Lazy Afternoon At Kushikatsu Daruma

Kushikatsu Daruma

It's always a good time at Kushikatsu Daruma! Ah, as I type this I miss their Chuhai all of a sudden. Everytime thoughts of Kushikatsu Daruma come up, I always associate the place with the words "filling" and "refreshing." It's the ultimate go-to spot if you want Japanese comfort food.

Fun Times at Hanamaruken

Feast at Hanamaruken

There are always very long lines at Hanamaruken, especially at the TriNoma branch. But usually, not a single frown is to be seen amongst those waiting, because they know that heir waiting will bring them to good things. 

To bowls of happiness, to be exact. 

Memories At Le Petit Soufflé (September 6, 2017)

I'm so sorry world!!! When I did the draft for this post, it was to be entitled 'What's New at Le Petit Soufflé', but since this is still from September last year, I now have to entitle it as 'Memories at Soufflé'. I got so busy with work from then on that I barely had time for anything else. I got to the point where I barely even left the house because of how hectic my schedule got!

#MondaysMadeBetter with Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Yes, I know, Mondays are horrible. I am so happy that UP doesn't hold classes on Mondays because Mondays are the most abominable thing of all. 

CBTL gets that, too, that's why they decided to make Mondays less horrible by having a discounted ice blended beverage every Monday at just Php100! Be sure to always follow their social media accounts because they choose a different flavor to highlight every week. The week I went, their Mango Ice Blended was discounted that day to Php100. 

Date With Mama At Nono's (May 10, 2017)

Thank you so much again, Nono's!!! 

Mom and I were sooo pampered when they treated us to a Mother's Day date early this month! 

Nono's is now a UPTC favorite we'll always look forward to because of all the homestyle favorites they serve. Chef Baba's vision for this restaurant is to be the sanctuary of all our childhood favorites, reminiscent of the goodness of home. I guess the right word to describe the place is "kanlungan" when it comes to the concept of the food. I felt that the foods brought this feeling of safety and security, because of all the homey feels to them. 

This concept was also conceived by Chef Baba somehow as a tribute to her dad whom she fondly calls Nono. 

Nono's Menu

Just thought I'd publish in this one post the menu of Nono's! Because I do have another post where I will focus on the food hehehe..

Food News: Chef Baba Ibazeta-Benedicto and the journey to Nono’s

Chef Baba Ibazeta-Benedicto has built a loyal following over the years, following the success of the desserts at Classic Confections. With her “classic with a twist” philosophy in the kitchen, she takes the simple, classic, and familiar, makes them with the best ingredients, and then adds her personal creative twist.

But before she became a popular patissier, Chef Baba Ibazeta-Benedicto was a kid with a flavorful childhood.

While most youngsters her age got their hands dirty from playing in the streets, young Baba made the kitchen her playground—a place where her hands rolled in flour and her clothes were stained with colorful frosting. Here, she found her true calling.

She owes her fondness of cooking to their family cook, Warlita. Baba recalls spending afternoons with Warlita baking cookies, brownies, and cupcakes. Baba’s mom, Sylvia, encouraged Baba by  enrolling her in summer baking programs that honed her skills at such a tender age.  After college, Baba decided to delve into the culinary arts seriously, so she studied at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, California.

Following her return to the Philippines and her success in the local pastry scene, Chef Baba felt that she was ready to move a step forward. But this time, she’s doing it by looking back.

Nono’s and the recipes from the good old days

With meals worth craving for, amidst inviting, pastel interiors that have the warmth of family diners, Nono’s is definitely the go-to place of people who constantly seek the tasty comfort that comes from the dishes of their young and carefree days. 

Located at the U.P Town Center, Nono’s was named after Chef Baba’s father and offers dishes that hark back to her childhood.

“Nono’s is a personal journey into my childhood and home. As I began to dream of a restaurant and what type of food I would want to create, I was deeply drawn to—and inspired by—my favorite home-cooked childhood meals and snacks. To me, those meals are my comfort food and were the inspiration jumping point to establishing Nono’s. Comfort food is simple. It is heartwarming. It is nourishing. It is home --Nono’s  is home.” Chef Baba shares.

For Chef Baba, nothing brings her back to the fond memories of family celebrations like the Spaghetti Bolognese. Made using Warlita’s tried and tested recipe, it has a meaty goodness that’s called for during special occasions, or for when you’re just craving something good and hearty.

Nono’s also stays true to the classics with its Mac & Cheese that Chef Baba refers to as one of the dishes she first learned to cook as a child. It’s rich, creamy, and has a cheesy kick that reminds you of after-school merienda.

And while on the nostalgia train, one can’t help but savor the flashbacks of juvenile happiness as you bite into the crispiness and savor the tender goodness of Nono’s Homestyle Fried Chicken. According to Chef Baba, her team took least 20 trials just to perfect their Fried Chicken recipe–it’s definitely a must-try!

Comfort Food Done Right

Following a personal philosophy of classics with a twist is another specialty at Nono’s. Baba enjoys taking the simple, classic, and familiar, making them with the best ingredients, and then adding her personal creative twist.

Innovating on familiar flavors also works with Nono’s just as well as it did with Classic Confections. Chef Baba shares while they serve food that are familiar to the Filipino palate, they usually replace a common ingredient with a more premium choice.

For instance, Pork Belly Balsamic Adobo is a new take on the staple Filipino dish. Instead of using the regular vinegar, the pork was slow-cooked in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar for an hour, giving the meat a sweeter and less acidic character.

Missing those classic gooey cheese sticks? Nono’s takes them to different level with their Truffle Cheese Wontons. This  starter uses parmesan and mozzarella, and further elevates their flavors with drizzles of honey and earthy truffle oil.

Their French Onion Soup is crowned with a beautifully cheesy mess of gruyere, parmesan, and melted mozzarella artfully overflowing on the edges of the bowl. As you dig through molten cheese, the crunch of onions greets your spoon, while warm beef broth beckons you to dunk your sourdough bread.

The Sweet finish

Any meal this hearty deserves a sweet finish. Aside from serving a great selection of comfort food, Nono’s is also home to a wide variety of cakes and pastries. 

There is Chef Baba’s well-acclaimed Nono’s Chocolate Oblivion, which was hailed by critics as one of Manila’s finest. You'll also find classic desserts such as Red Velvet Cake, Meline’s Chocolate Cake, and Honey Crunch Cake. But if you prefer something fruity, your palate will be just fine with the familiar flavor of Lemon Torte, Banana Cream Pie, Calamansi Bars, and Sylvia’s Strawberry Shortcake.

Nono’s also serves Cookie Skillet a la mode. Here, you have a choice between chocolate chip or brownie cookie that is freshly baked and topped with Vanilla iced cream, salted caramel, and chocolate fudge sauce.

The restaurant also sells whole cakes, freshly baked breads, and cookies for customers to enjoy at home.

Food News: New World Manila Bay Hotel Brings the World’s Best Beef

Saga- beef cattle are raised using expert breeding techniques in the rich natural environs of Saga Perfecture. The calm climate, beautiful water and clean air form ideal conditions for cattle rearing. Raised through the careful management of local farmers, the processed meat is distinguished by a beautiful, fine-grained marbling known as tsuya-sashi, or glossy marbling. 

For the month of May, New World Manila Bay Hotel brings this glorious centerpiece that will surely define every meat lovers’ dining experience. To start off, plan a lunch buffet on a Saturday at Market Café, where the Japanese buffet section offers an enticing array of appetizers, sushi, and a build-your-own teppanyaki featuring saga beef with stir fry vegetables. For privacy, sophistication, and a deeper appreciation of saga beef, book a Steak and Sake dinner at The Fireplace on 6 May, Saturday. A sit-down dining affair featuring Saga beef is also complemented with sake from boutique producers across Japan led by guest Chef Shimoyama.

Japan is known for its premium meats, but with saga beef’s superior breeding technique that starts with a 9- month old calf, raised in a stress-free farm and fed only with saga- rice straw blended with grain- based feed, you certainly cannot go wrong with its high quality. Since Saga Perfecture is a world famous beef sensation that’s truly hard to find, why not make your move and place a booking today? After all, this is for a limited time only and the most delicious destination that is guaranteed to take you closer to Japan’s most iconic beef.

For reservations, call +63 2526888 or email dining.manilabay@newworldhotels.com About New World Manila Bay Hotel New World Manila Bay Hotel is a deluxe hotel located at the center of Manila business district with easy access to business and shopping areas, including Mall of Asia, the largest shopping mall in Metro Manila.The hotel is nearby historical attractions such as Intramuros and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The hotel features 376 guestrooms and suites, Residence Club executive floors, six dining options, an outdoor pool, a fitness center and a spa.  Meeting and event space includes a ballroom and four meeting rooms.  The hotel is part of a complex that includes a 150,000-square-foot casino.

Char Casual Dining Philippines Menu

Please bear with me. This is still a post in progress till I get the actual menu from the marketing team!

Char Casual Dining Opens In Manila

Hungry and tired office people, rejoice! The ultimate hunger busting comfort food from Singapore has made its way to Manila. And this is the kind of comfort food that's not just comfort, it's a fancy kind of comfort. This restaurant made it to Singapore's Michelin Guide for this year! And you better dine here quick because who knows, one of these days they might get bestowed their own Michelin star?

The lines at Char Casual Dining are often long in Singapore, and in Manila, I think reception will be just as warm, if not hot (is there even such a term as "hot reception?). And perhaps if their Michelin-star-deserving food does get a star for real, the lines will even be longer. Dine now or fall in long lines in the future! It's also worth saying that this place is all about the right kind of Cantonese food to hit the spot for hungry souls, with dishes that are made for sharing.

Eating Out at Shang Shang Shanghai Cuisine in Hong Kong

The best part about Hong Kong is the food! The last time my parents were there, they were talking about how much they loved a restaurant near the hotel they stayed in. We stayed in that hotel again, so we went to the restaurant. It's called Shang Shang Shanghai Cuisine. 

Dining at Crystal Jade Hong Kong

I know this isn't blog post worthy anymore since we have a Crystal Jade branch here in the Philippines, but for those who have also eaten in the Singapore and HK branches, you get what I mean when I say that there's a whole lot missing here. Like I am not very sure how the business deal was forged, but I am sensing possible franchisor-franchisee issues as the food here lack authenticity...

Complaints aside, we went to Hong Kong last December, and while we were out and about most of the time, we made it a point to eat at Crystal Jade somehow. 

My Barkin' Blends Dog Café Visit

 

I am so sorry! After an intense backlog, I am back! (and yes this intense backlog is brought to you by my intense internship hahahaha). 

I visited this place months back, as a post finals stress relief initiative. 

Ramen Nagi Time (January 17, 2015)

Hooray! It's nice to go back to another favorite after quite some time. If I remember correctly, it was Ramen Nagi that started the boom of ramen specialty houses in the Philippines, and even after trying the house specials of the so many other ramen houses that have popped up, I think it's safe to say that only a few places are at par with Ramen Nagi. 

The first time I visited was sometime early last year, and I went for the Red King ramen. Some other time, I also went for their Green King ramen. Being the squid addict I am, today I decided to get their Black King ramen, paired of course with their tasty egg. 

My Beloved Mang Larry's

Whenever I'm tired, down, or weary. There is only one answer to any problem, and that is Mang Larry's 

To be honest, prior to entering university, I had no idea what isaw was, how it was prepared, what it tasted like, or even the mere idea of even wanting to try it. The only mental image I had back then related to isaw was hepatitis, so yeah, you kinda get the picture. 

But well, things kinda changed when there was this day when I just wanted to try isaw and find out for myself. I tried the fried isaw at Mang Ramon's stall in UP (yes their fried isaw is also very good, especially during dusk as that's when they prepare fresh batches of them). I ended up getting smitten. It was a gamey, sweet, but umami-full taste that I knew that it was definitely not going to be my last time to get isaw for myself. 

La Preciosa's Carrot Cake

You know a place's carrot cake is special when it's the reason why people come back to Ilocos. Or that in the menu, they have the guts to call theirs 'the best.' 

Such is he charm, or maybe the greatness, of La Preciosa's carrot cake. If I'm not mistaken, these are made using the late Madame Preciosa's recipe which she has passed onto her children. I've already tasted great carrot cakes before, and I know that this is great in its own way. 

The last time I had a carrot cake as good was when I munched on Everyday Mom's carrot cake. The cake was moist, had a thick and velvety red velvet frosting on top, and was tasty. This cake, while different in some aspects, tastes great anyways. 

Lunch at La Preciosa Restaurant (Ilocos Norte)

HOOORAAYY FOR OUR SECOND LOCAL TRIP IN LIKE EVER! Weelll Ilocos isn't really the second Pinoy location I've visited aside from Manila, but more of I don't really consider the Tagaytay and Subic area as a legit adventure for peeps coming from Manila... The last time we went on an adventure was when we went to Cebu and Bohol in 2005, and the rest of my trips have been international. 

The moment we got to Laoag, the first place we were brought to was La Preciosa restaurant. Founded by Madame Preciosa and now managed by her family, mainly her daughter Pammy, it's by far what people claim is the best place to go for Ilocos food. We were brought to several other places in Ilocos to eat, and I think I can agree that as far as Iloko food go, this is the place to hang out in. 

Since this is our first Iloko meal, we decided to pig out and order lots of oily foods we normally wouldn't order in one sitting. 

Yabu Time (December 19, 2014)

It's true what they say that it's the outing that isn't planned that gets pushed through. I actually wasn't planning on going to Yabu, until my friends Earl and Jean (who hitched a ride with me from some other stuff we did) thought the best way to unwind would probably be to go to Yabu. 

I haven't been to Yabu many times as my mother hates the place. If we're going out as a family, Yabu is automatically crossed out of the list. Well, she doesn't really have this hatred toward the place to the point that she wants to nuke it or something, more of she's just not into fried food and a restaurant that banks on how well it fries its pork just doesn't appeal to her. This is why I always associate Yabu with friends, as it's usually when I eat out with friends that Yabu pops up as an option, and more often than not it pops up as the primary choice for dining. 

I also always associate Yabu with its cute manga, which varies per branch. The SM North branch talks about its Menchi Katsu, and if I'm not mistaken, Robinsons Magnolia talks about their fried oyster. I wish I could find the branch that has their Berkshire pigs in the manga. 

And I honestly wished I brought my SLR along because phone photos just do not give justice to how good the food is. (well how was I supposed to know we all came from doing serious stuff and in the first place we weren't even supposed to go to SM). 

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka (December 23, 2014)

I blame my lack of ramen-house savvy to the sheer amount of work I need to do. If I'm not doing schoolwork, I'm busy beauty blogging. If not both, I'm busy cleaning up a mess in the house or busy making stuff for my clay art business or beading. I really like going out and all, but with the kind of schedule I have, I can't afford to live like the people who go out weekly and eat out almost daily. 

So this is why in all the years, months, or whatever time frame Hokkaido Ramen Santouka has been open in TriNoma, I have never gotten to eat at the place yet. 

We spent a good time looking at the set menu and all, but we decided that we'd prolly be better off with the lunch special as these set menus have too much stuff that if we ordered two sets it'd be waaaaayyy too much food for three people. 

Tampay sa Sinagtala, Orani, Bataan

To those who are looking for a bed and breakfast that gives free flowing Starbucks brewed coffee, this is it.

Well, the statement above is true, but at least I got your attention now. My godmother really does provide free flowing Starbucks brand brewed coffee to parties who'll book for 10 or more people in her bed and breakfast. 

Welcome to Tampay sa Sinagtala. This is one of the six bed and breakfast houses in Sinagtala resort in Orani, Bataan. This house in specific can accommodate up to thirty people, has cable TV, and has five bedrooms available for bookings. 

The name Tampay comes from the Tagalog word for serenity. And given how peaceful and quiet it is here, the name is a fitting name.