Chictionary: 2017

Smoked Goodness! Fat Daddy's Smokehouse @ U.P Town Center, Ayala Mall

Food 3:07 AM

Hey! What's up with you guys?☺ Here's another blog post for my food lover/meat lover readers. So last Sunday, me and my blogger friends, Mish and Aldous meetup to have lunch at U.P Town Center, Ayala Mall in Katipunan. We want to dine-in to a place where we can chill, pig out and satisfy our comfort food cravings. So we headed to Fat Daddy's Smokehouse to try some of their smoky dishes and since we heard a lot of good stuff from our Marikina friends about this resto. For all I know, Fat Daddy's Smokehouse is one of the pioneer smokehouses in Manila and was first established in Marikina by four (4) siblings. If I'm not mistaken, FDS in U.P Town Katipunan is their 3rd branch after Marikina and Burgos Circle, BGC.

I was impressed with their industrial urban theme with dim lights on walls and ceilings; the doodled walls are the bomb! and perfect spot to take instagram pictures too! Indeed a good place to enjoy casual date, family bonding or just chill with your friends while having a manly dishes.

This resto offer some timeless favorites to satisfy our cravings for all things grill and smoky dishes like briskets, burgers and barbecues as their centerpiece and a whole lot MORE. Now, let me give you a little tour on their menu and some food recommendation.

These milkshakes are awesome and will give you the best of both worlds- it's creamy, sweet and rich. Bacon is everywhere these day and no wonder bacon makes everything waaaay better including in milkshakes just like Fat Daddy's Smokehouse (left side) SMOKEY MAPLE BACON (P195), consist of maple syrup in vanilla ice cream that melts away into salty slices of bacon plus whipped cream and milk. While the irresistible (right side) CARAMEL POPCORN MILKSHAKE (P195) is a combination of sweet and savory- vanilla ice cream mixed with butter, salt and salted popcorn and caramel sauce on top.

These Mexican style grilled corn is worth the calories! I mean who wouldn't love Chiquito's Grilled Corn (P135), corn covered with different kinds of cheese right? Corn on the cob to the next level- I've never tasted a corn on the cob with loads of flavor! It's a little bit spicy, a little bit salty, and a little bit sweet. It makes a great side dish or just itself.

The Jera's Ultimate Pulled Pork and Bacon Nachos (P600 for whole and P300 for half) was served in whole size that can consumed by at least 5-7 person, that is how big it is. Crunchy tortilla chips tower with pulled pork, cheese sauce, alabama white bbq sauce, bbq sauce, tomatoes, and topped with huge strips of bacon plus the corn salsa dip. It's a bit expensive but it's fair and just. After you taste it you'll know the quality of the pork, ingredients and also it's a complete meal on it's own already.

I don't usually eat internal organs of chicken or pig unless it was cooked in our home but... I accidentally eat Fat Daddy's Buttermilk Fried Liver (P210). Literally, I'm not aware that I'm eating and keep on eating a "fried chicken liver" 'cause it doesn't really taste like chicken liver, I mean no strong flavor and maybe because of the buttermilk, garlic powder, salt, pepper and other seasoning. The chicken liver was perfectly deep-fried results to a crispy shell and cooked enough to yield a tender texture.

The Pulled Pork Tacos (P230) just arrived at our table. I'm so excited to taste it and eat it with my hands because I'm a huge fan of soft tacos! This soft tacos got me obsessed because of the shredded pork was tasty; full of sweet and spicy flavor. Thanks to sweet corns and bbq sauce there! Everything melts-in-your-mouth bites of goodness!

These two comforting and crave-worthy dish is heaven for cheesy lover like me! And Fat Daddy's makes it more winning by adding some smoky kicks; generous servings of bacon and pulled pork. The Mac and Cheese (P170) and Hot Mess (P170) is loaded with cheese, mozzarella and cheddar plus bbq sauce to finish them off perfectly! These two dish served in a small plate but heavy and better for 2 foodies.

Daddy's Burger!!! (P180) composed of half pound burger with smoked bacon and cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and came with a side of homemade crispy potato chips. The smell of the food was amazing and it's something that you can't resist. The quality, texture and flavor of this burger will surely make you order another one.

You can't say you experience Fat Daddy's Smokehouse without trying one of their best smoked and grilled. The Smoked Pork Ribs doesn't fall off the bone easily but it is tender enough chew and get off-the-bone good, well seasoned and the barbecue sauce is perfectly made that I will surely suit to everyone's taste and definitely worth it to mess with your bare hands. While the Smoked Sausages starts with ground meat, fats, herbs and spices; flavorful and deep smoky meat taste that I can't get enough with.

Peach Cobbler with vanilla ice cream (P250) is a bit sweet for me but it's very tasty and addicting to eat. The light spongy crumb absorbs the flavorful juices mingle with the sugar to form sticky syrup that is best appreciated with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the top. While the Bacon S'mores Dip (P250) a good to share (1-3 person) scary addicting dip bowl of melty chocolates topped with gooey marshmallows and served with crumbly graham crackers on the side plus BACON to give a salty-sweet taste.

We also got to meet the awesome chef behind Fat Daddy's Smokehouse! Thank you, Chef for sharing your passion and creating a delicious food.

Address: UP Town Center, 216 Katipunan Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1108 Metro Manila

Open: Monday to Sunday- 10AM to 11PM

Contact: 0915 562 7447

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fatdaddyssmokehouse/

Instagram: @fatdaddyssmokehouse

Go Fresh with Salad Bowl Philippines!

Food 4:03 AM

I had my major diet back in college, well actually every year naman when summer is coming. Exercising like 3x a day for 2-3 hours and eating just saba banana, fruits, cabbage and cucumber with boiled egg and chicken. From that experience of mine I can say that, starting a diet plan is easy, but maintaining it is harder especially when you're not always at home and you see a lot of temptation around the corner like fast foods, canteen meals, soft drinks and junk foods. So yeah, keeping a healthy lifestyle outside of your home is pretty challenging and becomes more challenging for me since I'm a meat-lover. I know there's a lot of people like me who loves the combination of grills and greens so I will share to you the restaurant that I've tried in Molito Mall, Alabang.

Salad Bowl Philippines is a casual grill-salad restaurant located at Molito Lifestyle Bldg., 5 Cluster 2, Unit 9A, Alabang Zapote Road cor. Madrigal Business Park Ayala, Alabang, Muntinlupa, which they believe that healthy living is happy living. That's why all vegetables they used on their recipe are freshly farmed in Tagaytay at owner's, no chemicals added and their different flavor of dressings that you'll surely fall in love with.

Tarragon Mint and Lemon Grass Iced Tea (P150)

This is not your usual cold iced tea, this green tea is infused with fresh tarragon, mint and lemon which gives you mild and relaxing cold drink. Tarragon is also known to help cure indigestion, hiccups and relieve gas. It can also help you sleep and de-stress.

Starters

Sili Sticks (P150)

Sili sticks or also known as Dynamite is a great appetizer to begin with. This crunchy, tasty with a little kick of spiciness consist of local chili, stuffed with cheese strips then wrapped in spring roll wrapper and salad greens. If you care about the spiciness, don't worry! Not that spicy naman, it's tolerable. I'm not a spicy lover but I love these especially with cheese. Yay!

Smoked Fish Barrel (P199.50)

This one reminds me of Tomato Wedge Salad with creamy yogurt blue cheese dressing but this one was stuffed with smoked fish and all of a sudden it takes it to a whole new level. Big enough for two.

Salad Bowls

Barbecue Chicken Salad (P280)

This bold chopped BBQ chicken combine with crunchy lettuce, fresh tomatoes and carrots are all chopped to the same size; a flavorful BBQ sauce for the dressing and seasoned with salt, pepper to taste. A total packed with flavor, makes enough to serve to everyone and get full.

Japanese Chicken Corn Sesame Salad (P350)

Many prefer the mayo-based sesame dressing but Salad Bowl's version comes with sesame seed oil as dressing only to cut off more calories; fewer calories without mayo, making it a healthier choice. Because of sesame seed oil it does have a nutty, slightly sweet flavor, and there's also a sour taste because of vinegar, of course, it goes very well with green salad, chopped chicken, garnished with sweet corn and shredded crab stick.

Pasta

Vegetable Lasagna (P280)

This is not my first time to try vegetable lasagna, it's always been one of my favorite but this is my first time to try it with eggplant. I love eggplant. I definitely can't imagine that's possible but I am pleased! Packed with my favorites- eggplant, zucchini slices, tomatoes, covered in cheesy and saucy goodness. It's a hit!

Smoked Salmon Pasta (P295)

Guess what? Found another dish favorite. I love this simple smoked salmon and cherry tomato pasta, it's fresh, light, and the smokiness of the salmon gives it a heavenly salty flavor plus the sauce is perfectly melts with light cream sauce.

Wraps

Truffle, Bacon, Beef and Cheese Wrap (P390)

These soft flatbread wraps are filled with delicious flavor of bacon, beef and shredded greens; accompanied by cheese, sauce and salad greens, baby tomatoes on the side. Would you imagine these, your favorites packed in one rolled thing?! It's heaven!

Chicken Inasal Wraps (P260)

Satisfy your chicken cravings with these filling and healthy on-the-go dish. These Chicken Inasal Wraps can be your alternative for your salads- consist of perfectly marinated chicken cut into serving pieces, basting sauce, wrap in lettuce, cucumber and tortilla wrap.

Meat

Grass Fed Burger (P275)

To give a little information for those who haven't heard about grass fed- these are the cows that eat grass only, raised on pasture by farmers. Grass-fed beef is healthier and more nutritious because it less likely to raise cholesterol, higher in cancer-fighting antioxidants and essential vitamins.

https://www.google.com.ph/search?dcr=0&source=hp&q=grass+fed&oq=grass+fed&gs_l=psy-ab.3...200.63742.0.64247.50.42.0.0.0.0.1296.4576.3-1j2j2j1j1.7.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..43.7.4547...0j0i22i30k1j33i22i29i30k1j33i160k1.0.n7iTG5XBXiI

Salad Bowl's Grass Fed Burger features a thick patty seasoned nothing more than salt and pepper that melts inside your mouth, salad green, special sauce, topped with egg (sunny side up).

Chicken Arugula Pesto (P280)

I ate first the chicken- it's tender, moisture, there's a bit flavor of butter, pepper and salt while the arugula pesto there's a better-ish taste. I decided to slide the chicken to the sauce then I add salad greens and it's surprisingly complement to the chicken! The arugula pesto really transformed the simple butter-pepper-and-salt chicken into a healthy hearty meal.

Grilled Beef Tomahawk (P4,000)

Beef Tomahawk grilled in PERFECTION! If you haven't try a grilled tomahawk, you should and have your first at Salad Bowl. This huge guy does not only look great, it is also intensely flavorful! Very tender and juicy, no bubble gum feels. Seasoned to taste with salt and ground black pepper, topped with shallot-garlic butter, greens and grilled veggies as perfect side dish.

All dish served are delicious and for me it suit in everyone's lifestyle but there are dish that really capture my taste and my heart. To sum it up, here's the list:

1. Tarragon Mint and Lemon Iced Tea

2. Grilled Beef Tomahawk

3. Smoked Salmon Pasta

4. Truffle, Bacon, Beef and Cheese Wrap

5. Sili Sticks

6. Vegetable Lasagna

7. Japanese Chicken Corn

Open daily at 7AM to 11PM

Contact Number: (02) 772- 4008

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saladbowlphilippines/

Instagram: @saladbowlph