FEAST BE WITH YOU

Seafood Overload

2012-11-10T22:58:00.000-08:00

Seafood Bar at Basix (Dusit Thani Manila)

Ilustrado's Seafood Special (Intramuros)

Buttered Oyster

Clam Chowder Soup

Sweet and Sour Lapu-lapu

Seafood Pasta

Sampaguita Ice cream

The Amazing "Songs of the Sea" in Sentosa

2012-10-15T22:41:00.000-07:00

The final stop in our Singapore tour itinerary last week was the Sentosa's Songs of the Sea. It's basically a series of display of lasers, flame bursts, water and pyrotechnics completed with animation and banters from a group of performers. Though the song and dance opening from a group of actors was a so-so, the succeeding scenes were no ordinary music and light presentation. The stunning visuals, musical scoring and entertaining storyline really amazed us.

Below are some of the show’s highlights.

Bagoong Club Resto

2012-09-13T20:11:00.001-07:00

Talk about food, you can never go wrong with Pinoy food which even made tastier with none other than Pinoy favorite--bagoong!

Top Picks

Six variants of bagoong : Bagoong Pag-ibig (sweet), Bagoong Buhay (infused with coconut milk), Bagoong Europa (native bagoong mixed with European herbs and spices), Bagoong Asya (Asian flavos and spices), Bagoong Umaga (spicy) and Bagoong Lipunan (traditional).

Bagoong Sampler

Appetizer

Singkamas and Mangga with Powdered Bagoong

Bulalo sa Munggo (with bagoong)

Bulalo sa Munggo ingredients

Bulalo sa Munggo

Laing Pasta (with bagoong)

Laing Pasta

Lechon Kawali (with bagoong)

Lechon Kawali

Ukoy

Ukoy

Address

Bagoong Club: 122 Sct. Dr. Lazcano (Tomas Morato) , Quezon City

Bagoong Club

Puey Quiñones and Samar food

2012-08-28T21:35:00.002-07:00

By Lea Paz Torre

Fashion and food are two things that matter most to fashion designer and now a chef Puey Quiñones. For him, the two are exactly the same where both involve "same formula and same process."

"Sa food kailangan mo ng ingredients, sa fashion naman, kailangan mo ng materyal, tela, lulutuin mo, tatahiin mo, the same."

Recently this year, he opened his Makati penthouse for diners. As Puey ventures to food business, he shares some of his bestsellers. Being a proud Samareño, Puey has been cooking Samar dishes since he was a kid. But to produce more exquisite fares, he tweaks and combines recipes of his father and grandmother.

Perfectly cooked Humba is one of the customers' favorites.

Humba

Like its neighboring provinces in Visayas, Samar is abundant of coconut trees. So basically, "almost all of Samareños' recipes have gata or pure coconut milk," explains Puey. But unlike Bicol folks, they are not that fan of spicy food.

Native Chicken Adobo sa Gata

Ginataang Bopis

Most of Manileños are not familiar with Samar food that's why "I'm really pushing it, kasi parang gusto kong ipakita na ang Samar food ay pwedeng panlaban dito sa Manila," he adds.

Tinola

Crispy Dilis

Eskabeche

Puey's penthouse is located at The Bel-Air Place 5013 P. Burgos St., Bel Air, Makati City. Call 496-0546 for inquiries.

With Puey Quiñones

Cafe d' Asie

2012-08-18T08:22:00.001-07:00

The Bellevue's Italian Food Festival dubbed "I Love Italy"

Baba Al Rum

Cigarette with Ricotta Cream Cheese Filling

Cannoli

Seafood Pasta

Beef Stew

Osso Buco Milanese

Fish

Baccala Alla Romana

Leg of Lamb and Roast Beef

Chicken in Casserole

Pollo in Casserola

Risotto with Asparagus

Grilled eggplant with mozzarella cheese and tomato

Parmegiana

Beef Caneloni

Caneloni de Carne

Pork with Mushroom Sauce

Scaloppine di Maiale

Budino

Bon Appetit!

The Iscreamist

2012-08-15T03:08:00.000-07:00

Dragon's Breath


Smores

French Macaroons

Liquid Nitrogen

Ice cream

Strawberry Mint Ice Cream

Green Tea Ice Cream

Toasted Mallows

The Iscreamist is located at 46 D Magiting Street, Teacher's Village, East Diliman 1101 QC.

Facebook: The Iscreamist

Revisiting Distrito Makati

2012-07-05T05:19:00.001-07:00

By Lea Paz Torre

I wasn't able to blog Distrito Makati when it opened November last year. The night market ran for just about a month. Upon hearing its re-opening in June, I’ve got a chance to visit Distrito again, and to finally post the food photos I took there.

Like its sister market (Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio Global City Taguig), Distrito provides a great selection of food. But on my second visit, I’ve noticed that some stalls are no longer in the market.

Examples are the tasty wagyu and certified angus beef by "Taste and See Gourmet Creation". The stall used to sell affordable steaks on a stick and wagyu slices. It was a hit.

I remember gorging myself on mini-tacos and cute bite-sized guacshells filled with meat and cheese toppings.

These are sold in guactruck, the so-called first LA-inspired food truck in Manila.

I kept looking for Big Bob’s charcoal-grilled burger but they’re no longer in the place also.

The good news is that the market introduced new food stalls which serve great gourmet home-cooked meals.

The Japanese bestsellers include Japanese pizza, beef yakiniku and gyoza.

Japanese Pizza and Gyoza

California Maki

Mediterranean favorites particularly skewers can be served with rice.

They also added bottled fruit juice and milk tea with rock salt and cheese toppings for refreshments.

Some stalls offer Pinoy food as well. You can find the all-time favorite sisig in different flavors in several stalls.

Since the market is open until 3 in the morning, breakfast meals such as Pinoy Silogs are also available.

“Usually this time, only fast food restaurants or convenience stores are open, so we want to provide something different,” says Vanessa Ledesma, one of the organizers of Distrito Makati.

Located at Makati Medical Center Parking Lot in Ayala Ave. corner Amorsolo St., Distrito Makati is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9PM to 3AM.

Contact Distrito Makati at 0917-840-1152.

4 Fingers Crispy Chicken in Manila

2012-06-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

By Lea Paz Torre

Almost everyone loves chicken, be it chicken ginger stew (tinola), roast, adobo, or just plain fried chicken. I bet anyone, minus the alektorophobic and those allergic to chicken, has a favorite chicken dish to picture in mind.

With the opening of 4 Fingers Crispy Chicken in Manila this year, chicken lovers have yet another addition to the loop of their must-try chickens in town. 4FCC boasts its double deep-fried chicken. As the name suggests, the chicken is twice-cooked, evenly fried to eliminate fat from skin.

“It involves Korean-style which is double deep-fry, but some elements are Singaporean,” says Alfonso Hortaleza, President of Mindblowing Delicious Food and the first Manila franchisee of Singaporean food chain 4 Fingers Crispy Chicken. Korean-style fried chicken involves deep-frying and various seasoning before and after it is cooked, another food craze that hits Filipino taste.

4FCC’s chicken wings are individually hand-painted and coated with special soy garlic sauce.

You can request if you want it spicy. I always want my chicken in that way.

Best moment is when you bite the juiciest part of the chicken. Somehow it’s crisp on the outside and soft in the inside.

All about Chicken

Spicy chicken katsu sandwich with kimchi coleslaw is another favorite. The sandwich is filled with chicken bits and healthy concoction, and it’s similar with our own empanada.

If you want a lighter meal, try the chicken wrap with perfectly mixed avocado, lettuce, cheese and tomato salsa.

Their double deep-fried chicken is in a burger too.

Enjoy it with fries or crispy calamari.

4 Fingers Crispy Chicken

SM North Edsa Ground Floor

Website: http://www.gimme4fingers.com

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Gimme4fingers.Philippines

Aubergine Restaurant and Patisserie

2012-06-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

By Lea Paz Torre

Authentic French Cuisine at its finest is what the Aubergine Restaurant and Patisserie endeavors to offer to its customers. Located at 32nd St. of Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, the Resto always becomes the target of dating couples and even families on celebrations, for its romantic and cozy ambiance.

At times, it serves specialty set menus perfectly crafted for an occasion. I've once tried their Valentine's Day Degustation menu. I know this is a bit overdue, but their food is pretty worth the post!

First on the list is the red salmon "Amuse Bouche". Apparently, in French degustation, you have to delight on bite-sized starter first before taking the appetizer. Wiki says it literally means "mouth amuser" in French.

The very tender duck foie gras was served together with fig confit cake as appetizers. Yes, I've got to taste duck liver again after ages.

For the soup, you can choose between corn soup with scallop and lobster soup with crayfish. I choose... both!

Finally, the star of the menu, the oven-roasted lamb rack for main course was served. And this time, with wine.

I enjoyed watching this smokey Red Berry and Champagne Sorbet. This was served before the ricotta cheese with strawberries, the dessert. The sequence is actually crucial because your taste buds need to get some variation to better appreciate each fare.

The menu is "more on the sweet side, " says European Chef Stefan Langeham of Aubergine. There's really no need to complicate the taste. They make dish as authentic as possible.

For reservations, you can e-mail the restaurant at dine@aubergine.ph or call (+632) 856-9888 or (+639) 17-557-1675/ (+639) 49-641-9468.

Chef Boy Logro's Yum Yum Yum Yum Treat

2012-05-01T01:32:00.000-07:00

By Lea Paz Torre

What you see is what you get. It may seem cliche' but I really love how spontaneous and dashing Chef Boy Logro is whether in television or in person. Aside from his culinary prowess, I think his funny antics brought him new fame and popularity. Those simple yet mouth-watering recipes plus his clever tricks always capture the heart of his fans and viewers.

I've been to Chef Boy's school in Cavite, the Chef Logro's Institute of Culinary and Kitchen Services or CLICKS and I saw how students enjoyed the cooking activities from their hands-on mentor.

For the Omelet project, Chef Boy taught them the tourne' cutting or the method of shaping vegetables for garnishes.

While cooking, Chef is assisted by his daughter Matet, who seems to be following his footsteps.

Chef bathed the chicken lollipop in wine and sweet chili sauce. Looks yummy! Well, it is.

Last dish of the day is Pork Salpicao. He always reminds his students not to be afraid of the fire, just the way this recipe was cooked.

Catch Chef Boy Logro on his noon time cooking show Kusina Master. It airs Monday to Friday (before Eat Bulaga) on GMA Network.

Food and Wine Pairing at Tosca

2012-04-20T06:21:00.001-07:00

By Lea Paz Torre

Some dishes are best served with wines, at least for Tosca, an Italian Restaurant at Dusit Thani Makati known for its wine and dine offering.

Food and wine pairing becomes a staple here, as their wide selection of wines grow in number. Yes, they have more than 200 labels of various wines from around the world. I've had the chance to taste some of the light ones. Ah, they're good.

Light wines should be matched with light food like salad says Katherine Santos, the Marketing Director of Happy Living Fine Wine . So this garden fresh salad in orange balsamic vinaigrette honey melon and grilled prawns should be paired with sparkling white wine.

US fillet mignon steak is partnered with Sauvignon Napa Valley Wine.

And this panna cotta with saffron and pineapple-orange carpaccio is never perfect without Founders Estate Pinot Noir.

Beware of mismatch. Doing so will ruin your fare.

Good news for wine enthusiasts. Tosca has a Wine Stock Market every Wednesday. It starts at 6 PM where a bottle costs PhP 600. Price increases every hour by PhP 100 until 9 PM, so better come here early.

A Food Walk at Eastwood's Marketplace

2012-04-17T01:09:00.000-07:00

By Lea Paz Torre

Marketplace, a new food haven at City Walk 2 in Eastwood just recently opened. If you're familiar with Il Mercanti at Metrowalk Ortigas, basically this is their extended branch.

A great array of food awaits hungry nocturnal, well, call center agents around Eastwood who are tired of gorging on fast food.


Roast beef

Roast beef and pasta

No one can resist buttered freshwater shrimp, I bet. Now my palate starts to crave!

Aligue, anyone?

You can actually pass the kanin and feast with these scrumptious finds.

Cebu-style lechon


Ilocos' bagnet

Saucy chicken

Italian pizza and pasta in huge servings.

Get amazed with their black pasta. It's actually the squid tint that made it black.

Sushi on the go. You can always request how do you want it served. They can fry and chop it for you. But the owner has this "eat it like a sandwich" version.

Pork and chicken isaw

Hot bibingka

Succulent desserts from cakes to pastries.

See the actual cream brulee torching.

Cream brulee

The Marketplace is open Monday to Friday, 11PM to 9AM.

Enjoy your food trip!

Mani-mis- namis na Peanut Butter

2012-01-09T03:36:00.000-08:00

By Lea Paz Torre

Hindi na ginagalaw sa bahay ‘yung nakatambak na peanut butter. Kahit pa imported Skippy ‘yun na iba’t-ibang flavors, walang pumapansin. Kasama ‘yun dati sa package ng kamag-anak namin na nasa States. Wala lang talaga akong amor sa lasa. Pwede ring nagsawa na ako.

Araw-arawin ba namang pampalaman ng nanay ko sa baon kong sandwich sa school nung elementary ako. Rumaraket rin kasi siya nun na magpabenta ng peanut butter sandwich sa school canteen. Eto ‘yung version niya ng cliché na longganisa ng teachers. Pero sa proper place naman siya nagpapatinda. Hindi garapalang nire-require sa pupils niya sa classroom (defensive). Ayun, tapos ‘yung mga hindi nabenta sa canteen ‘pag hapon na, inuuwi sa bahay tapos no choice, kami ang umuubos.

Pero isa pang pet peeve ko sa palaman na ‘to ‘yung madikitan ako nung umiibabaw na mantika ‘pag binubuksan ‘yung garapon. Etong nasa picture sa baba, mild pa ‘yan e. ‘Yung ginagawa ng nanay ko, pag binuksan mo, pwedeng-pwedeng pag-swimingan ng insekto, lagpas-insekto ‘yung lalim ng mantika. Sabi naman niya, normal daw talaga ‘yun. Mas mamantika, mas fresh at healthy raw ang peanut butter. Narinig ko na rin ‘yun sa foodies. Kebs.

Pero na-interes ako nung gawan ko ng storya ‘yung Peanut Butter Co., isang resto sa Katipunan. Thematic. Puro may peanut butter ‘yung mga dish. Ok lang na thematic pero nung isipin ko na puro may peanut butter parang naumay na agad ako. Pero sige go na rin, tumikim-tikim na rin ako sa mga na-shoot kong pagkain. Actually, kumain talaga ko after ng shoot. Surprisingly, napa-wow ako. Siryoso.

Etong barbecue chicken, panalo. Imbes na gravy, ginawang sauce ‘yung peanut butter. Mapapa-kanin ka kasi maanghang ‘yung chicken, gawa ng chili-flavored peanut butter.

Bet ko rin ‘yung spaghetti nila. Sun-dried tomato peanut-butter ‘yung nilagay. Peanut butter ‘yung pampa-creamy sa halip na cheese. Nakakatuwa naman. Papatok siguro sa mga bata kasi manamis-namis.

‘Yung Elvis the King Sandwich, pinalamanan ng maninipis na hiwa ng saging na lakatan. Malutong-lutong ‘yung kasamang bacon na pinahiran ulit ng peanut butter.

Eto naman ‘yung Peanut Burger Sandwich nila. “Beef patty topped with tomatoes, lettuce in a burger bun, spooned with PBCo. sesame peanut butter and generously topped with peanut cucumber mayo,” ang haba ng description sa menu. Masarap din. Nilantakan ng mga kasama ko. Malaki kasi kaya kahit share-share, pwede na.

Hindi ko natikman ‘tong salad na ‘to pero mukha siyang masarap. May umorder lang nito na customer, kinunan ko lang ng shot nung nasa kitchen kami bago i-serve ni Kuya waiter. ‘Yung dressing naman niyan ang may halong peanut butter.

Eto last na, pati panulak nila loaded pa rin ng peanut butter. Na-enjoy ko ‘tong Banana milkshake na may dark choco peanut butter. Hindi na ako nag-share. Pero nasobrahan ata pag-inom ko, ambilis ng karma. Hindi maganda ang rehistro sa tiyan ko.

Magfi-feeling food reviewer muna ‘ko. Ok naman siya, natuwa ako sa mga kinain ko. Ang cute pa ng interiors. Wallpaper pa lang o, kid-friendly na.

Nutty-Gritty

Pero sa totoo lang, matagal na rin palang fad ang peanut butter dito. ‘Yung isang bakeshop nga na napuntahan ko (Cupcakes by Sonja), nag-iinvest pa talaga sa peanut butter. Eto raw kasi ‘yung best-selling flavor. Isama pa ‘yung pagkamahilig natin sa matatamis, sweet tooth, sabi nga nila.

Nakaka-tempt nga ‘pag nakita mo pa lang ‘yung colorful cupcakes. Pero hindi rin pala kaya ng sweet tolerance ko. Nag-he-hello si tonsillitis kapag pinatulan ko maski icing lang. Marami-raming baso ng tubig katapat nun pag nagkataon. Kapag napasama pa, eto na si lagnat. Oa pero totoo. Kaya hanggang tikim-tikim na lang talaga.

Napansin ko rin na ‘yung mga batang pumapasok dun sa bakeshop sa Taguig, ‘yung peanut-butter flavored cupcakes ang pinapabili nila sa parents nila. Siguro bukod dun sa combination ng sweet and nutty flavor ng peanut butter, nakakaattract nga rin ‘yung kulay at presentation.

Mukhang magkaka-amor na ko sa peanut butter nito. Siguro nga naging sarado lang ‘yung isip ko sa napakaraming possibilities ng peanut butter.

Masubukan na nga ‘yung mga nakatambak na peanut butter sa bahay. Matagal-tagal na rin akong hindi nakatikim nun. Kahit hindi ko na muna i-try isama sa mga nakaka-intimidate na recipe. Solb na maski pampalaman lang muna sa mainit na toasted pandesal na may kapartner na kape sa umaga. Ok na rin sa 'kin madikitan ng sebo ng peanut butter kesa naman matalsikan ng kumukulong mantika.

Cafe 1771--A Delightful Choice

2011-10-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

By Lea Paz Torre

As a self-help book I’ve once read said, “The secret of a good life is to wake up early in the morning.”

Starting a good day means putting something right in your system that can perk you up.

It’s nice to know that Café 1771 (El Pueblo in Ortigas) promises to satisfy the early bird cravings with its hearty Filipino and modern European food.

Eggs Florentine in a Boat Stuffed with Salmon (Php 440)

Croque Madam (Php 370)

Sour Cream Pancakes with Caramelized Bananas and Candied Walnuts (Php 350)

My favorite dish for the day was the corned beef meal served with organic egg. I’m addicted to corned beef by the way.

Corned Beef Rice

The café provides good choices for those with a sweet tooth too. Goodies and cookies are sold per pack at the counter.

Chefs Kitchen

The marketing manager allowed my group to take a peek inside the kitchen. Busy chefs are everywhere.

And of course, tempting foods are omnipresent!

Comfy Café 1771

The colorful interior adds a comfortable feeling to the café. Sofas and couches are very much homey.

This is the perfect place for bookworms. There’s a mini-library inside the café, with huge pile of books waiting to be read.

The owner might be a Harry Potter fan. You can actually read the complete series here!

Visit Café 1771 (of the Chateau Group) at El Pueblo, Ortigas Center

Pasig City, with telephone number 631-7340. It’s open daily from 7 am to 12 midnight.

A Glimpse at Sulyap

2011-10-03T06:05:00.000-07:00

An old house turned restaurant caught my camera's eye.

After a few touch-ups from the artist and restaurant owner himself Mr. Roy Empalmado, this antique-ish house originally from Tiaong, Quezon is now what the San Pablo locals called Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant.

Facade

Dining area

Food Trip

Of course, I didn't allow myself skip their best sellers.

Sulyap Cafe serves original Laguna dishes.

Kare-Kareng Sugpo

Apparently, most of the cooks are Bicolanos. Their mastery of blending spice with gata is delectably evident in San Pablo's signature dish--Kulawong. Kulawong Puso ng Saging and Kulawong Talong are worth a try.

Kulawong Talong

Kulawong Puso ng Saging

I must say I just found my new favorite salad.

Ensaladang Pako

Ensaladang Pako topped with Itlog na Maalat

Sulyap Art Gallery

Across the resto is a school turned museum. Since the owner is into antiques, his wide variety of vintage collections occupied the two floors of the museum already.

Facade

Old stuff

Old typewriter and cash register

Religious statues

Old furniture

Tourists can also book for bed and breakfast accommodation at Casa de Obando. I haven't tried it though.

Casa San Pablo: The Hidden Paradise

2011-09-11T03:24:00.000-07:00

It's my first time to visit Casa San Pablo to shoot for a segment three weeks ago, and I was totally in love with the place!

Here's what it looks like:

Relaxing ambiance...

rambutan

Cozy interior...

with mouthwatering Laguna dishes...

Pipian

Pork Sisig

Spareribs

Pinaputok na Tilapia

Turon

For booking inquiries, contact them at 0917-812-6687.lo