THE SUNDAY BRUNCH SERIES: SAGE BESPOKE GRILL

     I've always enjoyed dining at the various restaurants at Makati Shangri-la, however there was one that had eluded me since it opened.. Sage Bespoke Grill. For one reason or another, I would always miss out on the food events they would hold. 

     Luck would finally be on my side, when Sage launched their new Sunday Brunch, featuring an all new menu by Chef Eric Weidmann!

PINKS MANILA: IT'S THE LOVE YOU DISCOVER

            I was quite surprised that Pink's, the Hollywood Hotdog Legend, decided to set up shop here in Manila. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I love me a good hotdog, but I always thought of it as more of a "Mom and Pop Hotdog Stand" than an international restaurant chain. Being a lover of comfort food, I was fully aware of the legend of Pink's in Los Angeles. During my 2014 trip to L.A., I made it a point to visit to stop by for a hotdog at Pink's, as soon as I realized there was a stand at Universal Studios, which we were visiting that day. 

       I was impressed with the juicy, meatiness of the hotdog, especially that gorgeous snap that came with every bite. Finally, Pink's opened at Shangri-la Hotel at The Fort, and I finally got around to visiting, together with Rina and Rain!

HEIRLOOM DISHES UNVEILED AT F1 HOTEL MANILA'S LUZVIMINDA 2016!

Who run the world?

Photo Care of www.foodinthebag.com

          As a food blogger, there are some annual events that I always highly anticipate. Madrid Fusion, UTT, and Best Food Forward are just a few of those said events that I look forward to visiting, wondering how will this year's edition top the last. 

       One of those events that seem to just get better and better as the years go by, is F1 Hotel Manila's LuzViMinda Festival, held at F All Day Dining Cafe. Since its inception in 2013, I've never missed out on attending F1's much awaited Pinoy Food Festival. This year, three inspiring women flexed their culinary muscles and showed us how Filipino food can be made even more amazing, when given the woman's touch!

   Representing Luzon, was none other than the Adobo Queen and herself, Nancy Reyes-Lumen, while we were taken on a tour of Visayas through the dishes of Chef Pauline Gorriceta Banusing of Gruppo Al Dente Catering Service. Taking up the cudgels of the pride of Mindanao, is Chef Maria Kristina Collantes or “Teng” of Park Inn by Radisson Davao. 

     The overall theme of this year's LuzViMinda was"Heirloom Recipes", so these were all tried and tested dishes from the families of our highly esteemed chefs, that was passed from generation to generation.

    Here's a few of the highlights you can expect when you visit LuzViMinda 2016, from June 10-25, 2016!

DUSIT THANI HOTEL RELOADED: THE PANTRY

         Last year, I had the fortunate opportunity to be a guest at the GMA News TV show, Pop Talk. Since that would be my third time to do it, I was kind of wary of accepting the gig. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed both guest appearances, but I was thinking of asking to recommend another blogger friend of mine who hadn't been on the show yet, just in the spirit of friendship and giving others a chance. However, once I found out we would be reviewing Hotel set meals and buffets, I thought to myself, "Screw friendship, I'm in!".

       It was actually a fun episode, however we had the misfortune of ending up at The Pantry at Dusit Thani Manila as our last stop. I say "Misfortune", simply by the time we got there, we were all so full from reviewing two other restaurants, so when we arrived at The Pantry, we were all too stuffed to actually enjoy the meal. 

       Admittedly, I wasn't able to make the most of my short but sweet visit there, but I swore I would be back again, this time, with an empty stomach so I can get my fill of The Pantry's dishes. 

    Lo and behold, just a few months later, I found myself roaming around the Pantry, and boy did I make up for the last visit! 

THE NINTH BITE: TWO EPIC CULINARY TRADITIONS AT THE CAFE, HYATT, CITY OF DREAMS

This was the first time for me to visit Hyatt, City of Dreams, Manila, and what  a way to start what I expect to be a wonderful relationship with the steemed, hotel, than by trying the food of their spectacular flagship restaurant, The Cafe, where we were introduced to not ONE, But TWO Epic culinary traditions! 

  Two exciting food festivals are happening at The Cafe, and I was lucky enough to be invited to a sneak preview of their upcoming Cantonese and Indian spreads!

THE EIGHTH BITE: PARADISE FOUND AT MOVENPICK HOTEL CEBU

          I've mentioned a few times that I've lived in Cebu during my "Growing Up" years, so it's no question that I see the "Queen City of the South" as my second home. Fortunately, my family and I had very easy access to the beach so I was at the beach practically every weekend. 

      Despite being accustomed to the Sun, Sea and the Sand, there still a few places that never fails to take my breath away. One of them is Movenpick Hotel in Mactan Cebu. This is one view that you can never get used to, no matter how many times you see it. 

    Last May, together with some of my blogger friends, I visited Cebu via Air Asia, for the opening of the first branch of Vikings Luxury Buffet, located at SM Cebu. For the duration of our stay, we were billeted at Movenpick Hotel in Cebu, where we were treated as their VIP guests, and was able to enjoy the beach life in Cebu! 

DOUBLE UP WITH YABU'S NEW KATSU PAIRS & TOFU DISHES

                If you're a reader of my blog, then I'm pretty sure you all know by now all about my love affair with Yabu: The House of Katsu. From the very first time I got a taste of these gloriously deep fried cutlets, I was a goner. My biggest problem with the menu, however was that I wanted to try every single item on the menu in one sitting, however I didn't have the funding nor the stomach space to do so. 

             Which is why I was ecstatic to find out that Yabu now has new Katsu Pair Platters that makes it easier for you to enjoy the wonderful variety of Katsu's they have! I still may not be able to eat everything in one sitting like I wanted to, but this helps me get awfully close! 

GIVE ME LIBERTY: LIBERTY ASIAN REFUGE AND BAR

 

          I still remember the first time I met Chef Jonvic Mangibin. It was for a dinner at the old Olive Kitchen and Kitchen Bar a couple of years ago, where he was the Sous Chef of Chef Rob Pengson. Being the second in command of a celebrity Chef would seem like a daunting task, but I was impressed with how Chef Jonvic seemed to have the full trust of his boss.

       We were happy to meet Chef Rob, however we weren't expecting him  to stay long because of his busy schedule. Lo and behold, Chef Rob just made sure his guests were settled in and comfortable, but by the third course, he bade us all adieu, and left for his next schedule, leaving Chef Jonvic with the reins of his kitchen without a second thought. Mangibin did not disappoint, as he masterfully churned out one dish after another, each dish better than the next.

     Chef Jonvic and I crossed paths once again late last year when I visited Lola Cafe, where he had added his own twist to its classic Filipino menu.

     During my visit, Chef Jonvic kept gushing at his newest baby, which he called, "Liberty". As much as he enjoyed his work at Lola, he was incredibly excited to unveil to his new restaurant, where no pun intended, he had the "liberty" to infuse his own, original ideas. 

    Months later, I got the invite that I've been waiting for. Liberty Asian Refuge and Bar has opened in Eastwood!

AIR ASIA FLIES HIGH IN SHANGHAI: WIN A FREE TICKET TO SHANGHAI!

       I've traveled Air Asia numerous times for both domestic and international trips, and I've never had a problem with my book or the flight itself. Though they are known as a "Low Cost Carrier", you wouldn't feel it from the quality of service. 

       Like many people in our country bitten by the wanderlust bug, I'm always on the lookout for a great travel deals, and the Air Asia website is usually my first stop! It's awesome to see that an Airline with the vast reach of Air Asia isn't content with the lineup of destinations on their roster, and is always looking to expand further for their passengers in the Philippines. 

     True to form, just few days ago, Air Asia unveiled their newest route.. And it's a pretty awesome one!

     Starting June 10, Air Asia is going to be flying out to Shanghai!!!

    And guess what? One lucky reader is going to win a free ticket to Shanghai!!

LUNCH AT THE AWARD WINNING LUNG HIN OF MARCO POLO ORTIGAS MANILA!

       I've mentioned a few times how I was blown away by the quality of food served at Marco Polo Ortigas' Flagship Restaurant, Cocina. However, little did I know, this was just the tip of the iceberg. Housed high up at the 44th floor of the magnificent hotel, is Lung Hin, Marco Polo Ortigas' restaurant that specializes in the culinary wonder that is Chinese Food. 

      Just last March of this year,, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila was awarded the prestigious China Hotel Industry Golden Horse Award, proving that their excellence in the preparation of Chinese Cuisine is among the best in the world. 

    Never one to rest on their laurels, Marco Polo Ortigas acquired the services of renowned Chef Leung Chi Kwan, more lovingly known as Chef Ken, to spearhead the Chinese Kitchen of the hotel. 

   Given all the accolades that has been showered upon Marco Polo and Lung Hin, I would be a total fool to pass up an opportunity to visit this acclaimed restaurant, and try the new dishes of Chef Ken himself!