February 2022 – Page 3 – Jellybeans in the City

Refreshing garden dining at Antipolo’s Crescent Moon Cafe

With all the mishaps that have been happening in the metro lately, I’ve been looking for an escape where the fam and I can just relax and enjoy being together.

As luck would have it, a Sunday errand in Tanay afforded Hubby, my son #ExhibitB and myself the opportunity to hie ourselves off to a haven I’ve long been wanting to visit: Crescent Moon Cafe in Antipolo.

Here, my boys and I were able to enjoy a leisurely brunch, with a bit of nature and art appreciation thrown in.

Lush green getaway from the busy metro

After a week of peering into the screens of our laptops and mobile devices for most of the preceding week, I’m glad that we were able to visit a green space housed in this restaurant’s grounds.

We were surrounded by verdant trees, shrubs and plants, accented by eclectic artworks and the sounds of birdsong.

Green spaces have also been shown to improve cognitive ability and social behaviors among children, so parents would be happy to note that an outdoor play area for kids will soon be available inside the premises.

Aside from the soothing sight of greenery, the sound of cascading water into the koi pond is calming to the soul. There, large and colorful carp gracefully glide through the water or break to the surface for a feeding or two. Who would have thought that this relaxing feature was borne from a World War II bomb crater?

Throughout the grounds, there are whimsical touches of nature and art, especially in the outdoor handwashing area and washroom.

Walking around Crescent Moon Cafe’s grounds is sure to bring about a feeling of peace and serenity that my boys and I need to refresh and revitalize ourselves for the week ahead.

A restaurant that houses a pottery shop

Nestled within this garden setting is a screened dining hall furnished with colorful tables and chairs and decorated with regional and ethnic accents.

In keeping with IATF guidelines, the restaurant is operating at a maximum of fifty percent of its usual capacity. All adult guests are required to present vaccination cards and sign in via StaySafe PH for contact tracing. Guests are also required to submit to a temperature check, wear facemasks inside the premises and maintain physical distance from other diners.

Off to one side is a display shop of various houseware pottery crafted by stoneware ceramic artist Lanelle Abueva-Fernando. Here, guests can opt to buy unique handmade items such as serving platters, bowls, mugs, jars and other housewares and decor.

Of course, the main draw of Crescent Moon Cafe is its food. It serves Southeast Asian cuisine made with fresh and local ingredients from the same recipes used by the founder Bey Fernando when he started the restaurant back in 1997.

These include:

Beef Rendang Rice Meal (Php340). The Malay-inspired dish made with tender beef pieces slow-cooked in coconut milk and spices, served with a cup of red rice.

Red Rice (Php50/cup). A healthier steamed rice variant rich in iron and vitamins and which makes for a great companion to various Southeast Asian dishes.

Lemongrass Pork Belly (Php420). Pork belly slow-cooked in soy lemongrass broth and served with picked vegetables.

Fragrant Peanut Chicken (Php390). Boneless chicken pieces braised in peanut sauce with a few mild spices.

Suman at Mangga (Php150). Two pieces of white suman accompanied by a slice of ripe mango, a variant of the Mango Sticky Rice in Southeast Asian cooking.

Drinks. We paired these dishes with two glasses of sweetened lemon iced tea and a glass of sweetened calamansi juice with malunggay extract.

With this introduction to Southeast Asian cuisine, we were able to expand #ExhibitB’s gustatory horizons beyond his usual lutong-bahay and fast-food favorites.

Spaces for al fresco dining, special events or large-scale celebrations

Crescent Moon Cafe has expanded its operations to include a new al fresco dining area called The Sunken Garden, which provides diners with an open-air space with a full view of the koi pond.

Above it is a large hall which can accommodate a large number of people, perfect for events and large parties.

Crescent Moon Cafe also has its own watering hole and creative space called The Glass Bar where guests can get hands-on with various arts and crafts. It can also serve as a venue for seminars, workshops, meetings or private events.

A screened cabana can also serve as a venue for more intimate gatherings.

Planning a sojourn to the east of Manila anytime soon to escape the stress and hassles of city life? Do include a relaxing stopover at Crescent Moon Cafe to enjoy the surroundings and the good food. Be sure to book your table before you go!

Crescent Moon Cafe and Studio Pottery is located along Sapang Buho Rd. Brgy. Dalig, Antipolo City, open Wednesdays to Sundays from 9am to 5pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82345724.

For more details about its facilities and offers, visit its website or follow it on Facebook or Instagram.

#SwakSaSKYFiber: With its new super speed plans, SKY Fiber hits the sweet spot between affordable and seamless connection

SKY Fiber recently launched its new set of Super Speed Plans to deliver on consumers’ need for inexpensive plans with reliable internet connection.

“While we all continue to adapt to the new normal, we cannot deny the significance of having a good quality internet connection at home. As an internet service provider, SKY Fiber wants quality internet connection to be accessible to more Filipinos. With our new Super Speed Plans, we have enhanced the speeds of our best value plans bundled with the WiFi Mesh without compromising its affordability,” James Dumlao, SKY’s head of Consumer Products Group, said.

SKY Fiber’s new plans offer Unlimited Broadband Plans with speeds of up to 50Mbps (P1,699/month), 100Mbps (P2,299/month), and 150Mbps (P2,799/month), compared to its previous offering of 40Mbps, 80Mbps, and 120Mbps. The Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plans also provide higher speeds of up to 80Mbps (P2,499/month) and 150Mbps (P2,999/month) with more cable channels.

These Super Speed Plans provide subscribers the right balance in terms of speed, strong connectivity, and value for money. Alan Supnet, SKY’s head of Broadband Products, said they looked into the sentiments of many Filipino families when they were developing SKY Fiber’s new set of plans.

“Families with a limited budget tend to get low-cost plans or wireless prepaid internet, but risk experiencing slow and spotty connection. On the other hand, ultra-high speed plans that do offer reliable connection come with very high costs, which not a lot of people can afford. SKY Fiber offers that sweet spot that’s ‘swak’ for their needs and budget,” he explained.

The new plans also come with free WiFi Mesh units (number of units included depend on the chosen plan) to evenly distribute the internet signal around the house. To date, SKY Fiber remains to be the only internet service provider in the country that readily bundles the WiFi Mesh for free with its plans.

“We made sure to keep the WiFi Mesh included for free in all our broadband plans because we’ve seen how it enhances the experience of our subscribers in eliminating dead zones at home. Most frustrations related to the internet are rooted in poor signal around the home, and the WiFi Mesh is our solution. Anywhere in the house, our subscribers get seamless WiFi coverage without any additional cost,” Supnet said.

For users looking for a reliable plan to cater to their basic internet needs, SKY Fiber still offers its 20Mbps Plan maintained at the affordable price of P999 per month. An Unli Broadband Plan of up to 30 Mbps (P1,299/month) and Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plan of up to 40Mbps (P1,699/month) are also new offerings that won’t break the bank.

As a treat for those who subscribe to the new Super Speed Plans within February 1 to April 30, SKY Fiber is offering free and lowered installation fees. Select plans also get a free speed boost until April 30. The boosted speed will depend on the chosen plan. For example, subscribers of the 50Mbps Plan can experience up to 75Mbps until the end of April at no additional cost.

Aside from having new plans, SKY Fiber has made its highest speed plan of up to 200Mbps (P3,499/month) available in all SKY Fiber serviceable areas, which are Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Baguio, Cebu, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, GenSan, and Zamboanga.

Visit mysky.com.ph/skyfiber to apply for these new fiber-fast plans. Existing SKY Fiber subscribers can continue to enjoy their current plans or choose to switch to the new plans.

Product details 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 online with like-minded people as some of the biggest perks of my job.

Photo Credit: Header photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

3 reasons to treat your Valentine to a meal at Silverspoon, Tomas Morato

The #DayOfHearts is fast approaching and if you’re tired of your usual foodie haunts, let me present you with someplace new for your Valentine date: Silverspoon Kitchenette in Quezon City.

Here are three reasons why this newly opened restaurant is the perfect venue for a romantic outing with your special someone.

1. It’s a cozy nook, well-suited for an intimate meal.

Who want’s to go on a date where everyone is hanging out at? A Valentine’s Day rendezvous should be in an intimate setting far from the madding crowd that occupy malls during this holiday which also coincide with the payday rush.

Located along Scout Gandia just off the trendy restaurant row that is Tomas Morato Avenue, Silverspoon is a quiet and cozy haven from the metro’s hustle and bustle.

Al fresco seating provides diners with an open-air space where they can take in the neighborhood’s relatively more laid back pace.

Inside, a minimalist yet whimsical decor serves as a cozy backdrop for a tete-a-tete between lovers as they share delicious comfort food.

2. Silverspoon lovingly crafted its menu and dine-in service to give you and your date that “spoonful of happiness.”

Owner Decebelle Montefrio started Silverspoon as an online food business in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, bringing delicious comfort food to the metro’s denizens who can’t go out to eat. However, she still held on to her dream of having her own brick-and-mortar restaurant someday.

Well, dreams do come true since at the tail-end of 2021, Decie, together with her partners, head chef, line cooks and service crew, have successfully launched Silverspoon Kitchenette in the foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area.

The restaurant offers International-Filipino cuisine, a delectable curation of well-loved and classic dishes lovingly prepared and beautifully served by Silverspoon’s staff.

3. It’s Valentine’s Special Menu is a tasteful curation of dishes that is not to be missed.

As a treat for lovers during this season of love, Silverspoon has prepared special a special four-course set meal that will set hearts ablaze while tantalizing taste buds and sating appetites. This set meal includes:

Pumpkin Soup. A thick and creamy soup made from seasoned pumpkin puree blended with a flavorful broth and accompanied by crunchy croutons.

Caesar Salad. Fresh greens, tomato slices and croutons tossed in house-made Caesar salad dressing, accompanied by crunchy breadsticks seasoned with sumac chili.

Baked Salmon with Truffle Pea Sauce. Hefty salmon fillets seasoned then air-fried and baked before serving topped with arugula and fresh vegetables on a bed of grilled asparagus and green pea puree flavored with truffle oil.

12oz USDA Angus Ribeye Steak. A sure hit with meat lovers, this 12oz piece of well-marbled Angus steak is grilled to the diners’ preferred doneness (mine is medium, of course), then served with steamed vegetables and creamy mash potatoes.

Special Brownie Ala Mode. To end the meal on a sweet note, Silverspoon serves a fudgy brownie bar topped with vanilla ice cream, fruit slices and a chocolate heart.

Glass of Wine. The meal also comes with a glass of vino (diners’ choice between red and white) to make this outing extra special.

You can enjoy these dishes with these especially curated sets available from February 11 to 28:

Pumpkin Soup, Ceasar Salad, Baked Salmon, Brownie Ala Mode, Wine and Lemonade: Php1,599
Pumpkin Soup, Ceasar Salad, USDA Angus Ribeye Steak, Brownie Ala Mode, Wine and Lemonade: Php2,950

Mocktails. Not keen on ending the date? Extend your time together over Silverspoon’s refreshing specialty drinks at Php145 each such as the Blue Lagoon, a concoction made extra colorful and citrusy with the addition of blue curacao, or the Pink Sunset which gives the vibe of a leveled up Four Seasons drink.

Be sure to bring your special someone to SilverSpoon Kitchenette for a delicious celebration of love and good food!

Thanks to Decie and the people behind Silverspoon for a very memorable pre-Valentine’s Day treat for me and my fellow foodies!

Silverspoon Kitchenette is located at 81 Scout Gandia Street, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily for dine-in, takeout or delivery from 10am to 9pm. For inquiries, reservations or delivery orders, call +63 917 1603327. It also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

For updates on its latest offers, follow Silverspoon on Facebook or Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting event held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to facilitate an honest review and were not paid for by the attendees.

The Manila Hotel intensifies efforts towards safety of staff and guests

HEPA Filtration System against viruses in place at the historic hotel

As The Manila Hotel’s famed Café Ilang-Ilang and the romantic Champagne Room reopened on January 28 and February 2, 2022, respectively. The hotel chose to suspend dining operations and do general maintenance when the holiday festivities died down to ensure food quality and guest safety, as well as do spot-checks on its facilities.

Café Ilang-Ilang is still one of the best eat-all-you can restaurants in the country where diners can indulge in a wide range of food selections for lunch and dinner daily. This brings together Italian, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and even certified Halal dishes under one roof for an indulgent eat-all-you-can feast featuring crowd favorites like the US Beef Rib Roast; items from the Churrasco station; seafood like prawns and crabs; a glorious spread of different sushi and sashimi; Filipino favorites like Lechon with truffle rice; an array of desserts including bibingka, puto bumbong, and halo-halo; and many more.

The Manila Hotel’s Café Ilang-Ilang and The Champagne Room reopens

Meanwhile, Manila’s premier destination for exquisite fine dining, the Champagne Room, serves up lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, with choices from la carte items and special multi-course degustation menus—conceived by the hotel’s Executive Chef to showcase what this dining outlet is all about. Think generous servings of Black Angus Tenderloin, US Prime Beef Rib, the Chilean Sea Bass, or the satisfying Seafood Medley; there are also choices of starters; and for dessert, don’t miss out on the indulgent sweet delight—its signature Baked Alaska. The most romantic room in the country marks the return of its fine dining just in time for Valentine month.

YouAreSafeHere will always be a commitment

As the hotel continues to accept staycation guests, social events in various function rooms, and with dining outlets reopening, it will be much safer for guests to visit and dine in the outlets as the historic hotel takes a technology-driven solution to create a safer environment for guests by installing several innovative High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) UV-Care Clean air purifying filtration system units in different high-traffic areas.

The UV Care Air Purifier with Humidifier with 8-Stage Filtration System is proven to kill 99.97% SARS-CoV2* and is a timely response to the surge of the COVID-19 Delta and Omicron variants in the country (*tested by MRI Global USA, according to UV-Care website).

According to its manufacturers, the more advanced, medical-grade H14 HEPA filter has VIRUX® patented technology with a built-in activated carbon and photocatalyst filters that, along with UV LED lamp, is proven to effectively eliminate bacteria, germs, viruses, and pathogens. Their product information also states that these air filtration units are efficient in capturing and removing airborne particulates such as PM 2.5 and other allergens, dust, mold, and pollution from the air, and provides Ultraviolet-C sanitization to disinfect the air and kill germs. When used along with the best practices recommended by the IATF, DOH and DOT, it could be an effective indoor protection for both guests and staff.

The Manila Hotel welcomes dining and staycation guests with further assurance that “YOU ARE SAFE HERE”—because it isn’t just a tagline for us, but a commitment we uphold. For air quality, the hotel also installed heavy-duty York Solution Mobile HEPA Air-Handling Units in wider areas like the Grand Lobby.

Aside from dining options, staycation and leisure stays are now at guest-friendly rates from only P6,000 nett. For more information on room and restaurant rates and reservations, guests may call the trunkline 85270011 or 09989501912. They can also book rooms by emailing resvn@themanilahotel.com, and make dining reservations via restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com.

Details and images provided by the Manila Hotel in a recent press release.

North Park delivers via GrabFood Signatures

With many of us still having qualms about dining outside, it’s no wonder that food delivery services have been our lifeline, not just to good food, but also towards supporting our favorite restaurants in this time of pandemic.

In its bid to bring good food to people staying at home, leading super app Grab launched its GrabFood Signatures Program, wherein it partnered with leading food brands. These popular establishments then deliver their famous dishes plus offer irresistible discounts and other promos via GrabFood.

Among GrabFood Signatures’ partner restaurants is North Park, a homegrown Chinese restaurant which brings old fashioned and well-loved Chinese food that have found a place in the hearts and palates of Pinoys.

Wanting to give my fam a break from out usual lutong-bahay fare, and to also give my yaya a break from the stress of cooking and preparing the family’s lunch, I decided to order in via my Grab app and I chanced upon a Grab Signatures promo granting Php150 off my order.

Well, I lost no time ordering my family’s faves from North Park:

Yang Chow Fried Rice (Php228). Delicious egg fried rice with shrimps, chopped BBQ pork, carrots, and green peas.

Pork Sionai (Php348/12pcs). Steamed dumplings made with ground pork, vegetables and aromatics.

Boneless Honey Lemon Chicken (Php263). Boneless chicken marinated in freshly squeezed lemon juice and seasonings, thickly coated with a sticky sauce made with honey and lemon.

Braised Noodles with Wanton (Php218). Wanton made with paper thin flour skin filled with diced pork and shrimp generously poured with premium oyster sauce over Hongkong Noodles.

The fam had wonderful meal with such a delicious and hearty fare from one of our favorite restaurants.

North Park branches in Metro Manila include:

Pasig: The Strip Commercial Complex Ortigas
Mandaluyong: Greenfield District
Quezon City: SM Hypermarket Cubao, Tomas Morato, G. Araneta Avenue, Trinoma Mall, Banawe, Tandang Sora, Ayala Fairview Terraces, Eton Centris
Taguig: Market! Market!, SM Hypermarket FTI
San Juan: P. Guevarra Street (opposite Petron)
Makati: Makati corner Kalayaan Avenue, Glorietta 3, Salcedo Village, Legaspi Village, SM Hypermarket Market
Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, ASEANA Square
Manila: Manila Ocean Park
Pasay: Mall of Asia Arena Parking Building
Valenzuela: South Supermarket
Alabang: Alabang Town Center, South Supermarket
Muntinlupa: SM Center Muntinlupa

Want to enjoy similar offers? Just check the Messages tab in your Grab App for promo notifications.

About Grab

Grab is the leading super app in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter most to consumers. Today, the Grab app has been downloaded onto over 185 million mobile devices, giving users access to over 9 million drivers, merchants and agents. Grab offers the widest range of on-demand transport services in the region, in addition to food, package, grocery delivery services, mobile payments and financial services across 339 cities in eight countries.

About GrabFood

Operating under the Grab super app, GrabFood is an online food delivery service that connects local food businesses to people. GrabFood presents a variety of food based on what’s available around consumers: Filipino, Western, Asian, European, Fusion and so on. Today, GrabFood’s services are available in areas of Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, and Cebu, with plans to continue expanding to reach more areas in the country.

Download the Grab app here.

Satisfy your Japanese food cravings with Tokyo Tokyo

Tokyo Tokyo has long been one of the go-to restaurants of foodies looking for tasty yet affordable Japanese food.

In fact, I got my first taste of Tokyo Tokyo back when my food budget was dependent on my baon back during my college days. I’m sure my love for Japanese cuisine was spurred, in part, by my taste of Tokyo Tokyo’s tonkatsu and tempura that I bought from its kiosk during one of my college fairs.

Today, Tokyo Tokyo is the number one Japanese food chain, staying true to its mission of bringing Japan closer to Pinoys.

My family and I have come to look forward to a visit to a Tokyo Tokyo branch for a delicious Japanese meal.

Some of our favorites include:

Fried Gyoza (Php60 | 3pcs). Classic Japanese potstickers that are fried then served on a bed of fresh cabbage and drizzled with Teriyaki sauce.

Wagyu Katsu Bento (Php195). Wagyu beef coated in panko crumbs then deep-fried to golden and crunchy perfection and served with tonktsu sauce, vegetable misono and unlimited rice.

Beef Misono Bento (Php270). Tender beef strips seasoned with misono sauce and toasted garlic bits and red pickled radish served red iced tea, miso soup and dessert.

On the other hand, to cater to the family’s Japanese food cravings without leaving home, we can easily get platters of Tokyo Tokyo’s dishes delivered right to our doorstep.

Chicken Karaage Platter (Php160 | 6pcs). Marinated chicken pieces are lightly floured and deep-fried to a delicious golden brown, then served with soy ginger sauce.