Monday, April 30, 2012

Toro Restaurant & Bar: 4-Course Mother's Day Degustation

Monday, April 30, 2012 Sumi Go 43 comments

April draws to a close, and before you fret that summer is about to end, don't forget that another special day should be celebrated. No, it's not Labor Day. It's the special Sunday where we give honor to our beloved mothers, mum, mama, nanay -- Mother's Day.

There's still almost 2 weeks before her special day, but if you're having trouble what gift to buy, why not take the most special woman in your life and bring her to Toro Restaurant & Bar for a sumptuous 4-course degustation?

Brew-Kus: The Bev-Wich Shop in Salcedo Village

Saturday, April 28, 2012 Sumi Go 46 comments

On a scorching hot summer day, it's just nice to lounge at cafés, get a light snack and enjoy a refreshing drink. And in Makati where life is undoubtedly fast-paced, a bev-wich shop by the name of Brew-Kus generously offers good Continental comfort food along with an extensive selection of equally comforting drinks.

Having only opened last November, Brew-Kus which is a wittingly conjoined word of brew and cuisine, is a young and laid-back café drenched in purple, lime and cream. Subdivided into three sections -- coffee shop, casual and fine dining, Brew-Kus' interiors generally evoke a sense of comfort amidst its busy location. And with a cozy atmosphere, an inviting ambient lighting, and a color scheme made up of my most favorite colors, it's a no-brainer that Brew-Kus is my kind of a hangout spot.

Bar-B-King: The Ultimate Grilled Angus Beef Belly

Thursday, April 26, 2012 Sumi Go 27 comments

Although I like dining at fancy restaurants, I love eating at fast food houses that can give me the most bang for my buck. And recently, I've discovered one in SM Megamall which goes by the name of Bar-B-King, a quick service dining hub offering charcoal-grilled barbecued pork, liempo, chicken, seafood and more.

I won't be taking credit from discovering this humble fast food barbecue house, 'cause clearly, I only found out about it through its first bloggers event held last Thursday. And despite having a facade and color scheme common to most local fast food chains -- striking reds and bright yellows, Bar-B-King deviates itself from the rest through offering a family-oriented barbecue house serving quality well-portioned food at unbelievably dirt-cheap prices.

Kitsho: Restaurant and Sake Bar at Traders Hotel Manila

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Sumi Go 43 comments

Being a self-proclaimed foodie, I pride myself on having an open mind and a curious palate ready to take on new flavors from a wide array of international cuisines. However, as much as I want to hide my inclinations, I can't help but feel giddy whenever I'm in Japanese restaurants. Even as a kid, I had always been partial to Japanese cuisine. And after a sumptuous lunch at Kitsho, Trader Hotel Manila's Japanese restaurant and sake bar, I can no longer deny that I am deeply in love with the simple yet bold flavors of artful authentic Japanese masterpieces.

Conveniently situated in Trader Hotel Manila's ground floor, Kitsho is dressed with a contemporary zen-inspired interior exuding a calm and well-balanced atmosphere by drenching the place with blacks, creams and reds, coupled with soothing traditional Japanese instrumental music, and a slightly dim ambient lighting.

Naci: Ultimate Comfort Food and Dessert Destination

Saturday, April 21, 2012 Sumi Go 48 comments

Eating has been one of my most irresistible guilty pleasures in life. Although I have already packed on unwanted weight for indulging in various gustatory delights in almost a daily basis, I just can't say no to good food especially when it's a wide array of comfort dishes like what Naci generously offers in Connecticut Street, Greenhills.

Located in the second floor of Fox Square Building, Naci is a 7-month old haven for foodies who just want to enjoy good comfort food without stretching the budget too much. Owned by Ms. Nadine Nocom, Naci which is named after her restaurateur-father Mr. Nacy Nocom, prides itself on serving a variety of creative dishes meant to be shared with good company in a homey atmosphere, and with friendly and attentive service.

Akiba Café: Evening Trifle Tea & Cake Delight

Friday, April 20, 2012 Sumi Go 54 comments

About three months ago, my date and I got to visit Akiba Café, a cosmopolitan Japanese-Filipino coffee shop inspired by Tokyo's famed gizmo and gadget district, Akihabara. Although we've enjoyed the café's best-selling Green Tea Cheese Cake and Banoffee Pie, I had an unfinished business as I wasn't able to sample Akiba's famous trifle drinks.

Fortunately, our newly-established food club, The Foodies Circle, decided to pay Akiba Café a visit to enjoy the shop's sweet offerings over a serious group planning session, and random chitchat here and there. Of course, with this very timely visit, I made sure to finally get my hands on Akiba Café's trifle tea.

Max's Restaurant: 4Sharing Meal for Sharing

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Sumi Go 35 comments

Filipinos generally love to dine out whether be it with family, friends, classmates or co-workers. I myself love eating out in restaurants and cafés with my barkada. However, one problem I usually encounter is not having enough food for everyone in the group. To address this and make eating out more fun, Max's Restaurant created their latest group meal offering, 4Sharing Meal.

Max's Restaurant has been one of the most favorite homegrown dining spots of almost every Pinoy. And since we, Filipinos are known to treat every meal like a happy bonding session, Max's brings us a sumptuous group meal for everyone to enjoy.

Sugarleaf: Foods that Nourish

Monday, April 16, 2012 Sumi Go 33 comments

Being a foodie, I've always surrounded myself with carb, fat and sugar-loaded dishes. I also have a great affinity with popcorn, chips and other very tasty but seemingly unhealthy snacks. So although I want to cleanse myself of toxins, I just can't give up the flavors that I've always loved. However, one casual dining restaurant in the name of Sugarleaf proves otherwise.

Branding itself as a one-stop shop for a Manileño's organic and healthy product needs, Sugarleaf brings us an opportunity to learn how to eat and live healthily. Although this destination for both the health-conscious and the health-curious has a Greenhills branch, I got to visit its store in Makati City.

Jatujak: Falling in Love with Thai Cuisine

Saturday, April 14, 2012 Sumi Go 46 comments

Although I consider myself quite an adventurous foodie, there are still a lot of cuisines that I haven't delved much into. Being an Asian, I've always thought that I've already tried most of what Asia can offer. However, as embarrassing as it may seem, I wasn't able to try Thai not until last week.

For a few years now, Thai restaurants have been popping up like crazy in almost all parts of the Metro. However, having a beau who's not as curious and as adventurous as me hindered us from choosing Thai over the usual Chinese, Japanese, American or Italian cuisine. It wasn't until last week that my charm got the best out of him. Yes folks, the tough nut cracked and he willingly accompanied me to Jatujak in SM Mall of Asia.

Chicken Deli: Delicious Inasal Since 1983

Friday, April 13, 2012 Sumi Go 42 comments

There's no doubt that Mang Inasal and Chic-Boy are currently two of the most famous chicken inasal destinations in the Metro. However, being an adventurous and curious foodie, I made sure not to miss the chance to try a very popular chicken inasal restaurant which came straight from Bacolod, Chicken Deli.

Since 1983, Chicken Deli has been serving savory flame-grilled chicken all throughout Bacolod where it has actually become an institution. And in July 2011, this Bacolodian household inasal brand opened its first branch in Metro Manila, at SM North EDSA The Annex' 3rd level.

Cafe Mary Grace: Ensaymadas, Tsokolate and More

Monday, April 09, 2012 Sumi Go 52 comments

Mary Grace has been known to offer ensaymadas which are to die for. And although it has been around for quite a while, I haven't had the chance to actually try their sweet goodies. Good thing the pastry business had already expanded and put up Cafe Mary Grace, an easily accessible café carrying breakfast items, sandwiches, pasta dishes and pizzas, along with their famous pastries.

Among the eight Cafe Mary Grace branches currently scattered around the Metro, the beau and I got to try the Greenbelt 2 café for an afternoon snack. I've already passed by a few Cafe Mary Grace branches before, but never did I imagine the place to be very quaint and cozy, and filled with vintage trinkets. There were a ton of frames with old photos, books, candles and whatnots. The ceiling was also filled with paper lamps of various sizes.

Lutong Bahay: Ginataang Kalabasa't Hipon

Saturday, April 07, 2012 Sumi Go 59 comments

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

Although I'm a big meat eater, I managed to abstain from eating any chicken, pork or beef this Good Friday in observance of Lent. Of course, you wouldn't expect me to turn vegetarian in an instant. So the most perfect alternative to juicy, succulent meat is seafood.

For someone like me who has seafood allergies, this can be tough. Although I love my shellfishes and crustaceans, these yummy sea creatures give me crazy itching and swelling. However, I still take the risk and just turn to my friendly and always-ready antihistamines, especially when it's my mom's Ginataang Kalabasa't Hipon (Squash & Shrimp in Coconut Milk) that's on the table.

Moshi Moshi: Modern Japanese Fast Food in Katipunan

Tuesday, April 03, 2012 Sumi Go 52 comments

If you've been reading this blog for quite a while, then you'd probably know that I'm a big Japanese food lover. So when I got the chance to try out Moshi Moshi, a new Japanese fast food at Katipunan, Quezon City, how can I skip the trip.

I've eaten in a lot of Japanese food establishments -- full service restaurants, cafés, fast food chains and even in kiosks. And among those I've already tried, I can definitely say that Moshi Moshi has one of the most hip and refreshing ambiance. With hues of green, cream and white, this Japanese fast food didn't fail to give a good first impression.

Les Tadeos Restaurant: Filipino Exotic Food Fare

Sunday, April 01, 2012 Sumi Go 48 comments

Some people may see me as a foodie with safe choices. However, believe it or not, I've had my fair share of exotic dishes -- from the common frog legs, to the rare kilawing langgam (ant ceviche). So when I was invited to try out Les Tadeos, an exotic and Filipino fusion restaurant in Don A. Roces Avenue, Quezon City, I didn't pass up the chance.

Les Tadeos is a fairly new restaurant with a simple yet homey interior, one which somehow reminds me of a small local resto bar especially with its dim yellow-tinted lighting. It might not have the ambiance of a full service restaurant, but it definitely has a wide menu of Asian, Filipino and even Italian dishes aside from its selection of exotic food items.