Entries Tagged 'Beverage' ↓

TGi Friday’s

The weather man last night just said in the news that the days will get hotter in the Philippines with 35+ degrees Celsius and up! Summer gets more intense and  we need to catch up on the outdoors as T.G.I.Friday’s kicks off the summer with a new bar menu.

The first American casual dining chain in the Philippines that is T.G.I.Friday’s has updated their bar list to include a wide array of affordable drinks such as the Ultimate drinks, beer on tap at P60, local bottled beer at P75 and beer by the bucket for only P350.

TGI Friday’s Red Card

Cocktails are also available starting at P125 including your favorite staples Long Island Tea, Bahama Mama, Kamikaze, and 77 Sunset Strip. Moreover, the Refillable Mojito craze continues everyday at P295. Whether you’re the life of the party or just winding after work, TGIF’s new beverage menu has something for you.

Furthermore, T.G.I Friday’s free Red Card is already available starting this month for the buy-one, take-one on cocktails every Thursday.

Stars Behind the Bar and Red Card

Another highlight this month at T.G.I Friday’s is the first leg of the ‘Stars Behind the Bar‘ tour, which includes a showcase of celebrity bartenders, free drinks, and a chance to learn basic flairs and cocktails.

T.G.I.Friday’s is known for popularizing flair tending, and hosted the first known flair bartending competition in the US in 1985. This time, the featured bartenders mostly came from the previous Shake, Rattle, and Pour Bartending Championship now on its 18th year.

The Stars Behind the Bar (left-right, top-bottom): Ronilo “The Showstopper” Bautista (Mall of Asia), Aldrin “The One” Javar (TriNoMa), Michael “Unstoppable”Rabago (Glorietta), Genrev “The Revolution” Bacasno (Tomas Morato), Gino “The Bomb” Simbillo (Marquee Mall Pampanga), Junjun “The Entertainer” Marcelo (Malate),

In partnership with Stolichnaya Vodka, catch the “Stars Behind the Bar” tour at the following venues:

• Bonifacio High Street – March 21, April 11 and 25, and May 9
• Glorietta – March 22, April 12 and 26, and May 10
• Mall of Asia – April 4 and May 16
• Eastwood – April 5 and May 17
• TriNoma – April 14 and May 4
• Malate – April 18 and May 23
• Alabang Town Center – April 19 and May 24
• Tomas Morato – May 2 and 30
• Robinsons Galleria – May 3 and 31

TGI Fridy’s Electric Lemonade, Margarita, ans Smoothie

So, Taste the Love this summer with T.G.I.Friday’s new bar menu, Red Card, and ‘Stars Behind the Bar’ tour! Know more about these at http://fridays.com.ph/, Facebook #welovefridays , and Twitter @Fridaysphil.

Likas sa pamilyang Pilipino ang palaging magkakasama – sa hapunan, sa pamamasyal, at sa iba’t-iba pang okasyon. “Isang malaki at masayang pamilya,” ika nga.

Max’s Restaurant in Lipa City, Batangas

Ang aking pamilya ay mula Lipa City sa probinsiya ng Batangas. Doon nagkatagpo ang aking mga magulang at doon sila nagsimula ng kanilang pamilya. Subalit ako’y ipinanganak sa Maynila, dito rin ako nag-aral at nagtapos. Sa makatuwid, dito na ako lumaki…malayo sa kanila. Ngunit tuwing may mga okasyon tulad ng kaarawan at Pasko, sinisigurado kong makakauwi ako.

Ngunit may mga panahon talagang mahirap maiwasan tulad ng nakaraang Disyembre kung saan ako’y nagbagong taon sa Bulacan kapiling ang aking kasintahan at ang kanyang pamilya. Ito ay aming napagkasunduan dahil sa Batangas naman kami nag-Pasko, kasama naman ang aking pamilya.

Max’s Restaurant Website & Online Delivery

Ngayong ako’y nagbabalik-tanaw, bigla kong naalala ang Max’s Restaurant at ang kakaibang paraan nila nang pag-order at pag-deliber. Sa pagsipat ng www.maxschicken.com gamit ang iyong kompyuter o telepono na konektdo sa Internet, makikita na isa sa paraan ng pag-order ‘online‘ ay ang ‘Delivery Now‘ o ‘Deliver Later‘ at pwede ko itong ipa-deliber sa iba’t-ibang lugar sa Pilipinas.

Naisip ko na kahit wala ako sa Batangas sa piling ng aking mga magulang, pwede ko itong gamitin na pang-sorpresa sa kanila. Pwede akong magpa-deliber ng ‘sarap-to-the-bones‘ fried chicken, Kare-Kare, Crispy Pata, Pancit Canton, o kahit Sinigang! Kakaiba, hindi ba!  Para kaming ‘sama-sama kahit malayo!’ 🙂

Max’s Chicken on facebook

Magandang ideya rin ito para sa mga kababayan nating OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers). Kahit nasaan man sila sa mundo, kahit wala sila dito sa Pilipinas, pwede silang umorder at magbayad gamit ang internet at surpresang darating ang Max’s Chicken sa kaarawan ng kanyang mahal sa buhay o sa pagtatapos ng kanyang anak na parang nandoon din siya sa kasiyahan.

Salo-salo kahit malayo!

Panoorin ninyo ang napakagandang video na ito:

At siyempre, nandiyan parin ang Max’s Delivery hotline 7-9000 para sa regular na pagpapadeliver. Nasasabik na akong subukan ang kakaibang pag-order na ito sa www.maxschicken.com. Sino ba ang may nalalapit na kaarawan? 🙂

Jalapenos and more!

No, this is not an advance Valentine’s Day post. It has nothing to do with Valentine’s Day, actually. 🙂 The Bistro Group of restaurants, known for their international and casual dining brands, has just launched their latest campaign called “Taste the Love.”

Taste the Love

Taste the Love is not a promo per se, it’s about inviting diners to taste the love behind their every restaurant concept launched. The campaign celebrates a series of milestones for The Bistro Group including:

• the opening of 50 restaurants spread across the 12 resto concepts
• the appointment of Corporate Chef Josh Boutwood
• the launch of its Premiere Card.

BBQ Pork Slider from Village Tavern

The Bistro Group of Restaurants

12 Restaurant Concepts

Modern Shanghai is one of the four freshest name in the group which brings authentic recipes in a homey environment. Village Tavern, Watami, and Ma Maison, completes the group having come from the US and Japan ( for the latter two).

The Bistro Group of restaurants is composed of TGI Friday’s, Italianni’s, Fish & Co., Flapjacks, Pig Out!, Krazy Garlik, The Stock Market, Bulgogi Brothers , and the previously mentioned restaurants.

But within the 1st quarter if 2013, expect the US-based Chuck E. Cheese’s to be the 13th as it opens at the New Glorietta soon.

Village Tavern Bonifacio High Street, Philippines

Apple-Carrot Juice

Chef Josh Boutwood

Chef Josh Boutwood

Together with the arrival of Chef Boutwood is the launch of new dishes as well. Among the favorites in the list are Sesame Teriyaki Chicken Wings, the Fully Loaded Sweet Potato Skins (Village Tavern), and the a la carte Katsu Menu (Ma Maison). NomNom Club‘s favorite is the Black Pizza (black due to the squid ink mixed with the dough), also from Village Tavern.

Penne with Pesto from Italianni’s

The Premiere Card

The Bistro Group Premiere Card will offer multiple discounts up to 40% off the total bill; complimentary appetizers, coffee, and tea; as well as birthday treats for the cardholder.

In addition, for February, The Bistro Group is offering an exclusive deal for Citibank cardholders. From February 4-7, cardholders will receive 50% off food and beverage orders worth at least P2,500, with a discount up to P5,000.

Ms. Lisa Ronquillo

“Taste the Love is not just about food. It’s about the heart and the passion that goes into everything we do, from our concepts to our locations to our service to of course, our food… we allow our customers to taste the love from the moment they get hungry and think about our restaurants to the time they have polished off every bite,” says Lisa Ronquillo, AVP Marketing of The Bistro Group.

‘Taste the Love‘ from all the Bistro Group of Restaurants starting this 2013! I wonder what other upcoming deals, menu items, and treats they will dish out soon?

Top Food Blogger Anton Diaz at the Cucina Andare Opening

We often visualize trucks as big nasty vehicles on the road. The nearest I could associate it with food are the fruit-delivery trucks from the provinces or the ones used by caterers and big restaurants.

But the Philippine foodie scene just got better as the group behind Mercato Centrale night market, led by Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet and author/celebrity RJ Ledsema, brings the US concept of food trucks to the Philippines. Hence, Cucina Andare was born two nights ago.

Cucina Andare Food Truck Finds: (L-R, T-B) Brother’s Burger, Bundaberg Apple Ale, Chicken Waffle, Beef Shawarma Plare

Mexicombi (Van)

Just in time for the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, the Cucina Andare food truck market is located at the Glorietta Park in front of Greenbelt 3, Landmark, and Makati Shangri-La Hotel. It will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4pm– 3am for the whole of December which started Last December 14, 2012.

It brings together specialty and gourmet food trucks, new and innovative food, drink and pastry vendors from home-based food businesses from around Makati plus some live acoustic performances.

“The food truck is a staple in the American foodie scene…There are now popular gourmet food trucks in San Francisco, New York and Australia, and people follow them wherever they go. We believe it’s about time that food trucks make their debut in the Philippine foodie scene,” shares top food blogger Anton Diaz.

Upper Left: Hungry Rover’s UD Beef Kofta Sliders (Mini Burgers) made of grilled patties, veggies, choice of sauce, and cheese in baked buns with chips on the side. P110

They also launched the Food Truck Association of the Philippines during the opening of the market to encourage more food trucks vendors and related innovative ideas. I think this is the start of a new niche in the Philippine food retail industry.

And what did NomNom Club do there? What else but to eat! And here are our TOP FINDS from the first Philippine food truck market :

1. Gab Sobrepena’s Shawarma Bros Shawarma Truck
   

   Shawarma Bros

2. Hungry Rover truck by Romeo, Joseph, and Voltaire
   

   Hungry Rover: Check out their US Beef Tapa Grilled Wraps for P120

3. QKebab Shawarma Truck by Chef RJ Ungco
   

   QKebab Shawarma Truck by Chef RJ Ungco

4. Brothers Burger Gourmet Burger Truck
   

   Brothers Burger Gourmet Burger Truck

5. Bundaberg Ginger Beer
   

   Bundaberg Ginger Beer & Other Variants

6. GuacTruck Taco Truck – a partnership with the Big Chill
   

   GuacTruck Taco Truck – a partnership with the Big Chill (lower right)

7. MioGelati Gelato Truck
   

   MioGelati Gelato Truck

Best Food Truck

Since the new food truck market is so eye-catching, we can’t help but compare and judge them.  The best-tasting food for the night came from Shawarma Bros courtesy of the Beef Shawarma plate while the Best Food Truck Design goes to QKebab Shawarma & Shawarma  Bros.

QKebab Shawarma Truck

Beef Shawarma Plate by Shawarma Bros

On the other hand, the Best Food Truck Experience belongs to the Hungry Rover truck which even have a dining area inside the truck (good for about 8 people.) for the complete food truck experience.

Hungry Rover Truck

Other food establishments who participated in the food truck market include Mexicombi, Chicken Waffle Haus, Taclings,  Top Dog  Best Hotdogs on the World, Cakes by K, Carlo’s Kitchen, Petra & Pilar, the Spanish Club, and Chef Resty’s Roast Beef Carving Station, among others.

B. Wings creates a unique mix of buffalo wing variants

Taclings’ small malunggay tacos for about P120 a dozen

Cucina Andare Food Truck Market

Know more about Cucina Andare Food Truck Market via www.facebook.com /CucinaAndare and @CucinaAndare on Twitter. Contact them at admin@CucinaAndare.com or 09178401152. See you there again next Friday!

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.

I have loved the Smart C+ beverage since it first came out in the market. In fact, I already blogged about Smart C+ highlighting its Vitamin C content way back in 2011.

Smart C+ Everyday!

Until today, Smart C remains to be my favorite ready-to-drink juice. I like that it is not similar to the usual juices we have in the market nowadays which are just overly-hyped and overly sweet.

A few days ago, we got another surprise from Oishi  emphasizing Smart C+ as a healthy drink to boost the immune system for everyday drinking. It  is also the company’s first venture in the ready-to-drink category.

Slater Young of PBB

“…refreshing way to boost your immune system – Smart C+ Fruit Drink. With 500mg of Vitamin C in every 500ml bottle, you can cope with the daily demands of your life which then makes you unstoppable and ready whenever, wherever.“

They also introduced Slater Young, the latest Pinoy Big Brother Big Winner, as their newest celebrity endorser.

Smart C+

Smart C+ comes in three thirst-quenching flavors – Lemon Squeeze, Orange Crush, and Pomelo Grapefruit – the last one is my favorite!

One 500ml bottle’s 500mg Vitamin C is equivalent to either 11 lemons, 8 oranges, or 4 grapefruits! Vitamin C also enables the body to produce collagen, a protein essential to every cell of the body.

Moreover, Smart C+ contains no added preservatives, zero artificial coloring and zero artificial sweeteners. It also comes in 350 ml PET bottles and soon in 1 liter bottles. How about you, have you tried Smart C+?

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

Starbucks Planner 2013 Philippines

It’s that time of the year again when Starbucks Philippines releases their annual Starbucks Planners. Now on it’s 10th year, the Starbucks Planner 2013 set comes in 3 symbolically fiber leather cover colors representing their brand – black, white, and green. If you’d notice, it’s the 3 colors of their continually evolving logo.

This year’s theme of the limited edition Starbucks Philippines 2013 Planner is “Moments of Connection.” They chose to highlight this throughout the planner to emphasize shared moments over coffee as a form of genuine connection to uplift someone’s day.

Inside Pages: First Calendar Month – January

Here, I have also compiled 13 reasons why you should get the Starbucks 2013 Planner:

1. White & Green Covers

Apple aficionados and La Sallites would rave about this, no doubt. The white one will surely complement my white iPad and imaginary white iPhone. The Starbucks La Salle branch along Taft Avenue would surely always run out of the green one.

Although I found the blackl one generic, it’s for the ‘classic‘ lovers who want to keep it low, plain, and simple. The white and green ones just stand out, they are for the creative-types who doesn’t mind the extra attention…like me. LOL

Starbucks Planner 2013: Green, White, Black

2. Textured Pattern Cover

Front-facing, the jagged-polygons / star-like pattern on the cover start from the left fading to right which lends a textured feel while not leaving the impression of being overly designed nor too plain, externally. Two thumbs up for this.

Textured Planner Cover

3. Environment-Friendly & Inside Cover Flow Design

The external pattern was intrinsically reiterated on the first page upon opening. It reminds us of the environment-conscious efforts of Starbucks traditional in their planners every year. The same goes for this year’s planners which are 70% made of recycled materials.

4. Reusable Notebook Cover (Refills maybe?)

Awesome is awesome. I never thought SBX would make a planner with a reusable cover like this. I only see plastic reusable notebook covers in standard bookstores. But Starbucks was able to consider about making this awesomely designed covers (refer to reasons #1 & #2) actually reusable.

Reusable Planner Cover: Notice the attachments of the paper notebook and the cover in the photo.

I’m just not sure if this is a preemptive move in preparation for Starbucks Planners 2014. Maybe the future ones would even be more environment-friendly as refills? I don’t know, this is just a hunch. 😛

5. Charity: SparkHope

Customary as well with the journal is a charity beneficiary for the project. Every redeemed Starbucks Planner 2013 comes a donation for the children of SparkHope – an early childhood care and development program. It’s Christmas season after all and it would be great to be of help with every sip of your favorite coffee.

Charity beneficiary: SparkHope

6. Weekly and Monthly Calendars

Of course, since it’s a planner, there are calendars (lol). Weekly and monthly calendars are there for you to actually fill and somehow organize your life schedule beyond just lugging around these awesome planners.

7. “Moments of Connection”

In line with their “Moments of Connection” theme, inspiring ‘connection‘ notes are placed in random dates to remind the planner aficionado to give a friend a pat at the back or to say ‘hi’ to a relative.

“Moments of Connection”

8. Post It notes, double adhesives & Postcards

To further enhance reason #7, built-in post-it notes and postcards are inserted in different months to share special thoughts and moments with someone you care for. It’s similar to your Facebook like and share button, only offline. 😛

Make an effort to make that someone feel extra special by giving him or her something non-digital (this reminder goes for me as well). 🙂

Post-Its & Postcards

9. Magnet Lock

I hate buttons for binders, they usually don’t last long and easily gives up to wear-and-tear even before the whole year is over. Solution – magnets! It makes that interesting tapping sound as well. Tap!

(See top photo)

10. Magnetic Bookmark

Remember the previous Starbucks Planner bookmarks with strings to divide the page? This year, they’re out. Magnet bookmarks are in. It’s a back-to-back hot beverage single-attached magnetic bookmark. However, since it’s basically two magnets, they tend to be too tight sometimes.

Magnetic Bookmark

If magnetic bookmarks are not your thing, you can cut it and viola, you have two Starbucks ref magnets! 🙂

11. Coupons

They’re calling them “kindness cards” this year. Call it whatever you want – freebies, discounts cards, promos, coupons!

Starbucks Planner 2013 Coupons

12. More Coupons

As they say, you can never have enough. So, you have a second page of more “kindness cards!”

More Freebie Coupons

13. Flip Book Style
Again, awesome is awesome, the inside pages have a Starbucks cup on the lower right side which starts empty in January and fills-up through the days and pages to a fully-filled beverage by December! An instant Flip Book!

Although I thought having the reverse would be more cute depicting ‘time running out‘, mine is a pessimistic way of looking at it. This one’s better, more positive. 🙂

Flip Book Pages

So how do you already have one of the 2013 Starbucks Planners? Click here to see how to get a Starbucks Planner 2013!

The 2013 Stamp Card which is more of a ‘paper’ than a card. 🙂

2013 Starbucks Planners

For my final verdict – the 2013 Starbucks Planners are the best Starbucks Planner set they have released in the Philippines in all 10 years. Reasons #1, #4, #10, and #13 are the major turn-ons for me which contributed to its minimalist and modern look. I love the green one best, followed by the white.