FOOD: Joey Pepperoni at SM Calamba

We went to SM Calamba to do some grocery shopping but decided to eat early lunch first before everybody else does. We wanted something Italian so we dined at Joey Pepperoni (our third time). We ordered Gamberi Pasta, Margherita Pizza, and Rosemary Chicken with Rice. The food preparation usually takes 20-30 minutes, maybe the reason why their placemats have games printed on it.

I love seafood and it always comes first to my order list. Gamberi Pasta is a savory mix of pomodoro sauce (tomatoes + garlic + olive oil + basil + seasonings) with shrimps and bacon, served with a bread stick. The pasta is cooked al dente and there are fairly enough pieces and bits of shrimps and bacon.

For 2-person sharing, the 8" Margherita Pizza is more than enough because we had our own full meals :-D Good thing it is low in calorie, topped only with mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes and basil leaves. I have bigger appetite than Ed so I ended up eating 3 slices of it. I had no choice :-D Hahaha

Ed had Rosemary Chicken with Rice (Pollo al Rosmarino con Riso). We already had pasta the night before at Faustina's Los Baños so he chose rice this time. Me? I didn't mind having pasta straight in a row :-D By first look at the chicken, we thought that this is not what we had before and what was posted in their website. The chicken seemed dry and overcooked, very different from what we got in our previous dines. What we had before was similar to what was shown on their website: 

So the verdict? 3 stars out of 5. Will we eat at Joey Pepperoni restaurants again? Well yes, but will definitely not order the Rosemary chicken again. I hope that all restaurants out there, especially the franchises, will be consistent in serving high quality food so the paying customers will get the value that have been paid for.

- Ed & Glai

FOOD: Fu Japanese Restaurant at Paseo de Sta. Rosa

We used to work in a company located across Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Because of this, we had almost tried all the restaurants in the area. We both LOVE Japanese food and Fu Japanese Restaurant  is our favorite place! Actually, there used to be many Jap resto in Paseo de Sta. Rosa: Ippon-Yari (across), Fu, Ichi, Umenoya, Ryuma... but the last three mentioned are already closed, sad to say. I said Fu is our fave because the freshness of the food they serve and the ambiance of the place. Those who have eaten there before may say that the place isn't as fancy as the others, or the staff from other restaurants are dressed better, blah blah blah... but that's actually what we liked about Fu. It feels homey (especially for Japanese nationals) and less commercialized. So we were able to enjoy our food feeling relaxed, laid back.. ohhh I want to go back.

In the picture, you will know that WE LOVE SASHIMI! Mouth-watering... We rate this restaurant 4 out of 5. Will we eat at Fu again? Of course, YES!!! And we promise ourselves to try each meal on their menu. :-)

-Ed & Glai