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Circa 1850 Eatery

Posted on by Leia Bartolome

Those who know me well enough know that it has been quite awhile since I’ve been consciously trying to eat healthier. But to be honest, wholesome eating is very hard to commit to especially from where I’m at. Not only are there very limited whole food choices here, there isn’t really any awareness of the environmental, economic and public health issues of today’s industrial food system.

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When I heard about Circa 1850 Eatery, a restaurant that promotes sustainable local produce and fair trade lifestyle, my heart fluttered and I knew I had to give them a go.

Only a few blocks away from Ayala Centrio Mall, they are located at the ground floor of Tune Hotel, CM Recto, Cagayan de Oro City.

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While I could go on about how lovely the interiors are (I have a soft spot for rustic industrial designs), Circa 1850 Eatery is more than just another picturesque restaurant.

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They serve only the freshest, organic farm-to-table ingredients that are mainly sourced from local farmers.

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I love how they chose to have an open-kitchen so curious diners, like myself, can have a look at how their dishes are put together.

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Uni and Shrimp Pasta

This is one of their best sellers. If you’re a seafood pasta lover like I am, you’re going to like this one! For those who don’t know what “uni” is, it’s just Japanese for “sea urchin”.

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Medium-rare Sirloin Steak Frites

Served in a cast iron skillet, the steak came with an assortment of veggies, a cup of rice and probably the best gravy ever.

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Please take a moment to appreciate the beauty that is the steak. It was juicy and satisfying. I have to admit though, it was a little bit tough. But to be fair, sirloin is less tender in general compared to other cuts.

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Roasted Bone Marrow 

This is another one of their best sellers and I totally understand why. It was so incredibly rich and delicious my eyes nearly popped out. This sinful strip of fat should come with a warning label.

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Here at Circa 1850 Eatery, you definitely get what you pay for: Quality food, great service. Can’t wait to go back there and try more of their food!

I call on each and every one of you to patronize them because when you dine there, you are supporting local farmers, reducing environmental impact, strengthening the economic base of the community and, most importantly, spreading awareness of wholesome eating and slow food movement. I guarantee you’ll walk out of their restaurant with a full stomach and a happy heart.

Open hours: 7:00am – 2:00pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Price Range: 300~500 PHP

Wild Chili

Posted on by Leia Bartolome

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Wild Chili is a newly-opened Tex-Mex restaurant at The Strip and is one of the latest gastronomic destinations in town. 

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Enriched with Mexican influences, the interior is bathed in warm, vibrant colors reminiscent of the tropical climate in Mehiko.

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More than just a restaurant, they also have a full bar where you can enjoy a few drinks.

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It’s nom time. But first, lemme take an usie. 

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Arriba! Arriba!

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Mexican Buffalo Wings with Jalapeno-Cilantro Dip

In Iligan, you can’t get Buffalo wings this good anywhere. The chicken was tender, juicy, had just the right amount of heat to it and, of course, delicious. The dip was wonderful and went perfectly with the chicken.

This goes well with beer… and rice too! 😀

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Jalapeno Quesadillas

For the vegetarians who love to have a bit of kick, this is perfect. Not saying that carnivores won’t like this too. Every bite was a burst of creamy, cheesy goodness.

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Carne Burrito

Filled with Mexican rice, refried beans, beef tenderloin strips, salsa and cheese, this tasty burrito is a whole meal in itself. Certainly bound to please. 

If you’re feeling for some Mexican fusion cuisine in Iligan, Wild Chili is the only place to go. Good service, great food at affordable prices (100~200 PHP).

Cuteness Overload with Happy Pao

Posted on by xerox

Cute, lovable animal-shaped steamed buns isn’t something new. Yet, I’m surprised how it didn’t really catch on any sooner here in the Philippines as it is very popular in other Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand.

But thankfully, Chowking has finally jumped on the bandwagon! 

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As soon as Happy Pao was launched, Instagram was on fire! These selfie-worthy treats were very hard to get a hold of considering they sell out faster than One Direction concert tickets. Haha!

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When we finally got our hands on the elusive Happy Pao, it seemed like the heavens opened up and all the angels sang a beautiful song just for us.

However, I am grossly disappointed that Chowking Iligan branches do not serve Piggy Happy Pao.

Yes, I understand that they are doing this because of “religious and cultural sensitivity”. But what’s puzzling is that they serve meals that contain pork anyway. So, I don’t get it.

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Disclaimer: This cute steamed bun does not contain any real pandas.

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Panda Happy Pao is a sweet steamed bun bursting with velvety, smooth chocolaty goodness. Although it is served hot, I prefer to take it home with me and chill it in the fridge for a few minutes before eating it.

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Happy Pao isn’t only yummy, it’s very affordable too! Get these adorable buns for only 39 PHP ala carte, 49 PHP with a drink and 117 PHP for a box of three. Happiness guaranteed! 😉

Beer-battered Pizza at Good Fellas

Posted on by Leia Bartolome

Good Fellas is a new pizzeria in CDO that serves freshly baked artisan beer-battered pizza.

My boyfriend and I never had beer-battered pizza before so I knew we had to try it. A two-hour bus ride later…

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Stepping in, I immediately noticed the clean, simple interior with a warm pop of color.

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From the exposed brick wall down to the furnishing, it just screams contemporary industrial chic with a touch of rustic charm – much to the delight of my inner hipster.

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Everything here is just Instagram-worthy so there’s absolutely no shame if you want to whip out your camera phones and snap photos away. 

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When we were there, the place looked a little vacant. It was a rainy afternoon after all. Who wants to brave the rain for just pizza right?

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But a few minutes later, I was instantly proven wrong. At that moment, I knew we went to the right place and something good was already waiting for us.

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Oh, hi! Just a little sneaky OOTD right here. Couldn’t resist posting this photo. Hehe 🙂

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Pizza time!

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We got the Big Joe, also known as the Godfather of all Pizzas. Beer-battered dough topped with cheese and a variety of meat – pepperoni, bacon, sausage, ham and beef. 

Fresh, crispy and bursting with flavor. It was love at first bite. It is a little bit greasy though. But if you’re like me who doesn’t give a damn about that, you’ll definitely love this one! I can’t help but feel sorry for myself that I’m not having it right now. Can’t wait to go back and try more of their pizzas!

Good Fellas is located at Pabayo and Chavez Streets just right above Sweet Leaf Bubble Tea Cafe.

My Rainbow Unicorn Sugar Fantasy Party at Cozy Cup

Posted on by xerox

Guess who just had a birthday?

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Yes. That’s right, I did! 🙂

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And I am now officially a quarter-of-a-century old! Can you believe it?

It’s funny how I’ve managed to keep my birthday a secret for so many years now that even my closest friends don’t know when it is anymore. Haha! But as much as I wanted it to remain that way, I reckoned that not a lot of people are promised to reach this far in life and so it must be celebrated! 

For months, I’ve been secretly planning my birthday on Pinterest… And in the process of doing so, I found myself pinning everything rainbows, unicorns and sugary stuff. 

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The only place that came to mind where I wanted to spend my birthday was at Cozy Cup. 

Because:
1. I love milk tea. And I know most of my friends do.
2. The size of their shop is perfect for an intimate birthday party.
3. The place is perfect for photo ops!

I wanna thank Anjo for bringing my birthday vision to life. She definitely went above and beyond of what was expected.

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Aside from decors, she provided mason jars in place of plastic cups for our milk tea. Not only did it look cute for photos, it was eco-friendly too!

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She also provided jelly beans for giveaways…

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And a birthday cake sparkler! It’s like she read my mind! The photo above is grabbed from Instagram.

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This gorgeous kek is the best birthday cake I’ve had so far! I’m still very much obsessed with it! You can order this from Tedts’ Diner. 

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My cute unicorn cupcakes are also from Tedts’ Diner. Thank you Ate Tetet for throwing them in pro bono! You always make the cutest pastries! #proudambassador

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I also ordered a bunch of colorful marshmallow pops from Miwoos because I know my boyfran luffs dem marshies. Thanks Milou for going out of your way to personally deliver them to me at Cozy Cup! 

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And last but definitely not the least, I got about three dozens of adorable rainbow sugar cookies from Choux. Nica did an incredible job with the sugar cookies and packaging. So impressed!

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Yes, it was a sugar-laden birthday party and guests had to be immune to diebeetus to enjoy all the delicious cavity-inducing, Instagram-worthy goodies.

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I’m elated to share this milestone with people who I’ve literally known for ages (some of them I’m friends with for about two decades now) and I feel so blessed to still have these people in my life. Glad they showed up. My birthday wouldn’t have been fun without them.

And as much as I also wanted to share this momentous event with all my “bestest” friends (Gikgik, Ellen, Epi, Denny, Rosa, Dee, Nicholle, Ritz, Jade, Kara and Beajai–I miss you all so bad it hurts), they no longer reside in Iligan. 

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I must thank my boyfran for helping me make this dream rainbow birthday bash possible. He is so awesome in many, many ways.

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And of course, I thank God for adding another year to my life. This is the best birthday I’ve ever had! Laus Deo! 


I’m wrapping up this post with a montage made by the best boyfriend in the weeerlddd.

Do you want to have a rainbow unicorn party too?
Contact the following people for price quotations:

  • Anjo of Cozy Cup for Venue and Event Styling: +63 917 331 3626
  • Tetet of Tedts’ Diner for Cakes and Cupcakes: (063) 223 8336
  • Milou of Miwoos for Marshmallow Pops: +63 915 520 5836
  • Nica of Choux for Sugar Cookies: +63 927 216 4481

Midnight Caffeine Fix at Cafe Noriter

Posted on by Leia Bartolome

Cafe Noriter is a Korean coffee shop franchise based in Cebu City.

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Noriter is actually a Korean word which translates to “playground” in English.

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Aptly named, there are two-story play dens inside this unconventional cafe where customers can nestle in and enjoy coffee.

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The vibrant and colorful interior is very appealing to young people like us who want a cozy place to hang out and have a good time.

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Everyone is free to stick photos and personalized notes on the ceiling, walls, shelves and just about anywhere which add to the playful and carefree vibe that Cafe Noriter exudes.

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I find their menu rather limited in choices though. The prices are a tad steep (150~180 PHP) yet I can’t find any reason to complain. Considering the ambiance, free WiFi, friendly wait staff and terrific service, the prices are (in my mind) well-justified.

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My boyfriend and I managed to score a spot in one of their elevated play dens which gave us a wonderful bird’s eye view of the entire cafe. I secretly love people-watching. But I guess that’s not a secret anymore. 😉

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Before we actually got settled, one of the wait staff prepped our spot by vacuuming the teddy bear, fixing the clutter and making sure the deck was absolutely clean in the littlest time possible. Now that’s service!

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As we were waiting for our order, I was surprised to see my college classmates taking the spot next to us. The world is small indeed. 🙂

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Okay, finally, our orders! On the left is Caramel Frappuccino and on the right is Java Chip Frappuccino. The Caramel Frappuccino wasn’t very memorable for me (to be fair I’m not much of a caramel fan myself)… However, Java Chip is definitely a must-try.

I loved how our beverages were served in glass jars for that extra homey touch.

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For food, we tried their Ciabatta. Basicallly, it’s a grilled ham and cheese sandwich served with pickle relish and spiced mayo. It was alright. I like it.

We should have tried their Honey Bread too though. I heard a lot of people singing praises about it. Too bad we missed it. At least we have another reason to go back here when in Cebu. 🙂

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And of course, I couldn’t leave Cafe Noriter without trying their Green Tea Frappuccino. This did not disappoint! I would have ordered another serving if only my tummy allowed.

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Cafe Noriter is a place for fun, creativity and photo-ops. They have reinvented “cafe experience” for all lovers of coffee and tea like us.

If you haven’t been here yet, I highly encourage you to indulge your inner 9-year-old self and give this awesome place a try. I guarantee happiness and Instagram-worthy photos!

Cafe Noriter is located at One Acacia Place, Unit 10 &11, Archbishop Reyes Ave., Cebu City. They are open 9AM – 11PM daily. For reservations, you can call them up at +63927-364-7138.

Dining Alfresco at Radisson Blu Cebu

Posted on by Leia Bartolome

If you want to book an upscale hotel stay in Cebu City, Radisson Blu is the place to be.

Ranked 13th in the Top 25 Hotels in the Philippines in the 2014 Travellers’ Choice Awards by Trip Advisor, this exceptional 5-star hotel exudes an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere that is perfect for a pleasure or business trip.

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Welcoming every hotel guest is a vast contemporary atrium lobby which serves as the focal point of the hotel. 

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As someone who has never been in a ritzy hotel before (promdi represent!), I was in sheer awe as my eyes scanned the glamorous expansive space. The lobby is so spacious you can drive a car inside (but obviously this is not permissible).

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Outside the hotel is a terrace which offers a view of the city attractions and leads out to the Pool Bar.

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The Pool Bar is an ideal venue for alfresco dining. They offer a fantastic selection of cocktails, beverages and mouth-watering dishes. 

My boyfriend and I were lucky enough to get an invitation to indulge in a lavish feast of local and international dishes. 

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I didn’t know where to start digging in… Everything was utterly divine!

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Salads

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Fresh Seafood

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Desserts

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Japanese

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Chinese

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Look at those siopaos! Too cute to eat!

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Local

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International

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As we dined, we listened to a live band, watched a pyro show and soaked with the city’s atmosphere. It was an experience like no other. 

I can’t wait for us to go back to Radisson Blu… But next time, we better stay for a night or two.

Radisson Blu Cebu is located at Serging Osmena Boulevard, Corner Juan Luna Avenue, Cebu City. You may call them at +63 32 402 9900.

Abaseria Deli and Cafe

Posted on by Leia Bartolome

Abaseria is a native Filipino restaurant located at 39-B Pres. Quirino St., Villa Aurora, in Kasambangan, Cebu City. 

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This restaurant is popular among locals and tourists for their charm and the unique dining experience they bring.

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Adorned with beautiful trinkets and ornaments, Abaseria has that homey atmosphere that you’d always want to go back to. 

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Abaseria actually takes its name from the Spanish word “abaceria” which means grocery store. Interestingly enough, most of the things displayed (if not all) inside the restaurant are up for sale. Yes, even the decors are for sale too!

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Some of the many things that you can buy from Abaseria are food items like preserved goods, local delicacies… 

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And even fresh fruits.

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They also have an array of local crafts that you can choose from. Such as home decors, baskets, bags…

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and fun fashion accessories.

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By the way, Abaseria also provides on-premises catering service for intimate parties such as anniversaries, birthdays and the like.

Here’s a teaser of some of their most popular dishes…

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Manggang Hilaw (green mangoes) with uyap (bagoong)
The uyap was sooo good! 

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Smoked Fish with Itlog Maalat (salted egg)
I miss this already! I didn’t know how much I like smoked fish until I had this. I ate most of the salted eggs by the way. Guilty as charged.

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Fried Chicken
The chicken wasn’t moist (I’m sure you can tell just by looking at the photo) – flavorwise it was alright.

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Steamed vegetables with Special Dip
Didn’t get to try these. My boyfriend devoured them all before I had the chance.

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Lechon Kawali
My boyfriend kept filling up his plate with these bad boys. I had to stop him at some point.

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Adobong Bangus Belly
The fish was fresh, tender and delicious. Certified crowd-pleaser. 

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Sabaw na Monggos (Mung Bean Soup)
This one got us all excited. Monggos is one of my personal faves. Although I like my soups thick, this one did not disappoint. I refilled my bowl too many times to count.

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Happy and full. Thanks Jude for the wonderful treat!

Abaseria is truly a one-of-a-kind restaurant that should not be missed when in Cebu. They offer delicious meals at reasonable prices – it’s no wonder why they’re popular!

Open daily: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Monday through Saturday and 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Sundays. For reservations, call them up at +63(32) 234-4160 or +63(32) 233-8339. 

Patilaw sa CDO Backyard Burgers

Posted on by Leia Bartolome

Back in August, when I heard that Backyard Burgers, my favorite burger joint from Davao was going to CDO to host a “Patilaw” event… I flipped!

Patilaw means “to taste” or “to sample” in our dialect.

Being the thick-faced self that I am online, I had to drop Backyard Burgers a message on Facebook…

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I was very flattered and honored to exchange messages with one of the owners because I never thought I’d get any response at all! Let alone a FREE burger!

My boyfriend was very supportive about the whole going-to-CDO-for-a free-BB-burger experience that he drove us all the way there…

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Just kidding. We don’t have a car… At least not yet. 😉

Backyard Burgers was not a struggle to find. They were stationed just right in front of Centrio which, I must say, was a very strategic location. It’s not exactly someone’s backyard but the ambience was definitely reminiscent of their rustic setup back in Davao.

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As big clouds of billowing white smoke were floating in the air, I can smell the delicious aroma of grilled meat wafting my way from where I was standing.

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It was really nice to see how our burgers were done right in front of us.

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The scent was inebriating I kid you not.

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Some final touches at the burger assembly line station…

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And ta-da! Look at those bad boys! It was exactly how I remembered their burgers to be… Massive, fresh and sinfully delicious!

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I’m here with one of the owners, Rica (right) and her friend (middle). It was really a pleasure to meet both of them. And yes, my hair looked like a rainbow puked on my head. Haha!

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Rica and Juan (her husband) were so kind to also give my boyfriend and I cute keychains for attending their Patilaw event. Thank you thank you thank you! 🙂

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Once again, they have proven to me that their burgers really are the best! Check out their page here for more details about Backyard Burgers.