My sister Nina and I compare notes a lot. We share tips and compare deals that we come across.

She said that the one who painted her house was a “great deal.” When I asked that person for a price quote, I thought he was trying to get back whatever discount she gave Nina. So, I searched and found someone else for almost a third of the price. I’m very happy with his work. (Call Jimmy Santos at 0923-8145125).

Nina, editor of Appetite food magazine, often gets invited to restaurant launches or food-related events. She attends these functions more than I do. One tip she shared was a Japanese restaurant at the newly opened UP Town Center of Ayala along Katipunan in Quezon City. One night, I took my daughter Danielle along to try the new Japanese place.

It didn’t help that I could not recall its name; there were three Japanese restaurants in the mall. So, I walked around and found a place with a sign that caught my eye. Burgers! I remembered my boys Franco and Arturo telling me about Burger Bar in Greenbelt, Makati, and how good the place is.

The place, 8 Cuts Burger Blends, is run by the same group. With a nod from Danielle, we walked in.

First time

There were other things on the menu, but it was mainly burgers. It was the first time I saw this kind of approach to making burgers—combining two beef cuts for the burger of your choice.

There are eight cuts to choose from: Chuck, Rib Eye, Short Rib, Sirloin, Brisket, Hanger, Flank and Oxtail. I noticed, though, that the two combinations of meat—one lean, the other one loaded with fat—makes a great burger. To pacify my guilt, I had a Caesar salad as starter.

The salad was quite good, the fries were okay, but the burger was in a class of its own. It was thick, very juicy, not too big and had a simple presentation. This is the way I want my burgers.

Inside were crispy, fried veggie strips, the strong flavor of blue cheese between a well-baked bun.

Milkshakes

The Nutella milkshake was delicious, too. It was so thick, I had to scoop it with a spoon. Danielle had a chocolate milkshake and a cheeseburger.

This meal is the type that will make you hum in satisfaction. There was so much drippings from the juiciness of the burger, you could almost make soup out of it.

I have been back thrice. Another burger I liked was the one ordered by my son Franco, Mushroom Burger or Rising ’Shroom.

I also enjoyed the appetizer of Baked Artichoke and Spinach dip with Nachos. I also had the Butterfinger milkshake—extremely fattening, but delicious.

Lately, 8 Cuts Burger Blends has become the family’s most frequented restaurant. It was my time to share the experience with Nina. The next day, her husband Louie was there with his kids.

There are many other interesting places at the UP Town Center. They’ll be next in line if I can fight the temptation not to have a burger on that day.

Happy eating!

Visit 8 Cuts Burger Blends at UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue. Quezon City.

Visit the auhor’s blog at www.sandydaza.blogspot.com; follow on Twitter at @sandydaza.