Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Patis Tito Garden Cafe


A visit to San Pablo, Laguna would not be complete if you missed stopping by for a gorgeous Filipino meal at Patis Tito.  When I first saw it in some blogs when I scoured for places to eat in San Pablo, it gave a familiar ring.  It was formerly known as Kusina Salud, which I soon remembered that we were frantically searching for it years ago when we explored the seven lakes of San Pablo.  On the face of it, the garden cafe was left to be closed long ago and re-opened as Patis Tito Garden Cafe.

Rockwell's Secret Menu

It's said that you can find almost anything in Manila, and that statement couldn't be more true, especially for adventurous eaters. I have been resisting several food tours which have been slowly gaining popularity in different parts of the metro. In a city that's a melting pot of nationalities, it's no surprise that there's a variety of foods from different cultures available everywhere you look. 

To excite our tastebuds more, Powerplant Mall and it's dining community have thrown together a fun food adventure for this weekend.  It's actually a sequel to the first weekend of the Rockwell's Secret Menu. If you're ready to try a food that's much different than the quintessential all-meat pizza, there are several dishes around Rockwell that will really test how bold your palate is.

What is even greater is that you can also get to go home with P15,000 or P2,000 after gorging wonderful dishes from acclaimed restaurants in Powerplant mall.

On May 31 to June 1, eat around the Power Plant Mall and and get to try limited edition flavors from participating restaurants with the likes of Hatch 22, AK Bistro, Rambla, and Bizu. These restaurants will be introducing original concoctions that are not part of their usual menu. Impelling twists will be discovered on some of your all-time favorite dishes.

Here are the mechanics to grab home the cash prize:


I can finally try some of the dishes that I've been wanting to taste from the restaurants that are in my bucket list. How about you, are you ready for the challenge? 

Visit the Power Plant Mall on May 31 to June 1 and join me and other foodies, as we discover Rockwell’s Secret Menu!  Call 898-1702 for more information.


Sunday, May 25, 2014

Two-minute Chocolate Cake My 8-year old Made

A friend of mine (whom I happen to share the same name with) have been asking me to teach them how to bake.  The stars however could not align for our schedules to match.  The plan was to have baking as her kids' summer activities and making use of the oven which she won from a bloggers' event, which has not been used yet.
I'm feeling awfully guilty of not doing this ahead of all my other schedules.  For all we know, these kids could be earning or gaining weight from the baked goods they would be making and may be having a wave of fun doing baking and decorating and also munching on some goodies.
I've been having a lot of excuses as well for not baking.  For one, our kitchen is one of the hottest spot at home, even without turning the stoves on.   Also, I never seem to ran out of write up to finish.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Girly Foodie Places Made of Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice


Has your daughter been hosting elaborate tea parties with her favorite stuffed animals? You can turn her imaginary parties into reality by planning a tea party for her next birthday.  I have been seeing my daughters and their cousin, Jaeda, playing with their dolls seated all-together in one table, adorned with their plastic toy dishes, as if having a tea party. So I have thought of several ideas into making it real and a little fancy. I have compiled several of our girlish foodie destinations where you, your daughter and her friends will be able to have the real-life tea party she's always dreamed of.  The list is in random order and we love them all so no rankings for now.

1.  Stacy's 

Stacy's first had their branch at Quezon City, Capitol Hills Dr., to be more specific.  I have dread of not being able to bring my girls there since I knew about it.  Good thing they have managed to come a close.

Monday, May 12, 2014

CPK at SM Mall of Asia with the Pack


Eating with our kiddos has been all-fun yet getting more costly.  I'm not sure whether I'll be proud or happy that we are raising foodies or critics or just always a hungry pack .  
They pretty much know where to go for good pizzas and pastas.  Their favorite, California Pizza Kitchen and sure know how to dress for it as well.
After attending Danielle's graduation ceremony at PICC, they chose to have lunch at CPK Mall of Asia. This time the grad gal doesn't need to be dolled up (see how disappointed she is), however, with the bare make-up necessities I have stocked for that special occasion, she managed to wear a not too shabby make-up look.
My son as usual wore something he usually wear, men's jacket and his denims,while the girls garbed their favorite dresses. 

You might ask, why would my son wear men's jackets.  I have explained it at my other blog and why teen boys and men alike should too.  Read it here.
If you realized that you need one, I would suggest you check out Zalora.com.ph.  

Moving on...this post is actually dedicated to the daughter who graduated from high school and celebrating it at CPK.

"Yes, my favorite pizza," she quivers.


Those are chicken fingers, the minute after it has bee placed on the table.  Gone by the minute...The crispy chicken fritters are served with potato fries (with their skins) and garlic-lime mayo dip and marinara sauce.

Danielle ordered this huge plate of Grilled Sausage and Pepper Penne. The penne was gobbled down all by herself has slices of grilled spicy Italian sausage, mild onions, red and yellow peppers and Parmesan cheese in CPK's own Marinara sauce

For the tiddle tots is a huge plate of Spaghetti Carbonara.  They just love the texture of the sauteed applewood smoked bacon, mashed up with petite peas and Italian parsley in a Romano cheese cream sauce
Vintage pizzas for sharing.  And more pizzas...Also, I want to make a mention to the wait staff who served us for giving as complimentary house brewed iced tea for the kids.
CPK has always been loved by this pack.






Thursday, May 8, 2014

Awesome Food and Culture, Secrets of Lucky Chinatown Mall Unearthed

Chinatown in Binondo had always been sought as homes for amazing hole-in the-walls.  A lot of food tours were set up just to give way to foodies' insatiable cravings for original and best Chinese dishes.  A great Binondo food tour can also open up opportunities of learning a myriad of things about the Chinese culture, the food is just one part of it.   If you still haven't had one you can start with going to Lucky Chinatown mall.
Though it's fun going around Ongpin and the adjoining streets that boast of secret food joints offering tasty dumplings and all, sometimes it's nice when you are only in one common place, where you can dine, shop and appreciate Chinese culture.
This May, Lucky Chinatown, Megaworld Lifestyle Mall's heritage project located in the heart of Binondo, together with Our Awesome Planet's Anton Diaz and Mercato Group's RJ Ledesma, will host a unique food and culture tour that will get you immersed in the fascinating traditions dubbed as "Awesome Food and Culture Secrets of Lucky Chinatown Tour."

Costing only PHP 888, the tour will not only fill your tummies but will have you leaving the vicinity wholly with some spiritual and trivial encounters you can delve your minds into.  The 4-hour tour runs from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays of May, 2014 - May 10, 24 and 31.

Let me give you a glimpse of what you can expect in the tour.  I was so blessed to be part of the first tour, made for bloggers.

The tour program consists of 10 pit stops.

*Botanical Herbal Hall, Lucky Chinatown Annex A




A genuine way to start a Chinese culture immersion is with teas.  Upon entering Annex A of the mall, Botanical Herb Booth will great you with teas.  You will sample 4 of the different tea concoctions they sell, namely, Maybloom tea, Snow Pear Chrysanthemum Tea, Lo' 5 or Momordica Grosvenor Five Flowers Tea, and PlumTea.  The medicinal uses of these refreshing tea will be discussed as well.

*Incense Lighting at Miao De Temple, Annex A


Most of us were not Chinese, so burning incense and being educated about it was an enlightenment.   The religious use of incense has its origins in antiquity.

According to the lady who welcomed us, the burned incense may be intended as a sacrificial offering to various deity or to serve as an aid in prayer incense. Burning is a common Chinese religious ritual in Chinese ancestor worship, Taoism and Buddhism. It is reputed to be a method of purifying the surroundings, bringing forth an assembly of buddhas, bodhisattvas, gods, demons, and the like.









*Fu Dao Dumpling, Lucky Chinatown Walk

After learning about Buddhism and sticking incenses, we proceeded at the booth just in front of it.  During weekends, the walk between the two buildings of Lucky Chinatown will be lined up with booths from Chinesse food purveyors.  We came close to Fu dao's booth and drooled from these Sate Seafood  Noodles.

You can also watch them make dumplings which also makes up the spicy soup base of the noodles.

The Sate Seafood Noodles with Shrimp, dumplings and Taiwan pechay
*Cha /Cha Food House, Lucky Chinatown Walk

Fourth stop, is the booth where the aroma of the drool-worthy whole fried chicken can be found.  


 However, this is not included in the sampling but I'm sure when you these and you'll buy one to take home.

At this stop, you will get to indulge in another bowl of noodles.  The broth that's spot on with the hand-pulled noodles (authentic to Chinese noodles dishes) and served with a number of dumplings.
Make sure to savor not just one Pumpkin Cake.  Though a bit oily this is finishes up your palate with the subtle sweetness from the pumpkin, the crunchy and sticky outer part covers up a delish inner part.

*Mr. Fast Food House, Lucky Chinatown Walk
Brace yourselves and loosen that belt as more food will be served for you to sample.

We were able to try Cua Pao, something like a siopao, except it's like a sandwich filled with braised pork belly, kiam chay, sugared peanuts and cilantro.


My favorite among all the samples is the Fresh Lumpia.   It's an all veggie and tofu filling with mixed seaweed, sugared peanuts, cilantro and garlic, wrapped in a thin sheet of flour-based lumpia wrap.

Another noodle dish on the list is Mr. Fast Foo's Maki Mi.  The sticky and heavy consistency of the broth makes this bowl so different.  The balanced mix of sweet and salty makes this even more interesting for a hot noodle bowl.  It also has pork tenderloin and spring onions.

*Phoenix Dragon, Lucky Chinatown Annex A

As a break from the carbo-loading from the different noodles sampling, we were guided to Phoenix Dragon.  It's a store carrying different Feng Shui elements.  

Shop owner Samson Chua will give a forecast on health,  career, business and love for the Year of the Wooden Horse.  During our visit, bloggers were able to have their lucky charms cleansed and blessed.

*Reflexion's Studio, Lfucky Chinatown Annex A



Are you getting married or planning to get hitched soon?  If your answer is yes, then this trip is for you.  Included in the tour is a visit at one of the one-stop shop for Chinese wedding preparations.  The visit is just as an eye-candy, but thanks to the people behind the tour, an onset talk about Chinese wedding tradition will  be given and a short crash course on how to make that wonderful wedding and marriage for couples.

*Rainbow Snow, 4th Floor Lucky Chinatown

Next stop will be the one to be looked forward to.  The answer to the this long-forsaken humid weather, snow cones!  But hey, these are the leveled up type of snow cones.
Rainbow Snow have taken this cold dessert craze from Taiwan to Binondo.  It's not the typical flavored crushed ice we get on the malls.  It's stone-froze ice cream, crushed into tiny bits with the texture like that of snow, formed into a cone and topped with flavored syrup.  It's like eating ice cream in a whole new experience.  The  perfect dessert or snack for this exhausting summer heat.




*Wellness Sanctuary, 3rd Floor Lucky Chinatown

Who'll guess that right inside a mall is a venue for relaxation and wellness.  A short stop to Wellness Sanctuary will give you a rundown of what a traditional Chinese medicine is, what's even nice is that you get to try one of the services they offer such as, ear acupuncture for detoxification, a Tui Na (Chinese Hilot or massage), or fish spa.


*Tao Yuan, 2nd Floor Lucky Chinatown

The last stop is a Hainan Cuisine experience at Tao Yuan which is one floor down from Wellness Sanctuary.   They have prepared a delicious sampling of Chinese lauriat with a Simgaporean and Hong Kong style dishes.   
On the menu are as follows:
Welcome drink:  Melon Shake
Main course:
Hainan Chicken with Chicken Rice
Pancit Canton or Birthday Noodles
Mango Lapu-Lapu 
Pancit Canton or Birthday Noodles

On this tour, RJ Ledesma and Anton Diaz will be your guide and gourmand companion.  So reserve and buy your tickets, best if you have the whole family with you.   To get your tickets, you can buy at the Lucky Chinatown Concierge or the Eastwood Mall Concierge  or you may call Lucky Chinatown Concierge at 576-8139.  You may also visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com



Thursday, May 1, 2014

Our Easter Egg-venture at Century Park Hotel

 My two girls knew that they were in for a treat one early Easter morning.   Century Park Hotel invited us for an egg-citing four-hour Easter Egg-venture last April 20, 2014, held at the hotel's Century Ballroom.  Thanks to Mr. Eric Besa, Century Park Hotel's PR Assistant, the Sales and Marketing staff for setting up one humongous event that made the kids who were present on the party filled with joy and every inch of giddiness on their nerves. More than 100 kids and parents were accommodated comfortably tables upon tables.

 After registering, my girls were given each a pail for the highlight of the program, try to guess what?

 But upon entering, every guests received complimentary samplers from the events' gracious sponsors and partners.  First booth to greet you is from Krispy Kreme.

Then you get to nosh on are these hotdogs on sticks from Pampanga's best.  Not on the photo is the booth of Magnolia Ice cream, where they give out ice cream pops for every ticket holder.

 I also went home with some jars from Jolly Spread.  I guess it was time for us to try other choco spread brand (we are Nutella fans for a long time).  Adding fun to the choco spreads are those with Popping candies and Crunchy variants.  I bought the two, with that I was given free art goodies for each one.  They also gave out goodie packs during the raffle, which I wasn't blessed to be picked.  If you happen to be newbies to the idea of a more affordable version of choco spread, do check out my future review for them.

On the other side of the room is the table for face painting, Manila Bulletin's and Aficionado's.

 Part of the program are games for every kids' age.  With a huge amount of prizes, I can say that no kid went home empty handed.
 Outside, situated is the photo booth, the tables where kids can exchange their winning tickets with toys or whatever were available from the sponsors.




 This cute girl in a pink costume is waiting for her turn at the face painting nook, my girls were next to her in line.
Every ticket owners get  to go home with these goody bags, filled with products from the different sponsors such as Oishi, Choco Chug Chocolate Drink, Yakult, Happee Toothpaste, Leslie's, Vita Milk, Hydro Coco, Sun Fresh Fruit Juice, Jack & Jill Candies, Jack & Jill Biscuits, HBW Enterprise, Miramar Confectionery Corporation.
With the stunning program that was made for us, a sumptuous lunch came with it.  A plate of meat spaghetti , sandwich, fried chicken and pork bbq made our tummies even fuller.


 Manila Bulletin's mascot also graced the event and danced with the kids.
 The host of the show also some of his magic prowess and had us all laughing and amazed.
And, of course how can we forget his cute and lovable puppet.

But what the kids and parents have awaited for is the egg-hunting period, I was lucky enough to see the other room filled with colorful eggs before all the chaos.

 The entrance...
 Here are two cute bunnies to welcome you in the area.  Can you see all the eggs now!
I need to say that everyone behind the event had done a great job, making all these possible.









The next thing that happened, well I'm gonna leave it to the staff of the hotel who witnessed the event.  What do you think?

The kids had their turn, now Century Park Hotel had worked up another treat, this time for the mommies.

Make this month of May momentous as the family celebrates together for a memorable bonding moment with mom while savoring our special treats prepared exclusively on her special day.

How about showing your queen that she matters by surprising her and the whole family with a lunch or dinner buffet at the Café in the Park for P 1,250 + for adults and half the price for children 7 to 12 years old and free for children 6 years old and below.

Moms with sweet tooth will be delighted with a gift from the Deli-Snack. And for her special day, their Mother’s day cake is undoubtedly a sweet surprise.  With the Cheesy Apple Torte, mom will surely enjoy the exquisite flavor of caramelized apple in a walnut crusted cream cheese cake.

Experience a wonderful meal at the Century Tsukiji, the hotel’s banner Japanese restaurant. Our flavorful Mother’s day set meal good for two persons is only P2,500+ per order.  It consists of crabsticks, prawns and seaweed salad for appetizer plus pan-fried prawns and scallops in garlic butter sauce, spaghetti with mushroom and clam soup for a warm treat. For the main course, the pan-seared beef tenderloin teriyaki will be best enjoyed with chicken and prawn fried rice.  For a wonderful finale, the coco banana mille feuille gives you an original flavor of a pleasurable dessert.

For inquiries, please call 528-8888, restaurant reservation at 5285907 or email information@centurypark.com.ph.

The Century Park Hotel is owned and operated by Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation.
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