Entries Tagged 'Casual' ↓

Seriously? It’s Starbucks Philippines‘ 400,000++ fans which prompted Starbucks Philippines to give the second Creme Brulee Macchiato for free to their customers.

Having reached more than 400,000 likes in their Starbucks Facebook Fanpage, Starbucks Philippines is treating all their customers to a second Crème Brulee Macchiato.This means after buying a Creme Brulee Macchiato, you get another one free, of any size, of equal or lesser value, of what you ordered, instantly.

I got this from the Starbucks Philippines Facebook page

Free Starbucks Philippines Creme Brulee Macchiato

Creme Brulee Macchiato is a warm mix of creme brulee flavored syrup, steamed milk, and Starbucks® espresso. It is then topped with foam and lined with roast dark caramel. ‘Tall‘ is priced P130, with ‘Venti‘ and ‘Grande‘ at P145 and P160, respectively.

All you need to do is say this line to the Starbucks Barista “I am a Starbucks Philippines Facebook Fan“. This treat started yesterday and will run from until tomorrow October 28, 2010.

You may have your Starbucks Creme Brulee Macchiato hot or cold (Iced Creme Brulee Macchiato) but Crème Brulee Frappuccino Blended Coffee is NOT included in the offer. Congratulations Starbucks Philippines!

I recently observed a number of small businesses offering delivery services through the network of “TWO AnyONE” with the numbers 21212. I haven’t tried that though. The other day, I saw this “Mang Inasal, Pa-deliver na!” ad banner atop a public jeepney enroute Buendia. I was reminded of an email encouraging me to try this out.

Mang Inasal Delivery

And so I did, over last Sunday.

October 10, 2010 – 1:30pm, I called-up 733-1111 and ordered from Mang Inasal. It was the usual fast food hotline greeting and order placement inquiries. I timed it consciously since it was my first with Mang Inasal delivery.

By 1:54pm, it came! With 24 minutes, I should say that it was a good delivery time.

I had quite high expectations actually  because I had it delievered in my Makati residence. I know of many Mang Inasal branches nearby and being a Sunday, there was virtually no traffic.

Mang Inasal Delivery Boy Photo

On another note, I think Mang Inasal should incorporate, if not yet, validation call backs to verify the orders and contact numbers given by customers. The ‘order’ guy asked for my cellphone number (since I don’t have a landline in my Makati residence). I was actually waiting for a verification call back first but delivery immedaitely came.

Nonetheless, congratulations Mang Inasal! It was a good delivery job. No wonder Mang Inasal restaurant franchise inquiries abound.

Mang Inasal Pecho Meal

it was a filling lunch with Mang Inasal Paa with rice (Paborito Meal 1; top photo) and Mang Inasal Pecho with rice (Paborito Meal 2). I loved the rice packed in banana leaves. The former is P97 while the latter is P99. it comes with chili, calamansi, and soy sauce (toyo) condiments. You can try ordering from Mang Inasal Delivery yourself at 733-1111.

Wendy’s Greenbelt was the 4th Wendy’s branch that opened in the Philippines in 1986. It got renovated in 1991, and then again in 2004.

If you do dine at this branch near the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) like I do, you would indeed realize that it was time for a renovation.

Wendy's Greenbelt Renovated New Look

So when the construction was finished last July, it was a refreshing change; a neater look. A necessary one that has been calling out from the four corners of the old branch.

It is indeed a good news to Wendy’s patrons. Last September 30, Wendy’s held a grand launch which involved treats for the customers,games and festive activities including pintados, photo booths, Wendy’ Girl mascot, children activities, and the Buganda percussion band that usually performs for Gary Valenciano’s concerts.

Wendy's Salad

A blessing of the store was also officiated by Rev. Fr. Boogie from Greenbelt Chapel.

Wendy's Baconator Mexican Melt

Of course, the event would not be without food and I had my favorites Wendy’s salad and Frosty. I also had their new Baconator Mexican Melt which boasts of “two 2 ¼ lb. beef patties, 6 strips of bacon, a slice of American cheese topped with cheese sauce and jalapeño pepper and served on a warm kaiser buns.”

I got an instant flashback of my hamburger eating contest about a year ago. 🙂

Surprisingly, Wendy’s Philippines operations manager also mentioned that there is a considerable number of women who order the Baconator! We also had a peek at their kitchen where he showed us their fresh never-frozen 100% pure beef square patties.

Wendy's Square Beef Patties

As a quick-service restaurant, Wendy’s sees a bright year ahead and beyond and as they convert more stores with this new look and open up more branches.

In the Philippines, pizza and pasta would surely compose a foodie’s imagination when we think of Italian restaurants. But for La Piadina, it goes beyond that.

I Crostini

I was able to taste some of their specials during lunch when we visited the newly opened La Piadina in Glorietta 4.

We started our set with La Minestra di Zucca (P160) and I Crostini with liver and tuna pate (P230). The former is a homemade-style pumpkin soup with garlic bread. Good starters for what are yet to come.

It was followed by “I Cappellaci,”(P300) ravioli pasta. Now, it’s no secret that ravioli is my favorite pasta. But the one I blogged about before had meat inside as filling. This one from La Piadina has pumpkin and ricotta cheese.

I Cappellaci - Ravioli Pasta

Ravioli Pasta

Le Piadine

At first, my curiosity was piqued as to how it would taste like. To my surprise, it was a good change. It tasted so fresh. And although it was a complete turnaround from my meat-based ravioli, it was almost as satisfying!

Since you’re in La Piadina, might as well not miss Le Piadine. It’s a variation of Piadina which is a flat, soft, homemade bread usually served warm and originated from the region of Emilia Romagna in Italy.

Next came the main dish Il Trancio di Tonno alle Spezie (P370 – top photo ) . As complicated as it may sound, this is seared tuna fillet seasoned with herbs served with baked potato on foil and mixed green salad on the side. The tuna meat had an admirable fine and soft texture. A good and healthy meal indeed!

La Piadina Linguini - Le Linguine ai Funghi Con Olio di Tartufo

Le Linguine ai Funghi Con Olio di Tartufo (P320) came next. The name is as long as its flat pasta. I find the fresh mix of mushroom, light cream and truffle oil just right for this linguine.

Risotto Scampi - Il Risotto al Pesto con Scampi

And finally, the Il Risotto al Pesto con Scampi (P340) came out. Funny enough, this is only my second time to had risotto as part of my meal. Risotto is an Italian-style rice. In La Piadian’s version, it is cooked in Pesto sauce with fresh shrimps and parmesan cheese.

Chef Giorgio Matera

Chef Giorgio Matera shared that preparing risotto is both hard and tricky. Hard because there’s a lot of processes involved and tricky because it should be made just right – not dry, but not too moist like that of a porridge (lugaw) either.

La Piadina Red Wine

He adds that La Piadina doesn’t have a microwave oven – because dishes are cooked and prepared upon order only. They don’t reheat just to save on cost and focuses more on quality. In a world filled with fast food chains, it’s good to know that we as consumers still have options for freshly made dishes, just like our home cooked meals.

La Piadina (La Cucina Regionale Italiana) is the full service and enlosed counterpart of smaller Piadina Passion Food restaurants. Visit them at the 2nd Floor of Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati, open everyday from 11am to 10pm. You may call 501-3788 for reservations.

La Piadina Italian Restaurant in Glorietta 4, Makati

Chef Matera‘s passion for cooking and preparing Italian dishes is obvious. It was heartwarming of him to prepare it with care, and even mind the minor details. He says that it should be the way Italian cuisine should be cooked – with fresh ingredients and no compromise. I think this is actually the key to La Piadina‘s authentic Italian cuisine taste.

Red Ribbon came up with another new cake going to the end of the third quarter – the Choco Fudge Cake!

Choco Fudge Cake

I got to taste it for the first time a week or two ago at a colleague’s birthday celebration. Being familiar with Red Ribbon cakes, I knew it was a new cake. 🙂 I tried it with anticipation and I was not disappointed. It was so chocolaty from top to bottom and from side to side being smothered and literally covered with chocolate icing!

I say it’s a chocolate cake for the real chocolate lover. It’s a leveled-up classic chocolate cake with layers of moist chocolate pound cake and chocolate fudge filling inside. Be cautious though that the more conservative cake consumer might find it too chocolaty or too sweet.

Priced a little lower than its predecessor – the Chocolate Heaven, the Choco Fudge Cake is a perfect gift for your chocolate-loving friend or those with a sweet tooth; but might not be so for those on the ‘sugar guard‘. The regular size costs P460 and junior size is only P275.

Moreover, you could have the Choco Fudge Cake served warm or cold. Try it warm for a change! 🙂 It comes perfect with a hot cup of brewed coffee as well.

Crispy Chicken by Red Ribbon

Interestingly that same night, I came across one of Red Ribbon’s newest meal – the Crispy Chicken. To say it plain and straight – I loved it! I’m not really a fan of chicken skin, but if it is this good and crispy, I’ll take it. 🙂

It was good mix of chicken meat and crispy skin with new twist to barbecue sauce – the mango barbecue sauce. A full order is P150 and P90 ala carte.

Red Ribbon Fort Bonifacio Branch

I finished the chicken before I remembered I haven’t taken a photo of it. 🙂 So make do with my small photo of the menu board at Red Ribbon’s new and spacious branch at Fort Bonifacio in between Jollibee and Chowking along Rizal Street.

Choco Fudge Cake by Red Ribbon

Partnering the Choco Fudge Cake and the Crispy Chicken might be a little odd, but hey, it was all good. 🙂

If you are looking into the opportunity of starting a food business, starting with a franchise business is an option specially if it would be your first time to explore the entrepreneurship world.

Filipino Franchise Show 2010

Yesterday, I got to visit the 9th Filipino Franchise Show 2010 at the World Trade Center in Pasay where more than half of the exhibitors are from the food franchise businesses.

Regular entrance ticket costs P100 per person while students can get in for P50 and senior citizen at P80. I got my free ticket care of the organizer – Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI). Check their website at http://www.affi.com.ph/ and event website http://www.franchiseshowphilippines.com/

Franchise Finds

Attention grabbing structures are the usual big booths from big brands like Mang Inasal, Julie’s Bakeshop, Binalot, and Eng Bee Tin whose mooncakes would be a hit in the next few days due to the upcoming Chinese Mooncake Festival.

Mang Inasal, Julie's Bakeshop, Binalot, and Eng Bee Tin

However, you would observe new brands as well such as Buko House, Mozarella Stick, Sankalan, Wrap A Lumpia, Sisig in the City, and food carts by JC Franchising. (See first photo).

On Ice Scrambles

Ice Scrambles Food Carts

As expected, the ice scrambles craze proliferated in the franchise show as I found at least four ice scramble franchise offerings including Ice Cramble “The Original Ice Crumble“, Scramboi Ice Scrambles, Scramble King, and Chillax Ice Scramble.

I like the hip sound of Chillax the most. 🙂 However, Scramble King rides on the name recall of the monosyllabic “king.” I think Scramboi could have settled with “Scramboy” instead, investing on the common Filipino street name.

I didn’t find the Manila Scrambles cart I see in most malls, however.

The Ice Scrambles food cart idea is currently taking the low-cost food franchise by storm primarily because of its low cost and comparatively simple operations involved in preparing the product. Time would say if this would only be a fad or if the ice scrambles industry would stay for good.

Innovative Names

RBX (Rice in a Box) and Taxi Cab

Moving on, there are also food businesses with innovative names like RBX or Rice in a Box and Tapsi Cab. The former seem to be moving from the usual cart type to kiosk with their dine-in showcase at the franchise fair. The latter reminds us of a similar sounding pizza chain. 🙂

Potato Loops

AFFI Seminars

Lastly, I found this interesting-looking potato product that looks peculiar from our regular French fries. It’s fried but swirled in a stick and called “Potato Loops.” I wasn’t able to taste one but the aesthetics is enough to possibly pique a passers-by’s interest giving it the ‘curious-purchase’ advantage. I think it’s innovative and have a high-market potential in the near future given that it tastes good enough for a snack.

Philippines Franchisees and Franchisors

You still have today and tomorrow to visit the 9th Filipino Franchise Show 2010 at the World Trade Center in Pasay. Tel:(02) 506-8883, 0917-518-AFFI, 347-0153, 534-1134. Email info@tradenetevents@gmail.com or affi.secretariat_raffy@yahoo.com. A ride away from SM Mall of Asia, it opens 11am and closes 7pm.

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

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

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

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

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

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: 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

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 Sauce, Angus Belly Salpicao, and Stir Fried Pork and Tofu

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 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: Greatests - Panna Cotta, French Toast, & Mango Jubilee

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 11am–3pm. 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

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!

I celebrated my personal birthday a few weeks ago and a Jollibee cake made by Red Ribbon found its way into our home.:)

It was a big fondant chocolate cake with a big and cheerful printed Jollibee mascot on top. A fitting cake for a day of merriment.

Jollibee Birthday Cake by Red Ribbon

Chef Laudico

However, I was further surprised when I came home to our QC house last Sunday (two days ago) and found a Chef Laudico brownies box in our refrigerator. It was accompanied by a birthday greeting card saying:

“Happy Birthday. Hope you’ll enjoy this box of brownies especially and exclusively prepared by Chef Jackie Laudico…“

Wow, that sounds special, albeit belatedly.:)

I opened the box and found a set of ten elongated brownies. Something different from the usual square ones we see. And indeed, the taste was exquisitely premium. More than just the average brownie, it was a luscious mixture of the brownie; plus the roasted nuts caramelized cashew on top. I can’t exactly distinguish what kind of nut but it’s most probably cashew.

Chef Laudico Brownies - the Best!

It was so good. This is one of the best brownies I’ve had. I think this due to the good chocolate mixture highlighted by the crunchy and premium-tasting roasted walnuts caramelized cashew on top. Yum!

Birthday Card

I searched the Net including Chef Laudico website (http://www.cheflaudico.com.ph/) but didn’t find the brownies, not even its name.

And lastly, the card indicated:

“We have made a donation under your name to the Virlanie Foundation and the Autism Society of the Philippines.”

NomNom Club

What a warm feeling of goodwill done in your behalf for your birthday. Thank you GeiserMaclang, Stratworks, and Jollibee, you have made my birthday this year more special.