OFK Aloe Vera King Juice, a Refreshing Drink with Health Benefits

When I was asked to try OFK Aloe Vera King Juice I was a little apprehensive at first. For one, I always associate aloe vera with shampoo. When I was a kid, some of my aunts would always talk about how they got their smooth and shiny long black hair by using aloe vera. Second, I am not big on juice made out of plants. Sure, I would indulge on fruit based juices, but rarely do I encounter delicious juice with some plants as its main ingredients. Then, with a little research I found out that aloe vera juice is now a thing and it holds a promise of health benefits. So I gave in. 

OFK Philippines sent me a package full of OFK Aloe Vera King Juice for me to try. The package contains aloe vera juice in different sizes and flavors.  As far as I know, OFK Philippines is the only company that sells aloe vera juice (If not, I would appreciate if you could give me a heads up on the comment section). Aloe vera juice is said to have a lot of health benefits hence, it is slowly becoming the favorite drinks among may.

I am not the healthiest person you may know nor I am the most health conscious you would come across with so I have to ask some friends who are into healthy stuff about the benefits of aloe vera juice.  It is said that aloe vera contains several vitamins and minerals that are good for the body.

New Dishes at Wee Nam Kee Philippines: New Culinary Treasures of Singapore

Recently, I was tagged along to visit Wee Nam Kee at Edsa Shangri-La Mall and try the new dishes added to Wee Nam Kee's menu called New Culinary Treasures of Singapore. Wee Nam Kee is a Singaporean restaurant that has been serving the best Hainanese Chicken for more than 25 years now. Their branching out here in our country proved to be successful as they now have eight branches that includes Ayala Triangle Gardens, Serendra, Glorietta 2, Alabang Town Center, Promenade Greenhills, Trinoma Mall, Shangrila East Wing, and the new Fairview Terraces Mall.

I remember the first time I dined at Wee Nam Kee Serendra Branch, I was deeply impressed with their rendition of Hainanese Chicken including the Hainanese Rice but was saddened by their Lechon Macau. Despite the little disappointment, I resolved to go back at Wee Nam Kee to try some of the items on their menu. So, when my friend Richard invited me to join them on their visit, I gladly said yes.

Come the scheduled lunch, I almost begged off. Our visit happened right after the Typhoon Glenda. Our area in Antipolo City was still out of electricity that time and since I was too smart, I was not able to charge batteries for my cameras. Yes, all three of them. I already sent my regrets to Richard that I wouldn't be able to join them because of my situation but he was kind enough to offer me his other camera so that I may join them still. I grabbed the opportunity and braved the traffic jam and the roads littered with the aftermath of the typhoon from Antipolo to Ortigas. It was worth it.

All-American Buffet at United Taste of America of F All-Day Dining Restaurant, F1 Hotel Manila

F All Day Dining Buffet Restaurant of F1 Hotel Manila located at The Fort, Bonifacio Gloal City is currently celebrating the month of July through an All-American Buffet aptly tagged as United Taste of America.  This month is almost over but due to popular demand, this buffet feast is extended until August 6,2014. 

F1 Hotel Manila is known to do several partnerships with different chefs from all over the place to dish out themed buffet feast to be rolled out at F Restaurant. This time, together with F1 Hotel Manila’s Executive Chef Sau del Rosario, they partnered with USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) to stage a feast of American Dishes to make this month more exciting at F Restaurant.

Over the weekend, we sampled some of the dishes at F All Day Dining Buffet Restaurant and experience the United Taste of America. 4th of July celebration may be over but it is a different case for F1 Hotel Manila. The date extension will allow diners to experience this feast until the first week of the next month.  

Chili's Philippines: Chili's Your Way to Food Feast Because More Life Happens Here!

My recent visit at Chili's Bar and Restaurant SM Megamall branch to check out new items on their menu reminded me that the last time I wrote about them here on my food blog was way back 2009. That was five years ago (pardon the small photos and the writing style, if you're going to check out that post) and I could not believe that despite several visits within that span of time, I am only writing about them again just now. I guess, I have a lot of catching up to do.

Recently, Chili's launched its new tagline, "More Life Happens Here" which I deem apt since I myself, is one of those who could testify that indeed, more life happens at Chili's. Since it opened its door here in the Philippines way back 1996, I cannot count how many times have I dined at Chili's, specifically at their branches at Tomas Morato and Greenhills. Whether its a celebration of some sort or just plain meeting up with friends, Chili's is definitely one of those restaurants that my loved ones, friends, and I frequent to.

While it would be funny to admit that their unlimited Tostada Chips and Salsa have something to do with our frequent visits, the truth is, more than the free refils of these addicting treats, it is Chili's overall appeal that endears it to us. From the good food that they serve to the cool ambiance they have and to the warm and friendly service they give, Chili's is definitely proved all through these years that they deserve all the thumbs up they get.

Dads World Buffet: A Feast of Flavor on Your Plate Through Dads, Kamayan, Saisaki Buffets

It was late last year when Dads Ultimate Buffet (which includes Saisaki and Kamayan Buffet), one of the pioneer when it comes to buffets here in Manila, added an exciting spin to its buffet offering that resulted to its conversion to Dads World Buffet. Dads Buffet has always been considered as one of buffets here in the country that offers wide variety of choices, yet, to keep up with the demands of our times, they decided to take their game to a notch higher by adding more food selections to their spread.

These additions features variety of international dishes from all over the world, thus Dads World Buffet. It is literally a culinary journey translated to your plate for every dishes represents the country it hails from. The conversion of Dads Ultimate Buffet to Dads World Buffet started at their SM Megamall branch last year, and this year all Dads Buffet branches are expected to carry this new spin come August 1, 2014 when their newest branch at West Avenue opens.

Aside from West Avenue, Dads World Buffet branches includes SM Megamall, Glorietta 3 Ayala Center, Manila, and EDSA. Dads Buffet is also known to carry and host different promos for their patrons. Discounted price on buffet rates including birthday promos are dishes out from time to time, hence, Dads Buffet is encouraging people to check out their website and their Facebook page for updates on promos. Each branch carries different promos from one another, hence, better to like all of their Facebook pages for updates.

Jollibee Amazing Aloha Champ is Back! #AmazingAlohaChamp @jollibee

Few days ago I got a news from our friends at Jollibee, one of the leading fast food chains here in our country, about the big come back of Jollibee Amazing Aloha Champ. The word “big” is indeed an apt word since compared to its previous resurfacing in Jollibee’s menu, this time, the amazingness that is Amazing Aloha comes in big size, hence considered a champ burger.

I remember being quite sad when Jollibee Amazing Aloha was re-introduced to the market last year since it is just in a form of regular burger. It was delicious alright, but for something downright enjoyable, you would really want to have it in hefty servings. 

Today, Jolibee Amazing Aloha Champ boasts of a 1/3 pound 100% pure beef patty topped with a juicy pineapple slice, crispy bacon strips, honey mustard dressing, lettuce, and cheese.  As with the usual Jollibee Champ Burger, Amazing Aloha Champ is big enough to satisfy even those who has manly appetite.

THE BUFFET International Cuisine, Quezon City

I have to admit, I am one of those who is in constant search for the best and affordable buffets in Manila. So, when the chance to try The Buffet International Cuisine along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City presented itself, it became a persistent call that I couldn't bend my conscience quite enough to ignore. A handful of Manila food bloggers have shared their experience about The Buffet so, I figured it was high time to try it myself.

The Buffet specializes in international dishes with emphasis in interactive approach to dining experience brought about by several buffet sections. This interactive spin on the buffet encourages diners to create their own food based on their liking and have the friendly chefs prepared it for them. There is also a buffet section wherein diners can cook their own food on their respective tables.

The location of The Buffet is hard to miss. Standing along the busy street of Commonwealth Avenue, right beside Nissan Commonwealth. It's facade holds big signage of its name visible even if you are situated right across the location or even in a moving vehicle. 

Jet 7 Bistro in Timog Ave. Quezon City, An Ode to Good Times

Night out with friends, good food and drinks, live bands, these are just some of the things I thought I would outgrow in no time after graduating college to explore the so-called-dreaded “real adult life”, the very thing we were warned about. I thought wrong. Our visit to the press/bloggers night of Jet 7 Bistro located along Timog Ave. in Quezon City made me realized that these things that made my college days all the more exciting and well worth remembering are still the same things that could well, make me happy.

I love places like that. Those places that reminds me of the happy past and still makes me giddy  this present times. After all, don’t we all love good food and good times? That night, Jet 7 Bistro got me covered.

The media launch of Jet 7 Bistro, a new restaurant that just opened March of this year to join the ever growing number of restaurants in Timog Ave. area prompted me with the fact that although I have sometimes exhausted myself in trying out different restaurants all for the love of writing and my work, there are still so much to explore and reconsider (i.e. live bands, especially those you adore makes dining experience downright pleasantly unforgettable.)

Cheese Festival at Sofitel Philippine Plaza

Sofitel Philippine Plaza, the only French luxury hotel here in the country, and the home of what most of us tagged as the best hotel buffet in Manila (Spiral Buffet), is celebrating its French heritage culminating during Bastille Day through a Cheese Festival. This festival which started on July 9 and will last only until the 13th of this month features never before tasted artisan cheese from France. Over 100 kinds of cheeses are set to make any cheese aficionados heart beat faster than they can say J’Adore Le Fromage!

In line with Sofitel’s Cheese Festival, Maître Fromagier Gérard Poulard joins the Sofitel team to present variety of artisan cheeses cultivated from different regions of France for their guests to enjoy. Aside from the glorious cheeses to feast on, wines are also thrown in the mix for an ultimate French experience.

Vikings Buffet SM Marikina: Feast of American Dishes Special Menu

Vikings Luxury Buffet, tagged by many foodies as one of the Best Buffets in Manila celebrates the Fourth of July by adding and highlighting special menu boasting of special American dishes every weekend of this month.  This month long celebration holds a promise that in all branches of Vikings Luxury Buffet, new dishes will be added to the buffet spread. To make it more exciting, new menu additions will vary in each and every Vikings Buffet branches.

This week, I got a preview of the new menu which will be rolled out at Vikings Buffet in SM Marikina. Headed by Vikings Buffet Markina Executive Chef Jenny Gumboc with the aid of Sous Chef Gerard Torre and Pastry Chef Michael Ecogo (not in photo), a special American menu set was developed and will soon hit the already enticing selections of the buffet for the diners to enjoy.