Café Ben-A-Bien in San Juan City

Café Ben-A-Bien, a relatively new player in the field of coffee shops in San Juan City may not yet hit its stride in popularity race, but in terms of quality food and good coffee, it is downright promising.   This tiny and independent coffee shop is one of those I would love to see survive amidst the onslaught of popular cafes in the metro.

While the focus on different dishes they serve and the place exude a vibe that Café Ben-A-Bien is more of a restaurant than a legit coffee shop, dare I say that theirs is the best Caramel Macchiato I’ve ever had here in Manila?  And although their homemade pasta dishes scream deliciousness right smack in your face, their homemade cakes and pastries beg to be had with its affordable price and unprecedented lusciousness.

Tucked on a busy street of N.Domingo corner D.Santiago Street in San Juan City, Café Ben-A-Bien is one of the places where you can kill time away watching shows on their lcd television or simply browsing through their stack of magazines while enjoying scrumptious dishes.  It can also be a good hang out place where you can chat the afternoon away with your friends over a cup of joe and some of their sweet offerings.

Seattle’s Best Coffee “Me & My Traveling SBC” Facebook Photo Contest

Do you want to win a round trip ticket for two to U.S. or Beijing? Or perhaps an all-expense paid trip and accommodation to Bohol Beach Club? How about a spanking brand new AppleiPad 2 16gb with Wifi, Nikon D3100, or Apple iPod Nano 8gb?

I know you want to! That is why I am sharing with you the exciting news from our friends at Seattle’s Best Coffee Philippines regarding their on-going promo, “Me & My Traveling SBC” Facebook photo contest.

Read on to know more about the promo mechanics.

Ma Maison in Greenbelt 2, A Beautiful Japanese Western Fusion

The first time that I dined at Ma Maison located in Greenbelt 2, I died a delicious death.  It could be the voluptuous flavor of the White chocolate Mixed Fruit Tart that was so rich and hauntingly decadent. Or it could be the ethereal creaminess of the Kani Cream Croquette suggestive of the taste of clouds and the sea. It could be.

But in my sweet resurrection, it was the beautiful memory of dreamy feast of the palate and the visually arresting rustic ambiance of the place that lingers.  

A restaurant with a French name that translate into “My home” specializing in Japanese western cuisine, Ma Maison may deem to rely heavily on the proverbial wonders of fusion. Yet, at a closer look, it is the grace of its charm which makes this addition to the Bistro Group of Restaurants remarkably unforgettable.

Teppanyaki Eat-All-You-Can at Yurakuen Japanese Restaurant by Diamond Hotel Philippines

Teppanyaki Eat-All-You-Can of Yurakuen Japanese Restaurant at Diamond Hotel Philippines, may be deemed as a bend from the usual buffet and eat-all-you-can-fare. Yet, having experienced utmost gastronomic teppanyaki night , realization sets in that it was an impeccable gustatory experience made all the more special with a flair of culinary entertainment.

Recognized as one of Philippine's Best Restaurants for 2011 by Asian Tatler Dining, Yurakuen is a Japanese word which translate to paradise. And indeed this pride of Diamond Hotel is a paradise in Manila where expectations to authentic Japanese cuisine and excellent five-star service are not just met, but exceeded. While it is a pleasure to savor dishes as one gaze into the sophisticated interior highlighted by glass cherry blossom tree in the middle, the gastronomic wonders that can happen inside the teppanyaki rooms are not to be missed.

Teppanyaki by definition is a traditional Japanese cooking method where an iron griddle or propane-heated flat surface grills is used to cook food. The word literally translate to ‘iron plate’ (Teppan) ‘grilled’ (yaki).  Aside from the feast of fresh ingredients, demonstration of culinary skills of the chef cooking in front of the guests is what makes teppanyaki dining an experience in itself.

There aren't many places in Manila which offers teppanyaki, so our recent Teppanyaki Eat-All-You-Can dinner at Yurakuen left a beautiful impression of what this dining experience is all about.

Mario's Restaurant In Baguio City

With the combination of good food, beautiful ambiance, and cool weather, it is not surprising that Mario's Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Baguio City that one should not miss when visiting the City of Pines.

For 40 years now, Mario's Restaurant in Baguio City provides impeccable dining experiences to its guests both tourists and locals. Although their branch in Tomas Morato, Quezon City is the one which is rather more familiar because of its proximity, their branch at the summer capital of the Philippines holds beautiful memories since it is the first branch that the Benitez's built way back 1971.

I have vague memories of the time I visited Mario's Restaurant Baguio when I was a child, but my recent trip made me feel the same familiar excitement I had way back.  The cozy ambiance still never fails to make me feel comfortable. Yes, the weather was cold but the warmth of welcoming gestures from the staff and the comfort of food they serve made me want to stay a little longer.