Barcino Restaurant Review

I'm not a wine connoisseur so I won't talk about the wines in Barcino (a wine resto bar). But since I'm a foodie, what I can talk about are Barcino's food items. And what I can say is even if you don't drink wine or alcohol, you can still enjoy Barcino because of its gourmet food:

Gulas Al Ajillo (Php650 + SC)

• I never thought eel can actually taste this good. Its texture is very much like really soft squid (i.e., not a hassle to chew). This appetizer, which is made of baby eel that is sauteed in olive oil, garlic and chilies, is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Tapas Gourmet (Php725 + SC)

• How can you go wrong with a combination of Manchego Cheese, Jamon Serrano, Ensaladilla Rusa, and Chorizo Pamplona?! Another HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Tortilla de Patatas (Php315 + SC)

• This appetizer, which is basically Potato, Onion and Chorizo Omelet, was unexpectedly good. Well-recommended!

Patatas Bravas (Php190 + SC)

• This is a great variety for your usual French Fries. It's made of fried potatoes with allioli and mildly spicy sauce. 

Pollo Empanado Con Queso (Php350 + SC)

• I can't remember if this dish was good but I would guess it was at least fine because this breaded chicken is stuffed with Manchego cheese and caramelized onions. 

While most people may find Barcino a bit pricey, this is mainly because it uses ingredients that have to be imported from Spain (e.g., Manchego Cheese, Jamon Serrano, etc.). I would definitely recommend it to those whose taste buds are seeking for variety.

List of Branches:

Greenbelt 2 Branch

Greenbelt 2, Ground Floor, Ayala Center, Makati City

Tel. No.: (+632) 501.3250

The Fort Branch

Unit 101 Forbeswood Heights, Rizal Drive, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

Tel. No.: (+632) 900.0726

Ortigas Branch

2nd Floor City Golf Plaza, Julia Vargas Ave, Ortigas, Pasig City

Tel. No.: (+632) 636.2963

Greenbelt 5 Branch

Lower Ground Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City

Tel. No.: (+632) 756.0965

Rockwell Branch

143, R1 Level, Power Plant Mall

Tel. No.: (+632) 846.9423

Alabang Branch

FB006 Ground Floor, Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City

Tel. No.: (+632) 869.3612 / (+632) 869.3804

Related posts:

- Village Tavern at Bonifacio High Street Central -
- Krazy Garlik Restaurant Review -

Krazy Garlik Restaurant Review

Because I couldn't imagine eating in a restaurant where most (if not all) of the dishes are cooked in garlic, it took quite awhile before I decided to try Krazy Garlik. To my surprise, it became a big hit when I was asked by my teammates to decide where we will have our dinner. In fact, we had another dinner here a couple of weeks after that. 

Here's what you can expect if you decide to try Krazy Garlik in Greenbelt or Newport  Mall:

Shrimp Maramonte (Php450 + SC)

• This is a personal favorite. If you're looking for a tasty pesto (because some pesto dishes are rather bland unless you put parmesan cheese), this one's for you.

Stuffed Pechay (Php295 + SC)

• This was among the favorites of our group. The stuffing, which was composed of ground pork and smoked fish, was really tasty. Plus, the coco chili cream sauce was a very good complement.

40 Kloves Chicken (Php695 to share; Php395 regular + SC)

• All I can say is: This dish made me want to return to Krazy Garlik! Need I say more?! Tip: Best eaten with Smoked Salted Fish Fried Rice.

Smoked Salted Fish Fried Rice (Php365 to share; Php245 regular + SC)

• This rice does not lack in taste at all... and the combination of smoked fish, chili garlic paste and dried shrimp explains it! It was a very good complement to the 40 Kloves Chicken.

Korean Style Garlic Sesame Beef (PHP 275 + SC)

• This was the last dish I tried but I realized I should have tried it earlier. It was surprisingly delicious for a Non-Korean restaurant.

Garlic Snowflakes (Php495 + SC)

• This has been a big hit for our group that I wasn't unlucky to get a piece during our second time. It has shrimps, pineapple, and of course... garlic!

Rouge Seafood Coconut Curry (Php415 + SC)

• This one's made of shrimp and squid in curry sauce. One of us particularly liked it. It was just so-so for me... but a good taste differentiator when all your dishes are garlicky. 

Asian Spring Rolls (Php225 + SC)

• It's your usual spring rolls that is to be dipped in sweet chili sauce. It was good but I find the wrapper quite thick.

Thai Tea Booba Drink

• This was a great hit among us. The Thai Tea base was good and the drink had "bursting bubbles" (i.e., not your usual pearls because this one bursts juice inside your mouth when bitten). 

Honeydew Booba Drink

• I'm not exactly sure if this was good but I believe it was since our group either had the Thai Tea Booba or the Honeydew Booba... and no one said their drink wasn't good. 

My Krazy Garlik experience was "better late than never". Though it was quite late in the game when I tried it, the important thing is that I liked it when I tried it. I won't surprised if I eat here again sometime soon.

Related post:

- Village Tavern at Bonifacio High Street Central -

- Barcino Restaurant Review -

Where to Eat in Rome (La Veranda and Trattoria da Valentino Restaurant Review)

Related posts:

- Rome's Best in One Day (excluding Vatican) -

- Where to Eat in Rome -

- Why My Jaw Dropped in the Vatican -

- What You'll See in Venice -

- What to See in Verona -

- What to Eat in Florence (plus some sights to see) -

Although I haven't eaten in lots of restaurants in Rome, I'd say that none of those I've tried have failed me. Because of this, I've decided to share them with world:

1. La Veranda 

Said to be the favorite of the Vatican press corps, La Veranda is quite pricey (EUR14 for first course; EUR20 for main course; EUR20 for salad; EUR10 for dessert) but the regal interior and great food makes it worth it. Perfect date place (though I didn't have a date when I went).  

 

Tonnarelli (fresh home made pasta) with swordfish and candied lemon on an artichokes pesto (EUR14)

First Course Menu

Main Course and Salad Menu

Dessert Menu

Location: Inside Hotel Columbus near the Vatican

2. Trattoria da Valentino

I was trying to find some other restaurant near the vicinity of this restaurant but I couldn't seem to find it. Good thing I ended up eating here (though a bit hesitant at first) because I ended up having the BEST CARBONARA pasta (for EUR8) I've ever tasted. 

Location

 

Doing this entry surely made me hungry and want to go back to Rome. Hope I get to return soon!

What to Eat in Paris

Related posts:
Top 12 Paris (minus my food adventure)
Paris Hotel Recommendation - Campanile Paris XV


I won't claim to be a Paris food expert. I just decided to come up with this entry to document and share some of my Parisian food discoveries and adventures. Here they are in particular order:

1. Laduree Macaroons: 

Please don't leave Paris without trying Laduree. Its Soft Salted Caramel Macaroons is the best macaroons you could ever taste... others just fail in comparison! After all, Laduree won't be the favorite of Barbra Streisand and the daughters of President Obama for nothing.

If you buy "To Go", the line is worth the wait. If you opt to dine inside, you get to experience its poshness. 

This is their store in Champs Elysees:

EUR1.50 (Php95) per piece of a SMALL macaroon... still worth it!

The line inside... don't get too intimated. They're very efficient and its worth the effort!

The entrance along Champs Elysees

Opulent interior

Would you believe this is a toilet hallway?

The full list of stores can be found in: http://www.laduree.fr/en/maisons/adresses

2. Berthillon Ice Cream: 

Berthillon is a French manufacturer and retailer of luxury ice cream and sorbet. This is their primary store in Île Saint-Louis. It is famous for using of natural ingredients, with no chemical preservatives, artificial sweeteners or stabilizers. 

The line moves fast so don't be afraid

You may have a hard time choosing which flavor to order

Location Map

3. Confit de canard, pommes persillees (Confit of duck, potatoes with chopped parsley and garlic) at Bistro Dupleix:

This is what I ate after spending quite some time lining up to go to the top of the Eiffel and watching the Eiffel Nightly Illumination (where the Eiffel literally sparkles) for several times. I don't know if I was just hungry but it tasted so good for me. 

To go there, just alight at the Dupleix train station and I'm sure you would see Hotel de Petit Louvre which houses Bistro Dupleix. If you still have a problem finding it, its exact address is 62 boulevard de Grenelle 75015 Paris and its Tel. no. is 01 45 77 24 96. 

Costs EUR13.50 (Php850).. remember it's a duck (not a chicken) so even a drumstick is big enough

Look for this after alighting at the Dupleix Station

4. Steak Tartare (meat dish made from finely chopped or minced raw beef) at Ma Bourgogne:

This is my first and only Steak Tartare experience so I can't say how it fares with other restaurants that serve Steak Tartare. Nonetheless, I did like how it tasted. Unfortunately, I have to warn you because THE WAITERS ARE RUDE AND SNOOTY.

If you're up for the challenge, it's not very hard to find as it is just around the Place des Vosges area. You may contact them at 01 42 78 44 64.

This meal costs EUR24+/- (Php1,500) if I remember correctly

 

5. Escargots

Escargot is a popular local food in Paris. Had my first experience in George V Cafe along Champs Elysees. Sit outside, like what I did, if you want to observe and feel the Champs Elysees vibe/spirit... this will mean that your food will cost more compared to eating inside. 

Costs EUR11 (Php693) for 6 snails 

(what can you expect... its not an outdoor cafe along the famous Champs Elysees for nothing)

6. French Onion Soup:

Of course, you'd want to say you had French Onion Soup in France... and I did! This was my first taste (literally) of Paris. Had mine in Creperie Cluny Cafe which I will describe in more detail below. 

Cost: EUR8 (Php504)

7. Creperie Cluny Cafe: 

This is a cafe that's relatively near famous spots such as Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie. Aside from the cafe's good food and cramped yet nice ambiance, walking around its environs is already a treat.

Galette California for EUR8.50 (Php536)

Galette Basquaise EUR8.30 (Php523) - Chicken, ratatouille, gratinated cheese ,egg

Location Map

8. Cheese aka Fromage: 

I didn't really get to have a cheese adventure in Paris but I suggest you do. This is a shot I took somewhere in Ile St. Louis or Ile de la Cite... such variety of cheeses!

Yes, there's lots of food to try in Paris. Don't control yourself, you'll burn the calories with all the walking you'll do anyway. 

Singafood II (What to Eat in Singapore?)

Related posts:
- Singafood I (Filipino Food in Singapore) -
- What to do in Changi Airport? -
- Marina Bay Walk (What you'll see if you walk around the Marina Bay) -
- Singapore Airlines A380... A Travel Experience in Itself -


Singapore is such a foodie's haven that I just wanted to share my Singapore food discoveries (in no particular order; excluding Filipino Foods which I have featured in a separate entry):

Note: I wasn't able to take note of some of the prices because I was only treated by friends when I ate there.

1. Nam Seng - I liked this restaurant/eatery so much that I kept coming back to it a couple of times. It was worth the walk despite the location being quite a distance from the train station. I especially liked their Wanton Noodle (SGD4 for the small order and SGD5 for the large order) which is made of succulent pork with egg noodles with a side serving of home-made wanton in clear soup.

Wanton Noodle

Madam Leong a.k.a Grandma or Poh Poh, the woman behind the success of Nam Seng. She deserves the success... as you can see, she still mans the counter despite her age.

 

Location: 25 China Street #01-01 Far East Square 

Business Hours:

Mon - Fri: 8.00am to 9:00pm (last order 8:15pm)

Sat: 8.00am to 5:00pm (last order 4.15pm)

Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

2. Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao - I just wanted to eat Xiao Long Bao that's why we ate in this restaurant. I personally find Crystal Jade's Xiao Long Bao better than Din Tai Fung's. To my surprise, I also liked their Deep Fried Crispy Chicken (SGD14 for a half chicken) paired with Fried Rice with Diced Chicken & Salted Fish (SGD11.80 good for two).

 

Locations: Ngee Ann City, Jurong Point, Great World City, Suntec City Mall, Holland Avenue, Toa Payoh Lorong and Bugis Junction

Deep Fried Crispy Chicken (SGD14 for a half chicken)... eat it with the seemingly toasted rice crispies showed in the picture!

Xiao Long Bao aka Steamed Pork Dumpling (SGD5 for 5 pieces)

Fried Rice with Diced Chicken & Salted Fish (SGD11.80 good for two)

3. Jumbo Restaurant - I know this place is expensive but I was surprised that it was a treat (my wholehearted thanks to my host). You may want to pair your Chili Crabs with Chinese-style bread rolls ("man tou") to savour the Chili Crab sauce. Reservations are recommended as it is a popular restaurant amongst locals and tourists.  

Black Pepper Crab

Cereal Prawns - you can't go wrong with it!

Because I was already using my hands to eat and we've already devoured the Chili Crab when I remembered to take pictures, this photo was taken from an iPhone instead of a digicam, and the dish doesn't look like a crab anymore.

Green shake whose name and ingredients I can't remember. I do remember that it has vegetables - one for the health conscious!

Locations: East Coast Seafood Centre, Serangoon Gardens Country Club, Riverside Point, The Riverwalk, Singapore Indoor Stadium, NSRCC, Dempsey Hill

4. Soup Restaurant - I totally loved their Samsui Ginger Chicken. However, because I was alone and I've been wanting to eat it again for so long, I ordered one serving all to myself and got a bit fed up... just don't commit the same mistake!

 

Business Hours

Mon - Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm and 5:30pm - 10:00pm

Sat, Sun and Public Holidays: 11:30am - 10:00pm

Locations: AMK Hub, Causeway Pt, Century Square, Changi Airport T2, City Square Mall, Compass Point, Hougang Mall, Jurong Point, Nex, Seah Street, Suntec City, Toa Payoh Ent Ctr, United Square, VivoCity, Paragon

5. Cedele - This is a cafe that offers a wide variety of both gourmet and healthy stuff - just the way I like it! I wish there was something similar like Cedele in Manila.

 

White Mushroom Bacon Pasta (SGD14.90) - Highly recommended although not on the healthy side!

Beef Aglio Olio Pasta (SGD16.90)

Cloud9 Ice Cream (SGD3.50) - Several gourmet flavors of no transfat and eggless ice cream. I tried the Sea Salt Caramel because I was missing Laduree's Salted Caramel Macaroons.

Spirulina is famous for its health benefits so I wanted to give this drink a try - not bad for a drink that's full of healthy stuff!

Breads!!! Just add SGD1 when you order a soup and you get unlimited bread (only bread on the left picture I think).

6. Wee Nam Kee - Without any bias (because I know the owners of Wee Nam Kee Philippines), its Philippine counterpart beats the main branch on all aspects: taste, quality, service and ambiance. However, if you really want to try the main branch, alight at Novena Station, look for the red and white tent once you're outside the mall that houses the Novena station and then cross the footbridge leading to that. 

  

7. Boon Tong Kee - One of Singapore's leading Hainanese Chicken Rice restaurants. It's a cab ride away from the City Centre though. 

Crispy Cereal Prawns (SGD20) - You can't go wrong!

Poached Chinese Spinach with Assorted Eggs (SGD8) - Must try!

Hainanese Chicken Rice - Forgot the price because I can't find it in the menu (maybe because everyone orders it anyway)

8. Din Tai Fung - Famous restaurant which originated in Taiwan but is already present in several countries. They have a wide selection of good tasting noodles and dimsum. While it is famous for Xiao Long Bao, I personally like Crystal Jade's Xiao Long Bao more (others may think otherwise). 

Fried Rice with Pork Chop (SGD9)

Xiao Long Bao (SGD9 for 10 pcs; SGD6.5 for 6 pcs)

Special Braised Beef Noodle Soup with Beef Brisket (SGD10)

Noodle with Minced Pork in Bean Sauce (SGD7)

On the left: Chilled Grass Jelly Topped with Sweet Black Glutinous Rice (SGD4.3)

On the right: Sago served with Ice and Sweet Coconut Sauce (SGD3.5)

9. Macpherson Barbecue Seafood - This is the place to go if you want to try Stingray. Their Cereal Prawns is also good.

Address: 34 South Bridge Road

Tel: 65333758

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 11pm, closed on Sundays

Forgot to take note how much this costs but a Barbecue Stingray (1/2 of 1/3 of the size of this one) with Egg and Rice costs SGD4.9

Good Cereal Prawns whose price I forgot to take note.

10. Makansuntra - This is a Hawker Centre beside the Esplanade. I especially liked their Barbeque Chicken Wings but I don't know the price because my experience was a treat. 

11. No Signboard Seafood Restaurant - This is one of the famous Chili Crabs restaurant in Singapore and its name truly catches attention. 

Locations: VivoCity, East Coast, Esplanade, and Geylang

Black Pepper Crab

Cereal Prawns

12. Eskimo - This is such a milk tea discovery! I didn't know what to order so I just asked the server to recommend and he/she suggested the Green Milk Tea with Green Tea Pudding (if I remembered correctly) which costs SGD2.4. 

Location: Marina Bay Link Mall

 

13. Mr. Teh Tarik Cartel - This stall gets packed and the line gets long especially during lunch break but it is worth the wait. There's so much drink variety but they're famous for Teh Tarik (of course). 

Has several branches but there's one in Far East Square and Raffles Place MRT Station

Ice Milk Tea (SGD1.80)

Ice Milo Dinosaur (SGD2.50)

There are other restaurants / eateries I tried but I think I have to pause for now and just feature them on my next entry. Happy eating!