Fish & Co. TriNoma Mall, Quezon City (Philippines)

From a Parking Lot Beginnings to Mainstream Success – Mang Inasal is a Crowd Pleaser

What: Combo 1 with Unli Rice
Where: Mang Inasal (various locations)
Cuisine: BBQ
Affordability: 100P ($3) per combo

Pointers:

– Prepare to eat with your hands! Kidding. But it is the recommended way and people in the restaurant do use their hands to eat. There is an area where you can wash your hands with soap and water before and after your meal. Some restaurants offer a plastic glove if you are that kind of diner. Or if you are a wuz, you can get a fork and a knife.

– Order the chicken. That’s what you are there for. The combo comes with a leg, and you can order the regular or spicy version. The rice is unlimited (coined unli rice). There is a staff member that goes around refilling your plate with rice the minute they see it emptying. You literally have to ask them to stop.

– Your combo will also come with “Calamansi” or calamondin and soy sauce for dipping the chicken in. There are also spices on the table that you can add to spice up your chicken. But you don’t really need it if you’re a purist. The marinate is awesome and that’s what Mang Inasal is known for. So try it without the sauces first, then add as you like.

– History lesson: Mang Inasal (Mr. Barbecue) started in a car park in Iloilo, the southern part of the Philippines. Jolibee (Philippines answer to McDonald’s) acquired Mang Inasal in 2010 earning it some nearly P3 billion in the same year.

– Name: Mang (Mr. in Filipino) Inasal (Barbecue in Ilongo). Ilongo is the dialect in Iloilo where the first restaurant was born.

A Bit of Americana at The Podium

Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato Soup

Where: Borough’s (inside The Podium, Ortigas)
Cuisine: American
Affordability: P300+ per dish

Pointers

– Owners are brothers and natives of Manhattan hence the Borough name. They’ve taken the American comfort food and added a twist that made it original and tasty! Located inside the upscale Podium Mall in Ortigas, Borough is decorated for its young and hip clientele complete with oversize stainless steel & wood tables. The place has a very industrial feel yet cozy and inviting. It is also open 24/7 so you can get your American food fix at any hour.

– The food is awesome. My company had the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup (pictured above) – a favourite of hers at Boroughs and speaks highly of it. She has expensive tastes so I will have to take her word on it.

– I had the burger with fries (pictured above but name escapes me) served on a wooden board lined with wax paper printed with the New York City map from the 17th century and a paper bag for the fries. All I can say was “wow”. The burger was really good. It was juicy and cooked just right. The melted cheese added an explosion of flavour in every bite. A definite must if you visit.

– For dessert we had The Elvis (pictured below) and a Molten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake (pictured below) served in a warm bowl. The Elvis was to die for! Named after the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Prestley, it is also said to be the King’s favourite snack. It is peanut butter & banana on toasted bread with sour cream & caramel dip. I kid you not, it was heaven! It’s a dessert meant for the King!

– Not to be outdone, the Molten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake was chocolate heaven. It was moist from top to bottom and gooey with chocolate goodness in the middle. It was a perfect ender to an onslaught of the grilled taste of the burger & fries.

The Elvis

Molten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

– Will I go back to Boroughs? Hell yes!…and already have. I recommend you visit Boroughs if you find yourself at Podium and looking for an upscale American faire. You won’t be disappointed.

A Bit of Americana at The Podium

Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato Soup

Where: Borough’s (inside The Podium, Ortigas)
Cuisine: American
Affordability: P300+ per dish

Pointers

– Owners are brothers and natives of Manhattan hence the Borough name. They’ve taken the American comfort food and added a twist that made it original and tasty! Located inside the upscale Podium Mall in Ortigas, Borough is decorated for its young and hip clientele complete with oversize stainless steel & wood tables. The place has a very industrial feel yet cozy and inviting. It is also open 24/7 so you can get your American food fix at any hour.

– The food is awesome. My company had the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup (pictured above) – a favourite of hers at Boroughs and speaks highly of it. She has expensive tastes so I will have to take her word on it.

– I had the burger with fries (pictured above but name escapes me) served on a wooden board lined with wax paper printed with the New York City map from the 17th century and a paper bag for the fries. All I can say was “wow”. The burger was really good. It was juicy and cooked just right. The melted cheese added an explosion of flavour in every bite. A definite must if you visit.

– For dessert we had The Elvis (pictured below) and a Molten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake (pictured below) served in a warm bowl. The Elvis was to die for! Named after the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Prestley, it is also said to be the King’s favourite snack. It is peanut butter & banana on toasted bread with sour cream & caramel dip. I kid you not, it was heaven! It’s a dessert meant for the King!

– Not to be outdone, the Molten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake was chocolate heaven. It was moist from top to bottom and gooey with chocolate goodness in the middle. It was a perfect ender to an onslaught of the grilled taste of the burger & fries.

The Elvis

Molten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

– Will I go back to Boroughs? Hell yes!…and already have. I recommend you visit Boroughs if you find yourself at Podium and looking for an upscale American faire. You won’t be disappointed.