floor Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

Balboa in East Wing Shang

April 12, 2013 by Janey

Last Tuesday, I watched Croods at Powerplant Mall. The mall at Rockwell has always been a favorite mall of mine and I enjoy watching movies there. Their seats are comfortable and feel clean and well-vacuumed. It’s not overly crowded, it feels homey and easy. I’ve been watching movies there lately again. Shangri-la Plaza comes close second. And I like it due to proximity and almost the same things I like about Rockwell. I like it even better now with the addition of its newly opened East Wing.

Last night, another random invite got me watching Olympus Has Fallen in Shang Cineplex. I liked the trailer and after watching it, I loved the action-packed edge-of-your-seat movie.

This movie upped Gerard Butler’s hot-o-meter again! 🙂

If only, he wasn’t such a ladies man in real life.

Cochinillo Asado, A New Discovery at 22 Prime, Discovery Suites

June 19, 2012 by Janey

22 PRIME always had a soft spot in my heart. Bubba and I find random refuge at the restaurant located at Discovery Suites’ 22^nd floor after a long day at work. Having occupied the Number 1 post on my Between Bites’ Best Date Places in 2010, it’s no secret that I like going here for dinners and even cocktails at Serendipity Lounge. Listed among the top five Philippine restaurants by the international Miele Guide on its 2011-2012 Edition, it confirms that my taste is not far from theirs.

Bubba and I in 2009

During Spot.Ph’s Goldspot Awards, 22 Prime was also awarded as the city’s best steak specialty restaurant.

READ THE STORY HERE:

World of Flavors at Discovery Suites’ Restaurant 5

In Crumbs: 22 Prime and Others

Between Bites Top 10 Best Date Places

Premium Night at 22 Prime

For regulars like me who go from time to time to enjoy the steaks, surf and turf, the bone marrow with apricots or simply Chef Rick’s Cheese Bread (mouth-wateringly my favorite!), you’re in for a new dish discovery.

22 Prime doesn’t only serve well-cooked steaks as diners are delighted anew with its latest culinary offering – Cochinillo Asado.

Australian Tomahawk Chop of 22 Prime: A Definite Prime Mover

May 28, 2010 by Janey

Thursday, I made my way to Discovery Suites to partake in a hearty lunch made even more wonderful with the company at the table. Stepping into the elevator, I pressed the button with the number 22. As mentioned in my previous post, the 22^nd floor has a comfortable lounge setting as well as a relaxed dining area amidst the lavish surroundings of Discovery Suites shared by Serendipity Lounge and 22 Prime.

The last time Bubba and I were here, we had a lot to order –bisque, their bone marrow dish (served on the bone!), cheese bread and steak. It’s not surprising to order practically everything on the menu (almost all are favorably satisfying) since 22 Prime is one of our favorite restaurants in the Metro while Chef Rick’s cheese bread tops our list of comfort favorites. It is a gastronomic oasis found at the heart of Ortigas business district.

Interestingly, having a number of dinners here, I have never visited during broad daylight. Thursday was a good opportunity to view during daytime the familiar place accustomed to me in low lights. It has a warm and inviting atmosphere even with the sun’s brightness coming through their beautiful massive floor-length windows.

There’s always a sense of satisfaction whenever we dine here –from knowledgeable, adequate and genuinely friendly service to being served great tasting gourmet food.

22 Prime has always been known for its mouth-watering premium steak selections. A gargantuan guest will change the “food” landscape by introducing the largest prime steak that will definitely appeal to you and your meat-ravenous comrades. On June 1, 2010, Discovery Suites’ 22 Prime unveils the Australian Tomahawk Chop and “Verse 1” Specialty Menu.

Two of Australia’s best produce, beef and wine, take center stage at 22 Prime from June 1-15, 2010 for lunch and dinner. Gourmands with a taste for fine meats can now indulge in a large serving of Tomahawk Rib-Eye Chop, approximately weighing 1 kilogram, grilled to a gourmet’s delight and accompanied with a casserole of perfectly seasoned baby vegetables, a bowl of Caesar salad, and a bottle of Verse 1 Cabernet Sauvignon.

June is definitely a month where there’s more to discover at Discovery Suites as 22 Prime acquaints you with the Tomahawk Chop.

A Tomahawk Chop can be an intimidating piece of meat. When we came face to face with its raw greatness, the group collectively gasped, obviously wowed by the huge bone-in Australian beef.

–

Chef David Pardo de Ayala, Corporate Chef of the Discovery group of hotels, explained that such a distinguished piece of meat deserves a flawless preparation from readying the meat in room temperature to the actual grilling of the meat and to its “resting” stage which is absolutely crucial. The whole ceremony done attentively ensures an evenly juicy, tender, succulent steak at the table.

For those who are less inclined, Chef David Pardo de Ayala was born in Bogota, Colombia and was the youngest winner of Colombia’s the Nestle “Toca de Oro” representing Colombia at gastronomic competitions of continental level. He traveled to New York to further expand his professional scope and attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. After a number of years as Executive Chef in several five star hotels in Colombia and restaurants in New York, he settled in the Philippines in 2007 and opened the prominent Soleil Restaurant in Makati.

Currently, Chef David functions as Corporate Chef for the Discovery hotel group where he sets the food and beverage directions of Discovery Suites in Pasig City (which houses Restaurant 5, 22 Prime and Serendipity Lounge), Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay City (home of Café Verbena) and Discovery Shores Boracay (Indigo, Platitos and Sands). Anything that comes out of Chef David’s high-powered kitchen proves to be cooked with the freshest ingredients, care and creativity.

On the Table

Bread Sticks/Bread and Three Spreads

The perky staff brings to the long table several “tin baskets” of bread and breadsticks escorted with three different dips that are positively addicting.

1^st Dip: Skordalia

Potato puree, silky and smooth spread with a hint of lemon

2^nd Dip: Sofrito

Tomato with olive oil

3^rd Dip: Chicken Liver Pate

Very creamy with a hint of mushroom

Australian Tomahawk Chop and Verse 1 Specialty Menu PHP 4,800

Grilled Tomahawk Chop 1 kilogram, 6-Star Tenderplus Australian Beef Rib Eye Steak

Served to share with a Casserole of Baby Vegetables and a Bowl of Caesar Salad “22 Prime”

1 Bottle of Verse 1 Cabernet Sauvignon

*Allow 25 minutes cooking time

The Tomahawk Chop is one of the largest rib eye steaks in Australia and culled from Tenderplus 6-star grass fed beef. It takes its name from the 30-centimeter of rib bone that is left attached to the meat, which in turn increase the meat’s flavor and tucks in the moistness when grilled.

My Portion of the 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!!! 🙂

The Tomahawk Chop is a perfect order when dining with friends. Cast off inhibitions as you all dig in with immense hunger for the tender and flavorful Australian beef. There is an option to have it sliced proportionately in the kitchen. Share with a group the unadulterated pleasure of high-end beef and clink your glasses “cheers” to a vibrant wine served on your table. This is the moment that is best shared with good friends.

Accompanying this gastronomic indulgence is a bottle of Verse 1 Cabernet Sauvignon from Brookland Valley –cited Winery of the Year by the James Halliday 2009 Australia Wine Companion. Verse 1 wine has rich, vibrant garnet in color while it displays full blackcurrant aromas with hints of leafiness balanced out by fine French oak. The palate is fruit driven with a soft texture and oak flavors. Elegant richness balances well with the meat’s intensity.

Chef David, with years of experience cooking in Colombia, Manhattan and Long Island, prepares wonderful dishes both menu staples that have become favorites and upscale monthly specials that you’d certainly want to catch. 22 Prime becomes a more familiar place to you and friends for great food and conversation –a prime spot to share an enjoyable meal that first awes your dining group visually with its massive size, and once cooked, follows through with winsome taste.

22 Prime

22^nd Level, Discovery Suites

25 ADB Avenue

Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas Center

Pasig City, Metro Manila

(632) 719 8888/ (632) 719 6821

22 Prime Album

Related Entries:

Premium Night at 22 Prime

Café Verbena at Discovery Suites Tagaytay

—

3 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: 22 nd level, 22 Prime, 22 Prime at Discovery Suites, 22 Prime restaurant, 22 Prime restaurant introduces Australian Tomahawk Chop, 22nd floor, attendant, Australian Beef, award, best, best customer service, best hotel, best service, best steak, best steak house, best suites, Boracay, Bread, bring a date, card accepted, cheese bread, Chef David Pardo De Ayala, Chef Rick Cheese Bread, Country Suites, Discovery, Discovery Shores, Discovery Suites, Discovery Suites group of hotels, Filipino, floor, food, food blog, food review, foodie, four cheese, Hotel, hotel concierge, hotel review, hotels, how much, how to get there, imports, interior, location, lunch and dinner, lunch specials, Makati, Manila, Map, meal, menu, metro, Metro Manila, Nestle gold spot award, new menu, Ortigas Center, parking, Philippine hotels, Philippines, Photo, photos, price, promotion, rate, rates, restaurant, Restaurants, romantic dinner, room rate, Serendipity Lounge, service review, staff, Steak, steak house, suite, Surf and Turf, Tagaytay, Tenderplus, Tomahawk Chop, Tomahawk steak, Verse 1 wine, Video, wait staff, where to eat, where to stay, Wine, Wine of the Year

Premium Night at 22 Prime

September 2, 2009 by Janey

It was Saturday, the cool and crisp evening air surrounds the city. The night was begging for a gratifying dinner and off we headed to Discovery Suites. Café Verbena of Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay was a delightful experience when I gave Bubba his birthday treat in 2008. No need to travel far south as Discovery Suites in Ortigas can perhaps replicate that.

The 22^nd level of Discovery Suites leads to a modernly decorated lounge with plush interiors and expansive glass windows that provide a luminous visual of North Manila’s skyline. Live piano music fills the air. Candle lit lamp adds romance to each table. The elegance and sophisticated charm of Serendipity Lounge of Discovery Suites extends to the restaurant adjoining it, 22 Prime –the very destination of that evening’s dinner.

On the Table

Bread Sticks/Bread and Three Spreads -Free

1^st Dip: Skordalia

Potato puree, silky and smooth spread with a hint of lemon

2^nd Dip: Sofrito

Tomato with olive oil

3^rd Dip: Chicken Liver Pate

Very creamy with a hint of cheese pimiento

Chef Rick’s Cheese Bread PHP 140

Sun dried tomato bread, broiled four cheese topping with baby greens

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.

Their Prime Rib nights (PHP1, 195) are every Friday, 350 grams Prime Rib with soup and salad. We opted to go for the Rib Eye instead since I’m not a big fan of meat sitting under the strobe of light for hours.

22 Prime Rib Eye Steak 400 grams PHP 1,295

USDA certified prime beef served with choice of two steak sauces from a selection of Forrest Mushrooms, Three Peppercorn, Teriyaki Barbeque, Three Mustard Cream and Horseradish Cream.

Horseradish is a staple in sauce option. Instinctively, the decision was to go with Three Peppercorn, which is an obvious choice for me since I love peppercorn. Option for the second sauce left a debate between Horseradish Cream and Forrest Mushroom. Irresolute faces prompted Dors, the friendly and knowledgeable table attendant, to pipe in and recommend Horseradish between the two. She was nice enough to throw in Forrest Mushroom as our third sauce though.

The accessories that came with the steak entrées to enhance the gourmet experience are Twice Baked Potatoes, Potato Gratin, Hand Cut French Fires, Potato Puree, Garlic Roasted Potatoes, Roasted Mushrooms, Spinach Gratin, Grilled Asparagus, Braised Baby Carrots and Grilled Zucchini. Potato Gratin was the prime choice.

The steak was already split into two on its arrival. A blob of mashed potato artfully needled by crackers and roasted tomato twigged by a clump of herbs accompanied the Prime highlight of the meal. I wanted the doneness to be medium while Bubba wanted medium well so I opted for the latter.

The first few bites were sheer beefy pleasure with fat that melts in your mouth. Halfway through my steak though, the meat tends to be dry, which is a complete puzzle because the first half was juicier. When Dors came to ask how was the steak, I told her that it was tad bit dry. She said that it must be the doneness, which is a good point. I’ve tried medium well so many times and it wasn’t usually as dry as the other half of the steak. A spade is a spade. It was really a bit dry. I call it as I taste it.

Bubba enjoyed his part of the steak very much and said it was moist and tender. The steak tasted luxurious and liked it better than the Wagyu we tried a month ago. I agree with him only midway *wink* and didn’t finish the drier half of the steak. He finished it for me.

Complimentary dessert –trio of dessert

Pandan cheesecake, mango panna cota, strawberry chocolate with whipped cream

The allure of Discovery Suites carries through its restaurant, 22 Prime. This refined place served palatably creative food and offers service that is professional and attentive. Service is top notch –Discovery is truly known for so many years.

Reasonably priced, enjoy an intimate dinner for two or celebrate with a group. At the elegant 22 Prime, experience a meal that throws off sparks in a dining room that radiates in both service and gourmet food.

22 Prime

22^nd Level, Discovery Suites

25 ADB Avenue

Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas Center

Pasig City, Metro Manila

(632) 683 8222 loc. 3722

22 Prime Album

Related Post

House of Wagyu Stone Grill

Café Verbena

In Yo

—

3 Comments Filed Under: (NEW HERE??) TAKE A BITE OF THE FAVORITES FIRST!!!, Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: 22 nd level, 22 Prime, 22nd floor, attendant, award, best, best service, best steak, Boracay, bring a date, card accepted, Chef David Pardo De Ayala, Chef Rick Cheese Bread, Country Suites, Discovery, Discovery Shores, Discovery Suites, floor, food, food blog, food review, foodie, Hotel, hotel concierge, hotel review, hotels, how much, how to get there, interior, location, Manila, Map, meal, menu, metro, new menu, Ortigas Center, parking, Philippine hotels, Photo, photos, price, promotion, rate, rates, restaurant, Restaurants, romantic dinner, room rate, Serendipity Lounge, service review, staff, Steak, suite, Tagaytay, Tomahawk steak, Video, wait staff, where to eat, where to stay

Meeting a Woman of Faith

August 3, 2009 by Janey

It was a Thursday, which means a workday. I remember that I almost begged off joining because I’ve already max-ed out my leaves because I took a 1-month leave for the study tour in Japan.

I was with someone else (SE) in 2006. He said that I should take the opportunity to meet her because “it’s not everyday that we get invited to a trip like this.”

We arrived at her house in Times Street, Quezon City early in the morning.

I think it was Tita Ballsy who welcomed us initially and directed us to the kitchen where she was.

I see a yellow figure turn to greet us. I am nervous. I am awkward. I am excited.

She first turns her attention to Tita (SE’s mom). Then she greets SE fondly. Tita introduces me. I nervously return her bright smile.

It was the first time I met former President Aquino.

She seemed to be always formal on TV.

Serious.

Tackling national issues are considerable matters after all.

But that morning, she was like any ordinary person, simply offering us breakfast on the table and welcoming us to their home.

Genuine.

Her earnest personality transcends beyond television. You can feel the sincerity in her eyes and smile.

She made cream cheese with caviar, a concoction she made herself. We had it with some bread and it was really luscious.

She was cheerful and as sunny as her yellow ensemble. I was feeling really timid being in the same presence of such prominence. But the atmosphere around her was very light and easy. With all that she has been through, it was an aura I didn’t expect.

Soon all of us load inside the van and we begin our travel.

She, Tita and Tita Ballsy talk all the way to the province of Tarlac. Once a while, she turns to SE or me. She asks me where I was working and I fumble in my answer. Incredibly, I stammer even with the word, “Yes.” She has that calming presence but I felt really humbled to be face to face with a democracy stalwart.

As we reach the town proper, they familiarize us with the surroundings. We had a quick stopover for lunch at Max’s. Her being there equally astounded the wait staff but anyone can spot the Filipino pride in their eyes as they look at her. She relentsto a reporter’s request for a short interview and some photos while SE and I look around.

We arrived at Hacienda Luisita and was greeted by Noy Noy, who personally toured us around the Ninoy Aquino museum.

At the end of the tour, we went to the mini-theater and watched in full screen a documentary about Ninoy Aquino and the hardships the family and the country had gone through to restore democracy. The Aquino family’s sacrifice alongside the country’s support and unity rekindled my nationalistic pride and instilled appreciation for being a free country. At the end of the short film were words of Teodoro Benigno (SE’s dad), former Press Secretary of President Aquino. Tears fell remembering Tito.

I took a lot from that day –a monumental piece of Philippine history was left implanted in my mind while the national unity displayed was left valued in my heart. How inspiring that despite what she has gone through, Tita Cory remained very simple and sensible. At any given day, she can pass like any ordinary loving mother or Tita or lola. When the country is in crisis, she was also our go-to-person for moral ascendance. She was a source of strength for every Filipino.

August 1, 2009

Corazon Aquino, the Philippine’s first woman president who led the Filipino people toward democracy, died in the quite morning of August 1, 2009. She succumbed to colon cancer at the age of 76.

I mourn not only for the loss of someone I was privileged to meet once in my life but my heart deeply cries for losing the woman who symbolizes hope for this country. She was an icon of democracy, nationalism and motherhood.

She was a woman of courage and faith.

It’s now time for every Filipino to carry the cross of the country for her. It is in each one of us.

There’s still a good fight ahead.

A Day with the President Album

Related Post

Manila News Today

False Reports on Cory Aquino

1 Comment Filed Under: A Taste of Manila and Other Things Tagged With: Alfredo Lim, apologize, better, Bill Clinton, breaking news, Britain, British Embassy, campaign, cancer, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, Chinese community, Cojuangco, colon cancer, community, Cory Aquino, coverage, crying, cure, current, date, death, Department of Foreign Affairs, DFA, exclusive, extends, faith, family, family reaction, family secret, family’s reaction, floor, Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown, forgive, former President, Former Supreme Court associate justice Adolf Azcuna, Friends, fuming mad, healing mass, health, her latest condition, Holiday, hospital, hospital room number, how, ICU nurse, ICU room number, Intensive Care Unit, Interview, inventory, investigate, Kris Aquino, letter, live streaming, Makati, Makati Medical Center, Manila City Hall, Manila Mayor, mass, message, Movie, Mrs. Aquino's trusted aide Marge Juico, nation-building, news, nurse, open, PGMA, Photo, photos, platform, Pope, prayer, praying, recalls, report, reporting, reports, room number, rumor, script, secret, secrets, sect, security, Senator, share, SMS, speaker, spokesman, spokeswoman, spread, staff, stage, stage 4, Television, text message, the Pope expressed his "spiritual closeness, TV, UK, United Kingdom, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Vatican City, Video, website, when, where, who started, who was behind it, wildfire, woman of courage, write up

False Reports on Cory Aquino

July 24, 2009 by Janey

The Aquino and Cojuangco families are already stricken with intense worry over former President Corazon Aquino’s health and definitely have no room for any additional worry particularly rumors that their loved one and the nation’s democracy icon has passed away.

The British Embassy in Manila sent to reporters a statement from Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown extending his deepest condolences to the family, which is undoubtedly careless and irresponsible. This brought a text pandemonium saying that the President had indeed died.

Even if the British Embassy in Manila gave another statement sending their apology for such “pre-mature information,” it is utterly inexcusable that such scenario happened. The families together with the whole nation are gripped with fear of losing a brave democratic stalwart to colon cancer. It is reprehensible to diffuse hopes with a mistake like that.

The nation still continues to pray for the ailing leader’s condition as well as for the families to not waver in their faith no matter how trying this time is.

I love Cory and I admire her love for this nation. She has irrefutable faith that carried on the strength for nation building. It is time that we be strong in our faith for her -faith in her health, faith in God’s will and faith in this country.

3 Comments Filed Under: A Taste of Manila and Other Things Tagged With: Alfredo Lim, angry, apologize, better, Bill Clinton, breaking news, Britain, British Embassy, campaign, cancer, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, Chinese community, Cojuangco, colon cancer, community, Cory Aquino, coverage, cure, current, date, death, Department of Foreign Affairs, DFA, exclusive, extends, faith, family, family reaction, family secret, family’s reaction, floor, Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown, forgive, former President, Former Supreme Court associate justice Adolf Azcuna, Friends, fuming mad, healing mass, health, her latest condition, Holiday, hospital, hospital room number, how, ICU nurse, ICU room number, Intensive Care Unit, Interview, investigate, Kris Aquino, letter, Makati, Makati Medical Center, Manila City Hall, Manila Mayor, mass, message, Mrs. Aquino's trusted aide Marge Juico, nation-building, news, nurse, open, PGMA, Photo, photos, platform, Pope, prayer, praying, report, reporting, reports, room number, rumor, script, secret, secrets, sect, Senator, share, SMS, speaker, spokesman, spokeswoman, spread, staff, stage, stage 4, Television, text message, the Pope expressed his "spiritual closeness, TV, UK, United Kingdom, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Vatican City, Video, website, when, where, who started, who was behind it, wildfire, write up

Nike’s Manny Pacquiao Limited Apparel

May 9, 2009 by Janey

Saturdays are meant for sleeping in until noon. Not last Saturday though. The day started early and we were at the Fort by 9AM. W-H-Y?

Last May 2, 2009, starting 12 noon, Manny Pacquiao fans and supporters get the chance to purchase Pacman’s limited apparel during this one day only event. The most popular item in the Manny Pacquiao pop up store was the Nike Trainer 1, which retailed at PHP 5,209.

The Manny Pacquiao pop-up store one-off event was held at Magnet Café Bonifacio High Street. Magnet Café is 2 doors away from the Nike branch store at the Fort. Limited pairs were also made available at Nike Park BHS the next day.

What we were interested in was the Manny Pacquiao windbreaker that has the Philippine flag design. When we got there though, there were about 80 people in line already, who supposedly camped out just to get their hands on the items. 3 hours of waiting… and there was no guarantee that when the store opens at 12nn, there would be stocks left. As much as we wanted to purchase the windrunners, I just didn’t have the patience to wait that long.

Cheers to those who were able to buy what they went there for!!! I’m green with envy.

Manny Pacquiao’s Nike Global TVC

July 6 Marked the 1^st Round Between Ateneo and DLSU

Unfinished Business: Pacquiao v. Marquez

Manila Ice and the Philippine Heat

It’s a Match: Pacquiao – Hatton

Pacquiao Floored Hatton