Monday, August 31, 2015

38 Ways You Can Make a Delicious Cup of Coffee

If you're as confused as I am about the different ways baristas can prepare your coffee, here's a handy infographic that details what's in the perfect cup you're looking for. So if you asked for a Flat White expecting latte art, you might be surprised when the barista serves you a white drink with no foamy goodness (it shouldn't have any). So maybe ask for a Cappucino or Latte instead?

Why don't you impress your friends by ordering a Breve for a smooth flavorful cup or a Red Eye if you really need that caffeine fix. Here are some of my thoughts on the above chart. 


Thursday, August 27, 2015

Your Local: A Hipster Asian Fusion Restaurant That Will Make Your Tastebuds Extremely Happy


Your Local is an upscale Asian Fusion Restaurant that has been trending on foodie and instagram circles for quite some time now. The restaurant is the brainchild of Chef Denny Antonio and Nicco Santos and the food served largely reflects their love of food from different parts of Asia - developing a cult following in the process due to their delicious, instagram-worthy entrees. They nailed the flavor combinations so much that your palate will surely be blown away no matter what you order.


I've been to Your Local quite a number of times now and here's my take on some of their yummy creations.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

The Curator Coffee and Cocktails: Bringing the Best That the World of Coffee and Cocktails Has to Offer


The Curator Coffee and Cocktails is a specialty cafe known for delicious coffee and cocktail creations, friendly and personalized service, and cozy ambiance. I've been to a number of specialty cafes in Metro Manila, but The Curator really takes service up a notch. The baristas here really go out of their way to make you feel welcome and at home – freely talking about coffee and their passion for a quality cup.


It's even written down in their website:

"Life’s too short for bad coffee, your liver’s too precious for bad booze and, more importantly, your time’s far more precious for service that doesn’t make you feel like you’re family. 
That’s what we’re here for."
If you are looking to satisfy your coffee obsession and possibly make a new friend in the process, this is definitely the place to be.

Have Pasta All You Can from the Old Spaghetti House Until November 30, 2015 [Updated]


The Old Spaghetti House is bringing their Pasta All You Can promo to their stores except Festival Mall, SM Cebu Valero, and Mall of Asia until November 30, 2015 on Mondays to Fridays from 5pm to 8pm. For just Php 149, you can definitely satisfy your pasta cravings. They also added unli-soda and 1 viand for Php 25 and Php 49, respectively. 



Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Ramen Nagi: Where You Can Find the Best Ramen in Metro Manila


Ramen Nagi has somewhat of a cult following among ramen lovers of Metro Manila, and with good reason - they serve the best bowl of ramen in town. In a survey conducted by Our Awesome Planet early this year, Ramen Nagi was emerged as the top ramen house in 2014 with the best broth, noodles, and variety served. The title of "Best Ramen" is usually a heated debate between Ramen Nagi, Mendokoro Ramenba, and Ukokkei Ramen Ron. My vote goes to Ramen Nagi.


Update: Ippudo is now part of what I consider to be the top 3 Ramen in Metro Manila. Check out Ippudo Philippines: World-Renowned Hakata Style Ramen Now Serving at Eastwood Avenue.

Here are my thoughts on the three most popular bowls of ramen from Ramen Nagi. I won't be covering the Green King, simply because it's not something I would order again (it's like eating pesto soup). 


Sunday, August 23, 2015

Specialty Coffee Gear: Porlex Tall Hand Grinder Review

Specialty Coffee Gear: Porlex Tall Hand Grinder Review

The Porlex Tall Hand Grinder is an affordable coffee grinder that is great for travel or home use. The stainless steal body means that it's very durable and it also makes it quite easy to clean. It comes with ceramic conical burrs that won't rust and should stay sharp for a very long time. The grinder is also very light (265g including the handle) so you can easily bring it with you wherever you go.

There are a number of reviews online, but I'm going to take the more objective perspective of someone who isn't trying to sell you anything. A good coffee grinder is arguably the most important tool in your array of home-brew gear, so you need to get it right. A lousy grinder means bad coffee.

Learn to Master Pastry with the Academy of Pastry & Bakery Arts Philippines

Learn to Master Pastry with the Academy of Pastry and Bakery Arts Philippines

The Academy of Pastry & Bakery Arts Philippines is an International Pastry School that offers aspiring pastry professionals and enthusiasts the opportunity to learn the art of pastry and bakery from some of the best, multi-awarded pastry chefs from Asia and Europe.

The Academy is headed by Chef Jean-Louis Arnaud, who has been granted an Un des Meilleurs Ouvrers de France (MOF) or "One of the Best Craftstmen of France" in 2000. He has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and hotels and has won numerous awards in artistic pastry, chocolate showpieces, and sugar arts competitions. He is joined by Co-founder and managing director Chef Niklesh Sharma, also a multi-awarded chef who has worked for top hotel and resorts groups around the world.


Saturday, August 22, 2015

Eight Brewing Parameters You Should Tweak to Make That Cup of Coffee Even More Delicious


If you’re a serious coffee geek like the we are – with a home brew bar and a stash of freshly roasted coffee beans always at your disposal – you can improve the quality of the coffee you make by calibrating the parameters in which you brew coffee. Three important brewing parameters that people love to talk about are Roast Type, Coffee-Water Ratio, and Grind. There are, however, a number of brewing parameters hardly being discussed but are just as important to making a delicious cup of filter coffee.

This article won't cover each parameter with too much depth, but I will give you further reading as appropriate. Here's an overview of eight important coffee brewing parameters you should consider when brewing your next cup;


Thursday, August 20, 2015

Krispy Kreme Double Dozen Mondays: Buy One Box of Original Glazed Doughnuts and Get a Second Dozen for 78 Pesos

Krispy Kreme Double Dozen Mondays: Buy One Box of Original Glazed Doxunts and Get a Second Dozen for 78 Pesos

Krispy Kreme Phlippines is offering a second box of Original Glazed Doughnuts for only 78 pesos every time you purchase one box of Original Glazed from their 62 participating stores every Monday until the end of September. The promo is valid for all Mondays from August 24 until September 28, 2015.


Sunday, August 16, 2015

Let Michael Phillips from Blue Bottle Coffee Teach You How to Brew an Amazing Cup of Coffee

Let Michael Phillips from Blue Bottle Coffee Teach You How to Brew a Great Cup of Coffee

There are a number of good videos online that show you how you can brew a great cup of coffee at home. If you want to understand the intricate details of the coffee brewing process, however, online videos lack depth. They'll show you the steps but leave out some much needed information on the science of brewing coffee. To really understand how you can brew an amazing cup, you might need to attend a coffee brewing workshop from a local roaster - which can turn out to be expensive. 

Michael Phillips, the Director of Training for Blue Bottle Coffee, recently released a Skillshare class entitled "From Plant to Cup: Brew an Amazing Cup of Coffee" designed to help home coffee enthusiasts brew quality coffee at home. In this class, he covers everything you need to know for home coffee brewing -  from basic coffee theory, recipe creation, the brewing process, and coffee tasting. It's easily one of the best Skillshare classes out there. The best part about it is it's also free! 

Enjoy a Top-Notch Gastronomic Experience at Bistro Carcosa

Enjoy a Top-Notch Gastronomic Experience at Bistro Carcosa

Bistro Carcosa is a pleasant discovery during my recent trip to Iloilo City. Whenever I picture myself dining in Iloilo, I imagine fresh seafood, chicken inasal, and the famous La Paz Batchoy. It's a refreshing to see that Bistro Carcosa, with its elegant plating and complex dishes, is slowly introducing complexity and sophistication to the Ilonggo dining experience. It's certainly demonstrates an evolving Ilonggo palate.

Here's what you can expect from Bistro Carcosa;

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Happy Hour Specials at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 26th St. Bistro

Happy Hour Specials at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 26th St. Bistro

You can now enjoy happy hour at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 26th St. Bistro from 5pm - 9pm daily starting August 14, 2015. If you're a regular reader of the blog, you'll know that Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is my favorite 'second wave' coffee shop because of it's very diverse food menu - with great salads and pastas - and very delicious coffee. You can check the full menu guide here

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Papa John's Triple Treat Tuesday: Buy 2 Pizzas and Get Pasta, Sides, and Drinks for Free

Papa John's Triple Treat Tuesday: Buy 2 Pizzas and Get Pasta, Sides, and Drinks for Free

Papa John's Philippines has a wonderful Tuesday treat for us. After you gobble up a Basket of Chicken 'N' Mojos from Shakey's Philippines every Monday, you can get 2 Pizzas and you will be given free pasta, sides, and drinks! What's great about this promo is that it's valid for Dine-in, Takeout and Delivery!

A Must Read if You're Curious About Your Coffee Personality


One reason why coffee appeals to so many people is because of its flexibility. You can drink it black, as an espresso, or as espresso with milk. You can even customize it further by adding syrups to make it your drink - may it be caramel, hazelnut, vanilla, or any other flavor. Anyone thinking of that hazelnut mocha frappucino?

Did you know that the coffee you drink actually shows more about your personality than you think? Are you a hard-working espresso purist, a shallow frappucino drinker, or a black coffee minimalist?

Read on to know more about your coffee personality.  


Saturday, August 8, 2015

Amazing Finds in WOFEX 2015 - World Trade Center Philippines [Part 2]


The World Food Expo (WOFEX) is known as the food and beverage industry's main avenue that allows Philippine food businesses to interact with key suppliers. Over the years, WOFEX has been known to be THE PLACE where you can meet key suppliers - ones that can take your business to the next level.

While the SMX convention center showcases brands that are normally used in your home kitchen, the World Trade Center gathers key suppliers for commercial kitchen equipment and food suppliers.

WOFEX this 2015 will be held from 10:00am to 7:00pm on August 5 – 8, 2015 at both World Trade Center and SMX Convention Center. Only the SMX Convention Center is open to the general public from August 5-7 and the World Trade Center will only admit trade partners (particularly decision makers of food and beverage businesses). The World Trade Center will then be open for everyone on August 8. There will be a free shuttle that can bring you to either venue if you want to visit both.

Here are pictures of what you can find in the WOFEX 2015, World Trade Center;

Click here for part 1 of the WOFEX World Trade Center Photo series

Amazing Finds in WOFEX 2015 - World Trade Center Philippines [Part 1]


The World Food Expo (WOFEX) is known as the food and beverage industry's main avenue that allows Philippine food businesses to interact with key suppliers. Over the years, WOFEX has been known to be THE PLACE where you can meet key suppliers - ones that can take your business to the next level.

While the SMX convention center showcases brands that are normally used in your home kitchen, the World Trade Center gathers key suppliers for commercial kitchen equipment and food suppliers. 

WOFEX this 2015 will be held from 10:00am to 7:00pm on August 5 – 8, 2015 at both World Trade Center and SMX Convention Center. Only the SMX Convention Center is open to the general public from August 5-7 and the World Trade Center will only admit trade partners (particularly decision makers of food and beverage businesses). The World Trade Center will then be open for everyone on August 8. There will be a free shuttle that can bring you to either venue if you want to visit both.

Here are pictures of what you can find in the WOFEX 2015, World Trade Center;

Click here for part 2 of the WOFEX World Trade Center Photo series

Friday, August 7, 2015

Amazing Finds in WOFEX 2015 - SMX Convention Center Mall of Asia


The World Food Expo (WOFEX) is known as the food and beverage industry's main avenue to allow food businesses to interact with key suppliers. Over the years, WOFEX has been known to be THE PLACE where you can meet key suppliers - ones that can take your business to the next level. Towards the end of the day, I was exhausted. There's no other way to put it. After visiting over 50 booths and talking to different suppliers, I tried to will myself to visit all the booths.

WOFEX this 2015 will be held from 10:00am to 7:00pm on August 5 – 8, 2015 at both World Trade Center and SMX Convention Center. Only the SMX Convention Center is open to the general public from August 5-7 and the World Trade Center will only be serving trade partners (particularly decision makers of food and beverage businesses). The World Trade Center will then be open for everyone on August 8. There will be a free shuttle that can bring you to either venue if you want to visit both.

Here are pictures of what you can find in SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia;


Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Get a Second Dish for Only 18 Pesos as CIBO Celebrates 18 Years

Get a Second Dish for Only 18 Pesos as CIBO Celebrates Its 18th Year

To celebrate its 18th year, CIBO Philippines is having a promo from Monday-Thursday this month where you can add another dish to their best-selling dishes for only Php 18. We're getting a bit spoiled this August, first with Shakey's 40% off on Chicken 'N' Mojos Promo, and now this wonderful treat. 

CIBO has long been known for fresh, authentic Italian dishes.They also serve their dishes in pretty large servings, so be prepared to come with an empty stomach!

Monday, August 3, 2015

Chocolate Lover Inc.: Baker's Heaven in Makati City


Chocolate Lover Inc., long considered as baker's paradise, opened a Makati City store late last year without much fanfare. We were curious if they also had everything we ever wanted, like what they have in their Cubao Castle, so we went to their Makati store to see what items and ingredients they carry.

We found out that they have a lot. It may not be as much as what they have in Cubao, but I'd say it's around 70% there.

Continue reading to know the goodies you can find in Chocolate Lover Inc. Makati.


Sunday, August 2, 2015

We Sampled 11 Local and Imported Beers And Here Are Our Favorites

We Sampled 11 Local and Imported Beers and Here Are Our Favorites

We were feeling a bit adventurous one evening, so we decided it was about time we drink a lot of beer and figure out which ones we liked the most. So we teamed up a casual drinker and a beer enthusiast, and we asked them to evaluate their top 3 favorite beers from the 11 bottles we bought. Admittedly, we were already a bit buzzed towards the latter half of the evening that this might not be a totally objective review - but we gave it our best shot.


So, in our opinion, here are our favorites.