Healthy and Delicious Treats at Agico Vegetarian Cafe in San Juan City

If you have been reading YedyLicious, you know for a fact that I am a hardcore meat lover. If not, well, just for the record, I am a hardcore meat lover. Yet, despite being a carnivore, being a food writer entails me to try different food no matter how way out of my league it could be. Say for instance, vegetables. 

While there are food (read: bacon, steaks, etc.) I have devoured in this lifetime which steeled my resolve that I can never be a vegan, I also have my fair share of healthy food consumptions.  Those experiences merit its own recognition. One of them was my recent visit to the newly opened Agico Vegetarian Cafe located at Aurallo St. in San Juan City.

Agico Vegetarian Cafe is not just your run-of-the-mill vegetarian restaurant as it specializes in Japanese cuisine, albeit vegetarian which dishes out wide variety of coffees, milk teas, and other cafe drinks at the same time. This family owned business is a new addition to vegetarian restaurants in Manila which holds the promise that healthy food can also be delicious.

T.G.I.Friday's 17th Annual Shake, Rattle, & Pour Bartender Championship

Last September 25, 2012, T.G.I.Friday’s Philippines held its 17th Annual Shake, Rattle, and Pour Bartender Championship at their Bonifacio High Street branch. This Inter-Store Bartending competition showcases exciting display of bartending skills of each participant from different T.G.I.Friday’s branches all over the country.

Talented bartenders who participate in this year’s competition includes Joel Delos Santos (Bonifacio High Street),Mike Rabago (Glorietta), Edu Manabati (Alabang), Genrev Bacasno (Rembrant), Wilfredo Marcelo (Malate), Aldrin Javar (Trinoma), Francis Domingo (Robinsons Galleria), Marc Bautista (SM Mall of Asia), Mark Maranon (Ayala Center Cebu), Gino Simbillo (Marquee Mall Pampanga), Lorenzo Midguel Salazar (Davao), Donn Mark Celestino (Eastwood) and Harold Puno (Subic.)

Restaurante Pia Y Damaso at Greenbelt 5, Subversive Filipino Cuisine

It was one of those days when rain wouldn’t let up despite ardent prayers. I could have chosen to stay at home and enjoy the comfort of my soft bed with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa. But instead, I find myself braving the rain on my way to Restaurante Pia Y Damaso at Greenbelt 5. That day, I chose to know more about what this interesting restaurant with quirky name is all about. 

Inspired by the novel Noli Me Tangere which is penned by the Philippines’ National Hero Jose Rizal, Restaurante Pia Y Damaso may convey controversial ring to its name.  For those who are not familiar with the characters, Padre Damaso is a Spanish friar in the novel who impregnated a woman named Pia Alba.  Interesting, I know.  I wouldn’t go into sheer details of the novel, instead, let me share with you how I find the dishes at Pia Y Damaso as interesting as the novel itself.

Grab a Copy of Gala Magazine's September Issue

Hi friends,

Please grab a copy of the September Issue of Gala Magazine.  I am one of their contributors for this month.

My article about food and arts at Balaw-Balaw Specialty Restaurant and Folk Art Museum is on page 92, the food section of the magazine. 

Located at the art capital of the Philippines, Balaw-Balaw is known for serving delectable Filipino cuisine with exotic dishes to boot.  It showcases work of arts created by the patriarch who established the restaurant in the eighties, the late Perdigon Vocalan alongside the works of other local artists in town.  In my article, I talked a little about the history, arts, and some of the dishes which the restaurant is known for.

Eat, Drink, and Be Italian again with Italianni's Improved Menu at its Newly Renovated Gateway Branch

I have mentioned in my previous post about Italianni’s Restaurant that way before I fell in love with Bellin’s and Amoroma or other impressive Italian Restaurants for that matter, there is always Italianni’s that serves as my default choice whenever I am craving for good Italian cuisine.

Late last year, I had a chance to try one of their holiday offerings, Tre Combinazioni with some friends which got us raving about how still good Italianni’s food quality after all these years.  I can say that it is one of the reasons why Italianni’s has always been one of the best Italian restaurants in Manila for me.  I love the fact that consistency is one of their strong points in terms of good quality food, great ambiance, and superb service.

When I was invited recently to the re-opening of their newly renovated Gateway branch, I was already equipped with great expectations from the get go. After all, Italianni’s has always been tried and tested in my book. Truth be told, my expectations were not just met, Italianni’s delightfully exceeded it.