Ramadan Mubarak 2014

Today is the start of Ramadan in the Philippines and in many countries around the world. The Blessed Month of Ramadan is one of the most special months for Muslims as this is when they observe one of the five pillars of Islam. For 29 to 30 days, our Muslim brothers and sisters will perform the Sawm, or fasting, from dusk until dawn and will abstain from eating, drinking and having sexual contact with their spouse.

Mainroad Chicken, a Taste of Davao in Metro Manila

Mainroad Chicken is a fastfood restaurant specializing in Davao-style chicken and pork barbecue. They opened their first branch in Tagum City, Davao del Norte and now has a branch in Pasig City, located at Caruncho Avenue right beside the Pasig City Hall. Whenever we visit Davao, we make sure that we don't miss the opportunity to have a taste of their barbecue. With Mainroad Chicken opening a branch in Pasig City, it has become our go-to place to satisfy our Davao-style barbecue craving.

NEW Restaurant in Kapitolyo: Tomahawk Chops & Grill

Tomahawk Chops & Grill is one of the newest restaurants in Kapitolyo, Pasig City's most exciting dining destination. They opened on June 13, it is so new that only very few people (the owners' friends and Kapitolyo residents) know about it. Now the secret is out! This casual dining restaurant specializes in, you guessed it, Tomahawk Chops. But what are Tomahawk chops exactly?

MORE: Best Restaurants in Kapitolyo 2014

NEW Restaurant in Kapitolyo: Red Panda Bistro

Red Panda Bistro is a newly opened casual dining restaurant in Kapitolyo, Pasig City. They specialize in Chinese & French cuisine, a new dining destination where East really meets with West. The culinary team behind Red Panda Bistro is led by Chef Philip John Golding of the Golding Culinary Group.

Greeka Kouzina in Kapitolyo, Pasig City (Now Open)

Greeka Kouzina is a casual dining restaurant specializing in Greek cuisine. They recently opened a new branch in Kapitolyo, Pasig City. They are located at the ground floor of D Strip Building along United Street, near Ace Water Spa.

Off The Grid (OTG) at the McKinley Hill, Taguig City

Off The Grid (OTG) is a new fast casual restaurant at the McKinley Hill, Taguig City, an addition to the growing number or restaurants by the Distillery Group of Chef Carlo Miguel. The idea is to bring a gourmet food truck experience inside a dine-in restaurant. Eating at OTG is virtually like eating at a food truck with all the comfort of a restaurant.

Abra Miki now available in Metro Manila

Abra Miki is a Filipino noodle soup dish made of miki noodles cooked in a rich pork broth. Its orange color comes from annatto seeds (atsuete). To make it more special and flavorful, a hard boiled egg, shredded pork and bits of chicharon are added to the soup. In contrast to the Ilocos Miki, Abra Miki's broth is not as thick as that of Ilocos Miki. Abra Miki's broth is also richer in flavor.

Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan

The Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) is observed in the Philippines as national holiday to commemorate the Fall of Bataan when thousands of Filipino and American soldiers surrendered to the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II after three months of bloody struggle to defend the Philippines against the invading Japanese forces. Every June 9, commemoration ceremonies are held at the Mount Samat National Shrine (also called Dambana ng Kagitingan) in Bataan, a memorial shrine built in honor of the heroism and valor of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought side by side against the Japanese.

The Beanery in Balanga, Bataan

The Beanery is a cafe and restaurant in Balanga City, Bataan offering coffee, espresso and non-espresso based beverages and pastries, as well as sandwiches, pastas and rice meals. It is the most frequented restaurant in the city because of the wide selection of food choices and they are particularly famous for their cakes and muffins.

Main Street Restaurant at the McKinley Hill, Taguig City

Main Street Restaurant is a casual dining restaurant specializing in Canadian cuisine. They are located at the Tuscany Private Estate, McKinley Hill in Taguig City.

Lunch Specials at Pinac Heirloom Capampangan Cuisine

Pinac is a casual dining restaurant at the U.P. Town Center in Quezon City featuring heirloom dishes of Candaba, Pampanga. We love Kapampangan cuisine, and if you have been following our blog, you must have read our 2013-feature Discover Kapampangan Cuisine of Candaba at Pinac. It was with great joy when Rowena of animetric.me invited us to join a group of bloggers for lunch to sample Pinac's new lunch specials.

Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Sorsogon City

The Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, or the Sorsogon Cathedral, is perhaps the most distinguishable landmark in the city. It is the seat of the Parish of Sts. Peter and Paul and of the Diocese of Sorsogon. The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul is observed on June 29 of each year. On that same date, the City of Sorsogon also celebrates the annual Pili Festival which showcases the pili nut through colorful street dances, trade fairs and cooking competition using the pili nut as an ingredient.

Mercedes Country Lodge in Sorsogon City

Mercedes Country Lounge is a budget hotel in Sorsogon City located at the city's commercial center. It is strategically located along the national highway (Rizal Street) and within walking distance to restaurants such as Bigg's Diner, banks and transport terminals. It is also an ideal base for travelers who wish to explore nearby attractions or go on a day trip to the neighboring Gubat for surfing.

Gubat, Sorsogon: a Surfing Destination in Bicol

Located on the east coast of the province of Sorsogon is the town of Gubat, Bicol's answer to the growing number of surfing destinations in the Philippines. Gubat faces the Pacific Ocean making it an all-year surfing haven for travellers who wish to learn how to surf. For the more experienced surfers, the months of October to March are the best time to visit Gubat. Surfing competitions happen in Gubat every October during the Gubat October Swellfest.

Bigg's Diner in Sorsogon City

Bigg's Diner Sorsogon is a fastfood restaurant in Sorsogon City offering classic Filipino and American dishes set in an American retro diner. It is part of Bigg's Diner Group, the biggest food chain in the Bicol Region with a total of 15 branches including three branches in Batangas and Laguna. Bigg's Diner Sorsogon is strategically located in the commercial center of the city, near Save More Supermarket. It is easily accessible either by tricycle or just by walking.

Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken in Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken is a casual dining restaurant in Kapitolyo, Pasig City specializing in frango assado com molho de piri-piri, a traditional Portuguese dish of roasted chicken served with a spicy sauce commonly known as Piri Piri Chicken. The restaurant's marinade and spicy sauce are based on the family recipe of one of the restaurant's partners, Mr. João Braquinho, who hails from the Alentejo Region of Portugal.

MORE: Best Restaurants in Kapitolyo 2014

Luzviminda 2014: F1 Hotel Manila's Tribute to Filipino Cuisine

Following its huge success in 2013, F1 Hotel Manila is once again bringing together the flavors of the three major regions of the Philippines through its Luzviminda 2 buffet which will be running from June 12-26, 2014. Joining F1 Hotel Manila's Executive Chef Sau del Rosario are guest chefs Tristan Encarnacio representing Luzon, Editha Singian representing Visayas, and Victor Parangan representing Mindanao.

See also our feature on Luzviminda 2013

Charlie's Grind & Grill in Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Charlie's Grind & Grill is a fast casual restaurant located in Kapitolyo, Pasig City that serves American-style gourmet burgers made with fresh, high quality, imported beef. Set in a rustic space beside a carwash, Charlie's offers a taste of luxury through their burgers at relatively affordable prices.

Dad Deserves a Deluxe Staycation at F1 Hotel Manila

Our staycaytion at F1 Hotel Manila was one of our best staycations ever in Metro Manila and an F1 Hotel Manila Staycation is definitely one of the best gifts you can give your father on his special day!

Capones Island and Lighthouse in San Antonio, Zambales

Capones Island, located off the coast of the town of San Antonio in the province of Zambales, is favorite weekend travel destination in the Philippines as it is conveniently accessible from the capital city of Manila. The island is famous for the century-old Capones Lighthouse. Pundaquit Beach is the jump-off point to this island, as well as to a number of other coves in Zambales.

Free Drink for all Dads at Lōla Cafe on Father's Day

A special treat for Dads at Lōla Cafe + Bar on Father's Day! For every one (1) dish (appetizers, salads, pasta, entrée, soup; excluding desserts) ordered, Dad gets a choice of non-alcoholic drink (mocktail, iced tea, sodas, local beer) for FREE. Here are more details of the promo:

Raintree Restaurants Group Father’s Day Promos

There's no better way to treat Dad on his special day than by giving him a pleasurable gastutory experience. The Raintree Restaurants Group has prepared these special meals that only the best Dads in the world deserve.

Black Olive's Father's Day Menu

Black Olive celebrates Father's Day with a special menu. The Black Olive Father's Day Specials will be available from June 13-20, 2014 only. As part of this promo, Dad will receive one bottle of Titje Beer for every item ordered from the menu. Here are six new dishes created by Chef Carlo Miguel and his team for the occasion:

12 Restaurants in Metro Manila to Celebrate Independence Day

Independence Day is a day of national celebration that we Filipinos should participate in, and here in the Philippines, no celebration is complete without good food. Here are 12 restaurants in Metro Manila where you can feast on some of the best Filipino cuisine prepared and created by Manila's top culinary minds.

Egg-it Hong Kong Style Waffles with a Twist in Kapitolyo, Pasig

Egg-it is a hole-in-the-wall snack store in Kapitolyo, Pasig serving Hong Kong style waffles with a twist. The store got its name from eggette, the common name of this snack. It is basically made of a batter cooked in a special pan that creates the distinctive small spherical shapes of the waffle.

Vikings SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City

Vikings Luxury Buffet, the Philippines' largest buffet restaurant, opened in March 2014 its fifth branch located on the fourth floor of SM Megamall's premier dining destination, the Mega Fashion Hall.