The BURGER GEEK Experience . . . Bummer

If someone will ask me if I have encountered a food establishment that is consistent is what they do, then I may say Burger Geek is one consistently inconsistent.  Some may say that I am mean when I say this since I encountered them during their so long soft-opening stage but having more than 2 strikes in one seating spells consistently inconsistent.

Let me rundown all the inconsistencies that were shown that day.

The A/C story

It was a sunny day and even if it was December already, the heat will definitely get you.  When I stepped into the store, I noticed two A/C units on the wall but one was closed.  Since they did mention that they were still in the soft-opening stage, I simply assumed that it was part of an expense cutting technique.  Just to overhear later that there were some discussion with the electrical crew of the place already and that the unit was still not working. Then the other person said that you can have the unit changed since it was still under warranty.  (How long were you in soft-opening stage already; months?)

The Ordering Scenario

The staff was cordial during the whole order taking scene but being cordial is not enough, you need to be attentive and I can be the “other” party in a group if I want to.  She was at the end of the table while I was at the other end besides the wall.  She was able to get all the orders mentioned by the other people in the group without asking for mine even if I was holding a menu card.  After repeating their orders, she walked going to the kitchen to file their orders.  It was a companion of mine who casually asked me if I filled for my order already and I said no.  They have to call her again to take my order. (Never assume that the order given is for the whole group.  Inquire and do those extra steps of making your customer feel that they belong to the place.)   

The Milkshake story

I ordered for salted caramel while my companion ordered for strawberry milkshake while the rest simply went for juice and sodas.  When the drinks arrived, you know immediately that one of them is strawberry milkshake because of the pink shade of the drink inside the mason jar.  The other one seems like vanilla for me due to its off-white tint.  Come tasting, my order does taste like vanilla milkshake and not salted caramel.  I was expecting a certain saltiness bite into it but I didn’t get it.  I have to flag them for this.  They took my drink back and gave me a new one minutes later.  The 2^nd one was way better in terms of taste and thickness. (I tasted a milkshake that is way cheaper but better than the first served to me)

The Fries and Onion Ring story

The flavor of their French fries was there, the texture was not.  It was not soggy.  It was hard.  But come the onion ring, which is more delicate, it was perfect.  Definitely the fryer is not the issue here.  I heard they are looking into changing potato suppliers.  (So the potato is the one to blame.)

The Umami Corn story

Corn kernels with seaweed flakes and it comes with a serving of dried flakes of something and a mayo of a sort, not mixed together, simply served.

I still don’t get it.

(If it was not supposedly served that way then the staff could have offered their service of mixing everything together upon serving.)

The Burger story

The beauty of this joint is that all the burgers are described on the menu based on what is in it.  There is no reason for you to assume differently.  When I ordered for The Hangover it was simply due to one ingredient that I love the most when it comes to burger creations – the egg.  People have different understanding when it comes to the term fried egg – it could be sunny side-up, scrambled or your based beaten egg minus the other ingredients making it an omelet.  Even on the concept of sunny side-up, people have preferences: runny yolk-cooked white, cooked white and yolk, half cooked yolk-crispy edge but not burned bottom, and too many to mention.  I asked it the yolk is cooked or runny (in the vernacular: luto ba yung dilaw o malasado?) and the staff answered that it was runny (malasado).  I asked again to be sure and I was assured that it was runny, so was expecting a runny yolk.  When it was served, I saw the bacon, the patty, the fries and a sunny side-up egg with a half-cooked yolk making it not runny.  A big disappointment! 

You know the feeling of asking it to be redone the way it was said but at the same time thinking of the cost it will entail unto the business owners?  That was what I was feeling then.  My business owner side won forgetting the customer in me.  Did I enjoy it?  I tasted the sweet glazed.  I find the bacon cuts nice.  The fries still has the same texture challenge (what do you expect, it was the same day), the bread was good for it took all the still possible yolk into its dough.  I found the logic as to why it has that name.  Did I enjoy it? No.  I miss the runny yolk that was supposed to run between those fries, bacon and mix with the meat patty.  That runny yolk that may slip into your fingers as you eat your burger, I missed that.  That was when the joy of eating stepped out of the door.

The Hangover

Will I go back?  I may since they claim that they are still at their soft-opening stage.  They may have made improvements; that I still have to see.  My experience may not be perfect but you may find the place and what they offer to your liking.  Visit Burger Geek at the Molito area in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.   

What is the DOME CAFE Experience?

Dome Café is presently located at the ground floor of the Shangrila Mall in EDSA.  To those who are familiar with it, their original location was in Makati City.  In the course of their initial expansion, they opted to move house and found a new home in their present location.  Been in the business for 15 years now that speaks a lot on what they do deliver to the public.

Dome Café is known for its comfort food offerings.  From pasta to sandwiches, from locally known breakfast offerings to internationally recognized food offerings, from hot and cold beverages and cakes, they have something for you to enjoy.  They are ready to serve you a “late” breakfast (since the mall opens at 10am), lunch, dinner and even in-between’s.  Their service is good, if they are ready and forewarned.

The Food

Served to us that day for review were the classic or trademarked dishes of Dome Café, since 2016 will mark the coming of their new dishes.  From starters till desserts/cakes, we had a taste of what Dome Café is all about. 3 starters, 3 pasta, 2 gourmet sandwiches, 5 hot kitchen special and 3 cakes plus a drink of your choice will make you think that Dome aims to truly leave a mark; it did left a mark for me both on the positive and the negative side of the scale in terms of taste and service.

For their starters, we were treated to Mozzarella Sticks with Tomato Salsa, Spiced Sausages and Chicken Fingers.  If you are big groups with a healthy appetite then make sure that you have a double order of the Mozzarella Sticks; the rest can be shared accordingly.  They said it was good, I can’t really make any comment since I was one who wasn’t able to taste it.  What I can commend on is the status of the Chicken Fingers – it was still juicy even if it was fried!  The teriyaki sauce that came along with the chicken was a little strong for me.

 

Chicken Fingers

Vigan Longganisa, Seafood Aioli and Tomato Basil with Grilled Chicken Pasta were the one served to us for review.  They said the seafood pasta was good but then again I cannot say for they made used of an ingredient that is medically confining for me.  Between the vigan and the grilled chicken, I will advise you to get the one with the grilled chicken because of the portions of meat that came with the pasta – it could be due to the fact that it was a food review but you can never say.

Tomato Basil with Grilled Chicken Pasta

Known for their sandwiches, Dome Café takes great pride in serving perfectly made sandwiches unto your plate.  I was not surprised that they served us their Chicken Pesto Sandwich along with their Dome’s Classic club Sandwich for it is truly a must have sandwich whenever in Dome.  The Chicken Pesto Sandwich is light but filling.  With a light pesto spread and the chicken is so tender that it is not a challenged to bite into it. With a light salad that accompanies it, it is one full meal, I would say.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich

The fish selections from their Hot Kitchen Special are spot on in density (soft and toughness)! It may lack some flavors that we are familiar with (like vinegar for the Bangus Belly), the accompanying dips and lemon slice makes up for it though it won’t hurt to add in another slice of lemon to the Fish & Chips.  The meat offerings are another matter.  Out of the three meat offerings that were served that day to our table, two of them were giving us a slight challenge when it comes to slicing and chewing.  I don’t know if they were “caught in their unguarded moment” when we came in that they weren’t able to prep it the right way but I hope those served to other customers that day were tender enough.    

I am a foodie! That is why I know what I eat and sets a certain standard in terms of what is table acceptable and not.  The cakes that Dome Café has are at least worth your time and taste.  It may not be perfect BUT it has the right flavors that you will expect in a certain cake.  Let us start with their Carrot Cake. What may look dry is actually moist and loose.  The frosting is not that sweet but definitely creamy.  The Blueberry Cheesecake is smooth and firm, the only thing not right is the sugar crystal that I get to feel when I get to bite into the crust.  For chocolate lovers, you may enjoy their Chocolate Cake offering for it has a bitter sweet chocolate flavor and the cake itself is moist.  The caramel syrup is actually not strong in taste; it is like the syrup is simply for decoration not for added flavor which is quite right for this cake creation.

As for the drinks, it is like being in milkshake heaven for the cold selection.  It is smooth and slightly thick and quite strong in the coffee and chocolate flavor.  Reasonably priced, you will just wonder as to why one is priced higher even when compared to known coffee shops.  Try the Dome Twister to know why.

I can’t wait for their new food offerings in 2016 and truly see the Dome Café service that I am familiar with.  

My Christmas Bazaar Experience - ST JAMES BAZAAR in Ayala Alabang

In time for the holiday rush, the parishioners of St. James in Ayala Alabang decided to come up with a bazaar to beat all bazaars – The St. James Christmas Bazaar.

Clothes, shoes, bags, perfumes, food items, novelty items, you name it and they have it except car items.  Rows and blocks of items to be sold and displayed were there during the whole bazaar dates.  The church was kind enough to let the organizers used the space behind it and even the service area for the convenience also of the attending buyers.  It was packed till the last day!

I was able to go around the whole selling area and see some familiar merchants which I was able to meet in previous bazaar set-up.  Out of the number of merchants present, there were 3 vendors that truly caught my attention, namely:  ChocoATBP, Happy Healing/ 7 Scents and Chocolate Shards by Tuesday Baker.  Two food stalls and one beauty item, the foodie and the vain in me came out that day.  How ironic it is for the two food merchants that I liked carries a food line that I am not a fan off; I like it but not a fan – and that is chocolate.  The vain in me confirmed my scent selection.

Have you heard of pheromones? Do you remember Uma Thurman when she played Poison Ivy in the movie Batman? Remember her blowing some glittery dust to both Batman and Robin which resulted to them fighting over her attention and affection?  That glittery dust and the reaction of the guys in that film is simply an exaggeration of what pheromones can do.  Pheromones are actually the scent that each and every one of have and exhumes.  It is that unseen factor that makes us desirable to others.  Happy Healing/ 7 Scents happen to have a vial that is designed to interact with your pheromones to release a scent that is uniquely you.  One vial, different scent per person per temperature – meaning two individuals can spray it at the same time but when you independently smell them, they carry a different scent.  Not only that, if you bring them (that who has sprayed the vial content) in a cold room, you will find the scent changing depending on their body temperature.  That is what the Pheromone bottle of Happy Healing / 7 Scents delivers to you.  No need to look for new cologne or a perfume to fit your body chemistry.  Let it guide you in your future scent collection and be forever desirable to the right person.  For orders or inquiry you can reach them at (+63) 917 536 9293, email them at info7scent@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/seven.scent.7 .

What got my attention with Chocolate Shards by the Tuesday Baker is the flavor that they have when they let me try one of their best sellers – The Orange Breeze.  Again, I am not a fan of chocolates, but this got my attention.  After tasting the aforementioned flavor, the only thing that ran into my mind is “Am I eating a local brand or a foreign one?”  That is how good it is!  Hearing that the based cocoa is from the Philippines but the taste and quality is truly comparable to a classic foreign brand (wherein I loved their mint chocolate – the only type of chocolate flavor that I can eat aplenty. This classic foreign brand has 5 carrier chocolate flavors: mint, milk chocolate, orange, dark and with nuts).  Imagine a local brand that can go toe-to-toe with a classic foreign brand in terms of flavor and texture – that is a WOW!  They have peppermint, mocha crunch, cookies and cream, trail mix, tropical paradise, orange breeze and mix & match. With a price range of Php 199 – Php 249 per 10 packs (100g), that is not bad . . . not bad at all.  For orders or queries visit www.tuesdaybaker.com and facebook.com/tuesbaker.  You could also call them at (+632) 622 7418 or via mobile (+63) 0917 883 5222

TRIVIA:  Did you know that the Philippines is a good source of raw cocoa beans for swiss chocolate processing?  Raw cocoa beans from Davao are being exported to other countries (mostly European countries) to serve as base chocolate to chocolate brands which are marketed worldwide.

Now don’t shy away from our local tablea’s. They may be made locally but their based flavor quality is internationally recognized and desired.

ChocoATBP is diversed yet connected in what they offer to the public.  Diversed in the sense that what they offer are usable equipment for chocolate lovers, local chocolate or tablea, cakes, fudge bars, tiltilan o sawsawan (local dips), virgin coconut oil and Sagada products – marmalade and honey per jar.  Connected because it is all about food! This is a family run and owned business that caters to the promulgation of the country’s natural food wealth.  From the north (Sagada’s wild honey and orange marmalade) to the south (Davao’s cocoa beans) they have something for you to like and enjoy.  Their cakes are no joking matter.  It may no longer follow the pound per pound ratio (1 pound of butter, 1 pound of egg, 1 pound of flour, etc) of the classic pound cake but the flavor is something to crave for.  The Bacardi Rum Cake is the perfect topper any day!  It may not have a white glaze on top as pound cakes are normally known for but the scent and flavor is real and within.  Their fudge bars are true to what they say in terms of name and flavor – it is fudgy and the stated flavor (sili, mint and orange) is there.  They also have sugar-free original dark chocolate tablea fudge bars for you to enjoy choco-lovers!  For any inquiries, comments or desired order, you may reach them via their numbers: (02) 647 1082 [PLDT], (+63) 917 322 8088 [GLOBE], (+63) 0929 649 8426 [SMART], send an email at chocoatbp@gmail.com.  Visit their Facebook page:  facebook.com/ChocoATBP Pinoy Foods or facebook.com/ChocoATBP.    

Bazaars may come to a pause, the holiday season may nearly come an end but it doesn’t mean that their business must hit a stop too.  Events happen, our needs come to front and these businesses are here to satisfy your needs.  Call them, send them an SMS or an email, visit their pages and sites, try out their goods and support the local industry!  Visit and support your locally organized bazaar moving forward.  That way, not only do you give power to small businesses but you also give those product source makers a sense of pride in the craft that they do.

Product photos:

(All product images posted were personally taken by me)

ChocoATBP

The Bread Story of TINAPAYAN FESTIVAL

When a small business turns into something near to an institution in a community after years of being there, it only means one thing – there is something definitely good in it.  For Tinapayan Festival:  House of Breads, bringing the real value and importance of bread to the public is their main thrust.

Cheesy Loaf

Situated at the corner of Dapitan and Don Quijote Sts. In Manila is a business that has been there for nearly 3 decades.  What started out as a simple bread store is now an establishment that serves both soft and sweet dough breads to the public.  Owned by Mr. Lucito Chavez, this panadero – as he calls himself, is a person truly dedicated in making his breads nearer to the consuming public and true to what a sweet and soft dough bread should be.  His aim is to make people truly value this staple food in terms of nutrients and the craftsmanship that goes with each piece created and served.

Tinapayan Festival is currently serving loaves – standard and specialized, cakes, savory breads, cookies, sweet and soft dough creations such as cheese rolls and ensaymadas.  They have a bread creation for nearly all occasions.

Whatever bread creation you choose, Tinapayan Festival stays true to deliver to you good quality bread; not too sweet or salty, simply just right for all ages.  You will taste real bread flavor and the added flavor ingredients in every bite; such is the experience you will have when you try their specialized loaves, cheese rolls, ensaymadas, and other bread creations.  They also make sure that what is served to you is freshly baked for the day.  Tinapayan Festival bakes their bread the whole day, every day. 

Ube Loaf

Enjoy a wide variety of loaves!  From your standard American loaf (commonly called as tasty), to cheese loaves, to ube loaves and even wheat loaves – for the healthy minded individual, they have something for you.  As a gift, either to yourself, your family, friends or love ones, choose from their wide selection such as ensaymada - regular or special (either with red egg, with ham or ube), cheese rolls – regular or premium, ube twirls, potato breads, banana cakes (sliced or whole), bars (caramel, blueberry or strawberry), round cakes (almond cheese cakes, cheese dinner roll, holiday bread, black forest, etc), brownies, cookies and pianono.

This holiday season, Tinapayan Festival is accepting bulk orders of your American loaf bread (commonly known as tasty) at a discounted price!  You may start calling them at 732-2188/7328718 to get details and file your orders, if interested.

At present, Tinapayan Festival has three store locations; the main store in Manila (at the corner of Don Quijote and Dapitan Sts.), the one at the Fisher Mall in Quezon City (old Pantranco area) and that of in Market, Market in Bonifacio Global City (BGC).  You can enjoy all of their bestsellers and find new favorites when you visit any of their store locations.

Holiday Bread

Eclairs and Cream Puffs

Almond Roll

TINAPAYAN FESTIVAL, Their Take On A Classic - The ENSAYMADA

For many years, Filipino’s has taken this classic bread creation of Spain into different heights.  Some were able to capture the unpredictable taste of the market, while some has no choice but to do what they can.  Capturing the market is one tricky thing since you need to have the right taste and that consistency of delivering what you are known for no matter what.

Tinapayan Festival, House of Breads, is one establishment that was and is still doing what is aforementioned.  They created their own ensaymada brand, enhanced it further and deliver the same quality goodness in each piece that is wrapped and sold to the public.

 

For Mr. Lucito B. Chavez, owner and creator of all the breads being sold in Tinapayan Festival,  his main aim in making his ensaymada the way it is, is to make sure that people of all ages gets to enjoy it.  Young individuals love sweet items.  People in their prime love something that is flavorful but not detrimental to their health.  Two markets in opposite taste spectrum.  What he did was to combine the two concepts together and came up with his now known signature ensaymada – not to sweet but flavorful, not overpowering the bread and has a soft texture.

Being a bread maker or panadero, as he fondly calls himself, Mr. Chavez is a man who stayed true to his craft.  He diligently created and learned from all his bread creations and its demands without sacrificing the taste and quality of each product.  He priced all his items to the best of his capability without making it unreachable to the people that he is serving at.  He is a businessman but bread making is in his heart.

From simple ensaymada of good quality and taste – similar to that in hotels, Tinapayan Festival has brought it to new levels in terms of flavor enhancement without losing the bread quality which they are known for.  Now they have special ensaymadas that you can enjoy – may it be with red egg, ham or ube mixture!  It all has the flavor and texture of their original ensaymada and more!  With quality ingredients in every bite, you are assured of a deliciously, soft, tasty and balanced flavored ensaymada.   

With Tinapayan Festival, you are assured of freshly baked ensaymada daily.  Should you wish to extend the life of your item, simply keep it in your ref/fridge – from the tagged date on each item, if refrigerated, you will have an additional 2 to 3 days.  Will it go tough since it was placed inside a cold environment?  The answer is NO.  Simply heat it up using a toaster or even a frying pan (traditional way of heating things) and you will have a warm ensaymada to enjoy.

Tinapayan Festival, House of Breads is presently located at Don Quijote corner Dapitan Sts., in Manila, with branches at Market, Market in BGC and at the Fisher Mall in Quezon City.  Come and visit their stores and see their wide bread offerings!  Bring home a piece or a box of ensaymada for you and your love ones to enjoy.  

Crafty Christmas at Krispy Kreme BGC, A Fun-Filled Day for All Ages

Celebrating the spirit of giving and joy, Krispy Kreme Philippines has transformed their flagship store in BGC into an artist haven as customers decorate their own tin cans, inspiring people to share and be creative as well.

Last December 12, from 11 am till 8 pm, people from all ages came in to enjoy their doughnuts and also took the time to decorate their tin boxes.  For every purchase of a Krispy Kreme tin can, customers are then provided with an assortment of art materials to use to bring their crations to life.  From colored pens to glitter glues, from colored papers to gift wrappers, from glitter gems to various stickers, people would simply need to unlock the inner artist in them.

Featured that day were Kerby Rosanes, who did a live doodling event on a giant Krispy Kreme tin can and tin can design works of famed artists Leeroy New and Olivia D’Aboville were exhibited on-site.

Proceeds from this endeavor would go to Catmon Integrated School of Malabon City – a World Vision school partner, wherein the creation of an art room would be the end goal.  Their aim is to encourage kids to not only learn what they need to know in school but also develop their creativity so that in the future we still get to enjoy colors and forms in life.

Present then were Sharon T. Fuentebella, Chairman of Max’s Group Inc. (MGI) – who gave a brief background of the event; Jim T. Fuentebella, MGI Director – who shared the importance and impact that arts have; and Ariane Martinez-Valinton, Senior Marketing Manager of Krispy Kreme – who explained the mechanics of Crafty Christmas.  12 customer-made designs were to be chosen that day and shall receive a month worth of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, which they can claim in any branches.

Sharon Fuentebella

Ariane Martinez-Valinton, representatives from World Vision
and Jim T. Fuentebella

Known to celebrate the value of sharing, creativity and memorable experiences, Krispy Kreme’s Crafty Christmas event was true success.  Customers who participated had fun.  It was an additional bonding moment for parents and their kids.  Couples made a joint effort in decorating their cans and strangers became friends in the process.  It was indeed a fun-filled day at Krispy Kreme BGC last December 12.

Participants doing their designs

My box

Samsung Media Thanksgiving Event - THANK YOU!

After 10 cooking demonstration and challenge sessions for 2015, it has come into fruition through the Samsung Digital Appliance Media Thanksgiving Event held at Romulo’s Café in Makati City.

Invited in the event were all the media participants from the past 10 cooking challenges that Samsung, along with Gala Star Culinary School, has came up for the whole 2015.  Joining us that day were the people of Samsung Digital Appliance and of course, the man who made all the recipes possible, Chef Ernest Gala.

Participants were given recognition, through a signed certificate, for their perseverance in learning how to cook and waking up early to attend those morning session (hehehehe).  Some of the attendees get to bring home some items from Samsung via a raffle given.  Not everybody was picked to be a winner but every one went home smiling.  It was a fun noon time event!

With the beautiful ladies of Samsung;
with Chef Ernest (insert image)

Thank you Samsung and Chef Ernest Gala for everything!

City Savor Hits The Crowd on Dec 5, 12 and 19; Come and Enjoy!

By the same creators of the Valero Eat Street event, along with Zomato Philippines, comes a 3-weekend food bazaar in 3 different key locations this December:  The City Savor.

Featuring various food merchants that are truly noteworthy by what they offer, City Savor is set at the first 3 Saturdays of the month.  They started at the Sapphire Bloc in Ortigas last December 5, followed at Signa Designer Residences in Makati last December 12 and shall culminate at the Trion Towers in BGC on December 19.  With Mc Cormick Philippines as one of their principle sponsors leading the event, expect a food experience like no other.

Food merchants/concessionaires joining are:  ChocoATBP, Mac & Jar, Baguettini, Global Beer Exchange, Cannoli & Co., Caramba, Snack Box, Bayani Brew, Saddam’s Shawarma, Buccino’s Ice Cream Experiments, Eenie Minni Cupcakes & Cookies, The Juice Stand, Wagger, Sabao, Bait’s, and Crisp on 28^th among others.

Like any other food bazaar, their will be some merchants that would really hit your personal fancy and such is true for me when I went at the Sapphire Bloc.  Not just because of the taste but also the story that came along with it – if you take the time to talk to them.  This are those moments that you get to enjoy talking with them before the public clamors for their goods and they truly get commercialize.   A separate article is written for them – Buccino’s ICE, Cannoli & Co. and Eenie Minni Cupcakes & Cookies.  For me, they deserve that spotlight and hopefully it helps them somehow. 

Come and visit the last of the City Savor event this Saturday, December 19, at the Trion Towers in BGC and enjoy good food and entertainment.

Images of food merchants participating in the event: