There’s something about biting into a juicy and flavorful piece of steak that makes one feel all good inside, right?
Each bite releases flavor, tenderness and juiciness, a powerful combination that simply makes you look forward to the next delicious bite.
However, steaks don’t come cheap.
Back in the late 2000s, my fam had a go-to place for delicious cuts of beef grilled to juicy and flavorful perfections: Hotrocks. It was a no-frills steak place located along C5 in Libis in Quezon City where we can enjoy steaks without having to break the bank.
Well, it disappeared when the area went through some renovations, much to our dismay, but we were gladdened to discover that it found a new home in the Marikina suburbs.
It even took on a new moniker: Beefalo by Hotrocks. Plus, it adopted a look as well: it transitioned from the down-home, cafeteria-style steakhouse (complete with wall decors of plates autographed by celebrity diners) to a more Western ranch-style roadside house with a spacious garden-style al fresco dining area and interior punctuated by brick walls and decorated with vintage appliances and bric-a-bracs.
During my visits there with my family since I discovered its re-emergence in Marikina, I welcomed its change in aesthetics (as well as the improvement in creature comforts that titas like me look for) but I was also glad to see our favorites still on the menu, such as:
Caesar Salad (Php 175 solo | Php345 for sharing). A bowl of crisp romaine lettuce tossed with bacon bits and croutons in Caesar salad dressing, then sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese is just the ticket for starting a great meal, wouldn’t you agree?
Porterhouse Steak (Php520 for 250g | Php795 for 450g). This is the steak that started it all: hefty cuts of porterhouse steak with spartan seasoning and served with mashed potato made from scratch, buttered veggies and the tangy housemate sauce. No-frills but still quite an indulgence.
Dulce de Leche Cheesecake (Php195). If memory serves, Hotrocks served me my first taste of this rich confection more than a decade ago. A cheesecake crust at the bottom is covered with a layer of milk-infused cake, which is then covered with a thick milky cream frosting. What’s not to love?
A family meal at Beefalo by Hotrocks is always a welcome foodie adventure for our family of steak lovers.
Beefalo by Hotrocks is located at Lot 6, Block 3, Gil Fernando Avenue, Santo Niño, Marikina City, open weekdays from 12 noon to 10pm and weekdays from 11am to 10pm for dine-in, takeout and delivery. For inquiries and orders, call +63 2 89676008 or +63 939 1130772.
Stay updated on its latest promos and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.
MetroMart, the no.1 on-demand online grocery delivery platform, provides a series of PISO SALES, weekly discounts, promo codes and freebies this October, leading into the holiday season.
Event
Dates
Highlights
Shopwise PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart
Oct 21-24
Premium items can be purchased for ONLY ₱1.00
Landmark PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart
Oct 24-27
Premium items can be purchased for ONLY ₱1.00
S&R PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart
Oct 28-31
Premium items can be purchased for ONLY ₱1.00
The Marketplace PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart
Nov 18-21
Premium items can be purchased for ONLY ₱1.00
Halloween Specials
Oct 25 – Nov 2
₱200 off of total order
Shopwise’s Wise Wednesdays
Every Wednesday this Oct-Nov 2022
– Up to 70% off items – ₱300 off of total order – FREE Delivery – FREEBIE with purchase
First up is the Shopwise PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart this October 21-24, 2022. Immediately following the weekend sale event is Landmark PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart, running from Monday to Thursday, on October 24-27, 2022. Premium items can be purchased for only ₱1.00, and each of the sale days will have the 1-peso products available throughout the whole day, from 9AM – 8PM.
Next on the lineup is yet another S&R PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart. This will be held on October 28-31, perfect for both Halloween and early Christmas shopping. And for next month, be on the lookout for The Marketplace PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart scheduled for November 18-21. The final roster of products for the S&R PISO SALE and The Marketplace PISO SALE will be published on MetroMart’s social media channels. Items will also be available for a whole day, spanning 9AM – 8PM.
Sprucing up the home is now also a breeze with Shopwise’s Wise Wednesdays, available every Wednesday this October and November 2022.
Get discounts up to 70% off on premium items like cookware, food storage solutions, and even home internet products.
Use code: FREEDELSW to avail FREE Delivery on grocery orders with a minimum spend of ₱1,500.
Use code: SW300 to get ₱300 off on orders with a minimum spend of ₱6,000.
Customers may also get a FREE Large Glass Dispenser with a minimum purchase of ₱10,000.
Going trick-or-treating? Use code: HALLOWEEN to get ₱200 off an order with a minimum spend of ₱2,500. This promo is valid for ALL Users, for a one-time use and applicable across all stores and supermarkets, from October 25 to November 2, 2022.
All of these promos are available throughout the Philippines, where MetroMart has expanded its serviceable locations. The PISO SALE is available in participating branches of Shopwise and Landmark via the MetroMart app and website, all over Metro Manila and key locations throughout the Philippines, including Batangas, Bicol, Palawan, Tagaytay, Pangasinan, Cavite, Cebu, Baguio and Davao. The same will be applicable for the upcoming S&R PISO SALE and The Marketplace PISO SALE. The Shopwise Wise Wednesdays promos can be availed in all participating branches of Shopwise.
Check out the premium items below, up for grabs for just ₱1:
Shopwise
Date and Time
Sale Items
Retail Price
Oct 21 (Fri), 9am-8pm
Woolworths Pasta Macaroni 500G
₱ 109.00
Woolworths Australian Diced Tomatoes 400G
₱ 89.00
Oct 22 (Sat), 9am-8pm
Woolworths Yellowfin Tuna with Mild Gherkins 95G
₱ 99.00
Woolworths Salmon – Lemon & Thyme 95G
₱ 99.00
Oct 23 (Sun), 9am-8pm
Woolworths Canned Chicken – Sweet Chilli 750G
₱ 119.00
Woolworths Pasta Macaroni 500G
₱ 109.00
Oct 24 (Mon), 9am-8pm
Woolworths Fully Loaded Cookies – Chocolate 210G
₱ 209.00
*Sale items are subject to availability in Landmark branches.
Landmark
Date and Time
Sale Items
Retail Price
Oct 21 (Fri), 9am-8pm
Nutella Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa 200g
₱ 162.00
Snickers Classic Singles 51g
₱ 43.00
Oct 22 (Sat), 9am-8pm
Loacker Quadratini Napolitaner
₱ 106.70
Loacker Quadratini Dark Chocolate
₱ 106.70
Oct 23 (Sun), 9am-8pm
Cheetos Corn Puffs
₱ 159.30
Lay’s Honey Butter
₱ 50.25
Oct 24 (Mon), 9am-8pm
Hershey’s Kisses Special Selection – Truffle 135g
₱ 195.00
*Sale items are subject to availability in Landmark branches.
“The MetroMart family always aims to provide affordable and budget-friendly promos and discounts to our customers, especially now that we are moving ever closer towards the Christmas season. We are cooking up even more and even better PISO SALES, with bigger discounts and sale items for the best value. Stay tuned and ready your carts!” MetroMart CEO and co-founder Steffano Fazzini said.
The Shopwise PISO SALE and Landmark PISO SALE, exclusively via MetroMart, are applicable to New and Existing Users of MetroMart. A minimum spend of only ₱2,000 is required in order to avail the 1-peso sale items. Only completed checkout of orders within the scheduled day and time can avail the discounted items.
Are you new to MetroMart? Sign up for a MetroMart account here and enjoy Php200 grocery credit.
MetroMart is the #1 online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. Our grocery partners include S&R (with or no membership card required), Robinsons Supermarket, Landmark, The Marketplace, Shopwise, All Day Supermarket, Merrymart, Super8 Grocery Warehouse, Ever Supermarket, UltraMega Supermarket, and over 500+ specialty store retailers like Pet Express, Baby Company, Toy Kingdom, Toys”R”Us, National Book Store, Office Warehouse, Southstar Drug and AllDay Rx. Customers can order from their favorite stores on the MetroMart app and have it delivered to their door in 2 hours!
Over 160,000 products are available with MetroMart’s 500+ partner supermarkets and partner specialty stores. Order your groceries through http://www.metromart.com, or download the app on iOS or Android app store.
For more updates on MetroMart, follow it on Facebook and Instagram at @metromartph.
The holidays are already upon us, and within this festive season, get-togethers among families and friends are sure to be popping up all over your calendar.
If you’re stymied over what to serve during your gatherings, why not wow your guests with a show-stopping spread that’s filled with both new and familiar flavors?
Fortunately, Kenny Rogers Roasters is serving up fresh additions to its fresh and healthy menu: Smokehouse BBQ Roast & Ribs!
Did you know that smoking meat has likely been a practice since the Paleolithic era? It looks like our forebears discovered that food stored and preserved in their smoky dwellings (due to the absence of chimneys) acquired a distinct flavor.
Over the centuries, the practice of smoking meat evolved from its original intent of preserving food for storage or transport, to enhancing its flavor.
Smokehouse barbecues arose from this tradition. The southeastern region of the US became known as the barbecue region, where cooks adopted the practice of slow-roasting cuts of meat over fire pits to make them tender. This culinary tradition grew alongside the practice of families and communities coming together to share a meal of deliciously smoked meat along with popular side dishes.
Kenny Rogers Roasters makes that delicious tradition even more accessible to Filipinos with its newest limited edition menu items.
Let’s start this flavorsome food journey with its Smokehouse BBQ Roast, Kenny Rogers Roasters signature roasted chicken marinated in a special blend of barbecue flavors and spices and served with skin slightly crispy and charred.
Make this a centerpiece of your feast by ordering a whole chicken ala carte (Php825)…
… or make it a filling solo meal (Php310 Solo A | Php335 Solo B), complete with rice, sides and a corn muffin.
Then you can immerse yourself in the barbecue tradition with Kenny Rogers Roasters’ Smokehouse BBQ Ribs. This dish consists of tender and juicy fall-off-the-bone pork ribs infused with a spicy savory rub that gives it that extra kick.
Order a whole slab ala carte (Php920) to feed the whole fam…
… or enjoy it solo with rice, sides and a corn muffin (Php495).
This tasty food trip is made even more delicious with three new sauces that add new dimensions of flavor to the Smokehouse BBQ Roast & Ribs:
Applewood. Fruity and smoky with a slightly sour bite.
Alabama. Tangy sauce made with mayonnaise spiced with pepper and special spices.
Roasted Garlic. Sweet and nutty blend infused with garlic.
A Kenny Rogers Roasters meal wouldn’t be complete without those yummy corn muffins (Php105/box of 6), wouldn’t you agree?
Round up your festive feast with some delectable sides (Php55 regular | Php83 large) such as Corn & Carrots, Mac ‘n Cheese and Fresh Fruit Salad.
Make your get-togethers extra special this holiday season with these deliciously smokey dishes by meeting up with your fam and friends at your nearest Kenny Rogers Roasters branch.
You may also order your Smokehouse BBQ Pork & Ribs for delivery right to your doorstep at kennyrogersdelivery.com.ph or through Kenny Rogers Roasters’ delivery hotline +63 2 85559000, as well as via GrabFood, FoodPanda and Pick*A*Roo.
Whether you’re still enjoying the perks of working from home, or are already called back to the office, I’m sure your coffee break remains to be one of the major highlights of your day.
As that time when you can enjoy a short respite from your work, as well as get together with your office pals for some cat, coffee breaks are definitely a godsend.
Do you know what will make your coffee breaks perfect? A perfect pairing of Cinnabon rolls and Cinnabon coffee, that’s what!
Since the mid-80s, Seattle-based bakery Cinnabon has been serving up its most delectable cinnamon bun, a product of the collaboration between father-and-son duo Rich and Greg Komen, and master baker Jerilyn Brusseau.
In 1999, Cinnabon established its foothold in Asia when it opened its first Philippine bakery at Robinsons Place Manila.
Today, Cinnabon has twenty bakeries in the country, all committed to churning out its much celebrated Cinnamon buns and more, using the finest quality ingredients and serving them, hot, irresistibly fragrant and fresh from the oven.
In between bouts of hard work, you should really drop by your nearest Cinnabon bakery and treat yourself to some #IndulgingComfort with these mouthwatering cinnamon rolls:
Cinnabon Classic Roll. The cinnamon roll that started it all, filled with Makara cinnamon and topped with decadent cream cheese frosting.
Chocobon. Classic cinnamon roll given that delicious chocolate filling and drizzle.
Caramel Pecanbon. Classic cinnamon roll topped with caramel frosting and chopped pecans.
Chocopecanbon. Classic cinnamon roll topped with chopped pecans and drizzled with chocolate sauce
Cinnabon’s sweet and luscious rolls are best paired with its handcrafted coffee beverages. Need something to perk you up for the rest of the workday? Take your pick from these delicious coffee variants:
Coffee beverages (available hot or cold): Brewed Coffee, Cafe Americano, Cafe Mocha, Cafe Latte, Cafe Latte, Cappuccino, Caramel Macchiatto, Cinnamon Roll Latte
Want to bring that indulging comfort back with you? Then grab a bag of Cinnabon’s Choco Stix Nuggets to-go and let the rest of your work buddies enjoy some sweet respite, or bring it home for as a sweet treat for the fam.
Each bite-sized dough is baked to pillow-y yumminess with a slight crunch and coated with sweetened cocoa, meant to be enjoyed with your nears-and-dears. After all, sharing is caring.
Experience #TheRecipeForWonderful at Cinnabon stores are located at:
SM Aura Premiere, SM Baguio, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA and SM North EDSA North Towers, SM City Clark, SM Cagayan de Oro, SM Seaside Cebu, SM Fairview, SM Mindpro
Trinoma Mall
Festival Mall
Ayala Malls Manila Bay
Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Galleria
Alabang Town Center
SLEX Shell Travel Plaza – Main, SLEX Shell Travel Plaza – Deli2Go, SLEX Shell Mamplasan
Petron Travel Plaza
Caltex San Pedro Travel Plaza
NLEX Shell Travel Plaza – Deli2Go, NLEX Drive & Dine
NAIA Terminal 3, NAIA Terminal 4
Can’t go to a Cinnabon bakery? Order your Cinnabons for delivery right to your doorstep via GrabFood, FoodPanda and G-Life.
For the latest news on its products and offers, follow Cinnabon on Facebook and Instagram.
Photo Credit: Karl of Fuda.ph for the pictures taken during the Cinnabon Coffee Session held at Cinnabon Glorietta 4.
After being mostly stuck within Metro Manila during the lockdown, the family heartily welcomed an out-of-town trip to San Mateo.
Venturing out from our comfy accommodations at Timberland Highlands Resort to SM City San Mateo for a spot of lunch and a bit of shopping, we decided to dine at the BOTEJYU outlet located there.
BOTEJYU is a Japanese restaurant that originated from an okonomiyaki eatery established Osaka, Japan in 1946.
Its menu expanded to include other popular Japanese dishes such as the ones we enjoyed during our visit:
Tuna Sashimi (Php395). Fresh tuna slices served with wasabi and Japanese soy sauce.
California Roll (Php255). Sushi roll made with crab meat, avocado, cucumber, prawn egg and BOTEJYU’s original mayonnaise.
Edamame (Php110). Lightly salted boiled green soy beans that serve as an appetizer to many Japanese meals.
Prawn Tempura (Php670/10pcs). Crispy battered prawns served with tempura sauce.
Tender Pork Tonkatsu (Php275). Tender pork cutlet breaded and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown and served on a bed of shredded cabbage with tokatsu sauce.
Tender Pork Tonkatsu Curry (Php425). Tender pork cutlet breaded and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown and served on a bed of rice with Osaka-style curry sauce poured over it.
Sukiyaki Teishoku (Php540). A set meal which consists of beef cooked in sukiyaki sauce with noodles and soft-boiled egg, served with miso soup, salad, rice and kimchi.
While the menu offerings are a bit pricey, we found the quality to be reliably good, and the service to be prompt.
It’s great to see that BOTEJYU has established its presence in Rizal, thanks to this branch.
This BOTEJYU branch is located at Ground Floor, SM City San Mateo, Gen. Luna Avenue, Ampid 1, San Mateo City, Rizal, open daily from 11.15am to 7.45pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8524673.
BOTEJYU branches in Metro Manila are located in:
Alabang: Festival Mall Expansion Wing
Caloocan: SM City Grand Central
Las Pinas: Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Ayala Greenbelt 3, Ayala North Exchange
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall The Atrium
Manila: SM City Manila
Paranaque: Ayala Malls Manila Bay, SM City Bicutan, SM City Sucat, SM Southmall
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia Galileo Wing
Pasig: Ayala Malls Feliz, Estancia Mall Capitol Commons, SM City East Ortigas
Quezon City: Ayala Vertis North Mall, Fisher Mall, Robinsons Place Magnolia, SM City Fairview, SM City North EDSA, Trinoma Mall Garden Area
San Juan: O Square 2 Greenhills Shopping Center
Taguig: One Bonifacio High Street Mall
BOTEJYU also accepts orders for delivery through its website and via GrabFood and FoodPanda.
To know more about its latest offers and promos, follow BOTEJYU on Facebook and Instagram.
Chinese food spans a gamut of cuisines, with various regional, religious and ethnic influences into this kind of cooking found within China and abroad.
The development of Chinese cuisine in the United States was driven by small-town restaurants that catered to Chinese immigrant miners and railroad workers as well as the local population which are largely unfamiliar with Chinese food. At the same time, these incorporated local ingredients and adapted the dishes to a more American taste, thereby giving rise to Chinese-American cuisine.
A famous example of eateries that serve Chinese-American cuisine is Panda Express. Founded in Glendale, California in the 1980s as the quick-serve, mall-based version of the sit-down restaurant Panda Inn, this line of business grew to 2000 locations as of December 2017.
Panda Express made its way to Philippine shores in December 2019 when, through a partnership with fast-food giant Jollibee Foods Corporation, it opened the first Panda Express branch in SM Megamall, generating long-lines of customers who want to be among the first in the country to sample the restaurant’s signature dishes.
Today, Panda Express has nine outlets, situated in both malls and free-standing locations.
Because of our busy lives, the long lines outside its branches, and then the lockdowns due to the pandemic, it took some time for my family to check out Panda Express’ branches in Metro Manila. (We did dine at Panda Express’ branches in Seattle, Washington during our US trip in early 2019).
After the loosening of lockdown restrictions (as well as the waning of the long lines of people waiting to dine in), we were finally able to treat ourselves to the filling and fulsome offerings of Panda Express.
Diners at Panda Express have several choices when it comes to serving size:
Bowl (starts at Php225) – consists of one entree and one side dish (with 394 to 1105 calories)
Plate (starts at Php310) – consists of two entrees and 1 side dish (with 544 to 1595 calories)
Bigger Plate (starts at Php395) – consists of 3 entrees and 1 side dish (with 694 to 2085 calories)
Kid’s Meal (starts at Php190) – consist of a junior-sized entree, a junior-sized side dish, a 12oz drink and dessert (with 330 to 1000 calories)
Family Feast (starts at Php1,290) – serves a group of four to five persons and consists of 3 large entrees and two large side dishes (with 590 to 2233 calories)
Given our appetites and our own strong preferences among Panda Express’ menu items, is there any wonder why the fam members opted to each get a Plate serving?
Our orders included:
Sides:
Fried Rice. Steamed white rice wok-fried with soy sauce, eggs, peas, carrots and green onions.
Chow Mein. Stir-fried wheat noodles with onions, celery and cabbage.
Entrees:
Orange Chicken. Panda Express’ signature dish inspired by General Tso’s Chicken made with crispy chicken pieces wok-tossed in a sweet and spicy orange sauce.
Kung Pao Chicken. A Szechwan-inspired dish with chicken, peanuts and vegetables, finished with chili peppers.
Shanghai Steak. Wok-seared steak with fresh string beans, onions and mushrooms in a savory sauce.
Savory Shrimp. Juicy shrimp, stir-fried with green onion and bell pepper in a savory sauce.
Honey Walnut Shrimp. (included in one of our delivery orders after our store visit) Large tempura-battered shrimp, wok-tossed in a honey sauce and topped with glazed walnuts.
We found these Plat servings very filling indeed, with the varying textures and flavors of the dishes complementing each other.
Given that all the dishes have been pre-cooked, serving the food was quick and efficient.
This Panda Express branch is located at Upper Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building A, Ortigas Center, Madaluyong City.
Other branches are located at:
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Muntinlupa: Shell SLT Southbound SLEX, Mojito Lifestyle Center
Panaranaque: Soledad Place Betterliving
Pasay: DoubleDragon Center East
Quezon City: Holy Spirit Drive Don Antonio, Greenmeadows Bagumbayan, SM City North EDSA
Panda Express also delivers via its website, as well as through GrabFood and FoodPanda.
To stay updated about its menu and offers, follow Panda Express on Facebook and Instagram.
We have it in our desserts, drinks, breakfast cereals and, sometimes, even our entrees!
It’s no wonder, then, that local chocolate brands have emerged, not just to cater to the Filipinos’ craving for chocolate, but to also spur the growth of local chocolate farming and production.
One such brand is Godel Chocolate.
Established in mid-2020, Godel Chocolate has been providing top quality tools and equipment for cacao bean processing and fine chocolate or compound chocolate production.
To fully demonstrate the exciting possibilities from the local cacao plant, Godel Chocolate came out with its own line of premium-quality chocolate products. As the company continues to hone its expertise in the chocolate craft, it shares its knowledge and experience to budding entrepreneurs. Its advocacy is to help create a new movement of chocolate makers to boost local consumption and production of chocolate, thereby encouraging growth among local chocolate farmers.
I recently attended a tour of its factory in Paranaque, another one of its initiatives to spread knowledge on the local chocolate industry.
Chocolate 101
The tour started with a review of the history of chocolate as well as the basics of chocolate farming and production.
Earliest record of the use of cacao – the plant that chocolate comes from – was 5,450 years ago with the discovery of traces of theobroma cacao in vessels by archeologists. Cacao was mainly used to produce a bitter beverage consumed in the Mayan and Aztec civilizations.
The cacao plant was introduced in the Philippines in the late 17th century via the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. From the Philippines, the cultivation of cacao spread to other Southeast Asian countries, especially those within the Cacao Belt, land within 20 degrees north and south of the equator with fairly loose soil and humid climate suitable for the growing of the cacao plant.
Chocolate comes from the cacao bean which is extracted from the cacao fruit. The beans are fermented, then dried for seven days to eliminate moisture, before being packed and sold to manufacturers for processing.
Chocolate production involves roasting, cracking and winnowing the beans to extract the cacao nibs, which are then refined and conched, prior to being tempered and molded into bars, then packaged for distribution.
Test-run for budding chocolatiers
Tour attendees also got a sneak peek into chocolate making by making our own personalized chocolate bars.
Tempered chocolate is poured into moulds then agitated to get rid of air bubbles.
Nuts, dried fruits, marshmallows and cacao nibs are added to the chocolate.
The chocolate is then chilled, then wrapped.
Here’s my finished product!
Chocolate-making solutions
At its core, Godel Chocolate is a solutions-based company. It sells a line of equipment to help small chocolate producing businesses manage the processes involved in chocolate making from bean sorting to packaging.
After quality checking, the cacao beans are sorted according to size to ensure even roasting. Roasting is done to develop flavor, eliminate moisture and bacteria, and loosen the beans outer covering.
The roasted cacao beans are then cracked and winnowed to separate the husks from the nibs. While other chocolate manufacturers would usually discard the husks, Godel has created a process to turn these into cacao tea.
The cacao nibs ground and refined and conched to produce a smooth mixture called a cocoa mass or cocoa liquor.
The cocoa mass is then pressed to extract the cocoa butter – used in cosmetics, among others – and cocoa powder which is used for chocolate production.
The cocoa powder is then mixed with correct amount of cocoa butter, prior to tempering and moulding.
The resulting chocolate bars are then cooled and demoulded, scanned for impurities then packaged for distribution.
Want to get in the chocolate-making business? Get more details about Godel Solutions by visiting its website or calling +63 2 88693754 to 56.
The tour ended at the factory’s store which showcases Godel Chocolate products and dessert creations.
Chocolate Products
Godel Chocolate products are made from fermented cacao beans directly sourced from organic farmers in Davao, North Cotabato and South Cotabato. By adhering to chocolate making fundamentals and carefully managing its production processes from bean to bar, Godel Chocolates is able to craft chocolate products that are simple in formulation but packed with flavor.
SpecialtyBean-to-Bar Chocolates: Chocolate Peppermint, Milk Chocolate with Dried Mango, Chocolate with Nibs
Cacao Nibs. High in antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects. Can be eaten as a snack, added to a slightly sweeter food for texture and flavor or used as an ingredient in desserts.
Cacao Tea. Available loose-leaf or in tea bags. Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids.
Tablea. Made of 100% pure cocoa mass, no sugar added, and produces a smooth and rich chocolate drink
Specialty Bean-to-bar Chocolates: Tablea Bar, Organic 70% Chocolate, White Chocolate, Salted Caramel Chocolate, Milk Chocolate with Cashews, Milk Chocolate with Almonds
Origins Bean-to-Bar Chocolates
Instant Tsokolate: Hot Chocolate Bomb, Stir-in Hot Chocolate
Dragees: Milk Chocolate-Covered Almonds
Seasonal Bonbon ad Milk Chocolate Bars
Gift Boxes and Chocolate Bars
Baking Ingredients
Chocolate dessert creations
Godel Chocolate products can also be made into these mouth-watering desserts.
Cookies
Cocoa Jelly
Chocolate Mousse
Salted Caramel Cake
This factory tour has certainly opened my eyes to the myriad possibilities for budding entrepreneurs in the local chocolate industry and strengthened my appreciation for our home-grown chocolate products.
Want to check out these chocolate possibilities for yourself? Book your slot at an upcoming Godel Factory Tour here.
Tours are priced at Php800/head with private group tours for up to twelve persons priced at Php8000.
Godel Chocolate is a trademark of JCG Marketing Group, Inc. Its factory is located at 11C Sampaguita Avenue, UPD IV, Paranaque City.
With the continuously rising prices, eating home-cooked meals in lieu of dining out is becoming more popular.
Aside from cutting costs on your food budget, home cooking also helps you choose healthy and wholesome ingredients, have greater control over preparation methods and portions, as well as practice your creativity in the kitchen.
However, one of the hurdles to be managed in home cooking involves sourcing of fresh ingredients that will help recipes turn into delicious dishes.
Fortunately, you can now turn to the Internet to conveniently shop for ingredients and have them delivered to your home.
Take Nutrifresh Chicken, for example.
Nutrifresh Chicken is a direct producer,processor and distributor of broiler chickens which is mainly based in Southern Luzon, with branches in Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Gensan, Davao and Palawan.
It carefully manages the production of its chicken products – from breeding, hatching, growing, processing to packaging and delivery – to ensure the adoption of humane practices and maintain product quality while eschewing the use of preservatives, added hormones and steroids.
These dressed chicken selections include:
.Nutrifresh Chicken Products
Chicken Wings
Chicken Drumstick
Chicken Breast Fillet
Chicken Thigh
Whole Chicken
Nutrifresh Chicken started its venture into consumer retail just when the worldwide pandemic reared its ugly head back in 2020, challenging the company to come up with solutions to efficiently deliver its fresh and premium quality chicken products from its farms to its customers.
Then, it launched an app that enabled home cooks like to order their choices from among its various chicken selections and have them conveniently delivered right to their doorstep.
This online facility made it that much easier for home cooks to prepare nourishing and mouth-watering dishes for their families.
The app is currently being updated to improve its user experience but you can place your orders through Nutrifresh Chicken’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. When the app update is done, you can download it here.
So go online to order your Nutrifresh Chicken selections and be on your way to eating healthy and fresh!
Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.
Now, why would my Pasig City-based family be in this restaurant on the other end of the metro on a weekend?
The answer’s pretty simple: we just finished a round of shopping at the IKEA nearby and we didn’t want to wait in line for its in-store restaurant.
Having espied this RACKS branch upon leaving the furniture store, I just knew that this is where the fam can sate our hunger quite happily. After all, eating at RACKS is always something the entire family agrees on.
Here are three reasons why:
1. It’s a place for casual and comfortable dining.
Surprisingly, RACKS is a homegrown brand but the look and feel of the restaurant is of the American Southwest from the wide and open layout, brick architectural features and farm-style decor, among others.
Smoking meat, essentially barbecue, after all, is an American tradition.
However, RACKS was actually launched by auto magnate Wellington Soong, exclusive distributor of Jaguar, Land Rover and Maserati in the 90s. It was then acquired by the Prieto family (the same group behind Shakeys, Tia Maria and Via Mare, among others) in the mid-2000s.
The new owners instigated some changes, such as transitioning the look of the restaurants from the all-white, country-style theme, to a more homey farmhouse style which is still in place in all of its outlets in the country, this branch included.
2. Its signature barbecue sauces just makes everything better.
Among the things RACKS is known for is its own-brand barbecue sauces. Available in two variants – Original and Extra Hot – these sauces are the perfect condiments to bring out the flavors or RACKS smoked ribs.
These sauces accompanies all orders in the restaurant but can also be bought by the bottle for Php340.
(Cooking hack: my mom also uses it as a marinade for her Crispy Tadyang recipe.)
3. Our family already has its go-to orders here.
Having patronized RACKS since its launch in the 90s (Hubby and I even had a few of our dinner dates in some branches), it’s no wonder that we have established our fast faves from its menu.
Our meal, of course, is centered around RACKS’ Classic Pork Ribs (Php495 quarter | Php775 half | Php1,565). Hickory-smoked in a blend of herbs and spices to achieve that rich and smokey flavor. Given the appetites of my family members, only a full rack can satisfy us.
Our order of Classic Pork Ribs is served with a two side dishes and we opted for our faves, tangy Coleslaw for Hubby and myself and snackable Mac ‘n Cheese for the kiddos.
In other restaurants, we could have had an appetizer of a plate of onion rings but not in RACKS. Oh, mo! Here, we start our meal with a sizable Onion Brick (Php345).
Our meal also includes our preferred grains: Java Rice (Php85 single | Php425 platter) for Hubby and the kids, and Garlic Rice (Php85 single | Php425 platter) for me.
Completing our meal is a Pitcher of House-blend Iced Tea (Php295).
Is it any wonder the fam tends to gravitate towards RACKS for a fuss-free yet delicious family meal?
This branch is located at Aseana Square, Entertainment City, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Tambo, Parañaque.
Other Metro Manila branches are located at:
Las Pinas: SM Southmall, Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Paseo de Magallanes
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Manila: Robinsons Place Ermita
Muntinlupa: Festival Mall
Paranaque:
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia
Pasig: Tiendesitas
Quezon City: UP Town Center, Timog Avenue, Trinoma Mall, SM North EDSA
San Juan: Greenhills Shopping Center
Taguig: The Fort Strip
To know more about RACKS or to order online, visit its website. To stay updated on its promos and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.
Here’s my confession: I get so antsy at the thought of food waste.
I don’t like the idea of throwing perfectly good food away just because the fam got tired of it. This attitude is probably a holdover from my younger years when my family was not living as comfortably as we are now and I didn’t get to enjoy a lot of good food.
Still, getting my fam to finish of every last bite of leftover bread can be quite a challenge.
After all, while freshly baked bread does get us salivating at the mere aroma of it wafting from the oven, stale leftover bread is, at best, ignored and placed at the back of the refrigerator.
The solution? Re-invention!
With just a few additional ingredients, a little bit of prep work and some time in the oven, the leftover bread that my kiddos turn their nose up at becomes a mouthwatering dessert.
I got the idea for this recipe from fellow blogger Tina of Hungry Travel Duo who made a Creamy Bread Pudding from stale bread. I just made a few substitutions – such as using leftovers from my homemade bread and using pecans instead of raisins (because I’m not big on raisins!) – and adjustments for my family’s taste – like doing away with the sweet milk sauce – and my Cinnamon Pecan Pudding came to be.
Here’s how I did it:
Ingredients:
6 to 8 1-inch slices of bread cut into 1-inch cubes (you can use 8 to 10 pieces of regular sliced bread)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
2 tablespoons room temperature butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup roughly chopped pecans (you can substitute this with chopped walnuts)
3/4 cup condensed milk
Procedure:
Grease a baking pan with butter.
Spread the cutup bread and 3/4 cup of pecans evenly in the pan.
In a bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, cinnamon powder and condensed milk, then pour over the bread.
Top with the remaining pecans.
Bake in a 200 deg C oven for twenty minutes until golden brown.
This recipe is great when you want a quick and fuss-free dessert or if you want something fresh from the oven for your coffee break.
How about you? How would you re-invent your leftover bread?
Jellybeans in the City 