Rey BelenAlong with other Pinoy Christmas traditions is eating with family or friends over a cup of hot choco, salabat together with bibingka and puto bumbong.
Now, IHOP Restaurant, is making its own menu to add to your list of Christmas food to try this year.
IHOP added three in their menu just for the yuletide season, the Bibingka Pancake, Dulce de Leche and Malagos Hot Chocolate.
Fortunately, I was able to try the three, plus other new stuff in the IHOP Restaurant’s menu additions.
Here is the rundown of the new must-try’s in IHOP this season.
IHOP Restaurant’s Christmas Specials
IHOP Bibingka Pancake (P 225)
The IHOP Bibingka Pancake became an instant fave. I like bibingka more than puto bumbong. But this one is just a class of its own. The IHOP Bibingka Pancake brings the traditional Filipino bibingka with that unique touch of pancake on it. Making it a combination of both the western pancake and the Pinoy bibingka. Wouldn’t you just love that?
The IHOP Bibingka Pancake is served with whole duck eggs, muscovado sugar, and garnished with shredded parmesan, cheddar cheese, and desiccated coconut. Topped with a scoop of butter and served on banana leaf.
IHOP Dulce de Leche Pancake (P 255)
At first l, I prefer the Dulce de Leche Pancake over the Bibingka Pancake. As it looks so good. I mean, plating-wise, Dulce de Leche can surely make you drool over that sweet-looking treat.
Personally, it looked good. But, it was not as I expected it to be. When tasted side-by-side with the Bibingka Pancake, I prefer the bibingka. Hehehe.
Though, it is not to say, that the Dulce de Leche is not good, it is just that I like the bibingka more.
Dulce De Leche Pancake is served with two buttermilk pancakes filled with fresh bananas, spread with dulce de leche, topped with a drizzle of dark chocolate syrup, and crowned with whipped cream.
IHOP Malagos Hot Chocolate (Php 145)
Aaaahhh… This one is a sure hit!
Whether you sip it together with the Dulce de Leche or the Bibingka Pancake, with the IHOP Malagos Hot Chocolate, you can never go wrong. The thick, creamy feel of the Malagos chocolate is just great. Malagos choco is made from all-natural, single origin beans grown and harvested in Davao.
So, if you’re up for some good food this Christmas season, IHOP really has something for you.
“Holidays are a big part of our campaigns,” said Archie Rodriquez, President and CEO of Global Restaurant Concepts Inc., which owns and operates IHOP in the Philippines. He added: “We are proud to celebrate this joyous season with our diners with a Filipino touch.”
BUT, pancakes and chocolate drink are not all the new offerings at IHOP. I was able to try their new selection of burgers and pasta meals. So if you’re not a pancake person, then you might want to check the burger, pasta and steak selection of IHOP.
Below is a quick list of some of what I’ve tried so far in their new additions.
IHOP Western Hash Brown Burger (P 435)
Unleash your inner cowboy with this bad boy made of hash browns, American cheese, tomatoes, and bacon.
IHOP Philly Cheese Steak Burger (P 455)
Any burger lover will definitely agree that in any American-inspired restaurant or burger joint, this is one variety you shouldn’t miss. So is the one in IHOP. Their Philly Cheese Steak Burger proves to be more than satisfactory. IHOP’s version maintains the classic Southern burger with provolone cheese, Philly meat, green bell pepper, onions, mushroom, and red potato seasoning, combined with fries.
IHOP Cheesy Mac Burger (P 455)
IHOP Cheesy Mac Burger. Need I say more?
This cheesy, delightful burger, packed with macaroni is a sure treat for anyone wanting to be full, instantly. Lol!
The rich taste of cheese, burger, together with bacon is meaty-good. This comfort food is made for the cheese lovers in mind plus macaroni (fave of many Americans) topped with bacon, lettuce leaf, dill pickle and more cheese sauce.
IHOP Sunrise Burger (P 435)
This is the second surprisingly tasty offering of IHOP that I tasted. The goodness of burger and bacon with a sunny-side up egg. Protein-overload! Hahaha.
Other ingredients include sun dried tomato pesto, red onion rings and American cheese
IHOP Pot Roast Pasta (P 295)
Chunks of moist, slow-cooked pot roast in a bed of creamy penne, mixed with sauteed tomatoes and a zing of sour cream. Served with garlic bread.
IHOP Carbonara Pasta (P 365)
If you are looking for white sauced pasta, then this creamy Fettuccini pasta mixed with crispy bacon, ham, fresh mushrooms and shredded Parmesan topped with sunny-side upp egg will surely bring delight to your taste buds. The unique blend of egg is a big addition to the usual carbonara most have come to liked. The IHOP Carbonar Pasta is also served with garlic bread
IHOP Italian Chicken Pasta (P 325)
IHOP Italian Chicken Pasta Grilled chicken over fettuccini pasta, spinach and mushrooms in a house-made tomato Alfredo sauce topped with shredded Parmesan. Served with garlic bread.
IHOP Sriracha Chicken and Waffle (P 365)
This Belgian waffle-chicken combo is another instant fave for me.
The sweet-spicy mix that you can taste from the chicken (inside-out) just sizzles in the mouth and tongue. It is the combination of butter pecan sauce and sriracha.
You at least have a good picture of what to try next in IHOP.
IHOP is a franchised restaurant from US. This year, IHOP Philippines has branches in Bonifacio Global City, UP Town Center in Katipunan, SM Mall of Asia, Century City Mall in Kalayaan, Makati, Filinvest Alabang and in Araneta Center.
IHOP offers complete dining experience from breakfast to dinner. And for this Christmas season, IHOP BGC is extending its operating hours to 24 hours from December 16, 2014 until January 3, 2015 to cater to Pinoys observing the Simbang Gabi.
Rey Belen
