Tomas Morato has been one of the major dining locations in the Metro for several years now. As such, restaurants that have been coming and going. Very few have stood the test of time. Thaipan is one of the veterans that have been around since 2006. This must mean something, and because we have yet to eat there, we decided to see for ourselves along with some friends how it really is!

They have this fancy private room that can seat at least 12 people!

The Ambiance 

Thaipan at first glance is a fancy house from the 70's that was remodeled to become the premier Thai restaurant it is today. The walls are decorated with hand painted patterns from local artists. The lights are mostly yellow that give off this warm and cozy feel to it that offers a relaxing but refined mood. It may however feel dark to some people.

The Tables are mostly made of glass and steel while the chairs are made of premium polycarbonate and steel while utensils feel solid and have a tactile feel to them that perfectly goes along with the other steel materials in the room. 

A bit of a tease of what's to come!

Glass Half Full

The Food

I was one of the first to arrive at Thaipan before my friends and while waiting, the waiter offered for me to check their drinks. He recommended the iced Thai milk tea which I was curious about, so I ordered one. As soon as I took my first zip, it exploded with flavor in my mouth. You could taste the milk and the tea distinctively. I was zipping so much that I forgot to take a picture hence, glass half full.

Pomelo Salad!

For appetizers, we were we had the Pomelo Salad and the Mieng Kham. The Pomelo Salad is different because the shredded chicken with garlic and pomelo doesn't make sense at first but when it touches your mouth it was an amazing surprise. The Pomelo's sweetness, the chicken's meatiness and the garlic's heat are all brought together by the spices which actually complements each of the other ingredients. The Mieng Kham is a standard dish and their rendition was okay. It wasn't bad but it didn't have anything special about it either.

The Mieng Kham!

For Soup, we ordered the Tom Yum, the Laksa and the Thai Chicken Curry. We ordered the mild spicy versions of the Tom Yum and the Laksa and the they were both good. The flavors of the seafood, the vegetables and the spices of the Tom Yum hit you as soon as the soup hit your tongue. The Laksa's soup has a strong kick that is complimented by the creamy texture. I do wish that the soup was a little thicker to reach perfection. The Thai Chicken Curry was different because it's curry but it doesn't have the spicy HOT kick. Otherwise, the chicken and yellow curry sauce is good.

The Tom Yum!

The Laksa!

The Thai Chicken Curry!

For the main course, we had quite the list: Fish Tamarind, Pandan Chicken, Stir-fried Squid and Shrimp, and Soft-Shell Crab in Black Pepper Sauce. The Fish tamarind was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside with the moist flavor bursting fish inside. The Pandan chicken was okay. A little underwhelming compared to the rest.

Pandan Chicken and Fish Tamarind!

Soft-Shell Crab in Black Pepper Sauce

Stir-Fried Squid and Shrimp

The Soft Shell Crab was a little salty, otherwise, the texture, the flavor and the kick worked together and is amazing. I couldn't get over at how soft and refined the texture of the crab was while the Squid and Shrimp was about the same. The technique was perfect. Ingredients are cooked to perfection with the flavors dancing, the textures refined and the spiciness just right!

Phad Thai Noodles

Last, but not the least: the Phad Thai Noodles! The preparation was unique as the tofu and the rest of the ingredients are inside. The sauce was amazingly flavorful which mildly thick texture that brings out the individual flavors of the other ingredients. It is best to eat this right away because the flavor changes as the ingredients soak up the sauce making the texture soggy.

For dessert we had the Ta Koh Sakhoo which is a tapioca pearl topped with creamy steamed cake. It was absolutely, decadent. The way the steamed cake oozes and melts in your mouth while the mild sweetness hits you is absolutely, heavenly. I recommend this dessert! It's refreshing coming from seeing mostly chocolates and ice creams as dessert options.

Ta Koh Sakhoo

The Service

The service was good. I was entertained as soon as I arrived, even though my companions arrived a little later. They were kind enough to set the table and offer me a drink first. We waited for ten minutes and the first few dishes arrived, and we were soon overwhelmed because most of the dishes came together. This is not a bad thing as we were given the chance to taste everything.

There was always a waiter near by if we needed anything. You have to order the dessert right away though because the prep time can take a while. What astounded me was how each of the three waiters I inquired about different dishes knew what the dish was, how it was prepared and what possible related dishes can be recommended. I liked this. It just goes to show how a restaurant can stand at least five years. (and the crew are proud of it.)

The Price

The price of the dishes vary. The appetizers start at Php 198 and averages around Php 250. Salads and main dishes start at Php 250 and can get up to Php 399 while the drinks start at Php onwards. The decadent desserts start at Php 178 to Php 205. I find their pricing justifiable relative to its quality and its portions. With each dish that I have tasted, I never found any to be over priced and I enjoyed my stay with Thaipan.

The Verdict

What We LIKED:

• Most of the dishes we had were Good with only a handful to be okay
• That Dessert was heavenly and refreshing!
• The SPICY KICK is very much welcome
• Phad Thai was Unique
• Staff service is remarkable

What We Almost LIKED:

• Pandan Chicken and Mieng Kham were only Okay
• Some people will find the ambiance refined but a little dark

Do you want to Contact 'Thaipan?'

Address: 120 Sct. Dr. Lazcano Tomas Morato, Quezon City, Philippines

Telephone number:  (0917) 808 0718

Facebook: Thaipan Facebook Page

Instagram: @thaipan_qc

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday 11AM to 3PM, 6PM to 11PM

The Australians are known for their quality coffee and amazing customer service that it was difficult for Starbucks to enter the Australian market. So when we heard that an Australian coffee company was entering the Philippine market caught our attention immediately because we felt that it has the potential to add more value to the coffee experience the Filipinos deserve!

Located at Pearl Drive!

The Ambiance

Marcel's interior design emphasizes on elegant lines and accents that stand out. These accents vary from old world and from the modern world. These are made mainly of concrete, wood and steel. Thei colors also stand out with bright yellows, oranges and blues that catch your attention and brightens your mood.

Diligence is a virtue!

The Coffee, The Beverages and The Service

The entire speciality coffee experience is affected by several factors. A couple of the factors I find important are the beans or the blend and the barista's skills. The blend itself will manifests on its own from the cup but can change and will reflect the skills of the barista.

What I find compelling about Where's Marcel's coffee are their blends. Especially the 'Evolve' blend which is the most balanced blend I have ever had. I mean this in terms of the different flavors, the textures, the body and the acidity. So In choosing your ideal cup, I recommend trying the same drink from the different baristas and find that cup that resounds to you the most.

By mhille

They pride themselves with their crop to cup service ethical responsibility and their authentic Australian roots. They make sure that their farmers and the environment is taken cared of while their beans are blended and roasted in Australia and shipped to their branches while maintaining the best quality beans as possible.

The Revel Bar!

Aside from the usual espresso based beverages, they offer hot or iced teas, pressed juices and ginger beer. For non-beverages they have a selection of smores and sandwiches that will cater to your appetite and will partner well with their coffee. I personally love their s'mores.

Iced Green Tea!

 The Price

Espresso starts at Php 100 while the Iced White will set you back Php 150. A mocha is Php 160 while the Matcha Latte is Php 160. Their drinks are priced in between the Php 100 to Php 200 range. The Sandwiches ranges from Php 125 to Php 200 while their sweets ranges from Php 25 to Php 200.00 All are reasonably priced and you won't find anything here that will hurt your pockets. 

Overall I love their cappuccino and bulletproof coffee! I highly recommend trying the balanced evolve blend and find the barista that can brew a cup to your specifications! See you on the next one!

Do you want to Contact 'Where's Marcel?'

Address: The Pearl Place, Pearl Drive, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines
Telephone number: (02) 535-0621

Instagram: @WheresMarcelPH

 Operating Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM to 10PM; Sun 7AM to 4PM

Masculinity or the possession of the qualities traditionally associated with men have been changing rapidly lately. So much so, that it was only recently that I found out that it is becoming acceptable for men to have a manicure and pedicure or a mani-pedi. This resulted to a new concern for men who wanted the traditional manly grooming experience at their local barbershops that also wanted to get a foot spa or a pedicure for that matter to get that relaxation that before only women could understand with complete privacy.

The Men's Room at Oracle Hotel Katipunan seeks to solve the concern and we were lucky enough to be invited to check their place out!

New York Industrial District Theme!

The Ambiance

One of the partners of the shop has a background in interior design which resulted in a pristine recreation of a warehouse in the industrial period in New York. Bricks, pipes, hinges and concrete are used sparingly to give off that industrial vibe.

The shop is at the second floor of the Oracle Hotel on the door to your left. Once inside you will find the reception to your right, the secret door to your left and the hidden bathroom at the end of the hallway. After the reception you will be greeted by the barber chairs on the right and the Spa couches on the left.

The attention to detail is immense with almost no upholstery or accent felt out of place. Even the facial and spa instruments felt right at home.

The Cut and Facial

I decided to have the usual Haircut and the unusual facial to experience the traditional and the innovation.

I asked my barber to give me a barber's cut but with a mid fade to see how he can handle the classic barbers with the modern fade, and he did very well. He began by wrapping this disposable collar around my neck which was followed by the folding of my oxford shirt's collar. He then pulled out the apron that protects your clothes from the falling hair around my body. He then preceded with the cut.

The quality is slightly below the fades of Felipe & Sons but most people won't even notice. I was just being nit-picky. After that he moistened my hair and applied their resident pomade and combed it to his design.

The Beautician

The facial was a little different from what I was used to. I frequented 'dermas' a lot in my teenage years because of my pimple breakouts and I would visit the dermatologists every month. It would be great at first because the doctor's would help you relax with facial massages and warm tea but would be followed by an hour of painful pricking and topped with an itchy cream that makes your skin peel. This did not happen.

I was asked to laid down on the couch that transformed into a flat bed where I could lie on. I was asked to relax and then the beautician would then proceed with cleaning my face which was followed by a variety of massages and organic facial creams/ointments.  There was no pricking at all!

The tool that extracted my comedones!

The tool used to extract those comedones (black or whtie heads) had a flat surface that vibrates that ejects the comedones while the metal surface is in contact with your face.  It was like having a flat spoon on your face. It was gentle but you could feel the slight vibrations. The beautician was kind enough to show me how effective it was by showing me how much comedones were extracted! It was amazing! She ended the session with an organic facial mask that was air dried for 15 minutes.

It was surprisingly relaxing and it made me realise how some men would feel pampered and relaxed by this.

Tools of Trade!

The Price

The haircut starts at a fair Php 200.00 while their facial hair shaving starts at Php 150.00. They have a full body spa that costs Php 600.00 that can be bundled with a Php 300.00 Massage or a Php 450.00 extra ordinary massage. Most of their services average around Php 150.00 to Php 350.00 so their prices are very student friendly as compared to other establishment with similar quality of service and experience.

The Conclusion

Clearly with the prices these cheap for the experience, the Men's room is not just for the hard working men but also for the young students who want to get the best grooming experience may it be traditional or not. I highly recommend this place if you can and tell me what you think!

Do you want to Contact 'The Men's Room?'

317 Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines

Contact number: (02) 285 3554

Facebook: The Men's Room Facebook Page

Operating Hours: 10AM to 9PM

Change is a difficult reality that is inevitable yet people seek it. A good example was the 2016 Philippine Presidential race where huge change was voted by the people. Some on the other hand want a change where they can bring back some of the lost arts. One of them are the people behind 'Talas Manileño' where they seek to bring back the elegance of male Manileño grooming.

Knick-knacks from the passions of the owner of the shop!

The Ambiance

Talas Manileño can be found along the Cubao expo arcade. It is distinct because of its dark blue color with a folding chalk board outside that  proudly reads their services.

The inside is reminiscent of an 80's style apartment complex where wood and cement are used extensively.

The beverage bar at the second floor!

As you enter the ground floor you see the three barber-chairs on the right and the reception desk on the left. The hair was sink and the stair case at the back. On the second floor are two more barber-chairs, a seating area and the beverage bar where they serve your chosen drink along side your chosen service.

Classics are unbeatable!

The Cut and Shave

The Haircut and the shaving services is a step above most because of the owners and the barbers adherence to the classics of simple, elegant cuts, shaves and styles. All the barbers listen to your requests and to your preferences that you will feel at home immediately.

The shave follows their same adherence to the classics. It was slow and meticulous as I could feel the sensation of each strand of hair on my jawline being chipped one by one. It was an amazing feeling knowing that your barber is carefully trimming and massaging your beard.

In fact, the barber themselves will recommend and will teach you tips on how to shave or how to maintain your beard/moustache.

I enjoyed their services quite well and I couldn't help but notice their spray bottles were used from recycled Ginebra Gin bottles! I was so sold by this that I said 'Iyan ang tunay na Manileño!'

'Iyan ang tunay na Manileño!'

The Price

Haircut and wash starts at Php 280.00 but is priced at Php 570.00 together with the shave. Their Signature service, the Manileño is a haircut and wash with your chosen drink which is priced at Php 450.00. While the Talas Batangas is a shave with your chosen beverage priced at Php 470.00

The Conclusion

Talas Manileño is the place to be if you want that classic Filipino grooming made famous by our national heroes like Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo and the Luna Siblings. They are the best at bringing those classic styles to the modern Manileño and I highly recommend their services!

Do you want to Contact 'Talas Manileño?'

Cubao Expo, 38 Gen. Romulo Ave. Brgy. Socorro, Cubao Quezon City

Contact number: (+63)917 503 1842

Facebook: Talas Manileño Facebook Page

Instagram: @Talasmanilenyo

Operating Hours: 1PM to 9PM

City life isn't perfect. There are times where after a long week of fast paced productivity, you just want to slow down and take it easy like going to Baguio, to Tagaytay or to the beach. These are hot destinations that are hours away and could be a chore. RED Sandbar aims to bring that relaxing beach vibes to the city! So could Sandbar be the place to be?

Chill at Sandbar!

The Ambiance 

Sandbar isn't particularly huge in terms of real estate but is divided into three sections. The bar, the inner dining area and the al fresco area. The who design philosophy is to resemble a local bar stall that was put up on the beach where you can get some food and drinks while enjoying the ocean breeze.

The beach vibes continue inside!

This is where Sandbar shines. Each little detail reminds us and brings the beach to us. Accents like sand and sea shells, wooden sculptures of lighthouses and boats flock the place to give us that serene feeling of the beach.

For Php 150.00 this serving is too generous!

One caveat I felt was that during the busy hours, the air inside gets dense with the air of deep fried oil. The opening of their huge doors for the al fresco area really helps with this.

The Food

Sandbar offers a variety of All-day breakfast from the classic Silog dishes, Bolognese, Sisig, Sandwiches and Alcoholic beverages!

Let me tell you about that sisig! It fills 90% of the sizzling plate and the pork bits are moist and meaty. I love this because most restaurants serve less portions and with increased fatty bits. The flavor is divine plus that mayonaise on green chili is great way to add more kick to the pork flavor bomb.

90% of the sizzling plate is filled!

Their best selling sandwiches are the Double Decker and the Surfer's sandwich. The double decker is a classic ham, egg, cheese, mayonaise double deck sandwich served with potato chips. The surfer's sandwich is a combination of mayonaise, muscovado fried chicken, cheese and sunny side up egg topped with muscovado! Both are good sandwiches however I wish their choice of chips could be improved.

The Double Decker up close!

The thing about their dishes is that you know that the ingredients are not of the highest possible quality but the food just taste good because of the perfect technique. So their dishes are only limited by their ingredients but are at their best possible state because it has been cooked perfectly.

Muscovado topped egg and chicken!

The Service

The people from  sandbar are an interesting bunch. They have the usual courteous cooks and waiters that are sensitive to your needs. They were willing to answer my questions about each dish and were willing to take feedback.

Though some dishes take longer than the rest, each was presented well and were cooked to perfection.  They are on soft opening so there are things that need refining but I think RED Sandbar will do fine.

Chill out!

The Price

Their dishes start at Php 79.00 and could get up to Php 200.00. At this price point you cannot complain about the ingredients that I mentioned because even though they aren't the best ingredients, they are cooked and presented so well. What Sandbar Offers is the ambiance and the best possible way to cook their dishes.

The Verdict

What We LIKED:

• Ambiance is the beach vibes you have been looking for
• Al fresco Area is great
• Acoustic nights on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
• Dishes are cooked well
• Price is unbeatable

What We Almost LIKED:

• Some ingredients like the Potato Chips could be improved
• During the busier hours, the air inside can get dense with deep fried oil smell

Do you want to Contact 'RED Sandbar?'

Address: Montecruz Plaza, Mercedes Avenue, San Miguel, Pasig City
Telephone number: (0977) 704-6849
Facebook: Red SandBar

Instagram: @redsandbarph

Operating Hours: Mon to Sun 10AM to 12MN

Warren Buffet said that building a reputation takes nearly a lifetime while destroying that reputation just takes five minutes. This is especially true if you became famous for your passion and skills. The expectation is there, and the same can be said for the great chefs of Manila. One of them is Chef Jordy Navarra, and when he announced that he will be introducing a new concept, his fans went crazy. 

Steel, glass and wood

The obligatory Twilight food hold!

The Ambiance 

It is called Toyo or Toyo eatery located at a complex at the edge of Chino Roces avenue. The building itself follows a post modern architecture theme where glass, steel and wood combine with simple but elegant results. 

Inside, Toyo furthers this theme with accents of wood and steel found everywhere. When you enter the establishment you find the kitchen at the end of the room and the beverage bar as these two are the brightest part of the room. The lighting for the client's tables are warm and soft evoking an elegant but relaxed feeling. 

Warm and Soft lighting!

The Food

My good friend from Gourmanila.com was kind enough to join me when we visited. Toyo offers the standard ala carte menu and a set menu. We both chose the Php 1000.00 set menu and though it's the more affordable of choices, it was amazing.

Burnt Kalabaza Soup - Perfection in a bowl! 

The first dish were the Lightly battered Espada with Semi-ripe Guava and Kamias Broth and the burnt Kalabaza (squash) soup with sea urchin and orange kamote (yam). The espada's outer layer was glistening and is crunchy to the bite. The insides were moist and soft while the flavor was light but was lingering in your mouth. The technique is there, and this is good.

The three Espadas!

The Kalabaza (squash) soup however was in a completely different level. As the soup touches your tongue, the flavor of the burnt squash quickly explodes which is then complimented by the strong flavors of the sea urchin. Both were strong and were dancing wonderfully for a while in my mouth. This was where the crispy kamote (yam) flake comes in introduce a sweet flavor and crispy texture that gives a refreshing flavor from the lingering sea urchin and squash flavors. It was perfect from when it touched my tongue to the middle and to the end where the kamote shined!

The leaves, the sauce and the chili compliment the bangus loins and bagus belly so well!

Up next were the Toyo Eatery Three cut pork barbecue with Toyo Eatery Silog and the Grilled Bangus Belly and loin with Toyo Eatery Silog. Both the dishes were moist and tender. The flavor of the pork and the fish were the centerpiece of their respective dishes while the Silog served to compliment the pork and the bagus wonderfully.

Pork Barbecue at its finest!

For dessert we were given the Dulce de Leche Bon-bons with cocoa nibs and seared Cassava cake! The cassava cake was soft in texture and in sweetness and the seared outer part served to add a crispy texture to add another layer of flavor to the filipino classic delicacy. 

Dulce De Leche Bon-bons!

The Dulce de Leche bon-bons were like burnt squash soup. It is on a completely different level. From the first bite where the outer chocolate shines and then serves to temper the even stronger sweetness of the Dulce inside. The dance of those flavors are just magnificent. Afterwards comes the wonderful crunchy cocoa nibs that adds a bitter flavor to balance out all the sweetness in a good way. It also added a crunchy texture to again avoid over staying of the sweet flavor from the chocolate and the dulce. It was perfect.

The Crispy Seared outer part adds a layer of texture to the classic Cassava cake!

The Service

Service is unparalled. As soon as we entered, we were entertained by their energetic crew. Noelle and Jussa were there and they catered to our questions, our requests and our needs. They gave us Tocino bread, and tomato and monggo meringue as we were waiting for the menu and the food that we ordered.  

The appetizers came swiftly within fifteen (15) minutes of our order, and our waiters were kind enough to introduce and elaborate on each dish that came our way.

Tomato, Monggo Meringue!

The Price

I highly recommend to try either the Php 1000.00 per person set menu or the Php 2900.00 per person set menu. Ala carte is fine if you find that you would like an extra dish, but for me, I was full as soon as the dessert was devoured. This price is exclusive of the 10% service charge.

The Verdict

What We LIKED:

• All dishes are unique 
• All dishes are either good or great
• The Bon-bons and the Burnt Kalabaza were perfect
• Ambiance is beautiful
• Staff service is remarkable
• One of the best date places!

What We Almost LIKED:

• The Espada was cooked wonderfully but could be improved in flavor
• There were a lot of mosquito killing lights that caused some distracting sound when mosquitos were killed

Do you want to Contact 'Toyo Eatery?'

Address: The Alley, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave, Makati, 1231 Metro Manila!
Telephone number: (0197) 720-8630
Facebook: Toyo Eatery
Instagram: @toyoeatery
Operating Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays 6PM to 11:30PM