Amores Gluten-Free Cupcakes

Just for the record, prior to trying out Amores Gluten-Free Cupcakes I have zero knowledge about gluten nor gluten-free food. Those are big words for me, seriously. Just like most of you, I am also new to this gluten-free food, gluten-free diet, and the whole she bangs. Not many food stores and restaurants in Manila offer gluten-free food so the awareness isn’t really apparent. 

Google research led me to several different write ups about gluten-free food and gluten-free diet. It is impossible to sum up and dish out glaring wisdom about this topic in one post so I wouldn’t even dare.  But in a nutshell, Gluten is the mixture of protein found in wheat grains including rye and barley. It is tagged as the glue that holds together baked goodies and pasta.

People who opted for gluten-free diet are those who suffer from celiac disease (a condition where gluten creates damage to small intestine), gluten intolerance, and wheat allergy. 

Chuck's Grub Fish & Chips

First time I tasted Chuck's Grub Fish and Chips was during their stint at morning Mercato Centrale. First bite of their beer battered goodies and I already knew that they are definitely the best fish and chips in Manila. Fast forward to 2013, I got a chance to once again experience the goodness of Chuck's Grub, only this time, at one of their branches located in Megamall. There aren't many restaurants in Manila that dishes out noteworthy fish and chips much to the dismay of those who love this fare. Good thing Chuck's Grub is here to satisfy the cravings.

Chuck's Grub Fish and Chips is one of those stalls in Mercato that emerged from being just a mere food stall into a full blown restaurant. Rightfully so, since their courage to give highlights to this British food fare and further introduce it to Filipino palate is remarkably unprecedented.  

With several branches to boot, located at Rockwell, Trinoma, Fontera Verde in Pasig, SM North, SM Megamall, and SM Mall of Asia, it's upward mobility in Manila's food scene proves that Chuck's Grub must be doing something right. And I agree.

House of Lasagna Through Quick Delivery (twoanyone.com)

There are already countless of times when I enjoyed variety of lasagnas offered by House of Lasagna.  I even met its owner and head chef Eric Congmon during my first visit at their branch in San Juan.  I am glad to know that up to this day, they still serve one of the best tasting lasagnas in Manila that I’ve ever had. Up to this day, I am still a fan.

So, few weeks ago, while having a movie marathon with my younger sister at our home in San Juan, I decided to have some lasagnas delivered in our home.  I could not stress enough how I appreciate home food delivery services in Manila which save me most of the time when I am in no mood to cook nor to go out and eat.  House of Lasagna is in partnership with Quick Delivery (twoanyone.com) so I immediately text them to give me a call back.  How convenient, right?

Couple of minutes after texting them, I got a call back from Mariz, one of their call center operator who assisted me with my order. I am pretty familiar with House of Lasagna’s menu so the ordering process was made all the more quicker. Mariz was very efficient in assisting me and within a matter of minutes, my orders were placed and I was asked to wait for 50 to 60 minutes before my food arrived.

Cake and Wine Pairing Experience at The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel

Of the number of restaurants at Bonifacio High Street Central, The Fort, The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel is definitely one of those I frequent to and recommend to friends as well. Who could blame me? The Cake Club is one of the dessert places that dishes out some of the best cakes I have tried here in Manila. Also, their savory dishes are equally impressive. 

Well I guess we couldn't expect anything less than something that carries the name Diamond Hotel, eh? From their impressive themed buffet spread at Corniche, to their take on authentic Japanese cuisine and the teppanyaki feast at Yurakuen, up to their chic and comfortable spot at The Lobby Lounge, I cannot remember not having a great time in each and every visit.

So, during the time that I got to experience a cake and wine pairing at The Cake Club, I knew from the get go that it will be equally satisfying like the previous trips. Cake and wine have always been a proof that food god really do exist, and pairing these two equates to the culmination of all things luxurious and decadent, not to mention, pleasantly intoxicating. 

Yaku Japanese Grill Restaurant at The Podium Mall

For over a decade now, Yaku Japanese Grill located at The Podium Mall in Ortigas has been dishing out reasonably priced Japanese cuisine with impressive quality to boot. Japanese restaurants in Manila are aplenty but great profusion does not always commensurate to the assurance that everything will be well worth neither your money nor your time. Thanks to our friends from Zodio for organizing an intimate dinner at Yaku as it introduced me to the fact that Yaku Japanese Grill restaurant is one of those who are worth it.

Yaku Japanese Grill joined the numbers of restaurants at The Podium Mall in the early 2000. It started as a yakitori place and then eventually expanded their menu and turned into a full blown Japanese restaurant. The word "Yaku" is a Japanese word which means grill, hence their specialty.

With expertise on grilled Japanese food on its helm, Yaku, up to this day, still serves yakitori alongside variety of Japanese goodies such as sushi, sashimi, tempura, donburi, teppanyaki, and more.  Although tucked in an unassuming corner with a gigantic pillar of a post blocking its façade, Yaku is definitely one of those you should not miss when craving for authentic Japanese cuisine.

The Ultimate Taste Test 2013 at Rockwell

The time has come to once again enjoy the fun of being a food critic for a day through Our Awesome Planet and San Miguel Lifestyle Brews’ The Ultimate Taste Test 2013.

Now on its 11th roll and the 3rd time in partnership with Rockwell, The Ultimate Taste Test 2013 will once again rock the foodie world on September 14, 2013 from 11am to 9pm at The Rockwell Tent, Powerplant Mall.

I have always been a fan of food feasts such as The Ultimate Taste Test and based on my previous UTT experiences, I am confident that this 11th installment will be equally delightful.

Diplahan Lechon: A Taste of Zamboanga in Manila

In a perfect world where high level of cholesterol can get us nowhere near six feet under, lechon rules. We will surely eat our way to oblivion without giving flying hoots to our own mortality because hey, it’ll be pure porcine bliss, buddy.

But we are not in a perfect world. So, occasional glimpse to the perfect world that a perfectly roasted pig could bring will do. And a glimpse to that perfect world we were given indeed, when we were introduced to Diplahan Lechon of Zamboanga City weeks ago.

No plane ticket required to experience the wonder that is Diplahan Lechon, all thanks to the great people who brought them here in Manila. Yes, Diplahan Lechon from the south made its way to Manila, ready to rock our world inside out.

High Tea Wednesdays at Wine Depot Featuring French Tea Brand, La Maison Du The

Afternoon High Tea. Big words. It sounds so royal and regal; it’s a thread away from intimidating. For some it can be a total strange concept. But with the emergence of restaurants and cafes in Manila offering afternoon high tea packages, our culture that is rather familiar with coffee is now slowly being introduced to what started as a social event for upper class men in Europe. Recent addition to the establishments offering afternoon high tea is Wine Depot with branches at Alabang, Makati, and Greenhills. Yes, Wine Depot does not just sells wines, they also have café with good selections of gourmet food and drinks.

Wine Depot, in partnership with La Maison Du The, a tea brand of delicately handcrafted premium French tea, celebrates the beauty of tea culture through their High Tea Wednesdays. Although rooted from the much celebrated tea gathering, Wine Depot’s High Tea Wednesdays suggests a different tea culture but not devoid of respect for the traditional ritual.

For a start, High Tea Wednesdays at Wine Depot is priced at Php500 only. An affordable feat considering most high tea packages served in Manila are not as friendly in terms of its price. Second, Wine Depot has this “not just tea” feature thrown in the mix for a good measure. Indeed, it’s a different tea culture that Wine Depot is introducing, so intimidation may take a back seat.

A Beautiful Breakfast at Malcolm's Deli, The Fort BGC

Drowsy run of egg yolk, glistening pieces of fat laden sauteed slices of beef flirting with mushroom and beautifully wilted spinach, freshly baked bread, bountiful greens of impeccable hue, and crisp cubes of perfectly fried potatoes with color reminiscent of golden sunset. It was a beautiful breakfast on a plate. So beautiful that it made my first visit at Malcolm’s Deli located at The Fort almost a communion with the sublime. The experience may be fleeting, but the palatable memories remained ephemeral.

That breezy morning at Malcolm’s Deli, the comforting jolt from freshly brewed coffee prompted me with the fact that breakfast was meant to remind us what our daily ways of survival lured us to forget. Breakfast was that merciful flicker of sustenance before we head for the hunt amidst the meandering chaos we sometimes called life.  

Breakfast should always be beautiful. And that morning, it was. Not that it mattered in the grand scheme of human history, but it was a late breakfast disguised as brunch. Nevertheless, it was the breakfast fares at Malcolm’s Deli we feasted on, and sticking with the definite word breakfast could never break a bone. The great company I was with should be given credit for that beautiful morning feast. However, I am confident that no one would disagree if I said that the food deserved majority of the recognition. 

Epicurean Singapore at Circles Event Cafe of Makati Shangri-La Hotel

From August 1 to 10, 2013 Circles Event Cafe of Makati Shangri-La Hotel will run a 10-day Singaporean Food Festival called Epicurean Singapore. Known as one of the best hotel buffets in Manila, Circles Event Cafe will feature various Singaporean specialty dishes prepared by guest Sous Chef Tan Kheng Boon and Assistant Sous Chef Ricky Young Soon Khiong from Traders Hotel Singapore.

Aside from the Singaporean feast at Circles Event Cafe, a cooking demo class will be held on August 7, 2013 hosted by Chef Tan Keng Boon. This demo is priced at Php2000 nett inclusive of a buffet lunch at Circles Event Cafe.

Prior to the food festival that started August 1, a media event was held where we sampled some of the dishes which are included on the line up for the Epicurean Singapore feast. Singaporean dishes are known for its rather spunky flavor that leans on the spicy side of the spectrum. However, the chefs were considerate enough to tailor fit the dishes to the Filipino palate without assaulting its authenticity.