Entries Tagged 'Fusion' ↓

Dessert comes first 🙂

Acaci Buffet Restaurant debuts at the new Filipino five-star luxury hotel - Acacia Hotel Manila – last month as the newest buffet dining spot in Alabang (south of Metro Manila). Situated in Filinvest Corporate City, Acaci coffeeshop offers a buffet with sumptuous spreads of Asian and international dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Located above the lobby with its own floor, the restaurant offers an “East meets West” theme without loosing the inspiration of each dish to ‘fusion‘.

Appetizer & Salad bar Station

Appetizers Salad Bar Station (Gravlax – Top Left)

Diners can have their fill of local and international dishes starting with the appetizer salad bar station located in the middle of the restaurant where they can choose from an array of fresh greens and dressings. There are also a selection of cold cuts, patés, and terrines while enjoying the crustacean selections, cocktail, tacos salad options, and the sushi bar

Don’t miss the Gravlax and Thai Prawn with Green Mango and Lime Salad.

Sushi Bar & Other Cold Cuts

Crustacean Selection (upper left)

Filipino & Asian Station

I decided to skip the bread and cheese section, however, as I intended to focus on the main dishes.

The Asian section consists of a variety of local and international dishes with our very own pork sisig (a spicy Filipino pork dish) and Sinigang. If I’m not mistaken, I think this is the first time I’m having ‘sisig‘ in a hotel buffet. 🙂

Asaian Station & Pork Sisig (right)

Sinigang, soup & condiments

Other options included the the Seared Cod Fish Fillet, Cajun Spiced Chicken with Pumpkin and Asparagus Tips, and Braised Bean Curd with Assorted Mushrooms. Surprisingly, there was only one simple rice variety in the buffet – fried rice with ham and vegetables.

Western Station & Carving Station

For the Western cuisine, they have a pasta section right beside the Mongolian station followed by popular choices including lamb, tender prime rib, and flaky salmon.

The Carving Station hosted the Herb-Roasted U.S. Rib-Eye with corn on the cob, roasted spiced potato wedges and a gazillion sauce options.

Bread & Cheese Station

Avocado and Chicken Salad with Coriander Dressing

Dessert Station

The dessert station offers an array of cakes, pastries, chocolate fondue fountain, and sliced fruits. Albeit quite limited in this part, I highly recommend the customizable crepes station with condiments, sauces, & ice cream.

Dessert Station

Crepe Station

Other stations include the Wanton Station, Filipino Soup, and Deep Fried Thai Fish Station. Watch out for the upcoming shawarma station and an interactive Caesar salad station where attendants will assemble the salad according the preference of the guest.

Pasta Station

Wanton Station (left) & Dimsum Station (right)

Deep Fried Thai Fish

Executive Chef Raffy Hubilla

We were also able to briefly interview Executive Chef Raffy Hubilla who is a veteran in the industry having been in the hospitality food scene for 22 years including a stint with Marriot Hotel.

Acaci is named after a species of flower-bearing plants in the Amazon. The interior is spacious with four panels of paintings done by the Filipino artist Jomike Tejido which are proudly displayed as part of the restaurant décor.

Executive Chef Raffy Hubilla

Acaci Restaurant

Acacia Hotel Manila – Acaci
Business Address: 5400 East Asia Drive corner Commerce Avenue, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Email: enquiry@acaciahotelsmanila.com
Tel no. 720 2000 or 588 5888
www.acaciahotelsmanila.com
Follow them on Facebook (Acacia Hotels Manila) or in Twitter (AcaciaHotels)

Acaci in Acacia Hotel Manila

Dine at Acaci Buffet Restaurant for only Php995 nett per person inclusive of one round of Iced Tea or Pandan Juice.

Kido Master Burger

The Japanese fastfood chain Karate Kid is now open at the 3rd Level of Farmer’s Plaza in Cubao. It is conveniently located near the walkway that connects to Gateway Mall. I have been passing by this area and wondered when the opening will be. Finally, there’s now a good alternative to the usual burger, fried chicken and pizza fare at the Araneta Center.

The fastfood chain, which had been in operation for over 10 years now, offers a fusion of Japanese and American cuisine. This is in keeping with its original concept taken from the American movie in the same title starring Ralph Macchio.

Karate Kid Farmer’s Plaza

Karate Kid Chicken

Naturally, there are the classic Japanese fare for those who love Japanese food — Katsudon, Ramen, California Maki, Teppanyaki, Takoyaki, Gyoza and Ebi Tempura. But their original creation combining Japanese and American elements are equally delectable. I had the Japanese Creme Chicken Pasta and I was very delighted. Generously served in extra creamy sauce, huge chicken chunks and mushroom, it’s really delicious and filling. I noticed that they also have burgers — Kido Master Burger and Eli Katsu Burgers. I thought they’d go well with the pasta; perfect if you’re really hungry.

*Story & Photos by Alwin Aguirre of The City Roamer

In addition to good food, the place also has good interiors. I’m happy that I now have an alternative dining spot to visit with Karate Kid Farmers Plaza. I’m sure this place will be filled with diners in no time, especially because the restaurant is very accessible from the MRT Cubao Station.

Karate Kid Desserts

We were invited to the launch of Segafredo Zanetti MyEspresso machine on a rainy Friday afternoon. I sensed that I might be going alone since my boyfriend has been sick for two days. With the unpredictable weather outside, I wouldn’t allow him so I decided to go on my own to the Net Plaza at The Fort, armed with an umbrella and cardigan.

Segafredo Zanetti Espresso – Net Plaza, The Fort

Segafredo Zanetti

I’ve been consuming coffee for almost half of my life and to spice up my coffee experience last year, I decided to buy a coffee maker. I wanted to wake up my senses with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. When I learned about espresso machines I dreamt of owning one someday, much more when I tried Segafredo’s espresso and cappuccino.

Every sip of espresso gives a brand new coffee experience. I’ve never really appreciated the true meaning of “perfect cup of coffee” until recently. It became more satisfying and more delicious with the sandwiches and pizzas they served us. Just before I left, I had a smooth, creamy and perfectly made cappuccino. I cannot be too descriptive, all I know is that cappuccino is delicious!

Segafredo Zanetti MyEspresso

Segafredo Zanetti MyEspresso

Segafredo Zanetti

Segafredo Zanetti brought the Italian espresso tradition in the country by introducing two world-renowned espresso masters from Italy and Japan to share their knowledge about authentic Italian Espresso.

Mr. Ilija Naumovski, the Grand Chef Barista & Supervisor of Segafredo Zanetti in Asia together with Mr. Andrea Borghesan, Export Manager of Segafredo Zanetti Coffee Systems Italy demonstrated how to concoct an excellent cup of espresso. Fashion icon and celebrity Ms. Tessa Prieto-Valdez arrived in her red long gown.

Lifestyle Icon Tessa Prieto-Valdez with Segfredo Top Honchos

Segafredo Cafe is located at the ground floor of Net One Plaza

The Company

Segafredo Zanetti is the leading espresso producer in Italy and throughout the whole world, with more than 100,000 clients and millions of espresso drunk each day. The company belongs to Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, a holding which unites 37 companies across the world.The company owns green beans plantations in Brazil and Costa Rica and has 11 roasting plants all over the world.

Ove the years, SZE developed four unique brands, Segafredo Zanetti a brand for wholesale market which incldes hotels, cafes and domestic users. Another is the Zegadredo Zanetti Espresso, a brand exclusive for espresso bars such as this place, the SZE Net Plaza, SZE Podium and SZE Greenhills.

Segafredo Pastries

The third is Segafredo Coffee System, a brand for retail market for home and office coffee machines. Last but not the least is the La San Marco handling large-scale espresso machines. With different offerings for different industries and uses, the Segafredo Complete Coffee Solutionsexcellently cater to specific production needs.

Segafredo Zanetti

Segafredo Zinatti has more than 500 outlets of Segafredo Zanetti Espresso Bar and 150,000 tons of coffee manufactured each year. Segafredo Zanetti continues to innovate the authentic Italian espresso experience with the new MyEspresso machine, we can now enjoy strong, creamy cup available in the comfort of our homes and work place.

* Story and photos by Marjorie Pineda of Living Marjorney

In Manila you may visit Segafredo Zanetti Espresso located at Net Plaza Bldg inThe Fort; The Podium Ortigas and Greenhills, San Juan.

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.

Are you one of those who collects a lot of discount cards from different shops and brands? From the SM Advantage card to Jollibee’s Happy Plus Card, to Mercury’s Suki Card, down to the 0.1111% discount coupon of your favorite sari-sari store? Well, I’ve got good news for you to add to your collection of discount cards – the Greenwich Ultimate Greencard!

Greenwich Ultimate Greencard

Benefits of Greenwich Ultimate Greencard

Further supporting its tagline of being “better than any other,” Greenwich recently launched its new Ultimate Greencard and they were kind enough to share one with us. I will surely try it soon!

How to Get Your Greenwich Ultimate Greencard:

You can avail one Greenwich Ultimate Greencard in any of the three ways:

• Greenwich Delivery – calling 5-55-55 Greenwich delivery
• Over the Counter – starting August 2012
• Order Online – through www.greenwichdelivery.com

In all three, simply add P199 for the Ultimate Green Card.

To check out the latest deals you may visit http://greenwichdelivery.com/greencard.

Benefits of the Greenwich Ultimate Greencard:

• Buy 1 Take 1 Pizza** (delivery only)
• 10% Discount (dine-in and take-out)
• Save as much as P1000 (delivery only)

** When you order a 12″ Barkada size or 15″ Party size pizza with 1L Coke

The Greenwich Ultimate Greencard also comes with FREE discount coupons!

This is the greencard you have always wanted to have; just don’t mistake it for  your US Green Card. Get your own Greenwich Ultimate Greencard soon!

Croquetas are basically croquettes which are famous in European countries like Spain and Netherlands, hence the ‘Dutch croquetas‘. The Dutch word means a ‘little, round ball‘. In the Philippines, mashed potatoes has replaced the bechamel-filled ones like those from Spain. It is then rolled, breadcrumbed, fried and branded as Kroketten.

Kroketten SM MOA

From Croquetas to Kroketten

Slowly being pushed in to the mainstream Filipino snack diet, Maribel Bosch of Kroketten has played with the ‘Croquetas‘ word and made it more Filipino with the “K” and adding the last syllable – “ten“. They further brought it within the common Filipinos’ reach with their chain of stalls, mall kiosks, and transport terminal branches.

Banking on Filipinos’ love for carb, they hope that the new potato snack would ‘click‘. Further innovating on more flavors that makes it more yummy, appealing, and extra healthy, they introduced three varieties: Original Kroket, Kroketballen, and the Miniballen.

Kroketten Terminal Transport Kiosk

Kroketten Miniballen

Kroketten Menu

The Original Kroket (Php 35) is the oblong-shaped croquettes with ground beef, chicken, and cheese. On the other hand, a Kroketballen (Php 35 for 3pcs) is a set of three crunchy potato balls that come with dips.

Lastly, the Miniballen bite-sized potato balls is considered best for sharing and are the best sellers, perhaps due to its variant offerings with five pieces mini ballen for Php 20, four pieces mini ballen with the 6.5 oz revitalize 10 or Nutri 10 fresh fruit drink for Php 35. It is further made interesting with the assorted flavors including cheese, chicken, beef, bacon, hotdog, longganisa, pork adobo, mango, and tuyo flakes.

Kroketten Menu

Kroketten with Tuyo Flakes breadcrumb

Kroketten Fresh Fruit Drink, I Like!

I tried several dips and they were surprisingly good! Honestly, since the one we tried was at the terminal of SM Mall of Asia, I initially have somehow managed to lower my expexctations. 🙂 Moreover, as much as I liked the potato balls and the dips, I loved the drinks even more! They were the Nutri 10 fresh fruit drink served in 6.5 oz cups. They tasted like simplified Jamba Juice concoctions at street prices!

I later got to learn that they’re made of the natural fruit juice minus the white sugar and has no preservatives, branded exclusively by Vers En Snel for Kroketten.

Their two signature thirst quenchers are the Nutri 10 (mango and guyabano) and Revita 10 (strawberry and passion fruit) for a vitamin boost and revitalization, respectively. They’re so good Kroketten is working on having them sold in bottles in the near future. On the other hand, when I tired it in SM MOA, they only had two drink dispensers and only the Nutri 10 Mango and Revita 10 strawberry were available.

4pc. Kroketten Miniballen + 6.5oz Drink = Php 35

Kroketten Branch

Kroketten: Fried and Healthy?

I asked one of their managers with regards to their tagline “Fun and Healthy Potato Dutch Snacks.” I inquired how it can be healthy if it’s fried. And he said that they use corn oil instead of the regular oil, that even if corn oil was bit more expensive, they wanted to ‘walk the talk‘ when they claim that thier krokettens are healthier.

Fried Kroketten

Croquetas For Filipinos and Franchise

Frequently touring other countries with her husband and kids, Ms. Maribel Bosch discovered that croquettes deserve to be in the Philippines for its simple and delicious taste which she thought will appeal to all levels of people.

Confident about the potential of the product, the company is also open for franchise for a total investment of P195,000 (vat exclusive). For inquiries on franchising, please call (632) 822-5711 or 09178596623.

Cross Section of Original Kroket

Minballen with Dip

Kroketten Take-Out

There are currently thirteen branches / outlets including SM Mall of Asia (transport terminal) in Pasay City. The others are in Festival Mall Alabang, Albang Town Center, GT Tower Makati, Market! Market!, Starmall Edsa Shaw, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Metro East, SM North Edsa (Foodcourt), SM Lipa Batangas, and soon at SM Megamall.

I also bought a handful of take-out packs to bring home and share with the household. Let’s see how Kroketten, the first healthy Dutch potato snack in the Philippines, will further expand in the country. I will surely be back specially to get the Nutri 10 natural fruit juices. 🙂

J.CO Philippines Twitter

If you frequent Greenbelt in Makati, specially the one near the the Cinemas in Greenbelt 3, then you surely have seen the markers “J.CO Greenbelt Opening Soon!” It came true yesterday as J.Co Donuts and Coffee Philippines–Greenbelt  opened with more than 500 free donuts for its customers ‘shared the JCO way.’

J.Co Greenbelt Grand Opening

The grand opening started with a blessing of the branch followed by the traditional throwing of coins. Four members of the improv group ‘SPIT‘ (Silly People’s Improv Theater) were also there to jumpstart the crowd. Celebrities Karylle and Anton Del Rosario of the Azkals were some of the celebrities who dropped by to get some J.Co dounts and coffee.

Celebrities Karylle and Anton Del Rosario of Azkals Dropped by J.CO

Did you know that Karylle’s favorite is the J.Co Green Tease?

Karyll’s Favorite J.Co Donut is the Green Tease

Located just beside Figaro Greenbelt, enroute the entrance of Greenbelt 3 Cinemas, the 3rd branch of J.Co Donuts and Coffee in the Philippines is now giving you another foodie option to take with in the cinemas or simply something to munch on while hanging-out with your friends in the posh gimmick spot.

J.CO Orange Yogurt Frappe

They are specifically located at

J.Co Donuts and Coffee
3/F Greenbelt 3, Makati City

J.Coffee

When you do visit, NomNom recommends his favorite J.Coffee Cappuccino Avocado at Php 120/135 (12oz/16oz). I tried their new citrus-y Orange Yogurt Frappe and Mix Berries Frappe (Php 130/150 [12oz/16oz]) yesterday and it was a refreshing treat. I recommend you get the Mix Berries Frappe.

J.CO Mix Berries Frappe (foreground) Orange Yogurt (background), Tiramisu (donut)

J.Cool

You may also try their J.Cool fat-free frozen yogurt. I got the ‘single’ serve (Php 95) but the best worth-for-money to order is either the ‘couple‘ (Php 140) or the ‘sharing‘ (Php 190) which comes with 3 and 4 toppings, respectively.  I’m not much into the J.Cool Twist, however.

J.Cool Yogurt

J.Co Donuts Recommendations

For the filling doughnuts, get J.Co Philippines‘ signature J.Club Cheezy Rich at Php 45/piece. Pair it up with coffee of the day for Php 110, a cappuccion for Php 135, or an iced chocolate for Php 140.

And of course my favorites almond-topped ‘Alcapone‘ and Avocado Dicaprio (pair this with my favorite J.Coffee Favorite Cappuccino Avocado) should be in your list too.

J.CO Alcapone (left); Tiramisu Donut (right)

J.Co Greenbelt 3

But since yesterday, I got 2 new variants which I just added in my list of favorites- the Tiramisu and Choconuttzy. The latter is ultra yummy!

J.CO Choconuttzy

More J.CO Donuts

J.CO is a popular lifestyle café chain in Indonesia and some parts of Southeast Asia. It first opened in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2005 with the thrust to fuse the popular donuts of the West with … touches of the East. Other countries in the Asian region soon got into the J.CO craze, including Malaysia, Singapore and, more recently, Shanghai in China.

JCO Donuts & SPIT

J.CO Greenbelt 3 Grand Opening

J.CO Donuts & Coffee

For J.Co Donuts Philippines, they also have branches in SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia. See you more often at J.Co Donuts Greenbelt! 🙂

We’ve just recently concluded the Starbucks Tumblers and Gift Certificate Giveaway whose winners will be announced this week. And now, we have a new giveaway starting today – July 1, 2012 – the Jamba Juice Vouchers Giveaway!

Jamba Juice has recently opened in SM Mall of Asia and have introduced 4 new Guimaras Mango – inspired juices. They are the ‘Mango-a-go-go‘, ‘Mega Mango‘, ‘Peach Perfection’, and ‘Five Fruit Frenzy’. NomNom’s favorite is the ‘Mega Mango‘!

Contest Mechanics

Now, Jamba Juice and NomNom Club are giving away 3 pairs of Jamba Juice Vouchers so you and a friend can try the new Jamba Juice Guimaras Mango inspired beverages!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jamba Juice Beverage

Just join the rafflecopter-run contest tool above from July 1 to 15. Winners will be announced on the 3rd week of July. The Jamba Juice gift certificates will be delivered for FREE within Metro Manila.

If you are looking for more contests, there’s another Starbucks Gift Certificate Giveaway here.

Enjoy NomNom’s Jamba Juice contest!