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

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. 

DADS World Buffets--The Best of the World's Famous Culinary Specialties

Have you ever been on a food tour? How about a food trip with the world's best cuisines? Well, if you ask me, you don't need to travel far because you can tour around the world--yes, you can do that--and more! Just hop over to DADS World Buffets and experience the world's famous culinary specialties on your plate. The best thing about indulging in DADS World Buffets is that you'll be able to really get your money's worth given the vast selection of cuisines from all around the world. Aside from popular Pinoy fare, one gets to feast on a smorgasboard of popular gastronomic delights. DADS well-loved buffet becomes an even bigger and better dining destination. It now features Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Indonesian, Indian, Greek, Italian, Spanish, American, Mexican, Brazilian, Filipino and Japanese dishes that will surely satiate even those with the most discriminating palate. The only challenge is finding enough space on your tummy to enjoy each and every dish available. 

We recently put ourselves up to the challenge of eating our way around the world with DADS World Buffets international dishes. And we were awed by the plethora of specialty foods that diners can easily indulge into. It was truly a Mecca for foodies and enthusiasts. Imagine awakening your lethargic palates with all the array of choices. 

It's pretty expensive if you actually travel the world to eat all these amazing top food picks from the different parts of the globe. But now, you can simply eat at DADS World Buffets and have a taste of the world's notable dishes--they've got everything covered from East to West! It's like taking a trip around the world on a plate instead of a jet plane. If you ask me, it's one foodie adventure worth taking and a must-try for our Balikbayan friends out there. 

DADS had just spruced up their menu items on their buffets and they offer a wide selection of dishes that truly evoke the festive spirit of the holiday season. DADS has an indulgent ambiance that will put you in the mood for some much-deserved merry making after working all year round. Whether it's for a special lunch or dinner with family and friends or a treat for your friends, DADS World Buffets always make a perfect choice. 

Let's start with Asia's best such as Singapore's Hainanese Chicken, Malaysia's lamb and beef curry dishes, Indonesia's Pork, Chicken and Beef Sate, Thailand's Catfish Salad and Tod Lad Prik, India's Lamb Kebab, curries and vegetable samosa, K-Pop aficionados will also delight with Korea's Chapchae, Kalbi Chim and Bulgogi. Have your fill with a rich choice of authentic Chinese fares like everyone's favorite dimsum, noodles, special fried rice as well as Cantonese and Szechuan specialties. For health conscious, there's a salad bar that awaits you and of course, Saisaki's sushi, sashimi, Makimono, Temaki and best-tasting Tiger Prawn Shrimp Tempura.

Western specialties include Spain's famous paella, Lengua, Callos (DADS version has robust flavors and slightly gelatinous consistency that's best paired with a steaming rice), Iberian Chicken with a good selection of tapas, Italian breads, cheese and pasta dishes, Greece's Souvlaki in beef, pork chicken and seafood varieties, America's all-time favorite US roast beef and roast turkey, beef hickory barbecue, awesome buffalo wings, fish and chips, Cajun fried chicken, aphrodisiac favorite Oysters Rockefeller. There's also our well-loved Mexican dishes like Fajitas, Nachos,Tacos, Quesadillas or better yet try Brazil's Churrascaria or sumptuous Moroccan Lamb Stew. 

If you're a lover of the local fare, there's Kamayan's famous Lechon de Leche, Crispy Pata, Kare-Kare and Kamayan's Pritchon (lechon bits and slices wrapped on a pita bread), Sugba, Kinilaw, name it, they seem to have it all--there's actually other delightful regional specialties to choose from. 

On top of these, DADS World Buffets carving station offers succulent US Roast beef, Roast Turkey. DADS specialty ham, and New Zealand Leg of Ham. Drop by the Seafood Grill to grab an assortment of bounties from the sea such as salmon, tuna, Mahi-Mahi, squid and many others. 

Oh, and don't forget to cap your hearty meal with assorted sweet treats from the mouthwatering cakes available and to the delectable local fares such as good 'ol ice cream, halo-halo, puto bumbong, bibingka, biko, kutsinta, sapin-sapin and ginataang bilo-bilo. There's surely something to whet your appetite and catch your fancy. 

Explore the world's flavors with DADS World Buffets. It's an endless treat for your tastebuds. Here's the best part: consider yourself lucky to have access to a variety of food choices at DADS World Buffets because you can enjoy such a luxurious meal without putting a hole into your pocket. For an affordable price of Php588 from Monday to Friday Lunch, Php688 Monday to Friday Dinner and Php748 on weekends and holidays--you're surely be satisfied with heaps of Saisaki and Kamayan Buffets, as well as bottomless and interchangeable drinks, take you pick: fresh fruit shakes, juices, iced teas and sodas. Diners 70years old and above also get a special 50% discount. 

The restaurant has been converting ordinary foodies into connoisseurs and buffet lovers. From traditional to contemporary, local to global, and mild to extreme dishes, DADS World of Buffet has served it up one way or another. With interesting flavors, mouthwatering dishes at reasonable prices, you certainly won't be afraid to come over to try the rest of their buffets. 

Come to discover and savor the flavors of the world with DADS World Buffets and get ready for an epicurean voyage with a wide range of culinary delicacies you, your relatives, friends, colleagues and family will surely enjoy! 

DADS World Buffets is located at SM Megamall Bridgeway, Ortigas, Pasig City.

For reservations and inquiries, please call DADS World Buffets SM Megamall

(+632) 636-3785/ 6331758 or 0917-8961757

Visit their website at www.kamayansaisakidads.com

Find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DadsSaisakiKamayan

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