Expecting During a Pandemic: Husbands Now Allowed Inside Delivery Room at St. Luke's

I missed out a lot while expecting during a pandemic. I didn't get to enjoy those fun baby fairs or experience a baby shower. I found myself extra paranoid every time I step out of the house. And getting the food I crave was, more often than not, a challenge. But the saddest thing this new normal changed for pregnant women is not having their husbands or partners beside them during labor and delivery. I wanted to share this precious moment with R. And luck was on our side when I found out that one companion during delivery is now allowed at St. Luke's! 

Two days to go before we meet Sam!

I was beyond thrilled when I accidentally found out that husbands or partners can now enter the delivery room. It was late at night when I was browsing through Glam-O-Mamas' Facebook community page when someone inquired about a swab test for her husband as he'll accompany her in the delivery room. She was asking fellow moms if paying PHP4,300 (walk-in) or PHP6,500 (drive-thru) is worth it given its short validity of five days for dads or dads-to-be (versus two weeks for moms). 

First Sip: Brown Café

The milk tea bug got me real bad as I always find myself craving for this sweet drink. My eyes never fail to sparkle every time I see an ad promoting a new joint worth checking out. And I was so excited when I found out that Brown Café, a popular Thailand brand, opened in Manila. 

Hello, Brown Café. 

I've never been to Brown Café Thailand but its collagen infused boba drinks got me curious. And it's hard to say no to its cute, clean and dainty Instagram posts.

Now Open: The Empress Dining Palace

I used to dislike Chinese food. I had no appreciation for it till I was in middle school. But it turned out that it wasn't the cuisine that I did not like, I was just eating at the wrong places. And when I got to have a taste of the real deal, a space in my heart (and tummy) opened up for this cuisine with rich history. Now hooked with dumplings, bird's nest soup and so much more, I was excited to visit The Empress Dining Palace.

Hello, The Empress Dining Palace. 

Is FRNK Milk Bar More Than Just A Pretty Shop?

Instagrammable. That word has been the focus of most food and drink establishments and sadly, fail to deliver what's really important... taste. This is the reason why I often avoid pretty food and colorful drinks. I'm always scared of getting duped by its beautiful appearance and leave my taste buds miserable. But when most of my friends say that this new hipster drink brand offers nothing but goodness, I just have to give in to try FRNK Milk Bar. 

Hello, FRNK Milk Bar. 

FRNK Milk Bar is one of celebrity Isabelle Daza's business ventures. And just like all the other brands she's involved with, FRNK is a beauty in all aspects of marketing. All of FRNK's drinks are worthy to be part of anyone's Instagram with its sleek presentation. 

First Bite: Bake House Manila

I love hanging out at Shangri-La at the Fort. Aside from its amazing restaurants, I find its lounge the perfect place to have some work done. And I was beyond thrilled when I got word that it opened a new shop to showcase its pastries and desserts. 

Hello, Bake House Manila. 

Bake House is Shangri-La at the Fort's newest food concept. It is hard to miss as it's located at the main lobby of the hotel, just at the opposite side of High Street Cafe. 

First Bite: Hummus Elijah

I love to munch on junk food and indulge in soda and milk tea for days. It can get even crazier when I'm stressed or down. Thankfully, my body can recognize when it needs something healthier as I get intense craving for salad or anything fresh. And it was timely that Hummus Elijah opened a branch just a few blocks away from home. 

Hello, Hummus Elijah. 

Hummus is often treated as a side dish to complement one's meal here in Manila. We'd usually have it with a plate of kebab or shawarma. But this healthy treat is enjoyed as one's breakfast, lunch or dinner in Israel. In fact, there are several restaurants in Israel that sell only hummus and pita. And Eli Lapid, owner of Hummus Elijah, wants to promote that this is a great alternative to one's usual meal. 

Home Sweet Home: Cara Mia opens in BGC

From that dreamboat Ube Cake down to the trip back to memory lane Mango Cream Pie, Cara Mia made the past years extra yummy for me. And it's bound to make me fatter as it opened a branch closer to home. 

Hello, Cara Mia!

Cara Mia is now open in One Bonifacio High Street Mall! Be prepared to get your taste buds tickled in all colors with Cara Mia's amazing cakes and delectable gelato!

Amici Opens in BGC

It is so tempting to just stay in on rainy weekends and turn one's self into a human buritto. But an invite to lunch which involves pizza and pasta is too hard to decline. And it gets even more difficult when truffle is part of the spread. 

Hello, Amici. 

From a humble canteen selling Italian coffee and gelato at Don Bosco Makati, Amici has grown into a strong brand known for wood-fire oven baked pizzas and scrumptious homemade pasta dishes. And this 2019, it found a home at the heart of Bonifacio Global City.

First Bite: Elephant Grounds Opens in Manila

Bonifacio Global City is staying true to the word global with the number of international brands and concepts filling all those empty spaces in the growing business district. Shake Shack just opened a few months ago and it was not too long before foodies shifted their attention towards another brand-- Elephant Grounds.

Hello, Elephant Grounds.

Elephant Grounds is finally open after almost a month long delay and its jam-packed shop is enough to prove that many were waiting to get a sip of its famous coffee and a taste of its ice cream and food curated and developed by Chef Nicco Santos. I actually haven't visited its main store in Hong Kong but I've heard from a few foodies that this place serves great food and drinks. And that was enough to keep me excited. 

Love at First Sip: Alishan at The Alley

Milk tea has been part of Filipinos diet for a few years now and it seems to be taking a bigger chunk of the food pyramid. We even ranked as one of the top countries in terms of milk tea consumption. And it's getting harder and harder to avoid this addictive drink when you see a shop or two in almost every corner. But I might have to sign up for Milk Tea Anonymous for I found myself braving the traffic one Saturday just to get hold of Alishan at The Alley's talked about milk tea.

Hello, Alishan.

Alishan at The Alley should not be confused with The Alley which first opened in Mall of Asia. The former is managed by Dean & Deluca and has nothing to do with the milk tea shop with reindeer in its logo aside from sharing "The Alley". 

A Festive Meal at Shangri-La at the Fort's High Street Cafe

Shangri-La at the Fort is one of my favorite places in BGC. I'd often stay at its lounge cafe to have some work done while sipping my favorite tea. The hotel's other restaurants--Samba, Raging Bull and Canton Road--all serve excellent food as well! And a couple of months back, I was invited to try High Street Cafe.

Hello, High Street Cafe.

High Street Cafe is Shangri-La at the Fort's buffet restaurant and it has been known for its fresh seafood spread! If you're lucky, you might be able to see a huge whole tuna on display.

Late Bites: Coffee Project

There are times when I get bitten by the lazy bug and couldn't drag myself to cook something to eat. Thankfully, there are a bunch of places to grab food within my area. And last weekend, I visited our neighborhood's Coffee Project. 

Hello, Coffee Project.

Coffee Project has been a popular Instagram spot since it opened a few years back. I was actually lured to visit its first store in Quezon City because of its picturesque interiors. However, its food and drinks did not exactly match its wonderful look. 

Back To Basics: Savage

Savage has been one of the most talked about restaurants in town. Raved about by taste makers, I was excited to try its grilled pulpo. However, our frequent out of town trips pushed back my plan to dine at Arya Plaza's crowd favorite restaurant. Thankfully, R's sisters made plans to have a get together here and we were in town for it. 

Hello, Savage. 

With all the frills and complexities of cooking in this modern age, Chef Josh Boutwood went back to how cooking all started, with flame and smoke. And this is how Savage was born. 

First Sip: Malongo Atelier Barista Café

Manila has come a long way--from being a city with limited options to a melting pot of local and global brands. With several new concepts and international brands opening here and there, it is not surprising to see your travel favorites opening a store just around the corner. And for those who went to France, this brand must be a familiar one. 

Hello, Malongo Atelier Barista Café.

With its 85 years of expertise, it is not surprising for Malongo to be one of the sought after coffee brands by taste makers. The family firm grew from a small coffee roastery in Nice, France and into a global leader in fair trade coffees and bio-coffees. And last year, its Malongo Atelier Barista Café has finally reached Asia and opened its first in Manila. But it wasn't until it opened its BGC branch when I got a sip of Malongo's famous coffee. 

Promo Alert: Vatos is turning February FunTACOstic!

Vatos is probably one of the best restaurants I've been to last 2018. Just thinking about its to die for Cowboy Queso or its sweet as nectar Sexy Sanchez margarita is enough to make me drool for days. And just when I couldn't think of more reason to drop by for more, Vatos came up with a special treat for its patrons and would-be fans for the month of February. 

Happy anniversary, Vatos Philippines!

Vatos is celebrating its first year in the Philippines with 100% yumminess with its anniversary promos lined up! 

For the whole month of February, grab your favorite Vatos Urban Tacos for just PHP100 (2 pieces per order). Included in this promo are Spicy Chicken, Chimichurri Chicken, Braised Carnitas, Chili Lime Shrimp, Korean Pork Belly, Baja Fish and Barbacoa Pork. Its premium tacos Carne Asada and Wagyu Galbi Short Rib are available for PHP200 (2 pieces per order). 

Paradise Dynasty is now in BGC

Paradise Dynasty is one of my happy places here in Manila. Stuffing myself with its mouthwatering xiao long bao never fails to put a big smile on my face. And don't even get me started with its to die for lettuce roll and glutinous dishes! The only thing that keeps me away from this foodie haven is traffic. But not for long. 

Hello, Paradise Dynasty.

I was beyond thrilled when I saw Paradise Dynasty's board up in SM Aura. Finally, a branch closer to home. 

New Favorites at Bench Café

Bench is one amazing brand. From a humble retail store, it has expanded to more than just selling clothes. Now seen as a lifestyle brand, it now has spin off brands like Bench Fix and one of its more recent ventures, Bench Café. Its festive and flavorful dishes were instant hit to the BGC market that even those not within the area brave the traffic just to have a taste of the famous Tinapa Cones, Sisig and to die for Halo-Halo. And its newest dishes charmed us as easy as counting 1-2-3. 

Hello again, Bench Café. 

Bench Café recently revamped its menu and added some stellar new favorites in its menu. Now offering more a la carte dishes perfect for sharing, Bench Café becomes a family destination. 

Two is Better than One: Max's Kabisera

With the local food scene getting crazier and crazier each day with the number of new brands and concepts opening in every corner, there are still classics that I go back to with Max's as one of my go to restaurants when it comes to Tofu Sisig, Pancit Canton and of course, fried chicken. And when it merged with my other favorite Filipino restaurant Kabisera, it felt like it was an early Christmas gift. 

Hello, Max's Kabisera.

Max's Kabisera came from the idea of merging two of Max's Group brands under one store to offer the best of both concepts resulting in a wide array of familiar dishes yet in a redefined dining experience and setting. 

First Bite: Tendon Kohaku

Most of us probably had tempura as our first Japanese dish when we were younger. The beautifully battered shrimp or prawn dipped in the light sweet sauce mixed with shredded radish brings back so many childhood memories, including when I had to fight with my sister for the last piece. Though I've grown to love other Japanese dishes like sashimi, teppanyaki, sukiyaki and a lot more, tempura always has a special place in my heart, or tummy. And when I found out that there's a new tempura place in town, I just have to try it. 

Hello, Tendon Kohaku. 

Foodies who frequent or have visited Singapore might have noticed Tendon Kohaku and its long queues. 

Save the Date: Midsummer Manila Trunk Show on September 21-22, 2018

I have fully embraced the tita (aunt) in me and nothing excites me more than bazaars that let me score some awesome home finds! Lately, I'm addicted to room sprays, bed linens and plates. And when I found out that a trunk show with everything I love is on its way to BGC, I immediately put it in my calendar! 

Hello, Midsummer Manila Trunk Show!