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February 7, 2012 by ajay
You just know you belong to a past generation called the baby boomers (post World War II) if you remember Casa Marcos. This resto – located in Gilmore, and then Tomas Morato – flourished at a time when today’s modern fusion restos weren’t even conceived yet. Because the original owner was Spanish ( a pelotari named Marcos de Guisasola), it was famous for traditional Spanish favorites like paella, gambas, the original pugon-baked pan de sal and of course its steaks.
It’s been more than 60 years and there is now a Casa Marcos ran by the second generation of owners at the bustling Burgos Circle in the Fort, Bonifacio Global City. The resto has been existing in this location for a year now, quite commendable for this area’s high turnover of tenants. The young owners Kevin Khoe & Jigger Galvez tell me that their customers are old regulars of Casa Marcos who are now bringing their children and grandchildren to the place.
It’s safe to say that the small two-storey resto will be packed with diners this Valentine’s Day. And that many will be ordering the perfectly-seared house specialty steak a la pobre. How many marriage proposals have been made with this piece of steak as celebratory food? probably countless. And at only P495, life’s great pleasure shouldn’t be too expensive.
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Category Munchin' | Tags: Casa Marcos,casa marcos burgos casa marcos menucircle,casa marcos the fort | No Comments
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January 16, 2012 by ajay
There’s no doubt that Bonifacio Global City will be the venue of prime hotel addresses in the future with a Shang-Ri La and a Grand Hyatt opening in a few years. In the meantime, I was happy enough to set foot at F1 Hotel on 32nd street which is under the Best Western Premier chain of hotels around the world. It is also the first hotel to be built in the Fort.
F1 Hotel has an all-day dining restaurant on the fifth floor simply called F.Upon entering, you’re greeted by these avant garde (almost Cobonpuesque?) chairs. The pool bar is just outside, but I wasn’t able to see their swimming pool.
The the buffet and dining areas are surrounded by glass windows that give one a view of the bustling city (unfortunately, the view just consists of average-looking buildings and hardly any greenery)
I haven’t tried F’s regular buffet priced at P1088 which is reasonable by the Fort standards. We dined in F upon the invitation of the hotel team who wanted us to try their buffet menu for Chinese New Year 2012. It is priced at P988++ per person and is available from January 16 to 31.
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Category Munchin' | Tags: best western premier f1 hotel,f restaurant,f restaurant at f1 hotel,f restaurant at f1 hotel the fort,f restaurant the fort,f restaurant the fort buffet,f restaurant the fort buffet price,f1 hotel,the fort bgc hotel | No Comments
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January 9, 2012 by ajay
P.F. Chang’s, a popular Chinese restaurant which originated in the U.S., opens its first branch at the Alabang Town Center on January 19. Guess what, I haven’t eaten in this restaurant but the fact that they have 200 branches scattered across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico and even the Middle East makes this place a must-try.
The press release says popular dishes at P.F. Chang’s menu include the signature appetizer Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps; all-time favourite Mongolian Beef made from US Angus beef caramelized in the wok with garlic and scallions; and the flavourful Northern-Style Spare Ribs.
Worth noting is the fact that the restaurant is often mentioned in the sitcoms South Park and the Big Bang Theory owing to the fact that the creators of the series often dine there. Will P.F. Chang’s stand out in Manila’s restaurant landscape already populated by big foreign chains as well? Let’s see!
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Category Munchin' | Tags: PF Chang's,PF Chang's Alabang Town Center,PF Chang's menu,PF Chang's Philippines,Philip Chiang | No Comments
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December 30, 2011 by ajay
I used to work for the newspaper (I still write in!) from 1996 to 2001 and I still remember the one-storey McDonald’s a few meters away that used to be in this spot. Now it’s being occupied by The Bayleaf, the newest boutique hotel to rise in Manila’s historic district of Intramuros.
I can’t help but wax sentimental, especially since so many places are being torn down in Manila to give way to high-rise condos and the like. But at least, they did a good job with The Bayleaf. Aside from the old McDonald’s, this area used to have only roadside stalls servicing the major universities around (Lyceum, Mapua and the nearby Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila).
I’ve made a mental note to stay in The Bayleaf in 2012 because it looks enticing. I heard that the view from the hotel’s Sky Deck is really good. Their main restaurant, 9 Spoons, also has great ambiance. You can dine here while glancing at Manila’s old landmarks like the National Museum and Manila City Hall with its giant clock.
Cioccolata Churros Cafe is the only food outlet I’ve tried in Bayleaf so far. Even though it is only a small spot in the hotel, I give it high points for its coziness. What to eat here? the churros, of course! This pastry of Spanish origin is simply divine when dipped in rich, hot chocolate. The fare they serve in Cioccolata doesn’t fail me in this regard. Only P75 for an order.
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Category Munchin' | Tags: bayleaf,bayleaf hotel manila,bayleaf intramuros,churros manila,cioccolata,cioccolata cafe,cioccolata churros cafe | 2 Comments
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December 27, 2011 by ajay
I already narrated before our Divisoria press trip with the people from Mama Sita.The culmination of our tour was our lunch at the cozy Ristorante Delle Mitre in front of the historic San Agustin Church. I was surprised that this resto is being ran by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Anyway, we were served food using Mama Sita ingredients and I wouldn’t object since we also use this brand at home. What caught my attention was the oven-roasted pork belly (lechon) resplendent in its brown skin. I guess lechon is one food we leave to the experts and thus prefer to buy it outside. But what if you’re just itching to make your own for special occasions or just to impress? Here’s the recipe you can do at home, in your oven…. perfect for welcoming the New Year when lechon is the family’s majestic celebration dish 
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Category Munchin' | Tags: how to cook lechon,how to make lechon,lechon,lechon oven,lechon recipe,mama sita,oven lechon,ristorante delle mitre,ristorante delle mitre intramuros | No Comments
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December 10, 2011 by ajay
Tomorrow will be the third week that I will be selling my Chicken Delish at the Soderno @ Molito lifestyle market in Alabang. Because there’s a lot of preparation involved, my weekends are no longer “leisurely.” The good news is that I am slowly getting the hang of things, gaining friends and being able to serve people with my food is giving me an adrenaline high.
As you know, am selling my fried chicken wings & drummettes in a variety of sauces. Am proud of my recipe which I’ve been serving my family even before the bonchon craze swept the metro. I made good sales on my first week and last Sunday when it was raining the whole day, almost all the stalls were relatively quiet. Mostly am having fun watching the celebrities arrive and analyzing customer behavior and preferences. Some like it hot, some like it sweet, some like it with no sauce at all! One time, a bading customer even barked at me “ang tagal tagal naman!” like I was his muchacha 
but am taking it all in stride since am treating Soderno as a playground for a business idea.
And now for the people who light up Soderno. My very first (and regular) customer was Ray Aaron Raines, the Australian husband of Tina Raines who most people look up to as the greatest pie maker in Manila! Hubby and I always queue to buy Tina’s yummy & filling savory pies since they come in limited quantities.Good news for people in the South: Soderno is the only weekend market where Tina is selling her pies at the moment.
My neighbor Shiela of Cebu Balamban Liempo was thrilled to have her picture taken with Ryan Eigenmann and (not in photo) Judy Ann Santos. The good thing with being in the market the whole day is that you get a lot of celebrity sightings…. labelled ‘Good for Facebook!’
We always see host, actor and author RJ Ledesma since he’s also the organizer of Soderno. He’s shown here with his daughter Fortune.I haven’t dared offering him our food since he’s an ovo-lacto vegetarian and my chicken wings are sinful. Ouch.
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Category Munchin' | Tags: soderno,soderno at molito,soderno weekend market | 6 Comments
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December 5, 2011 by ajay
This huge cheery blossom tree made of glass will always be an iconic symbol of Yurakuen at Diamond Hotel Philippines, definitely one of the best Japanese dining spots in Manila. What better way to enjoy an exquisite cuisine than being served by kimono-clad waitresses amid the classy marble tables and stoneware while relishing the view of Manila Bay in this resto’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows?
I’ve eaten in Yurakuen several times before but it was only recently that I discovered the Teppanyaki Table.We sat in a curved counter long enough for eight people and the best part was having the chef in front of us to prepare and cook the food. I almost felt like a voyeur as I watched his every move. He flipped veggies like an expert, upturned a lobster and even let it burst into an open flame. We almost clapped when he did that
And now for the good news: Yurakuen has a Teppanyaki Eat-All-You-Can offer and I think it’s one of the best deals in town. I promised to treat myself and the family when the next round of Christmas bonus comes in
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Category Munchin' | Tags: Diamond Hotel,Diamond Hotel Philippines,teppanyaki Manila,Yurakuen,Yurakuen Japanese Restaurant | 3 Comments
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November 30, 2011 by ajay
You know it’s the Christmas season when ham and queso de bola are on full display in the grocery aisles. In this case, only 25 days to go till the country’s biggest holiday arrives and families gather on the dining table for their merry feasts. As a mom, I get excited in not only buying presents for the kids but also planning the menu for our little get-together on Christmas Eve.
Ever since I was small, Purefoods Fiesta Ham has been a staple in our noche buena table. And when I grew up, it’s either others gave them as a gift to me or I bought them myself.
Through the years, I’ve loved eating it with bread or hot pan de sal. But thanks to a luncheon prepared by the doyenne of Philippine cookery, Ms. Glenda Barretto of Via Mare, I was able to discover new ways to prepare the fiesta ham.
Let’s begin with appetizers. You can slice and dice the ham then place them atop the crostini to serve as canapes for your next party.
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Category Munchin' | Tags: glenda barretto,purefoods fiesta ham,queso de bola,tina tagle,via mare | 4 Comments
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November 25, 2011 by ajay
Straight from the organizers of Mercato Centrale, Soderno @ Molito – the newest weekend market in the South of Manila – made its successful maiden run last November 18-20. The official address is the Molito Lifestyle Center at the corner of Madrigal & Commerce Avenues, in front of Alabang Town Center and Ayala Alabang Village.
I was supposed to be at Soderno last Sunday for my food project Chicken Delish but ‘chickened out’ at the last minute Excited isn’t really the word. Frantic is more like it as I prepared for this project without taking a leave from my full time job. But yes, there’s no backing out now. I hope to see my friends, readers & countrymen in Soderno @ Molito this Sunday. Come visit my booth and have a taste of them tasty chicken wings & drummettes a la BonChon & Kyochon I’ll be selling fried chicken in a variety of sauces and flavors like kung pao, sriracha, Pinoy barbecue and my favorite Korean fried chicken (KFC) recipe with pickled radish
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Category Munchin', News | Tags: chicken delish,lessons in business,soderno,soderno at molito,soderno sunday market,soderno weekend market | 4 Comments
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November 22, 2011 by ajay
This has been my favorite sandwich ever since I got acquainted with it a month ago (and I always thought I was a rice lady!) Even a jaded traveller like me can’t believe that the authentic taste of those mouthwatering Philly cheese steaks has reached our shores.
Peppers and veggies outside, perfectly frizzled beef inside. Add more dollops of cheese if you want At P280 for my favorite 7-inch classic Philly cheese steak sandwich, it is pricier than your average burger but really worth it, or in Tagalog parlance, “sulit na sulit!” They come in different flavors and sizes to suit your appetite. Choose between 7-inch, 10-inch and 15-inch. Or declare yourself the King of Philly for devouring a 10-inch classic cheese steak with 50% more meat and cheese
And from November 22-24, have a bite of all the 7-inch sandwiches at Cheese Steak Shop Philippines and get another one for free. Who can possibly resist?
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Category Munchin' | Tags: cheese steak shop,cheese steak shop franchise,cheese steak shop manila,cheese steak shop philippines,steven oakes,tastykake | 4 Comments
