Aristocrat Restaurant and Bakeshop at Jupiter St. in Makati, Open 24-Hours!

Aristocrat Restaurant and Bakeshop, Home of the Best Barbecue in Town is one of the oldest restaurants in Manila that stood the test of time for 75 years already. There are countless of beautiful memories that involved great Filipino food happened at Aristocrat Restaurant which has 11 restaurant branches and 4 bakeshop branches to date. Aristocrat menu boasts of all-time favorite Filipino cuisines and that includes their famous chicken barbecue.

I, myself have fond memories of Aristocrat Restaurant but nothing as glaring as my parents who admit that Aristocrat was part of their growing up years. For a restaurant to last a good 75 years, it must be doing something right. Clear enough, Aristocrat, despite the emerging competitors in the Philippines Restaurant Scene is still doing its best to be at par in terms of serving quality food and good service.

Known for dishing out great choices of Filipino food which every Filipino Family enjoys, Aristocrat's vision has further expanded into serving good quality food anytime of the day. This resulted into transforming their Jupiter st. Makati branch into a 24-Hour restaurant that can cater to anyone who would like to enjoy their Aristocrat favorites at any given time.

Gustazo Gourmet: Tuyo Open-Faced Sandwich Recipe and Tinapa Soft Tacos Recipe

Gustazo Gourmet Tuyo Open-Faced Sandwich Recipe and Gustazo Pomodoro Tinapa Soft Tacos Recipe

One of the things that makes a kitchen distinctly Filipino is the unwavering presence of two most well-loved Pinoy delicacies ~ Tuyo and Tinapa. I for one grew up in a household which pantry never ran out of these two. Patriotic treats for some while stable stars on the table for others, Tuyo (Dried Herring) and Tinapa (Smoked Mackerel) are Filipino comfort food that can commensurate to a beautiful nostalgia when eaten.

Tuyo and tinapa are without a doubt always delicious. A poor man’s feast, these two are. And while both of these delicious treats are relatively easy to prepare, Gustazo has made enjoying tuyo and tinapa alongside some of their products all the more convenient through their bottled products.

Started five years ago, Gustazo, which means “pleasure in every bite” aims to provide affordable Filipino gourmet food of premium quality. Having bottled gourmet tuyo as their first product, Gustazo later on introduced other high quality bottled gourmet products. The convenience it proposes has made appreciating these Filipino food possible as it can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere. Yes, no cooking required.

Sunshine Kitchen Restaurant at The Fort Strip, BGC

The first time I set foot at Sunshine Kitchen at The Fort Strip in Bonifacio Global City,I instantly fell in love with it. Its beautifully designed interior was the culprit. And when I tasted some of the dishes they have on their menu, I knew right there and then that it was true love.

Great food and cozy ambiance is always a perfect combination. Sunshine Kitchen offers both and then some. I have been to Sunshine Kitchen a few times already and I must say that each and every visit is always a pleasant experience.

Located just above Shawarma Guys at The Fort Strip, Sunshine Kitchen exudes a charming ambiance suggestive of rustic bistro. Its open kitchen allows diners to take a peek to the magic that is happening before the glorious food graced their tables. Its brick wall and wooden furniture goes perfectly well with the kind of food they serve at Sunshine Kitchen ~ Western comfort food.

Burger Company at Quezon City: Great Burgers in Good Company

Burger Company located at Scout Reyes in Quezon City is the resurrected version of the now defunct Boulevard Diner. Considered as one of the best burger joints in Manila by some of the best food bloggers I know, the demise of the later mentioned burger place came as a sad news. Good thing though that the burger experts decided to make a come back, hence, The Burger Company.

The changed in name signifies fresh start to a much better grind in serving best burgers anyone can enjoy here in Manila. Suffice it to say, at Burger Company, you can expect great burgers in good company.

Burger Company's ambiance is suggestive of a trailer truck but spacious. Outside there is creative wall art while inside is peppered with enticing food photos decorating the wall and a separate corner where interesting knick knacks, board games, and a wall full of post-its dedication written by satisfied customers.

Pizza Hut's Cheesy 7 Pizza

Who does not love extra cheese on their pizza? I for one am a sucker for pizza loaded with cheese. It is one of the treats I cannot resist. So imagine my excitement when the number one pizza chain worldwide Pizza Hut introduces Cheesy 7 Pizza. Well loved pizza crust loaded with seven kinds of cheeses, what is not to love? 

Pizza Hut’s Cheesy 7 Pizza comprise of seven imported cheeses; mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, Monterey Jack, Romano, cheddar, and balls of cream cheese. These cheeses are perfect combination with Pizza Hut’s well crafted pizza crust; hence it is one treat that any cheese and pizza lover would surely love.

First time I was introduced to Pizza Hut’s Cheesy 7 Pizza and I am already hooked. Even my nephew who is not really into pizza became a convert, thanks to Pizza Hut. Upon first bite, you would know that high quality cheeses were used, so expect that you will be craving for more. After all, we cannot really expect anything less from Pizza Hut, indeed they are one of the best.

Lola Cafe + Bar in Quezon City

Lola Cafe + Bar which opened early this year is a welcome addition to the long lists of restaurants in Quezon City specifically that of Tomas Morato area. I have been to Lola Cafe and Bar for number of times already and I must say that every visit is always an enjoyable one in terms of service and quality of food.

Just like some of the restaurants in Tomas Morato area, Lola Cafe + Bar located at Scout Lozano near Cafe Romulo, is a residential space converted into a dining nook. The ambiance is as comfortable as a home, the service is thoughtful and friendly, and the food is always heartwarming.

Its impressive space boasts of two storey dining areas and al fresco space which is very apt since the place can be jam packed especially on weekends. A touch of white with some gray highlights dominates the space. Quirky trinkets also adds charm to the contemporary and modern vibe of the interior.

Cowrie Grill by Manila Hotel at Promenade Greenhills

Cowrie Grill is the signature restaurant of the famous Manila Hotel which opened way back 1977 and closed down to make way for Café Ilang-Ilang last 2011. Fast forward to 2013, Cowrie Grill by Manila Hotel once again re-opened its door but this time, at Promenade in Greenhills San Juan. 

Now a satellite restaurant of Manila Hotel, Cowrie Grill has the flamboyance and the elegance of the well-known hotel it is representing. The magic in the kitchen is spearheaded by Cowrie Grill’s Executive Chef Michael G. So Chan. Thoughtful service and food of high quality are just some of the things that one may look forward to dining at Cowrie Grill.

Some of the original cowrie shells that decorated the restaurant when it was still on its original location were still preserved and presented as décor at the newly opened branch. The ambiance is sophisticated without being snobbish. Five start hotel restaurant dining experience is always expected.

Stockton Place in Makati City: Steak, Pork, and Foie Gras

When I learned that Stockton Place, a fairly new restaurant in Makati City serves mean and manly steak of good quality, I promised myself to visit. Schedule of available reservation was always against my free time. Yet, as luck would have it, fate smiled at me and gave me the illusive chance to finally visit Stockton Place. As an added bonus, I was in the company of dome of my favorite food bloggers in Manila. Thank you, Universe.

Stockton Place is located at Salcedo St. in Makati, just next door to its sibling, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar, the Blind Pig. Since it opened this year, foodies from all over Manila have been raving about the goodness of food at Stockton Place. 

The place although small exudes a contemporary ambiance made classy with its prominent color of black and white. It can house roughly 30 person, and is open from Monday to Saturday, dinner time only. Hence, reservation is highly encouraged. We came just right in time for our reservation and the place wasn't full yet. But couple of minutes later, it was a full house.

Tokyo Tokyo Ramen Dishes + Tokyo Tokyo Giveaway Winner!

When famous Japanese fast food restaurant in the Philippines, Tokyo Tokyo launched their Ramen, one of their goal is to provide great tasting ramen that is accessible to everyone by means of affordability. Kudos to the Tokyo Tokyo team because as we all know, ramen places in Manila tends to lean on the pricey side of the spectrum. Now, people can give in to their ramen cravings without burning hole on their pockets. 

Currently they are offering 3 ramen variants; Braised Pork Ramen, Tempura Miso Ramen, and Spicy Chicken Ramen. These variants are all available in 2 serving portion; Snack size id prices at Php99 while the regular size is at Php150. Really affordable, if I do say so myself. 

All three variants are enticing, hence, Tokyo Tokyo team created an online quiz, the Tokyo Tokyo Ramen Personality Quiz to help everyone in knowing the ramen that suits their personality. I took the quiz and the result indicated that it is the Tokyo Tokyo Braised Pork Ramen that is perfect for my type of personality.

Get In My Belly: Brookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recently I was introduced to two products made by a food business aptly named Get In My Belly ~ the One Bite Brookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies. I wouldn't beat around the bush here and get the message across right away. Because seriously, these two are some of the best baked goodies in Manila I have tried recently. And with the holiday season just around the corner, these goodies could be a perfect Christmas gift to your loved ones.

Get In My Belly is an online business that specializes in baked goodies specifically brookies and chocolate chip cookies. They do join food fairs and bazaars as well and I heard that they do accept bulk orders for events such as birthday parties and the likes.

Yellow Cab Pizza Co.: Christmas Fleet Tango Box

"Fill Those Socks with a Tango Box" Says Yellow Cab Pizza Co., one of the leading Pizza restaurants here in the Philippines. This Christmas season, I don't mind filling my socks with one because I have tried Yellow Cab Pizza's Christmas Fleet Tango Box, and I was impressed!

This Christmas Fleet promo by Yellow Cab Pizza which will last until January 15, 2014 is a perfect bundle that you and your loved ones can feast on this holiday season.

Priced at Php 1,600, Yellow Cab Pizza's Christmas Fleet Tango Box comprised of all things satisfying and downright delicious. A good bang for your buck, this promo is just one of those good treats that Yellow Cab Pizza Co. offers. 

Breakfast Menu at Italianni's Restaurant

I have to admit that it came as a surprise to me that one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Manila, Italianni's is actually serving breakfast. I have always been a fan of Italianni's but I guess not a good fan enough as I have missed the chance to savor their breakfast fare especially during the times when I was in search for good breakfast place. Oh well, I guess it's a good reason to make up for the lost times.

Although the breakfast items are not serve all day, 7am to 10:30am is plenty enough time to feast on breakfast dishes that Italianni's has to offer. Recent visit introduced me to the classic Italianni's breakfast items alongside some new breakfast creation by chef Josh Boutwood, the executive chef of Bistro Group.

We were told that as of the moment, breakfast menu at Italianni's is only available in two of their branches: Italianni's Bonifacio High Street and Italianni's Greenbelt. I wish though that they will eventually roll out the breakfast menu to the rest of the branches because their branch at Greenhills, Tomas Morato, and Gateway are the one I usually frequent to. Nonetheless, good breakfast fare is always worthy of the long travel. 

OTKB: Olive Tree Kitchen and Bar at Bonifacio High Street

I was under the impression that we were royally screwed. If it was the proverbial first date, Olive Tree Kitchen and Bar (OTKB) stood us up. Or so I thought. 

We were sure that we made a reservation under my friend’s name couple of hours before closing time. Yet, when we arrived at OTKB in Bonifacio High Street, no signs of life greeted us. Instead, we found a restaurant with windows covered with what looked like to me as Manila papers. It looked like it is not operational yet. No signage whatsoever aside from a piece of paper plastered on the door that reads “Closed for Training.”

We were dumbfounded at first and when my friend tried calling the number he called hours before to secure the elusive reservation at Olive Tree Kitchen and Bar, no one’s answering the phone. So, we did the unthinkable. We knocked on the door. 

A Revisit to Solace Wine and Dine at Makati City

It was late last year when I was first introduced to Solace Wine and Dine located in Makati City. Memories are still vivid how grateful I was and still am upon discovering this restaurant at Greenbelt area that could provide a peaceful and blissful dining experience away from the usual mall crowd. I admit that I was smitten by the great food that they do serve at Solace Wine and Dine that I even included them on my food article in one of the previous issues of Gala Magazine way back.

Recently, along with some foodie friends, we visited Solace Wine and Dine to sample some of the new items on their menu. Apparently, Solace is now under the wings of chef Philip Golding and they recently had a revamped on their menu that resulted to a more concise and focused line of dishes in contrast to the extensive one they used to have.

Slight revamped on the place also happened. It does posses the same chic vibe to it, only this time, the ambiance is more intimate. Bottles of different wines that reflects their extensive wine list still peppered the place just like it used to, and art works by local artists are now giving aesthetics to an otherwise bare wall.

Cantina Sicilianita along Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong City

It was a quick visit, an unplanned one. I could have let go of the idea of trying some dishes at Cantina Sicilianita but since I was already in the area, there was no point of not giving in. I have heard a lot about the goodness of authentic Italian cuisine that Cantina Sicilianita located along Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong City serves and I have meant to visit them since.While I wished to visit this quaint Italian cafe in the company of several friends, I deemed the unplanned visit was just testing the water.

Cantina Sicilianita which is located in one spot as Rex Bookstore along Shaw Blvd. holds to promise to serve authentic Italian cuisine particularly that of Sicily.

The location is small but therein lies its charm. Peppered with trinkets and decorations that exudes an Italian cafe vibe to it, Cantina Sicilianita's boasts of blown up photos of Sicily plastered on one side of the wall. These photos held together by a wooden frame give an illusion of windows overlooking views of Sicily. The place is relatively small, but comfortable enough to have a decent meal.

Your Tokyo Tokyo Ramen Personality + Giveaway!

With the number of ramen places sprouting in Manila, it is high time for well-known Japanese restaurant Tokyo Tokyo Philippines to dish out their own take on it. Thankfully, with the addition of Ramen Bar section in some Tokyo Tokyo Branches, people can now enjoy ramen dishes alongside some of their delectable Japanese dishes.

Tokyo Tokyo is currently serving three ramen flavors; Spicy Chicken Ramen, Braised Pork Ramen, and Tempura Miso Ramen. Koshi ramen noodle coupled with either Tonkatsu or Miso broth which are simmered for at least 24 hours, Tokyo Tokyo Ramen is definitely a great treat for ramen-loving people.

With the ramen variants offered by Tokyo Tokyo, some of us may have a hard time on deciding which one suits our palate. While it is reasonable to try all three and spare yourself from the daunting task of deciding, it is still fun to know what Tokyo Tokyo Ramen Flavor suits you based on your personality. Just like what I did.

Shifu Master's Kitchen: Affordable Chinese Restaurant Serving Great Food

I'm going to let you in on a little secret ~ there is this hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant along Granada St. in Quezon City called Shifu Master's Kitchen that blew me away. The combination of affordable prices and downright impressive food made it a winner for me. Trust me on this, I have been to a lot of hole-in-the-wall restaurants here in Manila and rarely do I tag one as a "gem" worthy to be discovered, but Shifu Master's Kitchen deserves such description.

I have been very honest that I am a sucker for restaurants serving great food with an equal respect for the overall look of the place. I love beautifully decorated restaurant interiors because truth be told, ambiance matters to me. Especially when I am eating. However, in my years of food blogging, there are food places here in Manila that made me forget about the ambiance because the food they are serving is enough for me to forget everything else. Shifu Master's Kitchen is one of them - on top of my list even.

I am not saying that Shifu Master's Kitchen's ambiance is dirty and somehow despicable. As a matter of fact, it is quite the opposite. Yes, it is suggestive of the usual eatery you can find elsewhere, but it is definitely clean. Coupled with great price range and even greater food, the charm of Shifu Master's Kitchen lies in its simplicity.

Hand Drip Coffee at The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel

The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel at Bonifacio High Street The Fort has always been known to dish out unprecedented line of desserts that everybody loves. Just recently, creative minds behind The Cake Club opened its door to the wonderful world of Hand Drip Coffee, also known as the Pour Over Drip method in coffee brewing.

Alongside teas and wines, The Cake Club is also known for serving different coffee variants that go perfectly well with their desserts. Yet, it was only recently that they started doing the manual pour over method in the belief that coffee tasted way better when done in a traditional way.

True enough, with the years of drinking coffee, the afternoon I spent at The Cake Club to taste different variants of hand drip coffees, I realized that it does have a difference. The flavors are more pronounced, and the fact that you know that it took extra effort to come up with a cup of Joe also helps.

Chef of the Year Josh Boutwood's Winning Recipes Coming Soon at The Village Tavern BHS

Bistro Group of Restaurants' corporate chef Josh Boutwood bagged the title “Chef of the Year” at Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC) held during this year’s World Food Expo (WOFEX) 2013. In line with this, Chef Josh who is also known as “The Alchemist” for his unprecedented creativity in the culinary world, had a cooking demonstration at the Village Tavern in Bonifacio High Street.

The cooking demo features three of his award-winning dishes which will be included in Village Tavern’s Holiday Menu alongside other exciting holiday selection to be introduced soon.

The three dishes demonstrated during the gathering with selected media outfit were; Dory Alzheimer’s Memory, Henry The Duck, and Ballade Bodacious. Chef Josh Boutwood is generous enough to share with us some of the recipes of these award-winning dishes.

Support #YolandaActionWeekend for #ReliefPH : Eat to Help #YolandaPH Victims and Build #StrongerPH

This week we are plagued with depressing news that all pointed to the devastating effect of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) to our country. Philippines as a nation is currently wounded - bleeding profusely even. Yet, it is during times like this that the resilient spirit of Filipinos shines through. There are a lot of ways to help Typhoon Yolanda Victims, but we know that we can do more.

Given this, Yolanda Action Weekend spearheaded by Jeremy Slagle of Mr. Delicious was created. It aims to unite Philippine Food Industry including its media partners to extend help to Typhoon Yolanda victims. All participating restaurants and other food businesses pledged to donate portion of their proceeds this weekend to the Philippine Red Cross.

Yolanda Action Weekend believes that through their partnership with Philippine Red Cross, all help will be properly disseminated to those who are suffering from the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. With this, if you are going to dine out this weekend, may we suggest to please consider dining and/or buying food from the participants. 

Ways to Help Typhoon Yolanda / Haiyan Victims

It has been almost a week now since Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) shook Visayas region to the core leaving our country grieving for lost lives and crushed spirits. To say that what happened particularly in Tacloban is heartbreaking would be an understatement. In reality, it is a kind of tragedy that wounds soul – deeply.

The news about Typhoon Yolanda and its aftermath suggests that it may take a while before our countrymen in Visayas to fully recover and rebuild their lives. Thus, they need all the help they could get. We may not have the foolproof formula to heal the hurt of those are gravely affected, but we can do something, at least.

There are a lot of ways to help Typhoon Yolanda Victims, and the information I have provided here are just some of them. Shout out to dear friend Spanky Enriquez for helping us gather these details on how to extend our help.

Nuffnang Blogopolis 2013: Into the WILD!

This coming Saturday, November 16, 2013 Nuffnang Philippines will bring us Blogopolis 2013: into the WILD, Weaving Information for Leaders of the Digital World. This event will be held at Hotel Intercontinental Manila in Makati City from 1:00pm to 10:00pm. 

Blogopolis 2013: into the WILD is open to everyone - bloggers, social media influencers, students, digital marketing officers, and advertisers, and anyone who is interested in the digital world, particularly social media.

This event aims to take its participants to the information jungle of the digital world. Social media know-how, digital marketing, and advertising trends will be discussed by the key-speakers as they impart knowledge about digital world. Plenary sessions will be held in the afternoon followed by a post-conference party or the Nuffie Awards where selected online influencers will be awarded.

Burger King's Quad Stack Burger

I have been seeing advertisement of Burger King’s Stack Burgers for quite a while now and I have been meaning to get my hands on those manly treats, particularly the Quad Stack Burger. Burger King is one of those which I grew up with hence my affinity for their flame-grilled burger is still ever present. Sure I have safe bets for best burgers in Manila, but the burger you grew up with has always that special place.

Burger King’s Stack Burgers is essentially made of flame-grilled beef patties topped with American cheese, crispy bacon, BK Stacks sauce sandwiched in between sesame buns. Sounds like your usual burger yes, but the thing that makes these stack burgers special is the fact that you can have up to four patties in one go.

Single stack patty is labeled as BK Stack Dude, double stack is Chief, triple stack is Boss, while the quad stack is aptly called King. I eat like a man, so I dig this deal. And when you subject yourself to a challenging feat like this, you man up and take a leap. So I grabbed the BK Quad Stack and ate like a king – without apology.

Matgalne Korean Restaurant: Offering Affordable Korean Buffet in Manila

I have tried Matgalne Korean Restaurant along Kalayaan Ave. in Makati awhile back since I am curious about this affordable Korean buffet they are offering. Korean restaurants in Manila are already aplenty hence it is not surprising that most of us have already developed a liking for Korean dishes. I already have few favorite Korean restaurants but it wouldn't hurt to try others which I have not been before.

Matgalne Korean Restaurant in Makati opened way back in 2003. They also have a branch in Ortigas which just opened December of last year. They are known for their affordable buffet including unlimited Sangyupsal or pork belly and Chadolbaegi or beef.

I have not been to Matgalne Ortigas but I was told that the branch in Makati is more spacious and brighter. It's facade is nondescript while the interior is fairly spacious and clean. It has a comfortable vibe to it too.

Pepita's Kitchen Stuffed Lechon Degustacion: Hayop Na Degustacion!

Two kinds of stuffed lechon, bone marrow, crab fat, prawn, pork brain, the menu during Pepita’s Kitchen Hayop na Degustacion goes on and on.

For the faint of heart, Hayop na Degustacion is a heart attack waiting to happen.

Yet, even all known deities and the universe itself will be crestfallen should someone dies at mid-bite.

After all, The Lechon Diva Dedet dela Fuente’s famed degustacion isn’t an everyday thing. An unforgettable dinner by invite only, to showcase all the indulging dishes and new flavors of Pepita’s Stuffed Lechon one may order from Pepita’s Kitchen.

It was my second time to attend Pepita’s Stuffed Lechon Degustacion held at Pepita’s Kitchen somewhere in Makati area. The first one I almost passed out due to the degree of satiety I braved. But things like that rarely scares me, hence, an immediate YES was quickly dishes out upon receiving their second invite. This time, it was aptly tagged as Hayop na Degustacion. And it was. It really was.

Happy Hour at Village Tavern, Bonifacio High Street

Up until November 15, an All-night Happy Hour at Village Tavern in Bonifacio High Street Central at BGC The Fort welcomes its diners with great selections of cocktails for half the price. Signature concoctions of Village Tavern is at 50% off from Mondays to Thursdays at 5pm to 12 midnight. Friday nights on the other hand boasts of 50% off on their Red and White Sangrias.

Nothing beats a relaxing get together with your friends after a tiring day at work. What else could be a perfect accompaniment to such get together than great selection of cocktails and good food? Village Tavern got you covered. 

Great cocktails and food are just some of the main reasons why I love Village Tavern. The cozy ambiance and accommodating service are added bonus. Now that they are offering a 50% off on their cocktails, I have another reason to revisit.

McDonald's Cookie Butter McFlurry and Salted Caramel Sundae

I may not be one of those who went crazy over cookie butter since it hit Manila shore but I have to admit that I do enjoy the treat once in a while. So when McDonald's Philippines released Cookie Butter McFlurry as part of their Holiday Sweet Pleasures Desserts line up, I thought that I should try it one of these days, and I did.

I am currently residing at the mountain where it is perpetually cold most of the time, but we do have some hot days in here too. Today is one of those days so, to the nearest McDonald's I dragged my siblings. I deemed that it was the perfect time to try Cookie Butter McFlurry and the Salted Caramel Sundae.

Desserts options at McDonald's may not be extensive just like most fast food chains, but I must say that although limited, their line up I always find pleasurable. Their apple pie for instance, remained to be one of my favorites. Their creativity in terms of coming up with variety of flavors for their sundae and McFlurry, on the other hand remained pretty impressive. So it was half expected that they'll jump into the bandwagon that is cookie butter.

Seattle's Best Coffee Christmas Drinks and SBC Dream Journal 2014

It is the time of the year again when Seattle's Best Coffee, home of the finest and premium coffee in the Philippines brings us their Christmas Drinks to make this season all the more lovelier for everyone. Seattle's Best Coffee Christmas Drinks is already on a roll and the much awaited Seattle's Best Coffee Dream Journal 2014 is ready to amaze you with its pure creative awesomeness!

Tapping the kids in us, Seattle's Best Coffee Philippines holiday theme this year showcases Christmas childhood memories most of us could relate to. A trip down to Christmas memory lane would prompt you as you set foot at all Seattle's Best Coffee branches nationwide boasting of "Christmas inside a toyshop" vibe to it. Combination of recalling happy childhood memories and the excitement to get your hands on the dream journal are perfect combination as you sip into their new line of drinks you would surely love.

Prior to rolling out of Seattle's Best Coffee Christmas Drinks and Dream Journal 2014, I was able to join some of my favorite foodies as SBC launched its new products and Christmas campaign. Four Christmas Drinks and four different colors of Dream Journal, I got my own favorites, and I am sure that you will have yours too.

Mochiko: Speculoos Cookie Butter Mochi with Biscoff Cookie Inside!

If you have been reading YedyLicious Manila Food Blog, you would know by now how I love Mochiko. They are by far one of the best food finds in Manila I was introduced to during my visits at Mercato Centrale. Recent visit to Mochiko Shangri-La branch to have a taste of their new flavor Mochiko Speculoos Cookie Butter Mochi reminded me of my deep affinity for this creative Japanese dessert.

The craze that was Speculoos Cookie Butter may have taken a back seat for months now, but it is still there nonetheless.  Hence, the ride that Mochiko took by introducing this relatively new flavor is noteworthy. Keeping up with the times and executing it really well is one great feat that Mochiko is known for.

The fact that Mochiko has expanded to several branches from the time of its inception, and still loved by many, is a proof that they are still on top of its game. All through the years, creative minds behind Mochiko managed to create interesting flavors to make Mochiko all the more close to foodies’ hearts. Their spin on what’s popular and in-demand to the food landscape in Manila is noteworthy and well-worth the try, always.

Meat Feast at Outback Steakhouse Philippines

Way back when I wasn't food blogging yet, Outback Steakhouse was my comfort place when ill bouts of cravings for manly slab of steak and decent rounds of Long Island iced tea hit me. Their Libis branch was the place I usually frequent to because of its proximity to where I used to work and reside. Fast forward to food blogging days, Outback Steakhouse is still an all-time favorite. Although this time, their recently renovated branch in Glorietta 4 Makati is the usual suspect for a chosen spot.

There are a lot of restaurants in Manila that serve good steaks, I am aware of that. But Outback Steakhouse has a special spot in my heart because first, they serve good steak so sexy it will put Adam Levine to shame, and second, their Long Island iced tea is my soulmate. True story.

Each visit at Outback Steakhouse calls for a meat feast coupled with cocktail drinks that further elevates the dining experience. Each visit yields an exceptional experience in terms of food quality and service, something I have always expected from a restaurant that is an all-time favorite.

Jollibee Cheesy Bacon Mushroom Champ and Thor Mjolnir 1GB USB Promo

Last October 16, Jollibee launched its newest extraordinary treat for every one; The Jollibee Cheesy Bacon Mushroom Champ. Aptly housed in a special edition Thor packaging, this new addition to the line of burgers that the well-loved fast food chain in the Philippines now offers comes with a special limited edition Thor Hammer Mjolnir 1GB USB promo.

This partnership is in line with the much awaited upcoming movie, Thor 2: The Dark World which will be showing come the 30th of October 2013.

I may not a big fan of Thor, but I am surely a big fan of Jollibee Champ Burger and having an extra 1GB flashdrive for my file's safekeeping isn't bad either, so I dig this promo. And whether you are a fan of Thor or not, the Jollibee Cheesy Bacon Mushroom Champ is well worth every peso.

Karada Philippines at Serendra The Fort BGC

So, this is a break from the usual blog post about restaurants in Manila. While this may not be the typical gustatory delights I am sharing with you now, I believe that my experience at the newly opened branch of KARADA at Serendra, The Fort BGC is well worth sharing. So let's give this a go.

Typical notion about Karada is that it is a spa, when in fact it is not. KARADA is a Japanese Seitai Salon that focuses on bone/body therapy through massage that can affect overall wellness. It aims to provide its clients an invigorating way to achieve body balance. So clearly, KARADA is not a spa, but a therapy salon. I dig that.

For a while now, my cousin The Hefty Foodie and my dear friend Blogalag were bugging me to try KARADA. Judging from the way they demonstrate all the possible maneuver that may transpire once I try it myself, I deemed that I don't really need it. Okay, I chickened out. So I was really adamant to try it from the get go. Little did I know, I badly needed a visit.

Chubby Chicken at Katipunan, Quezon City

Truth be told, rarely do I find myself, perusing the list of restaurants in Katipunan area to visit. I realized I have to work on that. Being introduced to Chubby Chicken in Katipunan, Quezon City recently was a good way to kick start this somewhat new food blogging responsibility goal. It was a good start yes. Not only Chubby Chicken offers good grubs, they are affordable as well.

Aptly located near universities in Katipunan, Chubby Chicken mainly caters to students with their hefty servings and affordable prices. But no one says that yuppies and those who are kid at heart aren't welcome. This little, albeit impressive spot for good chicken which started in some food bazaars aims to serve people from all walks of life. While Chubby Chicken's soy-glazed chicken has the spotlight, other items on their menu are also well worth your moolah, not to mention, your calorie count.

The location isn't really hard to find, having Mc.Donalds Katipunan as its landmark. Chubby Chicken is just right behind it. It isn't as spacious as I had hoped but it does possessed the charm of the usual students' hang out joint. I went there on a Sunday and it was surprising to see impressive numbers of customers. Even without school, Chubby Chicken is thriving on a what supposedly a not so busy days in its operation. It is a good sign, if I do say so myself.