There is always a first time for everything and I'm always excited to try new things. Because most of the time, they are the ones that brings so much fun and great memories. So when a few weeks ago when I was honored to be invited for the first ever Zomato Philippines Quiz Night; though I have worked that night, I still accepted the invitation. Well, it was my first time to attend one, and I couldn't miss it for the world.
The said event was held at 121 Restaurant at the BGC Stop Over. A handful of Zomato foodies and Zomato employees attended the said event and groups were formed to battle one another. I was assigned to group 4 and we decided to name our team as "Fourever". Everyone was super competitive that night and the battle was super tight. I love that the questions were all about food. It was really nice to learn new information and having such a good time while the quiz night was happening.
More than being a bar and grill resto, 121 became popular because of its regular quiz/trivia night. 121 is the pioneer of holding quiz nights in restaurants in the Philippines and they have been doing it for years now. I remember my former boss talking about 121 because she regularly attends its quiz night at their Salcedo branch. I am familiar with it, since the branch in Salcedo is just a stone's throw away from where I work. For 5 years, I have passed by that place almost everyday but never got the chance to check it out nor attend any of its quiz night.
It's nice that 121 had opened a lot more branches across the metro, which only means that business is doing well and a lot of people are getting engaged with its regular quiz night. While the groups were competing to win, we were also treated with 121's best selling food items. What could be more exciting than that?
So here's the menu items that we got to try while battle to our wits' end about how much we all love food; after all everyone who was there for sure is a certified foodie.
121 Scandal
This cocktail is a mixture of rum, sprite, mint, lemon and lime. Unfortunately I was not able to try it, yup not even a sip, because I still have to go to work after the quiz night. But my co-Zomato foodies looked like they pretty much enjoyed it. We were also warned that it can be a traitor because at first you think you're still sober and ok, then one minute later you're all wasted.
Lumpiang Shanghai
This is the all-time favorite Filipino-style deep fried spring rolls, but 121's version came in chubby bite sizes, more like pops, which made everyone can't stop popping one into their mouths. They were tasty and obviously everyone enjoyed it since they were gone in a flash.
Chicken Binakol is a chicken soup dish that is similar with tinola, except that coconut water is used as a base for the soup. Coconut meat is also thrown into it. TBH, I am not fond of soup-based Filipino dishes (well, except for Sinigang). 121's version of chicken binakol was just ok. It's nice though that the meat is well cooked.
Tuyo Fried Rice
I am a fan of fried rice and tuyo (dried fish) and this to me is a winner. Others found it quite salty and too flavorful to be eaten with the other dishes that were served, but I personally love it.
Grilled Pork Liempo
Flavorful like a good-old grilled pork belly should taste. Nothing fancy and best dipped in 121's very own seasoning/dip. The meat was tender and the smokiness was spot-on.
I really don't know how a great salpicao should taste like. Well some say it should be garlicky and buttery. But all I know is that 121's was good and the beef was super tender. I love mushrooms too, so yeah this one is good for me.
Lucky for me, I still had the chance to try one of 121's dessert which is the White Chocolate Cheesecake. It was funny that the owner delivered a disclaimer that 121 isn't a dessert place. Their cheesecake was ok, yes. It tasted more of a gelatinous white chocolate cake more than a cheesecake; the cheese flavor was so subtle it was barely noticeable.
Oh gosh, how I wish I didn't have work that night so I could have stayed longer. Even though I had to leave even before the quiz night ended, I sure did have lots of fun. I would probably go to one of 121's quiz nights one of these days.
A totally fun night: great people/co-Zomato foodies, great food, additional knowledge... what more do you need? Oh btw, our team, Team Fourever, won!!! Talk about bragging rights for the first ever winner of the first ever Zomato x 121 Quiz Night!
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