Sugar Factory American Brasserie Opened in Manila Today!

When NomNom Club got an invitation to try out the then soon-to-open Sugar Factory in BGC last week, we were excited for the expectedly “sweet” treats!

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Pizza or Dessert Pie?…It’s the New Greenwich Choco Banana Crisp!

Nutella used to be exclusive on my breakfast loafbread in the morning until Greenwich’s new Choco Banana Crisp came into the picture! 🙂

Pizza or Dessert Pie?

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Halo-Halo in Tokyo Tokyo?

Tokyo Tokyo

Tokyo Tokyo’s “Halo-Halo”

Can you feel the afternoon heat rising as the days go by? Although the Philippine weather bureau says it’s not yet officially summer in the Philippines, Pinoy foodies are certainly already looking for summer heat quenchers such as the famous Halo-Halo….and Tokyo Tokyo might just have what you are looking for! Continue reading →

Restaurants at the Ayala Triangle Gardens

The Ayala Triangle Gardens was then just a garden behind the business-heavy Makati Stock Exchange within the Makati Central Business District. But in the recent months, Ayala Land developed it further and now morphed into a leisure park complemented with a line of restaurants and dining places to enjoy – chat with a friend, nourish oneself after a healthy jog, or simply binge to your heart’s content. 🙂

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Ayala Triangle Gardens

And indeed, I got the chance to somewhat ‘binge‘ a few weeks ago with friends. This was actually my second time at the Ayala Triangle Gardens. My first was a dinner of authentic Hainanese Chicken Rice at the famous Wee Nam Kee from Singapore. And after that night, I swore to be back and try the other restaurants.

And so it was. This time, I made sure I came earlier, which was in the afternoon.

Banapple

Similar to a famous food blog, dessert comes first. We took it the other way around and first indulged in Banapple. Aside from the usual Banapple Pie, we also had their in-season cake – Banana Starry-berry Custard Cheesecake.

Banapple

Banapple

BonChon Original Chicken

Next stop was Bon Chon. We got a small order each of the Korean chicken wings in soy garlic (non-spicy) and of course, the ‘Hot & Spicy one. They took care of the latter while I feasted on the former.

BonChon Chicken

BonChon Chicken

A small order of 6pcs. cost P185 while a medium order (12pcs) is P365. They also have drumsticks, chicken combo and chicken chops. In any variant, you’ll love the different crunch of the interestingly-breaded chicken skin.

Pho 24

It’s Vietnamese food, and I am most delighted with the traditional Vietnamese Pho Noodle Soup served to us. Complete with condiments served on the side, it included beansprout (taw-ge) and lemon slices, among others. The soup was both filling and internally refreshing as common in most oriental soup.

PHO 24

PHO 24

If you want to make it more exciting to taste, you can also add some Sriracha Hot Chili sauce by the table side.

* Expect a dedicated blog post on what else we had on each of my Banapple, BonChon, and Pho24 experiences. 🙂

Almost all the restaurants offered an open al fresco dining experience facing the greens of Ayala Triangle Gardens.

MOMO Cafe & CBTL Soon!

MOMO Cafe & CBTL Soon!

Chef Laudico's BFast

Chef Laudico's BFast

Other restaurants include Amici, Cara Mia, Omakase, and Chef Laudico’s Bfast for an all-day breakfast menu. There were some shops which are stilll under construction though. But it won’t be long before we can try Momo Café, my darling Kanin Club, C.B.D., and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL).

Golden Spoon

Golden Spoon

Next on my restaurant list when I come back at the Ayala Triangle Gardens is Golden Spoon for their frozen yogurt delights. I’ll be bringing a ‘golden fork‘ to complete the pair. 🙂

Desserts & Burgers Over the Weekend

It’s all about a dessert expo called “Sweet Surrender” and Brothers Burger at 50% off!

Organized by Goodfellas Productions, an upcoming dessert expo for desserts enthusiasts this November 13, 2010 (6pm) will be held at Sitio Elena along Ortigas Extension, Metro Manila

Sweet Surrender Desserts Expo

Sweet Surrender Desserts Expo

For tickets and other inquiries, text /call Stephanie So at 09175185188 or email thesweetsurrender@gfp@gmail.com. Free invites for bloggers, media and photographers. Dinner and cockail will be served. After party starts 12mn.

Nomnomnom…

Brothers Burger

Brothers Burger 50% Off

Brothers Burger 50% Off

Ok, this is past the weekend already. On November 15, 2010, Brothers Burger are on 50% off!

Brothers Burger branches at Convergys, Magallanes, Tomas Morato, Megamall, Malate, Ortigas, Capitol Hills, and Pasong Tamo will be cutting their Big Brothers Burger prices in half from 11am to 10pm as a Thanskgiving Gift. maximum of 20 burgers per guests only.

It’s a weekend of desserts and Brothers Burgers!

Gluttony Fest at Gino’s Eats and Beats in Makati

I gave in to Spanky’s prodding for some comfort food at a newly opened foodie spot in Jupiter street in Makati Gino’s Eats and Beats – and pulled along 5 more friends.

Gino’s is conveniently located a stone’s throw away from Fiamma and immediately beside The Distillery. The place is not that big but cozy and has a modern feel. It was no surprise that the interiors of this concept restaurant was designed by Team Manila.

Mushroom & Artichoke Spread

Mushroom & Artichoke Spread

And so we grabbed the green and stylish menu and placed some orders. 15 minutes later, the dishes started to come one by one. I think we ordered a little too much, even for a group of 7. It’s good we were still awaiting for a couple of more friends – Jane and her Bubba. 🙂

The resto-bar-type restaurant has a TV monitor which showcased the menu food photos. This certainly was a big factor in our ordering pattern. 🙂

Gino's Dumplings

Gino's Dumplings

But looks can be tricky, the taste buds should decide.

First on the spotlight is the Greatest Cheese Quesadillas (P305 – Top Photo). Beef Quesadillas are one of my favorite pica-picas, adding loads of cheese on top just gives it more umph!

Eggs Benedict

Eggs Benedict

This was followed by more appetizers namely Mushroom and Artichoke Spread (P160), Gino’s Dumplings (P195), a pair of Eggs Benedict (P185), and Grilled Sausage with Cheese Sauce (P220). This one’s on cheese overload, nomnomnom!

Then here comes a fiesta of platters initiated by the Fried Platter (P430) with more cheesy combinations of cheese logs, baby squid poppers, and Risotto mashed potato balls served with roasted bell pepper sauce and aioli.

Grilled Sausage with Cheese Ssauce

Grilled Sausage with Cheese Ssauce

Fried Platter

Fried Platter: Cheese Logs, Baby Squid Poppers, Risotto Mashed Potato Balls served with roasted bell pepper sauce and aioli

Grilled Sticks Platter

Grilled Sticks Platter: 12 sticks of Pork Asian BBQ, Chicken Barbeque in peanut sauce, Pork Pinoy BBQ, and Curry Pork BBQ

The Grilled Sticks Platter (P430) followed consisting of 12 sticks of Pork Asian BBQ, Chicken Barbeque in peanut sauce, Pork Pinoy BBQ, and Curry Pork BBQ

The spicy-lovers dared for a Wings Platter (P405) with 9 pcs of Buffalo wings, Hoisin Honeys and Honey Mustard and carrot sticks.I’m not too sure if it should be spicy…because it’s not. 🙂

Wings Platter

Wings Platter: 9 pcs of Buffalo wings, Hoisin Honeys and Honey Mustard and Carrot Sticks

By this time, we were feeling loaded but temptation keeps coming in.

A luscious-looking burger comes into the scene called Greatest Longganisa Burger (P185). It’s actually named Greatest Longga Burger. Sans 100% pure beef, a longganisa burger is almost always better because the Filipino longgnisa is juicier in nature than regular beef. It’s as juicy and flavorful as it is oily and sinful; again with cheese on top. Woah!

Greatest Longga Burger

Greatest Longga Burger

Jane and Chris finally arrives to the rescue. They didn’t have to order anything as the Grilled Chicken with Mushroom Sauce (P245), the scrumptious Grilled Shrimp Scampi (P270), Angus Belly Salpicao (P270), and Stir Fried Pork and Tofu (P220) also came after them. 🙂

Grilled Chicken with Mushroom SauceAngus Belly SalpicaoStir Fried Pork and Tofu

Grilled Chicken with Mushroom Sauce, Angus Belly Salpicao, and Stir Fried Pork and Tofu

Grilled Shrimp Scampi

Grilled Shrimp Scampi

I had to surrender to the last three dishes and passed on Marsala Pork Chop (P210), Greatest Adobo Flakes (P185), and Beef Garlic Tender Tips.

Marsala Pork ChopGreatest Adobo FlakesBeef Garlic Tender Tips

Marsala Pork Chop, Greatest Adobo Flakes, and Beef Garlic Tender Tips

Nonetheless for NomNom, there’s always room for desserts! 🙂

Gino’s Desserts: Greatest Panna Cotta (P150), Greatest French Toast (P150), Greatest Mango Jubilee(P150), and Gino’s Greatest Vanilla Sundae(P125).

They were all good, creamy, sweet, and sinfully delicious!

Gino's Desserts

Gino's Desserts: Greatests - Panna Cotta, French Toast, & Mango Jubilee

Gino's Greatest Vanilla Sundae

Gino's Greatest Vanilla Sundae

While only Gino’s Dumplings need improvement for my taste, my top three highly recommend ones are the Greatest Cheese Quesadillas, Grilled Sausage with Cheese Sauce, Eggs-Benedict, and Greatest Longganisa Burger. Ok man, they’re four! – so what? 🙂

Interestingly, dinner service ‘eats‘ time is from 6 to 10pm as Gino’s turn into ‘beats‘ with house and hiphop music 10pm onwards. Moreover, you can cross order wines and liquores from The Distillery vis-a-vis order Gino’s from The Distillery. 🙂

By the way, Gino’s is also open for lunch with set meals at only P100 for the Makati office crowd. It opens Mondays-Fridays 11am3pm. They open again at 6pm for dinner onwards. And of course, a blogger’s best friend – free Wi-Fi! 🙂 Take note however, that their menu is still in the adoption phase and some dishes might change from the menu.

They’re located at Unit A, Ground Level, Valdelcon Building, 20 Jupiter Street, Makati. (632) 519 1272 / (63) 917 885 6969 .

Gino's Eats & Beats

Gino's Eats & Beats

I will end this article with something for you to think about: why do you think most of the menu items have the “Greatest” before ’em? 🙂

Just look at the pictures and tell me you will not try Gino’s Eats and Beats in Jupiter for at least once in your life. Tell me!

Creative Ways To Prepare Your Magic Creams (with John Lloyd ?)

Well, not actually “with” celebrity/actor John Lloyd Cruz.

John lloyd Cruz with Magic

John lloyd Cruz with Magic

It just so happened that John Lloyd Cruz is the latest main man endorser of Jack n’ Jill Magic. Being one of the country’s biggest food manufacturers, Universal Robina Corporation (URC) chose John Lloyd Cruz based on his background and credibility as an endorser.

“For me, magic is something that has no formula, something you just cannot create,” John Lloyd shares. “What I’ve achieved in the business is no joke. But it couldn’t have been all hard work and talent. There has to be some kind of magic that made things work out.”

Jack 'n Jill Magic - John Lloyd Presscon

Jack 'n Jill Magic - John Lloyd Presscon

They also appreciated John lloyd’s versatility as an actor which is comparable to Magic’s varied product lines of biscuits and snacks composed of six varieties namely:  Magic Flakes (Onion Chives, Cheese and Chocolate), Magic Thins, Magic Coated, Magic Creams, Magic Roundwich, and Magic Chips.

“There is truly more to him than being a dynamic actor. It’s like he works a kind of magic on and off screen to make life more exciting, and that is what our product is all about—living a life filled with fun, excitement and spontaneity, ” said Teree Eugenio, VP for URC Snackfoods 2, at the recently held press launch for Jack ‘n Jill Magic at Bar One in Crowne Plaza, Ortigas

John Lloyd Cruz thinking of Nomnoming

John Lloyd Cruz thinking of Nomnoming

Walnut Cake w/ Magic

Walnut Cake w/ Magic

While the press conference was made enjoyable by the comic performances of Silly People’s Improv Theater or SPIT. Everyone had a hearty lunch where some of the food were made from Magic flakes and creams.

Allow me to share the photos with you:

Chocolate Mousee Magic Roundwich

Chocolate Mousee Magic Roundwich

The first (topmost photo)  is the Walnut Cake with Magic Chocolate Coated Crumble.(left photo) This is the best dessert in the table

The second is Chocolate Mousse with Magic Creams Roundwich Choc-o-licious. (right photo)

And finally, Fish Fillet in Magic Flakes Savory Cracker Dust sauce and Brasied Vegetable Chinese Style. (photo below)

Fish Fillet in Magic Flakes Savory Cracker Dust and Brasied Vegetable Chinese Style.

Fish Fillet in Magic Flakes Savory Cracker Dust and Brasied Vegetable Chinese Style.

Magic Variants

Magic Variants

One main dish and two desserts, these three are just some of the creative ways you can prepare your Magic flakes or creams; beside John Lloyd Cruz or otherwise. 🙂

*URC are also the manufacturers of C2 and Yin Yang CoolingTea.

The Ultimate Taste Test 4.0 in Photos

ManilaQ Corned Beef Pansigang

ManilaQ's Corned Beef Pansigang

The Ultimate Taste Test 4.0 was concluded a  few hours ago – May 14 – at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

I’m usually slow in publishing my stories taking a few days or more. So, I’m first releasing some of the photos I took earlier in the Ultimate Taste Test 4.0 foodie event organized by Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet and hosted by foodies Ivan Man Dy and Spanky Enriquez.

Marty's Baconette Strips Snack (chichirya)

Marty's Baconette Strips Snack (chichirya)

A lot happened and so much food consumed within the three solid hours of food tasting by more than 1000 foodies being served by about 50 food suppliers.

There’s even a voting / ranking system of the best tasting food in the UTT.

For now, feel free to feast on some photos of the Ultimate Lamon, este, Tasting event:

Main Courses / Entrees

Denim Kitchen

Denim Kitchen

Ultimate taste Test Lechon

Ultimate taste Test Lechon

The Fruit Garden

The Fruit Garden (leftmost top), Happy Green (Right bottom)

Ultimate Taste Test 4.0 - ManilaQ

Ultimate Taste Test 4.0 - ManilaQ

Empanada Avenue

Empanada Avenue

Roast DucK Siopao

Roast DucK Siopao

Desserts:

Chocolate Moist Cake

Chocolate Moist Cake

Purple Dough Desserts

Purple Dough Desserts

Frozen Meringue by Tina Raines

Frozen Meringue by Tina Raines

Dulceline Gourmets

Divinr Drsserts (Leftmost Top ); Dulceline Gourmets (Leftmost Bottom); Monterey (Upper Right)

Kraze Kitch Bakeshop

Kraze Kitch Bakeshop

Ultimate Taste Test Desserts

Ultimate Taste Test Desserts (I forgot the dessert place name) 🙂

More Brands

ManilaQ, Crave Burger, Muscovy, Swirls

ManilaQ, Crave Burger, Muscovy, Swirls

The People / Crowd

Mombloggers (upper left); Performers (lower left); Bobby Yan (lower right)

Mombloggers (upper left); Performers (lower left); Bobby Yan (lower right)

Arpee Lazaro of Aqua Health Alkaline Water

Arpee Lazaro of Aqua Health Alkaline Water

Ella Ganda's Liempo (upper left); college orgmates (upper center); Crave Burger (upper right)

Ella Ganda's Liempo (upper left); college orgmates (upper center); Crave Burger (upper right)

Ivan Man Dy

Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks (night's host with Spanky Enriquez)

Ultimate Taste Test 4.0

Ultimate Taste Test 4.0

The stories behind the photos and my recommendations of the Ultimate Taste Test 4 will follow in a few days so visit this blog again to check out which servings made it to NomNom‘s top list. 🙂