Potluck Picks: Gringo's Lechon Cubano and Original Whole Chicken

The holidays may be over, but potluck gatherings continue in the new year. Here's my potluck picks from Gringo...

Gringo always seems to have the answer for sumptuous feasts and spontaneous gatherings. The new Lechon Cubano paired with their Original Chicken are perfect for post-holiday get-togethers. In fact, the Lechon Cubano and Original Chicken are reasons enough to gather the gang for an impromptu celebration (for more on Gringo, see my earlier posts, Start the Season of Feasting and Say Hola! to the New Holaday Boards and the New Lechon Cubano from Gringo... on their seasonal offerings, Quick Bites: Head On Down To Gringo With Your Amigos, Now Open at O Square 2 Greenhills on their branch opening in Greenhills and Lunch in a Box Gringo Chicken, Ribds and Friends from 2016).

A Weekend Burger Lunch at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse

Thick and juicy steaks and tender lamb chops fresh from the grill, you'll find all that at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse. Now you can add their burgers to your list of favorites...

El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse offers more than just their signature steaks with their selection of Prime Black Angus Grain-Fed, Australian Black Angus Grass-Fed and Pure Blood Australian Wagyu beef. Their burgers, done with that Argentine flair, is a worthy and legitimate contender if you manage to get past and not be tempted by their steaks and lamb chops (for more on El Gaucho, see my earlier post, Fresh from the Grill: A Taste of Argentina at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse in Century City).

#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...

Time to #FruitSomeSuperInYou with Nature's Super Healers in Three Exciting New Flavors by Locally Superfruit Juices

This festive holiday season, it's a good idea to balance the never-ending rounds of sumptuous feasts with a refreshing glass of nature's super healers for that much needed balance. It's time to #FruitSomeSuperInYou with the new and exciting fresh fruit juice flavors from Locally. And juice in time too...

With flavors like Mangosteenie Miney Mo, Save the Best for Sineguelast, You've Dalandan It Again, Tamarind My Bell, Guyabano-body Like You, Calamansi'z The Day, Pomelong and Lasting Love and Merci Buco, Locally pumps up the juice with new and exciting flavors led by Wondragonful Wonder Detox, Mangosteencredible Heart Protector and Passiontastic Sugar Buster for both flavor and health.

The new flavors offer smarter options for a healthier lifestyle without holding back on flavor (for more on Locally, see my previous post, #LivinLovinLocally: Quench Your Thirst with Homegrown Local Flavors from Locally from the product launch back in 2017). Time to juice up and #FruitSomeSuperInYou with the new nature healers by Locally Superfruits...

#CompoundCollectiveXLongBar: Master Mixologist Roman Foltan Takes Over Long Bar at Raffles Makati

One of Makati's celebrated bars hosts a world-renowned master mixologist for one very special evening...

Master mixologist Roman Foltan takes over Long Bar at Raffles Makati for a one-night exclusive dubbed #CompoundCollectiveXLongBar with four new and exciting cocktails and an updated spin on a classic. It's time for a tipple...at Long Bar.

#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...

A Wholesome Gathering with a Local Feast at The Wholesome Table

Eat consciously. Live consciously. It's the guiding philosophy behind one of the metro's culinary pioneers in organic, natural and healthy cuisine championed by restaurateur Bianca Araneta-Elizalde. And now, diners can enjoy a new repertoire of locally-inspired dishes prepared in The Wholesome Table's distinct culinary style... 

The Wholesome Table, in collaboration with Chef Nicco Santos, recently unveiled their new selection of Filipino dishes in an exclusive dinner preview dubbed Wholesome Gathering: A Local Feast at their Greenbelt branch last December 10, 2019. Now with five branches in the metro including Makati's Salcedo Village, Alabang, BGC, Rockwell and Greenbelt, The Wholesome Table continues its advocacy on all natural and organic produce with its new menu additions. Each one meticulously made from scratch, the new dishes recreate familiar and comforting local flavors. Rediscover local flavors made with the freshest organic ingredients...at The Wholesome Table.

The Art of Sushi and Modern Japanese Cuisine at Sen-ryo, Now Open at The Podium

Authentic Japanese dishes made from the freshest ingredients, traditional techniques and modern technology are showcased at the newest Japanese concept to open in Manila for local diners to indulge in their enduring love affair with Japanese cuisine...

From Japan to Manila, Sen-Ryo brings its signature flavors and aesthetics with the opening of its very first restaurant at The Podium. Known all over the world for its sushi-making artistry, Sen-ryo offers a wide range of traditional Japanese dishes with a contemporary spin to delight the local palate. With its extensive network of branches in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Sen-ryo adds Manila to their list of locations led by their inspired sushi creations and dishes. Enjoy a tasty peek at the metro's newest Japanese dining destination...at Sen-ryo.

A Winning Trio with Tsuta's New Chef Yuki Originals

Often regarded as the holy grail of ramen broth, the classic Tonkotsu is given a refreshing new spin at the Michelin-Star Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta...

Chef and Founder Onishi Yuki tempts your palate once more at Tsuta with three new Chef Yuki Originals starting December 6, 2019. From the classic version made even richer, a garlic infused variant and a spicy option, Tsuta is all set to stir up your ramen cravings before the year ends (for more on Tsuta, see my earlier posts, A Bowl of Ramen and a Michelin-Star Dining Experience at Tsuta on my first time at Tsuta and Shoyu Ramen? Let Tsuta Ramen Shoyu The Way... on their seasonal offerings). Here's three for the win at Tsuta...

The Chef's Choice: Bord Bia Brings World-Class Quality Irish Pork and Beef to the Philippines and to Your Plate

Regarded as the Food Island of Europe, Ireland is home to some of the finest beef, dairy and seafood. Now, you can add high quality, safe and sustainably produced pork to Ireland's list of world-class products.

The Irish Food Board, Bord Bia, launches an EU Pork and Beef campaign dubbed "European Pork and Beef: Love the Taste, Trust the Quality" to kick-off the first phase in a three-year program to bring Ireland's food, drink and horticultural produce to the world thus enabling the growth and sustainability of producers. The multi-pronged campaign includes South Korea and Vietnam in addition to the Philippines (for more on Bord Bia and Irish Beef, see my earlier post, Let's Talk Irish Beef...at the Bord Bia Dinner in Discovery Primea's Flame).

The aim of the three year campaign is to build awareness and a thorough understanding of food safety, quality assurance and sustainability of Irish beef and pork for the global market. And the Philippines has been identified as a strategic market for Irish beef, currently ranked as the number 1 market in Asia. Here's a peek at the very best of Ireland at New World Makati Hotel's Glasshouse...