Old World Colonial Elegance and Provencal Flavors: A Weekend at Raffles Makati

When at Raffles, why not visit Singapore? Or Dubai? Or Phnom Penh? Or Makati? No matter the destination, that unique brand of hospitality remains unchanged since 1887. A destination in itself, it's the same kind of emotional luxury that has drawn some of the world's iconic writers to Raffles, from Somerset Maugham to Alfred Hitchcock, Rudyard Kipling to Ernest Hemingway, and the story continues. From the original Raffles Singapore where it all began to its countless destinations around the world, each property is linked by its legendary service and luxury that is unmistakably Raffles. At Raffles, they call it emotional luxury. Guests simply call it Raffles...

And now it's your turn. A weekend at Raffles Makati takes you back to the storied past of old world elegance and grace of bygone colonial times, a brand of emotional luxury synonymous with Raffles for over 130 years. No matter how much has changed since 1887, Raffles would remain exactly the same, stopping time with its colonial splendor, unmatched luxury, and legendary service. And like so many individual stories weaving a colorful tapestry enhancing the enduring image of Raffles, here's yet another, my own story, on a perfect weekend at Raffles...

Airport Eats: Never Hungry at Kuala Lumpur International Airport

The minute you land at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, you automatically get hungry...

At KLIA 2, there are well over 160 retail and food outlets offering a wide array of both international and local dining options. Getting hungry at KLIA2 is the perfect way to get acquainted with Kuala Lumpur, so let's eat...

Well-Tuned: Smart, No-Frills, and Uncomplicated at Tune Hotels KLIA Sepang

Location, comfort, and real value. Get in tune on your next getaway...at Tune Hotels.

The concept of Tune Hotels is simple. Enjoy a great night's sleep at a great price. No frills, uncomplicated, and real value, it's the core proposition that sets it apart from the traditional and pricier hotels. It's also what makes Tune Hotels the smarter choice for business and leisure travelers. It was my home for an amazing three days in KL during AirAsia's mouthwatering and flavorful Santan Food Festival launch (for more on AirAsia's Santan Food Festival, see my previous post, Celebrating Asian Flavors with AirAsia's Santan Food Festival)...

Celebrating Asian Flavors with AirAsia's Santan Food Festival

Pad Thai with Prawns. Thai Green Curry. Korean Kimchi Stir-Fried Chicken. Miso Chicken with Garlic Rice. Chicken Adobo. South Indian Delight. Nasi Kuning Manado. Nasi Lemak. Chicken Rice. Roti Jala with Chicken Curry. Hungry? Then get ready to fly...

AirAsia takes inflight meals to new heights with its wide range of authentic regional offerings to complete your experience with Asian-inspired Santan cuisine. Read on for a tasty peek at AirAsia's Santan meals in the largest inflight food tasting event in Asia and first ever Santan Food Festival...

Texas Via Tokyo at Uptown Place Mall

Fresh sashimi followed by a hefty ribeye, sounds like the perfect lunch...

Located right next to each other at Uptown Place Mall, heading to Texas via Tokyo is as easy as crossing over with just a few steps for a sashimi and steak lunch...at Watami and Texas Roadhouse.

Time For Tacos at La Taqueria Amiga Mia

Nachos, tacos, burritos, and chimichangas, comforting Tex-Mex fare that always hits the spot. And you can find that one spot that serves Tex-Mex the right way at the heart of Quezon City...

La Taqueria Amiga Mia serves classic Tex-Mex cuisine the old-fashioned way, using real corn masa for their signature tacos and nachos. Boiled and stoneground for that authentic crunch and snap, you won't find dehydrated corn meal or commercial products with corn starch at La Taqueria Amiga Mia. This is classic old-school Tex-Mex prepared and served the old-fashioned way...

Chicken From Around The World at Poultry Stack

Comforting chicken dinners take on a flavorful global spin at Poultry Stack...

Poultry Stack takes you on a culinary journey around the world with its signature chicken dishes, drawing inspiration from South American, Japanese, Thai and Filipino flavors. And if you're looking for a winning chicken dinner, or lunch, Poultry Stack is definitely the place...

Ramen Innovation: Ippudo's New Clam Chowder Ramen

Drawing inspiration from local and regional ramen variations from Japan, Ippudo constantly innovates by offering a variety of ramen creations. This time, the inspiration takes on an All-American classic with a unique spin from Ippudo for another unique flavor experience...

Inventive, imaginative, daring. It's what keeps Ippudo at the forefront of ramen innovation, constantly engaging its loyal diners with new expressions of ramen creativity. Leave it to the ramen masters of Ippudo to add a flavorful twist to an iconic American classic with their new Clam Chowder Ramen...

Old Favorites. And New Favorites. At Trellis...

There are few names in the local culinary landscape that have stood the test of time, one of them is Trellis...

Since 1980, Trellis has been serving classic local cuisine that has endeared it to generations of loyal diners. Each time you go back and each time you take a bite, a simple meal becomes a memorable and nostalgic culinary journey back in time...

Modern Elegance and Little Touches: Mom's Day Weekend at Midas Hotel & Casino

Mother's Day becomes even more special with a staycation at Midas Hotel & Casino...

Modern, vibrant, with an upbeat feel balanced by a stately charm and elegance, Midas Hotel & Casino combines glamor, contemporary style, and a sleek cutting-edge culture for a unique and memorable Mother's Day staycation. It's that blend of stylish elegance, dynamic urban vibe, fresh interpretation of modern hospitality and graceful design that makes your visit to Midas Hotel & Casino special. Read on and take a peek at a memorable Mother's Day staycation at the famed city by the bay, and the little touches and unexpected surprises that made it special...at Midas Hotel & Casino.

Double the Flavor: The Lechon Gallena by Leonardo's Lechon...

At the heart of every celebration is the traditional Lechon, a whole roasted pig that adds a distinctly Filipino vibe to any gathering. And for over 70 years, Leonardo's Lechon has been at the center of countless feasts for generations.

And here's a closer look at one of their popular variants, the Lechon Gallena, stuffed with whole chickens, potatoes, spices and herbs for a unique take on a classic. Read on and drool...

Wholesome Eats & Sweets: Marriott Manila's Vegan Offerings for a Healthier Lifestyle

No longer just a passing trend, seeking a healthier lifestyle has gone beyond just being a mere fad, it's definitely here to stay. For committed vegans and those who are simply curious about healthy cuisine, Marriott Manila is your new vegan go-to-place...

Marriott Manila adds a healthy twist to its culinary offerings with healthy vegan options at Cru Steakhouse and Marriott Cafe Bakery. And if you're thinking of pursuing a healthier lifestyle, Marriott Manila is a great place to start...

One Night Only: The Saga Beef Sake Dinner at The Fireplace

Japan's best beef paired with the finest sake, in one special evening...

...at The Fireplace. Six courses highlighting the world-renowned Saga Beef, each paired with a curated selection of premium Sake from the same prefecture combine for a memorable dining experience. Located on the southern Kyushu Island, Saga Prefecture is known for its world-class beef and is one of Japan's best quality sake-rice producing regions. The indulgent richness and flavors from the best of Saga Prefecture come together for one unforgettable evening at The Fireplace. Read on for a peek of Japan's best...

Treat Mom Like a Queen at Gerry's Grill with the Queen's Meal

After all these years, you'd still rather be at Gerry's...

...this Mother's Day. Starting May 12 to 14, 2017, Gerry's Grill offers their Queen's Meal for a festive and sumptuous Mother's Day feast. Each Queen's Meal Set is good for five persons, with two meal options to choose from featuring Gerry's Grill's all-time favorites. Treat mom this weekend with a feast of comforting flavors...at Gerry's Grill.

Tea with a French Accent: The Royal Afternoon Tea Series Featuring Marie Antoinette at Writers Bar

"Let them eat cake..."

Words that have resonated long after the French Revolution. But did Marie Antoinette really say it, or was it just a journalistic cliche? Historians have debated for decades regarding this notorious utterance perfectly describing class conflict and western aristocracy. Accounts detailed a flawed translation, referring to brioche and not cake, but whether Marie Antoinette did say these infamous words remains an open-ended discussion. Historians have traced the famous quote to an anecdote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau about a "great princess" well before Marie Antoinette arrived in France. But Marie Antoinette's place in history has already been firmly established, mythologized in local lore after that turbulent chapter in French history. It's interesting trivia like this that lead to colorful conversations at tea time. And you can have your cake. And a soothing cup of tea...at Raffles Hotel. Writers Bar introduces its Royal Afternoon Tea Series drawing inspiration from history's icons, and starting May 1 to July 31, 2017, you can indulge in a lavish selection of sweet and savory creations inspired by Marie Antoinette paired with select premium teas. Read on for a peek at afternoon tea with a French accent...

Epic on a Plate: The #EpicLasagnaSupreme by Greenwich

Round up the barkada for next epic summer adventure, and bring along some flavorful epic-ness to fuel the fun...

Greenwich offers its most epic pasta to-date, the new Lasagna Supreme, just perfect for your next exciting adventure with your barkada. A trip to the beach down south or a chill staycation at a friend's house down the road, add a flavorful punch to your cool adventure with the gang with the new Lasagna Supreme by Greenwich.

MOMents: Celebrate Mom's Day at King Chef Seafood Restaurant

Treat your mom to a royal Chinese feast by the chef of kings and the king of chefs...at King Chef Seafood Restaurant.

For the whole month of May, King Chef Seafood Restaurant celebrates Mother's Day with a pair of lavish Mother's Day Set Menus fit for royalty. And for moms everywhere, they deserve nothing less...

Lifestyle Dining + Unrivaled Entertainment at Ibiza Beach Club BGC

Take your dining experience to the next level...at Ibiza Beach Club.

Cebu's hippest and hottest dining experience comes to Manila with the opening of Ibiza Beach Club at the heart of Bonifacio Global City. Combining the innovative concepts of lifestyle dining with unrivaled entertainment, Ibiza Beach Club offers a unique dining experience that reflects the brand's DNA where diners can immerse themselves in that cool signature beach club vibe. The elegant space, stylized interiors, impeccable service, and the cuisine come together in a seamless blend for an immersive experience you can only find at Ibiza Beach Club. And the sumptuous Balearic-inspired 15-Course Grill with premium meat and fresh seafood is one more reason to visit Ibiza Beach Club...

Flavors of Tacloban: Sweet Indulgence at Miyara Patisserie, Tacloban's Sweet Spot.

The vibrant city of Tacloban is home to a unique regional cuisine steeped in tradition. But a new generation of talented chefs, bakers, and food entrepreneurs are slowly changing the culinary landscape. One of them is Tacloban's very own Miyara Patisserie...

Miyara Patisserie specializes in indulgent desserts, custom-designed cakes and dessert buffets for all occasions, serving Illy Coffee to pair with their sinful and decadent offerings. When a sudden craving for Banoffee Pie or Chocolate Ganache Cake hits you while in Tacloban, there's only one place guaranteed to satisfy this craving...you can get your Banoffee Pie and Chocolate Ganache Cake fix at Miyara Patisserie.