July 31, 2011

It’s Tea Time: Bubbatealicious Pearl Milk Tea Place Review

Bubbatealicious’ has the cheapest menu amongst all Milk Tea shops I’ve visited. They have a branch in UST, to have a cheap price is a sure hit for students as always.

My default order Royal Milk Tea is also their best seller. It only costs 45 pesos and just add 5 pesos if you want to upgrade the size.  My order was a bit sweet which actually over powered the tea taste. Better request for a lower sugar level when you order this one. The tapioca (or bubbles) texture overall was not the same. Some are chewy (which is what I prefer) while others are not.  

I was more satisfied with my brother’s order - Mango Pearl Fruit tea (50 pesos for Large order). Made from mango fruit juice. Typical of a mango drink it was very refreshing. If you want this one better request for additional ice.

Promoting healthy tea benefits the store made sure that their main ingredients has the its own spotlight. 

Ample amount of space is available for those who wants to stay longer (SM Fairview Branch)

Bubbatealicious' Menu:




Overall, Bubbatealicious experience is okay not bad at all.

Branches:
SM Mall of Asia
SM North EDSA

Overall rating:
Milk Tea: 3/5
Value for Money: 3/5
(5 - Highest; 1 – lowest)

July 28, 2011

Mich and Myl Nails

Owned by a Filipino Couple, another nail salon within Ortigas Center. This is their 1st branch and according to the store manager they will soon open another branch at the Mall of Asia.
I was able to avail their 30% off promo. This is still available till end of July.

Similar to other nails salon Mich and Myl Nails has its unique store design. Pink floral for girly look and Green for environmental/serene ambiance. The scent of the essential oil produces calming effect as well.
Lounging chair is for those with pedicure services while there are also tables to perform hand services such as manicure and hand reflexology.
Pedicure (180 Php) – Foot Soak, Cleaning and Polish Application. The whole service was good. The attendant was very careful and gentle on the cleaning procedure. I chose Big Apple Red color for my nail polish.
You may chose from the following color selection:


Overall, I recommend this Nails spa if you are looking for quality service at a minimum cost.

Nail Art is also available.


Mich and Myl Nails Services:





Operating hours is from 10 AM till 9 PM. they accept clients until 8PM only.
Mich and Myl Nails is located at G/F Grand Emerald Tower Emerald Avenue cor. Garnet Rd. Ortigas Avenue Pasig City.

July 26, 2011

It’s Tea Time: Happy Lemon Review

If you're looking for a different twist of Milk Tea then Happy Lemon is the place to be. They offer wide range of drink selection - Pearl Milk Tea to their Rock Salt Cheese Bestsellers, Yakult drinks and Fresh teas.


Happy Lemon is originally from Hong Kong brought in the Philippines by Chris Tiu and friends.

Before I had my first Happy Lemon I already read several good comments about their Green Tea with Rock Salt Cheese. Intrigued by how rock salt will blend to a Tea drink made me decide to order one. When I got my order I asked Kuya if I should stir my drink or not, he told me that it’s not recommended. Well true enough, you need to drink it as is because the main flavor is on the froth itself.
Green Tea with Rock and Cheese (90 Php for Large order). Must Try! 4/5
I Liked it! :) Some people might find it weird but It taste good. Sinkers (pearls/crystals) are not recommended

For those who don’t want Green Tea you may opt to try the Cocoa version for safer taste
Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese (100Php for Large order)
My friend Inah ordered Lemon Yakult, one of their bestsellers. It’s very refreshing though I’m still looking for the strong Yakult taste.
Lemon Yakult (100Php for Large order)
I hope that the next Happy Lemon branch to open will have a bigger space so you customers like us can stay longer and enjoy. 

Happy Lemon Menu:
Branches:
Promenade Greenhills
Eastwood Mall 

July 15, 2011

Smoke Resto: Boracay

Better add this to your Bora checklist :)

Eating in Boracay is not only about High end Resto, Hotel Café’s, Mang Inasal and Andok's. There’s also a cheap resto that sells good food at a very reasonable price. BTW, don’t think that SMOKE is classified as a High end resto. It is actually a typical carinderia where menu is written on a board using chalk and servers does not wear uniform either. The place is located near D’ Talipapa. Once you reach the stalls selling veggies it’s a sign that you’re near the place.

The Menu:

Our Order:

Sizzling Bulalo – a different way to serve Pinoy Cardiac delight favorite Bulalo. Apart from a typical Bulalo, this dish does not have overflowing broth. Instead it is served on a sizzling plate with thick sauce and fried garlic. Worth it for 180 Php and good for 4-5 persons.

Spicy Garlic Kangkong – This is the fieriest amongst our order. The dish was good but could even taste better if not too spicy. So better tell Manong that you prefer the mild version so you can really enjoy your order. So sulit for 70 Php.

Buttered Veggies – worth 75 pesos. Composed of Carrots, Chayote and Baguio Beans.

SMOKE is a good alternative to common restos found in the Island. 

But wait don’t do this too often be kind to your heart and you liver. Remember health is wealth *wink wink*

Overall rating:
Food: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
(5 - Highest; 1 – lowest)

July 9, 2011

Ma Mon Luk Restaurant

A plan to roam around streets of Binondo-Quiapo-Intramuros area to eat streets foods was being planned when we remembered Ma Mon Luk. I’ve known Ma Mon Luk during elementary days. He was the example on entrepreneurship section of our journal.  What I remember about him is that he sells his signature Mami and Siopao and a very industrious man. Personally I’ve known about this Mami house way back but I haven’t visited any of its stores.
According to my research there is a branch in Quiapo and in Quezon City. We visited the Quiapo branch.  The restaurant is located along Quezon Blvd. (the street where Quiapo Church is located) not more than 300m from the Church (wow na nasukat?!)
Articles about the store is everywhere. I’ve capture a very nice article about Mr. Ma – President Quirino told Anding Roces these lines in Ilocano (so that Mr. Ma wouldn’t understand) – “Now, here is a true friend.” “Im no longer in power but he still visits me.” That was the time when President Quirino lost the election to Ramon Magsaysay. Mr. Ma was their visiting the ex president with a basket of Lychees. Nice! :)


Here is the glimpse of the restaurant, typical Mami house.

Chairs and tables are available as well as long table on the side with high chairs.

The Menu:

Our Order:
Special Mami – topped with chicken breast, pork and spring onions. The Mami was ok. I was actually expecting a more powerful taste out of the soup   Not on a friendly price. Forgot to ask the server if they manufacture their own noodle.

Sang Yuk Pao (Bola Bola Siopao) for me – composed of pork, red eggs and spring onions. Big serving. The Pao itself is very heavy on the stomach. 

Asado for Sis

Siomai – Our last order was the Siomai (2 pc/40 php).  These two might look small but might be equivalent to minimum of 5 pcs of a regular siomai.

Busog na busog na hapon. We thought our order is enough. It's actually more than enough. Ma Mon Luk = BUSOG!!! :)

Overall rate:

Food: 3/5

Value for Money: 4/5 – a bit expensive for Mami.

July 3, 2011

It’s Tea Time: Bubble Tea Review

Disclaimer: This is my compilation my Bubble tea visit. Chill Time, Meeting, chitchat and tambay mode

I was just introduced to Bubble Tea last April when (remember my previous entry? :)) me and my friends ate at Sugarleaf. I am not that much of a Milk Tea addict. Not until I tried this one.

Their stores are cute. The ceilings are patterned from round shapes which represent their bubbles.


You can choose from couch or typical chairs and tables. You can also have it the Japanese way by sitting on the floor – most of the time students are seated here.

They don’t have a wide variety of Milk Tea selection. But they also offer milk shakes and other fruity drinks. 

Got a chance of visiting their Wilson Branch about four times and once on Morato branch, these are my orders with my personal rating:
Royal Milk Tea – 5/5 their best seller
Also my personal favourite
 Japanese Green Milk Tea – 5/5
Typical taste of Green tea, just like Starbucks’ Green Tea frappe. But I liked it though :)

Taro Milk Tea – 4/5
It was good. I got this from their promo (10 Stamps = 1 Large Mile Tea for Free)

Last: Almond Milk Tea - 3/5. Not really my favorite.
  
Aside from Milk Tea they also serve Japanese food and pastries. Though a bit pricey their serving is huge. Example their Vancouver Roll for 285 pesos is good for 3-4 persons.

I like the Okonomiyaki Pizza. Sweet and Salty. Comes with veggie mix on the side
Rice meals are also available. I ordered the Osaka BBQ Ribs with Rice. My order was very fatty.

The Japanese Caesar was good. The fruits and veggies are fresh.

My colleagues order:
Grilled Chicken Curry (225 Php) – typical chicken curry

Yakiniku Beef Rice (245 Php)  – I liked this more than my Osaka BBQ ribs. The beef was nicely flavored.
Chicken Teriyaki Doria (245 Php) – looks like chicken ala King for me.  

Going back to their Milk Team, though they have limited flavors they still offer best Milk Tea’s specially the Royal Milk Tea. The serving looks a bit ‘bitin’ but actually one large order can you feel full. 

This place is best for chill time. Can be alternative for Coffee shops. 

Notes:
Parking: limited slots only
Reservation: No need (but for big groups like 6 I suggest to call them ahead)
Smoking Area: Yes
Nice CR: Very Clean
Service Charge: None :)

Branches:
Wilson St. Greenhills, San Juan
Tomas Morato Ave. Quezon City. Beside Alfredo 
SM North Edsa the Block
SM Megamall