Bump Up The Mid-Week Hump With Refreshing Rounds And Tasty Bites At Apartment 1B x Elias Taproom

You've made it through the hectic mid-week rush. And there's no better way to jumpstart the coming weekend with a few rounds of artisan craft beer and savory bites. Where? At Apartment 1B x Elias Taproom in BGC...

Exquisite craft beer paired with comforting cuisine, it's the pairing we all need after scaling the mid-week hump. It's time to celebrate all the small wins in a big way with your favorite local craft brew on tap and some savory nibbles at Apartment 1B x Elias Taproom...

One More Round: Apartment 1B x Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits Taproom At Arthaland Century Pacific Tower BGC Turns One

Craft beer on tap and comfort food, it's a formula that's worked for Apartment 1B x Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits Taproom now marking its milestone first year anniversary. Now that calls for a craft beer pairing flight...

Apartment 1B x Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits Taproom celebrates one year of comforting cuisine, refreshing libations and good vibes. The novelty of the pairing, good food by Apartment 1B and good craft beer by Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits is a winning formula that just works. Still young and evolving, the unique taproom concept at the center of BGC has steadily built its own loyal customer base in search of a spot they can call their own. The welcoming space is a refreshing break from the usual crowded bar scene, designed specifically for easy fuss-free evenings, casual meet-ups and unhurried conversations. Plus, fresh craft beer from Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits that's always on tap and the sumptuous cuisine fresh off the kitchen from Apartment 1B to complete the picture, the concept just works. And one year later, the food and the local craft beer remains the top draw at Apartment 1B x Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits Taproom...

Beer, Bagels And Salads At The Fourth CCA Show Kitchen Mixer

It was an evening of strengthening bonds and building new connections over sumptuous salads, refreshing local artisan beers and mouthwatering savory bagels. The fourth CCA Show Kitchen Mixer for the month of November began as it always did. With a whole lot of good vibes and then some...

The monthly mixer series at the CCA Show Kitchen in BGC hosted by CCA Manila Culinary Director Philip John Golding is more than just a professional networking event linking industry partners, suppliers, chefs and students in support of CCA Manila's vision. It's become a monthly call among the community in the sharing of knowledge and celebrating the spirit of collaboration. And when you have culinary professionals together in one venue, you can always expect tasty bites (for more on the CCA Show Kitchen Mixer Series, see my posts Celebrating International Chefs Day With The Michelin Selected Gordon Ramsay Bar And Grill Take Over At The CCA Show Kitchen October Mixer highlighted by the signature and widely acclaimed Beef Wellington, What's Cookin' At The CCA Show Kitchen September Mixer featuring New Zealand Lamb and Oysters, Wine, Sake, Sausages, Sharing Of Knowledge And Building Relevant Connections At The CCA Show Kitchen with master oyster shucker and Tempus Dining Executive Chef Robert Davis). 

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.

What's Cookin' At The CCA Show Kitchen September Mixer

The sauces are simmering, the pot is steaming and the lamb is gently warmed in the oven. The CCA Show Kitchen is once again humming with activity for the on-going mixer series...

The September Mixer is underway at the CCA Show Kitchen bringing together food professionals, chefs, the academe, entrepreneurs and suppliers from the local food industry in another memorable gathering celebrated with sumptuous dishes. The spirit of collaboration, spotting new trends and strengthening relevant connections brings all of us closer together moving ever forward in a changing culinary landscape. Read on and step inside the CCA Show Kitchen and see what's cookin'...

Say Prost To Beer, Bites & Beats As Brotzeit Celebrates Oktoberfest 2025

Time to raise a toast with your stein. Seasonal Oktoberfest beers, savory Bavarian specialties, pretzels and lively weekend games, it's Oktoberfest at Brotzeit... 

The only authentic German beer garden and restaurant in the metro for over twelve years, Brotzeit brings the festive Bavarian tradition to Manila once more with this year's edition of Oktoberfest 2025. Starting September 7 to November 10, 2025, Brotzeit branches in BGC, Alabang West Parade and The Podium will be displaying the colors of the world's largest volksfest or folk festival along with its full repertoire of Bavarian beers including special seasonal brews, sumptuous and traditional cuisine plus new dishes and entertaining weekend games honoring the annual celebration. Ready for Oktoberfest at Brotzeit? Then, read on...

The Meat Of The Matter: Insightful Talks And An Elegant Rising Sons Dinner At The International Manila Food Festival in Newport World Resorts

Some food for thought to initiate engaging dialogue and a luxurious dinner by emerging chefs with Filipino roots from Orlando and Toronto marks the itinerary for the day. It's a full day at the International Manila Food Festival with a series of panel discussions and a sumptuous feast taking you to the meat of the matter at the first ever major international culinary event in the metro since Madrid Fusion Manila...

After a memorable inaugural dinner to formally open the International Manila Food Festival last August 7 at Casa Buenas in Newport World Resorts (more on my post here at Food For Thought: Rediscovering Filipino Cuisine With A Fresh Perspective At The First International Manila Food Festival in Casa Buenas), the festival gets down to business with some real talk on the current state of Filipino cuisine from industry stalwarts and a lavish dinner featuring contemporary expressions of traditional Filipino flavors by Chefs Lordfer Lalicon of Kaya Orlando and Danny Cancino of Mineral Toronto at Yawaragi in Hotel Okura. Both chefs, rising stars from the US and Canada, offer yet another fresh and creative perspective on modern Filipino cuisine for even more colorful layers in the evolving story of our culinary heritage. 

Food For Thought: Rediscovering Filipino Cuisine With A Fresh Perspective At The First International Manila Food Festival In Casa Buenas

In the biggest culinary event since Madrid Fusion Manila, Filipino cuisine once again takes the spotlight in a lavish spectacle spread out in four days at Newport World Resorts. The first ever International Manila Food Festival headlined by the country's best chefs both here and abroad shared a variety of flavorful expressions inspired by nostalgic memories and creativity in celebration of the local culinary heritage. 

Any local cuisine, they say is an eclectic collection of stories and memories passed down from countless generations retold in a dish. It's our identity and DNA, exquisitely plated representing who we are in multiple layers of comforting notes. At the launch and opening dinner of the International Manila Food Festival last August 7 in Casa Buenas of Newport World Resorts, guests were served a sumptuous preview of Filipino cuisine reimagined by the country's very best chefs joined by a new generation of rising stars from abroad with their own fresh, novel and creative perspective on traditional flavors. With a free reign on interpretations unbound by unwritten rules yet rooted in tradition, the formal media dinner opened up exciting possibilities on the state of Filipino cuisine on the global table. That memorable evening, new stories on local cuisine were shared and elegantly served...

Tagaytay Food Festival 2025 Day 1: Celebrating The Food That Binds with Tradition and Creativity

How far would you go for the food you love? Three memorable days in Tagaytay proved that no distance is far enough to deter you from the food you love, not even the constant rains and fog could dampen your craving. More than nourishment, the food that sustains us also binds us together shaping and defining our culture and identity. In a celebration of creativity and community, the Tagaytay Food Festival 2025 edition reminds us once more how food reconnects us with the land, produce and local culture from the simplest staple to intricate expressions. 

From July 18 to 20, the famed southern region showcased its full tapestry of colorful flavors from traditional local and international cuisine to modern contemporary executions in a lavish display of regional pride. Chefs, restaurateurs, farmers, producers and brands eagerly responded to the call to represent the very best of Tagaytay as the premier dining destination down south of Manila in a unified and collaborative celebration. The first in a series of five posts, here's a look back at the Tagaytay Food Festival 2025 retracing the memorable events from Day 1...

Vibrant New Stories Emerge at Makati's Poblacion...

An eclectic neighborhood in the midst of change and transition ushers in a new chapter in its on-going story. Familiar and new names in the 'hood paint a colorful tapestry constantly evolving yet remaining as diverse Poblacion has always been known for with its own distinctive pulse and creative vibe. Let's take a walk around the neighborhood...

It's been years since I last visited Poblacion, but the same spirit remains just as unique and proudly rebellious even defiant staying true to its non-conformist nature. Despite the changes and absence of former establishments, a new batch of hotspots takes their place continuing a tradition that has long defined the neighborhood alongside the enduring dives of Poblacion. It's this continuous wave of change that breathes and injects new life to the neighborhood forever in transition. Welcome to the latest chapter of Makati's iconic neighborhood...

Meet Me at Podium Social for Coffee, Cocktails and Beer to Sumptuous Cuisine...

One floor with five exciting restaurants is bringing a new, refreshing and cool kind of energy to redefine the mall scene in Ortigas. The top of The Podium is transformed to become the next dining destination with its curated array of offerings all in one place. Welcome to Podium Social...

The Podium unveils its bold and innovative concept with Podium Social, a culinary hub that's bound to reshape the mall and dining landscape in the vibrant and ever changing commercial and business district. With a distinct vibe that sets it apart from the usual, this new hotspot is a much needed shot revitalizing the mall's evolving culinary character. And it's happening. Read on and head up to Podium Social...

Pick Your Day and Choose Your Bowl with the Menya Kokoro 2025 Calendar

It's the middle of the year, what's your Menya Kokoro bowl for today? Time to pick your day and your bowl at Menya Kokoro...

Admit it, there are days when you just want a bowl of Tokyo style mazesoba or the classic ramen from Menya Kokoro. The days may have come by so fast, yet you remember those days when a sudden craving for a comforting bowl strikes. And as summer slowly transitions to the rainy season, a sumptuous bowl becomes the perfect fix for any craving. Pull out your Menya Kokoro 2025 Calendar and simply pick your day and your bowl...

Prost! Raise A Toast to the New Home of Brotzeit at The Podium

For over 12 years, Brotzeit in its original location was home. Months before, its relocation had been announced leaving a bittersweet feeling with so many memories. But that much anticipated moment has finally arrived. I'm home and back again once more in Brotzeit at its new location in The Podium...

Bigger, better and more elegant, Brotzeit pulls all the stops for its triumphant return to the Ortigas commercial and business district with its new home at The Podium. Round up the gang, the good times are back. It's time to raise a toast, shall we? 

Now On Tap: Apartment 1B x Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits Now Open in BGC

Comforting cuisine meets wicked libations in BGC's coolest dive yet. Step inside the Apartment 1B x Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits Tap Room...

Apartment 1B opens a new chapter in its enduring story with Apartment 1B x Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits in collaboration with the renowned local craft brewery at the heart of BGC. Long known for its elevated take on classic comfort food, Apartment 1B brings its well-loved menu along with new bar chow to Apartment 1B x Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits Tap Room for a whole new vibe in the bustling commercial and business district. Comfort food, bar chow and craft beer? Count me in. Read on for a round of tasty bites and refreshing libations at BGC's newest dive...

Vikings Invade The North: Vikings, The Alley Opens in Ayala Malls Fairview Terraces

Buffet dining has always been a popular option in the local restaurant scene and no other brand has has transformed and elevated the experience in the past decade than The Vikings Group. Bannered by fast growing concepts like Niu by Vikings, Four Seasons Buffet and Hotpot, Nords Bread Hub and Vikings, The Alley, the restaurant group launches an aggressive expansion up north of the metro with the recent opening of Vikings, The Alley Fairview Terraces...

A rampaging Nordic horde claims the north with the opening of Vikings, The Alley at Ayala Malls Fairview Terraces with its signature culinary concept highlighting excellent value and variety all in one place. It's a winning formula that has driven the brand since it first opened back in 2011 and continues to remain at the very core of the Vikings dining experience. Prepare to scroll and drool for a virtual tour of the impressive buffet spread at Vikings, The Alley Fairview Terraces...

The Lunch Situation, Simplified: Introducing the New Lunch Menu at Brotzeit

Nowadays, even the simple question of where to have lunch can be a complicated, long and over analyzed process with so many tempting options in the metro. More so with a large group where a consensus is rarely ever achieved. The new lunch specials at Brotzeit should settle the case with something for everyone on the menu. But if your group of lunch mates still isn't convinced, then ditch the group and enjoy your lunch the Brotzeit way... 

No need to complicate the lunch situation, simply follow your cravings for a satisfying and stress-free meal without the drama. And Brotzeit has just the right dish for you with the new Lunch Menu. From sandwiches and burgers to savory beef, chicken and even seafood options, simplify your lunch situation with value and variety you just can't beat and head on over to Brotzeit... 

Afternoon Tipple and Bites: Bar Pintxos Lights Up White Plains with its Savory and Authentic Spanish Offerings

The road along White Plains is dramatically transformed, soon emerging as an exciting new dining hotspot. And one of the reasons for this excitement has to be the opening of the newest branch by Bar Pintxos, long known and acknowledged for its authentic take on Spanish pintxos...

The heart and soul of traditional Basque culture and cuisine, the tasty bite-sized pintxos with the  distinctive "spike" or skewer on a piece of bread offers more than just savory nibbles. For many, it's the cornerstone of the rich social fabric that binds our links and connections with friends and family. It's this tradition that Bar Pintxos celebrates with each of their exquisite pintxos creations, and now you can experience the wide range of tasty small plates from one of the best tapas bars in the metro up north along White Plains in Quezon City at Bar Pintxos. Read on for a tasty peek...

What's Your Beef? The Four Hands Happy Hour Collab by Chefs Edward Buguia and Chris Oronce at Wolfgang's Steakhouse

When Chefs Edward Buguia of Flipside Burgers and Chris Oronce of Wolfgang's Steakhouse get together for a creative culinary collaboration using some of the world's finest beef for the innovative Happy Hour Series, you know you just have to mark it down on your calendar. It's Happy Hour the Wolfgang's Steakhouse way...

The second edition of The Four Hands Happy Hour collaboration at Wolfgang's Steakhouse featuring the culinary tandem of Chefs Edward Buguia and Chris Oronce brings comfortingly familiar local flavors executed in the elegant style of the renowned steakhouse for a unique Happy Hour experience. Paired with equally inventive cocktails, Wolfgang's Steakhouse brings small plates of exquisite creations for a sumptuous feast redefining the Happy Hour tradition. What's your beef? Read on and find out...

Catch the Next Culinary Wave with the Filipino Barbecue Buffet Every Thursday Night at Wave in City of Dreams Manila

Unlimited Pinoy-style barbecue. Unlimited tusok-tusok. Unlimited pulutan. And Unlimited beer. City of Dreams Manila takes Filipino Street Food up a notch to the pool deck at Wave. Get ready for the Filipino Barbecue Buffet and catch the latest wave in the metro's buffet scene...

From sundown all the way to 9pm every Thursday until April 25, City of Dreams Manila brings the comforting and even nostalgic flavors of popular Filipino street food to the pool deck at Wave with its latest and sumptuous buffet concept. The Filipino Barbecue Buffet at Wave is the latest culinary offering by City of Dreams Manila drawing inspiration from iconic street food staples including Pares, Batangas Goto, Sisig, Kinilaw, Inasal and even the ubiquitous and popular fish balls on skewers set in the elegant open air space next to Nobu Hotel's infinity lap pool. Read on for a tasty peek at the Filipino Barbecue Buffet and rediscover all your favorite street food for the perfect sunset feast...

Beast Mode On: Unleash The Beast at Burger Beast, Now Open at SM Mall of Asia

Chef Carlo Miguel has a real passion for burgers. And this passion is ignited with every single specialty burger served at Burger Beast...

Beastly artisan burgers, prepared to perfection at Burger Beast. That's what burger fans can expect at the newest burger destination in the metro. From the juicy beef or chicken patty to the premium cheeses, sauces and fixings down to the pillow soft bun, Chef Carlo Miguel nails it with his lavish and unrestrained take on the perfect burger. What began as an online delivery operation back in 2020 at the height of the pandemic through his innovative CloudEats is now a solid chef-driven concept with branches in Uptown Mall, Eastwood Mall, UP Town Center and its newest location at SM Mall of Asia. Ready to unleash your inner beast? Let Chef Carlo Miguel show you how...