Food Bazaars 2: Banchetto - SM Cubao

January 21, 2012

Whenever I'm hearing the word "Banchetto", the only thing on my mind is food! I always go to Banchetto every Saturday midnight, when it was then held at F. Ortigas Jr. Road (formerly known as Emerald Ave.) in Ortigas Center whenever I have a duty in the office.

While I was in passing through SM Cubao last week, I saw the banner of Banchetto having their food bazaar in SM Cubao carpark. So I planned to check this out last Saturday.

Banchetto at SM Cubao carpark

Located at the 6th level of the carpark, the setting may not be as big as what Banchetto Emerald or even the one held in Megatent have, but nonetheless they were able to held this in a big mall.

Korean food, anyone?

Craving for sweet desserts

I asked some of the tenants there, and according to them, Banchetto in SM Cubao only started last December of 2011. They also added that they're also the ones seen in other Banchetto locations and even other food bazaars in the Metro. So they're literally everywhere whenever there are food bazaars out there. Who knows? Maybe one of them will have a big time business someday.

Preparing Ilocos Emapanda

Turtle pie cake

Look at that big pizza

Honestly, it only took a little time for me to choose on what food will I buy because of a small number of food concessionaires. So I decided to buy a slice of turtle pie cake for P70, one slice of Chicago style meat overload pizza for P130 and baked macaroni for P75. What's good about Banchetto is that every stall strictly requires to put the food you bought in paper bags. 

The crowd at Banchetto

My only observation on the place, as far as food stalls are concerned, is its limited food choices and limited food stalls compared to other food bazaars. Still, having this kind of setup in a mall has a promise to even draw more people and hopefully they even expand as time goes by. 

If you want to check their schedule, it's every Saturday and Sunday, 4PM to 12MN. For an alternative food choices and tired of the usual food, then Banchetto is the place for you.

(for more pictures, please click here)

Krispy Kreme 2012 Calendar

When I saw the FB post of the official Krispy Kreme hotlight girl about their 2012 calendar, at first I thought that it is just an ordinary calendar because it only costs P150, but then I learned that it's not just a calendar, it's a special calendar that I couldn't resist. (for a donut lover like me)

 

Last Sunday, I bought the calendar at their Gateway Mall branch in Cubao. Luckily, the calendar is still available. When I got the calendar, they placed it in a ecobag. Save the earth indeed.

Front cover of the calendar

As advertised, you will not just get the calendar, inside it has 12 coupons that you can use, 1 every month and in different variations, all worth over P1,000. Great deal isn't it?

What donuts will they give on June 1?

July 13 marks the 75th anniversary of Krispy Kreme

Here are the coupons inside the calendar:

 

The good thing about these coupons is that you just simply show the desired coupon you want to redeem at any Krispy Kreme outlet in the Philippines and no purchase is necessary when claiming them. For instance, you get the coupon for the month of January (free original glazed doughnuts and coffee), show it to the store, and presto! You already have one  free original glazed doughnuts and coffee.

 

For only P150, this calendar is great deal for all doughnut lovers out there. If you want one, better grab the calendar at any Krispy Kreme outlet in the Philppines before it runs out.

Avanza Club Pilipinas January EB - Hospicio de San Jose

January 14, 2012

(Disclaimer: As per request from the orphanage, I will only post pics that will not show the children's faces for security reasons.)

It's been a while since last joined the last EB of Avanza Club Pilipinas. When I checked the FB page of the club, the heads of the club had posted the details of the first EB of the club for this year and decided to help the children of Hospicio de San Jose. Some of the members of the club even brought their children for this event to mingle with the children in the orphanage. That is why the owners of the Avanza are mostly have families already.

As we arrived at the orphanage site, the place is so big and the location itself is along the Pasig River (landmark is at the Ayala Bridge).

Rows of Avanza

More pics of club members' Avanza

 

Entrance to Hospicio de San Jose

Hospicio de San Jose main building

We prepared to unload the things that we will be given to the children like used toys, medicines, school supplies, sacks of rice and so much more.

Toys for children

More toys and shoes and slippers

More stuff to give to the children

More stuff

While preparing for the things to set-up, the children were starting to arrive. After a few minutes, the program has started. The children performed some song numbers and even danced. Very talented indeed.

Children from the orphanage performing

Singing in duet

We were touched with their talents that they have shown to us and these children, mostly abandoned, are quite lucky as they are living better than they were just roaming along the streets. That is why we are giving these things to make the children very happy. It makes your feeling very light if you are helping, in any way, whether if it is big or small things that you will give to those in need.

Being in a club is not just for yourself and just among the members, it's also giving back to others by helping, sharing, and giving what we have to give their needs.

Food Bazaars 1: Il Mercanti (Metrowalk)

January 14, 2012

Every time I have work on a graveyard shift, especially on a Friday (or Saturday already, since we went there at 2:00 AM), me and my officemates goes to Il Mercanti in Metrowalk.

When we decided to go at Il Mercanti at 2 in the morning, we already know that going there is a no-hassle thing. Before, we were always going to Banchetto when it was located in the vicinity of our office in F. Ortigas Jr. Road (or formerly known as Emerald Ave.). Unfortunately, because of a complaint of a building owner in the same street, they were forced to held it somewhere. (I might give you complete details about Bachetto on a separate blog entry.)


The good thing on how to get to the place from F. Ortigas Jr. Road is that they have provided shuttle vans going to the food bazaar and back.

The good thing on how to get to the place from F. Ortigas Jr. Road is that they have provided shuttle vans going to the food bazaar and back.

Free Shuttle Van To Il Mercanti

The good thing on how to get to the place from F. Ortigas Jr. Road is that they have provided shuttle vans going to the food bazaar and back.

When we arrived at the place, I noticed that few people were there at the food bazaar (probably because some food stall owners are already packed up, or people still partying at Metrowalk, or some people arrived there earlier, or even they preferred the other food bazaar just a few hundred meters away from the site). 

Looks like this shop closed earlier than expected (or maybe they did not show up)

As I checked on some food shops, there were some shops that were closed earlier than expected and/or have not opened on the scheduled night (it's possible), roamed around, and decided what to buy there. Honestly, there were few food choices there yet I still had a hard time on what food to be bought.

Delicious cakes, sweet!

Crepes

If you're thirsty, have a drink!

I decided to check on three stalls that I want to buy food, Pasta Boulivar, Amburger, and Daddy Totoy's Ulitmate Crispy Chicken. Since we had only given a limited time for our break time, I quickly omitted Pasta Boulivar and proceeded to Amburger. I wanted to buy the Juicy Lucy Bacon Mushroom Melt, but the one in charge of the stall told me that they have already ran out of bacon, so I decided to go to Daddy Totoy's.

Pasta Boulivar (their pizza is big and stuffed)

Corn Dog stand

Amburger

When I went to Daddy Totoy's Ulitmate Crispy Chicken, I ordered their crispy chicken and they even offered me a deal, 3 pieces worth P150 (no rice, though). They also asked me what sauce to be applied to the chicken, either soy garlic or buffalo. After choosing, I saw how the sauce applied to the chicken, and they brushed the chicken with soy garlic. (unlike Manang's Chicken, where they put the chicken inside a container with the soy garlic and they are shaking it, as per observation).

Daddy Totoy's Ultimate Crispy Chicken

Their Menu

They brushed the chicken with soy garlic

I tasted the chicken when we got back at the office, it's ok, and the soy garlic applied on the chicken did not hold. Manang's Chicken is way better, though.

Look who's visited Il Mercanti (celebrities that is)

Overall, food stalls there might be a few, and the area is spacious, but if you want to have an alternative on the foods you always bought, then this place is for you. But honestly, I missed the food bazaar just near my workplace in Ortigas, even if it is crowded, lots of smoke, but lots of food choices.

for more pictures, please click here

Food Trip 5: Nav - Modern Thai Cusine

January 12, 2011

It's my first food trip for this year and I will experience this kind of food trip for the first time, Thai food.

Someone from Pinoy Exchange invited me to have a food trip at Nav, and since I'm available on the said date, I accepted her invitation. (You can check her blog here)

The outside view of the restaurant

We ordered their starter, son-in-law eggs, while we are waiting for our ordered main dishes. It has tamarind soup and the egg is deep fried, which is quite different to me. At its looks, it may have have been hard boiled, but it has been fried again (I presume). But I liked it.

Their list of menus

Nav's Thai Coffee (ordered by someone, not mine)

Son-in-law Eggs

The main dishes have already arrived a few minutes later. While waiting for 3 other people to come to the restaurant, we initially ordered Tom Yum Goong, Pad Thai, Green Curry Chicken, Wok Fry Tender Pork with Lemongrass, and Beef & Pineapples Thai Rice.

Tom Yum Goong is Thailand's version of our very own sinigang, only it is sour and it has hot. Its taste is kinda so-so for me. I still like sinigang though.

When I tasted their Pad Thai, it tastes good to my taste buds. 

Then I tasted  Green Curry Chicken, Wok Fry Tender Pork with Lemongrass, and Beef & Pineapples Thai Rice. I find them delicious too.

The group also ordered Crisipied Catfish with Green Mangoes (its sound is like a sizzling dish, though I didn't appreciate the taste), Khao Krok Kapi bagoong rice (not a fan of bagoong, and the rice is salty), Penang Curry Beef Brisket (it's good), Wok Fry Squid (delicious), and Crispy Tilapia (which I unable to taste, but I heard it's delicious).

Tom Yum Goong

Pad Thai

Green Curry Chicken with Bamboo Shoots

Wok Fry Tender Pork with Lemongrass

Crispied Catfish with Green Mangoes

Khao Krok Kapi (Bagoong Rice)

Beef and Pineapples Thai Rice

Penang Curry, Beef Brisket

Wok Fry Squid

Whole Crispy Tilapia

For desserts, we have the Taro Mash (it tastes like buchi from Chowking), Pandan Creme (it serves for 2 people, just the right sweetness), and Thai Sticky Rice with mangoes. (Yum!)

Taro Mash

Pandan Creme

Thai Sticky Rice with Mangoes

Clock is ticking at Nav

Shot of the interior of Nav

Overall, I liked the food trip experience at Nav's. Their servings is big enough to fill our tummies. I would recommend this restaurant and I will keep coming back.

Nav - Modern Thai Cusine is located at:

16-C United Street (across Ace Water Spa)

Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Tel. No.: (02) 655-8395

for more pictures: please click here