#GoodFoodIsJustAroundTheCorner: Pizza, Sushi Rolls and Comforting Local Flavors at The Common Market Food Hall

A day at the mall can leave you hungry. At The Podium, there's The Corner Market to satisfy all your cravings...

Since it opened early this year, The Common Market at The Podium continues to remind us that good food is just around the corner. And it gets even better this holiday season. Why not make that tasty detour around the corner after a long day of Christmas shopping at The Podium? Read on for a tasty peek at The Corner Market...

Filipino, Spanish, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine all in one place. That's what makes The Corner Market at The Podium special, a foodie destination with so much to offer (for more on The Corner Market, see my earlier post, Good Food Is Just Around The Corner at The Corner Market). Craving for pizza, sushi rolls and comforting Filipino cuisine? The Corner Market's got that covered. Here's a closer look at three sumptuous offerings at The Corner Market...

For Jenny Diaz (L) of Pizza Morena, it's all about preparing each order one pizza at a time, handmade with the freshest and finest ingredients and finished in a rustic oven for pizza perfection. With absolutely no short cuts, Pizza Morena prepares your pizza as you order so you get it hot and fresh from the oven.

This Yuletide season, Pizza Morena infuses its own take on the festive holiday vibe with its newest pizza creation, the sweet and savory Sausage Stuffings Pizza (P 350) with a creamy cheese base and Mozzarella topped with flavorful sausage stuffings and cranberries drizzled with gravy. The crust, with its charred blisters, is crisp, soft and chewy and best enjoyed fresh from the oven.

The savory richness of the sausage stuffing is delicately balanced by the contrasting tart sweetness of the cranberries for a vibrant burst of holiday-inspired flavors and perfectly finished by the cheese, Mozzarella and gravy. It's not your usual pizza but the sweet and savory combo works just fine in time for the holidays. Pizza Morena offers a variety of flavors in its extensive menu, including the signature Pizza Morena, 4 Cheese and Chives, Chorizo with Arugula, Pesto and Truffled Mushrooms, Spinach & Artichoke, Prosciutto & Burrata, Margherita, Pepperoni & Hot Honey, and Anchovy, Gorgonzola and Olives. Pizza? Get it hot and fresh from the oven at Pizza Morena.

Tofu Pockets, Nori Tacos, Grilled Oysters and organic black rice sushi, each one reflecting the innovative culinary style of Chef Nino Laus from the former Hamaru Yakitori & Sushi. If you've missed his savory sushi creations at Hamaru, come on over to The Common Market at Inari for their inventive take on Japanese sushi.

The distinctive sushi creations from Inari sets it apart from the usual offerings (for more on Chef Nino Laus and the former Hamaru Yakitori & Sushi, check out my earlier posts, #HamaruLetsGo: Night Out at Hamaru Yakitori & Sushi and #ChangeYourCravings at The Food Hive Food Park), and you can find it at The Common Market. The metro's very first inarizushi bar, Inari celebrates the holiday season with its sumptuous Sushi Platter (P 775) with forty pieces of their signature Spicy Tuna, Crispy Salmon Skin, Torched California, Sweet Eggplant, and Ebi Tempura rolled in organic black rice.

The earthy and nutty notes of the organic black rice delivers bolder flavors and textures, and can be a meal in itself. But no worries, it's also a healthier alternative for the season of non-stop holiday feasting. From seafood to vegetables, each variant offers distinct flavors and you get the full range with Inari's Sushi Platter.

And when the craving gets real for timeless homestyle comforting flavors, rest easy. You can find the best Crispy Pork Binagoongan right here at The Corner Market.

Old friend and high school batchmate Mon Eugenio and his wife Monique (L) takes you back to the flavors you grew up with and still love with their sumptuous recreation of Filipino classics like Dinuguan at Puto to Binukadkad na Tilapia at Sari Salo. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need after a day at the mall.

Sari Salo is the couple's newest dining concept in a growing portfolio that includes Myron's (see my previous post here at A Date with Dad: Celebrate Father's Day at Myron's New Home in Ascott Residences Makati), The Flying Pan (more on my post at The Flying Pan Has Landed: Now Serving Comfort Food Daily at the Heart of Salcedo), and Franco's (Franco's: Reconnecting with Comfort Food). At Sari Salo, the focus is on real, uncomplicated, honest and hearty flavors with none of the fuss. Like the Crispy Pork Binagoongan (P 230) with crunchy and juicy slabs of pork belly draped in rich fermented shrimp paste topped with fresh chili, scallions and tomatoes. One bite releases layers of flavors, from the juicy pork with its crisp crackling to the bold notes of the bagoong to tie everything together in a seamless blend finished by a hint of heat from the chili. It just doesn't get better than this. What's Christmas without some pork love? Sari Salo also offers Kombi Meals (P 190) that come with soup, vegetables and rice for tasty options and variety with more bang for the buck and value for money.

You just can't say no to Sari Salo's Crispy Pork Binagoongan. Or the Angus Beef Tapa (P 285). Or the Pork Sisig (P 190). Whatever your cravings, you'll be glad to know that good food is just around the corner...at The Corner Market.

The Corner Market Food Hall is located at the Second Level, The Podium, 12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong Cityor call 0917-820-8374 for inquiries and more information.

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