Marison's Filipino Cafe and Restaurant: The Best of Antipolo

Marison's Filipino Cafe and Restaurant: The Best of Antipolo

Monday, January 11

I've got the best start for 2016. Zomato invited me to a foodie meetup somewhere in Antipolo and I immediately accepted. This is my territory. I've been to as far as Alabang, why on earth would I miss a gastronomic adventure in Antipolo.

Marison's Filipino Cafe and Restaurant is located at the 2nd level of  The Village Center at Mille Luce in San Roque, Antipolo City. It's a short drive from the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo. You should include dining here in your itinerary.

Let me begin this restaurant review by sharing with you a photo of our plates. I need not say anything to convince you, my dear readers, how delicious the dishes were. 

Are you ready to salivate? Here's what we had last Thursday...

Starters

Deep Fried Kesong Puti, PhP260

Deep Fried Kesong Puti. Fried lumpiang kesong puti served with spicy pineapple sambal dip.

The owner told us that when Kris Aquino visited Marison's, she liked the Deep Fried Kesong Puti very much. I wouldn't argue with her. 

Pork Confit, PhP210

Pork Confit. Shredded pork topped with crispy bihon wrapped in romaine lettuce with spicy honey sauce.

I ate three of the five on this plate. I actually don't want to share this! It has the right amount of sweetness and just a hint of spiciness. The pork was tender. The lettuce was so fresh and the crispy bihon was a surprise treat. 

Other starters offered in the menu: Empanada, Crispy Beef Tadyang, Chicken Fingers, Balut Tempura and Crispy Crablets

Salads

Roco Salata, PhP170

Roco Salata. Mixed greens with grapes, queso de bola, and caramelized cashew nuts with special dressing.

This salad is too sweet for my taste. Or my judgment was a bit impaired because I had too much of the Pork Confit before I ate some salad. 

Other salads offered in the menu: Ensalada Filipina, House Caesar Salad and Ensalada Marison

Soups

Spinach in Seafood, PhP130

Spinach in Seafood. Fresh spinach and crabstick in thick broth.

This is my kind of soup! I want it thick and rich. I'm even thinking of this as a meal substitute. Very filling and healthy.

Shrimp Laswa, PhP160

Shrimp Laswa. An Ilonggo dish that is served with fresh shrimps, malunggay, squash, sweet potato, okra and eggplant.

It's my first time to taste this Ilonggo dish. I'm a bit hesitant because of the shrimps. I'm not fond of shrimps in a soup but this one is really good. I would love to pair this with fried fish.

Other soups offered in the menu: Pork Sinigang, Chicken Binakol and Molo.

Pasta and Noodles

Sotanghon Guisado, PhP180

Sotanghon Guisado. Sotanghon noodles with chicken and vegetables

I eat my pancit with rice. Yeah, carbs overload. If not for the other dishes that we were about to taste, I would have eaten more of the Sotanghon Guisado. 

Other pasta and noodles offered in the menu: Pasta Ilocos, Pasta Chinoy, Shrimp and Pesto, Shrimp and Fresh Mango Pasta

Main Course

Crispy Tripe Kare-Kare, PhP330

Crispy Tripe Kare-Kare. Tender beef in peanut and cashew-based sauce topped with crispy tripe and served with house bagoong.

Marison's bestseller is the kare-kare. I got excited because this is my favorite dish. I don't like tripe though. But when this was served, I was surprised that the tripe was cooked crispy. The peanut and cashew-based sauce has a smooth texture and a balance of sweet and salty. You won't even need a bagoong. I just wish there's more veggies.

BTW, the owner's son told us that they make their own bagoong. 

Seafood Kare-Kare, PhP400

Seafood Kare-Kare. Mahi-Mahi, squid, mussels, shrimps in peanut and cashew-based sauce and served with house bagoong.

I've only tasted the Mahi-Mahi in this Seafood Kare-Kare. Although I'm not fond of Seafood Kare-Kare, I liked this one. I'll order both seafood and crispy tripe when I return to Marison with my family.

Sinaing Buntot ng Tuna, PhP410

Sinaing Buntot ng Tuna. Deep fried tuna tail served with sauce and pork cracklings

This one is interesting. It's like a healthy alternative to crispy pata. 

Humba, PhP310

Humba. Braised pork cooked in sugar and served with saba.

I'm looking for a little bit of saltiness from this dish. I find it too sweet. But I think my sister will like this.

Grilled Salmon sa Miso, PhP330

Grilled Salmon sa Miso. Grilled fresh Norwegian salmon fillet glazed with honey miso sauce and caramelized peach.

Salmon is a favorite fish at home. I serve oven-baked salmon at least every two weeks for dinner. Marison's Grilled Salmon sa Miso has introduced me to something new. 

Pork Binagoongan, PhP310

Pork Binagoongan. Lechon kawali in toasted alamang served with eggplant and fresh green mango

Extra rice please!!! 

Other main course offered in the menu: Pork Adobo, Lamb and Chicken Adobo, Pork Baby Back Ribs, Fried Tilapia and Sarciado Mahi-Mahi

Desserts

Halo-Halo, PhP100/135

Halo-Halo. A delightful combination of sweet "halo" with Marison's signature ice.

I should have left enough space in my stomach for dessert. Marison's Halo-Halo has the softest shaved ice I've tasted in my life. I'll go to Marison just for this!

Frozen Brazo, PhP110

Frozen Brazo. Rich Brazo de Mercedes on top of mantecado ice cream and crushed sweet apa.

Brazo de Mercedes is my least favorite dessert. BUT when I tasted Marison's Frozen Brazo, I wanna bring home a whole serving of this! 

Sans Rival, PhP140

Sans Rival.  Layers of sweet meringue topped with macadamia nuts.

Macadamia on my sans rival?! Insane!!!! The best sans rival ever!!!

Other dessert available in the menu: Sumaka

I should have brought home an order of Sumaka because I'm so curious with this dessert. Sumaka is a local Antipolo delicacy, suman infused with candied cashews, covered with coconut and topped with ripe mangoes served with chocolate dip.

What I love about foodie meetup is that I get to meet the owner of the restaurant. When the owner of Marison's arrived, it felt like it's your mom or tita you are talking to. She is so natural. Magaan sa pakiramdam kausap. And with that you know she's a good person. It also makes the experience like eating at home. Something like a Sunday reunion with the family.

I must admit, I still enjoy looking at the photos and I can still vividly recall that afternoon spent at Marison's. And I so want to go back.

Marison's 

2F Village Center at Mille Luce

ML Quezon St. San Roque, Antipolo

246.9069

Read More

Love Desserts Buffet: Sweet Indulgence for P199

Love Desserts Buffet: Sweet Indulgence for P199

Thursday, December 17

It was a gloomy, rainy Tuesday morning when I got to visit Love Desserts in Banawe for the first time. When I saw the buffet spread, I know the 90-minute commute all the way from Antipolo was all worth it. I was the first to arrive and had the pleasure of taking photos of what Love Desserts has to offer that day.

Let me share with you some of my favorite from the desserts table. Ready?

Strawberry Cheesecake

There were at least three kinds of cheesecake at the buffet table. I love cheesecakes because they don't make me feel guilty eating two slices.

Crepe Cake

The crepe cake is a winner! Kinda felt like this goes perfect with a cup of coffee. But I'm not a coffee drinker which made me feel like I'm missing out a lot.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Chocolate Chip Cookies were placed near the ice cream freezer. It was so tempting to make an ice cream cookie drizzled with chocolate syrup from the crepe station.

Chocolate Caramel Brownie

This brownie with caramel sauce is so moist and soft and delish!

I love anything with strawberry and gelatin so I devoured two of these!

I want a mango dessert that uses real mangoes. These shots got really mango bits!

I don't know what this one is called. Somewhat tasted like cookies and cream.

Halo-halo station

I didn't make it to the halo-halo station. I told myself that this will be the highlight of my desserts buffet but I was too full already.

Chili Cheese Roll and Nachos

The culprit why I wasn't able to eat halo-halo. I had too many of these in between my desserts rounds. I'm glad Love Desserts offers these non-dessert dishes.

Are you craving now? Here are more photos...

For only P199 good for 2 hours, you'll get to enjoy your money's worth. Aside from the desserts, your P199 includes unlimited iced tea, milk tea, coffee and hot tea. There's also a crepe station and an ice cream station. 

Ala carte menu is available if you want to have a meal first before having the dessert buffet.

And because Love Desserts Buffet is budget-friendly, these Thomasians can beat the stress out of university life.

Love Desserts

915 Banawe Corner Roxas Street,

Manresa, Banawe, Quezon City

(02) 246.9069

Read More

Home of Sticky Bones Now In Manila: My Morganfield's Philippines Dining Experience

Home of Sticky Bones Now In Manila: My Morganfield's Philippines Dining Experience

Monday, December 7

Just when I thought I have already tasted the best ribs, Morganfield's Philippines proved me wrong. I was invited by ZomatoPH to indulge in the Home of Sticky Bones' menu and attending the foodie meetup was the best thing that happened to me last week.

Morganfield's is located at the newly-opened Uptown Place Mall in Bonifacio Global City. Although the mall is not yet fully operational, Morganfield's already has a soft opening last November 28. The restaurant is strategically located and can be accessed without going inside the mall. It also has a magnificent view of the fountain.

I was welcomed by the heartwarming smiles of the staff. I know I'm gonna have a great dining experience right away because of the positive aura at the reception. Morganfield's staff are well-trained, genuinely courteous and highly attentive. 

I was handed a Morganfield's bib (which you can buy from their gift shop for PhP200). The statement was very appropriate -- "Busy eating, please do not disturb". The food served were so good I don't want to be disturbed! 

Are you ready for a foodgasm? Check this out!

THE FOOD

Sesame Shrimp Salad, PhP395

The Sesame Shrimp Salad was the first dish served. The apples and greens were so fresh and crispy. The blanched shrimps were juicy and has a mild sweet natural taste you'll know it's fresh. The homemade oriental sesame dressing was so perfect for the salad. You MUST ORDER this signature dish!

Pork Sausage Platter, PhP465

The Pork Sausage Platter has the juiciest homemade sausages that are perfectly grilled. The four kinds of sausages are: Spicy Devil, Herby Hog, Cheesy Cheese and Smoky Bandit. The platter is served with coleslaw and homemade Garlic Aioli. My favorite in the platter is the Spicy Devil and the Cheesy Cheese.

Tequila Spiked Chicken, PhP395

I love chicken. I can eat chicken every day and still enjoy it. How about having tequila during office lunch break and still manage to get back to work sober? Then you must try Morganfield's Tequila Spiked Chicken. This half serving of chicken is marinated with spicy tequila, lime and paprika and then grilled. Squeeze the lime for the complete tequila experience! Served with french fries and smoky beans.

Pork Shoulder Chop, PhP550

The Pork Shoulder Chop is grilled and served with homemade creamy mustard grain sauce, a generous serving of red skin mashed potatoes and garden veggies. This dish didn't appeal much to me because I'm not a fan of the pork shoulder loin. 

And now for the RIBS...

Hickory BBQ Spare Ribs. The most tender, succulent and hearty pork ribs that is slow-cooked with hickory smoke, grilled and basted with Hickory BBQ sauce. PhP475 comes with coleslaw and french fries.

One of the dishes I cook at home for special occasions is oven baked Hickory Ribs. Morganfield's version is really good and I'm glad that they sell bottled Hickory BBQ Sauce in their gift shop for only PhP250. Who wants to gift me this?! 

Garlicky BBQ Spare Ribs. Tangy, sweet, spicy and loaded with garlicky goodness. PhP475 comes with coleslaw and french fries.

For those who want a burst of different flavors to tickle the taste buds, Morganfield's Garlicky BBQ Spare Ribs is a sure hit. I really want to eat this with rice!

Smoked Peppercorn Spare Ribs. If you like the spicy flavors of black pepper, you'll definitely love these ribs. PhP475 comes with coleslaw and french fries.

Morganfield's Smoked Peppercorn Spare Ribs variant has also captured my taste buds. I like the spiciness of the peppercorn.

Spicy Asian BBQ Spare Ribs. Signature BBQ Sauce mixed with Asian spices and chili flakes. PhP475 comes with coleslaw and french fries.

The Spicy Asian BBQ Spare Ribs is just too spicy for me. I brought home a portion of this and it appealed to my husband. If you are into spicy food, this one is for you.

Jim Beam BBQ Iberico Baby Back

Jack Daniels Glazed Iberico Baby Back

These baby back ribs are a must order -- Jim Beam BBQ Iberico Baby Back and Jack Daniels Glazed Iberico Baby Back. The JD is my favorite though. The fork tender and tasty Iberico ribs are imported from Spain.  

Wanna bring the whole gang?!

Ribs Sampler, PhP3,225

We Filipinos love to eat with our family or group of friends. We love to celebrate. Morganfield's offers sharing platters that are good for people with huge appetite.

Ribs Sampler. 3 (1/2) slabs of Morganfield's signature Sticky Bones, grilled sausages, french fries, garden salad, corn on a cob and corn bread. PhP3,225

The Carnivore. Full Slab of Morganfield's signature Sticky Bones, 1/2 chicken, grilled sausages, garden salad, corn on a cob, french fries and corn bread. PhP2,995

Ocean Madness. Full Slab of Morganfield's signature Sticky Bones, 3 battered fish fillets, 6 beer battered prawns, grilled sausages, garden salad, corn on a cob, french fries and corn bread. PhP2,795

Follow me on Instagram @foodiecheatday

I washed down all the ribs with Morganfield's Begonia. It's a lemon lime soda with chunks of kiwi, strawberries and lime. This drink is so refreshing. You might also want to order the Berry Easy. My foodie companions were all raving about this drink and I will definitely order this on my next visit.

And because Christmas is just around the corner, give your friends and loved ones the gift of good food. Sticky Pesos are available at Morganfield's gift shop. Check out http://morganfields.com.ph/gift-shop/ for other exciting items.

Morganfield's Philippines

2F Uptown Place

9th Ave cor 36th St

BGC, Taguig

(02) 975.5700

 

Read More