I just love donuts! Those little circles of sweetness and joy never fail to perk up my mood.
That’s why I took advantage of a business meeting in Megamall to drop by one of my favorite donut shops.
J.CO Donuts, a donut brand that hails from Indonesia, continues the trend of offering premium donuts that feature fluffy dough and imaginative toppings.
Take my donuts for example:
J.Club Cheezy Rich (Php45). A donut sandwich that’s made of donut plus cheese, how heavenly can this get?
Alcapone (Php42). I’ve always liked the contrasting textures of the crunchy sliced almonds and the soft airy donut.
And, as if things couldn’t get sweeter, I got a free sugar-glazed donut, thanks to an ongoing promo. Sweet!
Hot Mocha Espresso (Php115). My donuts are best enjoyed with something hot and sweet so I got this mocha espresso for a dose of caffeine with some chocolatey notes.
This J.Co Donuts branch is located at the Upper Ground Floor (outside Building B), SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
Other branches may be found at:
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Makati: Paseo Center Salcedo Village, Glorietta 2
Manila: HP Village Square Malate, UN Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Lucky Chinatown Mall
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, SM City BF Paranaque
Pasay: DoubleDragon Plaza MOA, Blue Bay Walk MOA, North Wing MOA
Pasig: SM City East Ortigas
Quezon City: Eastwood Ave Libis, Robinsons Galleria, SM City Cubao, Shopwise Araneta, Trinoma Mall, UP Town Center, Tomas Morato Avenue, SM City North EDSA, SM City Fairview, Ayala Fairview Terraces
I was going through my recipe books, trying to decide on what to prepare for our Noche Buena meal, when I came across the recipe for Cheese Baked Salmon.
I had my first taste of Baked Salmon at Conti’s a few years ago and I developed quite a liking for it.
Wanting to prepare something similar for my family, I scoured the internet for a recipe which I tweaked, considering available ingredients.
It’s quite easy to make but the ingredients are a bit costly so I only make this dish during special occasions like Noche Buena.
Ingredients:
2 pieces of salmon fillets, at least half a kilo each
9 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (use 2/3 of this for the marinade and 1/3 for the cheese topping)
Juice of half a lemon
1 box (250 grams) Emborg Cream Cheese
5 tbsp Lady’s Choice Mayonnaise
Marca Pina Parmesan Cheese
1 pack of frozen peas, corn and carrots
2 tbsp butter
Procedure:
To marinate the salmon, season it with salt, pepper and garlic then sprinkle it with lemon juice. Set aside for at least 30 minutes.
Using a hand-held mixer, whip the cream cheese until softened and fluffy then add the mayonnaise, garlic and parmesan cheese to taste
Pat the marinated salmon dry and place it in an oven pan. Generously spread the cheese topping over the fish and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
Bake at 170 degrees C for 35 to 40 minutes or until the topping turns golden brown.
Serve with vegetable sauteed in butter.
This recipe serves 6 persons at 270 calories per serving.
It was the first American-style restobar for as long as I can remember, and back when I was in college, its Glorietta branch was where I had my first taste of Long Island Iced Tea (guess who got drunk on that! Hehehe!) and I started my love affair with Chicken Fingers.
TGI Fridays started in 1960s New York when Alan Stillman established a bar at the corner of 63rd and First Streets. There, he served big American burgers and beer always on tap for his guests, making sure that they’re having a great time.
When TGI Fridays came to the Philippines 25 years ago, it sought to bring the same kind of good times to Pinoy diners.
Fast forward to 2019 and TGI Fridays is still bringing fun times with its hearty servings American comfort food and drinks.
I was at its Tomas Morato branch together with my office teammates (who all happen to be December birthday celebrants) for lunch when TGI Fridays celebrated its 25th anniversary in the Philippines last December 11.
On that day, diners were treated to a free platter of Chili Ballpark Nachos and Seafoam and Dream Punch Splashers at 1pm and 7pm as the service crew break out into their version of the Happy Birthday song.
TGI Fridays in Tomas Morato is also notable for being the last remaining store to feature music memorabilia in its decor to complement its classic American diner furniture. This branch also made some improvements in its interiors to let in more light, giving it a cheerier atmosphere compared to my last visit.
I treated my work buddies to Bucket of Bones Platter (Php2,795). It includes TGI Fridays signature tender, falling-off-the-bones glazed pork ribs, 8 pieces of chicken wings and 2 large pieces of porkchops, along with sides of mac & cheese, garlic rice and fries. Plus, for every order of this platter, a portion goes to supporting Action Against Hunger, the movement that fights hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines.
Any visit to TGI Friday’s won’t be complete without an order of Chicken Fingers (Php450). These hand-battered chicken tenders fried to a beautiful golden brown and accompanied with by a side of crispy seasoned fries and honey mustard dip remain among my all-time favorite food.
For dessert, we had a Mocha Mud Pie (Php365). This sweet treat is made of chocolate almond and coffee ice cream, hot fudge and toasted almond slices.
Along with the free nachos and drinks, these were more than enough to fully satisfy or group of four. Yey!
And since one in our group has a Bistro Card, we got 20% off the total food bill!
A happy birthday treat for all indeed! Well, except me, because my birthday is still in April, sigh! Oh, well…
This TGI Fridays branch is located at Ground Floor, Hotel Rembrandt, Tomas Morato Avenue corner Scout Bayoran Street, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 11pm.
Other branches are located at:
Eastwood Citywalk, Libis, Quezon City
Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City
Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
It’s great to have officemates who love to eat (not as much as I do, but still).
Before we took our holiday break, my boss decided to treat our team to dinner at The Alley by Vikings in UP Town Center.
What sets this buffet restaurant apart from the others is that it takes the form of a street-style food hall which incorporates concepts from around the world. Walking around the stations, you get a feel of touring the streets of the countries where the featured food items originate.
Instead of filling your plates yourself, you can request for small servings of the dishes from their respective stations, similar to the street food tripping experience. For example, our “food trip” here included the following stations:
Hao Chi – for Chinese dimsum and Peking Duck
Yatai – for Japanese sushi, sashimi and okonomiyaki
O’Sean Eleven – for seafood chowder
Just Steak a Minute – for freshly grilled steaks and other meats
Ferino’s Bibingka – for freshly made puto bumbong
Hunnycomb – for cakes and pastries
Buffet Rates:
Weekday Lunch: Php738 for adults, Php188 for kids 3ft for 4ft, Php388 for kids 4ft to 4ft 6in
Weekday Dinner/ Weekend or Holiday Lunch and Dinner: Php938 for adults, Php288 for kids 3ft for 4ft, Php588 for kids 4ft to 4ft 6in
Kids below 3ft eat for free
There are a lot of food choices, and more food stations than the ones I mentioned, which can be quite overwhelming. Refilling the more popular stations such as the sushi and the muscovado sugar for the bibingka took a long time.
I would also guess that the air-conditioning couldn’t cope with the volume of diners as it was quite warm where we were seated.
All that said, it was still a good time spent with my office buddies.
This branch of The Alley by Vikings is located 2nd Level, Phase 2, UP Town Center, Ayala Mall, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and from 5.30pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82771888, +63 2 82772888, +63 917 6735888 or +63 918 9078888.
Other branches are located at:
2nd Level, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, A. Bonifacio Street, Brgy. Balingasa, A. Bonifacio, Quezon City
C1, Upper Ground Floor, Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Planning a visit to The Alley by Vikings? Here are some promos you can take advantage of:
20% off Weekday Lunch for every group of 5 pax from January 2 to February 28, 2020
Birthday celebrants eat for free on the day of their birthday if accompanied by one full paying adult, or within their birth month if accompanied by four full-paying adults
(Note: Terms and conditions apply for the above-mentioned promos.)
As we enter into the new year, it’s nice to look back on what made it so special.
I was lucky enough to take part in foodie meetups and special events that opened my eyes to new ways of enjoying good food.
Here are ten that are especially memorable:
1. Teavana TEA-volution Seminar at Starbucks, SM East
Starbucks is always associated with coffee but I learned that it also has a lot to offer when it comes to teas.
Last February, I joined the Teavana TEA-volution Tea Tasting Seminar, a Tea 101 if you will, where Starbucks Tea Master Jonas Velgado took my fellow foodies and I on guided tour through the history of teas, the tea-growing regions of the world and three flights of tea tasting which included full-leaf brewed teas and tea lattes.
Starbucks branches may be found all over Metro Manila.
2. Summer Menu Launch at Ombu Kusina, Tomas Morato
Ombu Kusina has a modern take on Filipino cuisine: infusing classic Pinoy dishes with new and exciting cooking styles and influences. These help to make Pinoy cuisine fresher and more relevant to a growing number of foodies, who are looking for their next food adventure.
Last March, it launched its summer menu which included new takes on the Pinoy classic halo-halo, which made use of the use of flavored ice: the flavors are infused into the ice, resulting to a more intense taste and creamier mouthfeel. I’m glad that my favorite among the three halo-halo flavors – the Tres Leches – have been included in the regular menu.
Ombu Kusina is located at the Ground Floor, Sequioa Hotel, Mother Ignacia corner Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 6.30am to 10.30am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 84411789.
3. Sunset Dining at Padi’s Point, Antipolo Sumulong
The original Padi’s Point along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo is known for its magnificent sunset views. It has long been considered a landmark in the area, with families, barkadas or even couples, making the trek up from all over the city to this restaurant to enjoy the chill ambiance, the homegrown food served here and, of course, the amazing scenery.
Padi’s Point offers a wide array of homegrown dishes that are best enjoyed family style.
This Padi’s Point branch is located at Alpha D Compound, Sumulong Highway, Santa Cruz, Lower Antipolo, Rizal, open daily for 24 hours. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 83443028.
4. Breakfast at Sammy’s Restaurant, Cainta
Sammy’s serves a carefully thought-out curation of Asian cuisine influenced, no doubt, by the seventeen years the couple spent in Jakarta where the chef obtained his diploma at the Jakarta Culinary Center in between gigs as singers in the Hotel Mulia Senayan Jakarta.
Sammy the Singing Chef and his wife Dorothy even serenede diners during dessert!
Sammy’s is located at 14 Raspberry Bend Street, Valley View Executive Subdivision Phase 3, San Juan, Cainta. The restaurant is open Tuesdays to Saturdays for breakfast from 7am to 11.30am and for dinner from 7pm to 10.30pm, and on Sundays for breakfast from 7am to 11.30am. Seating is strictly by reservation so call +63 939 1483960 to book your table.
5. First taste of isaw at Mang Ding’s, Marikina
The Filipino street food scene is quite storied and vibrant, a showcase of the Pinoy’s creativity and resourcefulness.
At Mang Ding’s Pinoy BBQ, diners can rediscover Pinoy street food, touted as MASARAP, MALINIS and MURA, in a pleasant al fresco setting.
Here is where I had my first taste of isaw (grilled pork and chicken intestines looped in skewers).
Mang Ding’s Pinoy BBQ is located at Block 3, Lot 13, C. Buenviaje Street, Santo Nino, Marikina City, open Mondays to Wednesdays from 4pm to 11pm and Thursdays to Sundays from 4pm to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 1659872.
6. Brunchin’ at the Beach at Saltitude, Anilao
Anilao in Batangas is home to all sorts of fun beach activities: swimming, diving, snorkeling and windsurfing, just to name a few.
Aside from their proximity to the clear sparkling sea, those activities have another thing in common: they do work up quite an appetite.
Fortunately, Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort recently launched “Brunchin’ at the Beach,” a brunch buffet experience that takes place every Saturday, from 6am to 12.30pm at its Mingle restaurant.
Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort is located along Manini Road in Mabini, Batangas. To book your stay or reserve a table at the restaurant, call +63 43 4101857, +63 927 4220428 or +63 939 9088843, or email info@saltitude-anilao.com.
7. #ZomatoXListerine Foodie Meetup at Kusina Moderne, Poblacion
Kusina Moderne offers classic dishes we grew up with but prepared using French cooking techniques and presented in a deconstructed manner, adding a veneer of sophistication and excitement to familiar viands while still remaining affordable for families and friends to enjoy.
During a foodie meetup hosted by Zomato and Listerine where my fellow foodies, I tasted Kusina Moderne’s unique take on Filipino food and I also learned the importance of mouthwash, especially among foodies.
Kusina Moderne is located along Caceres Street, Poblacion, Makati, open Sundays and Tuesdays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 927 0830688.
8. Foodie Meetup at ICHO Japanese Restaurant, Greenhills
ICHO is named after the gingko trees in Japan. Known to be highly resilient as they can withstand pollution and salt in their native environment, they also beautify their surroundings and as well as provide nourishment and medicinal benefits.
ICHO brings the metro’s diners a piece of the serenity that gingko trees have come to symbolize through its calm and peaceful premises with which to enjoy the restaurant’s flavorful food creations.
ICHO Japanese Restaurant is located at 6 Annapolis Street corner Purdue Street, Greenhills, San Juan City, open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 85350020 or +63 917 1346027.
9. Night out at Tiyo Craft Kitchen & Bar, Tomas Morato
Tiyo serves a thoughtfully curated menu of local fare which takes the best representations of Philippine regional cuisine and painstakingly uses traditional ingredients and cooking methods, and yet has reinvented and served these dishes with a modern flair.
And the craftsmanship does not stop with the food. Tiyo’s bartenders also whip up exciting craft cocktails for the thirsty but exacting diner. These concoctions are designed around local spirits, highlighting their unique flavors while demonstrating their versatility.
Tiyo Craft Kitchen & Bar is located at Second Floor, CKB Centre, Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Rallos Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City, open Sundays to Mondays from 4pm to 1am, Tuesdays to Thursdays from 4pm to 2am and Fridays to Saturdays from 4pm to 3 am. For inquiries or reservations, call +63 932 8642593.
10. Foodie Meetup at Bistro Charlemagne, Ayala Malls Manila Bay
I introduced my immediate and extended fam to the joys of dining at Bistro Charlemagne in Ayala Malls Feliz and the in-laws at its branch in Solenad, Nuvali early last year. Since then, we have enjoyed its Asian fusion cuisine time and time again, making this resto our go-to place for intimate family celebrations or get-togethers.
And now, with the opening of its third branch in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, it just got easier and more enjoyable to meet up with family and friends in the South for great food and great times.
This Bistro Charlemagne branch is located at Lot 2, Third Floor, Cinemas Building, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Entertainment City Paranaque, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 10pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79149082.
Many thanks to all the restaurants that hosted foodie meetups and my fellow foodies who extended their invitations!
Looking forward to more exciting foodie adventures in 2020!
Milk tea fanatics have another reason to rejoice with another brand joining the milk tea fray.
Tea 101 has been hailed as Taiwan’s No. 1 Drink owing to the premium experience in drinking it. The process starts from harvesting the potent tea leaves from the heart of Taiwan, careful packaging and brewing in the traditional way without the use of metals or machines, to the mixing with various flavors and sweeteners to make Tea 101’s signature drinks.
But first, a lesson on tea history… a Tea 101, if you will… 🙂
Tea leaves are harvested from camellia sinensis, a plant that grows in tropical and sub-tropical climates. After harvesting, these are dried then packed loose or wrapped in tea bags.
Drinking tea as a beverage was first recorded in China in 10th century BC and it eventually became popular throughout East Asia by 200 BC. It spread to the rest of the world via international trade in the 19th century.
Tea was brought to Taiwan from China in the 18th century. By the 19th century, tea plantations have flourished in Taiwan with tea becoming one of the country’s top three exports.
It has also become an integral part of Taiwanese culture with most social activities involving tea service from the welcoming of visitors into a household, dinners, business meetings, weddings and funerals.
Taiwan is also the birthplace of bubble tea in the 1980s which was said to be a concoction of black tea, tapioca pearls, condensed milk and syrup.
Today, bubble tea has a wide assortment of flavors and variants from fruits, yogurt, yakult, coffee and chocolate and more, many of which are included in the menu of Tea 101’s branch in Mandaluyong.
Choose your fave from Tea 101’s featured drinks:
Regular (Php85 for tall, Php105 for skyscraper, Php125 for empire sizes)
Milk Tea Series: includes Wintermelon, Okinawa, Pearl, Caramel, Green, Lychee, Strawberry, Taro and Matcha
Fruity Fresh Milk Series: includes Blueberry, Green Apple, Grass Jelly and Strawberry
Heal Tea Series: includes Black, Green, Yakult Green and Yakult Lychee
Choco Craze Series: includes Chocolate, Chocolate Mint, Choco Strawberry Milk and Choco Slush
Iced Slush Series: includes Green Apple QQ, Mango, Strawberry, Lemon Yakult, Taro Milk Tea, Lychee Nata and Matcha
Lemonade Series: includes Lemonade, Strawberry, Green Apple and Blue
Fruit Tea Series: includes Green Apple QQ, Lychee Aloe Vera and Strawberry Aloe
Freaky Milk Tea Series: includes Rocky Road, Strawberry, Tiramisu, Green Tea and Rainbow
Premium (Php95 for tall, Php115 for skyscraper, Php135 for empire sizes)
Taiwan Favorites: includes Milk Tea with Oreo, Chocolate Milk Tea with Oreo and Nutty Choco Matcha
Rock Salt Series: includes Rock Salt Milk Tea, Rock Salt Chocolate Milk Tea and Rock Salt Black Tea
Brown Sugar Series: includes Brown Sugar Milk Tea, Brown Sugar Fresh Milk with Grass Jelly and Rock Salt Brown Sugar Milk Tea
My personal preferences run toward the sweeter and creamier variants such as the Chocolate Milk Tea with Oreo and Brown Sugar Milk Tea.
Many thanks to Ms Ani Conanan of Tea 101 for the drinks and to Harvard of AlwaysHungryPH for extending the invitation!
This Tea 101 branch is located at Ground Floor, Anaheim Tower, California Garden Square, Domingo M. Guevarra Street, Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.
Other branches are located at:
Hole in the Wall, Fourth Floor, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Barangay Poblacion, Makati City
Ground Floor, South Wing, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex Pasay City
Disclosure: Together with fellow food bloggers, I attended this resto’s grand opening where drinks were served to enable us to sample the fare and to facilitate honest reviews. Said drinks were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
What is it about steak that I almost couldn’t get enough of it?
That sizeable hunk of beef, grilled to medium wellness, juicy and buttery to the bite… yes, I could sing its praises all day.
Steak doesn’t come cheap, though. Getting good cuts of meat that will produce the right flavor and texture in the cooked steak are not easy to come by.
However, as Hubby and I recently discovered, there is a way to eat your fill of good quality steaks.
We let loose our ravenous inner carnivores and took advantage of the Unli Steaks offer available at Prime Steakhouse in SM City North EDSA. For just Php699 per person, we get to eat as many steaks as we want (or could!). We selected our preferred steak from among Rib-eye, New York Strip, Flat Iron, Hickory Pork Ribs, Salisbury Steak and Beef Salpicao. This unli steak set also includes unli refills of house-made gravy, rice and side dishes which include coleslaw, buttered corn and carrots and mashed potatoes.
For our meal, we selected:
Rib-Eye. Considered both flavorful and tender as it came from the lightly worked upper rib cage area, with a good marbling of fat makes it very good for fast and hot cooking.
New York Strip. Taken from the part of the beef short loin that remains after the tenderloin is removed. Though not the most tender steak, it is known for having intense flavor from its rich marbling.
Our steaks were grilled to medium doneness, tender and juicy with nice grill marks, just the way we like it.
Hubby and I shared our respective steak cuts with each other, and with 3 refills of those sizeable servings, we got pretty good tastes of those steaks as well as really full tummies.
Prime Steakhouse is located at Ground Floor, The Block, SM City North EDSA, Barangay Bago Bantay, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 967 297 1916.
It is rare for my entire family to agree on food. Oftentimes, our tastes differ to such a degree that eating out has become a tedious process of elimination, narrowing down the list of options where everyone’s food preferences and cravings are assuaged.
But there’s one resto name that shortcuts all that because we know we will all agree on it: Bistro Charlemagne.
I introduced my immediate and extended fam to the joys of dining at Bistro Charlemagne in Ayala Malls Feliz and the in-laws at its branch in Solenad, Nuvali early last year. Since then, we have enjoyed its Asian fusion cuisine time and time again, making this resto our go-to place for intimate family celebrations or get-togethers.
And now, with the opening of its third branch in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, it just got easier and more enjoyable to meet up with family and friends in the South for great food and great times.
You might be wondering what constitutes Bistro Charlemagne’s appeal to me and my family. Well, let me break it down for y’all…
1. Its elegant but homey premises.
I’ve noticed that although its branches are inside malls, they are usually situated near the outdoors (near gardens or balconies). Its floor-to-ceiling glass windoes allow a lot of natural light to enter the dining area, further enhanced by decorative light fixtures. The lighting also brings out the colors and textures of the resto’s darkwood tables and snakeskin-and-velvet plush chairs and couches.
The well-appointed surroundings may be posh but not at all off-putting. There is a warm and homey atmosphere to the place that puts its guests at ease.
2. Its Asian fusion cuisine brings together the East and West, the familiar and the new.
Dining at Bistro Charlemagne always feels like an adventure. Its extensive menu is chock-full of exciting dishes to try as well as old favorites that I, personally, do not tire of.
Take, for example, the dishes that my foodie friends and I enjoyed when we visited its newest branch:
Bistro Sisig Fries (Php315). Thrice-cooked pork cheeks sauteed in creamy chicken liver sauce on top of freshly cooked fries.
Ox Sisig (Php355). Tender slow-cooked ox tongue mixed with Bistro Charlemagne’s special toyomansi-mayo sauce topped with chicharon bulaklak.
Shrimp Poppers (Php435). Lightly battered deep-fried shrimps tossed in a sweet chili mayo sauce and chili oil and served with a side salad.
Octopus Ala Pobre (Php395). One of Bistro Charlemagne’s seasonal dishes, this is made of slow-braised octopus in a garlic butter sauce and garlic confit.
Little Asia’s Crispy Chicken (Php355). This is the crispy fried chicken dish developed by the owner’s grandfather and passed down through three generations of restaurateurs.
Beef Tenderloin Rolls (Php415). Tender, thinly sliced beef wrapped around cheese and sauteed in teriyaki sauce.
Lengua in Mushroom White Sauce (Php415). Braised ox tongue with cream sauce and sauteed mushrooms.
Drunken Lengua in Mushroom Brown Sauce (Php415). Tender pan-seared ox tongue with mushrooms and asparagus in white wine sauce.
Cantonese Prawns (Php565). Sauteed prawns covered in melted cheese and cream sauce.
Creamy Seafood Baked Rice (Php415). Shrimp, squid, fish fillet and crabstick tossed in a rich cream sauce slathered over rice and topped with melted cheese.
Smores (Php265). Ghirardelli chocolate ganache topped with a thick layer of roasted marshmallows and served with graham crackers.
Reese’s Smores (Php265). Peanut butter chips ganache topped with a thick layer of roasted marshmallows and served with graham crackers.
3. Its imaginatively designed drinks
Quench your thirst or pair your viands with Bistro Charlemagne’s blended drinks, which include:
Blueberry Banana Shake (Php185).
Four Seasons Shake (Php165).
Choco Peanut Banana Shake (Php165).
Vietnamese Coconut Drink (Php155).
4. Its affordable set meal options
Eating solo? You can dine on single servings of your favorite viands along with rice, soup and iced tea for as low as Php235.
5. Its party trays for your large gatherings
Planning your New Year celebrations with the clan? How about an office party after the holidays?
I’m happy to discover Bistro Charlemagne has party packages that can feed large groups.
My wish list for my dream Bistro Charlemagne party includes:
Tuna Tataki (Php1,575, good for 15 persons). Hubby’s favorite!
Little Asia’s Crispy Chicken (Php1,420, good for 12 persons).
Beef Tenderloin Rolls with Cheese (Php1,660, good for 15 persons).
Drunken Lengua in Mushroom Brown Sauce (Php2,075, good for 15 persons)
Salt and Pepper Squid (Php1,875, good for 15 persons)
Yang Chow Fried Rice (Php1,775, good for 15 persons)
So check out Bistro Charlemagne’s tasty dishes at its newest branch!
Many thanks to Charlemagne Lim and his crew for the warm welcome and wonderful meal, and the Francis G for extending the invitation!
This Bistro Charlemagne branch is located at Lot 2, Third Floor, Cinemas Building, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Entertainment City Paranaque, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 10pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79149082.
Other branches are located at:
Fifth Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz along Marcos Highway, Dela Paz, Pasig City
GFF-6, Building B, Ayala Malls Solenad 3, Nuvali, Don Jose, Santa Rosa, Laguna
Every once in a while, we all get a craving for food that’s hefty and fatty, the kind that will make a cardiologist’s heart skip a beat (ironically so).
And when that craving comes, there’s no better (or tastier) way to assuage it than to indulge in a juicy and succulent piece of lechon.
Well, if you can’t buy the whole roasted pig, why not indulge yourself in some lechon liempo?
Liloan’s Pride Liempo combines the use of traditional culinary methods and ingredients and modern cooking processes to produce a perfectly roasted pork belly. Each serving is meticulously marinated to infuse the meat with flavor and roasted exactingly to give the skin a satisfying crunch to the bite.
I got another taste of this famous lechon together with my fellow foodies when I joined a foodie meetup at the Liloan’s Pride Liempo store at Calfornia Garden Square in Mandaluyong.
There, our feast included:
Cebu Liempo (Php360). A huge slab or pork belly marinated and roasted Cebu lechon style. A spicy version is available for Php380 if you’re craving for additional heat.
Roasted Chicken (Php360). The chicken version of the Cebu liempo which makes for tender and juicy meat and flavorful skin.
Liempo Manok Rice Meal (Php190). The best of both worlds, really: the lechon liempo and the roasted chicken plus a cup of steamed rice in one plate.
Classic Sisig (Php160). Pampanga’s famous dish made with pig cheeks flavored with calamansi, onions and chili peppers. For me, it could use a bit more crunch and saltiness (from crushed Cebu liempo skin maybe?).
Garlic Bangus (Php220). A whole medium-sized bangus (milkfish) butterfly-filleted, marinated in garlic and vinegar then fried to a golden brown and topped with toasted garlic. It’s very fragrant from all the garlic but it could use more of the vinegar taste so keep some of the store’s sawsawan handy when you order this. A rice meal with a quarter of the garlic bangus is also available for Php99.
Pochero Meal (Php149). Pork belly slices stewed together with chickpeas, sliced bananas, potatoes, green beans and cabbage in rich tomato sauce. I find it ok but would prefer the beef version of pochero.
Beef Pares Meal (Php99). The power combo of beef asado, garlic rice and broth.
So the next time that craving comes, you know what to do! Hie yourself over to Liloan’s Pride Liempo.
Many thanks to Ms Ani Conanan and the staff of Liloan’s Pride Liempo for the meal and to Harvard of AlwaysHungryPH for extending the invitation.
This Liloan’s Pride Liempo branch is located at San Juan California Garden Square, Domingo M. Guevarra Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.
Other branches may be found at
SM Hypermarket, Upper Ground Floor, Building B, SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Ground Floor, Connecticut Arcade, Greenhills Shopping Center, Greenhills, San Juan
Lower Ground Floor, SM Cubao, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Third Floor, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village, Makati City
The Block, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
SM Hypermarket, North Wing, SM Mall of Asia, MOA Complex, Pasay City
Food Court, Second Floor, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meetup held here wherein food and drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.
The food of the American South is known for down-home comfort and hearty flavors.
One of the best known dishes that Southern cuisine brought about is the fried chicken: a viand with a rich and somewhat dark history.
Fried chicken is believed to have originated from the tradition of Scottish immigrants of deep-frying chicken in fat (as opposed to the English who baked or boiled chicken).
The dish has also become interwoven into the identity and cuisine of the Southern people, especially among the African Americans. In the 1800s, enslaved and segregated African American women were only allowed to own yard chickens. They would prepare the dish during special occasions (because the ingredients and flavorings were quite costly in those days), and eventually, they became noted sellers of poultry in the South.
Today, fried chicken is acknowledged as “soul food” and has branched out beyond the US to countries such as the Philippines where it became almost a staple dish.
The culinary roots of Southern fried chicken are re-explored and re-invented in a new restaurant in Mandaluyong called Alabama Mamma.
Here you can get a taste of Southern-style fried chicken by the bucket (Php399 for 6 pieces | Php499 for 8 pieces | Php499 for 6 pieces with rice and drinks for 4 people) or by the platter (Php80 for 1 piece with rice | Php 150 for 2 pieces with rice | add Php10 for drinks).
You can also opt for tender and juicy Chicken Wings (Php199 for 6 pieces) doused in your choice of flavored sauce from the Classic Buffalo, the slightly street barbecue-style Manila Wings, the kid friend Butter and Calamansi Butter and the rich Liver Pate.
These iterations aptly demonstrate how versatile fried chicken can be.
Biting into a piece of Alabama Mamma’s fried chicken is a piece of Southern comfort. Try it out for yourself!
Many thanks to Ms. Ani Conanan and the crew of Alabama Mamma for the meal and to Harvard of AlwaysHungryPH for extending the invitation!
Alabama Mamma is located at Ground Floor, Cluster Anaheim, California Garden Square, Domingo M. Guevarra Street, Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City. For inquiries, call +63 917 8384668.
Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself
Jellybeans in the City 