Caffe Bene Coffee Cupping Session

Yours truly was invited to the Exclusive Party of Caffe Bene in Eastwood held about two weeks ago. The ultimate goal of the event is for the food bloggers, coffee addicts and connoisseurs to taste the Bene difference! I was actually planning to visit this place before I leave the country this month and it is but timely that I expressed my interest about knowing their coffee deeply. While I'm creating this blog post I am actually with my foodie partner sipping a great cup of White Mocha together here at their stunning branch in Eastwood.

Caffe Bene was founded in May 2008 by Sun-Kwon Kim, who is the current CEO of the brand. This cafe is the largest coffeehouse in South Korea in terms of the number of stores. Here in the Philippines, there are already two stores- Eastwood and Mall of Asia.

Before the participants are formally introduced to the coffee cupping session we were asked and educated why do people cup. Here are some of the reasons: quality and price discovery; purchasing (for origin or blending use); QA systems; blending and Subject to Approval or Sample application. We were then guided to proceed to the actual session.

Discover a fusion of cultures at My Singapore Food Street in SM Megamall

My Singapore Food Street is your official gateway to abundant Singaporean food culture and flavoursome Singaporean dishes. If you are a regular mall goer of SM Megamall like me, you most likely have noticed that the vast Orchard Road restaurant (where I usually eat my Kachang), situated at the 2nd level bridgeway of the mall is now replaced with this brand new food establishment. The then sizeable dining place shifted to a meduim-sized establishment though still houses authentic Singaporean cuisine. The road became a street. How's that for a breaking news?

My Singapore Food Street definitely brings to Manila the taste and great style of Singapore's hawker centers. It is but proper to mention than not only Singaporeans are allowed to enjoy its presence but Filipinos too whose appetite for good food is never ending especially that dishes are reasonably priced. The dining area was filled with foodies, media, members of the online community and paying customers alike during the first day of operation. It simply shows how well-loved this place is even if it got its new name and management. For your information, this is owned by business entrepreneur Jean Henri Lhuillier and Asian TV personality and celebrity chef Vivien Tan.

Kain na, mga Kapatid! Sa Oriang (by Cafe de Bonifacio)!

Kain na, mga Kapatid! This is how Oriang, a sister restaurant of Cafe de Bonifacio in The Podium, warmly welcomes its guests. Situated in the bustling Fiesta Market area of Market! Market! in Taguig, it seriously targets Filipino and foreigners alike. The place is actually a good venue for a food establishment for it is surrounded by corporate offices and is near bus and jeepney terminal. High foot traffic is greatly expected in this area which is a good move by the management of Cafe de Bonifacio to expand in this far side of the city. Oriang by Cafe de Bonifacio opened its doors last January 17 of this year. "Oriang" is the name of the restaurant because that is the nickname of Andres Bonifacio's wife Gregoria de Jesus, which I was not fully aware of not until I had the chance to visit the establishment with a group of food bloggers. For everybody's knowledge, Cafe de Bonifacio was actually inspired by Andres Bonifacio. Hence, it is but fitting that the people behind this restaurant have "Oriang" by Cafe de Bonifacio in Fort Bonifacio. 

Oriang has undoubtedly bright and lively setting. When I first set foot in this resto I know that I'll be super comfortable and that my food shots would be remarkable. Though I experienced intense heat while traveling from home to Taguig, my mood seemed to be fine because I know that the cuisine offered by them no matter how I am repetitively exposed to it is something that I cannot just avoid nor ignore. Oriang promises its guests of revolutionizing Filipino cuisine that generously provide popular Filipino dishes, along with fusion of modern and classic Pinoy dishes that very well reflects our cooking practices and traditions. I'm fortunate to have tried Cafe de Bonifacio last year and at least I basically have an idea on what to discover and uncover here.

Vamos comer at Primero Casa Filipino in Quezon City

There's an Eat-All-You-Can Buffet Restaurant in Quezon City that I regularly see whenever Jenn and I are searching for a fancy resto to try once we reach Timog or Tomas Morato area, which in fact is surrounded with a lot of bewildering scout streets. She's one of my college best friends who would drive endlessly with me just to hit the right place to be- something worth mentioning, worth raving and worth remembering. She actually grew up in this city that is filled with assorted food and drinking establishments that complements our lifestyle. Whenever I see this elegant private house or 'casa' I can't help but be awed with its inspiring beauty, uncommonness and mystery. I finally satisfied my curiosity about a week ago and was relatively happy about the experience. Together with the two foodies I regularly get in touch with in the blogging community here in Manila, we successfully got to try Primero Casa Filipino on one rainy night. 

The place was originally called Chef Laudico's Casa Filipino, but for some unknown reasons the celebruty chef's name was removed and shifted to a name that very well reflects greatest strength, vigor and success. Does Primero Casa Filipino appeals to you? Kindly read the rest of the post to decide.