Sneak Peek: Best Food Forward Turns Five

For the past five years, this annual food fair has been known to be the launch pad for some of the country's successful food entrepreneurs, and this year's edition is no different.    

Best Food Forward marks its fifth year milestone with this year's edition set for October 10-11, 2015, at the Rockwell Tent in Makati City. And just like the previous editions, you can always expect to find something new and innovative, and maybe, even the next big thing on the emerging local food scene...

Let's Eat, Now On TV

You've read it. Now, you can watch it on TV...

The city's trusted food guide, Philippine Star's Let's Eat, is now on TV serving up delicious food and juicy conversations with its premier telecast this Thursday, September 30, at the Lifestyle Network.

Pintxos, Craft Beer, a Fiery Jim & Tonic, and The Solist at The Bottle Shop

A cold brew and some classic pintxos. A smooth Jim & Tonic with a spicy kick. And an encounter with The Solist. All in one place...

The Bottle Shop opens a second branch, bringing their extensive selection of premium craft beer and spirits to The Fort. Now you can start your own journey and discover the world's best premium craft beer, and no, you won't find any of the "fizzy-wizzy mass-produced beer" here...

A Hawaiian Luau at Johnny Kahuku's Hawaiian Shrimphouse

Leave your suntan lotion, but bring your appetite. It's time for a Hawaiian-style Luau at Johnny Kahuku's Hawaiian Shrimphouse...

Johnny Kahuku's Hawaiian Shrimphouse brings the rich and unique tropical island flavors of Hawaii to the metro, now making waves at Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila.

Traditional Sushi Served with Modern Technology at Genki Sushi

Your favorite sushi and sashimi, delivered by the iconic Shinkansen Bullet Train, or a Formula 1 race car, or a Space Shuttle, straight by your tableside...

It's traditional sushi served with a modern touch, combining fresh flavors with technology for a totally new immersive dining experience only at Genki Sushi, now open at the Bonifacio Stopover Pavillon. The freshest sushi and the fastest service, all with a simple tap on the screen...

Local Flavors in a Bottle: At the Manille Liqueur de Dalandan Launch...

Local is the new premium...

The country's oldest distillery introduces its newest product with uniquely local flavors, Manille Liqueur de Dalandan, the second variant of the company's Manille Liqueur collection, closely following its successful Manille Liqueur de Calamansi.

Turning Up the Heat: Ippudo's Limited Edition Spicy Black

The recurring theme of constantly creating a delightful ramen experience with innovation reverberates once more with a new dimension of spice...

Inspired by the rich multi-cultural culinary tapestry of Singapore, the Limited Edition Spicy Black is a flavorful blend of Indian, Malaysian, and Chinese influences in a bowl for a whole new ramen experience at Ippudo.

The North Asian Showdown at Marriott Cafe

The rich flavors from the Land of the Morning Calm, the Land of the Rising Sun, and the Middle Kingdom converge at Marriott Manila...

Marriott Cafe takes you on an epic flavorful journey with the very best of Korea, Japan, and China with its impressive North Asian Showdown, a month-long fete of diverse and distinct flavors of the orient. From bulgogi, japchae, galbi and Korean hot pots, fresh sushi and sashimi, sukiyaki, tempura, katsu and teppanyaki, to roast meats, steamed fish and the freshest seafood and a wide variety dim sum, Marriott Cafe has it all, and more...

Sweet Indulgences at Pia Y Damaso

Touch me not...keep your hands off my desserts. 

Traditional and modern desserts, with many inspired by the iconic characters from Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere, are just some of the many reasons to visit Pia Y Damaso. Here's a tempting list of must-try desserts at Pia Y Damaso even Padre Damaso would find impossible to resist...

A Grand Sequel: Back for a Feast at Pia Y Damaso

On wide platters upon bright-hued sheets of perforated paper are to be seen hams from Europe and China, stuffed turkeys, and a big pastry in the shape of an Agnus Dei or a dove, the Holy Ghost perhaps. Among all these are jars of acharas with fanciful decorations made from the flowers of the areca palm and other fruits and vegetables, all tastefully cut and fastened with syrup to the sides of the flasks...

The eve of the fiesta, in all its lavish extravagance and excesses, is described in detail by Jose Rizal's novel and commentary on colonial society. Then, as it is today, one's wealth and stature in society are measured by the scale of the feast. A return visit to Pia Y Damaso in Greenbelt 5 promised to be a grander experience, maybe not in the same level as Jose Rizal's vivid description for the town fiesta, but epic just the same with even more dishes...

Deliciously Healthy: Food Magazine's Food Tastings Series

Healthy food doesn't have to be boring or bland...

Food Magazine, in celebration of its 20th Anniversary, presented eight healthy dishes prepared by the metro's best chefs and food entrepreneurs in the third Food Tastings event, dubbed as "Deliciously Healthy," last Septtember 13, 2015, at the Eastwood Mall Atrium. And yes, healthy never tasted this good...

Preserving Cherished Family Recipes at 49B Heirloom Kitchen

A culinary family's third generation shares their recipes in a quaint and homey spot in Quezon City... 

49B Heirloom Kitchen is one of those delightful culinary finds in Quezon City (see my previous post on my first visit to 49B Heirloom Kitchen here), recreating treasured family recipes with its wide range of comforting dishes prepared by young chef and owner Erica Aquino.

Single Malt, Lechon, and Sisig...Round 2 with the Carnivore Lechon by Leonardo's Lechon

A bottle of single malt, a whole roasted Carnivore Lechon stuffed with bacon and three kinds of sausages, and freshly made Sisig...just can't get better than that. 

The skies were gray that day, but it didn't matter. Pure pork love and premium single malt were about to be served...

Take Home Treats: Savory Aussie Meat Pies from Pie Face

The New York Times boldly declared that "pie is the food of the heroic," and that "no pie eating nation can ever be vanquished," in an editorial back in 1902. A century later, you can argue that the center of geopolitics is slowly shifting to the east, and the New York Times editorial is no longer relevant. Then again, who really cares? All I know is that these savory pies from Pie Face still makes my day so much better...   

Pie Face opens its second branch in Eastwood City, serving its wide selection of signature meat pies, along with its equally popular sweet pies and award-winning Australian Di Bella coffee blends. And just like the New York Times editorial, I'm feeling "heroic" today, and I'm going for a Pie Face Sack, with four savory meat pies from Pie Face.

Innovation Never Stops: The Katsu Burger by Yabu

It's one of those things that surprisingly, really works, and makes a lot of sense. And you too can experience this culinary innovation for a limited time...

Yabu, The House of Katsu, introduces their unique and special Yabu Katsu Burgers for a limited time, featuring their signature Hire Katsu and Ebi Katsu in toasted brioche buns. It's your classic burger with the creative Yabu spin, and it works...

Authentic Indonesian Flavors at The Nostalgia Dining Lounge's Indonesian Food Festival

The metro gets a taste of one of the world's distinct and colorful cuisines in a week-long festival at The Nostalgia Dining Lounge... 

Discover the rich and authentic flavors of Indonesia at The Nostalgia Dining Lounge's Indonesian Food Festival from September 8 to 18, 2015, with a wide array of traditional dishes prepared by chefs flown in from Indonesia. Prepare for a feast of diverse and vibrant flavors...

Changing the Game at Recession Coffee

The freedom to pay what you want can be a unique and liberating experience, and at Recession Coffee, you determine the value... 

Recession Coffee challenges the traditional business model with its novel pricing strategy, addressing the varying value perception and price sensitivities of consumers for its line of premium coffee. Simply walk up the counter, place your order, and pay what you want...

Like Peas and Carrots: Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Restaurant and Market Introduces New Dishes

Mrs. Gump. The Drill Sergeant. Lieutenant Dan. Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue. Jenny. Forrest. Twenty-one years later, the iconic film's lead characters remain vivid and fresh, and brought to life at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Restaurant and Market...

Bubba Gump introduces a new line of dishes celebrating rustic southern flavors inspired by the iconic film, ranging from starters and salads to mains along with new specialty cocktails. That's more than enough reason to make you run like Forrest to Bubba Gump...

A Taste of Spain in the Metro: ArroZeria Manila's New Dishes

"As close as you can get to eating Paella in Spain..."

A bold promise, and a firm commitment behind every dish at ArroZeria Manila. Chef Chele Gonzalez and his team at ArroZeria Manila are passionate about rice, and at ArroZeria Manila, rice remains the hero. This is experienced and savored in each and every authentic paella dish served at ArroZeria, using the finest and freshest ingredients prepared in the Spanish tradition. 

Popping-Up for Brunch at the Gas3nomic Brunch

Five elegant courses for a unique all-day brunch experience and a memorable culinary pop-up event...

The Gas3nomic Brunch organized by Gas3nomic Culinary Events featured a five-course menu created by young and talented Chef Jonvic Mangibin and his team, each one elegantly plated and meticulously prepared for unique brunch experience.

Monkey Shoulder: At The Heart of a New Cocktail Revolution

Playful, irreverent, unconventional and a cheeky disregard for tradition, definitely more fun than a barrel of monkeys...

Monkey Shoulder is a smooth and rich blended malt Scotch whisky, made from three of Speyside's finest single malts and produced in small batches. Take it neat, on the rocks or mixed into a fresh, fruity cocktail, Monkey Shoulder has all the credentials of a classic single malt whisky with the versatility and mixability that places it right at the center, and the heart, of a new cocktail revolution...

Meet You at The Lobby: New Dishes at The Peninsula Manila's Legendary Lobby

For over 38 years, The Lobby has become synonymous with memorable dining experiences, as it continues to be the metro's premier meeting place. Meet me at The Lobby...

Since 1976, The Lobby at The Peninsula Manila has been the perennial meeting spot for the metro's elite, and remains one of the iconic landmarks in the Makati CBD. The expansive space and high ceilings are flanked by two grand staircases on each side, adding to The Lobby's elegant and timeless appeal. Matching The Lobby's dramatic interiors is its equally impressive cuisine, with many of its beloved signature dishes gaining prestigious awards, including its indulgent Halo-Halo, cited by Time Magazine as the "Best Legal High" in 2006.

A Weekday Brunch at Vask's Tapas Bar

Brunch takes on a homespun, comforting and traditional vibe at Vask's Tapas Room with its featured selection of authentic Spanish tapas...

Chef Chele Gonzalez shares the distinct flavors of Spain and the Basque region in a unique all-day Weekday Brunch with the featured menu priced at P 450 per dish, great for sharing for 3-4 diners. Hearty, homey, and traditional flavors at reasonable prices, and the only all-day brunch in the metro offering authentic Spanish cuisine for a whole new brunch experience...only at Vask's Tapas Room.  

Where's the Beef? It's All Here at Ruby Jack's Steakhouse and Bar

The classic steakhouse, reinvented and redefined...

When Edward Baffoe, Matthew Crabbe, and Nathan Smith decided to go on their own and open a restaurant, there was no doubt in their minds what it would be. With years of shared experience in Tokyo's hotel and restaurant industry, the trio embarked on creating one of Tokyo's elegant steakhouses, Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar. And it's now here in Manila... 

The Dinner Series with Luminarc and the Art of Entertaining

Spreading happiness, one intimate dinner at a time... 

The Dinner Series with Luminarc shares the secrets and the art of entertaining in a series of intimate dinners, showcasing modern, functional, and original collections of assorted tableware from dinnerware, glassware, cookware and other accessories in a memorable evening with great food, wine, and company.

Timeless Classics at Cafe Ysabel

For more than thirty-three years, Cafe Ysabel's classic cuisine has endured the test of time. Simply bring the company, and let Cafe Ysabel take care of the great food and wine, and prepare for another memorable dining experience...

Chef Gene Gonzalez shared his extraordinary and flavorful culinary journey with Cafe Ysabel with his signature dishes and extensive wine selection in one special evening. Great food, great wine, and great stories...