When in Manila and afflicted with a deep sense of wanderlust, the Apulit Island Resort in Palawan is the perfect place to cure your ailment!  I realized that it would be a shame for us Filipinos not to  enjoy and witness the paradise that lies in our very shores that is why we’ve decided to feature and suggest more local travel destinations which I’m sure you won’t wanna miss in this precious lifetime!

For a few minutes, we’d like for you to leave those worries behind and get away from it all……

It’s time to reward yourself my friend…..    we know you deserve it!

let’s take you to a place …. a place I’m sure you’d wanna go to

time for you to discover the beauty of the Pearl of the Orient and experience what you  have been missing all this time

come on my friend… time to indulge and spoil yourself

and rekindle that flame once again

time to give-in my friend….  nature  is calling  you….

it’s time

take what is rightfully yours!

relax…. cool down a bit… have this refreshing tropical drink

sit back, relax… everything  will be taken  care off

get ready for a tropical contact high!

Experience the grandeur of APULIT Island Resort, brought to us by El Nido Resorts!

experience the comfort and lavishness of their water cottages

firmly standing ashore to  keep you in touch with nature

feel the security and comfort

experience exceptional hospitality

be mesmerized with this picturesque view right from your cottage veranda

enjoy the peace and serenity as the gentle breeze enfolds you

and witness romantic sunsets like no other

Brace yourself for a gastronomical treat with only the freshest and best……

 starting your day has never been this grand

 feast as you please, drool as you can

 with treats that will surely tickle your palettes

choose from a vast array of healthy mouthwatering dishes

experience a special romantic dinner with this spectacular view

create lasting moments to be cherished forever

and as we call it a night, allow them to wish you the sweetest of dreams

This is just the start my friend…. only the start

 get ready for more!!

Let’s get in on!! Let the good times roll!

don’t forget to greet our ocean friends…. dip-into its cool waters teeming with marine life

get on with your gear and let’s sail away…

…. to a place so pristine and simply perfect!

allow mother earth pamper you.. soothe you

let nature comfort and give you shade… as the sun  gently kisses you with its rays

row carefree and blissfully on its breathtaking shores

let’s dream some more and build sandcastles in the shifting sands

peacefully, as we watch the world go by, may we always find goodness from where we stand

This calls for a celebration my friend! For the abundant now and what’s about to come!

take a sip and try their signature Apulit Breeze

the perfect concoction for moonlit nights and dreamy eyes such as this

Nature and Elegance intertwined….

only in  Apulit Island of El Nido Resorts you will find!

What are you waiting for my friend? It’s time! Time to live some more!

With Apulit Island‘s magnificence  and splendor, I’m sure you’ll be coming back for more!

So when in Manila, we would have to say, Apulit Island Resort is the ultimate place where you should stay!

Truly More Fun In The Philippines !!

Apulit Island Resort

Taytay, Palawan

Manila Sales Office
Mondays thru Fridays, 8:30AM to 5:30 PM (Manila Time)
Address: 18/F 8747 Paseo de Roxas Street, Salcedo Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines
Phone No: + 63 2 9025994
Fax No: +63 (2) 810 3620
General Inquiries  Hotline: +63 2 9025962
Travel Agents Hotline: +63 2 9025951

To view more photos plus a diary of our day to day adventures,click the following links

Apulit  Island Day 1

Apulit Island Day 2

Apulit Island Day 3

Discover the Magnificence and Splendor of Apulit Island Resort in Palawan!

I’m not ashamed to say that I love food. Hence the reason why I go around the metro looking for the best places that offer the best eats. The Marriott Hotel has only been operating for a few years so their buffet is pretty new in this side of town (at least to my knowledge), and I was eager to try what they had. My family and I visited just a few days after New Year’s. Not a bad way to start the year I’ll say. 

The first thing that greets you when you enter the cafe is their wide selection of desserts and can I just say? Wow. From cakes t to puddings to (stop me from drooling please), their home made ice-creams, i tell you, I was about ready to give up trying everything else if only to go straight to their mouth watering desserts. But of course, that had to wait.

The buffet boasts of their international culinary stations. Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, US, and much to my surprise, Indian.  They also had an extensive salad station,to the utter delight of my wannabe healthy self. So yes, the dessert station may have seduced my tummy, but the salad station helped me find my way back to my healthy self again (which didn’t last for long really). Top your greens with your choice of smoked salami, pepperoni, red beets, croutons, throw in perhaps some glass noodles (not your usual but I had to try it) and your good to go. Suffice to say I was happy with their salad station, I don’t doubt the healthy people will find themselves quite content here as well. 

And that was the best of my efforts to stay healthy. The rest of the glorious food called me by name (or so I imagined). After the salad, I had to try their Chinese food…dumplings, roast duck, fried rice, wanton. I did enjoy the chinese fried rice very much and wanted to eat more but I knew I had to leave space for the other stations that beckoned.

 If you know me well enough, you would know that I can’t stay away from steak. I sometimes have to order good ‘ol Prime ribs from the US but good to know that good US prime meat can be found here at the Marriott Cafe. You could aslo ask them to cook it just the way you want it. Medium well for me. Try it with their mashed potatoes and pepper corn gravy. Melts in your mouth. 

Their Japanese station offered the usual tuna sashimi, tempura, maki’s so I had to get just a little of everything. The sashimi’s were fresh so that alone made me happy with their Japanese station. 

The chef, I was also happy to find, was someone I knew from my high school days. The little sister of a batchmate of mine. She is no longer little though, and she was in her chef’s uniform looking all serious and grown up and all of a sudden I felt like a proud older sister, haha. Chef Marianne Reyes whipped up a delicious pasta dish for me which I’d have to say, was my favorite for the day (Thanks Chef!). So definitely try their pasta station and if you don’t know what to put in it, ask the chef to make something special for you too, I’m sure you won’t regret it. 

After all that I had, you would think that I’d have no space left for dessert, but no. The dessert station still called so who was I to say no to those delicious mini cakes? I tried so many! For the health conscious, try their sugar free cheesecake. The home made ice cream is not one to miss either. They had an array of flavors but the Palawan honey walnut was the obvious family favorite. 

As you’d have already guessed, we all enjoyed our visit at the Marriott Cafe. So whether you’re feeling health conscious or ready to feed your stomach crazy, Marriott Cafe should definitely be on your list of new places to try in the metro. So when in Manila, and ready for some good food, you’ll know where to visit next!

Special Thanks to Chef Marianne Reyes for being so gracious and hospitable :) This won’t be our last visit!

No 10 Newport Boulevard,Newport City Complex,

Pasay City · Manila, 1309 Philippines

I’m truly at awe and speechless for this surprise! This is really something unexpected!  I feel so thankful and blessed with all the great things which are unfolding. With all the food bloggers around, I never thought my entry would even top the 1st round! Actually, I rarely join competitions. I’m simply happy with the things I’m doing. Eating out, doing crazy things, capturing moments and putting them all in writing is second nature to me. =)

Thank You So Much Sooo Pinoy for finding my entry worthy enough! I feel very honored to be part of this glorious event! I’m so excited to meet my fellow bloggers who qualified as well. I’m sure interacting with them and hearing their stories will be such a delight! I’m certain that this experience will be sooo awesome!

I’d like to thank all my friends for their support especially my partner in crime Frank Ruaya for believing in me and for the fantastic photos we create together with each adventure we experience! Of course, I’d like to thank our ever supportive editor-in chief Vince!!!

There is more to be done… sooo many places to see,  sooo many flavors to taste,  sooo many people to meet,  sooo many memories to capture and  sooo many stories to tell! This is gonna be an experience of a lifetime!!!

To read my official entry kindly click this link: http://www.wheninmanila.com/flavors-of-life-sweet-memories-bitter-ends-sour-notes-and-salted-eggs/ 

To view our humble blog, visit EATS A DATE  

When In Manila’s Very Own Mae Ilagan Tops Round 1 of The Sooo Pinoy Search for the Ultimate Food Blogger!

Ever since I could remember, I’ve had a love affair with food. What started as bonding with the family has now turned into a full blown passion. I pride myself in being very adventurous with food, I’ve been known to say I will try anything once.

When In Manila, I’m sure it’s very obvious that most Filipinos, like me, are very open when it comes to food. The diverse population in the country has opened our palettes to different tastes and cuisines. This is one of the reasons why one very successful brand has decided to come to Manila.

World famous PF Chang’s has just brought their very first restaurant here in the Philippines. The first in a completely Asian setting, PF Chang’s is a contemporary fusion restaurant which serves Chinese dishes.

I got the chance to experience the food first hand last Tuesday when they invited us over for lunch. The first branch in Alabang Town Center’s newly renovated area is a two floor space which can seat 240 people. Outside, we saw these terra-cotta warriors and these majestic horses welcoming and ushering diners into the restaurant.

These Terra Cotta Warriors are replicas of those unearthed from the tomb of Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China.

Two 11-foot horses guard the entrance.

The inside is very simple, bright, and spacious. Chinese accents and decorations adorn the place. A hand-painted Chinese mural stands as the ground floor’s centerpiece.  

These Terra Cotta Warriors are everywhere!

The meal started with Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Dynamite Shrimp served as appetizers.

Dynamite Shrimp: Although a little spicy, this a favorite! Coming back for more of these!

This is half (?) an order of the Chicken Lettuce Wrap. Couldn’t stop myself from eating this.

 

Different dipping sauces for different tastes and needs.

Now on to the main menu! We had:

Chang’s Spicy Chicken, good and not as spicy as the Dynamite Shrimps.

Mongolian Beef made with U.S. Angus  beef!

Shrimp with Candied Walnuts; The shrimp, honeydew melons, and walnuts are great together. Another favorite.

Chengdu Spiced Lamb. Very nice.

Lo Mein, Chinese stir fried egg noodles.

Sichuan Style Asparagus. I love my vegetables!

At PF Chang’s, everything is delivered fresh and prepared daily. This assures the quality of everything that comes out of their kitchen. The dishes here, with an emphasis on simplicity and detail, consist of only 3-4 ingredients each.

Food here can also be customized and made to be gluten free. A vegetarian menu is also available.

Aside from the good food, they have a vast beverage and alcohol menu. From signature cocktails like their Organic Agave Margarita, to their handpicked wine selection, and simple Tamarind Iced Tea drinks, I’m sure they have whatever it is that will quench your thirst.

PF Chang’s ensure their customers of quality service. A special staff was even brought in from different countries to train the local staff who will be serving us here.

They were all smiles as they served us our cocktails. They catered to our every whim! 

During the lunch we also met the people behind this restaurant that was two years in the making. Plans of building more branches in the Philippines are still in the works.

Genaro Perez Diaz (Director of International Marketing, PF Chang’s), Michael Welborn (President of Global Brand Dev’t, PF Chang’s), Philip Chiang (co-founder, PF Chang’s restaurant chain), and Archie Rodriguez (President and CEO, Global Restaurant Concepts, Inc.)

Archie Rodriguez (Global Restaurant Concepts) is PF Chang’s Philippine partner.

With none other than Philip Chiang!

 Now that it has finally arrived, When In Manila, make sure you get to try PF Chang’s. The good food, the restaurant’s attention to detail, and the excellent service will definitely make this one of Manila’s favorite restaurants.

 PF Chang’s will finally be open to the public starting today, January 19, 2012. See you there!

PF Chang’s Philippines

Alabang Town Center

marketing@globalresto.com

687 5611

http://pfchangs.com.ph

When in Manila, and would like to  savor and experience authentic Taiwanese cuisine, I got really great news for you! You dont’ have to fly to Taiwan anymore because it has now landed on Philippine shores and I’m so eager to tell and show you great photos of this fabulous new find we recently discovered  along Tomas Morato in Quezon City called SHANG TSU (top kitchen)!

located at a very safe and decent place along Tomas Morato

I must admit that I really don’t know much about Taiwanese food ye,t but I’m eager to try everything and  boy was I impressed with the new dishes which was introduced to me!  This year, I’ve decided to feature more healthy and “feel good” articles for you to get a hold of that “good life” which we are all entitled to have! This, particular place I believe, is something which everyone should ought to try for the simple reason that the dishes are genuinely great and unbelievably affordable!

For this week, I also invited some of my girlfriends to share this dinner with me. I know they will appreciate this very much!  What I really like about this passion of mine is that I get to share my joys and blessings with others. If you’re one of my regular readers, you’d notice that I’m getting quite redundant with the “sharing our blessings” thingy but frankly speaking, it is really true that’s why I always mention about it. I believe that is the most rewarding part in being a food and travel writer. It’s really all about the relationships which you cherish and the new people you get to meet and co-create with along the way. I am very much happy with my day  job as a teacher but during these days, I’m at my happiest!

Ashyah, Badeth, Salve and Joane

Let me now show you the ones which you must try!!!

Black Tea with Ice Cream Float   冰淇淋紅茶     (70 php)

for only 70 pesos you get to enjoy this huge serving of authentic style Taiwanese milk tea!

Something which tea addicts must experience!

We all liked this a lot!

Sour Plum Juice  酸梅湯  (40 php) – Though I’m not really a big fan of sour drinks, we did appreciate this drink a lot because it was very refreshing and it makes you feel that you’re drinking something very healthy!

Black Tea 紅茶   (50 php) – I’m a certified tea addict so I must say this is my personal pick! It just had the right amount of sweetness in it and for only 50 pesos, you get a serving that is good for sharing! Great value for money!

they come in huge Taiwanese serving sizes!

they place it in  these decanters

Taiwanese Oyster Pancake 蚵仔煎   (100 php) – a popular Taiwanese street food of Chaozhou/Fujian origin often sold as  xiaochi in night markets. 

The dish consists of an omelet with a filling primarily composed of small oysters.

Chef Chang makes sure that the pancakes are made perfectly!

starchy thick batter with oysters, greens and fried egg

……then afterwards topped with a catchup based sauce. 

Best enjoyed while hot!

They offer an array of healthy Tofu Dishes!

These dishes are so perfect for people like me who are are trying to eat healthy! I love tofu a lot and what I find so special about these are that, though all of  them are basically tofu, they all have such unique characteristics which make each of them very interesting!

Crispy Fried Tofu  炸豆腐 70 php

Deep fried to perfection yet so soft on the inside!  An instant favorite!

Century Egg with Tofu 皮蛋豆腐 (60 php)

I’ve got all praises for this dish! Steamed firm Chinese tofu topped with dried fish flakes partnered with slices of century egg! Somebody stop me pleaaaaassseeee!!

I love the presentation! Bravo!

Combination (adobo style seaweed, eggs and tofu) 70php

- Another set of tofu and egg side dishes which will surely compliment your  meal! Super healthy! High in protein and minerals! I believe this will be great with their noodle dishes!

Combination (slices of  ultra tender boiled  beef tongue, stomach and intestines)

melts in your mouth…. waaaaaaaaahh

Homemade Fries   炸甘梅薯條 (60 php)

-At first, I kinda ignored this one because I thought it was just your typical sweet potato (kamote) fries but after tasting it, I couldn’t stop! I believe the spices which they used really kicked it up a notch!

a must try!

水餃/鍋貼 (高麗菜，韮菜，玉米，鮮蝦)

*Steamed or Fried dumplings (pechay, kutchay, corn, shrimp) 60php

I adore dumplings a lot especially the steamed ones!  I find them to be very guilt-free. The fried ones were also not greasy but more ala “gyoza” style!  I believe I can live with only eating dumplings and tofu!

Oyster Misua Soup 蚵仔麵線  (80 php)

-I would have to describe this as very light yet so filling! Perfect with dumplings I bet!!

Taiwan Beef Noodle Soup  台灣牛肉麵（冬粉）   (145 php)

 Boiling hot beef broth with fresh noodles and  thin tender beef slices!

I saw customers order this along with the oyster pancake 

The 145 peso Rice set meals 飯食類     

I highly recommend you try these super affordable set meals! They are all served in huge plates along with 3 flavorful side dishes which makes it a very interesting  meal!

Crispy Pork Chop Set Meal 香酥滷排骨

a huge piece of lean tender crispy deep fried pork chop

side dishes: sweet shredded bean curd, adobong tofu and stir fried cabbages

 WARNING: highly addictive! 

Stir Fried Beef w/ Black Pepper & Onion set meal

 spicy savory tender slices of beef with onions in peppery sauce

Fried Chicken Leg Set Meal 香酥雞腿飯 

The new addition to my list of best tasting fried chickens in the world!! 

Ultra crispy skin yet the meat remains to be very juicy! I can still remember the cracking crispy sound of the skin (music to my ears) while I slowly devour on its juicy meat. No need for any sauces etc! Perfect as it is!

Pork Humba set meal

As outstanding as the fried chicken! Pinoys will surely appreciate this because of its mouthwatering thick sweet and flavorful sauce plus tender meat chunks simmered til set I bet! This was the dish which made me break my no-rice diet! hahahaha For me though, I think I’d like the meat to be more tender but the rest of the gang said it was fine! I wanna try this again!

Voted as best dish of the night along with the fried chicken!

and so the feast began….

always thankful for the food and the people I share them with! I miss my partner Frank hat time though..I’m sure he would have enjoyed this a lot!

good thing Ashyah was there to tell us more about Chinese food

Joane loved the tofu very much as well as the century egg

Ashyah and Badeth fighting over the deliriously tasty fried chicken!

We got soooo full we had to take home the left overs.  They placed it in such cute boxes like these!

Meet the chef and the wonderful staff! Great job guys!

and last but not least, Taiwanese Master Chef Chang!

He truly deserves a standing ovation!

I woke up the next morning craving for everything! The hardest job I do perhaps is  controlling  my cravings whenever I post process my food photos the next day!  Will I come back? Surely I will soon! I’m really happy with this new find! Experiences like these make me feel so lucky to be a food writer!  Shang Tsu is for everyone who would like to enjoy authentic Taiwanese cuisine and basically for everyone who loves eating and trying out new flavors! According to my instincts, this restaurant will go a long way with its fantastic dishes and affordability! I highly recommend you bring the whole family and barkada with you! And for all you foodies who are reading this, well you ain’t a foodie if you haven’t tried Shang Tsu!

So when in Manila, discover Taiwanese cuisine and be sure to treat yourself and your loved ones to the authentically great dishes of  SHANG TSU!

Shang Tsu

Unit 5 No. 74 Creekside Square, Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City,

Mon-Sun 11am-10pm

contact # (02) 622 77 42

To view more photos and insider stuff, kindly visit EATS A DATE! 

Shang Tsu: Authentic & Affordable Taiwanese Cuisine Finally in Manila! Must Try Their Tofu Dishes and Fried Chicken!

When in Manila and would like to detach yourself from the stresses of city life or looking for a romantic weekend getaway with your significant other without doing serious damage on your pocket? Let us recommend a place where you can once again re-connect with nature and find that piece of peace which you deserve!

Brace yourself as we take you to the historical island of  CORREGIDOR!!

another journey awaits!

For busy yuppies like us, I know that deep down in you lies a yearning for some peace and quiet. A yearning to re-connect with our inner selves and gain back that strength to keep us going in our respective journeys.  It is actually my 3rd time in Corregidor, and this time, it is indeed an honor to write about the whole experience for Wheninmanila.com because honestly, it is one of my all-time favorite vacation spots!

we all need to detach from this concrete jungle once in a while

For this feature, we will not delve into historical facts and details for we  don’t intend to make it into a sort of boring history lecture but instead, allow us to take you there with our photos and let them do all the talking as always! =)

For only 2, 599php /person you get to experience  these….

Roundtrip ferry transfers (plus shrine, entrance and terminal fees)

Check in at 7:00am at the CCP Bay Terminal

this service then came and took us to the pier… ETD is around 8:00am

the ferry ride takes about 1.5hrs 

it’s so nice to see many Filipino tourists as well!

Guided Island Tour (9:30-2pm)

all aboard lads and lasses!!!!

pay additional 150php to watch the Malinta Lights and Sound Tour (optional)

inside the Malinta Tunnel

my partner in crime Frank

Frank at the Battery Way

ruins of the Middle Side Barracks

Pacific War Memorial

with our tour guide Sir Jose Baja at the museum

flatwares and dinnerwares from WW2

the Light House

there are souvenir shops around the Light House

You also get 1 buffet lunch!

upon arrival at the Aplaya Restaurant, expect a very warm welcome along with a refreshing drink!

They usually serve 1 pork, chicken, veggie and pasta dish. They also have a soup, salad and dessert station

our simple meal…

….. made special with a spectacular view!!

 Overnight accomodation at  Corregidor Inn!

The Corregidor Inn offers very decent rooms to stay in.

our room was  quite simple cozy

The  Corregidor Inn may have aged throughout the years, but I may say they are still able to maintain it well.

And for only an additional fee of 150php, you get to join all the other activities such as…

The Sunset and Sunrise Viewing at the Battery Grubs (sunset) and Pacific War Memorial (sunrise)

Malinta Lateral Tunnel Tour

ghost hunting!!!

are you ready?

Other activities…

When I say detach, I really mean literally detaching  from all distractions! Since it is an island, I really love the idea that I am physically away from Manila. Also, I love the fact that they have no wi-fi there so people can also detach from the world wide web even just for a few days. I’m sure you’d agree that the internet can also cause so much stress!!  Corregidor gives you this opportunity to relax, meditate and just be yourself! =)

Rock Balancing

Zip Line (150php)

The simple things worth appreciating…..

the feel of the water as it touches your feet is just so relaxing

i love the silence and the serenity which the place provides me

even the simplest of meals become special when shared with the right people

tapsilog

it was a very  pleasant breakfast

We also got to meet the Island Manager Sir Ed Batalia! He told us so many interesting stories about the place!

another reason why I love the place so much is because the people there are sooooo nice!!! Seriously! Every person carry stories with them that are worth hearing!

I remember pondering on one question in my head during the trip.. “Why do I keep on going back to Corregidor?”  Perhaps, it is due to the total detachment from the concrete jungle of Manila. It is one of the few places which I get to enjoy a good night sleep. I feel at peace here. There is a certain energy which the place enfolds me with.  I love how this place enables me to clear my head and  think more creatively. I believe this is the best reward I can give to myself. =)

So when in Manila, give yourself a break! Detach yourself  from worldly worries and book yourself a trip to Corregidor!

and like the famous words uttered by General Douglas McArhur….. yes Corregidor, I SHALL RETURN!! 

Sun Cruises

21st  FloorTimesPlazaBuilding
United Nations corner Taft  Avenues
Ermita, Manila, 1000 Philippines

click here to book a trip now!!!!

Join their official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/corregidor.philippines

Special Thanks to Ma’am Kristine Castro, Sir Ed Batalia, Sir Jose Baja and to all the wonder people in the island!

Thank You Frank Ruaya for these stunning shots and for always making each trip

very memorable!

Looking For A Relaxing and Affordable Weekend Getaway? Visit Corregidor!!

WhenInManila and craving for some Korean food, get up and visit KBOP Quick Korean at the Venice Piazza Mckinley Hill. KBOP offers quick Korean food at an affordable price. Being a self-professed KPOP fan, I cannot help but get excited about a place called KBOP. Not to mention that I LOVE Korean food! 

It was my first time to visit the Venice Piazza. It was still being developed but I can see its promise. It can even be the next hot spot as soon as the developments in the area done. KBOP was not that difficult to find. It’s inviting, modern, and visually stimulating interiors emanate from the outside. If you are hungry, I have to warn you that the mouth watering food photos on their walls may result in an increase in your orders and your bill. It better be your diet cheat day when you visit them.

Upon entering the area, we were greeted by a variety of bloggers and the owners Mr. Mel Gozum and Mr.KaAsenso himself, Jorge Noel Wieneke III. They were very welcoming and we had interesting conversations with them. Not only was I able to find out more about KBOP but I was able to get insights about business and other related topics as well. Inspirational conversations done, so what’s next? Food, food, food!

First on the table was their version of the Kimchi Fried Rice / Bokkumbop (Php 50.00). Their version was spicy-ish, but not as spicy for the average Filipino palate.

The next dish served was their very own KBOP Chicken (Php 160.00). Foodies may notice that the resemblance between the KBOP chicken and the other popular chicken recipes in the market nowadays. Well, fortunately, this was better. It had this sweet and tangy taste outside magnified by its crunchy texture. However, you will be surprised that you’ll be sinking your teeth into something juicy and tasty. Just the way chicken should be cooked. It immediately became my favourite that night.

Well, what’s a Korean meal without Chapchae (Php 125.00)? They had their own version as well. To show how much of a crowd favourite it was, let me just say that on our side of the table, we were able to finish around 3 of these!

To further engorge our stomachs we were served with Pork Skewers. It had this Korean flavour going one with an interesting bite of the sweetness Filipinos would love. Just like your usual Pinoy Barbecue but with some Korean zest.

Last but not the least, was the Chandolpakee or Grilled Beef Steak. It was a great dish to cap of everything we just ate. They added mustard to this dish which complimented the spices on the beef’s marinade. It had this smoky flavour which was juicy inside and was equally good with our without its partner sauce. I personally think that mustard is not something you usually see in Korean cuisine but I can say that it was effectively mixed in the dish.

KBOP’s menu selection was not only affordable, compared to the usual Korean restaurants, (their dishes range from Php 100.00 – 200.00) it was also delicious and addictive at the same time. You would really crave for more! Not to mention that the dishes come in big servings and can be shared by around 2 people. I think it was the Filipino flavour they incorporated to their dishes that made us fall head over heals for our dishes. By offering unintimidating, quick and affordable Korean food to Filipinos, I think they achieved Korean-Filipino-food-euphoria in such a way that the taste of their dishes is quite safe for the Filipino taste buds but it still had authentic Korean flavours in it.

Also keep an eye out for KBOP’s promos such as the happy hour where cocktails are offered at Php 40.00, their Eat-All-You-Can-Sundays, group meals, and 69 peso worth rice meals for the dynamic diner. Quick Korean food with a twist indeed!

WhenInManila, come visit KBOP and taste their signature dishes! I highly recommend their KBOP Pizza, KBOP Chicken Burger, Seafood Pancake, Ramen, and so much more. Drooling already? Get up now and try out!

KBOP Quick Korean

Quick Korean Food in Metro Manila

2/F Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill, 1200 Taguig, Philippines

Opens from Monday to Sunday, 10:00am – 10:00pm

KBOP Facebook

 KBOP Quick Korean: Korean Food with a Filipino Twist

When In Manila, you need make sure that you never ever let a day pass by without finding one way, big or small, to make that day special!

WhenInManila.com in cooperation with Jollibee now hopes to do just that! For one whole week…. for seven days…. we will be spreading our firm belief that Everyday Deserves a Sundae!

From Dec 12 – Dec 18, we’ll be giving out a bunch of gift packages everyday!

Everyday Rewarding Treats from Jollibee Strawberry Sundae

MONDAY: Manicure Monday – Win California Nail Spa Manicure & pedicure service + Jollibee GCs!

TUESDAY: Carsday – Car Care Kit & Dehumidifier kit + Jollibee GCs!

WEDNESDAY: Wednesday Shopping – SM Gift Certificates: P1000 + Jollibee GCs!

THURSDAY: Hairsday -Creations Salon (Glorietta 5 Ayala Center, Makati) GC worth P1000 + Jollibee GCs!

FRIDAY: Friday Blockbuster -Greenbelt 3 Cinemas: Gift Card (good for two) + Jollibee GCs!

SATURDAY: Saturday Relax – The Spa Greenbelt 1: P1000 Wellness Card + Jollibee GCs!

SUNDAY: SuperFacial Sundae -Let’s Face It Service: facial with feel-off or facial with jell-type + Jollibee GCs!

I’ll be announcing one winner EVERYDAY on Twitter!

All you have to do is answer the question and RT this statement below:

WIN gift packages EVERYDAY! Just RT & follow @VinceGolangco then tell him “Why do I deserve a reward from Jollibee?” http://bit.ly/taKRY7 

I’ll announce a winner everyday, at the end of the day, for 7 days, that’s Dec 12 – Dec 18!

When In Manila, don’t forget to Make Everyday “Berry” Special With Jollibee Strawberry Sundaes!

Everyday Deserves a Sundae… and LOTS of Prizes: Jollibee Giveaways EVERYDAY!

—————————————————————————————-

WINNERS UPDATE 

Manicure Monday winner – @mediatrooper 

Carday Tuesday winner – @RodjTuls 

Shopping Wednesday winner – @janellecua 

Hairday Thursday winner –  @tweeterempress

Blockbuster Friday winner – @gracielleannep

Relaxing Saturday winner – @kenge19

SuperFacial Sunday Sundae winner – @mgviray 

Email me with your info and I’ll let you know how to claim your prize – Vince@WhenInManila.com 

If you didn’t win, don’t forget, I’ll be picking winners EVERYDAY this week! So keep Tweeting and good luck!

When in Manila and among the countless hard working yuppies like Frank and I, I’m sure you’d agree that we all deserve a break  and be rewarded for all our efforts!  It’s normal for people like us to dream about going on a weekend getaway or spend hours inside the spa however, if you don’t have the  luxury of time (and money) to do so, let us share to you one sure way to make that valuable free time of yours extra special — our secret? The Jollibee Strawberry Sundae!

The 25 peso bliss as I would like to call it, is my sure way to keep those migraines away!!

Allow me to show you how Jollibee plays a big role in the life of a yuppie like me!

You see, on a typical weekday afternoon, our whole team would often have a sweet satisfying Sundae breaktime  to shake off our stresses!  Our new addiction, the Jollibee Strawberry Sundae! Who could ever resist Jollibee‘s signature creamy vanilla soft serve topped with rich n’ thick strawberry syrup and strawberry bits??

quality break time bonding!

the sweetest way to perk up your day!

a “berry” sweet afternoon with the team

treats like these make office life fun

even my Korean boss loves it!

Our love for Jollibee treats don’t just end on weekdays of course! As for Frank and I who devote our weekends in going places to take photos as our reward to ourselves, it  has been a part of our routine to always make it a point to finish each memorable Sunday with a sweet ending with our friends and loved ones  with a filling meal at Jollibee! We believe that our blessings  are savored best when shared! Last weekend we invited his nieces to have a Jollibee dinner with us!

blessings are best savored when shared with loved ones

Frank enjoying his Champ!

My Korean Boss told me why she loves Jollibee’s Champ… she said it tastes really close to her favorite  Korean Bulgogi burger!

I couldn’t help but feel like a child again every time I eat my favorite Jolly Spaghetti!

their Palabok Fiesta also has its own distinct taste

Isa pa! Isa pa! Isa pang Chicken Joy!

Gusto mo? (Want some?)

Who could ever resist Jollibee‘s Peach Mango Pie?

warm crisp puff pastry filled with rich and flavorful peach mango filling!!

Of course, for our cool and  sweet finale, each of us had a cup of our favorite Jollibee Strawberry Sundae! I’m really glad to see this on their menu!

One thing I really like about  their sundae is that, its syrup isn’t too sweet and tastes fresh

a spoonful of Strawberry Sundae drives my stresses away!

girl talks become more fun indeed!

another berry memorable bonding  moment

I’ve been blogging about rewarding thyself for 4 years now and my desire to show people the goodness of life never ceases! It’s not really about the amount of money you spend but more on how and who you’re gonna spend it with! All through the years, I’ve come to realize that connecting to myself and my loved ones are the ones which make my life more meaningful because it gives me this sense of belongingness… a sense of home… and I may say that of all the fast food chains in the country, there is no doubt that Jollibee still reigns the best because personally, I feel I’m a part of it,  it’s something I can call my own!  As a Filipino food writer, no matter where my cravings would take me, the langhap sarap goodness of Jollibee will always have a special place in my heart!

Jollibee truly plays a big part in the life of every Pinoy! Loved by both the young and the young at heart, wherever they may be! It’s undeniable that we, the young professionals of today who are shaping the nation all grew up with its langhap sarap goodness!! I’m certain that Jollibee will still be adored by many generations to come! =)

So when in Manila, make it a habit to reward yourself with the sweet goodness of Jollibee Strawberry Sundae and make everyday  berry unforgettable!!

Jollibee Delivery

 Delivery Hotline: 8-7000

Join their official Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/JollibeePhilippines?ref=ts&sk=wall

Thank You so much to Badeth Compuesto and my partner in crime Frank Ruaya for

helping out with the photos.

To view more photos, kindly visit our humble blog EATS A DATE!

 Make Everyday “Berry” Special With Jollibee Strawberry Sundaes!

When in Manila, you’ll definitely never run out of interesting places to unwind for the Philippine archipelago  possesses  countless natural treasures waiting to be discovered! As for this occasion, it was more of a re-discovery for us!

This week, let us take you on a visual tour for you to witness the spectacular sites and experiences during our trip to Pangasinan!

Last Nov 21 – 22, When In Manila got invited on a guided tour around Pangasinan courtesy of the Pangasinan government.

Frank and I feel very fortunate to be part of the When In Manila entourage for the 1^st Pangasinan Digital ICT Congress where our editor-in-chief Vince was invited as one of the guest speakers during that week long event.  As for us, our duty was to attend the tour to experience the sights, sounds, flavors as well as to witness the improvements which the government has worked so hard for the betterment of the province! The government of Pangasinan, spearheaded by their very hardworking governor, Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. has been doing its best in achieving its vision of  Pangasinan to become  “the best place to invest, work, live and raise a family”.

At first, we never really knew what to expect. Whatever it was, we both knew the trip was gonna be fun and memorable!

We really hate to bore you with long facts so we’ve decided to take you there with our photos. Frank and I enjoyed capturing every moment during this trip!

We never thought Pangasinan had sooo much to offer….

it was a perfect day to capture moments once again

we stayed at one of Lingayen‘s Prime resorts – the El Puerto Marina Resort and Spa

an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate

I must say, the longanisa at their restaurant was very tasty!! I just hope they can make the price more reasonable though..

I also suggest they work on their scrambled eggs  and the quality of their rice=) This meal can be improved!

It was indeed a looooong relaxing day for us. For dinner, we’ve decided to wander around town in the hope to find good eats. One good thing about us, I may say is that we always have the spirit of adventure with us. We don’t really make plans….we just say yes to whatever good unfolds! I remember telling manong driver to take us to a place where there’s food!

And so manong driver dropped us off somewhere at the capitol complex. We made a quick stroll and in no time, we saw quite a decent place to dine… the Capitol Cafe and Employee’s Lounge.

We never expected that dinner would turn out to be one of our  memorable ones, because the food tasted way better than the other hi-end  fancy looking restos in Manila! The food was definitely outstanding! Their fried chicken is the real SARAP TO THE BONES!

Super crispy!!! SARAP TO THE BONES!

After that very filling pleasant meal, we decided to wander around the capitol plaza to feel the cool night breeze.

How relaxing it was to breathe fresh air  and witness the joy and laughter of the locals that night. This is something which you can’t experience in Manila now a days. And for a moment, I wanted to exchange places with them because they live such simple and happy lives.

Frank at the famous Capitol Building which was constructed from 1917-1918 during the term of Pangasinan’s 7th Governor, Daniel Maramba

The people were very friendly and kind… living such simple and happy lives! 

Another thing which we found impressive was that the place was  very safe especially for shutterbugs like us who often have our

cameras with us.

The next day, we woke up early for our Pangasinan Tour…..

Heaven’s way of saying, “Prepare for yet another great adventure!”

 We were all asked to have breakfast at the Capitol Resort

Of course, we had to try their specialties….

Pangasinan is famous for their boneless bangus

I really miss their crispy fried Espada and the Alaminos Longanisa!!

After that super satisfying breakfast, we all hopped on the tour bus! Yey!!

We were joined by some of the ICT speakers.  Judith, our tour guide that day told us a lot of impressive facts about the province

First stop was a visit to the Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine!

Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine: the 400 year old church which  is still visited by believers up to this day.

A famous destination for thousands of catholic devotees from all over the world due to the countless miracles and requests granted.

believers pray for their requests to be granted

The market which surrounds the church offers a lot of souvenirs and delicacies.

Calasiao Puto and Tupig

Calasiao Puto and Kuchinta

Tupig and Patupat

For our next destination, we went on a 45 minute boat cruise along the Pantal River Mangroves.  For now, this river cruise is offered to the public for free! The Pangsinan government sure has a lot of plans for this place!

ideal for people who aim to relax and unwind

how nice it was to see a place as green as this

 the river is indeed blessed with these natural gems

For our lunch, our tour guide brought us to a so-called famous eatery in Pangasinan – Serato’s

they offer a wide variety of local dishes

We ordered this huge grilled hito (catfish)! This is now the best hito I’ve tasted so far! This was the one which we enjoyed the most!

The famous Ilocano Pinakbet

This is my first ever time to eat frogs legs! Yes, it does taste like chicken however, it wasn’t freshly fried so it felt like I was chewing rubber! ahuhuhuhu

For our next stop, we went to Je’s- the famous bagoong (shrimp paste) maker in Pangasinan!

it’s our 1st ever time to visit a bagoong factory!! The place was impressively clean!

meet their very kind lovely owner

the factory may not be modern but it sure was clean

The very Pinoy bagoong!

For our final stop, we requested Ms. Judith to take us to the wharf bound to the famous Hundred Islands!

Did you know you only have to pay 1,100- 2,000 pesos for a boat that can hold up to 15 people?  The tour includes a whole day boat trip (8-5pm) on 3 islands (food not included). Better  bring your own food because the prices in the islands are sooo expensive!

I will definitely comeback for the island hopping tour!

Frank, Judith and Me

Before heading home, the organizers took us to Dagupan City’s Galvan street where the famous Pigar-pigar is found!

Pigar pigar is actually Dagupan City‘s version of Beef Stirfry! It’s really easy to make!

Christine Mae is famous for their Pigar Pigar

deep fried strips of carabao meat and liver seasoned with salt n’ pepper 

stir fried vegetables such as cabbages, “sitsaro ” and white onions may also be added

let the feast begin!!!

It’s always a delight to try a special delicacy! The experience was very much appreciated =)

Flair Candy Hannah, yours truly and Jam

meet the  speakers and organizers of the  1^st Pangasinan Digital ICT Congress!! Say hi!!!

I never thought that trip would make a strong impact on me. I remember feeling melancholy as we journeyed back to busy old Manila. I loved the simplicity of the place and impressed with Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. ‘s leadership. I do hope that all of their plans will be successfully implemented in the future.  I must admit that at first, I was a little doubtful but after the trip, I’m convinced that their vision in making Pangasinan “the best place to invest, work, live and raise a family” could really be attainable  in time with proper planning, hard work and cooperation by everyone.  I may say that Pangasinan is indeed a model province!

We would like to thank the dedicated people behind the success of the 1^st Pangasinan Digital ICT Congress especially to Vange and JR for being such great hosts! Many thanks as well to the Pangasinan goverment for giving us this opportunity to experience the beauty and goodness of the province! Congratulations and more power to you Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. for doing such a great job!

So when in Manila, make it a point to treat yourselves and your loved ones!! Go on a getaway and experience the beauty and goodness of Pangasinan !

 for tour inquiries:

http://www.pangasinantourism.com/

 for more information regarding the 1^st Pangasinan Digital ICT Congress

http://pangasinandigital.com/

El Puerto Marina Resort and Spa

Thank   you Frank Ruaya for these lovely photos!

To view more photos, visit EATS A DATE!

Come And Experience The Beauty And Goodness Of Pangasinan!

100% pure tablea grown from their cacao farm in Leyte

When in Manila and hankering for something  sweet yet very Pinoy, this next feature of mine will surely knock you off your feet!

Allow me to introduce to  you  a resto which is a personal pick of mine-  Tsoko Nut Batirol!

Tsoko Nut Batirol started its operations in 2004. It caters to enthusiasts of old-fashioned goodness with bits of something contemporary — those who want to see, smell, taste and feel the flavors of traditional treats blended with homey and modern Pinoy ambiance.

I discovered this foodie gem as I was watching late night tv one night way back in 2009.  A guy named Mr Sycip did the talking and it gave me this impression that this is an establishment  which devotes itself in keeping our traditions alive! Their concept was really nice! With all the usual cafes around, having a native Pinoy cafe is truly something very different. The next day, I went to their branch at Robinson’s Galeria and I got swept away when I tasted their rice meals! Their rellenong bangus and embotido transported me way back in time in the arms of my Lola… it was a very emotional moment for me. I also got to taste a lot of their tablea made desserts however, I never got the chance to try their hot tsokolate drink because during that time, my throat was very sensitive to sweet drinks. But today…. today is the day to finally try it!

For this feature, I’ve  invited my partner in crime Frank and a very good friend and avid reader Yani along with her love Julius to share this very special dinner with me. =) I won’t keep you guys waiting!

Tsokolate Ah / Tsokolate Batirol   P78 (regular) / P89 (large) – Once again… I was transported with only a sip! Back in the good old days! This is very very different from the usual chocolate drinks. I just couldn’t put it into words so you just have to really try it!

Kape Barako   P78 (regular) / P89 (large) – Woahh!!! This is what I call Pinoy expresso! This drink will surely keep you awake for days!

Tsokolate Batirol and Kape Barako

They also have creamy cold thirst quenchers with a very Pinoy touch!

Tsoko Loco   P99, Iced Banana Batirol   P98 and Pandan Milk Tea   P90

Dalandan Salabat Twist   P150 (good for 4 to 5 persons) – I find this drink  very different from the countless ones I’ve tasted so far because I find it  really light and refreshing not to mention very healthy as well! It gives you that cool fresh feel on your throat as you drink it. I’m a big fan of ginger because of its medicinal properties. It has natural antibiotics to keep your immune system in  tip-top shape!

meant to be shared!

For that full Pinoy experience, I strongly suggest you partner your Tsokolate drink with these  traditional Pinoy  baked goodies….   Bibingka with Kesong Puti and Itlog na Pula   P85, Ensaymada with Quezo de Bola   P56 and Napoleones   P29

They also have these ultra sinful mini cakes!!

Tablea Cake (Mini)   P95- Wow! They sure did a great job with this! I’m very picky when it comes to chocolate cakes but I must say this is  different because they used tablea instead of the usual chocolate. The taste was very good but I found it a little dry as compared with their regular choco cake. I heard they are really doing their best to make it more moist because the local tablea holds quite a different component that’s why it isn’t that easy to tame.

 The very Pinoy Tablea Cake

Brownie Cheesecake Bar   P60 – This one was also nice! My guests loved it a lot! Imagine cheesecake on a thick and nutty brownie crust!

Chocolate Cake (Mini)   P88 – Ultra moist! No doubt! Sinful! Wicked!  OOooooohh!

Chocoholic’s Champorado   P75 – Now this one is something which I really recommend! Rarely do I see champorado being offered to the public so I was really surprised to see this on their menu! Champorado I may say is a very underrated Pinoy dish because people see it as very ordinary. When I tasted it…. BOOOM! Knocked out! Ultra thick, creamy, chocolatey! I actually thought it had “pinipig” in it! This is the best champorado I’ve tasted! yeah!

Now we go to the main courses. One thing I like about Tsoko Nut Batirol is that their prices are sooo affordable! Every Pinoy can definitely afford them! I’d definitely prefer dining here than in the usual commercial fast food chains. Their entrees are composed of special Pinoy dishes… dishes which you see on the table during special occasions because they’re not that easy to prepare (time consuming).

 Spaghetti Aligue   P115- You can definitely taste the Aligue (crab fat)! The taste was well balanced with no overpowering ingredient. The amount of sauce was quite generous as well!   Just make sure you don’t suffer from hypertension if you wanna have this ok?

Spaghetti Aligue

Creamy Pesto Malunggay with Shrimps   P115 – The presence of this dish was very much felt as it filled the whole dining area with its irresistible aroma! And of course, what smells good must taste good! This is the most affordable pesto dish I’ve seen!

Daing na Bangus and Pangat (Laing)   P118 – “I love Laing, I’m not Lying!” ~ these are words which I often say and occasionally  even post as a facebook stat. It’s really true! Their Laing is very homestyle I believe and I even heard that they’re all imported from Bicol. Each Filipino household has its own Laing recipe so in this case, I believe that this is a very decent traditional Laing dish. The Daing na Bangus however I think wasn’t as crispy as I expected. I believe that if they could make it crispier, it’ll compliment the Laing perfectly. Imagine the smooth consistency of the Laing  plus that  crunch from the fried bangus as you chew it in your mouth! Boooom!!!

Chicken Embutido   P130 – This is what I always order every time I visit because it reminds me of grandma’s special embutido. I would have to admit though that our family recipe is much bigger  and a little different but in terms of taste, this is the closest so far. I love the cheese sauce however, on this particular visit, it wasn’t as thick as before so I told their manager to always check the consistency.

I believe this review is mainly about honoring our roots and keeping our traditions alive! Personally, another reason why I keep coming back is because the food in this place makes me feel I have a home… even for just a moment.  Traditional Filipino food will always have a special place in my heart!  I believe that no matter how our society may evolve and be modernized with all the technology around us,  I know that there will always be Filipino families (like the Sycip clan) who will always  see to it that our traditions are well preserved for generations to come!

Finally, a cafe every Filipino can call their own! =)

Celebrate traditional Filipino dishes and re-live the good old days at Tsoko Nut Batirol  when in Manila!

Tsoko Nut Batirol

SM Makati (816-4305)

RCBC Plaza (403-1507)

The Eastwood Excelsior (489-4617)

Worldwide Corporate Center (571-3902)

SM Cubao (709-3823)

F@stBytes Alabang (491-5609)

SM City North EDSA (709-6734)

Soho Condominium (661-4716)

email address :  tsoko.nut.batirol@gmail.com

be sure to join their Official Facebook page

Win Gift Certificates and treat your loved ones at your nearest Tsoko Nut Batirol branch!

To join, kindly visit EATS A DATE!

Tsoko Nut Batirol: The 1st Filipino Native Tsokolate Cafe! Must Try Their Tsokolate Drinks and Chocoholic’s Champorado!

When in Manila and craving for Mochi balls, there is only 1 place to remember…. Dezato Mochi Cafe!

2 yrs ago, it was our editor Vince who featured this place. He told me  it’s his favorite dessert place so I got even more curious!  I feel very fortunate for giving me this assignment because for the longest time, I’ve been really curious on what mochi balls are!   Whenever I go to Parvati for dessert, I always see groups of people enjoying and talking about ice cream mochi balls. hmmmmm…

For my guests this week, I’ve invited Badeth to help me out in taking photos. I practiced photography with her almost every week last year so I’m very confident with her skills! Also, I’ve invited my brilliant artist friend Nel Diamond of Indefinite Stone along with his girlfriend Ayen to share this experience with me! =)

Before dinner, I had the chance to have a quick chat with the owner Maria Gorre! I find her really cool! She told me about the beginnings of the cafe as well as her passion in making mochi balls. I found out that she already started making mochi balls 2 years before she opened the cafe! It’s obvious that she really loves what she does!  It made me realize that  in order to be successful in life,  you really have to follow your passion. Talking with her was a really pleasant experience!

What are mochi balls anyway? Mochi balls are Japanese treats made from silky glutenous rice filled with all kinds of fillings such as red bean or ice cream !  I’m so proud to tell you all that Dezato Mochi Cafe is the pioneer and the best when it comes to locally made mochi balls! Yum! Yum!

Ice Cream Mochi

 Mochi Truffles!

They fill them with various flavors such as truffles, flavored creams and ice cream! No wonder people are going gaga over them!

this little guy sure knows what he wants!

Aside from mochi balls, we were surprised to know that they also serve very delicious dishes! I believe this place is very ideal for family bondings and dates of all sorts! If you wanna impress your significant other…I recommend you take him/her to this place!!!

I’m a huge fan of secret and cozy spots! I find them to be very romantic!

Here are  their specialties……

Before we go to the dishes, let me show you their array of ultra refreshing beverages…

I’m sure you’re aware that tea places have been popping out around town these days but Dezato Mochi Cafe  is proud to say that they have been serving fine tea drinks even before the tea craze started!

Peach Pomegranate Iced Tea, Thai Iced Tea and Hong Kong Style Black Milk Tea (Iced)

my personal pick: Ice Blended Green Tea !

For starters, they served us with their Honey Walnut Crab Claws! Aside from its captivating plating, they taste oh so nice! Deep fried crispy crab claws with sweet honey walnuts on the side placed on a bed of crispy fried “bihon”! waaaaaahhhh

freshly fried

Dezâto Beef Don – I find this meal to be very filling and comforting!  The beef was tender and tasty! The sauce had just the right amount of sweetness in it! I believe the serving is good for sharing! =)

Dezâto Seafood Spicy Noodles    ~  This dish reminded me of Korean Ramyun and Jjampong loaded with fresh veggies, seafood and eggs!! Ideal for people who dig spicy noodle soups. Best enjoyed while hot!

Squash Soup ~ I find this one to be very special for the feeling it gave me while tasting it…. definitely made me smile! Light and creamy! The sourdough toast made it even more filling! I love sourdough breads! Simple yet very satisfying! I love comfort foods such as warm creamy soups!  Perfect! Perfect!                         

Very comforting … for some reason, I felt healed!

perfect with toasted sourdough bread!

Four Cheese (Mozarella, Blue Cheese, Parmesan, Fontina) ~ I’m so glad they have this! I’m easily pleased by dishes with cheese!  If you’re addicted to cheese and thin crust pizzas, then go give this a try! I’m not sure if they got bigger sizes though.  Pizza is always great enjoyed with family and friends!

Creamy Longanisa and Liver Pasta ~ oooohhh I was very amazed by their pasta dishes! They sure got signature recipes there! How nice it is to try new pasta dishes from time to time! There is no doubt that Pinoys love pasta and pizza! The combination of the Vigan longanisa and liver was a match made in heaven! The liver made the sauce’s consistency  very smooth and creamy!

nom nom nom nom..

Tartufo Farfalla (Ribbon Pasta w/ Black truffles and Baby Portobello) ~ I say this dish is definitely a classic! It’s not your regular pasta dish for it tastes very subtle and “earthy” due to the mushrooms! For some people, I know they may think of this as a little bland but honestly for me, I appreciate its uniqueness a lot! I would describe its taste as “sophisticated!” It goes well with their buttered sourdough bread!

I would describe this as “sophisticated!”

 and then it was time for dessert……

We were very surprised when the desserts arrived! I never thought they had so many flavors!! They sure gave us a lot! Wow!

We started with the Ice Cream filled ones! The glutenous rice was very very fine and silky! They looked so precious and delicate like fine pearls! I love its  feel inside my mouth! Different textures intertwining with a burst of flavor from the ice cream! No wonder people are so crazy about these mochi balls!

They all taste so wonderful but of course for me, the avocado ice cream mochi was the one I couldn’t forget! But of course, it’s a matter of personal preference! ;)

highly addictive!!

 my guests loved it!

Their cream and truffle mochi balls were also sinfully great! OMG!! Better than… (you know what!) lol!

I remember pausing for a few minutes after my 1st bite! Badeth and I were stunned! We literally forgot our names!! The dark chocolate truffles were soooo great!

People usually buy by the box as gifts for their loved ones!  These gems are definitely meant to be shared!!

If you want  a person to feel very special, this is one gift I’d recommend!! Trust me! I’d really love to get one as well! ahihi

the perfect gift this Holiday season!

They also let us try their cheesecake! Imagine a thick layer of rich and creamy cream cheese on an Oreo cookie crust! hmmmmm New York Cheesecake meets Cookies ‘n Cream!!! Yum!!

they also have these super cute cupcakes!!!

no wonder kids find them sooo appealing!

I’d have to say that it was indeed a special meal…..

I find the whole experience to be very comforting and rejuvenating…

…..because aside from that very filling feast,  I also  got to share it with such wonderful people =)

Ayen and Nel

Badeth and Nel

It’s actually my 1st time to share a meal with them! Badeth and I enjoyed their company so much!  =)

The cafe’s ambiance was very casual yet so elegant! Very cozy and relaxing! I soooo love intimate places like these!  So romantic! awwww!!!

vibrant art works  fill the whole place

The cafe may not be located at a prime commercial spot yet still,  people really make an effort and find time to visit only to satisfy their mochi cravings!  Local celebrities even drop by regularly! This goes to show that when you got a really great product,  expect people to flock at your door wherever you may be! I believe every foodie must know this place!  “Dinadayo talaga!”

these 2 lovebirds   were so glad to find another date place!

As I’ve written earlier,  I think these mochi balls would make perfect gifts for any occasion! This coming Christmas season I strongly suggest you give your loved ones these fine desserts! They’ll love it for sure! =)

Thank you so much Maria for that memorable feast! Also to Miram and Nina for making us feel very much at home! We wish you only the best!!  Dezato Mochi Cafe sure has got a lot of good vibes in all corners of its walls, no wonder it has so many loyal customers!!

I feel so lucky to have found this place! The Dezato Mochi Cafe deserves much respect and recognition not only for making  exquisite mochi balls and dishes but also because of that overall feeling which it provides its customers!  You ain’t a foodie if you don’t know Dezato Mochi Cafe! Another must experience when in Manila!

Dezato Mochi Cafe

Address : 100 Hemady St. New Manila, Quezon City
Telephone No : (02) 727-12-29
Email :dezatomochi@gmail.com
Twitter : @dezatomochi
Facebook Group : Dezato Mochi Cafe

click here to view their menu

To view more photos and more insider stuff, visit EATS A DATE!

Thank so much Badeth Compuesto for helping me out with the photos!

Dezato Mochi Cafe: One of Manila’s Top Dessert Places! Must Try Their Signature Mochi Balls!

When in Manila and very curious to learn about the art of FOOD STYLING and Food Photography,  brace yourself  to what me and my photo buddy Frank are about to show you! It was indeed a very interesting and memorable weekend for both of us and I’m sure you’ll find it equally amazing as well!

What is FOOD STYLING anyway? It is the art of presenting food for any kind of media whether commercial or photography!
So if you’re into culinary, a food blogger or a passionate photographer like us who aim to shoot professional quality food shots, then we highly recommend you enroll at 50 Feasts!

50 Feasts is the only photography education place in the Philippines that specializes in food photography and styling!

At last! A Food Photography school right here in Manila!

I’m so glad that the guys from PhotoKitchen finally decided to offer these classes for enthusiasts like us!

Frank and I were just sooooo captivated by their blog that we became instant fans! The PhotoKitchen team is composed of a very talented trio (Mylene Chung, Dwight Co & Katherine Jao), each pouring their hearts and talents in producing world class stunning  food photos!

meet the PhotoKitchen team!!! Mylene, Dwight and Kat

I believe that these brilliant young people truly deserve support! Our country needs more people like them! Seriously!

Frank and I are very much influenced by them so it was truly an honor to finally meet our “idols” in the flesh! We’re so fascinated by Mylene’s shots and Kat’s highly artistic creations! yeeeeyy!!!

Last weekend (Oct 22-23), we had the chance to attend their 1st ever Food Styling class which was conducted by PhotoKitchen’s brilliant Food Artist Katherine Jao! She taught us the fundamentals of Food Styling. We styled all sorts of dishes for 2 full days! Phew! It was all worth it for we learned so many secret stuff ..… the tricks of the trade!

The experience was like, “OH MY GOD! So that’s how it’s done!!”

With using only the freshest ingredients…

along with some secret tricks… hihiihihihi

Turn any dish into a work of art!

Make your favorite spreads…….

peanut butter

cream cheese

….. look like  these yummy treats!!

Learn how to style your pastas for that “cook book” look!

patience is a virtue…

tadah!!!

Know the trick on how to make your drinks look cooler and thirst quenching as these………..

waaaaahhhhh!!

Learn how to fold your cold cuts….

…and turn them into gourmet looking deli sandwiches like these!

Ever wondered  how to make fake ice cream? 

amazing right? hihihihi

Take note: it ain’t mashed potatoes! Haha!

it’s a secret!

 Learn  how to make perfect Scrambled Eggs and make them look ever so gorgeous!

Know the secret on how to make picture perfect pancakes  as well!!

Finally, turn this ordinary chicken ….

into a masterpiece!

voila!!!!

 Learn these and a whole lot more!!!

It’s not as easy at it seems! It requires a lot of patience, creativity and resourcefulness in order to get the best results!

with classmate Tracie

On a personal note, I may say that this is one of the most interesting classes I’ve attended! Kat  Jao (our teacher) was very hands on to ensure that each one of us fully understood every step.We sure had so much fun! Their studio looked very conducive for learning and creating art! It had lots and lots of natural light so it was such a delight to click and click our shutters! Mylene took photos of our masterpieces after class and I can’t wait to see them!   We find the Food Styling class to be very magical! I felt like I was in a sorcery class at Hogwart’s!! ahahahaha It was such an honor to meet  and get to know them!  It was indeed one of the best weekends we’ve ever had!

experience this one of a kind class!

Reward yourself by learning something new and out of the ordinary.  Enrich your mind with more knowledge and develop your skills.  This is an investment that can never be taken away from you!  This is really something worth learning when in Manila!

Thank You so much 50 Feasts for this one of a kind experience!

They offer only a maximum of 6 people per class so I suggest you check out their site and sign up now!!!!!

sign up now!

50 Feasts

 Check out the 50 Feasts  Blog

To view more photos, kindly visit EATS A DATE!

Learn Food Styling and Food Photography at 50 Feasts!

 When in Manila and looking for the perfect place to take your “Balik Bayan“ friends/relatives on a gastronomic adventure or wanting to introduce Filipino food to your foreign friend, once again, I got the perfect spot for you! I’m really excited to tell you all about this experience!

brace yourself for another food trip!

I know it seems  I’ve been taking you on a trip around the world these past weeks with the various cuisines I’ve been featuring. But this time, allow me along with my ever dependable partner Frank and our guests Julius and Shai to treat you onto some Fine Filipino Food! Yes! I now declare this week as  Pinoy Food appreciation week! Of course, as promised, here in When In Manila, we will only recommend the best of the best!

with our guests Julius and Shai!

the dynamic duo strikes again!

Allow us to share with you one of the very few restaurants which serve FINE WORLD CLASS PINOY FOOD! 

The name to remember: PINO Resto Bar!

PINO Resto Bar I believe is one of the few establishments which has successfully kicked Pinoy food a notch higher with its impressive menu selection due to their very unique Pinoy Fusion dishes! It’s not just your typical Pinoy dish fused with another culture’s flavor…  imagine your Pinoy favorite “ulam” plus another Pinoy classic combined together creating  a masterpiece!!

Pinoy meets Pinoy! Wiw!

an exhibit of edible artworks!

Let me tell you more about the fine food and experience….

As we entered the resto, I was impressed with its now bigger place as compared 2-3yrs ago during my 1st visit when they were still located along Maginhawa St. The interiors definitely looked more chic with its traditional-meets-modern design, artsy walls and fancy chandeliers! Their staff greeted us so warmly and treated us as honored guests! I would have to say how personally impressed I was with Sir PJ Lanot (one of the owners) for being very confident with his menu. I actually asked him to recommend their specialties but he told us to just ask whatever we fancy! Hmmm

Without further adieu once again, here are  our drool worthy photos……

We started the feast with their SISIG Tacos:

 - 10 pcs of  meaty Sisig filled crunchy mini tacos with loads of vegies topped with lots of cheese!! The mango cubes made it taste even more special I believe! An ideal starter to tickle your taste buds!!

Time for the pastas!

Since Shai is a self confessed pasta lover, she ordered 2 pasta dishes that time ..

Spicy Tuyo Pesto (165php) -  fresh pesto, seafood and a whole piece of spicy tuyo on the side! Honestly, it’s the best pesto dish I’ve tasted! Deliriously good!

Namatay ako sa sarap! 

now you see it…

now you don’t!

 Sisig Carbonara (165php) – Ideal for all you Sisig and white sauce lovers out there! Pinoy meets Italiano! Whoever thought about this is a genius! It was a hit with  the boys! I liked it as well but not as much as the pesto dish!

Frank  busy twirling his pasta!

Porkchop Tonkatsu with Longanisa Rice (175php) – Breaded pork cutlets served with sweet Teriyaki Sauce and Vigan Longanisa fried rice!  I’m not really a big fan of Tonkatsu because they’re usually very tough and dry however, I was really surprised by this particular one since it was really thick yet remained very tender! This is what I call deep fried to perfection! Thumbs up!

garnished with crispy kangkong

open wide!!! aaaaahhh

Ham and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts  – Their very own version of Cordon Bleu! Since I’m a big big fan of Cordon Bleu, I was soooo happy when Frank ordered this! It was very tasty of course! Honestly, I wanted to snatch it from  him and eat it all up! (I’ll do it next time!) ahihihi

woaaaah!!

I love the gravy as well as the mustard sauce!

I love this dish a lot!

Bagnet and Tofu Stack-O with Mushroom Rice (225php) – Sliced blocks of tofu with chunks of crispy pork belly cooked in soy sauce and vinegar served with shitake mushroom rice and aoili. This was the one I ordered for aside from being a tofu fanatic, I was very impressed with its presentation!

standing tall and proud!

caught Frank sneaking on my plate a couple of times! gotcha!

Kare-Kareng Bagnet -  Crispy slabs of Ilocos Bagnet on a bed our all-time favorite thick Kare-Kare sauce and vegies!   I’m completely lost for words! A culinary masterpiece indeed!

OMG!

can’t go wrong with bagoong!

never hesitate to ask for more Kare-Kare sauce!

Thank You for this unforgettable experience! Burp!

For our sweet endings we ordered 2 of their most popular desserts….

Chunky Choco Tempura – deep fried tempura batter coated choco wafer bar with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream! I loved the union of these entirely different desserts! The warm crispy choco tempura complimented well with the cold creamy ice cream! It was well balanced! Bravo!

Tablea Cheesecake -  Frank and I found a new favorite indeed! Being big fans or our local tablea, we just love everything about it! It wasn’t very sweet at all! It had the right amount of bitter sweet taste!  From the temperature down to the texture of the crust…. we’re totally blown away!

a new member on my top cheesecake list!

PINO is indeed FINE FILIPINO FOOD!

From the interiors, the fine service, the world class quality menu and the artistic plating………. I really am lost for words!

PINO is a restaurant which all Pinoys should experience and be proud of!  No doubt about it!

Truly one of the BEST dining experiences I ever had for it made me feel more proud of my roots! I remember seeing genuine smiles and sparkles on our eyes as we went home that night. This was indeed the highlight of our weekend!

So when in Manila, be sure to bring your friends and family over at PINO and reward yourselves with FINE FILIPINO FOOD!

celebrating a great life with great food and great people!!

Pino Resto Bar

39 Malingap St., Teacher’s Village, Quezon City

Contact # 44-11-773

Open DAILY for Lunch & Dinner!

Facebook page : PinoResto Bar

Photos by: Frank Ruaya, Watcher Concepcion and yours truly

To view more photos and “behind the scenes,” kindly visit EATS A DATE!

My journey as a foodie started in 2001, when I met a man I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with. We shared countless food trips, merienda breaks, midnight snacks and amazing breakfasts. I realized that these moments were more than just simple meals, but priceless memories of the different flavors of life.

I started documenting my food adventures (and misadventures) in 2008 (visit EATS A DATE) with my new baby… my very first digital camera! From then on, each experience seemed to become more special as I sat and took in every detail from every aroma, crumb, bite and mmmmm. My writings, my experiences and my blog, slowly gained more purpose…  I knew I was on the right track!

When In Manila, days really pass by so quickly, once again Christmas is here and it’s the season for a flavorful cup of coffee to beat the cold days. Lucky for me, I was able to witness the Carnivalicious launch of Seattle’s Best Coffee’s  holiday blends at Greenbelt 3 Park.

As they say, the true spirit of Christmas is giving gifts and sharing, that is why Seattle’s Best Coffee teamed up with World Vision to help send children in need, to school. And did I mention carnival? Yes you heard it right, the event was filled with clowns, jugglers, magicians plus more fun and games for the kids of World Vision.

The event was hosted by the coosome twosome, Victor Basa and Divine Lee with World Vision celebrity ambassadors – Tintin Bersola, Crystal Belo, Miriam Quiambao and Mark Nelson, who were there to share their stories and inspire everyone about sponsoring a child through WorldVision. Tintin Bersola mentioned that for only Php600 a month, we can send a child to school, and I was so amazed with Mark Nelson who sponsors 11 kids, bravo! Good thing I’ve invited my friend Jonas Serapion who also sponsors a child through World Vision, and he told me that he does receive grades and thank you letters from the kid he’s sponsoring. Other celebrities like Phoemela Barranda, Denise Laurel, Brent Javier, and David Guison, were also present to their show support for this event. 

Isn’t it nice to know that you can enjoy a flavorful cup of coffee and be able to help others at the same time? Let me introduce to you the four new flavors of Seattle’s Best Coffee that will make you say it’s Christmas! — Chocolate Cherry, Coffee Creampie, Cookies & Mint and Coffee Hazelnut. 

Everytime you buy a cup of Seattle’s Best Coffee’s holiday blends (from October 22, 2011 to January 22, 2011), a part of the proceeds will go to World Vision. And not only that, every purchase earns you a sticker for the Seattle’s Best Dream card, where only 18 stickers are needed to get a fab Seattle’s Best journal. Talk about a win win situation here. So if you’re a huge fan of coffee then 18 is just a small number, you can get as many journals as possible which you can also give out as a gift! The best part is that you can help World Vision in supporting children to achieve their dreams.

 (SBC Journal is available in brown, cobalt, green and lavander)

It was a really great day for me! Not only did I find out more about World Vision, I also got to meet and greet celebrities who are supporting such an amazing cause! Victor Basa, Divine Lee, Tintin Bersola,Crystal Belo, Miriam Quiambao, Mark Nelson,  Phoemela Barranda, Denise Laurel,Brent Javier, David Guison, and more!  

When In Manila, grab a cup of Seattle’s Best holiday coffee blends, collect the stickers, own a journal and help send a child to school — all that with just spending like a hundred bucks!

www.seattlesbest.com.ph

http://www.facebook.com/seattlesbestcoffeephilippines 

www.worldvision.org.ph

 http://www.facebook.com/wvphilippines 

‘Tis The Season For Sharing As Seattle’s Best Coffee Teamed Up With World Vision

When in Manila and craving for fried chicken, support your own and head on over to Manang’s Chicken: ang bagong fried chicken ng pinoy! Anyone who’s tried Manang’s Chicken would know that it is absolutely delicious and that standing in a long line just to avail of a bucket or two of these is definitely worth the wait! 

Manang’s Chicken first started operations as a simple stall in Mercato Centrale on December 25, 2010 as a means to simply kill time on the weekends. President and CEO Jill Gerodias- Borja never imagined that within less than a year of operations, Manang’s Chicken would expand to 4 branches and counting across the metro! As a result of this, Jill decided to hold Manang’s Chicken‘s first ever bloggers event as a means of thank you to the blogging community of which she attributes much of Manang’s Chicken‘s success to. She goes on to say that without the many reviews that the bloggers have made, she believes that many people would’ve never come to known Manang’s and that it wouldn’t have reached the height of success it has now. 

The bloggers event kickstarted with Jill introducing herself and was shortly followed by the much awaited Manang’s Chicken wings challenge! Basically it was eating as many wings as you could in a span of 3 minutes. Mind you, the contestants were asked to eat SPICY wings! 

The gentleman in the middle, Myas, emerged as the winner, chowing down 8 spicy wings in 3 minutes. 

Finally, what I had been waiting for, food! Haha! 

Manang’s Chips and Dips (Small: P30, Large: P49, Add a dip: P7). I totally loved these! All-natural potato chips freshly fried to golden perfection that can be served with either one of their dips: creamy cheese or garlic mayo. Personally, I prefer the latter!

Manang’s Chicken Cuts. The one that started it all! Their signature double deep fried crispy chicken with Manang’s secret soy garlic sauce. Choose from Original, Mild Spicy or Extra Spicy Sauce. As you guys may have figured out by now, “manang” used to be Jill’s family cook until she retired. More often than not, they’d make her cook fried chicken and figured that it’d be selfish of them not to share this awesomeness with the world, thus the birth of Manang’s Chicken! Thank  you Jill and company for your generosity! :)

Manang’s Chicken Wings. Their bestseller! The same signature Manang’s Chicken but with more crispy skin! Again you can choose from Original, Mild Spicy or Extra Spicy Sauce. When you go to Mercato Centrale’s Night Market and you see a ridiculously long line of people, you can be sure that they’re lining up for this! Seriously! Sometimes I’m amazed as to how patient people are, just standing there and waiting to get a hold of these wings! 

We were also served Coleslaw: fresh, crunchy vegetables prepared daily. It’s a classic coleslaw but made well. A great and refreshing side dish with Manang’s Chicken! and lastly, Macaroni Salad: creamy macaroni salad made fresh daily. It’s the perfect pair to balance the complex flavor’s of Manang’s Chicken. 

With the sisters, Jen and Jill. The lovely ladies behind the awesomeness that I refer to as Manang’s Chicken!

Goodness gracious, the rest of the bloggers and I definitely enjoyed our meals and the many activities they had prepared for us! I can’t wait for the next Manang’s Chicken bloggers event because I will definitely make sure to be there! So, when in Manila and craving for fried chicken, support your own and head on over to Manang’s Chicken: ang bagong fried chicken ng pinoy! Anyone who’s tried Manang’s Chicken would know that it is worth lining up for! But if you haven’t tried it yet, what are you waiting for?! Go! Go! Go! 

Manang’s Chicken: The New Pinoy Fried Chicken

When in Manila and yearning to experience authentic french breads and pastries without booking yourself a trip to Paris, I’ve got the perfect spot for you!!

Allow me to transport you once again to another place! Our next destination: FRANCE!

The restaurant: Paris Delice!

left to right : L’Europeen, Classic Tuna and The Italian

I have always been fascinated with everything French for the simple reason that I see such passion and sophistication in it! The elegant fashion, the sexy tone of their language, their passion to serve exquisite food, their appreciation for the good life…. ahhhhhhhhh to travel to Paris one day is something which I aim to do!

I can’t wait to tell you everything about this new spot I discovered!

They serve authentic French bread, pastries, sandwiches, quiches and salads!!! –and the BEST news is, they’re VERY AFFORDABLE! I swear!! I almost did a couple of cart wheels when I saw the prices!!

They’re AUTHENTIC!

All breads and pastries are imported from Paris, while vegetables and dairy are sourced from local organic farms to guarantee  freshness by the time it is served to us!

At home, it is normal to see french baguette on the table.  I’m very fond of preparing deli sandwiches filled with lots of cold cuts, greens and cheeses! Yum!!! I even remember blogging about this once when I made Frank special deli sandwiches as a get well soon gift!

Because of this fascination about french breads, my feet would often lead me to local French bakeries because I thought I was actually tasting the real thing! It wasn’t until I met these wonderful guys from Paris Delice namely Thibault Danel, Florian Coucke and Carlos Barrica that I realized that what I was eating all my life wasn’t really as authentic as it may seem! hmmmm

Florian, Me and Thibault

Ateneo  exchange students Thibault and Florian along with Filipino friend Carlos came up with this idea because according to them, they couldn’t find any authentic French bread in Manila! Woah!!! Strong words indeed! The reason is because it’s impossible to achieve the perfect dough due to our local temperature and humidity which is very very vital to the success of bread making. It just has to be made in France to achieve perfection!

Thibault as he talks about French food

And so for today, I asked fellow musicians Bing Austria and Bea Wong to  join me for an afternoon of French food appreciation! How nice it is indeed to spend quality time with people who matter to you. We only have the chance to meet during gigs and occasional chats on Facebook so I thought of inviting them over to relax and have a great time!

Bing Austria

Bea savoring the experience

The place was very relaxing! I felt like staying there the whole day! Casual yet very elegant! An ideal spot to escape from the horrible Makati City traffic!

cozy and casual

Meeting the proud owners Thibault, Florian and Carlos and discussing about French food with them was such a delight! They were so eager to talk to us about their business and about the food!  oooohhh and the food!!

SENSATIONAL! (*cartwheel *cartwheel *cartwheel) LOL

Once again, I wont’ keep you waiting!! Here are some of their specialties….

Let our photos speak for themselves as always…

A Variety of Sensational Sandwiches:

First, they served us a plate of mini sandwiches consisting of The Italian (Prosciutto, arugula, onions, tomatoes, black olive sauce), Classic Tuna (tuna, eggs, tomatoes, lettuce, pesto), Le Lillois (chicken, bacon, mayonnaise, tomatoes, lettuce) and  L’Europeen (Forest ham, Emmental cheese, mayonnaise,lettuce).

mini sandwiches

They also served a whole L’Europeen (155php)  sandwich!

…… as I said a while ago, SENSATIONAL! That’s all I can think of! Seriously! You just gotta try ALL of them! I mean it! ALL!!!!
This is the real thing!

Delectable Pastries:

Next were their Mini Croissant and Mini Pain au Chocolat - My friends have been telling me so many great things about their croissants so I was so eager to try them myself and boy they tasted superb! The dough was perfect and I really like its flakiness! As a seasoned food critic, I know high quality food when I taste one!

Macarons de Paris – I requested this one since I love these colorful gems! Made from premium almond flour with choice ingredients… wow!

a sure favorite of mine

Thibault offered us to taste his personal favorite…. freshly baked Chouquettes. It’s basically French cream puffs! He said he loves dipping it in his coffee before eating… hmmmmm similar to the Pinoy way of eating pan de sal with coffee! The taste will blow your mind! You just gotta try them!

their mind blowing Chouquettes

Of course, they’ve got a whole lot more to offer!

to view the whole album, feel free to visit Eats A Date!

Meet their friendly staff!!

What’s so great about Paris Delice is that you get to enjoy all these premium treats without spending a fortune!  Authentic and Affordable! Definitely a must experience when in Manila!

Great food need not be expensive indeed!

I do hope to see more branches soon!

a must experience when in Manila!

Thank you so much Thibault, Florian and Carlos for providing authentic, premium and affordable French food on our tables! Congratulations and more power to you all! 

Authentic French Bread and Pastries Finally In Manila! Make Way For PARIS DELICE!

When in Manila and tired of the usual cafes which offer the same old blends and treats,  allow me to share to you a new spot which I found right at the heart of Metro Manila. We don’t even have to go far nor explore its innermost streets. It’s located at a very wholesome place… at SM Megamall! weeeee!! And the place, the 1^st Japanese Café in the country – Akiba Café!

I’m no different than you my friend, I’m a proud regular worker myself. My daily routine includes a 1-hour bus ride from Fairview to Megamall.  I often leave the house early so I can have extra time to wander around the mall in the hope to find something out of the ordinary. I’m aware (since I’m a food  critic, I believe I should be) of the newly opened expensive in-your-dreams restaurants with lavish seats and fancy dinnerwares yet still serve the usual mediocre stuff. OMG!  It seems that everybody is leaning on the “safe zone”  (boring!) nowadays. Rarely do I see people who take the risk in venturing onto something new and exciting! I almost lost hope in my quest to find a fine spot in this overly crowded mall until I came across the Akiba Café! The first of its kind in Manila! A café inspired by the land of the rising sun! Hmmmm Got really curious with the menu, curious on how “Japanese” it really was.  I couldn’t take my eyes off their Green Tea Cheesecake! FYI— I’m a sucker for green tea and cheesecakes! Cheesecake is my kryptonite so I said to myself, “this, I gotta try!”

this i gotta try!

I invited my fellow wheninmanila.com writer and tea addict Paula delos Reyes to critic with me this week! We also had the chance to meet Akiba Cafe’s very young owners Kenn and Wesley Ong.  The 23 yr-old Kenn and the 20 yr-old Wesley! OMG again! They’re the youngest  food business owners I’ve met so far and I just couldn’t wait to know more about them and on how they came up with this concept! (curiosity meter rising even more).

fellow writer Paula with the young owners of Akiba Cafe namely Kenn and Wesley

Without further adieu, here are some of their treats as well as our personal picks!

WARNING: The following photos will make you drool!

I was impressed on how they were neatly served so I thought of making my photos look as though they’re pieces of art! Think of it as my mini cake exhibit! hihihihihihi

Trifle Jasmine Tea (85php L, 95php Huge) – Super light and refreshing cool jasmine tea topped with exquisite smooth, sweet and creamy trifle cream! It was not good…….. IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!! Blew me away! This drink is surely a must try!! Oh, it’s best tasted when sipped rather than using a straw! YOU JUST GOTTA TRY THIS!!! Waaaaaaahhhhh!

love! love and more love!

Coffee Jelly (125php L, 140php Huge) – Their version is said to be a certified hit with the kids! I sure agree!! Ideal for coffee addicts!

a sure hit with both the young and  young at heart

Chocolate Yogurt Chiru (120php L, 130php Huge) – This I may say is another perfect example of something that is very delicious yet very healthy! I really hope that Filipinos would start a healthier lifestyle and include yogurt in their regular diet!

left to right : Chocolate Yogurt Chiru, Coffee Jelly & Trifle Jasmine Tea

Azuki Bean Chiru (120php L, 130php Huge) - I’m so glad they introduced this to the Philippine market! This is something that’s really new to me. hmmmm it has a very distinct Japanese taste!

Matcha Latte (80php L, 90php Huge) – I got only 1 word for this drink…. SERENITY! Serenity with each sip! I love everything about it! Definitely a new favorite of mine! A sure stress reliever!

absolute serenity in a cup

Brace yourself  with these heavenly cakes….

Ginza Premium Choco Cake (130/slice) – I’m very hard to please when it comes to chocolate cakes! In fact, I rarely order chocolate cake ‘coz I usually find it too common and too sweet! I was actually a little nervous when they served it for I thought it was just gonna taste like the others. I was totally amazed! I kept on digging in with my dessert fork for a least 8 times yet I didn’t ask for water! It’s a miracle! I have met my match! The frosting was very rich and the sponge cake was moist and heavy! It reminded me about my photo-buddy Frank! He’ll definitely love this!

so far the best chocolate cake I’ve tasted!

Almond Craze (140/slice) – This dessert is also a fine one I may say, for those mocha lovers out there! One thing I noticed about their cakes is that, their very heavy… in Filipino, very “siksik!” They don’t taste like the usual commercial cakes being supplied by independent bakeries  to other cafes. The Akiba Cafe has their own bakery. I believe this is best partnered with a hot beverage of your choice!

Paula enjoying her cake

Green Tea Cheesecake (130/slice) – As I said a while ago… cheesecake is my weakness! I’m a certified cheesecake addict so I was really thrilled to see this on their menu! It had a really nice thick and rich texture! I can definitely taste the green tea! Very chunky! yum! It’s very sweet but I don’t really mind it…. I appreciate it very much! I was on a high (the whole weekend!) !!

look at that beauty!

=D

=P   this is the life!

Wesley’s Favorite Ensaymada  – Warm, buttery and cheesy homestyle ensaymada! No wonder this is Wesley’s favorite!  He actually said “Favorite ko yan!” more than 5 times! hmmm Very convincing! hahahahha He was very confident about their ensaymada! It was very very good! I wish it would be served warmer next time, or probably with a little more butter! oooooohhh!!!!! 

“Favorite ko yan!” ~~ Wesley Ong

*sigh*

Wesley with his favorite Ensaymada!

But wait! There’s more!!

the divine trinity

so many treats to choose from!

My personal picks…

Trifle Jasmine Tea

Green Tea Cheesecake

I must admit, the Akiba Cafe is now on the list of my top favorite cafes! I’m glad that the place is very accessible for everyone to enjoy!

I’m turning Japanese… I really think so!

A few days before I was supposed to meet the owners, I did a sort of surprise visit just to check out their service on a typical day. I was very impressed with their crew named Christian! Too bad he wasn’t on-duty during my official visit. He was very polite and knew about their menu very well! 2 thumbs up to you! =)  The whole staff was actually very friendly so expect service deluxe with each visit!

the place to be in crowded Megamall

One great thing about being a food critic is that aside from tasting all sorts of good eats, you also get to meet amazing people overflowing with positive vibes! I really love it!

meet the warm and friendly staff!

At last! Something new to look forward to in crowded Megamall! So shake off those stresses and reward yourself with cups filled with love at the Akiba Cafe! Definitely something worth experiencing when in Manila! I can’t wait to visit again with my best buds!!

  Share the love!

Thank You Kenn and Wesley Ong and to the whole staff for that fun and wonderful time! It was really a pleasure!! See you guys soon!

Akiba Cafe

Building A, 2nd floor hallway

SM Megamall

Contact no: +63947-344-10-25

Akiba Cafe: The First Japanese Cafe in Manila! Must Try Their GreenTea Cheesecake!!

One fine Sunday morning, rather than our usual of grab a coffee on the way into church, and just eat cereal from our kitchen, we went to STACY’s. A quick hop over to this brunch stop is a break outside of our usual grind Sundays. Brunch is perfect on a lazy Sunday when the most I can manage to do is throw on a pair of oversized shades, flirty flip flops  and don that Sunday dress.

STACY’s offers a delicious, sit-down Sunday brunch with adventurous eggs, fluffy pancakes, and many other delicious items. Resembles a New Jersey- American- diner, overflowing with various novelties, knickknacks, and antiques.   The service, portioning, extensive selection of food and drinks, combine with a comfortable atmosphere, amounts to STACY’s as the perfect spot to nurse a hangover with friends or grab brunch after a morning run.

Emphasizing comfort and creativity, their menu reinvents classic dishes with eclectic flair, allowing customers to try new flavour combinations. Dishes crafted with imported ingredients can be selected from different enticing categories on the menu to enliven the senses and satisfy anyone’s craving.

Nestled in the serenity of Capitol Green street Quezon City, STACY’s has the look and feel like one of many little charming restaurants that you are likely to find in the outskirts of San Francisco. It’s comprised of an inside dining room with country chic decor and an outside patio area that is available for seating year round. Boasting of an impressive menu, Stacy’s is also a perfect spot for dating couples. Perhaps one of the most romantic dining spots in Quezon City. Those who are coming from either Tandang Sora or U.P. will never have a hard time spotting STACY’s. Greenstreet is just beside the monumental Celebrity Sports Plaza.

STACY’s is co-owned and co-managed by lovely couple Mondo and Angelique Castro . Mon has the passion for music, while Angelique dig arts. They’re partnered by old friends and couple Ryan and Aby Nachura.  Aby, is the Head of the Del Monte Test Kitchen, Ryan’s photography combined with Angelique‘s solid background in Visual Arts, and Mon’s love for music, STACY’s was born. Music, cooking, arts and photography= STACY’s.  Angelique told me that STACY’s was derived from her 102 year old grandmother’s name, who served as their inspiration of having a fulfilled life. “We wanted STACY’s to be simple, give out the fresh vibes and be that happy place with good food”.

Factors for a successful restaurants range from spacious tables, to prompt service, and bearable noise-levels, in addition to the well-rounded food and beverage menu and a sophisticated atmosphere. STACY’s spells the word coziness though it might be a little crammed to some (but the use of pastels and bright colours gives it a warm feel). Somehow reminds me of the Heima Store. The dining room offers a relaxed setting and the outdoor patio, which overlooks the serene setting of Capitol Hills Golf Club, makes diners forget the hustle and bustle of the city streets. Every dish is designed for the food connoisseur and surprisingly, the food is priced fairly. Hefty servings too!

Beyond that, you can find well-crafted salads, solid pastas, or chicken and fish entrees. The food is amply portioned, and tastes divine, expect to be blown away by their dishes.  Upon arrival, you will be served with this Merry Mix. A happy mix of butter popcorn, pretzels and marshmallows on a cute ceramic mug.

Ready?

Grilled Shrimp w/ Sweet Pomelo (Php155) – Fresh Shrimp Salad with mixed Greens and Asian Dressing 

A pretty salad to behold, full of fresh greens adorned with that sweet coloured pomelo.  It added a lot more substance to the salad and was perfect for a light entree.  A fantastic appetizer to share or for a light meal for just one. Sweet pomelo salad with a smack.

Creamy Pumpkin Soup w/ Toasted Bacon (Php105) – comfort soup of the day 

The pumpkin soup was velvety smooth and flavourful, consistency was neither too thick nor too thin. The toasted bacon made it more outstanding.

Stacy Jones (Php195) – STACY’s best seller; tender yakiniku cut US beef sirloin tapa smothered with loads of fried garlic; served with “anyway you like ‘em” eggs, fresh tomatoes, and roasted garlic rice.

Haven food for beef lovers, the aroma of the beef will hit you. Every cut was totally juicy and was not dry at all. Beef was of high grade quality as its natural flavour is worth devouring for. Best eaten fresh hot from the kitchen. 

Isn’t this heart-shaped rice the cutest ever? 

Big Breakfast Bangers (Php165) – savoury grilled sausage patty served w/ sugar-dusted French toast, cheesy scrambled eggs and a cup of fresh fruits.

Ok sausage freaks, this is a must try. Almost went sausage coma after as this was grilled to perfection and the French toast complemented it well. A huge brekky plate with a thick slab of sausage patty, it’s so good you can even ignore the syrup but will still taste as good. The buttery scrambled eggs also melts in your mouth.

Monkey Toast (Php145) – fluffy pieces of cinnamon French toast topped w/ sweet caramelized bananas, strawberry, whipped peanut butter and dark choco chips.

Did not actually expect an Elvis Presley nostalgia here. Elvis  favourite sandwich is one of the most brilliant inventions known to mankind, yes?!  So how the heck do you improve upon a sandwich of such an epic depth? Definitely not a light sandwich by any means, it’s filling and luscious. That creamy homemade peanut butter will make you want to bring a jar home- too bad they’re not for sale. I told Aby to start considering selling this. This is perfect for even an ordinary pan de sal. The peanut butter gives that heavenly kick. Monkey Toast will be the death of me.

Jersey Shore (Php170) – creamy chunks of white tuna salad generously layered w/ tomato slices and gooey Swiss cheese, piled high on a freshly baked wheat pan de sal.

The Classic Tuna Salad gets a new twist with this STACY’s tasty recipe. The crunch really livens up the tuna. One dish that is one Tuna overload fix. I loved the upscale taste of this twist on an old classic tuna salad that STACY’s did. I think a little bit of fresh chopped garlic in it would enhance the flavor to perfection.

Home baked Chicken Parmesan (Ph190) – Baked chicken fillet in Italian herbs and chunky tomato sauce layered with oodles of parmesan and mozzarella cheese, topped on a bed of herbed rice pilaf.

Indeed very old school with that red sauce and lots of melty mozzarella cheese. Dish was decently made, truly rich and the cheese was made perfectly oozing. Sauce was made with the right amount of tomato, no sourness exaggeration.

All of their dishes had very solid, representative flavours. Dishes were presented as works of art and I have to say, tasted just as good.  If I had to choose, I would say the Home baked Chicken Parmesan was my favourite from what I sampled.   The cheese, chicken and sauce just exploded in my mouth as an incredible flavour sensation.   Really gamey, with a strong Italian flavour, but still quite light. 

Candy Vanilla Milkshake (Php95)

Just a thick, creamy milkshake to make your taste buds flip out. It wasn’t runny, nicely blended, cool and refreshing as well.

If ever you’ll feel bloated after your meal and wants to skip their cakes (which by the way looks decadent and almost immoral), they will transcend you to your childhood days with their Butter Balls. Nostalgic isn’t it? STACY’s really knows how to bring out the kid in you. It’s also a great place to meet up with friends and can cater to large parties with utmost ease. You’ll come to love the upscale atmosphere, vintage-retro-chic style that gives customers the perfect dining experience.  If you’re into the laid-back mood and quirky kind of date spots,  Stacy’s provides the ultimate code to your vault.

With the friendly staff, quiet, relaxed atmosphere, and retro-classical music playing in the background, I couldn’t think of a lovelier, more unrushed way to spend a Sunday morning!  Have a blast from the past When In Manila. Quirky, cozy, dainty- STACY’s is the place to be.

 STACY’s
Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center,
Ground Floor( in front of Pancake House)
1 Capitol Hills Drive, Quezon City
e-mail: abynachura@gmail.com
contact #s:  02.9526843 /0927.3262244 / 0933.4427661 / 09178472229