Inauguration of ISTITUTO CULINARIO

After the tour at Istituto Culinario our guide Chef Chris led us to Celebrity Chef Cyrille Soenen’s Brasserie CiÇou where the party was happening that night.

Related Post:  Real Culinary Art Begins at ISTITUTO CULINARIO

Located at the ground floor of OB Montesorri building, Brasserie CiÇou is where the Istituto Culinario’s internship program will be held.  During the launching party, everyone feasted on different variety of French dishes prepared by the chefs and the students of the institution.

Real Culinary Art Begins at ISTITUTO CULINARIO

Last Saturday, February 18, 2012 the newest and most innovative culinary institution, Istituto Culinario officially opened its door by celebrating its inauguration night filled with fun, good food, and excitement.

Held at its affiliated restaurant Brasserie CiCou of Celebrity Chef Cyrille Soenen, the party started after guests were given a tour of the campus.  I will dish out some scenes during the party on my next blog post, but for now allow me to share with you my passport and have a glimpse of the training ground of our future culinary maestros.

Mary Grace Cafe, Greenbelt 2

I always believe that aesthetic component of a restaurant adds pleasure to the entire dining experience.  I guess that is why I am a sucker for beautiful interiors.  Yet, there are times when dining al fresco sounds rather enticing.  Sadly not all of my favorite restaurants offer outside dining areas.  But the few who does are all impressive. Take for example Tatung’s Café and Bag of Beans.  Good thing that my recent visit to Mary Grace Café at Greenbelt 2 gave me a chance to have an addition to my short list of restaurants with beautiful outdoor dining area.

I was dead set on skipping an afternoon snack that day since my friend D and I were scheduled to attend a dinner.  Yet, upon seeing how lovely the ambiance at Mary Grace Café, we decided otherwise.

My Take on Food at P.F. Chang's in Alabang Town Center

When I wrote about P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Media Launch last month, questions from friends and some readers came rushing in asking me if the dishes they serve were any good. Most of them live far from Alabang Town Center and they wondered if it’s worth the travel hence, they sought opinion. Days after its opening which somehow created a noise in most of social media platform, mixed reactions from people were very apparent.

Some said that the food at P.F. Chang’s Philippines are nowhere near as good as the one they serve in other countries, while the others commented that they are satisfied and happy with it. I have not eaten in any branch of P.F. Chang’s aside from the one in Alabang; so technically, I do not have point of comparison.

If you want a blow by blow comparison of how good P.F. Chang’s here in our country as compare to its other branches, then I cannot give you that as of yet. But if you just want to know my opinion which focuses mainly on food that P.F. Chang’s, particularly in Alabang Town Center serves, then please feel free to read on.

Making Valentine's Day Sweeter with Max's Pastry Bites

Happy Valentine's Day Foodies!

So, have you had your Valentine Pastry Bites yet?

Seattle's Best Coffee Philippines Milk Tea and Valentine Cookies

Seattle’s Best Coffee Philippines, home of the finest and premium coffee in the country invited us recently at their new branch located in Greenhills Town Center to sample their two limited time offerings that will definitely delight us this season.

After perfecting a cup of coffee that pleases every coffee lover out there, SBC decided to take the spotlight to another delightful drink – the SBC Milk Tea.

Chocolate Room with the Chocolate Chef at Marriott Manila's MCafe

During our visit at Marriott Manila for the brunch with the foodies, we get to experience their drool worthy Chocolate Room. Included at the Marriott’s Café Sunday Brunch Buffet package, this chocolate-all-you-can-treat features variety of chocolates that makes buffet experience more exciting.

My plateful of delightful chocolates!

Marriott Manila Sunday Brunch Buffet

Last week, together with fellow bloggers, we visited Marriot Hotel at Newport City Complex, Pasay City to try their Marriott Café’s Sunday Brunch Buffet. The recent expansion on their buffet spread selections led foodies to a festive brunch which made rising early that day well worth it.

(One of my many plates) Perfectly seared foei gras, medium well rib-eye steak, grilled calamari, mashed potato, and grilled vegetable.  How’s that for a brunch?

How Do I Want My Valentine's Day to be Special

In a perfect world, every single person would have a grand time with their significant other especially during Valentine’s Day.  Everyone can feel like a princess with her prince, a queen with her king, or even a damsel in distress with a man who can save her.  Valentine’s Day can be a celebration of hearts beating as one.  It is the time when perfection is illuminated through hearts that doesn’t carry a single scar.

But we are not in a perfect world.

In reality, hearts can be broken a thousand times over.  Wounds can take a lifetime to heal.  Valentine’s day, well, it can be a reminder that not everyone is blessed with a significant other.

Scar.  I know we all have that.  

I for one am not exempted with the endless nights of crying, forgetting, and healing.  I have been scarred for countless of times.  Some have already healed, while others I still carry in my heart.

But I believe that scar is beautiful because it carries a meaning.  

Sweet Valentine Treats by Max's Restaurant and Max's Corner Bakery

I know I’ve been delinquent in posting updates here in my blog for the past five days, but I sincerely apologize my dear readers as I am currently nursing a mean flu. I am on my sick bed while I am writing this but I don’t mind at all because our friends at Max’s Restaurant, home of the “sarap-to-the-bones” fried chicken has sweet news, worthy to dish out.

Last night, February 7, 2011.  Max’s Restaurant launched its most romantic line of desserts just in time for the Valentine's season.  I give credit to my sister Eichel who attended the launching night full of sweet surprises and scrumptious Max’s dishes as they unveiled their sweet and heartwarming treats for their valued customers.

ITALIANNI'S Restaurant, Reacquainting with the Old Time Favorite

Way back when I wasn’t a food blogger yet, Italianni's was one of those restaurants I always go to whenever I am cravings for Italian food.  Way before I fell in love with Bellini’s and Amoroma, there’s Italiannis to flirt my appetite and my palate with.

Then life happens.  I got into food blogging which led me into trying out different restaurants I haven’t visited yet.  For a while I wasn’t able to visit some of those which I used to frequent to.  That includes Italianni's.   But I always knew that whenever I want something relatively familiar to my palate, there’s always Italianni's.

Amidst trying out and discovering new places to dine in, there are moments when I knew by heart that I need to revisit my old time favorite.  Good thing that when a good friend and fellow food enthusiast I dearly call Tito Bong, who came from Qatar visited the country weeks ago, I was once again led to Italianni's.  It was a simple albeit wonderful evening shared with good friends I haven’t seen for quite a while, in a restaurant I dearly missed.

Celebrate a Romantic Valentines Dinner at Pan Pacific Manila

Pan Pacific Manila, the first and finest butler hotel in the country is inviting everyone to make Valentines sweeter with a romantic evening of spectacular views and delectable food.  From February 13 to 14, 2012 indulge in a sumptuous six course set dinner with a glass of sparkling wine while enjoying the beautiful view of Manila skyline at the hotel’s Pacific Lounge.  This one-of-a-kind romantic Valentine’s dinner is priced at Php 1,500 net per person from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.