Best Food Forward.. The Sneak Peek

Best Food Forward which will be opening its doors on Oct 10 and 11 at the Rockwell Tent.

A group of 80-90 Purveyors will be strutting their food from pastries, hot foods, beverages to desserts. They are the up and coming Stars of the food Industry.

With a sneak peak of whats to come. We were given a preview of what BFF had to offer.

Frozen Weekends

Sushi Nori…Portable Sushi in a box

Natalia’s Rustic Kitchen

One of the more famous products of Best Food Forward. Sold out during their first time to join the event.

Go Brewed, instant drip coffee. Idea of enjoying good coffee anytime , anywhere.

Lola Melba’s fully loaded fruitcake and Pastries by Carmela

Made by our youngest participant 16 year old Sabine Katigbak. What started as hobby is now a booming business.

The Bald Baker

Conceptualized for the love of chocolate and liquor.

Our Favorite! The Gelato Lab Flavors. Especially the Matcha Choco.Chip

Many thanks to our beloved organizers who worked so hard to make Best Food Forward a success since the beginning.  Acknowledging Miss Claire Chanco, Miss Gwen Cariño and Miss Timmie Hidago. Thank You Maam! All the Best!

Aurora Restaurant.. The Secret of Balanga, Bataan

Thanks to the reader of Sugar & Spice, we had the privilege to be invited by the wonderful family of Epza Curameng and her parents Joe and Fely Curameng. True to the saying that us Filipinos are very hospitable was very evident with Epza and her family. She even made the trip from Antipolo to Balanga, Bataan to host the dinner for us.

Epza and her wonderful mom Mrs Fely Curameng with Jane Go.

We started off with the old time favorite soup, the Sinigang na Baboy

The star of the show, the Duck(Itik) cooked four different ways.

Fried Itik

Kalderetang Itik

Adobong Itik

And Itik sauteed in pineapple with red and green bell pepper

Jumbo Shrimp cooked with butter and garlic.

Sauteed Jumbo Shrimp with their home grown Mushroom

Crabs cooked with spring onions with fresh Mussels

And my Favorite… Crabs steamed to perfection.

Just see how succulent and fat the crab is that its overflowing with crab roe.

Halo Halo placed inside a fresh coconut shell

Our dinner

Again we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Epza  and her family. Like what my sister said, Please let us return the favor. Thank you again.

Somewhere In Time… Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Somewhere in time.. A movie starring Christopher Reeve who plays Richard Collier, a playwright who travels in time through self hypnosis to find love with Elise Mckenna(portrayed by Jane Seymore) This is the experience one would have upon reaching the nostalgic awesomeness of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

Casa San Miguel – a 6 bedroom house is where we spent our first night. What a humbling experience.

Casa Byzantina is a bahay na bato at the corner of Madrid and Penarubia streets in San Nicolas, Binondo. This is one of the more famous houses in Las Casas.

Casa Mexico – the materials used in the reconstruction of the Mexico house came from the salvaged materials bought from the junk shop. This also houses the reception of the incoming guest.

Paseo de Escolta – commercial structures typical of the Escolta building during the 1900’s

A collection of bronze statues of children playing.

Casa Luna(napiya spa) Original location is Luna, La Union

Grotto

Casa Baliuag II – fuction hall used by the Iglesia ni Kristo members.

Casa Cagayan – typical houses built on stilts with the tree trunks used as post.

Batis/ Swimming Pool

Casa Lubao

Hotel de Oriente(convention center)

Sanctuario de San Jose

Maranao Houses

Enjoying the fresh air while waiting for the shuttle.

Estero de Binondo

Casa San Luis, Casa Bonita, Casa Tuguegarao and Casa Sta Rita respectively.

Casa Hagonoy

Casa Landrillo

Casa Lemery

Casa La Esquina

Glimpse of our La Puesta del Sol Hotel on our second night

The Verdict – A must visit, even once in your lifetime. A truly magical, magnificent and nostalgic place. Our hats off to Mr Jerry Acuzar for bringing this piece of past to the present for everyone to enjoy.

If you’re looking for something to do this coming long weekend, catch Lani Misalucha at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar on October 31, 2015. Enjoy a 4-course gourmet dinner show with room accommodations, breakfast, tour of resort, use of facilities and more! Get your tickets now at www.ticketworld.com.ph

La Bella Teodora … A Taste of Italy

La Bella Teodora in Casa Binan serves authentic Italian cuisine. Located in the Nostalgic Heritage Resort of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

Thanks to our gracious host Mary Rose “Sarsi” Razon – PR Director Of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar and Liza D. Arbis – General Manager of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, We were able to savor this truly mouth watering authentic recipes from Italy.

We Started with:

My favorite Sangria

Bread

Antipasti

Insalata Di Mare( assorted seafood salad marinated in extra virgin olive oil) 495 php

Zuppa

Minestrone(classic Italian vegetable soup) 195 php

Insalate

Caprese(tomatoes, mozzarella, basiland oregano salad.) 320 php

Pasta

Bolognese(meat sauce) 320 php

Spaghetti Alio Olio E Gamberetti(with garlic olive oil and shrimp) 520 php

Pizza(from their own wood fired oven)

Quattro Formaggi( pizza with four Italian cheeses) 560 php

Tuscany Doña Theresa(with fresh sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, assorted mushroom, capers, spinach and parma ham. 560 php

Main Course

Chicken Parmigiana Di Pugon(chicken breast with parma ham, parmesan and mozzarella chesse) 570 php

Braciola Di Maiale(grilled porkchops with Italian herbs) 460 php

Desserts

Tiramisu(lady finger with coffee & amaretto liqueur 285 php and Panacotta 210 php

The Verdict.. It was an indulgence (satisfaction, gratification, fulfillment, satiation and appeasement according to Britanica Davida) of the sight and palate. – ” Magnifico”

Genki Sushi…The Tokyo Dream

Genki Sushi in Shibuya, Tokyo is where we had our first taste of these wonderful freshly prepared sushi.

Genki Sushi savoured only if you get the opportunity to travel to Japan, that branched out to Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Kuwait, and the United States is now here in the Philippines.

Genki Sushi Manila is now open at the 2^nd level of the Bonifacio Stopover Pavilion, 31^st cor. Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City. A stone’s throw away from St. Lukes Medical Center and S&R.

Genki Sushi is a second generation Kaiten Sushi brought in by Mr. Eric Teng, the same person responsible for bringing in

Genki Sushi offers the freshest sushi with the fastest service using innovations such as: 1. Kousoku Express System – The first such fully functional, double deck system of its kind in Manila and outside of Japan

2. Sendo Kanri Sochi (Freshness Management System)Uses RFID that detects the freshness of the sushi on the belt.

3. iOrder System – creates an immersive digital dining experience.

And now for the moment we’re waiting for,” The Menu” – Patterned from its Singaporean Counterpart. The Sushi prices ranges from 60 pesos to 150 pesos only. Every Sushi is made from Koshihikari rice(according to Masaki San the rice is alive) sourced from Japan.

Fried Chicken at 60 pesos

Spicy Tuna and Spicy Salmon priced at 80 pesos

Shrimp Roe and Crab Salad also priced at 80 Pesos

Salmon Handroll at 80 pesos

Lobster Salad and Seared Salmon with black pepper at 120 pesos

Scallop and Surf Clam at 150 pesos

Salmon Supreme  and Grilled River Eel also at 150 pesos

Lobster Salad Roll at 150 pesos

Salmon and Yellow Tail Sashimi at 200 pesos

Northern Shrimp also at 200 pesos

Order Whole Sea Eel with anagu sauce as an appetizer at 250 pesos and the other “Best Seller” on their menu the Steamed Egg Custard at 120 pesos only.

If you’re into rice toppings, then you must order the Black Pepper Chicken Don

Or you could go for their Best Seller with ” NO.1″ sign, The Chirashi Don

The Shrimp Tempura at 270 pesos

Condiments of pickled ginger and tokyu soy sauce which is specially made for Genki Sushi.

Winding it down with the dessert. Green Tea and Strawberry Ice Cream.

It also comes with unlimited Green Tea. Add a teaspoon into the cup then fill it up with hot water with a small faucet  located on your table. How convenient is that?

A sample of the bill to know how much sushi you have ordered.

And their Menu for your referrence

Thanks to the kitchen staff of Genki Sushi who are mostly trained in a Japan, You took us there even without leaving the comforts of Philippines. Again Thank You.

The Verdict – A Must Try! I could even say thats its better than the other Japanese restaurants around.

Best of the Best…. SPIRAL MANILA

Dream – to put oneself in a situation sometimes unimaginable because of the severity or greatness of the task.(according to encyclopedia davida)

This was my feeling for the SPIRAL MANILA. But alas, Thanks to a friend of mine… Bea Cortez, I was given the opportunity to savor what most people call the Best of the Best.

Spiral Manila has 21 Ateliers(worshop or studios) comprising the following: Salad and Appetizer | L’Écailler (shelled seafood) | Sushi Sashimi | L’Epicerie (grocery) | Hot Japanese | French Stove | Rotisserie (meats) | Wood fired oven | Churrasco (barbecue) | North Indian | Asian Noodles | Peking Duck Oven | Chinese Wok | Steam Baskets | Filipino | Thai | Korean | La Boulangerie (Bread) | La Patisserie (Pastries) | Chocolaterie | Creamery (Cheese)

Lets start off with the La Boulangerie

For the salad and appetizers

The Caviar Cake

And now lets go to the Famed Cheese room(Home of the premium aged hams and artisanal cheese from France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland)

L’Écailler(shelled seafood)

Hot Japanese

French Stove

Rotisserie

Wood Fired Oven

Asian Noodles

Chocolaterie

Cakes, Pastries, and Ice Cream

And More Desserts

The Judgement – Having been so overwhelmed with the vast variety of food selection that i had a hard time describing everything. Maybe I can i put it in one word..         “Magnificent”

BUFFET PRICE:

LUNCH Php 2,554.76 nett
DINNER Php 3,248.72
SUNDAY BRUNCH (w/o Champagne) Php 3,377.68 nett

—

Spiral Manila

Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Atang Dela Rama St., PICC Reclamation Area, Pasay (02) 832-6988

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpiralManila?fref=ts

Website: http://spiralmanila.com

Sensei…My Sensei

A Japanese Samurai Mural

A menu board for their specialties of the day

A sample of their menu

With the rare opportunity to be served by the young and upcoming chef in Bruce Ricketts, Our dining experience was a truly an unforgettable one.

Serving a Japanese fusion menu, one could appreciate every distinct flavor of ingredients in the dish that the Chef prepares.

Spicy Tuna Salad – one of our favorites

Sashimi Platter Barra Chirashi-Don(Chef’s choice sashimi, house soy sauce, sushi rice,         house pickles)  650 pesos – hand carried from the Land of the Rising Sun

Salmon Belly Aburi topped with fresh uni( Scallions, truffle oil,ikura, reduced soy sauce) 380 pesos

Scallop Aburi( Mentaiko, broiled scallops, nori crumbs, reduced soy sauce) 580 pesos

Selection Mixed Aburi composed of Salmon, Scallop, Tuna and Foie Gras                                    This is one of their premium dish.

Tuna Tartare(ginger and garlic vinagrette, kangkong crisp) 180 pesos

Tuna and Crispy Scallop Dynamite(kyuri,cream cheese, dynamite sauce, crispy scallops)          295 pesos

Tuna Tataki(Sesame togarashi crust, slow-roasted pineapple,gingerand garlic soy sauce)         270 pesos

Crispy Philly(salmon, cream cheese, asparagus, aioli, reduced tare) 195 pesos

Washing it down with my favorite drink… Bek Se Ju – literally “one-hundred-years wine”According to some, the name comes from the legend that the healthful herbs in baekseju will help you live to be 100 years old.

Overall it was a humbling experience from the Master Sensei Chef Bruce Ricketts.

Ramboys…The Aklan Liempo

We had a first taste and glimpse of this wonderful recipe of the Aklanos(my term for people from aklan) on our way back to Manila from our annual barkada reunion in Boracay.

After learning that they had one in Manila, We immediately proceeded to their branch in BF Paranaque along President’s Ave.

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Of course their specialty the Ramboys Liempo is what we ordered.

This is how we like it… Dip the liempo in the liver sauce and pour the mixture of soy sauce, vinegar and red hot chilis on the garlic fried rice! To Die For!

Unlike the other liempos sold here in Manila, The Ramboys liempo is cooked with a delicate process of grilling then transferred to a hot air oven that gives it  extra crispiness with less oil.

Ramboys Aklan Liempo… My comfort food

Japanese Home Cooking at its Best! – Chibi’s Kitchen

Again thanks to my sister & mentor, Sugar & Spice. I was able to trek the road less traveled to us which is Daang Hari leading the way to Evia Lifestyle Center in Las Pinas.

Upon reaching Evia Lifestyle Center, we were amazed with the development of the new mall.

photo courtsy of vistamall.com.ph

Having this great opportunity to taste and savor another hole in the wall gem in Chibi’s Kitchen.

At Chibi’s Kitchen we ordered the Beef Curry Rice(a classic curry rice with thin slices of bara)

Next on our mind was the Nikujaga(stewed thinly sliced beef with potatoes. A Japanese classic home cooked dish)

Given the opportunity to have 2 more dishes we went for the soba shioyaki(grilled fillet of Japanese horse mackarel) and the gyoza and chahan(Japanese style kakkuni fried rice served with their homemade pork dumpling gyoza)

Chibi’s Kitchen a truly magnificent Japanese home cooking experience!

Kantori a Japinoy fusion discovery in BF Paranaque

Always looking for great new finds, thanks to groupon.. led me to discover a little hole in the wall along Aguirre Ave in BF Paranaque.

Kantori.. a fusion of Japanese and Filipino street foods.

With the coupon I got I was able to get to taste the great flavors of Kantori – A Japinoy style food at 50 percent off.

Let me start off with the selection of Yakitori’s

Toriniku( breast) Momo(thigh) Tebasaki(wing) with a dipping sauce of teriyaki and egg yolk.

And now for my Favorites – the Yakimono’s

Gyu(rib eye served medium rare) Butabara(pork belly or the liempo) Yummy!! Asparabacon(Asparagus with bacon)

Then we had the yummysoba( their version of the pinoy pancit canton but better)

Okonomiyaki(Japanese Pizza) this had me  impressed, it made me travel back in time to tokyo where i first had this.

Since i had more credits  left in the coupons i bought, i ordered another round of Yakitori’s and Yakimono’s like the Shitake mushroom with garlic, kewpie mayonaise topped with bonito flakes, Atsuage(tofu tempura) and their best seller the Shiro(intestines)

And of course nothing is complete without the rice, so we went for the kamameshi fried rice

And to wash it all down with my favorite Japanese beer Asahi. Or if your budget allows try the beergarita(beerbottle dipped in frozen magarita) It’s so good and refreshing. A combination of the bitterness of beer infused with the sweetness of a frozen citrus magarita.

They’re still on their soft opening, plus the groupon coupons – it’s a steal! So come! Hurry! Try the best little yakitori restaurant in the south!

As this is my first Blog, I would like to thank my mentor and sister, Sugar & Spice. Thanks ach! I love You! Mwah!