Posts

Showing posts from June, 2018

Celebrating Filipino Culinary Pride at Corniche, Diamond Hotel

Image
When two of the country's well-respected chefs come together to serve you their best creations, then you know that this is one buffet that you can never pass up. Happening now up until Sunday, July 1, 2018, enjoy the best dishes made by Chefs Sau del Rosario and Miko Aspiras  at Diamond Hotel 's Corniche for both lunch and dinner. June, as we all know, is the month when we celebrate our Independence Day so it's just fitting to celebrate this with an impressive, mouth-watering spread of the best Filipino dishes in the country. You don't even have to take a plane to enjoy the freshest Oyster Ceviche from Aklan or Chef Sau's signature Crispy Pork Kare Kare Macadamia with Truffle Oil , Salted Eggyolk Prawn Rebosado  more so, the show-stopping Lechon Trio  with filling from Luzon (Buru), Visayas (Chili Mango) or Mindanao (Malagos Chevre and Cocoa). Paul and I were lucky to try this delicious spread last week, on the first day it opened to the public. I didn'

Hong Kong Bites : Kam's Roast opens in SM Megamall

Image
It's been a while since my last trip to Hong Kong and even that was the quickest visit that I've ever had. I can't remember much about that trip as we basically were there for a client meeting so it was a blurry shuttle from the airport to our hotel to the client's office and a mad dash back to the hotel to catch out flight to Singapore. Prior to that, my last leisure trip to Hong Kong was back in 2011 if I'm not mistaken. I think it's time for a return soon. Read: At a Glance : Hong Kong   and Hong Kong Itinerary Must Haves When you say Hong Kong , images of delicious Cantonese food quickly comes to mind. The best dim sum creations and the most succulent and savory roast meats too. You can literally eat your way around Hong Kong and would still continue to want more. One thing that you shouldn't miss is Hong Kong's roast goose or duck. A very simple dish paired with a bowl of warm white rice. The best ones can actually be found on random alleys an

#FrannyCooks : Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and more on California Raisins

Image
Did you know that raisins can aid digestion? Furthermore, it can be a cure for anemia, insomnia and hypertension? In fact, a quick search online will point you to more benefits that eating raisins can bring however... I got to admit that I'm personally am not a fan of this healthy snack. I know that it has natural sugar making it a good treat option for young children. Perhaps, someday I'll train my twins to have raisins and pray that they won't grow up to be as picky as me. I hope they'll take after their Dad who doesn't have a single food aversion and he loves raisins too. So, if I don't eat raisins, then why would I make one with it? Simple. It's because my family loves it and since I love them so Oatmeal Raisin Cookies  it is! Another reason is because I got this huge bag of raisin sitting on my kitchen counter and OC me just can't bear seeing it untouched. I have to make good use of it and so here I am, baking away again while the twins were bu

Back at Blackbird at the Nielson Tower in Makati

Image
It's been four years since my last dinner at Blackbird yet it was one of the most memorable too. I remembered flying home to celebrate Papa's birthday and who would have thought that a year after that, my dear Ama (grandmother) would be leaving us . *sniffle* Needless to say, I'm glad that I was able to spend time and have several meals with her while she was still with us. Even then, Ama was already weak. Having difficulty in walking, I remember how we have to slow down our pace and take smaller steps so as not to tire her out despite how short the walk may be. One thing that I will remember the most about my Ama is how appreciative she has always been. She always have something nice to say about everyone and it's not surprise then why we all love her to bits...making her passing so hard on us too. I remember how she would always be so excited whenever we take her out for a meal saying that I always take her out to nice, delicious restaurants. Often times I would w

Franny Mommy : Post Partum Depression and the realness of it

Image
I still can't believe it. I was having dinner with my family last night when my brother-in-law shared a link with me. Anthony Bourdain is found dead at 61 . I immediately thought it was a fake news as that's pretty rampant nowadays then when I showed the link to Paul, he pointed out that it was from CNN and they can't possibly come out with fake news. Then reality set in. WHY? This was the main question we all had around the table. He was at the top of his TV and food career, travelling the world, eating in all the most sought after places, he was leading the game. HOW? He died by taking his own life..his own precious life. A few days ago, fashion icon Kate Spade  also passed away due to suicide. Mental illness is no joke and it's one that we all can play a role to fight it. Let me tell you something that I have kept a secret for 7 months. L's little hand holding on to me I almost fell into what they call " post-partum depression ". I never though

Franny Mommy Favorites : Bonjour Baby Playmat

Image
"Wait till they start crawling!" I still remember my Mom telling me this when I once told her how excited I am for my twins to grow faster when they were just newborn. I still get scared carrying newborns..most especially tiny babies as I have this great fear that I might accidentally drop them. My Mom and other Mommy friends would tell me to take it slow and savor that moment as a new challenge would arise once my babies would start crawling..or would start walking or worst..running. Well my friends, the time has come when both J and L are now considered crawlers. Actually, they're more like tumbling tots who would go from one corner to another by tumbling all over the place. It's scary though as they have no concept of pausing or slowing down thus my fear of me dropping them has been quickly replaced with the fear of them just falling off the bed one day. For the past months, I've been bugging Paul that it's time for us to scout around for a good playmat

Missing Singapura : Paradise Dynasty at The Podium

Image
It's been a year since we bid beautiful Singapura farewell . I got to say that I really do miss our life back in Singapore where everything is simply so efficient and definitely so so so safe. Back then, I've envisioned a life where Paul and I would be raising our baby in Singapore. Take note, baby. Singular. Guess, He has a different plan for us when He blessed us not only with one but two beautiful babies which also means me temporarily bidding the corporate world good bye and us, relocating back home to be closer to family. Aside from the over-all peace and security, I do miss the food and people in Singapore. Luckily though, one of my favorites has opened already two branches here in Manila! Hello Paradise Dynasty . Away from Mommy and Daddy duties  To celebrate the birthday of our Pareng A , we took a break from our Mommy and Daddy duties to have dinner with our foodie friends. ( side story: L wasn't very happy about this and ended up crying her heart out

Summer Party Vibe with Greenwich Hawaiian Overload Pizza

Image
Recently, I was invited to a birthday party. Not mine but that of two ladies who are very known on TV. In fact, Yaya D subtly gasped when she found out where I was heading to that one afternoon in SM Megamall. It was to celebrate the birthdays of Yassi Pressman and Bela Padilla , two very prominent personalities on local TV today. Yaya D adores Bela Padilla who stars in her favorite TV series Ang Probinsyano . Trust me, ask her one thing and she can go on and on and on about that show. Haha! This party was hosted by Greenwich Pizza and just like any birthday party, we were in for a yummy treat! While waiting for the celebrants, we feasted on a buffet of party dishes such as tea sandwiches, nachos with dips...