The Foodie In Me : When in South : Toucan Brazilian BBQ and Buffet Restaurant

We got to experience our first Brazillian Buffet last Sunday at Toucan Brazilian BBQ and Buffet Restaurant at Festival Mall, Alabang. It is not a typical buffet-restaurant most of us frequently visits but this one offers a different kind of feast. So for the love of meat , be it pork, beef, shrimps, chicken, this place must be on your list!

You know you are up for something Brazilian when you reach their place. Check out this cute “brazilian-inspired” chair with a toucan on the side , a  floral arrangement and this post with the restaurant’s banner and a toucan on top. You sure are on the right place when you see these.

Toucan’s very Brazilian chair outside the restaurant.

 

Check out their price rates and schedules below.

Toucan’s post and beside it is their price rates.

The colors, the vibe, the videos being shown on their TV, picture frames mounted on the wall and their staff uniforms,  can anything get more brazilian-ish than these?

Below is a panoramic view of the whole restaurant.

Left is the dining area; middle is the buffet for hot and cold salad entrée; right is the counter/ beverages area and far right is the free drinks and ice cream area.

Toucan has two sets of buffet :

One is for the hot entree, salads, drinks like iced tea and water and a dessert station for ice cream.

The other is their unlimited selections of BBQ meat such as pork, beef, chicken, shrimps and for dessert- grilled pineapple and grilled banana.

 

 

 

 

Unlimited Iced Tea

 

Their server will come to each and every table with  meats in long skewer right from the grill and will serve them directly to the seated diners plates. You’ll be asked how many pieces you want on each serving. Don’t be shy if you want a lot because this guy is really nice and he loves conversing with their guests. Just make sure there are no leftovers. It is always better to ask for a few pieces first as you can request anytime if you want for additional servings.

They first served grilled chicken. It is amazingly juicy on the inside and well–seasoned both inside and out.

Grilled Chicken Drumstick

Next : sausages

Sausages

 

If I remember correctly, this is Brazilian grilled pork and this is one of my favorites! The aroma is very enticing and it has a very distinct taste that will make you ask for more. I had several servings of this.

Brazilian Grilled Pork

 

Australian Sirloin : If you are not a fan of a medium rare meat, you can request for the edge for that well-done part. This is also a must-try because admit it, we dont usually get to eat Australian Sirloin served directly to our plate, right? I myself is not a fan of rare done meat but I enjoyed theirs.

Australian Sirloin

 

Of course, their roasted pork belly is also a hit. I requested for the edge for that crispy -in-every bite experience.

Pork belly

 

Shriiiimmmpss! My daugther loves this too and she shouted upon seeing her favorite. This is a nice breaker after all the meat I have tried. Their shrimp has this fresh sweet taste. assuring they diners that they only serve nothing but fresh shrimps.

Grilled Srimps

 

I forgot to take a picture of their Baby beef or Veal but trust me when I say that it’s meat is surprisingly soft and it tastes real good. I think the onion on top gave it a nice , subtle sweet taste that brought the veal a notch higher. Please refer to the picture below.

Softdrinks and alcoholic beverages are for sale and not included in the buffet. You can ask their counter staff for the prices.

Aside from their very creamy vanilla and chocolate ice cream, they also served grilled pineapples sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Holy cow! This is awesomely good! They also served grilled bananas but the grilled pineapples have my heart already.

• 

  Grilled Pineapple with cinnamon and sugar

  

  Thank you Toucan for a very sumptuous meal!  We will surely come back here.

 

Toucan Brazilian and Buffet Restaurant did not disappoint. To be honest I was bit skeptical in giving this a try,  because ,like what I have pointed out earlier, this is not like the typical buffet we have tried but Toucan really delivered.

Aside from real good food, their customer service and very accommodating staff added must also be commended . They even asked us if we have a special request or favorites among the food we have tried that we we would like to be served again on our table.

The servers were all smile while offering meats and deserts and that made us enjoyed the food even more.

It is also worthy to mention their generous servings. I was worried earlier that we will only get to try their meats once and they proved me wrong. Their server made rounds several times. One after the other.

So if you want to try a new kind of buffet, far from those overcrowded ones, try Toucan Brazilian BBQ and Buffet Restaurant! It’s worth the price.

Tip: you will notice a wooden block on the table one side is red, the other is green. Make sure that the green is on top so the servers will keep on coming back to serve fresh from the grill meat. Otherwise, put the red on top because that means stop.

 

Toucan Brazilian BBQ and Buffet Restaurant
Unit 2205 Festival Mall Expansion
Alabang, Muntinlupa
(02) 820 4433

Landmark: Beside Starbucks in Festival Mall
Just across Asian Hospital
There is a parking area in front of Toucan

 

 

The Foodie In Me: Pound by Todd English

I have been eyeing to try Pound by Todd English  and I was really happy to  have finally visited their Robinson’s Ermita Branch and experienced their mouth-watering dishes.

Amber wanted pasta with white sauce so we ordered Caramelized Bacon Alfredo for her. It is a white pasta sauce , with candied pork belly bits. The sweetness of the bacon and the creaminess of the sauce complement each other really well. Amber even said its yummy.  She was able to finish that serving by herself.

The T.E slider is big enough for kids. It has House Ground Beef Patty, with Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, mustard relish, # sauce and those crispy onions on top. My mom was the one who ate this and she liked it.

 

T.E Slider, Caramelized Bacon Alfredo and FOODEE Iced Tea

Amber enjoying her Caramelized Bacon Alfredo

I went for Sizzling Pound Moco Beef and Chicken, and the combination of these two was surprisingly good. House Ground Beef Patty, Crispy Fried Chicken Fillet, Drizzled with Peppercorn Gravy and topped with caramelized onions and sunny-side up egg, what more can you ask for. The best of everything in one skillet.

Sizzling Pound Moco Beef and Chicken

 

While I enjoy my Pound Moco, hubby opted for the Backyard Cheeseburger. Consists of House Ground Beef Patty, Cheddar Cheese, Iceberg Lettuce, Tomato and Onions. Paired up with Crispy fries and their FOODEE iced tea, every bite was a feast.

# Backyard Cheeseburger with Good ‘Ol Fries and FOODEE Iced Tea

 

Aside from good food, the restaurant also gives this welcoming and relaxing ambiance. But I like their food shop at the Mall of Asia more than in Robinson’s Ermita in terms of interiors. Drop by their Mall of Asia branch and you will surely like to dine in there, too. But with regards to their customer service,  I only have good reviews for them (Ermita Branch).

It was a good experience overall and my family will surely frequent their restaurant. Oh, did I mention that everything we have ordered were on promo? Yup! You have read it right.

The regular Pound Moco costs Php180.00, choice of Beef OR Chicken. got to try both in one sumptuous serving for Php250 with FOODEE Iced Tea.

The T.E Slider with Caramelized Bacon Alfredo and Foodee Iced tea cost Php179.00 only. When you buy them seperately, the T.E Slider will cost you 195 while the Caramelized Bacon Alfredo (SOLO) is at Php130.00 and the #Backyard Cheeseburger with Good ‘Ol Fries and FOODEE Iced Tea cost only Php249.00. When you buy them separately, the #Backyard Cheeseburger already costs Php280.00, Good ‘Ol Fries at Php100.00.  I know,  I know. Good catch it is! haha

Check their menu below and don’t forget to try them out the next time you go malling.

 

Pound by Todd English

Facebook Page : Pound By Todd English 

 

The Foodie In Me : Mad Mark’s Creamery and Good Eats

Mad Mark’s Creamery and Good Eats is a must-try!

Hubby and I ordered their famous Johnny Double Black Ribs and Creole Grilled Chicken and we left the restaurant with a full and satisfied tummies.

Johnny Double Back Ribs with rice and their famous homemade mashed potato with gravy 

Their back ribs has the right amount of everything! – tenderness, smoky flavor, and sauce partnered with their homemade mashed potato and gravy. Heaven in every bite! Try it yourself and you will surely comeback for more.

 

Creole Grilled Chicken with Marble Potato Salad and Veggies

Their Creole Grilled Chicken also did not disappoint. It has the right amount of flavor and tolerable kick of spice.

Amber ordered Fat Chips. Their fat chips are a bit smaller than the usual mojos we see from a famous pizza parlor, but boy! do not under estimate. Crispy on the outside but not dry. And the dip,  it really complements the chips. We even asked for a refill of their dip because we all loved it.  Do not forget to include this on your visit to Mad Mark’s!

Fat Chips

 

Of course, we cannot leave Mad Mark’s without trying their famous / made-from scratch  honest ice cream and I swear, the creaminess in every scoop is insane! Yum!! Amber opted for the  strawberry one while I ordered the half-baked madagascar. Opps , I forgot to take a picture of strawberry ice cream because Amber was too excited to try it.

One Scoop of their Made from Scratch Honest Ice Cream ” Half-Baked Madagascar”

 

Go and visit any of Mad Mark’s branches. Generous servings, accommodating staff, a good and relaxing ambiance and the best part of it- good food without breaking the bank.

 

Mad Mark’s Creamery and Good Eats Galleria Branch

 

Mad Mark’s Creamery and Good Eats

Facebook Page: Mad Mark’s Creamery and Good Eats 

When In South: Happy Camp : Think.Create.Wonder

Yesterday, Amber and I dropped by Happy Camp at Southwoods Mall in Biñan.  Happy Camp offers a number of activities for kids. They have 2 divisions of activities: The Lab Enistein and the daVinci Art Studio.

In-Store Activity Area of Happy Camp

Under their Lab Einstein, kids can choose among the following activities:

• Chem Matters are amazing chemistry activities for kids (Fun Slime, Instant Snow, Chemical Reactions and More);
• Dig Into Fossil  like a Real Paleontologist (Dino Eggs, Minerals and more);
• Simple Engineering gives fascinating engineering activities ( Fun Circuit, Robotics, Wood Crafts and more)

What is exciting about Lab Einstein is that kids can get to wear Happy Camp’s Lab gown making it more realistic for the kids while doing the activities. Activity starts at Php150.00

Activity Lab Gown

 

The other section is their daVinci art studio. Here, kids will enjoy doing creative arts and crafts such as Ready to Paint Canvass. Paint a Name, Paper Mache, Rock Painting, Felt Craft, San Art, Bead Craft, Paper Crafts, Canvass Painting, Paint on Apron and More. Activity starts at 200.

 

Aprons are provided  so no need to worry about getting their clothes dirty. Paints, and other materials are provided as well.

 

Amber chose the Ready to Paint Canvass which amounts to Php250.00.  A teacher shall be working with your child to guide her in mixing the paint colors and proper stroke or ways to paint, but they will let your child paint the canvass herself so the kids can appreciate the activity more.

 

 

What I love about their teachers is that they can handle all sorts of ages. Amber is just 3 and a half and you can just imagine their limited patience in doing an activity, much more in sitting in one place. But the teacher assigned to her was able to make Amber finish painting the canvass in a breeze. Amber was very attentive and followed her  teacher well. She enjoyed every minute of it.

 

I think Amber’s reaction is a nod that she enjoyed the activity

 

Once done, kids can get to have their picture taken  in front of this colorful wall backdrop 🙂

 

Amber’s First Canvass Painting  🙂

 

Happy Camp offers Summer Workshop for kids, too! Check the list below and you might want to enroll your kids this Summer break.

 

 

For more inquiries you may contact them thru their Facebook page or send them SMS at 0917 159 9436. Happy Camp is located at 2nd Floor, Southwoods Mall, Biñan, Laguna. Come and visit. Your kids will surely enjoy all the activities they offer. It is literally a Happy Camp ! ❤

The Foodie In Me: Everything but Cheese (The Cheesiest Place on Earth)

I am a self-confessed cheese-addict.  You can just imagine how my heart skipped a beat upon learning about this restaurant that offers superb dishes with – lots of cheese, literally.

Everything but Cheese is a restaurant along Taft, in front of La Salle.  They offer, among others, sandwiches, rice meals, chicken wings, appetizers, drinks and milkshakes. My husband and I frequent this place.

My favorite is their Beef Nachos Overmelt.

You can either have the chesse sauce spread all over the nachos and beef , or

 

request the cheese sauce , tomatoes, ground beef, and nachos be in separate plates like the one in the picture.

There were also times I dropped by this restaurant after my class to order, for To Go, some of my favorites just to pacify my “craving-for-cheese self!” Hahaha

We have also tried their Bbq Ribs and Cheese. Bbq’s smokey character with a bit of sweetness maybe because of the bbq sauce, eaten together with rice covered with the right amount of cheese sauce, I was like in heaven.

 

From their Chicken section, my husband and I tried their Garlic Parmesan Wings, and

Spicy Buffalo Wings

Their chicken wings set, is a bit bland for me but their dip/ sauce for the chicken wings meal set saved the day.  So it us still a good meal for hubby and myself.

And from the Burger’s Department, try their Bacon  ‘n Mushroom Cheeseburger and you will be wanting for more. Each of what’s inside the burger complements each other giving you a feast of flavors in every bite.

So if you are a cheese lover like me, go head to this cheesiest place on earth along Vito Cruz  in Taft (that’s their tagline) and divulge yourself with cheese, and more cheese, and a lot more cheeesseee! 🧀🧀🧀

Amber’s 3rd Birthday : Suppliers Review

Our little bundle of joy recently turned 3 and had a “My Little Pony” themed-party in her school. We are so happy with the compliments we received so we decided to share with you our wonderful suppliers! 🎉

CUSTOMIZED INVITATION, PARTY HATS, THANK YOU CARDS AND BUNTINGS BY CRAFTY PARTY PRINTS

Crafty Party Prints has always been one of our go-to suppliers everytime we have events. They are also the same team who made Amber’s gable boxes on her 1st birthday.

Ms. Connie has been very accommodating to all of our requests. They deliver on time and their products are of quality.  No wonder they have lots of clients here and abroad. Lead time for orders are 2 to 3 weeks.

INVITATION

PARTY HAT 

Party hats are delivered flat. Double-sided tape was used to attach the 2 ends.

This is how the party hat looks like once both ends are attached to each other with the help of double-sided adhesive tape. It is very to adjust the fit.

BUNTINGS

THANK YOU CARDS

UNICORN GOWN BY DAINTYLITTLEDARLINGSPH

DaintyLittleDarlingsPh is an Instagram find. I was searching for a chic and not overly designed unicorn gown for my little girl and Iwas so happy to chanced upon their account in instagram.

They did not disappoint. I already had a horrible experience ordering online with other online sellers and I was relieved upon seeing the unicorn gown that it really looked like what’s posted in their IG account. It was my first time to order from them and I am sure that won’t be the last.  😌 They have nice selections of dresses, gowns and anything unicorn. Come on! Check their account and thank me later ! 😘

Thank you daintylittledarlingsph for Amber’s beautiful unicorn gown. She loved it so much! 💋

UNICORN HEADBAND

Blooms Republic is also an IG find. Their unicorn headbands are very affordable and  Ms. Kristine is very nice. She even upgraded the design into a glittery one without additional cost. Her unicorn headband matched the unicorn gown very well.

Thank you bloomsrepublic for Amber’s very chic headband. 💗

 

 

Visit bloomsrepublic instagram account to see their othercreations. 😊

CUSTOMIZED WOODEN BASKET BY CJ WOODEN STOOLS AND HANDICRAFTS

We opted for a wooden basket to serve as Amber’s souvenir on her birthday. We thought of giving her classmates something that they can still use at home.  CJ Wooden Stools and Handicrafts products are at par. Each design were meticulously crafted and hand-painted on both sides of each basket. I loved the fact that the designs were not simply drawn. It was really worth the price.

We requested for the following My Little Pony characters : Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack and Rarity. We filled each basket with assorted candies, biscuits, juice, ice pops, unicorn pen, and bubbles.

Their shop is located in Rosario, Cavite and had the items delivered to San Pedro, via Lalamove. They require 50% downpayment. Balance shall be paid once the item is ready for delivery.

CUSTOMIZED CAKE BY BAKE ME A CAKE MOMMA

Bake Me A Cake Momma is a San Pedro based baker.  Delivery is free in San Pedro areas. We ordered for a My Little Pony themed cake. Her fondant cake is superb! Just the right amount of sweetness. The toppers are all edible. My daughter loved it so much and we even had the toppers preserved inside our ref.

Thank you Bake Me a Cake Momma for Amber’s wonderful  and delicious cake. We will surely order from you again on our next event.

 

Erceflora Probibears

Amber has a very sensitive tummy. She recently suffered from severe tummy ache and had crying and I don’t want to eat episodes because she feels uncomfortable.

Yesterday, I received a box filled with Probibears from Erceflora and Millenial Moms Ph.  I was so happy upon seeing the white box with Erceflora’s gift ribbon.  A box of Probibears (20pcs of bears) costs around Php540 in the market.  I received around 20 packs of  Probibears (80 pcs  of bears). Who would not be happy? 😀

 

I heard about Probibears from some of my mommy friends. It is a 2-in-1 Probiotic Supplement for kids 3 years-old and up. It aims to improve kids’ digestive health. Your kids will surely love this vanilla-filled , white-bear shaped chewable tablets. Each pack has 4 white bears.  Amber was all smiles upon seeing what’s inside the sealed pack. She said the white bear is so tasty and she loved it.

 

 

Thank you Erceflora Probibears and Millenial Moms Ph for these treats! I can’t wait to see Amber’s digestive system improves with the help of Probibears. We are definitely on our way to a healthier tummy!

 

#MillenialMomsPh #ErcefloraProbiBears #millenialmomsph #ProbiBears

The Foodie in Me : Gringo – Chicken. Ribs. Friends.

Hubby and I found a cozy place to dine in at SM Megamall which offers both  good food and value for money – Gringo! Chicken. Ribs. Friends.

Gringo is a Tex-Mex Restaurant located at 3rd Level, Mega Atrium, Megamall.

Diners are greeted by the staff with the Mexican’s version of hello – Ola!

If you are a first timer here, the staff are very much willing to introduce to you their menu and best-sellers.

We ordered for the Gringo Original Chicken ( half with 3 sides).

The chicken is very flavourful from skin down to its meat. The lemon butter sauce and the spicy version of it compliment the taste of the chicken.

As for the sides, we had Mexican Rice, Garlic Rice and French Fries. For me, the chicken is best partnered with the Mexican Rice as it adds to the latter’s already mouth-watering taste and aroma.

The fries is crispy and does not taste like the ones being sold in the supermarket. So that is another plus point for me 😉

We also ordered for bolognese spaghetti. This one is also a must-try as this is served with melted mozarella cheese on top. Not your ordinary bolognese spaghetti, right? 😊

Their house brewed iced tea is also at par.

And oh! If you have a birthday celebrant, you can inform the staff and they will gladly sing the happy birthday song and provide the celebrant with a “mexican-hat like” props whichs says happy birthday for photo ops.

Aside from the food and very affordable prices, their customer service is something that will make you comeback to their restaurant.

Gringo

3rd Level Mega Atrium

Megamall

Telephone Number : 534 34 57

 

Freebies and More : “Kids Watch for Free Promo” by SM Cinema

My 33 month-old little buddle of joy got to watch Incredibles 2 yesterday at SM Cinema for free! Yes, for free!

SM Cinemas has an ongoing “Kids Watch for Free” promo wherein children standing 4 feet or below can avail the promo as long as accompanied by a paying adult companion.

I bought 2 tickets for husband and myself and just informed the staff at the ticket counter that I have a toddler so she can also issue a movie ticket for my little girl.

The promo is valid for the following animation movies at these respective dates :

1. Incredibles 2 – June 21 to 27, 2018

2. Richard the Stork- July 25 to 31, 2018

3. Teen Titans Go – August 8 to 14, 2018

4. Christopher Robin –  August 8 to 14, 2018

Again, don’t forget to inform the staff at the ticket counter that you are watching with a child 4 feet or below so they can issue a movie ticket for the kid, as well.

Thank you SM Cinema for this treat to little kids! 🤗

The Foodie In Me : The Pantry – Dusit Thani Manila

Me and my friends had dinner at Dusit Thani Manila’s The Pantry  and the experience was worth every cent.

We were welcomed by this nice golf cart as we entered The Pantry’s main area which is located at the hotel lobby.

 

LECHON STATION

This immediately caught our attention.  Diners can have a full view through the glass panel while the pig is being roasted. Afterwards, it shall be brought to the carving station where guests can line up to get a taste of the crispy lechon skin and its flavorful  meat. Don’t miss this. It really is superb!

Here, you can choose to either partner your lechon with spicy vinegar or liver sauce.                   The classic liver sauce, for me, is still unbeatable.

 

SEAFOOD STATION

The Seafood Station is my favorite!  Feast your eyes with overflowing serving of crustaceans. The Pantry has, not just one, but three sets of huge wok filled with seafood. Nothing beats eating these with your bare hands. We lost count of the number of times we went here to refill our plates with crab, mussels, and shrimps. They have varieties of sauces which you can choose from but I opted to stick with the usual butter garlic sauce.

 

COLD CUTS AND CHEESE STATION

 

BREAD STATION

 

MEDITERRANEAN AND INDIAN STATIONS

 

 

ITALIAN STATION

 

PASTA STATION

They have this list of pasta / ravioli of the day which you can ask the chef to prepare for you. My friends and I tried the Ravioli with crab and potato and it was so yummy. Every bite seemed to melt in our mouth. Very tasty! A must-try!

I was kinda sad because the big Parmigiana wheel was not available anymore. But just the same, I still love their ravioli.

 

DESSERT STATION

I love how simple yet classy the arrangement of their dessert station is. They have several cakes on display but the one that stood out for me is  the churros and dip.  The two complemented each other well making every bite, heavenly.

FILIPINO STATION

 

FRESH AND FRUITS SELECTIONS

The Pantry also has an Ice Cream Station which I was not able to take a picture of and beverages area which offers different refreshments. There is also a pizza section which I was not able to try as well.

The coffee bar in the middle is not included in the buffet. If you want complimentary coffee or hot tea, just ask the staff and they will gladly bring them to your tables.

Below is The Pantry’s Price Rates which I copied from their website.

 

Breakfast	1,450 nett per person
Sunday Brunch	PHP2,800 nett per person inclusive of craft
	beer, wine, mimosa bar and infused gin
	tonic bar.
Lunch
Monday-Friday	1,950 nett per person
Saturday	2,150 nett per person
Sunday	2,500 nett per person (without wine)
	2,950 nett per person (with wine & chandon)
Dinner
Monday-Friday	2,200 nett per person
Saturday-Sun	2,350 nett per person

*All rates are inclusive of juice, coffee or tea except for Sunday Lunch which is our Crossover Sunday Brunch.

Opening Hours

Breakfast	06:00 to 10:30
Lunch	12:00 to 14:30
Dinner	18:00 to 22:00
The Pantry Bar	06:00 to 02:00
Grab and Go	06:00 to 22:00

Ratings:

Customer Service:  ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

All the staff are very attentive.  From collecting empty plates to our individual requests. Being a luxury hotel, it is expected from them to deliver exemplary customer service and they did not disappoint .

Our requests were attended to with smile and courtesy.

Ambiance : ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

The Pantry is a very relaxing place to dine at. The lighting and music makes the place very appealing. It also has enough space for the guests to move around.  It’s simplicity makes it more classy.

 

Food and Price: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

We left the Pantry with very satisfied tummies. The selection of food were well chosen.  Although the dinner buffet is a bit pricey, you can rest assured that you will get what you’ve paid for.

So go ahead and try Dusit Thani Manila’s, The Pantry, yourself. Thank me later 🙂

 

The Pantry

Dusit Thani Manila

Ayala Centre, 1223 Makati City Metro Manila, Philippines,

Tel: +63 (2) 238 8888, Fax: +63 (2) 238 8800, dtmn@dusit.com