is naturally poisonous. Thankfully, a process is done so as to remove the danger and to produce this delicious dish.
THE BEETROOT PANEER is a winner for both vegetarians and non vegetarians alike. Paneer is basically cheese that is wildly used in Indian cuisine. Some could mistake it for tofu because of the consistency and texture but this is definitely cheese. Here, it is mixed with beetroot and is given a dose of quinoa. Special mention must be given to the pappadum. The crunch is there and there's a sweet touch.
Giving you a bit of familiarity, the NASI LEMAK is for fish lovers as well. Seabass is used and partnered with pickled egg and brittle. The home made brittle gives it the crunch that you would look for. The seabass is cooked perfectly. The texture is there and so as the flavor.

Another crowd favorite would be the unassuming NAM TOK. This bbq beef shortribs is pretty safe to order. The beef ribs is partnered with som tam or pickled papaya. Sort of like our atchara but a bit different in a good way.
Dessert and drinks are also well thought of in HEY HANDSOME. The bar can create drinks to your heart's content. One would enjoy the KIWI with VODKA that has bitters and lemon. It doesn't taste like alcohol so it can be pretty fun as well. Maybe, the MALIC MILK might also be your fancy.

The YOGURT is something that you could have everyday. Partnered with black sesame and beetroot, it isn't too sour nor is it too sweet. Just something in the middle.

The KUEH LENGKUAS is different. Coconut meat is mixed with galangal cream to create a play on flavors.

For adventurous patrons, the CREAM PUFF is a must. The main ingredient is durian. You won't actually smell it but once you take a bite. It sinks in. At first is seems awful. A challenge to take in. After a couple of seconds, you get to enjoy that sweet feeling.



If there was one thing to consider, HEY HANDSOME offers only a number of dishes. The thing is, this works well because all of the dishes are exceptional. HEY HANDSOME is currently open for DINNER service only with two seating. One at 6pm and another at 8:30pm. Check out their instagram account to know when they will open for lunch.


HEY HANDSOME

G/F NET PARK BUILDING
5th Avenue, BGC, Taguig City,
Metro Manila
Instagram: @HandsomeCome


Disclaimer: wrote this based on my experience. was invited to try out the dishes.
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