Slappy Cakes introduces new menu selection by Chef Him de Baron

Slapppy Cakes at SM Aura Premiere

For anyone who has always wanted to create their own pancakes or someone who considers himself a breakfast meal aficionado, SlappyCakes is a dream come true. Known for their D-I-Y pancakes as well as their sumptuous meals done in creative presentations, it’s no secret why the restaurant continues to draw customers.

Delight in Slappy Cakes’ new menu and experience their huge servings of sinfully delicious meals that’ll surely satisfy even the most discriminating palate.  We’ve recently visited Slappy Cakes at their SM Aura  Premiere branch (located at the lower ground level) and although it was a regular day, I was surprised to find out that it is frequented by groups of friends and families with healthy appetites.

Skull and Bones UP Town Center: University Comfort Food Review

It’s been more than a decade since I’ve finished my communications course from an exclusive all-girls’ Catholic school in Manila. Back then, I could vividly recall that our school canteen almost seemed to have it all: (well, except maybe during holy week) from Mexican tacos, Filipino viands, sizzling meals cooked right in front of you, street foods like chicken, squid and fish balls, tokneneng (fried breaded quail eggs); there were also healthier alternatives such as fruit shakes, salads + sumptuous dessert choices to my all-time favorite comfort food, American burgers, fries and dogs. So you could just imagine the big grin on my face when I’ve found out that there’s actually a food joint called Skull and Bones tucked on the second floor of UP Town Center in Katipunan Avenue where I could reminisce the good ‘ol fun of college days while munching on my favorite cheesy fries or chili con carne laden hotdog sandwich. 

Gourmet Filipino Burger at Wham

Press Release: When it comes to burger, most people would think about it as a comforting meal and perhaps the safest choice when craving for something fast yet satisfying. However, many will agree that not all burgers are created the same, purveyors can be partial over a tried and tested recipe with American appeal coupled with an awesome classic taste that stands out.

Back in 2000, there weren’t really too many options for something one may call an affordable legendary burger—one is left with a choice of either having a basic burger in a fast food or very expensive hotels for something fancy. This was then the beginning for good friends Tony Yap and Dondi Lazaro to profusely experiment for their own concoction. After several trials, all signs point to build their own burger brand especially when both of their friends and families gave their seal of approval with their unique recipe discovery.

Although the evolution of gourmet burger didn’t happen overnight, there was surely a good market for foodies who have grown weary of the typical offerings and go beyond the usual flavors but still affordable. Now, food lovers in the Philippines have long known that good quality burger is a must-have item in a casual-style restaurant.

Wham was near an instant hit in its first Quezon City branch for capturing the elements of what an outstanding burger should be: huge, hearty, and tucked with impeccably good beef. Celebrated for its never frozen patty perfection, the secret is also in its grilling equipment—a hybrid of electric and gas with pure charcoal on top. Cooking under the coals not only creates a savory, smoky flavor with an invitingly charred exterior, it rounds out an incomparable juicy texture in it’s strictly one third pound, certified no extender robust beef with 80-20 lean and fat. With its no short cuts, homemade-style formula that’s far from a typical fast food style or too expensive hotel burger, Wham is a bold version that sums up to affordable gourmet quality burger.

Prides itself for introducing a 100% Filipino burger brand with outstanding product and service, most people perceive that Wham is an international franchise. “The initial simplicity of the food and items inspired from my international travels very much worked. Along the way, we had to adapt to Filipino taste, like adding Spaghetti in the menu because kids loved it and wouldn’t eat anything else. And the major draw about our burger is how we cook our patty. We use the old-fashioned real charcoals”, Tony shares. While its standard speaks for the quality of the ingredients, Wham defied all expectations by introducing something far from a mundane category.

The colorful, comic-inspired interiors of the outlet is a welcoming surprise to the customers from the very beginning since it lends a fun, awe-inspiring vibe which eventually became the signature feel and look of the stores. Interestingly, one of its flagship item “Kapow” was adopted from a comic scene to denote a sound effect.

After Dondi and his family relocated to Cabanatuan, Wham officially became a family-owned business of Tony Yap with wife Camille, brother-in-laws Joby and Kiko with sister-in-law Liza. It was the then the beginning of its expansion; currently with four branches including it’s first-ever Katipunan QC, SM North Edsa The Block, Molito Alabang and Mall of Asia.

With no bells and whistles or complicated ingredients such as MSG, Wham Burgers remain on top of mind when questing for an affordable delicious burger with real beef that one can taste. Another factor that gives this classic favorite a breed apart? Side choices such as potato wedges or bite-sized chicken are satisfying and as flavorful as the mains which amps up the burger eating experience.

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Wham Burgers is located at five branches: Katipunan, SM North Edsa (The Block), Molito (Alabang) and Mall of Asia. For more information,

visit www.whamburgers.com. Follow Social Media Accounts: Wham! Burger on Facebook, WhamBurgersPH on Twitter, and whamburgersph on Instagram.

S & R New York Style Pizza: Huge, Yummy and Affordable + Value for Money

I love Pizza! I could drop anything whatever it is I'm doing at the moment when someone invites me to eat pizza. I enjoy eating pizza in lots of different ways: fold-them up like just as New Yorkers do, eat them backwards starting off from the crust, or slice them into tiny bite sized pieces the way I usually do. I love all kinds of pizza flavors with all sorts of toppings too. From the original Neapolitan style, to the typical ham and cheese, Hawaiian (with pineapple), pepperoni, down to all sorts of unique flavors like 'pinakbet pizza' (a popular vegetable dish from the Ilocos region in norther Philippines) and Bicol Express (inspired from the famous spicy dish in Bicol)--name it, I must have tried it. So you could just imagine my delight when I've discovered S & R New York Style Pizza. These are literally huge pizza (a slice is enough to cover your lunch, actually) that are amazingly affordable! It comes in different flavors:pepperoni, cheese, shrimp and garlic, combo (which typically has everything: black olives, bell peppers, beef, onions, etc.) 

A whole S & R pizza costs around Php599, but then it gives one a true value for money considering it could already feed like an entire basketball team. The good news is that you can buy them per slice too with an equally huge drink for only Php99.00 only! Yes, for something as hefty as a slice of pizza, you'll surely get your stomach full. 

One does not need to travel far to get a taste of New York's famous pizza. The best thing is you don't even need to spend as much because S & R makes sure that Filipinos can afford them without sacrificing the quality. S & R New York Style Pizza had generous toppings and gooey cheese that one will surely go crazy about. If pizza aren't your thing, there are other interesting items on the S & R menu that you might want to try such as Calzone (in various fillings), health bowl of green salads, popular American food like french fries, hamburgers, hotdog sandwiches, fruit smoothies (shakes) and fried chicken. Speaking of fried chicken, theirs are really affordable at Php89 with rice, and Php399 per box for six pieces of S & R crispy fried chicken. They also have churros and soup chowder too. 

Oh, have I mentioned that you don't need to become an S & R member to be able to avail of all these? Yes, you read that right. At Puregold in Cubao (just in front of Farmers Plaza), S & R can be found on the second floor of the said Puregold building. And from there, you can either choose to dine in or takeout your food with you. If you're dining in, you'll have free unlimited  (but self-service) refill of condiments such as minced onions, pickle relish, catsup, hot sauce, mayonnaise and mustard and gravy. 

So, remember, if you're craving for pizza, S & R is the best way to go! It will surely satisfy your pizza cravings and you'll be able to share pizza with your family and friends because of its hefty servings! And this isn't the kind of pizza that will cost you an arm and a leg--S & R pizza are truly affordable. Where else can you find something as filling and yummy? S & R pizza will definitely become a hit among your loved ones too. Compared to other leading pizza brands, S & R pizza isn't greasy, it's not all crusty and it does not scrimp on its toppings! Indeed, it is truly a good value for your money. 

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

TGIFridays Opens in Greenbelt 3 with a New Look

T.G.I.Fridays, popularly known for their fun and funky American-dining restaurant, talented bartenders and huge food servings that we all love ends 2013 with a big red bang as they launched a more contemporary look of their newest branch in Greenbelt 3. The new look no longer just caters to the hip and young but it goes as well as to the more conservative ages. With cozier and classic interiors comes a different vibe to the all-new T.G.I.Fridays coming your way.

They now sport what they call a Heritage Wall of T.G.I.Fridays' memorabilia which features a New York Skyline using baseball bats. T.G.I.Fridays first started in New York City and at the time playing baseball was America's past time. The new restaurant's look clearly speak of the restaurant's American culture. T.G.I.Fridays branch in Greenbelt 3 also has an open kitchen with a promise to all diners etched on their wall which says, "In here, it's always a Friday."  "That's the feeling we'd all want our diners to feel, that 'Friday-feeling' where you can leave all your worries behind and simply enjoy good food and have fun," says T.G.I.Friday Greenbelt 3 manager.

With a new spruced up restaurant look, the menu can't be left behind as they've come up with new shareable platters that'll surely please loyal T.G.I.Fridays-goers and will certainly catch the fancy of new ones. Expertly seasoned and charred-grilled courses from the Jack Daniel's Grill. They've got steaks, ribs, pork chops, chicken, shrimps, or the triple barrel. For starters, order Fridays Three for All--loaded potato skins, spicy buffalo wing and deep fried mozzarella served with sour cream, blue cheese and hot marinara dipping sauces.

For a different take on the Filipino specialty Adobo, try on T.G.I.Fridays' Southwest Adobo Chicken in Chimichurri with Chili Jalapeno Sauce, Battered Fish and Chips, and Filipino Pork Liempo. Don't forget to share them with your family and friends because it's done in T.G.I.Fridays' big servings.

If you're a burger aficionado, you'll love T.G.I.Fridays' Bacon Cheeseburger made from 100% beef chargilled patties with melted all-American cheese and crispy bacon. I'm salivating writing this and I think I heard my stomach grumbled. While you're enjoying your honest-to-goodness burger, wolf it down with legendary cocktails and knock it down with a bottomless glass of mojito. 

To cap off your hearty meal, check out the T.G.I.Fridays' awesome array of desserts that will satisfy any chocoholics and those with sweet tooth. With choices like Brownie Obsession, Oreo Madness, or the best-selling Mocha Mud Pie made from rich chocolate-almond mousse and coffee ice cream frozen in a chocolate crumb crust, you can never go wrong! 

In T.G.I.Fridays fashion, if you're lucky enough, you might just catch the talented bartenders called Stars Behind the Bar who does flair showing their bartending sklls and give guests a dose of entertainment for an even greater dining experience. As they've been known for, T.G.I.Fridays isn't only a place with friendly service, good food and drinks but also a place where one gets your out of the box dose of entertainment. 

Come and visit T.G.I.Friday's Greenbelt 3. Its got an al fresco dining area too. With big and shareable servings, there ain't no other perfect place to celebrate the coming holiday season. Experience Friday now any day of the week. 

For more information, check out https://facebook.com/welovefridays or follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Fridaysphil