Johnny Rockets Newest Gourmet Offering

Not long ago, when FIFA World Cup is not on season yet, hubby and I delighted ourselves with watching The Pickers, Pawn Stars, Kings of Restoration and Storage Wars, every morning (and the evening before that) on History channel.  Both of us love knowing stories behind every vintage items featured.  It's not that we got stuck on the era where phone booths, jukebox and discos were the "in thing."  But it amazes us how such old, yet timeless pieces can still be sparkling and exciting.

Thus, one of the things that get us through at times when we needed to dine out is having hearty meals or snackaroos at places with vintage vibes.  Best example would be Johnny Rockets.

 Where else can you hype black and white tile floorings, red-leathered chairs, all-American inspired diner,

 and, dancing wait-staff?

 It was my second time at Johnny Rockets (but had my first on a different branch) and I can still remember how fun it was seeing their staff invite diners with their dance, to the tune of 70's and 80's music.  Just a reminder to those who plan to apply at any Johnny Rockets' restaurants, make sure you practice well with your dance pieces so you can be sure of landing a spot for the job.  I'm not kidding!

 Well anyways, I was recently at their Eastwood Mall branch and I was blessed enough to try their latest gourmet burger and beverage.  It was a bloggers' event and it was indeed a pleasure to be part of it.

But before I announce their newest offering, let me share this photo.  My hubby for sure will be dumbfounded when he sees this.  Not the booty dance, you silly!  I was eyeing on the vintage coin dispenser on one of the staff's belt.  We just saw this one in an episode at The Pickers, and they bought one from a lady from Texas, collecting all sorts of things.  Just one of the nifty things you can find inside the retro resto.

 Now, drum roll please, let me introduce their latest gourmet burger, the Lobster Wagyu Burger.

 An order will cost you P 925.  Served on a wooden board, you will have the gourmet burger, a hefty serving of French fries and half of a big grilled and buttered shrimp.
The Wagyu beef patty sandwiched on Kaiser buns with Iceberg lettuce is topped with lobster mayo dressing.  I know, Wagyu alone sounds expensive (that's why it's classified under gourmet, duh!) but with an addition of lobster it's a different level all-together.
"Why Wagyu", you may ask.   People often describe its kind of meat as melting - real wagyu almost literally does, as the high fat levels baste the muscle from within.  I'm not just sure where they got the Wagyu beef?
I did not find that ideal in Johnny Rockets, but I do love the taste of the lobster dressing on top of it.
Surprisingly, Wagyu and lobster complemented each other's taste.
But all-in-all, ordering one can worth every cent, I mean just the experience of having lobster on a burger is just a treat already. Don't you think?
How about a foie gras burger next time?

For the adventurously wild epicures, here is their newest beverage, the Wasabi Milkshake (P 295).
Why? Why? Why?

If you have Wagyu, the next best bet would probably be anything with Wasabi.  In this case, it was infused in their famous milkshake.  A bold and brave take on their famous milkshakes.  Wondering why their shakes are good?  According to Mr. Bondoc (Johnny Rockets EVP-COO), they use a different cream with a specialized butter content, making every sip smooth and the flavor associated, rich.

I honestly love my first sip.  But I wasn't able to finish the whole tall glass, the effect of wasabi really got into my senses and almost gave me a headache.  It was overpowering towards the mid glass.  If they could have toned down the wasabi flavor down to a hint, it would have been a blast of a shake.

Eastwood Branch
Address: G/F Eastwood Mall Veranda, Libis, Quezon City
Contact details:  +632 4702117 / +632 4702208

Burgos Circle
Address:  Unit WS-1 Burgos Circle,Forbes TownCenter,
               RizalDrive Cor.West CrescentPark,
               Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Contact Details:  (02) 836-9546

Tomas Morato Branch
Address:  No. 205, JR 1 Building, Tomas Morato Ave,
               beside CKB Center Bldg., (in between Scout Rallos
               & Scout Limbaga Streets),Barangay Laging Handa,
               Quezon City
Contact Details:  +632 3520693 / +632 3528486

Robinsons Galleria Branch
Address:  Level 2, Space No. 2355,
               Robinsons Galleria Veranda, Robinsons Mall,
               Edsa corner Ortigas Ave., Ugong Norte,
              Quezon City
Contact Details:  +632 4776499 / +632 4776501

Getting Acquainted with Sunday Producers' Market at Evia

Last Sunday was hotter than the usual...or maybe not.  I guess we spent the day longer outside the house to visit friends located at the South.  It was a routine before the start of a school week, so it's market or grocery day for this domestic diva and for the girls.  This time it included the family's "bunso," our pup, Hazel Nutella.

We first visited my friend Julie and her kids at their house at Cerritos Heights along Daang Hari to finally meet their latest family addition, their princess type Shi Tzu named Summer.  

Another plan was to buy farm staples from the EVIA Producers' Market.  Below is the event poster which I shared in our Facebook page.

Win a Romantic Dinner Concert for Two at The Dining Room

It's Valentines days once more!  I know we are on the mid-month of April and the hoola-balouh of  February has ended, but don't you want to celebrate it once more, or if you weren't able to , here is an opportunity.
Gourmet Farms will be celebrating their  25th year, a Silver Anniversary, and as their way of expressing their heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported, bought and have experienced their wonderful service in the dining and gardening world they want to share it to their most blessed customer.
So, how's a Dinner for two at The Dining Room of  Gourmet Farms in Silang sounds?
Passe?
Well then, how about a Concert Dinner for 2?
Better yet, a Dinner Concert where Jose Mari Chan serenades  you and your special someone while enjoying a sumptuous deal of a meal.
Here is how:
1.  Visit www.eventsandweddings.ph and subscribe to the side to be eligible for their contest.
2.  Send them an email at eventsanweddings.ph@gmail.com  answering this question:
        What do you want the most about Gourmet Farms and why?
    You can sent only one entry.
3.  Here is the real stunner,  on April 21, 2012, Jose Mari Chan himself will be the one to choose the best entry and the lucky winners will be joining the 25th Anniversary celebration of Gourmet Farms with Jose Mari Chan hosting the event.
4.  Fine print:  Your e mail address and the information on the said email will be shared publicly for marketing purposes.
5.  Once you've been chosen, you need to confirm your attendance 1 day before.
6.  Promo runs from April 1 to 21, 2012.

The PRIZE:
1.  Dinner Concert for two on the 28th of April 2012 with Jose Mari Chan at The Dining Room, Gourmet Farms, Silang, Cavite.
2.  A sumptuous dinner for two is included (without wine and liquor).
3.  A souvenir 25th Anniversary gift bag for all attendees.

Company Details The Dining Room at Gourmet Farms is the newest event venue just five minutes away from the Tagaytay Rotonda. The imposing white structure with its blue dome is nestled in what used to be Gourmet Cafe along Km. 52, General Aguinaldo Highway, Lalaan 2, Silang, Cavite. The venue has a comfortable seating capacity of 150 guests in its main dining area. The place has a mobile stage, its own kitchen and bar, private function rooms, separate sound room, restroom facilities and covered verandas, one of which opens up to a lush al fresco garden. The al fresco area can accommodate a maximum of 300 guests. Event packages that can be customized to the client’s preference cater to a party of 50 to 500. The Dining Room at Gourmet Farms also has a roofdeck overlooking part of the pathway leading to the 11-hectare organic farm and a distant view of the activity along the highway. Special weekend lunch and dinner buffet set-ups that serve, among others, an exciting menu called “Ang Bagong Pinoy,” present favorite Filipino classics like adobo, kare-kare, lechon kawali, sinigang, and pakbet with a more cosmopolitan flavor using a variety of culinary herbs grown in the farm. The main attraction of the buffet is always its bottomless salad bowl (which its predecessor Gourmet Café pioneered back in the early 80s.) A generous heaping of organically-grown greens that Gourmet Farms is known for, is tossed a la minute for each guest. The distinct and meticulous presentation of the dishes complete the whole dining experience. Location An easy 90-minute drive from Manila, the Dining room can be found on Mile Marker 52 on the Aguinaldo Highway in Silang Cavite. Our location is perfect for those wishing to have more than just a great dining experience. We’re minutes from the scenic ridge of Tagaytay with its magnificent views of the Taal Volcano and Taal Lake, and surrounded by its churches and retreat houses. It’s also perfect for travelers, as we are enroute to the beaches of Batangas and we’re close to hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, and spas. Features The Dining Room can accommodate 200 guests seated and up to 400 standing, and hundreds more in the adjacent landscaped gardens. You will be attended to by the trained catering staff of Gourmet Farms and served with an array of meals from our Filipino and International Menus. The venue is equipped with a platform stage and separate sound rooms that you can use to entertain your guests. We also offer design and printing support for invitations or marketing collaterals. For your convenience, we have a paved parking lot that can hold up to 30 cars. And when you need to take a break or sometime to yourself, there’s always the Splendid Chapel, as well as guest rooms, in the Sanctuary.

	Gourmet Farms
Website:	info@thediningroom.com.ph
Contact Person:	JESSICA (+63-917-8312299) ISABEL (+63-922-8213977) ANNE (+63-920-9618121)