New and Resurgent Local Flavors in a Timeless Old World Setting at Batala Bar

The famed walled city of Intramuros in old Manila has always been a historic and cultural destination popular among both local and foreign visitors. It's no surprise that Intramuros is also home to enduring culinary institutions proudly showcasing traditional local flavors as well as innovative new concepts like Batala Bar with its own creative take on Filipino cuisine. Ready for a tasty bite of local culture?

Savor the sights and sounds of old Manila as you walk back in time in the rich history and culture of Intramuros and take in the local flavors to complete the immersive experience. It's been said many times before that a local cuisine reveals an insightful page from the intricate volumes of any culture and remains the best way to fully understand and appreciate its essence. Batala Bar in the Plaza San Luis Complex brings both tradition and creative contemporary updates to the table with its inspired renditions of classic Filipino flavors. Kinilaw na Isda, Crispy Sisig, Paksiw en Papillote and Chicken Tinola Rice, expect the familiar and even the unexpected at Batala Bar for a unique dining experience. And come hungry...

Bring Your Own Cup: 7-Eleven Promotes Sustainability with Good Coffee, Good Habits Campaign

When enjoying a cup of coffee means more than just momentary break from the hectic pace and takes on a relevant and timely cause, then that's Good Coffee, Good Habits. Bring your own cup, savor your caffeine fix and let's talk sustainability at 7-Eleven...

Global coffee consumption continues to grow year after year and the local coffee culture has kept pace with the worldwide trend as evidenced by the increasing number of both local and international options. At 7-Eleven, coffee is taken quite seriously with its wide selection of coffee offerings including City Cafe, City Prima and !+? Cafe Reserve making deliciously brewed quality coffee accessible and affordable. After all, 7-Eleven has been your trusted neighbor all these years and the brand knows and understands your coffee cravings. And 7-Eleven takes your love for coffee up a notch with the launch of Good Coffee, Good Habits advocating sustainability. Now let's grab a cup of coffee at 7-Eleven, shall we? 

Not Ramen. Not Soba. It's Mazesoba. Menya Kokoro Presents Two New Mazesoba Creations...

The continued rise of ramen restaurants and international Japanese ramen chains clearly confirms the popularity of ramen among local diners, who doesn't love a bowl of comforting noods? Now deeply woven in the local culinary mainstream, a bowl of ramen often saves the day for many. But how does one cut through the dizzying maze of ramen options? Do it differently. Not ramen, not soba. It's mazesoba. And Menya Kokoro remains the only spot in the metro where you can enjoy Tokyo's Number 1 Mazesoba as it introduces a pair of unique hot and cold mazesoba expressions for your hearty and sumptuous noodle fix. 

Our love for Japanese cuisine and ramen in particular continues to reign over the local restaurant scene but you'll have to admit, changing up your noodle game is always a good and welcome change from the usual ramen offerings. Ramen without the usual broth? Literally translated as "mixed noodles," mazesoba is a bowl of soba without soup or broth topped with a variety of ingredients packing a solid savory punch. And despite having no broth, this ramen rendition is rich and intensely concentrated in flavor. Menya Kokoro offers the best example of this ramen style earning it the badge as "Tokyo's Number 1 Mazesoba" since 2013. Creativity and innovation never stops at Menya Kokoro as it unveils two new offerings to satisfy any serious noodle craving. Ready to mix up your comforting bowl of mazesoba? Then, read on...

Say Cheesecake This Valentine's with the Limited Edition White Chocolate Burnt Basque Cheesecake by El Born La Pastisseria

Chef David Amoros, the man behind the cheesecake everyone's talking about, hears you loud and clear as El Born opens its newest spinoff at Mitsukoshi Mall in BGC. Say cheese, make that the Limited Edition White Chocolate Burnt Basque Cheesecake by El Born La Pastisseria this Valentine's... 

The still raging cheesecake wars heats up this Valentine's as Chef David Amoros unveils his indulgent Limited Edition White Chocolate Burnt Basque Cheesecake at the new El Born La Pastisseria down in Basement 1 of Mitsukoshi Mall. The opening of El Born La Pastisseria is an undeniable validation of the popularity of El Born's signature cheesecake creations. Now with a separate store showcasing his lavish repertoire of cheesecake creations for take-out, Chef David Amoros opens a new and exciting phase in the resumption of the cheesecake wars. 

Tara, Kape! And Toasted Siopao, Pichi-Pichi and Pancit Malabon at Dada's Panciteria at Halo-Halo

Bannered by its flagship offerings of coffee based beverages and comforting local staples like Pancit Malabon and Pichi-Pichi made accessible by its convenient pick-up, take-out and delivery model, Dada's Panciteria at Halo-Halo brings familiar flavors to your table along with excellent value. It's a time-tested and proven formula for success, and Dada's Panciteria at Halo-Halo is just starting with more branches scheduled in the pipeline...

Strategically located in neighborhoods and communities up north of the metro, Dada's Panciteria at Halo-Halo goes straight to its target market with its tempting array of comfortingly familiar local specialties at prices that won't bust your wallet. A soothing cup of coffee priced significantly lower than commercial chains is just one of the many attractions at Dada's Panciteria at Halo-Halo. Then, there's the sumptuous selection of local noodle dishes from its popular Pancit Malabon and Chicken & Shrimp Sotanghon Guisado to Toasted Siopao for a satisfying merienda or even a light meal. Let's do coffee and more at Dada's Panciteria at Halo-Halo. And come hungry... 

A Late Lunch and Merienda at Casa Buenas in Newport World Resorts

A late lunch and early merienda? You're just in time for a sumptuous feast. At Casa Buenas in Newport World Resorts, the perfect spot for comforting local flavors...

Casa Buenas in Newport World Resorts takes you back in time with its nostalgic recreation of traditional local Filipino Spanish flavors infused with a contemporary spin in an elegant setting. Drawing inspiration from the timeless bahay na bato or ancestral Filipino home, Casa Buenas transports you to a different time and place. Late lunch and merienda? Come inside Casa Buenas...

It's Time For Oysters at Japan Fūdo Street in Ayala Malls by the Bay

When you're craving for plump and succulent oysters, simply head on down to Japan Fūdo Street for your fresh-baked harvest. Baked Oyster Thermidor? Yes, please...

Premium imported Japanese oysters take the spotlight as Japan Fūdo Street in Ayala Malls by the Bay presents an oyster feast guaranteed to satisfy any craving or appetite. All set for your oyster feast? Then, read on...

Love in a Scoop. And Slice. Introducing the Valentine's Ice Cream Collection 2025 by Sebastian's Ice Cream

The holiday rush and new year festivities settles down giving way for another much-anticipated annual red-letter day. Love is in the air as Sebastian's Ice Cream reimagines love and the day of hearts in an indulgent scoop. And a lavish slice...

Sebastian's Ice Cream redirects its creative focus for another seasonal offering that's become an annual tradition for the tralblazing ice cream brand with the roll-out of the Valentine's Ice Cream Collection 2025. Showcasing the same unorthodox spirit and even sense of humor associated with the personality of the brand, Sebastian's Ice Cream's latest seasonal collection is targeted toward single people with suggestive names to reflect what they may be seeking this Valentine's. The names of the new collection may be the same as previous editions but the flavors are all new with just one exception plus a Limited Edition Ice Cream Cake too. Matinong Girlfriend, Matinong Boyfriend, Closure and Unresolved Issues, meet the Valentine's Ice Cream Collection 2025...

Level Up Your Sushi Game at the JETRO World Sushi Skills Seminar 2025

Pull out your sharpest knives, it's time to elevate your skills at the JETRO World Sushi Skills Seminar...

Japanese cuisine, particularly sushi and sashimi continue to gain in popularity among local diners. For aspiring chefs and culinary professionals, elevating the sushi game by refining the traditional skill sets and mastering the craft becomes necessary and even mandatory to stay both competitive and relevant in the restaurant scene. And here's your chance to do exactly that. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) hosts the prestigious World Sushi Skills Institute Seminar 2025 in partnership with Sanriku and Hightower, Inc. from February 5 to 7 at Enderun College. Designed to provide participants with advanced techniques as well as culinary insights to raise the bar in the country, the three-day seminar also aims to foster appreciation for the art of Japanese cuisine on a global platform. The seminar is part of an integrated program by JETRO to promote Japanese products and ingredients in the country with its long-term seafood campaign (for more on JETRO, see my previous post It's A Go For A Taste of Japan with GO! Japanese Seafood! by JETRO from late last year). Ready to take the next step? Then read on...

BGC Got Bagels: Booya Bagels Opens Second Store in Serendra

There's no stopping Chefs Aaron and Nikki Lau when it comes to spreading bagel love in the metro. And for bagel lovers, that's good to know. You can now enjoy their specialty bagels in Serendra at Bonifacio Global City...

Fresh from the successful opening of their first mall-based store in Glorietta 3 (more on my post, Booya Bagels Hits The Mainstream with the Formal Opening of its Glorietta 3 Branch back in June last year), Booya Bagels aims its sights on the bustling BGC commercial and business district with its second branch at Serendra. Time to grab some bagels...