Entries Tagged 'New Brews' ↓

Simply Thai Restaurant

Indulge your Thai cravings at the new restaurant at Greenbelt 5 called Simply Thai. Owned by the same group of the successful Thai at Silk in Serendra, Executive Chef Cecile Chang-Ysmael yet again left no stone unturned for this newest endeavor, giving the classic Thai cuisine a modern-contemporary approach.

Her passion for Thai dishes is infallible, constantly in search for the best ingredients and supplies in her second home, Bangkok, to bring authenticity to Filipino diners and weary travelers who craves for a hearty Thai meal that only she can serve best.

Your Thai cravings will surely be satisfied with wide ranges of soup, salad, stir-fried dishes and many more. To name some of their bestsellers are the appetizing Yam Som O or the Pomelo Salad, North Thai Steak in jim-jaew sauce, Lamb Shank Mussaman Curry, Pork Stew in Coconut Juice, Choo chee Roti, Sriracha buffalo wings, and the famous air-flown Dungeness Crab in three sauces. The spiciness level can be adjusted to your liking.

Bar, Simply Thai

Complete the flavors of Thai with a brewed Thai Green Milk Tea, Thai Milk Tea, Lemongrass and Pandan Juices. Relax and take a sip of some cocktails which are the first in Manila such as Lemongrass Martinis, Thai Choco Dream and Melodious Mangorita! The quaint restaurant comes with a circular bar for diners who prefer to lounge outdoors.

Let Simply Thai give you the whole Bangkok experience in one amazing night with your family and friends.

Simply Thai accepts booking for events, private parties and the like, with a choice of main or garden al fresco dining in Greenbelt 5. Call 7290860 or 7296860 for reservations.

*Written by resident NomNomClub writer Renz Alcantara.

Kenny Rogers Roasters invited NomNomClub over to one of their branches before the Holy Week to try out their new Hainanese Chicken offering and frozen yoghurt.

Going Hainanese

Yes, you read that right. Food chain Kenny Rogers Roasters is giving it’s customers a break from their usual offering. From rotisserie chicken, they’re now serving Hainanese Chicken! It’s stil chicken, nonetheless.

Singaporean Hainanese Chicken

For a Singaporean food lover like me, this piqued my curiosity. Kenny’s Hainanese Chicken was served with the traditional soup and a set of three sauces namely ginger, dark-sweet soy, and chili.

The sauces were good but I was surprised that the chicken itself was a combination of white and dark meat; and with bones.

In Singapore where Hainanese Chicken is at the level of a national dish, they only serve white meat; and with barely any bones.

Dark Meat & Bones

It’s good that the chicken meat was tender though. The rice was also commendable and aromatic as it should be but the soup was too salty and needs improvement.

Kenny’s management clarified that this was part of their differentiation from the usual and ‘making it their own’. A serving of the 1/4 poached chicken is priced at P185.

Frozen Yoghurt FTW!

KRR Frozen Yoghurt while working on NomNomClub.com

Staying true to Kenny Rogers Roasters mission of providing healthy food, adding frozen yoghurt to their menu is a natural choice.

Something I’ve been expecting since they have yoghurt smoothies.

I arrived hours early in their event so I stayed in the public area and ordered their new frozen yoghurt.

I didn’t know they’ll have us try this one that night as well because the invitation only showed Hainanese Chicken.

🙂

Kenny Rogers Roasters Frozen Yoghurt

Anyway, so I had one while working online. I just had the plain one to appreciate the yoghurt itself without the fancies…and I liked it!

The quality and texture of the yoghurt was at par with the expensive ones we have around. I mentioned this aspect of pricing because I think this is their strongest point compared to other frozen yogurts. Starting only at P35, you could have a small sized plain yogurt. The biggie size is P55.

Graham (left); Mixed Fruit (right)

Yoghurt Add-Ons

The add-ons come with every P10 addition to the yoghurt base. For now, they have only 4 add-ons namely: Mango, Mixed Fruits, Brownie bits, and Grahams.

Needless to say, I tried all four that night to be able to compare all of them. The fruit-based ones are expectedly refreshing.

Aside from the fact that it’s cheapest among the four, I think they had grahams for the crunchy texture it provides. However, the grahams I got might have been crushed too much that most of it is in powdered form that can make the yoghurt rough and course to the taste and in the mouth. I’d suggest that they don’t crush it that much.

From the four that I have tried, I think the best combination is the fruity Mango and the chewy Brownie bits. Their contrast in texture, softness and taste was a perfect highlight to the tangy-sweet yoghurt. It is the best yoghurt for me in the aspect of taste vis-a-vis price point.

Frozen Yoghurt - Mango + Brownie Bits

Phil Younghusband of Team Azkals & Triathele Mica Tantuico

At the latter part of the program, the gathering lighted up when they introduced Kenny Rogers Roasters’ new sporty endorsers in the persons of Philippine Football Team Azkals starplayer Phil Younghusband together with professional triathele Mica Tantuico. James Younghusband and surfer Lorraine Lapus complete the line-up but they were not able to attend that night.

Kenny Rogers Roasters Hainanese Chicken

In conclusion, the Hainanese Chicken was a so-so and needs more development. On the other hand, their price busting frozen yoghurt is highly recommended by NomNom. I am already excited for the new add-ons I heard Kenny Rogers Roasters will be coming out with soon!

When doing your groceries for yourself or for your family, you always want to buy items that are of great quality, and deals that give you the bang for your buck. For our current economical state, who would blame you? That’s why when I heard SM Hypermarket is introducing their newest finds; I could not pass the opportunity to join them during the launch.  True enough, I am happy to share with you healthier options that are very economical and worth your every peso.

Chefs were present during the launch to show us some recipes and cooking techniques using ingredients that we can all buy from SM Hypermarket (Spinach Patties – Top Photo).

Carrot & Pumpkin Soup (left) and Australian Lamb Pochero (right)

Hainanese Chicken, Chicken Fingers, and Mushroom Stuffed Red Capsicums (left-right)

Desserts by Gardenia were also showcased. It’s very easy to do and economical. Here’s how:

• Gardenia Tuna Maki Rolls
• Gardenia Frozen Delight

Braised Sea Cucumber (left); Mixed Seafood with Scallop (right)

The Fresh Finds at SM Hypermarket are truly the help we all need to survive a trying economy.  Head over to the nearest SM Hypermarket and try one of the dishes I mentioned above. For recipes, please contact me so I can send them to you via email.

This is your resident NomNom Club writer, Renz of Pinay Mommy Adreamer saying, our minds are like our stomachs; they are whetted by the change of their food and variety, so eat fresh to think fresh.

Century Bangus in Pack (available in groceries)

When Yoshinoya invited us to a bloggers’ dinner a few weeks ago to taste their newest addition to the menu, I did not expect much.

But when the Century Bangus Kabayaki was presented at Century Culinary Circle in Ortigas, I was pleasantly surprised.

Century Bangus Kabayaki

Specifically the belly part, the Century brand of bangus is lightly breaded and deep-fried. I also like the fact that the bangus belly serving is large enough, just right for the whole rice bowl.

Complementing the soft flesh of the bangus, it is glazed with a special Unagi-like kabayaki sauce which gives it the flavorful aroma and savory taste.

Kabayaki is the Japanese term that refers to filleted/deboned seafood dish dipped in a sweet soy-based sauce and grilled.

Yoshinoya Shrimp Katsu (left) & Century Bangus Kabayaki (right)

 

Yoshinoya Shrimp Katsu

Shrimp Katsu

The other dish is the Shrimp Katsu which is basically a deep-fried and breaded shrimp patty. The Shrimp Katsu pair I got comes with mixed vegetables and priced at P140. However, it came off too ordinary for me. I’d rather recommend you to get the Shrimp Katsu with Beef Bowl for just an additional P45 ( P185).

Yoshinoya Menu's Lenten Offerings

Back to Century Bangus Kabayaki

At P140, the Century Bangus Kabayaki meal comes with rice and bean sprouts. I always consume a minimal amount of rice as a personal weight-watch regimen. But with the Century Bangus Kabayaki, I was able to finish the whole bowl. 🙂

Tip: Although the bangus is deboned, it is not 100% boneless, eat it slowly and watch out for small bones. 🙂

Piolo Pascual & Century Bangus!

Piolo Pascual or not, I highly recommend this new Yoshinoya offering. 🙂 You have to try it soon because this will only last in Yoshonoya branches unitl mid-May 2011. Century Bangus Kabayaki is also fit for the upcoming Lenten season.

The Holy Week has traditionally started in the Philippines with Palm Sunday being yesterday. Here are Figaro‘s lenten special offerings for their customers to keep them satisfied without the guilt. 🙂

Kani Sandwich

Figaro’s Kani Sandwich is filled with yummy crab sticks and garnished with lettuce and tomatoes in potato bread. Although the bread quality could still be improved, I love the generous serving of crabsticks in between. More than that, it tastes really good and satisfying with the light mayo dressing packing ’em all together.

At P179, it is served with a salad  of lettuce and ripe tomatoes on the side (again) which is different from the one with the crab sticks to further compliment the filling.

Figaro Chili Sardine Angel Hair Pasta

Chili Sardine Angel Hair Pasta

The chili is actually light, which is good for me. Figaro’s Angel Hair Pasta is mixed with Spanish sardines sauteed in garlic, olive oil, dried chili flakes, onions and black olives. Tossed in angel hair pasta., it is further garnished with finely-chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese. All the  ingredients and its flavors make the whole serving a little complicated to the taste but they all blend well together for that sophisticated taste.

“The saltiness of the fish melts with the sour and salty taste of the black olives exploding in flavors of the spices, onions, garlic and chili flakes,” says an article I read. At P180, it is served with 2 toast bread on the side and a choice of beverage from Figaro coffee or the new Figaro’s Summer Frosts.

Figaro Kani Sandwich

However, in the end, I’m not really a fan of Sardines so  I still prefer the Kani Sandwich. 🙂 Both are shareable enough with the Kani sandwich being served as a pair of triangular slices.

Figaro is going “Light for Life” with their Lenten special snacks that is Kani Sandwich and Chili Sardine Angel Hair Pasta.

A yummy cool surprise greeted me last week when I flew back from Singapore – I found a set of Selecta Hershey’s Ice Cream Collection for sampling and review in our freezer. The flavors included Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate with Almonds, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Hershey’s Kisses. Awesome!

Hershey's Chocolate Shop in Universal Studios Singapore

It quickly gave me flashbacks of the Hershey’s chocolate store I just visited at the Universal Studios in Singapore right beside Resorts World Sentosa. It was a chocoholic’s dream come true going into a shop full of Hershey’s chocolates in all forms and variants.

(Flashback ends) Ok, back to the ‘now.’ All my friends know I’m an ice cream lover, in what ever brand or form it may come. Although of course, I do prefer some flavors over another.

Needless to say, I had to try all four flavors in four different sittings. And after trying out the Selecta Hershey’s Ice Cream flavors one by one, I tried them again all at the same time just to be sure in the ‘taste analysis’ I conducted myself. 🙂

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Ice Cream

And the verdicts are…..

Milk Chocolate

It’s Hershey’s classic milk chocolate transformed into ice cream. This is for the Hershey’s Milk Chocolate loyalists who wants it as it is and in no other way.

Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Almonds Ice Cream

Milk Chocolate with Almonds

This is my better version of the Milk Chocolate variant because of the chewy chocolate chips, thicker chocolate ripples, and nutty texture care of the almonds.

However, I do believe there’s still some room for more chocolate chips and roasted almonds. 😛

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Ice Cream

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

This is the odd one among the four. But that’s just me. I’m not a fan of Reese’s chocolates which explains everything.

But if you love Reese’s Chocolates or the peanut butter flavor, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t like this one as chunks of Reese’s peanut butter cups are spread all over.

Hershey's Kisses Ice Cream

Hershey’s Kisses

This one’s a twin swirl of milk chocolate and white chocolate ice cream sprinkled with cookie crumbles, chocolate ripples, and of course, bits of Hershey’s Kisses. I love how the whites gave my palette some rest from the slew of chocolate ice creams. 🙂

It was a hard choice for me in deciding between this and the Milk Chocolate with Almonds. In the end, I had to choose one.

There you go! Ice cream manufacturers understandably continue to try creating interesting ice cream flavors to satisfy the modern market’s ever demanding taste. But combining Unilever’s ice cream with one of the most loved chocolate brand on the world, how can it go wrong, right? 🙂

And the winner is…

All four variants has the same Hershey’s chocolate base that is undeniably creamy. But I like the mixture and added texture provided by the chocolate chips, almonds, and chocolate swirls of the Milk Chocolate with Almonds. It’s my winner with the Hershey’s Kisses coming in close second.

Hershey's Kisses Ice Cream (right) is my 2nd best choice

Pulling from their tagline “sarap ng weekend ‘pag may pure Hershey’s happiness,” I say weekend or no weekend, it’s an ice cream holiday for me, anytime, everytime.

Selecta Hershey’s Ice Cream Collection

The new Selecta Hershey’s Ice Cream Collection comes in 800mL (P135) and 1.5L (P240) packs and are now available in supermarkets, groceries or convenience stores nationwide. The Milk Chocolate variant is a priced a little lower at P125 and P225 for the 800mL and 1.5L, respectively.

Pizza Hut just got a new major major endorser for their new Stuffed Crust Pizza in the person of the charming and world class beauty titlist Maria Venus Raj.

You should be seeing the new TV commercials today introducing Venus Raj as Pizza Hut’s newest celebrity endorser in addition to Diether Ocampo.

Last night, in an intimate dinner with bloggers, we were introduced to Pizza Hut’s new TVC which exuded class and sophistication with Venus Raj clad in the evening gown she actually wore during the Miss Universe pageant where she won 4th Runner-Up.

Venus Raj & Pizza Hut Stuffed Crust Pizza

You would see more of this TVC tonight at the Bb. Pilipinas Beauty Pageant Grand Coronation Night on ABS-CBN.

Pizza Hut’s Stuffed Crust pizza

A product of creativity preferred to be eaten backwards by some, Pizza Hut has long introduced the Stuffed Crust Pizza – cheese baked right into the crust. This time around, Pizza Hut is treating its customers with 25% more cheese as a thanksgiving of sorts.

“We noted the Filipinos love for cheese, and this is evident in every dish we do at home thus, we made our New Stuffed Crust Pizza even cheesier with 25% more major, major cheese; for Filipinos to enjoy. As we are the only Pizza Restaurant that serves Stuffed Crust, we made sure that this re-launch will hit it big to our consumers by adding more cheese as a way of thanking them in loving our Stuffed Crust Pizza through the years” says Edgar Allan L. Caper, Advertising and Promotions Manager of Pizza Hut Philippines.

Interestingly, the 25% more cheese is not stuffed to the crust, but as a layer topping.

For the budget conscious, take advantage of their P499 promo which already includes 2 family stuffed crust pizza or the P699 promo which includes more.

Major Major Stuffed Crust Feast - Valid for take out and delivery from April 8 to May 23,2011

Pizza Hut
Website www.pizzahut.com.ph
Facebook facebook.com/pizzahutphilippines
Pizza Hut Delivery 911-11-11

But wait, there’s more! How about some free Pizza Hut Stuffed Crust Pizza for you and your family from NomNom Club, Venus Raj, and Pizza Hut? Then watch out for that special announcement on April 15, 2011 here at NomNomClub.com

iParty maybe new to your ears but truth is, you’ve been throwing iParties for ages! iParty is a term coined by the Ginebra San Miguel peeps which pertains to the gathering you shared with your friends and relatives – be it a celebration of life, a graduation party or just a Friday night jamming at your favourite tambayan.

A few nights ago, I joined fellow party-ready bloggers in an iParty, celebrating the creation of new Ginebra  Flavors.

Ginebra Apple Flavors

The Ginebra Flavor Mixes are sinfully sweet and surprisingly light. But mind your intake because the gin could jump right at you after a few drinks.  I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t savor the initial taste as I thought it would be similar to many of the less-premium gin brands out there. Boy, was I wrong!

The burn going down was minimal or none at all and there was no need to chase the shot with a lime or a chaser. I caught the hint of green apple and lychee too!

Ginebra Lychee Flavors

There are 2 main flavours- Ginebra Apple Flavor and Ginebra Lychee Flavor.  We have tried the following Ginebra Flavors mixes and went home happy!

Ginebra Lychee Kiss and Applerita

Ginebra San Miguel Flavors

Ginebra Flavors is affordable, a  700mL bottle will only cost you P60! It’s currently available at Puregold, Ministop, 7-11, Andoks , South Supermarket and some areas on Ortigas. However, Ginebra Flavors will not be sold on bars. It’s supposed to be enjoyed on the comforts of your own tambayan with family and friends.

Being an inexpensive drink,  Ginebra Flavor is also one of the most refreshing, vibrant, and enjoyable drink I have ever come across. I bet it goes well with many different pulutans as it helps to clean the palate. I am getting all of my friends ‘hooked‘ on it and you  and your friends could try it too!

*Author: Renz Alcantara

** Drink Moderately