rice bowl – Jellybeans in the City

Hanamaruken Ramen welcomes the new year with its latest flavor: Mabo Dofu Donburi

Are you a Japanese food fan? Are you game to widen your Japanese food horizons?

Well, here’s a piece of good news just for you!

Hanamaruken Ramen kicks of the year by expanding its delicious menu to include something quite special: the Mabo Dofu Donburi!

Your favorite ramen place translates the much-loved spicy Sichuan Mapo Tofu dish into a tasty Japanese rice bowl. Made of coated silky tofu cubes covered thick and spicy aromatic sauce topped with chopped spring onions, fried leeks and shredded red pepper on a bowl of steamed rice, it has a milder and slightly sweeter flavor is due to the use of distinctly Japanese ingredients such as miso and mirin.

Similar to other Sichuan dishes, the Mapo Tofu was popularized in Japan in the 1950s, where it was adapted for Japanese tastes through the use of local ingredients.

Today it is one of Japan’s most beloved dishes which has made its way to one of the metro’s top Japanese food destinations.

For a complete and filling Japanese meal, pair this rice bowl with a serving of Nanban Karaage (Php380), Hanamaruken’s take on the Japanese-style fried chicken glazed with teriyaki sauce and served with a side of prawn crackers and tartare sauce, and a glass of Peach Lemon Iced Tea (Php90) to chase the spice away and soothe the palate.

Hanamaruken Ramen was founded in 1982 by Takaku Arakawa, who drew inspiration from his family’s rich background in butchery to create a distinct marriage between meat and ramen, resulting to its Signature Happiness Ramen.

Aside from authentic ramen bowls, Hanamaruken Ramen also serves rice bowls, sushi and small plates of Japanese appetizers.

In the Philippines, this ramen store is managed by the Tasteless Food Group.

So go ahead and drop by your nearest Hanamaruken Ramen branch to welcome the new year with the fresh flavors of the Mabo Dofu Donburi!

This Hanamaruken Ramen branch is located at Ground Floor Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, open daily from 10am to 7pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 7043871.

Other branches are located at:

2F Garden Wing, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City (+63 2 77535949 | +63 917 6212130)
2F Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa (+63 2 88699857 | +63 917 6235931)
The Grove by Rockwell, E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City (+63 917 6237181)
Ground Floor Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (+63 917 7017211)
Forbes Retail, Forbes Town Center, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (+63 917 635 6259 | +63 2 8259202)
Ground Floor Santolan Town Plaza, Santolan Road, Little Baguio, San Juan City (+63 917 7032729)

You may also order for delivery at Tasteless.ph or via GrabFood, FoodPanda and Pick*A*Roo.

To stay updated on its promos and offers, follow Hanamaruken Ramen on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts on Hanamaruken Ramen:

Happiness Overload at Hanamaruken, Trinoma

Get your bowl of happiness at Hanamaruken

World-class dining at Wildflour Cafe, Uptown BGC

I realized that I’ve been working quite hard for the past year.

Despite the convenience of working from home, I’ve been attending lots of meetings, preparing reports, overseeing projects and so on.

With all the job-related stresses I go through each day, it’s only right to treat myself to something posh and delicious, right?

Well, treat myself, I did, at two different occasions at Wildflour Cafe in Uptown, BGC.

Wildflour has been a popular brunch and bistro cafe since 2012, known for its creative menu that incorporates influences from the world’s best cuisines and makes use of ingredients sourced the best organic and local markets.

Its branches also have their own in-house bakery that supplies them with a wide assortment of freshly baked and premium-quality breads, pastries and cakes.

Saturday lunch with my daughter

On a Saturday after a particularly busy workweek for me (and during my daughter #ExhibitA’s lunchbreak from her work which, as luck would have it, sometimes requires her to work on weekends, we decided to have our midday repast at the Wildflour Cafe branch in Uptown, BGC.

During our lunch break escapade, #ExhibitA and I indulged ourselves with Wildflour’s continental dishes such as:

Beef Bourguignon (Php995).

Tender, chunk of beef slowly stewed in red wine sauce with mushrooms and served on a bed of pureed pumpkin.

Goat Cheese Ravioli (Php565).

Ravioli filled with buttery and tart goat cheese tossed in a tomato-sauce infused with basil harvested from Wildflour’s own garden.

Tres Leches (Php320).

Chiffon cake doused in dulce de leche and vanilla kappa and topped with fresh berries.

Partner these culinary creations with Wildflour’s relaxing and rustic old-world ambiance as well as its gracious and hospitable service, then you have a truly world-class dining experience.

Sunday brunch with former co-workers

A few weeks later, I met up with my former officemates to catch up and reminisce over brunch at the al fresco area of this same cafe.

Here, we broke our fast with breakfast bowls such as:

Beef Tapa (Php595).

Tender strips of pan-fried marinated beef on top of garlic fried rice and served with fried eggs and atchara.

Adobo Fried Rice (Php630).

Pork belly braised in garlic, vinegar and soy sauce served with fried egg and pickled chilis on Dalisay rice.

Bacon Fried Rice (Php625).

Thick slabs of bacon steak served with fried egg on top of fried rice.

Now, not all of us enjoy rice for our first meal of the day so some went to sandwiches and pastries from Wildflour’s bakery, which include:

Salmon Avocado Toast (Php595).

Slivers of smoked salmon and mashed avocado topped with cucumber slices, tomato, olives and dill on butter toasted bread.

Corned Beef Hand Pie (Php135).

A flaky turnover pastry filled with savory corned beef.

Hazelnut Cronut (Php170).

The variant of Wildflour’s flaky croissant-donut hybrid topped with dark chocolate swirl and chopped hazelnuts.

And what would brunch be without drinks?

Caffeine freaks went for handmade hot coffee variants while I cooled down with an Avocado milkshake.

Whether indoors or al fresco, Wildflour Cafe does fit the bill for up-leveled dining. And what better way to reward myself than to splurge on world-class eats, right?

This Wildflour Cafe branch is located at the Ground Floor, Uptown Ritz Residences, 9th Ave Corner, 36th Street, Taguig City. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 83653872 or +63 917 6367957.

Other branches are located at:

Ground Floor, Six/Neo, 4th Avenue corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. (Tel: +63 2 88567600 | +63 917 8520950 | +63 917 6249006)
Ground Floor, V Corporate Center, Salcedo Village, Ground Floor, 125 L.P. Leviste Street, Makati (Tel: +63 2 88087072 | +63 917 3285915)
Ground Floor, O-Square Wilson St corner, Ortigas Ave, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan (+63 2 87753543 | +63 917 6279679)
Ground Floor, 8 Rockwell Center, Plaza Drive, Poblacion, Makati City (Tel: +63 2 88505503 | +63 917 7053329)
Ground Floor, The Podium, 18 ADB Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong (Tel: +63 2 85718588 | +63 917 6289572)
Ground Floor, Frabelle Business Center 111, Rada, Legazpi Village, Makati (+63 2 88339799 | +63 917 5645748)
Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Esperanza St, Makati (Tel: +63 27 2132363 | +63 917 6303265)

To order for delivery, visit wildflourtogo.com.

Stay updated on Wildflour Cafes promos and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

The Jelly List: Healthy Eats in QC

Healthy eating helps promote overall health and wellness by ensuring that we get the necessary nutrients our bodies need.

Well within Quezon City, there is an abundance of wholesome and nourishing, yet also tasty eats.

Check them out:

Salmon Sriracha Poke Bowl (Php230 for regular bowl| Php150 for junior bowl) at Poke Shack

Poke (pronounced as POKE-KAY) bowls originate from Hawaii, where pieces of fresh fish are chopped into small pieces, marinated in flavorful sauces and served on top of freshly steamed rice along with chopped fresh vegetables, nuts and other toppings that add flavor and texture to the dish. This Salmon Sriracha Poke Bowl, for instance, is made with tempura flour mix, ebiko, furikake, sesame seed with sriracha mayo.

Poke Shack is located at Ground Floor, Tera Tower, Bridgetowne Business Center, Ortigas Avenue Extension corner E. Rodriguez Jr Avenue, Libis, Quezon City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 10pm, Fridays from 10am to 11pm and Saturdays from 11am to 8pm. For inquiries, call +63 926 0718992 or +63 929 3173857.

Yummy and healthy eats at Nomi Cafe, BGC

Being a foodie, I find that when given a choice between what is flavorful and what is healthy, I would usually go for flavor. For me, eating is not just something I do to nourish my body; it is also something I do to calm my mind, soothe my soul or warm my heart.

The thing is: sometimes, there doesn’t have to be a line between flavor and health. At Nomi Cafe, for instance, Japanese food are prepared using fresh produce and premium ingredients to present diners with a meal that whets their appetite while helping them keep themselves healthy.

On our way to our staycation, I took my mom and my daughter to Nomi Cafe in Bonifacio Global City. (Yes, we’re three generations of women out for good food and good vibes!)

We liked the chill, casual and relaxing vibe of the place, from the use of pastel colors, the fun sayings on the walls, to the faux greens under the glass tables that give diners a feeling of nature and freshness.

One of Nomi’s founding partners, Take, was there to tell us more about the cafe’s origins. Take and his friends synergized what they like about their favorite modern Japanese cafes in Kyoto, Osaka and Kyoto, and brought about Nomi Cafe in Bonifacio Global City to a receptive Filipino dining public.

We were able to enjoy some of Nomi Cafe’s yummy and healthy offerings such as:

Beef Me Up (Php350). A balanced bowl of sauteed beef tenderloin, roasted garlic, broccoli, bell peppers, mixed greens, olives and soy garlic dressing on top of steamed Japanese rice, this is perfect for my mom who’s into getting more veggies in her meals. If she wanted to, she could have opted to replace the rice with brown rice or cauliflower rice.

My mom paired this rice bowl with a Berry Power Up (Php180), one of Nomi Cafe’s low-fat smoothies. This drink is made of strawberry, blueberry and acai shipped from Brazil which are then blended with coconut water and yoghurt. This, and the other drinks we ordered, also make use of earth-friendly bamboo straws which makes my environmentally aware daughter very happy.

Pork Katsu Curry Rice (Php330). My daughter has been craving for Japanese curry for some time now, so it’s fortunate that she chanced upon this dish. The katsu pieces were tender and tasty and well complemented by the potato, carrots and curry sauce.

My baby girl, who also happens to be a matcha connoisseur, opted for a Matcha Weight Loss Smoothie (Php190), a banana smoothie infused with organic match flown in from Japan, to enjoy with her rice meal.

Tantanmen (Php395). In yet another instance that proves my #RamenPhase is here to stay, I opted for this spicy and hearty ramen given the day’s sudden burst of rainfall (which, thanks to the inconstant weather deities, dried up by the end of our meal). Tantanmen gets its richness from the sesame seeds and paste incorporated in the soup flavored with ginger, spring onions and other aromatics. Together with the bits of ground pork and tamago, it presents a complex flavor that I just can’t resist.

I got myself a Mango Madness (Php180), made with fresh mangoes mixed with bananas, coconut water and cinnamon to cool and refresh my palate after the Tantanmen.

Nomi Style Cheesecake (Php250/slice). For dessert, we treated ourselves with this confection composed of matcha cheesecake on a graham cracker crust topped with a rich matcha-flavored mousse.

Thanks to the wonderful folks of Nomi Cafe for this fun foodie adventure with my favorite girls!

Nomi Cafe is located at Ground Floor, W City Center, 30th Street corner 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 12 midnight and Sundays from 12 noon to 8pm.

Disclosure: Our meal was sponsored by Nomi Cafe as a way for us to sample the fare in exchange for an honest review.

There’s something for everyone’s craving at Pob Stacion Food Park

For quite a while now, the Poblacion area has been reinventing itself from its previous incarnation as Makati’s red-light district and re-establishing itself as its foodie-friendly haven. Here, foodies can explore various options in food and drink spanning various cuisines and concepts.

If you were to pool some of those eateries together and concentrate them into one easily accessible place, you would have the Pob Stacion Food Park. Located at B. Valdez Street, Barangay Poblacion in Makati, a ten-minute walk from A Venue or Century City Mall, the newly opened multi-storey Pob Stacion houses a variety of concept food stalls that give the park’s visitors wondrous choices for their gastronomic adventure or to soothe their food cravings.

Recently, together with my fellow foodies, I had a taste of what Pob Stacion’s food outlets have to offer. Read on and check out my top picks.

Above Sea Level (Seafood)

As the home of the Giant Butterfly Squid (Php180 with 1 Java rice | Php250 with 2 Java rice | Php350 with 3 Java rice | Php450 with 4 Java rice), they really do serve it up big-time. Lightly battered, well-seasoned and fried to a golden-brown, each enormous squid by itself is good for two people and is best enjoyed with the resto’s vinegar dipping sauce.

If you’re feeling extra hungry or adventurous, add the Seafood Festival (Php380) to your order and bite into mouthwatering crab, shrimps, mussels and corn on a bed of Java rice doused with a buttery crab fat sauce, or the Spicy Squid Sisig (Php180) for a seafood take on the Pampanga delicacy.

Rib Pop (Pinoy-Korean Fusion)

With the Korean food craze firmly entrenched in the Philippine culinary scene, it’s hardly surprising that the two cuisines would mesh together at some point. That point is here at Rib Pop where the best of the two cuisines is highlighted in its Ribpop Sampler (Php400) which consists of its signature dishes: Black Ink Chicken Wings – squid ink bettered fried chicken pieces with spicy tangy sauce, Ribpop Bowl – your choice of rice topped with beef short ribs, and an assortment of banchan – small plates of Korean appetizers.

Octoboy (Japanese)

Who would have thought that Takoyaki (Php70 for 3 pcs | Php140 for 6 pcs), balls made of batter filled with chopped octopus meat, cooked in a specially shaped griddle and served with those wriggling Bonito flakes, would be such a hit with us Pinoys? If you’re on the lookout for something quick, cheap and yummy, Octoboy’s Takoyaki is your best bet.

Tokyo Tempura (Japanese)

Did you know that tempura, the Japanese method of deep-frying battered seafood and vegetables, was influenced the Portuguese who were residing in Nagasaki in the 16th century? Today, tempura is a mainstay in practically all Japanese restaurants in the country and is even gaining some foothold in Pinoy eateries through localized versions.

Tokyo Tempura’s versions are quick, yummy, easy to enjoy when you’re having a case of the munchies, and with affordably priced options which include Imperial Tempura (Php150 for 12 pcs), Tempura Rice (Php80) and Kani Tempura (Php55 for 6 pcs).

Want some spicy kick to go with your tempura? Add the Chili Cheese Poppers (Php55 for 4 pcs) to your order and take some heat from those tempura battered cheese-filled jalapenos!

Oskar’s Soul Kitchen (American)

If you’re looking for an alternative to your usual fastfood burger, check out Oskar’s Soul Kitchen’s Cheeseburger (Php220) – a quarter pound of ground Wagyu beef patty sandwiched in an oatmeal bun together with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and the resto’s signature sauce.

Still have room for more? Add Angus Beef Hotdog (Php140), Fries Overload (Php160), or the Nachos Overload (Php150) to your order and eat to your heart’s content.

Wing’s Lab (American)

How about Wing’s Lab’s sinful take to your flavored chicken wings? Try its American Wings (Php699 with Nachos and Beef) which hits you with its Jack Daniels flavored sauce.

Want something to quench your thirst after those spicy wings? Take your pick from the resto’s refreshing and conveniently packaged Juices (Php60 – Blue Lemonade, Cucumber Lemonade and Melon with Milk). The best part is that you can easily take these handy juice packs with you all over the park and beyond.

Authentic House of Curry (Indian)

Get yourself a taste of the exotic with the Authentic House of Curry’s spicy Beef Rendang (Php240) and Lobster Scallop Balls (Php180). These dishes provide a nice South Asian flare to your food park fare.

Cha Tuk Chak (Thai Milk Tea)

While boba milk teas abound all over the metro, Thai milk teas are not as visible, which , for me, is a shame if Cha Tuk Chak’s drinks are anything to go by. From the world famous creamy and silky Cha Yen (Php110 regular | Php125 large), the sweeter, fruitier and caffeine free Nom Yen (Php120 regular | Php135 large), the sweet lemon-infused Thai Ruby (Php115 regular | Php130 large), the refreshing Thai tea with real lemon Thai Emerald (Php115 regular | Php130 large), and the gourmet dark chocolate milk tea given a Thai spin Koko Yen (Php110 regular), among others, you’ll have tasty thirst-quenching options as you navigate the food park.

Papa Diddi’s (Ice Cream)

And who can forget about dessert? Papa Diddi’s Hand-crafted Ice Cream (Php75 for 1 scoop | Php110 for 2 scoops | Php145 for 3 scoops) come in such unusual yet localized flavors that pay tribute not just to our Pinoy heritage but also to the farmer communities that supply the brand’s all-natural ingredients. From the fruity Mango Pili, the cheesy Queso Blanco with kesong puti and Cheese Closed with cheddar, the chocolatey Chocolate Lovin and Tsokolate de Cagayan, the sinfully indulgent Tres Leches and the chocolate-meets-spicy Davao Meets Bicol, your dessert gives you a cool, culinary trip across the country.

So if you’re a denizen of Poblacion, or on a night out with friends in the area, do add a stopover to Pob Stacion Food Park to your evening’s itinerary.

Many thanks to Raina of KonyoQueen.com for extending the invitation!

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

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.

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#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

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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

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Oct 14, 2018 at 2:52am PDT

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

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Oct 14, 2018 at 2:46am PDT

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.

Authentic Sichuan Cuisine at Fantaste, Salcedo Village

Sichuan (also called Szechuan) cuisine, which originates from Chinese province of the same name, is known for its bold flavors, resulting from the variety of seasonings and cooking methods used.

Newly opened restaurant Fantaste brings a taste of Sichuan into the heart of Makati City. Along with a selected group of bloggers and foodies (as well as my daughter, #ExhibitA), I was able to attend its Grand Opening and sample its many food offerings.

The restaurant’s mascot is reminiscent of Dreamworks’ Kung Fu Panda, chosen because, according to the wait staff, the panda symbolizes friendship, unity and world peace.

Fantaste’s claim to fame is its rice bowls. These dishes are individually cooked in their own clay pot bowl, topped with hearty servings of viands, accompanied by steamed bok choi and half a salted egg, then doused with a secret sauce upon serving. Its heated clay pot container maintains the rice bowls’ heat during the entire meal, even giving the bottom grains a slightly toasted crunch and flavor.

Given a choice of which among its twelve rice bowl choices to sample, I opted for the Chicken and Mushroom (Php260) while my daughter got intrigued with the mysteriously titled The Best of Fantaste (Php220). To be honest, I think I had the better choice, my bowl having a better mixture of tastes and textures.

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Two of #authenticchinesefood #ricebowls available at new resto Fantaste: Chicken Mushroom (Php260) and The Best Fantaste (Php220). I actually like the Chicken Mushroom better. Btw, the rice in these rice bowls are cooked individually in claypots, and upon serving, are doused with a #secretsauce. Review now available at beingjellybeans.wordpress.com (search: Fantaste). #foodie #foodporn #foodstagram #foodiegram #foodgasm #nom #nomnom #nomnomnom #igers #igersmanila

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Jul 2, 2018 at 1:39am PDT

I overheard from my seatmates (and seconded by my daughter who is more well-traveled than I) that the dishes feature the taste of mainland China’s provinces, rather than the taste we normally associate with Hong Kong which is more familiar to the Filipino palette. We all welcome the variety that these bring to our dining experience, although some would be an acquired taste: the Red Jujube and White Fungus Soup (Php120) for example, had a seemingly bland broth with explosions of sweet and tartness from the date fruit and the meat flavor of its chicken bits.

The restaurant also has a breakfast menu which we were all also able to sample: the Congee (Php120) and Beef and Lettuce Congee (Php140) which, to me, served as a subtle palette for toppings; the Steamed Vermicelli Roll (Php120) which had a nice spicy kick; the carbo-loaded Yangzhuo (or more commonly known as Yang Chow) Fried Rice (Php160); Pork Ribs coated with Glutinous Rice (Php140); the Dry Fried Noodles with Beef (Php180) which had a nice peanut-ty taste; and the Fried Noodles with Three Shreds (Php180).

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#NewRestaurant Fantaste’s #RedJujubeandWhiteFungusSoup (Php120) is definitely an acquired taste. Its #ChineseBreakfast Items such as #congee (Php120), #beefandlettucecongee, (Php149), #yanzhoufriedrice (Php160), #glutinousriceballs (Php140), Cantonese #steamedvermicelliroll (Php120), #dryfriednoodlewithbeef (Php180) and #FriedNoodles with Three Shreds provide an authentic taste of mainland #chinesecuisine. Review now available at beingjellybeans.wordpress.com (search: Fantaste). #foodie #foodporn #foodstagram #foodiegram #foodgasm #nom #nomnom #nomnomnom #igers #igersmanila #delish

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Jul 2, 2018 at 2:00am PDT

Those looking to complete their taste of authentic Chinese food can even opt for drinks imported from the mainland such as Chinese versions of our favorite softdrinks, flavored yogurt drinks and flavored teas.

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#thirstquenchers available at new #chineserestaurant Fantaste, all imported from China: Chinese versions of our favorite softdrinks, flavored yogurt drinks and flavored teas. #drinksofinstagram #drinkies #beverage

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Jul 2, 2018 at 1:31am PDT

Given the novelty of its food offerings, I would suggest to the restaurant manager to consider having a menu with pictures and descriptions of the dishes. That way, the really adventurous foodies would know which items are in line with their palates while the less gastronomically conservative patrons can choose those which more closely align with their taste.

I would also suggest a less upbeat background music: the resto’s offerings are somewhat traditional and some can even be considered medicinal (particularly its herbal teas) . If the resto would like to capitalize on the health benefits of its cuisine, a more languid and traditional background music would be more appropriate.

Just my two cents… 🙂

Foodies who will journey all the way to Makati to visit this resto should also consider where they can park. Parking spots are severely limited and the nearest pay parking area charges Php80 for just two hours.

Disclosure: Together with other bloggers, I was invited to attend this restaurant’s Grand Opening. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.