MAX'S MERIENDA MIXES: BUDGET-FRIENDLY FILLING AFTERNOON SNACK

Let’s admit it, we all love to eat. We usually find time and manage to squeeze in (between our work) a bite or two, especially during the afternoon snack. And since times are hard, it felt good that there are restaurants that actually understand our need to snack without putting a hassle on out budget. Max’s Restaurant is one of them. 

Host Wilma Doesnt with Mr. Bobby Simborio of Max's. 

The Max’s Corner bakery partners up with its sister, Max’s Restaurant as they launch Max’s Merienda Mixes—an array of afternoon filling snacks at a very affordable price of Php95. “Merienda is an integral part of every Filipino’s gustatory routine (I strongly agree!), with this new campaign it seeks to create an experience that is light, fun and heartwarming for every Filipino, says Monette Aldos, Sales Operations and Marketing manager for Max’s Corner Bakery.  “Max’s home-baked goodies are 100% filled with love,” she adds. 

Wilma Doesnt with Monette Aldos and Max's Corner Bakery executives. 

A cute and colorful cootie catcher adorns Max's tables.

Imagine eating an afternoon snack in a fine dining setting with the comfort and quality service, exceptional food, not to mention of Max’s Restaurant’s free unlimited wi-fi service + value-for-money snack? I can’t see anything better than that! Merienda enthusiasts can head off to their favorite Max’s Restaurant from 2:00PM to 6:00PM and they can choose from Max’s classic merienda dishes such as Pancit Luglog, Pancit Canton or a petite bowl of triple-chocolate hot champorado with milk. Then, they can pair that up with a choice of any of the following: ¼ rolls of choco, ube, jelly, mango, mocha, or cheese rolls—how about ensaimada—they’re all freshly-baked. To complete the merienda feast, down them with a choice of brewed coffee, a glass of Pepsi or a cool glass of sago’t gulaman. 

Perfect for rainy days Champorado.

Blogger Jenny Roxas and son Cocoy enjoy a spoonful of  Max's champorado

Soft and cheesy Cheese Rolls

Chocolatey goodness of Choco Rolls

Sinful yet delish Ensaimada

Delightful Ube Roll and Jelly Roll for that sweet tooth!

Start the food journey by choosing your sweets.

Choices of Pancit Canton, Pancit Luglog or Champorado.

Down it with a glass of Pepsi, brewed coffee or Sago't Gulaman

Max’s Merienda Mixes is also available for take-out and delivery. Customers may conveniently dial max’s hotline 7-9000 for quick delivery service within Metro Manila.  You could also place your orders at www.maxschicken.com.ph

For hot weather: cool glass of Sago't Gulaman will cool you down. 

Pancit Luglog and Pancit Canton.

Plus there’s an ongoing raffle contest for those customers availing the Max’s Merienda Mixes. Just keep your receipts and log on to their website to key in the code in the electronic raffle for a chance to win one of the 10 lucky customers who will stand a chance to visit the newest Max’s Restaurant branch in the US, pocket money + exciting activities + surprise visits! So hurry, buy Max’s Merienda Mixes now!

My blogger friend Alwin Aguirre won an MP3 during a raffle.

Mr. Bobby Simborio of Max's explains the contest mechanics for the electronic raffle.

Like Max’s Restaurant on Facebook at www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant and www.facebook.com/maxscornerbakery.

Security Blanket thanks Ness Mercader, Alwin Aguirre , Bright Idea Events Management’s Ms. Portia, Ms. Maui Terrado and Max’s Restaurant.

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own.

FLAVORS OF ASIA AT MARRIOTT HOTEL MANILA: ONE TRULY AMAZING ASIAN FOOD TRIP

The lobby of the Marriott Cafe

 They say that the best ways to experience Asia is through food—notable, mind-blowing, and immeasurable. Especially for the Southeast Asian region that boasts a multi-cultural and hard-hitting influence with the way we enjoy cooking and eating, it’s no wonder why dishes that hail from these regions are considered a feast for the senses.

Marriott Manila pays tribute to the most revered cuisines of the world as it brings home four of the Asia’s finest chefs and most famous cuisines. From Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam—Marriott Café entices everyone with a masterpiece through a month-long celebration of Oriental flavors that’s uniquely Marriott.

Chef introduces his dish.

What else could be more exciting that flying four of the finest chefs in Asia with Renaissance Kuala Lumpur’s Ruhizad Muri, Renaissance Riverside Saigon Phan Tien Hoa, Indonesian chef Dadang Wahyudi, and JW Marriott Bangkok Thantorn Krobsuay? Boasting with culinary career track that is dynamically diverse, expect only authentic and a palate tickling adventure anyone could get.

Chef enjoys the media.

 Back by popular demand, Thai food deserves all the hype for its fundamental tastes: sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Chef Thantorn Krobsuay, who led the first two consecutive most-talked about Thai Food Fest at Marriott Café, will still dish out appetizing Thai specialties foodies regularly crave for. Discover his new line up of mouthwatering dishes such as deep fried sea bass with chili sauce, sautéed squid with pineapple and cucumber, beef balls cooked with Malaysian sauce, braised beef spiced with turmeric and coconut.

Chef tells the crowd what his dish was all about. 

 For only P2, 300 net from Sunday to Thursday and P2, 500 net for Friday and Saturday, enjoy a charming Asian dinner that assures an enjoyable age-old tradition of bonding through delicious mix of aromatics, spices, rich, sweet and hot Flavors of Asia.

Beef Rendang melts in your mouth.

More than its legendary nasi lemak, chef Ruhizad gives foodies a taste of Malaysia’s noteworthy nyonya cuisine. A signature Penang-type of cooking that uses roots (blends and spices of galangal, turmeric, and ginger), leaves (pandan, lime and laksa), fruit (lemon, tamarind and green mangoes) along with other ingredients like shrimp paste and chilis.

Yummy Vietnamese Spring Rolls.

Chef Ruhizad also puts an interesting twist to time-honored dishes in Malaysia. This buffet section invites diners to get creative with blue crab, tiger prawn shrimps, steamed fish, beef tenderloin, chicken, fresh clams, barbecue chicken, and assorted veggies peppered and spiced the Malaysian way 

Fresh catch: Curacha crabs galore!

 For the more adventurous, Indonesian cuisine are also made available. Carnivores will surely enjoy chef Dadang Wahyudi’s take on grilled meats in skewers—with a wide selection of beef, lamb chops, chicken, shrimps, calamari, pork and fish! Another must-try is the bebek betutu klung klung—an all-spiced up Balinese dish enhanced by a host of pungent ingredients. Locals and visitors will also love the heavenly roasted duck recipe that’s considered a dish specialty for big banquets and special ceremonies.

Chef's specialty with galangal, lime and ginger.

Chinese station with dimsums and dumplings.

Sweet Asian delicacies

Seafood and meat skewers with sauce.

Fruits abound.

The giant chocolate fountain for the sweet tooth.

The Japanese Station boasts of sushi and sashimi.

Tiger Prawns

 For Vietnamese cuisine lovers like me, chef Phan Thien Hoa presents a variety of specialty and oh-so-delectable Vietnamese specialties that’s known for being one of the healthiest foods. Try the heavenly steaming bowl of Pho (chicken or beef). It bursts of flavors, herbs and spices. I instantly fell in love with it the very first time I had a spoonful of it. This one’s a whole lot better than Pho Hoa. Topped with lemon citrus, this pho soup is probably the best I have ever tasted. It’s very refreshing! Made from the finest broth, rice noodles, meat, herbs such as fresh basil leaves (unlike others that uses mint leaves). It promises to leave you wanting for more.

The Vietnamese Noodle Station..

The perfect rainy day companion--Vietnamese Pho.

 A Vietnamese food trip will never be complete without Vietnamese spring rolls—soft rice wrappers filled with meats like shrimps, chicken, beef and veggies with tofu, served on a sweet peanut buttery sauce. It feels like transporting you to the streets of Saigon. For seafood fans, there are curacha crabs, (big crabs) tiger prawns, and lobsters.

Chef with Vietnamese spring rolls.

Those with sweet-tooth need not frown, a wide range of choices are in store for you all. Glutinous rice or fruits, pandan crepes rolled in caramelized coconut, stewed green bean with palm sugar, banana in sweet coconut, pandan jelly plus other Asian sweet delicacies.

As if these yummy treats aren’t enough, Marriott has partnered with other Marriott Asian properties in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia and they’re giving away three days and two nights gift certificates to four lucky diners of Flavors of Asia! That’s all you need to fully experience Asia!

The author with the International Chefs

Experience this once-in-a-lifetime amazing culinary treat as Marriott also brings in four distinguished chef guests to conduct special cooking classes for only P1, 500 net inclusive of a hearty lunch.

The schedules are as follows:

Thai—July 9 and 16

Malaysian and Vietnamese—July 23

Indonesian—July 30

For inquiries or reservations, please call Marriott café at 988-9999.

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100 % my own.