January 2019 – Jellybeans in the City

Tea 101 at Starbucks, SM East Ortigas

Starbucks has long been synonymous with great coffee, but did you know that it has a great selection of teas as well?

Last weekend, together with fellow bloggers Jen of Sand Under My Feet and Francis G, as well as other tea lovers in the east of Manila area, I attended the Teavana TEA-volution Tea Tasting Seminar, a Tea 101 if you will, held at the Starbucks branch in SM East Ortigas. Our Starbucks Tea Master Jonas Velgado took us on guided tour through the history of teas, the tea-growing regions of the world and three flights of tea tasting.

Tea culture started in China in 2737 BC. Legend has it that Emperor Shen Nung, exhausted after walking in the countryside, decided to rest himself under a tree and boil himself some water to drink. A gust of wind shook some leaves from the tree (said to be a wild tea plant) into the boiling water, giving the liquid a goldish color and a pleasant taste which the emperor liked. Thus, began the pleasures of tea drinking which spread throughout the world.

There is a wide variety of teas, each with its own flavor and characteristics, influenced by the region in which they are grown. China, for example, produces black, oolong and white tea. Japan, on the other hand, is known for matcha and green tea. India, also made a name for itself for black tea.

The processing of tea leaves which come from the same plant called Camellia Sinensis is what determines the teas’ strength of flavor and the leaves’ exposure to the elements – or oxidation – determines their classification into white, green, oolong or black tea.

White tea is the lightest and most delicate variety, made of the youngest and freshet leaves which are simply plucked and dried with no time for oxydation. White tea is usually characterized by its fragrant and sweet notes.

Leaves heated before being rolled and dried result to green tea. While there is little oxidation, the added processing brings out more natural flavors and lightly toasted notes.

Bruising or tearing the leaves add partial oxidation into the processing, resulting to a fuller body and richer color. Thus, oolong tea, commonly served in Chinese restaurants, is characterized by a floral aroma and a smooth finish.

Lastly, rolling and giving the tea leaves plenty of time to oxidize before being fired, give the black tea, more popular in Western countries, a bold, complex and strong flavor.

After the brief history and geography lesson, we were treated to three sets of tea tastings, from the base teas to exciting beverage innovations, all available at Starbucks outlets.

First Flight: Full- Leaf Brewed Teas

Starbucks’ Teavana line boasts of the youngest and freshest whole tea leaves grown from the most fertile regions. These are available in sachets in Starbucks stores so that tea lovers have the option to enjoy them in-store or wherever they are. Steeping time is usually at five minutes using eight fluid ounces of boiling water, but, of course, tea drinkers are welcome to experiment what works best for their taste. Enjoy these hot or ice-shaken.

English Breakfast. This robust handcrafted blend of Assam, Sri Lankan Ceylon and Chinese black tea. This will taste great with or without sugar and milk (but I would prefer it with sugar and milk!)

Chamomile. This caffeine-free herbal infusion uses chamomile sourced from Croatia, giving the blend soft and soothing floral tones.

Emperor’s Clouds and Mist. Both leaves and buds of the tea plant grown amd harvested from Chine’s Huangshan Mountain 3,500 feet above sea level are used to create this rich-bodied and sweet-flavored green tea.

Second Flight: Tea Lattes

Tea proves to be a very versatile beverage. Case in point: adding steamed milk to a strong-flavored tea gives you a frothy tea latte. Enjoy these in hot or iced formats.

Chai Tea Latte. Black tea is infused with cinnamon, clove and other warming spices, then combined with steamed milk, and topped with foam, resulting to a creamy balance of sweet and spicy.

Green Tea Latte. Matcha is lightly sweetened and served with milk, giving you a milky yet herby aroma in a thick, yet smooth and creamy deep-green blend.

English Breakfast Tea Latte. Steamed milk is added to English Breakfast black tea, lightly sweetened with cane sugar, resulting to a light mouthfeel but rich taste.

Third Flight: Featured Tea Lattes

From time to time, Starbucks introduces limited-edition beverages, fresh takes on their classic tea drinks, to match the season and infuse their beverages with the unexpected. These are also available hot or iced.

Oat Green Tea Latte. Green tea and oats are blended then topped with colorful granola, making a cheery and festive drink.

Peach Black Tea Latte. Subtle fruitiness characterize this blend of peach flavors and earthy black tea, my favorite among the drinks.

Chestnut Black Tea Latte. Finely ground black tea blended with steamed milk and chestnut sauce is lightly sprinkled with chestnut and strawberry bites, resulting to a creamy textured drink with a slightly dry nutty aftertaste.

Starbucks’ TEA-volution Tea-tasting Seminar is one of Starbucks’ laudable initiatives in expanding the Filipino palate. I can hardly wait to discover what other beverage innovations Starbucks has up its sleeve.

Kudos and thanks to Jonas and the Starbucks SM East Ortigas crew for their warm welcome and kind accommodation during this delightfully educational event! The seminar was well-organized and facilitated, with Starbucks SM East Ortigas store serving as a comfortable venue for the attendees.

Disclosure: The TEA-volution Tea-tasting Seminar held in this Starbucks branch is a free event open to the public that simply requires pre-registration. The beverages mentioned here were served to enable us to sample the brews and were not paid for by attendees, including myself.

Check out my other recent post about Starbucks: 10-day Journey to the Starbucks 2019 Planner.

Modern takes on classic Pinoy dishes at Lobo Filipino Tavern, Poblacion

Makati’s Poblacion area is definitely getting a resurgence as the place to be, especially for gustatory adventures. This quiet residential area (previously known for its red light district) is becoming the home for unique concept restaurants and bars, giving diners worthwhile alternatives to fastfood and chain restos.

One such establishment is Lobo Filipino Tavern. Conceptualized by owner Kian Kazemi as a showcase for both Filipino cuisine and culture, Lobo (a Tagalog word for “wolf”) takes its name from the Pinoy’s penchant for being family-oriented, similar to the wolf’s loyalty to its pack. It was inspired by a line from the poem featured in Rudyard Kipling’s novel The Jungle Book: “For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.”

Lobo’s interiors features a classic Filipino aesthetic mixed in with modern influences. Heavy wooden doors, chairs and tables, and Pinoy tsotchkes are set against a backdrop of colorful murals that pay tribute to the bar’s namesake and to Filipino artistry.

Together with fellow bloggers, I was invited to check this place out and sample its signature offerings that put a fresh twist to Filipino dishes but still call back to the traditions that spawned these delicacies.

Pork Sisig Nachos (Php375). Your favorite crisp corn nachos drizzled with oodles of cheese and topped with flavorful pork sisig.

Crab Fat Kani Pasta (Php295). Strands of angel hair pasta coated with rich and flavorful aligue (crab fat) accented by kani sticks.

Sinuglaw (Php265). One of the Pinoy takes on the ceviche – fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices – which uses coconut vinegar, calamansi, mangoes, ginger, onions and coconut milk and topped with grilled pork belly.

Tofu Sisig (Php150). Served sizzling with sliced mushrooms, bits of chilis and minced onions, this is a sure-fire tasty way to enjoy tofu.

Inihaw na Liempo (Php150). The Pinoy-style charcoal grilled pork belly – slightly sweet, very juicy and definitely smokey!

Lobo’s Lamb Adobo (Php275). Tender cubes of Australian lamb stewed Pinoy adobo style and served with popped garlic bulbs and extra virgin olive oil.

Godfather’s Lengua (Php265). Melt-in-your mouth slices of ox tongue served on a sizzling plate with a rich buttery gravy.

Garlic Rice (Php45 single | Php150). By themselves, the main dishes lamb adobo and lengua were already very tasty but partnered with garlic rice, they were winners!

We savored this delightful repast in the restaurant’s al fresco area, where we also enjoyed the calm breezes of late January.

The restaurant’s take on Pinoy dishes is an appetizing adventure and I would love to come back here for a family dinner or some late-night drinks with friends to enjoy more of its offerings.

Lobo Filipino Tavern is located at 4898 Durban corner Polaris, Poblacion, Makati City, open daily from 5pm to 3am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 5040788 or +63 2 8059380.

Many thanks to Kian Kazemi and the Lobo staff for having us and to Hungry Travel Duo for extending the invite!

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

5 reasons why Novotel is your family’s staycation destination

Now that the holiday rush is over, I felt that the family deserves a treat. That’s why we hied off to Novotel Manila Araneta Center for our first family staycation.

This hotel is the first Novotel in the country. Situated in the hectic commercial district of Cubao, it provides a haven where the metro’s denizens and visitors alike can enjoy great food and outstanding accommodations.

There is a quite a number of hotels in the city but let me give you five reasons why Novotel is your family’s staycation destination.

One: Luxurious comfort in simple yet elegant surroundings

Upon entering Novotel’s well-appointed lobby, we were enveloped by a sense of welcome: from the clean lines and soft lighting of the interiors, soft music playing in the background, the hassle-free check-in process and the friendly assistance from the hotel staff – especially towards my inquisitive little boy – we were impressed by the feeling of warm hospitality and comfort.

We opted for a Superior Twin Bed Room, perfect for our family of four. It is tastefully designed to have a modern yet homey feel with earth colors accented by cool blues and greens. The beds have nice firm matresses covered in cool and smooth white linen sheets that made me want to snuggle in under the covers with my kiddies while watching movies on the big-screen TV. The couch by the window is also the perfect place to catch up on my reading.

A spacious closet is on hand to store clothes and other personal belongings with a mini-fridge built-in with complimentary bottles of drinking water for the guests’ convenience.

If you forgot to bring your personal items, don’t fret because Novotel supplies guests with eco-friendly toiletries in keeping with the hotel’s advocacy for global sustainable development.

Two: A wide variety of exercise and recreation options

As he is already a pre-teen, my little boy eschewed the the hotel’s Kids Club and headed straight for the pool. There, he was able to splash around to his heart’s content. (And I was able to teach him how to float!)

Hubby, on the other hand, preferred to continue his workouts at In Balance, the hotel gym the next day. Equipped with various exercise equipment, the gym is an excellent option to burn off those calories.

I joined him for a while and worked on achieving my 10k steps on the treadmill.

Afterwards, we each retreated to the male and female locker rooms to get a relaxing steam bath before rejoining the kiddos in the hotel room.

Three: A myriad of food choices within the hotel

When we hied ourselves over here, we brought our appetites with us; fortunately, Novotel has a great selection of restaurants to satisfy our cravings.

Take Food Exchange, for example. The site for sumptuous lunches and dinners became our first stop for breakfast after a restful night.

Food Exchange, Novotel Manila Araneta Center

It featured a wide sampling of breakfast and dessert dishes from various cuisines. I absolutely adored the kind of cheesebread served; I’ve only tasted this kind of fluffy, sweet and salty pastries when I went on a Pampanga Food Crawl with my fellow bloggers last year. It’s perfectly matched with a cup of rich hot choco.

My little boy was over the moon for getting his favorite food – pizzas! – for breakfast. The fact that he ate them immediately after downing a bowl of milk and cereal still astounds me.

Indulge, the hotel’s ice cream bar, was my kiddos’ request from Day 1. And why not? We made sure to treat ouselves to some decadent gelatos and premium ice creams before we left the hotel.

Alas, a nightcap at Sabor Bar de Vinos with Hubby would have to wait until our next visit. He would surely love its distinguished wine collection, while I would love to sink my teeth into its signature tapas.

Other foodie destinations within the hotel that I’d like to explore include the Gourmet Bar, a 24/7 lounge and and laid-back restaurant serving a gamut of dishes from breakfast treats, power lunches to midnight munchies, and The 6th Pool Bar, a relaxing venue where people can unwind beside the pool while enjoying the bar’s signature drinks and snacks.

Four: Proximity to various points of culture

This part of Quezon City is simply awash with things to see and places to go to.

You can catch concerts and theatrical plays at the Kia Performing Arts Theater, while a short distance away is the Art in Island Museum where visitors can take their pictures against wondrous 3D backdrops.

Within the immediate vicinity is Sining Kamalig, a contemporary Filipino art gallery within Ali Mall, which has become the home of works by the country’s finest artists.

A little further off are university-based galleries Arete in Ateneo de Manila University and and Vargas Museum in the University of the Philippines. Both have extensive collections of native and contemporary art.

Five: It’s loyalty program will make you feel welcome each time you stay.

By signing up as a member of Le Club AccorHotels, you will earn rewards points and status points for every stay at any of the 3,600 hotels in 100 countries where the AccorHotels group operates. Rewards and experiences that await you include premium packages reserved exclusively for members, frequent flyer points with major airlines and other partners, unforgettable experiences such as attendance to sports and cultural events in A VIP box.

As a new member, I was able enjoy online check-in and fast checkout, making the whole experience of our family staycation completely hassle-free.

My family and I had a great time with our staycation in Novotel, and we would definitely be back to enjoy more of its offerings.

Novotel Manila Araneta Center is located along General Aguinaldo Avenue, Araneta Center, Quezon City. For inquiries, call +63 2 9907888. For more details, visit novotelmanilaaranetacenter.com. You may also book your stay via Klook!

Room rates for 1-2 persons are:

Superior Room: Php6,641 (room only) | Php7,274 (bed and breakfast)
Deluxe Room: Php7,274 (room only) | Php7,906 (bed and breakfast)
Executive Room: Php9,804 (bed and breakfast)
Executive Suite: Php12,966 (bed and breakfast)
Presidential Suite: Php189,750 (bed and breakfast)
Additional person: Php1,265 (room only) | Php1,898 (bed and breakfast)

Disclosure: My family and I enjoyed a complimentary stay in a Superior Room, thanks to a voucher I received from the hotel.

What to expect at BLK 513, SM North EDSA

What can you expect when you find yourself at BLK 513? Coming from a recent visit with a friend at BLK 513’s SM North EDSA outlet, let me break it down for y’all!

One: Its unique dark colored frozen dark skim yogurt.

Made of Greek yogurt which is denser and creamier than regular yogurt, it is further enhanced by the inclusion of activated charcoal, one of the world’s oldest and most trusted detoxifying agent that promotes healthy digestion and anti-aging among others.

Two: The wide variety of crunchy ingredients that you can add to your froyo for added texture.

These include a gamut of cereals. cookie crumbs and cake bits so, wherever your taste lies in the crunch spectrum, there’s something that matches your preference. My favorite among these is the butter bars that serve as a wholesome yet decadent addition to my dessert.

Three: Fresh fruit bits that add more natural sweetness to your frozen treat.

Take your pick from chopped strawberries, cubed mangoes and peaches, sliced kiwi fruits and more. My favorites among these are peaches and mangoes which I think go really well with frozen yogurt.

Four: The array of premium dessert sauces that you can have drizzled into and on top of your froyo treat.

I still dream of the Valrhona Gold Milk that’s sadly still only available in BLK 513’s Glorietta branch. Choices available in this store include the herby Chocolate Chai Tea, the cookie butter goodness of Spice Cookie Caramel, Strawberry Cheesecake and the decadent Dark Valrhona Fudge. In this instance, I opted for the Faux Ferrero sauce; made with milk chocolate, hazelnut bits and cereal, it added even more interesting texture to my dessert.

Five: Instagrammable surrounding that serve as pretty backdrops for your froyo shots.

Despite occupying a small space in the mall, BLK 513 affords you many background or flatlay options for your foodie shots. Position your dessert against the faux green vines or the walls artfully decorated with sayings.

I love the feel of the froyo in my mouth as well as its not being overly sweet. With the crunchies, fruits and sauce added into the cup or cone, there is an interesting interplay of sweetness and tanginess as well as a mix of various textures.

BLK 513’s frozen Greek yogurt enhanced with activated charcoal offerings are available in two options:

Dark Skim Cup (Php189): froyo with your choice of one crunch, two fruits and one sauce.

Dark Skim Cone (Php150): froyo with your choice of one crunch and one sauce.

This BLK 513 branch is located at the Second Floor, Main Building, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City (open daily from 10am to 10pm)

Other branches are found at:

Second Floor, Glorietta 1, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City (open daily from 9am to 10pm)
Second Floor, Building A, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City (open daily from 10am to 10pm)
Level 2, S Maison, Conrad Manila, Seaside Boulevard Corner Coral Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City (open daily from 10am to 10pm)
Second Floor, Building A, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City (open daily from 10am to 10pm).
Bonifacio High Street, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City (open daily from 10.30am to 10.30pm)
Second Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City (open daily from 11am to 10pm)
Food Street, Upper Ground Floor, SM Southmall, Almanza, Las Piñas City (open daily from 10am to 9pm)
Ground Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City (open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 9pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 10pm)
Ground Level, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Balintawak, Quezon City (open daily 10am to 10pm)

Snackin’ with friends on the cheap at Snack Attack, SM North EDSA

If you and your gang ever experienced hunger pangs while hanging out at the mall, you know you all want to sate your hunger asap, no frills or fuss about.

Fortunately, if you happen to be strolling along SM North EDSA’s Sky Garden, relief for your hungry tummy is but a few heartbeats away.

Why? Because Snack Attack is there.

Snack Attack is a chain of stores offering quick bites – food that are fast to prepare and easy to consume. These include the classic snack faves such as nachos, fries, hotdogs and chicken nuggets, combined in all sorts of fun ways.

Thanks to Carlo of EatsCMT.food.blog who generously shared his GCs which allowed me to sample Snack Attack’s Bubble Tea Cheese Foam series (Php95 for medio | Php105 for grande), I was able to treat two of my friends to a fun snacking time at Snack Attack’s branch in SM North EDSA.

The first instance was when a friend and I enjoyed our Wintermelon and Hokkaido Bubble Teas as we munched on our Bacon, Mushroom and Cheese Snack-A-Bun (Php65) and chatted about our work concerns.

What made this snacking trip more notable was the fact that we designed a snack we can share. First, we chose our fries – Nacho Chips (Php59 for solo | Php99 for sharing), followed by our choice of dip – Cheese Sauce (Php15 for solo | Php25 for sharing), then capped by our choice of topping – Bacon Bits (Php20 for solo | Php30 for sharing). This way, we were able to design what we want to eat while we enjoyed our free cheesefoam bubble teas.

The next instance was when I took another friend there to get Classic and Taro Bubble Teas as part of our mini food crawl across SM North EDSA. (Note: the next stops were Hawker Chan and BLK 513.)

What I love about Snack Attack’s cheesefoam bubble teas is the interplay of the slightly salty and decadently rich cheesefoam with the sweet teas. The pearls were also of the right taste and consistency: not too sweet and just slightly chewy. While I found the Hokkaido and Wintermelon to sweet for my taste, the Taro Bubble Tea was just right for me.

Snack Attack is a quick and affordable option for snacking that I wouldn’t mind returning to. For me, its snack treats are best enjoyed while hanging out with friends.

How about you?

This Snack Attack branch is located at Second Floor, Sky Garden, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City.

Other branches are located at:

Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue Corner Pag-asa Street, Caniogan, Pasig City
Circuit Lane, Ayala Malls Circuit, Olympia, Makati City
Food Court, Mall B, SM City Bicutan, Don Bosco, Parañaque City
SM City Sucat, San Dionisio, Parañaque City
Second Floor, Robinsons Place Las Pinas, Talon Uno, Talon, Las Piñas City

5 reasons to check out Vatos Urban Tacos, BGC

In the mood for a gastronomic adventure? Look no further than Vatos Urban Tacos for good food, cool vibes and a great time. Here are five reasons why you should check this place out:

One: It’s a cool place to hang out in

Located at the ground floor of Net Park Building in BGC, Vatos’ store is characterized, not by the traditionally colorful Mexican decor, but by an industrial, almost steampunk aesthetic. Bare concrete walls tastefully adorned with black and white photos and exposed pipes, lamps hanging from the ceiling giving muted light, dark wood tables and an accent wall of broken bricks on top of the bar were elements inspired by the very first Vatos outlet in Korea. These give the place a cool urban vibe that make it a great stopover after work to eat, have a few drinks and relax.

And ladies, those inverted faucets under the tabletops serve as bag hooks!

Two: It’s your intro to #KorMex

Vatos (from the Mexican slang for “men” or “dudes”) was actually born out of the desire of three Korean-American friends – Sid Kim, Kenny Park and Juweon Jonatham Kim – to offer a new type of dining experience in the Asian market. Having grown up in areas of the US where they have access to authentic Mexican dishes, while being fed a steady diet of homemade Korean food by their moms, they came to mix and match the cuisines. These experimentations resulted to exciting new dishes, especially for adventurous seekers of spicy food. These include:

Kimchi Carnitas Fries (Php350). A hearty serving of seasoned French fries, braised pork carnitas, melted cheese and sauteed kimchi topped with chopped cilantro and onions, sour cream and Vatos signature hot sauce.

Honey Tequila Chicken Wings (Php490). Can something so good be hot and sweet at the same time? Apparently yes, with these meaty chicken wings coated with a sweet and spicy honey tequila sauce and served with deep-fried battered jalapenos and bleu cheese dipping sauce.

Vatos Cowboy Queso (Php390). For a rich savory taste of the Wild West, dip a crunchy had-cut corn tortilla into this molten dip of cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, black beans, pico de gallo and cilantro lime crema. You’ll surely be coming back for more.

The Fat Bastard Burrito Bowl (Php560). A filling bowl of Mexican rice and black beans combined with tender bits of carne asada steak, pork barbacoa and grilled fajita vegetables, with fresh Mexican flavors from cilantro onion, cilantro lime crema, fresh guacamole, chipotle salsa and Vatos hot sauce.

Grilled Chicken Fajita Platter (Php850). Grilled chicken thigh and fajita veggies served on a sizzling hot plate along with Mexican rice, pico de gallo, chimichurri, cilantro lime crema, Vatos hot sauce and warm flour tortillas.

Korean Pork Belly Taco (Php290 for 2 pieces | Php430 for 3 pieces | Php600 for platter). One of the resto’s much-vaunted urban taco options, this platter, this features pork belly marinated in Korean soy paste, ssamjang aioli, sliced fresh and pickled onions.

Chimichurri Chicken Taco (Php259 for 2 pieces | Php370 for 3 pieces | Php600 for platter). Spicy chicken flakes topped with a sweet and tangy chimichurri salsa, lettuce, sour cream and Mexican cheese.

Baja Fish Taco (Php280 for 2 pieces | Php410 for 3 pieces | Php600 for platter). White fish coated with tempura beer batter served with spicy chipotle mayo, pico de gallo and apple coleslaw.

Three: Why would you go through life without taking a sip of Vatos’ crazy margaritas?

Margeritas are tequila and citrus-based cocktails which serves as refreshing drinks and worthy foils to spicy Mexican dishes. Vatos’ ‘ritas have a nice variety that you can choose one that suits your craving or mood.

The sweetest among Vatos’ margarita offerings is the Sexy Sanchez (Php480), a fruity strawberry margarita served with an upended bottle of Magners Berry Cider.

Grow-a-Pear (Php480), on the other hand, is less sweet though no less fruity being made of passion fruit margarita accompanied by an upended bottle of Magners Pear Cider.

If the ‘ritas are not your cup of tea (more like alcohol of choice!), how about another shot of #KorMex fusion with the Makgeolitas (Php320)? Tequila meets Korean rice-based alcohol resulting to a sweet and tangy concoction that packs a wallop.

Four: There’s something for your sweet tooth too!

With all the fresh citrusy and rich earthy flavors, generously infused with a spicy kick stemming from Vatos’ Korean and Mexican roots, capping your meal with a decadent dessert can be quite an indulgence.

Take the Nutella Nachos (Php225), for example. Cinnamon powder and sugar dust crispy tortilla triangles drizzled with hazelnut Nutella sauce. Topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, each mouthful is an explosion of sweetness.

A new addition to Vatos’ menu, the Bacon Jalapeno Brownie (Php180) is an interesting study of contrasts. Sweetness from the chocolate and candied walnuts, savory from the crispy bacon bits, and spiciness from the jalapeno that was included in the mix for some reason. One bite and I just want to delve into its mysteries, unravel its complexities and discover what makes it tick. Long story short, yeah, I liked it. (Thank you, Captain Obvious!)

Five: It has special treats in store for you as it turns a year old this February.

When you visit Vatos as it celebrates its first anniversary, you’re definitely in for a treat!

Feel like crooning out your signature song while accompanied by an acoustic guitar? Make sure you’re at Vatos on February 1 (Fri), 7pm for its Open Mic Acoustic Night with Dindo and Ryan.

And for all you 80s and 90s kids out there who can’t get enough of the past decades’ great tunes, DJ Erwin Paz will be there on February 2 (Sat), 8pm to play the sounds you’ve been missing.

And, on those days, you will discover that your Php100 bill can get you very far: you can either get a huge glass of margarita, or a pair of scrumptious tacos.

Vatos is a welcome new foodie discovery in itself but with its imaginative fusion menu and anniversary activities, it can become a new favorite.

Vatos Urban Tacos is located at Net Park Building, 5th AvenuelBonifacio Global City, Taguig. For inquiries, call +63 2 4597009 or +63 967 2464781. More information on its dishes and drinks are available at www.vatosph.com.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held in this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Hidden gem of Italian Cuisine: Cucina di Francesco, Libis

When you think about food places in the Libis area, chances are this Italian restaurant hidden away from the busier sections of the metro has escaped your notice.

Cucina di Francesco got its name from the name Francesco Forgione, the name that Saint Pio of Petrelcina, more affectionately known to devotees as Padre Pio, was born with.

Incidentally, the restaurant is located in the same compound as St. Pio Chapel, so I would imagine families fresh from Sunday mass coming in for lunch.

In this instance, however, I took my fam here on the way to our weekend staycation.

From outside, the restaurant presents a comfortable, homey and welcoming facade.

Inside, the place is bright and cheery, with large windows letting in lots of natural light and large hand-painted murals giving the premises an eclectic vibe. There are more seats to dine in on the second floor, while the third floor is mainly used for events.

I booked our table the night before via Zomato. We were a few minutes late but I called the resto to apprise them of our arrival time so our table was waiting for us when we arrived.

My daughter #ExhibitA, who’s trying to eat healthy, requested for a salad so we ordered a Ceasar Salad (Php180). The focaccia croutons, fresh microgreens and rough-chopped walnuts delectably add to the taste and texture of this classic dish.

Our little boy #ExhibitB, on the other hand, is a well-known pizza monster. We got him a Tre Formaggi (Php350) whose lethal combination of bleu cheese, emmenthal and mozzarella on top of creamy bechamel got my baby reaching for slice after slice.

Hubby got himself a Pasta Puttanesca (Php195). The sauce made from olives, anchovids and capers in fresh tomato sauce makes this a tasty pasta dish. (Hubby liked it well enough but insists that his mom’s version tastes better.)

We split orders of Lasagna al Forno (Php260), a meaty baked lasagna with bechamel cheese sauce (which I found a bit dry) and Italian Beef Stew (Php485), a dish made of beef chunks, Italian sausage and vegetables braised in tomato wine sauce and served with parsley rice.

All in all, I wouldn’t mind another visit to Cucina di Francisco and checking out more of its Italian viands. The place certainly is charming and even has free WiFi! Plus, the wait staff are also friendly and accommodating.

It’s quite near my home and is easily accessible. Since it is a free-standing resto that shares a sizeable multi-level parking lot with the church, I wouldn’t have to stress myself in looking for a parking space as opposed to the likely scenario if I were to visit a mall-based eatery during mealtimes.

It also employs persons with disability, such as those in the autism spectrum. This is an advocacy near and dear to my heart, being a parent to a child with special needs myself.

For those who are artistically inclined, Cucina di Francesco also serves as a venue for art and crafts workshops on weekends in partnership with Maartsy such as Plush Keychain Making and Acrylic Flower Jewelry Making in January 26 and Mandala Coffee Painting and Doodle Art with Lettering on January 27. For inquiries, call +63 2 9175861785.

Cucina di Francisco is located at RER Compound (St. Pio Chapel), 188 E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City, open daily Tuesdays to Thursdays from 8am to 8pm and Fridays to Sundays from 8am to 9pm. For reservations, call +63 2 5349935 or book your table via Zomato like I did. 🙂

Here’s some trivia for you: Did you know that puttanesca translates to “in the style of a whore” in Italian? While some food pundits would attribute the name to seedier origins, some food historians date the sauce back to the 1950s when Sandro Penti of Rancio Fellona were requested by hungry late-night patrons to “Facci una puttanata qualisiasi” or “Throw together whatever.” Which was what the good Penti did with what he had at the time: tomatoes, olives and capers. The rest is history. More on that here.

Barkada Bundle of Filipino Food at Joliant, Tomas Morato

It’s the last work day of the week. By midday, my office friends and I are already looking for some respite… and maybe a little bit of comfort.

Thus, by lunchtime, we disappeared to one of the Filipino eateries along Tomas Morato; Joliant Restaurant.

I was initially attracted to the store’s very affordable pricing. (Imagine rice toppings served with iced tea for as low as Php69!)

However, by the time our group of five hungry coworkers entered the restaurant’s spacious and well-appointed premises, we found ourselves going for one of its Barkada Bundles. These are combinations of several classic Filipino dishes served with rice and iced tea enough for a group of five to eight people, packaged into affordable deals.

Also, since the dishes included in the bundle are already curated, we didn’t need to expend effort trying to figure out the combinations of tastes when we give our order.

Our group ordered the Barkada Bundle Meal D (Php1,299) which includes:

Kare Kare. A rich stew of tender oxtripe, green beans and eggplant in a peanut-thickened sauce and best enjoyed with white rice and bagoong (sauteed shrimp paste). While this version is pretty good, it does not compare to my mom’s kare kare. But then again, no other kare kare does either.

Lechon Kawali. Another favorite dish which consist of pre-seasoned and pre-boiled pork belly deep-dried to attain a golden brown color and crispy, crunchy skin. Together with the lechon sauce and a bit of white rice, it’s an explosion of flavor with every bite.

Buttered Chicken. Our group eschewed Joliant’s specialty Spicy Garlic Chicken in favor of this dish. Lightly battered and served with its own gravy, the chicken is tender, juicy and complemented the other inclusions of our meal bundle.

Sinigang na Salmon Belly. When we smelled the aroma of this down-home dish wafting towards us as it was being served, it was truly mouth-watering. I loved its steaming-hot, sour broth.

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Buko Pandan. A dessert made of pandan-flavored gelatin tossed with grated coconut in a sweet cream. A fitting end to our group’s Filipino meal.

Joliant does live up to its promise of serving delicious Filipino comfort food in big portions at affordable prices.

The service crew was also prompt to serve our orders and facilitate our requests.

Check it out if you’re in the area.

Joliant Restaurant is located af 227 Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Limbaga Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 1pm. For inquiries, call +63 2 8809812.

Other branches are located at:

155 Doña Soledad Avenue, Don Bosco, Parañaque City (Tel No: +63 2 8014427)
131-C Armstrong Avenue, Moonwalk, Parañaque City (Tel No: +63 2 8229443)
602 Boni Avenue, Plainview, Mandaluyong City (Tel No: +63 2 6370125)
39 Presidents Avenue, Corner Virginia Street, BF Homes, Parañaque City

Exotic Takes on Pizzas at Pizza Morena, The Podium

At the heart of Ortigas, in the Corner Market Food Hall of the Podium, is the new home of Pizza Morena. This is good news to its loyal customers as this pizza concessionaire previously can only be found in food fairs and weekend markets.

Pizza Morena’s offerings are not your run-of-the-mill pizzas. They are topped with choice fresh ingredients and, when ordered for dine-in, are baked in wood-fire ovens or packed frozen so that pizza lovers so inclined can enjoy it at home.

Together with other foodies and bloggers, I attended the opening of new stores in the Corner Market Food Hall of the Podium. One of the said stores is Pizza Morena.

There, our group was able to sample some of Pizza Morena’s signature offerings, cooked in a wood-fired brick oven, giving the pizzas a crispy golden crust that frame the flavors of their exotic toppings.

Pizza Morena (Php350). I liked the store’s eponymous dish for its nutty and slightly sweet flavor (owing to the pistachios and honey), further enhanced by a bit of truffle oil amidst a mixture of mascarpone and mozzarella.

Margherita (Php300). I found this pizza light and classic with its tomato base topped with mozzarella and parmesan, dried oregano and olive oil.

Pepperoni and Hot Honey (Php350). Hot honey gives the familiar pepperoni pizza got a slight boost of sweetness.

Spinach and Artichoke (Php350). My favorite among the pizza variants I tasted wherein the popular dip flavor is given a pizza treatment. A creamy spinach, parmesan, artichoke and olive base is topped with microgreens and edible flowers.

If you’re concerned about your diet or prefer not to consume food without animal products, you would be happy to know that Pizza Morena’s Pesto with Mushrooms, Margherita and 4 Cheese all have vegan options (yes, cheeses used are vegan too).

We also sampled its newly launched Burrata Salad (Php250 for regular | Php300 for large). The burrata cheese made from mozarella and cream adds some heartiness to this salad of organic greens and edible flowers, all sourced from a local farm.

I’m so glad that Pizza Morena has expanded its reach beyond weekend markets. With this store, easily accessible to Pasig, San Juan and Mandaluyong denizens, more pizza lovers looking for more exotic takes on their favorite will get their cravings sated.

Pizza Morena is located at the Corner Market Food Hall, Second Floor, Podium Mall, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. It is open daily from 11am to 10pm.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a Blogger Event held in the Corner Market. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Exotic kaya breakfast at Kopi Roti, Tomas Morato

Ever since I was introduced to kaya toasts, I have developed a taste for these exotic sandwiches.

Kaya toast is a well-known snack in Singapore and Malaysia, prepared with kaya (coconut jam) sandwiched inside warm, butter-toasted bread. It is oftentimes accompanied by a shallow dish of runny soft-boiled egg, soy sauce and white pepper which serves as the kaya toast’s dipping sauce. When served together with kopi, strong hot coffee that’s been laced with condensed milk, it makes for a breakfast of champions.

That’s what happened when an officemate treated our team to an early meal at the Kopi Roti branch along Tomas Morato. It has long been a favorite stop of his on the way to work, but this time, he chose to linger there with our group for company.

Kopi Roti is essentially a kopi tiam, a coffee shop. The place has a nondescript, no-nonsense feel. Its premises are clean and a bit spartan. Even its kopi, which would have been more aesthetically pleasing if served in transparent cups, were actually served in paper cups.

I got myself a Set B (Php200) which is composed of a kaya toast, soft-boilef egg and kopi. I love the interplay between the mildly sweet spread in lightly toasted bread when dipped in the savory egg.

Others in our group breakfasted on Kopi Bun (Php55), Kaya Toast (Php65) and Soft-Boiled Egg (Php50), Kaya Cheese Toast (Php80) and Peanut Butter Toast (Php55) along with their kopi.

This breakfast of exotic kaya toasts and kopis made for a fun celebration among friends and coworkers before we went ahead to face another day at the office.

How would you like to start your workday?

This Kopi Roti branch is located at 186 Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout De Guia, Sacred Heart, Tomas Morato, Quezon City, open daily from 7am to 1am.

Other branches may be found at:

226 Katipunan Avenue, Blue Ridge, Quezon City
38 Mayaman Corner Mahinhin Street, Diliman, Quezon City
Casual Dining Area, Level 4, Terminal 3, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Ninoy Aquino Airport Area, Pasay City
Second Floor, Arrival Area, Terminal 1, Santo Nino, Parañaque City