Kale Pesto

Just before the announcement of ECQ and when the pandemic scare became really apparent, our family were enjoying highland produce care of Michelle of MyMomFriday.  One of our favorite veggie to order from her is the Kale and Spinach.  We used to have kale plants but for some reason, it didn't thrive.  Hopefully we can start growing it again and many other veggies.

Leafy kale is considered as a superfood (in the range of spinach) and is filled with  fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamins C and K, iron, and a wide range of other nutrients that can help prevent various health problems.  You can enjoy it on salads and I love it for juicing as well.

Scamorza Menu and Mother's Day Promo at Old Swiss Inn

The most appealing thing to me about food is combining and layering flavors, tastes, and textures.  And eating with cheese is the best element to that.

So, when I knew about Old Swiss Inn serving Raclette and now Scamorza, I told my cheese-lover self that I needed to drop by any soonest date.  It was just befitting when the Fat Girls Day Out invited me to join them for the launch of Old Swiss Inn's new menu which apparently is also a partnership with Pinkie's Farm.

Eating Like a Tourist in Milan at Calicantus Sforzesco

 

What better way to fully enjoy a visit to Milan than to walk along the busy commercial streets of Milan, view the historical buildings and monuments, breathe the fresh air from the gardens and parks, learn the Milanese way of life from the museums and luxuriate with the food that abounds in every corner. 

Va Bene, Still One of the Best Authentic Italian Resto in my Book

"Va bene, mi hai convinto."

In English, it means "okay, you've convinced me."

As I was indeed convinced again.  It has been years since I had something from Va Bene and I was happy to have finally visited again.  Coming here at their branch in Dasmarinas, Makati made me remember my recent visit in Italy, where Chef Massimo Veronessi, the master behind the deli place came from.

Dine in Ultimate Sophistication as Newport Mall Launches PH’s 1st Truffle Festival at Resorts World Manila

During my visit to Milan and some towns in the Tuscany region, I made sure to stuff myself with all the truffle dishes I could get my hands with, and I also took home loads truffle infused butter and oil. In fact, I bought Italian foods more than any other things.

Read my Italian exploration at the link below.

Gastronomybyjoy in Italy

In keeping up with my new-found love for truffle, I'm sharing with you this news where you too can enjoy truffle without even buying an plane ticket to Italy.  Enjoy truffle heaven at Resorts World Manila.

How Pizza Grigliata Emerged Like Other Unicorn Brands?

What I really love about a food business, not just their food of course, is the story that makes up the brand, something that can connect to the consumers, thereby meeting their needs. I'll try my best to state some marketing facts in this article without being too deliberate, as I myself is still beguiled by the current state of our food industry, even as a business owner myself.

Learning From Unicorns

Let me ask you something, have you heard of unicorn branding?

I'm sure you know unicorns. They are beloved mythical creatures that look like a horse but dazzlingly adorned with a single horn on his head.  With my recent chat with one of the owners of Pizza Grigliata, Chef Emman Galvez, I've learned that the seeming fantasy creature is now a metaphor in the business world.  It stands as a reference to highly successful start-ups as coined by a US venture capital investor Aileen Lee. 

Buca di Beppo's New Home in Manila Welcomes Family Celebrations

Buca di Beppo®, the popular Italian restaurant chain that has conquered taste buds in over 100 locations worldwide, is now in Manila, specifically at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Serving Italian cuisine, Buca di Beppo® celebrates sumptuous Italian family-style feasts perfect for sharing in a vintage setting that gives foodies a nostalgic and whimsical dining experience.

Amici, #BestWhenShared

Amici si nasce, non si diventa.

Above is a famous Italian quote which I saw painted on a wall in a restaurant, sometime during our trip to Verona.  In English, it's translated as "Friends are born, not made."

Since then, whenever I see an Amici branch, it reminds me of that quote, as "amici" means friends, plural for amica or amico, and it does not stop there, it reminded me as well of the aroma that permeated inside Italian "pizzerie" or pizza houses, the aroma of flatbreads being baked in stone or brick ovens, add to that the whiffs of herby and meaty aromas.

Oh dear, enough with the Italian words, let's go on and explore authentic Italian flavors appealing to the Filipino palate.

Dona Elena Quick Fix Sardine Pasta in Tomato and Tricolor Pepper Sauce

Did you know that October 25 is celebrated around the globe as World Pasta Day?

It was first celebrated in the year 1995 when the World Pasta Congress was held in Rome on 25th October 1995, and since then has been established as the day to celebrate pasta.

Art Cafe and Food, Ristorante, Murano, Venice

All I know is that my father is going to take us to Venice and maybe we can also find a good place to eat lunch with my brother-in-law and a new found friend and sister in Christ, Elma.

An earshot of Venice, Murano, a small island, separated by a wide body of water from the main island.  The two-story buildings, all-charming canal houses, quaint streets, and picturesque views caught my attention immediately and made us all excited to bring home evidences of the visit to the island.  Until we reached the middle of the day, nearly famished, with my girls grumbling to have lunch.

Mangiare! To Eat at Alzaia Naviglio Pavese

When my sibs' friends found out that I'm here in Milan, they organized a dinner at one of the sought-after dining place in Milano.  They knew right away where to bring me so I can feel that sweet way of Milanese welcome with the Filipino\s touch of course.

Filipinos and Italians have one thing in common - the love and passion for food!

Hence, we ate, but first we met up at Naviglio Grande and we all joined at Maya.

The Joy of Shopping for Contadina

I always put everything to a halt when I need to be in the grocery to shop for my family, especially if I'm dealt with a week of grocery items and needful of planning our daily dishes. I allow myself to live in the moment and make sure that a visit to the grocery would be a pleasure. Thus, time isn't a factor and, how could someone shop for a week's worth of food in less than an hour?  For some, it may be a boring chore, but for me, it's a joy.  I love, love discovering new items to use in my cooking and baking.  So, if I'll be pressured (with time or with money), I don't know how I'd feel...

Festa del Vino the Most Italianesque Wine Festival at McKinley Hill

In most part of Italy, hanging bunches of grapes swell and beg to be picked, this is in the months of September and October. The season when wine aficionados flock to Italy for the sole purpose of taking part of this miracle, vising wineries, walking through vineyards, taking part in the harvest and of course, paring the wines they discover with the amazing food of Italy.

Nigella Lawson as Contadina's Icon + A Give-away

Contadina: A new kitchen staple for every "Domestic Goddess-Wannabee."

Woman of the fields, translated in Italian in one words as "contadina."

A One Way Dining Experience, Comfort Food with Fine Dining Pizzazz

People who knew me might be so tired of me magnifying lyrical about Italian grubs. I’ve said it a million times probably, on my blogs and to people who would ask me about my favorite cuisine. However, I’m not that choosy.  I can go with burgers for days or even pastries for a day however I must admit that as I go binge-ing for pure comfort food, whether it be Italian or Mediterranean in general, I would often go back to slithering saucy pasta and unusual thin crust brick oven pizzas and on rare occasions, sauce-laden rack of lamb.

Sufficing my cravings for the usual comfort brought about eating Italian foods, there would be several ways to lead my tummy.

This time, allow me to lead you to a one-way street which will definitely bring you right at home where comfort food awaits, and where you could also find the best Mediterranean food.
One of the delicious secret pleasures of being led in this one way street is finding One Way Restaurant, which is at the corner of Salcedo and Benavides streets at Legazpi Village, Makati.

Buon Giorno! Caffe and Bistro at Tagaytay Twin Lakes

Tagaytay had always been unapologetic of it's innate beauty and luxurious lifestyle.  No wonder that the population of restaurants and malls had been constantly moving up as people continue to be in awe of the things that is has to offer. 

As the number of people rise to a crowd in every season, famed establishments gets stuffier and the need to be in a relaxed ambiance is already compromised.  So it's a good a news to have Twin Lakes around to bring Tagaytay-goers to a different level, pun intended.

Tagaytay Twin Lakes is said to become the country's first-ever vineyard resort community and the first master-planned integrated tourism estate in the area. This top-notched project was made possible by Global-Estates Resorts Inc.which is a subsidiary of Megaworld Corp.  

Aside from the spectacular view of the world-famous Taal Volcano, Tagaytay Twin Lakes offers residential villas, condominiums, townhouses, hotel and resort, commercial and retail hubs as well as sports and leisure facilities on the rise.

The commercial area is almost complete and have launched a number of dining spots already, and one of them is Buon Giorno.

Uncle Cheffy's Unlimited Chicken and Pork Cracklings

It's been a long time since I last visited The Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill.  I'm glad that the upgrowth is steady and in a few years time. McKinley will be my parents' new home.  Aside from being near to where we live, nearer than the Makati area, my family would hang out here or pass by for a snack or meal.  However, with it's continuous development comes some changes in the business around the area too.  At the Piazza alone, some of our favorite restos are not around anymore, such as Sol Gelato, The Sweet Pea, Little Asia Symphony of Flavors and The Old Vine Grille.

Though the same company who runs Kuse and the Old Vine Grille have set up a branch for Uncle Cheffy. 

Frankly, I can not really see a big difference in the transformation from the Old Vine Grille to Uncle Cheffy, well except of course for the menu. 

Uncle Cheffy is quite famous for their panizza, a flatbread pizza that's eaten rolled with microgreens. 
I used to come to Uncle Cheffy for their salad and panizza but this time I got to try their fried chicken and Pork Cracklings.

Here now is where the treat comes!  If you are a major meat eater, then you'd definitely love this news.  Uncle Cheffy offers a promo for their diners, for only P 199 you get an unlimited serving of their best-selling fried chicken and pork cracklings.  They call this "the all-day everyday promo and it comes with a glass of cold iced tea.  This is really best for those long lunch breaks or a dinner get-together with family and friends.  Super Sulit!

It's just that I didn't find the chicken that special, it's a so-so fried chicken for me that could definitely compete with Max, but not the Aristocrat.  The pork crackling however was  something.  I like that's it's not too salty that it'd burn your palate but it was perfectly seasoned.  The way it was cooked was pretty interesting too.  Cooked twice as they say, the secret to it's crunchy outer layer and soft texture of the inside was that it was braised slowly in it's seasoning of herbs and spices then dried in the oven before it was deep-fried, hmmm, come to think of it, it's actually cooked three times.

When dining with this promo some things you have to take note off first:

• Each person availing of this is only given 90 minutes to flip over with their plate. and savor as many servings of chicken and pork
• If at some point you decide to further your savoring, additional P199 will be charged for another 1 1/2 hours more.
• As is with other buffet offering, rules must be applied: NO SHARING,  NO LEFT OVER, NO TAKE OUT
• Only after the food is finished that your plate is refilled.
• This is for dining in only

This promo is ongoing and will be available until October 30. 

Also, while you're at it, and if you haven't tried their panizza, I urge you to try them.  At this dinner I also got to try Uncle Cheffy's Favorite Panizza, it's a cheesy flat breadroo with bacon and mushom slices strewn on top.  It is served with lettuce, alfalfa sprouts and pico de gallo.

Dessert was also great, we had Italian Leche Flan and Cheffy Cheesecake.
The Italian Leche Flan (P 130) is an upscale egg custard as it's luscious and smooth in every spoon.



A slice of this combinational cheesecake would just cap off the meal and make your day from good to great.  The Cheffy Cheesecake (P 150) is a layered New York cheesecake and chocolate flavored cheesecake.  It's a dense kind of cheesecake but every fork-bite is interestingly-silky and I just found myself having bite after bite of it, though I was so full, I could never stop myself indulging in this sugary and cheesy delight.





UNCLE CHEFFY

Address:  G/F Venice Piazza,
                McKinely Hill Taguig City
Contact Details: 836 49 69 / 836 49 70
Facebook: facebook.com/Unclecheffykusemckinleyhill


 

Stella Wood Fired Bistro's Modern Yet Rustic Menu

Ever since I heard that Dapne O.  loves coming back to Stella's Wood Fired Bistro, I've been finding ways to visit Raintree Restaurants's sweetheart.  Not only does her daughter has the same name, but regular guests revered the dishes served here. After reading her blog about their family's dining experience here, I died!  But I didn't quite get lucky as more and more of my time were delegated to chores and other invites.  Now how do you call something worse than dying?

I can't express enough how excited I was when I finally was able to visit Stella and found it's sister bar Rocket Room on it's side. The stars finally conspired and blessed me to try their spectacular menu, yes, that's how my friends describe their menu. 

A Jolt of Wonder at Cafe Alezon

If I could write a song or a sonnet maybe, it would be about food and home decorating...

Most artists have written lyrics of heartbreaks, love and intimacy but nothing could be compared more than writing about food...food that nourishes not only the body but the soul as well, well for me maybe.  When it comes to home decorating, both my husband and I love the mix of the old and the new, the rustic chic and vibrant vintage intertwined with simple modern leisurely living.  

But I'm not a song writer, not even a poet but I know for sure, I can write about what I ate or where we've been too that says about moments of wonders.

A couple of days ago, a friend of mine in the publishing business introduced me to someone affiliated to a cafe inside BF Resorts, in Las Pinas.  I was a bit adamant at first, for I'm guessing it's another run-of-the-mill cafe inside the infamous foodie-spot.  However, this came really quite a surprise for me and Bhogs when we got to visit the place. 

When Fine Dining Spells Fun at Il Ponticello

Salcedo Village, still sounds like a residential community, but have been known as one of the bustling cities thronged with businesses of all sorts.  Looking back, from years, years  ago, it is where I started of as an insurance professional with Allstate.  Then, there were a few restaurants where we can have meals or business meetings and most of the times, we would end up driving or hitching a cab to Glorietta or Greenbelt to get business deals going.  But most of those times spent eating where made along the streets where Jollijeeps are parked catering to employees of Ayala.

Now a counterpart of Legazpi Village in the foodie scene, Salcedo Village hosts to one of Manila's to-go to restaurants.  If you think non-Makati workers won't be able to appreciate even the streets of Valero and Rufino, you might want to read on.  

I never knew I would have such a wonderful time dining with my "bunso" (youngest daughter) at a business place such as Antel 2000 along Valero St.  It was the first time I brought a kid with me at such a place.  Bonding moments with my girls came with mall tours or bazaar-shopping, then some delightful meals, of course in the malls, except on occasions where we would go to restaurants not in the mall.

You might not believe I brought my daughter to Il Ponticello.  Many moms may think twice but I didn't and I never felt so glad.  They did had the reputation of a good-hang out place after a day's hardwork.  Bet you didn't know it has been acquired and have been re-branded by a different owner just last October.  With these, exciting promos and dining packages are in place making it not just a place for Makati people but for families as well.

The place looks typical of some Italian homes I've been to in Milan, sophisticated with a rustic touch.

Don't be intimidated by it's hidden venue, the people at the lobby of Antel 2000 are so accommodating, so just go ahead and ask how go to Il Ponti.  We took the stairs and my daughter had been bugging me why we were there, not after entering the doors of Il Ponti, she finally had the idea, then she asked, "Is this were we are having brunch mom, it's so posh here?!"

Termed as Ponti by many, they have launched the weekend brunch offering-Brunchissimo [The Tuscan Brunch] last December 6, coinciding with another promo, Ponti’s specia, the Pizza Santino: Create Your Own Pizza for Kids.

Lovey table setting, I was also served with Prosecco, fizzy white wine

 Like any proud mom, I'm eager to show how my baby did with her pizza creation.  While I was asked about my choice of brunch, another wait-staff helped out my Danica with her DIY pizza tray.  You'll feel well-accommodated as your kids make their pizza on their table.  A wooden tray carrying four of your kids' choiced toppings, pomodor and bechamel sauces and a 7 inch home-made pizza dough.

For Php 250, your kids can get to design and play with the toppings.  For now, like the Brunchissimo, it is only offered during Saturdays.  

A waitstaff will be near to help out, however, since my daughter seemed to know her ways well with pizzas, coz we usually make some at home, he just looked on and waited for her to finish.  The toppings on her tray btw, are mushrooms, ham, pancetta, mozzarella and parmesan.

As her final topping, she laddled the bechamel sauce over the pizza.  Can you recognize the letter? According to her, it's M for mommy.

Then, the staff accompanied her to the kitchen and brought her pizza to be baked.  

Then, that tadah! moment when the cooked pizza was served to her.  Oh my, look how excited she was, not minding how piping hot the pizza was. 

The pizza was too big for her so she gave me a slice, and boy, that was one heck of a truly delightful Italian pizza, and my bunso made it all by her self (clap, clap).  Not only did she enjoy the experience of making her own pizza but with the ingredients being of good quality, she loved every bits and pieces of it, literally.

The Tuscan Brunch Set on one hand, begins with a serving of slices of foccaccia and a bowl of a creamy dip.

You can either choose to have just the brunch special (Php 390 ala carte) or go really big time (enough for you to have an excuse to skip lunch) with the Tuscan Brunch Feast (Php 1250).

The brunch specials:

• The Truffled Cheese and Mushroom Frittata boasts cream baked eggs and sautéed mushrooms flavored with Provolone and truffle oil.
• Italian Style Eggs Benedetto turns a brunch favorite Italian with Mortadella Bologna topped with Choron, a special tomato béarnaise sauce.
• For meat lovers, order the Tuscan Polpetone with Mortadella Bologna, Italian Meatloaf and Rosti Potatoes.
• Lasagna Carbonara. Perfectly al dente lasagna sheets are sandwiched between gooey layers of mozzarella cream, topped with grated Grana Padano and salty strips of pancetta.
• Porchetta Alla Romana. The epitome of a slow roasted pork belly, flavored with fennel and garlic, surrounded by a buttery layer of fat and crisp outer layer whose crackle haunts the hungry imaginations of those who’ve tried it.

Porchetta Alla Romana

Tuscan Brunch Feast is also served with unlimited slices of Pancetta Arrotolata.  To-die-for kind of Italian bacon, cooked the way you want it.  This is something one needed to have control to, unlimited of this is literally to die for. 

Not that I'm scaring you, but it's utterly tempting, you won't be able to resist more than just one serving.  I had to restrain myself, cause my daughter and I had  a lot! Like everything in the menu, this is homemade dry-cured pork belly, cured for nine days and it wasn't salty nor sweetened, it's seasoned fairly to everyone's liking.

My choice of main, Lasagna Carbonara, or more like my daughter's.  

One of the best-seller here, the Lasagna Carbonara.  For such a simple dish with just four ingredients, pasta alla carbonara varies impressively from cook to cook, plate to plate.  I thought this would not impress the little one, using lasagna, it however put lasagna to the next level.  According to Chef Pankie, Ponti's executive chef, everything is made from scratch including the pasta.  That's another reason why will surely love this dish, just the way we did.

How can a meal be a feast without desserts.  You'll be more than happy when I tell you the the brunch feast includes three dolci (dessert) of your choice.  I had Caramello di Semolina, Cheesecake Caramel Panna Cotta and Decadent Chocolate Cake.

Not only that I had a wonderful day brunching with my bunso, it also was a good time catching up with Joy M. of Occasions of Joy.

Il Ponticello

Address: 2/F Antel Corporate Center,
               121 Valero Street, Salcedo Village,
               Makati City
Contact details: 02 5539971, 9949512
                          63 9497608731

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