The new Rodic's Diner on Visayas Ave.

Ask any University of the Philippines-Diliman student if he/she knows about Rodic's Diner and you won't get "no" for an answer. This Pinoy resto is iconic at UP and has already branched out to a few areas in the metro. It was the Maginhawa St. 
store that I got to visit about three years ago. 

Last October, Rodic's also opened a branch along Visayas Ave., where I go to work, 
and of course, I've visited a number of times. My youngest 
child also came with me one time. 

Rodic's is famous for its "tapsilog" but I was surprised to find out it serves good palabok, beef mami and paksiw na lechon as well.

These are what we've had:

Tapsilog
As I mentioned, this is the dish Rodic's is well known for. But truth to tell, I'm 
not a big fan of their version of this all-day brekkie fare but you know, 
taste is a very subjective thing. 

 Palabok

I wasn't expecting much from Rodic's palabok but this was surprisingly good and the serving was huge. I only wished they offered something to pair this with like puto, perhaps, or even fried lumpiang toge or shanghai.

Beef Mami
The taste of this noodle soup dish very much reminded me of beef pares. 
But I love beef pares so this was alright with me. My craving 
for a hot bowl of soup was satisfied. 

Lechon Paksiw
I was on some kind of a "lechon roll" when I had this. I had Zubuchon the day before and was still on that lechon high and thus ecstatic to find this at Rodic's. I was glad not to be disappointed because this lechon paksiw was delish, with the perfect 
balance of sweet and sour. The meat wasn't exactly tender 
but that was forgivable. 

Different viands displayed turo-turo style

Menu

Pica-pica foodstuff such as nuts, chicharon and biscocho for sale. 
Souvenir items are available too! 

Interiors

I love how bright, airy and clean this store is.

UP life mural

Rodic's Diner at #47 Visayas Ave., Barangay Vasra in Diliman, QC

Rodic's Diner is the perfect place for those who have big appetites but are watching their budget. If you're famished, you'd get satisfied by the huge servings and good cooking, of course. I'm excited to try their other dishes such as 
dinuguan and kare-kare so see you there, folks! 
Happy eating!

Army Navy: My happy tummy place

Visayas Ave. in Quezon City has been my second home for 11 years now because it is here where I go to work and spend 1/3 of each day, five days a week. And happily so. This stretch of a road is both residential and commercial, giving a feeling of both home and business. Whatever I need - food, housewares, school supplies, and just about anything, can be bought in the market at the far end of the road, and the groceries and restaurants and mini-mall (Wilcon Depot) that line the road on both sides. Surely, there are more restaurants now than when I started working more than a decade ago, and my officemates and I rejoice whenever a new one opens its doors.  Haha!
Last year, Army Navy, which serves all-day breakfast plus burgers and Mexican food, opened a branch on Visayas Ave. and I believe it's still the latest foodie place to open there. And I was happy to add this to my list of favorites. I've eaten there four times since then, 
once solo, the other times with my kids and co-workers. 
Here's what we've enjoyed at Army Navy: 

Burger, Classic, P165

Fearless Fried Chicken, P175.

Crunchy Tacos, P160.

Freedom Fries, P75. 

Tortilla chips, P35; Cheese dip with jalapeno, P20.

Freedom Toast ala Mode, P65.

Brewed coffee, P50.

Strawberry Milkshake, P99.

LiberTea Large cup, P75.

Army Navy on Visayas Ave.

I love everything I've tried at Army Navy. However, I order the crunchy tacos for myself everytime I visit. That's how much I love it! I also heap praises on their fries - the best I've had anywhere! I've never had fries that thin, crunchy and flavorful. Their blueberry French toast ala mode is also a must-try. For me, it was perfect with coffee - never mind if there's a scoop of ice cream on it (the contrast between hot and cold makes it all the more interesting. :)) It's a heavenly dessert that gives a sweet, nice ending ending to any meal. And speaking of coffee,  I'm happy they serve it all-day at Army Navy. And quite good at that! For me, it's of just the right roast - not light, not too dark either. All in all, I've had such happy visits to Army Navy because of the yummy eats and good coffee. 
I'm looking forward to my next!

Lovin' a wicked thing

The past two Saturdays brought me and my daughter to one and the same foodie place, only in two different locations. That's how good food is at The Wicked Waffle - you just can't get enough! The other week, we were at the P. Campa branch near Espana Blvd. in Manila just before going to church. Yesterday, we were at the SM Manila after worship service. 

I learned they've opened a branch in Tagaytay. I hope we could visit it too. :) Anyway, we love their waffles and rice toppings. Their spicy tinapa to me is heaven-sent! Smoked fish is a favorite of mine and The Wicked Waffle's is yummy with the plus point of being hot and spicy. Love, love, love! My daughter, on the other hand, loves their beef tapa. 
She ordered the same thing on two occasions. I tried it and loved it too.  
The meat is tender and flavorful, with the right blend of spices. 

Take a look at what we had:

Sirloin Tapa Bowl, P99. 

Spicy Tinapa Bowl, P99. 

Blueberry Cheesecake Waffle Sundae, P200. 

Americano coffee, P50. 

Iced tea that came with our Niner Bowls 

                                               Inside The Wicked Waffle - P. Campa St., Manila

Last Saturday, we were here at SM Manila

We had:

Peppermint Mocha Java, P100 

Blueberry Frappe, P100.  

Berry Banana Split Waffle Sundae, P180.

Sirloin Tapa again for my daughter 

For me, Sausage and Cheese Waffle, P110. 

Interiors

Menu

We so enjoyed waffles here, especially the ones with ice cream. Very sinful indeed for those who like me, are watching their sugar intake. I only ate a little, not even one-fourth. Sob, sob..Their frappes are yummy as well. I especially liked my Peppermint Mocha Java but my daughter didn't, saying it was like drinking toothpaste. Hahaha! Well, she loved her own Blueberry Frappe. There's one thing I did not enjoy eating, though - the sausage in my waffle. it was like longganisa that's not even good. Anyway, The Wicked Waffle offers quite a lot - from rice meals to pasta, to omelettes, apart from their waffles. Also, we loved the ambiance in both the SM Manila and P. Campa stores. The interiors are clean and the decors and colors are chic and vibrant, making it appealing to both the young and the young-at-heart. I would definitely recommend that you visit The Wicked Waffle for breakfast 

that you could have any time of the day. 

Happy eating!

(Note: Both branches are now permanently closed)

We hop to IHOP!

All-day breakfast restaurants are becoming the "in" thing these days, much to my delight. Brekkie is my favorite meal of the day and I love breakfast food anytime - be it for lunch and dinner, even afternoon snacks. In 2013, an American all-day breakfast restaurant opened here in the Philippines and instantly became a hit. It's IHOP, which opened in California in 1958 as the International House of Pancakes. In 1973, it became known simply as "IHOP".

Before 2014 ended, my office friends and I were happy to have the chance to try IHOP at the UP Town Center at lunchtime. And I found out, their food were a delight to the eyes as they were to the tummy. 
We ordered:

Berries and Cream Belgian Waffle, P325.

New York Cheesecake Pancakes, P285.

Double Blueberry Pancakes, P275.

Pick-a-pancake combo, P385. Includes 2 eggs, a hash brown, bacon, sausage and a choice of pancake

Chicken and Waffles, P345.

Breakfast Beef Tapa, P375.

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Garlic Bread, P455 (full), P325 (half).

Mixed fruits, P95.

Never Empty Coffee Pot, P125

Menu

Assortment of syrups on our table

Inside IHOP at the UP Town Center

My friends and I were happy eaters that day, yes, oh yes! I can't even wait to go back! All of us loved our orders. I was happy with my chicken and waffles - the plain ones which were so good when smothered with butter and poured with good 'ol maple syrup. For dessert, I had mixed fresh fruits and capped my meal with freshly brewed coffee. Interestingly, at IHOP, when you order coffee, you will be served a whole thermos of it so you'll be happily drinking more than enough. You may share with your companion if you must. I'm not sure if they allow it, though. Hehe..I definitely recommend IHOP as your next foodie place. The menu is quite extensive (they serve rice meals, too, plus omelettes, crepes, burgers, steaks, and even added -silog meals for the Pinoy foodies) and the service is friendly. As for the price, it may be a bit steep but the taste and quality of the food are so worth it. 
See you at IHOP, guys!
(Aside from the UP Town Center branch, they have, too, in Araneta Center Cubao, 
Century City Mall, SM Mall of Asia, and The Fort)