Gloria Maris Banquet Hall in Gateway Mall, Araneta Center

I was notified of the opening of the new Gloria Maris Banquet Hall located at Gateway Mall, Araneta Center in Cubao but it was only recently that I had a chance to visit them. There are a lot of Chinese restaurants in Manila and only few are considered as an institution in the league. Gloria Maris is definitely one of them.

My visit happened while they were celebrating the first day of their 2 weekends celebration of the Mooncake Festival 2013. This festivity features a special buffet spread and dice game for only Php1,088 per person. The first wave of this feast started last September 21 and 22 and another wave will happen this weekend, September 28 and 29. If you are up for some Chinese feast, be sure to catch this promo.

For you to have an idea on what goodies you might enjoy should you avail of the buffet, I have included some snapshots of the dishes alongside the account of my experience at Gloria Maris Banquet Hall in Gateway Mall.

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.