Summer Must Have: Cara Mia's Mango Cream Pie

I'm not a big fan of summer. With the sun at its meanest, just thinking about being sweaty and sticky as soon as I leave an air conditioned space makes me want to book the next flight to wherever cold. But if there's one thing that consoles me is the fact that this is the season when mangoes are at its best. And nostalgia hit me big time when Cara Mia launches its Mango Cream Pie. 

Hello, Cara Mia. 

If you are a big fan of Red Ribbon's Mango Cream Pie and got your heart shattered to pieces when they removed it from the shelves, then your summer is just about to be happier! Cara Mia is bringing sunshine back to our lives with its Mango Cream Pie (PHP985, whole | PHP150, slice). And yes, this is the original creamy goodness we all love.

Save the Date: Jim Beam HIghball Pop-Up Bar this April 24-28

Fond of highballs? Then there's an event you shouldn't miss! Mark your calendars as the world's number 1 bourbon brings the first ever Highball Pop-Up Bar!

Hello, Jim Beam!

The bourbon with 220 years of experience under its belt is bringing back the joy of sipping highball at Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater this April 24 to 28 from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight (and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday).

When in Japan: Fukuoka City Zoological Garden

Zoos always seem to become part of our trips. Planned or unplanned, it never fails to be a fun adventure for us. And when we were running out of places to visit in Fukuoka City, R and I decided that it's time to pay Fukuoka City Zoological Garden a visit. 

Hello, Fukuoka City Zoological Garden.

We skipped visiting the Fukuoka Zoo last time as we opted to go for Uminonakamichi Seaside Park instead which also has a small zoo and huge garden.

First Bite: Motto Motto

I just visited Japan a few weeks ago and I'm already itching to go back to bask in its beauty and feast on the freshest sushi and succulent wagyu I could grab from the market. But I know that the soonest I could head back would be some time fall. Thankfully, there are several restaurants that serve good Japanese dishes. And one new favorite of mine is Motto Motto. 

Hello, Motto Motto. 

This new Japanese dining concept by Raintree Restaurant has won the hearts of many in just a few months. Known for its Special Wagyu Gyudon, sushi, fluffy pancakes and Japanese pastries, expect this place to be busy day and night. And to spice things up a bit, it launches new mouthwatering lunch sets this month! 

Makati Chronicles: Bench Café

Bench Café is one of my favorite restaurants in Bonifacio Global City. Aside from its pocket friendly prices,  its great selection of Filipino food make it one of the best places to dine in this blooming business district. And when I visited Greenbelt 3 for an event, I made sure to swing by Bench Café.

Hello, Bench Café. 

Its Makati branch is relatively smaller compared to its pioneer branch but continues to keep its warm tones and stylish interiors. I was also impressed how some of the staff remember me. 

Now Open: Soban K-Town Grill SM Megamall

Soban has been one of my favorite Korean BBQ joints since 2016 and it keeps whipping up more delectable reasons for it to stay in my top 5 loves. And this April 8, 2019, Soban finally opens in Ortigas. 

Hello, Soban K-Town Grill.

Soban is one of the three Korean concepts under Happy Foods Group. With dishes developed by the talented  Mr. Sung Rah of Sariwon, Seoul, Korea, expect nothing but flavorful and succulent premium meats here. 

Love at First Bite: Sugarbee

"If you're sosyal, you'd know Sugarbee." It was a brief introduction given to us by S when we stepped inside Sugarbee's SM Megamall store. True enough, if you frequent Manila Polo Club, you'd be familiar with this cake haven. 

Hello, Sugarbee. 

Hailed by Spot.ph as one of the best cake brands in the city, Sugarbee has a strong fan base even before its first store opened. Born from Ms. Jenny Silayan's passion for baking, Sugarbee is now available in BGC, Makati and now, Ortigas. 

First Sip: Xing Fu Tang

I spotted a board up of a new milk tea place while taking a stroll around Podium with friends a few months back. I took a mental note to try it when it opens and I finally did last week after dinner at my favorite xiao long bao place. 

Hello, Xing Fu Tang. 

I've read a handful of lukewarm reviews about this new Taiwanese drink brand but it didn't stop me from dropping by and actually queuing for about 20 minutes. 

First Sip: Hui Lau Shan

Summer's here and it seems to be way hotter than before. Thankfully, there are several refreshments to choose from to keep us sane. One new addition to the list is Hui Lau Shan.

Hello, Hui Lau Shan. 

Frequent Hong Kong visitors would be familiar with Hui Lau Shan's inviting yellow signage. Though its cutesy mango illustration may seem like this is brand is just a few years old, it actually has a long history under its belt.

Kitchen Hacks: Knorr SavorRich Liquid Seasoning

Cooking for one could be a pain as you still do all those tedious prep work for a single meal. I sometimes cook enough to last for a week instead to get the most out of the time spent cooking. But my taste buds could only stand the same food for a few days (unless it's bulalo or tapa). Thankfully, there are more and more gadgets and ingredients that make cooking a breeze and last weekend, I got to get first dibs on Knorr's newest product. 

Hello, Knorr!

Knorr launched SavorRich, a new addition to its kitchen hacks lineup, last Saturday in a celebrity studded event at Greenbelt 3. 

First Bite: Wing Zone

Wings has been one of the staple comfort food for many. With most wings shops offering several flavors, it would be hard to get tired of munching on these goodies. And one of the most recent additions to the list is Wing Zone. 

Hello, Wing Zone. 

Wing Zone is an Atlanta-based American food chain founded Matt Friedman and Adam Scott, back in 1991 when they were still studying at the University of Florida. With their buffalo wings' immense popularity within their fraternity, they decided to open two stores in Gainsville, Florida two years later. Eventually, it expanded to Latin America and Central America. And in 2018, it found home in Manila which is now up to five branches in the city.