Food Review: 8 Cuts Burger Blends

                                                                                                                                   Hey guys, I'm back for another food review and this time, I have ventured along Mandaluyong particularly in SM Megamall Fashion Hall side.

So, a lot of things has been happening and I'm in the mood to shop and of course find a good place to eat and ever since the new "Fashion Hall" was launched I always have an eye to check out this new joint called 8 Cuts Burger Blends.

Alright girls and boys, I'm a tell you about my recent experience and share you my thoughts of this place.  

Ambiance/Overall set-up

I'd say I'd give them a rating of 3 out of 5 as the place kind of feel retro/futuristic to me which is nice, the tables and chairs are somewhat comfortable. I'd say it's a little bit small but I know it's kind of a fast food restaurant thing but some people would also like to eat and get comfortable and chit chat a bit.  The glass kitchen is also one good attraction to this place.  I like the feel where you can see the prep and cooking station, it's an attraction that diners can check out while waiting for their food. I'd wish really though the place is a little bit bigger so it doesn't look so congested inside.  It clearly reminds me of the U.S. diners that I see when I watch old movies.

The Menu

Since I told you guys that my feel for the place is like a diner, I'd just expect to see regular burgers, fries and the likes. There has been a big array of choices from the so called "best sellers" or the "make your own" specialty burger.  So if you're the type to go all out on toppings and you feel the usual serving is not enough, they can customize it for you.

Right below, you see the menu looks like a paper magazine, there is the burger anatomy that explains how it's made, what kind of mean and how it is cooked and serve. Thumbs up, peeps!

Yummers!

I took a sneak peak of the meat, and by just looking at that, I think it's yummy! Nothing beats fresh meat.

The Arnold Palmer tea and home blend iced tea (95 php for botomless and 60php per glass) was okay. I always like restaurants with bottomless drinks as I go all out when eating. :p

My dad did order the Strawberry milkshake, though I thought it was just like a typical icecream that was melted and called a shake; obviously not that fancy for me and it's a little bit expensive for 180php for a 12oz. my dad like it so I still give it a good thumbs up.

The chocolate milkshake was the same, so so, not too sweet, very thick but didn't give me that wow factor.

The verdict on the burger...

The Q-Daddy Burger is what I ordered.  It's labeled as a tri-cut meat.  A quarter pounder OX blend paty of flank, oxtail and rib eye with yellow cheddar, onion tanglers, crisp bacon strps, iceberg lettuce, tomato, jalapeno ranch and sweetly spiced BBQ sauce all on a Sesame Seed Bum.  This retails for 295php and the double patty is at 385php.

I love the meat, I cannot argue with the flavors of the meat and it was cooked perfectly as I requested it (medium rare). I believe that I ordered the double patty here but from the looks of it, its just the typical quarter pounder.

The toppings are great and the sauce is just okay.  I was looking for so much more on the sauce though, it's a little bit bland to me. Maybe I'm just looking for more of that push.

Rising Shroom (Single patty at 280php and 375php for double patty) was the next we ordered, it's degined as a mustard-fried quarter pounder "Steak Cut Blend" patty of irloiin and chuck with fried oyster mushroom tempupra, white truffle creamed cheese and sauteed mushrooms, all on a Kaiser Roll.

First off, I love the anything with truffles, I love how it compliments the cream cheese and the meat. I would have loved if it gave justice to the mushroom name, as I'm looking for more mushroom versus the two tiny tempura oyster mushrooms and little bit of the sauteed mushrooms. Nonetheles, I liked this burger more than the Q-daddy.

The last burger I want to touch base in here is the Four Cheese (Single patty 245php and double patty, 345php).  It's the Parmesan-crusted quarter -pounder BEEF BOMB BLEND patty of chuck and short ribs, yellow cheddar, aged Gruyere  mozzarella  arugula, garlic aioli all on a Sesame Seed Bun. Who can say no on cheese right? what more if it's different kind of cheese melted on a good combination of meat.  The simplicity of this dish was very empowering and without you knowing it, you consumed it all.

Lastly, this buffalo wings tossed in a sweet and spicy coating mixed with a savory white sauce that reminds me of Charlie's grill buffalo wings.  Just the way you like it. 

Overall, my experience with this joint is a 3 out of 5. I guess I have to explore more and give it another try to really go in depth.  My family liked it especially my dad (a person who rarely gives compliment on dishes bought and cooked outside of our own kitchen).

I love the experience, I'm just looking for something more, but certainly, I'd dine there again but not too soon.

Let me know where you want me to go next? :)

xoxo,
Julienne/Jelly


8 CUTS BURGER BLEND
3rd Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong
Telephone: +632 631-4388 
Mobile: +63 917 505-3356 

Other Branches/Telephone/Mobile Contact Info:
UP Town Center: +632 955-2264 | +63 917 818-2139
Trinoma: +632 730-3884 | +63 917 574-2852 
Rockwell: +632 720-5890 | +63 917 834-1297 
Serendra: +632 550-1964

Website: http://momentgroup.ph/ 
Facebook: 8 Cuts Burger Blends
Instagram: @8CutsBurgerBlends

Twitter: @8CutsBurger 

A quick detour: Ikkoryu Fukuouka Ramen Experience

From the first time I heard of this, I'm quite intrigued as to what this place has to offer.  It took me 2-3 times of eating here to really seal the deal of what a typical Japanese Ramen restaurant may have looked like if I was to go to Japan (which i really plan to go, who wants to take me there?! lol).

It was my grandmother who first read about it on the newspaper, it was visited by the very famous Sandy Daza. And where he goes, I must go. I know for sure there will be good food food there.

My first experience was with my cousin, we barely know about the menu, she got the original base Ikkoryu Original Tonkotsu, we were told that for first timers that's the basic dish.  Since I'm on for more adventure, I chose the Black Garlic Tonkotsu and ever since that's what I order from this store.

Second time I was in here was with one of my best friend and I introduced her the place; she said she liked it. That's a plus! :)

The pictures I have posted below featured my latest visit there.  I particularly went to the branch in Shangri-La as I live near the place. It was a gloomy day and I'm with mom and my grandmother.

The vibe of the place is like fast food chain that was taken a little bit up a notch.  You are greeted by the crew in chorus with a Japanese tagline (i forgot).

I like the bamboo/wood markings that acts like a frame.  The tables are simple, plastic chairs, condiments on it and their usual chopsticks and paper place mats.  I would have like it more though if the place were a little bit bigger.

A good to know I'd like to share with you is that "ramen" is really a dish you eat alone.  They say that it's your dish after a hard day at work; cold weather or maybe after a night shindig of drinking.

Based from my research, I learned as well that Japanese ramen varies depending on which region it comes from. So their basic ingredients are the same but maybe different on their add-ons as they say it varies based from the region where it originates.

You can get a complimentary tea (I think it was rice tea) to cleanse you palette or while waiting for your meal.  We asked for simple syrup since the tea was a little bitter but good.

Let's get back to the food, shall we. Here's how the Black Garlic Tonkotsu (php 380) looks like. It's description was it's a "Tonkotsu soup mixed with special roast garlic". I love how you feel the warmth of this dish, the scent of the garlic is not overpowering in my opinion.  The soup itself is really rich, the broth is definitely done well.  There are 2 pieces of slices pork, veggies and seaweed. When mixed, it's a good comfort food, specially in the colder months/rainy season or let's just say whenever you crave for noodles.

Talking about noodles, you are given a choice of how you like your noodles.  This can be extra soft, medium and hard if I remember it right.  I always pick the hard noodles, though it's not really the type that feels like a stir fried noodle, it's just the right consistency. I like the noodles in these restaurants because it's freshly made, I wouldn't feel like I'm about to throw up when I'm full. *pardon my french*

                                               

It's my grandmother's first time and she just wanted the very basic dish, I chose Ajitama Tonkotsu (php 380) for her.  It was described in the menu as a ramen topped with a special half-boiled egg that is fully marinated with a special blended soy sauce base.

The simplicity of this ramen is a winner for me.  It's just like your typical comfort food.  It's complete, you got the eggs, the pork slices and the fresh noodles. I feel like I was hugged and ready for sleepy time after. :)

Last on our list is the new addition to their array of flavors.  My mom picked the Ninniku Tonkotsu (php 380).  It's a "tonkotsu ramen given a flavorful jolt from natural aromatic and full bodied flavor of garlic" says their menu. :) 

All I can say is that when there's garlic it has to be good.  My mom's first impression and mine was the same, this is an upgraded version of our local "mami". It's fresh garlic infused broth, with the succulent pork and noodles is a great combination. Very tasty.

Karaage Fried Chicken (less 200 php)was our appetizer and I must say, it's a moised chicken but I hope they improve on the plating and serving. When I first saw it, I was like fried chicken? the dressing was okay but there's nothing special on it.  I was curious because its one of their best sellers.

They'd always recommend eating your noodles with these Gyoza (php 180). It's badly plated and looked like it came from a pack and then fried all of the same time after boiling. Though, I must say I like the taste of the dish, it's like the one's I buy from the grocers (but come to think of it, i get more if i buy the frozen gyoza).

Okay, since I've said my piece on each dishes I've tried, let's do a run down on my overall thoughts, shall we? The ramen, it's something that I will definitely come back for as I feel cozy eating it and what's important I feel full after the meal.  Pricing, though I'd say it's a little bit expensive, I think it just give justice on the amount of time to prepare for the dish. Also, their location is very good for me as I live near the mall where it's at. 

I'd give this place a good 4 out of 5, since it's fairly new, I know there are a lot of improvement they can do in terms of their appetizers and other dishes that is not the main attraction which is the ramen of course. 

I hope my opinions on this place is very helpful to you guys. And, let me know what are your own thoughts if you have tried it. 

Lastly, where do you think I should go next? Comment down below. :)

By the way, the place i go to is located at Shangri-La Mall Level 5 East Wing Shaw Boulevard corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City.  You may call them at 47-8333. They are open from Monday-Thurs 11am-9pm, Friday 11am-10pm; Saturday 10am-10:pm and Sunday 10am-9pm.  Their online website is http://ikkoryu.ph/


xoxo
Julienne