salmon – Jellybeans in the City

PAUL Boulangerie et Pattiserie, SM Mega Fashion Hall

I had to accompany my daughter #ExhibitA as she got her booster shot last Sunday, and I thought “Why not make an outing of it?”

Given my work schedule and her classes, we hardly get any opportunity for some mother-daughter bonding.

So we took the opportunity to have brunch at PAUL Boulangerie et Pattiserie at SM Mega Fashion Hall.

This cafe is a spot of understated luxury inside a busy mall. Here, handmade bread are freshly baked throughout the day as has been done in various PAUL bakeries for over 120 years.

The cafe also offers menu items that combines the pleasures of eating with well-being. These dishes are characterized by authenticity, the use of natural ingredients and being attentive to the need for a balanced diet. These include:

Croque Salmon (Php420). Smoked salmon, cream and ementhal cheese enveloped in soft butter-toasted pain de mie and served with crisp greens drizzled with a tangy-sweet vinaigrette.

Pesto & Cream Pasta (Php295). Al dente fusili tossed in basil pesto cream sauce and garnished with sundried tomatoes, parmesan cheese and bread stick.

Creme Brulee (Php175). Rich and creamy vanilla flavored custard topped with caramelized sugar.

Drinks. Freshly steeped Earl Grey Tea (Php115) and Salted Caramel Flavored Latte (Php215).

A lovely meal and a relaxing atmosphere made for an enjoyable time!

This PAUL Boulangerie et Pattiserie branch is located at Ground Floor Al Fresco 1, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City. For inquiries, call +63 995 2525279.

To know more about its products and offers, visit PAUL’s website or follow it on Facebook or Instagram.

The Manila Hotel’s Café Ilang-Ilang and The Champagne Room reopens

The Manila Hotel’s dining outlets, the famed Café Ilang-Ilang and the iconic Champagne Room reopens soon after undergoing a few weeks of general maintenance. The hotel chose to suspend dining operations as the holiday festivities died down to ensure food quality and guest safety, as well as spot-checks on its facilities.

Come visit Café Ilang-Ilang

Café Ilang-Ilang is scheduled to reopen on January 28, 2022 (Friday). The dining outlet enjoys a loyal following among local and foreign guests as it offers authentic international fare as well as family-friendly dining experience. It continues to draw diners with its daily offering of gastronomic delights coupled with the culinary team’s passion to create an amazing spread of dishes that is in keeping with its acclaimed status as one of the best buffet restaurants in the country.

The Manila Hotel’s Café Ilang-Ilang and The Champagne Room reopens

Diners can indulge in Café Ilang-Ilang’s wide range of food selections for lunch and dinner daily. This brings together Italian, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and even certified Halal dishes under one roof for an indulgent eat-all-you-can feast featuring crowd favorites like the US Beef Rib Roast; items from the Churrasco station like meats and salmon; seafood like prawns and crabs; a glorious spread of different sushi and sashimi; Filipino favorites like Lechon with truffle rice; Chinese highlights like duck and various dimsum; an array of desserts including bibingka, puto bumbong, and halo-halo; and many more.

Fine dining at The Champagne Room

Meanwhile, Manila’s premier destination for exquisite fine dining will start accepting diners again on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. To date, The Champagne Room is a premier restaurant whose timeless beauty remains, coupled with fine dining of choices for discriminating diners who put a premium on impeccably prepared dishes, outstanding service, and luxurious ambiance. The most romantic room in the country marks the return of its fine dining just in time for Valentine month.

The Champagne Room will welcome guests with an option for walk-in and reservations four days a week (Wednesday through Saturday), with select a la carte items and special multi-course degustation menus to choose from—conceived by the hotel’s Executive Chef to showcase what this dining outlet is all about. Think generous servings of Black Angus Tenderloin, US Prime Beef Rib, the Chilean Sea Bass, or the satisfying Seafood Medley; there are also choices of starters; and for dessert, don’t miss out on the indulgent sweet delight—its signature Baked Alaska.

Safety standards

Both The Manila Hotel premiere outlets elevate the dining experience: broadening our palate with flavors from global cultures and cuisine and applying elevated standards of safety that allow guests to dine comfortably and with peace of mind.

Café Ilang-Ilang and The Champagne Room still implement physical distancing and reduced capacity measure that are compliant with the IATF and DOT guidelines for restaurants.

For more information regarding reservation and dining rates, please call our hotline numbers at (02) 85270011 or 0998-9501912. You may also email restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com; or check and book online for Café Ilang-Ilang via https://www.manila-hotel.com.ph/dining/cafe-ilang-ilang/ and The Champagne Room via https://www.manila-hotel.com.ph/dining/champagne-room/.

Details and images provided by The Manila Hotel in a recent press release.

Boost your immune system with easy and healthy dishes from La Germania

La Germania dishes nutritious recipes to strengthen you and your family amid cold and flu season

The new year marks a fresh start, but it also means that flu season is upon us. That’s why it’s vital for you and your loved ones to take care of your health. One of the best ways to shield ourselves from diseases and possible health risks is preparing nutritious dishes at home.

To help you boost your immune system amid flu season, La Germania shares three recipes that are easy to make and rich with health benefits. By preparing these dishes at home, you also get to make a lot of savings. Hence, you hit two birds with one stone.

Get fancy with Salmon en Papillote

French cuisine may sound intimidating, but this tender fish is deceptively easy and fast to prepare. Salmon is one of the most nutritious foods in the market, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. Omega-3 fatty acids help build and maintain a healthy body, while B vitamins are a good energy source and may help with certain health problems, like migraines and anxiety. Baking this flavourful French dish will be a total breeze with your La Germania oven range.

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs salmon, cut into four pieces
One small zucchini, thinly sliced
One head fennel, thinly sliced
One lemon, thinly sliced
1 tsp dried dill
4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Parchment paper

Procedure:

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Cut parchment into four large ovals 15” by 10” inches. Then, fold each parchment in half.
On half of each parchment, layer on ¼ of the zucchini, ¼ the fennel, one piece of salmon, sprinkle with ¼ tsp salt, ¼ pepper, ¼ tsp dill, lemon slices, drizzle each salmon with one teaspoon olive oil and a few pieces of fennel fronds. Repeat this process with the three remaining salmon filets.
Close the parchment by folding the other half over the prepared salmon and carefully roll the open edges toward the center.
Set pouches on a baking sheet and bake on the center rack for 15 minutes.
Open carefully using a fork and serve.

Snack it up with Baked Garlic Sweet Potatoes

If you’re in the mood for a delicious snack, you can forgo junk food and try this affordable yet delectable option instead. Sweet potato (a.k.a kamote) is a superfood packed with plenty of nutrients like Potassium, beta-carotene and Vitamin C. Potassium regulates one’s heartbeat. In contrast, beta-carotene is good for one’s eyesight. Meanwhile, Vitamin C is necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. That’s why you should eat more sweet potatoes this flu season. With a La Germania compact oven in your arsenal, you can bake this mouthwatering dish to your heart’s content.

Ingredients:

Four medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch matchsticks
Two tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Five cloves garlic, pressed
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Two tablespoons chopped parsley leaves for garnish

Procedure:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.
Place the sweet potatoes in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Add olive oil and gently toss to combine; season with salt and pepper to taste. Place into oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden and crisp, tossing occasionally.
Combine sweet potato with garlic and Parmesan cheese.
Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Recipe from DamnDelicious.net.

There’s nothing like a warm soup to stay healthy this cold and flu season. You can skip the store-bought or instant soup by making this soup dish full of immunity-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying ingredients like assorted vegetables and a medley of spices. Following this 30-minute recipe will be easy peasy with your La Germania electric stove.

Ingredients:

One tablespoon olive oil
One yellow onion, diced
Six cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
One teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon paprika
One tablespoon lemon juice
One large sweet potato (about 1/2 lb) diced into ½” cubes
1 15oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup red lentils, uncooked and rinsed
5 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup kale, destemmed and torn into 1” pieces
Salt to taste

Procedure:

In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat for 1 minute.
Add the onion and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the garlic and ginger and continue to cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the turmeric and paprika and continue to cook for 1 minute.
Add the lemon juice, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, red lentils, and vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
Once the soup begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the sweet potato is soft.
Add kale and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until the kale has softened and wilted slightly.
Season with salt to taste.

Photo and Recipe from IHeartVegetables.com.

Built according to the highest European standards in terms of construction and design, La Germania appliances allow you to prepare nutritious dishes in an efficient and easy way. With guaranteed durability and superior quality, they’re a good investment for you to channel your inner chef, and make more immune-boosting food at home.

La Germania products are available online through La Germania’s official e-commerce website www.lagermaniaph.com and e-commerce platforms on Shopee and Lazada. You may follow the trusted kitchen and appliance brand’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts for more information on La Germania and its products.

Recipes and images provided by La Germania in a recent press release.

Gear up for cooking.

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Fine dining at Bistro Manuel, Poblacion

I’ve never had the pleasure of dining at Lolo Dad’s Cafe in Malate which closed its doors a few years back.

From what I hear from veteran (ehrrm!) foodies and what I’ve gathered online, Lolo Dad’s is known for its fine dining, culinary masterpieces and the awards they merited.

Too bad I didn’t get to experience Lolo Dad’s but there is a silver lining to this predicament: in 2016, Chefs Ariel and Mia Manuel of Lolo Dad’s opened a new restaurant in Poblacion called Bistro Manuel.

It is a quiet establishment, almost hidden being situated away from Poblacion’s more casual (and noisier) bars and restaurants. The place is well-suited for workday lunchouts, intimate dinners for two or elegant family celebrations.

Diners are even given a sneak peek into the kitchen to see Chef Ariel Manuel and his team in action.

Together with my fellow foodies, I recently visited Bistro Manuel where we were welcomed by Chef Ariel himself. We also sampled the resto’s signature dishes which feature many of the old favorites from Lolo Dad’s as well as new creations that showcase the chefs’ mastery of their craft.

Starters. Tasty dishes to kickstart the meal.

Amuse bouche and freshly baked bread and butter (compliments of the chef).

Double Espresso Soup (Php295). Tomato and mushroom cream-based soups served in separate espresso shot glasses. Definitely a new way to enjoy soup!

Romaine Ceasar Salad (Php380). Crispy pancetta and six-minute boiled egg tossed in romaine lettuce with anchovies, lemon and parmesan cheese dressing.

Spinach and Warm Mushroom Salad (Php380). Mushrooms sauteed in smoked bacon on top of spinach leaves and doused with roasted garlic vinaigrette.

Lolo Dad’s Cafe Baked Oysters (Php230 per piece). A real treat to the taste buds, each oyster is accompanied by angel hair pasta under a layer of melted cheese, and accompanied with a cube of foie gras.

Sorbet (compliments of the chef). A citrus sherbet to cleanse the palate.

Mains. Hearty and flavorful viands showcase Chef Ariel’s mastery of European cooking techniques.

Mild Spice Arabbiata (Php550). Penne tossed in tomato base sauce seasoned with basil, garlic and chili flakes. A light dish that portended of great things to come!

Lamb Shawarma Grilled Pizza (Php700). In this pizza with a Mediterranean feel, lamb belly, tomato and onions are placed on a charcoal-grilled thin crust and served with yoghurt and chili dip.

“Only for the Rich” Pizza (Php1,290). One of the resto’s more playful dishes, this dish features many luxurious ingredients that led to its name. Lobster, duck liver, scallops, prosciutto and smoked salmon with carabao’s milk cheese and truffled tomato sauce on top of charcoal-grilled thin crust garnished with edible flowers.

Pan-fried Fillet of Salmon (Php695). A hefty piece of well-seasoned salmon, seared and served caramelized onion, potatoes and bacon butter sauce.

Roasted Duck Breast (Php860). Breast of moulard duck on compressed potatoes.

Seared Scallops and Scampi (Php990). Bechamel-stuffed rigatoni pasta accompany seared scallops and plump shrimp.

Lamb & Lamb with Lamb (Php860). Three ways to enjoy various parts of lamb: roast lamb rump, stewed lamb breast and fried lamb sweetbread with sieved potatoes.

US Rib-Eye Prime Steak (Php2,200). 300 grams of premium steak grilled to medium doneness and served in rendered fat with truffled mashed potatoes and chilled Hollandaise. A carnivore’s dream come true!

Desserts. A delectable selection of decadent confections whipped up by pastry chef Mia Manuel that capped a wonderful meal:

Freshly Baked Apple Tart with Rock Salt and Olive Oil Ice Cream (Php295)

Lemon Meringue Pie with Chocolate Ice Cream (Php295)

Baked Cheesecake with Orange in Spiced Syrup (Php275)

White Chocolate Creme Brulee with Berry Tartlet (Php240)

Tiramisu Souffle with Vanilla Sauce (Php350)

Declension of Mango and Mascarpone Cheese with Vanilla Frozen Cream and Dulce de Leche Sauce (Php285)

Every dish was exquisitely crafted and a feast for the senses. Bistro Manuel is definitely a welcome addition to my list of favorite restos in Poblacion.

Many thanks to Chef Ariel and the staff of Bistro Manuel for the warm welcome and fabulous food and the Jen of Sand Under My Feet for extending the invitation!

Bistro Manuel is located at Second Floor, Six Axis Center, 4347 B. Valdez Street, Poblacion, Makati City, open daily from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 88718566, +63 926 7341067 or +63 998 3423566.

Disclosure: Together with fellow foodies, I attended a good tasting held in this establishment wherein the items mentioned above were served to enable us to sample the fare to facilitate an honest review and were not paid for by the participants including myself.

Check out my posts on other fine dining establishments:

Crema & Cream Bistro + Coffee Lab, Tomas Morato

Coffee culture is steadily gaining ground in the metro, with cafes and coffee shops offering high quality and specialty brews. Coffee has evolved from being just another beverage to a social lubricant.

In the foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area in QC, for instance, a new coffee establishment has sprung up, ready to elevate the coffee experience of local foodies while paving the way for friends and family to get together over their favorite coffee blends.

Crema & Cream Bistro + Coffee Lab started as a specialty coffee roaster not just supplying aficionados with coffee beans especially roasted to highlight their unique flavors, but also providing training and consultations to budding coffee experts.

Early this year, it opened its flagship store along Timog Avenue where it not only serves its quality brews but also a well-curated menu of dishes that will appeal to the metro’s epicures. It also features an inviting space for coffee lovers to work or hang out in solitude or dine together with like-minded companions.

Together with my officemates, I ventured out to Crema and Cream to experience it first-hand. Our lunch repast included:

Asian Chicken Salad (Php325). Honey-soy-and-garlic glazed fried chicken cutlets tossed into seasonal greens doused with wasabi mayo dressing and topped with fried wonton, mango, toasted almonds, corn, red radish, pickled red onion, edamame, nori, bonito flakes and toasted sesame seeds.

Mushroom Trio Toast (Php225). Mushroom jam served over arugula, tomato, feta cheese and topped with a poached egg over a slice of sourdough toast.

Chicken Waffle (Php325). Fried chicken cutlet served with a rosemary and cheese waffle topped with a fried egg and drizzled with a honey brown butter sauce.

Sausage and Egg Toast (Php255). Diced sausage and scrambled eggs served with caramelized onions, tomatoes and cheese on sourdough toast.

Pan-seared Salmon (Php565). Pan-seared salmon fillet served with French beans, cherry tomatoes, diced vegetables, herb pesto mashed potato with lemon butter cream sauce.

We also enjoyed some of Crema & Cream’s signature brews together with our meal. This included:

Hot Chocolate (Php140).

Mango and Peach Black Tea (Php120).

Flat White (Php150).

Cappuccino (Php140).

While the viands are not as hearty as we would like our lunch meal to be, the flavors presented are new and exciting. I wouldn’t mind returning to taste more of Crema & Cream’s offerings.

Crema and Cream Cafe Bistro + Coffee Lab is located at 116-B Timog Avenue corner 11th Jamboree Street, Bgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City, open Tuesdays to Thursdays and Sundays from 8am to 11pm, and Fridays to Saturdays from 8am to 12 midnight. For inquiries or reservations, call +63 2 7130662.

Check out my blog posts on breakfast/brunch joints around the metro:

Tempura Overload at Tenya Tempura Tendon, BGC

Considered of the most successful tendon restaurant chains in Japan, Tenya Tempura Tendon opened its doors in the BGC Stopover Pavilion. Its goal, driven by the vision of its founder Mr. Yoshio Iwashita, is to provide diners with high quality yet affordable tendon and tempura.

Tenya prides itself on the quality of its ingredients – such as the sweet succulent tiger prawns, the heart-healthy canola oil, Japanese rice and secret dontare sauce for its tendon – and its methods to produce consistent and tasty tempura such as the specially designed infrared heat technology-powered fryer.

Tempura is one of Japan’s most popular dishes, characterized by seafood, meat and vegetables covered in a light batter then quickly deep-fried to produce tempura’s signature golden-brown hue.

During our family’s recent foray in BGC, we chanced upon this Tenya branch around lunchtime and decided to try it out.

We ordered a Yume Ooedo Set (Php1,295) which consist of 6 black tiger prawn tempura, 6 kani sticks, 3 squid, 3 fish tempura, 2 small kakiage (chopped vegetables and seafood), 3 battered green beans, 3 battered sweet potato, 4 rice and 4 miso soup. Aside from that, we also ordered a 5-piece Salmon Tempura (Php310).

The servings were hearty and the textures and flavors were varied enough that we did not experience umay (roughly translates to flavor-fatigue). The batter was light and adhered well to the fried seafood and veggies. Given that all four of us ate our fill, our orders were affordably priced indeed.

The service staff were friendly and accommodating, quick to assist us with our requests.

My only complaint about the experience was that the store’s airconditioning system was not able to counteract the summer midday heat.

This Tenya Tempura Tendon branch is located at the 2nd floor, BGC Stopover Pavilion, Rizal Drive cor 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (Tel No: 02 – 512-4776). Other branches are located at:

Ground Floor, Market! Market!, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City (Tel No: 02 – 833-9682)
4F SM Megamall Bldg. A, Doña Julia Vargas Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City (Tel No: 02 – 696-5996)
Food Street, Ground Floor, SM Southmall, Almanza, Las Piñas City (Tel No: 02 – 984-3872)
ASEANA Avenue cor. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. Paranaque City (Tel No: 02 -370-5924)
GF Water Garden, Extension Site, Civic Drive, Festival Supermall Alabang, Muntinlupa (Tel No: 02 – 512-4862)
GF North Wing Entertainment Mall, Sunset Ave. cor. Seaside Blvd. SM Mall of Asia Pasay (Tel No: 02 – 810-2784)
GF Southpark Bldg. Paseo de Magallanes, Makati City (Tel No: 02 – 821-5797)

For more details on Tenya Tendon and Tempura food offerings, visit Tenya’s website.

Katsu adventure in Yabu, Ayala Vertis North

Our boss treated the team to a pre-Christmas dinner at Yabu House of Katsu located in the newly opened Ayala Vertis North Mall.

Katsu sets are another of my favorite cuisines, and Yabu is among the few resto chains that offer quality katsus, so I welcomed the opportunity to dine in a new branch.

The place was packed when our group arrived so we had to wait for 5 minutes or so (no biggie!). The table was a bit of a tight squeeze for our group of 6 but we didn’t mind so much.

The staff were polite and helpful, though a bit overwhelmed with the volume of people that we had trouble calling some of them to request for refills.

Still, we thoroughly enjoyed our orders, which included:

Mozarella Katsu Sticks (Php270) as our appetizer
4 orders of Rosu Pork Loin Sets (Php440/180g; Php385/120g; Php350/80g). These consist of thick cuts of juicy pork loin cutlets with some fat trimmings.
Menchi Katsu Set (Php385). This consist of spiced minced beef and pork stuffed with cheese.
Rosu and Prawn Set (Php530). This consists of pork loin katsu with black tiger prawns also coated in panko.