Worth the slurp umami Ramen in Bataan

It's somehow boring at home and I'm craving to eat a different meal last Sunday. My sister-in-law invited me over to have Samgyupsal that day with my Brother. Sadly, the restaurant was closed when we arrived. Nowhere to go, my Brother suggested to visit the Ark's Food Zone instead. My brother was bragging that place he called Makiramen since the first day it opens and they often eat there. I'm a fan of Korean ramen but Japan ramen is more flavorful and has intense taste. The fact that my brother recommends that place, it means that it's truly savory knowing what kind of critic my brother is on Japanese food. 

That Ark's Food Zone is only a 15-minute drive from Dinalupihan and it's near in the Ecozone at Palihan, Hermosa. This is a common hangout nook by employees after work and they offer Shawarma and Silog Meals, inside of that small alley you'll find this cute Makiramen stall where the magic of making Japanese sushi happens.


At the entrance, you'll see their menu offering variety of sushi and ramen.

The price range for ramen ranges from Php 179 to Php 249. Not bad, because Japanese ramen are really expensive if you eat in any authentic ramen house anywhere. For the sushi, price ranges from Php 99 to Php 179. They also offer add-on if you prefer having an extra noodle for example or extra eggs.

After making up our minds, the couple ordered tonkotsu ramen while I ordered the special spicy ramen. I also ordered gyosa, salmon sashimi, mango salmon roll and the crunchy crab stick. I was thinking of trying all the sushi however my tummy can't take too much carbs. I'm already cheating in my keto diet that day ha ha ha ha!



 


I'm not an expert in reviewing the authenticity of sushi but I'll comment on how I enjoyed eating my orders. Mango salmon roll is an absolutely great choice. I like the tweak of sweetness while tasting the slight robust flavor of the fresh salmon. With or without the dark soy, it's still enjoyable to eat. The crunchy crab stick is my least favorite because I was expecting a crab stick flavor on the sushi though I can see that the crab stick bits were on top as an accent to the roll; it's simply eating a roll of rice with a fried crab stick on top. Quick info for everyone, the Makiramen offers uramaki (a type of maki) in their sushi options, basically a maki that's inside out. 

Gyoza is authentic, it's the same flavor I tasted in all Japanese restaurants that I've been to. It's also commendable to order, no other comments about it because it's absolutely a must-try. The salmon sashimi on the other hand is okay however I felt bits of ice in the center of the sliced fish. This is understandable considering the way of storing this kind of fish and sashimi is not often ordered unless the customer is a fan of raw food. As a sashimi lover, I would suggest to replace the calamansi with a ground ginger and stick with the original presentation of using daikon (white radish) as bedding of the sashimi. It's more cost effective because you can store daikons longer than lettuce leaves and a few grams of ground ginger is cheaper than a piece of calamansi.

Anyway for the noodles, let me share to you my experience tasting the two flavors we ordered. Below is a Tonkotsu Ramen.


This one tastes like carbonara in a ramen form. The soup broth is milky white, I don't know if there's a cream on it but definitely the base is from pork bones when I taste it. This ramen taste sweet on my palette. I'm sure most people will prefer ordering this kind of ramen.


The one I ordered is the special spicy ramen. I'm sure its not a shoyu base or a miso base. The good thing about this ramen is its spiciness is so tolerable. There will be a very light sting around your mouth after sipping the soup but you'll enjoy the savory broth very well. I will commend the serving of chasu because the serving is ample. The corn and bean sprout helped to add texture with the rest of the toppings. I appreciate the black sesame seeds because the soup looked appetizing aside from it contribute in the scent of the ramen. This is also a must-have when you order at Makiramen. You better visit their place to taste other ramen varieties because they also offer seafood and vegetable ramen.

Rating the Makiramen from 1-10, I'll give it a 7. Why? First, the ramen is worth of what you pay for. Serving is generous. Noodles is so good to bite. Broth is superb. I won't presume it as authentic but surely the ramen is delectable. Two thumbs up on that however for the sushi, there's a need for improvement in some of the items. By the way I ordered  cheese fried (sushi) and tamago for take out. Tamago passed but cheese fried failed my expectations. It's too dry, the batter and crumbs overpowered the taste of the roll and the roll became tasteless as a whole. Owners may consider replacing the sushi items with coatings or re-invent. 


Over all, the Makiramen at Ark's Food Zone is worth a try. Just check their Facebook page and IG for updates and promos. 

If you are craving for a hot ramen anytime, make the Makiramen top of your choice!

'Til my next blog

-JackieKnowsIt

Why I always return at City Garden Hotel Makati?

There was a time that I need to be in Makati more than once due to marketing engagements from my previous job. I already slept at Berjaya Makati Hotel, Best Western Plus Antel, Azotea Suites and at City Garden Hotel Makati. All of them were impressive hotels, offers different facilities and provides great customer service in different ways. Though if I'm going to be asked what hotel will I return to over and over again, I will definitely choose City Garden Hotel Makati.

Guys, I want you to know that what I'm writing now was my experience last September 2017. It took me almost three years to write my review about this hotel because I've gone busy, you know, priorities. For the record, I've stayed here thrice. 2017 was my first time stay but see, I still return every time I need to spend a day or two at Makati. I'm still inspired to make a write up about it today after seeing my stored photos of it and I'll tell you why.

So three days and two nights stay because I need to attend an expo. WiFi password was written on the card jacket. As part of the routine, I always do a room raid.












So inside, you'll see a complete set of amenities. I've never been in a 5-star hotel so I can't do a comparison on what's missing but I noticed most were labeled with the hotel logo. I don't remember if I'm on a Deluxe Queen Room or at Executive Queen Room. I was surprised that this hotel has 160 rooms. Definitely they cater big groups with function room requirements. After settling my travel bag and stuff, I went out to check other facilities. 



I was unable to take some pictures at the sauna and their function rooms though I was given a chance to be toured around seeing other room types that they have. Afternoon came, I decided to try the gym. I'm not into exercise though it was mentioned that they have a state-of-the-art fitness facilities. So I got curious and give it a try.


I tried the tread mill for 30 minutes and the stationary bike for 15 minutes. I'm so dead tired after that ha ha ha. 



They have this bench press, dumb bells, stability balls, kettle bell, barbels and so on. I only knew a few but I think most of the gym equipment found in other gyms were here. I can't took more pictures because there were other guests using the gym. 

I'm always excited to experience the breakfast. You know why? I don't care how exquisite your hotel are. I'm already expecting it to justify the value of money. The hotel's breakfast may either make you or break you. It creates a lasting impression especially for first timer guest like me.


I mentioned earlier that I've been in a few hotels at Makati. Regardless of their star level or uniqueness, I will still choose City Garden Hotel among them because their breakfast never failed to satisfied me. It's not about how oriental or western your viands are but it's the taste and satisfaction of having a hearty breakfast. I still choose this hotel for years simply because of the breakfast.

Most hotels failed to realize that its not the bed, or the size of the pool, or jaw-dropping views or the latest interior designs that we are after when choosing a hotel. Well yes, Instagram-able backgrounds is a factor now a days however its the food, its always be, especially the first thing that you will eat after waking up matters the most.   

I also have this attitude that I judged the hotel by its breakfast, ha ha ha. I know its quite unfair knowing that these hotels spend millions to provide first class facilities, impressive ambiance, undeniably state of comfort on its amenities but hey, that's what the guests pay for right? Don't ever dare not to be keen on little things like breakfast or else expect a lot of thumbs down and bad reviews on services.

Finally I spilled my pending tea. Still happy reminiscing my stays here and traffic catastrophe ha ha ha. Just visit their website for bookings and inquiries. 'Til my next blog.
- JackieKnowsIt
















The Haven for Rejuvenation, The Olistica Spa of Subic Bay

Being in the field of Sales and Marketing are two things; ensuring that you generate profit to your company and being aesthetically pleasing.

Pressure hone your skills and stress is somehow a dose of vitamin in your brain yet it has big effect in you as a person. You become dull, dowdy and restless. People with the same field as mine will agree with me that we seek "spa" as a sweet escape from our world.

Choosing a spa that we can trust is a big deal, why? We are willing to spend thousands as long as that spa can do magic in our physical appearance without doing under the knife. We are fond of massage, body scrubs, facial, masks and nail polish for girls. Admit it guys, we are so self loving and vain (guilty laughs!).

The Assistant General Manager of Olistica Spa, Ms. Juja invited us to experience their services. Actually it's a month long finalization of schedule because the pillars of the industry were invited. Just kidding on the "pillars" ha-ha-ha. I just want to emphasize that we were old by age and we're in this field for more than a decade, peace guys! We still look like in our late twenties though.

I'm with Sir Rio, the Resident Manager of Inflatable Island and Ma'am Betchay, property based Marketing Officer of Zoobic Safari. So we visited last February 17 to try unfortunately Ma'am Betchay can't be with us though she dropped by to give Sir Rio a cake because tomorrow is his birthday.

Now let me share my first hand experience and of course my comments for each services.

We first soaked our feet in a luke-warm water while exchanging chats, then a few minutes we proceed in their massage rooms.

I was anticipating that I will experience a massage. Though I was wondering why they gave me disposable undies and my panty shall be removed. I even exclaimed that for a long time trying different massage parlors, this is the first time that I will wear disposable panties without a panty on and when the session started, I realized that we'll be having a body scrub. I got excited of course because my last body scrub was last year.

While the attendant was busy, I asked few questions about the scrub that she's applying. According to her, the one that she's using was a relaxation scrub. I commend them for that, they knew what we needed most. They also have whitening, coffee scrub for detox and mentioned other types that I couldn't remember because I'm just interested in the three mentioned.

The scrub smells nice, its not pungent. The beads were fine and light. While scrubbing, you were somehow massaged and I like it because the effect was soothing. Though you can do body scrubs at home but someone doing it for you was still different and satisfying. After this, we took a hot shower then return for the most awaited and favorite part. The massage!


For those who is used on massage, we can tell the difference of Swedish, Shiatsu or Thai. To give you an idea for those who are first timers, Swedish massage is stroking the muscles and joints, a kind of relaxing way of rubbing, they use oil or lotion while massaging while Shiatsu massage uses acupressure and works well for those with overactive lifestyle I suppose then Thai massage, still uses acupressure but use their hands, forearms, knees, elbows and even feet to flex the joints and apply pressure to your muscles. This is not painful but to describe the experience, you can feel your bones clicked and snapped on every pull and applied pressure.

For this experience, they did the Swedish. I can say that the massage was good, expectations of relaxation was met, my only comment was they need to make it authentic, I mean, I already tried different spas with massage and each has a signature stroke even all of them were named as Swedish massage. What I'm trying to say is that, they should create an impression that the massage at Olistica can be experienced only at Olistica and other spas can't do that kind of massage pattern. Tatak Olistica per se. As I mentioned, the massage was still good. You better try it.

The final to be experienced was facial, every vain person's favorite.

I will not describe every single step done under this procedure because it's better experienced by you in actual. Like I said, this is every vain person's favorite because of its benefits and after effect. I do facials because if I don't, I experienced unwanted nasty pimples because I have an oily T-zone (girls knows what T-zone is). What I like in their facial is the vacuum that they're using. You can feel the suction and it's satisfying. I also liked the mask because my skin become supple afterwards


The experience didn't ended on facial. On this part, I will describe other services that I availed. I told you earlier that people like me are so much willing to spend thousands as long as we are satisfied and we looked exquisite. It added confidence, you know, because we are facing high-profile-kind of people and we are not allowed to get ugly since we are the face of our company in the service industry.

I got eyelash extension at Olistica.
I chose the Classic because I wanted it to look natural. This was my first time. Before doing this, you will be asked what kind of lashes you prefer. If you like to have a Katy Perry's or Beyonce's mink lashes its all up to you though of course people here are experts, you can't have a crazy dramatic eyelash if you have natural lashes that are on a shorter thinner side, definitely they won't suggest feathery kind.

Next important for me to experience was the Foot Spa. I will highly recommend the Classic Foot Spa, because they have other kinds. The experience was solid. I'm really contented even though I only availed the 30 minutes.

Part of my task as Sales at ACEA, it's a resort by the way, was doing Client ocular. The property was huge and you have to stroll the Client by feet to explain each facilities. From the function rooms, up to second floor rooms, garden area, beach and at the lower club house. I can't explain how exhausting it was doing it in a daily basis. My legs were indeed painful because I have an average of six oculars per day. Muscles on my feet were a bit sore. Only this Classic Foot Spa heard the cry of my legs and feet. Hallelujah! I strongly recommend to have you foot spa done at Olistica and choose Classic!

I know most of the readers will ask the following so I will rate the following based on my personal experience and honest impression. Please be advised that I will only rate those services that I tried and experienced:
  • Value for money
It's expensive yes but I can say that it's worth what you pay for. I can say that the oils, essentials and scrubs used are quality, smells nice and are good to feel in the skin
  • Level of Satisfaction in services
 For the first timers doing pampering at spa they will definitely grade Olistica a perfect 10. For me who experienced different spas and has reference on service comparison, I will grade them:

Body Scrub: 8. The attendant who's attending me contributed a big factor on my score. It's uneasy to have somebody touching your every corner but the attendant was kind enough to make me feel comfortable. Not all can give you such ease while touching your body especially the sensitive areas. Body scrubs are simply body scrubs and you can do it by yourself if you want to. My rate here was based on the comfort and ease I felt.

Swedish Massage: 7.5. I'll give them this rate because it's still good as expected for a massage. More improvement on the part of lasting impression effect.The aftermath feeling after the massage

Facial with Mask: 6. I'm aware that this is a basic facial though I'm rating it 6 based on satisfaction level and the procedure experienced

Eyelash Extension: 9. For a first timer, yes this is the score because the eyelash extensions are very light as if you are not wearing one. It feels natural as if it's your real lashes. It also create a nice impact in my eyes.

Classic Foot spa: perfect 10! Absolutely

Visit their spa for you to check other aesthetic services. They are beside The Reef Hotel and Residences near the Pirates at the Waterfront Road Central Business District.

Hope my review helped you to consider one of the nice Spa here in Subic Bay.

You can visit their Facebook www.facebook.com/Olistica Nail Salon and Body Spa or check their website www.olisticaspasubicbayph.com for more details.


'Til my next review

- JackieKnowsIt

Check Hotel 101, minimalist but modern

Time to stay again in Pasay for five days. A day from now, the biggest expo will be held at SMX Convention Center. Of course, I need to find a nearest and accessible hotel to avoid the stressful traffic going to Mall of Asia. Guess what? The Hotel 101 is now open, it's located at EDSA Extension, Mall of Asia Complex here in Pasay. You can literally walk going to MOA coming from this hotel.























I'm so excited with this hotel because aside from it's the newest business and leisure hotel to open in the Metro, I aimed to check-in here since the day I saw it under construction. Finally I'm here,
having a great time, enjoying the pool and will spent my next three peaceful nights in this comfortable room.

It's a habit of me to check the amenities and it's facilities. Let me show you first what's inside the room:






















The room has two beds (1 queen size and 1 standard bed). Actually I'm wondering why they gave me a room with two beds even though I registered alone. When I checked online, it was designed that way. 

I can say it's like a condo because it has a kitchen sink with microwave and mini ref.

I'm also amazed because their TV is 48" LED, I seldom seeing large TV at hotels. The walk in closet has two bathrobes, safety deposit box, a flashlight and slippers. 

The bathroom, is awesome! There are a lot of toiletries; soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, vanity kit, shaving kit and dental kit. Now I understand why they termed their rooms a Happy Room. They really ensure that guest like me would not miss our own homes because they have completed the features that our own household have.







Again, I'm amazed with their elevators. You have to put your key card here before the elevator can verify your floor number


For the facilities, they have this lovely pool. There is a pool for kids and adults and a Jacuzzi.




They also have a restaurant named Amico where they set up their international breakfast daily and Ala carte lunch and dinner highlighting Spanish- Mediterranean cuisines.






For inquiries, please visit their website.

'Til my next review

- JackieKnowsIt

Food Review: The Beanery- Dinalupihan

Looking for a cozy place to hang out with family and friends if you're in Bataan? I suggest to try the The Beanery.

Photo (c)

Our friend Diosa invited us to dine at the The Beanery- Dinalupihan to talked about our whereabouts. Two of them just came from other countries so we seldom see each other and talked serious matters personally. These was an awesome time to see each other because it's my rest day. I'm always not available due to hectic working schedule so Diosa's invitation was perfect!

Getting inside, the interior is tasteful and pleasing. According to Fchel, the place was a former events area named Brickyard. It's my first time yesterday. I always dine in Subic, I'm not familiar with any of the nice eating places here in Bataan. Since my first time, I thought you'll call a waiter then you'll order so I raise my hand. Then my friend informed me that you have to fall in line at the counter to order, ha ha ha so don't judge the place by it's interior. 

Looking at the counter, I noticed that they have a lot to offer. The board at the counter was quite chaotic for me. I understand that the purpose was for less queries how the food will look like and to verify easily what the diner will order upon approaching the counter but I suggest better put those pictures in a menu then just list the names of the meals on the board. For example, if the food is under pasta then list the name under pasta category and so on then the photos will be at the menu if in case the diners wants to know the appearance of the meal. Anyway, the menus will be useful I think when going in big groups because not everybody can see the food from their seats and it's not convenient to stand up to fall in line just to state your order one by one.


 After long minutes of choosing and making up our minds, we ordered these:

Kani and Mango Salad
Fchel ordered kani and mango salad. According to her, veggies were fresh, the amount of dressing was just right on the portion served and tasteful. Kate agreed with the dressing however the kani's are bland but the mangoes are good.

chicken tenders, buffalo tenders then mojos









For the appetizers, we ordered chicken tenders, buffalo tenders and mojos. There's no so much comment with chicken tenders because you'll taste the same on what you expect on it. Buffalo tenders was fine for all of us however the spice that we are expecting was not there, yes you can say that it has spice on the sauce but not the kind of spice that you usually taste on buffalo's. I always order buffalo wings and had tasted different kinds so I know what's missing. I suggest better improved the chili flavor on your buffalo tenders because if you say buffalo, the spicy tingly taste that will round on your tongue was expected . Compare to Shakey's and Pizza Hut, mojos here are better. According to Shella it's not oily that's why she liked it.

Pork Sisig
Pork Belly









Kate ordered sisig. According to her it was good but the one in SM food court was tastier than this.

I ordered pork belly. Safe food. I don't get the chives and tomato pieces on the top, perhaps garnish but I love the vinegar, the grilled tomato on the side and the atsara. I suggest to cut the brittle fats for us for easier eating and avoid serving pork belly with bones.

Shella and Cheradee ordered baked macs with cordon bleu on the side and the other one is with chicken tenders. According to Cheradee, their food was delicious but the fact that it's too yummy you get fed up (umay) tasting other meals.



For the cakes, Shella is the best person to ask since she often bake. According to her " I don't like the cheesecakes, all are no-bake. I can't taste the cream cheese". For me, that is a cheesecake fan, I agree but I still love the three especially the rocky road cheesecake but Kate and Fchel has a different preference. Fchel added that it seems the cake slice got smaller. Almost the same price with other coffee shops but the portion is different. Kate termed it as a "budget cut slice!"

People has different opinions in terms of food. For the The Beanery, it's still commendable, no wonder why you have a lot of patron diners. You can tell because the flow of the guests are continuous, I think 80% of people from Dinalupihan had tried your place. Your coffees are great too! Kudos for your delicious food. I enjoyed and had a great time in your place. We also suggest to have faster service in terms of attending additional requests. We follow up twice before getting what we needed. For the comfort room, please consider re-designing it. Comfort room matters too.


For those who will  try the The Beanery, you can also visit their Orani and Balanga branch if you are in that area.

'Til my next review

- JackieKnowsIt