November 2019 – Page 3 – Jellybeans in the City

Japanese-influenced Latin flavors at Nanka Japanese Steakhouse, Paligsahan

Did you know that Japanese culture has a profound influence in South America? Currently, Brazil has the largest population of Japanese immigrants while Peru has the second largest. This mixing of people and backgrounds surely produce wondrous variety in culture and society, especially in the food.

That came into play when my foodie friends and I recently visited Nanka Japanese Steakhouse. Located at the nook of Mother Ignacia and Chino Roces Avenues in Quezon City, the place has an elegant yet homey vibe, a welcome respite from my workday’s stresses. It is a perfect place for intimate date nights, chill barkada get-togethers or quiet family dinners.

Nanka’s executive chef Michael Santos takes pride in the work his team (which includes executive sous chef Rogel Rogel Pagtalunan, executive pastry chef Joel Gonzales and chef de cuisine Kenneth Afable) does in accentuating the natural flavors of food, made with the finest locally and internationally sourced ingredients. These include Black Onyx Angus and WagyuX steaks and tuna flown in from GenSan twice a week.

“I like clean flavors,” shares Chef Mike. “I like to emphasize the protein. I was taught to give respect to the animal being served and I feel the best way to do that is to not lose its soul – its flavor.”

My foodie friends and I were able to sample an excellent selection of Chef Mike’s recommendations from Nanka’s recently re-launched menu, which included:

Oysters Hollandaise (Php365 for 6 pieces). Large oysters from Aklan covered in a rich sauce made with egg, butter and lemon, then broiled until the top is starting to brown.

Deep-fried Oysters (Php375 for 8 pieces). Oyster meat lightly dredged and battered, then deep-fried to a golden brown.

Grilled Ahi Tuna (Php355). Yellowfin tuna, also known by its Hawaiian moniker ahi, is well-suited for raw sashimi dishes and for grilling. In this dish, it is served seared rare to bring out its natural flavor while adding some smokiness from the grilling and further enhanced by a dash of togarashi powder.

Grilled Togarashi Shrimp (Php495 for 9 pieces). Fresh shrimp perfectly grilled and spiced with sichimi togarashi, a Japanese powder flavoring made with seven ingredients which include red chili pepper,
orange peel, sesame seeds, Japanese pepper, ginger and seaweed.

Garlic Crabs (market price). Two giant crabs cooked in butter and garlic. Digging into this was one of the highlights of the meal.

Prawn Garlic Noodles (Php375). Plump and fresh prawns sauteed in garlic and tossed together with al dente noodles.

Black Onyx T-bone (Php520 per 100grams) and Black Onyx Tomahawk (Php495 per 100grams). Black Onyx is a well-known Australian brand of Black Angus beef noted for its ruch flavor, juicy tenderness and fine marbling. True to his philosophy of letting the meat’s natural flavors shine through, Chef Mike and his team seared the steaks in a cast iton grill then finished cooking them to a medium doneness in the oven. These were served with togarashi salt, wasabi sea salt, housemade demiglasse, chipotle miso and chimichurri so that diners can season or add sauce to taste.

Japanese Green Tea Mousse (Php215). A delectable dessert made with layers of matcha sponge, matcha pudding and matcha whipped cream icing.

Chocolate Ganache Mountee (Php245). A play of different ways to enjoy chocolate and matcha; a matcha bowl on top of a chocolate bowl with ganache in between, all on a bed of red velvet crumbs.

With these dishes, it is plain to see the sheer mastery and craftsmanship of Chef Mike and his team. Each dish, made of the choicest ingredients, beautifully presented and carefully crafted to enhance its natural flavors, show that the fusion of flavors between Japanese and Latin cuisines are well worth exploring.

Many thanks to Chef Mike and the staff of Nanka for the warm welcome and the wonderful meal!

Nanka is located at 1810 Mother Ignacia corner Chino Roces Avenue, Paligsahan, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 85179677, +63 977 6218472, or +63 917 6734917.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. The food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Jim Beam Is Back On High Gear!

Jim Beam is set to conquer Eastwood City with new flavors for the ultimate highball on tap and its iconic Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar!

The iconic Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar will return on November 12-16 at Eastwood Central Plaza offering an even fresher experience served through the signature highball draft machines from Japan.

Building up from its first introduction earlier this year, the second iteration of the Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar will feature all-new highballs that were inspired by local flavors and designed specifically for the Filipino palate:

Yuzu and Lemongrass Highball. Tangy yuzu paired with the complexity of shiso makes merry match perfect for all palates.

Calamansi and Pandan Highball. Calamansi and pandan leaves come together in a highball that’s extremely refreshing, delightfully tart, and very local.

Pineapple and Basil Highball. This sweet tropical tipple is the closest thing to laying on the beach under swaying palm trees.

Mango Spice Highball. A burst of bright tropical mango mixed with hints of spice, this highball’s mix of bitter and sweet will brighten up the night.

You’ll also see the return of familiar flavors that were available during last year’s pop-up bar in BGC like the Lychee and of course, the Signature Classic Highball.

JIM BEAM HIGHBALL ON HIGH GEAR

The Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar at Eastwood City will also feature even more live musical performances by some of the country’s iconic OPM artists such as Ebe Dancel, The Juans, Clara Benin, Better Days and The Vowels they Orbit.

In between listening to these sweet tunes and drinking the freshest highballs, you can also enjoy new games with your friends like the Highball Pong or the Jim Beam Highball Claw Machine! The sought after Make Your Jim Beam Highball booth will be there to give you more reason to enjoy the signature highball. With each purchase of a Highball, you’ll be granted a free chip to play these games and a chance to win some awesome Jim Beam Highball merch and other prizes!

“We’re so excited to bring back the Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up bar to the lively city that is Manila! Our new flavors are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more,” said Rayern Goh, Senior Brand Manager at Jim Beam. “Jim Beam Highball is an excellent drink that’s perfectly well-balanced, refreshing, and pairs superbly with so many dishes. We can’t wait to share this with you!”

See you at the Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar at Eastwood Central Plaza from Tuesday to Saturday, November 12-16! The bar will be open from 6pm to 12mn.

ABOUT JIM BEAM

Founded in 1795, Jim Beam is the world’s No. 1 bourbon and has been operated by one family for seven generations. 220 years of experience goes into every bottle, along with corn, rye, malted barley, water, time, pride, and of course, true passion! Jim Beam White is the cornerstone of the Jim Beam bourbon portfolio, and it derives its rich, satisfying flavour from a treasured family recipe where every drop is aged in charred oak barrels. It boasts an oaky vanilla aroma with a medium-bodied flavour with hints of vanilla and caramel.

Jim Beam is best served in a Jim Beam Highball, a tall cocktail of Jim Beam Bourbon over ice, topped with soda, and finished with a squeeze of citrus! This concoction is the ultimate drink for our tropical climate – it is without equal as a noon-time tipple, an after-work refresher or a weekend party-starter!

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY INC.

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit http://www.beamsuntory.com and http://www.drinksmart.com.

Issued for and on behalf of Beam Suntory Asia Pte Ltd.

Check out Jim Beam Highball on Facebook and Instagram for updates!

Take advantage of Blims’ Holiday Sale to upgrade your home furniture in time for the holidays

After the holidays come the new year which brings opportunities for a fresh start.

Why not start fresh at home by updating and upgrading your furniture at home?

Are the kids outgrowing their beds? Do you need new cabinets to house your accumulating stuff? How about a new set of table and chairs for the dining room?

Take your pick from BLIMS’ latest and most elegant furniture collections. Take advantage of its Holiday Sale and enjoy up to 50% off on selected items from November 8 to December 31 as well as its 6 months installment at 0% interest and Buy Now, Pay in 2020 on selected major credit cards.

At BLIMS, you can find a complete variety of furniture, which are categorized as:

Living Space – take your pick from an wide collection of sofas and dining sets.
Sleepshop – BLIMS is equipped with a wide array of bed frames and mattresses that will give you quiet serenity and peaceful slumber,
Recliners & Loungers – indulge yourself and bring home a seat you can just sink into.
Office World – find the items that allow you to take charge.

Check out BLIMS’ website, Facebook Page or visit any of its 19 showrooms nationwide to see which pieces are perfect for your home.

Kids rule on SKYcable

Kids of all ages won’t run out of fun shows to catch with the vast variety of kids channels on SKYcable. From cartoons, to fun learning activities and top-notch animated series, kids will surely find something to love.

https://youtu.be/Ou-Q6Ti6xrU

Catch Cartoon Network HD’s (CH 178, Metro Manila; CH 731, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and GenSan) old and new cartoon series and movies from Ben10, Powerpuff Girls, and The Amazing World of Gumball to new shows like “Steven Universe,” the first animated series created by a woman, every Thursday.

Boomerang channel (CH 42, Metro Manila; CH 112, Cebu, Davao and Baguio), meanwhile, offers Tom and Jerry Show, Mr. Bean: The Animated Series and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. It’s a safe entertainment space where parents and kids can watch shows together. Catch Be Cool Scooby Doo and the gang ‘s zany misadventures everyday.

On Nickelodeon (CH 45, Metro Manila; CH 105, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and GenSan) catch the most-watched, top-rated shows, from the ever funny SpongeBob SquarePants to JoJo’s Follow Your D.R.E.A.M. and Henry Danger bring non-stop enjoyment the old and young. On weekdays, kids can follow Ryder, together with five other rescue dogs as they work as one to help their community, in Nickelodeon’s “Paw Patrol.”

The world’s top wildlife filmmakers and renowned early childhood experts come together to bring ZooMoo’s (CH 120, Metro Manila) shows designed for learning for young kids. Here, viewers have a choice between shows that anchored on the themes “explore time, create time, play time, puzzle time and quiet time.” Each Tuesday noon, viewers can join the Teddies, Dom, Meeks, Tizzy and Sparky in Teddyworld where they play games, solve puzzles, and sing songs.

Disney Channel (CH 47 SD | CH 250 HD, Metro Manila; CH 101 SD | CH 732 HD Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and GenSan) brings with it nothing less than Disney’s fun-filled line up of quality shows. This month, Disney Channel airs Frozen Specials bringing back the most loved “Frozen” characters in time before the Christmas season starts . These include “Frozen Fever” on Nov. 10, “Frozen” on Nov. 17, and The Story of Frozen on Nov. 24.

SKYcable subscribers may choose to add Baby TV, ZooMoo, Miao Mi, Da Vinci Kids, and Boomerang on their cable TV line-up for only P20/month and Cartoon Network HD, Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon for P50/month by signing up at mysky.com.ph/addchannels. Existing subscribers of selected SKYcable plans may already enjoy Disney Channel’s exciting programs as part of their channel lineup.

Not yet on SKYcable? Subscribe now for as low as P299/month! For more details, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.

Show details and video provided in a recent press release.

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.

HBO Asia Original INVISIBLE STORIES To Premiere 5 January 2020

HBO Asia’s newest Asia Original, INVISIBLE STORIES shines light into dark corners and tells untold stories from the heartlands in a fictional neighbourhood housing estate in multi-cultural Singapore. Filmed entirely on location in Singapore, the six-episode half-hour drama series premieres 5 January at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO.

Each episode follows one resident as he or she navigates through everyday life and its challenges. These stories include the ups and downs of a mother and her autistic son; a taxi driver by day and a spiritual medium by night; and a banker who is a father and husband who harbours a secret that comes to life late at night.

INVISIBLE STORIES also showcases Singapore’s inclusive multi-cultural identity with a regional cast from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore. Golden Horse Award winner Yeo Yann Yann (‘Wet Season’ and ‘ILO ILO’) and Taiwanese newcomer Devin Pan appear in the first episode. Veteran Singapore actor Wang Yu Qing (‘Hello From The Other Side’ and ‘Reach For The Skies’) plays the taxi driver in the second episode.

Other cast members include Thai actress and model Suchada Muller (‘Insect In The Backyard’ and ‘The Last Executioner’), Malaysian actor and director Gavin Yap (‘The Bridge’ and ‘Lion Mums 3’), Bangladeshi actor Sudip Biswas (‘Sutopar Thikana’ and ‘Café 999’), Indonesian actress Sekar Sari (‘SITI’). Cast from Singapore include Regina Lim (‘Not So Long Time Ago’, ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’), Aden Tan (‘Lion Mums’ and ‘Ah Boys To Men 3’) and Sunny Pang (‘Code Of Law’ and ‘Fly By Night’) as well as Singapore based actress Rosalind Pho (HBO Asia Original ‘Sent’, ‘Tanglin’).

Tunes from Singaporean singer-songwriter Leslie Low accompany the screenplay, and Leslie guest stars as a busker as well. Leslie was the former frontman of popular indie band Humpback Oak and previously fronted one of Singapore’s greatest musical efforts, The Observatory. Melancholic and reflective in nature, his songs are usually inspired by the personal, subjective, and introverted mindset of living in Singapore.

WORLD PREMIERE AT LEADING FILM FESTIVALS

The first episode, INVISIBLE STORIES: LIAN, will make its world premiere at the 2019 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival on 16 November, while the first two episodes, INVISIBLE STORIES: LIAN and INVISIBLE STORIES: CHUAN, have been selected by the Singapore International Film Festival to be presented on 28 November.

EPISODE SYNOPSIS

Episode 1 – INVISIBLE STORIES: LIAN
Premieres: Sunday, 5 January at 10pm
Lian is the story of a burnt out and financially-drained single mother struggling to cope with her 19-year-old son with autism, who displays aggressive behaviours during meltdowns following the sudden death of his grandmother, who was his main caregiver.
Cast: Yeo Yann Yann, Devin Pan

Episode 2 – INVISIBLE STORIES: CHUAN
Premieres: Sunday, 12 January at 10pm
Chuan is a taxi driver by day and “tangki” (spiritual medium) by night. He finds his sanity in peril when a malicious ghost begins to haunt him, pushing him down a path of self-destruction in search of the truth.
Cast: Wang Yu Qing, Aden Tan

Episode 3 – INVISIBLE STORIES: JUNE
Premieres: Sunday, 19 January at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
A tale of friendship between three sex workers operating a brothel out of a flat.
Cast: Suchada Muller, Sunny Pang

Episode 4 – INVISIBLE STORIES: KEAGAN
Premieres: Sunday, 26 January at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
A successful banker with a secret alter ego rebels against the life he leads and embarks on a journey of self-discovery that puts everything he has built at risk – his job, his family, his whole life.
Cast: Gavin Yap, Rosalind Pho

Episode 5 – INVISIBLE STORIES: SAYEED
Premieres: Sunday, 2 February at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
A bittersweet love story between a foreign construction worker and a foreign domestic worker that challenges the conventional notions of migrant workers.
Cast: Sudip Biswas, Sekar Sari

Episode 6 – INVISIBLE STORIES: NEXTBLKGRL
Premieres: Sunday, 9 February at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
An aspiring teenage influencer from a broken family seeks to change her life by diving into the spurious world of social media, only to find her own reality falling apart at the seams.
Cast: Regina Lim

INVISIBLE STORIES is created by Singaporean Ler Jiyuan with a team of local writers and produced by Singapore-based production house Birdmandog. The series is produced as part of a two-year partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in Singapore. Through a series of workshops and collaborations with local companies and talent on HBO Asia Original productions, the partnership aims to develop the content production capabilities of Singapore’s media industry.

HBO Asia started producing Original productions in 2012 and has produced a range of Asian Original productions including series, movies and documentaries. To date, HBO Asia has produced and aired 19 Asian Original productions with more in the pipeline.

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. To subscribe, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.

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

Check out my posts on HBO shows:

Affordable taste of Singapore at Hainanese Delights, Robinsons Galleria

A few years ago, back when I was at the early stage of my career, the company I worked for held offices at the basement of Robinsons Galleria Mall in Ortigas Center.

There are many advantages to having one’s office inside a mall, not the least of which is the sheer variety of dining options for me and my officemates come lunchtime; the only limit, apparently, is our budget.

Fortunately, the mall then has a lot to offer when it comes to pocket-friendly eats. One of them is Hainanese Delights.

Aside from its affordable offers, this resto is also memorable for introducing me to Hainanese Chicken Rice.

This dish, though rooted in China’s Wenchang Chicken, has been well and truly adopted by Singapore such that it is considered the country’s national dish. The dish is traditionally prepared by poaching a whole chicken at sub-boiling temperatures, with some of the resulting stock combined with ginger, garlic and other aromatics used to cook the accompanying rice, producing a yellowish, flavorful and oily rice. It is usually served with three dipping sauces: a spicy red chili sauce, a dark soy sauce, and freshly ground ginger.

At just a little over Php100 with unli rice, Hainanese Delights’ Hainanese Chicken Rice was a tasty, filling and affordable lunch treat for me and my officemates back then.

Fast-forward to today: Hainanese Delights’ Robinsons Galleria branch has moved from its previous spot to a more spacious location in the mall’s foodie mecca, Eat Street. Aside from more tables and chairs to cater to its still-growing clientele, the place has more stylish interiors and even a window to the kitchen where guests can take peek into how their favorite dishes are prepared.

Recently, my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and I visited this reataurant for a taste of old faves and new flavors, which included:

Rice Dishes

Hainanese Delights (Php169). The resto’s best-selling white chicken dish

Hainan Fried Chicken (Php169). Prepared similar to the white chicken but fried to have that flavorful and crispy skin.

Chicken Heaven (Php169). The resto’s version of Barbecue Chicken.

Hot Chick (Php169). Barbecue Chicken made spicy.

Pork Passionate (Php169). Breaded porkchop fried to a crispy golden brown.

Hainan Fish Fillet (Php169). Steamed fillets of cream dory topped with minced garlic.

All rice dishes come with unlimited Hainan rice.

Php99 Meals.

Fish and Eggplant. Rice meal that comes with free soup.

Char Beehoon. Served with Mantao bread.

Entrees.

Surf and Turf Bits (Php169). Steamed shrimp and pork dumplings.

Noodles.

Singapore Staple (Php169). Hearty noodle dish served with broth on the side and Hainanese White Chicken.

Drinks.

Coffee with Mantao Bread (Php45). Add Php20 for unli coffee refill.

Houseblend Drinks (Php65 each). Comes in Peach Tea and Ginger Lemon Tea flavors.

Milo Godzilla (Php90). A chocolatey dessert drink.

It was a fun and filling experience to rediscover one of old favorite haunts in Robinsons Galleria. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

Thanks to the management and staff of Hainanese Delights for the feast and to Harvard of Always Hungry PH for extending the invitation.

This Hainanese Delights branch is located at Food Court, Level 1 Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City, open from Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 9pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 10pm.

Other branches are located at:

Ground Floor, Adriatico Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
Ground Floor, Robinsons Otis, Mercedes Guazon Street, Paco, Manila
Lower Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City Fairview, Novaliches, Quezon City
Lower Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City Fairview, Buayang Bato, Mandaluyong City
Lower Ground Floor, Walter Mart North EDSA, Project 7, Quezon City

Check out my reviews of other restaurants offering Singaporean dishes:

Sate your Japanese food cravings at Hanako, Regis Katipunan

Japanese food remains to be among the most popular cuisines in the metro. With its focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients, simple yet meticulous food preparation that brings out the ingredients’ natural flavors, as well as the artistry involved in presentation and styling of its dishes, Japanese cuisine, has won the hearts (and tummies) of many Pinoys.

Hanako, for example, is a Japanese restaurant chain that’s geared to be among the metro’s go-to destinations with its focus on authentic yet affordable Japanese food.

“Hanako” is actually a popular girl’s name in Japan which translates to “flower girl.” As the name implies, Hanako’s dishes exemplify the simplicity and beauty of Japanese cuisine.

Recently, my gal pals from #SaanSaPH and I trooped to Hanako’s branch in Regis Center Katipunan for a late lunch. We were treated to a wondrous array of dishes which included some of my old Japanese food faves as well as new discoveries:

Miso Soup (Php54). The staple soup of many Japanese restaurants wherein miso paste is incorporated into a dashi stock with some tofu cubes. Did you know that this soup can be filling despite being low in calories because of the high protein content?

Kani Salad (Php174). A light and refreshing salad made with matchstick-sliced cucumber and carrots, shredded lettuce, strings of kani (crab) meat, tossed in Japanese mayonnaise.

Gyoza (Php89 for 2 pieces | Php159 for 4 pieces). Ground pork mixed with aromatics and spices and wrapped into dumplings which are first steamed then lightly pan-fried on one side for an interesting contrast in texture.

Sushi Rolls. One of the most popular dishes in Japanese cuisines, sushi rolls are made of specially prepared sticky vinegared Japanese rice served with other ingredients. These include the California Gunkan (Php219) – made with kani, fried salmon skin, tamago (seasoned hardboiled egg), mango, cucumber and ebiko (shrimp roe), Spicy Tuna Crunch (Php229) – made with tuna, togarashi (seven-flavor chili pepper) and tempura flakes, Philadelphia Roll (Php209) – made with salmon, kani, cream cheese, tamago and cucumber, and Five Star Roll (Php149) – made with fried salmon skin, salmon, kani, mango, teriyaki sauce, sesame and cucumber.

Salmon Tartare (Php224). Chunks of salmon mixed with Japanese mayo, togarashi, tempura flakes and chopped scallion.

Katsu Curry (Php229). Deep-fried, panko-covered pork cutlets covered in a slightly sweet curry sauce and served with rice.

Ebi Tempura (Php169 for 3 pieces | Php279 for 5 pieces). Battered and deep-fried shrimp served with a special sauce.

Fish Katsu (Php189). Fillets of fish covered in panko and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown.

Beef Omurice (Php184). Classic Japanese omelette stuffed with savory beef fried rice and drizzled with Japanese mayonnaise and homemade sweet umami sauce.

Grilled Salmon Head (Php149). Lightly seasoned salmon head served with homemade sweet citrus-sou dipping sauce.

Yakitori (Php149). Chicken pieces in skewers seasoned with salt, pepper,l and teriyaki sauce, which are then grilled and served on top of a bowl of steamed rice.

Donburi. Traditional rice bowl meals consisting of meat simmered or doused in a sauce made of dashi, soy sauce and mirin (rice wine) and served on top of steamed rice. These include Gyudon (Php219) – made with beef and onions, and Katsudon (Php199) – breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets simmered with onions and egg. Diners can upgrade their donburi orders to meal sets by adding Php35 for a drink, Php75 for miso soup plus drink, Php105 for a 2-piece gyoza plus drink, or Php145 for miso soup, 2-piece gyoza plus drink.

Chahan (Php79). Japanese stir-fried rice with meat bits and chopped vegetables.

Meiji Madness (Php129). Moist and chewy lava cake topped with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup.

Drop by Hanako for a taste of #HandsDownGoodFood and sate your cravings for Japanese dishes!

Many thanks to the management and staff of Hanako for the warm welcome and lovely food.

This Hanako branch is located at Second Floor, Regis Center, 327 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 907 4879346.

Other branches are located at:

131-C Armstrong Avenue, Moonwalk Village Phase 1, Paranaque City
30-C Dona Soledad Avenue, Bgy. Don Bosco, Paranaque City
SM Supercenter, Fontera Verde, E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Bgy. Ugong, Pasig
2nd Floor, The Rock, Holy Spirit Drive corner Marcelino Street, Don Antonio Heights, Quezon City

Morissette Joins a1’s Ben Adams on new Christmas Anthem

Nothing heralds iconic holiday tune more than having two established stars collaborate on one festive anthem.

Ben Adams, the lead singer of chart-topping boyband a1 and now a prominent producer based in the UK, teams up with Filipina singer Morissette on “This Is Christmas,” a potentially timeless bop that will surely have a warm place in our hearts this Yuletide season.

Released under Sony Music, the song was originally written for a Dutch artist, but the BRIT awardee and multi-platinum star changed his mind and took the material as part of his own. “I loved it so much I couldn’t give it away,” states the British singer-songwriter and producer. “So I decided to take it back. Once I recorded the whole thing I was like, it sounds magical but I’m sure I can squeeze some more magic out of it – so I began searching for the best person to collaborate on it with me.”

After checking some links and recommendations from friends, Adams found the perfect duet partner in Morissette, one of the biggest and best-selling Filipina pop stars of her generation.

Roslyn Pineda, Sony Music’s GM Philippines & VP Business Development Asia, even referred the Akin Ka Na Lang singer to Adams as a potential duet candidate. Having worked with Ben Adams during his boyband phase and personally recommended Morissette to co-host Asian singing competition Bolt Of Talent with two-time Grammy winner Michael Bolton, she was confident that the two would hit it off together as singing partners for the new Christmas track. “a1 was the first boyband I ever worked with, so I know firsthand how popular they are in Southeast Asia. When I saw Ben’s post asking his fans who to collaborate with, I messaged him about Morissette. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one!”

“As for Morissette, it’s always a pleasure to work with her. I thought of her for Bolt of Talent because she exemplifies the best of the Philippines,” Pineda shares. “Well for starters, she has an amazing voice,” says Ben Adams. “I was blown away by her performances. So we started talking, and I sent her the song online. We facetimed to work out who wanted to sing what.”

Being no stranger to epic collaborations, the Asia’s Phoenix has brought the holiday spirit to effervescent heights with her soaring vocals and charismatic interpretation, giving Adams’ self-penned earworm the effortless joy it needs. “When Ben Adams of a1 first reached out to us about possibly working on a Christmas track together, we were just thrilled and thought It would really be an honor to be working with him,” shares Morissette about the team-up. “All the more when he first shared the song to us, it got me more excited because of the danceable vibe and fun feel the song had.”

“This Is Christmas,” is an upbeat tune about “enjoying the holiday season with your loved ones, looking forward to coming home and making the most of the Christmas season.”

Ben Adams and Morissette’s Christmas duet is now available on all music streaming and download platforms worldwide.

Information and images provided by Sony Music in a recent press release.

Noche Buena-inspired meal sets at Press by Fully Booked, Powerplant Mall

This goes out to certified bookworms like me: imagine that you’re in your happy place ( a book shop, of course!), surrounded by shelves full of tomes waiting to be read and loved, the smell of book paper all around you.

Suddenly, you start to get really hungry.

Oh, just when you were so enjoying browsing through the books and picking out those you want to bring home with you!

What to do?

If you’re at the Fully Booked branch in Powerplant Mall, you won’t need to leave the book shop to ease your hunger. You can have a meal right there at the cafe situated at the corner called Press by Fully Booked.

Here, you can enjoy classic comfort food such as:

Mushroom Soup (Php160). Creamy soup made with bits of shiitake mushroom and Italian sausage.

Classic Caesar Salad (Php250). Fresh romaine lettuce, grilled chicken slices, grated parmesan cheese and bacon bits tossed in traditional Ceasar dressing.

Aglio Olio (Php200). Al dente pasta lightly sauteed in minced garlic and olive oil.

Carbonara (Php250). Al dente pasta cooked with special bechamel sauce topped with bacon bits.

Just in time for the Christmas Season, Press by Fully Booked launched Holiday Meal Sets inspired by dishes found in a Filipino Noche Buena table. These sets are good for three to four people so a group of friends or a family can share and enjoy them.

These sets include:

Arroz Valenciana. A Filipino dish made with glutinous rice, chorizo, shrimp, bell peppers, hard-boiled egg and spices.

Homestyle Fried Chicken. Deep-fried chicken marinated in buttermilk.

Lechon Belly. Slab of pork belly rolled in seasonings then slow-roasted in the oven to achieve a tender and moist meat and a crispy and flavorful skin.

Press Iced Tea (Php100). The house blend iced tea.

Set A (Php999) includes Arroz Valenciana, Homestyle Fried Chicken and Press Iced Tea while Set B (Php1,499) includes the items in Set A plus Lechon Belly.

The Christmas Season is also about gatherings and gift-giving. With this, Press by Fully Booked also launched a series of Holiday Pastries, an assortment of festive cakes and pastried perfect for a clan “salo-salo” or as holiday gifts.

These include:

Ube Custard (Php650). Fluffy ube (purple yam) cake topped with creamy leche flan (egg custard).

Four Seasons Cheesecake (Php1,350). Baked cheesecake which comes in four flavors: Original, Caramelized Banana, Queso de Bola and Hazelnut garnished with chocolate, fresh strawberries and honeycomb.

Chocolate Cake (Php1,250). Moist chocolate sponge cake filled with layers of chocolate ganache and salted caramel, and coated with cashew crumble.

Cookie Sampler (Php440). A tub of twenty mini cookies consisting of five pieces each of Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate Chip, Double Mint Chocolate Chip and Cranberry & Raisins,

Bar Sampler (Php550). A tub of twenty-four bars consisting of twelve pieces each of Food for The Gods and Butterscotch.

And to make the holidays even more fun and festive, the cafe is bringing 9 Weeks of Press Holidays wherein the diners can enjoy a different perk every week:

November 11-17: free Americaninfor every order of available cakes
November 18-24: 10% off on total orders
November 25-December 1: Free Double Chocolate Chip Cookie for every minimum spend of Php500 and up
December 2-8: Free Press Iced Tea for every order of any pasta dish
December 9-15: 10% off on drinks
December 16-22: Free pumpkin soup for every order from “The Classics” menu
December 23-29: 10% off on holiday sets and holiday pastries
December 30-January 5: Buy 1 Take 1 on coffee (frappe not included)
Jannuary 6-12: 10% off on all salad orders

So the next time you’re at Fully Booked in Powerplant Mall, there’s no need to leave your happy place to get a meal. Pop by Press by Fully Booked and get yourself a taste of the holidays.

Many thanks to thr managemeny and staff of Press by Fully Booked for the warm welcome and to Bella Javier for extending the invitation.

This Press by Fully Booked branch is located at Level R3, Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Drive corner Estrella Street, Rockwell Center, Makati, open daily from 11am to 9pm.

Another branch is located at Ground Floor, Santolan Town Plaza, Col. Boni Serrano Avenue, San Juan.

The Tita’s Guide to Brunchin’ at The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery, UP Town Center

If the hassles of city living gets you all stressed and harried, get yourself and your pals some decompressing time with a leisurely brunch at one of my new favorite haunts in Quezon City.

The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery in UP Town Center is a concept cafe that enlightens and inspires its guests to be themselves.

Together with my fellow foodies, I ventured to this resto and discovered a way to let loose my inner tita and fully enjoy a #TitaConvention with the friends at The Fat Seed.

Here’s how:

1. Set the stage.

The resulting photos and Instagram posts will document your outing with the ladies. Choose the spot that will serve as a wonderful backdrop for your photo opps. Fortunately, The Fat Seed has those in abundance from its custom wood tables made by local craftsmen to its grand wall mural.

2. Choose the grub.

The Fat Seed recently updated its menu, giving its clientele new viands to try while still bringing back many of its best-selling dishes.

You titas will be happy to see that these dishes not only combine ingredients in new and exciting ways, they look great, too! Feel free to upload your foodie shots!

Check them out:

French Toast (Php405). Slices of brioche dipped in rhum syrup and flavored with cinnamon and nutella topped with whipped cream and banana slices.

GaBa Chop Chicken (Php160 for single | Php265 for double). Chicken chops flavored with garlic, basil and chili.

Crispy Egg Salad (Php220). Unripe papaya, fried egg, century egg, arugula, cucumber, carrots, red radish, fried shallots and red cherry tomatoes.

Cheetos Rings (Php225). Onion rings covered with crushed Cheetos and accompanied by bleu cheese and cream.

SS Poppers (Php295 for combination| Php325 for shrimp only | Php225 for squid only). Beer-battered shrimp and squid with garlic aoili.

Wings Sampler (Php330 for 4 flavors). Twelve pieces (four pieces each) juicy deep-fried chicken wings in Louisiana Hot, Salsa Verde, Japanese Miso and Garlic Parmesan flavors.

Wagyu Beef and Peppers Pasta (Php405). Slivers of tender and flavorful wagyu beef and pasta noodles in a red wine and garlic sauce with green bell peppers and chili.

Triple Decker Grilled Cheese (Php450). Grilled cheese sandwich with alternating layers of melted cheese and bacon and mango in thick slices of buttered brioche bread and served with a cup of tomato soup for dipping.

Red Pesto Seafood Pasta (Php430). Prawns, squid, sundried tomatoes, white wine, basil, olive oil, chili and garlic.

Bacon Truffle Burger (Php480). Premium beef patty in buttered brioche buns, tomatoes, lettuce and melted cheddar cheese accompanied by truffle mushroom paste with crispy bacon strips.

Portuguese Seafood Casserole (Php350). Squid, shrimp, kani, corn and green peas baked in bechamel sauce over rice.

Seafood Cauliflower Rice Bowl (Php330). Shrimp, squid, red radish, ebiko and mango on top of cauliflower rice.

Breakfast Steak (Php405). Juicy slices of medium-cooked rib eye steak with grilled tomato and fried egg over garlic rice.

3. Have a drink… or two!

Being a roastery, The Fat Seed prides itself on its coffee-based drinks made with single origin beans. So, coffee addicts, grab yourself a glass of Cold Brew (Php165), Coffee Cubes (Php150) or Rootbeer Express (Php175) when you feel the need for a caffeine fix.

Looking for something refreshing? Check out The Fat Seed’s tea infusions and juices such as LGBT (Php135) or Mojito Tea (Php130) to quench your thirst.

Have a sweet tooth? Indulge in some delectable milkshakes such as Chocolate (Php215) or Strawberry.

4. Strike a pose (or several!) and snap away.

With great-looking surroundings, great food and drinks and great company, don’t hesitate to commemorate your brunch with your amigas with a few snaps.

The Fat Seed got its name from the concept that great things can grow from small seed. From my all-too-brief time here with my friends can grow lasting vines of fun and friendship!

Many thanks to The Fat Seed’s management and crew for the warm welcome and the gorgeous and delicious meal, and to Zomato for extending the invitation!

The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery is located at Ground Floor, Phase 2, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 9362113.

Did you know that if you and a friend ordered 2 drinks at The Fat Seed Coffee + Roastery, you can get the same 2 drinks free via Zomato Gold?

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.