#FourScenePicksFour: Four Memorable Dining Experiences That Made Our List

It's often said that what makes dining so memorable are the fond memories triggered by comforting dishes, discovering new flavors that widen your palate's perspective, being transported to a far-away place with just a bite, a simple plate masterfully executed or a chef who tells an engaging story behind each dish. These are what makes dining special and as another year comes to a close, here's four picks that made our list... 

The mandatory list of favorites is one way to celebrate and recap a year of good food and good times, and looking back, our group FourScene certainly has a few. And what a year. Manila's culinary scene continues to evolve adapting to the fickle and ever-changing palate of local diners. But there are a few that remain relevant in a market where trends come and go. Here's four that made our list driven by the metro's best and passionate chefs, in no particular order or ranking, with FourScene Picks Four...

#HolidaysAtTheGrid: It's Christmas at The Grid Food Market in Power Plant Mall...

The Grid Food Market celebrates the warm and hearty flavors of the holidays with a festive selection of seasonal offerings...

The Grid Food Market by Tasteless at Power Plant Mall, the same group behind Le Petit Souffle, Hanamaruken, Scout's Honor, Hole in the Wall and Pizza Express, unveils a sumptuous array of holiday dishes this Christmas. From comfort food classics to vibrant Asian-inspired flavors and more, diners are in for another memorable dining experience with friends and family at The Grid Food Market.

With its wide array of tasty offerings, The Grid Food Market infuses the flavors of Christmas in a lavish repertoire of dishes and beverages for the whole month of December (for more on The Grid Food Market, see my earlier posts, Gochu-Gang, Beefier and Babu: By The Numbers with Stalls 5, 6 and 7 at The Grid Food Market in Power Plant Mall on some of their signature favorites, Bucky's, Le Chon by Happy Ongpauco-Tiu and Bun Appetit: By the Numbers with Stalls 1, 4 and 11 at The Grid Food Market in Power Plant Mall on more of their popular bestsellers, After Five: Tapas and Desserts at The Grid Food Market in Power Plant Mall on their pre-dinner bites, cocktails and desserts and Rainy Days and Laksa. And Nasi Lemak. And Chicken Kalbi. And Beef Japchae. At The Grid Food Market). Ready for a holiday feast at The Grid Food Market? Read on for a tasty peek...

Sabor Pacifico at Spices: Experience Fresh Colombian Flavors at The Peninsula Manila's Spices

The fresh, clean, vibrant and earthy flavors of Colombia shine at The Peninsula Manila's Spices this October...

Colombian cuisine is a colorful blend of flavors woven together by its rich history, multi-cultural influences and abundant biodiversity. The bountiful harvests from both the land and sea come together in traditional and popular Colombian dishes recreated by their culinary ambassador, Chef Rey Guerrero of the highly acclaimed Sabor Pacifico in Bogota. In celebration of Colombian Gastronomic Week, The Peninsula Manila and the Embassy of Colombia presents authentic Colombian flavors for dinner on October 4 & 5, 2019 at Spices (for more on The Peninsula Manila's Spices, see my posts, The Spiceman Cometh: Meet Indian Specialty Chef Radhey Shayam of The Peninsula Manila's Spices and Thailand on my Plate: A Thai Cooking Class at The Peninsula Manila's Spices). Read on for a taste of Colombia...

Straight From The Josper Grill: A Taste of Sage Bespoke Grill's New Dishes

The Josper is all fired up for Sage Bespoke Grill's new dishes...

The finest beef, masterfully grilled. When you're at Makati Shangri-La, Manila, you'll find some of the world's prized beef ready for the Josper Grill at Sage Bespoke Grill. It's this combination of premium steaks and the unique dual charcoal grill and oven, the Josper Grill, that makes lunch or dinner at Sage Bespoke Grill a cut above. And with Executive Chef de Cuisine Sebastian Barcudes at the helm, you can expect a little of that Argentine flair with your steaks. 

Sundown Barbecue Up High at The Roof Pop-Up Bar Events Space of Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila

There are times when you just want to escape the metro's busy nightlife scene, wishing you had a special place you can enjoy with a few friends without the usual crowds. At Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila, there is one such place 43 floors above the city...

The Roof Pop-Up Bar Events Space is the newest concept from Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila Managed by Accor Hotels, soon to be on everyone's list of favorite spots for cocktails with a sunset. Ideal for exclusive corporate or social events, the spacious outdoor deck is perfect for al fresco dining and cocktails capped by a majestic sunset. And the outdoor grill offers a tasty repertoire of barbecued meats to complete the experience. Read on for a peek at one of the metro's secret spots...

Ramen, Soba and Udon Noodle Perfection at Moshi Koshi Noodle Boss

It may be a fleeting moment, just mere minutes, but it's that tiny window that lets you savor fresh made noodles with that perfect texture at its flavorful peak. It's all about that state of noodle perfection, called koshi. The Koshi Clock is ticking, so just slurp away...

Ramen. Soba. Udon. Authentic Japanese noodles freshly-made everyday at Moshi Koshi Noodle Boss. It's what you can expect from the Noodle Boss, nothing less. And that's what sets them apart since it opened back in 2011. Freshness, quality and value for money, these are serious noodles without the hefty price tag. And you'll find it all here at Moshi Koshi Noodle Boss...

The Table's Set and Ready...at Mama Lou's.

Soup, salads, entrees, pasta, pizza and dessert. Comforting cuisine reflecting Mama Lou's homey and personal touch is lavishly laid on the table. The table is set for another sumptuous feast at Mama Lou's.

FourScene goes the whole nine yards as it hits another of Nuvali's dining destinations at Mama Lou's (for more on Mama Lou's, see my previous posts, Take Me Home To Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen and Home Again...at Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen). Read on for a sumptuous peek at Mama Lou's table...

Flatlay Conversations: Four Pizzas for FourScene at Nonna's Pasta & Pizzeria

Flatlays and conversations. Dude for Food, The Last Don and Foodgrammer.ph exchange thoughts down south as FourScene hits Nuvali for a tasty rendezvous with four unique pizzas and many more sumptuous dishes at Nonna's Pasta & Pizzeria...

...and what an afternoon. FourScene, a collaborative group by three friends (for more on FourScene, check out our FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/FourScene/), kicks off the start of the new year with some discussions over pizza at one of the south's iconic names in rustic pizzas and pastas. Not the usual narrative for the run-off-the-mill food review, the engaging banter is both light and humorous even irreverent, yet real and authentic. The short video, the first in a series of flatlay conversations by FourScene, will soon be uploaded on our Facebook Page. In the meantime, here's what we had at Nonna's Pasta & Pizzeria...

Flavors of Pampanga: Cruising Aboard The New Scania Marcopolo Heading North For A Pampanga Food Trip

Cruising the north to experience its rich culinary heritage and history just got a whole lot more comfortable. And luxurious too. It's first class all the way...aboard the new Scania Marcopolo.

Duman, tidtad and buro at mustasa. Uniquely Capampangan flavors that continue to define the proud culinary heritage of the province making up the country's multi-colored palette of diverse flavors is given new light with the very latest in land travel. Scania Philippines introduces the sleek, elegant and modern Marcopolo with the turnover of the first batch of buses to P & O Transport Corporation. Showcasing the very latest in technology with its superbly engineered exterior and quality interiors, the new Scania Marcopolo lets you travel in style for a taste of Pampanga's famous traditional cuisine and cultural attractions. The sights and flavors of Pampanga and the ride aboard the modern Scania Marcopolo combine for a memorable experience up north...

Firing Up The Grills For Off The Grill at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays mean only one thing at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar. The grills are all fired up and it's time to go Off The Grill...

The day's freshest catch of seafood, savory steaks and premium beef, pork, lamb and chicken served fresh off the grill. It's Off-The-Grill at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday starting 6:00 pm all the way to 10:00 pm, just what you need to get over the mid-week hump. Unlimited servings from the grill selection and the buffet spread for only P 1,500 net per person, the middle of the week just got better...

#SABORtheMoment: Mix N Mingle at Sabor Bar de Vinos

Finally. Quezon City needs a place like this...and about time too.

Novotel Manila Araneta Center adds a cool Spanish vibe with the recent opening of Sabor Bar de Vinos to the culinary landscape and nightlife scene up north. With its name derived from the latin word sapor which means flavor, Sabor Bar de Vinos offers a feast for the senses with its elegant interiors, savory tapas, sweet treats and refreshing libation with a cool and distinct Spanish flair. Uncorked, Sabor Bar de Vinos is ready to serve an exquisite dining, and wining, experience.

Mangiamo! Savor Hearty Italian Flavors with Deliziosa Italia at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina

The vibrant tri-colors of Italy gently wave high up at the ceiling inside the elegant interiors of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's signature all-day restaurant. Prepare for an Italian feast at Cucina...

Comforting and rustic Italian flavors take the spotlight at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina with Deliziosa Italia from August 14 to 27, 2018. From antipasti to savory hot dishes and desserts, it's an authentic and sumptuous Italian dining experience recreated by Executive Chef Alisdair Bletcher. Read on for a tasty peek...  

Modern Cuisine. Local Ingredients. Masterfully Executed at Gallery by Chele...

When the familiar suddenly becomes refreshingly new, dining is elevated to an almost sublime experience.

Gallery by Chele takes you on a culinary journey of discovery with comfortingly familiar local ingredients as seen and tasted by a foreign master chef armed with a wealth of knowledge from the world's finest Michelin starred restaurants. It's a refreshingly new perspective, and a personal one for Chele Gonzalez whose name greets guests at the entrance of the new restaurant. For Chele, the preservation, sustainability and exploration of food and local flavors of the region remain at the heart of the new dining concept's culinary philosophy, driven by a constant curiosity in the use of local ingredients applied with modern techniques for a unique and memorable dining experience. And let me tell you, it's one flavorful journey...