OUR AWESOME PLANET

DISTRITO Night Food Market Re-Opens on June 1 (FRIDAY)!

Are you looking for a great place after office in Makati where you can enjoy a wide selection of mouth-watering food with your friend and officemates? Then join for us for the re-opening of DISTRITO NIGHT FOOD MARKET MAKATI on June 1 (Friday) at 9:00pm!

BHS Central: A Foodie's Guide to the BEST Eats at Bonifacio High Street Central :)

BHS Central is the culinary hub of the next generation of restaurants in Metro Manila.

Here is a foodie's guide on where to eat in Bonifacio High Street Central.  It's worth to try all of them :)

NOLITA (North of Little Italy): A Taste of Real New York Pizza in Manila?

NOLITA is a New-York inspired resto in BGC Central by Chef Cuit Kaufman. Big, authentic, New-York style pizzas and American comfort food are found on its menu. It is a follow-up to their successful Borough resto in Podium.

This is actually our third time at the resto ever since it opened early this year, and we've enjoyed every visit. Ian of Sebastian's Ice Cream was raving about Nolita's Steak and Eggs pizza, declaring that it's as close to authentic New York-style pizza as you can get in Manila.

It's a good place to grab something quick and just hang out with friends in a laid-back, come-as-you-are ambiance. Check out what to expect in Nolita...

Bonifacio High Street Central Restaurants:

• Jamba Juice Opens in Manila!
• SutrA Christmas Dinner: Our First Taste of BHS Central
• ARIA Mania in Manila?
• GEISHA, an Indian-owned Japanese Vegetarian Restaurant You'll Love :)
• ELIAS and the Spirants
• Mango Tree: Finally, Thai Fine Dining in Manila!
• A Beso Cucina Vinoteka Date
• The Cake Club Dessert Haven
• A SLICE of Pia Cayetano
• SARIWON, Authentic Korean Barbecue - First Branch outside Korea
• Village Tavern, a Higher-End Friday's?
• STELLA, Sister of Chelsea & the Star of BHS Central
• 'CUE, Modern Barbecue
• NOLITA (North of Little Italy): A Taste of the Real New York Pizza in Manila?
• BHS Central: A Guide to the BEST Eats in Bonifacio High Street Central

PAHIYAS FESTIVAL: Don't Miss the FUN in Lucban!

It is fun to participate in the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban which is always celebrated on May 15 (whether it falls on a weekday or weekend). The festival is a thanksgiving feast to San Isidro Labrador, the Patron Saint of farmers and good harvest. 

Read more: PAHIYAS: 8 Tips for an Awesome San Isidro Labrador Fiesta!

Here's a photo essay of the Pahiyas Festival Fun in Lucban...

CHATIME: What We Can Learn from the Market Leader in the International Bubble Tea Industry!

Did you know that CHATIME is a $20 million business with 580+ stores worldwide and is the #1 Market Leader in the International Bubble Milk Tea Industry?

It is one of the Top 5 Bubble Milk Tea brands in Taiwan, #2 in the Philippines (behind Serenitea, which is the first in the local market), and is still growing fast.

It was great to get the chance to meet Henry Wang of La Kaffa International, the owner of the Chatime brand, and learn how they were able to expand that quickly since 2005. I also wanted to know from him how Chatime was able to capture the hearts of the Filipinos (see Chatime Fever in Manila) and the world's consumers.

If you are an avid fan of Chatime, a competitor in the milk tea business, or an entrepreneur who wants to learn from successful entrepreneurs, you have to check out the Chatime Trivia and the Exclusive Philippine Media Interview with Henry Wang on the story behind the international success of Chatime.

Flavors of Taiwan Series:

• DIN TAI FUNG Experience @ Taipei 101!
• TAIPEI 101: On Top of the 2nd Tallest Building in the World
• Tian Wai Tian Hot Pot - The BEST Hot Pot I've Ever Tasted
• The Making of Tea (Nantau, Taiwan)
• CHATIME: What We Can Learn from the Market Leader in the International Bubble Tea Industry

'CUE, Modern Barbecue Experience...

The concept of a modern barbecue house created by first-time restaurateurs intrigued me. I initially thought it was a churrascaria, but it was more of a customizable barbecue experience.

At 'Cue, you can choose your own meat and specify how you want it: wet or dry rubbed, slow-baked or dark ale-braised. Then, you can choose from the different house-made sauces, sides, and toppings.

This is a unique addition to the culinary hub of Bonifacio High Street Central restos...

Bonifacio High Street Central Restaurants:

• Jamba Juice Opens in Manila!
• SutrA Christmas Dinner: Our First Taste of BHS Central
• ARIA Mania in Manila?
• GEISHA, an Indian-owned Japanese Vegetarian Restaurant You'll Love :)
• ELIAS and the Spirants
• Mango Tree: Finally, Thai Fine Dining in Manila!
• A Beso Cucina Vinoteka Date
• The Cake Club Dessert Haven
• A SLICE of Pia Cayetano
• SARIWON, Authentic Korean Barbecue - First Branch outside Korea
• Village Tavern, a Higher-End Friday's?
• STELLA, Sister of Chelsea & the Star of BHS Central
• 'CUE, Modern Barbecue
• NOLITA (North of Little Italy): A Taste of the Real New York Pizza in Manila?
• BHS Central: A Guide to the BEST Eats in Bonifacio High Street Central

KASBAH's Moroccan Cuisine from Boracay to BGC!

I can still remember sitting along the beach, watching the sun set as I enjoyed my Lamb Tagine in KASBAH. The vibe, the food, the setting were all perfect. It's no wonder then that I got excited to learn Kasbah would be opening a branch on the Fort Strip.

Finally, we now have a decent restaurant in Manila that can satisfy our Moroccan food craving! :) Let's give a warm welcome to Kasbah and thank it for coming to Manila! Here's our experience...

From Boracay to Manila Related Blog Posts:

• Cyma in Manila!!! Opa!!!
• ARIA Mania in Manila?
• What's New in Boracay in 2010? (Part 2 of 2)
• KASBAH's Moroccan Cuisine from Boracay to the Fort!

The Making of Green Tea (Nantau Highlands, Taiwan)

 

We went on a learning trip organized by Chatime to the Highlands of Nantau in Taiwan to learn how to make Green Tea -- from harvesting leaves from the Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis) to processing it properly.

It was an interesting and educational experience, and I would like to share with you the Making of Green Tea...

Flavors of Taiwan Series:

• DIN TAI FUNG Experience @ Taipei 101!
• TAIPEI 101: On Top of the 2nd Tallest Building in the World
• Tian Wai Tian Hot Pot - The BEST Hot Pot I've Ever Tasted
• The Making of Tea (Nantau, Taiwan)
• CHATIME: What We Can Learn from the Market Leader in the International Bubble Tea Industry