Bang for the buck!

A more budget-friendly alternative for rib cravings is RUB ribs.

A full rack of ribs with two sides will cost only Php 370, fact or fiction? FACT! Yes, they are that affordable.

We frequent their Tomas Morato branch since we live near the area. Parking and seating capacity is very limited, so best come early if you want to have a spot.

They have a well-rounded menu and I'm sure there's something for everyone. :)

We got our favorite, the Super Duo, Smoked Pork Belly and Onion Rings.

Their Onion Rings (Php 160) were just a delight to eat. Thin, crispy and flavorful rings that come with their version of ranch dressing. A very good way to whet your appetite.



Super Duo (Php 370)  and Smoked Pork Belly (Php 200)

   

For the Super Duo, we chose the potato salad and buttered vegetables as side dishes. The ribs were meaty,  juicy and very flavorful. The barbecue sauce is just a good compliment, but not really necessary. It was really worth the price!

The  Smoked Pork Belly was charred on the edges. I didn't particularly like it because of the strong charred taste.

RUB is what you would consider a hole-in-the-wall since it is quite hard to find, but it's worth the trip!

RUB Ribs

Tomas Morato Branch - 64 Scout Rallos, Near Tomas Morato Avenue, Sacred Heart, Quezon City (02-5012799)

Pasig Branch- 88 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City (02-6252939)

A Taste of Authentic Ramen

Last night we tried out this ramen place called Ramen Nagi at Robisnon's Magnolia. This place is known to serve authentic Japanese ramen, and I'm pretty curious about how an "authentic" ramen tastes like.

Entering the restaurant gives you a glimpse and feel of Japan. Seats are all for sharing which makes it feel a bit awkward. Also, they have a "no take-out policy", even for left overs.

     

The menu features four types of ramen, we opted to share the Original King or more popularly known as the Butao King Ramen. The ramen broth is made from tonkotsu pork broth with classic Nagi pork chashu. You can choose to customize your ramen through their order sheet. I went with "normal" everything and got the pork belly. In addition to our ramen, we also tried their Chicken Karaage.

The ramen was served within a few minutes. I requested for two additional bowls, but we were given only one bowl. We had to ask for another bowl when the chicken karaage was served.

     

Original King (Php 390) looked really appetizing. We first tried the broth and we were both taken aback. The broth tasted like egg, to be exact, it had the exact taste of the soup of "balut". Balut is a Filipino delicacy,  it's a developing duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten in the shell. Yes, the broth of the ramen tasted like that of the balut. The pork belly was nice and tender and the noodles were cooked al dente.

The Chicken Karaage (Php 200) had a very strong umami flavor. It was crunchy and juicy and was accompanied by my favorite shredded cabbage with wasabi mayonnaise. The chicken wasn't really anything special.

It was worth a try, just to satisfy our curiosity. But it wouldn't be a restaurant of my choice.

I still can't get over the fact that I felt like drinking loads of balut broth.

RAMEN NAGI

Robinsons Magnolia Branch - Upper Ground Floor, Al fresco Dining Area, Robinsons Magnolia

SM MOA Branch - Ground Floor, South Wing, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City

Bonifacio Global City Branch - Fifth Floor, SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

All for Php999!

Chili's is one of our long time favorites, and the return of the Php 999 Food For Three promo, made it even more irresistible!

The promo comes with an appetizer and two full entrees that you can choose from a featured selection. We availed their promo and got the Wings Over Buffalo (you can choose either carrots or celery for the side), Chicken Crispers and Country-Style Pork Belly.

Service was very prompt. The Wings Over Buffalo was served after five minutes.



About 12 pieces of cute drumettes tossed in spicy buffalo wing sauce. I love the amount of heat. The bleu cheese dressing was the perfect companion for this.

Served next was the Chicken Crispers.



Five big pieces of golden fried chicken fingers. Crunchy on the outside, yet very moist and tender on the inside. It's accompanied by a side of corn, french fries and honey-mustard dressing. The honey-mustard dressing was divine! The mustard flavor wasn't overpowering and it had the right amount of sweetness.

Last to arrive was the Country-Style Pork Belly.

     

Three big and meaty slices of grilled pork belly served with a side of mixed vegetables and cilantro rice. Truth be told, the pork tasted like ordinary grilled pork, but when you dip it in their sour-spicy vinegar, it adds on a whole new dimension of flavor. The vinegar is able to remove that charred taste and significantly improve on the "pork" flavor. I'm not really a fan of cilantro, but the pork belly demanded to be eaten with rice!

Meal for three, devoured by two. :)

CHILI'S

Tomas Morato Branch - Tomas Morato Avenue, Laging Handa, Quezon City (02-3725017, 02-3725007)

Ortigas Branch - Second Floor, Building A, SM Mega Mall, Ortigas Centre, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City ( 02-6310380)

Greenhills Branch - 26 Missouri Street, Greenhills, San Juan City (02-7272959)

Greenbelt Branch - Level 2, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City (02-7293022)

Rockwell Branch - Ground Floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City (02-6596527)

Alabang Branch - Ground Floor, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City (02-8462647)