The Foodinista: MOA

TRYP Hotel by Wyndham Mall of Asia Manila: Hotel Tour & Review

Monday, May 14, 2018

Lobby

TRYP by Wyndham is a select-service urban hotel brand with over 100 hotels in some of the most exciting cities in the world. It is located in the heart of Manila within the Mall of Asia complex in Seaside Blvd. I love how it is strategically located just across Mall of Asia and nearby restaurants, spas and amusements parks which makes it convenient and exciting for travellers and business people alike. Adventure is just within reach once you go outside the hotel!

Tryp Hotel is relatively new compared to the other hotels nearby. I was so excited and privileged to be able to visit Tryp when we were doing an ocular for a project. So to clarify, I wasn't able to spend a night here, rather I was only able to roam around the whole hotel and check its rooms & facilities.

Tryp Hotel Exterior

This is the view of Tryp Hotel from the outside. I love the grayish-blue tones of the fascade which adds a modern young vibe to the overall look of the venue! There's a huge parking space within the premises so it's not a problem if you are to spend a night here.

What I just don't like about this hotel is where it is situated which is literally beside the seawall so there is an unavoidable awful smell. The smell is a combination of a stinky trash, dumpsite and moist from the sea. It stinks so bad to be honest so I won't recommend staying in the parking lot for long cause the smell could hurt your stomach. The unbearable scent doesn't reach the upper floors of the building though so that shouldn't hinder you from staying at Tryp.

Lobby

Hotel Lobby

The lobby looks very accommodating. It's very open and doesn't look too uptight and formal. The design isn't traditional so it's less intimidating and really welcoming. The light coming from the window adds warmth and gives the lobby a very calming feeling. The staff are all smiles and very hospitable too.

I like that even the lobby lounge is a place that can be used to hang out! They also have a library where you can read books, use your laptop and have your me-time. There is also a conference room that can be used to set private meetings or conference calls.

THINGS TO LOVE

Airport Transfers
Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms
Daily House Keeping
Beautiful Sunset View & Rooftop Pool
Prime Location
Modern Vibe & Ambiance
Tourist-Friendly & Business-Friendly

View from the elevator lobby on the 14th Floor

Dining Area / Restaurant

The interior of this hotel is really impressive. The attention to detail is amazing. They even have hand-painted walls inspired by Philippine destinations and Filipino heroes. Traditional hotels would usually have very intricate designs and traditional decorations which is what makes Tryp different from them. Tryp Hotel's minimalist and modern take on the overall interior, decorations and design adds a classy minimalist yet fun & youthful vibe to the hotel.

Aren't these luscious greens planted on white pots relaxing to the eyes? I'm sure millennials would love this! Very picturesque! Or shall I say pinterest-y?

Hallway

Lounge

Conference Room

Room Complementaries

ROOM RATES ~ Room price starts at P4,000 up depending on the room type. It can go as high as P10,000 a night per room.

ROOM TYPES: (7)

Cityscape Room (Double or Twin)
Bayside Room (2 Queen Beds)
Premium Bayside Room (2 Queen Beds)
Accessible Room (1 Queen Bed)
Family Room (1 Queen with Bunk Beds)
Loft (1 Queen with Bunk Beds)
Sunset Suite (1 King Bed)

Loft (1 Queen Bed, 3 Bunk Beds)

All rooms include:

Toilet
Air-conditioning
Alarm Clock
Clothes Rack
Desk
Hair Dryer
In-room safe box
Linens
Refrigerator
Shower
Telephone
Toiletries
Towels
Wake-up Services
Satellite Cable Channels

View from the Loft

The loft is my favorite! I would book this room if I were to stay here with my friends.
The loft has a very modern minimalist vibe. When I saw this room I instantly thought about my friends! It is really spacious and feels like home. This room is perfect for barkadas who wants to spend quality time together or maybe for those clingy groups who wants to stick together after walwal nights. This room is also great for families with kids! It's easy to move around and they won't be bored with the space.

Room Balcony

Bunk Beds

We were toured to the Sunset Suite which isn't big of a suite but has a heck of a view -- jaw- droppingly stunning. It's facing the sea so you will get to have a beautiful panoramic view of the sea during golden hours where you can drink your hot coco or sip a wine as you enjoy the landscape. This room is perfect for couples and honeymooners!

Sunset Suite

Sunset Suite Bed View

View from the Rooftop

ROOFTOP POOL
The pool is so captivating. I can't help but gush over it. The minimalist design again makes everything stand out. It's so unique and incomparable to other pool area in other hotels that I have visited. The wooden tiles gives you a sauna / hot bath vibe just like those in Japan. I really love the view from the rooftop. It would be romantic to spend a dinner date here or watch the sunset with someone special!

Rooftop Pool

Nearby Accessible Landmarks

Mall of Asia (Largest Mall in the Philippines)
SM By The Bay Amusement Park
Resorts World Manila (Casinos, Clubs & Hotels)
Cove Manila (Club)
Star City (Amusement Park)
Numerous Hotels, Spa & Popular Restaurants
Dessert Museum at S Maison Mall
DAMPA! (Seafood Restaurants)

View from the window lobby

After the tour, I can't help but wish to be able to spend a night here.

This is definitely one of the most beautiful modern hotels in the metro!

Experience a new hotel and get #PoweredbytheCity!

Flat Bread

Flatterie, Mall of Asia

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Flatterie is another brilliant creation by FOODEE Global Concept - the same team behind the famous Tim Ho Wan, Pound, Sunnies Cafe and Todd English. My amazement behind the concepts they bring here in Manila is immeasurable. They really bring up the game in the food industry!

I was invited by Ej Buñag a.k.a. #ilovetoeatph to attend the grand launch of Flatterie last Dec 2017, so this is already a late post. Sorry Ej!

Flatterie is located in Mall of Asia and offers freshly made flat breads and pastas. Flatterie is just beside Pound and the interior pretty much similar so it's just a choice between burger and pizza or pasta. It's like a win win situation cause both place serves good food! There were a lot of foodies during the launch and I was happy to see fellow Looloo reviewers present. Parang malaki reunion lang ang peg. Love it. I feel at home.

The ambiance of Flatterie is very casual yet formal at the same time. The mood is very cozy but the interior and ambiance is very classy and sophisticated. The best of both worlds so as they say! I like the wooden furniture, the dim-lighting, warm lights, shiny decorative accents - everything just goes well together.

Flat Bread in the Making

FOOD
They really served us almost everything on the menu but I will only post about those ones that I really liked. They spoiled us so much that night and I appreciate how fast they were able to serve our orders despite the queue. The chefs were giving us quick tossing shows in between so it's a good entertainment while waiting.
Almost all the flatbreads were likeable but some tasted almost the same with others that it didn't make a mark. Here are the must tries when you visit. :)

Jalapeño Popper P180

Jalapeño Poppers
Fried chilis stuffed with cheese and pepperoni serve with aioli
A perfect appetizer with just a bearable amount of spiciness.

Flatterie Bruschetta P180

Flatterie Bruschetta
Homemade bread topped with mushroom pesto, cream, diced tomato, onion, garlic and basil

Frito Misto & Potato Crispy P320

Frito Misto & Potato Crispy

Deep fried sampler with calamari, shrimp and Flatterie potato

Vongole

Truffle Pasta

Truffle Pasta | P220 Selfie ; P320 Groupie

Spaghetti finished with parmesan, egg yolk and truffle salsa

I almost fell in love with their truffle pasta but I find it to watery or shall I say soupy? The consistency of the sauce gave the dish a blunt taste. It's as if they didn't strain it well and all the water was still there! I can only smell the truffle but I can't seem to taste it. I liked how they cooked the pasta though - al dente. The mushrooms were also a pretty decoration on top, haha!

Mac & Cheese

Mac & Cheese | P250 Selfie; P350 Groupie
Macaroni in a rich cream sauce with mozzarella and parmesan cheese

The best Mac and Cheese that I've ever tried in my entire existence. Well, this is only applicable during the night of the launch cause went I went back the 2nd time around with my boyfriend, it tasted different.
It was so creamy and light, there were hints of saltiness from the cheese which was perfect and they didn't over season the dish.

2nd Visit: I dragged my boyfriend to dine here cause he is a mac and cheese fan. Plus blame PMS! Haha! Mac and cheese and hinahanap ng puso ko. I kept telling him that he won't be disappointed on their mac and cheese, kaya sugod away to MOA. When our orders came gawd I felt so embarrassed cause it tasted so far from the first time that I've tried it. MAY SPARKS AT FIREWORKS yung first bite ko. I think that everyone in the event would agree na masarap siya. But during my 2nd visit... It was blunt, under-cooked and very dry. Tingin palang ayaw mo ng kainin. Konti konti lang yung cheese and we even had to request for an additional seasoning, kahit hindi na cheese, kahit salt nalang kasi wala kaming malasahan.

Truffle Flatbread

Truffle Flatbread | P220 Selfie ; P330 Groupie
Truffle cream, mozzarella and parmesan
Anything with truffle is my weakness. When the aroma of the truffle inside the restaurant scattered everywhere I just had to follow where it was coming from. I stood up from my chair and literally looked for it... voila I was right! The table beside us ordered a Truffle Flat Bread and a Truffle Pasta and because I got jealous I ordered one for our table too cause it was just so irresistable.

I liked the simplicity of the Truffle Pasta which had zero toppings on top. Simple yet very appetizing and tasty, a perfect pair for wine as well. On the other hand the pasta was just okay. It was very watery or soupy, ang labnaw ng sauce to the point na hindi mo na malasahan yung buong dish.

I think this could be improved though.

Carbonara Flatbread

Carbonara Flatbread | P200 Selfie ; P300 Groupie
Bacon, cream and egg with black pepper and parmesan cheese
This is probably the safest one to order cause all the ingredients are familiar and good. What could go wrong with bacon right? Ordered this during my 2nd visit and the quality was pretty consistent. Simply good. Nothing to complain about!
The presentation is something I'd like to commend to, it's very very appetizing!

Roast Beef Flatbread

US Angus Roast Beed Flatbrea | P270 Selfie ; P370 Groupie
US Angus Roast Beef with cilantro and crispy onion

I like the savoriness of this flavor. Kulang nalang rice, pwedeng pwede na, may nanalo na! It reminds me of bistek in flatbread form. It has a little hint of sweetness from the onions which complimented the saltiness of the beef well.

INDULGENCE P890

INDULGENCE
Probably one of the most eye-catchy flatbreads served during the night. Indulgence is made with truffled steak and foie gras with parmesan & onion. I'm not a fan of foie gras because of the after taste it possess but because of the truffle steak which was really good it really balanced the overall taste of the dish. Pinasarap niya! The onions added a crunchy texture to it. The is the most expensive one on the menu. It's priced at P890 available only in LARGE size which I probably would never spend for using my own money.

Ice Cream Puff P220 - Groupie

Ice Cream Puff
Fresh baked Profiterols filled with Vanilla Ice Cream and topped with chocolate sauce

They only have few desserts on the menu and this is probably the one that I like the most. Nothing too extravagant but the best pang-alis umay after all the savoriness from the flatbreads. Just the perfect amount of sweetness!

S'mores Flatbread P270 - Groupie

S'more Flatbread
Chocolate, marshmallows and crusted grahams

FOODIE ICED TEA P90I love Foodee's signature iced tea. It's not your typical house blend iced tea and has a hint of calamansi taste, slight bitterness then sweetness at the end.Among other pizza places I've been to I think this one is a must visit for its uniqueness. The flat breads are a stand out! Everything on the menu is affordable. The place has its own personality and the ambiance just really sets the mood for a good chit-chat. #AFFORDABLELUXURY

American Food

IHOP, Mall of Asia

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Ihop Tacos

Ihop has been operating in the Philippines for about 3 years now. I remember those days when the hype was so real people were falling in line when they opened their first ever branch at The Fort, BGC Taguig.

I had the privilege to visit their 2nd branch which is in Mall of Asia and I was able to visit their Century City Mall branch as well in Makati so I was able to compare and find out the difference.

Ihop Mall of Asia Branch

Ihop Mall of Asia Branch is open from 7am to 11pm. It is located in the ground floor, entertainment mall, Mall of Asia. They are known for their big servings of great all-day American breakfast especially their pancakes!

This branch is pretty spacious and they even have outdoor seating and smoking area. What I didn't like about this branch is the poor ventilation. Aside from the slow service, the temperature of the place made us upset. I was disappointed cause I thought they have high standards for their amenities since this is an international brand.

Syrups

FOOD

I was craving for something light and healthy so I ordered the Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad.

Grilled chicken breast served on Romaine Lettuce with parmesan cheese and croutons tossed in ceasar dressing served with garlic bread. I really like this one cause the lettuce were fresh and the meal was filling but they served it way too late so I already lost my appetite when it came. This is a really good to-go meal, it's healthy and it tastes good too!

Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad P295

When I saw the Bacon Mac & Cheese on the menu I knew that I had to order it so I did. Classic macaroni and cheese made with bacons, onions, and bell peppers mixed with homemade cheese sauce. I have mixed feelings about this dish. I hated it cause the bell peppers were really off and overpowered the whole meal. I wish they just took it out cause it didn't made the dish better. It was all over the place to the point that I wasn't able to enjoy the cheese sauce anymore. The cheese weren't sharp and tasted a little blunt as well so i'm giving this a 3 out of 5 stars.

Bacon Mac & Cheese Pasta

Grrr. At this point I was already furious and wished I had eaten somewhere else because the food coming in weren't delicious at all. Good thing Kevin and I ordered the IHOP Cheeseburger, this is probably the only thing that didn't disappoint me that day. Their 100% beef burger is topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion on a grilled bun.

The burger was perfect. It was so tender and tasted legit! Nothing extravagant but something I would order when I am craving for a good burger. The fries on the side is also something to take note of!

Cheese Burger P295

Angus Burger Steak Rice topped with mushroom gravy served with a side of steamed rice and corn.

When the boyfie saw my disappointment on their Tacos he insisted for me to order this one instead. I enjoyed it but it wasn't so good as well. A pretty filling meal that isn't worth ordering. I also wonder if the patty used here is any different on the cheeseburger that I ordered cause this one was dry and hard to munch on while the burger was freshly made and tender.

Angus Burger Steak Rice P250

The famous Ihop Tacos. Everyone I know was raving for this so I ordered it for the sake of trying and again to be honest it was just a 3 out of 5 for me. Pancake house' tastes better. This is made with marinated ground beef with diced tomatoes, onions lettuce shreds and grated cheddar cheese in taco shell. The meat was dry, I wish it was a little more sinful! I appreciate that they sprinkled it with loads of cheese but it didn't make it any better.

IHOP Tacos P195

IHOP TACOS

Soda Ice Cream Float

Java Chip Frappe

Verdict

Good thing I didn't use my money to spend for all of this! I was really disappointed with the quality of service they have. Century mall had a better service and ambiance than MOA so if ever I will come back I would probably dine in Century or in BGC branch. In terms of pricing, the serving is a pretty good catch for the amount you are paying for, focusing more on the quantity rather than the quality. I'd still prefer Pancake House over this. :( TBH

I wasn't able to try their pancakes cause I wasn't craving for it that time. Do you think it's worth trying? Let me know if you have recommendations!