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Archive for the ‘Tummy Treats’ Category
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Going nuts about Macadamia at Haagen-Dazs
Posted by Ferdz on 11 May 2009 under Sweet Talk, Tummy Treats · 2 Comments
The fickle weather hints at the onset of the rainy season but every once in a while, the sun emerges from the clouds and the weather turns sunny and hot. Uncomfortably, very humid,hot. Seems to us that summer is still here and holding. What a time for happyfoodies to be given an opportunity to sample Haagen Dazs’ nutty creations.
We were given three preparations to sample (many thanks to Haagen Dazs and especially the SM Megamall crew) – the Macadamia Nut Delight, Hawaiian Macadamia Crunch, and the Macadamia Nut Cake. Imagine the velvety, creamy goodness that Haagen Dazs is known for. Mix it with Macadamia nuts. Voila, you have a perfect recipe for going nuts.
Buono appetito at Amici
Posted by Ferdz on 13 Apr 2009 under Gut Feel, Tummy Treats · 4 Comments
It’s been quite a while since we last stepped into Amici in Don Bosco in Makati City. Oh, we’ve always considered this restaurant that boasts of affordable, home-cooked Italian-style cuisine as a comforting constant in a constantly changing foodscape. But ever since its takeover by a new management team two years ago, we had our apprehensions. And there’s also the expansion to include a branch in SM Megamall. Did the move to professionalize the operations alter the relaxed eating experience? Or worse, change the great-tasting food we’ve always come to love?
To find out, we dropped by on a Sunday afternoon for a late lunch – a privilege not available when Amici was still run by the Salesians of Don Bosco. Obviously, this is one of the benefits of the new management as Sunday is a very nice day to avoid the big weekday office crowds. The verdict: still as lip-smacking good as ever.
Healthful coolers at FYI
Posted by Ferdz on 6 Apr 2009 under Light & Hearty, Tummy Treats · 5 Comments
When the mercury constantly hit 36 degrees or higher even on days when the rains play games with the sun, it’s just instinctive to reach for something to cool with. On an assignment in the Quezon City area, our eyes got caught by a very colorful signage and a witty name for a yogurt outlet – FYI. The acronym stands for “Frozen Yogurt Indulgence,” and one look at the items on offers suggested this can be a nice place to cool down on a hot and humid afternoon.
Rediscovering Filipino flavors at 1521
Posted by Ferdz on 15 Dec 2008 under Gut Feel, Sweet Talk, Tummy Treats · 10 Comments
With the globalization of the Filipino palate, is it still viable to set up a Pinoy restaurant nowadays? Ponder this: on one hand, you have to market to a younger generation of diners reared on a steady diet of pizzas, burgers and pastas. On the other hand, you have to appeal to an older generation who may have grown tired of the old favorites and are gravitating to international fare. Following the suggestion of a friend, we ventured to Mandaluyong to look for 1521 in the hope of finding a more definitive answer to our question. We’re happy to say that we walked in hungry for food and answers and walked out with a positive outlook and contented tummies.
Hamming it up in CDO
Posted by oggie on 5 Dec 2008 under Light & Hearty, Tummy Treats · 7 Comments
Mention Cagayan de Oro and on top of the list associated with this City of Golden Smiles is its famous ham. And when it comes to hams, the overwhelming favorite among the locals is SLERS Jamon Cagayan de Oro, which has been around since 1969. What makes their ham different is the natural juiciness and tenderness of the meat. This is due in large part to the fact that the swine from which they are made were fed with pineapple, a fruit laden with the enzyme papain, which has natural tenderizing properties. Over the years, SLERS hams have become a part of tradition among CDO locals as well as guests all-year round and especially during Christmas-time. SLERS have also ventured into the quick-service restaurant and more recently, the café business.
We chanced upon the newly-opened SLERS Ham & Café while looking for somewhere to eat for lunch on our way back to Manila. The small but charming café is warm and inviting, with a wall decked with goodies ready to tempt the diner.
Turning Japanese at Banzai
Posted by oggie on 2 Dec 2008 under Fast Food, Gut Feel, Tummy Treats · 4 Comments
The food court of a mall is normally NOT the place to look for decent Japanese food. Almost always, the “food court pricing” automatically means that the food outlet would scrimp on ingredients or cut corners, ergo less satisfying Japanese fare. But happily, we found an exception and it was literally right under our noses – Banzai Japanese Kitchen in the food court of Cash & Carry Mall.
Savoring the flavors of Tasty Dumplings
Posted by oggie on 27 Nov 2008 under Feature, Gut Feel, Tummy Treats · 10 Comments
Mention Binondo and one immediately conjures up images of crowded streets, Binondo church, Chinese herbal medicine stores, Eng Bee Tin hopia, and of course, the-hole-in-the-wall eateries. I used to live in Manila and Ongpin was a regular haunt but not anymore. Venturing to the Binondo Church one Sunday and the almost mandatory side trip to Eng Bee Tin, I chanced upon this seemingly small restaurant with the signage, “Tasty Dumplings”. And so started food trips to this eating place that yielded tasty surprises.