San Francisco Bistro at Tuscany, Mckinley Hill

Feeling the Bay Area Vibe: San Francisco Bistro Along Tuscany, McKinley Hill

by M.C. Jose

It has been quite a year for the comfort food industry. My last few work adventures have had me going in and out of restaurants that tell tales of carbohydrates and gastronomy, putting me in food comas that would make me run to the gym the following day. Still, the “threat” of a carb overload is never enough to stop me from walking through the doors of comfort food establishments assigned to me because there is always another interesting story to be told.

Planet Grapes Discover Wine, One Grape At A Time

Many Filipinos drink wine only during special occasions, usually paired with food bought in upscale delis. We’ll toast a glass during a wedding or New Year’s Eve, but when the daily 5-thirsty rolls along, we usually reach for a bottle of beer or cocktail. Well, Planet Grapes aims to change how we perceive wine drinking, starting with your favorite pulutan.

Naci Comfort Food @ BGC - Best Breakfast Buffet

Naci Comfort Food: Sharing Christmas Joy

by Chris Mallari

As they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That old adage still holds true when it comes to Naci Comfort Food.  In true Christmas spirit and joy they have come up with their own rendition of the popular breakfast buffet.  And just in time for the Christmas season, as old and young alike will need a place to eat breakfast, especially after Simbang Gabi. Naci's Big Breakfast Buffet is available daily from 8:00am to 10:30am, including weekends and holidays.The breakfast buffet is P295/head and comes with free and gloriously unlimited coffee.  Of course, the food is also unlimited and comes in a variety of breakfast favorites.

Buffet Rates and Packages this Holiday Season - Eat All You Can

Eat All You Can: Your Guide to Buffet Rates and Packages this Holiday Season

by The Click List
Planning to splurge on an eat-all-you-can spree this holiday season? Check out the latest rates and packages of restaurants and hotels, in and out the metro.

Note: Prices are updated as of December 17, 2013. Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

New from Teriyaki Boy: Succulent holiday eats and party-perfect Sushi Platters

Teriyaki Boy, the pioneer in Japanese Casual Dining has once again paved the way for a more exciting menu line up for its guests especially this Holiday Season.

If you want a familiar place with a newer and fresher way to enjoy Japanese dishes, Teriyaki Boy has just rolled out its new menu to all its branches nationwide.

Kessaku - Classic Japanese Dining

Mastering Classic Japanese Dining at Kessaku

by Kathrina Paz Elefante

“Kessaku means creating a masterpiece,” says Yums Aggabao, the Managing Partner. Kessaku is the sister restaurant of Jozu Kin located in Burgos Circle. “There are some items that we have that are not available there [and vice versa]”, says Yums.

Kessaku is found in the quieter side of Alabang, just a few meters from Acacia Hotel. The modern minimalist setting creates a comfortable ambiance and their sushi bar at the top of the stairs is the perfect after-hours hideaway for the sushi-and-sake loving crowd.

Once Upon A Milkshake - Home of Thick and Creamy Shakes

Creamier Ever After with Once Upon A Milkshake

by M.C. Jose

This story begins, fittingly enough, on a dark and gloomy night.

Two tired girls attempt to seek shelter from the cold winds underneath a brightly-lit purple and white awning. They are immediately drawn to the parade of colourful characters that came to greet them, delighting in the strange but wonderful sights and sounds that exist in this Wonderland of a kingdom. The girls are also welcomed by Alvin Ng, the King of the Chocolate Castle, and his most trusted vassal, Chico Pasion.

Once Upon A Milkshake, home of thick and creamy shakes

“I’ve always loved milkshakes,” the King admits. “In my homeland of Singapore, there were no establishments that specialise in milkshakes, so I created Once Upon A Milkshake. I wanted to do something that was fun and fairytale-inspired, hence the name. Chico, a longtime fan of the brand, traveled abroad to meet me. After some discussions, I was more than happy to have him bring Once Upon A Milkshake to the Philippines.”

Pancit Center: Pancit Dishes from Various Regions all Under One Roof in Pasig City

There are over 300 ways to cook pancit. And yet, we tend to stick to the all-time favorites: Palabok, Pancit Malabon, Bihon Guisado, Sotanghon Guisado and Pancit Canton. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with the tried and tested, for those looking for a new way to enjoy noodles, there’s Pancit Center. Established in 1978 by Corazon Angeles, it was first called “Cory’s Pancit Malabon” and was initially a takeout counter that specialized in--you guessed it--Pancit Malabon. In the 1990s it became Cory’s Kitchen that also served Filipino dishes. In 2011, inspired by his travels, Cory’s grandson Marc joined the family business and came up with the idea to start serving different pancit dishes from all over the Philippines. Offering 28 pancit varieties from Luzon to Mindanao, Pancit Center makes the ubiquitous dish more interesting.  

Cowrie Grill Opens at the Greenhills Promenade

Cowrie Grill: Manila Hotel’s Flagship Restaurant Re-opens at the Greenhills Promenade

by Katarina Antonio

Excellence is not achieved overnight. It is something that takes time and dedication to attain. And once it’s pulled off, maintaining it is a challenge. After more than three decades in the industry, excellence is something that Cowrie Grill has got down pat. Opened in 1977 as the Manila Hotel’s flagship restaurant, it has managed to sustain a level of merit that like fine wine, only gets better with age.

Main Street Restaurant in Mckinley Hill, Taguig

Canadian Comfort Food Made Available Down Main Street

by M.C. Jose

 

Main Street, named after a street in Canada close to owner Adam Tan’s heart, is a small shop along the more sedate Tuscany in McKinley Hill, Taguig. Tan has somehow devised a way to make the space work in his favour by placing creative knickknacks here and there, and cleverly concealing appliances and other equipment that he doesn’t want to put out in the open. Its walls also tell patrons a little something about its owner and conceptualisation, playing host to black-and-white photographs of places that have inspired Tan.

 

Trivia: The word ‘maple’ only appears once in Main Street’s current menu—in the dessert section, even. More on that shortly.

Dulcelin Gourmet @ U.P. Town Center

Dulcelin Gourmet: Dulcelin’s First Ever Restaurant Proves that They’re Not Just About Desserts

by Katarina Antonio

The name Dulcelin is synonymous with great desserts. Their Mango Torte, in particular, is so popular that it’s been known to cause heavy traffic in Times Square, QC, during the peak season. It is a well-loved institution that has loyal fans from all over the country. These loyal fans, and everyone else in Metro Manila for that matter, have cause for celebration because for the first time ever Dulcelin has its very own restaurant.

Cantina Sicilianita: A Taste of Sicily

by Chris Mallari

Imagine the soft breeze of the Mediterranean Sea tenderly rustling your hair, while you stare out at blue sky and sea.  The sun is high, drenching the countryside with bright light.  You pick up your red wine; smell its aroma before slowly putting the glass to your lips.  You put down the glass only to pick up your fork for some Cannoli.  You savor the taste of the Ricotta cheese on your tongue.  Softly you mumble to yourself, 'Questa è la vita...' ('This is life').  And then you suddenly realize that you’re at Cantina Sicilianita in the Philippines as the couple next to you tries not to stare at the odd person with a glassy look in his eyes.

Cook Out To Help Out - Rebuilding Visayas ( Buy A Burger, Build A Home!)

Foodies, make your way to Power Plant Mall's Plaza Drive on the last weekend of November for Cook Out to Help Out, a food campaign to help rebuild Visayas.

From November 29 to December 1, 2013, treat yourself, your family, and your friends to a classic comfort food combo of burgers and fries. Consider this your guilt-free food trip, as 100% of all ticket sales will go to the rehabilitation of communities devastated by Typhoon Yolanda through Habitat for Humanity.

Sugar Crush - Food Exhibit Featuring Sweets and Pastries at SM City Sta.Mesa

Sugar Crush is an ongoing food exhibit featuring sweets and pastries at the 3rd floor of SM City Sta.Mesa. Opens daily from 10am to 9pm and will run until December 30, 2013. Free entrance.

Contact Details:

For exhibitor inquiries, please contact (63 2) 586-7411, (63 999) 889-4580, (63 906) 343-1617 and (63 917) 8027495.

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Schedule/Venue

SM Supermalls
SM City Sta. Mesa

Aurora Blvd. corner Araneta Ave.
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Friday November 15, 2013 - Monday December 30, 2013

Coffee and Saints Café @ Don Bosco Parish

Coffee and Saints Café: The Little Café that Could

by Kathrina Paz Elefante

Coffee and Saints Café opened in 2006 and is an offshoot of the successful livelihood ventures between Chevron Philippines, Inc., the company that markets the Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants, and Don Bosco PUGAD (Parish Urchins Gathered at Don Bosco) Center, a center for the disadvantaged migrant youth. The earnings from the café are used for the operations of the center.

Olive Tree Kitchen and Bar - First Antipasti Bar

 

Olive Tree Kitchen and Bar: Manila's First Antipasti Bar

by Trina T. Epilepsia

The Olive Tree Kitchen and Bar (OTKB) is Manila’s first antipasti bar and the collaboration between Chef Rob Pengson (of the Goose Station fame) and the Del Monte Corporation. Chef Rob and his team are livening up the local food scene with original antipasti dishes that take diners to interesting and creative new directions, while paying homage to Italian traditions. These dishes are designed to pair with your drink of choice, whether it’s a simple glass of wine, an ice-cold beer, or one of their original cocktails.

Metros' Best Home Bakers - A Dessertarian's Guide

A Dessertarian's Guide to the Metro's Best Home Bakers

by The Click List

“'Tis the season to be chubby! Omnomnomnomnom Nomnomnomnom!”

Take your dessertarian friends on a journey to pastry heaven with a box of some incredibly good sweets this Christmas!

Here's a round up of some of Manila's most creative home bakers. Got a sweet discovery you want to share with us? Hit the comments section and tell us about your favorite home bakers!

Love Shack at Lower Ground Level of SM Aura Premier

Top of the Line Comfort Food Now Cooking at Love Shack

by M.C. Jose

For the owners of Love Shack, the primary goal is to elevate the status of soul food by making use of the best ingredients and best preparation methods possible. The masters behind Café Caribana and Garlic Rose were a bit apprehensive venturing into what was initially a purely burger-oriented concept because the area that was provided for them was located in the food court. However, fortune came tumbling their way, and SM Aura Premier provided them with a space where they could apply an all-day dining concept. Thanks to this space, the group was able to run with a concept that they could go full-throttle with, in terms of creativity. Everything from the slate grey wall brick to the colourful sofa prints was personally chosen by the owners.

Niner Ichi Nana Coctail Bar 917

Niner Ichi Nana

by Marian Joy Hernandez

The people working at the new Globe Tower in The Fort are blessed people, indeed. At the ground floor of the 28-storey building is a bar, called Niner Ichi Nana (which means 917, a Globe number), directly connected to the airport-like office (not NAIA, more like Zurich).  And it isn’t the typical bar serving watered down drinks and blasting music at nerve-wracking decibels. It’s the kind that serves duck fat fries and cocktails with popcorn and bacon infusions.  They have craft cocktails, at your behest. Fancy, yes. Albeit, far from being pretentious or snooty.

Crab n' Crew Restobar - One That Serves Cook To Order Crabs and Shrimps

Crab n' Crew Restobar

by Trix Deseo

Visayas Avenue in Quezon City isn’t exactly the top of mind destination for fresh crabs and shrimps. Unlike by-the-bay ‘dampa’ complexes, this long stretch of road traverses quiet residential blocks and is far from any natural body of water where crabs can live.

Yet quite a number of QC residents drive to #77 Visayas Avenue when craving crabs. Their destination: Crab n’ Crew Restobar. Their purpose: to partake fresh crabs cooked in unique, made-from-scratch sauces, without shelling out too much money.

Crab n’ Crew is a joint effort of five business partners (a chef and cabin crew members, hence, ‘crab n’ crew’) who recognize the lack of quality seafood restaurant in the area—specifically one that serves cook to order crabs and shrimps. Chef Zach Puno, who was there when I first visited, said “there are very few places where you can eat crabs. And among these few places, a lot are expensive.”

Negros Museum Cafe in Bacolod City

Negros Musuem Café: A Love Story

by Marian Joy Hernandez

Bacolod boasts of many destinations that will satisfy the curious palate. The city is known to bless travellers with extra calories and a few pounds on a weekend stay. Beside the Negros Museum along the idyllic part of Gatuslao Street is a restaurant café that might as well be one of Bacolod’s best “undiscovered secret.” A rare gem—amongst fast food restaurants, pop-up joints, bars and hotel buffets—this place seduces with its sights, tastes and smells; lingering on your mind like a lover from across the miles.

Dine For A Cause - Help Yolanda Survivors

[UPDATED] Dine For A Cause: Restaurants and Food Vendors Unite to Help Yolanda Survivors

by The Click List

This week, some of Manila's favorite food purveyors are serving up their delicious offerings for a cause. Foodies, make every dining experience count by dining for a cause: helping Typhoon Yolanda survivors is just a restaurant visit away. Click on the links to get the address, menu, map and other details of the restaurants. 

One Hundred Percent

Several restaurants specializing different cusines like Filipino, Japanese, Vegetarian, and good old American have pledged to giving 100% of their profit for one day, as donation to Yolanda survivors.

Steveston Pizza - Most Expensive Pizza in the Guinness Book of World Records

Steveston Pizza Opens in U.P. Town Center, Katipunan

by Katarina Antonio

Nader Hatami, the man behind Steveston Pizza Co., is famous for creating the most expensive commercially available pizza in the world (without gold and diamonds, that is). At $450 (around P18,546), the “C6” pizza is topped with a thermidor of lobster and black Alaska cod and a side of Russian Osetra caviar. This pricey pie currently holds the title of Most Expensive Pizza in the Guinness Book of World Records. Clearly, the man is fond of creating culinary statements. Eat in Steveston Pizza and you’ll know that this is true. This restaurant, originally from Canada, is the winner of Best Pizza by the Richmond Review from 2008-2011. They finally had to drop out of the competition to give other establishments a shot at winning. Steveston Pizza is now a hall of famer. They use only the freshest high quality ingredients that result to the most delectable overloaded pizzas that I’ve seen in a while.

B&B Burgers and Brewskies - A New Burger Joint in BGC

Best in Creativity: B&B Burgers and Brewskies Opens in Burgos Circle

by Beatriz Acosta

Burger mashup with apples, figs, singkamas, and bacon? How about adding a thick layer of mac and cheese into your burger? Holy macaroni, sounds crazy! But it's crazy good, in an epic meal time kind of way. If belly busting unique eats delight your carnivorous appetite, then load up on creative burgers at B&B Burgers and Brewskies, a new burger joint where you can expect anything but the ordinary in your sandwich.

From New York to Manila

The Hungry Hound Restaurant @ the Fort

The Hungry Hound Pub + Kitchen

by Trina T. Epilepsia

Despite being an ace at commerce, rock ‘n’ roll, and maintaining a functional monarchy, the British have historically lagged behind their neighbors when it came to good eats. God saved British cuisine with the gastropub concept and we’re thankful it’s landed on our shores!

The Hungry Hound

 

The Hungry Hound is located in the ground floor of the swanky Globe Towers in the Fort. The place has a cool, stripped-down look that manages to be upscale and yet casual at the same time. It’s a place where spiffily dressed young execs can mingle with bearded hipsters and other interesting folk. Thanks to the great lighting and warm wood interiors, customers are assured that they will look good drinking and lounging on the paisley sofas or digging into their dinner on the cafeteria-style tables. Craft cocktail bar Niner Ichi Nana can be found next door, and the two establishments share menus, which is great if you find yourself craving for a cocktail to go with your Duck Fat Fries (P288).

Bamba Bistro - A Corner Restaurant in BF Homes Parañaque

Bamba Bistro: Soul Food and a Song

by Kathrina Paz Elefante

Just three months old, Bamba Bistro is a corner restaurant in BF Homes that has given comfort food an elegant look and a new meaning.

Modern Bistro + Confiteria

Bamba is a two-in-one dining place – the larger restaurant area with indoor and outdoor seating and the cozy confiteria where you can grab a cup of coffee or a serving of their desserts like Queen Elizabeth (a medley of dates, walnuts and butterscotch sauce) and a chocolate-y concoction called What’s My Name Again?! (interrobang included).

Pinác: Heirloom Kapampangan Cuisine in U.P. Town Center

 Pinác: Heirloom Kapampangan Cuisine Right at Your Fingertips

by Katarina Antonio

Angel Pelayo-Ty would like to dispel the notion that Filipino food is easy to make. It is not. Without all the instant mixes, powders, pastes, and what have you that are available in the market, properly prepared and cooked Filipino food is complicated. One has to learn how to properly balance the gamut of ingredients that go into one single dish. So yeah, Filipino food is not what one would call a piece of cake. But at Pinác, a newly opened Kapampangan restaurant situated in the U.P Town Center, they make cooking heirloom recipes look effortless. 'Pinác' is Kapampangan for farm or swamp. It is a nod to the owner’s hometown of Candaba, Pampanga. We sat down with owner Angel Pelayo-Ty who seems to embody what her restaurant stands for: welcoming, friendly, and with absolutely no pretention. She mingles easily with customers, always ready to answer questions, quick to address complaints (which were few and far between), and for no apparent reason gives away free food to unsuspecting diners.

Gino's Brick Oven Pizza in Katipunan Avenue

Gino's Brick Oven Pizza: Discover Katipunan's Mystic Pizza

by Beatriz Acosta

It seems as though Jutes Templo's fate lies in the hands of delicious, delicious food. Graduating BS Management Engineering at Ateneo could have laid out his career track in banking and finance, yet in 2004, he saw himself with his other half, Cello, open a doughnut shop most famous for its fluffy dessert in flavors of chocolate, cheese, and oreo. Later on in 2009, Jutes developed an insatiable appetite for a certan kind of pizza, and would frequently drive all the way to another province to get his hands rolling on those long strips of thin crust pizza stuffed with fresh greens. Much was the Templos' love for this dish that the couple found themselves making their own versions at home, and becoming open to the idea of putting up their own panizza place. But this thought evolved into welcoming another kind of pizza into their lives: the Neapolitan. While we waited for our lunch to be served, he goes on, sharing how he developed a love affair with pizza, and dedicating his entire restaurant, Gino's Brick Oven Pizza, to this delicate, delicious--and sometimes delirious--art form.

Tokyo Tonteki Now Open in Katipunan, Quezon City

Tokyo Tonteki: A New Contender in the Japanese Food Scene

by Katarina Antonio

'Tonteki' means pork steak. It is a well-known dish that hailed from Yokkaichi City Mie Prefecture. Tokyo Tonteki is the brainchild of Shusaku Namikawa. On April 15, 2007, the owner, founder, and chef opened his first restaurant in Shibuya Prefecture in Tokyo, Japan. Serving thick cuts of juicy, tender, and flavorful pork steak on a sizzling plate, the establishment was a hit. Shusaku opened three more branches of Tokyo Tonteki in Japan and now, in his first foray in the international market, has put up a branch in Manila. Specifically, in the burgeoning food hub that is the U.P. Town Center.

Calderon Restaurant - Homestyle Spanish Cuisine @ Little Baguio San Juan

Home is Where the Heart is at Calderón

by M.C. Jose

Long before the tapas craze struck Manila, Calderón has been sitting quietly along a street that shares its name in the city of San Juan. Monchet Carballo, head of QA and Product Development, traces its roots to his food stall in Salcedo Market. “I’ve been there for eight years,” he shares. “The paella, the bacalao, you can find on our menu—that’s where I started selling them. Calderón didn’t really kick off until Marmi started pitching ideas, though. She saw this four-door apartment here in San Juan and made a commitment to get the place before even knowing what to do with it. I figured that putting up a restaurant here would be a really good experience.”

Pablo's Pub and Restaurant @ The Forum, BGC

Pablo Has Arrived: Pablo’s Pub and Restaurant Opens in The Forum, BGC

by Beatriz Acosta

The year 2013 is burgeoning with so many new establishments that aim to balance both the eating and the drinking communities--watering holes that offer an eclectic mix of wines and spirits along with an extensive food menu, and all shapes and sizes of gastro pubs. The Forum, a new commercial building (and growing food hub) along Federacion Drive in BGC, is homebase to another establishment where one can dine and drink, and not settle with just meager bar chow selection when major hunger strikes: Pablo's Pub and Restaurant. This new pub, a concept of young co-owners (siblings Atty. Nicolo and Nathania Villonco, Jam and Joy Mabanta, and Miguel Escueta of The Morning Episodes), is just about a month old, but has been experiencing a steady stream of customers. It gets jampacked on weekends, Friday and Saturday nights filled with young crowds during after-dinner hours.

Café Shibuya @ U.P. Town Center

Café Shibuya: 'Perfect, Perfect Bread' Now Being Served in U.P. Town Center

by M.C. Jose

In the local setting, discussions on bread lead us to think of our everyday Pinoy staples such as pan de sal and “tasty” bread. Though Filipinos welcome bread on the table at various mealtimes of the day, we will almost always turn to our favourite source of carbohydrates: rice.  For some, bread does not provide the same level of contentment that rice does—which is quite understandable. We Pinoys have been born and bred to see the value of rice, after all. This does not mean that there is little room for bread in our hearts. Café Shibuya, a new dining spot at the U.P. Town Center, has spent over a year tirelessly conceptualising and revising the recipe for their special Shibuya toast. Now that they are up and running, local diners now have access to what I have dubbed as the perfect, perfect bread.

Red Onion Cafe - Best Taiwanese Cuisine in Manila

Red Onion Café: Bringing the Best of Taiwanese Cuisine to Manila

by Katarina Antonio

Taiwanese food is not as popular in the Philippines as its fellow Asians: Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and so on. The simple reason for this is that there aren’t many places here that offer food from Taiwan. More often than not, they are just a little addition here and there to Chinese menus. Red Onion Café is here to change that. This recently opened restaurant is situated in what promises to be a hub of good places to eat, the U.P. Town Center. The brainchild of Mark Endaya and Wen-Szu Lin, Red Onion Café brings us the best of Taiwanese and Chinese fare in one menu.

 

L.E.S. Bagels - A Mini Cafe and A Bakery in the Fort

L.E.S. Bagels: The Best Place for Bagels in Manila

by Marian Joy Hernandez

The team who brought us the New York-inspired pizza parlor, Nolita, and the midnight munchies haven, Borough, has, once again, blessed us with a new food concept; something that’s surely been absent from the Manila food map: a bagel shop.

L.E.S. Bagels

Called L.E.S. Bagels, as in Lower East Side, the new bagelry is a cross between a mini café and a bakery. Located at Tuscany Residences, along Upper McKinley Road in The Fort, the place occupies a small two-floor area, where customers can dine in at the second level or al fresco. The ground floor is entirely for taking orders and gawking at the magnificent spread of bagels, tubs of cream cheese variants, and a spectacular array of cookies, donuts, muffins and other baked goods. It’s small; roughly 30 people can dine in comfortably, so ordering for takeaway might be best.

Cravings - Celebrating 25th Year in the Business

25 Things You Probably Don't Know About Cravings

by Trix Deseo

This October, Cravings is celebrating their 25th year in the business. In this article, founders Annie and Badjie relate how it grew from a single takeaway counter along Katipunan to 36 outlets.

 1. Cravings is a restaurant borne out of the love for cooking of three generations of women. The Cravings Group of Companies was put up by mother and daughter tandem: Susana “Annie” Pascual-Guerrero and Marinela “Badjie” Guerrero-Trinidad. When asked where she got her kitchen prowess, Badjie, chief executive officer of Cravings, remembers fondly, “I learned from my mom (Annie). I would always watch her cook.” Annie, Badjie’s mom and founder of Cravings, also had the same tale to say, “I learned from my mom. She was a teacher in Home Economics. She teaches in three universities and then she was doing cooking lessons at home during the weekend.”

26th St. Bistro by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf @ BGC

 

All-Day Breakfast Place Alert: 26th St. Bistro by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

by Marian Joy Hernandez

Once upon a time, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) was known for their lattes, muffins, and their Eggs Benedict. Or, for me, at least, that was the extent of my CBTL dining experience. Until, a visit to 26th St. Bistro by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, located in Net Lima Building, on the corner of 26th St. and 5th avenue in BGC at Fort, changed all that.

Unlike the normal CBTL coffee shop, 26th St. Bistro is bigger, exuding a vibe that is both cozy and inviting. The chairs and tables are wooden, blending in with the subdued lighting of the place; the floor tiles have a retro pattern reminiscent of the 1960s. By the barista’s area is a row of bar stools perfect for eat and run commuters; with a selection of cakes and pastries beckoning to you, not far to the right.

Big Bite! The Northern Food Festival

MarQuee Mall, Ayala Mall’s first dining, shopping and entertainment destination north of Manila presents “Big Bite! The Northern Food Festival” at the MarQuee Park, Angeles City, Pampanga from October 18 to 20, 2013.

 

Big Bite! is a foodie’s dream come true with its huge outdoor food market featuring everything from cooked Filipino favorites to famous native delicacies and baked goodies, fresh fruits, vegetables and more. The food festival showcases over 100 food stalls featuring the best food products from across the provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan, Ilocos, Baguio, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan, Cagayan and La Union. It’s a culinary showdown of the most mouth-watering heritage cuisines from Northern Luzon.

Mushrooms Go Pink PH Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

'Shroom Trip For A Cause: Eat Your Mushrooms this Month for Mushrooms Go Pink PH

by The Click List

Here's a delicious idea for kick-starting the month of October: why not go on a 'shroom trip for breast cancer awareness? October 2013 is all about mushroom for Ministry of Mushrooms, Inc. and the ICanServe Foundation.

"The 'shroomtastic' dishes they've created for this year's campaign have notched up with the introduction of new mushrooms!" shares Marco Lobregat, Ministry of Mushroom, Inc. president. For this year's Mushrooms Go Pink PH Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, they have collaborated with restaurants and food establishments to showcase the mushroom as a delicious, nutritious, and highly versatile food of choice when dining around the metro.

Spatzle Euro Market Cafe - European Dishes With A Modern Twist

Spätzle Euro Market Café

by Trina T. Epilepsia

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: it’s pronounced SHPAYT-zlee and it refers to the tiny flour dumplings common to Central European cuisines. Similar to the Italian gnocchi, spätzle can be enjoyed sweet and savory, but in Spätzle Euro Market Café, they are usually served with cream (lots of it), eggs, cheese, spice, and everything nice-- including bacon.

To be clear, Spätzle is not just about the dumplings. As an all-day café, one may choose from a wide selection of popular European dishes with a modern twist! On the rather extensive menu, one can order grilled sausages, flatbread pizzas, hearty stews, and roestis or potato pancakes.

Green Bean Coffee Co.- Keep Us Caffeinated The Organic Way

New York-style Cup of Joe at Green Bean Coffee Co.

by Kathrina Paz Elefante

Drinking copious amounts of coffee is a quick way to keep ourselves alert especially during bed-weather days. But we all know that too much coffee can do more harm than good. Fret not, fellow coffee lovers. There’s Green Bean Coffee Co. to keep us caffeinated the organic way.

The cupboard under the stairs

Green Bean Coffee Co. was founded by four doctors and started with a small kiosk under the stairs at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. They now have twelve branches that include a two-storey branch with an art gallery in New Manila, Quezon City; a kiosk at the second floor of NAIA Terminal 3; and one at UP-Ayala Land Technohub in Diliman, Quezon City.

Brasserie Girolle @ the Fort Strip

Brasserie Girolle: Few Gimmicks, All Heart

by M.C. Jose

Each restaurant has its story. Some of these stories are of the grand variety; they are tales of chefs and culinary enthusiasts who discover trade secrets and unleash them on society through photogenic and mouth-watering dishes. Other stories aren’t as grand, but are full of meaning and heartfelt thoughts.

Some stories begin because of something as seemingly insignificant as a French mushroom.

PF Chang's China Bistro

P.F. Chang's Offers 22 New Dishes, Repositions Itself as 'Pan-Asian'

by Trix Deseo

Last year, PF Chang's China Bistro-- one of America’s largest Chinese restaurant chains said to be frequented by Hollywood stars like John Travolta, Gwen Stefani, Justin Bieber, and Selena Gomez—opened its first Asian branch in Alabang Town Center.

   

It was a tricky move: to put up another Chinese restaurant in a country that’s already teeming with noodles and dim sum. But thankfully for P.F. Chang’s, their promise of a unique bistro experience and its no MSG, Vegetarian-friendly, and Gluten-free policy appealed to Filipinos. This early success prompted the brand to put up a second branch in Bonifacio Global City. A third one in Shangri-la Plaza is underway.

K Pub BBQ Meat All You Can @ The Fort Entertainment Center BGC

KPop Fever: All You Can Meat at KPub BBQ

by Chris Mallari

The Korean Pop wave has hit our shores and it’s now so big that it’s even invaded our food chain.  The newly opened KPub BBQ restaurant in Bonifacio Global City is a meat-all-you-can concept restaurant with--you guessed it--a KPop theme.  This newly opened restaurant features a 420 seating capacity which makes it a perfect place for events and large gatherings. KPub also boasts of a large indoor, high definition, widescreen LCD television where you can enjoy your most popular KPop music videos while you eat.

Dillingers 1903 Steak & Brew @ Greenbelt 3, Makati

Modern Barfare at Dillingers 1903 Steak & Brew

by M.C. Jose

Many of those who frequent Greenbelt must be quite familiar with Dillingers 1903 Steak & Brew. It has always been quite popular with foreigners, expats and locals who are seeking a night of casual drinking or light to heavy partying. However, the need to compete with burgeoning restopubs has pushed Dillingers to step up their game. “We’re confident in our ability to compete,” shares Panjee Lim, the establishment's Public Relations & Marketing Associate. “We’ve been around for some time now, and people know who we are and what we are about. We serve quality food and we don’t overprice. But even so, we still want to be able to offer new things to our old and new customers.”

Shitamachi Japanese Chashu House Now Open in Podium Mall

Chashu as a Rising Star: Shitamachi Japanese Chashu House

by M.C. Jose

A diner’s relationship with chashu often begins and ends in a ramen bowl. On an average, each bowl comes with around two to three slices; if you find yourself craving for a bit more, you can flip on over to the ‘extras’ section of the menu. End of discussion. “That’s how chashu is recognised in most cases, unfortunately,” Joy Morillo Lo, owner of Shitamachi Japanese Chashu House, shares. “They don’t give much thought to it because it hardly ever appears anywhere else besides the ramen bowl. We want to change that notion, though. We want people to experience having chashu as the main dish and try it in different ways.”

π Breakfast & Pies Now Open in Quezon City

Delicious Pie Possibilities: π Breakfast & Pies Now Open in Quezon City

by Beatriz Acosta

Chef Edward Bugia has been serving hungry Metro Manila folk for years. There's his modern Filipino food through Pino, vegan and vegetarian fare at Pipino, and build your own burgers in BRGR: The Brgr Project. He also has concepts at the food courts for quick budget eats: Brgy. Bagnet and Bulalo Boy. Want some juice, smoothies, and healthy eats? Chef Ed's got Daily Squeeze for that. The chef's creativity with food seems limitless. Like a mad scientist let loose inside a lab, he whips up crazy-but-good stuff in the kitchen--sisig carbonara, kare-kareng bagnet, juicy grilled watermelon steak with mushrooms, chocolate tempura, Portobello Inasal, to name a few.

Publiko Eat + Drink @ Eastwood City

Gastronomic Goodness in the North: PUBLIKO Eat + Drink

by M.C. Jose

Due to the influx of foreigners, expats and gastronomy-loving Manila folk, the draft beer business has successfully carved its niche into the dining and drinking culture of the Philippines. Establishments such as Draft and Borough have been able to boast of full houses and long lines thanks to their glorious grub and their by-the-pint European beers. This new establishment, PUBLIKO Eat + Drink, is brought to us by the owners of Draft, Beso Cucina Vinoteka and Opus, who felt the need to introduce the concept of the gastropub to Eastwood City. It gives off a casual, laid-back vibe, which is highly suitable for people who are looking to partake of Chef Carlo Miguel’s mouth-watering dishes. “We don’t believe in dress codes here at PUBLIKO,” managing partner Lord Luke Polintau shares. “People can show up in shorts, t-shirts and other variants of casual wear, and they’d still be welcome. PUBLIKO really is a place for people to enjoy great food and imported beers.”