Beautiful Friendship over Seafood Island’s Sinuglaw Boodle

Friendship is like a good food. It has a nice combination of taste, full of colors that attract positivity in life and more importantly, it is something that money can’t equate to. I love having good food around just like having a good friend, who you can laugh with and spend the day in a very nice way.

Last weekend, I had a wonderful time spending some BFF moments with my good friend, Maan Pamaran, in one of the most convenient boutique hotels in the metro. A perfect break from our busy lives, the two us had an amazing “girly” pampering in the south through the wonderful amenities of our hotel and its neighborhood. And though the hotel has its own quaint and beautiful restaurant, we chose to spend our dinner at a nearby mall to see how convenient it is to be here in the south and to somehow continue my quest in discovering the southern part of Manila.

With all our excitement and hunger, our feet brought us to Blackbeard Seafood Island. A fun, quirky and adventurous dining place located at the 2nd Level of Alabang Town Center. This is actually not my first time here, but since, we’re so hungry and we couldn’t think of any dining area that serves really good food in large and generous servings, we went in and find a perfect spot where we could just talk, relax and eat – A LOT.

#MOAsweetEATS: Shrimp-y Goodness this Valentine's at Shrimp Shack

They say, "It's the thought that counts", but here at Shrimp Shack at SM Mall of Asia, lovely couples don't have to sacrifice their love and/or their money to get good-tasting yet affordable Valentine treats because here, Love Month mean Surf and Turf!

As the prime destination and biggest mall in Asia brings MOA Sweet Eats in preparation for Valentine's Day, participating food establishments have prepared delectable and lovely Valentine offerings that couples who are on a budget could enjoy. From a la carte to set menus, love birds this month can indulge on Shrimp Shack's mouth-watering dishes that will bind two loving hearts more.

Garlic Shrimp Scampi - Php245.00

For those people who are on to rice (just like me), Shrimp Shack is sharing their Surf & Turf and Surf & Surf meals that are truly filling and affordable. These set meals comes with two – yep, not one but TWO – cups of rice!

Zarzuela: No Dancing, Just Eating

To most of us, when we heard of the term Zarzuela, the first thing that comes to our mind is the stage play brought to us by Spaniards way back when. But today, as EDSA Shangri-La Mall opens its new wing, they are giving Zarzuela a new meaning, something that will take us back to our first love - Filipino food - while treating to us a classy service and ambiance enough to say it's more fun in the Philippines!

A few days back, I was invited by a friend to join her on a lunch in this new place called Zarzuela. It is located at the 6th level of the newly opened wing of Shangri-La Mall in EDSA. And since I haven't been to this so-called posh wing, which is the East Wing, I said yes with my palette ready to do some adventure!

Reminding of that one restaurant scene from the TV show Sex and the City, Zarzuela imbibes this modern, minimalist look that has this sexy and purist appeal that glistens under the morning sun. It you're going to ask me, I think this is a nice place to start your day. With its simple yet beautiful fixture, Zarzuela takes a modern approach to its name making more elegant and chic at the same time.

And despite of it being in a soft opening that time, my overall experience here was good and worth it. The place is more of a fine-dining restaurant, so expect some pricey dishes, but on the other hand, the serving size are mostly good enough for two person, so yeah, its quite fair enough.

Fish-Love at Fishman!

I'm really a meat person, but when a delicious fish dish is served to me, I try it and as much as possible is I try to appreciate it. I believe that one of the hardest main ingredient to cook is fish, and if I like a fish dish from a restaurant, I considered that place a great spot to eat.

And a few weeks ago, as I join my friends to try this new place in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Fishman, I was welcomed by a summery vibe that made me excited and ticklish, because just thinking how summer never fails to excite the beach person in me, oh, I'm so excited too to try Fishman's offerings!

If you are thinking that this place is some fancy restaurant, you are wrong! With a fast food appeal, which has a huge impact and appealing approach to Filipinos, Fishman opens its first doors in Bonifacio Global City just a few months ago. With nothing but fish, fish and fish - and some seafood too - on their menu, one can indulge to an amazing array of fish-cooking style and flavor that comes in a very affordable price! Fast food, I told you! :-)

Drinks here at Fishman comes into this small fishbowl type, which to some may look unusual, but for me, I find it really cute! They offer here bottomless sodas and iced teas, but if you wanna try some house specialty, I suggest that you have their Red Sea Iced Tea or the Blue Ocean Iced Tea. Beers are also offered here, I'm just not that sure if it has time availability. :-)

Marciano's - More than just a Pizza Parlor

I guess once you experienced this place, you will agree to me when I say that this the most sophisticated pizza place here in the metro. With an ambiance fit for sophisticated style and palette, Marciano's Pizza Pasta Steak in Greenbelt 3 offers not just a wide array of Italian and American dishes suit for the ever-demanding taste of Filipinos, but it also shares a one wonderful "New Yorker" experience that is hard to forget.

A few days before Christmas, just before we indulge to a sumptuous feast prepared by our family, I was invited to join two of the metro's best writers to dine in this blooming name in the food industry. With a name that depicts nothing but Italian, Marciano's is one of the many restaurants owned by the 2012 MVP Bossing awardee, 2012 Young Entrepreneur of the Year and 2012 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Mr. Marvin Agustin.

Creating a new concept out from his greatly Asian-inspired restaurants like John and Yoko, Marciano's on the other hand offers a Western experience that is just hard to resist. And that day, we indulge to a luncheon of pizza and pasta with matching some chicken and shrimp with fries that fill our tummy and let it feel the festivity brought by the Holidays.

Blackbeard's Seafood Island now at Robinsons Magnolia

Seafood lovers in the southern Quezon City area will surely have a tummy-filling Christmas because by the opening of the new hotspot in their area, Robinsons Magnolia, I'm sure that a bountiful of awesome food finds in awaiting for them. And with the opening of one of the hottest and delicious seafood-offering restaurants here, its definitely gonna be an amazing seafood adventure with Blackbeard's Seafood Island.

Last December 2, I was invited to witness again the opening of Seafood Island's latest branch in Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City. And together with a number of guest and foodies, who were so eager to dive into the wonderful offerings of this renowned restaurant, Mr. Raymund Magdaluyo and his mother, Mrs. Chiqui Magdaluyo, welcomed their guests to a fight that will their tummies.

For quite a number of times that I've been to a Red Crab Group of Companies' event, if I'm not mistaken, this is the first time that I've seen and met the woman behind all of these wonderful restaurants. For those who didn't know yet, it was Mrs. Chiqui was the one who started all of these seafood craze in the country, and with his only son, Raymund dealing with the business side then, the company grew larger and larger and branched out to different kinds such as Crustasia, ClawDaddy's and this, Blackbeard's Seafood Island, to name a few.

My First Hop to Kangaroo Jack

It was at SM North EDSA when I first saw this store named Kangaroo Jack actually, and though I wasn't able to try it then, I'm glad that my first enjoyable dinner from this place took place at SM City Baguio, where the ambiance is definitely relaxing and eating delicious food is a must-do - every hour! Hahaha!

Kangaroo Jack is the latest addition to the growing casual dining place in SM City Baguio. Located at the veranda on the left side of the mall, leading to Starbucks, Kangaroo Jack just opened a few months ago offering mostly American dishes ready to heat up and fill your tummies one dish at a time.

Blackbeard Seafood Island, Now Surfing at SM Manila

Big eaters! Seafood lovers! Wise buyers! Here's one place that I'm very sure that you'll enjoy and will just simply sweep off of your feet and literally fill your tummies up! One of my favorites restos in town - Blackbeard's Seafood Island!

One of the restos that just opened at SM Manila's Triple Treat Celebration, Blackbeard's Seafood Island is another concept dining place by The Red Grab Alimango House of Mr. Raymund Magdaluyo. Located at the 4th Level of this mall, Blackbeard's Seafood Island is ready to give every hungry Manilenos, and its visitors, sumptuous treats in a more Filipino way, the boodle way!

Kung Fu Kitchen now Kicking at SM Manila

If there's second cuisine that we, Filipinos, would consider, I guess, there's no doubt that it would the amazing Chinese cuisine. Since their colonization, our country has been one of the steaming post of Chinese delicacies in Asia, that's why no wonder that in every town here in our country, there's that small but really filling Chinese restaurant ready to serve you with oily but delicious Chinese treats. And now, SM Manila brings another Chinese cuisine option ready to kick your hunger and fill your tummy with sumptuous delights - Kung Fu Kitchen - Feasts of Fury!

Peacefully situated at the 4th level of SM Manila, Kung Fu Kitchen is another themed-restaurant from the masters of theme restaurants Raymund Magdaluyo and Marvin Agustin. With a concept of a typical Chinese restaurants that we do see in movies, such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan's movies, Kung Fu Kitchen is filled with interesting interiors and colorful dishes ready to test your cravings.

 
Raymund Magdaluyo

Marvin Agustin

Yabu at the Mega Food Sale

One tummy-filling happening this long weekend is the most anticipated installment of SM Megamall's ultimate food fair, the Mega Food Sale. And since last night was a Friday night, and Friday means dining out to me, I treated myself to a night of modern Japanese katsudon in no other than the House of Katsudon itself, Yabu!

Located at the 2nd level of SM Megamall Atrium, this new talk-of-the-town Japanese restaurant that specializes katsudon or rice bowl topped with pork cutlet, egg and condiments, has been the rave of Filipinos since it opened its doors a few months ago.

I was happy that they joined the fun of the Mega Food Sale and treated their new customers, as well their loyalists, to a dining experience that is sure to hit that katsudon craving.

To my surprise, by the time I got at their spot here at the Atrium, the place was already filled with excited customers who were eager to sink their fangs on to those meat. One in-demand pork meat that you can have here is their Kurobuta, which is a Japanese term for Berkshire Pork. They say that its has this very tender and juicy meat that it just perfect even if they deep-fried their katsudon.

Clawdaddy's Harbor Point: Now Open!

To give that American dining feel that expats and local are loves enjoy. That's what Clawdaddy's aim as their promote the latest chain of this claw-likcing food store, Clawdaddy's at Harbor Point Mall, Subic Metropolitan Authority.

And with Mr. Raymund Magdaluyo, Clawdaddy's welcomed war veterans, locals, expatriate, tourists and many more to the blessing and opening party of the latest addition to the growing company of The Red Crab Group of Restaurants.

I, hailing from Manila, didn't miss the chance to experience a day of purely American dining familiarity, of course! And together with some friends, I indulge to a day of unique Western style dining that Clawdaddy's has to offer - and I honestly loved it!

The Red Crab Series: Clawdaddy's and Its Boiling Bag Goodies

The last time I visited Clawdaddy's here in Bonifacio High Street was when they have this Mardi Gras celebration. The celebration was teamed up by its sister food chain New Orleans, which is just beside it, so it was really one colorful and spectacular dining experience for all guests. And recently, as I pay a visit on this "Great American Picnic" themed restaurant again, they happily presented to us their newest bag of goodies that really made me go gaga - seafood gaga - the Clawdaddy's Boiling Bag!

If you want something really feisty and really hot, out-of-the-oven kind of dish, this newest addition to Clawdaddy's line of sumptuous dishes is a sure fire-hit to your taste and tummy! With five delectable selections to choose from, the Seafood Boil in a Bag, the All Shrimp Boiling Bag, the Shellfish Boiling Bag, the Maryland Crab Boiling and the Louisiana Crab and Shrimp Boiling Bag, I'm sure these Boiling Bags will suffice your seafood cravings just the way you want it.

Seafood Boil in a Bag

On my visit here, before I indulge to these seafood madness, I started my Great American dining with my all-time favorite dishes from them.

A Dive at Aklan's Bagobos Resto Grill

Being stuck in an airport due to crappy airport schedule is one of the ugliest things that could happen to a backpacker-slash-budget traveler like me. But thank goodness, when that happened, I was here here in Kalibo, one of the world's best provinces, where the people are so nice and the airport, despite of being low class, is surrounded by promising restaurants.

Seeing and exploring this province is probably one of the best experiences I had in my life. With me, myself and I seeing and capturing all of those beauties, I can't help but to fall in love with this province and makes it as my second home in the country.

But those experiences were clouded when my airplane bound back to Manila was 4-hours late. I didn't have much food when I started my one-day journey here, so by the time I reached the Kalibo International Airport, I'm really starving and could really eat a horse. At first I just wanna go home, since I'm also craving for some home-cooked meal, but 4 hours is 4 hours, so I decided to do some researching and asking til I found this place that was said to be the best and nearest foodie spot around the airport - the Bagobos Resto Grill.

At first glance, you will consider the place as a typical eatery. But when I stepped in and find how homey and so Pinoy this whole place, I didn't think twice anymore. I'm really hungry, so I took a seat immediately and have myself settled.

Barefooting at Puerto Princesa's KaLui

They say you'll never know a place til you get a taste of their dishes that represent not only their region but also the culture that molds them. Thankfully, Palawan, specifically Puerto Princesa, has more than just beautiful sceneries and accommodating people, it also has wonderful and accommodating food spots that made the the whole city really loved.

And with that, let me give you a taste of Puerto Princesa's KaLui.

Located along Rizal Avenue, one of the most popular avenues in the city when it comes to great food finds, KaLui offers a native yet artsy dining experience that you could enjoy when visiting this part of the country. With its very typical exterior to its well-designed interior, one can get at-ease and at home on this very stunning place.

But before I start sharing to you our food escapade here, make sure that your feet don't smell and clean because here in KaLui, in order for you to come in and dine, you have to leave your shoes or slippers outside.

Yes, you've read it right, no shoes nor slippers are allowed inside the house of KaLui. So it feels really homey at if you're luckier, smelly. Hahah!. Just kidding!