Yema Buko Pie and Ube Buko Pie from Nono Bakery: Gem of Sorsogon City

     They have been around for awhile and are known to some people but I think that these gems deserve wider recognition.   I’ve tried several buko pies (this being one of my favorite desserts) and so far, the only two that stood out is Orient Original Buko Pie (from Laguna but they also now have a store in Tagaytay) and just recently, the Ube Buko Pie and Yema Buko Pie from Nono Bakery in Sorsogon City.

Yema Buko Pie from Nono Bakery, Sorsogon City.

     Nono Bakery is located near Sorsogon public market and if it’s your first time to buy, don’t be discouraged by the surroundings on your way to the bakery.  You will not believe that such great tasting buko pies come from that humble, little bakery in the middle of the wet market -- but believe me, you should.

1st Colonial Grill: A Review

     1st Colonial Grill is one of the restaurants I frequent to since they opened at their old address in Old Albay, Legazpi City. This original location I'm referring to is one of the oldest buildings in Albay where La Mia Tazza and 21st Ammendment are currently residing.  After the move to their Daraga address, 1st Colonial Grill have since opened several branches within the province.  Now, 1st Colonial Grill has a restaurant in Pacific Mall Legazpi, in Ayala Malls Legazpi, and just recently, in SM Legazpi. As far as I know, they also have a branch in Sorsogon City and Naga City.

     1st Colonial Grill is known for their authentic Bicolano cuisines such as laing, pinangat, Bicol Express, tinutungang manok, and their famous sili ice cream. I'm from Bicol and although I enjoy those dishes, what I've come to love about this restaurant are the proven Filipino favorites that they serve.  And that's what we usually order when dining at 1st Colonial Grill.  The photos in this post was when my brother and I had a late lunch at their Ayala Mall branch. Take a look.

Tyler's Gourmet Kitchen: A Review

     People love to eat and food is an important part of human interaction. We eat when we celebrate something, when we want to relax, when we want to cheer ourselves up, when we're happy, and sometimes, we eat when we meet friends we haven't seen in a while.

Ruth, The Pinoy Wanderer, and Ate Bolen @ Tyler's Gourmet Kitchen.

     And so that's what happened when my good friend Ruth was in the country for a short vacation from Singapore. After a relaxing foot spa and massage at Natural Therapy HUB & Cafe, Ruth and I went to Tyler's Gourmet Kitchen in Daraga, Albay for an early dinner.  We were joined later by another good friend, Ate Bolen.

Caffe San Marco's Lunch Buffet: A Review

     It was a lazy day when my brother and I visited this restaurant in Legazpi City for our next buffet adventure. We were both feeling sleepy that time and we thought that perhaps some good food will perk up our moods. And we were right!

     Hey guys, welcome back to The Pinoy Wanderer! Here’s another restaurant in Legazpi City that absolutely deserves a spot in my list of awesome “Buffet Destinations in Albay.” 

     I’ve visited this restaurant in the past and have tried their breakfast buffet which, at that time, was an incentive for staying in their hotel. This time, with my brother, I’ll be trying out their lunch buffet to give you guys a peek on what to expect in case you go visit them. Without further ado, I introduce you folks to -- Caffe San Marco.

     Caffe San Marco is a restaurant inside Hotel Venezia in F. Aquende Drive, Legaazpi City. They have breakfast and lunch buffets all days of the week, from Mondays to Sundays. Schedule of their daily lunch buffet is from 11:30AM to 2:00PM for only P250.00 pesos per head. Below is Hotel Venezia’s location on Google Map for your reference.

     We arrived at the hotel around 11:30AM and because we’re already starving, went directly to the restaurant. Here’s what was served on the buffet table that Friday lunch:

Cosina de’ Marina's Lunch Buffet: A Review

     Hey guys, welcome back to The Pinoy Wanderer. I’m here to review another restaurant in Legazpi City that offers a fulfilling buffet experience. This next destination is a cool addition to a list I’m creating which will feature top “Buffet Destinations in Albay.” Let me introduce you folks to -- (drum roll please) -- “Cosina de’ Marina.”

     Cosina de’ Marina is located in Brgy. Cruzada, Legazpi City and owned by the incumbent Punong Barangay of Cruzada, Mr. Edsil N. Llaguno. The restaurant took the name “Marina” from the owner’s mother-in-law and is also a playful derivative of the bicol phrase “mari na” which means to invite others to join and partake. Of course “Cosina” means kitchen, so yeah, come and join the feast in Marina’s kitchen. Anyway, the restaurant started its operation just last March 2014 and offers lunch and dinner buffets all days of the week for only P180.00 per head. Lunch buffet is from 10am to 2pm while dinner buffet starts at 5pm to 10pm, Mondays to Sundays. Below is its location on Google Map so you won’t get lost.

     Unlike what happened on my previous review, this time, my brother and I arrived at the restaurant on time. How unbelievable for me, haha! And so we had a feast on all of their home-made cuisines. Check out the photos below to have an idea what to expect in case you try Cosina de’ Marina’s buffet:

Mr. Crab's Lunch/Dinner Buffet: A Review

     My friends from out of town would often ask me which restaurants to try whenever they’re in Albay or somewhere in Bicol -- and I would always end up not having a concrete suggestion. So now that I’ve become less busy, I finally will have the time to get a fresh perspective of the culinary destinations around Albay and perhaps, its neighboring places. Yep, I think it’s time for me to make a list. For my first stop in this series of reviews (that I shall tag as “Buffet Destinations in Albay”), let me introduce you folks to Mr. Crab & Seafood Diner.

     Mr. Crab & Seafood Diner is located along Airport Road corner Washington Drive, Legazpi City and have been serving the Albayanos since July 2011. The restaurant, not more than three months ago, is now under the management of Ms. Aida Del Castillo. For those who aren’t big fans of seafood, don’t despair because I’ve checked their menu and found out that they have traditional cuisines that Filipinos usually go for. That, plus local recipes that are innate of the province such as pinangat and laing which are usually a hit among visitors and locals alike.

Where Mr. Crab is on the map, courtesy of Google Maps. Click HERE for directions.

     Anyway, this series of reviews will target restaurants in Albay that offer “eat-all-you can” dining experience since if we want to indulge in food, buffets are the best way to do it. Mr. Crab offer their lunch/dinner buffet only once every week during Wednesdays. Buffet starts at 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (lunch buffet) and 6:00 to 9:00pm (dinner buffet) at P200.00 per head. The food served during the lunch buffet is the same as what's served on the dinner buffet.

     So what can we expect from Mr. Crab’s once-a-week buffet? My brother and I came in late (around half past 12 noon), so there’s not much left on the table. No matter, here’s what we managed to put on our plates…

Alvi's Albay Cafe

     Since I'm in my hometown almost half the time, I've decided to feature more of the places and destinations in the Bicol region so my readers can get to know the place where I grew up.  I don't really go out a lot when I'm in Bicol but I will do my best to feature places of interest whenever there's an opportunity for such. My first post for 2013 is about a new restaurant in Daraga, Albay which opened last July, 2012: Alvi's Albay Cafe.

Alvi's Albay Cafe at night.

Alvi's is located at Brgy. Sagpon, 4200 Daraga, Albay.
Geographical location courtesy of Google Maps.  (Click the image to enlarge).

#Banchetto Meralco Avenue

     Banchetto has been one of my favorite food destinations since I discovered this "OVERNIGHT STREET FOOD FIESTA" last January 2011.  From then on, when me and my friends would go out Friday nights, we sometimes drop by Banchetto at around 5AM the next day to have breakfast at their old location in Emerald Avenue. 

At the new Bachetto Meralco Avenue, and our favorite food stall.

     Banchetto is an Italian word which means a 'banquet' or a 'feast' which, in this case, is definitely true.  Started February 2006, this weekly overnight street food feast began with only around 14 food vendors and grew up to 130 last December 2010.  After the success of Banchetto EMERALD along F. Ortigas Jr. Avenue (formerly known as Emerald Avenue), several other Banchetto venues were born:

Almon Marina at SM Megamall

     What happens when two perennial late comers agreed to watch a movie?  Well, they arrive not on time but AT the same time!  Ehrr, almost, LOL! -- and because I got there first, I bought the tickets and while waiting for Madam to show up, also bought some popcorn using my Smart Rewards points.

     "The Vow" will start at 10PM and since we have more than an hour spare, we looked for a restaurant where we can have some light dinner.  That's how we found this interesting place:  Almon Marina Sandwich Bar & Deli.

The Almon Marina branch we visited is located at the GF of SM Megamall Building A.

The Café Mediterranean at Resorts World Manila: A Review

     A day before my brother's Hong Kong and Macau vacation, he dropped by our Manila apartment so we can hang out and catch up on things.  He kinda missed our usual comfort food (pasta and pizza) and so we looked for a new restaurant to try while we were at Resorts World Manila.

     After checking out some places and seeing what's on their menu, we found this restaurant that seemed worth the try.  Read on to find out if it really was...

     The Café Mediterranean is located on the 4th Floor of Newport Mall in Resorts World Manila and claims to be home of the best Mediterranean cuisine this side of the planet.  They boast of great tasting hummus, paninis, soups, pastas, kebabs, gyro plates, moussaka and moutabal for fresh, light and healthy meals.

Chef's Quarter Megamall Branch: A Review

      Yo, what's up?

     It was a cool evening and I feel like eating my favorite comfort food so MPC (Yvette Yzon) and I scouted for a restaurant where we can get some pasta and pizza.  Then we wandered into this familiar place.

The Chef's Quarter Restaurant we visited is located at
Level 3 Mega Atrium at SM Megamall.

     Chef's Quarter hopes to deliver an eclectic dining experience with their Mediterranean inspired cuisine fused with regional favorites.  Chef's Quarter is one of my go-to restaurants when I want to have pizza and pasta in Megamall.  Anyway, I kinda miss their 'panizza' -- thus, that came first in our order...

Panizza with All Meat Toppings of pepperoni, salami, pork and beef bbq and three cheese - P290.00

Orchard Road at SM Megamall - A Taste of Singapore

     Hey guys, what's up?

     I was -- ehrr -- more than two hours late and so my companion was really starving when I found her at our meeting place.  After some catching up, we decided to wander around the crowded SM Megamall to look for a nice place to dine and saw a familiar place that we haven't tried yet -- Orchard Road.

     Orchard Road is located at the 2nd Level Bridgeway of SM Megamall and since its opening last 2010, is known for its wide array of Singaporean inspired dishes which, due to the cultural diversity of Singapore, is actually a fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western cuisines.  The restaurant took its name from the famous road that's known as the retail and entertainment hub of Singapore.

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     We checked their menu and saw some set meals that are good enough to try and so, here's what we ordered:

California Pizza Kitchen: A Review

     I'm not sure if you've noticed but I'm quite fond of places that serves pasta, pizza and anything with tomatoes.  I swear I can live on pizza all the days of my life, hah!  Anyway, here's another place to visit if you're looking for quality customer service and food that promises authentic Californian kick to it.

California Pizza Kitchen or CPK boasts of its authentic California-style cuisines.

     The CPK branch we visited is located at the second level of Shangri-la Mall in Edsa, Mandaluyong City.  The place was kinda small but the atmosphere was surprisingly warm and people are extremely accommodating.  We're not that hungry, but wanted to get full.  Taking that in consideration, here's what we ordered:

A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante: A Review

     For some of us, this year came as a blur and just when we're getting used to things, another year will yet again come to pass.  Indeed, time does fly so fast!  As such, let's make every moment count by spending quality time with the people we love.  And what other awesome way to spend time with them but over a table of delicious and sumptuous food?


     Hey folks, The Pinoy Wanderer is back!  And before the year finally came to a close, I had the chance to dine with some of my friends and while we talk about things, events and interests, we sampled some of A Veneto's Italian cuisines.  Yep, I'm back to talk about food -- again, haha!

     The A Veneto branch we visited is located at G/F SM Mall of Asia and because it's the holiday season, we waited for a while before the three of us were seated.  It was around 9pm when we were ushered inside and since we were starving, we ordered something heavy.  Go check what we had:

A Veneto Family Platter P300.00 - a combination of their chicken wings
with crabsticks, cheddar munchers and French fries.

Super Bowl Of China: A Review

     If I'm craving for Asian cuisine with a kick of Chinese, Super Bowl of China is one of the places that comes to mind.  And so while my brother is still on leave from work, we visited a Super Bowl of China branch located at The Atrium in Megamall. 

The Super Bowl Of China branch we visited
is located at the 4th Floor of The Atrium in Mega Mall.

     Super Bowl of China has a wide range of enjoyable dishes that has captured the Filipino taste through the years.  They offer soups & congee, dim sum (you definitely should try their dimsum platter), noodle dishes, rice & toppings, roasts, and main dishes of chicken, pork, beef, seafood and vegetables.  Of course they have the usual drinks, fruit shakes and desserts.

       We were a bit hungry so we decided to indulge a bit on our usual favorites.  Here's what we ordered.

Conti's Pastry Shop and Restaurant: A Review

     Even before putting up The Pinoy Wanderer, Conti's has been one of my favorite restaurants.  I will most certainly explore unfamiliar territories in the future but I also feel that it's a must to re-visit old places and confirm why they are my favorites.  And so yesterday, after attending the 5:00pm mass at The Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord, I had dinner with TL Nielsen at Conti's in Serendra.

The Conti's Pastry Shop & Restaurant we visited last October 16, 2011
is their branch located in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Unlimited Coffee and Cakes at The Coffee Beanery

The Pinoy Wanderer is back to talk yet again about food.  But this time it's going to be about desserts.

The Coffee Beanery that we visited is located at the

5th Level of Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Edsa.

     After attending the 5:00pm mass last Sunday at the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord, the three of us (Hannah, Jeb and myself) headed to Edsa Shangri-la to try out Cravings' unlimited coffee and cakes.  I've been to Cravings with some of my friends last month but we got there a bit late for the unlimited coffee and cakes promo.  (I talked about it on this post).  This time my siblings and I got there earlier so yeah, cakes -- here we come!

Dads Ultimate Merienda Buffet: A Review

     Food is an important aspect of our lives that reaches across continents, ages and cultural differences.  It is an overwhelming force whose presence we simply cannot ignore.  Whether it is to celebrate something joyous like an anniversary, a birthday or a job promotion... or to forget a heartbreak or even when we're just bored, guess what?  We EAT! 

     As proof of the introduction, since this blog was created barely a month ago and has published five posts, three of the posts talked about food and dining.  And now, The Pinoy Wanderer will yet again  indulge you to one of my favorite hang out places if you're looking for affordable yet truly enjoyable food.

Dads Ultimate Merienda Buffet - P169.00

Breakfast Buffet at Somethin' Fishy: A Review

      I am not a picky eater.  In fact, my taste buds are really easy to please.  I don't know much technicalities when it comes to food but nonetheless -- allow me to share some of my thoughts whenever I dine somewhere new.

     Earlier today, we went to Somethin' Fishy in Eastwood to try out their breakfast buffet.  Somethin' Fishy has breakfast buffet (P159.00), lunch buffet (P425.00 on weekdays and P525.00 on weekends) and dinner buffet (525.00).  Prices of course are subject to change.  The breakfast buffet, from what I read over the Internet, starts from 12:00 midnight up to 10 AM.  We got there almost 9AM because I woke up late. Boo, haha!

Somethin' Fishy is in Eastwood City Cyberpark, E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave.,

Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City

Let's Talk About Coffee

     I was not really a coffee lover though I grew up with parents drinking coffee over breakfast.  Those were the times when popular brands of instant coffee are bought in glasses and before you know it, you already have a dozen of them and you use these glasses to serve guests. LOL!

     When coffee shops sprouted like mushrooms all over Manila, they've become just too hard to ignore -- specially if they give options on how you can enjoy your coffee which is totally different from the way they used to be.