A new icon of fun and excitement rises in the heart of Pasay City. The grand launch of the Midas Hotel and Casino on April 18, 2012 proved to be an entertaining night of performances, canapes, drinks and hooting jolly good fun!

We liked the high ceilings of the renovated lobby and the new Casino though small proved to be very lucky for us and our friends. The buffet food could have been better but considering it was the launch party the kitchen may have yet to find its groove.

Midas Hotel and Casino
2702 Roxas Boulevard
Close to Edsa and Japanese Embassy
Tel: +63902-0100

In our next post we bring you a special on Maxim’s Tower Restaurants at Resorts World, Newport City. Please check again for updates!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Aside from from the most tender and juicy Hainanese Chicken, Wee Nam Kee also offers authentic Singaporean Chili Crabs with Mantou Buns! Crabs are so fresh and cooked perfectly that the meat holds its consistency and does not stick to the shell. The sweet chili sauce is so delectable you will end up mopping it all up with the Mantou buns which it is served with! More after the break.

Wee Nam Kee over numerous visits has been surprisingly consistent. We prefer the breast part for the Hainanese Chicken as it is meatier and with less bones than other parts. If you don’t make this request you could end up with a horrendous section with a disrespectful amount of meat!

Wee Nam Kee
Ayala Triangle Gardens
Makati Avenue,
Makati City, Philippines
Tel: +632 846-8924
Open Daily: 11:00AM to 10:00PM

In our next post we attend the grand launch of the Midas Hotel and Casino at Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Are you in search of the best longganisa in town? As sausages are, there are various kinds of longganisa depending on the region of origin so to know what you like you have only one option – to try them all! Sonsi House of Authentic Native Longganisa has a diverse selection brought in from various provinces so you can make your decision on what your favorite longganisa is! Find out ours after the break.

You may be surprised that this hole in the wall in the middle of nowhere actually dishes out some good longganisa! I liked the Alaminos longganisa PHP 140.00 ($US 3.50) due to its crispy texture and spiciness. Aksana preferred the Vigan longganisa PHP 140.00 ($US 3.50) due to its hearty nature as she is a fan of blood sausages.

It is quiet during the weekdays, but during the weekends becomes a local hangout for call center agents at the nearby Cyber buildings, so lunch would be the best option.

We were also pleasantly shocked that Belgian Hoegaarden Beer - PHP 120 ($US 3.00) is also on offer in a properly chilled bottle which went perfectly with the longganisa, garlic rice, fried egg and atchara! If you haven’t been better get going!

Sonsi House of Authentic Native Longganisa
Madison Square Complex
Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City (Close to Edsa, Robinsons Side)

In our next post we bring you Singaporean Chili Crabs at Wee Nam Kee, Ayala Triangle Gardens. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Zuni is one of the pioneer restaurants in Greenbelt 5 and offers a unique selection of pan European and Asian cusine as well as an extensive wine list. Owned by Mr. Nand Prassad, an international businessman who has a passion for food and wine, he has setup a few upscale dining venues such as Sutra, Duo Steak House and Restaurant, and Asya Filipino- Asian Restaurant. What makes Zuni stand out?

First of all, the food is simply delicious and the service is impeccable. Our favorites are the fresh oysters, sautéed escargot
& calamares, prime grade ostrich steak, prawn thermidore, and the grilled tiger prawns. Expect to spend at least PHP 1,500++ per head for food and wine.

But if you are looking for a good deal, they also have a Happy Hour Promo where it is Buy-One Take One on All House Wines and 20% OFF on ALL Pica-Pica from Monday to Sunday, 4:00pm to 7:00pm and 10:30pm to 12:00mn. Take note that champagnes and sparkling wines are not included.

Zuni
Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center
Makati
Tel: +632-467-39-31
Email: info@zuni.com.ph
Web: www.zuni.com.ph

In our next post we try various kinds of filipino sausage at Sonsi House of Authentic Native Longganisa at Madison Square, Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Thank god, Draft Gastropub opened in our neighborhood! Manila has been waiting for a proper high end pub that serves premium draft European beer such as Beck’s, Hoegaarden, Leffe, and Stella Artois which are all produced by the world’s largest brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev N.V. with headquarters in Belgium. After a few pints, you will definitely get hungry for some grub, find out what we highly recommend after the break.

If you are going over the weekend, make sure to come early as it gets packed fast, it is usually the first stop of the night or in some cases early afternoon partying. Try a pint of their Hoegaarden beer PHP 200.00+ ($US 5.00), what makes this Belgian wheat beer so refreshing and unique to the palette is that it is flavored with orange peel and coriander and unfiltered which gives it a cloudy appearance. Some would say that Belgian beer is the best in the world, we would have to agree!

With respect to the Pub Grub, we suggest the following:

Angry Drunk Mussels – PHP 595+ ($US 15.00)
Fish and Frites – PHP 350+ ($US 9.00)

The burgers were a complete disappointment however as they were bland and dry. Where are you going this weekend?

Draft Gastropub
Unit C, The Fort Entertainment Center,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila
Tel: (+63) 906- 248-12-14

In our next post we bring you Aiman Taher’s birthday at Zuni, Greenbelt 5. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

The Mt. Pinatubo eruption was the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, the first was the 1912 Novarupta eruption in Alaska. Located in the surrounding area of Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales it erupted on June 15, 1991 and resulted in the mass evacuation of the area including Clark the U.S. airforce base which lies 14km east of the summit. Pinatubo Crater Lake has in the past few years become a tourist destination for hikers and mountaineers with over 300 trekkers per day over the weekend. Learn more about this adventure here!

After another friend’s party at Buddha Bar, we drove to the staging point for the Pinatubo Trek at Barangay Sta. Juliana, Tarlac which lies 150 km north of Makati or a 3 hour drive. Make sure to book in advance with a tour operator like Nature Trip Travel and Tours (+63-917-883-6363) so they may organize the 4X4 Jeep Ride and a guide which costs PHP 3,000.00 ($US 75.00) per person, discounts may be given for larger tour groups. The best months to travel are January – May, before the rainy season. There is also a conservation fee to be paid of PHP 300.00 ($US 7.50) per person.

After the tour operator arranges a 4X4 Jeep with the Sta. Juliana Tourism Office, be prepared for a one hour drive (20 km) over a barren lahar wasteland before reaching the base of the trek. It is something to look forward to as the landscape offers dramatic views. There is one way point for picture taking.

Upon arrival at the base camp for the trek make sure you have brought with you the following suggested items:

What to bring to Mt. Pinatubo:

1. Sunglasses
2. Sports Cap / Sombrero
3. Rubber shoes and socks and slippers, or hiking sandals if you want to get your feet wet
4. 3 Liters of water or Gatorade per person
5. Sun Protection Lotion at least 65 SPF
6. Back pack
7. Towel and change of clothes

The hike up is 7 Kilometers one way and took us 2.5 hours. The average age of hikers was 25 years but for this day it ranged from 18 years old up to 50. There are a lot of small streams to cross, so expect to get your feet wet at some point unless your partner is willing to carry you across!

There is a rest area with fresh mountain water before the last push to the summit. There is an interesting sign that says how long it takes from this point 15-20 minutes depending on age. We are relatively young but it still took us 30 minutes to reach the top.

2.5 hours may seem like a long time, but it was a pleasurable leisurely stroll as the early morning weather was quite cool around 23 degrees celcius.

We arrived at the summit at 10:00AM and was rewarded with a panoramic view of the Pinatubo caldera which has now been filled in with rain water to create the crater lake. There are a few shaded rest areas with refreshments being offered for PHP 70.00 ($US 1.75) in case you ran out of liquids and if you continue on a man made steep staircase down to the lake.

We took a boat ride to the other side of the lake which costs PHP 350.00 Per Person ($US 9.00). There are only five boats, so make sure to take one as soon as possible so you will not have to wait. It is definitely worth doing as you will gain perspective and scale of the Pinatubo eruption. On the other side, you will be able to setup camp and have lunch while enjoying the serenity and the view. Take note that the shoreline here is a bit hot from the sulfuric ash but the water is cool. Your boatman will wait for you and take you back when you are ready.

We headed back down after the noon sun subsided at 2:00PM. As it was downhill and we were already used to the terrain it only took us 1.5 hours to traverse all the way down at a moderate jog. We were quite pleased after our adventure came full circle and the sense of accomplishment gave us renewed energy and the knowledge that we could do anything when we put our mind into it. So what are you waiting for? Mt. Pinatubo is waiting but the Crater Lake may eventually be drained to prevent catastrophic overflow in the nearby towns.

Nature Trip Travel and Tours
Tel: +63-917-883-6363

In our next post we drop by one of our favorite hotspots for the weekend Draft Gastropub at the Fort Bonifacio Strip. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Join us for the birthday party of our good friend Charles Lhuillier at Buddha Bar on April 20, 2012. Champagne, strawberries and shiny happy people need we say more?

Also check out the Buddha Bar Manila Launch Party here.

Buddha Bar
Picar Place
Kalayaan Ave.
Makati
Philippines
Tel: +632-856-6719
Web: http://www.buddhabarmanila.com/
Web2: http://buddhabar.com/

In our next post we bring you our Mt. Pinatubo Adventure. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Beso Cucina Vinoteka is the newest Tapas Bar in Bonifacio High Street Central. Their launch party on April 11, 2012 was a fantastic opportunity to sample their unbelievably tasty Spanish Cuisine from pan con tomato, jamon serrano, croquetas, shrimp and chorizo with romesco, lamb kofta, pintxos, flatbreads and paellas. The menu was created by part owner and Celebrity Chef Carlo Miguel. Their refreshing red and white sangrias complemented the food perfectly. Check out why we want to come back for more after the break.

Cheers to our friends Erik Cua, Enrique Gonzales, Rajesh Sadwhani and Stephen Ku for creating another fixture in Manila’s burgeoning nightlife.

We started off with their Signature Sangrias which are called Beso Sangria and La Vida Sangria. The Beso Sangria is created with red wine and assorted fruit juices while the La Vida Sangria is the white wine version. While both were quite refreshing it was the white sangria that stood out with its aromatics. Also served were vodka, scotch, wine and cocktails. We dedicated our liquid space for the sangria, thank you very much!

Beso spared no expense for the sampling of their Tapas menu. Where shall we begin? Pictures to follow:

Jamon Serrano Iberico – It was served in a mini bun, we preferred to eat it on its own, less carbohydrates as we are climbing Pinatubo over the weekend. If you are into cured meats then Jamon Serrano Iberico is the way to go as it is the salted and dried then cured for over 12 months. Not just any pig, but a Black Iberian Pig that is allowed to roam in the fields of southern Spain. Before they are slaughtered, they are given a strict diet of acorns or olives to enhance the flavor.

Tomato Bread – Also known as Pan con Tomato, it is the equivalent of the Italian Bruschetta but the tomato spread is finer. We liked this simple dish a lot.

Jamon, Chicken, Manchego Croquetas with aioli – These were simply awesome and probably should be your first order. Crispy and tantalizing on the inside.

Shrimp and Chorizo with Romesco – These cute little deep fried shrimp cakes pack a punch especially with the Romesco sauce which originates in Catalonia and is composed of nuts, garlic, tomatoes olive oil and garlic.

Bite Size Pintxos:
Beef – Tender, but we preferred the Lamb Kofta instead
Lamb Kofta – Not a traditional tapas, but well prepared for the aristocratic B blood type.

Spiced Pork Meatballs – Simmered in a tomato and herb based sauce

Pork and Garlic Sausage – This was probably the weakest dish as nothing really made it stand out.

After sampling their Paellas:

Beso Paella

All Meat Paella

Vegetarian Paella

We have come to the conclusion that their Beso “Seafood” Paella was our favorite as the flavors, aromas and textures just came together perfectly and was ultimately gratifying. All of their paellas were surprisingly moist and full flavor.

Mushroom Feta & Spinach Flat Bread – Looked like a pizza and tasted like a thin crust pizza. This was delicious and while Aria may be next door, you may want to order this while having some draft European beer.

Hoegaarden anyone? Yes they serve draft European beer which is another tempting reason to drop by!

Beso Cucina Vinoteka
Bonifacio High Street Central
Taguig
Tel: +63-926-614-9695

In our next post we bring you a special on Maxim’s Tower Restaurants at Resorts World, Newport City. Please check again for updates!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

If you have not tried the Original Panizza, then do not hesitate to make it over to My Kitchen by Chris Locher. He is the inventor of the Panizza which is an extremely thin crust pizza than can be rolled with fresh arugula leaves and alfalfa sprouts. It is a bit of a drive from Makati (6km) one way as it is located at the Oasis Paco Park Hotel in Paco, Manila, but given a map you should be able to find it in one piece.

Pictures to follow!

Panizza – PHP 750 ($US 17.00) The original made even better by chef Chris Locher. There is only one size and it is rectangular equivalent to a 14 inch pizza good for two. Their tomato base for the sauce is exquisite topped off with their blend of five different cheeses and herbs.

Tiramisu – Probably the best tiramisu in town. This is the real deal with fresh mascarpone cheese!

Highly recommended Italian food that will make you come back for more.

You can get a map with direction to the Oasis Paco Park Hotel at their website provided below.

My Kitchen by Chef Chris Locher
The Oasis Paco Park Hotel
1032-34 Belen Street, Paco, Manila, Philippines
Tel: +632-521-2371 to 75
Email: clocher@aurahotelsandresorts.com
Web: www.facebook.com/mykitchenbychefchris
http://www.oasispark.com/

In our next post we bring you the launch party of Beso Cucina Vinoteka at Bonifacio High Street Central. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Another great party at Salon De Ning held on March 29, 2012 hosted by our good friend Mike O’Connor. Stolichnaya Elite is the premiere vodka of the Stolichnaya Brand of Russia managed by the wines and spirits conglomerate Pernod Ricard of France who holds office in Manila at the recently completed Two E-com Center, Mall of Asia.

Salon De Ning
The Peninsula Manila
Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues 1226 Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel: (632) 887-2888, (632) 810-3456
Website: www.peninsula.com

In our next post we bring you a the original Panizza at My Kitchen by Chef Chris Locher, Oasis Paco Park Hotel. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.