philstar.com – Food and Leisure – Page 6

philstar.com - Food and Leisure

What’s on the Menu? Healthy pasta at Resorts World Manila

May 212014

MANILA, Philippines – Resorts World Manila (RWM) offers “Healthy Pasta” for May. Enjoy a plate of spinach salmon lasagna for only P320 or Penne Alla Luna with fried eggplant, pomodoro sauce, and ricotta cheese resting on a bed of al dente penne pasta for only P350. At Bar 360, for only P220 there is the Mexican-inspired “Wrap Up” featuring mini-burritos stuffed with healthy portions of savory beef, white onion, kidney beans, cheese and rice, subtly flavored with aromatic cilantro. Each dish comes with a serving of fresh salsa and different dips. For information, call 908-8833 or visit www.rwmanila.com. * * * Honey citrus crispy catch at BonChon BonChon offers Honey Citrus Crispy Catch with seafood treats. The Crispy Shrimp, Crispy Fish and Crispy Squid come with choices for sauces: soy garlic, spicy, or honey citrus, all served over steaming rice. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: The Calamari is squid rings that are seasoned and coated, served with spicy mayo. Lighter fare that can serve as snacks on the go are Fish & Chips, three pieces of crispy fish sauced with soy garlic, spicy, or honey citrus, served with fries; and Fish Taco, a Korean-Mexican soft taco filled with a Crispy Fish strip, kimchi coleslaw, cabbage, and tomatoes. BonChon’s Ko-Yo Korean yogurt comes with a graham piecrust layer in the center and your topping choice of Mango Sansrival, Blueberry Torte and Banoffee Piefruit preserves. The Ko-Yo Floats, soda topped with Ko-Yo, come in cola, orange, root beer Read More …

Friends fulfill their culinary dream at Festival Supermall

Entertainment

May 212014

Friends fulfill their culinary dream at Festival Supermall

Popular dish: Chef’s Barrel’s Rib Republic Platter features several different grilled meats. MANILA, Philippines – Larry Cortez and chef Mauro Arjona Jr. are no strangers to going after a dream. After all, the pair had launched their venture, the Chef’s Barrel Group of Restaurants, which includes Chef’s Quarter, Uncle Cheffy’s Brick Oven Global Cuisine, Kuse Traditional Filipino Cuisine, and Old Vine Grille, in the same way. Now the food-loving pair is trying out two food concepts that they hold dear — a more sophisticated take on the dampa and a contemporary version of a European pub — with two of their latest ventures: Market Basket and Chef’s Barrel, both located in Festival Supermall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Market Basket celebrates Filipino food and gives it a contemporary yet homey twist. Taking inspiration from the dampa, the restaurant prides itself on the freshest, finest seasonal ingredients. It marries the farm-to-plate philosophy and the array of options that a dampa has with a modern, sophisticated restaurant. Meanwhile, Chef’s Barrel brings the vibe of the European pubs of the ’70s and ’80s, popular hangout spots during that time, to the Alabang area. Envisioned by Cortez as an answer to the need to have a classy spot in the South to relax, Chef’s Barrel incorporates this casual yet elegant feel with warm wood furniture and panels, a contemporary take on traditional European pub food, and a vast selection of imported beers, wines, and liquor. It’s hard to believe that the pair started out from Read More …

At Vikings, buffet dining can be as fun as creating art

Entertainment

Apr 232014

At Vikings, buffet dining can be as fun as creating art

Paint your palate: Vikings stands out by giving its clients the freedom to prepare dishes the way they want and come up with their own “masterpieces” to eat. MANILA, Philippines – Most buffets in the Metro offer identical cuisines. And the fifth and newest branch of Vikings Luxury Buffet at SM Megamall is finally here to break the monotony. This latest place-to-be for foodies stands out by giving its clients the freedom to prepare dishes the way they want to and come up with their own “masterpieces” to eat. After all, it has an “art museum”-inspired theme. In its Italian cuisine section, for example, diners can pick from a wide variety of ingredients and “paint the palate” to create their own pasta and pizza. And it’s not as complicated as a first-timer would think: Simply select your freshly made pasta, then choose your sauce or topping, and the chef will prepare it in about a minute, ready to serve fresh off the pan. The same goes with creating pizza. You can make your very own signature pizza with a variety of toppings to choose from at the station. Of course, there are readily available pizzas with signature flavors, including the Sicilian pizza and the intriguing Carbonara pizza. This “create your own dish” concept extends to the ramen station and the hot pot station, where diners can select the ingredients for your very own signature bowl. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: At the grill station, guests can Read More …

Food tripping in Singapore

Entertainment

Apr 232014

Parmesan pizza with tomato powder, basil and all kinds of yummy molecular toppings in Anti:Dote My heart usually yearns for the exotic. The discovery of new and exciting destinations, walking through hidden temples, contemplating old artifacts, getting lost in the streets of an unknown city… But when you’re 31 weeks pregnant like I am, adventure doesn’t come easy. In fact, adventure is restricted and perhaps limited to daydreaming from your sofa. What does a pregnant lady do on a holiday escape? Long walks and full days of sightseeing hurt the back and forget shopping because everything just looks terrible. There is only one thing we preggos can do, and something I most definitely can do well – EAT. Singapore was a top choice – a variety of excellent restos, different types of cuisine, different price ranges, all accessible by a short flight and in case of contractions due to overeating, a truly safe place to be. I had planned my trip to the last minute. There is an art to the food trip, with each meal carefully selected to complement each other. I’m not one of those who like to accumulate fancy awarded fine-dining joints; there has to be a balance between high and low. From the glinting silverware and crystal glasses to the dingy chairs and grimy chopsticks, a perfect medley of refinery and just a good old chow-down. It is a serious strategy for indulgence and enjoyment. I also tried to balance my oldies but goodies, favorites that Read More …

A tonkatsuper deluxe experience

Entertainment

Mar 262014

Finest swine: Tonkatsu by Terazawa brings in the most premium Iberico pork from Spain. MANILA, Philippines – What’s so special about it that a lot of people are so tonkatsu-crazy? For starters, here’s a slice of history: Long ago and not too far away, tonkatsu (pork cutlet) was one of the staple classic dishes on the dining table of many a Japanese home (it probably still is). Chef Akinori Terazawa, who now owns a chain of Japanese-Western restaurants in Asia, was so passionate about his tonkatsu that he challenged himself to make the best (in the east and in the west) using the traditional method that he grew up with. That means using a most cherished secret recipe to come up with the most tender and flavorful pork cutlet. This lunchtime at Tonkatsu by Terazawa in Greenbelt 2, Makati, I unravel an age-old secret, and I’m letting you in on it. Terazawa ages meat the natural way: It is wrapped in white cloth to seal in the moisture of the meat. The wrapped meat is then kept in the chiller for three days and allowed to deliciously age before cooking. It is deep-fried to perfection. Terazawa brings the same art and science of cooking tonkatsu to his Tonkatsu by Terazawa resto in Makati that serves only the finest pork coated with nama panko (fresh bread crumbs) and deep fried in fresh vegetable oil. They’re tasty enough by themselves, but you can enjoy your deep-fried pork cutlets even more with Read More …

Swiss Emmentaler named world's best cheese

Entertainment

Mar 212014

Swiss Emmentaler named world's best cheese

Judges enter their findings into iPads during the first day of the 2014 World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wis.(AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger) ADISON, Wis. — A Swiss Emmentaler has been named the top cheese at an international competition in Wisconsin, handing the nation its fourth win in the past five years. Cheesemaker Gerard Sinnesberger took top honors at the 2014 World Championship Cheese Contest with his Original Schweizer Rohmilch Emmentaler, a large format, big wheel Swiss cheese. Out of possible 100 points, the Emmentaler scored 97.85 in the final round of judging Wednesday. The cheese was deemed the best of 2,615 entries from 22 countries. An Austrian entry, called Erzherzog Johann, was second. Another Swiss entry, Gruyere AOP, was third. A U.S. cheesemaker hasn’t won the contest sponsored by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association since 1988, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Although Americans weren’t in the top three this year, they took home the most medals, winning 59 of the 90 categories judged. Switzerland came in second with seven gold medals, while the Netherlands had five. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: Among U.S. contestants, Wisconsin dominated with 33 gold medals. Chief judge Bob Aschenbrock credited the quality of milk produced by Wisconsin farmers and work done by state agriculture officials and the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “They’ve improved the milk supply immensely in the last 15 to 20 years. When I was making cheese back in the 1960s and 1970s, Read More …

Pyromusical dinner at Highlands Prime Steakhouse

General

Mar 212014

Pyromusical dinner at Highlands Prime Steakhouse

MANILA, Philippines – Premium steak, a great view of the Manila Bay area and a front row seat at the pyromusical competition finale. Boasting a stunningly clear and unobstructed view of the fantastic and colorful firework show, the Highlands Prime Steakhouse is the perfect place to catch the annual event with family and friends. Located at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, the Highlands Prime Steakhouse is one of the leading steakhouses in the country offering premium quality, value-for-money food and a passion for providing a unique personalized dining experience. Patrons swear by the Highlands Prime Steakhouse’s Signature Prime Rib, perfectly seasoned and patiently cooked in low temperature then grilled to perfection. Apart from the regular best-seller Steak Platter, Highlands Prime Steakhouse currently offers its quarterly special menu where one can feast on limited-edition dishes such as Chateaubriand, Gambaretto Salad, Smoked Salmon Pasta, Seafood Platter and Speculoos Cake. The 2014 Pyromusical Competition’s participating countries USA and the Philippines will compete on the final night on March 22 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: Highlands Prime Steakhouse is located at the 2nd floor North Wing of the Entertainment Mall of the SM Mall of Asia.

LOOK AND INDULGE: Italianni's 40 breakfast dishes

Entertainment

Mar 162014

LOOK AND INDULGE: Italianni's 40 breakfast dishes

MANILA, Philippines – Breakfast is considered as the most important meal of the day and if you’re looking for a wide variety of local and international dishes for a headstart, then Italianni’s Breakfast Creations will surely wake up your appetite. Available at its branches in Greenbelt 2 and Bonifacio High Street daily from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Italianni’s newest breakfast menu offers 40 dishes that are served with complimentary coffee for a morning mix. With choices starting at P165, these satisfying meals promise to be heavy on the tummy but not on one’s pocket. For those with a discerning palate, corporate chef Josh Boutwood has created the Gourmet Breakfast Selection. Best-sellers include the Classic Eggs Florentine, soft-boiled eggs and spinach on a toasted English muffin finished off with creamy Parmesan sauce. Chef Josh also highly recommends the Homemade Corned Beef Brisket that sits atop a Mideterranean Potato Omelette along with spinach and fried egg. Classic Eggs Florentine Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: Homemade Corned Beef Brisket with Potato Omellete Italianni’s has also recreated classic Filipino breakfast dishes with an international flair, which are undoubtedly among the best items in the entire breakfast menu. If you want a loaded Pinoy meal, then try the Filipino platter, a combination of spicy tuyo, Vigan longganisa and corned beef. If you like a top-seller, then indulge on the Crispy Pancetta Bacon – thin crispy strips of pork belly served with fried rice and sunny side-ups. Like a sinful crispy Read More …

Gourmet pizzas everyone can afford at CaféFrance

General

Mar 122014

Gourmet pizzas everyone can afford at CaféFrance

Nothing beats the Meatza Pizza, sold for only P350 at CafeFrance, when it comes to cravings of the mighty meaty sort. MANILA, Philippines – CaféFrance, the go-to place for fresh and healthy food in the metro, welcomes a certified crowd favorite to its extensive menu of comfort treats. For the first time, the cafe rolls out a new pizza selection made up of three scrumptiously satisfying flavors. Made of quality, hand-rolled, extra-thin crust and 100-percent natural ingredients, CaféFrance pizzas present a variety of hearty and full-flavored offerings, with each batch guaranteeing oven-fresh goodness. True-blue carnivores will find their perfect match in the Meatza Pizza. Crunchy, thin-crust pizza topped with a protein-packed serving of juicy roast beef and bacon with CaféFrance’s very own pizza sauce, buttery shiitake mushroom, melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, ham, pepperoni, bacon and a unique blend of herbs and spices. Seafood fans are sure to help themselves to a slice or two of the Pesto Scampi. Garnishing the crust’s crunchy thin surface are layers upon layers of plump shrimps, pesto, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic, and tomato, made more flavorful with a sprinkling of herbs and spices. Health-conscious folks can look no further than the Mozza-Veggie for their healthy food fix. Piled on top of a hand-rolled, extra-thin crust pizza is a delicious mix of CaféFrance’s house sauce, topped with a generous serving of mozzarella, Parmesan, special herbs and spices, onion, eggplant, zucchini, tomato, and basil. CaféFrance holds its “1+1+1” promo, where diners can avail of a free 1.5 Read More …

Celebrating 40 years of M&S wines

Entertainment

Jan 012014

Something to celebrate: The range of wines at M&S — a range that has grown in 40 years. MANILA, Philippines – Marks & Spencers celebrates 40 years of M&S wines, which it first launched in its food section in 1973 after a year’s feasibility study and a lot of work on the ground — both in Baker Street and in the vineyard. The range went out to 12 stores initially and was such a success that it was rolled out very quickly. The original range consisted of eight wines, four sherries and a small range of traditional ales. And what an eclectic mix it was: a white vin de table, Liebfraumilch, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, a French sparkling white rubbing shoulders with three reds and a rosé: Vin de table rouge, Beaujolais, Chianti Classico and Rosé d’Anjou. In a world where everything in M&S was under the St. Michael label, wine was an exception. It had been registered by a small company years before. Eventually swallowed up by Allied Lyons, the chairman of Allied presented the trademark as a surprise to Lord Sieff in 1980. Wines had always been seen as rather exotic: by its very nature foreign travel was involved, it had its own tasting room and storage facilities. There was also an inherent squirrel mentality, perhaps to do with the product! As a result, when M&S moved from Baker Street, the archive received a pretty comprehensive record of the department’s history and the trend has continued.

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