The Phoenix Court: DIMSUM Eat-All-You-Can

Phoenix Court is a fine-dining Chinese signature restaurant of The Bellevue Manila located in Alabang. It features their creative take on well-loved Chinese cuisine spearheaded by their Chinese chef. Phoenix Court is also known as one of the best restaurants that offers an All-You-Can-Eat-Dimsum promo alongside other delectable ala carte dishes such as their Chef's specials line.

Phoenix Court is located at the second floor of tower wing of The Bellevue Hotel and has a seating capacity of 250 person and can accommodate private diners for group. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 2:30pm and 6pm to 10pm.

During our epic staycation in Alabang where we get to stay at B Hotel and do some food tripping at The Bellevue Hotel, Phoenix Court was one of our gastronomical destination. Our first dinner at Bellevue was spent with loads of freshly-made dimsum care of the Phoenix Court. We also tried their Chef's Specials on our third day which I will be also blogging about soon. But first, the Dimsum Eat-All-You-Can.

Villa Del Conte Cioccolato Sublime of Padova, Italy

While enjoying a box of Villa Del Conte chocolates, I remember that quote from Forrest Gump; "Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you'll gonna get." Don't get me wrong, this blog post is not about deciphering the meaning of life in all its glory, I just want to talk about Villa Del Conte Cioccolato Sublime.

Villa Del Conte's namesake is a town in Padova Italy wherein this 70+ year old family business of artisan chocolate-making hails from. For generations now, they are making hand crafted fine chocolates in their factory in Italy.

Recently my sister was given a box of Villa Del Conte chocolates to try. Being the kind sister that she is, she shared it with me so that I can write about it here on my blog. It was my first time to try these chocolates and I must say that I was impressed.

Love Food and Travel? Be the FOOD HERO of Asia Food Channel (AFC) and Food Network Asia

Who doesn’t love to eat and travel? I know I do! And I am pretty sure most of you share the same passion. So here’s a good news for you guys.

If you are passionate about food and traveling, if you have a great personality, and if you want to be on TV, then Food Network Asia and Asia Food Channel is looking for you to be their Food Hero!

Food Hero is a region wide talent search that may open a door for aspiring TV hosts or TV talents to be part of either Food Network Asia or Asia Food Channel team.  Joining is fairly simple;  you may join them for a live audition this coming Saturday, May 31 or you may upload your video on Youtube convincing Food Network Asia and AFC Team why you should be the next Food Hero.

Read on and check out the mechanics below.

Word of Advice When Reading Rogue Magazine's Appetite Issue

Friends, I got a word of advice for all of you. When planning to read Rogue Magazine’s Appetite Issue (May Issue) consider hoarding all the best food you can get. The more food the better. Then with your food on hand, set aside ample of time where no one may disturb you so that you may read the magazine to your heart’s content.

Trust me on this. Especially on the hoarding of food part. Because once you started reading the hunger-inducing Rogue Magazine’s Appetite Issue, you will salivate like there’s no tomorrow. I am speaking based on personal experience. My only fault was, I read the thing on a lazy morning which contagious indolence permeates my entire being that I could not muster enough courage to cook a decent breakfast meal, so I settled for a simple toast and butter with coffee.

Wrong freaking move.

For their appetite issue this month of May, Rogue Magazine is peppered with loads of food-related article that will, like what I have said, make you salivate and be well-informed to the latest food trend in Manila and then some. This month's cover is that of beautiful model Isabel Roces photographed by the extremely talented photographer, Neil Oshima. 

Samalamig at Mesclun Restaurant: Beat the Summer Heat with Halo-Halo, Milkshakes, and Ice Cream Sandwich!

Ice cream, halo-halo, fruit shakes, milkshakes, these are just some of the refreshing goodies that most of us probably crave for especially now that it's summer. Good news is, Mesclun Restaurant and Cafe (Ortigas) and Mesclun Bistro (Serendra and Eastwood) introduce new line of cold and refreshing items perfect for summer season aptly called SAMALAMIG. 

Samalamig or palamig in vernacular pertains to cold prepared beverages here in the Philippines that usually comprised of tapioca pearls, gelatin, mixed with cold water flavored with sweet syrup and/or fruit extracts. In the past, when one talks about samalamig, Sago't Gulaman is the first thing that will pop up in mind since it is the most popular and can be found in every street corner here in the country. But as time goes by, the term is now use to pertain to any prepared cold drinks that is distinctly Pinoy. Think buko pandan juice, ice candy, halo-halo, buko juice, melon juice, and the likes. Those are just some of the well-loved samalamig.

The talented mind behind Mesclun, chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara takes this samalamig into a whole new level this time and created four impressive line of goodies that will surely make this summer enjoyable for foodies. 

Caffe Pascucci Shop: Italian Coffee Shop at Robinsons Galleria

Caffe Pascucci Shop is an Italian brand of coffee shop that branched out here in Manila just last year. It prided itself in serving high quality standard of coffee in different variants and pastry goodies that go perfectly well with their coffee selection. Currently, Caffe Pascucci Shop already have two branches here in Manila; one in Glorietta 2 in Makati City and the other one in Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas, Pasig City.

It was said that Caffe Pascucci Shop is popular in Italy and Korea with an impressionable number of patrons. If the green siren stands to be the most popular here in Manila and to most part of the world, Caffee Pascucci Shop is noted as its Italian equivalent in terms of followers.

I remember the first time I tried Caffe Pascucci was during the launching of our book EATS 2014 which was held at the Glorietta Activity Center. Caffe Pascucci Glorietta branch was just a stone's throw away from the area, just right beside Ginza Bairin. So before heading home, we grabbed some coffee and pastries from Caffe Pascucci just to last us through dinner time. I remember that the place left a great impression on me with its artsy ambiance.

Buffet at Café d’Asie of Bellevue Manila

Our lunch buffet at Café d’Asie of Bellevue Manila happened on the second day of our epic staycation at B Hotel in Alabang. It literally transpired after yet another buffet, albeit breakfast, that we devoured during that weekend. I wouldn't call it epic weekend for nothing. I even have proof that doesn't involve weighing scale, I tell you. Read, that's all you have to do.

Café d’Asie, one of the signature restaurants of Bellevue Manila in Alabang features an all-day buffet and ala carte offerings for both the hotel guests and walk-in diners. This 180-seaters boasts of an elegant ambiance coupled with impressive buffet selections meant to make people with deep affinity for an Eat-All-You-Can restaurants, like me.

Whether you decides to go an a feast of the senses on lunch or dinner, you'll be charged of Php 1,390 net per head and Php 695 for kids ages 6 to 12. Those who are below 6 years of age can dine for free. Breakfast buffet costs Php 770 net per head and half the price for kids 6 to 12. Kiddos under 6 of course, can have their little brekky for free.

Bulgogi Brothers Korean BBQ Restaurant: 7 New Korean Classics

This year, Bulgogi Brothers Korean BBQ Restaurant added new items on their menu, the seven classic Korean dishes. Although known for dishing out well-executed Korean fares with use of quality ingredients, Bulgogi Brothers step up its game by expanding their menu with main focus on well-loved classic Korean dishes that food enthusiast here in Manila will love. 

A visit to Bulgogi Brothers' Greenbelt branch introduced me to this seven classic Korean dishes. I already have some favorites at Bulgogi Brothers menu which are default orders when visiting any of their branches. These new additions to the menu however expanded my list of favorites and gave me more reasons to visit Bulgogi Brothers again and again.

Kimukatsu at East Wing of Shangri-La Mall

My visit at KIMUKATSU Japanese Restaurant located at the East Wing of Shangri-La Mall was a long time coming. Their famous take on tonkatsu which is a 25-layered Mille-feuille-style pork cutlets was something new to me. Having read good write ups about Kimukatsu from fellow food bloggers in Manila, I figured I should really make a time to visit.

There are a lot of katsu restaurants here in Manila ever since the katsu craze hit us, but Kimukatsu, a Japanese franchise takes pride being unique from the rest because of their unusual rendition of a katsu dish. Add to that, a list of other Japanese dishes on the menu that's equally impressive.

When I finally had the time to visit Kimukatsu, my mother and I visited their branch at the East Wing of Shangri-La Mall. It was lunchtime during our visit and the store is still near empty. But a minute or so, people started coming in until there's already a waiting list.

Benassi Ristorante Italiano: An Authentic Italian Restaurant in Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Benassi Ristorante Italiano is a family-owned restaurant tucked in Ortigas Center that serves no non-sense Italian dishes. Home-cooked Italian cuisine which inspiration rooted from the little town of Massa in Tuscany of Central Italy, Benassi Ristorante's arsenal of heirloom recipes claimed to be nothing but authentic.

Owner Katia Benassi-De Guzman, together with her husband DJ De Guzman partnered with Katia's mother Rolyn who has an impressive culinary training and a 20 years of residency in Italy. Together, they created a line up of authentic Italian cuisine that Benassi Ristorante Italiano is now proud of.

A visit to Benassi one afternoon opened my eyes to the wonderful gastronomical world of the Benassi. The place is modern and minimalistic with little reminders that you are in an Italian restaurant. Majority of the diners are expats and office workers coming from the Ortigas business district.

Dulcelin Gourmet at U.P. Town Center, Katipunan Ave.

When talking about Dulcelin Gourmet the very first thing that comes to my mind is their famous and downright impressive Mango Torte. Now that they have opened their very first restaurant which is located at U.P. Town Center in Katipunan, Dulcelin Gourmet proved that they are more than just that famous dessert. Their take on different dishes could also be mind blowingly good, and I agree.

 

While I have tried some of their savory dishes offerings during food fairs and events such as The Ultimate Taste Test, Dessert Comes First Anniversary Party, and some occasions, it was still their Mango Torte which was almost always present in our family gatherings that left a strong impression on me. With the opening of their new restaurant, I am glad that other dishes at Dulcelin Gourmet are now more accessible than ever.

5 Good Reasons Why You Should Attend POWER OF PEN 4, a Food, Travel, and Lifestyle Writing Workshop

So recently I heard a good news that Power of Pen 4 will be staged this year, on May 8-9 at the Top Shelf of Fully Booked, The Fort BGC. For those who don’t have any idea what Power of Pen is, it is a workshop which started way back 2009 that aims to provide learning opportunities for new writers. Initially, it focuses on basic tools needed for food writing but as time passed, it now taps related topics which are closely related to the aforementioned subject such as travel and lifestyle writing.

Power of Pen is known to have seasoned writers and esteemed speakers under its helm. These people are all generous in sharing their knowledge and expertise which can greatly help new writers to be equipped with necessary knowledge in the world of writing.

Last 2011, I was lucky enough to be one of the workshop attendees during the 3rd staging of Power of Pen. Fresh out of the corporate world, I deemed that taking Power of Pen workshop can help me decide whether to take food writing seriously or just leave it as a hobby and go back to my day job.

Gratitude

I still have loads of restaurant blog posts to write about but I figured the best way to start the month is to show gratitude. The weekend staycation we had at B Hotel Alabang and Bellevue Manila was by far one of the best weekends I had with some of my blogger friends. All thanks to the generous and kindly people of Bellevue Hotels and Resorts and of course, to Jane Go and Family.

Now if you've read my staycation series (first day, second day, third day), you would know that it was also made all the more sweet with the generous people behind different brands that shared with us their products. And with that, I am truly grateful.

These sponsors kindly showed us their generosities and provided some of their products while we were having our Alabang staycation. Some of them I am already familiar with, while the others I was just introduced to during that time. Please mind however that this is not a blog post for product reviews, rather, this is a gratitude blog post.