Rochkirstin | com

Blog

  • Review of Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen (Uptown Parade Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)

    Review of Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen (Uptown Parade Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)

    Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen is a Vietnamese restaurant in Uptown Parade Mall that feels homey and colorful. Other branch locations are found in White Plains and Tagaytay. From the moment you walk in the door, you can’t miss the heart of the place: an entire wall mural featuring contemporary Vietnamese art. The striking cement walls enveloping the rest of the space looks perfect for the ultimate urban interior design, with a contrast of chic and industrial charm.

    Review of Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen (Uptown Parade Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)

    Ambiance:

    Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen didn’t seem particularly special at first glance, but it most certainly is, thanks to perfectly executed Vietnamese dishes that will make you feel like you’re sitting in a restaurant in Vietnam. At least that was how we felt like when we were there. The peace and tranquility inside added up to an energy we don’t usually find in many dining areas in BGC. Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen didn’t feel intimidating or stuffy. It’s a solid option when you want to hang out in a cool place and enjoy authentic and homemade Vietnamese food with friends and family.

    Food:

    Best eaten with nuts or peanut sauce as accompaniment, Goi Cuon (PhP 320) was served as well-constructed traditional Vietnamese fresh rolls with a nice textural play. There were vermicelli, vegetables, warm pork and shrimp inside and soft rice paper on the outside. If a summer roll and a spring roll had a baby, this would be it.

    Fresh coconut sprouts, glazed pork, and steamed shrimp were combined for a light yet hearty salad with a good variety of textures and flavors, all dressed with punchy house vinaigrette. Bawai’s House Salad (PhP 295) had a great crunch and less intense heat that Thai papaya salads usually have.

    Com Suon Cha (PhP 435) was presented with a platter of grilled pork belly glazed in caramel-lemongrass marinade and mushroom egg pie. The pork was juicy and moist with firm fat. It was fine but I’m a bigger fan of the pie, the crustless Vietnamese quiche suspending a bounty of savory ingredients.

    Hu Tieu (PhP 370) consisted of pork bones and seafood broth that tasted pleasingly earthy. Flavor was not resting on MSG, but it was subdued and lacked a voluptuous mouthfeel. Compared to pho, hu tieu’s broth seemed lighter and on the sweet than savory side. The garden of fresh herbs added a vibrancy that made it desirable even in the summer heat. Pork belly and seafood turned out to be an interesting combination.

    For desserts, we tried Bánh Da Lợn (PhP 80), yellow mung bean and pandan cake topped with coconut paste and sesame seeds. It’s a scrumptious treat no less, mildly sweet with a chewy, gelatinous, and sticky texture. We also shared Cha Bap (PhP 80) or Vietnamese sweet corn pudding. Marrying juicy corn with creamy coconut milk, it’s delectable, refreshing, and comforting. I prefer eating it chilled with a sprinkle of tasted sesame seeds. For drinks, we had Vietnamese iced milk coffee which they call Ca Phe Sua Da (PhP 130). Vietnam has various coffee but this one, specifically when condensed milk meets with local coffee, leaves a sweet taste in your mouth. Drinking it cold magnifies the sweet taste. Yum!

    Price for Value:

    Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen is a gem for lovers of Vietnamese food. The menu isn’t too fancy; food are set at reasonable prices. Pretty much the whole idea of Vietnamese food is about eating light and clean flavors and finding umami in each dish, and this restaurant does it right. Here, dishes are served with delicate and fresh ingredients, honoring the natural elements of food. To try them, you just have to go! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pg/bawaisbgc/” name=”Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen” description=”Ground Floor, Uptown Parade, 9th Avenue Corner 36th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 0917 152 2924″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-06-13″ ]

  • Review of Prego Ristorante and Bar (City of Dreams Manila, Parañaque)

    Review of Prego Ristorante and Bar (City of Dreams Manila, Parañaque)

    From the team that brought L’Opera Ristorante Italiano and Balducci, Prego Ristorante and Bar in City of Dreams Manila is an Italian restaurant and bar specializing in regional Tuscan cuisine. Prego translates to “please” or “you’re welcome” in English. No wonder why this place is so welcoming! After our first visit yesterday, we’re ready to say that we do like this place a lot. Every dish was presented like a masterpiece before our eyes, and the flavors were beyond superb.

    Lunch was booked through BigDish’s website a week ago, and we had an instant discount off our meal. In case you’re not yet familiar, BigDish is a brand-new way of offering dining deals and discounts. There’s no membership fee required. Just reserve online and get discounts off your bill depending on the number of people, date and time, and the restaurant chosen. Once booking is done, a confirmation code will show up and this should be presented to the restaurant at the time of visit.

    Review of Prego Ristorante and Bar (City of Dreams Manila, Parañaque)

    Ambiance:

    If you long for the gold standard for fine, not fussy Italian dining in Metro Manila, this will be it. Prego has a cozy yet chic feel, far from stuffy, yet formal enough to function as a post-work or pre-casino destination for those eating in this area for that purpose, or a place where you can celebrate and hold momentous events with loved ones. Prego has a main dining area with sofa seating for families and groups, a bar area for those who wants some booze, and a lounge where guests can go for coffee and dessert. The charming space is outfitted with high ceilings and good lighting. Wine bottles displayed on the walls and positioned at the back raise the glamour quotient.

     

    Service:

    The upscale atmosphere is enhanced by professional and accommodating servers providing the finishing touch on this gastronomic gem. Our plates were changed as soon as we finished every last entree, our glasses were filled with water in a timely manner, and we were asked every now and then if we needed anything. The plates did not arrive all at once, giving us time to really relish and finish our food and have some conversations in between. The first-class service added up to the refined mood that’s perfect for client entertaining or a fancy date night. Simply put, the warm, receptive staff won our hearts.

    Food:

    Who can pass up on fresh bread? 😉 Certainly not us.

    Prego Ristorante and Bar isn’t reinventing the wheel when it comes to Italian cuisine. It has all the makings of a great restaurant, and an even better place to discover food you love. Dishes on the menu are written in Italian with descriptions in English. For antipasti de terra, we had the house recommendation: Affettati Assortiti con Coccole e Salsa al Gorgonzola e Mascarpone (PhP 590), which basically consisted of assorted Italian cuts and pizza puffs, served with gorgonzola and mascarpone cheese sauce. This platter got our meal to an eye-catching start. Thinly sliced and arranged artistically in like triangular handkerchiefs, the cured meat had a mild taste and delicate texture. Most notable for me were the prosciutto and mortadella.


    The selection of pasta was pretty impressive as well, but our eyes were set on Ravioli all’ Aragosta (PhP 590) the moment we saw “lobster” and “shrimp” together in one. And we made no mistake, the homemade lobster and shrimp-filled ravioli in cream sauce was a true hit. Each pasta pillow was filled with a hearty and savory blend of the crustaceans, and the cream was loaded with heavy buttery goodness. The raviolis were colored with the flag of Italy, featuring three equally-sized vertical pales of green, white and red, with the green at the hoist side. Now, this is what we call creative!

    For our main dish, we chose to go with Bistecca Disossata alla Griglia con Spinaci (PhP 520/100g, minimum 300g per order). It’s certified angus beef rib-eye accompanied with sautéed spinach and vegetables. Again, we enjoyed every single bit of its parts. Cooked to medium doneness (as we requested), the steak retained the buttery, flavorful taste of medium-rare steaks while still having juiciness and tenderness that comes with a good piece of beef.


    For our dessert, we opted for something more unique than the traditional mango or chocolate panna cotta. Panna Cotta al Miele Tartufato (PhP 420) is a special version of the famous Italian cream custard with truffled honey syrup and sweet balsamic vinegar. Apparently, truffles aren’t just for pasta, pizza, fries, and risotto, and balsamic vinegar isn’t only for bread, pizza, and salads.

    It appears that nothing is impossible nowadays, and we were very pleased. Now we know that panna cotta ticks the box of things that go well with truffles. The flavor and fragrance of the truffled honey complemented the savory tones and richness of the cream. Texture was custard-like, silky smooth, and thick but still melts in the mouth.

    Price for Value:

    Prego Ristorante and Bar in City of Dreams Manila is everything you’d expect from a fine-dining Italian restaurant and bar. It pairs elegant and tasty plates with beautiful and serene surroundings overseen by their welcoming staff. Any meal would be a special occasion and although the experience is decidedly not cheap, it’s certainly worth what you pay. Plus, booking with BigDish would be a nice move to get discounted rates. Dine smarter and click on the button below to reserve a table now. 🙂

    To know more about BigDish, check out its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BigDishPH/ or visit its website at https://bigdish.ph/. Click this button to book a table now:

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.cityofdreamsmanila.com/restaurants/prego” name=”Prego Ristorante and Bar” description=”Upper Ground Level, City of Dreams Manila, Roxas Blvd, Parañaque, 1701 Metro Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 893 4155″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-06-05″ ]

  • Review of Miguel and Maria (Lilac Street, Marikina City)

    Review of Miguel and Maria (Lilac Street, Marikina City)

    Dining at Miguel and Maria in Lilac Street is my mom’s dream-come-true. Ever since we featured it on Poptalk, she has been hinting at us to visit the restaurant as a family and try the same dishes we had in the “food crawl” episode (click here to watch) back in 2015. A few days before Mother’s Day, I still didn’t have a good place in mind, so I asked her for some suggestions. Without hesitation and as fast as she could type on Facebook Messenger, she replied “Miguel and Maria.” Her wish was granted. 🙂 It was a happy Mother’s Day indeed!

    After 1.5 years, I was back in Miguel and Maria. The restaurant layout and quality of food remained the same. One difference I noticed was the wall. Well, our pictures are on it. 🙂 I was too surprised. Thank you, Miguel and Maria! This “comfort food” restaurant is truly reliable, one that won’t smack you or your credit card across the face.

    Review of Miguel and Maria (Lilac Street, Marikina City)

    Since it was Mother’s Day, the restaurant was packed, a testament to the management’s commitment to quality dishes that draw huge lines and massive crowd appreciation. We were, as I remembered, fifth in the list, so we stayed in the car and ordered ahead. We got a table after an hour. Food was immediately served and everything was absolutely worth the wait. We started lunch with the Bacon Chowder (PhP 80). It was creamy, rich, and comforting with a smoky jolt from bacon. Yum!

    Coated in sweet, salty, and savory flavors, the Salted Egg Wings (PhP 220) had a crisp crust and a drippingly juicy interior. The skin gave way with a satisfying crunch to the steaming insides. The chicken wings were delectable alone, and similarly so when consumed with Miguel & Maria’s mayo jalapeno. Aside from salted egg (an ongoing food trend), there wasn’t anything fancy going on; it’s just hearty, satisfying soul food that sticks to your ribs.

    We love salmon and almost always order it when present in a restaurant’s menu. The Honey Garlic Salmon (PhP 300) looked more interesting than usual and it definitely deserved a space on the table. It was garlicky, made with sweet-seasoned baked saffron, and served on a bed of mashed potato with a side of roasted vegetables. The fish came out deeply flavored, moist, and tender. The kick of garlic and the sweet, floral notes of honey are a match made in foodie heaven.

    Presented as a generous slab of baby back ribs, Miguel & Maria’s Baby Back Ribs (PhP 265) was marinated and perked up by the zing of their homemade rib sauce, grilled to perfection, and served with coleslaw and java rice. The meat itself was suitably tender, almost falling-off-the-bone, but with just enough bite, and a pleasant amount of char. It was tad fatty and fortunately not overwhelmingly so, with a good fat-to-lean ratio. So good!

    Creamy Pesto Shrimp (PhP 220) would be a true standout for fans of pesto since it’s lustily-flavored with pesto sauce and filled with a lot of thick, creamy goodness. The pasta took in the summery flavors of freshly picked basil leaves, topped with shrimps, and served with garlic bread. Shrimps were the tender element that made the dish more scrumptious.

    We also enjoyed the crispy and crunchy Roasted Pork Belly (PhP 290) with garlic parsley rice. There are better versions of pork belly that I’ve had in recent memory, but this one also passed with flying colors. Flavor was bold, staying true to the quintessence of Filipino dish. It’s an awesome addition to any meal and a treat that’s hard to beat. Veggies on the side were a good accompaniment to the taste and texture overall.

    For a sweet ending, we shared a slice of Blueberry Cheesecake (PhP 150) and an ample serving of Stuffed Nutella Cookie Ala Mode (PhP 150). Loaded down with cream cheese, the blueberry cheesecake was worth every calorie. It’s a classic, a darling dessert that seemingly never goes out of fashion. The warm cookie, on the other hand, was also good. It had just the right amount of sweetness, and with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it instantly took our taste buds on an island vacation. 🙂

    Price for Value:

    Again, Miguel & Maria in Lilac Street didn’t disappoint, and we’re happy to have celebrated Mother’s Day right here. Featuring a comfortable theme and a casual vibe, this restaurant delivers excellent and delicious dishes with attention to detail. Enlivened with modern presentation for great style and flair that was complemented with friendly service, the food receives a special nod that leaves diners feeling cherished. Prices are fair based on value. We’d be glad to return for another visit next time! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/miguelandmaria/” name=”Miguel & Maria” description=”89 Lilac St, Marikina, 1811 Metro Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 0998 972 2456″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-06-04″ ]

  • Review of SafSlim Dietary Supplement for Losing Belly Fat

    Review of SafSlim Dietary Supplement for Losing Belly Fat

    My mom is in her early 50’s, and she’s a pre-menopause basket case right now. Losing weight has been her goal for several years. She had tried taking diet pills before to suppress the appetite, but it turned out only having unpleasant effects including heart palpitations, restlessness, dizziness, and insomnia. She could not go on extreme dieting and perform regular exercises and workouts because between her job and our family, there’s hardly any spare time.

    Mom at Healthy Options - High Street branch

    I think a lot of women experience the same problem and hence seek easy and fast lose-weight and fat-burning solutions to achieve the figure they want. To be specific, my mom’s concern is her belly fat. We saw SafSlim at Healthy Options and decided to give it a try. From Instagram:

    Review of SafSlim Belly Fat Transformation System

    SafSlim is a natural dietary supplement that’s said to help break down the fat particularly in the stomach area.  It is free of dairy, free of gluten, and free of stimulants like caffeine. According to the manufacturer, it is most effective when you follow a reduced-calorie diet that doesn’t contain trans fats, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup and high glycemic carbohydrates. But finding out whether or not one can expect a slimmer belly requires a lot more than a marketing pitch alone. Clever wordplay and an emphasis on promotion are always a part of products, but what we need is clear evidence and support.

    The key ingredient of SafSlim is safflower oil, a substance made from the safflower plant and that has been linked to factors associated with weight loss, improving cardiovascular risk factors and improving cholesterol levels. Another ingredient is Vitamin E, an antioxidant that’s important for normal neurological function (protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage caused by free radicals).

    One must take SafSlim for 16 weeks consistently to be able to notice good results. Recommended intake, at the back of the label, is one tablespoon twice a day. We’ll document and share her progress through time. Here are her before and after pictures for now (2 weeks period):

    Two weeks ago (taken on May 15, 2017):

    Exactly two weeks after (taken on May 29, 2017):

    SafSlim is a liquid formula that works by decreasing your appetite, reducing cravings, and improving metabolism. The supplement has a delicious taste (Berry Cream and Tangerine Cream flavors) and sweetened with naturally derived Xylitol, so it can be mixed with juices, shakes, smoothies, yogurt, and other beverages. Mom takes it with Nature’s Plus Thermo Tropic Shake, a meal replacement weight loss system that’s also available at Healthy Options.

    We noticed that her belly fat has reduced as well as the fats in her thighs. The difference may not be too significant since it’s been only a fortnight. To follow through her weight loss journey, I already bought a second bottle of SafSlim (Tangerine Cream flavor) for her to take it consistently. Below are more side-by-side comparison of “before and after photos” showing the front, left, and right sides. What do you think?

    Wrap Up

    After taking SafSlim for about a week, my mom didn’t really have any cravings. She ate healthily, kept a food diary to track her meals, and never went hungry. She lost 2 pounds, which is okay. At this point, I think it’s really important for people who want success to become intentional with dietary decisions, food planning, and determined actions.

    SafSlim works but what matters more, in the long term, is making healthier food choices and controlled portions for sustainability. Taking natural weight loss supplements like SafSlim and Nature’s Plus Thermo Tropic Shake won’t make drastic changes quickly. If losing necessary fat takes 2 weeks, 1 month, or even 2 months of time, then that is fine. Lifestyle changes are the hardest to make and they do not happen “just because.” The whole point is to create a realistic plan and strategy to make a healthy lifestyle a priority.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/HealthyOptionsPhilippines/” name=”Review of SafSlim Dietary Supplement for Losing Belly Fat” author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-05-30″ ]

  • Review of The Wine Club (Legaspi Village, Makati City)

    Review of The Wine Club (Legaspi Village, Makati City)

    What started as a wine retail store a decade ago is now a restaurant. The Wine Club in Aguirre, Legazpi Street is deep in the center of corporate midtown in Makati, located on the ground floor of a really nice condo. It isn’t actually a “wine club” like the name literally entails; there’s no membership or contract with a locked-in period for subscription. Rather, The Wine Club is a wine lounge where you can have a memorable night out. At the same time, it’s a distributor that offers a wide range of collectible Napa Valley and Sonoma wines to many distinguished hotels and restaurant chains nationwide. Their food menu is not extensive but quality of dishes is pretty solid.

    Dinner was booked through BigDish’s trusty mobile app a week ago, and we had an instant 20% discount off our meal. In case you’re not yet familiar, BigDish is a brand-new way of offering dining deals and discounts. There’s no membership fee required. Just reserve online and get discounts off your bill depending on the number of people, date and time, and the restaurant chosen. Once booking is done, a confirmation code will show up and this should be presented to the restaurant at the time of visit.

    Review of The Wine Club (Legaspi Village, Makati City)

    Ambiance:

    Featuring a minimal design, The Wine Club has a rustic Italian ambiance. It’s upscale without being stuffy, and it feels celebratory almost any day of the week. Surrounding the modest bar and dining area are various wines on multi-level shelves. Heavy wooden bench tables set against contemporary bar stools create an intimate feel where guests can enjoy their wines at their own pace. Overall, the setting is cozy and the place feels relaxing. It’s an ideal spot for romantic dates, business meetings, power lunches, after-work dinners, and canapé evenings.

    Service:

    To maintain a good standard of service and professionalism, it’s always a plus when service attendants present themselves with a working knowledge about the wines’ vintage, appellation, varietal, and growing region and can answer succinctly when asked. They do at The Wine Club. The staff were conversational and were able to provide excellent recommendations with a good cadence of delivery. They were attentive and friendly without being overbearing.  Dishes were served in a coordinated, smooth, and timely manner.

    Food:

    Topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage, and minced beef, the flatbread (PhP 500) comprised of a good balance of salt, spice, and a little spike of acidity. Mildly bouncy, the pepperoni had a meaty chew and the textural differences with the rest of the components were satisfactory. The crust was amply topped with cheese that added salt and a more depth of flavor to the pie.

    Fresh Basil and Pistachio Nut Pesto Pasta (PhP 490) was rich, appetizing, and deeply flavorful. The pistachio nut mixture was finely granular yet still contributing to its nutty, herbaceous, and lemony profile. Adding cheese would certainly make a savory topping.

    Presented with a deep, sweet, crisply charred crust, Grilled Tiger Prawn Sautee (PhP 590) was a hit. The shrimps were juicy and tender with a crunchy pop, and the layered flavors wonderfully burst with a decisive snap in our mouth.

    Cabernet Braised Kitayama Wagyu Shank (PhP 880) hit all the beefiness and represented a perfect bite of food. We’re happy that it didn’t fall short of our expectation. The beef shanks were luxuriantly rich, moist, and juicy with intramuscular fat.

    For our wine fix, we chose Long Barn Chardonnay 2014 (PhP 250/glass) and Bogle Merlot 2014 (PhP 280/glass) to pair with meat, seafood, pizza, and pasta. Long Barn Chardonnay 2014 is citrus, well-balanced, and almost full in the mouth. The palate is coated with notes along with hints of apricot, apple, balanced aromas of pear and vanilla, and an oak taste on the finish. On the other hand, Bogle Merlot 2014 tasted fresh with plum and fruity flavors with a touch of earth. Texture was smooth and lightly tannic. Overall, this medium-bodied red wine is great for sipping with food.

    Price for Value:

    The Wine Club’s impressive and varied new-world wine selection, user-friendly menus, and the trained staff are the top reasons why I think this wine lounge/restaurant is a recommended go-to destination for foodie and wine enthusiasts alike. If you want quaffable wine to keep the food as focus, you’re in good hands here. The Wine Club has wines that are made for easy drinking and a delicious modern Italian fare that delivers fair value in price. Its welcoming environment will have you returning time and again. Bring in more company to fuel a fun vibe, and make sure to check out BigDish to score a great deal. 🙂

    To know more about BigDish, check out its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BigDishPH/ or visit its website at https://bigdish.ph/. Click this button to book a table now:

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/wineclubph/” name=”The Wine Club” description=”101 Aguirre Street, Legaspi Village, Makati” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 893 7784 or email info@wineclub.co.ph” author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-05-28″ ]

  • Where to Eat: 12 Best Restaurants We Tried in the Balkans

    Where to Eat: 12 Best Restaurants We Tried in the Balkans

    With all the eating we’ve done during our travel to the Balkans, I was 100% certain I would be gaining weight at tremendous speed, faster than I ever have in my life—and I was right (secretly hoped not). In 11 consecutive days, we visited at least two restaurants a day and were served with appetizing meals complete with a starter, a heavy main course, and yummy dessert. We could have waved a white flag, out of fullness, each time. In any case, we thank Mulan Travel Service Corp. for having done a great job in selecting restaurants with a sophisticated edge serving up delicious food that’s pretty hard not to love. In this post, I’m sharing the 12 best restaurants we tried in the Balkans (Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina). 🙂

    Where to Eat: 12 Best Restaurants We Tried in the Balkans

    1. Vila Prešeren

    Veslaska Promenada 14 SI-4260 Bled, Slovenia
    +386 4 5752510

    A sensational place for a contemporary, light cuisine with a touch of the Mediterranean, Vila Prešeren’s à la carte restaurant offers salad platters, risottos, pastas, fish and meat dishes, grilled dishes and desserts accompanied with top-quality wines from the best Slovenian and foreign wine cellars. We had amuse bouche, risotto with octopus, shrimps, and parmesan lollipop, beef tagliata made with creamy potatoes with tartufata and cabernet reduction, and the famous Bled cream cake. Overall, Vila Prešeren can be seen as a civilized oasis where refined fare are served by warm and considerate waitstaff.

    2. Restaurant Bevanda

    Zert ul. 8, 51410, Opatija, Croatia
    +385 51 493888

    Restaurant Bevanda is one of those places that’s perfect for a tough-to-please crowd. The restaurant’s distinct interior design looks contemporary and multi-functional. Facilities can accommodate both private and business events. Focused on pure and discernible food aromas, dishes were as classic as the decor. We had risotto with mussels and Kvarner scampi and prawns, sea bass fillet grilled chard on the Diamatian way, and millefoglie with forest fruit. If you’re missing the white-tablecloth dining rooms of days past, this restaurant in a resort in Opatija must be something you’ll fancy.

    3. Restaurant Foša

    Ul. kraija Dmitra Zvonimira 2, 23420, Zadar
    +385 23 314421

    A Mediterranean restaurant in Zadar, Foša presented to us dishes that walked the line between approachable and elegant. Dinner started with the cold trio (octopus carpaccio, fresh fish carpaccio, daimatian bruschetta), followed with a fillet of sea bass with aromatic herbs gratin, oven-baked, and potatoes sauteed in olive oil, and ended wonderfully with chocolate lava cake. Ambiance was lovely, especially at nighttime. This is a space that works for both special-occasion meals and a casual drop-in.

    4. Seoska kuća Čilipi

    Bistrače 2, 20213, Čilipi, Croatia
    +385 20 771 163

    Seoska kuća Čilipi in Croatia is located in a rural area about an hour from Dubrovnik. All of the food and wine served at the farmhouse were grown by them. Meat lovers will be glad to savor their first-rate grilled meat (sausages, chicken and pork), while style-conscious diners will appreciate the rustic setting the most. This restaurant delivered an unforgettable meal for us. Wine made some of us feel “happier” than normal, if you know what I mean. 😛 Red and white wine were best paired with homemade cheese, prosciutto, and olives.

    5. Restaurant Adriatic Grašo

    Uvala Baluni 21000 Split, Croatia
    +385 (0) 21 398560

    Restaurant Adriatic Grašo is my favorite among all the restaurants in this list. 🙂 The spectacular view can’t be beat. Located on Sustipan cliff at the foot of Marjan hill (10 minutes walk from the city center of Split), this spot is known for the terrific way it handles seafood. Our appetizer, Couver Sea Fantasty, was no exception. It comprised of six different “swimmingly fresh” carpaccios on a bed of fresh salad. Scampi Cream Soup was also prepared simply and beautifully. For mains, we had white fish, calamari, and grilled scampi. Exquisite cooking and ambiance to burn define this date-night nexus. The mood was quite intimate and classy.

    6. Restaurant Galion

    Suranj bb, Kotor Municipality 85330, Montenegro
    +382 32 325054

    Galion in Montenegro is a must for seafood lovers. Their kitchen does its magic well. We enjoyed a parade of cold adriatic seafood and fish delicacies, satisfying squid ink risotto with sepia and crispy parmesan chips, and lemon cream with crispy meringue and tart crumble. There was a whole lot of wow from the combo of all these seemingly disparate flavors adorned with the Mediterranean soul. For its interior, Galion features aquatic flourishes and wooden tones enhancing an already sleek dining experience that is unmistakably high end–yet worth every penny.

    7. Restaurant Proto

    Siroka ul. 1, 20000, Duborvnik, Croatia
    +385 20 323 234

    Dinner at Proto Fish Restaurant was a grand affair, full of the kind that characterizes Croatian fine dining. Every mouthful proved to be a rewarding adventure. For starters, we had Adriatic salad with scampi, melon, and avocado and fisherman’s soup en tasse. The star of our meal was the Gratinated Lobster Tail “Ponta Ostra” (risotto with wild rice, truffles and mushrooms), and hazelnut parfait for dessert absolutely hit the spot. Brilliance doesn’t come cheap, and even though a turn in this dining room might be the most expensive thing, it’s worth splashing out for a meal here any time of day.

    8. Restaurant Poklisar

    Ribarnica ul. 1, 20000, Duborvnik, Croatia
    +385 20 322 176

    When a salad just won’t do, getting to the meat of the matter with heaping platters of protein is always a nice move. At Restaurant Poklisar where dishes have a great depth of flavor, we had mussels buzzara, a delectable serving of visually striking tenderloin (insanely good), and ended with sweet panna cotta for dessert. The flavors were comforting; it will only take a few bites to see why this restaurant has so many regulars. Along with its enticing old European atmosphere, Poklisar has exemplary servers who stayed on their toes to ensure diners leave vowing to visit again. Trivia: In Dubrovnik dialect, the name Poklisar translates to ‘’an ambassador.’’ Truly, they’re an ambassador of good taste and remarkable moments.

    9. Marco’s Bar and Food

    Ul. Korčulanskog statuta 1214, 20260, Korčula, Croatia
    +385 98 275701

    It’s not often that you get to travel to a restaurant by boat. We did at Marco’s Bar and Food, a welcoming wine bar and tavern situated at one of the best Korčula Old Town locations, right at the beautiful Trg Antuna and Stjepana Radica square. This place served one of the best food we tasted during our tour: soup, homemade pasta with lobster, and mascarpone cream with cookie crumble and wild berry coulis. Enlivened with modern presentation for great style and flair, the pasta with lobster was the most indulgent. A few bites, and you’ll realize the chef’s works of art taste as good as it looked.

    10. Restaurant Bota Šare

    Marina Drzica 1, Ston, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
    +385 20 754 482

    In an area with a dearth of good dining options in Dubrovnik, Restaurant Bota Šare is one that’s satisfying. Can you believe that two old dusty books with recipes found in the basement of the owner’s home were actually the foundation of all recipes for Bota Šare’s dishes? Their chefs find inspiration in those books to master their culinary art. As a first-timer here, it’s best to try the signature platters. Both the Mixed Bota Platter (daimatian smoked ham, cheese, fish pate, tuna salad, shellfish salad fish carpaccio, marinated fish, seafood risotto) and the Bota Mixed Fish Platter (tuna broshette, white fish file, grilled calamari, bread crumbed mussels, fried smelts with vegetables) were well-executed. The luscious combination of ingredients in each platter won’t just take you to a different block; it will knock you out of this world! For a sweet ending, we had cream caramel. Oh, it was divine!

    11. Restaurant Gallo

    Ul. Andrije Hebranga 34, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
    +385 1 4814014

    If you are looking for true continental and coastal Croatian cuisine, Gallo is the place. It’s only a few minutes of walking distance from Zagreb’s greatest cultural assets (the National Theatre, Mimara Museum, University Library, and Academy of Arts and Science). With the homey and classic ambiance, we felt like queens even though we weren’t dressed for the evening. Fish soup set the right mood for a decent meal. The seafood pasta though wasn’t cooked adequately, just south of al dente.

    12. Restaurant Oxbo Steak (Restaurant of Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton)

    Ul. Grada Vukovara 269A, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
    +385 1 6001 914

    The “too much of a good thing can be wonderful” philosophy seems to be the general premise at Restaurant Oxbo Steak. Our dining experience here can be summed up with the in-love emoji. The food was pretty solid, bordering on mind-blowing in terms of taste and character. Much to my delight, I can still vividly remember nodding while eating, as a sign of approval. The carrot and ginger soup tasted healthy and indulgent, and the Istrian Ravioli with black truffles, cream, and proschiutto was hearty and perfectly seasoned. As for the main, their strip loin steak with vegetable puree on the side and orange and brandy demi glace was decadent. Finishing the bourbon chocolate cake and raspberry sorbet was not a problem. It was so good! We didn’t have to battle over who gets what, because everyone got his/her own share of these marvelous entrees. ♥

    All photos were taken using Fujifilm XT2 + 14mm lens.

    [schema type=”review” name=”Where to Eat: 12 Best Restaurants We Tried in the Balkans” description=”This post lists the top 12 best restaurants we tried in the Balkans in April 2017. The restaurant visits were prearranged and booked by Mulan Travel Service Corp. in the Philippines.” author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-05-26″ ]

  • Review of Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza (Serendra, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City)

    Review of Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza (Serendra, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City)

    Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza is a neapolitan-style pizzeria that serves fresh oven-baked 12-inch pizzas specially made with their own kesong puti. We may have been late to the party to try their specialties since the time they opened their first branch in Makati in 2014, but that’s okay. My friends say their pizzas are a revelation. The greatest triumph, I heard, is the SMEGG pizza. We went to Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza at Serendra, BGC to find out ourselves.

    Review of Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza (Serendra, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City)

    Ambiance:

    Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza in Serendra looks lively and stylish. The intimate space is accented by dark wood, exposed-brick walls, bright lighting, and comfortable seats. The menu is written on a chalkboard over the counter, featuring many top selections and food highlights. Overall, the ambiance was neat and also family-friendly. I love the how the potted plants are put against on the wall.

    Food:

    The Salted Egg Pasta (PhP 225) is an excellent entree. Made with fettuccine, bacon, salted egg, cream, and parmigiano reggiano, it’s one item on the menu that shouldn’t be skipped. Salted eggs work a special magic on food.

    Margherita with Fresh Mozzarella (PhP 470) was made with tomato sauce, buffalo Mozzarella, parmesan, and basil. There was nothing so special about it, but it was good till the last bite. For vegetarians, this pizza can be a gratifying choice.

    We were most smitten with SMEGG (PhP 475). It swooped in like a celebrity, pleasingly attractive yet ostentatious, mostly since it was topped with a mix of ingredients we don’t usually see in pizzas: homemade sausage, mushroom, eggs, gouda, and cream. But hey, it proved worthy. This unique pizza was surprisingly really good. Gino Brick Oven Pizza’s honey sauce paired well.

    Price for Value:

    Fresh juices and kale salads are popular players in the metro’s health-conscious culinary scene, but let’s face it— when it comes to indulging, pizza often ranks high on the list. While Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza’s dishes may not be the best we have ever tried, there’s no denying that their pizza game is strong. I thought price was a bit steep for the size, but the quality justifies the financial outlay.

    [schema type=”review” name=”Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Ginosbrickovenpizza/” description=”G/F Serendra, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig” rev_name=”For inquiries, call +63 9153459509 or (02) 8355342″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-05-20″ ]

  • Wine 101: Wine Appreciation Class (Wine Story Serendra, Philippines)

    Wine 101: Wine Appreciation Class (Wine Story Serendra, Philippines)

    I had been meaning to attend the Wine 101 Class by Wine Story Academy for months. But because of tight schedule, booking a class did not seem possible. Finally, I freed up one Saturday just before the week of our wedding to attend the wine appreciation class in Wine Story Parker Room at Serendra, BGC. For two hours, we had a cool opportunity to sample a range of wines as Wine Education Manager Carla Santos provided us a solid foundation in understanding and appreciating wines even more. In this post, I’m sharing the top 3 lessons we learned (aside from the aroma, palate, and tasting notes of wines).

    Top 3 Lessons Learned from Wine 101: Wine Appreciation Class (Wine Story Serendra, Philippines)

    1. Wine can be intimidating but it doesn’t need to be.

    Some people are not comfortable with the thought of tasting or drinking wine. Especially to those that are not familiar, it can be a confusing topic. Attending the Wine 101 Class has removed our fear and hesitation about learning what we have always wanted to learn about wine.

    Since the class had a small group of students (12 per session), our inquiries and questions were all entertained and answered. Carla started with an overview of the basic terms and principles about wine and then proceeded on covering topics such as how to properly taste wine and how to make a good selection in a restaurant or a store. We explored the process of making wine from picking the grapes in the vineyard to bottling the wine.

    The short course gave us a good insight to the introductory aspects of wine and wine tasting. At the end of the class, we felt more knowledgeable and more confident in choosing good quality wines over bad ones.

    2. There is much to learn and enjoy during an actual wine class and tasting session.

    We can always read tasting notes and wine characteristics from websites and online tutorial pages (Udemy and Coursera, for instance), but having the “taste” experience is still better and more preferable. Knowing the different flavors, mouthfeel, acidity, aromas, and colors as well as the grape varieties, food pairings, and origins requires more than just reading text from the computer screen (or mobile phone).

    The beauty about attending Wine 101 is the act of tasting different wines and making sense of what we tasted relating to description, quality, style, type, preference, drinking context, etc. It allowed us to practice wine tasting with sensory evaluation and discover our preferences in a relaxed environment. All materials were included. No prior knowledge was required.

    3. Aged wine is not always better.

    I had the misconception that wines are all meant to be aged and that aged wines are higher both in cost and value. The truth, as it stands, is that 90% of wine must be consumed within a year of production.

    Aging does bring out an array of exotic smells and tastes. (A correctly aged Pinot Noir can gain aromas of truffles; a Syrah can become fragrant with rich spices.) However, there’s science involved in wine aging and it’s not as simple as storing it in a dark room in your home for decades and expect it to taste great. Factors such as temperature fluctuations, excess vibration, and excessive light can hasten the deterioration of wine.

    Each crop of grapes is different. Each bottle of wine ages a little differently from the next; the perfect time to uncork a particular grape varietal will change with the region, the year, and the specific process the grapes undergo as they are being smashed and fermented into wine.

    WSA: Approved Program Provider of WSET

    Wine Story Academy (WSA) in the Philippines accommodates wine lovers’ desire for further wine education from any level of experience. For beginners, Wine 101 is an excellent starting point to know more about wine in a casual and organized setting. If you want something unique for your next date or acquire newfound knowledge with family or friends who love wine, booking a slot here is highly recommended. In this course, we learned how to improve our palate, overcome wine anxiety, widen our technical knowledge, and set aside any wine prejudices we have arrived with.

    For those wanting to take things a step further, WSA offers four levels of Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) qualification courses as an Approved Program Provider. The WSET is a worldwide organization providing high-quality training and qualifications for professionals working in the wine and spirit and hospitality trades.

    Wine Story is a luxury store in Shangri-La Mall, Serendra and One Rockwell. There is no other wine store quite like it… not in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai or even Tokyo. Wine Story offers up to 16 wines by the glass for sampling before you buy. The cutting-edge store design, state of the art ambiance and the finest wine selection of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, California Cult and large format bottles will simply take your breath away.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/WineStoryPhilippines/” name=”Wine 101: Wine Appreciation Class by Wine Story Academy” description=”Visit Wine Story’s website at http://http://winestory.com.ph/ and follow its Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/WineStoryPhilippines/ to inquire about its classes. Email info@winestory.com.ph or call 637-8888 from M-F 9am to 6pm to reserve a slot.” rev_name=”Wine 101 by Wine Story Academy” author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-05-18″ user_review=”5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]