On the set of ‘A Secret Affair’ (w/ Derek Ramsay!!!) <3
When I found out that my all-time crush Derek Ramsay was shooting at my all-time favorite restaurant (and 2nd home), I rushed to Torch restaurant the moment I arrived from Hong Kong just to get a decent photo with him. Teehee.
He’s such a nice guy!! (And has a niiiiiiice body too. lollll) I can’t wait to watch the movie ‘A Secret Affair’. It’s out in cinemas now. :)
LOTD: Top BANGKOK | Slacks FOREVER 21
Couldn’t resist getting this classic Palermo bag from Louis Vuitton even though I swore never to buy LVs again.
Got these at a steal for only 100 HKD! :D
When I asked for a photo with Derek on my cellphone, he laughed really hard at the sight of my cellphone case. He called out to the production team and said “Look guys!! You gotta see this bling bling!!” haha it’s a bit heavy but super cute! I’m thinking of selling it in my online shop soon! :>
Of course, I wouldn’t let the night end without dining at Torch. Here’s what we had..
Tequilla Lime Chicken Skin Skewers (P174.95)
Leaning Tower Pizza w/ italian sausage and truffle oil (P449.95)
US Angus Prime Rib Eye (P1195.95)
Mmmm.. Posting these made me hungry! I think I’ll head out to Torch tonight. Where are you going to spend the first night of the long weekend? ;)
Like TORCH RESTAURANT on Facebook
My 1st Rockeoke Experience w/ Greenwich Pizza
A week before I left for Hong Kong, Val, Crissey and I were invited to Greenwich’s Rockeoke. We were all encouraged to wear costumes of our favorite music icon. Everyone knows that Halloween is one of my favorite holidays (sometimes I’m even more excited for it than Christmas) so I came up with the easiest costume which was Lady Gaga.
Little did I know that I would be the only person to arrive in full costume! (with matching leather boots) LOL!!
My peg was lady gaga but my mom says pwede din Charice because of my round fez! HAHAHA ;))
Crissey had to improvise her costume with Greenwich fries. I SWEAR I HOARDED A WHOLE BASKET. It’s soooo good!! I can’t believe I tried it just recently!! The onion rings were also good but nothing beats their fries. :>
The star of the night weren’t the singers but Greenwich Pizza’s Crispy Glazed Chicken. I order it whenever my family wants chicken but not the usual, boring fried chicken. This one is somewhat like terriyaki chicken~ even better! My only problem with this is that their portions are HUUUUGE. And when I say huge I mean huge, mutant-chicken levels. :)) Which might be a good thing for those with a big appetite. Hehe. :>
I’m still mourning over the fact that they phased out their buffalo wings. I used to go there and order a tray just for myself. Oink.
Here’s Cooks of GW Pizza, making sure that everything is okay.
Martha & Adrian were our hosts for the night. They sang Maroon 5’s ‘Moves Like Jagger’.
Val blew the crowd away when she sang Alanis Morisette’s ‘Ironic’. She may be known as ‘quiet girl’ but back in high school, everyone knew that she was a natural song bird!
I, on the other hand, struggled with my song. Haha! I wasn’t familiar with the songs in the given list so I requested for a different one and had to read the lyrics from my iPhone’s teeny tiny screen. :))
In case you’re wondering, I sang Freestyle’s ‘So Slow’. I looooove old school music!! I wish they’d have a reunion concert. I’d definitely go!! :D
Here’s Adrian mocking my Antelope ring. This ring has been a good conversational piece during events because they think that it’s a deadly accessory. Someone might lose an eye with it. :p
Anyway, my costume paid off after all because Greenwich awarded me with this super cool limited edition Eraserheads set which includes ALL of their CDs and other stuff. Obviously, I’m not a big fan so this went to my brother! Teehee. :>
Thanks for a fun rockeoke experience, Greenwich! The next time I get a costume party invite, I’ll think twice before arriving with a wig. HAHA! Excited to share the Greenwich love to my friends on my birthday sparty!!
Kérastase Chroma Captive Shine: 40 Days After | The Goose Station
After months of ranting about my hair, I was lucky enough to receive another solution to my dry, frizzy, kalawang (rusty) bleached tips. This time it’s from the holy grail and caviar of hair care brands~ Kérastase.
They launched the Chroma Captive Shine variant about 2 months ago. I usually post about the event after a week or so but since I usually end it with a review, I had to try out the product for myself to come up with a verdict.
THE PROMISE: Ultimate color protection up to 40 days!
The event’s food was c/o The Goose Station. I’ve been hearing so many raves and instagram brags about their exquisite food so I really squeezed this event into my tight schedule that week.
Laura Charlton, daughter of David of David’s Salon, introducing the brand once more and sharing a few facts about Kerastase Chroma Captive’s system capture technology.
The cutie Chef Rob Pengson of The Goose Station giving a few words before his masterpiece dishes were served.
1st snack: Duck Foie Gras with jam and macadamia nut. Not sure about the latter but as far as I can remember, I wasn’t a big fan of this. It looked great and my friends loved it but I really don’t know how to appreciate foie gras.
2nd Snack: Mojitos on the spoon & minced tuna rolls. I loooved the tuna! I think it was marinated to have more flavor. Too bad I didn’t give the Mojito a try. I had a shoot the next day and my #1 rule is not a single drop of alcohol the day before to avoid having ugly or dry skin. I heard this was really good though! Maybe I’ll order it the next time I drop by.
3rd Snack: Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think these are Fried Fish Skin Chips. I really loved this. It reminded me of my childhood yaya’s (nanny) specialty: fried Bangus skin.
Eggs Benedict ~ This dish was absolutely divine!!!! I love cooking with eggs but this is one thing that I can never achieve. Especially their heavenly hollandaise sauce.
24 Hour-Cooked Steak ~ It may seem dry in the photo but the steak was really juicy on the inside. The mash potato below it was also two thumbs up! I’m not one who likes to splurge on food but I will definitely come back to The Goose Station for another round of these.
Group photo before leaving. Almost everyone was wearing the color motif! Love it!!
I was able to grab a really nice dress from HIP CULTURE on the very last minute. My friends loved it!
Bag BRAUN & BUFFEL | Shoes SO! FAB
But the head turned wasn’t my dress during that night. This lovely necklace from FROU FROU FASHION / Lanvin by H&M was a good conversational piece during our dinner.
As you can see, the tips on my hair seemed really dry. So the next day, I had a hair makeover and started to use Kerastase Chroma Captive Shine shampoo daily & the mask on special occasions.
Bain Chroma Captive (shampoo) P1,483, Fondant Chroma Captive (conditioner) P1,693 and Masque Chroma Captive (masque) P2,708. Kerastase is a PREMIUM brand of L’Oreal and it is worth every drop. That’s why I always use a coin-sized amount only during every shower. :))
Left: Newly dyed auburn hair. Right: 45 days after hair dye and using Kerastase Chroma Captive Shampoo at least once a day & the mask at least twice a week. Made my hair look shiny and soft all the time. (I also lost 5 pounds! Lol.)
The Verdict: Color faded by about 25% only considering that majority of my hair is bleached. The bleached part tends to show more than my “virgin hair” or roots. The Auburn dye used on me contains a lot of red pigments and for any hair dye or brand, red is not a long-lasting color. My hair looks darker IRL. The photo on the right was taken with flash. Hee.
I guess I need to chop off the ends since they’re lighter than the top part. The only two things I don’t like about this product is that it doesn’t bubble as much as my regular shampoo and well, of course, the price. But as I mentioned, the quality speaks for the price. All in all, I really love this variant. I haven’t tried any Kerastase product that left me disappointed. I’m definitely going to buy another bottle when I get my hair dyed again next month.
***In fact, I’ll be inviting some lucky readers to go to the salon with me for my big birthday blowout with my blogger friends. So keep coming back to my blog for updates! Stay pretty, everyone!! :*
Stackers Baked Fried Chicken (80% less oil!)
After getting ambushed by Dove for a shoot, I went to Stackers in Eastwood to meet up with some friends. Again, I was ambushed to try out the country’s first ever Baked Fried Chicken at Stackers Burger Cafe. But hey, I’m not complaining! ;)
Their Baked Fried Chicken tastes really good. It has the same texture as ordinary fried chicken but with 80% LESS oil.
It’s lighter, healthier and yet, crispier and juicier than the regular fast food chicken.
It’s not just juicy on the outside but also in the inside!! Most of the time when I eat fried chicken, I leave a part of the meat because they’re dry and tasteless. But Stackers’ was really good inside and out!
A basket of Baked Fried Chicken goes really well with a side of yummy fries and Stackers iced tea.
But you know what’s yummier? VICTOR BASA ON MY SIDE hahaha juuuust kidding! :)) I was able to snap this shot before he left. He really enjoyed the dish too!
Stackers Burger Cafe outlets: Eastwood City, Resorts World & Mckinley Hill Venice Piazza, Alabang Town Center & Promenade Mall in Greenhills.
I think some branches like Eastwood are open 24 hours to cater to your cravings any time of the day. For more information and promos, like their Facebook Page.
Thanks for the treat, Stackers!! Looking forward to my next visit! :)
Date bait: `CUE Modern Barbecue
They say that the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Since most men are meat eaters, the best way to lure him out during Boys Night Out is to invite him to a restaurant like ‘CUE Modern Barbecue in BHS.
Our good friend Franco invited me and Val to try it out because he loves the restaurant and has been eating there at least once a week since they opened. He’s one of the pickiest eaters that I know so I was quite sure that the food would meet our expectations.
While Val and I waited for him to arrive, they served a complimentary bowl of popcorn. I saw a cute mini-popcorn machine inside but I wasn’t able to take photos because we were seated Al-fresco.
The Cue Caesar Salad Bowl (P345 whole) I’m a critic when it comes to caesar salad because I always whip up my own at home but this is one of the most unique ones I have ever tasted. The owner revealed their secret: Replace anchovies with bagoong. (Shrimp paste) Pretty smart, right? Might try that recipe out myself!
Skillet of Home-style Mac n Cheese (P375) Any cheese lovers out there? *raises hands and feet*. I’m one of the biggest cheese suckers that I know so I loved this dish. It’s a mix of cheddar cheese, aged gruyere and mozzarella. My mouth was in cheese heaven after taking a bite!
Spicy and Buttermilk Fried Wings (P355) The buffalo wings were so-so. They kind of reminded me of corn dogs because the wings were coated with the same batter. The buttermilk ones were good though. We gave our comments to the kitchen so hopefully they’ve improved it now since they were only on soft opening when we dined there.
Bone Marrow & Steak Tacos with Roasted Corn and Salsa Verde (P485) My diet went down the drain when this was served. Bone marrow is so good yet so sinful!
They were cooked perfectly and were very tender. The dips on the side really complimented the bone marrow. I wish the serving was bigger though because we couldn’t have enough of this.
Chicken Chiptole Chorizo Pot Pie (P325) This was Franco’s personal favorite. It’s highly recommended to those who like white sauce and cream.
You can really taste the chorizo infused in the sauce plus the chicken is really soft.
Hand cut Charred Corned Beef (P685) The main attraction at our dinner! I had to change the lighting because this deserved a spotlight. haha! :)
The corn beef hash is hand sliced, unlike how we perceive it to be. (messy and a bit mashed) so this was a different eating experience from me. My friend from Australia told me that he can ship over a whole slab of corned beef if I wanted him to. Guess I wont be needing that anymore since I can just go to ‘CUE if I’m craving for it!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake (P225) Their desert deserves an A+. Most of the restaurants that serve good food usually have bad desserts because they focus on the taste of their main course too much that they neglect the sweets. The choco chip cookie cake was very moist and I will definitely order this again on my next visit.
Caramel Pecan Cheescake (P235) This was also good but I’m the type that will always choose chocolate over anything else so I only took a few bites from it. The caramel syrup and pecan made a good combination with the cheesecake.
CUE is located at the new wing of Bonifacio High Street in Taguig. (same area as Jamba Juice, Ever New, Sariwon, etc) It’s fully booked during weekends so I highly recommend that you make a reservation before going there. You may contact them at 0917-8992283.
LIKE ‘CUE Modern Barbecue Facebook Page
Greenwich Give Me More!
Earlier this month, Greenwich unveiled their latest Spaghetti Supreme campaign at the SM Megatrade Conference Center. Pardon me for the extremely late post, I had severe tonsillitis + fever for almost a week then I was given a booth at the Supersale Bazaar just a few days ago so I have no time to blog. What a crazy way to end the month!
Watch: Greenwich Spaghetti Supreme TVC
Of course, a Greenwich event wouldn’t be complete without their special dishes. I swear by my shoes, everything on my plate was yummy! Their four cheese thin crust pizza has replaced my all-time favorite pizza and I’ve been craving for their buffalo wings since the first time I tasted it. I gotta get me some this week!
The event was very entertaining because the 3 oh-so-famous and kalog endorsers of Spaghetti Supreme, Solenn Heussaff, Anne Curtis, and Kelly Misa, showed us some of their special talents.
Solenn showed us her talent in doing makeup and modeling.
Kelly showed us her sexy yoga moves and a game of Taboo.
Anne was the highlight of the event because of her comedic song number. She sang an Adele and Whitney Houston song. No glasses were broken during the performance.
After the mini-talent show, some people from the audience were handpicked by the girls to join their team in creating an imaginary beach scene with limited props. It was really funny because some of the men were asked to do a sunbathing pose.
Kelly’s team won because they had the most unique arrangement. She claimed to be the “sun” of the beach using this beach ball. Smart!
With the hosts: RX 93.1 DJs Gino Quillamor and Chico Garcia.
Greenwich Spaghetti Supreme has definitely lived up to their campaign motto: “The more you give, the better it gets.” I hope all of you will get to try it too! :)
Don’t forget to watch these 3 girls’ hilarious Greenwich TVC.
Like GREENWICH Barkada Facebook Page to stay updated with their latest products and promos!
Say it Sweeter with Toblerone this Mother’s Day
Spent last Thursday afternoon sipping Mojitos and munching Toblerone Chocolates with Val at a beautiful home-turned-into-talk-show-studio in Forbes park.
I loved everything about the place especially the tranquility. Thursday lunch felt more like Sunday brunch.
What’s your favorite Toblerone? Mine’s the white one.
Val and I was expecting to see a giant Toblerone fondue when we entered the house. *wishful thinking*
Flipped the Toblerone box and saw this special edition print right before the program started. Guess who hosted it?
Clue: She’s one of the few hip moms that can rock this pair of Louboutins.
It’s none other than super cool mom, Tessa Prieto-Valdes and RJ Ledesma.
They picked the right combination because both of them really brought the place to life starting with Tessa’s flamboyant ensemble and RJ’s funny punch lines.
Each of them gave their fair share about being a mother and a son and both came to a conclusion that children nowadays are ashamed or find it awkward to say ‘I love you’ to their parents.
Toblerone invited life coach, Pia Acevedo, to explain the reason behind it through stories from yuppies like Jessica Tan-Gan, Georgia Schulze-Del Rosario & RJ Jacinto.
Everyone was touched by Georgia’s thank you speech to her mom. I got a bit teary-eyed because I could relate to her story about spending a lot of time with her mom in the kitchen and inheriting all of her secret recipes because her sister (and mine too) isn’t fond of baking. In my mom’s case, cooking. She can’t bake to save her life. Haha. *u*
Pia explained that each person has a unique way of showing or saying I love you through the 5 love languages.
- Words of Affirmation
- Quality Time
- Receiving Gifts
- Acts of Service
- Physical Touch
I’m guessing RJ’s love language is #5, physical touch because he wasn’t awkward with hugging or holding his mom’s hands. He admitted to being a ‘mama’s boy’ too.
They were given a box of Toblerones with a little extra something inside. There were ‘awwws’ and big smiles when they showed us their mother and son/daughter photos inside their boxes.
Had a short chat with Tessa and she told us about how she spoils her kids and showers them with gifts. I’d like to have her as a mom for a day (only). I wouldn’t swap mine for anyone, not even 10 Tessa Prieto-Valdes-es. Yes, I’m a mamas girl. :>
I just wish my mom would learn how to wear high heels so I could steal borrow them!
Got to take home a box full of Toblerones. Sent some to one of my best friends’ mom because she loves chocolates more than my mom. 8D
So, when was the last time you said I love you to mom? Say it sweeter this Mother’s Day and you may get the chance to win a getaway for the two of you!
Just upload an uber-sweet photo of the two of you at givetoblerone.com with a catchy caption. Click HERE for the complete contest info.
Mother’s Day is less than 2 weeks away. What gift or plan do you have in mind? :)
My Favorite Steak Place: MAMOU: A Home Kitchen
My parents always teased me about being thrift and not spending a dime on them so finally, after one million years, I decided to treat them to a lavish lunch.
If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram (@DearMarjSia), you’ll know that I frequent Mamou (Serendra) or Mamou Too! (Rockwell) because my family looooves steak. We prefer eating it at the comfort of our own home but at Mamou, there is little difference because of the cozy ambience and of course, they make way better steaks than we do.
To start off, we had Tuyo Salad with Red Rice (P155.00) instead of ordering the typical salads on the menu. I found it a bit awkward to eat the vegetables with rice but it was a new experience for me so I liked it. It has chopped tomatoes, tuyo, red rice, coriander leaves and light vinaigrette dressing. Tuyo is one of my favorite Filipino delicacies too so I couldn’t say no to this dish.
Next up, we had Mamou’s Vongole (P325.00). I love that it’s very juicy compared to other restaurants’ Vongoles which tend to be dry and lack flavor. But this is nothing compared to my all-time favorite pasta…
.. Lorenzo’s Truffle Cream Pasta (P335.00)! It may look like a typical or boring white sauce pasta but trust me, the flavor will blow your mind on your very first bite. So thankful Harry introduced this pasta dish to me because I was always stuck with the safe food selection.
I am torturing myself by typing this review now because I’m on a very strict diet. I am definitely rewarding myself with a big plate of Lorenzo’s Truffle Cream Pasta when I complete the cycle.
Now, onto Mamou’s main attraction, their USDA Prime Grade ANGUS Ribeye Steak (400g/ 14oz. P1,680.00). This is good for 2-3 persons depending on your appetite. I’ve tried eating this rare, medium-rare and medium-well. So far, my best bet for those who are not afraid of blood is to have it cooked medium rare (photo) so it will be cooked on the outside and still red and juicy on the inside~ my perfect steak! I really hate dry or torched meat so I never have my meat well done. This is by far one of the best steaks I have ever tasted. I’ve even tried Morton’s in Macau so it means that Mamou’s steak is really, reaalllly good.
By the way, the steak comes with 2 side dishes so no need to order extra. I ordered the White Buttered Parsley and Red Steak Rice. I might opt for plain rice next time so that I can savour the flavor of the meat without having my taste buds distracted by the steak rice. :))
For special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries, Mamou will give you a giant Red Velvet cupcake from Sonja’s Cupcakes. My gosh, all of my favorites are in one restaurant!! :0
I’ve been going to Mamou since they opened at Serendra and Rockwell and I will never get tired of their food and excellent service. Two thumbs up! Plus two of my big toes, if I could! haha :)
*Segue*
Lately, I’ve been having problems with my teeth especially tight gums so I changed my toothpaste to Colgate Sensitive and my toothbrush to the Slim Soft toothbrush of Colgate. I really thought there was minimal or no difference between this and a regular toothpaste but it really relaxed my gums after getting food stuck in it and flossing. I feel like such an oldie talking about this. ;__; haha!
Always remember to brush after every meal or else you won’t be able to enjoy yummy food like steak when you grow older! ;)
An O, WOW! Moment with Elmo Magalona & Oishi
I was invited to the press launch and unveiling of Oishi’s latest O, WOW! Campaign endorser. I had no clue whatsoever who it would be so I moved all my morning plans so that I could be one of the first to find out. *eager beaver mode* XD
When I got there, a giant O, Wow! bag was handed to me and they said “Good luck if you can fit everything there!”. I imagined the place would look like a Santa Clause convention after the event.
I spent the afternoon guessing who the latest endorser of Oishi would be with this fun group: (L-R) Richard, Michelle, Franco, Rowena. I remember one of them even suggested it was American Idol cutie, David Archuleta. Fail.
Oishi goodies and gifts kept coming and coming after every clue ala Oprah’s Favorite things style. I tried to google the clues/ Elmo’s O, Wow! moments but nothing came up until I tweeted the following:
Clues: 17 year old boy that recently got in to College of St. Benilde and his father was a singer too.
Lo and behold! 2 of my followers were able to guess immediately that it was Elmo because they knew that the late Francis M had a 17 year old son. Gosh, I’m so uninformed when it comes to showbiz. I need to watch TV and read magazines more often.
I bet this kid^ felt like it was Christmas in April. Hee. :>
So finally, after filling up our bags and giving us lots of excess baggage, Elmo revealed himself and showed us his wicked dance moves. It was such an O, Wow! moment.
It was my first time to see Elmo in the flesh and I could clearly see his resemblance to his father and super cool mom, Pia.
Elmo Magalona is the perfect endorser for the O, Wow! campaign because he’s a fresh new face in the food industry. Seeing his killer smile made me wish that I was 17 again so I could scream like a fan girl and not be judged by the people there. Lol.
Tried to get a photo with him but the media got in my way first. Boo! But I’m happy with this close up shot of him. O, Wow! Such a cutie!
All of us got to take home tons of Oishi snacks and gifts. The perfect goodies to bring during our family outings this summer.
I grew up with Oishi snacks and I can still remember the very first time I tried the Prawn chips. I’m very happy that they’ve created several new snacks for us to enjoy. I’ve already tried almost all the variants inside the bag except for the Baked Porky Pops. Oh my, I’m never going to buy chicharon again because this tastes better and is easier to find. I must say, it’s even better than Marty’s Vegetable chicharon. It was an O, Wow! moment for my taste buds. :-)
So, what’s your O, Wow! moment?
J. Co. Donuts Grand Opening @ The Strip, Megamall.
Two weeks ago, J. Co Donuts & Coffee officially opened its doors to the public at their first branch in The Strip, Megamall. It was a fun afternoon with friends and *drum roll* unlimited J. Co. donuts and coffee!
Their donut names are very cute and easy to remember. Why? They’re all named after Hollywood stars and timeless characters like Blue Berrymore, Avocado Dicaprio & Mona Pizza.
J. Co offers not just a wide variety of donuts but they also have yogurts, coffee and Frappes.
Our jaws dropped when we tried their Cappuccino Avocado. EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE MUST TRY THIS!! For those who aren’t fond of the fruit, don’t worry because it doesn’t taste anything like it! If the manager didn’t tell me it was avocado I would have mistaken it for a milky green tea frappe. I also think it’s a safe drink for those who are afraid of caffeine because I didn’t stay up all night despite drinking this at around 6pm.
Harry & I sharing a cup of Cappuccino Avocado.
Val enjoying hers as well.
Donuts were served to the guests all afternoon. Since I can only eat a maximum of 2 donuts in one sitting, I absolutely adored their mini-donuts. The size is perfect plus, they’re cream filled! I lost track of how many pieces I had that afternoon. *_*
If I were to recommend a donut for breakfast, the J. Club Cheesy Rich is the perfect choice! It kinda reminds me of Ensaymada but cheesier and creamier.
J. Co.’s famous Al Capone and Heaven Berry donut.
The grand opening was star-studded and packed so I wasn’t able to go around. Good thing Sam YG and Toni Toni from Magic 89.9’s Boys Night Out were just standing right beside me!
Bumped into my family friends, Gwen and Meryll. They were the ones who told me about J. Co. way before they even started building the first branch here. Meryll got impressed by their donuts during her trip to Indonesia so she’s really happy that they’re finally in the Philippines.
Oh before I forget, here’s what I wore:
OOTD: Peach Blazer PEANUT BUTTER & JERRY, Yellow tank top, Green bodycon skirt & Pumps FOREVER 21, Bag BALENCIAGA.
We got to take home a dozen J. Co. Donuts and they were divine!! I heard that the Al Capone ones are sold out by the middle of the day since they opened.
Obviously, who wouldn’t love donut drizzled with white chocolate and topped with crunchy almonds? I don’t even like almonds but I am nutty about this donut! ;)
Have you tried J. Co. Donuts? Share your experience with me!
J. Co. Donuts & Coffee is located at:
Mega Strip B, SM Megamall
EDSA corner Julia Vargas Ave.
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines
Catwalk Cosmetics Makeup Workshop March 2012
Catwalk Cosmetics’ 1st makeup workshop for 2012 is moved to March 10, 2012 (1-5pm). It’s a good thing I had a bit of conflict in my schedule so more students can join. :)
Good news to all those who haven’t purchased the popular Catwalk Cosmetics Runway Palette~ It’s included in Package B! (Save P400) We also have other goodies in store like SweeTetite Chocolate Truffles, Get Lashed GCs and Nivea skin care.
FEE: Package A (Free Makeup Brush Set) P,3500 | Package B (Free Brush Set & Runway Palette) P4,250.
Again, beginners are VERY welcome! Do not be intimidated by the model in the poster. Haha! My classes are very informal, hands-on and interactive because I want everyone to learn while having fun. No *nosebleed* terms. Check out photos our previous students HERE and HERE.
The workshop will be held at a private studio in Pasig City, not too far from Tiendesitas. Map will be e-mailed upon confirmation of your slot.We will only accept a maximum of 10 students so register today at 0917-8929289. :)
TORCH Restaurant’s Valentine’s Day Menu + Dinner for 2 giveaway!
It’s the time of the year again when love is everywhere and restaurants get fully booked by love struck couples of all ages.
Last week, I got the privilege to be one of the first to try out Torch Restaurant’s Valentines Day menu. I’m a regular customer there so I was quite excited to taste something new and different aside from their usual thin crust pizza or steak medallion.
First up, the starter: Torch’s Pepperoni Panizza
Panizzas are hand-rolled thin-crust pizzas. I’m glad they served it this way because it would be really awkward to use your hands during a date especially when you’re not yet that comfortable with each other. I think it was a bit too big for a starter so I hope they change it to 2 bite-sized ones instead of a big panizza. I really think it tasted great because of the Arabiatta sauce plus, it had a lot of mixed greens like bell peppers, arugula and my favorite, alfalfa sprouts.
Soup: Wild Mushroom Bisque w/ Truffle Oil OR Potage St. Valentine
I ordered the Wild Mushroom Bisque w/ Truffle Oil and I have been craving for it every night since I got to taste it. The soup was very thick, rich and creamy plus the mushroom’s taste was very dominant. Does it make sense?? It’s my first time to review a restaurant and I’m no expert so forgive me for making up terms. :}
My date got the Potage St. Valentine Soup. Good thing he took a photo! I was enjoying mine too much that I forgot to take one using my camera. Don’t get intimidated by the name, it’s just a fancy way of saying “St. Valentine’s Potato Soup”. And well, you gotta name at least one of the dishes after the person behind or scumbag (if you’re single and bitter) responsible for this special occasion.
Did you know: According to legend (and my legendary high school teachers) St. Valentine was a Roman priest who gave illegal/secret marriages to young men and soldiers because the emperor believed that married men didn’t make good soldiers. I guess women have been considered a big distraction and career ender since the olden times. Thumbs up!
Now, let’s move on to the main attraction..
Main Course: Flaming Mignon OR Salmon Puttanesca Amore
Everyone knows that women are suckers for seafood. That includes me but I opted for the Flaming Mignon for that night. Valerie on the other hand ordered the Salmon Puttanesca Amore. I was expecting Salmon served on top of boring Puttanesca pasta but this came out instead. The pasta was oil based~ Aglio Olio (anchovy pasta) and the Norweigian Salmon was topped with puttanesca sauce. See the yellow ‘cave‘ on the left side? It’s actually cheese!! *another weakness* We were definitely very impressed by the plating of this dish!
I’m pretty sure most, if not all men are bound to order steak when they see the menu. The Flaming Mignon is guaranteed to satisfy anyone’s appetite!
The mashed potato (left) looked a bit stiff and dry but I got shocked when I tasted it because it was, for the lack of a better term, sooooo good! I can’t really describe the taste but it’s far from the usual mashed potatoes that I’ve tried. The veggies on the other hand aren’t my type because I dread carrots and string beans but my friend liked it because it was wrapped in bacon. I hope they do consider my suggestion and change it to asparagus instead! Hee.
The steak was very juicy and tender even on the inside. I always have mine cooked medium rare. Some people may find it gross and too bloody but I like it that way. How do you like yours done? Tip: If you don’t like the taste of alcohol at all, ask them to skip the vodka. I THINK it’s just for show, anyway. I’m not an expert at cooking but I know their steak will still taste great without it.
Bored or awkward? Do not fear! The dessert/ finale is sure to cause sparks between you and your date. The double chocolate heart fudge is good for sharing. I bet everyone will go all mushy and start feeding each other cake. *bitter mode* haha! The best thing about this cake was its frosting. I’m still trying to figure out how they made it crunchy. You’ve got to try it to know what I’m talking about.
Their Valentines Day Special is open for reservations starting today. It’s only 2,500 nett for a couple (2 pax). They can accommodate up to 25 couples only so you better start inquiring now because I heard that they got fully booked pretty quick last year.
Spy photo: Look who I spotted at the other table. My favorite couple having a date there too! :>
Speaking of dates, I’m giving away a P1,000 Peso Torch Gift Certificates and Nivea goodies to one lucky commenter and his/her date. All you have to do is..
Leave a comment below via Disqus. Tell us your most kilig/ romantic moment with your special someone and why you want to take him/her to Torch. It can be as simple as receiving flowers or something as crazy as sharing your first kiss while bungee jumping. Don’t forget to leave your FULL NAME (FB name) and e-mail address.REQUIRED: Like Torch Restaurant’s Facebook and SHARE the Valentines Day album. We will cross-check comments here and those who clicked ‘share’.Optional: Spread the love by sharing or reblogging this link too! Aside from the Torch+Nivea prize, I’m giving away 5 pairs of Nivea his and hers lip care as a consolation prize! :>
*This contest runs from January 25 until Febrary 6, 2012 and is open to Metro Manila residents only. The GC is valid from February 15 until December 30, 2012.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED HERE.
TORCH Restaurant is located at #63 Connecticut Street, Greenhills, San Juan.
Tel # 02-4773771
LIKE them on FACEBOOK
FOLLOW @TorchResto on Twitter
For Marshmallow Lovers Only: SugaRush S’mores Pie
Aaah I keep getting food packages this month! ‘Tis the season to be fatty indeed!! :) It’s almost Christmas day and most of us have already prepared our ‘things to buy’ for Noche Buena. (Christmas Eve Dinner) In case you’re still undecided what to prepare for dessert, here’s a super ooey gooey treat for all the marshmallow lovers out there!
Sugar Rush Cake’s S’Mores Pie!! It will definitely leave you wanting for more. Hoho.
The top layer is covered with giant fluffy marshmallows which made me want to pinch the cake when I opened the box. :)) The pie is somewhat like a Chocolate mousse x Cheesecake fusion. I love how the chocolate melts in your mouth as soon as you take a bite. I wish they had melted marshmallows in between it though. *marshmallow addict here*
I served this cake to one of our Christmas parties at home and our guests were very impressed! The kiddies definitely got a sugar rush from this pie. Aside from the traditional pies & cupcakes, SugaRush also makes customized cakes. (Like my Angry Bird+Makeup Kit cake!) I hope it’s not yet too late to order. Hihi.
For orders: (MTO) Facebook: Sugarush Cakes & Pastries
RISSA CHENG
cakes.sugarush@gmail.com
GINJA Thai Restaurant ~ JW Marriott, Phuket
Greetings from Marriott Vacation Club Mai Khao! So far, our stay here at Phuket has been lovely. I’m really enjoying the eat-sleep-swim lifestyle; a well-deserved vacation by my family after a hectic and crazy car show last weekend.
We arrived at our hotel around 8:30pm so we headed to the nearest Thai restaurant which was GINJA in J.W. Marriott Hotel. What better way to welcome ourselves than to indulge in scumptous Thai food.
The place was very cozy but is a bit plain; lacks decor so I didn’t take a lot of pictures. I expected something more flambouyant considering it’s a restaurant in a 5-star hotel. The food was quite good. Nothing special but i might just be new to their way of cooking since I’m used to the Thai food in Manila.
For starters, we had Laarb Namtok salad ~thin slices of beef tenderloin marinated in vinegar, laarb and chili powder, tossed in romaine salad.
Prawns in Fresh coconut milk with chili oil and fresh pepper chives, onions and basil leaves ~ this is something I’ve never tasted before in Manila so I might head to the market tomorrow to look for ingredients for this recipe.
Ground Chicken with string beans and basil leaves in oyster sauce ~ the presentation was kind of off, it didn’t look appetizing and it was a bit too sweet./p>
And last, my favorite ~ Tom Yum Kung ~ Their version of ‘Sinigang’. Classic Thai sour broth w/ Prawns, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaf, fresh lime juice, chillies, and fish sauce. The reason why I know the recipe is because it’s our family’s favorite and my mom makes the best Tom Yum. This dish was the most favorable among all 4 orders.
I got some coconut milk from the prawns dish and it tasted even better! All in all i found this restaurant to be ayt. I just hope the other authentic Thai restAurants in Bangkok will impress us more.
If you want good Thai food att Manila, I highly recommend THAI PAN located at Scout Lazcano, QC or SPICE at The Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati. Will post more photos from my trip as soon as I get back! I hope Blackberry photos will do since I just realized I had left my camera charger at Manila.
Have a safe holy week, everyone! ☺
