April 29, 2013

Larcy's Cupcakery Cafe- A Sweet Find in Aguirre Street BF Homes, ParaƱaque

After our late lunch at Asiong's Resto Bar in BF Homes, we maximized our trip by checking out other places along Aguirre Street.- the food haven of the South. 

That's when we found Larcy's Cupcakery Cafe


I was completely awed by the overall concept of the place. It was chic and cute with very girly interiors and decors that exudes a cozy yet playful vibe. A showcase of cupcakes greeted us at the counters, and we can't help but admire the beautiful creations. 


It was so hard to choose which cupcakes to try 'cause everything looks good and delicious. Finally, the choices were trimmed down to two. 

Banana Nutella (P70) 

April 25, 2013

Asiong's Resto Bar- Affordable Filipino Dishes in BF Homes Paranaque


One Saturday afternnoon, D and I drove all the way to BF Homes to try this new place called Asiong's Resto Bar. It was named after Asiong Salonga, an infamous gangster in Tondo and considered to be Manila's public enemy years back.

With that being said, one could expect hardcore Filipino dishes that's right on budget.. Nothing too fancy, just some classic Pinoy food that's great to share with the gang.

The place is quite small but not too cramped. Diners may also opt to sit at the tables outside, ideally during the night for a cool and relaxing al fresco dining. 


A visit to Asiong's should always include an order of their best-seller.

Sizzling Sisig ng Tondo (P149)


I know what you're thinking, pretty affordable right? And to think that most dishes at Asiong's are to share. I seldom eat sisig because it tends to be so oily, but this one wasn't too oily at all. It was served sizzling hot and crispy to the bite. The egg on top also kept the dish from drying up.

Dynamita Sticks (P109)


April 22, 2013

Kabukicho: Manila Pop Up x Yabu - Follow.The.Bulb.

photo from www.facebook.com/ManilaPopUp

So what is Manila Pop Up? 
Manila Pop Up is the brainchild of Erwan Heussaff, Mike Concepcion and Deejae Paeste, that specializes in an unconventional and one-of-a-kind marketing strategy to create an out-of-the-box experience for consumers. 

They go from conceptualizing and developing creative ideas all the way to implementing a unique but temporary event that would create a whole new level of brand awareness. 

photo from www.facebook.com/ManilaPopUp

An invite from Manila Pop Up got us travelling all the way to SM Southmall for their one day pop up event in collaboration with Yabu: House of Katsu

Infinite.ly: Launch your Brand in 60 Seconds

What is Infinite.ly? 
Infinite.ly is a Philippine startup that offers domain hosting for small businesses. It is an effective page builder that helps you create your own website and launch your brand in just 60 seconds.

How Infinite.ly could help small business and individuals?
Infinite.ly has a user-friendly interface that could help those businesses/individuals who do not have technical skills to build or create their own website. Infinite.ly takes care of all technical details so you could just focus on your website's content.

With Infinite.ly, businesses could now promote their brands, market their products or services and increase their network.  


April 16, 2013

Pipino Vegetarian Food by Pino in Jupiter Street, Makati


Since March is my birth month, I went to a spending spree and treated my family for dinner again. This time, we traveled all the way to Makati for Pipino. I remember the first time I've tried Pipino in Maginhawa/Malingap, I knew right away that it would be something my mom would love to try. I was not sure with my dad though.. 

Pipino in Makati also shares a space with Pino Resto Bar and is just separated by white "fences". We choose to sit in Pino so that we could order some of their dishes too. I remembered last time when we were told that Pipino dishes could be served in Pino but Pino dishes couldn't be served in Pipino. 


Wicked Walnut Salad (P165)- Mixed organic greens with dalandan balsamic, candied walnuts, cherry tomatoes and walnut parmesan cheese. 


Remember the Wicked Walnut Salad? I vowed to order this again on my next visit to Pipino and so I did. Fresh and crisp lettuce, the tangy dalandan balsamic dressing, the candied walnuts, the walnut parmesan.. it's basically the same wicked salad I've fallen in love with. 

D loved the dalandan balsamic that he asked the waiters if they are selling them in bottles. Sadly, they are not selling it.. is there a YET I hear Pipino?? :)

Tofu Lemongrass Skewers (P145)


April 10, 2013

Mabuhay Palace- Fine Dining Restaurant and Must Try Dishes in Manila Hotel


For my birthday this year, I decided to treat my family at Manila Hotel's Mabuhay Palace. I wanted to bring them here for a change. You see, a normal family celebration for us would be dining in a casual Chinese restaurant and have a lauriat service. I didn't quite stray from that idea but I decided to make this celebration more intimate for the family. My family belongs to the group of fast-paced diners (if you now what I mean) and this time I wanted us to slow down and take time to appreciate the restaurant's ambiance and food. 


Crispy Wonton Chips with Honey and Toasted Sesame

Mabuhay Palace probably has the best complimentary appetizer while waiting for your orders. I love love love these wonton chips with honey, I could finish the whole bowl all by myself.


April 3, 2013

Primero Casa Filipino- Filipino Buffet on a Budget in Quezon City


I must admit, I'm no fan of Filipino cuisine. It's just that I've been to some Filipino buffet restaurants before and most of them make me "not-a-good-kind-of-way" full. Yes, they serve a lot of dishes, but most are mediocre if not so oily. 

Recently, we've been invited to try Primero Casa Filipino in Quezon City. We frequent Tomas Morato area but the name doesn't ring a bell. Turned out, the place used to be Chef Laudico's Casa Filipino, which is now under a new management. They got a new chef, but some classic favorites were retained  and tweaked a little bit. 

Entering the place would give you a notion that you've just went to a fine dining restaurant and that prices must be really expensive. Yes, they have this fine dining atmosphere with candles and wine glasses on the table, but the whole place exudes a warm and homey feeling. Plus, with a rate of P398 on weekdays and P498 during weekends, who said dining with class should be expensive?  


The buffet spread isn't as extensive but most of their dishes are of quality and taste. And I must also commend the unique style and presentation of some best-sellers like these Sisig Shooters and Egg Salad

Appetizers


April 1, 2013

Press Release: Gerry's Grill Tops Lonely Planet Survey Again

GERRY’S TOPS LONELY PLANET SURVEY ANEW

Homegrown chain Gerry’s Grill tops the “Restaurants in Philippines” list for the second year in a row, according to popular website lonelyplanet.com. The restaurant has also earned the number one spot in “Things to do in Manila”.
Gerry’s which bested 90 others for the top spot scored high on the areas of food, atmosphere, and service
“We have seen a marked increase in the number of foreign guests who would visit our branches to have a sampling of the best Filipino dishes,” says Gerry Apolinario, chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director of Prime Pacific Grill, Inc. (PPGI), operator of Gerry’sGrill.
In 15 years since it commenced operations of its first restaurant at Tomas Morato Extension in Quezon, Gerry’s has expanded t more locations – particularly in key cities around the country with many tourists; among them Boracay, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, and Baguio which experience very high traffic particularly during the summer season.
“We recently opened at Robinson’s Mall in Palawan which, as we all know, is fast becoming a major tourist destination thanks to the Subterranean River National Park. We are happy to see not only locals but foreign guests enjoying our food, our friendly service - the best of Filipino hospitality,” adds Apolinario.
The popular chain recently opened three branches at the District Mall in Imus, Cavite; Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro and Robinson’s Mall in Palawan.
It is set to welcome guests in three more locations this year: Market Market in Taguig, Newport at Resorts World in Paranaque, General Santos and Eastwood in Libis, Quezon City.
Gerry’s foray in the international market has also attracted foreign guests to their restaurants. In Singapore where the local chain opened three branches in a span of two years an estimated 30% of their clienteles are non-Pinoys.
Wherever Gerry’s is, Apolinario guarantees that the food maintains its high-quality taste.  
“Whatever the time or occasion may be, we serve excellent Filipino food cooked to satisfy the most discerning of palates.”
Among Gerry’s signature offers include Crispy Pata, Sisig, and Kare-Kare.
For more information log on to www.gerrysgrill.com