Michi Photostory

So I told my husband na maggrocery na lang kami pero kumain muna kami bago maggrocery so we dropped by at Evia Lifestyle Center. We walked from the parking lot while contemplating where to eat. There are so many restaurants and we already tried some of them. We already ate at Teppanya, Italliani’s, and Mama Lou’s. 

Umabot na kami sa dulo and we decided na itry namin yung Tiger Leaf. In my mind, I would just order from the All Day Breakfast but the staff informed us about their “A Toast To Love” promo and I told him, sige, pag-isipan muna namin. I quickly scanned their menu to check the price range and after a few minutes, we told the staff that we would avail of the promo. 

While waiting, I observed the restaurant and this reminded me of Cafe Voi La and I discovered na group of restaurants pala sila; Cafe Voi La, Tiger Leaf, San Sebastian, Another Story, Dumbo Smoke, Rustika Asian Urban Kitchen, and The Cheesecake Fairy. So medyo, nawala yung worry ko na baka hindi okay yung steak kasi may Dumbo Smoke pala sila. Also if you compare their menu, may mga similarities. 

Fresh Spring Rolls 

Cream Corn Cob Soup 

Asian Salad 

NY Striploin served with lyonnaise potatoes, buttered baby carrots, French Beans and finished with a rich port wine sauce. 

Creme Caramel 

Red Sangria 

The restaurant was not crowded so we had a good table and the service was fast. They immediately served the Kropek and Red Sangria. 

When they served the food, we were really surprised because of the huge servings, kasi yung ibang restaurants na may set menu ang konti lang ng serving parang sampler size. But this one, hindi kami tinipid. Also, tig-isa talaga kami ng food so hindi ko na kinunan yung plate ni hubby since same food lang naman. 

Actually, Fresh Spring Roll pa lang, nasarapan na si hubby so sinabi talaga niya nung bumalik yung waiter na masarap yung food. The waiter informed us that their chef is from Chiang Mai Thailand.

Since I’m not fond of vegetables, my husband ate 2 Fresh Spring Rolls and 2 Asian Salad, while I ate the 2 Cream Corn Cob Soup. 

When they served the main dish, the steak was not thick but I already knew that I could not finish my plate so take-out ko yung half nito so I have space for dessert. But my husband was able to finish his steak. 

We already asked for the bill when they served the dessert. Feeling namin nafood coma na kami sa dami ng kinain namin or nahihilo na sa Red Sangria. I’m not into alcohol drinks, tumitikim lang kaso sayang bayad sa Red Sangria kaya inubos ko. Hehehe! 

Overall, we were delighted with our unexpected Valentine’s Date at Tiger Leaf kahit hindi nakami nakapangdate outfit. Nakat-shirt and shorts nga lang si hubby. We enjoyed the ambiance, food and service. Ang bilis ng service nila, as in, walang matagal na waiting time, pagkaubos namin ng meal, naseserve na agad yung next. 

And because of our hearty meal, nakalimutan na namin maggrocery, umuwi na kami after kumain. Hehehe! 

Daang Hari Road, Almanza Dos, 

Las Piñas, Philippines

Just this week, we had an appointment with our ophthalmologists and it meant, new eyeglasses again so we went to SM Sta Rosa to buy eyeglasses frames. After purchasing our frames, it was time for lunch so we looked for a restaurant. MagBistro restaurant na naman sana kami kaso sa February 7 pa daw yung next na 50% off. 

And since ang haba pa ng waiting time namin before our appointment, we decided to try the Unlimited Japanese Barbeque of Sumo Niku. Pero wala naman ako nakitang difference between Japanese and Korean Barbecue restaurant. In fact, may kimchi pa sa Sumo Niku. Hehehe! 

All Day Rate of PHP599, you can eat unlimited 7 kinds of pork, 4 kinds of beef, 2 kinds of chicken, 2 kinds of seafood, rice, side dishes, soup, and mozzarella cheese. 

Before we enter, the staff informed us na hindi available yung Japanese Kurobota Ham but we still ate kahit kulang ng isang meat. Sayang lang kasi konti lang yung meat from Japan tapos kulang pa. 

To place your order, just fill out the order slips. We ordered all the side dishes and for meat, we only ordered pork and beef. We tried the US Premium Beef Teriyaki Sauce, US Wagyu Beef, U.S. Marinated Beef, Chuck Eye Steak, Kurobuta (Japanese Black Pork), and Black Pepper Pork Belly. I also added rice and miso soup. 

Service is fast, nadedeliver naman agad yung order. I was slightly disappointed lang sa cheese, kasi sabi mozzarella cheese but when I saw the color and tasted it, hindi siya lasang mozzarella. We always buy mozzarella cheese kasi because I like the creamy and milky flavor and yung stretchy when melted. Hindi ganun yung cheese na meron sila. 

Anyway, customers can stay strictly for up to 3 hours only but we were done eating in less than an hour.

Customers can stay strictly for up to 3 hours only 

No leftover. No takeout. PHP320 will be charged per pax for leftovers. 

PHP599 - adult 

PHP 295 - children below 4ft 

FREE - children below 3ft 

US Premium Beef Thin Cut 

US Premium Beef Teriyaki Sauce 

US Wagyu Beef 

US Marinated Beef 

Chuck Eye Steak B5 Limited Offer 

Pork Belly Thin Cut 

Unmarinated Pork Belly 

Kurobuta (Japanese Black Pork)

Black Pepper Pork Belly 

Pork Belly with Teriyaki Sauce 

Spicy Pork Belly 

Japanese Kurobuta Ham 

Teriyaki Chicken 

Japanese Spicy Chicken 

Japanese Crab Stick 

Japanese Fish Cake 

Buttered Corn 

Coleslaw 

Mashed Potato 

Fruit Salad 

Seaweed 

Lettuce 

Kimchi 

Atchara 

SM City Sta. Rosa Tagapo 

Sta. Rosa Laguna 4026

While we were waiting for our number to be called, we were busy checking flyers and watching ads on the screen. Then we saw the “30% Off Dining Feast Promo” of BDO. My husband told me na kakain daw kami sa NIU after magpabook. 

"From January 9-12, 2025, 30% off to CIBO, Greyhound Cafe, NIU by Vikings, Paper Moon Cafe, and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Minimum purchase requirements, maximum discount, and qualified cards vary per restaurant."

Funny story, sa bahay pa lang sinasabi na niya sa akin, samahan mo na ko tapos date tayo sa NIU and I told him “Diet nga ko tapos buffet na naman”. Pero after namin magpabook, nagutom talaga ko sa pila so nagbuffet talaga kami kasi sayang ang 30% off. #marupok Hehehe! 

My husband knew na matagal ko ng gustong kumain dito kaso ang layo naman kasi and bihira kami sa SM Aura. Imagine, NIU by Vikings has been around since October 2014 so more than a decade di ba, bago ako nakakain. Well, my husband tried this restaurant for the nth time because of company events or celebrations and always positive ang reviews niya dito.

Anyway, based on my research, I found out that NIU means nine in Old Norse or Old Icelandic Word. NIU has nine different stations serving a variety of dishes that range from Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, and Mediterranean cuisines. NIU by Viking is located on the highest floor of SM Aura so you feel like you are on a cloud nine. Oh di ba, puro may nine talaga. 

We did not stay long at “The Great BDO Travel Sale” event because we were already hungry so after we booked my husband’s plane ticket, we went straight to NIU by Vikings restaurant. Since I’ve been to other buffet restaurants already, iba nga yung feeling sa NIU by Vikings, parang hotel yung setting.

In less than 5 minutes, the staff put a wristband on our wrists and ushered us to our table. No table number and the staff just wrote our table number on the placemat just in case we wanted to order something. 

When I saw the buffet spread, I felt overwhelmed, ang daming choices and hindi ko nga alam kung saan ako mag-uumpisa. Parang mas marami pa buffet spread nila kaysa sa Seasonal Tastes. Although, mas marami tao sa NIU, so depende sa inyo kung more food or less crowd. 

Overall, sulit ang pagbuffet ko. Naenjoy ko yung tempura station, meat station, and dessert station. Good food and good service. I hope magkapromo ulit para makabalik. 

Check below some of the Viking Group Restaurants that we tried in the past. 

Bring 1 full-paying adult on the day of your birthday. Bring 4 full-paying adults on any day within your birthday month. 

Discounts will depend on the day and number of guests. Available Weekday Lunch only. Not valid on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or holidays. 

PHP1,138 - Adult 

PHP438 - Kids 3-4ft/4-7 years old 

PHP748 - Kids 4’1 - 4’6 ft/ 8-10 years old 

PHP1658 - Adult 

PHP538 - Kids 3-4ft/4-7 years old 

PHP848 - Kids 4’1 - 4’6 ft/ 8-10 years old 

6/F SM Aura Premier, 

26th Street corner McKinley Parkway, 

Bonifacio Global City 

Contact: 478-3888, 0917-586-6888, 0919-999-6888 

11AM to 2:30PM 

5:30PM to 10:30PM

Eight years ago, I suggested Hogs and Cattle Steakhouse and for our recent get-together, I suggested Guevarra’s by Chef Laudico so we could stay for 3 hours. This buffet restaurant started in 2013 pa, ganun na siya katagal but as usual, kapag nasa probinsiya, hindi natatry agad. Actually, I forgot about this restaurant, naalala ko na lang siya nung nagyaya yung college friend ko nung last get-together. namin.

Since we are a group of 16 people, we needed to make a reservation. I checked their calendar on their website pero walang weekend. Magchange na sana kami ng venue, good thing my friend called the restaurant and was able to reserve. To confirm the reservation, a 50% downpayment is required via instapay or bank deposit. 

Fast forward to our get-together, we left early para iwas traffic but surprisingly, walang traffic so ang aga tuloy namin. Quarter to 11AM, the staff announced na pwede na daw pumasok yung mga may reservation and they opened the buffet table 5 minutes before 11AM. For our group, two separate tables kami. Okay sana kung nasa isang room. 

Anyway, you need to wear a face mask before going to the buffet table and this is a managed buffet pala so kailangan ko pa sabihan na konti lang ang ilagay. Take note of the “Clean Plate Policy” - PHP100 for every 100-gram leftover. 

My friend paid for our get-together meals but looking at the buffet rate, I can say that it is budget-friendly compared to other buffet restaurants so it is not surprising na marami talaga kumakain. 

87 P. Guevarra Street cor Argonne St. 

1500 San Juan, Philippines 

0998 881 3200 

guevarrassales@gmail.com 

Lunch 11AM to 2PM = P879 

Maagang Salu-Salo 5PM to 7PM = P799 

Dinner 7:30PM to 10:30PM = P879 

Weekend Late Lunch 2:30PM to 4:30PM = P799 

Weekend Breakfast 7:30AM to 10AM = P599 

9:00am - 6:00pm