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Between Bites TOP 10 MUST BITES 2011

December 22, 2011 by Janey

I have scoffed, gobbled, munched, wolfed down different dishes in many, almost countless, restaurants that I have to really organize my food thoughts. That is the reason time and again I come up with these Between Bites Top 10 lists.

Between Bites TOP 10 Best Japanese Restaurants

BETWEEN BITES TOP 10 BEST DATE PLACES

BETWEEN BITES TOP 10 BEST FILIPINO EATS

BETWEEN BITES TOP 10 BEST PAELLA

BETWEEN BITES TOP 10 BEST Buffalo Wings

TOP 5 Sultry Strawberry Treats

Mercato Centrale, Where Food Lovers Meet, The TOP 10

Between Bites TOP 10 Things About Bali

And here we go again! This time I have dubbed my annual list as “MUST BITES” in line with the Between Bites “brand.” Yuck, brand daw oh. Haha.

10. Rub Ribs and Barbecue

A simple duplex with a red signage that spelled RUB stands in Tomas Morato. With more comfortable dining area on the 2^nd floor, the small space has quotable quotes in frames adorning the wall. Their menu offers wings, potato wedges, pastas, pork belly, among others but obviously, it is a no-nonsense restaurant devoted to the love of ribs and barbecue.

Chatime Tea, Why Don’t Cha?

April 14, 2011 by Janey

I never realized that the Milk Tea fever will explode this big. Foodie friends and non-foodie friends got hooked initially on Serenitea and some eventually switched their coffee time with cold tea drinks. I was never a big fan of coffee although I love the smell and I take it once in a while during meetings but I was pretty much taken by Serenitea since late 2009. We visit frequently in a week and somehow got addicted to it.

Family of drinkers

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Now, they have about 5 branches since they opened since 2 years ago. I did lessen my visits when prices hiked up, and even limited orders of my favorite peppered corn. Bubble Tea opened along Wilson Street and my Twin and I usually pick that spot for our chat/bonding/catch-up time. Happy Lemon, a new player in the market, has followed suit and started making waves in the Greenhills area since it opened late last year.

I have somehow got friends hooked on it also and have converted some from the first cooler to the latter. My different groups of friends cannot stop raving about Happy Lemon in the past couple of months and TODAY I’m quite excited to share with them, a new DRINK discovery.

After having lunch with Richard, Irene, Lauren, Fran and Paul at Cab Café 2 days ago, Richard suggested to stop by his latest addiction, Chatime. Chatime is a Taiwanese (the population who started the milk tea craze) brand of milk tea and is considered one of the largest bubble tea brands in the world.

What I love about ChaTime is their second floor that’s a huge lounge area with chic seat designs. It begs to spend more time there chatting with good friends and finishing your round of drinks. Or maybe 2 rounds *shrugs*

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They had so many varieties of drinks available to order that it might take you a while to choose your poison. Take note that some of the Chatime drinks do not come with toppings/pearls/sinkers so make sure that you check with their friendly staff. Pearls are an addition of PHP 15/serving.

Photo Credit: Richard Co of www.talesfromthetummy.com

While there was an order for 2 Cocoa Smoothies, Tea Guanyin Tea Latte, Grass Jelly Milk Tea and Cha Time Roasted Milk Tea, I settled on Taro Milk Tea (PHP 90) and got a Pearl Milk Tea (PHP 80) as an added free bonus due to the current promotion they have on the store.

Chatime OVERLOAD! I likey-like! 🙂

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It’s Buy 1 Take 1, choose any of the drinks on the menu board and take 1 Pearl Milk Tea (regular size) for FREE only from 12nn-2pm! This will last until tomorrow, April 15, so better head over to Chatime at Pioneer St. by today or Friday to get free dibs on their Pearl Milk Tea.

Taro Milk Tea

Chatime Taro Milk Tea is the most real taro drink you can find in the market. Don’t expect our local purple yam as its taro taste or the synthetic kind. It took me a few more sips, midway, to finally appreciate Chatime’s version of fresh taro and I grew to like it. It had pieces of the taro and i enjoyed the texture of the drink… not-thick or not-thin. It had a certain dance in your mouth. I might order the same next time I’m there but I’m also tempted to get a second drink to try their other offerings.

Try some Chatime drinks!

Chatime supposedly has 500 stores worldwide and it is now available in Manila with its first branch in Pioneer Street. Why don’t CHA give it a try? 😉

Photo Credit: Richard Co of www.talesfromthetummy.com

Chatime
Good Tea, Good Time

Pioneer Center, 8006 Pioneer cor. United Sts.

Pasig City, Philippines

Different Tea Assortment to Love at Serenitea

A Sunday Afternoon Picnic

Happy Lemon

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Perk Up at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Win a Sony VAIO E

January 18, 2011 by Janey

Sony VAIO and CBTL have partnered-up to enhance the coffee experience at selected branches of CBTL with the latest VAIO laptops at your disposal.

With the mobile nature of today’s young urban professionals, coffee shops are becoming secondary offices and meeting places. Armed with laptops and fueled by cappuccinos, they draft reports, send off emails, and accomplish job requirements on the go.

To reach out to this young and energetic workforce, Sony Philippines has forged a partnership with Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL) for exciting offerings for everyone. VAIO Corners in CBTL branches in Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa, Centris Walk, Residences Greenbelt, Makati, and in Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan, will enable all CBTL customers to enjoy the VAIO Experience and boost up their creativity and productivity, while taking advantage of the coffee shop’s peaceful atmosphere and unlimited internet access.

Sony is giving CBTL’s dedicated patrons another reason to be happy. It is enhancing the rewards available to those who sign up to avail of the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s Holiday Design Swirl Card. A limited number of VAIO Eco bags will be given with the purchase of the Holiday Swirl Card in all CBTL branches – designed to assist everyone minimize their use of plastic bags as they go about their shopping.

But the attractive offers do not stop there, as Sony is offering those who purchase a Holiday Swirl Card a chance to win a brand new unit of the VAIO E. The VAIO E is Sony’s line of attractive full-featured laptops especially designed to champion individuality and self-expression while delivering quality performance. Those who wish to level up and experience the VAIO prestige can participate in this promotion until January 31, 2011.

For more details about this promotion, simply log on to www.swirlrewards.com.ph.

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Starbucks Runaway Hit Product Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew is Now Available in the Philippines

September 28, 2010 by Janey

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through their unwavering commitment to excellence and guiding principles, Starbucks brings the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup.

What’s brewing? 😉 Starbucks recently announced that the Philippines in now the fourth market to offer Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew. Started mid-September, all Starbucks stores in the Philippines carry the new product, Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew in flavors of Colombia, Italian Roast and Decaffeinated Italian Roast.

“We know there is a significant opportunity in the Philippines marketplace for Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew since nearly 100 percent of retail coffee sales come from instant coffee*,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo, Starbucks Coffee Company. “We know rapid innovation for Starbucks VIA® and creating opportunities to further increase awareness and trial of Starbucks VIA® broadens our overall customer base both in the U.S. and in international markets.”

Starbucks opened its first store in Makati City, Philippines through a licensing agreement with Rustan Coffee Corporation in December 1997. Today, there are more than 160 stores throughout the Philippines, and Starbucks growth has played a key role in building a strong local coffee culture in the country.

The Philippines will join Japan as the second country in Asia to offer Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew. Starbucks Japan launched Starbucks VIA® last April to rave reviews. More than 10 million sticks have already been sold in Starbucks stores throughout Japan, with distribution expansion plans set for September as VIA® enters grocery and trade channels.

As a premium-portion stick coffee solution that doesn’t require any special equipment, Starbucks VIA® is resonating with consumers and meeting untapped demand.

By expanding the product line beyond Colombia and Italian Roast varieties and into new channels, innovation around the Starbucks VIA® platform remains a priority for the company. Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew Decaffeinated Italian Roast launched last November, and Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew Iced Coffee launched in late June; both representing the beginning of the Starbucks VIA® innovation pipeline.

Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew is made from 100 percent natural roasted arabica coffee in an instant and microground form that is rich and full bodied in flavor, just like a fresh-brewed cup of Starbucks® coffee. Starbucks VIA® is made with a proprietary, U.S. patent-pending technology to preserve the coffee’s flavor.

To share in the experience, please visit Starbucks stores in Philippines or online at starbucks.com.

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Between Bites’ TOP 10 Food Highlights of 2010’s 1st Half: What a Mouthful!

June 23, 2010 by Janey

Between Bites TOP 10 Food Highlights (2010 -1st Half)

10. King One’s Shabu Shabu

That Sunday lunch at King One’s Shabu Shabu (PHP 529 per head) was a wonderful lunch where the food were abound and of good quality –prepared well I should say. I get turned off with restaurants that offer buffet sometimes because of the way the food is prepared… but in this case, King One’s staff handles the food properly. Service was friendly, prompt and inclined –more reason to enjoy your King One feast. Don’t forget to order fresh prawns, mozzarella balls, tao pao and lamb! Oh lamb!

King One Rotary Hot Pot

M2-A Lower Hobbies of Asia

#8 Macapagal Ave., Pasay City

(632) 556 1370

9. Sweet Revenge of Maitre Chocolatier

Sweet Revenge is Maitre Chocolatier’s Lindt Molten Lava Cake -dark chocolate molten lava cake made from Europe’s finest Lindt Excellence Dark 70%, filled with oozing sweet and vengefully spicy chocolate served with vanilla ice cream

Sweet Revenge was the unanimously favorite on the table with its gooey warm chocolate that ruptures from the moist cake that’s bittersweet dark and spiced with chili. Midway when the chocolate flavor sinks in, the chili essence abruptly creeps in creating a sweet heat inside your mouth. Cool off with the vanilla ice cream that soothes your taste buds to a calm reverie. Bubba, Zipster and I loved the yin yang taste of darkness and sweetness, as well as the heat and arctic feel.

The spunk of the chili in the luscious chocolate liquid inside and the vanilla ice cream bring it all together in sweet harmony.

Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Café

Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Cafe by Eva Wong

2A (Beside Starbucks), No. 28 Jupiter Street

Bel Air, Makati City, Philippines

(632) 897 8559

8. Minato’s Great Korean Barbecue

Other than the smorgasbord of side dishes that includes Kimchi, spiced green vegetables, peanuts, bean sprouts, marbled potatoes among a variety of other side accompaniments, it is really the barbecue that’s quite good at Minato. It has to be one of the best in town.

Kimchi Pancake

The Kimchi Pancake is oil-fried pancake with bits of beansprouts and cabbage flavored Kimchi-style. And I think it’s free.

So Kal Bi PHP 350

Marinated beef short ribs –has a shadow of sweetness, garlic and soy. It’s hard to restrain oneself from gnawing the large bones with charred meat.

Sam Gyeop Sal PHP 240

The plate had thick, fatty slices of pork belly (almost looks like uncured bacon) alternating meat and fat and then skin. Meat is left unseasoned and usually cooked on a grill at the diner’s table. In this case, the wait staff helped in cooking the pork belly slices. On the side, green onion leeks and lettuce are served in case you prefer to wrap your meat inside. Customize it and add different side dishes or Kimchi and dip in sesame oil with fine black pepper and salt for a perfect finish.

Minato Korean Restaurant

Escriva Road (between Furu Restaurant and Agua Vida)

Ortigas Center, Pasig City

#8 is a toss-up between Minato and Chic Boy

tied at the same number.

8. Tasty Lechon Liempo at Chic Boy

Great food doesn’t necessarily have to come at a price. There’s a new affordable (almost dare to say cheap) food discovery along Jupiter Street in Makati. Call on the Chic Boy. Chic-Boy is actually a play on the words Chicken and Baboy (pork) –the meats that are quite popular in the Filipino community particularly when it’s grilled.

Chic Boy is putting a whole new turn on chicken inasal, lechon manok and lechon liempo like you’ve never tasted before. They’ve taken a special secret recipe of tasty lechon manok and lechon liempo in Cebu and chicken inasal of Bacolod and put it all in one easy-breezy and affordable restaurant here in Manila.

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Must-orders include their Cebu Lechon Liempo and Salmon Sinigang (PHP 45). With those affordable prices and flavorsome and satisfying meals, how can anyone go wrong? 😀

READ MORE!

Tasty Lechon Liempo at Chic Boy

Chic Boy

Jupiter St., Makati City

7. 22 Prime’s Tomahawk Chop

Quick-fire thoughts:

I love the ample size of fat that adds a buttery texture

and heightens flavor of the meat

Peppercorn sauce bursts a bouncy flavor that goes perfectly with the chop

The salad is a good pause in between bites of meat as a cleanser to the palate

Side of baby vegetables had the right crisp and seasoning

–the lone brussel sprout was my favorite! Quite tasty!!!

Don’t miss out on ordering my FAVORITE Chef Rick’s Cheese Bread!

Chef Rick’s Cheese Bread PHP 140

Gooey warm cheese topped on three breads, soft and bursting with tantalizing flavors. Served with baby greens in a mild citrus dressing sparkled with pink peppercorn. Sun dried tomato and broiled four cheese together? It’s an exercise in indulgence.

Premium Night at 22 Prime

22 Prime

22^nd Level, Discovery Suites

25 ADB Avenue

Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas Center

Pasig City, Metro Manila

(632) 719 8888/ (632) 719 6821

6. Ya Kun Kaya Toast –Ortigas

Want a great breakfast that lifts you up at any time of the day? Head over at Ya Kun Kaya! 🙂

Kaya Toast (Half PHP 115, Set Menu PHP 140)

2 slices of delicious Kaya toast with butter –has the right lightly toasted crunch of the bread, slathered with butter and just enough green sweet coconut spread. Satisfies when washed down with Ya Kun’s famous coffee tarik or the traditionally pulled coffee. It’s not on their menu, but you can change your coffee to Yin Yang, which is this delicious half-coffee and half-tea drink.

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Noticeably, the Ya Kun eggs were cooked perfectly, which other Kaya stores can’t quite get, where the eggs usually come out with still some raw uncooked parts. My little spoon broke into that fountain of yolk and I was soaked in sunshine delight. There’s no brighter day than eating wet and perfectly prepared eggs with the crunch of your toast.

READ MORE!

Ya Kun Kaya -Ortigas

In Crumbs: Ya Kun Kaya, Taverna Verde and Taal View Heights

Ya Kun Kaya Toast

G/F AYK Bldg., Escriva Drive (Right beside Astoria Plaza)

San Antonio Village, Ortigas, Pasig City

(632) 470 4285

7AM-11PM

5. Stevie’s Hainanese Chicken Rice

Suffused in its natural chicken juice/broth, the chicken meat was very tender and delectable –quite tasty for what can be considered a “healthy food.” The exquisite and juicy flesh of the steamed chicken is finely balanced with the fragrant rice sprinkled with green onions. Add a splotch of color and taste by blending in the ginger in sesame oil, chili and sweetened soy sauce.

Ooh, the appetizing smell and pleasant gingerly-sesame light taste mixed with a touch of soy and red spice… makes you definitely bite off more than you can chew.

Stevie’s Hainanese Chicken Rice: Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

Stevie’s Hainanese Chicken Rice (For pick-up orders only)

21 Libra St. Bel Air,

Makati City

(0906) 508 4155

4. Legend of India

Next to my favorite cuisine, I think Indian cuisine is one of the most interesting and flavorful fares in the world. Indian cuisine uses various spices, herbs, and vegetables and fruits sometimes grown only in India. It also has a wide assortment of cooking techniques.

Kadai Paneer PHP 260

Cottage cheese cooked in a traditional kadai masala paste

Rogan Josh PHP 450

Rogan Josh is an aromatic curry meat dish cooked with a mixture of strong Indian spices where the fat of the meat is usually roasted first in yogurt marinade. Legend of India tamed their version for our group, which mean it wasn’t intensely hot, but it was still intensely enjoyable paired with the vegetable biryani or the naan.

Sweet Lassi PHP 110

It was my first time to actually drink a whole glass of sweet Lassi. I’ve tried it before in other Indian restaurants but found the others’ version too sour for my taste. Lassi is a popular and traditional Indian yogurt-based drink. I tremendously enjoyed Legend of India’s sweet lassi since it has a perfect blend of yogurt, milk and sweetener. There’s a bit of tangy taste to it but it mellows down with a frothy sweet milky flavor. It fully relaxes your taste buds from the spices.

READ MORE!

Legend of India is Legend of Taste

Legend of India

114-B Jupiter St.,

Bel-Air II, Makati City

(632) 836 4232

3. Tsumura’s Wagyu Beef Usuyaki

Other than the sushi and sashimi…

It’s the Wagyu Beef Usuyaki that’s memorable at Tsumura! 🙂

Wagyu Beef Usuyaki PHP 600

Supple mushrooms wrapped in thinly sliced Wagyu beef –very tender, flavorful that it’s mighty impressive. The mushrooms were very light, in mellow contrast of the excellent beef. It is simply an indulgence in fine food. The taste is divine.

Tsumura

2^nd Level 88 Corporate Plaza

Sedeno corner Valero Streets,

Salcedo Village, Makati City

(632) 887 4848/ (632) 4850

#3 is actually a toss-up between Tsumura and Serenitea

tied at the same number.

3. Serenitea’s Okkinawa or Hokkaido Milk Tea

Serenitea is your one-stop shop for all things serene about tea. They have different variants of tea that will help boost a definite change of drinking lifestyle. It is the healthy alternative to colas, coffee and sugar-loaded smoothies. We visit 3 to 4 times a week to get our “Serenitea fix,” which is usually their Okkinawa milk tea drink with nata or pearls (depending on what topping you want) or Hokkaido with pearls.

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A Sunday Afternoon Picnic

2. Frazzled Cook’s Paella

In terms of taste and price, I consider Frazzled Cook’s Seafood Paella as the best in my book so far.

Seafood Paella PHP 550

For those diners who love their seafood paella with the full generous portions of mussels, squid rings, shrimps, chorizo and egg, this is their best bet for paella and huge value for money. I love the fact that they serve it on the paellera since I enjoy most my paella with the burnt crispy part at the bottom.

For other recommended orders, below are some dishes worthwhile to try:

Wagyu Salpicao PHP 550

When the serving arrives on your table, initial thought would be, “this dish is pricey.” If you’re being served with quality Wagyu that certainly softens in your mouth in a buttery texture without any effort, then your money is good. Have no qualms being served only a few flavorful cubes of beef drenched in its sautéed oil with lightly fried chips of garlic and slices of button mushrooms. Superb.

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Peruvian Hot Pot PHP 400

The Peruvian Hot Pot is their version of spicy lamb stew. This was Bubba’s favorite as the spicy invigorating flavors all come together from the lamb, olives, bell peppers and wine –great flavor and unbelievable rich sauce. The lamb meat had no gamey aftertaste that will surely convert those non-lamb eaters.

The Frazzled Cook

#916 Luna Mencias Street, Baranggay Additional Hills,

Mandaluyong City

(632) 782 5980

1. La Tienda Steak

Chuleton PHP 2,150 (PHP 425/100 grams)

It was the steak that was the highlight of this dinner date for me (okay, plus Bubba’s adoring chinky eyes). One of the best steaks I’ve tasted in Manila is not found on a focused steakhouse. It’s at a Spanish restaurant called La Tienda. I was pleasantly surprised how the steak gratified my meaty cravings. I think we had it cooked in medium doneness. The delicious steak was quite tender –glistening with appropriate grease and seemingly lightly salted while being cooked.

READ MORE!

La Tienda

43 Polaris St. Bel-Air

Makati City, Philippines

(632) 890 4123

Because I love food so much, I have #11-#20 but I’ll save it for another post. Watch out for that soon! 😉

For the meantime, here’s looking forward to the wonderful eats and gastronomic experiences for the next half of the year! Food Highlights from July-December 2010 –2^nd half version! And finally, by the end of the year, TOP 10 of 2010!!! 😉 I’m so giddy with excitement! CHEERS!

THANK YOU Ming for this photo! 😉

LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE and EAT!!! 😉

Photo Credit:

Carlos Palma of Foodie Manila

www.FoodieManila.com

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Different Tea Assortments to Love at Serenitea

April 21, 2010 by Janey

There’s no room to get bored with Serenitea’s long list of drinks! But it’s definite that you’ll really get hook at one or two and have that for one whole season before aiming for another variant.

First, choose your kind of tea: Assam, Royal Milk, Jasmine or Earl Gray. Then you can choose whether to get it cold, hot, with fruits or as a latte. There are also optional toppings to choose from: pearl, crystal, black bricks, pudding, lime jelly, and QQ.

Once Bubba and I brought Serenitea for a Sunday picnic and we both loved the drinks that accompanied us. Bubba got the Hokkaido milk tea with 75% sugar while my choice was the Grass Jelly milk tea with 0% sugar. What’s terrific with Serenitea is the fact that you can actually choose your sugar percentage from 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%… you can even go beyond or none. Richard of Ya Kun Kaya Ortigas shares that Irene gets 150% sugar with her tea drink -I’m quite the opposite since I enjoy drinks with less sugar.

Last time I was here was during the Foodie Club’s meet at Beijing Hand Pulled Noodles.

“Foodie Club”

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I couldn’t just buy for myself so I bought for Bubba and Joyce.

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I got Joyce the Yakult, which she loved.

So for those who are health-conscious or watch their sugar intake, this is your best bet to getting satisfying drinks without breaking your sugar level.

It’s been quite a while since we’ve been enjoying Serenitea. Let me share with you that the tea drinks from Serenitea have calmed even the most stressful days at work… the evening comes and the mind is still running wild with that day’s events, the tea drink somehow relaxes my mind into a soothing detoxifying reverie.

Drop by Serenitea and get a dose of freshly brewed tea in different assortments. Be warned that the place can get really packed even at odd hours so have the option to just order to go and bring it home or someplace else where you can enjoy your Serenitea.

Minimum delivery in San Juan area is PHP 200.

Serenitea Cha Kitchen

#1F G&L Bldg. J. Abad Santos,

Cor. V. Cruz, Little Baguio, San Juan

(632) 379 4166

Serenitea Multiply Site

Serenitea Album

Related Entries:

A Sunday Afternoon Picnic

Foodie Club’s meet at Beijing Hand Pulled Noodles.

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8 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: addicting, Aguirre, alternative, assortment, Banawe, best milk tea, best tea drink in town, brewed tea, Chinese, coffee, customized, drinks, Filipino, freshly brewed tea, healthy lifestyle, Hokkaido Milk Tea, how to get there, Irene Co, jelly, location, Manila, Map, Metro Manila, Paranaque, pearls, Philippines, picnic, pinoy, Press, QQ, Quezon City, Richard Co, San Juan, serenitea, South, St, sugar level, Taiwan, Taiwanese, tea, tea bags, tea drink, variants, Ya Kun Kaya Ortigas

The Giving Cup at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

December 8, 2009 by Janey

Year 2009 passed so quickly that I didn’t even notice that it was already end of the year. Usually, we cap off the end of the year with the Yuletide season, which is the season of giving. Last year, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf launched the 12 Cups of Advocacy campaign that opened the very spirit of giving.

This year, they’re doing it again and this time, they have doubled the cause organizations they want to help out. Everyone has a cause they cherish–the environment, kids, animals, the list goes on. And this Christmas, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is allowing you to celebrate Christmas and give back to the community with the launch of their holiday program: Give in to Giving: 24 Cups with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Instead of just extending the Christmas giving to friends and families, you can now heighten the “sharing” experience by giving to someone who is a complete stranger to us. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf recently sponsored an advocacy fair where the public can know more about these various groups and beneficiaries and ways in how they can help.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has earmarked a portion of beverage sales for 24 community advocacies, each with its own unique approach and all of which have come onboard for this holiday program. With the various calamities that have befallen the country in recent months, it is important that we come together and help each other out in our own little way. Your initial contribution may seem like a drop in the bucket now, but in time, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf assures its customers that the percentage from every cup sold will be going back to a community in need –so every drop in the bucket is precious and appreciated. And it is everyone’s hope that in time, that bucket will overflow with the generosity of CBTL patrons like yourself who surely have a cause they are passionate about.

Each purchase can help empower someone to do good for fellow Filipinos. Information about Give in to Giving: 24 Cups with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf can also be found online at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Facebook page detailing specific branches of The Bean where you can be part of the program. Everyone who gives in to giving will be given a Christmas treat as a way for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to thank you for your generosity and donation certificates are also available for purchase.

It’s time to give a warmer and more soulful meaning to sharing this season–toast to your blessings as your giving cup of coffee or tea eases away your worries and contributes to rebuilding someone’s home.

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I’m also proud to say that Bubba is spearheading a “project for a cause” this Christmas. From planning to recruiting to execution, Bubba is in charge of the logistics. I want to thank ahead friends who have already pledged 3 hours of their day on December 20 to help out Bubba with the Virlanie Foundation kids.

Volunteers are very much welcome. Please email me at betweenbites@gmail.com

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1 Comment Filed Under: A Taste of Manila and Other Things Tagged With: 12 Cups of Advocacy campaign, ASP, Autism Society of the Philippines, beneficiaries, Cafe, cause, CBTL, Chai, charity, Christmas, coffee, designs, journal, Kythe, menu, notebook, notebooks, organization, prices, project, share, stamp, stores, the giving, The Giving Cup, The Giving Cup at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, the season of love and giving, the spirit of giving, toast, Virlanie Foundation, worthwhile project, Yuletide season

Cantinetta

October 6, 2009 by Janey

Last Wednesday right after work, Bubba and I went to White Space in Pasong Tamo to help out in the relief operation there. Bumped into Jonas, Johnny, Candy and some other friends. The spirit of camarederie, generosity and solidarity were so inspiring. When there were no goods left to pack or carton to set aside or packages to bring out, Bubba and I decided to have dinner in the area, while waiting for the next shipment to arrive. Bubba picked Cantinetta –that specific branch was where he and TD used to dine. The Rockwell branch incidentally was the second restaurant he brought me to for a “lunch date” when we were just starting out three years ago 🙂

It still has that cozy vibe with the low lights and brown motif.

Right after Cantinetta, Bubba dropped me off to play house poker while he went back to help out at White Space with his friend Bev. Bubba really worked his bu** off helping out and carrying the heavy stuff. I’m really proud of him, all work and no self-advertisement -no photos, no self-promotion and encouraging more friends to help out.

On the Table

Bread and Eggplant Pate and Tomato Pate -Free

Tartufo PHP 550

Instead of Tagliatelle pasta, I opted to go for the ordinary spaghetti. Truffle cream sauce with Parmesan cheese. I love anything with truffles. Truffle is love. I am the truffle dracula. Truff-cula! One truffle, two truffle, three truffle… (*insert count dracula laugh here*) 😀

Ravioli al Salmone PHP 430

Pockets of home made pasta stuffed with salmon and ricotta cheese. It wasn’t part of the menu anymore but Bubba checked with the kitchen if they can still serve this. And they accommodated! Noticed that it was garnished with roe (orange dots) and caviar (black dots) for the extra oomph.

Macchiato PHP 95

The mini cappuccino

Cantinetta serves authentic Italian dishes in a classy setting, where service is knowledgeable and ingredients are first rated.

Cantinetta

G/F Karrivin Plaza 2316 Pasong Tamo Extension,

Makati City, Metro Manila

(632) 892 9873

Cantinetta Album

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2 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: Authentic, best, Blog, blogger, branch, Cantinetta, classic, coffee, food, food blog, food review, foodie, gourmand, Italian, location, mall, Manila, menu, Pasong Tamo, Powerplant, restaurant, review, rockwell, service, Taste Manila, Wines, write review

Food Tripping: Kopi Roti and Grilled Tomato

August 24, 2009 by Janey

Reading Arpee’s post on Ya Kun, Singapore made me crave for some Kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs… and for some odd reason, foie gras. I don’t know how that combination sounds but I didn’t get to try any foie gras that night. I was able to try ox brain however for the first time that Tuesday evening. Err, it definitely wasn’t quite the same… but it wasn’t completely different either.

Kopi Roti

On the Table

Home Made “Roti” Kaya Toast PHP 45.00

4 slices of Toast with butter and special kaya spread. The toast was perfectly done and it had the right amount of Kaya spread and condensed milk inside to make each bite satisfying and not overly sweet.

Soft Boiled Eggs PHP 35.00

2 soft-boiled eggs in a transparent bowl served with black soy sauce. It was a bit uncooked for my taste. I like the whites to have a bit of a bite but it was all fluid. I also prefer it plain without the black soy sauce. Nevertheless, I finished the whole thing and 2 pieces of Kaya toast in a rapid time of 5 minutes.

Peanut Butter Toast PHP 45.00

Bubba’s order that he did not share

Iced Milk Tea PHP

I was neither impressed nor completely dissatisfied. All I know is I’m very eager to try Ya Kun’s franchise here in Manila that I don’t mind traveling all the way to Robinson’s Manila.

Kopi Roti

Tomas Morato, Q.C. 414-1754

Blue Ridge Ave., QC 439-1546

SM Mall of Asia (South Parking) 556-0213

NAIA Terminal 1 Arrival Area 879-5440

Grilled Tomato

Feeling a bit hungry, I decided to treat Bubba to the restaurant next door. Grilled Tomato is a small Persian eatery that offers affordable kebabs and tikka meals.

On the Table

Beef Kebab Meal PHP 100

2 pieces of beef kebab, one grilled tomato and a choice of buttered plain rice or curry rice -such a good price for a fairly good meal. Choose curry rice.

Ox Brain PHP 100

It was our first time to try ox brain. It was soft, a bit gooey and oily but has that beefy flavor. I like the sautéed onions that went with it. Put a bit of lime to spunk the taste. It has a lot of promise, definitely didn’t turn me completely off like crickets or stuffed frog.

Grilled Tomato

Tomas Morato, Quezon City

(632) 415 0760

http://grilledtomato.multiply.com

Food Trippin’ Album

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6 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: affordable, beef kebab, best, branches, cheap, coffee, first time, food review, Food tripping, good, Grilled Tomato, iced milk tea, inexpensive, Kaya toast, Kopi, Kopi Roti, lime, location, menu, ox brain, Photo, price, pricey, QC, Restaurants, review, Reyes Barbeque, service, soft boiled egg, Taste Manila

Past Love Rekindled at Pasto

August 14, 2009 by Janey

Previous to the discovery of Ristras, Pasto was frequent in the call log. Bubba and I were reminiscing the other night how much we crave for Pasto before. Pasto was our favorite go-to-restaurant for DVD food. The Greenhills branch is rung ahead of time to order 2 batches of crostinis with chicken pate and pomodoro salsa dips. Grab, pay and off to home movies.

I also like eating at home since Bubba finishes most of the salsa, so I have to replicate with a homemade one. Diced tomatoes, diced red onions (nominal), fresh basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, (mmm-mm!) I can have as much as I want. Soon, we were pairing our Pasto “to-go” order with Sandy’s Pizza’s buffalo wings, which we also got quite akin to. Interestingly, we only order the wings (they deliver for 2 orders) and not the pizza.

Another favorite in Pasto is their Romano entrée (PHP345). Romano is crusted chicken breast with spinach and roasted mushrooms in a Gorgonzola cream sauce served with fettuccine.

On the Table

Zuppa di Pomodoro PHP 95

Pasto has the best roasted-tomato cream soup in the Metro. Its semi-smooth thickness is exactly right without making it appear like a tomato puree. There’s a hint of Parmesan and cream taste in the roasted tomato soup. Garnished with fresh basil on top that adds a minty flavor perfect for that hot soothing spoonful.

Crostini, Pasto’s famous version of Italian crostini served with your choice of “dips.” One order is equivalent to 8 pieces of crostini shaped like a pizza slice –thin, toasty and crispy. Price of crostini depends on the dip.

Chicken pate PHP 125

Pomodoro Salsa PHP 105

En Route to the Perfect Bite

Spread the chicken pate on the crostini
Put a bit of the tomato salsa on top with a drip of the balsamic olive oil dressing

First layer of taste is good enough for me.

3. Add another layer of flavor by adding grated Parmesan cheese.

4. To add some heat, add the chili flakes

Before Ristras’ burritos and nacho chips, this was our comfort food.

Ortaggi PHP 225

Spaghetti cooked with artichokes, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese. The usual order is Romano, Vongole or Frutti di Mare, but we took a detour and ordered a pasta dish we haven’t tried –Ortaggi. It was a tad bit on the sweet side (probably from the sun-dried tomatoes which I really love) that I wasn’t expecting. We only finished half of the pasta, partly because we needed to run off to watch GI Joe.

Pasto

Greenhills Theater Mall

Unit F&B-5, Greenhills Theater Mall

Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan

(632) 722 4992

El Pueblo

Julio Vargas Ave cor. ADB Ave

Ortigas Center, Pasig City

(632) 634 0157

Paseo Center

3^rd Floor, 8757 Paseo de Roxas

Salcedo Village, Makati City

(632) 893 0588

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9 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: 2009, 2010, affordable, Agave Mexican Cantina, andrew tan, August 1, Authentic, barbacoa, berks, best, best Italian, Best Mexican, branch, branches, burgers, burrito, butch, Cafe, Cali Mex, California, celebrity, Charlie’s, Charlie’s Grill, Chef Rob Goco, chorizo brown rice, cilantro wild rice, coffee, cris darwin lim, Cyma, darwin, delivery, DLSU, dogs, Eric, eric ryan tang, ERT, expensive, Filipino, food review, garlic sauce, Good Service, grand opening, grill, guacamole, hotdogs, how to create a burrito, how to make, image, in town, Italian, J. Abad Santos, Jalapeño, jim, jim harold lim, la salle, latest, location, management, Manager, marie, marinade, math, meat, menu, Mex, mexicali, Mexican, Mexican restaurant, new, new branch, number, opening, Pasto, Philippines, Photo, pinoy, pre-nuptial photos, price, recent, recipe, restaurant, Restaurants, Ristras, salsa, San Juan, San Sebastian Church, service, shredded beef, Steak, supplier, take out, tang, Taste Manila, Venue, Video, wedding, wedding season, weddings in Manila

Krispy Kreme Apple Cheesecake

May 5, 2009 by Janey

Two weeks ago, I had a movie date in Greenhills Theater Mall with my Mama Mia and Bubba. We watched Crank that stars Jason Statham and Amy Smart. I cringed a lot during the movie because it showed a lot of brutality and nekkid ladies and I was sitting beside my mom.

Right after the movie, the Krispy Kreme light was still on and dear mother craved for some hot donuts. She treated Bubba to a box of his choice donuts while we brought home a box.

Mother’s Day is around the corner. It is in fact this coming Sunday, the week following the Pacman – Hitman bout. One place I will surely head to is a Krispy Kreme outlet to get my mom a box of their lip smacking Apple Cheesecake Doughnuts.

Krispy Kreme fills the doughnut shells with tart, apple filling offset by a sugary drizzle of caramel and rich cream cheese icing. The Apple Cheesecake indeed looks like a mini cake with fresh slivers of red and green apples decorating the top.

Whatever you give Mom on Mother’s Day, it’ll be a small compensation for everything that she’s done for you.

Splurge on something decadent, sweet and indulgent for the occasion that celebrates the sweet loving woman in your life.

Serve for breakfast-in-bed with a steaming cup of coffee to start her day right or stop by any Krispy Kreme branch and treat her to the indulgence of the new Apple Cheesecake doughnuts, paired with Krispy Kreme Signature Coffees.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Hot. Fresh. Now.

Email: customercare@krispykreme.com.ph

(632) 8126596.