First Sip: Versus Barcade

Tired of the normal night out with friends where all you do is drink, chat and maybe dance (when someone gets overboard in alcohol)? What if I tell you that there's a new bar in town that could make your mundane night a little bit funner? Hint: Barcade. 

Now in BGC: Lumiere Skin and Spa

They say that aging start at the age of 25 and I believe it wholeheartedly. I have been religiously using sun screen to protect my face but it seems that it's far from being enough. As much as I would like to have regular facial to combat fine lines and spots, I find it time consuming and that I couldn't squeeze it in my busy schedule. But Lumiere Skin and Spa made me think otherwise.

Hello, Lumiere Skin and Spa.

It wasn't hard to find this new skin care clinic in Uptown Parade. Just look for the well-lit space with a big L sign. It is most visible from the bridge way between Uptown Mall and Uptown Parade.

First Sip: Cafè Barbera

Italians are known to be particular with what they eat and drink. To some extent, they can be what millennials describe as savage when they eat anything non-Italian. I can't blame them though as they have been spoiled by the finest ingredients. However, not everything that Italians love and rave about is well received by the local market. But for something universal as coffee, it's a different story. 

Hello, Cafè Barbera.

This Italian cafè has been around for over a century and has grown from a small street coffee vendor on the streets of Naples to a global franchise. You'd think that this place would most likely have the best coffee. After all, espresso is something deeply rooted into the Italian way of life. 

Love at First Bite: Hook by Todd English

I'm so thankful that I live in a country that has access to several kinds of seafood. However, some of my favorites cost me an arm and leg (at times two legs). But that was about to change thanks to this new Todd English concept called Hook. 

Hello, Hook! 

Just like the other Todd English restaurants, Hook has dark interiors and a bit of pub/bar vibe to it but with a touch of class. 

I was first greeted by a beautiful showcase of seafood ranging from humongous fishes in different colors to the freshest oysters I've laid my eyes on. 

Eric welcomed us and ushered us to our table and suggested that we try the Three Tiered Seafood Platter (PHP3,500) and (Not) Paella (PHP750). As clueless diners, we let him surprise us with his choices. 

While waiting for our food, we were given glasses of champagne to pair with our meal. And it was a pretty good way to cap the week. 

Now in BGC: Uma Uma Ramen

I think I’ve used the sentence “I love Japanese food” countless times to the point of me quoting myself. But I can’t resist it. I really do love this Asian cuisine and always find myself craving for more. And when I found out that one of my favorite ramen joints finally opened in Uptown Parade, I just have to drop by ASAP. But adulthood got in the way and it took me a few months before indulging in some Hakata ramen.

Hello, Uma Uma!

I’m so glad that they opened a branch in BGC. Gone are the days when I have to brave the traffic just to get to S Maison. I could finally have my ramen fix by walking to Uptown. (Okay, that might take at least half an hour but hey, at least I won’t get stuck in the detestable EDSA traffic.)

First Bite: Char Casual Dining

It has been quite a while since I last visited Uptown Mall as the Christmas rush traffic has been too much to handle. I think the last time I’ve been here was two months ago and I was surprised to see Uptown Parade turning into a foodie destination with new restaurant concepts filling the area. One restaurant that caught my eye was Char Casual Dining. I wanted to check it out that same day I saw it but R was not in the mood to walk from Uptown Mall to Uptown Parade. I then decided to just pay the new restaurant hub a visit some other time. But I didn’t foresee that I’d be visiting it a few days after.

Hello, Char Casual Dining! 

 

I got an invite from Char a day before its media event and since I was just a few blocks away that day, I decided to swing by the newly opened restaurant. (I was so glad that I didn’t drag R to Char the weekend I saw it because we would have just been greeted by a closed sign and he would have hated it.)

Latest Korean Restaurant in BGC: Namoo House

I’m hooked to Korean food these past months. It all started with my addiction to kimchi rice. The mildly spiced bowl of carbs with some crunchy greens is just too irresistible. And so when I heard that Namoo House, a franchise of Maple Tree House in Seoul, Korea, is opening in Manila, I twirled with joy and giddily waited till it opened. And after a few reschedules, I finally found myself in front of the newest Korean restaurant in Manila.

Hello, Namoo House!

Located at the quieter side of Fort Bonifacio, you could easily miss this restaurant by car with its dim facade lights. But you’d easily spot this place if you’re strolling around the area as its friendly hostess will warmly greet you with a big smile on her face. And the glimmering green bottles will surely catch your attention.

I couldn’t help stare at the walls filled with Korea’s famous green soju bottles. 

It created a striking contrast against the golden exhaust tubes and levelled up the Korean grill restaurant's ambiance. 

During our visit, we were able to try Marinated Boneless Short Ribs (PHP750), Woo Samgyup (PHP495) and Stone Bowl Bibimbap (PHP395).

First served were the sides and true to Korean style of dining, they served a lot of side dishes. There were the staple kimchi, spiced dilis and some greens. 

No egg rolls were served but they gave us a small plate of sliced pickled mushrooms and it was better! 

First Bite: Naxional South American Diner

Uptown Parade is becoming a foodie destination for those who are up for something different. Though there are only a handful of restaurants in that block, all (except for Sweet Ecstasy) establishments are new. Salvatore Cuomo for one is in that area and it has been attracting serious foodies to have a bite of its mouthwatering pizzas. The Italian joint has created buzz in social media thanks to its showbiz and high society patrons. This is why it would be easy to miss this sweet South American restaurant which opened on the same day as a famous hot dog joint. 

Hello, Naxional South American Diner. 

I must admit, I wasn’t planning to dine here for lunch on a weekday. We were eying Moe’s Southwest Grill’s PHP10 burrito promo but the line was just too crazy. We had to wait for 3 hours if we want to take advantage of the said promo. Since we are mere salarymen and salarywomen, we opted to go elsewhere and that elsewhere turned out to be Naxional. 

Only a few tables were occupied when we got there at 12:30 p.m.. We were greeted by adorable bright coloured wall decals and diner chairs in red. 

We quickly ordered Pollo Peruano (PHP385), Rabo Encendido (PHP350), Carne Desmechada (PHP295) and Picante de Pollo (PHP330). We were told that our food will be served in 25 minutes so it was such a delight when it took them less than 20 minutes to serve our dishes, except for the Picante de Pollo which took a bit over half an hour. 

M’s Carne Desmechada was served first and it looked like a fancier version of corned beef. A dish from Venezuela, it is made of pulled beef short ribs in tomato stew served with white rice and caramelized plantains. I had a bit of the pulled beef short ribs and it did taste like corned beef, only it was more flavorful and not as salty. It was actually pretty good. 

D also liked his Rabo Encendido and said that the dish had a rich taste. He also said that it would have been nice if there was more rice served with it. 

The Picante de Pollo, a dish from Bolivia, was served late. No one complained though as the slow braised chicken with black beans, root vegetables, coconut crème and fried garbanzos was worth the wait. It did look like afritada though and M said that it did taste a bit like it. M’s husband G said that he wasn’t so fond of the coconut crème as its taste did not go so well with the rest of the ingredients. 

I loved my Pollo Peruano. I loved the tender and succulent Peruvian pit chicken. The chicken went so well with the corned rice creating a harmonious salty and sweet taste.