Catching Up At Torch Restaurant

"Torch is one of Manila's favorite all-day dining restaurants and watering holes that offers a wide range of food that crosses different cuisines. Known for its international fusion cuisine, Torch blazes with a delectable and affordable selection of Japanese, Italian, and American favorites cooked in playful ways that keep loyal patrons coming back for more.

The restaurant's unbeatable signature dishes are the crispy-thin gourment pizzas, oven-baked sushi, and sizzling marbled angus steaks. All these and more delicious eats and comfort food dishes are enjoyed in a relaxing and casual setting, making Torch a destination perfect for dates, families, and friends--from morning until late night."

My best friend Angela and I had some lot of catching up to do, since she's from Manila and I'm from Bulacan pa. So we decided to have lunch first at Torch before heading to the movie house. This is actually my second time here with Angela; the first time I've been here was with our other two best friend, Kacy and Alyssa. 

This Torch branch is located in Trinoma, 2nd floor Garden side. They still have 5 other branches open, check the last part of my post to see the location of their other branches. 

This inviting wine rack will welcome you as you enter the restaurant.

The place is spacious and the interior is very relaxing in the eyes because of the artificial decorative green grass. 

What I love about Torch is not only do they offer the usual American food like burgers and steaks, but also got variety of cuisine to choose from.

Here's their menu:

And here's what we got:

A free appetizer from them, Fried Pasta stick or whatever you may call it. What a cutie, right?

It tastes just plain pasta and slighty salty

For Angela, she had the Truffle Fries and Torch's Signature Roll (Yes naman, on diet si Beks!)

Truffle Fries , ₱249.95 (Wow, thanks for the ₱.05 change. Kidding hahaha)

Crispy potato fries tossed in a truffle oil and served with their very own Torch signature dressing.

I'm solidly a fan of fries. I actually dreamt of laying in a sea of fries. LOL. Anyway, so this I must say, is  a goody-good one. But I still like the regular fries one better. This tastes a little bit sour but kebs na din. I loved the dip, kinda taste like ranch dressing?

Torch's Signature Roll, ₱399.95

Sushi rolls filled with soft-shell crab, ebi tempura, unagi, tamago, and Japanese cucumber, topped with fresh wakame seaweed, kani and ripe mangoes

So basically it's a pack of seafood. Chos. Sadly not a big fan of sushi rolls but I still eat sushi naman. This actually tastes great. Angela got full already after munching on four rolls, I think?

And this is what I had:

US Angus Tenderloin Salpicao Medallion, ₱579.95
Yellow Tail Merlot, ₱150.00/glass

Medallions of Certified U.S. Angus Beef, wrapped with bacon, and served with garlic parsley rice and sauteed mixed vegetables

I'm such a big lover of steak so whenever we dine in a restaurant that serves steaks, the search is over--Steak won my tummy right away. Hahaha. Paired it with Merlot pa, ay heaven! Very Tita ang wine sa lunch. Hahaha. Just so you know, I'm not the only one who had wine ha. I wasn't able to take a picture of Angela's drink, but what she ordered was Yellow Tail Chardonnay. Back to the steak--not only is this just the usual steak that I order, it has a twist--wrapped in a bacon and is served in a marble plate with a candle below it which let it sizzle for a while. So whew, win-win tummy I got here! I had my steak done in a medium rare so it's chewy and more juicy-fied. Actually, this is what I also ordered the first time we tried Torch.

For those who's on the same page with me when it comes to the love for food, you must, must, must try Torch! I have yet to try their other dishes. Their food may be a bit pricey, but it's worth your penny; especially if it's for your tummy. ;)

Torch Restaurant

TORCH GREENHILLS
63 Connecticut Street, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila
477-3771
Sun to Tue - 7:00 am to 12:00 mn
Wed to Sat - 7:00 am to 3:00 am

TORCH KATIPUNAN
Ground Floor UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City
287-8675
Sun to Thu - 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Fri to Sat - 10:00 am to 12:00 am

TORCH TRINOMA
2nd Level Garden Restaurants, Trinoma, ESDA cor. North Ave., Quezon City
730-4102
Sun to Sat - 10:00 am to 11:00 pm

TORCH GREENBELT
Level 1, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City
751-6213
Sun to Tue - 10:00 am to 12:00 mn
Wed to Sat - 10:00 am to 3:00 am

TORCH CIRCUIT MAKATI

TORCH MOLITO ALABANG
Call 772-0626

TORCH BGC
Call 772-2027

Follow/Like their sites at:

Facebook: Torch Restaurant
Twitter: Torch Restaurant

Instagram: @torchresto

Gong Cha!

Hi guys! FYI, this is a continuation from my last post. So.. after we had our lunch at Fish & Co., my mom asked us where we want to chill and have our dessert. She first gave us an option if we'll go for Starbucks, Happy Lemon, MochiCream Cafe or at Gelatissimo. But I suggested that they should try the milk tea from Gong Cha because I really miss the taste of it. I haven't had their milk tea since I left the University of Tigers. And so we decided to have our dessert at Gong Cha.

A brief background about Gong Cha, according to their web site... Gong Cha was first launched in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 2006. There are over 100 outlets worldwide spreading from Taiwan to Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, and China. 

Here's their whole menu.. 

There are many options you can choose on. Be it with Regular Milk Tea, Ice Cream Special (where it is topped off with ice cream, Blended Tea (like Zagu), Ice Smoothie, Creative Mix (weird combinations of milk tea and whatsoever), and my favorite, House Special. And for the sugar conscious people, you can select what level of sweetness you want for your drink!

This is the reason why I love Gong Cha's House Special...

Unlike the other milk tea, their house special is very different from them. Because as you can notice, when they serve it, the brewed teas are separated from the milk cream. And you'll be the one to mix it. And as for me, I like to sip the brewed tea first before I shake it completely. Then I'll lick the cream atop and the sides of the milk tea. Hmmm. Yum!

I usually order their House Special Gong Cha Milk Winter Melon Tea, but this time I wanna try their other flavor. So what I had is House Special Gong Cha Milk Green Tea with egg pudding and tapioca pearls! Look how drooling this can be. For only ₱120.00 (It's originally ₱100.00 but I added a sinker-- egg pudding so +₱20.00)

I could really taste and smell the aroma of the green tea right after I plunged the straw into this milk tea! That foamy milk cream feels like heaven on my mouth. With the right texture of egg pudding and tapioca pearls, it was all perfect. 

BTW, they are having a promo of Buy 10 Gift Certificate worth ₱100/each GC and then 1 free Gift Certificate. All in all, it'll cost you ₱1000.00. But the advantage is you get to have a free ₱100.00 GC. It is valid until June 30, 2015. And so, we availed na din. Haha.

Photo session's up!

Gheanna, Karmela, Me, Mom, and Ghelly

Overall, we were all satisfied on our drinks except my Mom didn't like mine because she said it tastes like a flower. Hahaha. I'm gonna miss this milk tea again! If you're a fan of Happy Lemon, you better try Gong Cha because they are similar in the concept of having a rock salt and cheese. But I can say that Gong Cha is more creamy in terms of its texture.

Gong Cha --- “The best tea contributes to the Emperor from all possessions of China in the ancient time.” 

In short, "Gong Cha wish your milk tea was hot like this! Gong Cha!" HAHAHA okay enough. 'Til our next food trip!

 For updates and promos, kindly like/follow their sites at:

Official Website: Gong Cha Ph

Facebook: Gong Cha Philippines

Gong Cha

Trinoma- 4/F Cinema Level beside THX Cinema

Other Branches:
SM Mall of Asia- G/F EM170 Entertainment Complex
SM North Edsa- 2/F Skygarden
Glorietta 4- 3/F Food Choices
SM Megamall- 2/F Mega Atrium
RP Manila- 3/F Midtown Level
Araneta Center- Shopwise Center facing Green Gate of Araneta Coliseum
Timog- Il Terrazzo Building along Tomas Morato Ave.
Alabang Town Center- Expansion Wing 1/F
Robinsons Forum G/F
Marquee Mall Pampanga- 3/F Cinema Level
Robinsons Magnolia-1st Parking Level
SM Marikina-3/F Cinema Level

Fish & Co.: Seafood in a Pan!

After attending church at CCF Malolos yesterday, my family and I had our lunch at Fish & Co. I've been here several times and I can say that this is one my favorite seafood restaurant next to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. So yesterday, we celebrated my "sister like" friend, Karmela's post-birthday. The last time we saw each other was like last summer pa, so I really really missed her badly!

Ever since Bubba Gump vacated TriNoma, I was really heartbroken back then because I really love Bubba. I remember I was on my 2nd or 3rd year high school at that time. But when we came to know Fish & Co., we usually eat here na whenever we crave for American type seafood restaurant.

Even the interior of the restaurant will make you feel like you're inside the sea world. Charot. Krusty Krab Restaurant lang?! =))

And if ever you're waiting for a friend or a family member or a "lover", you'll definitely won't get bore for there are two cabled LCD TV that you can watch on. Don't be shy to request them to change the channel! And while we're waiting for Karmela and his brother Tantan, we were watching the news about Pope Francis' having the opening mass at UST while munching on some Spinach and Artichoke Formaggio. 

So when Karmela and Tantan arrived, we already ordered and this is what we chow down..

For starters: Spinach and Artichoke Formaggio; ₱475.00 (We ordered this from Italianni's)

 Yes, this isn't included on Fish & Co.'s menu. My Mom ordered this from Italianni's, just beside the Fish & Co. I love how creamy the formaggio dip melts in my mouth!

 

Crispy Crablets; ₱295.00

If you'll search for the menu on the net, you won't see this in the lists because this is one of their newest appetizer.

 For our Main Course we had the Ultimate Fish-Mates Bundle:

1. Best Fish & Chips in Town with Grilled Chicken Peri-Peri Platter; ₱995.00

The Chicken Peri-Peri was really good especially when you dip it into the chili sauce with tartar sauce. Plus, you'll be really full with the 10 pieces of the best Fish and Chips in Town. With matching seafood rice in the middle.

2. Best Fish & Chips in Town with Crispy Pata; ₱995.00

We also tried this one because of the Crispy Pata. The Crispy Pata was also good but not that much. I still prefer the Crispy Pata of Barrio Fiesta. And again, paired up with the best Fish and Chips in Town.

 and as for me, I had the Just For Me Baked Salmon; ₱545.00

 The reason I had my solo order is because I'm starting my diet na, "DIE-yet". But really, I just love Salmon. I won't replace anything with this. Just Tuna and Salmon for me! I love how the citrus-y herb flavor of it lingers on my mouth. Plus, it's 80% baked to done-ness! 

 A family picture of us.

From the left: Rhev, Tantan, Karmela, Ghelly, Me, my Mom and Gheanna

Karmela got surprised when the crews started singing a Happy Birthday song for her and handed her a Hot Fudge Choco Cake..

Yeheyyyyy! Happy Birthday again my dearest Karmela! Looking forward to your next sleepover in our house! :)

So far, I really enjoyed again our food trip here. I have definitely been hooked on to this restaurant... Forever. Chos. I certainly want you guys to try this uber yum restaurant. You'll absolutely love their food here, especially to the seafood lovers out there like me. The ambiance is check, the service crews were very friendly and approachable so double check, and their food was excellent so triple check. Feel free to comment below and share me your food trip experiences too! 'Til our next food trip!

For updates and promos, feel free to follow and check their sites at:

Official Website: Fish & Co. PH

Facebook: Fish & Co.

Fish & Co.

Trinoma Mall, North Ave. cor Mindanao Ave.  

Sto. Cristo, Quezon City  

(02) 916-2028

M, T, W, Th: 11:00AM - 10:00PM

F, Sa, Su: 11:00AM - 11:00PM