Review: Brickfire - Steaks at Affordable price

Update as of 7/5/2014:

I decided to visit again this Brickfire branch, June 29, 2014. to see if this issue did really reach to the owners of Brickfire. The manager listened to my follow-up in regards to the incident. Tonight, I received an email from one of the owners himself and I am glad that they took an action already about my issue. In my response, I gave additional suggestions and thanked the owner at the end. I am still considering eating there again. :)

Update as of 5/19/2014: 

I am very happy that the incident has been addressed by the management.  This is the reply from their email:

Good afternoon Ma'am. 

After investigating what happened, we found out that you were actually talking to one of our OJTs. 

Our staff have names embroidered in their uniform, as seen in the picture below: 

(I didn't post the 2nd picture because it's a full name ^^)

The OJT has been addressed by the owner himself. We will report the incident to their school directly. 

Thank you. 

I admit that I didn't notice that Brickfire's staff have their names embroidered since the OJT mean girl wore a black top, not a uniform. I thought she's a regular staff there at that time.

I think I can promote Brickfire again for their management and ethics improvement. Their action is enough for me to think that Brickfire management really cares for their customers.

Yey! :)


5/9/2014 (Here's the incident if you want to know) or you can read my first post for my original review.

BEWARE! "Ugly people" aren't welcome!!!"

I hope Brickfire Management will hire not just skillful (are they?) but polite staff. 

Around 8pm at Brickfire SM North EDSA Annex, I am so disappointed with Brickfire because anyone who are let's say physically and intellectually challenged aren't welcome in this restaurant. I just mispronounced the word Duke and I understand that someone will not avoid to snicker and laugh but instead of politely correcting me or for them to stay on the kitchen and release what they feel about the funny situation, the fair skinned lady with colored brown hair laughed and whispered to the other staff about it. They didn't show respect so when I ordered the Duke and they took my order, I just waited in a minute where I thought they prepared my order and left the restaurant in irritation ( I don't know if they really did prepare my order. Also, I've lost my appetite because of my frustration). I don't want to be the next "amalayer" where the video taken wasn't really complete and I don't want to be a notorious sensation that's why this is the way I can share my disappointment.

My first post:

We will be having a celebration back then. I searched for credit card promos and good thing, Eastwest bank offers a promo that orders reaching a minimum single receipt purchase of P1000 at Brickfire Oven-Roasted Steaks & Chops, you'll receive either Seafood chowder or Cheesy Nachos and fries.

I really love steaks with vegetables and mashed potato or rice but the regular prices hindered me to eat at steak restaurants. I am content eating tenderloin even if it isn't really made of US or Wagyu beef. I am not a fan of bistek tagalog due that I can cook this in our house.

Expecting lots of people on our celebration day, I called Brickfire SM North Edsa branch to have our reservation. Our celebration day comes and I ordered Cowgirl Annie (Brickfire's version of T-bone steak) and others ordered Duke (Brickfire's version of tenderloin steak).

All orders will be subject to 10% service charge. We're happy that our dinner is sulit. Better to buy here than steaks at Pancake house. We tried the P99 steaks before but these ones are more decent.

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Taisho Ramen review: Hakata Tonkotsu ramen

Taisho Ramen review: SM North Edsa Sky Garden

I would like to share my first hand (also tongue :P) experience in tasting their well known Traditional Fresh Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen.

I am a fan of Rai Rai Ken for the affordable quality ramen but recently, no more Rai Rai Ken in SM North. Upon reaching the sky garden, I saw the newly opened ramen place and prices are cheaper than P200 so I gave it a try.

Having a ground pepper,sort of chili sauce,red pepper and a crusher make adding spices and tasting easier. I can only read the first kanji "大” Tai which is related to great,big and large. Taisho 大将 means general but I think in this restaurant, they are referring also to master. Hmm... sounds nice huh. Taisho ramen. General ramen or Master ramen,

Although the egg wasn't fully boiled. The chashu and sesame seeds were the saving graces. The chashu even with less fat tastes good and the meat is not too thin nor too thick like in Santouka Ramen and not having much fat like in Kichitora of Tokyo even though I like the chashu in Kichitora .  

 I tried the crusher but it isn't really a crusher, It's an extractor or a squeezer. The juice of the red pepper came out. My meal was complete. I cannot stop eating. I emptied the whole bowl and felt satisfied.

For a P195 ramen, it's really sulit! I ate at this restaurant two times already but on my third time, their prices change. I asked the staff why is there a price increase. The reason for this is the last price was for promotion. Too bad :( . Anyway, their recent price is P235 for this quality ramen and it is still cheaper compared to other ramen restaurants. It still has no service charge. I would also like to try Rai Rai Ken again. This Saturday, I will go back again to this restaurant, Taisho Ramen.

Rating: 4/5

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Tous Les Jours: Apple Inspiration Cake review

Tous les jours is a French word which literally means All the days but it really means "Everyday"

Since we are already in SM North Annex for a family celebration. My sister bought a cake from Tous Les Jours.

Tous Les Jours is an  Asian-French bakery. It served bakery goods and beverages in several countries. Here in SM North Edsa, they have branches in The Block and Annex.

The Apple Inspiration costs 548 pesos. Expensive isn't it? Well, we will see if the price is really worth it or if it's just a fad like cronuts.

The Tous les jours tag on the side is a chocolate and it's edible

Candles also from TLJ

Upon eating the cake, it isn't too sweet unlike others. You can taste the apple and sort of white cheese and cream.

 This cake doesn't easily melt. It is enough for a family of six. What I did not find pleasing to eat is the:

You're right, I don't like the taste of the leaf. It has a somewhat bitter + green tea taste. Aargh!

Still, the cake is 4/5 stars, The price isn't bad for this.

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