Recipes 8 Missouri Specialities and Sweets Food Review

Your family can dine like royalty in Recipes 8 Missouri Specialties and Sweets. Their friendly staff is ready to attend to all your needs, and they’ve got an exciting array of dishes you’d normally see in fine dining restaurants but served at a more affordable price. And recently, they’ve also come up with special desserts to satisfy the sweet tooth in you or to simply cap off that awesome meal. And because they’re from the same people that brought you the well-loved Recipes by Metro group, you can be assured of the same quality and service.

Getting to Recipes 8 Missouri Specialties and Sweets may be a bit of a challenge especially for first-timers who’d come to visit. It’s actually strategically located at the second level of the 8 Missuouri building just across Gloria Maris and right behind Promenade in Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan. But let me tell you, it’s worth all the effort and the trip. 

Crispy Tilapia

Skull and Bones UP Town Center: University Comfort Food Review

It’s been more than a decade since I’ve finished my communications course from an exclusive all-girls’ Catholic school in Manila. Back then, I could vividly recall that our school canteen almost seemed to have it all: (well, except maybe during holy week) from Mexican tacos, Filipino viands, sizzling meals cooked right in front of you, street foods like chicken, squid and fish balls, tokneneng (fried breaded quail eggs); there were also healthier alternatives such as fruit shakes, salads + sumptuous dessert choices to my all-time favorite comfort food, American burgers, fries and dogs. So you could just imagine the big grin on my face when I’ve found out that there’s actually a food joint called Skull and Bones tucked on the second floor of UP Town Center in Katipunan Avenue where I could reminisce the good ‘ol fun of college days while munching on my favorite cheesy fries or chili con carne laden hotdog sandwich. 

Tornado Peri-peri Chicken Opens its Cubao Branch + Food Review

To be perfectly honest, I knew nothing about Peri-Peri Chicken except that they are supposed to be "spicy". I have heard about this chicken dish but had never eaten such until now. So I do not claim to be an 'expert' on this subject I'd be tackling on this blog post as I do not have any comparison nor authenticity issues. What I can only share with you is my personal experience in dining at Tornado Peri-Peri Chicken at their newly opened second branch in E. Rodriguez corner Los Angeles Street in Cubao, Quezon City (Their first branch is located in Maginhawa Street, Diliman, QC). 

"The secret of Tornado's Peri-Peri Chicken lies on its secret sauce which was perfected by my business partner who happens to be a Chef," says co-owner, model and TV personality Arianne Bautista. "But to match the goodness of our secret sauce, we make sure that our chicken undergoes the three important steps in making Tornado Peri-peri chicken: marination, roasting and grilling," adds Arianne. 

Rub Ribs and BBQ: One Secret Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurant Worth Sharing For

 I don’t know if I’ve been living in the boondocks or perhaps I had not been quite an observant. I’ve been to that area in Tomas Morato a couple of times, I even had my facial treatment done at a clinic just across Rub. But if it had not been for the generosity of a new friend (you know who you are, dear), I wouldn’t have discovered Rub in the first place. “You’ve got to try it, it’s really good,” says Ems. And I’m glad we had taken her word for it. Located at the bustling Tomas Morato area, Rub is a great place to just kick back and hang out with friends.

 With its dark wood interior and comfy atmosphere, Rub seems tailor-made for the younger generations—judging from the throngs of students and office goers from nearby offices and universities.  Rub had a casual, homey feeling but with a younger vibe. The restaurant succeeds in keeping the warm, amicable environment that makes it a favorite for lunches, after-school/work dinners. Plus it offers a great selection of all-time favorite BBQ Grill family plates and appetizers.

 The minute the waiter plunked down the plate of ribs on our table, it looked pretty enticing. Hefty portions of Rub’s ribs platter good for a family of four, it definitely held its own despite the other sumptuous dishes we’ve had such as Fish and Chips, Chicken Fingers, and Australian Baked Mussels. We all wiped them out, there was nothing that we didn’t want to finish off, so you can imagine how stuffed we were after our meal! Soft and tender fork fall-off-the-bones ribs were seasoned with herbs, giving one exciting flavors and satisfaction. Indeed, the combination of savory and smoky blend. Delightful ribs served with a side of mashed potatoes and buttered corn kernels. Although the ribs looked a bit charred and tasted a little dry, it was lip-smacking good than what I had expected it to be.

Rub’s definitely the best place to go when you want to enjoy good food + the company of good friends. Piece of advice though: come early or be willing to wait for a seat as the place gets packed especially at nighttime.

Rub is open from 11AM-12MN. Rub is located at Scout Rallos near Tomas Morato (just before the Morato Boy Scout’s Circle, across Papa Johns’ Pizza).

Special thanks to Emily Go for such delicious meal.

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100 % my own.

KUSE TRADITIONAL FILIPINO CUISINE: LIP SMACKIN' MODERN PINOY FARE WITH A TWIST

I've discovered Kuse Traditional Filipino Cuisine Restaurant through the invitation of a good friend. Kuse for non-Filipino speakers refer to the local chef. Kuse's menu showcases traditional Filipino cuisine but with some distinct twists that's sure to delight their guests' palate. Kuse has a homier and casual dining place to begin with. It's a perfect palce for people to come not only for special occasions but also each time they crave for complex Filipino food. It's like coming home to your old grandma's house in the province where comfort foods are served.

Kuse takes its dining delights to greater heights by giving diners an even more satisfying meal. Presenting an exciting mix of innovative dishes, classic cuisine, comfort foods with a twist. Kuse brings delectable gustatory possibilities to anticipate the craving of any foodie. Still evoking the Chefs Quarter signature style of degustation-like choices and some servings that seek to entice and gratify.

Adding more pleasure to an even satisfying meal are the interiors. The subdued earthen toned walls and warm terracotta with bamboo brown and greens evokes artistic decor. With comfy wooden chairs to match the native setting, the pleasure does not end there.

I like Kuse's take on new Filipino cuisine featuring such local ingredients such as Visayan Vinegar, banana blossoms, fern leaves, among others. Kuse's chefs worked intimately and expertly with local ingredients and it was evident, serving only fresh ingredients in a way both clever and surprising: their creme brulee on top of mashed sweet potato and purple yam was such a hit! Their fern salad with buffalo white cheese and salted eggs as well as Adobong Kuhol sa Gata (Stewed Golden Apple Snail or escargot in Coconut Cream). 

Yes, the local version of the French escargot may not exactly enjoy the elite status of its counterpart, being more of a food for the masses. Adobong Kuhol at Kuse is a very delicious and appetizing meal with the snail itself having a very tender and almost creamy taste.

Adobong Kuhol sa Gata

 Our first bite into what I now declare as culinary heaven came in the form of Adobong Kuhol sa Gata. I did not feel bad at all for having eaten so much.

Their selction of salads will make you want to turn vegan, but only for about a second because a serving of Crispy Pata will reunite you with your meat-loving carnevorous self.  Don't forget the Kare-kare with Bagoong (fish paste)! Melt in your mouth ox tail, peanut-buttery taste and crunchy half cooked veggies!

Dulong Rice



Creamy peanut buttery Kare-kare.




The star of the table: Crispy Pata!


 A hearty serving of  warm, moist Crispy Pata. special dark sauce to drizzle it with and a bed of healthy tomato and chili finger slices salsa to go with it--it's a simple comfort food that never fails to hit the spot. Fill up your belly and instantly fall in love with the unexpected fusion of flavors. This best selling dish is definitely worth lining up for (if you have to wait for your seats).

Mini Ukoy with Visayan Sauce

Inihaw na Bangus (Grilled Milkfish)

Finally, the sweetest of endings, Kuse, for all its entree's worth need only bait me with its impossibly sinful desserts to get me coming back for more. Banana Langka Filo with Caramel Sauce will render you speechless the entire time you're eating. if only to savor every single bite. Disguised as Lumpiang Shanghai, these "turon" or filo rolls is the perfect way to cap off your meal.

Banana Langka Filo Rolls

The Creme Brulee Sapin-Sapin is pure indulgence. There are simply no words.

A new way to eat Sapin-sapin: Creme Brulee with sweet potato and purple yam

Indeed, Kuse has all the key ingredients needed in that much sought-after recipe for success: excellent service at its finest, invogorating dining experiences for all senses giving diners a sudden boost of inspiration, as we catch a glimpse of what it feels like, to find one's bliss even through a hearty meal.

KUSE are located in three different branches:

KUSE at Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill (836-49-69)
Operating Hours: 10am-11pm, Monday to Sunday
Seating capacity: 50 persons

KUSE at Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo, Manila (708-9576)
Operating Hours: 10am-10pm, Monday to Sunday
Seating capacity: 70 persons

KUSE at Eton Centris Walk, Quezon City (709-9817)
Operating Hours: 11am-11pm, Monday to Sunday
Seating capacity: 90 persons


Security Blanket thanks Ms. Nana Nadal and Ms. Michelle.

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own.