Wine Depot's Wine Festival 2012

Last October 13, 2012 I attended Wine Depot’s The Festival 2012 held at the main ballroom of New World Hotel in Makati City. This festival is in line with the celebration of Philippine Wine and Food Week that happened from October 8 to 14, 2012.

Wine Depot’s The Festival offers its guests with the best taste of the world through bringing in wine makers and gourmet experts from most celebrated brands in one venue.  On their 8th year, The Festival boasts of wine booths with 200 fine wines from 27 regions.  Gourmet booths that served variety of high quality cheeses, homemade breads, and Iberian cured ham were also present during the festival.

It was my first time to attend Wine Depot’s The Festival and I noticed that it has somehow similar to the usual food festivals that I have been to. Guests are given a paper bag containing a wine glass which will serve as their access to tasting the wines being served, a little booklet they called passport which contains information about the participating brands, an order form for those who would want to purchase wines, and a pencil they can use to fill up their forms. 

Papa John's Pizza and Big Time Treat

Despite several pizza places sprouting all over the metro, there are few favorites which I would usually go to whenever a mean pizza cravings would hit me. One of them is Papa John’s Pizza.  Known for using only better ingredients to produce better pizza, Papa John’s Pizza has been serving Filipinos with its quality pizza through its 13 branches all over Metro Manila.  

Since Papa John’s Pizza opened its first branch in Robinson’s Galleria on 2010, there are several occasions that I found myself not minding dining alone as long as I can have my fair share of good pizza with a serving of pepperoncini and garlic butter dip on the side.  But then again, good food are always best shared with your loved ones that is why Papa John’s Pizza introduces its on-going promo aptly called Papa John’s Big Time Treats.

Ang Mo Kio Singaporean Hawker Cuisine at The Podium

I have always been a fan of Singaporean cuisine, but with numbers of Singaporean restaurants in Metro Manila which I have tried, there are only few that really satisfy me in terms of quality of food and the comfort of ambiance.  That is why I am in constant search for something truly worth the money and time I will be spending.  Recently, I was introduced to Ang Mo Kio Singaporean Restaurant that specializes in hawker cuisine located at The Podium.

Most of the Singaporean restaurants I have been to carry prices that are quite steep.  While I don’t mind spending more than my usual food budget, it has to be something which of high quality.  Some of these restaurants are decent enough in that respect, while the others are just plain blah. 

One of the reasons why I am impressed with Ang Mo Kio is that it introduced me to reasonably priced Singaporean dishes made from the scratch out of fresh ingredients sourced both locally and from nearby countries. I do not claim to be an expert, but based on my preferences, Ang Mo Kio really stood out.

Cravings Celebrates 24th Anniversary with Cake and Coffee Festival

On their 24th year in the business, Cravings Group of Restaurants celebrated their anniversary by giving back to their loyal followers and community through Craving’s Coffee and Cake Festival. This delicious and sweet affair was held at Shangri-La Mall Atrium last October 25, 2012.

What started as a simple bakeshop in Quezon City has now evolved into a celebrated abode of delicious food and delectable sweets that every Filipino loves.  I remember having written about Center for Culinary Arts Manila’s anniversary at The Philippine Daily Inquirer late last year and since Cravings is under in one roof with CCA, I heeded to Craving’s invite.

Aiming to stay true to their goal of giving back, this event is in partnership with Operation Smile, an organization that provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children throughout the world.   Incidentally, Operation Smile is also celebrating its 30th year of providing assistance to the aforementioned children in need.  The festival serve as their gateway to further introduced the program they have launched called “The Journey Home”.  This program aims to help 4,500 Filipino children and young adults in different parts of the country.

Longganisa Sorpresa

I have always been a fan of the comfort that food delivery services can provide to someone like me who does not have all the time in the world to prepare a decent meal.  While I appreciate restaurants which offer delivery service, I am more appreciative of those food delivery companies which handle several restaurants under their umbrellas.  I love the fact that I would only have to dial one number and choose from wide variety of restaurants in which I want to order from.  One of them is Quick Delivery.

I have made used of their service number of times before especially during those days when there would be an impromptu get together with friends or when I am just plain tired to cook food.  I am happy to say that I have not encountered any problem with Quick Delivery, and if there was any minor issue, they are very quick in addressing those concerns.

Weeks ago, I decided to have some food from Longganisa Sorpresa delivered in my home through Quick Delivery. I am not a big fan of longganisa but I have heard some feedback that they serve great varieties of longganisa it could make me a convert, so I give it a go.

Bulgogi Brothers Korean BBQ Restaurant at Harbor Point Subic

Ever since The Bistro Group brought Bulgogi Brothers here in Manila, I have been wanting to pay a visit and experience what most of my friends have been raving about. With three Metro Manila branches located at Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 5, and Mall of Asia, I know I have quite an option location-wise.

Then one day I found myself together with other foodie friends braving a long drive to Riverwalk Harbor Point Mall in Subic where the fourth branch of Bulgogi Brothers is located.  It was already expected that I'll be having a great time downing Korean dishes at Bulgogi Brothers, so, I thought why not intensify the package by enjoying the road trip, eh?
 

I admit with a slight blush that it was only a year ago when I get to appreciate Korean food. I am a tad picky when it comes to spicy dishes as I am not really big when it comes to bold flavor such as that.  But surprisingly, I was able to finished everything that was served on my plate.

California Pizza Kitchen Opens at The Lucky Chinatown Mall

Recently, our friends from California Pizza Kitchen shared a good news about it's newly opened branch at The Lucky Chinatown Mall which marks as its eight location here in the Philippines.  In line with that, they also introduced new offerings which that are now included on their menu.

I have not personally checked the new branch yet and haven't tasted this new offerings but this news is too good not to share with you my dear readers, so here are some words from California Pizza Kitchen Philippines.

An Afternoon of Pizza and Pasta Treats With Pasto

It was a while back when I promised my little sister to treat her with pizza since I wasn’t able to do so during her birthday.  I was so caught up with tasks at hand that I barely had time to take her out to her favorite pizza place, Pasto Restaurant located at Greenhills.  My sister is big on pizza and pasta and Pasto is one of her top three to go to places when craving for her comfort food.

One weekend while I was still caught up with work, she talked me into bringing home some pizza instead.  Since I know that my schedule wouldn’t give me the liberty to fulfill the promised pizza date with her, I agreed.  I was supposed to drop by the restaurant but as luck would have it, an emergency meeting with the client prevented me from doing so.