COCINA PERUVIA OPENS AT THE PODIUM MALL

          From the moment I tried Cocina Peruvia three years ago, I was absolutely blown away by Peruvian food. This was my first foray into the cuisine that for the past few years, seems to have taken the world by storm, and I instantly became a fan. 

         It was nice to see that others seemed to have taken to Peruvian cuisine as well, as Cocina Peruvia opened two more branches since, including one at Vertis North and most recently, The Podium Mall.

KAMS ROAST: NOW ROASTING IN SM MEGA FASHION HALL

My KTG FRIENDS AND I ABOUT TO PIG OUT!!

      It's not often that one gets to dine at a restaurant with Michelin Star lineage, so when Kam's Roast opened in our shores, I was absolutely ecstatic for the opportunity to see for myself why they got the acclaimed award in Hong Kong!

THE CORNER MARKET PODIUM - STOCKWELL CAFE + LOUNGE

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!

       Stockwell began as a charming little coffee shop in the Quezon City Scout Area. People flocked to their endearing place not just for the homey atmosphere, but for their fresh brews and delicious food as well. They recently expanded their operations by opening up a stall at The Corner Market Food Hall in Podium!

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!

22 PRIMES'S FATHER'S DAY MENU

       Whenever I dine at 22 Prime, i'm always certain i'm in for an amazing meal. Although they are best known for their selection of premium quality Steaks, 22 Prime is more than just a world class Steakhouse. Recently Discovery Suites' Executive Chef Gerwin Bailon developed a menu for Father's Day that showed the finesse and execution that he and his staff possesses, that made 22 Prime the highly regarded restaurant it is today.

   And being a father myself, I was the perfect person to try out the new Father's Day Menu! 

CHIBO OKONOMIYAKI AT PODIUM MALL: PREMIUM EXECUTIVE SET MEALS

         Whenever I'm at the S Maison area, it's quite likely that I'll dine at Chibo Okonomiyaki. Knowing that it's a little bit out of the way for me, I always try to make the most of the opportunity to feast on their delicious Okonomiyakis. You have no idea how excited I was when I found out that Chibo would be opening a branch just two blocks away from my office, at the new Podium Mall! 

      As soon as it opened, I found myself there three times in the span of two weeks, bringing some officemates with me, so they could experience the awesome food for themselves. 

      Now, Chibo  raised their game by beefing up their menu to feature more than just Okonomiyaki.. But Set Meals featuring some Japanese cuisine favorites as well!

THE CORNER MARKET FOOD HALL AT PODIUM: MEAT DEPOT

      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!        

          As I entered The Corner Market, it was The Meat Depot that immediately caught my eye. The sizzle of the steaks could be heard from where I was standing, and the aroma of cooked meat was undeniable. 

A BIG YES TO NONO'S BY CLASSIC CONFECTIONS

    I was invited to Nono's by Classic Confections a few months back, when they opened their first branch at U.P. Town Center. Unfortunately, since I rarely frequent Quezon City, I as unable to visit them. Thankfully though, the opening of the newly renovated Podium Mall has helped create room for more restaurant establishments, paving the way for Nono's to find another home in Ortigas!

FAT FOOK AT ROBINSON'S GALLERIA

          Ever since I first tried Fat Fook at SM North Edsa, I've been a fan. Whenever I find myself at Quezon City, Fat Fook always comes up as a dining option. I always hoped that Fat Fook would expand to somewhere in the Ortigas or BGC area, making it more accessible to me. And as luck would have it, Fat Fook opened a branch at Robinsons Galleria, just a few blocks away from my office, with plans to open another branch at BGC very soon!  

A CHRISTMAS WISH: RACKS' BACON CRUSTED PORK RIBS

          The year 2017 marked the year where I returned to working full time once again, effectively limiting the media events that I can attend. I honestly don't mind because I really love my job and the company I work for, not to mention media events have lost the sense of "exclusivity" it once had. In lieu of going to media events, I just try to find places around Ortigas Center (Where I work) that I feel is worth blogging about. 

         The El Pueblo branch of Racks is walking distance from my office, and there's yet another one at Megamall so when i'm in the vicinity of either, I never hesitate to drop by for a quick bite. During one of my strolls around the area, I saw a sign advertising their new Bacon Crusted Pork Ribs.As you can imagine, my leisurely stroll with my officemate Dian, ended up becoming a full on pig out session of Porky Bacony Goodness!

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. 

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! 

A WEEKEND FIESTA AT MARCO POLO ORTIGAS' CUCINA!

        I think I've mentioned quite a number of times that Marco Polo's Cucina is one of the finest hotel buffets out there in the metro today. Instead of dazzling you with a vast array dishes from a variety of stations, Cucina's selection is rather modest when compared to other hotel buffets, However, Cucina proves that it should always be more about quality, and not just quantity, because each dish that is carefully prepared by the outstanding culinary team of Executive Chef  Lluis Pesarrodona is of the highest standards of excellence. 

   

      After a successful Weekday Craze promo, Marco Polo has a little something special for the Weekend Warriors.. A Weekend Fiesta at Cucina!    

BON APETIT! NOSTALGIA LOUNGE'S FRENCH CLASSICS AT OAKWOOD!

        Whenever I get invited to eat at Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila (It's a mouthful, I know) I'm always on the edge of my seat. I've dined at The Nostalgia Lounge numerous times before, and it hasn't failed me yet. From an Indonesian food showcase to the Dinner Classics, I have no doubt in my mind that Oakwood's Executive Chef, Chef Jerome Cartailler, will take our taste buds for a gastronomic adventure. 

     After trying his takes on different cuisines in the past, I was ecstatic to be invited to try his limited time only Nostalgia Weeks French Classics Menu at Nostalgia Lounge!

NOSTALGIA DINING LOUNGE: FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSICS

      It's a Friday night and you're thinking of where you could take this girl that you've been trying to impress for the past couple of months. Perhaps a place with a live pianist who can set a romantic mood. An elegant, classy place that serves exquisite food, but at the same time, you don't want to go overboard in your budget, leaving you to have to catch your own food until the next payday. 

    Well, you can put that spear down because Oakwood Premier Hotel has got you covered! 

    Nostalgia Dining Lounge's Friday Night Classics Menu offers you a mouthwatering selection of Steaks and world class dishes to choose from, at very reasonable prices!

MAKING NEW MEMORIES AT THE NOSTALGIA DINING LOUNGE IN OAKWOOD

     It was only last year that I was introduced to awesomeness that is Oakwood Premier Hotel. I never really considered Oakwood as one of the elite hotels here in the metro, but my eyes were opened during my very first visit there.

    I wasn't able to attend that first event, so Rina went and covered it on her own. I really wasn't expecting to hear much but she was texting me all throughout the event telling me how badly she was wishing I could have joined her because I would surely love their food!

    And she was right. 

    Since then, I've dined at Oakwood's Oakroom at least three other times, trying their Tex-Mex themed Buffet and their Jazzy Sunday Brunch. Also, one of the highlights of my year was when my family and I enjoyed an amazing staycation at Oakwood.

     I will admit to feeling a tinge of sadness when I was informed that Oakroom would be closing its doors, to make way for a new concept. I may have only a few memories there, but they are ones that I cherish dearly. 

    Enter the year 2015, and Oakroom has reopened as Nostalgia Dining Lounge, ushering a new era of culinary excellence that I now closely associate with the Oakwood brand.

THE GREAT STEAKHOUSE: HOUSE OF WAGYU

           Like the majority of people around the world, I enjoy a good steak. But I must admit, I am not a Steak snob. I only have two simple rules when eating steak. The first being, that the said piece of meat must contain fat. The more the merrier. It just makes the meat juicer for me. I don't know the science of it, but the bottom line is, I like my steak with a lot of fat. 

        The second rule, is that my steak shouldn't be tough. A steak that lacks of fat would be forgivable, for as long as its meat is tender enough, so i'm not picking off meat bits from in between my teeth afterwards.

       So my entire life, I've gone around with those two simple rules for eating steak.. I need fat, and it needs to be tender. 

       As it turns out, everything I knew about steak was wrong.  

      So I was about to get an education in the subject of steak at where else? 

      The House of Wagyu.

NOMAMA: RAMEN LIKE NO OTHER!

       I'd like to know how Chef Him Uy de Baron's mind works. His understanding of the intricacies of various flavors is nothing short of otherworldly. His masterful use of ingredients that I often had never heard of before (well, mostly the vegetables at least), makes every visit to his restaurant, Nomama, a new gastronomic adventure.

      Nomama has made itself for it's artisanal Ramen dishes, but believe me, Chef Him's culinary skills go far beyond delicious hot bowls of noodle soup. 

       And since they opened a new branch in Capitol Commons a few months back which is so much nearer to me, I dropped by with some of my food blogger friends to get a firsthand taste of the new Nomama experience!