Four Seasons HotPot City, SM MOA

Four Seasons HotPot City is the newest buffet concept that opened recently along SM By The Bay at SM Mall of Asia. This newest buffet restaurant in Manila specializes in hotpot / shabu-shabu creations which diners can customized by themselves with fresh and healthy ingredients. Being under the umbrella of the famous buffet chain, Vikings Group, Four Seasons HotPot City holds the promise of providing luxurious feast of unlimited proportion. 

In a nutshell, Four Seasons HotPot City concept spring forth from the cook-your-own-food idea which is not really new in the food scene and the noble idea of farm-to-table, a fairly new practice in Manila restaurant scene but not at all a foreign concept. But as expected of any Vikings Group restaurants, it goes beyond that. 

"From the source, to your table" as indicated on Four Seasons HotPot City Facebook page, may very well be apt for a description since the concept is not really boxed in solely at the more known "farm-to-table" idea. The selections of food in a set up reminiscent of a big and really clean market involves great selection of meat (ranch-to-table) and seafood (sea-to-table). There are also notable selections of cooked dishes, delectable desserts, and unlimited drinks including beer (heaven-to-table -- okay, I made this one up.)

McRib at McDonalds Philippines #McRibCraving Satisfied! @McDo_PH

"So, you haven't tried McRib yet? I believe it's already available at all branches of McDonalds Philippines." Says my McRib-loving friend preceded by that kind of look as one would stare on a gloomy sky where a rainbow has recently been - with such pity and regret.

As a self-confessed pork-loving individual, I understand such frustration. But in fairness to my part, this famed sandwich from Mickey D's has always been elusive. Popping on the menu when I least expect it, then vanishing away in a heartbeat like a rockstar taking a break from the limelight much to the dismay of its cult following.

So yes, I have not tried McRib yet until recently when McDonalds Philippines announced McRib's availability here in our country, although for a limited time only. It's available at all McDo PH branches nationwide except in Cotabato (where majority of people I believe do not eat pork), so no reason to miss the chance to finally try it and enjoy its promised goodness while it last.

Roots and Herbs Coffee Shop: That Malunggay Coffee Frappé! [Antipolo Food Trip Series]

Located just by the entrance of Mission Hills Subdivision in Antipolo City, Roots and Herbs Coffee is the nearest coffee shop in my house. Most Restaurants and Coffee Shops in Antipolo City are located either at the Sumulong Highway overlooking area or in Antipolo Town Proper (or Bayan, as locals call it). Rarely can one encounter commercial food establishments operating in the upper part of the town. 

Roots and Herbs Coffee Shop which boasts of serving healthy good quality coffee and dishes is one of the few.

I first heard of Roots and Herbs Coffee when I was still living in Manila. They have a branch somewhere in Quezon City and some of my friends swear by the goodness of their frappe including the interesting Malunggay/Moringa Frappé. I never really had a chance to visit any of their branch in Manila. Little did I know, the opportunity will present itself when I'm already here in Antipolo.

What's New at The Super Bowl of China

Yesterday we visited the Super Bowl of China located at the Atrium of SM Megamall. Together with some of Manila Food Bloggers and some friends at media, we checked out what's new at the Super Bowl. I was under the impression that there will be new Chinese cuisine on the menu they will be launching, little did I know, there will be plenty of new things unfolding.

Super Bowl of China has been known for its affordable and quality Chinese dishes. Way back, Super Bowl was one of those Chinese restaurants that my family and I would often go to. As the restaurant scene in Manila boom, my affinity for Super Bowl took a back seat for a while because there are plenty new more restaurants to try.

Then suddenly, I was reminded that this old time favorite Chinese restaurant is still well worth a visit. As a proof that Super Bow of China is still on top of it game, they recently made a revamp to its SM Megamall branch. From the store interior to the food attendants uniform up to several items on the menu, change for the better is the name of the game. This change will soon roll out to all Super Bowl of China branches in the Philippines such as at SM Mall of Asia, Festival Mall in Alabang, the the soon to open branch at Robinsons Place Manila.

Marison's Filipino Restaurant in Antipolo City [Antipolo Food Trip Series]

I was not really planning to visit Marison’s Restaurant in Antipolo that day.  Not that particular day at least. The original plan was to check out the coffee shop near home after some grocery shopping at the newly opened Rustan’s Supermarket at The Village Center. After all, we just had a lunch at home.

I was dead set on just getting my caffeine fix until my mother blurted out that she’s craving for Kare-Kare. I can’t really say No to my mother’s craving since such things rarely happen. I was thinking of restaurant nearby I know that serves the dish when my father reminded me of Marison’s, located on the second floor of The Village Center.

Since it’s advertised as a Filipino restaurant, it would be impossible that they don’t serve Kare-Kare so headed upstairs after loading our grocery bags in the car. True enough, the menu board standing by the entrance of Marison’s shows several Filipino dishes including the dish we’d hoped to find.