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."

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Quezon City Lechon Festival 2015 set

The City Government of Quezon City in cooperation with QC Tourism Council invite everyone to indulge again in the biggest festival of roasted pig, also known as the famous "lechon."

The city's renowned La Loma Lechoneros, Inc. will parade in the streets of La Loma, home of the world's best pig and they will be enjoyed the waiting expectators.

This is an annual event as anticipated by locals and tourists as whole lechons assemble in the streets dressed up in different characters. There are more programs in store for visitors like band performances and fireworks display. Locals also compete in the street dance competition.

Photo from www.skyscanner.com.ph

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Food Panda Maginhawa Food Crawl Part 6: MOONLEAF

And now, we are at the last stop of our food crawl. Finally! We had some "panulak" after a lot of stuffing during the whole day of yumminess. Across Cocina Juan is Moonleaf Tea. A popular place for college hangouts since Maginhawa Street is nearby three colleges: Ateneo De Manila University, Miriam College and University of the Philippines. A drive won't be too long to reach this area.

I ordered Wintermelon Milktea as it is Moonleaf's specialty. Most of us did.

What excites me the most are their collectibles available. I focused on the slam book that has very entertaining questions that you could be thinking twice before you answer them.

I think the slum book is a good Christmas gift idea for those who are parting ways or just to know an individual more personally while enjoying their company. I want one!

Relax at Moonleaf Tea Shop or order drinks using the Food Panda app. So far, delivery is only available within 5km radius from the place, I think. Available in Google Play or App Store. You can also order online, rate the restaurants or ask for delivery.

Moonleaf Tea Shop is located at 103 Maginhawa street, UP Teacher's Village, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Open from 9AM to 12AM. You may also contact 4130274 for orders. Visit http://moonleafteashop.com/ for more details.

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Food Panda Maginhawa Food Crawl Part 5: COCINA JUAN

We're almost done with our food crawl and yes we're still crawling to our next destination. We're still too early at what's supposed to be a dinner spree. We headed to Cocina Juan. We are really that full but still managed to leave some space of what's ahead of us.

A small space but it feels very comfortable. Interiors are quite homey like grandma's house. And then you'll more of their generous serving. Have these dishes with Cucumber Lemonade.

But what excites me more is their adjacent store called Cupcakes by Gremlins. The dessert area is different from other cupcake stores. They serve their cupcakes in a special wooden tray which makes the presentation more special.

This is Dulce De Leche cupcake, thanks for the complimentary for us to taste. It is not so sweet that is why I liked it so much. Plus price is very reasonable so you can order as much as you want and give to your friends or family.

Enjoy the posh Cocina Juan dishes using the Food Panda app. So far, delivery is only available within 5km radius from the place, I think. Available in Google Play or App Store. You can also order online, rate the restaurants or ask for delivery.

Cocina Juan is located at 100 Maginhawa St., Teacher's Village, Quezon City, Philippines. Open from 11AM to 10PM. You may also contact 4343911 for orders.

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Food Panda Maginhawa Food Crawl Part 4: BIG B

Our fourth stop takes us to Big B burger joint. Just a few steps away from Homies and we think that we need some cardio, restaurant after restaurant. Stepping into this place is like a maze and it's something unusual from the regular burger places I have been.

The owners are quite young and they just love to eat. I cannot say much about the place but it's exceptional. A great hangout for the young blood and those who just want to chill out. It's kind of dim tough not much ventilated. But their burgers are worth the try.

Menu

Big B knows how to talk about burgers and they have their unique kind of serving. When they BIG, they definitely mean big. Their burgers are beyond imagination when it comes to size. And it's a meat lover's mecca if I should say. Enjoy their Big B, Bongga and Bam burgers that are just so tasty and affordable.

Big B Burger

Bongga Burger

Bam Burger

For an extra treat, love the special entertainment by ordering Pink Potion with Feelings. It's for you to find out what those feelings are.

Pink Potion with Feelings

If this were the only place for our food tour, we might have enjoyed our stay. We are so full and we didn't have so much room. We are still up for another yummy destination. Find more yummy finds in Big B here.

Chomp these big burgers easy using the Food Panda app. So far, delivery is only available within 5km radius from the place, I think. Available in Google Play or App Store. You can also order online, rate the restaurants or ask for delivery.

Big B is located at 44B Magiting Street, Teachers' Village, Quezon City. Open from 12PM to 10PM. You may also contact 09175941260 for orders.

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Food Panda Maginhawa Food Crawl Part 3: HOMIES PINOY FRIED CHICKEN

When we're off for lunch (imagine we just ate burritos and quesadillas), we went to another dining location. And this time it's more Pinoy. Homie's Pinoy Fried Chicken serves extraordinary Pinoy dishes that makes you feel come home. Their best-seller fried chicken is worth the try and you'll enjoy the right crispiness at an affordable prize.

It's a wide selection of home made cooking which are shown below:

Menu

This place is perfect for the hungry ones. When chicken cuts are too large for you, they serve extra rice for free! You just have to cluck those rubber chickens at your table to request for an extra serving.

Here are some of the dishes we tried during our visit. More photos HERE.

Enjoy delivery of Homies Pinoy Fried Chicken via Food Panda. So far, delivery is only available within 5km radius from the place, I think. But you can also try other restaurants without leaving your home via Food Panda app. Available in Google Play or App Store. You can also order online, rate the restaurants or ask for delivery.

Homies Pinoy Fried Chicken is located at 51-C Magiting Street, UP Village, Quezon City. Open from 12PM to 10PM. You may also contact 8064943 for orders.

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Food Panda Maginhawa Food Crawl Part 2: CASA QUESADILLA

Ole! After a great breakfast at Katz Diner, we had snacks at Casa Quesadilla. We managed to walk down to trim down the calories we had for breakfast. Though it's about 20-30 minutes walk, the reward waiting for us is worth it.

Compared to Katz Diner, Casa Quesadilla is place for everything Mexican. Nachos, burritos, quesadillas and more. Match with andale andale music, the place is very festive in its simplicity. However the place can only hold about 10 people max but everybody should fit in.

Spinach & Chicken Quesadilla - Php 130

Ultimate Nachos - Php 130

Dynamite Beef Rolls - Php 99

Chicken Burrito - Php 120

Prices are so affordable. And the dishes are so tasty. Especially the quesadillas which come with salsa or cheese dip, I could almost eat the whole thing.

For your convenience, Casa Quesadilla is a member of the Food Panda partners and you can have your orders delivered at your door.

Food Panda lets everyone enjoy Casa Quesadilla meals via delivery. So far, delivery is only available within 5km radius from the place, I think. But you can also try other restaurants without leaving your home via Food Panda app. Available in Google Play or ITunes. You can also order online, rate the restaurants or ask for delivery.

Casa Quesadilla is located at 176 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. Open from 12PM to 10PM. You may contact 09175399038/ 09179460525 for orders.

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Food Panda Maginhawa Food Crawl Part 1: KATZ DINER

Had a chance to get into another food tour. This time within a neighborhood street that gets its name from very nice Pinoy characteristics. Maginhawa Street has become famous with its array of food finds from different cuisines. Surprisingly, aside from family businesses, young entrepreneurs run their establishments through creative imagination and identifying their own market. And the great thing about it is that the whole neighborhood agrees to deliver the same thing, TO FEED PEOPLE. And Food Panda, the food app, takes us all to 5 different food finds and at the end of the day, we were literally crawling, as what the title says.

KATZ DINER

Waking up early and not having breakfast would not be the best idea but a great preparation for what's ahead. Since we had 5 destinations, we started breakfast at Katz Diner. Located at #48 Malingap St., Sikatuna Village, QC. Just 50 steps away from Maginhawa St. and we're ready to dig in. I did not find it difficult to locate, thanks to internet technology.

Can fit around 15-20 people inside, and 6-8 more outside, the simple yet inviting diner is also home for theater lovers like me. Playing theatrical music, I was singing along. I guess the owner is a Broadway fan and included in the playlist are songs from Rent, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Lion King, Les Mis, and more. The decor also explained it too.

As all bloggers arrive, we are served with different breakfast specials and we are all willing to share every piece to one another. I am overwhelmed with the servings. All were nicely crafted and they smelled good too. For 4 of us sharing in one plate, we almost forgot that we have more destinations after that and one cup of rice is not enough. We had omelettes, barbecue, tapa, longganisa, and even if it's too early for crispy pata, we tried it.The -silog meals are awesome and best to partner with Rose tea with real rose petals or milk tea which they also offer.

To cap it off, their newest lava cake is to crave for. For only P100, the plate of oozing chocolate is hindi nakakasuya. If I was not full, I could have eaten the whole thing to neutralize my grumbling stomach with meat. I really enjoyed my breakfast and perked me up big time for the big day.

Food Panda lets everyone enjoy Katz Diner meals via delivery. So far, delivery is only available within 5km radius from the place, I think. But you can also try other restaurants without leaving your home via Food Panda app. Available in Google Play or ITunes. You can also order online, rate the restaurants or ask for delivery.

Katz Diner is located at 48 Malingap St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. Open 7AM-10PM everyday. You may call (02) 4350933 for orders.

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Beeffalo by Hot Rocks

My first time at a new dining place which is surprisingly near to our house. Just located within 1km from my place and it's so easy to locate. The place is called Beeffalo -- the backyard grill by Hot Rocks. Owned by foodies, Louie Abad and wife, the idea and experience of putting up a business in Marikina is a surprise. They are not from Marikina and the risk of placing the business there is a blessing. Funny thing is that even the residents themselves don't know such place exist.

Unnoticeable at first, the cozy ambiance of Beeffalo is often mistaken as a humble bungalow with a nightly party and barbecue setup on weekends. Just like the old times, you can relax in the al fresco or enjoy the cool air-conditioned interiors. Go vintage with record labels and the Vespa motorcycle and have that Grease feel. The best of it, the place is guaranteed clean.

Beeffalo interiors

Beeffalo Barbecue Backyard

Serving originally American cuisine, the business expanded by adding Italian dishes like pasta and pizza. What's more amazing is that they added isaw to the list. Don't see it as a posh diner because the price list is so affordable. Click here for the menu: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.537101966392548.1073741844.107743755995040&type=1

Their best-selling Baby Back Ribs and Steak are really to dine for! The marinade is very tasty and it sinks in the meat. Side dishes are served fresh and soups are not too hot to slurp in. Enjoy it with their Java rice or bread and you'll be very satisfied. Louie also told us that one guest frequents the place and orders a huge slob of ribs for himself. I envy that guy.

Beeffalo is truly one great discovery in Marikina. Take Marikina Sports Park, along Sumulong Highway, as your starting point. Go straight and turn the first left to Gil Fernando Avenue. Move along until passing Marikina Engineering Dept, and find Beeffalo at your left. From Marcos Highway, take Gil Fernando Avenue. Go straight passing Blue Wave Mall (Marquinton) and Marikina Engineering Department.

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