KUNG HEI FAT CHOI: THE YUNG SHENG PROSPERITY TOSS AT XIN TIAN DI, CROWNE PLAZA

        I've had a fascination with Chinese cuisine since I was a child. But in all my years as a lover of Chinese food, I had never been part of a Chinese New Year Feast. I figured that they just lit up some fireworks, did a Dragon dance, then ate some noodles and Peking Duck, then found someone to kiss at the stroke of midnight. 

       Although I'm pretty sure i'm not far off from the truth, something I had absolutely no clue about, was the tradition of the "Prosperity Toss". 

        Good thing for me, my friends from Crowne Plaza Manila were more than willing to show me what that grand tradition was all about, at their delicious Chinese restaurant, Xin Tian Di. 

FINDING COMFORT IN KETTLE, SHANGRI-LA MALL

            I have never denied my preference to American food compared to any other cuisine.. save for Chinese. Maybe because it's because I'm a simple meat and potatoes guy, and a lot of american dishes are straight up, no frills comfort food cooking. 

         Which I think is pretty much what Kettle has nailed. And since that's my favorite type of food, it will come to no surprise to you that, despite my own hectic schedule, I've made it a point to visit there at least once a month for the past three months. 

         Yes, Kettle is THAT good. 

PINO NEW MENU: ALL THINGS BAGNET! - RinaZ

        If you ask me who my favorite Filipino Chef is, one of them would definitely be Chef Ed Bugia. Not only is he super cool and down to earth but his creations in his kitchen are just absolutely brilliant! It's like he creates dishes without really thinking too much of it if you know what I mean. Just whatever he feels like eating or putting together. And based on his creations that I have tasted (like Pi: Breakfast and Pies, and BRGR Project), everything works!!! 

        Just like his latest menu at Pino RestoBar. Richie was able to try Pino before, but it was a first for me. And as expected, everything was generously done! Just read the names of the food. And I guarantee you'll agree with me already! Why? Most of it starts with the word BAGNET!

WECHAT INTRODUCES GUNZ DASH!

        I still remember back in early high school when the Nokia 5110 was "Ooooooooh gadget". The gadget that seemed like it was from the future. And I remember watching the very few students who had one at our school, and wondering why they keep fiddling with their phones non-stop. Were they texting a novel? Wasn’t texting expensive back then? And then I felt stupid afterwards when I found out that there was a built-in game in the phone. The snake. And apparently that’s what they’ve been fiddling with on their phones.

        Technology has come a long way. And now, 15 years later, smartphones rule the world. And we can’t live without them. It can now do so much more than calls, text, alarms, and snakes. It can surf  the net, it can download lots of applications, and you can play awesome games with amazing graphics in it!

        And now, there’s already a chat app that can not only do social networking and location-based functions, but also offers an awesome game! WeChat 5.1 introduces GunZ Dash!

YEE SANG TRADITION: GOOD LUCK, PROSPERITY, AND HEALTH!

        If you're as clueless as I was about Chinese traditions, then you probably also have no idea what Yee Sang is. It was only last Tuesday that I learned about this tradition during a lunch at Shang Palace in Makati Shangrila for sort of a pre-Chinese New Year lunch. (Thank you to the people of Makati Shangrila for inviting us!)

MENTORE COFFEE + BAR by UCC ~RinaZ

       Back in the days (actually more like 3 or 4 years ago haha) when I was still childless, it was so easy for me to go out with my friends and ocassionaly have a drink or two while sharing life stories. But since I got pregnant and now a mom to a bouncing little toddler girl, my idea of a a relaxing night became a coffee shop. Getting old? Not really. I guess it's just the exhaustion from the mommy work. After all I'm only human.

       But a few weeks ago I was introduced to a whole new concept of a coffee shop. Our friend invited us to try the Mentore Coffee + Bar by UCC. Its nice two-storey white building was situated in Makati near Greenbelt 3 and Landmark. It was a first time for me to go there. Mentore, which means to mentor, the name of this place because it's like teaching their customers about coffee. But do you notice the "+ Bar" in the name? That's what makes this place unique! Plus, they serve amazing Japanese food too!

BACK IN SESSION AT PHOENIX COURT!

        A few months back, Rina, Baby Rain and I enjoyed a short staycation at The Bellevue Hotel in Alabang. I was completely blown away when I found out that it wasn't an international chain, and that it was locally owned. One of the highlights of our stay was the incredible meal we had at Phoenix Court. Our meal was so awesome, I felt it deserved a sequel.

        Lo, and behold, I got it! 

MERRY CREMAS FOOD BAZAAR AT EASTWOOD MALL

       Besides gifts and being reunited with relatives, the highlight of the holidays is definitely all the overflowing glorious food! That’s why I strongly believe that going on a diet during the holiday season is ridiculous. Hahaha! Tis the season of delicious homemade cooking! So like me who doesn’t cook at all, I would gladly volunteer as a taste tester of up and coming food entrepreneurs’ goodies!

PICKIEST EATER GIVEAWAY 2014 #5 MOVENPICK Hotel Cebu

What do I have in my hands, my dear readers?

A Brochure for Movenpick Hotel, Cebu? WRONG. 

What I have in my hands, in the prize for the Biggest Giveaway I've ever held in the history of the Pickiest Eater In The World.

You ready, guys?

CEBU'S FINEST: MOVENPICK HOTEL CEBU

             People are often surprised when I tell them that I grew up in the beautiful city of Cebu. Their reaction is usually, "Sa Cebu ka lumaki?" (You grew up in Cebu?). I always reply with "Sa Cebu ako HINDI lumaki" (Cebu is where I didn't grow). 

          Perhaps the main perk of living in Cebu (apart from the wonderful, affordable food), is the beach just being around 30 mins away, MAX. I should know. I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but my family's business in Cebu, was a beach resort. As you can imagine, it was pretty awesome having a beach to go to at a moment's notice, whenever your heart desires. As wonderful as it was, this meant that throughout my entire life, I wasn't really able to explore the other resorts and hotels of Cebu. 

        So when I got the opportunity to visit Movenpick Resort and Spa, in Cebu, I jumped at the chance! Better late than never, right?

SKYCABLE: JUST THE WAY YOU WANT IT! (and a GIVEAWAY!)

       There were more empty lots than service providers in our area years ago when we moved into our own home. We live by the boarder line of Pasig and Taytay. It’s almost like we’re situated in the middle of a province, kind of. 

       Anyway, we had very limited choice with our service providers namely landline, internet and cable. The only cable available in this area at that time were those with satellite dishes. And they weren’t exactly a delight to use. We tried it, and proved that a little rain can interrupt our viewing time. One minute you’re watching your favorite cable show, the next minute you’re watching big pixels moving around in your tv screen (Minecraft, anyone?) 

PICKIEST GIVEAWAY 2014 #3: IHOP!

          What was the most talked about restaurant in the Philippines for the the year 2013? 

IHOP! 

        Wanna know what all the fuss is about? How about some GCs worth P1,000 to help you out? The third Giveaway for my birthday is ON!

PICKIEST GIVEAWAY 2014 #2: CAFE SHIBUYA!

              The second giveaway for my birthday is P1,000 worth of GCs from the awesome Cafe Shibuya!