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I think this is the first time I’m blogging about Starbucks while in a Starbucks coffee shop, and finishing the whole article, that is. As of this writing, the rain is  heavily pouring on a Tuesday afternoon just outside Starbucks 6750. It’s also the first day of Starbucks’ new beverage called Starbucks Refreshers offered in Cool Lime and Very Berry Hibiscus.

I’ve tried it last week actually and I thought I’d know just what to order now – but I was wrong. I like them both and I don’t know which to choose so my girlfriend and I choose to order both of them, one for each of us. 🙂

Very Berry Hibiscus Starbucks Refreshers Beverage

The new innovative drink is a combionation of green coffee extract with either lime (for Cool Lime) or blackberries (for Very Berry Hibiscus).

Very Berry Hibiscus Starbucks Refreshers Beverage

The Very Berry Hibiscus Starbucks Refreshersâ„¢ beverage is made from real fruit juice, green coffee extract and whole blackberries.

Cool Lime Starbucks Refreshers Beverage

Cool Lime Starbucks Refreshers Beverage

The Cool Lime Starbucks Refreshers beverage contains real fruit juice as well, green coffee extract and a slice of lime.

Both are hand-shaken with ice for a moderate-calorie, thirst-quenching drink and priced as follows: Tall – ₱115, Grande- ₱125, Venti – ₱135.

What is Green Coffee Extract?

It is interesting to note that the Green coffee extract is an entirely new way to experience coffee – one that doesn’t taste like coffee but has about a quarter of caffeine from the regular roasted coffee.

First, the green coffee bean is picked from the coffee cherry from the coffee tree. Now, instead of roasting it after harvest which usually brings about the bold distinctive taste of coffee, the caffeine naturally found in coffee is extracted from the unroasted arabica coffee beans. This is then used as the liquid base for the Starbucks Refresher Beverages plus a right amount of water and ice for the refreshing taste.

Starbucks Refreshment Tumbler Offer / Promo

Refreshment Tumbler Offer

From July 31 to September 10, 2012, get a complimentary Tall Starbucks Refreshers Beverage for every purchase of 16 oz. Customizable Cold Cup Tumblers (with flat lid and dome lid) .

Starbucks Refreshers

It’s actually a ‘summery‘ drink for me. Ironically, it’s the rainy season here in the Philippines. 🙂 Anyhow, you’ve got to try the new Starbucks Refresher Beverages. I find the Cool Lime more refreshing being in the citrus-y side. The Very Berry Hibiscus has the same effect but has the sweeter aftertaste primarily due to the blackberries.

Chow Pao Mantao buns

My girlfriend and I had lunch at Chowking Megamall yesterday and a big advertisement at the entrance greeted us with the new ChowKing Chow Pao. At a an affordable price of Php25, I was curious how it tasted.

She ordered the Chinese-style one piece chicken while I had the Fish Tausi bowl with rice. And of course, each of us had the Chowking Chow Pao as well.

Marj had the Chinese Sausage Chow Pao (P25) while I had the Chinese Sausage Special (P35).

Chowking Megamall

Chowking Menu Board with the New Chao Pao

My Chinese Sausage Special Chow Pao (P35) is basically a Mantao bun stuffed with four strips of Chinese Sausages and sautéed vegetables. The sausage itself tasted good enhanced by the sweet soy-based sauce.

Its only difference with the Chinese Sausage Chow Pao (P25) are the vegetables. This made me think that the Chinese Sausage Special Chow Pao should have been priced at Php 30, not Php 35. Anyhow, it’s still ok since it tasted good.

CHow Pao Chinese Sausage Special

Chow Pao Chinese Sausage Special

You can also just add Php 10 and you get a glass of soda together with the Chowking Chow Pao

Braised Chicken and Oriental Beef

As of this writing, I have actually tried the Braised Chicken Chao Pao and Chunky Beef Chao Pao variants which are both priced at Php 49. And I can say that if you liked the Sausage Special Chow Pao, you will love these two more!

The complete four Chow Pao variants are the Chinese Sausage, Chinese Sausage Special, Braised Chicken and Chunky Beef.

Chowking Chow Pao Braised Chicken & Oriental Beef

Verdict

NomNom Club on Chowking Chow Pao

I think the Chowking Chow Pao will be successful moving forward because of the value-for-money the Php 25 chinese sausage offers. It’s actually like a version of a fastfood hamburger in some sense; having the better Mantao bun instead of the regular bread buns and a chinese sausage filling instead of the regular burger.

It also offered a healthier alternative with the vegetables of the special Chinese sausage Chow Pao.

On the other hand, I think that the braised chicken and oriental beef would have been more acceptable at Php 39-44 price range, not Php49. The good news is that Chowking Chow Pao did not scrimp on the fillings and the taste made up for the P49 price tag. Merienda time!

It’s the season of Lent once again. For Catholics like myself, it is the time of prayer and fasting. And by fasting, this means we should not indulge on meat. Max’s Restaurant, the House that Fried Chicken Built, recently brought its classic Filipino flavors into new and lighter dishes for the Lenten Season. Launched last February 29, I was lucky to be part of the first group to try these sumptuous healthy meals.

Bobby Simborio, Corporate Communications Officer for Max’s Group of Companies

“At Max’s we understand that Lent is a special time for Filipinos. This has inspired us to create our lightest and the most scrumptious fare for lent. These dishes are bursting with flavors, married with the homegrown classic taste that Filipinos love – its a certified gustatory experience for everyone,” says Mr. Bobby Simborio, Max’s Corporate Communications Officer for Max’s Group of Companies as he introduced their latest offering for the lenten season.

As we were the “certified” to first try out these dishes, I was already excited just seeing their posters. My taste buds were ready to check them out. I was intrigued and they didn’t fail me.

Adobong Kangkong Stuffed Tofu

Max’s Adobong Kangkong Stuffed Tofu

They served the Max’s Adobong Kangkong Stuffed Tofu (Php150) first. As a tofu lover, it is given that I would love this dish but its fresh Kangkong leaves did all the trick in making it a lot better. The shiitake and button mushrooms completed the fare while drizzled in sweet adobo sauce. This would be appreciated by both vegetable or non-vegetable eaters. It’s also a sweet alternative to the sizzling tofu in Max’s menu.

Max’s Cauliflower Puffs

The next one is quite deceiving for the picky young eaters and meat lovers. Max’s Cauliflower Puffs (Php160) may look like a simple puff with crispy stuff inside, but there is a cauliflower dipped in special batter. The vegetable is not immediately visible because it is deep fried and comes up with a special sauce.

The kids who were present during the event didn’t even notice the taste of the cauliflower. I enjoyed this dish because I absolutely love eating veggies. It’s crunchiness was also enjoyable.

Cauliflower Puffs

Max’s Sizzling Seafood in Honey Bagoong Sauce

The last dish was so intriguing that it already got me thinking about its taste before they served it. Max’s Sizzling Seafood in Honey Bagoong Sauce (Php265) is so delicious, I stuffed my plate just as much I could consume. It’s made of breaded cream dory, shrimp and deep fried squid rings served with a special sweet sauce, honey and piquant bagoong. It’s a must try for seafood aficionados. I was actually looking for the bagoong taste, but the honey overpowers its saltiness.

Sizzling Seafood in Honey Bagoong Sauce

Max's Fried Chicken

And of course, we were served with the famous Max’s Chicken.

* Story and photos by Contributor Ria Hazel C. Lumandog of http://sugarsmile.blogspot.com

Try out these heartwarming dishes for lent that are truly divine. 🙂 You may also check out www.maxschicken.com. The Lenten Dishes are now available in all Max’s Restaurants nationwide since yesterday, March 1, 2012.

Mom says that as much as girls like flowers, giving something edible as a gift on Valentine’s Day is more practical. I think this is what Max’s Restaurant – Max’s Corner Bakery had in mind for this Valentine’s. 🙂

Max;s Cupcakes

It start early this month and until February 29, 2012, Max’s Corner Bakery cakes and pastries offers the following to complement you Valentine gift ideas:

• Valentine’s Pastry Bites  – it’s a box chocolate bites with choices of dark or milky chocolate,  some are covered with almond slivers and filled with caramels. (P199 – box of 15)
• Valentine Cupcakes  – cupcakes of 3 in one gift box (P135 for a box of 3 or P50 a piece)

– Black Forest Cupcake  – combination of rich and smooth chocolate flavors with ganache swirls without missing the cherry on top and a chocolate base.
– Blueberry Cupcake – your favorite cupcake with real blueberries.
– Choco Banana Cupcake  – a moist banana cupcake with choco cookies topped with cream and a big heart-shaped black and white chocolate flat.

• Valentine Chocolate Moist Cake -  a medium-sized heart-shaped chocolate cake, coated with a layer of chocolate ganache and garnished with chocolate curls, topped with cherry and sprinkled with powdered sugar (Php 199).
• Sugar Cookies – fancy sugar cookies with a choice of either the Valentine Heart or the Valentine Bear.  (P25 – pack of 2)

Max’s Pastry Bites

Max's Cupcakes for Valentine's Day: Blueberry Cupcake, Black Forest Cupcake, & Choco Banana Cupcake (left- right))

Sugar Cookies (Valentine Bear and the Valentine Heart)

Highly Recommended

Among the above, It’s the Valentine Chocolate Moist Cake which NomNom recommends best. It lives up to its name and would surely be loved by most. It’s visually appealing and can easily be consumed by a couple because of it’s size.

Chocolate Moist Cake (P199 - medium size; one size)

Max's Restaurant Cake

Valentine’s Promo from Max’s Restaurant

Starting today, until February 14, 2012, a minimum purchase of Php 1,500 on your favorite meals in Max’s Restaurant such as Max’s sarap-to-the-bones Fried Chicken, Sinigang, Crispy Pata or Kare-Kare, entitles a customer a free box of Pastry Bites from Max’s Corner Bakery worth P199.

All Cakes in Heart Shape

Chocolate Cake

Highlighting the mood of the season even further, all Max’s Corner Bakery’s  cakes will be heart-shaped from February 10-14! Talk about Valentine cakes! 🙂

Check out more of Max’s Corner Bakery Cakes and Pastries at Max’s Corner Bakery’s FB Page, Max’s Restaurant FB Page, and http://www.maxschicken.com.

Valentine Cake

I already got three of the heart-shaped cakes from Max’s branch in Gateway Mall this morning for my love. How about you?

And do you know why I got THREE heart-shaped cakes as a gift for Valentine’s? You guessed it right. 🙂

And the Starbucks Philippines  series is not yet over this Christmas season! After sharing with you the Starbucks 2012 Planners, and the Starbucks Holiday Foods, it’s the turn of the Starbucks Christmas beverages to be highlighted.

Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha

The two new and one returning Starbucks Christmas Beverages flavors of the season are:

Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha

This is the new beverage available this season only. Starbucks signature espresso is combined with freshly steamed milk and luscious white chocolate, then topped with whipped cream, a tart cranberry drizzle and crystallized cranberry sugar.

Toffee Nut Latte

Toffee Nut Latte

Back by popular demand! The rich, buttery flavor of sweet toffee combined with toasted nuts, blended with Starbucks smooth espresso and velvety steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and toffee-flavored sprinkles.

Peppermint Mocha

Peppermint Mocha

Good news to all peppermint lovers, watch out for the return of Peppermint Mocha! Enjoy the warm combination of espresso, steamed milk, bittersweet chocolate and peppermint flavor in this seasonal favorite. It is topped with classic whipped cream and red sugar sprinkles.

Christmas Coffee Blend

This Christmas, as you gather your friends and family offer them the warmest of greetings by welcoming them with a delicious cup of Starbucks coffee. Choose from the spicy, full-bodied flavor of the Christmas Blend, the rich, caramelly flavor of Starbucks Christmas Blend Espresso Roast or the instant Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Christmas Blend.

Starbucks Christmas Blend

Starbucks Christmas Blend

This full-bodied favourite combines the liveliness of superb Latin American coffees with the mellow smoothness of Asia-Pacific coffees, but is truly noteworthy for the spicy notes from aged Sumatra beans. This coffee is best paired with White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie – big and chunky, chewy and crunchy. Perfect for this season!

(Retail Price P500)

Christmas Blend - Espresso Roast

Starbucks Christmas Blend Espresso Roast

Made from Sumatra and aged Sumatra coffees, combined with beans from the Bella Vista F.W. Estate in Tres Rios, Costa Rica, and finally roasted in Starbucks signature Espresso Roast for an intense flavor and spicy finish.

(Retail Price P500)

Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Christmas Blend

It is an instant and microground coffee that provides a comforting taste if the holidays wherever you go.

(Retail Price P495)

Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Christmas Blend

By now, most of you would have probably tasted the Starbucks Christmas beverages in some branches of Starbucks. Which one was your favourite? How about among the Christmas Coffee Blends?

Have you seen the recent Jollibee commercial? It showed today’s busy and hardworking moms finding it a challenge to get home in time and prepare for a special family dinner. So the father and the kids tried to take on the chore of cooking and the kitchen ended up in a mess, and still without dinner.

When the mother came home, she comforted the family that they could always order through the 8-7000 Jollibee Express Delivery hotline. 🙂 The advertisement highlighted that serving delicious  meals can be enjoyed by the whole family with just a phone call.

“Whether daddy wants a piece of crispylicious Chickenjoy, kuya craves for a bite of Champ, ate loves the tasty and meaty Jollibee Spaghetti or bunso wants  a delightful  cup of Chocolate sundae, busy moms can have all these delivered right at their doorsteps in time for dinner.“

Jollibee treats can be easily made available at home allowing moms to have quality time with the family.  So when  you are caught in the same situation, just dial 8-7000 (Jollibee Delivery) or log on to www.jollibeedelivery.com (Metro Manila only) . For the complete list of delivery numbers, check out www.jollibee.com.ph.

Greenwich Pasta Supreme dlites

Greenwich Pizza recently released the latest addition to their Pasta Supreme line – the Pasta Supreme DLite!

Boasting of 70% less fat* by using healthy ingredients like olive oil and spinach noodles, Greenwich had the girl’s predisposition to be figure-conscious in mind when they came up with the Pasta Supreme dlite variants Tuna Tomato and Shrimp Aglio Olio.

*The fat comparison is versus the saturated fat from other existing Greenwich pasta.

The Tuna Tomato is a mix of chunky tuna, black olives, tomato, and as mentioned – the spinach noodles. Aside from the ingredients, it’s the spicy kick which sets it apart. (Photo Above)

Greenwich Shrimp Aglio Olio

The Shrimp Aglio Olio is the ‘sosyal‘ one with shrimps, olive oil, and chopped mushroom which I initially mistook for ground beef (lol). 🙂

Thsi is not me, ok? 🙂

On the side note, I tried these last month at the same time when Greenwich released the Limited Edition Level Up Pinoy Shirts.

For those who want it on the lips but not on the hips, try the new Greenwich Pasta Supreme DLites in selected fast casual stores like Greenwich Megamall.

Win Big Prizes from Red Kimono‘s “My Maki Masterpiece Challenge” as they celebrate their fifth year of serving modern Japanese cuisine.

Get a chance to win P5,000 in cash and P5,000 gift certificates by being one of the Top 5 winners. Moreover, your creative Maki recipes will be featured in Red Kimono’s Maki Masterpiece menu.

Red Kimono Modern Japanese Cuisine

No worries even if you are a kitchen newbie as the ‘maki‘ requirements are lenient. No specific rules with your recipes and way of cooking as long as it’s a ‘roll‘ and is ‘nomnom’-able. 🙂

Mechanics:

1. Submit your creative maki recipe with title and a photo.
2. Include your name, contact number and email address as well your story or inspiration behind your masterpiece.
3. Only one entry per participant.
4. Submit your entry via email mymakimasterpiece@gmail.com or in any Red Kimono branch in CD format

Deadline for Submission

• July 29, 2010 (extended from the July 25 earlier announcement)

Perks & Prizes:

• 5,000 in cash and P5,000 in Gift Certificates
• Feature in Red Kimono’s Maki Masterpiece menu
• Feature in print, TV and radio publicity

Red Kimono My Maki Masterpiece Challenge

Judging and awarding of the top 10 finalists will take place on July 31 at Red Kimono Fort branch. Five best makis will be chosen by judges including Ricky De Vera (Philippine Marketing Association Chair), Dr. Edgardo Rodriguez (Dean of Enderun College), DJ Rob Joseph (Wine Merchants and Ralph Wines & Spirits), Carlos Celdran, and Tweetie De Leon Gonzales.

For any inquiries on Red Kimono‘s “My Maki Masterpiece Challenge,” you may check www.redkimono.com.ph call 0917.822.5757 or 577.8382.