Coffee Creations, A One of a Kind Coffee Experience

Why do you think cafe's keep popping up on every street corners?

Beyond the aroma and taste, there are scientific accounts that would prove benefits of drinking coffee.  As a self-confessed coffee-lover, I go beyond the normal task of enjoying a cup of coffee every single morning of my life, I went from one coffee shop to another and engaged myself in trying out third wave coffee.  Maybe you would ask me why would I go that far just for coffee.

Coffee appreciation comes from knowing how a dark-earthy smelling powder ends up amalgamated on a scalding water.  If you think making a cup of 3-in-1 coffee is as easy as popping a chocolate in your mouth, guess again.  From (#beantocup)a bean to your cup doesn't just happen in a snap of a finger, there are series of processes and lot of farmer's lives are at stake.

Today, I learned even more about coffee and I'm just as excited as all of the coffee-lovers who came in unison at Megaworld Lifestyle Malls and Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila's event dubbed as Coffee Creations.

Those who knew of the event promotions and have come were able to partake coffee in delicious new ways.

Take note of the schedule events lined up for all of us coffeeholics:

Coffee Infusions
July 28 to Aug 10
Try coffee flavored dished and desserts

Coffee Exhibit
July 28 to Aug 10
GF Newport Mall
See latte art, coffee paintings and mouthwatering photos of Coffee Infusions

Coffee Fair
Aug 1 to 3
The Plaza, 2F Newport Mall
Discover coffees from around the world

Coffee Appreciation Afternoon
Aug 2, 2 PM
The Plaza, 2F Newport Mall

Coffee Infusions

Head on at the Resorts World so you can enjoy delectable coffee-flavored dishes through coffee infusions, for a limited edition coffee dishes and desserts available only from July 28 to Aug. 10 at participating Newport Mall dining establishments.

At Johnny Chow, diners can try the unique Coffee Pork Spareribs with Tapioca, which comes with cuapao bread and kimchi on the side.

For those with a sweet tooth, mouth-watering coffee desserts are also on the menu. Cake lovers will love the Madrid from Crisostomo, which is a chocolate torte with chunks of choconut candy mixed with a shot of espresso, the Barako Cheesecake from Red Crab, Bo’s Coffee Cheesecake from Bo’s Coffee, and the Mocha Pound Cake or Mocha Salted Caramel Mini Cake from the R-Bar at Remington Hotel.

Meanwhile, chocoholics can try Villa del Conte’s Praline Ball Black, which is a dark chocolate praline with coffee cream filling or Café Maxim’s Coffee Truffles, a truffle shaped coffee flavored ganache coated with dark chocolate and rolled in coffee and cocoa powder.

Guests can also have their coffee paired with cookies – latte lovers can have their coffee with Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s Choco Chip cookie or Café Maxim’s Biscotti Cappucino, which has macadamia and pistachio nuts. For dessert with local flavor, Café Maxims is also offering a Coffee Choco Macapuno Bread, sweet dough bread filled with coffee flavored custard, bits of chopped dark chocolate & strings of Macapuno.

Fans of the English Trifle can order the Affogato Trifle from Krazy Garlic, which contains bittersweet layers of coffee jelly, meringue and whipped cream topped with hot espresso shot.  Those who want to finish with ice cream can head to Mr. Kurosawa for a Japanese Coffee Jelly Sundae, which is coffee ice cream with coffee jelly cubes, banana fritters, candied walnuts, tempura bits, caramel and crème anglaise.

From July 28 – Aug. 10, guests can also check out the Coffee Exhibit at the Ground Floor, Hallway area of Newport Mall where mouthwatering photos of Coffee Infusions and Coffee latte Art from Crisostomo, Bo’s Coffee, and UCC Café Terrace will be on display. Mall-goers can also discover art made from coffee grounds created by Vincent Navarro and even more coffee art from Ella Hipolito. Guests can also check out a collection of mini espresso cups from Allegro Beverage.

On Aug. 1-3, guests can discover the different taste of coffees around the world through the Coffee Fair located at The Plaza, 2/F Newport Mall wherein they can avail of coffee products from #YKW Roasters, Tanay Hills Coffee Beanery, Cukay’s Coffee Creations, Coffee Creations by Mio, Kapeng Bailen, Malagos, Kickstart Coffee, Monk’s Blend, Dunkin Donuts, Risa Coffee Barks, Bennett & Palmer and Gourmet Farms.

Then on August 2, coffee enthusiasts will surely enjoy the Coffee Appreciation Afternoon, where they can learn the ins and outs of coffee-making through a fun-filled and informative program.

They can watch Pour Over Demonstration by Bo’s Coffee at 2PM and a Coffee Roasting Demo by #YKW Roasters at 3PM. They can also learn more about the different Varieties of Philippine Coffee by Gourmet Farms at 4PM and attend an informative talk from Yardstick on “What Makes Specialty Coffee So Special?” along with an Alternative Brewing Demo at 5PM. An Espresso Preparation Demo by Allegro Beverage will also be held at 7PM.

Then at 6PM, those who want to learn how to make latte art can watch the 3D Latte Art Demo and Latte Art Portraits by Tristan Destura of Andros and the Latte Art Showdown by #YKW Roasters at 8PM.

For inquiries on Coffee Creations at Newport City, call the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at 709-9888, 709-0888, 0917-8380111 or visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com.

12 Monkeys Music Hall and Pub

A Terry Gilliam film, “Twelve Monkeys” is a 1995 film now turned classic, have grossed over 150 million dollars worldwide and gave Brad Pitt an Oscar nomination.  It featured an impressive set of actors, namely Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe and Brad Pitt.  It talked about time travels, apocalyptic prophesy about the Army of the twelve monkeys and oh wait, I'm not writing about a movie review albeit the word-of-mouth going on around the trendsetters and foodies. 

Allow me to introduce the locally-based Army of the 12 Monkeys, who happens to be the namesake of this new funky place now getting uproars in Century City Mall, Makati.  If you think this is just another of such watering holes popping up in the vicinity, you are wrong!

Check out their Facebook page and see why people crowd the place.

https://www.facebook.com/12MonkeysPH

I was in high spirits after a night at 12 Monkeys on their soft opening last July 4, and I don't even need to get intoxicated with alcohol.  There is always that special something when you get to discover new places to hang out at and of course enjoy gastronomic offerings.

Let me describe the delight by sharing why I like it, in fact, I like it 12 times as much.

First, it's not just a bar!

A great bar, in my opinion is not always one in which the drinks are outstandingly crafted,  made with attention and the finest ingredients, but rather a bar that knows exactly what it is, what it offers, and, most importantly, treats its guests as welcome friends.  That's how the 12 Monkeys have envisioned the place.

Their bar list is so extensive, and there will always be a concoction right for you.  To make the night more exciting better try some of the cocktails, my table mates that night had Very Berries (P 250) and Peach Sangria (P 250).  

Secondly, feel at home with fresh fruit juices and shakes 

If however you have one too many excuses from not drinking, you can opt to have fresh juices or get refreshed with their fresh fruit shakes.   I had the Fresh Pineapple Shake (P 125) and might I say, I have found the best tasting pineapple shake.  You can really tell only fresh ingredients go in to your drinks.

Music is good, crowd friendly and diverse

If you think this place is only for the yuppies or for the young ones, you are again wronged.  According to Ivan Zalameda, one of the (12 monkeys), they have the whole member of the family in mind when they have thought of what music to play here.  They don't only cater to a specific music genre, everyday is a schedule of specific music, one for acoustics, then for the jazz-lovers, for those whose hearts belong to rock and there's also a day for the young once (the oldies and the goodies, so they say).

Co-owned by Philippines' music icons

On the photo:  (L to R) Yani, Champ and Aylin Vedad

Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar and Champ Lui Po of Hale are the two personalities who have a great impact on how the place turns about.  Champ who also runs a music production business can easily cope up with the demand of his music business having a cool place to have his talents aboard and making it his other playground.  

Of course a photo-op with the main man of Parokya ni Edgar

We know Chito Miranda may now be busy with the wedding preps, after popping the question to her long time GF Neri Naig, but it was one of those nights when you get to see him jamming with his friends here.  I'm a big fan of him so I didn't let the opportunity pass by.

12 Monkey's Picha Pie on the menu

Still, getting in the flow of Parokya's influence in Pinoy Rock music, a Picha Pie menu has to be there.  I just had to take a photo of this page, for it was fun reading the names of the pizza choices.  Unique in some ways and very innovative but not being outrageously fusion.

I got to try three kinds - Rock' A Feller Pizza, Sisig Pizza and Palabok Pizza.

Among the three varieties that we had my favorite was the Rock'a Feller.  I love, love the idea of not using tomato-based sauces for the pizzas.  Aside from the crackling crispiness of the thin crusts, the toppings are wild.  This has oysters, creamed spinach and a mix of two of my fave cheeses, mozzarella and parmigiano.

Then, there is The Sisig Tribute, a homage to the culinary capital of the Philippines, Pampanga, and where Ivan also had come from.  This, however, is not new to me.  There is a cafe along Roxas Blvd. that serves unique Filipino takes of pizzas, such as Sisig pizzas.  Do read about it and other cool pizza pie creations HERE.

Another thing that I love about their pizzas is that they are not greasy, best partner for whatever beverages.  The Sisig Tribute has crispy pork sisig, quail eggs and green chili on a crust with a thin layer of mozzarella cheese all drizzled with garlic-mayo.

Now, prepared to be blown away.  This one, I could have not thought of, seriously.  When it was served on our table, I could have not guessed that whatever on that "bilao" is a pizza.  "Seriously!" - was exactly my expression when the wait-staff said it's Palabok Pizza.  Ivan's Palabok Pizza is simply palabok over a thin crusted pizza.  Everything that's best about palabok is there.

Eating Lite and Healthy

  

Fun can be different to many people, that includes the manner of eating.  For those on a diet but still wants to rock it with the right calories while on a dreamy concert, you can either have Planet of the Apes (Caesar's Salad, get it?) (P 290) or South of the Border Salad (P 320). An order can serve up to three.

Pub Grubs

Happiness equals more than one bottle of San Mig, a plate full of Buffalo Wings, and heaps of laughter with a background music that would keep your heart in a beat.

For me, however, some grubs on certain pubs are enough.  That is because I don't drink, but I do love hanging out on pubs, specially if I'm with the people I love.  12 Monkeys have a menu enough to have you both entertained and your tummies full.

Here are some of them...

The photo above may seem to resemble any typical buffalo wings, but the Flying Wings (P 399) is the game changer!  Of course the chicken wings are spiced so much it would burn your lips to the roof, however what sets this plate apart from the others is the original hot sauce with a lip-smacking burnt-sugar syrup it is mixed with, made complete with crisp veggies and blue cheese dip.

St. Peter's Eggs (P 350), funny how they changed "Manok ni San Pedro" (St. Peter's Rooster) to St. Peter's Eggs, nevertheless, it didn't fail even to satisfy my palate.  I'm not a fan of "balut" (boiled duck embryo), but this made the curious me eating up a whole egg.  The dish actually is composed of shelled balut simmered in a mix of crab fat and chili butter sauce.  Spell deadly for me!  Though sometimes we need to explore a bit on new flavors, this should be on your list, the rich sauce will get your palate all excited, but let me again warn you, the delish dish is high in cholesterol.

Rice Bowls and Hearty Dishes enough to earn them a Tatler's Restaurant Award

Warning!  Another devil is in the menu, but it's the kind of devil worth devouring!  

Crab Fat Rice (P340) is the kind of food you may want to have with a hot tea after, but the ultimate cheat rice dish.  The fatty rice is swimming in buttery crab aligue (roe) sauce and is partnered with a couple chunks of crispy pork belly that was deep-fried and finished of with sides, atchara and green mangoes, to take off that"umay"-factor from all the fatty ingredients

On the other hand, I'm a huge fan of Pares, so Midnight in Pares (P 290) definitely made it on my list.  Pares, is the local version of braised beef but made different and more savory with many spices and msg (mono sodium glutamate) .   Pares, a Filipino word which means "pair" was used for this particular viand because it is eaten paired with fried rice or Sinangag.

At 12 Monkeys, Pares was reinvented.  Apart from being served atop a rice, they made the sauce thicker and sweet.  They also topped it with slivered scrambled eggs.

Then, there are the grilled meats, to end all feasts, the Barbeque Feast (P 780).  A large boat-shaped plate carrying a Java rice to serve 3 to 4 hungry people, grilled pork spareribs, the longest Pork Skewer I have laid my eyes on, Chicken Barbeque Wings and pickled vegetables.  Can you imagine me eating each blackened meat with a sticky fingers?  I definitely did and had licked them sauce too!

Definitely leave room for desserts, if you can still manage!

How can this made me even happier?  Dessert is a must for me.  After having to try a couple of piquantly satisfying dishes, a meal has to end right with some sweets.

How about some fork bites of the Chunky Monkey Pie (P 290)?

It's actually a pie gone bananas.  To put it this way, it's a twist on Banana Cream Pie, like my favorite Ben and Jerry's Ice cream (Chunky Monkey).  The creamy banana-flavored pie was set beautifully on a peanut brittle based crust amplified with caramel (or peanut butter sauce).

Not for the faint-hearted dessert maker, this Crepe Cake is another winning mark that definitely hits the spot! Crepes are layered and garnished with fruit compote.  You may not find this in the menu, but try to ask the staff about it.

The Armies of The 12 Monkeys

1. Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar 
2. Champ Lui Po of Hale  
3. Jinno Rufino of BTV/Solar Sports 
4. Neil Arce, a professional poker player
5. GP Reyes (71 Gramercy)
6. Neil Paras (Big Bad Wolf) 
7. JM Rodriguez (Prive) 
8. Keith Haw (Ptive) 
9. Raymond Magdaluyo (Sumo Sam), 
10. Jerico Salonga (Vask)  
11. Ivan Zalameda (Beso Cucina Vinoteka)
12. DJ Tony Toni of Boys Night Out

These are the guys behind 12 Monkeys who have crafted doing monkey businesses in their turf.

Finally, the Location

It's all about location, location!

Aptly located at the new world-class shopping and entertainment complex, dubbed as the mall of modern Makati- Century City Mall.  

12 MONKEYS MUSIC HALL & PUB

Address:   5/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave., Makati City

Contact Nos: 0999-8830763, 0916-4444055

H. Home Food Finds

Today was like any other Friday, busy, tiresome but a good day to either celebrate or end the week.  For us it was just those kind of awesome gastronomic finds that are spontaneous and unforetold.  

It's one of those days when I don't need to prepare dinner or even care what the kids would want for dinner.  Kuya is off to spend the night at his friends house, Ate was on her way home and the two girls were at their Tita Len's, enjoying hot noodles and bonding with the cuz over loom band creations. While us, husband and the foodie wifey headed off somewhere far where there is no traffic, no rowdy crowds spending their week-long income for some drinking sesh and no waiting for hours for our food to be served.

The Family's Great Palawan Escape: Puerto Princesa (Part two/Food Tour)

One of the most beguiling quality of Palawan is it's culinary offerings.  During our travel in Puerto Princesa, a food tour around the city is part of the adventure.  I can not utter enough of my love for the country's cleanest and one of the   top tourist-friendly city, even if I have to share every  bits and pieces of our three-days stay there.

Read about the first part of our journey at the link provided below

The Family's Great Palawan Escape: Puerto Princesa (Part One)

Having to go around, scour and taste the city's cuisine is part and parcel of our tour, so I have collated some of the places where we had eaten and bought food.  Having known Palawan-being the last frontier, to be rich in diverse and exotic dishes, I also shared some of my experiences on them, hoping though this won't eek you out of discovering what Palawan has to offer.

BGC Eats 2014: A BGC Tour for Passionate Stomachs

It's back and with a vengeance!

Surrender yourself to Chef JJ Yulo and the gang as they take you to places not only of interests around Bonifacio Global Center but also of epic gustatory experience. 

Four restaurants, four experts, one delicious food tour for passionate stomachs!

Future Feast at Mind Museum

Last April 25, 2014, me and my girls went to Mind Museum to explore and have them gain interest in science.  This also served as our mini-celebration for my niece' 9th birthday.  The Apocalypse Project: Imagined Futures have been launched as well on that day.  You may read my account on that on the link below:
The Apocalypse Project - Future Lifestyles on Planet Earth

The experience completely blew us away, as we scout for questions and forage for clues and answers, the three girls including me learned so much about our environment, how animals have been gone missing, what causes change in climate and how we can all adapt with the change.

Playing, digging, running and even reading upside down and finding questions in odd places ate up the whole afternoon of our stay at Mind Museum, we didn't even mind the time.  Though, let me tell you, most of the questions are tough, I even phoned "the Dad" and texted a friend for the answer.  But all of it was so worth it!  We all even got our Apocalypse Badge.

Anyhoo, thought I just needed to share the fun and learning, for The Apocalypse Project: Imagined Futures will be coming to a close.  As a culminating event, they have organized Mind Burst: Future Feast.

Come on July 26, Saturday from 12 pm to 7 pm for an imaginative feast of food, music and poetry, as human creativity is celebrated with the hopes for a sustainable future.

I was just as blessed for being one of the media participants for the BGC Eats 2014, to see a glimpse of what is to happen on July 26.

The media were warmly welcomed with a speech about how The Apocalypse project came about with nonetheless than the creator herself - Catherine Sarah Young, and all of us was just as elated to see famous chefs and epicures waiting for us with their creations for us to sample.  Though we were ferociously warned as to what we will be trying out.

Did I mention you can also have the same one of a kind gastronomic exploit?  Read on as to how you can score FREE tickets to this.

The folks from BGC, Mind Museum and Chef JJYulo collaborated to host a wonderful event for all of us

As what had been announced on the BGC Eats 2014 Tour (as we headed to the last destination) rapid climate change will cause one-fourth of Earth’s species could be heading for extinction by 2050.  This will also impact our crops and livestock.  

More extreme temperature and precipitation can prevent crops from growing. Extreme events, especially floods and droughts, can harm crops and reduce yields, as US EPA reports, more extreme temperature and precipitation can prevent crops from growing. Extreme events, especially floods and droughts, can harm crops and reduce yields in wheat and soybeans.

Also, US EPA stated that heat waves, which are projected to increase under climate change, could directly threaten livestock. Over time, heat stress can increase vulnerability to disease, reduce fertility, thus reduce milk production or even hamper meat production.

The fisheries also does not posses any excuses, as our seas are becoming more polluted and acidic due to increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), rendering our shell fish to decline to thrive.  Changes in temperature and seasons could affect the timing of reproduction and migration. Many steps within an aquatic animal's life-cycle are controlled by temperature and the changing of the seasons. For example, in the Northwest warmer water temperatures may affect the life-cycle of salmon and increase the likelihood of disease. Combined with other climate impacts, these effects are projected to lead to large declines in salmon populations.

(credits from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/agriculture.html)

Redesigning for a Sustainable Future

For the chefs and epicures who partnered with the the people behind The Apocalypse Project, this became a fun challenge, as they were asked to concoct or whip up something but altering ingredients which they have been accustomed to with something that is sustainable in the future, since these ingredients such as milk, flour, even meats might not exist anymore by 2050.

The chefs and their culinary creations as means for adapting to climate change.

1. Chef Ian Carandang of Sebastian's Ice Cream

Chef Ian magically transformed drinking milk in a whole new level.  If you like almond milk, you will also like his cashew milk (nut milk).  I'm not going to tackle the nitty-gritty of how to make a nut milk (not even almond milk) but what surprised me was how the cashew milk tasted not bad, actually it was creamy with a nutty and woody taste and less sweet.



To take it up a notch, he also made ice cream bars out nut milk, to give it a firm body, he used mashed bananas, this also gave more flavor to the ice cream, and boy, I can't stress enough how it came out to be delish and very enjoyable, but it tends to melt before one can finish eating it.

2. Kyle Imao of Kyle's Lab

This young cooking prodigy who won the first Junior Masterchef Philippine edition, have probably mistaken their kitchen as a laboratory.  Not!  Kyle happens to own the food lab at the second floor of the Mind Museum and he's getting better in inventing food that may look odd.

On his team's table are Seaweed Tempura and Croqueck...hmm, I'm not going to give away yet what you should be expecting.

3. Chef Sau Del Rosario - The Green Chef

The dashing chef, Chef Sau showing his avant garde dessert, Organic Soy Moringa and Aloe Vera Panna Cotta with Banana, Candied Ginger and the exquisitely tangy taste of Acai berry sauce.  

His creation was my favorite amongst all of them.  We all know how powerful Moringa is when we speak of health and sustainability. 

4.  Erik Capaque and Claudette Dy of EAT (V Hotel)

If you say you are adventurous, even in eating, well done, test your palate and other senses as you will discover more unlikely ingredients can actually alter common baking and cooking staples.  Claudette Dy introduced me to her Banana Cake, baked in an unorthodox way with an extremely unorthodox ingredient.  And yes, I had a big chunk chugged  down into my stomach and might I say it was just like an ordinary Banana cake and a scrumptious one at that.

Chef Erik on the other hand made "Salis-vermis Steak."

Care to know the highlighted climate change ingredient?  Clue: Vermis (as in vermiculture...)

The Salis-vermi Steak with Mushroom gravy and Sauteed Talilong (Water Leaf Weed)

5. Nancy Reyes Lumen - The Adobo Queen

Okay. so far I ate every little morsel of their samples, except this one, which till now gives me the creeps.  It's a jello with a, ____("secret").   Let me give you a clue of what's in the middle - called "balang" in Tagalog.

However, since I truly idolize Ms. Nancy, I gave this munchies a try, in fact my first bite was the "Jeepers Crisper" itself which tasted like a dried squid in Adobo flavor. 

Here's a macro shot of the crispers.  The package is actually a mix of savory rice crispies, nuts and the secret climate change ingredient.

Curious enough?

Well then. don't let this opportunity pass,  click on this link to buy your tickets:  https://tickets.themindmuseum.org/

or

Join BGC EATS 2014.

Kindly, stay tuned for updates on this...