Compliments to the Kuse!

At the newly opened Venice Piazza in Mckinley Hills, a new chef is making noise in the kitchen. Kuse (ku-se) a shorter version of the word kusinero in Filipino which means chef, has been getting endless compliments from diners with it's exciting menu and different rendition of Filipino dishes.



A former kusinero named Larry Cortez who has emerged to become a succesful restaurateur welcomed us to Kuse and Old Vine Grille. Two different yet interconnected dining joints that are owned by the same restaurateurs.

Now let us introduce you to our favorite starter, meet Tessie Tomas (salad).



Made with fresh greens, salmon, prawns, alfalfa sprouts and slices of grapefruit tossed in balsamic vinegar. This salad is perfect to ready your pallette to the explosion of flavors ahead.



An alternative to Ms. Tessie Tomas is someone from the province, ask the waiter for the native Paco salad. This is one salad that is hard to find but luckily, is available at Kuse. This local dish is made with kesong puti, slices of fresh tomato, and onions. Have a serving and benefit from the nutrients of these ferns!



Above is a picture of the delectable lamb spare ribs in curry sauce. If it is your first time at Kuse, this is a must-order off the menu. Note that their dishes are always good for two persons to share but this lamb curry might just be too good to be shared.



Kuse's specialty rice is called the Dulong fried rice. The brown strips you see above are small fishes fried to their crispy yummy perfection. They are called dulong and mixes in the salty taste with the rice. Perfect for any viand like the Lamb Curry.



Finish off with a different type of sapin-sapin, Old Vine Grille's sapin-sapin creme brulee. Personally, I have had enough of sapin-sapin, but this dessert doesn't remind me at all of the usual layered rice cakes. The crispiness of the caramelized sugar changes everything. The perfect happy ending any Kuse can give!

OXO Garlic Chopper Review

This Christmas, I got for my mom (and our kitchen) the garlic chopper every homemaker was talking about - the OXO Garlic Chopper which is usually seen in Chef Rose Bud's TV show called Quickfire.



The gadget costs around Php 800 and can be bought from the kitchen section of Rustan's.

I was really excited to use it until I got confused with its instruction pamphlet. After some minutes getting the gadget ready, my mom and I placed peeled garlic cloves inside the cup. I pressed it down like what I see on TV but the garlic cloves remained stationary. The blades were twisting when they are up but land with the same edges on the garlic cloves. Hence, no matter how much I pressed it down - the garlic remained chopped only once. Bits and pieces of the garlic also stick to the blade but you can use the spoon that comes with the OXO Garlic Chopper to get them.

Frustrated, I tried it once more and see if I was doing anything wrong until I cut my finger. Looks like the knife and chopping board would do the job better.

If you know how to use it properly and it works for you, please leave me a comment and help :)

Getaway Dinner at Ascott Hotel - Cafe on the 6th

I had the pleasure of experiencing what Ascott Hotel tucks under it's sleeves. From shopping at Glorietta which is just next door to Ascott, magically I was transported into a peaceful, cozy, luxurious yet casual environment. Meeting me on the Cafe on the 6th (because it is on the 6th floor of Ascott Hotel) where hungry friends eager to taste the dishes of Ascott's resident chef, Chef Dennis.


Laid back appetizers: chips, fish, and tempura in 3 different sauces

The Cafe on the 6th is perfect for a romantic date without disruptions. I mean, unlike any other restaurants, it is very unlikely to bump into friends here. One, because many are intimidated by the sight of hotel restaurants and two, everyone thinks the place is expensive. Let's make this our little secret shall we? The prices of Cafe on the 6th are the same as any casual diners where main dishes are priced between Php 350 - Php 450 and steaks at Php 1,000 +++. The bonus point lies on the ambiance, the view of the city skyline, and most importantly - the live piano music. Dining here is a great escape from the usual hustle and fastpaced setting of other places.


Ascott Hotel's Boneless Chicken Adobo


Spicy Caldereta

Cafe on the 6th serves both International and Filipino dishes. I had chicken adobo served with atchara and their special Beef Caldereta with spikes of spicy chilis. One thing I noticed about the food here is how they prepare Filipino dishes with a twist. Like I normally expect my adobo to be saucy but this time, the Chicken Adobo was not served with any sauce. Garlic flakes topped the meat which is tasty but without the oily texture of Adobo. The Caldereta was also the same, minimal sauce but big on spice - making you want even more.



Friends ordered Fish and Chips, Angus Rib Eye steaks, and Back Ribs. My eyes were wandering on their plates really. The cafe serves favorite sparkling water like Perrier and San Pellegrino. Dishes simply taste better when sparkling water cleans the palette.


First Grade Meaty Goodness!

Say you are on a diet and really want to impress your date, here's my advice: try their Organic Cheese Platter with shavings of multiple types of cheeses like pecorino and goat cheese. This is served with organic wheat flakes and olives. Look how sexy this plate is.



Also available is the Ascott Salad dressed with goat cheese.



Never choose between food and ambiance because Cafe on the 6th has both. Stay tuned for a preview of one of the best hotel rooms in Ascott, ever!


Compliments to the Chef!

Experience London in Manila at Whistlestop

Craving for a new dining and visual experience? Check out Whistlestop along Jupiter Street in Makati. The place is not only perfect for the usual tummy filling but for a cozy cum international dining experience. As if you are dining in old New York or London.


Morning Light Weight - corned beef, garlic rice, and sunny side up egg

The theme being built around an old train station in London, the place is styled with luggage of different fashion, old cameras, clocks, bottles, and even coats and hats. Surely, this is a nice dating place to get out of the usual casual diners. Yet, the food is surprisingly affordable at Whistlestop to fulfill your cravings, 24 hours - 7 days a week.

Here's what I tried, the Morning Light Weight because a 24/7 breakfast is my weakness:



This meal costs around Php 150++ and is reasonable enough to get one going as much as a comfort food. The egg is cooked perfectly sunny side up, with the yolk freshly oozing once you stick your spoon on it. The hash brown style corned beef is crispy but chewy inside - a nice serving of protein. The garlic rice is really garlicky and tempting enough to be devoured, but half a serving of it is better (well for us who want to look malnourished ;)


Beef Salpicao - another must eat

What's great about Whistlestop is the availability of authentic Green Tea, our Chinese friends recognized it right away. Authentic means effective, effective at melting away fat at that. It is the perfect finale for a fulfilling meal which you can also take with Whistlestop's delicious panna cotta or chocolatey cake.


Whistlestop's desserts are the ultimate happy ending

Did this article just make you hungry? Whistlestop is open 24/7 and is located along the chic 28 Jupiter St., Bel-Air Makati.

Brunch like a Gossip Girl at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

Is brunch the new lunch? Could be, when Blair and Serena are doing it stylishly in the Upper East Side. Majority of ladies skip breakfast, those delicious sausage rolls, sunny side up eggs, and coffee to mention a few. Why not do like a Gossip Girl and enjoy a hybrid of breakfast and lunch? The brunch.


Style and Relax with Bobby Chin

At Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL) and with famous chef Bobby Chin in tow - brunching in the city had never been this good. Brunch choices include muffins and a meal called Brek o' day. And yes they have creamy eggs for brunch :)

CBTL has plenty of choices to suit your level of hunger or craving. Other than brunch, they've unleashed tempting new desserts best with your favorite cuppa. Enjoyable at anytime of the day!

Style and Relax picks for desserts and pastries:


Chicago cheesecake and Oreo blueberry cheesecake


The Triple Berry Cake is served warm and is surprisingly, one of our favorites

Also, for drinks, if you are getting tired of lattes - maybe the Malibu Dream will remind you of "scrabble" - that tasteful drink in grade school from the street vendor. We also discovered that CBTL is selling Matcha Green Tea yey! These fun tasty drinks will surely start your day bright.


The Malibu Dream tastes like your childhood Scrabble drink :)

Fast Casual Dining at Greenwich

Fast food chains also get a makeover, like Greenwich who recently collaborated with the hip Team Manila and Jimenez Basic. These two creative agencies together with the research group of Greenwich successfully whipped up a new dining concept - Fast Casual Dining.



I personally do not know the meaning of "fast casual dining", but based on my own discovery at the new concept store of Greenwich - it's a marriage of a fast food chain and a casual restaurant where you can take your time relaxing with friends, working on your laptop, and being treated with over-the-top customer service.



Once you enter the Greenwich store and settled your order over the counter, a staff will assist you to their new comfortable cushioned seats and hand you with a latest issue of a magazine. If you forgot to order something or want an additional item, you can call on a staff to get it for you - no need to fall in line all over again, yey! All the staff in the new concept stores are freshly trained by the Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts.


Perfect light pizza for the summer - the Shawarma Pizza


"Best Lasagna Ever!"

Another big plus for me is their new Lasagna Recipe, like what Anne Curtis says "best lasagna ever!" it truly is. It is one of the top 5 best tasting lasagna in the Philippines and it is a big difference from the old lasagna recipe of Greenwich. The serving is finally right, on a plate with the right amount of tasty cheese that's not too heavy on the stomach. The plating subconsciously tells you to enjoy the flavorful ingredients of the lasagna slowly and not gobble it at once.


A generous serving of Greenwich Ganache

Greenwich now serves a ganache which you can enjoy with a cup of tea or freshly brewed coffee. Finally! A fast food that serves tea and different types at that.


with Charisse, my highschool classmate! :)

If you want to have a good, super comfy and relaxed time with your friends, the new Greenwich stores are for you. I'm definitely coming back with my blogger friends and enjoy the free WiFi over a cup of tea :)

Dine Healthy in Style at Bigby's Cafe & Restaurant

The newest and poshier side of SM Megamall called Atrium not only tucks in high fashion brands but also luxuriously cozy and thematic dining spots like Bigby's Cafe and Restaurant. Walking in at Bigby's is like walking into a travel map with it's distinct ceiling installations and travel memorabilia (key chains, badges, swords, etc). The restaurant would remind you of your travel adventures waiting to be celebrated.


Mr. Henrick Yu and the First Tier Brands team with Style and Relax

Yesterday, Henrick Yu - one of the owners of Bigby's Cafe and Restaurant, shared his own personal travel experiences in Brazil and Japan among others as we munch on delectable and healthy Bigby dishes. Henrick adores travel, true to the travel themed interiors and dishes.


Ticky Wacky Chicken Salad | Blossoming Spinach Dip

Dining at Bigby's is a gastronomic adventure with their international recipes that are BIG in taste and portions. Everything on the menu is good for more than 2 persons! Be sure to bring a friend or be ready to take home the leftovers.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

For (kinda) health conscious eaters like me, I recommend the Blossoming Spinach Dip for starters. It's real spinach leaves (unshredded) that glides smoothly on your palette, you can feel it's freshness and goodness right away.


Passion Fish | Mojo Chicken Q

Next to try is the Ticky Wacky Chicken Salad. Again, full of beneficial greens topped with chicken salad that serves as the dressing. I love how I enjoyed the food knowing I'm doing my body and skin a favor.

For the main course, choose the Mojo Chicken Q that's served with a variety of lettuce leaves and rice (you can pass the rice to your seatmate). The chicken is ultra-soft and boneless with the right amount of tangy sweet sauce. Or, for a much healthier and leaner choice, opt for the Passion Fish. Fresh creamdory fillet topped with special breadings for a tasty contrast of flavor.



Bigby's Rack-a-Bye-Ribs is the megastar of the menu. Packed with protein and savory smoky flavor, it is also served with fresh unbuttered veggies steamed and shocked to sweet veggie perfection. Tip: Enjoy the ribs and keep your waist by skipping the rice :)

Most of the items at Bigby's come with healthy and crisp greens, Bigby's deserves a thumbs up for this. No wonder, celebs have already flocked to Bigby's for a stylish yet healthy gastronomic experience.




Visit their website at Bigbyscafe.com to know more about this cafe that has its roots in Cagayan de Oro. Entertain your friends and colleagues in style at Bigby's Cafe and Restaurant found at the 3rd floor, Atrium of SM Megamall. We had a great time here yesterday and you MUST try them too. See you there!