AMARE LA CUCINA AGAIN (2019)

It was Mother's Day and I invited the family to honor THE BEST MOTHER THERE IS, my Mommy!!!!!!

Sunday mass!

For that Sunday I made reservations in AMARE LA CUCINA, a restaurant that we loved in Baguio. We're happy that they have a branch here now.

MIGHTY QUINN'S (POWERPLANT MALL)

I haven't eaten in MIGHTY QUINN's in Powerplant Mall even if my family already ate there a few times and didn't invite us (traitors!). To think that the YAPPY BUNCH are always in Rockwell but we never got to trying out the place since, I don't know, we have separation anxiety from our favorites maybe?

Or maybe we just found it expensive. BWA HA HA HA HA!

Anywho, one weekend, my brother invited the whole family for an early lunch in MIGHTY QUINN's for his post birthday treat. YEHESSSSS!!! Finally!!! I'll be able to eat in MIGHTY QUINN'S!!!! LIFE IS WORTH LIVING AGAIN!!

He he he he he!

Seriously though, I'm also very excited that the family will be complete. I seldom see my eldest brother because he lived far, far, farrrrr away -- he would usually visit my Mom on weekdays (while we're all at work), and is too lazy naman to go down and join us on Sundays (his "rest day"). So yeah!! This is really a treat!!!

And yup! True enough, we all had an awesome lunch!! Family time is INDEED the best time!

Lalo na if libre kami. He he he he he he!

We're at MIGHTY QUINN'S! Wohooooooo!!!

AMARE WOODFIRE BRICK OVEN PIZZA (BAGUIO CITY)

Before our trip to BAGUIO, I was already checking out online recommendations on which restaurants to go to. Of course, as much as we want to visit the popular places, we have to consider if the food will be appetizing for the little lords and if prices were affordable for for us.

My friend BAON FLAT LAYS was in BAGUIO the week before our trip and I saw the places she went to with her family. One restaurant particularly caught my eye because it let their younger diners make their own pizzas. When I asked her about the food she said it was delicious.

Now I'm sold!!!!

With that, the Yub and I really included AMARE WOODFIRE BRICK OVEN PIZZA in our itinerary. We just know that our bunsoy, whose pre-birthday were celebrating, will have a great time.

And we were SO right! 

AMARE WOODFIRE BRICK OVEN PIZZA!

AMARE was located inside a mall and there was a line for the available tables.

There were tables outside but since this was our first time, we wanted to have some AMBIYENSSSSS!

BLUE POSTS BOILING CRABS AND SHRIMPS

It was a double celebration for the family so a dinner to mark the momentous events was in order.

First, we were celebrating the birthday of my Ate Jojit's new hubbie Anthony. He wanted to treat the family as his "blow-out".

Second, my lawyer brother was granted a Doctorate for Juridical Science by his college Alma Mater and we were all super proud. So now "The Doctor" also wanted to treat the family.

With that, it was decided to have a joint celebration and since it was indeed a special night, we thought of going to somewhere we've all been meaning to try out for a loooong time....

BLUE POSTS BOILING CRABS AND SHRIMPS!

(Oooh! I was so excited and hungry that they're going be sorry.... este... happy now!!! He he he he he!)

IT'S OKTOBERFEST 2017 AT BROTZEIT!

The event that every beer-drinker and party-goer are waiting for is now here with OKTOBERFEST 2017, and in BROTZEIT, even the "food lover" is going to have a festive great time! Last week, that's what THE KAIN TULOG gang awesomely discovered during the launch in their Edsa Shangrila branch -- we got to experience OKTOBERFEST, BROTZEIT style.

Yup! Eat! Drink! Party! BROTZEIT has delicious menu items that will make your OKTOBERFEST more exciting!

OKTOBERFEST!

It's happening tonight at BROTZEIT baby!

TGI FRIDAYS (ROBINSON'S GALLERIA)

THE YAPPY BUNCH recently had a great night-out at TGI FRIDAYS in Robinson's Galleria.

Yup! We always believe that the best night outs with friends are those with the little lords!

We are all here in FRIDAYS on a Thursday!!!!

This was during the summer vacation. Could it just be summer vacation ALL YEAR??? He he he he he!

GRINGO (SM MEGAMALL)

Sometime last year, I got a taste of GRINGO'S juicy barbecued Chicken and Ribs when we were sent boxes of their hot meat and sides. THE YAPPY BUNCH loved the food and found ourselves licking the bones and chops after wolfing it all down in seconds. Since then, we have craved for GRINGO but we were not able to drop by the actual restaurant because it was too far from where we lived.

Luckily, GRINGO recently opened in SM Megamall and it was so timely for us because we were having Mati's birthday staycation in MARCO POLO HOTEL. I asked my dear son where he wanted to eat that Saturday night and upon learning that GRINGO was already open there, he heaved a long sigh and said "FINALLY!!!!"

So it's no question where we'll be having our weekend dinner for my dearest's birthday staycation. Possibly the foodie gods arranged it because they knew how much we wanted to eat again at GRINGO but were too lazy to make the trek. And to think that it is something that my birthday boy really, really, as in REALLLY, want to eat in!!!!!

See? Everything was meant to be!   

GRINGO!!!!!

Chicken, Ribs, FRIENDS!!!

Like I said, the restaurant was still in their soft opening so I was not expecting everything to be smooth sailing. The food anyway is the one that's important!

The restaurant was packed but nobody was waiting in line. Me guess is that the staff is doing a fine job at efficiently serving and seating the guests!

APPLEBEE'S (EASTWOOD)

APPLEBEE'S recently opened its 2nd Philippine branch in Eastwood, Quezon City, and the foodies in the area can't be happier. FINALLY, they have one of America's favorite restaurants that serves hearty salads, pastas, steaks, and most especially, their signature dish, the riblets, closer at this side of the Metro.

As for me and the Chinese Dimpol, even if we live in the area of "Upside Down" (tee hee), we don't mind going the distance to get a taste of the food from the restaurant that we have been hearing AND seeing for many years. Yup! We have tried (BLANK) and (BLANK) restaurants but we could never get away from the familiarity and presence of APPLEBEES from the shows/movies we watch or from the drool worthy advertisements in cable TV. So yes, we're REALLY going. And to learn that an APPLEBEE'S branch is so near the place I work in is like cherry on top of a huuuuge sundae for me --- suhweet!

So for those who think that BGC is like the edge of the world, REJOICE! We now have APPLEBEE's in Eastwood, Quezon City to keep you company when you're needing to have platters of your favorite American comfort food.

And you don't really need to follow confusing red and green colored lights to get to it. Just look for their big and white apple and you are SO good to go!

APPLEBEE'S! WOHOOO!

The big apple is now in Eastwood!

CHILI'S DELICIOUS NEW CRAFT BURGERS!!!!!

I don't think I could stress enough how much ERICJAZ FOODIES love CHILI'S. Well for one, it WAS where the Chinese Dimpol and I first met via a blind date. And two, the taste and the quality of the food haven't changed since the day the restaurant opened it's doors to us. Yep!!! Unlike the franchises that have opened (some already closed) in the Philippines, CHILI'S has deliciously maintained the servings and awesomeness of their food. The Chinese Dimpol and I cannot have enough of it! We just HAVE to eat at CHILI'S not just to relive that first date (blech) but to get a dose of SUPER SULIT American/Mexican dishes as well!!!!

That is why when CHILI'S invited ERICJAZ FOODIES to try out their new craft burgers, we did not waste a minute (no a second) into making up our minds that WE WILL BE GOING. Add to that, an opportunity to hang out again with my favorite foodie group, THE KTG (Kain Tulog Gang) --- this is something we CANNOT miss for sure!!!

And we definitely DIDN'T!!!! It was a great night of KTG, good vibes, and UNFORGETTABLE juicy burgers from CHILI'S!!!

Yep! With CHILI's, more life SURELY happens here!

CHILI'S!!!!

It may be a weeknight, but CHILI'S Tomas Morato was jampacked!!!!!

GRINGO (CHICKEN / RIBS / FRIENDS)

The Chinese Dimpol and I just had a date where we had a very heavy dinner.  But when we got home, THIS greeted us!

GRINGO!!!!!!!!!

Wait a minute. I see air holes. I hope it's not a cat or doggie named GRINGO. 

Tee hee!

Whew! Now that's a sigh of relief!

Believe me when I say that...

THIS IS EXCITING!!!

Yes! Other people may be giddy with shopping or subscription deliveries. As for me, I always get so hyped up when there's an "unannounced" food waiting for me at the table.

WOHOO!

WOODY'S TEXAS BAR-B-Q

The Chinese Adonis and I joined our KAIN TULOG GANG to try out the newest Barbecue hot spot to invade Manila....

WOODY'S TEXAS BAR-B-Q!!!

WOODY'S TEXAS BAR-B-Q is located where the old Chihuahua Mexican Restaurant was in Makati Ave. Just in case you're eyeing your driver sweet lover and have the probability of missing this in the busy streets of Makati, it is opposite A.Venue Mall!

A CHILI'S BABY SHOWER

CHILI'S would always have a special place in my puny little heart because it is the venue where I first laid eyes on the Chinese Adonis via a blind date. 16 grueling years later, we are married with 2 smart and handsome boys and we still go to CHILI'S to reminisce or just celebrate something special.

It is very timely and appropriate though that when we gave  a surprise baby shower to Joan, the wife of THE FOOD ALPHABET, the venue was in CHILI'S Greenhills. Once more, something added up to the specialness of the "place where it all started". And this time, it is to celebrate friendship, food, and THE KTG!

CHILI'S, serving delicious heaping platters of food and the culprit to ERICJAZ FOODIES most unforgettable moments. This time, I'm sure it would be for KTG too!!!

From chili's website

CHILI'S PHILIPPINES!!!! 

  

The KTG were there up and early to surprise Joan with our simple, but glutton-worthy, baby shower.

 

We were lucky because we will get to taste the  SWEET, SMOKY, and HOT menu which was available for a limited time only in CHILI'S PHILIPPINES!!! Rush over to your nearest CHILI'S branch now because these gems will be available up to June 28, 2015 ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!

TIPSY PIG GASTROPUB

My brother and his family, who lived in Antipolo, stayed over our house one weekend. When he is here, we never fail to pull out our usual FOB (fresh off the boat) jokes at their expense and that "Ke ganda ganda talaga dito sa Maynilah" (in our exaggerated Caviteno accent) for laughs. Then one joke led to another resulting  to his craving to try out what "Manila has to offer". With that, he invited us to have dinner out at the TIPSY PIG and we all happily agreed because he offered to treat us as well.

I sure do hope though that they won't leave their slippers at the entrance.

KIDDING! Bwa ha ha ha ha!

TIPSY PIG GASTROPUB!

ZYMURGY (LUCENA CITY)

For All Soul's day, TEAM YAP will be going home to my husband's hometown in Lucena, Quezon Province to visit his family and of course, light a candle and offer prayers for his Dad. Now a trip to Lucena, or as I would playfully call it, Timbuktu, is always a fun vacation for us because not only will we meet up with my husband's kind family, but we will also have a gastronomic 3 days as well!

I swear, I always gain about 5lbs every time we go to Lucena and NO, it DOES NOT go to my big forehead.

Anywho, since we will be going to Lucena this weekend, I remembered our visit to Yub's family last September and the new restaurant we tried. Yeah, yeah, every time we're in  Lucena, we always eat in Palaisdaan (CLICK HERE), Cafe Antigua (CLICK HERE TOO), Koon Lin Restaurant (CLICK HERE AGAIN), and Ground Zero (YUP, HERE), but this time we wanted to live dangerously and try something else. PLUS, my very generous sister in law Ivy had some discount stubs to share.

So OFF to ZYMURGY we go! 

ZYMURGY CAFE AND LOUNGE!

ZYMURGY is located right in heart of down town lucena. The cafe and lounge has a reputation for serving good food and entertainment as well.

I'm the one in the green blouse. Check out "Edward Sullen" staring at me. Ngiiii!

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

By Eric John Yap

I work in a company called Michelin and I am required to go around almost all corners of the country to educate/train bus and truck drivers/owners on the proper usage of our tires. While on the road I get hungry so I would stop at nearby restaurants to fuel up my appetite. On some days, I would be satisfied by fast food or msg-filled dishes from eateries. But there are times when I just have to get big ton of meat into my system that would ensure me energy packs to last through the day... or even the week.

I'm glad that the famous steak franchise of OUTBACK has some serious lunch specials in their menu. And of course, since I am a father of 3 (if you count my "special" wife, he he he) I really appreciated that they made these dishes affordable for the working, albeit, growing man.

OUTBACK lunch offerings are perfect for those who want their mid-day food to be on the "full" side without emptying their pockets. So once in a while when I just need that "boost" via a hot plate brimming with food, I could go to OUTBACK and savor the juices of my hard work. And since prices are friendly, at least I would still have money to take out my lovely wife at night.

She asked me to add that by the way.

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE!

Great meal... Good deal lunch specials!

BOON TONG KEE

My husband Eric (aka the Chinese stalker, aka Yub, aka "Mark Anthony Fernandez", aka "Kenneth Duremdes") and I are very much the North and South of attitudes and habits that we truly are the living testament of how "Opposite's Attract".

One of the most evident proof of how he is two steps forward while I am two steps back is the pace of our grubbin'. While my Yub almost inhales his food thru his white nostrils, I take hours almost YEARS to finish a plate.

My husband says when he loves the food so much, he eats everything in a New York minute because it is so good, he wouldn't waste another second of the grub on his plate.

For me, besides arranging the food neatly on my spoon, I like to take my time and savor everything that's going on in my mouth. Of course, since I rarely eat by myself (imaginary friends included) I chat and exchange stories with my dinner companion/s. Now that takes about an hour for appetizers?

I'm just kidding! Around 59 minutes, give or take. Tee hee!!!

Anyway, when we received an invite at the launch of BOON TONG KEE'S new branch at Tomas Morato, Quezon City, that piece of dissimilarity between me and my Yub became more evident. To think that we are faced with a tableful of platters of food which was even more delicious than the aroma it exhausted.

To say that the food in BOON TONG KEE was delicious is an understatement. My husband and I truly enjoyed our meal so much that midway he was already pushing his plate to surrender, while I was telling the dessert waitress that I was not yet finished with my food.

However, it felt like only minutes to us because of the great company and delicious food!

Hopefully, the kind people of BOON TONG KEE did not mind because we had such a good time that we closed the place down. Ha ha ha!

Oh well my husband looks like Mark Anthony Fernandez anyway...

(Yup enter irrelevant argument there... tee hee!)

BOON TONG KEE!!

 

BOON TONG KEE recently opened in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. The famed Singaporean franchise also has branches in SM Mall of Asia, Powerplant Mall, and Katipunan Quezon City!

We loved the simple interiors of BOON TONG KEE in the Tomas Morato branch. It had a lot of space and everything was just smart, casual, but had a touch of Asian beauty in every corner.

Specially this corner! It had a mini open kitchen with counter! 

I think I would like to settle on this side the next time we eat there!

Before we started the "last wish" meal in BOON TONG KEE, owners Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Joy Rodriguez gave us a gracious welcome and told us about the food to come.

Look at me listening intently and being all inquisitive. Food does that to me. If I was still in High School and this lady was a teacher, I would be like "NGOOOOOORK" in an instant.

BELIEVE me. I still have nightmares that I am still in High School or College.

Anywho....

First on the table was a small plate of pickled vegetables to get our tummies ready.

We then had BOON TONG KEE's Crispy Beancurd (P185.00). I am not really a fan of tofu since it would sometimes smell stinky or rubbery to the bite but this one I liked! It was like the Krispy Kreme of tofu because once you bite into the fried crust, a very soft pillowy custard with the flavor of your neighborhood "taho" will greet HELLO!!

Dip it into the green tea mayo for an extra level of flavor. Oh yes. Mayo just makes everything better. 

Up next was BOON TONG KEE's Prawn Toast (P275.00)! 

I have tried other prawn toasts but BOON TONG KEE's version is the best for me. The prawns were just bunched up and compacted into that wee crunchy toast that one bite is extra seafood, every time!!! Don't forget the green tea mayo! It did add a certain zing to that already flavorful appetizer!!!

We were then served BOON TONG KEE's Poached Chinese Spinach with Assorted Eggs (P295.00). 

This BOON TONG KEE soup was mild but when you slurp a spoonful of the broth with the cooked spinach and choice of egg (duck egg, century egg, ordinary egg), you will certainly be helping yourself to another one. 

I loved that they served this extra piping hot that the scent of the cooked spinach with garlic just played with our hungry appetites! YUM!!!!

Hello little friends... I'll be eating you NOW.

Nothing personal. You just looked too darn good!

My husband was feeling the sniffles so he ordered the BOON TONG KEE calamansi juice. I wouldn't know how this tasted like because HE DID NOT offer me a single sip! 

If you feel like coughing tomorrow Yub, it means I am thinking about you.

Thinking about wringing your neck! HA! 

Kidding! I love you! Mwahhhh!!!!

Up next was BOON TONG KEE'S Braised Pork Belly with Bun (P325.00)!!!

Oh this was so good. Tell me that you do not feel like drooling with all that glistening beauty over there? You take one saucy slab of that pork fat and put it inside the newly steamed pork buns!

Hello pork buns!

Put the BOON TONG KEE meat inside like a sandwich!!!

... and eat it with mucho gusto!

I bet you will look MUCH better than me too!!!!

I know I said this already but I'll say it again.

Oh this was SO good. Imagine a very soft and meaty pork asado siopao.

THAT is what you'll get plus MORE.

When no one was looking, I double dipped!

Tee hee! Sorry!

We were then given a plateful of BOON TONG KEE's Fried Sambal KangKong with Cuttlefish (P295.00)!

This BOON TONG KEE dish was very rich  with the sambal sauce adding the right amount of kick!!! This just screams to be paired off with some rice.

And so we did. 

Veni, vidi, vici!

It came, we saw, WE ATE SOME RICE!

(Kidding on the last part.... tee hee)

Of course, the night would not be complete if  we did not have  BOON TONG KEE's mucho specialty, their Signature Boiled Chicken (quarter P245.00/ half P455 / whole P845.00).

This great piece of poultry was so juicy and fork tender. If I was not with anyone else here, I would have sucked the bones of this chicken dry.

Sorry Chicken Little, the world will be ending for you TONIGHT.

EVIL LAUGH! Mwa ha ha ha ha ha!

The wonderful BOON TONG KEE chicken is customarily eaten with the 3 necessity of sauces (chili sauce, sweet soy sauce, and ginger oil), however, I found their Hainanese chicken already flavorful on its own. Still, you could elevate your enjoyment level up a notch by eating it with these 3 heaven sent dips!!!

Of course what is Hainanese Chicken without BOON TONG KEE's special rice to go with it?

I don't know if Johnny Midnight designed this cupful of hainanese rice but this triangle of grains sure tasted grrrreeat!!!

Now up next will be a typhoon of food! Similar to how Maring invaded the Philippines!!! They were all so DELICIOUS and MANY, that we are going to just faint from gluttony.

But we don't care... WE WILL BOON TONG KEE some more!

BOON TONG KEE's Cereal Prawns (large P655.00)

Nothing coated or oatmeal like in here. What you get are prawns with special twirls of "stringed" cereals!!! 

BOON TONG KEE's Imperial Pork Ribs (P245.00)!

These sweet tender ribs were just AWESOME. One of my favorites of the night as well!!!

 

BOON TONG KEE's Baked Prawn with Cheese (P395.00) was truly satisfying and non cloying at all. 

This oozing piece of heaven is perfect with the...

... spicy salty flavors of the BOON TONG KEE Sambal Fried Rice (P225.00)!!!

OR... you could have it with the fried buns!! It tastes divine EITHER way!

BOON TONG KEE's Crispy Roast Chicken (quarter P235.00/ half P425.00/ whole P755.00) was lipsmackingly YUM as well!

I loved how the salty but crispy skin crunches upon every bite! Another perfect match with the BOON TONG KEE Sambal fried rice!!!

BOON TONG KEE birthday noodles (P295.00) are how noodles should be....

..... very saucy with long flavorful noodles! US LIKEY!!!

Hello brown noodles!!! I'll see you when I turn 29!!! Tee hee!!!

BOON TONG KEE'S Coffee Pork Ribs (P295.00)! This very savory boneless ribs are perfect for those who like their meats sweet with a certain caramelized taste going on. I could just imagine licking my fingers with these stick babies!!!

My very handsome Yub eating at Flash's pace and was already on his 3rd serving of food!!!!

As for me, I was still admiring my BOON TONG KEE first plate...

... then I added my sambal fried rice...

... then I did a mini-selfie....

... then stuffed everything again.... Ha ha ha!

Sorry I don't know the fine art of changing plates! 

Our very full table at BOON TONG KEE! Isn't that like a last meal for us in Prison?

Prison Break! Oh Wentworth Miller... Why????? 

Were you so traumatized that I chose MY chinese stalker over you????

We had such a wonderful time eating and gabbing with these fine set of ladies and gentlemen!!! We were so full beyond words and panting from all that BOON TONG KEE sweat! Whew!

Don't worry, we know what you're thinking and we did not include OURSELVES in that ladies and gentlemen bit.

Ha ha ha!

Dessert was this addicting cupful of  BOON TONG KEE Sagu Gula Melaka with Vanilla Cream (P145.00).

This was SO good I had 2 servings of this!!!

... for you fruity lovers out there, BOON TONG KEE'S Mango taho is for you! :)

Yipee! We were finally able to meet with Sumi Go of  THE PURPLE DOLL!! She was so nice too!!!

photo grabbed from Mr. Spanky Enriquez

BOON TONG KEE class picture!!!

Clockwise from l-r, ERICJAZ FOODIES!!! Michelle Melo (I AM DEKAPHOBE), Vladimir Bunuan of ABS CBN, Sumi Go, Eugene Constantino (THE HEFTY FOODIE), dear Spanky Enriquez, Rina Zamora (RINA'S RAINBOW), Marie Eileen Dreyfus (THE TUMMY TRAVELER), Chuckie Dreyfus (ALL CHUCKED UP), Stonibert Lim (THE FOOD ALPHABET AND MORE), Gerry San Miguel (DUDE FOR FOOD), Richie (my idol) Zamora (THE PICKIEST EATER), Richard Co (TALES FROM THE TUMMY) and his wife Irene...

Plus the wonderful hosts of BOON TONG KEE!

l-r second row Miguel Aranas - Marketing Manager, Jhun Jhon de Vera - Head Chef, Mr. Michael and Ms. Joy Rodriguez - owners, Mayda Tabangin - Manager.

Thank you so much to our wonderful BOON TONG KEE hosts for the night! Your food was so delicious and awesome!!! 

Again, thank you to Mr. Aranas, and Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez! This was a true night to remember!!!

Of course special thanks always goes to dear Spanky Enriquez (JUICE.PH) for having ERICJAZ FOODIES!

Caption this! But the best ones I could come up with is...

Jaz : "I told you! I did not hide JINRI PARK! She was just THERE!"

or...

Jaz : "OH NO! That toothpick has a special magic of making my nostrils bigger!!!"

or....

Spanky waving his tiny wand: "Expecto Petronum!"

(I'm the Patronus! HA!)

Ha ha ha! This is just the BOON TONG KEE high talking.

LET'S EAT!

BOON TONG KEE

310 Tomas Morato Avenue

South Triangle Quezon City

(02) 3325692