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.”

Long Bar at Raffles Makati

Slinging The Night Away at Long Bar, Raffles Makati

by Beatriz Acosta

Taking after Singapore's iconic bar, the Long Bar at Raffles Makati exudes this old world colonial charm that is both nostalgic and welcoming. The bar, located at the lobby level of the hotel, also brings to the table that classic cocktail Raffles Hotel Singapore has been famous for since the early 1900s: Singapore Sling. As the story goes, a Chinese bartender at Raffles Hotel Singapore named Ngiam Tong Boon concocted this long drink about century ago. The signature cocktail that Long Bar offers now is based on memories of bartenders past, as well as some bits of old recipe writings that were saved.

Designers Blooms Cafe - A Healthy Organic Meal in Alabang

 Designer Blooms Café

by Trina T. Epilepsia

Designer Blooms has been in business for over twenty years now in the Philippines. The popular fresh and dried flower business has been de rigueur for many guys on Valentine’s Day. Nowadays, they may just opt to bring the ladies to Designer Blooms’ first café in Alabang for a healthy, organic meal that will go perfectly well with their date’s little black dress!

Filipino Food Fiesta - The Adobo Cook-Off @ the BGC

This September 7, everyone is up for an overwhelming festival held by FOOD magazine to celebrate the unique culinary culture of the Philippines in “The Best of Filipino Food Fair”, featuring the “Adobo Cook-off” at Mercato Centrale, Bonifacio Global City.

This year, FOOD magazine will be gathering families around to present a collection of the best of the best selections that the country has to offer. FOOD magazines’ experts have personally hand-picked the best in casual Filipino cuisine - and in the local tradition of sharing, these dishes will be presented to the public in a highly-curated, one-stop food fiesta of the most delectable delights.

Chocolate Festival @ the Eastwood Mall Atrium

Chocoholics can have their fill of their favorite chocolate confections at Eastwood City’s Chocolate Festival on September 3 – 8, 2013.

For chocolate lovers, this much-anticipated once a year festival in Eastwood Mall is already a can’t-miss event. Shoppers can satisfy their sweet tooth at the Chocolate Bazaar, located at the Eastwood Mall Atrium. They can enter the delectable chocolate village and enjoy delicious treats from a variety of stalls.

Tonkatsu By Terazawa in Manila

Tonkatsu by Terazawa: A Cutlet Above The Rest

by Beatriz Acosta

 

The craving for crispy, deep fried pork seems to be insatiable in Metro Manila, as we've grown (bellies included, perhaps) witness to a katsu competition of sorts this year. Both local players and Japanese brands are opening shop, or revamping their menu to highlight the popular breaded pork cutlet. From budget-friendly versions to top of the line premium and imported counterparts, we hungry folk are lucky to have the power of choice whenever the katsudon craving strikes.