I am a consumer, therefore…I am

The Fashmagslag, who is in my favorite city – New York – raved before about how good Dunkin’ Donuts hazelnut-flavored coffee is. Darn, I was excited when I found out they have it in Manila too. Needless to say, I’ve been drinking cupfuls of them and it’s my favorite coffee at the moment. Anong panalo ng overpriced Seattle’s and Starbucks? A cup with a swig of hazelnut liqueur (or whatever they call it) costs only P33 bucks and is enough to send me to caffeine heaven. Other flavors available are French Vanilla, Irish Cream and Macadamia but I haven’t tasted them yet. Warning: not all outlets offer these flavored coffees. I get mine at the cramped Dunkin’ shop in Robinson’s Place-Manila (near the theaters).

I am basically not a doughnuts person but I just happen to love Dunkin’s Bunwich too and its fluffy texture. I think Bunwich has been around since the 80’s when Dunkin’ arrived in the country but it was only recently when I rediscovered my liking for this luscious piece of sandwich. Again, too cheap not to try.

Don’t you get a heart attack when you visit the supermarket these days? That’s because prices of most goods have increased by 20% and there’s not much to go around in terms of salary savings.However, I can’t resist a good buy from time to time such as the Purefoods Luncheon Meat which tastes exactly like the good ol’ classic American Spam. Now, why would I have my once-favorite Spam when I could have the Filipino version at a much cheaper price (P40 bucks or so). I think Purefoods’ Chicken Chunks is mediocre but the Luncheon Meat is definitely out there with the Purefoods Corned Beef and Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs as one comfort dish I wouldn’t mind eating, even if you warn me I am overindulging in deadly sodium nitrite. One thing to be proud about: Purefoods is one great brand and it’s 100% Pinoy!

Other news from the grocery shelves: Toni has written about Close-Up’s new limited edition Flavored Toothpaste which comes in three variants: Choco-Loco, Tangerine Burst and Lychee. I bought the chocolate version hoping that my son, who has a sweet tooth, will like it (but then again, are we supposed to eat flouride??) Unfortunately, he still has to try it but it sure is a novel way to brush your teeth!

Century Tuna has come out with new flavors: Lemon Butter, Flakes in Olive Oil, Spanish-Style, Chinese Asado and the Meat Loaf. I bought the asado thing and the meat loaf but I still have to try them. Check it out! (Btw, Century is another great Filipino brand. I remember when I was in the UK ferries and we would open Century Tuna when there was nothing to eat in the pantry dominated by Yorkshire pudding, stewed liver and other yucky English stuff. This different-flavored Filipino-made tuna always saved the day.)

WOFEX Madness!

Caught the last day of the annual World Food Expo today which was so full of all those HRM students and other peeps that they had to refuse entrance for a few minutes at the cavernous World Trade Center in Pasay City. Being the veritable foodie, I was one of those who dutifully lined up. Maybe because this was the second time I was going so I wasn’t too excited anymore. The booths were still full of hardworking enterpreneurs selling sausages, juices, coffee and all those stuff. Count in as well those who trade all those pricey baking and coffee machinery. I noted the addition of more Korean stalls (well… aren’t they everywhere on this traffic-laden planet??) plus G Toengi’s Asian Bartending Academy. I also observed that the most generous in giving out samples were the Chinatown bakers who laid out plates upon plates of their hopia in different flavors, notably Eng Bee Tin which has their Combi Hopia. There were also other food rarities like the veggie ham, malunggay risotto and taro tea offered in some stalls.One seller was offering silicone bakeware from China and Ersao’s spicy squid/spicy chicken was really yummy.

Now if you’re wondering about the lady in the picture, that’s Lani Castillo, a Vietnamese woman married to a Filipino who owns one of my fave restaurants in Malate, the Cha Gio Vietnamese Resto near Diamond Hotel. I just looove their fresh noodles with beef and home-cooked Vietnamese sardines paired with French bread. Cha Gio participated in the Wofex and Lani just told me they’re now franchising and distributing their Vietnamese coffee as well, which is a must try!

Disclaimer: Ajay is not being paid to endorse the abovementioned products and event. Don’t blame me if those consumer products did not turn out to be to your liking. For best results, read the title and comprende.

» Westgate Center Alabang food tour : eight restaurants in eight hours

» How to ride a taxi safely in Manila

» Bistro Coron & other food treats in an island-town

» A YUMMY dinner at Tosca, Dusit Thani Manila

» Our Awesome Planet Ultimate Taste Test 3.0