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.

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.