The Belle and Dragon: Where East Meets Pub

Gastropub is the term used for restaurants and bars that pair food with beer. This trend began in Ireland and the UK in the early 1900s. Public houses or “pubs” for short, used to only care about serving up the perfect pint of beer, but now a good number of them are creating gourmet menus that go above and beyond your basic fish and chips. Gastropubs are fairly new to the Manila food and nightlife scene and there are only a few of the around.

One of them is The Belle and Dragon, which I’ve been wanting to visit ever since I’ve heard of it. It is tucked away in the heart of Makati CBD. Almost any night of the week, you'll find expats and locals packing the tables and bar of this neighborhood gem, both after work and long into the noisy evening of the weekends. It is also a place hosting sports-viewing, live music and quiz night events. B&D’s tag line and concept is “East Meets Pub”.

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A Story In Every Bite: Vanderlust Bistro + Patisserie, Now Open at The Podium

Food and travel always go together. There is always an inherent interest in food which affects travelers. Food will always be an antecedent of attention or curiousity with regards to travel motivation, destination choice, satisfaction and overall holiday experience. This notion speaks the truth for me. Everytime I travel, I always come away from a trip with a new-found appreciation for the power of food from a certain place. Because if you want to learn more of the locale and its culture, there’s nothing best to explore that through food.

There's something about the cuisine of a specific place that increases the intensity of the memories we build while traveling. The faint aroma of something I ate on a vacation instantly takes me back to the moment I experienced it. Say for example that moment I first ate mango sticky rice in Bangkok, it was so good I gushed so hard and got teary-eyed. That is no joke.

Asian Flavors at Spice Cafe - City Garden Grand Hotel

We Filipinos love to eat and unquestionably food is the basis of our social life. I don’t know for sure if it is only Filipinos who eat three full meals a day with snacking in between. Filipino would go to extreme measures just to satisfy their craving and tummies. We are well-known also for some legendary feasting.

And then there’s the buffet culture. More often than not, eating out at a buffet is synonymous to celebration for us. I’m not surprised at all, we revel about almost anything just to have an excuse to go to a buffet. After all, where else can you try something without committing to a full dish? Buffets, in addition is a great way to be able to sample a wide variety of items from international cuisines.

Special Occassions from What's Cookin' Kitchenette

A wonderful, memorable wedding - this is what What’s Cookin Kitchenette promises any couple about to start a life together. What’s Cookin Kitchenette can provide delicious food, dreamy table set-ups, gorgeous floral arrangements, romantic wedding cakes, professional wait service plus more depending on the need and budget of each client.

The lady behind it all is Diana Ang-Uy who has been in the catering and restaurant business for over 20 years. “I just love weddings,’ gushes Diana. “And yes, debut as well, “she added. It feels so good to make someone’s special day so unforgettable. Diana believes that everyone deserve the best no matter the requirements and budget. They have several packages and they can easily come up with custom-made arrangements. 

Fely J's Kitchen: Filipino & Asian Home Cooking

How was your family’s cooking when you were growing up? Mine was spectacular, even though home-cooked dishes were not as spectacular but they were always tasty, satisfying and always done with so much heart. The women on my father’s side were all great cooks, especially my grandma. This trait she was able to pass to my mother and all of my siblings. I’m an OK cook though, but I  can make one the meanest Sinigangs you've ever tasted, no joke! Hahahaha!

I often miss my grandma’s cooking and when she vacationed here in the Philippines, I really requested for her to cook for us Igado (Ilocano dish). It was glorious to say the least. And when she left, I always craved for it and wishing for the day that I can be with her again so I can eat all the wonderful dishes that she makes. Good thing my mom, my aunt and my siblings can replicate that for me for now. 

Pepeton's Bar and Grill: A Family’s Love For Get-Togethers

Food has always been a huge part of Filipino culture and eating in the Philippines is treated as a social affair. Whether it is a regular meal or an event, each is treated like a celebration and a way to catch up on the life events of family members or friends. You would notice that even if means are lacking, in any Filipino celebration, Filipinos make a point to serve a feast always. This is because food in my motherland and culture truly brings people together.

People would debate what region in the Philippines brings and cooks the best regional cuisine in the country, but as part-Ilocana (my father’s side is Ilocano from Tarlac and my mother’s side is Ilonggo from Iloilo), I must say that this region is in the top three of the best cuisines in the Philippines. I may be sound biased, but having brought up in an Ilocano household, especially with my grandmother’s cooking, I could say despite its salt-happy artery-clogging meat dishes, Ilocano and Ibanag cuisine is so adored because of its flavorful dishes.

Tom N Tom's: Korean Wave of Coffee

I love coffee, it’s the blood that runs through my veins. I have measured out my life with coffee spoons. I function after I have had my coffee. But when it comes to coffee, I’m not at all picky. I can devour 3-in-1s for hours on end and I also know how to enjoy some artisanal third wave coffee. 

A few weeks back, I got to try one of the newest coffee shop players in the country: Tom N Tom’s. It is Korean coffee brand that opened its first store in Apgujeong-dong in the beginning of 2001 which is where Korean coffee house culture was born and keep pride as local coffee shop brand until now. 

Motorino Pizza New York Slice at SM Mall of Asia

They say Pizza is the perfect meal. An open-faced pie using tomato sauce, cheese, and any manner of toppings. Tastes like heaven and is sometimes stated to be better than a relationship. I don’t know for sure if that stands true for everyone or even for myself, but what I do know though is everyone loves pizza. I’m not someone who loves pizza so much. If it’s there I would eat it but it’s not my top choice if I’m hungry. Either way, I would eat any time for sure.

A few weeks ago, I visited Motorino Pizza New York Slice at SM Mall of Asia with some fellow foodies. We got to try several of their offerings and learned about their background and what are their latest deals and promos. Motorino NY Slice is the fast-food counterpart of Motorino Pizzeria Napoletana which is a Neapolitan pizzeria that originated in New York City and has branches at East Village Williamsburg and Upper West Side. 

How To Look Hot With A Red Colored Prom Dress

There’s an uncanny power of wearing clothing with a red hue. A lot of research has shown that wearing red clothes can make women more attractive to men probably because he color red is strongly linked to desire and attraction. Science says men are more attracted to women who wear red and it looks like women who want to attract men do so by wearing red.  

But should women take advantage of this fact by wearing red when they want to attract a man’s attention? Maybe yes, maybe not. But I would say that you should wear something red because you want to and because it makes you feel good and confident about yourself.