Nikuya Grill Serving Authentic Japanese-Korean Charcoal-Grill and Hotpot in Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons Pasig

Exactly a week ago, the staff of Psst.ph held one of their Christmas parties at Nikuya Grill in Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Oranbo, Pasig City. For those who don't know yet, I contribute to this uber cool magazine-themed website. Anyway, since we had a really good dining experience at Nikuya, allow me to share such enjoyable and fantastic lunch with you guys. 

The name Nikuya stemmed from the word butcher in Japanese. The restaurant stays true to the kind of cuisine they offer--with high quality meat sealed in vacuum packs and stored in cool temperature, you cannot go wrong with it. Nikuya is a fusion of Japanese and Korean, two of the most popular Asian cuisines that most Filipinos go crazy about. If I'm not mistaken, it's the first of its kind in the restaurant industry in the country. 

If you've been reading my food blog, chances are, you know pretty much how I also write about restaurant's interiors as well as their ambiance, that's apart from the food they offer. As for Nikuya, I love its Zen ambiance and cozy interiors. They do have high ceilings adorned by large white lighting fixtures that resembles Japanese lanterns. The wall even had an image of what seemed like a Japanese warrior or samurai complete with swords and all that. 

Nikuya is one of the few Japanese restaurants in the Philippines that have a Grade A5 Wagyu Beef (top quality). There are some grades for WAGYU beef and A5 is the highest grade given only to the finest beef. The standards of grading beef consist of Yield Grade and Quality Grade. "A" of "A5" means the yield grade, while "5" shows the quality grade. Beef are sold per 100 grams. 

El Guapo's Tex-Mex Eats in Kapitolyo Pasig: Simply Good and Tasty

With its screaming Mexican themed walls and lively colors, it's hard to miss El Guapo's Tex-Mex Eats

It's quite obvious to anyone paying attention that Filipinos have also taken an obsession with Mexican food. All you need to do is to look around you and you'll see our fast food chains, food courts, strip malls and everywhere in between--you're sure to find Mexican stuff everywhere you look.Other cuisines have not quite taken over like the rampant spread of tacos, burritos and other notions borrowed from Latin culture. Joining the long lists of Tex-Mex restaurant would be El Guapo's Tex-Mex Eats in Kapitolyo, Pasig City. With its screaming signage, lively bold colors and murals down to its Mexican themed walls, it's not hard to find El Guapo's especially at night.

I love the fact that guests have an option whether they'd be staying indoors (for non-smokers) and outdoors (non-aircondition for those who'd love to puff while eating and drinking booze). This setup gives guests and customers freedom to enjoy their food and be comfortable as well. They even have a bar inside where you can order their signature cocktail drinks and have them tweak based on your preferences. Yes, their barista allows you to do that, just make a request. For non alcohol drinkers, they have a mock up mojito (drinks that look just like the real thing) so you can still enjoy drinking sans the alcohol. 

The Daily Beans Coffee Lounge and Restaurant opens new branch in Antipolo in time for Christmas

Daily Beans Antipolo owners and childhood friends turned entrepreneurs: Jojit Restauro, Joshua Tarraya, Francis Guanco and Dan Tarraya

Press release:

With the remarkable success of its flagship store in Pililia, Rizal, four enterprising young men who have been friends since childhood have banded together as business partners, to open a new branch of The Daily Beans, a Coffee Lounge and Restaurant located in the bustling area of San Roque, Antipolo City, along the Sumulong Circumferential Road fronting Unciano Colleges.

Childhood friends now business partners

The Daily Beans began its operation in 2011. According to the store’s proprietress, Sally Tarraya, the idea of putting up a coffee shop in the middle of a long road along Kilometer 56, Manila East Road in Barangay Hulo, Pililia Rizal, where daily commuters and travelers pass on their way to Caliraya Laguna, Quezon and other tourist destinations, was a smart move due to its ideally strategic location. 

For the past 5 years, people of all ages have been frequenting this haven, where they can rest and chill while ordering their choices of freshly grinded coffee brewed and extracted on a daily basis, where they can select from Choco Java Chip and Mocha Peppermint Frappuccino, Cappuccino, Latte, Mocha for their Hot Coffee, with their favorite pasta or cheesecakes. The store has become a part of the everyday lives of its customers.

Cookie crumble frapuccino with chocolate chip cookie

The Daily Beans offers a variety of dishes and refreshments for young and old alike. The Coffee Lounge serves coffee, frappuccinos, Avocado, Mango Banana and Strawberry Mango smoothies, pasta consisting of Spaghetti Meatballs, Carbonara and Chicken Pesto, sandwiches, salads, burgers and other snacks. Their restaurant portion serves sumptuous Filipino food such as Sinigang sa Miso which is a hit among its clientele, Grilled Tuna Panga and Belly, Adobong Matanda and Roasted Chicken. All-Day breakfast fares are also included in their menu, The Hungarian and Schublig sausages have proven to be best sellers.

BKK Express: Serving Affordable and Authentic Thai Food at Uptown Mall

BKK Express at Uptown Mall, Bonifacio Global City

Last weekend, I was invited to try BKK Express (Bangkok Express) at the Food Hall of the posh Uptown Mall in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). It was my first time at the said mall and I couldn’t help but rave about the place because it’s a great place to go food trippin’. People within the BGC are so lucky because they’ve got so many restaurants to explore and enjoy. Looks like I need to come here more often should I find myself in the said area. I guess I was fortunate to be invited by BKK Express, from the same company that brought us the well-loved Filipino buffet restaurant, Cabalen, to try their latest business baby which was more casual dining than its sister company, Soi. This is really timely because I’ve been having Thai food cravings lately since it’s been ages since I had eaten a really good Thai food.

The spacious Food Hall at Uptown Mall

BKK Express' Lemongrass Juice

BKK recently opened its doors to cater to foodies craving for authentic Thai foods without the need to travel to Bangkok. Located at the 4^th level of Food Hall at Uptown Mall, it’s the newest concept store serving quality yet affordable Thai fare. 

Chef Thea and Mr. Roy Fontabla welcomes you to BKK Express

I’ve always been a huge fan of Asian cuisines particularly of Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai foods. So you guys can imagine my excitement when I came in early that Saturday morning to try the foods served at BKK Express.