5 Tips for the Upcoming Mega Traffic in Metro Manila

Honestly, I don't know if the traffic can get any worst in Metro Manila. Skyway Stage 3 construction officialy started last night but we won't really feel the chaos until all projects simultaneously coincide with each other. Amidst all the hype and armageddon-like description from the media of the upcoming traffic that will be caused by the Skyway Stage 3 infrastructure project, here are some tips to get you all lock and loaded for the supposedly traffic-ggedon:

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Newsbits: Metrobank Platinum and World Mastercard Promo: Peking Gardenat 50% Off

Good news for those who have Metrobank Platinum or World Mastercard as Metrobank brings you back the 50% off at Peking Garden as they celebrate 18 years!

Staring July 22 upto August 23, 2013 cardholders will be able to enjoy 50% off on food and drinks
This is applicable during the following hours:
Lunch time from Mondays to Fridays, 11:30am to 2:00pm
Dinner time from Mondays to Fridays, 06:00pm to 10:00pm

(Orders and billings should be taken within these times and service charges excluded)

Both Peking Garden TriNoMa and Greenbelt5 Branches are included in this promotion!

                               

                                     

LaNnA
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Spatzle: Euro Market Cafe (Shangrila Mall East Wing)

After walking around Shangrila's new east wing, we decided to try out a new restaurant called "Spatzle". From the outside, it has this rustic feel which is the "in" theme nowadays in the restaurant industry. This one though made sure that  everything is well thought of, from the utensil organizer on your table to the hand sanitizer and even their table napkins are in theme. I love their tables as well and no back aches when I sat on their chair.

Utensil organizer

Hand sanitizer

Rustic texture of their tables. 

Service was also good as there was a waiter stationed near our table. Here's their menu:

Unique dessert list

The Food
I was able to eat a little bit of everything just to get a taste of each as we ordered one dish per person.

Pork Chops & Crispy Apples | Php 325.00

I wasn't able to eat the apple but my sister said that it went well with the pork chop. This isn't the first restaurant that I've tried serving pork chop with apples. The pork chop was okay. Nothing that couldn't be done at home.

Roesti Haus Burger | Php 350.00

 My mom got this. We had a hard time finishing this dish because the burger was super dry (not the brand hehe). It was okay when eaten with gravy on it but it was still dry. I will put my 'Roesti' comments on the extra solo roesti dish we ordered.

Roast Chicken Sausage on Mushroom Spätzle | Php 295.00

 My brother got this. He said that he liked it but I didn't and this dish was dry as well. It doesn't look appetizing too! The chicken was white meat and sadly, I wasn't able to taste whatever sauce it has when I tasted it. It's that dry.

Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Roesti | Php 370.00

Now this is my order. You can imagine the disappointment when this dish was served. I have no complaints with the smoked salmon. It's the kind of smoked salmon I can buy in supermarkets. It was good. The problem was the tiny serving. There was just 2 strips of smoked salmon and a whole plate of Roesti with egg. Very expensive for such a small serving.

Homemade Italian Meatballs | Php 298.00

 My dad got this. There were 1 or 2 small meatballs inside that bowl. He said that he liked the sauce but I still prefer Sbarro's tomato sauce. It was a bit dry as well.

Chicken and fresh mushrooms in cream | Php 320.00

My wife got this dish and this was I think one of the best dishes for the night. It might be because it was saucy else it would've been dry as well. I didn't notice anything special. in this dish as well.

Roesti Classic with Sour Cream and Lemon Wedge | Php 160.00

Roesti is a Swiss dish consisting mainly of potatoes. Almost all the dishes we ordered came with roesti so my sister who ordered the pork chop with apples ordered this extra order. This might be the only dish that is not dry. Yes, it was really crispy but it was swimming in oil! All of our roesti were like that. My brother and I usually get headaches when the food is very oily and we did have one after our meal here.

The Drinks

Mint Lemonade | Php 125.00

This drink is good and I recommend it. Refreshing and cool, I can imagine drinking this on a summer porch facing the beach.

Spätz Haus Iced Tea | Php 80.00

I usually ask first if the iced tea they serve is house blended or powdered. They said that it was house blended. I ordered. Didin't like it. Lacks taste.

Conclusion
Based on the furniture they used and the accessories inside the restaurant, I'm pretty sure that they have put a lot of thought in this. Sadly, the food did not do justice to how they look like. In general, most of the food were dry and bland. To put things into a better perspective, it's like putting your food in the ref and reheating it the next day. Not sure if that is what they do to improve serving time needed or maybe they are just in the soft opening stages? I'm not coming back anytime soon but I was glad to have tried it. Having traveled to Europe particularly in Switzerland where rösti and spätzle are famous for, it might have upgraded my standards one notch higher.

This made me miss Magyar more. Sad that it closed down already. :(

Spatzle Euro Market Cafe 
5/F East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza Mall,

Cheftonio
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Suzhou: Eastern Chinese Cuisine in Metro Manila

There's this new restaurant in Bonifacio Global City that serves eastern Chinese cuisine which has been open for a few months now. Eastern Chinese cuisine is a lot different from the usual Chinese restaurants we experience here in Manila. It's a place where you can have modern Shanghainese comfort food.

But as I talked to the owners, I realized that this is not that new after all! In fact, I've already been to Suzhou restaurant a lot of times without noticing the brand because they've already rebranded. It's my first time in this branch but I frequented the one inside Promenade Greenhills the most! They usually have the hole-in-the-wall type of restaurants in the past and this branch is their first upscale restaurant and a few more coming soon. Makati is their next target location as per the owner.

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Sofitel French Month: Tour de France Buffet at Spiral Manila

Sofitel Philippine Plaza celebrates the French month with grandeur as they line up events that will bring France closer to Manila.

The Tour de France is an annual multiple stage bicycle race primarily held in France, while also occasionally making passes through nearby countries. In Spiral you may experience this adventure through executive Chef Eric Costille's gastronomical experience. He will prepare an array of authentic French cuisine from different regions of France from Nice to Bordeaux to Brittany to Savoy!

Spiral's Executive Chef Eric Costille

We feel privileged to have been invited by them so we can get a first look and taste of what to expect at Spiral Manila in the coming weeks for their French month special (schedule below) Here's what we experienced:

A bike roaming around the Spiral dining area offering wine and other goodies

They went the extra mile to make sure the experience is authentic!

by serving us Evian water! Very Parisian-like!

Tropezienne Cake - Famous in St. Tropez (Pronounced as San Tro-Pey)

I will do another post of official food shots from Spiral Manila with labels as I wasn't able to clearly identify each one of the dishes posted above. I will update this post after they have responded to my inquiry.

Schedule of regional specialties from:
Nice July 1-7, 2013
Bordeaux July 8-14, 2013
Brittany July 15-21, 2013
Savoy July 22-28, 2013

For reservations, email fbreservations@sofitelmanila.com or call (+632)8326988 / (+632)5515555 ext. 6988


Other French related events this July 2013 at Spiral Manila:

Bastille Day. (Image from http://www.icra.it)

Celebrate Bastille Day at Spiral [July 13 and 14, 2013]
To the French people, Bastille day is much much bigger than New Year's eve. This is one of the most recognized historical days in France. Prepare your palates as the Master chefs from Spiral serve you with authentic French specialties fit for a Bastille Day celebration. Also, on the eve of Bastille Day (July 13), enjoy a grand fireworks display at around 9:00pm at the poolside.

Rates:
July 13, 2013 - Includes free flowing Bastille cocktails and champagne from 12:00~2:00pm and access to the fireworks.
P2,680.00++ (adults) / P1300.00++ (kids, 4~11 y.o.)

July 14, 2013 - Includes unlimited French champagne
P2,590.00++ (adults) / P1500.00++ (kids, 4~11 y.o.)

Brigitte Bardot Exhibition [July 30 ~ September 10, 2013]
A unique photo exhibition, it is going to travel across 8 properties this year in Asia. The "BB Forever - Brigitte Bardot, the legend" was a success last year when it went on tour in hotels in New York, Chicago, Washington and Los Angeles. This is in collaboration with journalist and writer Henry-Jean Servat. It traces the life of the famous French actress.

French film actress was a known figure during the 50's~70's. An international star who worked with renowned film makers in the industry having done 48 films in a 21-year acting career. She is known as the French Marilyn Monroe. She was also known as "BB".

Tour Schedule:
Sofitel Bankok Sukhumvit [Feb~Apr]
Sofitel Wanda Beijing [ Mar-May]
Sofitel Saigon Plaza [May - June]
Sofitel Forebase Chongqing [June-July]
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila [July-Sept]
Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich [Aug-Sept]
Sofitel Mumbai BKC [Oct-Dec]
Sofitel Macau At Pointe [Oct-Dec]

For more information,
Website: www.sofitel.com
Email: fbreservations@sofitelmanila.com
Sofitel Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/sofitelmanila
Spiral Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/spiralmanila
Telephone number: (+632)8326988 / (+632)5515555 ext. 6988

Cheftonio
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