Gel Jose

Zen dining experience at ICHO Japanese Restaurant, Greenhills

Located along the busy Annapolis Street, no more than a minute’s ride after turning right from the traffic-infested EDSA is a haven for Japanese food lovers.

ICHO Japanese Restaurant is named after the gingko trees in Japan. Known to be highly resilient as they can withstand pollution and salt in their native environment, they also beautify their surroundings and as well as provide nourishment and medicinal benefits.

ICHO brings the metro’s diners a piece of the serenity that gingko trees have come to symbolize through its calm and peaceful premises. Lightwood furniture, a tatami area and simple murals against concrete walls create a Zen-like atmosphere with which to enjoy the restaurant’s food creations.

The restaurant’s menu, designed by Executive Chef Rico Panoy, showcases the versatility and artistry of Japanese cuisine. The mix and match of ingredients as well as the time-honored cooking methods produce a well-curated list of dishes that appeal to both the eyes and the palate.

Together with my fellow foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I visited ICHO Japanese Restaurant and sampled some of its bestsellers which include:

Drinks: Icho Iced Tea (Php100), Matcha Milk Smoothie (Php200), Ripe Mango Shake (Php110) and Watermelon Shake (Php110).

Kani Salad (Php235). Crabsticks with Japanese cucumber and bits of mango that features the interesting interplay of salty-sweet flavors.

Spicy Tuna Salad (Php340). Spicy tuna tartar served with mixed greens. This one has quite a spicy kick but diners can always request for the spiciness to be toned down while ordering.

Hiroshima Kaki Motoyaki (Php285). Baked oysters with creamy mayonnaise-based sauce. Very rich and flavorful!

Sashimi Goru Mori (Php720). Five kinds of sashimi which illustrate the freshness of the ingredients and the chef’s mastery of presentation. I may have developed a taste for sea urchin because of this dish!

Salmon Saikyo Miso Aburi (Php110/pc). Lightly grilled pieces of salmon on top of sushi rice topped with sweet miso paste.

Foie Gras Aburi (Php250/pc). Lightly broiled goose liver with balsamic teriyaki sauce on top of sushi rice. Definitely a tasty indulgence!

Icho Roll (Php260). The house specialty maki sushi that has the right combination of textures and flavors that got me reaching for more.

Chef’s Special Nabe Hot Pot (Php695). Mixed seafood and assorted vegetables in light uni broth. Simple in taste and presentation but very comforting.

Robata Platter (Php885). Mixed grilled meat, seafood and vegetable skewers which include tender wagyu cubes and the resto’s namesake: gingko biloba!

Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich (Php300). A delightful confection made of vanilla ice cream in between slices of chocolate and vanilla sponge cake with mochi. A sweet and fitting end to a lovely meal!

So the next time you have a hankering for tasty Japanese food, head to ICHO where you can enjoy it Zen-like surroundings.

Many thanks to Chef Panoy, JM Tan and the crew of ICHO for the warm welcome and delicious food!

ICHO Japanese Restaurant is located at 6 Annapolis Street corner Purdue Street, Greenhills, San Juan City, open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 535 0020 or +63 917 1346027.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, 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 and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

A tita brunch at Cafe Mary Grace, Eastwood Mall

I heard someone say that Cafe Mary Grace is the go-to place of “titas.”

Well, based on a brunch experience I had here (prior to a bowling game with my officemates!), I would have to agree.

As a newly-minted #TitaOfManila (or having just accepted that yes, I am already a tita), I would say that Cafe Mary Grace’s Eastwood Mall branch does qualify for top three criteria of a tita brunch place, which include:

One: Comfortable and IG-worthy surroundings

Cafe Mary Grace grew out of the baking business of the cafe’s namesake, which started from joining Christmas bazaars to establishing mall-based kiosks to finally setting up full-service cafes.

This Mary Grace Cafe branch in Eastwood Mall has the homey and welcoming atmosphere that exemplifies Mary Grace’s essence: the Goodness of Home.

It premises look like an extension of a sprawling and idealized country-style kitchen where wooden chairs and tables provide ample and comfortable seating, personal bric-a-bracs are artfully arranged on shelves and personalized notes are inserted on tabletops.

Furthermore, an IG-conscious tita like me can take her pick among the various photogenic backdrops for her #CoffeeIsLife or #EatingForTheGram post of the day.

Two: Tasty well-loved dishes

You can’t go wrong with the classics and Cafe Mary Grace has classics a-plenty.

Take the Toasted Vigan Longganisa (Php442), for example. Rising and shining won’t be a problem with this all-day breakfast item which consist of links of garlicky Vigan longganisa, two sunny-side up eggs and garlic fried rice, with homemade pickled mangoes, tomato-wansoy salsa and vinegar available upon request.

In the Spanish Sardines and Olives Pasta (Php378), on the other hand, an aglio e olio infusion is enriched with Spanish-style sardines and topped with olives and tomatoes.

Titas often crave for something sweet after (or before, or during or within 24 hours of) a meal. Fortunately, Mary Grace’s all-time favorite Lemon Bar (Php58/bar) sates the sweet tooth with its moist, buttery texture and slightly tangy sweetness.

Lastly, the Mary Grace Hot Chocolate (Php184), made with premium Belgian chocolate, is a rich and comforting end to the meal.

Three: Prompt and friendly service.

Words to the wise restaurateurs: don’t keep a tita waiting. Show some good ole’ fashioned friendliness, a willingness to help and some initiative, you might have just won a loyal customer who wouldn’t hesitate to nominate your place for the next #TitaConvention with her friends.

Cafe Mary Grace seems to keep this adage to heart with its crew of well-trained and accommodating staff who are quick to assist with inquiries and requests.

So fellow titas, the next brunch time is at Cafe Mary Grace, yes?

This Cafe Mary Grace branch is located at Ground Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 11pm and Sundays from 10am to 11am.

Other branches are located at:

Pasig: SM City East Ortigas, Rockwell Business Center, Ayala Malls Feliz, Estancia Mall
Quezon City: Robinsons Galleria, Gateway Mall, UP Town Center, Trinoma Mall, SM City North EDSA, SM City Fairview, Ayala Fairview Terraces
Marikina: SM City Marikina
Mandaluyong: Shangri-la Plaza
San Juan: Unimart Greenhills
Taguig: Uptown Place Mall, Serendra, St. Luke’s Medical Center, One Bonifacio High Street, Venice Grand Canal Mall
Makati: Powerplant Mall, Steps Dance Studio, Century City Mall, The Enterprise Center, Greenbelt 2
Manila: SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro, Lucky Chinatown Mall
Pasay: Mall of Asia Arena Annex, SM Mall of Asia
Paranaque: SM City BF
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center, Festival Mall

Nourishing the seeds of friendship at The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery, UP Town Center

Sometimes, people you have no relation to can seem like family. By working together, sharing stories and spending time with them, you sow the seeds that blossom into strong friendships.

Lately, with all the changes in my workplace, the team decided to have a get-together at The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery, a place we deemed suitable to hang out with our work friends, reminisce about old adventures and look forward to the new ones we will undertake.

These stories are the seeds that germinate into respect, affection and friendships.

The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery also germinated from something small: the seed of an idea that a cafe that offers a different take on the Filipino coffee experience will prosper – grow fat, that is – from the knowledge and passion poured into it.

Even the store’s premises are filled with eclectic works of passion: from artistic murals that adorn the walls, furniture made of reclaimed wood to the artful displays of coffee paraphernalia on the shelves.

During the team’s storytelling and bonding session, we were fueled by concoctions that The Fat Seed makes from premium ingredients and hand-crafted into our chosen drinks which include:

Coffee Cubes (Php150). Steamed milk is gently poured into cubes of frozen espresso – adding sugar syrup is optional – creating a creamy cold beverage that still has a strong espresso kick.

Belgian Hot Chocolate (Php140). A steaming hot mug of rich chocolatey goodness, perfect for long conversations.

In between funny anecdotes we regale each other with, we filled out tummies with The Fat Seed’s signature dishes which displays the store’s penchant for whimsy and experimentation:

Mushroom Fritters (Php175). Deep-fried oyster mushrooms served with homemade ketchup. One of the stories that will live on from our time here was how one of us thought he was munching on chicken skin the whole time instead of the crunchy and expertly cooked ‘shrooms.

Spinach Artichoke Dip (Php265). A yummy dip made of artichokes, mozzarella, garlic and parmesan which made each bite of crunchy baguette slices simply amazing.

Tartufo Pasta (Php310). Freshly cooked pasta noodles tossed into a cream truffle sauce along with porcini, prosciutto and parmesan cheese.

Aglio Olio Chorizo Pasta (Php270). Sauteed garlic and spicy bits of chorizo are tossed into pasta noodles then topped with a plump poached egg.

Grilled Cheese with Tomato Cream Soup (Php285). Four different kinds of cheese are grilled inside a buttered brioche bun, accompanied by a bowl of creamy soup made with Italian tomatoes and pesto then topped with fried basil.

Kimchi Fried Rice with Maple Bacon Slab (Php315). Fried slabs maple syrup-flavored bacon and sunny side up egg on top of kimchi fried rice and garnished with spring onions and nori shreds.

And to cap our meal with some sweet stuff, we split Revel and Brownie bars among ourselves.

With people who are really close to your heart, a few hours spent talking, laughing and teasing can be little seeds that grow into deep friendships.

Here’s to more time to spend nourishing friendships!

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?

Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 (Buy 1 Get 1) deals on food or 2+2 (Buy 2 Get 2) deals on drinks.

3 reasons for titas to have a deluxe brunch at Chef Jessie, Rockwell Club

It was a sunny Sunday and two intrepid titas – Jen of Sand Under My Feet and myself – are out for brunch.

But do note that we are not braving weekend traffic and the after-mass influx of people in the Rockwell area for just any, run-of-the-mill brunch.

Oh, no… We’re there for a special kind of dining experience that only one of the most trusted names in the metro’s culinary scene can provide.

We made our way to Chef Jessie Rockwell Club for a deluxe brunch.

And as to why two titas decided to spend their late Sunday morning here, well, read on…

One: It’s a beautiful place to have a meal.

Situated inside the posh Rockwell Club in Makati, Chef Jessie’s recently renovated restaurant is infused with a modern colonial design that provides a lush tropical-themed haven for food lovers.

Floor-to-ceiling windows let in a lot of natural light, as well as a view of the goings-on in the nearby pool area. The green-grey walls, highlighted by large potted plants make it seem like the garden outside found its way into the restaurant and suffused the space with freshness and calm.

For us titas that already deal with office stresses during the weekdays, entering this welcoming and relaxing space is a treat.

Two: Every dish is a work of art.

Chef Jessie Sincioco is a legend among foodies. Having won the Great Maya Cookfest in 1983, she was offered a special training course at Hotel Intercontinental Manila which paved the way to her becoming the first-ever Filipina pastry chef in 1990.

Chef Jessie brings her considerable culinary expertise into play in bring dishes that provide a feast for the senses: beautifully presented and masterfully prepared to achieve the best in taste, texture and aroma.

During our Sunday brunch, Jen and I feasted on Chef Jessie’s tasty offerings which include:

Fresh Juices:

Dalandan (Php195) and Banana Shake (Php160).

Starters:

Freshly baked breads served with butter and herb vinaigrette infused olive oil.

Salads:

Salad ala Judy Ann (Php450). Mesclun and micro greens tossed with bits of fruits in season along with slivers of brie and bleu-cheese in a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

Salad ala Joe Mari Chan (Php450). Slivers of ubud (heart of palm) molded into a circle together with alugbati (local spinach) in a sampaloc (tamarind) vinaigrette.

Soups:

Classic French Onion Soup with Gruyere Cheese (Php395).

Cream of Carrot and Pumpkin with Shrimp and Mango (Php350).

Entremets:

Dalandan Granitas (Php195) to cleanse the palate in preparation for the main course.

Mains:

Certified US Black Angus Beef Tenderloin (Php1,895) served with sauce bourguignonne, buttered vegetables and potato gratin.

Grilled Lemongrass Chicken (Php895) served with garlic rice and atchara.

Desserts:

Chocolate Souffle (Php350) and Mango Jubilee Ala Mode (Php450).

Cafe Latte (Php180).

Truly, this was a feast that any tita would find rewarding after a hectic work week!

Three: You get treated like the queens you are.

From the time we were ushered to our table to the time we left, we were assisted by the friendly staff. Plates were efficiently cleared after every course, our water glasses immediately refilled, and our inquiries on the food items sufficiently addressed.

They even gamely agreed to our multiple requests for pictures!

So whether you’re a tita, a tito or just a foodie looking to treat yourself to an amazing meal, head on to Chef Jessie’s!

Thanks to the Chef Jessie staff for the great food and warm service during our brunch and to Jen for sharing her GC!

Chef Jessie is located at Ground Floor, Rockwell Club, Amorsolo Square, Rockwell Center, Makati, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 8906543 or +63 2 8907630.

Great games and grub at Grid x Griddle, Greenfield District

Being a foodie, dining out and the discovery new and tasty dishes are synonymous to having fun.

But what if the food was only part of the fun?

At Grid x Griddle Gastrolounge and Gaming (also known as GxG), diners can enjoy delicious Asian-Western fusion dishes while enjoying their favorite board or card games.

Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I visited GxG to check out its food offerings.

Opened in 2017, the restaurant is owned by avid board gamers. Its name even gives a clue to this fact: “grid” comes from the network of squares found in boardgames, while “griddle” refers to the flat metal plate used in cooking burgers, bacon and pancakes, among others.

Step inside and you will enter a world where gamers reign supreme. (Note: By gamers, I mean analog ones who use cards and boards, rather than those who use consoles or PCs.) The first floor is dominated by the bar and a high shelf of games, while the second floor give the diners a choice between dining and gaming on the floor seated on colorful cushions, or at regular tables and chairs. Either way, you have access to an expansive array of board games and card games, some of which were part of the owners’ private collection while others were acquired specifically for the resto.

To play, each person just has to order one dish (not including soups, salads or desserts) or pay Php250 consumable.

Curious about the grub available here? Check these out:

Truffle Mushroom Soup (Php170). Sauteed mushrooms in truffle-flavored cream. Its rich truffle aroma got us salivating.

GxG Fries (Php270). Crisp deep-fried potato fries topped with gently swaying bonita flakes, an American dish cooked and presented in a Japanese way.

Calamari (Php275). Strips of giant squid marinated in salt and pepper, lightly battered then deep-fried to a beautiful golden brown and served with GxG’s own house-made bagoong aioli and vinegar.

Longganisa All-Day Breakfast (Php290). Flavorful links of longganisa from Isabela served with two sunny-side-up, garlic rice, buttered vegetables and iced tea.

Sweet Basi Adobo Glazed Chicken (Php340). A juicy quarter leg of chicken cooked sous vide glazed in GxG’s special adobo sauce made with basi, an alcoholic beverage originating from Ilocos made from fermented sugarcane, and served with garlic rice, vegetables, demi-glace sauce and strips of mango which provide a sweet-sour counterpoint to the salty adobo.

GxG Pasta (Php250). The pasta dish with a decidedly local flavor due to the salted egg and tinapa (smoked fish) incorporated in the sauce.

Truffle Pasta (Php290). A creamy truffle pasta topped with bacon and parmesan cheese.

GxG Pizza (Php260). Native ensalata ingredients such as dilis, eggplant, tomatoes, onions, bagoong and ripe mango on top of a crisp thin pizza crust. This is (surprisingly!) best enjoyed when dipped in vinegar.

Durian Espresso Ice Cream (Php150). The infamously odoriferous fruit is only (thankfully!) subtly hinted at in this house-made frozen confection. What really stands out is its coffee flavor, well-complemented by a generous drizzling chocolate sauce, as well as crushed graham crackers and polvoron for added texture.

GxG also boasts of coffee- and non-coffee-based beverages such as Chocolate Frappe (Php140), Dark Hazelnut Latte Frappe (Php160) and Cafe Mocha (Php140).

If you’re looking for a refreshingly cool drink to go with your meal, you can’t go wrong with the Fresh Lemonade (Php80) or Iced Tea (Php70).

Whether you’re here for the games or the grub, you’re definitely in for a good time.

Thanks to Chef Gerard Martial and the GxG staff for the warm welcome and the good food!

Grid x Griddle Gastrolounge and Gaming is located at The Hub, Mayflower Street, Greenfield District, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City, open daily Tuesdays to Thursdays from 11am to 12 midnight, Fridays to Saturdays from 4pm to 2am, and Sundays from 4pm to 12 midnight. For inquiries, reservations or to order food for delivery, call +63 927 8794686.

Disclosure: Together with my fellow foodies, I attended a foodie meetup held here. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Vaya Tyffyn: The first and last lunchbox you will ever need

Get ready to change the way you eat lunch each and every day with the Vaya Tyffyn lunchboxes! Now available in the Philippines, the Vaya Tyffyn was designed by a team of highly seasoned professionals all across the globe. Vaya seeks to improve the way people take food on the go with a product that is stylish, durable, and travel-friendly.

Lunchboxes as a Way of Life for All Generations

In the Philippines, the lunchbox brings up memories of childhood and meals that end up cold and runny; edible, but not quite as satisfying as it could be. At its worst, the food inside can spoil before consumption.

The practice of carrying a lunchbox often continues into adulthood, with many taking a packed lunch to work in order to enjoy a healthier and fresher meal. Yet, despite the efforts at re-heating food, lunches never taste as fresh as it should be.

A Lunchbox Full of Innovation

Enter: the Vaya Tyffyn. The design defies the conventional approach to pre-packed meals by providing consumers with the option to pack a multi-course meal every day instead of the typical combination of
rice and a main dish.

Vaya Tyffyn is a truly unique lunchbox with key features such as:

A collapsible handle
Vaya’s proprietary Vacutherm Insulation technology that keeps your food hot or cold for 6 hours
A sleek, stainless steel body that easily fits in your bag
Leak-resistant lids with integrated gaskets
Partitions that can carry more than one dish in each container
Heat-protective finger grips
Replaceable copper-finished, polished-stainless steel containers
Stainless steel pressurizing latches

The Vaya Tyffyn comes in three different sizes for all appetites; 600ml (two containers), 1,000ml (three containers), 1,300ml (four containers).

A New Approach to Meal Prep

Whether it’s a quick lunch at the office or a day-trip with your friends, the Vaya Tyffyn is sure to become a staple in your life. Safe, sleek, and sustainable, the Tyffyn ensures your food stays fresh and warm; ready to enjoy at your own convenience. Experience a new and exciting world of freshness with Vaya.

The Vaya Tyffyn is now available online at vayalife.com.

About Vaya

Vaya is the coming together of seasoned professionals from across the globe, driven by a visionary zeal to significantly improve people’s lives. The company intends to bring an emotional component in everyday life through the concept of total user experience: a combination of innovative, carefully designed, high-quality products, and smart, useful, friendly services. Vaya actively markets and sells its products in the Philippines and 15 other countries.

The Jelly List: Healthy Eats in QC

Healthy eating helps promote overall health and wellness by ensuring that we get the necessary nutrients our bodies need.

Well within Quezon City, there is an abundance of wholesome and nourishing, yet also tasty eats.

Check them out:

Salmon Sriracha Poke Bowl (Php230 for regular bowl| Php150 for junior bowl) at Poke Shack

Poke (pronounced as POKE-KAY) bowls originate from Hawaii, where pieces of fresh fish are chopped into small pieces, marinated in flavorful sauces and served on top of freshly steamed rice along with chopped fresh vegetables, nuts and other toppings that add flavor and texture to the dish. This Salmon Sriracha Poke Bowl, for instance, is made with tempura flour mix, ebiko, furikake, sesame seed with sriracha mayo.

Poke Shack is located at Ground Floor, Tera Tower, Bridgetowne Business Center, Ortigas Avenue Extension corner E. Rodriguez Jr Avenue, Libis, Quezon City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 10pm, Fridays from 10am to 11pm and Saturdays from 11am to 8pm. For inquiries, call +63 926 0718992 or +63 929 3173857.

Five ways Saltitude, Anilao will make your next beach vacay your best ever

Urban life is not a piece of cake for us city slickers, is it? Hectic schedules and those infernal traffic jams do take a toll on our dispositions, and sometimes, even on our physical health.

Sometimes, don’t you just wish you could hie off somewhere, hibernate for a while and luxuriate in peace and quiet? Or how about taking a break from being a desk warrior and be out in the sun, getting your muscles in motion doing something fun? How about spending time with the people you love away from the stresses of city life and luxuriate in a seafront haven?

Well, guess what: you can do all these and more at Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort, one of the trendiest vacay spots to enter the Anilao beach scene.

Spend your beach vacation at Saltitude and you’ll be bringing home not just a great tan but also a lot of great memories. How? Well, let me count the ways:

One: Whimsically decorated rooms get you in your vacay groove.

Each of Saltitude’s fully air-conditioned rooms is named, furnished and decorated according to the things you can do at the beach in or out of the water. The beddings, curtains and unique DIY tchotchkes are all in keeping with the room’s theme. Each door and some of the wall art are also hand-painted by the owners.

Check them out:

Twin-sharing rooms perfect for intimate trips of couples or BFFs.

Dive.

Snorkle.

Kayak.

Fall in Love.

Talk.

Triple-sharing rooms or huts well-suited for a small family or group.

Sail.

Chill.

Sun-bathe.

And a family room that can accommodate a larger number of guests.

Party.

Two: A whole gamut of outdoor activities lets you make the most of the sun and waves

Co-owners Malou Esparrago and Jake Calangi are both dive enthusiasts and they let their guest take full advantage of their diving expertise and the resort’s proximity to some of Anilao’s best dive sites.

In fact, newbie divers can get their PADI, RAID or SSI diving certification at the resort through Saltitude’s experienced diving instructors.

Other activities that can be enjoyed while staying at Saltitude include swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing and even trekking to nearby Mount Gulugod Baboy.

Read more details on the outdoor adventures you can have at Saltitude here.

Three: Tasty dishes and delish dining events are sure to satisfy your food cravings

Who would have thought that going to the beach will also present you an opportunity to indulge your inner foodie?

Saltitude’s restaurant aptly named bar and restaurant Mingle serves up appetizing meals using fresh and local ingredients, bar chows and even Saltitude’s very own signature cocktails.

The resort recently launched Brunchin’ at the Beach, a brunch buffet held every Saturday from 6am to 12.30pm where diners can enjoy a sumptuous and well-curated spread of dishes in line with a weekly theme cuisine, all while enjoying the cool and relaxing vibe of the Saltitude’s beach and premises.

Read more about Brunchin’ at the Beach here.

During summer, Saltitude holds beach barbecues every Saturday night so guest can all come together to enjoy freshly grilled meats and seafood, as well as the cool sea breezes.

Guests with special diets have no need to worry. Just indicate your dietary restrictions when you book your room and the resort will find ways to accommodate you.

Four: It gives you lots of opportunities to rest, relax and re-charge

Who says you have to have a jam-packed itinerary while at the beach?

Make the most of this escape from the stresses of city life by enjoying the scenic views or reading your favorite book while relaxing Saltitude’s beachfront loungechairs, cabanas or hammocks.

Take this time to pamper yourself by booking a session with the resort’s accredited massage therapists.

Consider your stay here your “me time,” and return to your city life fully refreshed, recharged and raring to face the challenges ahead.

Five: It takes its environmental footprint seriously.

Environmentally conscious guests can rest easy as Saltitude also champions environmental causes. It avoids the use of disposable plastic in its operations while also incorporating reclaimed wood and recycled items in its decor.

On September 21, it will host a beach cleanup activity where participants can help in cleaning up a portion the local coastline and divesites while also taking part in environmental lectures and mingling with like-minded guests.

At Saltitude, your beach vacation can be so much more than just some time spent away from the city. It can also be an adventure that stirs your spirit or a balm that soothes your soul.

Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort is located along Manini Road in Mabini, Batangas. To book your stay or reserve a table at the restaurant, call +63 43 4101857, +63 927 4220428 or +63 939 9088843, or email info@saltitude-anilao.com. For more details, check out its website.

Rediscovering Pinoy Street Food at Mang Ding’s, Marikina

The Filipino street food scene is quite storied and vibrant, a showcase of the Pinoy’s creativity and resourcefulness.

Similar to the street food of other countries, many of its dishes came about as a matter of necessity. During the Spanish occupation, most of the prime cuts of meat were reserved for the colonizers, leaving the innards for the natives. And somehow, they made these “undesirable” ingredients palatable through creative preparation and cooking techniques.

At Mang Ding’s Pinoy BBQ, diners can rediscover these delicacies in a pleasant al fresco setting. Located in one of Marikina’s suburban areas, Mang Ding’s was named after owner Dindo Cleofas’ father. Together with his wife and co-owner Dotie, he has been operating this restaurant for over a year now, providing a cleaner and more comfortable way to satisfy the cravings of Pinoy street food fans.

My foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH and I recently visited Mang Ding’s and feasted on its tasty offerings, which include:

BBQ Platter (Php499). Platters of assorted barbecue such as Pork BBQ, BBQ Chicken, Tenga ng Baboy, Gizzard, Chicken Tail, Isaw Manok and Isaw Baboy.

BBQ Liempo (Php155). Slices of pork belly marinated in salt and pepper, then grilled and chopped before serving.

BBQ Boneless Bangus Overload (Php200). Grilled deboned milkfish topped with tomatoes and onions.

Dinakdakan (Php160). An Ilokano dish similar to sisig which uses grilled liempo tossed in a mayo sauce with onions and green chilis.

Ensaladang Mangga (Php75). The local salad of chopped tomatoes and onions served with slices of greem mango and house-made bagoong (shrimp paste).

Ensaladang Dulong (Php100). Crispy dulong fish mixed into ensalada.

Sizzling Corn (Php145). Buttered corn kernels topped with melted cheese served on a sizzling plate.

And we enjoyed all these with a Beer Bucket (Php300), six bottles of our preferred drink, apple-flavored San Miguel Beer.

The MASARAP, MALINIS and MURA dishes, the comfortable surroundings and the warm welcome from Dindo, Dotie and their team made our meal very enjoyable indeed.

Fun fact: Part of the fun of eating street food is deciphering how they got their names. For example, Isaw (grilled pork and chicken intestines looped in skewers) got their name from the dip (“sawsawan”) that accompanies them, while Tenga ng Baboy (Grilled Pig’s Ear) is also called “Walkman” after the portable cassette players that were the rage in the 1980s.

Which story behind a street food name do you find amusing? Do share in the comments.

Mang Ding’s Pinoy BBQ is located at Block 3, Lot 13, C. Buenviaje Street, Santo Nino, Marikina City, open Mondays to Wednesdays from 4pm to 11pm and Thursdays to Sundays from 4pm to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 1659872.

No time to hie off to Marikina for a taste of Mang Ding’s street food? Order via Grab Food today!

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a food tasting event held here wherein food and drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Brunchin’ at the Beach at Saltitude, Anilao

Anilao in Batangas is home to all sorts of fun beach activities: swimming, diving, snorkeling and windsurfing, just to name a few.

Aside from their proximity to the clear sparkling sea, those activities have another thing in common: they do work up quite an appetite.

Fortunately, Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort recently launched “Brunchin’ at the Beach,” a brunch buffet experience that takes place every Saturday, from 6am to 12.30pm at its Mingle restaurant.

For only Php699/person, diners can enjoy a sumptuous and well-curated spread of dishes in line with a weekly theme cuisine, all while enjoying the cool and relaxing vibe of the Saltitude’s beach and premises.

Together with my fellow bloggers, I was able to experience Saltitude’s first brunch buffet available to resort guests and walk-in diners.

Inside, diners and guests can relax in the resto’s sprawling and well-appointed dining area furnished with custom-made pieces. And yes, should they be so inclined, they can take advantage of these Instagrammable surroundings to snap a photo or two.

The menu theme for the launch is intercontinental which features samplings from Pinoy, Asian, American and Mediterranean cuisines, all personally chosen by the resort’s co-owner Malou Esparrago, and whipped up in the kitchen using local ingredients by Saltitude’s in-house chef.

These dishes are beautifully presented in a lavish buffet spread with a few touches of coastal chic bric-a-bracs, also conceptualized by Malou.

The tasty items in the sumptuous buffet spread include:

Filipino. Steamed freshly caught fish, pork adobo, clam soup, pancit canton, champorado with crispy dilis, puto and kutsinta.

Mixed Asian. Sushi rolls, steamed potstickers and Chinese fried rice.

Mediterranean. Lasagna, Pasta Aglio Olio, Tomato Basil Bruscheta and Salmon Bruscheta.

American. Bacon, hotdogs, scrambled eggs, pancakes and bread with various cheeses and jams.

Dessert. Buko pandan and leche flan.

My faves among these are pancit canton, lasagna, salmon bruscheta and the leche flan. I found the varied selection of dishes quite appetizing. I would also imagine the kids would love the hotdogs, bacon and pancakes.

I look forward to Brunchin’ at the Beach’s the next themed menu. Which one’s your bet: Spanish, Mexican or Indonesian?

Plus, I’d also love to join one of Saltitude’s Beach Barbecues held Saturday nights during the summer.

View this post on Instagram

Picture perfect beach BBQ destination here in Anilao, Batangas 💙 #anilao #dive&chill #beachBBQ

A post shared by Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort (@saltitude_dive) on May 30, 2019 at 7:19am PDT

So the next time you’re in Anilao, drop by Saltitude for some brunch. Or better yet, book your stay in one of its quirkily themed rooms (read more about them here) for the weekend, and then head straight to brunch on Saturday morning.

Want to know what activities you can enjoy at Saltitude? Check out my previous post.