Best Sourdough in Manila: Otter Breads' Sourdough Noir

I have a weak spot for bread. I would often grab a loaf or two whenever I go to the supermarket or go crazy every time I pass by a bakeshop. And when Otter Breads offered for me to try its newest sourdough creation, I said yes in a heartbeat!

Hello again, Otter Breads.

I love how Otter Breads' dedication and support for local suppliers. It regularly comes up with new artisanal products made with the finest Filipino produce. And one of its latest creations is its Sourdough Noir.

Food Delivery: Go! Salads Smoothie Kits

Eating healthy has been a challenge for me for years. I grew up spoiled with chips, soda, chocolates, and everything one would consider far from nutritious. But the availability of fresh produce made me want to have a healthier lifestyle. And being pregnant made me more motivated to stick to it. Thankfully, Go! Salads got my back when it comes to power smoothies!

Hello, Go! Salads.

Go! Salads is known for their fresh and convenient salad bowls. With several mixes to choose from, it's hard to get bored with eating healthy. For an extra dose of fiber and vitamins, many indulge in its delicious smoothies. And you can now have these guilt-free drinks at home!

Food Delivery: Otter Breads' Sourdough Bread and Sourdough Pancakes

Manila's three-month lockdown has turned many into bakers. My social media feeds have been full of cookie, buns, and cake photos that I thought I was browsing through a bakeshop catalog. But one particular post caught my interest. And that was Otter Breads' sourdough pancakes. 

Hello, Otter Breads.

The power duo behind Fat Girls Day Out has been busy baking sourdough loaves for months before it officially launched Otter Breads last April. 

ECQ Favorite: Matt's Waffles

I'm a big fan of breakfast food. I drool every time I think of good ol' bacon and eggs or garlic rice with bangus. And when I was asked to try some homemade frozen waffles, I quickly said yes. I just didn't expect to be hooked to it!

Hello, Matt's Waffles.

Matt's Waffles is the brainchild of a young kid named Matt who wanted to do something during Manila's lockdown (ECQ). Matt's mom suggested that they make his favorite waffles and open an online shop for it. And it turned out to be a successful venture for the mom and son duo.

First Bite: Big Ben's Gourmet Imus Longganisa

Big Ben's is one of Imus, Cavite's gems when it comes to longganisa. It has been known for its delectable Original Garlic Adobo Longganisa which is packed with bold flavors along with crowd favorites Garlic Hamunado and Gourmet Bottled Longganisa. But this charmer down south has a lot more to offer.

Hello, Big Ben's Gourmet Imus Longganisa.

Big Ben's has been around for a couple of years now but I haven't had the chance to drop by its Cavite restaurant. And I wouldn't have guessed that my first time to try it was during Manila's lockdown. 

ECQ Favorite: Bread & Breakfast Baked Treats

I love bread! I'd usually grab a piece or two and smother it with my favorite jam for breakfast. And when I have extra time, I add some cold cuts, fresh greens, and a slice or two of cheese for a yummier sandwich. But why bother when you can have your savory baked treats by just ordering from Bread & Breakfast?

Hello, Bread & Breakfast. 

Bread & Breakfast is a new player in the growing community of home bakers. Unlike most that specialize in sweet treats, this newcomer focuses on puff pastries, rolls, and croissants. 

ECQ Favorite: Soy Bueno

I love taho. It never fails to make me smile and do quick cardio in the morning whenever I hear "tahooooo". But the lockdown caused by COVID-19 made it hard for me to get hold of my favorite morning snack. Sure, there are a bunch of online shops selling taho but most offer chilled taho which I dislike. Thankfully, I stumbled upon Soy Bueno. 

Hello, Soy Bueno. 

Soy Bueno seems to be a relatively new brand based on its social media activities. But newbie or not, this brand sure knows how to make its customers happy in the morning!

Have a Healthier Heart with Quaker Smart Heart Challenge

Filipinos love to eat. It's something everyone knows and quite proud of. Remember the saying we eat six times a day counting morning, afternoon and midnight snacks? We even consider eating as a national passion. Though eating itself is not bad, we tend to overindulge in rich food. And this is where Quaker comes to the rescue.

A study facilitated by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute found out that an alarming one out of two adult Filipinos has borderline high cholesterol. It wasn't even surprising as that ratio applies to my family. But this is obviously no laughing matter. In fact, it is a scary fact as it means being prone to heart-related illnesses.

Paradise in Mactan: An Abaca Boutique Resort + Restaurant Review

Abaca is a popular dining destination in Cebu. Known for its superb bakery that serves mouthwatering and picturesque breakfast staples, Abaca eventually grew into a restaurant group that also owns and manages Maya, Tavolata, Red Lizard, Phat Pho and Luncheonette. For years, Abaca has been synonymous to great meals. But not many know that this Cebu gem also manages a boutique resort in Mactan. And it was like discovering paradise.

Hello, Abaca Boutique Resort + Restaurant.

I was so excited to visit Abaca's resort after reading great reviews of this place on TripAdvisor. From butler service to scrumptious food, many guests claim this place to be close to paradise. 

Restaurant Love: Café Adriatico

Malate is known for its bustling night life. And with the craziness ending till wee hours in the morning, I'd imagine its breakfast scene to be close to a ghost town. But I was wrong when I dropped by the iconic Café Adriatico. 

Hello, Café Adriatico. 

Café Adriatico is undoubtedly one of the gems of Manila. Established in 1979, this small cafe was the start of the successful LJC Group of Restaurants. 

When in Puerto Princesa: Costa Palawan

Puerto Princesa is one beautiful city filled with natural wonders. From the famous underground river to striking limestone, this city is a lovely break from the hustle and bustle of Manila. However, we ended up in a rather unpleasant hotel on my first visit which left a negative impression on Puerto Princesa's accommodations. Fast forward to 2019, the island experienced a boom in the hotel and resort industry giving visitors more value for money options. One of which is Costa Palawan. 

Hello, Costa Palawan. 

Costa Palawan is just 10 minutes away from Puerto Princesa International Airport but is on a quieter side of the city. It offers complimentary airport transfer which made us decide to book our last two nights here. 

First Bite: Cold Layers

Rainy days in Manila doesn't necessarily mean sweater weather. With the humid air we have in the city, it's not surprising to see people feast on ice cream, shaved ice or boba. And since a cold treat is always a good idea, I decided to swing by Cold Layers.

Hello, Cold Layers.

Cold Layers is known as a shaved ice shop. But it offers more than just those fluffy snow-like treats. Aside from it joining the boba craze, it also offers savory dishes perfect for breakfast, lunch, merienda and dinner!

First Bite: Boa Kitchen + Socials

Breakfast spread never fail to make my eyes sparkle and mouth drool. And when I got word that Boa Kitchen + Socials offers some of my favorites, I made sure to visit this new foodie haven along Scout Rallos. 

Hello, Boa Kitchen + Socials.

Boa is one of the newest establishments in Quezon City's foodie district. Located on the mezzanine floor of ABDC building, make sure to look for a purple signage when you get to the corner of Scout Rallos and Scout Tuazon. 

When in Boracay: Discovery Shores Boracay

I've been so excited to go back to Boracay after hearing that the island is back in shape. As a place I associate with relaxation and good food, R and I decided to celebrate our anniversary there. And to make things a bit more special, we stayed at Discovery Shores Boracay. 

Hello, Discovery Shores Boracay.

Hailed as one of the best luxury resorts in the island, Discovery Shores Boracay is usually fully booked with local and foreign tourists alike. I can't blame travelers though as this place offers top notch service and its pandan water is something else!

Grocery Find: Cheez Whiz Mild

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day but most of us usually skip this as we rush to the office (or school) to beat the unbelievable Manila traffic. Thankfully, there are a bunch of morning hacks we can use to avoid having to leave our homes with empty growling stomachs. One of which is making a fuss-free sandwich. And cheese is usually my go to spread. 

Hello, Cheez Whiz!

I still remember grabbing a jar of Cheez Whiz every afternoon to snack on when I was young. I'd have it on bread or snack on it as is while watching my favorite television show. I couldn't indulge in more than 2 tablespoon though with its strong flavor. But Cheez Whiz introduced a new variant that might make me finish half a jar in one sitting. 

When in Thailand: Krabi Island (Day 1)

This 2018 has been a busy year for both R and I. Most, if not all, of our trips were work related. Though we get to manage to get a few days as "vacation", it was far from enough to be considered a relaxing trip. But this time around, we decided to extend our Thailand trip for 9 more days for us to visit Krabi. 

Hello, Krabi!

This island is the less popular counterpart of Phuket. A home to beautiful and unique limestone karsts with some ideal for rock climbing, Krabi is the perfect alternative for those who want a relaxing vacation. 

First Bite: Skippy's Gastropub

I usually associate pubs with mediocre bar chows disguised as good food under dim lights. With such impression, I hardly visit pubs. But spending time with friends in one isn't such a bad idea. And so, I found myself spending late afternoon at Skippy's Gastropub with some of my favorite foodies. 

Hello, Skippy's Gastropub. 

This Australian gastropub has been a popular drinking joint by several yuppies around the area. I've never seen it empty from the past couple of years I've been working in BGC. Though I've seen Skippy's since 2015, it was only a few weeks ago when I've finally step foot inside this sports bar. 

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. 

Meet Shangri-La Hotel's Sister, Hotel Jen Manila

Staycations are what keep me sane these days. I would often find myself looking forward to these much needed short breaks from the harsh reality filled with traffic, weird weather and stress. And with hotels and hostels popping here and there, more and more are embracing the idea of staycation in Manila. One of the hotel chains I frequent is Shangri-La group. Known for its top notch service and scrumptious food, I'm a regular at Edsa Shangri-La and Shangri-La Fort. However, I had no idea that Shangri-La has Hotel Jen under its umbrella. And when I got a chance to stay at Hotel Jen, I expected nothing short of excellent.

Hello, Hotel Jen.

Formerly known as Traders Hotel Manila, Hotel Jen is conveniently located across the picturesque Manila Bay and near tourist attractions Manila Ocean Park and Intramuros. It is also just 20 minutes away from the international and domestic airports and half an hour away from the bustling business districts in Makati and Fort Bonifacio. 

I decided to book a quick staycation here prior to our cruise given that the port is just a couple of blocks away from the hotel. And after a short phone call to make our room reservation, we were set for our stay. 

When in Davao: Seda Abreeza Davao

I've been visiting Davao a bit too frequent lately that it's becoming a bit too familiar. We eat at the same places and stay at the same area. But this time around, R and I tried to up it a bit in time for our anniversary and decided to stay at Seda Abreeza Davao. 

Hello, Seda Abreeza Davao. 

We left for Davao early and had a long day so we were really looking forward to a rewarding stay at Seda.