First Bite: Red Ginger

City of Dreams Manila has become a destination of choice for several locals and tourists alike with its top-class hotel amenities. Aside from the striking suites and the popular DreamPlay, City of Dreams is also known for its great selection of restaurants. And a few weeks back, I was able to visit Red Ginger. 

Hello, Red Ginger.

A trendy Southeast Asian restaurant tucked inside City of Dreams Manila, Red Ginger is a melting pot of cuisines from different neighboring countries. From Thai to Malaysian to our very own Filipino dishes, Red Ginger offers it all.

Lost in Batangas: Punta Verde Resort

I always feel envious of my friends who have all these crazy out of town company outings and team buildings. I have been part of the corporate world for almost a decade and sadly, I've only been to one outing throughout my whole stint. To be fair, it was a fun trip to Bluewater Maribago Cebu. But I wanted more. So I'd find myself tagging along with R during his company outing. And this year, his team went to Punta Verde Resort.

Hello, Punta Verde Resort.

R and I were so excited to visit this place after seeing lovely photos from guests. And the best part is that it's a pet friendly place!

Lazy Bug Chronicles: foodpanda x Wild West Roadhouse Grill

Being on the go all the time is exhausting. Just facing the crazy Manila traffic could take a toll on anyone. And when I have no schedule for the day, I make sure that I just stay at home. However, the downside of being at home is that I have to cook my meal and there are times when I am not in the mood to do so. Thank goodness though for reliable food apps like foodpanda who a few months back partnered with Wild West Roadhouse Grill and spoiled me with some of its mouthwatering dishes. 

Hello, Wild West Roadhouse Grill.

I usually prefer to eat out instead of having something delivered as I get to enjoy my food warm and I get to feast on a beautifully plated dish. However, when the lazy bug bites, there's no escaping it. 

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. 

One Stop Shop For All Things Scrumptious: Alternatives Food Corporation

As much as I love to travel, I also enjoy being at home and making a mess in the kitchen. Though cleaning up afterwards is not as fun, seeing the pleased faces of the people I cook for is very rewarding. And a couple weeks back, I tried some of Alternatives Food Corporation's (AFC) products which made our weekend extra special.

One of the dishes R and I love to indulge in on a lazy weekend is freshly made potato crisps. 

First Sip: Satinka Naturals

With wide variety of food and cuisine to choose from, it's so hard to stick on a diet or even eat healthy. I salute those who tirelessly eat clean and organic. I tried and failed (miserably) several times. As someone who loves every single sinful dish, I don't know how these organic restaurants charm me. It could be the great reviews I've been reading or its quirky interiors. This time around, I gave Satinka Naturals a try. 

Hello, Satinka Naturals. 

I've heard of this place a few years back when a former colleague of mine couldn't stop raving about it. She wasn't exactly a healthy eater so her raving about this place intrigued me. 

First Bite: Pompoms

I can never resist French fries. As much as I would love to lessen my carb intake, I could never find myself saying no to some of these crisp and heavenly goodness. And when I spotted Pompoms, a casual restaurant that serves twice-fried, thick-cut French fries, I giddily skipped my way towards its cute shop. 

Hello, Pompoms.

Located at the Ground Floor of Robinsons Place Manila, one could easily spot this fries haven if you frequent Pedro Gil wing.  

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.

It's Back: Mesa Rockwell is Now Open

Complex flavors and different influences make Filipino cuisine very interesting. There are several restaurants that offer great Filipino dishes and one of the best ones in town for me is Mesa Filipino Moderne.

Hello, Mesa Filipino Moderne.

The well-loved Filipino restaurant, Mesa, is back in Power Plant Mall!

A Trip Around The Philippines: Luzviminda 6: Timeless Flavors

F1 Hotel Manila is popularly known as the very first hotel to open in Bonifacio Global City. With its modern interiors and accessible location, it has been one of the top of mind hotels for travelers and locals alike. But aside from its comfortable beds and spacious rooms, F1 Hotel has established itself as a destination of choice for food enthusiasts with its mouthwatering buffet spread and dishes. It also holds an annual food festival Luzviminda to celebrate local flavors around the country. And this year marks its 6th installment. 

Hello, F1 Hotel Manila.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Celebrates 15 Years in the Philippines

2018 is a special year for Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf as it marks yet another milestone for its Philippine franchise. This year marks the well-loved coffee shop's 15th year in the country. And there's no better way to celebrate this momentous moment than with coffee and tea. 

Happy Anniversary, Coffee Bean & Tea.

The event started with some interactive activities such as visiting some booths where we learn more about Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) and some where we had to do a flatlay using CBTL products. I have to admit, the crossword puzzle was a tough one if solved without the materials available for us that day.