Pinoy Tsibog: Restaurant review

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Restaurant Review : Ola Brasil Restaurant

My husband and I were invited for a complimentary dinner in Ola Brasil Restaurant. It was just a perfect timing to fit in to our busy schedule and to celebrate my husband’s birthday. I checked on their menu online get an idea of what to expect on our plate, but I didn’t bother to read other reviews or articles not to spoil our excitement. It was an exciting dinner to experience a Brazilian Churrasco here in Abu Dhabi. Churrasco is the term for barbecue that originated from Southern Brazil.

Ola Brasil Restaurant opened its doors just this year. Its location is near to Abu Dhabi Airport and a little far from the city center but perfect place to unwind and relax. Upon entering, the friendly staff assisted us to our table and offered their menu. The restaurant interior looks very elegant and spacious. The ambiance is very homey and the tables are perfectly distanced from each other which is quite a plus especially if you are coming in group.

So now, let’s talk about the food! Drooling while typing this. Whew! Ola Brasil Restaurant offers several variety of barbecued meat and great selection of salad in their salad bar in buffet option. Though they also offer ala carte orders, I would greatly recommend to opt for buffet as it is more value for money. My husband and I decided to go for a full blast of meat experience as we selected their dinner Ola Package. It comes with unlimited salads and 25 types of mouth-watering barbecues!

I really love these lovely Brazilian cheese puffs!

OK, let's start it light ;)

Ohlala! Cheeseeeeee 👌

The verdict: OK, my husband and I were both hands-up after indulging with - - - Oh, I don’t know anymore how many kinds of barbecue meats we managed to eat. Every slice of meat are all tenderized and seasoned to perfection. My husband is not a lamb chops fan but I can surely say that he enjoyed every bit of it on his plate. Good thing that we avoided eating carbs before enjoying our barbecue meat heaven. It gives us a little more space for the meat. Though we were not able to try all from their selection, we surely enjoy everything they served. Oh, and after having all those lovely top-quality and sumptuous meat, I truly enjoyed and appreciate their grilled pineapple seasoned with cinnamon. It perfectly balanced our taste buds.

The ambiance is very commendable; the food selections are perfect for anyone not just to meat lovers and vegetarians, though I am hoping to see more, otherwise everything are great; the beverage and wine selection are nice too; and the staffs, they are very accommodating and knowledgeable of their menu and recommendations. They also offer an outdoor seating which I am sure would be great on a cooler weather and a separate area for shisha too. The price for buffet is very affordable compare to the huge selection of food! Definitely a good value for money and great unique experience.

We can’t wait to be back and for sure that it will be with our friends. It is a hidden gem and place for meat heaven!

Confession: I was not able to take as much photo of the barbecues served on our table because we overly enjoyed our dinner ✌

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Location: Al Ghazal Golf Club, Abu Dhabi
Telephone: +971 2 505 3323 / +971 55 519 0066
Food:★★★★☆
Price:★★★★★
Service:★★★★★
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Being away from home, from loved ones and from the familiar can be unsettling, daunting, and bring feelings of homesickness. This is something that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) know all too well. Though this can be the hardest choice that one has to make, to leave their families and their homes, OFWs make this enormous sacrifice in order to support and create a better life for the ones they’ve left behind. Whatever job they do, it never gets easy, and the longing to find a sense of belonging to a community or “second family” is something that can bring some form of comfort during these times.

This is what the crew members of Jollibee Abu Dhabi strive to bring their customers and fellow OFWs. As they themselves know the feeling of being distant from home, they help ease their fellow kababayan’s homesickness by bringing them the familiar Taste of Home of Jollibee, the flagship brand of the largest Asian restaurant company, Jollibee Foods Corporation.

Elle Leyco, a team manager for Jollibee UAE, has opened four new stores in the past year. “It is an amazing feeling to feel the warmth of hunger for the Jollibee brand, and being able to bring a part of the Philippines to the hearts of Filipinos who are away from home,” she said when asked about what makes opening Jollibee stores in other countries special.

Cocoy, a Jollibee employee from the Philippines was chosen to be one of the members of the Abu Dhabi opening team, shared how exciting it was to be able to serve not only his fellow kababayans, but every nationality he meets in the store as well. “I always look forward to seeing the happy faces of customers who enter the store, and keep coming back for the Jollibee experience. It is the opportunity that Jollibee gives me to be able to welcome Filipinos and other fans of Jollibee that makes me happy working here.”

Saldy Mailong, who has been employed at Jollibee since 1993, shared that the welcoming feeling provided by the Jollibee family is the same today as it was 24 years ago. “There is always that feeling of warmth, family, and support when being embraced into the fold”. Now that he’s part of the Abu Dhabi team, the feeling of homesickness fades away as he is working amongst like-minded people who share the same passion, values, and commitment to serve. “The joy that Jollibee brings into my life, and the feeling of being part of a home away from home is what we at Jollibee wish to share to our fellow kababayans here in Abu Dhabi, and even to the bigger community of Filipinos in the UAE.”

As OFWs themselves, these Jollibee Abu Dhabi crew members know exactly how important being closer to home means to their fellowmen. As such, they make it a point to make each Jollibee experience a special and memorable one for everyone who walks through the store doors.

Jollibee’s mission has always been to serve great tasting food and to spread the joy of eating to everyone. As it continues its commitment to this mission, its international expansion plans continue to unfold in many locations in the UAE and other countries across Asia, Middle East, North America, and Europe—all to bring more and more Filipinos in these places a Taste of Home.

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About the Jollibee Brand
Jollibee is the largest fast food chain brand in the Philippines, operating a Philippine network of more than 950 stores. A dominant market leader in the Philippines, Jollibee has embarked on an aggressive international expansion plan, now with more than 150 international stores.

Technomic has consistently cited Jollibee among its Top 500 ranking restaurants in the United States.

About Jollibee Foods Corporation
Jollibee Foods Corporation is the largest Asian restaurant company and the largest restaurant company in the Philippines. It operates over 3,000 stores globally with store branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, China, Brunei, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The brands under its portfolio are Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon, MangInasal, Burger King Philippines, Yonghe King, and HongZhuang Yuan.

JFC also has considerable investments with the brands Highlands Coffee, Pho 24, 12 Hotpot, Dunkin Donuts in China and U.S. based burger chain Smashburger.

Jollibee Foods Corporation has grown brands that bring delightful dining experience to its customers worldwide, in line with its mission of serving great tasting food and spreading the joy of eating to everyone.

Jollibee Foods Corporation has been named the Philippines’ most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for eight years in a row, and was honored as one of the ‘200 Best Under a Billion Companies in Asia’ and one of ‘Asia’s Fab 50 Companies’ by Forbes Asia Magazine.

***Article was supplied by Jollibee***

Jollibee Opens Flagship Store in Al Falah, Abu Dhabi

Jollibee, the popular Filipino fast-food chain opens its flagship store in the heart of UAE capital last February 8, 2017. It is their second branch here in Abu Dhabi but as expected, Pinoys are always excited to welcome our favorite fast-food restaurant.

An exclusive media and VIP preview was held a day prior the store’s public opening. Ribbon cutting and speeches by Mr. Hisham Al Gurg, Chief investor in the Jollibee franchise in the UAE, Mr. Dennis Flores, Vice President for International Markets of the International Operations Division of Jollibee Foods Corporation, and Philippine Embassy Abu Dhabi Vice Consul Rowena Pangilinan Daquipil, formally marks the soft opening of our well-loved restaurant.

Jollibee's expansion in UAE with their two new stores here in Abu Dhabi greatly made Filipinos happy. They indeed brought us a 'taste of home' with their signature crispylicious and juicylicious Chickenjoy. There is also the Jolly Spaghetti, known for its sweet-style meaty sauce; and Jollibee's signature 'langhap sarap' Yum Burgers and Burger Steak.

Media and VIPs gathered outside Jollibee store to witness the ribbon cutting.

It was our 7th year wedding anniversary and we stayed for couple of days in Traders Hotel in Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi. Our 2 days breakfast was included in our hotel package which was a very good deal; but to dine in for lunch and dinner in a 4-star hotel for couple of days, we thought it was a bit too much for our budget. Good thing that The Souk in Qaryat Al Beri was just 10 mnutes walking distance only from Traders Hotel. We were able to roam around the place and choose from different restaurants they have.

There are many restaurants and cafes in The Souk Qaryat Al Beri which also varies in many cuisines, but we were in the mood for good Asian food. We found The Noodle House which was definitely a good choice to satisfy our craving.

It was late afternoon and the restaurant was quite. There were few people dining at that time. The ambiance was very homey and relaxing. The staff assisted us to our table and gave us the menu. I initially wanted to have noodle soup but after our 10 minutes walk under the sun, I changed my mind ;) . The staff were all very kind and accommodating. It didn't took long and they served our order. Good thing that they already served our food just before diners started coming.

It's been a long time since I last visited Kenny Rogers Roasters and had a taste of their famous roasted chicken. Around 10 years now I guess. Since I was based here in UAE, I never had a chance to dine again in Kenny Rogers because it was not available here. And although I've had several vacations in the Philippines, my family and I usually preferred home-cooked meals. Well, anyway, I still remember how good their roasted chicken and side dishes back then, so when my friends suggested to visit Kenny Rogers' branch in Dubai last weekend it was a sure go!

Kenny Rogers Roasters opened last December 2015 in Al Karama Dubai and it was a huge success. The restaurants offer a casual dining environment with rotisserie roasted chicken as the main core item, while complemented by a variety of hot and cold side dishes.

I must say that the mouth-watering aroma and the taste indeed matched my expectations. It sure reminds me of my college days back home in the Philippines. Well, aside from the good food, their homey ambiance and the crews' superb customer service is definitely worth our 2-hour drive from Abu Dhabi just to try Kenny Rogers Roaster.

Yum!!! Tender, juicy and perfectly spiced roasted chicken.

I'm not a mac and cheese fan but this one makes me change my mind :)

Yep, my very advance birthday celebration ;)

Location: Al Karama Dubai

Facebook: Kenny Rogers Roaster Dubai

Food:★★★★☆

Price:★★★★☆

Service:★★★★☆

This review was long overdue. Well, we only had a chance to visit Jollibee in Dubai mall recently, although they've been open there for almost a year in couple of months now. We were lucky to be in queue for just 15 minutes since we arrived there a little early for lunch time. But after my turn to order, people started coming and the crew patiently assisted customers to be properly in line so other people in the food court will not be disturbed.

My husband and I were so excited that we wanted to try everything in the menu. I just told my husband that our priority was to taste the chicken, spaghetti, hotdog sandwich and the burger. So, I guess we've ordered almost everything. Here are our orders!

The aroma was quite 'The Pinas Jollibee'. Hmmmm, I'm already mouth watering while doing this post. Ok, I started with the spaghetti, it was 95% similar to the original. Then I took a bite of the chicken, I would say it was 90% similar to the original. The rice and burger steak was my husband's but I had a taste of it, I guess it's 98% similar as the original. I ate the jolly hotdog later in the afternoon of the same day and I would say it was 80% similar to the original. Overall, the taste was definitely satisfying. There were slight differences in the taste but I'm sure all our kababayans here in UAE were satisfied and happy.

The success of Jollibee here was really obvious that in less than a year they will be opening more branches in Dubai. Hopefully soon in Abu Dhabi also.

Location: Dubai Mall Food Court

Food:★★★★☆

Price:★★★★☆

Service:★★★★☆

Restaurant Review : Rosewater Restaurant in Jumeirah at Etihad Towers

My husband and I together with our friends had a chance to dine in for breakfast in Rosewater Restaurant in Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. This is one of luxury hotels here in Abu Dhabi and the dining experience was exceptional.

Our friends bought discounted vouchers online and we got almost half the price per person for a buffet breakfast. Half-price with full dining experience!

There were wide range of buffet cuisine options and live cooking station. They had a good selection of fresh fruits and desserts. Food were definitely extraordinaire, the staff were friendly and accommodating, and the architectural ambiance sets an exquisite taste of elegance.