TGIFridays in Greenbelt 3, Now Open and Sporting a New Look

It was late last year when I heard that TGIFridays, one of my favorite American restaurants here in Manila opened another branch at Greenbelt 3 in Makati City. In line with this opening, TGIFridays at Greenbelt 3 is already sporting a new look, different from the TGIF restaurants in Manila we all are used to.

This change, I was told is in compliance with the global revamp happening at all TGIFridays all over the world. Slowly but surely, every TGIFridays here in the Philippines will follow suit with the said change.

It is their branch at Robinsons Galleria that I usually frequent to, but I guess this new branch as well as the change is well worth checking out.

Hanamaruken Ramen in Trinoma: Serving Happiness in a Bowl

Hanamaruken Ramen located at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City is one of the new additions to the perpetually growing list of ramen places in Manila. With over 40 branches in Osaka Japan, Hanamaruken Ramen boasts of its Tonkotsu-Shoyu based soup ramen topped with a slab of slow-braised tender pork rib. This signature dish aptly called "Happiness Ramen" is said to be the reason of Hanamaruken Ramen's fame.

For the first time in 30 years, Arakawa Pork Company, the strong force behind Hanamaruken Ramen, decided to branch out this Osaka's favorite ramen place and land at the shore of Manila. Having their first branch outside of Japan, founder Takaku Arakawa aims to spread happiness in Manila by means of their carefully crafted ramen.

Most of the ramen enthusiasts I know got excited with the coming of Hanamaruken Ramen here in the Philippines, and I could not blame them. This has been claimed to be one of Osaka's favorites therefore it holds a certain honor to it. So, while I am not the one who can go crazy over ramen, I wouldn't pass up on having my fair share of a promise of happiness in a bowl.

WeChat: Giving Away an iPad Air This Valentine Season!

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Having fun yet? I know most of us are feeling already extra special this day of hearts. Thanks to our loved ones who never fail to brighten our days huh. And thanks to the evolving generation that we are in now because Valentines Day is no longer exclusive to those who are in a relationship (read: coupledom). I have no significant other, but I sure am having a blast today, and I sincerely hope that you are too.

That is right, for me and I am hoping that for most of us, Valentines is a celebration of all things we love the most. Family, friends, significant other, pets, food, and even things that we love dearly. Reason to be equally thankful for is the fact that we are now in this day and age wherein communication is possible even if your loved ones are million miles away. Take for instance this innovative mobile social communications application designed for smartphone users called WeChat.

For sure, most of us would love to get in touch with out loved ones located somewhere around the globe especially today that is a Valentines Day. WeChat can make that happen for us, for free. All we need is the proverbial internet connection and we’re good to go.

Toasted Pastillas by MAJ Sweet Shoppe

Of all the sweet native Filipino delicacies there is, I would have to say that Pastillas is definitely my favorite. I always admire it for its simplicity and delicately sweet taste. Pastillas recipe usually calls for sugar and milk, and that's it. While you cannot do much about it, you can have it toasted. Just like what MAJ Sweet Shoppe dishes out for their customers; Toasted Pastillas.

It was weeks back when I was given packs of Toasted Pastillas by MAJ Sweet Shoppe to try. Purist may say that pastillas should be delicately soft with just enough resistance to the bite for its sugar-laden outer covering. But then in Bulacan, one of the places I know that take their pastillas seriously, they do have this pastillas "tostado". This is pretty much the same thing.

Mrs. Graham's Macaron Café at Sct. Rallos in Quezon City

First time I have encountered Mrs. Graham’s Macaron was during the Best Food Forward last year. I could still remember how their Pancake with Maple Buttercream left a pleasant impression on me. Fast forward to 2014, Mrs. Graham's finally opened a café at Sct. Rallos in Quezon City.

There are plenty of restaurants and desserts places around Tomas Morato area, but Mrs. Graham's Macaron Café is definitely a welcome addition as it offers not just your ordinary macarons, but those which you cannot find else where. That is alongside many other delectable sweets and pastries they are offering.

This newest and most innovative macaron place I have encountered by far brings standard and not-so-standard macarons in the metro. It offers a handful of creative spin to the ordinary macaron, some more appealing than others, but all are worth trying out.