Affordable Drinks and Meals at Rooftop Bar Fairview

When food parks became a hit a few years back, Rooftop Food Park used to be the first multi-level food park which opened in Fairview, Quezon City. When the trend later on died down, the owners of this place decided to convert their food park into a resto bar which is now called the Rooftop Bar.

True to its name, this place is located in a roof top of a building which used to be a market and parking area. Aside from their resto bar area which caters to 500 people on a normal basis (and around 1000 individuals during weekends and events), they also currently offer KTV rooms for private events and functions.  

Fried Eats at Chickapig in 8 Seas Food Park

I haven't been to a food park in so long. They used to be thriving back then but their popularity diminished recently. Although they're not as popular as before, there are still individual food stalls that would make you come back every now and then and one of them is Chickapig.

As its name suggests, it offers a variety of dishes consisting of chicken and pork. They mostly have fried dishes that would surely satisfy your comfort food cravings. They are conveniently located at 8 Seas Food Park along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

Concepto: A New Place to Hangout and Dine in Poblacion

I frequent Poblacion when I was still in law school. I find it a nice place to take a breather in. When I visit from time to time, I get surprised at how this neighborhood has become home to new yet booming restaurants and bars. One place I got to visit recently was Concepto along Manalac St. As its name suggest, it houses three different concepts - dining, retail, and party. We focused mainly on what we do best and, that is, eating.

Concepto Poblacion

Bar area

Concepto opened its doors to the public only on September 2018. I love how the entire restaurant used to be a house. I find it relatively small but I think it's a nice and intimate hangout place for friends and family. They usually have themes (for songs to play or what to serve) every day, but they maintain Sunday as a day for families to indulge in their hearty menu. 

There is More to Pitmaster's Smokehouse Bbq than Smoked Meats

Kapitolyo never fails to surprise everyone with unique food experiences that would surely make people satisfied. Every place I have visited there has given me nothing but a loaded belly and an awesome time. Anyway, the last place I've been to started out as a small barbecue place along East Capitol Drive. Now, it has turned into a legit barbecue place offering smoked meats, among others.

Spacious indoor dining area

Live music to entertain everyone

The Pitmaster's Smokehouse Bbq has been open to public since 2016. They're quite far from the rest of the restaurants in Kapitolyo but they're definitely a must visit. When it comes to their interiors, they have quite a spacious dining area. The tables and chairs didn't feel cramped or crowded at all. They also have outdoor seating area if you prefer such. At night, they usually have an artist entertaining the crowd. I feel like it's the perfect hangout place after work.

Oyster Sisig - P250

The first dish that came out of the kitchen was nothing short of spectacular. Crispy oysters are smothered in garlic, mayonnaise, and aromat for that explosive flavor and texture. I love how crunchy the oysters are and the creamy sauce was a perfect match to it. It was a shame that I have to share this dish because I want to finish it on my own. 

Chili Sausage - P250

One new addition to their menu is the Chili Sausage. Don't be fooled by the name because it wasn't that spicy at all. The sausages have that peppery flavor that I love and the sauce was mildly spicy. I am not really a fan of spicy food but I can easily tolerate this one. 

Pulled Pork & Bacon Sisig - P270

I had to order rice after this dish came out of the kitchen. There's no way you can have sisig without rice! The pulled pork had a good mix of pork meat and fat. It also has bacon so there's a sweet flavor you get to taste every now and then. It was sinfully good. I found it kind of drenched in oil but isn't that how we want our sisig?

Sizzling Burger Steak - P370

The Sizzling Burger Steak was a combination of sweet and savory flavors. The burger steak was of decent serving size. It was meaty good! The egg on top was cooked nicely although I'd love the yolk to be a little bit more runny. The sauce and bacon slices gave it a hint of sweet flavor. I also love how they added shiitake mushrooms to it cause it added a new taste to the dish.

Bacon and Mushroom Pizza - P370

One of the underrated dishes that night was the Bacon and Mushroom Pizza (simply because everyone went gaga over the meats.) Anyway, this homemade pizza likewise has a sweet flavor to it and I think it's mainly because of their homemade bacon. I think this is something that kids will love. If you prefer something different from smoked meats, they likewise have tons of other dishes such as pizzas, sandwiches, soups, and salads.

Pit Platter - P1500

The highlight of the night was the Pit Platter. It is composed of the five smoked meats that Pitmaster's Smokehouse Bbq offers - the Pitmaster's Smoked Ribs, the Black Angus Brisket, the Smoked Bacon Strips, the Smoked Coriander Chicken, and the Pit Smoked Sausage. I personally love the beef brisket. This 15 hour smoked black angus beef brisket was extremely tender and tasty. It literally melts in your mouth. The seven hour smoked ribs were likewise fall-off-the-bone tender and very flavorful. The homemade seven day cured and smoked bacon strips were yummy but I think I was looking for that crisp. I wasn't a fan of the chicken also simply because it was kind of dry for my preference, but it has a really nice flavor.  

The Pit Platter also includes four regular sides of your choice and a carafe of iced tea. I personally prefer the corn cob (which you can have grated) and the garlic buttered french beans. They also have premium sides such as four cheese mac and cheese, truffle pasta, elote Mexican corn, among others, that would surely go well with your Pit Platter.  

Sauces available at Pitmaster's Smokehouse Bbq

Pitmaster's Smokehouse Bbq takes pride in their sauces. They currently have three variants which differs in sweetness and heat level. Apple is supposed to be the spiciest among the three. It wasn't as spicy as I expected and it has a runny texture. It actually has a sweet flavor. Hazelnut has a thicker texture and a tad sweeter than Apple. I think I prefer the East Capitol the most because it has a nice balance of heat and sweetness. 

Beer Paddle - P250

The Beer Paddle is a nice pair to Pitmaster's menu and good live music. We got a beer paddle which consists of four flavored beers - Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Salted Caramel, Hazelnut, and Banana. I was able to taste everything and I oddly found banana to be the best one. I thought I would like the Salted Caramel the best but it leaves a bitter aftertaste whereas the banana tastes smooth and sweet all throughout. 

If you opt to have awesome food with good music along with great company, better visit Pitmaster's Smokehouse Bbq. You may visit them at 64 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

Don't forget to check out their social media sites here:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PitmastersPH/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pitmastersph

XO, Mish

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Baird Beer and Mentore Coffee + Bar by UCC: Kitchen, Terasu, and Craft Beers

One of the latest events I have been to was quite peculiar. I've been to tons of food events in the past already but it was my first time attending a food & beer pairing event. With much excitement, I braved the Friday night traffic to get to Mentore Coffee + Bar by UCC in SM Aura, BGC for a fun and appetizing night with them and Baird Beer.

Baird Beer is now in the Philippines!

Baird Beer is a brand of craft beers manufactured in a brewery based in Japan. They take pride in pairing balance and complexity to come up with a character for each brew. Each bottle of beer is made in small batches and with the highest standards to achieve the best quality. They have 12 year round staple brews, but only 6 have been initially brought to the country. They are currently being imported and distributed exclusively by Booze Online Inc. here in the Philippines. 

Packed night at Mentore Coffee + Bar by UCC

Enjoy Fusion Sushi and More at 81 Seihai Sushi Lounge

I haven't been active with blogging for a while (because life!!) but this comeback is nothing but explosive. And if you're asking with what? I would say that it is definitely with flavors. I recently visited a relatively new Japanese restaurant here in Quezon City that offers fusion sushi among others and I was truly impressed.

81 Seihai Sushi Lounge

81 Seihai Sushi Lounge is the brainchild of businessman Chris Cordero and Chef Ronnie de Guzman, the latter being also the Executive Chef of the restaurant. As their name suggests, they offer fusion sushi, among others. I believe that this is not your typical Japanese restaurant because it offers the best not only is taste, but also in service and ambiance through incorporating Japanese hospitality in catering to their customers and creating an appealing ambiance through Instagramable decors and pleasing music. 

Sushi bar

Lights were dimmed when the live band started to play

Have a Taste of Canadian Food at Main Street Kapitolyo

Looking for comfort food around Manila is probably the easiest thing to do. There are so many restaurants that offer comfort food nowadays that choosing one becomes a task. But when it comes to authentic Canadian comfort food, there is only one place that comes to my mind and that is Main Street.

Found within reach of people from North and South of Metro Manila cause it's conveniently located in Kapitolyo, Main Street is a restaurant that offers Western comfort food, particularly Canadian cuisine, for Filipinos to try. It is owned by Chef Adam Tan who conceptualized this restaurant using all his knowledge from living in Canada. 

The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery: A Coffee + Comfort Food Combo

UPTC has never failed me when it comes to authentic and satisfying gastronomical experiences. During my recent visit, a newcomer has wowed me with it's coffee and comfort food offerings. Sounds odd, right? But The Fat Seed has cleverly combined great coffee (unlike your regular coffee shop's) with equally great food for a complete visit whether you're there to study, work, or just dine with fam and friends.

Upon entering the cafe, the first thing that caught my attention was the attractive wall painting that they have. That wall could easily make its way to Instagram. Aside from that, I also noticed that the place was packed! People were either dining with family or working on their laptops. I wasn't expecting so many people to be there cause it's fairly new. But I guess The Fat Seed is really a hip new place for studying and working within the area.

South Pub: A Place to Dine and Relax in the South

I always feel like I'm going on a field trip whenever I visit the South area. There's just this feeling that it's far from where I came from, literally and figuratively. But my recent trip to Alabang was very different, the place almost felt like home. I guess it's because of how comforting the spot I went to was and that is, the South Pub.

South Pub

Based on the old pubs located in the Alabang Town Center area, the South Pub provides for a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where you can dine and unwind. It's the South area's neighborhood pub which is welcoming to everyone (including people like me from North :) ). It's a chill place where you could go for dinner and drinks with friends on a regular night or even have lunch with family on Sundays.

Where to Eat in El Nido - Cafe Athena: A Taste of the Mediterranean

Dining in El Nido is kind of an adventure in itself. Since there are no fast food chains in the area, everything is basically alien to me. We got some recommendations from the front desk of our hotel which we got to try, but I wasn't totally mind blown. Luckily, we got to encounter a Mediterranean restaurant in El Nido that offered me the best meal I've had in the island.  

Cafe Athena, which started in October 2016, is inspired by everything Grecian. The setup is like a taverna but theirs is quite larger than the usual taverna due to a much needed expansion. Also, the name Athena is derived from the Goddess Athena of Greek Mythology. And as their name and concept suggests, they offer only the best Mediterranean cuisine in El Nido. 

Lovely seats where we had a pub crawl the night before

Satisfy your Comfort Food Cravings at Soul Potato

There's nothing like comfort food to instantly put you in a good mood. As for me, hearty American food never fails to cheer me up. But these kinds of dishes are usually priced higher than your average meal. I don't think it is practical to have them frequently. Luckily, there are now local entrepreneurs that offer such dishes at a much lower price and one of which is Soul Potato.

Mama Tess' Sizzling Avenue: Comforting Home-Cooked Dishes Made Convenient

For us Filipinos, nothing beats our mom's own cooking. Not even a Michelin star restaurant could top that. It is something that we all look forward to, whether that be every night when we come home from school or work or on weekends or family reunions when the family is all complete. I believe that this tradition has served as an inspiration for coming up with a family owned food venture I recently visited, that is, Mama Tess' Sizzling Avenue. 

Located at the Devour Food Hub, Mama Tess' Sizzling Avenue offers a wide array of home cooked Filipino meals. Every dish in their menu is nothing short of comforting. I love how all of the items goes well with rice (cause kanin is life and they actually do come in rice meals) but they're even actually good on their own. 

Delight in Artsy Milkshakes and More at Crafty Creamery

If there is anything that would serve as my pick me upper, it would definitely be desserts. Anyone's mood would surely lighten up with ice cream and sweets. Desserts nowadays have became quite complex with their artistic presentation and I think it adds up to the experience. Recently, one dessert spot has truly made me go "wow" not only with how their humble stall is presented but also with their delectable milkshakes and desserts.

Crafty Creamery, a dessert place located at Devour Food Hub in Quezon City, is inspired by Pop Tate's Chock'lit Shoppe. Their small, yet unique stall is filled with candy colored signs and Archie and Friends artwork that would without a doubt remind you of Riverdale. Likewise, they offer milkshakes, soda shakes, and other desserts that would satisfy your sugar cravings. 

Quiz Night and Beer Pong at Wingman at The Collective

There's always something new every time Team Aldous celebrates its anniversary. This year, we got to spend it at Wingman at The Collective for a Quiz Night and Beer Pong night. I don't usually get to go out for such activities so it was nice that my first time was with fun people that I usually go to food blog events with.

It was my first time as well to go The Collective and Wingman's branch there really stands out. Wingman is not that spacious but people keep on coming during our visit. The interiors are very manly and the bar is a perfect photo spot. 

Top 5 Places to Eat in Guam

My dad, who wasn't able to go with us on our Guam trip, gave my sisters and I shopping allowance for the said trip. Since the only plan I had back then was to go to the beach, I offered my shopping money as food allowance for everyone. Thus, we were able to go food tripping during our second and third day. Anyway, here's a list of awesome and accessible food establishments that should be visited in Guam:

1. Jamaican Grill

Chicken and Ribs Family Platter - $52.95

Get your Comfort Food Fix at Fat Daddy's Smokehouse

Who can resist a juicy rack of perfectly smoked ribs? Definitely not me! I am not exactly a meat lover, but I always find smoked and grilled meat irresistible. Lucky for me, I was invited to an event at a restaurant in Quezon City that has mastered pork spare ribs and that is Fat Daddy's Smokehouse. 

Fat Daddy's Smokehouse is currently located at Marikina and UP Town Center in Katipunan, QC. My blogger friends and I were able to visit the latter branch. I was quite impressed at how spacious their UP Town Center branch is. Every spot is literally Instagram-able - walls have cartoon-like artwork, light bulbs are creatively dangling from the ceiling, and stools and seats are chic as well. 

Eat Clean and Healthy at Salad Bowl PH

I've been sick during the past few days and such have made me consider going back to being a vegetarian. While I haven't made a decision yet, there was one blog event that made me totally consider going on a green diet and that is my recent visit at Salad Bowl. My blogger friends and I went all the way to Molito in Alabang to try out their healthy choices.

Salad Bowl opened its doors to the public last year and it has been frequented by many ever since, including celebrities, among others. At first, I was quite intimidated by the idea of going to an organic salad restaurant as I don't find comfort in legit healthy eating. Also, it's not a place I would normally visit. But all my doubts were definitely gone as soon as we were able to try out the first dish that was served to us.

Authentic Japanese Dining in Tagaytay at Aozora Japanese Cafe + Bistro

I am finally free and back to blogging! But please allow me to tell more about the past few months in another blog post. :) Anyway, here's a long overdue post of a Japanese restaurant that I truly enjoyed. We all know that authentic Japanese restaurants are not so hard to find in Manila anymore. They are literally everywhere here. But in Tagaytay, there is one that truly stands out.

Aozora Japanese Cafe + Bistro

Aozora Japanese Cafe and Bistro is located at the beautiful and elegant Domicillo Hotel. Here you can have a scenic view of the Taal Lake, which is fitting because Aozora literally means, Blue Sky, in Japanese. But reasons to visit Aozora does not end there. Their authentic Japanese offerings make them an ultimate dining destination in Tagaytay. 

Only the freshest ingredients are served at Aozora

The Lake District: Comfort Filipino Food with a Twist

I was in Tagaytay a few weeks back for a series of events, one of which was a trip to a relatively new Modern Filipino restaurant - The Lake District. I think visiting The Lake District was very timely since it was raining hard that night and when experiencing such weather, nothing beats comfort food or home cooked meals. 

The Lake District

The Lake District has a modern rustic interior - brick walls, contemporary fixtures, and comfortable seats. I personally love their spacious bar. There's also a spot near the restroom consisting of a red wall filled with lights where you could do a mini photoshoot (which we did). 

Mama Lou's Opens at Ayala Malls The 30th

Mama Lou's never fails to make me feel at home! I know I've already featured Mama Lou's in my blog before for their Evia Lifestyle Center opening, but I guess there's always something new to try every time I visit. My recent visit at their latest branch at Ayala Malls The 30th was quite nostalgic. The rustic vibe and hearty meals seem all familiar. And I get to enjoy it with old and new blogger friends. :)

As usual, Mama Lou's was packed during our visit. Their branch at Ayala Malls The 30th wasn't as spacious as the one in Evia Lifestyle Center (which had two levels) but it could accommodate quite a number of guests. Of course, the crowd isn't just a hype. I believe it is mainly attributable to their hearty and homey dishes that are reasonably priced. Anyway, here are some of the dishes that we were able to try that night: