MERCATO – Asia Off the Streets

Mercato Centrale invites you to

Go on an Asian food trip by visiting Asia Society’s ASIA OFF THE STREETS Food Festival

TONIGHT (7PM-10PM).

Bring your family & friends to an Asian Food Festival. Taste dishes from different Asian countries & get a chance to win raffle prizes including 2 round trip tickets to Hanoi, Vietnam from Cebu Pacific Air!

See you there!

More info here.

Makati Street Market: Thriving with Dynamism

How can an urban street market flourish and become a must-visit destination for city goers with varied tastes?

The generous dollop of hard work and the exceptionality of the dining and shopping finds do count, as evinced by the continuous success of the Legazpi Sunday Market in Makati. For seven consecutive years, the weekend street souk—a must-visit stop in a dynamic city spearheaded by propitious entrepreneurs and artisans—remains a place where international cuisines, organic finds, hand-made products, green items, and local products can be found. Complementing the array of lifestyle possibilities in Makati, the Legazpi Sunday Market in Makati evidently showcases more of what Makati has to offer.

Meanwhile, GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc. (GMCI), a Makati-based transformative social marketing company, and the Legazpi Sunday Market organizers realized that what the street market currently presents to its customers can, in fact, further develop to nurture the promising businesses of the artisans and highlight the escalating stature of Makati.

“Being a Makati denizen and as a long-standing communications partner of the most distinguished industry players for years have given us a perspective on how staying relevant to the ever-changing lifestyle of your market matters,” notes Amor Maclang, Director for Communications of GMCI. “It’s one of the ideals that make us challenge ourselves to produce new, transformative, and game-changing ideas that serve as our inspirations to generate exceptional campaigns.”

Hence, GMCI, together with its partners and sponsors, are transforming the Legazpi Sunday Market into the Makati Street Market, the first and biggest artisanal market of its kind in the Philippines. Enthused by the verve of the renowned outdoor lifestyle markets in Barcelona, Berlin, Helsinki, and Paris, the Makati Street Market will retain the Legazpi Sunday Market’s open-air venue laid-out in a dazzling urban backdrop, which allows people to take pleasure in dining and shopping amid the vivacious Makati atmosphere. Furthermore, the enhanced street souk will be adapting the idea of artisanal market concepts, where purchasers will deal with the food artisans themselves.

To further foster the thrilling vibe of the district, where the street market is located, the market organizers will set up pocket events for four consecutive Sundays starting September 23 to October 14. The said activities include grilling competitions, adobo festival, dance and cocktail events, and even biking workshops highlighting Makati’s landscape as a city that boasts of accessibility.

A Destination that Marks the Spot

Geared to become the biggest of its kind in the country, the upcoming Makati Street Market is truly a grand scene, which will highlight not only the selection of good finds and good food in Makati, but also one of the reasons why the city is a dynamic address of endless lifestyle possibilities. Nonetheless, facades and environs aside, the main goal that the initiative truly aspires is to uphold and support more of the country’s local products and homegrown services, which will arguably lead to the growth of budding artisanal businesses like Mantequilla, Budbud Gourmet Suman, and Pinoy Ordurvz Foods for delicacies; Patika Beads and Wiresworks for fashion accessories; and Creative Definitions, Bicol Sweetgrass Handcrafts, and All in Red Clay Factory for crafts and home decor.

One of the known sponsors of the event is one of GMCI’s long-standing partners known for being at the helm of fostering the leisure and lifestyle options present in Makati.

Alveo Land—Ayala Land Inc.’s benchmark of lifestyle innovation—is joining the said market transformation since the location of the market itself is pivotal to the thriving dynamism in the district, where two of its landmark projects are located—The Lerato and Kroma Towers.

Apart from this, Makati Street Market also complements the Make It Happen! Make It Makati! campaign, an ongoing project initiated by Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), Makati Commercial Estate Association, Inc. (MACEA), and the local government of Makati, aiming to underscore the opportunities for the changing lifestyles of the city’s denizens. To date, the market’s location—Makati North—is being highlighted by the abovementioned groups as a lifestyle spot for young and creative denizens, since this district is landscaped with a range of bars, shopping spots, museums, and concept stores.

Evidently, the ongoing success of the Legazpi Sunday Market was no fluke, despite the fact that Makati already houses a wide-array of dining and shopping spots. And with the exceptional lifestyle concept that will be adapted and enhanced by the amplified Makati Street Market, the initiative will further strengthen Makati’s dynamism as an ideal address for today’s evolving urbanites, as well as the flourishing business of our fellow countrymen.

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The Makati Street Market is located at the Legazpi Park in Makati City. The pocket events will run for four Sundays (September 23, September 30, October 7 and October 14), from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Interested sponsors may contact 0917-521-4624 or makatistreetmarket@gmail.com

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.

[Source]

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~