Frannywanny

My birthday is coming in a few more days so allow me to talk about one of my favorite food items... Chicken Wings . Who doesn't love chicken wings? Most especially when it's the kind that comes with not one, not two but 15 dips and dry rubs! I first encountered Wingzone back in Singapore where I would visit their Bugis+ branch simply to have their Mozzarella Sticks. This was one of my incentives whenever I go to the doctor at Raffles Hospital. Imagine my shock one day, when I found out that they ran out of mozzarella sticks...and later on the shop closed permanently. Guess they really were just finishing off their last batch of inventory before they closed shop. *sigh* Well, what was Singapore's loss became Manila's gain as Wingzone made its way to our shores! Tucked in at one corner of SM Mega Atrium, Wingzone occupies a very spacious store area that's perfect for big groups to dine in. The main star of their menu is quite obviously the chicken wings  (P...

While I'm admittedly a rice fan, I still can't pass up any opportunity to enjoy a good loaf of bread. A few years back, Pan brought be to Eric Kayser  in Greenhills Promenade  for brunch and I can still remember swooning over their yummy flavored breads. It's quite sad though that this particular branch no longer is in operation today but at least they still got their flagship outlet at the Powerplant Mall . The shop is not that big but it sure is eye-catching! I love the clean white and orange interiors where the shelves are lined with all these huge bread baskets. I peeked into each one of them as I made my choice of what to bring home this time.

*drumroll please* Thank you so much to all of you who took the time out to join my giveaway! I know it has been a while since I've ran a blog contest and I promise to do this more often. In fact, I got another fun giveaway coming real soon! Meanwhile, please join me in congratulating the following readers who will soon be the proud owners of either a Starbucks Coffee planner or a Sprints Personalised Wooden Board : Anyway, I'm currently back home in Manila reuniting with family, friends and eating my heart out! Watch out for a fresh batch of blog entries this 2017! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! ♥♥ ♥  

We're totally feeling the Christmas spirit this week!  Case in point: I'm typing this blog entry with Arianna Grande's "Santa Tell Me"  blasting from our speakers and our beautiful Christmas tree lights twinkling in varied patterns and motions. At the same time, Paul's busy packing our gifts for family and friends back home. This is really one of our favorite periods of the year! I know I haven't done this for quite some time and I really apologize for that. However, this year has been really awesome for us and I got you all to thank for. Since I'm in a festive mood, I'd love to share the Holiday cheer to all! So, Frannywanny's Holiday Giveaway  is BACK! Here are some of my favorite things that YOU can possibly win: Starbucks Coffee Philippines 2017 Planner : to be won by a Singapore-based reader I want to do a swap  so a lucky Singapore-based reader will be a proud owner of this beautifully-designed 2017 Planner complete with...

Much has been said about Singapore being Asia's foodie mecca. As a growing melting pot of various races and culture, this is the place where one's taste buds can easily be satisfied with a wide-array of gastronomic choices. However, if we stop and think about that ONE Dish that speaks strongly about Singapore's heritage and culture, for me, that would definitely be the Chicken Rice . Chicken Rice is a simple dish that bursting with so much flavour. Just like our little red dot that may be small in size geographically, but what lies within are various personalities with stories that spans over five decades and more! Each bite brings out the best qualities of the tender chicken meat, the fragrant rice, and the subtle yet remarkable spicy and salty kick of the ginger, chili and soy sauce. Each ingredient working together to leave a delicious experience every single time. *This is my entry for The Great Foodpanda Blogger Contest 2015 by SethLui.com .

More than a month ago, this blog celebrated its 7th year of existence. We all know that Frannywanny.com wouldn't be what it is now without its readers and that means YOU! Every single one of you. So, to celebrate this milestone, I had not one , not two but THREE fun giveaways for my readers both in the Philippines and in Singapore. We now come to the end of the anniversary celebration and while I have already announced the lucky winners of the 1st two contest, I'd like to do a quick recap here. Congratulations to the following readers: 1) 7th Anniversary Giveaway #1 : for Philippines readers  - Abegail Madera - Lorenzo Te - Susan Sia 2) Hee Kee DessertsGiveaway : for Singapore readers - Leila Chua - Shawn Toh 3) Morganfield's Rib Party : for Singapore readers - Tay Yong Chuen - Li Siu Ching

If there's one thing the Normanton Kids (NKids) have in common, it's definitely our love for good food. In fact, most of our weekends would basically have us food tripping or enjoying a good home cooked meal while watching a movie. So, when I invited the NKids out for a fun night at Morganfield's on a Monday evening, it was no surprise that I immediately got their YESes within minutes. They're definitely a fun bunch to eat out with! Morganfield's recently opened their second branch in Suntec City and we were all ready to enjoy slabs after slabs of ribs, fries and more! Being fans of western food, this is something that we rarely get to indulge in here in the Lion City. After all, Morganfield's is known to be the home of the Sticky Bones . Watch out for my Morganfield's blog giveaway below!!! You know that you're in for a good meal when it begins with some Homemade Cinnamon Candied Bacon  (S$8.90). Well, this is one thing that bacon fan...

It's Paul's birthday and we're gonna parteeeeh !  Yesireee! This will be a fun weekend as we will finally throw that poolside barbecue party that we've both been planning to have since we moved into our new home here in the Lion City. Every single time, whenever we'd pass by the barbecue area and we would smell the delicious aroma of meaty barbecue, buttered seafood or even hotdogs, Paul and I would always talk about throwing a small barbecue party with our friends. More than a year had past and finally, we found the perfect reason to push through with it! So yes, we will be busy marinating, preparing, chopping and pre-cooking today but that's all right. I just hope the weather will cooperate with us tomorrow. Please don't rain on Paul's birthday  parade party! Speaking of the birthday boy, let me tell you a little bit about him. Most of you have probably known him by name (and perhaps by face for some) with the numerous times I've mentioned hi...

Oh boy, time has been flying extremely fast! Another year has gone by and just like that, here we are again celebrating another blog anniversary. I can still remember that afternoon when I opened this blog account and there was that blinking cursor button waiting for me to type in my blog name. I paused for a few minutes then just wrote the first "what-I-thought-sounded-witty" name that came into my mind -- Frannywanny . A cutesy version of my real nickname. When I first started this blog, all I wanted was to have a more organized place for me to document my food discoveries as I used to just write it on my Multiply account. Paul and I have been eating out quite a lot then and he would take really nice photos while I just love to tell my friends about it. No marketing strategy, no serious business objectives. Frannywanny.com is simply and will be...   a girly-girl's guide to the best things in life .  Back then, I would get all giddy and happy whenever friends wo...

11 February 2014 marks our 1st year anniversary here in the Lion City! I can't believe it has been a year since I posted this update on Facebook. I still remember it clearly, we were on our way to the airport when I wrote this post. With emotions filled with uncertainty, excitement, anticipation and a bit of hesitation (as I didn't want to live more than a thousand miles away from my family), Paul and I opened a new chapter in our lives in a foreign land with just a handful of friends around us.  Look at us now. 365 days after, we are able to smoothly adjust into our new home called Singapore. Slowly but surely, we've mastered the long walks, the public commute and was able to gain new friends too. It was surely a fun year and I have to say, it's simply because we went through this journey together.  Looking back, February has always been an eventful month in our relationship. It may be the shortest month in the year but it's one that brings so...

As soon as the contest ended a week ago, I immediately got down to business. The first task was to be organized and to divide all those who chose the Philippines and the Singapore planner. Okay, now that task #1 was done, then comes the fun yet challenging part -- reading through all the 190++ entries and choosing for the best ones. Most entries were really sweet and amazing that I ended up with more than 40 shortlisted ones and I know it will take me a couple more day to narrow that down to TWO . I will stop blabbing now and will go straight to the point... The lucky reader who will be receiving a 2014 Starbucks Coffee Philippines Planner is... Ira Tasha Balucan I was really touched by Ira's answer on how she will be sharing the Joy this Christmas: In light with the recent devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda, I would try my best to make the victims feel that there is still hope in their lives. More than the relief goods, the food and the clothes, it is still es...

Christmas is just around the corner . While I got to admit that this is really one of my favorite seasons as I look forward to going home to spend the holidays with my family, I can't deny the fact that there's a bit of sadness in my heart as I continue to think of the victim of Typhoon Yolanda who continues to remain homeless up until this day. I just hope that their conditions will improve in the coming days and as a nation, we will be able to help them rebuild the city that they've lost and their lives that has been greatly disrupted. When it comes to Christmas, we also talk about sharing the joy and celebrating traditions. In order to bring a little cheer to everyone, here I am continuing another tradition as I present this year's Starbucks Planner giveaway!!! This year is extra special because I'm not reviewing not one but TWO cool planners which are available in the two markets very close to my heart -- Manila and Singapore . My two homes. Let me sta...

Meet Chef Him . He's one of Manila's most sought-after chefs who's known for his creativity when it comes to his gastronomical creations. Don't believe me? Here's an example: I met Chef Him a couple of years back as I got him to cater my very first work event for Summit Media. We corresponded via email and the first time I actually saw his work and was able to taste it was during the event day itself. To say that I was impressed would still be an understatement. I literally had to restrain myself from standing beside the buffet table else my guests wouldn't be able to have those delicious risotto balls delicately placed in ceramic Chinese soup spoons. It was THAT delicious. Thus, when I heard that Chef Him was opening his very own restaurant called Nomama , I was one of the first to troop over with friends in tow to try and to show my undying support. How time flies as Nomama is now celebrating its 2nd year anniversary and they're running an e...

What a great start of the week! Today, we hit another milestone as Frannywanny.com turns SIX ! Yes, dear readers, it has been 6 fun years of food and travel blogging and I guarantee you that there's no stopping! We all know what this also means. It's time to have some contest fun! Before I get to that though, allow me to put on my geeky glasses and to share some amazing numbers with you! Presenting Frannywanny.com in Numbers : Looking at these numbers still leaves me speechless. Six year ago, I began this blog simply because I love to write and I wanted to document my food adventures with Paul. Who would have thought that this blog has allowed me to try new things, visit a couple of awesome places and best of all, it has allowed me to meet new friends. I really am so thankful that despite being miles away from Manila, I can still strongly feel the love and support that you all have been sending my way. *big HUG everyone!* As my way of saying THANK YOU, here'...

Remember the first ever blog post that my sister Pan wrote here at Frannywanny.com? It was about her Top 10 Tokyo Sights which you can read about here and here . Well, looks like someone had loads of fun sharing her travel adventures with you all that she decided to write more! Today, the one and only Blue Eagle in the family would like to share with you her first ever restaurant review on Chubby Chicken -- a casual university food stop located right across her alma mater in Katipunan Avenue. To make things more exciting, we're also treating one lucky ready to an all-out Chubby Chicken meal worth Php 500!!!  Now, that's my cue to stop writing and to give the virtual stage to my sister Pannywanny. :) It has been a few years back where Katipunan has been my second home, studying at Starbucks, buying last minute items at National Bookstore and having breakfast, lunch and dinners in the different food establishments available. It is, after all, just a foot bridge or a trike ...

To be honest, I wasn't really expecting a big birthday celebration to happen this year. Unlike most birthdays where I would be celebrating it for almost two weeks, I honestly didn't have much plans of being busy and celebratory this year. If anything, I look forward to having a quiet birthday for a change. All I had planned for was to have lunch with my flatmates and friends -- 6 amazing people who have made Singapore feel like home to me. They're my new family here and basically, all I wanted was to simply spend my special day with them. What I didn't expect were obviously the surprises that came from friends and my own family back in Manila. They indeed took the extra effort and time to send something my way. I am really touched as they really didn't have to do it. A lot obviously wouldn't as to send something overseas, we all know, entails a great deal of planning, some online clicking and a couple of peso spending too. Papa always tells me that it'...

Happy birthday to me!  On the 1st day of June, I will be turning a year older and hopefully, a little bit more wiser. This year's birthday will be a bit different for what I've been having in the past. For one thing, it will be simpler and more intimate too. It will be my first birthday away from home...away from everyone close to my heart. I don't think I'll still do my annual week-long birthday celebration. Though, I'm still eyeing to do a fun bbq pool party with friends here. :) Let's see how everything pans out. Just as I'm doing things differently this year, I also thought of treating two lucky readers to a delicious ramen dinner at Mistuyado Sei-Men . Consider it my birthday treat special thanks to the cool folks of Mitsuyado! :) Please do order my favourite dishes and if you can, have a piece of cake on my behalf! Deal? I've blogged about Mitsuyado Sei-Men a couple of months ago. As a marketing practicioner, I always believe that being the ...

April is National Stress Awareness Month and while I know this is not widely practiced in this part of the world, I am making a conscious effort to do away with all things that will cause stress to myself and to achieve a more zen-like mode at all times. *ohhhmmmm*  Of course, our environment plays a big factor in our daily outlook in life. I always like keeping things tidy and clean as I really can't stand the sight of a messy or dusty room. I am also very sensitive to smell thus I always make sure that I have room and linen sprays on hand. In celebration of National Stress Awareness Month, let me talk about our new home. Having moved in just a few months ago, Paul and I are still taking baby steps in making our room feel more homey week after week. They say, first impressions last and luckily, we both had very good impressions of our new home from the photos sent to us up until the day we finally walked in and saw our new place ourselves. We love how we get sufficient amoun...

A couple a weeks ago, Paul and I received two jars of Lotus Biscoff spreads from two kind friends. These were their going away presents and we really intended to pack both jars in our luggages and wait till we get to the Lion City before trying them out. However... we were obviously not marshmallow babies and we opened one jar the moment we got home. It was almost bed time but I couldn't help it. With a teaspoon, we each got a scoop and tried this much talked about Lotus Biscoff Spread for the first time. I tell you, it was delicious! No wonder a lot of people are crazy about it. If you love graham cookies then you'll definitely go crazy over this too. One lick and it brought me back to my childhood days where Mommy would pack those teddy graham cookies for me. I love the rough powdery texture of the cookie with a hint of a cinnamon. I was so excited with the Biscoff spread that I forced Mommy and Pan to try it out too. The next day, I got inspired to bake as I had two ...

I was initially planning to list my top eats for 2012 but decided otherwise. Thinking that it's the first day of the year, I thought of just spreading some good news by announcing the winners of my Holiday Giveaway ! Are you ready? Here they are: