Home Again...at Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen.

Finally, Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen comes to the north...

...and you're home again to classic, comforting and homestyle Italian flavors. Ever since my first time at Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen and Nonna's Pasta & Pizzeria at Nuvali, I've always hoped that they would expand to the north one day. Apparently, that was all in the pipeline, with new branches in UP Town Center, Ayala Malls Vertis North, and Ayala Malls The 30th in Pasig City. Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen is now much closer to home...

One More Bowl: Sweeter This Time Around at Cafe Sweet Inspirations

Back then, it was all the rage. Bowl after bowl, it was a culinary trend that defined an era of consumerism with more bang for the buck. Years later, it's still a deal that's pretty much hard to resist. The popularity of the Mongolian barbecue buffet may have waned these past few years, and few of the restaurants built around the concept remains. But somehow, the concept still works. And it's definitely sweeter this time around with one more bowl...at Cafe Sweet Inspirations.

For over twenty years, Cafe Sweet Inspirations has served bowl after bowl of their signature Mongolian Rice Bowls along Katipunan Avenue, and the long lines for the buffet continue to reflect the enduring popularity of this iconic establishment. And it still tastes as good as my first ever bowl so many years ago...

Wine Away With Me: A Wine and Cheese Experience at Shangri-La The Fort's High Street Lounge

Fridays are more than enough reasons to celebrate. So why not wine away with me...at High Street Lounge.

High Street Lounge at Shangri-La The Fort makes every last Friday of the month extra special with Wine Away With Me, a unique wine and cheese experience from 8:00 pm to 10:30pm offering a wide and extensive selection of premium wines, cheeses, and charcuterie. Wine, cheese, and charcuterie plus a live jazz performance, this is Friday happy hour with a classy spin...at High Street Lounge.

#MeatMeAtFinestra: An Italian Spin on the Classic Steakhouse Vibe at Finestra

Fresh lemons from the Amalfi coast, plump tomatoes from San Marzano sul Sarno, USDA Omaha Angus Beef from Nebraska, Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef from Idaho, and Blackmore Wagyu Beef from Australia, Solaire Resorts & Casino's elegant Finestra adds a uniquely Italian spin to its classic steakhouse vibe...

It's a steakhouse with that distinct Italian flair. One of Solaire Resorts & Casino's premier dining establishments, Finestra Italian Steakhouse elevates the steakhouse experience to a whole new and elegant level infused with an Italian touch. Premium steaks and classic Italian dishes, that sounds good to me...

From Palette to Palate: Art and Modern Filipino Cuisine at Marco Polo Manila's Cucina

Each dish is a canvas of fresh and vibrant notes, accentuated by bold strokes of masterful execution for a unique food festival infused with the artistry of a master chef's passion. Art and modern Filipino cuisine come together in a seamless and elegant blend at Cucina's From Palette to Palate, featuring the art and contemporary take on Filipino cuisine by guest Chef Ramon Antonio... 

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina features the art and culinary masterpieces of guest Chef Ramon Antonio in a unique Filipino food festival dubbed From Palette to Palate: Art and Modern Filipino Food from August 22 to 31, 2017 offering guests and diners a new perspective on local cuisine. Known for his artistic sketches on plating, a creative process that defined Chef Ramon Antonio's culinary style and philosophy, Cucina's From Palette to Palate: Art and Modern Filipino Food coincides with the celebration of Filipino Week highlighted by comforting local flavors with a contemporary spin. Take a peek at guest Chef Ramon Antonio's creative process through his elaborate sketches and flavorful dishes at Cucina, and prepare for another unique dining experience at Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas Manila...

Creative Innovation and Inspired Indulgence at The Workshop Bespoke Bakery

The culinary benchmark is raised once again, combining the rustic and traditional with the modern and progressive in a seamless and indulgent blend elevating the bakery experience...at The Workshop Bespoke Bakery.

The young and creative duo behind Le Petit Souffle, Scout's Honor, Garde Manger, and Freezer Burn, chefs Miko Aspiras and Kristine Lotilla are back with another innovative dining concept with The Workshop Bespoke Bakery. Going beyond the usual cupcakes, brownies, and cakes, chefs Miko Aspiras and Kristine Lotilla are on a mission to showcase more than just the usual desserts created by local homegrown talent. And the market is ready for something other than the usual run-of-the-mill desserts...

Doing it Right: Tea Etiquette at The Writers Bar's Queen Victoria Royal Afternoon Tea

Bring me a cup of tea and the Times...

And so ordered Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India at the height of the British Empire. And to this day, tea remains a daily habit and an integral part of their social fabric, a legacy recreated at the elegant Writers Bar of Raffles Makati. Inspired by the Victorian era, Writers Bar presents the second edition of their Royal Afternoon Tea Series featuring Queen Victoria. I've enjoyed afternoon tea quite a number of times at Writers Bar, but this time I'm doing it right with a little help, make that a lot of help, with a special tea etiquette class at Writers Bar...

Caveman Beef Ribs, Not Mapo Tofu, and Surf & Turf Noodles at Ping Pong Diplomacy

You definitely won't find these dishes with their descriptive names in the usual mainstream Chinese joint. Then again, Ping Pong Diplomacy isn't your usual Chinese restaurant. Not by a long shot...

Drawing inspiration from the seventies with the historic re-opening of Sino-American relations sparked by the exchange of table tennis players, the cleverly-named Ping Pong Diplomacy offers a uniquely fresh and inventive take on Chinese cuisine infused with good ol' American flair. Chefs Him Uy de Baron and Noel Mauricio call it "progressive Chinese." You can simply call it Ping Pong Diplomacy's power-smashing #killerserve...

Burgers and Sliders with the T. E. Touch at Pound by Todd English

Craving for burgers with that signature T. E. touch?  Just give in and go with the flow...

...at Pound by Todd English. Maybe it's the premium beef, house ground and delicately cooked sous-vide before grilling. Or the house-cured slabs of bacon. The fresh-baked buns prepared in-house. And the wide variety of inventive sauces and add-ons that just elevates the burger experience. Todd English is spot-on down to the last detail with his unique T. E. touch...at Pound by Todd English.

Bringing The Vibrant Flavors of Asian Street Food to Novotel Manila's Food Exchange

Fish balls, tokneneng, kwek kwek, balut, gado-gado, tteokbokki, laksa, Hainanese chicken, dim sum and rojak, iconic street food favorites from all over Asia converge at Novotel Manila's Food Exchange. It's Asia on a plate. One very big plate... 

Novotel Manila celebrates the rich and diverse flavors of Asia with the Asian Street Food Festival at the Food Exchange from August 17 to September 3, 2017. Savor and rediscover classic and comforting flavors from Japan, India, China, Singapore, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines all in one place with a wide selection of dishes prepared by eight Asian chefs led by noted celebrity chef Sau del Rosario. Experience the rich flavors of Asia, one plate at a time...at Novotel Manila's Food Exchange.

Skillets and Filipino Breakfasts at Chelsea Grand Cafe

What's for breakfast?

French toast, pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs on bread bowls, Filipino breakfasts, toasts and skillets, take your pick. At Chelsea Grand Cafe, you can choose from a wide variety of breakfast options for that perfect start...

Northern Exposure: A Taste of Authentic Northern Chinese Flavors at City of Dreams Manila's New Jing Ting Restaurant

The rustic and hearty flavors of China's famed northern region comes to City of Dreams Manila at Jing Ting Restaurant with its signature selections of authentic hand-pulled noodles, buns and dumplings.  

Rich, bold, and savory, authentic Northern Chinese cuisine comprises mostly of meat dishes with wheat-based dumplings, soft buns and hand-pulled noodles spiced and seasoned with garlic, coriander, leeks, salt, and vinegar for upfront flavors. Braised, steamed, boiled, stewed, steamed, roasted, glazed, deep-fried, and stir-fried, Jing Ting Restaurant offers diners another taste of China, comfortingly familiar yet refreshingly different. The rugged terrain of the north is reflected in its hearty cuisine, recreated at the new Jing Ting Restaurant of City of Dreams Manila.

Weekend Eats: The Sunday Lunch Delights at The Nostalgia Dining Lounge

A relaxing Sunday weekend just got a whole lot better...at The Nostalgia Dining Lounge.

The Nostalgia Dining Lounge at Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila now offers a sumptuous Sunday Lunch Buffet to end the weekend on a high note, serving a wide array of dishes for a Sunday family treat. Read on and have a virtual taste of the Sunday Lunch Buffet at The Nostalgia Dining Lounge...

Back at IHOP...

Four years later, the long lines may have faded, but the comforting flavors remain favorites. After all, IHOP has been "spreading happiness" since 1958...

Breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon snacks, dinner or any other time of day when you're craving for classic IHOP flavors, you know you can have your fill at your nearest IHOP branch (for more on IHOP, see my earlier posts on the opening of the very first IHOP branch in the country at Food News: IHOP, Now Spreading Happiness at The Fort and Breakfast at IHOP from four years back, A Late Afternoon Breakfast with IHOP's Fried Chicken Dinner and A Steak Lunch at IHOP on their savory mains, Go Ahead and Stack 'Em High: IHOP's New P 25 Pancake Promotion on their previous promotion, and new menu items at New Flavors: IHOP Introduces All-New Lunch and Dinner Menu). Long after the buzz and hype of the first ever IHOP launch in the country from four years ago, I still find myself coming back for that taste of iconic IHOP classics...

Go North: One Night at La Maja Rica

Any road trip up north is made even more special with the tasty stops along the way. And if you need to spend a night on the route, here's one spot that makes the long drive north a memorable one...

La Maja Rica is a boutique hotel and restaurant conveniently situated along MacArthur Highway in Ligtasan, Tarlac City. Think of La Maja Rica as your oasis on the never-ending roads of the north. It's a welcome stopover on a road trip, and a flavorful one too...

#GWithTheBarkada: Celebrate Friendship Month with the Greenwich Hawaiian Overload Pizza!

Round up the gang, time to go #GWithTheBarkada...

And there's no better way to celebrate Friendship Month with the barkada than flavorful bites of the bestselling Hawaiian Overload from Greenwich, now available in Crispy Thins. So have a slice and bring out the karaoke and selfie ring light for another epic #GWithTheBarkada session...

A Cold Guinness and Comforting Pub Grub at Finnians Irish Pub

Finally, a neighborhood pub with that distinct Irish spin...

There may not be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but you can experience the proverbial luck of the Irish at the heart of Little Baguio, right here at Finnians Irish Pub...

Firing Up The Glasshouse at The Fireplace Pop-Up

One special evening. It's The Fireplace at The Glasshouse...

New World Manila Bay Hotel's iconic steakhouse, The Fireplace, pops-up at New World Makati Hotel's The Glasshouse for one special evening. From Manila Bay to Makati, this one-night only pop-up recreates the signature cuisine and service of The Fireplace at the heart of the metro's premier commercial and business district. 

Taking It To The Barangay: The 2017 Marriott Asia-Pacific Culinary Workshop's Chef's Challenge

Over forty of the very best chefs from Marriott's thirty brands across the Asia-Pacific region converged at the quiet Barangay 76 Zone 10 in Baclaran for an epic food fight. It's the much awaited Chef's Challenge, part of the 2017 Marriott Asia-Pacific Culinary Workshop...

Manila Marriott Hotel recently hosted the 2017 Marriott Asia-Pacific Culinary Workshop last July 31 to August 3, 2017, bringing together Marriott's best chefs from Asia-Pacific to exchange and share new culinary ideas and best practices. The culinary workshop also featured an intense off-site Chef's Challenge at a local barangay where chefs from the different Marriott hotels in the region showcased their skill and creativity in a unique food fiesta to the delight of local residents. After a light yet satisfying seafood lunch at Marriott Cafe (see my earlier post, A Light Seafood Lunch at Marriott Cafe), it was time for the food fight at Barangay 76 Zone 10...

A Light Seafood Lunch at Marriott Cafe

A light yet sumptuous lunch at Marriott Cafe before an epic food fiesta and Chef's Challenge at Barangay 76 Zone 10 in Baclaran. It's a full day of seriously good eats...

From July 31 to August 3, 2017, over forty F&B representatives, including directors and executive chefs from thirty Marriott brands across the Asia-Pacific converge at Manila Marriott Hotel for the annual 2017 Marriott Asia-Pacific Culinary Workshop. That day, the chefs geared up for a culinary showdown at a nearby barangay scheduled for mid-afternoon, while I settled in for a light seafood lunch at Marriott Cafe...

Red Lantern Lights The Way To Authentic Chinese Flavors at Solaire Resort & Casino

The very best of China's diverse regional flavors take the spotlight at Solaire Resort & Casino's Red Lantern...

From suckling pig to Peking duck and authentic dimsum, you'll find all your favorites at the elegant Red Lantern with its wide array of Chinese regional dishes. Just let Red Lantern light the way to experience and savor the best regional flavors of China at Solaire Resort & Casino... 

Elevating Your Bakery Experience at Nord's Bread Hub, Now Baking at The Block.

There's just nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked artisan bread. And when it tastes as good as it looks, you've got a keeper and a must-try spot right there...

From the same group behind the popular Vikings chain of buffet restaurants comes yet another innovative dining concept, Nord's Bread Hub. Consistent with the Vikings brand, the name of the new concept literally translates to "north" in reference to the Nordic race or Norsemen. And Vikings. But more than just the name, Nord's Bread Hub also shares the same high quality standards with the Vikings chain in all of its offerings. Stop by and savor the aroma and taste of freshly baked artisan bread, cakes, pastries and more...at Nord's Bread Hub.

Fresh, Modern, and Progressive Greek Cuisine at Souv! by Cyma

Pioneer, trailblazer, and innovator, just some of the words you can use to describe Chef Robby Goco. And Chef Robby Goco is at it again with his latest dining concept...

Traditional Greek flavors are given a refreshing and modern spin by Chef Robby Goco in his newest concept restaurant, Souv! by Cyma. Described by Chef Robby Goco as "progressive" Greek cuisine, Souv! by Cyma highlights the pillars of Greek cuisine with the use of good fat, healthy grains, beneficial fibers, low sugar and a healthy dose of carbs with the five staple ingredients of Greek cooking with salt, pepper, olive oil, oregano, and lemon to bring out the natural flavors of each ingredient. Read on for a tasty peek at Chef Robby Goco's latest innovative dining concept.