Salu Restaurant Celebrates 1st Anniversary + Introduced Innovative Dishes to Try!

I know what you’re thinking: What’s so different about Salu Filipino restaurant from other establishments that serve Filipino dishes? They serve undeniably the best of Filipino dishes [literally from the Northern part of Luzon going all the way down to the Southern part of Mindanao] under one roof. Yes, you're reading that right. Salu owners, celebrity couple Romnick Sarmenta [Romeo Nicolas Sarmenta Tejedor in real life] and Harlene Bautista painstakingly went to travel each Philippine island to explore, discover and learn the best of Filpino recipes from the locals themselves. 

Batangas Food Festival in Matabungkay Beach Hotel by Filipino Culinary Masters

What happens when you put together two extremely passionate, creative and talented master chefs, both successful in their respective fields, a managing director of a popular resort and her culinary team all together? That’s what Security Blanket had witnessed when I was invited to the media launch of Batangas Food Festival 2016 at Matabungkay Beach Hotel. It was a gorgeous lunch that could be called a symphony of flavours, tastes, aromas and textures that make up the Batangas Food Festival menu. 

Ms. Charley Leviste-Antonio, managing director of Matabungkay Beach Hotel in Lian, Batangas put together top chefs Ms. Nancy Reyes-Lumen, the “Adobo Queen” herself and Chef Jaja Andal to collaborate on the menu for this year’s Batangas Food Festival, which will run from October to December 31^st, 2016. 

Salu Restaurant in Quezon City Food Review: Taste the Flavors of the Philippines under one roof

The Philippine archipelago is considered a melting pot of South East Asia. So, a Filipino cuisine is prepared and cooked either with a touch of the Western and Asian culture.  Filipino dishes are cooked in a variety of ways dependent on the locale.  Note that the country is interspersed by the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Security Blanket recently discovered a new restaurant that offers some of the best modern Filipino cuisine featuring the different dishes from the 7,107 islands in the country. Located in Scout Torillo corner Scout Fernandez Streets near Tomas Morato, Quezon City, Salu, The Filipino Restaurant is a brainchild of former actress Harlene Bautista, husband Romnick Sarmenta and Chef Janjie Ocoma a.k.a. “Lakwatserong Kusinero.” 

Salu Restaurant takes a proud look at provincial flavors and showcases the most popular regional recipes with a touch of decadent flair. With the 7,107 islands, the Filipino culinary palate is as diverse as the country's numerous dialects and Salu Restaurant aims to take customers and diners on a culinary tour that shares rich flavors from across archipelago. What Salu Restaurant does best is to highlight lesser known recipes from far-flung areas of the country that may taste foreign to Manila-based Filipinos. It also does a stellar job at elevating local household recipes to level-up into world-class level. 

The four pillars of Salu Restaurant

To say that a Filipino likes to eat is an understatement. ‘Like’ is not quite the term to use to describe the relationship between a Filipino and food. However, it does not still encapsulate the whole truth. A Filipino has a love affair with food. An affair describes a commitment, status, and a mutual understanding between two parties. In effect, a Filipino does not just have a one way relationship with the food; the food loves a Filipino too! 

Former celebrities turned entrepreneurs Romnick Sarmenta and wife Harlene Bautista

GoodAh's Boy's Blowout Meals for Four: Perfect for Family and Friends

 Tired of looking for that gastronomic delight that fits a family of four on a lazy weekend or the ideal meal for a group of friends/officemates during lunch hour? Look no further! There's GoodAh’s "Boy's Blowout" for you to savor to your hearts' delight.

When you don't know where to go for a quick sumptuous meal, GoodAh's "Boy's Blowout" will surely be your best bet. It promises to satisfy group cravings and it's a perfect barkada or family meal. Named after its GoodAh brand ambassador, TV host Boy Abunda, GoodAh is the first fast-food, all-Filipino restaurant chain in the country that started the "Open 25 hours" and "8 Days a Week" type of food service operations.

Goodah's "Boy's Blowout" comes in two Sapat sa Apat sets: Set A includes Pork Sinigang, Sizzling Sisig, Fried Chicken (a new item on the GoodAh menu), and Garlic Kangkong. Set B, on the other hand, has Nilagang Baka, Garlic Kangkong, Sizzling Pork Chop, and Pork Barbecue.

Both meals come with a pitcher of refreshing, ice-cold Red Iced Tea and four cups of hot rice for that extra fill everyone will surely love and enjoy at the Goodah store nearest you. 

But the best part of it all is that GoodAh's "Boy's Blowout" is priced at an affordable P499 per set meal. It fits the family's budget or the barkada can simply share to enjoy these delicious meals.

It's a truly hot season, but the rays of the summer sun can't beat GoodAh's "Boy's Blowout" meals. No matter what time of day, everyone will certainly enjoy these sure-fire winner meals for that "Pagkaing Good for Every All."

GoodAh stores are located at BF Homes Parañaque, Bicutan, Eastwood, Gate 5 (along EDSA near Connecticut), Market! Market! and Metrowalk. For more details, visit www.goodah.com.ph, "like" them on Facebook (www.facebook.com), Instagram (instagram.com/GoodahPH), or Twitter (twitter.com/GoodahPH).

Recipes 8 Missouri Specialities and Sweets Food Review

Your family can dine like royalty in Recipes 8 Missouri Specialties and Sweets. Their friendly staff is ready to attend to all your needs, and they’ve got an exciting array of dishes you’d normally see in fine dining restaurants but served at a more affordable price. And recently, they’ve also come up with special desserts to satisfy the sweet tooth in you or to simply cap off that awesome meal. And because they’re from the same people that brought you the well-loved Recipes by Metro group, you can be assured of the same quality and service.

Getting to Recipes 8 Missouri Specialties and Sweets may be a bit of a challenge especially for first-timers who’d come to visit. It’s actually strategically located at the second level of the 8 Missuouri building just across Gloria Maris and right behind Promenade in Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan. But let me tell you, it’s worth all the effort and the trip. 

Crispy Tilapia

Quezon Buffet Restaurant Fishermall Food Review

I'm always a big fan of both Pinoy and traditional Spanish cuisine, so when we found this restaurant called Quezon Buffet restaurant in Quezon City area, we immediately checked it out. I was curious to find out if they could live up to my expectations. It did!  

Coun. Yul Sevo, TV host Bobby Yan and a beauty queen.

 I enjoyed everything that I’ve tried out on: from the salted egg vinaigrette salad dressings, sinigang-based salad dressings on arugula and romaine lettuce, main dishes such as tiger prawns in garlic and butter, molo soup, pakbet, beef tapa, dinakdakan, an array of l crispy lechon and I especially loved their seafood paella.  This restaurant offers a wide range of filipino dishes with a modern take into it. I love the twist on the menu and well-loved dishes. It's not pricey but we still enjoyed quality buffet and it's still not as expensive as other restaurants in its class. Ambience is smart-casual, with a relaxed atmosphere, well-lit and homey interiors, plus service is very good. Can't wait to have a chance to go back again when I'm around that area! Highly recommended!

Quezon Buffet's Seafood Paella

Had visitors from France recently that I wanted to treat to some Filipino food and decided to go to back to Quezon Buffet restaurant [that’s why it had taken quite sometime for me to write about my experience]. My foreign visitors were really impressed and I was happy considering that one of them was eating Filipino food for the first time. And you know that the French are very particular about what they eat and drink. Service was good, quick and unobtrusive. And the best thing about this dining experience was it didn't cost much. Definitely this is a restaurant you can bring foreign visitors to. It makes you proud to be Filipino.

Present during the Quezon Buffet restaurant robbing cutting ceremony were Councilor Yul Sevo and several beauty queens.

Lovely interiors kinda brings you back to the 1800s during Spanish Times. Perfect place to end the night. I was really impressed with the Adobo, which I had come to consider a relatively unimpressive dish due to my experience elsewhere in the Philippines, but here it was delicately cooked, the meat pieces properly selected and it was tender and full of flavours. 

The staff were polite, but did not seem to be interested to advise us and left our friends to make decisions without making any suggestions. 
Due to the large variety of the dishes on the buffet there is no point in going through favourites. You will probably have to go several times to try enough dishes to know what you like best. 

Overall good value for money. The Filipino and Spanish food and were nicely complemented by the decor and atmosphere of the end of century (post colonial) Manila.

Quezon Buffet restaurant is located at the 2nd level of Fishermall in Quzon Avenue, Quezon City. 

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

Max’s Restaurant Kapitolyo Opens

For certified foodies like me, there are specific venues where we could all satiate even the most discriminating palate—Kapitolyo in Pasig City is one of them. Here, one could find rows of hole-in-the-wall array of foodie joints and restaurants. There will surely be something you’ll fancy. But of course, it would also make you feel better to know that there’s one familiar restaurant that won’t be a hit or miss when it comes to the food they offer. And that’s where Max’s Restaurant, the home of our favorite ‘sarap-to-the-bones’ fried chicken comes in. Yes, Max’s had just opened its newest branch in the heart of Kapitolyo Pasig.

Spend a Sweet and Heartwarming Valentine's Day Celebration at Max's

Say hello to the love month as you satiate both your sweet tooth and Filipino food cravings as global brand Max's Restaurant offers both delectably sweet and exciting ways to show your love this February. 

In line with the Valentine celebration, from February 13 to 15, 2015 customers who will be dining at Max's Restaurant with a minimum food purchase of Php1,500 will be receiving a boy of delectable Choco and Caramel bites from Max's Corner Bakery for FREE! 

“Valentine’s Day is such a special occasion for Filipinos. It is during this season that we really go out of our way to show our appreciation for our loved ones. Max’s understands this endearing tradition very well. It inspired us to create the most romantic opportunities for our customers to celebrate Valentine’s,” shared Orlando Villanueva, Max’s Restaurant’s Marketing Manager for Dine-In, Take Out, Delivery, and E-Commerce. 

As if the sweet treats aren't enough, Max's Restaurant also offers a special "Meal for Two"--an intimate all-day feast for couple who'd want to celebrate Valentine's Day while enjoying their favorite "sarap to the bones" chicken along with classic dishes from Max's. Meal for Two creates the perfect date, with a regular half serving of Max’s sarap to the bones Fried Chicken complemented by a savory choice of Sizzling Tofu or Adobong Kangkong, steaming white rice, two glasses of iced tea or any Pepsi softdrink.  This hearty meal is sweetly capped off with delicious Buko Pandan. Sharing an intimate meal with a loved one doesn’t need to be hefty on the pocket too. Max’s Meal for Two is 

only priced at PhP529, or with as much as PhP 191 savings for customers and is available until February 28.

Meanwhile, Max’s Corner Bakery is offering its Love Letter Cookies, Love Birds Cookies, melt-in-your-mouth White Chocolate Butter Cake, a delectably light and fluffy butter cake garnished with milky white chocolate shavings and topped with rich whipped cream and cherry; and yummy Choco Peanut Butter Cake, a rich and moist chocolate cake, filled with premium peanut butter icing and coated with delicious chocolate frosting. There's nothing sweeter and more romantic than sharing these sweet treats from Max's Corner Bakery!

I was able to try the Choco Peanut Butter cake myself and although I'm not really fond of peanut butter, I was surprised to find myself liking it. I love its velvety texture, it tastes like peanut butter, only in cake form. It's not too sweet but rather tastes just right. The chocolate perfectly complements the peanut butter. 

At the end of the day, Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating with the people who are important to us. For Max’s, every season will always be about touching lives and creating memories that warm the heart.” Villanueva said.

C' mon, go ahead and buy your loved one with Max’s Delightful Valentine, or catch Max’s Meal for Two and Max's Corner Bakery's sweet treats for Valentine's anywhere in the Philippines for the entire month of February, available for dine-in, take-out and delivery. Visit your favorite Max’s branch and create the most romantic Valentine celebration for your special loved one.

Learn more about what’s new at Max’s by logging on to www.maxschicken.com. Visit 

www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant and be the first to know about the coolest offerings from the Filipino’s most loved brand.

Max's Launches New Fried Chicken Meal Bundle for only PhP 899

The month of Love, February had just started. This meant you need to prepare for that special red letter day--Valentine's Day. Still don't have a significant other to date? Fret not, who ever said Valentine's are made exclusively for couples? Valentines is for everyone--your date could be anyone as long as you shower them with love--it could be your parents, siblings, friends, colleagues or even an acquaintance. Show them how much they mean to you by treating them out on V-day! Global Filipino brand Max's Restaurant understands how important these celebrations are. With its new offering, it's perfect for a post-holiday treat or a V-day special date with your loved ones. 

 

A Sumptuous Spread from Max’s

Max’s beckons its customers to check out its new Fried Chicken meal bundle that is delectably satisfying to the palate and light on the budget.  Diners get to enjoy Max’s “sarap to the bones” Fried Chicken paired with a steaming bowl of Sinigang na Tyan na Bangus. The meal comes with 4 cups of rice and 4 glasses of any Pepsi softdrink or Iced Tea. Enjoying this feast from Max’s is anything but hefty on the budget. Customers may avail of Max’s Fried Chicken and Sinigang Meal bundle for only PhP 899 - perfect for an intimate gathering with friends or family.

Max’s customers may dine-in at their favorite branch to enjoy these mouthwatering dishes or they may simply dial Max’s delivery hotline 7-9000, or log on to Max's Restaurant Website to place their orders.

“With Max’s new offering, our customers get the best of everything – delectable dishes that are signature to Max’s and the most budget-friendly price. Everyday becomes a reason to celebrate as our customers enjoy and share their favorite Max’s dishes to their heart’s content,” enthused Orlando Villanueva, Max’s Restaurant’s Marketing Manager for Dine-In, Take Out, Delivery, and E-Commerce.

Take advantage of this promo, it saves you money and time yet you're sure to have a special dinner or an unforgettable and hearty meal with those you love. Catch Max’s Fried Chicken meal bundle this love month of February anywhere in the Philippines, for dine-in, take-out or delivery until February 28, 2015.

Learn more about what’s new at Max’s by logging on to www.maxschicken.com. Visit www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant and be the first to know about the coolest offerings from the Filipino’s most loved brand.

Bistro Remedios Celebrates 30th Year Anniversary with Five Exciting New Dishes

When my best friend came home early this year with her French-Canadian boyfriend, she asked me where we could bring him to introduce Filipino food. Being a food blogger whose life practically involves food tasting and review, I thought it was easy. But to be perfectly honest, it's the exact opposite. Finding an all-Filipino restaurant can be pretty daunting since most food establishments nowadays would often have what we refer to as fusion--a combination of two or more different cuisines. That's why I am so glad when I've learned about Bistro Remedios in Malate for they serve truly authentic Filipino cuisines. 

For an establishment to last for three decades (that's a meaningful 30 years!), I believe there has to be a much, much more bigger reason for one restaurant to last that long! It isn't just about the delicious food that they serve that keeps people coming back, or the cozy ambiance that attracts them but I think their secret lies more on Bistro Remedios' excellent service all through these years. 

In celebration of their 30th year in service, Bistro Remedios introduces five new flavorful dishes which loyal clientele and first-time customers will surely love. Security Blanket was lucky to have tried them all and here's what I have to say about the five new exciting dishes: 

Lechon Kawali sa Gata--Fried pork belly simmered in coconut milk. Creamy and definitely a comfort food. It had that crispy fried pork in a rich natural sweetness of coconut milk. Indeed a perfect pair with the Filipino staple rice. 

Piniñahang Baboy--Tender pork stewed in coconut milk with pineapple and vegetables. This us great for those who are fans of pork. 

Adobong Hito--Based on Ilonggo preparation, this adobo dish made out of catfish is something new to me as I've been used in seeing fried catfish but not in an adobo.

Sinugbang Manok--is half chicken grilled Cebuano style with soy, vinegar and spices. This one's similar to chicken inasal, somewhat charred but savory in taste. 

Sinugba Platter--generous helping of grilled prawns, pork belly, and chicken served with achara and spicy vinegar. I couldn't resist eating the grilled prawns. It's sooo good and fresh, words aren't enough to express my thoughts on eating them. This is great for families since it has a large serving, good for 3-4 person. 

All of the dishes mentioned above boasts of fresh ingredients and done and cooked in a creative, bistro-style plating. They are now part of the menu of traditional Filipino specialties that originally belonged to the family of late LJC Restaurant Group founder, Larry J. Cruz.

 

For desserts, Bistro Remedios’ list of new offerings also includes two new desserts of local flavors: Pandan Delight and Chocnut Cheesecake.

When Bistro Remedios first opened at the corner of Remedios and Adriatico Streets in 1984, it drew in foreigners as well as locals hankering for authentic, homestyle Filipino food. Signature dishes that have remained best-sellers through the years include Paco Fern and Tomato Salad (young rainforest fern, tomato, and salted egg with a light salad dressing), Binukadkad na Crispy Pla Pla (deep-fried fish sliced like a butterfly and served with balo-balo and fresh mustard leaves), Knockout Knuckles (a whole leg of pork deep-fried in garlic and chilis) and Crispy Tadyang “D Original” (marinated beef ribs deep fried to a delicious crispiness). Fried frog legs and the seasonal crispy rice field crickets sauteed in tomatoes and onions are also still available for those with an exotic appetite.

                                                         Pako/ Fern Salad

 

                                              Adobong Rice Field Locusts/Crickets

                     Crispy Tadyang

                                       Spicy Baby Pusit (Squid)

Today, Bistro Remedios is recognized by the Department of Tourism as one of the restaurants foreigners should visit when in the country. 

My best friend and her boyfriend will be coming home again in time for the holiday season. When they come back, I knew exactly where I'd take them this time--it's got to be at Bistro Remedios where the finest Filipino cuisine can be found. 

Bistro Remedios is located at M. Adriatico Street, across the Remedios Circle in Malate, Manila. The restaurant is open from 11am-3pm and 3pm-11pm on Mondays, Thursdays, Sundays; 11am-3pm and 3pm-12mn from Fridays to Saturdays. For those who prefer private dining, Bistro Remedios has function rooms that can accommodate 12 to 50 persons. For more information on Bistro Remedios, please call 5239153, 5229163 or visit us at www.ljcrestaurants.com.ph or like us on facebook/LJCRestaurantGroup.

Disclaimer: I am nit compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

Special thanks to Ms. Malou Domingo, Ms. Grace Cariaga and Mr. Dominic Diaz. 

Cafe Via Mare: Rediscovering Filipino Cuisine at GT Toyota Katipunan

          Crispy Bacon Salad

I took up Oral Discourse in English at the University of the Philippines-Diliman as part of my post-grad experiment. Of course, at the time I was fresh out of college and I was trying to look at my options then. I took the said extramural course to keep me from being bored as I was then looking for work. So much had changed in a span of eleven years--even our fave hangout place called The Beach House (a small carenderia/eatery) recently closed down. But at the same time, there were lots of new establishments within the area, including GT Toyota in Asian Studies Building. This is where I've found Cafe Via Mare--located right inside the GT Toyota Compound. 

Just like other restaurants owned by Via Mare, Cafe Via Mare also had that chic, cozy ambiance. Expect to see families, entrepreneurs, colleagues, students and even runners to converse in between meals at Cafe Via Mare or to sip their favorite cup of coffee in the morning. I went there originally to cover an event, but I felt the need to commend Cafe Via Mare for the sumptuous Filipino Cuisine that they had served on our table that lunchtime. We've had sinfully filling Crispy Bacon Salad as appetizer. I couldn't decipher if it was something healthy or sinful because the crispy bacon strips were on topped of a salad of greens, with shallots, herbs and tomatoes on vinaigrette dressing. Nevertheless, it was delicious and sort of an initial exercise for your palates and indeed a good choice for an appetizer. 

       Salted Eggs Fried Rice

Cafe Via Mare served us with a special Fried Rice which had minced meat, spring onions, salted eggs and tomatoes. It reminds me of the Chinese's Yang Chow Fried rice. Only this time, the fried rice was made with a Pinoy twist--that of putting salted eggs on it. Personally, I don't like salted eggs, but Cafe Via Mare made me love the fact that salted eggs on their special fried rice perfectly complements all the dishes that we were served. 

               Kare-kare

When one speaks of Filipino cuisine, Kare-kare should never be missed. I am amazed that Cafe Via Mare didn't used any "short cuts" in cooking this dish. I mean, they didn't use any "instant sauce mix", but rather used mortar and pestle instead to pound peanuts and then turned them into a paste. Kare-kare's made of ox tail in creamy peanut buttery sauce with vegetables like eggplant, banana heart, and string beans, among others. It is served with fish paste (popularly known by locals as Bagoong). The ox tail 's really soft, almost melt-in-your-mouth and the peanut butter goes well with it. 

                Crispy Pata

Another deliciously sinful and tempting was the Crispy Pata--served with its soy and vinegar based sauce, it's definitely worth trying out for. A word of caution though, it could be addicting but let's eat in moderate amount, unless you might wanna end up in the hospital. Of course, you have to eat these with extra caution, eat in moderation.

           Fried Fish Tilapia

We also had fried fish tilapia served with mango side salad. The fish was made crispy and crunchy with the fried batter. And it goes well with the mango strips with it. It adds a rather tangy, somewhat sweet after taste. 

 Creamy Coconut Rice Cake with Mango Slices and Sesame Seeds

Capping off such a sumptuous yet sinful meal, we were served with Creamy Coconut Rice Cake with Mango Slices and Sesame Seeds. This dessert had some syrup on the side. It tastes so good that only a few minutes after it's served, it's gone already! The creaminess and natural sweetness of coconut plus the presence of sesame seeds adds flavor to this dessert along with the syrup. Think of the Filipino merienda favorite "palitaw" or "biko" mixed with ripened mango and "latik" syrup made from brown/Muscovado sugar. 

Overall, I'd recommend going to Cafe Via Mare for the great ambiance and good food. Although it's somewhat secluded from all the commercial establishments along Katipunan Road, still I'd say it's worth checking out for. 

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