After Six at The Malt Room

It was a little past six in the evening. The cases were unpacked, revealing countless bottles of Scotch whiskey in different shapes. And no, these were not your usual bottles of whiskey. Not tonight. It's a Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Tasting Night, with six of the best, at The Malt Room...

A good friend and fellow blogger once described the joys of a perfect single malt as sipping liquid sunshine captured in a shot glass, and for one evening at The Malt Room, the evening skies lit up with six of the best single malt whiskeys for one of those memorable experiences that linger long after the last toast.

Choose Your Steak. Choose Your Rub. Choose Your Sauce. At The Butcher Shop & Pub.

 Great steaks at affordable prices, and more...

...at your neighborhood back-alley pub, The Butcher Shop & Pub. Have a steak, a late breakfast, or a few rounds at the bar with some pub grub...all in one place.

Special Moments Made Even More Special at Shine Bakery & Cafe

Shine Bakery & Cafe adds a whole new dining experience for its loyal customers, now you can celebrate that special milestone or occasion at your favorite casual family restaurant. And leave it to Shine Bakery & Cafe to handle everything for you. 

Shine Bakery & Cafe launches its newest service, catering events, led by Chefs Rob and Sunshine Pengson for birthdays, celebrations, or corporate functions. At Shine Bakery & Cafe, special moments are made even more special...

Flavors of Ilocos: Breakfast at Hotel Luna's Comedor

The kitchens at Hotel Luna's Comedor are fired up for the day's breakfast service way before dawn, and the aroma of coffee, baked bread, and other dishes draws you in... 

...nothing like a good, comforting and hearty breakfast to start the day. At Hotel Luna's Comedor, the buffet set-up lets you sample a variety of dishes, featuring continental as well as local Ilocano flavors. The menu changes daily depending on what's fresh and available on the market, adding variety to the regular dishes. Pick a spot, grab a plate, and load up...

Flavors of Ilocos: Chillin' at Hotel Luna's Chula Saloon Bar

Back from another stroll at historic Calle Crisologo, and time for a light meal and a few drinks at Hotel Luna's Chula Bar Saloon...

A well stocked bar, a full range of dishes featuring Spanish, continental, Filipino and Ilocano cuisine, and cozy interiors with a cool vibe, it's the perfect place to unwind with a few drinks and some tapas after a full day of touring historic Vigan.

A Boodle Feast at Vitalis Resort and Spa

The skies were grey once more, as the monsoon season comes early this year. But I was determined to get some sun, sea, and sand, and a real boodle feast, during my stay at Vigan. And you can, at Vitalis Resort and Spa.

Owned and managed by the same group behind Vigan's elegant Hotel Luna, you can expect the same high level of service and lavish accommodations at Vitalis Resort and Spa. A leisurely hour and a half drive from Hotel Luna, Vitalis Resort and Spa is your gateway to fun in the sun up north...

Flavors of Ilocos: A Steak Lunch at Hotel Luna's Comedor

When you suddenly have a serious craving for premium beef while in Vigan, that's no problem. No problem at all. Hotel Luna's got you covered. With a wide selection of premium steaks, lamb, and pork at Hotel Luna's Comedor, Chef Raymond Quitilen has that perfect cut to satisfy your craving.  

Hotel Luna offers a variety of steaks, from USDA Prime, USDA Certified Angus Beef, American Wagyu and American "Kobe Style" Beef from Snake River Farms and Philippine Wagyu Beef from Bukidnon's Kitayama Farms. And the various steak cuts include a 34 oz Porterhouse that's great for sharing, a 20 oz bone-in Ribeye, a 20 oz New York Sirloin, a 20 oz T-Bone, a 16 oz Filet Mignon, an 8 oz Petit Cut Filet Mignon, and a 12 oz Ribeye. Other choices include an 8 oz Loin Rack French Cut New Zealand Lamb, 12 oz Shoulder Loin Chop, and organic pork chops in 16 oz Double Chop and 8 oz Single Chop. If you have a serious craving for premium beef, Hotel Luna's Comedor is definitely the place in Vigan.

Flavors of Ilocos: Dinner at Hotel Luna's Comedor

My very first day at Hotel Luna, and I was impressed. The elegant accommodations, the impressive art collection, and an equally impressive menu at Hotel Luna's Comedor. I had to go through the menu one more time, with so many choices, and I still couldn't decide. Melvin, Comedor's friendly server, recommended I go for the bestsellers. Why not, sounds like a great idea. And Melvin took care of the rest...  

With Chef Robby Goco as supervising chef and consultant, one can expect a great meal to complete your experience at Hotel Luna. Melvin runs through the recommended dishes, and Chef Raymond Quitilen fires up the kitchen...

An Early Morning Stroll at Historic Calle Crisologo

The sound of church bells and an occasional rooster crowing signals the start of a sunny Sunday morning, and one by one, the stores lining the historic Calle Crisologo open up for the day's business.The moment you step on the famed cobblestone street of Calle Crisologo, you are transported back in time, back to 18th century Vigan.  

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vigan's historic district offers a unique experience and a glimpse of 18th century life during Spanish colonial times. 

Side Views: Up Close with The Mandolin Player at Hotel Luna

Art and history blend in an elegant fusion in one of the country's unique and distinct hotels. Located at the heart of the historic heritage district of Vigan, it is a landmark in itself. And there's more. An impressive art collection awaits guests at Vigan's Hotel Luna, the first museum hotel in the country.

Inspired by national artist Juan Luna, Hotel Luna continues the artist's passion with a stunning and extensive collection of art. At Hotel Luna, you can experience the vast art collection up close, proudly displayed at the hotel's museum, and at every corner and wall of the hotel for a truly memorable stay in Vigan (for more on the elegant Hotel Luna, see my previous post here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2014/08/side-views-elegant-fusion-of-history.html).

Side Views: An Elegant Fusion of History and Art at Vigan's Hotel Luna

History and art combine in one of the most elegant structures in historic Vigan. An attraction in itself, and a majestic gateway to the rich cultural heritage of one the best preserved Hispanic districts in the country. When visiting Vigan, complete your experience with a stay at the stately and refined Hotel Luna, the first museum hotel in the country. There's no better place to stay in Vigan than at the elegant Hotel Luna... 

Hotel Luna is located in the central district of historic Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, right beside the famed cobblestone street of Calle Crisologo. Built on the original two-storey structure of Don Jose Florentino's ancestral home completed back in 1882, Hotel Luna is an elegant blend of old and new, masterfully preserved in a fusion of European and Oriental architecture. 

Side Views: Flight PR 2196 to Laoag

All the clouds were grey that late Saturday morning, but the flight from Manila to Laoag remained set. PAL Flight PR 2196 to Laoag was going to be on schedule...

...and the first leg of my trip up North proceeded without any hitch, despite the midday rains that seemed to get stronger every minute. Passing through isolated pockets of turbulence, the flight aboard PAL's Airbus A320 was generally smooth enough for a light nap. And in less than an hour...

Mahalo! Hawaii's Teddy's Bigger Burgers Opens in Manila

Here's a sneak peek at Hawaii's favorite burger...

Voted as Hawaii's best burger since 2001, Hawaii's iconic Teddy's Bigger Burgers opens in Manila on August 23, 2014, serving its signature 100% fresh chilled premium ground chuck, each handcrafted daily, flame broiled and dressed just the way you want it.

Sabroso! A Filipino Culinary Festival at Midas Cafe

Experience the wide range of flavors and the richness of Filipino cuisine spanning the entire archipelago for a unique and memorable culinary journey, all in one place...

Midas Cafe introduces its very first food festival with Sabroso! A Festival of Filipino Gastronomical Journey & Expressions, featuring the very best of Filipino cuisine created by Executive Chef Arnold Guevarra and his culinary team starting August, 2014. Featuring classic favorites from North and South Luzon, the rich culinary heritage of the Visayas, and distinct local flavors of Mindanao, Midas Hotel's award-winning Midas Cafe presents an epic feast not to be missed (for more on Midas Hotel, check out my previous post here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2014/03/midas-hotel-casino-something-new-at.html).

Rustic Comfort Food at Chef Bruce Lim's Rustique Kitchen

Chef Bruce Lim is back, serving his favorite comfort food with a playful twist, at Bruce Lim's Rustique Kitchen. 

The wide and elegant interiors at Chef Bruce Lim's Rustique Kitchen evokes a formal old world charm, but the friendly staff make you feel right at home. A casual and homey vibe takes over as you settle in your chair, and as you glance through the menu, you'll find quite a number of comforting favorites at surprisingly affordable prices. And you just know, this is one cool place.

Shhhh...Here's a Sneak Peek at Off-The-Grid's Secret Menu

Nothing like ordering off-the-menu...and at Off-The-Grid, you can. The guys at Off-The-Grid have been busy concocting some of the coolest flavor combinations with their signature dishes, blending Korean, Mexican, and Filipino flavors for the first batch of OTG's Secret Menu. Craving for Nachos? Go for OTG's unique nachos with a distinct Filipino twist...

Nacho Manileno (P 245), topped with pork sisig and garlic mayo. Crisp nachos with pork sisig, now that's a winner. Drizzled with a creamy and garlic mayo, it's an all new way to enjoy nachos. And you can only find it at Off-the-Grid.

East Meets West: A Celebration of Flavors with Chef Philip Golding at Red Panda

Celebrate both sides of the world, and for one evening, I get to experience the blend of unique flavors from one of the metro's renowned chefs. Red Panda and Chef Philip Golding celebrates the fusion of eastern and western flavors in collaboration with Disciples d'Escoffier Philippines (DDE) with an elegant five course dinner.

Red Panda serves French and Chinese cuisine, celebrating both sides of the world with distinct and bold flavors. Chef Philip Golding's elaborate five course dinner celebrates this fusion of flavors, with each dish offering balanced flavors (see my previous post for a unique behind the scenes look at Red Panda's kitchen with Chef Philip Golding here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2014/08/an-inside-look-chef-philip-golding-at.html).

An Inside Look: Chef Philip Golding at Red Panda

Precision, composure, timing...a unique insider's peek behind the scenes with Chef Philip Golding at Red Panda's kitchen remains one of the most memorable experiences yet. And seeing how each dish in an elegant five-course dinner is prepared gives one a better appreciation for each dish. 

In collaboration with Disciples d'Escoffier Philippines (DDE), Red Panda and Chef Philip Golding prepare an elegant fusion of east and west with a special five course dinner for a one night only event. And I was there, right in the middle of the action, to witness the intricate preparation behind each dish.

Akira, The Art of Sushi & Teppanyaki: Masters of the Flame

Great food, cool interiors, an engaging and entertaining show...all the elements for a classic teppanyaki lunch.

Akira, The Art of Sushi & Teppanyaki, introduces the Teppanyaki Group Specials for the month of August, with five options to choose from, each set good for five, to fit your appetite and budget. That's five for five...

Go All-Out with Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight's All-Out Weekday Dimsum Dinner Buffet

Pork dumplings, vegetable dumplings, noodles, congee, and the signature soupy pork dumplings, everything you want and more. It's the All-Out Weekday Dimsum Dinner Buffet at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight...

Starting August 4, 2014, you can have your very own dimsum feast from Monday to Friday, 6:00pm to 9:30pm, at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight with the All-Out Weekday Dimsum Dinner Buffet, all the way until August 31, 2014. Read on to find out the full selection of dishes for your dimsum feast...

Traditional Heritage Recipes at Casa Marcos

Comforting and familiar flavors, lovingly preserved for over half a century, continue to be favorites among loyal diners at Casa Marcos. Classic, timeless dishes from a bygone era brought back with that distinct Casa Marcos touch.

At Casa Marcos, you can still enjoy these same dishes, the signature Heritage Recipes, and many other old favorites. I've always returned to Casa Marcos for their classic gambas and almejas with a few rounds of beer (see my previous post here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2012/01/bringing-back-good-times-at-casa-marcos.html), and one late afternoon, it was time to go back to sample real classics in a nostalgic culinary trip  back in time...

Curry Your Way at Eri Curry

Crisp Pork Katsu on soft and fluffy rice with rich curry. Or maybe some crisp Chicken Karaage on curry. Or Tempura. At Eri Curry, you can have your curry any way you want it.  

Eri Curry lets you enjoy curry your way, with a variety of toppings to choose from for your very own comforting plate of curry. With the growing popularity of Japanese Ramen, this could be the next big thing...

Now Roasting: Mediterranean Flavors at ZABO Chicken

Slow-roasted Mediterranean style chicken with rich and bold flavors from a proprietary 18-spice blend. A wide range of comforting Mediterranean dishes. And great value for money. Here's one the metro's best kept secrets... 

...and you can find all these at ZABO Chicken, now roasting in five locations around the metro.

Dark Beer and Seafood at The Perfect Pint

Another cloudy afternoon. Just perfect for some seafood and dark beer at The Perfect Pint...

After an awesome Black Tuesday experience at The Perfect Pint (see my previous post here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2014/07/black-tuesday-at-perfect-pint.html), it was time for another visit, for one more round at The Perfect Pint.

Crocs, 'Roos, and Ostrich: Diamond Hotel's Flavors of the Land Down Under

Ready for some crocodile, kangaroo and ostrich? Then prepare yourself for a unique Aussie culinary experience at Diamond Hotel's Corniche... 

Starting August 1 to 10, 2014, Diamond Hotel's Corniche showcases the best of Australian cuisine with Flavors from the Land Down Under, with a wide variety of dishes prepared by Aussie Chef Steve Shrimski. Including crocs, 'roos, and ostrich...

Wham! Burgers & Sausages: A New Look That Hits The Spot

A brand new look. And I'm liking it...

The Brand's previous playful, fun, and youthful image has been redefined to reflect a bolder, more mature personality. And this repositioning is reflected in the new logo, with simple, clean graphics with a more definitive focus. Along with the relaunch is an updated menu. Meet the new Wham!...and it certainly hits the spot.

Taste the Treasures of Turkey at Makati Shangri-La

Discover the rich flavors of the exotic east with an array of traditional Turkish dishes prepared with colorful and exquisite spices for a true taste of authentic Turkish cuisine. And it's happening at Makati Shangri-La.

From August 1-10, 2014, Makati Shangri-La's Circles Events Cafe presents an impressive range of Turkish dishes, dubbed as the Treasures of Turkey as part of its popular buffet spread, prepared by guest chefs Harun Imre and Ramazan Edrem from Shangri-La Bosporus, Istanbul.