HOMEBASED DISCOVERIES: POPS ORGINAL LUMPIANIZA

            I've always been a huge fan of fan of Lumpia Shanghai, and it seems like my daughter took after me as well! Which is why when I heard about a home based purveyor with a brilliant idea of taking the traditional Lumpia to another level, I was immediately interested. 

           His creations, the Lumpianiza, is not only easy to cook, making it a convenient meal for your family, but they're incredibly delicious as well! With a variety of flavors to choose from, you're definitely going to find a flavor that fits your palate! 

THE CORNER MARKET PODIUM: CA PHE SAIGON

    The sparkling new renovation of Podium Mall opened up opportunities for more shops and restaurants to settle into the bustling Ortigas center. Recently, a sprawling Food Hall opened, named, "The Corner Market". Spanning roughly around 1,200 square meters, The Corner Market is set to house 17 food establishments in its massive halls.  

      Though not all 17 are operational yet, your friendly neighborhood Pickiest Eater made the ultimate sacrifice for his beloved readers, to try the food stalls that have opened their doors at the Corner Market.. Where good food is just around the corner!

          Vietnamese Food has been spreading like wildfire across the metro, with Pho and Bahn Mi shops sprouting around the area. One full service restaurant in Marikina has been making a name for themselves as a go-to place for an amazing Vietnamese meal, by the name of Ca Phe Saigon.

          Building on its success in Marikina, Ca Phe Saigon opened a stall at The Corner Market Food Hall, bringing to the masses their take on classic Vietnamese dishes.

SAY CHIZU AT TORI CHIZU!

         Fast-casual restaurant chain Tori Chizu opened late last 2017, bringing an exiting slew of Japanese dishes, given the Western treatment! Japanese classics such as Chicken Teriyaki, Beef Yakiniku and Kani Takoyaki are turned into mouth-watering Baked Rice Meals that are... wait for it... topped with MOZZARELLA CHEESE! 

SCOTT BURGERS: THE RETURN OF THE COMEBACK

        I'm not ashamed to let my age show so I'm going to tell you all now, college life for me began in the mid-nineties. During that time, Taft wasn't really the food haven that it has become now. The decent places to eat were few and far between. Whenever my classmates and I would find an acceptable restaurant, we would be quick to share our discovery with one another. There was one particular place that I remember my friends telling me they particularly enjoyed, and it shocked the hell out of me. It was this small stall underneath the stairs of the LRT, and I remember it so vividly because it had an iconic statue of a boy with his tummy hanging out of his too small shirt sitting on a barrel as he carried a huge burger over his head right in front of it. 

     And that's how I was first introduced to Scott Burger. I'm not going to lie to you.. I didn't try it. I distinctly remember that a burger was about P25, Buy One Take One. Admittedly, that was the very same promo that my friends were raving about, but the Picky Eater in mean refused to take the risk. 

   Cut to: More than 20 years later, Scott Burger is making a comeback in a BIG WAY, bringing in a their classic brand of burger for a New Generation. This time, I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try the burgers, especially when I found out that it was infused with creations by Celebrity Chef Sharwin Tee!

THE CORNER MARKET: EASY, TIGER

       The sparkling new renovation of Podium Mall opened up opportunities for more shops and restaurants to settle into the bustling Ortigas center. Recently, a sprawling Food Hall opened, named, "The Corner Market". Spanning roughly around 1,200 square meters, The Corner Market is set to house 17 food establishments in its massive halls.  

      Though not all 17 are operational yet, your friendly neighborhood Pickiest Eater made the ultimate sacrifice for his beloved readers, to try the food stalls that have opened their doors at the Corner Market.. Where good food is just around the corner!

       The Corner Market Food Hall made sure that some of the finest food cultures in Asia are made readily available for it's customers. Thailand, known for its diverse cuisine, is represented by "Easy, Tiger". Easy, Tiger serves Classic Thai Noodle dishes and popular set meals consisting of entrees that we all know and love, at very affordable prices!

HOT DATE NIGHT AT FLAME: DISCOVERY PRIMEA

        Since Rina and I had Rain, we admittedly don't get to go out on date night as often as we used to. Not for anything, but we both do feel kind of guilty when we leave Rain at home and we go out and enjoy a night out by ourselves. Truth be told, our little Rainbow makes all our our family days (or nights) out so fun, it never really bothers us. 

     However, during our staycation at Discovery Primea a couple of months back, Rain decided to stay in the room with her yaya and watch Disney Channel instead of having dinner with us.

    Since this gave us the opportunity to go on a date night without straying too far away from our little girl, Rina and I made the most of it.. And as you could imagine we fell in love.... This time with the food of Discovery Primea's premiere restaurant, Flame! 

    (And one another again of course hehe)

RIDING INTO THE WINGZONE, SM MEGAMALL ATRIUM

        There are times when I just look for a laid back place where I can enjoy a good burger and wings with my buddies over an exciting basketball game. I recently found a really fun place in Megamall that checks all those boxes for me.. Atlanta based Franchise, Wing Zone!

B & P ALL DAY BREAKFAST: THE EATIGO P1K CHALLENGE!

          It was my officemate Toon's Birthday a couple of weeks ago, and I offered to treat him and a couple of members of our team out for a celebratory birthday lunch! I had a budget of P1,000, so my challenge to my buddy was that he choose from a list of restaurants from my Eatigo App, so we could get the best bang for the buck deal!

STAYCATION AT THE JEWEL BY THE BAY: DIAMOND HOTEL PHILIPPINES

        One of my favorite things to do with my family is enjoy a relaxing staycation at a hotel in the metro. Although admittedly it's quite fun to go out of town once in awhile, sometimes you don't really want the hassle of a road trip, but far enough to make the trip worthwhile. 

        I've been to Diamond Hotel numerous times to sample their stunning restaurants. but for the first time, I had the opportunity to enjoy a staycation there with my family. I knew the hotel was beautiful, but this would be my first glimpse at their rooms and other facilities. 

        I was definitely not disappointed! 

CHEFS SAU DEL ROSARIO & MIKO ASPIRAS: FILIPINO CULINARY PRIDE AT CORNICHE DIAMOND HOTEL

           I'm always game for a buffet spread that features the gastronomic creations of some of the finest chefs the country has to offer. And truth be told, I've been fortunate to have tasted a number of amazing ones. However, whenever the name "Sau Del Rosario" is entered into the equation, you can be rest assured that you're in for a whole new level of culinary excellence. And perhaps there is no one higher on the dessert food chain right now then Chef Miko Aspiras, so when I found out the two titans of the industry were joining forces to come up with the "Filipino Culinary Pride" Food Festival at Diamond Hotel's Corniche, all bets were off. This is one collaboration that I would not missed for the world!