Food

Fireside by Kettle – Good Old American Food With a Twist

January 30, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

One noteworthy casual dining concept that has opened recently at the 3rd floor of SM Megamall’s spanking new Fashion Hall is Fireside by Kettle, a new take to comfort food opened by the same guys behind Kettle located just next door at Shangri-la Plaza Mall. Compared to Kettle, Fireside offers heavier and meatier comfort food. Scroll down and you’ll see just what I mean.

I tried Fireside by Kettle for lunch during a weekday. I was surprised to find a sizable crowd even though the mall itself was quite empty.

Normally, I skip appetizers in favor of the mains but I was able to sample some of Fireside’s starters. Do note that portions are huge so pace accordingly!

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What I Discovered at Duck & Buvette in Shangri-la Plaza Mall (D&B)

December 23, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

The space where Duck & Buvette now stands is hard to miss. Located at the main atrium of the original building of Shangri-la Plaza Mall, I remember eating there when it used to be Cafe Provencal, an establishment that existed in that space for well over a decade. Taking the restaurant business into context, that’s almost like an eternity!

Earlier this year, the owners of this restaurant revised the concept, retaining the French fare but shedding its Mediterranean touches. A more extensive pastry offering was also added and Duck & Buvette was born. In the 5 or 6 months since it opened, I’ve heard some good things about D&B. My family ate there (without me) some time back and had good things to say as well so last weekend, I was determined to try it out!

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What to Expect From the New Estancia Mall in Capitol Commons Pasig

December 15, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

Manila’s newest upscale mall, Estancia at Capitol Commons, finally opened its doors just last week. This particular area of Pasig has generated a lot of buzz in recent years due to the many independent restaurants that have opened in the area. Now, it has its own mall. Several stores have yet to open in this 30,000 sqm complex but I managed to see signs from the likes of Aeropostale, Cortefiel which I remember seeing in Spain, as well as an array of stores from SSI.

My visit coincided with an event called Urban Flavors Weekend which aimed to showcase not just the F&B offerings of the mall but also the exciting food concepts in the burgeoning Capitol Commons district. Through a pass (Php 500), I managed to have a sampling from the likes of Tipsy Pig, Ba Noi, Black Olive, XO46 Bistro Filipino, Craft Coffee and Larcy’s Cupcakery Cafe.

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For Grown-Ups Only: Cocktail Brunch at Manhattan Bar in Regent Singapore

November 1, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

In a city where brunch places have become a dime a dozen, the new Manhattan Bar at Regent Singapore launches its own version of the leisurely Sunday meal but moves away from the norm by cleverly positioning its offering as being for adults only.

Manhattan Bar is certainly not your typical brunch place and this is evident from the first time I entered. I was greeted by the sleek and dark interiors of what would normally make a fantastic hangout spot at night. The ambiance alone offered a peek at what’s to come.

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Celadon at The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok: Delving Deeper Into Exotic Thai Cuisine

October 28, 2014 by Bino

As I was staying in The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok for two nights, I thought it would be a shame if i didn’t get to try any of the hotel’s renowned restaurants. I was literally spoiled for choice. There’s La Scala which regularly hosts Michelin-starred chefs, the Salon with its chocolate buffet or the celebrated Thai restaurant, Celadon. I undoubtedly had some great options there but it was pretty clear which one I’d go with.

traditional thai dance performance at celadon

There has been much buzz about Celadon that I thought my stay wouldn’t be complete without trying it. The name of this restaurant always pops up whenever The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok is mentioned. Travel and Leisure Magazine named it as the “Best Restaurant in Bangkok” and I was really excited to sample its many exotic Thai delights.

The restaurant is set in a separate building, in a Thai-inspired villa surrounded by a moat filled with lotuses. It made for a very scenic spot to dine, and guests have the option to have their meals either in an open-air or air-conditioned area.

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Weekend Brunch at Keyaki in Pan Pacific Singapore

October 21, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

In a world where brunch menus typically consist of poached eggs and pancakes, Japanese restaurant Keyaki at Pan Pacific Singapore offers an alternative kaiseki brunch concept. As a fan of Japanese food, I found this to be a refreshing change to the typical weekend meal. The kaiseki brunch here is served okonomi or “as you like it” style, giving diners the option to choose each and every dish in this eight course meal.

During my staycation at Pan Pacific Singapore, I was invited to a tasting of this most unique brunch concept at Keyaki. The restaurant is located at the 4th floor of the hotel, away from other iconic restaurants such as Edge and Hai Tien Lo, and set amidst lush gardens. Walking towards it, I felt like I was somewhere in Kyoto with the overall Zen ambiance. Upon entering, the waitress took my order for my eight course meal. This is what I had:

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Of Cornflakes & Oversized Buchi – My Chinese Dinner at Summer Palace in EDSA Shangri-la

September 26, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

A fine Chinese restaurant is one of the hallmarks of Shangri-la Hotels around the world, aside from the impeccable rooms and trademark hospitality. It is no surprise then that in its properties around Asia, these restaurants really bring in the crowds. For the case of EDSA Shangri-la, the Summer Palace has emerged as one of the default options that locals turn to when they seek for a high-end Chinese restaurant in Manila, with its creatively designed oriental dishes and constantly evolving food menu that few others in the city are able to emulate.

the fancy interiors of summer palace

This particular restaurant is no stranger to the local culinary scene. Frequently cited as one of the best in serving Chinese cuisine in the city, Summer Palace has served lauriat after lauriat, with business lunches and dimsum brunches in between. I had the pleasure of sampling their signature creations during my stay there. And what a dinner it was! On to the food.

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Sampling the New Oktoberfest Buffet at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport’s Azur

September 15, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

With my trips to Germany and Austria still fresh in my mind, the kind folks at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport incidentally offered me a sneak peek at their upcoming German menu over at their all-day dining restaurant, Azur. Having gotten used to schnitzel and hearty pork knuckles in my recent trips to Europe (it’s a staple in many European countries), I reckoned it would be a capital idea to see how Crowne Plaza Changi Airport’s offerings fared in the authenticity scale.

Azur is already well-known for having great sashimi and a wonderful assortment of Singaporean dishes in its buffets, and this Bavarian addition is meant to be the centerpiece of the spread from 19th September to 5th October – just in time for Oktoberfest! On to the food:

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