December 2018 – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

BENCH Skin Expert launches Ultherapy

Did you know that sound can be used for beauty enhancement?

Curious yet?

Well, you can check it out at your nearest BENCH Skin Expert branch where Ultherapy, the newest addition to the modern Filipina’s arsenal in the fight against skin aging, is now available.

Together with fellow beauty and lifestyle bloggers, I was invited to attend the launch of Ultherapy held at Glorietta branch of BENCH Skin Expert. The event was graced by the clinic’s celebrity endorsers which include Ashley Sandrine-Yap (daughter of actor Richard Yap) and 80’s star Yayo Aguila.

Ultherapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses focused ultrasound. It is the only non-invasive procedure cleared by the US FDA to lift skin on the neck, under the chin and above the eyebrow, as well as improve lines and wrinkles on the decollete. The system basically helps users achieve a fresher and more youthful look with which to face the world with confidence.

Ultherapy targets the same foundational layer as cosmetic surgeons, but instead of cutting or disrupting the skin’s surface, it sends focused ultrasound energy that creates micro-wounds. This action initiates the body’s natural response to spur the growth of fresh, new collagen while strengthening weak collagen.

While other trending non-invasive procedures such as lasers and radio frequency penetrate only up to the skin’s most superficial layer, Ultherapy actually bypasses the skin’s surface and delivers ultrasound energy at the optimal depth, temperature and precision. In fact, the dermatologist administering the procedure can actually use ultrasound imaging to visualize the skin tissue during treatment.

If you’re worried that after Ultherapy, you will be out of commission for a long time, fret not. It is actually considered a lunch-break procedure. Depending on the area being treated and your individual treatment plan, Ultherapy usually takes 60 to 90 minutes for a face and neck procedure and around 30 minutes for a chest treatment.

After the procedure, you can go about your usual activities without having to follow stringent post-operation measures.

And while you will be able to detect some initial effects immediately after the procedure, the full effects will be apparent after two to three months. That is when tired collagen is replaced by the growth of new collagen. You will then be able to enjoy the resulting youthful, lifted and tightened appearance for a year.

So if you’re interested in getting this treatment, head on to your nearest BENCH Skin Expert branch.

Through its partnership with Merz Aesthetics, BENCH Skin Expert makes Ultherapy available to its patrons, adding to its suite of skin care and beautifying services.

This BENCH Skin Expert branch is located at 2nd Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati (beside Ascott, The Residences). For inquiries or to book your treatments, call +63 2 6250012.

Other branches are located at:

3rd Floor, Ayala Trinoma Mall, EDSA corner North Avenue, Quezon City (Tel: +63 2 7304009)

5th Floor, SM Mega Mall Building B, EDSA corner Julia Vargas Avenue, Mandaluyong City (Tel: +63 2 6545015)

Third season of True Detective to premiere Jan 14 on HBO and HBO Go

Starring Oscar® winner Mahershala Ali and created by Emmy® nominee Nic Pizzolatto, TRUE DETECTIVE returns for its eight-episode third season with two episodes debuting back-to-back on Monday, 14 January at 10am, with a same day encore at 10pm, exclusively on HBO GO and HBO, followed by single episodes subsequent Mondays at the same time.

https://youtu.be/0-VVQVixxtU

1980: Will and Julie Purcell, the children of feuding parents Tom and Lucy Purcell, go missing a week after Halloween in West Finger, Ark.

2015: Retired detective Wayne Hays, who originally investigated the crime, is asked to look back on the twists of the unsolved case with a true-crime documentary producer.

Playing out in three separate time periods, the third season tells the story of a macabre crime in the heart of the Ozarks, and a mystery that deepens over decades. Mahershala Ali (Oscar^® winner for “Moonlight”) stars as state police detective Wayne Hays, with Stephen Dorff (“Somewhere”) starring as Roland West, the detective who investigated the case with Hays, and Carmen Ejogo (“Selma”) starring as schoolteacher and writer Amelia Reardon.

In 2015, retired detective Wayne Hays, his memory failing, looks back at the disappearance of 12-year-old Will and ten-year-old Julie Purcell, recalling the days and weeks immediately following the 1980 crime, as well as developments in 1990, when he and his former partner, Roland West, were subpoenaed after a major break in the case.

Filmed at locations throughout northwest Arkansas, the new season of TRUE DETECTIVE was written by series creator Nic Pizzolatto, except for the fourth episode, which he wrote with David Milch (HBO’s “Deadwood”), and the sixth episode, which he wrote with Graham Gordy (CINEMAX’s “Quarry”). Pizzolatto is also making his directorial debut with two episodes; other directors are Jeremy Saulnier (“Hold the Dark”) and Daniel Sackheim (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”).

Episodes include:

Episode #17 (season 3, episode 1): “The Great War and Modern Memory”

Premiere: Monday, 14 January at 10am

The disappearance of a young Arkansas boy (Phoenix Elkin) and his sister (Lena McCarthy) in 1980 triggers vivid memories and enduring questions for retired detective Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali), who worked the case 35 years before with partner Roland West (Stephen Dorff). What started as a routine case becomes a long journey to dissect and make sense of the crime. Written by Nic Pizzolatto; directed by Jeremy Saulnier.

Episode #18 (season 3, episode 2): “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”

Premiere: Monday, 14 January at 11am

Hays (Mahershala Ali) looks back at the aftermath of the 1980 Purcell case in West Finger, Ark., including possible evidence left behind at the Devil’s Den, an outdoor hangout for local kids. As attention focuses on two conspicuous suspects – Brett Woodard (Michael Greyeyes), a solitary vet and trash collector, and Ted LaGrange (Shawn-Caulin Young), an ex-con with a penchant for children – the parents of the missing kids, Tom (Scoot McNairy) and Lucy Purcell (Mamie Gummer), receive a cryptic note from an anonymous source. Written by Nic Pizzolatto; directed by Jeremy Saulnier.

Episode #19 (season 3, episode 3): “The Big Never”

Premiere: Monday, 21 January at 10am

Hays (Mahershala Ali) recalls his early romance with Amelia (Carmen Ejogo), as well as cracks in their relationship that surfaced after they married and had children. Ten years after the Purcell crimes, new evidence emerges, giving him a second chance to vindicate himself and the investigation. Written by Nic Pizzolatto; directed by Daniel Sackheim.

Episode #20 (season 3, episode 4): “The Hour and the Day”

Premiere Monday, 28 January at 10am

Hays (Mahershala Ali) and West (Stephen Dorff) see a possible connection between the local church and the Purcell crimes. As the detectives search for one suspect and round up another for interrogation, Woodard (Michael Greyeyes) is targeted by a vigilante group. Written by David Milch & Nic Pizzolatto; directed by Nic Pizzolatto.

TRUE DETECTIVE was created by Nic Pizzolatto; executive producers, Nic Pizzolatto, Scott Stephens, Daniel Sackheim, Jeremy Saulnier, Steve Golin, Richard Brown, Bard Dorros; producer, Peter Feldman.

HBO is available on SKYcable Ch. 54 SD/Ch. 168 HD (For Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Lipa-Batangas) or on Ch. 402 SD/710 HD (For Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo). SKYdirect subscribers can watch it on Ch. 22 HD. HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming on HBO GO which is exclusively available to SKY subscribers. To subscribe, call 418-0000 or your local SKY office or visit www.mysky.com.ph.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

Series details and image provided by HBO in a recent press release.

Check out my posts on HBO shows:

Delicious Holiday Food Finds at Ilustrado

Make your holiday gatherings and gift giving more special with unique and delicious finds from Ilustrado Restaurant.

Ilustrado’s Holiday Tienda offers something for everyone. The cheese lover will surely love homemade cheese wheels in Boursin, Pimiento (a sure kids’ favourite!), Spicy Cheese – Edam with garlic and spices, varieties. You cannot go wrong with bottled Atsara, Bagoong, Moringga Pesto, Gourmet Tuyo and Chimichurri.

Tea Cookies come in boxes of 12 cookies in flavors of Double Chocolate, Coconut, Matcha Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Snickerdoodles. Brownies come in boxes of 4 bars with Cashew, S’mores, Salted Caramel, Pretzel and Cream Cheese flavors. Ready to serve for a party are Cake Squares in a box with these delectable selections – Baked Cheesecake, Chocolate Fudge and Sans Rival. Cheese Pimiento Wreath and Quezo de Bola Ensaimada Tree are both unique, festive and appetizing.

A new addition to their lineup are fun Artisan Holiday Boxes dubbed “Christmas Morning” – a selection of cookies, brownies, loose leaf tea and tablea chocolate while “Holiday Cheer” is a Graze Box with Jamon Serrano, Chorizo, Stuffed Lychee with Roquefort and Pistachio, Chorizo Puffs, Spicy Cheeseball, Boursin Cheeseball, Chocolate Dipped Dried Mangoes, Crostini and Pretzels, Mandarin Oranges, Marinated Tomatoes and Olives. These are the perfect hostess gifts to bring to a party or as gifts in themselves to those you hold dear.

To spruce up your Noche Buena table, choose from a long list of mouthwatering selections: the stellar Twice Cooked Angus Beef Short Plate is a must order along with Adobong Bagnet with Taba ng Talangka, Callos Madrilena, Kalderetang Kambing, Lengua con Setas, Hamon de Hacienda, Stuffed Chicken Ilustrado (ala Relleno), Pineapple Glazed Leg of Ham and U.S. Prime Rib.

Your meal will not be complete without Ilustrado’s Signature Paella. Choose from Paella Ilustrado (Meat and Seafood), Paella Marinara (All Seafood), Paella Negra (Squid Ink)or Paella Bacalao.

Those who like pasta and noodles can pick from Classic Carbonara, Espanyola (Spanish Sardines, sun-dried tomatoes in extra virgin olive oil) Filipino Spaghetti, Ilustrado (Shrimp, olive oil, Paprika) Machito (Tenderloin Bits and Mushroom) Palabok with Bagnet and Pata Pancit.

To know more offerings and other details visit Ilustrado at ‪744 General Luna Road‬, Intramuros, Manila (‪527-3674‬, ‪527-2345‬); Café Ilustrado, 4th Level SM Makati (‪818-6760‬) or Pasteleria Ilustrado, 2nd level, Alabang Town Center (‪0919-845-9503‬) or email caterings@ilustradorestaurant.com.ph or log on to www.facebook.com/ilustradorestaurant/.

Disclosure: Menu details and images provided by Ilustrado Restaurant in a recent press release.

Check out my previous post about Ilustrado Restaurant’s Degustation Menu here.

Holiday Froyo at Llaollao, Glorietta Mall

Frozen yoghurt lovers will have something to cheer about this Christmas: Llaollao’s Holiday Sanum Collection!

Recently, I was able to try one of the sanums in this collection: the Mango Brava (Php199). Cubes of succulent mango fruit and mango sauce interspersed with layers of black chocolate sauce, muesli lotus crunch and graham crunch balls, and Llaollao’s frozen yoghurt.

It was a decadent and delectable dessert snack that got me energized for the journey home from Makati amidst the holiday rush.

Other variants in the holiday sanum collection that I’m looking forward to trying are:

Toffeenut (Php199). Frozen yoghurt with muesli lascasitos, almond crunch, biscoff crunch, milk candy sauce and nocilla sauce.
Banoffee Pie (Php199). Frozen yoghurt with crushed oreo almond brittle, slices of banana, black chocolate sauce, milk candy and lotus biscuits.

Pronounced “yao yao,” Llaollao is a Spanish yoghurt brand recently introduced in the Philippines by Foodee Global Concepts. Dedicated to serving all-natural and healthy frozen yoghurt to froyo-hungry Pinoys, it offers several dessert and beverage options that incorporate this delectably creamy and tangy ingredient:

Petitllao (Php49). A cup of frozen yoghurt
Granillao (Php89 for small | Php109 for medium). Frozen yoghurt with orange, lemon or watermelon
Sensations (Php189). Frozen yoghurt with sauce and fresh fruit
Sanum (Php199). A combo of frozen yoghurt, three fresh fruit, two crunches and one sauce
Smoothies (Php179) and Smoothies with Frozen Yoghurt (Php199).

This Llaollao branch is located at the Ground Floor, Glorietta 2, Glorietta Complex, Makati City, open daily from 10am to 9pm. Other branches can be found at:

Ground Floor, Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City, open daily from 10am to 10pm
Upper Ground Floor, Building A, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10am to 10pm
Second Floor, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 11pm
Food Court, Second Floor, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, open daily from 11am to 10pm
Level 2, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 9pm

Check out my reviews of other frozen dessert shops:

SKYlife treats families to a Play Day at Kidzania

SKY’S LOYAL SUBSCRIBERS HAVE A FAMILY BONDING DAY

SKY gave its loyal subscribers a chance to bond with their families through an enjoyable evening of fun at the SKYlife Kids Play Day held at Kidzania Manila last Tuesday, December 18.

The Kids Play Day aimed to nourish children’s passions and help them develop life skills while inspiring them to become the best versions of themselves, and having fun with their families.

Kidzania is an educational family entertainment facility which is a replica of a real city scaled down to kids’ size—with its own history, culture, language, and currency—and teaches kids the value of having jobs in the real world and giving back to the community.

Kids got to experience the park’s activities that offer realistic role-play in various set ups that include a wall for climbing, a construction site, a burger restaurant, a fire department, a courier service, an acting academy, and a vet clinic.

This SKYlife Kids Play Day is just one of the many perks enjoyed by loyal SKY subscribers. They can take advantage of more exclusive benefits and gifts through the Kapamilya Thank You Program. Until January 31, 2019, registering their SKY account to thankyou.abs-cbn.com will afford them with bonus rewards points that they can redeem to get free access to cable TV shows and more! More details on this are available at mysky.com.ph/thankyou.

Families also got the chance to check out the new SKY On Demand Box at the Parent’s Lounge which showed how families can continue their bonding experiences at home. SKY’s new set-top box greatly enhances the subscribers’ viewing experience: SKYcable TV shows as well as video streaming from Netflix, YouTube, ABS-CBN’s video streaming service iWant and SKY’s very own online streaming service for subscribers, SKY On Demand – all from the same box.

SKY Cable Corporation is the first to introduce cable television to Filipinos in 1990. Since then, it has been a frontrunner in technology and cable TV content by being the first to design a highly customized viewing experience among subscribers, and offering the most number of HD channels.

For more information on the new SKY On Demand Box, call your local SKY office or visit mysky.com.ph/sodbox.

Event details provided by SKY in a recent press release.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content and perks it provides to its subscribers like this SKYlife Kids Play Day. I consider being able to share about SKY experiences like this with like-minded people one of the biggest perks of my job.

Theo & Philo brings new flavors to local chocolates

Filipinos have long had a love affair with chocolates. Those richly dark treats were first brought to this country over four centuries ago by Spanish colonizers who introduced the growing of cacao to the locals. Today, the Philippine cocoa industry has grown to become the primary producer of cocoa beans in Southeast Asia and has brought about innovative local chocolate brands.

One such brand is Theo & Philo. Curious about the name? “Theo” is short for “theobroma cacao,” the scientific name for chocolate, while “Philo” comes from the Greek word for “love.” Theo & Philo therefore means “chocolate and love.”

With products made from natural ingredients sourced from around the Philippines, Theo & Philo built its advocacy for organic and fair trade practices that support scholarships and farming communities. It has also pioneered in the production of new chocolate flavors that feature tastes that are embedded in Filipino culinary traditions and pop culture.

Its bold-flavored chocolates have garnered international awards and recognition, most recently at the International Chocolate Awards – 2018 Asia Pacific Competition.

During the recent Crafts for a Cause exhibit at SM Mega Fashion Hall, I was able to buy some bars which include:

70% Dark Chocolate (Php119.75). With its use of high quality cacao for rich depth with notes of earthiness and cherries. Its great for a no-nonsense chocolate experience.

Net Weight: 45 grams

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Sugar, Cocoa Butter

60% Dark Chocolate with Ginger and Mint (Php119.75). With this combination of rich dark chocolate, warm ginger and refreshing mint, you can enjoy a sweet treat with a bit of a surprising feel in your mouth.

Net Weight: 45 grams

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Sugar, Ginger, Cocoa Butter, Peppermint Oil

Milk Chocolate Adobo (Php119.75). This novelty bar is among the three flavors that won Theo & Philo the Bronze award in the International Chocolate Awards – 2018 Asia Pacific Competition. With a unique flavor from the soy sauce toffee and black pepper adobo infusion, this milk chocolate will let you see two Filipino favorites – adobo and chocolates – in a whole new light.

Net Weight: 45 grams

Ingredients: Sugar, Cacao Beans, Cocoa Butter, Milk Powder, Butter, Soy Sauce, Black Pepper

Theo & Philo and its penchant for fearless chocolate flavors will make for great post-meal indulgences, dessert adventures or memorable novelty gifts.

Theo & Philo chocolates are available in the following retailers:

Human Nature: Alabang, Makati, Manila, Marikina, Pasig and its flagship store in Quezon City
Gourdo’s: Alabang, SM Megamall, Trinoma Mall and Greenhills
Echo Store: Makati, The Podium, Eton Centris
SM Kultura: SM Makati, SM Megamall, Mall of Asia, SM Aura

and more. For more details, visit the Theo & Philo website.

Chef Jessie’s Place in Makati soon to open

Chef Jessie Sincioco, Hotel Intercontinental Manila’s very first Filipina pastry chef and recipient of multiple international awards and recognitions in her field, never dreamed of having her own building.

The renowned restaurateur behind culinary brands such as Top of the Citi by Chef Jessie and Chef Jessie Rockwell Club, now has another feather in her cap (or toque blanche, to be consistent with her profession): a newly constructed building set within one of the Makati suburbs surrounding the Central Business District.

The structure is designed to house, not just Chef Jessie’s corporate offices, but various dining choices that showcase the chef’s culinary creations as well.

At the ground floor, which will house a bakeshop and a coffee shop, diners can relax and unwind with their favorite brew and Chef Jessie’s signature pastries.

The mezzanine will be the home of a restaurant that features intercontinal fare, while the third floor will be made available for rentals and events as a function hall that can cater to small groups or large gatherings (or the oft-maligned tita conferences :-)).

The upper floors will house the corporate offices of JCS Gastronomie, Inc., the company that manages her culinary establishments.

Given Chef Jessie’s religious bent, a small but beautiful chapel which will hold masses every Friday is also given pride of place in the building.

Anticipating that ample parking space will be a major consideration for her diners, she acquired another lot near the building to serve as a parking lot.

The new building, Chef’s Jessie’s Place is something that the chef can consider all her own, a significant portion of her solo ventures. She credits the acquisition and construction of the building to a special blessing, along with the honor of being tasked to prepare all of His Holiness Pope Francis’ meals during his celebrated visit to the country in 2015. This same year was coincidentally the year when the lot on which the building was erected became available.

Chef Jessie has definitely come a long way. From joining and winning the Great Maya Cookfest in 1983 with her now iconic mango cake recipe, to getting hired immediately after the competition by a top honcho of Intercon, to launching Le Souffle with expat partners, to now being the name behind top restaurants, she has proven, time and again, her strength, culinary genius and her mettle.

And with all that’s in store with the highly anticipated grand opening of Chef Jessie’s Place, slated to be in early 2019, we can look forward to more exciting things from Chef Jessie.

Chef Jessie’s Place is located at the corner of Pililia and Obrero Streets in Tanay, Makati City.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to an exclusive sneak peek of Chef Jessie’s Place prior to its official opening.

Flavorful and familiar dishes at Banapple, Tomas Morato

Eating out with coworkers who are not among your usual lunch companions presents quite a quandary: trying to find a restaurant that will appeal to the varied tastes and preferences of such a diverse group.

We solved this dilemma by going to the nearby branch of Banapple and took advantage of its various home-cooked style comfort food such as:

Soup of the Day (Php105). A freshly made, hearty and creamy mushroom soup to fill the tummy and warm the soul.

Sirloin Garlic Beef Tapa (Php280). Tender beef slices marinated in a sweet yet garlicky marinade and served with seasoned garlic rice and creamed parsley eggs.

Breaded Fillet of Cream Dory with Honey Thyme Mustard Sauce (Php255). Crispy herb-crusted fresh fish fillets drizzled with warm honey thyme mustard sauce and served with butter carrots and served with seasoned garlic rice.

Bacon Fried Chicken Steaks with Milk’Shroom Gravy (Php275). Creamy milk and mushroom gravy smother crispy chicken fillets and topped with bacon bits and served with corn relish and seasons garlic rice.

Pan-fried Pork Loin with Herb Mushroom Gravy (Php265). Tender pork slices and are seasoned with herbs, pan-fried, smothered with a thick herb and mushroom gravy and served with glazed butter carrots and seasoned garlic rice.

At over Php250 per order, these rice meals are not cheap. While quite flavorful and familiar, the dishes have a tendency to provoke a feeling of “umay,” there being so much of a particular taste that you just grow tired of it.

Still, these are not too shabby for a resto that started as a small operation, baking pies and cakes for family, friends and referred food establishments.

Also, as I’ve mentioned several times before, Banapple’s claim to fame, for me, would always be its desserts. The Banoffee Pie (Php135 per slice, Php965 for whole), in particular, is a delightful confection. I brought a whole cake home recently for my dad’s birthday. The graham cracker crust is well-formed and compact. The caramel filling is rich and decadent while the bananas inside are sweet but still has a firm texture. The cream topping is whipped stiff and in shape, allowing it to hold thick dark chocolate shavings.

This Banapple branch is located at the Second Floor, Il Terrazzo, Tomas Morato Corner Scout Madrinan Street, South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 9am to 11.30pm. Other branches can be found at:

SM City North EDSA, Quezon City
Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City
Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Balintawak, Quezon City
Blue Ridge, Quezon City
Robinsons Galleria, Quezon City
Ayala Malls Feliz, Dela Paz, Pasig City
Tutuban Center Malls, Tondo, Manila
Ayala Malls Marikina, Marikina Heights, Marikina City
Ayala Triangle Gardens, Salcedo Village, Makati
Market! Market! Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Ayala Fairview Terraces, Novaliches, Quezon City
Tuscany, McKinley Hill, Taguig
President’s Grove, BF Homes, Paranaque
Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa

Plus, you’ll be happy to know that when you dine in at Banapple with a friend, you can get a free dish via Zomato Gold. Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 deals on food or 2+2 deals on drinks for dine-in guests. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here as soon as slots open. (They tend to get snatched up pretty quickly so be sure to sign up as soon as slots become available.) Use my code JELLYB to get 20% off the membership fee.

We wanted it quick and cheap at Ersao, Tomas Morato

Sometimes, our food choices are determined by the limitations to our time and funds. One such instance drove me and a friend to have lunch at the nearby branch of Ersao.

Ersao is a Taiwanese restaurant offering affordably priced snacks and side dishes, rice toppings and hot noodle dishes. As we have meetings before and after our lunch break, a friend and I opted to get a quick and affordable meal at Ersao at M Place which is within walking distance from our office building.

The store occupies a small space with seating good for up to twenty people. Even though it was lunchtime, the place was still quite deserted and we were able to order and get a seat with minimum fuss.

My friend opted for the Taiwan Style Rice Porridge (Php180), basically a rice congee with meat bits and aromatics. Served hot, it can be quite comforting to the soul while filling to the tummy. She supplemented her meal with an order of Gyoza (Php110) for some added protein.

Given the relatively low price of the offerings in this resto, I decided to splurge a bit and got myself a Pork Steak (Php170) and a Pearl Milk Tea (Php99).

The meal sated our hunger but left me wanting in terms of taste. The pork steak, in particular, was too liberally seasoned, giving a sense of umay such that I wasn’t able to finish my meal.

Well, we wanted our lunch quick and cheap, and that’s what we got. Too bad we didn’t include flavor in our criteria.

Check out my reviews of other Taiwanese food restos:

HBO receives 9 Golden Globe nominations

HBO received 9 Golden Globe nominations for the upcoming 76th annual Golden Globe Awards, which were announced today in Los Angeles. The Golden Globe Awards will be presented on 6 January in Los Angeles.

HBO’s Golden Globe nominations this year include:

3 nominations for BARRY

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (Bill Hader)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Henry Winkler)

Synopsis: A hit man from the Midwest moves to Los Angeles and gets caught up in the city’s theatre arts scene.

BARRY is now streaming on HBO GO.

3 nominations for SHARP OBJECTS

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Amy Adams)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Patricia Clarkson)

Synopsis: A reporter confronts the psychological demons from her past when she returns to her hometown to cover a violent murder.

SHARP OBJECTS is now streaming on HBO GO.

1 nomination for SUCCESSION

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Kieran Culkin)

Synopsis: Succession follows a dysfunctional American global-media family.

SUCCESSION is now streaming on HBO GO.

1 nomination for THE TALE

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Laura Dern).

Synopsis: A woman filming a documentary on childhood rape victims starts to question the nature of her childhood relationship with her riding instructor and running coach.

THE TALE is now streaming on HBO GO.

1 nomination for WESTWORLD

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Thandie Newton).

Synopsis: Set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, explore a world in which every human appetite can be indulged without consequence.

Both seasons of WESTWORLD are now streaming on HBO GO.

Series and movie details provided by HBO in a recent press release.

Check out my posts on HBO shows: