Make Life Sweeter with Villa del Conte Chocolates

So, I’ve got an exciting news from Villa del Conte Chocolates specifically for chocolate lovers out there who are about to tie the knot. I have written about Villa del Conte Cioccolato Subime of Padova Italy here on my blog before and I must say their chocolates are really impressive. That is why I am excited to share this good news with you.

Villa del Conte in partnership with A-Weddings is currently having a contest wherein participants can get a chance to win artisanal chocolate tokens for their wedding. It is a perfect way to welcome your married life with something sweet and downright delicious.

The contest runs from July 18, 2014 to August 18, 2014, and joining is fairly easy. Read on for the mechanics of the contest.  

Livestock Restaurant and Bar, Quezon City: Crispy Pata, Crackling Pork Belly, and More!

Livestock Restaurant and Bar is this foodie place located at Sgt. Esguerra in Quezon City that specializes in no non-sense pork dishes that any pork-lover could go crazy about. Their best sellers are the Melts-In-Your-Mouth Crispy Pata (tagged as one of the Best Crispy Pata in Manila by some foodies) which has a mid-blowing crisp tenderness it can be cut with a popsicle stick, and the Crackling Pork Belly with succulence that could slap you in the face and get away with it.

The owner of Livestock Restaurant and Bar is a family which other business concerns raising hogs. Hence, venturing into restaurant scene with pork as the specialty is expected. Since they breed their own livestock and even grow some of the herbs and vegetables from their farm, the dishes they offer at Livestock are guaranteed to be fresh and of high quality.

Pork offerings at Livestock can be easily seen as sinful, an indulging treat not for the faint of heart. Yet, these dishes are not something you would have on a daily basis ~ that is if you love your life, otherwise, it's your call.  So, occasional visit to Livestock Restaurant and Bar to feast your hearts out is forgivable, encourage even, especially if you are celebrating the bountiful blessings of porcini bliss given to mankind.

Circles Buffet at Makati Shangri-La: Treasures of Turkey, a Feast of Turkish Cuisine

A feast of Turkish cuisine is what awaits buffet aficionados and eat-all-you-can lovers at Circles Events Cafe of Makati Shangri-La Hotel from August 1 to 10, 2014. This Turkish food festival at Circles features Treasures of Turkey in gastronomical form prepared by guest chefs from Shangri-La Hotel in Bosphorus, Istanbul, Chef Harun Imre and Chef Ramazan Edrem. These two talented chefs carried with them Turkish ingredients from Istanbul to make Treasures of Turkey Food Festival at Makati Shangri-La breaths authenticity.

Treasures of Turkey will last only for 10 days. Yet, it holds the promise that within that span of time, colorful spices and exquisite flavors of Turkish cuisine will surely transport guests to the Republic of Turkey. International dishes at the buffet spread of Circles Events Cafe will still be available for guests to feast on during the festival, but the spotlight belongs to the Treasures of Turkey this time.

Turkish Feast at Cirles, Makati Shangri-La

During the media preview, we sampled some of the traditional dishes from Turkey which will be included in the festival. Chefs Imre and Edrem graced the luncheon to welcome us and give some insight about the cuisine they re most proud of. There aren't many Turkish restaurants here in Manila, hence, this chance is perfect for those who wants to savor the goodness of Turkey's rich cuisine.

Coco Natura Coco Sugar and Coco Jam: Nature's Finest Sweetener, a Healthy Alternative to Sugar

Do you have a sweet tooth? I do. And honestly, while consuming sugary treats can induce guilt that is not easy do deal with, sugar is something I cannot completely eliminate in my diet. Sure I have tried artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes widely available in the market. Yet, the problem with these things is that I never liked the taste. For some reason, it always left an after-taste in my mouth that made me feel like I ate chemicals/synthetic. It’s always been a dilemma. So when I was asked to sample Coco Natura’s Coco Sugar, I agreed in the hope that I might finally find a healthy alternative to sugar which taste I would like.

Coco Natura’s Coco Sugar, is a healthy alternative to refined sugar and artificial sweeteners which is made from 100% organic coconut sap. It is said to be produced with minimal processing to assure that majority of the vitamins, minerals, and amino acid in the coconut sap will remain intact, making it way healthier to consume than the usual sugar and other sweeteners. It is also said that Coco Natura’s Coco Sugar, is free from additives, artificial flavorings, and anti-fermenting agents.  This can be the best bet for people who has diabetes or those who want to eliminate the harmful effects of sugar in their bodies.

Now, there are other coconut sugars available in the market, but not all brands are the same. Coco Natura boasts of the fact that they do not blend their coconut sugar with additives or flavorings.  They stand by the fact that theirs are made from freshly harvested and organically grown coconut sap which hails from the Southern part of the Philippines.  The quality of their product gained them various certifications, proof that they are doing a great job in producing nature’s finest sweetener.

Vikings Luxury Buffet Pays Homage to Southeast Asian Street Food #JalanMakananVikings

Vikings Luxury Buffet, tagged as the biggest buffet in the country and for some, one of the best buffets in Manila is welcoming the month of August by paying homage to Southeast Asian Street Food. This month long feast, which are set to happen every weekends of August holds the promise of additional dishes on the already impressive choices of Vikings Buffet that focus on the well loved street food. 

Note however that this is not just street food that we could get in every corner street there is. Think Malaysian, Singaporean, and Indonesian street food varieties. Staying true to the word "Luxury" tagged to its name, Vikings Buffet will entice its diners with beautifully prepared street food meant not just to please the palate but the eyes as well.

Vikings Luxury Buffet is undoubtedly one of the most famous buffets in the country but when it comes to serving quality good food to its patrons, they do not just settle for being one of the known options around. From time to time, Vikings Buffet make it a point to launch "Themed Buffets" that add spice and exciting feat for their customers.

Tex-Mex Fiesta Grande Buffet at Oakroom Restaurant of Oakwood Manila + Buffet GIVEAWAY!

Days after I have tried the Tex-Mex Fiesta Grande Buffet at Oakroom Restaurant of Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila I was still raving about the goodness of their Americanized Mexican offerings. Truth be told, theirs are the best Tex-Mex dishes I have had. The fact that this buffet includes unlimited servings of Margarita and non-alcoholic drink Shirley Temple only took my experience up a notch.

Although the buffet focuses mainly on specific cuisine, I wouldn’t mind saying that it was one of the best buffets in Manila that I have tried recently. Oakwood’s Executive Chef Jerome Catailler and his team really did a great job in creating feast of Tex-Mex dishes at Oakroom. Needless to say, they made a fan out of me.

Oakroom Restaurant is known to dish out themed buffets every quarter that makes them a good candidate for best hotel buffets you would come across with. Unlike other hotel buffets, Oakwood Manila’s wouldn’t overwhelm you with exaggerated choices that are too impossible for you to try in one go anyway.  Yet, it does not mean that you would be limited in terms of variants to choose from. As a matter of fact, their buffet spread is decent enough to get your money’s worth. Add to that, the fact that they focus more on the quality of their dishes assuring every diner that each and every food that they will get to enjoy is worth the calories.

OFK Aloe Vera King Juice, a Refreshing Drink with Health Benefits

When I was asked to try OFK Aloe Vera King Juice I was a little apprehensive at first. For one, I always associate aloe vera with shampoo. When I was a kid, some of my aunts would always talk about how they got their smooth and shiny long black hair by using aloe vera. Second, I am not big on juice made out of plants. Sure, I would indulge on fruit based juices, but rarely do I encounter delicious juice with some plants as its main ingredients. Then, with a little research I found out that aloe vera juice is now a thing and it holds a promise of health benefits. So I gave in. 

OFK Philippines sent me a package full of OFK Aloe Vera King Juice for me to try. The package contains aloe vera juice in different sizes and flavors.  As far as I know, OFK Philippines is the only company that sells aloe vera juice (If not, I would appreciate if you could give me a heads up on the comment section). Aloe vera juice is said to have a lot of health benefits hence, it is slowly becoming the favorite drinks among may.

I am not the healthiest person you may know nor I am the most health conscious you would come across with so I have to ask some friends who are into healthy stuff about the benefits of aloe vera juice.  It is said that aloe vera contains several vitamins and minerals that are good for the body.

New Dishes at Wee Nam Kee Philippines: New Culinary Treasures of Singapore

Recently, I was tagged along to visit Wee Nam Kee at Edsa Shangri-La Mall and try the new dishes added to Wee Nam Kee's menu called New Culinary Treasures of Singapore. Wee Nam Kee is a Singaporean restaurant that has been serving the best Hainanese Chicken for more than 25 years now. Their branching out here in our country proved to be successful as they now have eight branches that includes Ayala Triangle Gardens, Serendra, Glorietta 2, Alabang Town Center, Promenade Greenhills, Trinoma Mall, Shangrila East Wing, and the new Fairview Terraces Mall.

I remember the first time I dined at Wee Nam Kee Serendra Branch, I was deeply impressed with their rendition of Hainanese Chicken including the Hainanese Rice but was saddened by their Lechon Macau. Despite the little disappointment, I resolved to go back at Wee Nam Kee to try some of the items on their menu. So, when my friend Richard invited me to join them on their visit, I gladly said yes.

Come the scheduled lunch, I almost begged off. Our visit happened right after the Typhoon Glenda. Our area in Antipolo City was still out of electricity that time and since I was too smart, I was not able to charge batteries for my cameras. Yes, all three of them. I already sent my regrets to Richard that I wouldn't be able to join them because of my situation but he was kind enough to offer me his other camera so that I may join them still. I grabbed the opportunity and braved the traffic jam and the roads littered with the aftermath of the typhoon from Antipolo to Ortigas. It was worth it.

All-American Buffet at United Taste of America of F All-Day Dining Restaurant, F1 Hotel Manila

F All Day Dining Buffet Restaurant of F1 Hotel Manila located at The Fort, Bonifacio Gloal City is currently celebrating the month of July through an All-American Buffet aptly tagged as United Taste of America.  This month is almost over but due to popular demand, this buffet feast is extended until August 6,2014. 

F1 Hotel Manila is known to do several partnerships with different chefs from all over the place to dish out themed buffet feast to be rolled out at F Restaurant. This time, together with F1 Hotel Manila’s Executive Chef Sau del Rosario, they partnered with USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) to stage a feast of American Dishes to make this month more exciting at F Restaurant.

Over the weekend, we sampled some of the dishes at F All Day Dining Buffet Restaurant and experience the United Taste of America. 4th of July celebration may be over but it is a different case for F1 Hotel Manila. The date extension will allow diners to experience this feast until the first week of the next month.  

Chili's Philippines: Chili's Your Way to Food Feast Because More Life Happens Here!

My recent visit at Chili's Bar and Restaurant SM Megamall branch to check out new items on their menu reminded me that the last time I wrote about them here on my food blog was way back 2009. That was five years ago (pardon the small photos and the writing style, if you're going to check out that post) and I could not believe that despite several visits within that span of time, I am only writing about them again just now. I guess, I have a lot of catching up to do.

Recently, Chili's launched its new tagline, "More Life Happens Here" which I deem apt since I myself, is one of those who could testify that indeed, more life happens at Chili's. Since it opened its door here in the Philippines way back 1996, I cannot count how many times have I dined at Chili's, specifically at their branches at Tomas Morato and Greenhills. Whether its a celebration of some sort or just plain meeting up with friends, Chili's is definitely one of those restaurants that my loved ones, friends, and I frequent to.

While it would be funny to admit that their unlimited Tostada Chips and Salsa have something to do with our frequent visits, the truth is, more than the free refils of these addicting treats, it is Chili's overall appeal that endears it to us. From the good food that they serve to the cool ambiance they have and to the warm and friendly service they give, Chili's is definitely proved all through these years that they deserve all the thumbs up they get.