PEPPER LUNCH PINOY FIESTA: SISIG AND LECHON!!

         I still remember the very first time I heard about Pepper lunch. My cousin, Kuya Paolo, sent me a facebook message that lead to the video demo of how to eat the Pepper Beef. I kept asking myself how something so seemingly simple could have me so mesmerized. 

        It was the simple things.. How the butter melted into the corn.. how the corn was gently mixed into the rice.. the soothing hiss of the meat on the sizzling plate, that really had me sold on the idea of Pepper Lunch, to the point that actually tasted it seemed more or less just semantics. But I was very much pleased that when I stood in that long line at Rockwell for my first taste, it surpassed my wildest expectations. 

      Since then, Pepper Lunch has opened several more branches across the country, adding more menu items along the way. Though they managed to incorporate popular flavors from around Asia, such as Curry, Teriyaki and Yakiniku to their dishes, one cuisine was glaringly missing from their lineup - Filipino.

     But that's all about to change, as Pepper lunch is launching the first two dishes of their new Pinoy Fiesta line on May 1!

     The first two dishes? Filipino favorites.. Sisig and Lechon!

BURGERS & BREWSKIES: FOOD FOR THE OVERLY MANLY MAN

       Hello, my name is Richie Zamora. And I am a Burger Addict. I dont understand what exactly it is about burgers that have captivated me so. Granted, I spent my formative years in the USA, and burgers were definitely a staple in my diet. Although I've lived a great deal of my life in the Philippines, my Western influenced palate remains drawn to those grilled patties on soft toasted buns. Rina gets annoyed with me when I choose a burger joint over a rice meal ready restaurant. 

  

     What I enjoy about Burger makers nowadays is how they seem to have become more and more bold with their concoctions.. Pushing the limit of abusurdity not only with size, but with the toppings and ingredients that comprise the entire burger. 

    One of those newest Burger places, is Burger and Brewskies. 

SEBASTIAN'S ALA MODE BARS AND FRUITCICLES!

     Over the course of the past few years, I've noticed that purveyors in the country have become more and more daring when it comes to their ice cream flavors. 

       One in particular, gets a gold star from me when it comes to- not just coming up with unorthodox flavors, but out of the box concepts with ice cream as well. Sebastian's has taught me that there's so much more you could do with ice cream, apart from just scooping it into your mouth (Which I do quite masterfully, might I add). 

     And for the summer, they're going to unleash some new treats that you will most definitely go crazy for.. Sebastian's Fruitcicles and Ala Mode Bars!

    So this is the day that I ate 16 bars of Ice Cream.

B HOTEL: BEYOND A BUSINESS HOTEL

Full on Tourist mode.. In Alabang.

            Ever since I set on expanding my blog to include overnight experiences in Hotels, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to stay in some of the finest that the country has to offer.. Not just around the metro, but all the way from Cebu and Davao as well.

      It's funny though, because even though Alabang and the other areas of the South is just an hour or less drive away, I feel like more of a tourist when I'm there, then when I'm in Cebu, despite the fact that I haven't lived in the Visayas in more than 20 years (Gawd I'm old :( sniff ).

      But at the same time, that's what makes every trip down South even more fun. I have had the pleasure of staying at the stunning Bellevue Manila twice already, and each time, the experience just keeps getting better and better. 

      This time, I was curious to check out Bellevue's so-called "little brother".. B Hotel. 

THERE’S A NEW RICE IN TOWN: RICO CORN RICE

        When I was young I only knew one color of rice. And that is of course white. And it wasn’t until I was all grown up when I found out that there are a lot of other types of rice out there. From brown, to purple, to red, and even black. Apparently, each having their own “specs” of nutrition and how they were.... I want to say “milled”?

        When I got engaged to Richie, that was the time when I started to eat brown rice to lose weight. I’m a rice person and so letting go of carbs was out of the question. And so brown rice was better than no rice. It was great because it really helped me reach my ideal weight without having to deprive myself with the joy of eating rice. And although to a lot of people, brown rice tastes like pieces of carton, thankfully for me I can tolerate it’s taste and texture.

        So imagine my surprise when I recently was introduced to yet another kind of rice. One that undoubtingly looks and sounds more appetizing than brown rice. I’m talking about a CORN rice. If you love corn, this will catch your attention for sure!

KOKO BURI: PAMPANGA'S BEST KEPT SECRET, NOW IN BGC!

          I'm not ashamed to admit that I jumped on to the Korean Twice Fried Chicken train when it first exploded into the Metro Manila Food scene. Bonchon's crispiness was unlike anything I had ever experienced before, and though I don't eat twice fried chicken as frequently as I used to, I still consider it as one of those "Go-to" meals when I can't seem to point my finger at what exactly I'm craving for. 

        During the height of the twice fried chicken craze, a friend told me, "Bonchon is good, no doubt. But you should try Koko Buri in Pampanga". As much as I loved the chicken, I wasn't too keen on travelling an hour or two away for it. So I simply told my friend, "If they're really that good, i'm sure they're going to open a branch in Manila."

     Just a little more than a year or so later, I found out that Koko Buri opened a branch at Bonifacio Global City. I was right. They really are THAT good.    

HATCH 22 AT ROCKWELL

        Among the food that makes me happy, Eggs would definitely be one of them. It's such a simple but sunny and happy breakfast food that never fails to put a smile on my face. Especially when I'm very very hungry. I can eat eggs any time of the day. Scrambled, sunny side up, salted egg, century egg, hard boiled, or soft boiled. Except raw, I'd be more that happy to eat it all! 

        So you can imagine my delight when I saw the all-day breakfast menu of Hatch 22 owned by celebrity siblings and business partners Erwan and Solenn Heussaff. 

A CHURRASCO FEAST AT IBIZA BEACH CLUB, MOVENPICK RESORT CEBU

               Once again, this is the story of the world's most notorious introvert. In case you're new to my blog, something you should know about me is that I rarely go out at night, unless it`s to eat or watch a movie. Other than that, my friends often wonder if I secretly am afflicted with Agoraphobia. Initially, the lure of Cebu`s most happening places, "Ibiza Beach Club" over at Movenpick Resort did not faze me. I did want to see the place because it looked absolutely stunning in Photographs, but I never imagined actually hanging out there till the wee hours of the evening. 

           That was until, our host, the lovely Laurie of Movenpick said two words that completely changed the game for me.. 

        "Brazilian Churrasco".

BREAKFAST IN BORACAY: THE STAR LOUNGE AT THE DISTRICT

           Whether its a cure to your hangover, or the fuel you need for a day out at the beach, Breakfast in Boracay is definitely something that should be an integral part of your stay in the beautiful island paradise.

      During our short stay at The District Boracay, we were treated to a delightful early morning meal at the hotel's Vigan Grill.. Which is now also known as the Star Lounge!

FAREWELL TO KFC'S DOUBLE DOWN! #GOODBYEDOUBLEDOWN

                I'm not very good at saying Goodbye. When I left my job a few months back, I decided to step out of the office incognito and skip the tears, and instead sent out a farewell email to my friends at work the following morning. 

     

        Which is why when I found out that KFC was bidding goodbye to the Double Down and the Junior Double Down, I didn't take it very well.