Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Lobby: a la Carte Dining at Acacia Hotel Manila

Thursday, March 29, 2012 Sumi Go 50 comments

With outstanding hotel facilities, services and even a buffet to boot, you'd think that our posh staycation at Acacia Hotel Manila ends there. We initially thought so too, but we're wrong.

At the ground floor of the lavish Filipino luxury hotel is The Lobby, a sleek, stylish and modern lounge which doesn't only serve as a reception area, but also as a casual dining restaurant. Yes, you read it right. This pattern-filled space with its high ceiling, towering glass walls and unique contemporary interiors doesn't only offer a good first impression to guests, but also a Pan-Asian a la carte menu, cakes selection and an array of beverages.

Acaci: Buffet Dining at Acacia Hotel Manila

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Sumi Go 47 comments

Spending a fabulous weekend staycation at a luxurious five star hotel like Acacia Hotel Manila would not only entail a night of uninterrupted relaxation and unwinding, but also of food, food and more food. So after touring the new yet already impressive facilities of the hotel, the beau and I paid a trip to Acacia Hotel Manila's signature coffee shop that is Acaci.

Located at Acacia Hotel Manila's ground floor mezzanine, Acaci offers guests breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. Now if you're a regular reader, you'd already know that I love buffets. But although I've been to quite a few eat-all-you-can food spots, Acaci is by far the only hotel restaurant I've seen exuding a fun, stylish and playful ambiance as its space is beautifully drenched with colorful floral and striped tapestry while being surrounded with tall glass windows that give diners a 360-degree view of Alabang.

Acacia Hotel Manila: A Filipino 5-Star Luxury Hotel

Monday, March 26, 2012 Sumi Go 77 comments

Being a northie, I haven't had the chance to visit most parts of the southern Metro. However, thanks to Ms. Mae Ilagan and Ms. Marla Mendoza, I was able to experience the comfort, luxury and Filipino hospitality the south can offer by spending a weekend staycation at Acacia Hotel Manila.

Located at Filinvest Alabang, Acacia Hotel Manila is a 6-month old five star luxury hotel boasting of being 100% Filipino. Owned by the Corporate Holdings Management, Inc. (CHMI) through its subsidiary CHMI Hotels and Residences, Inc., and being managed by Acacia Grove Hotels, Acacia Hotel Manila promises to provide nothing short of the world-renowned Pinoy hospitality.

The beau and I took a long ride from the north going to Alabang. We left our homes a few minutes after 12PM, yet we managed to get to the south by 4PM. We got a little lost along the way.. But, the exhaustion and frustration were instantly replaced with awe as we reached Acacia Hotel Manila's modern and stylish lobby.

Figaro Coffee Company: What's New This Summer

Friday, March 23, 2012 Sumi Go 58 comments

Although I love coffee, I've been battling against a case of hyperacidity for the past few months. What I can't battle out though is the temptation to visit coffee shops. Fortunately, Figaro Coffee Company does not only carry a wide array of caffeine-infused beverages, but also a continuously growing selection of food and refreshments.

Pan-Seared Chicken Barbecue with Java Rice and Lemonade P150

I have always been a fan of Figaro Coffee Company ever since the beau and I got to try the café and its offerings thru a discount coupons booklet. We liked most of the dishes and coffee products we had. However, it has been over a month since I've last been to this Filipino-owned coffee shop and little did I know that Figaro Coffee Company has been adding more and more food items to their menu. Luckily, I was invited to sample what Figaro is set to offer starting this summer.

Moderne Culinaire Academy: The Grand Open House

Thursday, March 22, 2012 Sumi Go 43 comments

Being a foodie, I am not only at awe with gastronomic delights that I get to try. Although I have no talent and patience with cooking, I acknowledge that it's in the kitchen where all the magic happens. So when I was invited last Saturday, March 17, to attend the Grand Open House of Moderne Culinaire Academy, the newest culinary school in the Philippines, how can I say no.

Located at AFPOVAI Phase 1 in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Moderne Culinaire Academy is a duly recognized and certified technical/vocational school under TESDA, "a real culinary school and not a business pretending to be a culinary institution," as simply put by Chef Dino Guingona, Head Chef and Culinary Program director of MCA.

Bacolod Chicken Inasal: Ini ang Inasal

Monday, March 19, 2012 Sumi Go 51 comments

Chicken inasal has been one of the continuously-growing Filipino dishes to hit the Metro. Although I'm unsure of how it all started, most people say it originated in the Visayan islands. I have tried the versions of both Mang Inasal and Chic-Boy, and I thought Bacolod Chicken Inasal is just the same. But, I was wrong.

With its branches mostly located in high traffic malls, Bacolod Chicken Inasal deviates itself from the 2 fast food chains I've previously mentioned by being a sit-down, full service restaurant. Both its storefront and interior may give off that fast food vibe, but apparently, they're not one. They may have tons of posters inside the restaurant, but if you take them out, it would leave a nice bright-lighted Filipino diner with MassKara-themed decors.

Daily Quickie: Selecta Magnum Classic & Almond

Sunday, March 18, 2012 Sumi Go 54 comments

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

Selecta Magnum has hit the Philippines like a signal number 4 typhoon! On the television, on Facebook, in the blogsphere, and even in stores, there's always a tidbit about this famous premium ice cream bar. So although I was skeptical at first and thought that this might just be a common-tasting ice cream bar over hyped by the media, I finally gave in and decided to try it for myself.

Yesterday while in Trinoma, I dragged the beau along and decided to pay a trip to Landmark's supermarket just to get a flavor each of Selecta Magnum ice cream bar. Although there weren't many people flocking at Magnum's ice cream chiller, there were only 2 flavors available -- Magnum Classic (P50) and Magnum Almond (P50).

Market Cafe: Buffet Dining at Hyatt Hotel

Saturday, March 17, 2012 Sumi Go 61 comments

After a series of buffet dining last year, my date and I went on a short hiatus with scouring eat-all-you-can destinations. But being foodies and groupon addicts, we just can't let Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila's Market Café deal from Deal Grocer pass. So although I still have a buffet hangover because of Buffet 101, we gladly dined at Market Café using our vouchers one weeknight.

Located at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila's 3rd floor, a lovely corridor with posh decors and lighting will greet diners and hotel guests. With a hallway this nice, my date and I can't help but have a high expectation on Market Café's offerings. The excitement even grew larger when we got to Market Café itself. The place had a simple yet very elegant interior complemented by a soft yellow lighting. Seating was mostly by fours, but it seemed very comfortable with plush suede covers.

Cupcakes by Sonja: Serendra's Sweet Haven

Thursday, March 15, 2012 Sumi Go 56 comments

Ever since I've learned to love cupcakes, thanks to the ever-trusty Frostings, I had nothing but an undying eagerness to try out one of the most raved cupcake shops in the Metro. Most of my friends and even online buddies have nothing but praises for this well-acclaimed haven of personal-sized cakes. Yes, I'm talking about Cupcakes by Sonja in Serendra.

After our feast-ive lunch at Brazil Brazil, my date gladly obeyed, I mean, accompanied me to Cupcakes by Sonja's store. And although I've already seen a lot of photos of the pastel color-filled shop, I was still at awe at how homey, girly and vintage the place looked. The store was covered with red and white stripes, while a portion of the wall by the counter had a floral wallpaper.

Studio Kitchen: Creative Cuisine in Alabang

Tuesday, March 13, 2012 Sumi Go 44 comments

Having been born and raised in the northern part of the Metro, I have nothing but sheer curiosity of what the South holds within its area. Although the Dora-like part of me made me explore Makati and Taguig despite the distance, there are still parts of the Metro I have yet to travel to. One of them is Alabang in Muntinlupa which is the southern most city of NCR.

When given the chance to visit Alabang and dine in Studio Kitchen, an upper-class sit-down restaurant offering the creative fusion cuisine of chef-owner Mark Tan, I immediately contacted my fashionable and dear friend, Ronn (Yes, the one who competed in Lee's National Denim Day and the one who created these fierce statement blazers) to not only be my food trip partner, but to also be my travel buddy for the day.

Located in the Commerce Center Building's 2nd floor (which is more than 2 hours away from my place), Studio Kitchen is a barely 6-month old restaurant exuding both simplicity and elegance as opposed to pure intimidation. Although the wide dining space looks posh, the whole place was not embedded with knickknacks. Just simple square and rectangular tables, leather-cushioned seats and a lovely artsy wall, paired with a soft yellow-tinted lighting, and Studio Kitchen is all set.

DW Cafe: Food, Drinks and Gadgets

Sunday, March 11, 2012 Sumi Go 53 comments

Whenever my date and I visit Eastwood, we'd usually pass by Digital Walker, a store famous for carrying stylish accessories for Apple products. Although I consider myself quite tech-savvy, I don't own any Apple gadgets so the store didn't look as enticing for me. Not until now.

Just beside the shop is a Japanese concept café, DW Cafe. Owned by Charlie Paw -- the man behind Digital Walker, Digital Hub and Beyond the Box, among others, DW Cafe somehow serves as a dining section for the Eastwood gadget store.

It's been a while since my date and I have been in the area. And although we've previously seen DW Cafe, it was only last week that we got the chance to finally check the place out. Painted with white and accented with reds and a black backdrop, DW Cafe exudes a clean and modern vibe (which I failed to take photos of since I was really starving that afternoon).

Brazil Brazil: Churrasco Feast Platter

Saturday, March 10, 2012 Sumi Go 79 comments

Although I eat out often, I'm still a frugal foodie. And being one, I want to get the most out of a dining experience but at a reasonable, or better yet, discounted cost. So after a series of discount dining adventures courtesy of group buying sites, I bring you yet another episode. This time, it's a meaty feast at Brazil Brazil.

It was last year when I first saw Brazil Brazil's Churrasco Feast Platter deal at Metrodeal. But for some reason, I wasn't able to grab the chance that time. Luckily, Metrodeal offered a flashback for this meaty treat last month. And although the deal's only on for their Serendra branch, my date and I didn't mind the long drive to Taguig (Okay, I'm lying.. Of course, the one who drove minded it).

Relik: Modern Tapas Bar and Lounge

Wednesday, March 07, 2012 Sumi Go 53 comments

Although I love Chinese and Japanese cuisine, I have a soft spot for Spanish dishes. So when I was given an opportunity to try the modern Spanish-Mediterranean food fare from the newly-opened but already one of the hippest spots in the Metro, Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge, I didn't think twice and immediately grabbed the chance.

Located at the 31st Ave. cor. 4th St. of Bonifacio Global City, Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge is secretly tucked in Commercenter Building's second floor, sharing the space with the parking area. It was quite a challenge to look for the location, especially if you don't frequent The Fort like I do.

Daily Quickie: My Pink Wasabi's Kashi Maki

Sunday, March 04, 2012 Sumi Go 53 comments

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

Last Sunday, my beau finally gave in to one of my requests -- to visit Mercato Centrale. Although we weren't able to really enjoy the experience as we walked from Bonifacio High Street's parking lot to MC Home Depot under the scorching heat of the sun at high noon, I finally got to try one of the reasons why I've long wanted to visit this food bazaar -- My Pink Wasabi's Kashi Maki.

A combination of 2 things I love -- Japanese cuisine and sweet desserts, these Kashi Makis are mini cakes meticulously hand-rolled into small bundles of goodness. My date bought me 2 orders of the 5-piece Kashi Maki samplers (P130) which had a piece each of the Marula, Midnight Mint, Oolong Berry, ChocoLocco and White Matcha flavors.

Balkan: Yugoslavian Home Cooking

Saturday, March 03, 2012 Sumi Go 51 comments

Honestly, I have never been too adventurous with trying out new cuisines before I started this blog. Through the years, as a non-blogging food lover, I had already found comfort in Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Italian and American food fare. However, as a blogging foodie today, I am thankful to have met wonderful people who've inspired and convinced me to get out of my comfort (food) zone and try out other gustatory delights that other parts of the world can offer. So after going French a few weeks ago, I didn't miss the chance to try Yugoslavian this time.

From the same person behind Balkan Express in San Juan, Marko Batricevic -- a young Serbian living in the Philippines for almost 9 years, a fellow Lasallian, former Green Archer (who actually played in the 2007 UAAP championship team) and now a restaurateur, together with his brother Chef Martin, brings us yet another Yugoslavian (or more specifically, Serbian) food spot, this time in Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Xin Tian Di: Unlimited Dimsum at Crowne Plaza Galleria

Friday, March 02, 2012 Sumi Go 41 comments

Being a foodie, and at the same time, a fan of group buying sites, I didn't hesitate buying vouchers when I saw Deal Grocer's offer for Crown Plaza Galleria's Xin Tian Di -- Unlimited Dimsum for only P888 instead of P1,088.

It has been months since we've last dined in an eat-all-you-can restaurant, and after a week of sulking for missing the Valentine's Day celebration (Blame it on the flu!), my date and I decided to use our vouchers and stuff ourselves with dimsum to make up for the quite unacceptable incident. (If you're wondering, both the beau and I had the flu.)