Unli Samgyupsal for 499 at Fantastic Chef - Taft

2018 saw the rise of the KBBQ and milk tea food trends in the Philippines and they are still spilling over to 2019. I’m already getting confused with all the Korean barbecue places sprouting around the metro. But could you believe that I’ve never eaten in a mainstream eat-all-you-can KBBQ restaurant until only a few weeks ago? Personally, I prefer KBBQ restaurants that offer premium meats. But of course, “unlimited” is word that lures anyone and so I have to give in.

So, when I did a staycation at Hotel Benilde and my friends wanted to meet up for lunch after. We all agreed to try this fairly new KBBQ brand Fantastic Chef. They happened to open another branch at Taft which is just a couple of blocks away from Hotel Benilde. From what I can remember this is their second branch aside from the one in Malate.

The Return of Popeyes in the Philippines

It has been almost a month since Game of Thrones aired its very last episode and until now I’m grieving that I will never get excited about Monday like I used to. Call it whatever you want but I am that invested in that show like I was with band of Brothers, and I will not be sorry for being so. What do I usually do when I’m stressed or sad or feeling under the weather? I eat.

I know it’s not the best way to deal with a loss (hahaha I’m serious about this) and I might be projecting a little bit but that’s my coping mechanism. Anyhow, that morning I can’t really eat properly even if we ordered heavy breakfast at the place where we watched GOT for the last episode of the final season. I was too engulfed with what I was seeing on the screen and was cradling mixed emotions because of how the show ended.

What’s New at High Street Café, Shangri-La Hotel the Fort BGC

When you deal with food which do you prefer, quantity over quality or vice versa?  When you want to eat like a high roller, your go-to should be hotel buffets as they give you both quality and quantity. It’s nice to treat yourself with something that will comfort your soul and your tummy at the same time. Plus, let me tell you his, you deserve it! And no, it’s not stress-eating, it’s self-reward and self care.

You'll find buffet greatest hits at High Street Café at Shangri-La The Fort. Whether you’re heading to a High Street Café buffet because it’s a great value, because you can try a wide variety of delicious foods from around the world, or just because it’s sort of a low-key must-do when in BGC, there’s something for every hungry guy and girl, at every time of the day.

Authentic Japanese Cuisine at Fukurou Nihonryori - Marcos Highway

I have always been fond of anything Japanese; from their culture & traditions, to their literature, to their fashion and most especially their cuisine. Back then, most kids my age won't usually love eating Japanese food and raw food like sushi. I on the other hand have greatly enjoyed eating sushi and maki at a young age. And as I grew older, Japanese food is still one of my favorite international cuisines to eat.

I can’t reiterate enough how much I love Japanese cuisine; it is and will always be on top of my list. Some may dislike it because they don’t like eating raw and some say some dishes are bland and not as complex as other cuisines. But like all the other things in Japan, food is considered art. Some follows traditional ways of creating or preparing and some are innovated as well.

Beauty Tips and Secrets to Make Your Summer Great

Even though nobody can deny that there are plenty of beauty staples that you can safely use every season (we’re looking at you, red lip and cat-eye), there is always that little something that can be added to make you look truly flawless. Every summer we daydream about white sandy beaches and wild pool parties, but even though fun is right at your fingertips, you don’t want to forget about your beauty routine. We bring you a list of useful beauty tips you’ll fall in love with this summer:

Wear the right clothes
During summer, we all wish we could walk around wearing as little clothes as possible, but while this might be acceptable on a secluded beach or an exotic island, it’s highly inappropriate in the office. Still, if you think about people who live in extreme conditions, you’ll notice their love for flowy and light clothes. These pieces don’t necessarily have to be skimpy, but they are usually oversized and made of natural materials such as bamboo and cotton. Make sure that the clothes you wear allow you to move around freely but also that they allow your skin to breathe – you’ll sweat less and won’t have to worry about sweat stains on your shirts.

Hodai: Japanese Korean Fusion Buffet Restaurant

It’s as if I have not been to several Korean and Japanese restaurants in the weeks that passed that I find myself at this new place in Examiner Street, West Triangle, Quezon City that is offering unlimited Japanese-Korean Fusion dishes: Hodai. The English phrase “All you can” in translated to Japanese as “hodai”. This is why Sam Chung named her and her brother’s newest venture as such.

From the same people behind Sodam Korean Buffet Restaurant, Hodai is a Japanese fusion restaurant that takes on a new concept of a modern buffet styled setting. Wherein it’s like a sit-down dinner, but food is served in a limitless way, until you are full to the brim.

Cafe Romancon at Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle Manila

I don’t know about you but when I do staycations, I try my best to just lounge around and enjoy the place where I am staying. You see, when you go on a legit vacation, most of the time you don’t get to enjoy the hotel or place where you are staying. You are always out and about, going on tours and doing activities. And then when you get back to the hotel, you just take a shower and get on to bed. Thus, you really don’t get the full experience of the place and its amenities.

That is why when I went on another staycation at Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle last weekend, my friend and I made sure to stay put at the hotel and enjoy what it has to offer even though there are so many things to do in and around the area, more specially that it is located in the heart of Manila. Friends were telling us go there go here eat there eat here. But we were like, nah we're staying in and eating in.

Staycation: 5-Star Feels Staycation at Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle Manila

Staycations are becoming the norm for mini vacations as it gives us the bliss of going on holidays but basically just resting. "La dolce far niente" as they say in Italian, staycations gives us exactly that - the sweetness of doing nothing. I don’t know about you but when I do staycations, I try my best to just lounge around and enjoy the place where I am staying.

You see, when you go on a legit vacation, most of the time you don’t get to enjoy the hotel or place where you are staying. You are always out and about, going on tours and doing activities. And then when you get back to the hotel, you just take a shower and get on to bed. Thus you really don’t get the full experience of the place and its amenities.

5 Reasons Why Traveling Can Make You a Better Person

Travel is never a matter of money but of courage and pushing the limits. Here are some of many reasons why traveling can make you a better person, and why you should do it often and a lot.

Traveling improves your social skills
Many people are shy and uncomfortable when meeting new people and they never want to stand out or be the center of attention. However, traveling helps you become more open, independent and talkative. It gives you a chance to constantly interact with new people in other languages, learn about their background and share your own stories as well. Not only will it make you more social, but your communication and language skills are likely to progress as well. The more conversations you have with different people, the more you will learn from each of them, and that’s priceless.

Da Rae Jung Korean Kitchen - BGC

Koreans have invaded the Philippines, not literally but figuratively. Korean culture continues to capture Filipinos' hearts with their TV shows, movies, fashion, music, cosmetics and cuisine. Filipinos may not understand the language, yet we completely embrace the Korean culture fever.

Take for example the growing numbers of Korean convenience stores and restaurants. It’s like in every neighborhood; there is highly more than one store or restaurant available. Just like with milk tea, people are also crazy over Korean barbeque and there so many of them in the market. It’s only up to you which brands you’ll patronize.

Healthy Hair and New Hair Color By Novelina Zeelke Cream Hair Color

I have been regularly dyeing my hair since 2009 so you can imagine how damaged it is by now. I am just able to mask it through constant use of conditioner and other products just to tame it. Also my hair has gone from phases to phases of brown, blonde and ash, but majority of the time it's blonde and later ash. Just the other day, on a whim, I decided to have it dyed again, to a shade that is a little darker than I would usually have.

I went Market Market and looked for the Novelina booth where they offer free hair color application when you buy their hair dye product. It's my first time to try Novelina's hair dye and also the first time that I had it done at the mall. Because usually I would go to the salon or it's just me who dyes my hair.

Weekend Getaway: Splash Mountain Resort and Hotel - Los Baños, Laguna

Summer may be over, technically and officially, but what is great about living in a country that lies in the tropics is that it is basically 365 days of summer still. Living in the Philippines, Filipinos love to go out for excursions, whether to the beach or to water parks, any time of the year.

Los Banos lies on the northern slopes of the long dormant volcano Mount Makiling and is known among tourists for its hot spring resorts. Because of the town's proximity to Metro Manila, Los Baños' hot spring resorts are frequent weekend or summer getaways for residents of the vast metropolis and tourists from other places in the Philippines and abroad.

Advantages Of Vaping Over Smoking

Vaping is a highly popular way to inhale tobacco. There are as many traditional cigarette smokers as there are vapers. It helps to understand the benefits of vaping so as to make a well thought out decision about the way you choose to inhale. If you're planning to cut down on on your cigarette smoking and switching to vaping, then read more for more information. 

Safer than smoking
Vaping is considered to be 95% safer than smoking as per research. There is no tar, ash or combustion associated with vaping and this is why it is considered to be safer than smoking. When you switch from smoking to vaping, you will enjoy better skin health, higher oral hygiene, lung capacity, blood circulation and a better sense of taste and smell.

Lime by Chef Arch - Street Food with An Attitude

Street food is ready-to-eat food or drink sold by a hawker in the streets or any other public place, such as at a market or fair. It is often sold from a portable food booth, food cart, or food truck and meant for immediate consumption. Not everyone has the stomach for street food. But for the fastidious ones who can’t stand eating food cooked without closely monitored safety and sanitary standards, well, fret not. There are a lot of places that you can visit to eat or try street food without the fear getting Hepatitis or food poisoning.

One of which is long established restaurant that serves street and comfort food since July 2007: LIME by Chef Archie Val Juanta. LIME is Chef Arch's first concept restaurant years before Kanto Freestyle Breakfast. I've been here a few times in the past, out curiosity, because they serve Filipino street food in quite an upscale manner as well as comfort food with a twist.

5 Tips To De-Stress Your Business Travel

There is always a time when business travel becomes essential for the growth of your company. No matter the type of technology you use; business travel remains an integral aspect of growth. Business travel can be stressful and there are tried and tested ways you can take the edge off. It can be even more stressful if you have to move between cities. Here are a few tips to help you destress your business travel.

1. Plan some personal time
Many business travelers deal with stress by scheduling personal time. This can turn the trip into an informal mini-vacation and it can help you destress. A lot of business travelers add an extra personal day to their trip while many do not schedule meetings on the last day of the trip. This will give you a chance to unwind before you get back to the routine.

Show Your Love and Commitment with a Promise Ring

There are so many notions on how one can show love if you are in a romantic relationship. Some do it through words, others through actions and some use something that is tangible that when seen will be regarded as something that memorializes someone’s love for his/her significant other.

In Asia, giving someone a jewelry as a sign of intent for a long-time relationship or marriage is not really a popular tradition or custom. I guess the idea of giving a significant other with a piece of jewelry, say a neck lace, a promise ring or an engagement ring, as a testament of your love and commitment was an influence adopted by East from the West.

Kanto Freestyle Breakfast - Kapasigan Pasig City

How do you say good morning in your language or dialect? In Tagalog, we say it as “Magandang Umaga!” This greeting can be heard all day at Kanto Freestyle Breakfast as it is the restaurant’s “battle cry”. Kanto Freestyle Breakfast is a casual dining concept restaurant that serves affordable gourmet breakfast meals all day.

I clearly remember the first time I dined at Kanto Freestyle Breakfast at their flagship branch in Mandaluyong and completely fell in love with their great food offerings and unique concept. From its humble beginnings as a side-street eatery in a quiet residential area of San Joaquin Street, Plainview, Mandaluyong City; slowly by word-of-mouth it gained fame because of its unique and delicious offerings with a neighborhood eatery set up. Today they have 8 branches across Metro Manila and will be opening 2 more in BGC and UST.

Summer Cocktail Making Tips

Summer is just around the corner, so it’s time to think about how we’re going to spend it. Of course, we have all our summer holidays already planned, but what about those amazing summer parties that will make this summer even more unforgettable? There probably are many reasons to throw a party – either an anniversary, birthday, promotion... you name it.

And if you want to think outside the box and be a bit more unique and original, we recommend throwing cocktail parties as they are always fun and different. This is an even bigger “must” if you have a nice garden or a pretty place where you would host it. But how to throw a good cocktail party, and what to have in mind?

Buddha Bar Manila's Game of Thrones Inspired Party

The Filipinos have been known to adopt a lot of Western ways due to being colonized by other countries in the past. And although the Philippines is a predominantly Christian country (thanks to the Spaniards) besides the religious undertakings that most of us do during Lent, the celebration of lesser religiously-related events have also been practiced for quite some time now (that’s thanks to the Americans). One of which is the celebration of Easter through a more festive approach through Easter Egg Hunt and the likes.

Growing up, I’ve only come to know Holy Week nothing more than its religious context. All thanks to my grandmother who’s a devout Catholic. I still vividly remember how solemn it was from Maundy Thursday up until Sunday plus the processions that we would join every afternoon and all. Even Easter Sunday is a still and quiet day reserved for reflection. 

What To Get Your Significant Others On Their Special Day

They say money can’t buy happiness but if you use it properly or if you save up and able to buy something that will make someone feel special, then I guess money has value after all. But that is not the focus of this post but things or activities that you can give to your special someone for any special occasion.

For me personalized gifts are always better. By that, I mean it is extra creative, extra sweet, and extra cool by giving them away personalized gifts. It's the perfect solution when you are so over braving crowded malls, and heavy traffic just to get something for that significant other.

Staycation: Barkada Weekend Staycation at City Garden Hotel Makati

When I feel stressed out I often times zone out and day dream of places that I want to teleport myself to. But as much as I want to go on a vacation on a whim, well, I don’t have that type of luxury at my disposal. Good thing that there are alternatives that I can do to ease my stress; like doing a mini vacation or a.k.a. staycation. Doing a staycation gives you a chance to break from work and life pressures. Because, you know, adulting…

A few weeks ago I went on a staycation with my foodie friends at City Garden Hotel Makati in Poblacion. It was planned prior to the date but the days leading to our staycation were quite a hell for me. Days leading to this staycation were probably not the best days of my life. Earlier that week, I experience the scariest earthquake I’ve encountered my entire life and went down from the 33rd floor of our office building with my hands and knees shaking from weariness and fear.

Encima Roofdeck Restaurant at City Garden Hotel Makati

Encima Roofdeck Restaurant is a Tex - Mex roofdeck restaurant overlooking the Makati cityscape at City Garden Hotel Makati's top most floor. If you're a regular visitor of any of my social media accounts, you should know by now that I am an avid fan of roof deck restos and bars, something about them entices me a good deal. These kinds of places are your perfect go-to destinations for a night cap, weekend chilling or for a romantic date. 

The restaurant was decorated with vintage string bulb lights, Mexican sombreros, green plants and succulents. The area is a bit small and located adjacent to the hotel's pool and can house around 50-70 people. Encima is where you can experience dining al fresco with good Tex-Mex food, drinks and cocktails whilst enjoying the panoramic view of the Makati Skyline.

Buffet Breakfast at Bistro Restaurant - City Garden Hotel Makati

For years, breakfast has been believed to be the most beneficial meal of the day as it breaks the overnight fasting that happens when we sleep, as it replenishes the supply of glucose. Personally speaking I find it hard to function on an empty stomach no matter what kind of job you do.

Although it’s rarely that I eat a complete breakfast on a regular basis; I usually do brunch (the literal meaning of it) because of work schedule. But if given the chance or if I don’t need to prep so early for work, I would always get a hearty breakfast. That’s why I enjoy breakfast when I do staycations at hotels, especially that most offer buffet breakfasts.

BFF Gift Ideas That Will Make Them Feel Special

When it comes to friendship, I believe in quality over quantity. I know and get along with a lot of people but there are only a handful of people I can call my friends and a very few that I can consider as my best friends. Having a best friend is like having another sister or brother of your own choosing who share the same interests and beliefs like you do. They also are the ones who inspire you and at the help you keep your feet on the ground.

If you know your friends well, it isn’t hard to look for gifts to give them when their birthday is coming. If your friendship is rooted well it really doesn’t matter if you give out a gift or not, the gift of friendship can be more than enough. By now though, after years of friendship, you might have already run put of ideas to give as a gift to your bffs. But in case you still want a token to symbolize that friendship here’s a list of things you can give your sister/brother-from-another-mother.

How to Look Your Best During Your Summer Vacation

When deep winter months make us feel all cozy and relaxed wanting to eat as much as we can during the holidays – that is when you know it is the perfect time to start planning your next summer vacation. Most people eagerly wait for summer, and they start planning a trip during those cold days. If your preparations have started, but you don’t feel like you are actually prepared, read the following tips on how to look your best on your vacation.

Start sculpting your body on time
Like previously mentioned, preparations of every kind should start early on. You can take up a new sport and start getting fit for those summer months. Along with a fitness routine, a healthy diet is something that will make you look fabulous and feel healthy. Hitting the gym, jogging, or something simple like walking and playing with your dog will do the trick. Also, a few basic exercises like squats, sit-ups, and lunges are enough to tone your body. As far as the food goes, try eating more fruits and vegetables, and of course, fewer carbs and fats. Doing any type of detox program will also clean your body from toxins and make your skin radiant and fresh.

Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse - U.P. Town Center

Comfort food are things we take refuge to when we’re carving for hearty meals that can relieve the stress that we encounter on the daily basis or for when we want to have a little taste of home. They usually evoke some nostalgic feeling and a little warmth to our hearts and tummies. It’s the food we eat without the guilt and tell people to step off because you deserve this.

I’ve never been to the States, but I have Filipino, Filipino-American and American friends who say that the best comfort food you can find is in the South. Most of them agree on one thing, that Southern U.S. food brings comfort like nothing else on earth. The cuisine of the Southern United States developed in the traditionally defined American South, influenced by African, English, Scottish, Irish, French, Spanish, and Native American cuisines. But then again Southern American cuisine crosses all regional boundaries.

Pick Your Party Padi’s Point: Padi’s Point - Antipolo Circumferential

Padi’s Point Restaurant and Bar remains the top-of-the-mind for gimmicks and all kinds of celebration. It remains the perfect place for reunions or simple night outs with the entire barkada. Indeed, one can easily find a Padi’s point that fits his/her preference.

In the past, I have only visited Padi’s Point in Sumulong Highway Antipolo mainly because of its overlooking view of Metro Manila and the cool breeze which is perfect when I go for drinks or two with my college friends. But that was that and that’s the only Padi’s Point that I’ve ever stepped foot on.