Mary Grace (Restaurant) - Alabang Branch

Aahhhhh... how does one explain how she came to live in a restaurant?

Okay, well, not SERIOUSLY live in one. Just have it as a second home.
Mary Grace (the Cafe/Restaurant) at the Alabang Town Center, for the past few months, has been my home away from home. At least twice a week, I eat dinner/merienda there while the kids are finishing up at their learning center.

And my oh my. Let me enumerate my favorites. Actually it may even be easier to enumerate those that AREN'T, so don't be surprised if you find 3/4 of the menu below:
1. Classic Ensaymada - what was Mary Grace first known first? Their oh-so-fluffy ensaymadas topped generously with queso de bola toppings that spill over on the plate. Baked fresh everyday.

All Pics taken from Mary Grace Official Website - http://www.marygracecafe.com/
2. Cheese Rolls - More beloved actually than the Ensaymada, personally, because of the solid queso de bola cheese middle, which I adore.

3. Salmon Pasta - Carbonara with Salmon Bits. This I always have for dinner or lunch, when I'm looking for something heavier.
4. Sangria Iced Tea - Super refreshing, when it's really hot and I'm looking for something cold that isn't a Wendy's iced tea, this is what I crave for.
5. Raspberry Iced Tea - my first love actually, before discovering Sangria. Also fantastic when you're looking for a more robust burst in flavor.
6. Hot chocolate - super thick, this doesn't disappoint. My friends order this every single time they come here to meet with me.
7. Quesong Puti Appetizer - I forgot exactly the name for this but it's crostini bread with garlic quesong puti that you can slice and spread on the bread.
8. Mango Bene- a light dessert similar to that of contis Mango Bravo, minus the nuts and other heavy elements. J actually prefers this. I like it myself but I still look for the nutty taste of Mango Bravo.

9. Apple Pie - I'm a harsh critic of Apple pies, but this one's pretty good. The crust is so... I don't know, home-made tasting? Not frozen, it really tastes fresh always. Always request heated .

10. Chocolate cake- simple but the good recipe. Not too heavy. It reminds me of the chocolate cakes in Magallanes, so if you're a fan of that you should try this.

They also serve breakfast on weekends, 8AM, that are worth trying because the ambience is really just so homey. My kids love the butterfly touches all over the restaurant, but for me it's the Christmas lights on the windows and the lamps that really give the restaurant that merry feel. Bathrooms are ALWAYS clean as they check every 15 minutes (just so you know) =D

And best of all - plugs and Wifi. Free. Need I say more? Oh well, I will become I'm just obnoxious like that.

Oh and I can go on and on about their wonderful staff. Their waiters and waitresses are really super kind and patient. Plus attentive and friendly. If you use your credit card once, chances are they'll greet you each time by name already (similar to Starbucks).

My different barkada groups have grown accustomed to meeting me here instead of just a regular cup of coffee in Starbucks (though I still heart Starbucks). It's just a great place to bring family or friends to. And judging by how it's always filled to the brim now, I'm sure other Alabangers feel the same way now.

MARY GRACE CAFE
Alabang Town Center Muntinlupa
10am-10:30pm (Mon-Thurs), 8am-11pm (Fri-Sun)
Ground floor, Corte de las Palmas Tel: 828 8476 | 0917 515 7524

Army Navy Burger + Burrito - Alabang Branch

A lot of you have probably eaten at this place by now, in particular, the Tagaytay Branch near Starbucks. But being a die-hard Antonio's and Buon Giorno fan, I rarely find space in my stomach to try anything new in Tagaytay. So it was great to see a new Army-Navy branch open at the New Commerce Center along Commerce Ave. in Alabang. Everytime I would pass by it though (it's along a very important main road) it would be full to the brim.
That's a FANTASTIC sign in my opinion!
Today, as I was pondering where to have our late lunch, J suggested we try it now, which I thought was a great idea! We headed over to the Commerce Center and parked in the super tight parking underneath (I can't imagine parking there on a packed night). Though not a peak hour (about 2PM) the place was loosely full (and by that I mean each table was taken but not full).
Eagerly J ordered the Bully Boy Burger (P235), which is a  Triple Quarter-pound beef  buger (and described to be "Made Big to Beef Up a Batallion."
Oh my, J.
I reminded him that I would NOT drive him to Asian Hospital if he had a mini-stroke eating this burger, as I would like to leasurely enjoy my meal. Sorry.
I ordered something that was not on the flyer (and the menu, I think), but was advertised on a poster by the menu. It was called "the Starving Sailor" (which I was, seriously, by 2PM) - (P225). It was made of thin strips of beef, cheese, jalapeno, onions, and looked a little bit like a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. Yumyumyum. I ordered their Libertea (P45, Large)to go with it (I'm a huge huge fan of Iced Teas).
While waiting for our sandwiches, I peered into their kitchen. It was very clean and full of expensive, expensive equipment. I think I failed to mention that it was adjacent to Yellow Cab (I think they're linked), which is also known for their expensive kitchen equipment. Impressive. The store interiors itself was very clever, with cement blocks and other army and navy paraphernalia worked into the ceiling and walls.
After a 5-minute wait, our orders arrived, and we were not dissappointed with the size of these babies. My oh my. Check these pics out.

Starving Sailor with Libertea

the Bully Boy Burger

My sandwich was Huge, like, a good 8 or 9 inches I think. Yeaaah I like em Big. When I had my first bite though, I was a little disappointed, but really just a little. I think I was looking for a stronger jalapeno taste. The sandwich itself was really great, and the meat was very soft! But ultimately I was looking for that "kick" which I didn't really get, I had to add mustard to find it. But you know, it's really different tastes for different people, and I know I tend to lean towards stronger and more extreme tastes.

 Pic taken from Official Website.
Their Libertea was refreshingly good too. I'm a harsh critic of Iced Tea, and refuse to eat in restos with sucky iced teas (yeah I'm crazy like that), but Libertea was okay. Not super, actually not super tasteful and could use more ice, but pretty good (and pretty cheap too). Not too sweet, that's for sure!
I also tasted J's Burger, it was smoky good! Good bun, well cooked patties (yes all three of them!) In my disbelief, he polished the whole thing off then ordered a Chocolate Milkshake (P99). Nabitin pa? I tasted the Milkshake too (yes I taste everything he orders, I know that's what you're thinking) and THAT was really good. Small though, 12 oz. cup only for P99, but I know Milkshakes have really expensive ingredients so it's forgiveable.
 
Pic taken from Official Website.
I would love to try other things next time (I'm definitely coming back for more). Steak burritos (P155), Fearless Fried Chicken (P135) and Chicken Quesadilla (P135) look promising. Nomnomnom.

 

Right in all aspects. See you soon Army Navy! Probably tomorrow.
ARMY NAVY Burrito + Burger
Bridgestone Building, Commerce Avenue
Alabang, Muntinlupa City