Epicurean Singapore at Circles Event Cafe of Makati Shangri-La Hotel

From August 1 to 10, 2013 Circles Event Cafe of Makati Shangri-La Hotel will run a 10-day Singaporean Food Festival called Epicurean Singapore. Known as one of the best hotel buffets in Manila, Circles Event Cafe will feature various Singaporean specialty dishes prepared by guest Sous Chef Tan Kheng Boon and Assistant Sous Chef Ricky Young Soon Khiong from Traders Hotel Singapore.

Aside from the Singaporean feast at Circles Event Cafe, a cooking demo class will be held on August 7, 2013 hosted by Chef Tan Keng Boon. This demo is priced at Php2000 nett inclusive of a buffet lunch at Circles Event Cafe.

Prior to the food festival that started August 1, a media event was held where we sampled some of the dishes which are included on the line up for the Epicurean Singapore feast. Singaporean dishes are known for its rather spunky flavor that leans on the spicy side of the spectrum. However, the chefs were considerate enough to tailor fit the dishes to the Filipino palate without assaulting its authenticity.

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.