F1 HOTEL MANILA'S LUZVIMINDA 2017!

        Whenever June comes around, an event that i'm always looking forward to is F1 Hotel Manila's LuzViMinda Food Festival. The ingenuious concept is, the hotel invites three renowned chefs to represent the different regions of the country, through their gastronomic creations. Now, LuzViMinda is on its fifth year, and they've got a perfect track record in my book. 

       The 2016 incarnation featured some of the top female chefs of the country, but in 2017, the boys are back in town! Chefs Mikel Zaguirre, Dennis Uy and Kalel Chan all took up the challenge of featuring the best dishes from around the country, all into one amazing buffet spread. 

      This ranks up there with the very best LuzViMinda festivals ever! 

MARCO POLO CUCINA: FESTA ITALIANA

       Marco Polo always finds ways to keep its flagship restaurant, Cucina, on the top of its game, by conceptualizing various international food festivals, and inviting some of the most acclaimed Chefs to elevate the dining experiences of their guests. 

     Their latest food festival, raises the bar once again. Invoking the bold flavors of Italy, Marco Polo has recently launched their Festa Italiana festival, which is spearheaded by Award Winning Chef, Andrea Delzanno, a native of Italy who now calls Marco Polo Hong Kong his home. 

    I was fortunate to have personally witnessed the amazing spread that Chef Andrea prepared for his guests, exemplifying the excellence that the Marco Polo name carries throughout the world. 

THE PICKIEST VLOG: PARADISE FOUND AT PARADISE DYNASTY

            I was introduced to Chinese cuisine at a very young age, and instantly fell in love with it. That love affair has only grown stronger as the years passed by, especially when I discover innovative restaurants that know how to push the envelope in creativity, while maintaining the high standards that the traditional Chinese Chefs adhere to. 

      Paradise Dynasty is one such restaurant. Known for having a wide range of flavors to their Xiao Long Bao (EIGHT to be exact), Paradise Dynasty also has an extensive menu that delves into Chinese Cuisine, ranging from the classics to new concoctions.  

PICKIEST EATER VLOG: A Japanese Feast at IZAKAYA SENSU

       Given that I've never had a disappointing experience with The Raintree Group of Restaurants,  I was excited to try their new Japanese restaurant, Izakaya Sensu, which is located at Net Park at Bonifacio Global City.  

        Izakaya Sensu's menu features a wide range of Classic Japanese dishes, as well as some items that were innovated to keep up with the times, without losing its sense of tradition. 

THE PICKIEST EATER VLOG: BANH NAM OPENS AT PODIUM MALL

         My friend Steph and I have been trying to find time to meet up, but schedules seem to always get in our way. One day, I was invited by What Mary Loves to the opening of the latest branch of Banh Nam at Podium Mall, so I asked Steph to come with me since I wasn't so sure if I'd be able to finish those veggie loaded Banh Mi's all by myself! 

THE PICKIEST EATER VLOG: A WEEKEND AT ASCOTT BGC

      Though I've been to Ascott Serviced Residences in Makati before, I had yet to set foot in their property at Bonifacio Global City. Fortunately, my family and I were invited for a relaxing staycation, and much like the Makati branch, I was left in awe by how stunning the place looked. From the Hotel lobby, to the rooms, to the function areas and restaurants, intricate detail was put into making Ascott BGC Manila a world class serviced residences establishment. 

THE 14TH BITE: MCDONALD'S SPICY BUFFALO STYLE CHICKEN MCDO

           Before I start, I want to get this out in the open. Although I'm flattered that people suggested it, I'm not an endorser of McDonald's. I'm just what you would call a "Super Fan". I believe you need to have a certain level of popularity for McDonald's to get you as an endorser, and I don't think i'm anywhere near the required vicinity. 

         Apparently, the video i made for the Spicy Buffalo Chicken McDo turned out to be quite controversial, because as it turns out, customers either hated it or loved it. And those that hated it, seemed to do so with a fiery passion that would make the spiciness of the chicken seem like honey by comparison.  

          Someone sent me a message saying "Maasim and parang ligyan lang ng Hot Sauce (Tabasco)!" (Translation: "It's sour and tastes like they just added Tabasco to it". Umm.. I'm no chef but I think the sauce is made with Vinegar and.. wait for it.. Tabasco. Perhaps from the picture, they were expecting Hickory BBQ or something like that? 

           There were those who ordered and simply said, "I didn't like it, I wouldn't order it again". And there were those who hurled curses at me... over a piece of chicken 😂 (Talk about serious issues 😂).

        Those who enjoyed it, seemed to know what to expect from the flavor profile of Buffalo sauce. The acid and heat agreed with their palate. 

SUMMER HEATS UP WITH TOKYO TOKYO’S SRIRACHA DON!

             Sriracha has continued its unstoppable march to global prominence, as more and more restaurants are discovering ways to innovate their dishes with this fiery sauce. Always taking the lead when it comes to bold dishes that don’t conform to the norm, Tokyo Tokyo’s latest addition to their Premium Donburi line will undoubtedly fire up your taste buds.. The New Sriracha Donburi!

THE PICKIEST EATER VLOG: FOWLBREAD'S NEW MENU!

          I've actually been back to FowlBread quite a few times since my first visit. Every time I go, I never fail to get a Chicken Sandwich and the Garlic Noodles. I'm a creature of habit, so I'm pretty much set in my ways, so those two items are perfectly fine for me. 

       Then FowlBread had to ruin everything by adding MORE awesome stuff in their menu, including All Day Breakfast entrees, making the choice much more difficult! Who could say no to Bacon and Runny Eggs?! 

PICKIEST EATER VLOG: A WEEKEND AT SHANGRI-LA THE FORT

       During the last two weeks of March, I had worked Thirteen days straight (luckily I have no complaints because I love my job), and was looking for a little weekend relaxation. Thankfully, our friends at Shangri-la offered my family and I a weekend getaway that I could not pass up. They offered me the opportunity of experiencing a stay at the famed Shangri-la Residences at The Fort, and use of the facilities, such as Adventure Zone, The Spa at Kerry Sports, and dining at some of their restaurants.  

       I don't know anyone in their right mind that would say no to that!