With its Grand Opening today, SM Aura goes into direct competition with Ayala's Market! Market! and Bonifacio High Street combined. The rivalry is interesting to see, reminiscent of the stiff competition between Globe and Smart. In the end, we the consumers benefit from the rivalry with new and exciting choices in food, stores, and new experiences.

Here are our first impressions of SM AURA -- what we think SM did well versus Ayala, what SM can further improve on in the mall and the supermarket, and the places you should try soon...

SM AURA is located on the land bordered by 26th Street, McKinley Parkway and C5 in Taguig.

(Background Info: Ayala spent a lot of resources rebranding "The Fort" to "Bonifacio Global City or BGC for short". Technically, SM Aura is not part of BGC but it is beside it, just across Two Serendra and Market! Market!. SM insists that SM Aura is part of Taguig and still uses "at the Fort" as part of its branding.)

The Main Entrance of the mall and the Parking entrance are located along McKinley Parkway, fronting Two Serendra. Technically, you can walk from Market! Market! or from Serendra.

As you enter, you'll see one of the flagship stores in SM Aura: Paul Boulangerie Cafe. It is popular among Filipinos who visit Singapore. It's also the first restaurant cafe by the Bench Group.

The store is not yet ready, but they imported a booth stall from France to serve their signature pastries just in time for the SM Aura opening.

SM SUPERMARKET AURA PREMIERE

You have to go down to the Lower Ground Level to get to the new SM Supermarket.

The SM Supermarket Aura is the flagship gourmet supermarket, inspired by the best urban supermarkets abroad. The SM Family is very excited to launch this 9,300-sqm progressive supermarket, designed by New York-based retail design firm Point Design Inc.

It showcases Chateau de France offerings like French macarons, baguettes, pain choco, quiche, and croissants using imported ingredients from France.  I like their pistachio and fig macarons.

They have a traditional deli and pate counter, integrated as part of the supermarket, that can rival the prices of other popular delis in the metro.

They also import a good variety of different cheeses to complete the gourmet shopping experience.

There is even a corner that has shelves and shelves of different types of bread.

One of the biggest sections is the Fresh Section, featuring imported and specialty fruits and vegetables...

...and locally sourced fruits like bananas, pineapples and watermelons.

A wide selection of Highland vegetables...

...and Lowland ones are on display.

There is a good array of organic and aeroponic vegetables as well.

The assortment is quite impressive, and I do hope they are able to maintain it over time.

Best of all, you can avail of the Fruit Carving services for free if you want to entertain at home. :)

You can also choose from an extensive variety of rice like brown rice, red rice, organic options, etc.

Various kinds of tater cuts will delight the kids.

And if you feel like making your own dimsum shabu shabu at home, there's something for you too.

A lot of foodies are raving about the availability of thick, marbled US Certified Angus Beef!

The supermarket also has local meat options for everyday cooking.

You can have different cuts of meat from SM's own Farm Fresh or Market Fresh brands.

There are also marinated meats, ready to cook at home. :)

The fresh seafood display showcases the abundant fishes in the Philippines.

Here's the Bangus and Tilapia in a similar glass display enclosure you would see in Europe.

They also present the fishes very well sliced with the fish heads.

I was impressed with the variety of local yummy delicacies you can only get if you travel to the different provinces.

Thank you to SM for bringing in the Ube and Strawberry Jam products direct from Baguio.

We were delighted to find Cheding's peanuts from Iligan,

Durian products from Davao, and...

...other delicacies you can only find in Bacolod, Iloilo and different parts of Visayas.

Here's my wife's cousin Pam shopping with her family on the opening day of SM Supermarket Aura.

Finally, a supermarket that carries a good assortment of local and imported beers at the right price!

Here's Bindoy and Lori Baltazar caught on camera, shopping on the opening of SM Supermarket Aura.

One of the highlights of the SM Aura Supermarket: 12 aisles of imported food products -- bigger than Metro Gaisano's imported section but not as big as S&R's.

(This section is well-lighted compared to the other areas of the supermarket. I wonder if there's a reason for this.)

You can enjoy shopping for Asian products,

spices,

unique grocery finds,

imported chips you could only find before in Healthy Options,

different jams, spreads, and peanut butter. (Although, there was no Speculoos yet on opening day.)

They also carry a good variety of organic products scattered across the supermarket.

It would be nice to convert the International section to ala Whole Foods - organic section so that all the organic products are accessible in one area.

There are organic juices in the imported products section.

They also have organic berries in the frozen section...

...and imported organic vegetables.

Check out the Health & Beauty section with its curvaceous shelves...

...for the organic health & beauty products.

(Note: Most of the popular local organic products are not yet available though.)

For dessert, we found Bambino Cones (!),

Snickers Ice Cream, Twix Ice Cream, and other imported ice cream brands.

SM Aura also has premium wines and brandy, like this pricey Camus Cuvee 5.150,

a collector's item signed by Gilles Hennessy,

Louis XIII collector's bottle,

a 25-year-old Chivas Regal, and...

imported liquor from France, Scotland, Spain and more.

Even the eating stalls outside the supermarket have upgraded, clean-looking booth designs.

Chatime opened its 29th store just outside the SM Supermarket. Our current Chatime favorites are the Strawberry Au Lait and Mango Au Lait. :)

\
After shopping for groceries, let me tour you around the SM Aura Mall.

SM FLAGSHIP BRANDS

SM Aura showcases its flagship stores like Uniqlo and...

Forever 21, which occupies the whole first floor block that is visible along 26th Street.

(Note: Rumor has it there'll be H&M in October, Victoria's Secret, and Sephora Makeup Cosmetics soon in SM.)

For balikbayans, you can shop for Filipino pasalubong in the SM Supermarket and Filipino traditional souvenirs in Kultura on the 3rd level.

SM Aura has a built-in SMX Aura Convention Center, also on the 3rd floor.

The inaugural event in SMX was graced by no other than SM Department Store's global endorser -- Ms. Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP).

Bringing in SJP was a brilliant choice (as if showing Ayala that SM Aura is here to compete. :) )

She is considered a fashion idol by many style-savvy Filipinas.

Read related blog post: Chuvaness | The Sarah Jessica Experience At SM Aura

Check out the new "The SM Store" with its elegant offerings and posh store design.

Outside the department store, SM invested on large LCD walls fronting Two Serendra, showcasing the different SM Brands.

FOOD ON FOUR

Most of the restaurants are located on the 4th level and the 5th level (where the Sky Park is located).

Food on Four is the high-end food court of SM Aura.

It has an urban vibe and...

...can be transformed into a bar with a performance stage.

When we were there, the most popular stalls were the Pepper Lunch booth and...

Read Related Blog Post: Pepper Lunch: 8 Trivias About Pepper Lunch in the Philippines

Brasas Latin American Street Food.

Read Related Blog Post: BRASAS: Kicking Off the Latin American Fever in Manila :)

Food On Four is conveniently located just beside the cinemas and the first IMAX in Taguig. :)

(Thanks to SM for bringing the high-end cinema experience to the BGC area! Great job! :) )

You can also find boutique dessert places that we love like Mochi Sweets & Mother's Crepe & Cafe.

Read Related Blog Posts:

• JAPANESE MOCHI CREAM: Authentic Japanese Mochi Now in Manila!
• MOTHER'S (MAZAZU) CREPE: Caramel Strawberry Cheesecake Soft Ice Crepe!

SKY PARK

The most exciting part of SM Aura is the Sky Park, which is like Boni High Street in the clouds.

It's a nice, landscaped setting with cool fountains found on the 5th level.

Here's the view of McKinley Parkway and Two Serendra from the Sky Park.

There's a large outdoor venue that would look very nice with gourmet food stalls.

Here's a view of the 26th Street facing Two Serendra and Market! Market!.

Fitness First will have its Platinum Gym on the 5th level near the Sky Park.

The 5th floor will also house signature restaurant concepts and resto brand extensions like Lugang Cafe,

La Trattoria by Chef Chris, and...

...the much-awaited The Food Hall by Todd English!

Congratulations to Happy Lemon for beating all the other restos in opening on the 5th floor on the Grand Opening day. :)

Read Related Post: Happy Lemon, I Like!

Overall, I was impressed with the new SM Supermarket and the Sky Park concept. I can't wait for The Food Hall by Todd English and Paul Boulangerie Cafe to open in SM Aura!

However, I was underwhelmed by the mall itself probably because I'm a guy who cannot relate to the different fashion stores. Although, I heard the ladies are impressed because of the signature branded stores that opened/will open there first in the Philippines (and you can't see them in any other malls). It's the type of mall that Sarah Jessica Parker would go to and shop when in Manila. A friend even commented that SM Aura made Greenbelt 5 seem "just like a Rockwell mall experience."

Congratulations to SM and the Sy family for building a beautiful SM Aura Premier!

SM AURA PREMIER
26th Street, corner McKinley Parkway at the Fort
Wikipedia: SM AURA PREMIER
Facebook: SM AURA Premier
Twitter: SM AURA
Telephone: +632 815-AURA (2872)

Live an Awesome Life,

 
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Follow @antondiaz in Twitter and @OurAwesomePlanet in Instagram.
Like our Official Facebook Page: Our Awesome Planet :) 

If you have tips on awesome food and travel destinations, please email me at anton@diaz.ph.

Full Disclosure: We were invited by SM Management for the gala opening of SM Aura. I wrote this blog post myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I have no business relationship with any company mentioned in this post or any organization promoting it. As a policy, I do not accept advertising from food and travel places we feature in the blog.

P.S. The downside in the opening of SM Aura is that there will be more traffic on C5, especially the roads going to BGC. :(

MESCLUN BISTRO is the casual version of the MESCLUN Restaurant & Cafe in Linden Suites by Chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara, also the creator of Chuck's Deli, Paulene Chocolats Suisses, and the now-defunct Cuillere French restaurant.

Its name is inspired by the mixture of culinary inspirations (not only from French cuisine but also from other European cuisines) from Chef Kat's travels and collaborations with other chefs.

It's nice to follow Chef Kat's journey from Cuillere to Chuck's Deli and now to Mesclun. You get to notice the maturity over the years and see her personality in her culinary creations.

I'm happy to know that she's back in Serendra in the original location of the French resto that made her famous in the foodie circles.

Check out Mesclun Bistro when you are in Serendra (where Cuillere used to be located):

Related Blog Post: Chuck's Deli - Now Serving Awesome Sandwiches in Serendra!

What's New in BGC Restaurants in 2013?

• VASK: Traditional Basque Cuisine and Modern Gastronomy @VaskManila
• EARLY BIRD Breakfast Club: Start of the All-Day Breakfast Era in Manila?
• IHOP Philippines: Manila Goes Crazy Over IHOP? @IHOP_PH
• GYU-KAKU Philippines: World's No.1 Yakiniku Japanese BBQ Brand now in Manila :)
• MAD FOR GARLIC Philippines: Italian Korean Wine Resto (and Garlic Breath)
• MESCLUN BISTRO by Chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara in Serendra

Mesclun's ambiance is minimalist and not intimidating. The wall of wine racks serves as the resto's highlight.

★ Watermelon & Feta Roquette (P275 +10% service charge). Arugula with watermelon, feta and walnuts in balsamic vinaigrette.

We loved the combination of arugula with the refreshing watermelon and salty hints of the feta cheese. A good salad for summer! :)

The boys loved the fresh, hot, crusty bread that was very soft inside. We kept ordering more. :)

Bacon Flammekeuche (P275 +10% service charge). Alsatian-style flatbread pizzas with homemade creme fraiche topped with bacon, onion, creme fraiche with nutmeg.

I liked the crispiness of the bread and the very chewy texture of the dough. Sadly, the toppings were sparse and a bit bland in taste.

Four Cheese Sourdough Pizza (P345 +10% service charge). Homemade sourdough crust, baked on brick, topped with cream sauce, mozzarella, fontina, gorgonzola and goat cheese.

I enjoyed this sourdough pizza more than the flatbread version. The size was slightly small though.

★ Sisig Spaghetti (P245 +10% service charge). Spaghetti with pork sisig and light cream sauce, topped with chicharon (slightly spicy).

The Sisig pasta was interesting. It had just the right creaminess that matched the tasty sisig and little bits of chicharon. Best to put calamansi and chili in it to complete the sisig flavor experience. 

★ House Cured Corned Beef (P595 +10% service charge). House cured US Angus corned beef with cabbage, potatoes, carrots and Pommery mustard-horseradish sauce, served with its cooking broth, and rice.

We liked this deconstructed corned beef creation with the flavorful beef strands served on a bed of cabbage, surrounded by potatoes and carrots.

You can enjoy it two ways: (1) with yellow rice with the brine and drippings of the corned beef and/or (2) with the mustard.  The soup was flavorful and really fatty -- make sure to eat it while it's hot.

The corned beef is worth returning for! :)

★ Chateau Saint-Thibeaud, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet (P275 +10% service charge). Bordeaux, France. The color is deep crimson with powerful notes of blackcurrant and cherry, combined with the aroma of liquorice. This medium-bodied wine expresses itself fully. Backed up by low acidity, it is fleshy rich with a long-lasting finish.

Chef Kat is a wine enthusiast with good taste. As expected, she has a well-curated wine list. I loved the house red -- very smooth, sweet and just the right pairing for the beef.

★ Sarangani Bay Apahap (Local Seabass) (P545 +10% service charge). Smoke-infused baked Apahap fillets with French beans in a light ginger-soy-sesame sauce with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and cilantro.

Mesclun supports local products like the local seabass from the farms in Sarangani Bay.

This is a really good fillet of fish with sauce and salsa toppings that are simple and not overpowering. 

★ Strawberry Gelato

Cuillere was known for its rich milkshakes with Arce Ice Cream; now, Mesclun wants to be known for its own gelato creations.

We liked the strawberry flavor because we could really taste the strawberry fruit in the gelato. Also, try the Bailey's gelato for a yummy, sweet, alcoholic finish.

Overall, we liked Mesclun, especially the the Watermelon & Feta Roquette salad, the House Cured Corned Beef and the Sarangani Bay Apahap. (Although, we did get mixed reviews for the pizzas-- from the adults and the boys.)

You've got to try their selection of wines when you dine in Mesclun Bistro. Budget about P700/head.

It's a good hangout for a nice meal with wine in the Serendra area. Congrats, Chef Kat!

MESCLUN BISTRO
G/F Serendra Place, Bonifacio Global City (Cuillere's former location)
Telephone: +632 954-2100
Email: info@kuhnkitchen.com
Operating Hours: Daily 11.00am - 11.00pm
Facebook: Mesclun Bistro

★ - Highly Recommended.

Related Blog Post: 

• OAP | Chuck's Deli - Now Serving Awesome Sandwiches in Serendra!
• Click the City | Kitchen Pro Files: Chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara

What's New in BGC Restaurants in 2013?

• VASK: Traditional Basque Cuisine and Modern Gastronomy @VaskManila
• EARLY BIRD Breakfast Club: Start of the All-Day Breakfast Era in Manila?
• IHOP Philippines: Manila Goes Crazy Over IHOP? @IHOP_PH
• GYU-KAKU Philippines: World's No.1 Yakiniku Japanese BBQ Brand now in Manila :)
• MAD FOR GARLIC Philippines: Italian Korean Wine Resto (and Garlic Breath)
• MESCLUN BISTRO by Chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara in Serendra

Live an Awesome Life,

 
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Follow @antondiaz in Twitter and @OurAwesomePlanet in Instagram.
Like our Official Facebook Page: Our Awesome Planet :) 

If you have tips on awesome food and travel destinations, please email me at anton@diaz.ph.

Full Disclosure: We paid for our meals. I wrote this blog post myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I have no business relationship with any company mentioned in this post or any organization promoting it. As a policy, I do not accept advertising from food and travel places we feature in the blog.

P.S. Here's our chef souvenir photo with the boys for our collection. :)

As the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil draws near (it kicks-off June 12, 2014), it would be interesting to see if the Latin American fever takes over Manila. Brasas is on the right track in leading the introduction of the cuisine to the local foodies.

Check out the flavors of Brasas in their flagship store in Podium:

The Best of Gourmet Food at Podium:

• BRASAS: Kicking Off the Latin American Fever in Manila :)
• JAPANESE MOCHI CREAM: Authentic Japanese Mochi Now in Manila!
• Borough, 24x7 NY Comfort Food in a Mall?

"Brasas" means red hot coal, and the name pays tribute to the charcoal flavors of their food.

Nathaly Montoya is the head chef of the restaurant. A native of Colombia who married corporate Filipino chef Ian Delfin, she is the secret behind the yummy food in Brasas.

At first, it may be a bit difficult figuring out what to order because the menu seems like it's from a burrito place but with Latin American names for the dishes.

If you are looking for a quick bite or merienda, try the grilled wraps. But it is best to have lunch or dinner here to really savor the rice pairings and try a variety of flavors.

(Check out the complete Brasas Menu.)

To start off, you can order the chef's favorite -- Puerco Asado, which is Cuban slow-roasted pork belly.

They have an "alley" feel to their resto, which comes across as quaint, even with the graffiti on the walls.

We decided to eat outside since we were a big group. We were having a post-Mother's Day, post-Elections celebration with my wife's parents.

(Tip: We figured only the restaurants in the malls were sure to be open on Election day.)

★ CARNE ASADA FRIES (P120). Large-cut fries topped with our special Chili made with Smoked Chorizo, chopped Carne Asada, grated Monterey Jack cheese, Tomato Salsa and Sour Cream.

This was a really good serving of fries -- it had generous toppings of meat and cheese!

Patacones (P140). Crispy Plantain Chips with Smoked Pulled Pork & Tomato Salsa & melted Monterey Jack cheese.

This was OK. Maybe we weren't too sold on it because we're not used to the hard, crunchy texture of the Plantain Chips. Better order the fries for appetizer.

★ Beef Grilled Wrap (Regular - P220). Charcoal-grilled Beef, Flour Tortilla, Tomato Salsa, roasted Sweet Bell Peppers, sauteed Onions, served with Chipotle Sauce.

The Beef Wrap was really delicious. It had a hefty serving of beef and was dripping with sauce. I loved that it was topped with my favorite sauce in Brasas: Chipotle. (It's a bit spicy but not that hot, and it has this sour cream flavor.)

★ Chicken Salad (P150). Charcoal-grilled meat, Mixed Fresh Greens, Seasonal Vegetables, Crunchy Tortilla strips.

A healthy way to indulge in the Brasas flavor -- order the salad topped with meat.

The grilled, spiced flavor of the chicken was addicting. We couldn't help but want more of it!

★ Chicken Rice Platter (P180). Charcoal-grilled meat with South American Slaw, Patacones & Yellow Rice, served with Chimichurri Sauce.

My personal favorite. :) I loved the flavors of the char-grilled chicken that had a different Latin spice. I liked dipping it in the sweet-yet-tangy chimichurri sauce and pairing it with the yellow rice. Yummy!

★ Puerco Asado - Cuba (P240). Slow-roasted Pork Belly with crunchy skin, roasted Seasonal Vegetables, Rice & Beans.

The Puerco Asado is a winner in our book! Really soft pork belly with crispy skin, served with brown rice and beans. I loved the addition of banana slices, which is a signature of Cuban cuisine.

(The kids did not like the beans in their rice, though.)

It had a thick portion of meat with a good layer of fat that literally melted in the mouth. Sarap!

Lomo Saltado - Peru (P260). Sauteed Sirloin strips, Tomatoes, Onions, French Fries.

The sirloin meat with tomatoey sauce was good too, but it was overshadowed by the other meat dishes.

★ Pastel de Cholo - Chile (P210). Slow-cooked Beef Brisket, Carrots, Green Peas, Corn Mash with crunchy crust.

This tasted like menudo with a crunchy corn mash on top. I liked it; it's something different.

A meal as good as this needs to be finished off with a good dessert -- so we tried all their dessert offerings. :)

Panna Cotta (P80). Soft and creamy custard with sweet ripe mangoes.

The panna cotta was really good even without the mangoes in the middle.

★ Tres Leches (P130). Fluffy chiffon cake soaked in 3 kinds of milk and topped with whipped cream.

We loved this airy cake that's flavored with different kinds of sweet milk.

Alfajores (P55). Rich butter cookies filled with creamy dulce de leche.

This was just like a cookie with yema flavor in the middle.

Overall, we love the Puerco Asado and their Chargrilled Chicken with Chimichurri sauce. It's great that their prices range from P180-P260/main dish and the portions are good to share. The desserts are milky-sweet and a good way to cleanse your palate.

They were a hit in Mercato when they were starting out and testing their concept. I'm happy for them that business in their Podium store is picking up and that expansions to SM North and SM Aura are in the works. I do hope we get to see them in a real street food setting again soon.

Check this out if you are looking for a different Latin American flavor!

BRASAS. Latin American Street Food
5th floor, The Podium, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center
Telephone: +632 570-5559
Facebook: Brasas Philippines

★ - Our favorites :) Highly Recommended!

Related Post: Word of Mouth by Sandy Daza | Discovering Cuban cuisine

The Best of Gourmet Food at Podium:

• BRASAS: Kicking Off the Latin American Fever in Manila :)
• JAPANESE MOCHI CREAM: Authentic Japanese Mochi Now in Manila!
• Borough, 24x7 NY Comfort Food in a Mall?

 
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Follow @antondiaz in Twitter and @OurAwesomePlanet in Instagram.
Like our Official Facebook Page: Our Awesome Planet :) 

If you have tips on awesome food and travel destinations, please email me at anton@diaz.ph.

Full Disclosure: We paid for our meals. I wrote this blog post myself, and it expresses my own opinions. We know the owners who are our former neighbors and former colleagues at P&G.

I have no business relationship with any company mentioned in this post or any organization promoting it. As a policy, I do not accept advertising from food and travel places we feature in the blog.

P.S. Have you tried Brasas? Let me know your own experience in the Comments section.

Its name means "to gather around a table", and the restaurant is designed to be a great place to hang out with friends or to celebrate special occasions.

It uses the finest ingredients from Italy like Finestra in Solaire, and has that informal feel, stylish ambiance and cult following like Wildflour in Manila.

It is worth flying to Cebu from Manila just to eat here. :)

Check out our Tabolata experience in Cebu...

The BEST of Cebu City Series:

• TAVOLATA: La Trattoria di Abaca - the BEST Italian Restaurant in Cebu?
• MAYA, Cebu: My Birthday in the Best Mexican Restaurant
• ABACA Restaurant in Mactan, Cebu by Jason Hyatt

Tavolata is the anchor restaurant of the Design Center of Cebu arcade, located along the food street of A.S. Fortuna.

It's an informal restaurant but its ambiance is posh and stylish -- you can't help but dress to impress because it is a place to be seen when you are in Cebu.

I love the high-ceiling ambiance with bulbs hanging down, providing the soft mood lighting.

We were seated on the second floor, which was more compact. We loved the heavy, well-crafted wooden tables and chairs that matched the ambiance.

(Note: Don't forget to make a reservation, especially during peak dinner times.)

We saw Jason Hyatt cooking the US Rib-Eye steaks and minding the pizzas cooking in the gas-fired stone deck oven.

(I have yet to meet Jason. Hopefully, one of these days, we can meet one of our culinary idols in the Philippines. :) )

It was fun seeing them knead and prepare the pizza upon order.

TAVOLATA Menu: 

• Appetizers, Antipasto and Pizza 
• Bronze Cut Pasta, Main Courses 
• Dessert Menu 
• Liqueur, Spirits, Beer, Softdrinks, Fresh Juices, Coffee & Tea 
• Red Wines, Rose Wines, White Wines, Cava/Champagne/Prosecco 

★ Antipasto Platter (P895 +10% service charge). Culatello, coppa, salami, mortadella, gorgonzola, tageggio, asiago, grilled asparagus, marinated vegetables & assorted olives, served with grilled country bread.

The Antipasto Platter was excellent! We liked combining the arugula with the cured meats, topped with gorgonzola cheese.

I personally loved the sweet, red tomatoes that paired well with the sweet-and-spicy peperoncini. My wife enjoyed the artichokes and grilled asparagus, while the boys feasted on the grilled country bread with lots of butter. :)

★ Four Cheese Pizza (P410 +10% service charge). Ricotta, gorgonzola, asiago & mozzarella. Pizza not always round and slightly charred. Our pizza take a bit of extra time and will be served only when ready. We only use San Marzano tomatoes, Italian whole milk mozzarella and other fine meats and cheeses imported from Italy.

The pizza was a heavenly mixture of textures: crusty outside, airy soft inside, yet still nice and chewy. It had a really good cheese combination that the adults and kids at our table enjoyed.

The even, charred quality of the crust and the topnotch toppings made it even more delicious.

Oxtail Pappardelle (P495 +10% service charge). A wide flat pasta with tomatoes, parsley, parmesan and mushrooms. Bronze Cut Pasta made from the finest semolina flour and using bronze dies to extrude the dough, our pasta have an internationally rough surface & chewier bite than generic dry pastas.

We also liked the artisan quality of the pasta -- it was soft and chewy, and you could tell that it was made by hand and not the commercialized type. The oxtail meat strands were very soft, but we found the sauce a bit too rich.

★ Lamb Chops "Scottadito" 2 Chops (P1,495 +10% service charge). Grilled prime American lamb with rosemary potatoes, green beans & salsa verde. 

We loved the flavors of the Lamb Chops! We were surprised that the serving size was quite big -- good to share with the family. It was served with generously big cuts of rosemary potatoes with lots of green beans and tomatoes. Sarap!

Overall, we love the food and how it evokes memories of our dining experiences in the Veneto region of Italy. The stylish ambiance, good furniture quality, and high ceiling with soft lighting all contributed to our enjoyment in Tavolata. Budget P800-P1,000/head.

This restaurant can beat some of the mediocre Italian restos in Manila. Sometimes, I get a bit jealous of the Cebuanos because they get to enjoy really good gourmet restos created by Jason Hyatt's group.

This is a must-visit for any foodie! You've got to try this when you are in Cebu. :) 

Related Blog Posts:

• The Style Cebu | Cebu's Trattoria: Dining in Tavolata
• I Luv Cebu | Tavolata Cebu
• Babe for Food | Valentines Resto Destination 2013

TAVOLATA la trattoria di abaca
Design Center of Cebu | AS Fortuna at P. Remedio St.
Telephone: +63 32 506-6211
Email: tavolata@theabacagroup.com
Twitter: @TavolataCebu @theabacagroup
Facebook: The Abaca Group
Website: www.theAbacaGroup.com/tavolata-cebu/ 
Operating Hours: Open daily 5.00pm to 10.00pm last seating 

The BEST of Cebu City Series:

• TAVOLATA: La Trattoria di Abaca - the BEST Italian Restaurant in Cebu?
• MAYA, Cebu: My Birthday in the Best Mexican Restaurant
• ABACA Restaurant in Mactan, Cebu by Jason Hyatt

 
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Follow @antondiaz in Twitter and @OurAwesomePlanet in Instagram.
Like our Official Facebook Page: Our Awesome Planet :) 

If you have tips on awesome food and travel destinations, please email me at anton@diaz.ph.

Full Disclosure: We paid for our meals. I wrote this blog post myself, and it expresses my own opinions.

I have no business relationship with any company mentioned in this post or any organization promoting it. As a policy, I do not accept advertising from food and travel places we feature in the blog.

P.S. Note to Jason Hyatt: When are you guys going to Manila?

GARDENS BY THE BAY is Singapore's newest icon -- a $1-billion investment over a 100-hectare green park zone located in Marina Bay's "new downtown" area. It is known for its 12 Steel Giant Supertrees and 2 cooled dome conservatories: The Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome.

It is a project by Singapore's National Parks Board, which aims to boldly transform the City of Singapore into a "City in a Garden" instead of just a "Garden City". It was recently awarded the World Building of the Year in the World Architecture Festival 2012.

This is definitely one of the Singapore attractions I would recommend for a date with that special someone or to spend time with the family. You need to allot 3 hours max to explore the gardens.

Here are some tips on how to have an awesome experience in Gardens by the Bay:

Your Awesome Singapore Series:

• GARDENS BY THE BAY: Singapore's Super Trees, Cloud Dome, and Sleeping Boy Child 

HOW TO GET TO GARDENS BY THE BAY

One of the fastest ways to get to Gardens by the Bay is via the Circle Line of the MRT. You have to go down at BAY FRONT MRT Station (CE1) and take Exit B. Follow the underground link way and you'll exit near the Dragonfly Bridge into Gardens by the Bay.

(Note: You can also go via the North-South line, and go down at Marina Bay MRT Station (NS27/CE2). Take exit A and ride on the Bus Service 400. You can go down along Marina Bay Gardens Drive, which is 4 stops away.)

GARDENS BY THE BAY is directly across Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. You just have to walk across the Lion Bridge that connects to the Dragonfly Bridge.

This is the Dragonfly Bridge entrance. You can have a leisurely walk around the different heritage gardens going to the different domes.

Here is a view of the Dragonfly Lake from the bridge with the Singapore Flyer, the cluster of 3 Supertrees in the Silver Garden, and the Flower Dome in the background.

GARDEN CRUISER TOUR

If you want to explore the gardens quickly, hop aboard the Garden Cruiser (S$5/person), a golf cart-like mini-bus that takes you on a 24-minute tour. It provides an audio guide on the different heritage gardens and attractions, explaining their significance to the colonial heritage of Singapore.

Here is the map of the Gardens by the Bay. The pink line highlights the route of the cruiser. You have to walk all the way from the Dragonfly Bridge to the Visitor Centre.

Take a closer look at the Gardens by the Bay Map here.

SUPERTREE GROVE

The Supertrees are AWESOME! They are 25 to 50 metres, 16 storeys high, with large canopies that provide shade in the daytime and provide a platform for light and sounds at night.

There are 12 interconnected steel Supertrees in the Supertree Grove, 3 Supertrees in the Golden Garden near the Visitor Centre, and another cluster of 3 in the Silver Gardens.

You can't help but be awestruck by the presence of these giant structures. 

The tallest, 50-meter tree has a Supertree-top Bistro that provides a 360^o-view of the gardens.

Two of the 25-meter Supertrees are connected by a canopy walk known as the "OCBC Skyway".

OCBC SKYWAY

You go up the OCBC Skyway via the elevator inside the trees for S$5/person. The best time to go is before the sun is about to set.

I love the bird's-eye view you get from here.

It's interesting to see the canopy of trees, up close and personal. 

You can walk among the Supertrees to meditate or lift up a prayer to thank God for all the blessings and awesome experiences in your life.

It's a great place to HHWW with your special someone or take your Gardens by the Bay portrait photo as your souvenir.

(Note: The entrance to the skyway is worth it! :) )

CLOUD FOREST

 
The 30-meter waterfall and cool weather greet you as you enter the Cloud Forest dome.

I was impressed with the lush environment with waterfalls, different flora, and a walkway that makes you feel like you are among the clouds.

From the gound floor, you can take an elevator to the Waterfall View to have a closer look at the falls, and take another elevator to the highest point called The Lost World.

The Lost World exudes a mysterious aura.

It simulates the plants, vegetation and garden environment that can thrive at around 2,000 metres above sea level. 

Here's also a look at the waterfalls from the highest floor.

At the highest point, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Marina Bay Waterfront.

My favorite part of the Cloud Forest is the Cloud Walk, where you feel like you are walking among the clouds and around a mountain.

If you love plants and flowers, you'll appreciate the different orchids and rare plants displayed there.

When you look below you, you'll see the Treetop walk and the ground floor access.

As you go down, you'll see the Crystal Mountain, which showcases various stalactites and stalagmites.

Before you exit, you can visit the Secret Garden,

where you can also watch a presentation on Climate Change, and

appreciate the eco-friendly operation of Gardens by the Bay.

SLEEPING CHILD INSTALLATION ART

I love this huge sculpture of a sleeping boy. Although it looks as if it is floating in the air, its weight is actually resting and balanced perfectly on the child's right hand that touches the earth.

This installation art was created by Marc Quinn, a famous sculptor from the UK.

Here is a beautiful view of the baby with the Singapore skyline in the background. :)

Overall, the gardens are indeed very impressive and worth all the hype and accolades it is getting. Don't miss visiting Gardens by the Bay on your next trip to Singapore!

It is best to take the garden cruiser to go around the gardens, then visit the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, and end with a leisurely stroll in the Canopy Skywalk. Budget S$38/person to get the ultimate experience of the gardens.

The Flower Dome was closed when I visited on a Monday, so I guess I have a reason to go back -- but this time with the family. :)

GARDENS BY THE BAY
18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Facebook: Gardens by the Bay 
Telephone: +65 6420 6848
Email: feedback@gardensbythebay.com.sg
Website: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

Access to the outdoor gardens at Bay South is free, while admission charges apply to the Cooled Conservatories and OCBC Skyway.

Two Conservatories Entrance Fee: S$28 Adult and Senior Citizen  | S$15 Child (age 3-12)
OCBC Skyway Fee: S$5 Adult and Senior Citizen | S$3 Child (age 3-12)

Garden Cruiser: S$5 Adult and Senior Citizen | S$3 Child (age 3-12)

Buy your tickets online here: https://ticketing.gardensbythebay.com.sg/ticketing.aspx

Garden Hours:
Bay South Outdoor Gardens: Opens 5:00 AM - 2:00 AM daily
Cooled Conservatories & OCBC Skyway: Opens 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
Last ticket sale at 8:00 PM daily
Last admission at 8:30 PM daily

Garden Cruiser Hours:
Monday* - Friday:  9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last ride)
*Service begins at 12:00 PM every first Monday of the month
Saturday, Sunday, eve of and on PH: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM (Last ride)

Your Awesome Singapore Series:

• GARDENS BY THE BAY: Singapore's Super Trees, Cloud Dome, and Sleeping Boy Child

Singapore Tourism Board
Official Website: http://www.YourSingapore.com/ 
Facebook: Your Singapore
Twitter: @VisitSingapore
Youtube:  Your Singapore

Live an Awesome Life, 

 
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Follow @antondiaz in Twitter and @OurAwesomePlanet in Instagram.
Like our Official Facebook Page: Our Awesome Planet :) 

If you have tips on awesome food and travel destinations, please email me at anton@diaz.ph.

Full Disclosure: My Singapore trip is courtesy of Singapore Tourism to promote Singapore as a summer destination for Filipinos . I wrote this blog post myself, and it expresses my own opinions.

I have no business relationship with any company mentioned in this post or any organization promoting it. As a policy, I do not accept advertising from food and travel places we feature in the blog.

P.S. We did not try the restaurants around the garden. Is the bistro or the other restaurants worth it?

“This is our first food market outside of Metro Manila, and we felt the most ideal place where we could share the Mercato Centrale experience was with the Pampanga foodies!” said Anton Diaz, co-organizer of Cocina Centrale and the blogger behind the popular food and travel website www.OurAwesomePlanet.com. “The great tradition of cooking in this part of the country means that we have to ‘level up’ when it comes to the quality of our gourmet and artisanal vendors, so that the food satisfies the discerning taste buds of the Kapampangans!”

“The success of Mercato Centrale markets in Manila have also come from proudly Kapampangan chefs whose dishes have been huge crowd drawers, like Chef Sau del Rosario’s Paella from Villa Café and Chef Claude Tayag’s Pan de Bagnet from Bale Dutung!” added Diaz.

“Cocina Centrale will be a culinary showdown where the best of Pampanga will meet the best of Manila!” enthused RJ Ledesma, co-organizer of Cocina Centrale. “For Pampanguenos, they will get to sample the popular and best-selling food vendors from the Mercato Centrale markets in Manila. Meanwhile, Manilenos will get to try out the best dishes that Pampanga and the other Northern provinces have to offer. And the winner will be our waistlines!” joked Ledesma.

“Moreover, we are also looking forward to discovering new food entrepreneurs from Pampanga and the surrounding provinces and eventually inviting them to join our Manila-based markets as well.” said Ledesma.

Cocina Centrale is located at Ayala’s Marquee Park, Marquee Mall, Angeles City Pampanga.

For interested food vendors from Manila and Pampanga who want to join Cocina Centrale, please contact (+63 917) 840-1152 or (+632) 812-0102 or email admin@cocinacentrale.com.

Visit www.facebook.com/CocinaCentrale for more information.

COCINA CENTRALE

P.S. Let the best vendor win in the ultimate battle of the yummiest food in the Philippines :)

Thank you to all the food entrepreneurs and foodies who came to support Mezza Norte's big move to Trinoma!

It is a great successful start of Mezza Norte at Trinoma -- the premier Food and Lifestyle Market in the North happening every weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday 4pm to 3am) at the Mindanao Open Parking, Trinoma Mall. 

Here's a photo essay of the launch of Mezza Norte at Trinoma last May 3, 2013 Friday:

Related Blog Posts:

• MEZZA NORTE: Announcing the BIG MOVE to Trinoma on May 3, Friday!
• Join us for the Launch of @MEZZANORTE at Trinoma today!
• @MEZZANORTE at TRINOMA: Successful Opening Weekend in Trinoma!  

Mezza Norte at Trinoma opens as the sun is about to set every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The main entrance is along North Avenue.

You can also enter from the side entrance if you are coming from the intersection of Mindanao and North Avenue.

Here's a bird's eye view from Trinoma Mall.

If you are coming from Trinoma, you can cross the overhead bridge going to Mindanao Open Parking.

If you are bringing a car, there's a large Mindanao Open Parking space beside the market. You can also enter Mezza Norte via the back entrance beside the parking.

There's a lot of unique food from Home-based entrepreneurs like Happy Chef that you cannot find in any of the Mercato Markets.

We love the Baked Ribs by Happy Chef to kick-start our Mezza Norte food trip :)

The most popular stalls are the yummy grilling stations!

ISAW is the most popular food in the night markets.

My personal favorite is the kebabs.

You can also have grilled seafood :)

Food Trucks are welcome -- The Philly Cheese Steak Food Truck is here at Mezza Norte!  

Our boys love these huge takoyaki balls.

We also love Chef Anton's Turkey if you are looking for a healthier meat indulgence.

Crunchy Belly has a cult following for its pork belly chicharon.

You can also try the popular Fried Chicken Chops in Taiwan.

You can eat in the center where there are al fresco dining tables under the stars :)

We also love our Chix & Squid Mongolian for our dinner :)

You can practically go around and taste test your way through out Mezza Norte :)

You can have authentic Thai food and delicacies from Thai Deli.

You can also try home-made Japanese food from Nakamura and gourmet sausages from Schmidt's.

For dessert -- lots of cakes!

One of the most popular offers in the markets -- 3 for P100 cakes!

My son's favorite -- Mochiko Ice Cream Mochi!

For ice cream, you have to try Merry Moo's Artisan Ice Cream :)

Mark Sablan, General Manager of Trinoma, officially opened Mezza Norte at Trinoma.

In full support of Mezza Norte launch: RJ Ledesma of Mezza Norte, Mark Sablan of Trinoma, Kelvin Ngo of Merry Moo, and Nowie Potenciano of Mochiko.

Thank you to Ayala for the wonderful partnership with the Night Markets in the Metro :)

My son had fun with the Mobile Pixels Photo Booth at Trinoma! Thank you Mobile Pixels :)

Thank you to the Mercato Centrale team for making the Mezza Norte launch successful :)

Thank you Lord for the successful big move of Mezza Norte to Trinoma!

P.S. Here's the exact location of Mezza Norte at TriNoma’s Mindanao Open Parking (corner of Mindanao & North Ave):

P.P.S. I suggest you use the toilets at Trinoma Mall, but we also have a mobile restroom beside the market.

Who would have thought that the movie “Deuce Bigelow” would be the source of inspiration for a fish and chips stall? 

Miguel Gregorio, the owner of Hey Fishy Fishy, actually wanted something that is different and unique. He conceptualized this food business and launched it in Mezza Norte weekend market last January 2013. His main product and bestseller, the basic fish and chips, is affordable at P120 and comes with the traditional tartar sauce. 

What makes his product unique is that he uses beer batter to coat the fish—and no other than San Miguel Pale Pilsen. The beer adds an indescribable yet distinct flavor to the fish, making it yummier than usual. This dish is best eaten right away, while still hot and fresh. I am not surprised why this has been a favorite of Miguel’s family—their comfort food, in fact. 

Flavors of Mercato Series 1:

• CARLO'S KITCHEN: It's Crunchy Belly Time!
• CUISINIERS: Have you tried the Best BBQ Pork Skewers in Manila?
• MERRY MOO: One of the Best Artisan Ice Creams in Manila!
• WRAP BATTLE: The Pita Wrap of the Filipinos
• JOHNNY STEAMS: Yankee Burger - Peanut Butter, Crispy Bacon, Oozing Mozzarella Cheese
• OLVERA'S: Authentic Home Cooked Mexican Cuisine
• AUNTIE MAY's: U.S Beef Tapa, Angus Beef Salpicao and Home Cooked Meals-on-the-GO
• RICE POTS: The Real Fried Rice Stuff!
• MACHEESEMO: Cheese Stuffed Burgers!
• BUMBLE TEA: The Milk Tea Buzz
• NEW YORK MINUTE: Freshly Made Paninis
• @HEY_FISHY_FISHY: Fish & Chips with San Miguel Pale Pilsen Beer Batter

This foodie-slash-entrepreneur is actually not new to the food industry. He used to work with Pino Restaurant and he also took up a culinary course in Global Academy last 2012. Although he currently has a day job and is juggling both work and own business, he manages to balance everything by learning to train people the correct cooking skill. He makes sure that his staff knows how to make fish and chips with the ideal batter consistency and right seasoning.

Aside from the basic fish and chips, Hey Fishy Fishy also has the Bayou, a seafood sampler with beer-battered fish, shrimp, squid and seasoned fries, which comes with both tartar and barbecue sauce. This is perfect for those who just love seafood! The serving is good for sharing as well.

Watch for the new offerings of Hey Fishy Fishy soon. Miguel discloses, “We’re still trying to come up with other recipes like fish tacos, fish burgers…” 

I can’t wait to sink my teeth into more fishy goodness.

HEY FISHY FISHY
Mobile number: (+63 915) 604-5964 
Email: fishyfishyhey@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/heyfishyfishy
Twitter: @hey_fishy_fishy 

Available at Mezza Norte and Cucina Andare:

MEZZA NORTE
Address: Mindanao Open Parking, Trinoma Mall, Quezon City  
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@mezzanorte.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4pm-3am 

CUCINA ANDARE 
Address: Glorietta 3 Park, Makati (in front of Makati Shangri-La)
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152
Email: admin@cucinaandare.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4pm-3am

Flavors of Mercato Series 1:

• CARLO'S KITCHEN: It's Crunchy Belly Time!
• CUISINIERS: Have you tried the Best BBQ Pork Skewers in Manila?
• MERRY MOO: One of the Best Artisan Ice Creams in Manila!
• WRAP BATTLE: The Pita Wrap of the Filipinos
• JOHNNY STEAMS: Yankee Burger - Peanut Butter, Crispy Bacon, Oozing Mozzarella Cheese
• OLVERA'S: Authentic Home Cooked Mexican Cuisine
• AUNTIE MAY's: U.S Beef Tapa, Angus Beef Salpicao and Home Cooked Meals-on-the-GO
• RICE POTS: The Real Fried Rice Stuff!
• MACHEESEMO: Cheese Stuffed Burgers!
• BUMBLE TEA: The Milk Tea Buzz
• NEW YORK MINUTE: Freshly Made Paninis
• @HEY_FISHY_FISHY: Fish & Chips with San Miguel Pale Pilsen Beer Batter

P.S. Would you like to become the next big food entrepreneur at Mercato Centrale group of markets? Please get in touch with us at (+63 917) 840-1152 or (+632) 812-0102.