Sausage Madness:Mad Mustard

Schublig, Hungarian, Kielbasa or Bratwurst, staple sausages on every chill and grill sesh with your buddies with a cooler filled with cans of beer of course!

Another gem hidden away at Sapphire St. in Marikina (A block away from Lilac), Mad Mustard offers the items mentioned above and then some and when I say some, I mean a lot! Nope, not 4 varieties, not 10, try 20 different kinds of sausages and did I mention that they make it themselves, SOLID NO????!

Aside from the wide array of sausages to choose from, you can also put add-ons to jazz up your sandwich like caramelized onions, jalapeño, bacon and sauerkraut to name a few.

I ordered their  Hungarian with Cheese (110 Php), Sauerkraut (plus 25 Php) for my add-on and additional 50 bucks for the fries and a bottle of Mug (your choice of soda or iced tea).

The sausage itself was okay, I found the mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise and pickles too overpowering though. They overshadowed the flavor of the sausage and all I could taste was nothing but tangyness from the sauces. 

The fries however, were not hot when we (my friends and I) got it and there's an off taste to it. We couldn't really put our finger on what's giving off that weird flavor, is it the potato itself or the oil where it was fried or just the lack of seasoning every fried item deserve? Nevertheless we were not ecstatic about the sides either.

The dish is well plated though, it's like being on a blind date with a hot girl then she suddenly use "stuffs" in a sentence... visually pleasing yet disappointing.


Will I give Mas Mustard another shot? Maybe....or maybe next time I'll ask the cook to go easy on the condiments or just have them on the side and considering the number of sausages they're offering, maybe it was just not what I was looking for.


You don't have to take my word for it, try it for yourself.

60 Sapphire Street SSS Village Brgy. Concepcion Dos

Marikina City

Miguel & Maria: Lilac's Newest It Spot

Yet another bistro has opened at Marikina's food capital, Lilac St. Amongst the establishments the locals and food connoisseurs seem to know by heart comes, a new restaurant that amp'd up the usual laid-back food scene to a more sophisticated dining experience pero dein mahal, solid diba??

My sister and I decided to grab dinner there one Sunday night, luckily we didn't have a hard time finding a good parking spot and we were seated right away (the resto's usually packed especially during dinner time and you have to wait in line for you to get a table unless you call for a reservation, bear the hunger and think of happy thoughts, its worth it!).


So without further ado.......our dinner.

We kicked off the dinner with Chili Fries( 220 Php) for our appetizer. A mount of fries topped with layers of chili con carne, tomato salsa and their signature cheese sauce. 

...........  

Sorry, I needed a moment before I continue writing, this dish is the b-o-m-b, a bit pricey for an appetizer though but still, its super solid!!!!

There's a play on texture of the fries some crisp some soggy that I found very satisfying. The chili con carne I must say was well-balanced and spiced the way a chili should be, just that pitik of heat at the end of every bite not the burn you tongue sensation at all. The salsa gives off a sense of freshness to the dish and the cheese sauce just gives the sharp and "umami" goodness just permeates your soul in every bite.

For my entree, I ordered Chicken Parmigiana (250 Php), a staple craving of mine. Breaded chicken breast fillet fried until crisp topped with melted mozzarella and marinara served with a  generous amount of mashed potato and sauteed vegetables.

Considering that this is one of my ultimate comfort food, I was very hopeful that their take on the dish will be included in my "list of solidness"....but......

.......it was an okay dish for me (sorry hihihi). The chicken's in the borderline of being correctly cooked and over-cooked, the mash was under-seasoned, the sides as well. The marinara was superb though I'll give you that. 


Sorry, I went all "cheffy" with this dish.





While bitterly eating my chicken, I can't help but glance on the other table's paella....huhuhuhu...next time, next time!!!!



Pati ba naman sa choices ko sa food, may "what ifs" pa din ako.....damn

My sister ordered their Baby Back Ribs (250 Php)for her main, yup you read that right, this humungous slab of ribs for only 250 bucks, sobrang sulit promise!!! 

The ribs were tender and flavorful with just the right amount of charring to give off that familiar slight bitterness present to most barbecued items. Served with steamed rice and coleslaw this dish can easily feed 2....or NAH, its too good to share.

The fall off the bone meat basted with a slightly sweet barbecue sauce is definitely the saving grace of our meal. A definite must-try dish when you decide to head down Miguel & Maria, a bang for a buck dish!!!!!



Kudos to the servers who were very friendly and accommodating, cheers to you guys!


Can't wait to come back and try their paella that I've been dreaming about for weeks now!!!!





Rating: TRY THEIR RIIIIIIIBS. A good date place also that's screams sossyness yet its not snobby at all. Goods na 1k for two paps, solb solb na.








Miguel & Maria
#89 Lilac St. Concepcion Dos
, 1811 Marikina City
 

Burot Beach: A Beach Bum's Paradise

Tired of driving up north every effin' time your barkada decides to go on a beach trip? Tired of hearing "Dude, L.U (La Union) tayo with the barkada this weekend tas let's stay sa Flotsam para super chill lang"? 

Whether you're looking for a camp by the beach escape or you're just bummed of the crashing waves of L.U, pushing you ashore against your will. Sometimes even the beaches have umay factors and you somewhat crave for a new hideaway. 

Well, why not try heading South then?

Nestled in the shores of Calatagan in Batangas, Burot Beach offers a quick escape from the chaotic city life to a slow and lazy beach bum's dream. Unlike the more popular beach camping sites up north like Potipot and Anawangin, you don't need boat transfer for you to get to the cream sand beach that will serve as your backyard in the coming day or two.

We left Antipolo around 4:30am considering that the availability of good camping spots will depend on the volume of the people also staying there, so there are no reservations whatsoever. It was a quick four hour drive, well I say it was quick because I was asleep half the time. HEHEHEHE sorry paps! 

So after a number of Backstreet Boys, Westlife and N'Sync songs that for some reason we know by heart, we have reached our destination. 

*eeeeeeep*

Before entering the road leading to the beach, you have to register at the gate and pay 130 bucks per head for the overnight stay. For some reason, we paid 10 pesos for  a piece of garbage bag, thanks kuya guard naisahan mo kami.

After around 10 minutes of driving in the dirt road...... you have reached your destination *cue Waze lady's voice*

So here are some tips for you to enjoy your Burot beach experience.

1. Come early if you want to get a good spot.

2. If you happen to forget to buy ice, beer or the pambansang drink Empi Light, don't worry!!! There's a store there selling said items. They even sell burgers, halo-halo, cooked rice, turo-turo style ulam and cold bottles of sodas, and their patong is not that even big!!!


3. Talk to the locals and ask for the catch of their day. They promise to give you the freshest haul possible and true enough, they stuck to their word. The fisherman told us that it was a baby tuna (not sure if it was legit tuna though) and sold it for 250 bucks!!!! 

 

(Di sila yung locals btw)

SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE

  
With a 30 peso knife bought at the sari-sari store, I mongered the fish as carefully as I can. Since some of my friends weren't fans of eating raw stuff, I opted to grill the fillets instead.....*sobs*

(Not fish)

4. Bring your own tent if you can. It will save you at least 750 pesos if you do! If not, the store offers tent rental that's good for 4 for around 750 bucks.

 5. Make friends and socialize! The more the merrier, eh? Shout out to the two women we met there!!!!!! Sorry, I'm really bad with names!!!!

6. Please please please, don't make the beach a big dump site. Be mindful of your trash and leave the beach the way you first saw it.

 

7. Take it easy on the alcohol intake, chill lang, paps. You might not see the million dollar sunset because you're too effin' wasted already.

8. Cap off the night the way it should be, with a camp fire! For 200 bucks, the locals will set up the wood themselves. Just buy 30 pesos worth of gas at the store and you're good to go.

Sand... cold beer.... roaring fire illuminating the faces of your half-drunk friends... waves gracefully crashing... the moon and stars proudly showing off their beauty with no distractions from the lights of the metropolis... times like this, you just wish that time would just stand still.

Summer's in full-swing so pack your bags, start the car and enjoy your own summer escapade. Maybe I'll see you in my next beach adventure!  


Shout out to the Cottonwood boys Paul, Bry and Toms!Cheers!

Marikina's New Smoking Spot: Fat Daddy's Smoke House

In the heart of the residential area of Marikina Heights, away from sea of restaurants in Lilac St. and Gil Fernando Ave. Sits a new joint specializing in freshly prepared, straight forward and simply mouthwatering food that would satisfy every carnivore's craving.

It was a random weeknight when my buddy and I decided to look for the place and thanks to the ever reliable Waze, we were there in no time.

 


The place was packed and all the tables were occupied, so we decided to settle at the bar and witness the action of their open kitchen.
 

Corona(Php 160) Budweiser(Php 110)

While enjoying our ice-cold beer while waiting our orders, we chatted with the owners and asked them about their food. The chef told me that they try to make most of their items in-house. From their burger buns (which were divine), to making their own sausages, burger patties, corned beef and bacon. 


YES, YOU HEARD ME! THEY MAKE THEIR OWN B-A-C-O-N.


*deep breathing with slight shivering*


Since we we're seated literally a foot from the kitchen, our hunger were heightened by the whiff of burgers and sausages grilling on their plancha. Pork poppers bubbling away in the deep fryer, taking their time until they become GBD (Golden Brown & Delicious, shout out to my chef instructor, hi chef Vic!!). The smoked chicken wings bathing in a red concoction, penetrating the meat as deep as it can. 


After 15 minutes of waiting, voila our food's here!!! Eeeeeeeeeeep

Oh damn, that Sausage Sandwich(Php 150) though, bro!!!! Grilled hoagie bun, lightly dressed coleslaw, smoked pork sausage grilled to perfection and a couple slices of dill pickles, now that's one sexy sandwich!! Once you bite into that sandwich an explosion of flavors will send your taste buds into overdrive. The smokiness of the sausage, together with the tangy slaw then finished with that sweet and sour flavor that the pickles give off, don't forget the hint of dill that will linger on your tongue. 

OH MAAAAAAAAAN, I'm getting goosebumps just by describing it.

Moving ooooooon, the Hot Pork Poppers(Php 90)  were probably our favorite that night. Imagine thinly sliced pork belly, like the ones you grill when you're having samgyeopsal, breaded and deep-fried until crisp, then served with vinegar for dip.


Napa "Ay, p**a, solid 'to" kami!!!

 Imagine having a bite of that and then chasing it with a quick gulp of Corona. Now that's what I call a match made in culinary heaven.

The next dish that we tried  was the Smoked Wings (Php 120), unlike the usual buffalo wings where the chicken is fried, this masterpiece is smoked then coated with their take on the Buffalo sauce. Served with sour cream as a dipping sauce, the perfect blend of smoke, spice and tang permeates to your palate that will surely make you dream of this dish for days.

Next on our list is the Daddy's Burger (Php 180),  toasted burger buns, a quarter pound beef patty grilled to medium and topped with melted cheese, their house-made bacon, lettuce, sliced onion and served with a hefty amount of fries on the side. Juicy, flavorful and well made indeed, definitely one of the best burgers we've ever had. 


Their food screams a summer night's chill and grill sesh with your friends, a cooler filled with cans of San Mig Light, waiting to be chugged. The cold summer breeze mixed with the sounds of chatter and laughter of familiar voices for me is a perfect recipe and a worthy entry in your book of memories, just like this burger was for me. 


Ang dami ko pa sinabi, di nalang dineretso na masarap yung food.

If you're still in doubt if the food at Fat Daddy's good, well let the chicken bones do all the talking.





Rating: BURP!!!! Solid, shet.



Fat Daddy's Smoke House
171 N Dao, Marikina, Metro Manila, Philippines

You Win Some, You Booze Some.

For people who makes drinking a part of their lifestyle, you'll surely find this post of mine super handy! I'm gonna write about the things my buddies and I usually do if we really really want to drink but our budget's too freaking tight. I think I'll give out 8 ideas today that are definitely tried and tested, I'll even do the costing for these mofos! I've searched the prices of the items over the internet, so it will definitely vary depending on your location or where you buy the booze and shit. 

Again, I am not saying that I'm a hardcore drinker, I wrote this post out of boredom and because I'm awesome! Oh yeah, no freaking judging on what you're about to read. I am not a bar tender, so I am not familiar with their proper names, all that you're about to read are based purely on my experiences and observations. I'm gonna even tell you guys where I first tasted these awesome awesome mixes!

1.Gin + any kind of powdered juice

Viewpoint, Antonio St., Dapitan!!!

I think this one's gotta be the cheapest, sure na sure! If you're thinking that I'm skwating for making this kind of drink, then screw you! I kidd, I kidd! I think the first time that I drank this mix was in 2008. I was a freshman in college, and there's an alley in Dapitan called Antonio which is like the smokers' spot in Dapitan (the street beside C&E Bookstore, not sure if its still a bookstore though). There's this secret drinking place in that smoking alley which is really popular to those students who just want to have a drink in between classes, its called Viewpoint. You can mix it with pineapple, orange, mango, pomelo and four seasons. G, Ginbi hits???? 

Mix the powdered juice with water, pour as you will the booze, and serve it with ice!

A bottle of gin bilog is around 30 pesos plus 10 pesos for the powdered juice, let's say 3 pesos for ice, voila! 43 pesos for a pitcher of Gin mix! Pineapple, Orange, and Mango are some of my barkada's favorites.

2.Red Horse + ExtraJoss

Papu's, Xavierville Ave

This is a must-try! If you're not that much of a beer fan, this will surely make you

drink a mug or so! For those of you are not familiar with ExtraJoss, its like a powdered energy drink that you dilute in water and voila, instant sub for redbull! I dunno about the health blaaah of this drink, but what I'm sure is its good good good! The bitterness of the beer will magically disappear after you mix it with extrajoss. It'll become a bit sweeter, more like the drink Cali that most of us used to drink when we we're too young and too cool to drink the real stuff!

A bottle of Red Horse beer (1L) is around 56, I think (not sure), and a pack of Extrajoss is around 6 pesos! 62 bucks is all you need ofr this energy giving beer drink! AWESOOOOOME!

3. Tanduay + Coke
Somewhere in South Forbes

Damn this one's gotta be the most practical for me, being a huge Bacardi fan! Unless you're willing to spend a good 700 bucks for a bottle of 151, try mixing coke with Tanduay. Most of the bars who serves Rum coke serve this, so this one's probably a familiar taste for most of you guys who usually go out and party.


A bottle of Tanduay is around 90 pesos I think, that's the biggest one not 100% about this though. A bottle of a 1.5L Coke is around 40 pesos, again not sure about the prices. So for 130 pesos you can have the drink that you pay for 200 bucks in a bar and have it for only 8 pesos or so per glass! AWESOME.




4. Shembot
Cottonwoods, Antipolo

This one's probably the weirdest thing you'll ever hear when you ask what's in the drink. The drink's made of water, powdered melon juice, 3in1 coffee, and gin, and I am dead serious about this mix. :)) This is worth a try!!!! I really can't explain the taste but its good good good! Oh yeah, no idea where they got the name.

A bottle of gin bilog is 30 pesos, powdered melon juice 10 pesos, 3in1 coffee is 6 pesos. 46 pesos for this coffee and melon flavored cocktail.




5. Empi Light and Iced Tea
     No idea


Dunno, why this become a staple to most of the drinking sessions that I've been to. Emperador has been on the market for quite sometime, but didn't really catch the eye of the younger crowd, so they made a genius move by creating a light version of their drink. Come to think of it, there's not much of a difference between the two, maybe the word "light" is just a psychological shit that's being used by the company. Nevertheless this awesome brandy and iced tea combination's definitely taken the Philippines by storm! Even when I was in Coron, they were asking for this drink whenever we have a night out or just having a drinking session outside the staff houses.

A liter of empi light will cost you around 95 pesos plus the iced tea chaser, you'll probably need 2 packets of the powdered iced tea which costs 10 bucks a piece.

 GAWIN NIYONG LIGHT MGA PAPING!










6. Mojitos and calamansi
My tita's place in Marikina

The cheaper version of Cuervo and lime! I don't like Mojitos that much cause it gives me one hell of a hangover the day after. If you're a huge tequila fan and you're running low on moolah, this one's definitely a life saver for you bro! Again, this one's a bitch so if you have an important appointment the day after, I don't think this one's the right booze for you.

A bottle of Mojito's around 200+ and I don't any idea how much a kilo of calamansi costs. -____-





7. The Bar Apple + Orange Juice + Blue Curacao
Cottonwoods, Antipolo

I know most of you guys don't like The Bar, but this is mix will definitely get you begging for more. The blue curacao's optional, the bar apple and orange's okay by itself. I know a lot people who gets the bar as gifts during their birthdays, well there you go, problem solved! This is a traitor drink, so mga papi if you're planning to get a girl drunk this mix will ought to do the trick. (I kidd, I kidd)

A bottle of the bar apple is around 90 pesos plus 10 pesos for the powdered orange juice. The blue curacao's optional so if you're budget's really tight you can just forget about it! A hundred bucks for an awesome cocktail, not bad eh?




8. Cossack and Fruit Soda
       no idea

 
The cheaper version of Vodka 7
,which usually is a mix of Absolut and 7up! Absolut will cost you around 600 bucks and 40 bucks for the 7up, which is only okay for most of us if there's a special occasion, like maybe if Dora's finally dead or something. I think Cossack's the one that most of the club use during open bars and I think most of the mobile bars too.

A bottle will cost you around 90 pesos and 30 pesos for the Soda! Serve this with ice for maximum vodka-fruit soda experience!






These are some of the things my friends and I usually drink whenever we're bored and there's really no occasion.

Cheers if you're short on cash but you want to have to good freaking night!!!!

In my opinion, whether you're drinking a bottle of Dom Perignon or effin' gin bilog, at the end of the day they're just drinks that you're gonna pee in a couple of hours. DIBA DIBA DIBA???

 HAPPY DRINKING BOYS AND GIRLS!

The Club Commandments

This is just a very very random post that I thought of, if ever you find this post offensive then you're probably doing these no nos. 

No, this post does not make me the person who tells the universe what's cool and what's not, these are just some things that I've observed during my night outs. 

No, I'm not writing this  to make fun of people, ang douche nun dude.

So here are some of the things that made my list of "WHAT NOT TO DO IN A CLUB"






1. Don't force yourself to speak in a language you're not comfortable with.

I think number one's pretty obvious. Come on, you don't have to speak in English just for you to approach a girl, sometimes the ladies might even find it more attractive if you have the confidence to speak in your native tongue, rather than forcing yourself to speak in a fucking alien language. "Hi miss, pwedeng makipagkilala?" is better than "Hi miss, can I meet you?" which will be an instant entry on your list of most embarrassing moment. 

Well if you're comfortable in speaking let's say in English and the girl you want to approach is Marian Rivera-like then don't be a douche and stop speaking in fucking English, dude. Well my main point is, if you are one confident enough lad, you can reel in a chick in whatever language you're using. Unless of course she's like Norwegian or Zimbabwean or she's a narwhal.

  


2. Don't wear a floral shirt (random)



If you want to be the laughing stock of the whole club, well be my freaking guest. If you want the people to be screaming "Mabuhay ang Maynila" then feel free to walk in a bar in that awesome awesome awesoooome shirt. Of course there's an exception like Luau or Hawaiian themed parties, but if you think that you're gonna go party hard and get laid wearing that shirt HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

But of course there are exceptions! If they are worn by these people

Derek Ramsay

Val Sotto

Babalu

AND THE AWESOME KUYA GERMS! 

3. Do not blackout

Unless you want your friends to curse your future wife and kids, don't be a hard core "party animal", I'm not saying don't get drunk! Be the life of the party drunk, the fun drunk, don't be the douchebag who pukes on your buddy's nice clothes and creates this fucking mayhem inside the club drunk. Control your alcohol intake, son. You might even puke on a girl you're trying to hit on, instant rejection coming right up!


4. Do not wear white shoes


This is a brother's advice, if you're planning to wear a pair of brand new white kicks, you gotta think it over man. Unless of course you're filthy rich and you'll only wear the pair once then you can effin' wear white kicks bro!

Think of all the people who's gonna step on your new shoes, and besides its fucking dark in there man, people will hardly notice your new babies in a jam packed club.

5. Don't get your designated driver drunk

This one's a no brainer, unless you wanna gamble with death or you wanna have a sleep over on the VIP couches, always have someone be sober enough to drive you guys home. 

Note: If you happen to be a kangaroo, then you're perfectly safe to drive people home.

6. MDAS's just lame nowadays

If you don't have any idea what MDAS stands for, its multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction, and believe it or not, they are dance moves! Don't get me wrong, I'm no dancer, but if nobody's laughing at what you're doing, might as well cut it off and stick with the fist pump like everybody else, but if you know how to levitate, do that!!!! Yes, you will scare the shit out of everyone but you'll be be the center of attention for a good couple of seconds!

LIKE DHALSIM! FYEAH!

7. Don't be a munchie

People nowadays call them "kung fu" or "kung fumulutan". You guys order food to accompany the drinks not to have it as dinner, so before going to the club make sure to load up, but not that much or you won't be able to drink that much, you don't want to be puking after 5 bottles of beer don't you? Pig out as much as you want if you're a Snorlax, but you're not one are you?

8. Party with no moolah

Even though its a birthday party, even though your friends are telling you that its on them, bring cash. You'll never know when you might need to pay for something important, like cab fare because your friend blacked out or got lost, so bring cash!

9. Don't be a sourpuss!

You and your friends went out to have a blast. If you're asking people to go home at 1 a.m, then might as well go home by yourself. Why agree on a nightout if you're gonna leave after 30 minutes. Unless you wanna ruin your friends' night and you wanna piss them off so bad, then don't be like this. You're gonna be "hassle sa muscle" sure na sure, so wag maging maalat!

10. Screaming out "I'm fucking drunk" is not cool

Especially when everybody's aware that you had one bottle of beer or one shot of vodka, you-are-not-drunk man! Maybe you just watch to much American Pie movies or have a life long dream to be branded as a cool guy for admitting to every single soul in that room that you're wasted. Instead for screaming this very very cool beans statement, if you're really really bummed out already, tell one of your friends and stop drinking immediately, if you think you've sobered up and you can drink again, then go on and get wasted young lad!

11. Never leave your i.d

Everything's all set, and this rectangular piece of plastic can ruin your night of booze and boobies. So never leave your i.ds at home, unless you wanna line up for an hour or two and pay like 500 bucks.

So there you go, things you must not do in a club. Unless you want to commit social suicide. Again, I am not saying that I am cool or I'm the epitome of a hardcore party boy, I am just a mere observant in world that comes alive when the clock strikes 12. 

*Fist bump*