Eat – Page 37 – Jellybeans in the City

Merienda meetup at Bench Cafe, BGC

Merienda – or minindal – is a time-honored tradition in this country. A light meal or snack in the afternoon often figures as highlights in our childhood, and carries on to our adulthood in the form of coffee breaks.

During a recent meetup with my OFW friend, Tina, I revisited this childhood experience with classic merienda fare at Bench Cafe in BGC.

Bench Cafe is an offshoot of the top Filipino clothing brand Bench in partnership with restaurant developer Foodee Global Concepts. This restaurant brand centers around its concept of combining traditional and modern takes on Filipino food.

Its flagship store in BGC also provides a posh yet comfortable background in which diners can fully enjoy its Pinoy dishes. Tables and chairs are amply spaced in a spacious floor space brightly lit with both natural light and pendant lighting and tastefully highlighted with wall art.

This well-appointed eatery served as our venue for a long-awaited get-together. Due to quarantine restrictions, Tina was unable to come home to the Philippines for two years so I jumped at the chance to check out Bench Cafe’s OG branch for our meetup.

Our merienda included:

Pancit Guisado (Php259 good for two | Php420 good for four).

A hearty dish of stir-fried noodles mixed with meat, shrimp and vegetables, and topped with pork rind, this dish is usually a highlight for many of my afternoon snack times at home.

Flan B (Php219).

Bench Cafe’s version of the Pinoy classic custard and caramel dessert topped with macapuno, always a sweet and creamy indulgence!

Classic Turon ala Mode (Php55).

A crispy fritter made with banana encased in lumpia wrapper with caramelized sugar topped with ube ice cream, another merienda staple.

Ube Halo Halo (Php99/12oz | Php145/16oz).

A thirst quenching dessert and icy beverage made with coconut shaved ice with garbanzos, caramelized banana, leche flan and nata de coco topped with ube ice cream and rice krispies.

These Pinoy favorites on the table and my dear friend to catch up with made my merienda experience at Bench Cafe so special.

Check it out! Drop by this branch at the second floor of Bench’s flagship store at 9th Avenue corner Lane O Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global Citt, Taguig, open daily from 10am to 7pm.

Other branches are located at:

Level 2, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City
Ground Floor, Padre Faura Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila

You may also order for delivery via GrabFood.

Stay updated on Bench Cafe’s offers and promos by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Grupo Meal at Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Capitol Commons

One thing most of us have been looking forward to – after two years of lockdown – is the freedom to come together with friends to catch up on each other’s goings-on since the pandemic.

Thankfully, with the easing of quarantine restrictions, larger groups of people can now gather in restaurants for meetings and celebrations.

That’s what happened recently when my division’s head at work got all of my workmates and myself together and treated us to dinner.

And the venue for this heretofore unprecedented gathering among officemates who have all been working from home for the past two years is Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken in Capitol Commons.

Thanks to a relatively balmy late afternoon weather, we were able to opt for the larger tables outside which could be positioned to accommodate our large group as opposed to the booth tables inside the restaurant which can only accommodate six people per table.

The resulting al fresco dining arrangement allowed our group to all sit together and share a delicious meal while enjoying boisterous banters and teasing.

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken is a fast-casual full-service restaurant known for its signature dish: the Peri-Peri Chicken.

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken brings about this famous dish by marinating a whole chicken overnight in a special mixture of peri-peri (bird’s eye) chili, herbs and spices, then charcoal-grilling it to a gloriously golden hue.

This flavorful and juicy grilled chicken dish is best enjoyed with one or a combination of the restaurant’s eight signature sauces representing various gastronomic destinations, ranging from mildly sweet (Cajun Remoulade, Hoisin Sesame and Sweet Soy), medium spiciness (Garlic Brew, Spiced Vinegar and Mesquite BBQ) and hot (Chili Peppa and Harissa Exotica).

My workmates and I enjoyed this dish and more during our get-together:

Appetizers

Loaded Pica Sampler (Php320). Assorted pica-pica good for sharing consisting of Salted Egg Crispy Chicken Skin, Salted Egg Potato Chips and Peri-Peri Dynamite.

Peri Nacho Bake (Php395). Peri-Peri’s twist on the trendy sushi bake wherein crisp nachos are dipped into a savory cheesy baked dip.

Fish Sticks (Php310). Battered fish fingers deep-fried to a beautiful golden btown.

Mains

Chorizo Bolognese Platter (Php560). Spaghetti topped with tomato sauce and homemade chicken chorizo.

Carbonara Platter (Php560). Spaghetti tossed in creamy white mushroom alfredo sauce and bacon.

Chicken & Rib Grupo (Php2,414). One whole Peri-Peri Chicken and One Whole Slab BBQ Pork Ribs served with 6 java rice, 6 regular sides and drink.

Like I always say, good food and good company lead to great moments!

So why don’t you take advantage of the loosening quarantine restrictions and bring your friends and work pals to Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken for a great time!

This Peri-Peri branch is located inside Capitol Commons, Meralco Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 1am and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 2am.

Other outlets are located in the following areas:

Las Pinas: Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Ayala North Exchange, Greenbelt 3
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
Marikina: SM City Marikina
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
Paranaque: Ayala Malls Manila Bay
Pasay: Resorts World Manila
Pasig: SM City East Ortigas, Ayala Malls Feliz, Capitol Commons, Robinsons Galleria
Quezon City: Eastwood Mall, Gateway Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Trinoma Mall, Banawe, Brittany Square
San Juan: Promenade Greenhills
Taguig: Uptown Parade BGC, Market! Market BGC, Venice Grand Mall

To know more about Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, browse through its website , or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts on Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken:

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East — Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, SM City East Ortigas

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Tomas Morato

The Manila Hotel’s Red Jade Restaurant re-opens

The Manila Hotel’s stunning Red Jade restaurant, which specializes in authentic Chinese dishes, reopened on Friday, June 10, 2022. After a hiatus, Red Jade once again welcomes diners with not just crowd pleasers and best-selling dishes, but an expanded menu selection.

Diners can expect to explore a menu of traditional Chinese dishes prepared with a modern flair along with nods to other regional cuisines of China. The historic Manila Hotel’s local and foreign clientele who have either dined in its main hall or booked its function rooms for private gatherings know that Red Jade is famed for food prepared with time-honored cooking techniques, premium ingredients, and uncompromising quality.

Diners have long celebrated the famed Red Jade’s Imperial Peking Duck, which takes hours to prepare and is expertly carved for patrons. Dim sum lovers can enjoy a wide selection of items, among them the Steamed Shrimp Dumpling “Har Gao,” Crispy-Fried Shrimp Stuffed with Cheese, and Pan-Fried Radish Cake “Bi Feng Tang” style. Other menu highlights include the Scallop and Duck Liver with Foie Gras Sauce appetizer, Honey-Roasted Pork Barbecue, Roasted Suckling Pig, Crispy Pork Belly (Lechon Macau), Stuffed Chicken with Eight Treasures in Lotus Leaf, Fresh Garoupa served steamed or braised, as well as male mud crabs and green lobsters, and many others. It’s even got its line-up of desserts like the Red Jade Signature Chilled Mango Pudding, Chocolate Sesame Ball, and Chilled Almond Beancurd with Lychee, to name a few.

One of its most popular offerings, however, has been the “Dim Sum All-You-Can” special. Available beginning Monday, June 13 along with Red Jade’s comeback, guests can enjoy delightful dim sums that are meticulously hand-crafted by our chefs to bring out amazing flavors and textures. Guests can order them to their heart’s content for only P1,288 nett per head. Soon, Red Jade will also launch the “Dim Sum All-You-Can” discounted vouchers for a limited time this June. Be sure to catch the promo! The “Dim Sum All-You-Can” offer is available at lunch time from Monday to Friday only.

Red Jade is known to its loyal guests as one of the most beautifully decorated Chinese restaurants in the country. Guests who enter Red Jade feel like they have been transported to a different world, a place that evokes a sense of majesty. The restaurant is highlighted by the stunning décor of wall relief murals in jade. A luxurious ambience permeates the space, drawn out by the dramatic lighting that creates a lovely contrast with the stylish wallpapers, detailed ceilings, and red tones all around—an elegant tribute to Chinese traditions and flavors right in the heart of Manila.

With its name and ambiance calling to mind luck and prosperity, Red Jade will surely be a venue for joyous celebrations among family, friends, colleagues, and associates over expertly prepared food, flawless service, and a refined atmosphere. Experience all of it again, starting this Friday, by booking a table now!

Red Jade, located at the ground floor of the historic Manila Hotel, is open daily from 11am to 3pm for lunch, and 6pm to 10pm for dinner. Reservations can be made by calling (632) 8527 0011, (632) 531 0011 or emailing restaurantsrsvn@themanilahotel.com.

#FoundingFarmers brings healthy snacks good to share!

Hey there momshies!

Want to make the move towards a healthier lifestyle but getting bogged down by the lack of options for healthy yet delicious snacks?

Want to encourage the kiddos to go for more nutritious food but they can’t seem to let go of their favorite chips?

Well, worry no more, momshies! We’ve got an ally right here: Founding Farmers!

Founding Farmers produces and distributes snacks made from 100% real vegetables, prepared through healthy and sustainable processes (cooked at low temperatures with no trans fats!) to retain their intrinsic nutrients while bringing out new dimensions of flavors and texture that will make these veggie snacks appealing to young and old alike!

These munchables are suitable for vegans and vegetarians, good sources of dietary fiber, as well as cholesterol-free.

To enjoy your Founding Farmers vegetable snacks, simply Open, Eat, Enjoy and Repeat!

I’m sure you wouldn’t want to keep these yummies all to yourself, right? The good news is that pretty soon, Founding Farmers snacks will be available in #SharePacks!

At just Php199, these packs are, well, jam-packed with yummy and healthy goodies such as Founding Farmers’ classic flavors.

Okra Crisps. Who would have thought that the slimy okra can turn into a crunchy and tasty treat?

Shiitake Crisps. Go for the ‘shrooms such as this pack of premium shiitaki mushrooms vacuum-fried to retain its natural earthy and umami flavor and its distinctive shape.

Veggie Crisps. Mixed veggies are fun, wouldn’t you say? Mix and match your faves among six veggie variants inside this pack: okra, sweet potato, string bean, carrot, purple sweet potato and pumpkin.

Carrot Crisps. The natural sweetness of carrots takes centerstage with this crunchy snack.

Roasted Shelled Edamame. Your favorite appetizer at Japanese restaurants now comes shelled and roasted, packed in a resealable container so you can enjoy anytime you want.

Munch on these veggie crisps as you indulge in your family movie marathon or take them with you on your next family outing.

Stock up on these goodies so that the next time you tell your kiddos to eat their veggies, they’ll be excited to do so!

Say Hay to a better and healthier way to snack! Know more about Founding Farmers, visit its website or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Founding Farmers vegetable snacks are available at leading retail outlets such as The Marketplace, Landers, Robinsons Supermarket, Landmark, NCCC Supermarket, AllDay, Gaisano Countrymall, Unimart, Makati Supermart and Cash & Carry; specialty shops such as the Vegan Grocer, The Blue Kitchen, Echo Store and The Diabetes Store, as well as e-commerce sites such as BeautyMNL, LazMall, ShopeeMall, GrabMart, Pick*A*Roo, FoodPanda and Boozy.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature article.

Feeling at home at BOTEJYU, SM City East Ortigas

My fam and I do enjoy being so near what we consider to be our neighborhood mall, SM City East Ortigas.

As it is the site of quite a number of great restaurants, a delicious meal for the family is just a short drive away.

Imagine our excitement when we got word that BOTEJYU is opening a branch here.

This chain traces its roots back to Osaka, Japan where it was established in 1946 as an okonomiyaki restaurant.

Okomiyaki is a dish that emerged in postwar Japan during a food shortage. As American provisions were unloaded at Osaka and Kobe ports, the locals discovered American flour mixed with water results in a pancake that can serve as an alternative staple food.

BOTEJYU’s founder Eikichi Nishino discovered another culinary delight which also makes use of an American provision – mayonnaise – this time, as a topping for okonomiyaki.

The dish is central to the restaurant’s concept that its name was coined after the sounds heard when cooking its signature dish: “BOTE” from the sound made when flipping the okonomiyaki and “JYU” from the sizzling sound it makes as it cooks on the teppan grill.

Being a family of Japanese food lovers, we lost no time in dropping by this newest BOTEJYU branch in SM City East Ortigas to try out delicious selections from its extensive menu, such as:

Edamame (Php121). Lightly salted boiled green beans.

Fresh Salmon Sashimi (Php395).

Seattle Roll (Php315). Sushi roll made with salmon, cream cheese, avocado and mayonnaise.

Spicy Maguro Tuna Roll (Php315). Sushi roll made with spicy tuna, cucumber and lettuce.

Diced Beef Garlic Steak (Php490). Tender beef cubes sauteed with Botejyu’s signature Chaliapin sauce.

Premium Mix Moonlight-Egg Oko (Php495). Okomiyaki made with Botejyu’s original batter, cabbage, beef, pork belly, shrimp, squid and fried egg cooked on the teppan grill and topped with Botejyu’s original tomato sauce, special sauce and white mayonnaise.

We also took advantage of one of BOTEJYU’s Kazukp Tumori (Family Bundles), deliciously curated meal sets meant for sharing that also offer great discounts. Our order of Family Bundle F (Php1,995) already included four sets of rice, miso soup, kimchi and iced tea, as well as:

3pcs Original Mayo Takoyaki. Made from flour-based batter with bits of octopus and spices topped with takoyaki sauce, Japanese mayo and katsuoboshi.

Pork Tonkotsu Ramen. Ramen noodles in tonkotsu broth with char siu pork.

California Roll. Sushi roll made with crab meat, avocado, cucumber, ebiko and mayonnaise.

3pcs Tempura. Crispy prawns fried in special batter and served with tempura dipping sauce.

Grilled Pork Rib Hokkaido Style. Tender pork steak grilled then glazed in umami-flavored sauce.

Teppan Grilled Pork Gyoza. Japanese potstickers served with aromatic soy sauce.

Original Chicken Karaage. Japanese-style crispy fried chicken infused with garlic flavor.

With such a sumptuous array of Japanese dishes so readily available to us, it sure looks like we’ll be spending more time in our neighborhood mall!

This BOTEJYU branch is located at Ground Floor, SM City East Ortigas, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, open daily from 10.15am to 7.45pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8524657.

Other 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
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.

Pinoy comfort food at Goodah, Timog Avenue

Whenever I feel stressed or harassed, I always get a strong craving for comfort food. These are dishes that I usually associate with delicious home cooking, the kind that my mom would serve me whenever I was sick or sad.

For over thirty years, Goodah has been the has been the go-to place for people seeking fuss-free comfort food that appeals to down-home Pinoy palate. These include the traditional hot and quickly-served Filipino snacks like goto and lugaw, as well as the hugely popular silogs. Being so popular among all sorts of people, it soon adopted the monicker “ang pagkaing for every all!”

During the height of the lockdown due to the pandemic, I was able to enjoy Goodah’s comforting dishes with my fam while stuck at home through its Salo-Salo Set Meals (thanks to Rowena of TravelEatPinas for thoughtfully sending me this meal set!)

However, as the lockdowns gradually eased (but my work and life stresses did not) I wanted to experience Goodah’s down-home Pinoy dishes in a dine-in setting.

So off I went with my fellow unnies to the Goodah branch along Timog Avenue.

Here, we were able to sit down and take a break from our daily grind as we gossiped about our Hollywood idols and K-pop stans while we feast on Pinoy comfort food.

These include:

Batangas Lomi with Tokwa’t Baboy (Php134). A noodle dish made with thick yellow noodles in a thick and starchy soup topped with bits of pork meat, pork offal, pork rind and kikiam. It’s best enjoyed with a side dish made with tofu and pork bits in vinegar sauce.

Arroz Caldo Special (Php179). A porridge made with glutinous rice and accompanied by chicken pieces, hard-boiled egg and topped with crunchy fried garlic and chopped scallions.

Pork Bingoongan (Php319). A classic Pinoy dish wherein pork belly is stewed in shrimp paste (bagoong).

Kare Kare (Php345). A Filipino stew wherein ox and pork meat and offal are served in a thick and rich peanut sauce along with vegetables.

Supermeal A (Php150). A budget-friendly rice meal that includes tocino, lumpiang shanghai, pancit canton, kropek (prawn cracker) and leche flan.

Supermeal B (Php160). Another rice meal that’s light on the budget which includes tapa flakes, lumpiang shanghai, pancit canton, kropek (prawn cracker) and leche flan.

Ribsilog (Php195). Crispy fried pork ribs served with garlic fried rice, fried egg and atchara.

Leche Flan (Php39). The Pinoy version of creme caramel which is made of egg-and-milk custard with a soft caramel layer on top.

With such comforting dishes to be enjoyed, should there still be room in my psyche for stress and negativity? I guess not!

Dispel your own blues with Pinoy comfort food by dropping by a Goodah branch near you today!

This Goodah outlet is located at 57 Timog Avenue, Bgy. South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily for dine-in and takeout from 8am to 8pm, and for delivery from 7am to 9pm via Pick*A*Roo, and 25-hours via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Other Gooodah outlets are located in Alabang, Valenzuela, Pasig, Granada and Fairview in Quezon City, as well as in Sucat and Bicutan in Paranaque.

Know more about this much-loved Filipino food brand through its website. Stay updated on Goodah’s latest offers and promos by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

#UnniesTimeOut at Chef Jessie Rockwell Club

It’s been quite some time since I enjoyed a sojourn at the posh Rockwell area in Makati. With all the upheaval in the metro caused by the pandemic and the recent elections, I have not been able to re-explore a lot of my favorite haunts.

That’s such a shame as one of benchmarks for a fine-dining experience remains to be Chef Jessie Rockwell Club.

Having re-opened after pausing its operations due to the lockdown measures in the city, Chef Jessie Rockwell Club is all set to provide the metro’s foodies with well-crafted gourmet dishes and a luxurious environment in which to enjoy their meal.

Chef Jessie Rockwell Club is helmed by Chef Jessie Sincioco, a pioneer in the locak culinary scene. Having won the baking category grand prize winner in The Great Maya Cookfest in 1983 and becoming the very first Filipina Pastry Chef in 1990, she furthered her illustrious career by managing upscale restaurants through her own company JCS Gastronomie, Inc. In 2015, she received the distinction of being hand-picked to cook for His Holiness Pope Francis during the Pontiff’s visit to the Philippines.

I was happy that during our recent trip to the Rockwell area, my fellow unnies Jen of Sand Under My Feet and Nix of IEatAndIWander, were able have a sit-down meal at Chef Jessie Rockwell Club to enjoy Chef Jessie’s celebrated culinary creations.

We started with Chef Jessie’s Ciabatta, a long, flat and rustic-looking loaf that’s sets the tone for a great meal, especially since it’s accompanied by Chef Jessie’s Special Dip made with finely chopped red and green bell peppers, pimiento and grated parmesan in herbed olive oil, along with bread rolls and butter.

We had our taste of fresh produce thanks to the Salad ala Judy Ann, composed mixed greens tossed with bits of fruits in season along with slivers of brie and bleu-cheese in a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

To further whet our appetites, we had our serving of Cream of Carrot and Pumpkin Soup, a thick and creamy bisque made with wholesome ingredients with a final seasoning of freshly ground black pepper upon serving.

One of our main dishes was a serving of US Beef Tenderloin Tips Salpicao, made with the nicely trimmed and flavorful ends of US beef tenderloin, stir-fried in Worcestershire sauce, butter, garlic, and other spices, and served with creamy mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables in season.

We also enjoyed another tasty viand: the Pan-Fried Salmon in Mariner Sauce, a succulent fillet of Norwegian Salmon on a bed of creamy, herb-infused sauce, garnished with chopped parsley, and served along with creamy mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables in season.

To cap off our sumptuous meal, we enjoyed a decadent serving of fluffy Chocolate Souffle drenched in vanilla sauce.

We also accompanied our meal with both cold drinks – Freshly Brewed Iced Tea and Fresh Lemongrass Tea – and hot beverages – Freshly Brewed Coffee and Basilur Tea from Sri Lanka.

For this group of unnies, our sit-down dinner at Chef Jessie Rockwell remains one for the books!

Chef Jessie Rockwell Club 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 88906543 or +63 2 98907630.

Know more about Chef Jessie through her website or follow Chef Jessie on Facebook and Instagram for more details about her restaurants’ latest offerings.

Check out my previous posts about Chef Jessie.

Chef Jessie’s Place, Makati — Chef Jessie’s Place in Makati soon to open

Chef Jessie’s Place for delivery — Chef Jessie’s creations are now available for delivery and pickup!

Chef Jessie Light Summer Berry Cake — Chef Jessie unveils newest creation: the Summer Berries Light Cheesecake!05

#FruitTeaParty at Colobaba Cafe

In these last few days of summer, don’t you sometimes feel the need for ways to relax and refresh yourself as well as a break from the monotony of responsibilities at work and at home?

How about getting together with your pals for a refreshing Fruit Tea Party at Colobaba Cafe?

This fruit tea brand originated from Taiwan and has now spread to over 500 branches worldwide. One of its outlets in the Philippines is located along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

Here, you and your buddies can relax in the laid back atmosphere as you feast your eyes and sate your tummy on wondrously colorful and refreshing drinks and snacks on offer.

With the reinvigorating blend of fresh fruits and premium Taiwanese tea, Colobaba Cafe’s drinks are high on both taste and nutritional content.

Taking center-stage, of course, is Colobaba Cafe’s Fruit Tea Party (Php298). This is the 1.5-liter version of the Superfruit Tea which is made of Taiwanese tea infused with apple, pineapple, watermelon and calamansi.

If you want to make your fruity drink even healthier, you can always go for a Yogurt Baba (Php188), which is made by blending fresh fruit juice and yogurt. To enjoy this drink, simply shake then gulp it down!

Of course, what would a party be without some delicious food? Colobaba Cafe’s got this covered, thanks to delectable snack offerings.

Snack Pack (Php268). A filling combination of potato fries, chicken chops, chicken popcorn and sausage.

Orange Chicken + Veggies (Php198). A satisfying rice bowl topped with chicken glazed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, a sunny-side-up egg and vegetables.

Nothing caps a meal quite like some sweet delight, so Colobaba Cafe’s got some treats to give you and your friends your just desserts!

Chocolate Souffle (Php188). Fluffy Japanese style pancakes topped with cheesy cream foam, drizzled with chocolate sauce and sprinkled with crushed Oreos.

Egg Tarts (Php150/pcs | Php200/6pcs). Portuguese-style pastries composed of a flaky and buttery shell housing creamy egg custard.

So take heart, you harried urbanite. Some welcome rest, respite and refreshment await you and your buddies at Colobaba Cafe. Drop by any of its outlets in the metro:

Quezon City: Unit 9 ITC Commercial Complex, Timog Avenue corner Panay Avenue, Quezon City

Manila: Unit 104 The Manila Residence Tower II, Taft Avenue, Manila

Pasay: Magdalena Jalandoni Street, CCP Complex, Pasay City

Don’t have the time to drop by a Colobaba Cafe branch? Have your reinvigorating drinks and re-energizing snacks delivered to you via GrabFood or FoodPanda.

To keep updated on its latest offers and promos, follow Colobaba Cafe on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting held at this restaurant where food items were served at no cost to the attendees.

Explosively delish buns from Burger Bomb Pasig!

Hungry and looking for a quick yet delish snack?

Well, you better start looking around for a Burger Bomb outlet near you then!

Fortunately, we Pasiguenos have one right in our neck of the woods.

Burger Bomb is known for producing perfectly baked savory buns filled with 100% beef, creamy melted cheese and freshly sliced vegetables. Each bun is hearty and very satisfying, and gives an explosion of flavor with every bite.

These buns have no artificial flavors, preservatives nor added colors from artificial sources.

Check them out:

Original Series

Get these classic Burger Bombs for just Php35 per piece, Php200 for a box of 6 or Php390 for a box of 12.

Cheeseburger Bomb. Made with 100% pure beef, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard, ketchup and cheese encased in a sesame seed bun.

Hickory BBQ Bomb. Made with 100% beef, bacon bits, Burger Bomb’s Signature Hickory Sauce and cheese encased in a plain bun.

Pizza Bomb. Made with 100% pure beef, Burger Bomb’s Signature Pizza Sauce, pepperoni, cheese and Italian seasoning encased in a bun brushed with butter and garlic.

Special Series

Level up your Burger Bomb experience with these special buns for just Php40 per piece, Php230 for a box of 6 or Php450 for a box of 12.

Creamy Pork Floss Bomb. Soft buns filled with special cream cheese and topped with pork floss.

Creamy Spinach Bomb. Soft buns filled with a mixture of fresh spinach, cream and Burger Bomb’s secret ingredients.

Fruity Series

Give your sweet tooth a treat with these fruity beignet buns for just Php27 per piece, Php155 for a box of 6 or Php310 for a box of 12.

Mango Bomb. Yummy mango filling in a soft bun sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Pineapple Bomb. A combination of pineapple and chocolate in a soft bun sprinkled with powdered sugar.

With Burger Bomb’s takeout counter nearby, these yummy buns are so easily accessible to us Pasiguenos.

Whether we need a quick nibble in between meals, something hassle-free to eat during our working lunch, or midnight snack while on a late-night binge of our favorite TV shows, we can now count on Burger Bomb.

Burger Bomb is best when shared so order a box or two of your favorite variants and enjoy these buns with your loved ones!

Enjoy them hot and fresh from the store or reheat them in the oven for five to seven minutes or in the microwave for thirty to sixty seconds.

This Burger Bomb outlet is located at the parking lot of Divimart along A. Sandoval Avenue (near Greenwoods Subdivision), Pasig City, open daily from 10am to 8pm for takeout or pickup. To order, call or text +63 917 8964089. For more details on its products and offers, follow Burger Bomb Pasig on Facebook.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

#SweetDelight: Red Ribbon’s Caramel Crunch Cake is back!

One of my most treasured early foodie memories is discovering Red Ribbon’s Caramel Crunch Cake.

During my summer break from grade school, my mom and I dropped by a Red Ribbon branch along Shaw Boulevard where beautifully crafted cakes were on display.

I remember us taking home this exquisite confection which was a far cry from the usual cakes we bought for family celebrations.

It is quite a visual wonder: a round cake made of layers of delicate chiffon, cream and caramel jelly, topped with cubes of honeycomb crunch. Each bite leads to a complex explosion of creamy, crunchy, and caramel-y delight in my mouth.

So that’s my first encounter with Red Ribbon’s Caramel Crunch Cake.

Over the years, it has joined various celebrations of my family, from birthdays, baptisms, anniversaries to graduations, always enjoying pride of place on our banquet table.

Years passed, and I expanded my repertoire of confectioneries, but I always remember that my first love was this Caramel Crunch Cake.

Imagine my dismay when I tried to have one delivered for a home celebration during lockdown and I couldn’t find it in any branch!

I thought then that I might not be able to taste my first favorite cake again but lo and behold: it’s back!

Red Ribbon is now re-offering the Caramel Crunch Cake at Php690 for a regular-sized cake. Now, my family’s celebrations will be complete and my kiddos can discover why I love this cake so much.

So go ahead and enjoy an old favorite or rediscover a sweet delight with Red Ribbon’s Caramel Crunch Cake!

Order today at your nearest Red Ribbon store, or through the Red Ribbon app, the Red Ribbon delivery website, Red Ribbon on Facebook Messenger, or by calling the #87777 hotline. You may also place your order via GrabFood or FoodPanda.

Disclosure: A product sample was provided to facilitate this feature.