Showing posts with label ch-EAT day. Show all posts

llaollao madness

llaollao’s fourth branch is now open at Trinoma
Since it first opened in 2016, llaollao (pronounced as yao-yao) still isn’t in every mall I frequented as I hoped it would had by now. It currently has branches in SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, Glorietta, and—finally, right in my home turf, Quezon City—Trinoma!

The malls in Fairview don’t offer any froyo, which is a complete disappointment. So when I drop by malls that actually do, I try to grab some frozen yogurt goodness whenever I can. While there are other stalls and stores that offer this cold treat, it’s the different toppings this Spanish franchise has that make me want more of it.
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The local flavors of Locavore


Filipino food is something we’re all familiar with—but it’s always a welcome surprise when these well-loved and familiar dishes are prepared at a higher level.

Our local cuisine is nothing short of a gastronomic adventure. While other cultures tend to stick to their salt and pepper garnishes, ours lean toward more complex preparations. But even as we can indulge in Filipino food in the comfort of our homes, Locavore is a good option when we want something a little bit super to our usual dishes.

The restaurant’s name is quite a giveaway to the kind of food that it wishes to present, and more importantly, represent—food that is loved locally, with ingredients that are locally grown and produced.

Locavore is proud to be local—and it’s obvious in its reinterpreted all-Filipino menu.
The restaurant currently has branches in Kapitolyo, Pasig, and Forbes Town Circle, Taguig.
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Explosive flavors at LAVA



One of the things I keep a tab on is places that offer ice cold Tiger beer.

The Singaporean lager is popping in our local restaurant scene and I am very pleased to announce that LAVA Timog is one of the few that carry this brand. I love this drink, and it’s always one of the reasons why trips to Singapore are always welcome—Tiger beer is available on tap!

But that’s not the only reason why I’m writing this blog post solely dedicated to LAVA, a comfort food nook that you should keep under your radar.

When one hears of the restaurant name, you immediately look forward to a molten cake dessert—but let me just stop your sweet-tooth drooling there. LAVA takes its name after the most important part of their kitchen: Lava rocks.
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Bravo Buku-Buku


SIBLINGS Nico and Jessica Santiago have a mission: Bring the northern food and pop culture crazes to the south.

And the duo, with the help and support of their parents, has accomplished just that after establishing two book cafés on their turf, the first in Cavite, and, just recently, in SM Southmall in Las Piñas.

“It was a chance to give what we knew the south wanted,” Jessica said. “Not just the food but the indie scene—we wanted to bring what’s monopolized up north down south.”
The southern café prides itself with a menu dominated by Filipino and Southeast Asian fusion dishes. Offering casual dining, it presents comfort food favorites with some ingenious, if not local, twists.

And in a space full of art, books and good food—which doubles as a venue for expression and exploration for creatives—what is there not to love?
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The grub up north: Commonwealth StrEAT Part II



Visiting a food park once will never be enough, there are a handful of stalls to try and a mouthful of tastes to discover. Cake and I visited Commonwealth StrEAT thrice, and on our last visit we decided to cap our food adventure with (goblets of) margarita.

   OZAWA   
Budget: P140-P165


Their Noritako is a different take on your usual sushi roll. A crispy, wafer-thin taco shell is followed by nori and sushi rice, topped with a choice of crunchy karaage (chicken) or beef tenderloin steak, julienned carrots and drizzled with Japanese mayo.
Don’t bother using the chopsticks that came with it. Instead, put your hands to good use. Its generous meat and chewy Japanese rice will more than make up for the messiness. Make sure you wash it down with their raspberry iced tea slush that’s big enough to share.

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The grub up north: Commonwealth StrEAT Part I


People of the North rejoice! 

 The foodie hotspots keep shifting on Metro Manila’s map, and they finally found their way to the open, empty spaces of Quezon City’s Fairview (or Far-view, as most people call it).

 Back then, the foodie capital was Kapitolyo in Pasig, until residential Maginhawa Street in Quezon City evolved into a gastronomic strip offering international flavors.

 Fairview was among the more suburban parts of the largest metro city that had long been cut off from the more cosmopolitan and innovative taste bud offerings. But now, a single jeep ride is all it takes for its residents (and other QC folk) to become instant gourmands (or food coma victims).

 StrEAT of the Maginhawa food park fame has set up another branch along the North Fairview end of Commonwealth Avenue.

 Although it’s under the same brand, Commonwealth StrEAT boasts a different set of food stalls and trucks from its Maginhawa counterpart. There are some familiar treats, but most are unique finds that you can find only at this far-off food spot.

   OFF DUTY   
Budget: P100-P160



The Mexi-grill has the perfect appetizers if you’re feeling less adventurous on your trip to StrEAT. Their regular nachos are topped with ground beef, sour cream and salsa (which tastes kind of like fancy ketchup). The quesadilla isn’t as thick as we would’ve wanted, but is still a bang for the buck with its stringy cheese and flavorful meat.

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Hanging out at Naxional



“X” marks the spot, the spot being in Uptown Parade in Bonifacio Global City where you can get some really good grub.

For South American diner Naxional, “X” also represents 10 of the continent’s nations, introducing a wide range of comfort food developed straight from home cooking recipes of Latina mothers.

With the Philippines’ undeniable Hispanic roots, most South American dishes may come off as familiar, but there are a huge number of dishes with festive flavors that remain uncharted—and yet easily welcomed—by the Filipino palate.
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Lunch at Flame Restaurant



IT WAS a meal made for champs.

We were served with a 7-course lunch, a taste of what Discovery Primea's Flame Restaurant will be serving for the quick, on-the-go (and personally, what I think is the most important) part of the day.

"Not everyone has time to linger over lunch," general manager David de Ayala said. "So we have a quicker cooking time and somewhat more relaxed menu entries for lunch."
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Sights of the city from Flame Restaurant


Armed with good coffee as I binge-watch Manila's city sights. Photo by Alex Castillo

GROWING up in the city does not make concrete jungles wherever I go less mesmerizing.

Architecture of towering concrete in repeated patterns creatively designed to stand out from its adjacent neighbors. And as it soars with height, competing with the clouds for a space in the sky, it gives you calm and perspective.

Now you don't have to imagine the experience of indulging Manila's city sights with Discovery Primea's modern European restaurant called Flame, they now serve lunch and dinner and has been open for almost two months now.
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