The Metro's Upside Down Marvel

When you want good food, you always look at certain criteria or factors that would indicate that the food place you are going to visit offers good food. We would sometimes consider popularity or those that people recommend to us. We also consider the price, especially those of us who have budget constraints when it comes to food. There are also some who consider the taste of the food, or the size of the servings. Simply put, when we decided where to eat, it always has to be the food that matters. But, when did it ever occur that you ate at the place because of the place itself? A place in Quezon City not only offers delicious and affordable food, it also offers one of the weirdest yet most relaxing ambiance you might encounter.

You will find the place in Quezon City, near White Plains. You can't miss the place because of the upside down 4x4 Land Rover Defender 90. Not only is the vehicle upside down, the whole place is. Yep, you got that right. The place really is upside down. In fact, it's the first and only upside down restaurant in the whole of Southeast Asia. How 'bout that? This is most probably one of the reasons why you should dine at Pan De Amerikana.

Pan De Amerikana first opened its doors at Marikina. If you think the Quezon City branch is creative, the main branch also has its own stuffs to brag about. It has a windmill outside the restaurant, and when you go inside there's this giant chess set that is very much playable. Back at the Quezon City branch, the interior is very beautiful as well. They have plants all over the place. The have a small bridge that you have to pass upon entering the place. There's a piano and some tables and chairs that are also upside down. Pan De Amerikana can surely brag about the ambiance of their food places. 

Pan De Amerikana offers delicious breads that you will surely enjoy. Not only that, they also have Pinoy dishes that are delicious and very very affordable. For less than a hundred pesos, you already have a complete and satisfying meal. The servings are not that much, though. That probably explains the low price of the dishes. But, it's not a regret trying them out because the dishes here are very delicious. They really are worth trying, if you ask us.

The service took a while, probably because of the lack of waiters. We probably waited around 30-40 minutes for our order to be complete. The bad thing was they were serving our orders one by one. The drinks were served first, which was very common. Then, one dish was served 15 minutes after, followed by another dish 10 minutes after, and so on. It really tested a bit of our patience, considering the fact that we were in a bit of a hurry during our visit here. Nevertheless, the food was really delicious and we were really satisfied with what we ate. The food is worth the wait, but we think that it might not be tolerable anymore if we waited that long next time. 

Here are some of Pan De Amerikana's delicious dishes:

Iced Tea, 15 php


Glutton Guy: I got Pan De Amerikana's iced tea. According to the woman who took our orders,  it's Pan De Amerikana's version because it's a house blend iced tea. It's a bit too sweet for me, but it's delicious. The flavor is very different from the usual iced tea. There's a fruity flavor that you can taste when you drink it. The serving for me was a bit small because it's only placed in a small glass. As I have said in the previous blogs, I drink a lot when I eat, so sometimes one glass is not enough for me. Nevertheless, for 15 pesos, I guess it's not that bad.  : )

Ensaymada, 10 php


Glutton Guy: We decided to buy ensaymada because we were very intrigued by it. When we saw that it only cost 10 pesos, we were really surprised. The ensaymada was really good. It was really big for a 10 peso bread. It wasn't overwhelmingly sweet, unlike other esnaymadas. The amount of butter and sugar was just right. It didn't have any cheese, though. It was just butter and sugar on top. I think it would be better with a little bit of cheese on top. But, it's still delicious as it is. It's absolutely one of the must-try breads at Pan De Amerikana. : )


Glutton Girl: The ensaymada we bought was very tasty. The bread was soft. It wasn't hot, but from the bread you would know that it was freshly baked. The sweetness from the sugar and the butter on top was just right. The ensaymada also looked cute. It has that swirling shape which looked really nice. You would know that it was pugon baked because of the difference in the taste of the bread. I could actually finish one whole ensaymada on my own. It's a good starter and also a great finale for your meal at Pan De Amerikana. It's also nice to bring some home.

Ilokano Sarabasab, 40 php


Glutton Girl: I ordered Ilokano Sarabasab because I was curious on what it was. The lady who took our order explained it to me a bit, but I still couldn't picture it in my mind. I wanted to see how it actually looked and tasted. So, I ordered it. It wasn't that bad after all. The dish was composed of pork bits in vinegar with some ginger, some onions, and some chilies. It was like Pan De Amerikana's version of Kinilaw. The pork was really good. I was looking for some kind of crunch from it, though. The vinegar really hyped up the flavor of the dish. I really didn't like it when I accidentally ate the ginger. Other than that, all the ingredients worked well. The onions gave that added crunch. I think it would be better with more chilies to make it spicier. It was a delicious dish, nonetheless. The serving size wasn't that big, but it was really worth a try.

Lumpiang Shanghai, 25 php


Glutton Guy: I ordered Pan De Amerikana's Lumpiang Shanghai. The shanghai was really really good. In fact, it actually is one of the best tasting lumpiang shanghais that I have tasted. The wrapper didn't give any crunch. You would usally look for the crunchiness of the shanghai when you eat it. Pan De Amerikana's didn't give that. But, the filling on the inside was really delicious. It had a different flavor which I really liked. I didn't know what they placed in there. But, it was very delicious. I didn't like the sauce, though. It was like ketchup with a bit of water. For me, the shanghai was great on its own. The serving size was also not that much. The dish was only composed of three pieces of lumpiang shanghai. For 25 pesos, though, it really was not that surprising. But, it's still a must-try. : )

Sisig Rice, 125 php


Glutton Guy: As compared to their other dishes, the sisig rice of Pan De Amerikana really is a lot. It's actually good for 2-3 persons. You could actually eat it on its own. It already has sisig mixed with the rice with some scrambled egg on top. The sisig rice was alright. Eating it with some of Pan De Amerikana's dishes would really make your stomach full. The flavors were just right. I liked the combination of the sisig and the egg. It really worked for me. The sisig wasn't overpowering the other dishes we ate. The taste was enough for my taste buds. : )


Glutton Girl: It was like sinangag with a twist. Imagine sisig and rice mixed together with some egg. It was really good and really fulfilling. The sisig really gave the rice that delicious flavor. Rice would usually taste bland. But, with the sisig it really had a different taste. It was like ulam and rice all in one dish. The egg also added to the delicious flavor of the sisig. We actually had a hard time finishing it because it was really a lot. You should try the sisig rice at Pan De Amerikana.

Sometimes, all you need for a perfect meal is a relaxing and a very comfortable environment. Pan De Amerikana has just that. They have the most creative and most relaxing ambiance that you could ever wish for in a food place. It's great to eat here, especially with all the noise present in the Metro. Pair it up with delicious and appetizing dishes and you're sure to have a satisfying meal. Buy a bread or two, and you have a complete Pan De Amerikana experience. Surely, Pan De Amerikana food will make your world upside down.

Here's how we rated Pan De Amerikana:


Food:
        
Price:
        
Place:

Service:
      

(Pan De Amerikana has 4 branches: 1. 131 Katipunan Avenue, St. Ignatius, Quezon City - You'll pass it if you're coming from or going to White Plains. Look for the inverted Land Rover; 2. 92 Ordoñez Street, Concepcion Dos, Marikina City - Near World of Butterflies. Look for the Windmill; 3. Constellation Drive corner Makati Avenue, Bel Air, Makati City - Near Jupiter Street; and 4. Unit 4, Madison Building, Wilson Street, San Juan - Near Cardinal Santos Hospital. Just a reminder, we believe not all of the branches offer the resto dishes. So far, we think that only the Katipunan branch and the Marikina branch have the restaurant meals. The San Juan branch and the Makati branch have the breads.) 

Delicious Danny-Licious

What makes a delicious barbecue? There are a lot of barbecue stalls and food places around the Metro. Some being sold just outside their households. While some are sold at food stalls. But, how do we know if they're delicious? They all look the same. But somehow, there are a few that are more favored by people. Some even keep coming back to these places because of the barbecue. But when you simply look at the food, it's really hard to tell the difference. We visited one of these places that became popular because of their barbecue.

Located at Project 4, Quezon City is a little food place known as Danny-Licious. It may not look like a popular place, because it just looks like a shabby old carinderia from the outside. Likewise, when you come inside the place, there is no indication that the place is super famous. It's just the normal and usual carinderia setting. However, you will be surprised to know that there are a lot of people who are having raves about their barbecue. We even found out (yes, based on internet research hahaha) that some showbiz personalities dine here. This only proves one thing - that their food is noteworthy of a taste. Thus, one lunch time, we tried to visit Danny-Licious in search of delicious and mouth-watering barbecue.

The place was a bit difficult to find despite its popularity. Internet sites aren't a big help, since each site gives a different street address. We tried to ask people there for directions, but they also have no idea where the place is (funny, huh?). By some divine intervention, however, we managed to spot the place. We just found it weird that even people in the area are not familiar with the place.

 

The food is very carinderia-like. What you will find in a carinderia or in an eatery, that's what you will find at Danny-Licious. Of course, what you have to order is the barbecue. They have pork, chicken, and we think they even have fish and squid. We were there early, though. So, only the pork barbecues were cooked. Upon entering the place you will see the big grilling station where they cook the barbecue. It's a bit smokey because of the smoke coming from the grill, so it's nice to bring a handkerchief or something to cover your nose.

Here's what we ate at Danny-Licious:

Pork Barbecue, 23 php per stick

Glutton Guy: Danny-Licious' pork barbecue is really a must-try. It's hot off the grill which makes it more delicious. The pork was cooked perfectly because it was soft and easy to chew. The marinade they used was delicious. I don't know what it is, though. But, it really made the barbecue more flavorful. It's more delicious if you dip it in soy sauce with calamansi and red chili. The chili adds spiciness and gives the barbecue an added kick. My mom usually places red peppers in her marinade when she makes pork barbecue. That explains why I'm always looking for that kick when I eat pork barbecue. Nevertheless, Danny-Licious' pork barbecue is still good. Thumbs up for this food. : )

Glutton Girl: I just knew that one stick wouldn't be enough. Just by looking at the barbecue I already knew that it would be delicious. So, I got myself three sticks of pork barbecue. True enough, the barbecue was very delicious. It would probably be on the top of my list of the most delicious barbecues that I have tasted so far. Unlike the other pork barbecues that I have tasted, this one had less black marks and burns from the grill. Yet it still was perfectly cooked and it was still tender. Somehow the people at Danny-Licious have mastered how to cook the perfect pork barbecue. There also was lesser fat, which means that you really get the value for your money, since it's more of the meat and less of the cholesterol.

Pork Nilaga, 60 php

Glutton Guy: Since I only got two sticks of barbecue, I ordered an additional pork nilaga. Besides, I really am not used to ordering just one dish. The nilaga was okay. It was a bit normal for me, just like the nilaga you would eat elsewhere. It also had a lot of pork bones. The soup was not that hot as well. It would have been better if it was hot. The taste, though, was delicious. You would know that real pork broth was used and not the usual pork cubes and other artificial flavorings. : )

Ensaladang Talong, 30 php

Glutton Girl: I love ensaladang talong. I always order one whenever I get the chance. I was surprised, though, that Danny-Licious' ensaladang talong was a bit different. Instead of using the usual shrimp paste or bagoong, Danny-Licious uses vinegar. I wasn't actually used to eating ensaladang talong with vinegar. But, this one was actually good. I wasn't jumping up and down for it. But, eating it with the barbecue is just delicious. It blends well with the flavor of the pork barbecue. For me, it's a perfect 'sawsawan' to your delicious barbecue.

The rice at Danny-Licious costs 10 pesos. It's a bit pricey, but you wouldn't mind that since the barbecue will blow you away. It's better to come here early since there aren't a lot of tables. During lunch time, there are customers from the nearby hospital who go here, especially the nurses who work there. In a matter of minutes, this place is already full. That is the usual problem when the food place offers delicious and affordable dishes. So, what makes a delicious barbecue? Well, there are a lot of factors that could contribute to the answer. But, one thing is for sure, it's an answer that the people at Danny-Licious know very well.

Rating: Buddhalicious!

(Danny-Licious is located at Kalantiaw street, Project 4, Quezon City. From Katipunan, turn right at Rajah Matanda, then turn right at Kalantiaw. Just look to the right since it's at the right side. It's a bit difficult to spot, so have a little bit of patience on this.)

What's Cookin' at Alan's Grill?

If you're looking for another food place option around the Cubao area, then we've got the exact place for you. It serves delicious Pinoy dishes that's perfect for inuman sessions or for simple dinner with family or with friends. We guarantee that your experience will be fulfilling, or should we say, FULL-filling.

The food place that we're talking about is located at the Cubao Expo (formerly called Marikina Shoe Expo). Cubao Expo is a nice place because not only does it have restaurants that will cater to your hunger, but also boutiques and dress shops that are open until late in the evening. One of the shops you'll find here is the food place known as Alan's Grill. At night, this food place is jam packed with customers, because it's also a perfect inuman place for people near the area. Their dishes are affordable and very Pinoy, some already good for 2-3 persons. Alan's Grill is most famous for their Kare-Kare and Crispy Pata. When it comes to these two dishes, Alan's Grill is a place to beat. When we were there, they had a Kare-Kare and Crispy Pata promo for a cheaper price. Nevertheless, when we were there, we tried other dishes. We wanted to know if Alan's Grill's rice meals are also as delicious as the famous Kare-Kare and Crispy Pata.

The place is filled with paintings. Even the tables have some kind of abstract art. We're not sure if they are for sale, or if they're just for design. Most of these paintings are good, though. There also is a function room upstairs, which is for rent for a very reasonable price. In general, Alan's Grill gives more of an 'inuman' type of vibe, since most of the people who eat here come in groups and usually order beer and 'pulutan'. Nevertheless, there are still some people (usually the office folks) who come here for a nice and satisfying meal. 

 
Anyways, here's what we tried:

Iced Tea, 50 php

Glutton Guy and Glutton Girl: Alan's Grill's iced tea has a different flavor as compared to the usual powdered tea. The color, too, seemed different. It tasted good, though. They probably had their own special concoction. It did taste a little bit sweeter than we expected. However, it's still a nice drink to try at Alan's Grill. : )

Chicken Barbecue with Java Rice, 147 php

Glutton Guy: This tasted like normal chicken barbecue. It's like the kind of chicken barbecue that you would taste at an ihaw-ihaw. The chicken, in my opinion, would have been better with barbecue sauce on the side, instead of achara (I'm really not a fan of it hahaha). The java rice, however, was very delicious. It made the meal a whole lot better. If the rice would have been plain, I wouldn't enjoy the dish. But with the java rice, I'd say it's a good addition to the meal. The servings was not enough for me, though. : )


Glutton Girl: Nothing out of the ordinary for me as well. The chicken lacked flavor, for me, probably because it was dry. Glutton Guy is right on the sauce issue. It probably would have been better with barbecue sauce. The rice was okay for me. I wasn't jumping up and down for it. Overall, I would say that it's an okay dish. It would be better to try other dishes on the menu, in my personal opinion.

Fish Fillet Rice, 147 php


Glutton Guy: Delicious dish! I love fish fillet and I love fried tofu. So, there's no better meal for me than this. The fish was cooked perfectly. The outside was crunchy, while the inside was hot and soft. The tofu made the dish more delicious. Its outside was also a bit crunchy, which is a good thing for me. The sauce was what gave the dish flavor. For me, though, the dish lacked sauce. However, I still enjoyed the dish. I removed the black beans since I don't eat those (especially when I see them in the dish hahahaha). Adding more sauce would definitely make the dish perfect. : )

Bangus Belly Rice, 147 php


Glutton Girl: I liked this dish. The fish was very crunchy, which is a good thing. It was Alan's Grill's version of 'Bistek Bangus'. The onions, the potatoes, the sauce, it all worked perfectly. It complemented the fish very well. The onions, which were caramelized, gave that added crunch. The potatoes were soft and weren't mushy. Like Glutton Guy's fish fillet dish, however, this dish also lacked in sauce. I would have preferred more sauce on my rice meal. But, it's a delicious dish that you guys should try.




Overall, our experience at Alan's Grill was a great one. It might not be the best, but it's one you wouldn't want to miss. Alan's Grill offers affordable and delicious Filipino meals that you'll definitely love, even if you see and taste these dishes most of the time. So, next time, when you visit the Cubao Expo to look around for some rare finds, be sure to check Alan's Grill as well. We assure you, you'll definitely want to know what's cookin' in this place.

Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Alan's Grill is located at the Cubao Expo Shopping Center, General Romulo Avenue, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.)