IHOP Philippines at Bonifacio Global City, The Fort ~ NOW OPEN!

IHOP Restaurant, the iconic brand known for dishing out unparalleled all-day breakfast fares has finally landed at Asia Pacific region by opening its first branch in The Philippines located at Bonifacio Global City, The Fort. Famous for its pancakes, omelettes, and other breakfast items, IHOP Philippines is set to extend the distinct IHOP experience to diners here in Asia. Today, February 15, 2013 marks their opening day.

Check Out My Latest IHOP Post: A Revisit To IHOP Philippines at BGC The Fort

With number of restaurants in Manila offering an all-day breakfast dishes, the opening of IHOP Philippines is a welcome addition to the fast growing local dining scene here in the country. This remarkable addition is made possible by the partnership between International House of Pancake's parent company, DineEquity Inc. and Global Restaurants Concepts Inc. through its subsidiary InterDine Corp.

Currently, IHOP has almost 1,600 branches worldwide and for the next five years, InterDine plans to put up 20 IHOP branches here in the Philippines. With 55 years in restaurant industry, this figures only goes to show that this local brand is set to spread more happiness in the coming years. The first IHOP Philippines is located at W Global Center, 30th St. corner 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Situated in the same building as P.F. Chang's and California Pizza Kitchen.

According to Archie Rodriguez, President and CEO of Global Restaurant Concepts Inc., the current menu of IHOP still carries number of items that you can find when the first IHOP restaurant opened at Toluca Lake, California 55 years ago. In response to the ever changing needs of their diners, IHOP continues to innovate new dishes and adjust some which will tailor fit the palate of its target market depending on each IHOP's branches.

Two days before its opening, a press preview was held at IHOP BGC where we had a chance to sample their signature breakfast dishes.

Spinach and Mushroom Omelette (Php265)

Included in IHOP's line of Meat-Free Omelette, this comprises of fresh spinach, mushroom, onions, Swiss cheese rolled in fluffy omelette topped with rich hollandaise sauce and diced tomatoes. Surprisingly, I enjoyed this dish to bits despite not having meat on it which I usually prefer on my omelettes.

Big Steak Omelette (Php325)

This hearty omelette boasts of tender strips of steak, hashbrowns, fresh green peppers, onons, mushrooms, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese, served with salsa. I appreciate the generous strips (more like chunks, really) of steak and its savory note.

IHOP's Omelette is made by adding a bit of their famous buttermilk and wheat pancake batter for added fluffiness. I find these addition noticeable in terms of the omelette's texture but the taste does not overpower the distinc flavor of the egg. Omelette dishes are served with two buttermilk pancakes or seasonal mixed fruits. You can substitute the pancakes to their flavored variants for an additional Php50 more and you may also add Php75 if you want hash brown to go with your meal.

New York Cheesecake Pancakes (Php285)

Two buttermilk pancakes with cheesecake pieces topped with whipped cream, strawberries, and powdered sugar. As a cheesecake lover, I really dig this variant because of the bits and pieces of cheesecakes incorporated to the already rich fluffy cakes.

Funny Face Pancake (Php165)

By the look of it, any child will enjoy this fare made of chocolate pancake with chocolate chips and topped with whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and powdered sugar.

CINN-A-Stack Pancakes (Php235)

Of all the pancakes I have tried at IHOP, this comes as my favorite. I love how the fluffy buttermilk pancakes were made all the more satisfying with cinnamon and cream cheese topping that went with it. The whip cream was an added treat to temper the sweetness of the entire deal.

Garden Stuffed Crepes (Php325)

Two crepes stuffed with Swiss cheese, scrambled eggs, spinach, mushroom, onions, and topped with hollandaise sauce and diced tomatoes. This savory crepe was a treat to the palate, another meatless dish I enjoyed to the last bite.

Strawberry Banana Danish Fruit Crepes (265)

Two crepes filled with cool strawberries and cream cheese, topped with whipped cream, strawberries, and banana slices. I am biased when it comes to anything with cream cheese so as expected, I really enjoyed this sweet crepe. What I would like to try though on my next visit is their Nutella Crepe.

Stuffed French Toast Combo (Php365)

While there are choices of different French toasts at IHOP's menu including their Create Your Own Viva La French Toasts Combo, Stuffed French Toast Combo comes as one their highly recommended. It's a cinnamon raisin French toasts with sweet cream filling, topped with whipped cream, and your choice of cool strawberry topping, warm blueberry campote, or cinnamon apple campote.

Blueberry Campote

Cool Strawberry Topping

Cinnamon Apple Campote

This French Toast Combo is served with two eggs, hash browns, and your choice of two bacon strips or two pork sausage links.

When dealing with the plain buttermilk pancake, fret not because different variants of honey are readily available in every table. Four flavors of pancake syrup includes Old Fashioned, Butter Pecan, Blueberry, and Strawberry.

If you are a die hard caffeine fan like I am, I suggest you opt for their Never Empty Coffee Pot for Php125 per person. If you want some flair in your coffee, IHOP International House Roast Flavored Coffee like Swiss Mocha is also a good option. There are several other beverages on IHOP's menu like fresh fruit juices, milk shakes, sodas, and IHOP Splashers.

Aside from these impressive line of breakfast fares, IHOP also boasts of their specialty dishes, dinner items, and more. These items I still have to try on my nest visit so that I can share my insights on it here at YedyLicious.

I cannot count how many times I have mentioned here my affinity for breakfast dishes anytime of the day so, I really appreciate that IHOP serves this goodies all day. There are other places that serve all day breakfast which made it to my favorite list and I welcome IHOP with an open arms as a new addition to it. Needless to say, I cannot wait to go back.