Bono Artisanal Gelato at The Podium Mall in Ortigas

Even before I got to try Bono Artisanal Gelato, most of the food bloggers in Manila I know were dishing out raves left and right. Most of them even tagged it as the best gelato in Manila, rightfully so, since Bono Gelato deserves such distinction. After tasting some of its flavors, I considered it my benchmark when it comes to really good gelato.

Their first branch located in SM Makati is rather far and out of way considering my usual route, and their branch at SM Aura is even more so. Despite the fact that Bono Gelato is worth trekking that uncharted path, it still a good news to me that they opened a new store located at The Podium in Ortigas.

Located at the ground floor, literally a stone's throw away from Wildflour, Bono Artisanal Gelato at The Podium is a tad bigger compare to the flagship store in Makati. Half of the space is occupied by the glass enclosed space where the magic of gelato making happens. 

Paparazzi Italian Restaurant at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel: Pranzo Squisito

Affordable is not the operative word usually associated with fine dining restaurants in Manila. Especially those which are housed in fancy hotels. Yet, such is no longer the case as Paparrazi Italian Fine Dining Restaurant of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel Manila offers an executive lunch set at an affordable price. Aptly called Pranzo Squisito which means "exquisite lunch", this executive lunch is a three-course set meal priced at Php550++ only.

A brainchild of Paparazzi's very own executive chef Roberto Cimmino, Pranzo Squisito is perfect for people craving for a respite from the usual fares that restaurants in the malls can offer. Appetizer, main dish, and dessert comprise the lunch set meant to alleviate hunger and satisfy the palate. The choices are different everyday depending on the availability of the ingredients. The comfortable and aesthetically pleasing ambiance plus the five star service of course, are just added bonus.

Super Bowl of China Php1 Weekday Deals and The Ultimate Yang Chow Chowdown

Super Bowl of China, one of known Chinese Restaurants in Manila that prided itself for serving authentic Chinese cuisine shows their appreciation to their loyal diners by dishing out the ultimate Super Bowl of China event last Saturday held at their Glorietta 4 branch. The event carried two highlights; the Super Bowl of China Yang Chow Chowdown the Ultimate Championship and the Super Bowl of China Weekday P1 Deals official launch.

The Ultimate Championship of Yang Chow Chowdown was a spin off of their first Yang Chow Chowdown event wherein the participants aptly tagged as the Unstoppable were challenged in an eating battle by finishing unlimited bowls of yang chow fried rice at a limited time. Unstoppable Ryan Tanada won the first event challenge and went home with a new iPad Mini. During the championship last Saturday, it was Unstoppable Jon Magdaraog who emerged victorious and was tagged as the Ultimate Champion. Jon was awarded a Super Bowl Party Package worth Php10,200 good for 30 people.

Namnam Comfort Filipino Restaurant in Greenbelt 2

Namnam is a Filipino restaurant located in Greenbelt 2 known to dish out Filipino comfort food with a twist. A concept of The Moment Group, the same geniuses behind The Burger Bar and Cue Modern Barbecue, Namnam Comfort Filipino Restaurant is a welcome respite from the roster of restaurants in Greenbelt 2 area that usually caters to continental taste.

With countless Filipino restaurants in Manila, some of us cannot help but ask what sets one apart from the others? Amidst the stiff competition, how does one play the game and possess the staying power? Judging by the way Namnam Comfort Filipino Restaurant execute their well thought-out dishes, I deemed that these questions were kept in mind during its inception.

Play on comfort food with a twist is not really a new concept to us. Any foodies can name a handful of restaurants that leans on such trick. Truth be told, they are dime a dozen. What sets Namnam apart however was that although they took the ubiquitous road to play the proverbial twist on dishes, their strong hold to what was downright familiar to our taste buds were not thrown in the back seat. Hence, classics and twists share the spotlight on their menu.

Gloria Maris Shark's Fin Restaurant in Greenhills San Juan, New Location of The Classic Favorite

Chinese restaurants here in Manila, or in the entire Philippines in general are aplenty. Despite the number, not all of it have the staying power like those who are now considered an institution in Manila restaurant scene. One of these Chinese restaurants that managed to stay up to now is Gloria Maris Shark's Fin Restaurant in Greenhills San Juan City.

I am guessing most of you would agree, some of us grew up indulging in authentic Chinese cuisine that Gloria Maris in Greenhills offers. It has been there for years. Recent relocation and revamped on its menu reveals that the new Gloria Maris Shark's Fin Restaurant in Greenhills is still in it for the long haul.

Recently, together with other food bloggers in Manila, we were introduced to the new Gloria Maris to sample some of their classic and new dishes. But that is after we toured the impressively enormous new location, albeit still in Greenhills area.

Salmon Nights Buffet at Corniche Restaurant, Diamond Hotel Manila, Philippines

After foodies and some of our favorite top food bloggers in Manila raved about the awesome Lobster Buffet that was, Corniche at Diamond Hotel Manila has once again rolled out something that will blow foodies’ minds every Friday night; Salmon Nights Buffet at Corniche. One of known hotel buffets in Manila, Corniche buffet is dishing out premium quality and fresh Norwegian salmon prepared countless ways every Friday nights for the whole month of July and August 2013.

Corniche Salmon Nights Buffet suggests healthy indulgent feast by incorporating salmon dishes in every buffet station it has except for the dessert station. Whether you want your salmon grilled, raw, fried, steamed, or whatever tickles your fancy, Corniche got you covered.

I admit that I was one of those who prayed for Corniche’s Lobster Buffet promo to be extended further because my gastronomical experience with those lovely lobsters was simply legendary. Just like with any other prayers, it may be unanswered, but good heaven was so kind to replace it with something equally awesome and downright satisfying.

3:15 PM Milk Tea Philippines

3:15 PM Milk Tea is a Taiwanese brand that recently landed in the Philippines' shore to revolutionize the way we enjoy our milk tea.

Revolutionize. Big word, I know.

But seriously, milk tea that comes from natural tea bags? Pretty neat if I do say so myself. It means that even if an ill bouts of milk tea cravings knock on the door even at ungodly hours of the night, just as long as you have 3:15PM Milk Tea in tow, cravings are bound to be satisfied.

Milk tea any time, any where. How apt. I love them from the get go.

When milk tea craze took Manila by storm in the recent years, I have to admit that I was one of those who went crazy over it. Up to now, I still am crazy over milk tea. But adult life means that I do not have all the time in the world to visit milk tea shops every time there's a mean craving for milk tea. And mean craving wouldn't be called mean if it wouldn't bother you to your wit's end during the time when whatever food you are craving for is hard to come by. Mean, yes.

Sentro 1771 Restaurant at Serendra, The Fort: Fine Breakfast Selections

When talking about Sentro 1771 Restaurant which has branches both at Serendra, The Fort and Greenbelt in Makati, the first thing that comes to mind will always be their famous Corned Beef Sinigang. There are a lot of Filipino restaurants in Manila serving Modern Filipino Cuisine, but it was only Sentro 1771 that has actually pulled off an innovative twist on a rather western food to turn it to something distinctly Filipino.

While Sentro 1771, a member of 1771 Group of Restaurants is known to dish out Filipino dishes, few of us know that they are also serving mean sets of modern Filipino breakfast fare to boot. I myself was not aware of this until I visited Sentro 1771 at Serendra, The Fort recently.

My visit along with other foodie friends happened one Saturday morning. Although I always believe that waking up really early on a Saturday, or on a weekends for that matter should be illegal, there are some things that are worth giving up the extra hours of sleep for. Just like a fine Filipino breakfast at Sentro 1771.