MAD MARK'S (ROBINSON'S GALLERIA)

(LATE POST - Our lunch was last December, 2019)

Saturdays used to be reserved for date nights or gimiks with friends but lately my weekends are now reserved for family. I'm working on weekdays and the boys are usually asleep by 8:30pm (my usual time in getting home). That's why I usually make my plans for friends during that time.

One Saturday, THE YAPPY BUNCH were out and about again and we decided to go to Galleria for some shopping and ikot ikots.

When deciding where to eat, I remembered the tip of a cute reader and suggested MAD MARK'S! Alam nyo naman me, basta food, I'm open to ALL suggestions.

Glad that I listened because my guys LOVED it!

Check out our gimik below!

MAD MARK'S in Robinson's Galleria!

DOUBLE DATE NIGHT AT CONTI'S

One Friday, our kiddies were left at home as the Yub and I had a couples night with good friends Aning and Jonahs.

Aning and I have been good Best Buddies (or BBs) since college and we're happy that now, even our boys are close buddies too. Yun lang everytime we plan a meet-up, hindi pwedeng wala sila (mga asungots... kidding!)

But one night, we had no choice but leave them at home as it was so traffic and the Yub came from Pampanga pa before picking me up at QC. So even if we would have loved for them to join us, the Yub and I had an instant couples night with Team Virrey.

And you know what? We missed "this"! Of course, it would be more fun with the boys around but this was a nice change. And we felt like we were back in college again.

So yay! The Fabulous Fridays' Freaks lives on!

Yup that's what we called ourselves back then. Baduy no?

:P

We're at CONTI'S!!!!

MEAT PLUS CAFE (SUBIC)

I remembered the last time we went to Subic with my officemates, they made it a point to have our "arrival meal" in MEAT PLUS CAFE because it was super popular in the area. We tried it and I remembered loving the steaks which were at a very practical price.

Fast forward to our SUBIC STAYCATION with THE YAPPY BUNCH and our BP (Bawal Panget) Group. While we were plotting our itinerary, I suggested that we all go to MEAT PLUS CAFE for our early lunch since we all loved steaks from our last visit and I know that we were all kuripots (he he he he he).  Everyone agreed and that became our first order of the day.

How did we find it? Read on, hamon!

:P

We're in MEAT PLUS CAFE!!!

Parang asa US! Ay naku ay!!!!!

SAN FRANCISCO STEAK HOUSE (2019)

On nights I get out of work late, the Yub and I would eat somewhere because who knows what time we'll get home with the flow of traffic. However, as much as I enjoy insta-date nights with him, eating out almost everyday could get pricey. That's why many times when the Yub asks me where I'd like to eat, I often say "Sa mura lang".

We were lucky one time because while we were driving around deciding on where to eat, we chanced upon SAN FRANCISCO STEAKHOUSE in bright lights that seem to be "calling" out to us. At first we were hesitant to go because the place seemed empty. But after parking, we saw that most of the people were inside and not visible from the road.

So yay! We discovered a new place to go to. The best part too was their menu is so affordable that we could go here many times as we want!!!!

SAN FRANCISCO STEAK HOUSE!!!!

Yep! That's the bright lights I'm talking about!

HOUSE OF MINIS - GREENHILLS (2010)

For the Yub's birthday, I was supposed to treat him to our favorite HOUSE OF WAGYU because I saw that they had a promo for BPI credit cards.

Lo and behold, the 50% off promo was only extended to BPI Visa cardholders e I have Mastercard lang. Ha ha ha ha ha! Drats. Though there was also a 30% off promo, the kuripot in us cannot bring ourselves to pay higher because we're already set on the 50% discount (Yup, we have that kind of reasoning. Ha ha ha ha!).

I was not in the mood anymore to celebrate because I got so irritated that our original plans didn't push through. With that, the Yub suggested that we go for HOUSE OF MINI'S, the more practical and, come to think of it, happy choice for us.

You see, HOUSE OF MINI'S is not just a restaurant -- it's also the happy haven where the kids of 80's had their first experience of sizzling steak in a, supposed to be, fine dining setting. I could still remember my excitement where as a little girl, I got my own small plate of bread, then served with the salad and soup courses. Then, there's the thrill of anticipation as the server pours the hot gravy over the steak then I duck behind the table cloth so that I wouldn't get splattered from the sizzle. He he he he he!

So many happy foodie memories!!!!

The Yub knows this and I think it is one of the main reasons why he invited me to go to HOUSE OF MINI's instead.

"Treat ko!" He said consolingly. He knew I was on my way to monsterhood. (Ako na nga nakaligtas sa pagbabayad, ako pa brat no? Ha ha ha ha ha!)

To be honest, the Yub didn't need to exert extra effort to stop me from turning into the hulk. I actually became excited with the thought of eating in HOUSE OF MINI'S again!!

Hey, it may not be as sosy wosy of HOUSE OF WAGYU, but promise, I'll be more than willing to go to HOUSE OF MINI'S anytime. Because corny as it may seem, HOUSE OF MINIS is like a foodie home to us already.

Now you wouldn't say NO to the prospect of celebrating where your heart is, right?

YOWN!!! 

We're at HOUSE OF MINIS!!!

You know how impromptu your dinner plans are when you wear something similar to the restaurant tablecloth. He he he he he!

SIZZLING PLATE AGAIN (BAGUIO 2018)

In BAGUIO CITY, we have encountered favorites that we know we'll go back to again and again. And one of them is SIZZLING PLATE.

In our 2018 trip to BAGUIO, we returned once more to SIZZLING PLATE but tried their other more spacious branch which was reminiscent of what (I remember) a steakhouse should be -- an open air homey restaurant with that log cabin design. There were no loud music or singing bands (or waiters?? He he he he); whatever noise pollution was drowned out by the appetizing sizzling sounds of gravy being poured over the big slabs of steak.

We strongly recommended SIZZLING PLATE to our friends Team Campo that when we were deciding where to have our late lunch, it was the only choice. And, as expected, they loved it. They had the same satiated but happy smiles like we had the first time we ate there.

I know that there are other affordable steaks in the Metro, and that there are other more popular restaurants in BAGUIO. But in SIZZLING PLATE, you get quality cuts of tender beef smothered in savory gravy at at a very affordable price. Your meal becomes more enjoyable too because you have the mountain breeze and pine trees as your "side dishes."

Yup! SIZZLING PLATE will ALWAYS be part of our BAGUIO itinerary. It will always be where we'll go to in the City of Pines for our meat cravings that's affordable at the same time.

YAY!

SIZZLING PLATE!!!!!!

This SIZZLING PLATE branch was bigger compared to the one in Session Road. What's great too is that it had ample parking spaces.

TORCH RESTAURANT (GREENHILLS)

The Mareng Gail and I have this long standing tradition to treat each other during our birthdays. It's actually a very good tradition because during the times when we get so busy with our lives, we have no choice but to "reconnect" because of this commitment. He he he he he! Even during the times when we don't feel like it, then BOIIIIING!!!!! Everything oks again!

Yup! We have been doing this for about 10 years and counting. And there's NO stopping us now! Hanggang seniority na to!

So for my 33rd birthday celebrations (YEHESSS), the mareng Gail punctually sent me a message asking me where I wanted her to treat me. After a loooooooooong and extensive deliberation (more so because I don't know what I will be craving on our actual date), I thought of going for TORCH RESTAURANT in Greenhills. The Yub and I would always pass by this mysterious bright yellow sign na parang motel na nagaanyaya (oops... my dirty mind) but we never got around trying it (nagmomotel kasi kami. Kidding!!!). So tonight, since mareng Gail rejected my passionate suggestion of Spiral (tee hee), we're going to have a couples night in TORCH RESTAURANT instead.

And I just know that it's going to be a VERY good night!

TORCH!

I was quite surprised with the bright and earthy interiors of TORCH considering that their entrance would give you the impression that you're entering a bar (tugs tugs).

SIZZLING PLATE BAGUIO CITY

The last time we were in BAGUIO with friends, we were supposed to eat in this popular steak restaurant that's so friendly in the budget. Plans didn't push through that time because instead, the Yub opted for GOOD TASTE.

For our second trip though, we have made up our minds that we will really include the steak restaurant that we saw in Session road in our itinerary. And on one fine day, we have finally made it....

SIZZLING PLATE!!!!!

STEAK PROJECT 122

ERICJAZ FOODIES was invited to try out the newest steak hub in Pasig City and though it's a bit out of the way from where we lived, we're excited!

STEAK PROJECT was right in the heart of Pasig City near Pasig City Museum and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig. 

OUR VALENTINE'S (2017)

So how did you spend your VALENTIMES?

Before you wear your grammar nazi hat and immediately point out my spelling, well D-UH. That's intentional. Of course, we are still respectful of St. Valentine and how this day is connected to many beliefs and traditions. But for us, this is a special day of love, fun, and laughter -- and we want it all the time, hence, VALENTIMES!!!!

I swear if that won't blow the minds off the people in Thesaurus, I don't know what will.

:P

Anywho, if you ask us, we celebrated VALENTIMES in a number of ways. We had it with the boys, we had it in a government institution, we had it with family, etc., etc., But most importantly, we celebrated VALENTIMES our own way. Don't get me wrong, we still find it fun to be cheesy corny by wearing red, bringing flowers, and having dinner in restaurants bursting with cupid images. But when life alters our original plan, it's still romantic to do something to "catch up".

Most especially of course if you have somebody so willing to catch up that special day with you.

BLECH.

Sorry. He he he he he he eh he!

HAPPY VALENTIMES DAY!!!!!!!!!

KENNY ROGERS ROASTERS (MY BIRTHDAY 2016)

Usually when it's my birthday, I would bask in the love of family and friends who would treat me out for a rockin' good time. But since I just turned 31 (tee hee!!!!) I decided that I would share my blessings to the people who really matter to me and THE YAPPY BUNCH. And with that, it was no question that I would celebrate my beloved birthday with my BB (Best Bud) Anne Virrey who I was friends with since our tusok tusok the fishballs days!

One time I chatted with her pogi husband Jonahs and told him that I'll be treating them one weekend. I asked if they would like to have a couple's date in TGIFRIDAYS (our favorite when we were still in college) OR a meet-up with the kiddies at our other go-to place, KENNY ROGERS.

As expected, the Virreys chose to have a meet-up with the kiddies since the boys were all raring to play with each other. So yey! I love how even our kiddies are turning our to be BBs as well!!!

Another reason why I'm so thankful to be friends with the Virreys after all these crazy years. Looking forward to a million more years to come!

Woohooo!!!!

KENNY ROGERS ROASTERS!!!

SIZZLER (GREENHILLS)

When I was in college, SIZZLER was one of my favorite restaurants for lunch with my friends because I was such a sucker for their thick steaks served on a hot plate and sizzling with the delicious thick gravy. Fast forward to 10 years (YES, 10!) and the Chinese Adonis and I just realized that we haven't really included SIZZLER as one of our regular date hubs because a lot of restaurants have sprouted and taken its slot in our puny lives.

So on one impromptu date night (aka the Chinese Adonis became my driver sweet lover and picked me up after work), we were thinking of where to have our dinner when SIZZLER conveniently came into view.

We realized that we have been putting too much attention to THIS place and THAT place that we haven't even tried eating at MY favorite restaurant 10 years ago (YES 10!!!!!!!!!!!). So finally we entered SIZZLER and immediately I got a whiff of the familiar. And on cue, my tummy let out a knowing grumble as if telling me the same words that Harrison Ford exclaimed in that not-so famous movie:

"We're home!"

YEHEESSSS! And that's just after 10 years!

Tee heee! 

SIZZLER!

When I was in college, my friends and I would often eat at SIZZLER in Glorietta because that's the branch nearest to our school.

For tonight, we went to their Greenhills branch and it still has the same look as the other one in Makati.

In SIZZLER, you have a choice to order from your tables or go directly at their counter where a display of their available viands are.

OF BRICK-FIRE STEAKS AND UNO!

One Friday, the little lords fetched me from the office because we will be going to my friend Ann's house for dessert and play. My boys love going to the Virrey's place because they have such a fun time playing with their friends Johans and Jelo.

Of course before going there, we decided to just eat dinner somewhere because we didn't want to bother the Virreys with our big and hungry group. So where to eat? I suggested that we try out BRICK-FIRE (OVEN ROASTED STEAKS AND CHOPS) because it is so near my office and my co-workers strongly recommended the food there. In fact, one of my office mates one time even moaned "Ang sarap ng steak dooon!". Yep! It's true!!! When I mentioned this to my guys, they strongly agreed because they were craving for some meat. Plus, words "steak and chops" instantly made them drool.

So I guess there really is no question about it. When you've got MEN in the family, there should always be STEAK. So, BRICK-FIRE will be our destination for that Friday night!

BRICK-FIRE!!!!

BRICK-FIRE is located at the second floor of the Xavier Residence Building that also has a 7/11 branch in the first floor.

Sorry we were not able to take a picture of the exterior as it was raining heavily that night.

EVERYTHING AT STEAK

I think I have made it very clear how much I love steak. At the same time I always mention a word or two on how "practical" (read: stingy) I could get. 

Put those two together and you got what happened to us one Friday night.

After the Chinese Adonis fetched me from work, we agreed that it would nice to have some grilled meat into our system. But since we were saving right now, we thought to just try out the cheap steak restaurants out there and chose one which was really on our way home.

With that, we landed at EVERYTHING AT STEAK to satisfy our thrifty meat craving.

Did we love it? You'll see later on.

Because first I'm not sure if I have made it clear that I still love Benedict Cumberbatch up to now.

BWA HA HA HA HA! Just did.

Yep I'm the queen of quick attention span. Ha ha ha ha!

EVERYTHING AT STEAK Family Steakhouse!

EL CANGREJO (EAT ALL YOU CAN STEAK AND CRABS) -- CLOSED

Sometime last month, my couple friends and I got together to celebrate the birthday of our very own "Edward Cullen", pareng Jun.

Why refer to him as that handsome vampire who seem to have some constipation issues you ask? Well not only does pareng Jun's gray eyes strike you as that of the undead, but man, the guy eats so much without gaining a pound that you would THINK he burns up any sort of fat cells when exposed with sunlight.

Anyway for his birthday, I suggested that we try out EL CANGREJO's Eat All You Can Steak and Crabs for only P749.00 (net). I have already enjoyed the fresh seafood of the new restaurant in Quezon City (SEE HERE) but to go surf and turf plus appetizers for only P749.00 was such a steal!

So in EL CANGREJO SEAFOOD AND STEAK BISTRO we went for a night of eating and chatting. And WOW... we never expected the SURF AND TURF to be SOOOOO good!

Read on!

EL CANGREJO!

Again, crab in menu...Why so happy when we're going to eat you later?

SLICE N' DICE (again)

My little family are huge fans of SLICE N' DICE that we used to eat there every single week (see HERE). There was even a time where we included it in our roster of restaurants for somebody's special 7 day birthday celebration -- YUP! That's how much we loved this cheap steak hub!

We were just heart broken when their several branches simultaneously closed down that we were left with nothing when we were in the mood for steaks at a cheap price. We tried THIS restaurant and THAT restaurant but nothing offered the comforting taste of sizzling Filipino beef with flavorful brown gravy that we fell in love with.

Until finally, DING DING DING (similar to the sound made by Hector Salamanca... google that... tee hee) SLICE N' DICE is BACK and in a venue so near to us! REJOICE! REJOICE! Such a happy day!

Tee hee! Sorry. Like I said before, food does that to me... ahem.. us! :)

SLICE N' DICE in Mandaluyong City!

It can't get any better than that! Tee hee!

HILLSIDE RANCH

When I was just a little girl my Mommy got so frustrated when she had to force feed me just to get something in me tummy.

By the way, did my first sentence make you sing "Que Sera Sera?" He he he he!

Anyway, 20 (tee hee) years later, my Mommy is now asking me to diet. Recently I went to Hong Kong and she sent me this very loving text message which truly made me laugh.... 

And I do not blame her because I did gain about 15 lbs from my usual weight. And she knows how I just love stuffing myself silly until I cannot breathe and let out meat sweats. 

Oh so now I WILL be in trouble after having loads of graciously fatty meats courtesy of HILLSIDE RANCH! It was just so good that I savored every chunk of the fatty beef not at all regretting that it was not yet my cheat day.

Trellis was our venue for the night....

But the star of the show was indeedy...

Ta dah!!!! HILLSIDE RANCH!

Oh and also this....

Oh but I am getting ahead of myself (too excited maybe?) So let me go on... 

Trellis is a very popular hub for those who would like to unwind from work or school with drinks and appetizers.

There is also live music to match your drinks and gabbin' with your friends. Even it may be too loud, Trellis peeps would suck it out and still continue their spree!

But if you ask regular visitors in this restaurant, they would surely howl in agreement that you also go to Trellis for their popular Sisig! I think they already have prepared truckloads of this dish since it is a staple order of everyone who steps in their premises.

But you know what? After tonight I will declare that you will go to Trellis just so that you could get the wonderful meats created by HILLSIDE RANCH!!!

When we got to Trellis, which served as the venue for the dinner launch of HILLSIDE RANCH, what greeted me and my husband was this fresh from the grill special crusty baguette which was heaping with slow roasted US beef belly and caramelized onions!

This scrumptious sandwich by HILLSIDE RANCH comes with a french gravy dip! 

I excitedly dipped my crusty meaty baguette into their rich gravy and gave it a huge bite! I did not mind that the juices dripped all over me. Everything about the meal was messy and delicious! Just the way I liked it!

My husband set his eye on HILLSIDE RANCH's Reuben Sandwich...

It deserved his thumb of approval! 

As for me, I slathered a good helping of HILLSIDE RANCH's horseradish cream on my Reuben. Though the tender corned beef was already flavorful, I loved the little kick it gave to the whole experience. 

I love everything spicy and creamy! So sue me! He he he he!

And then suddenly, the gates of heaven opened to little ol' disobedient of a daughter me...

HILLSIDE RANCH's Slow Roasted Beef Belly Slab (650g P550)

(sliced 225g P220.00) 

(Slab orders per kilo/P770.00)

According to HILLSIDE RANCH's top lady Chay Miranda-Tayag, this lovely beef slab which was flown in from the US, marinated overnight and slow roasted for 6 hours. 

Pretty Chay did not have any formal training but she could really cook! She offered the Slow Roasted Beef Belly Slab in her catering business and it was always the top seller. The strong demand for this juicy big piece of meat in her catering pushed her to have HILLSIDE RANCH and make it available in venues such as the Salcedo Market and Trellis restaurants!

Oh thank you! Thank you for creating this phenomenal Slow Roasted Beef Belly Slab!

Thank you for being so tender while you were being sliced....

Thank you HILLSIDE RANCH for slow roasting the beef for 6 hours that the knife was gliding through  like it was cutting butter! 

Pretty Chay Miranda-Tayag further explained how HILLSIDE RANCH was only about year old but it has gotten great reviews when they sell their goods in Salcedo Market and participate in such foodie events like the Ultimate Taste Tests.  And now in order to make it more available to hungry foodies in various areas, they will be selling it in Trellis line of restaurants!

                      

The Slow Roasted Beef Belly was wonderfully accompanied by Garlic Rice (always a must for me) and creamy polenta! 

First I'll have some Garlic Rice...

And now with the Creamy Polenta. I swear if Chay did not correct me, I thought it was Mashed Potatoes because it tasted so similar to what that Colonel with the chicken has!

Somebody from our table thought of slicing a big portion of it and having it grilled more like a bad-ass steak.

That guy is now legendary...

Yub ate his HILLSIDE RANCH beef happily with garlic rice at first....

Then swiped some baguette bread from their sandwich bar to make it into his own special sandwich minus the onions!!!

(Yes, vegetables will make him melt like what the sun does to vampires)...

(Unless you're Edward because if you are, then you'll SPARKLE)

Tee hee! Moving on...

Next up is HILLSIDE RANCH's Corned Beef Brisket Slab (650grams)

Corned Beef Brisket Sliced (225g)

Slab Orders at P770 per kilo!

It is the same delectable Corned beef they piled on their Reuben Sandwich. 

But now we could get all the Corned Beef Brisket in BIG servings!

Oh check out the juices dripping and almost covering everything!

Here's me putting some veggies daintily on my plate...

Here's me happily picking up the juicy Corned Beef Brisket...

Here's me growling at my husband because I wanted to wolf this down already!!! ha ha ha ha!

Kidding! I love you dear Yub!

My neatly plated HILLSIDE RANCH Corned Beef Brisket with veggies and garlic rice...

Dessert!!!

Sweet for my pandan sweet? :)

Congratulations to the HILLSIDE RANCH team for setting up this wonderful launch dinner! You guys made Ericjaz Foodies' night a meaty one!!! (l-r Dino Tayag and Jomike del Rosario (Manila distributors of HILLSIDE RANCH)/ Chay and Atoy Tayag - powercouple who created HILLSIDE RANCH) 

... and when this couple is happy, somebody does the Mr. Pogi sign!!!

(Ooh I voted!)

I was so excited to meet fellow bloggers and chatted with them nonstop! (l-f Kathi Raneses and Jericho San Miguel of Mucking Around Manila/ US! / Ray and Lynne Reyes of En Route / Michelle Melo of Dekaphobe)

May I just comment that this couple not only created GOOD food, they also look GOOD too!

BTW, fan mode coming up...

Yihii! I was finally able to meet one of my favorite food bloggers Richard Co of TALES FROM THE TUMMY!

Second time to meet up with pretty Jane Chua of Between Bites! Had a nice chat with her!

Overall a wonderful night!!! 

It was a truly great MEAT and greet kind of time! 

Know more about HILLSIDE RANCH by checking out their facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/HillsideRanch?fref=ts

Just to clarify the HILLSIDE RANCH's SLOW ROASTED US BEEF BELLY and CORNED BEEF BRISKET are sold in packs initially in selected supermarkets in Pampanga and Baguio. If you are in Manila, they now have pickup points in Trellis restaurants in Quezon City, Makati, as well as home pickups in Valle Verde 5, Pasig and Greenhaven Townhomes, QC near Greenhills. These wonderful meats are vacuum sealed, packed in microwavable containers to answer your anytime, anywhere, carnivorous being!

Contact the numbers below if you can't wait! Order now for your weekend grub with the family!

Hugely recommended! I'm sure you're going to thank me in the future so here's a big YOU'RE WELCOME.

Ha ha ha ha! Let's EAT!!!

HILLSIDE RANCH

hillsideranch@me.com

For further inquiries contact:

Dino Tayag 0917-5319351 / Jom del Rosario 0917-5301251

Hillside Ranch is also at the Salcedo Community Market every Saturday.