The Foodinista: Tomas Morato

Runner's Kitchen, Tomas Morato

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Runner's Kitchen Front

I have been a very active reviewer on Looloo when I discovered the app and I must say hard work really pays off! Haha! I have been invited to Looloo Eat Ups and have won GCs because of being an active reviewer. I appreciate how they thank their reviewers through constantly sending out gifts and freebies. I've won a P500 worth of Runner's Kitchen Gift Certificate. Thanks to Ms. Looloo Peanut D. So when I received it, I really looked forward to the time where I will be able to use it.

Runner's Kitchen is located in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. It's very easy to locate and is even below a gym so if you live in the area, it will be nice to drop by after an exhausting work out. I visited around 2pm in the afternoon on a weekday. There were few customers I guess because it's not peak hours when I went there. I was greeted politely by their staff and to be honest, I've felt a little embarrassed going there just to claim my Gift Certificate.

I'm no healthy eater. I hate veggies. Not OA ha but that's how I feel about veggies. We were not really raised eating healthy foods. My parents know how much I hate veggies so most of the time, they will not serve me any since they know the food will just be wasted if they cook one for me. Though you might find it weird that I enjoy DRINKING Veggie smoothies or juices. I can tolerate them even more when drank cause the awkward taste don't linger on my taste buds and I can just gulp water after to avoid feeling gross out of it.

Anyway, back to Runner's Kitchen, when I researched and read reviews about it, I knew I'd be eating something and HEALTHY AND ORGANIC. Actually the term healthy gives me goosebumps, it's alien to me. I also had the impression that HEALTHY FOOD is equivalent to NOT TASTY; and most of the time tastes blunt. I'm no health buff or calorie conscious so I've never really experienced eating in a restaurant which serves organic food.

Inside Runner's Kitchen

Runner's Kitchen serves organic food and vegetables which means it's not processed. They even have gluten free dairy free and gluten free food, with this they support local farmers which is really admirable. Runner's Kitchen is owned by Bianca King, Glaiza De Castro, Xander Angeles, Abby Assistio and more.

As I went inside, I was like WOW! This place is so freakin 'cozy and nice. The details were very intricate, looks like they really thought about the interior and decorations really well, it is very curated and very INSTAGRAMMABLE. Rustic feels, Wooden Chairs and Tables, Fancy Wine Bottles, Hanging Lights Bulbs, Typography Boards, Fancy Plants (For Flatlays) LOL! Name it all.

Cashier Area of Runner's Kitchen

The best place is to sit down on this area which is just below the bike. It has a good lighting for Food Photography and best for Instagrammers.

I ordered the Beef Salpicao as my main course. Haven't had lunch yet when I went here I was craving for something heavy with rice. When I saw the menu, I got a little overwhelmed cause I felt like I have no idea what I should be ordering. Beef Salpicao looked familiar to me so I ordered it. It's P395 which is a little pricey for a meal without rice.

Beef Salpicao includes Organic Sirloin, Wilted Kale and Tomato Confit. I ordered an additional starch - Black Rice for P50. Never tried black rice before so it made me a little nervous. Surprisingly, I LOVED IT. The beef was so tender and I was able to eat the Kale cause it was so DELICIOUS. Everything was very well flavored, with just the right amount of saltiness.

At first I thought the black rice will not be enough cause I'm a huge rice consumer. I can't skip an important meal without rice. But 'twas good.
PLUS POINTS on the plating which made me really earned a lot of likes on Looloo cause it made the photo beautiful!

Beef Spareribs P395

Beef Spareribs Close Up

I was sitting under the bike section and I enjoyed this view. (Down Below)
I spent my time looking into every detail of this restaurant cause they've really put a lot of effort to it.

For the drinks, I ordered their MALUSOG smoothie for P160. I find this cheap for the quality of serving. The mason jar was so full. Good!

MALUSOG is made of Spinach, Oats, and Banana + Cashew Milk. I really had a hard time looking for a smoothie to drink because I wanted to try everything. I believe I made the RIGHT choice. It's well worth it! The banana complimented the overall taste and the cashew milk just made everything balanced. I was even munching on tiny bits of oats.

healthy P160

Overall, I totally enjoyed my first experience with Runner's Kitchen and will definitely come back if I have the chance and of course the ka-ching! Haha! I suggest you follow them on Instagram and Facebook cause they are very active on social media. HEALTHY AND HAPPY customer here, will definitely be back!

Buffet

King One: Eat All You Can Rotary Hot Pot (Tomas Morato) Review

Sunday, May 01, 2016

King One Rotary Hot Pot

King One Rotary Hot Pot I must say has got to be one of my favourite rotary hot pot's in Manila. They have a rotary conveyor belt which transports all ingredients within your reach. There are even Chef's who freshly prepare the ingredients that's being transported on the conveyer belt.

It is located at Tomas Morato though they also have another branch which is at Pasay in Macapagal Boulevard. I have tried both and since this one is the newer branch, I prefer this cause apparently the food tastes better and the ambiance is much better too. I remember eating at Macapagal Branch and it honestly didn't impress me at all! The servers were very slow and they panicked easily when I keep asking for more ingredients to be cooked. The ambiance is also not as nice and the ventilation was disappointing, the place is not so clean as well. This branch is really new and the ambiance is perfect and you won't feel any pressure in ordering and eating fast.

Located on the 2nd Floor

So here's the photo of King One outside. It's very easy to locate and is on the second floor of a building, there's an elevator which will bring you directly to the restaurant or you can walk up using the stairs on the back side area of the building.

King One

Back Entrance

PRICE RANGE

Monday to Friday - Lunch (P558) | Dinner (P658)
Saturday - Lunch (P599) | Dinner (P699)
Sunday & Holidays Lunch & Dinner (P699)
Drink All You Can (P59)

This is an updated Price List as of 2016. They used to be cheaper and i'm not so sure why a sudden increase yet I still keep coming back.

We went here on a weekday lunch. Unfortunately their rotating conveyer belt was closed because there were very few people eating that time so if you want the experience of it, I recommend you go here during dinner time or on a weekend.

They accept reservations and huge events. Make sure to give them a call if you plan on visiting during dinners on weekends. A lot of parties and celebrations are being held here. This is a perfect place for friendly reunions and gatherings!

Forgot to include that they have a service charge so better bring extra cash.

As you can see the place is very neat which I would want to commend. If you can just see their branch in Tomas Morato, there's really a HUGE DIFFERENCE. The spaces between every set of tables is also good which is convenient if you love moving around to get your dipping sauce or drinks.

They also have an area which I wasn't able to take a picture of, the different sauces which you can add and other small ingredients to spice up your soup stock.

While waiting for the soup to be prepared we were asked to fill up a list of ingredients we would want to cook.

NO LEFT OVERS. NO TAKE OUTS. So make sure to order first what you think you can fully consume. Don't be overwhelmed with what you can see. Everything looks good and smells good, but it's better to be safe than sorry! Anyway, they really serve quite fast, so waiting time should be the least of your concerns.

I also got busy mixing up my own dipping sauce. I had mine with lots of garlic and the Satay Sauce which brings in all the flavor and some kick to my Shabu Shabu. Choices would be garlic, onion spring, chili and the satay. This is served in every table automatically.

Special Sauce

Drink / Beverage Station

They have very few type of drinks. Iced Tea, Lemonade, Mango Juice, Water and Coffee. Wish they had more varieties to choose from.

SOUP TIME. We ordered one Satay Soup and one Regular Soup for our soup stock. Make sure to order the Satay One too cause adding Satay Sauce on the Regular Soup doesn't really taste nice. Hindi na lumalabas yung lasa and the goodness of the satay when it's just mixed. They don't give Satay Soup Refills anymore. So sad :(

They also have the Curry but haven't tried it cause my friends don't like curry, they also have the Szechuan Soup which is the spicy one.

Crab Sticks, Dumplings, Siomai

There are lambs slices, premium cuts of U.S. Beef, and many more. One order also comes with 1 free side dish so I ordered the Yang Chow Fried Rice and it's even refillable.

Golden Mushroom Beef Roll

THIS IS DEFINITELY MY FAVORITE. I remember ordering it for around 4 to 5 times. Can't get enough of their Golden Mushrooms. Next fave is the MOZZARELLA BALLS. My boyfriend loves it too. One ingredient would take 2 to 3 minute cooking time, it's not really that long.

The variety of ingredients they have is so huge so if you can give everything a try! But as for me I already know what I want so I just keep ordering those instead.

Family Enjoying their Hot Pot

My Boyfriend Cooking For Me :D

The conveyer belt is turned off, so sad. I understand though that they won't bother opening it if there were only few customers dining. We can order the ingredients anyway.

Overall, it's a nice experience to be back at one of my favourite hot pots in Manila. I consider it as a comfort food na that I always look for when I crave for it or when I'm just hungry haha!