May 14, 2012

Phat Wong Asian Cafe- Mother's Day Sharing Menu

Phat Wong is a fairly new Asian Cafe established by the same group that brought us Lolo Dad's Cafe in Malate and Lolo Dad's Brasserie in Makati. With that being said, expectations would really be set on high standards especially that the culinary team is composed of acclaimed Chef Ariel Manuel and Chef Marge Villena. A tandem that would take Asian dining to a whole new level of experience. 


The cozy interiors greet customers to a warm welcome and homey feel. Big round tables and longs tables mostly filled up the space in wooden floors with artistic paintings on the wall that creates a casual and warm vibe of serenity and relaxation. 



For our visit, we sampled Phat Wong Mother's Day Sharing Menu that is already good for 3 person. We were completely surprised on how affordable the set menu was given the list included in the menu.

Phat Wong Mother's Day Sharing Menu
P1,380.00 + (Serves 3 person)

May 11, 2012

Culinaria Capampangan Festival w/ Chef Sau Del Rosario at Corniche Diamond Hotel

Diamond Hotel Philippines is featuring Filipino Food Festival this May that highlights genuine flavors from Pampanga prepared by renowned Chef Sau Del Rosario at its premiere dining destination Corniche. Experience Culinaria Capampangan at the buffet from May 10-19 and sample a spread of local dishes dishes from the "Culinary Capital of the Philippines".



Treat yourself to a creative and innovative Capampangan fares such as Lamb Chops Ratatouille in Kaldereta Sauce; US Beef Rib-Eye and Portobello Confits in Bistek Sauce; Gule Marangle (Pinakbet with Tuyo Flakes); Begukan (Binangongan Pampanga style) with Crispy Pork; and Crispy Pata Kare-Kare with Farm Vegetables and Bagoong.


We were privileged to try out Culinaria Capampangan Cycle 1 and sample the culinary wonders of Chef Sau Del Rosario.

May 10, 2012

Press Release: Kusina ng Gerry's by Gerry's Grill



GERRY’s OPENS KUSINA

Prime Pacific Grill Incorporated (PPGI) operator of homegrown restaurant chain Gerry’s Grill is set to expand its food service business with a new dine-in concept.

Dubbed “Kusina ng Gerry’s” the do-it-yourself/fast casual restaurant has opened its first branch at the 3rd level of Lucky Chinatown Mall at Regina Regente Street in Binondo, Manila.


“We would like to provide diners an opportunity to visit Gerry’s more often. Kusina will have the same food quality, same relaxed, and wholesome dining ambience, but would offer affordable meals,” says Gerry Apolinario, PPGI president and chief executive officer (CEO).

PPGI’s CEO believes that it was necessary to put up a different brand that would focus on the intricacies of a new dine-in concept for more efficiency and a clearer identity. “Operation is simple. Customers go to the counter to choose and create their own meals or opt for a la carte, pay, and the server will bring the food to their table,” explains Apolinario.

May 9, 2012

FrosTea Milk Tea- Not Just Another Milk Tea Place

A new milk tea place again? Yes, milk tea places have been sprouting like mushrooms within the Metro and you definitely have a regular milk tea place you normally visit. You probably have one or two favorite drinks which you order again and again. 

With the number of milk tea places growing, people shy away from trying out new places that offer milk tea thinking that no other milk tea place would come close to their bet. I myself is like that. I have my personal favorite milk tea shop which I regularly visit but that doesn't stop me from trying out new places too. 

Opened recently January of this year, FrosTea is a fairly new milk tea place in Katipunan with  customers composed mostly of students hanging out after school doing some projects or just chilling out. 


The place is perfect for people who wants to just grab some drinks and snacks to pass the time. I love the funky colors of the place with art paintings, bright lamps and wooden chairs that makes the whole place a great location to relax and have some quiet time.


Since FrosTea got a lot of drink choices, they made it easier for customers to decide on what to order by posting their Top 10 best-sellers based on actual sales count and some must-try drinks.


Yakult Green Tea w/ Crystals (P95/P110) and Tsim Sha Tsui with Red Bean Milk Tea (P95)
 

Both drinks are among their best-sellers. The Tsim Sha Tsui Milk Tea with Red Bean had a perfect sweetness level at 50%. It was not too sweet but still remained very tasty as the sweetness from the red bean made the drink a lot flavorful. You can actually taste the red bean at every sip of the milk tea. 

The Yakult Green Tea on the other hand was a bit flat for my taste. I'd recommend getting 100% sugar level on this since it lacked the yakult flavor and tasted a bit watery. The nata crystals helped in giving a sweet bite on this drink though. Nevertheless, it was still refreshing and great to cleanse the palate after a meal.

My personal favorite is one of their smoothies called Deluxe Honeydew Smoothie with Mango & Pearl (P100)

May 7, 2012

Quantum Cafe- Fun Nights with SPIT Manila

A number of healthy restaurants have been continuously growing and accepted by people nowadays. 

It seems more and more people are gearing towards the healthy lifestyle thus the success of these establishments.

After my Sugarleaf experience, I promised to eat healthier food and try to open myself in trying out new healthy restaurants.

Luckily, we got the opportunity to try out Quantum Cafe in Makati.


Upon entering, you will find yourself in a large spacious room filled with long tables, a big stage and a bar area. It was very different from other restaurants you can think of. Quantum Cafe had this very casual and cozy vibe that makes every diner feels like they are just hanging out at a friend's house or even just chilling out at home.



Ms. Happy Feraren happily greeted and welcomed us into Quantum Cafe which they also call their "extended home".

She talked about her mother's passion for food and her father's enthusiasm over health and fitness. A great combination that truly complements each other and so the birth of Quantum Cafe.

Quantum Cafe is basically not a vegetarian restaurant as others, including me, initially thought it was. 

Yes, they also serve fish, beef, chicken and pork in a healthier way of course.

First served to us was their Sizzling Bangus Sisig (P290)


Served in a hot sizzling plate, it comes with some lettuce leaves where you can wrap the sisig and enjoy digging on it the Korean way. 

The sisig was creamy and flavorful with the rich mayo dressing incorporated on it. I could say that this is definitely a must-try in Quantum Cafe.

Quantum Cafe is also famous for their freshly made pizzas. All their pizza are made from whole wheat crust freshly made upon order. 

We got to try their new pizza flavor called FullShroom Pizza (P190)- Whole wheat thin-crusted pizza topped with oyster mushrooms and cheeses

May 6, 2012

Cookbook Kitchen Eastwood- Passion For Taste


It has been 2 years since I last dined in Cookbook Kitchen. I could still remember how I fell in love with their Parmesan Crusted White Fish. My tummy was left craving for more since I was with friends that time and we had to share an order. 

I promised to go back but unfortunately, it never happened.

After 2 looongg years..we're finally back! This time we got to try their branch in Eastwood City. 

The place looked different from the casual and homey ambiance of their Mandaluyong branch. This was  more sophisticated and modernized with orange hues and dimmed lights. It was more spacious too. 

to start off, I ordered for their Super Salad (P200) which consists of fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and tender chunks of chicken. We also chose the honey mustard dressing over the balsamic vinaigrette. 


We also got the Creamy Shrimp Linguine (P260) which is basically pasta in white cream sauce   with generous amount of shrimp pieces and celery bits. 


I love the thick creamy white sauce of the pasta and was quite happy with the shrimp serving. Reminded me of the generous amount of shrimp from Brewkus' Shrimply Loaded

May 5, 2012

Toro Restaurant & Bar- Bonifacio Global City

Toro Restaurant & Bar is a fusion restaurant of Japanese and Mexican cuisine located in the heart of Bonifacio Global City. A unique combination that would bring fusion cuisine to a whole new level of appreciation and experience.


Conceptualized by the Genomal brothers (Vinnie, Nikhiel and Shwan), they partnered with renowned Chef Sau Del Rosario to bring their passion for great food to life. 

"Toro"- a Spanish word synonymous to "bull" that symbolizes strength and vibrance and at the same time a Japanese word that represents the delicate underbelly of tuna. 


The famous Geisha Mural painted by Mr. Alfred Galvez that occupies one side of the walls gave a Japanese touch to the vintage Mexican designs of iron chandelier and wooden chairs.


On Friday and Saturday nights, the lights in Toro dim with music that goes a little upbeat yet still manages to give a relaxed and cozy ambiance after a long day of work. 

Help yourself with various specialty cocktails that Toro takes pride in. And if you're not much of an alcohol drinker, you may choose from their mocktails that are equally fun and thirst quenching.

Toro Smoothie (P140)- strawberry, yogurt and orange juice


Chilled Mint Apple (P140)- apple, mint leaves and soda


Nojito (P140)- fresh lime juice and mint leaves


May 3, 2012

Shang Tsu 上廚- Taiwanese Cuisine in Tomas Morato


The first time I've read about Shang Tsu, I was completely sold to try it out. And since it serves Taiwanese cuisine, the first restaurant that I thought of was Yen Yen Taiwan Street Food.


Hot tea was served initially and we started to check out their menu.

Taiwan Oyster Pancake (P105)


The moment this was served on our table, I was quite surprised on how the oyster cake looked. It came in an orange colored sauce which seems to be sweet chili. 

The oyster pancake was different from the oyster cakes we've tried in chinese restaurants. The top layer was like ordinary egg omelette with greens and oysters. But what caught our attention was the clear glob of jelly underneath that gave a chewier texture to the dish. I guess that's what makes their Oyster Pancake special. 

Crispy Fried Tofu (75)