dekaphobe.com | Food, Travel, and Lifestyle Blog

Note: This restaurant is already closed. 


I have been reading numerous positive reviews about Brasas that when I was invited by my fellow foodie KC to have dinner, I agreed immediately. Anyway, it was just a few blocks from where I work.

We were already starving when we arrived, so I forgot about taking photos of the place.

KC ordered Puerco Asado (Php 240) while I had a Beef Rice Platter (Php 220). Lester, who later joined us for dinner, got the Chicken Rice Platter (Php 180).

Note: Giveaway is now over. Winners are already announced here.

I'm a coffee addict. The day I'll stop drinking coffee is the day I stop breathing.  
I love drinking any type of coffee, but my ultimate lifesaver is NESCAFE 3in1 Original.



The NEW NESCAFE 3in1 Original is now in 20-gram sachet, with smoother foam and richer flavor. It's one of the most affordable luxuries I can have daily.


NESCAFE just launched its TVC, featuring Parokya ni Edgar with their song "Akala" and Zendee Rose Tenerefe.

Note: This restaurant is already closed. 


The popular quaint Japanese cafe, Akiba Cafe, at SM Megamall has now opened a second branch at the Ash Creek Center, Greenhills, San Juan. KC and I were invited to visit their newest branch to try their bestsellers and new dishes.


This branch is more spacious, which makes it comfortable for friends to hang-out and students to review (since it's near the schools).

I have been reading lots of positive reviews from people who have been to The Farm at San Benito, that I'd love to bring my mom to this place soon.

Opened in 2002, The Farm at San Benito is still the only resort destination in the country that offers comprehensive programs addressing diabetes, obesity, hypertension and cancer care, in a natural and holistical way. The Farm also offers detoxification cleansing retreats and raw living food cuisine. The Farm has won 26 prestigious international awards, including "Best Medical Wellness Resort in the World" from SENSES Germany.

Here are some of the award-winning nourishing recipes from their Alive! restaurant, which you can also do at home. :)

APPETIZER
Mushroom Ceviche
4–6 servings




Dating back to Inca times, ceviche is a very popular South American dish, where raw fish is marinated in acidic lime juice, salt and chile peppers, then served without being cooked. The Farm’s recipe replaces the fish with an assortment of mushrooms, b…

Note: This location is already closed. 



Brothers Burger always remind me of happy memories: dinner treat from a newly-hired barkada, lunch with my first project team, and a funny comment from my burger-loving dad (he says the burger was too huge. hahaha)

I was invited last week for lunch by the brothers themselves, DJ and Martin Jose, to try the newest items on their menu.

We got to try their Chicken Wings (Php 219), with two delicious flavors: Barbecue and Butter Parmesan.


Six pieces of crispy chicken wings marinated in either Barbecue or Butter Parmesan, it was really crunchy and delicious! I'm a little partial with the Butter Parmesan, as it has this amazing aroma that I could even smell its buttery goodness from a distance.

Note: This restaurant is already closed.




The first time that I went to visit Shawarma Guys was last month when I suggested to my friend that we have a pre-dinner first while we wait for our other friends to arrive at Tapeo. I was blown away by the Sisig Shawarma that I wanted to get a second one.

A few weeks later, I find myself back to Shawarma Guys, excited to get my hands on that sinful and crunchy Sisig Shawarma once again.


Shawarma Guys is from the owners of URBN Bar & Kitchen and Relik Tapas Bar. Chef Benjo Tuason, the head chef, and owner considers this their "carinderia" because of its affordability and laid-back ambiance. The walls are designed with the items on the menu. They even have a clever sign pointing to the restroom.

Note: This location is already closed. 



It really took a while before I decided to post my latest experience with Yakimix. I know a lot of people love Yakimix that most probably they have gone to this buffet resto more than I do. I have first visited Yakimix two years ago with my college friends, who I share the same fondness for buffets. I gave this place a second visit a few months ago with the same people. 
My friends arrived late so we had to wait outside since the place's already full, which we didn't mind. What was unusual was the way they called my name when we were about to be sitted. The manager told me that we'll be sat with another group. I didn't bother reacting, I'm too hungry I might bite his arms off. 

Yakimix has now included unlimited drinks in their rates. Their drink selections include sodas, iced tea, and fruit juices. 

Yes, you're still at dekaphobe.com :)
In case you haven't noticed, I do try to feature health-focused restaurants (Yellow Halo Guilt-Free Kitchen, Pipino, ECHOcafe), or I try to feature healthy dishes from other restaurants. I confess that I'm more of a carnivore, though I try to add some fruits or veggies to my diet.

I'd like to share an infographic about how many calories you can burn with doing some physical activities, the calorie content of some food we love, and how to increase your metabolism. Note that I didn't post this infographic to scare you guys, but to share something relevant in our daily lives. :)

Your thoughts or additional tips on this post will be greatly appreciated.

Update: as of June 2014, Airportview Pensionne has transferred location and has changed its name to Airportside Inn. The new address is 1 Gacott Road, Puerto Princesa City. The contact details are updated below.

For our recent trip to Puerto Princesa, we stayed at Airportview Pensionne Palawan. This is part of the travel package we got from La Tiara Travel & Tours. 
Based on my research prior to this trip, Airportview Pensionne is near the airport. What I didn't expect is that it was just beside the airport. According to them, it was 183 steps from the airport. 

I was invited last week for the grand launch of the first Brotzeit Bier Bar & Restaurant in the Philippines, which is also the 10th branch in the world. Brotzeit comes from the German words, "Brot" which means bread and "zeit" which means time. It pertains to the traditional Bavarian expression for a small meal or snack accompanied by fresh, pure beer.
Brotzeit was established in Singapore in 2006, offering authentic Bavarian cuisine and world-famous German beers. Aside from Singapore and the Philippines, Brotzeit has locations in Malaysia, Vietnam, Hongkong, China, and Taiwan. They will soon open a new outlet in Indonesia.




Brotzeit has this laidback modern interior, with leather benches and wooden tables, giving you a relaxing ambiance. An alfresco area is also available.

Note: This location is already closed. 



A few months ago, I was introduced to this quaint Japanese resto in Kamagong Street in Makati called Suzu Kin. I was really impressed with how delicious yet affordable the dishes were. I couldn't be any happier when Spanky told me that we will be having a weekend lunch at their only branch at Quezon City.

Located along EDSA, the Suzu Kin sign isn't difficult to spot. This branch is actually the only franchise of Suzu Kin. Leslie, Suzu Kin EDSA's owner, shared that it took Mrs. Suzu Kin a lot of convincing because previous franchises weren't successful. The original owners were hands-on in helping them in the kitchen and were strict with all the food preparations.



Compared to the Makati location, this place has modern Japanese-inspired interiors and high ceilings. Our group dined at the videoke room at the mezzanine. You can have the videoke room for at least Php 3500 worth of food.

I have previously featured two baked dishes so for a change, I'll be sharing a dish that requires minimal cooking. :)

Most of the ingredients can be found at your own pantry or can be easily found at the groceries. Awesome to make especially when friends surprisingly visit you at home.

My kid brother and I love pizza. So whenever he requests that we have pizza delivered at home, it doesn't take much to convince me (unless I don't have cash.hehe). I remember the last time we got Yellow Cab at home, my bro took a bite of the Hot Wings, and well, you know what happened next. :P

I was happy that Yellow Cab Pizza recently introduced Galapeño Tango.

Galapeño Tango is a combination of Garlic Parmesan Wings and Jalapeño Potato Wedges, giving the tastebuds a dance of flavors. Galapeño Tango bundles are Php 345 for 4 pcs, Php 480 for 6 pcs, and Php 880 for 12 pcs. You may also have each offering ala carte.

Note: This restaurant is already closed. 



What am I doing here?!?

The first thing that came to my mind as I enter URBN Bar & Kitchen. I haven't been here before, and it wasn't my usual turf.  But I was promised good food, so I was ecstatic about what URBN has to offer.

URBN Bar & Kitchen is from the owners of Relik Tapas Bar and Shawarma Guys (which I visited weeks before, will post my review about it soon). I've been reading lots of positive feedback about Relik so I was expecting a lot from URBN. URBN just opened last December 2012 but has been creating a buzz within the party scene.


The place is quite spacious, with two areas: one is the party area while the other area (where we were sitting) is more of a dining area.