Cabalen: Sharing Pampangga's Best All Day, Everyday

For 26 years, Cabalen has been there sharing Pampangga's best in their buffet-style dining. With numerous Kapangpangan dishes that are ready to suffice every Pinoy's craving on our belived Pampangga's dishes, this place has been a household name to every Pinoy no matter wherever you come from.

Inspired by the world-renowned Pampangga's dish, Cabalen has bee a center of gathering for years now to every Filipino who has Pampanggeno's roots in them. Filled with delectable and truly flavorful Pampangga's dishes, this has been my latest sanctuary to remember my lola, who introduced me to the world of succulent Pampangga's flavor.

Last week, amid my longing to my grandmom, who is a pure-blooded Kapangpangan, I found myself dining at his very elegant and classy Cabalen in SM Mall of Asia. If before Cabalen is only offering luncheon buffet, merienda buffet and dinner buffer, now they have this ALL-DAY BUFFET open to all!

Ultimate Taste Test 9.0 takes South via Storm

The crazy Storm Gener didn't stop me and the rest of the foodies from Southern Manila last Sunday as Soderno hosted the most tummy-filling and challenging food criticizing event of the year, the Ultimate Taste Test 9.0!

From its humble beginnings as a ‘taste test’ among friends and neighbors, the Ultimate Taste Test has become a sold-out event drawing in thousands of foodies eager to try the latest food discoveries. And last Sunday at The Soderno at Molito Lifestyle Center, hundreds of wanna-be food critics flock to the venue to have a sample of what's gonna be hit in a few weeks!

Believe it or not, this is my first Ultimate Taste Test and my first here in Soderno too. And even though, I'm not really prepared to eat a lot of food, I readied myself to an awesome experience that will mark as the start of my love to Ultimate Taste Test.

Each foodie-participants were given a passport where the names of the participating vendors where indicated. There was also a map in the passport for easy identification of the food stalls. The passport also served as our score sheet where we will put our score on every stall/food that we try. You don't necessarily have to finish all the stalls, but if you can make, well, good for you! At least you get the whole value of your money. 

Affordable Dinner Meals by Figaro Coffee Company

During rainy season, one of the many employee problems, who spent most of his nights in the office, that I encounter was where to eat dinner. I'm a mid-shift worker, and during night, this is one of the many questions I have to resolve. Well, there are a lot of fast food chain around our area, but of course, there are nights that I wants something homey, something like a home-cooked meal, and to honest, it is hard to find those kind of meals if you are stuck in a place far from the mall area.

Thank goodness, my problem was answered deliciously last week when I found out that Figaro Coffee Company now offers delectable and really affordable complete Dinner Meals for everyone!

There are four appetizing dishes to choose from - the Chicken Rice Bake, the Tofu Steak Rice, which are already old-timers, and the new dishes - the Crusted Dory Fillet in Creamy Pesto Sauce and Rice Pilaf, and Pan-Seared Chicken Barbecue with Java Rice.

With its serving size, colors and aroma, I must say that my Php150.00 had already got it value. And when I got to taste them, well, it was just perfect for a rainy night!

The Red Crab Series: The Red Crab Alimango House's 24K

This must be the goldest of gold when it comes to crab-lovin', because every look and every taste of The Red Crab Alimango House's 24K is as scrumptious and finger-lickin' as ever! So, for all of you who LOVE CRABS, feast your eyes on this mouth-watering blog! Hahaha!

Last week as the whole metropolis drowned on rain water, I, being a victim of that tremendous rain too, capped my Friday night by swimming in a crab feast by The Red Crab Alimango House in soon-to- be-launched Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila.

One way of saying thank you to its loyal customers, The Red Crab also created this ultimate crab feast for invite everyone and to pay a visit too to the heart of the country, Manila City, for this delicious and tummy-filling crab indulgence.

Dragon Chef Trinoma - Now Open!

Nowadays, people are not just going to a place where there's delicious food, the ambiance and the interior are now playing major roles in choosing where to eat and where to stay. That's why here in the newly opened Chinese food haven in Trinoma, the Dragon Chef, they didn't just made a hearty dining place, they also made it hip for every foodie to enjoy!

Located at the fourth level - garden area of this hippest mall in Quezon City, Dragon Chef opened its doors just two weeks ago to give a more colorful twist in every Pinoy's Chinese cravings. From the makers of Robotosan, Sumo Sam, John & Yoko, Mr. Kurosawa, Marciano’s and more, Dragon Chef promises to make your stay in their place as unique as possible but still with that classic home, Pinoy style.

On my first visit here, the splash of vibrant colors welcomed me as well as the wonderful aroma of their dishes came crawling up to my nostrils. I guess the hippy look of this place was specifically made to boost our appetite, because even though I wasn't that hungry that night, I managed to eat a lot and enjoyed most of their offerings.

Bistro Filipino: The Taste of Modern Filipino

"I predict, two years from now, Filipino food will be what we will have been talking about for six months." - Andrew Zimmern

That's what I had in mind the moment I stepped inside this very modern Filipino restaurant that has been creating a buzz in the metropolis for years now. Established by husband-and-wife Chef Roland and Chef Jackie Laudico, Bistro Filipino leveled up the taste and look of our beloved Filipino cuisine with their organic, modern and classy touch that has taken exquisite Pinoy flavor into a world-class appeal.

With menu that is made to specifically promote organic Filipino cuisine to the discriminating palette of every Pinoy eater, Bistro Filipino put up a wonderful combination of different dishes from the different regions of our country for everyone to experience - amazing gifts that our land is rich of.

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.

Celebrate Flavors of Asia in Marriott Hotel Manila!

For only Php2300.00 on Sunday to Thursday and Php2500.00 on Friday and Saturday, your palette could experience the best of the bests of Asian cuisine at the comfort of our own country. And last night, as I indulged to these Asian delights that were prepared specifically for this festivity by four chefs who were hailed from different Asian countries, Marriott Hotels Manila's Flavors of Asia is not just a must-taste but also a must-experience food festivity!

Marriott Hotel Manila takes pride of bringing top-caliber hotel chefs from different parts of Asia, from Renaissance Kuala Lumpur’s Chef Ruhizad Muri, JW Marriott Jakarta’s Chef Dadang Wahyudi, Renaissance Riverside Saigon Chef Phan Tien Hoa and JW Marriott Bangkok Chef Thanatorn Krobsuay.

I was able to meet all four of them last night, bearing their sweet smiles, they presented four of their most delicious dishes from their very own country - dishes that excite not just our hearts but also our palettes.

Mercato's Fillet N' Dips

I can't remember when was the last time I visited Mercato, but even though I haven't been there for a long time, it is always good to know that there's always something new - something fresh - to try inhere. And this these time, my palette and tummy find some satisfaction through this foodie spot Fillet N' Dips.

Fillet n Dips offer quite a nice collection of finger foods that are surely to hit those cravings. From the fries, chicken wings, chicken skins, fish fillet and spring rolls, Fillet N' Dips offers delectable easy-to-eat and fun-to-eat foods that are perfect for young and old.

On my first dibs on this newly opened (or I'm not really sure, hehe) section, I had three of their most in-demand offerings, the Buffalo Wings, the Fish Fillet and Fries and the Crispy Chicken Skin.

Funky French Fry Snax Overload!

I'm a big junk food junkie! There's never a day in my life that I didn't have a pack of anything that is salty and crunchy and yummy. Most of the time, I stick with my local favorites, but if there's something new in the market, I don't mind spending extra to try them. So, let me tell you how Funky French Fry Snax made my weekend afternoon somehow fun!

Comes in six different fun flavors, Plain, Cheese, Sweet Cheddar, BBQ, Hot & Spicy and even Spaghetti, Funky Fun Snax gives a new twist to our all-time favorite fries in a crunchier way.

And since I'm really "matakaw", I had all of those six flavors to find out which ones suits to my taste best.