#FoodStarsBreakfastPlaces: Cafe Mabini, A. Mabini, San Juan, Philippines

 When your everyday routine includes bringing kids to school; you know that you’ll be needing quite a few of good breakfast places in your belt.

Priority goes to places that opens at 8 in the mornig; offers coffee; has ample parking and is within the vicinity of San Juan. 

Let’s start the list off with Cafe Mabini. 

This is a 22-seater space with ample parking and internet access.

The best spots are the booths at the back, where the indoor garden adds to the view. Call buttons are also made available on the tables.

Table shot of our first visit. 

Hubby went with their Grilled US Beef Tapa (Php 425) while I got their Beef and Tendon Mami (Php 395). 

This sticky jelly-like beef broth truly hits the spot. All the meat pieces were cooked ‘til tender, making every mouthful a delight. Squeezing in some calamansi & mixing in the chili garlic bring in the sour & spicy notes into the dish. Serving the wanton chips on the side rather than on top of the soup made for a very nice added crunch to the dish. 

Hotpot Session at Gloria Maris Shark’s Fin Restaurant, San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines

    For our family, hot pot is always a good idea; bring us good broth with tons of balls and we’re good to go. Another thing that excites us would be the quality of their dipping sauces; peanut sauce for the kids (who are real sticklers on the taste) & sate sauce for the husband. Anyone would agree that these are the trifecta of any good hotpot experience.

Gloria Maris Hotpot has been in our to-go list ever since, even before the pandemic. Experiencing the traffic along EDSA made us all famished by the time we arrived. Hubby was all business and without any qualms, ordered one of the pre-sorted sets for 4 people (Php 2,800). 

Yes, you read it right. We got a set for 4 and all of the servers were going, 

“Sir, madami yan. Kaya for kahit 6 people. Baka hindi ninyo maubos kasi 2 bata po kasama ninyo, technically 2 lang po kaya in Ma’am”. 

Pork bone on the left; Sate on the right

Veggies, tofu, corn, Gabri, noodles

Shrimps, balls, meat, kani, and maybe a few of Ariel’s friends

And they were right!! Hahaha

Noodle-licious Dinner at Kanzhu, San Juan

We were supposed to be in QC by 7pm but EDSA was so clogged that by 7:30, we were still stuck in traffic. Hungry and with patience wearing thin, we drove to Greenhills for dinner. I've always wanted to try this place out. It seemed now was a good time as any.

Kanzhu, San Juan

I couldn't help but notice the cute caricature of the chef. With the be-dimpled smile and rosy red cheeks, this was a plus in the cuteness factor. Now how would their food fare?

Attention: Starbucks Promenade

Dear Starbucks Promenade,

Please re-train your staff. Your Caramel Frappe needs improvement. Every sip tasted like whipped cream only. Did not enjoy. 

We have been coming back here and still, your drinks always comes up short. 

We hope to see better drinks the next time we drop by.

Until then, we here at FoodStars give you a whopping THUMBS DOWN! 

Sincerely Yours,

FoodStars

'Til our next Good Eat!

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