Exploring Maginhawa: Kirunch

KIRUNCH

Me and my co-workers had been craving for Ramen or something noodles that is somewhere in Mahingawa until we saw this new Japanese fusion place named "Kirunch".

We ordered:

- Tonkatsu
- Cheesy Tonkatsu
- Laksa
- Ramen


Laksa and Ramen can be good for 2 if you are going to order a rice meal. Their serving are very generous and we really like the food.

The staff was accommodating to us and also she suggest what is their best seller and also she informed us that the Katsu we ordered comes with drinks and unlimited rice that are not indicated in their menu. She take our order and at the same time cook our food.

I like the interior of this place, it may a little bit small but I think the tables and chairs outside are also from them in which you can also dine outside.

I will definitely be back in Kirunch to see how they evolve.

Just a little suggestion:

- Please add another staff as server, she may also stand outside to talk to some potential customers
- Be active in social media have an ex-deal with When in Manila or discovermnl.
- Advertise that you have an unli rice when ordering Katsu or anything with rice

Exploring Maginhawa: Gerry's Jeepney

When Gerry's Jeepney first open I thought to myself I will go there immediately once I have the perfect timing. But unfortunately it never came. Haaay..

But be hold! The perfect timing came! My aunt and cousin went here in Manila for me and to have a vacation.

You will be greeted by a receptionist and ask you where do you want to be seated in the Jeepneys or in an air conditioned room.

Jeepneys inside Gerry's Jeepney

Usual placards used by the Jeepney drivers and Sorbetes

Hand washing area

Food

The food was so good, I love everything specially the soup (because I'm a soup kinda girl).

If you want to see the menu before going to the restaurant I suggest to check Zomato first.

Since we were a group of 4 we ordered a group meal which is Cubao.

Good for 2-4 persons 

That includes: Rice (plain, bagoong, garlic), Chicken BBQ (quarter cut), Inihaw na Isda (Bangus, Hito, Tilapia),Ensaladang talong with pulang itlog and KBL, 4 iced tea and soup

Ambiance

I really like the ambiance here, very Filipino. They've been playing original classic Filipino songs while we were dining. 

Value for Money

Though, we ordered the set/group meal which I think a little bit pricey compared to ordering an Ala Carte meal. I think it wasn't all about the food. Of course the maintenance, hard work and effort given to these Jeepneys doesn't worth any of our money.

Cleanliness

Above mentioned criteria rated 5 stars, but this one I will give 4 stars because when we got to our seat the table had a sauce and some food.

Service

And lastly 3 stars for their service, the server are quite difficult to call. I am usually fair with my review blogs, but during our dining experience it wasn't peak hour, not at all but I believe that Gerry's Jeepney will improve their service (hopefully) because the hype will always cool down if people experience bad service.

I will be back here! I want to try their ala carte! 

XOXO,

Tara

Exploring Maginhawa: Cool Beans

Another lunch time in Maginhawa Street with my workmate Jhem. 

I've seen cool beans in Kris TV first. I am so convinced that the pasta are nice because I am a pasta lover! And also I like the concept of reading books while eating or sipping your favorite drink. 

Jhem ordered: 

Breaded Chicken 

  

And 

Hazelnut Frappucino

     Chocolate Lava is mine. Lol! 

And I ordered the Chocolate Lava and Mac and Cheese. 

Let me start my review. 

Food

Jhem's food first. So according to her the Hazelnut Frappe taste like vanilla only, no hazelnut, no bits or pieces of hazelnut.  And the Breaded Chicken, she said the flavors are only on the skin. Inside the chicken is so dull. 

I ordered the Mac and Cheese and the Lava Cake

Well, the Mac and Cheese needs more improvement because it doesn't taste like cheese, only some parts because there are bits of cheese. But it taste like light carbonara more cream than cheese. 

Maybe I am just expecting too much with the Lava Cake because of the videos I've been watching in Facebook. I thought when you pop the middle of the cake there will be lave of melted chocolate. But It is yummy and I like how moist the cake is. For me it is an average. 

Restaurant Cleanliness 

Cool beans is very neat, no left overs on the tables, and all empty chairs has clean tables in where you can sit right away to the spot you choose.

Ambiance

I like how serene the place is, it is like a library with a restaurant. If you want to a place to read or study at the same eat here is a perfect spot for you.

Concept

And hey! They also have lots of books magazines you can borrow and read while munching your snack. 

You can bring yours kids if you want to. They have unique selections of books. 

Service 

It would be very difficult to rate their service because the restaurant is a self-service resto. Time wise, the cook or the chef is fast. They have service water and they will call you according to the food that you've ordered. Maybe it is a little bit disappointing because some of the food we want to order are not available. 

All in all I will give them 3 stars out of 5. I will go back here and give them a chance to try the other pasta. 

Exploring Maginhawa: Crazy Katsu

Have you experience what I've experienced? That you are so hungry when you saw the name of the restaurant you just passed by you drool? Even if you haven't tried it? And when you got inside that restaurant it is full and you're in the waiting list.

Well, my friends and I experienced that in Crazy Katsu. So we've decided to just choose another resto. But I promised myself to go back there, try it myself and I want to know if the hype is real. 

Last April, my co-worker and I decided to try Crazy Katsu in Maginhawa. Again, the restaurant is full! But we've decided to stay and wait for our turn to eat. 

Concept

What do you except from a Japanese Restaurant? Japanese Concept of course! Lol! The chairs and tables are wood, the servers are all women. Dress in a all black shirt and pants. Nothing special. 

Service

As soon a we entered the resto the server assist us into our table. And gave us glasses and water which is I really take note of. She also gave us Chopsticks with Spoon and Fork. I think our server is nice because other server is not that nice and doesn't smile. She should smile because it is just lunch time and also she has this aura that she is not approachable. 

Ambiance 

Nothing special, you cannot hear the background music, if any. The people there are so loud or maybe because the resto is small. But I really like the chairs and tables. Very busy resto. :) 

Cleanliness

I would say the floors are clean, the chairs and tables are clean. Didn't try the restroom though, if there are any. The only disturbing happened to me is, there is a fly on the window and while I'm eating it went near me. 

Food

The food is good! I think the hype is real! I ordered their specialty which is the Chicken Katsu.

At first, I am little scared because I saw the chillis!! Omg! When I tried it, the chicken is very tender, cabbage is really my favorite vegetable and the sauce is perfect! This dish is good for 2 but if you are super hungry like me you can eat it by yourself. 

My co-worker ordered Katsudon.

The meat is also tender and I like the flavors, it would be better if there is a sauce on it or separate.  But I still prefer the Katsudon with cheese.  

All in all I would definitely go back here to try the others. But I will order again the Chicken Katsu. :)