July 30, 2015

Australian Grassfed Beef in Manila Restaurants- Win Tickets for 2 to Australia via Qantas Airways!

Y'all get ready for the first-ever Australian grass-fed beef promotion, as The Australian Embassy Manila and Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), partner up with 35 of the top restaurants here in Manila. A gastronomic experience awaits diners as each participating restaurant features a tailored menu showcasing the Australian Grass-fed Beef.


So what is Australian Grass-fed Beef?

In Australia, majority of the cattle are raised on natural pastures. This meat is described as "grass-fed", "pasture-fed" or "free-range." Grass-fed beef is raised exclusively on pasture, hence it is considered healthier than grain-fed beef. It is naturally low in fat and cholesterol, but offers a higher level of Omega 3 fatty acids that helps reduce the risks of certain types of cancer. 

Last week, The Australian Embassy Manila and MLA curated a week-long culinary trail attended by some selected media and bloggers. We visited few of the participating restaurants to personally taste and experience their special creations featuring the premium Australian grass-fed beef. 

Top of the Citi by Chef Jessie

Featured dishes: 
Australian Grassfed Beef Striploin in Morel Sauce
Roast Australian Grassfed Beef Sandwich with Homemade Country Fries



Aside from the featured dishes above, we also tried other creations using Australian grassfed beef. 


A Steakhouse at Acacia Hotel

Featured dishes:
Australian Grassfed Tenderloin served with Honey Marjoram Roasted Pumpkin Sauteed Brussel Sprouts and Roasted Fig Dolcetto with Sherry Vinegar Steak Sauce
Australian Grassfed Ribeye with Grilled Asparagus, Roasted Potatoes and Chianti Sauce


A Steakhouse by Acacia Hotel prepared a specialized menu featuring the Australian Grassfed Beef. For as low as P950, diners can enjoy  a 3-course meal of soup/salad, main entree of Australian Grassfed tenderloin or ribeye, and dessert.



Lucia Ristorante at Hotel Celeste

Featured dishes:
Paglia E Fieno
Bistecca Con Salsa Tartufata


Mooing our way to the next stop, we still managed to try Lucia Ristorante's bi-colored paglia pasta with Australian grassfed beef ragout and herbed butter aromas, and seared ribeye steak with cream truffle sauce.


A generous scoop of Limoncello Gelato aptly served as a palate cleanser.


Sala Bistro

Featured Dishes:
Australian Grassfed Mulwara Beef Tenderloin Tartare
Rigatoni with Australian Grassfed Beef Shortrib Ragout


Lastly, Sala Bistro in Greenbelt 3 capped off the culinary trail with a mouthwatering Australian grassfed beef tartare and rigatoni with Australian grassfed beef ragout prepared by Executive Chef Kerwin Go.


Get a chance to win dining privileges worth P5000 or roundtrip tickets for 2 to Australia via Qantas Airways when you order an Australian Grassfed Beef dish at any of the participating restaurants. The promotion is jointly presented by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and the State of Victoria, and will run from 25 July to 23 August 2015.

Here are all the participating restaurants you can visit:

100 Revolving Restaurant, A Steakhouse at Acacia Hotel, Arya, Blackbird, Carpaccio, Casa Roces, Chef Jessie Rockwell Club, Chef Jessie Top of the Citi, Chesa Bianca, Cravings, Cyma, Epicurious, Ilustrado, Kitchen 1B, Lucia Ristorante, One Way, People’s Palace, Prime101, Sala, Sala Bistro, The Blackboard, The Breakfast Table, The True Grill, The Urban Farm, and The Wholesome Table.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/AustralianEmbassyManila

July 29, 2015

Yakitori Binchotan Opens its First Branch in Cebu

Yakitori Binchotan has opened its first restaurant at Lightsite Parc along AS Fortuna Street in Mandaue City, Cebu.


Yakitori Binchotan promises to offer guests scrumptious servings of Yakitori grilled using Binchotan, a special kind of charcoal found only in Japan that brings out the taste of the skewered delights.

July 21, 2015

Costa Coffee Philippines- UK's #1 Coffee Shop Opens in Eastwood #LondonStyle

Costa Coffee, the #1 coffee shop in the UK, finally opens in the Philippines! Their first branch is located in Eastwood Citywalk 1, and they plan to open more branches in Robinson's Place Manila, Tera Towers, Robinson's Antipolo and BGC before the year ends. 

Costa Coffee is known for its signature Mocha Italia blend, a mix of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, that has become a closely guarded secret and remains true to the original Mocha Italia recipe.

One of their bestsellers is Flat White (P150)- a rich, full-flavored coffee with double shot of espresso, and a thin layer of velvety smooth microfoam. 


For a sweeter option, they have the Caffe Caramella (P145-small) with a frothy layer of foam and caramel.

July 15, 2015

Oliviers & Co. 2015 Olive Oil Collection Launch by SSI Group at Vask, BGC

Oliviers & Co. is renowned for its superb catalog of gourmet olive oils, condiments, and seasonings, committing to only the finest ingredients and sound processes. Oliviers & Co. continues to push for precision- from hand-harvesting the olives to tasting pre- and post-bottling with a third test at the boutiques and finally, to packaging.

Oliviers & Co.’s latest collection adds a new-level of eloquence to Philippines kitchens. It has been a little over a year since the SSI Group introduced France-based olive oil company Oliviers & Co. to the Philippines and redefined local kitchens everywhere.


A few weeks ago, I was invited to witness the launch of Oliviers and Co.'s 2015 Harvest at Vask Modern Tapas & Gastronomic Cuisine in BGC.

McDonald's Minions Happy Meal and Banana Festival #MinionsAtMcdo

The Minions are back and these adorable cuties have officially taken over McDonald’s.. and our desk!


Go bananas every time you enter McDonald’s with their new Minions Happy Meal, featuring 10 Minion collectibles! Say "Bello" to Kevin, Stuart, and Bob, stars of the Minions Movie, as they bring us the Minions Banana Festival- an array of Minions-themed desserts everyone will go bananas for.

Try the new Honey Banana McFloat- a sweet and refreshing banana and honey flavored drink topped with vanilla soft serve, or choose among the two new and exciting McFlurry flavors: Banana McFlurry with Oreo- banana flavor mixed with Oreo bits in vanilla soft serve. Banana Crumble McFlurry- banana flavor blended in creamy vanilla soft serve with crushed graham. McDonald’s is also introducing the Minions Banana McDip, a delicious vanilla soft serve covered in banana-flavored dip on a blue wafer cone—one of the cutest dessert items you’ll ever see and taste for only P15.



July 3, 2015

Fireside Casual Kitchen by Kettle at the SM Mega Fashion Hall

Meet the fierce little brother of Kettle- Fireside. While Kettle satisfies comfort food cravings of mall-goers at the Shangrila Plaza Mall, Fireside satiates hungry shoppers at the Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall. 


And what could be more comforting than Fireside's best-selling Buttermilk Fried Chicken Fingers (P489). An order of crispy and juicy chicken tenders, reminiscent of Kettle's Buttermilk Fried Chicken, comes with cornbread doughnut balls and their signature gravy-honey dip pairing. A must-try at Fireside!