RAGING BULL CHOPHOUSE AT THE FORT SHANGRI-LA IS A KNOCKOUT!

       It's only August, but I think this is the year in which I've eaten the most steaks in my entire life. Not that I'm complaining, of course, but this just proves that the steak dining scene is alive and well here in Metro Manila. The newest player is opening today, August 31, at Shangri-la Hotel, The Fort, and it looks set to change the game of steak as we know it. 

    Here's a little preview of what to expect at the sparkling new Raging Bull Chophouse. 

TOKYO TOKYO'S NEWEST PREMIUM DONBURI: TERIYAKI MEATBALLS DONBURI!

       With over 30 outlets in Metro Manila alone, it’s easy to find a Tokyo Tokyo Restaurant near you. This is perfect for people like me who sometimes gets cravings for Japanese inspired dishes that are very satisfying, but at prices that are friendly to your wallet. Tokyo Tokyo continues that tradition, with the newest member of their Premium Donburi line.. The Teriyaki Meatballs Donburi!   

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.. THE CHOICE 2016!

     The best thing about becoming a blogger isn't the amazing food I get offered to taste, or the spectacular hotels I get invited to stay in. It's the friends I met through the course of my blogging career. I've been doing this for over six years now, and I've met some amazing people, who I consider life long friends. 

     Food undoubtedly brought us together, but love and respect for one another has kept us our bonds close throughout the past few years. I'm incredibly proud to be a part of this group of phenomenal bloggers, but more importantly, to be counted among this collection of upstanding people, called the "Kain Tulog Gang".

     Last year, the KTG teamed up with Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet to hold "The Choice Awards". Due to its success, we decided to do it again! 

   It's time to let your voice be heard, my friends.. Time to Make THE CHOICE!! 

OUR BELMONT HOTEL MANILA STAYCATION!

        There really is something about staycations that alleviates all the stress from your mind, and allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of the real world.. even if it is just for one night. Even before we became bloggers, Rina and I would enjoy booking a room in a hotel in the metro, and enjoying a relaxing time in our room, without a care in the world. 

      To me, best staycations I've had, is when the essence of  the term "Staycation" is imbibed to its fullest.. It's the ones where we can simply stay in your room or hotel, and enjoy the facilities at your disposal. I don't need a large room, for as long as the bed is nice and fluffy, the air conditioning gets the room freezing, and I've got a big screen TV to catch up on some of my favorite shows. 

     And that's exactly what I did during my stay at Belmont Hotel, the newest hotel at Resorts World Manila. 

CHINA BLUE FOR YOU

         Have you been to Conrad Hotel Manila? Let me tell you, if you haven't been there yet, it's a sight you must definitely behold. Whether it's to use the restroom  or check our the arcade of restaurants they have inside, the place is an architectural wonder that will make you feel proud that such a mighty structure was built in our country by our fellowmen. 

     A Outstanding World Class Hotel, however, deserves a Outstanding World Class Restaurant in it, and China Blue by Jeremy Leung fits that bill to a Tee.  

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". 

CREAMY ADOBO WITH NESTLE ALL PURPOSE CREAM!

          After attending Nestle’s Create with Cream event a few weeks back, Rina and I found ourselves getting cravings for that rich, creamy Adobo that Chef Rob Pengson had demonstrated for us. Chef Rob had stressed that his was a relatively easy recipe to follow, and as it turned out, he was right. Just a few days after trying Chef Rob’s Ad, we decided to make our own Creamy Chicken Adobo at home! 

And considering my house didn’t burn down, I guarantee that you can do it too! 

Thanks Tummy Traveler!

      After the event, the good people at Nestle gifted us with things we would need to make our own Creamy Chicken Adobo. Maggi Soy Sauce, Maggi Magic Sarap, and Nestle All Purpose Cream! (Oh and they also gave me a nice Nestle Flash Drive for good measure!) 

       Now that I had My Soy Sauce, Magic Sarap and Cream, All I needed to prepare was the basic ingredients that are usually found in my pantry, such as Garlic, Vinegar, Cooking Oil, Bay Leaves and of course, Chicken. 

      I was set! 

    After mixing the vinegar, soy sauce, water and garlic in a pot, I sprinkled a sachet of Magic Sarap over the chicken, to enhance the flavor. 

We cooked the chicken until it boiled, and then simmered it for ten minutes while covered, allowing the meat to get more tender.  Once you’re satisfied, with the meat, strain the sauce, and set aside for later. Trust me, you’re gonna need it! 

         Pan fry the chicken pieces until Golden brown, and remove excess oil. 

Once the chicken has been browned to your liking, place it back into the pot with the sauce you set aside, and the pour one pack of Nestle All Purpose Cream into it.  

Once you’ve mixed the cream into the existing vinegar-soy adobo mixture thoroughly, it will create this luscious, creamy sauce that will absolutely blow your mind. Pouring that sauce over a steaming heap of rice will remind you of all that is good in this world.     

        Though the recipe really was fairly simple to follow, I was still rather proud of myself for being able to create something that was actually delicious! This really opened up my eyes to the possibilities of creating new dishes, simply by adding Nestle All Purpose Cream!  

AIR ASIA AND AMORITA RESORT: A BOHOL NEW WORLD!

       I've mentioned in the past that even though I lived in Cebu for quite some time as a child, I had never been able to visit the neighboring Bohol until I became a blogger. After a short visit in February of this year for the Ubi Festival, I had the fortunate opportunity to visit the beautiful "City of Friendship" once again, care of Air Asia and Amorita Resort in Panglao!  

TOKYO TOKYO DELIGHTS RAMEN LOVERS WITH THE NEW BEEF PEPPER RAMEN!

   The country’s number one Japanese Fast Food has amped up their menu in time for the rainy days, by adding a new Ramen dish that is bursting with that Beefy flavor we love.. The New Beef Pepper Ramen!   

BRUNCHING AT CAFE ENYE!

First off, let me apologize again for the quality of the photos. It's not on par with my previous work, and that is because my DSLR has been broken for quite some time now. 

Trust me, the food tastes so much better than it looks in these pictures!

           It was genuinely heartbreaking for me when a few months back, I was unable to visit the launch of Cafe Enye- A restaurant that specializes in Spanish Cuisine. What Cafe Enye did was take traditional Spanish favorites, and give it a modern day twist that would be more appealing to the Millennials of this generation.  

     When I saw the photos that my blogger friends were posting, I knew I should have moved Heaven and Earth to have made it to the launch. Despite missing the opening, I was set on visiting Cafe Enye on my own time, with it's Eastwood location relatively easy for me to get to since it's not too far from where I live. Unfortunately, all my plans were one way or another, always thwarted by life.

        Thankfully, I received another invite from Cafe Enye, and this time I said I was definitely going to make time for it.. And I'm so glad I did because they revealed their Brunch Menu, that is absolutely amazing!