Good Food and Chill Vibes at Tienda de San Pablo.

There's an up and coming hot spot in San Pablo and it's located smack dab in the heart of the city. This new place has been popping up in my Facebook timeline lately so we decided to visit over the weekend.

Tienda de San Pablo.

The place is packed right after the evening mass.

This is Tienda de San Pablo, an al fresco cafe located at the courtyard of the San Pablo Cathedral. Decorated with lush ferns and lovely capiz lanterns with the church's brick walls and neoclassic architecture as its backdrop, this place gives off a totally European vibe. And because it's al fresco, you can literally dine under the stars and enjoy the cool summer breeze.

A nice view of the bell tower.

Getting the boys out of their rooms
and away from their computers is a rare occasion. :)

Tienda de San Pablo had its soft opening about two weeks ago, serving only coffee and pasalubong items (uraro, banana chips, and the like) at the time. With its growing popularity and increasing customer base, Tienda now also serves pasta, sandwiches, cakes, and pastries. They've also added dimsum and dumplings in their menu selection, too.

Pasta and sandwiches by Life is Good.

Cakes and pastries by Gem See's Bakeshop.

We tried a little bit of everything on their menu. The boys ordered Lasagna (Php 190), while Jaymee and I had Pesto (Php 160). We also got a slice of Blueberry Cheesecake (Php 140) and Cinnamon Rolls (Php 100). Food is served on paper plates (this is for convenience, I guess) and comes with eco-friendly wooden cutlery. 

Lasagna (Php 190).

Pesto (Php 160).

Blueberry Cheesecake, Php 140 per slice.

Cinnamon Rolls, Php 100.

Of course, we tried their coffee, too. They serve both hot and iced coffee, and they have quite a variety of flavors to choose from. They also serve non-coffee drinks like Mango and Strawberry Latte. Thomas and Jaymee tried their best seller Caramel Macchiato (Php 120, 16oz iced) while Yue and I got our all-time favorite Spanish Latte (Php 100, 16oz iced). Like the pasta and pastries, their coffee is pretty good, too. Thomas liked the Macchiato a lot, he actually had two cups. 

Iced Spanish Latte, Php 100.
Coffee by Ducky's Coffee Bar.

We hung out for awhile at Tienda, looking forward to seeing Father Jerry, our parish priest, and listening to some live acoustic music that night. Unfortunately, acoustic night was held the night before (Friday), and Father Jerry was not around. Nonetheless, we had a wonderful time that night, chatting, basking under the moonlight, listening to good music, and enjoying the dreamy ambiance and picturesque surroundings. We totally last track of time and the next thing we knew it was already 9pm, haha! 

Perfect for date nights. :)

Tienda de San Pablo opens from 5pm to 9pm on weeknights. On weekends, they extend their operating hours until 10pm. The best time to visit would be at sundown (or after the evening mass) when the air is cooler and the San Pablo Cathedral switches on its night lights.

Surprisingly, he enjoyed our night out at Tienda!

This visit will definitely not be our last. Hopefully, the next time we drop by, there will be more food items on the menu - think pica pica like nachos and fries, or rice meals for those with a bigger appetite. It would be great if we could catch the live acoustic performances, too!

Tienda de San Pablo

San Pablo Cathedral

T. Azucena St.

San Pablo City

Romantic Baboy | The place to be for meat lovers.

With the growing popularity of K-dramas, K-pop, and just about anything Korean, it's no surprise that samgyeopsal (Korean barbecue) also became widely known in the Philippines. Over the past few years (and most especially during the height of the pandemic), samgyeopsal restaurants have popped up in literally every street and corner in the metro, and even in the provinces.

Among these restaurants, the most popular would have to be Romantic Baboy. Established in 2018 with its first branch in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, Romantic Baboy is one of the first samgyeopsal restaurants to offer an eat-all-you-can menu. Now with almost a hundred branches all over the Philippines, it's no surprise that Romantic Baboy is a household name when it comes to Korean barbecue.

Romantic Baboy - the place to be for meat lovers.

There are currently six Romantic Baboy branches here in Laguna, and thankfully, one of those branches is in my hometown. The San Pablo branch opened in July 2021. Back then, they were a lot more stringent when it comes to health and safety protocols, like doing temperature checks, filling out health declaration forms, and presenting vaccination cards. These days, they're a lot more lenient - they just ask you to fill out their log book with your name, contact number, and time of entry. 

After logging in, you will be asked to wait a bit as they prepare your table. You will be ushered to your seat once they've set the table with banchan (side dishes), sauces, melting cheese, and lettuce. Likewise, the grill will be ready with fresh charcoal underneath, and seasoned egg on the side. 

Ready to grill!

Romantic Baboy's selection of side dishes includes kimchi, danmuji (pickled radish), coleslaw, pa muchim (scallion salad), eomuk bokkeum (stir-fry fish cake), and goguma mattang (candied sweet potatoes). I actually like their scallion salad, which reminds me of the pa muchim served in my favorite samgyeopsal restaurant in Hongdae. Their fish cake is okay too, but I do believe my version of eomuk bokkeum tastes better, haha. 

Banchan galore!

As for the dipping sauce, they have the traditional ssamjang, sesame oil, salt and pepper, and spicy sauce (which kinda looks like a watered down version of gochujang to me). I usually dip the meat in ssamjang and sesame oil, because that's how they usually do it in Korea.

The Romantic Baboy menu.

They also have a seasonal menu.

Speaking of meat, Romantic Baboy has eight types of meat in their regular menu. This includes Herb Samgyupsal, Woo Samgyup, Moksal, Daepae Samgyupsal, Yangnyum Galbi, Jeyuk Style Daepae, Bulgogi, and Spicy Beef. To start your grilling experience, you will be asked to choose three different types of meat which will be served in wooden platters. Marinated meats, on the other hand, are served in bowls.

Herbed Samgyupsal.

Daepae Samgyupsal.

I've pretty much tried them all, and the Herb Samgyupsal is my hands-down favorite. If you prefer a shorter cooking time, Daepae Samgyupsal is a winner too, since the meat is thinly sliced. Their marinated meats (particularly the Yangnyum Galbi and Bulgogi) are pretty good as well, but they tend to burn the grill faster and make the flames flare up. 

Grilling!

They also have a special menu and a seasonal menu. Included in the special menu are Cheese Scallops, Smokey Samgyupsal, and Bulgogi Chicken. Listed on their seasonal menu are Mak Chang (pork entrails) and Smoked Duck. The meats on the seasonal menu are hard to come by, while the Cheese Scallops are a must-try. They're chewy but super tender, and they taste like the sea, if you know what I mean.

First batch of meat. :)

As I have mentioned earlier, it's eat-all-you-can at Romantic Baboy. Everything on their menu is unlimited, so you can always order for more. Even the side dishes are unlimited, too. (I usually ask for egg, cheese, and lettuce refills, hehe.) You can also ask for rice and gochujang jjigae (Korean spicy stew), which they will also refill if you ask for second, third, or more helpings. All these for only Php 549. Definitely worth the price, if you ask me.

Samgyup buddies. :)

Overall, I love the food and the service of Romantic Baboy. I've visited the San Pablo branch four times to date, and it's been a great dining experience every single time. The food is great, the staff are cordial and friendly, and the restaurant is clean, spacious, and fully-airconditioned. I also like how well-lighted the place is, with huge, glass windows that give you a nice view of the sky and cars passing by.  

Lunch time at Romantic Baboy.

Romantic Baboy at night.

Romantic Baboy opens at 11am and operates until 10pm on weekdays. On weekends, they are open until 11pm. The restaurant gets pretty busy in the evenings so I suggest you come early, especially if you're dining with a large group. 

Romantic Baboy

2F Lynderson Arcade

San Roque - Sta. Monica Road

San Pablo City, Laguna

Botejyu SM City San Pablo for your Japanese Food Cravings.

In the past year and a half, so many new cafes, restaurants, and diners have popped up in my beloved hometown. My siblings and I would often say, "feeling Seoul ang San Pablo" (San Pablo feels like Seoul), because of the numerous coffee shops and (milk) tea houses that have mushroomed practically everywhere - from the city proper to the outskirts, even in the most far-flung barangays.

And that's a good thing, actually. These new cafes and restaurants are a sign that the food and beverage industry is slowly recovering from the COVID slump. In addition, San Pableños now have a plethora of food options all over the city. I'm thinking of visiting and trying out as many new and relatively new restaurants as I can, as part of my 'aspiration' to blog more often this year and share more quality content.

Botejyu, home of authentic Japanese cuisine.

First on the list is Botejyu, a world-renowned restaurant chain that originated from Osaka, Japan. The very first Botejyu restaurant was established in the city of Tamade in 1946, with okonomiyaki and okosoba as its specialties. Now on its 77th year in the industry, Botejyu boasts of 126 shops worldwide, 64 of which are in the Philippines.

One of those branches happen to be in SM City San Pablo, and I could not be more ecstatic! Finally, an authentic Japanese restaurant in the city to satisfy our ramen, katsu, and yakisoba cravings!

Botejyu finally made it to SM City San Pablo!

Botejyu SM City San Pablo held its grand opening last January 6 but it wasn't until last week that we finally had the chance to dine at the restaurant. And we had a good reason to indulge in some great food - Yue's grades went up this quarter and he retained his spot on the list of  students with high honors. That called for a celebration by all means!

Here's a glimpse of what we had at Botejyu.

First off, Chicken Karaage because Yue loves chicken, haha. This was the first thing he had in mind when I told him that we're going to the mall for some Japanese food. Crispy, golden, and perfectly seasoned... it's no surprise that Botejyu's karaage is the number one karaage in Japan.

Large Chicken Karaage, Php 520.

For his main course, Yue had the Pork Tonkatsu Cutlet with Egg Teishoku. The term 'teishoku' means set meal, and this one comes with a bowl of rice, some fresh side salad, a bowl of miso soup, and a small plate of kimchi.

Pork Tonkatsu Cutlet.

I tried a small piece of the Tonkatsu, and I'm impressed by how thick, tender, and flavorful the meat is. Yue absolutely loved it, being a huge fan of my homecooked tonkatsu, which of course, pales in comparison to this one.

Pork Tonkatsu Cutlet with Egg Teishoku, Php 415.

The rest of us had donburi, or rice bowls served with meat or fish, and vegetables.

Steakdon (Diced Beef Garlic Rice Bowl), Php 545.

Jaymee had Steakdon, and I could tell how delighted she was with surprisingly tender beef pieces. She was smiling from ear to ear after one bite! :)

Tendon (Tempura Rice Bowl), Php 325.

Our resident shrimp eater, Thomas, had the Tempura. He was pretty much impressed with the crispy and crunchy batter and the juicy, perfectly cooked prawns. 

Butadon (Grilled Pork Rice Bowl), Php 325.

As for me, I had the Butadon because I was in the mood for pork. The tender and flavorful meat and the slightly sweet and savory sauce make a perfect combination.

Of course, no gastronomic trip to Botejyu would be complete without a bowl of ramen. We had their bestseller, Pork Tonkotsu Ramen with Char Siu Pork, and omg, one sip of the creamy, (slightly) fatty broth was enough to blow me away. It's heaven in a bowl with the milky broth, springy noodles, and tender meat. Really, you have to try it to understand. 

Pork Tonkotsu Ramen with Char Siu Pork, Php 485.

The boys enjoyed their first Botejyu experience, and it seems there will a be second, third, fourth, and so on visit. The food may be a little bit on the pricey side, but trust me, you're paying for really good, authentic Japanese food. 

Two tables full and Php 3k worth of food.

Congrats to you two! 

Botejyu 

2F SM City San Pablo 

Brgy. San Rafael, San Pablo City, Laguna

(0917) 805 7234

Foodie Goodie | UniBearsity Cafe.

While browsing through the 'Nearby Places' tab on Facebook, I came across UniBearsity Cafe and a handful of geo-tagged photos of the place. In photos, this new cafe looked nice and modern, and the food looked quite appetizing. Yue and I were driven by curiosity (and the desire to eat something 'non-fast food') so we decided to have lunch here the other day, right after his karate training.

Chillin' with the bears at UniBearsity Cafe.

UniBearsity Cafe characterizes itself as a 'concept hang-out place' which aims to serve its customers not just good food, but also a unique dining experience. Although relatively new (they opened last January), this place seems to be well-liked by teens and young adults, and I think the cafe's ambiance contributes a lot to its popularity.

Bears as big as a 10-year old kid.

Adorned with teddy bears and throw pillows, UniBearsity Cafe has a relaxed and homey vibe, with Instagram-worthy aesthetics to boot. This crib-style cafe has lounges sectioned off for each group of customers, where you can sit on the floor, plop on a pillow, and snuggle with teddy bears.

The crib on one side of the cafe.

If dining while sitting on the floor isn't your thing, don't worry. This cafe has regular tables and chairs for customers like me who think it's a hassle to remove your shoes in public and find it uncomfortable to sit with your legs crossed for an extended period of time.

Tables and chairs on the other side.

As for the menu, UniBearsity Cafe offers pasta, snacks such as nachos, burgers, and fries, and a small selection of desserts. They serve 'silogs aka breakfast meals all-day, and they have a wide variety of beverages to choose from. All items on their menu are affordably-priced, nothing beyond Php 100.

UniBearsity Cafe menu.

I was expecting Yue would want a rice meal since he gets really hungry after karate training, but he chose the Tuna Pasta instead. I was in the mood for pasta as well, so I ordered the Chicken Mushroom Pasta for myself. We also got a platter of Nachos for sharing, a glass of Classic Lemonade, and a glass of Cucumber Lemonade.

Pasta, nachos, and lemonade.

Since we were the first customers that day, it didn't take long for our food to be cooked. The Nachos were served on a chopping board lined with wax paper, topped with a generous amount of ground beef, chopped tomatoes, and gooey, melted cheese. I like that the chips were crispy and the toppings were flavorful, but I would have liked it even more had there been onions and cucumber in the mix.

Nachos, Php 90.

The pastas that we ordered both had white sauce. Yue enjoyed his Tuna Pasta, saying that it tastes like the carbonara that I cook at home. My Chicken and Mushroom Pasta, however, was a bit watery and the sauce just wouldn't adhere well to the noodles. The noodles per se weren't soggy, but the garlic bread on the side was, and I couldn't even eat it because it was 'too wet', lol. I guess the cook didn't drain the noodles properly, leaving some pasta water on the plate. 

Chicken and Mushroom Pasta, Php 90.

The drinks were okay, but I can tell from one sip that they're made from fruit juice powder and not from natural fruits. I give props to the presentation, though. They were served in cute, bear-shaped glasses which matched the cafe's theme.

Cucumber Lemonade Juice, Php 45.

Overall, I like the concept of UniBearsity Cafe - budget-friendly food that even college students can afford; a cozy place to hang-out with friends, brainstorm for a project, or have a group study; ambiance and aesthetics that would stand out on an Instagram feed. They need to work on their kitchen techniques and drain their noodles properly, though, because a watery spaghetti can ruin the whole dining experience.

UniBearsity Cafe

2F New Kalahi Building

T. Azucena Street, 

San Pablo City, Laguna

+63945 210 4338

Foodie Goodie | Allegra's Kitchen.

Like most kids his age, my son looks forward to weekends with eager anticipation. Because for Yue, weekends not only mean freedom from school work and extended screen time, but also karate training, a trip to the mall, and eating out at his restaurant of choice.

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of dining at Allegra's Kitchen, a fast casual restaurant located at SM City San Pablo. 'Fast casual' is a restaurant format which combines the elements of fast food (quick service, self-service) and casual dining (extensive menu, relatively higher price point), hence the term.

Allegra's Kitchen, SM City San Pablo.

A typical fast casual restaurant has no table service - meaning you place your orders at the counter and pay upfront, wait for your food to be 'assembled', then take them with you to your table. At Allegra's Kitchen, you can place your order directly at the counter, or whilst seated, with the assistance of their friendly staff.

A closer look at the restaurant's interior - rustic, western ranch kinda vibe.

Since this was our first visit, Yue and I took our time flipping through the pages of their menu. Allegra's Kitchen offers just about everything that you would expect from any other casual dining restaurant. They have appetizers, soups and salads, burgers and sandwiches, pasta, and extensive meat options. Their beverage line-up includes shakes and smoothies, and even beer and cocktails.

Someone's taking good food seriously.

Yue had worked up an appetite after his two-hour karate training and wanted to order like five different items - because he says 'they (the food) all look good in the photos'. Lol! In the end - and just as I expected - he settled for the usual fried chicken and ordered the Meaty Spaghetti with Fried Chicken. The staff informed us that our order would take about fifteen minutes, but surprisingly our food were served in less than ten.

Meaty Spaghetti with Fried Chicken, Php 255. 

Both the pasta and the chicken had decent portions, enough to satiate Yue's hunger. Allegra's Fried Chicken was cooked the way a fried chicken should be - crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and none of that unsightly bleeding. The Meaty Spaghetti - made with ground pork, seasoned sauce, and topped with cheese - had a hint of sweetness which kids love.

Skin on Fries, Php 50.

Of course, no meal would be complete without fries on the side. Yue and I couldn't find this on the menu so I asked the staff if they serve french fries. Apparently, they do - Skin on Fries. Lovely, crisp, and non-greasy, these hand-cut french fries come with a tangy mayo dip.

Baby Back Ribs (Single Slab), Php 380.

As for me, I had a single slab of the Baby Back Ribs, which the staff claims is the most popular item on the their menu. One bite of this picture-perfect dish and I understood why. The meat had a nice, smoky flavor, was exceptionally tender, and literally fell off the bone. The vegetables were just as yummy - buttered and seasoned nicely, with just the right crunch. However, the sauce was a wee bit salty to my liking, but maybe that's just me as I've been reducing the salt in my food (especially the ones that I cook) ever since I was diagnosed with pre-hypertension.

Lega's Iced Tea, Php 75 + Fresh Mango Shake, Php 115.

I was stuffed after finishing my plate of Baby Back Ribs, but Yue insisted that he still has room for dessert. As such, a serving of Tiramisu found its way to our table and into Yue's already bulging tummy, haha! Creamy and not overly sweet, this small tub of tiramisu was the perfect ending to our first Allegra's Kitchen dining experience.

Tiramisu.

Another school week is about to end, and I have a strange feeling that my boy will wheedle me into a subsequent trip to Allegra's Kitchen.

Good food for good times at Allegra's Kitchen.

Might as well take advantage of their Food Sale - 20% off on all food items! I reckon this promo is ongoing at other AK branches, including the pioneer branch at The Lifestyle Strip in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Allegra's Kitchen Food Sale, terms and conditions apply.

For more information about the Food Sale and the complete menu, visit the Allegra's Kitchen website and their official Facebook page.

Thank you for the good time, Allegra's Kitchen!

Allegra's Kitchen - SM City San Pablo

Maharlika Highway, Brgy. San Rafael, San Pablo City

(049) 521 3822