December 2020 – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

Dessert takeout from The French Baker

Back when I was in grade school, a French Baker branch opened in the only nearby shopping mall at the time and introduced me to the amazing pastry called the Danish.

The Danish is viennoiserie baked good which was among the pastries introduced by Austrian bakers hired to replace the bakers of Denmark who went on strike in 1850. After the labor disputes were ironed out and the Danish bakers went back to work, they adapted the Austrian Plundergeback pastry and made it their own by adjusting the amount of egg and fat, coming with what is now known as the Danish pastry.

The French Baker is said to have revitalized the breadmaking industry in the country, bringing to light various ways to enjoy breads and pastries with European origins – such as baguettes, scones, crepes, bagels, sourdough, ciabatta, and, of course, Danishes – which were unfamiliar to the Philippine mass market when the chain opened its first stores more than thirty years ago.

The French Baker’s version of the Danish Pastry consists of the layered and glazed pastry topped with a creamy custard and a fruit filling. My favorites since childhood are the Blueberry Danish (Php88) and the Peach Danish (Php88).

On my way to parking lot after running some errands, I espied a takeout counter at The French Baker branch inside the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall. I dropped by and picked up a few pieces of my favorite Danish variants as my pasalubong for the kiddos (and a treat for me!) as well as a bag of Crack Pan De Sal (Php102 for 10 pieces).

The pastries were a hit with the kids; we liked the sweet and flaky bread that frames the creamy custard and luscious fruit filling perfectly.

I saved the pan de sal for later when I prepared my midnight snack with Hubby. I heated a couple of pieces and filled them with shredded Purefoods Fiesta Ham. Oh my! Those fluffy pan de sal went so well with the ham and really sated my late night food cravings.

From my childhood to today, I continue to appreciate how The French Baker has expanded my foodie horizons.

Aside from dine-ins and takeouts, you can also enjoy The French Baker baked goods by having them delivered to your home. For inquiries, call +63 917 6353026 or +63 917 5423125. Order online or via GrabFood or FoodPanda.

Get in the Christmas spirit with Lilystars Records’ compilation album, IN REVERIE

Philippine indie music label Lilystars Records brings festive warmth to music listeners all around the world with the release of IN REVERIE: A Lilystars Christmas Compilation.

In keeping up with the tradition of spreading Holiday cheers, the 11-track album offers heartfelt music that evokes the reassuring comfort of home and togetherness even in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

According to Clem Castro, the CEO of Lilystars Records, the compilation release is more than just a reflection of longing, hope and love. “It’s a call to keep our spirits alive no matter what we are facing. There are also tracks about celebration, optimism, loneliness and even dismay.”

While Christmas can mean a lot of things to different people, IN REVERIE: A Lilystars Christmas Compilation isn’t afraid to explore themes that indirectly address the current pandemic situation. “We can’t say if this release will have an impact for those who are having a difficult time with the pandemic, but we are hoping it does make a difference, Clem shares. “This serves as our gift to music fans this holiday season.”

Helmed with Hallmark-inspired melodies, vibrant arrangements, and intimate songwriting, the songs in Lilystars Records’ IN REVERIE offer an alternative listening experience for discerning music fans who want their Christmas jams a little bit on the obscure side. It covers a diverse selection of tunes with genres spanning pop, folk, blues, jazz, indie rock, twee, electronic pop, post-punk, and alternative music.

Clem admits that there was no selection process for the compilation album. Instead, he challenged some of the artists in the roster to write and produce their own original Christmas songs. “We have a high regard with the capacity of our artists and their contribution exceeded our expectations. We commend their commitment to produce the tracks on their own, either recording at home or with help of friends or people they work with to bring life to their record.”

Eleven artists from Lilystars Records participated in the call for submissions, which is more than enough to complete a proper album. The result is a unique collection of songs, defined by the sound of each artist and their own personal sentiments about the season. The track list includes:

Christmas Daydreams – Orange & Lemons
Blue For Christmas – Meagan Trees
The Kids Are Out – The Bloomfields
1225 – Project Orange
Feliz Navidad (I’m Falling Apart) – Dey Rose
This Christmas Time – Dustybuns
A December Afternoon – Parasouls
Yo! Santa! – The Charmes
Christmas Mourning – The Geeks
Xmust – Kubra Commander
Good Night – Starry Eyed Cadet

IN REVERIE: A Lilystars Christmas Compilation is now available on all digital platforms worldwide via Lilystars Records.

Ferino’s Bibingka Merienda Blowout

With all the time spent at home with the fam, I’m glad I was able to find the opportunity to reacquaint the kiddos to our rich culinary heritage.

This initiative was greatly helped by my mother-in-law when she treated her kids and their respective families to a Pinoy-style merienda during her recent birthday by having local delicacies from Ferino’s Bibingka delivered to our respective homes.

Bibingka is kind of kakanin or rice cake made with galapong (glutinous rice flour) and cooked in clay pots lined with banana leaves. While it can be enjoyed year-round, bibingka is especially popular during the holiday season; it is the go-to food to be enjoyed after Misa de Gallo.

Ferino’s Bibingka started in pre-war Tondo, Manila when Ceferino Francisco, Sr. (also known as Mang Ferino) starter selling bibingka and puto bumbong on the sidewalk outside their rented apartment. The business grew after the war, such as when they opened Ferino’s Cafe in the Manila Hotel in the 1950s, another branch at the Fiesta Carnival in Cubao in the 1970s and more afterwards.

Most of these stores closed down with Mang Ferino’s passing but the Ferino’s Bibingka brand was revived by his grandson, Sonny Francisco, who began to operate bibingka dine-in and takeout stores in 2016.

Ferino’s Bibingka’s storied dishes made their way to our table by way of the Family Set 1 (Php880) sent by MIL as her birthday blowout. This set consisted of:

Bibingka Extra Super. Pure galapong mixed with two fresh eggs, topped with salted eggs and kesong-puti.

Pancit Palabok (Small Bilao). A traditional Filipino noodle dish which is made with round rice noodles doused in a gold-colored savory sauce topped with shrimp, crushed chicharon (pork rind), slices of hard-boiled egg and chopped green onions.

Pork Barbecue (6pieces). This popular Pinoy street food of pork barbecue consists of slices of pork skewered on bamboo sticks, marinated in sweet and savory barbecue sauce then grilled to smokey and tender doneness.

Palitaw sa Linga. Another kakanin which is made of flattened ground glutinous rice which are dropped in boiling water. The rice cakes rise up to the surface (“litaw“) when cooked which is how the dish got its name. It is served dipped in grated coconut, with a side of sugar and sesame seeds (“linga“).

Thanks to MIL, the fam was able to explore the richness of our local cuisine!

To order from Ferino’s Bibingka, you can:

Call +63 2 76227104 or text +63 917 6502331
Click/Tap the SHOP NOW button on Facebook Messenger
Order via GrabFood

Shopee shoppers embrace digital payments on 12.12

Adoption surges in North and South Luzon as ShopeePay provides shoppers across the Philippines with easy access to digital payments

ShopeePay, an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services, saw more consumers adopt digital payments at the recent Shopee 12.12. It was highlighted by a 50 times increase in ShopeePay transactions in the first hour of December 12 compared to an average day, as people turned to digital payments for their convenience and ease of use.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “I am happy to see more people enjoy greater convenience and rewards with ShopeePay at the Shopee 12.12. Our integrated mobile wallet allowed users to check out purchases more quickly and securely while also accessing exclusive deals. It’s heartening to see more people using digital payments as their preferred payment method. It is a positive trend as digital payments become increasingly important in driving digital inclusion and the acceleration of our region’s digital economy.”

Rising confidence in digital payments in the Philippines

Filipinos used ShopeePay to discover exclusive deals, earn rewards, and complete orders at the Shopee 12.12. The most popular categories checked out using ShopeePay were Home & Living, Health & Personal Care, and Women’s Apparel, showing that people are now more comfortable using digital payments for various essential and lifestyle needs.

Key trends for the use of ShopeePay on December 12 included:

Growing digital adoption in cities: North and South Luzon saw the most significant uplift in ShopeePay transactions on Shopee than an average day, showing that ShopeePay offers users easier access to digital payments.
ShopeePay adoption increases across different generations: Millennials aged 18 to 34 continued using ShopeePay to conveniently shop for various needs such as kitchen essentials, mobile accessories, and makeup. Gen X users above 50 also saw a surge in adoption, with orders paid via ShopeePay increasing 24 times from an average day.

Yu closed, “As users become more accustomed to digital payments, we are committed to further growing our ecosystem of partner merchants so all users benefit from the convenience both online and offline, while businesses enjoy better growth in the future.”

About ShopeePay

ShopeePay is an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services. Launched in 2015, ShopeePay enables a seamless shopping experience by allowing users to make online payments on Shopee, top-up their wallets, transfer and withdraw funds, and make payments offline at thousands of merchants.

ShopeePay makes it easier to shop and do business. It provides users with a convenient, secure, and rewarding payment option; it empowers businesses and helps them to capture new opportunities.

ShopeePay is part of SeaMoney, the digital financial services arm of Sea Group. A leading digital payments and financial services provider in Southeast Asia, SeaMoney’s mission is to better the lives of individuals and businesses in the region with financial services through technology.

For more information on ShopeePay and SeaMoney, please visit seamoney.com.

High Grounds Cafe, Tomas Morato

One of the things I miss about my pre-pandemic workplace is its proximity to many interesting places to grab a bite.

Tomas Morato is home to many restaurants that offer distinct dining experiences to diners with various interests.

High Grounds Cafe along Rallos Street, for example, offers high end PC gaming services and high speed internet connection catering mainly to gamers. It offers coffee-based drinks and desserts as well as comfort food to nourish its customers as they play PC games, browse online or do their remote work.

My experience here, however, was strictly for dining. As a despedida for my previous boss, practically the entire team came together unexpectedly for one of our famous happy lunches.

It’s fortunate that High Grounds Cafe boasts of spacious and sprawling premises and a well-trained kitchen staff as it was able to accommodate our sizable group.

Our orders included:

Starters.

Pulled Chicken Nachos (Php280). Tortilla chips tossed with pulled grilled chicken, tomatoes, pickled jalapeno, cornichons, onions, topped with melted mozzarella and silantro oil.

Crispy Catfish Mango Salad (Php250). Catfish flakes mixed with green mango, lettuce, nuts, tomatoes, carrots, shallots, cucumber, cilantro and authentic Nuoc Cham dressing.

Pastas.

Salted Egg Carbonara (Php320). Pasta tossed in bacon carbonara sauce flavored with salted egg.

Beef Stroganoff (Php380). Made with seared beef strips and button mushrooms in a creamy stroganoff sauce.

Mains.

Grilled Salmon (Php520). Herb-seasoned salmon pieces, grilled then served with succotash potato puree.

Ponzu Salmon (Php520). Fresh salmon served with yuzu kasha aoili, kobacha puree, ponzu shallots and shimeji.

Fish and Chips (Php320). Cobbler fish pieces battered and deep-fried then served with fries and tartar sauce.

US Pork Ribs (Php380). Marinated and barbecued US riblets served with Java Rice.

Cajun Pork Belly (Php420). Pork belly marinated in Cajun seasoning and cooked sous vide.

Peri Peri Chicken (Php395). Boneless half chicken marinated in Portuguese style peri-peri sauce served with Cajun jalapeno aioli, mango salsa and dirty rice.

Country Style Fried Chicken (Php360). Boneless half chicken battered, breaded then deep-fried to a crispy golden brown served with steamed rice.

Grilled Chicken BBQ (Php395). Boneless half chicken marinated in homemade barbecue sauce served with Java Rice.

I found High Grounds’ fresh takes on well-known dishes interesting and well worth some repeat visits.

However, the pandemic struck and it had to halt its operations for a few months.

It recently reopened for dine in with protocols in place for the New Normal.

While I’m not looking forward to going back to work in the office (I’m loving my work-from-home setup too much!), I am looking forward to dining safely with my coworkers here for another happy lunch.

High Grounds Cafe is located at 67 Scout Rallos Street, Sacred Heart, Quezon City, open daily from 8am to 12 midnight. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 8880 2037.

Check out my posts on other gaming restaurants:

Finn and Jake return to the Land of Ooo in Adventure Time special

The Emmy and Peabody Award-Winning series Adventure Time returns to Asia with Adventure Time: Distant Lands – four new one-hour original specials. The first, entitled BMO, is now available to stream on HBO GO.

These long-awaited new specials will continue Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time stories that captured imaginations and introduced unlikely heroes and best-buds – Finn the dog and Jake the human – who traversed the mystical Land of Ooo and encountered its colourful inhabitants.

BMO follows the lovable little robot from Adventure Time. When there’s a deadly space emergency in the farthest reaches of the galaxy, there’s only one hero to call, and it’s probably not BMO. Except that this time it is!

En route to Mars, BMO gets sucked into a wormhole and crash lands on an unknown alien world. On this decaying distant land, BMO finds competing alien races mired in a conflict over dwindling resources and appoints himself sheriff of this seemingly lawless outpost.

He deputises a reluctant new friend, Y5, but Y5’s family has other plans for BMO: complete dismantling! Realising BMO’s importance, Y5 joins forces with our robot hero to save this alien world and uncover the real reason her people are on the brink of extinction.

In Southeast Asia, the remaining three episodes will be available on Cartoon Network and HBO GO in 2021.

Obsidian features Marceline and Princess Bubblegum as they journey to the imposing, beautiful Glass Kingdom—and deep into their tumultuous past—to prevent an earth-shaking catastrophe.

Wizard City follows Peppermint Butler, starting over at the beginning, as just another inexperienced Wizard School student. When mysterious events at the campus cast suspicion on Pep, and his checkered past, can he master the mystic arts in time to prove his innocence?

Together Again brings Finn and Jake together again, to rediscover their brotherly bond and embark on the most important adventure of their lives.

Created by Pendleton Ward and executive produced by Adam Muto, Adventure Time is a critically decorated show that garnered numerous entertainment awards and cultivated a generation of talent who have helmed such hits as Steven Universe, Over the Garden Wall, and Clarence. Adventure Time: Distant Lands is produced by Cartoon Network Studios and is an HBO Max Original series.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month. To subscribe, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.

Show details and images provided by HBO 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.

Catch the holiday feels at New World Makati Hotel with festive dining feasts and gift-worthy treats

New World Makati Hotel invites family and friends for that much-awaited Christmas celebration to cap off an unforgettable year. Those looking to come together for a holiday like no other will find an array of festive dining feasts as well as gift-worthy treats to share with those they hold near and dear.

Gift-worthy Goodies at The Shop

New World Makati Hotel’s Christmas hampers and baked goodies at The Shop are an ideal way to show loved ones how special and cherished they are.

Readily made hamper boxes come in three varieties: Grand, Deluxe, and the large and small Tangerine Box. The largest one is the Grand box which includes a fruit cake, chocolate tree, rocky road marshmallows, pralines box of 20, Christmas stollen bread, Christmas cookies, chocolate Santa, Christmas mendiant, and a bottle of wine.

The Deluxe hamper comprises a fruit cake, chocolate tree, box of mendiant, Christmas cookies, chocolate Santa, rocky road marshmallows, and a bottle of wine.

A choice between a large or small Tangerine Box comes with a chocolate tree, Christmas cookies, and rocky road marshmallows for the large box; while the small box contains Christmas cookies.

The Grand, Deluxe, and large and small Tangerine Boxes are priced at PHP7,000, PHP4,500, PHP900, and PHP450, respectively. Build your own hamper boxes are also available for a minimum spend of PHP4,500. All prices are in nett.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dining Offers

All-You-Can-Eat Feast at Cafe 1228

Gather over a festive feast with all-you-can-eat a la carte dishes such as roasted turkey, grilled herb and garlic striploin steak, lamb chops, shrimp, blue crab, clams, and mussels, paired with a selection of salads, pizza, pasta, and more at the Western and seafood stations of Cafe 1228. For Asian and local favorites, there is lechon de leche with paella rice, oxtail kare kare, spicy beef caldereta, pancit palabok, and pork spare ribs as well as select dim sum and noodles.

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Cafe 1228’s Christmas feasts are priced at PHP2,000 nett inclusive of one glass of sparkling, white or red wine, and free flowing soda, chilled juices, and iced tea.

Set Menu & All-You-Can-Eat Dim Sum at Jasmine

At Jasmine, guests will have a choice among four set menus and two vegetarian set menus, each comprising eight courses.

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Set Menu 1A includes Suckling pig barbecued combination platter, Double boiled chicken soup with Chinese herbs, Steamed prawn with garlic vermicelli, Braised assorted mushrooms with fungus and bamboo pith, Spareribs with mango, mayonnaise and garden salad, Braised e-fu noodle with honey barbecued pork, Glutinous dumpling with milk chocolate and peanut filling, and Hot taro cream sago with pandan and coconut.

Set Menu 1B highlights Combination platter of Cantonese style roasted duck and roasted pork belly, Assorted seafood with wintermelon and conpoy soup, Garoupa fillet with mango and mayonnaise in lettuce cup, Braised abalone with shiitake mushroom and premium oyster sauce, Wok-fried diced beef tenderloin with XO sauce, Fried rice with barbecued pork and vegetables, Glutinous dumpling with milk chocolate and peanut filling, and Chilled mango cream sago.

Set Menu 2A features Suckling pig barbecued combination platter, Japanese conpoy with abalone shells, seafood and bamboo pith soup, Wok-fried prawn with butter and Chinese bun, Pan-fried egg with bean curd and special meat sauce, Wok-fried diced beef with chicken and XO sauce, Dan dan noodle with minced pork, Chilled mango cream sago, and Steamed piggy bun with milk egg cream.

Set Menu 2B has Cold prawn salad with mango and cucumber, Pumpkin seafood soup, Braised sea cucumber with shiitake mushroom, Wok-fried beef ribs with black pepper sauce, Braised assorted vegetables with bean curd, Fried rice with Chinese sausage and taro, Chilled almond bean curd with fruits, and Steamed piggy bun with milk and egg cream.

Vegetarian Set Menu 1 has Crispy fried bean curd sheet roll with assorted vegetables, Corn and tofu soup, Minced vegetables with mushrooms in lettuce cup, Assorted vegetables with fungus and bamboo pith, Braised country style bean curd with Taiwan pechay, Fried rice with assorted vegetables, Fried sweet taro with sesame seeds, and Hot red bean cream and lotus seed.

Vegetarian Set Menu 2 includes Crispy taro with tofu salad, Assorted vegetables with seaweed soup, Minced assorted vegetables with fried vermicelli, Fried bean curd and abalone mushroom with truffle oil, Crispy eggplant with sweet chili sauce and pine nuts, Country style fried rice with cashew nuts, Fried sweet taro with sesame seeds, and Hot red bean cream with lotus seed.

Set Menu 1 (A&B) and 2 (A&B) are priced at PHP1,888 and PHP2,088, respectively and include one glass of red or white wine, iced tea, soda or local beer. Vegetarian Set 1 and 2 are at PHP1,388 and PHP1,588, respectively and include one round of iced tea, soda or local beer. All prices are in nett.

Guests can feast to their heart’s delight on favorites such as barbecued Honey roasted pork, steamed “Har gao” shrimp dumplings, “Xiao long bao” Shanghainese pork dumplings, “Shao mai” pork and crab meat dumplings, and Barbecued pork buns, as well as Fried wonton dumplings, Seafood taro puffs,
Barbecued pork puffs, and much more.

Festive additions include Cheese and Chinese chive dumplings, Scallop and fish roe dumplings, Shrimp and cheese spring rolls, Wok-fried beef tenderloin with sweet walnuts and XO sauce, Deep-fried shrimp mango with mayonnaise, and desserts Hot red bean cream lotus seed and Chilled almond bean curd with fruits.

A selection of rice, noodle, and congee dishes are likewise available such as Fried rice “Yeung chow” style, Chicken congee with shiitake mushroom, and Braised e-fu noodle with minced pork, salted fish and spicy sauce.

All-You-Can-Eat Dim Sum is available for lunch service only at PHP1,588 on 24 December and PHP1,688 on 25 December and is inclusive of one round of iced tea, soda or local beer. A limited a la carte menu will likewise be available.

Christmas Cocktails at The Lounge

The Lounge is making spirits brights with an array of Christmas cocktails comprising Berry Smash, Eggnog, Red Sangria and White Sangria. Each cocktail is priced at PHP495 nett. A minimum spend of PHP800 nett on these drinks entitles guests a chance to win a special prize.

Bring New World Home with Holiday Platters

Those who choose to celebrate the Yuletide season at home can savor the festive flavors of New World with premium holiday platters ideal for intimate celebrations. A choice of eight set menus or a curate-your-own menu are available and is deal for families or groups of ten.

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To view each of the eight set menus, guests can visit the website here.

Set Menus 1 to 4 are priced at PHP13,000++ while Set Menus 5 to 8 are at PHP15,000++. Optional drink add-ons are canned soda or chilled juice, local beer or a bottle of red or white house wine. Add-on rates will apply. Delivery fee is PHP600 within Makati and BGC, PHP1,200 for Taguig and within Pasay, Manila, Mandaluyong and PHP1,500 within the rest of Metro Manila.

The New World Makati Holiday Brochure can be viewed here.

For inquiries and reservations, guests can fill up the online order form, call +632 8811 6888 ext. 3679, send a message on Viber at +63 917 888 4194 or e-mail fbreservations.manila@newworldhotels.com.

Details and images provided by New World Makati Hotel in a recent press release.

TikTok launches its first ever Philippines TVC

Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year on TikTok, with an amazing lineup of events, creators, and giveaways.

In the face of all the adversities and challenges that have come our way in 2020, the holiday season remains to be a bright, shining star that Filipinos can look forward to at the end of the year. As the biggest festival celebrated in the country, this Christmas serves as a bittersweet reminder to cherish every moment that we spend with our loved ones, whether face-to-face or online.

Through a pandemic, back-to-back typhoons, and months spent physically far apart from our loved ones, we should remember that life goes on, no matter how hard things have become. In making every moment count, we must learn to continue on in life with love.

This Christmas, love lives on TikTok. Here, we are able to preserve our precious memories of wonderful times that have passed, and we are given hope that the best still lies ahead. We realize that, no matter how tough the world out there might be, happiness and optimism will always be with us at home, where we are surrounded by the people that we care about.

The inspiration behind this video is family. Through TikTok, we are reminded that every moment we get to share with our cherished ones truly matters.

This Christmas, the entire TikTok community comes together to celebrate family, hope, and love. Post your #LoveLivesOnTikTok videos using this hashtag, both to inspire others, and also to memorialize your beloved holiday moments on the app. You may even win a special prize from TikTok this Christmas when you share your videos.

On December 19, 2020, an All-Star Livestream will be taking place on the app, featuring host and content creator, Show Suzuki, with celebrity guest, Alex Gonzaga. Be entertained by their unforgettable antics at the talk show style event, as they reminisce about the year gone by. Watch Alex perform your favorite TikTok challenges, and get the chance to win amazing prizes to be given away by Show “Santa” Suzuki during the event.

Mark your calendars, and be sure to take part in the love-filled Christmas celebration on TikTok this December. Download the app on your iOS and Android devices to see for yourself, how #LoveLivesOnTikTok.

About TikTok

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, Mountain View, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. http://www.tiktok.com.

Four reasons to dine in style at New World Hotel’s Cafe 1228

As we near the end of the tumultuous year of 2020, we should celebrate whatever joy and success we were able to wrest for ourselves, right?

After all, while there may have been many upheavals this year, we still made it through.

So let’s celebrate in grand style, shall we? Here are four reasons why we should do so at New World Makati Hotel’s Cafe 1228.

1) You can dine-in luxuriously.

The restaurant’s sprawling, airy and well-appointed premises are sure to get you in the mood to linger awhile, spending time with family and friends over good food.

2) You can dine-in safely.

With the restaurant’s recent reopening, it already adopted safety procedures and protocols for the New Normal under New World Makati Hotel Commitment to Care Care Health and Safety Program. The hotel, including all of its restaurants and facilities, are in compliance with the standards of its international owning company, Rosewood Hotel Group. Further intensified sanitation and safety protocols are set in place guided by the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. More details on this program here.

Foremost among these standards involves Cafe 1228 revamping its dining-in concept from an all-you-can-eat buffet to one that’s more in line with the New Normal: an order-all-you-can ala carte service.

Instead of filling your plate as you go from station to station, you instead select your choices from a well-curated list of Western and regional fare. You can order anything that’s on the menu as often as you can during dining hours.

3) You can dine-in deliciously.

Cafe 1228 brings the ultimate feast to discriminating diners. Your orders from the menu are all prepared ala minute and served to you at your table in solo portions, fresh and hot from the restaurant’s five cooking stations.

These include:

Hot off-the-grill. Let out your inner carnivore with freshly grilled dishes such as Lamb Brochette, Rosemary Chicken, Mahi-mahi in Kaffir Lime and Olive Oil, Herb and Garlic Marinated Beef Striploin, Pork Spareribs in garlic, calamansi, fish sauce, and Hungarian Sausage.

Fresh seafood cooked in five ways. Shrimps, clams, and blue crabs cooked with a choice of garlic butter, salt and pepper, Singaporean style, in white wine sauce or baked with garlic and cheese.

Pizzas and pastas, all cooked to order. Get a taste of Italy with pizzas such as Frutti de Mare, Parma Ham with Feta Cheese, Mushroom and Four Cheese, Margherita, and Mediterranean Vegetable. Have al dente spaghetti or penne noodles served with your choice from pesto cream, puttanesca, marinara and carbonara sauces.

Regional and local faves from Japanese, Chinese and Pinoy cuisines. Have a food trip around the country and Asia with assorted sashimi and sushi rolls, Wok-Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts, Pork Buns and Lechon Belly Rice.

Appetizers and salads to pair with mains. Start your meal with Jamon Serrano with Manchego on Toast or with Toast topped with Parma Ham, Burnt Peach and Goat Cheese Foam.

Sugary treats for dessert lovers. End your meal on a sweet note with a wide variety of confections that include Chocolate Truffle Cake, Spiced Chocolate Pecan Pie, Strawberry Cheesecake, Mixed Berry Trifle, Bread and Butter Pudding and Puto Bumbong.

Refreshing beverages of your choice. Take your pick from among fresh fruit and vegetable juices, healthy drinks, smoothies, icy teas and beers.

This ultimate feast is available for lunch from Thursdays to Sundays and dinner from Thursdays to Saturdays. The dining outlet will also be open all week from 21-27 December 2020 due to popular demand.

4) You can dine-in on an irresistible deal.

The all-you-can-eat feast at Cafe 1228 is offered for lunch at PHP2,400 on Thursdays and Fridays and PHP2,988 on Saturdays and Sundays. For dinner, it is priced at PHP2,600 on Thursdays and PHP2,988 on Fridays and Saturdays (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day).

From December 21 to 23, the same rate for Thursdays applies: PHP2,400 for lunch and PHP2,600 for dinner.

50% off applies for Club Epicure & BDO credit cardholders at Cafe 1228. Club Epicure membership is FREE and comes with an array of exclusive discounts and privileges for dining offers, and will include room stays once staycations are accepted at the hotel.

For table reservations, guests can call +63 2 88116888 ext. 3679, send a message on Viber at +63 917 8884194 or e-mail fbreservations.manila@newworldhotels.com.

This Christmas, indulge yourself and your loved ones a bit with a welcome change of scenery and a sumptuous feast at New World Hotel Makati’s Cafe 1228.

New World Makati Hotel is a world-class deluxe hotel located in the heart of Makati. With a thoroughly modern vibe and hints of Oriental influence, the hotel features 580 guestrooms and suites with Residence Club executive floor accommodation, a business center, sophisticated dining options, a well-equipped fitness center with sauna and spa, an outdoor swimming pool, and 1,800 square meters of dynamic function space for meetings and conferences. The hotel is located directly across Greenbelt, the country’s premier lifestyle shopping center. It is also nine kilometers from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and within steps of many embassies, as well as Manila’s top business addresses and upscale shopping venues.

Disclosure: Together with fellow food bloggers, I was invited to sample Cafe 1228’s ultimate feast. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to taste the fare to facilitate our honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Maximize your eat-all-you-can experience. Check out my survival guide.

Take flight with varied cuisines from Hungry Nomad Kitchen

Going through the daily grind while stuck at work? Missing the foodie adventures you’ve had in far-off places? Or just seeking a break from your normal lutong-bahay or food delivery fare?

Well, not to worry. Here’s another trip lined up for you: a food trip, that is.

If you feel like letting your wanderlust loose, then the Hungry Nomad Kitchen should be right up your alley.

A curation of beloved cuisines from around the world, the Hungry Nomad Kitchen is where foodies with a taste for adventure can explore various culinary possibilities when they want and wherever they are.

Designed as a virtual food hall, Hungry Nomad Kitchen offers the metro’s denizens to sate their cravings for various types of food from all over the world at one go.

For my first flight with HNK, I went West for a taste of good ol’ Americana and then across the pond all the way to Gran Britannia.

Baby Back Ribs (Php475). 🎶 I want my baby back, baby back ribs. 🎶 And why wouldn’t I? With its smokey flavored, falling-off-the-bone, juicy meat, it’s a hearty viand fit for a hungry carnivore and went so well with my side orders of Grilled Corn on the Cob (Php60) and Coleslaw (Php120).

Fish & Chips (Php350). A lighter choice on the tummy but no means lacking in flavor is this staple from London. Large slices of fish battered and deep fried to a crispy golden brown and served with deep-fried potato wedges. It’s best when eaten hot so I reheated it in the oven when I had it for dinner.

Well, now I’d love to go exploring other virtual foodie destinations here soon!

Other cuisines currently available include Filipino and Italian, as well as frozen desserts by Aqua S.

All you have to do get started on your new food journey is browse and select your choices from the cuisines available at the Hungry Nomad Kitchen website. Then, indicate whether these will be for delivery (areas covered are currently limited to Makati and BGC) or for pick up (shouldered by customer). After checkout, an order confirmation will be emailed to you. Then you can choose your mode of payment (options for bank transfers and e-wallets are available). You can even track the status of your order using a unique code!

Plus, pretty soon, the HNK app will be made available on the App Store and Google Play so you can embark on a new culinary experience with just a few phone taps!

So, if you feel like expanding your culinary horizons without leaving home or traveling far, do check out the Hungry Nomad Kitchen!

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate an honest review.