The Hunt For Cheddar Burst Blvd

After watching a Man vs Food episode featuring Juicy Lucys, our brains and bellies went seriously craving for burgers - not just any regular burger but those filled with oozing cheeses. Despite the rain, we set out to hunt for the nearest Juicy Lucy experience. Enter Cheddar Burst Blvd. 

I've never heard of Cheddar Burst Blvd until JC told me about it when he and his friends ate there. This hard-to-find burger place in Proj. 2 actually have several branches in the metro now which I had zero idea with.

Cheddar Burst Blvd is located in a quiet neighborhood where you least expect to find a burger joint. The tables and chairs were set up in what was obviously used to be a garage, the house a few steps away. There were 4 tables set up, 2 of which were occupied when we arrived.

I was trying to take a photo of the burger flipper, but I guess he was shy.

I had the D'Original Juicy Lucy, JC had the BBQ Crunch while Za had Just A Burger.

Legit! For the price you have to pay to these burgers, I'd say it's definitely worth it. Plus point for the free iced teas we got! They had a promo where you just like their facebook page, show it to them and you'll automatically get a free iced tea.

Expect to finish with messy hands. There's no other way to it.

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Cheddar Burst Blvd 
13 Chico Street, Project 2, Quezon City
(0916) 408-9115

Ooma For Good Luck!

After submitting our Japan visa requirements, Mitch and I headed to Ooma Japanese Rice Bar to finally give it a try. 

We were ninth on the waiting list, luckily there were some groups not in the vicinity when their names were called so we got in earlier than expected. Their loss, our gain. :D

 Waiting game for Japan visa began that day.

Quite surprised that our orders came out pretty quick. Gutom na kasi kami talaga.

Salmon Skin Aburi Maki (P265). Torched salmon, crispy salmon skin, asparagus, cream cheese, wasabi aioli and teriyaki sauce.

From their menu:

Aburi, meaning to "burn something", is a traditional Japanese method of blowtorch - direct flame to burn. It can be destructive or tame and the art of aburi brings out amazing things - a different flavor and enticing aroma that fills the entire place.

It's kinda weird to have your gyoza covered with mozzarella cheese but it worked.

O-Gyoza (P235). Gratinated mozzarella and cheddar cheese, scallion, togarashi, and unagi sauce.

We had two servings of their Tuna Tataki because.

Tuna Tataki (P195). Sesame crusted tuna, pickled mushroom and its juices, fried shallots, pickled red radish and ginger garlic sauce. 

And the famous Hanger Steak.

Hanger Steak (P495). Sous-vide hanging tender, sauteed mushrooms, white truffle oil, sweet potato mash, crispy baby potato, pickle dressing, ponzu butter.

Would you believe I did not like it? Hahaha. What do you know, Mitch didn't like it too! Must be because of the strong truffle oil they poured on it. I mean I like me some truffle oil but I gues it was tad too much for me. Can't taste the mushroom and the tender beef.

The hype for the Aburis are real! Did not dig the Hanger Steak tho. But that's just me. Worth a try!

Awesome Triple Date on Crisp On 28th

I just had to rhyme it. #Sorrynotsorry

Locating Crisp on 28th involved quite an adventure for us three that Saturday. We took the long way when there could have been an easier and less complicated way LOL. 

Look at that personalized menu. So cute.

I'm glad we made it out here even without reservation. Although there were still plenty of vacant tables, a couple of them were reserved (eventually given to other customers when the party did not  arrive on time). 

We ordered Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Salad. For a salad it was really awesome!!!

Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Salad. PhP195.

Mitch ordered Roasted Sambal Chicken (brown dirty rice, pickled cucumbers, fried okra, 64 degree egg, tomatoes, and sambal sauce).

Roasted Sambal Chicken. PhP395.

JC had the Pork and Beans (slow cooked pork tenderloin, black eyed peas, lager beer sausages, root vegetables, and mashed potatoes).

 Pork and Beans. PhP565.

While I chose that week's special, Beef Ragu Pasta (slow cooked shredded beef ragu, smoked tomato gravy fettuccine, crumbled cheese).

Beef Ragu Pasta.PhP 480.

EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS OMG I KID YOU NOT. Hands down the biggest winner for us three that night was the Pork and Beans. I wish it wasn't too expensive so we could have it almost everyday.

After that satisfying dinner, we hung out at Fullybooked until before it closed. Grabe, so many books to read/want to take home it's painful.

Read Station Eleven ebook version. It was good! I thought it was a little bit bitin nga lang. omg ang coño. XD

I finally got to read this gem. It's hilarious but SAD.

The stash I wish my friend Mitch and I could've taken home. I already read Dash & Lily's Book of Dares and Station Eleven. Currently reading ebook version of Look Who's Back (I find the plot really interesting and can't wait how it plays out). A couple of weeks ago, was able to score a hardbound copy of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl for 145 pesos. Awesome riiight!

Okay end of rant.

Don Andres: A Peruvian Kitchen

Like in Puñta restaurant, I tried out of curiosity but mainly because of the Peruvian on their name. Hmm, let's see how they will fare on the authenticity bit. For fear of sounding obnoxious - which I do think I am not - I want to emphasize that I ate mainly foods sold in the streets when we were in Peru. Like 75% of the time. The remaining 25% were spent in nice and almost fancy restaurants. 

Plus, I am such a horrible food critic. My interpretation of gastronomic experiences is limited to amazing, awesome, tasty, delicious, OK, not so bad, starchy, and, like 5 or 6 more adjectives. Hee. Everything here is of my own opinion, therefore should not be taken against Don Andres.

So there we were on a Monday night. Despite being a weekday, a reservation is must do. Especially since we were gonna pay for it with coupons and there really were tons of people dropping by.

First bust of the night: Inca Kola that came from Jersey and not Peru. I understand, Peru is such a faaaar place to be importing these fruity and loved soda. Baka nga naman mas cost-effective if it came from the US. Besides, if they taste the same what's the big deal right?

Liked the sangria I ordered! I felt so, um, mature. I could feel my cheeks burning though after chugging it all down (not in one go).

Peruvian Sangria, PhP 150/glass

Loved the Aji-green sauce and spicy-orange mayonnaise but the chimichurri sauce lacked that fresh herb-y flavour and zest. I hope I'm making sense here. Señor Pollo's chimichurri is still the best for me.

The raw fish has the exact citrus flavour I always associate ceviches (or kinilaw locally) with. The raw talakitok chunks are huge, prepare to share this with someone else! As for the corn, I don't remember seeing corn in Peruvian ceviches, maybe this was a personalized touch from the chef or something? It's funny though how it was sliced hehe.

Ceviche de Pescado, PhP 240.

The canchas or corn nuts brought me memories of our time in Peru. I LOVED munching on these much to JC's annoyance haha. It is made from a special kind of maiz that pops without puffing out.

We chose the half-sized chicken cos we thought a quarter may not be enough for us two. It was, but the ceviche was heavier on the tummy than we originally thought (probably cos only 2 persons shared it!?!).

Chicken tastes good but frankly just like any other grilled chicken I had here in Philippines. They're not exactly the same, but you know, the chicken formulas are similar. Sa sauce and marinate lang talaga nagkakatalo. :) I loved their mashed potato though!

Pollos a la Brasa (1/2 Pollo). PhP320.

 For dessert, we tried their version of Tres Leches. I'm not a fan of milk but I do get my needed fix or better yet body calcium nutrition from time to time. This is one of the few calcium sources I allow myself have. :))

Tres Leches. PhP165.

There's still so much dishes to try in Don Andres, gotta come back for their Lomo Saltado (usually ordered this when we were in Peru and Bolivia but decided not to order it in Don Andres)!

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Don Andres Peruvian Kitchen
Courtyard Building, 26 Sergeant Esguerra Street, QC
364-4145

A Taste of South America in Puñta Manila

Puñta Manila serves South American food? I was instantly sold! Everything South America related, my eyes automatically light up :D 

We were the only customers when we walked in at around 5 in the afternoon. The place looks cozy and roomy with high ceilings. The couches upstairs look comfy, perfect for when you're having late night drinks with friends.

While waiting for our orders.

At first I asked for their Chinchulines and Lo Mejor, unfortunately, those were unavailable at the time. Boo.

I ended up ordering Chuletas de Puerco, which was the last thing I wanted to order, pero sige keri na. The house salsa and sauces were good, especially the chimichurri. The meal came with rice, half corn cob, and beans.

Chuletas de Puerco. pork chop + crema de ajo + chimichurri + salsa roja + pico de gallo. (PhP385)

Culo de Pollo. chicken tail + crema de ajo + chimichurri + salsa roja + pico de gallo (PhP165)

Everything that we ordered were surprisingly good! We especially liked their big servings. Two persons can share a meal and still be full.

Pierna de Pollo. quarter chicken leg + crema de ajo + chimichurri + salsa roja + pico de gallo (PhP330)

 Vamos a comer!

So, was it anything like the food in South America? Well, the popular anticuchos were there, so were the beans and corns, albeit smaller in size, but I can't really say. It wouldn't be fair to compare since I admit we mostly subsisted on street foods while we were there, and all those have distinct tastes. 

What I can say with the food in Ecuador and Peru is this—quite greasy despite the perpetual presence of salads on their plates (I think it's not because of the abundance of highland vegetables in the 2 countries, it's like it was only placed there to make up for the all fried food people consume everyday hahaha). Flavoured rice is not a common thing, in fact, I never liked their rice. It was so starchy. Asian rice rocks! But anyway this fusion is an interesting way to introduce Filipinos to Latin America palate. 

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The Park, Liberty Center, 312 Shaw Boulevard,
Pleasant Hills, Mandaluyong City
Tel No. : (02) 941 2870