Aly's Dish

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

2011-05-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
By : Aly Abaquin

Hardly no words to described your emotions? But when your happy the biggest word that you might heard off is...remember the song of Julie Andrew's Mary Poppins: Supercalifagilisticexpialidocious.

Well every summer....
Its.....
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Even though the sound of it is
Something quite atrocious
If you say it loud enough you'll
Always sound precocious

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Um diddle diddle diddle,
Um diddle ay!

Now that we got you singing.
Here's that supercalifragilisticexpialidocious summer!

Every summer we head off to the beach and swim like Supercalifragilisticexpialidociously crazy, and we went to Canyon Cove.

Lets recall the fun on our way to a grillery, a dalampasigan & a cove.....

Every journey starts off with BRUNCH and where to have it if your heading to Nasugbu Batangas?And passing over Tagaytay? Eat at Antonios' grill. An upscale dining if you must but for this foodie cheap eater i was with the bosses of the company so i was treated to much of my delight to Great food.

If the cheap eater inside me is deciding where to dig brunch, it may be in your friendly Talipapa carinderia ( side resto ) adventures with the view of tagaytay , they might say no.

But of course they may not like to venture out and dig my ways and beside we have money to burn so to speak so we headed off the white enclaved and very famous Antonio's grill where the rich and famous converge.

As the song familiarly and continuously sounding in my ear.....

"But then one day I learned a word
That saved me achin' nose
The biggest word you ever heard
And this is how it goes: Oh!"

Its ....Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Even though the sound of it is
Something quite atrocious
If you say it loud enough you'll
Always sound precocious

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Um diddle diddle diddle,
Um diddle ay! (etc.)

First stop Antonio's Grill:

I rubbed elbows with the Krispy Pata, Kare kare, Chicken inasal, Enchalatad salad, Bulalo, and batchoy. The Festive/ sumptuous deep fried pork knuckles & limb with out the toes please was colories-tically good. The group enthusiastically waited for these Filipino cuisine to arrive at our tables which was prepared by Chef Tonyboy Escalante.
The turon a deep fried delicacies of sapin sapin, langka, or banana with melted caramelized sugar toppings for desserts was truly enjoyable and a good end for a good meal.

Antonio's grill is best known for their BULALO, sorry folks the foodie in me forgot to take pictures as i was in day-off mode.

Tasted the fresh breezy air of Tagaytay and look at the scenery that is Taal volcano, yup the open crated small island is a volcano who according to volcanologists are still active and is about to steam out!?! For heavens sake do not rain on our parade since our group of 23 people are going on a trip to Nasugbu..... BEACH.

Second stop was a dalampasigan (seashore). "Kainan sa Dalampasigan" or simply put Eatery at the seashore.The place is magically surroundedwith flora & fauna. Middle earth everyone.

With the owner Mrs. Baby Limjoco

Okey Not Froddo's enclave but the Chapel

See i told you its a chapel.

They are known for Cheap eats: Meals starts at P 100 and the Bilao( food basket) at P450 pesos good for two. Must try their Halo Halo & Lechen Flan.

You know what. The song was gleefully there and here goes.....

"You can say it backwards

Dociousaliexpisticfracticalirupus,
But that's going to be too far. Don't you think?
Indubitably!

So when the cat has got your tongue
There's no need for dismay
Just summon up this word and then

You've got a lot to say....

Their Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Where to find them:

Antonio's Grille. Address :
Brgy. Maharlika East, Tagaytay City.
Contact Person : Ms. Jona Goma.
Contact Number/s : 046 4130975.
Good food but a little bit expensive.

KAINAN SA DALAMPASIGAN
Service Price: Php 100.00 Per dish.
Address: R. Martinez St., Nasugbu Batangas
Mobile Number 09178231854
Best choice for Cheap eats.

Canyon Cove Beach Club
Address: Far East Road, Piloto Wawa, Nasugbu, Luzon, Philippines.
www.canyoncove.com.ph
Great beach but not so great food.

Remembering Wrap & Roll

2011-05-01T01:45:00.000-07:00

Veggy & basil wrap in thinly steamed rice wrap topped with peanut sauce.

I remember the taste of gastronomic street foods in Vietnam.

If you do not have an iron stomach and worried about hygienic issues. Then we offer this SOLUTION for you. To experience street food at its best, eat at WRAP & ROLL your safer and clean alternative to taste SAIGON. From veggy wraps , sticky rice, pandan chicken & fried rolls you can't go wrong with wrap and roll .

Chicken wrapped in pandan leaves.

Steamed sticky rice wrap with minced porked.

Fried sticky rice with the staple vietnamese sauce of sweet, soury ,spicy with a hint of

fish sauce for that salty undertakings.

Wrap & Roll your quick service alternative for street food.

Cool surroundings , good service & modern ambience. Makes your visit to vietnam more pleasurable and memorable. I'll bet you'll come back for more.

CENTAI Coffee @ Mercato centrale

2011-04-30T19:35:00.001-07:00

My morning coffee for now : Greet each mornings with Centai Coffee Kapeng Barakofrom Corito's garden.

French press it and presto a blend of roasted robusta strong coffee from batangas makes

a perfect sunny morning more glaring & sunnier.

Buy at Mercato Centrale @ BGC.

Dining with the ROYALS

2011-04-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Dining with the Royals: ROYAL pasta & Royal thru orange..... ;)

ROYAL Ice cream Wedding.

2011-04-29T21:11:00.000-07:00

Its was Friday April 29 5pm as i was rushing on the Metro transit and hurrying home cruising through traffic for me to have a glimpse of that royal wedding and not the usual BRITAIN GOT TALENT TV
show i so loved to watch.

As reported over 2 billion viewers from all over the globe eyes & ears glued to watch this fairytale wedding of the century. As the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge their newly bestowed title unite us all for peace, harmony & prosperity. It's a much needed break from all the bad things happening : Tornado, killer tsunami & war that we recently been experiencing.

My vote goes to the ROYALS!

William & Kate as clay models made by my sister.

** notice William's hair is fewer...hahahahaha***

True enough it was magical, romantic, regal and modest at the most but I've missed the bride's entry to the Westminster Abbey, but right smack catching their vow's. Thanks to good reflexes as i quickly turned on the remote and the BBC channel was on spot. Like synchronizing my thumbs, right smackingly choosing BBC. Hearing the Brits accent was authentically pleasing.

While undressing myself to comfy clothing a thought bubble appeared:

"you can watch them on line as the royals are on social media may it be on twitter, facebook or YouTube."

The Royals are digitally wired on line Hurray!!!! I wish i can TIVOish the entry and the pageantry of Royal Catwalk proportions but no worries, there's youtube!

The fairytale horse driven carraige & all are what we learn to love or dream about.

Wow too much indoctrination of DISNEY and those children rhymes songs that we all grew up to as
kids being lullabied to sleep.

While watching I prepared a snack of pandesal sandwich and a royal ice cream to partake.

Its well worth it as the newly weds did their part to please the crowd.

As they kiss NOT ONCE BUT TWICE made my ice cream more delectable ....... haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay romance is in the air......Flower hat anyone??

Church simplified, reflections, walkways & Faith

2011-04-21T22:32:00.000-07:00

Church simplified, Reflections, walkway & Faith
By Aly Abaquin

It’s holy week and we Christians are obligated to do fasting, do the traditional Visita Iglesia visiting seven (7) churches and pray solemnly at the Stations of the Cross.

Don’t get me wrong but I am not complaining nor jaded to do these chores for Christ's sake but we must internally be doing it for our sake, asking yourself and reflecting on your relationship with Jesus.

Religion is a touchy topic to discuss but I am not going to be preachy and enforce down your throat my faith. Just chronicling my journey, me, myself and I thru the lens of my camera.

Every holy week I need a moment of "me time". So when I do my meditation in the mornings, that’s when I talk to HIM closely and of course thank him for all the blessings he had bestowed.

I also came across the WALKWAY at Bonifacio High street, my first visit actually since coming home from Vietnam. My reflections on that walkway are chronicled in images I took while contemplating and allowing myself to take part of this interactive art installation.

As I took part and “ no matter who or where you are, what you’ve done or dream of doing…. We invite you to walk with us, as we discover everyday that church can indeed be simple.” The essence of CHURCH SIMPLIFIED.

COOL Church I told myself as against the traditional 14 stations of the Cross, these ART installations are with activities that will make you simply connect with Jesus.

The Garden

The Betrayal

The Trial

                                The Verdict

                                 The Whip

                                The Curse

                               The Cross

The Two Simons

The Crucifixion

The Mother

The Promise

The Darkness

The Cloth

The Table

I contemplated in each station and reflected on my FAITH.
FAITH: it’s a personal relationship and quite different for each one of us. Not your wikipedia explanation but it’s a personal journey, a voyage towards life and how we maneuver each curve, loop, straight lanes against insurmountable odds that are thrown to us.

My faith to the Almighty made these amazing journey called life a NO MAJOR MAJOR problem.

And to that note.... this week I strengthen them and realized again that he loved us. He is willing to die for all of us. Walk with him and reflect as others did.

It just take one step towards a spiritual journey. Church simplified …..AMEN!!

http://www.churchsimplified.com/
www.youtube.com/churchsimplified
www.facebook.com/churchsimplified
www.witter.com/csimplified

Rodrigos's Roast @ Mercato Centrale

2011-03-24T22:04:00.000-07:00

Okey folks i can't have enough of PORK PABORITONG ...INIHAW na Liempo!!! Rodrigos Roast with mashed potatoes a big heap on your plate let down your hair and let down your guard and make way for this sumptously oozing with crispy balat ng liempo!!! TRULY PINOY!!!!

You have to run two miles next morning for this one to burn, baby burn those added you know what... hahahahahahahaa........ but our taste buds are clamoring for more of the good stuff.. SO What the heck hung the diet and take FISH oil later LOL...... Good thing we where easy to give in to this .....UMMMPH UMMPH.... gleefully now PORK PABORITO with mathcing POM POMs and sue silvester on the side .....taste so good ... not a dissappiontment... meat lovers unite!!!!

Find it at Mercato Centrale or inKabisera ni Dencios,

Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City Taguig

Contact :856-5543 / 856-5545 email : kabiserangdencios@yahoo.com

OFF BEAT Burgers @ Mercato Centrale

2011-03-14T17:33:00.000-07:00

OFF beat burger from the Wieneke Kitchen

www.facebook.com/pages/Offbeat-Cafe/141994309158683

The owner a new Chef that recently graduated from Chef's Rob Pecson's culinary school.

Meet M I C K E Y.... not the disney kind mind you but just MICKEY WIENEKE, a COOL DUDE.

What his offering foodies are not your average burgers from any QSR's. But the burger with a bold statement to make. Meet the OFF beat burger , a burger patty with ham cheese and egg enclosed by you know it KRISPY KREME doughnut.

OHHHHH YESSS FOLKS ...... OFF beat burger indeed.

No clogged arteries , No heart burn niether diabetics should try this just for once, for the adventure.

Adventorous YESSSSS!!! so when i tatsted the grand burger with someltering calories loaded whatthamaccalit, amazing my heart did not stop at all.

Its just a burger with a twist but spectacularlygood.

NO FLAT lines here i've survive!!! Great burger at P 180 a pop!

If your in Mercato centrale do grab a bite.

RISA fine bespoke Chocolates @ Mercato Centrale

2011-03-13T04:43:00.000-07:00

email: risachocolates@yahoo.com

http://www.risachocolates.wordpress.com/

Risa Chocolates

Spain’s risas "a passion for life, love, and, of course, laughter"as explained in their blogs.
Risa is creating chocolates that are deliciously serious but with a hint of laughter.

Once you tasted thier truffles and thier mad Cuadro chocolate bars
you feel delighted,uplifted and the feeling of satisfaction kicks in.

Fashionably artsy in packaging but deliriously good in taste and feel.
Chocolates afterall supposedly makes you feel beautiful inside & out.

Risa Chocos really does makes a confectionary difference.A must TRY!!!!

Aly's Dish: DESSERTS GALORE @ Mercato Centrale

2011-03-13T04:22:00.000-07:00

http://alyabaquin.blogspot.com/2011/03/desserts-galore-mercato-centrale.html

DESSERTS GALORE @ Mercato Centrale

2011-03-13T04:20:00.000-07:00

DESSERTS GALORE!!!

Our picks @ Mercato Centrale !!!!

LOW CALORIES CAKES

Yummy desserts without the guilt!!! Home baked goodies with no sugar added.

They use isomalt, an all natural sugar replacer made from sugar beets plus only the best

low calorie & low fat ingredients.

http://www.lowcalcafe.multiply.com/

email: lowcalcafe@yahoo.com

Orders : 2121212.

No need for introduction i met the guy at ABS CBN!

The cakes are simply delicious and priced reasonably.

Good looks for great tasting cakes... Wow this guy have it all!!!

MUNCHeez makes a great gift for any occasion. Wholesome snacks for all ages!

Seems like from a Hallmark greeting card. Pastel & pink packaging with Sugarry corned flakes molded together with milk makes a good coffee companion. The owner Marla is adorably a sweetheart as well.

Good people with a good heart deserved a sweet success.

http://www.facebook.com/ / Marla's originals

email: muncheez@hotmail.com

Tel nos. +63 905 504-5555

Check out this delectable macarons minis of a power sugary treats.

Strawberry, pistacios, nutella, the triple choco power punch.

Makes your tea party: Tet for tet a wholesome and easy going conversation.

Life is beautiful indeed.

http://macarondaymanila.blogspot.com/

P 35 a piece in 9s & 12 per box.

georgia@empiremacaron.com

Mercato Centrale Food finds

2011-03-13T01:58:00.000-08:00

Mercato Centrale @ Bonifacio Global City

Sick and tired of the run of the mill restos, or simply disgusted over the quick service resto overload, or craving for a gourmand food where to go????? We all run to Mercato Centrale. A Foodie Hacienda, foodie haven & foodie wonderland... that's mercato central. (www.mercatocentrale.ph)

Just tired of cooking your way in the weekends and even on weekdays? Take a rest and troop your family & even friends to Mercato Centrale for some foodie tripping that won't break the bank.

I've checked out this foodie heaven and found myself salivating for good gourmet food. Good thing i brought Tupperware to keep food warm and safe. Now let's do some foodie shopping and tasting.

Just as about to enter the tented enclaved your greeted with DESSERTS, desserts, rice meals, pies, sausages, ice cream, pizza, pasta, salads and organic wonderland, feel like Alice and a mad hat eating party of array of sweet sensations for the morning rush then salty undertakings in the next.

Okey kids attack!!!You need sugar anyways.

Someone should do a shout out in twitter and should read as follows:

"Extensive selection of mouth-watering foods! A vibrant organic market! Air-conditioned tents! Live entertainment! Free Wi-Fi! That's Mercato Centrale!!!." as copied from their web site.

Mercato Centrale is the brain child of the famous awesome planet blogger Mr. Anton Diaz himself and a few other foodie enthusiast. Kudos to the team you deserved a big hug!
We are all grateful & smiling. :)

If this is FB i press LIKE a hundred times or more to keep this gig going.

Operating Hours: Saturdays and Sundays 7:00am - 2:00pm
Location:34th street and 8th avenue (across MC Home Depot)

Food Finds: TINA Pie's Outlet

Tina Pie's Outlet email: savourypies @gmail.com

www.savourypies.multiple.com

In the US of A it is a common practice in country food fairs to give blue ribbon to the best homemade cooked pie. Take our advise buy Tina's Pie at P200 a piece in a jiffy as they will disappear as these pies are deserving of a blue ribbon. Troops don't be afraid of no pie! Get some and buy the Callos pie as they've said its savoringly delicious.

Tina is married to an Australian guy and this lovely couple manned their booths at MC. The pies are hand crafted with tender loving care in their home and is serve with a genuine smile from Tina herself.

The best pie is the Callos. Callos is a spanish classic dish and Tina turned this to a pie, a different take on the empanadas y empanditas or from your usual american pies.

Special pies are beef curry, Beef & mushrooms, they even have gourmet pies of smoked bangus & prawns.

For that chillax dinner with wine. I suggest get the pie share it with your loved one for that perfect dinner..

Hassle free , worry free ,No cooking remember.

UP NEXT : JUST DESSERTS

JUNIOR MASTER CHEF AUSTRALIA !

2011-02-12T03:10:00.000-08:00

Junior Master Chef Australia, a TV show that shows Small people have BIG Dreams.

Got hook watching and was so amazed that these kids /cheflings (ages 8-12 yrs old) have culinary mastery.

Excited about their future in the culinary scene, these kids have the ability of a master cook with their pint size cookie cutter mold can give Master chefs a run for their money.

AMAZINGLY YUMMY!!!

Age is no barrier in creating beautiful food.
Great show. Great Food created by kids in the kitchen.

Happy cooking to all! Your all inspirational !!!

MILANO fashion treat

2010-09-23T02:57:00.000-07:00

MILANO FASHION TREAT
By : Aly Abaquin

While in HCMC my last fashion extravaganza was the Milano fashion show wherein I had attended and treated to a fashion show that is a feast to the senses.

Sight, smell, and taste are all an integral part of the shopping experience in the bustling marketplace in HCMC. If you’re for exotic shopping the smell of the cinnamon, anise, black pepper, cloves and coffee (Vietnam is the world’s second largest producer of the latter) waft through the markets. Mixed with less pleasant odors of nuoc mam ( fish sauce), heaps of mangos, purple dragon fruit, enormous jackfruit and the pungent durian spills out onto the streets are basic staples in any marketplace but wait the rich and famous converge on the different level of shopping paradise.

The rich goes to the streets of Dong Khoi, the fashion high street that is, last season, yours truly was invited and was rubbing elbows with the crème the la crème of Saigon. Seen and tasted the Paris in the orient has truly been an exotic shopping paradise for over a century.

Proofs of these are the Milano Fashion show: Colours-bustling of colours is what we seen in the Catwalks, like their exquisite lacquered boxes, silk ao dai (vietnam’s graceful national costume for females) buffalo horns ornaments, elaborate embroidery, stone carved Buddhas, and intricate wicker basketry are elements of the fashion scene in HCMC.

So here are the pictures as I introduce to you FASHIONISTA SAIGON.

Memoir of SPAMgon

2010-07-18T23:23:00.000-07:00

Memoir of SPAMgon

By Aly Abaquin

Nothing is more memorable than having friends together for dinner.

From entirely different countries and different culture we agreed

to enrich our taste buds with SPAM takeoffs.

Saigonites unite one evening for a Spam Party that conjure up taste and laughter.

The smell, the scent that can be momentarily fleeting but conjure up a colorful array of taste, the gathering of flavors for this dinner of pot luck that got its food inspiration from that all American SPAM- cuisine.

We spamMATICS conjured dishes that spell bouncingly different. The spam reunited us to be friends and conjure up memoir of our spam childhood.

I think every one of us have those spam moments. I remember relatives from the states from the U.S. of A. Those balikbayan boxes in the 70’s are with spam canned favorites for us to save in our pantry. “Ala State side” many Filipinos can relate to this one … love this spam “delata” ( can ) that my Mom kept from us since it is stateside and valuable … Hahahahahahaha.

She just open this can for special breakfast and for special occasions during the 70’s this was quite a gold commodity as it came from the states. Remember Cartimar and Cash & Carry stores that only carry this all American can back in the 70’s.

The smell and taste of spam detonate a softly but laughing memory of complex vision leaping out from my childhood. Memoirs that sparks during our SPAMATICS get together.

During the 80’s the Spam was beginning to be available in groceries and Spam sandwiches with Mayo made for a quicky snack or “baon” for school.

The sliced fried spam with mayo and pickles are staples for our lunch boxes

Back then. Quick and easy and ready to go.

The smelly spammy sweat that every kid loves when I was in school we used to share this sandwiches with coke and or orange juices. As recess is only 20 minutes then so no choice but eat SPAMwich.

Well here are some pictures of our great get together and HAIL to SPAM.

I did the SPAM MIEN a spam pancit. Spam mixed with veggies as topping for a nest inspired fried noodles. Hopping for that asian influence……Hoping the taste is good as well as it appears.

SPAM Miem, Spam CHEESE cake, Spam Hap chie, Spam peking rolls, Spam appetizers.

Spam everything!!!

Others did well, Hmmp delicioso!!!! Happy Spam Day to all !!!

Indeed Spam can conjure up good childhood flashbacks.

What’s your Spam story???

“We do not remember days; we remember moments.”

~Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand

Say a little prayer for you

2010-04-09T03:24:00.000-07:00

"Say a little prayer for you"
By: Aly Abaquin

Remember the song “say a little prayer for you” by Diana king revived and popularized again in 1997 by the movie “My best friends wedding” a classic romantic comedy film starring Julia Roberts & Rupert Everest . Remember the scene wherein Rupert Everest sang the song to Julia with glee and the twins plus the whole family joining in as they celebrate a pre wedding of Cameron Diaz and that guy??? Hmmp forgot his name.. ……Spectacularly funny.

Well we contemplated to sing that song in this resto although nobody is on a pre- nuptial stage among us but all have funny foodie memories where we could have done that scene with friends when we troop over to this hidden gem of a Resto.

No pun intended but this Malaysian culinary secrets “the Mosque” is literally at the back of the mosque the only one existing in Dist 1, although there are 12 mosque in the city this one is the main as we where told, constructed years ago in no. 66 Do Dung beside the tall Sheraton Hotel. Hence referring to the title say a little prayer.

Way to obvious perhaps,”well thank you aly for your creative title?” a friend exasperated and suggested that we talk of our Malaysian gustatory anecdotes.

You can not miss the façade of the Mosque is pleasantly peacefully colored of ocean Blue and lively Green plus the tall tower and intricate windows welcome you and one can wonder inside and take a look at this marvelous architecture.

As we did one week ago and to our surprise we see there are people walking at the back and when Herd Instinct sets in. We follow the troops as our stomach is wise enough and our sense off smell is stronger, so we all exoduses to this path of food finds.

The food menu is in scripted by black pentel pen in a white board conveniently located in the center amidst tables, red plastic chairs, rows of bikes park and i had a chance to snapshot a bike postcardlike for prosperity, while you are transported back to Malaysia TRULY ASIA.

The curry chicken and fried chicken are a must haves plus yellow rice surely for the moment you wake up, before you put on your make-up, say a little prayer for you…

The song is now playing in our minds as we savor and laughingly humming the tune and then laughter sets in. Well that just us friends do not mind us folks as some people looking at us why we are glowingly happy. It’s the curry Magic!

To continue the curry taste lingers as well as the song….

"Forever, and ever, you'll stay in my heart, and I'll love you
Forever, and ever, we never will part, oh I love you
Together, forever, that's how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me..."

Curry chicken and yellow rice had a spell on us indeed. :)

Hidden gem no longer.
The MOSQUE
No. 66 Do Dung Dist 1, HCMC, Vietnam
Beside Sheraton Hotel

Siu BLACK : Queen of Soul

2010-04-02T02:33:00.000-07:00

Siu Black: The Queen of Soul

Siu Black is a prominent Vietnamese Singer and one of the most influential and important voices in the history of popular music in Vietnam. Siu Black reminds me of the most famous soul singer of the 60’s: The legendary Aretha Franklin.

Both Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin & Siu Black fuses soul sensuality of R&B, the innovation of jazz, and the precision of pop in their style. She has been mentored by Y Moan and recorded several songs of Nguyễn Cường, which endured her to the public.

Her powerful voice, down to earth disposition plus a friendly comedic presence have achieved great popularity among Vietnamese and foreign audiences. With numerous Golden accolades in national singing contest and was bestowed the Asean Golden Voice in 1996 (Japan).

Her Star continues to shine and enthrall everyone. Born in the wonderful sunny day of August 27, 1967 in Pleitonghia commune. This Lass is the daughter of the City of Kontum, South Vietnam Central Highlands.

She is proud of her ethnic background and is a member of the Ba Na (Bahnar) ethnic group. With her roots from the highlands she has transformed a house in 23 Cuu Long St. Tan binh district near the Tan San Nhat Airport as a venue for up and coming POP singers.

As a way of her helping out artist and for them to make a name for themselves the Siu Black Café is a singing venue to hone their craft.

The café is decorated with ethnic flair reminiscent of the central highlands and showcases talented singers. While sipping your café sua da or smoothies one can listen to the melodic and emerging vietnamese sounds with glee. Be astonished with the plethora of powerful voices singing rock, ballads and Pop Vietnamese music filling the air with different high notes coming from the heart.

We’ve experienced the hospitality of Vietnam’s music industry thru Ms. Siu Black’s invitation and their music industry is now healthy and evolving into more varied genres.

Kudos and more power to Siu Black who cares and continue to champion Vietnamese Music.
By the way did you know she is the Vietnam idol judge as well!

Siu Black Cafe
No. 23 Cuu Long St., Tan Binh District, HCMC
DT: 0873004289

Music Memorabilia ROCKs SAIGON!

2010-03-20T22:48:00.000-07:00

MUSIC MEMORABILIA ROCKS SAIGON
By Aly Abaquin

Tired of hearing ABBA Music being played over the radio or even 70’s music being aired in taxi’s all over Saigon. Well your luck has been changed; look no further as the famous Hard Rock café is now in Saigon! ROCK N' ROLL is here to conquer the music bar scene.

Founded by Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton, the first Hard Rock Café opened its doors to the public in London in 1971. The brand name of Hard Rock Café has spread to over 157 venues in more than 52 countries, including 127 cafes and 12 Hotel/Casinos. And just last 17th day of December 2009 Hard Rock open its doors to Music lovers right smack in the middle of Kumho Asiana Plaza SAIGON.

Hard Rock is an American fare in the atmosphere that rocks. So HCMC get ready to be rock!!! Western music lovers now has a venue to really rock it and listen to american sounds as well as see the collection of MUSIC MEMORABILIA.

Hard Rock is known for its collection of rock and roll memorabilia. The cafes solicit donations of music memorabilia but also purchase a number of items at auctions around the world, including autographed guitars, outfits from world tours and rare photographs are often to be found mounted on cafe walls. The collection began in 1979 with the gift of an un-signed guitar (a Red Fender Lead II) from Eric Clapton, who was a regular at the first restaurant in London. This prompted Pete Townshend of “The Who” to give one of his guitars, also un-signed with the note "Mine's as good as his! Love, Pete." Hard Rock's archive includes over 70,000 items and it opened a Hard Rock museum named "The Vault" in London, located near the original cafe.

When asked the quintessential question of “What’s the single greatest piece of memorabilia in the Hard Rock collection?” Officials have this to say: “There are a few pieces that are so mind-blowingly historic that they just might qualify for that rarified title”. Or better yet just click on to www.hardrock.com and check out a handful of contenders from their interactive memorabilia website. Just click on the photos to see these pieces in amazing detail and get more of the back story.

If you’re the social network freak just chime in to their discussion over at Hard rock facebook page and interact with music lovers and collectors.

What to EAT!!!

Of course when in hard rock eat the all American burger! HRC’s Classic Bacon Cheese Burger , grilled with your choice of melted cheese, topped with crisp bacon and served on a toasted bun, fries and tomato, onion, pickles and lettuce. Plus smothered it with Catsup and your in burger heaven. What the hell !Their burgers are really staples of true blue American diet.

Now playing beautiful music in Saigon, ROCK N ROLL lives forever!!! Having said that I miss the electric guitar signage that auspicious symbol of HARD ROCK!

Well Eric Clapton wouldn’t mind if they’ve erected that in Kumho ASIANA PLAZA.

Hard Rock Ho Chi Minh City
Kumho Asiana Plaza
39 Le Duan Street
Telephone:
+84-8-6291-7595
+84-8-6291-7596

STREET FOOD

2010-03-07T03:18:00.000-08:00

STREET FOOD
By Aly Abaquin

Remember the time when your parents would not allow you to eat street foods. Reminding you that this street food is not good, unhealthy and somewhat diarrhea laden or if not careful you’ll have food poisoning.
But you always noticed all people are eating and ever wonder why are they eating it if its not good?
My mom will always have all these answers that she will whip up just for me to shut up.

For instance she will tell us that the ugly food will produce little monsters in our stomach and cause stomach ache. For the word diarrhea for a 7 years old kid will not understand at all.

I remember every summer when the dirty ice cream man/ "SORBETERO" will peddle this ice cream in wheels in the afternoon and all kids in th neigborhood except us will not buy them because its dirty ice cream. (refers to how they make them locally in their homes or some dirty factory)

We will have fights over why the other kids eat them while us will wait for Magnolia (the brandname of locally produce ice cream in the philippines) that is more safer and cleaner.

Ttill then my mom will have galloons of Magnolia Vanilla & Chocolate ice cream stash in our fridge when that dirty ice cream sound its bells and allure all the neighborhood kids to have a taste of the refreshing candy colored ice cream. In doing this everyday the "Mamang Sorbetero" Ice cream man won over the battle with us because later on my mom allowed us to eat the "good" dirty ice cream saving her trips to the supermarket. Freedom at last as we tasted in delightful glee every bit of flavor: cheese, ube, chocolate and vanilla : dirty ice cream never tasted so good.

So my fascination with street foods are honed and thru the years grew up loving to taste this little food wonders which are staple of each country, showcasing their food culture.

FAST FORWARD To HCMC.
The term "street foods" describes a wide range of ready-to-eat foods and beverages sold and sometimes prepared in public places, notably streets. Hence: no hygienic control or better yet the food safety preparation is null and void.

The demand for relatively inexpensive, ready-to-eat food has increased as people have less time to prepare meals. Urban Migration has stimulated the growth in street food vendors in many cities since the daily need among many working people eat outside the home is evident due to the daily commute to their work place.

One in particular very popular in vietnam is the FISH BALLS. Yummy in capital letters!

So in picking your street food stalls and if your adventurous eater outer like yours truly.

I advise you to pick streets foods stalls that are busy. Seeing many patrons lining up is an indication of sumptuous meals being prepared constantly fresh. Locals who hover like bees hungry for nectar is an indication that this food stall is very popular and clean enough. The food should be cooked in high fire killing any bacteria and clean flowing water is seen. These things are important if you are very particular about hygiene. No food monsters here mind you.

If not there is always the reliable Imodium pill that helps you ease the pain of diarrhea.

That jagged little pill will do the trick once you feel your stomach is growling.

Like fast foods, the final preparation of street foods occurs when the customer orders the meal which can be consumed where it is purchased or taken away. Street foods and fast foods are low in cost compared with restaurant meals and offer an attractive alternative to home-cooked food.

Which brings me to again to my YUMMY favorite Street food : FISH BALLS, SQUID BALLS, SHRIMP BALLS and Hot dog. They are skewered pieces of balls made from flour mixed together with morsel of either fish, squid or meat and seasoned with salt pepper & spices then deep fried in a hot pan along the streets of Saigon. Then served with hot sauce or catsup.

Here are the delectable pieces in picture. Help yourself to one when you pass by any street corners in HCMC. Some are being peddled along thorough fares by HA LONG Boy and vendors are amazing marketers institutionalizing Street food in every nook and cranny.

Passionately Curious

2010-03-01T21:59:00.000-08:00

Passionately Curious: The delectable path of food writer, Richard Sterling

The award wining food and travel writer opens up about his love of culinary adventure.

By Aly Abaquin

Perhaps there is no perfect word nor phrase to describe oneself when he is fulfilling his dream or simply following his bliss. But wait have you heard of the phrase Passionately curious?

These words put together make an extremely powerful meaning.

Remember Albert Einstein uttered this “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." What does it mean? Einstein encouraged inquiry. "The important thing is not to stop questioning and curiosity has its own reason for existing”

Passionate Curiosity is one characteristic renowned food and travel writer, Richard Sterling possesses.

Sterling is a travel food, lifestyle journalist, the principal author of Lonely Planet's World Food Series.
His writing is provocative and testosterone-edged, but poignant and hilarious, and when asked where he gets his inspiration? Without a blink of an eye he said PASSIONATE CURIOSITY.

“Passionate curiosity about the world as I said I grew up in a rural place. A very good place to grow up,” But very narrow place not much range of experience and then I was sent to Asia and the world just opens up and so I always had a great curiosity on everything that I see, eat and drink.”

New York Times dubbed him the Indiana Jones of Gastronomy for his willingness to go anywhere and court any danger for the sake of a good meal. He has been honored by the James Beard Foundation for his food writing, and by the Lowell Thomas awards for his travel literature and has authored a dozen books and scores of magazine articles.

In this short interview, Richard Sterling takes us into the inner working of his heart, his soul and stomach.
He shares his most compelling stories from a lifetime of travel and adventure. Whether breaking bread with a murderer in Baja dessert or enjoying shipboard dalliance with a mysterious new acquaintance on the South China Sea. Sterling shares his most memorable adventures.

When asked to recount just one Sterling replies: I was in the Philippines a restaurant in Zambales province called Three Roses. I was excited to try this new culinary adventure and three Filipino friends took me there as their guest. I was excited until they've place the dish before me. It was a dog. All I could see was every dog I ever own seated in the table growling at me. It was quite a trauma. I finally ate it. It was delicious but the dogs are barking in my belly all night long.”

Sterling has a bevy of equally captivating tales. Some of which he chronicled in his book : The Fire Never Dies:One Man's Raucous Romp Down the Road of Food.
He joined the Navy by the age of 19 and had not dropped the anchor since. Sterling is still sailing the horizon that keeps the flames of his soul alive. Passionate about food when he landed in South East Asia, he claims to have found in a "culinary Disneyland.” the writer immediately fell in love.

Aside from dog is there any food you won't eat despite having an iron stomach? “I don’t care for tofu, to my mind it is tasteless, odorless, colorless. I would rather eat spam a perfectly good food substitute.”

Then I concur food should be tasted and chewed so that every morsel and bite is an adventure to itself.
Amongst hearty laughter we chat like old friends. Both foodies, who love to travel & write, the conversation was smooth, light -at times endearing.

So I continued to pry. Having said that, i followed up the question quickly with If you where a dish what will you be and why?

“I think I would be something spicy and a lot of sauce. Something like a Vietnamese Curry.” Indeed the guy has Gusto, Spunk and Spice. He is quite tall and debonair in stature and has many things to offer. Remember he is fueled with enormous amount of creativity and passion that commands attention.

Spurned by the idea that food makes strong bonds with family, history and culture. I asked him what his comfort food is?

His smile and twinkle in the eyes are reminiscent of that scene from the movie Ratatouille.
As always a true blue American he said “When I go the United States something I always want to have within a day or two of my arrival. I go to a Bar and grill a very simple place and have a cheese burger and a draft beer. Hopefully thankful Hank William Sr. is playing at the jukebox.”

I was also curious if this award winning travel journalist is a cook. Julia Child said be a fearless cook are you one aside being a fearless diner?

He confirmed that like Julia he never apologizes on the food he cooks
“Sometimes a dish that I create does not come quite the way it would. They do not know that. I prepare dinners and sometimes things not what you hope to be. I personally disappointed but served it forth….Enjoy!”

He continues to share with all the travels his biggest challenge on the road was loneliness.
“There is this profound loneliness if you’re a stranger in a strange land. All by yourself even though you’re having a lot of fun…. It’s fascinating to see new people and eat new food and experience the new country. Just can’t shake it off for the day. You have to work thru it. Alright I would be lonely in a day or two but shake if off and continue.”

His advise to aspiring travel writers like myself is: “If you want to be a good writer you must read great writers. Great writer will rub-off on you.”

You’ve gone around the world and become successful. Is there anything else that you would like to fulfill? “I want to do the same thing, continue exploring the world through my eyes, my mouth, heart, stomach and sharing it to others through my writing.”

Sterling is currently writing a new book about working and living in Vietnam. Inspired by Rudyard Kipling's "Mandalay" & Paul Theroux’s Great Railway Bazaar

His highest aspiration is that people will be inspired to eat adventurously and also feel inspired to travel through the pages of his books.

Like his adventures, Richard Sterling is heart-felt, sensitive, yet hard-edged and witty, creating a unique view of this man’s Passionate Curiosity: the very core of his being.

The article in its condensed version appeared in East West: Gastronome : Feb 2010

With the famous Richard Sterling.

Other books worth reading from Richard Sterling

Photos: courtesy of Mr. Richard Sterling

All books available at http://www.amazon.com/

Eat all you can madness

2010-02-28T19:37:00.000-08:00

DIN KY: Eat all you can madness

By Aly Abaquin

Are you looking for that satisfaction of getting big value for your money? Well one resto in HCMC is up to give you a wide selection of vietnam’s gastronomy buffet style: eat all you can. Its full moon and as they say madness strikes everyone when there’s a full moon: EAT ALL YOU CAN MADNESS that is.

Din KY is located in 48-50 Le Thi Hong Gam dist 1 and for 145,000 vnd ($7)per person: eat all you can and yes folks it is open 24 hours at that.

I with a friend in tow tried and tested this very popular vietnamese restaurant that can house a huge number of people a good choice for Big Bigger Biggest get together, parties and the likes.

Do not be shy for the buffet of 100 dishes are plenty and ready to serve hungry mouths. A marathon of eating is now on the loose as we partake to see what is in store for us. Good thing we did pass out on lunch for this day we are ready to dive in to this smorgasbord disneyland of vietnamese cuisine.

The atmosphere is so festive as we see families celebrate their kids birthday, from mother, father , brother, sister, auntie, uncles, grandma and grandpa all in attendance shall we say all the clan is here to give the celebrant a bright b-day. We also see foreigners being treated by their vietnamese friends and so groups of people acquaintances, employee, employer outings and or just friends enjoying beer & food galore.

The menu is a dazzling array of large serving of Pho, hot pot, appetizers, fish ,seafoods from ban xeo to rice meals. From Veggies to carbs all present.

The place is chaotic, happy, dizzying, dashing frenzy of people looking for each dish that caught their fancy. You’ll surely tend to divide and conquer as I and a friend are on a food trip so to speak. We just partake what we like to eat and not be gluttons in the process we select to taste test everything in tiny bite size pieces then and go back to our favorites so to savour the buffet. The pictures will tell you what we go for.

Why not take yourself to a foodie adventure. I will bet my bottom dollar that its gonna be a wild and memorable one. As we did experience it one full moon ago.

ADDRESS: 48- 50 Le Thi Hong Gam, Dist. 1

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

PHONE: (84-8) 3829 4112

E-MAIL: buffetngondinky@yahoo.com

HOURS: 24 hours

TET & Banh Chung

2010-02-20T03:59:00.000-08:00

TET & Banh Chung

By Aly Abaquin

The making and eating bánh chưng during Tet is a well-preserved tradition of Vietnamese people. Bánh chưng is a traditional Vietnamese cake which is made from Glutinous rice, mung bean & pork.

Traditionally, in making the bánh chưng, all members of the family gather with different tasks, from washing the lá dong, mixing the pork with spices, preparing the mung bean and most important wrapping all ingredients in square form (Ban Chung) or cylindrical form (ban Tay) and carefully boiling the cakes for ten – twelve hours in a boiling cauldron.

The Taste of the glutinuous rice with mung bean are very heavy to the stomach and we suggest to have a tea handy. One slice is enough to make you full. The Cake is also an offfering to the buddhist altar for more bountiful new year and is a great way to greet the new Year!

Or simply called the Tet, which means the first morning of the first day of the new year, is the Vietnamese New Year. The celebration lasts for 7 days. Like the Chinese, the Lunar New Year is one of the most celebrated holidays.

Preparation for Tet starts weeks before New Year's Day. Homes are cleaned to get rid of bad fortune associated with the old year. Families paint their homes to give it a new look. Everyone gets new clothes and new shoes. Pay your debts and resolve differences between family and friends.

A special ceremony called Le Tru Tich is held at the mid-night hour (Giao Thua) on New Year's Eve. The ritual involves firecrackers and gongs and other festive items that make loud noises to usher out the old and welcome the new.

In HCMC, Saigon tourist has held the successful flower market to welcome the new year and this is also the most awaited event for locals and well as for tourist. An explosion of flora & fauna. Disneyland for landscapers, an array of different flowers from orchids, daffodils, exotic flowers etc are all present.

Think of the Rose parade but in this case its not mobile but stationary along the Central district in Nguyen Hue.

Like the Chinese, Vietnamese people are very careful about what they do on New Year's Day. The events on New Year's Day determine your luck for the rest of the year. Therefore, everything and everyone you are in touch with on New Year's Day should symbolize good fortune. Don't visit people who are in mourning because they are associated with death. Children should not fight or cry on New Year's Day.

Homes are decorated with Hoa Mai, a yellow blossom that represents spring for prosperity.
Family members exchange gifts or give li xi a red envelope with lucky money and pay homage to the Kitchen God. They also visit local temples to pray for prosperity and good health.

So this year of the tiger i wish all you the best of health & wealth.
Be Brave and courageous this year!

FRUIT CANDY TREATS!

2010-01-14T03:48:00.000-08:00

Fruit Candy treats

by Aly Abaquin

In vietnam fruits are being candied ,diced, sliced and wrap individually in cellophane and sold in markets.

This natural goodness are either aired dried or candied in brown sugary goodness.

Jack fruits, durian, sampaloc, ginger and lime fruits are the best prefered sweet treats.

All naturally being sold in markets or placed in a Glass menagerie of row and rows of

good fruit candied treats. Sweet treats that are nutritiously organic.

Vogue : Behind the Sun glasses of Anna Wintour

2010-01-13T02:30:00.000-08:00

Vogue : Behind the Sun glasses of Anna Wintour

By Aly Abaquin

Vogue Magazine is the bible of the fashion industry and the September issue is the magazine’s Holy Grail. You cannot talk about VOGUE without mentioning the elusive and enigmatic editor- in chief Anna Wintour

The most powerful woman in fashion the name strikes in terror, intimidating and for some commands a loyal band of friends & admirers for 21 years a divorced mother of two has been a editor of vogue.

She is portrayed as the Dark Vader in frock of the fashion industry or the worst Nuclear Winter BITCH Persona as paparazzi revered her photos more so than a Movie Superstar and Top notch Royalty. While Actors and Actresses like to befriend her as well.

This so-called bitch, ice flow, perfectionist, needy and cold are harsh adjectives/blurbs comments from Critics but she is the Fashion industry’s most feared, revered and powerful woman where Conde Nast the Publisher of Vogue holds her the personification of Vogue or simply put “Her majesty the Queen herself”.

She is the inspiration behind the Miranda Priestly Beastly character from the Devil wears Prada movie & novel. Now the legendary Anna Wintour hidden behind her trademark bob and sunglasses has allowed us to scrutinize the inner workings of her magazine.

With unprecedented access, filmmaker R.J. Cutlers new film THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE does for fashion what he did for politics in The War Room, taking the viewer inside a world they only think they know. Every August a record-breaking number of people can’t wait to get their hands on the September issue of Vogue.

Did you know that the 2007 issue was and remains the biggest ever, weighing over four pounds, selling thirteen million copies, and impacting the $300-billion global fashion industry more than any other single publication.

That said this documentary has also earned nods from film critics in the Sundance Film Festival 2009 and included in “Excellence in Cinematography Award Documentary” category.

The September issue is a rare behind the pages look on how Vogue is made. The film is documented to show the power and collaboration of the Vogue team that makes fashion magic and thrown you into fantasy haute couture in this recession laden times .

An intimate, funny and surprising look at Anna Wintour and her team of larger-than-life editors as they create this must-have Bible of fashion, Cutler explores the untouchable glamour of Wintour’s Vogue to reveal the extraordinarily passionate people at its heart. He takes us behind the scenes at Fashion Week, to Europe, on shoots and re-shoots, and into closed-door staff meetings, bearing witness to an arduous, entertaining, and sometimes emotionally demanding process. At the eye of this annual fashion hurricane is the two-decade relationship between Wintour and Grace Coddington, incomparable Creative Director and fashion genius. They are perfectly matched for the age-old conflict between creator and curator. Through them, we see close-up the delicate creative chemistry it takes to remain at the top of the ever-changing fashion field.

As we mortals try to wear Anna’s sun glasses and try to see her passion for the magazine and the inner minds behind sophistication and fantasy of Vogue. Vogue is the leader in the field and consider as the glamorous girlfriend of any 20’s 30’s & 40’s fashionistas in the world, whether in Milan, Paris or New York.

A Fashion Icon and acts as Cheerleader, Power broker, Consultant and the Queen BEE as she decides who is in or out and cuts out designers from the pages of Vogue if not master Perfection or not her cup of tea.
“LIFTED OUT” is the term as she express discontent.

She is also the Fairy God Mother to new designers - remember John Galliano: House of Dior and selling his couture masterpieces like hotcakes for a 6 figure tag price. As if you can afford them? Only if you are privileged and have a $200,000 dollar clothing allowance that is.

She is influential and help choose the new generation of designers. The film gives us the new inside track of the most hottest designer to look for. As Ms.Wintour makes judgment to any designer’s collection on fashion week that makes or break them.
Indeed she is powerful and capable of all the power of any Queen and her millions of constituents has seen her in the 21 years of her throne. Elizabethan Golden age sort of.

Vogue still lives & breathes like a VAMPIRE in this 21st century even stronger and healthier in its 840 pages September edition and the film entirety gives us a clear vision behind those dark glasses.

Indeed an eye opener of how the fashion industry prosper and thrives. Now move over PRADA with TWILIGHT anyone?

P.S.
Okey folks whats the connection with my food blogs??? Well as i was watching this movie i was munching this Jack fruit snack. That is i just happen to like this movie and blog on a review and sold it in a vietnamese publication for translation yippee!!!! ;) Kudos to Vogue!!! VINAMIT jack fruit snack was awesome!!!

Street Sweets: Ban Ran

2010-01-13T01:44:00.000-08:00

Street Sweets: Ban Ran

By Aly Abaquin

For only 1,000 vnd .05 cents practically FREE SWEETS !!!

This Ban ran as the locals calls it is a deep-fried glutinous rice ball from northern Vietnamese cuisine. The bánh means “cake” and rán means “fried.” Its sold practically on the side streets and it’s a way to taste Vietnam Street Sweets that is if your adventurous.

The outer shell is made from glutinous rice flour, and covered all over with white sesame seeds and poured over with a transparent glassy sugary syrupy goodness. Molding its shape glistening in bright sunny day.

Enticingly YUMMY as you eater outer was tempted to try one day! Sugary Sticky but finger licking good.

As I told my foreigner friends to try one and we did tried 10 pieces good for that afternoon Tea.

This unconventional doughnut that is filled with sweetened mung bean paste, and scented with jasmine flower essence. Making every bite crunchily sweet and boy is it heavy in the stomach so take a hot jasmine tea or Lemon Tea to balance it off.

Bánh rán is very similar to a Chinese fried glutinous rice ball called zin dou or “Buchi“ which is a standard pastry in Cantonese cuisine.

The Chinese version is generally slightly sweeter and uses fillings such as lotus paste or black bean paste and the shape is rounded and full of sesame seeds.

This pastry surely puts your afternoon delights in place. So sticky delicious. Topped of with vanilla and make it ala mode. Great idea right!!!