August 2019 – Page 4 – Jellybeans in the City

A new dessert haven at Loraine’s Coffee and Pastry Shop, Santa Lucia

I’ve gotten used to traveling all over the metro to try out new places to dine in that I sometimes get surprised when an interesting resto pops up right in my neck of the woods.

During my recent (harrowingly traffic-jammed) drives going to work, a newly opened cafe just outside my subdivision caught my eye. From the outside, it seemed like a clean and quiet place to hang out in. I admit: it seemed as if during the time I was stuck in mind-numbing traffic, that little cafe called to me, promising peace, quiet and respite.

So when my friend Sasha of Sashimakes (do check out her handcrafted stuff!) invited me to meet up with her at Loraine’s Coffee and Pastry Shop, I jumped at the chance to check the place out while catching up with her.

Upon entering the cafe, I was amazed at the nature-themed decor. Dark wood chairs, tables and shelves frame the lovely potted plants scattered all over the cafe. The overall effect is one of serenity: here, you can grab a bite or sip on your favorite brew in peace, as you watch the urban madness outside the door.

Feeling a bit adventurous, we decided to split between ourselves the cafe’s Pinangat Pasta (Php180). The dish combined elements from two of Bicol’s classic dishes: Pinangat, basically laing, and Adobong Bicol, also known as “adobo sa asin.” I like the complex flavors of the dish – garlicky, savory and a bit spicy – as it is a welcome deviation from the usual pasta dishes that are usually included in the menu of other cafes.

And wouldn’t you know it, the dish has a rice meal version at Php150! I will be definitely trying that the next time I’m here.

We enjoyed our pasta dish with our handcrafted drinks: a Passion Fruit Smoothie (Php120 for 16oz | Php135 for 22oz), a zesty ice-blended drink made from fresh passionfruit, and a mug of off-menu, made-by-request Hot Chocolate.

We capped off our snack with a slice of Strawberry Roll (Php65) and an Almond Bar (Php45). I would have liked the roll better if it used a lighter chiffon cake, though.

By the way, I also took home Cookies ‘n Cream, Vanilla and Red Velvet flavors for my babies at home.

On my next visit, I’d like to try out the other desserts that incorporate pili nuts.

And if all the mention of pinangat and pili nuts got you wondering, the cafe’s owner, Sly Natividad, was raised in Legazpi, Albay and wanted to feature some of the flavors he grew up with in his cafe.

He even gave us some salted pili nuts and mazapan de pili!

So the next time you’re traversing the traffic-jammed Ortigas Avenue Extension, ask yourself if the place you’re going to is worth letting the opportunity for respite and relaxation with handcrafted drinks and savory dishes and desserts that feature regional flavors at Loraine’s Coffee and Pastry Shop pass you by.

Loraine’s Coffee and Pastry Shop is located at Ground Floor, Choice Market Ortigas, 58 Ortigas Ave, Pasig, 1600 Metro Manila. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 7157635.

An Unli Szechuan Seafood experience at Templo, Banawe

If you’ve ever heard of Szechuan (or Sichuan) cuisine, chances are, you already associate it with spicy food.

Szechuan food is characterized by bold flavors, particularly the pungency and spiciness brought about by the liberal use of garlic and chili peppers, particularly the Szechuan pepper. These practices, as well as the use of ingredients associated with the Szechuan province, arose from the influx of culinary influences and crops from the Middle East and the new world to China since the Middle Ages.

In fact, Szechuan is known colloquially as “the heavenly country” due to its abundant food and natural resources, as a place where people “uphold good flavor” and are “fond of hot and spicy taste.”

Today, Templo Modern Szechuan Fusion brings those flavors to foodies in the metro with a newly opened flagship store at the Dapitan Lifestyle Complex. Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I visited the store to sample the flavors of Szechuan.

Its premises may be small, but its decor bring to mind China’s grand temples, thanks to a red and gold color palette, as well as a display wall of Chinese artifacts and knick-knacks. Oh, and check out that dumbwaiter (the small elevator-like contraption) where food is sent down to the dining area from the kitchens upstars. Neat, huh?

Templo quickly established itself in the local food scene, thanks to its Unli Szechuan Experience. This enables diners to eat as much of its signature offerings as they can at these price points:

Php499: unli meat (Szechuan Sliced Pork, Szechuan Pork Intestine and Szechuan Duck Breast)
Php599: unli shrimp (Soy Garlic Shrimp, Sweet Chili Shrimp and Salted Egg Tempura) and meat
Php699: unli crab (Soy Garlic Crab and Salted Egg Crab), shrimp and meat

These options also include a side of crab rice which is basically fluffy steamed rice flavored with crab meat.

At first, I was a bit apprehensive that the dishes will be too spicy, but as explained by the wait staff, the spiciness factor of these dishes were tempered a bit to cater to the Filipino palate. (But if you’re really into spicy food, you can always request for your dishes to be at full-strength. Or you can accept the Templo Spicy Szechuan Challenge. More on that later. 😉)

I ended up really enjoying the complex flavors of the Szechuan dishes, particularly the Salted Egg Crab, the Sweet Chili Shrimp and the Szechuan Sliced Pork.

Dialed down in terms of spiciness as the dishes were, my Unli Szechuan Experience still worked up quite a thirst. Fortunately, Templo includes something special in its beverage menu: the Lick Iced Tea Island Mango. It’s the freshest natural mango juice drink that has no artificial colors or sweeteners. And it did soothe my thirst and tempered my craving for something sweet after all those savory and spicy dishes.

So if you have a hankering for those bold and intense flavors of Szechuan, head on to Templo today!

Many thanks to Midz of Gastronomida for extending the invitation and to the lovely folks at Templo for having us.

Templo is located at Dapitan Lifestyle Complex, 55 Dapitan Corner D. Tuazon Street, Lourdes, Banawe, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 10pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 2447640.

If you’re feeling extra adventurous and you want to showcase your taste buds made of steel, take on the Templo Spicy Szechuan Challenge! Finish a whole serving of Templo’s 120g Double Hot Szechuan Spiced Pork including the peppercorns and chilis in three minutes, then endure another two minutes before digging into your (well-deserved) reward Butter Milk Coated Ice Cream. Succeed in this challenge and your Szechuan Sliced Pork Meal will be free of charge plus get bragging rights! Ready?

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a food tasting 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.

The Jelly List: Crazy Cocktails of QC’s Top Bars for #ThirstyThursday

Thanks to its vibrant food scene and the proliferation of bars, pubs, gastrolounges and watering-holes in it, Quezon City’s nightlife is hoppin’ and happenin,’ at par with those of BGC or Poblacion.

Here, you can expect bartenders to bring their A-game in mixing and concocting spirit blends that can refresh you, give you that satisfying buzz, or knock you out, whatever your trip may be.

So check out the craziest cocktails I’ve tasted among QC’s top bars:

HidN Agenda (Php 330) at HidN Lounge

HidN Lounge’s signature drink consists of ten different spirits combined together in a large goblet and, with great aplomb, set aflame right before your eyes. This is definitely not for lightweights: with just a little sip, you can feel the drink warm its way down your throat.

HidN Lounge is located at 21 Scout Rallos Street, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City.

Luxe intercontinental dining at Cafe Romancon, Hotel Benilde

During my recent staycation with my mom and my daughter at Hotel Benilde, we had our meals at Cafe Romancon.

Our staycation at Hotel Benilde was extra special as my daughter, #ExhibitA, and I were looking forward to spending some quality time with my mom. For some time, Mommy has also been requesting for an outing where “three generations” – her, me and my daughter – can just be together.

So, #ExhibitA and I definitely took advantage of the opportunities to catch up on the goings-on with my mom that the staycation provided, especially when we sit down together to eat at Cafe Romancon.

Named after its patron saint, St. Benilde Romancon, it is a sprawling yet cozy coffee shop located at the ground floor of Hotel Benilde, a 4-star property situated in the bustling Malate area. It serves as the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant that offers its diners with a well-curated intercontinental menu in casual and modern setting.

For our dinner on the first day of our stay, we were treated to a sumptuous feast that included:

Gambas Al Ajillo (Php280). Succulent prawns sauteed in a garlic, tomatoes, onions and chilis. A perfect start to our meal.

Mushrooms Ala Pobre (Php180). Plump champignon mushrooms sauteed in olive oil, garlic and herbs.

Cream of Butternut Squash (Php130). A creamy soup of pureed squash and other vegetables topped with bacon.

Kani Mango Salad (Php190). Shredded crabsticks and dried mango bits top mixed greens and crunchy vermicelli noodles and drizzled with Japanese mango dressing.

Seafood Linguini (Php280). Shrimp calamari, mussels and fish sauteed in olive oil, garlic, onions and tomatoes tossed into pasta.

Norwegian Salmon (Php390). Pan-fried salmon with creamy leek sauce and garden vegetables served with mashed potatoes.

Gloucester Supreme (Php370). Two juicy and flavorful pieces of grilled marinated beef patties served with a rich mushroom gravy, mixed vegetables and steamed rice.

We were quite impressed with the quality of the food – the Norwegian Salmon, the Gloucester Supreme and the Gambas Al Ajillo we clear favorites! – as well as the superb service provided by the wait staff.

By the next morning, while my baby girl was enjoying her sleep, my mom and I had our breakfast at Cafe Romancon as well. The breakfast offerings are a bit limited we didn’t mind as we like our starting meal for the day to be light and fuss-free.

My mom helped herself to the fruits and beef tapa available in the buffet stations while I took advantage of the wide array of savory cheeses and sweet jams at the bread station.

These luxurious meals gave us the much-needed time to catch up on each other’s news, exchange chismis (hahaha!) and just enjoy each others’ company, definitely one of life’s priceless experiences.

Many thanks to the wonderful folks of Cafe Romancon and Hotel Benilde for the wonderful bonding mealtime moments that three generations of women in our family enjoyed!

Cafe Romancon is located at the Ground Floor, Hotel Benilde, Arellano Avenue corner Estrada Street, Malate, Manila, open daily from 6am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 2305230.

Disclosure: Dinner and breakfast were included in our complimentary overnight stay at Hotel Benilde in exchange for an honest review.

Zomato Philippines to host the Future of Food 2019

Zomato Philippines, the leading food app in the country, will host the Future of Food with Arla Foods and Globe myBusiness. This is the most awaited knowledge-sharing event for restaurateurs and it is finally happening on August 19, 2019 at the Grand Ballroom of City of Dreams. The Future of Food will tackle topics on the modern consumer, sustainability, food solutions, innovations, and trends in the ever-changing restaurant industry.

As consumers today become highly involved, they’ve become more interested in their health and wellness, and are more aware of the issues surrounding sustainability. They are also technologically advanced, consuming more time online like never before. Join us as we dig deeper into the progression of these modern times. Zomato invited the nation’s foremost key opinion leaders to share their insights and impart their knowledge. Here are some of them:

And more at the event! Be one of the attendees of the Future of Food on August 19, 2019. Are you a restaurant owner? Contact Zomato at manilamarketing@zomato.com for more information.

Event details and images provided by Zomato in a recent press release.

Check out my other posts on Zomato:

FastJobs hosts mini job fair and seminar for the riders

As the partner of every blue-collar worker, FastJobs Philippines’ fastest growing online jobs portal – held a mini job fair and free seminar “For the Riders,” last June 28, 2019, at the San Juan Gymnasium.

“For the Riders” provided an avenue for delivery service providers (riders) to seek new job opportunities, especially those affected by the suspension of one of the on-demand groceries startup in the Philippines.

“We, at FastJobs, believe in helping each other out, as this is how we see we can strengthen the nation. The country’s success lies on the shoulder of our blue-collar workers, who make up the backbone of our economy, so we must continue to provide them the tools and the opportunities to help them find better-paying jobs that fit their work skills,” shares Sebastian San, Assistant Director – Regional Partnerships of FastJobs.

In addition to linking riders to new job opportunities through its job fair, FastJobs held a free seminar, which updated participants on relevant topics such as road safety, emergency responsiveness, and preparedness. To talk about injury avoidance and the importance of riders in the community was Stalin Jher Iilahi, Association President of 24/7 ARPG Riders Team Manila.

For years, FastJobs has been making it easier for individuals to find jobs that fit their skills and introduces them to employers through its innovative hiring platform. This platform includes mobile-first innovations such as FastChat, Resume Builder, and Group Broadcast Capabilities, which allows applicants to find jobs fast and employers to save time.

FastJobs empowers riders and skilled laborers by making the job-seeking process
easier and more convenient. Simply download the FastJobs App on your mobiles, and after registering, you can immediately start submitting your applications. To save time, jobseekers can use the instant messaging feature called FastChat.
“FastJobs is continually seeking new ways to help the regular worker and bring back dignity to their work. With the recent boom in the food and grocery delivery market, our riders have so much more opportunity – and we hope to help them in that aspect,” ends San.

Download the FastJobs mobile app now available in Singapore, Malaysia, and the
Philippines at the Android Play store and Apple App store or visit
https://www.fastjobs.ph/

About FastJobs

FastJobs is Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing mobile job app that focuses on recruitment for customer-facing, support and operational roles. By applying technology alongside data insights, our vision is to simplify job matching and provide everyone with equal access to job opportunities from trusted employers.

Incubated by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and officially launched in April 2015, the FastJobs app has since been downloaded more than 2.5 million times across the region. At the HR Vendors of the Year 2018 Awards, FastJobs emerged as Best New Recruitment Solution Provider (Gold, Singapore, and Malaysia), Best HR Start-up Company (Silver, Singapore) and Best Recruitment Portal (Bronze, Singapore).

Business success depends on finding the right people, and FAST. This is at the heart of FastJobs and inspires us to continually re-imagine the way people are connected to jobs. As FastJobs expands across Southeast Asia, we strive to improve people’s lives with better access to economic opportunities.

Event details and images provided by FastJobs in a recent press release.

Dessert drinks at Hui Lau Shan, SM North EDSA

After eating our fill of Szechuan seafood earlier, what else could my foodie friends and I be looking for?

Dessert, of course!

And what better dessert for that particular day than one that features our favorite fruits?

So off we went to the recently opened Hui Lau Shan branch in SM North EDSA’s The Block, where we set about getting out dessert drinks.

Hui Lau Shan is actually a Hong Kong-based brand which incorporates Philippine carabao mangoes from Guimaras in most its drinks and desserts.

And who can blame Hui Lau Shan for this? Our homegrown mangoes really are unbeatable when it comes to sweetness and succulent texture.

One can say that these Philippine-grown fruits has helped catapult Hui Lau Shan to fame in the 1990s, being the key ingredient in the brand’s breakthrough Mango Sago which became a hit in Hong Kong.

Today, Hui Lau Shan has brought this delicacy back home with six stores already in operation in Metro Manila.

And at this particular store in SM North EDSA, my foodie friends and I indulged our thirst and craving for sweets with these signature dessert drinks that feature mango and coconut:

Mango & Coconut Juice with Mango Jelly (Php120 for 18oz | Php130 for 22oz)

Mango & Coconut Juice with Red Bean (Php110 for 18oz | Php120 for 22oz)

Mango & Coconut Juice with Sago (Php110 for 18oz | Php120 for 22oz)

In these beverages, the coconut milk serves to further highlight the flavor of the mangoes. The sinkers such as the mango jelly, red bean and sago all add texture and a different dimension of taste to the drinks.

Hui Lau Shan also recently introduced its Cheesy Milk series: three fruit flavors – mango, avocado and watermelon – topped with a generous layer of the store’s original cheesy milk, each at Php140.

I already tasted the Mango Cheesy Milk at Hui Lau Shan’s Greenhills store, and the Avocado Cheesy Milk is (sadly!) unavailable at this store, so that left the Watermelon Cheesy Milk.

I found this drink refreshing but it still doesn’t beat the sweetness of the mango variant.

Still, I’m glad I was able to sate my craving for sweets with my foodie buddies at Hui Lau Shan. On my next visit, I hope I finally get to taste the Avocado Cheesy Milk!

Thanks to Kian of Kainventures for sharing his GCs with me during this adventure!

This Hui Lau Shan branch is located at Ground Floor, The Block, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City.

Other branches are located at:

Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City
Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan
UP Town Center, Diliman, Quezon City
SM City Fairview, Novaliches, Quezon City

Head and Shoulders helps to remove barriers so people can put their #HeadsTogether

In a world that was taught to despise crowded spaces, Head and Shoulders encourages people to find the beauty in it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyjbb3_7lF0

To know more about Head Shoulders’ #HeadsTogether Campaign watch the video here and join the conversations online how you break barriers like dandruff

#HeadsTogether made its online debut this month with a tug-at-heartstring video content; an eye-opener on what most people fail to see when they’re caught up inside crowded spaces: the birth of beautiful friendships, a helping hand from a complete stranger, the comfort of warm smiles in unexpected situations. This campaign is a reminder to continue to see the good in the bad, and that the only way this can happen, is when we start to remove the barriers between two people.

Head and Shoulders inspires Filipinos to put their #HeadsTogether

As dandruff remains to be a main hair and scalp problem of Filipinos, exposure to crowded spaces with hot, humid weather makes scalp oilier[BR4] and greasy-looking, and oily scalps tend to be more susceptible to dandruff.

Dandruff prevents people from getting closer together. It’s an unspoken wall coming from a personal discomfort, and Head and Shoulders aims to break this barrier to inspire more people to put their #HeadsTogether.
Head and Shoulders believes in a dandruff-free world; a world without the barriers of flakes and scalp odor. The world’s no. 1 shampoo celebrates closeness and inclusivity, as it inspires to build better and stronger relationships with others. So, no matter how crowded the world is – we are not afraid to be a part of it.

Dandruff-free World

About 50% of the population is prone to experience dandruff and over decades, Head and Shoulders is proven to provide cutting-edge technology and innovative products to address the world’s cry against dandruff. Clinically tested over 200 times, Head and Shoulders is the most tested and trusted anti-dandruff shampoo in the market.

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp and having a healthy and dandruff-free scalp could go a long way – for it does not only give you self-confidence, but that peace of mind wherever you go.

Let Head and Shoulders be your best ally to be more confident to make new friends, ace that first day at your new job, or even just hang out with old friends.

With the world’s no. 1 shampoo, it’s time to put our #HeadsTogether towards a dandruff-free world.

Campaign details and images provided by Head & Shoulders in a recent press release.

Three reasons to get your K-bbq fill at Woorijib, Tomas Morato

Korean barbecue joints have been popping up all over the metro, most offering unli meats as part of their come-on to diners.

Personally, I get excited everytime a new one opens simply because it’s another place where I can satisfy my craving for freshly grilled premium meats.

Well, the newly opened K-bbq resto in the Tomas Morato area has a lot more going for it. Check out these three reasons why you will opt to go Woorijib Home of Korean Buffet to satisfy your Korean barbecue craving.

One: Its sprawling premises won’t make you feel fenced in.

Being located in a newly constructed building in Scout Borromeo sure is working for Woorijib. “Woorijib” means “home” in Korean and the place makes you feel the comforts of home as soon as you enter.

Its dining area can comfortably seat up to a hundred diners and there’s space left for photo opps (with Korean costumes, to boot) against a colorful background and a spot for musical entertainment.

Two: Its selection of unli meats will satisfy the carnivore in you.

Make sure to bring your appetite with you when you visit Woorijib because its meat combos are sure to leave you well satisfied. Consider:

3 Meat Combo (Php299/person). Consists of plain, spicy, sweet and kal (fattier pieces)pork samgyeopsal, along with 7 unli side dishes, rice and soup.

6 Meat Combo (Php399/person). Consists of plain, spicy and sweet pork samgyeopsal, mokshimsal, along with rice, soup, iced tea, unli side dishes from the buffet and dessert.

12 Meat Combo (Php599/person). Consists of plain, spicy and sweet pork samgyeopsal, mokshimsal, apdari sal, deungshimsal, plain and spicy beef belly, beef bulgogi, spicy chicken and chicken bulgogi, along with rice, soup, iced tea, cheese, unli side dishes from the buffet and dessert. Plus, 1 serving of chamsekal samgyeopsal and a round of your choice of cocktails or mocktails.

All Beef Combo (Php699/ person). Consists of galbisal, plain and spicy beef belly, beef kal samgyeopsal, and bulgogi, along with rice, soup, iced tea, cheese, unli side dishes from the buffet and dessert. Plus, 1 serving of chamsekal samgyeopsal and a round of your choice of cocktails or mocktails.

The meat cuts are quite premium and are immediately refilled by the attentive wait staff. The resto’s smokeless grills also ensure that you and your companions won’t leave the place smelling like you’ve been roasted, too, hahaha!

Note that these combos have a 2-hour limit, with no take outs. Leftovers will be charged Php499/person.

Three: Use my code and get 10% off your food bill.

For all combos (except 3-meat at Php299) as well as other food orders from the ala carte menu or even an event/party or catering package, enjoy a 10% discount on your food bill when you use my code: WOOGEL108.

You can have a very happy birthday here when you bring 3 full paying adults and order any of the unli meat combos: you get your biffet meal for free. Just present a valid ID to the staff.

Dining with a large group? No problem! For every group of 10 guests, 1 gets a free meal.

So the next time you, your friends and your family have a hankering for Korean barbecue, give in to your craving, head on to Woorijib and feel right at home.

Thanks to my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH for joining me on this foodie adventure and the wonderful folks of Woorijib for having us!

Photo Credit: BJ of @eatingpinoy for the dessert pics. All other images are mine.

Woorijib Home of Korean Buffet is located at Ground Floor, Victoria de Morato, Scout Borromeo Street, South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 1am. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 915 8931148 or +63 998 2681367.

Disclosure: Together with my fellow foodies, I was invited to join 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.

Zomato’s 11th Anniversary – A Birthday with a Bang!

July 10 marks the 11th Anniversary of Zomato globally. And how would a food tech company celebrate its birthday? In a very special way, the Zomato team celebrated by conducting a food driveworldwide. In line with its mission of providing better food for more people, hundreds of Zomato employees and hunger heroes distributed meals to the underserved across 11 countries: India, Philippines, UAE, Lebanon, Portugal, Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Qatar, USA, and Turkey.

On the day of Zomato’s Birthday, July 10, Zomato Philippines gathered almost 2000 meals that were distributed to selected homeless, underprivileged, and less fortunate areas in Metro Manila. With the help of esteemed brands such as Jollibee, J.CO Donuts & Coffee, Chowking, BonChon Chicken, Long Time Ago, Kashmir, U! Happy, Sangkap, Yoshinoya, La Mère Poulard, ALTA by Relik, Tropical Hut, Rossini Ristorante Italiano, Kowloon House – Bangkal Makati, Recovery Food, Three Guys And A Grill, Uncle Moe’s Shawarma Hub, Buddy’s, Cabalen, Easy, Tiger, Pep Squad Events, AXA Philippines, Tang, and Hearty Bread, Zomato was able to distribute around 2,000 meals in less fortunate communities in Metro Manila. That’s 2000 smiles – a true celebration for Zomato’s Birthday in the Philippines!

The birthday bash was then followed by a Zomato Gold Experience last July 20, with the kids of Mertixell Children’s Foundation. It was themed sibling-for-a-day, where Zomato Gold Members willingly volunteered to be an ate or a kuya for a day. The afternoon was spent with giggles and cheers from the kids, as there was a lot of dancing, singing, fun, and games. An amazing Zomato Gold experience.

In the spirit of Zomato’s mission, better food for more people, the only way they ought to celebrate was to give back. Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Zomato!