December really hits different for me — not just because of the lights, the food, and the holiday rush, but because it’s my birthday month. There’s something about celebrating another year right in the middle of the busiest (and happiest) season that makes everything feel extra special.
My birthday fell on a Thursday this year, and since the kids had school that day, we decided to move the celebration to Friday dinner instead. Less rush, more food, more time together — sounds perfect, right?
I originally planned to celebrate at Tong Yang Hot Pot (hello, celebrant eats for free 👀), but when we arrived at SM North EDSA, surprise! There was a power outage in the Main Building and even at The Block. No hot pot for us that night.
Hungry and already there, we made our way to The North Towers and decided to just pick a restaurant on the spot. That’s when we landed at Tender Bob’s. Gutom na gutom na kami at this point, so let’s just say… naparami ang order. 😂
And honestly? No regrets.
Starters and Appetizers: A Solid Start
We kicked off the meal with two salads, because balance — at least we tried. 😄
First was the Caesar Salad (₱595) with crisp romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons, and a zesty Caesar dressing. Simple, classic, and a good palate opener.
We also had the House Salad (₱475) made with mixed greens, apples, candied walnuts, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and raspberry dressing. I loved the sweet-tangy contrast here—it felt fresh and light, especially before all the meat that was coming.
For appetizers, we ordered the Spinach Artichoke Dip with Pita Chips (₱435). Creamy, cheesy, and perfect for sharing. This is the kind of dish you keep dipping into even when you promise yourself you’ll save room for the mains.
We also tried the Potato Skins (₱395) topped with cheddar and served with garlic dip. Crispy, savory, and very satisfying — comfort food at its finest. I loved this!
I also ordered Onion Rings, but unfortunately, this was the only miss of the night. They weren’t crispy and felt a bit too oily for my liking. Sayang, because I was really looking forward to them.
The Main Event: Meat, Meat, and More Meat
Since it was a birthday dinner, we went all out and ordered the Meat Platter (₱1,595). This came with pork chops, chicken steak, rib eye, and pork ribs — perfect for sharing and for those nights when everyone wants a little bit of everything.
Each cut was well-seasoned and filling, making it a solid choice for families or groups who want variety without ordering separate mains.
But the real star of the night — for me — was the Braised Short Ribs (₱1,025).
Yes, it was on the pricey side, but 100% worth it. The US Angus beef ribs were incredibly tender, literally fall-off-the-bone soft, and smothered in a rich barbecue pepper sauce. It was served with creamy mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables, making it a complete and very satisfying plate.
This dish alone made the entire dinner feel extra special — birthday-worthy talaga.
Ending the Night on a Sweet Note
After such a heavy and satisfying meal, we decided to end the night with coffee and dessert at Starbucks. Nothing fancy, just a quiet moment to relax, sip coffee, and reflect on a birthday that didn’t go exactly as planned— but still turned out really, really good.
Sometimes, the best celebrations are the unplanned ones. No power, no original restaurant, just good food, full bellies, and time with family. And honestly? That’s more than enough for me.
Here’s to another year older, wiser, and still very excited about good food. 💛🍽️🎂
