McCORMICK GRILL NATION ON APRIL 7!

 

       Richie and I love to eat. We love eating out and trying out new restaurants (Hence the birth of this blog). But of course there are going to be days when you just want to stay home and rest. That was a possibility for us a few months ago when we still had a maid who can cook what we felt like eating. Sadly, because of our bad luck with maids, we are once again maid-less and eating out has just been more convenient during weekends.

But a few weeks back, we found ourselves in a situation wherein we needed to prepare something besides fried hotdogs and bacon. We were at home relaxing, when I received a call from a relative of ours who recently came back from the US and told us that they wanted to visit our humble abode.

Panicked, Richie and I started thinking of what to prepare or to have delivered for our guests but something along the spices shelf caught Richie’s eye: McCormick Grill Mates! Richie had bought a couple packs of these mixes to try out just the week earlier, and we never got around to actually cooking it. Given that we were pretty much out of options, we thought of giving it a shot! At least we would be serving something made from our kitchen, instead of something out of delivery box. After all, all we needed to do was marinade it for 30 mins and then fry! How hard could it be?

And boy it was a success! We bought the Steak ala Pobre Grill Mate and marinated a soft flank steak with it. The taste was this amazing garlic flavor that brought out the natural flavors of the steak. We also bought the Korean BBQ Grill Mate and got some Pork Tenderloin to marinate it with. Again, the taste didn’t fail us! It had a nice hint of sweetness that swirled around a gorgeous medley of spices.

To sum it up, our guests loved it to a point where in they didn’t want to believe that it was home cooked! For an affordable price of around P30, you get a delicious marinade for your entrees. With these Grill Mates, there’s no need to have the cooking skills of a top chef.

Guess what? McCormick has some exciting news!!!

THE LOBSTER BUFFET OF CORNICHE AT DIAMOND HOTEL - RinaZ

           Flashback: It was a humid night, and Richie and I were walking by the beach of Boracay somewhere in station 3 looking for a fun place to have dinner. And I spotted some lobsters. Honestly I totally forgot the details but somehow I thought the lobster was not that expensive and I insisted on getting one. And before we knew it, we were staring at a bill that says "Lobster - P1,200" ha ha ha ha ha (sweat + nervous laughter).

       So when we were asked to join a dinner at Diamond Hotel for a Lobster Buffet, I was more than willing. Lobsters, it's payback time!

           This display will be the first thing that you will see when you enter the Corniche. Isn't it beautiful? As soon as I saw it, I think I heard angels singing. In this beautiful display, 2 elements are clearly the stars. 

BEST FOOD FORWARD YEAR THREE!

Much-awaited summer food fair Best Food Forward marks it’s 3^rd year!

Attention foodies!  The country’s biggest and most delicious benefit summer food fair, Best Food Forward, is back! Now on its 3^rd year, another grand, exciting, fun and food-filled weekend is waiting to happen on April 20-21, 2013 at the NBC Tent, from 10am – 8pm.

Indeed, there is more to food than meets the eye at Best Food Forward.  It not only nourishes but has the power to continue bringing kith and kin together, convert strangers into friends and at the same time, happily give newcomers an avenue to prove their worth in the bustling food industry. And from a meager 2-day attraction for a few hundred people during its very first staging, Best Food Forward is predicted to surpass its attendance of over 6,000 food-lovers for its 3^rd year!

WHAT ABOUT BREAKFAST AT CAFE 1771?

I forgot to take a cover photo, so here's a picture of Rain, taking delight in squishing my face. 

        I'm a big breakfast guy.. I'm fairly certain I've said that more than once on this blog. It's funny because I don't get the chance to eat breakfast on a daily basis. I wake up, get ready for work, and the first meal of the day is whatever i'm having for lunch. But when Rina and I got the opportunity to taste some of the items of Cafe 1771's breakfast menu, there was no way we would pass that chance up! 

WRONG RAMEN: BREAKING ALL THE RAMEN RULES

                There are quite a few restaurants that I've been to, that I feel that were made with me specifically in mind. This, of course, is totally not true. However, in a world where new "healthy" concept restaurants seem to be popping up out of nowhere, one can understand my elation whenever I find a place that is unafraid to add a little something greasy or fatty into their dishes. And when I say "Greasy or Fatty", I mean Bacon. 

         Wrong Ramen is one of those places that captured my complete attention. With Ramen Houses being the new craze, and one claiming to be more authentic than the other, it's refreshing to see a Ramen Restaurant that takes the timeless Japanese ramen recipe, and dares to give it the proverbial finger. 

     Wrong Ramen knows that their way isn't the way ramen is supposed to be. And the funny part? that's exactly how they like it. 

        And you know what? 

        So do I. 

SECOND STOP AT THE CHEESESTEAK SHOP

         A few months ago, I was absolutely heartbroken when I found out that The Cheese Steak Shop would be closing the doors of their branch along Arnaiz Avenue - The same street wherein I work. Although it still was quite a bit of a walk to get there, the mere thought of being unable to visit their restaurant for some of their mouthwatering Cheese Steaks nearly brought tears to my eyes. I had heard that they would be moving to a new branch at The Fort.

        The Cheese Steak Shop would be my "Go-to" place whenever I need I need a quick solution to a client dropping by, and we need a no frills, yet impressive meal for them to dine on while they're in our office. You wouldn't think a simple sandwich would be so well received, but then again, their Cheese Steak isn't just a "simple sandwich".

       Last year, when I heard they were moving, I decided to make the walk to the Cheese Steak Shop to say one last goodbye. With a heavy heart, I ordered my Bacon Cheese Steak (Default), and let out a deep sigh. I couldn't take it any more, so I as I was standing at the counter, I couldn't help but share my feelings with the cashier. 

      I said, "I can't believe you guys are moving to The Fort! It's so far away from my office! I really don't want you guys to leave!" Jokingly, I even offered, "Let me talk to your boss! I'll convince her to let you guys stay!". 

     She smiled and said, "Actually Sir, we're just moving to another branch in Amorsolo Avenue. When you get to the stoplight of Amorsolo and Arnaiz, just turn right. Go a few meters down, and you're there!". 

     All of a sudden it hit me. The new location is actually nearer to my office then this branch was. 

     So naturally my next response was, "Can I help you pack?"

ZARKS BURGERS JAWBREAKER DAY 8 TICKET WINNERS!

     Man, you guys are insane!! The reception for this giveaway has been unreal. I don't blame you guys though.. The Jawbreaker is pretty mind blowing, and these tickets, which are already sold out by the way, are the only way for you to get into Jawbreaker day 8! 

     Let's draw some names! 

MCDONALD'S DECLARES NATIONAL BREAKFAST DAY ON MARCH 18, 2013 - RINAZ

       I was listening to my favorite radio station one time and it was one of those portions wherein they state a question of the day (or hour rather) and anyone can just phone in and give their opinions. And the topic of the hour was “If you could only choose one meal for the rest of your life, would it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner?”  I wasn't able to call in because I was on the road that time (and I don’t really participate on those calling interactions anyway hehe I’m too shy) But I in my head I knew what my answer was without even thinking..

 BREAKFAST!!!!

    Imagine my surprise when I found out last Friday during a McDonalds Breakfast event that March 18, 2013 is going to be hailed as National Breakfast Day! Wow! This is going to be like a second birthday to me hehe. It’s all thanks to McDonalds for establishing the first international Breakfast celebration!

QUICK PICK: ZARK'S BURGER'S JAWBREAKER!!!

         

      In case you guys needed any more motivation to go to Zark's Burger's Jawbreaker Day On March 17, 2013 at their Taft Avenue Branch, here's a  short video that will definitely convince you!

THE UNFORGETTABLE KULINARYA KITCHEN - RINAZ

     "Where am I going again?" I probably asked Richie for the Nth time over the weekend. With my Momnesia fully intact and active, I have a hard time keeping up with our calendar. I was to have lunch with some of our friends at a restaurant in Powerplant Mall, Rockwell. Honestly I have never heard of the place we were going to dine in. Not because it's not a good place but plainly because of my lack of knowledge in the restaurant world. That's Richie's forte. I was just expecting it to be a posh place since the restaurants in Rockwell more or less cater to the A class. (Usually, That's my impression hehe)

A VISIT TO GRANDMOMMA'S KITCHEN - RINAZ

        Remember those days when you come home from school and you rush to your grandma’s bright dainty kitchen and smell freshly baked cookies waiting especially for you? Well, we didn’t really have a dainty kitchen that smelled like baked goodies so I really didn’t get to experience that hehe. But in the hour or so that I was in GrandMomma’s kitchen, that’s exactly how it felt like when I went there for dinner with some blogger friends. 

EARLY BIRD BREAKFAST CLUB GIVEAWAY!

Yes, I am indeed holding a jar of bacon. 

           I could safely say that my love for breakfast food - particularly bacon- has reached legendary status. I get tagged on Facebook or mentioned on Twitter about bacon related subjects on a near-daily basis, by friends and complete strangers. And you know what's funny? I read every single one of those posts like it was a Greek epic. 

       Imagine how I felt when I found out that a restaurant dedicated to serving breakfast food opened up at The Fort Strip. Probably the same way you felt.. I must go there STAT! (Sorry, Rina was just watching Grey's Anatomy last night)

      Upon hearing that The Early Bird Breakfast Club had recently opened its doors, I got the feeling that this restaurant was conceptualized specifically for someone like me. I am the embodiment of an "Early Bird", with waking up early not being a problem for me. I am also notoriously "Antukin".. By around 10pm i'm constantly yawning and dazed, which is precisely why you'd probably never see me at a bar or one of them so called "Super Clubs" (I'm an old Fogey, I know). Whenever Rina and I dine out, it's usually on a Saturday or Sunday morning (Not so traffic and you're guaranteed parking.. makes perfect sense, right?).

       In other words, I truly am the Ultimate "Early Bird" (No double entendre, promise). 

THERE'S GELATO, AND THERE'S BONO ARTISANAL GELATO

             I'm an ice cream guy, through and through. There's nothing like a refreshing scoop of Ice Cream to help beat the Philippine heat. Whether it's a simple Pinipig Crunch or a bar of Magnum, papatulan ko yan. 

        I've been quite pleased with the Gelato places that have been popping up around the metro. I do have a few favorites that I would go to whenever I get the chance. I honestly felt that these Gelato makers were easily among the best I've ever tried. Whenever someone would ask me where to get some good ice cream, I would rattle off names of Gelato places and the flavors that they should get without batting an eyelash. 

        That was until I visited Bono Artisanal Gelato and realized everything I thought I knew about Gelato was wrong.