Memorable Valentine's Day at The Manila Hotel

On Valentine’s Day is synonymous to a time for wining and dining. It is also the perfect opportunity to show your love and appreciation to your favorite people, or your significant other. Here

A dinner to remember

Be inspired to take your special someone out on an ultimate date night at The Champagne Room, touted as the most romantic room in the country—the exquisite backdrop to many proposals and declarations of love. The destination of choice for top-tier dining, The Manila Hotel reopens its signature French restaurant exclusively for heart’s day weekend.

Escape the monotony of everyday dining and let your palate escape to France with our especially curated Valentine’s set dinner which kicks off with Pan-Seared Foie Gras and Lobster on melon gazpacho, followed by decadent entrees like Aged Sherry-Scented Roasted Pigeon Consomme with stuffed morsel and sous vide poached quail egg; and Sweetpea Mascarpone Agnoloti (butter-parmesan emulsion with prosciutto). For mains, you have a choice of generous Chilean Sea Bass in creamy balsamic-pomegranate sauce, Oriental risotto, and fresh market vegetables or our signature Beef Tenderloin on wild mushroom puree, with Anna potato and market vegetables. End your night by lingering over dessert—a must for any romantic occasion—with Raspberry Delight on pistachio shortbread, and a Valentine Praline. 

As an added treat, lady diners will be given one long-stemmed Ecuadorian rose. Combine all of this with the chic French ambiance and intimate seating, and your Valentine’s Day will be complete.

The gourmet dinner will be available from February 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2021 at Php4,500 nett per head. Don’t wait though—a table for two at our Champagne Room is always a hot commodity. Call us now for reservation and book a table at 85270011. 

Alaska Crema Merry Food Bazaar

Alaska Crema recently held the Merry Crema Food Bazaar at the Eastwood Mall Open Park  where 24 unique homebased and online businesses got the chance to showcase their bestselling goodies and were able to compete for the yummiest dessert creations. The Eastwood Open area was turned into Sweet City as young and old alike indulged into everything sweet and nice as everyone sampled all the delectable treats on display. I'm not much of a sweet tooth but I knew pretty much it was truly a delightful experience to check out what each food booths had to offer. Name it, they have it--from sweets to savory to whatnots. There have been a whole lot of treats that foodies and dessert aficionados had to enjoy. 

We also spotted actress/entrepreneur Bettina Carlos who was then so busy manning her very own food booth called Baked Bites with Dulce de Leche Pecan Cheesecake and Nutella Rocks cupcakes as their best selling items. Chocoholics feasted on different kinds of chocolates--from native Malagos cacao, mint chocolates, milk chocolates to dark one and caramel--every sweet tooth had surely been well satiated. For those looking for something different, there's puto bumbong and bibingka, siopao, cakes and polvoron, even crispy and tasty lechon! 

Speaking of lechon, it was the first time I saw a chocolate cake that cooked actually be mistaken for a lechon de leche because it actually looked like one. Nothing But C's really put a creative spin on our fiesta staple food. We also adored the polvoron that looked like little cupcakes with cute character designs on top such as Minions, Hello Kitty, Christmas Tree, Angels etc. They looked so good to look at, it's easy to forget they're really edible and were meant to be eaten!

Alaska Crema even had an on stage games and program so there's practically no dull moment. The event was hosted by popular radio dynamic duo of Chico and Delamar. It was also graced by pop rock singer Yeng Constantino who sang Christmas songs as well as her current hit single Chinito to the delight of the audience. The Intervoices Chorale also wowed the audience with heartwarming Christmas songs. Lucky guests and participants of the fun games went home with awesome Alaska Crema gift packs as prizes. 

It was indeed a merry event as Alaska Crema has inspired everyone to put creative twists to old time favorites and classic desserts/viands, thereby making the holiday feasts extra special. 

Security Blanket wishes to thank Mikki Abrazado and Alaska Crema. 

Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe-Katipunan Avenue's All-Day Breakfast Cafe

I remember my friend telling me, you can find anything on Katipunan Avenue. As it turns out, you can also find a cozy and homey artisanal bakery and cafe that sells awesome breads and cakes with an all-day breakfast meals! Zip into a swanky and jazzy bakery-slash-cafe, a welcome addition to the vibrant repertoire of new establishments sprouting across the metropolis.  Known for its old shop name Monsee's, Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe has a casual dining ambiance.  

Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe practices the traditional way of baking breads--meaning, they do not use shortcuts and other chemical additives. Each flavors and ingredients are fully developed. Thus, nothing less than premium ingredients are used. The breads are hand rolled and baked with love in small batches so you can be assured of its freshness and safety. In fact, there's an open baking area which allows customers to see how some of their products are being made. 

Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe boasts of a unique menu of an assortment of artisan breads such as breadsticks and Spanish breads which Monsee's is widely known for. They've assembled a menu of fresh and exciting items that appeals to urbanites who are usually on-the-go but still very healthy. They also have various Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe signature sandwiches like the Waldorf Salad Sandwich (flaky pastry with the Christmas colors of red and green apples, chicken and chopped walnut fillings) and their Breakfast Burrito Wrap (tortilla filed with breakfast sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs and baked tomatoes served with ranch dressing), or better yet, try their yummy Chicken Caesar Sandwich--made from grilled Cajun chicken and lettuce in Caesar dressing topped with poached egg, bacon and parmesan cheese on baguette.

 Adobo aficionados will also be delighted to know that they have an Adobo Pulled Pork Sandwich--an honest-to-goodness pulled pork adobo with fried kesong puti, lettuce and tomato on baguette. If you want something with egg, there's Pork Adobo and Kesong Puti Omelet to satisfy your adobo cravings. For no frills sandwich, the Hot Ham and Cheese is your best bet. This one's made from flaky pastry filled with Canadian ham, Gruyere and pickles topped with a rich bechamel sauce. These all-day specialty sandwiches are served with french fries and a side salad. 

Those looking for something new should try Harina Artisan Bakery's unique Breakfast Tart (puff pastry filled with eggs, spinach, roasted tomatoes and bacon) or our personal favorite, Bloomin' Bread. Take your meals to the next level with the Bloomin' Bread (round Italian pull apart bread that's good for sharing) filled with basil puree and an assortment of melted cheese. It's truly an experience eating the Bloomin' Bread especially when you dip them in balsamic vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil. It reminds me of my Ukrainian boss Vlad's favorite snack. I've learned to love breads dipped in balsamic and olive oil because of him. I highly recommend the Bloomin' Bread to anyone who checks out Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe. 

To perk you up the entire day, Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe have different versions of French Toasts to choose from: a cheerful medley of Peanut butter, Banana and Chocolate French toast (wheat honey walnut French toast stuffed with creamy peanut butter, sliced bananas and chocolate spread) or the sweet Strawberry Cheesecake stuffed French toast (cheesecake-filled brioche topped with whipped cream and strawberry preserves).

For something a little more filling, Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe also offers Filipino breakfast staples such as Homemade Corned Beef with garlic fried rice, Lukban Longanisa meal with fried rice and Bangus Belly with salted eggs and tomatoes + fried rice. 

If you're looking for something with a little more to kick in, they also have the all-time favorite Eggs Benedict (Ciabatta topped with Gruyere, Canadian ham, poached egg and hollandaise sauce), and Biscuit and Gravy (fried chicken fillet, bacon, baked tomatoes and biscuit topped with a special gravy), and lastly,Vegetable and Cheese omelet is also available. 

Of course, when it comes to breakfast, the classic fluffy pancakes topped with whipped butter and syrup should never be left behind. Nutritious and healthy choices are also made available via the Muesli with Fruit selection. Those with sweet tooth would also be happy to note that Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe have an assortment of cakes on display to cap off their meals. 

For beverages, they feature an assortment of hot and cold drinks: Cafe Americano, Cafe Latte, Cafe Mocha, Cappuccino, Hot Tea (choice of chamomile, earl grey, English breakfast, peppermint (my personal choice!) or lemon ginger), hot chocolate, Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe's signature Iced Tea, red iced tea, frozen hot chocolate and apple pie smoothie. 

Take yourself on a comfy breakfast at Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe, and enjoy their delicious menu offerings and awesome selection of breads and pastries. Be it for lunch, merienda (snack), dinner, or for a late night cap, make Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe your destination of choice. 

Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe by Monsees Artisan Food Commissary is located at 118 Katipunan Avenue Extension, Brgy. White Plains, Quezon City

Store Hours: 6AM to 9PM from Mondays to Sundays

Call (+632) 3526721

For more info, log on to www.harina.ph

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