One of my favorite restaurants, Bistro Ravioli, opened two branches in the last twelve months. One is in Robinson’s Midtown Wing of Robinson’s Place in Ermita, and more recently, at Glorietta Mall in Makati City.

Both branches offer the same delicious dishes that their Mall of Asia branch does, such as their fresh pasta dishes and pizzas baked in a brick oven. And let’s not forget dessert!

If you’ve been wanting to try their offerings for some time now, but still haven’t, it’s certainly more easier to do so with two new branches in the metro. Here’s hoping that they’ll open another branch somewhere in the north.

Makati branch
2nd floor, Glorietta 3
Makati City

Malate branch
2nd floor, Midtown Wing, Robinson’s Place Ermita

Steak ala Dad

It’s been an old-age saying that the way to any man’s heart is through his stomach.

Being the number one man in our lives, our dads are about to celebrate their special day come June 20. And what better way to melt our dad’s hearts than to give him a gastronomical experience he will never forget.

Known to be the first restaurant to serve certified Angus Beef in the Philippines, Melo’s Steakhouse never fails to satisfy their guests with their mouth-melting, succulent and tastiest steaks. Now also known to serve authentic Wagyu steaks, it’s no wonder more and more steak enthusiasts come to Melo’s.

With Fathers’ Day coming up, families are sure to dine out and Melo’s is more than prepared for this once-a-year celebration. Melo’s came up with their own Fathers’ Day Special which is certified to make the man of the house melt. Steak ala Dad is the latest creation Melo’s cooked up to commemorate all the dads for their hard work, dedication and love for their families.

Featuring Melo’s signature Wagyu Tenderloin seasoned with Al Funghi Porcini Sauce, Steak Ala Dad may just be the best Fathers’ Day meal dad will ever have. They’re in for the real treat once dads find out that they can personalize their own steaks.

Dining at Melo’s this Fathers’ Day is sure to be a rewarding experience for any dads out there. Always aiming for personalized service and impeccable food, Melo’s guarantees an unforgettable dining.

Going out for a family lunch or dinner is a good way to celebrate Fathers’ Day. Making it extra special is even better. So if you want to express just how grateful you are to your dad without speaking, show it through a hearty, meaty meal. Make your way to Melo’s and let Steak Ala Dad be the best Father’s Day gift he could ever receive.

(Steak ala Dad photo provided by Melo’s. Watch this space to read about my Melo’s gastronomic experience.)

The savory crepe menu includes the Pork floss Chessy Omellette, Smoked Salmon, the classic Mushroom ham with Mozarella, and the Japanese cuisine inspired Kani Mango. There’s also a BLT– bacon, lettuce and tomato- crepe, which is what I ordered since I’m a BLT sandwhich lover. This take on the classic sandwich is a rerfreshing and novel approach which I liked so much.

Kani Mango

Vegetarians and weight-watchers need not fret: there’s also something in the menu for you. Like the Veggie Crepe which is made up of sauteed mushroom, fresh lettuce and juicy tomatoes.

Crepes are widely known as desserts, and Crepes & Cream does not disappoint! Their selection of flavors is sure to sate your sweet tooth. Chocolate, fresh fruits and creamy ice cream are wrapped in crepe fro yummy delights like Carribean Cruise, Capuchocco, and Hazelnut Banana Chocolate.

If you are a cheesecake lover, then you’d be happy to know that there are cheesecake flavors on the menu. They have Strawberry, Mango, Blueberry and Oreo Cheesecake crepes. Real cake cubes are folded in with vanilla ice cream and topped with almond flakes.

Crazy For Strawberry

I love the Crazy for Strawberries crepe. Well, I love anything strawberry so I’m a little biased! This combination of fresh strawberry cubes, strawberry chocolate chips, almond flakes, whipped cream and strawberry sauce really made my sweet tooth happy.

One of the best things they have on offer, I think, is the Create-Your-Own-Crepe option on their menu. It’s perfect if you are undecided on which flavor to have, or would like to make your own creation. You can choose from any of the filling and topping ingredients they have.

So if you are hankering for a crepe fix, be it savory or sweet, give Crepes & Cream a try.

Crepes & Cream
4th Floor Bridgeway
SM Megamall
Ortigas

Crepes & Cream also have branches at the Podium; Ortigas Center; Crescent West Park; Fort Bonifacio; SM Mall of Asia; Power Plant Mall at Rockwell; SM Pampanga; and Robinson’s Place Ermita.

At the back of SM San Lazaro in Manila is Celadon Manila, a leisurely residential community by ALVEO Land Corp. Every Sunday for the month of September, Celadon Manila plays host to PICK Manila– the first lifestyle weekend market in city.

If you are a foodie like myself, you’ll be able to go on a food trip with the big mix of culinary delights they have to offer– form Filipino staples like embotido, relleno, aligue (crab fat)–which I had to stay away from (a bit hard, but I managed)- leche flan and other native delicacies to international fare like Japan’s sushi and Italian sodas.

They even sell organic products like organically-grown brown rice and herbs. Gourmet items, foreign and local, like honey and coffee are also sold by some stalls. Fresh fruits and baked products like breads and cakes are also available.

For the fashionistas and home make-over lovers, PICK Manila also offers a showcase of some of the most novel and exciting finds. Shoes, bags, tops and fashion jewelery for the stylish urbanite and intricate home decor made of glass, wood, and fabric inspired by different cultures for the interior-savvy. I spotted a little wooden decoupaged case and a nice big lamp, both of which were just screaming for me to take them home.

Though I wasn’t able to take home the box and lamp, I did manage to snag myself a bag of Kalinga coffee which everyone has been raving about. I also bought some fruit and baked goods.

If you’re not doing anything tomorrow, why not check out PICK Manila. Head on over to Celadon Manila and experience it yourself.

PICK Manila is open on Sundays from 7AM to 2PM.

CeladonManila is a development by ALVEO Land Corp. Please visit: www.celadonmanila.com.ph for more information.

* Promotional photographs were provided by the concessionaires through ALVEO Land Corp.

“What’s yogurt?” I asked my sister.

“Basta, it’s like ice cream,” my sister replied.

Just a very small sampling of White Hat’s 21+ toppings

 
Intrigued and excited by this orange-flavored ice cream, I looked forward to the yogurt eating contest. I insisted that I’d be the first to go, and when my sister shouted “go,” I quickly ran to the yogurts and hungrily put a spoonful of yogurt in my mouth. My eyes widened at the taste, and I spat the vile thing out and went off to wail, amidst the laughter around me.

And that is why I’ll never forget my first yogurt encounter. And why my family would never let me forget it.

More then ten years passed because I came anywhere near a yogurt. I can’t remember how I managed to convince myself to try it again, but I find myself liking the taste. Maybe my taste has matured or maybe yogurts now aren’t as sour as before, but one thing’s for sure: yogurts are no longer my enemy.

My froyo with fresh kiwis, mangoes and yummy ube jelly

 
Anton brought yogurt back to my conciousness. His quest to find the best frozen yogurt in the Philippines was intriguing, but it was quickly overshadowed by other interests. So when Eric Chao of the White Hat invited me to try out their Italian frozen yogurt, I saw it as my chance see what all the froyo fuss is about.

White Hat boasts of being an authentic Italian frozen yogurt. How authentic, you ask? The yogurt ingredients are sourced from Italy, and an Italian gelatero even flew in to help create a froyo that is authentically Italian, yet catering to the tastes of the Filipinos. Apart from the premium frozen yogurt, White Hat customers are also treated to a wide array of toppings that they can add on to their froyos. There are the nuts and cereals (walnut, almond, fruit pebbles, rice crispies), fresh fruits (kiwis, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, grapes, mangoes, peaches), chocolates (choco balls, white chocolate drops, dark chocolate drops), jellies (ube jelly, green tea jelly) and homemade treats (brownies, cheesecake and the homemade granola).

Eric‘s White Hat with homemade brownies, roasted almonds and white chocolate drops

 
Taking my first taste of White Hat’s frozen yogurt, the trademark sour/tangy taste filled my mouth. Afterwards, the taste becomes something that my tastebuds craves. Mixed with my topping choices, this yogurt snack became a welcome treat after a week of DSL-hell. My first topping choices were the granola, brownies and white chocolate drops. On my second go, I tried the fresh mango and kiwi with the ube jelly. YUM! The fresh fruits goes really well with the frozen yogurt. The Italian frozen yogurt was actually great on its own. I’d love to try it on a cone ala McDo’s sundae cone (albeit a more expensive yet healthier alternative).

White Hat’s Eric Chao with one of White Hat’s image models

 
White Hat offers two cup sizes: regular and large. A regular cup costs Php 85, while the large cup costs Php 115. The first topping costs Php 20, while having two toppings cost Php 35, and three toppings costs Php 45.

White Hat Italian Frozen Yogurt
2/F Entertainment Mall
SM Mall of Asia
Pasay City
Location Map: (click to view large)

Discovery #1: Fried Tofu
I wouldn’t have known about this hadn’t Ming wanted to try something fried. We also ordered the fried eggplant along with this, but the eggplant soaked all the oil and it wasn’t as pleasant as the tofu. The tofu sandwiched flavorful ground pork, fried then slathered with yummy sauce. One order has about 10 pieces of ‘tofu sandwich’ and costs Php100.

Discovery #2: Wong LoKat Herbal Tea
I saw the boxes of Wong LoKat stacked in a corner during previous visits, but never bothered to ask about it. Last Saturday, when we went back, our server offered us this herbal tea, saying it’s like C2 iced tea. We decided to try it, and we were presented with this red cans of tea, glistening with moisture since it cam straight out of the refrigerator. The ice cold tea was very refreshing and was quite tasty. Juned says it tastes like it had Chrysanthemum, while Melo and I agreed it tasted faintly like it has arnibal, the syrup used for making sago’t gulaman. Chrysanthemum or arnibal, I love this tea!

Discovery #3: Seafood noodles
Due to Arpee’s dietary restrictions, he wasn’t able to taste the fried tofu. To compensate, he ordered the Seafood Noodles. The broth has this subtle flavor bordering on bland. It’s perfect because you can taste the ingredients. The noodles are fresh (as always), and the shrimp does taste fresh. Another winner!

Dark Chocolate Orange Brownie

My friend Rey and I got to try their rich Dark Chocolate Orange Brownie and the luscious Waffle Dream, featuring their new ice cream flavors, Dark Chocolate Orange and Caramel Apple Crumble. Okay, so it was just glorified brownie and waffle ala mode, but it was glorious! In the words of Joey Tribbiani: the waffe? Good. Brownie? Good. Ice cream? Goooooood.

Waffle Dream

Rey and I both loved the Caramel Apple Crumble ice cream. I actually thought it was mocha at first *slaps forehead* The flavor was subtle, making you wonder what exactly was in the ice cream. But at the same time, it was great excuse to keep on tasting this delectable ice cream. The Dark Chocolate Orange scoop, however, overwhelmed us. We loved the dark chocolatey taste of the ice cream, but the orange took us by surprise (specially when we keep on tasting the rind). As Ms. Vera of Häagen-Dazs say, it’s an acquired taste. The dark chocolate sauce that came with the brownie plate had a hint of orange as well, but it had a stronger chocolate taste, which suited me just fine.

Full of Bliss

The two new flavors aren’t the only thing Häagen-Dazs has in store for us this summer. Last week, Häagen-Dazs introduced their ice cream cakes, initially offered at their Mall of Asia branch. Teasing us with Strawberry Passion, a limited edition ice cream cake, Chocolate Royale and Full of Bliss, the sight of these cakes is enough to make one’s mouth water.

Chocolate Royale

Prices of Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream Cakes starts at Php 1,600 for a cake good for 8-12 people. You have a choice of ice cream bases for the cake: Macadamia Nut or Belgian Chocolate for Chocolate Royale, or Vanilla or Chocolate Ice cream for Full of Bliss.

Strawberry Passion

To Order a Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream Cake:

• Call 357-2145 from 9am to 4pm Mondays through Fridays , or visit the Häagen-Dazs shop at the SM Mall of Asia (open daily from 10am – 10pm).
• Place your order at least 2 days in advance.
• Pay with cash or any major credit card upon ordering at the Häagen-Dazs shop or upon pick-up.

Häagen-Dazs Branches:
SM Mall of Asia
2nd Floor, Main Mall
Mall of Asia, Pasay City
+632 556-1111

Glorietta
Ground Level fronting Landmark
Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati City
+632 752-7299 / +632 892-2873

Greenbelt
Ground Level beside Max Brenner
Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City
+632 757-7570

Rockwell
Level 2 near the escalator
Powerplant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City
+632 899-3274

Shangri-La
Level 2 near Activity Area
Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City
+632 634-8101

Alabang
Ground Floor, fronting Lacoste
Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
+632 809-1996

The Dark Chocolate Orange Brownie costs Php 350, while the Waffle Dream costs Php 310.

All photos taken with Rey’s Nokia 6680 because this day was one of those rare moments when I went out the house without my camera.

I wouldn’t have discovered Dong Bei if I hadn’t joined Ivan Man Dy’s Big Binondo Food Wok. Tucked in one of Binondo’s not-so-busy streets, you wouldn’t really think to venture into this area, thinking the restaurant serving the best dumplings in Chinatown can be found here.

Dong Bei Pork and Kutchay Dumplings

Dong Bei restaurant, unlike most Chinese restaurants who mainly serve Cantonese dishes, specialize in Northern Chinese cuisine. Customers come in for their specialty: fresh handmade dumplings. The dumplings are made right then and their by their crew. Though they also freeze dumplings for storage, the dumplings served are cooked fresh.

Eric, my travel buddy for this mini Manila re-discovery trip, and I shared a mixed plate of pork and kutchay (chives) dumplings. The dumplings are served with a sauce made with soy sauce (?), vinegar and chopped garlic, with chilli on the side. Not the typical soysauce + kalamansi sauce we’re used to, but their sauce was good and matched their dumpling very well.

You can actually see the ingredients of their dumplings!

Halfways through our plate, we realize that Dong Bei also make their own fresh “handiwork” noodles. Intrigued, we decided to try the noodles. Calling a server, we asked for their bestseller. She recommends Soy Bean Sauce, which she said is “like spaghetti.” We took her word and placed our order.

Soy Bean Sauce Handiwork Noodles

As the server said, the sauce is served on the side along with long strips of cucumbers. What an odd combination, I thought. But it has been a pretty hot day; the cool cucumbers would be great to eat. After a round of photos, we quickly mixed the noodles with the sauce and cucumbers and took out first taste. It was great! Somehow, the combination of the noodles, the cucumber and the pork cooked with soy bean worked really well together. I’m definitely ordering this again when I come back to Dong Bei.

A plate of 14 pieces of dumplings and the bowl of handiwork noodles costs Php 100. Ice cold cans of cola costs Php 25 each. Our bill amounted to Php 250. At Php 125, this has been a pretty great meal.

Dong Bei Restaurant
642 Yuchengco St (formerly Nueva)
Binondo, Manila

From the Binondo Church, walk along Ongpin street (where the big purple fire trucks are). Turn left at the first corner and cross the intersection. Dong Bei is at your right.