MAGNOLIA BAKERY NEW YORK OPENS IN MANILA AS M BAKERY!

      From New York to Manila, Magnolia Bakery has landed on our shores, under the name, "M Bakery", bringing with them their world famous pastries and Banana Pudding! 

FIRESIDE IGNITING BONIFACIO HIGH STREET

          I absolutely love the work of Chef Chiloy Santos, the man behind institutions such as Tender Bob's, Kettle and Fireside. I am a fan of American Cuisine, and Chef Chiloy admittedly draws a lot of his inspiration from his travels around the United States. When his latest concept, "Fireside by Kettle" opened at SM Mega Fashion Hall a couple of years ago, I made sure to be there on the first week that it opened with my family to celebrate my birthday. Since then, I've been back a few more times, and each time I've visited, the food has remained consistent, with the food getting better and better each time. 

           The success of the Megamall branch has led to an inevitable expansion, this time at Bonifacio High Street.            

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! 

APPLEBEES: CELEBRATING EVERYTHING AND HAPPY HOUR!

        Ever since she visited the pre-opening Sneak Peek event at Applebee's in Bonifacio Global City last year, Rina has been raving about their food. I took her gushing about their food with a grain of salt, because I had been to Applebee's in New Jersey a couple of years ago, and although I did enjoy our meal there, it wasn't something that I feel I need to go back to given the chance. 

      Rina, however, was adamant. She kept saying, "Trust me.. The Applebee's here is better than the one in the states!". A bold claim, but as I would find out a few months later when I was invited to Applebee's Happy Hour.. she was 100% accurate.    

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!