Tag: restaurants in antipolo

Rizal’s Little Tokyo: Sakura Circle

My cravings for takoyaki (and adventure) led me to Sakura Circle, a venue filled with Japanese-themed stalls, including restaurants, mini-marts, and a salon. Its “title” kind of reminded me of the Little Tokyo in Makati, although this one had more reds and pinks.

How to Go to Sakura Circle

From any point in Ortigas Extension, ride an Antipolo-Tanay jeep (not Antipolo Simbahan). Sakura Circle is just nearby Ynares Center, before Unciano Medical. You can ask the jeepney driver to drop you off at Sakura Circ; other landmarks include Padre Pio and Jollibee.

What to Expect in Sakura Circle

Standing up to its name, Sakura Circle is filled with artificial flower decorations that looked like cherry blossoms, as well as Japanese lanterns and LED lights to complement the whole place. It had two floors, the first containing the restaurants and the garden, the second containing inuman tables.

What to Eat in Sakura Circle

There were numerous restaurants to choose from, but we chose to eat shoyu ramen (Php 215) and takoyaki (Php 90) from Nobuan, teriyaki spam musubi (Php 214) from ABCT kitchen, and cream cheese dark chocolate milktea (Php 120) from Tea Straw Milktea Hub.

If I had to rank our food, the takoyaki from Nobuan will gain the highest spot, followed by ABCT’s teriyaki spam musubi. I’m not sure if the logic behind this ranking is my craving, but the takoyaki tasted good. Swak, kumbaga, especially when I’m reminded of how the cheese inside complemented the crispy, sweet batter. The teriyaki spam musubi had me full (it can be shared by two people), though I wished I knew how to eat it without gloves. I understand that the meat was already salty and the whole dish was already poured with teriyaki sauce, but I wished the rice had some unique taste in it as well.

The ramen and the milktea was okay, but if you’re there to taste something new, I would recommend something else.

Favorite Picture

Sakura Circle
11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
11A Circumferential Road cor Sumulong Extension, Antipolo, Philippines
https://www.facebook.com/SakuraCirclePh

Eat Healthy at Manna (The Best Restaurant I’ve Been to This 2019)

Ever since I started changing my eating habits, I have looked for healthier alternatives to my once favorite fast-food restaurants. One of them was Manna, a restaurant below my brother’s gym in Antipolo.

How to Go to Manna

Ride from Junction, Cainta, or anywhere that has public transportation going to Tropical, just in front of Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall. Walk to the right of McDonald’s, and you’ll probably see Manna beside one Samgyupsalamat. If you are coming from Katipunan, Quezon City, ride Antipolo Sumulong and tell the driver to drop you off at Pinnacle Plaza, which is a few meters away from a Burger King restaurant.

Place and Ambience

Filled with browns and greens, Manna certainly has a nature vibe. Their area is spacious and neat, with wooden tables and chairs complementing their furnished cemented walls and warm accents made by their lighting. They also have sockets (I usually work there whenever I come along with my brother) and a clean CR.

What to Eat in Manna

I hated everything green when I was a kid—from broccolis to lettuces. But after changing my lifestyle, the taste of vegetables started to change. I’m not sure if this is a part of the aging process, haha, but I loved every bit of what Manna serves. Everything.

The two dishes above are rosemary chicken quesadilla (left) for Php 235 and garden herbed roast chicken bowl (right) for Php 180. I have also tasted their fresh tuna salad (not in the picture).

What I really love about Manna is how detailed their menu is, from the food contents up to the number calories, protein, fats, and carbohydrates. This is the reason I keep coming back (yep, been there a number of times). Besides this, they also support local farmers. Yes, Brenda! Manna is basically my ideal restaurant: serves good food, has beautiful interiors (with sockets), supports local farmers, and advocates healthy eating.

Also, my brother enjoys a 10% discount since he’s a member of Anytime Fitness.

Favorite Picture

Manna
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Ground Floor, The Pinnacle Plaza 1 Marcos Highway, San Isidro Cainta Rizal
https://manna.com.ph/