Jollibee Amazing Aloha Burger is BACK!

Jollibee listened! The Amazing Aloha Burger is BACK!! Today, I was one of the few lucky foodies who got a chance to have a taste of this oh-so tasty burger for the first time for (what seemed like forever) almost 4 years! Yummmm!! 🙂

Jollibee's Amazing Aloha Burger is BACK for real!

Can you feel my excitement?!?! 😀 Too bad Ken didn’t get a chance to join me earlier, but he’s got plenty of time since the Jollibee Amazing Aloha Burger will be available starting tomorrow, May 15th, NATIONWIDE for a limited time only. We don’t know when they’ll decide to take this out of their menu so make sure you get a taste (or plural) of the burger.

Jollibee Amazing Aloha Burger - We missed you!

Ken and I had this feeling that Jollibee will be bringing the Amazing Aloha burger back after the widely popular episode on CNN’s Parts Unknown where Anthony Bourdain enjoyed a taste of this unique burger. Glad Jollibee heeded our call! 😉

Continue reading Jollibee Amazing Aloha Burger is BACK!

To Jollibee : Bring Back the Amazing Aloha Burger!!

We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again – food has drawn my brother and I closer throughout the years. It’s not just because of the flavors or the pleasant aroma in our kitchen brought about by our nanay’s cooking. It’s because of sharing. We’ve always believed food is meant to be enjoyed with others, as what our nanay instilled in us when we were growing up.

Aside from sharing, we believe that food has been a big part of some of our most memorable moments as siblings. I can count with my fingers the number of food or dishes that trigger such happy memories. One of them is definitely Jollibee’s Amazing Aloha Burger.

Jollibee Amazing Aloha Burger

I remember clearly, the Amazing Aloha Burger was one of the few splurges Ken and I allow ourselves to indulge in when we feel like celebrating or when we finally find time to spend a relaxing weekend at home. It’s just so uniquely good that we regard it as something to be enjoyed on special days. 🙂

You might think the addition of the pineapple to the combination of pure beef patties, bacon, cheese and lettuce is too simple, but we beg to disagree. It was even featured on Bloomberg Business Week as one of the world’s most original burgers. It’s one of the tastiest food combinations we’ve had in our lifetime and that’s why we’re soooo craving for it! 😀

Continue reading To Jollibee : Bring Back the Amazing Aloha Burger!!

A Memorable Dinner at Cafe 1771

After months of planning and waiting for just the right time to officially kick off The Burp Society, we finally did it at Cafe 1771, a very posh cafe in El Pueblo. It was one night of almost unadulterated fun with our newfound foodie friends over scrumptious food at a gorgeously designed restaurant.

Cafe 1771 at El Pueblo in Ortigas

Photos taken from their Facebook page.

It was meant to be. The Chateau Group invited us and The Burp Society (TBS) over for dinner and drinks at WineBar 1771 to introduce us to what they have to offer. With my growing love for wine, I was excited, plus the fact that it’s going to be TBS’ very first meet-up. However, since the date we chose was very close to the holidays, only the private room in Cafe 1771’s The Lounge was available. Still, our anticipation never wavered. Besides, we’ve heard only raves about the restaurant from fellow food bloggers.

Cafe 1771 is a member of the Chateau 1771 Group of Restaurants that includes Chateau 1771 in Greenbelt 5, Sentro 1771 in Greenbelt 3 and Serendra, and Sidebar in El Pueblo. I’ve heard about their restaurant concepts before, but it was my first time to finally dine in one of them. It was a wonderful introduction and I can’t wait to go back.

We had a huge spread of deliciously unique food from Cafe 1771 that night, so I’ll be writing about the meet-up in a separate post. But, more details would be on The Burp Society’s site.

Cafe 1771 is located in El Pueblo along ADB Avenue in Ortigas. It’s easy to find them because of the Colonial-themed facade that’s painted white, with tints of black on their windows.

Cafe 1771 entrance - El Pueblo, Ortigas

At night, the restaurant looks like a newly-constructed Colonial house, with almost an eery feel that I was tempted to use vignette effects on the photos I took. 😀

As soon as you enter, you’ll immediately feel welcomed by everyone at Cafe 1771. The interiors made me wish I can take photos with my eyes. Everywhere you look, you’ll find something strikingly vibrant and beautiful. Boy, we were all camera-crazy that night! Even the restrooms were eloquently designed. No, I didn’t take a photo inside, but it was only because I left my phone and camera at the table. 😀

 

Cafe 1771 The Whimsy and The Lounge

The restaurant is divided into two areas – The Whimsy and The Lounge – each offering a dining experience unique from the other. WineBar 1771 is located on the third floor.

For diners who are looking for a more casual breakfast, lunch or dinner, there’s The Whimsy. It’s the area that you see first as soon as you enter Cafe 1771.

Cafe 1771 The Whimsy in El Pueblo, Ortigas - gorgeous interiors!

It’s brightly lit and as you look around, you’ll agree that the name was fancifully appropriate. Shades of pink and blue are on chairs and the walls, playfully setting the mood to a fun meal.

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KFC Streetwise Cheese Top Burger : Love or Hate?

KFC Streetwise Cheese Top Burger is maybe the most hated among the products that KFC Philippines has ever put out. And if you are among the haters, to tell you the truth, save your energy. Hear us out. 😉

KFC Streetwise Cheese Top Burger

 

First Impressions

When KFC announced that they have a new product, Ken and I, like most of you, chuckled at the sight of their ad. KFC Cheese Top Burger – a burger with cheese on top of the bun instead of in the middle. Sure, that looks weird and sounds funny right?

Still, Ken and I were curious about it. I read people on my network saying it’s a plain ol’ burger, nothing fancy. I mean, c’mon. For Php 50.00 WITH drinks, what do you expect? 😉

The KFC Streetwise Cheese Top Burger - ridiculous, but effective marketing

I had EXACTLY that thought in my head when KFC told us they’ll be delivering Cheese Top Burgers for me and Ken to try. This happened over a month ago, a few days after they released it, and memes about it were everywhere (I know, this is an overdue post). Before this, we were already planning on ordering it for takeout when we go grocery-shopping over the weekend. Good thing they did bring us samples ’cause the KFC branch here in Malabon no longer delivers to our area. The burgers were handed over to us still nice and warm.

First impressions were okay, it’s not messy at all to handle. The cheese is baked on top of the bun, so it’s not like it was just placed on top of it or spread like Cheez Whiz.

Cheese is baked on top of the bun of the KFC Cheese Top Burger

Now, the taste. Ken wasn’t impressed. But, when I asked if he liked it, he said it’s okay, nothing surprising. I guess he still had that thought in his head about how ridiculous this idea was. He finished it off while I took my time to inspect it.

Continue reading KFC Streetwise Cheese Top Burger : Love or Hate?

McDo Twister Fries are Back : Limited Time, Limited Serving (Extended!)

McDo Twister Fries are back! - Prioritize the Twister FriesYes, McDonald’s Twister Fries are back! But, for a VERY limited time only, that’s why they’re urging us to “Prioritize the Twister Fries”. It’ll be available until August 25th only September 16, 2012 (EXTENDED!).

I LOVE McDo’s Twister Fries, so when I found out that they’re bringing them back, I couldn’t wait any longer. Last night, we had some delivered, along with their Big ‘N Tasty burger (which is now my favorite among McDonald’s burgers – will blog about this next).

The Twister Fries are priced at Php 59 when you order à la carte, Php 78 with regular Coke McFloat or Php 88 with a Monster Coke McFloat.

Before I ordered, I already saw the ads and people on my list sharing photos of their Twister Fries orders. I thought that for Php 59, I will get a large order or serving since it was the only option for à la carte. Well, I ordered 3 ’cause I thought our parents can just share – I don’t want them eating a heavy meal before bed. Here’s what we got:

McDonald's Twister Fries - new packaging, fewer Twister Fries

Continue reading McDo Twister Fries are Back : Limited Time, Limited Serving (Extended!)

Our New Yummy Favorites from Jollibee

Jollibee has been a part of our lives since we were really young kids. I know we’re not alone in this. Throughout the years, their menu has evolved and almost every year, we get to taste their new offerings that have proven to tickle the Pinoy’s fancy, young and adult alike. We love their Chickenjoy,  Jolly Hotdog and spaghetti, but let us share with you the most recent additions to our Jollibee favorites:

Jollibee's Hash Brown Burger

The Jollibee Hash Brown Burger is the ultimate comfort food. Potatoes and the tasty beef patty Jollibee is known for – it’s like a complete meal rolled into one. 🙂

Jollibee Sour Cream and Cheesy Fries

The Jolly Crispy Fries that come in Cheese and Sour Cream flavors. Ken prefers the latter, while I like the salty-sweetness of the cheesy fries.

Jollibee Chicken Pasta

Jollibee Chicken and Mushroom Pasta – I swear, when I found out about this new pasta offering from them, I couldn’t wait to try it. My nanay and I share a common liking for it. 🙂

Continue reading Our New Yummy Favorites from Jollibee

T.G.I. Friday’s in Eastwood City

Most of us look forward to Friday. It’s the end of a busy week and, at the same time, the start of a well-deserved weekend for all those who hustle and bustle at school or at work. It’s the ultimate day for relaxation and enjoyment. But, guess what, we don’t really need to wait for Friday just to have fun. With T.G.I. Friday’s infectious energy and with their excellent food and customer service, everyone would feel like it’s Friday every single day of the week!

T.G.I. Friday's Sign - CertifiedFoodies.com

After more than 15 years since setting up their first in 1994, T.G.I. Friday’s opens a new branch in Eastwood City, Libis. This is their 13th and now considered as their new flagship branch since it’s the location where the brand has decided to implement major changes in architectural and interior design. It is the first free-standing Friday’s branch. All of the other branches, as we all have known, are located in major shopping malls around the Metro.

T.G.I. Friday's Facade - CertifiedFoodies.com

From outside, the facade looks bright and very inviting. They have replaced the old canopies and awnings with movie theater-like sheds, giving the place a more modern feel. Almost everyone who comes to Friday’s has their own camera, and surely they wouldn’t be able to resist having their pictures taken with these life-size models of Superman; the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley; and the iconic, Marilyn Monroe.

T.G.I. Friday's Superman, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley - CertifiedFoodies.com

Friday’s is known for having an “artistic clutter” of memorabilia from decades as early as the ‘30s. Now they have decided to move forward in time by including pieces from later decades like the ‘80s, ‘90s, and even from the new millennium.

Continue reading T.G.I. Friday’s in Eastwood City

Your All-Time Favorites at Flapjacks

A good restaurant values its customers’ opinions and suggestions. A way of showcasing this is when a certain dish makes a re-appearance on the menu due to popular demand from their avid patrons. And this is exactly what Flapjacks is doing now, by re-introducing four (4) of their signature dishes with Back…Better…Best!

You can start your meal by experiencing a nice play of textures and flavors with a plate of Mango Exotica. It’s a light but quite filling meal with a delightful mix of Romaine lettuce, sweet bites of California raisins, croutons, succulent grilled chicken slices, with almond slivers for that extra crunch, all tossed in a tangy and sweet mango vinaigrette.

Mango Exotica - Flapjacks - CertifiedFoodies

Mango Exotica (Lunch Php 195 | Dinner Php 325)

Another dish that is making a comeback is the Chicken Stuffed Parmigiana. It’s a plate of tender chicken breasts, stuffed with fresh cheddar cheese which are breaded then fried and topped on a bed of linguine pasta and marinara sauce.

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Chicken Stuffed Parmigiana (Php 325)

This one is a personal favorite. The Lemon-Pepper Pan Seared White Fish is a plate of heavenly flavors with its mildly seasoned white fish with freshly squeezed lemon and pepper, pan fried in olive oil. It is served with herb rice and chef’s veggies.

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Lemon-Pepper Pan Seared White Fish (Php 295)

The Original Hashbrown Burger closes the list of dishes for Flapjack’s “Back…Better…Best.” This huge burger is made up of mouth-watering pan-seared all-beef patty with fresh tomatoes and lettuce, topped with golden fried hash brown and American cheese, served with potato fries on the side.

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Original Hashbrown Burger (Php 350)

And of course, aside from the “Back…Better…Best” selection, there are lots of other dishes, desserts and beverages you can try at Flapjacks.

For our beverages, I ordered the Ginger’s Lemonade, which was an amazing discovery. I’m a huge fan of lemonades, but this interpretation was surprisingly good and very refreshing. And come on, I used to hate ginger, but now with this drink, I don’t think I’ll ever want my lemonade without it.

My sister Mhel opted for the Granny’s Favorite probably because she’s ancient and all that. 😀 Kidding. I pushed her on ordering this because I was very intrigued how a combination of apples, oranges, and grapes would taste like. And again, the drink was such a revelation. You would think it’s a smoothie of a single fruit if you don’t stop and really taste what’s in it.

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(Left) Ginger’s Lemonade – Php 75   |   (Right) Granny’s Favorite – Php 125

And to feed my obsession with hot wings, we ordered their Traditional Buffalo Wings. These are chicken wings lightly breaded, cooked to perfection, and served with bleu cheese dressing. Just the way I like it, the wings were very spicy and tangy because of the cayenne pepper hot sauce. And I loved how spooning out some bleu cheese dressing helped lessen the spiciness on my tongue.

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Traditional Buffalo Wings (Php 295)

We also ordered the New Orleans Seafood Gumbo, which is a plate of  sautéed cajun spiced shrimps, calamari, and dory fish, served with garlic rice. And a little running tip for those who would like to try this dish: Don’t forget to squeeze the lemon. If not, the dish would come off as too salty.

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New Orleans Seafood Gumbo (Php 265)

My sister and I really hope that this Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallions will never leave Flapjacks’ menu. It was so good that my sister can’t stop raving about that Tex-Mex (Texan-Mexican) rice giving a nice complement to those moist and tender pork medallions.

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Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallions (Php 345)

Lastly for dessert, though I was really craving for some cheesecake, we ordered a plate of Bread Pudding. This dessert was just of the right sweetness. And it would have been better if the bread pudding was warmer than it was to provide a nice contrast in temperature with the vanilla ice cream. Not Flapjacks’ fault though. It took me over 10 minutes to get the shot that I want, so it went cold.

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Bread Pudding (Php 195)

We dined at Flapjacks’ in Robinsons Place Manila Midtown. I loved the look and feel of the interiors, especially those light fixtures on the ceiling.

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And this is me drinking Granny’s Favorite. It was my sister who took the shot. I was busy thinking of what to say about the drink, hence the serious face. 😀

Me seriously thinking about what to say about Granny's Favorite

Flapjacks made our wishes come true by bringing back our all-time favorite dishes with “Back…Better…Best,” and now it’s our time to drop them a visit and indulge.

Flapjacks restaurants are located in Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center; Theater Mall, Greenhills; Al Fresco, Midtown; and UP Ayala Technohub. To receive special news and deals from Flapjacks, sign up at mybistro.com.ph or visit their website at flapjacks.com.ph.

Ken Takes On the KFC Demolish the Tower Burger Challenge

We can’t help but admire how Kentucky Fried Chicken or simply KFC remains at the top of their game in the fast-food industry. One key strategy to their success is innovation. People from KFC Philippines are not afraid to experiment. Every now and then they come out with their latest creations which are quick to become huge knockouts to KFC-fans nationwide. Remember that only a few months ago, we all went gaga over the California Maki Twisters and their Double-Down Burgers (also released in other countries), and now comes another surprise – the KFC Tower Burger.

KFC Tower Burger - CertifiedFoodies.com

KFC Tower Burger: Php 110.00 (Ala carte) or Php 140.00 (with Fries and Drinks)

The KFC Tower Burger, proudly standing at 2 1/2 inches tall, is layer after layer of So Good – an Original Recipe chicken fillet, blanketed by a layer of premium cheese, topped of with a crispy hash brown, dressed with lettuce and mayo,  and sandwiched by two halves of a sesame seed bun!

Our KFC Tower Burgers - CertifiedFoodies.com

I really had a hard time finishing the burger by myself in one sitting, so just imagine my shock when I was challenged to devour the whole thing in under two minutes! My inner competitive self took the best of me, so I gladly accepted the challenge. Bring it on!

Here’s a recording of my attempt to demolish the tower:

 

The challenge is to completely finish the KFC Tower Burger in 2 minutes or less to get a chance of winning a trip for two to Singapore and witness the 2011 Formula 1 Night Race.

KFC Demolish the Tower Burger Challenge - CertifiedFoodies.com

So do you think you can beat my record time of 1 minute and 47 seconds OR even make it before the timer hits 2 minutes? If yes, then what are you waiting for? Go get yourself a KFC Tower Burger and start demolishing!

How to Join:

  1. Buy one KFC Tower Burger.
  2. Take a video of yourself eating the Tower Burger in 2 minutes or less. For video to be considered valid or qualified, it must show:
    • That 1 Tower Burger is completely consumed within 2 minutes.
    • The video is not edited, cut, or spliced together.
  3. Upload video on YouTube.
  4. After the successful upload, get the YouTube URL of your video and enter it into the KFC Demolish the Tower Facebook App, together with your name, mailing address, email address, and mobile number.

 

Note: Deadline of uploading of videos is on September 16, 2011 (12 midnight).

Good luck! For more info, check KFC’s Facebook Page.

Our Banchetto-Emerald Food Trip!

Update: 07/10/2011 – Banchetto now operates from Tuesdays to Saturdays in 3 different locations. Please check the bottom of this post for the schedules.

After attending Magnolia’s Summer Bloggers party, we (my friend Badeth and her photo booth guys, my bro and I) headed over to Banchetto in Emerald Ave. in Ortigas.

Banchetto started out as a very popular late night food strip in Ortigas. They recently opened 2 more venues in Libis, Quezon City and at Pioneer in Mandaluyong City (more info at the bottom of the post).

The Burp Society member Badeth and Kenneth at Banchetto in Ortigas - CertifiedFoodies.comBadeth and Kenneth at Banchetto

I’ve been reading a lot of raves about Banchetto and so I was pretty excited to check out all the food I can enjoy there. Oh, trust me, Banchetto is definitely any foodie’s heaven. You’ve got a lot of food choices. You can enjoy a full meal or something lighter if you’re on a diet. We even saw a stall selling food for vegetarians.

Okay, let the photos speak for me. Wipe off the drool after. Everything’s really mouth-watering! 😀

Oooohhh seafood pasta and pancit! - CertifiedFoodies.comIsaw, betamax, and other popular street food at Banchetto - CertifiedFoodies.com

I wanted to try the isaw since I haven’t had them for a very long time. But, I was a bit full after the buffet at the event we came from. Next time, I’ll make sure to not skip this.

Good Farm's booth at Banchetto - CertifiedFoodies.com

My bro and I are coffee and pastry lovers. So, when we saw Good Farm’s booth in Banchetto-Emerald, we were so eager to try their products. We ordered their Coffee Brownies with Vanilla ice cream, priced at Php 35.00. The lady in black was the one who baked the brownies.

Good Farm's Affogato with Vanilla Ice Cream - Php 35 - CertifiedFoodies.com

The brownies were really moist and chewy, just the way I like it. We were disappointed though ‘cause we were expecting a li’l more kick of coffee flavor. I guess we should’ve tried their Arabica Coffee brownies (Php 25).

More food at Banchetto - CertifiedFoodies.com

If you work in Ortigas, Banchetto-Emerald is definitely a place you’d be frequenting a lot. You can save on your meal expenses because there are many food choices at very affordable prices. There are even packed meals you can buy, as pictured below.

Packed meals, perfect for office junkies - CertifiedFoodies.com

What I also would love to come back for are all these grilled food at Banchetto. When I saw these huge squids being grilled, I felt my tummy grumble even when I know I’m still full. These are perfect for a quick late night drink with friends. 🙂

Grilled gigantic squids - yummy!! - CertifiedFoodies.com

Continue reading Our Banchetto-Emerald Food Trip!