Renzie's Favorite Fast Food- Delivered Right At Home

Here's a post, entitled "Living Solo: Fast Food Fare", that originally got published in another blog of mine, The Life and Times of The Renzie Man- subtitled: The Not-So-New Adventures of Renzie Baluyut in Metro Manila and Los Angeles. It's a personal blog on urban living- with interesting observations and useful tips, particularly when you're on your own in the Philippines and the United States.

In any case, I recently put together a post on the home-delivery food services I typically patronize. I thought it would make a worthy addition to this new food blog of mine. Enjoy!

When you're living on your own in Metro Manila, fast food eating is definitely going to be a regular thing. Sure, you can do your own cooking, but sometimes it's not just as fun to cook when you don't have anyone on hand to appreciate your kitchen-work. Or maybe you're just tired from a hard day slaving away at the salt mines.

On the other hand, you can also just go out, as Metro Manila has a lot of other great dining options in terms of restaurants and food establishments. But making a habit out of dining out, while fun, can also seriously deplete a bachelor's limited income stores.

Which brings us back to fast food.

Most fast food chains in Metro Manila already offer a regular home delivery service. Below are my recommendations for quick-service food delivered right at your doorstep with a short phone call.

Ladies and Gentlemen, my Fast Food Nine:

• McDonald's. 8-6236 or 8-McDo
  
• Jollibee. 8-7000
  
• KFC. 887-8888
  
• Pizza Hut. 911-1111
  
• Shakeys. 7-7777
  
• Chowking. 702-8888
  
• Max's. 7-9000
  
• Greenwich Pizza. 5-5555
  
• Wendy's. 533-3333

My Take on The Fast Food Nine

McDonalds'. 8-6236, or 8-McDO. Ah, the ever-reliable McDonalds. I would have to say that this might very well be my default home delivery food option- whether breakfast, lunch or dinner. They even deliver 24/7 in key areas in the city.

I usually go for their sandwiches with a lot of meat- a couple of double cheeseburgers, quarter pounders with cheese, or big macs. Then wash em all down with a large soda. Remember that the fries do tend to get soggy by the time they get to you, in the same way that the sundaes might melt just a little. Otherwise, McDonalds' service is reliable more often than not- so your food gets to you well within the 30-minute window.

Jollibee. 8-7000. The country's leading fast-food chain, without a doubt. They probably offer more in terms of variety, and their food is catered more towards the Filipino taste. On top of the usual burgers and fries, they do have an assortment of rice meals and desserts as well. We usually go for the two-piece burger steak meals, the hotdogs, and the chickenjoy- Jollibee's fried chicken meal which comes in 1-, 2- or 6-piece meals. Fairly reliable delivery track record, though they don't deliver 24/7 just yet.

KFC. 887.8888. When we have a craving for chicken, it has to be KFC. We usually order a 6-piece box or an 8-piece bucket, depending on how hungry we are- and it has to be Hot and Krispy (though a lot of people I know still prefer the Original Recipe). You can usually request for your chicken to come in all white meat or all dark meat, and you can also order for other things like HotShots- bite-sized chicken balls, wraps called Go-go's, and even salads.

Depending where you are, delivery might take a while- although most places might have a 30-minute delivery time, other areas might take a little longer (like 45 minutes). But hey, it's KFC, so for me, it should be worth the wait.

Pizza Hut. 911-1111. If you're in the mood for some greasy pan pizza, then you'll probably want some Pizza Hut. I'd say Pizza Hut has two things going for itself: one, the delivery service is amazing- they almost always make it over to my place in less than 30 minutes, and two, the Palm Card- a loyalty card of sorts you could sign up for which entitles you to a free medium, large or family sized pizza (a pre-determined pizza-of-the-month) for every purchase of a pizza of the same size (plus a bottle of soda).

Great value, particularly if you're ordering for a family or a small party, excellent delivery track record, and you get the Pizza Hut taste you've been craving for.

Shakey's. 7-7777. Ah, Shakey's. You know you like Shakey's for their thin-crust pizzas. Even better, since they're competing head-on with Pizza Hut (see above), they have their own loyalty program in the form of the Pizza-natic Card. Same concept: you get a free large or family sized pizza (I think you only get a Pepperoni pizza this time- not bad) for every purchase of a pizza of the same size (plus a bottle of soda).

On top of that, you might want to consider getting yourself some Mojo Potatoes (though they aren't what they used to be), or maybe even some chicken to go with your thin-crust pizza. I actually prefer these guys over Pizza Hut: you still get the same great value and delivery track record, with a better (maybe slightly) healthier variety of food- but hey, it's fast food, so it can't be THAT healthy.

Chowking. 702-8888. Just about the only Chinese fast food chain in the Philippines, Chowking offers you a fairly wide variety of dimsum, noodle dishes, rice dishes and vegetable dishes- and quite possibly, the most convenient halo-halo (12 kinds of sweet treats with shaved ice and topped with ice cream) you can have delivered right to your doorstep.

What to get? We almost always get some siopao (Chinese meat buns), and some spicy noodles, a lot of dimsum, some congee (Chinese rice porridge), and a couple of halo-halo's for dessert. Depending on what you order, the food might take quite some time to prepare, but the store often informs you ahead of time if they need a little bit more time. But if you're craving for quick-service Chinese food, then you don't really have much of a choice, do you?

Max's Restaurant. 7-9000. Technically not a fast-food restaurant, but Max's home delivery track record is good enough to put them in the game. Plus, they're just about the only restaurant serving Filipino food that you can easily get with a quick phonecall.

While their claim to fame is their signature fried chicken, they also have a lot of good Pinoy food- pinakbet, kare-kare, pancit canton, lumpiang ubod (fresh or fried), and even crispy pata. Delivery time, depending on your location, might take longer; partially due to the fact that some of your food items might take longer to prepare, and that they don't have as many stores as, say, a Jollibee or a McDonalds'.

Greenwich Pizza. 5-5555. More pizza for you, and they also have their own loyalty program, but for me, they haven't quite mastered the art of getting your food to you in less than 30 minutes. So when you crave for a pizza, the tendency is still to get the more efficient Shakey's or Pizza Hut. Still, they do have a selection of pizza and fast food pasta (my way of saying don't expect much) you might want to check out.

And just like any other quick-service restaurant, they also have a few rice meals on their menu, as well as chicken.

Lastly, we have Wendy's. 533-3333. Wendy's used to be my favorite back in my earlier days of radio- in fact, I think Wendy's was one of the first restaurants to offer a 24-hour home delivery service AND a single number for delivery. Since then, they've been steadily losing ground to Jollibee, McDonald's and just about every other quick service restaurant I've mentioned here.

What I do like from Wendy's is the Wendy's classic- which you can easily upgrade to a double or a triple classic, depending on exactly just how much meat you want to gorge on in one sandwich. The sugar-free iced tea is a plus, but I'd really love to see some nutritional information rather than just taking their word for it.

So there you have it. My guide to fast food eating in Metro Manila. Hope it helps.

Cheers, everyone!

The Classic Brews of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

from the Food and Travel notes of Renzie Baluyut.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has always been one of my favorite coffee shops ever since I visited the first one at Greenbelt 3-- and that was at least 4 or 5 years ago.

Though I'm not much of a coffee drinker, I do appreciate their various tea blends, and even the hot teas that come in nice little pots. Plus, they got themselves some pretty interesting breads, cakes and pastries-- sweet treats that go well with your coffee or tea.

Here's something we got from the press kit of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

In a world where the hierarchy of taste is usually determined by what's brand new – nothing provides more satisfaction than classic flavors delivered with a distinct twist.

This is why, nearly 50 years since its inception, the distinct blends, down-home flavors and cozy ambiance continue to remain the main draws for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, who has gone on to indulge the palate of millions across the globe.

As the oldest and largest privately held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the United States, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's commitment to quality is evident with every sip of their finely brewed coffee and tea mixes.

“Our company is probably one of the few establishments whose exceptional drinks can be attributed to our efforts to directly source superior tea leaves and coffee beans from all over the world,” says The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Marketing Director Paolo Del Rosario “As well as process and brewing these ingredients fresh daily.”

Innovation is of course, a significant part of the company's success. In fact, the perennial favorite ice blended coffee drinks available today were first served by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf as far back as the 80's.

Today, their specially trademarked Ice Blended® is created starting with their secret coffee extract, which refine their specialty coffees to bring out the richest and most concentrated flavors, and mixed with their specially processed ice to produce a smooth and unique drink.

Trimmed with its trademark oak and tea chest paneled walls, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's interiors draw customers in by virtue of its intimate and inviting décor. Complemented by an attentive service team, a chockfull of amenities, gourmet menu selections and delectable dessert choices, it's easy to indulge with your favorite cup of coffee or tea within its relaxing and home-like appeal.

Indeed, it is The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's decades old understanding of their craft that allows them to deliver exceptionally. And for the gastronomic experience like no other, it is truly the place where cult favorites, best-loved infusions and innovative new brews are available in every soothing cup.

Aside from the one down in Greenbelt 3, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is also located at TriNoMa, SM The Block, Gateway, Ortigas Park, Paseo Center, Bonifacio High Street, Mall of Asia, Convergys Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village, Alabang Town Center, Rockwell, Robinson's Ermita, Greenhills Promenade, Robinson's Galleria, Eastwood, Tomas Morato and 2 more branches in Cebu. You can also visit their website for more information.

Cheers, everyone.

10 Must-Visit Restaurants While In Metro Manila, According To Yahoo!

Interestingly enough, Yahoo! has a travel guide to the Philippines and Metro Manila. It's rather informative, and I would imagine particularly so for foreign guests, as it has recommendations on what to do, where to check in, where to go, etc.

For me though, I'm rather interested in knowing what Yahoo! has to recommend in terms of dining and eating out. So, we're featuring that list of the Ten Most Recommended Restaurants in Metro Manila, right here on this blog.

Here we go...

First on our list of Yahoo's Most Recommended Restaurants in Metro Manila, at number 10 is the Outback Steakhouse, located at Glorietta 4 in Makati.

The theme is Down Under, with boomerangs, kangaroos and koalas as the pervading motif. Steaks are the main fare, complemented by chicken and some seafood. Do not, however, expect any kangaroo steak--it is all beef (Australian, naturally). The atmosphere is casual with a touch of contemporary sophistication (not exactly one's usual image of the Australian outback). Hearty meat eaters and beer drinkers will feel very much at home here. The bar also stocks wines and spirits.

Next on our list at 9th spot is Cafe Breton. Known for their crepes and coffee, you can find their establishments at the SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 3, TriNoma, The Podium, Tomas Morato, as well as in Ma. Orosa Street in Malate and in Westgate in Alabang.

When you walk into this cafe, you might feel you have been whisked off by magic to some small cafe out in the countryside of Brittany. The decor is French provincial, with rustic furniture, moss-green tile flooring and earthen pots on blue-painted shelves. Adding to the ambience, members of the staff sport red berets. For something really rich, order the Funtastic crepe--banana and Nutella crepe topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, and flambeed in Grand Marnier. Have it with cafe au lait, cappuccino, or espresso.

We now have our 8th most recommended restaurant in Metro Manila, according to Yahoo!- an old favorite, The Aristocrat. It has establishments at Jupiter Street in Makati, Roxas Boulevard, as well as in SM North EDSA, SM San Lazaro and SM Mall of Asia.

There was a time when The Aristocrat was a household word for eating out in Manila--so much so that it could justifiably call itself "The Philippines' Most Popular Restaurant." As befits a restaurant that has been synonymous with Filipino food, the decor revolves around a native motif, while the menu brings you the joys of Filipino cooking in such traditional fare as sinigang (sour soup) and crispy pata (deep-fried pig's knuckles). Honey-cured chicken barbecue, the house specialty, has been a favorite of generations of Filipinos. Drinks include beer, juices, soft drinks and mineral water.

The seventh most recommended restaurant in Yahoo's Top 10 Restaurants in Metro Manila is Kamayan- with branches at Alabang Town Center, EDSA, SM Megamall, Glorietta 3, West Avenue, Pasay Road and along Padre Faura, Manila.

Opened in 1977, Kamayan (kamay means "hand") has elevated the practice of eating with the hands into a respectable art form. Spoons and forks are available, but why spoil the fun of this unique 'hands on' experience? House specialties include Roast Suckling Pig, Seafood platter (crabs, prawns, mussels, squid), Spicy Bicol Express and Pinakbet (stewed okra, string beans and other vegetables). For dessert, try the Caramel Custard or Halo Halo. Beer and wine, as well as fresh fruit juices and soft drinks, are available.

At number six on the Top 10 Must-Visit Restaurants in Metro Manila according to Yahoo! is Conti's Pastry Shop and Restaurant. There's one in Greenhills, another in Serendra, one at TriNoma, and another in Paranaque- at the BF Homes Commercial Center.

Despite the name, and though it does serve good pasta, this is not an Italian restaurant. Managed by three sisters surnamed Conti, the restaurant features an eclectic mix of Filipino, European (the lengua estofada and calamari are winners) and a few Japanese dishes, along with sumptuous pastries and desserts, the house specialty. Conti's also offers catering and banqueting services, with function rooms for up to 100 persons. The simple decor is highlighted by a glass-enclosed garden corner with cascades. Fresh fruit juices in addition to soft drinks and beer.

Ranking fifth on this list is Red Crab Seafood and Steaks. They have a restaurant in Tomas Morato in Quezon City, and at the Alabang Town Center. They also run The Seafood Club in Greenbelt 3.

Most customers come to the Red Crab to savor the house specialty - crab served in a dozen culinary preparations. Here are your 12 options: steamed, deep-fried, Sichuan, Singaporean, Lungkow, Adobo, Maritess, Tauchi, Lilian, Relyeno (stuffed), claws and Miswa (angel hair noodles). Too much to handle?Settle for a more familiar steak instead. Or have a drink (much easier to choose from the list of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) while you think it over. The decor is modern Western-style.

The fourth most popular restaurant in Manila according to Yahoo! is one of my personal favorites, Dome Cafe. Dome Cafe is located at The Podium, Shangri-la Mall and along Ayala Ave. in Makati.

Dome originated in Australia but is now becoming a well-known name throughout Southeast Asia. Dome not only serves good coffee, but it also features a European-style menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pizza, pasta and salads are served, along with daily specials, vegetarian dishes, sandwiches, a special menu for kids, and desserts. Continental cafe decor and ambience, with tables outside the air-conditioned dining area for smokers and other patrons who prefer to sit outdoors. Dome's own coffee comes in espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, mocha or cafe Vienna. Other beverages are available.

At number three on Yahoo's list of must-visit restaurants in Metro Manila is Saisaki. Saisaki's restaurants are located at Padre Faura corner Adriatico Street in Ermita, as well as in Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall, West Avenue, Glorietta 3 and EDSA.

Saisaki is part of the Triple V food group, which is known for offering buffets at very reasonable prices. Attired in traditional kimono, female servers bow and welcome guests the Japanese way. The atmosphere is laid back and casual, and the restaurant is filled to the rafters at meal time. Book in advance if you can. Saisaki offers Japanese cuisine such as tempura, teppanyaki, sushi, sashimi, teriyaki and tofu dishes. Also included as an extra treat are Angus beef and salmon cooked in many delicious ways. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available; buffet price does not include drinks.

The second most popular must-visit restaurant is Cafe Havana along Adriatico Street in Ermita, Manila. There are also Cafe Havanas in Gateway Mall and in Greenbelt 3.

The atmosphere here is decadent Havana, just before the fall of the city to Castro. The food is allegedly Cuban/Caribbean, but that is almost incidental; most people come here just to party. There is a stylish cigar bar and lounge (aptly named after Hemingway) on the second floor; ask the management how you can become a member and be allowed to spend a neat sum for the prized Havana cigars in stock. Downstairs in this restored old house, the lively proceedings can sometimes spill out on the street in a spontaneous party.

At the top of the list of must-visit restaurants in Metro Manila according to Yahoo! is Sala. Sala is located along J. Nakpil Street in Manila.

Sala serves modern European cuisine, which doesn't mean either nouvelle or fusion. As the owner puts it, the food consists of "classic European dishes prepared for contemporary tastes." Muted colors and subdued lighting combine for a warm, eye-pleasing glow, highlighted by floral arrangements. A look at the menu yields such offerings as Sesame Crusted Seared Tuna with Crispy Asian Coleslaw, Porcini Mushroom Risotto Cake with Brie and Roast Tomato, and Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Mash and Red Pepper Chutney. The wine selection is geared to discriminating wine drinkers.

So there you have it. Special shout out to Wcities and ClickTheCity.com for the information and pictures on this blog entry. Personally, I like checking out ClickTheCity to find out what's new and what's going on in the local scene- and maybe you should too.

So what do you think about the list? No idea how Yahoo! was able to rank them up, but I plan to look into it a little bit more.

In any case, some of these restaurants are already favorites of mine, and the rest are definitely worth checking out. Then I'll probably have a more indepth review of my own.

'Til next time. Cheers, everyone!