Eat – Page 82 – Jellybeans in the City

GrabFood unveils the first GrabKitchen in the Philippines

It is the best of times; it is the worst of times to be a foodie.

It is the best because of the sheer number of dining choices and cuisines available in the metro.

It is the worst because all these infernal traffic jams deter people from making the trip to explore new restaurants or discover new favorites.

Well, mobile app-based delivery services GrabFood have proved to be a boon to Metro Manila’s dining public by eliminating the need to traverse the city’s congested streets just to dine out. Thanks to GrabFood, a whole slew of cuisines can be delivered to be enjoyed by consumers wherever they are.

Today, GrabFood introduced another innovation: the first ever GrabKitchen in the country.

GrabKitchen offers users in a particular geography a variety of curated food selections from one central kitchen. By leveraging data from historical orders to address cuisine gaps, and working with its merchant partners who want to expand their delivery footprint, GrabKitchen bridges consumer demand and availability of food selections. For merchant partners and MSMEs, GrabKitchen is a cost-efficient way to expand the geographic area they serve and reach more consumers using technology. Cloud kitchens can also lower the cost of operations by eliminating high capital investments like rental costs, which is one of the most expensive expensive expansion constraints for merchant partners.

Bringing together some of the most sought-after food brands, and the ability to mix-and-match orders, GrabFood through its GrabKitchen innovation is guaranteed to make group ordering more exciting.

Together with my fellow foodies, I witnessed the grand opening of the country’s first GrabKitchen in Glorietta 2, featuring its merchant partners Omakase, Mister Kabab, 24 Chicken, Recovery Food and Frank & Dean – all of which do not have a physical store in Makati City, and CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice that has seen a significant increase in sales, prompting it to expand its delivery-only operations in GrabKitchen.

The Philippines’ first GrabKitchen offers on-demand delivery and in-store dining through a unique digital experience via a self-order kiosk. GrabFood users who order through the app will also be able to mix and match orders from all partner merchants.

To support more shared moments, exclusive food bundles as Awesome Twosome Bun-deal offer, which has 24 Chicken’s Boneless 7 pieces chicken, Coco Fresh Tea & Juice’s 3 Buddies Milk Tea and Omakase’s California Maki are also available for online delivery for a limited time.

Consumers can also score discounts on all GrabKitchen bundles by using promo codes GKBUNDEAL60 and GKBUNDEAL100 from February 12 to 29.

GrabKitchen was first introduced in Indonesia in 2018 and has since become the largest regional cloud kitchens operator in Southeast Asia. GrabKitchen has over 50 branches in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines.

During GrabKitchen’s grand opening, GrabFood Head EJ Dela Vega shared some of the company’s plans for this new venture.

“Within the next six months, hopefully, we can do two to three more. We are definitely working on opening a few more locations,” he shared. “We want to go where the demand is, where we can fulfill, where we see the gaps in what people are looking for versus what’s available.”

Mindful of the important role that food plays in bringing more shared moments, GrabFood, through its campaign called ‘Masarap ‘pag sama-sama,’ offers consumers a more accessible and affordable way to enjoy group dining.

This season of love, GrabFood has partnered with 150 merchant partners to offer specially-curated food deals, as well as additional Php100 discount for orders purchased using GrabPay. Just use the promo code SAMASAMA before checking out. (More details on the promo are available here.)

Grab is the leading everyday super app in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter most to consumers. Today, the Grab app has been downloaded onto over 166 million mobile devices, giving users access to over 9 million drivers, merchants and agents. Grab offers the widest range of on-demand transport services in the region, in addition to food, package delivery, digital payments and financial services, across 339 cities in eight Southeast Asian countries.

GrabKitchen details provided in a press release.

Alibi, Tomas Morato

No need to wrack your brain for an excuse to have a night out with friends at the end of the work week at this newest bar in Tomas Morato.

Tucked discreetly in the basement of a converted house along Scout Delgado Street in the Tomas Morato area, Alibi is reason enough to chill out with your crew as you enjoy your favorite cocktail and bar chow.

But just in case you need to justify your night out for the Third Inquisition when you get home, you might want to mention how irresistible these are:

One: Tasty bar chow for a serious case of the munchies.

Chase away your hunger with these bar chows:

Tuna Sashimi and Salmon Sashimi (Php275 each).

Salpicao (Php250). Cubes of hanger steak sauteed in roasted garlic and served with mushrooms and cherry tomatoes.

Country-Style Fried Chicken (Php200), Juicy pieces of chicken tenders, breaded and deep-fried to a golden brown and served with gravy.

Baby Back Ribs (Php250). Succulent grilled pork ribs coated in barbecue sauce and served with a tangy coleslaw on the side.

Alibi Fries (Php190). Deep-fried thick-cut fries served with cheese and katsu sauces and topped with bonito flakes.

Mini Sausage (Php150). Sausages cut in bite-size pieces.

Pork Sisig (Php250). The classic Pinoy appetizer made of minced pork pieces sauteed in calamansi, onions and chilis.

Oyster Sisig (Php290). Alibi’s fresh take on the staple dish using oysters in the place or pork. Wow! (More on Alibi’s oyster offerings later.)

Two: Exciting cocktails to try.

Drink to a well-deserved weekend break with Alibi’s signature concoctions.

Lychee Mojito (Php145). Made with lychee, mint leaves and rum.

Tomato Quila (Php145). Made with tomatoes, pear juice and Jinro Grapefruit Soju.

Hello Kiwi (Php145). Made with kiwi, aloe vera, absinthe and soda.

Yakuroto Vodka (Php165). Made with cherry, peach vodka and Yakult.

Three: An oyster bar. ‘Nuff said!

Fresh Aklan oysters, whether plain, topped with Miso Bechamel or Pesto sauce, yours for Php50 apiece.

Who wouldn’t want to take a decadent taste of the sea with these glorious Philippine oysters?

So, go ahead. Take a long-awaited breather for the weekend. Hang out with your friends. You’ve already got your Alibi.

Alibi is located at 115 Scout Delgado Street, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City, open Thursdays to Saturdays, from 7pm to 3am.

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

An afternoon learning to cook at Center for Asian Culinary Studies

Being a foodie, I appreciate good food.

More than that, I appreciate the expertise and effort that goes into the preparation, cooking and serving up of exceptional dishes.

While we diners get to eat our meal while enjoying the restaurant’s ambiance and good service, there are more that goes on backstage – or what is commonly called the kitchen.

That is what Chef Gene Gonzalez and his team at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies (CACS) seek to train their charges for: how to cope with the chaos inside the kitchen to produce delicious, visually-appealing and restaurant-quality fare.

Well, what about those who just want to cook for themselves or their families?

Recently, my foodie friends and I were treated to a fun sneak peek into the goings-on inside restaurant kitchen by no less than Chef Gene himself in a recreational hands-on cooking session called “A Simple Japanese Meal” especially designed for home cooks like my friends and relative kitchen newbies like me.

Aside from sharing his easy-to-follow recipes for Ebi Tempura, California and Tuna Maki, Sukiyaki and Wakame Soup, Chef Gene also imparted to us some tips and tricks-of-the-trade, such as:

How to stretch the tiger shrimp into really long tempura. When I used to try to cook ebi tempura at home, the shrimp gets all curled up. To counter this tendency, Chef Gene taught us to make five knife cuts along the shrimp’s belly, then pinch the shrimp’s back until we feel a crunch so that the shrimp lies prone on the cutting board before we dip it in flour and batter.

How to make tempura really crunchy. While deep-frying the battered shrimps, dip a bouquet stick into the tempura batter and drizzle over the shrimp. Doing this will produce those pretty golden flakes.

What kind of sushi mat is best for sushi making at home. Plastic sushi mats are best for home use because bamboo mats require a lot of care (such as extensive washing and bleaching) to avoid mold growth. (Fortunately, I found plastic sushi mats at the Daiso store near my office the following week.)

How to properly prepare and serve Sukiyaki. It’s best to grill the shredded beef in butter prior to placing it in the pot on top of the vegetables. When the Sukiyaki is cooked, serve the freshly cracked egg on the side and use it as a dip for the beef while enjoying the soup. (Believe me, it tastes so good!)

These are just some of the things that will make cooking an enjoyable and rewarding experience for home cooks and foodies.

Thanks to Chef Gene and Princess of the Center for Asian Culinary Studies for the invitation!

CACS offers Premier Recreational Programs targeting homemakers, home business owners and professionals where they can learn from the country’s best chefs during unique, value-for-money classes and workshops.

For companies who would like their employees to have fun while while going through challenges in the kitchen and developing teamwork, CACS also offers customized team building and group sessions.

For more details on these programs, visit the CACS website or call +63 2 87255089 to book a free tour.

The Center for Asian Culinary Studies is located at 175 M. Paterno Street, Barangay Pasadena, San Juan City (inside the Cafe Ysabel compound).

Come and play at the Johnnie Walker Arcade: a fresh take on the classic arcade experience and on whiskey

Johnnie Walker, the world’s #1 Scotch whisky, opens the Johnnie Walker Highball Arcade, an immersive space designed to push the boundaries when it comes to whiskey. Putting the spotlight on the Johnnie & Lime Highball and the rest of the Johnnie Highball Collection, the Arcade will open its doors on February 6 and will culminate on February 8 in celebration of International Scotch Day.

Setting up shop in the second floor of the new Poblacion haunt Kondwi for its three-day run, the Johnnie Walker Highball Arcade is a fun and immersive way to discover and enjoy the big, bold flavors of Johnnie Walker, starting with its signature serve, the Johnnie & Lime Highball.

Smokey with a kiss of citrus, the Johnnie & Lime Highball is a fresh-tasting take on whisky and is perfect for both whisky newbies and lovers alike. Best served in a chill tall glass filled with ice, the Johnnie & Lime Highball consists of Johnnie Walker Black Label, lemon lime soda and, and a slice of lime as garnish.

“There is only one rule when it comes to drinking whiskey, and that’s there are no rules,” shares Rian Asiddao, Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador. The Johnnie & Lime Highball, together with the drinks in the Highball Collection, is a testament to the fact that there are so many ways to enjoy whiskey.”

At the arcade, guests have the option of enjoying their Johnnie Highball served in flights or prepare on their own at the DIY Highball Bar. When guests order the Flight, they will enjoy the complete Johnnie Highball Collection: Johnnie & Lime, made using Johnnie Walker Black Label; Johnnie & Ginger, prepared using Johnnie Walker Double Black; and Johnnie & Apple, which has Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve as its base.

Meanwhile, for those looking to make their own cocktails, the DIY Highball Bar is the perfect stop. For every purchase of Johnnie Walker Red Label or Black Label Pocket Scotch, visitors get access to the DIY Highball Bar’s mixers and garnishes, and can make their own Johnnie & Lime Highball. Make sure to visit between 8-10PM on February 6 and 7 to catch the mini masterclass led by Lester Ligon, Diageo Reserve World Class Philippine Bartender of the Year 2018; and Rian Asiddao, Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador.

The Johnnie Walker Highball Arcade promises visitors a thrilling time as they play at basketball and skeeball booths in exchange for premium Johnnie Walker merch; and at the free-to-play air hockey and foosball booths for a little competitive fun with friends.

Of course, no arcade experience is complete without a coveted prize. Visitors are in for a challenge at the crane claw machine, where aside from the chance to score Johnnie Walker merch, lucky clawers stand to get a two-day Regular Wanderer Passes for Wanderland 2020 happening on March 7 and 8.

Last but not the least, Johnnie Walker will celebrate international Scotch Day in style. Happening on February 8, the #1 Scotch whisky brand is once again partnering with the VeryDone Crew, a collective of DJs and artists known to bring the house down at Manila’s most happening hotspots. Pop in to catch Nix Damn P, Euric Lumanog, Rammy Bitong, and the rest of the VeryDone boys.

“At the heart of Johnnie Walker is the drive to continuously create new and interesting experiences where consumers can appreciate whiskey, and we’ve brought this to life in previous concepts such as the Johnnie Walker House and the Johnnie Weekend Series,” shares Fatima Espineda, Diageo Marketing Manager for Culture and Advocacy. “Where the Arcade invites consumers to imbibe a playful spirit, we want to encourage the same behavior in the discovery and enjoyment of our whiskies.”

After this run, catch the Johnnie Walker Highball Arcade at different festivals and hotspots. Learn more about it on Facebook and Instagram.

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J7B Buchanan and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

The Bistro Group opens more restaurants in time for “Love Day”

The vision is clear this 2020 as The Bistro Group’s expansion continues, with more stores slated to open in time for Valentine’s Day.

Steak-eating, food-loving Makati cowboys and cowgirls are in for a “yeehaw” dining experience since Texas Roadhouse opened its new home in Greenbelt 5! Hand-cut steaks, fresh – baked bread , made from the scratch sides , fall-off-the-bone ribs… these are what TEXAS ROADHOUSE has to offer.

Meanwhile, ITALIANNI’S, Bistro’s concept that has been synonymous to great Italian-American food good enough for sharing and fitting the Filipino manner of feasting, opened its 21st branch at the new Ayala Malls Manila Bay. Now, more people can have their share of salads, pizzas, pastas, and other dishes that promise an “Amore di Merrier” dining experience.

Have a taste of Spanish cuisine BCN by Las Flores which is now open at the 2nd Level of Conrad S Maison! Enjoy tapas, paellas, jamon, chorizos, pescados, corderos and seafood platters, meticulously prepared by Spanish Chef Alfredo Rodriguez. If you are there to wine and dine, you will love BCN’s Wine Room that houses over 100 wine labels.

TGIFRIDAYS, which recently turned 25 this December, is hotter than ever! Opening its 25th store at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay this February, fans and foodies will get to enjoy burgers, classic ribs, fajitas and other bestsellers people have loved since day one.

Relive those rockin’ memories as HARD ROCK CAFÉ rocks Glorietta Mall even harder in February! It sure will be a popular go-to destination for live music, merchandise, memorabilias and American comfort food. Have a fill of its legendary burgers, hickory smoked ribs, chicken and pork dishes, a great way to enjoy a lunch or dinner date, anytime of the day.

Finally, WATAMI JAPANESE CASUAL RESTAURANT is also opening this February at the new Vista Mall Nomo (North of Molino) in Bacoor. Treat yourself to sushis, sahimis, ramen, tempuras, aburi, and pork and chicken katsu sets.

It promises to be love-filled months this year at all Bistro restaurants, so be there and celebrate relationships and life!

Details and images provided in a recent press release

Come see what Sammy’s Cookin’

Craving for a sweet treat? Need to bring something to the office potluck? Or want to send a thoughtful and delicious gift?

Well, Chef Sammy’s cookin’ up something absolutely amazing for you!

Chef Sammy Isidro, the singing chef who masterminds the kitchen of Sammy’s Restaurant in Cainta, also whips up yummy desserts under the brand Sammy’s Cookin‘.

Chef Sammy developed his culinary chops in between singing gigs at the Hotel Mulia, a five-star hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he and his wife Dorothy worked as professional singers for over 17 years.

Upon their return to the Philippines, they put up their own restaurant – Sammy’s in Cainta – where they serve up tasty Indonesian-inspired dishes as well as serenade guests with a song or two after every meal.

Chef Sammy also set up another line of business – Sammy’s Cookin’ – to provide catering services as well as deliver cakes, pastries and other sweets to foodies within Metro Manila.

This also extends the reach of his cuisine well beyond the vicinity and operating hours of his restaurant.

Here is a sampling of the treats you can order from Sammy’s Cookin.’

Banana Bread (Php300/loaf). This seems to be a staple among bakers, professional or otherwise. Chef Sammy, of course, goes well beyond the rudimentary bread and gives you a loaf of pure scrumptiousness. Unpack and slice it and the smell of banana and vanilla will waft to your nostrils. Bite into the moist bread and you will taste the burst of sweet banana flavor in your mouth. Truth be told, I can finish the entire loaf by myself in one seating. (My daughter #ExhibitA would insist on helping me in this endeavor. Quite unnecessarily, I might add.) Still, in the off- off-chance, this banana bread doesn’t get wolfed down as soon as it reaches you, it keeps for seven days at room temperature and for three months in the freezer. (Why keep it in the freezer, though? Banana Bread, get into mah belly!)

Coffee Choco Brownies (Php420/ 16 squares). Anybody who knows me knows I’m mad for coffee and chocolates. Imagine my joy whenever I have an opportunity to enjoy both! These brownies exude a mild aroma of coffee, just enough to perk up the attention of a true blue coffee lover. There’s an ultra-thin crusty topmost layer that, when bitten into, gives way to a chewy chocolatey brownie with chocolate nuggets here and there adding some texture to every bite. I shared some squares with Hubby and these yummies definitely have his vote. Similar to the banana bread, this keeps at room temperature for seven days and in the freezer for three months.

Choco Cheese Martabak Manis (Php355/order). I’m really having trouble describing this because I can’t quite grasp how intensely it appeals to me. Another food obsession of mine is cheese, and guess what: this dish has cheese. The cheese that adds a salty dimension to an otherwise sweet stuffed pancake flavored by chocolate, crushed peanuts and condensed milk. I had my first taste of this dessert at Sammy’s Restaurant and I have not forgotten it. You would be hard-pressed to stop at just one or two pieces (or three or four or ten!). Other variants of martabak manis available are Chocolate-Only (Php205/order) and Cheese-Only (Php245/order). This keeps at room temperature for two to three days, but, personally, it won’t last that long in my home. Even my picky eater son likes this!

There are lots more available to order at Sammy’s Cookin.’ To get your hands on these desserts and delicacies, just call +63 939 1483960 or course your orders through its Facebook or Instagram pages at least two days before you need them.

Sammy’s Cookin’ accepts payments via BPI or BDO and can deliver to anywhere in the metro via Grab or Lalamove (delivery fee to be shouldered by the customer).

You may also opt to pick your orders up at Sammy’s Restaurant from 10am to 5pm. It is located at 14 Raspberry Bend Street, Valley View Executive Subdivision Phase 3, San Juan, Cainta.

So the next time you want to treat yourself, or your nears-and-dears, to something sweet and delish, do check out what Sammy’s Cookin.’

Many thanks to Chef Sammy and Dorothy for these yummy treats.

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

Nitro 7 Coffee & Tea Bar, SM Pasig

You’ve probably heard of cold brew coffee but what about nitrogen-infused cold brew coffee?

Nitro 7 Coffee & Tea Bar is the first of its kind in the country, operating on a new technology in coffee and tea preparation.

At Nitro 7, single-origin Ethiopians arabica coffee beans are brewed in low temperature for 18 hours, then infused with nitrogen before being served on tap, similar to draft beer. The entire painstaking process from brewing your Nitro 7 coffee to serving it to you takes two days.

Cold brewing the coffee increases its caffeine content while lessening its acidity, making this the preferred coffee of people suffering from hyperacidity.

Infusing it with nitrogen, on the other hand, reduces the coffee’s bitter taste while thickening its texture and adding some milk sweetness to the brew. The result: the Black Nitro, Nitro 7’s signature black coffee which also serves as the base for its other coffee flavors.

Thanks to GCs I received during the epic #WLTEChristmas Party and also from Harvard of AlwaysHungryPH, I was able to treat my daughter and myself to a coffee break at the Nitro 7 Coffee & Tea Bar in SM Pasig.

There we enjoyed some of the coffee bar’s more Irish creme-based variants:

Irish Creme Breve (Php145). A creamy blend of nutty, chocolate, vanilla and whiskey flavors.

Irish Caramel Creme Nitroccino (Php170). An ice-blended coffee which mixes the flavors of Irish creme and the sweet richness of caramel.

We also treated ourselves to some desserts available at the store such as the New York Cheesecake (Php135), two pieces of Crinkles (Php35 each) and a Revel Bar (Php55).

The desserts are good accompaniments to the coffee drinks which remain the stars of the show.

This Nitro 7 Coffee & Tea Bar branch is located at Ground Floor, SM Center Pasig, Frontera Drive, Barangay Ugong, Pasig City, open daily from 11am to 10pm.

Other branches are located at:

Makati: Food Choices Third Floor Glorietta 4
Mandaluyong: Fourth Floor SM Megamall Building B, 123 Pioneer Street Highway Hills
Manila: Third Floor Robinsons Place Manila, Ground Floor LA Village at Youniversity Suites Sampaloc
Quezon City: Lower Ground Floor Robinsons Magnolia, Level 1 Robinsons Galleria, Lower Ground Floor SM City Fairview, The Annex SM City North EDSA, Eastwood Citywalk 1 Libis
Pasig: 2nd Floor Ayala Malls the 30th, Cinema Level Ayala Malls Feliz, Emerald Mansion Garnet Road
Valenzuela: Mezzanine Floor Pond Building

Took a ride on Seoul Train Korean BBQ, Tomas Morato

Don’t worry: this ain’t the train to Busan.

This is Seoul Train Korean BBQ, oppas and unnis, the resto with the back of a green train for its facade along Sgt. Esguerra Street in Quezon City.

Last Thursday, I took a ride with my fellow foodies on a gastronomic adventure during Seoul Train’s #ChewChewThursday Media Event to mark its reopening after it was temporarily closed for renovations at the end of last year.

There, I seemingly took a quick trip in SoKor as I explored the resto’s unique interiors, from its train station-like hallway, its cabin-type dining area and the downtown Gangnam feel of its upper floor which houses a mini-mall selling K-Pop items.

Seoul Train was the brainchild of renowned concert producers Happy Sy-Go and Vernon Go. The resto’s design concept and menu is a fusion of their love for great food and traveling.

During the event, Seoul Train launched several things that Korean food lovers are sure to love:

The upgrade to smokeless charcoal grills which takes away much of the “amoy usok” we associate with Korean BBQ joints. During grilling, the smoke is sucked away by the built-in vents, greatly reducing the smoke.

The inclusion of new dishes in the menu such as Jajamyeong (black bean noodles), Tteokbokki (rice cakes in spicy sauce), Dakbal (spicy chicken feet), Tangerine Chicken, Naejantang (beef tripe and intestines in broth) and Kimchi Godeungo-Tongjorim Jigae (spicy fish stew).

The introduction of the Dosirak, Korean bento meals available for take out. K-food lovers can choose from nine different dishes – Dry Beef Bulgogi, Beef Bulgogi, Yangnyeom Galbi, LA Galbi, Samgyeopsal, Ssamjang Samgyeopsal, Dak Gui and Bul Dak Gui – and enjoy their choice of viand along with rice, kimchi and fishcake.

With such exciting new additions to its facilities and menu, Seoul Train is the destination for Korean food lovers.

Many thanks to Jillian Subido of Pulp Media for the invitation and the management and crew of Seoul Train for the fun event!

Seoul Train Korean BBQ is located at 28 Sgt. Esguerra Street, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and from 5.30pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82872446 or +63 917 7722203.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a media event held in this restaurant. The food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

A home of gastronomic delights at Tahanan Bistro, Antipolo

As a foodie, I live for those food adventures that just take my breath away.

And my visit to Tahanan Bistro did just that.

Having earned the distinction of being one of Zomato’s Top Foodies Choice in Antipolo in 2019, Tahanan Bistro hosted a food tasting event attended by East-based foodies.

Tahanan Bistro opened in July 2016, the brainchild of Keesha Reyes and husband Kevin Tuason. They turned part of her family’s ancestral home made entirely from reclaimed wood from old houses and bridges into a casual fine dining 45-seat bistro.

The restaurant showcases creative takes on local ingredients, the masterpieces of her father, sculptor Benji Reyes, and a stunning view of Laguna de Bay beyond the surrounding verdant forest to provide diners with a relaxing and inviting haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

This place, though impressive in style, is still a home. In fact, guests are asked to remove their shoes upon entering, partly as a form of respect to the homeowners, and partly to help preserve the beautiful wood floors.

The kitchen is helmed by Kevin who brings his considerable culinary training gained during his stay in Melbourne, Australia. Tahanan Bistro offers set meals at Php1,350 (+10% service charge) per person. Named after famous mountains in the Philippines (Halcon in Mindoro, Iraya in Batanes and Mayon in Albay), each set consists of five courses with dishes hinged on the produce and flavors found in country, some of which my fellow foodies and I were able to sample.

Gising Gising (included in the Iraya set). An appetizer of prawns and winged bean dumplings, leeks, coconut cream, herb oil, chili oil and house-made crispy pork floss.

Danggit (included in all three sets). A light and refreshing salad made with quinoa, cherry tomatoes, mixed greens and roasted zucchini in lime vinaigrette.

Pininyahang Manok (included in the Halcon set). Smoked pan-seared chicken thighs, grilled pineapple, coconut, hasselback potatoes, carrot puree and capsicum.

Bistek Tagalog (included in the Iraya set). Braised beef shank, adlai, onion puree, charred white onions, parsley oil and fried enoki.

Binagoongan (included in the Mayon set). Crispy pork belly in a sauce made with tomato and shrimp paste puree, Greek yoghurt and Baba Ghanoush in a house-made flat bread.

Fruit Salad (included in the Iraya set). A dessert made chia pudding, bits of seasonal fruits in a campange sabayon topped with a cashew biscuit.

Ube (included in the Halcon set). Purple yam and white chocolate lava cake with cheese ice cream topped with an Edam crisp.

The dishes served combine the familiar and the new: the ingredients are home-grown but made novel with the addition of a few elements and foreign influences. They are also well-complemented by a refreshing glass of Lemongrass Iced Tea (Php95).

Given that access to this awesome place (and these delectable dishes) are possible only during weekends, and only by reservation, there is a definitely an air of exclusivity and specialness in the dining experience.

If you’re planning an cozy dinner for two or an intimate gathering for close family and friends where you can enjoy a well-curated and crafted menu as well as breathtaking views, Tahanan Bistro is your best bet.

Tahanan Bistro also offers ready-made products you can bring home to enjoy with your family such as ground coffee beans and butter spreads, among others.

Many thanks to Kim and the staff of Tahanan Bistro for the warm welcome and the delicious meal, and to Trisha and Donna of Zomato for extending the invitation!

Tahanan Bistro is located at 22 Loresville Drive, Lores Farm Subdivision, San Roque, Upper Antipolo, Rizal, open Saturdays to Sundays from 11am to 4pm and 6pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 925 8801487. Walk-ins are not entertained.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a food tasting held in this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my posts on other places for your romantic date in the metro:

Back-to-basics coffee at Little Farmers Coffee Brim, Ayala Malls the 30th

Coffee is big business in the metro, with coffee shops and cafes sprouting all over, offering coffee aficionados all kinds of roasts, blends and what-not.

But if you’re a coffee lover wandering around Ayala Malls the 30th, you just might find a no-frills alternative for your caffeine fix.

A few steps away from the grocery store is a Little Farmers Coffee Brim kiosk which offers a wondrous array of coffee beans, roasted and blended, some infused with flavors, to cater to coffee fans who really care about what goes into their cuppa.

Little Farmers Coffee Brim started in Bacolod then branched off to Manila with its first outlet in SM Megamall where budding entrepreneur Warren Yao got hooked after his first taste of the coffee and decided to become a franchisee. Hence, the opening of a Little Farmers Coffee Brim at Ayala Malls the 30th which I visited together with fellow coffee-loving foodies.

The coffee beans are all sourced locally, from the coffee-producing mountains of the Cordillera region – Benguet, Sagada and Kalinga – supporting the region’s small coffee farmers through a fair trade arrangement.

These local beans are roasted and blended to produce the variety on offer at all Little Farmers Coffee Brim outlets, where they are freshly ground and brewed upon order.

Of particular interest to me were the flavored beans. How could that be possible?

Simple: during the roasting process, food grade oil extracts of the desired flavors are added to the beans, producing coffee with subtle notes of desired flavors without the need for too much dairy or flavored syrups.

During my visit to this Little Farmers Coffee Brim kiosk, I was able to taste iced versions of two of these variants: Mocha and Baileys. The coffee flavor is the most dominant with infused flavor adding dimensions to the aroma and overall taste of the brew.

Here, I also learned that sweetening coffee with condensed milk or muscovado sugar brings out their best flavor. (Duly noted!)

Little Farmers Coffee Brim also offers the famed Kape Alamid – the civet coffee (I won’t go into how that is made, hehehe!). This aromatic and full-flavored brew will really wake you up! (Like my foodie friends say, “ang kapeng matapang na kaya kang ipaglaban!”).

You can get a hot freshly brewed cup of your choice of coffee blend for just Php55, enjoy it iced for Php65 or have it decaf for Php80. Alamid Coffee is Php200 per cup.

Little Farmers Coffee Brim is definitely a welcome addition to metro’s coffee options. Do give it a try!

Many thanks to Warren Yao of Little Farmers Coffee Brim for the drinks and to Bunny of Always the Funny Girl for extending the invitation!

This Little Farmers Coffee Brim branch is located Lower Ground Floor, Ayala Malls the 30th, Meralco Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 9pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 10pm.

Other Metro Manila branches may be found at:

SM Hypermarket, Upper Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building B, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Lower Ground Floor, SM Makati, Glorietta Complex, Makati City

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I was invited to attend a coffee tasting held at this kiosk. Drinks mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.