Category: #Restaurants

This is probably my favorite AVenue restaurant at the moment. Focaccia Slice of Italy is the meeting of two of my favorites — C Italian Dining Panizza and Italianis FREE Focaccia bread. Finally somebody copied the panizza of Chris Locher’s C-Italian Dining in Pampanga and I must say it is really good. Finally, I don’t have to drive all the way to Pampanga to get a taste of Panizza.

The ridiculous challenge is you have to finish a freshly grilled all-beef triple patty sandwiched on an oatmeal bun laced with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and three cheese slices in 5 minutes and it is free! The Ridiculous Burger is equivalent to 3 burgers and it costs P224 if you don’t finish it in 5 minutes. Most of the winners are men and recently a 10 years old kid was able to finish the burger in 5 minutes. After 5+ months in operation, they are still looking for more women to win this challenge 🙂

I’m surprised why Gasthof is not taking off well in Avenue in Makati. With a heritage of serving good baby back ribs in Boracay and a branch in Legaspi City, I would have thought Manila would welcome it with open arms. Gasthof is owned by a German with a Bicolana wife so expect a Filipino-German mix in the cuisine. I’ve been going back to Avenue for some time now to complete my AVenue series and Gasthof is nearly empty during Lunch time. Maybe because they are still constructing it, most people think it is close or the prices are too expensive. (What do you think? )

I’ve been checking out A.Venue mall lately and this is one of the places in Makati that is less crowded during lunch or dinner time. I would like to share with you our experience on two of the Art Cafes in A.Venue. Botong’s Restobar and Artina Gallery Cafe both feature paintings of different artists as part of their overall ambiance. It is interesting to go there on a regular day or if you just want to get out of the business district crowd.

I got invited by the cool dudes of MIS Association of Ateneo to give a talk on blog marketing in the KinEITics IT conference. It was nice to meet Lance, Lorenz, Francine and Mark in Friuli Trattoria in UP Village for our pre-meet before the conference. I’ve know a lot of restaurants in QC area but this is my first time to hear Fruili. Thanks to the MISA guys for suggesting Friuli to me. Fruili is a small Italian restaurant that is a favorite among Ateneo and UP foodies.

Eating in La Regalade is an education on fine French cuisine from a 2-star Mechelin Chef Alain Raye. La Regalade is the Manila branch of the famous French Bistro La Regalade in West Vancouver , and from the chef who authored the cookbook La Regalade, simple French Bistro Food at Home.

Adarna Food & Culture was conceptualized by partners Beth Angsioco and Chef Giney Villar showcasing Filipino antiques and different Filipino flavors around the country. The restaurant is a reapplication of Beth Angsioco’s Adarna house and the first resto for AHA-graduate Chef Giney Villar. The food and ambiance is quite unique so you got to check this out and let me know what you think.

If you are looking for a unique Filipino restaurant where to bring your balikbayan or foreigner guests, you have to drive all the way to Bagoong Club (BC) in the Tomas Morato area in Quezon City. Most Filipinos are raving about this restaurant specializing on bagoong (salted and fermented fish paste). There are 7 variations of the Bagoong and you’ll encounter the first two– Bagoong Asya (P15) and Bagoong Umaga (P15), with the free singkamas appetizer. The traditional bagoong version is called Bagoong Lipunan (P15).

The hottest restaurant in Makati these days is in the corner of Perea and De La Rosa St. in Makati. Barely a month old, Mom (Belen Vergara Torres) and Tina’s (Torres-Santos) Bakery Cafe is creating an unstoppable foodie buzz and long queues during lunch time. I’ve never seen such excitement and warm welcome for this Bakery Cafe originally based in Ortigas.