chocolate – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

Have a taste of Taiwan’s No. 1 Drink at Tea 101, California Garden Square

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.

Check out my reviews of other milk tea joints:

Japan’s taiyaki is now here at Taki Taki, Century City Mall

Do you know what a taiyaki is?

It is a Japanese yaki (baked) dessert which follows the shape of the tai (Japanese red seabream). A classic street vendor fare in Japan, it has now reached our shores when the first store of Taki Taki opened a few weeks ago at Century City Mall in Makati.

Walk around the mall’s Hole in the Wall food hall and you will find a quaint little shop decorated with fish images (the servers even wear cute fish hats), and anime-like drawings. The smell of baking taiyaki might even lead you there, hmm?

So how are taiyaki made?

Waffle batter is poured into hot fish-shaped molds (each side poured separately) with the filling placed in one side. Before the batter is cooked through, the molds are closed for up to three minutes until the batter is golden brown and the filling is sealed inside inside the taiyaki.

The taiyaki is a actually quite versatile in the sense that it can suit almost any filling, whether sweet (Php100) such as red bean, Nutelle/Peanutbutter, apple cinnamon and cream cheese with strawberries, or savory (Php120) such as cheese, tuna/corn/mayo, bacon egg and cheese and curry cheese.

Being a sweet tooth, my choices in taiyaki include one with the traditional filling of anko (sweet red bean paste) and another with cream cheese and strawberries. The red bean taiyaki has that sweet and light taste while the cream cheese taiyaki has a nice contrast of saltiness from the cheese and tart sweetness from the berries.

Taiyaki also make for tasty frozen treats. Soft-serve ice cream made with premium Hokkaido milk is twirled into open taiyaki cones then topped with candies, crunchies, fruits and drizzles.

I got myself an I Love Taki (Php200), made with Vanilla Milk ice cream topped with marshmallows and strawberry sprinkles and strawberry syrup syringe, and a Grizzly’s Chocolate Overload (Php200), made with Chocolate Milk ice cream topped with toast crunch, cinnamon, marshmallows and a milk chocolate lollipop.

Well, this is another case of sugar high for me.

These taiyaki treats are a welcome addition to the dessert and snack choices available in the metro. If you want a taste of this popular Japanese street food, head to Taki Taki today!

Taki Taki is located at the Hole in the Wall, Fourth Floor, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 9pm, Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 10pm and Sundays from 10am to 9pm.

Disclosure: I was invited to visit Taki Taki where I was served food items mentioned here for free for me to sample the fare in exchange for an honest review.

Great drinks and great times at Good Good, Tomas Morato

So the workday is done and you and your friends are on the lookout for a reason to get together to relax and catch up.

Well, here’s an idea!

Why not hang out at the newly opened maiden store of Taiwanese tea brand Good Good in Tomas Morato?

This shop located along Scout Tobias Street boasts of comfy and Instagrammable interiors, great for chilling out in or getting those great photo opps, as well as a wide selection of beverage options. My friends from #SaanSaPH and I discovered these when it opened its doors to us the day before its Grand Opening.

What treats await you when you enter the shop? Here are some of the Good Good’s extensive selections for your beverage of choice:

Fruit Teas (prices range from Php120 to Php160). Made with fresh and locally sourced fruit, these teas light, refreshing and quite healthy.

Classic Milk Teas (prices range from Php95 to Php140). With options that include the Black Bubble Milk Tea (and its intensified versions called Double B and Triple B), as well as those known milk tea variants such as Hokkaido, Okinawa and Wintermelon, you can be sure your milk tea cravings will be satisfied.

Cream Cheese (prices range from Php120 to Php220). What is it about cream cheese milk teas that make me go crazy? Is it the richness of the cream cheese foam topping the contrasts against the light tea? Is it the slightly salty flavor that makes a great foil for the drink’s sweetness? Whatever it is, my drinks of choice here are the Berry Brilliant with Cream Cheese (Php220) made with fresh strawberries and raspberries and the Chocolate Milk with Cream Cheese (Php150).

Smoothies (prices range from Php180 to Php220). If you want to go the full fruit shake route, Good Good has fruit smoothie selections for you to soothe your craving. Choices incorporate fresh fruits such as banana, papaya, strawberries and mango among others.

If you think that going to a tea place means you’ll be starved for choice, think again, dearies. As Good Good has shown us #SaanSaPH foodies, choices abound and while you can always come back to enjoy your favorites, there’s nothing stopping you from trying out new drink options.

Many thanks to #SaanSaPH for the invite and to the wonderful folks of Good Good Philippines for the great time and the great drinks we had there!

Good Good is located at 49-C Scout Tobias Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers of #SaanSaPH, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held here wherein in drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other milk tea joints:

Something new brewing at Caffe Freddo, BGC

For a coffee lover like me, that morning cuppa signals the start of a new day, and that mug in the afternoon is all I need to pick me up from the post-lunch slump.

I also look forward to trying out new brews and coffee concoctions. It’s actually amazing how coffee is versatile enough to be mixed and matched with new ingredients to come up with an exciting new beverage.

Last night, together with my fellow foodies, I trooped over to Caffe Freddo in Bonifacio High Street to find out what the cafe has been brewing as part of its Philippine Independence Day offering.

The new Ube Freddo (Php150) localizes Caffe Freddo’s coffee experience by adding the very Pinoy flavor of ube (purple yam) to the Freddo, the cafe’s signature iced coffee drink which contains a double shot of espresso and sweetened frothed milk. The resulting purple concoction makes for a pretty and Instagrammable drink. It joins the cafe’s roster of imaginative Freddo flavors which already include Mocha, Chai, Matcha and Coco starting June 12.

Along with the Ube Freddo, we also got a taste of the cafe’s carefully curated Modern European brunch menu which included:

Appetizers

Crunchy Calamari (Php240). Crispy battered squid rings served with basil and lime mayo.

Spring Rolls (Php260). Shrimp and corn-filled spring rolls served with coriander tomato dip.

Dried Figs Burrata Flat Bread (Php380). The dried figs add a sweet element that complements the savory flavors from burrata cheese, caramelized onions and the arugula in this flatbread.

Panzanella Salad (Php290). Fresh flavors abound in this mixture of kale, watermelon, cherry tomatoes and croutons tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette.

Mains.

Nasi Goreng (Php330). Chicken satay served with Indonesian spiced shrimp, vegetable fried rice and fried egg.

Beef Tagliatelle (Php350). Pasta tossed in beefy tomato ragu and basil.

Aglio Olio (Php350). Spaghetti tossed in virgin olive oil, garlic and spiced bacon.

Soy Grilled Salmon (Php480). Salmon topped with wabiko cream and served with wasabi mashed potato.

Fried Chicken Confit (Php320). Crispy fried chicken served with cole slaw.

Croque Madame (Php320). Smoked ham over a brioche toast and a layer of gruyere cheese, topped with a fried egg and mornay sauce.

Desserts.

Mango Granita (Php220). Succulent cubes of mango mixed in strips of fresh coconut, crumbled macaroons and coconut milk.

Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta (Php220). Light and tangy panna cotta served with blueberries in a pinot syrup.

Sans Rival (Php220). The classic Pinoy cake made of decadent layers of buttercream, meringue and chopped nuts.

Choco Paradise (Php190).This rich chocolatey confection is perfect for those craving for chocolate after a meal.

With its slew of dishes, coffee offerings and cozy atmosphere, it’s easy to see why Caffe Freddo has become a prime foodie destination.

Thanks to Pat of ThePatKidInside for extending the invitation!

About Caffe Freddo

Caffe Freddo prides itself in offering a very unique selection of coffee, not found anywhere else in the metro. The coffee selection is all specially brewed from premium coffee beans of Bluestone Lane from New York City. Strategically located in the busy commercial business district of Bonifacio High Street, Caffe Freddo has refreshingly inviting interiors, with its off-white distressed brick walls, ample seating good for 50 people, and columns with hand-painted coffee plants in vibrant hues of green and red. Caffe Freddo is cozy enough for group meet-ups and family dining.

Caffe Freddo is located at The Spa Building, 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 7am to 11pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 7am to 12 midnight. For inquiries, call +63 9988479410.

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.

A special place for happiness at Elait, Eastwood Mall

There’s a special place for every kid’s heart for ice cream. Its cool feel inside the mouth, the burst of sweetness on the tongue and the added tastes and textures from yummy add-ons make this a perfect summer treat for the young ones (and yeah, the not-so-young ones too!)

For my little boy and the kid in me, our ice cream craving was satisfied when we headed off to Elait in Eastwood Mall after dinner.

It is a small stall shared with cookie store Overdoughs, and similar to other Elait outlets, it is manned by rolled ice cream artisans and servers who also happen to be deaf.

Established by the Caravan Food Group, Inc., Elait supported its owner’s advocacy to raise awareness for social causes and provide employment and training for persons with hearing disability.

So how would you go about ordering and interacting with the store’s servers then?

An order form is conveniently provided where you can indicate your preferred flavor (either a custard or yogurt base plus mix-ins and toppings to flavor the ice cream). Signs containing basic sign language are also posted in strategic areas around the store. I think this is a good way to expose kids to diverse kinds of people and a fun incentive to learn sign language. It also a way to show kids that sometimes, a language barrier can be easily overcome.

Using a spatula, the mixture that will form your rolled ice cream is blended then evenly spread as it hardens on a sub-zero metal plate. This then scraped off the plate to form rolls which are then placed in a cup along with toppings before being served.

My son ordered a cup of Chocolate Overload (Php140). Chocolate shreds, brownie bits and chocolate vermicelli are mixed into a sweet and creamy custard base, with the resulting rolled ice cream topped with a Pocky stick and drizzled with chocolate syrup. From the way it looks to the way it tastes, it’s a kid’s summer dream come true.

For me, I got a Chocnut Dinosaur (Php140). Milo powder is blended with a yogurt base with, with the resulting ice cream rolls topped with Chocnut bits and drizzled with chocolate syrup. I just love how the tangy taste of the yogurt interacts with my favorite flavors from my childhood.

Elait is definitely a place for happiness: there is joy found in a cup, the joy found in making new friends and the joy of spending time, leisurely eating your favorite frozen treat with someone you love.

This Elait kiosk is located at Second Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City. Other Elait locations include:

The Caf Food Hall, Second Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Ground Floor, North Towers, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
M Place, Panay Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City
Upper Ground Floor, SM City San Lazaro, Santa Cruz, Manila
Lower Ground Floor, SM City Manila, Ermita, Manila
Third Floor, Santolan Town Plaza, Col Bonny Serrano Avenue, Little Baguio, San Juan City
Second Floor, North Wing, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City
Third Floor, Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City
Second Floor, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City
Second Floor, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Centre, Greenhills, San Juan

Melo Foods’ Dreamcake-style Chocolate Cake is a sweet surprise

I’m seldom lucky enough to win games of chance but when I came across Melo Foods‘ giveaway contest on Facebook involving its Dreamcake-style Chocolate Cake, I knew I just had to try my luck.

And wouldn’t you know it; a few weeks’ later, I received a notification on Facebook that I won!

Tin can chocolate cakes such as this are making the rounds in social media, and no wonder: these are deliciously decadent and great to give to friends and family as gifts or as your contribution to the office potluck party.

Melo Foods’ Dreamstyle Chocolate Cake is composed of five layers of pure chocolate goodness. At the very bottom is the moist chocolate cake, the base of the whole confection. The next layer is a thick chocolate ganache – a rich mixture of cream and chocolate ordinarily used for icing and glazing cakes. Then comes the chocolate pudding topped by a shard of chocolate dusted with cocoa powder. Melo Foods’ recipe makes use of Dutch processed chocolates and Hersheys chocolates, giving the cake a premium taste.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t go to Melo Foods’ designated pick-up place at Robinsons Fairview. However, the people at Melo’s were kind enough to arrange to have it delivered by Lalamove so long as I shoulder the delivery costs (which I am more than willing to do… actually, I’m willing to do a lot for chocolate, hehehe!)

By the next day, my Dreamcake-style Chocolate Cake was delivered to my office. And since at the time, the holidays were nearing and we all deserved a little bit of sweetness, I shared my cake with my officemates.

First of all, I love the way the chocolate shard crackled when I broke it with a spoon. Also, the layers are distinct from each other in taste and appearance but come together in one very tasty confection.

Thanks to Melo Foods for making my holidays even sweeter!

This cake fills a 6″ x 2″ tin can and sells for Php350. To order, send a private message to Melo Foods via its Facebook Page or contact +63 923 1068534.

Check out my reviews of other Chocolate Dreamcakes here:

Sweet Kiss

Kitycups

Gelato Treat at Morelli’s, Powerplant Mall

We Pinoys love sweets, and with a tropical climate such as ours, we won’t say no to frozen treats even in December.

While ice cream is more prevalent, gelato desserts are also growing in popularity in the country.

Gelato is a frozen dessert which originated in Italy. It has a much creamier and silkier texture than ice cream, given its increased use of milk rather than cream compared to ice cream. Gelato also does not make use of eggs, unlike ice cream, and is usually served using a small spade instead of a scoop.

That’s what I treated my family to over the holidays. After Christmas lunch at nearby Fireside by Kettle in Rockwell, we headed straight to Morelli’s Gelato for dessert. (Thanks to Jen of SandUnderMyFeet.com for sharing her GCs!)

The Morelli’s gelato brand started in Scotland in 1907 when father-and-son Giuseppe and Mario started selling the ice cream prevalent in their native Italy. The brand expanded to UK in 1932, and then went on to establish its presence in other countries, where its gelato offerings are made fresh everyday using natural ingredients.

My kids, mother-in-law and I enjoyed our scoops of truffle, chocolate, pistachio and vanilla gelato which served as a great cap to our Christmas lunch.

This Morelli’s Gelato branch is located at Second Floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City. Another branch is located at Level 3, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City.

Delicious Holiday Food Finds at Ilustrado

Make your holiday gatherings and gift giving more special with unique and delicious finds from Ilustrado Restaurant.

Ilustrado’s Holiday Tienda offers something for everyone. The cheese lover will surely love homemade cheese wheels in Boursin, Pimiento (a sure kids’ favourite!), Spicy Cheese – Edam with garlic and spices, varieties. You cannot go wrong with bottled Atsara, Bagoong, Moringga Pesto, Gourmet Tuyo and Chimichurri.

Tea Cookies come in boxes of 12 cookies in flavors of Double Chocolate, Coconut, Matcha Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Snickerdoodles. Brownies come in boxes of 4 bars with Cashew, S’mores, Salted Caramel, Pretzel and Cream Cheese flavors. Ready to serve for a party are Cake Squares in a box with these delectable selections – Baked Cheesecake, Chocolate Fudge and Sans Rival. Cheese Pimiento Wreath and Quezo de Bola Ensaimada Tree are both unique, festive and appetizing.

A new addition to their lineup are fun Artisan Holiday Boxes dubbed “Christmas Morning” – a selection of cookies, brownies, loose leaf tea and tablea chocolate while “Holiday Cheer” is a Graze Box with Jamon Serrano, Chorizo, Stuffed Lychee with Roquefort and Pistachio, Chorizo Puffs, Spicy Cheeseball, Boursin Cheeseball, Chocolate Dipped Dried Mangoes, Crostini and Pretzels, Mandarin Oranges, Marinated Tomatoes and Olives. These are the perfect hostess gifts to bring to a party or as gifts in themselves to those you hold dear.

To spruce up your Noche Buena table, choose from a long list of mouthwatering selections: the stellar Twice Cooked Angus Beef Short Plate is a must order along with Adobong Bagnet with Taba ng Talangka, Callos Madrilena, Kalderetang Kambing, Lengua con Setas, Hamon de Hacienda, Stuffed Chicken Ilustrado (ala Relleno), Pineapple Glazed Leg of Ham and U.S. Prime Rib.

Your meal will not be complete without Ilustrado’s Signature Paella. Choose from Paella Ilustrado (Meat and Seafood), Paella Marinara (All Seafood), Paella Negra (Squid Ink)or Paella Bacalao.

Those who like pasta and noodles can pick from Classic Carbonara, Espanyola (Spanish Sardines, sun-dried tomatoes in extra virgin olive oil) Filipino Spaghetti, Ilustrado (Shrimp, olive oil, Paprika) Machito (Tenderloin Bits and Mushroom) Palabok with Bagnet and Pata Pancit.

To know more offerings and other details visit Ilustrado at ‪744 General Luna Road‬, Intramuros, Manila (‪527-3674‬, ‪527-2345‬); Café Ilustrado, 4th Level SM Makati (‪818-6760‬) or Pasteleria Ilustrado, 2nd level, Alabang Town Center (‪0919-845-9503‬) or email caterings@ilustradorestaurant.com.ph or log on to www.facebook.com/ilustradorestaurant/.

Disclosure: Menu details and images provided by Ilustrado Restaurant in a recent press release.

Check out my previous post about Ilustrado Restaurant’s Degustation Menu here.

Theo & Philo brings new flavors to local chocolates

Filipinos have long had a love affair with chocolates. Those richly dark treats were first brought to this country over four centuries ago by Spanish colonizers who introduced the growing of cacao to the locals. Today, the Philippine cocoa industry has grown to become the primary producer of cocoa beans in Southeast Asia and has brought about innovative local chocolate brands.

One such brand is Theo & Philo. Curious about the name? “Theo” is short for “theobroma cacao,” the scientific name for chocolate, while “Philo” comes from the Greek word for “love.” Theo & Philo therefore means “chocolate and love.”

With products made from natural ingredients sourced from around the Philippines, Theo & Philo built its advocacy for organic and fair trade practices that support scholarships and farming communities. It has also pioneered in the production of new chocolate flavors that feature tastes that are embedded in Filipino culinary traditions and pop culture.

Its bold-flavored chocolates have garnered international awards and recognition, most recently at the International Chocolate Awards – 2018 Asia Pacific Competition.

During the recent Crafts for a Cause exhibit at SM Mega Fashion Hall, I was able to buy some bars which include:

70% Dark Chocolate (Php119.75). With its use of high quality cacao for rich depth with notes of earthiness and cherries. Its great for a no-nonsense chocolate experience.

Net Weight: 45 grams

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Sugar, Cocoa Butter

60% Dark Chocolate with Ginger and Mint (Php119.75). With this combination of rich dark chocolate, warm ginger and refreshing mint, you can enjoy a sweet treat with a bit of a surprising feel in your mouth.

Net Weight: 45 grams

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Sugar, Ginger, Cocoa Butter, Peppermint Oil

Milk Chocolate Adobo (Php119.75). This novelty bar is among the three flavors that won Theo & Philo the Bronze award in the International Chocolate Awards – 2018 Asia Pacific Competition. With a unique flavor from the soy sauce toffee and black pepper adobo infusion, this milk chocolate will let you see two Filipino favorites – adobo and chocolates – in a whole new light.

Net Weight: 45 grams

Ingredients: Sugar, Cacao Beans, Cocoa Butter, Milk Powder, Butter, Soy Sauce, Black Pepper

Theo & Philo and its penchant for fearless chocolate flavors will make for great post-meal indulgences, dessert adventures or memorable novelty gifts.

Theo & Philo chocolates are available in the following retailers:

Human Nature: Alabang, Makati, Manila, Marikina, Pasig and its flagship store in Quezon City
Gourdo’s: Alabang, SM Megamall, Trinoma Mall and Greenhills
Echo Store: Makati, The Podium, Eton Centris
SM Kultura: SM Makati, SM Megamall, Mall of Asia, SM Aura

and more. For more details, visit the Theo & Philo website.

City of Dreams Manila opens a VR Zone and Food Park

City of Dreams Manila is changing the landscape of entertainment and dining as it unveils The Garage.The new attraction is a VR Zone and food park that enables guests to delve into the immersive experience of virtual reality entertainment and delight in a wide range of casual dining choices from the carefully curated selection of food and beverage trucks and trailers set in a comfortable, air-conditioned space.

Bandai Namco Amusement from Japan, one of the world’s leading video digital entertainment development companies, provides the virtual reality experience at the VR Zone.

“The Garage is City of Dreams Manila’s latest attraction featuring unique entertainment activities in partnership with Bandai Namco Amusement. With their creativity and cutting-edge technology, we are honored and delighted to partner with them, and together blaze a trail in delivering extraordinary entertainment experiences that go beyond gaming and recreation in the Philippines,” Kevin Benning, City of Dreams Manila’s Chief Operating Officer said.

The virtual reality experience provided by a leader in video digital entertainment development is complemented by quality food and drink choices offered by 10 of the hippest and contemporary food and beverage partners including the resort’s own talented staff. This concept, curated all in one place, makes The Garage a first of its kind in the country — “setting us apart from the rest,” adds Benning.

“Bandai Namco Amusement is honored to partner with luxury integrated resort City of Dreams Manila and bring to this exciting destination our first VR Zone entertainment facility in Southeast Asia. We hope to bring outside of Japan an immersive, multi-sensory and fun activities to Filipinos and foreign guests with our unique VR activities at The Garage,” Kunihisa Yagisita, Bandai Namco’s General Manager stated.

Set in a 2,714-square meter cool and comfortable space located at the upper ground floor, The Garage stands out with its modern industrial interiors catering to a 563-seating capacity. Designed by award-winning Paris-based creative design agency, Malherbe Design in collaboration with Westar Architectural Interior Design, a group known for its strong sensitivity to contemporary design aesthetics, The Garage is further given life and vibrancy with graffiti works of two prominent names in the street art scene: Kookoo Ramos and DeeJae Paeste.

View this post on Instagram

#graffiti that graces one of the walls of the newly opened #VRZone and #FoodPark @thegarageatcod. It helps set the mood for enjoyment among gamers and foodies. Wanna chance to check out the VR games available for free! Like and tag a friend in the comments under the giveaway posts here and at @sandundermyfeet, @herlculis, @hungryherl and @foodventuresbyfrapao. Be sure to follow all our accounts to qualify! #TheGarageAtCOD #VRZoneCOD #GamesGastroGalore #cityofdreamsmanila #virtualreality #bandai #bandainamco #VRPark #virtualrealitypark #virtualrealitygames #gaming #gamers #mariokart #skirodeo #philippines #itsmorefuninthephilippines #wheninmanila #wimadventures #virtualrealityworld #virtualrealitygames #virtualrealityexperience #virtualrealitygaming #virtualrealityarcade

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Oct 16, 2018 at 3:27pm PDT

Game of a lifetime

The Garage’s VR Zone features a new generation entertainment facility that offers an exhilarating and startling experience with top-of-class VR technology.

One of the exciting activities at the VR Zone is the famed Mario Kart Arcade GP VR, which was developed by Bandai Namco Amusement under license from Nintendo. The three-minute Mario Kart Arcade GP VR enables one to choose to play as one of the characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, or Yoshi; step right into the action-packed world of Mario Kart universe; and race until the finish line through a course filled with traps such as giant Piranha Plants and Thwomps or large stone creatures that attempt to crush the players. This highly sought-after game can be played by up to four persons and is open to enthusiasts 13 years old and above.

For those seeking a different kind of thrill, the Hospital Escape Terror, which can be played by up to four participants, is described as a ‘horrifying experience unlike ever before’. This immersive horror room game is open to thrill-seekers ages 13 years old and above. Hospital Escape Terror’s players have the goal to escape and survive altogether the dark, cursed, and abandoned hospital within nine minutes while being restrained on a wheel chair.

The two-minute Ski Rodeo on the other hand, is a steep downhill ski simulator that lets a player ski a vast snowy mountain course with sharp slopes and steep drops at an immense speed with the goal to finish at the fastest time possible or within the allotted time. This heart-dropping game, which can be played in pairs, is open to individuals with a height of 140 cm and up.

Tickets are available on site. Single player ticket price is available at P450 nett; while packages are available for those playing in groups or pairs: P800 nett for two persons playing Ski Rodeo; P1, 200 per person for three activities; and P1, 600 nett for a group of four persons playing Hospital Escape Terror or Mario Kart GP VR.

Gastronomic Galore

Going hand in hand with the one-of-a-kind entertainment experience, The Garage’s VR Zone is offering a selection of 10 food and beverage trucks and trailers: Hokkaido Ramen Santouka, Katsu Sora, Pink’s Hotdog, Little Flour, El Chupacabra, Pizza Grigliata, Farmacy, Chocol8, The Roaster and Juiced. The casual dining experience is also enhanced with the sustainability drive of City of Dreams Manila: only eco-friendly, biodegradable and compostable plates, utensils and take-out bags are used at The Garage.

Hailing from Japan, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka’s well-loved ramen is characterized by its mild, pearl-colored Tonkotsu soup which is carefully prepared by taking the time to simmer the pork bones before adding vegetables, dried fish, kelp and other special ingredients. This exceptional soup with thin-noodle ramen, and perfectly topped with mouthwatering slices of Char-siu pork and pickled plums is meant to be savored to the last spoonful.

Another food truck specializing in Japanese cuisine is Katsu Sora. A household name in the metro for good tonkatsu or Japanese deep-fried pork cutlet, Katsu Sora’s secret to their naturally tender, marbled, and flavorful tonkatsu is the use of only premium pork meat. The restaurant is known for serving dishes that use four kinds of world-class pork that are of the highest quality: Iberico, Kurobuta, Shimofuri, and Sakura. Their Iberico and Kurobuta Tonkatsu sets are served with their famed Juugokokumai rice, a premium rice blend that includes white rice, corn, barley, millet, sesame seeds, and black beans.

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This is the #MenchiKatsuBurger that defeated me. #PeroLabanPaRin #EatingContest #TheGarageAtCOD #VRZoneCOD #GamesGastroGalore . . . . . . #foodieph #foodph #pinoyfoodie #yummyph #foodiegram #foodgasm #zomatoph #spotph #looloo #bookymanila #delishph #happytummy #IGersManila #foodblogger

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Los Angeles’ most popular hot dog stand, Pink’s Hot Dogs has been hailed by multiple publications as the number one hot dog in America. A staple in Hollywood since 1939, their lip-smacking hot dogs especially the iconic “The Hollywood Legend,” which is a medley of Pink’s eponymous hotdogs with chili, cheddar cheese, mustard, and chopped onions, are sought after by everyone. This legend continues in Manila since opening their first store in 2016, and is offered together with other American favorites such as burgers, fries, nachos, and more.

Little Flour Café by the highly successful Wildflour Café + Bakery, is known for its well-loved and locally-inspired Filipino rice bowls, delicacies and grilled items.

El Chupacabra is a casual street taco bar serving a delectable array of Mexican-influenced dishes for lunch and dinner, as well as uniquely tweaked versions of popular local plates. Apart from Mexican-style street tacos, El Chupacabra is also known for burritos, enchiladas, and grilled chicken sticks.

Pizza Grigliata serves nothing but hot, freshly-made artisanal pizza to deliver a different kind of pizza experience that stands out from the rest. Uniquely prepared, Pizza Grigliata’s pizzas are handmade from scratch everyday using thin crust dough topped with the freshest ingredients which are torched and grilled.

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#QuattroFormaggi Pizza with #TruffleOil from @pizzagrigliata.manila. . . . . . . #foodieph #foodph #pinoyfoodie #yummyph #foodiegram #foodgasm #zomatoph #spotph #looloo #bookymanila #delishph #happytummy #IGersManila

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Farmacy takes us back to the time of classic turn-of-the-century ice cream parlors. Satisfying the sweet tooth of guests, Farmacy is known for serving fresh homemade ice cream “the right way,” and for serving an extensive array of comforting treats such as milkshakes, sodas, coffee, and pastries.

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Sweets to the sweet! #triplescoop #icecream #iscreamforicecream #TheGarageAtCOD #VRZoneCOD #GamesGastroGalore . . . . . . #sweetdreamsaremadeofthis #alwaysroomfordessert #sweetstothesweet #justdesserts #sweetsph #dessertph #dessertsofinstagram #sugarcoma #sugaraddict #sweetcraving #sugarrush #sweetfix

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Alongside the well-curated food and beverage outlets at The Garage are City of Dreams Manila’s own exceptional outlets: Chocol8, Juiced and The Roaster.

Chocol8 features handcrafted chocolates in a number of shapes and forms, and are enhanced with special ingredients such as fruits, nuts, and spices.

For those into healthy concoctions, Juiced offers a variety of freshly squeezed smoothies, slushies, and juices daily; while The Roaster is the go-to outlet for an array of gourmet coffee creations made from freshly roasted Philippine beans. In keeping with the resort’s sustainability campaign, the beans are sourced from coffee growers and farmers in various communities supported by the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc.

The bar at The Garage offers a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for guests to pair their choice of food from the trucks and trailers.

The Garage is open daily from 10 AM to 2 AM. For more information, call (+63 2) 800-8080 or email guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.

Details provided by The Garage in a recent press release.