Desserts Overload with the Desserts Specialists in Quezon City

When I was invited to visit Desserts Specialist located in Quezon City I have nothing but big expectations.  Owing to the fact that for one to be a specialist, there should be mastery of a certain craft involved.  For a business which just started its operation last July of 2012 and call themselves a specialists, I know it must be something. Since it's desserts that we are talking about, despite the fact that I have to move mountains to fit the visit to my schedule, my friend Glenn of The Strolling Spoon Blog and I happily took the long ride to their location.

While I've been going on frequent trips to some restaurants in Quezon City particularly the Tomas Morato area for some food scouting, Desserts Specialists' location at Scout Gandia is still considered off the beaten track.  A tad far from the stretch that houses numbers of restaurants, it's the kind of dessert nook that you would need to make a conscious effort to locate to have your fair share of delectable desserts made by the specialists. 

Fresh Flavours with Celebrity Chef Anna Olson in Manila

December last year, YedyLicious was invited by our friends at The Asian Food Channel to take part at Media Lunch with Canadian Celebrity Chef Anna Olson held at Heat, Edsa Shangri-La.  This event is the served as the second installment of Asian Food Channel’s Culinary Masterpieces. The first one happened when they brought Chef Martin Yan in Manila in which my article about the visit was published at Gala Magazine's October Issue.

With two programmes to boot namely ‘Fresh with Anna Olson’ and ‘Sugar’, both air at The Asian Food Channel,  Fresh Flavours with Anna Olson is inline with promoting her new programme also shown at AFC, 'Bake with Anna Olson'.   

Prior to the media lunch, a 2-day cooking demonstration was held at The Gallery, Level 3 of Greenbelt 5, Makati City where Chef Anna Olson impressed the guest with her flair for preparing delectable dishes such as Tourtiere (French Canadian Beef Pie), Calamansi Cheesecake and Pumpkin Crème Brulee Tarts. While I wasn’t able to witness the cooking demos at Greenbelt 5, the media lunch gave us a chance to witness Chef Anna Olson whip up 2 dishes she lovingly demonstrated while media indulged to a meal prepared by Chef Anna Olson herself with the help of some folks at Heat.

Italianni's Holiday Feast Platters

I remember it was only early this year when I get the chance to try Italianni's Holiday Feast Platter for 2011.  During that time, I admit that although Italianni's has always been one of my favorite restaurants here in Manila, trying out different restaurants for food blogging limits revisits to the familiar.  But all things fall into place when I was reacquainted with the old favorite because this year, there were countless of times that I get to dine at Italianni's.  

Time flies fast, and now I am writing about Italianni's Holiday Feast Platters for this year 2012.  With the spirit of Christmas season still lingering even after the day itself, gastronomical festivities still continue at Italianni's with this holiday offering.

While I am aware that most of us still have tons of food for our disposal stashed in our pantries, Italianni's Holiday Feast Platters are worth visiting the restaurant for.  I have enjoyed their Tre Combinazioni platter and I must say that their feast for this are equally satisfying. There are two Holiday Feast Platter to choose from; one is the Country Classic, and the other one is the Farmer's Feast. 

The Bistro Group Premiere Card: Dining Privileges and Discounts to Different Bistro Group Restaurants in One Card

Recently, The Bistro Group of Restaurants launched its Premiere Card which aims to provide more memorable and delightful dining experiences to its customers through access to awesome dining privileges and discounts.  A mother to most of foodies' favorite restaurants in Manila, The Bistro Group has once again taken a step further to provide unbeatable treats to their patrons.

While they are already known to have provided impressive discounts through "The Bistro Circle Card" to their guests who availed of the membership, this new privilege and discount card aptly called "premiere" provides more enjoyable treats that you wouldn't want to miss.

For the price of only Php2,500 per membership valid for one year, The Bistro Group Premiere members can enjoy discounts and perks in all Bistro Group concepts such as Italianni's, TGI Friday’s, Fish & Co, Village Tavern, Bulgogi Brothers, Krazy Garlik, Watami, Ma Maison, The Stock Market Cafe, Flapjacks, PIG Out! and all other concepts which will be handled by The Bistro Group.

So, what are the dining privileges, discounts, and perks of this Premiere Card, you may ask.  Well foodies, read on.

Winners of The Manila Best Kept Restaurant Secrets (MBKRS) Awards 2012

A near-full moon shone over Enderun Colleges Culinary Center on the night of “The Oscars of Manila’s Restaurant Industry”, The MBKRS Awards 2012.  The large hall of the center’s atrium was packed to the brim with chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, media and other guests, waiting with bated breath to hear the results that would be announced that night.  30 award categories, 150 nominees, and a panel of over 100 judges—these are the key elements in this prestigious awarding ceremony that recognizes excellence in Manila’s dining scene.

Elian Habayeb and Ines Cabarus of the MBKRS

This year’s awards were held on November 27 to a record crowd. Before the ceremony began, guests mingled, munched and sipped on fabulous food and wine sponsored by some of the best restaurants and beverage companies in the city.  None other than the honorable secretary of tourism Ramon Jimenez Jr. opened the awards with an inspiring speech.  Jimenez urged restaurants to constantly strive for excellence, all the while maintaining “focus” and “consistency”.

Solace Wine & Dine in Makati City

Whenever I am in Makati City, the place I usually go to when in search for restaurants to visit is Greenbelt area.  It has always been convenient since restaurants at Greenbelt are varied. But i have to admit that sometimes, I crave for something new. Perhaps a place located nearby but isn't too crowded and noisy.  Good thing that recently, I was introduced to Solace Wine & Dine.

Tucked at the ground floor of One Greenbelt Hotel in Arnaiz St., just right at the back of New World Hotel. Solace is a perfect place for someone who is in search for comforting food in a relaxing ambiance away from the busy mall area.

While the place exudes a rather intimidating feat, one shouldn't be deceived because Solace Wine & Dine carries impressive line of menu with reasonable price. The place is not that big but every corner screams comfort inviting everyone to sit back and relax over delectable dishes that Solace has to offer.

Noche Buena Themed Cooking Demo by Yummy Magazine and Lady's Choice

I have been meaning to attend Yummy Magazine's cooking demos, especially when they launched Pass The Plate, months ago, but unfortunately, my schedule was way too crazy.  I've experienced attending cooking demos by Yummy before and I love the fact that I didn't just enjoyed those demos but I learned from it as well.  Good thing though that last Saturday, I was able to drop by at Robinsons Galleria where they conducted their recent demo in partnership with Lady's Choice.

The demo with the theme Noche Buena aimed to start off the Christmas month with delicious flair.

While I was thrilled to learn exciting recipes and easy-to-do dishes just in time for the holiday season, my excitement was taken a notch because my friend and fellow foodie Chef Katherine Jao was one of the chefs who performed during the demo.  Another equally talented chef who graced the demo was Chef Dianne dela Cruz of Lady's Choice.

Balaw-Balaw Specialty Restaurant and Folk Art Museum in Angono Rizal

Balaw-Balaw Specialty Restaurant and Folk Art Museum

Words and Photos by Yedy Calaguas

Published in Gala Magazine

September 2012 Issue

Page 92-93

Northpoint Publication

“Here’s Minaluto, one of our specialties.” Says the food server as he place the dish on our table wearing a gleeful pride bordering to pontifical.  I cannot blame him for that.  The sight of Minaluto in its bilao exudes a kaleidoscopic world against immaculate backdrop that is the table cloth.  Combination of prawns, crabs, mussels, pork, water spinach, and salted egg on a bed of specialty rice wrapped in banana leaves served on a native shallow basket called bilao, are all the good things that constitute the colorful Minaluto.  The burst of colors mirrors the rich cultural arts that Balaw-Balaw Restaurant aims to reflect.

Balaw-Balaw which name was taken from a specialty dish called Binurong Hipon made of fermented rice, shrimp paste, and “angkak” which give it a reddish color. Despite its name lifted from a dish, this well known restaurant is more than the good food it serves.