Cafe Inggo, Sto. Domingo, Quezon City

Cafe Inggo, Sto. Domingo, Quezon City

I was having our vehicle serviced at our dealer along Quezon Avenue and instead of waiting at the dealer I decided to go to nearby Sto. Domingo to have some quiet time and have breakfast out the cafe at the shrine complex. What was previously Cafe Dominic is now Cafe Inggo. The name change is obviously a play on Domingo (Dominic in English) that has several nicknames in the Philippines including the popular Doming/Domeng and the playful (sometimes funny) Inggo.

Two friars greeted me as I was seated at my table

A collection of prints of old churches in the Philippines

A painting depicting the familiar scene of the Pieta hangs above the main door

Cafe operating hours

The interior of the cafe had enough tables for groups or individuals. Each table had a coffee table book for browsing by customers.

I had Spanish sardines with an egg sunny side up. They actually serve breakfast meals with 2 eggs but I requested to only be served one. I also had thick iced chocolate of the "tsokolate-eh" kind

Spanish sardines cooked with onions and spread over lettuce, sliced tomatoes and sliced cucumber

I had leche flan for dessert as I had some time left before I headed back to get our vehicle. The leche flan was topped with macapuno, whipped cream and had a slice of orange on the side.

I returned again after a few days to have our other vehicle serviced. That time, I ordered their longganisa (native sausage from Tuguegarao, Cagayan I was informed).

The food is good and the service very attentive. Price-wise, the cost of meals will not hurt your pocket and the servings are just right. It is definitely a nice place to consider for dining when one is in the area. 

Cafe Inggo is located at the far end of the Sto. Domingo complex along Quezon Avenue. The times I've been there it was never crowded and you can easily get a table. I just wonder though if it is crowded on Sundays or feast days of the church.

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Osaka Takoyaki Restaurant, SM East Ortigas

Osaka Takoyaki Restaurant, SM East Ortigas

We were looking for a place to eat dinner at before we watched "The Black Panther" a couple of weeks ago, we decided to try out a Japanese-themed restaurant at SM East Ortigas. The restaurant's specialty is takoyaki or octopus cutlet balls. The restaurant's menu also had many other choices for those who wanted to have something heavier for their meals.

The interiors attempt to recreate an authentic Japanese restaurant.

Aside from takoyaki, the restaurant also claims to serve good curry meals.

I ordered ramen as I wanted to have something that wasn't too heavy a meal prior to watching a movie where we will also be having some popcorn.

Their version of horenzo, which is spinach-based but laced with spices. This was supposed to be the counterpart of kimchi, which Korean restaurants serve with meals.

The wife tried their curry and it turned out to be very good. I think I liked it more (I had some as it was a generous serving.) than the ramen I ordered.

Their takoyaki was the real deal. I've had a fair share of takoyaki here and when I was in Japan so I think I know what authentic tastes like.

This is a good restaurant but with room for improvement. I thought the ramen was ordinary but the curry was good and the takoyaki very good.
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Chew Love, Tacloban

Chew Love, Tacloban

Another restaurant we went to when we were in Tacloban last month was one that we had spotted before but didn't consider because at first glance it looked like a place for younger people. Another colleague thought it looked like one of those food hubs that's now the fad around Metro Manila. It turned out many of us wanted to try it out and it helped that one of our contacts in Tacloban recommended the place.

The decor reminded me of another restaurant, Stacy's, that had that American diner feel to it.

The interior was well lighted, clean, and orderly

There are a lot of 'positive' and humorous messages posted around the restaurant that are consistent with its theme and vibes.

The menu features some interesting names for the items

Here's the rest of the main menu (there's a separate menu for drinks and dessert)

These seats are likely for waiting and not necessarily for dining.

This probably drew inspiration from the bridge in Paris that was recently rid of decades of locks attached mostly by tourists.

'Cheeky feeling'

'Love at pork sight'

'Hot chick'

'Beef mine'

Their version of the halu-halo

Sinful chocolate dessert

Chew Love turned out to be a good restaurant. Serving sizes are just right for the meals and a bit generous (indulgent) for dessert. The latter may be meant for sharing perhaps? There are two buildings where customers can be seated. They fill one first before allowing people in the other. A third building is under construction and is closest to the street. The kitchen is located at the back area of the compound. Parking is very limited so that's an issue for those bringing their own vehicles. My transport background makes me wonder how such restaurants can comply with parking requirements considering they are in clear violation of the National Building Code...but that's another story.

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Flatbread Cafe, Marikina City

Flatbread Cafe, Marikina City

The Clairvoyant was always telling me about this restaurant in Marikina City and I thought it was along Lilac Street. I was trying to spot it as I made my way through my alternate route to the office via Tumana and couldn't find it. We finally got the chance to try it out one morning we had to leave one of our dogs at the vet for grooming. It turned out that the Flatbread Cafe was not in Lilac but actually closer to Gil Fernando Avenue and a few minutes drive from the vet (near our former home along Marcos Highway).

View from within the cafe

The interior of the restaurant is quaint and cozy. The decors are already Christmas-themed.

The artwork on display added color and character to the restaurant's interior

There are boxes containing toys that children can play with

A bar-type set-up for individual customers or perhaps groups who opt for the higher chairs

Bacon, eggs and fried rice

Yakiniku beef tapa

Flatbread Cafe is along Sparrow Street in San Roque, Marikina City. The only hitch is the limited number of parking slots in the area. I say area because parking is generally on-street and there are other establishments there that share parking demand with the cafe. We went in the morning so there wasn't much traffic along the street and we could park across from the cafe. The food is good though and I hear their flatbreads are definitely the must-try items. That's for the next time we eat there...

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Giuseppe's, Tacloban City

Giuseppe's, Tacloban City

Our most recent trip to Tacloban was long enough to allow me and my colleagues to try out some of the restaurants that were highly recommended by our hosts there. Among these restaurants is Giusseppe's, which is an Italian-Filipino restaurant. No, it is not a fusion of the two cuisines but rather they offer both Italian and Filipino items on their menu.

The restaurant is located along Avenida Veteranos corner M.H. Del Pilar Street across from the Divine Word Hospital

The interior has a homey feel about it

They also have a small shop inside the restaurant where they sell items like wines, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and others. These appear to be mostly imported from Italy.

The restaurant has plenty of natural lighting and tables for groups or even the individual customer

The decors are interesting

Menu

The garden salad was fresh

Grilled pork chops

Spaghetti Puttanesca

Spaghetti, olive oil, garlic and salsiccia

The food was good and the prices don't hurt the wallet, too. The place is popular especially during dinner time. It comes at no surprise because they do serve good food and the place feels just like home to those who dine there.

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Gabriele Italian Restaurant, Tiendesitas

Gabriele Italian Restaurant, Tiendesitas

After our daughter's regular check-up at The Medical City, we decided to have lunch along the way home at Tiendesita's. There's a very good Italian restaurant there that we usually go to whenever we are there and we want to eat. Italian food is always a good option if you have a good place to eat at. Gabriele is one such place where you can enjoy Italian food.

Gabriele is located at Tiendesita's along C5 at one corner of the building across from the SM Hypermart

Gabriele

Customers can opt for the couch especially if they are having coffee (perhaps merienda?) or some light meals

They have a small bar and you can get drinks if you're not up to heavier fare. They have a good selection of wines and spirits.

Table for two? I guess the restaurant is perfect for dates. Nothing fancy, just good Italian food that's priced so it won't hurt your pocket.

Their version of aglio olio has fresh tomatoes and is a delight to the palate

Pesto just the way we like it; a vegetarian option

They also have really good pizza and you can select 2 flavors for the pizza so you get to enjoy some variety

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