Yum Cha Unlimited at Shanghai Saloon, The Podium, Philippines

     We have always been game with trying out anything unlimited, but we also find ourselves less than satisfied with the experience more often than not (low quality of the meat, slow service, etc). Another thing that you should know about us is that Makati City is our comfort zone meaning, each drive out of the city limits ups the ante for our expectations for the restaurant. Simply put, it had better be worth the drive.

    Enter Shanghai Saloon at The Podium. 

This particular restaurant ticks both of our boxes above, placing it in a much higher standard than usual. 

We made reservations for their 2nd seating of the day (1:30-3:30pm). We arrived at exactly 1:30 just to be told that our tables were not available due to several differing reasons (the previous seating was not yet done; the table was given to another party). 

To remedy the situation, the manager had us order from the Yum Cha list so that they could start preparing our dishes while waiting.

We were soon led to our seats at around 1:45pm. I had only a few minutes to look around when our orders started pouring in, clearly they were making up for the earlier mishap. 

Dim Sum Blowout at Causeway, Banawe Street QC

After a night of our weekly badminton session, it was time to fuel up. Everyone was in the mood for dim sum. It was a question between King Chef or Causeway. It was the chicken feet that sealed the deal. :) 

Even at 9:30pm in the evening, the place was packed to the rafters. While waiting for the table, we saw a tarp hanging outside their door. Aside from their dim sum promo of Php45/order for selected items (from 9-12mn), they were offering chicken feet, tao pao & misua soup for only Php 28 each. We couldn't wait to be seated.

Dim Sum  and  then  some..

Famished, we immediately ordered dim sum. Piles & piles of the all-too familiar wooden containers soon filled the table. Armed with chopsticks, we started digging in.

Late Dinner Dimsum at King Chef, Banawe St Quezon City

FS Update: Aside from the fact that they only serve hakaw during the weekends, they also raised the prices. Hakaw is now Php 55 per order. Add the bad service we got from a server named Art, we're definitely bringing our business back to Causeway instead.


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Coming straight from a massage session, we were looking for a place to eat. We all voted for dim sum. Of course the first restaurant that came into mind was Causeway. But it was already 11:00pm, all the dim sums would've been sold out when we get there. Someone suggested this  new place.... 

Welcome to King Chef. 


A bold name, I must say.

King Chef, Banawe Quezon City

With it's ample parking lot, you'll have no trouble finding a space for your car. They separate the fine dining from dim sum. Is this becoming the new restaurant trend? Hmmm... 

While waiting for the dim sum cart, I pretty much amused myself taking photos of the restaurant's interior. With the open-bar like structure in front, the kitchen window where ducks were hanging on the pegs and the bright lights, this was a stark contrast from Causeway.

Weekend Bonding at Summer Palace, Edsa Shangrila Hotel

One lazy Sunday morning, craving for something different (from the usual mall restaurants & take outs), we headed down to Edsa Shangri-la to our usual dim sum hotspot for lunch.

Summer Palace, Edsa Shangri-la Hotel

As you enter, you'll feel like you're transported to someplace far away from the noisy hustle & bustle of the city life... well almost.

Lights!

With elaborate fixtures such as their hanging lights, you know you're definitely in for a royal treat.  FS Tip: Ask to be seated in the "inner circle" to completely enjoy the Summer Palace experience :)


As the silver cart slowly made it's way to our table, the wonderful aroma of dim sum wafted in the air. What were the glorious wonders hidden under those wooden lids?