Monday, January 30, 2012

The Purple Doll's Birthday Giveaway

Monday, January 30, 2012 Sumi Go 161 comments

After the recently concluded Chinese New Year, I bet the next special day most of us are looking forward to is the season of hearts -- the (in)famous Valentine's Day. However before we let the sweet-smelling air bring us to a romantic world, pwede bang birthday ko muna?

Don't worry, I'm not a narcissist who would want everyone to fuss over my turning 21 years of ruckus this 31st of January. But with the passing of this not-so-special day, I would like to give back to you -- dear readers, followers, blogmates and friends. Throughout the blogging chapters in my life, the section where I started The Purple Doll, a personal-turned-food blog, is probably the most rewarding. No, I don't really earn money through blogging, but I'm happy to earn new-found online friends and personal satisfaction as well.

Prizes up for grabs may not be much, but they're good treats for the tummy. And unlike my previous giveaway, this time we'll have 4 winners.

It's more fun in the Philippines

Sunday, January 29, 2012 Sumi Go 19 comments

When I was young, I have dreamt of traveling to foreign lands, learning new cultures and savoring unfamiliar dishes. In my 21 years of living, I’ve reached places I never knew existed, enjoyed scenic views which looked like paintings on canvass, experienced great hospitality from strangers whom I met for the first time, and sampled food items that brought me to pure bliss.

However, I have realized one thing. All these, I experienced in the Philippines, in my own country. I need not go to other places. Everything I need, everything I want, everything that's fun is already here.

Dillinger's 1903: Steak, Brew and More

Saturday, January 28, 2012 Sumi Go 47 comments

Yesterday evening, I met up with two of my college friends along with my date, to catch up over early dinner. Since my birthday is just around the counter, I told them that food is on me. Good thing, I have vouchers for Dillinger's 1903 at Greenbelt 3 courtesy of Groupon Philippines.

As a voucher holder, there are some terms and limitations that I have to abide. For the 52% off deal on food and drinks at Dillinger's 1903, voucher holders are not allowed to directly walk in but are expected to place a reservation. Our vouchers will also be honored only between 12NN to 5PM. Fortunately, the people at Dillinger's 1903 were kind enough to accept my vouchers even if we arrived 10 minutes before the cut-off time. They were also very friendly, treating full-paying customers as well as voucher holders with the same hospitality.

Weight Loss Tips for Foodies

Friday, January 27, 2012 Sumi Go 58 comments

Having a strong passion for food, I often face problems on losing the excess weight. Some people may still see me as quite petite, but don't let the vertical stripes on my lose top fool you. With eating out almost every day, who would not gain tons of unwanted weight? If you're a fellow foodie who loves to pig out on carb and sugar-loaded dishes, I bet you are also becoming more conscious not only with how you look but also with your overall health and well-being. Yes boys and girls, although eating good food is orgasmic, more often than not, it comes with a consequence we have to deal with sooner or later.

Most people I know who want to lose weight resort to either crash dieting or use of weight loss products. Some who wanted to take more extreme measures even opt for both invasive and non-invasive weight loss procedures. However, I don't believe these are permanent solutions. Like old folks, I believe that you reap what you sow -- the faster you lost weight, the quicker you'll gain it back. So although I'm not a health expert, let me share with you some weight loss tips that I personally follow, tips which I learned both through research and experience.

Akiba Café: A Taste of Sweet Japanese Treats

Thursday, January 26, 2012 Sumi Go 61 comments

Coffee shops and cafés have grown close to my heart. They don't only provide the drinks and sweet treats but also a cozy place to lounge at and Wi-Fi to keep anyone connected and entertained. For years, I have always relied on the trusty CBTL to keep me company. However, I have recently become more adventurous in trying out new coffee places, especially interesting concept cafés. And one of which I have come across is a small but enticing Japanese beverage shop called Akiba Café.

Akiba Café which was inspired from the word Akihabara (Tokyo's famed gizmo and gadget district), is a cosmopolitan Japanese-Filipino café conveniently located in one of the biggest and busiest malls in the Metro -- SM Megamall. It sits on Bldg. A's 2nd floor just beside Spam Jam, across Marks & Spencer, and offers hot and cold coffee, tea and cream-based drinks, as well as cakes and other sweet goodies.

Lutong Bahay: Lumpiang Tikoy with Cheese

Monday, January 23, 2012 Sumi Go 47 comments

Lutong Bahay will be a short tag on the title which I'll use to feature home-cooked food, either in our own home or at a friend's house.

First of all, Gong Xi Fa Cai and happy Chinese new year everyone! And to start this year of the black water dragon, our Chinese-Filipino family didn't miss stocking up on the traditional tsinoy favorite -- tikoy. (Guess we'll be eating tikoy for the whole month eh?)

Earlier this day, my mom already started preparing our tikoy. We usually eat them fried with egg. Today though, we wrapped pieces of brown tikoy in lumpia wrappers and tucked cheese inside. Deep fried them until golden brown, and they're all ready to be eaten.

Winebar: The Wine and Dine Spot of Café 1771

Sunday, January 22, 2012 Sumi Go 56 comments

Last Monday, my date and I were fortunate enough to join yet another Eat's a Date event. This time, it's at Café 1771's 2nd floor dinning area called The Winebar, conveniently located in a restaurant-filled strip at El Pueblo, Ortigas.

The Winebar is only one among the 4 concept sections in Café 1771 which specializes in steaks, burgers, oysters and wines. Being part of the Chateau Group of Restaurants, the same owner of Chateau 1771 and Sentro 1771, it was expected that The Winebar will also have impressive decorations like its sister restaurants. And our first step on the building's 2nd floor did not fail to leave us in awe.

Stickhouse: Italian Gelato on a Stick

Friday, January 20, 2012 Sumi Go 28 comments

Although I tried to willingly embrace frozen yogurts in the name of healthier eating, I have to admit that nothing still beats ice cream. However, one slightly healthier option is growing on me these days -- gelatos.

Gelatos are richer, creamier and thicker than regular ice cream but contains 30 percent to 50 percent less fat. It's a denser version of the latter, with a more intense flavor since it's not quite frozen. I totally dig this sweet and creamy Italian treat that I've been going around trying out various flavors at different stores. And one unique gelato presentation that I came across is Stickhouse's.

Stickhouse is a gelato stall that has been around for quite a while. I have tried their Pistachio (P80) gelato with a half Hazelnut coating (P15) over a year back. But although it has been quite long ago, I can still remember liking their sticked gelato for its lovely taste.

Parvati: Sweet and Homemade Treats

Thursday, January 19, 2012 Sumi Go 38 comments

Trinoma is one of the nearest decent malls from my place. And although it has been my go-to mall for the past few years, there are still a lot of food spots I haven't visited yet. One of them is the one-stop desserts shop called Parvati.

Parvati which is located in the mall's Mindanao lobby may look like your average pastry shop. However unlike other dessert spots in the Metro, Parvati supports talented home bakers by providing the venue while the latter provides the goodies. As of the moment, this dessert shop houses 40 best-selling desserts made by 24 different home bakers. From cakes, brownies, cookies, mochi, macarons and whatnot -- Parvati will surely have treats best suited for everyone.

Razon's of Guagua: Extension of a Filipino Home

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 Sumi Go 46 comments

Many in my circle of relatives and friends have already tried Razon's of Guagua. But as famous as this restaurant is, I have to shamelessly admit that I haven't tried eating in any of their branches yet. (I know, I'm such a loser.) Fortunately, the next Eat's a Date event that I attended was held at this famed Filipino comfort food destination.

Razon's of Guagua was established as a food business back in 2003. However, it uses the same recipe handed down by the three Razon sisters, Severina, Elena and Virginia, who started all the buzz of their great Pancit Luglug and Halo-Halo in Pampanga. Throughout the years, Razon's of Guagua has expanded not only with their visibility -- putting up over 20 branches in the Metro, but also by offering new food items that cater to the greater Filipinos.

Tsoko Nut Batirol: Hot Choco and A Lot More

Sunday, January 15, 2012 Sumi Go 38 comments

As much as I love coffee, I had to lay low on my consumption these days due to hyperacidity. Yes, blame it on Starbucks' planner promo and my stubbornness. Good thing, I'm not just a big fan of hot coffee but also of hot choco. And one hot choco place I've been reading and hearing a lot about is Tsoko Nut Batirol.

Tsoko Nut Batirol is a native tsokolate and coffee shop especially targeted to Filipinos. It was put up in the late 2004 by a group with an already extensive knowledge in the food business, aiming to give Pinoys a comfortable haven where we can unwind and just relax with a warm cup in hand while reliving memories of our happy childhood and the home-made goodies we used to enjoy.

Daily Quickie: Lemon Sugar Cookies & Iced Coffee

Sunday, January 15, 2012 Sumi Go 42 comments

Daily Quickie will be a short tag on the title which I'll use for blog entries about food I'm snacking at home, work or anywhere.

I love munching on almost anything I can get my hands on, cookies included. A few weeks ago, a friend of my lil sis gave us a jar of Lemon Sugar Cookies. I don't really know the brand because the packaging only says the product name and where it's from, Denmark.

The Lemon Sugar Cookies taste nice. They are sweet, slightly buttery and has a strong lemon flavor. I've eaten quite a few lemon cookies already, but this one has the most real lemony taste. I also love how every piece is bite sized and has a pretty flower shape. Makes popping one into your mouth more interesting.

Figaro Coffee Company: Discounted Café Experience

Thursday, January 12, 2012 Sumi Go 36 comments

Being a coffee lover, I make sure to get my needed dose of caffeine fix once in a while. Although I have been a fan of CBTL and Starbucks, I still make it a point to try out other coffee shops every now and then. I just noticed though that the most popular cafés in the country are those which originated from foreign lands. So to deviate from the usual, let me feature a Filipino-owned coffee shop this time -- Figaro Coffee Company.

Figaro Coffee Company was established by a group of coffee enthusiasts back in 1993. From a mere kiosk in Makati, they have expanded and built café outlets all over the country. And although the name of the company is European-sounding, it definitely caters to Filipino taste buds.

Lugang Café: A Taiwanese Dinner

Wednesday, January 11, 2012 Sumi Go 29 comments

Connecticut Street in Greenhills has been known to house a wide array of gastronomical goodness including a popular Taiwanese restaurant called Lugang Café. Ever since I read about it from Leslie's blog, I have nothing but a continuously growing eagerness to try the Taiwanese food fare they serve. However as much as I wanted to pay the area a visit, it'll take me a lot of planning and effort since I live quite far. I've almost given up but fortunately, Lugang Café had put up a branch in SM Mall of Asia which opened last December 6.

My date and I came from a lunch feast when we went to the bay-side mall. Although we were still quite full from our previous meal, I didn't want to miss the chance of trying out the Taiwanese restaurant. So after a few hours of strolling in the mall, we got ourselves an early dinner for two at Lugang Café.

Gelatissimo: An Italian Gelato Haven

Monday, January 09, 2012 Sumi Go 39 comments

For many months now, I have been hearing nothing but great things about Gelatissimo, an Australian gelato chain boasting freshly and daily-made sweet concoctions. I first saw it at Greenbelt 5 last November before I met up with blogger friends for dinner at Cerveseria. I wanted to try their gelatos right away, but the line was too long. There were about 20 people in line even reaching outside the store's doors. And even after our bloggers' dinner, the line at Gelatissimo was still equally disheartening.

My next sighting of the Australian gelato store was in Trinoma before the end of December. Although there wasn't a long line, its seemingly-cozy lounge was full. Not a good place to chill while waiting for friends. Fortunately though, after our Cyma late lunch last week, Gelatissimo's Trinoma branch was finally free of a large crowd.

Cyma: My First Greek Encounter

Friday, January 06, 2012 Sumi Go 39 comments

Although I am a slave for food, I have not yet tried a lot of other cuisines apart from the usual Asian favorites and some Western food fare. However after months of convincing my date to go Mediterranean, he finally agreed to accompany me in my first Greek food encounter at Cyma.

Cyma which means "to flourish" is already a famous Greek restaurant in the country, having been established in the Philippines back in 2005. For years now, it has been staying true to it's name and remained flourishing in market, continuously satisfying the senses of Greek food-loving diners.

My date and I visited the flourishing Greek taverna's Trinoma branch one weekday afternoon for a late lunch. With its simple yet inviting blue and white interiors, entering Cyma had reminded me of the clear blue ocean. However, our entrance was not as graceful as we would've wanted. It was actually very awkward as Cyma's crew were having an intimate meeting when we walked in. It took almost a minute before one very friendly crew accommodated us. I guess they have forgotten to put a "closed" sign on their door?

Daily Quickie: Daiso & Saizen Goodies

Thursday, January 05, 2012 Sumi Go 23 comments

Daily Quickie will be a short tag on the title which I'll use for blog entries about food I'm snacking at home, work or anywhere.

Last month, malls were unbelievably jam-packed with so many people -- those hanging out with friends, eating out and doing last-minute holiday shopping. I won't be complaining though 'cause I also joined the crowd in Trinoma. My agenda was to stock up on Japanese goodies I can binge eat while waiting for Christmas and the new year to pass.

For that particular trip, I visited Japan Home Centre. I bought packs of Japanese Mixed Nuts, as well as tried some new goodies -- a pack of Chocolate French Cookies, EDO Pack Black Almond Chocolates, and OKF Ginger and Citron teas.

The Chocolate French Cookies and EDO Pack Black Almond Chocolates were nice to binge eat. They weren't too sweet so you'll definitely be tempted to eat a lot. The OKF Ginger tea tasted like real ginger, quite sweet yet spicy. The flavor was a little too much for me though. Good thing, my dad liked it. He finished the whole bottle in just one sitting! The Citron tea on the other hand, was zesty but a little bland for my taste. It was refreshing as a cold drink though.

Malcolm's Burger: Wagyu Patty in Buns

Monday, January 02, 2012 Sumi Go 31 comments

Burgers are one of the foods I grew up eating as a child. I know it's not really healthy, but my parents have fed me tons of them for merienda during my grade school years. As I grew into a young adult though, I'd often skip this American favorite. However after paying a visit to Malcolm's Burger, I don't think I'll be able to help myself from eating these meaty treats.

Malcolm's Burger prides itself with the Wagyu beef patty they use for their burgers. Yes, you read it right. They use the finest beef known for its lovely marbling. And, they can also boast for being the first one to start this trend in the Philippines.

If you are familiar with the fine dining restaurant at Salcedo Village that is Malcolm's, this burger house is their American diner venture with friendlier prices of course. So when we were invited to try out some of the food at Malcolm's Burger, how can my date and I (with our grumbling stomachs) say no?

Toast Box: My Kind of Breakfast

Sunday, January 01, 2012 Sumi Go 36 comments

What better way to welcome the morning of 2012 than with a hearty breakfast.. And although I am not really a morning person, Toast Box doesn't fail to satisfy my cravings for a Singaporean early meal.

Hailing from the land of the famous Merlion, Toast Box is owned by the Singapore-originating BreadTalk Group who have successfully brought their flagship bread store in the country. And with the success of BreadTalk and their ever popular floss breads, the company brought Toast Box to the Philippines last September 2007 where their first store in Trinoma was opened.

I was meaning to grab some brunch in the mall one weekday when I spotted Toast Box. This Singaporean breakfast destination shares its store space with BreadTalk which I don't really mind. This particular branch is not too spacious, and its interior is quite minimalist while still being very cozy. Almost everything is in light brown with hints of white and black here and there. At the counter is also a really interesting sight of a crew skillfully pouring coffee and milk teas.