Holiday Classics Kitchen Sessions Experience by Innobake Philippines in Pasig!

One of the recent experiences that J and I enjoyed was participating in the first Holiday Classics Kitchen Session of Innobake Philippines in Pasig! It was a free demo cooking class hosted by Innobake's resident Chef John. He showcased the different product lines sold by this company, now being made available to home cooks and bakers (before mostly only for commissaries, restaurants and big bulk clients). I am sharing below the recipe for Spanish Sardines that they gave us. If you want the other recipes for the other holiday bestsellers below, please feel free to send me a message via Facebook and I can send it to you.

Short BK GK Getaway Deals - Popeyes Chicken Philippines and Landers Pasig!

Short walks with J got me through the week. Today, we drove to Arcovia City in Pasig and ended up in Louisiana chain Popeyes for lunch. It’s just a short walk from Landers Pasig. The ambiance was light, spacious and diner-like, which reminds me of our honeymoon trip to the US.

French Food at the Nostalgia Lounge Restaurant in Ortigas!

One of the cuisines I have yet to appreciate is French food. There are not a lot of French restaurants that I know of in Manila and France is far away. What comes to mind though are escargot, pate, fois gras, confit, cheese, pastries, macaroons, wine and chocolates! The Nostalia Lounge with French Chef Jerome Cartailler are having a Paris-themed menu until the end of this month. J couldn't get over the appetizers while I delightfully munched on the mains and a bit of dessert ;)

Power Lunch Buffet with Round-the-World Dishes at the Nostalgia Lounge!

Buffet restaurants have been popping up more in the recent years and dinner is usually the perfect meal for everyone in the family to be together. The result, at least for me, is that gnawing thought that eating that much before you sleep will only lead to indigestion. Maybe lunchtime is actually better coz you get back to work anyway (or have your lunch meeting here) and burn everything until dinner. I finally got to try the Nostalgia Dining Lounge Weekday Lunch Buffet and I might actually book J for a lunch date soon! Haha. It's a quality restaurant first before a buffet place. They cater to different nationalities here (being just across ADB) so the buffet selection is enough (not overwhelming but yummy) and inclusive. I tasted Pinoy, Vegetarian, Asian, Indian, European, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean when I had this meal. They also have this 50% off Power Lunch Hour offer, which I think is a very great deal!

Oakwood Manila's New Nostalgia Dining Lounge in Ortigas!

Going out, even for a lunch, and talking about travel does wonders for a gal like me. It's always nice to be out with people from the hotel industry and fellow wanderers. I feel like myself again after weeks of being cooped up in a confined project space. The newest Nostalgia Dining Lounge was the perfect place to unwind and reminisce =)

Food Trips in Metro Manila - Caution Hot! in QC, Hoolala Korean Chicken in Ortigas, Ilustrado in Intramuros, SingSarap Chicken and Bob's Korean Burger at Robinsons Pioneer

This is a compilation of random food trips I had with J in a short span of time LOL. We went to Quezon City, Pasig, Manila and scouted near his Galleon office in Mandaluyong for simple filling meals and to try some restaurants (like the first 2) that we haven't tried before. There are some improvement areas but when you're too thrilled with just being able to see your partner for more time than usual, you tend to choose to notice the good stuff around you and enjoy those little precious moments you have. One particular restaurant reminds me of an amusing conversation about wishbones haha. Let me just take you on a food trip around Metro Manila right now while I reminisce and reconnect with my writing muse =)

Jazzy Sunday American Brunch Buffet at the Oakroom! + Giveaway

What do you do on Sundays? For some of us, it's our only alone time away from our work from Mondays to Saturdays. Is music part of your chillax day? There's a new Sunday lunch buffet concept that combines American food with live jazzy entertainment at the Oakroom until next month only! I happened to try out their buffet last week and I can only say that a combination of lunch + music + good company + travel conversations is a great way to start your Sunday =) It was like a mix of alone time and friends time in one go. Enjoy Oakroom's Jazzy Brunch selection (below) from 12 noon to 3 p.m. every Sunday until November 2014 ;)

Italian Food Festival - The Oakroom Ortigas Italian Buffet Every Saturday at Oakwood Manila!

Ever get that automatic love for something you have just heard about? Yep, that's what happens to me every time I experience something Italian (I haven't been to Italy yet and there must be a good experience in my past that influenced this...)! Add that to a very happy memory during this launch and I ended up being so present to every moment up to the last bite :) I took the opportunity to learn Italian words too because it's included in my language plans after Korean and Spanish hehe. Enjoy Sabato Cena Italiana ("Italian Dinner Saturdays") at Oakroom Ortigas from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. until August 30, 2014!

Ortigas Pasig Day Trip - A Short Tour of the Lopez Museum Complicated Exhibit

I would like to admit now that I've never really had this kind of museum experience before. Usually, I'd just be content to read the introduction texts and go around on my own. Thank goodness, the Lopez Museum told us that there was an hourly tour. I got a lot from it and found myself appreciating how the exhibit was curated. In a way, they were able to uncomplicate the "Complicated" Exhibit for me and gave me enough information when I went around by myself after to take a closer look of their treasures.

Manila Hotel Staycation, Making My Travel Vision Board and a Bit of Cooking in My Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Serviced Apartment Suite in Pasig!

Every once in a while, I long for a staycation in Manila - some time alone to clear my mind and re-organize my plans to travel the world. I stayed for a weekend at my favorite Oakwood 1 BR suite in Ortigas. This time around I was able to make good use of my serviced apartment - whipped something up in the kitchen (again) and did my vision board for the coming year (yeap, I start in the middle of the year near my birthday hehe). I also brought along my makeup experiment kit to test out the vanity table and big bathroom for a short get-together with friends in Shangri-La. :) 

Giving Thanks for Guiltless Getaways, Celebrating Yuletide Season with Oakwood Manila & the Christmas Bird, Also Where to Buy Turkey Feast in Manila!

This is my way of celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas in Manila at the same time this year. I haven't really thought much about the former until I went to the US last month and realisation dawned on me that I could have stayed until Thanksgiving to actually experience it there in full blast for the first time. History lessons aside, my impression of this big holiday for some revolves around family gatherings and giving thanks. Thankfully, my Oakwood family didn't let this chance pass and we celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas at the same time. I've been looking forward to my short trips to Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg in Ortigas this year and the experience has really grown on me. Coz there's always time to get to know more people and talk about travel while having a long lunch (of their around-the-world offerings) and feeling right at home in Oakroom =) I would like to acknowledge Sir Rick, Sir Igor, Ms. Anna and Aleah for making me remember the act of giving gratitude. Because of this day, I looked back early and was overwhelmed with all the memories and the wonderful things that happened to me this year. Maybe this was how I was going to see Thanksgiving from now on and it will immediately be followed with a Thank You post for all the people who supported this blog. 

Savor Restaurant Rockwell Business Center in Pasig - Filipino Cuisine, Heirloom Recipes from the Philippines and My Taste Test Masterchef Moment in Ortigas

When you think of Rockwell, do you only think of the one in Makati? Well, let me confuse you haha. There is a Rockwell Business Center (RBC) in Ortigas, Pasig and there are restaurants there too (near Medical City). Thanks to Rockwell Land and Savor Filipino Cuisine for the reminder! Hehe. Now, I can add another location to my late-night food cravings that's very near Greenhills and Pasig. There are 2 Towers at RBC and they have around 12 restaurants (with convenience store). They're open at different times, some from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. while others from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.! We met up with Savor's founders Mel Dumlao, Raquel Estrella, Owen Gan and Executive Chef Trina Tiaoqui-Imperial one night and was given a crash course on Pinoy cuisine from all over the Philippines and an a la Masterchef to challenge to name the ingredients (by taste) of some of their dishes. Haha.

 

Oakroom at Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Celebrates the 4th of July with the All-American Food and Wine Fest - Steaks and Burgers Galore in Manila!

We had just celebrated our Independence Day here in Manila this month. Just a week more, it would be the start of another month and a very big holiday in the US - the 4th of July independence celebration. I had featured Oakroom Restaurant in the past and they've successfully held food festivals for the past year. There's a sampling of different cuisines every time from Chinese to Italian to Indian to the World of Rice. This time around as a tribute to this upcoming holiday in the US, from this month to July 26, it's time for the oh-so-familiar American food, complete with soup, steaks, burgers and dessert with their All American Food and Wine Fest! Read all the way to the end since there's a treat there somewhere for one of my lucky readers =)

Paolo Santos, Jay Durias and OPM Hits in Manila!

The coming of June signals the end of summer in Manila, wedding bells for some, the start of rainy days and the realization that half of the year has already passed. I love the second half of the year because of the many celebrations, film festivals and music events in Manila. Jeff and I spent our 10th year at the Independence Music Fest in Pasig - singing with Paolo Santos, Jay Durias (of South Border) and Freestyle while munching on Pinoy food all in one night. I'm including a list of some of the OPM hits that we sang to below and a short patikim video hehe. FYI, you can come every Wednesday night and do this at Tiendesitas - Paolo Santos plays there every week! 

Oakroom Restaurant Pasig, Indian Food Festival in Manila!

Craving for something different this week? Check out this Indian Food Festival happening in Manila from today until March 1, 2013 (next Friday) at Oakroom! Let me give you a sampling below and if you want more, maybe you'll give spice-y world of Indian cuisine a chance. My spotlight today is again with this restaurant because it has made it into my Favorite Guiltless Date Places in Manila list. As I've said before in that post:

Eating different cuisines in Manila is a great way to experience a slice of life in different parts of the world. Read all about my previous Oakroom review here.

Jang Ga Nae Korean Restaurant in Ortigas, Yuumm!

Let me fill your appetite for all things Korean this year haha. This post is all about food and Jang Ga Nae - the newest of my three frequented Korean restaurants in Manila. This was only my second time to go there and I'm sure I'll be back for more haha. I'm including it in my list of Guiltless Restaurant Picks in Manila, alongside Ye Dang Korean Restaurant in Ortigas hehe. You can read about why I feature different cuisines in this blog in that post or you can read my South Korea series to get you in the mood for Korean. As you scroll down, I hope to take you with me on this journey without the added pounds hahaha. You only have to go to Ortigas to get a taste of South Korea =)

A Sneak Peek, My Staycation at the Oakwood Joy-Nostalg Center!

Whenever I take a "vacay" from being online and need some time doing other stuff besides "being on the move", I find three things super comforting - going to the supermarket, experimenting in the kitchen and sleeping! I did these and more at my Oakwood 1-Bedroom Serviced Apartment in Ortigas! Have you seen my apartment yet? Here's a sneak peek and my in-depth review of this Oakwood serviced apartment in Manila.

My Getaway in Manila, A Closer Look at my Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Manila Serviced Apartment!

I took a break from traveling last, last long weekend and decided to check in at the Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center in Ortigas hehe. Getting your own serviced apartment for a day is the best choice for that serious quiet time in Manila without having to think about traffic or other people. I would also recommend this hotel for your friends and relatives from abroad who want an awesome home away from home when they come visit. Let me give you a 5-Star Experience of my 1-Bedroom Suite Apartment (Room 1204) and lots of sneak peeks right here first. =)

Oakroom Ortigas, Pasta e Basta! Have a Taste of Italy in Manila!

Pasta e Basta! Read this phrase in Filipino and you'll get the general idea. How about a taste of Italy in Manila?! I had a wonderful lunch filled with pasta and travel conversations yesterday at the Oakroom in Ortigas! They're having an all-pasta a la carte menu this whole month until November 10 and I'm giving you and your friend/date/guest this same Italian experience in Manila! My spotlight today is with this restaurant because it has made it into my Favorite Guiltless Date Places in Manila list. As I've said before in that post:

Eating different cuisines in Manila is a great way to experience a slice of life in different parts of the world. 

Favorite Guiltless Restaurant Picks In Manila / Also Top Guiltless Date Places in Manila

Eating different cuisines in Manila is a great way to experience a slice of life in different parts of the world. I am not an expert in differentiating which one is more authentic because you would have to have a good palate, a good memory and a thick wallet to do that. I do, however, have my own list of favorite restaurants in Manila that serve different cuisines. If you ever decide to try them out, you will be able to get a taste of my food preferences and how restaurateurs perceive either their own food or an adaptation of another cuisine through their restaurants. Sometimes, they even try to provide the same ambiance, culture, language and service of the country they are representing. Oftentimes, everything suits your taste that you end up assuming that this must be what I would be served when I go to that country. Note: Some restaurants here adjust their recipes to satisfy the Filipino senses.

As for this blog post, favorites are favorites. It's so hard to rank them and there is no need because they have different cuisines. Only my favorite locations are listed and I've included restaurants opened by locals (even those with no particular cuisine). We are not going to discuss the price because premium ingredients are generally expensive and restaurants are supposed to make some business (if you don't like to eat at home and make it yourself). If you eat in one of my favorite restaurants and you don't like the food I marked with Y, it just means that we have different tastes. I rest my case. This post will appear again once in a while with new additions (new restaurants and pictures) so stay tuned! I will search the metro and pickle my brain for some more.