Manmaru Japanese Restaurant, Pandan Asian Cafe took out their best dishes!
There's often a discussion between friends and family where to eat, but I think this doesn't happen often in Quezon City. Here, we've got choices, choices that you don't have (I kid!). Oh how I love being in my hood, and people know it. Imagine, you can feel like you've been around the world just by going through several restaurants in Tomas Morato. This is the experience done courtesy of the folks from foodpanda. They properly call it PANDA PLATES: Flavors of the World in Quezon City. Hold on to your seats because this is good!
Chili's Tomas Morato had Half Slab of Ribs, Truffle Burgers, Molten Chocolate and Salmon.
As you can see, Quezon City did not disappoint when it comes to food from around the world. We also went to BASTA Cafe in Kamuning, pick ups from Dulcinea in Tomas Morato, had deliveries from Amici in the Scout Area and end with a feast at CHILI's in Tomas Morato. You can literally walk to these establishments but might take a while in some of them. Good thing we've got the foodpanda app to ease the burden on folks during this rainy afternoon.
The Quezon City Tourism Department's Ms. Yasi Jorge told us this is one of the city's best culinary destination and they're glad that foodpanda is doing it here. It has been a vibrant way of showcasing food culture, tradition and innovation. Every street offers new flavors, a new story, and great experience. They're happy to be a part of the gathering that makes food from this place shine. There's a lot of home grown restaurants and establishments in this place and they're raring to welcome guests even more. Added it's a culinary capital that is worthy to be explored. This gives emphasis to give support in everything local. The dining culture is alive and thriving in QC, and definitely more to explore!
Ms. Jade Legazpi foodpanda's Senior Account Manager also shared how they'll be launching promos specifically during Quezon City's founding anniversary. This was on October 12th where they gave up to 20 percent discount on QC restaurants, so make sure you follow foodpanda's social media channels so you wouldn't miss promos like it in the future. foodpanda's Jerome Mangahas also awarded winning participants in the days event. It was really fund and we didn't go home hungry, thanks foodpanda!
Can't wait to have another one of these food crawls happen soon!
Growing a line of products and innovating at the same time must be hard for others, but not ASUS! Today we ventured to Silver city in Pasig as they showcased the newest version of ASUS ZenBook S14 and teased a few more like the ASUS VivoBook S14 and the ExpertBook P5.
ASUS SEA Regional Director Jimmy Lin says "We will lead innovation with ASUS Lumina OLED touchscreen. We have won awards and excellence over our competitors. This year, we had the first CoPilot PC's, and today we are launching the ASUS ZenBook 14. This is the most advanced AI PC and the most stylish too. Perfect for users on the go with the Ceraluminum material and premium look. This utilizes AI, and the newest generation of Intel processors apt for the laptop."
This is a new standard for AI innovation and design. Rachelle Lozares of ASUS Consumer PC adds "The ASUS ZenBook S14 is our most elegant AI powered machine, available in Zumaia Gray that mimics thin rock layers and crafted with Ceraluminum. It's very hard, tough, but very lightweight and designed timelessly. This would be a good choice for a long time investment. ZenBook's are not created the same, it's one of our thinnest at 1.1 cm., and weighs 1.2 kg with the best I/o inputs in the market. This is ultra portable but last up to 27 hours. It can also be charged 60 percent in a few minutes, using your power bank. This also utilizes Intel Core Ultra 7, very efficient and can perform with 32GB RAM because who doesn't want to multi task. It's stylish and professional, a dedicated AI chip and ASUS apps so you can have more time to do other things "
The ZenBook has a dedicated CoPilot key so you can easily access its features, faster and better than ever before. You can simply ask for things, like recall, Co Creator, Live Captions and Studio Effects. It also has Automatic Super Resolution for better graphics when you need to render or do games in your off times.
The ASUS Vivobook S14 on the other hand is more portable, made even slimmer, has advanced cooling, more I/o ports and made for productivity. It uses proprietary Ice Cool Technology, RGB keyboards and looks so stylish.
The ASUS ExpertBook P5 is designed for professionals who needs more of everything. It can make you work smarter, faster, in an aluminum body. With an Intel Core Ultra Processor, it can be powerful for all those apps and functions you need to do simultaneously. This uses Copilot PC, the most intelligent Windows PC ever. This has an immersive AI Expert Meet which can do meetings across all ExpertBook P5 devices in your network, this is the future of meeting technology in this category.
The new ASUS ZenBook S14 is priced at Php 109,995 , while the ASUS Vivobook S14 and the ASUS ExpertBook P5 price is going to be announced separately late this year. This comes with warranty, Microsoft 365 subscription and Windows office.
Though it looks pricey, you must count the inclusions and the trust you get from owning a unit from ASUS. It's an investment and certainly, a good one you could utilize for school, work or creativity. The thin profile, bigger workload it could do is well worth it!
My affinity to Tagaytay and its nearby towns stem from property and family we have in Silang, Cavite. I also love the weather, especially when it's cold. There's also lots of places to go in the area where family, friends, your solid peers could take refuge, unwind and go home after a few hours because of its proximity to Metro Manila.
But when you're going back home, it's a sin to not pass by a shop or store that sell local produce, for what we call pasalubong, something that's always innate with Filipinos. We've found a new spot called Balai Palmera Restaurant and Pasalubong Center located along the Tagaytay-Sta. Rosa Road in Barangay Pasong Langka Silang, Cavite.
Check this new dining destination at the Sta Rosa Tagaytay Road in Silang, Cavite. It's called Balai Palmera Restaurant and Pasalubong Center. The restaurant sits at the back and serves really good Filipino food. The interiors and views are amazing!
#balaipalmera
#balaipalmerapasalubong
#balaipalmerarestaurant
#thebestbukopieinsilang
#ibasasilang
You may head on to Balai Palmera Restaurant and Pasalubong Center by following them on Google maps. They're very easy to find along the Tagaytay-Sta. Rosa Road.
Here are some of my favorites on the menu, you can always ask them if you have something preferred for your event, they can always arrange something for you.
Crabs with coconut milk
The owner and staff who welcomed us at the restaurant
Fresh Lumpia
Binagoongan
Crispy Pata
Steamed Pampano
Kaldereta
Kare Kare
Chicken Inasal
Dinakdakan
Kinilaw
Fried Fish
Thank you so much to the wonderful people of Balai Palmera, I will be back there soon! If you want to call or contact them for orders, it's 09458695392 for the restaurant and 09275017616 for the pasalubong center. They've got a mean on at the pasalubong center which you should definitely visit. Don't forget to take home the coveted BUKO PIE which makes this place legendary! The Chef says they do quality assurance in the buco meat they use and have researched well about the flaky pastry they use for it. There's also the Raisin Bread which I loved as it was freshly baked that same day.
It's Filipino... with a flair, and it made my trip there worthwhile.
It wasn't luck, but sheer determination, hard work, and powerful acting that made Ms. Sylvia Sanchez a worthy national winner as Best Actress in a Supporting Role Category at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2021.
She's played countless roles, pivotal for most projects and til now, she's one of the most critically acclaimed actresses in the country. The one that she won on the national level of the 2021 Asian Academy Creative Awards was her role as Barang in hit series "Huwag Ka Nang Mangamba". This was adjudged by industry leaders in entertainment and will qualify her to represent the country in the 2021 Asian Academy Creatives Awards versus other artists from Australia, New Zealand and other countries in Asia. This will happen on December 2 which is just a couple months away.
If you remember, Arjo Atayde won Best Actor for Bagman in 2020 in the same award giving body. In his speech, he attributed his success to his folks and actors from the country. He was hoping it wouldn't be the last time someone from the Philippines would win it. With that in mind, wouldn't it be amazing to see Ms. Sylvia getting that for the country? If that happens, a mother and son would win in the prestigious award giving body. That surely will be etched in history!
Arjo by the way is also set to star in the international project "The Rebirth of the Cattleya Killer" under ABS-CBN International Production and Co-Production Division. He's also going to have two more that'll be announced soon. His success has also lead to establish his very own production company called Feelmaking Productions Inc. and you'll see their first project Hey Joe early next year.
Photo Credits on this article belong to BEAUTeDERM (which she also endorses)
Ms. Sylvia says "I am truly proud of what my son has accomplished especially in the Asian Academy Creative Awards. Like him, I wish it wouldn't be the last for Filipino artists. His dedication for the craft is insurmountable. I am also grateful and humbled that the jury in the Philippines loved my work in "Huwag Ka Nang Mangamba", I fervently hope the same would happen in the international Asian Academy Creative Awards, I give it all up to God!"
If you want to know more about Ms. Sylvia Sanchez projects and updates about the awards, you may follow Sylvia Sanchez on social channels like FB, Twitter, IG and YouTube. Congratulations Ms. Sylvia!
I am so happy about your recent accomplishments, I dare say, it's about time!
You might be lost baby girl but dance phenom Oliver Sullano can teach you a few tricks to make your Tiktok journey a bit easy as he whips out the greatest hits and do the choreography of it, or maybe, do his own spin, oh yes he can! He's only 18 years old but the level of tutorials he's made garnered him tons of views as other creators and dance fanatics follow his easy to do versions or marvel at how he does choreography with it on the very best popular app.
He doesn't dwell on the negative comments he seldom gets on the platform. Instead, he takes time reading the nice ones, which makes him eager to do more original stuff. He's also gives advice to new creators to keep them going. His goal is to inspire others and seeing their happiness makes him do even better on his next videos.
Go download the Tiktok App today and do the same things he's doing, then evolve to your own artistry like he does. It is available in Google Play and iOS, just search for it as it's a nice day to dance!
To get you started, follow this one:
See how it feels after a few rounds? Go get those endorphins out!
The pandemic has brought upon tremendous pressure in establishments especially the hospitality industry in Manila. Tourists have stopped coming in because of health restrictions which is understandable. At this time, even at limited capacity, all health protocols should be in place and I'm glad to hear Sofitel is opening the iconic Spiral again.
Accor, the world leading hotel group which Sofital Manila belongs to has launched the ALLSAFE Cleanliness and Prevention Label. It is a signature set of global cleanliness and prevention criteria developed with and vetted by Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspections, and certification. This has also been integrated with national and local government guidelines, all in all to make you safe.
Dining in on Spiral will be a little different. Seating capacity is currently limited and there will be one-meter spacing between guests. Transparent dividers are installed in reception desks and culinary ateliers. The private dining rooms are available for more exclusivity. Staff, chefs and reception are equipped with safety gears, face shields and masks. Floors have signs for demarcation and a one way route. Each single plate will be served by the chefs from their respective ateliers putting in a one-dish-per-plate policy to prevent cross-contamination.
For those with special orders or arrangements, order numbers will be provided for guests to claim later on. Beverage orders will be done via QR code on each table too. They currently have contactless payment in place including GCash, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and GrabPay too. This is in accordance with government protocols. Guests below the age of 21 years old and above 60 years old though are not permitted to dine in on any restaurant during General Community Quarantine (GCQ) which is still in place in Metro Manila.
Spiral is starting this arrangement during the first three weekends of October. Please do reserve on Thursday dinner, Friday lunch and dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday brunch. Their rates are set at Php 2,850 for lunch, Php 3,500 for dinner and Php 4,350 for brunch. Call them at (+632) 8832-6988 or email H6308-FB12@sofitel.com.
Are you hungry? I am, but I'm glad to see Spiral is open with these protocols in place.
I wasn't planning to do much in Davao but after the earthquake on June 1st, the goddess of Davao blogging Ria Jose told me that DFAT (Davao Food Appreciation Tour) was happening this weekend. I was planning to do this two years ago but didn't have the time but I guess it was just fate that the event was happening today. I joined them last night for dinner at Balik Bukid Farm and Kitchen Restaurant over at Davao's Sandawa area which was a few kilometers where I stayed in Roxas, so I jumped in the cab and met a LOT of bloggers from Mindanao in one fun night. :)
They were a VERY happy bunch, and the restaurant we went to had so much to offer than just good food. It was much of a culture trip and several artisans of this region actually thrive in this place. They've got artwork, pieces to buy, and the whole place too wreaks environmental responsibility, love for nature, as weird as that sounds. The banig ceiling, weaved wicker baskets for lighting, the plastic bottle laden walls, the magazine napkin holders, Oishi Placemats had me smiling ear to ear because they managed to put this all in on a working restaurant.
Their menu too was an old game board (one of my favorites Snakes and Ladders), which you can open and pull out to see what they serve in Balik Bukid. The namesake of the restaurant means going back to the farm, so pretty much, it's a farm to table concept, fresh as it gets.
I felt I was in a museum, a native one so you kinda get the feel of a very Filipino theme, this would be nice especially for balikbayans and those who have foreign guests, this was a nice introduction too to Davao cuisine. I was eager to try that when the food started rolling in.
This is the Balik Bukid Farm Salad. It reminded me of a good Waldorf but they used different textures from cucumbers, tomatoes, croutons then highlighted by quail eggs, home made herbed white cheese. It's basic but done right which is in the line of their farm to table concept.
The kind lady served us Mango, Cucumber and Calamansi Juice. It was pretty hot outside so this was perfect, they make it not too sweet, very refreshing, a good thing.
The Homemade Bread platter was light, if you are in a group of 4 or more, I suggest this as a filler so you wouldn't have to have more carbs LOL.
Their Pinakbet is very different, I was wondering why it had a pink hue because it ain't common in Manila. They told me it was because of the bagoong they use in Davao which was usually Shrimp paste from the region. This stew is a good representation of what fresh vegetables is also in this place and they cook it a little bit al dente, I couldn't believe I said that on a non pasta dish.
This is their Sinaing sa Gata. You get little bits of cooking from different regions, and this one reminded me of ones we eat in Batangas. They usually cook this in a batch using a cauldron, water and spices til it dries out. Their version had coconut cream on top so you get hints of nuttiness in the sauce. It's perfect on hot white rice, make your plans for diet tomorrow, this is good fish.
You can't go wrong with good fish meat, this is their Tuna Belly. Grilled fatty wonder which I would pair with their blue rice. I'll tell you about that later.
Sinuglaw has fresh raw fish, but it is cooked with vinegar and is always a staple in drinking sprees in this province. It's got grilled pork belly underneath so you get a fresher surf and turf in a sense. Loved this a lot.
This is their Binalot na Adobong Dilaw, one of my favorites that evening. It gets its color from annatto seed oil which envelopes the rice nicely. The Binalot concept is usually from Farmers who want something handy before tilling the fields, adobo lasts long even without refrigeration and they also added a little salt on the second banana leaf layer so you adjust the saltiness to your liking. They've got lots of comfort food on the menu.
This is a Maguindanaoan dish called Kagikit. It's made of shredded chicken meat which they prepared a little spicy. I like the kick it provides so it is officially my winner. They don't eat pork I think hence this dish, if you're alone or just wish to taste something different on the menu, this is definitely recommended. I skipped my no rice diet for this and it was hella worth every morsel.
They seriously do their marinades differently because the meat tastes so different in this Sinugba Pork Ensalada. It also had eggplant and tomato salad on the side plus a nice amount of rice as well. It's like a Happy meal piled up waiting for you to have it. I think it serves one but you might as well share if you have other things ordered.
This was served to us whimsy by people who had native garbs on. You don't see much culture element these days so it was really a treat.
This had lemon grass and a bit of ginger, the chicken dish was cooked inside a bamboo over fire and the actual bamboo secreted its sap hence getting more flavor from this dish. Sans presentation and all, this by all means is good. (Note from the Chef: The dish is called Tinalumbo. It’s a traditional food of ATA tribe. They are doing a fund raising and promotion of their dishes. The tribe itself makes and cooks the dish outside our restaurant.)
They call this the Chocolate Island. It reminded me so much of ice cream and local bread from childhood, but theirs were home made Tables Ice Cream (worth every calorie) that had every bite get that slightly bitter hint from cocoa beans. Their bread was a tad toasty so you get different textures in this treat. Do not leave this place without having it.
Oh and they've also got artists dish out their musical instruments to provide entertainment in this joint. I enjoyed this a lot and I won't judge you if you're in the mood to also dance, they encourage it.
The chill vibe, the super artsy ambiance, the respect for native ecological adept design might not be the sole reasons to go here. The food is good, well researched and prepared well, plus it's VERY affordable than those fancy restaurants in malls. One thing I could convince you with is their authenticity, it's hard enough to find a survivor for arts in this modern time and they are thriving, they have set the bar quite well in Davao dining with a native flare, it is an amazing night with good people who care for what they do.
Go make this your next dining destination when you're here in Davao. Easy to find in Waze and Grab, plus it's right beside Yellow Fin which is also popular among locals. Try it out for size.
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