SOMETHING NIU AND EXCITING: NIU BY VIKINGS!

        NIU. Pronounced Nee-uh. It means 9 in Viking language which is a significant number in Norse mythology. But aside from all these facts, what I can say is that NIU by Vikings, is probably one of the classiest non-hotel buffets I have been to!

OLIVE TREE KITCHEN BAR'S NEW TASTING MENU

        A few days ago we were introduce to some delicious and may I say beautiful dishes at Olive Tree Kitchen Bar. It's Manila's first Antipasti Bar located at the heart of Bonifacio High Street ( where Stock Market used to be). Olive Tree Kitchen Bar or OTKB is the creation of Executive Chef Rob Pengson with Sous Chef Jonvic Mangibin, and in partnership with the Del Monte Group. And now, Olive Tree Kitchen & Bar has created a new Tasting Menu that contains five courses plus antipasti and dessert on top of the 5 courses. From this tasting menu (P1,900), you will get a a little bit of the wonders that his kitchen has to offer!

RELIK TAPAS BAR AND LOUNGE: THE LUNCH MENU - RINAZ

       I felt like I was in a classy underground wine cellar. But I wasn't underground. I was at the 2nd floor of the Commercenter Building at Bonifacio Global City. However, because of the dimmed settings with brick walls and black ceiling, you may as well believe you're in a cozy underground restaurant. 

       All of this, the mood, the ambiance and the atmosphere, is all part of the amazing dining experience that is Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge. Now it was time to check out their new lunch specials!

SHAWARMA GUYS AT THE FORT STRIP!

             Truthfully, I'm not a very huge fan of Mediterranean food. I feel that sometimes, the ingredients they used is a bit too far out for my simple, Joe Shmoe Palate. But I do have to admit, I'm a fan of a good Shawarma. I pick out the tomatoes, and cucumbers and whatever vegetable they may have thrown in there (Or request it with no veggies hehe), drizzle my meat packed wrap in the garlic sauce, and BAM, i'm good to go (Did that sound weird?). 

       One time a few years back, I was having dinner at my parent's place. My mom (who loves experimenting with recipes), made a deconstructed Vegetable Shawarma, filled with egg plant, yellow peppers and the like (I say "deconstructed" because you wrap it yourself). Truthfully, when mixed with the garlic sauce she made, it was actually quite good. If there is anyone who is aware that I am a Picky Eater, it's the woman who raised me and had to deal with my picky-ness first hand, so she also prepared a plate of liempo for me to devour, just to make sure I don't complain. 

      As I was watching them wrapping up their shawarmas in the pita bread (she also set aside some grilled chicken breast strips for those who wanted more protein in their shawarma), I realized I was missing out on the fun. The steaming Pitas were too irresistible to pass up, so I decided I wanted to make a shawarma. I had already put a small pile of liempo on to my plate, so I was getting a little guilty (just a little) about double carb-ing my meal.. A chicken breast-veggie shawarma, and liempo with rice? You can't have liempo without rice, can you? You could very well lose your Filipino citizenship! 

      Torn between wanting to make myself a shawarma and eating my liempo, a had a moment of Zen, and did the unthinkable: I made a Liempo Shawarma.  And it was incredible. How incredible? Well.. My companions for the evening.. meaning my brother, my wife, and yes, even my mom saw what I was doing. And guess what? There was loads of chicken breast and veggies leftover that night.. and not a single piece of liempo. 

       I called my creation "Inihaw na Shawarma", and realized that there was so much possible concoctions one could come up with, using that classic Mediterranean wrap. The closest thing I had ever seen to creativity with a shawarma, was when a popular Mediterranean restaurant gave you an option to add french fries into it (Quite good though). But how about a shawarma for the everyman.. the guy that doesn't eat too much veggies.. the guy whose taste buds has been far too influenced by the Western culture.. A guy like me? 

     Enter Shawarma Guys.

Explore BGC with BGC Eats!

The first time I went to BGC some years ago, I was fascinated with the place most especially Serendra and Bonifacio High Street. When you look around, you feel like you’re in a movie (sort of). You see happy kids so carefree, playing on the grass, playing with pets, teenagers skateboarding, musicians singing without a care, and even photographers practicing their shots on anything and anyone. It made an impression on me that this was a safe place, where people can do what they want in peace. Sit on the grass, under a tree, and not worry that a guard might tell you off. Nothing but good vibes!

Slowly I saw BGC grow to be more than just a family place, but a place too where adults can unwind (The Fort Strip), where kids can learn (The Mind Museum), there’s even a soccer field for sports-minded people. Basically everything you need is in Bonifacio Global City. Hotels (F1 hotel, Seda, etc.), big malls (Market! Market!), and an awesome supermarket where you can purchase imported stuff (SNR), world-class hospital (St. Lukes), and more! In fact, my husband and I were talking about it a few days ago... that if we ever purchased another home (a condo), BGC would be our first location choice. It truly is a perfect location. Oh, and it’s a perfect place too for foodies who want to go restaurant hopping!