Independence Day Celebration at Meranti, Two Serendra: Filipino Flavors with Chef Jackie Laudico and Chef Sau del Rosario

Appetizers: Sisig, Kilawin and Empanada

We had an advanced Independence Day treat at Meranti, Two Srendra last weekend. It highlighted the Meranti’s Culinary Studio, a state-of-the-art kitchen and dining area within The Living Museum. Done to professional standards, the Culinary Studio can accommodate about 30 people who can share and indulge in delicious gastronomic delights.

We had a taste of masterpieces by Chef Jackie Laudico and Chef Sau del Rosario as they showcased some of the country’s tasty dishes from each of our three regions.

“There’s no better way to celebrate Philippine Independence than with a delectable serving of famous Filipino cuisines,” says Jennylle Tupaz, Project Development Group Head of Alveo Land “Two Serendra is commemorating an eventful day for the nation with a display of passion for cooking and creativity.”

Three Mangoes Mousse and Tibok-Tibok

Fish, Chicken and Paella

Kakanin (Filipino-style) Maki

Cream Puff and Fresh Fruits

Recipes: Filipino traditional meals with a twist

Recipes (SM North EDSA, The block branch)

Rainy June, decided to chill at SM North, The Block instead of braving the traffic. Looking for Filipino food (translation: rice meals) that fits the rainy mood..comfort food as they say. Rode the escalator to the third floor, looked to the right and saw Recipes with quaint interiors plus inviting soft chairs.

As a habit, asked for their house specialty and best sellers and it was quite a surprise that everything on the menu is preferred by different people of different age groups.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words,true because the descriptions here try with all might, cannot compare to the experience.

Chicharon Bulaklak Php. 168

A must-try appetizer! Its not oily (how do they do that really?) plus deliciously crunchy!

Crispy Bangus

Crispy, boneless Bangus goodness that is best taken with their Seafood Rice

Lechon Kawali with Kangkong Php. 210

The all-in-one combination is a first but you may request to have it separately served.

Korean Beef Stew Php. 258

This is by far the best Korean Beef stew version tried in the Metro! Its tender meat blends with its luscious sauce that reminds of home cooked meals. Its a comfort food and craving in one!

General's Chicken Php. 210

A house specialty chicken dish that is a must-try. Chicken goodness served with veggies drenched in some of its delicious sauce.

General's Tofu Php. 170
A healthier take for those who want to have a taste of General's Chicken without the guilt.

Kare-Kare (serves two) Php. 338

The secret to a good Kare-Kare as they say depends on the sauce. Recipes take on Kare-Kare is a balance of creamy saucy goodness. The veggies are not drenched (no soggy veggies here)

Gising Gising Php. 165

A crowd favorite and now we know why! A definite must-try

Crispy Tilapia in Tamarind Sauce Php. 210

Tried another first, the tamarind sauce compliments the crispy fish and its quite light and not overpowering the other flavors.

Crispy Tilapia in Escabeche Sauce Php. 220

Another take on crispy tilapia for fish lovers. The sauce like the tamarind version is light and compliments the crispy fish

Crispy Tilapia
Taken with their special sauce, the crispy fish is just heaven on the palate!

Recipes homemade Bagoong and Crispy Tilapia sauce

Why a separate photo of some of their sauces? Well, after tasting these, they really should bottle and sell it! Please!

Seafood Rice (serves two) Php. 118

Best with everything! Its good for two unless you are really pigging out or its cheat day so to speak..but won't blame you hehe!

Buco Pandan

This was the dessert of the day. Pandan flavored gulaman with vanilla ice cream topped with macapuno..no need to say more.

Brewed Barako Php. 50
Nothing like a fresh cup after a good meal. Piping hot goodness Barako style.

Branches:

3/F The Block SM City, North EDSA, 2/F Greenbelt 3 Ayala Center, Makati City, 2/F TriNoma Edsa cor. North Ave., Q.C., 2/F Corte de Las Palmas Alabang Town Center, 2/F Robinsons Place Manila-Midtown, 5/F Shangri-la Plaza Mandaluyong

Bistro Better: Homecooked meals, "..not your usual restaurant fare”

Chicken Alexandra Php. 140

Beef Morcon Php. 160

Roast Beef Php. 180

Desserts of the day: Banana Cake and Pineapple Upside down Cake

Down time on a hot afternoon, right smack in the middle of Pasong Tamo Extension with foodie-friends Leira Pagaspas and JayL Aquino, we decided to go on a foodie hunt. Tired of the usual, generic meals we searched online for hole-on-the-wall, must-try foodie havens.

Just our luck Bistro Better was nearby plus the, “It’s not your usual restaurant fare, says Bistro Better owner Carmencita Abadicio. "Because it’s homemade so you’re sure it’s not being mass produced and the sauces are made from scratch.” Better Bistro.

Straight from the kitchen of the late Conchita Penalosa-Kabigting, and handed down to her daughter, Carmencita Kabigting-Abadicio indeed, it is homecooked, comfort food that we have experienced!

Bistro Better is open Mondays through Fridays from 10 am to 9 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.

For orders and reservations, call 886-7870 or 0917-6124858. Unit GF2, G. E. E. Bldg., 2301, Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati

Sakae Sushi and UCC VIenna Cafe: Take out cravings

What's the next best thing when you're busy, its late and you're craving for good food? Well take out of course!

We were craving for a bit of Japanese and then some sweet endings. So we decided to purchase from different food chains.

As luck would have it there's a Sakae Sushi and UCC Vienna Cafe nearby (we were at SM Annex canvassing for Nokia Ovi phones). Which by the way are sister companies so to speak. We realized that when the UCC Viena Cafe attendant smiled at the Sakae Sushi take outs hehe!

Tempura as always is fave at Sakae Sushi. If it were not that late we could have done the sushi rounds but the mall's closing. We definitely recomend you try it out too especially with the family. The kids will have a thrill at the sushi conveyor plus you can see how they make the sushi through the clear glass partition. An educational and culinary experience for everyone as well!

UCC Vienna Cafe cakes are definite must-try/must-have after a good meal. By now I think we've tried almost every cake they have (calories galore but not ashamed!) What you see above are: Oreo, "BTS" and Macadamia Cheesecake.

Oreo - Who doesn't like anything with Oreos? This cake is not that sweet and the Oreos are complimented with soft-base chiffon and cream. Perfect with coffee or tea too!

"BTS' (better than sex) - Uhmn, who doesn't like caramel, chocolate and that special surprise in the middle. Ok, that may sound wrong but trust that its about the cake hehe!

Macadamia Cheesecake - Nutty and fluffy goodness best paired with coffee indeed!

Also recommended (in our fridge this today): Mango Cheesecake and Chocolate Mousse

For more information:

Sakae Sushi UG/F SM City North Edsa, Annex (02) 332-9139

UCC Vienna Cafe SM City North Edsa, The Block (02) 442-0147