Tuesday, July 31, 2018

First Bite: The Nautilus Whiskey Bar

It's interesting to see Quezon City bloom into a dynamic food scene. Gone are the days where the area is just a place filled with beer pubs and cheap eats. As more boutique hotels open in the city, we get more options for dates and night out with friends. And one perfect spot to hang out is Nautilus Whiskey Bar. 

Hello, Nautilus Whiskey Bar
Located on the roof deck of Prime Hotel along Sgt. Esguerra, Nautilus Whiskey Bar offers a nice vantage point to enjoy Manila's sunset. One must be prepared to take two flights of stairs before enjoying the view though. 

Monday, July 30, 2018

Best of Boracay in Manila: Coco Mama

I always feast on cold treats whenever I'm basking under the sun. With ice cream and fruit shakes as my staples when at the beach, I've received a handful of recommendations to try Coco Mama in Boracay. However, I never saw its store after being there for 4 days. And I wouldn't have thought that I'd be trying it for the first time in... Manila. 

Hello, Coco Mama!
This popular ice cream joint from Boracay is known for its coconut ice cream. It being vegan, non-dairy, lactose-free, gluten-free and having low glycemic index makes this an in demand dessert to most foreign visitors who are more particular with food. 

Sunday, July 29, 2018

The Choice 2018: Vote for your Favorites!

Better late than never! Be heard and vote for your favorite food establishments!

The past years have been crazy for the food industry. With restaurants opening here and there on a daily basis, we are drowning with options on where to eat. On top of that, establishments we grew to love continue to offer new dishes making it equally irresistible! Then we all have our all-time no fail favorites and new discoveries. And that is what The Choice is all about.
The Choice IV is the fourth installment of the People's Choice, a survey spearheaded by Our Awesome Planet, the country's number one food blog and part of Top 50 travel blogs in the world; the Blogger and Influencer Collective known as the KTG (Kain Tulog Gang); and the reputable World Food Expo (WOFEX). 

Friday, July 27, 2018

Best of Boracay in Manila: Poketo

Say "Let's have Japanese food for lunch/dinner" and you would have my complete attention. And that was pretty much how Poketo caught my eye when I visited Street Market Boracay. It would be hard to not take notice of Poketo with the aroma of its grilled skewers. And it was a no brainer for me to brave Manila traffic when I found out that Poketo's in Manila.

Hello, Poketo.
Poketo is another concept from Street Market Boracay and is known for its scrumptious grilled yakitori. I've tried its wagyu yakitori last year and though quite expensive for an island meal, it was worth it. 

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Best of Boracay in Manila: Fat Rice

I still remember how challenging it was to find Street Market Boracay last year. As the newest (and only) food park in the island back in March 2017, hardly anyone knew Street Market Boracay, Station X or even Hue Hotel. But I was determined to try it out as the people behind the food park are the power couple Nowie and Odette Potenciano. I managed to find Street Market Boracay after almost an hour of asking around and it was worth it! The place was beautiful and filled with interesting tenants. One of the stalls that caught my eye was Fat Rice and I feasted on its divine wings. 

Hello, Fat Rice
Fat Rice has been one of my favorites during my last Boracay visit. R and I were actually considering to head to summer destination a few months back to relax and indulge in good food but it was put on hold when the island was forced to close. Thankfully, my favorites found its way to Manila serving its bestselling dishes for a limited time at Hole in the Wall

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Best of Boracay in Manila: Spicebird

The shutdown of Boracay has made summer a bit darker for most. As the favorite summer destination closed down last April, it was goodbye not just to Laboracay and all those fun festivities but also farewell (at least for half a year) to some of our favorite food establishments in the island. Thankfully, Nowie and Odette Potenciano figured out a way to bring its mouthwatering dishes to Manila. 

Hello Best of Boracay!
Crowd favorites Spicebird, Fat Rice, Poketo and Coco Mama found its way to Manila last June and have been delighting Manila foodies' taste buds since then. Its pop up stalls are located at Hole in the Wall and will be in town until August 15, 2018. 

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Staycation Chronicles: Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle

With Manila being enveloped by grey clouds and drowned by the bustling sound of impatient cars stuck in traffic, one cannot deny the fact that summer's over. Just the mere difficulty of getting out of bed is enough proof. But there is one way to get me off my bed... that is to indulge in a staycation

Hello, Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle.
If you frequent Malate or study at College of St. Benilde, De La Salle University, St. Scholastica's College or Arellano University School of Law, you must have noticed this tall white building at the corner of Arellano and Estrada streets. Formerly known as a convention center, this building has been renovated, redesigned and renamed as Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle in 2014. 

Monday, July 23, 2018

Beauty 101: Teeth Whitening with Y10 Brightonix

I am a coffee junkie. I can't seem to function without caffeine and I need a cup or two to jump start my day. However, drinking it on a regular basis has made my pearly whites... well, not white. And it definitely made me more conscious when I smile or talk to people. I've considered availing of teeth whitening services but reading about its adverse effects scared me. Thankfully, with new technology came a solution that made me feel it was the right time to have my teeth whitened. 

Hello, Y10 Brightonix
I was invited by SpectruMed to try out Y10 Brightonix, a revolutionary teeth whitening technology that sets a new standard in the oral care industry.

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Hawker Chan is finally opening in Manila this July!

Hawker Chan is finally opening in Manila and it is opening sooner than you think. 
It has been a couple of months since the word got out that Hawker Chan is heading towards our shores. With almost ten months of waiting since FOODEE Global Concepts announced the great news, foodies in Manila patiently waited for updates on when they could take a bite of Hawker Chan's famous Soya Chicken. 

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Now Open: Cocina Peruvia at Podium Mall

Cocina Peruvia is no new name in the food scene. As one of the pioneers to bring Peruvian cuisine in Manila, it has been a familiar name in the foodie community. I have to admit though, I didn't exactly fall in love with this place. My first two visits left me underwhelmed and I wasn't very excited to try it again the third time around. But the idea of seeing some of my favorite foodies enticed me to brave the morning traffic and head to Podium where Cocina Peruvia opened its third branch.

Hello again, Cocina Peruvia.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

When in Bacolod: Pendy's

I grew up in Manila and never had the chance to experience the provincial life. I always thought that it would be nice to live somewhere where everyone knows (and usually related too) each other. The only downside of this is that when something happens to you, the word spreads out faster than light. And when Bacolod's favorite spot, Pendy's, experienced a nasty split with its staff, everyone knew about it. It was a matter of where you'd be loyal to, the original owners or the staff who decided to open Mimi's Cafe which offers an identical list of offerings. Mimi's already made me fall in love with its spectacular service and scrumptious bang for the buck food. So this time around, R and I tried the original Pendy's.

Hello, Pendy's.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Rico's Lechon is opening in Manila this August

It's no rumor or #fakenews! Rico's Lechon is heading to Manila and is opening this August!

Hello, Rico's Lechon
If you've been to Cebu, you may have come across Rico's Lechon one way or another. This famous lechon brand has been one of the most recommended food stops in the Queen City of the South. And it would be hard to miss it when it has multiple branches in key locations all over the city.

Monday, July 16, 2018

Awesome Together: Kenny Rogers' Bacon Roast

Kenny Rogers has something new up its sleeves and it's bound to be awesome. 

Hello, Kenny Rogers Roasters.
Known for its bang for the buck meals, Kenny Rogers has been one of my favorite places to get my chicken fix. And when I got invited to the media preview of Kenny Rogers' short film featuring Solz and Bolz, I said yes in a heartbeat. I figured that it would be a funny film starring Solenn Heussaff and Nico Bolzico given that they are the current ambassadors of the famous roast chicken chain. 

Saturday, July 14, 2018

A Paradise in Jiangsu: Wuxi Hubin Hotel

China never fails to amaze me. From its mouthwatering regional cuisines to jaw-dropping infrastructures, each trip to China leaves me mesmerized and makes me yearn for more. I sure am lucky to have an opportunity to visit areas such as Shandong, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shanghai among others as seeing these places gives me better appreciation of the country and its beautiful complexities. And one of my favorite experiences to date was with Wuxi Hubin Hotel.

Hello, Wuxi Hubin Hotel.
Located beside the scenic Lihu Lake in the beautiful Jiangsu province, Wuxi Hubin Hotel is a marriage of elegance, pristine nature and unparalleled comfort. Its huge compound covering 80,000 square meters and houses top class facilities and amenities that would make anyone's stay a memorable one.

Friday, July 13, 2018

When in Negros Occidental: Punta Bulata

We've seen people crashing weddings and bachelor parties in movies but never in my wildest dreams would I consider doing it myself in real life. But I did. And before you start thinking of The Hangover or anything similar, it's far from that. After all, the dad of the bride was at the pre-wedding bash too. 

Hello, Punta Bulata White Beach & Spa.
Our very spontaneous trip to Punta Bulata all started when we were asked what our plans were the weekend we were in Bacolod. Since we had a loose schedule to follow during our first week in Visayas, we had time to relax and unwind in the City of Smiles. And when we were invited to hang out by some good friends in the city, we quickly said yes. But what was originally planned as a trip to Lakawon turned into us crashing a bachelor's and bachelorette's party at Punta Bulata. 

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Taiwan in Manila: Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea

I am a big fan of milk tea. I always lose the ability to say no whenever someone asks me if I'd like to go for a milk tea run. But lately, due to slower metabolism and fats crawling and hibernating in places such as hips, belly and other parts you wish would never turn lumpy, I try to avoid sinkers and go for healthier alternatives such as fruit teas. And thank goodness for Yi Fang!

Hello, Yi Fang.
Yi Fang is the newest addition to the ever growing brands of milk tea in Manila. But one thing that sets Yi Fang different from other players is its use of real fruits! 

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

First Bite: Fantaste

I've been frequenting China for the past few years and each starts as a business trip and ends as a gastronomic adventure. We'd visit several provinces and key cities, each having unique dishes and flavors I've never had before. And I have to admit, all these trips made me appreciate Chinese cuisine in a whole different level. Needless to say, when I found out that a new Chinese restaurant was opening in Makati, I was giddy and couldn't wait to check it out. 

Hello, Fantaste
Located at the ground floor of Easton Place, corner Valero and V.A. Rufino, one could easily spot Fantaste with its bold red signage with a panda which would remind one of Po from Kung Fu Panda. 

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

First Bite: Cheesecake Stix

A meal is never complete without desserts. I've been used to having something sweet to cap my meal that despite being at the verge of bursting, I still find space for ice cream, cake or what-have-you. And last weekend, I had a mini food crawl with my sister which ended with feasting on cheesecake on a stick. Yes, on a stick!

Hello, Cheesecake Stix!
Cheesecake Stix became the talk of town when it launched its cheese cake on a stick.

Monday, July 9, 2018

First Sip: Nitro 7 Coffee & Tea Bar

I used to be heavily dependent on coffee that I need at least a cup or two a day to function. Avoiding it has been a difficult task but I've slowly became less hooked to the fragrant drink after some time. But I could never say no to a cup of mocha. And when I spotted Nitro 7, I just have to try its Nitro Mocha

Hello, Nitro 7 Coffee & Tea Bar
As you could tell from its name, Nitro 7 Coffee & Tea Bar is not your usual place to get your caffeine fix. 

Friday, July 6, 2018

Night Life: Unlimited Tacos with Unlimited Sangria or Margarita at Encima

Restaurants that offer Do-It-Yourself dishes are brilliant. Guests find it attractive, interactive and never blame the restaurant if it tasted bad as they made it themselves. But there are some places where no matter how bad you messed up, your creation will still be delicious! And such is the case with Encima's DIY Taco Bar. 

Hello again, Encima Roofdeck Restaurant.
To celebrate the Encima's anniversary, they threw a simple and intimate thanksgiving party which also served as the launch of their DIY Taco Bar, Unlimited Margarita or Sangria promo for just PHP499.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

A Peanut Lover's Dream: Fix & Fogg

Moving out has been one of the boldest moves I've done my whole life. Though it's something expected when you've reached a certain age, my decision to go solo was more of because of work and not because I felt it was time to spread my wings. And it was tough at first. From being used to having everything ready for me, I had to do things on my own and that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. And as a person not fond of eating out that often, I learned to cook and love making a mess in the kitchen. But on lazy days, I'd often find myself grabbing a slice of bread and spread. And my go to spread? Peanut butter

Hello, Fix & Fogg.
Fix & Fogg is an artisanal brand from New Zealand. Known for pushing the envelope when it comes to peanut butter flavors, it became a popular choice for peanut butter lovers and adventurous foodies alike. 

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

First Bite: Tori Chizu

Cheese is probably one of the best creations ever made! I love cheese so much that I could finish a quarter of a cheese wheel in one sitting. I love it with crackers, wine, fruits and even ramen. And when I found out that there's a place that offers baked rice with cheese, I just have to check it out!

Hello, Tori Chizu
Located at the busy ground floor of SM Megamall, it would be easy to spot Tori Chizu if you frequent Building A. 

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

The New Guy in Town: Delivery Guy

There's a new guy in town and he's a foodie too! 

Meet Delivery Guy.
Delivery Guy is the newest food delivery service perfect for those who want to stay put at home or wherever they are. Unlike other food delivery services in the market, Delivery Guy has three platforms to choose from -- landline (488-7676), website (www.deliveryguy.ph) and mobile application (Delivery Guy, available in App Store and Google Play).