new normal – Jellybeans in the City

Four reasons to dine in style at New World Hotel’s Cafe 1228

As we near the end of the tumultuous year of 2020, we should celebrate whatever joy and success we were able to wrest for ourselves, right?

After all, while there may have been many upheavals this year, we still made it through.

So let’s celebrate in grand style, shall we? Here are four reasons why we should do so at New World Makati Hotel’s Cafe 1228.

1) You can dine-in luxuriously.

The restaurant’s sprawling, airy and well-appointed premises are sure to get you in the mood to linger awhile, spending time with family and friends over good food.

2) You can dine-in safely.

With the restaurant’s recent reopening, it already adopted safety procedures and protocols for the New Normal under New World Makati Hotel Commitment to Care Care Health and Safety Program. The hotel, including all of its restaurants and facilities, are in compliance with the standards of its international owning company, Rosewood Hotel Group. Further intensified sanitation and safety protocols are set in place guided by the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. More details on this program here.

Foremost among these standards involves Cafe 1228 revamping its dining-in concept from an all-you-can-eat buffet to one that’s more in line with the New Normal: an order-all-you-can ala carte service.

Instead of filling your plate as you go from station to station, you instead select your choices from a well-curated list of Western and regional fare. You can order anything that’s on the menu as often as you can during dining hours.

3) You can dine-in deliciously.

Cafe 1228 brings the ultimate feast to discriminating diners. Your orders from the menu are all prepared ala minute and served to you at your table in solo portions, fresh and hot from the restaurant’s five cooking stations.

These include:

Hot off-the-grill. Let out your inner carnivore with freshly grilled dishes such as Lamb Brochette, Rosemary Chicken, Mahi-mahi in Kaffir Lime and Olive Oil, Herb and Garlic Marinated Beef Striploin, Pork Spareribs in garlic, calamansi, fish sauce, and Hungarian Sausage.

Fresh seafood cooked in five ways. Shrimps, clams, and blue crabs cooked with a choice of garlic butter, salt and pepper, Singaporean style, in white wine sauce or baked with garlic and cheese.

Pizzas and pastas, all cooked to order. Get a taste of Italy with pizzas such as Frutti de Mare, Parma Ham with Feta Cheese, Mushroom and Four Cheese, Margherita, and Mediterranean Vegetable. Have al dente spaghetti or penne noodles served with your choice from pesto cream, puttanesca, marinara and carbonara sauces.

Regional and local faves from Japanese, Chinese and Pinoy cuisines. Have a food trip around the country and Asia with assorted sashimi and sushi rolls, Wok-Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts, Pork Buns and Lechon Belly Rice.

Appetizers and salads to pair with mains. Start your meal with Jamon Serrano with Manchego on Toast or with Toast topped with Parma Ham, Burnt Peach and Goat Cheese Foam.

Sugary treats for dessert lovers. End your meal on a sweet note with a wide variety of confections that include Chocolate Truffle Cake, Spiced Chocolate Pecan Pie, Strawberry Cheesecake, Mixed Berry Trifle, Bread and Butter Pudding and Puto Bumbong.

Refreshing beverages of your choice. Take your pick from among fresh fruit and vegetable juices, healthy drinks, smoothies, icy teas and beers.

This ultimate feast is available for lunch from Thursdays to Sundays and dinner from Thursdays to Saturdays. The dining outlet will also be open all week from 21-27 December 2020 due to popular demand.

4) You can dine-in on an irresistible deal.

The all-you-can-eat feast at Cafe 1228 is offered for lunch at PHP2,400 on Thursdays and Fridays and PHP2,988 on Saturdays and Sundays. For dinner, it is priced at PHP2,600 on Thursdays and PHP2,988 on Fridays and Saturdays (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day).

From December 21 to 23, the same rate for Thursdays applies: PHP2,400 for lunch and PHP2,600 for dinner.

50% off applies for Club Epicure & BDO credit cardholders at Cafe 1228. Club Epicure membership is FREE and comes with an array of exclusive discounts and privileges for dining offers, and will include room stays once staycations are accepted at the hotel.

For table reservations, guests can call +63 2 88116888 ext. 3679, send a message on Viber at +63 917 8884194 or e-mail fbreservations.manila@newworldhotels.com.

This Christmas, indulge yourself and your loved ones a bit with a welcome change of scenery and a sumptuous feast at New World Hotel Makati’s Cafe 1228.

New World Makati Hotel is a world-class deluxe hotel located in the heart of Makati. With a thoroughly modern vibe and hints of Oriental influence, the hotel features 580 guestrooms and suites with Residence Club executive floor accommodation, a business center, sophisticated dining options, a well-equipped fitness center with sauna and spa, an outdoor swimming pool, and 1,800 square meters of dynamic function space for meetings and conferences. The hotel is located directly across Greenbelt, the country’s premier lifestyle shopping center. It is also nine kilometers from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and within steps of many embassies, as well as Manila’s top business addresses and upscale shopping venues.

Disclosure: Together with fellow food bloggers, I was invited to sample Cafe 1228’s ultimate feast. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to taste the fare to facilitate our honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Maximize your eat-all-you-can experience. Check out my survival guide.

Check out my blog posts on other buffet restaurants in the Metro:

Grab helps Filipino merchant-partners grow with fresh insights, tools, and tech-solutions through Grab Unlocked 2020

Furthering its commitment to support the success of its merchant-partners, Grab Philippines launched its 2020 Grab merchant conference GRAB UNLOCKED: Opening Doors to Uplifting Your Business this New Normal. With insightful talks from Grab and industry experts, merchant-partner attendees learned about digital trends and tools to help grow their business resiliently and sustainably through digitalization.

Virtually held last November 19 and attended by Grab merchant-partners, GRAB UNLOCKED featured updates and insights from Grab’s Head of Deliveries EJ Dela Vega, Head of GrabFood and Grab Financial Group Marketing Daniel Anore, Head of GrabFood Greg Camacho, Head of GrabAds Martin Luchangco, and Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz. To give attendees an informative and inspiring learning session, aside from Grab Philippines representatives, GRAB UNLOCKED also featured industry experts and successful entrepreneurs to share their stories and provide meaningful insights that Grab Merchant partners can be inspired on to grow their businesses, namely Chef Margarita Forés, CloudEats co-founder and CEO Kimberly Yao, 24 Chicken co-founders Mark Ong and Jeff Sy, DITO-CME COO and Udenna Corporation CIO Donald Lim, and Unilever Sr. Omniretail Customer Manager Joselle Dela Rosa.

Embracing change to effectively adapt

Donald Lim, the Chief Operating Officer of DITO CME and the Chief Innovation Officer of the Udenna Corporation also joined the virtual conference to share how businesses can prepare for a post-pandemic world. With insights on how businesses can adapt their strategic response and the secret behind mastering a business pivot, Lim ended his talk remarking “We do not know when COVID will really be gone, but the more that we accept the reality this year, the more we can make adjustments to our business, and [sic] prepare our business, and future-proof our business for other challenges to come,” he said.

To prepare for the challenges to come, Head of GrabFood Greg Camacho unveiled the many upcoming features and upgrades to help businesses effectively adapt to the new normal. “We know that running a business is never a smooth process, and we want to be there with you every step of the way,” he shared.

Taking merchant-partners’ feedback into consideration, Camacho announced a range of features and upgrades to be launched in the coming months:

In the GrabMerchant App, merchant-partners can look forward to upgrades that will give a more seamless operations process through several new features:

The improved GrabMerchant Owner Profile gives access to the full suite of tools, allows easy management of employee roles, and provides a seamless shift for store profiles through multi-owner access
With communication upgrades integrated in the app, merchant-partners will also be able to quickly make order changes and have access to an in-app live chat for real time feedback from Grab’s support team

Outside the GrabMerchant App, merchant-partners will be able to get ample support through new platforms:

To give an even more efficient work process, Grab will be launching the GrabMerchant Portal, a web-based interface where merchant-partners can view and download analytics and reports on sales, operations, and campaigns. Businesses will be able to operate smarter and faster once the GrabMerchant portal starts rolling out in phases by December 2020.
Starting early next year, Grab will be launching the Ad Manager, where merchant-partners will be able to build and launch GrabFood ads from the GrabMerchant app in just a few minutes
This December, Grab will also be launching the GrabAcademy, a one-stop learning center where merchant-partners can easily access Grab merchant tutorials and courses. As Grab continues to innovate and provide new solutions for more efficient processes, the new GrabAcademy for merchants is sure to make learning much easier for its employees.

Putting safety at the core of your business

As businesses learn to adapt to the so-called “new normal,” addressing the demand for deliveries and prioritizing safety become key factors every business owner must take into consideration.

Unilever, a key partner of GrabFood in its commitment to providing safer meals, shared tips and tricks on how food businesses can ensure protection and good health of its employees and customers. With the goal of raising the bar for safety and hygiene in the food and delivery industry, Unilever Philippines’ Manager Joselle Dela Rosa talked about talked about all the cleaning and hygiene must-haves to maintain a safe kitchen— from surface sanitizer sprays like CIF to hand sanitizers like its new product Lifebuoy.

After a whole afternoon of insightful talks, Grab made sure merchant-partner attendees not only got learnings to help them with their businesses, but also a chance to win from hundreds of exciting raffle prizes. With the support of GRAB UNLOCKED’s co-presenter Unilever and sponsor Coca-Cola, some of the prizes given out were 500,000 GrabReward Points, Samsung S10 phones, Cebu Pacific round trip flight tickets to a local destination, Coca-Cola branded LED watches and cooler bags, Knorr Seasoning, and so much more!

Despite living in these unprecedented times, Grab Philippines’ Country Head Grace Vera Cruz assured its merchants that Grab will continue to be their partner in leveraging technology that can be utilized to further grow their businesses. “While we have a long road to recovery ahead of us, I am confident that by working together, we can build a stronger and more resilient economy; and it starts with every one of us fully embracing digitalization and unlocking its many opportunities,” she said.

Although today’s circumstances remain unprecedented, Grab is committed to working together with its merchant-partners to find the most effective solutions to better reach and serve their consumers. Through technology and digitalization, Grab will continue to provide its merchant-partners with various platforms that will help grow their business, such as the 2020 Grab merchant conference GRAB UNLOCKED.

To learn more about how you can grow your business with Grab, sign up to be a Grab merchant through https://www.grab.com/ph/merchant/food/

The Jelly List: Four ways to keep the holiday spirit despite the pandemic

Whenever the calendar turns towards the -BER months, around the same time when we Pinoys start to feel (or imagine!) that the breezes are getting cooler, and we start hearing Christmas carols on continuous loop in the malls, we also get all caught up in the anticipation for fun and festivities of the holiday season.

Those are all just part of the holiday spirit.

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging across the world, the loss of loved ones due to the sickness, the closure of many businesses and unemployment of many workers, can it still be Christmas?

My answer: yes, of course!

We Pinoys love Christmas so much that we won’t let COVID-19 cancel the holiday that brings hope and joy to everyone.

This holiday season, because of the restrictions to mobility or limitations on budget brought about by the pandemic, we won’t be traveling to places in our bucket list, gathering in boisterous families with our clan, nor squeezing into crowded malls for our Christmas shopping. But we can still have a merry – and even more meaningful – Christmas in this time of COVID-19.

Here are some ways to go about this:

1) Spend wisely

Given all the financial uncertainty that many of us are facing, now is not the time to splurge. Your Christmas bonus or aguinaldo may be needed for some unexpected expenses later on.

That said, you can still get a bit of holiday retail therapy done if you employ a bit more effort or creativity.

Prioritize buying the essentials – such as food, clothes and health products – but look for great deals. For instance, Shopee’s 11.11-12.12 Big Christmas Sale includes Php1 deals on selected fashion, self-care and stationery items which users can enjoy during the period leading up to December 12.

You can also find ways to buy what you need without having to shell out cash. Your loyalty points may already have accumulated to a sizable amount that you can use them to purchase items. Case in point: I once bought over Php1,000 worth items from Miniso using my BDO Rewards points.

2) Be together, while staying apart.

One of the most difficult adjustments that this New Normal has brought about is the need for physical distancing. Especially among us Pinoys who are naturally outgoing and affectionate to our loved ones, being physically separated can be quite stressful.

While technology can’t take the place of a loved one’s actual physical presence, some small acts of thoughtfulness can chase away the feelings of isolation.

Our seniors, being high-risk individuals, bear most the brunt of these physical restrictions. Confined to their homes for months now, they can’t go out to stretch their legs or chat with their amigos and amigas. Be sure to check in on them regularly and cheer them up by sending pictures or video clips of the mundane yet happy moments that occur everyday, My mom, for instance, really appreciates when my kids video-chats with her via FB messenger.

Since the barkada can’t physically get together for a round of drinks, how about holding an e-numan sesh over Zoom? Send a ready-to-grill pack of barbecue or isaw from Mang Ding’s to your friends before the sesh to go with your favorite drinks while having your virtual bar hangout.

You can also make and share a Spotify playlist of your favorite songs from childhood with your friends so you can all reminisce about the hits from the past as well as share a laugh over your collective taste in music.

The key is to share a happy and memorable experience even while staying physically apart.

3) Give gifts that keep on giving.

For many of us, budget is pretty tight, even during the holiday season. That doesn’t mean, however, that we can’t show our love for our family and friends through gifts. In fact, a well-chosen gift that takes the needs of the recipient into consideration, especially during this time, will be greatly appreciated.

For instance, rather than giving the usual gift baskets or knick-knacks, gift your friends with groceries, care packs or hygiene kits instead. These are supplies that they will no doubt need in the coming days so by giving them as gifts, you are eliminating something from their to-buy list, thus saving them money and effort.

You can also choose to send gifts that support small businesses such as online food sellers that offer family trays of Filipino dishes or new bakers that offer boxes of monster-sized cookies. These thoughtful food gifts save the recipient from the hassle of preparing a meal or indulges their cravings.

How about gifting a loved one with a present made by your own hands? If you’ve taken up crocheting or knitting as a quarantine pastime, now would be a good time test your skills with some bespoke projects for your friends. If you’re among the plantitas or plantitas who sprouted during the lockdown, give your friends a cutting or a pot of your plants that they can have their own plant-babies to nurture in the coming year.

4) Share the love.

While life under COVID-19 may be hard on us, we know that other people may have been harder hit by the pandemic. Even if you don’t have a lot to give, you can still find ways to share your blessings to those in need.

For instance, if you’ve recently emptied out and reorganized your closets for the New Normal, you may have a lot of old clothes that can be donated to charities.

You can also use your loyalty points to give to charity. For example, you can redeem your GrabRewards points to donate to WWF, Red Cross, Unicef and more.

The pandemic may continue to wreak havoc in our lives well into the holiday season and even beyond. But it is up to us to keep that flicker of Christmas cheer burning despite all the challenges and difficulties of 2020, not just for our own enjoyment, but more importantly, to spark hope for others.

Happy holidays, dear readers! Stay safe!

Check out my other adventures compiled into Jelly Lists:

SM Supermalls dedicates “#AweSMLearning Week” for SuperKid-learners nationwide

The school year 2020-2021 is truly extraordinary as families across the country will transform their homes into fun learning spaces for students who will be on homeschool, blending learning, or distance education programs.

With this, SM Supermalls kicks off its annual Kids’ Month celebration via a special “#AweSMLearning Week” dedicated to all SM kiddie shoppers nationwide. From September 28 to October 4, SM Supermalls’ digital pages will feature various homeschooling tips for students of all ages plus smart shopping hacks for parents.

Also, all SM malls will be happy to assist moms and dads who are set to complete their school essentials list – from traditional school supplies like notebooks, pen, and coloring materials; to educational toys and #AweSMLearning gadgets from SM Cyberzone. So never miss all school supply deals and promos at your favorite SM malls!

For more gadget updates, join the #SMTechAndGadgets Viber Community and access SM Cyberzone’s online gadget reservation portal.

Indeed, everything’s here at SM for your SuperKid-learner’s back-to-school needs!

For more details about #AweSMLearning Week and #SMKidsMonth2020, visit smsupermalls.com.

Header photo created by torwaiphoto – www.freepik.com

Three reasons why Go Bento is your new go-to place for your quarantine Japanese food cravings

It’s been four months since we’ve been hit with this crazy pandemic and many of us foodies may be chomping at the bit. Four months of isolation, munching on the same lutong-bahay, or stressing on how to stretch our limited food budget may be taking their toll.

But take heart, fellow foodies!

Here are three reasons why Go Bento can be your new go-to place to give your taste buds a break from your usual ulam, without you having to break the bank.

One: It is the home of affordable, everyday Japanese food.

The resto takes its concept from the Japanese bento, a takeout or home-packed meal good for one person which already includes rice, a fish or meat viand and cooked veggies, all placed in a box that can be taken anywhere.

However, other food options such as donburi (rice bowls) and ala carte dishes are also made available to suit the tastes and budget of you Japanese food lovers out there.

Go Bento’s tasty offerings, all costing no higher than Php200, include:

Beef Misono Bento (Php190). Thin slices of beef stir-fried in a garlicky yakiniku style sauce, served with rice, stir-fried veggies and miso soup.

Mixed Tempura Bento (Php190). Japanese-style battered and fried shrimp and mixed vegetables served with tempura sauce, rice, veggie salad and miso soup.

Gyudon (Php155). Thin slices of beef simmered with onions in a mildly sweet, dashi-flavored sauce and served on top of rice.

Hambagu Curry (Php110). Japan’s version of the Salisbury or hamburger steak served with a fried egg in a sweet Japanese curry sauce over rice.

Miso Nori Hambagu (Php75). Japanese-style beef burger patty topped with nori, shredded cabbage and signature sauce served in a bun.

If you’re feeling just lightly peckish, you can also snack on:

California Maki (Php95/4pcs).

Chicken Thigh Yakitori (Php50/stick).

Chicken Skin Yakitori (Php35/stick).

Potato Takoyaki.

Two: You can Go Bento at home.

Go Bento delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda so you can feast on your Japanese comfort food faves or take a break from your WFH tasks with a tasty snack.

Three: You can safely dine in at Go Bento.

Protocols are already in place to minimize physical contact and ensure your safety so you can dine in comfort.

So, foodies, there’s no need to stress yourself out on your dining options. The next time your Japanese food craving hits, you know where to go: Go Bento!

Go Bento is located at 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open daily from 11am to 8pm for dine-in, takeout, pickup or delivery via GrabFood and FoodPanda. Safe cashless payments via GCash also available. For inquiries, reservations or orders, call +63 2 88651565 or +63 998 9529796.

It recently opened a new branch along Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City, open daily from 10am to 5pm. For inquiries, reservations or orders, call +63 998 5875592.

Download the Grab App and get a discount on your first food order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Use this link to download the FoodPanda app and get Php100 off your first order.

Disclosure: Together with a fellow foodie, I attended a food tasting held at this resto where food items were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate our honest reviews, and were not paid for by the attendees.

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants: