Pep & Ronnie Brings Rustic Italian Flavors With Filipino Soul To Makati's Salcedo Village

Makati's busy Salcedo Village never fails to surprise wandering palates with its wide array of sumptuous dining spots. Like a perfectly good slice of brick oven pizza. Tucked away in the narrow backstreets of Makati is one real gem of a find...

Inspired by rustic Italian flavors infused with Filipino soul, Pampanga-based Pep & Ronnie Pizza House heads south with its first branch in Makati showcasing its tempting selection of both traditional and playfully inventive brick oven pizza creations and more. Ready for a slice? Then, read on...

Saga, A Wagyu Tasting Journey At Yawaragi Restaurant In Hotel Okura

For one night only, four acclaimed Japanese chefs showcased exquisite culinary expressions using the very best Wagyu Beef from the famed Saga Prefecture in an elegant 7-course dinner at Yawaragi Restaurant in Hotel Okura Manila. From starters to mains and dessert, each masterfully executed dish reflected the long and meticulous process blending both science and nature behind the world famous Saga Beef. Head on over to your table and embark on a savory culinary journey...

Hotel Okura Manila, Newport World Resorts, Hotel Nikko Osaka and Philippine Wine Merchants hosted the exclusive eight-hands dinner Saga, A Wagyu Tasting Journey at Yawaragi Restaurant led by Chefs Minoru Takashima, Keiichiro Fujino, Ikuma Sato and Katsuji Kato. Throughout the dinner, the legendary buttery melt-in-your-mouth texture and exceptional glossy marbling or "tsuya-sashi" is celebrated with each course and tasty bite in a display of precision, balance and shared respect for Japanese produce and the culinary craft. Definitely one of my culinary highlights for the year and a memorable journey that lingers long after the last bite, read on for more on Saga, A Wagyu Tasting Journey at Yawaragi Restaurant in Hotel Okura Manila...

#HiltonSinagtala: Savor The Festive Flavors Of The Season at Kusina Sea Kitchens in Hilton Manila

The indulgent flavors of the season take the spotlight at Kusina Sea Kitchens in Hilton Manila with a lavish array of global cuisine spread out in several stations in one elegant space. Get into the festive season's vibe with the flavors that drape the palate with a lingering comforting warmth in the much anticipated and most joyous season...

Hilton Manila unveils its tempting selection of dining options in the season of endless feasts, and the extensive offerings at Kusina Sea Kitchens becomes the stage for memorable gatherings with family and friends. Step inside Kusina Sea Kitchens for the Festive Season Buffet and discover the traditional flavors of the holidays...

Ten Years Strong: The Philippine Sustainability Movement Celebrates A Milestone Decade With Renewed Purpose In Transforming Food Systems

Ten years ago, Christian Schmidradner and Claudia Rose Mendez of Pristine Solutions raised the alarm warning of a looming global crisis often disregarded even shrugged off by many. It began with sustainable seafood, but the advocacy has expanded to cover entire food systems matched by a wider cast of engaged multi-sectoral communities in the F&B industry from restaurants, hotels and chefs to retail and trade, suppliers and importers including the academe, private as well as government agencies and NGOs. The advocacy that began a decade back has grown to become a movement for systemic change in the appreciation of food. That evening, the Philippine Sustainability Movement celebrated a major milestone engaging even more sectors to the cause presenting a new chapter in its decade long history. Now let's shuck some fresh and succulent Irish Gallagher Oysters...

The Philippine Sustainability Movement takes the lead once more in its advocacy for sustainability, building trust through traceability, institutionalizing certified responsibility, ethical sourcing, collaboration and advancing organic food and produce with renewed purpose bringing together various communities with a shared advocacy. For over a decade, the Philippine Sustainability Movement presented viable steps for real systemic change in transforming perceptions and practices on food provenance.  At the 10th Anniversary of the movement held at the innovative coworking space, The Collab by Sheraton Manila, pioneering advocates Christian Schmidradner and Claudia Rose Mendez of Pristine Solutions takes environmental stewardship and transparency in food systems at the very top of the agenda with the goal of making sustainability more achievable and directly impacting communities and consumers. Stronger than ever, the Philippine Sustainability Movement embarks on a new chapter with strengthened alliances towards responsible food systems.

No Place Like Home: IKEA Presents The Flavors Of Home Festival For The Holidays

These are exciting times for the local dining scene with the release of the inaugural list for the Philippine edition of the acclaimed Michelin Guide. The country's culinary landscape continues to evolve now with a much larger presence at the global table while deeply rooted in tradition preserving our heritage and identity. Yet after all is said and done, the fact remains that the best seats in the house for a comforting and hearty feast will always be found at home...

Home is a destination where the most meaningful celebrations happen, and IKEA lets you rediscover the infinite possibilities in transforming your space with the Flavors of Home Festival. Explore both style and value with the extensive array of innovative, functional and creative products and design solutions for both the home and kitchen this holiday season at IKEA after all, there really is no place like home... 

Menya Kokoro Unveils Three New Savory Offerings With The A5 Wagyu Mazesoba, A5 Wagyu Don And Iekei Ramen

Staying ahead of the game means continuous innovation. And Menya Kokoro has been doing exactly that since it arrived in Manila back in 2019 with its constant roll-out of creative culinary expressions. Known for their distinctive and award-winning mazesoba or "brothless ramen", Menya Kokoro continues to flex its creative culinary muscle with new seasonal offerings. One new ramen and two sumptuous bowls with mazesoba noods and another with rice topped with premium Wagyu A5 beef from Kagoshima. Ready for a tasty peek?

Menya Kokoro unveils three new seasonal offerings available only for a limited time led by the Wagyu Mazesoba, Wagyu Don and Iekei Ramen available in all branches starting this November. A savory trio of rich and indulgent notes await diners at Menya Kokoro reflecting the brand's commitment to continuous innovation. Now let's grab a bowl...

Celebrating International Chefs Day With The Michelin Selected Gordon Ramsay Bar And Grill Take Over At The CCA Show Kitchen October Mixer

The spirit of collaboration, establishing strong connections over shared advocacies with a common goal of uplifting the local dining scene brings culinary professionals from various sectors together at the monthly gathering hosted by CCA Manila Culinary Director Chef Philip John Golding at the CCA Show Kitchen in BGC. But this monthly mixer becomes even more special coinciding with the International Chef Day celebrations along with the much anticipated announcement of the Philippine edition of the acclaimed and highly coveted Michelin Guide. Milestones were celebrated that evening, forging new alliances strengthening the community with renewed focus on elevating the local dining experience. 

Recently minted as one of 74 local restaurants with the prestigious Michelin Selected recognition by the Michelin Guide, world-renowned Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill at Newport World Resorts solidified its enviable position as one of the top dining destinations in the metro. That evening, the world-class offerings of Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill graced the monthly affair for another memorable edition of the mixer series hosted by the CCA Show Kitchen (for more on the continuing mixer series at the CCA Show Kitchen, see my posts Oysters, Wine, Sake, Sausages, Sharing Of Knowledge And Building Relevant Connections At The CCA Show Kitchen from August this year and What's Cookin' At The CCA Show Kitchen September Mixer from September).

Michelin Selected: MaMaCiTa BGC Makes The Cut For A Rightful Place In The Philippine Edition Of The World Class Guide

A day after the Michelin Guide announced its list, the stars aligned and the star dust settled the following morning as the local dining scene celebrated a significant milestone with culinary professionals enjoying the much deserved recognition. Familiar and expected names made it to the list while some surprisingly didn't. As with all creative endeavors, there will be opposing viewpoints. Taste is after all subjective. But after all is said and done, no one can deny it's impact on the country's evolving restaurant landscape that's finally recognized on the global stage with the release of the Michelin Guide for the Philippines. In the end, this is a win for the local food community. And to honor the first ever inaugural class of local restaurants with the enviable nod of approval from Michelin, we'll be featuring a few of the chosen establishments on the blog celebrating each recognition as a win toward moving the local dining experience forward...

The country's rich and diverse culinary landscape is now on the global dining map with the release of the Philippine edition of the celebrated and much coveted Michelin Guide. One Two-Star establishment, eight One-Star restaurants, twenty-five Michelin Bib Gourmand picks and seventy-four Michelin Selected dining destinations worthy of the recognition. It's an impressive haul no matter how you look at it. While others lamented the limited scope covering "Manila and environs and Cebu," it still is a comprehensive list reflecting value and comforting cuisine all the way to casual and fine dining concepts. Despite the omissions and somewhat limited regional scope, the inaugural listing still represents the very best of Manila and Cebu. And these include all seventy-four Michelin Selected restaurants like MaMaCiTa BGC. "Celebrated for their quality cuisine, Michelin Selected restaurants showcase culinary creativity and consistency," and you'll find all that served with each dish along Forbestown Road with the specialty Mexican offerings at MaMaCiTa BGC...

All Hail The Queen Of Wagyu: Teppanya Welcomes Japan's Famed Matsusaka Beef To Manila

There's Wagyu Beef, then there's Matsusaka Beef. Often referred to as the "Queen of Wagyu," Matsusaka Beef is one of the world's most coveted beef in the world prized for its exquisite marbling and rich butter-like texture and mouthfeel. And it's now in Manila. Soon you can indulge in the savory richness of the world famous beef at Teppanya and Sicilian Roast. The secret's out...

Straight from Ito Ranch in Japan's Mie Prefecture to Manila, the world acclaimed Matsusaka Beef is poised to elevate your Wagyu Beef dining experience in selected establishments. In partnership with local importer Prime Cuts by Doubleday, the rare Matsusaka Beef from the revered Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef Farm will be made available to partner establishments starting with Teppanya and Sicilian Roast. Ready for a taste of the best? Then, read on...

At the formal launch in Shangri-La Plaza, Prime Cuts by Doubleday showcased its latest and probably most indulgent and luxurious offering to date with the arrival of Matsusaka Beef from Ito Ranch. That afternoon, the lucky guests experienced the rare savory richness of one of the world's legendary cuts of beef prepared by the skilled master chefs of Teppanya. 

At the event, Mark Pineda of Teppanya joined management of Prime Cuts by Doubleday, Ito Ranch and Sicilian Roast for the ceremonial toast festivities... 

...as wooden masu containing sake were distributed to guests. The rhythmic beat of taiko drums formally celebrated the much anticipated arrival of Matsusaka Beef to Manila. One of the acclaimed "Big Three" or Sandai Wagyu which includes Ōmi Beef and Kobe Beef, Matsusaka Beef are reared in extremely controlled conditions resulting in its buttery high fat-to-meat ratio, beautiful marbling, pure flavors and real fork-tender texture with only a small amount processed each year thus its premium prices due to its rarity and limited availability. It's called "Queen of Wagyu" simply because Matsusaka Beef comes only and exclusively from Japanese black female cows. 

Now let's take a closer look at Matsusaka Beef. The export of Matsusaka Beef is closely controlled and regulated thus its exclusive status. And with extremely limited quantities as opposed to commercial beef, you really can't blame the locals from wanting to keep this culinary gem for their own consumption. But thanks to Prime Cuts by Doubleday, diners can soon experience the rarest of premium beef. But this isn't the first time Matsusaka Beef was made available in the country. Previously, certain local establishments offered the premium beef but the partnership between Ito Ranch and Prime Cuts by Doubleday marks a milestone first. Ito Ranch is selective when it comes to its partners for worldwide distribution and Prime Cuts by Doubleday makes the cut as the enviable exclusive and official source of Japan's famous Matsusaka Beef. 

Established in 1953, Ito Ranch is Japan's most decorated Matsusaka producer with over 35 competition awards including a historic three year Grand Champion honors consistently ranking it as top-tier farm. It's a historic feat no other Japanese Matsusaka producer can claim. The formula for success? Simple. Pedigree and lineage, raising Japanese black cattle in a stress-free environment and fattening cattle much longer than the usual 25 months with its standard 35-month program resulting in high oleic concentration allowing the meat to melt at a low 12 degrees Celsius for that unmistakable butter-like texture. And lastly, a proprietary feed that remains a closely guarded family secret. 

All these combine for one of the world's best Wagyu beef experiences with its high fat, oleic acid concentration, intricate marbling and low melting point delivering an indulgent savory richness like no other. And that's why Matsusaka Beef is the rarest, most exclusive and expensive beef in the world. 

And soon, diners will experience a taste of the very best at Teppanya (for more on Teppanya, see my posts All Hail The Emperor: A Royal Feast With The New Emperor Set Menu At Teppanya In SM By The Bay from two years ago, Super Premium Unlimited Madness, The Ultimate Teppan Feast Upgrade At Teppanya In SM By The Bay from 2023, Fired Up For All-Out Teppanyaki: Teppanya Celebrates Its 5th Anniversary With The Insane Unlimited Madness Promotion from 2019 and Fire And Flavor: Setting The Stage For A Culinary Performance At Teppanya from six years back). What can diners expect at Teppanya? Imagine opulent bites of the special Nigiri and a lavish and sumptuous teppanyaki dining experience featuring Matsusaka Beef at Teppanya. 

And the moment guests eagerly waited for is finally happening as whole slabs of Matsusaka Beef are prepped by Teppanya for everyone to sample...

At the Teppanya booth, the prized Matsusaka Beef are delicately carved and sliced...

...lightly seared on a teppan grill and portioned for sampling servings...

...like the Sukiyaki with a light yet rich broth, tofu and fresh vegetables. The broth is immediately transformed by the decadent savory richness of the Matsusaka Beef draping the palate with its elegant lingering notes in just one sip and bite. The familiar and comforting flavors of sukiyaki teases the palate yet the flavors are nothing quite like previous experiences. It's sukiyaki taken a whole new level with Matsusaka Beef. 

Simply seasoned and garnished with thin slices of crisp garlic, Matsusaka Beef grilled to medium rare perfection is the best way to enjoy its pure, clean and unrestrained flavors as it slowmy melts in your mouth releasing even more intense notes. 

This is where all the tedious and meticulous protocols in raising Matsusaka Beef with generations-old family practices and traditions pays off in one juicy bite. 

And one bite just leads to another. The flavors are not overwhelmingly strong but elegantly refined and nuanced with its buttery richness. It's premium beef in a class all its own. 

And if you can't wait to secure a couple of premium slabs of Matsusaka Beef, you can order online via the Prime Cuts by Doubleday website and online store (link details at the bottom of the post).  

At the launch, the Matcha Latte by Maison Midori was the perfect libation with each sip cutting through the richness preparing your palate for another indulgent bite of Matsusaka Beef. 

Teppanya and Sicilian Roast will soon render their own lavish culinary expressions using the famed Matsusaka Beef in their menus, and that's definitely something to look forward to in the coming weeks. 

Access to the world's finest produce is slowly opening up and transforming the local dining scene. And with access to a constant supply of Matsusaka Beef, things can only get better. The rarest, most exclusive and expensive beef in the world isn't something you easily shrug off nor pass up. And thanks to Prime Cuts by Doubleday, Teppanya and Sicilian Roast, the new menus offering Matsusaka Beef provide new and memorable dining experiences without requiring a plane ticket. 

There's Wagyu beef, and there's Matsusaka Beef. And sooner than you think, you too can experience and savor the world's best at Teppanya and Sicilian Roast with the arrival of the "Queen of Wagyu". 

For more on Matsusaka Beef at Prime Cuts by Doubleday, visit their website and online store at https://dprimecuts.com/

For more on Teppanya and the availability of Matsusaka Beef, visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/teppanyaphserendrabgc/, https://www.facebook.com/TeppanyaSMNorth, https://www.facebook.com/teppanyaevia, https://www.facebook.com/TEPPANYAPHMOA, https://www.facebook.com/TeppanyaPHShangriLaPlaza and https://www.instagram.com/teppanyaph/ for updates.

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Late Breakfast, Cocktails And The Proper Pour Over Coffee: A Day At H Proper Coffee Roasters In The Podium.

Spending half a day in one place isn't the usual plan, but H Proper Coffee Roasters isn't your usual coffee specialty shop. In addition to a stellar artisan coffee selection plus an innovative pour-over bar, you can also enjoy a variety of savory meals, fresh baked and sweet bites and even cocktails all in one place. Step inside and explore the possibilities all day at H Proper Coffee Roasters...

Now with two locations, H Proper Coffee Roasters brings an extensive and solid dining menu and cocktail offerings to enhance your coffee experience all-day long. Start with a late brunch followed by dessert, a round of cocktails and a pour-over session to cap your H Proper Coffee Roasters episode for a day well spent. Coffee? Pick your seat...