A TRY OF ONE OF MANILA'S CLASSICS: A REVIEW OF CLASSIC SAVORY (SM ROSALES BRANCH)

Flourished in its humble beginning as a panciteria in Escolta, Manila in the 50's, Classic Savory is still in its promise of serving hearty meals packaged in both taste and quality.

As it reaches almost every major point of the country (this review goes for their SM Rosales Branch), it maintains a high level of service and a menu that will surely satisfy your taste buds.

History is mounted on the branch walls and ceiling. Pictures symbolize the success of the restaurant and its tenure in the Philippine food industry.

Its staff are very accommodating and hospitable they add up to the flavorful stay in the resto.

The Food

Here comes spinach--and it's as a soup. This has a surprising kick and is a healthy way to start eating. It's flavorful blend with herbs and spices would be an appetizer that would definitely invite you to go for more. 

Chicken will always be of my frequent choices. And this time, it's not the usual one I can find with the famous brand of fast food chains. Marinated as it is, the flavor is so Chinese you would love it (you know how good Chinese food are). Chicken skin gives out a juicy and tender texture that goes down to every strand of its meat. Yummy indeed!

Here's another new to my eye-- the lechon Macau. This roast pig doesn't belong to the usual category of dry and oily as it goes with a semi-sweet, semi-salty sauce that compliments to its being juicy.

Their version of bistek, the Imperial Beef Tenderloin with robust oriental sauce and onion rings will also hype your satiety. 

Yang Chow is much like the usual but serving is pretty more. Its smoky flavor makes it tastier that it it gives more justice to the delectable viands.

Chopseuy is served hot. Veggies are well-handled and prepared in a way that it's still crispy and crunchy. With extra cuts of meats, this old-time Filipino favorite is a must try in Classic Savory!

Dessert also deserves a big thumbs up. Coffee jelly is generously soaked in creamy milk and the coffee flavor and aroma would relax you all the way up!

The Experience

The over-all experience deserves a 3.5 star rating (5 being the highest). Food, Staff, and the store ambiance make me summarize it to one word--SULIT!

A BREKKY WITH ONE OF THE ARISTOCRAT's

Who would resist the tempting invitation of the grandson of one of the famous restaurateurs Engracia "Aling Asiang" Reyes, known as the owner of the iconic Aristocrat Restaurant? Well, passport to this breakfast feast is also no other than Alexie who is admittedly in love with one of my team members, Charlene.

Pause. In as much as I would want to focus on their fairy tale-like love story, I opt to turn my inking to the food fit for royalty (like me? harhar).

We did a visit to their Jupiter St Branch in Makati. The touch of green brought nothing but utmost relaxation. That was really soothing for my eyes which was strained by the eight-hour shift. It is  fact that a portion of its market are the key players and people of the corporate district of Makati. I easily spotted people I usually see in the Starbucks--those group with someone talking while a presentation on a laptop is being shown to like two to three other people. I don't know if it was just caused by the morning breeze of fresh and cold air but I totally find the place comfortable and stress debugging.

The building is 2-storey and the upper level is usually reserved as function hall for events and parties as they also offer catering services to those.

The Royal Choices

To treat the customers like her children--that's clearly readable from a poster hanging on the wall bearing the picture of the owner. The service was personalized and more than being friendly, staff are polite enough to wait for your order.

The royalty-feel will be yours at the most affordable prices. Meals, ranging from breakfast to dinner (well, yeah they are operating 24/7) are pegged at prices you would truly love.  My personal choice that time would go for a boneless chicken meal (Php190). Hearty breakfast you can have from these wide array of options: Tocino Plate (Php255), Longganisa Plate (Php255), Daing na Bangus Plate (Php255), Beef Tapa (Php270)and Longganisa & Chicken Pork Adobo Plate (Php270).  

All meat recipe goes as the following: 3-pc chicken barbeque (Php210), Pork BBQ (Php175), Pork Spareribs (whole at Php345, half Php195). Crispy Pata, Sisig and Sinigang are just also some of the house's sepcialties that you should dare try!

In a diet? Up to grab a light meal? Aristocrat also offers sandwich and merienda favorites. Mouth-watering desserts such as halo-halo, buko pandan, lecehe flan they serve as well. Hmmm... that's summer all-year long for that halo-halo special (my fave summery food).

The Summary of Visit

Truly, Aristocrat is a hub of food juxtaposed with bric-a-bracs of its humble beginnings, good service and eye-wowing presentation.

RAMEN TIME IN RAIRAIKEN

Embracing the rainy season, Rai Rai Ken (which means welcome to the restaurant) would be the best place to indulge one's self in Japanese-style menu of steamy bowls. Now having more than 40 branches in the country, Rai Rai Ken offers a lavish options of food-- from the noodles, to sushi, to smoothies. The distinct taste of Japan you'll definitely enjoy here!

It was a visit in Pangasinan (SM Rosales Branch) that brought me to this eating place. A very welcoming ambiance attracted me to go inside. Then what followed is the warm welcome by the staff (the waiters, the cashier and the manager). It would be a safe generalization that it's worth the visit--from food to people,to service and to price.

The menu plus the ambiance would best fit family gatherings, reunion with friends, a simple birthday celebration or even a meal after attending the Sunday mass.

Since I'm craving for my mom's own version of pancit guisado, I tried theirs. This was partnered with their california maki, Yakemeshi Sumo rice, ramen soup and choco smoothie. Before, I hate the rain. But I'm starting to love it with Rai Rai Ken.

For those who want satisfaction amidst being budget-savvy, this one's for you peeps! Food are all good-- artfully made, delighfully appetizing and at the same time pocket-friendly.