Merienda All-You-Can at Syudad by Barrio Fiesta

Wilcon City on Visayas Ave. in Quezon City is one of the places I frequent near our office as I often buy food and groceries there. There is a number of restaurants in this mini-mall -- some have the staying power while others have closed and given way to new business. Last month,  a Filipino restaurant opened there -- Syudad by Barrio Fiesta -- which replaced one that offered Japanese cuisine. One thing drew me to this new foodie place: the poster announcing it offers a Merienda All-You-Can 
at a very pocket-friendly price of P159.
 Who wouldn't get excited? 
Happily, the opportunity to try the afternoon buffet came swiftly. A niece who lives in Canada came for a long vacation, so I invited her to Syudad. We checked out the merienda buffet spread. I counted the dishes...14 in all. Hhmm..quite a lot! And everything looked inviting! Well, the food tasted really good and my niece and I both liked the ones that we ate (Not everything. I passed on the camote cue, sapin-sapin, mini-sandwiches, pork giniling and bread to spare myself of extra carbo and sugar). 
When I came back to the office, I immediately told my friends about Syudad and just a day later, our group went there to celebrate the birthday of one of us. Her treat! I found out most of the dishes were also served the other day, 
and there were just a few new ones. 
Here's the spread at Syudad's Merienda-All-You-Can which 
I took pictures of on the two days I was there:

Palabok and Fried quail eggs (more popularly known as "kwek-kwek")

Spaghetti and Ukoy

Pork giniling and loaf bread slices

Puto and Dinuguan

Tokwa't baboy and Goto

(L-R) Lomi; Chicken Sopas; Chicken Sotanghon Soup; Ginataang Bilo-Bilo

And well, these are my favorites:

Dinuguan, Kutsinta, Puto (2 kinds there) and Pork Giniling
The round puto was really good - soft and just a tad sweet. 
It was great with the Dinuguan!

Tokwa't baboy and kwek-kwek
The fried tofu cubes are perfectly done - crunchy on the outside 
but chewy on the inside. I ate them with lots of chili and onion and bathed in vinegar 
and soy sauce. Yummy!

Chicken Sotanghon, Ginataang Bilo-Bilo and Palabok
All tasty especially the ginatan (I had two bowls of this!) and palabok.

Chicken Sopas
Milky and comforting to the tummy. It would be good to eat 
this first if you're famished.


Try Syudad's Merienda All-You-Can, folks! It's really good at a price your wallet will thank you for. So sulit! And because it comes from the same company that owns the famous Barrio Fiesta, you are assured of the good quality of food. Bring your balikbayan family and friends and they'll surely be happy to have a Filipino merienda spread.
Happy eating!

Today's Word: Psalm 97:1-6

Do you marvel at nature - the stars, the skies, the sea - and be in awe of their Maker? I do whenever I'm at the beach or there's a full moon when I go out of the office at night. God's creation reminds me of His might and infinite power and moves me to give Him praise. All of His works also remind me that He reigns, that whatever is happening in my life, God is still the Lord Almighty and He is control. 
Are your circumstances difficult today? I would like to assure you that God is all-powerful and all-knowing and He can change your situation. He is by your side, listening. Pour your heart out to Him, seek His help. The Lord who made the heavens and the earth will turn your circumstances around, as nothing is too difficult for Him to do. 
Blessings for you today.

Maginhawa St. Gastronomic Walk #13: Empire Fashion Cafe

Think you've had enough of Maginhawa St.? Think again. I've been to over 20 restaurants in this well-known stretch (loop, actually, because foodies include peripheral streets such as Malingap) that is heaven to the gastronomically inclined and thought I've had the best of it (That reminds me of my posting backlog!). Then comes an article saying there are newbies that offer great promise. Hmmm.. Time to go back to Maginhawa? The tummy thought t'was a good thing to do. 
And so, last Monday, my daughter and I set our feet again at Maginhawa, particularly at this interesting place that's perfect to visit at this time of the year when shopping shifts to high gear. We were at Empire Fashion Cafe, you bet! It's perhaps 
the most popular new address at Maginhawa today, 
having received its good share of publicity. 
But before looking at or buying anything, we ate: 

Aussie Shark Bait Burger, P185.
This was good but the beef patty was small and thin, making this burger a bit too pricey for its price. Thankfully, the fries is included in every order of it. We were also given a glass of soda but I'm not sure if it came with the burger or the lasagna roll.

Lasagna Roll, P165.
This one I really liked. The lasagna was packed with just the right flavors from the meat and tomato and cream sauce. By that I meant taste that is more subtle than screaming because between the two, I choose the first. I dislike my taste buds being flooded and "shocked" by too strong a taste, so this is perfect for me. And the toasted bread was really crunchy, which 
I loved! Two thumbs up for Empire's Lasagna Roll.

Ham and Cheese Maki Rolls, P90.
These pieces of deep fried rolled bread with fillings are good munchees, 
I imagined, while watching a movie or reading a book. I cringed, though, 
at the thought of grease.

Matcha Frappe, P145.
Because this was matcha, I loved it! Would have downright healthy without the cream and chocolate, however, but of course, this wouldn't be called a "frappe" without them.

After eating, shopping! Nearly everyone could find something at Empire, we learned. There are clothes for men, women and kids. There are shoes, bags, knick knacks, toys, and make-up. We found some nice buys, and went home happy with them. Prices of the merchandise were very affordable and they're surprisingly of good quality. I just think having a boutique and a cafe in a single store is one good idea. Kudos to the owner/s! Did I mention they have another store in Marikina? Yes, they do, and I think it opened first. 
Check out Empire Fashion Cafe, folks! 
Happy eating!...and shopping!