Monday, September 10, 2018

Chef Francesco's life story in a kitchen

Take a fun talk with Chef Francesco Rizzo over sumptuous entrees and amazing cocktails with a few friends at his young restaurant Francesco's Kitchen in San Juan City. The comfortable Italian restaurant gives that cozy and ambient feeling where you can unwind and forget the busy life and time while tasting great food that you will surely come back for more.
Chef Francesco Rizzo (Owner)
Enjoy a spacious but inviting welcome at Francesco's Kitchen and be delighted to the remarkable interiors, including a brick foyer that looks like a stylish fireplace that is also gives a great display of equipment and the kitchen for your eye's feast.
It is a perfect place to take your friends and family and enjoy the great tasting authentic Italian food, wine or cocktails. Large group or small, Chef Francesco along with Francesco's Kitchen's staff will give you a time that you will never forget.
Try his Le polpette di mamma which is so special to Chef Francesco Rizzo because the recipe has been transferred from two generations of his family and very much different from the usual meatball sauce that we are used to taste.
Le polpette di mamma
But my favorite is Filleto di cernia that is tastes so fresh and tasty, and perfect with wine. The flavorful grouper with its umami sauce and seafood on the side makes it a perfect dinner.
Filleto di cernia
Chef Francesco has fallen in love with the Philippines since 1998 and would love everyone to try his creations in his humble restaurant. Come to Francesco's Kitchen and taste more than what's just featured here like salads, pizza and pasta.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Korean favorites ALL4U!

Splurge on your favorite bulgogi, samgyupsal and shabu-shabu in the newest restaurant in SM City Masinag, ALL 4 U, which opened last July 21.

As their opening offer, get unlimited Korean BBQ that includes beef, shrimp, fish cakes, and chicken. Also take advantage of the shabu-shabu with flavorful broth and vegetables plus sidings like kimchi, fruits and corn for only P599.
The place is spaceous and can accommodate big groups that you can bring your friends and family over to enjoy their unlimited samgyupsal. An auditory treat to KPOP fans as they play trendy hits from Korean music artists to make your stay and dining more delightful. Friendly staff also refills your servings attentively so you can have as much barbecue as you can!

ALL 4 U is located at 2F beside Marison's in SM City Masinag, Marcos Hi-way, Antipolo City.

Monday, July 9, 2018

Charlie's Grind and Grill and a chat with Jen Rosendahl

If  you've been watching Pepito Manaloto on TV and the monotonous maid gets your guts to laugh, it's Jen Rosendahl. You'll remember her as a former Viva Hotbabe and now, she spices her life up with a business venture, Charlie's Grind and Grill.
Jen owns Charlie's Grind and Grill branch in Quezon City that offers great burgers that you can try on and the place invites you to a glimpse of her life not seen on TV -- as a wife, a mother, and a foodie as well. She said it's important to have a foresight of the future, not just for yourself but also for the family that's why she ventured in this business.
Me with owner, Jen Rosendahl
She invites everyone to dine in and try the amazing and celebrity-famous hamburgers that she adopted from her German roots. Charlie's is famous for their Angus and Wagyu beef burgers that are served fresh and hot and most importantly, flavorful. Match them with chicken wings or fries and their house blend iced tea and you're in for a great meal.




Charlie's Grind and Grill's regular customers include celebrities from nearby entertainment studios ABS-CBN and GMA. And sometimes, catch Jen herself in the restaurant to accommodate you and your orders. Chariz Solomon and Michael V usually order Angus burgers and Charlie's QC branch also can deliver up to 5km radius from Sgt. Esguerra. Just call 0917 709 6861.
Charlie's Grind and Grill is also located at Kapitolyo and coming soon in Paranaque. Follow Charlie's Grind and Grill QC's Instagram @charliesgrindandgrillqc.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Bai Nian Tang Bao opens in Manila!

Chinese food has been part of the Filipino table for more than we can all remember and the number of xiao long bao dishes has been on the rise in the recent years. For most of us, we have been comparing different xiao long baos (XLB) in the Metro and there's another contender in taking pride on their xiao long bao dish, no other than the first and newest restaurant located in BGC, Bai Nian Tang Bao (BNTB).

Bai Nian Tang Bao is a Shanghainese restaurant operating since 1786 and has more than 300 branches in China and even more in the United States and Korea. Their first in Uptown Parade, BGC in Taguig makes its debut and introduces its gigantic xiao long bao to the Filipino palate. Bai Nian Tang Bao translates as "100-year soup" and boasts the authenticity of rich and flavorful Chinese cooking especially with the soup dumpling.

BNTB revealed the secret of their delicious xiao long bao with devoting more than 12 hours time and being generous with the flavors and about 20 processes in making the delectable soup. Their BGC branch displays this branch which also provides entertainment to the coming spectators and you'll have a guarantee that the place is clean and skilled chefs are ready to serve you fresh, warm and comforting xiao long bao. One must-try item is the Giant Xiao Long Bao that you would need a straw to sip the soup and you're guaranteed to a fantastic experience.
Giant Xiao Long Bao
Aside from the xiao long bao, Bai Nian Tang Bao also serve appetizing dumplings and dimsum that will completely satisfy your craving. Available are equally glorious varieties such as Chicken Soup Pork XLB, Scallops and Pork XLB and Golden Corn Pork XLB. They also have pan-fried version called the Shanghaio Golden Sheng Jian Bao, a traditional Shanghai snack that's crispy on the outside and juicy soup on the inside.
Sticky Rice Dumpling
Noodle fans can also enjoy at Bai Nian Tang Bao as they try their Three Seafood Treasure Fried Noodles or Shanghai Scallion Oil Noodles.
Shanghai Scallion Oil Noodles
Delight in the variety of dishes, especially when Filipinos love rice, by trying the Beef Fried Rice and Special Sausage Fried Rice that goes perfect with the BNTB Braised Pork.
Shanghai Style Fish Fillet, Braised Pork, Special Sausage Rice
Owner Paul Li invites everyone to visit the restaurant, "We are glad to bring authentic Xiao Long Bao to the Philippines and we'd like to invite everyone to visit us here at Uptown Parade, BGC to try the Xiao Long Bao that even royalty loved! It's a Xiao Long Bao experience that you surely won't forget."

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Devour Food Hub opens for all types of character

A new food hub opens for people of all walks of life at the center of entertainment in Quezon City. Devour Food Hub recently made its floors available to hungry individuals who have the urge to satisfy their cravings in not just food, but includes fashion, music, sports, and style. A friendly place to hangout with friends and families aged 0 to 70 or even older.
Devour Food Hub actually has been operating since November 24 but formally opened in April 14. 24 food concepts to choose from with stylish and contemporary set ups and presentations that are truly eye candy and would make every head turn. There is no 2 tenants alike as the owner believes in the variety of flavors that will cater to different types of visitors. Indulge in tastes as your eyes feast on colorful and delectable courses and desserts.
There are Japanese, Filipino, American, Chinese, Korean, Italian and more. You will never ran out of options when you take a stop and dine at Devour.
With two dining floors operating, this is also the first food hub in QC which I visited that has air-conditioning. Its sports-themed dining area invites everyone to watch for a game or something that has general public has interest to. The AC room can also reserved as your own private area for events. There is also an al fresco area where you can look over the tenants where you will next be ordering to.
Aside from food, Devour Food Hub also has retail shops that you can buy items for personal use. They have cellphone accessories, clothes, and my personal favorite, designer items for decorating your home.
Devour is not only catering to people who'd like to satisfy their cravings, they also encourage different NGOs to conduct their activities in the spacious parking area. Multi-advocacies are welcome to have their causes be heard by visitors and that's a good thing. During the launch last April 14, they had 30 children cancer patients enjoying origami making at the second floor.

Kids also enjoyed a short cookie decorating session with Barnyard.
Lastly, Cube Coffee has presented a coffee cupping demo with Ethiopia Suke Quto and Brazil Fazenda Cachoiera da Grama variants.


Devour Food Hub is located at 1216 E Rodriguez Ave, New Manila, Quezon City. Find it from the map below.

Friday, April 6, 2018

Manila's hidden treasure: Sinigang con Lechon Kawali

My officemates were talking about this a lot and finally I got to try this last Wednesday. A 15-minute drive from our office in Sta Mesa and we're able to get to Alas Pares -- Manila's hidden gem that serve a very delicious and interesting dish made with a twist from our home made sinigang.
The dish costs P 95 per order and can serve two people with 1 cup of rice. But I just had it for me for total experience. The familiar sour sinigang broth was just right with okra, watercress, the works. But instead of the usual soft meat in sinigang, they put in crispy Lechon Kawali. So you'll have a crispy treat in every soup bowl of sinigang that is an amazing surprise.

Check out Alas Pares and their highly-recommended Sinigang con Lechon Kawali any time, any day. Below is the map of their location in Manila. Landmarks are Egoy's Ihaw-ihaw and Iglesia Lokal ng Washington. Enjoy!

Thursday, April 5, 2018

SM City Masinag Food Crawl: Chin's

If you're into shabu-shabu but you think the item is too expensive, you can try an affordable version at SM City Masinag. Chin's, the sister company of Inihaw Express offers satisfying and budget shabu-shabu.
Try pork, chicken or beef shabu-shabu complete with noodles and vegetables for a healthy and balanced combination of food that will satisfy your craving or to warm that empty stomach. They also have combo menu which you can partner a shabu-shabu with omelette rice, fresh lumpia, veggies or dessert coolers for only P130.
You will also know that your shabu-shabu serves fresh ingredients as they are displayed at the counter.
Check out Chin's at SM City Masinag Food Court at the 3F, SM City Masinag, Marcos Hi-way, Antipolo City.