NOMAMA: RAMEN LIKE NO OTHER!

       I'd like to know how Chef Him Uy de Baron's mind works. His understanding of the intricacies of various flavors is nothing short of otherworldly. His masterful use of ingredients that I often had never heard of before (well, mostly the vegetables at least), makes every visit to his restaurant, Nomama, a new gastronomic adventure.

      Nomama has made itself for it's artisanal Ramen dishes, but believe me, Chef Him's culinary skills go far beyond delicious hot bowls of noodle soup. 

       And since they opened a new branch in Capitol Commons a few months back which is so much nearer to me, I dropped by with some of my food blogger friends to get a firsthand taste of the new Nomama experience!

WHODUNNIT?! MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT AT EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL!

         Imagine you're at a snazzy Italian restaurant in a Five Star Hotel, expecting to eat a fancy four course meal prepared by an illustrious chef. As you share a conversation with your companion, while waiting for your appetizer to be served, a detective walks in and introduces himself to the entire room. 

    Why is he here, you wonder? Something must be definitely amiss. Save for the man who obviously had too much to drink and is now "napping" at the Poker Table at the center of the room without a care in the world, this restaurant or should I say.. "Casino", nothing seems to be out of the ordinary.  

      After surveying the room while asking the guests a few questions, the detective reveals the truth. 

     The man sprawled across the porker table counter isn't drunk. He's dead. 

And so began the first act of Casino Fatale: Edsa Shangri-la's Murder Mystery Dinner.

A VASK DINING ADVENTURE

You ever get that feeling like someone is watching you?

      Quite deliberately, I tend to lean towards the more simpler fare when it comes to food. Some may even say that it's borderline "junk food". But since I became a blogger, every now and then, my gastronomic horizons are expanded, and I get opportunities to join sophisticated dinners prepared by a chefs that have cooked in some of the most prestigious restaurants from around the world. 

     One such meal - and perhaps one of the most memorable meals I have ever had - was just earlier this year at Vask Modern Tapas & Gastronomic Cuisine. 

CRUNCHY CREAMY MCFLURRY!

        Richie and I were in SM Aura a couple of days back for a certain event, when we passed by McDonald's to get her favorite Shake Shake fries (Triple cheese flavor), when we noticed that McDonald's had some new McFlurry flavors! Naturally, we just had to try it! And we had a feeling that Rain will love it too. Why? Because there are cereals in it!!!

TIPPLE & SLAW: SANDWICH HEAVEN AT BGC FORUM

           As soon as the itinerary for my trip to the United States a few months ago was confirmed, the very first thing I did was map out the places I would eat out, using one of my all time favorite shows, "Man V. Food" as a point of reference. Though I haven't written it yet in my blog, I am proud to say I was able to visit three places that have been featured in the show! 

      In case ya'll don't know, Man V. Food is what inspired me to start my blog. After watching an episode for the first time (Season 2: Episode 4, San Francisco), something inside me woke up, and I realized that what Man V. Food Host Adam Richman was doing - Perhaps, not the food challenges, but the going around to different places, and sharing my eating adventure with people - is what I wanted to do. 

    Which is why, as I entered Tipple & Slaw and saw a photo of Adam Richman up on the wall, I knew I had come to the right place for lunch. 

TAKE ME TO THE BUTCHER SHOP & PUB

       Whenever you think of "Expensive Food", Steak is usually the first thing that comes to my mind. Which is why I'm always on the lookout for a great place to have a steak, that offers me the best value for money. Although quality will also be first and foremost on my list of priorities, it is also nice to find a restaurant that you can go back to time and time again, without it hurting your wallet so much. 

       The Butcher Shop and Pub is the latest Gastropub to open in Manila. I'll be honest with you.. I'm not too big on the nightlife, but I love how these gastropubs have been sprouting around the metro. You see, I don't drink, but I eat like a bad mutha (Shutyomouth!). My friends find it difficult to get me to join them for a night of drinks, and they know that it is in the promise of some great food that may lure me out of my hiding hole. Usually, when they ask where we can go, I always choose a place to eat, but the selection of drinks aren't all that great, or could be expensive. Whenever THEY choose, it's usually with food so awful, I usually end up passing by for some drive thru fast food on my way home. 

      The next time that they ask me for a suggestion, I know exactly what I'll suggest... The Butcher Shop & Pub.

A TASTE OF PORTUGAL: GOSTOSO PIRI PIRI CHICKEN

Bad hair day.

            I never thought I would be interested in anything "Piri Piri". My first impression of the term would be that the food would be so infused with Chilis, a single bite would be enough to scorch my tongue, and have me running out to the nearest canal just to dip my tongue. Fortunately, a trip to Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken changed all that. 

          Through their simple, yet incredibly tasty dishes, I discovered that Piri Piri isn't merely just about heat, but all about flavor. 

PICKIEST DADDY THOUGHTS: MY DAUGHTER, DISNEY & DAVID BLAINE

         

         A couple of months ago, Rina and I planned to get front row seats to the show of one of my idols, David Blaine. After giving it much thought, we decided that we would pass on the show, in the name of austerity. Though the ticket prices seemed reasonable enough compared to other concerts that have come and gone to the country, I believe we both felt a little guilty splurging that much while leaving Baby Rain left out. Afterwards, I told Rina to try to look for some activities that he three of us could do together. 

        Last week, we found out about the "Disney Live!" Show, where three fairy tales, namely Snow White, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast are brought to life on stage. Taking a gamble that Rain would be old enough to appreciate the show, we snapped up tickets immediately. We ended up gettting a great deal, because altogether, our three tickets cost just a little over half of what we would have shelled out for one ticket to see David Blaine, and we sat in the fifth row!

RAMEN GET YOUR LOVE: IPPUDO RAMEN, NOW IN MANILA!

            Yet another global titan of the Ramen world has opened their doors in the Philippines.. And this is a big one! Since opening its first restaurant in Japan in 1985, Ippudo Ramen has been known for changing the direction of Ramen as we know it. 

         Ippudo has exploded with 80 restaurants in Japan alone, and international branches reaching across Asia, and as far as Sydney to New York.

      After becoming a must visit landmark for Pinoy travelers that visit Singapore and Hong Kong, Ippudo finally opens their very first branch in the country.. Right in the center of the metro.. SM Mega Fashion Hall!

AN ISLAND FEAST AT BELLEVUE RESORT BOHOL!

In case you missed it, 

Read Part 1 of our trip to Bohol first before you go any further!

      

     My blog entries about Bellevue Bohol would not be complete without me telling you about our food!  Here's a rundown of some of the delicious dishes from Bellevue Bohol that completed our amazing trip! 

STAY, WINE & DINE AT OAKWOOD PREMIER MANILA! -RinaZ

        Sometimes we need a break from our everyday routine and will want to stay in a different relaxing place other than our own homes. But at the same time you don't really want to travel that far. So I guess a nice staycation in a nice hotel in the metro would be ideal, right?

        What if I told you that you could book a very nice and elegant place in the heart of Ortigas Center, and at the same time enjoy a classy three-course dinner with wine beautifully set up in your lavish room? Yes dear readers. It can be done!!!!  Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila presents you the Stay, Wine, and Dine in Style happening this month as part of their 5th year anniversary on September 9th!

POWER ON THE GO: MOMAX iPOWER GO MINI - RinaZ

        When we first got the Momax iPower GO mini external battery pack, I thought it looked so cute with its sleek and chic ribbed appearance. But I was wondering if it were defective because every time I would pick up the unopened box . the battery indicator lights would light up. I thought a button was accidentally being pressed inside the box. Turns out, it has a SHAKE-TO-SHOW feature which shows the battery level every time you shake it. 

       Cute! That's something different! 

THIS IS HOW WE ROLL: CRYSTAL JADE'S DICE GAME AND MID-AUTUMN FOOD FESTIVAL!

          I was really excited when I got an invitation from Crystal Jade to play a Chinese Dice game for the first time! The last time I played a dice game was in high school. The game was Dungeons and Dragons, and I had a high level Magic User. Our mission was to save the daughter of the Village Chieftain from the clutches of the Diabolical Sorcerer, who together with his evil minions, sowed fear throughout the land.

     Apparently, this was nothing like that. No zombies. No goblins. No Dungeons, and definitely no dragons. 

      All it was, was 6 dice and a bowl. 

     And it was one of the most fun I've had in my life! 

YOU + ME & SEATTLE'S BEST COFFEE! BUY ONE GET ONE FREE PROMO!

        I must admit that I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but something I do like to enjoy, is Seattle's Best Coffee's, "Javakula"! 

        And the good news? SBC is doing a "Buy 1 Get 1 Free" promo for it's Javakula.. Including it's new flavor... Can you guess what it is??

MAGICAL MALAYSIA AT HEAT, EDSA SHANGRI-LA ~RinaZ

        I haven't been to Malaysia (truly Asia) but I am quite familiar with their cuisine. But I haven't truly been a fan until today, when we got to experience a taste of some amazing Malaysian favorites at EDSA Shangri-La's HEAT

TAKE YOUR #SINFULLYSELFIE & WIN PRIZES FROM MAKATI SHANGRI-LA!

       

           I don't take very many "Selfies", unless it's with food. FNothing against people that do, but personally, I can never seem to frame my face perfectly into the shot, so I usually get half of my face or something like that. Not to mention, in the scope of things, I don't think I'm good looking enough to make a "Selfie" a constant part of my Instagram feed. I'm not putting myself down, i'm just, as those youngsters say, "Keeping it Real" (Do they still say that?).

    

          But if you told me that my selfies could win a Chocolate Buffet from a Five star Hotel, then i'll be Selfie friggin Master! A Chocolate Buffet? My selfies would make Kim Kardashian look like a recluse! 

          Well, in honor of International Chocolate Day, Makati Shangri-la has issued us a challenge for a chance to win so amazing prizes. 

          Are you up for it? I know I am!           

THE BEAUTY OF BOHOL: BELLEVUE RESORT

       I have an embarrassing confession to make. Despite the fact that I lived in Cebu for nearly ten years, I had never been to the beautiful island of Bohol. Strange, huh? It's a short "Super Cat" ride away, but still, I had yet to lay a foot on Bohol soil. 

       When a 7.2 Earthquake struck Bohol last October of 2013, I, like all my fellow Filipinos was horrified at the aftermath. It was painful to see the terrifying images on the news of the casualties. And seeing the structures that had made Bohol the popular tourist attraction it has been for decades crumble in a matter of seconds was heart wrenching. I was also saddened to hear that the beloved Chocolate Hills was damaged.. Especially since I had yet to see it in all its splendor. Nonetheless I remained confident that the resilient people of Bohol would rise to the challenge, and make sure their beautiful island paradise bounces back to become even better than it once was before. 

       Still, I couldn't help but feel a huge tinge of regret about taking for granted the close proximity of Bohol to Cebu. However, you have to understand.. Cebu is also known for its beaches, and I had easy access to a beach resort growing up.. Making the need to travel to Bohol pretty much unnecessary.

      Just less than a year later, I finally had an opportunity to visit Bohol. If I had let my chance to see the beauty of Bohol slip by when I was a younger, I wasn't going to let the same thing happen to me when I was older.. And not to mention my daughter, Rain, has proven to be quite the Beach Baby. 

       Not to mention, I would be absolutely insane to miss out on staying at one of the finest premiere luxury resorts that Bohol has to offer.. Bellevue Resort, Bohol.