NEW VLOG SERIES: THE RAMEN RULES AT RAMEN NAGI ONE BONIFACIO HIGH STREET

           When it comes to Ramen here in the Philippines, it's hard to argue with Ramen Nagi's status as being on the top of the heap. When it came to opening yet another branch, the brains behind Ramen Nagi decided to take things to the next level by designing a whole new concept store that would break from the tradition, and give it's interiors a sleeker, more upscale look, while staying true to the excellence in service and food quality that they are known for. 

      So last week, I was fortunate enough to witness the blessing of their newest store, conveniently located at One Bonifacio High Street, the heart of BGC!   

     And what makes the branch even more awesome? They'll be the only branch that will be serving the legendary Truffle King Ramen from its opening, all the way until December! 

FREEZER BURN'S SPECIAL CHRISTMAS FLAVORS!

   

            With the Yuletide season upon us, Rockstar Chef, Miko Aspiras uses this time to get his creative juices flowing in his highly successful Ice Cream Parlor, Freezer Burn. Looking to innovate more flavors, Chef Miko developed a Christmas themed composed Ice Cream line that would make Santa himself want to stop over in the middle of delivering gifts, just for a scoop! 

FEEL THE FREEZER BURN

        I've been a fan of Chef Miko Aspiras since his days in Fairmont Hotel. He created a collection of Macarons, with the most insane flavors known to man, yet he found a way to ensure it was absolutely delicious. So anything that he is involved in usually has my attention. 

     I've seen what he's done with cookies and cakes, but this time I was excited to see what wonders he could make when he delves into the wonderful world of Ice Cream, as he launched his newest concept, called "Freezer Burn". 

SOME FOWL PLAY AT FOWL BREAD!

      I'm always excited when the Tasteless Group comes up with a new food concept! Perhaps one of the most avant-garde restaurant concept groups in the country today The Tasteless Group recently opened yet another new restaurant called "FowlBread" at Bonifacio High Street, whose specialty is delicious Fried Chicken Sandwiches!

      But like I said, this is the Tasteless Group, so you can be rest assured that this is a Fried Chicken Sandwich unlike any you've ever had before! 

KICHITORA OF TOKYO: A RAMEN HOUSE ON THE RISE!

Can I just say, it's the lighting that makes me look like I have a lot of white hair on my temples. 

(Although you gotta admit, it does make me look kinda Clooney-esque, right? 

Right? Guys? Anyone???)

     In a country that is going crazy over the biggest names in Ramen coming to our shores, one local brand continues to grow and stand tall in spite of its big name competition. 

    Using a unique broth that is uses chicken as its base instead of the usual pork or beef, Kitchitora of Tokyo has thrown down the gauntlet and showed the big names in Ramen that it's here to stay by opening yet another branch in Bonifacio High Street Central!  

CRYSTAL JADE DINING IN: CHEF'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND THANKSGIVING!

   2014 was a very blessed year for me and my family, so I make it a point to give thanks every chance I get. One of the restaurants that I enjoyed immensely last year was Crystal Jade. Not only is the food excellent, but Rina and I were blessed to meet some of the key people behind its success, such as Kenneth and Gela, who turned out to be genuinely nice people whom I now consider them as friends. 

     As a way of giving thanks to its friends in the bloggersphere, Crystal Jade held a lunch at Crystal Jade Dining In at The Fort, which also featured some of the latest additions to their already awesome menu! 

MY FIRST TIME IN 2ND'S! (AND THIRDS. AND FOURTHS. AND FIFTHS.)

       As a blogger that has been at it since 2010, I am quite ashamed to admit that I had never had a full meal at the popular restaurant, "2nd's". I can't give you a valid explanation why, but my schedule has usually been the culprit.

      2nd's burst into Manila dining scene in 2011, with an eclectic menu that features unique takes on some of your favorite "Comfort food", including their version of Bacon that helped put them on the map. 

     As teary Renee Zelwegger told Jerry Maguire, "You had me at bacon.." (At least in MY version that's what she said). 

VILLAGE TAVERN: TEX-MEX MENU & MORE!

         I've been back to Village Tavern quite a few times since that very first Epic Meal I enjoyed there when it first opened a couple of years ago. Since that first meal, Chef Josh Boutwood has continued to innovate his menu, consistently coming up with new dishes that  keeps his customers coming back for more. 

      Chef Josh's newest menu concepts were inspired by the Southwestern fare, and he managed to give it his trademark spin that makes Village Tavern's dishes so memorable!

TAKE ME TO THE BUTCHER SHOP & PUB

       Whenever you think of "Expensive Food", Steak is usually the first thing that comes to my mind. Which is why I'm always on the lookout for a great place to have a steak, that offers me the best value for money. Although quality will also be first and foremost on my list of priorities, it is also nice to find a restaurant that you can go back to time and time again, without it hurting your wallet so much. 

       The Butcher Shop and Pub is the latest Gastropub to open in Manila. I'll be honest with you.. I'm not too big on the nightlife, but I love how these gastropubs have been sprouting around the metro. You see, I don't drink, but I eat like a bad mutha (Shutyomouth!). My friends find it difficult to get me to join them for a night of drinks, and they know that it is in the promise of some great food that may lure me out of my hiding hole. Usually, when they ask where we can go, I always choose a place to eat, but the selection of drinks aren't all that great, or could be expensive. Whenever THEY choose, it's usually with food so awful, I usually end up passing by for some drive thru fast food on my way home. 

      The next time that they ask me for a suggestion, I know exactly what I'll suggest... The Butcher Shop & Pub.

VILLAGE TAVERN'S CHAR-GRILLED WAGYU BURGERS!

           In a country where rice meals dominate practically every dining table, I, on the other hand, have had a long standing love affair with Burgers. Even I am left baffled at how I seem to be powerless against the allure of a mouth-watering slab of meat, snuggled between two soft buns (And YES, I'm still talking about food, you perv). 

       From the first time I tried it, Village Tavern has been one of my favorite restaurants. Bistro Group Executive Chef Josh Boutwood never fails to leave me in awe with how he elevates your dining experiences with his culinary concoctions. 

      This time, his creations hits close to home, as Chef Josh has come up with some Char-Grilled Wagyu Burgers that left me and my taste buds (we are separate entities) spellbound. 

'CUE MODERN BARBECUE'S NEW PORCH MENU!

        I've actually only been there once, and only got to try a limited number of items on their menu, but Cue is definitely one of my favorite restaurants. From the moment I saw a friend post the picture of the Steak and Bone Marrow Tacos, I knew that this restaurant, whose them is "Modern Barbecue", was right up my alley. 

        As a testament to how good the food was, here's a little anecdote.. I was invited over a few to 'Cue, a couple of months after it had opened. On the date that Rina and I were supposed to visit, the marketing guy that invited me didn't realize that he scheduled my visit on a day that he would be out of town, and didn't endorse me to anyone. He apologized, and said we could re-schedule for another day, which was fine with me. But the problem was, I had studied the inside and out of the menu every single day leading up to my visit. Meaning my mind and heart was dead set on finally trying 'Cue.

     There I was, standing at the door of the restaurant I had been drooling over the past couple of weeks, so I decided, "You know what? Forget the invite! Let's eat now!". 

    Since we were eating there on my own dime, our feature was not as extensive as I would have liked, as 'Cue's price are a little steep - not say it isn't worth every cent, but still a bit steep nonetheless. 

    I told myself that Rina and I would go back soon, but our schedule hasn't permitted it. 

    So even though I don't drink, when I was asked to sample Cue's "Porch Menu", I said YES without a moment's hesitation. 

IHOP'S NEW GRIDDLE MELTS!

          Though its still rather busy during peak hours, the IHOP craze has seemed to die down. The lines are nowhere near as ridiculous as it was during the first few months of their operation. 

        So what does IHOP do to make sure their brand stays fresh? Introduce new products of course! 

         Starting off with their new Griddle Melts!

WINE PAIRING AT THE CAKE CLUB - RINAZ

        People usually find it interesting that between Richie and I, he’s the one who does not drink (at all!) and I’m the one who can take a couple of glasses of cocktails occasionally. I especially love frozen margarita with lotsa salt! (Missing weekends at Chilli’s with my ex-office mates! Huhuhu!)

        But truthfully I never really enjoyed wine (unless it’s my sister-in-law’s special red wine with sprite... I think it’s sprite...) Aaaaanyway, I find the taste of wine a bit too bitter for my liking. I would try but only end up taking 2-3 sips and that’s it.

        And it was only until a few days ago when I finally appreciated the pleasure of drinking wine. It was during the wine pairing at The Cake Club that I started to understand that wine is best enjoyed when paired with the right stuff. 

       Or in this case, when paired with the right dessert! 

PIZZA HEAVEN AT NOLITA BONIFACIO HIGH STREET

     Time and time again, I often repeat my frustration with the culinary wonder known as "Pizza". I love those glorious oven baked pies, but more often than not, it triggers my hyper acidity,and the results aren't pleasant. As much as I would love to be able to indulge in a stunning, thin crust pizza, topped with a double helping of mozzarella cheese and bacon, ham, and pepperoni, I would never do so at the expense of possibly having a brown baby boy in the middle of an important meeting. 

     Which is why It took me so long to visit Nolita. 

     A couple of months ago, as I made plans to meet up with my college friends, I suggested to my friends that we check out Nolita, thinking that I could taste one of their pizzas and realize that it wasn't something I would crave for, and my tummy would not be in jeopardy. Basically get the whole thing over with.

    As my teeth dug into my pizza, the first thing that came into my mind was, "Uh-oh".  

AMONG FRIENDS AT STELLA IN BONIFACIO HIGH STREET CENTRAL

         I really love the restaurants located at Bonifacio High Street Central. I've tried 'Cue, Village Tavern, The Mango Tree Bistro, and The Cake Club, and all have been nothing short of outstanding. One restaurant there that had escaped my taste buds, was Stella Wood Fired Bistro. Stella, and its adjoining bar, "Rocket Room", is a part of the the Rain Tree Group, which conceptualized some excellent restaurants, such as Chelsea Market, Momo Cafe, and a personal favorite, Mr.Jones. 

      Rina's High School friend Steph asked if we could meet up so she could introduce us to her boyfriend, Carlo, who happens to be a Filipino Chef that has been gaining recognition in Australia (good on ya bro!). 

      When they asked me where I wanted to suggest to go. Although my initial reaction was to take them to one of the restaurants I had been to before, Rina suggested that it would be a great opportunity to finally try out Stella. 

BRUNCH AT THE CAKE CLUB: PART I

          On weekends, there's a very good chance that I would skip breakfast and just have a heavy lunch. If it were up to me though, I would always start the day with Brunch. Maybe something in the mid-morning, around 10 or so.. Not too heavy (Definitely no rice).. So that by 1pm or so, I could have a heavy lunch, then a light dinner in the evening.

      Of course, that would be in a perfect world. One that I don't live in.

      But I did get the chance to try the new Brunch Menu of The Cake Club By Diamond Hotel at Bonifacio High Street, and it gave me a glimpse of what that perfect world would be like. The array of choices were impressive, and I could definitely see myself starting off my day with these mouthwatering dishes. 

A MEMORABLE T.G.I.FRIDAY'S EXPERIENCE

       Do you remember when the first T.G.I. Fridays opened in Manila? I do. All of a sudden, when it came to dining out in Makati, T.G.I. Fridays became THE default choice of everyone. The line to get in was ridiculous. You would think that the Filipino people were once again holding a "People Power" rally to overthrow an evil dictatorship at the third floor of Glorietta 2. You'd never think that all these people would wait hours in line for some chicken fingers and burgers. 

      Whether you were with your friends or family, it mattered not. Forget Cindy's. T.G.I.Friday's was the place to be. 

THE STOCK MARKET CAFE REDUX

      Last weekend, Rina and I decided to take Baby Rain out for a stroll at Bonifacio High Street. Funnily enough, it was such a beautiful day when we left the house, we didn't even think to bring an umbrella anymore. Since we were with Baby Rain, going down from the car calls for the unloading of a stroller and baggage that would make one think that we're actually heading to Singapore instead of a local strip mall. Because of that, whenever we go to High Street, we find it easier to park at the basement of Serendra (also because it's covered, in case of the heat), and take a leisurely stroll across the street. 
   
      It was a little bit ridiculous because as soon as we crossed the street to High Street, we heard a thunder clap and within seconds, the rain began to pour. Realizing we were unprepared for the situation, I told Rina I'd take her out for lunch at a restaurant of her choice. 

    She immediately chose Stock Market Cafe. I asked if she would reconsider because we had already been there, but she was quick to point out that I went there with my Giant Joel and the lovely Donna.. My workmates.. without her. She let the guilt sink in me a little bit before she went all wife on me and said, "Where ever you want is fine."

    Two minutes later, we were standing in front of Stock Market Cafe, asking the hostess for a table for two.  

ITALIANNI'S WITH MY GIRLS

     There are many special women in my life.. all of them members of my family (and yes, I consider my Yaya as "Family"). Naturally, the first two females that come to mind would be my darling wife, Rina, and my beautiful baby girl, Rain. Prior to Baby Rain coming in to my life, being a part of my niece Cara's growing up served as my "training" to becoming a dad. 

      I learned a lot from helping raise Cara.. Especially about how to deal with an adolescent girl. Though she wasn't by any means a bad girl, I couldn't help but become a protective (often accused as "overly") uncle. And I'd like to think some how she learned a lot from me too. 

    Cara. My "Little Star", as I used to call her, now lives in the United States where she's completing her college education. She's back to the country for her summer vacation, as well as to being her On Job Training at a prestigious law firm. 

    Since she's not going to be here for a very long time, I asked if she could join us for lunch, so she could spend more time with Baby Rain before she left. Since she the most convenient place for her to meet us was High Street, I decided that the best place to have a family style lunch would be at Italianni's. 

EPIC FIRSTS AT VILLAGE TAVERN

      Have you ever been to a restaurant, and the moment you open the menu, everywhere you look.. no matter what corner of the page you glance at, you see a dish that you just HAVE to order? 

     Well, that's exactly what happened to me when I went to Village Tavern last week. I swear, I was just staring at the menu, with my tummy growling at me and I just drew a blank. The dishes just sounded so amazing, I was completely overwhelmed. I honestly wanted to order practically EVERYTHING.

     Which is why I turned over the ordering reins to my friend Mitzi of The Bistro group, figuring since she has declared The Village Tavern one of her favorite restaurants to eat at, she wouldn't lead us astray. 

    Funnily enough, I was right. Everything Mitzi recommended knocked it out of the park.