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Archive for the ‘Drinks & Grub’ Category
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Rolo Pretzels for the Culinary Challenged
There are chefs and kitchen whizes like my sister Karen. Then there are people like me who prefer to whip up easy 30-minute meals and the ever reliable pasta dish.
I experienced my first real all-American Thanksgiving feast in …
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Kitsch of the Week: Charlie Brown Café
When the first Charlie Brown Café opened in 2009, it had a lot of promise. As the first Peanuts-themed café in the world, it piqued the interest of the older generation who grew up loving Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock and …
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Mama Lee’s Home
Some snarky travelers may dampen your summer spirit by telling you that Boracay “ain’t what it used to be.” When I saw the likes of Starbucks and Shakey’s Pizza at White Beach last month, I couldn’t help but nod in …
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The Happy Meal is Happy Again
I remember a conversation I had with my sister Karen a few years ago in Mcdonald’s Cavite City.
“That’s it?” I said after seeing my little cousin Theo get his happy meal—fried chicken with rice and a small Coke laid …
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The Wonders of Used Coffee Grounds
I have two new reasons to love Starbucks aside from their classic café mocha: 1.) the new Starbucks card, which I can use as a debit card and rewards card whenever I purchase drinks, and 2.) the free used …
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Sweet Empanada Crust
I’ve been spending weekly family nights at Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati, since it first opened in 2000. I thought I’ve mastered every nook and cranny of this mall—from the top restaurants to the newest shops and stalls. But …
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Kitsch of the Week: Vanilla Cupcake Bakery
“Wow, this is fun. I feel like a kid,” said my artist friend Paolo, who, in his vintage rockstar ensemble, looked completely out of place on the colorful quilted couch surrounded by country-style teacups, saucers and pots. It was …
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Nutella Cupcakes
Allow me to do some shameless plugging. For my birthday, my sister Karen baked these sinful Nutella cupcakes to indulge my sweet-toothed soul.…
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Breakfast for Dinner
“When you ordered waffles and coffee instead of beer, I knew you were weird,” Anton joked when we talked about our first official date at a Makati bar in 2010.
Weird as I was, he loved me nonetheless. He wholeheartedly …
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Old World Dining
In the 19th century, a wealthy couple living in the San Miguel District of Manila was known for throwing unforgettable dinners. Dr. Alejandro Legarda (a.k.a. Don Alejandro) and Doña Ramona Legarda (a.k.a. Tita Moning)’s sumptuous cooking and luxurious dining rooms …
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A La Peanut Butter Sandwiches!
I have a philosophical question that’s been bothering me for years:
Why do sandwiches taste better when someone else makes it for you?
When my mother makes me a basic tuna sandwich, it tastes yummy. When I try to replicate …
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Vegan Party, Anyone?
It started with an exciting rumor. A Yoga teacher told a guest who told another guest who told me that Brad Pitt is coming to The Farm on Saturday, November 10, to join their 10th Anniversary party and unveiling of …
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My Farm Story
There’s a scrapbook at the reception area of The Farm at San Benito where guests are free to jot down comments, thank you notes, and other thoughts before they check out.…
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Lola Belen’s Chiffon Cake
I joined a food essay-writing contest in April. I didn’t win, and looking back I realize that I wrote more about the person than the food. But I have no regrets. This essay serves as a catharsis of my loss …
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The Grass is Greener at The Farm
I’ve been a pesce-pollotarian since 2005 and a yoga practitioner since 2007, so I thought I knew what to expect by going on a vegan holiday. Little did I know that booking a trip to The Farm at San Benito, …
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½ Pinakbet Pizza
The problem with “word of mouth” is that things can get overhyped before you actually experience it firsthand. And that’s exactly what happened during my Ilocos Norte trip last week.
“You have to try the pinakbet pizza!” people—from my friends …
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Eat Like a Sultan in Argos
There’s more to Makati Avenue than its bustling red-light district. Despite the perennial traffic and tacit escort service industry, this neighborhood is a foodie’s haven. Craving for good old diner food? There’s Filling Station on P. Burgos Street. Looking for …
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Coffee Art Gallery: Part 1
This little project began in 2009 when I purchased a foamy glass of mocha from a café in Melbourne. Although the essence of coffee is in the aroma and taste, the presentation helps make the experience better. Seeing the quaint …