May 22nd, 2011 — Affairs, Promos / Events
OpenRice Philippines has made the art of dining a breeze. They have been operating for less than a year but they have gotten an overwhelming response from Filipinos nationwide.
OpenRice Philippines
OpenRice Philippines is an online dining guide which provides reviews and ratings from registered Openricers. Openrice was first founded in Hong Kong in 1999 and late last year, the Philippines launched Openrice.com.ph.
OpenRice Philippines provides a convenient platform to search for restaurant options complete with the restaurant profile, reviews from registered Openricers, photos, etc. It is also a venue for foodies like us to share our views and opinions on restaurants that we’ve visited.
All reviews submitted at the Openrice Philippines website are moderated and approved by the staff. This is to ensure that no spammy or malicious reviews will be posted. On a restaurateurs’ point of view, Openrice provides demographics of their customers and thus they can further improve their services. Also, it is an opportunity for them to promote their businesses and to interact with their customers.
Last May 18, 2011, OpenRice Philippines held its first mini eyeball with their top OpenRicers. We were treated to a burpilicious lunch at Chelsea restaurant at The Poduim. It was an intimate but fun luncheon meet up where the staff finally touch based with their star viewers and raters.
They also hold contests and promos from time to time to keep Openricers interested and inspired to submit restaurant reviews.
Chelsea Restaurant at The Podium
Some of the OpenRicers present were awarded with gadgets such as Blackberry, Flip, etc. for being the top raters and for winning OpenRice contests.
I invite everyone to register at www.openrice.com.ph and win awesome prizes when you SHOOT, EAT & WRITE at OpenRice!
This is your resident NomNomClub writer, Renz Alcantara saying, FOOD is an important part of a balanced diet so EAT MORE and BE MERRY.
May 18th, 2011 — Affairs, Promos / Events
Hear ye, hear ye! We have a food af-fair in May as Yummy Magazine will soon have its first ever food fair called “Yummy Eats” happening on May 21, 2011 (10AM to 6PM) at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City.
Yummy Eats
With a P150 admission fee, Yummy Eats will showcase different foodie activities including cooking demos, culinary school cook-offs, and an eating fair for the visitors. Sample tasty goodies from hand-picked food concessionaires at the event! Foodie brands will also be participating such as Hunt’s, McCormick, Saranggani Bangus, and Petron Gasul.
Bring a copy of Yummy Magazine‘s May 2011 issue and pay only P100 to enter! Moreover, a number of prizes will also be raffled off. I’ll be there at about after lunch or 1pm on May 21. See you at “Yummy Eats!”
May 14th, 2011 — Affairs, Food Technology
Samsung microwave was recently awarded the prestigious Hohenstein certification. Samsung Electronics became the first in the world to receive a microwave certification mark for anti-bacterial technology.
Hohenstein
The ceramic enamel cavity found in a Samsung microwave does not come off. It does not turn rusty or crack either, thus preventing it from becoming dirty.
Moreover, the ceramic enamel cavity prevents bacteria from proliferation and does not discolorate in high temperatures.
Hohenstein QLabel Antibacterial on Samsung
The Hohenstein Institute is an internationally recognized research and service center for hygiene and biotechnology in Germany. They tested Samsung’s microwave oven and validated its anti-bacterial performance leading to Samsung’s microwave oven accreditation having added anti-bacterial agents to the ceramic enamel cavity.
The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) acknowledged the same and ensured a “level of durability that is at least 7.5 times higher than iron plate to which epoxy coating is applied.”
“Our antibacterial ceramic enamel cavity is created the way pottery is produced. We apply antibacterial porcelain enamel that is produced in high temperatures…to the inside of a microwave. The result is a high-class material that has a smooth, shiny surface like that of a piece of pottery. We’re the only company in the world to have such a feature in microwave ovens,†said Mr. Chang Wan Hong, executive vice president of the Samsung Digital Appliances business.
Samsung Microwave Oven
Samsung Electronics, being the world’s first to win such a recognition on anti-bacterial certification, further intends to apply the same antibacterial technology to all its microwave product groups for consumer health and safer cooking.
May 11th, 2011 — Appetizer, Batangas, Beverage, Casual, Cebu, Cravings, Cuisine, Davao, Dessert, Filipino, Greenhills, Iloilo, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Naga, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, places, Quezon City, Quick Service, Restaurants, Tagaytay, Taguig, The Fort, Western, Where To Eat
Have you seen the recent Jollibee commercial? It showed today’s busy and hardworking moms finding it a challenge to get home in time and prepare for a special family dinner. So the father and the kids tried to take on the chore of cooking and the kitchen ended up in a mess, and still without dinner.
When the mother came home, she comforted the family that they could always order through the 8-7000 Jollibee Express Delivery hotline. 🙂 The advertisement highlighted that serving delicious meals can be enjoyed by the whole family with just a phone call.
“Whether daddy wants a piece of crispylicious Chickenjoy, kuya craves for a bite of Champ, ate loves the tasty and meaty Jollibee Spaghetti or bunso wants a delightful cup of Chocolate sundae, busy moms can have all these delivered right at their doorsteps in time for dinner.“
Jollibee treats can be easily made available at home allowing moms to have quality time with the family. So when you are caught in the same situation, just dial 8-7000 (Jollibee Delivery) or log on to www.jollibeedelivery.com (Metro Manila only) . For the complete list of delivery numbers, check out www.jollibee.com.ph.
May 7th, 2011 — Casual, Cravings, Cuisine, Dessert, Filipino, Restaurants, Sweet Shops
Max’s Restaurant celebrates Mother’s Day with its ‘I Heart Mom’ promotion!
Surprise your moms with a cool “I Heart Mom†eco bag on Mother’s Day. The eco bag is free for a minimum spend of P 1,500 at any Max’s Restaurant nationwide.
“Made from recyclable materials, Max’s eco bag with the endearing inscription, ‘I Heart Mom’ pays tribute to the most important woman in our lives. It also sends out a powerful message about environmental awareness and the urgent need to protect Mother Earth,†shares Max’s Group of Companies Corporate Communications Officer Bobby Simborio.
Max’s Restaurant Mother’s Day I Heart Mom Promo
Max’s Restaurant is also providing a unique opportunity for diners to help women in crisis through Max’s Corner Bakery’s ‘I Heart Mom’ cookies. For every purchase of these at P 20 per piece, customers help support Grace To Be Born Ministry.
“We invite everyone to make Mother’s Day even more special this year, with a deeper sense of purpose and the most sincere acts of love. †adds Simborio.
Grace To Be Born Ministry is a pro-life and non-profit organization that provides shelter, counseling and spiritual guidance to pregnant women, and unwed mothers in desperate situations.
Max’s free ‘I Heart Mom’ eco bag Mother’s Day promo is available from May 6 to May 8, 2011.
May 6th, 2011 — Affairs, Batangas, Beverage, Casual, Cebu, Coffee Shops, Cravings, Cuisine, Davao, Greenhills, Iloilo, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Naga, Ortigas, Pasig, Promos / Events, Quezon City, Restaurants, Sweet Shops, Tagaytay, Taguig, The Fort, Western, Where To Eat
I’m not sure what is the connotation of a ‘Happy Hour‘ in other countries or culture outside of the Philippines. But I think Starbucks Philippines is taking it by the raw meaning – giving its customers a Happy Hour!
It is an outstandingly happy hour for Starbucks customesr as Starbucks Philippines recently launched its one-week promo on its Frappuccinos which is offered at half the price (50% off!) everyday from 12 noon to 2pm from May 2 to May 8, 2011. This is to highlight their new offering of the ‘However-You-Want-It’ Frappuccino blended beverage option.
Yeah I know, I was quite late in publishing this because I’m quite busy organizing a blogger mountain climbing event. Anyhow, you still got three chances including today!
Starbucks Happy Hour
This promo is so successful that some customers abused it on the first day so they updated the promo immediately by limiting each purchase of the Frappuccinos under this promo to only two beverages for every customer.
I’ve got one secret to share…they actually officially start 10 minutes before 12nn and end 10 minutes after 2pm to avoid inconvenience with minor time difference in watch/clock synchronization with customers. ssshhhhh…. 🙂 One more thing, as long as you are in the queue by 2:10pm cut-off time, you’re still in! 😛
Once this is over, I hope Starbucks do a repeat of this Starbucks Happy Hour soon! This is really an awesome treat specially with the scorching heat of the summer season.
May 3rd, 2011 — Batangas, Casual, Cebu, Chinese, Cravings, Cuisine, Davao, Dessert, Greenhills, Makati, Malaysian, Mandaluyong, Manila, New Brews, Ortigas, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, Quick Service, Restaurants, Sinaporean, Sweet Shops, Taguig, The Fort, Western, Where To Eat
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!
April 27th, 2011 — Batangas, Beverage, Casual, Cebu, Coffee Shops, Cravings, Cuisine, Davao, Greenhills, Iloilo, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Naga, Ortigas, Paranaque, Pasig, Quezon City, Quick Service, Restaurants, Singapore, SouthEast Asia, Sweet Shops, Tagaytay, Taguig, The Fort, Western
Soy Green Tea Cream Frappuccino Blended Beverage
Basically, it allows customers to create a blended beverage of their liking. You can choose to add a variety of fresh milk or soy to your Frappuccino beverage.
Moreover, you could indicate the intensity of your coffee and pick any combination of toppings and syrups in the same way a Starbucks espresso beverage can be customized.
Among the featured Frappuccino® blended beverage creations are the Extra Coffee Caramel and Soy Green Tea Cream Frappuccino® Blended Beverage
The Starbucks Extra Coffee Caramel is a coffee-intense concoction of caramel syrup combined with new Starbucks Frappuccino® roast coffee, milk, blended with ice and topped with whipped cream and a swirl of buttery caramel sauce.
On the other hand, the Soy Green Tea Cream Frappuccino® blended beverage is made with matcha powder and soy milk, blended with ice and topped with whipped cream.
Extra Coffee Caramel Frappuccino Blended Beverage
Furthermore, Starbucks Philippines elaborates on the new soy options as quoted:
“From soy combinations to those that limit the number of calories, customers can now select their favorite ingredients to find a Frappuccino® blended beverage to meet their dietary needs. By choosing nonfat milk with sugar-free syrup, a Tall (12 fl. oz) blended beverage has only 100 calories, while doubling the Starbucks® Frappuccino® roast coffee and skipping the syrup will intensify the taste, without increasing the sugar.”
