Eats N' Treats | Renzie on Food

Food and Drink to Try Out in Singapore

2008-10-18T13:14:00.003+08:00

notes in Food and Travel by Renzie Baluyut.

I miss Singapore. Cristina and I flew in for a visit early last year, and now that we finally have some more free time to ourselves, another quick visit just might be in the works.

It might look laid-back at first, but you know there's a bustling city in there somewhere. The people are some of the friendliest I've ever met, and there are just so many places to see. As for shopping-- well, Singapore is probably one of the best places for shopping anywhere in Asia, or perhaps even the world.

In the event that you do get a chance to check out Singapore, you might consider trying these ten Uniquely Singapore food and drink experiences:

1. The SGD 5 Beer at any Changi Airport Pub – the cheapest in town. Cheers!

2. The Imperial Golden Fried Rice from Chen Fu Ji Noodle House at Terminal 2, Changi Airport – this particular dish was perfected by the imperial palace chefs in China thousands of years ago.

3. The Chili and Pepper Crabs at East Coast Seafood Centre – one is cooked in a sweet, spicy gravy with lots of garlic while the other is stir fried with crushed black pepper. Both are equally tempting!

4. Char Kway Teow at Maxwell Market in Chinatown – a combination of rice noodles fried with eggs, fish cake, bean sprouts, cockles and a dark sweet sauce.

5. The Fried Carrot Cake at Tekka Centre in Little India – this white radish cake is first steamed, then fried with eggs, garlic, pickled radish and dark sweet sauce.

6. The Hainanese Chicken Rice at Chatterbox @ Meritus Mandarin Hotel (Orchard Road) – tender poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken stock and served with chilli, minced ginger & dark soya sauce.

7. Laksa at Katong – thick rice noodles cooked in coconut gravy and topped with shrimps, egg, chicken and cockles.

8. Rojak at Chinatown Food Street in Chinatown – a tasty salad of cucumber, bean sprouts, pineapple, white radish and fried dough fritters, tossed with prawn paste and topped with peanuts.

9. Roti Prata at Prata Cafe (26 Evans Road) – multi-layered crispy pancake that is served with curry.

10. Satay at Lau Pa Sat – skewers of marinated meat dipped in gravy and served with rice cakes and fresh slices of cucumbers and onions.

So there you have it ladies and gentlemen. Ten food experiences you have to try out the next time you visit Singapore. For more food and travel tips on Singapore, you could check out the Uniquely Singapore website, or Lonely Planet's very own Guide to Singapore.

Cheers, everyone!

Renzie Visits Mandarin Oriental's Club Lounge

2008-10-17T10:53:00.007+08:00

more from the Food and Travel notes of Renzie Baluyut.

My good friend Sasa flew in from out-of-town last week, and so we took time out to meet up and do some catching up. While we've met up already for a good round of tale-swapping and general chit-chat the Sunday before, we thought we still had some more stories left, so she invited me over for cocktails at the Mandarin Oriental.

Turns out that the Club Lounge at the 17th floor is such a great place to hang out. But only if you're checked in at Mandarin's 15th to 18th floors. So anyway they have these comfy sofas and seats all over- you can go ahead and pick a spot- and quite an interesting selection of cocktails going on.

Sasa and I had some of these canapes, as well as some waldorf salad, and these appetizers of chicken breast and air-dried beef. You can get pretty much whatever drink that was laid out on the counter as well- local beers, juices, soda drinks, bottled water. I got me a Sprite Lite and a couple of glasses of wine.

On another table there was some pork satay, some breaded shrimp, and some Spanish chorizo sausages. You also had an assortment of sliced fruit, and some bowls of cold Japanese soba noodles if you wanted some.

Upon request, the attendants could also bring in chips or nuts to munch on (which would have been great with beer), but I think we had enough to last us the rest of the evening. I did, however, get myself another plate of food, some of the cold soba and some fruit.

All in all, it was a fine evening. Also managed to get some photos as you can see.

The Mandarin Oriental is located right along Makati Avenue. If you need to check it out, you could visit their website right here.

The Mandarin Oriental, Manila
Makati Avenue 1226 Makati City, Philippines
Tel (+632) 750.8888 / Fax (+632) 817.2472
www.mandarinoriental.com

Cheers, everyone!

Renzie Visits Wham! Burgers

2008-10-16T17:43:00.003+08:00

another adventure in Food and Travel with Renzie Baluyut.

I was at Shangri-la Mall yesterday helping out a friend of mine shop for some baby stuff. Naturally, all that walking around and shopping worked up an appetite, and so I thought snacking on something heavy would hit the spot just right.

Right there on the fifth floor was Wham! Burgers. I haven't had some of these in a while, so it seemed like a good idea to grab some for our post-shopping snack.

Unlike regular fast food burgers- Wham! Burgers (as well as most other gourmet burgers) has a 1/3-pound beef pattie. I asked if they had something larger than that, but unfortunately, the 1/3-pounder is all they have.

I got myself one of those Bronco Burgers- had a couple strips of bacon and a generous helping of barbecue sauce that starts dripping once you go to town on that bad boy. Also got me a side of fries and a side of onion rings to go with my burger.

You might want to check out their website, but it's still under construction. Nevertheless, Wham! Burgers is located at:

Katipunan Avenue Extension in Blue Ridge, QC,
the 5th Level of Shangri-la Mall,
the 4th level of Robinsons Galleria,
at The Block in SM North Avenue,
at SM Fairview and
at Robinsons Midtown in Ermita.

Cheers, everyone!

Great Food at... Red Box?

2008-10-14T07:20:00.004+08:00

from the Food and Travel notes of Renzie Baluyut.

I was sorta surprised about it myself. But yes, Red Box does serve some pretty good food. Not just "good-food-for-a-karaoke-bar" kind of good, but we're talking about some honest-to-goodness delicious dishes.

The fact is this: most karaoke bars don't put another thought to beefing up their food and drink offerings. It's true. For those of you who do frequent karaoke joints, the stuff on the menu isn't really all that spectacular. It's probably OK, but it's definitely not worth talking (or blogging) about.

Enter Red Box karaoke. Now here's a karaoke place that takes as much effort coming up with all kinds of great food experiences as they do building up their song library (which does have a rather extensive song selection, I might add). You can easily expect then, that Red Box's dining experience and menu is at par with the best restaurants in the city.

So, if you're going to hang out someplace where you can sing, play billiards, and even get a few rounds on a Nintendo Wii, then you might as well get some good food while you're at it.

You have got to try their Gambas al Ajilio-- shrimp sauteed in garlic, spices and olive oil, the Potato Skins, the Lechon Kawali, the Onion Rings, or their very own Buffalo Wings.

Red Box is also the first karaoke bar to open at lunch time, and has a whole lot of packages available for anyone who'd like to throw a party for family or friends.

Red Box has branches in Greenbelt 3 and Trinoma. For more information and inquiries, please call 757.6188 or visit their website here.

Cheers, everyone!

Renzie Visits Pancake House

2008-10-13T03:09:00.004+08:00

Pancake House has always been an reliable favorite for us whenever we go out. We took these pictures a couple weeks back, when we decided to have a late snack at Glorietta in Makati.

I remembered a time when the old Pancake House really served pancakes and waffles mostly. But just like any other successful restaurant chain in Metro Manila, Pancake House had been able to meet the demands of a fickle market by offering a better variety of food, as well as new items on the menu from time to time.

So yes, you can still get your pancakes, but they have much to offer whether you feel like eating rice, a sandwich, or the occasional slab of steak.

I almost usually get myself some pancakes or the french toast, or at least make sure I leave room for those. Depending on how I feel on a particular visit, I'll probably get myself...

an order of spaghetti and a sandwich, or a spaghetti and two tacos
a breakfast meal, like tapa or tocino, with eggs and fried rice. Plus an extra fried rice thrown in for good measure.
a steak. Mm-mmm.

We also almost always go for Pancake House's very own iced tea. Not the crappy Lipton/Nestea drink-all-you-can iced tea- way too sweet and watered down. Ask for the House-blended iced tea. You can never go wrong with that.

For pancakes and waffles? I usually go for the one with peanut butter, or the one with peaches. Or just a plain waffle.

Price-wise, it's alright. It's one step up from fast food fare, and not as pricey as your casual family dining restaurants like TGIFridays or Chili's.

Although they have cakes, shakes and other dessert items on the menu, I'd say I'm fairly happy with the pancakes, waffles or french toast.

Cheers, everyone!

Recommended Wines for Beginners

2008-09-17T09:56:00.000+08:00

a friendly recommendation from Renzie Baluyut.

There are a lot of good reasons to start drinking wine. But for someone like me who hasn't been raised in a culture that isn't inherently into wines (Filipinos are more into beer than anything else), getting into the whole culture of wine appreciation can be a tad bit challenging.

But not if you know where to start. I've recently attended a leisurely lunch and wine-tasting event at Cav in Bonifacio High Street, and I liked it that they've put together a four-course meal and paired each course with a particular kind of wine.

With that event in mind, here are a few wines you might want to start with: Fleur Du Cap, Nederburg, and Two Oceans. All fine South African wine labels, which I had the pleasure of sampling recently. I've also been able to gather some notes on these three labels, thanks to this very useful website on South African wines.

Fleur Du Cap

The Fleur Du Cap label has two wines excellent wines you should try: the Fleur Du Cap Chardonnay, and the Fleur Du Cap Merlot Unfiltered.

The Fleur Du Cap Chardonnay

On the nose, this Chardonnay displays apricot, melon and citrus fruit with a hint of vanilla oak in the background. The palate is dry but packed with apricot and citrus fruit flavours, supported by lovely nut and vanilla oak

The continued success of the Fleur du Cap range of wines is the result of a team approach at the The Bergkelder that starts with meticulous vineyard selection and is driven by an overriding passion for winemaking and constant experimentation to create new generation of superior quality wines. The wines are shaped in perfect harmony with nature to capture the highly sought after qualities of varietal character and terroir.

This wine pairs excellent with sushi, oysters and full-flavoured fish such as tuna and salmon. It also goes well with white meat dishes or pasta in rich, creamy sauces.

The Fleur Du Cap Merlot Unfiltered

The wine has an intense and concentrated ruby red colour. On the nose the wine shows rich plum and blackcurrant flavours infused with gentle vanilla whiffs. On the palate this medium-bodied wine displays fresh lively berry fruit flavours with hints of vanilla and a distinctive aftertaste.

Made from superior grapes meticulously selected from prized vineyard blocks in the Cape Coastal region, Fleur du Cap Unfiltered wines are shaped in perfect harmony with nature. Handpicked in the vineyard and handcrafted in the cellar, these new generation wines capture the highly sought-after qualities of varietal character and terroir. Sedimentation, racking and fining as opposed to filtration maximise the preservation of colour and flavour elements resulting in wines that abound with fruit and flavour. This succulent Merlot is perfect with Parma ham, roast lamb kebabs and a hearty oxtail meal. An ideal accompaniment to robust Italian dishes.

Nederburg

The Nederburg label has three wines that beginner wine aficionados can easily appreciate: the Nederburg Pinotage, the Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc, and the Nederburg Special Late Harvest.

Nederburg Pinotage

Concentrated ruby crimson in colour, this wine has the aroma of overripe berries, rich plum and blackcurrant with an earthy undertone. It is an elegant medium-bodied, smooth entry wine with flavours picked up on the nose and follow through to a slight tannic finish.

The grapes were sourced from vineyards in and around the Western Cape. Planted between 1990 and 1998 the vines grow on southern to south-eastern slopes situated at between 80 m and 150 m above sea level, in soils originating from decomposed granite and Kroonstad and Swartland. The vines, grafted onto nematode resistant rootstock Richter 99, 110 and 101-14, received supplementary irrigation from an overhead sprinkler system, yielding an average of 8 to 10 tons per hectare.

The winemaker suggests serving this wine with pasta, pizza, roast leg, bobotie or even chocolate.

Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc

This particular wine is brilliant green with golden specks, and herbaceous varietal aromas. It has flavours of gooseberry, passion fruit and peach, with an elegantly dry finish. Its generous palate is refined by a well harmonised fruit/acid balance.

Grapes were sourced from vineyards in the Durbanville, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Darling areas. The grapes grow in Clovelly, Hutton, Tukulu and Oakleaf soils at between 100 m and 150 m above sea level. The vineyards were planted between 1980 and 1999. Grafted onto nematode resistant rootstock Richter 99 and 101 – 14, the vines received supplementary irrigation from a micro irrigation system while some vineyards grow under dryland conditions.

The winemaker suggests serving this wine with seafood, creamy fish, chicken or veal.

Nederburg Special Late Harvest

Lemony yellow with green specks, the Nederburg Special Late Harvest has a complex honeyed character with rich aromas of dried fruit. It is delicious, with apricot and raisin character supported by fresh acidity.

Grapes were sourced from trellised vineyards in Stellenbosch and Paarl. The grapes grow in soils originating from Clovelly, Hutton and Glenrosa soils at between 50m and 100m above sea level. The vineyards were planted between 1984 and 1988. Grafted onto nematode resistant rootstock Richter 99, the vines, yielding an average of five tons per hectare, received supplementary irrigation from a micro irrigation system.

Enjoy as an aperitif or with mild spicy dishes, dried fruit and baked puddings.

Two Oceans

Two Oceans has two recommended wines for those just starting to appreciate the nuances of wine culture: the Two Oceans Semillon Chardonnay, and the Two Oceans Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot.

The Two Oceans Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

A medium-bodied wine with ripe fruit flavours and soft tannins, this Merlot is ruby red, with an aroma which can be best described as an abundance of ripe strawberries and cherries.

This Distell label takes its name from the two great oceans that converge near the Cape of Good Hope, the Indian and the Atlantic. Two Oceans is an easy-drinking and very versatile range of food-friendly varietal and blended red and white wines. Accessibly styled, the brand exemplifies South Africa’s friendly, relaxed and café orientated lifestyle.

Two Oceans’ winemakers work closely with a team of viticulturists who ensure vineyards are ideally located to produce concentrated fruit flavours. To ensure the finest quality, all grapes are sourced from premier vineyards within the Cape’s Coastal region, where a temperate climate prevails. Vineyards are cooled in summer by day-time maritime breezes from both oceans and a drop in night-time temperatures, allowing grapes to ripen slowly, which promote flavour intensity.

This wine is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%) and Merlot (45%).

An ideal companion to most red meat dishes.

The Two Oceans Semillon Chardonnay

Winemaker Kobus Gerber says the crisp, lemony notes and creamy flavours of the semillon are beautifully balanced by the citrus character of the chardonnay to make for a full-bodied, mouth-filling wine.

This Distell label takes its name from the two great oceans that converge at the Cape, the Indian and the Atlantic. The Cape’s Coastal region enjoys a temperate climate, cooled by day-time maritime breezes from both oceans and a drop in night-time temperatures to allow grapes to ripen slowly. In addition, the moderate humidity means vines are far less prone to disease than in areas with higher moisture levels.

To ensure the finest quality, grapes are sourced from vineyards in cool growing areas. The winemaker works very closely with a team of viticulturists and he closely supervises pruning, suckering and canopy management practices for optimal crop yield. During the ripening season the grapes are tasted daily for ripeness and also chemically analysed to ensure they are picked when varietal flavours are most concentrated, tannins are ripe and there is a good balance between fruit and acid.

This wine is made from a blend of 57% Semillon, 43% Chardonnay

Pictures and notes from www.wine.co.za-- the virtual home of South African wine. Visit the website, and read more about our featured wines for this post.

If you'd like to have your own wine-tasting party at home, you can go right ahead and check out the wines from Future Trade International's portfolio. You can go ahead and get yourselves some wines from the Two Oceans, Nederburg and Fleur du Cap labels. FTI has a wide range of wines that can sell as low as P175 per bottle to as much as P17,500 per bottle. You may call them up at (+632) 671.8694 or 671.8434, or you can check out their website for more information.

Cheers, everyone!

Lunch at Bamboo Beach

2008-09-16T01:44:00.005+08:00

Me and a whole bunch of bloggers had the pleasure of checking out Kawayan Cove- this sweet little exclusive seaside community being developed by Edge Properties on a forested shoreline down in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Before I get down to the delicious details of the amazing lunch they had prepared for us down in Kawayan Cove's very own Bamboo Beach, allow me to just fill you in on what was in store for us for our visit that day.

It's a property worth checking out, particularly if you're seriously into real estate, and even more so if you're looking to get a piece of tranquil beachfront property for yourself. Check out Kawayan Cove's official website here.

It was a fun visit with fellow bloggers; the Puyat family was there to give us the grand tour of the place, joined by food and travel blogger Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet who was also there to give us useful tips and pointers on taking better pictures for our blogs.

Despite the light rains, we managed to get a good look at Kawayan Cove, and were able to take quite a lot of pictures. As for me, well, I took a lot of pics of one of the most awesome lunches I've had in a while.

The Bamboo Beach Beachside Banquet

Well, at least that's what I thought I'd call it- even as Anton was doing his talk on Food & Travel Photography, the staff of Kawayan Cove were already whipping up a storm. Right behind us, they were roasting seafood and chicken over some hot coals. Fortunately, it wasn't long until we had lunch going on.

There was plenty for everybody- so much food that you didn't know where to start. It's hard to miss the lechon- pig roasted Philippine-style- ready for carving right next to the grill.

And even as we were going around taking pictures of the food (bloggers that we all were!), the Kawayan Cove staff was serving us these crabs in garlic and coconut right next to our individual plates.

Right after taking a lot of these sweet pics, a lot of us started off at the grill, where there were skewers of shrimp and squid, as well as some grilled tilapia and these huge fish they were serving up as they came out of the coals. I took a few of the skewers and a tilapia for myself before hopping on to the next table, where some bloggers were helping themselves to some tinola- a chicken ginger stew with vegetables.

This particular tinola had a special twist, as it some coconut juice and fruit mixed instead of the usual green papaya or chayote. Needless to say, it tasted great, and made for a good start for our hearty lunch.

It seems everyone had some of the roasted chicken- I had two pieces myself. And on the serving table right next to it, were a variety of side-dishes that go well with either the chicken, roast pig or the crabs.

We had these green mango slices, which you usually eat with bagoong- a potent salty-sweet shrimp paste Filipinos use on a lot of dishes. There was also a pot of achara- Philippine pickled vegetables, and a salad of salted eggs and tomatoes.

There were a couple of kangkong (Philippine water spinach) dishes, one served as a salad with sliced onions and tomatoes, and then there was my favorite- kangkong stalks stir-fried in a light coconut milk sauce.

Naturally, there was lots of rice to go with all that food- but I skipped on it, opting to go low-carb for the day. I also skipped out on most of this huge roasted fish that graced the table- only getting a small slice from its side.

While there was dessert served after the meal, I was so stuffed that I decided to pass on it. Also, my fingers had crab-juice all over them, so I couldn't take any more pictures until I washed my hands. I helped myself to this very welcoming bowl of fruit right after that heavy lunch.

Now that was a good lunch, made even better as we were bonding with fellow bloggers, as well as with the Puyat family, who were even showing us old pictures of them when they were young and hanging out at this very same beach.

Needless to say, the food was great. The staff of Kawayan Cove were on hand to clear out the plates, keep the drinks coming, and hand out warm towels right after we were done with the fish and crabs. Excellent service on their end, and you have to give them props for that.

Special thanks to Mr. Joey Puyat and everyone in the Puyat family who joined us that day for being such gracious hosts; they were all there to welcome us, show us around Kawayan Cove, and pretty much made us feel right at home.

Also, thanks and shout-out to fellow blogger Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet- for giving us some tips on how to be better photo-bloggers. Last but not least, thanks to our friends from Geiser-Maclang for making it all happen.

Cheers, everyone!

Secret Passion Apple Pie: All I Need Now is Some Vanilla Ice Cream

2008-09-15T15:51:00.006+08:00

There's some Apple Crumble Pie in my fridge- and I can't wait to have me some of that. Doesn't that baby look gorgeous? Mmm-mm!

I dropped by Rockwell Powerplant last Sunday- nothing special, just the usual Sunday dinner and groceries- and I was delightfully surprised to find a cake fair going on downstairs. There were maybe ten or twelve cake and pastry merchants set up right in the middle of the busy concourse level, with people crowding around the stalls, helping themselves to some free samples, then taking away whatever baked goodies they fancied.

One of these stalls had among other things, this impressive-looking Apple Crumble Pie (as you can see), as well as other baked goodies. They said they used to be known as Tiny Blessings, mainly because they started out with small, home-made goodies like cookies, cheesecakes and other sweet treats. But with the massive apple pie that turned out to be a surprise best-seller for them, they decided to rename themselves as Secret Passion.

Secret Passion cakes are baked using only the finest and purest natural ingredients- much better than your regular mass-produced, mass-market cakes. I might come back for their Quezo de Bola Taisan. Or any of their cheesecakes. Or cookies. So many goodies, so little tummy space.

In any case, I recommend you get in touch with Tin of Secret Passion, and ask for a menu of their cakes, pies and other baked goodies, right here on their Multiply site. They also have other dishes you might want to try out if you're not into sweets- try their Beef Caldereta, the Penne Shrimp in Olive Oil, or the Lemon Roast Chicken, among others.

Go give em a call at (+632) 571.2384 or (+63917) 700.5659.

As for me, I gotta get me a tub of vanilla ice cream to go with my Apple Crumble Pie!

Cheers, everyone!

So Long, and Thanks for all the Buttercake!

2008-09-14T15:41:00.006+08:00

I had the chance to check out this exclusive residential community in Nasugbu, Batangas just last week. Kawayan Cove is definitely a place worth checking out, particularly more so if you're seriously shopping around for some Philippine real estate.

Read up on some of the highlights of my visit (along with other bloggers)- you could check out my other blog, "The Life & Times of the Renzie Man" for my stories on Kawayan Cove. Of course there are other related blog posts to that article as well, which you might want to read up on as well.

In a nutshell though, our little field excursion to Nasugbu, Batangas was quite an experience. Kawayan Cove is absolutely breathtaking, and the Puyat family was on site to not just welcome us, but also to show us around- so they gave us a tour, shared stories about the place and some insights on how they chose to develop this forested beachfront property in a certain way. All that over a hearty lunch (which I'll be writing about in a bit), while leisurely lounging on the serene, white-sanded comfort of Bamboo Beach.

Anyway, I'm actually writing this post to rave about the little parting gift the Puyats sent us home with at the end of the fun tour they put together for us that day: the Kawayan Cove Buttercakes.

Well, at least that's what I thought I'd call them. These quaint little buttercakes, as it turned out, were made from an old Puyat family poundcake recipe, which they give out during Christmas time to share with family and friends.

They're light, fluffy, and incredibly delicious. On the way home, I've already noticed some of my fellow bloggers wolfing them down on the bus. I didn't realize how good they tasted until I got home to take my first buttercake out of the cute wicker packaging.

My girlfriend actually liked them so much better than my pasalubongs. You guessed it- we had really gone to town on those buttercakes. Fortunately, Mr. Puyat gave me a second box of those delicious poundcakes. That box is already marked for termination- I'm going to have them for snacks right after I publish this blog entry.

Special thanks to Mr. Joey Puyat and everyone in the Puyat family who joined us that day for being such gracious hosts; they were all there to welcome us, show us around Kawayan Cove, and pretty much made us feel right at home. I particularly have to also mention what excellent service we got from the Kawayan Cove staff- everyone who was there was well-looked after.

Cheers, everyone!

A Leisurely Lunch at Linden Suites

2008-09-12T06:39:00.000+08:00

Having been a radio executive for several years, laid-back leisurely lunches weren't a common thing at all. In fact, you usually would want to have your lunch (or any meal for that matter) as quickly as possible since you're chasing deadlines, media buyers and account executives most of the time.

As some of you already know from reading my blogs, I'm more of a work-at-home advocate and online entrepreneur these days. Which means a great deal of flexibility- so when a good friend of mine, Kristine, called for a lunch meeting to toss a few ideas around, I was pretty much good to go.

We had lunch at the Azzurro Bistro and Bar, at the second level of The Linden Suites in Ortigas Center. It isn't my first time at Azzurro. Whenever I'd come to Linden Suites, whether for meetings, or for business, or when I'm checked in, I always make it a point to visit Azzurro.

Kristine and I started off with some appetizers- we had the Mushroom Bruschetta. Creamed shiitake and button mushrooms topped with Serrano ham.

I also had a serving of pumpkin soup. Specifically, this is Azzurro's Cream of Roasted Pumpkin & Root Vegetables. It's a light cream soup of pumpkin, carrots and onion pureed just nicely in chicken stock.

For my main course, I had the Herb-roasted Chicken. A tender roasted spring chicken with olive oil on a bed of mashed potato and contemporary Mediterranean ratatouille.

It was a very hearty, leisurely lunch- the setting was very conducive for tossing a few good ideas around, with lots of good conversation over good food. I'm sure glad we had this meeting.

If you haven't yet, go head on over to Azzurro at the Linden Suites. The restaurant itself is at the second level, and on top of a pretty solid menu, they always have something going on. Check out Azzurro's Multiply page for their menu, special events and ongoing promotions.

As for The Linden Suites, they're located at #37 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center in Pasig City. The Linden Suites are managed and operated by Swiss Belhotel International, which is based in Hong Kong. For inquiries and reservations, you may reach them at (+632) 638.78.78.

Cheers, everyone!

Wine Appreciation 101 with Linley Shultz

2008-09-11T13:17:00.001+08:00

from the Food & Wine notes of Renzie Baluyut.

“This place is very innovative,” says Linley Shultz, admiring the interiors of Cav. “What they’ve done with the wine bar is very innovative. I think it’s very good with breaking down barriers. Somebody can take a very small amount of wine and they’ll be confident to order a glass or a bottle. I think that’s fantastic innovation. The interior is quite contemporary. The menu looks wonderful. The wine cellar is beautiful, very elaborate and with lots of very good value for money as well as the most expensive hard to find wine.”

As some of you already know, I've just attended a wine-tasting lunch event at Cav (at the Bonifacio High Street), hosted by our good friends from Future Trade International. Our special guest for the afternoon was Linley Shultz, internationally-renowned winemaker, and general manager of Distell, Africa's leading producer and marketer of fine wines, spirits, ciders, and ready-to-drinks (RTDs).

And no, I didn't have Africa at the top of my list when wine comes to mind.

South Africa, actually. Turns out that some of the better New World wines come from Cape Town in South Africa. “The cold breeze flowing up fom the Antarctic and the Atlantic Ocean help cool down the whole of cape," Shultz explains. "This unique climate is what gives South Africa a much better quality grapes than you might expect from a lot of latitude vineyards. And climate is very important. Cooler climate tends to produce more delicate, more aromatic grapes.”

Shultz brought with him seven different South African wines for us to try out that afternoon: the Fleur Du Cap Chardonnay and the Fleur Du Cap Merlot Unfiltered, the Nederburg Pinotage, the Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc, and the Nederburg Special Late Harvest, and finally, the Two Oceans Semillon Chardonnay, and the Two Oceans Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot.

Naturally, we helped ourselves to those fine wines, swishing them about and comparing how each one tastes, and actually putting words to our wine-drinking experience. Much of that note-taking and experimenting continued well into lunch, as the good people of Cav have prepared for us an exquisite four-course meal, which was carefully put together for us to appreciate with our wines.

Schultz had even gone as far as suggesting that you don’t always need to pair your reds with your meats. Indeed, half the fun of wine-tasting is discovering which foods go well with your Chardonnay, or with your Merlot. And yes, as it turns out, there actually is a difference.

"And it's not always about price too", as Stewart Dovey of Future Trade International was quick to point out. He explains that wine is a very personal thing. An expensive bottle worth Php200,000 might taste like piss to one person, who might actually praise a Php175 bottle as the best wine he's ever tasted.

Which is what a place like Cav is all about: you don't need to get an entire bottle for yourself right away. At Cav, you can get a modest sampling portion, just to see if it goes well with your individual taste. Then you can go ahead get more of that wine, or go ahead and sample several others from their innovative wine dispenser (that runs on specially-designed prepaid cards).

Overall, it was a memorable afternoon, very much deserving of praise and appreciation. Special thanks to our hosts for the afternoon: Stewart Dovey, Eric Kahn and Sally Co of Future Trade International. Much thanks to Jeremy Cheah and Linley Shultz of Distell, and Chef Markus Gfeller, and the staff of Cav.

Also gotta thank Maripet L. Poso, whose article on The Daily Tribune has helped me fill the gaps in my own notes.

Cav is located at the Bonifacio High Street, right across Mag:Net Cafe. Not only is it a great place to try all kinds of wine and immerse yourself in wine culture, it's also one of the better restaurants in town, with excellent food, and a comfortable ambience perfect for hanging out with old buddies, or for making new friends.

For the wines we had that afternoon with Linley Schultz, you can go right ahead and get yourselves some wines from the Two Oceans, Nederburg and Fleur du Cap labels from Future Trade International. FTI has a wide range of wines that can sell as low as P175 per bottle to as much as P17,500 per bottle. You may call them up at (+632) 671.8694 or 671.8434, or you can check out their website for more information.

Cheers, everyone!

Renzie Visits Cav at Bonifacio High Street

2008-09-08T03:49:00.010+08:00

another fine food adventure with Renzie Baluyut.

I've always wondered what Cav was all about. I've attended quite a few events over at Mag:net Cafe in Bonifacio High Street, and I've always noticed Cav right across the street, but never had the chance to check it out until recently.

I have to thank guys for Future Trade International for inviting me over for lunch a few days ago to check out some of their wines.

Which is what Cav is really all about. Cav is a fairly new restaurant up in Bonifacio High Street, run by Swiss-born Chef Markus Gfeller (the 'G' is silent), that offers some rather sophisticated food, which I suppose is paired up with their wine recommendations.

The establishment also has a cafe area (where you can just hang out with your friends) and a wine bar (with quite an assortment of fine South African wines, just for the occasion). And then you have this interesting wine dispenser which allows you to sample wines with an easy touch of a button- so you can try out several tasting servings until you find the right wine for yourself.

As it turns out, the affair was a little luncheon get-together for Future Trade distributors, partners and clients, and there were only a few media-folk around, as much as I can tell. Nevertheless, we took the opportunity to check out Cav, and check out the wines freely flowing from the dispenser.

I'm a complete noob when it comes to drinking wines- it's something I just got into recently, so yeah, I might know something from what I've read, but I have no idea how to pair wines with food. Fortunately, the good people of Future Trade were on hand to share some tips and pointers, so half of the afternoon was more of an education in wine appreciation for me.

Also present was winemaker Linley Shultz, who welcomed the group and talked about the Two Oceans, Nederburg and Fleur du Cap wines we've been sipping and sampling all afternoon.

Lunch was served presently, and we started off with a Crab Meat & Avocado Tian on Chive Vichyssoise, this one paired with the Two Oceans Semillon Chardonnay.

For the main course, it was a choice between the Grilled Prawn on smokey Orzo with aged Balsamic Baby Harricots verts, which would be paired with the Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc, or the Coffee roasted Rack of Lamb with Pumpkin Puree and Black Olive Essence paired with some of Fleur Du Cap's Unfiltered Merlot.

Next, we were served some Aged Davao Goat Cheese, which was then paired with the Nederburg Special Late Harvest.

Capping off a pleasant lunch was some Orange Cheese Cake with Chocolate Ice Cream, which was also paired with the Nederburg Special Late Harvest.

Shout out to Mulong Torres for comparing notes with me over lunch. Special thanks to our hosts for the afternoon: Stewart Dovey, Eric Kahn and Sally Co of Future Trade International. Also there with us were Jeremy Cheah and Linley Shultz of Distell, and Chef Markus Gfeller of Cav.

If you'd like to have your own wine-tasting party at home, you can go right ahead and check out the wines from Future Trade International's portfolio. You can go ahead and get yourselves some wines from the Two Oceans, Nederburg and Fleur du Cap labels. FTI has a wide range of wines that can sell as low as P175 per bottle to as much as P17,500 per bottle. You may call them up at (+632) 671.8694 or 671.8434, or you can check out their website for more information.

Cheers, everyone!

Renzie is Back with More Food Stories!

2008-09-05T11:13:00.003+08:00

It's been a rather hectic two months for me- my brother and his long-time girlfriend of 9 years finally tied the knot last month, and a big group of relatives flew in from Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, Boston and the UK.

It was loads of fun- like an extended family reunion of sorts. We took them around Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces, took a lot of pictures, did a lot of shopping and hanging out and swapped stories over good food.

So that's pretty much a whole lot of stories since I got back from Los Angeles. A lot of stories to share on this blog, with lots of photos as well:

Mom and I visited Butuan City- my very first time, actually. So much to see, and so much to do, to my surprise. Had I known, I should've booked myself for a longer stay. Lots of great food adventures there.
Mom hasn't been in the Philippines in sixteen years, so naturally she's gone all nostalgic, and just HAD to get all the Filipino food she's been craving for!
Naturally, when all my aunts, uncles and cousins flew in, we had to show 'em what a great place the Philippines is- and they had a blast shopping and trying out all these great food places.
We might have taken Chowking for granted around here, but Mom was amazed how different it tastes from the Chowking she's frequented in Los Angeles. I gotta say, it's her favorite Pinoy fast food place now!
Spent a week in Zambales, mainly to celebrate my grandfather's 84th birthday and also to spend time with my cousins- many of whom I've only seen after several years, some of whom I've only seen for the very first time- but it's all been fun and memorable.
One of the more fun things was getting everyone's pasalubong- welcome home gifts- together. We visited all these cool places with great Filipino stuff they'd like to share with their friends back home, or just to munch on until the next visit.

So that's a lot of blog entries I'll be working on for the next several days. It's been lots of fun, and there's just so much to share.

Cheers, everyone!

Wine Culture in the Philippines

2008-08-29T16:01:00.000+08:00

Welcome To My Personal Food Blog

2008-07-19T11:52:00.010+08:00

Now this is a blog that I should have been writing about from the very beginning- a personal food blog.

After all, I love eating, I love cooking, I love sharing stories about eating out and cooking at home, I love recommending restaurants, I love discovering new out-of-the-way food places- you get the idea.

I suppose it all made sense when I got me a new DSLR- a Canon EOS 400D Digital Rebel XTi. I bought the camera in Los Angeles, during my second visit last June, and pretty much everywhere we went, there I was snapping pictures- and a big part of those pictures were food pics!

I thought it was a great way to immerse yourself in the culture of the place. While I was in Los Angeles- I always wanted to try out all these different not-so-commercial neighborhood food spots- to see what Southern California had to offer. So my sister would take me around to her favorite food places, and tell me a little about the restaurant, and the more popular food items on the menu- it was all fun.

So when I got back from my trip, I realized I had all these great food photos while I was sorting out my stuff. Shortly after doing some editing, uploading and sharing, I thought a food blog would be just the thing to talk about all my various food adventures during my travels, and to share photos as well as stories about the places I've visited, and plan to visit.

I also skimmed through my other, more established blogs, and decided to throw in all my various food-related posts in here as well. The result is pretty much what you have here in front of you- a labor of love, a reminder of how we should appreciate the simple joys of life, a journal I dedicate to all food enthusiasts, professionals, entrepreneurs and artists.

So what's there to see in this blog?

Restaurant Recommendations. From food establishments of all kinds all over Metro Manila and the Philippines (it's where I'm from!) as well as from other places I've visited- such as in Los Angeles and Singapore- but there will definitely be more as I add more stories from my future travels.
Easy-to-do Recipes. I like cooking from the comfort of my own home, but I ain't no top chef. If it's something a regular schlub like me could cook, then you could do it too.
Food Preparation Tips and Kitchen Ideas. "Eat better, live better", I always say.
Food Stories from my Friends. A lot of em do a fair bit of traveling as well, and also appreciate a great food establishment when they see one. It's always interesting what they have to share!
Lots of Food Photos and Pics of Food Places. Still learning how to take better pictures. I'd love to hear from you guys on tips and all that.

So there you have it. I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I put it together. Leave a comment, join in on the discussion, and share whatever food stories you have. I'd sure love to hear from you.

Cheers, everyone!

Renzie Recommends: Banapple

2008-07-07T12:42:00.001+08:00

Shortly after arriving from Los Angeles, my friends suggested we all get down for some coffee and cake and swap stories. Banapple had always been a favorite place of ours- since Tish (one of my friends) recommended we try the place out.

At the time I had heard about Banapple, it was already having quite a deal of good word-of-mouth. The cakes, I heard, were excellent, and so was pretty much everything else in there. The hype at the time (around August or September of last year) was such that even if it had a sole branch down Katipunan Avenue (near where all the other drinking spots, nightspots and restos are located), it's definitely worth the effort.

We come back to it everytime, at least whenever we could manage.

Banapple's name comes from their two specialty treats: The Banoffee Pie (pictured above; forget that commercialized crap they make at other bakeshops- this one's the real deal!), and their signature Apple Caramel Crumble.

This quaint little coffee shop/bakery started out in 2000, at first churning out nice little pies and cheesecakes for family and friends, but now it's gained an impressive legion of devotees- loyal patrons- who stop by for a quick take-out or to even stick around for a hearty meal and dessert.

Banapple is a rather small place- which can only accommodate about 20 sit-down customers at a time. But it does have a certain appeal- welcoming, pretty much like home- even when there's a line of people out to get some muffins, slices of pie or sandwiches to-go.

What To Have at Banapple

You know you have to leave some room for those much-raved about pies. Banapple has enough to offer you- whether you're looking for a sandwich, a pasta dish, or a rice meal.

If you feel like having something light, ClickTheCity.com recommends you try Banapple's Terrific Tuna Sandwich, or you can also go for the Awesome Blueberry Pancakes (a stack of three mean-looking flaps which are indeed, awesome!) or have the Creamy Chicken Pie- which comes with a generous side of coleslaw.

Banapple also has a selection of must-try pasta dishes: slightly heavy, but you don't exactly go to a place like this to watch the calories, right? Check out their Fettuccine Jacintha- their own version of creamy carbonara, or you can also try the Pasta Verde- which is a penne dish with their special pesto sauce. Both dishes come served with bread which they made themselves.

For dinner, you may want to try their Salpicao Rafael- essentially rib-eye beef cubes stewed in a special sauce of garlic and mushrooms, and then served with rice. For your next visit, you can try their Chicken Breast Parmigiano- tender chicken breast fillets in a parmesan-crusted breading, then smothered in a chunky tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella.

For your dessert, you can also try some of their Chocolate Chip Walnut Pie, the Cadbury Old Gold Oreo Cheesecake or another customer favorite, Banapple's own Blueberry Cheesecake. Grab a slice, and you're guaranteed to bring home an entire box home- unless some other customer beats you to it. Yes, they run out of pies sometimes- so you know it's real good.

Speaking of take-home, consider raiding their shelves for the Banana-Apple Sweet Bread, my personal favorite. Help yourselves to some of their muffins, meat pies and cookies- which is great if you want to bring some Banapple goodness into the office, take it out-of-town, or just have a ready stash of goodies at home.

In our next post, we'll talk more about the legendary Banoffee Pie.

Banapple Pies and Cheesecakes is located at 225 Katipunan Avenue, in Blue Ridge, Quezon City. They're open Monday to Sunday from 7:30am to 11:30pm. For advance orders and inquiries, give them a call at (+632) 439.2675 .

Some pictures are from ClickTheCity.com. Check out their very own review of Banapple here, and their own gallery of Banapple photos here.

Renzie Recommends is a continuing series of personal reviews on this blog, Renzie on Food, featuring restaurants, food items and other dining experiences I personally think you should try out, given a chance. For me, eating is one of the simpler pleasures we enjoy, wherever we go- and good food is definitely the the way to go.

Cheers, everyone!

Renzie Visits Carl's Jr. Mojave

2008-06-19T15:39:00.003+08:00

another fast food adventure with Renzie Baluyut.

Well at least I think it was close to the Mojave- it sure looked like desert terrain on our way in. I took a road trip with Mom and Auntie Flor to check out some property up in California City. We eventually ended up at the Silver Saddle Ranch later that afternoon. But for lunch, we had a quick stop over at a Carl's Jr. by the main road.

As far as I know, there are no Carl's Jr. restaurants any longer in the Philippines. They did, several years before-- but that folded up after a few years. Then again just a couple years back-- and again they folded. But I did miss their burgers, and the poster out front that had "Prime Rib Burgers" in bright bold letters kinda just reeled me in.

And yeah, it was alright. Also had a strawberry milkshake to wash it down.

Now that was alright. Really hit the spot.

Cheers, everyone!

Renzie's Favorite Fast Food- Delivered Right At Home

2008-05-11T22:49:00.001+08:00

Here's a post, entitled "Living Solo: Fast Food Fare", that originally got published in another blog of mine, The Life and Times of The Renzie Man- subtitled: The Not-So-New Adventures of Renzie Baluyut in Metro Manila and Los Angeles. It's a personal blog on urban living- with interesting observations and useful tips, particularly when you're on your own in the Philippines and the United States.

In any case, I recently put together a post on the home-delivery food services I typically patronize. I thought it would make a worthy addition to this new food blog of mine. Enjoy!

When you're living on your own in Metro Manila, fast food eating is definitely going to be a regular thing. Sure, you can do your own cooking, but sometimes it's not just as fun to cook when you don't have anyone on hand to appreciate your kitchen-work. Or maybe you're just tired from a hard day slaving away at the salt mines.

On the other hand, you can also just go out, as Metro Manila has a lot of other great dining options in terms of restaurants and food establishments. But making a habit out of dining out, while fun, can also seriously deplete a bachelor's limited income stores.

Which brings us back to fast food.

Most fast food chains in Metro Manila already offer a regular home delivery service. Below are my recommendations for quick-service food delivered right at your doorstep with a short phone call.

Ladies and Gentlemen, my Fast Food Nine:

McDonald's. 8-6236 or 8-McDo
Jollibee. 8-7000
KFC. 887-8888
Pizza Hut. 911-1111
Shakeys. 7-7777
Chowking. 702-8888
Max's. 7-9000
Greenwich Pizza. 5-5555
Wendy's. 533-3333

My Take on The Fast Food Nine

McDonalds'. 8-6236, or 8-McDO. Ah, the ever-reliable McDonalds. I would have to say that this might very well be my default home delivery food option- whether breakfast, lunch or dinner. They even deliver 24/7 in key areas in the city.

I usually go for their sandwiches with a lot of meat- a couple of double cheeseburgers, quarter pounders with cheese, or big macs. Then wash em all down with a large soda. Remember that the fries do tend to get soggy by the time they get to you, in the same way that the sundaes might melt just a little. Otherwise, McDonalds' service is reliable more often than not- so your food gets to you well within the 30-minute window.

Jollibee. 8-7000. The country's leading fast-food chain, without a doubt. They probably offer more in terms of variety, and their food is catered more towards the Filipino taste. On top of the usual burgers and fries, they do have an assortment of rice meals and desserts as well. We usually go for the two-piece burger steak meals, the hotdogs, and the chickenjoy- Jollibee's fried chicken meal which comes in 1-, 2- or 6-piece meals. Fairly reliable delivery track record, though they don't deliver 24/7 just yet.

KFC. 887.8888. When we have a craving for chicken, it has to be KFC. We usually order a 6-piece box or an 8-piece bucket, depending on how hungry we are- and it has to be Hot and Krispy (though a lot of people I know still prefer the Original Recipe). You can usually request for your chicken to come in all white meat or all dark meat, and you can also order for other things like HotShots- bite-sized chicken balls, wraps called Go-go's, and even salads.

Depending where you are, delivery might take a while- although most places might have a 30-minute delivery time, other areas might take a little longer (like 45 minutes). But hey, it's KFC, so for me, it should be worth the wait.

Pizza Hut. 911-1111. If you're in the mood for some greasy pan pizza, then you'll probably want some Pizza Hut. I'd say Pizza Hut has two things going for itself: one, the delivery service is amazing- they almost always make it over to my place in less than 30 minutes, and two, the Palm Card- a loyalty card of sorts you could sign up for which entitles you to a free medium, large or family sized pizza (a pre-determined pizza-of-the-month) for every purchase of a pizza of the same size (plus a bottle of soda).

Great value, particularly if you're ordering for a family or a small party, excellent delivery track record, and you get the Pizza Hut taste you've been craving for.

Shakey's. 7-7777. Ah, Shakey's. You know you like Shakey's for their thin-crust pizzas. Even better, since they're competing head-on with Pizza Hut (see above), they have their own loyalty program in the form of the Pizza-natic Card. Same concept: you get a free large or family sized pizza (I think you only get a Pepperoni pizza this time- not bad) for every purchase of a pizza of the same size (plus a bottle of soda).

On top of that, you might want to consider getting yourself some Mojo Potatoes (though they aren't what they used to be), or maybe even some chicken to go with your thin-crust pizza. I actually prefer these guys over Pizza Hut: you still get the same great value and delivery track record, with a better (maybe slightly) healthier variety of food- but hey, it's fast food, so it can't be THAT healthy.

Chowking. 702-8888. Just about the only Chinese fast food chain in the Philippines, Chowking offers you a fairly wide variety of dimsum, noodle dishes, rice dishes and vegetable dishes- and quite possibly, the most convenient halo-halo (12 kinds of sweet treats with shaved ice and topped with ice cream) you can have delivered right to your doorstep.

What to get? We almost always get some siopao (Chinese meat buns), and some spicy noodles, a lot of dimsum, some congee (Chinese rice porridge), and a couple of halo-halo's for dessert. Depending on what you order, the food might take quite some time to prepare, but the store often informs you ahead of time if they need a little bit more time. But if you're craving for quick-service Chinese food, then you don't really have much of a choice, do you?

Max's Restaurant. 7-9000. Technically not a fast-food restaurant, but Max's home delivery track record is good enough to put them in the game. Plus, they're just about the only restaurant serving Filipino food that you can easily get with a quick phonecall.

While their claim to fame is their signature fried chicken, they also have a lot of good Pinoy food- pinakbet, kare-kare, pancit canton, lumpiang ubod (fresh or fried), and even crispy pata. Delivery time, depending on your location, might take longer; partially due to the fact that some of your food items might take longer to prepare, and that they don't have as many stores as, say, a Jollibee or a McDonalds'.

Greenwich Pizza. 5-5555. More pizza for you, and they also have their own loyalty program, but for me, they haven't quite mastered the art of getting your food to you in less than 30 minutes. So when you crave for a pizza, the tendency is still to get the more efficient Shakey's or Pizza Hut. Still, they do have a selection of pizza and fast food pasta (my way of saying don't expect much) you might want to check out.

And just like any other quick-service restaurant, they also have a few rice meals on their menu, as well as chicken.

Lastly, we have Wendy's. 533-3333. Wendy's used to be my favorite back in my earlier days of radio- in fact, I think Wendy's was one of the first restaurants to offer a 24-hour home delivery service AND a single number for delivery. Since then, they've been steadily losing ground to Jollibee, McDonald's and just about every other quick service restaurant I've mentioned here.

What I do like from Wendy's is the Wendy's classic- which you can easily upgrade to a double or a triple classic, depending on exactly just how much meat you want to gorge on in one sandwich. The sugar-free iced tea is a plus, but I'd really love to see some nutritional information rather than just taking their word for it.

So there you have it. My guide to fast food eating in Metro Manila. Hope it helps.

Cheers, everyone!

The Classic Brews of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

2008-04-17T17:22:00.000+08:00

from the Food and Travel notes of Renzie Baluyut.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has always been one of my favorite coffee shops ever since I visited the first one at Greenbelt 3-- and that was at least 4 or 5 years ago.

Though I'm not much of a coffee drinker, I do appreciate their various tea blends, and even the hot teas that come in nice little pots. Plus, they got themselves some pretty interesting breads, cakes and pastries-- sweet treats that go well with your coffee or tea.

Here's something we got from the press kit of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

In a world where the hierarchy of taste is usually determined by what's brand new – nothing provides more satisfaction than classic flavors delivered with a distinct twist.

This is why, nearly 50 years since its inception, the distinct blends, down-home flavors and cozy ambiance continue to remain the main draws for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, who has gone on to indulge the palate of millions across the globe.

As the oldest and largest privately held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the United States, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's commitment to quality is evident with every sip of their finely brewed coffee and tea mixes.

“Our company is probably one of the few establishments whose exceptional drinks can be attributed to our efforts to directly source superior tea leaves and coffee beans from all over the world,” says The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Marketing Director Paolo Del Rosario “As well as process and brewing these ingredients fresh daily.”

Innovation is of course, a significant part of the company's success. In fact, the perennial favorite ice blended coffee drinks available today were first served by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf as far back as the 80's.

Today, their specially trademarked Ice Blended® is created starting with their secret coffee extract, which refine their specialty coffees to bring out the richest and most concentrated flavors, and mixed with their specially processed ice to produce a smooth and unique drink.

Trimmed with its trademark oak and tea chest paneled walls, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's interiors draw customers in by virtue of its intimate and inviting décor. Complemented by an attentive service team, a chockfull of amenities, gourmet menu selections and delectable dessert choices, it's easy to indulge with your favorite cup of coffee or tea within its relaxing and home-like appeal.

Indeed, it is The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's decades old understanding of their craft that allows them to deliver exceptionally. And for the gastronomic experience like no other, it is truly the place where cult favorites, best-loved infusions and innovative new brews are available in every soothing cup.

Aside from the one down in Greenbelt 3, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is also located at TriNoMa, SM The Block, Gateway, Ortigas Park, Paseo Center, Bonifacio High Street, Mall of Asia, Convergys Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village, Alabang Town Center, Rockwell, Robinson's Ermita, Greenhills Promenade, Robinson's Galleria, Eastwood, Tomas Morato and 2 more branches in Cebu. You can also visit their website for more information.

Cheers, everyone.

10 Must-Visit Restaurants While In Metro Manila, According To Yahoo!

2008-03-19T12:47:00.001+08:00

Interestingly enough, Yahoo! has a travel guide to the Philippines and Metro Manila. It's rather informative, and I would imagine particularly so for foreign guests, as it has recommendations on what to do, where to check in, where to go, etc.

For me though, I'm rather interested in knowing what Yahoo! has to recommend in terms of dining and eating out. So, we're featuring that list of the Ten Most Recommended Restaurants in Metro Manila, right here on this blog.

Here we go...

First on our list of Yahoo's Most Recommended Restaurants in Metro Manila, at number 10 is the Outback Steakhouse, located at Glorietta 4 in Makati.

The theme is Down Under, with boomerangs, kangaroos and koalas as the pervading motif. Steaks are the main fare, complemented by chicken and some seafood. Do not, however, expect any kangaroo steak--it is all beef (Australian, naturally). The atmosphere is casual with a touch of contemporary sophistication (not exactly one's usual image of the Australian outback). Hearty meat eaters and beer drinkers will feel very much at home here. The bar also stocks wines and spirits.

Next on our list at 9th spot is Cafe Breton. Known for their crepes and coffee, you can find their establishments at the SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 3, TriNoma, The Podium, Tomas Morato, as well as in Ma. Orosa Street in Malate and in Westgate in Alabang.

When you walk into this cafe, you might feel you have been whisked off by magic to some small cafe out in the countryside of Brittany. The decor is French provincial, with rustic furniture, moss-green tile flooring and earthen pots on blue-painted shelves. Adding to the ambience, members of the staff sport red berets. For something really rich, order the Funtastic crepe--banana and Nutella crepe topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, and flambeed in Grand Marnier. Have it with cafe au lait, cappuccino, or espresso.

We now have our 8th most recommended restaurant in Metro Manila, according to Yahoo!- an old favorite, The Aristocrat. It has establishments at Jupiter Street in Makati, Roxas Boulevard, as well as in SM North EDSA, SM San Lazaro and SM Mall of Asia.

There was a time when The Aristocrat was a household word for eating out in Manila--so much so that it could justifiably call itself "The Philippines' Most Popular Restaurant." As befits a restaurant that has been synonymous with Filipino food, the decor revolves around a native motif, while the menu brings you the joys of Filipino cooking in such traditional fare as sinigang (sour soup) and crispy pata (deep-fried pig's knuckles). Honey-cured chicken barbecue, the house specialty, has been a favorite of generations of Filipinos. Drinks include beer, juices, soft drinks and mineral water.

The seventh most recommended restaurant in Yahoo's Top 10 Restaurants in Metro Manila is Kamayan- with branches at Alabang Town Center, EDSA, SM Megamall, Glorietta 3, West Avenue, Pasay Road and along Padre Faura, Manila.

Opened in 1977, Kamayan (kamay means "hand") has elevated the practice of eating with the hands into a respectable art form. Spoons and forks are available, but why spoil the fun of this unique 'hands on' experience? House specialties include Roast Suckling Pig, Seafood platter (crabs, prawns, mussels, squid), Spicy Bicol Express and Pinakbet (stewed okra, string beans and other vegetables). For dessert, try the Caramel Custard or Halo Halo. Beer and wine, as well as fresh fruit juices and soft drinks, are available.

At number six on the Top 10 Must-Visit Restaurants in Metro Manila according to Yahoo! is Conti's Pastry Shop and Restaurant. There's one in Greenhills, another in Serendra, one at TriNoma, and another in Paranaque- at the BF Homes Commercial Center.

Despite the name, and though it does serve good pasta, this is not an Italian restaurant. Managed by three sisters surnamed Conti, the restaurant features an eclectic mix of Filipino, European (the lengua estofada and calamari are winners) and a few Japanese dishes, along with sumptuous pastries and desserts, the house specialty. Conti's also offers catering and banqueting services, with function rooms for up to 100 persons. The simple decor is highlighted by a glass-enclosed garden corner with cascades. Fresh fruit juices in addition to soft drinks and beer.

Ranking fifth on this list is Red Crab Seafood and Steaks. They have a restaurant in Tomas Morato in Quezon City, and at the Alabang Town Center. They also run The Seafood Club in Greenbelt 3.

Most customers come to the Red Crab to savor the house specialty - crab served in a dozen culinary preparations. Here are your 12 options: steamed, deep-fried, Sichuan, Singaporean, Lungkow, Adobo, Maritess, Tauchi, Lilian, Relyeno (stuffed), claws and Miswa (angel hair noodles). Too much to handle?Settle for a more familiar steak instead. Or have a drink (much easier to choose from the list of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) while you think it over. The decor is modern Western-style.

The fourth most popular restaurant in Manila according to Yahoo! is one of my personal favorites, Dome Cafe. Dome Cafe is located at The Podium, Shangri-la Mall and along Ayala Ave. in Makati.

Dome originated in Australia but is now becoming a well-known name throughout Southeast Asia. Dome not only serves good coffee, but it also features a European-style menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pizza, pasta and salads are served, along with daily specials, vegetarian dishes, sandwiches, a special menu for kids, and desserts. Continental cafe decor and ambience, with tables outside the air-conditioned dining area for smokers and other patrons who prefer to sit outdoors. Dome's own coffee comes in espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, mocha or cafe Vienna. Other beverages are available.

At number three on Yahoo's list of must-visit restaurants in Metro Manila is Saisaki. Saisaki's restaurants are located at Padre Faura corner Adriatico Street in Ermita, as well as in Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall, West Avenue, Glorietta 3 and EDSA.

Saisaki is part of the Triple V food group, which is known for offering buffets at very reasonable prices. Attired in traditional kimono, female servers bow and welcome guests the Japanese way. The atmosphere is laid back and casual, and the restaurant is filled to the rafters at meal time. Book in advance if you can. Saisaki offers Japanese cuisine such as tempura, teppanyaki, sushi, sashimi, teriyaki and tofu dishes. Also included as an extra treat are Angus beef and salmon cooked in many delicious ways. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available; buffet price does not include drinks.

The second most popular must-visit restaurant is Cafe Havana along Adriatico Street in Ermita, Manila. There are also Cafe Havanas in Gateway Mall and in Greenbelt 3.

The atmosphere here is decadent Havana, just before the fall of the city to Castro. The food is allegedly Cuban/Caribbean, but that is almost incidental; most people come here just to party. There is a stylish cigar bar and lounge (aptly named after Hemingway) on the second floor; ask the management how you can become a member and be allowed to spend a neat sum for the prized Havana cigars in stock. Downstairs in this restored old house, the lively proceedings can sometimes spill out on the street in a spontaneous party.

At the top of the list of must-visit restaurants in Metro Manila according to Yahoo! is Sala. Sala is located along J. Nakpil Street in Manila.

Sala serves modern European cuisine, which doesn't mean either nouvelle or fusion. As the owner puts it, the food consists of "classic European dishes prepared for contemporary tastes." Muted colors and subdued lighting combine for a warm, eye-pleasing glow, highlighted by floral arrangements. A look at the menu yields such offerings as Sesame Crusted Seared Tuna with Crispy Asian Coleslaw, Porcini Mushroom Risotto Cake with Brie and Roast Tomato, and Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Mash and Red Pepper Chutney. The wine selection is geared to discriminating wine drinkers.

So there you have it. Special shout out to Wcities and ClickTheCity.com for the information and pictures on this blog entry. Personally, I like checking out ClickTheCity to find out what's new and what's going on in the local scene- and maybe you should too.

So what do you think about the list? No idea how Yahoo! was able to rank them up, but I plan to look into it a little bit more.

In any case, some of these restaurants are already favorites of mine, and the rest are definitely worth checking out. Then I'll probably have a more indepth review of my own.

'Til next time. Cheers, everyone!

Have A Sandwich, Whydont'cha?

2008-03-06T13:51:00.001+08:00

Man, I love sandwiches! Sandwiches, for me, make for great comfort food- especially when a lot of care goes into making it. I was at this fun event at Delifrance last week, and I had this amazing Seafood Club.

Of course I would have rather they served fries with it, rather than potato chips. Or at least maybe chips they cooked themselves. Nevertheless, we're talking about the sandwich here- and hey, it was alright.

I'd like to share something from the good guys of Delifrance. I took this from one of their sales kits, and it makes for a rather interesting read. Check it out:

If you have so much work you feel like you don't even have time for a healthy bite, take heart. People have been in this dilemma for centuries.

John Montague, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, is the 18th century counterpart of the workaholic urbanite. Too preoccupied by his commitments to the navy, politics and the arts, the Earl barely had enough time for a nutritious lunch out. His cook solved this impasse by presenting him with sliced meat inserted between two pieces of bread—the perfect meal as it required no utensils and could be eaten with one hand, leaving the other free to continue with his work. Soon orders for this dish, the frequent favorite of John Montague, became known as the "same as Sandwich" and then simply "sandwich."

"Like the Earl of Sandwich, time-pressured Metropolitans are faced with the same challenge of convenience and healthy eating; and just like him, have taken to eating the sandwich," says Annie Tai, Product Management Officer of Delifrance Philippines. She cites a recent research entitled Eating Patterns in America, which points to sandwiches as the most popular dinner dish in America because of the convenience and health benefits it offers.

"At present, even primarily rice-eating Filipinos believe that now is the time for sandwiches – they've discovered the convenience of its preparation, its nutrition values and flexibility of arranging its flavors," she adds.

Delifrance, the premiere European-styled café in the region, has elevated sandwich eating into an art by transforming its entire line of sandwiches to Clubhouse Sandwiches-- a multi- layered treat that while certainly veering away from the traditional, still manages to give perfection in each bite. "Simply put, sandwiches have the unique combination of being food on the go, but are ideally made with the craftsmanship of a slower time – this is exactly what we have tasked ourselves to prepare here in Delifrance."

One of the considerations which Delifrance places a premium on is the health benefits that customers can get from their Clubhouse Sandwiches. “It’s a little known fact that we use premium flour imported from the largest milling company in France, Grand Moulins de Paris. And for the Clubhouse Sandwich line, we’ve especially come up with a Whole Wheat Loaf that’s acknowledged to be one of the most nutritious bread variants around,” shares Annie. In addition to having more fiber than white bread or other breads made with wheat flour, whole wheat breads usually have more vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, folic acid, copper, zinc, and manganese.

Aside from the premium bread of their Clubhouse Sandwiches, Delifrance also ensures that what’s placed in between is judiciously chosen and delicately prepared. “The beauty of the sandwich lies in the fact that there’s no end to what you can place in between two slices of bread; and the opportunity to offer the unexpected balance of flavors are what defines the most sumptuous displays of sandwich-decadence,” affirms Annie. “The Delifrance Egg Salad Club, for example, keeps things deliciously simple with a layering of egg-filling on bread whereas the Farmers Ham and Brie Cheese Club that’s topped with a thin layer of raspberry jam spread is a pleasant contrast of savory and sweet.”

Other offerings of the Delifrance Classic Clubhouse Sandwich line include: Chicken Salad Club, Tuna Onion Salad Club and the Crabstick Celery Salad Club. Meanwhile, an enhanced mouth-watering treat await via their Signature Clubhouse Sandwiches frontlined by the Roast Beef Sandwich, Premiere Clubhouse, California Chicken Clubhouse, and Seafood Deluxe Clubhouse. Both Classic and Signature Clubhouse line come in lighter Half-Club servings.

“All these Clubhouse sandwiches are tossed with hydroponic lollo rosas and juicy tomatoes, and without a doubt, offer quick and satisfying options for discerning foodies everywhere. And, being ingrained in the Delifrance tradition of freshness, these Clubhouse sandwiches are prepared only upon ordering. “Stale bread and soggy lettuces are definite no-no’s,” quips the Delifrance representative.

"The art of sandwich-making is never taken lightly here at Delifrance and with our selection of Clubhouse Sandwiches, sandwiches have never been as deliciously different,” ends Annie.

So go ahead and check out a Delifrance near you. They got branches at AIM Conference Center, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Insular Life Bldg, RCBC Plaza, SM Makati, Ayala Tower 1, Valero Makati, Zeta Building Legazpi Village Makati, Robinsons Ermita, U.N. Avenue, Festival Supermall, Alabang Town Center, Makati Supermarket Alabang, Shell Southbound, Shell Northbound, NAIA Domestic Airports, NAIA International Airport, SM Mall of Asia, The Podium, C5 Libis, St. Luke's, Greenhills Theater Mall, Roosevelt Greenhills, and International School Manila.

Alternately, you can check out their Multiply here- you can go look through their menu, or even scan through their special promotional in-store activities. For questions and inquiries, please contact the Main Office at 642-0021.

How did you enjoy your last visit to Delifrance?

Great Snacking: Lay's Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

2008-02-08T12:13:00.000+08:00

Renzie Recommends: Abe

2008-01-14T11:36:00.000+08:00

Renzie Recommends: La Maison

2008-01-13T02:00:00.000+08:00

This post was initially published on Renzie's Online World of Awesome, which at the time was known as Renzie's Rants and Raves. I have since then decided to make a separate blog on food, cooking and all sorts of dining experiences (this blog, Renzie on Food), and so transferred this post from its original location. Read on!

I was fortunate enough to have been given the chance to check out several restaurants in TriNoma at the Yehey.com-organized Bloggers' Food Tour. Some thirty-four restaurants signed up for the event and opened their doors to more than a hundred bloggers to sample their wares and get them to be happy enough to blog about- which is pretty much what I've done for several blogs of mine.

I have to say though, out of the thirty-four restaurants I tried out that afternoon, there were only a few that stood out. One of them was this cozy little spot on the second level- La Maison.

"La Maison" is actually French for "the home"- which is pretty much what the restaurant is trying to go for, and you can see the effort put in to making the place feel more casual and relaxed. So you still have a fairly classy place, but then you notice the denim placemats on the table and the umbrella-looking ceiling lamps above you- and for some reason, the combination of design elements makes you feel comfortably laid-back.

Recommended Eats at La Maison.

The restaurant officially positions itself as a "modern cosmopolitan brasserie-style restaurant and cafe"- so they have this edgy mix of classic and modern tastes. Dishes are served to encourage sharing- with generous portions enough for you and your friends to try out.

The menu features a fairly wide selection of meat, fish and fowl, but also has gourmet sandwiches, pasta, salads and dessert. They pride themselves as the home of best ribs, steaks and seafood. My fellow bloggers and I were given the chance to sample some of their best-sellers, but personally, two things really stood out for me: The Barkada Ribs, and the Dover Sole Fish Fillet. Absolutely love 'em. I've had the pleasure of trying them both out, and- I gotta say it again- I absolutely love 'em.

The good people at La Maison brought out a few kilos of the Barkada Ribs- which was a good move on their part, I must say. Every blogger at that event must have had seconds (or thirds, in my case)- easily finishing off the whole tray. Fortunately, I was able to take a picture of the impressive amount of meat set in front of me, just before everyone had their way with it.

Beef ribs are beef ribs, you'd think- but these ribs are so tender, they're falling off the bone. It comes served with honey chili sauce, which adds a delightful flavor to the beef.

Another easy favorite was the aforementioned Dover Sole Fish Fillet. I thought I was already happy with the beef, but I had to try some of the fish when the staff brought it out.

Chef Myra, one of the bloggers, I remembered, was one of the first to try the fish as one of the store supervisors was talking about how the fish guarantees to "melt in your mouth." She obviously was impressed. I didn't think it's easy to impress a chef, so I tried some myself- and was instantly bowled over.

I'm not a huge fan of fish personally, but if I had to have some, I'd say this is how it should be prepared- soft, flavorful and well, they said it: melts-in-your-mouth.

I've already been sold on two of the dishes they presented to us that afternoon, and I would suppose that their other bestsellers are worth coming back for. Next time we drop by, they recommended we try their Chef's Duck Liver Pate, the Quesadillas, the Salmon and Mango Salad, the Blue Cheese Steak, the Fillet Mignon and the Fillet Oscar. For dessert, they said we should go for the Choco Lovers' Cake and the "to die for" Creme Brulee on our next visit.

Where to Find La Maison.

I visited the La Maison establishment at TriNoma. You can find it on the second level, along with a few other restaurants. I've been told by branch manager Robi Caguiat that there's another one in Greenbelt 5. So whether you're in Quezon City or in Makati, there's a La Maison in an Ayala Mall near you.

Besides, it gives you a chance to visit TriNoma or Greenbelt 5 while you're at it.

Renzie updates (19 July 2008): You can also visit the newest La Maison branch at The Podium!

The Bottom Line.

You gotta love La Maison. For such good food, it's more than reasonably-priced. The dishes are presented fairly well- just enough for you to appreciate the food in front of you, and give you a tease of what you'll be eating soon enough.

The menu has a wide selection of meal plates or dishes to share, many of which are easy favorites. A great dining experience not just for those on low-carb diets like Atkins and South Beach, but for just about anyone on the lookout for something out-of-the-ordinary.

Easily, La Maison could very well be my favorite restaurant in the TriNoma area, or at least one of my few new favorites.

La Maison is definitely a place you'll want to keep coming back to. You could easily drop and relax with a date on a weekday night, and then go try a different set of dishes with family on the weekend. It's a place you'll want to recommend to your friends and colleagues, and you know for sure that they'll be having a good time as well.

Renzie Recommends is a continuing series of personal reviews of restaurants, food items and other dining experiences I think you should try out. Eating is one of the simpler pleasures we enjoy, wherever we go- and good food is definitely the the way to go.

Cheers, everyone!