Entries Tagged 'SM Mall of Asia' ↓

Watami Salad

Watami is now in the Philippines and I missed their opening day blow out at SM Mall of Asia (MOA)  last November 16, 2012 where customers enjoyed half-off their total bill (50% off)! So I did not let this chance pass when blogger-friend Spanky invited us over for lunch.

New Watami Teas

Watami is a famous Japanese casual restaurant in Japan with 700 branches in their country alone. They are also in Hongkong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, among others.

It was a good and filling Japanese lunch and here are the 4 Top Watami dishes NomNom Club highly recommends among those we have tried:

1. Beef and Kimchi Rice in Stone Pot  
   

   Beef and Kimchi Rice in Stone Pot (P245)

2. Sapporo Seafood Ramen Salad (Top Photo – P375)
3. Salmon & Vegetable in Rice Paper 
   

   Salmon & Vegetable in Rice Paper (P185)

4. Beef Rice Bowl with Hot Spring Egg in Tokyo Style 
   

   Beef Rice Bowl with Hot Spring Egg in Tokyo Style (P195)

All four were great-tasting and not too heavy on the budget. I must admit there are some items on the Watami menu which is priced above-average for a ‘casual’ restaurant. On the other hand, the premium pricing is reflected in the quality of service the customer can get. The taste is also authentic Japanese.

We also had the Self-Grilled Short Ribs (P295) and Assorted Sashimi (5 kinds). For beverage, I tried Kiwi Tea with Agar.

Self-Grilled Short Ribs (P295)

Assorted Sashimi (5 kinds) P425

Kiwi Tea with Agar (P145)

I also look forward to ordering the Clams cooked in stone pot with Japanese style sauce (P285) and the Watami Salad is my next visit.

Aside from SM Mall of Asia, Watami is also opening soon at the new Glorietta – also known as the new Glorietta Vibe.

XinWang Hong Kong Cafe

XinWang Hong Kong Cafe in SM Mall of Asia is turning a year old in the Philippines next month. I’ve always seen and passed by this restaurant beside IMAX but it was only last week when I first dined-in.

It was upon the prodding of Marj and her friend from XinWang that I was finally able to try the place. We’ve seen this as well in Singapore last July.

It was a late lunch for us on a week day so we almost had the whole XinWang restaurant to ourselves. The interior was cozy and well-lighted, it was easy to the eyes.

New Menu (same as in SIngapore)

It also came to our knowledge that the restaurant refreshed its menu last October while retaining most of its best sellers. This development was in-sync with it’s international franchise from Singapore. Yes, I thought about that too – a Hong Kong cafe from Singapore which we are trying in the Philippines. To make it more trivially interesting, there’s not one branch in Hong Kong, but they have several in Singapore. 🙂

Iced HongKong Milk Tea (P75)

Back to the menu. For the unfamiliar with Hong Kong cuisine, one would find the new menu a bit overwhelming as it was a combination of Chinese specialties, pasta, western food including burgers, a number of sweet desserts, and a gamut of beverages including milk teas, as expected.

But giving it a second thought, this is how Hong Kong food is – a mixed bowl of different culture dominated by Chinese tastebuds with a huge influence from the West. XinWang Hong Kong Cafe‘s new menu certainly reflects that.

So instead of getting overwhelmed, just enjoy the variety and take it one step at a time. You don’t have to try everything in one sitting.

Mango & Prawns Roll (P100)

And this is what we did. We tried a bit from the different pages of the menu.

Chicken Chop Cream Sauce Spaghetti (P245)

For the appetizers, we dared the oriental combination of prawn and mango in a soft roll. At P100, we got three – not bad considering the prawn content. The taste was ok but it could be enhanced. It has great potential, nonetheless.

This was followed by the Chicken Chop Cream Sauce Spaghetti. Basically, your good Carbonara pasta with a quarter of a chicken on the side. The cream sauce spaghetti was good but the chicken tastes better, I would order it again because of the chicken. At P245, you’re getting a fair deal.

With an effort to go healthy, we ordered the stir fried minced Kai-Lan with Silver Fish. At P220, it was a good try as the dish was not a common fare in regular restaurants and it tasted fine as well.

Stir Fried Minced Kai-Lan with Silver Fish (P220)

XinWang Stir Fried Noodle (P235)

Recommended Dishes

The stars of the day came in at the latter part. The XinWang Stir Fried Noodle is recommended at P235 for its ‘sahog‘ which consisted of seafood and veggies.

HK Braised Beef Brisket with Bamboo Rice (P215)

The HK Braised Beef Brisket with Bamboo Rice comes highly recommended. This was the best fare for the day for it’s authentic-tasting beef brisket. At P215, it was a good deal.

The desserts were also not a disappointment. I think we were lucky enough to get the good ones in such a series. 🙂

The Mango Pudding with ice cream on top is a treat for the sweet lovers. Highly similar to ice kachang, the price of P85 is at par and competitive with Lugang‘s. I’d suggest though that you order this for a group of 3 or 4.

Mango Pudding with ice cream (P85)

The French toast should be relabeled as ‘Big French Toast‘. The huge serving was like a three/four slices loaf packed into one. Covered with beaten egg yolk and fried, the butter melt atop was a sinful delight; best shared in a group.

French Toast (P95)

Coconut Cream with Sago  (P145)

Finally, you should not miss the Coconut Cream with Sago. The price tag of P145 might seem a bit steep but the tastes makes up for it. It is also good for two servings.

It’s a hot serving of rich and thick coconut cream with small tapiocas to merit. It may be too sweet for some but this is just how coconut creams are. Best paired with your favorite buchi covered with toasted sesame seeds. 🙂

It was a good and filling lunch at XinWang Hong Kong Cafe. Check it out beside SM Mall of Asia IMAX. You’ll surely not miss its banner lights and brightly-lit advertisements.

XinWang Hong Kong Restaurant

Jamba Juice Philippines opens yet another store / branch, this time up north of Metro Manila, or more specifically SM City North – The Block.

Jamba Juice Merchandise

This is an expected strategic move by the fairly new Jamba Juice brand in the Philippines having opened earlier in the south with Jamba Juice Alabang and Jamba Juice SM Mall of Asia.

People from Caloocan and Quezon City can now enjoy California’s famed lifestyle brand and try their Banana berry smoothie and Fruit & Yogurt Parfait, among other juice and menu items.

Jamba Juice Menu

Jamba Juice Smoothie Preparation

Jamba Juice SM City North

Jamba Juice SM North The Block is the brand’s fourth store in Southeast Asia.

In their launch early this month, they brought in challenging and energetic activities like Zumba, wall climbing, biking, trampoline jumping, and the famous Bike Blender.

Ms. Sharon T. Fuentebella, Managing Director of Jamba Juice Phillippines

The Bike Blender is the tool that highlights Jamba Juice Philippines’ Give Me Five campaign. The project was first introduced in conjunction with the opening of their pioneering flagship store in Bonifacio High Street Central and was made possible through a partnership with the Bureau of Plant Industry­­­-Guimaras National Mango Researcher and Development Center (BPI-GNMRDC).

“Aside from further bolstering the thrust of Jamba Juice as a brand that complements dynamic living, we wanted our customers to experience the thing that Jamba Juice passionately upholds,” says Sharon T. Fuentebella, Managing Director of Jamba Juice Phillippines.

Jamba Juice The Block Branch

We recently tried a regular smoothie from Jamba Juice SM City North The Block branch. It’s good that they have maintained the Jamba Juice price amidst aggressive marketing. We hope they would come up with new flavors soon.

J.CO Philippines Twitter

If you frequent Greenbelt in Makati, specially the one near the the Cinemas in Greenbelt 3, then you surely have seen the markers “J.CO Greenbelt Opening Soon!” It came true yesterday as J.Co Donuts and Coffee Philippines–Greenbelt  opened with more than 500 free donuts for its customers ‘shared the JCO way.’

J.Co Greenbelt Grand Opening

The grand opening started with a blessing of the branch followed by the traditional throwing of coins. Four members of the improv group ‘SPIT‘ (Silly People’s Improv Theater) were also there to jumpstart the crowd. Celebrities Karylle and Anton Del Rosario of the Azkals were some of the celebrities who dropped by to get some J.Co dounts and coffee.

Celebrities Karylle and Anton Del Rosario of Azkals Dropped by J.CO

Did you know that Karylle’s favorite is the J.Co Green Tease?

Karyll’s Favorite J.Co Donut is the Green Tease

Located just beside Figaro Greenbelt, enroute the entrance of Greenbelt 3 Cinemas, the 3rd branch of J.Co Donuts and Coffee in the Philippines is now giving you another foodie option to take with in the cinemas or simply something to munch on while hanging-out with your friends in the posh gimmick spot.

J.CO Orange Yogurt Frappe

They are specifically located at

J.Co Donuts and Coffee
3/F Greenbelt 3, Makati City

J.Coffee

When you do visit, NomNom recommends his favorite J.Coffee Cappuccino Avocado at Php 120/135 (12oz/16oz). I tried their new citrus-y Orange Yogurt Frappe and Mix Berries Frappe (Php 130/150 [12oz/16oz]) yesterday and it was a refreshing treat. I recommend you get the Mix Berries Frappe.

J.CO Mix Berries Frappe (foreground) Orange Yogurt (background), Tiramisu (donut)

J.Cool

You may also try their J.Cool fat-free frozen yogurt. I got the ‘single’ serve (Php 95) but the best worth-for-money to order is either the ‘couple‘ (Php 140) or the ‘sharing‘ (Php 190) which comes with 3 and 4 toppings, respectively.  I’m not much into the J.Cool Twist, however.

J.Cool Yogurt

J.Co Donuts Recommendations

For the filling doughnuts, get J.Co Philippines‘ signature J.Club Cheezy Rich at Php 45/piece. Pair it up with coffee of the day for Php 110, a cappuccion for Php 135, or an iced chocolate for Php 140.

And of course my favorites almond-topped ‘Alcapone‘ and Avocado Dicaprio (pair this with my favorite J.Coffee Favorite Cappuccino Avocado) should be in your list too.

J.CO Alcapone (left); Tiramisu Donut (right)

J.Co Greenbelt 3

But since yesterday, I got 2 new variants which I just added in my list of favorites- the Tiramisu and Choconuttzy. The latter is ultra yummy!

J.CO Choconuttzy

More J.CO Donuts

J.CO is a popular lifestyle café chain in Indonesia and some parts of Southeast Asia. It first opened in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2005 with the thrust to fuse the popular donuts of the West with … touches of the East. Other countries in the Asian region soon got into the J.CO craze, including Malaysia, Singapore and, more recently, Shanghai in China.

JCO Donuts & SPIT

J.CO Greenbelt 3 Grand Opening

J.CO Donuts & Coffee

For J.Co Donuts Philippines, they also have branches in SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia. See you more often at J.Co Donuts Greenbelt! 🙂

We’ve just recently concluded the Starbucks Tumblers and Gift Certificate Giveaway whose winners will be announced this week. And now, we have a new giveaway starting today – July 1, 2012 – the Jamba Juice Vouchers Giveaway!

Jamba Juice has recently opened in SM Mall of Asia and have introduced 4 new Guimaras Mango – inspired juices. They are the ‘Mango-a-go-go‘, ‘Mega Mango‘, ‘Peach Perfection’, and ‘Five Fruit Frenzy’. NomNom’s favorite is the ‘Mega Mango‘!

Contest Mechanics

Now, Jamba Juice and NomNom Club are giving away 3 pairs of Jamba Juice Vouchers so you and a friend can try the new Jamba Juice Guimaras Mango inspired beverages!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jamba Juice Beverage

Just join the rafflecopter-run contest tool above from July 1 to 15. Winners will be announced on the 3rd week of July. The Jamba Juice gift certificates will be delivered for FREE within Metro Manila.

If you are looking for more contests, there’s another Starbucks Gift Certificate Giveaway here.

Enjoy NomNom’s Jamba Juice contest!

Jamba Juice Philippines‘ first branch opened at Bonifacio High Street November of last year.  Four months after, it was followed by Jamba Juice Alabang Town Center. And over the weekend, it just opened its third store at SM Mall of Asia.

Jamba Juice SM MOA

It is not a surprise that Jamba Juice have chosen SM Mall of Asia to be it’s third branch since it is considered the country’s largest integrated leisure destination and has high foot traffic.

“Choosing strategic locations, that are convenient to consumers, has always been one of the integral facets that we consider, when choosing the best locations for expansion,” says Sharon T. Fuentabella, Managing Director of Jamba Juice Philippines Master Franchisee.

I also saw two new mango-based Jamba Juice beverages namely the ‘Mango-a-go-go‘ and ‘Mega Mango‘. I tried the former and was expectedly satisfied. I hope to try the latter in my next visit possibly including ‘Peach Perfection’ and ‘Five Fruit Frenzy’.

New Jamba Juice Mango-a-go-go Beverage

Gimme 5! For Guimaras Promo

Moreover, they have this Gimme 5! For Guimaras promo for a limited time where for every cup sold, Php 5 will be donated to the Provincial Government of Guimaras for the research and development of Philippine mangoes.

Jamba Juice Blender Bike

Gimme’ Me Five Exercise

Jamba Juice also recently launched the Gimme’ Me Five Campaign where customers are encouraged to ride an in-store Blender Bike for five minutes. Upon doing so, they get to donate one mango seedling to be planted at no less than the province where the best mangoes in the world come from – Guimaras province’ Guimaras Mango Park. This is also done  in partnership with the Bureau of Plant Industry-Guimaras National Mango Research and Development Center (BPI-GNMRDC).

That’s free exercise and a good deed in one! 🙂

Jamba Juice ‘Gimme 5’

Jamba Juice Gift Certificate / Voucher Giveaway!

Want more Jamba Juice? Get a chance to try their new Mango-a-go-go, Mega Mango, Peach Perfection, and Five Fruit Frenzy beverages for FREE!, Watch out next week for NomNom’s Jamba Juice Voucher Giveaway contest starting July 1! Subscribe through email (on the side bar) so you’ll not miss it! 🙂

Jamba Juice Gift Certificate Giveaway!

Check out Jamba Juice in SM Mall of Asia and choose a healthy beverage for a healthier lifestyle.

BonChon Chicken Wing

It was interesting to have met BonChon Philippines head honcho Scott Tan last week where he shared a technique on how to eat BonChon chicken wings. As trivial as it may sound, I was amazed that one can eat about half of a crispy fried chicken wing in one bite. 🙂

As inspired as I was, I had to go back to BonChon two days after and try it myself. So, together with my gf and another friend, we found ourselves back at the BonChon BGC branch which opened just a month ago.

BonChon BGC

Generally, my favorite chicken part is the meaty breasts and thighs, the wings come last. However, with BonChon’s original Korean crispy fried chicken secret recipe, the wings (in soy garlic) are my favorite!

BonChon Chicken came to the Philippines back in November 2010 and has since grown to 19 branches today including Alabang Town Center, Ayala Triangle Garden (ATG), Shangri-la Plaza, SM Mall of Asia, and One Parkade in BGC.  Check out more about the contemporary Korean brand BonChon Chicken at www.bonchon.com.ph.

BonChon Crispy Chicken

Korean Yogurt

I also found a new item in the BonChon menu board – the Korean Yogurt called BonChon “Ko-Yo“. They are available in Banofee Pie and Blueberry Torte variants for P70. The plain one is P35.

I found the plain one too small and I think the P70 variant is more cost efficient in terms of size (a.k.a. worth it). I also asked what was the difference between a Korean Yogurt and regular yogurt. I learned that Korean yogurts are less sweet and tastes more tangy.

BonChon Korean Yogurt "Ko-Yo"

How Do You BonChon Video

And of course, I am not ending this article without my personal video of the “How Do I BonChon?”

How about you? How Do You BonChon? 🙂

“Pwede na akong mamatay” is a local euphemism which literally  means “I can die now.” Indeed, after you have tasted Pizza Hut’s Lechon Pizza, you could say that without hesitation, especially if you know you are going to Heaven. And well, because your cholesterol shoots up double time. 🙂

Pizza consumption by itself is one  the West’s strongest influence in modern Filipino food culture. The number of competing brands alone speaks for its itself.

The varieties also testify the market’s complex taste and preference of their own pizza. You have the thick, the thin, the stuffed, the pop-ups, and the top thats.

On the other hand, the “Lechon” (roasted suckling pig) is a major food centerpiece for big gatherings, fiestas and celebrations here in the Philippines.

I never thought the day that the lechon and the pizza would meet can actually happen. But Pizza Hut did it. Pizza Hut dared and successfully combined the goodness and crispiness of lechon and the quality of their pizza.

Lechon Pizza Slice

Think of Pizza Hut layered with generous cheese with chunks of lechon meat and slices of the sought-after crispy lechon skin and you have your deadly but delicious Pizza Hut’s Lechon Pizza.

The skin is not the traditional shiny lechon skin but more of the fried and crunchy. Good thing I liked it more this way. Pizza Hut intentionally air dried the skin separately and adds it as topping on top of the pizza only as it is served. This allows the lechon skin to maintain its crispiness.

Your initial temptation is to pick the crispy lechon skin atop the pizza slice and eat it by itself. But that might  leave your pizza lacking as a whole. I prefer to hold my guns and consume it altogether and experience the crispy lechon skin as I take one bite at a time of the lechon pizza. 🙂

You could also request for the sauce to be held and not immediately spread on top of the pizza as served. Although the lechon pizza sauce is still on the sweet side, it is not as much as your retail favorite Mang Tomas lechon sauce. This can either be good or bad on a person-to-person basis. 🙂

Hold that saliva from dropping. The Pizza Hut’s Lechon Pizza comes in two sizes – medium and large.  The Lechon Pizza price starts at Php 329 for the former with 10 inches and Php 499 for the latter of 14 inches.

You can also have it as part of a special package under the Manila Signature Dishes where it is paired with  other servings and wine for the price of P799.

“Inspired by the popular local favorite, this new flavor celebrates the Filipino creativity and ingenuity.“

Manila Sugnature Dishes 2010:
Pizza Hut Bistro New Lechon Pizza Set P799 (Price still subject to service charge and local tax)

• Medium Lechon Pizza
• Seafood Supremo
• Olive Garden Salad
• 2 Glasses Casillero del Diablo Merlot

It has the rustic burnt lechon aroma you can smell from afar as it comes nearer your table. It is an ultimate dream come true for pizza and lechon lovers. Have the best of both in a single serve. You should not let this ultimate foodie comfort food pass this Christmas holiday season as it is only available until about the end of January next year.

Pizza Hut Lechon Pizza

I recommend the Pizza Hut Lechon Pizza with a thumbs up for those who love pizza and lechon. Be sure to bring family and friends to share it with as  I myself was only able to consume 3 slices. Try one before you die, it’s Pizza Hut Lechon Pizza or forever hold your peace. 🙂