Entries Tagged 'Restaurants' ↓

Yummy Magazine has a tasty way, among many others, of celebrating its 3rd-year anniversary in the business of food magazine publishing. I’m referring to its collaboartion with one of the most-loved popcorn brands recently – Chef Tony’s.

Yummy Magazine Popcorn

Yummy Magazine and Chef Tony’s Popcorn will release a new flavor – Southern French Herbs with Cream Cheese come June. A new flavor specially created for YUMMY, it has the tangy taste of the said southern French herbs; and of course, cream cheese.

Although I favor a shorter and more catchy flavor name (for commercial purposes as well), the flavor does not fall short of the brand.

I opened one last night and consumed almost a third of the tub. Feel free to share as it tends to be too salty in time.

Southern French Herbs with Cream Cheese

Yummy - Chef Tony's Popcorn

I was actually surprised when I first heard about the Yummy popcorn, as I was not aware Chef Tony was open to customizing flavors and co-branding. I think this open concept would eventually be tapped by other foodie brands as well in the near future.

Congratulations to Yummy for it’s 3rd-year of satisfying and feeding foodies like NomNom with tasty information  through their printed and online foodie magazine.

Yummy Magazine Southern French Herbs-Cream Cheeze Chef Tony's Popcorn

You can grab a YUMMY popcorn tub in any Chef Tony’s Popcorn outlets for only P200 this June 2010.

If you have seen my physical stature or know me personally, you wouldn’t guess that I do join food eating contests.

Burger Avenue Hamburgers

With my average body built, you would be surprised that I have joined a Hamburger-eating challenge and a Hotdog-Eating contest before.

Yoshinoya SM Megamall

I was off by 30 seconds from Burger Avenue‘s 5-minute Hamburger-eating challenge. It was a big 3-patty 1 pounder burger of pure beef. I also had the eating dare on video.

On the other hand, I somehow fared painstakingly well enough with 7-Eleven’s Hotdog-Eating contest. Although it was not good enough for the semi-finals, I was able to finish 5 jumbo hotdogs with 5 big buns and a large cup of iced tea in 5 minutes and 33 seconds..

And now, we’re upto a new challenge – Yoshinoya‘s Blogger’s Beef Gyudon Eating Contest.

The mechanics for registered participants from Boy-Kuripot blog states that…..

Yoshinoya Beef Gyudon

The bloggers should be at Yoshinoya Megamall on May 5, 2010 6PM to participate in The Beef Gyudon Eating Contest (Late comers will not be allowed to participate)

At the event, bloggers will be asked to eat as much Beef Gyudon Bowls they can within two (2) minutes

Bloggers will race to finish the most number of Beef Gyudon Bowls in two (2) minutes using a pair of chopsticks

Each time a bowl is finished, the blogger has to turn the bowl upside down. After two (2) minutes has elapsed, all bloggers will stop eating and stick out their tongue.

The blogger who ate the most number of Beef Gyudon Bowls will be declared the winner

In case of a tie, there will be tie breaking round. Bloggers will race to finish one regular beef bowl and the fastest will be declared as the winner

Yoshinoya Beef Bowl (Gyudon)

So if you happen to be in SM Megamall building A tomorrow, do pass by Yoshinoya at around 6pm and take a peek on NomNom‘s quest to be the king of Yoshinoya Beef Gyudon Bowls. And yes, I’d be starving myself off lunch in preparation for the Yoshinoya Blogger’s Beef Bowl Eating Contest tomorrow night 🙂

It all started last Saturday, April 24 with the B.G.C Summer Passion Fest 2010 Food Tour at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig with renowned food and culture guide Ivan Man Dy lead the BGC food tour.

It was followed by a personal impromptu Tagaytay trip turned Tagaytay food tour three days later (April 27 & 28).

And now, I’m on the first day of the three-day Davao Food Appreciation Tour (DFAT) here in, where else – Davao City.

Yes, I didn’t realize it until today. In a span of seven days, I’ve been to three food tours across the Philippines while I’m now on the third one in Davao.

More details on NomNom‘s foodie adventures for the whole month of May from this three foodie escapades.

Good News

For now, check this out as the aforementioned Bonifacio High Street Food Tour has a part 2 tomorrow – May 1, 2010. Come and join tomorrow as it is open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. Walk-in registrants start 1pm. Event proper starts 2pm.

Briefly, last week, we had desserts at Sonja’s Cupcakes and Miss Desserts. This was followed by the main course in Sao. We also went to Pasto, Yoh-gurt Frost, and The Establishment. This week’s line up would be different with new restaurant-participants and some of the spots repeating.

Be prepared for Polu Kai, Italianni’s, Stock Market, Ice Cream Bar, Trio and Amber.

The registration concierge B8 along Bonifacio High Street is located near the front of Coffee Bean Tea Leaf BHS Branch. Tell the reception you were invited through NomNomClub and Ivan Man Dy. Again do take note that slots are limited and is available on a first come first serve basis.

*Photo from http://www.ayalaland.ph/article/bgc_passionfest2010 used for event promotion purposes.

Have a fun and stomach-filling PassionFest BGC Food Tour.

After the two weeks of guessing game among NomNom Club subscribers, NomNom’s favorite is finally revelaed – the Starbucks Apple Fritter Doughnut! 🙂

Thank you to all the 87 subscribers who participated. They had a 33% chance of getting the right answer having to choose from among the 3 doughnuts.

Starbucks Doughnuts

I loved the apple fritters because of the apple bits and flavor and the hint of cinnamon combined. The old fashioned glaze was fine but I fancied the apple fritter more. The chocolate old fashion glaze was really just the chocolate version of the former. 🙂 It tastes ok too, nonetheless.

If the sugar coating is too much for you, I have a tip – take some off literally, to feel less guilty. 🙂

The Starbucks Top Pot Doughnuts will be available in all Starbucks Philippines Coffee shops starting May 3, 2010.

The Winners

From among the 87 entries, there were a number which had missing wall posts so they had to be validated. About 10% had to be disqualified. And From among the 70++ remaining, 23 guessed the Aple Fritters choice.

That’s about 30%! More than half of the answers were the original Glazed Old Fashioned Doughnut and the chocolate version came in last with the least number of guesses.

Starbucks Doughnuts Finalists A

Starbucks Contest Finalists B

So the 23 entries were subjected to the random list generator in Random.org where three winners were selected from those coming out on top of the list (click images above for larger image).

Congratulations to:

1 Michelle – hushbaby**@yahoo.com
2 Myla Naig – mylasue**@yahoo.com
3 Roy Kabiling – troy_machinto**@yahoo.com

Guess My Fave Starbucks Doughnut Contest

You will be notified by email based on your email subscription next week where your Philippine-based addresses will be requested. Starbucks Philippines will then courier the Starbucks Gift Certificates each of you will receive.

Starbucks Top Pot Doughnuts

Thank you once again for participating in our NomNom Club contest. If you haven’t subscribed in our email list, please do so HERE. You would get updated on our latest foodie news and contests. You may also want to join our Facebook Page and join the NomNom Club.

The Starbucks Doughnuts will be available in all Starbucks Philippines coffee shops starting May 3, 2010. Try the Apple Fritters! 🙂

Another adventure in Legazpi Sunday Market is set as they organize the first “Grilla In Manila” grilling contest and festival on April 25, 2010.

Although registration for the contest is already closed, you can still join us as we witness the actual contest this weekend from 8am to 11am. Teams just had their debriefing last Sunday. Aspiring cooks, chefs and entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend.

Here is a backgrounder on the contest:

The contest is open to non-professionals, foodies, student chefs, starting out entrepreneurs, etc. (amateurs).  Teams with a maximum of 3 members will be allowed.

a. The teams will submit a total of 3 dishes prepared in its entirety at the market (preparation and cooking time is a total of 3 hours).

1. Grilled Beef Dish – 2.5 kilos of Angus  beef will be provided by the LSM courtesy of sponsor Tenderbites.
2. Specialty Grilled Dish (choice of team)
3. Side Dish (produce to be purchased at the LSM by the team). Produce (vegetables, fruits, protein etc.) must be purchased at the LSM by the team on the day of the event  for only P200 (to be sponsored by the market). It must also be prepared in its entirety at the market (preparation and cooking time is a total of 3 hours)

b. Preparation and cooking time is a total of 3 hours. All 3 dishes should be ready for tasting at 11am.

c.  All grilling and cooking equipment, unless specified, will be provided by the team. No electricity will be provided.

Legazpi Sunday Market's Grilla In Manila

d.  All ingredients will be provided by the teams except where specified.

e.  5 gallons of water will be provided for each team’s use.

f.  Teams should be at the venue by  8:00 am.

g.  Teams must provide all cutlery, dish towels, utensil , grillers and any appliances or Ingredients not specified.

h.  Cleanliness and safe food handling is of at utmost importance.

i.  The amount of food prepared must be enough for:
– 40 small tasting portions
-  5  full portions for judges (plated)

Judging Criteria
Presentation/Visual Appeal        15%
Palatability/Flavor            50%
Tendreness                15%
Originality/Creativity            20%

Awards
The Market Griller (people’s choice)
The Grill King (overall winner)

For inquiries on Legazpi Sunday Market‘s “Grilla In Manila“, you may call Maan at (632)425.0851 or email Legazpi_SundayMarket@yahoo.com

Starbucks will be offering Top Pot Doughnuts in select Starbucks Coffee outlets in the Philippines come April 12, 2010, Monday.

What's inside the box? 🙂

Background

Top Pot is a family owned business started by two brothers Mark and Michael Klebeck. With its unique, old style signature “hand-forged” doughnuts, Starbucks hand selected Top Pot back in 2005 to carry their doughnuts in western Washington.

The Top Pot doughnuts are made using little automation giving each doughnut a hand crafted taste and look that fits Starbucks® hand crafted beverages and coffee.

The Doughnuts

With zero grams trans fat, the three doughnuts are the Glazed Old Fashioned Doughnut, Chocolate Old Fashioned Doughnut, and Top Pot Apple Fritter.

Starbucks Glazed Old Fashioned Doughnut

The ‘Glazed Old Fashioned Doughnut‘ is considered a “classic” inspired through a recipe from the 1930’s. Inside the golden exterior is a moist, cake with hints of vanilla and some nutmeg. It’s covered with Top Pot’s own proprietary “Air Sped” glaze while it’s hot .

Starbucks Chocolate Old Fashioned Doughnut

While the ‘Chocolate Old Fashioned Doughnut‘ is the chocolate version of the classic Glazed Old Fashioned doughnut.

Starbucks Top Pot Apple Fritter Doughnut

The ‘Top Pot Apple Fritter‘ is made of hand chopped apples mixed with cinnamon and spices and cooked golden brown and covered with “Air Sped” glaze.

The Contest

======================================================

April 19, 2010 Update: the Contest is UPGRADED & EXTENDED!

The prizes just leveled up from 1 GC to 3 GCs! And because of this, NomNom is also extending the contest another week from April 19 to April 24! The three raffle winners from those with the correct answer will be announced on April 25. Thank you to Starbucks Philippines for the prizes.

======================================================

If you noticed, the article’s direction is more descriptive than a recommendation. That is because I’m gonna let you guess which among the three Starbucks Top Pot doughnuts caught my fancy best.

Top Pot Doughnuts

Mechanics

Simply create a Facebook wall post (shared with ‘everyone‘) indicating which Starbucks doughnut you think NomNom liked best. Include this link (https://nomnomclub.com/restaurants/2010/starbucks-top-pot-doughnuts/) in your message as well.

Finally, place the URL of your facebook wallpost on the comment section below and you’re done!

Rules

One comment per person only. Multiple entry cheaters will be turned to stone by Medusa then swallowed by the Kraken.

Contest will start from now until April 17 24, 2010.

All valid and correct answers will be included in the electronic raffle using Random.org. Winner will be announced on April 18 25, 2010 on this blog.

For any inquiries or clarification, please don’t put in the comment section (it’s for the answers and URL links), instead you may email admin<at>NomNomClub.com.

Top Pot Doughnuts

Prize

A Three (3) Starbucks gift certificates for a free drink of your choice at any size.

It All three will be couriered to your choice of address anywhere in the Philippines.

Qualification

Starbucks Top Pot Doughnutd

The contest is open only to anyone with a valid Philippine address where the prize will be couriered. It is also open only to NomNomClub.com Email Subscribers. If you are not yet an email subscriber, you may do so by clicking here.

So, which could be my favorite Starbucks Top Pot doughnut? Is it the old fashioned glaze? The chocolate version? or the Apple Fritter? 🙂

Ok, this is actually not the freshest news, but I just had to point it out. 🙂 In the past few months, you may have noticed a lot of changes in Greenwich‘s food line and store make up.

Greenwich Levels Up!

And hence the commercial phrase: “dahil ang favorite pizza chain ninyo, nag-level up na!”

They ‘leveled up‘ a lot of things.

From the regular Hawaiian Pizzas, they leveled it up into a new premium pizza offering called the Ultimate Hawaiian Overload with 2x more Hawaiian toppings of ham, glazed pineapple, smoked bacon and 100% Mozzarella and Cheddar cheese.

Team Manila Designed Pizza Box

And it comes in a stylish generally-black-and-white pizza box designed by Team Manila.

More on food, Greenwich also introduced two new American Lunch Specials: the Quarter Slab Ribs and Thick ‘N Tender Chops. The Tender Chops comes at P179 with java rice, mixed veggies and a regular drink

I have tried the quarter slab ribs and it was good. Surprisingly, it’s only priced at P199 already with java rice, mixed veggies and regular drink. You wouldn’t find that price range for a slab ribs even in non fast casual stores.

Greenwich Quarter Slab Ribs

Greenwich Pizza Fries

The new Greenwich Pizza Fries also serves as a good partner to their pasta and meals. It comes in pepperoni and cheese & garlic flavors plus a special pizza sauce dip.

Wait, there’s more! 🙂

Greenwich Thick n' Tender Chops

The crew also had a ‘level up’ with the stylish and colorful new store team uniforms designed by renowned Randy Ortiz. And finally, to complete the package is their presence on the web with the new Greenwich website www.greenwich.com.ph.

Greenwich Ultimate Hawaiian Overload Pizza

Greenwich started 2010’s first quarter with a bang! Expect to see more from your favorite pizza chain as they continue to ‘Level Up!’

The Venice Piazza‘s newly opened restaurants Kuse and Old Vine has a new alfresco dining promo.

Customers of both Kuse and Old Vine both gets 30% off on all drinks and pica-pica 9pm onwards everyday!

Kuse serves traditional Filipino cuisine while the term, which originated from the Filipino word ‘Kusinero’, means ‘chef’. Old Vine offers Mediterranean dishes with a wide variety of wine collection.

Among the pica-pica and dishes you could order for the alfresco dining include Buffalo Wings with tomato-coriander (P210), Hot and Spicy Dynamite Roll (P190), and Tokwa’t Baboy (P200), and of course, beer.

For inquiries on Kuse and Old Vine, call: 836.4966, 836.4969 or 0920.9243044. Email at larrycortez_chefsquarter@yahoo.com.