San Miguel Lifestyle Brews BITES & BREWS BAR Crawl is a bar hopping experience with a group of bar crawlers over food and beer pairing of San Miguel Premium All Malt, San Miguel Super Dry and Cerveza Negra. It's a new way of meeting people, experiencing the different Gastro pub in the metro over unlimited serving of San Miguel lifestyle Brews.

Check out our Photo Essay of the first ever Bites & Brews Bar Crawl experience hopping through four (4) of the Gastro bars in Manila -- Locale, Aracama, Cerveseria, and Dillingers in one night with over flowing San Miguel Lifestyle Brews!

San Miguel Lifestyle Brews Beer Pairing Series:

• BITES & BREWS: San Miguel Lifestyle Brews Bar Crawl Experience
• PINO: Chef Ed Bugia's 5-Course PINO Meal with Beer Pairing
• Beer Pairing Basics 2: French Food with Beer?
• Beer Pairing Basics @ Chateau 1771 

8.00 PM | LOCALE

Our first Bites & Brews stop is Locale Gastrobar at City Golf Plaza Compound, Ortigas.

Our Bar Crawlers group is composed of showbiz personalities, twitter influencers, bloggers, online and print media, and friends of San Miguel Lifestyle Brews.

San Miguel Brewmaster Alan Z. Sienes provided food & beer pairing tips to appreciate the unique flavors of San Miguel Premium All Malt, San Miguel Super Dry and Cerveza Negra better.

We started the night with baked salmon, which was a bit bland without the sauce,

... and stuffed chicken, which got the most raves.

It paired nicely with the smooth, light, and malty flavor of San Miguel Premium All Malt. 

(TIP: San Miguel Premium All Malt is typically best paired with chicken and fish. It's a good beer to start with as you go from smooth to dry to bold flavored beer.)

10.00 PM | ARACAMA

From Ortigas, we head to our next Bites & Brews Stop in Aracama at Bonifacio Global City.

I was excited about this stop because Aracama has the best food and beer pairing during that night.

Read Related Blog Post:  Chef Fernando's ARACAMA Filipino Cuisine

This pairing of flavorful Sinugba na Baka with the crisp and dry flavors of San Miguel Super Dry gets my vote for the best food & beer pairing of the night. 

(Tip: San Miguel Super Dry is usually best paired with pork and beef. Most beer connoisseurs like Super Dry because of the hoppy flavor and extra dry taste)

THE BLACK FLEET

The Bites & Brews Bar Crawl hops from one bar to another with style onboard the Black Fleet bus!

The Black Fleet is one of the biggest party bus in Manila with a capacity of 30 people in a U-shape, face-to-face soiree setup.  The party continues onboard the bus as you hop to the next destination.

The Black Fleet uses Ford E150. It was originally used to transport visiting personalities, foreign acts from the airport, hotel, and venues. A Party Bus typically charges P10,000 for 3 hours.

12.00 AM | CERVESERIA

Our dessert stop in our Bites & Brews Crawl is Cerveseria in Greenbelt 3.

Love the creepy chandeliers and spooky library setup.

Cerveza Negra is typically paired with dessert specially with chocolate which pairs nicely with the caramel tones of the beer.

 
I was pleasantly surprised with how good the Canonigo dessert was in Cerveseria.  

Kudos to the pastry chef of Cerveseria!

 
But the Chocolate with Leche Plan on top is the best pairing with the Cerveza Negra.

2.00 AM | DILLINGERS 1903

Finally, our last stop was Dillingers in the 2nd Floor of Greenbelt 3 (near Red Box).

It had the coolest music and coolest people on a Friday night among the 4 bars we went to.

(But it also had the typical bar chow food - the least yummiest among the 4) 

Thank you to RX 93.1 Monster Radio DJs, Chico and DJ Cerah, for doing an awesome job in hosting the bar crawl and in engaging people in the different bars.

The Bites & Brews bar crawl was made special with celebrities like Troy Montero,

... and Aubrey Miles who both love San Miguel Premium All-Malt Beer.

It was also fun to see twitter celebrities Ornusa Cadness and Sanya Smith known as Zombettes and model Karen Bordador as part of the bar crawl :)

My wife Rache was interviewed on her favorite food with beer and she answered, "Chicken Inasal :)" 

Thank you to the San Miguel Lifestyle Brews team for a great Bites & Brews Bar Crawl concept!

We like Aracama and Cerveseria because of the good food & beer pairing and overall ambiance. Using a party bus like the Black Fleet as part of the bar crawl experience was great.

It would be nice to have simple bar games through out the bar crawl, or fun photo booths. Also, it would be nice to have spontaneous elements by involving the bar crowd more. 

Till the next Bites & Brews Bar Crawl!

About San Miguel Lifestyle Brews Bites & Brews Bar Crawl

A stamp of difference in every run 

Such a great night should happen more than once.  Soon, San Miguel will give the public a chance to participate in a different kind of experience in every San Miguel Lifestyle Brews Bites & Brews Bar Crawl event.  

All they have to do is complete their Loyalty Promo cards by getting them stamped or stickered at selected outlets every time they purchase three bottles of any of the San Miguel Lifestyle Brews beers. 

Slots will then be raffled off, and only a chosen few will get to attend the next two runs to be held on September 13 and on December 13, 2013.  

Twenty winners of the Loyalty Promo will get to attend the second run, joined by bloggers and media guests while only a 10 lucky few will get to mingle with 15 foreigners and tourists at the last San Miguel Lifestyle Brews bar crawl for the year.  

More surprises await.  

So, get ready for a different experience with the beers that were made different to make you different.

San Miguel Lifestyle Brews.

San Miguel Lifestyle Brews Beer Pairing Series:

• BITES & BREWS: San Miguel Lifestyle Brews Bar Crawl Experience
• PINO: Chef Ed Bugia's 5-Course PINO Meal with Beer Pairing
• Beer Pairing Basics 2: French Food with Beer?
• Beer Pairing Basics @ Chateau 1771 

Live an Awesome Life,

 
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Follow @antondiaz and 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: San Miguel Lifestyle Brews is an advertising partner of Our Awesome Planet. I wrote this blog post myself, and it expresses my own opinions. We only feature awesome experiences in the blog.

P.S. I must admit it's been a while since we barhopped like there's no tomorrow. In those days, usually the food in the bars are not as yummy as the Gastro pubs we have today. We have fond memories of going out with my ex-girlfriend (now my wife) to different bars in the heyday of the 80's and 90's bars. How I wish there are blogs already at that time to document that era. It was nice to experience the Bar Crawling era.

The SISIG. A Filipino favorite that is traditionally made with pig's ears and served on a sizzling plate. This humble dish is said to originate from Pampanga but is now known outside the country, thanks to the feature of renowned chef and television host, Anthony Bourdain, who raved about it in his show No Reservations.  

A lot of restaurants and bars serve sisig but only Chef Bab of Mercato Centrale can offer eight variants at one time. Even during the former Distrito Market, he has been dishing up this specialty, but now, he is offering foodies a chance to customize their sisig. Want it hot? Request for more chili. Want it as a meal? Order it with rice! Want a vegetarian version? Go for fish or tofu sisig. All orders are cooked on the spot, too, ensuring its freshness and deliciousness. 

Diners may select from the following sisig variants: crispy pork, chicken, beef, squid, dinakdakan, tofu, bangus and veggie meat. Not surprisingly, the Crispy Pork Sisig is the bestseller. Imagine minced pork ears or cheeks that is cooked with onion, ginger, bell pepper and seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar and calamansi. Although it might not paint a pretty picture fit for a five-star resto, the taste is definitely up there. It is best served hot and with a raw egg on top. I prefer the spicy version because it has more zing. I like this sisig variant the best because of the texture of the crispy pork and the dominant onion flavor. It’s a dish fit for pork paradise! (Just eat in moderation.)

Another must-try is the Dinakdakan,  sisig the Ilokano way. It uses the various parts of the pig's head, including the brain, and it is prepared similar to pork kinilaw. It has some pork liver and is served with mayonnaise as well. The technique to enjoying this rich and tasty dish is not to think about the individual ingredients and simply enjoy every yummy bite. Try it and you'll like it. Really. 

Chef Bab's (Francis Basa in real life) hails from Nueva Ecija and his passion for food and skill in cooking is reflective in his creative sisig creations. He honed his cooking skills in Magsaysay Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts and he has been in the food business for years now. He recently added sisig turnover (omelet sisig) in his menu and is planning to introduce sisig sandwich in the weekend markets soon. With the undying love of Filipinos for sisig, looks like Chef Bab is here to stay. 

CHEF BAB’S SIZZLING SISIG & MORE (DADS MOMS KITCHEN) 
Telephone number: (+63 2) 347-5071
Mobile number: (+63 922) 863-8098
Email: michellekatesbasa08@yahoo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DadsMomsKitchen 

Available at Midnight Mercato, Cucina Andare, Mezza Norte and Levante:

MIDNIGHT MERCATO
Address: Corner of 34th & 8th avenue (near MC Home Depot), BGC , Taguig
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@mercatocentrale.ph or mercatocentraleph@gmail.com
Operating hours: Every Friday and Saturday, 10pm-3am 

CUCINA ANDARE 
Address: Glorietta 3 Park, Makati (in front of Makati Shangri-La)
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152
Email: admin@cucinaandare.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4pm-3am 

MEZZA NORTE
Address: Trinoma’s Mindanao open parking lot, corner of Mindanao and North Ave., Quezon City
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@mercatonorth.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4pm-3am 

LEVANTE
Address: Eastwood Citywalk 2 (in front of Café Bene and CBTL, near the cinema)
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@levanteeastwood.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, 6pm-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

Flavors of Mercato Series 2:

• CHEF BAB’S SISIG: "A lot of restaurants and bars serve sisig but only Chef Bab of @MercatoCentrale can offer eight variants at one time!"

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.

It's one of the inspiration behind the Chinatown Food Tour by Ivan Man Dy in Manila.

Here's a photo essay review of my first walking tour experience in Singapore:

Your Awesome Singapore Series:

• GARDENS BY THE BAY: Singapore's Super Trees, Cloud Dome, and Sleeping Boy Child Art
• SINGAPORE CHINATOWN WALK: Red Clogs Down the Five Foot Way (A Review)
• SINGAPORE LITTLE INDIA WALK: Dhobis, Saris & a Spot of Curry (A Review)
• 328 KATONG LAKSA: The BEST Laksa in Singapore?
• THE INTAN: Peranakan Heritage Home-Museum by Antique Collector Alvin Yapp 

The Chinatown Walk meeting place is at the Tanjong Pagar MRT Station, outside Exit B (Maxwell Road) every Tuesday at around 9am.

No prior booking is needed. You can just show up on time and join the tour.

After a short introduction of all the participants, our guide Joo Ling proceeded to walk along Telok Ayer St.

(Trivia: Joo Ling is an animal lover who shares her home with more creatures than the zoo.)

We passed by the Amoy Street Food Centre. She explained that Amoy refers to the Xiamen region of China and what it is famous for.

We passed through interesting houses with shop on the first floor. 

Joo Ling explained the European and Chinese influences in the facade, the windows and design architecture of the houses.

At this point, she visualized to us what was life along The Five Foot Way which is the covered hallway on the side of the buildings.

She would give out visual aids, old maps, and photos to illustrate her point.

Our first stop was the Thian Hock Kheng Chinese Temple.

Thian Hock Keng Temple (Chinese: 天福宫; pinyin: Tiānfú Gōng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Thian-hok-kiong; Temple of Heavenly Happiness; also: Tianfu Gong Temple) is the oldest and most important Fukien, or Hoklo (Hokkien) temple in Singapore. The main temple is dedicated to Mazu, the Taoist goddess of the sea and protector of all seamen while a second temple at the back is a Buddhist one dedicated to Kuan Yin, the bodhisattva of mercy.

Thian Hock Keng Temple was gazetted as a national monument on 6 July 1973. (Source: Wikipedia)

She explained why the temple is important to the initial Chinese immigrants to Singapore.

She also explained interesting burial practices in the temple.

Here's the Buddhist temple at the back dedicated to Kuan Yin, the bodhisattva of mercy.

We sat and rested for a while in the temple. This is the only place that has a decent restroom through out the walking tour route.

After the temple, we crossed over the Telok Ayer Green going into the back street to Ann Siang Hill.

We sat for a bit in the park while the guide explained the installation art in the park.

It was cool to walk into the back streets of Chinatown -- you get to feel at home like a local.

You have to hike for a bit and ...

... climb through the hill via a staircase.

This is our third resting stop. You have to bring your own water to be hydrated all throughout the tour.

We crossed Club St. 

... which goes alive at night known for its hip bars :)

We passed by a Chinese Medicine store, and Joo ling explained the weird Chinese herbs and ingredients used to cure certain diseases and illnesses.

We then crossed through South Bridge Road in the corner of Smith St.

Our second stop is the Thye Shan Medical Hall.

Thye Shan Medical Hall was established in pre-independence Singapore in 1955 and is respected by the industry as one of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pioneers in Singapore. Today, we continue to honour our commitment to provide Customers with a wide range of Chinese medicine and health products of the highest quality and best value for money. We also have a team of experienced and qualified Chinese Physicians who accurately identify the root of medical conditions, and recommend effective and convenient solutions. 

For more info visit their official website: http://www.thyeshan.com.sg/

We got introduced to the different herbs and ginseng used in Chinese Medicine.

The owner was there to greet us and explain to us personally what the store is all about.

We got to try some Goji berries,

... and the different powerful herbs.

We ended the tour with tea.

At this point, I skipped over to Nanyang Old Coffee for

...a nice ice-cold Singaporean coffee :)

We continued our tour and passed through the Chinatown Night Street market.

Little did we know that this street is known before to be the Death Houses in Singapore's Chinatown.

We were suppose to go to the Chinese Wet Market, but it was closed at the time of our visit.

It was interesting to see old China men playing dama in the plaza.

We proceeded to go to the busy Chinatown area with street stalls all around. It's like a high-end Divisoria area.

Joo Ling continued to explain the things that you can find in Chinatown itself.

The eating stalls are closed, unfortunately, so we did not get to taste anything during this walking tour.

One of the most popular noodle shop in Chinatown is Lan Zhou La Mian. You can go here for lunch after the tour.

Our last stop is a Chinese Merchandise Store specializing on things for the dead.

It showcases paper things representing material things that the dead can bring to the after life.

Like this passport to Heaven or Hell.

Finally, she explained the story of the Red Clogs and where to buy them.

The tour ends in the Chinatown Heritage Center where you can have lunch around Chinatown (it's near the Chinatown MRT).

Overall, the tour is a good orientation into the history of Chinatown, and you'll have a better appreciation of Singapore's Chinese culture after this tour. I find Singapore's Chinatown is a bit sanitized already, and a bit modern.

It would have been nice if there were eating stops along the way where you can try a few Chinese delicacies. The tour appeals more to western tourists than Asians.

Check out Singapore's Chinatown Walk on your next trip to Singapore!

Red Clogs Down the Five-Foot-Way™ A Chinatown Walk

The street was filled from end-to-end, with stalls and knick-knacks of every kind. Here, a pair of ready-made clogs, there a steaming hot bun. Sticky cakes, exotic fruits, sweetmeats - it's food paradise always on the streets of Chinatown. Enjoy the fragrance of Chinese tea, ginseng, and herbal eggs. If you're brave, we'll even help you find your way about a very slippery wet market. Check out paper cars, houses, 'hand phones', and even lingerie - all part of an ancient Chinese funeral ritual. We'll also introduce to you the Yins and Yangs of Chinese traditional medicine. And finally, we might just show you where to get those ready-made clogs and that steaming hot bun!

. Thian Hock Kheng Temple . Ann Siang Hill . Traditional Chinese Medicine Store .
. Chinatown Wet Market . Ancestral Worship Shop .

• Explore Thien Hock Kheng, the oldest Hokkien-Chinese temple in Singapore and window to Chinese syncretism and worldview (winner of UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage 2001 Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation Building)
• Walk past beautifully conserved shophouses and trace the lives of early Chinese immigrants to discover the world's most multi-racial Chinatown
• Venture into quaint Chinese trades stores, including one specialising in Traditional Chinese Remedies and another in Ancestral Worship supplies
• Wind through Ann Siang Hill, one-time plantation and playground of the rich and influential
• Let our guide show you the way through Chinatown Wet Market - and learn about herbs and spices commonly used in Chinese cooking - an unforgettable experience!

Schedule: Every Tuesday 9.30am to 12.00 nn

Meet at Tanjon Pagar MRT Station, outside Exit B (Maxwell Road)
By cab: alight at the MRT exit along Maxwell Road. Nearest landmark is the "White House". 

End Point: Pagoda Street (Nearest to Chinatown MRT Station)

For more info, visit: Red Clogs Down the Five-Foot-Way™ A Chinatown Walk

THE ORIGINAL SINGAPORE WALKS

Seasons change and so do our walks. Log onto http://www.singaporewalks.com or call us at +65 6325-1631 if you think you're not holding on the latest schedule. We've included cabbing and walking directions. If you're still not sure, pick up a free Singapore map from the airport or your hotel or just ask the most enlightened-looking chap standing in the train.

The Original Singapore Walks: Adult S$35 / Child S$15
Discount Cardholders:  Adult S$30 / Child S$ 10

Office: D'Centennial Building, 100 Lorong 23 Geylang, #07-01, Singapore 388398 | 
Telephone:(+65) 6325 1631
Fax: (+65) 6224 0136
Email: discover@journeys.com.sg,fun@singaporewalks.com 

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

Your Awesome Singapore Series:

• GARDENS BY THE BAY: Singapore's Super Trees, Cloud Dome, and Sleeping Boy Child Art
• SINGAPORE CHINATOWN WALK: Red Clogs Down the Five Foot Way (A Review)
• SINGAPORE LITTLE INDIA WALK: Dhobis, Saris & a Spot of Curry (A Review)
• 328 KATONG LAKSA: The BEST Laksa in Singapore?
• THE INTAN: Peranakan Heritage Home-Museum by Antique Collector Alvin Yapp

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 holiday 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. Here's the general area of the Chinatown Walking tour and the start meeting point:

LEVANTE EASTWOOD is a Night Food Market every Friday at the Eastwood City organized by the Mercato Centrale group. It caters primarily to the people in Eastwood and around the surrounding communities East of Metro Manila.

LEVANTE stands for the Yummy East. The name  literally means ‘the East’ referring to the eastern region of the Iberian peninsula on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.  

Check out the Levante Experience in Eastwood City:

LEVANTE is currently located in City Walk 2 near the NIKE area. 

You can Eastwood's City Walk of fame into Levante. This entrance is near the Bonchon restaurant.

Currently, LEVANTE is only open every Friday from 6pm to 3am.

We have around 30 unique food vendors which is a mix of the Best of Mercato vendors, and home-based vendors located in the East area.

This is the first time the Mercato Centrale group partnered with Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, led by Mr. Kevin Tan, to enhance the yummy experience of the different malls.

LEVANTE is designed to be a walking food street with yummy food stalls you can't resist.

The market has a few dining areas, but usually most people would buy to go.

We have a mix of the Mercato favorites like Crunchy Belly,

Manila Q's Bagwang,

Chef Bab's Sisig,

... and our favorite Takoyaki.

We prioritize yummy Home-based Vendors from the Eastwood, Marikina, and Antipolo areas.

Aside from the yummy food we make sure to have a good selection of drinks to complete the dining experience.

Thank you to the Levante team for a successful launch last Friday at Eastwood City!

Thank you to the Megaworld Lifestyle Team for partnering with Mercato for the Levante market!

Levante is located at Citywalk 2 of Eastwood City, along C-5 road in Quezon City,  and will be open every Friday from 6pm to 3am starting May 17, 2013 onwards.

LEVANTE EASTWOOD
Citywalk 2, Eastwood City
Website: www.LevanteEastwood.com
Email: admin@LevanteEastwood.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LevanteEastwood
Twitter: @LevanteEastwood 
Mobile: +63 917 840-1152
Telephone: +632 812-0102
Operating Hours: Every Friday from 6pm to 3am 

Related Blog Post: LEVANTE: Announcing.... The Mercato of the East!

P.S. Call us at (+63 917) 840-1152 or (+632) 812-0102 or email admin@LevanteEastwood.com to reserve your slots now :)

We like Pancake House, and it's our comfort breakfast food with our boys. But recently we noticed the taste is getting too commercialized, the serving of the pasta is getting smaller, and the flavors are a bit diluted.

I'm glad that they decided to create a Breakfast restaurant for the foodies who demand a better breakfast experience all day. 

Here's our breakfast date experience at MAPLE:

The Best of ALL-DAY BREAKFAST Craze:

• BREAKFAST at ANTONIO'S: Welcoming 2013 with a Yummy Bang along the Ridge!
  
• MAPLE: All Day Breakfast @ San Antonio Plaza, Forbes Park Makati
• EARLY BIRD Breakfast Club: Starting the All-Day Breakfast Era in Manila?
• IHOP Philippines: Manila Goes Crazy Over IHOP?

The MAPLE resto is like a community breakfast place overlooking the Sanctuario de San Antonio Church in Forbes Park, Makati. It has a good following from the surrounding communities.

It can accommodate about 30 people so expect a queue during the peak breakfast time.

The design of the restaurant is focused on the maple design patterns and maple colors.

I love the Story of Maple which sets the fairy-tale mood for the overall theme of the place.

Maple Menu

Prologue: Aperitifs Drinks Menu

Chapter One: A New Day is Dawning - All Day Breakfast Menu | Photo Menu
Chapter Two: A Morning to Remember - All Day Breakfast Continued | Photo Menu
Chapter Three: Hunger Awakens - Appetizers | Photo Menu
Chapter Four: Wish Becomes Reality - Pasta | Photo Menu
Chapter Five: Fairy Tale Endings - Dessert | Photo Menu

Bottled Poetry: Wine List

Sunrise, Sunsets New Items: Truffle Omelette Souffle | Savory Country Pancakes

Read The Story of Maple Continued

★ Eggs Benedict (P315 +10% service charge). A MAPLE signature topped with Canadian bacon, poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce served with crunchy country fries.

I love the crusty bread, with a good choice of ham for the Maple's Egg Benedict version.

The country fries are unique and interesting - crispy odd shaped potato bits.

Swiss Chocolate Pancakes (P360 +10% service charge). Buttermilk pancakes or a thick Belgian waffle chock full of Felchin dark chocolate pastilles and topped with more chocolate shavings.

We find the pancake ordinary with bits of chocolate sprinkled on it and selected presence inside the pancakes.  

They say that the blueberry pancakes or french toast are their specialty. But we haven't tried them yet.

★ Prime Rib Tapa (P520 +10% service charge). A traditional Filipino breakfast favorite is taken to new heights. A marinated prime rib served with garlic rice, two eggs prepared the way you like, tomato-onion salsa and atchara.

Most foodies (including us) rave about the Prime Rib Tapa. It's like eating a steak with a very strong soy marinated flavor -- just the way Filipinos would like it.

It's actually quite big and can be shared for two;  just order additional fried rice and eggs. It's best eaten on its own and  coupled with a spicy garlic vinegar sauce.

Overall, MAPLE got mixed reviews when it opened -- I can understand if you would evaluate your breakfast place based on the pancakes they serve. But what I like most are their gourmet breakfast items specially the Prime Rib Tapa and Eggs Benedict. Budget P500-P700/head.

I love their quaint location in San Antonio Plaza, overlooking the church. A perfect Sunday Brunch place after hearing mass with the family.

MAPLE
2nd Level San Antonio Plaza, Mckinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati City
Telephone: +632 621 6211, +632 621-6764
Open Daily 6.30am to 11.00pm 

The Best of ALL-DAY BREAKFAST Craze:

• BREAKFAST at ANTONIO'S: Welcoming 2013 with a Yummy Bang along the Ridge!
  
• MAPLE: All Day Breakfast @ San Antonio Plaza, Forbes Park Makati
• EARLY BIRD Breakfast Club: Starting the All-Day Breakfast Era in Manila?
• IHOP Philippines: Manila Goes Crazy Over IHOP?

Live an Awesome Life,

 
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Follow @antondiaz and 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 don't receive compensation from food and travel places we feature in the blog. 

P.S. They opened another branch in the East Wing of Shangri-la Mall and soon to open in Alabang. 

In contrast to the other Abaca restos, Phat Pho is quaint (with a capacity of about less than 30pax) but still hip. During peak lunch and dinner time you have to sit shoulder-to-shoulder giving up a bit of privacy just to get a taste of the latest Vietnamese cuisine to invade Cebu.

Here's our PHAT PHO Experience in Cebu:

The BEST of Cebu City Series 2013:

• PHAT PHO: A Modern Vietnamese Kitchen @TheAbacaGroup
• 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

Best Vietnamese Restaurants in the Philippines:

• BAWAI: The Best Home Made Vietnamese I've Ever Tasted
• PHAT PHO: A Modern Vietnamese Kitchen @TheAbacaGroup
• BA NOI's - Secret Vietnamese Hole-in-the-Wall in Makati
• LA PETITE CAMILLE: American Vietnamese Cuisine with a Dash Of Joie De Vivre?

The resto is small and resembles a street noodle shop with the counter doubling like a chef's table where you can see the chef prepare the dishes.

Check out PHAT PHO MENU

The turnaround time of the pho and the other food is quite fast. It's fun to eat when there is a big crowd and your table is laden with  food.

(Note: They don't accept reservations. Better come early at around 11.30AM or a little late @1 PM before the resto closes)

Chilled Shrimp Rice Paper Rolls | Goi Cuon (P185). Vermicelli, Carrots & Daikon, Fresh Herbs

Shrimp Lumpia was good but a bit cold. They put sweet baby tomatoes to give it a different taste profile. The peanut sauces and a sweet Vietnamese patis version are also good but a bit different from the authentic Vietnamese ones.

 
★ Vegetarian Salads | Goi (P185). Cucumber, Tofu, Vietnamese Herbs, Lime Vinaigrette

This salad was yummy because of the fresh vegetables and sweet lime vinaigrette. It's best eaten as a topping on the kropek but you have to pay for extra kropek.

★ SPECIAL NOODLE SOUP PHO (P365). Our beef pho with angus beef ribeye, braised beef, tendon

We love the PHO. The soup is hot, clear and with an interesting lime taste. I like the soft flavorful pieces of angus beef, and the special pho served with a special meatball combination. 

The size is a bit big and you can split the pho on a self-service basis. Good thing you can request an extra bowl of Pho soup!

Saigon Baguette Banh Mi (P325). Our classic sandwich is served on a crispy baguette with pate, pickled carrots and daikon, shaved cucumber, coriander, Vietnamese meatball, homemade cha lua and shaved ham.

The Banh Mi is interesting with its crispy bread, a flavorful pate in the middle, with toppings of vegetables, meatball and shaved ham. It's something different to try and a complete meal by itself.

Coffee Caramel Flan (P157).

They only have one dessert which is the coffee-flavored leche fan. It's just OK.

I'm not impressed usually with the dessert offerings in the Abaca group of restaurants. It would be nice to have a killer dessert just to complete the dining experience.

Finally, we got a souvenir photo with Chef Jason Hyatt with Aidan and Joshua!

Overall, we love the hip noodle shop vibe complete with the chattering noise and shoulder-to- shoulder environment. It's nice to sit in your own table for added privacy but the counter top has its own interesting view of the chef and the kitchen. 

The Vietnamese food is simple with the chef's modern interpretation of the Vietnamese flavors. The quality of the ingredients they use are really good with yummy flavors. We love the Special Pho and Banh Mi. Skip the dessert.

Budget P500/head. Glad to see a more affordable resto concept from the Abaca group.

PHAT PHO: A Vietnamese Kitchen
Crossroads, Banilad, Cebu City
Telephone: +63 32 416-2442
Email: phatpho@theabacagroup.com
Twitter: @PhatPhoCebu @theabacagroup
Facebook: The Abaca Group
Website: http://theabacagroup.com/phat-pho/
Operating Hours: Lunch 11:30- 2pm & Dinner 5pm - 10pm (11pm Fri & Sat)
Last Call for Food Orders: Lunch- 1:45pm & Dinner- 9:45pm (10:45 Fri & Sat)

No reservations. First Come, First Served Basis.

The BEST of Cebu City Series 2013:

• PHAT PHO: A Modern Vietnamese Kitchen @TheAbacaGroup
• 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

Best Vietnamese Restaurants in the Philippines:

• BAWAI: The Best Home Made Vietnamese I've Ever Tasted
• PHAT PHO: A Modern Vietnamese Kitchen @TheAbacaGroup
• BA NOI's - Secret Vietnamese Hole-in-the-Wall in Makati
• LA PETITE CAMILLE: American Vietnamese Cuisine with a Dash Of Joie De Vivre?

 
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. For dessert, hop to the La Marea dessert cafe for the Classic Warm Brownie Cup with Vanilla Ice cream :)

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: 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. :)