Besides boasting about its exceptional services, Mandarin Oriental is known for its restaurants, namely Paseo Uno and Tin Hau. My family recently ate at Tin Hau while we were checked in at the hotel. All I can say is that this is one of the best, if not the best Chinese restaurant in town.

Jason and I got the Set Menu 1, while my parents and shobe got the Set Menu 2. Their Privilege Club Set Menus are Php 850+++ per person and are good for 2. (exclusive of government taxes, local taxes and service charge)

For starters they served us with one of the best “service peanuts” (if you get what I mean). Then followed by our Sio Mai and Scallop dimsum. Heavenly!

Then came the Braised Fish Soup, Auntie Song style.

I didn’t know what was the Auntie Song style all about when I was sipping the hot yummy soup. It was until I researched later did I know that Auntie Song is supposedly a famous cook in Hang Zhou, from the Nan Song Dynasty, 800 years back up to the present. (talk about recipe perfection).

Poached green vegetables with seafood and egg white in superior consomme followed.

Wok fried fragrant rice with roasted pork,

the Chicken stewed with eggplant, Szechuan Style,

and then the Crisp fried shrimp with sliced almonds and mayonnaise.

Lychee with almonds came for dessert. The best lychee and almonds ever.

Later that evening, we came back again for the Dimsum Platter. I tell you, their dimsum’s to die for. It’s a MUST TRY when you eat at Tin Hau.

Tin Hau at Mandarin Oriental is located at the 2nd Floor of the hotel. Open for Lunch/Dim sum: 11:30am-2:30pm and Dinner: 6:30pm-10pm (Monday-Sunday). You can contact them at (02) 750-8888 loc. 2424 or 2422 for reservations. Manager: Ernest Lau Chef: Hann Furn Chen. Dress code is Smart Casual.

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A few weeks back, I brought my whole family to Havaianas’ Playback event. They literally turned part of the Bonifacio High Street grass-grounds into a whole big playground both for kids and adults with retro Pinoy games such as Piko, Patintero, Tumbang-Preso, Sipa, and a lot more.

“Before CDs, cellphones, digital media players and the internet were invented (edit: PS3, Wii, and other gaming consoles), you were the undisputed master of Tumbang Preso, Piko and Patintero” Havaianas let everyone experience “the nostalgia of your old-school glory,” and this time, with your kids.

It’s so funny seeing my mom and dad be like a kid again and played through almost every game there was.

There were even foreigners trying out these classic Pinoy games. Fun!!

What I enjoyed the most was playing Sungka with Tiffy. I really wanted to bring home the sungka board after — sadly we cannot. Oh, and I am a little better at this than Tiffy. Rematch?

They ended (or at least, partially) with drummer boys and intruments making tribal sounds. That was awesome! I do hope Havaianas will have a repeat of this great event. To Pinoy games and sheer fun and excitement.

Technorati Tags: bong, patintero, sungka, piko, chinese garter, lakad lata, tumbang preso, brian ong, all flip flops, havaianas playback, havaianas, raein, pinoy games, superbong, the fort, retro games, philippine events, tiffy, fort bonifacio, philippine games

A month ago or so, I, together with some bloggers, were treated to Paul Calvin’s breakfast buffet. I wonder if they already have a price for their buffet already. But in any case, I would really recommend to you this place. After eating, I was told that their chef was previously from Shangri-La — and that’s why (I thought) the food was uber yummy!

What I liked the least from the food offered were the bread (I don’t know about the croissant with fruits, because I wasn’t able to taste that). I courteously told them that so that they can improve on that aspect. Everything else was fantastic! Breakfast was fit for a king. What won a lot of us was the fact that they have hot Taho there. Here are some more pictures of the yummy treat.

I sure can’t wait to head back there again and try out their other food selection, and of course, the breakfast buffet!

~o~
Paul Calvin’s Deli
Unit F 111 Forbes Town Center, Rizal Drive Bonifacio Global City
Near Mcdonalds and Forbes Wood Heights
Take Out. Grab and Go. Call Order.
Delivery. Call: +632 856-5900

Thanks to Chef Paul and Jay Em of Paul Calvin’s
Note to all: Paul Calvin’s Deli has FREE WiFi

Technorati Tags: bong, breakfast, brian ong, buffet breakfast, food, forbes town center, fort bonifacio, paul calvins deli, superbong, the fort

One of my recent food find is Manna Specialty Bakery at Esteban Abada, the street parallel to Katipunan in Quezon City. I can say that their breads are not of the ordinary and will really bring heavenly gastronomic pleasure to you. Surely. Their all-natural homemade breads will really win you.

We got the Blueberry Focaccia (Php 75), Cheddar Dill Focaccia (Php 65) a big Whole Wheat Loaf (Php 75) and Apple Butter (Php 100) that came in a glass container. Everything was superb!

So that you know when and what to order/ grab some bread love, they provided a Bread Sched!

In the shop, they have a cork board where you can post stuff. They also sell some native bags which costs from anywhere around 120-150 pesos.Not bad!

~Manna Specialty Bakery~
Casa Baronesa Building
86 Esteban Abada Street, Loyola Heights, QC
Tel # +632-4348033
Cel # +63922-8348033
Email: mannaspecialtybakery@yahoo.com.ph

The WHITE HAT – Italian Frozen Yogurt company’s third CELEBRITY-FOR-CHARITY event resumes this October 25, 2008 (SATURDAY) with TV-PERSONALITY Patricia “Shaan” Bermudez-Hizon and EX-PBA PLAYER & husband Vince Hizon as their special guests.

The famous couple will be wearing THE WHITE HAT uniforms as they serve customers for the day in an effort to raise money for their charity foundation called “EVERYDAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY FOUNDATION”. For almost 8 years, EIYBF has provided a way for people to share their blessings with the needy. It encourages people to celebrate their own birthdays not just through the usual way of splurging on a big party with friends & family, but to also share the greatest gift of LOVE, to the less fortunate.

EIYBF gathers donations (cash donations, old and new toys, books, clothes, etc.) to give to the less fortunate from the celebrant, the celebrant’s family and friends, and from companies and corporations. But more than just the gifts and donations, the celebration is also about building a “relationship” between the children and the volunteers who instantly become big brothers and big sisters. For the elderly, the volunteers become part of the family.

Also, once a year, EIYBF organizes a special day camp for orphans and children who are cancer patients to give them a day of happiness. This event is participated by many volunteer celebrities.

“We’re very glad to be part of the Hizon’s charity fund drive,” says Eric Chao, marketing manager of THE WHITE HAT. “We try our best to make customers feel extra special when they come to our store by serving them the best –tasting yogurt from Italy made from fresh milk in a clean hygienic environment. Our yogurt is guaranteed to have live active yogurt cultures (called Probiotics) which promote health. We also give our customers a selection of more than 21 healthy premium toppings. And then, on these special events, customers can get to support worthy charity organizations because 50% of their purchase amount will be donated directly to the chosen foundation of our guest celebrity servers.”

So if you have a big heart and a big appetite, drop by THE WHITE HAT at the Mall of Asia on October 25 (Saturday) and help make a difference

The White Hat store locations:
SM Mall of Asia - 2/F Entertainment Mall (South wing) Across NIKE
Robinsons Ermita - 4/F Midtown Wing (new area) Across MOVIEWORLD
Website: www.thewhitehat.comph

Hi guys! Right now my bus is probably on its way to Naga. I I’ll be away starting tonight until the 23rd. As the title says, I’m off to Caramoan, Camarines Sur! Please pray for us. Don’t worry, I’ll bring lots and lots of pasalubong…stories and photos to share to all of you! Take care y’all.

I just can’t get enough of the good aromatic yummy tea, so I got myself a stash from all over the place. Yeah, you’re right! I am a self-confessed tea addict. I love tea! Sue me!

As I am of Chinese descent, it’s no surprise that we’re all tea drinkers. Chinese restaurants = Service Tea galore. And we’re no exception to that rule. And now, my obsession with Jasmine, Oolong, Black, Green, Chai, English Breakfast, and a lot more… oh I forgot Ms. African Sunrise from CBTL, will not go away anytime soon.

Photo from Jeric Pena

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