MESA Renews Ties with DINGDONG DANTES on their #RoadTo100

Popular modern Filipino and Asian inspired restaurant MESA just renewed their ties with Primetime King and Kapuso Star Dingdong Dantes as they continue having him as the endorser for the restaurant chain. The event was witnessed by Dong's Manager Mr. Perry Lansigan, MESA CEO Rikki Dee, their COO Eric Dee and their VP for National Operations Raymond Federigan. This continues a very effective partnership between the MESA group and Dingdong who's well identified with their brand and the life sized standees in store across the country.

Eric Dee says "We planned 120 stores last 2020, we were delayed because of obvious reasons. We are back on track this year for 2025. Our growth's reason is Mr. Dingdong Dantes, our vision of our Road to 100 is coming true. We will continue to celebrate Filipino heritage in our stores, our food, enjoyed by families all over "

Ricky Dee added "I want to thank Dingdong for coming to our lives. When we thought about it, it was unanimous. Til today we believe in him, and we are looking forward to more years of being together."

Dingdong extends his thanks for the trust given to him and said "Congratulations to the MESA group, I am so proud and honored to be part of this brand 6 years ago. Now, we are raring to be part of the road to 100 and my inclusion in it. I said a few years ago that I'll be part of it, I will be branch 88 and we will announce it very soon. To Filipino families, we will reach you, even in Hawaii. This brand will become bigger and stronger."

He adds "Our values are aligned, common goals, and we both believe in quality. Without getting into details, they will take care of me. I'm planning to put it near Sixto's school so Marian and I will be in it often. We can't wait to do that. We bond over food."

Dong adds "What the stomach experiences is the same in memories. We dine out, we eat, and I'm a foodie. I love the Crispchon and it's good to share. Being with other people, sharing it with the ones you love, it's what we do every week and it is special."

Here's some scenes from the event this morning and the press conference, please enjoy!

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With this happening this 2025, there will be more events and activations where Dingdong will be a part of and soon, more stores for him too as he said he's also planning to open one in his neck of the woods. Currently, MESA is present in Ayala Malls, Eastwood, Festival Mall, Fisher Mall, One Ayala, Robinsons Malls, SM Malls, and more. They are all under Foodie Global Concepts.

Congratulations on this continuing partnership! 

Chef Tatung Holds Cooking Event at Gateway 2 Mall's Quantum SkyView

Spent the afternoon at Araneta City as Chef Tatung celebrated his birthday at the Gateway 2 Mall's Quantum SkyView together with fans of his videos and social channels on this day. 

He did a cooking demonstration with one of his avid supporters and taught a few things for the crowd. He says "We learn to cook what is available, make sure it's affordable and strive to become creative in the kitchen. It is okay to do slow cooking but not to the point of using too much gas. We need to also be economical and simpol when in the kitchen."

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He was also joined by one of my favorite bakers Chef Jackie Ang Po and raffled off prizes for the dozens who attended the event.

What I liked about the live cooking demo was how attentive the crowd was. They participated well and even answered some of the questions thrown to them by Chef Tatung. They also had the event live streamed on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for the rest who couldn't come to the event. This event wasn't possible without the help of Maggi, Masflex, Arla, Premium Choice Meatshop, Tindeli, Palenque, Araneta City and Gateway Mall.

Make sure you follow his YouTube, TikTok and Facebook page because he's going to make more content to make sure life and cooking becomes SIMPOL!

I'm pretty sure he's got more up his sleeves.

Tivoli Royale Country Club Marks 1st Anniversary: Recognizes People on Founders Night

This evening was quite nice as I ventured to a little known place called Tivoli Royale Country Club in Quezon City. It's a couple minutes drive at the back of Ever in Commonwealth. It's a haven especially for those who like sports since it houses facilities that cater to that; amidst a backdrop of fancy neighborhoods, gotti looking pool, and indoor amenities that could rival the best ones in the country.

Today marks their 1st anniversary, and to celebrate that, they held a Founders Night. Tivoli Royale Country Club just welcomed 405 new members during the occasion held at their badminton gym this evening, May 26th. They have spruced up the place and now bares indoor and outdoor facilities where families of club members can enjoy life's pleasures all in the same grounds. The same venue can also double as pickleball, volleyball and tennis courts so imagine the things you can experience as a member, to your friends and family as well.

Aside from the members, executives, VIP's and celebrities graced the occasion, and yes, they started the celebration with the fun antics and comedy of famed comedian Wacky Kiray.

Wacky Kiray also made sure there's some semblance of audience participation. He invited a couple of folks to a game where they would sing, dance, and enjoy his brand of comedy to the delight of the audience. It was fun especially when he had to go to different areas where bald guys were, asking if he was his twin.

Tivoli Royale also has also brought out the guns with really good cuisine from their prime restaurant Royale Lounge. I must say, I've dined twice in different events in this place and the food they served has always been divine.

 

 

Tivoli's Executive Chef Emmanuel Jonnel Roxas made sure the quality of food they serve is top notch, and everyone behind the success of Tivoli Royal Country Club be served with the best out of their kitchen.

Tivoli Royale Country Club also recognized their most loyal members, their very industrious employees and those who have spent years with them. We all saw how proud their peers are especially those who come from their own departments.

I'd like to take this bit to congratulate the men and women behind TIVOLI ROYALY COUNTRY CLUB and the successful mounting of this event. You deserve the awards you got during this Founders Night. If you would like to inquire about membership or like to schedule a visit, please head on to their official site tivoliroyalecountryclub.com or their social channels facebook.com/officialtivoliroyalecountryclub or instagram.com/tivoliroyalecountryclub__.

BISTRO Group Offers 30% OFF This August 7-13

We're probably going to spend the third lockdown season together with our families at home. The ECQ will be until August 20 and hopefully won't get extended. I know how hard it is to get supplies and cook breakfast lunch and dinnner, so most probably you'll end up ordering food online.

The good news is, your favorite Bistro Group restaurants will be offering a whopping 30%OFF if you order via the Bistro Delivers App which you can download on the Google Play store and App store on iOS. All you need to do is use the promo code BISTRO 30 upon checkout. Their restaurants like TGI Fridays, Italianni's, Denny's, Texas Roadhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Watami, Fish & Co., Modern Shanghai, Bulgogi Brothers, Red Lobster, Hard Rock Cafe and El Pollo Loco. From old classics, to new favorites, to Asian, American, Japanese, Spanish and everything in between, the Bistro Group has it. 

Now all you've got to do is have it all conveniently delivered, and enjoy your food!

BISTRO GROUP Starts Dine-in Operations

I belong to a multitude of Filipinos who miss the ambiance and feel of being in a restaurant but these past few months, it made us realize health is first. I have dined in a few restaurants these past few days and just like these guys from the Bistro Group, they will take no chances in making it safe for diners to choose and dine-in the restaurant.

Following government regulations and ensuring the health of their customers and staff, they have now began re-opening branches starting June 15, 2020.    ​For burgers, chips and ribs, TGIFRIDAYS Bonifacio High Street, Alabang Town Center,​SM MOA, Glorietta, ​Evia are open from 10 am to 6 pm.  For pizza, pasta and hearty Itaian dishes, ITALIANNI’S is open at ​BGC, Ayala North Exchange, Greenbelt, Glorietta​, Eastwood, ​Evia, Midtown, Alabang Town Center, Vista Mall Sta. Rosa is open from 10 am to 6 pm except Vista Mall and Midtown which starts at 11am. For all day breakfast lovers, DENNY’S is open at Uptown Parade, ​Midtown, Eastwood, ​Vista Mall from 8 am to 6 pm sans Uptown which closes at 7 pm. Steaks and grubs at TEXAS ROADHOUSE can now be tasted at  ​Greenbelt and inside Italianni’s Evia Lifestyle Center from 10 am to 6 pm. For Chinese/Shanghai based cusine, MODERN SHANGHAI is open at the ​Evia Lifestyle Center ​NOMO (Vista North of Molino) which opens at 10 am and closes at 6 pm. Sushi lovers would love to dine at WATAMI Ayala North Exchange or their stores inside TGIFridays Glorietta, TGIFridays Bonifacio High Street, TGIFridays SM MOA, TGIFridays Alabang Town Center, and soon TGIFridays Evia NOMO opens from 10am to 6pm. Fave wing place BUFFALO WILD WINGS only offers take-out and delivery services, specifically the one inside Denny’s Vista Mall and Denny’s Uptown.  

Now there’s no more reason to skip your favorites from these Bistro Group Restaurants because they’re all open, just for you! So, shall we order take out?!

A New Spot to Eat, Drink and Chill in the South: REDD at Prism Plaza

Do you still have your own "go to" place when you want to relax, unwind, or just have a few bottles with your peers after office hours? I have my favorites, I'm sure you do too. Well, there's a new spot in the south of EDSA that promises a great venue to eat lovely Filipino dishes, enjoy really good mixes and just plainly have a good time. It's called REDD, a gastronomy bar found in the 4th floor of the grand Prism Plaza. It's that quirky looking building found just beside the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Just go up the flight of stairs or use the escalator in the middle so you can get to the restaurants on the same floor.

Admittedly, I wasn't really aware that restaurants were actually sprawling here. If I usually go to this area, I'd probably be hanging out at the SM Mall of Asia most of the time. That's a mistake. This place is cozy, plus there are artists every night who perform live. Even if they don't publicize it that much, Prism Plaza gets packed to the brim sometimes because of this. Since they're officially open now, they're dishing out a few specials so you could enjoy food and booze with friends and office mates there! Let's take a look at their place first!

The Interiors 

 This establishment is owned by partners and builders who also did interiors for 5 star hotels in Manila. The walls and decor stayed geometric, a little industrial with accent walls with wood panels in different shades, plus plexiglass for the bar's counter. They have a private room equipped with KTV, perfect for small parties when you need it. They also used different lamp light fixtures for the lighting and several more on the actual exposed ceiling. This is pretty nice, not intimidating.

The Food

REDD serves legit Filipino food, not just bar chow - but they've got a lot of that too. They even have regional favorites which surprised most of us because it's in the menu.

We had our drinks first, on the left is the Pina Lemonage which is a concoction of Orange Pineapple Lemonade juice done in shake form, while on the right is the Mango Cloud which is your well loved mango shake with whipped cream -  I could compare it to Mango Tango if it were dessert.

Sisig Ala Kanto - Part of their appetizers, this version of Sisig is perfect for pairing with beer. An option to slice open the chili that's put on top would be good. 

Juana Fries - Cut up sweet potato fries, fried til golden, plus the usual sauce and hearty chili on top.

Wen Manong - Chopped up Pork put on high flame, crunchy, mixed with liver and their own sauce. Tasted like a white version of Dinuguan. I loved this with white rice.

Tuna and Bangus Sisig - The lovely cooked Milk Fish shredded and deboned plus chunks of Tuna sauteed with garlic and onions, then placed on a hot plate so it could be crunchy on the bottom. It's a healthier version of the sisig, pretty good!

Grilled Tuna Belly - Thick premium slices of Tuna grilled and basted with sweet sauce, a little nutty, big and meaty. Love this with rice, another option for those who don't want pork on their plate.

Bagoong Rice - This one is good while it's hot, so make sure to put loads of it on your plate. Not too salty, just right.

Tinapa Rice - For those who want it a little smoky rice variant, try the Tinapa rice. Perfect for those fried items on their menu.

REDD's Caldereta - Lovely chunks of beef, soft potatoes, carrots, olives with heavenly tomato based sauce. This is so good I could finish this whole bowl to myself. Have this with plain white rice, super good, highly recommended!

Chicken Pork Adobo - Think of Chicken Inasal, Bagnet Pork Slices mixed in with the marinade and sauce of well loved adobo. It's easy, give in, do not hold back on the rice.

Gising Gising - Winged String Beans, Tofu squares, made a little spicy for good reasons. You can also pair this with Tinapa Rice, or the plain one, it will make you a little sweaty but totally worth it. This is also good for beer pairings.

Aligue Pasta - Best eaten when hot is this Aligue Pasta. If you're so bored by the normal res and white sauce, this would be a good competitor. It's a little on the fishy side though because of obvious reasons, a little rich too. It has tuna pieces on top to serve as meat, making it a tad healthy even after all that crab roe.

REDD's Kare Kare - Their version is a deconstructed Kare Kare. You've got the veggies, the banana heart, Bagnet Pork Slices, Chicken Inasal, and almost corned beef. Make sure you also eat this while it's hot as the thick sauce becomes too thick if you let it stay on the table for too long. Have it with the Tinapa Rice, it's rich and flavorful!

Leche Flan - Dessert option, this one's just right, not too sweet and has lime flavor on the mark.

Turon Overload - If you're a sweet tooth, try this Turon Overload. It's fried banana fritters wrapped in rice paper with jackfruit slices, cut in half and sprinkled with cinnamon. Served with Vanilla Ice Cream on the side, do I need to really convince you to order this? I guess not.

There are new places in the south that are worth the trip, this one is. They've got entertainment, privacy, the majestic sunset on Manila bay, good food and drinks. All you need to do is trek there and get it! They're at the 4th floor of Prism Plaza, Two ECOM Center in Pasay City. You may call them today at 808-76-83 and reserve for functions or events. They're open from 11am to 1am. I'm going back there very soon!

For more information about their restaurant:

REDD Eat Drink Chill

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Visit their official website

https://www.facebook.com/REDDeatdrinkchill

Ayala Malls Give You More Reasons to Lovemall!

I was trying to figure out what Ayala Malls had to offer this 2016 and I think you'll love what you'll see. They're continuing to push the envelope starting with an artsy take on valentne's day called "Art to HeART". Starting this February 14th, they'll be putting in some really good art installations and masterpieces designed to evoke and tickle the human imagination.


For instance, Glorietta will be done by crafter and pattern designer Alessandra Lanot, whilst Camy Francisco and The Googley Gooeys team will do Market! Market! and Serendra. There will also be one done in Bonifacio High Street by Fil-Am graffiti artist Dee Jae Pa'este and one in Alabang Town Center to be worked on by Bambi Manosa and Kids4Kids, Sam Galvez Lorenzo of Village Art Gallery and Patrick Cabral of Bucketfeet. Trinoma and UP Town Center on the other hand will be done by young artists Krish Abrigo, Egg Fiasco and Seikon. Fairview Terraces' spaces on the other hand will be painted on by EXL D, whilst Marquee Mall in Pampanga will be filled with vectors and hand drawn images by Marcushiro and Bru of Electrolychee. Farley Del Rosario on the other hand will be doing Harbor Point Mall up north.

Here's a preview of what to expect in Ayala Malls this season:

Solenad, Serin and The District in Imus will be made up by artists coming from Adventist University of the Philippines, Tripp63, Chill, and BLIC. Abreeza Mall in Mindanao will be done by University of Mindanao students so expect something good there too. 

Meanwhile, Ayala Malls also launched their new app made by Idea'Yala's Team Barkadayala called Ayala Mall's A-Portal so you can find everything in one place. You won't be spinning around in circles when you get to an Ayala Mall anymore, plus you get to love the connections as it's got your social media checkins there too!

They also have concierge services via One Concierge which you can call 7959595 if you see the need to. You might also win stuff if you post selfies with the installations so the next time you go to an Ayala Mall, you might get to do that on the side too. See how easy it is? That's how you spread the love , show expressions and connections at Ayala Malls.

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For more information about the artists:

Official GMA Artist Center

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://ayalamalls.com.ph/

Cinq Dessert Boutique

I was just killing time and thought of having coffee in a small cafe at Jupiter street in Makati. They call it Cinq Dessert Boutique located a few meters away from the Buendia MRT station. They had tons of things in the fridge but the one that caught my eye was this Aurore cake.

This stuff is made of dreams. Think of rich dark chocolate ganache, caramel on the bottom, and very minimal crust. There's also macadamia on top and a bit inside the cake. Damn, it was really good. I had them prepare brewed coffee too so I'd have something to pair it with. They have some other cakes but they all look so pricey (confirmed), I guess you really get what you pay for these days. This would be a really good place to hang out after office hours or maybe after going to restaurants nearby and you just wanted really good dessert. It's like a specialty place, you get me right?

Wish I could taste the other ones but I was already pretty late for my next event. I hope I'd be able to go back here soon! It's a little pricey (please remember), but I think for the quality of cakes they have, it's kinda worth it!

Ciao!

KUMAGCOW