Entries Tagged 'Cravings' ↓

Steak Buffet

I got the chance to dine with some of the best food bloggers in Metro Manila a few weeks ago. It was a steak night dinner buffet at Diamond Hotel‘s Corniche.

Diamond Hotel Philippines offers choice cut steaks for its customers every Thursday night. Labeled as Corniche’s Savoring Steak Nights, the dinner buffet offers a variety of steaks such as the US Striploin Steak, US Rib Eye Steak, US Hanger Steak, Beef Tenderloin Steak and  Roasted US Prime Rib.

Add to that other entrees with free flowing red wine for only Php 2,285 nett per person from 5:30pm to 10:30pm. This is inclusive of 10% service charge and local government tax.

5 Plates - 5 Rounds @ Corniche Buffet

I was only able to try the striploin, tenderloin, and prime rib. As expected, the meats were fork-tender and juicy, coming from Diamond Hotel.  However, I have observed that steak grill was only about a meter wide and can handle a limited number of steaks at a time. As per experience, there were only three us by the counter and the grill was already full (partially because we had multiple orders each 🙂 ). Maybe Corniche can improve on that, specially when customers flock in.

Seafood Buffet

More Entrees

I also enjoyed the other dishes at Corniche such as the seafood choices, salad selections, and Asian, Western, Japanese, and Indian cuisines prepared by culinary experts headed by Executive Chef Nickolai Stoyanov with general manager Vanessa Ledesma Suatengco.

Other International Cuisine Buffet @ Diamond Hotel

Diamond Hotel Philippines - Corniche Buffet

Barbequed Shrimp w/ Kumpati

A New Discovery – the Kumpati

I discovered an interesting stove as well. As per the cook at the Indian counter, it’s called a ‘kumpati.’

A kumpati is a traditional earthen cooking stove like a palayok, but much larger almost like a ‘banga‘. The traditional ones use charcoal and firewood to cook food but the one in Diamond Hotel is of course, electric.

Kumpati Indian Stove

Corniche uses it to “charcoal barbeque” some of the food like the tandoori chicken and  the grilled shrimp in the photo. They also use it to heat and toast the tasty Naan bread. Yum yum!

On Cheeses

I also saw a table of varied cheeses in different color and textures like Sage Derby, Iberico, Fontina, and Brie. I did not try any of them though as I am illiterate when it comes to cheese appreciation. 😛

Table of Cheeses (lower right side)

Desserts

I love their dessert choices though. There was much to choose from and I was able to try only less than half. Maybe I’ll try the other half in my next visit.

Lastly, it was glad to finally meet Lori Baltazar of DesertComsFirst.com. Also with us were prominent food bloggers Spanky, Ivan Man Dy, and Jane Chua, among others.

Corniche Desserts

Lori Baltazar & NomNom (right); Jane Chua & Ivan Man Dy (left)

Corniche Buffet Restaurant, Diamon Hotel

Corniche is located at Diamond Hotel’s lobby level with a 650 square meter space that can accommodate up to 200+ persons within a chic environment and contemporary overtones. However, I believe they can have more lights on the food. But I think the elegant interior necessitates the ambiance to be dim. With that in mind, they could have mini spotlights efficiently installed on focus entrees, at the least (or maybe I’m just used to other hotel buffet restaurants which are well-lighted). 🙂

I like the pocket-seating layout throughout Corniche providing spatial privacy for intimate groups. They also have a grand bird chandelier at the center and full height windows which offers a view of the garden and water features on one side.

Corniche Buffet @ Diamond Hotel PH

For reservations:
Corniche
Diamond Hotel Philippines
Roxas Boulevard, cor. Dr. J Quintos St., Manila.
Tel. 528-3000 / 305-3000
E-mail bizcenter@diamondhotel.com
Website: www.diamondhotel.com.

It’s a Thursday! Steak night tonight, Anyone?

From years of hiatus in the Philippines as a brand, Domino’s Pizza is back!

Domino's Store

Now with Goldilocks as one of its business partners, Domino’s intend to leverage on the partnership’s strength.

President and CEO of Domino’s Pizza Philippines, Mr. Tong Hong shared that with Goldilocks’ expertise in the fast food and franchised business, he believes the alliance will work.

Domino's Pizza

In fact, some of the ingredients/raw materials are sourced from Goldilocks’ commissary as well. Moreover, expect tie-ups and promotions with the two brands in the near future.

Domino’s Branches

Currently with 2 branches, Domino’s targets to open six to eight more stores in Metro Manila within the year.

The two branches as of press time are in:

• Marvin Plaza Building, Pasong Tamo (Chino Roces) , Makati City and

Domino's Makati

• Silver City, [along Frontera Drive (Tiendesitas)] Pasig City

Domino's Silver City, Pasig

The Pizzas

There are currently nine flavors which are a mix from different sides of the world. While the Pepperoni Pizza is the best-seller in the United States, Korea craves for the Potato Pizza. Extravaganza is an all-time favoritte.

Other flavors include Domino’s Deluxe, Shrimpus, and Hola Spain. They also have Buffalo Chicken Wings and pasta offerings. My favorite for the night was the Domino’s Shrimpus. I highly recommend it.

Domino's Shrimpus

Delivery

Having pioneered the 30-minute guarantee delivery in the pizza industry, Domino’s Pizza brings it back as well serving nearby areas. To check on your area, call the following:

Domino’s Pizza Delivery
Makati 745-3030
Pasig – 576-3030

Check Domino’s Pizza online at www.dominospizza.ph.

End Note

Potato Pizza

The Potato Pizza really got me curious. Considering that the bread dough is already heavy on the stomach, having potato slices for toppings makes it doubly filling. It should really taste good to justify its slot in the menu board. I hope to try that one when I go back at Domino’s Pizza. 🙂

Italian inspired table design

Hello there, I’m Renz of Pinay Mommy ADreamer, and I was given a huge, huge, huge privilege to be Nomnom’s guest writer. Let me share with you an Italian inspired tasting experience that I had a few days ago. So, prepare your appetite to be stirred and read on…

Would you agree that the best thing to start your weekend is to spend Friday nights with a great crowd, sharing good food and wine?  Of course, I do. It might be my first and last conversation with the people I met on that night but I’m sure glad I met and shared a lot of fun experience with them.

Perfect Italiano Chef

Food bloggers were escorted to a place where tables and chairs were decorated with masks and Italian inspired plates.

To start the night and to whet our appetite, we were given Bruschetta topped with Romano cheese, Mozzarella cheese (both from Perfect Italiano), honey and olive oil.  Also served was wine that went perfectly great with the appetizer. After a few pleasantries, the hosts asked us to be seated and be comfortable as the tasting experience began. It was an 8-course Italian-inspired fine dining prepared by Chefs JJ Yulo and Namee Jorolan of Pinoy Eats World.

Salad with Perfect Italiano

All dishes served were made a notched yummier by Perfect Italiano cheese. And boy was I a happier gal after that hearty meal.

First on the menu was a simple salad made unique with strawberries, Romano cheese, arugula, romaine lettuce drizzled with delicate vinaigrette.

The saltiness of the Romano cheese went well with the tanginess of the vinaigrette and the strawberries.

Pizza plus with Perfect Italiano

The “Pizza Plus” was topped with mozzarella cheese, red bell pepper wrapped in a crust topped with freshly picked vegetables with melted cheese on top. It’s so perfect for a meatless treat for everyone!

Chiz Soup

Creamy Soup made even creamier with cheese (by Perfect Italiano). A new comfort food if only I’ve asked Chef JJ Yulo the recipe. But I tell you, it was so pleasant it made me think of the days when we stayed home and kept warm during stormy weathers.

Red Bell Pepper with Cheeses of Perfect Italiano

I didn’t know that a simple red bell pepper baked with all kinds of cheeses in it tastes so good. Or maybe it’s because of Perfect Italiano? It was sweet and salty at the same time creamy. I usually don’t like red bell pepper but I enjoyed the dish so much I finished all of it in a wink of an eye.

The biggest hit for the night was the Clam Soup. It was clam with Tuguegarao longganisa bits in cheesy soup mixture. It was a surprise for everyone how well the cheese blended with the taste of the longganisa and the clam.  Hold on to your seats because we’re just half way through this delectable experience. Of course at this point I was high in energy and happiness with my glass of sparkling wine.

Clam Soup with cheese

Italian-inspired dinner is not complete without pasta, so pasta was also served. It’s not your regular pesto or alfredo pasta because the sauce was creamier and tastier by combinations of melted cheese mixed with olive oil and some herb.

The pasta was lethal because it could easily make you feel full and heavy. No wonder serving was small.

Cheesy Pasta

The main course was Lamb with Potatoes (Top Photo).

The lamb was so tender that it kind of melted in your mouth and I didn’t taste the usual after taste of lamb meat either. There was also no excessive nasty smell from the lamb which I am very particular of.

For dessert we were served Bananas with Nutella sprinkled with mozzarella cheese.

Okay, you must wonder where’s Italy on that….I wondered the same thing but I was so happy with it that it didn’t matter anymore 

Banana in Nutella and Cheese

That ends my Italian-inspired food experience with Perfect Italiano and Pinoy Eats World! I must say that each individual dish was a crowd pleaser and everyone went home with a happy stomach and a smile on their faces. I know because I sure did.

Being a predominantly Catholic country, one would immediately observe if the lent season is approaching in the Philippines. One of the give-away signs is that restaurants offer their non-meat alternative to their customers. One of the early movers this year is Max’s restaurant which has started offering their Max’s Seafood Fest since yesterday.

Fish Fillet for the Lent

Fish & Seafood Fest

Max’s has started its Seafood Selections Promo and offers non-meat dishes familiar to the Filipino taste.

The seafood spread include Filipino cuisines like Camaron Rebosado and one of my favorites Sinigang na Hipon.

A wide selection of fish dishes are also part of the option such as Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet, Spicy Laing Tilapia, Fish Fillet in Black Bean Sauce, Sinigang na Tiyan ng Bangus, and Steamed Fish Fillet in light soy.

Max's Seafood Fest Promo

“…the timeless flavors of Filipino cuisine and warm memories of sharing these meals with their friends and family. ..this is what Max’s brings to the table with its Seafood Selections Promo… a taste of home with every hefty serving of these traditional recipes,” says Bobby Simborio, Corporate Communications Officer for Max’s Group of Companies.

Seafood Fest Frequency Card

Seafood Selections Frequency Card Promo + Chicken-All-You-Can GCs

Max’s also launched a special seafood fest frequency card where each purchase of a qualified seafood selection dish with a glass of Pepsi gets a sticker for a card slot.

From March 8 to April 30, 2011, diners who can complete the six sticker slots will get a free Max’s Chicken-All-You-Can gift certificate.

Frequency Card Promotion Mechanics

Max's Offering for the Lenten Season

Have a non-pork meat diet with Max’s Seafood Fest and enjoy a meatless Lenten season. 🙂

I recently came from a weekend trip at the Nurture Spa in Tagaytay and I would simply like to share the unique dishes I had over my weekend stay.

Nurture Spa Menu

Upon arriving at the place in the morning, we had ‘Suman with Mangga‘ (Sticky Rice with Mango) with a small cup of hot ‘tsokolate‘ (chocolate) on the side. It was a filling morning snack to begin with.

For lunch, it was an option between “Chicken Kare-Kare” and “Ossobuco” (beef).

I chose the chicken kare-kare for it’s uniqueness. We often, if not always, had pork or beef kare-kare.

An ossobuco is an Italian recipe of braised veal shanks usually with broth and vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, celery and onions.

Chicken Kare-Kare

Pinoy Beef Steak

The chicken kare-kare was a good one.

It provided a refreshing alternative to the usual pork and beef preparations. It still goes perfectly with ‘bagoong‘ (shrimp paste).

Dinner was a simple beef steak pinoy-style. They got the Filipino taste just right but the tenderness of the beef could have been better.

The next day’s breakfast was also the typical Filipino breakfast of tocino, egg, tomato slices, and of course – rice.

Ossobuco

Garden Salad

And before we left Nurture Spa Village, lunch was a crispy serving of Lechon Kawali. It had noticeably less fat and is really crispy. I wanted to have another serving but resisted to do so.

My general experience with Nurture Spa’s menu was really good. I just observed that the amount of servings were just right for a….woman (no pun intended). I mean, as a guy, I think can order two servings of each everytime. 🙂

I haven’t visited Mercato Centrale (the day market) since it started, but I was able to check out Midnight Mercato first with other blogger friends last weekend. This is defiintely for night people like me who can’t wake up early on weekend mornings. 🙂

Chilled/Hot Taho by Tahooo!

It was also the launching night of Midnight Mercato at the Bonifacio Global City last Friday so there was a simple opening ceremony, ribbon-cutting, guests, and the likes.

Briefly to the unaware, Midnight Mercato is a weekend late night food bazaar where foodies and barkadas can hanging out and enjoy great food you can’t easily find otherwise. You can feast on a wide array of food choices from gourmet selections to ‘lutong bahay‘ (home cooked) dishes; even sosyal street food and balut included. Add to that acoustic musical performances by Rock Ed – all in an air-conditioned ‘kubol.’ Yes, that is Tagalog for ‘tent’ (as fellow blogger Alex shared).

Here are some food trip photos I’m sharing from:

Buy 1 take 1 Sausages @ P150 and Chips To Go Booth (similar to Potato Loops)

Monster Burger & the Monster Burger Challenge (finish it in 4 minutes and it's FREE!)

Nutsylicious have different kinds of nuts including walnuts and pistachios!

After all the photos, it’s my tummy’s turn. So I got an authentic shawarma (P75) from a Mediterranean-looking guy whose booth I forgot, three Mochiko mochi ice cream, and  some Takoyaki balls.

Mochiko Mochi Ice Cream @ P70

Mochiko had a very long line and was out of stock before 12midnight. That speaks for itself. 🙂

I also had a set of Armenian Lavosh Chips with Pesto Mozarella Cheese dip (P145) from the stall with a witty name of ‘5 loaves and 2 Fishes.’

Armenian Lavosh Chips (right); Claypot Chicken Rice (left)

Big Bob's Quarter Pounder Burgers

I also got a bottle of Raw Honey and Organic Gourmet Rice from ‘Fresh Start‘. They’re quite pricey actually but I know mom would love the brown rice while I use the honey as sugar substitute in my morning milk (there goes the revelation). 🙂

Fresh Start Organic Gourmet Rice (Brown Rice P200) & Raw Honey (P300)

There were a number of media outfits and got to spot some celebrities including Mara’s Mom in ‘Mara Clara‘ , Ashlee Gosengfiao, Sarah Meier (I think), Mercato Centrale guy RJ Ledesma, and others. I also spotted Anton Diaz and wife Rachel at the Human Nature booth.

Rachel @ Human Nature booth (right); Mexican Kitchen (left)

Balut (Duck Embryo)

I wanted to try so much more but I can only take in so much having come from a full dinner at Rai-Rai Ken a few minutes before going to Mercato Centrale.

There were also other food finds which caught NomNom’s fancy and instantly became a favorite.

Watch out for that post coming out next week including my predictable Mochiko review. 🙂

It was a haven of grilled food, hamburgers, and suasages outside the Midnight Mercato Tent.

Moreover, I got some tips from foodie friends and is looking forward to try the following in my next visits:

Off Beat Burger‘s Krispy Kreme Burger,  Ravioli’s of Natalia,  and the Angus Beef Tapa Rice Toppings, among others.

Krispy Kreme Burger

I also got news from Antin Diaz’s blog that Bale Dutung will start tonight @ Midnight Mercato! I’ll have to wait a little longer though as I will be going to Thunderbird’s Resort in Rizal tonight and I’ll be at the Pyromusical competition in SM Mall of Asia tomorrow.

Check out more about Midnight Mercato and Mercato Centrale here.

Midnight Mercato Tent, Tables, and Interiors

Midnight Mercato happens every Fridays and Saturdays at Bonifacio Global City from 11pm to 3am the next day. They are located at the corner of 31st and 9th streets (vacant lots between Serendra and STI Fort). Mercato Centrale day market continues Saturday and Sunday 7am to 2pm.

Bloggers take role as Cupcake Bakers

I attended a pre-Valentine blogger event courtesy of Max’s Corner Bakery last night. Max’s highlighted their Valentine edition cupcakes and other bakery products.

The main activity of the event was a demonstration of how to make cupcakes. The bloggers were then encouraged to participate in crafting their own cupcake creations with Max’s own cupcake-making ingredients such as icings and multi-colored sprinkles

Max's Event Hosts

I believe everyone enjoyed the activities and prizes; blogger Glenn was later on awarded as the one with the best Cupcake Design and Dedication. 🙂

It is also sweet to note that husband and wife blogger Jeff & Jen were celebrating their 14th-year anniversary as a couple on the same day. <3

Cupcakes received by NomNom

On Max’s Corner Bakery Cupcakes

Formerly known as ‘Max’s Bakeshop‘ of Max’s Restaurant, Max’s Corner Bakery is proud to say that their cupcakes are made with the same ingredients they use for their cakes.

And indeed, after tasting their chocolate variant and vanilla cupcakes, it was undeniably good.

The cupcakes come in six variants namely Cream Cheese, Choco Espresso, Choco Caramel, Double Chocolate, Choco Strawberry, and Troubador (Custard Cake).

I love the Double Chocolate best among all. Nomnomonom.

Blogger-Designed Cupcakes 🙂

Perhaps most of us are only familiar with Max’s Caramel bar. There are also other products in the bakeshop which include Max’s Ensaymada, chocolate chiffon cake w/ chocolate fudge icing, banana cakes, food for the gods, caramel cream cakes, and colorful rolls.

Other Bakery / Bakeshop Products like Max's Caramel Bar & Ensaymada

When it comes to rolls, I purchase from the usual leading bakeshops so I haven’t tried theirs. Maybe soon. I’m curious as to how it is at par with the other leading bakeshops. 🙂

Valentine Promotions

In recognition of the Valentine season, Max’s Corner Bakery has recently launched specially garnished valentine-cupcakes with eye-candy layers of sweet confections for the sweet-toothed customers.

Max's Corner Bakery Valentine's Day Promotions

Max's Corner Bakery

They ares also having a promo where for a minimum purchase of P1,500 from February 12 to February 14, Max’s diners will receive a box of chocolates for free to make you feel the ‘sarap kapiling‘ tagline. This is valid for dine-in, take-out or delivery.

Check out http://www.maxschicken.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant for more details on thier cupcakes and Max’s Corner Bakery.

Also known as sticky rice cake or pudding, cooking ‘tikoy‘ has been deeply embedded in the Chinese-Filipino culture in the Philippines, especially in the season of Chinese New Year.

Serving ‘tikoy‘ represents prosperity in Chinese belief that is why it is associated with the Chinese New Year. It serves good hope and a better life for the upcoming new year.

It is also said to enhance family bonding for the whole year hence the ”stickiness” of the rice cake. Therefore , whether you are Chinese or otherwise, receiving a ‘tikoy‘ as gift is said to be ‘good luck.’ The Chinese New Year this year will be on February 3, 2011. If you haven’t received one yet, you can buy one for yourself at Polland like how I featured their heart-shaped tikoy last year. Or you can simply cook one for yourself and your family. 🙂

Cooking & Preparing Your Tikoy for the Chinese New Year

How to Cook Tikoy

1. Crack and beat egg yolks in a bowl.  A whole large-sized tikoy needs about 20 beaten egg yolks with albumen. For creamier preparations, use only the egg yolks, do not include the albumen (egg white); but you have to double the number of eggyolks.

2. Heat your pan with 1/4 cup cooking oil.

3. preferably beforehand, slice the tikoy into small 1 inch by 2 inches rectangles at about 1 centimeter thick. While doing this, start to heat your pan.

4. Dip the tikoy slices into your preparation of beaten egg yolks.

5. Place the tikoy one slice at a time in the pan if the oil temparature is already hot enough. Do not put a tikoy slice on top of another.

6. Cook each batch by about 2 minutes each side or until the egg coating has turned golden brown.

7. Take the tikoy from the pan.

Tip: My personal style is placing the tikoy in a plate with table napkin or clean, tough tissue paper where I could initially place the tikoy for some oil to settle and transfer. This makes your tikoy serving less sinful.

Now you know how to cook your tikoy in case you receive or buy one. Enjoy the upcoming Chinese New Year NomNom Club! 🙂