HYATT CITY OF DREAMS MANILA: IN A HYATT WORLD

           The City of Dreams Complex had their grand opening in February of 2015, which took the leisure gaming and entertainment tourism scene to a whole new level. I've been around the complex a few times since then, visiting Dreamscape with my family, and having lunch at The Cafe at Hyatt Hotel a few times, and I can say the food was undoubtedly world class, and I was left spellbound with the dazzling interiors and exquisite service.

         So we already knew that their food and banquet was excellent, however it was only a few weeks ago that Rina, Rain and I were invited to enjoy a wonderful weekend at Hyatt City of Dreams, to get a taste of the world renowned service that has made Hyatt such a prestigious name in hospitality. 

     This is our experience In A Hyatt World.

MAIN STREET: THE MAIN ATTRACTION AT KAPITOLYO

No, i'm not wearing a hair clip, smartass.

 (I only wear them at night)

             I don't think I've ever made a secret of my heavily Western influenced palate. People call me Picky, but I've always seen myself as more of a "Simple" kind of guy. A plate of Burgers and Fries make me happier than Foie Gras or Escargot ever could.

    This is one of the reasons why I enjoyed Main Street at Tuscany at Mckinley Hill so much. It has got that simple comfort food that I look for, but executed in a manner that makes it clear that this isn't something you can just throw together with stuff in your fridge. And yet yet there is something familiar about it, that makes you feel right at home. 

     After three years of taking Tuscany at Mckinley by storm, Main Street expanded further out into the metropolis, by opening a branch at Kapitolyo, Pasig. 

    And the good news? IT'S NEARER TO ME!!

TOKYO TOKYO'S NEW MAKIRRITO

        The Country’s number one Japanese Fast Food Chain has done it again, coming up with new dishes that caters to your needs! If you’re a fan of Tokyo Tokyo, I’m sure you’ve tried some of their classics, such as their Beef Misono, Shrimp Tempura, and Chicken Teriyaki. Recently, they have even expanded their menu to include Ramen and Donburi bowls. Admittedly, these are meals that are best enjoyed in a sit down environment, so you can fully appreciate the elements of the Bento Meals or whatever it was that you ordered.

        But what happens during situations when you’re on the go, and don’t have the luxury of time on your hands to stop and eat? With the way the rat race works nowadays, that’s not exactly out of the realm of possibility from happening. What if you need something as handy as - say, a Burrito, but as filling as a rice meal?

     Tokyo Tokyo has got you covered, with the newest addition to their menu.. The Makirrito!

            Tokyo Tokyo has taken two iconic dishes of two popular cuisines, and fused them harmoniously into an original concept that can be enjoyed even when on the move! The concept of a Japanese “Maki”, meaning choice Japanese ingredients wrapped in sushi rice then rolled into Nori, is amped up and given the Mexican Burrito treatment. The result? A chunky, meat and filled seaweed wrap, that is not only big on flavor, but is incredibly satisfying as well, and can easily be enjoyed in transit!

           The Makirrito comes in two variants, and the first one I tried was the California Tempura Makirrito. Plump Crabsticks are dipped in a Tokyo Tokyo’s Signature Tempura Batter, and deep fried to a gorgeous crisp. The Sticks are sliced, then rolled into sushi rice with chopped carrots, Shredded Cabbage, and mango slices, that give the roll an added freshness. The ingredients are doused in a Japanese sauce that plays off the creaminess of the Japanese mayonnaise, then tightly wrapped in Nori. 

         I’m a sucker for Tokyo Tokyo’s Chicken Karaage, so I don’t think anyone would be surprised if I said that I was drawn more to the Samurai Karaage Makirrito. I hope my form made Himura Kenshin proud!

     The Samurai Makirrito is made with Crunchy pieces of juicy Chicken Karaage, rolled into the Seaweed Wrap, together with the medley of vegetables, and drizzled with the Japanese Sauce and Mayonnaise. The added savoriness of the chicken made this more filling and enjoyable for me, although Rina liked the California more. 

    It’s easy to eat, and if you like Nori, you’ll find it incredibly tasty and filling.. And at P100, The Makirrito is unbelievably affordable! Tokyo Tokyo once again proves that their customer needs always comes first!

BROOKLYN'S NEW YORK PIZZA: A NEW NAME IN PIZZA!

          When I first moved to Manila after years of living in Cebu, I stayed at my Grandfather's place, located in the Scout Area in Quezon City. Although the Tomas Morato area had a lot of the classic restaurants that are still there today, the choices weren't as eclectic as the current crop of food establishments that have sprouted in the area. 

      One such place that has sprung out of nowhere, is Brooklyn's New York Pizza. Despite the Western name, Brooklyn's is much more than an American inspired Pizza joint. The menu is filled with items from the United States, but it also leaves room for a bit of homegrown favorites and innovations! 

THE SM SUPERMALLS VIBER STICKER PACK IS WHERE IT'S AT!

Living in the digital age has made communication with one another so much easier. After thinking that cellular phones couldn’t bring people any closer together than text messaging ever has, here comes a slew of Messaging apps that that makes getting in touch with someone so simple, but so fun at the same time.

Undoubtedly, the number one App on the market today is Viber, and is the communication app of choice between Rina and I. A few weeks ago, my wife was fiddling through the sticker store, and saw a pack that was available for free download, namely the SM Sticker Pak! Garnern! She thought it was hilarious, and asked me to download it as well.

Rina was recently up for promotion in her new work, and has been working her heart out to get it. On the day that she found out she was finally going to be getting the promotion, I decided to take her out for a simple, yet fun day at SM Aura, to have lunch at one of her favorite restaurants, and to do a little bit of shopping as well!

      Not only is the Sticker Pack fun to use in your conversations, but downloading it gives you a chance to avail of discounts at SM Supermalls as well! Beginning August 15 until October 15, 2016, simply show that you have downloaded the SM sticker pack, and you’re eligible of a 10% discount on all regular priced items with minimum spend of 1,500! 

       Not bad savings by just downloading something into your phone! You can also get a chance to win shirts from the new SM x Viber Tee Collection by following SM Supermalls on Viber Public Chat!

       So be part of #TheSMSquad by joining the SM Public chat on Viber! If you want to be the first to find out about promos, sales, and upcoming events from your favorite SM Supermall, #SMonViber is where it’s at! 

     If you want to Download and use the SM Viber sticker pack, just head on to this link: http://www.viber.com/stickers/smsupermalls_ph 

DENNY'S FINALLY OPENS IN THE PHILIPPINES!

         I know I say I'm a Picky Eater, but I actually maintain the fact that I'm more of a "Simple Eater". I'm ok not dining on highfalutin dishes, but give me a delicious burger and fries, and I'm good to go.  During my visit to the United States, one of our "go to" places before heading home after a long day, was Denny's.

          Since it's open 24 hours, and has a nice selection of American favorites, my family and I were pretty much solved. A restaurant serving Burgers, Pancakes, Breakfast food, Skillets and other Diner classics, was like heaven for me.

          Denny's has been one of the restaurant chains that I have been hoping would open in the Philippines for quite some time now, and it was in the year of 2016 that I finally got my wish! 

         October 7, 2016 marks the day Denny's officially opens its first branch in the Philippines!

B HOTEL QUEZON CITY: A HOTEL ON THE RISE

Well I'll B...

         It was very heartwarming to get a message from a representative from B Hotel, inviting me to their gorgeous hotel. They had intended to invite me months earlier when they opened, however, "unforeseen forces" prevented that from happening, 

      Nonetheless, I've always been a believer in good things happening to good people at the right time, so I was grateful when the awesome people of B Hotel reached out to me, asking if I would be interested in visiting their lovely Hotel, I was more than happy to oblige!