Therese in the Philippines: Torch Restaurant

I know that Torch has been open for quite a few years now, but I was only able to try it during one of my visits back home last year.

It's hard to see the sign if you're coming from the other side

There's a smiley face on the wasabi! So cute!

White Truffle Sausage Panizza | 429.95 PhP
    Grilled Italian sausages drizzled with white truffle oil on a fresh, oven-baked panizza topped with mozzarella cheese

Cream Cheese Salmon Roll | 339.95 PhP
    Deep-fried crispy sushi roll filled with salmon and cream cheese, topped with bonito flakes and served with unagi sauce and Japanese mayonnaise

Lychee shake | PhP

Chicken Cannelloni | 494.95 PhP
    Golden fry cannelloni stuffed with chicken and mozzarella poured with arrabbiata alfredo sauce

Salpicao Medallion | 479.95 PhP
    Medallions of Certified Angus Beef, wrapped with bacon and served with garlic parsley rice and sauteed French beans

Torch's Signature Roll | 399.95 PhP
    Sushi roll filled with soft-shell crab, ebi tempura, unary, tamago, and Japanese cucumber, topped with fresh wakame seaweed, kani and ripe mangoes

Steak Fondue | 879.95 PhP
    Melt-in-your-mouth Ribeye Meltique Beef, done your way. Comes with five different sauces from five different countries

Steak Fondue | 879.95 PhP
    Melt-in-your-mouth Ribeye Meltique Beef, done your way. Comes with five different sauces from five different countries

Bread Pudding | 149.95 PhP

Panna Cotta with Fresh Fruits | 179.95 PhP

New York Cheesecake

We loved the Salpicao Medallion because the meat was soft and it was done just right. We also loved the Steak Fondue because the beef really melts in your mouth. The fondue was a new and interesting way to eat food. I say that because we normally don't think of fondue and steak together, and it's a fun way to bond with your friends. I just wish there was more meat. Heehee. For dessert, the New York Cheesecake wasn't on the menu but we saw it on the display shelf so we ordered a slice. I wasn't able to take note of the amount though. It was suuper good that we even brought home another slice to eat the next day. I love how they also serve it with blueberry so that if you're also into blueberry cheesecake, just slather (can I say that?) that on top and voila, instant blueberry cheesecake!

Address: 63 Connecticut St. Greenhills, San Juan, 1208
Operating Hours: Mon-Tues: 7:00-0:00, Wed-Sat: 7:00-3:00, Sun: 7:00-0:00
Contact Number: (02)-477-3771
Facebook page: Torch Restaurant

Therese in the Philippines: Baler

Intro: You probably don't know this, but I went home to the Philippines last month. In the span of the 9 days that I was there, I tried 5 new restaurants around the metro, and I even went out of town! Therefore, let me take a short break from my Taiwan posts and in my next few entries, I am going to write about the new places I've been to in and around the metro!

Since surfing is on my bucket list, my friends and I decided to go to Baler the weekend I was in the Philippines. It was a weekend of surfing, relaxation, and bonding.

How to get there: We took the midnight Genesis Joybus from Cubao to Baler. It cost us around 650php one way. From what I know, the joybus is 200php more expensive than the regular bus because of the bigger seats and the added amenities (blanket, small pillow, snacks, bottle of water). The bus ride takes around 4-5 hours. You can click the link for more information.

I wasn't able to take a picture of the snacks and the bottle of water because my sister placed her blanket and pillow on my seat!

Where to stay: We stayed at Bahia de Baler. There was a recent change in the room rates so you can just check out the link/send them a message for inquiries. They're very accommodating.

Our basic room. We placed the beds side by side so that we could all sleep next to each other!

What to do: Aside from eating and surfing, we also went to Museo de Baler (where I found out more about the Siege of Baler, the Ilongots, and so much more), Ermita Hill, Balete Tree, and Dicasalarin when we were there. I'm sure there are a lot more things to do/see in Baler but since we were only there for a night, we weren't able to go to other places/do other things.

The survivors/original settlers (?) of Baler

View from Ermita Hill - and yonder is the Pacific Ocean!

I climbed up one of the tree's branches

In and out of the Balete tree!

Dicasalarin

Where to surf: I recommend Charlie Does surf shop, because it's really close to Bahia de Baler/sabang beach. It costs 300php for an hour of surfing lessons. I think they also have a day rate but I don't know how much it costs.

With my surf instructor Jomar - he's really good and he knows how to teach! Day 1, I was able to stand up. By day 2, I was able to ride the waves! Hihi.

The most important thing of all -

What/where to eat: We tried 2 restaurants there: Bay's Inn and Bayler. We also went to Aliya one time for dinner but I don't have photos, and their service really sucks.

Bay's Inn and Bayler are 2 restaurants located nearby. We had breakfast at the former, and we had dessert at the latter. Yummy food! Check out the photos and see for yourself.

I think this is tapsilog. Haha, oops!

This is what they call the surfer's breakfast. I don't know how much this costs but if I had to guess, maybe around 100php?

Hotdog breakfast

Super yummy French toast

Apple and cinnamon pancakes

Chocnut turon - I'm usually not a fan of chocnut but this is really delicious!

Chocolate fondue - we regret ordering this because it wasn't delicious at all! The chocolate and the bread sticks tasted old.

Pizza from Bayler. Yummy!

We really had fun at Baler and we hope to go back there next time! :)

Fish Bones for Breakfast

Fish Bones for Breakfast
by Nicole


Last weekend, I was so pleased that I had the chance to visit my mother's lovely abode. Together with my sisters, we arrived at our mother's house at lunch time. I did not plan on spending the night there but because I was snoozing the whole day that day, my sisters left me. Boy, I was so glad that I stayed because if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to eat something REALLY DIFFERENT!

When I woke up the next day (I was dead tired so I slept really long), it was time for breakfast. I cooked something - pan-fried ground pork with eggs - and it was such a boring dish. When we were eating, my mother suddenly remembered something then she stood up and went to the fridge. She said she's got something delicious and when I saw what she's about to cook, my eyeballs dropped! Who on earth would've thought that fish bones could be eaten. I mean, say hello to the fried fish bones! :D

Fried Fish Bones

These fried fish bones are actually from Cebu. My Pop bought this when he was there a week ago. Cebu is known for dried stuff like dried mangoes and the famous danggit, a type of dried fish. I've eaten various dried fishes including the really yummy hard to resist dried squid BUT NEVER dried fish bones UNTIL that breakfast! :))

I was so surprised that these fried fish bones are actually GOOOD. They taste like tocino! How interesting is that?! Now I wonder how much sugar is in there hrrmmm. . . And oh, just in case you guys are wondering, they're crispy so these fish bones won't get caught in your throat (hindi ka talaga matitinik).

with Pineapple vinegar

We Filipinos, if it's dried and fried, we ALWAYS eat it with vinegar. Another first at this breakfast at my mom's is a taste of this pineapple vinegar.

Produced by Golden Greens Global, a Filipino farm in Tagaytay

An all natural vinegar is sure a MAJOR plus plus for me. If you're the type who likes vinegar, then hands down, you'll like this pineapple version.  Its sourness is just right and it has sweetness in it too. My Pop bought this somewhere in Quezon City. If you're interested in buying just leave a comment and I'll tell you :D

They say, breakfast should be the heaviest and boy I indeed ate A LOT!