BonChon means “original village.” I don’t anything about Korean villages but I do know a thing or two about originality and defintely BonChon chicken is a taste that is unique and original for me. I have never tried chicken that tasted this way and it is fast becoming a Pinoy favorite. I first saw BonChon at the Ayala Triangle Gardens some years back and I often wondered why there were so many people. Now that I live close to the Greenbelt 1 branch, I realized why it is the favorite of many. It fulfills three basic wants of every Pinoy chicken eater; part, price and portions.

Part. BonChon is one of a few chicken places where you can order exactly the part you want, no ifs and buts about it. I used to argue a lot with KFC because they would never just sell me legs and thighs when I buy a bucket. I felt that was unfair that I had to rely on luck whether they had the part I wanted or not. Perhaps the only other chicken place that allows customers the part they want is Max’s. Most fast food joints will not accommodate such requests, but BonChon is now giving them a run for their money because they never run out of the parts you like. That makes my dining experience a more pleasant one. My favorite? Drumsticks.

Price. Indeed the price is very affordable. A two-piece chicken treat is no different from the price of other chicken places, despite the tedious, double-fry cooking system. I love it because they serve it piping hot. Six drumsticks is only P365, not bad I think for 3 people. BonChon is good enough as a date place because the interiors are well-appointed and does not look like your average fast food joint. You will love the crowd who comes to BonChon.

Portions. Big. Enough for two or three people without going over P500. I once ordered squid rice and I was so full because there was a lot of squid rings in each bowl and the bottom part had a lot of rice. P145 is not at all bad for a bowl of BonChon squid rice. The chickens are regularly sized but you get a lot for it’s price. It is not mostly flour coating that you get on the outside, you get more chicken than you might expect.

Come to BonChon. They have branches in the following areas:
1. Alabang Town Center
Tel : 478.1818
2. Ayala Triangle Gardens
Tel : 621.6188
3. Makati City
Greenbelt1
Tel : 659.8080
4. Manila
TAFT(University Mall)
Tel : 516.1818
5. Ortigas
Shangri-La Plaza
Tel : 696.1818
6. Ortigas
Robinsons Galleria
Tel : 477.1818
7. Ortigas
SM Megamall
Tel : 451.1818
8. Pasay
SM Mall Of Asia
Tel : 846.1818
9. Quezon City
Acropolis(LIBIS)
Tel : 655.1818
10. Quezon City
Katipunan
Tel : 441.1818
11. Quezon City
Tomas Morato
Tel : 921.1818
12. Quezon City
Trinoma
Tel : 919.4777
13. San Juan
Greenhills Promenade
Tel : 661.1818
14. Taguig City
One Parkade, Bonifacio Global City

I once went out with friends to this restaurant along C5 right across the entrance to Eastwood City. It was a late reservation because the original restaurant where we intended to dine was already full. So we decided to try Bono Yaki Smokeless Grill. It wasn’t such a bad decision after all.

It is priced much like most smokeless grill buffets in the Metro, P599 per head. Contrary to what most articles I have read in the Internet, Bono Yaki sports good food and many of their cooked dishes are excellent. I didn’t see where the spoiled food or old fish meat were displayed as said in some blog posts, but all I know is that when I was there, the food was fresh and the service was above average.

Seconds and thirds were not a problem because they replenish all dishes in a timely manner. No need to wait too long for the Tempura.

Come to the new and improved Bono Yaki. Service staff are attentive and they give you these little extras you don’t usually find in other smokeless grill restaurants. Want to know what these little extras are? You will have to dine here to find out.

Address: Corby 1 Bldg., E Rodriguez Jr Ave, Libis, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 631-0556

From the left is Russel Patalinghog, yours truly, Nesa Muring and Dante Ward.

I love Max’s Fried Chicken. I think every Filipino does. Max’s Fried Chicken is one of the country’s legacy restaurants, a food establishment that has been a part of every Filipino’s life since the end of the Second World War. If you go to a Max’s restaurant you will see their walls decorated by their old menus, prices that pique the imagination all signed by the closing salutation “forever amber”, something that I am still trying to figure out the meaning.

Through the years, people who frequent Max’s have gone their for various reasons, not necessarily just the chicken. Their kare-kare has been a staple in large gatherings, along with the boneless Bangus and Lechon Macau. Aside from a whole chicken, Max’s meals are made more complete with the Pancit Canton and Fresh Lumpia.

So if you are taking Mom out to Max’s for a special Mother’s Day lunch or dinner, Max’s has added something special for World’s Best Mom. For every 1,300 pesos bill, you get free Body Shop item that Mom can surely use to pamper herself. Don’t forget to ask for your free Body Shop item. This promo is valid from the 7th of May until the 12th so drive over to the Max’s branch nearest you and make Mom happy and proud.

So thinking about what to do for Mom on her special day? We may not have much of a premium on this supposedly American holiday of sorts, but I believe everyone is in agreement that our mothers deserve uber-special treatment at least once a year. What better to do it than on the second Sunday of May? Here are 5 top tips on where to take Mom for dinner on Mother’s Day.

Top 5 best gifts for Mother’s Day

1. Breakfast in bed. Because it is tuition fee season, May is usually the time for belt-tightening and frugality to save enough for school fees. Cook for her. Bring her breakfast in bed. You may not be the best cook in the house, but your effort will sure bring smiles, if not tears of joy. Don’t forget to clean up afterwards.

2.  Make her a gift. The best gifts are those that are made by the hand of a son or a daughter. A picture frame of the family or something sewn by hand is also a good idea. Whatever you give your Mom will always be treasured and appreciated.

3. Surprise her. Is there something that she has been nagging you about? Something that you know she has been concerned about? Do her a favor by giving her what she has been asking/wishing for. Most Moms want only the best for their children. So go ahead and clean your room, do the dishes without being asked, stay home on Mother’s day and spend it with her rather than with your friends. Give her this one day that will make her smile the most. She deserves it.

4. Flowers and candy. Unless she’s allergic, almost all women appreciate flowers and candy. If she’s diabetic like yours truly, the flowers will do nicely. Whether you picked these from the garden or bought it from a flower shop, your Mom is sure to be pleased with flowers surprising on her special day.

5. Take her out to dinner. If you are already working and earning your own money, Mom will be most pleased with a dinner that she doesn’t have to cook and clean up after. Treat her to a wonderful full-service restaurant serving only the best steaks in town. Melo’s Restaurant is one such option. You can call us ahead of time so we can prepare the food and keep it warm until you arrive.  Wagyu and foie gras are some of the most exquisite ingredients available in the Philippine restaurant industry. Treat Mom no less than a Wagyu steak dinner of Steak Ala Mom’s at Melo’s Restaurant. Mother’s Day smiles will never be the same.

 Mother’s Day comes but once a year.  Why not spend it on giving your Mom a most unforgettable dining experience? Bring her to Melo’s and show her that you love her very much.

Now there are more reasons to love BonChon, aside from its addictive, world-famous crispy chicken secret.  BonChon expands its menu with its fresh take on classic seafood favorites, serving up the season’s crispiest catch that’s delightfully different and delicious.

Sink your teeth into the Crunchy FLT, a spin on the classic BLT: panko-crusted fish, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomato drizzled with premium tartar sauce in a lightly toasted ciabatta. Fill up with the satisfyingly tasty Crispy Squid Rice, which is calamari cooked and sauced BonChon-style.  Grab some BonChonFish & Chips, and get hooked on their take on this popular English favorite.  Try something unexpected with the Bonchon Fish Taco, a unique mishmash of Koreanand Mexican inspired by California food trucks: crispy BonChon-style fish and zingy kimchi coleslaw in a warm soft tortilla.

Surprise your palate and indulge in the crisp textures and delectable flavors of the season’s crispy catch at BonChon.  All these are available a la carte for P120 – P125, and come with a regular soda or famous iced tea for P145.

Seek and you shall find. True enough, my cravings found its match when I received their invitation for the launch of the new Pizza Castellana. It is a pizza that features authentic Spanish Chorizo, a special pork sausage with a distinctly dried smoky flavor. When used in pizza, the Spanish Chorizo produces a reddish oil that is the source of that wafting smoky smell when you open a box of Pizza Castellana.

Do not mistake this sausage for Pepperoni because it is far from it. Pepperoni slices are smaller and are made from a combination of pork, beef and chicken meat. Pepperoni is a bit spicy and has a tangy flavor compared to Spanish Chorizo which is more smoky and is not spicy, though both are dried sausages.

I have been a child of Shakey’s and have been dining with them since 1978, when their first branch in West Avenue was established. I remember the place having so many people all the time and the service, needing a bit more patience than usual. I asked Shakey’s officials about the slowness of the service and they replied that this is no longer true because they have invested heavily in more ovens and more efficient processes that will bring the pizza to your table as fast as possible. From a personal perspective, I believe there is a bit of waiting time because they make their pizzas from scratch. Thin crust pizza is more difficult to handle than thick crust, thus preparation of thin crust will take a few minutes longer than the usual. It’s worth the wait anyway. Hot pizza, WITHOUT THE THICK BREAD, that kinda cheats you out of the authentic pizza experience. Europeans eat pizza thin crust and with good reason; less bread, more cheese and toppings. I don’t mind waiting for a good thin crust pizza that is truly value for money.

Shakey’s Chick ‘N Chips have never seen any serious competition, at least in my book. Crunchy on the outside, juicy chicken on the inside is so well complimented by the delicious gravy and MOJOS!!! I have not seen any restaurant in it’s class that serves potatoes this way. Not to mention, they ALLOW you to HAVE THE CHICKEN PART YOU WANT, unlike other chicken restaurants who do not allow you such choice. I love Chick ‘n Chips!

They have frozen yogurt too (Froyo) which is a nice addition to their family-friendly menu. Shakey’s is the original sports bar, before all those other sports bars sprouted in the Metro. Their Quezon Avenue branch is the biggest which also features a Fun Zone, where kids can play games and win prizes.

Come and try the Pizza Castellana! It is definitely a taste of Iberico in every bite!

Believe it or not, I have more memories of Shakey’s as a child than McDonald’s or Jollibee.  To this day, I still order Manager’s Choice Thin Crust. Being a child of the 70s,  I remember Shakey’s used to be the favorite hangout of college students sporting Afros and bell bottom pants, the time when it was cool to be seen at Shakey’s.  The first Shakey’s I’ve been to is the one along West Ave. Not sure if it is still there, but their service used to be berated because people thought the service was too slow. Now that I understand a bit more, I realized that it was good that Shakey’s took their time because they cooked the pizza from scratch. No ready made pizzas were available back then because the dough had to be kneaded and tossed for that really great pizza taste that we have all come to love.

I love the Bunch of Lunch because they let you choose chicken parts. Yes, unlike in other restaurants where they will only serve what’s available. I heard Shakey’s has something new this season. When I get wind of that information, you will be the first to know, so watch out!

If you want to see this view for yourself, all you need to do is come to the Skydeck Restaurant of The Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros and you’re going to be in for a very special treat. Buffet at the rooftop, the best possible view and all for only P699 nett per person. It was a very special treat when my sister invited me to have dinner there. I took the night image of Manila City hall with a lousy four-year-old, 8-megapixel camera that has seen better days, but still it came out nice. It gets better when you take the pictures yourself.

The spread is not as overwhelming as the Manila Diamond Hotel’s usual buffet. However, it does have a charm of its own. As my sister puts it, it’s buffet that’s got “rhyme and reason.” Most buffets just put it all out there, leaving the mixing and matching to the diner while we, as diners, leave the mixing and matching to our bellies. This Skydeck night was barbecue night. There was fish, sausage (I loved the sausage! I wonder if it was made in-house>) pork spare ribs, chicken teriyaki, veggies, salads, grilled squid and skewered beef. Playing second fiddle were a variety of Acharas (pickled green papaya) and sauces. It was a barbecue symphony that left me satisfied, not too full that I needed to embarrass myself by opening my belt. There was live entertainment, which many of the people seemed to like. Sadly I hated the live entertainment. The singer they had that night wasn’t exactly the songbird I was hoping for. I really hope they put someone who sings better and with a more varied repertoire. Every now and then I heard her apologize saying “sorry but I don’t know this song.” Kinda dampens the mood, don’t you think?

But my night was saved by the food, the service and the breath-taking night view of Manila and the Intramuros walls with the cannons pointing outwards.

And you will all love the service as I have.

In the daytime, you can enjoy the same view at 9 spoons restaurant but without enduring the hot sun.

Air-conditioned version of the Skydeck, 9 Spoons Restaurant serves breakfast (P495 nett) and lunch (P599 nett) buffets. Ala-carte dishes served upon request and at dinner time. I heard the specialty of this place is the Bagnet, it’s like Lechon Kawali on steroids. A must-try, I heard.

Jollibee’s Chicken and Mushroom Pasta is a welcome change to the usual spaghetti that we got used to. Not that it’s a bad product, but the chicken and mushroom pasta is something that diners with a more discriminating taste will surely love. It is not as sweet as the spaghetti we came to love, rather its savory taste is quite addicting. For it, this pasta dish hits the spot and is a good alternative to those expensive pasta dishes in some Italian fast food restaurants. The price is quite an attraction, as far as I’m concerned.

Good to know that Jollibee made true their word that this pasta would be available nationwide after February 9, 2012. I was in Tagbilaran City Bohol after the 9th and true enough I got the chance to dine on this lovely pasta dish when I was in a city that didn’t have much to offer in terms of good food.

This pasta dish saved my day when I decided to walk out of my hotel breakfast because of the terribly slow service. Jollibee is such a lifesaver for people who travel to the farthest corners of the country. Because it is as ubiquitous as dust, Jollibee has become very successful in serving clean and affordable meals to all types of diners. My cousin who used to be assigned to different provinces would swear that Jollibee was always his destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I follow his example because it is perilous to dine in places unfamiliar to you, especially in places where hygiene is questionable. Food poisoning can be deadly when you are in a place where medical care is wanting. Thus, the safest thing to do is to dine at Jollibee, where the standards of food preparation involves adherence to high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

With their variety of menu items, you will not get sick of dining at Jollibee continuously for at least two months, in my experience.

This tapas bar, as you can see, is an awesome place to party the night away. Lunch time, it is the best place to enjoy executive set lunches at reasonable prices. For the unitiated, tapas are a kind of Spanish hors d’oeuvres served in small plates. It is for people who talk and pay little attention to the food served. Traditionally, the Spanish would eat from little tapas plates until they have eaten enough for a full meal. Now you can have enjoy the same authentic Spanish tapas while having a good laugh with friends after work hours in a very cozy and comfortable atmosphere.

Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge is located at the 2nd floor, Commercenter Building, 31st Ave cor. 4th St. Bonifacio Global City, 1200 Taguig City. You may call or text them at 09175298333. This is one tapas bar that also serves lunch and dinner.

The food is wonderful and the tapas, wonderfully spicy. I love eating olives and Manchego cheese, which they have in spades. Remember that their paella needs advanced orders before you can go and order it. This is because their paella is freshly prepared with real saffron and they need time to prepare the ingredients a day ahead before can cook it. The other dishes are prepared with equal fervor and gusto by their very passionate chef.

I particularly loved their beef. It was fall-to-the-bone tender and savory strong in flavor and aroma. I urge you to try this when you come to Relik.

Their Gambas are very spicy but not enough to say no after a bite. On the contrary, their Gambas makes you want to have another bite after every gulp of whatever drink you’re having.

The Lengua Estofado (ox tongue) is wonderfully soft. It is not as salty as most ox tongue dishes and the sauce is really made from the meat’s drippings, making it truly delectable.

Come to Relik for drinks, tapas and fun. Like their Facebook fan page now.