Sambo Kojin Yakiniku Smokeless Grill (EDSA Branch)

ABBEY: It is the festive time of the year again as Christmas is fast approaching. And to ride with the mood since its been a long time when we went out with our family, we went to SamboKojin (EDSA) for a buffet. We availed of their promo of 3 plus 1; 1 free for every 3 paying adult. 

The restaurant serves Korean and Japanese cuisine. They have crispy and spicy fried chicken, kimchi, ramen, chicken and pork cutlet, tempura and many more. Slices of meat (beef and pork), seafood and salmon for yakiniku. 

I like the most is the salmon belly; be it skewered or a slice only. It melts in your mouth after its cooked. Also I ate a lot of these for sashimi. It was totally a feast. Match it with bottomless drinks for less than 100 pesos to wash them down and your set. A buffet costs 750 pesos.

WILL: It is a wonderful time to get together with your family and isn't more wonderful to spend time with your cousins, nephews, tita and tito who you never have seen in flesh for years? 

It is a hard thing to organize a 17-adult-4-kid-and-an-infant party for a buffet dinner. Why? First, as usual I want that dinner that will not break my bank. Second, I want a place that is suitable for the kids to roam around and have an array of desserts that they can enjoy. Third, I need to checkout the food for Halal and non-Halal for our Muslim relatives. And the last thing I need to know if the place is chichat-friendly for us to catch-up in our lives. 

We arrived 530pm and the food was served at 6. When they saw our relatives wearing a hijab one of the waiter approached them to let them know what are the food served with pork. 

Faster than lightning, I approached the tempura ebi and seafoods that I do not do normally and I know that you know why readers. Haha! As usual, we always say no to rice for buffets. We always want to indulge on their viands. 

For 3 hours, we eat, talk, eat, drink, sing a happy birthday song, eat and drink again before we headed back home. 

Thanks to Ronnel our nice attendant for the day. We have availed their 3+1 combo, the oldies got their senior citizen discount, 50% off for Tito Bert and 3 free mini cakes for our November celebrators. 

Till we meet again aunt, uncle, couz and nephews. Thank you for sparing time with Mangila family. ;) 

Peach Garden Noodle House at Gardens by the Bay

ABBEY: Dining in Peach Garden is part of the Armas' itirenary for their second Singapore trip. It is located in the heart of Garden by the Bay. Just locate the tallest artificial tree on it and you can see The Chinese-cuisine restaurant on its "roots". 

We went there as a group of 8 including the "neophytes", Eugiene and Kaye. We availed their Claypot Rice Delights  promotion.

I got Stewed Beef Brisket with hot rice. The sauce is thick and flavorful. The meat is tender and it has some fats that I really like. They also offer chicken curry and pork.

WILL: Gardens By The Bay is now one of the landmark of Singapore. So this is one of the a-must-visit place for the tourists and we have Ate Rizbeth and her family to tour the in this wonderful place.

But before roaming around, we decided to dine first and as scheduled we went to Peach Garden Noodle House located just beside the Supertree Grove. 

We were immediately served by the crew and the food was in front of us after a couple of minutes.Their table reminds me of my family's turn table. A setting that encouraged a circle of people that can talk fluently without blocking anyone's sight. Piping hot! After saying thanks and getting some photos we dig in. 

I ordered Soft Pork Bone with Salted Fish in Claypot for only $13.80++ which includes a drink and rice. The sauce is so Chinese style. The pork is tender. A very recommendable place to dine while you indulge at the beauty of nature. 

Our visitors' enjoyed this restaurant as much as we did. 

Zark's Burgers Philippines - "It's Fresh. It's Huge. It's Great."

ABBEY: We didn't succeed dining-in the first time at Zark's Taft, but that doesn't stop Pareng John to treat us into this burger paradise. So we tried Zark's Katipunan on our short stint back in Pinas. 

No queue, as it is November 1 (All Saints' Day). I got Jawbreaker; a triple patty-burger with crispy bacon, fries and drinks for less than 300Php. Finish it within five minutes and it is free. I didn't give in. I want to indulge and savor the giant burger in front of me. Sorry but I had the patties to be well done. 

I hope next time I'll be able to try the Tombstone (death by a 2-pound burger).

WILL: If you are not big, unique and affordable the Philippine market will not give you any chance to succeed. Zark’s Burgers is one of the pioneer of big burgers in Manila and they emerged gracefully. Talk of the town. That is why our friends brought us at their Katipunan Branch

1^st of November, holiday, most of the stores were close and so lucky they were open to serve that day. We were ushered to their third floor and straight away asked for our orders. I went for Zark’s Ultimate Burger (Php150.00 with fries and iced tea).

Quarter Pounder is a lot but I almost ate it all. Haha! Their beef patty has a Filipino touch. It reminds me of the patties I am eating during our lunch break way back in my grade school days.

Thanks Denise and John. Till our next food trips! :)