Tim Hortons

    

           

I was totally clueless what Tim Hortons is upon seeing this huge tarp covering their space in Uptown Mall. I thought it was a restaurant or like M&S. After googling, I found out that this is a cafe, kinda like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. Tim Hortons multinational fast food and cafe based in Canada famous for their coffee, doughnuts and "Timbits" which is equivalent to DD's munchkins. 

Opened last February 28, the lines were crazy long. Well I kinda expected it since anything franchised and opened in Manila will surely be a blockbuster on its first few days. So I braved the lines 3 weeks after it opened.

Other than doughnuts, they offer sandwiches, bagels and wraps on top of their coffee. What I like about this cafe is that they have combo which is a combination of coffee and doughnuts or sandwich, coffee and potato wedges.

For 100 pesos, I can enjoy a medium coffee and a classic doughnut. If you like to have sandwiches and wedges and coffee, you can get it for 230-270 pesos.

 Menu grabbed from zomato.

The place is spacious enough to accommodate people inside and a couple of tables outside for those who wants al fresco. I love how the lights are yellow and dim just enough to make you feel relaxed while sipping your coffee or just catching up with your friends or working remotely.The staff is very friendly and they are very patient if you are unsure on what to get.

                              

Now let's move on to the taste. I am a coffee lover and you may ask if  it is anything like Starbucks Coffee? I'd say no. It is not as strong as the beans being used in Starbucks. But for the price, it sure is a decent coffee. When I say decent, the flavor is mild and smooth because of the cream and sweet but not overly sweet. I will definitely choose this over Mc Donald's Vanilla Iced Coffee which is around 50 pesos. But of course DD's coffee is  a different story which in my preference is better for those coffee 50 pesos below.  In summary I would say that of a Brewed Double Double (double cream and double sugar) versus other overpriced coffee shops, it's not bad at all.

My go to order is their Iced Coffee and the Vanilla Dip doughnut. Though the candied part is such a pain to bite and the color just bleeds in your mouth, their doughnuts are sweet (shouldn't it be in the first place?) which is perfect for brewed coffee with a shot of expresso. It is heavy and not airy and I like how "full" the doughnut is. So if you are going to ask this time if it is anything like Krispy Kreme , JCO, Dunkin Donuts, Mister Donut, and Donut House, Go Nuts Donut and Starbucks Original or Chocolate Dip Donuts? I'd say in between but some are sweeter than KK and in between KK and JCO. But we all have our own preference. So I really can't say much because doughnuts are doughnuts and I like munchkins and choco butternut is the bomb.

Vanilla Dip

So overall, I think Tim Hortons is a great choice if you want reasonable and decent coffee and if you are in Uptown Mall and you don't want to spend too much on coffee. I also swung by Eastwood and I saw that they are opening their space beside Ippudo.

Don't forget to try their wraps, bagel and other sandwiches :)

Happy Eating!

xx

Flash back and Backyard Kitchen + Brew

When I mentioned on my last post that I made a big jump, it was actually adding another 20 minutes of my travel time from home to work. I ended my year with a new work place after being with Eastwood for exactly 8 years (Pardon my blogging skills since it's been a while).

Now, if you drop by here from time to time, you know that I love Eastwood because of the feels. Everything is just around the corner. For example, I missed out a couple of things or need to pick up a list of items from the grocery. I can just dash to Robinson's Supermarket which is just at the back of Eastwood Mall. Need medicines or makeup? Watsons is just right beside my ex-building. If pantry food sucks (in most cases, yes) there are a lot of restaurants/fast food to choose from. Spending close to a decade in Eastwood made me real good in identifying the  "cursed" spaces where establishments will just last for about 2 years or so.

Though time has come that I had to ready with the thought of myself moving to another company, I will deal with a) crazy traffic b) the accessibility/convenience of what is around the area. But I didn't settle with "come what may". I had a mental note of  conditions that if ever I am getting a new job, I was wish that the set up will still be the same. There must be a dozen of restaurants, Watsons, coffee place and a grocery. To sum it all up I wanted the same thing I have plus a higher pay (who doesn't right?).God does make wonderful things. He gave me the best thing! When I thought that the "best" thing was right in front of me, it was taken away all because there is something better and greater. An answered prayer it is!

Now moving forward, I am enjoying the amenities in the vicinity of the new workplace here in BGC. This means I get to try and dine in new places even though I have to admit it's a bit pricey. One of the first places that I checked out is Backyard Kitchen + Brew.

Backyard Kitchen + Brew is located on the 4th floor of Uptown Mall.  It has a laid back feel where I can imagine having my friends over for some chill time (happy hour yes!). The lights and the accents give you that weekend night chill night backyard feel with wooden chairs and tables and that upbeat music.

Being the frugal person that I am, I flipped the menu looking for anything that can fill my tummy within budget. I have always been told that if you are spending for food, do not regret spending. After all it is food. As I can be practical most of the time, I was skeptical with the 250 (plus tax) for a Big Lunch they are offering. I mean 250 for adobo/pulled pork with some fancy salad? Isn't that too much? Okay, I'll give it a shot.

*Bleep* I was wrong! It was one of the most delicious meal I ever had! On my first visit, I ordered the Balsamic Salad + Solo Mozzarella and Cheddar Flat Bread  + Pulled Pork Belly Rice.

  

A generous amount of rice and pulled pork topped with egg and jalapeno is served in wooden bowls . I am still trying to figure out what kind of spice they used but I am thinking it is cumin with sour cream and bbq sauce. Everything is superb. I guess 250 is not bad at all!

Just look at this evil thing.

 

 

The next visit I had,  I tried another set of the lunch meal. This time the Baked Potato Soup + Balsamic Salad + Pulled Pork (I did taste the Adobo Duck it is delish!)

 

The baked potato soup was bland but cheese it was perfect! I just had to season it with some salt and pepper to suit your taste. Maybe that's why they serve it a bit bland. The greens are a mix of lettuce, alfalfa and some cherry tomatoes drizzled with honey and balsamic vinegar.

 

 

 

I have been always curious with this Salted Egg Chicken Skin. You know the craze of salted egg potato chips? Just replace it with chicken skin. I think the salted egg used on this one wasn't that strong because I can only taste a hint of it. But chicken skin is chicken skin.

 

Overall, the Big Lunch menu is worth every buck and will definitely make me come back.

 

Want to check out their menu?

https://www.zomato.com/manila/backyard-kitchen-brew-bonifacio-global-city-taguig-city/menu#tabtop

 

Go grab your friends and check out this chill place!

 

xx

Back

Hey you! I'm surprised that life  got me real bad and I have lost track of the things that I have been doing and love doing. It's been more than a year since I last updated this blog and it has always been a crazy year after year. I have been taking snaps of all the milestones,cooking and the travel I had but never had the chance to share it.

 But I am proud (a little bit) of myself for making it all these times with all the drama, the ups and downs, the whirl wind of emotions and life in general. It's the start of a new year and what a great time to start new things. I just made the biggest jump in my life and I'm still trying to keep up with what I have left behind.

 Expect new entries soon!

 Life is beautiful! :)

 P.S. I'm still blogging from work.