Lunch Buffet at The Crescent Moon Cafe and Studio Pottery, Antipolo City

For a long while I've regarded The Crescent Moon Cafe and Studio Pottery as a place where people can get high quality stoneware ceramic plates created by the famous Lanelle Abueva Fernando. I cannot count how many of my friends who are mainly chefs, restaurateur, photographer, and fellow food stylists have I accompanied to Crescent Moon to buy plates they needed since I am from Antipolo. 

And funny how it was only recently that I took a great interest with their restaurant. Mainly because I find reserving for their lunch buffet a bit tricky. Now don't get me wrong, I love Crescent Moon Cafe.

You see, based on my experience, unless you will be reserving for a big group, there really is no guarantee if you will be scoring lunch buffet or if you will be served a set meal. It depends on how many reservation they have for that day. 

Main Street Restaurant in Kapitolyo

Main Street is one of the popular restaurants at McKinley in Taguig that opened a new branch in Kapitolyo, Pasig City. A brainchild of Adam Tan who has an impressive culinary experience in Canada, Main Street offers Canadian grubs and then some at a very reasonable price.

I rarely visit McKinley area so when my cousin Hefty Foodie and good friend Pepe Samson informed me that Main Street has now a branch in Kapitolyo, I gladly accept the invite to join them.

For sure this one is a good news for those who have not tried Main Street yet due to their proximity to the branch in Taguig as well as those who have become a longtime fan who resides in Eastern and Northern part of the Metro. After all, aren't good restaurants supposed to have branches everywhere? I firmly believe in that, and I am rooting for Main Street. 

Delicious Indian Food to Try at The Indian Food Festival Buffet of The Cafe, HYATT City of Dreams Manila

If you fancy a high quality and reasonably priced hotel buffet that features impeccable Indian cuisine, The Cafe at Hyatt City of Dreams Manila is - dare I use the cliche that holds true, the place to be. For a whole week stretch that starts July 17 up until the 24th, The Cafe at Hyatt will take you to the Road to Gurgaon and let you discover Indian culinary gems. 

Spearheaded by guest chef Ajith Kumar from Hyatt Regency Gurgaon, the Indian Food Festival at The Cafe paves way to a gustatory journey that will lead guests to what The Lonely Planet tagged as the new New Delhi, Gurgaon - a fast growing city in India.

No passport is needed to tread this delicious journey, for all it takes are open mind, appreciation for good food, and one big hell of an appetite. Trust me, whether you dig Indian food or still on your way to appreciating one, Indian Food Festival at The Cafe of Hyatt COD Manila can be the best option and a good start.

Seafood Sunday Brunch Buffet at Spectrum, Fairmont Hotel Makati

Seafood lovers, such as myself shall rejoice as Spectrum of Fairmont Hotel in Makati City curates a Sunday Brunch meant to showcase delightful seafood dishes of wide variety. Spectrum's Seafood Sunday Brunch Buffet which started on June 5 will run up until August of this year only.

I have been to quite a few seafood-themed buffets because I just cannot say no to seafood (Case in point: Remember the book I co-written? Yes, my part of that book was all about seafood. I love seafood so much the Little Mermaid got nothin' on me.) Judging from the variety of seafood dishes laid on the buffet spread at Spectrum - man, they mean serious business, I tell you.

Now, the thing about some seafood-themed buffets I have been to, as I observed, was that they only allocate a portion of their buffet spread to showcase certain numbers of seafood dishes. We are talking about those buffets that changes theme occasionally here and not those which are hardcore seafood buffet restaurants which feature seafood through and through.  

Cantonese and Indian Buffet Food Festival at The Cafe, HYATT City of Dreams Manila

I will be writing about the buffet at The Cafe of Hyatt City of Dreams Manila soon because its awesomeness in terms of food quality, service, and price merits its own blog post. For now, this is all about the Cantonese and Indian Food Festival which will be happening at Hyatt - definitely one of the many reasons why you should visit them soon.

Aptly tagged as a Celebration of Two Asian Culinary Traditions, the Cantonese Food Festival and the Indian Food Festival will be happening on June 14 to 19, 2016 and July 14 to 24, 2016 respectively.

This celebration holds the promise of inviting guests and diners at The Cafe to embark on a gustatory journey, a delicious road that leads to China and India. So if you love Cantonese and Indian Cuisines, there is not reason for you to be  missing this especially that the buffet rate at The Cafe of Hyatt is surprisingly affordable.

NOBU Manila Sunday Brunch Buffet, City of Dreams Manila

Sunday Brunch Buffet at Nobu, City of Dreams Manila could be the very thing you need to make that leisurely Sundays with your loved ones extra special. You know why? Buffet rates are reasonable, ambiance is hip and modern, and best of all, the food. Those. Glorious. Food.

Also, after a week filled with work and to start the week to come equally filled with work, don't you think you deserve something as good as delightful Sunday brunch buffet at Nobu Manila?

I have been wanting to try and check out this brunch buffet at Nobu after missing couple of invites from friends and family. I was often told that I really should check it out and I am well aware that I definitely should one of these days. Luckily, my KTG Family had the same plan. 

New Katsu Pairs at YABU The House of Katsu @yabuPH

Yabu, the well-loved and probably the most famous katsu restaurant in Manila recently launched its New Katsu Pairs. Alongside these new pairs, two new Tofu Katsu dishes were also launched which adds to already impressive numbers of dishes that one may enjoy at Yabu besides the classic favorites.

Apparently, the New Katsu Pairs at Yabu is the answer to peoples dream of pairing up their favorite katsu options rather than being boxed up to the previous choices of sets at Yabu.

So if you are a Yabu fanatic and is very particular with your favorite katsu combination at Yabu, I am telling you, there are plenty of good things to look forward to when you visit Yabu.

Café Siena, Antipolo City

Siena's Gathering Hall is one of few places in Antipolo City that offers catering services and events place. It has been in the business for ten years now and from that staying power and success sprung forth Café Siena, a little restaurant that serves downright delicious comfort food.

I am always on the lookout for homegrown restaurant here in Antipolo City to fuel my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series. Yet, such endeavor is not a walk in the park because my knowledge is limited by the fact that I have been away from my hometown for more than a decade.

Thankfully I was introduced to Café Siena via a friend's invite, otherwise, I am certainly missing something awesome. This little nook certainly bagged the top spot on my Best Restaurants in Antipolo list by far.

Lydia's Lechon Pasig Branch, Now Open!

Lydia's Lechon Restaurant's Pasig branch recently opened their newly relocated store with a notable facelift. Being one of the food brand close to my family's heart, a visit one weekend follow suit to check out the place and enjoy some new dishes on the menu as well as some of the all-time favorites. 

Just a couple of units away from its previous location as it is still housed in the same building, Lydia's Lechon Pasig branch still boasts of great service and food but this time, the ambiance is more welcoming and conducive to a festive meal time.

It was around 10 in the morning when we visited the restaurant - couple of minutes passed its opening for the day. The diners were minimal but after a brief moment, people started coming in - mostly in groups. It goes to show that the charm of Lydia's Lechon to its patrons is still palpable. 

The Nest, Dining in the Sky Restaurant at Vivere Hotel Alabang [Part Three of Staycation Series]

There are many things to be loved about The Nest, the in-house restaurant of Vivere Hotel Alabang. While there are many which I acknowledge, there are few that for me, really stood out. That, I learned during my recent stay at Vivere Hotel one weekend.

The Nest is aptly followed by the tag "Dining in the Sky" because with the view from the 31st floor of the property that comes with the dining experience, it is indeed like dining in the sky.

Indeed the view is great, but it is not exactly the thing that blew me away, no sir. It is not exactly the reason why I would want to go back.

Fowlbread BGC

The newly opened Fowlbread at BGC is the place you would want to visit if you got some hankering for manly chicken sandwich so good it can be a universe on its own.

And I am not talking about the old as time mayonnaise-laden shredded chicken meat sandwiched in between white bread we used to bring at school for snack hour, nope sir. This one is macho. This is Fowlbread's Chicken Sandwich.

And we cannot expect anything less knowing that this concept is under the umbrella of Tasteless Group - the same kickass peeps behind Hole in the Wall, Le Petit Souffle, and Hanamaruken. So there's that. 

Calle Preciousa Seafood Dampa Palutuan, Pasig City

Calle Preciousa Seafood Dampa Palutuan is a restaurant in Pasig City that prided itself with variety of fresh seafood and other dishes in a homey provincial atmosphere. Just like any Dampa style or Palutuan restaurants, diners may choose from Calle Preciousa's seafood selections they tagged as their very own "wet market" and have it cooked to their liking. 

Calle Preciousa is not really new in the business. They used to be called Sophia's Villa until it faced a revamped. This family owned business aims to stay true to its tradition of serving fresh food made from scratch. 

I visited Calle Preciousa recently for a quick lunch and to check out some of their offerings. There are several popular fastfood chains within the area but the ample and really impressive parking space of Calle Preciousa - which other restaurants in the vicinity lack was a clear indication that it is a good time to check this one out.

Free Buffet at Four Seasons Buffet & Hotpot by Vikings for 2016 Graduates!

Four Seasons Buffet and Hotpot by Vikings or the entire Vikings Group is not just known as the best buffets in Manila. Their generosity when it comes to buffet promos, discounts, and freebies is also quite popular and well-celebrated. In line with their goal to make their diners happy, they are now giving us the Four Seasons Buffet and Hotpot Graduation Promo. 

This buffet promo is available in all of Four Seasons Buffet and Hotpot by Vikings branches, both in SM MOA and Araneta Cubao. (Heads-up: They are opening soon at SM Sta.Mesa!)

I have been to both branches of Four Seasons Buffet and Hotpot and I must say that each branch has its own charm. My recent visit to their SM MOA branch recently made me glad as I discover that it is now like their Cubao branch in which buffet spreads are now made all the more heftier with incorporation of other dishes you can find at Vikings Buffets. Amazing, I know.

A Delicious French Dinner Affair at Nostalgia Dining Lounge, Oakwood Manila

Nostalgia Dining Lounge, the in-house restaurant of Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila is currently poised to enchant its diners with classic French Cuisine for the month of March. Oakwood’s Executive Chef Jerome Catailler has whipped up traditional dishes from his hometown in line with Nostalgia’s Nostalgic Culinary Weeks with main focus on France.

Diners may enjoy the classic French cuisine as ala carte dining options every dinner from March 14 to 30, 2016 only at Nostalgia Dining Lounge.

I have written about Nostalgia before and even enjoyed a weekend staycation at Oakwood, and I must say that theirs are one of the hotel restaurants which quality of food I am always confident about. The lunch we had to check out these amazing French dishes only proved that Nostalgia is still on top of its game.

Food Trip at Robinsons Place Antipolo [World Food Tour Without Passport]

Over the weekend, I was invited to join a Bloggers Food Trip wherein we visited different restaurants at Robinsons Place Antipolo.  If you have poked around my blog a bit, you would know that I am currently doing my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series in which I feature those I deem as the best restaurants in Antipolo City.

With that in mind, I am grateful and humbled to be part of the bloggers’ activity at Robinsons Antipolo because truth be told, some of the best places to eat when in Antipolo is housed within the confines of this amazing mall. Also, this Antipolo Food Tour we had courtesy of Robinsons Malls is just like a World Food Tour without Passport. How? I promise, I will get to that.

A lot has been said and written online about Robinsons Place Antipolo since it opened its door to the public. For someone who resides in the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines - upper and rather secluded Antipolo area if I might add - Robinsons Antipolo is a prayer answered. We do not have much big malls around here, thanks to Robinsons Malls for providing us that.

Cucina Buffet at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila: Weekday Craze Special Buffet Rates Promo

We recently visited Cucina Restaurant at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila to check out their Weekday Craze Buffet Promo.  This Cucina Buffet’s promo boasts of special rates in which lunch buffet is priced at Php1,100 only while dinner is priced at Php1,500 from Monday to Thursday for the entire month of March. 

Now the Weekday Craze does not just stop right there. It got even more excitingly with a special giveaway in which those who will avail of lunch and dinner buffet at Cucina will get a chance to win an overnight stay in Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. 

Cucina Buffet Promo also gives way for Cucina to highlight the all-new set of featured cuisines for their Seven Days, Seven Reasons themed buffet. 

A Revisit to Lola Cafe and Bar, Quezon City

I have blogged about Lola Cafe and Bar in Quezon City way back and have paid them a visit several more times after that. Some with old time friends, others with family, and the recent one which I am writing about right now was with some of my favorite Manila bloggers. 

Despite several competitors rapidly sprouting, it is still one of my favorite restaurants in Tomas Morato Quezon City area. Hence, a bloggers' lunch to check out new additions to Lola Cafe and Bar Menu highlights an excitement one weekend which would have been ordinary otherwise.

Since Lola's opening several years back, its residential-turned-into-restaurant charm is still palpable. There are several changes that transpired in terms of its appearance, menu, and the likes, but its vision to serve good food thankfully is still ever the same. 

Hai Chix & Steaks Restaurant: The Steak That Will Haunt You, and You Will Give In

Let us not beat around the bush here about the indulging feast I had at Hai Chix and Steaks Restaurant. I am giving this to you right off the bat. Their steak's been haunting me for a while now - and I am a willing victim.

Imagine a 650g hefty slab of US Angus Rib Eye Steak grilled to your liking. Some fats were trimmed off from the meat – those fat aren't meant to be wasted. Instead, those bits and chunks of fats are fated to make your experience all the more lip-smacking.

Now imagine those bits and little chunks of fat fried into perfect doneness that gives off a balanced texture of crispness with a little resistance to the bite. Those kick ass of a savory bits will be put right on top of the steak.  And you will eat it along with the steak rice you will be served.

You are destined to savor it.

Cafe Esse: Coffee, Waffle, Good Vibes, and Then Some

I am writing this blog post about Cafe Esse in Antipolo on a fly because it felt like I have been living under the rock these days being caught up doing things not related to bogging - or writing, in general. My presence here on the blog is getting less frequent much as I don't want to because well, you know, life.

But I don't want the thought of being a cave woman away from the world wide web to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Hence, trust that I am doing my best here. I've way too many blog posts to share in due course, mostly about travel and of course, food. But for now, let's give this one a go.

Cafe Esse it is - to supplement my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series.

I would like to say that it was like love at first sight but that sounds too cheesy. And I've no right no be cheesy since there will be a Double Cheese Waffle somewhere in this post as we go along.

So lets avoid being cheesy and settle to the "It's like meeting an old friend, but not really." A tad shady for an opening description but I think I'm cool with that.

Project Pie PH Eats A Date Valentines Promo For Only Php 695

This Valentine's Season 2016, Project Pie Philippines will be rolling out their Eats A Date promo from the 6th of this month up to the 29th. This promo which is priced at Php695 only is a perfect treat for your significant other, friends, and loved ones.

Project Pie PH is known for their built-your-own artisan pizza. From the time they opened to this day, Project Pie PH already boasts of 12 branches and still counting. This promo will be rolled out in all of their branches.

I visited Project Pie SM Megamall branch recently for a preview of their Valentines Promo and to check out some of their offerings.