Taking Brasserie Cicou's Classic Kouign Amann to the Next Level

Intricate layers of soft bread dough formed in a roll, puffed up with butter and sugar, and baked to golden brown perfection. Just how do you top a classic? 

Leave it to Cyrille Soenen and Brasserie Cicou to once more elevate and transform their signature Kouign Amann to yet another level of creative culinary expression...

What's in the Fridge: Bagels, Cream Cheese and Smoked Fish

An early morning fridge raid during the holidays...

Bagels, cream cheese, and a few slices of smoked fish...time for a serious breakfast sandwich.

Celebrating the Holiday Season with Raffles and Fairmont Hotels Makati's Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Tradition

A home for the holidays...

Every year, the Raffles and Fairmont Hotels Makati celebrates the holiday season with its annual Gingerbread House Decorating tradition. And for one magical afternoon, kids can create and decorate their very own gingerbread house, a festive addition to the list of holiday traditions.

One Last Dinner at Oakroom

One last visit, and a final meal with an old friend. For years, I've always thought of the Oakroom as one of the best kept secrets in the metro...

The Oakroom will soon close its doors one last time, and a new dining concept will take its place. But until then, it's Seafood Fridays at the Oakroom...

Food News: Vikings Invade SM Jazz Mall

Prepare to feast...at the newest branch of Vikings.

Vikings Luxury Buffet opens its 6th branch at the new SM Jazz Mall, redefining once more the concept of buffet dining with an elegant twist.

Pizza, Dessert, and a Sunset at Subic

Pizza. Dessert. And waiting for the sunset. All in one afternoon at the Subic Freeport Zone...

Clustered in one spot at Subic, you can find a diversity of flavors all just a few yards from each other at Court Meridian Hotel & Suites. Looking for Ramen? There's the new Ramen Sora (see more here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2014/12/food-news-gerrys-grill-enters-ramen.html). International cuisine? Aresi's definitely the place...

Food News: Gerry's Grill Enters the Ramen Wars with Ramen Sora

The local ramen wars heat up once more with the entry of Ramen Sora in the local market, serving authentic Sapporo style ramen...

Prime Pacific Grill, Inc. (PPGI), the group behind Gerry's Grill, Aresi, Kusina ng Gerry's and Sweet Chili Thai Restaurant, introduces its newest franchise acquisition with the soft opening of Sapporo's popular ramen chain, Ramen Sora, at the Subic Freeport Zone.

Flavors of Pampanga: Go for a Winning Pair at Malt Bar

A winning hand at the gaming tables of Widus Hotel & Casino is more than enough reason to celebrate. And you can keep the winning streak going with a quick meal without leaving the casino... 

The Malt Bar, located inside the hotel's casino, offers quick meals that's big on flavor. Real food with real flavors served fast to get you back at the gaming tables for another run. Start your quick break with the Malt Bar's refreshing Sunrise, a non-alcoholic blend of lemonade and cucumber. Pair it with a limitless number of winning combinations...

Dinosaurs and Wakeboarding: Weekends at Clark Freeport Zone

There's more to the Clark Freeport Zone than a few rounds of golf, or a another round of poker at Widus Hotel & Casino. If you decide to venture out of the hotel property, get ready for a few cool surprises...

Now, there's more to do at the Clark Freeport Zone for that perfect weekend getaway...and your weekend adventure begins at Widus Hotel & Casino.

Flavors of Pampanga: Starting the Day Right at Salt Resto

There's nothing quite like a good breakfast to start your day right...

Salt Resto, Widus Hotel & Casino's all-day dining restaurant, offers a sumptuous breakfast buffet featuring local, Asian, Korean and international flavors to help you start your day right.

Flavors of Pampanga: A Culinary Journey of Flavors at Salt Resto

For Executive Chef Johnny Rodriguez, the challenge was pretty simple: create a full-course dinner tasting with new off-the-menu dishes using available ingredients. And Executive Chef Johnny Rodriguez succeeds in taking us on a flavorful journey inspired by his vast international experience. 

Fast gaining a reputation as a culinary hub at the Clark Freeport Zone, Widus Hotel & Casino offers a wide range of international and local cuisine. And with Executive Chef Johnny Rodriguez at the helm, you can always expect a memorable dining experience at any of the hotel's food and beverage outlets.

Upping the Ante Up North at Widus Hotel & Casino

A round of golf, a luxurious meal, and elegant accommodations. A weekend at Clark just got way better... 

Just two hours north of Manila, Widus Hotel & Casino is the premier one-stop leisure destination in the Clark Freeport Zone, making it ideal for a quick break, or even an extended vacation. Offering world-class accommodations, cuisine and a casino, plus a central location near golf courses and other attractions in the Clark Freeport Zone, Widus Hotel & Casino is definitely the place to stay in Clark.

K & L Cafe by Blushing Cupcakes: A Sweet Spot Along White Plains

Classic comfort food recreated from family recipes, and some indulgent cupcakes. You can find these and more along White Plains...

Karen and Loren, the creative sister act behind Blushing Cupcakes, bring their full range of favorite comfort food classics to K & L Cafe, the newest dining spot along White Plains. The success of Blushing Cupcakes led the sisters to pursue their culinary journey, recreating family favorites from Baguio, in a much larger space. White Plains just got sweeter...

Here's the Beef: The New US Ribeye from Racks

A thick slab of premium beef, perfectly grilled...

A new branch, and a new product. Racks kicks off the final quarter of the year with some good news...

Five Days with Yummy Diet

I always thought a healthy diet meant bland flavors with little else to excite your palate. Fifteen meals in five days changed all that...

Yummy Diet offers a range of healthy flavorful dishes from 1200, 1500, and 1800 calorie sets, including No-Rice and No-Carb options, with prices starting at P 1,800. And that includes Free Delivery too in selected areas. Sticking to a diet was never this easy. Or tasty.

All Present at a Craft Cocktail Class: Diageo Reserve World Class at The Curator

An intimate evening with some of the finest spirits prepared by the very best...and one awesome experience with Diageo Reserve World Class at The Curator.

Launched in 2009 globally, Diageo Reserve World Class has become the industry's most renowned and respected mixology program and competition in the world. Now close to its third year in the country, Diageo Reserve World Class hosted an interactive media cocktail tasting and mixology master class in partnership with The Curator, the winner of the World Class 2014 Bartender of the Year competition.

A Black Truffle Affair at Rambla

Described by the culinary icon Brillat-Savarin as the "diamond of the kitchen", truffles are highly prized the world over. And for one evening at Rambla, I get to experience this most unique 'shroom in a variety of dishes, including some very cool cocktails. 

For a limited time, Rambla offers the prized black truffle with its unique cocktails and dishes in a celebration of flavors with this "diamond of the kitchen"...

University Comfort Food and Good Times at Skull & Bones

Remember those times when a good burger and a cold beer would just make any bad day a whole lot better? At Skull & Bones, it still does...

Burgers, mac & cheese, and fried chicken tenders with a cold beer, comforting flavors that just brings back so many memories. Owners Patrick Santos and Chef Cuit Kaufman recreates those days with its classic menu at Skull & Bones.

Taggo Favorite Manila Restaurants: Going for Seconds at 2nd's

Comfort food revisited. Definitely going back for seconds at 2nd's...

Selected as one of Taggo's Favorite Manila Restaurants, 2nd's offers its own refreshing take on comfort food. Call it a second take on comfort food by 2nd's...

Taggo Favorite Manila Restaurants: A Salad and Seafood Boil at Clawdaddy

A traditional seafood boil and the newest social media platform add up to an entirely new and engaging dining experience...

Selected as one of Taggo's Favorite Manila Restaurants, Clawdaddy's is the place for the freshest all-American seafood boil at Bonifacio High Street. And there's more. You can be a part of the newest social media marketing platform with special benefits from your favorite restaurant...

Taste the Colors of Christmas at MCafe and Kabila

You can pretty much feel Christmas in the air, the sounds of Christmas carols and the cooler breeze announce the start of the holiday season. And nothing completes the experience than a series of holiday feasts with friends and family. Now you can experience the festive flavors of Christmas at MCafe and Kabila with a wide range of traditional dishes...

MCafe and Kabila's Colors of Christmas features set menus from their Christmas Salo-Salo packages for groups of six (P 550++ per person) and ten (P 650++), with two options to choose from, for that special holiday feast. Simply choose a set, bring your family and friends, and let MCafe and Kabila do the rest.

Old School Still Rules at Trellis

Times may have changed, yet there are some places that have withstood the constantly changing culinary landscape. Food trends come and go, the palates of local diners continue to evolve, and the influx of new flavor experiences disrupt the familiar with something refreshingly different. After more than thirty-four years, one place has seen all these changes, preserving the classic flavors for a new generation to discover. 

Trellis is one such place, where its signature dishes continue to draw a loyal base of diners, along with their families, to discover and rediscover classic comfort food. Old school has never been cooler than at Trellis.

Tito Chef's Travelers Menu: A Culinary Journey of Comforting Flavors

Burgers. Ramen. Pasta. Binagoongan. All-time favorites, all in one place. 

Chef Menoy Gimenez of Tito Chef Restaurant and All Things Culinary in BF Paranaque, and The Romulo Food Group of Romulo Cafe, Cerchio, and Catering by Claudia, collaborate for a gastronomic celebration of comforting flavors with Tito Chef Express at Microtel Acropolis. And just in time for the holiday season, Tito Chef Express launches its new Travelers Menu with a wide range of comfort food classics and flavors inspired from across the globe.  

Breakfast Pizza in the Afternoon at CPK

Sunny side-up on a pizza. Breakfast in the afternoon. Old and new favorites. And a few flavorful surprises in one afternoon at CPK. 

Pizza for breakfast? Why not. CPK introduces their new Breakfast Pizza, and a new pasta dish to complement their current menu.  

Tippled and Buzzed at the La Maison Cointreau Cocktail Competition Philippine Edition

A flurry of cocktails made with Cointreau, the world's leading liqueur, prepared by some of the leading mixologists, in one of the best French restaurants in the metro. An evening of limitless possibilities, new flavors and experiences. And a perfect evening to be just a bit tippled and buzzed...

Cointreau, the iconic French orange spirit brand, presented the first ever Philippine Edition of its cocktail competition, La Maison Cointreau, last November 26, 2014, at Le Jardin Manila. More than a liqueur, Cointreau's orange fragrance reveals the heart and soul of a refreshing cocktail, authentic, elegant, and always avant-garde. And that evening, I got to sample some of the most imaginative cocktails made with the iconic liqueur and prepared by some of the best mixologists...

Pies, Tortes, and Cakes at The Sweet Studio

Freshly baked pies with savory fillings. Sweet tortes and cakes with an inventive twist. Welcome to The Sweet Studio...

The Sweet Studio opens its doors just in time for the holiday season, with its signature line of cakes, tortes and savory pies.

"Tontekified" at Tokyo Tonteki

Ramen. Katsu. Now, another Japanese dish takes center stage and maybe, the next big thing in Japanese food. 

Tokyo Tonteki opens its second branch at Greenbelt 5, serving its signature "tonteki" or "pork loin steak," and yet another alternative to Japanese pork dishes.

Going the Distance with Pacman at Midas Cafe

A full twelve rounds, and Pacman goes the distance. I go the full distance too, with a brunch buffet at Midas Cafe...

AirAsia brings all the thrills and excitement of a championship bout at Midas Hotel and Casino's Midas Cafe, with a lavish brunch buffet. Round after round, and plate after plate, a real slug fest...

Spotted: The Most Unusual Gin at Wolf and Fox GastroPub

Friday night, time to hit the bar. Great to see an old friend, a most unusual old friend...

For one special evening, Wolf and Fox GastroPub served up some of the coolest cocktails with the most unusual gin. Hendrick's Gin, we meet again...

Flavors of GenSan: A Tuna Feast at Greenleaf Hotel's Mint Cafe

When in GenSan, you've got to have tuna...

A early morning flight to GenSan to visit Pacman and Air Asia's CEO and Founder Tony Fernandez at Pacman Wildcard Gym (see more on that amazing visit here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2014/11/an-afternoon-with-pacman-via-air-asia.html, and that up close experience on my other travel blog here at http://soloexpeditions.blogspot.com/2014/11/pacman-up-close.html) kicks off my first ever visit to the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines."

One Cool Concept And A Complete Breakfast Package: Jollibee's New Pancake Sandwich

An early breakfast way before dawn for a red eye flight to GenSan.  A flight this early needs a special breakfast...

Time for the new Pancake Sandwich from Jollibee. Smoky bacon, creamy cheese and egg between two pancakes. Now that's a pretty neat breakfast package.

Limoncello: When Life Gives You Lemons...

You're driving down the winding and scenic Amalfi coast in a classic roadster convertible, with the Mediterranean sun gently kissing your cheeks. Another sharp turn, and a sudden jolt. You wake up...

And just like that, you're back right smack in the center of reality, a million miles away from the Amalfi coast. But no worries. A sip of Limoncello does the trick. The traditional Southern Italian digestivo, the classic Limoncello captures the sunny flavors of the Mediterranean in every sip. And a few more shots brings you back to the Amalfi coast...

Topping the Grade: Mesclun Bistro's Japanese Grade A5 Wagyu Sirloin Dinner

There's steak. And there's Japanese Grade A5 Wagyu steak. And the differences are just worlds apart...

Chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara and Mesclun Bistro offers the most sought after and highest Wagyu grade steak for a limited time...

Brasserie Cicou Opens KA by Cicou at SM Mega Fashion Hall

Light, flaky and crusty layers of bread dough with the rich flavor of butter and caramelized sugar, freshly baked every day. It's a treat that's hard to pass up. And now, there are twelve new reasons to try this classic Breton dessert.

The classic Kouign Amann, made popular by Brasserie Cicou's Cyrille Soenen, now has its very own kiosk at SM Mega Mall. Chef Cyrille Soenen takes you on a culinary journey with his creative blend of flavors at KA by Cicou, giving this traditional Breton dessert a refreshing and flavorful twist.  

Osaka Ohsho Launches Brand New Gyoza Flavors and Fuwatoro Tenshin Han Combo Sets

Bacon and cheese in a gyoza. Peanut Butter and Bananas too. Japan's #1 Gyoza chain, Osaka Ohsho, pushes the envelope with its new, playful and inventive gyoza creations...  

The comforting and familiar suddenly becomes new and refreshingly different with Osaka Ohsho's new dishes, taking you dining experience to a whole new level. Bacon and cheese. Peanut butter and banana. Plus, new Fuwatoro Tenshin Han Sets...now that's cool.

Having a Break with Auntie Anne's New KitKat Wind-Upz

A familiar Christmas carol blares out at the mall, it's officially the start of the holiday season. And you'll need to have a break from the holiday rush...  

An innovative concept and one cool collaboration. Auntie Anne's launches the all-new Wind-Upz, with your favorite KitKat chocolate wafer wrapped in Auntie Anne's signature pretzel dough. Yup, I'm definitely having that break right now...

An Afternoon with Pacman Via AirAsia

The day started way before dawn, the way significant and truly memorable days often do. And this was one of them...meeting probably the world's best pound for pound boxer, and one of the business world's respected tycoons, all in one day. Two personalities from entirely different and contrasting backgrounds, yet very much the same, both being champions in their respective fields. 

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and AirAsia Founder and CEO Tony Fernandes meet up at the Pacman Wildcard Gym in General Santos City to formalize a marketing agreement before Pacman's next bout set for November 23 in Macau. And that was one awesome day...

Hatching Up Asian and Western Flavors at Nest Modern Table and Bar

Defy gravity and break free from the ordinary. At Nest Modern Table and Bar, experience the rich flavors of Asian and Western fusion and some cool and innovative cocktails high above The Fort... 

Like a hidden sanctuary far away from the urban noise, Nest Modern Table and Bar offers a unique dining experience, with its creative fusion of flavors and elegant yet tranquil setting. 

CaliBurger Launches New Chef's Choice Limited Edition Burger by Chef Rob Pengson

Crisp bacon. Sweet maple mustard sauce. Crunchy spiced onion rings. On a juicy all beef patty. Add some cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. And you just know this is a special burger... 

CaliBurger introduces their new limited edition Chef's Choice Smokehouse Burger by Rob Pengson.

Soup and Salad Days: Fresh Picks at Cravings

A healthy and refreshing Soup and Salad Buffet. Mongolian Buffet. Unlimited Juice. Plus a choice of one grilled item to pair with your soup and salad. It's time for Fresh Picks, every weekend at Cravings...  

The freshest picks, served every weekend for lunch and dinner at Cravings Shangri-La, Cravings Katipunan, and Cravings Molito. Fresh greens, a variety of salads and comforting soups, even a Mongolian buffet and unlimited juice plus one grilled item, all for only P 550++. Soup and salad days just got better at Cravings... 

Asian Flavors at the TriNoma Food Crawl

Japanese, Thai, Singaporean and Chinese flavors, in one place, all in one day. The modern mall has definitely evolved becoming a true dining destination. Yummy, one of the country's leading food magazines, in cooperation with TriNoma by Ayala Malls, present their top culinary picks at the TriNoma Food Crawl... 

Five distinct culinary experiences curated by Yummy Magazine, one epic food crawl. Here's a rundown on the top picks by Yummy Magazine's editorial staff at TriNoma...

Trying Something Different at Midas Cafe

Try something different. More seafood. More greens. More fruits. Just to balance things out. And at Midas Cafe, doing something different from your usual buffet lunch routine is easy. And tasty too...

Since the launch of Sabroso! A Celebration of Filipino Gastronomical Journey & Expressions last August, 2014 (see my previous post here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2014/08/sabroso-filipino-culinary-festival-at.html), Midas Cafe has been serving a selection of the best local regional cuisine alongside its regular offerings. A second visit called for a new plan at Midas Cafe's extensive buffet spread...

Romancing the Stone at House of Wagyu Stone Grill

A perfectly  marbled premium slab of Wagyu beef sizzling on a hot stone...

The sight, sound and aroma of premium Wagyu beef grilling on a hot stone, seasoned with just salt and pepper, is an experience in itself. And it just can't get any better than that...only at House of Wagyu Stone Grill.

Hendrick's Gin: An Evening With A Most Unusual Gin

"From the warmth of our little distillery in the deepest corner of Scotland, we create a gin that really is like no other. Its distinctive taste comes from the unusual way we make it - no other gin both steams and bathes its botanicals and no other gin would dare add cucumber and rose petal essences. It may not be to everyone's liking, but it does have a following amongst the most vanguard of gin drinkers."

Lesley Gracie, the master distiller behind each and every limited batch of Hendrick's Gin, sum it all up in describing "a most unusual gin." From the dark apothecary-style bottle and its classic typography reminiscent of the Victorian era, the intricate and meticulous distillation process, the infusion of cucumber and rose petal essences and the wide range of botanicals (fruits, seeds, flowers and roots), to the distinct and smooth aroma and finish of each sip, Hendricks's Gin is truly in a class of its own. And one night at The Fairmont Makati, I got to experience first-hand just what makes Hendrick's Gin a most unusual gin...

Paprika: Redefining Comfort Food with a Playful Twist

Dessert in an intentionally tipped jar with soil. Pasta with shrimp paste and crispy pork belly. Bacon & Eggs in a cocktail. And Adobo Overload. It's comfort food with an inventive spin. Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised at Paprika...

Your favorite comfort food gets a creative makeover at Paprika, the newest dining concept at Bonifacio Global City. Tucked away and secluded in one of the tall corporate structures at The Fort off the commercial strip, the seemingly "hidden" location adds to the appeal of Paprika. And once you find it, you're in for a unique comfort food experience.

TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie: Hong Kong Comfort Food with a French Flair

The friendly staff greet you at the entrance, and a server leads me to my table. Garbed with a crisp white top and a brightly colored scarf topped with a beret, the server suggests I try their signature Hong Kong style coffee while I wait for the others. And for a brief moment, the rustic charm of the brasserie-style interiors bring you to the famed streets of Paris until a quick glance at the menu reminds you that you're here not for French cuisine, but for traditional Hong Kong style comfort food. At TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie, the seemingly mixed visual cues is just one of the unique elements that make it stand out for a unique dining experience.   

TuanTuan is the first Chinese Brasserie in the country, serving classic Hong Kong style comfort food with a French flair. Traditional Hong Kong style favorites comprise the core of TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie's menu, served fresh from the kitchen amidst a sophisticated yet cozy French-inspired ambiance.  

A Celebration of Flavors at Opa! Mediterranean Cuisine

An affirmation, exclamation, and declaration, a pronouncement of celebration, and the celebration of life itself...the familiar Greek expression "Opa!" captures it all in just one word. And it's a fitting name to describe the celebration of authentic Greek flavors at Opa! Mediterranean Cuisine...

Specializing in traditional Mediterranean cuisine, the flavorful confluence of rich Eastern Mediterranean, Southern European, and North African culinary influences, Opa! Mediterranean Cuisine serves the best of the region's rich culinary flavors.

The Perfect Match at The Perfect Pint: A Local Craft Beer Food Pairing Series

The emerging popularity of local artisan craft beer is no longer a mere passing trend, it's definitely here to stay. Local is definitely the new premium. And it's about time for a serious food pairing event with some of the best local brews. Time for the perfect match at The Perfect Pint...  

The Perfect Pint launches the first and only local craft beer and food pairing showdown, dubbed "The Perfect Match", featuring some of the metro's best chefs and culinary personalities with their special recipes paired with the leading local brews in a series of short three-day runs. And you get to vote the winning pair. Now that deserves a toast...

Art and Sushi at Yumi: Now Open at Century Mall

Acclaimed Japanese chef Masaharu Morimoto once said "I'm not making art, I'm making sushi..." and the line separating sushi and art blend and merge making each savory bite a complete sensory experience. And at Yumi, the art of sushi is taken to a whole new level... 

Traditional yet modern and inventive, Yumi's signature sushi creations combine the freshest and premium ingredients with a contemporary approach in each plated masterpiece. And you can now experience Yumi's unique sushi artistry in its second branch at Century Mall.

Asian Food Channel's Nordic Flavors with Tareq Taylor

Surfer. Vintage car enthusiast. Drummer. Restaurateur and best-selling cookbook author. Asian Food Channel's international celebrity chef Tareq Taylor brings his own brand of simple yet fresh and authentic Nordic flavors for a unique taste of Scandinavian cuisine with an elegant three-course lunch at Makati Shangri-La's Sage Bar. 

The host of Asian Food Channel's Tareq Taylor's Nordic Cookery, Tareq Taylor recently concluded his Asia Tour with stops in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.