HappyFoodies

Wake up to Pinoy breakfast fare at Sentro 1771

Sentro 1771 Bonoan Boneless Bangus

No doubt, the Pinoy has gone global, his taste buds included. He/she has acquired a liking for tastes and flavors that transcend our borders but probe deeper and there’s this deep-seated, deeply-rooted liking for Pinoy food. Your happyfoodies are no exception. We love Pinoy food, period. But is there a place for Pinoy food in a fine dining set-up? The people at Sentro 1771 would like to believe so. The purveyors of modern Filipino cuisine, Sentro 1771 puts a twist to Pinoy fare. Their breakfast offerings at their Serendra location list more Pinoy selections than the Western kind. But are they worth waking early for? Your happyfoodies checked them out.

by Ferdz Posted on July 14, 2009August 10, 2009

Affogato to crave for at Cara Mia

Caramia Gelateria Black Forest Spell Affogato

It’s no secret that your happyfoodies are big fans of Amici. So when Cara Mia, their gelateria, opened in Greenhills recently, we promised ourselves to brave the EDSA-Greenhills traffic one day soon just to see what’s there. One recent Sunday, we dropped by with full tummies with barely enough room for dessert but happily, we weren’t disappointed.

by Ferdz Posted on July 7, 2009August 10, 2009

Nama Sakana spells Japanese fusion

Nama Sakana Tobanyaki

Truth is, there is no shortage of Japanese-themed restaurants here. Some are more authentic than the others, some far removed from their Japanese roots. Which begs the question: is there really space for a new one? The people behind Nama Sakana believe that with their fusion cuisine, there is always room.

But first things first – what’s in a name? Nama Sakana is Nihongo for “raw fish”, an apt name for the restaurant has an extensive sushi bar. But as happyfoodies found out, this upscale Japanese restaurant has more than sushi to offer. Talk about Nobu-style Japanese fushion cuisine where traditional Japanese fare is tweaked to offer the diner a tasty twist on their favorites. Chef Rolly, who has worked for Nobu London for more than a decade, does a fine balancing act in coming up with Japanese food that tastes familiar and yet offers something new for the taste buds.

by Ferdz Posted on July 1, 2009December 30, 2014

Of Makimi and dimsums at Shin Din Kha

binondo shin den kha makimi

Sunday is a nice time to go to Manila’s Chinatown. It’s less crowded, there’s not much traffic, and most restaurants have room to spare. Some would argue it’s not Binondo if it’s not crowded but at times, it would be nice to be able to sit down and grab a bite without wading through the crowds and waiting for a long time even for short order items on the menu. Your happyfoodies chanced upon this panciteria, Shin Din Kha, while on a food trip with friends about two weeks ago. We were full at that time so we had to bypass this small restaurant. But a recent Sunday lunch found us wandering here again, this time with hungry stomachs.

by Ferdz Posted on June 23, 2009December 30, 2014

A rainy day Binondo food trip

binondo po heng lumpia

So what do we avid traveler-photographers do during the monsoon season? Hmmm, at times, we just brave the weather and go ahead with our trip. But sometimes, we’d wisen up and not push our luck, opting to stay in the city and find something else of interest. That is exactly what we did recently when along with two fellow foodie friends, your happyfoodies braved the Saturday monsoon rains to eat their way through a Saturday. Nevermind the overcast skies and intermittent rains, the muddy streets and damp air, but really, is there something more pleasurable than sniffing out the delicious smell of Chinese food wafting from shops and hole-in-the-walls and succumbing to the temptation?

by Ferdz Posted on June 9, 2009December 30, 2014

Just desserts at Cocktales

cocktales philosophy

One Saturday afternoon found happyfoodies at SM Megamall for a business meeting. Looking for a quiet place to meet in busy Megamall can be quite tricky, especially on a weekend but on a friend’s suggestion, we found ourselves in the month-old dessert place, Cocktales. Tucked at the entrance the Atrium on the fifth level, we seem to have found our quiet spot as the place was desserted (no pun intended). The lighting was inviting and conducive for cooling off. The images of drinks and desserts were really enticing and well-done. The signage says “desserts like no other” so we felt we had to give them a try.

by oggie Posted on June 1, 2009June 9, 2009