St. Marc Cafe

St. Marc Cafe @ Vivocity (Score: 4.5 out of 5)

St. Marc Cafe. Say it again. St Marc Cafe. Now remember and find it. Once you find it, order a Green Tea Latte and a Little Fuji. Now lets see you forget St. Marc Cafe

The Restaurant

Our Orders

Little Fuji - Around $6.30

The Little Fuji is a crunchy danish pastry (more like a croissant) topped with soft vanilla ice cream. They warm up the danish pastry first and drizzle it with caramel. 

Choco Banana Fuji - Around $7.30

The Choco Banana Fuji is almost the same as the little Fuji but they just used chocolate drizzle and added banana slices. I prefer the Little Fuji but and of these two will make you crave for more. 

Matcha Latte and Cafe latte - around $5 for small cup

Whatever you order, pair it with a cup of these and you will be in a dessert bliss. It's a bit sweet but the Matcha Latte is a definite winner for me.

Warning though, bring a little (or maybe a lot) of patience. The queue can get very bad and one of their signature dishes (the chococro) has a very high demand. The result: the queue is long and waiting for it can take longer. During this time the wait for choco cro was 1.5 hours. And yes some people waited. Why? because it's worth it. If you do order the choco cro try the strawberry flavor as well. I personally liked it better.

Price and Value

St. Marc Cafe is not a cheap cafe. I don't think they intend to be as well. Its a Japan based coffee shop who can teach a thing or two to dessert places here in Singapore. All in all, we spent roughly about $16 for two cups of coffee and a Little Fuji. That really made my Sunday though. 

I advise you to try this. You won't regret it!

Rating:

Food - 4.5

Ambiance - 4

Value - 4.5

Service - 3.5

Overall 4.5 of 5

Repeat Factor (No!! No! Yes Yes! Yes!!): 

Yes!!

Restaurant details: 

Website: http://saint-marc-sg.com/

Address: 1 HarbourFront Walk, VivoCity, #01-108-110 Singapore 098585 
Address 2: 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square #02-105/184/185 Singapore 039594

Fax: +65-6222-2309
No reservations required.

Spiral @ Sofitel Manila

Spiral @ Sofitel Manila (Score: 4.0 out of 5.0)

The Philippines have never been known to boast for anything that is the biggest, largest, or hugest (i know its not a word :)) but you just have to visit Spirals in Manila. Located at the lower lobby of Sofitel Manila, this buffest serves the widest variety of food for a buffet. It has out-shined Circles at Shangri-la Makati.


Normally, buffet food isn't top quality food as it is served en masse and cooked en masse. Spiral's take on this is still the same but there are some items such as the cheese room, foie gras, and grill station which provides just top quality food.

The Food

Yummy Foie Gras

Foie gras should be taken in small amounts.... Tell that to this chef. See that plate of flesh colored stuff... that's all foie gras and that is gone in 10 mins (I think faster in some occassions). The chef will cook a portion for your table if you wish or just tell him table for 6 but have it all for yourself... hehehehe.

Heavenly Cold Cuts

Cheese Room

The cold cuts and cheese share the same room in Spirals. It actually has an automatic door to separate it from the other food choices. If you love cold cuts and cheese, there is no other place to visit except this place for a good buffet. They can charge half the price of the full buffet and sell only this and I'm sure there will be people who would be willing to pay. For me the selection is not mediocre but actually good quality. I'm sure there is better but they really had good stuff in here.

The Grill and Pizza Station

They have various goodies here like the chicken and lamb but the secret is getting some of the crayfish from the seafood area and ask them to grill it. That my friends is yummy!

Asian Area (Thai, Chinese, SIngaporean, Filipino, etc)

Ok. Normally in buffets I'm able to try at least some of the special dishes in the different areas. This was the first time I didn't even reach a portion of a buffet selection. I was so full from the goodies from the grill, cold cuts, and cheese section.

Indian Treats

I'll try this next time... Didn't have enough space to even try these. I think they serve naan here too.

Too many to remember... not sure which one this section was....

The Desserts

Candies

Chocolate Fountain

Cake and Assorted Dessert

Don't get me wrong, Spirals' buffet selection have mediocre items too. Well tell me a buffet that doesn't have that then I'll write about it too. Spirals take on the buffet though is quite unique. Its not just that they have a very very wide variety of selection (that's easy) but they are able to serve some very good food. 

That is the key to a good buffet. Make people go back cause of something that is special. I think that is what Shangri-la's Circles have lost as I don't really crave for anything there anymore. Spiral's though... I still want to go back for the cold cuts and cheese. Yes... It's that good.

Price and Value

Ok, As you might imagine, a buffet of such variety and quality can't be cheap. And that is very very true here. The net price is around P3,100 per person. But try to look for someone that has a membership to avail of discounts (around 30-50% depends on some calculation) or wait for a voucher (I think it happened before.)

Regardless wether its P3,100 or P1,500, I hope you guys try this out at least once as it is very very worth it.

Rating:

Food - 4

Ambiance - 4

Value - 4

Service - 4

Overall 4 of 5

Repeat Factor (No!! No! Yes Yes! Yes!!): 

Yes!

Restaurant details: 
Website: http://www.sofitelmanila.com/

Address: Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Philippines

Number: +63 (2) 551 5555

Reservation is advised.

Inagiku @ Shangri-la Makati

Inagiku @ Shangri-la Makati (Score: 4.0 out of 5.0)

We have always been a patron of Inagiku. We used to love their buffet which had the best steak for a buffet plus they served eat-all-you-can sea bass teppanyaki. That changed after Christmas last year (2012) as were disappointed with the quality of the food.

This visit though, we had ala carte lunch and all I can say is that Inagiku is still an excellent Japanese restaurant. 

The Food

Inagiku's Appeztizer

I think they serve this to anyone who orders an entree as each of one had it. I liked the tamago (egg) with mushroom. 

Inagiku's Salad

This was surprisingly good. I love the crunchy wonton wrapper crisps with the salad.

Gindara - P585

This was wifey's order. One thing I found out was that seabass apparently is an endangered species and that Shangri-la has banned serving it across all their restaurants (I hope everyone follows suit). Well, we ended up ordering Gindara (cod) and it is very very good as well. The cod had a nice crisp outside and the inside was buttery good.

Sukiyaki - P1200

This was my mom's order of sukiyaki. I've always loved the Inagiku sukiyaki and this was no different. The beef was tasty and sliced perfectly. The soup had the right sweetness as well.

Special Bento Box - P1500

Ahhh... my order. Its a food lover's bento box as it has all the right things inside it. From the top clockwise: unaji, chawan mushi, beef teppanyaki, gindara, salmon sashimi, chicken kara age, california maki, and mixed tempura. Not in the picture is the rice and miso soup. That ladies and gentlemen is how to serve a bento box. Each one of this is a joy to eat (although the maki is nothing special). 

Special Chawan mushi (served with the Bento Box)

I wanted to take a special picture of the chawan because it had a unique top. I was hoping for something different in terms of taste but unfortunately that was not the case. It's still very good though. 

Black Sesame Ice Cream and Coffee Jelly

Salmon Sashimi - P500

The salmon sashimi was very fresh but I can't say that this is the best salmon sashimi around.

Price and Value

I think a lot of people will automatically think that Inagiku is very very expensive but in my opinion it's actually the same price of restaurants like Sugi or Tsukiji in Makati. It is expensive but if you have a Shangri-la card it may actually become cheaper than the other restaurants. 

I hope they make the buffet very good again and make it worth it but their ala carte is still top notch and is good value for money specially the bento box.

Rating:

Food - 4

Ambiance - 4

Value - 4

Service - 4

Overall 4 of 5

Repeat Factor (No!! No! Yes Yes! Yes!!): 

Yes!

Restaurant details: 

Address: Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City, 1200, Philippines

Number: +63 (2) 813 8888

Reservation is advised.

Cerchio @ Tomas Morato Quezon City

Cerchio @ Tomas Morato Quezon City (Score: 4.0 out of 5.0)

It is quite rare to find a good Filipino Gourmet restaurant. It is rarer to find an excellent one. 

Here we have Cerchio which is hidden in one of the streets of Tomas Morato in Quezon City. The food was not just good but it was amazing how regular Filipino dishes are transformed to high quality dishes. Its like the chef joined Iron Chef and brought the recipe book back to the restaurant. Best yet, the food we love, like binagoongan, is still good with a bottle of San Mig Light. 

The Food

Grilled Tuna Sashimi - P290.00

I know I know... sashimi is not supposed to be cooked in anyway but well sashimi is also not a traditional Filipino dish. I was not a big fan of this dish too.

Thai Sinuglaw - P330.00

If you can't decide if you want Grilled Pork or Kinilaw for appetizer, then order this as it is the best of both worlds. The pork had a nice char and the tuna was fresh.

Pork Sisig - P230.00

It might look too fancy and its missing the traditinal sizzling plate but trust me this is a star. They used quail egg rather than the normal egg. I can eat this over and over again.

Crispy Binagoongan Baka - P440.00

Ahhh... my favorite dish of the night. Cripsy Beef Ribs served with Bagoong (Shrimp paste). It was not too salty and it didn't even have the strong smell of bagoong. It was tasty though and is eaten best with a good cold beer.

Grilled Kare Kare - P395.00

I'm not a big kare-kare fan (although I miss C2s krispy pata kare kare). This was good but nothing special as well. 

Gambas - P250.00

This is the spicy gambas. The sauce was very very good. It had the right heat. 

Price and Value

I find the price to be fairly reasonable. Dishes that we ordered are good for sharing which is to be expected in a Filipino restaurant. Its not often to find a very good Filipino restaurant that tries to be different and becomes successful. I'll recommend Cerchio to all friends and I hope that they can maintain their quality.

Rating:

Food - 4

Ambiance - 3.5

Value - 4

Service - 4

Overall 4 of 5

Repeat Factor (No!! No! Yes Yes! Yes!!): 

Yes!

Restaurant details: 

Address: 76 Sct Limbaga, South Triangle, Quezon City

Number: +63 (2) 355-0998

Reservation is available.

Ukokkei Ramen Ron @ Pasay Road Makati

Ukokkei Ramen Ron @ Pasay Road Makati (Score: 4.0 out of 5.0)

I love noodle dishes. Ramen is on top of my list but it is very easy to get disappointed as it is easy to destroy this dish. Soggy noodles, too salty, not much toppings, lacks flavor. None of these are applicable in this place. In fact, it is the opposite. This place is so good that I think I'll eat here every time I'm back in Manila.

I have to thank my sister Julie for recommending this place.

Note: Only the ramen dishes are excellent. The other dishes are mediocre at best.

The Food

Ukokkei Shio Butter Corn - P350

This was good and had a good helping of chashu as well. The ajitamago is a separate order but I highly recommend getting it as it just makes the dish taste better. The flavor of the soup is not as strong as the miso based soup but it is good none the less.

Ukokkei Miso Chashu - P380

This was my order and all I can say is yummmyyyyy!!!! It had about 4-5 slices of chashu that was cooked to perfection. The miso soup base was tasty and to my liking. Just add a little bit of chili powder for some heat and you are ready to go. The ajitamago (egg) is also an additional order but again it is well worth it (P40.00)

Yaki Gyoza - P120

If it looks too charred, then guess how it tasted.... Yup, I think I had better gyoza in food stalls. This is forgettable and so are the other dishes like their fried rice. Its like they forced other menu items just to provide option to none noodle lovers. In my opinion, they should just remove the other items altogether as it might just pull them down or make the other dishes sing as well.

Price and Value

If i paid for this dish 3 years ago, I'd say it was very expensive. But during this trip in Manila, things seemed to change and P300-P400 is the new "normal" price for dishes in restaurants. Though the restaurant itself is not in the prime Makati location, it may seem odd to pay this much but I didn't mind.

It would be difficult to beat the ramen of Ukokkei. I havn't tasted ramen in Japan yet and I think that would be the place to go to to find someone who can beat this. I can only name a few ramen houses in Singapore that can beat this (Men-tei in Robinson Road is one of them).

One problem though is service. I found them not to be very attentive and the staff seemed to be too playful to my liking. Avoid parking in their basement as it is too steep and they don't have their own restroom.

Rating:

Food - 4

Ambiance - 4

Value - 4

Service - 3

Overall 4 of 5

Repeat Factor (No!! No! Yes Yes! Yes!!): 

Yes!

Restaurant details: 

Address: Tesoro Bldg., 822 A. Arnaiz Ave. San Lorenzo, Makati

Number: +63 2 856 4588

Reservation is not available.