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Tuesday, January 30, 2018
MAKATI SHANGRI-LA: SUNDAY BBQ BRUNCH AT SAGE

If the usual hotel buffet bores you, I guess Makati Shangri-La's Sage Sunday BBQ Brunch would be an ideal place to try out something new. I found myself visiting this hotel on a Sunday with good friends and awesome company. The spread isn't as big as you might compare it to other buffet lineups but it does give you the best bang for buck since it focuses more on quality rather than quantity.
Drinks are an important part of any meal. Here, they offer you some choices that could cure your hangover or even perk you up. That day, they were serving some bloody marys and an apple flavored sparkling mix.
After settling down, it's best to walk around the room to check out the different dishes they have have in store for you. You could fill up your plate with an assortment of cheese and cold cuts. There's even a number of salad choices that could get you moving.
Even if it's a BBQ styled and themed brunch buffet, they also have a few seafood offerings. They have shrimps, and a couple of salmon based dishes.
Crab cakes and smoky, spicy Chicken wings were present too.
I had fun with the burger station though. Here, you could have them create your own personalized juicy burger. Partner it with cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, and other toppings and you just might have one happy tummy.
I was pleasantly surprised when I got my double patty burger. Topped with bacon, melted cheese, and some darn good onions, I was salivating when I took the first bite.
Aside from the California Chicken Wrap Station, there's also a Ceasar Salad station that makes your favorite salad on the go. You could add pork, chicken, and shrimps as toppings.
For me, partnering it with some cold cuts, fruits, and even a bit of steak from the grill station made it a better salad. Honestly, it's quite hard to eat veggies with just veggies but having it with some other friendlier flavors could trick my tongue into liking it.
Speaking of, the MEAT selection of the SUNDAY BBQ BRUNCH would be its crown and glory. A number of different cuts were present aside from usual grilled items that you may see.

Dessert was also an impressive sight. Aside from the different cakes and pastry that they serve, they also had churros and grilled bananas that you could customize. Also, their ice cream and fruits selection were spot on.
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SAGE BESPOKE GRILL of MAKATI SHANGRI-LA offers this BBQ BRUNCH every Sunday from 11:30am to 3pm until March 31. It is priced at Php 2,000 Nett. An additional Php 800 nett would be availed of if you would wish for unlimited serving of house win, beer and soft drinks.


SAGE BESPOKE GRILL
2nd Level
Makati Shangri-la
Makati Avenue Corner Ayala Avenue
Makati City,
Metro Manila.


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Thursday, January 25, 2018
BENCH CAFE in BGC: Filipino Food Elevated Through Technique

With a steady hand at the wheel, BENCH CAFE seems to be a great place to have your Filipino food while doing a bit of sightseeing  in Bonifacio Global City. It's the go to shopping area to bring your balikbayan friends and family just so that they get to get something uniquely Filipino while eating and trying out native dishes that were elevated through different cooking techniques.
With the Bench Flagship Store opening up in Bonifacio High Street just a few weeks ago, they are set to unveil the first ever BENCH CAFE in the world today. Since Bench is known as a clothing and lifestyle brand, they figured that the flagship branch should have something more than just clothes, salon, and other household accessories.
Located on the second floor of the Bench Store in BGC, the BENCH CAFE exudes a relaxed yet bright atmosphere. Snacks are served as well as main dishes and of course drinks.
Since Bench is a home grown concept, Filipino food is a must for their first ever cafe. What would be more Filipino than street food? They have a sort of platter that has squid balls, fish balls, and kikiam partnered with different sauces. Aside from this, they also have paninis or sandwiches that are pretty good. Since their meats and other ingredients are made entirely just for them, guests would enjoy the interesting flavors that they bring out. Surprisingly, their CORNED BEEF panina was a hit. It's simple but delicious and straightforward.
Although the menu has some tasty salads, it's quite better to head on over to something more "sinful". The SISIG WRAP is one of those dishes that must be ordered.
Sisig is somewhat deconstructed and served with lettuce. It's basically a make your own wrap that goes well with your keto diet. The mayoish sauce actually is mixed with a special ingredient that makes everything jive together.
A play on the word Bento, the BENCH/TO are different combinations or set meals that would be perfect for someone that likes to mix and match their viands.
For chicken lovers, they have a number of chicken meals. One could go for the inasal, or the salted egg fried chicken, honey patis chicken, and the adobo. These are then partnered with other side dishes. Notably, the gising gising is really hot and spicy  so be careful. Also, the HIPON SA TALANGKA or shrimp with crab fat is deadly but extremely good. You could also mix and match and upgrade the type of rice that you may want to partner with the dishes you ordered.
The CRISPY TADYANG has a little salty mix to it. It's best paired with garlic rice and their home made pinakbet.
For those that enjoy Kare-Kare, their version used these crispy liempo. Pretty good and perfect with rice.
Another main that you could go for would be the US Angus Short Ribs Bistek. With inihaw na pusit on the side, these is a potent combination.
What really impressed me would be their version of the KALDERETA. Apprently, they cook this for a long time. Making the meat tremendously tender, each bite is a joy to take. If you don't like the normal plain rice, you could upgrade it to dilis, bagoong, and even talangka.
Personally I believe that a visit to a Filipino restaurant will not be complete if they do not have a silog. They have everything that you may ask for. From tocino, to longganisa, to sisig, and even beef tapa, you won't go wrong with any. If you're someone that likes everything and anything, the BONGALMUSAL would work for you. It's basically a breakfast platter.
The drinks are quite a number as well. They were all hand crafted and created to display the different flavors of the Filipino. Furthermore, the desserts were created to make things familiar but still unique. One of them would be the FLAN B. It's leche flan or baked caramelized custard that's topped with some macapuno.
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With more than just shopping, this new BENCH CAFE is a must visit place for foodies and guests that want something unique and new. Drinks are well made with the Filipino palette in mind. The majority of the items on the menu are all about Filipino Cuisine as well. So, yes, I will be back because they do offer a lot that's great for families and friends alike.



BENCH CAFE
2nd Floor Bench Flagship Store
9th Avenue corner Lane O.
(Infront of The Spa and near Krispy Kreme)
Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig, Metro Manila



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Wednesday, January 24, 2018
PARTY TRAYS AND MORE FROM HA-INAN DELIVERY in Mandaluyong

When I don't have the time nor the patience, I just pick up the phone and have some food delivered. It's quick, easy, painless, and gives you a lot of options. Although fast food delivery seems to be the norm, it pays out to go for old fashion home cooking specially when you're having a party. During one of those days, I received something in the mail. It's was a party pack from Ha-Inan Delivery and Take Out.
HA-INAN is a delivery and take out place in Mandaluyong. They offer combination meals and even party trays that would be perfect for potlucks and even small events. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the pricing is quite affordable compared to other places. One could start out with some Crispy Okoy (45Php for 5). They're these seafood patty that everyone wants to just dip in vinegar sauce.
Next up would be these huge Chicken Lollipop (24Php per piece). I was surprised when I saw how big these babies were. It's also properly seasoned and quite heavy.
A party won't be complete without some pancit. Ha-Inan has a number of variants to pick from. They offer Bihon Guisado, Canton Guisado, Pancit Malabon, Pancit Malabon Negra, and even Spaghetti for the kids.
Quite a favorite among Filipinos, the SISIG (170/320 Php) is a must order. Juicy and has mix of everything you would need, each spoonful would be perfect with rice.

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It's way easier to have your food delivered with Ha-Inan Food Delivery. If you're in the area of Mandaluyong, the charge is only 50 Php. On the other hand, Makati, San Juan, and some parts of Pasig, Taguig, and Quezon City has a charge of 100 Php.



HA-INAN FOOD DELIVERY and TAKE OUT
488 Barangka Drive corner Camiguin Street, Barangay Malamig, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
(632) 6361686




Disclaimer:Food was sent on over. Wrote this based on my experience and opinion.
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Monday, January 22, 2018
MUST EAT IN SAN DIEGO: DIfferent Dishes To Look Forward To

San Diego is one of the places to visit when you're in the west coast of the United States. Located in the State of California, San Diego faces the Pacific Ocean. It's known for its beaches, parks, and different outdoor activities. You could definitely find yourself roaming around for days with something new, interesting, and unique to do. More importantly visiting San Diego would never be complete without trying out the food culture. To fully see the potential and to experience this amazing place, you got grab a bite from the local food scene.  Once you have planned your vacation and booked at one of San Diego Vacation Rentals , you are all set to go and check out the city. Of course the different tourist spots are a must but going for a little bit of detour is always important when traveling. The restaurants, bars, and cafes would serve anything and everything under the sun.
San Diego’s barbecue is Texas-style, and it is hard to resist the slow-smoked piece of meat that only gets better and better. You will love the well-seasoned pork ribs with a great crust, and fall-apart juicy meat served with red rice, beans, and collard greens. Visit Coop's West Texas Barbeque for those juicy pork ribs.House-baked focaccia served with awesome sides such as gorgonzola mousse whipped and drizzled with aged balsamic or black olive pesto and bell pepper conserva. Bruschetta isn’t bread but is a meal that will keep you full for hours. You can have it with Sicilian caponata which are onion, olives, sautéed red bells steamed celery, vinegar.Head for Swami’s Café to nourish yourself with an açai bowl. The dish is sure to give you a bit of a cleanse before you head for a swim to the beach. The spacious two-story restaurant is one of the popular breakfast places, and the servers are friendly. Everything is super fresh, and apart from their famous acai bowls, they serve turkey burger, wraps, and veggie burger. It's definitely a healthy paradise for conscious eaters.
If you are looking for 100% dessert perfection, then you are sure to find it at Extraordinary Desserts. Everything they make is indeed insta-worthy, and it is sure a delight to look at as well as feast on those whole cakes, breakfast pastries, and small tarts. Having mini desserts means that you can taste more of everything. Their Blueberry Cheesecake Coffee Cake is a must! San Diego has a ton of Japanese themed restaurants that serve delicious takes on this oriental cuisine. Sushi Ota, a Pacific Beach sushi restaurant is undisputedly one of the best sushi places in San Diego. The combinations are just the beginning of a very adventurous sushi journey. One can try beef sashimi, live uni and more. The best part is that one can meet Chef Ota and watch the sushi masters at work and see how they make sushi. 
 If you're up for something hot and steamy, you might want something with soup. Enjoy Udon Hot Pot from Robataya Oton, which is a traditional Japanese Robataya that comes complete with tatami seating. You sit on the ground in front of a lowered table and get that Robata sushi served in small plates and special hot pots. The udon and pork belly hot pot is cooked at your table, and you get transported to Japan for a short while.Fish tacos are as favorite in San Diego as pizzas are in New York. moreover, if you are looking for the best fish tacos, then head for Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill. Made from fresh fish and marinated in spicy chipotle and served with corn tortillas from El Indio, the taste is simply heavenly! Enjoy them with cheddar cheese, cabbage, onions, white sauce and you can add more avocado.Little Lion is one of San Diego’s top culinary spots and serves the best waffles made from fermented batter overnight. You will love the incredibly light and crispy crumb of the waffle served with fresh whipped cream, berries and maple syrup. You can also enjoy kale salad with pomegranate seeds or a Dijon truffle vinaigrette with house-made croutons and Parmesan. If you want something unique, Cucina Urbana is famous for their Organic polenta served with Ragu. They use house-made ricotta for the pork shoulder as well as shallots, carrots, onion, garlic, chard, and beet tops. The polenta is made with milk, vinegar, mascarpone, whey, Parmesan stock, and garlic.Everything has Sriracha at Slater, and one can pick from Sriracha caramelized onions, Sriracha bacon slices, Sriracha mayo, Sriracha slaw and Sriracha drizzled atop. The burgers are simply delicious. Sriracha burger blends in the orange-colored Asian hot sauce and is served with the chain’s trademark half bacon and half-beef patties. The Sriracha burger is the specialty burger that is served here.

Another remarkable experience would be Lolliwaffles. If you want to know what Lolliwaffles are, you need to go to the Great Maple in San Diego. The breakfast menu here is indeed unique and serves Lolliwaffles which are waffles on sticks. Other than that, you can enjoy Chorizo Scramble Melt, and their freshly baked maple bacon doughnuts are simply heavenly. Plus, there is a variety of Bloody Marys to pacify anyone’s palette, and you must try their Great Maple Honey Mule and Watermelon Lemon Presse Mimosas.Getting an Italian-style coffee is just the perfect way to java-jump-start your day. Visit Caffe Calabria, which is a quaint, Italian-style coffee shop and the long line outside the café is an indication of the popularity of this joint. Every latte has a beautiful design, and they roast their own beans. Try out their range of finger foods and Italian pastries along with their silky espressos.San Diego is one part of California that's very scenic. Not just in the literal sense but also in terms of food. It's quite the place to visit.



LINKS:
San Diego Vacation Rentals: Quick Search
Photos Used are from Pixabay
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Saturday, January 20, 2018
EAT 9707: Makati's Newest Rooftop Restaurant.

It's the new year and because of that, I try to do something new. Maybe brave traffic and problematic ride sharing app bookings during rush hour. It all boils down to a new experience. New Year, new me. When I was invited to go to EAT 9707, I was feeling hesitant. It was in a part of Makati where I haven't been before. If you know me personally, I tend to shy away from anything Makati. If it's near Edsa, okay. But, if it's in those one ways and small back streets, I'm definitely thinking twice before going.
Yet, I found myself booking a ride. Something different I told myself. Successfully booked a grab after 40 minutes of waiting and found myself in the quieter part of Makati. EAT 9707 is actually on the 6th floor of a building along Kamagong Street in Makati. It's an open air place that shows a different view of the Makati skyline. It's more of an after work place to hangout and chill. Aside from the different alcoholic drinks that they serve, they offer a bunch of bar chows and dishes that would tickle your fancy.
Starters could either be deep friend spam musubi bites or their special nachos or a mix of popcorn nuts with truffle and honey. It's something that you can see everyday and are given twists.
Of course, they also offer MAIN EATS for guests that would like something heavier. It seems that the dishes here have some hint of Japanese influence. The Salpicao is made with Kikkoman but retains a very garlicy sauce with a bit of red wine thrown in the mix.
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There's even a SPAM TONKATSU CURRY OMURICE. It's a mix of something savory, oily, and rice that makes you enjoy your drinking session. Partner it with beer or one of their delicious and creative cocktails and you're good to go.
Grill wise, they have these Mama's Famous Pork BBQ and some chicken wings as well. Personally, I believe the Pork BBQ was heavy flavored. It would make you want to order rice and dip it in vinegar sauce just so as to balance it. Not bad just a matter of preference.
If there was one dish to get it should be the SYFU'S KATSU BURGER. One look at it and you might dismiss it as something similar to a fish sandwich from a fast food chain. How wrong I was when I took a bite into it. This burger is very deceptive. It's katsu breading and juicy meat inside. The wagyu worked well with the wasabi mayo.
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There are also dessert offerings as well. Banana Tempura, Azuki Bean Waffle Sandwich, and even a Banana Rum Cake.


EAT 9707
9707 Kamagong St.,
Makati City, Metro Manila.


Disclaimer:Was invited to try this restaurant out. Wrote this based on my experience and opinions.
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