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.

Empanada MAS, Hand-rolled Gourmet Empanadas

Of the many snacks that I grew to love all these years, empanada is definitely one which I will definitely never get tired eating. I have few favorites empanadas and after trying out Emapanda Mas recently, it immediately tops my list.

The combination of traditional way of making the empanadas and its innovative flair in creating one-of-a-kind empanada filling only steeled my resolve that Empanada Mas Hand-rolled Gourmet Empanadas is by far the best empanada in Manila.

As a family-owned business, secret heirloom recipe for traditional Filipino-Spanish hand-rolled empanadas has been handed down for five generations already. Needless to say, Empanada Mas has mastered the league in pleasing even the most discerning palate. 

Brew-Kus: The Bev-Wich Shop in Makati City

When I was introduced to Brew-Kus The Bev-Wich Shop located at Valero St. in Makati City it feels as if it was an answered prayer.  I am one of those who are bitten by the milk tea craze and while most milk tea shops rocked my world, my usual complaint is that not most of them offers something on the menu other than drinks. 

Brew-Kus aptly tagged as The Bev-Wich Shop offers both beverages and sandwich alongside other dishes worth raving about. I do not usually go to Makati area but restaurants and cafes such as Brew-Kus will always be worth driving Makati for.

My first visit at Brew-Kus was courtesy of the Breakfast Magazine's Breakfast Club and fellow foodies Spanky Enriquez and Mhel of Certified Foodies Blog.  The fact that we were still full because of previous foodie engagement we had at Sugarleaf does not discount the fact that we still did enjoy what we had feasted on at Brew-Kus. 

Sugarleaf in Makati Offers Healthy, Organic, and Nourishing Food

With numbers of restaurants sprouting here in Manila, it is good to know that restaurants which offers healthy and organic food is at par in providing people with not just what satisfy their palate, but nourish their body as well. One of the best healthy restaurants in Manila I have tried by far, I could say that Sugarleaf is one of them.

Known as one-stop shop for people who patronizes healthy organic products and scrumptious healthy food, Sugarleaf is on top of its game as it continue to provide people with their healthy offerings.

I have been to Sugarleaf's first branch along Wilsons St. in San Juan, and although it is near from where I reside, I must say that their new branch located at Medicard Lifestyle Center in Makati is worth the drive. With delectable dishes which uses organic ingredients still never fail to make me believe that indeed, healthy food can be downright delicious.

Kimono Ken, Enticingly Japanese for Less

When it comes to affordable and good quality Japanese food, there are two restaurant which made it to the top of my list, one is Omakase and the other one is Kimono Ken. These two, I consider as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Manila that are budget friendly.

While they are known for serving enticing Japanese food for less, Kimono Ken does not compromise quality, hence, every dining experience do not disappoint.

Just like Omakase, their line of  sushi and sashimi are all rave-worthy, but when it comes to my favorite Chirashidon, I tend to favor Kimono Ken more
because of generosity in servings.