Frannywanny

Who doesn't love potatoes? Well, I know I do! I know my sister Pan and best friend T can't live without potatoes too! This is mainly the reason why I braved the traffic and the strong rain as Paul and I drove all the way to Restaurant 9501 to be part of a special Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by the US Potato Board . I was able to join their first Thanksgiving Dinner at M Cafe two years ago and till this day, I can't help by drool by the thought of those delicious Porcini & Truffle Gnocchi . It was simply delicious. Restaurant 9501 is a private restaurant exclusive only to ABS-CBN employees and their registered guests.  While I don't work for the network, I had the privilege to dine there a few years ago for a South African festival wherein I enjoyed my meal very much. Putting together two amazing experiences both with the US Potato Board and Restaurant 9501 , it's no wonder why I immediately sent my confirmation upon receiving their invite and was act...

This year has been a very interesting gastronomic year for me! I am blessed to be able to allow my palate to go all around the world. From my very Korean lunch , I went to Bangkok, Thailand and loved their Pad Thai and quickly jetted off to Greece and shouted OPA! with glee. Finally, I came back to Asia and indulged in something very familiar , my taste buds flew off again to another food destination and this time it's somewhere I have very little knowledge of. I was told that they are known for their wine and cheese selection. To be honest, the only two things I know about this country are of two icons: Nelson Mandela and Charlize Theron . Thus, how can I say no to an invite to acquaint myself with what South Africa is all about and most importantly, what are the dishes that they are most proud of. Hosted by Chef Susina Jooste in Restaurant 9501 in ABS-CBN, my colleagues and I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Sure, I did a little bit of research by familiarizing myself...