Foodie from the Metro

UP Economics Society | Foodgasm 2!

2013-02-23T12:48:00.002+08:00

Calling all foodies! Watch out for the yummiest event this coming March as UP Economics Society (UP ECOSOC) will be hosting Foodgasm II, a one day food tasting competition which aims to showcase the up and coming food establishments in the metro.

It will be held from 6-10 PM, March 9 at Mercato Centrale in BGC (Bonifacio Global City)!

Meanwhile, if you're rather an aspiring food business owner/entrepreneur, now is the perfect opportunity for you to gain more exposure!

Just register with the UP Economics Society (DEADLINE: March 1) and ready 800 bite-size samples of your favorite best-sellers for the event! Besides, by joining the affair, you'll get a chance to win P10,000, a free space in Midnight Mercato, and also, exposure from 25 famous bloggers and more!

For more information, check UP ECOSOC's Foodgasm's Facebook page, or contact upecosoc.finance@gmail.com or 0917-598-0777.

"Foodie from the Metro" : UP Economics Society | Foodgasm 2!

The Bistro Group | Taste the Love Campaign Launch

2013-02-03T03:38:00.000+08:00

Well hello, February! And what does it tell us? It's love month already! I bet a lot of people (especially couples) are looking forward to the up and coming Valentines Day! It you're thinking of taking your partner to a nice restaurant, then why not try one from the Bistro Group, home of the country's finest international and home-grown dining brands! Timely because they have just launched their Taste the Love campaign in which they stressed their passion for food and in giving the best service that they could give to their customers.

Along with the launch of this campaign is the kick-off of the Bistro Group Premiere Card! This privilege card offers up to 40% off on your total bill, complimentary dishes, and even birthday treats for lucky cardholders!

During this event, Chef Josh Boutwood, the Bistro Group's new Corporate Chef had even showcased some of his newest brainchild dishes, especially Village Tavern's newest offering: the Black Pizza! This is made of squid ink pizza dough, with 3 kinds of cheese, pepperoni, mushroom, bell peppers, and onion.

So what are you waiting for? Head on to one of Bistro Group's prided restaurant brands and also try and avail their Premiere Card!

Have a lovely February ahead!

The Bistro Group
http://www.facebook.com/TheBistroGroup/
http://www.mybistro.com.ph

"Foodie from the Metro" : The Bistro Group | Taste the Love Campaign Launch

Chubby Chicken | Let's All Get Chubby-fied!

2013-01-17T04:35:00.000+08:00

No one can ever go wrong with chicken. No one! Then again, there are those restaurants that offer mediocre servings of such, and it's just such a shame... but here's one thing that I'm rather sure of: Chubby Chicken is not one of those; because boy, do they know their chicken!

I've actually never been much of a frequent visitor in the Katipunan area. (Well hello, LaSallian here, in daaa hawwwwssss! Lol!) But seriously, it's just a bit too far for me. However, after being invited by the one of the owners, Raine 'EJ' Santos, thereby experiencing the chubby-fied kind of dining, then do believe me when I say that this new fast food spot is worth a long ride to Katipunan, and is even worth going to Katipunan for!

Having gone there on a Saturday, I was expecting that the place would be kind of... deserted. Because let's face it, Katipunan is mostly alive only during the school days. But imagine my surprise when I got there and saw how there were a good number of people dining in! There were even frequent 'passer-bys' who would ask for take out! Right then and there... I knew that there must be something special about them.

The restaurant (said to have started in bazaars) is small and quaint, very much like the restaurants that we also have back in Taft: simple, unpretentious, and even homey. One of those kinds of places where you could just hang-out and chill with friends!

Despite the plain white walls, there's one side of the wall that has a flat screen TV and several cork boards full of notes from silly, crazy, funny, and bored diners (mostly students of course!). There was even a section where 'mug shots' (or okay, ID pictures) of their 'Top 100 Sukis' are displayed!

As for their menu, one can say that it's pretty much straight-forward. Nothing too fancy either; just the usual comfort food for growling tummies! Fast food as it may be, let me just note though that everything is freshly made, and infused with that sense of 'home-style' cooking as per their chef, Chef Rebueno.

Now of course, to start my feast, what else shall I be given first than their famous soy-glazed Chubby Chicken! Worthy to point out in here is on how you won't feel that you were robbed off your money because the chicken was big in size! (But then again, their prices are already fairly cheap anyways! Me gusta!) After biting into the crispy skin, the mild but delicious saccharine taste will seep in through your palate, and the next thing you'll know, you'll be greeted by its juicy meat!

This dish comes with a garlic dip to balance the flavor out, but for me, I didn't touch it much because the chicken alone was already divine!

Chubby Chicken with Rice - One Piece (P78.00)

Next stop: no one can ever resist the goodness of their Chicken Chubby Tacos with Fries! Breaded 'chubby' chicken mixed with lettuce leaves, generous garlic sauce, and topped with grated cheese is wrapped around a soft pita bread and it was a good ensemble! The flavors mixed well: not overwhelming, not underwhelming. Of course an added bonus was the serving of fries!

Chicken Chubby Tacos with Fries - One Piece (P75.00)

The Chubby Chicken Parmigiana on the other hand, was close to sinful! Just look at that oozing mixture of cheese and cream that's laid down over a serving of chicken meat! Aaaah... you better gulf this down while it's still hot!

Chubby Chicken Parmigiana (P165.00)

To cap it all off, I was then finally served with their version of the good ol' fried oreos: Chubby Oreos which is served with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream. I got to admit that I've only tried fried oreos twice before this one, but safe to say, Chubby Chicken's version won me over. I suggest that you order this when you're with them! Or if you still got space (which I bet you do!) try their Chubby Twinkies too!

Chubby Oreos (P75.00)

Overall, well... I bet you already know what I'm going to say, but I'll say it anyway. Chubby Chicken didn't disappoint! I hope we had them in Taft back when I was still a student because I swear I will frequent this place so much they might even start to consider me as being one of the owners already because heck, I'll just be all over the place almost everyday! Haha!

I do recommend that you try them out if you're up for some good comfort food, and good chicken! I hope you enjoy your stay with them as much as I did!

MENU

As of December 2012.

Chubby Chicken
1B Xavierville Residences Esteban Abada
Corner Alvero Loyola Heights
Katipunan, Quezon City, Manila
Phone: 0917 252 6480
MON to THU: 10AM - 11PM
FRI to SAT: 10AM - 12AM
SUN: 11:30AN - 9:30PM
chubbychickenph@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/chubbychickenph
https://www.facebook.com/chubbychickenph/

"Foodie from the Metro" : Chubby Chicken | Let's All Get Chubby-fied!

Quick Delivery | Nanos Pizza

2013-01-15T17:11:00.000+08:00

My Saturdays would often be filled with a lot of activities and events; but on the rare days that I get to free that day up, I would usually stay at home and have a movie marathon on my own. Definitely one of those 'World Off, Me-Time On' moments that I love so much; and oh, that's a phrase that I use to describe the times that I get to relax and pamper myself.

So one Saturday, I managed to have a hassle-free day! Woop woop! Armed with my BIG stash of movies and TV shows, there was one thing left to mind... food! Now of course I wouldn't bother going out if I've got Quick Delivery to help, right? I've had such a wonderful experience with them the last time that I ordered for Arya, so I thought, why not I order again? I was thinking of having some good ol' pizza; wanting to try something new, that's when I chanced upon Nanos Pizza! When I read their tagline: "A Piece of Italy in the City" I was just simply sold!

Contacting Quick Delivery can be done in a jiffy! You could (1) call them by landine, (2) order online, or (3) text them so they would call you back themselves. Being such a lazy foodie, I opted for option #3! Oh, yeah! Within minutes, an agent called me back to take my order and he was a very helpful guy!

However... unlike my first (impressive) experience with Quick Delivery, this time's transaction had rather been a bit too messy. But it was not the fault of the operator; it just so happened that the pizzas that I wanted to order were unfortunately unavailable at that time with Nanos... so I guess you could say that we had several separate and simultaneous conversations while he tried to coordinate with the Nanos branch on what pizza I could still avail from them.

It was a bit tedious, yes, but the upside is that the operator was very apologetic and even immensely helpful in getting my order finalized; so I do commend him for the effort! Also, another upside is that Nanos still managed to impress me since if at first I expected them to have my pizza delivered 2 hours later (which was as advised by the Quick Delivery operator and of which I had agreed to) what rather happened was that they managed to deliver the pizza an hour and more earlier!

So seriously though: no harm done; it still came in early! I wasn't really in a rush anyway. And besides, by the moment that I opened the pizza box, the divine smell of pizza was too great that I forgot everything else! No joke there, buddy. And surely, props to the delivery man for having the ability to keep the pizza sufficiently warm even after an hour!

I ordered their 18-inch White Spinach and Bacon Pizza (P924.00). Now I know what you're thinking... "18-inch?! For you alone?!" YES! I have a stomach that comprises of almost 10 people's worth! But seriously now, better be equipped and loaded, than to end up with no munchies in the middle of a movie.

I'm not sure, but I guess this is the first time that I had a white-based (cream-based) pizza! And boy, oh boy, it was so rich and creamy that it was almost a sin! I loved how the bacon bits and pineapple chunks added ounces of savory and sweetness (respectively) to this whole ensemble. It surely added more personality and character to this pizza; which is weird of me to say, but it fits. It really does!

Nanos Pizza is actually a newly-opened establishment in SM Manila offering not only pizzas but pastas, salads, and rice meals too! Going by this pizza alone, you bet that I'm looking forward to tasting some of their other varieties. For example, their Chicken Meatball Pie, Cheese Burger Pizza, Veggie Pizza and more!

And of course! For times of laziness to actually go out and go through the hustle and bustle of the Metro Manila traffic, then there's Quick Delivery! Sure, this time's delivery had started off at a rocky start, but the service they have rendered to bring an orderly close to my order was really great! So I suggest that you try them out, besides, they've got a lot of partner merchants and your favorites might just be one of 'em! Happy eating!

*Note: Prices above do not include yet the delivery fee.

Quick Delivery
To order online: http://www.quickdelivery.ph/
To call: 212-1212
To text a call: Send a message to 0918-2121212 and wait for their call.

Nanos Pizza
FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nanos-Pizza/142548735826370

"Foodie from the Metro" : Quick Delivery | Nanos Pizza

CCA Culinary School | A Sneak Peek at Food Photography

2013-01-14T16:57:00.000+08:00

Last 2012, I mentioned how I was lucky enough to be invited to CCA Culinary School's 5-Day Food Media Course [see related post here], but what I did not mention was another one of their sessions: food photography!

Obviously, owning a food blog such as this involves a 'responsibility' wherein I should at least take good shots of the dishes that I encounter. Having to own only a point-and-shoot camera has limitations, but thankfully, I manage. Nevertheless, this class did not involve teaching us into 'how' we should take photos, but rather involved on a 'sneak preview' on how professional photographers take salivating shots of food for magazine covers (for example). And woooow, just looking at all the set-up and lighting dizzied me!

Looks a bit complicated if you ask me, but it was interesting to say the least! A few of my foodie friends and I had a good laugh though as we joked on how we would bring props like these to every restaurant that we visit; and boy, that would of course, cause such a scene!

This session was actually held as the last part of the course, wherein the students would make a dish that involved all the teachings of Chef Eugene Raymundo in food styling. The students will also direct the 'look' or 'style' of their dishes on their own and then have Chef Eugene's professional photographer to just take a snap of it.

And just for the fun of it, I tried to use my point-and-shoot to take shots of my own. Hah! Amateur! LOL.

The Center for Culinary Arts (CCA) Podium Culinary School Market Cafe has a lot of courses to offer for those who are trying to get a career in the culinary arts or even for those who are just simply enthusiasts. Simply go to their website below to inquire. Enjoy!

Level 5 The Podium, Mandaluyong, Philippines
http://www.cca-manila.com
http://www.facebook.com/CCAPodium/
(02) 696 9083

"Foodie from the Metro" : CCA Culinary School | A Sneak Peek at Food Photography

Knorr Sinigang | Holiday Homecoming Treat for OFWs

2012-12-30T22:51:00.000+08:00

Do you have a family member overseas? In this kind of season, I bet that you long for their presence, and that they long for your presence too. So surely, nothing beats the kind of joy that occurs when an OFW, for instance, would touch back down to the Philippine soil. Other than longing their families and love ones, food is also one factor that OFWs miss and the popular sinigang in particular ranks as the number one home fare that no other exotic cuisine could beet.

Therefore, to make such a sweet reunion even more exciting, Knorr Sinigang recently rolled out a truly Pinoy and definitely heart-warming welcome for the country’s modern-day heroes: “Knorr Sinigang’s Umuwi sa Sarap ng Sinigang”. A unique airport salubong wherein arriving OFWs were first surprised by a singing mob at the lobby of NAIA Terminal 3 who were all singing Filipino Christmas carols and giving them special tokens and floral leis!

Even the popular singer and TV personality, Erik Santos, was there to give his own rendition of the touching song “Pasko na Sinta Ko.”

Erik had even gone the extra mile by reaching out to some OFWs to personally serenade them, sweetly rendered along with a rose as a gift of welcome.

Afterwards, they were invited to a cozy dining area at the NAIA Terminal 3 in which Knorr Sinigang filled their tummies with hefty servings of warm and mouth-watering sinigang!

An array of sinigang choices were laid out before the OFWs such as fish, pork and shrimp sinigang. After years of eating foreign dishes that are either too bland or too spicy for the Filipino palate, the OFWs finally got to savor the sumptuous goodness of a dish they all grew up with. The first sip of the sour broth made them feel that they were really back home! And to make it even more sweeter, Knorr chef Marvin Agustin was there to serve them this heart-warming fare!

Certainly, the “Knorr Sinigang’s Umuwi sa Sarap ng Sinigang” could not have been more timely. With thousands of OFWs making their way back to the country this holiday season and New Year, the unique Knorr Sinigang welcome that awaited them at the airport is a constant reminder of their valuable contribution to their families and to the country, and that they can always reconnect with their Pinoy ties especially when it comes to satisfying their craving for the filling goodness of Filipino food.

Pinky Marquez with the Knorr brand team (L to R) – Maia Inoturan, Nina Abellada,
Seanta Reyes, Ayn Santos, Cams Sta. Ana and Jessie Ericta

"Foodie from the Metro" - Knorr Sinigang | Holiday Homecoming Treat for OFWs

GoNuts Donuts | Go Nuts This Holiday Season!

2012-12-26T22:57:00.002+08:00

Christmas is the season for joy, love, care, and sudden sweet surprises! So imagine how excited I was when one of my office mates suddenly messaged me while I was on my way to work: "Leen, they delivered donuts for you! Lots of it!"

I was all: "Really, donuts? For me? But I didn't order any!" And I sure didn't, but it was all thanks to GoNuts Donuts and ARC! They were absolutely generous for giving me this lovely gift (surprise!)

But of course, before I let my office mates devour these goodies, I had to check out these wonderful treats first!

First up are the two white boxes full of their holiday donuts! And I can honestly say that they were too aesthetically pleasant to be destroyed and ingested. But one look at my famished colleagues and I knew that there was no chance for these donuts to be saved... haha!

First of what I tried was the Yule Bliss donut! Aside from the candy-like decorative topping, biting into this would lead you to a tasty helping of Bavarian filling that's nestled generously in the middle!

The other variant, Sweet N' Merry (the green one with the Santa Hat decoration) rather had sweet pastillas filling! And it was so yummy and thick! And the last one, the Holy Mallowy has marshmallows in the center! It was very interesting, but a sweet treat nonetheless!

To complete the whole package was this other box full of holiday cookies!

These were surprisingly good! The sugar frosting on top blended perfectly with the crispy cookie; it wasn't too sweet either which I really appreciated! The holidays may be over, but these would be such great treats that you could give to your loved ones, especially the kids!

Without a doubt, these were palate-pleasers! And as a foodie from the metro, I suggest that you go to the nearest GoNut Donuts branch that you could find to know and taste for yourselves the wonder of these holiday goodies. Belated Merry Christmas everyone and Advance Happy New Year!

GoNuts Donuts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gonutsdonuts.fanpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gonutsdonuts
Website: http://gonutsdonuts.com

"Foodie from the Metro" : Go Nuts This Holiday Season!

Mabuhay Palace | New Vegetarian Menu

2012-12-10T22:27:00.000+08:00

Lobby Floor, Manila Hotel
One Rizal Park, Roxas Boulevard
Malate, Manila
Business Hours:
DAILY: Lunch - 11AM to 3PM
Dinner - 6PM to 10PM
Phone: (02) 527-0011 Loc 1260 to 62
Cuisine: Chinese
Budget: Php 1000↑
Payment: Cash or Credit Card
Overall Rating:

The most luxurious Chinese dining in the city.

...

Nestled within the confines of Manila Hotel, the Mabuhay Palace may just probably be the most luxurious Chinese restaurant in the metro. Other than their lavish interiors and lavish menu, this month, one of the things that you should also watch our for are their new selections that answer to the growing trend of healthy eating: vegetarian, baby!

But unlike the usual healthy Asian dishes that you may know of (congee for instance?) their new fare has a fresh take on healthy dishes. Plus... it could also fool your senses! But in a good way! Sounds intriguing? Well... for one thing, I never imagined that a simple vegetable 'meat' could mimic the true taste of Beijing duck so perfectly... it was simply mind-blowing!

Just read on below to know more of this adventure!

AMBIANCE & DECOR:

Splashed with rich colors of red, orange, and gold, the Mabuhay Palace clearly portrays oriental elements befitting of its Neo-Classical interior design. Spacious and elegant, stepping into this wonderful place is like being welcomed to a grand banquet of an imperial lord.

Worthy to note as well on this particular aspect of their restaurant are the intricately-carved Chinese dividers and wide panels that are padded with dragon-printed fabric and glass. And of course, their walls! Filled with hand-crafted panels that are made of jade and stones, it depicts the tale of the famous Chinese philosopher, Confucius.

And here's an interesting trivia for you! It is said that these panels were made by a family of artisans for over two decades(!!!) and the price of each panel costs a million! Now imagine how many panels there are! I forgot the number but I think it was more than 30!

Their function rooms exude the same beauty as well given the ample space and well-thought ornaments that each room holds. I suggest that you consider checking in to these function rooms!

And of course, I should not forget mentioning this: the Mabuhay palace has actually been awarded by the Asia Tatler Dining as one of the Philippines' Best Restaurants for 2012!

FOOD & PRICE

The 'masterminds' behind the lovely feast that we had experienced are as seen below: Executive Chinese Chef Sun Bing and Executive Chinese Sous Chef Joy Tanganco-Candelaria.

For a subtle prelude for the evening, we were served with Sweet Orange Tea and bowls of Wanton Chips. These chips were definitely a sweet delight given how it was drizzled with honey and sesame seeds; the crunch in every bite just gave more oomph to one's palate!

And then for the first surprise of the day, the Vegetarian Beijing Duck was served. I swear, if I hadn't known that I was invited to a vegetarian affair, I would have perfectly assumed that I was eating real duck meat! As it is, this was rather made of veggie meat seasoned so profoundly that it mimicked the real taste of tasty meat. This comes along with the typical Chinese dipping sauce, the Hoisin sauce: a slightly sweet, boldly salty, and thick.

Needless to say, this dish was an instant hit for me! I wouldn't mind turning vegetarian if dishes such as this could be made!

Of course, how could you not ogle at the edifice smacked right in the middle of this plate? Apparently, this was hand-crafted made mainly from salt and then colored! And it was crazy! Looking at the finer details shown from this molded figure was just simply amazing!

Next up from the appetizers was a plate of: Steamed Lotus Root with Glutinous Rice Glazed with Sweet Osmanthus Sauce. At first glance you would think that you were served with meatloaf, but like the precious 'beijing duck', this was rather 'faux meat'. As I've said above, it's made from lotus root, a rather unique-tasting one especially with its texture that kind of resembled eating something dry, like potatoes. Nonetheless, this was made sweeter with the Osmanthus sauce and sugar-roasted petals (which are the toppings that you could see in the photo below).

FYI: Osmanthus is a flower and as per Chinese cuisine, its culinary uses can be applied to teas, jams, cakes, dumplings, soups, and even liquor! And another helpful information, Osmanthus helps when you'd want to clean your palate and regain your fervor for pigging out!

Yet to be one of my favorite Chinese soups: the Yin Yang Winter Melon and Spinach Soup! Aside from its nice presentation, I love the level of thickness on this one, as well as the lovely combination of winter melon (white gourd, or 'upo' as we call it in Tagalog) and spinach.

This could be eaten sparingly or mix it altogether; I preferred destroying the Yin Yang. Haha!

Yet another favorite of mine from the bunch: Stir-Fried Osyter Mushroom with Salt and Pepper! Much in line with the duck, this had deceivingly fooled our taste buds into thinking that we were eating actual oysters! The mushrooms were definitely seasoned well, battered, and then fried into a crisp.

A lot of the people in the table have expressed this as their favorite, aside from the Beijing Duck! For me, I had a hard time picking a favorite; but why go for favorites anyway when you can enjoy both the gastronomical wonders of these two divine dishes? Right? (Along with this dish was a vinaigrette that I forgot the name of, unfortunately.)

Stuffed Baby Squash with Vegetarian Meat and Mushrooms: if you don't like squash, then this dish could probably convert you, a full 360 degrees! With hints of sweetness here and there, the contents of this baked squash was quite a hit. I could not believe at first how savory the veggie meat and mushrooms were, and it was even fun raking through all of it, wondering how it would taste or what it's trying to mimic in matters of taste.

For a slight kick of spicy, we were given the Stir-Fried Celery with Black Bean Curd and Chinese Wolfberry. Now what's interesting about this one are the wolfberries (also called as Goji berries)! These are the small red prune-looking ones in the photo below. According to studies, wolfberries are some sort of superfood said to help vision, liver, and more. Talk about healthy, indeed!

It's often said that what you see is what you get. The Braised Wa Wa Chai with Chestnuts of Mabuhay Palace at one look could deem to tell you that you're about to delve into a bland-tasting plate. But don't be fooled; the rich sauce gives this whole ensemble a savory kick and the chestnuts add a significant amount of charm to your palate.

Deep-Fried Minced Bean Curd with Broccoli Flower in Brown Sauce: this one looks like meat huh? Bean curd is also known as tofu and if this was a cake, the sauce was the icing! It went perfectly with everything that's on this plate.

For a staple, we had their Vegetarian Lotus Wrapped Fried Rice which could actually serve as a complete meal. This was especially fragrant given the aroma emitted by the lotus leaf that was used to wrap the rice. I suggest trying this one because it was a definite pleasure to eat.

To end our vegetarian adventure, we were given a Steamed Sweet Taro filled with Red Bean Cream. I loved this! The mashed taro coupled with red bean was definitely sweet alright, but not too saccharine to make you run the other way.

OVERALL

For those who crave for Asian cuisine and looking into steering away from the usual non-healthy dishes of it, then the Mabuhay Palace's new vegetarian menu could definitely answer to your needs. As a self-confessed foodie who loves healthy-eating BUT denies to give up meat-and-whatnot... do believe me when I say that the dishes above won't make you miss meat too much.

Let me state a perfect example: it was just crazy when I tasted that Beijing duck! I simply can't get over it! Certainly, with them, they can perfectly show their culinary powers given how they could come up with veggie meat that could convince diners into thinking that they're eating the real thing! Crazy, right? But it's true. Much like the Chinese cuisine as well, these fare follows the balances of the yin and the yang ingredients: the yin (moist and wet) cools down the body and the yang (crisp and dry) heats it up!

And remember, what more with this season! It's the holidays and a lot of unhealthy eating is bound to greet you. So how about bringing the party to Mabuhay Palace? You'll get the same gastronomic satisfaction, you'll get stuffed, and bam! You can say that you still ate healthily! Enjoy!

"Foodie from the Metro" : Mabuhay Palace | New Vegetarian Menu

No Words Just Photos | #12

2012-12-02T22:41:00.000+08:00

"Foodie from the Metro" : No Words, Just Food | #11

Figaro | Christmas Pastries and Merchandise

2012-11-28T23:16:00.000+08:00

'Tis the season to be jolly! ...and jolly we will all be! This coming Christmas Figaro has it all for you: from pastries, cakes, tumblers, and other merchandises that's sure to spice your holidays!

Just this month, I was invited by Figaro as they introduced the different products that they will be offering this Christmas season: first up would be their pastries! First up is their signature Christmas Cupcakes, lovely bite-sized goodies that are only worth P80.00 a piece and not only does it taste good, chocolatey, and moist but it's also wonderfully decked with golden dragées and tidbits.

Christmas Cupakes (P80.00)

Now I apologize if the below food are not in their pristine condition... I mean, hey, a foodie that's hungry has got to eat, you know? LOL. But at least, in this way, you'd know that they were really delicious!

A slice of their Red Velvet Cake was like a slice from heaven! Moist and oh-so-creamy, this is the perfect cake that you could let yourself indulge into. The Triple Chocolate Toffee Bar is no different because it is as sinful as it could get: chewy and packed with that familiar muddy goodness of chocolate, this will surely bring a party to your taste buds!

Red Velvet Cake (P110.00/slice) and Triple Chocolate Toffee Bar (P95.00)

Now here's something that's quite new for us Filipinos. A scone which is a common delicacy from Scotland is typically made of wheat; it could often be dry and spongy. Nonetheless, like I said, this could surprise your palate a bit, especially with the rosemary herb that they have added to this treat. Honestly, this Cheesy Bacon Scone didn't really catch my favor especially because I'm not friends with rosemary; but this is worth the shot if you're looking for something different and new!

Cheesy Bacon Scone (P55.00 for single, and P145.00 for merchandise)

Merchandise

There are three merchandise that I'd like to highlight from Figaro and these are (from left to right) the Premium Tumbler, the Frosted Tumbler, and the Artisan Mug! If you ask me, these would be perfect for gift-giving!

Premium Tumbler (P420.00) : stainless steel mug with silk screen Figaro logo
Frosted Tumbler (P200.00) : acrylic tumbler with jelly frost
Artisan Mug (P495.00) : brown mug with embossed logo (3 1/4 x 4 inches)

No worries about the packaging either because Figaro actually has Christmas-themed packaging in store as well! That's preparedness for you!

So this coming holidays, make sure to check out Figaro's merchandise, or drop by even for a while; have some coffee and take a bite from one of their Christmas treats!

Other Existing Promos

Figaro also has current promos that you shouldn't miss!

For UnionBank Credit Card holders: Enjoy 10% discount for every P200 minimum single receipt purchase of food and beverage at Figaro.
For BDO Credit Card holders: When you buy 1, you get 1 free on their milk tea, brewed coffee, and bakes selections
For BPI Card holders: Get a free hot drink on your order of Figaro's specialty cakes.
Free P100 Figaro Gift Voucher: Whenever you buy P350 worth of Conzace at Watson stores.

For more information...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/figarocoffeecompany
Website: http://www.figarocoffee.com/

"Foodie from the Metro" : Figaro | Christmas Pastries and Merchandise

Figaro | New Pasta Meals!

2012-11-25T20:51:00.000+08:00

As December draws close, go and feast yourself upon the new glorious pasta selections from Figaro! Officially launching by the last week of November, there are three pasta dishes now made available to suit your tastes.

First up would be the Figaro Meaty Lasagna, the perfect for foodies who are looking for layers and layers of rich meaty sauce, creamy cheese, and al dente pasta: the good 'ol lasagna as what others may say! For a finishing touch, a generous layer of golden melted cheese will be slathered on top and sure enough: this was such a joy to eat!

Figaro Meaty Lasagna (P200.00)

The second dish offered is the Figaro Chicken Parmigiano: this is composed of tender breaded chicken which is tossed along with the pasta and some homemade tomato and two cheese sauce. Subtle and modest, this could fill you up in a jiffy!

Figaro Chicken Parmigiano (P180.00)

Last of the series: the Figaro Seafood Pomarola! A pomarola is a distinct Italian sauce which is some sort of equivalent for the ever-popular marinara and this is exactly what this dish delivers. Filled with plump shrimps, tomatoes, and spices, this is my favorite of all of the three! A definite must-try!

Figaro Seafood Pomarola (P180.00)

Each of these dishes have their own personality once served on the table and it's up for you to choose! I say, if you're looking for a hearty fulfilling meal, go for the lasagna, but if you want something rich and savory, go for the pomarola!

Other Existing Promos

Figaro also has current promos that you shouldn't miss!

For UnionBank Credit Card holders: Enjoy 10% discount for every P200 minimum single receipt purchase of food and beverage at Figaro.
For BDO Credit Card holders: When you buy 1, you get 1 free on their milk tea, brewed coffee, and bakes selections
For BPI Card holders: Get a free hot drink on your order of Figaro's specialty cakes.
Free P100 Figaro Gift Voucher: Whenever you buy P350 worth of Conzace at Watson stores.

For more information...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/figarocoffeecompany
Website: http://www.figarocoffee.com/

"Foodie from the Metro" : Figaro | New Pasta Meals

Chef's Noodle | New Endorsers: Semerad Twins and Down to Mars

2012-11-23T18:02:00.000+08:00

Chef's Noodle is the newest Korean craze that hit Manila! And nope, this time around it's not related to music, but of course: FOOD! A brand that's best known in South Korea, Chef's Noodle has now opened up its first and second branch at the University Mall along Taft Avenue (near my alma mater, DLSU!) and at Annapolis, Greenhills.

In line with their recent grand launch, they have now set up a special photo shoot that would feature their newest endorsers and they are namely the: (1) hardcourt twin hotties Anthony and David Semerad and (2) the country's first inter-pop group, Down to Mars. (Grace Lee is also one of their endorsers!)

I wasn't able to attend this affair last October 25 at the Elite Studio, but I've heard that it has been quite fun! The master photographer for this shoot was Doc Marlon Pecjo, a pro in his craft since he has already done countless projects.

Knowing these hot-hot-hot endorsers, then you should know that they are supporting such a good brand! Chef's Noodle is actually a great restaurant since their dishes were formulated by the Award-winning Korean Chef, Choi In Sun. What's more is that the prices are really affordable! Ranging from P95 and up, eating with them won't surely hurt your wallet! Some of their items that you should absolutely try out are:

SIGNATURE DISH: Chef's Noodle (Korean fresh noodles with beef, anchovy broth with leeks, bean sprouts, fried tofu, spring onion, egg roll, bulgogi, and red pepper)
Bulgogi Leek Jun (deep fried bacon-sliced beef with leeks, eggs, and vegetables)
Bulgogi Leek Kimbap (seaweed rice rolls with beef and leeks)
Bibimbap (traditional Korean steamed rice with vegetables, beef, and egg)
Curry Dupbap (curry donburi warm rice topped with beef curry and vegetables)
And more!

Chef's Noodle is also currently open for local franchise. Visit them soon at the University Mall and at Greenhills!

Chef's Noodle
http://chefsnoodlephils.com/
http://www.facebook.com/chefsnoodlephils/
https://twitter.com/ChefsNoodlePhil

"Foodie from the Metro" : Chef's Noodle | New Endorsers: Semerad Twin and Down to Mars

No Words, Just Food | #11

2012-11-21T17:27:00.000+08:00

"Foodie from the Metro" : No Words, Just Food | #11

Mochi Sweets | Now in Manila!

2012-11-15T15:36:00.000+08:00

If you've been to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, or China... then you must have heard of Mochi Sweets! With its inception in Hong Kong last 2009 by J Sweets, it lead from one thing to another and then BAM! It became a hit all throughout Asia! It expanded to countries such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and more. And now, here's one good news for foodies like me! Mochi Sweets has now landed in Manila!

What sets them apart from all the existing mochi stores in the metro? Well, with Mochi Sweets, you are assured that you'll be eating mochi that's made from the best ingredients! It's said that they have meticulous control over ensuring that the quality of their products are consistent: so yes my lovelies, you're welcome to their superb quality and taste!

Their mochis will be as luxurious and flavorful as it could be; made up of cream and then wrapping it in chewy mochi skin! If I have to put it into words, when you bite into their treats, you'll first encounter the mochi's covering that has just about the right kind of stickiness and moisture, and then it would be followed by the frozen cream that would have a delightful texture that is much like mousse...!

Garry Cheng, the President of J Sweets from Hong Kong, was in Manila during the launching of Mochi Sweets' first kiosk in the SM Mall of Asia and he said and promised that Mochi Sweets is of the premium kind. Apparently, they have a Japanese chef who creates these delectable sweets and they surely use 100% Japanese Mochi. And of course, worthy to note are the business partners who have brought Mochi Sweets to us! Jason Yap and Samatha Paz!

The Mochi Sweets Experience!

Mochi Sweets comes as frozen so when you order them, you'll have to wait for 10-15 minutes for it to thaw. (Don't try gnawing at it instantly, trust me; or else you might get bleeding gums or teeth! Personal experience. LOL, hello gluttony!). You might be thinking, "Whaaat, that long? What if the ice cream inside it already melts by then?!"

No worries, because Mochi Sweets is not prone to messy meltdowns! That's good news for those people who are planning to take these out! And oh, speaking of take outs, you can buy a box of Mochi Sweets that could either include 6 or 12 pieces.

Now here's the sweetest part: the flavors!!! They have a lot of 'em! They have Chocolate Mousse, Cream Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Caramel Macchiato, Strawberry Mousse, Mango Yogurt, Honey Lemon, Sakura, Green Tea, Durian Mousse, etc.! To be exact, Mochi Sweets currently has 17 flavors... and growing!

So what are you waiting for? Drop by their first kiosk at SM Mall of Asia! They're just near the Ice Skating Rink! Within this quarter, they'll also be opening news stores at Robinsons Galleria and Eastwood Mall. (And in 2013, they're said to open up in SM Aura which will open in BGC, my favorite city!)

*Photos from Mochi Sweets' FB Page.

Mochi Sweets
https://www.facebook.com/MochiSweetsPh
https://twitter.com/MochiSweetsPH

"Foodie from the Metro" : Mochi Sweets | Now in Manila!

Araneta Christmas Tree Lighting | Coca-Cola's 100 Years of Happiness!

2012-11-13T00:52:00.000+08:00

It's that time of the year again! Christmas is fast approaching and much like how we Filipinos celebrate it, I bet that this year would be yet another season of love, giving, and happiness! Yes, happiness! We ~~like~~ love to share happiness! It's our innate nature as Filipinos to not only try and see the joy in everything (no matter how big or small) but to also share the happiness that we feel! Not only to our neighbors but even to strangers alike too!

"Open Happiness!" In celebration of this unique Filipino trait, Coca-Cola partnered up with the Araneta Center for a grandeur Tree Lighting event this month! This affair served as a mark on the start of the upcoming wonderful season; it also even served as a reminder of how both Coca-Cola and Araneta could spark more happiness in our lives!

For this event, a lot of media and press people were invited, and luckily, the 'Foodie from the Metro' was one of 'em! To jumpstart it all, a ribbon cutting event was first done with the Coca-Cola's big wigs along with the brand's celebrity ambassadors. Worthy to note is that of course, the President of Happiness, Caloy, was there!

Afterwards, we were finally led in to the celebration ground! To one side, there was a salo-salo area! Which is expected; because certainly, when there's Coke, you'd expect a feast to be laid out right in front of you! And would you look at that lechon?! YUM!

The place felt very festive! Paskong-pasko! There were different booths that distributes food and gifts, whereas there are some that provides activities.

For us, the first part that we went into was the giveaway booth! This one had a truck parked that has a big "PUSH" button behind it! Apparently, upon pushing this button, the person will be given random gifts exclusively from coke! Me and my When in Manila friends did not let this chance pass!

The prizes ranged from mini Coca-Cola cupcakes, to bottles/cans/liter of soda, and more!

Actually, this 2012 marks the 100th Christmas of Coca-Cola here in the Philippines! That's worth celebrating for, so smiles all around, people!

Held at Smart Araneta Coliseum's outside open area, a program was done wherein different artists from the Kapuso and Kapamilya channels have performed! Certain beauty queens such as Shamcey Supsup was also present in the event.

Other than the dance and singing performances, Coca Cola's effort to help improve access to education for students in the remote areas of the Philippines was also presented. (See more of their project here: The Little Red Schoolhouse Project).

Finally, it was the Christmas Tree lighting! Well, you could already see how it looked like based from the first picture above, but I swear to you: it was amazing! It perfectly symbolized Coca-Cola's 100 years of happiness here in the Philippines!

Followed closely by this is... what else, but awesome fireworks!!!

If this doesn't spell happiness, then I don't know what else will! Kudos to Coca-Cola for sharing their 100 years of happiness with us!

This coming Christmas, I say, let Coca-Cola be a part of your homes once more and bring happiness in! Open Coke, Open Happiness!

100 Years of Coca-Cola Happiness!
Website: [ click ]
Facebook: [ click ]
Twitter: [ click ]

"Foodie from the Metro" : Araneta Tree Lighting | Coca-Cola's 100 Years of Happiness!

Dezâto Mochi Café | Mochi Madness!

2012-11-06T18:23:00.000+08:00

One of the many things that I love about Japan is that they make such small and lovely concoctions that are not only aesthetically pleasant but also gastronomically delicious! And if you think of Japanese sweets, I bet that one of the first things that would pop to your thoughts is mochi!

Mochi is a Japanese rice cake that is made of glutinous (sticky) rice. People in Japan usually make this every New Year and it is called as the ancient tradition of Mochi-tsuki (mocha making). Usually, after cooking the glutinous rice, it will be pound in mortar paste until it's lump-free and silky-smooth. This will then be formed into small balls, mostly with different fillings such as red bean paste. [To know more about mochis: click]

Now, whenever you crave for this delectable treat, here's one place that you should definitely check out: Dezâto Mochi Café! ...well actually, I didn't go to their café, but what I did get to experience was a delivery of their mochis during our WIM celebration! YUM-YUM!

Box of Mochi Balls (P395.00) - 12pcs.

If you're around the Quezon City area, then drop by Hemady St. at New Manila and you're bound to see their quaint café.

Dezâto is owned by a young entrepreneur, Maria Gorre, who first established their presence back in 2006 in specialty bazaars. They've performed quite well over the years, so now they have expanded into a café of their own under Dezâto Mochi Inc. They do not only offer cakes, pastries, chocolate truffle mochis, ice cream mochis, but they also offer savoury dishes and comfort food (such as beer battered fish fillet, adobo flakes, and more!)

The box that we received had 12 pieces of mochi in it and it came along with a guide/illustration showing what flavors were included in the box! It was really helpful!

Now what's lovely about Dezâto is that their mochis are all prepared fresh and they're treated and made like chocolate truffles that melt in your mouth! ...well, other than being sticky and yummy too!

First two of the four flavors in this box of wonder was the White Chocolate Green Tea (L) and Milk Chocolate (R). The White Chocolate was such a surprise; it became an instant favorite for me! The blend of the mild green tea along with the strings of creamy white chocolate was a great combo. The Milk Chocolate didn't disappoint either, but since the White Chocolate with Green Tea was a new one, then surely it was bound to capture my palate more. Haha! Nonetheless, I loved how the Milk Chocolate was generously coated in cocoa powder.

L: White Chocolate with Green Tea

R: Milk Chocolate

The rest of the flavors were White Chocolate with Walnuts (L) and Dark Chocolate (R). For a crunchy adventure, the White Chocolate with Walnuts would be a fun eat for you. Meanwhile, as you'd expect it to be: I loooooveeeed the Dark Chocolate variant!

L: White Chocolate with Walnuts
R: Dark Chocolate

These are such tempting treats! And here's more good news for you: their mochis come in other different flavors! I suggest that other than watching out for them in bazaars, just head on to their café in QC and you're bound to have a good time! (They have free WiFi and board games in there!)

To entice you even more, here's a photo of their ice cream mochis! I don't know about you, but just looking at this photo makes me crazy! I want me some mochi!

Dezâto Mochi Café
http://www.dezato.com/
Facebook: click!
Twitter: click!
Phone No: (02) 727-1229
Address: 100 Hemady Street, New Manila, 1100 Quezon City
Operating Hours: 12PM to 12MIDNIGHT
See their menu and rates: here!

"Foodie from the Metro" : Dezato Mochi Cafe | Mochi Madness!

Opus Restaurant & Lounge | Redefining the Dining Experience

2012-11-03T13:37:00.000+08:00

2/F Resorts World Manila
Newport Mall, Newport Boulevard
Domestic Airport, Pasay
Business Hours:
MON - SAT: 6PM to MIDNIGHT DAILY
Phone: (0917) 874-7738 or (0917) 809 4093
Cuisine: European
Budget: Php 1000↑
Payment: Cash or Credit Card
Overall Rating:

Bringing a true masterpiece to the Manila nightlife and dining industry.

...

Opus isn't all about wild fun partying; it's actually more than that! Because what's also worth noting in this "IT" nightclub is their restaurant counterpart: a swanky dining spot that serves breath-taking modern European cuisine!

Owned and managed by the metro's big wigs, this place is truly a promising one! Opus owners are namely: Erik Cua (nightlife prince of Manila), Carlo Miguel (superstar chef), Fernando Aracama (gastronomic genius), GP Reyes (PR creative force), Ivan Zalameda (promotions forerunner), Jason Soong (person behind Jaguar, Maserati and Land Rover), Louie Ysmael (nightlife king), Manolet Dario (Manila DJ), Marco De Guzman (nightlife entrepreneur), Raj Sadhwani (man behind Distillery), Robbie Carmona (fashion director), Stephen Ku (marketing maverick), and Tim Yap (THE party man).

A masterpiece of its own, you could definitely say that I was more than happy when I was invited along with my WIM friends to try out this lavish and luxurious dine in!

AMBIANCE & DECOR:

When I first arrived at Opus, I was instantly sure of one thing: the place screams of elegance and posh. I didn't have the chance to take much pictures of the area, but do trust me when I say that it was amazingly designed. From the entrance, you'll first see a well-lit bar and then far down, you'll see the hallway wherein on both sides, there are sections of glass-encased dining areas.

These dining areas have high walls that are adorned with art murals, complete with plush booths or high-back chairs as well as wood and marble tables. Everything felt rustic, and there was even this kind of renaissance vibe going on. What's even more interesting about these dining galleries is that you could request for them to draw the curtains if you want some privacy while eating.

If yo go on further, you'll arrive at the lounge/bar area which has a more futuristic feel to it! But hey, for this blog, I have to be the 'Foodie from the Metro' so I won't leak out the party-girl side of me in here. (HAHA JK).

Now apparently, it was Erik Cua who was behind this grand interior design and he had it down right to the smallest details; it will definitely feel like you were transported to another place once you step in to Opus!

FOOD & PRICE

In Opus, you'll get to have dishes prepared by a superstar chef: Chef Carlo Miguel, a cooking pro who already has 15 years of culinary experience abroad and locally. He has even received such amazing awards that will surely convince you that he definitely knows what he's doing! [Read more of Chef Carlo here: click]

As they say, every artist needs his own gallery and for Chef Carlo, it's Opus as he brings to life a modernist restaurant that defies the traditional gastronomic experience. What he rather brings forth is a modern European cuisine that has no pretensions and no right/wrong way to dine. With his unique molecular dishes, everything is as he says: "open to interpretation".

To start our own promising adventure in Opus, we were first told by Chef Carlo that we were going to be served with a starter salad. But when the waiter came in, he served us this plate:

I had to make a double-take. "Wait. What. Is this salad?" Examining it closer, this piece was made of crispy prosciutto (representing bacon), croutons, anchovy, and egg salsa.

And then as if the initial surprise wasn't enough, the waiter came in again carrying a teapot. From there, he proceeded to pour this green sauce over the plate!

In my head, the thoughts kept on raging! I was all: "What's going on here? Is this salad?" I didn't utter a thing actually; I just went in and took a bite... and guess what? It tasted like salad! But in soup form!

It was of course a bit weird at first, but after every single bite, I just couldn't get enough of it! This Caesar Soup Salad according to Chef Carlo is a dish wherein he made use of this sauce concept which is called as velouté in French. Usually, velouté is made of chicken or fish stock but Chef Carlo made use of romaine lettuce instead, thickened with probably cream, butter, and flour. And with that, let me tell you this: I was blown away! I mean, it was good thinking!

At those times, I didn't realize it but I was laughing and grinning a lot. Chef Carlo pointed that out and said: "That! That's the reaction I'm looking for!"

Caesar Soup Salad (P280.00)

Next up, we also had another salad. This time around, it looked more like salad, but! There were a lot of unique and fun elements in this dish: the Modernist Caprese Salad!

A usual caprese salad is made up of sliced tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella. But we're talking about Chef Carlo here, so he spiced up the dish a whole lot! First things first: have you ever thought of turning tomatoes into ice sorbets? Have you tried one? Well with Opus, I have! In the below picture, those are the orange parts that's nestled around the leaves of basil. And then, instead of simply putting sliced mozzarella for instance, Chef Carlo transformed these buffalo mozzarella into pearls! You should be careful in scooping these white ones up; better not to break it, just let it break inside your mouth!

To add more pizzazz to the dish, it is placed with a blanket of foam and sprinkled with black caviar that has a distinct balsamic taste to it; this gave the salad more dimension in the taste department.

Modernist Caprese Salad (P380.00)

For the main meals, we were given a more sophisticated version of our good ol' Pinoy favorite: sisig! Opus presents it as: Duck and Foie Gras Sisig! If I get rich enough, this will definitely be the kind of sisig that I wouldn't mind eating ALL DAY LONG! It was too darn tasty and rich! Composed of smooth risotto, the sisig part was made up duck leg meat, chicharon, and chopped foie gras; and then on top of it is a dollop of calamansi foam/air!

Duck and Foie Gras Sisig (P420.00)

It was apparent at this point what kind of elements are recurring in Chef Carlo's dishes. Other than the calamansi foam, this sisig dish was also served with Knorr foam! (Like come on, a sisig dish is not complete without good ol' Knorr!)

For a taste of the sea, we were given the Crispy Chicken Salmon Fillet that has this Thai-esque kind of flavor and the salmon was cooked well enough: soft and not too fishy. To complete the ensemble, it's made up of Chilean mussels, coconut sauce, coriander gnocchi, and kaffir lime foam as the sauce.

A dish that could be an instant hit with carnivores: Sous Vide Aged U.S. Beef Short Rib, beef that was cooked sous vide for 2 days! (Sous vide is a boil-in-bag kind of cooking.) With this, you would expect that there's no need for you to use your knife because the beef was as tender as it could possibly be! This had red wine sauce and pieces of porcini and also served alongside interesting pieces of baked onions wrapped around bacon (left) as well as roast garlic pudding (right).

Sous Vide Aged U.S. Beef Short Rib (P980.00)

Onwards to dessert, we had the classic banoffee pie! But like I said, when you're dining with Opus, you should expect something different served to you—and different it was! Opus' Banoffee Pie 2012 (inspired by the artist Haring) was treated like a machine, deconstructed and shown into its individual parts! Caramelized banana slices, frozen dulce de leche ice cream, graham, and peanut butter podwer: here's a definite fun way to eat banoffee!

Banoffee Pie 2012 (P280.00)

So how about we get cigar for dessert? *wink* Sounds ridiculous? Well in Opus, you could. With the Chocolate Bacon and Hazelnut Cigar (a dessert inspired by the artist Dali) you'll be served with this dessert concoction that looks, well, yeah, a cigar! Wrapped around a crackling coating of chocolate like what you see below, both ends of this 'cigar' have the chocolate bacon and hazelnut ice creams blocked by a layer of dry caramel.

Chocolate Bacon and Hazelnut Cigar (P280.00)

I did say that I was in Opus only to dine, but hey, we wouldn't leave without trying at least one of their signature cocktails from their lounge!

LEFT GLASS: White Peach Margarita - this was mixed with Cuervo 1800 and strawberry puree with pink salt and sugar on the rim. Not too strong, but not too faint either; it's the perfect drink for the ladies.

RIGHT GLASS: Strawberries and Lemons - made up of strawberries, lemons, and Absolut Vanilla Vodka. And then here's an interesting thing: I didn't know that mixing balsamic vinegar reduction and coarse cracked pepper could be done on cocktail drinks! I'd definitely be picking this one out when I come to Opus for drinks.

And then my favorite cocktail of all: Molecular Lychee Martini! Why do I love it? Mainly because of the organic coconut foam on top! LOL. It was that good! And then at the bottom of the drink, you'll have a sweet surprise before finishing it because you'll encounter the small molecular lychee pearl!

*Drinks from Opus' Lounge were conceptualized by international mixologist, David Dennis.

OVERALL

When you're looking for your next luxurious feast, then it should be Opus all the way! You'll be assured of the quality of every dish because each and every bit of it is treated like an art piece that's meticulously prepared and thought of! Aesthetically, it doesn't disappoint. Gastronomically, it doesn't even disappoint either! So if you're looking for that new and unconventional way of experiencing food, you should drop by Resorts World Manila and say hello to Opus. It will definitely help you rediscover and redefine the 'fun' part about dining!

MENU

As of September 2012. Photos taken from Jotan, my WIM friend!

"Foodie from the Metro" : Opus Restaurant & Lounge | Redefining the Dining Experience

Seattle's Best Coffee | 2012 Holiday-Inspired Drinks

2012-10-29T23:30:00.000+08:00

It's the hippie holidays! ...Or at least that's what I've been to this October as Seattle's Best Coffee (SBC) invited me over to witness the launch of their four (4) newest Christmas-inspired drinks! Available only for a limited time, make your holidays complete by trying out their unique blends this season: Coffee Hazelnut, Cookies and Mint, Espresso Jelly, and Caramel Apple!

(L-R) Espresso Jelly, Coffee Hazelnut, Cookies and Mint, and Caramel Apple!

A Hippie-inspired affair, the launch was held at the stretch of Bonifacio High Street. But aside from introducing these four delectable drinks, SBC held this event also in an aim of renewing their long-term partnership with the children's foundation: World Vision. Apparently, SBC will be donating a portion of their total sales on each completed SBC Dream Card (for those who are aiming to get their SBC Dream Journals! Yes, there are journals!) to World Vision so as to fund their educational programs for children.

Before I delve into the details of SBC's fun-fun-fun event, let me first introduce their coffee treats that were absolutely created by only the master brewers of Seattle's Best! I was with my good friend, KC Canlas, that day and when we went to the drinking station, I decided to try the Caramel Apple since I was rather looking for a fruity and refreshing concoction.

An espresso combined with apple syrup and white chocolate sauce, this was thereafter topped off with caramel sauce, cinnamon powder, and whipped cream: a one sure indulgence for your sweet tooth! It wasn't exactly how I expected it to be, but hey, when we're talking about caramel, it's bound to be saccharine! And I did love the light kicks of apple in the drink!

KC, on the other hand, got the Coffee Hazelnut: one of SBC's previous favorite holiday drinks! Made from hazelnut, white chocolate sauce, and coconut, this would be the perfect drink for you this Christmas if you're looking for that nutty and creamy taste!

The other two, Espresso Jelly and Choco &Mint, were drinks that I didn't manage to try since I had to leave early from the event (boo!). But this is for sure: if you're looking for a bolder and stronger coffee drink to amp up your holidays then it's the Espresso Jelly for you! And if you want that familiar Christmas-y feeling that's full of warmth and sweetness, then it's the Cookies & Mint for you as it gives you that satisfying fix of dark chocolate, mint, espresso, and crushed Oreo cookies!

I'm definitely going to try these other two! I mean, I just have to! I can totally envision myself cuddled up with a good book this coming cold season (hopefully, cold indeed!) with a cup of hot SBC holiday coffee in my hand!

Got you excited enough? Well if you were at the launch, you'll feel the excitement even by then given all the interesting activities that they had that day! Like come on, just look at the tent they've set up!

Certainly, it was like a blast from the past! There's even some bubbly fun by the entrance which a lot of kids have fully enjoyed! ...I have to admit that I was really tempted to join too. LOLJK.

There are also a lot of booths that each have their own purpose:

Drink Station: for our free Holiday drinks!

Eat Station: for free yummy treats!

Play Station: where the World Vision kids hung out! Woot woot!

Posing Station: where I went rollin'! LOL

Print Station: we get to pick what kind of shirt we want, Happy, Love, or Peace. Well I go for Peace!

Wear Station: when the dude told me that all the accessories were FREE, then I just couldn't contain myself. I took lots! HAHA!

Draw Station: talented artists show their stuff!
TOP: Deejae Paeste
BOTTOM: Vernon Perez

Hosts and ambassadors: Marc Nelson and Sam Lewis.

Sam Concepcion with some of the World Vision kiddies!

For a short say: it was awesome! I mean of course I only stayed for a bit, but the experience in itself along with the wonderfully-blended concoctions? Then there's no denying it: I was more than satisfied!

So what are you waiting for, foodies and coffee aficionados? Drop by the nearest Seattle's Best Coffee branch near you and try one of their four new holiday drinks! Or better yet: all of 'em! And then while you're at it, get your SBC Dream Card and collect up to 18 stickers to get a free SBC Dream Journal! You won't only be prepared for next year's hustle and bustle, but you would also be helping the World Vision kids!

For a list of SBC's branches:

Greenbelt 3 G/F | Bonifacio High Street | Valero Street, Makati City | Makati Medical Center | SM Megamall G/F | Cardinal Santos Hospital, San Juan, Manila | Trinoma 2/L | Katipunan Street – near Ateneo University | SM Mall of Asia G/F | Metropolitan Hospital G/F | Neo Plaza, Ongpin Street | Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 | Festival Mall 3/L | CALTEX SLEX – Southbound, Laguna | The Terraces G/F, Ayala Center, Cebu.

Seattle's Best Coffee

http://www.facebook.com/seattlesbestcoffeephilippines

http://www.seattlesbest.com.ph

World Vision

http://www.worldvision.org.ph

https://twitter.com/sbc_worldvision

"Foodie from the Metro" : Seattle's Best Coffee | 2012 Holiday-Inspired Drinks

Fez Restobar | Finest Moroccan Grub

2012-10-24T10:49:00.001+08:00

1C07A Serendra Commercial Strip, 26th St.
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Business Hours: 12PM to 2AM DAILY
Phone: (02) 901-1840
Cuisine: Moroccan/Mediterranean
Budget: Php 500↑
Payment: Cash or Credit Card
Overall Rating:

Moroccan grub that you'll love!

...

For me, the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is the kind of place that I used to never hear of before, but then much like a storm: BAM! It's suddenly there, sprouting with so much life and bustle! So given its current and continuous rise, I'd often wonder as to what establishments were already there right from the early years of the Fort up until today... and that's when I discovered Fez Restobar.

Fez offers a mix of Mediterranean, Arabic, Northern African: (Moroccan) cuisine. Meanwhile, its name can be traced to two things: (1) In reference to Fez, the third largest city in Morocco or (2) In reference to fez/tarboosh which is a felt hat popular for Arabs and is in a short cylinder kind of shape that has a tassel at the top. (You can see how this fez hat is used in the logo of Fez Restobar).

AMBIANCE & DECOR:

After years of operation in BGC, Fez has discovered how the crowd had evolved; therefore, to answer to the current young and hip demographic, they have renovated their establishment thereby transforming it to a brighter concept compared to how their spot has been before.

I've only seen pictures but the previous Fez looked more like a bar; now, Fez Restobar still has a bar but the inside of the restaurant is more homey and comfortable-looking with wooden chairs and tables as well as a cleaner and minimalist atmosphere; a totally non-stiff environment. They're still going to apply some minor developments, but so far, the major job has been done with.

FOOD & PRICE

Fez Restobar serves for lunch and dinner; and then late night, it transforms into a bar. (It is said that one should try their Flying Tiger: a combination of 13 liquors which has been their trade secret for years!). Though I've mentioned above the types of cuisine/s that Fez offers, it's important to note that they're not exactly purists so expect cool modern modifications here and there to your food.

To start our Fez adventure, we first had their soup choices: Roasted Pumpkin Soup and Harira Soup, and both are served with pieces of pita bread. Now these two were very promising if I say so. The Roasted Pumpkin Soup for instance was very rich and thick; this was said to be spiced with Ras El Hanout. But actually, if I'll have to pick between them, I'd definitely be going for the Harira Soup! I've never had this kind of soup before but it was very flavorful! It's actually no wonder because the waiter advised us that Harira soup was made from slowly simmered bits and pieces of meat and then mixed with fresh tomatoes, Garbanzos and aromatic spices.

Roasted Pumpkin Soup (P140.00 for bowl; P80.00 for cup)

Harira Soup (P160.00 for bowl; P95.00 for cup)

For our starters, we first had Beef Wanton Cups. This was a plate full of 6 pieces of fried crisp wanton cups that were topped with spiced ground beef, salsa, and loads of melted cheese. Nothing too exemplary but a great comfort dish instead: in fact, I actually envision this to be a good pulutan!

Beef Wanton Cups (P220.00)

Another one of their starters is the Pita Platter which would of course, be best for sharing! This plate of pita bread comes with four different home-made dips, namely: Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Tomato Sauce, and Garlic Yogurt. I'm actually not that familiar with the Moroccan cuisine, but from my last experience with Persian cuisine (Arya Restaurant) I had favored the Mhirza Gasemi dip greatly, which was somehow like the Tomato Sauce of Fez. However, this time around, I rather had the hots more for the Garlic Yogurt dip!

Pita Platter (P175.00)

Last of the starters was the Merguez Sausage plate! These were home-made sauteed in anato oil and caramelized onions; it was a bit spicy, but not too much. Just quick light notes to make the flavor of the sausage stand out even more! I'm not sure but I think this is the first time I've encountered Merguez sausages and apparently these are made of lamb and beef that's heavily spiced.

Mergeuz Sausage (P235.00)

Before going on to the entrees, we each had a salad first and yet another interesting discovery that I've made that day: the Couscous Salad. Couscous is actually a semolina which is purified wheat middlings that are often used in making pasta. If we Asians have rice as our usual staple, then couscous is the standard staple food for some of those in Europe. The taste? Much like any staple: almost bland, but it had an interesting texture and it tasted perfect along with the chunks of cucumber, tomato, red onions, and coriander leaves that were all basked in lemon vinaigrette. And for me, what made this more of a winner was the rich notches that the bits of feta cheese had given to this whole ensemble.

Couscous Salad (P140.00)

Moving on to the entrees, we first had Fez's Moroccan Kebab. You can have this either in chicken or beef (or a combo of the two) and it will be served with couscous and vegetables. Juicy, meaty, and flavorful: three things that immediately comes to mind when I try to recall the taste of this mouth-watering dish!

Moroccan Kebab (Chicken: P320.00, Beef: P395.00, Combo: P350.00)

The highlight of the entrees: the Ribeye Steak! Pricey but I have to say that it's worth the price. This was served to us grilled medium rare so I was really happy munching on this juicy slab of meat that is a 120z premium Angus Ribeye and then served with marble potatoes and baby asparagus.

Ribeye Steak (P950.00)

Of course, every feast should have a sweet ending and so we had their Fried Cheesecake! First off: this was lovely and divine! It was amazing how every bite would first encounter a crunchy outer shell of the ball and then slowly giving in to the warm, gooey and tasty cheesecake filling within! I will definitely substitute this with any a' la mode dish, any day!

Fried Cheesecake (P310.00)

OVERALL

Dining in Fez has been fun and 'chill'! I did not only discover new types of dishes but I even immersed myself into such unique dishes that could really call for such interesting tastes. Like I've said, I'm still fairly new with these types of cuisines but what do you know... I can get used to this! This is going to be a no-brainer but I'm definitely going back to try some of their other dishes.

MENU

As of October 2012.

"Foodie from the Metro" : Fez Restobar | Finest Moroccan Grub

Quick Delivery | Arya Persian Restaurant

2012-10-15T22:53:00.000+08:00

I used to always have the time to cook for my own meals; but lately, with all the work and events that I've been doing, I find it impossible at times to even work my way into the kitchen. In fact, I'm guilty of ordering from KFC too much whenever those lazy evenings would come and greet me... and just when I thought I was a lost case, I then discovered... Quick Delivery! Have you foodies tried them out? If you haven't, then you should! They're hard to miss given their impressive list of partner restaurants!

That's why last Tuesday, I decided that it was time for that change! (I seriously have to let go of KFC... haha!) I started to browse through Quick Delivery's list when Arya caught my eye. At that point, I realized that I haven't had the chance to try Arya despite passing by their Greenhills' branch for like... I don't know... a million times already? So with that, I decided that I'll be ordering from them!

Now the beauty about Quick Delivery is you could simply text them and then an agent would call you back on your mobile for your order. Other than this method, you could simply call them through your landline or order from them online. I was about to push through ordering online, but halfway through, I decided to do the 'text' method to see how this kind of service could work.

I texted the number on their website and within just 5 minutes, an operator called my phone. I suck at names so I couldn't remember anymore what her name was, but anyway; overall, she was very bubbly and easy to talk to! And I must note that I was very impressed when right after I told her all of my order in just one go, she instantly gave me the total value that I would be charged for! I mean, I don't know what kind of magic she could do, but when I was compiling my orders online, I think it took me a good two minutes to find the items that I wanted and wait for the site to show my total bill. But, whoaaaa, she on the other hand had it all down in just seconds! ...I'm sure of it: she memorized all of the menus, she has a fast system-whatever or yeah: she has powers. Quick Delivery operators have powers!

Haha, kidding aside, I was just impressed! We ended the call, but to my surprise, she called me back immediately. She reminded me nicely that I didn't order for bread despite ordering the Arya Dip Platter. Knowing that, I revised my order and made her include a basket of bread. Whew! I was very thankful that she reminded me of that because it totally slipped my mind!

In an hour and so-so minutes, the delivery guy from Quick Delivery arrived at my apartment. The food at that time was already mildly hot but I didn't mind especially when I saw how all were packed in microwaveable plastic containers; I knew instantly that I could just quickly pop 'em in for reheating.

Like what I've said earlier, I ordered for the Arya Dip Platter (P319.20). This included Hummus, Motabal, Tzitziki and Mhirza Ghasemi. Generally for this one, I was happy when I saw that the condition of the dips were okay, they weren't messed up and all; Mr. Delivery Guy clearly handled these goodies well.

Now I'm not that familiar with the Persian cuisine, so from all the dips, I found that my palate was well-suited with the Mhirza Ghasemi. Coming in close second was the Hummus; the rest of the dips were a bit odd to the taste, but fine still.

Mhirza Ghasemi
Puree of smoked eggplant in tomato sauce, garlic, and egg.

Hummus
Puree of chickpeas with "Tahina" paste and extra virgin olive oil.

Tzitziki
Drained homemade yogurt with cucumber, garlic, mint, and extra virgin olive oil.

Motabal / Baba Ghannuj
Puree of smoked eggplant with "Tahina" paste and extra virgin olive oil.

My other order was the Koobideh Platter (P424.20) since I wanted to try all the types of their kabab koobideh! This platter included the chicken, beef, and lamb sort; and as per the Persian cuisine, kabab koobideh are skewers of grounded meat that are seasoned with spices and onion.

It was very meaty, juicy, and flavorful; plus, much to my surprise, I think this might be the only lamb that I'd ever eat! (I'm really not a fan of lamb meat! I know right... it's a big mystery. Haha! So I'm glad to know that I've discovered an 'excpetion'. Woot!) And oh, I also had a half order of their Basmati Rice (P80.85).

...Simply put: I had a small Persian party in my apartment. And yes, I eat that much, and I am proud of it. Haha! The dips were something that I would have to get used to, but at least if I ever dined in Arya's restaurant in the future, I'd know what 'mazeh' I would go for. (I'm not sure but I think 'mazeh' stands for 'appetizers').

For an overall, this first experience with Quick Delivery was a good one, especially with how the operator had impressed me with her service while she was taking my order; I really felt like I was sufficiently taken care of. Of course, add how I enjoyed Arya's food then I am set to order from Quick Delivery again. ...Soon!

*Note: Prices above do not include yet the delivery fee.

Quick Delivery
To order online: http://www.quickdelivery.ph/
To call: 212-1212
To text a call: Send a message to 0918-2121212 and wait for their call.

Arya Persian Restaurant
FB: http://www.facebook.com/aryapersian.restaurants

"Foodie from the Metro" : Quick Delivery | Arya Persian Restaurant

No Words, Just Food | #10

2012-10-13T16:05:00.001+08:00

"Foodie from the Metro" : No Words, Just Food | #10

J.Co Donuts & Coffee | Drinks, Donuts & Yogurt

2012-10-12T01:10:00.000+08:00

Almost 8 months have passed since the grand launch of J.Co Donuts and Coffee, and what do you know...? It's still as strong as ever! I don't think I've ever passed by any branch of J.Co without seeing either a crowd inside or a long line outside of the store. It's crazy!

Everybody's going loco about it, and I absolutely think that it's reasonable. Back when it was still new, I had the chance to try it [read it here] and I was blown away! This month, I was back to the MOA branch as I was invited to try out their other products. But before I go on, let me just say: I love J.Co!

Coming back to this branch (since I usually frequent their Greenbelt one) was like greeting an old friend. The same warm and romantic lighting and the same pop mural that I loved greeted me as per usual! (Okay, I know, it's not like it would be renovated all of a sudden LOL). And oh, if case you didn't know, the wall's cartoon art was designed by a local artist, Charlene Villamor, so props to her!

Before the feast started, I decided to lounge around to spy on their donut makers. *cue suspenseful music* Haha! But really now, I don't think I'd mind working in this shop; just one look at the sauces that they had and I just totally felt like I wanted to dip my head in it!

When I finally calmed down... timely, our feast began. I have to admit that I rarely ordered drinks from J.Co, it's mostly their donuts that I go gaga for so I was very happy when we were given the chance to try some of their best sellers!

*IMPORTANT: Below pictures show cups as samples (for tasting) so they are not the actual size.
Take note that the Uno size is 12oz and Due size is 16oz.

Iced Thai Tea

This was a refreshing milk tea blend that had a not-so-strong, not-so-light taste of black tea and had the perfect balance of sweetness.

UNO (12oz): P100.00

DUE (16oz): P115.00

Café Avocado

Unlike the Cappuccino Avocado, this one was a lighter-tasting alternative, meaning: a lighter coffee taste, thus making the avocado part stand out the most.

UNO (12oz): P120.00

DUE (16oz): 135.00

Green Tea Frappe

Like how any green tea Japanese matcha should taste like: murky and as green-tea-y as possible! This was blended with milk to lighten the bitter taste of green tea.

UNO (12oz): P130.00

DUE (16oz): 145.00

Orange Yogurt Frappe

Using J.Co's very own J.Cool yogurt base, this is the perfect drink for summer! Zest and sourness sounds like an unlikely mix, but this blend works!

UNO (12oz): P135.00

DUE (16oz): 150.00

Hot Hazelnut Latte: Smooth, light, and heart-warming! Packed with notches of hazelnut, this is one of those drinks that you'd best opt to buy when you're looking for a mildly sweet pick-me-upper in the mornings.

UNO: P120.00 | DUE: P135.00

Capuccino: Always a freshly-made espresso, here's a fun trivia for you: apparently, this drink was made by an International Barista Champion! This is the perfect drink for those cold nights or chilly mornings, as it gives you mild sweetness but with a good kick of caffeine!

UNO: P115.00 | DUE: P130.00

J.Cool Fat-Free Frozen Yogurt: Finally had a chance to try this solo! Upon tasting it, the composition was more like along the lines of: 65% sweetness and 35% sourness, which I think was fine in itself. One thing you'd enjoy about this is the range of toppings to choose from! For my case, I opted for the Strawberry Mochi, while some of my companions went for kiwi, blueberry, and the like.

IMPORTANT: Cups below are for tasting purposes only;
they are not the actual cup sizes offered by J.Co.

SINGLE: (+1 topping) P95.00 | COUPLE: (+2 and +1 free toppings) P140.00
SHARING: (+3 and +1 free toppings) P190.00

Surely I wouldn't leave J.Co without even tasting their donuts! So before I left them with a happy tummy, I had a chance to have some Alcapone (Belgian white chocolate topped with Californian almonds), Blue Berrymore (filled with cream cheese topped with blueberry sauce), and Mona Pisa (sausage bits, glaze and tomato sauce).

PER PIECE: P42.00 | 6PCS: P230.00 | 1DOZEN: P350 | 2DOZEN: P550.00

MENU

★ DONUTS with individual illustrations [MENU]
★ COFFEE with individual illustrations [MENU]
★ YOGURT with individual illustrations for toppings [MENU]

See first post/experience on J.Co here: [ click ]

J.Co Donuts and Coffee
BRANCHES: Megamall, MOA, Greenbelt, and Trinoma
http://www.jcodonuts.com/
http://www.facebook.com/J.COPhils

"Foodie from the Metro" : J.Co Donuts & Coffee | Drinks, Donuts & Yogurt

Maggi Magic Meals | Cooking Made Easy!

2012-10-10T03:43:00.000+08:00

If you've read my previous post [read here], then yes foodies, some of you guessed it right! The M3 stood for Maggi Magic Meals: a new innovation that would make cooking easier and faster for us busy bees! Guaranteed!

What's new about this? Well, the Maggi Magic Meal promises a full meal (rice + viand) within only 45 minutes! No need to prepare spices and whatnots; all you'll need to do is to prep the meat, add water, mix the powder, and cook it along with the rice and... poof! You're set to go!

It sounds too good to be true, right? When I first found out about it, I was intrigued as well, so I decided to try and see the product for myself! And to sum it all up: by the end of it all, the product's promise was true: I no longer had to go through any more hassle and I even totally felt like a cooking pro when I got the chance to taste the 'final product'!

The M3 Adventure!

For my first M3 adventure, I decided to try one of their four variants, the Lechon Paksiw!

FIRST STEP: Cut a half-kilo pork belly into small pieces (20mm x 30mm); of course this isn't provided with the product. LOL. And oh, NO NEED to prepare oil, garlic, onions, salt, vinegar, or the like... since the Maggi Magic Meal mix is already complete! If there's no pork belly, you can opt for skinless and boneless pork tenderloin.

It is also recommended that you only put 1/2 kilo of pork, more than that and the dish might not achieve the desired taste that it should originally have.The pork must also be sliced small, don't put the whole of the pork in! Haha! Or else, the pork won't be cooked thoroughly. (Defrost the pork if necessary).

SECOND STEP: When you open the Maggi Magic Meal pack, you'll find this small folded plastic with a red tape over it. That's the Maggi Magic Bag! Carefully peel off the sticker and open it; place the pork inside this bag.

No worries about this bag because it is made of 100% food grade polyester which is durable and can withstand heat, so it won't melt or burn inside the cooker later on or something! It is even approved for use by the US Food and Drug as well as Europe Directive, so this is not like any other plastics. NEVER EVER substitute ordinary plastic for this Maggi Magic Bag, and DON'T also reuse it! No need to also wash this bag since it's already clean even before they've packaged it!

THIRD STEP: Once the meat is in the bag, pull out the packet that contains the powder mix for the lechon paksiw. Pour this recipe mix in! Like I said above, NO NEED to add any other spices or seasoning since this powder mix is already a complete recipe!

FOURTH STEP: Add 1/4 cup (or 6 tablespoons) of water into the mixture inside the Maggi Magic Cooking Bag. It is not recommended to put more than 1/4 cup of water, BUT you can lessen the water if you want a thicker soup/sauce.

FIFTH STEP: Tie the Maggi Magic Cooking Bag by making a knot to tightly seal the bag. Remember to allow a space inside the bag so that later on, the ingredients may lay flat in the rice cooker. So yes, leave a pocket of air inside the bag; this is needed for proper heat and circulation.

After tying it up in a knot, gently massage the bag to evenly mix the contents. (If the bag is punctured or torn accidentally or while massaging, empty all the contents into a pot and you can cook it there instead for 45mins). You can also prepare this mixture a night before to marinate the meat and put it in the refrigerator; but since this is chilled, please extend cooking time by 15mins to ensure that ingredients get cooked thoroughly.

SIXTH STEP: Wash your rice and put it in your rice cooker as you normally do; this won't affect the cooking of M3. And then, put the Maggi Magic Cooking Bag on top of your rice inside the rice cooker and then cover it!

You can use a pot instead of a rice cooker and the cooking time will remain to be 45 minutes. NEVER use a microwave to cook the Maggi Magic Meal. And DON'T cook the rice inside the Maggi Magic Cooking Bag; rice should be cooked inside the rice cooker.

LAST STEP: Cook everything in your rice cooker or pot for only 45 minutes! Now the beauty of M3 is that you don't need to check if it's already cooked; it has been tried and tested that within 45 minutes, it will cook! (...given that the meat slices are of required small size).

Ensure that the rice cooker or pot is covered all throughout the cooking time so the ingredients get cooked thoroughly. You can extend the cooking time (especially if you have marinated and chilled the meat and mixture), but other than that, extending the time might overcook the meat or vegetables that you might want to mix in.

FINAL PRODUCT: DIVINE TASTING LECHON PAKSIW! LOL! But seriously, I can't believe I could whip up a dish like this in just 45 minutes! I can now pack some lunch for work without doing any of those cooking thingamajigs! And of course, there was no need for me to cook my rice and viand separately; I can cook them both all at the same time!

F.A.Q.

How much is the Product?

- Only P35.00! (SRP)
What are the variants?

- Afritada, Bicol Express, Chicken Pastel and Lechon Paksiw
How many people can 1 pack serve?

- The pack, with ½ kilo of meat and the vegetables will serve 4-5.
Are there preservatives in the mix?

- Only natural preservatives such as sugar and salt.
What if I only want to cook the viand? Can I cook without rice in the rice cooker or pot?

- Yes you can! Just put water inside the pot and place the bag.
Can I just cook the viand and mix in a pot without the cooking bag?

- Yes, but it is recommended to cook the viand and mix along with the bag to maximize the product's benefit.
How can the meat be cooked inside in this way?

- Meat gets cooked by convection through the heat of the water while you're cooking your rice as well as through the steam that the Maggi Bag captures.
For the chicken meat in the other variants (Afritada and Chicken Pastel) what type of chicken can I use?

- You can use chicken pieces or chicken tenders.
Can I use fish or seafood instead?

- Yes, cooking time will still be 45 minutes but just be careful when massaging since the fins or bones of the seafood may puncture the bag.
Can I use beef, goat, or other red meat?

- Using other kinds of meat may not bring out the best result.
Can I cook more than 1 M3 Cooking Bag inside the rice cooker or pot at the same time?

- It's recommended to cook only one bag at a time; but if your rice cooker or pot is big, it is possible to put more than one bag as long as the bags have proper contact with the boiling water.

Being such a go-getter, I highly appreciate products such as these because not only can I have a good-tasting meal, but it saves me from my usual long hours of cooking time. I also save money on this because I don't need to buy the other spices or seasoning, I need only the meat and the Maggi Magic Meal pack. I don't also need to wash a lot of pans or utensils later on after I finish cooking!

More than how this helped me as a working chick, I bet this could greatly help mothers as well! Given how M3 is also very affordable, then this is a sure steal! So head on to your nearest grocery store and grab a Maggi Magic Meal! It's sure to make your days of cooking easier and hassle-free!

"Foodie from the Metro" : Maggi Magic Meals | Cooking Made Easy!

Tramway Buffet Plaza | Buffet for The Frugal Foodie

2012-10-08T22:28:00.000+08:00

G/F Woldwide Corporate Center
Shaw Boulevard
Highway Hills, Mandaluyong
Business Hours:
DAILY: 11:30AM to 3PM and 6PM to 10PM
Except THURS: 11:30AM to 12PM
Phone: (02) 861-7129, (02) 706-6351
Cuisine: Filipino, Chinese, Japanese
Budget: Php 200↑
Type: Buffet
Payment: Cash
Overall Rating:

An affordable eat-all-you-can dining experience.

...

With the rise of eat-all-you-can places in the metro, often times you'd want to go for those familiar places that offer cheap rates but still with good food. And speaking of 'familiar', I bet Tramway is one buffet place that would come to your mind. Started way back in 2001, they have actually started as an ala carte restaurant that offers Cantonese cuisine. Nowadays, this family-owned business is a full blown buffet spot that offers Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese dishes to every Juan.

One day, famished and broke, my sister and I were looking for a really cheap eat (yes, hello empty wallet! Haha!). Since we were in the Shaw Boulevard area at that time, we decided to drop by the Tramway Buffet Plaza!

AMBIANCE & DECOR:

With a wide space, I can perfectly say that Tramway is as straightforward as it can be. The place is clean and the food buffet is placed right in the middle portion of the room. There are even lots of function rooms for you to rent out should you plan to have an intimate gathering with them.

There are few decorative elements to boot, but it suffice. For one thing, I loved the autumn-inspired decoration that they set up by the food area. It actually has that 'old school' comfortable vibe going on.

SERVICE:

The servers were very nice and friendly; typical satisfactory Filipino service if I may say so! But I just have one concern: they take too long in refilling the food so at times, the buffet area would look bare. But then again, I should give them some slack because that night, there were a LOT of customers and most were call center agents who were working in the building.

FOOD & PRICE

Here's one thing that you could count on when it comes to Tramway: lots of good food choices and in return, you'll only pay a whooping P238.00! How's that for affordable? Right?

In our stay there, I think I practically 'attacked' the table that comprises of the main dishes: especially the steamed fish! And just to give you an overview of what they usually offer, see the photos and descriptions below:

SIDE DISHES
Deviled eggs, Century Egg, Japanese Steamed Egg, California Maki, Chinese Dimsums, Vegetable Salad, Tossed Lettuce/Carrots/Cucumbers/Onions with Thousand Island Dressing, and Macaroni Salad

STAPLE & RICE DISHES
Yang Chow Fried Rice, Plain Rice, Pancit Canton Guisado, Lasagna, and Pasta (with white and red sauce options).

MAIN DISHES
Steamed fish, Sweet and Sour Pork, Fried Wanton, Kikiam, Vegetable with Garlic, Fried Chicken, Fried Tofu, Spring Roll, Hot Salad, Salad Roll, etc!

NOODLE STATION
...it comes with Miso Soup or Pork Soup Stock

DESSERTS STATION
Seasonal Fresh Fruits, Buchi, Bilo-Bilo with Peanut Toppings, Buko Pandan, Assorted Gelatin, Maja Blanca and Assorted Puto.

OVERALL

The pictures above certainly don't do justice to how much food Tramway actually offers (I apologize yet again for taking few photos: like I said, we were so famished that's why I really didn't have the luxury to idle around! Haha!) Nonetheless, our experience with them—slow service aside—was absolutely fulfilling! It's actually crazy how they only charge P238.00 for their buffet!

So if you're looking for a hearty meal at a very frugal price, then Tramway it is! They currently have three (3) branches open: this Shaw Boulevard branch, the Tramway Tea House in Banawe, Tramway Garden Buffet in Timog and Tramway Bayview Buffet.

"Foodie from the Metro" : Tramway Buffet Plaza | Buffet for The Frugal Foodie

No Words, Just Food | #9

2012-10-06T20:35:00.000+08:00

"Foodie from the Metro" : No Words, Just Food | #9