Thursday, May 23, 2013

Stackers Celebrates Anniversary With Penthouse Tuesdays




In celebration of their fifth year, Stackers Burger Cafe celebrates their anniversary with a bang! It brings in its Penthouse Tuesdays at all Stackers Burger Café, as it celebrates 5 wonderful years!
At 50% off, enjoy STACKERS’ signature tower of brioche and 6 succulent burger patties with caramelized onions, tomato, Monterey jack cheese, American cheese and sunny green lettuce. With a choice of honey mustard or ranch dressing. All these, every Tuesday, all day, starting May 7, 2013. Catch it now while it's still available! It's good value for your money guys!

Stackers’ burgers are made with 100% imported beef patty. Once you sink your teeth into our creations, you’ll surely get a satisfaction that your appetite has been craving for.
Stackers Burger Café does not only serve burgers, it’s also home to the first and original Baked Fried Chicken. This style of cooking your chicken is not just unique, but is also healthier than other fried chicken brands in the country.
Come and celebrate STACKERS BURGER CAFÉ 5th anniversary and enjoy Penthouse Tuesdays at STACKERS Eastwood Citywalk 1, The Venice Piazza –McKinley Hill, Resorts World Manila. 
Like them on Facebook at stackersburgerscafe.ph

Thursday, May 16, 2013

JUJU EATS: A NEW SPIN ON SALAD

The large sign says it all.

 I’m sure you guys have heard of the Juju Cleanse program. For those who live in the boondocks, Juju Cleanse program is designed to give your body a break from all the bad stuff we’ve been putting in our bodies—it focuses on digesting nutrients and flushing out the toxins and junk stuff. It promotes hydration and alkalinity in the body to reduce the foothold of the bad stuff.  Now that you have more or less an idea of what Juju Cleanse is all about, allow me to introduce you to a healthier dining experience through Juju Eats. I’ve recently discovered Juju Eats through an event invitation, not really for my food blog, but for Purple Plum Fairy. But I felt the need to share with you this special dining establishment as it promotes good health and healthy eating. Juju Eats takes a new spin on salad as it has about 50 toppings and dressings and more than 5000 combinations to try and choose from. How’s that for a great meal?


Juju Cleanse in different flavors

A lady prepares your salad in front of you.

 Located at Chino Roces Avenue Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo), Juju Eats boasts of impressive salads and healthy pasta that will surely satisfy your hunger. There are the classic salads such as the best-selling Ay Caramba! (housemix, grilled chicken, nacho chips, roasted red pepper, pickled jalapeno, red kidney beans, corn, grated cheddar, salsa and a special dressing.), Big Boy (consists of romaine, grilled chicken, bacon, hard boiled egg, sun dried tomato, red kidney beans, grated cheddar, roasted red pepper and French dressing),Chicken Caesar (romaine, grilled chicken, parmesan, bacon, herb croutons, Caesar dressing), Greek Salad(housemix, feta cheese, black olives, sundried tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, balsamic vinegar), Inasal Salad (housemix, pork inasal, green mango, feta cheese, cherry tomato, red onion, hardboiled egg, balayan dressing), Roast Pumpkin (housemix, roasted pumpkin, feta, bacon, parmesan, sun dried tomatoes, balsamic dressing),Roasted Veg Pasta (fusili pasta, roasted red pepper, grilled zucchini, grilled eggplant, herb dressing),Tabbouleh Salad(housemix, roasted Mediterranean veggies, tabbouleh, herb dressing),Thai Beef Salad(housemix, Thai beef strips, carrots, red capsicum, cashew nuts, mint, Thai basil, cilantro, Asian dressing) and Tuna Nicoise Pasta (fusili pasta, tuna flakes, French beans, hardboiled egg, sun dried tomatoes, black olives, honey mustard dressing). 
 
Lots of choices to choose from.


Different salad dressings from caesar to vinaigrette

BigBoy Salad

Greek Salad

 Juju Eats also allows you to become creative with your own food. Juju Eats offers a create-your-own salad with five simple steps: pick if it’s for a bowl or a wrap. Regular bowls for a personal salad is at Php185; half order is at Php135 and wrap salad for Php135. You may choose your own salad base: housemix (a selection of lettuce, red and green cabbage etc.), romaine lettuce or pasta. Then, choose up to three free toppings, an added extra topping is optional and then pick your own dressing!



 To quench your thirst, Juju Eats also offers refreshments such as cold-pressed fresh fruit juices and beverages like soda, slush and of course the Juju Cleanse Solos (250ml each). For coffee drinkers, Juju Eats also has locally roasted coffee, both hot and cold ones. I’ve tried their fresh ripe mango slush, and it’s good to know they do not use any sugar or any artificial flavor for the slush. You’ll get all-natural mango slush sans any sweetener. As I wolfed down on my Greek Salad that afternoon, I knew I’m making my body feel better knowing fully well that I’m taking in organic veggies and naturally fresh fruit juice. They say that the more greens you eat, the healthier you will become. Hurray for a new concept salad resto such as Juju Eats!

Juju Eats' ripe mango slush

Visit Juju Eats at the G/F BCS Building, 2297 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City. They also deliver via CityDelivery, call 8787878 or log on to www.citydelivery.ph. For further information, visit their site at www.jujueats.com or call 551-3968.
Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own. 


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Explorer's Lounge: Coffee + Book Lovers and Traveler's Nook Serving French And German Food

 If you've come across the Podium Mall, you've probably seen Explorer's Lounge. It's a mini cafe in the middle of the mall serving not just coffee but comfort French and German food, even desserts. So what makes Explorer's Lounge different from your usual coffee shops? Well, for starters, they are also some sort of a library and bookshop. Yes, you can find a wide array of travel books as well as cook books and maps to help you navigate your perfect travel getaways and destinations, thus making your trip more worthwhile. Oh, and you won't find Dora The Explorer here because it is YOU who will explore the lounge.

For bookworms, you may opt to read the books while you're there and better yet, purchase the book straight from the coffee shop. There's also a free wifi access to keep you connected from your friends and lovedones overseas. And most importantly, you can enjoy their food--a taste of what comfort German and French food has to offer.

There's Rosti or Roschti by Swiss-Germany is a traditional Swiss dish made from potatoes. From a staple breakfast (served all-day from Explorers Lounge), it has evolved into a popular side dish served with meals, sausages or vegetables. Still, one of the traditional ways to serve it for breakfast is to top it with fried egg. It remains a favorite of diners, and is more often than not served with a bagel pretzel.


Roschti is made with rougly grated potatoes, it is fried in lard cooking oil or buttered mixture. It is simply seasoned with a dash of salt and pepper. At Explorers Lounge, it is served with a Shueblig, a traditional sausage from german speaking part of Switzerland. Shueblig sausages are available at delicatessen shops, but apart from it, other available sausages from Explorers Lounge would be veal bratwurst and cervelat.

So if you love books, you're a wifi hoarder and you love coffee and traveling as well, head off to The Podium Mall--and find Explorers Lounge located at the third floor. You might want to try their food and specialty drinks as well. And who knows, it might lead you to another travel destination you've been dreaming to explore.

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

Saturday, May 11, 2013

BRASSERIE CICOU: Modern French Dining for Family and Friends

 
I didn’t have to go far to get a taste of France. It took just two rides to get to Greenhills to discover the spirit of a hearty French meal in Brasserie CiCou Restaurant. Situated in the bustling commercial center of San Juan, Brasserie CiCou is what it markets itself to be—a perfect place for gatherings French (or you could say, Filipino foodies who crave for the exquisite French cuisine).  In fact, the place can also be reserved for parties, business meetings or company functions even catering.

One thing about Brasserie CiCou, you’ll love the fact that French food did not received a tweak to suit the Filipino palate. I have some friends who have traveled to France and have eaten in the best restaurants there, they know what the original taste is supposed to be like and that is what they offer here at Brasserie CiCou. Too often, my friends would get disappointed once they know that a certain dish had been ‘modified’ while the restaurant continues their claim to be ‘authentic’. Fortunately, here at Brasserie CiCou, the menu captures the essence of an authentic French meal—helpings of delicious, no nonsense French food.



 
Brasserie CiCou’s ambiance may seem a bit formal just as it is in any typical French restaurants, but it has a homey and more comfortable dining set-up. Moms in particular would be happy to know that the restaurant created a corner meant for customers with kids to enjoy—colorful throw pillows, a huge giraffe and graffiti on the walls along with a stack of Lego bricks they can play with while waiting for their meals.  They even have an open/transparent kitchen so people could see everything what’s going on and how the food’s being prepared. 

 
Every element in the restaurant reflects France. It had created a French country look and feel. You can try French provincial food such as full flavored soups, stews, casseroles and roast in ample portions, served with hearty fruit and cheese salad (watermelon, avocado, melon, local goat cheese, arugula and herbed vinaigrette) salads and good table wine. If you’re in for something flavorful, try the kadaiff cones, prawns in lime and coriander, cucumber and yoghurt salad and orange foam or you might want some baked red mullet wrapped in herbs and filo pastry, broccoli-cheese soufflé and potato boulangere. And for the more adventurous, there’s braised rabbit in cider served with sweet potato homemade fries. With these kinds of foods, it is perfectly acceptable for diners to mop up their sauces or spread start their meals via spreading their choice of pate on their slices of baguette—just like the French do.
 
For starters, we were served with assorted Pamora Pates such as chicken liver pate, chicken breast and liver pate, chicken gizzard pate, chicken liver and gizzard pate, chicken breast pate, chicken breast and gizzard pate with some breads, along with a hefty of green salads, pickles and mustard and washed them down with white wine. The simple green salad makes a delectable light appetizer or entrée.  Pate is a rich savory paste made from finely minced or mashed ingredients typically seasoned meat or fish. It is from French origin and is a staple in French cuisine.
 
It was followed by our main meal, a roasted coquelet rubbed in rosemary and garlic on a bed of mashed potato. It’s made with free range and high quality chicken from Abra’s Pamora Farm. Roasted Coquelet is served warm with the savory of the gravy playing against the rosemary herb and the soft buttery taste of the mashed potato. The chicken was moist and juicy, not to mention really tasty and filling.

The dessert is quite impressive with the Trio of Crème Brulee: Vanilla, Chocolate and Green Tea. They have just the right amount of sweetness and have textures that are quite lovely. The green tea crème brulee is such a revelation while the chocolate’s made from rich dark chocolate. 
 
There are still a lot of dishes to sample on Brasserie CiCou. But I reckon you’d better want to check it out yourselves. Come and visit the restaurant yourself for more tasty surprises. The service at Brasserie CiCou’s friendly and cordial and the food, tres tres bon.
Indeed, Brasserie CiCou succeeds in bringing out the best flavors in their dishes, allowing each ingredient to shine through. A French food writer once said: “La cuisine, c’ est quand les choses ont le gout de ce qu ‘elles sont.” Good cooking is when things taste of what they are. So if you’re looking and craving for authentic French cuisine, Brasserie CiCou’s the place to be. It’s where you can enjoy simple, hearty French food without having to travel to France. As they claim, “Be in France for the price of a meal.”

Brasserie CiCou Restaurant is located at 57 Annapolis Street, Greenhills, San Juan (just beside OB Montessori and Instituto Culinario, across Promenade)
+ 632 661-9200
+632 917.885-8841
Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own.