Julie's Bakeshop: 30 Years of Freshness

I have a confession to make. I'm one of those people who can't have a great day without a piece of bread on my breakfast table every morning. And I guess, it is one of those Filipino traits that I inherited and will keep on doing til I die.

Anyways, enough with the drama!

I was invited last week to check out that latest innovation on the bakeshop that has been a good neighbor to all of us for the past 30 years - Julie's Bakeshop.

I honestly didn't know that they are celebrating their 30th year now - how time flies so quick - so when I got to meet the people from Julie's Bakeshop-Metro Manila, headed my Mr. Bienvenido Topacio or Sir Bien, as what he wants us to call him, he shared to us the inspiring story as to how Julie's Bakeshop managed to stay in the business for this long and keep on giving every Filipino fresh, out-of-the-oven goodies that's making every Pinoy's life complete and sweet! ^_^

XO46 Bistro Filipino: Sharing Delicious Heritage

Designed with utter elegance and style, XO46 Bistro Filipino just opened its doors to the workaholic employees of Makati just two months ago with their heritably menu that will surely fit in to the rising demands of delectable dishes in this city.

Under the expert skill and talent of Chef CK Kalaw, XO46 Bistro Filipino competes with the wide number of world-renowned dishes that were serve as specialties by different restaurants and hole-in-the-walls in this highly urbanized conurbation.

Chef CK Kalaw

And last week, as I got a chance to meet one of its owner, Sandee Siytangco-Masigan, I was taken back to that era of classiness and sophistication -  with the comforting side well kept.

Guimaras: More Than Just a Mango Province

On my first-ever visit in this beautiful paradise, I'm really on-board for some mango love from them. Known as the greatest source of the sweet mangoes in the country, your eyes will be mesmerized to the thousand of mango trees scattered all over the province making it a mango heaven for me. But did you know that aside from these refreshing mangoes,  Guimaras offers tummy-filling treats that tourist would love to enjoy?

We stayed at Raymen Resort during our visit here since it was suggested by a friend who lives here and Raymen Resort was said to be the modest place to stay in.

We arrived at Raymen around 3:00 p.m. We were really starving to death when we arrived since we came from a very long trip - Manila-Bacolod-Iloilo-Guimaras. So, right after we fixed ourselves and had some-minute rest in our room, we headed to their clean and decently looking canteen to check out their simple menu.

Breaded Chicken Bowls from Angel's!

Angels' Pizza Pasta Combo now leveled up the game against it's competing fast-food  and pizzeria with the creations of their latest offering that I'm very sure every Pinoy who loves rice would be grateful - the Angel's Pizza Pasta Combo Breaded Rice Bowls!

Breaded Rice Bowls - So Breadelicious!

Yes, you read it right! One of our favorite pizza chains now offers delectable and comforting rice meals that are just perfect to our demanding taste buds and pockets! With a price of Php95.00 per bowl that comes with a glass of Iced Tea, you'll get to enjoy three mouth-watering flavors that represents three popular cuisines in the world.

When I and two of colleagues in the office decided to order these new dishes last week, we decided to have one of each flavor so that we can taste it and compare one from the other.

Hongkong Roast: A Taste of Hongkong in Makati City

With a lot of different food establishments sprouting everywhere like mushrooms in Metro Manila, it simply proves that food business is booming and making it one of the best hubby-turned-business "in" thing here in the country. But for us "foodies" who knows nothing but to enjoy life and EAT, finding a comfortable foodie spot that offers not only delicious food but unique presentation and pocket-friendly prices is still a challenge.

Last week, I was invited to check out and have a taste of their dishes from this Hongkong-style restaurant that offers excellent food, fast service, unfussy surroundings and affordable prices - Hongkong Roast Food Express (HKR) in Makati City.

A day before the said date of the invitation that I received, I read at Our Awesome Planet that this place is now one of their  favourites, so I didn't hesitate to have a taste of Hongkong right beside the crazy world of Makati Central Business District.

Located along Bagtikan Street and Sacred Heart Road, this very ordinary hole-in-the-wall restaurant will surely catch your attention because of their roasted chickens hanging from their window.

The Red Crab Series: Old Manila Bistro Patio Carlito and White House on 84th - Quezon City

Quezon City's Tomas Morato has been the hottest foodie spot in this city of stars. Cuisines like American, Spanish, Portuguese, Asian and some others can be easily found here. And with a variety that suits not only to your taste but to your pockets, too, no wonder, Tomas Morato is always packed with people who wants nothing but the best.

But did you know that just a few steps from this foodie avenue is a newly opened and really convenient foodie house that is ready to satisfy those cravings. Actually, it is just beside the very popular Pinoy Big Brother House, and it is named Old Manila Bistro Patio Carlito and it's restobar White House on 84th.

I got a chance to check out this place last week, and I think the word "house" is kinda an understatement... It was a mansion! Hehe.

Independence Day Sweet Treats at Two Serendra

What's the sweetest way to celebrate one's freedom? Well, if you ask me, of course, there's nothing more liberated than indulging with the sweetest and truly outstanding Filipino delicacies prepared to you by the country's best chefs.

And, yes, that's how I welcomed the 113th Philippines Independence Day!

Present at The Meranti at Two Serendra, Alveo Land's latest innovative community at the very heart of Bonifacio Global City (BGC), were Chef Jackie Laudico of Bistro Filipino and Chef Sau del Rosario of Le Bistro Vert for the Flavors of the Filipino Passion.

Chef Jackie took the center-stage first, sharing her ideas and thoughts on Independence Day and Filipino Cuisine.  A proud Ilongga, Chef Jackie talked about how diverse the Filipino culture is and how it affects even the food that we eat and how we call it.

One example that she said was how we Tagalogs call a food "biko", while them Ilonggos call it "bibingka".

A Filling Tender Bob's Experience at Greenbelt 2

A few weeks ago, I was invited by our friends from OpenRice.com to dine with them. Together with some food bloggers whom I met for the first time, including some folks from Table for Three, Please,  I never knew that a simple dining invitation would turn out to be this big - and I mean BIG!

They asked us to meet them at Tender Bob's at Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center, Makati City. I've been hearing and reading a lot of good stuff about this place, like their food were really great and the serving size was really generous and all, but I haven't really tried the place, so with curiosity and appetite all ready to indulge, together with my one-week old DSLR, I answered the said invitation and appeared just on time.

Chicken Treat from Figaro's Spoon Meals

Tired of your that same old chicken recipe? Or probably sick of that same old chicken taste from your favorite  fast food chain? Well, Figaro Coffee is currently offering the newest addition to their gourmet-ish dishes that will fill your tummy and satisfy your appetite.

A few days ago, I got an invite from a friend to try these latest offerings with my fellow blogger-friends, and even though I'm not that of a big fan of chicken, I braved in and indulge to these oh-so-yummy treats - the Figaro Spoon Meals.

Since we're not that "matakaw" and I don't think we can finish two servings of plateful dishes, we were asked to order our preferred dish that night.

Tapaella by Gaudi - Greenbelt 5

I recently visited the newly opened Spanish-cuisine based restaurant in Makati City, exactly at the ground floor of Greenbelt 5, where paella and tapas were crowned as specials - Tapella.

Taaella is the newest restaurant by Gaudi that will surely make a mark to food lovers mainly because of its mouthwatering paella that even kids will enjoy and their juicy tapas that will make you crave for more.