Porto Cena: A Foodie Adventure

I've always associated Subic with good things such as great bonding time with the family, fun and adventure, swimming and shopping, and of course- food tripping. Now, there's another reason to love Subic more. Introducing, PORTO CENA: The Mercato Centrale of Subic. The Friday and Saturday food market (4pm - 3am) will be launched on October 5. Save the date and schedule a trip to Subic. :)

Subic has always been a haven for adventure-seekers: From the jungle adventures at Zoobic Safari to the water adventures at Ocean Adventure to the shopping adventures at the Royal Duty Free Shops. Now, we’ve got another great reason for you to visit Subic: A Foodie Adventure!

GARAGE Anniversary Ball 2013

GARAGE just celebrated its 5th anniversary with a FORMAL PUNK party at the REPUBLIQ in Newport, Pasay City. The well-attended event was graced by the most stylish denizens of the metro eager to see the reunion of the men's style magazine's best-dressed list for the past years as well as this year's roster. 

Guest were seen donning their leather jackets, studded belts, shiny boots and spiked accessories. 


The lovely Meagan Young

KDRAMA: Pasta

Aside from reading, cooking, parenting, (a bit of) shopping, photography, writing, etc., I am also enamored with koreanovelas or kdramas like everybody else. I am a late bloomer when it comes to kdrama but I've been hooked since 2009 after watching: You're Beautiful, You're Handsome which stars Jang Geun Suk. Though I hate to admit it, but I really fell in-love with the characters that when Samsung released the Corby phone, I was the first to get one. :P

Anyways, I just finished a marathon-run of PASTA. This was shown sometime 2010 but it is only now that I got to watch it. I can't remember what excuse I had then for not watching but I'm glad I did now. Also, I feel a special affinity with this kdrama since it the story revolves around chefs, Italian restaurant and cooking.


Patchi Chocolates

One of the finest chocolates I've tasted. Before, I just waited for someone to hand carry some for me but now, Patchi has its own boutique in Bonifacio High Street (there's also a branch in Greenbelt 5). Now I can just visit the store whenever I have some serious chocolate cravings. Cool, right?



Eng Bee Tin's Huge Mooncake

Breakfast with my mommymates have been postponed for a week due to the typhoon and since we're back in school today after a week-long vacay, we scheduled a breakfast date in Manila's Chinatown (our default breakfast area). I arrived first and since most establishments there were still closed (still too early), I decided to wait for J at Chuan Kee (had a bowl of congee). Luckily, J didn't take long to arrive so we did our errands first while we waited for another friend. And since I've been seeing this giant mooncake at Eng Bee Tin's FB Page, I asked J if we can check it out and take some photos.


What's A Croughnut?

I've been hearing a lot of good things about cronuts, croughnuts, or whatever its spelling are but it was only last week that I got to try one. I mean, I'm not really that fond of doughnuts and croissant so I didn't rush to the bakeshop like everybody else. But thanks to Ola for introducing me and daughter to Le Coeur de France' croughnut even if I'm craving for ramen that time we went to Shang Plaza. And because she's like my elder sister (and you know how an elder sister is), she got to choose where to eat. :P



Parmesan Croughnut. There are three flavors available but we all ordered this. Happy to say that this is not that sweet and I like the parmesan cheese, and it is baked so its not oily. But its chewy so I don't know what happened to the croissant part of this hybrid pastry. I really can't compare with the other famous and infamous cronuts because I'm a cake and chocolate person.

*** But who knows, and I'm not closing my door to cronuts so please feel free to send me some. ;)


ps 1 ..

The muffins at Le Coeur de France are l-o-v-e!


ps 2 ...

Read this from The Philippine Daily Inquirer --- 12 Cronuts Copycats with Grandma in Tow by Pam Pastor

A Foodie's Secret Weapon

Breath spray and mouthwash! Hahaha. Kidding aside, oral hygiene is a must for everyone but most especially to foodies since we don't always have the luxury of brushing our teeth after eating in a restaurant. Imagine that you've been eating a lot of pizza, pesto, aioli, chicken curry, shawarma, even isaw (chicken instestines) and other food. Can you just imagine the burst of flavors on your breath if you did not brush your teeth?

Well, thanks to Unilab for this lipstick-sized breath spray that you can easily place inside your purse or pocket. Your breath stays fresh after a spray or two of this arctic chill flavored Swish breath spray.


PROMO: Balinese Delights At The Market Cafe

I've always wanted to go to Bali, enjoy the scenery and stay there for a week but it is not just possible yet. Luckily, I chanced upon Market Cafe's ten-day food festival- Sedap Indonesia: Balinese Delights so I'm doing a happy jig here. Food first, then to follow ang travel! ;)

Sedap Indonesia: Balinese Delights is a ten-day food festival featuring Bali's famous cuisine will be from August 30- September 8, available for dinners (Monday to Saturday / lunch and dinner on Sunday). You can call Hyatt Regency Hotel Manila at +632-2478666 for reservation and other details.



PRODUCT REVIEW: 3D Juice Extractor

Maybe because I've been cooped up at home since Sunday (thanks to Maring and habagat) that upon seeing the juice extractors at an appliance store in Greenhills, I didn't have a hard time making a decision to buy one. I've been reading a lot of articles about fruit and vegetable juices and its health benefits and I feel that investing in good health is better than investing in a health card. Also, my trusted blender needs a rest (not that its broken or anything but I just want it to rest for a while).

I've been eyeing an expensive brand at first but when the sales person tried to convince me that that juicer's quality is better because it is Japanese made, I asked where the other one was made. I opted to get the 3D Juice Extractor because it is Philippine made. :)


RECIPE: Tokwa't Baboy

It's been raining and flooding like crazy for almost a week now that today's ray of sunshine made everyone happy including me. Of course I enjoyed the monggo, the nilaga, the sopas, the sinigang, etc during the rainy days but I'm craving for something different tonight, something I haven't cooked for ages and something to cheer us up at home as we finally bid goodbye to Maring (typhoon Trami).


Kimono Ken: Japanese Fusion At Its Finest

I have high respect for those restaurant that maintains the quality and standard of their food as the years go by- and one good example is Kimono Ken. My first time at Kimono Ken was in December 2006 at the Tomas Morato branch. Then another meal a few months after at the Blue Wave branch. Both times, I fell in love with the food; not only it was delicious but because it was nicely presented, too.

Fast forward >> I didn't know that Kimono Ken has a branch in Podium (its obvious we don't frequent the place much), but we're familiar with the one in Shangri-La Plaza and have several memorable meals there, too.


Mango Tree BGC

We haven't been to BGC for ages since its really far from our place but during those times that we did, there's always a nice discovery.

And its Mango Tree this time where I had a sumptuous lunch with old and new friends.


Yum Som O or Pomelo Salad. This is a staple in Thai restos. Very good! The pomelo was juicy, the shrimp and dressing was well blended so the burst of flavors is not hard to miss. I won't tire of eating this all day.


Nua Phad Gra Pow (L). A spicy beef dish with basil and chili peppers. Phad Thai (R). Another well-known Thai dish made with rice noodles and scallions and beansprouts. I love both, I don't know why. ;)


Talai Phad Prik Thai Dum (L). Its mixed seafood with capsicum and black pepper sauce. Phad Phak Bung Fai Daeng (R) or stir-fried morning glory (kangkong), with garlic sauce, chilies and soy bean sauce. Had several helping of the seafood but skipped the veggies. Hehe


Chicken (L). Po Pia Goong (R). Deep fried spring rolls served with chili sauce. I think I skipped these two dishes also. Blame the beef and seafood dish. ;)


Sakoo Nam Ka-ti. Sago (tapioca) with coconut cream. L-o-v-e.


Mango Tree
7th Avenue, BHS
BGC, Taguig City

NEW RESTO ALERT: Kebabers SM Manila

I'm a newbie when it comes to Kebabers but daughter reminded me that we've already seen this resto in Katipunan a couple of months back. Hmmm, so that's why the logo and name looks familiar- hehe.

So this time around, Kebabers and I finally met at SM Manila when I joined some friends on a foodtrip date. And you really can't miss this resto because of its colorful and upbeat signage which is just beside the cinema area.



National Pizza Day


Much awaited pizza event at CPK is back. Time to mark your calendar! ;)

Porto Cena

THE MERCATO CENTRALE EXPERIENCE IS COMING TO SUBIC STARTING OCTOBER 5! Join us for the OPENING OF PORTO CENA – the Premier Night and Food Lifestyle Market of Subic at Ayala’s Harbor Point Mall, Olongapo City! Where the best home-grown food entrepreneurs of Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City and Zambales converge with Manila’s best-selling night food vendors. Enjoy a variety of great-tasting & affordable food choices, live acoustic music & free entrance! Open every Friday and Saturday 4pm-3am starting OCTOBER 5.


Brought to you by Mercato Centrale group, the organizers of Manila’s most popular night food markets. For interested food and bazaar vendors from Manila, Subic, Olongapo and Zambales who want to join PORTO CENA, please contact (+63 917) 840-1152 or (+632) 812-0102 or email admin@mercatocentrale.ph or visit www.facebook.com/portocena. You can also pick up an application form at the administration office of Ayala’s Harbor Point Mall."

NEW RESTO ALERT: Grub

A very interesting name for a restaurant. Okay, okay ... I admit that "grub" was not a frequently used word in my world nor my mental dictionary that after my first visit to the resto, I checked Mr. Google and searched the meaning of "grub" which I found out is a slang word that pertains to food. Wow! Thank you, Mr. Online Dictionary. ;)

I also like the "warehouse-vibe" of the restaurant.




Fried Chicken Wings. Crispy and flavorful. The dip is a secret kitchen recipe. Yum!


Moo Melt. This sandwich is love. I love beef and I love cheese. The beef and melted cheese combo on this sandwich is really delicious. You just have to eat it while its still hot and warm to fully appreciate the gooey-ness of the cheese.



The Pig Candy Melt. A bacon-wich! What a brilliant idea to enjoy your bread and cheese. Needs some potato chips on the side, too. And who doesn't like bacon? ;)


The Hot Chicks. Another winner here. I love the spicy chicken with the lettuce. Its like eating bread and chicken salad at the same time. To tell you frankly, I was hesitant to taste this at first since I can't seem to reconcile the idea of chicken pops and bread, but I know that I'll regret it if I didn't have a bite so there. Happy ending. :)


Iced Tea. They home-brew this and serve it in mason jars for single orders which I find cute. Pitcher order comes in a gallon bottle.



Grub
Ground floor ELJ Bldg
Abs-Cbn, Quezon City
* entrance near Starbucks

PROMO: Akiba Cafe Ash Creek

We're celebrating our 6th month of our Ash Creek branch and we are grateful for all our customers who had supported us along the way. In return, we're offering Evening Delights at that branch only! Starting this August til September 2013, so come drop by and relax 


EVENT: Poetry of Stars

Lopez Museum pays tribute to poet, journalist, astrologer Serafin Lanot on August 15-17, 2013 in "Poetry of Stars: An Overview of Astrology in the Philippines."


The Amazing Johnny Chow

Hubby and cousin J and I had a late dinner here the other night. J and I were supposed to join momsie, daughter and Lilith for dinner but they already ordered room service at Maxims and we don't feel like eating inside the hotel room.

So dinner was a choice between Johnny Chow and Johnny Chow-- hahaha. Can't think of any other place to eat. Besides, I've only eaten here once (with momsie, last February) and I didn't have my camera with me and it was a quick dinner since I have work that time. But whatever it is that we ate then had a lasting impression so I vowed to come back and dine in again.


NEW RESTO ALERT: Hawker's Market

A new kid on the buffet-block. Had it not been Momsie's birthday, we wouldn't have discovered this buffet gem right at the Remington Hotel in Pasay City.

The location is not that visible though since its beside 7-11 at the Remington and the entrance of the restaurant is almost fronting the parking entrance of the Resorts World Manila. But luck was with us today and we all ended up having a nice dinner. Also, Hawker's Market is just a day and a month old, according to one of the waitresses.