A Soiree of Flavors at Cru Steakhouse

It’s a weekend Friday, possibly most people favorite day of the week. And why not? It’s the best time to recharge, relax, and have a classy celebratory dinner with family or friends. On October 7, Cru Steakhouse will have a second round up of wine dinner pairing event featuring no less than the famous Cotes du Rhône 2010 of France.

Internationally acclaimed for its earthy and delicious notes, connoisseurs just simply come together to sip away and enjoy the full-flavored “Rhone-style” wine. Explore an elegant soiree of flavors at Cru Steakhouse, where both experts and enthusiasts can savor and compare three premium Cotes du Rhone 2010 varieties: St. Joseph, L’Arzelle, and Les Pimpiognoles.

For only P2500 per head, this rare offering comes with an exquisite three-course dinner personally hand-picked by Executive Chef Meik Brammer and Cru Steakhouse sous chef Rej Casanova. Known for carefully prepared grilled beef, freshly made salads and sumptuous desserts, Cru Steakhouse ranks high for its consistent quality of food.

Partake to this subtle and rich welcome pica pica: chives and cream cheese wonton, spicy pulled pork canapé, and tofu ceviche. It is followed by crunchy and mellifluent duck confit croquette, which is a delicate and light combo of citrus frisee salad and pumpkin puree. Main course is one of Cru’s signature steaks, the grilled Australian grain-fed Angus rib eye. Tender and peppered with Cru’s secret 14 spices, creamy garlic sprouts, garlic whipped potato, and herbed roasted tomato, this one is a certified wine pair favorite. For dessert, it’s a death by chocolate pleasure with dark mango passion fruit chocolate, which is a luscious proudly in-house-made Maracaibo ice cream with raspberry coulis.

Try something new and discover a new way to enjoy wine and steak at the elegantly designed Cru Steakhouse. Be educated and at same time, capture the real essence of engaging to this exclusive event—wine and dine plus catch up with loved ones in a stylish way.

For inquiries and reservations, call Cru Steakhouse at 988-9999.

Source: Press  Kit

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ABOUT MARRIOTT HOTEL MANILA:

An inviting beacon set in the world-class casino entertainment complex of Resorts World Manila, Marriott Hotel Manila is the place to work and play. Ideally located in Newport City across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, it is a convenient 15 minute drive from Makati Business District and Bonifacio Global City. Affording a splendid view of the adjoining 18-hole Villamor Golf Course, it boasts 342 exquisite guest accommodations that offers luxurious bedding, in-room safe, mini-bar, high-speed Internet, air conditioning, 40″ full high definition LCDs with IPTV, videos on demand and jack pack plug-and-play system. The hotel features excellent dining options such as Marriott Cafe, Cru Steakhouse, Java+ and Lobby Lounge. Leisure facilities include Quan Spa, Health Club, Salon and Newport Mall. With a Grand Ballroom and several meeting rooms, Marriott Hotel Manila is also the ultimate destination for meetings and events, from weddings to gala dinner celebrations.

The Symphony of Parol at the Ayala Triangle Opens the Yuletide Season

Last November 17th, the Symphony of Parol also called by Ayala Land as Christmas at the Gardens featuring Parol, opened at the Ayala Triangle Gardens.

Wizheart and I decided to celebrate his birthday there during the opening. We were again awed by the symphony of lights (its name last year).

Take a look:

After that awesome display, we got hungry, and so we checked out the newly opened restos at the Ayala Triangle. Look which restos are there.

Continue reading »

McDonald’s Ray Croc’s Birthday

It’s the birthday of the man who built the McDonald’s empire.

Ray Kroc was born on this day in Oak Park, Illinois (1902). He dropped out of high school, lied about his age, and signed up to be an ambulance driver during World War I. But the war ended before he was finished with training. He worked a few odd jobs and eventually became the sales executive for a mixing machine that could mix several milkshakes at a time. He spent 17 years traveling around and marketing the machine, and then he heard about a hamburger joint in San Bernardino, California, that was using eight of his mixers, and he went to check it out. The restaurant owners were Dick and Mac McDonald, and they sold a few items at a low price. Ray Kroc went in with them and expanded their business model, encouraged them to open up franchises, and in 1961, he bought them out. By the time Ray Kroc died in 1984, less than 25 years later, the company was worth $500 million, and there were McDonald’s restaurants in more than 100 countries.

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Delifrance Delivers!

If you’re craving for pasta, pastries, salads, sandwiches and drinks that only Delifrance can satisfy, then you’re in for a big treat.

Delifrance now delivers!

Jollibee Opens at Alphaland Southgate Mall

Last April, I wrote about Southgate Tower rising soon on EDSA corner Pasong Tamo Extension. Well, four months later, the Southgate Tower Mall opens.

I caught the opening last week  (or was a couple of weeks ago), but I was on my way to work, and had no time to stop by for some photos. I’ve been meaning to. Perhaps, one of these days.

In any case, last Saturday, I passed by the Alphaland Southgate Mall again, and luckily was able to snap a shot. On the ground level of the mall are Jollibee, Chowking, Le Couer de France, Terriyaki Boy, The Sizzlin’ Peppper Steak, and BDO.

This place is gonna be another destination for Metro Manila commuters. For one, the mall is connected to the Magallanes MRT station.

Help DJ Mo Give Away 15,000 Delifrance French Dip Roast Beef Sandwiches!

You may also call DJ Mo at 6310899, email me at goodtimeswithmo@yahoo.com, or text Magic<space>899<space><Your Message> to 2968.

Jollibee in Saigon!

On the streets of Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Wizheart found Jollibee! Who would have thought that our happy, bubbly bee has invaded the city.

What a long distance to fly!

At Italianni’s Kids Eat Free on Weekends!

Ciao! Kids get to choose one item from our Kid’s menu. Ages 10 and below. Maximum of 3 kids per table. Not to be combined with other discounts and promos. Valid on ALL Italianni’s Branches. Just email: ciao.italiannis@gmail.com.ph so we could save you a seat.

Tapella Opens in Greenbelt 5

In a land where Spanish influence is seen in manners, in clothing, and in cuisine, it’s still good to discover a place where you can have that innovative Spanish flavor in every bite.

You will experience this at the newly opened Tapella Restaurant at Greenbelt 5, Makati.

When I went there, I was warmly welcomed by its amiable Executive Chef Alexandra Cacho. Muy bonita!

She gamely gave us a chitchat before the food tasting began. She told us that every year she would go home to Spain and be updated on the latest in Spanish cuisine. She would bring what she learned to the Philippines and innovate. She also added that Tapella has new dishes every six months, retaining of course the popular dishes.

Tapella interiors are cosy. The chairs are comfy and even if it’s a bit small indoors, there’s still some room to move around. The outdoor part is also perfect for al serenidad dining. The outdoor bar is perfect for dining and wining at nigthtime and enjoying the greenery of Greenbelt.

After a few minutes, the serving of different Spanish dishes began. We started with white garlic and almond soup shooters. It was my first time to taste some cold soup shooter. The taste was distinctly garlicky and you chew on bits of almonds. When you toss it up, you end up munching on slices of a grapefruit. It warms up the palate for the next dishes.

More appetizers came, whic are equally a delight to the palate.

the camembert with caramelized onions

chorizo stewed in red wine ~ yum!

cocido meat on fluted bread

garlic sauteed shrimp the modern way

el Bulli – calamari with black ink – this was topped with aioli dip

and my fave among the appetizers served was the octopus with paprika salt & virgin olive oil ~ twas my first time to taste octopus, and never thought I’d love it.

After the appetizers were the paella in different flavors. I must admit it was also the first time I tasted paella that I liked. I even texted Wizheart to tell him about it. The rice was perfectly cooked, and the flavors of salmon (the salmon paella was for the non-meat eaters), meat blended well together.

picadillo paella

creamy seafood paella

Alaska king crab paella

manchego cheese, chicken, asparagus, and shrimp paella

They have about five varieties of paella. You should check each one out!

The paella was served with the yummy steak! Burners were set up on the table, and beef strips were served. It was up to us if we wanted the meat to rare, medium rare, or well done.

Too bad, I had a meeting at 2:30pm so I didn’t stay for the desserts. But I know Tapella desserts are to die for. If their appetizers and main dishes tickled my palate, how much more the sweets.

Friday “Wine Nights” from 6 to 9, wine lovers can enjoy overflowing wine served with tapas for only Php600.

Indeed, at Tapella, there is a new way of dining. It’s fine dining on yummy innovative Spanish cuisine at popular prices.

As Tapella’s dining principle says:

“Start with a traditional base, pour an infusion of unique contrasting flavors and a spoonful of intense passion, a dash of talent and a sprig of innovation. Finish off with disconcerting textures and illusion.”

Getting there

Tapella Restaurant is at the ground level, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center Makati. For the uninitiated, the resto is nearer Greenbelt 1.  You take the Greenbelt 1 exit going to Greenbelt 2. Right at the exit doors, you turn left right away, and you won’t miss Tapella.

Call for reservations: 757-2710 OR email at inquiry@tapella-restaurant.com.

Vamos a comer! =P~

Wendy’s Wrap & Roll

I haven’t been to Wendy’s for a long while now. So when I passed by Greenbelt 1 yesterday, I thought of dropping by for Frosty.

Then I saw their new offering, the Wrap & Roll. It’s chicken breast fillet and lettuce wrapped in pita bread. You have a choice of ranch or honey mustard for the dressing, and you can have it in regular or spicy.

I chose the spicy honey mustard dressing. I didn’t regret it. The chicken breast fillet was tender, juicy, and crunchy on its sides. The veggies are crunchy, the pita bread prepared just right, and the dressing, good! Overall, the wrap was yummy and filling, considering it was a bit small compared to other wraps I’ve sampled. =P~

The wrap & roll costs Php59.00. Frosty regular is Php35.00.

Check out Wendy’s new Wrap & Roll!