Anne Wondrs . . .: Food Blog

05 November 2016

Anne Wndr Eats: Westwood

With all the stress from career and personal life that envelops the 20 year-old me, I really treasure the small time I get in unwinding because believe me, Adulting (yes, that's a term now), is really difficult. So, it is safe to say that like you guys, I, too, look forward everytime I go out with my bestfriend because that means another food adventure around the Metro.

So, where did we go this time?

Our wandering feet had led us to Maginhawa. I know most of you guys in the Philippines have heard it one way or another and this place, and the other streets around it, is my favourite place to hunt for new restaurants to tease my palette and of course to dig holes in my pocket.

One place I came across to when I was doing restaurant search is Westwood.

Westwood sits in a corner of a building in Maginhawa. For an outsider's perspective, it looks nothing special, probably just like the other restaaurants that could be found around the area but what lured me to visit it? The menu. But what's in the menu? Sushitos or sushirritos.

Sushito or sushirrito is what you're thinking right now. I know that your creative minds have worked it all out. And yes, it is the combination of sushi and burrito.

Awesome right?

It has been the talk of the town these days and the curious cat in me said, why not? I mean, it already sounds delicious to my ears so it would most probably taste the same too.

But apart from what's in the menu, the interior drew me even more (like I wasn't sold with the sushito already). The moment I took my first steps, I knew right away that this place would feel like my own safe haven. The place has a rusty, basement feeling. It's all wood, metal tube lights, bricks and art. Things that looks good together. I don't know why but it looks like a restaurant I could find in the big apple but hey, that's just me.

: I don't know why but I find it funny finding it inside the toilet.

: Gorgeous wall art

You can't see it but all the benches have pillows. I stayed away from them and chose to sit on a chair because I knew I would just lay down and sleep. And I just love wood, you know. The tables are wood and I just really appreciated it, and the little plastic plant on the middle? Adorable.

One thing I also admire about this place is their crew. My bestfriend and I went a little too early (excited much) but the crew was so friendly. She was all smiles and invited us to go inside instead of waiting outside. She helped us with all our queries and we felt like she was so genuine in helping us. Kudos to her.

Now, down to the food!

I extremely like their menu book. It's so colourful and so put together. It looks as if the people who created it really took their time thinking of the design and layout. It's not grand but it's really nice. Plus, unlike other menus, it's not tattered. Still pristine.

We didn't order much because the main goal here is to taste the sushitos. But we really enjoyed the Westwood Garden Salad. It is perfect for two or maybe three people. The chicken on top was ammmazing. It was really delicious and they were generous about it. It made me guilty that I was too full to order chicken poppers. It has it's own distinct taste and the crunch on it. Yum.

We ordered three drinks, Virgin Pinacolada, Melonade and Sex on the Beach. They all tasted so good. The Melonade is the house special and it's my current favourite. They are placed in Flasks which is so cute. You can add P99 on the Garden Salad and your Melonade will be unlimited. But I opted for the 12oz so I just added P40 . The Sex on the Beach is one of their bestsellers under Alcohol and it is only P180 below. The Colada is only P115 and my bestfriend swore it is worth the try.

: I actually ate it with my eyes closed and made little hmm sounds

And for the star of the show, sushito or sushirrito. It tasted divine, for my bestfriend and I. It is packed with all the goodness. We ordered the Seoul Beef Bulgogi because the crew said it's the bestseller and now, I know why. From the top down to the last bite, I could still taste the beef. You could squirt some wasabi or mayo on it. I put two of 'em and I was in heaven. It is just so addicting and it is only P249 and you guys can share it with someone.. They also sell the solo which is just the other half for a lower price. I forgot how much but if I were you. I would get the whole because it is worth every penny.

We weren't able to get a taste of their famous desserts especially their ice creams with their specialty cones. The cones have sprinkles or rice crispies and stuff all over the rim and topped with ice creams. The specialty cones cost depending on how many scoops you want. They can go for 3 scoops for only P145.

I will definitely visit this place again and for you guys who are just looking for a me-time or an instagram-worthy restaurant, this is a safe bet. Affordable, good food and nice people.

The place opens at 3PM til 12 midnight.

Westwood

80 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City

02 October 2016

ANNE WNDR EATS: COMMUNEATY FOOD PARK

Food Parks are my kind of parks.

Food parks are my guilty pleasures. Not only are they affordable but they are becoming homes of the best food stalls that serves delicious and Instagram-worthy foods.

Need I say more?

I had the chance to visit one of the newest and only food park in Tomas Morato with my bestfriend and I was delighted that it sits just around the neighborhood. How cool is that? This park is just along the Alejandro Roces Avenue so it wouldn't be hard to miss.

This place opens at 12 noon but my bestfriend and I took the risk to go here at around 5. We thought it would be completely packed with no place to sit anymore but we were really glad that we went just before people started coming.

If you're someone who lives near the neighborhood, I suggest you take the cab because there's not much parking space. The front of the food park can only accommodate few cars and if you're driving a jeep or SUV then you'll have even more hard time to fit it in.

I had to park my car few walks away and the road was too narrow so I got a little stuck before I was able to park properly. I also was a little anxious all throughout the night because there was no guard on the area where I parked my car and it was a little dark.

P.S. I really would like to applaud their Facebook page because they answer to queries really quick which helped a lot especially for a first time visitor like me. #Yay

This place got packed when we were about to go home at around 10. The bar is upstairs in an airconditioned room. We tried to get a seat upstairs just outside the bar but the security guard told us that it's exclusive for people who would drink. We could sit there and bring our food if we want but we have to buy something at the bar which we didn't do so off we went downstairs.

When we were able to secure a spot in the middle, which is the perfect spot because it is a lot cooler, literally cooler, we started food hopping.

TOKYO TEMPURA

The first food stall that caught our sight first was this little thing especially their banner that says ALL YOU CAN. Not a big fan of shrimp but I am really down for some tempura madness especially with such low price.

But as much as we wanted to get our fix of unlimited tempuras, we didn't want to get full soon and would want to try other stalls too. So, we ordered the Tempura Bucket. It was delicious and addicting. The downside for this stall is that during our visit, the vendor told us that they don't have everything that is on the menu. The tempura duo, chili cheese and ika fry weren't available which sucks bigtime because we really were craving for some fried chilis and onion rings. But hey, I was not complaining with the tempura bucket.

EXO STREET

Next on the list is this little taste of street food. They have a variety of street foods and they also sell grilled corn cobs. We ordered barbecue for P60 a stick and it was good. Although I was expecting vinegar for the sauce, they gave us something else that could be a Mang Tomas. I can't really tell because I didn't taste it. Just really not perfect for barbecue.

I really like their concept of incorporating the infamous pedicab or bicycle because it really suits their theme. Almost as if they just arrived after maglako.

BARREL SMOKER

Here at the Barrel Smoker, we ordered their must-try and bestselling Pulled Pork Nachos. It was delicious and I love the amount of serving it has. It is perfectly good for 3 to 4 people for just an affordable price.

TAKORAISU

This stall satisfied my Japanese cravings. I had been craving for a maki and I was so glad their maki tasted so good although I was looking for the wasabi which seemed to be missing. It was also one of their bestsellers and I definitely know why. It's actually my favourite stall here. The maki only costed me P160 for six pieces.

PUESTO

Last but not the least on our list is this Mexican food stall. Just really sad I wasn't able to take a picture of the entire stall but hey, their props are so creative and colorful.

What we ordered and enjoyed here was the cheesy Quesadillas. The cheese was melting in the soft pita. It was just perfect.

We also ordered fish 'n chips from It's a Good Friday. Too bad I forgot to take a picture. Anyway, their fish was yummy. It melts in your mouth and the dip was good too.