Nomnomnom, Eat, Nomnomnom, Eat, Nomnomnom

This is my first time to try Persian cuisine. Although there’s a popular misconception that Persian food is spicy, I learned through this experience that most dishes are actually rich with ‘spices,’ but not necessarily spicy.

Persian Cuisine

Also referred to as Iranian Cusiine, Persian cuisine covers an extensive range of cooking preparations and style. In Iran alone, the regions and provinces features different dishes. There are some parts whcih are not into spicy foods while there are those who are. Just like in the Philippines where Bicol is characterized mostly for their spicy dishes while the rest of the country does not.

Their list of recipes and dishes, including appetizers, salads, and desserts is broad. Usual spices include onion, garlic, and herbs like basil, cilantro, fenugreek, tarragon, and shaahi (Persian watercress). Other accompaniments include saffron, dried limes, cinnamon, and parsley.

Case in point, Arya located at the Podium Mall in Ortigas offers varied concoctions of pork, chicken, and beef dishes, among others. The spicy ones have a “chili” icon on the menu’s side.

When my eyes gazed upon the Lamb Biryani in the menu, I told myself I will not let pass the chance to try this one. A Lamb Biryani serves the lamb shank part, tender and stewed in spicy Biryani sauce and matched with your choice of Biryani or Jasmine rice. (Top Photo)

Beef Mahksus

My photo above is just how it looks like. The deep dark brown Biryani sauce was generously served great for mixing with the rice. The lamb meat was one of the most tender and tasty lamb meat I ever had. This is highly expected of meat parts near the bones.

But wait, have I mentioned that it had the “chili” icon on the menu? 🙂 I was able to take the spice level though; which means it would be perfect for those who like spicy foods.

And now, for the dish I enjoyed more and I highly recommend: Beef Mahksus (skewers of Shish and Koobideh). ‘Shish‘ is tenderloin while ‘Koobideh‘ is grounded.

Arya Dip Platter

In translation, this is the Skewers of Beef Tenderloin and Grounded Beef. Served with rice and 2 tomatoes on the side, you may ask a server to slice and prepare the tomatoes into something quite special.

Roti

They don’t have a formal term for what they do with it but they basically slice the tomatoes into small pieces and mix it with spices. The result is an awesome topping or dip (depending on how you intend to use them). Allow me to elaborate on this on a separate future post. As a bonus, I have a video on how they prepared it. 🙂

For now, just believe me to have them prepare it that way and you’ll not be sorry. 🙂

Prior to the main dishes, we had the Arya Dip Platter which consists of Hummus, Motabal, Tzitziki, and Mirza Ghazemi. This a good group appetizer for four especially if you want to try something different from the usual American bread and butter before a hearty meal.

If you’re in a mood for more appetizers, have a ‘roti.’ It’s a whole wheat unleavened flat bread pan fried and served with curry sauce.

We also had the skewer platter.

Skewer Platter

Arya Persian Restaurant

Part 2 will follow soon and part one will be updated with prices 🙂

Tip: If you love the lamb shank but want to do without the spiciness, order the Mahiche Polo. It’s a Persian style lamb shank stew with dilled Jasmine rice or Basmati rice (Iranian Rice). I haven’t tried it though, I’m trying it the next time I step in Arya.

I first ate at Panciteira Lido early this year at their SM Fairview branch. I wasn’t aware then of its other branches.

Chami Special

The first one I tried was their evidently signature dish – Pugon-Roasted Asado – which was prominently displayed in their restaurant walls.

The Chami Special (pancit) had an almost equal billing but I only took the pugon-roasted asado for take-out. Chami is their best seller in the pansit category.

When I reached home, I was no less than satisfied as the pork loin was roasted in a pugon, (old-fashioned brick oven) marinated with secret ingredients and aromatic flavors concocted by Panciteris Lido’s first chef – Chef Lido – more than 70 years ago. The pugon-roasted pork asado came with a sweet sauce complementing the roasted aroma.

Steamed Fish Fillet

The Pugon-Roasted Asado is truly something unique, not only among Chinese restaurants, but all local restaurants here in the Philippines. The closest I could think of is Raviolli Bistro‘s pugon pizza and Pan De Manila‘s pugon pandesal. 🙂 But those are wheat-based products so baking it in pugon is not a surprising option.

I never got the chance to get back to SM Fairview since then.

But a few days ago, I found out that they also had a branch in Capitol Towers along E.Rodrigues avenue in Quezon City (across Trinity College).

This time, I tired more dishes including Steamed Fish-Fillet in soy sauce (P255), Chami Special (petit-P112), Drunken Lechon Macau (P257), Shrimp Balls (P275), Poached Tofu (P105), and of course, 1/4 kilo of Pugon Roasted Asado (P267).

Shrimp Balls

Syphon-Filtered Coffee

The meal was capped with Panciteria Lido’s very own syphon-filtered coffee; a full bodied cup of coffee which they introduced since 1994.

Poached Tofu

Coming from a Chinese family, the Chinese cuisine was  a familiar taste. All the above mentioned dishes were outstanding especially the Shrimp Balls, the crispy Drunken Lechon Macau, and of course the signature pugon roasted asado pork. Only the poached tofu needs more improvement. In fairness, selecting tofu from the market and cooking them is quite tricky. You should be able to maintain its soft texture through proper storage and careful cooking.

Panciteria Lido E.Rod Branch

I also got to know that the E/Rodriguez branch only had a small space because the bulk of its sales come from deliveries. Business seem to be good indeed with brisk orders from both dine-in customers and loyal clients who orders kilos and kilos of pugon roasted pork asado and prefer to eat them in the comfort of their homes.

As a natural consequence, Panciteria Lido is in the road to expansion as they have a new upcoming branch in BF Homes Paranaque that is due to open by August 08, 2010.

They have also opened up their system to franchising. In fact, the aforementioned Paranaque branch is a franchise.

The typical branch similar to the one in E.Rodrigues can be estimated at 4 million in franchise investment including all kitchen equipments and total store construction.

It’s a well-priced investment since all is taken care of from equipments to construction and design. With an estimated 3-year return on investment, you just have to find a jackpot location for your intended Panciteria Lido franchise. 🙂

Panciteria Lido

Panciteria Lido also delivers within the 1.5km radius with a minimum purchase of P300. For your Pugon-roasted asado, call 414-5436 (Panciteria Lido Delivery Telephone Number).

So what is an Eclipse movie post doing in NomNomClub?

It’s because Jollibee recently sponsored an Eclipse Block Screening in Podium Mall in its first day of showing. At the same time, NomNomClub had a private contest for its foodie club members.

Marizen: NomNom Foodie Club Winner

Jollibee Burger Meal & Jollibee Barkada Meal

Marizel Villamora won the short contest which was posted in NomNom Club FB fanpage.

We met at the cinema venue, where she got the ticket and the Jollibee Eclipse promo meal with the Eclipse tumbler of her choice. The three main character’s faces are on the tumblers: Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), and Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).

Aside from the fact that The Twilight Saga: Eclipse was better than its predecessors mainly because there were more action (personal view), I believe Marizel enjoyed the whole experience as well.

Jollibee Eclipse Movie Screening; Brent Javier (rightmost)

Thank you to Jollibee for the invites. If you are a Twilight Saga / Eclipse fanatic, you may get those limited edition tumblers with any Jollibee Burger Meal or Hotdog Value Meal by adding P25.  If 1 tumbler is not enough, get 3 tumblers with any purchase of Jollibee Barkada Meal for P275; which also comes in a special themed box. 🙂

The 1st Philippine Chocolate & Ice Cream Show in the Philippines will soon open its doors to chocolate addicts & ice cream lovers like me.:)

There has been a lot of food shows and trade fairs in the past years but never before was there a food show that concentrated on these two heavenly comfort foods. As if chocolates are not enough, they paired it with a similarly delectable ice cream.

The website adds:  “Attendees to this event will look forward to the best chocolate and ice cream shopping in the Philippines.  Consumers and entrepreneurs will discover the remarkable and surprising range of chocolate and ice cream products that the Philippines and the world have to offer.  Visitors will be able to savor the widest variety of chocolate and ice cream delicacies under one roof for three straight days!“

1st Philippine Chocolate & Ice Cream Show

Exhibitors profiles include Cacao Bean Growers, Suppliers of Nuts, Preserved Fruits, Jams and Fillings, Chocolate Manufacturers-Suppliers & Distributors, Suppliers of Chocolate Processing Machineries, Equipment Manufacturer, Distributors of Kitchen Supplies & Equipment. Furthermore,  Ice Cream / Sundae Manufacturers Suppliers & Distributors, Ice Cream Machineries, Supplies & Equipment, Culinary Schools, Logistics & Distribution Companies, Authors on Books of Food, Publishers & Distributors, among others.

The event also hosts the 1st Hotel-Hostel And Restaurant Expo Philippines. Moreover, attendees will get to witness a Chocolate Spa Treatments conducted by professionals and experts in the beauty industry.

Registration Fee is P100 but you may pre-register here until June 30 (extended to July 10), 2010 and get 50% off.

Check out more details from their website here.

From the organizers of Outdoor Advertising Philippines 2009 and Bakery Fair, BMT Events Solutions, in partnership with Pastry Alliance Of The Philippines, presents the First Philippine Chocolate & Ice Cream Show happening on July 14 to 16, 2010 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

With the plethora of cooking oil in the market nowadays, regular consumers can get confused just with the number of options alone.

I’ve always highly regarded the use of olive oil. But if you’re a little tight on the budget, Golden Fiesta Palm Oil can be an affordable alternative.

Similarly for actress and wife Dawn Zulueta, cooking for her family is one of the things she loves to do. This was after her husband, Davao del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo, actually taught her how to cook. 🙂

“When I was still single I didn’t really know how to cook. I didn’t have time to learn because I would just sleep or relax after work,” says Dawn, who used to lead a busy life as a TV and movie actress.

Golden Fiesta Palm Oil & Actress Dawn Zulueta

In her latest TV commercial (TVC), Dawn can be seen using Golden Fiesta Palm Oil in cooking, saying that she gets “less worry, more healthy”.

“I love Golden Fiesta Palm Oil because it’s definitely a healthier alternative to other cooking oil. We Filipinos love fried food so it’s best to choose a product that is safe and healthy,” adds Dawn.

So what’s in it?

Golden Fiesta Palm Oil is made from 100 percent premium quality refined palm oil and contains Omega9.

This is surely good news specially to those who love fried foods or to mothers who fry foods for their children; be it French fries, fried chicken, burgers, or cooking healthy stir-fried vegetables.

Moreover, it was made more affordable a few months ago. Golden Fiesta Palm Oil one-liter packs and two-liter packs are now at P15* and P30* (*suggested) less than their original suggested retail price, respectively.

It’s D-Day today, Dad’s Day! And with the fathers on mind, Melo’s Steakhouse has prepared something special for the man of the house – Steak Ala Dad.

Melo's Steak Ala Dad

Known initially to be the first restaurant to serve certified Angus Beef in the Philippines, Melo’s now also features Wagyu beef. And speaking of Wagyu, Steak Ala Dad is Melo’s latest creation to commemorate all the fathers for their hard work and sacrifices. I’ve tried it myself a few days ago in Melo’s Makati and the steak is soft and luscious just as what I expected from Melo’s. Although it’s my first time in Makati, I have tried Melo’s in Quezon City near ABS-CBN.

“We came up with our own Fathers’ Day Special which is certified to make the man of the house melt,” shared Melo’s Marketing Manager Carolina Santiago Macasaet, daughter of owner Carmelo L. Santiago, known as “Melo”.

Personally, I appreciate Melo’s personalized service in making sure that the steaks served in our tables were carefully cooked and grilled according to our liking. You can have your steak cooked in any level but I suggest you have them medium rare to have the firm surface while maintaining the soft meat inside. The Wagyu tenderloin is wrapped in bacon and sits on a serving of mash potato, some vegetables including carrots and asparagus, and mushroom porcini sauce.

Melo's Father's Day Special - Steak Ala Dad

Watch out as we’ll be featuring more of Melo’s new Wagyu variants soon. Subscribe and be updated!

Melo's Jupiter in Makati

So in case you’re browsing for a good place to treat dad on his special day, give him a taste of Steak Ala Dad which is in line with Melo’s expertise of the tastiest steaks, and perhaps follow it with Red Ribbon‘s Father’s Day Cake as well for a sweet finish. 🙂

Don’t have a gift for Dad yet for this weekend’s upcoming Father’s Day?

Red Ribbon Father's Day Cake

Does daddy have a sweet tooth? Even if not, Father’s Day might just be the best excuse for you to get you cake fix! Red Ribbon releases their Father’s Day Cake starting tomorrow!

From June 18 to June 20, delight your Dad with a specially designed Father’s Day cake from Red Ribbon at P550. Decorated like Dad’s polo shirt, the 8″ chocolate cake is wrapped in fondant icing made extra special. 🙂

Kraft Employee-cum-Photographers

15 to 20 Kraft employees unveiled a series of photographs in exhibit at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati.

'Discover Delicious...'

It’s not all work. Being the 2nd largest food company in the world, Kraft Foods Philippines also encourages their employees to enhance their other skills such as photography.

With this in mind, 15-20 of their employees were trained under renowned photographer Jay Alonzo through a 3-day photography workshop.

Kraft Photography Enthusiasts

“…our employees-cum-photographers captured delicious moments all around our workplace and definitely had fun,” says Sudip Mall, General Manager of Kraft Foods (Philippines) Inc.

Photo Exhibit at the Filipinas Heritage Library

Delicious means...

With the central theme of “Discover Delicious everywhere, everyday,” mentor Jay Alonzo had the participating employees to capture subjects of food and social relationships in Kraft’s own showcase kitchen facility.

Selected photos from the exhibit will be featured in a soon to be published Kusinang Kraft Teabook.

Food Photogrpahy

*Photos shot from the exhibit are for illustration purposes only and displayed in low resolution. Some photos were by Dave Hernandez and Alex dan Tacderas.

Please do visit the “Discover Delicious everwhere, everyday” photo exhibit as it was formally opened by Kraft Foods early last week for public viewing at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City.